Calls Used at Mayfest
Traditionally an event is started with a call of "Time In!" and ended with a call of "Time Out!" Mayfest is no exception to this but play can be interrupted by a call of "Time Out!" and resumed on a call of "Time In!" Such interruptions at Mayfest are likely because a referee (or any player) sees a situation of potential harm arising. For example, barbed wire is spotted partially concealed near where combat is taking place. "Time Out!" is called, the barbed wire or the combat is moved and then "Time In!" is called to resume play. Any player may call "Time Out!" to halt play if there is likely danger but only a Mayfest ref may call "Time In!"
Calls like this are designed to help keep control of situations and live role play needs to use such calls for safety and to help make the game more enjoyable. Other calls are detailed below.
"Timefreeze!" When this is called players should "freeze" in the position they are (within reason) and hum or make a noise so that they cannot hear what is going on until "Time In!" is yelled. During this time referees are able to do things like teleport monsters or artifacts in or out, swap items to simulate them changing into something else or do anything that would happen in a moment. "Timefreeze!" followed by "Quiet Please!" would be used if a referee needs to explain something to the players. This time the players "freeze" but don't hum! Timefreeze is often used locally (just in a small area - not the whole campsite/forest etc.) and other players may accidentally come along while a group is frozen. Unless they get other instructions from a ref they should backtrack for a good distance and then wander up again when the call to resume is made.
"Man Down!" is a safety call and is made by anybody if a player gets hurt. All play in the area should stop until the situation is sorted and a ref calls "Time In!" This is probably the most important of all calls made in live role play, is common to all English speaking systems and has kept accidents at a minimum and kept live role play an extremely safe hobby.
At Mayfest 2003 some new calls were introduced. These are to enhance what is going on. It is possible that a player will go through the whole event without hearing these at all as they will be used both locally and sparingly but all players should be aware of them.
"Timeslow!" - this could be applied to an area or person. In effect it means that time is moving very slowly within an area or for a person. If an area then persons within the area must move and speak in slow motion. If applied to a person then they must do so.
"Timespeed!" - This is the opposite of "Timeslow!" but will only apply to a person. Where this is used the people around them will move slowly.
"Timedrift!" - Again this will only apply to characters who will have to role play time slowing and catching up. In actions they will slowdown and speed up.
"Timephase!" followed by a call like "10 seconds" will apply only to characters who must role play being that many seconds behind everyone else.
"Timemark!" everyone who hears this call must make a note of exactly where and how (position wise) they are when the call is made. Shortly after, a call of "Rewind!" will be made when they must move back to that position. While they do so the ref may tell them that they do not remember what happened in between the two calls otherwise they do and it is though they have been moved back through time. If they do not it is to them as though nothing has happened between the two calls. Further, those that do not remember may be instructed to do the same actions again unless the others prevent them. Actions will resume on a call of "Time In!" This way we can actually simulate fortelling. This may sound complicated but really is not in practice.
Players may have noticed that these calls seem to use the word 'Time' rather a lot and most of them start with it. This is partly because the calls 'mess' with time but also because experienced players react to calls starting with it. I promise you it is not because Yorath, a Time Lord, is going to go on an ego trip!
These then are the main calls that players may hear at Mayfest. Please take the time to understand them. If you find my descriptions of them less than clear, drop me a line for further detail.