So, I havent had the chance to talk to anyone that I met at Kanarak and I have been miserable each month knowing that I cant come and rock out with you guys. After watching and reading some of the posts, I feel that you all need some lifting up. I only got to go to one event this past summer and it was my first ever LARP. It was everything I had hoped and so much more. I was extremely nervous on the way out and when I first got there. Leading up to court, I was shaking. I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I have an innate fear of people and my anxiety has two major triggers: New people and new places. Going into Kanarak, I only know Paul and had met Krissy once. I defied every urge to decline Pauls invitation and never speak of Kanarak again. Thank my lucky stars I didnt. While things were being set up and we waited for everyone to arrive (we had come early to help with set up) right as we came into the Elf Camp, I was greeted by about six or eight people. I was immediately included in the conversation but I was not forced to talk more than I was comfortable nor was I judged or otherwise looked down upon for my few awkward remarks. I slowly began to feel safe. As more and more people arrived, I was taken around personally by Liza Wright and introduced to people and places while Paul set up camp. My shell was slowly peeled away by understanding and kind people. I had a few fun talks with Cher Wright and had a great time that Saturday night with all of the women at the inn! After court, all of us newbies were herded off to learn some combat basics. As I left and joined Paul and one other player (Really bad with names, sorry guys) and was able to get into character, everything melted away. Soon after I went on my first mod and that was it. Kanarak was and forever will be an amazing lifetime memory. Between the gentle approach to new player skill and comfort levels and the always engaging story elements, the only thing that would make it better would be to literally enter the town of Silverhill. I had some great in character moments with Kevin as well as everyone else that I came into a five foot radius of. For me, we all melted away and so did Kanarak. When the Night/Dark Elf walked past me and we exchanged and awkward and tense glare and once over, it wasnt me playing a high elf glaring at another person who was playing a Night/Dark Elf. I was horrible offended that this shadow of a True Elf would look me in the eyes. This was the first of countless interactions between players where there was no Kanarak, Sterling, Foam or camping. I had tracked down an old acquaintance to this insane town where you couldnt close your eyes for five seconds without hearing the battle cry to defend the town. It was an amazing and wonderful experience both in game and out. I have memories of talking, not to fellow players, but people I could really identify with and felt both welcome and accepted for my not so socially acceptable self. People at Kanarak didnt care about my fears, they didnt care about the problems I was having trying to fix everything. They wanted me to have the time of my life and know that I could come to them if I needed something. During the mod Friday night, my character had a freak out moment when, true to style, the residents of Silverhill began to slaughter people who had kidnapped a towns person and was trying to conjure evil. One of the marshals and two players stopped playing, walked over to me formed a line between me and the game just to make sure that I was okay and to offer help is something was wrong. I had only two problems with Kanarak: An accident during combat and a mod that was being run by people who were cold, wet and tired for players that were cold, wet and tired. But, hey, nature can be a jerk. I have been waiting and dying to come back to Silverhill and turn the people I met into people that I consider close friends. There are many names that I havent been able to mention because a) I am horrid with names and b) I have a pretty spotty memory. I mentioned maybe 2% of the people who made that weekend rank in my top ten. I absolutely cannot wait (have I said that I really cant wait) to come back. Everybody keep your chins up and remember: I came once and I have been kicking myself for months because I havent been able to participate in your awesome world. You made my experience so great I couldnt forgive myself if I never went back. Few things are as bad as they seem in the moment. My memories of Kanarak have been like a fine wine: They keep getting better as time goes on because I have had more time to think about what made it truly amazing.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 06:12:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015