DrachenFest-US is an annual larp festival which brings together people from all over North America (and from overseas!) for a week of fantasy-themed revelry, competition, and spectacle. At the heart of it all are the Referees who keep the game and contest running smoothly. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who take on the challenge, it's a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
For those unfamiliar, the Referees are the people in bright yellow hats scattered around the festival grounds. Most of the time, we stand on the sidelines and address player needs when they approach us, or intervene when we see a situation that needs out-of-game (OOG) attention.
Being a DrachenFest-US Referee (“Ref”) is a unique and exciting role, especially if you enjoy facilitating games as a GM or working behind the scenes. Not only do we get to be a critical part of the action, but we also have the responsibility of ensuring that everyone is following the rules and spirit of DrachenFest.
DrachenFest is built by combining the vision of the DF-US organizers with the creativity of the players. Refs are the people who bring these two forces together.
Just like our players, the DrachenFest-US Referee team is drawn from many different places and larp traditions. The team has a wide array of perspectives and collaborates to achieve a larp experience none of us could pull off on our own. In June of 2022, at DrachenFest-US Origins, the Referees took the plunge on this ambitious project and brought it to life.
With everything we learned last year, we are preparing to make the Ref team bigger and better for the years to come.
For that to happen, we need you to join us.
Apply to join the DF-US Referee team and see what it’s all about! https://www.drachenfest.us/referee-information
“I’m interested, but I have some questions…”
The DF-US Referee experience tough to condense down to a blog post, but here’s some answers to frequently asked questions:
Q: What happens when I fill out the Referee application?
A: A member of the DF-US team will contact you within 5 business days (usually sooner) to confirm your availability and arrange a brief introductory video call.
Q: How much experience do I need to become a Referee?
A: Volunteers do not need to have larp staff experience, or GM experience in general, to join the Referee team. You may have more to learn, but we value the fresh perspective of newcomers to our staff.
Q: What’s the price of a Referee ticket?
A: Attendance for Referees is free, you do not need to buy a ticket!
Q: I already bought a player ticket, but I would like to be a Referee instead. What should I do?
A: Send us a message via the website chat function and let us know, we’ll sort it out!
Q: Is being a Ref similar to being an NPC in other larps
A: DF-US Referees, while on-shift, are entirely OOG and wear the signature yellow hat for visibility. When off-shift, Refs are free to get in costume and join the larp, and are not expected to perform Ref functions or wield Ref authority while off-shift.
More details about the Referee role are available on this flier.
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