Frequently Asked Questions

What is Seven Tribes?
Seven Tribes is a live action fantasy role-playing game. A live action role-playing game immerses the player into the game environment. Everything from location to costuming and props help to make the player more immersed into the game. In a live action game there are a multitude of other players also experiencing the game, all of them in appropriate costuming for their characters. They provide each other with substantial role-playing opportunities. In addition to other players there are also antagonists and supporting characters (called Non-Player Characters or NPCs) played by assistants of the organization, with which the interacts. Since every NPC is being played by a different individual (unlike table-top where the Game Master/Dungeon Master/Storyteller plays every individual the players encounter) many different conversations can occur, no player has to wait for the attention of one storyteller. Any waiting the player encounters will be caused by an 'in-game' circumstance (the person he wants to talk to is actually talking to someone else - 'in-game').In a live action game, the player does not narrate his character's actions, he performs them. Of course there are certain actions which need to be simulated, usually because of safety concerns. The most common of these sorts of actions is combat, another is magic.

How is combat resolved?
Seven Tribes' combat system is a narrated combat system. Other live action fantasy games often use 'boffer' swords and weapons. The players hit one another with these weapons. This form of combat is a 'live action' combat system. Seven Tribes does not use this sort of combat for a few reasons. The most important one is fairness. In a 'live action' combat system, if the player is not good at fighting then neither will the character he plays. This means that some players will simply never be able to play a feared warrior because they can't fight. In a narrated combat system, every player is equal since only the abilities of the character are considered, not the physical capabilities of the player. White Wolf Studio's Mind Eye Theater live action system is a good example of narrated combat, the New England Role-playing Organization (NERO) system is a good example of live-action combat.

Where, when and how often do these events take place?
Live action fantasy is best experienced in a rural area, usually a camp with cabins rented for the weekend by the organization. In-game, the camp is usually a small town or village around which the story-line is centered. This sort of location often has places for bonfires in the evenings, trails for wilderness adventuring and a kitchen and cafeteria to serve the purposes of a tavern. The camp Seven Tribes uses is Rideau Hill Camp near Ottawa (a 30 minute drive).Events take place in Spring and Fall, about 4 events a year (2 in Spring and 2 in Fall). Each event lasts a full weekend and is packed full of plot and role-playing. The next event is going to be in the early Spring of 2001.

How much does participation in these events cost?
A large part of the costs incurred by players of Seven Tribes is in acquiring costuming and props. Every item owned by a player's character is represented by a prop and an equipment tag. Without the prop, the equipment tag (and the piece of equipment) is not 'in-game'. Props for weapons must be safe and non-metal. Besides props, the player also has to have appropriate costuming for his character. Many costumes are quite easy to make or purchase, but some can be quite expensive. Each event a player attends costs $30. This charge does not include any meals. Players are encouraged to bring their own food or to purchase meals at the tavern. Players who wear armour will need a second set of beads and a second bag and any players who wish to can purchase a rulebook for $20. Rulebooks are useful but not a necessity.

If I'm interested in playing, what's my next step?
The next event is planned for Spring of 2001. Interested players should register well in advance (a month or two in advance is best). The organization needs some notice in order to plan story-lines specific to the players' characters as well as the overall story-line. Players that register more than 1 month before an event are further rewarded with 2 extra bonus experience points to apply to their characters. You can call Eric (819) 771-4544 (a local call from Ottawa) to make arrangements for character creation and also to ask more specific questions, the Kingston contact is Jeff at (613) 634-3321. Contact with the organization can also be made by email via info@seventribes.com

Is there any way to just try the game without having to pay money?
The organization can always use NPCs for events. Playing as an NPC costs the player nothing and gives him a chance to see what the game is like. NPCs play all the supporting roles needed during the event and as such are expected to follow direction by the Narrators and Storytellers of the event. NPCs are rewarded with some experience points to put toward a future character if they chose to play in a future event.