Against the Dying of the Light > Practical Information
The event starts at 5:30pm on Friday. Please try to arrive on-site between 5:30 and 6:30pm.
​
When and Where is the Event?
Friday 29th March 2024 to Monday 1st April 2024
​
The campsite is called Marthrown of Mabie and is located near Dumfries, in the southern uplands of Scotland, UK.
What are the workshops on Friday for?
The workshops on Friday are essential for introducing you to our site and discussing game safety mechanics. It is also a great opportunity for the players to get to know each other. We will then separate into Crofters and Walkers, so that members can create shared history, and discuss their hopes for the event.
Some preparation can be done online before the event, but nothing beats getting to know your community in person!
​
If you are arriving late on the Friday, please let us know so that we can plan accordingly.
What about costume?
This event is set 10 years after the collapse of civilisation. Your characters can wear anything that you think might have survived, anything they might have made, or anything they might have scavenged.
Crofters: homespun wool in natural colours, shawls, patched denim, cottage-core.
​
Walkers: army surplus, bike armour, drab colours.
Check out our costume guide and setting guide below, and keep an eye on the facebook page for more information.
​
can i invent my own character?
Our intention is to work collaboratively with our players in order to devise our characters. This means that whilst you won't be able to completely invent your own character, you will be able to have a lot of input into the creation process.
What will happen during
the event?
Part 1: Separate
​
Crofters: on Friday evening you will time-in to drink cocoa around the fire. Perhaps a game of scrabble, before going to bed in your snug cottages and yurts. Saturday marks the start of yout 2-day Spring Festival. You are free from work! You will spend the morning preparing; cooking, making decorations, cracking open the home-brewed beer.
​
Walkers: on Friday evening you will time-in by taking a short walk through the woods to find a safe place to sleep (in reality this means arriving at the back of the site to sleep in the Celtic Roundhouse). On Saturday morning you will continue your walk, arriving at The Croft by early afternoon.
​
Part 2: Together
​
Our two groups will meet! There may be reunions, confusion, joy, and grief. As the day goes on tensions will build. Discussions might build into arguments, and secrets may be revealed. Ideals will clash, and the future might seem uncertain. Perhaps you will find common ground, or perhaps not!
​
Part 3: Decisions
​
Sunday afternoon is the time for decisions. Will the Crofters welcome some, or all, of the Walkers into their community? Will any of the Crofters decide to leave? Can the wronged find forgiveness, or are there punishments to be enacted? We play to find out...
Do I have to go on the hike?
Only if you are part of the Walker group.
The Walker group have only survived because of their ability to move quickly over harsh terrain. The intention is that the players in the Walker group complete the hike. Please bear in mind your level of fitness when considering joining this group, as well as the equipment you will need. Easter in Scotland could mean bright sun, biting wind, or sleet and snow!
​
We have an experienced walk leader who will plan the route according to the weather and conditions.
​
By contrast, The Crofters value all members of their community regardless of physical ability. We intend to make this side of the event as accessible as possible, and encourage players to get in contact with any questions about accessibility.
does anyone have to camp?
No. There is no requirement for anyone to camp at the event, but there is ample space if anyone wants to do this for fun! If you would prefer to camp, there is no requirement to carry your tent or any equipment with you on the hike.
​
The Walkers will sleep in the Celtic roundhouse on Friday night, and then will spread out to have both the roundhouse and some of the yurts for Saturday and Sunday nights.
​
Crofters will spend all three nights in either the Crofters cottages or the yurts.
is there a photographer?
There will be a photographer playing one of the Crofter characters. Our intention is that some of the photography is in-game, and so your characters can interact with the photographer as they see fit. We are working on a mechanic that would also allow them to be off-game at times, capturing those intimate moments without interrupting a scene.
​
If you do not want to appear in any photographs, please indicate this on your sign-up sheet and make yourself known to the photographer during our pre-game workshops.
Timetable (estimated)
Friday 29th March 2024
5:30pm - players may arrive
6:30pm - dinner and workshops
10:00pm - time-in (groups separate)
​
Saturday 30th March 2024
In-game all day
​
Sunday 31st March 2024
5:00pm - (approx) end of game
5:30pm - celebration and socialising!
​
Monday 1st April 2024
8:00am - breakfast
9:30am - goodbyes
​
The game will be continuous time-in from 10pm Friday to around 5pm Sunday. We will leave it for players to decide whether their bedrooms are in-game or not.
​
We must all be off site by 9:30am on Monday
How do I sign up?
Sign-up will open on 12th June 2023, and remain open for at least 4 weeks. When it closes, we will contact those who have gained a space, and ask for payment of the full ticket price in order to secure it.
​
This is not a case of first-come first served, but rather all sign-up requests received during the 4 weeks will be considered equally.
​
SIGN-UP IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. If you are interested in future runs of this game please add yourself to our mailing list using the button below:​
​