Overview

Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our crew manager Kate Rogers - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.

All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a festival ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 300 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully have an amazing time.

The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth contacting us to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.

GOD Team - 6 Crew Required

The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.

There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer based (our “front desk” crew), some largely or entirely not. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally GOD crew will be around from Thursday, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday.

How much of the event will you see?

GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&R

Requirements

Good customer service skills

Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next

If you have an R&R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge

While it’s not necessary for all our crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.

Site Crew - 4 Crew Required

We’re looking for more recruits for the Site Crew team, the ones generally referred to as “the Red Caps.”

This team is responsible for preparing the site before the event and for clearing the site afterwards. This includes erecting and dropping the PD tents that are deployed as well as numerous other jobs like collecting benches and rubbish bags. We also get called in when the going gets tough and the weather gets bad, helping out players and all the other PD teams to make the game happen, no matter what the conditions are. We are the face of PD in the field before and after the event.

We work hard before the event to set up and after the event too. However, while the event is running most of the site Crew get to play a character and join in with the game.

Being part of the Red Cap Team means being able to make lots of fun out of hard work - but it isn’t for everyone. We have a lot of practically capable people - if that’s you, great - but you don’t have to be very strong (or a tent expert) to be useful. What you do need is a degree emotional and physical stamina - we work through good and bad weather and everyone on the Red Hats team shares the job of being committed and focused.

How much of the event will you see?

Although as site crew you are "on call" for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game

Requirements

Be on site on Thursday morning and until Monday (or longer if you can)

Be prepared to carry out physical work in all weathers

Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done

Be prepared to walk away from role-play in an emergency in order to carry out your crew role.

Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next

Be willing to learn new skills (or apply existing skills to new ways of working)

Referees - 4 Crew Required

Our referees are one of the most visible roles we have, helping players engage with and enjoy the game, throughout time in. They offer friendly advice, carry out functional tasks recording in game actions using our tablets, and step in to ask questions when it seems that someone might not be playing by the rules. These are full-time volunteer roles and whilst you will be able to take breaks when you need them, you will not be able to play a character taking part in the game alongside your role as a ref.

Many of our refs specialise either as a Field Ref - who build up an in depth knowledge of the most commonly cast rituals, or commonly used items, particularly those that interact with plots in order to answer queries quickly and efficiently - or as a Skirmish Ref - who are experts in watching combat and being able to see whether players are abiding by the rules; make judgements about how hard they are hitting; decide whether they are fighting in a safe location, and know to de-escalate conflict between players (rather than characters) if it arises. You may either request to join the team as one or the other type of Ref, or join as non-specialised and try out both. You will be given the opportunity to spend a good deal of your first event shadowing other referees to get used to reffing Profound Decisions style.

How much of the event will you see?

You will be unlikely to play a character, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role

Requirements

Excellent customer service skills

Have either a year's experience as an Empire player OR significant experience of reffing other systems and be prepared to learn the core Empire rules thoroughly before your first event

Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next

Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database

Be comfortable walking long distances over the course of the event to reach the players who need a referee in all different areas of the field

Be on site on Friday at 4pm until the end of the event at 3pm on Sunday afternoon

If you would love to ref, but can't meet the walking requirement do let us know. We have 1 place available refereeing from the Imperial Regio.

Gate Crew - 1 Crew Required

The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly.

Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.

How much of the event will you see?

As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.

Requirements

Be on site by Thursday lunchtime

Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site

Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills

Be prepared to work in all weathers

Be prepared to time in late on Friday.

Litter Picking - 1 Crew Required

We're looking for half a dozen recruits to join the Site Crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.

It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances, since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.

You don't have to be on site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay the extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

During the event you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would.

How much of the event will you see?

As one of the litter pickers you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.

Requirements

Remain on site until Monday afternoon

Be prepared to work in all weathers

Be happy to walk long distances.

Security - 4 Crew Required

Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments so we work with a small SIA registered security team. We supplement that team with with volunteer marshals who work alongside security and help them keep a watchful eye on the site each night. We have spaces for both SIA registered security and volunteer marshals at present, in order to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.

The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08.30 in the morning. Depending on your need for sleep, you can get quite a lot of play as a character in the game fitted in around your shifts, though you do need to make sure you save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with first aid, and with the conduct team and participant welfare, in order to make sure everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues as they arrive.

How much of the event will you see?

Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event"

Requirements