Four Pillars is a grassroots LARP system, which means that we try to be as accessible as possible to new LARPers. We initially started as a university LARP, and many of us didn’t have much in the way of costume or weaponry, so we understand that it can be difficult to source these things, especially when you are new. Therefore, we do not have a strict kit standard; we merely ask that you try not to wear anything too ostensibly modern such as blue jeans. While we do have information about the different looks and fashions of the Four Pillars world, we ask that you take this more as inspiration, or a vague guideline, and develop your kit as you feel suits your character.
It is absolutely against our values for anyone to criticise anyone else’s kit on the basis that it is ‘off brief’, and we ask that people only give their input and feedback if it is asked for.
Basic Kit[]
Basic LARP kit can be easily attained on a low budget. For example, black or brown jeans and a white shirt or blouse are considered perfectly in character. For footwear, most people favour boots, however we understand that some may prefer trainers or similar when running in woodland terrain. Sensible shoes of any kind are perfectly acceptable.
Your Character’s Kit[]
Your character’s kit is completely up to you; while we have references for inspiration, your kit should be something that suits your character’s personality as well as their location. Characters may be part of a particular faction, but originate from a different province or country; this may be reflected in their clothing. For example, they may be a member of the Legion, but originate from the Southern Province, or be a member of the Circle and originate from Skovva. This may mean that they have aspects and aesthetics from both regions. Also, sometimes people just want to wear what they’re comfortable in and what they think looks nice! You may play a Southerner who thinks that Western fashion is amazing; or a Northerner who really likes those Valclyan gowns! You are also not bound by gender; any gender may wear a dress, or fancy robes, or some nice leather trousers. Please feel free to wear pronoun badges or talk to people beforehand if you have concerns about misgendering in game; we are a small system, and we expect everyone to do their best to use the correct pronouns for others, regardless of their costume.
What Can I Not Wear?[]
We ask that those attending Four Pillars do not draw their costume from the culture of historically oppressed groups, unless they are a part of that group. This includes using aspects such as Native American culture, or specifically religious adornments such as bindi’s or culturally significant tattoos. Some items of clothing may be worn as long as they do not inflict a ‘type of moral harm, which is inflicted when people mock or mimic the stereotyped characteristics of minority groups in a racist and sexist manner, through exaggerated, fetishizing costumes, makeup and gesture’[1].
However, there are items of dress which appear throughout many cultures of the world, for example the long open robes worn in 15th century England can be similar to kaftan’s/caftan’s worn in Russia and Pakistan. Another example would be head coverings; up until the 18th century, women in Europe were expected to wear head coverings such as veils, scarfs and hats. While we ask that you do not appropriate a modern religious head covering, such as a hijab, head scarfs of a historical fashion are fine. For those from the Northern Desert climates, a type of headscarf known as a litham or a tagelmust. However, we ask that you do not wear these in indigo or dark blue, as a tagelmust in this colour has important real world cultural significance. Basically, we just ask that you be respectful of others cultures, and do not use items of clothing with important cultural significance to others as a costume.
Northern Kit[]
Most of the North’s temperature range from subtropical desert to Mediterranean, with a more continental climate with harsher winters in the southernmost areas encircled by the Ortun Mountains. Their style of clothing reflects these varied climates, and the different Northern territories have several different styles. One thing, however, does not vary between them; their love of bright colours, especially purple, their love of decoration, and their love of jewels.
- The main fashion of the North is light tunics with a long loose robe over the top. This can be secured with a belt or scarf around the waist, and the robe itself may be sleeveless. As Northern inspired costumes are very light and cool, please be careful at colder events and make sure you wrap up warm!
- In the central areas of the North, south of the Theodsian hills and surrounding the capital of Hynafoltre, fashion is mainly inspired by the East Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire). Brightly coloured tunics or robes are the main focus, and these are often covered with beautiful patterns or heavy colourful/metallic embroidery. A real emphasis is put on heavy jewellery, especially gold and precious stones, and beads and stone are often sewn onto the clothes.
- In the hottest areas, in the far north and near the border with Treth, fashion is inspired by Classical Greek and Roman fashion, such as the toga and the stola/chiton. They are mainly loose and flowing, with bright colours and patterns, and often pulled in at the waist. Loose flowing fabric is often wrapped around the torso decoratively.
- The mountainous areas of the North have slightly different inspiration, drawing from Serbian traditional dress. This mainly incorporates jewel tones and cotton fabric; rather than printed patterns, the emphasis is on plain fabrics decorated with embellishments such as embroidery or cutwork.
- Geometric and floral embroidery design are popular, and one of the most iconic aspects of their dress are their vests. These are heavily decorated with plain underlayers and worn with tiered skirts or baggy trousers which tighten below the mid calf. Sleeves are flares, and aprons are often worn over their skirts; although as much for decoration as practicality. In colder weather, shawls and wraps are used to help keep them warm.
- The Southeastern areas of the North, ruled by the Legion of Albion, is a mixture of Northern and Eastern culture. They are largely inspired by Arthurian themes, and characters from this land may draw more from the Eastern style of fashion.
Heavy armour in the North is predominantly plate or scale armour.
All throughout the North, it is seen as a mark of respect to cover your head, either with a hat, shawl, or scarf when entering a religious area.
