NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I've just come back from a week-end in a field doing live-action roleplaying. I was wet, I was cold and I had to cover my face in uncomfortable make-up for the whole week-end, and there are times I ask myself why I do this. Let's face it, looking at it from the outside LARP looks silly. It's people running around with foam swords and silly costumes, pretending to be elves, goblins and orks oh my, shouting spells at each other and beating each other in with said foam swords.

And yet, when you are in the hobby it's amazing. The interest of getting involved in plot and playing through some fantastical, epic, tale of the possible end of the world (in one of the systems I do, Curious Pastimes, we have recently had to decide on the plural of Apocalypse for all the different imminent possibilities). The massive, massive adrenaline rush from the fights, going from the small intimate camp skirmishes to the massive big battles. An example of which is wonderfully described here (http://shadowsoftheapt.com/blog/177) in better words than I could use.

So, because I'm procrastinating at work - I ask, what is NSGs opinions of LARP? Have you done it? Did you enjoy it? Do you still do it (and if so, which systems)? Do you think it is the ultimate level of nerdery you would never try?

Edit: I also do Maelstrom as well as CP, which is one of those catch-all systems where even people who wouldn't normally larp tend to do it.

I get socially awkward enough just pen and paper roleplaying never mind having to do the whole acting bit. But if I could get over that, I think it might be a lot of fun.

Is there any drinking or casual drug use at these things? I am asking because I would have to be out of my mind to dress up and do this sort of thing. :tongue:

I used to do it, and more general roleplaying, but then. and you're not going to like, but then I *sigh* grew out of it.

I used to, yes. I've done the fantasy LARPing with friends (Which generally just lead into sword duels) and I tried to do a Vampire LARP, but I never really got anywhere with it.

I get socially awkward enough just pen and paper roleplaying never mind having to do the whole acting bit. But if I could get over that, I think it might be a lot of fun.

Heh social awkwardness huh? Yeah yeah I understand you. Truth be told one of the reasons I stopped myself, was simpley because ecah and every time I got together with my gaming mates, in a non gaming enviroment(say a pub) all that they could talk about was the bloody gaming.

Look I like roleplaying as much as the next geek, but really, when I'm in a pub, please don't subject me to the plans you have for your nth level half elf cleric/magic user, for fucks sake, I want to take about birds, sex and footie!

Apocalypses. The normal English plural should always be used for latiny and greeky words.

Is this a way to get chicks?

I liked the systems where you get away from the dice.

I liked the systems where you get away from the dice.

There was this Finnish parody of LARPers, who everytime they answered to someone they rolled dice. Every single time.

Is there any drinking or casual drug use at these things? I am asking because I would have to be out of my mind to dress up and do this sort of thing. :tongue:

Casrual drug use, I couldn't possibly comment, though I have often smelt an 'interesting' fragrence :D. Drinking? Yes, oh yes, very much so. Drinking at events is one of the great LARP traditions. Though it is generally considered bad form to fight if you're too drunk because you may be unsafe.

There was this Finnish parody of LARPers, who everytime they answered to someone they rolled dice. Every single time.

And yet, I have never ever seen a LARP system that uses dice. Camarilla does use cards or paper/scissors/stone but then that's one of the reasons I don't do it. Other larps - you have swords, you hit someone, they take a wound. Simple really :D

And yet, I have never ever seen a LARP system that uses dice. Camarilla does use cards or paper/scissors/stone but then that's one of the reasons I don't do it. Other larps - you have swords, you hit someone, they take a wound. Simple really :D

Pasila: Algamis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5bY6rtKdys)

One of the funniest parts is when this one guy goes on how LARPers are feared and how everybody hides from them.

And yet, I have never ever seen a LARP system that uses dice. Camarilla does use cards or paper/scissors/stone but then that's one of the reasons I don't do it. Other larps - you have swords, you hit someone, they take a wound. Simple really :D

Ive seen some Adhoc D&D larps that use dice. Rather annoying.


Minds eye theater(you call camarila) by white wolf is thus far my favorite.

Is this a way to get chicks?

Well unlike other geek pursuits you have about a 60-40 or even 50-50 male/female split (depending on system). However LARP chicks, follow the same rules as women on the internet: attractive, available, sane - choose two. And it leads to event sex... which with the combination of tents, armour (leather and metal) and thermal layers, just gets uncomfortable if nothing else.

Ive seen some Adhoc D&D larps that use dice. Rather annoying.


Minds eye theater(you call camarila) by white wolf is thus far my favorite.

Yeah, Minds Eye Theatre is the system, Camarilla UK is the organisation which runs it. I've tried it but it does depend on having a good ST and players or else it can just descend into people being bitchy and gnomic at each other for two hours which ends up very, very boring. In most UK larp circles MET is seen as the closest to dice/pen and paper. Most systems are a lot more physical and acting things out that using some random outcome tool.

