start [Ex Nihilo]

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====== The First Step ======
>"//Light.//
>
>//It was the first thing that I saw. A brilliant glow that filled the cavern. It came from the cracks in my body and from the bodies of those around me.//
>
>//It was soothing. I felt safe. Even though I did not know the rest of my people, their presence put me at ease.//
>
>//I had not yet learned to fear what hid in the shadows.//"


----

//Ex Nihilo// is one of the two [[https://www.oxfordrpg.com/society_game.shtml|ORPGSoc Society Games]] running in Trinity Term 2026. For details on the schedule, see [[start:when_where|here]].

You have come into existence, the first of your species. You have a [[setting:haven|sanctuary]] to keep you safe, but the [[setting:outside|world beyond]] is harsh and unknown. There are creatures outside, but they are not like you. They are made of flesh and blood, you are made of stone and energy. Your mind is full of strange thoughts and visions as you are left to explore the nature of the outside and your existence. What do you do? Who do you become?

//Ex Nihilo// is intended to be a game that grapples with concepts of spiritualism, purpose, and fear of the unknown. Characters have opportunities to discover and understand the world around them. As they do so, they may find the world has many horrors, in addition to the horrors they encounter within themselves.

//Ex Nihilo// will also be an **uptime only** game. GMs will take the role of narrators instead of playing recurring NPCs, describing the player characters' surroundings and experiences. Through GM-led narration, characters have the opportunity to go on Expeditions outside their Haven, uncovering locations and secrets in the outside world. For more information, see the [[system:uptimes_sessions|Uptime and Sessions]] page.

Additionally, //Ex Nihilo// is designed to allow players to choose their level of commitment. You will have the option to inform the GMs if you wish to exit the game early or cannot make some sessions.
===== Where to Start =====

Character creation in //Ex Nihilo// is a simple process, requiring little knowledge of the world or setting. To get an idea of what the game will be like and what themes it will explore, read the [[start:style_tone|Style and Tone]] page. To learn about what characters in Ex Nihilo look and play like, read through [[setting:people|their page]], and through the [[system:mechanics|Cores and Seeds]]. When you are ready to create a character, read through the steps on [[system:character_creation|Character Creation]]. Before playing, you are required to read through the [[start:cat|Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy]] to know which themes are allowed in the game.

To understand what Uptimes in //Ex Nihilo// will look like, read through the [[system:uptimes_sessions|Uptimes and Sessions]] page. Even if you're a veteran Society Game player, we **strongly** recommend that you read through this and the [[system:downtimes_plans|Downtime and Plans]] page fully, as the format of //Ex Nihilo// varies greatly from other Society Games.

//If you are completely new to society games and the wiki system, you may wish to read through our [[start:new_larp|Introduction to Parlour LARP]] and [[info:wiki_intro|Introduction to the Wiki System]] pages. The [[start:glossary|Glossary]] page also contains a reference of terms frequently used in society games.//

===== Details =====
//Ex Nihilo// will take place every Tuesday in a number of locations. An in-person session for character creation will be held on the **23rd of April**. Further information about deadlines, balloting, and venues is available [[start:when_where|here]].

If you have any questions about any aspect of the game or need to get in touch for another reason, you can contact the GM Team via [[gm@exnihilo.oxfordrpg.com]].