As with any LARP, Veil of Ashes has its own unique crafting system that allows the player to create powerful magic items that can be used to enhance the abilities that your character is capable of. This could include Jewelry, Weapon Rods, Auras, Binding Focuses, and Tattoos that can all be infused with magic. In this post, we will discuss the process of making a magic item from beginning to end.
Crafting Types
At Veil of Ashes, we have 6 crafting types, Apothecary, Artificer, Blacksmithing, Chef, Ritual, and Runecraft.
Apothecary – Skilled alchemists blending herbs and toxins, Apothecaries create acids and poisons to weaken foes, whether subtly through food or as powerful direct weapons, giving allies an edge.
Artificer – Artificers enchant gemstones and devices with magic for protection, resistance, and elemental power, crafting devices that enhance spellcasters’ power and provide essential defenses in battle.
Blacksmith – Resilient metalworkers, blacksmiths forge and enchant weapons and armor, even creating self-regenerating armors and powerful weapons to shield against specific attacks.
Chef – Culinary masters, chefs create flavorful meals with fortifying, healing effects that strengthen the body, resist toxins, and boost focus for spellcasters.
Ritual – Ritualists are disciplined spellcasters skilled in complex magic, capable of cleansing, dispelling, cursing, and binding magic into powerful Binding Focuses.
Runecraft – Rune crafters use geometry and enchantment to create power-boosting runes, enhancing strength, protection, and resistance, essential for spellcasting and defensive scrolls.
Vessels
Out of these crafting areas, you can produce many magical “Enduring Effects” that can be placed into a “Vessel”. For starts, let’s look at what vessels can be created by each crafting type.
Apothecary – no known magical vessel currently, however it is rumored that the great alchemists are working to develop new ways to protect a dwelling.
Artificer – Jewelry – this could be of any type you choose, Rings, Necklaces, broaches, crowns, etc.
Blacksmith – Weapon Rods – at Veil of Ashes we respect that people spend a lot of money and time buying or crafting their weapons. As such we infuse magic for a weapon into a rod that can be worn from your belt. If the wielder resurrects, they would drop the rod, but not their weapon.
Chef – Auras – your Aura can be magically enriched so that you can infuse magic into it.
Ritual – Binding Focus – allows you to store spells from your memory to be used later.
Runecraft – Tattoos – creates a magical tattoo on a person that can be infused with magical effects.
For each of the vessels listed above, there are multiple tiers that can be crafted. These tiers are Standard (Iron), Improved (Silver), Master (Gold), and Legendary (Mithril). The higher the tier, the more “Slots” or magical effects the vessel holds. A typical Standard (Iron) vessel will have 2 Slots where a typical Legendary (Mithril) vessel could have as many as 6 Slots. These slots have 3 categories: Augmentation, Alteration, and Defense. Each category has specific magical enhancements known as “Enduring Effects” that can go into that type of slot.
Enduring Effects
Enduring Effects are magical enhancements that are made by crafters and can be infused into a vessel so that its properties can be used. There are several types of Enduring Effects, and each do different things. The list below shows the types of Enduring Effects and how they can be placed based on the vessel slot types:
Alteration
Armor Repair – Repairs armor over time.
Aura Improvement – modifies how a user bleeds out and performs first aid.
Body Augmentation – modifies the wearer’s body to increase hit points or other effects.
Regeneration – allows for the regeneration of armor or body.
Defense
Damage Absorption – Allows the item to absorb certain types and amounts of damage so the wearer does not take the damage.
Damage Reduction – Reduces the amount of damage that hits you from a certain type of damage.
Mask - protect against specific spell types (e.g., mind-affecting or metabolic)
Protection Aura – magical armor that resets every 10 minutes.
Augmentation
Elemental Damage Aura – allows for bonus melee damage and elemental taglines
Magical Damage Aura - allows for bonus melee damage and “Magic” taglines
Spell Augmentation – increase spell power for certain types of spells.
Strength Augmentation - increase damage done by a weapon.
The Magic Item
Now that we have gone through the fundamentals of the crafting system at Veil of Ashes, let look at an example of how you might put together a magic item.
Let’s say you are a Primal Sorcerer, and you wanted to have a necklace with some magical properties. You could reach out to an Artificer and commission a necklace to be made. In this example lets say you wanted a gold necklace. The artificer may offer to make a “Gold Jewelry – Defense” this scroll has 5 slots that can accept enduring effects: 2x Augmentation, 1x Alteration, and 2x Defense.
