Okay, so, what the fuck is Elder Syndrome, and why am I labeling it like some kind of mental disorder? Well, because it comes damn close to one, that’s why. Let me provide you with my current working definition below.
Elder Syndrome: The mindset of an experienced player in a LARP, wherein they fail to see how their behavior mimics that of an Elder of the Camarilla (Vampire: the Masquerade reference) in regards to how they treat the less tenured members of their club, both in and out of character. This syndrome is characterized by three key Behaviors, listed below.
Behavior #1: They do not trust new players with sensitive information
Behavior #2: They do not trust new players with positions of power
Behavior #3: They act like including new players is some sort of sacrifice
Their base rationale will be that they can’t be sure the new players will even be around next month to resolve the plot/PvP or hold their position. They fear a lack of return on their investment. If you have ever played Vampire: the Masquerade, you can probably see the parallels with Camarilla Elders here. The two main results of a venue with too much Elder Syndrome are: 1) The game is kept stable but STALE, and 2) New players see no point in returning if they aren’t going to be included, so they quit.
Most players with Elder Syndrome consider themselves benevolent. They see themselves as the keepers of their game, guardians of its longevity, protectors against the unstable whims of the Neonates who would disrupt its continuity. In their minds, new players just need some time to learn how to play “right”. They are happy to teach, so long as there is no backlash to the Traditions. Of course, there are malevolent Elder players as well, but that is an inevitability of any club.
On a Lighter Note: I personally live in a city with a lot of experienced players, but for the most part, they are willing to be inclusive as long as you are not a total jackass. Every now and then, they say something Elder-ish that makes me chuckle, but they are mostly self-aware. I think if one of the newbies went for Prince, they might have an aneurysm, but hey, nobody’s perfect.