Running a warband/faction
Back to the Tome of LARP
(Please note that this was an article that I wrote for a local game so it refers to Swordcraft and warbands)
Creating or leading a warband is hard work. There is no doubt about that if nothing else the pace of Swordcraft sees to that. Even the most arduous of sports has an off season, we don’t. I’ve made a list of some important things to consider.
Size isn’t everything
The biggest thing that some warbands seem to get caught up with is size. It is true that larger warbands can have a bigger impact on the field and get more attention, but if you are doing this to get attention then you are sabotaging your own effort. It’s a catch 22 only if you let it be. Good warbands get bigger, big warbands seldom get better.
Don’t believe your own hype
It seems that more effort is put into the history and lore of a warband than the practicalities of running it. You can say that you are the most skilled heroes of your nation but if you suck at fighting no one will believe you. All warbands that have been around for a while have had to earn respect. No matter how cool you think your concept/story/character is you won’t get far if you can’t back it up.
Swordcraft is a battle game first and roleplay second
If you are seen to be a roleplay focused warband that is a liability on the field you face a very uphill battle for getting acceptance and respect. Having a roleplay aspect to the warband is great and I encourage it but don’t make it the focus for all that you do or you will be largely disappointed. The rest of the player base will not change to accommodate you. You need to work around the structures that are already there.
Have a product worth selling
Create something that excites other people. It might be exactly what you have always wanted but nobody else does, if so change it. It is not just about cool tabbards or loaner weapons. The product is your look, your on field performance, your reputation, your quality of membership, your off field community, your commitment to the game and many other factors. If you are the warband leader then you are the product too, however much you might think that is ridiculous.
Have a leader not a boss
Speaking of warband leaders, actual leadership is hard. The rest of your warband are not your employees, they have no obligation to do as you say. You need to motivate them to want to do things. Some advice on this.
- Don’t ask people to do things you’re not willing to do
- Listen when people have concerns
- The group/warband is more important than the individual
- You will need to do difficult tasks (such as asking people to leave), do so professionally and respectfully.
- Encourage members to become invested in the project
- When people become invested in the project realise that you have lost some ownership
- Take responsibility for what is happening around you
- When required make decisions and stick by them.
- Don’t be afraid to fail sometimes but always learn from it.
Keep going
Warbands are not made overnight. If you have a consistent appearance and add to the experience of other players you will be noticed and gradually become stronger. Work out before you start if you are serious about making a warband and if you are doing it for the right reasons. You will almost always get back less than you put in. It can be a very deep hole that will take as much time/money/sweat/tears as you throw at it.
With all this in mind why would you do it? Because it is awesome seeing something you have created take on a life of its own. Every new player your warband gets brings new ideas and enthusiasm. People who were shy nobodies when they started can grow to being fearsome players in their own right. And lets face it without warbands and warband leaders the game would not have gotten to where it is today.
Hopefully if you have read this far you will see this not as a dig at current or future warbands but the thoughts of someone who has been there and done that. I’ve had successes and failures along the way but if you can learn anything from this then we all benefit.