Once the vessel has been created you can turn to the artificer or any other crafters to help with adding things to the vessel. Given that you are a Sorcerer, maybe you want some enchantments that will offer you magical protection as well as some additional offensive capabilities. You might go with something like this:
Slots
Enduring Effect
Augmentation
Spell Augmentation - Healing
Augmentation
Spell Augmentation - Corruption
Alteration
Body Augmentation - +5 body points
Defense
Protection Aura
Defense
Mask – Silencing Magic
*NOTE: The actual names of the rituals have not been included here as you will need to find this information in-play as your character.
The setup above would give you a well-rounded item that would give you bonus to all your healing and corruption spells, Additional hit points (Body Points), Magical Armor, and protection from Silencing Spells.
At Veil of Ashes, every event offers the chance to dive deep into a world of rich lore, immersive role-playing, and epic battles. Whether you're new to Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) or a veteran player, there's always room to improve your experience and make each event unforgettable. Here are key tips for maximizing your LARP experience, tailored specifically for Veil of Ashes.
1. Fully Immerse Yourself in the World
The more you commit to your character and the world around you, the more rewarding your experience will be. At Veil of Ashes, the atmosphere is crucial, and staying in character helps build that immersion for everyone.
Know the Lore: Study the game’s history, the lands of Cindere, and the ongoing conflicts. For example, if you’re venturing into the Ironcrest Mountains, understanding the region’s connection to the dwarves and the Boldenvarr Forge can give you more to work with during role-playing interactions with NPCs.
Stay in Character: From the moment the game starts, act, speak, and react as your character would. If your character hails from Illodria, their attitude toward the harsh, frozen land should reflect in how they speak to others or face threats. Maybe they carry a fire starting kit in a pouch?
2. Create a Compelling Character Backstory
A well-thought-out backstory can significantly enhance your experience. Characters in Veil of Ashes are often defined by their histories and motivations. If you haven’t created a back story, take a look at our Writing a Character History post.
Goals and Motivations: Is your character seeking revenge for a fallen family member? Are they driven by a desire for power, like many warriors from Nehara, or guided by a need for peace like the Fae of Adara, or perhaps the are a pirate from Port West? Define clear goals to help steer your in-game decisions.
Strengths and Flaws: Embrace both. The most memorable characters are those with weaknesses. For example, a warrior from the Splintered Forest might be a great fighter but haunted by the destruction of their homeland, adding emotional depth to interactions.
3. Engage Actively with the World
Veil of Ashes is a player-driven game, meaning the world reacts to the actions and decisions of its players. The more you engage with other players and the game’s plotlines, the more rewarding your experience will be.
Seek Out Quests: Get involved in stories offered by the Plot team and Game Managers, especially if they tie into a skill set or region that you have ties to.
Interact with NPCs: NPCs in the game often have valuable information or quests that can shape the game. For example, speaking with a merchant in Stonebridge could lead you into a larger plot about the dangers in the nearby Tenbry River.
4. Focus on Story, Not Winning
Veil of Ashes emphasizes narrative and role-play over winning battles. It’s often the moments of struggle, sacrifice, and failure that make the best stories.
Role-play Your Losses: If your character is captured or fails a quest, lean into the role-play. How do they cope with defeat? Maybe they vow vengeance or fall into despair. These character moments can become highlights of the event.
Collaborate with Others: Instead of trying to be the lone hero, work with other players to craft shared stories. Whether you're part of an established guild/group or an independent, collaboration often leads to richer gameplay.
5. Reflect After the Event
Post-event reflection can help you grow as a player and improve for future events.
Debrief with Fellow Players: Discuss key moments with others. What worked? What could be improved? Sharing stories can help you relive the excitement while also gathering feedback.
Think About Character Growth: How did the recent event change your character? Maybe they lost a friend in battle or discovered new magic in the Broken Mountains. Use these experiences to evolve your character over time(Final_VeilofAshes-3.7.24).
By embracing these tips, you’ll enhance not only your experience but also that of those around you, creating a more immersive, engaging, and memorable event. Veil of Ashes is a world where every choice matters—immerse yourself fully, and you’ll come away with stories that will last a lifetime.
Introduction
Between Event Actions (BEAs) are an incredible tool to enrich your character’s story and to engage with the plot and our Game Managers (GMs) in meaningful ways. By using BEAs, you can take part in activities that wouldn't be feasible during a weekend event, such as conducting in-depth research, fortifying a city (building walls) or traveling to distant locations. These actions allow your character to develop and contribute to the ongoing storylines even between our gatherings.
