What is NERO?

The following text appears on the NERO web site's New Player Tour

NERO is a Live Action Roleplaying Game in the medieval fantasy setting of Tyrra. On Tyrra, there are many duchies and kingdoms, many of which are represented by a NERO Chapter. There are over 40 NERO Chapters within the US and Canada, with more on the way. Each NERO Chapter has its own In-Game lands and history, though all are part of the same world.

Unlike many other Roleplaying games, the NERO Game System uses boffer combat and thrown cloth packets to determine the outcome of battles. Your character's skills and attributes are determined by what you decide your character wishes to learn with any Build Points that are gained through playing an Adventure, Adventure Day, or Weekend Gathering. However, unlike in table-top gaming, you act out what your character does. If you want to chase a monster, you run after it - if it wants to chase you, the monster runs after you! If you want to duck out of the way, you can do it without using any skills. With practice and hard work, you can make the difference between playing your character and playing a bunch of numbers on a piece of paper.

When you play a character, you have a character sheet, and the events that you have attended are tracked and added to your character. You can play your character in any NERO chapter, building your character as you go. Your character's treasure is yours to keep: you can use it when you play your character in any chapter.

To get involved in NERO, you don't have to be an athlete. In fact, there are many other ways to get involved, completing puzzles, collecting information, investigating strange occurrences or in-game crimes and mysteries. There are many ways to be what you want to be at NERO, a great hero, a scholar, a rogue, a villain - just about anything you can think of.

NERO is played everywhere though most NERO chapters rent or own a Campsite that they use for events. Some sites have different accommodations than others, and some are more expensive.

Weekend Gatherings are generally held at a campground which is used exclusively by NERO. These camps usually have cabins, although sleeping space may be limited in some areas, so you will want to review their information or contact them prior to arriving. Some camps have kitchens, and many chapters provide meals which are available for a small fee. Beverages and water are provided at almost all Weekend Gathering sites. Weekends start on Friday night and continue, 24 hours a day, until Sunday (times vary by chapter). If you are attending a Weekend Gathering, may sure you take a look at the suggested provisions list.

Adventure Days may be held at a campground with sleeping accommodations, or at a camp that is only used for the day. If you are traveling a long distance, ask the local chapter if they can provide you with hotel or lodging information if you cannot stay overnight at the camp. Adventure Days are day long events that usually include scheduled or available Adventures, and a Tavern setting with continuing role-play throughout the day.

Adventures are often held in a rented hall, or other smaller setting than a camp ground. During a Weekend, there are many Adventures (much like a module), with several being run at once. Adventure Days consist of multiple Adventures as well. Adventures are short encounters or a series of encounters that a group works their way through. Examples are clearing a cave of monsters, solving a murder, coming to the aid of a townsperson, seeking a specific item needed for some reason, researching with people outside of town, and many other possibilities. Adventures usually last 1 to 4 hours, and average about 2 hours.

Many Weekend Gatherings have between 40 and 200 NERO members in attendance. Adventure Days often have 20 to 60 people, and Adventures are usually run for 6 to 10 people - though some require more or less… depending on the in-game situation.