The first thing that I did was lead Paz to the bar. I figured that if the fantasy novels I’d read were correct, the bar would be the best place to get good information.

The two of us sat on stools and leaned on the bar.

“What’ll it be?” The bartender asked.

“What soda options do you have?” I asked.

“Pretty much everything.” He replied.

“I’ll take a Coca-Cola.” I said.

“Same,” Paz chimes in.

“Sure thing lasses,” the bartender said, slinging a rag over his shoulder and emptying cans of the soda into two mugs.

The mugs were slid along the bar towards us. Paz and I drank while I tried to figure out what to say. How were you supposed to ask what was going on in game? I was starting to worry that I would sound really stupid.

Just as I worked up the courage to say something, anything, to the bartender, a woman with a dark green dress and cloak sat next to Paz and I at the bar.

“Hey Reggie, I’ll have my usual.” She called out.

The bartender quickly slid a drink to her that I couldn’t identify.

The woman pushed back the hood of her cloak, revealing dark curls. She smiled at Paz and I.

“So, newbies?” She said.

“Yep,” Paz said.

“Well, always good to have new people joining.” The woman said. “I’m Celeste. I’ve been with the Feather Grove group for a couple years now.”

The two of us decided to introduce ourselves as well.

“I’m Juliet.”

“Paz.”

“Hey, it’s easy to get confused or lost when you’re new here. How about the two of you stick with me for the day and I’ll show you around and help you learn the system.” Celeste offered.

Paz and I looked at each other. On one hand, we didn’t know Celeste. On the other, it would be nice to have someone to show us the ropes. We nodded at each other in agreement, we were going to take Celeste up her offer.

“Awesome,” Celeste said. “Follow me, I want to see how well the two of you can use your LARP weapons.”

Paz, Celeste, and I finished our drinks and then left the tavern. Celeste led the way as we walked through the town. She chattered a bit as we headed in the direction of a green field with a sign marked training area.

“I think you guys are going to really enjoy our group,” Celeste said. “We’ve got everything from combat to horseback riding to music. And our group is one of the biggest in the system.”

Once we arrived at the field, Celeste began to explain the combat rules to us.

“So first off, you draw your weapon, tap the other persons weapon, and say lay on. That’s how you start a match. Unless it’s a free for all.” Celeste began, demonstrating with her short sword. “Now when you attack you need to be careful to never hit someone on the head. It’s not allowed and you can seriously hurt someone. The biggest thing is you’re going to want to make a stabbing or slashing motion with your weapon. The tip has to be thrust legal to stab though. Yours are fine since the tips are bendy enough but some weapons are too hard. You don’t want to actually run someone through.

In order to defeat someone, you need to hit them in two spots. You need to get either both legs, both arms, or an arm and a leg. Each limb you hit can’t be used so the leg has to be dragged and the arm has to be put behind the back. But if you stab someone in the gut that’s an instant kill in game. So stab or two limbs mean that the player is dead. Thankfully this system has a resurrection system and healing so you won’t lose your character.

Anyway, let me see what you guys can do.”

Paz and I circled each other and sparred a bit more carefully than we did when training with Jade. After Paz managed to win the bout, Celeste stopped the practice.

“Wow, you guys are pretty good! You sure you’ve never done this before?” Celeste said.

“We’ve never LARPed before.” Paz replied.

“Well, anyway, we should get going. The monster hunt is about to start and I definitely want you two newbies on my team.” Celeste told us.

“Monster hunt?” I said, exchanging a nervous look with Paz.