The information below is intended to be used to get a feel for the atmosphere of the nation and provide inspiration about what kinds of clothes, weapons and armour are common. Costume is aspirational, and attendees are not expected to have perfect kit from the start – instead we encourage everyone to put effort into improving their kit over time, starting with basics and adding to it bit by bit, and not criticise others costume. Advice should only be given when asked for.

The “Key Costume” for each nation is intended to be elements of national dress that help to identify the difference between nations, with pieces of clothing or themes which highlight that difference. A basic LARP shirt or tunic and trousers or skirt is all that is needed as base layers for every nation, plus some element of the Key Costume for the nation chosen as where that character is from. Everything else is a bonus – but it improves the look of the whole setting when everyone buys in to the world being played out and endeavour to look on brief for their own nation.

More information on the minimum costume standards and items which should be avoided in all nations is available here.

Nation Overview

Valdraeth has sacrificed much as a nation, but their pride and pursuit of excellence keeps moving them forward. Ambition and self-sufficiency are their watchwords, and their clothing reflects this – wealth and success should be shown off, but these things should be earned through intellect, cunning or physical effort.

Valdraeth is a land inspired by dark fairytales and its people reflect this. High-Medieval clothing, Pre-Raphaelite art and folklore-inspired costuming come together to create a look of dark, deep, jewel tones, full of drama: Evil Lords, Warrior Princesses, Viziers and Sorcerers, complicated heroes and heroines who are not always the good guys.
Generally the historical period here is the 1300s-1400s, with long lines and fantastical headdresses, with elements taken from European folklore and the media inspired by it. Charms, amulets and items of protection are worn by all, just in case, and some wear hoods to shroud their appearance even further.

Colour Palette

Dark, deep, jewel tones. Swamp and autumn.

Rich velvets, metallic contrast, drapey silks and chiffons, mixed with functional wools and linens.

Themes And Key Words

Dark fairytale, layering, gothic, drama and contrast, this nation leans into the rich vein of classic British and European folklore

Lush decoration, layering colours and adding interesting texture is what this nation is all about. Styling is medieval in cut, with long lines, big sleeves, billowing layers and decorative fabrics.

The higher echelons of society may hold onto their faded glory whether or not they have held onto their courts through the catastrophes of the last century, and attempt to dress to impress while others dress for the practical lives they live under the thumb of the elites, but still value rich colours and interesting fabrics, while trinkets and charms offer protection and decoration.

Coverings of the neck or shoulders such as mantles, standing ruffs, padded collars, gorgets and hoods are commonly worn across all social classes in Valdraeth. The tradition started during the war where it became a symbol of the nations resiliance, responsibility, and pride. These pieces vary depending on the tastes of the bearer and can be plain and functional or elaborate and decorative. But all are worn to symbolise the endurance of the people.

The citizens of Valdraeth are not afraid of getting their hands dirty, and many live in areas of the land where life is hard and a living must be eked out in bogland, wild mountains or wisplight-lit forest. Clothes that once might have been finery may be patched, frayed and ragged, but still show the story of the wearer.

“Whatever your ambition is, this is your one and only chance, so you’ve got to take it, to strive for what you want.”

Fantasy Inspiration

Fae Courts, bean sidhe, the Otherworld or Annwn of the Mabinogion, the Green Knight and similar otherwoldly magical lands.

Classic European folklore and the media inspired by it, especially themes of curses, luck, deals brokered and challenges set.

Monster-filled fantasy worlds, with hunters, sorcery, fervent faith against the growing darkness and knights in shining armour.

Historical Inspiration

Generally the historical period here is the 1300s-1400s; thigh or knee-length tunics and slim trousers or hose, outer layers such as cotehardies and doublets, and long gowns, tunics and surcoats.

Long garments tend to be without a waist seam – they are cut long and sleek, with full skirts created with gores to give volume rather than gathering at the waist, which tends to look more Avereaux in style.

Courtiers and other higher status characters’ fashion has the potential to lean into the more impractical side of this era’s dress, with tight doublets, wide houppeland over-gowns and long hanging decorative sleeves – Pre-Raphaelite maidens, knights and mages can be great sources of inspiration here.

Headwear In Valdraeth

The most common headwear is the hood due to its use in covering the neck as well; usually dagged with patterns cut into the hem.

Hats of various styles are also common – chaperons, felt and wool hats, more elaborate historical headwear like henins and escoffion, and simple coifs.

Circlets and crowns are sometimes worn to denote the head of a court, and represent the rare mineral wealth they have access to.

Key Costume Items for Valdraeth

Key Costume Items are elements of the Look and Feel of each nation that are a cultural part of what makes up that nation, informed by their history and societal norms. Ideally, an outfit for any nation should aim to incorporate at least one of the Key Costume Items to ensure that characters are recognisably from their nation at a distance!

