Black Ice Helmet

You tighten your helmet, ready for the march ahead. You are a Rakh of the Black Ice, an image of human perfection. The others of this world fight in vain, for they will soon join your ranks.

The ConQuest of the Rakh: The Black Ice Helmet

The Black Ice Helmet was designed specifically for a LARP event known as ConQuest. This event has several factions, one of which is known as the Black Ice. We’ll look a little more into these kinds of factions, but for now, let’s focus on the helmet.

Obviously, this helmet is ideal for people who are involved in the Conquest LARP event, specifically those who play the part of a “Rakh of the Black Ice Essence”. It’s made with steel and can handle the rigors of LARP battle. However, it also makes a fantastic fantasy helmet in general.

This is an enclosed helmet, which is made up of several plates layered over one another and connected with rivets. The face of the helmet has two plates. The lower plate has a black paint finish, which contrasts nicely with the polished steel of the upper plate. The two side plates which protect the sides of the head are also black.

Both of the face plates feature flared vents as well as eye holes. These vents are undeniably stylish, but also serve a double purpose of allowing air into the helmet. It’s easy to get overheated in armor, so proper circulation is very helpful.

The top of the helmet is made up of articulated plates that form a spiky spine. The rounded edge of each plate helps to deflect blows, and the articulated plates have a unique and intimidating profile. The back of the head is likewise protected by several plates.

Finally, there is an adjustable leather strap that goes underneath the chin. This strap improves the fit and ensures that the helmet remains secure.

The Secrets of Large-Scale LARP Events: NPCs and Playmakers.

Anyone who is familiar with role playing games, whether they’re video games like Skyrim, or tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons, is familiar with the idea of an NPC. An NPC is an abbreviation for “non-player character”, which encompasses any character who isn’t controlled by a player in a game. Merchants, bandits, and town guards alike are all typical NPCs.

Many LARP events, such as the ConQuest event which takes place in Germany, include NPCs. Now, these characters are played by humans, but they aren’t the same as “free players”. Free players play their own character, and are free to do what they like within the LARP world that they’re in.

However, NPCs, or Playmakers, have more fixed rules with regard to their appearance, behaviour, and backstories. They help to create the atmosphere of a LARP event by populating it with merchants, town guards, and whoever else the event requires to run smoothly.

Some large-scale events have a complex and rich world, which require an equally complex and varied array of NPCs. The people who play these characters are provided with guides of how to dress and act, and what their role is in the story and world of the event.

They’re vital to a successful event, as they essentially push the story along and help the Players feel like the heroes they are. While NPCs could be considered supporting roles, many people who play NPCs find that they get as much from the LARP as a Player character.

If we look back at ConQuest, we can see that much of the event is made possible by the different factions that make up the world that it’s set in. One of these factions are the Black Ice, who are an NPC army. They are commonly heavily armed and dress in black and blue.

The Essence of the Black Ice is an ancient evil that sends out soldiers, known as Rakhs, to attack all others. It strives only for perfection, and absorbs every scrap of knowledge, developing as the years of conflict rage on. The essence is getting stronger over time.

Now, that’s a very brief backstory looking at one of the factions of ConQuest. A character playing a Black Ice Rakh will act the part and will often be an antagonist who must be fought. Other factions with different playstyles also populate this Event, and different Events will have different factions.

Whether you’re new to the world of LARPing, or you’re a veteran, it always does well to remember all these NPCs who make the Event possible.

Tech Specs

The technical specifications of the Black Ice Helmet are as follows:

•         Materials: 18 gauge mild steel, with leather fittings.
•         Colour: Polished steel and black paint finish.
•         Care Instructions: Keep away from water. Clean with metal polish and regularly re-oil to maintain the steel and to prevent rust. Use leather care products for the fittings.

This helmet is available in Medium and Large sizes. This is a handmade item, so there may be slight deviations in pattern, colour, and shape.

•         Medium: Suitable for a 23-26 inch head circumference.
•         Large: Suitable for a 24-28 inch head circumference.