Renegade FAQ
Q. Who is Karl Lechmere?
A. I've been interested in competitive costuming since primary school. My first roleplaying experiences were as a Human Fighter using the Basic Dungeons and Dragons boxed set in High School in 1985, fighting the character through Expert, Companion and then Master; retiring the Character as a Lord. I attended my first convention in 1986 and many annual Roleplaying Conventions competitively since that time. My first Live Action Role Play was in 1996; which was also the only time that I have had a Player Character Permadeath in LARP; attempting to track and kill a Doppleganger at night with a novice Elven Ranger using Night Vision; right up until the Doppleganger used magical darkness to blind me and slit my throat. This event was the first time I played a Non Player Character role; taking the role of the Doppleganger that had killed my PC. My first kill as an NPC was ripping the throat out of two Player Characters; my first confirmed Player Character Perma kill; as one of the Player Character victims bled out. Since that time; I've spent hundreds of Hours IC in both Australian and International LARP events such as three attendances to Drachenfest and Conquest of Mythodea in Germany.
Q. What is Renegade Theatre Company?
A. The Company that I created to represent and manage the use of Renegade Intellectual Property that I have created; as well as the incorporation of additional content created by those who License the use of the IP; so as to protect the longevity and integrity of the various Theatrical Campaigns.
"I am proud of what I've created and will protect my Intellectual Property from theft or misuse while ensuring that the contributions by Licensee become the property of Renegade Theatre Company so that they remain available to all other Licensee in the future. KL"
Q. What is LARP?
A. LARP is Live Action Role Play. Renegade Theatre Company will combine LARP with Theatrical Performance.
"In Renegade Theatre Company, Licensee will play the part of a Character in a live theatre production with no script while wearing specific to the setting in the play with limited physical competitiveness compared to traditional LARP. KL"
Q. Why can't I just turn up and hit other people with LARP swords?
A. Renegade Theatre Company will use various Game Mechanic to enable an individual without real world skill to perform and act as though they have great skill. In the case of a Performer; unskilled in combat in the real world; though playing the role of a Master with a sword; fighting against an opponent with superior real world skills but Apprentice skill in the role they are playing; the objective is cooperative performance using elements of choreography to create a fight scene where the performer with the superior Character skill wins.
"Sorry to disappoint the Combat Junkies out there but enabling all performers to perform in a fight scene with the fighting skills of their Character; rather than their own real life combat skill or that of their opponent; is more important to the longevity of Renegade Theatre Company than catering to those who just want to hit other people and not perform Theatrically. KL"
Q. Why can't I just throw my arms around my friends and give them a hug when I see them at an event, without using the Consent Protocol?
A. Because; regardless of whether you are good friends or not; some people just don't want a hug that day; or ever again; and do not require a reason to deny consent. Additionally, the normalisation of the Consent Protocol; and the ease with which denial of consent can be given is important for performers who are new to their involvement with Renegade Theatre Company; to witness and see utilised.
"Renegade Theatre Company will create and maintain a culture that respects the gaining and maintaining consent for performances that involve an individual's personal space. Trust should be earned. KL"
Q. Why is it that anyone is allowed to use the Discipline Policy against me for things I say and do.
A. Renegade Theatre Company will create a culture of responsibility for one's own words and actions with even slight breaches of the code of conduct resulting in a reprimand from another Licensee. Renegade Theatre Company will encourage every Performer to ensure that they and others uphold the code of conduct by calling out of bad behaviours of others through use of the Disciplinary Policy.
"It is hoped that; through the use of the Consent Protocol, Discipline Policy and the Termination of License clause; individuals who have exhibited poor behaviour in other groups will not choose to be involved in Renegade Theatre Company. KL"
Q. Why can I be disciplined by Renegade Theatre Company for things that I say online?
A. Licensee represent Renegade Theatre Company and are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct at all times; regardless of whether they are Performing, rehearsing, participating in a workshop or commenting on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action up to; and including Termination of License by Renegade Theatre Company.
Q. Why do I have to sign a contract to be involved in Renegade Theatre Company?
A.
1. "The Show Must Go On."
License Agreements will ensure that the various Renegade Theatre Company Campaigns will last for 20 Years or more. By incorporating Deed of Assignment and Deed of Consent into the License Agreements; Renegade Campaigns can continue even after the original Authors have ceased their involvement. As an additionally level of protection, it is my intention that Renegade Theatre Company will create and offer shares to Licensee should I be unable to continue as Director.
"I'm sick and tired of Campaigns ending because there was no system in place for handover to another organiser should the Author of content no longer wish to create content. The Renegade Campaign will be similar to a Fantasy World DVD series of many episodes that runs for 20 seasons with the same Characters; if they survive. KL"
2. "All Dressed Up With No Place To Go."
Renegade Theatre Company will ensure that those who contribute hundreds of hours into creating costume and props; specific to a Campaign will always have offline or online events to attend; or the ability to step up and host their own events; so long as they remain a Licensee.
"We have all seen groups come and go; leaving participants who have committed time and resources into costume and props; with nowhere to perform. This will not happen with those who create unique costume and props that are specific to Renegade Campaigns. KL"
3. "Take my bat and ball and go home."
Renegade Theatre Company will ensure that the original Author of content cannot deny the use of this content by other Licensee; regardless of whether an Author ceases involvement voluntarily or has their License Agreement Terminated due to disciplinary action or inability to fulfil their duties and responsibilities.
"Some groups that fail could have continued to operate except that the organisers refused to allow the use of content. I'm sick and tired of organisers denying the use of content to participants who may be willing and able to continue. KL"
4. Renegade Theatre Company will own any IP created by a Licensee in order to protect the majority of Licensee in the various Renegade Campaigns from individuals.
"While Renegade Theatre Company will recognise Licensee who create content as the Author of that content, the content will belong to Renegade Theatre Company. Imagine that Renegade Theatre Company were a Game Software Developer, offering Internships on the next best thing in Fantasy MMO. While a game developer will recognise the Intern as an Author, the software developer will own the product, sell and license the product. KL
Q. What is High Fantasy?
A. High Fantasy is the everyday, mundane use of Magic and Magical Items to solve problems.
"Renegade Theatre Company will incorporate High Fantasy Magic Items into ordinary story and plot. KL"
Q. What is the World of Ralsted?
A. The High Fantasy LARP Game World developed by Karl Lechmere using Mashes of real world Nations and Cultures to create unique Fantasy Nations and Cultures sufficiently different from their real world influences.
"Renegade Theatre Company will avoid cliche and cultural appropriation through the use of Mashes and reference materials for the props and costumes in Renegade Campaigns. KL"
Q. Why do Renegade Campaigns focus on Performer vs Environment more than Performer vs Performer?
A. Combat in the Renegade Campaigns will be hazardous to the life of a Character, with Permanent Death of the Character resulting from even the most seemingly simple conflict. Many events will not involve picking a fight with nasty creatures and will focus on story and plot that require guile, subtlety and information gathering. However, even the most combat light Renegade Event will have the potential for the Permadeath of a Character.
"Renegade Theatre Company Campaigns will remain predominantly Combat Light/Character vs Environment until a higher level of combat and/or Performer vs Performer is required to serve the story. KL"