Key Costume Item – Neck Coverings

Neck coverings – high collars, elaborate mage armour, chainmail “bishop’s mantles”, shoulders, ruffs, padded gambeson-like mantles, elaborate choker necklaces, neckerchiefs and even fur mantles. The people of Valdraeth have ritualised the wearing of these items to the extent that they feel naked without them.

Coverings of the neck or shoulders such as mantles, standing ruffs, padded collars, gorgets and hoods are commonly worn across all social classes in Valdraeth. The tradition started during the war where it became a symbol of the nations resiliance, responsibility, and pride. These pieces vary depending on the tastes of the bearer and can be plain and functional or elaborate and decorative. But all are worn to symbolise the endurance of the people.

This can be as simple as a standing collar on a shirt or doublet, or as elaborate as a full ruff. Bishop’s mantles and padded arming collars are popular among soldiers and more martial citizens.

Key Costume Item – Talismans

The lands of Valdraeth are not without their horrors, and it is a rare thing indeed for a citizen to go outside without a form of talisman – sometimes referred to as trinkets or charms – their meaning and use varies from town to village and particular uses are often rooted in local lore and tradition.

Witches in Valdraeth make a good sideline in talismans, each specialising in adding different core components, usually incorporating materials common to the area around their workshop. These could be glass beads, wooden carvings, fabric poppets, shells, metal trinkets, woven scraps of thread and leather and other things besides. These are worn as pendants, tied to belts or wound around wrists as bracelets. Some claim theirs provide protection from specific local monsters, others are general protection wards for the landscape at large.

Key Costume Item – Dagging

Dagging – patterns cut into the hems of clothing to create more movement and interest.

These layer well and can be cut into many different layers, and work particularly well on hoods and cloaks, but can be added to almost any layer of clothing. Items like ‘lappets’ can be made up separately and worn as additional decorations to sleeves, and jupons or surcoats can have additional dagging to add that effect to a martial outfit.

These give opportunity to show off status with a visual difference between high and low status, with low status having very simple or very ragged versions of what might have once been a highly decorated garment.

Makeup

Makeup is regularly worn by all genders in Valdraeth. Widely available thanks to many local resources, it is used with the same attitude towards self expression as clothing. It can be employed to fascinate or intimidate to great effect. The most highly prized makeup comes from the shimmering scales of a giant moth, with shifting colours fetching a heavy price.

Armour For Valdraeth

Armour in Valdraeth is some of the most varied in Ellandra, especially with regards to heavy armour. The historical elements are “High Medieval” in style – 1300s-1400s, plate armour, fabric-covered brigandines and padded armour all extensively worn.

Light and Medium Armour

• Gambesons and arming jacks are worn in a wide variety of colours and styles. Buckles at the front or asymmetrically at one side are very popular, and often worn as a warm layer outside of the battlefield, especially by those wanting to casually signal their martial abilities.
• Leather jerkins and surcoats that buckle at the front are a very common form of leather armour, these can be worn over chainmail or light armour to make a martial outfit more Valdraeth in style. Some have high necklines or standing collars to ensure the neck is protected in battle.
• Some mages wear light armour that evokes “Sorcerer” – leather collars, cuffs and headdresses with long robes and cloaks

Heavy Armour

• Plate armour, chainmail and Brigandines are all worn extensively
• Plate armour is worn in all variations, it is highly prized and Guardians and Stalwarts and other martial types often build them up over years. A full suit of armour is something to be prized, but any amount of it is worn with pride.
• Chainmail is more common and often worn in more piecemeal varieties comapred to the Avereaux full chainmail shirt – chain skirts, buckle-front vests, voiders which cover just the arms and attach to leather or fabric jerkins, and hoods. These are more modular for Courts who might outfit different soldiers with the same chain over several years.
• Brigandines are another particularly Valdraeth option, made from plates of metal or metal-like materials, riveted to a leather or fabric outer layer. These also provide the option to show off household colours, though many prefer the simplicity and functionality of simple dark colours and let their other garments show off allegiance.
• Some prefer to wear heavy armour layered with long garments – gowns, tunics, coats and surcoats for a dramatic look.
• Very commonly worn are Bishop’s mantles, chainmail hoods and helmets with attached aventails to protect the neck.

Helmets

• Kettle helms of various shapes.
• Bascinets – both visored and open-faced.
• Archers often opt for open-faced helmets, either simple round helms or sallets without a face plate to get in the way.
• Aventails – attached chainmail mantles – as well as mail coifs and Bishops Mantles as separate pieces.

Weapons In Valdraeth

Citizens of Valdraeth see weapons as another opportunity to display the wielder’s personal taste, individuality and style, and new weapons are commissioned to celebrate recent deeds and milestones.

• Heater Shields – the perfect shape to display Court heraldry.
• Bucklers – a less expensive option, often favoured by those who prefer being versatile in combat.
• Swords – from longswords to shortswords, usually with a crossguard at the handle.
• Poleaxes, bardiches, spears and warhammers – useful for keeping foes at a distance.
• Longbows are more highly prized than shortbows, but both are used. Crossbows are rare.
• Mage staffs – often highly decorated to match the wielder’s taste.

