====== New to Parlour LARP? ======

Hello, and welcome to the wiki for //Ex Nihilo//! If you've never played a parlour LARP before, or if you're completely new to roleplaying games, we're very glad you're here! This page aims to give you a quick introduction.

There is a [[start:glossary]] page, which will explain jargon used on this page and elsewhere on the wiki/in the society. You may also find the [[start:roleplaying_tips|Tips for Roleplaying in Ex Nihilo]] page helpful. In addition, every player must be familiar with the game's [[start:cat|Conduct and Acceptable Themes policy]].

Any questions, concerns, and character ideas should be emailed to [[gm@exnihilo.oxfordrpg.com|the GM Team]] or shared with us on Discord.

===== What's a Roleplaying Game? =====
A roleplaying game is somewhere between amateur dramatics and collaborative storytelling. You turn up, create a character to play, and play them! There are no scripts or lines, no set outcomes to what will happen --- just a setting, a bunch of other characters to interact with, some systems to facilitate the narrative, and some GMs (Game Moderators) who provide structure and make sure it all runs smoothly.

Most importantly: roleplaying is about having fun and creating stories with other players. Absolutely no experience is required to play a game like //Ex Nihilo//, and there will be plenty of supportive people on hand to help you out if you're confused about any aspect of the game. Turn up and enjoy yourself!

===== So... What is a Parlour LARP? =====

You may be looking into this game expecting a bunch of tables and a chance to use your no-doubt fabulous dice collection. If so, you certainly wouldn't be the first (a lot of our veteran players expected a tabletop before their first games), but parlour LARPs (short for 'live action role-play') are not tabletops. Instead, they're a roleplaying system where players mill about a room talking in character to other PCs (Player Characters) and NPCs (Non-Player Characters) to share information and move plot forward. Compared with traditional linear LARPs, parlour LARPs take place indoors, and characters do not have a set 'goal' to achieve.

You also need to look at the [[start:cat|CAT (Conduct and Acceptable Themes) policy]] before starting a game. The CAT policy will let you know what potentially upsetting topics to expect in the game, and which you should not bring up while playing.

The game consists of a combination of Uptimes with Plans between them. In an Uptime (our term for events happening at in-person sessions) you play your character talking to, and plotting with, other characters, pursuing GM-led stories, and experiencing the world.  For more information, see [[system:uptimes_sessions|here]]. Plans are small, written pieces of text that tell us what you have done in the last Uptime and what you want to do in the next Uptime. These don't have to be long, but are a way of letting us make the game as fun for you as possible by giving you experiences that you are interested in pursuing. You can read more about Plans and how they work [[system:downtimes_plans|here]].

If you've made it this far, you should be all set to start playing! To sign up, enter the ballot by 11:59pm on Wednesday of 0th week (22nd April) and fill in the character creation form by 11:59pm on Thursday of 0th week (23rd April). Details of logistics are on the [[start:when_where|When and Where]] page, and an explanation of what to put on the form is on the [[system:character_creation|Character Creation]] page. There is also an optional in-person [[start:when_where|character creation session]] to discuss any ideas or concerns you might have. Don't worry if you still have questions -- the GMs are very friendly (we promise) and are always happy to answer any questions. You can contact the GMs on Discord or via the GM email, [[gm@exnihilo.oxfordrpg.com]].