Svaha

Frequently Asked Questions

Ben Moskowitz, Michael Costalas, Paul Manjourides, and Trey Reilly. For more information on these four personalities, go look Behind the Gazebo.

Why are you four doing this?

Because we love gaming, and we love LARPing. Through all of our years of combined playing and GMing, we've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't. What elements of gaming have been done to death and the areas that haven't really ever been explored. We got together and decided that what we really wanted was a gaming system that incorporated all of the elements that we'd enjoyed the most over the years: the things that made great stories. We put those ideas together with some theories that had always intrigued us and that we'd always wanted to explore, and realized that this was something we thought we could do, and do well.  We believe that Svaha is something we can be proud of, that will entertain veteran gamers while impressing and delighting new ones.

We also love going to, as well as managing, gaming conventions. Look to see a bunch of those in our future, and be sure to check out our Schedule of Events.

Why Wild Gazebo Productions?

Well, why not? We like having a company name that makes us smile. We consider the story of the Dread Gazebo (there's a link to our favorite version on our links page) to be one of the earliest of the gamer urban myths. It's a perfect example of the kind of great and silly stories that have come out of the games we've played and run over the years.  

There's also a rumor that Paul was frightened by a Gazebo at a certain hotel jumping out at him, but that's unconfirmed.

How did you come up with the name Svaha?

Trey encountered it as the title of a book by Charles DeLint. We felt it expressed exactly what we wanted for this campaign, and went with it.

Mr. DeLint assures us that it's a normal Native American word, but as it's been a long time since he wrote that book, he doesn't remember exactly what tribe the word is from. Frustratingly, we haven't been able to find out either. If anyone has the answer to this, we'd love to hear it. Contact us and let us know.

What do I have to do to register?

Simply fill out the registration form and send it-- to the address given on that form--with your check or money order. Alternately, you can find Paul in person and give him cash, or pay by credit card through PayPal, a new online service on which WGP is registered (you can find a link for that on the registration form, as well as on our main page).  

Am I registered as soon as I send in the registration form from the website?

While it's a good thing to send in your registration form as early as possible, so we have more time to make sure that you get a character that's suited to your inclinations and desires, you aren't actually registered until we receive your payment as well as your completed form. Sorry, but that's the way it's gotta be.

Is this a one-shot game, or a campaign, or what?

Svaha: Prelude, Svaha: Crucible and Svaha: Emergence are three prequel events before we begin the Svaha campaign. 

The Svaha campaign will run for 3 years, beginning on June 22-24th, 2001--no more, no less. After those 3 years, it's all over. We may start another campaign in this universe (set in the far future), or we may begin something entirely new at that time. We'll let you know in a few years.

During the run of the campaign, look for one-shot LARP events, set in this same universe, to be run at ShoreCon, InterCon, MonCon, GenCon, and at any other convention we can get our staff to. These will be pre-generated character events, and will focus on a specific race or planet of our galaxy.

What genre is this game?

When forced to make a decision, we call it a limited multi-genre. There's a very wide range of things in our universe--space, fantasy, horror, film noir--hopefully something for everyone's tastes. But as we don't pretend to encompass *everything* that could possibly be out there (it's a big, diverse universe, but it's not that big), we can't in good conscience call ourselves a true multi-genre game. Our playtesters argue that we lean a bit towards the Science Fiction side.

How many races are there in this game?

There are, at last count, 16 races in the Svaha galaxy. They are:  the Clarin, the Cwal, the Grymerens, the Hor'Data, the Marda, the Norag, the N'rall, the Ogaru, the Rawana, the S'rall, the Stelik, the Thish Wan, the Tlocassans, the Vihr, the Vraxians, and the Wel.

However, that doesn't include factions of races, crossbreeds, or any other sort of possible populace divisions. 

Paul keeps trying to create more when we're not looking, but thus far we've been successful in squelching his impulses.  Try not to encourage him.

For Prelude, Crucible or Emergence: do I have to play this character for three years? Why don't I get to choose my own character, then?

Prelude, Crucible and Emergence are one-shot events--you'll only be playing your pre-generated character for that one weekend. When the campaign begins, you'll be able to create your own character, tailored to whatever you prefer.

Enough with the one-shot events and weekends, I want to start my character! When can I do that?

The Svaha campaign begins on the weekend of June 22-24th, 2001. You can create whatever character you like for the campaign, and play that character for as long as you wish (or the character dies permanently --whichever comes first).

Is there any reading I should do before the games?

As it's an entirely original universe--none, really. All background materials will be provided. If you pre-register, you'll get them e-mailed or snail mailed to you before the con so you can look them over at your leisure.

Will characters be available at the door of the one-shot weekends?

Of course. You'll have lost the advantage of being able to read some of the materials beforehand, but there's absolutely no reason why you can't just walk in the door on Friday night and, after a brief interview with one of our staff to determine your preferences, get a character.

I've pre-registered for a one-shot event or weekend. When will my character be mailed to me?

Casting for pre-registered people happens during two to three weeks before the event. If pre-registration ends on a Friday, character packets for those who have pre-registered will be mailed 10 days later. Your packet should arrive to you, wherever you are, about a week before the event.  If it has not arrived by then, or if you wish to receive your character information sooner, please feel free to contact us and make alternative arrangements.

 

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