Waitlist applications for May 2027 in Mt Washington, MA are still open.

Player Logistics

Core Info

Pre-Game Logistics

Venue Rules

Packing Considerations

Covid Policy

Cancellation Policy

Core Info

Date: November 20-22, 2026
Participants: 40 players, age 18+
Tickets: $485
Lodging and food included
Location: Stronghold Castle
Oregon, Illinois USA

Pre-Game Logistics

Please make sure to get your Covid/flu vaccine for the season, ideally 10-14+ days before the larp! Send your covid/flu vaccination record or receipt to the Player Support email.
You will also need to take a covid test sometime in the 24 hours before arriving on site. Write the date near it and take a photo with the date + covid test results. Send it to the Player Support email.
If you need an alternate meal, please fill out this form and send it to Player Support.
Review your workshop groups in the Safety-Aftercare-Workshop document. It shows with whom you will have structured calibration time during workshops. If you want to calibrate with someone not on your workshop queue, make sure to do so before game.

Stronghold Castle entrance

Venue Rules

Stronghold castle courtyard

The Once and Future Court is held at the Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center castle in Oregon, Illinois, USA. It's a 1.5-2 hour drive from Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Please respect the rules of the venue:

The use of alcohol and unprescribed drugs (controlled substances) is strictly prohibited. Tobacco and smoking of any kind is prohibited in every building on premises. There are designated areas outside around the building for this activity.
With the respect of other guests on property, a noise curfew of 11pm will be strictly enforced.
All vehicles must park in designated areas only. Unauthorized or reckless use of motorized vehicles is strictly prohibited.
Firearms are strictly prohibited as well as any other weapon on property. Fireworks are strictly prohibited unless approved by the director of Stronghold and provided a designated area to do fireworks.
All unclaimed “Lost & Found” items will be disposed of accordingly after 15 days.
No loose glitter or confetti!

Packing Considerations

The feast hall, attached to the kitchen below the great hall. Meals will be taken in Geneva Hall, a different building, but this room is usable for roleplay, snacks, etc.

The entrance tower room (below) to one of the communal dormitory rooms.

Stronghold is a Tudor-style manor house built in the 1930's, nestled high on the bluffs overlooking Rock River in Oregon, Illinois, USA. It boasts a beautiful Great Hall with a massive wood fireplace for gatherings, thematic murals and decor, and even a secret passageway from the Library to the small Chapel.

The rustic lodging is dormitory-style across four floors, with both single and bunk beds in the large communal lodging rooms. There are 1-2 bathrooms per floor, and roughly 16 steps per flight of stairs. There are a limited number of more accessible rooms, but they still require going down 6 steps from outside to the ground floor.

The venue provides linens. Linens include sheets, towel, hand towel, wash cloth & soap. Each bed has a mattress pad, blanket, bedspread, and one pillow in a pillow case. If you are bringing your own linens, please let us know so we can give the venue an accurate count.
We will not have printed copies of your character sheet. If you need a printed copy of your character sheet at the event, please bring your own.
Late November in the Chicago area can be cold! Make sure to pack accordingly. Highs are usually 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, while lows are around or just above freezing during this time of year. Snow is unlikely but always possible.
The Castle has a full kitchen for player use, and a fridge that players can store their own food in, if they choose to bring in outside food and drinks.
The venue dining hall is in a separate building from the Castle. Meals included in your ticket are a Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, and Sunday breakfast/lunch. If you need an alternate meal, please fill out this form and send it to Player Support.

One of the more accessible rooms on the ground floor.

Communal dormitory lodging (below) with single beds and bunk beds.

Covid Policy

We will require:

Proof of Covid-19 vaccination (as current as is available to your demographic and region)
Rapid test within the 24 hours before your time of arrival at the venue (player provides their own pre-game test)
Rapid test the morning of day 2 (included in your ticket; we will provide tests for day 2)

Cancellation Policy

By August 1, 2026: Full refund, minus the non-refundable $100 initial deposit.
Aug 1-Sept 20, 2026: Full refund (minus $100 initial deposit) if your spot is purchased at full price by a replacement player*. Otherwise, 75% refund.
Sept 21-Oct 20, 2026: Full refund (minus $100 initial deposit) if your spot is purchased at full price by a replacement player. Otherwise, 50% refund.
Oct 21-Nov 12, 2026: Full refund (minus $100 initial deposit) if your spot is purchased at full price by a replacement player. Otherwise, 25% refund.
After Nov 12, 2026: No refund unless your spot is purchased by a replacement player.

* Replacement players must be approved by staff. Waitlist players are given first right of refusal for ticket purchase when an player cancels. Ticket transfer is not permitted without staff screening and approval.

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