What's a LARP?
LARP stands for "Live-Action Roleplaying Game". While originally evolving out of the swords-and-sorcery fantasy games, today's larps explore genres as grand as sci-fi epics to as intimate as gay relationships during the AIDS crises.
Our LARP's focus on Drama and Intrigue
The LARP's run here are light on rules and focused primarily on character relationships and intrigue. Games are played with 10-20 people usually over the course of 1-2 hours. Characters are pre-written by the moderators and assigned to players based on their answers to a personality quiz.
During play, you'll assume the role of your character as you interact with other players. While each character is given objectives, there is no real winning or losing. The goal of the game is to immerse yourself in the story and discover what happens next.
Principles of Play
Be True to Your Character
Walk their walk and talk their talk. We roleplay to understand what it'd be like to inhabit the drives, emotions, and constraints of someone else.
Drive them like a Stolen Car
This person you're playing will only exist for a few hours. Don't worry about what happens after. Take risks, get in trouble. That's what makes this fun.
Don't be Shackled by your Objectives
Your goals are your north star when the game begins, but as in life, plans rarely survive conditions on the ground. Let your goals evolve through play. If it feels right, do it.
Play to Have Fun
While conflict is central to the drama of any game, remember we're here to have fun. Don't do anything that will ruin the enjoyment for yourself or other players.
Play to Find Out What Happens Next
There's no winning or losing. No one, even the person running the game, knows where it's going to end up. We're all here to see what happens next!
The One Rule:
No Outside Prejudice
Regardless of the location, time, or historical inspirations for the settings of any of our games, there is no sexism, racism or other discrimination based on gender, ability, or background unless explicitly stated in the scenario description.
Scenarios may include fictional prejudices such as those against people from a certain place or carrying certain beliefs, but those will be explicitly called out in the scenario and will never map onto the real-world identities the players.
Ultimately, the purpose of these games is to explore a world together. If you're making someone uncomfortable, check-in. Let's keep the game enjoyable for everyone.
What You'll Get
Your Character Sheet
Your character sheet, which will be written by the game runner, will give you everything you need to understand the character you're role-playing and the world they inhabit. On it, you'll find...
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Your Background, which gives you a sense of your character's history, personality, and motivation.
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Your Objective, which lets you know what your character is aiming to accomplish at the start of the game.
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Your Connections, other characters in the world you know and have an existing relationship with.
And other information that may be relevant to the specific setting such as a glossary of terms or additional abilities.
Abilities and Item Cards
Some characters will have special abilities or items which open up new role-playing opportunities. Examples include...
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A poison which causes another character to be out of action for a few minutes
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Medical knowledge which allows them to assess why another character might be sick or injured
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Ancient rights that they can invent on command
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An army waiting nearby that they can spring into action to elevate the stakes of the conflict
Abilities will be listed on your character sheet, but will be given to you before the game begins as a set of cards you can show and expend at will. Depending on the ability, they'll either be re-usable or something you spend once and lose. They may also contain other conditions, such as requiring other characters aid to perform.
What to Bring
Costumes
Optional but encouraged. Aim for vibe over accuracy. A little symbolism helps players remember who you are.
Props
Items are represented by ability cards that will be supplied by the game master, but you're allowed to bring physical props to represent them.
Answers
Some character sheets may have some homework, like coming up with name for your character. Make sure to finish this before the game.
Questions?
If you've already registered for a game, someone will reach out before the start date to align on your character and get you set up with your materials. However, if you ever have any concerns, don't be afraid to reach out and chat!