Look and feel: Classical Greek, Roman Empire, Byzantine (East Roman) Empire, Serbia.
Further Inspiration: Atlantis (BBC); Troy, Troy: Fall of a City (Netflix).
You can see more our Northern inspiration here.
Western Kit[]
The fashion of the West is drawn largely from 14th-16th Century fashion; Italian and Spanish Quattrocento and Cinquecento fashion, and English Elizabethan fashion. It is mainly characterised by slashed and puffed sleeves and bright colours. Of course, the most important Western accessory is a mask! Even those Westerners who have moved to other areas and factions still normally carry a mask; it is a tradition which is deeply ingrained in the population as it is the symbol of Florintina, who is said to watch over the Western lands. It is a tradition that many of those who move to the West adopt as well, and the most popular type of Western party is a masquerade!
- An example of 14th-15th century Italian fashion is the gamurra, a gown laced up the front or down the sides, with the skirt seam under the bust or on the waist. Sleeves are attached separately, over a billowing chemise. The giorna would be worn over the gamurra; a flowing, often sleeveless, overrobe held in place by a belt.
- A popular hair accessory is the trinzale, an often beaded hairnet worn with different hairstyles.
- Tight trousers or leggings (hose) worn with a tunic with slashed sleeves is also a popular fashion from 14th-15th century Italy.
- In the 16th century, upper hose, or breeches came into fashion, which is the padded, round shorts often seen on Elizabethan men. These were paired with a doublet which fit tight to the torso, and had slashed and puffed sleeves showing the undershirt beneath.
- The waistlines of gowns had dropped into a ‘v’ shape, with a tight fitted bodice similar to a doublet, and a full bell-shaped skirt. These often opened at the front to show a kirtle, or underdress/skirt; perhaps in the gender neutral world of Four Pillars they could open to show trousers as well.
- In Ishall and around the Delta, patchwork clothes are particularly common, as there is a great ‘make-do-and-mend’ attitude. Ishall and the Delta are particularly eclectic areas; feel free to go wild with bright colours and mismatched fabrics; anything you feel expresses your character’s personality!
- Western masks are inspired by Venetian carnival masks, and comedia dell'arte masks.
Look and feel: Italian/Spanish Renaissance, Medieval Venetian.
Further Inspiration: Romeo & Juliet (2013 Film); Orlais, Dragon Age (EA); The Borgias (Showtime); Spanish fashion in The Spanish Princess (Starz); Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998 film).
You can see more of our Western inspiration here.
Eastern Kit[]
Eastern Fashion is strongly influenced by the land’s elven roots, and as a result, the East has the least historically based fashion out of any of the provinces. The fashion which stems from the Elves is inspired by art nouveau, with flowing lines and a loose fit. It often incorporates elements of the natural world, and projects an aura of etherealness.
- A good source of inspiration for a costume in this vein would be the elven costumes from The Lord of the Rings. Less fantastical inspiration can stem from the 12th century bliaut, with it’s long trailing sleeves, or the 15th century houppelande.
- The less elven inspired look is more tailored towards european fashion in the 12th-15th century, which can be similar to some Southern fashion as well. The main distinction is colour scheme and decoration; Eastern clothes are often pastel or forest colours, whereas southern fashion is a bit darker and more earthy.
- Those Easterners who wear armour are normally drawn to plate or scalemaille, or leather armour, although these often may be worn over chainmail.
- As many academics are drawn to the east, mage or scholarly robes are also a common site.
- Over the last hundred years, newer fashions have come into play which are inspired more by late 19th century fashion and the Victorian gothic; this is due to the number of vampires who saw the East as a safe haven for study. Traditional vampire fashion caught on rather quickly, and it’s now a rapidly rising trend.
Look and feel: Art Nouveau, Fantasy, Nature Inspired, Elven, 12th-15th century England.
Further Inspiration: Merlin (BBC); Rivendell & Lothlorien, The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003 films); Dalish Elves, Dragon Age (EA); Camelot, Once Upon A Time (ABC)
Southern Kit[]
Southern kit is based on English and Scottish dress from the 9th-14th century. This overlaps with some Eastern fashion inspiration, however although the silhouette’s are similar the colours often differ.
- Basic Southern fashion incorporates a knee length tunic either over an underdress (kirtle) or a pair of trousers/leggings, in the style of 9th-10th cent Anglo Saxons
- Long flowing gowns with trailing sleeves in the style of the 12th cent bliaut.
- A surcoat worn over a shirt and trousers or a kirtle, often lined with fur or trim.
- A cotehardie, a garment fitting close to the torso and arms, fastened down the front either with buttons or lacing. This can vary in length from the knee to trailing on the ground.
- Outfits are normally made from wool, as the South has the coldest climate, and have duller colours than many of the other provinces. Southern clothes are normally in natural or earth tones, with the exception of the crimson outfits of the Warriors of the Dark Sun.
- Clothes are often decorated with knotwork embroidery or woven trim.
- Chainmail and leather armour are the most commonly seen.
- Look and feel: Anglo Saxon, Norman, early Medieval England.
Further Inspiration: The Last Kingdom (BBC); Skyrim (Bethesda); Rohan, The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003 films); Ferelden, Dragon Age (EA); Camelot (Starz), Pillars of the Earth (Starz).