About Us

NERO Vanguard is a member of NERO International Holding Co., Inc. located in Central Illinois. The chapter was formed in 2008 & hosted the two closing events for its predecessor, NERO Chronicles. NERO Vanguard premiered its first full season in 2009. Our 2011 season is scheduled for March - November.

For more information about NERO, please read: What is NERO? - written by long-time player Logan Horsford for an overview of the NERO game.

Western Illinois Youth Camp

The Western Illinois Youth Camp has been a huge supporter of NERO through the years. It has been home to three chapters serving central Illinois: NERO Vanguard from 2008-Present, NERO Chronicles from 2004-2008 and NERO Central Illinois. The camp is operated by The Western Illinois Youth Camp and Recreation Center Association. Big thanks to President of the Board Bob Large and groundskeeper Kevin Tavender for their continuous support of our activities.

NERO Vanguard Staff

Jeremy "JK" Kennedy is the owner/operator of NERO Vanguard. He has been playing NERO longer than he can remember and played the Lune Rampant LARP before that. His first chapter was NERO Midwest but has since participated at 10 others including: Kalamazoo, Chicago, Chronicles, Aeon, Middle Tennessee, Dallas Fort-Worth, Central, Wisconsin, Nexus, Indiana & Vanguard. He was on plot at NERO Chronicles from 2007-2008 before purchasing the chapter from Derek Jones. His favorite class to play is scholar.
"For the record, Shimmer and I did not blow up Elan." -Jack
- Owner, Plot, Logistics, Rogue Marshal, Ritual Marshal

Ashley Lynch is the on-site logistics manager for NERO Vanguard (also known as the peon responsible for check-in). 2011 will be her 8th calendar year of NERO. Her first chapter was NERO Chronicles but she has since participated at Chicago, Middle Tennessee, Midwest, Aeon, Central, Nexus, Wisconsin, Indiana & Vanguard. She was on plot for NERO Chronicles from 2007-2008 and has been on staff with NERO Vanguard since the beginning. Her favorite race to play is Scavenger (any) and her favorite class is quoted as "Dragon Mage." She participated in performing since childhood through church, school, and community theatre. She's been involved with conventions since 2001 where she has participated in cosplay & masquerades (including a craftsmanship award) in addition to being exposed to other LARPs including Amtgard, Vampire, Werewolf, and the Sleeping Samurai. She has 4 years of formal art training and recently received her B.S. in Family and Consumer sciences in which she took courses in Art, Theatre, Costume History, Fashion, Recreation, and World Cultures.
- Plot, Logistics, Rogue Marshal, Ritual Marshal

Evan Pratt has been playing NERO since 2003. His first chapter was NERO Chicago but he has since traveled to more than 10. Evan was on the plot team for the NERO Chronicles: Larrendale campaign and weapons' marshal for the chapter for two years before joining the NERO Vanguard team. His favorite race to play is ogre and his favorite class is fighter.
- Plot, Weapons' Marshal, Ritual Marshal, EMT, CNA, Really Cool Guy

Jacob Mead Bio coming soon
- Plot, Ritual Marshal

William Marion Bio coming soon
- Plot

Katy Wickman - Bio coming soon
- Tavernkeeper Extraordinaire