What Are Between Event Actions?
Between Event Actions are opportunities for your character to take actions between events that require more time or are difficult to perform during a typical game weekend. Examples include:
Researching a Forgotten Topic: Dive into the archives to learn more about a mysterious event or artifact.
Building or Repairing Items: Work on creating an elaborate artifact or repairing something that broke during the last event. (This would not be a part of the normal crafting system, but perhaps the wall surrounding a city collapsed, or the hull of a ship has a hole.)
Traveling to Distant Lands: Maybe your character wants to seek out an expert or a rumored location that could aid in an upcoming storyline.
Note: BEAs are reviewed outside of regular events, and the GMs do their best to address each one, but they are considered an "above and beyond" part of the game. Players should be aware that these actions are not guaranteed and should not feel disappointed if a response is not always provided.
Guidelines for Submitting a BEA
When considering a BEA, make sure to include the following information to help our Plot Team address your request effectively:
What Are You Doing? Describe your action clearly. Be specific about your goal and how you intend to achieve it.
Who Is Accompanying You? If other characters are joining you, mention their names (and make sure they are aware of it!).
What Skills Are You Using? Highlight any skills your character has that could contribute to the success of the action. This helps us understand what your character brings to the table.
Special Considerations Let us know if there are any special circumstances, like particular dangers or resources that could affect the outcome.
Examples of Effective BEAs
Here are some examples of BEAs that would be a great addition to your character’s journey:
Investigation Following an Event “Last event, we encountered the strange artifact known as the 'Whispering Mirror.' I want to travel to [PLACE] to speak with scholars about its origin and possible uses. I’m taking [CHARACTER] along because they have experience with magical relics.”
Character Development and Long-Term Goals “My character has always dreamed of sailing the high seas. I want to head to the coastal city of [PLACE] and see if there are any opportunities to work on a ship. I’ll speak to the dockmasters and try to secure passage to learn more about life at sea.”
Preparation for Future Challenges “Since we learned that a dangerous cult is planning something in [PLACE], I’d like to prepare by researching their rituals. I’ll head to the local library and try to gather information to share with the group.”
Learning New Skills “I heard about a blacksmith in [PLACE] renowned for their skill in creating enchanted armor. I want to travel there to study under them and learn about their techniques. I’ll use my experience as a smith to show my value and gain permission to observe their work.”
Assisting a Community “After seeing the devastation in [VILLAGE] during the last event, I wish to travel back to help them rebuild. Using my skills in carpentry, I will offer my assistance in reconstructing homes and structures. I will also talk to the villagers to gather more information about their experiences to see if we can protect them better in the future.”
These examples not only provide actions that directly relate to previous events but also give insight into your character’s personal goals, allowing the Plot Team to weave these threads into future storylines.
A Bad Example of a BEA
To help clarify what not to do, here's an example of a bad BEA submission:
“I want to break into the enemy’s camp and steal their leader’s magical staff to weaken them before the next event.”
Why This Is a Bad Example:
Combat/Confrontation: BEAs are not intended for raiding or offensive actions that would typically lead to combat. This type of action should be done during an event when others can participate.
Too Ambitious: The scope of this action is too large and would have major plot implications, affecting many characters.
Lack of Details: There is no explanation of how the character plans to achieve this, what skills they will use, or what risks they anticipate.
Instead, consider breaking it down into more manageable, character-focused steps, such as researching the enemy camp’s defenses or seeking out a map of the area to prepare for a future event.
How BEAs Can Enrich the Game Experience
Using BEAs effectively can have many benefits:
Developing Your Character’s Backstory This is a perfect way to explore aspects of your character’s past, personality, and goals. The more we know about your character, the more opportunities we can provide for their story.
Engaging with the Plot By using a BEA to investigate or follow up on event happenings, you help create continuity in the story, making future events even more engaging for everyone.
Building Relationships Including other characters in your BEAs is an excellent way to develop in-game relationships. It helps establish bonds, rivalries, or alliances that make the game world richer.
Conclusion
Between Event Actions are a valuable way for you to get involved with the story outside of event weekends. Whether you're pursuing a personal goal, researching a plot element, or preparing for an upcoming threat, BEAs help your character grow and the overall story deepen. Be sure to think through your actions carefully, submit your form on time, and enjoy the opportunity to engage with the ongoing story of Veil of Ashes!
