ET 
EN Frequently asked questions
I am a parent and want to know more about this?
Is there an age limit to this game?
Do I have to have a costume?
How or what should my character description look like?
Where do I get weapons and can I bring my own?
I just want to visit, I do not want to play. Is that possible?
Is there an age limit to this game?
No there is no official age limit. Everyone who feels that this hobby might interest them is welcome. From experience though, we can tell that children of 10 years or younger have trouble coping alone and are better off attending together with a custodian or teacher.
There is no upper age limit as well. If you think that you are too old to keep up with the younger players running around the forests, just choose a more passive character.
If you are younger than 16 years old you will need a printed and signed parental agreement to join the event. The form for the parental agreement can be obtained here. The written parental agreement is not necessary if the parent is also attending the event.
Although you theoretically could attend Nordic Equinox without a costume, this is not considered a good conduct. Take it as a theme party - friends without a costume are welcome but everyone who puts in some effort will make the event so much more enjoyable for himself and others. It is very easy and cheap to make a simple costume for the event. Instructions and ideas for that can be found ##here## (untranslated - sorry).
Joining a group can possibly be a good way to obtain a costume or get help making one. The list and description of groups can be found here.
How or what should my character description look like?
Very complex character descriptions are not necessarily needed. But you should have at least a general idea of who and what you are going to be. Your choice of character is entirely up to you, just as your choice of host and/or group. More information about that can be found here.
Your character description should at least contain your characters name, historic background (what area or what age is he from) and maybe his occupation. If you have chosen a specific host or group you can also mention why your character fights for that particular side.
After that everything is up to you and your fantasy. You can add as many details to the description as you feel necessary. Long character descriptions and backgrounds (more than 300 words) should be sent to us by e-mail: info-at-ancalagon-dot-ee. If you e-mail us your character description, just note "Will send with e-mail" into the character description box on the registration form.
Where do I get weapons and can I bring my own?
Larp uses padded/boffered weapon imitations and participants need to have their own weapons.
You can build your weapons yourself or if you are a member of some group, you can ask your group leader about borrowing a weapon. If you do decide to construct your own weapons be sure to follow the safety requirements for weapon imitations, that can be found in Appendix 1 (page 15) of the game rules here - it is VERY important that you read them carefully BEFORE you start building your weapon. If this is your first game we strongly recommend that you build just a simple sword, instructions for that can be found here (once again untranslated - sorry).
If you build your own weapons, we recommend you make 2 or 3 of them and also bring along some spare materials (padding, tape) and tools, for on-the-spot changes or repairs. Weapons break - this is inevitable - sometimes you can repair them, sometimes you have to get a new one. Be prepared for that.
I want to come and just have a look; take pictures; film; visit... etc. I do not want to play. Is this possible?
For personal use - yes it is. You must still register for the event and pay the participation fee but you do not have to play if you don't want to. If you do not wear a costume we might limit your access to certain areas or situations for immersion purposes.
Also please be mindful when using media you record on Nordic Equinox. The event is held on private property and is not open to public, it is a closed event with registration. Therefore you do not have the right to use images or recordings of other participants against their wishes. As a rule it is not a problem and most players gladly welcome the attention and possibility to show off theirs skills or kit, but please be ready to take down pictures/videos upon the request of persons involved.
For professional/commercial use you will need a written permit from the organizers to record the event - that includes journalism! Those inquiries should be directed to our e-mail address at
(We are currently looking for drone camera operators. If you are interested in getting aerial shots of a medieval fantasy world and battles and are willing to share your footage then we would be more than happy to accommodate this. Please don't hesitate to contact us.)
I am a parent and want to know more about this?
Live action role-playing event "Nordic Equinox" is held in Estonia, Jõgeva county, at Kassinurme hill-fort. To attend, your child must register and pay the participation fee. The main organizer is Allan Bernard (GSM: +372 five five 632 698). The event is held in accordance with the local laws and necessary permits have been obtained. The event has been held successfully, every year, since 2006, with participants numbering from 300-400. You can learn more about the conditions at the location here. Although there will be no WiFi on the event location there is GSM/mobile data reception and if your child has roaming services activated, phone calls are no problem.
