Costuming Rules

Decorum

Decorum is a term that can be used to describe items, language, and behaviour as being from the medieval or fantasy genres, and generally means setting appropriate. Decorum at Reckoning LARP does not necessarily mean that something must be strictly medieval, but does mean that it must fit within the prescribed feel of the game. Decorum is the golden standard at our event and is used to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the experience fully, this means to avoid anachronisms as much as possible. A higher standard of costuming allows us to create a more immersive and engaging experience. All items that enter the play area must be decorum and approved by staff prior to the event. Staff reserve the right to ask players wearing items that do not meet our standards to remove them.

General Costume Notes:

While each faction has specific guidelines to be found on their pages, here are some general guidelines: 

  • All players are human and living in a gritty and practical human world, their armor and weapons should reflect that. We shy away from impractical or high fantasy gear. If it’s something that would not fit on screen in something like Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, the Witcher or a Middle Ages movie, then it is likely out of place.

  • Personal heraldry may be approved for certain cultures but must be approved by Staff.

  • Players may not wear the primary colors of a different culture, however they can wear it as decoration on small items such as stitching or painted elements. (e.g. Red roses, a yellow sun) The dominant color on your kit must always be your cultures primary color.

  • Trade has flourished in the March, players may be permitted to wield or wear 1 to 2 items that are outside of their normal culture restrictions as long as it is approved by staff. All “borrowed” items must be of the correct color. Items that are culturally distinctive such as armor or shields will likely not be approved, but weapons and small accessories may be.

  • In general the following types of armor allowed: Steel Plate, Chainmail ( aluminum and steel), Leather, Lamellar (steel and leather) and Padded (such as gambesons). Plastic armor may be allowed provided it is constructed in a way that makes it look like steel, whether that means it is painted or covered by another acceptable material.

Items that are not permitted in the game area

  • Modern clothing, this can include any of the following:

    • T-shirts

    • Jeans

    • Hoodies

    • Tennis Shoes

    • Hats

    • Modern synthetic fabrics

    • Crocs

  • Bandanas

  • Bright neon colors

  • Foam armor

  • Fairy, Elven, Orc, or high fantasy styled armor. These creatures do exist in the Reckoning universe but are controlled as NPCs as part of the story and not permitted for players.

  • Sunglasses (unless they are prescription)

  • Watches

  • Cell phones or any other electronic device

  • Modern bottles or cans. Water is highly recommended but should be kept in a decorum bottle or waterskin. Modern containers are permitted provided they are fully covered by leather or fabric.

  • Any recognizable real-world symbols, modern or historical, such as country flags, crusader crosses, other religious symbols. Such things do not exist in the world of Reckoning.

  • Any recognizable fantasy symbols such as the Stark direwolf, white tree of Gondor, Warhammer purity seals, or Witcher wolf medallion. We do not own the rights to these and could be liable for posting photos containing them.

  • Any historical garb from beyond the scope of our event which covers roughly the 5th to the late 15th century. Examples include ribbed corsets, ancient greek armor, musketeers, or civil war era garb.

  • Cameras, we pay photographers to document the game which allows you to focus on the world around you without looking through a viewfinder.

    Modern garb such as T-shirts, socks, or underwear, are permissible but must be fully covered by the rest of your kit. Modern leather boots may be permitted provided they are covered at all times by spats or gaiters. Any items or medicines prescribed by a doctor are permitted in the game area. In general these prohibited items, especially phones, are allowed on site but must remain in your tent, car, or other hidden place. Some staff may have phones or walkie-talkies on them, however these are for safety and game control purposes. We will do our best to only use them outside of the line of sight of players and ensure that immersion is maintained.