Archetypes In Valdraeth

Archetypes are particular types of character in each nation, which offer a framework of the default types of mage, priest, warrior, artisan etc within that culture, and a way to think about designing a character who fits into the nation as a starting point, in order to encourage a cohesive nation that can make choices about individuality from that point.

These are by no means exhaustive, but the examples below depict some flavours of common character types and the costume elements that are often worn by them.

Courtiers

In somewhat faded finery, courtiers bask in the likewise faded glory of their refined peers. Having no true power of their own, theirs is a reflected light, and their wish to improve the status of their overliege is often the wish to improve their own station and influence.

Courtiers are more than capable of carrying out any inelegant task, or finding someone who will do the work in their stead. They are a mixed bunch, with some fiercely loyal and fiercely trusted, and some changing their allegiance and court colours at a drop of a handkerchief for whoever is currently in favour.

A Courtier’s outfit is a reflection on their Court’s status – a group of courtiers all in rags is tragically common in the last few decades, but they strive to keep up appearances nonetheless.

• High Medieval Fantasy finery
• Leggings, slimmer trousers, or medieval hose – preferably joined hose
• A long dress or doublet, preferably fitted rather than too baggy
• Long, more impractical garments in deep, rich colours.
• Fur trims, dagged hems – every hem should be decorated or extravagant in cut and styling
• Long pre-Raphaelite sleeves and over-robes like Houppelands worn as a dramatic (and warm) over-layer
• parti-colour clothing with strong colour schemes also possible
• lots of texture with embroidered fabrics, contrasting brocades and velvets
• High collars, for cultural reasons (see key costume page)

Guardians

Guardians perform the very important responsibility of keeping the darker stories outside the gates of civilisation, and away from people sleeping safely in their beds. They may have a sedentary life, greeting each new day and night from the walls of a city or the gate of a town, or they may protect the peoples of a household, traveling with them wherever they go. Their stations range from the lowly hire to the lofty guilded knight.

They tend to be alert and sensible people, ever prepared to fight, yet who are happy to wait for stories to come to them, and play a part in protecting the stories of others. Whatever stories they have of their own, they have more than earned.

Guarding is a theoretically simple job, with decent pay and free lodgings. Those whose oath and story are tested through their commitment to their work, may rise through their deeds to become famous and named knights, sought after by all.

Guardians come from all walks of life, but often dress more practically than others:

• A dagged hood or cloak, or one with ragged edges that looks like it may have been dagged at one point for particularly down-on-their-luck or wilder characters
• Leggings, slimmer trousers or medieval hose.
• A short base-layer tunic or plain shirt.
• A doublet, gambeson or surcoat – ideally front-opening or with buckles.
• Some form of armour

Warlocks

“Do you hear that ominous crackling and wailing coming from the tower? Pray thats as bad as it gets. Last year it rained black slime for a week and everyone’s hair started falling out…”

Warlocks are the eccentric people whose vice like minds are turning towards genius or madness, and pursue their goals relentlessly. Addicted to gaining knowledge, or power, or with an unquenchable curiosity, they delve further into their studies than is safe, and the outcome is often not without both dazzling rewards and the potential for great calamity.

Some started down this path with heart and lofty intention, some with scores to settle, some to prove themselves. They are people who have found their purpose, and know how they wish to live and what their stories will be. They are people of great dedication to the study of magic and are both revered and feared in equal measure. Though thankfully, a lot of the time, they are too busy in their books to cause catastrophe.

Warlocks have a reputation for being somewhat eccentric, and this also applies to their clothing. Some opt for opulence, others utility, but usually with rich texture and layering, with plenty of lucky amulets and trinkets hanging from the belt and worn as jewellery.

An outfit generally consists of:

• Leggings, slimmer trousers or medieval hose.
• A base-layer tunic, plain shirt or under-dress.
• Long layered garments; full-length gowns or doublets, some opt for long fantastical sleeves, others prefer tighter practical sleeves so as to not get in the way during magical rites.
• High collars, ruffs, partlets or jewellery to cover the neck.

Cloaks with plenty of embellishment – dagging, tassels, embroidery etc

How To Put Together a Valdraeth Outfit

There’s a lot of variation in the clothing won in Valdraeth, but a simple outfit may be made up of:

• Leggings, slimmer trousers or medieval hose
• A short base-layer tunic or plain shirt.
• A doublet or bodice – front-opening, ideally with buckles.
• Long, draped layers to provide warmth and give variation of texture and colour. Deep jewel tones are best.
• A dagged hood or cloak, or one with ragged edges that looks like it may have been dagged at one point for particularly down-on-their-luck characters
• dresses and tunics rarely have waist seams and are usually all one piece
• Talismans – trinkets and charms that have an IC personal, cultural or magical meaning to your character.