Estonia is a European Union country with all the laws and public services associated with a modern democratic society. It is advisable to purchase travel insurance when coming from abroad. If your country issues the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that should be obtained, while it is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance it entitles EU citizens to the same (free of charge) state-provided first aid and medical treatment as Estonian nationals. Estonian timezone is GMT/UTC+2 (DLST applies), local currency is EUR. You can learn more about Estonia here.
It is a sporting and entertainment event which is similar to a costume party. The theme is medieval ages and fantasy literature. Majority of the participants are youths (from 14-24 years) but the organizers and a lot of players are also adults. "Nordic Equinox" is a organized event, it has a timetable and specific activities. You can find the timetable here.
Most activities involve sports. A lot of it is fighting with padded and safe imitations of medieval weapons. Therefore the event includes elements from light contact sports, mock fighting and acted violence. All the fighting is done, following specific rules and safety instructions. You can find the game rules here.
Like every active hobby in wilderness or contact sports, larp has a risk of injury. Considering the scope of the event there have been very few injuries and they have been limited to common sports related injuries: scrapes, bruises, concussions, strained muscles. There is a well stocked first aid kit on the event and persons to administer first aid. If the situation requires it, the nearest town (Jõgeva) is 7km away and has a 24h emergency room and paramedics. The roads to Jõgeva are in very good condition. Estonian emergency response forces are required by law to give first aid to anyone who needs it, but its good if you have made arrangements for a international medical insurance or travel insurance for your child.
"Nordic Equinox" IS NOT a youth camp. We don't have caretakers for your child and we do not take responsibility for minors! We do our best to observe the event and prevent accidents but we do not take responsibility for anyone's safety. In addition we take no responsibility if your child violates the laws of the Republic of Estonia (most importantly concerning tobacco, alcohol and/or illegal substances!). If you do not trust your child alone to the event, please accompany him/her or appoint a custodian. Parents or custodians must also register and pay the participation fee.
Players under 16 years must have a written permit from their parents to attend the event alone. The form for the parental agreement is here. If you sign this document you agree that your underage child attends this event on his/her own and without any supervision (unless you have appointed a custodian - who must also sign the form).
You can find the house rules for the event here. You can read more about larp here.
For more information feel free to browse this webpage or contact us directly at: info-at-ancalagon-dot-ee
I want to come with my group
I am new to this - I have not played larp at all or have never attended Nordic Equinox
I have done this many times - I want to register my larp group to Nordic Equinox
You are a school teacher or a youth worker and would like to bring your charges to the event; you have a club, a company or a number of friends and would like to come together?
Bringing a group to Nordic Equinox is VERY simple and you are more than welcome.
If there is less than 5 of you, we recommend you just fill out the individual registration forms. Information about that can be found here. Don't worry, if you all register into the same host and/or into the same group you can be certain that you'll stay together on the event.
If there is more than 5 of you, filling out the forms can be tedious so its best to register with a single list. For that, please e-mail us your registration request to: info-at-ancalagon-dot-ee, and include the following information:
- Full name of the contact person, his/her e-mail address, phone number and age
- Full names of group members, their age and preferred character classes
- Write down what host you would prefer as a group or if there is any other particular group you would like to work together with.
You don't have to provide a final list when you first register. You can also add names to your group later on.
Collect the participation fees from your group members and buy tickets for all of them. You can buy tickets here. The sooner you buy tickets the cheaper it will be. You can find out more about ticket prices here.
Think about costumes. Although you theoretically could attend Nordic Equinox without costumes, this is not considered a good conduct. Take it as a theme party - friends without a costume are welcome, but everyone who puts in some effort will make the event so much more enjoyable for himself and others. It is very easy and cheap to make a simple costume for the event. Instructions and ideas for that can be found ##here## (untranslated - sorry).
