Practical Info

Here, you will find all the stuff you need to know to attend the game.

About the Location

The game will take place in a former prison near the town of Oakham in the UK. The prison buildings are modern, having been built in the 2000s. A large riot took place just a couple of years later causing the prison to be shut down permanently. The site is now used as a business park and for airsoft. It still very much looks and feels like a prison with cells and heavy doors, bars on the windows and intimidating fences surrounding the site, and when stepping inside the buildings, you get a real sense of the oppressiveness of a prison facility.

For the game, we will have sole use of a large section of the prison site consisting of three buildings and surrounding grounds within the perimeter of the security fence.

Sleeping Arrangements, Food and Hygiene

It’s a prison, so don’t expect to be living in luxury!

Players will be sleeping in one or two-person cells. There are bunks in most of them but no mattresses or bedding.

Players will need to bring an airbed/sleeping mat or similar and a sleeping bag. For players unable to bring these themselves (due to planes etc.), we can supply them at cost price. After the game, any sleeping gear that is no longer wanted will be donated to a local homeless charity.

Catering will be included in the ticket price and will be in-character with meals being a part of the game. Don’t worry, we won’t be feeding you prison slops! Players will be able to state their dietary requirements on the sign-up form.

There is no running water in the buildings that will be used for the game. Good quality portable toilets and showers will be available immediately outside the main building (considered to be within the IC space). For everything else, mineral water will be provided in bottles or canisters. For those that need it, there are flushable loos and running water in a nearby OOC building a short walk away.

There IS electricity on site and there are plenty of plug sockets (remember to bring a UK plug adapter if coming from overseas). Be aware that the prison buildings have been deliberately designed to block mobile phone signals. To get a signal you will need to go outside.

Conditions will be sparse, but given the nature of the game, we consider this a feature rather than a bug! However, for those who prefer a few more home comforts, there are hotels and B&Bs to suit every budget in the nearby town of Oakham.

Accessibility

The site has reasonable accessibility for wheelchairs. The buildings are on two levels, with the upper level only reachable by stairs, but the ground floor level IS wheelchair accessible, so if you are on wheels, let us know in advance and we can make sure that you have accommodation on the lower level. Most of the game (including communal areas and all organiser-scripted events) will take place on the ground level. We anticipate only using the upper floor for additional sleeping space.

There will be some audio noise from a tannoy communication system, and some of the announcements will contain audio cues for the game. If you are hard of hearing, let us know, and we will make sure you get the information a different way.

We will attempt to keep the overall audio-visual pollution level as low as possible, particularly by confining amplified music to a specific area. The main bulk of the noise will be people talking and sometimes shouting at each other in-character. The prison walls are pretty thick, so sound shouldn't travel too far. If you do get overwhelmed, then you are welcome to go to the quiet room for as long as you need, which will be in an off-game area.

If you have any other requirements, please ask and we’ll do our best. There will be a space on the sign-up form to state your accessibility needs.

Transport

There is parking on site for those coming by car.

There is a train station in Oakham, and trains go regularly to Birmingham, Cambridge and Stansted Airport. The site is a few miles from the town centre, and a taxi costs £7-8. Pickup from the station may be possible.

For international players, there is a direct train from London Stansted Airport to Oakham. If there is sufficient interest, we can provide a coach or similar from London Stansted Airport for an additional fee (dependent on numbers). However, please be aware that this may end up being more expensive per person than taking the train. We will gauge interest during the signup period and get a quote based on numbers, and then let you know.

Costume and Clothing

Players will be provided with a simple prison uniform which they will be expected to wear. This costume will be included in the ticket price and will be yours to keep afterwards, so if you want to draw on it, pin it, put a rip in it etc. during the game you are welcome to do so. Players will be asked for their size requirements on the signup form.

The uniform will consist of a top and trousers. You will need to bring the following additional clothing:

Underwear
A plain vest or long-sleeved t-shirt or similar to wear under your uniform for added warmth and comfort. The prison building is not heated, so the temperature will be similar to the outside.
Some kind of white training shoes, preferably without obvious brand symbols.
A plain waterproof jacket to wear outside if it's cold or raining. May in the UK is usually pretty moderate (around 15-20 degrees), but if you are used to a warmer climate, you may want to plan for cold... and rain is always a possibility. We will make the weather forecast known just before the game.

Alcohol and Drugs

There are no alcohol and drugs in prison! Wait, who are we kidding…? Contraband will be a big part of the game, so in-character there will be alcohol and drugs present. Due to the need for everyone to keep clear heads, we request that there be no real alcohol consumed during the game itself – we will use coloured/flavoured water to phys-rep it. Real alcohol will only be allowed at the after-party. There are to be no real illegal drugs on site at any time and possession of such will get you kicked off site in record time. Candy (such as Tic-Tacs) will be used to phys-rep drugs in game.

For those who want to smoke or vape, there will be a designated area outside. All smoking and vaping must be done in this location, and absolutely not inside the buildings.

First Aid and Medical Info

We will have a first aid kit on site and people with certification to perform first aid. However, this will only provide the basics in case of minor injury or sickness. We cannot provide you with prescribed medication, so remember to bring your own. If you forget it and you are from overseas, getting an emergency prescription in the UK is extremely hard (I am speaking with the voice of experience here). So please don't forget it.

Should more serious illness or accidents occur, then we can drive you to the nearest hospital, or call an ambulance if needed. The NHS is completely free to everyone residing in the UK. If coming from Europe, you should bring a European Health Insurance Card issued by your home country. If coming from elsewhere, you'll need to consult the internet for requirements (but ask if you need help with this and we can try to find out).

We will have a box of common emergency supplies at the organiser desk - this will include things like basic painkillers, tampons and pads, and condoms. If you need any of these items, just ask.

Timings

Players can arrive on site on Thursday from lunchtime onward. Pre-game workshops will begin on Thursday afternoon with a social in the evening. . The game will begin after breakfast on Friday morning, and end on Saturday evening. The game will be followed by an after-party. Sunday morning is for recovering, for frothing and clear-up. Everyone will need to be off-site by 12:00 ish.

COVID-19

To be announced nearer the time, as who knows what the situation will be like in 2024.

About the Organisers

Lead Designer - Alex Helm (Any pronouns)

I have been designing and running larps of various different flavours under the Wylde Deluzion banner for well over 20 years now. Most of my games have been freeform convention games for up to 40 players. These games have been run at numerous events including Consequences (UK), The Smoke (UK), Continuum (UK), Intercon (US), GenCon (US, and back when it used to be in the UK).

LOCKDOWN will be my first large scale project, but we all have to start somewhere, right?

I have been an avid player of all kinds of larp since the 1990s when I started out at the local Vampire group. In the last few years, I have primarily been focusing on the fascinating and varied games of the mainland Europe/Nordic traditions. With LOCKDOWN, I am aiming to bring together some of the styles and techniques of the Euro games and blending them with techniques from the UK Freeform scene.

I'm British but I live in Germany with my two cats, Magnus and Oberon. Gender-wise, I am a non-binary Inquisitor. I am also asexual and autistic, so I am keen to make this game a good experience for LGBT+ and neurodiverse people in particular.