If you want a unique identity for your group, similar costumes are a very good idea. At this point you might as well take the time and think about your group and characters. Extensive character descriptions are not necessary but you should have at least a general idea of who or what you are playing. The choice of character is entirely up to you and it can be as simple or as complex as you like. More information about that can be found here.
Larp uses padded weapon imitations and the participants must bring their own. Building them is just as simple or even simpler than creating a costume. Read through the safety requirements for weapon imitations, that can be found in the rules here - it is VERY important that you read them carefully BEFORE you start building your weapons. If this is your first game, we strongly recommend that you build just simple swords, instructions for that can be found here (once again untranslated - sorry). We recommend that you build a bit more weapons than you need and also bring along equipment and materials for on-the-spot changes or repairs.
Make sure you and all your group members have familiarized themselves with the game rules (found here) and house rules (found here). The game rules govern how the weapon imitations should be used and how the game is to be played. Knowing the game rules is a a necessity for playing. The house rules govern the overall conduct on the game area and they also apply during downtimes when the game is not played. Knowing the house rules and following them is a prerequisite for attending the event!
Organize the transportation for your group and equipment, to the game area. Information about the location, together with directions on how to get there, can be found here. Information about the conditions on the game area, as well as suggestions for packing, can be found here.
Once all your plans are made, and participation fees paid, just show up on time. Check-in time will be in the event timetable, that can be found here. Please, do not be late!
If you have players who are under 16 years old, in your group, they will need a written and signed parental agreement to come to the event. The form for the parental agreement can be found here. The parental agreement is not necessary if the parent is also attending the event.
If you have any questions or problems at all, don't hesitate to contact us at: info-at-ancalagon-dot-ee
This concludes the basic information you must know to bring your group to Nordic Equinox. The section following below is for experienced groups for whom larp is the main hobby. If you want to know more, feel free to browse this web page.
You are the leader of a role playing organization and want to add your gaming group to Nordic Equinox group selection?!
You have to register at least 5 members in your group besides you. You can add more names in the registration form if you like. Once the group has been approved by Game Masters, players can be registered into it through single player registration forms or lists sent by you.
You have to have a common flag, with recognizable heraldic devices (it can be as simple or as complex as you can or want to make). In addition you will have to have a digital file of this graphics (either a photo, a drawing or just a symbol).
If you have all of this, fill out the group registration form here.
As for the rest - everything written in the beginning of this section also applies to you.
To join Nordic Equinox you will have to:
Quick links - for experienced players
1. Pick a host to fight/play for
There are two hosts, light and darkness who are fighting each other. Every player may freely choose which host to join. Your costume and character will depend from this choice. You can read more about the hosts and creating your character here.
If you can't decide you can also choose the so called "Mercenaries". This is a group of players who will fight for either light or darkness according to the instructions from the event organizers.
The hosts are led by players themselves. Usually a experienced fighter/commander, who is also a leader of a bigger group within a host, is chosen as the host leader. In addition to choosing a host you can also choose a group to cooperate with. Choosing a group is not mandatory, you are perfectly fine as a solo player as well. The list of groups is here.
If you do not want to fight but want purely to roleplay, you must still choose a host to align your character with (or pick mercs if it's neither). In case of a non-combatant char, character registration and a good character description is very important.
2. Register to the event
Fill out the registration form here.
In addition to your personal information (please verify that the information is correct), you must specify your choice of host and character. By now you should have a pretty good idea which host you will want to join and which group (if any) you will play with.
Your character description can be as short or long as you want it to be. Longer character descriptions (over 300 words) should be e-mailed to us directly: info-at-ancalagon-dot-ee. If you e-mail us your character description, just note "Will send with e-mail" into the character description box on the registration form. Please do not forget to include your real name in the e-mail.
3. Buy a ticket for yourself
You can buy tickets here. The sooner you buy tickets the cheaper it will be, you can find out more about ticket prices here. If you do buy tickets, make SURE that you give a valid e-mail address. Tickets will be sent electronically and you will have to print out yours yourself.
4. Prepare the costume and weapons
The costume can be as simple or complicated as you are able to make or obtain. You can also try and borrow your costume from someone else (if you know someone who does play larp). Building a simple costume on your own isn't hard at all, even if you have never sewn before. You can find instructions (untranslated - sorry) ##here##.
When bringing your own weapons, or buying them, make sure they conform with the safety standards of Nordic Equinox. Sadly a lot of the commercially sold weapons are too heavy (for their size) and will not pass weapon check on the event. This is unfortunate and might seem odd but we do have the safety rules in place for a reason which we are fully prepared to explain in detail if you contact us about it.
You can build your weapons yourself or if you are a member of some group, you can ask your group leader about borrowing a weapon. If you do decide to construct your own weapons be sure to follow the safety requirements for weapon imitations, that can be found in the game rules here - it is VERY important that you read them carefully BEFORE you start building your weapon. If this is your first game we strongly recommend that you build just a simple sword, instructions for that can be found here (once again untranslated - sorry).
If you build your own weapons, we recommend you make 2 or 3 of them and also bring along some spare materials (padding, tape or latex) and tools, for on-the-spot changes or repairs. Weapons break - this is inevitable - sometimes you can repair them, sometimes you have to get a new one. Be prepared for that.
5. Familiarize yourself with the game rules and house rules
Read through the game rules, found here. This is a mandatory point, you can not participate on the larp without knowing those rules. Focus most on combat and combat safety rules. Rule breakers (even unwitting ones) may be removed from the game.
Also familiarize yourself with the general house rules that are in place on the whole territory and can be found here. House rules apply to everyone and always even if the game hasn't started yet or has been stopped. Violators will be expelled from the festival grounds all together.
6. Show up for the event
Think about how you can get from where you live to where the event takes place (and back again). The event location and directions to get there can be found here. If you plan your transportation, consider all the equipment you will have to take with you, equipment like weapons, costume, sleeping bag, tent etc. All of this can take up a considerable amount of space and be quite heavy.
Information about the conditions on the game location and recommendations for packing, can be found here.
Once you have made all your plans, all there's left to do is show up on time. Check-in times will be in the event timetable, that can be found here. Please, do not be late!
If you are less than 16 years old!
You will need a written and signed parental agreement to come to the event on your own. The form for the parental agreement can be found here.
What is larp
Larp is an acronym from "Live Action Role Playing" that the role playing community has started to use as a term.
Larp is a atmosphere-, battle- or adventure game with a specific topic or theme. Basically the organizers (us), organize for players (you) an event, similar to a festival or a theme party.
The players choose or write their own character according to the topic of the event and send those character descriptions to organizers, together with their registration info. After that the players find/rent/make themselves costumes and game equipment or props (again according to the theme and their character). Meanwhile the organizers look through those character descriptions and try to incorporate them into the theme or story they have in mind.
Current larp is in a pseudo medieval setting. Players use real costumes (even metal armor) but padded imitations of real weapons (toys). Therefore anything medieval or ancient is in its place but also elements from fantasy or fiction, literature and movies. You can read more about the background of the game here. You can find out more about how to create your character for this game, here.
During the game the players will try to fulfill different tasks, set before them by the organizers (Game Masters). They can act individually or group together, depending on the task and/or their choice. The difficulty of the tasks varies and the exact solution to each problem is up for the players to decide. This is a social entertainment where you must interact with others to succeed.
The use of weapon imitations and to a limited degree also player interaction is governed by a specific set of rules, which can be obtained here. This larp involves a lot of mock combat. Fighting is not mandatory but a lot of the tasks given by Game Masters involve it.
This larp is organized as a non-profit event. The Game Masters and organizers are volunteers who don't get paid for this. All expenses involved with running an event of this scale are covered from donations and the participation fees that players pay. If there is any excess money it goes towards improving props and making the game atmosphere even better from year to year.