Well unlike other geek pursuits you have about a 60-40 or even 50-50 male/female split (depending on system). However LARP chicks, follow the same rules as women on the internet: attractive, available, sane - choose two. And it leads to event sex... which with the combination of tents, armour (leather and metal) and thermal layers, just gets uncomfortable if nothing else.

I got a chafe on a personal area.


Yeah, Minds Eye Theatre is the system, Camarilla UK is the organisation which runs it. I've tried it but it does depend on having a good ST and players or else it can just descend into people being bitchy and gnomic at each other for two hours which ends up very, very boring. In most UK larp circles MET is seen as the closest to dice/pen and paper. Most systems are a lot more physical and acting things out that using some random outcome tool.
Camarilla is just the official organization. anyone who buys the books can run a game. though the Cam does it well. A lot of non cam games turn into combat games with no politics at all.

Well unlike other geek pursuits you have about a 60-40 or even 50-50 male/female split (depending on system). However LARP chicks, follow the same rules as women on the internet: attractive, available, sane - choose two.

That was easy.

That was easy.

Indeed. Insane can often be quite the positive. :D

Indeed. Insane can often be quite the positive. :D

So I keep telling people, but they don't listen. Of course the danger with lesbian relationships is that you have two types of incompatible insanity, and that just causes problems. Of course compatible insanities also cause problems, but usually for everyone else :D

friends of mine were LARPers, but it never interested me. i see some of their old gang LARPing in the park sometimes, and there's part of me that thinks its kinda sad. but then, also kinda cool. if there was a Star Trek LARP thing going on, i'd be in on that :P

a lot of people must be kinda interested considering the popularity of games like WoW. but actually going out there and doing it in the park with friends is another step towards geekdom. but also a step more brave...

LARP no, but I have wanted to take part in a WW II battle reenactment.

friends of mine were LARPers, but it never interested me. i see some of their old gang LARPing in the park sometimes, and there's part of me that thinks its kinda sad. but then, also kinda cool. if there was a Star Trek LARP thing going on, i'd be in on that :P


Not as far as I know, but there is a Stargate LARP going on in the UK :D

Edit: Didn't you used to be based up in Northampton? If so I think I know your mates.

I've been to a s.t.a.l.k.e.r. themed LARP before..


basically you run around an abandoned industrial area in the middle of nowhere in a gas mask shooting others with airsoft guns, then at night you either sit around by a camp fire and drink, and/or sneak up on the other camp and shoot them again.

pretty fun, actually since there weren't any kids around.

I've been to a s.t.a.l.k.e.r. themed LARP before..


basically you run around an abandoned industrial area in the middle of nowhere in a gas mask shooting others with airsoft guns, then at night you either sit around by a camp fire and drink, and/or sneak up on the other camp and shoot them again.

pretty fun, actually since there weren't any kids around.

Yeah, I've always preferred events with minimum ages on them. One of the ones I do does (no under-16s) the other doesn't but we have no kids around our faction and have made it very clear that the faction command will *not* ask players to watch their language, so if you bring your kid it's at your own risk.

Never tried airsoft LARP, would love to give it a go at some point, I know there are a few systems that do it.

Not as far as I know, but there is a Stargate LARP going on in the UK :D

Edit: Didn't you used to be based up in Northampton? If so I think I know your mates.

nope, its Southampton for me :P Call to power is Northampton

i'll just wait for Star Trek Online MMO to come out. then i can fulfill my geeky fantasies from the comfort of my own home :D

nope, its Southampton for me :P Call to power is Northampton


Ah yes, so it is. I knew there was someone in Northampton. This said I know a few from Southampton too, so who knows...

I prefer re-enactment. Or alternatively just the dressing up without the running ;)
However, I must admit that some of the most attractive young women I know like Larp. So perhaps one day I will change my mind...

I like the idea of LARP, but I would never do it, because I don't like the themes and I think amateur theatrics are boring and awkward.

I really prefer historical reenactment, but I am much more into the costumes and props than the acting. I even hate going to reenactment museums like Old Sturbridge Village because I look at these staffers talking all Olde and stuff, and I'm like, "Geez, are you getting paid enough for this?"

I'm interested in creating a 3D reality for a fantasy story I'm writing, but I want to build 1/6 and 1/12 scale miniatures to photograph for illustration art, not do it live/life-sized.

That's funny. You spent the weekend in a field pretending to ne an elf, And I spent my weekend with a high power rifle shooting prairire dogs at 400 yards.

That's funny. You spent the weekend in a field pretending to ne an elf, And I spent my weekend with a high power rifle shooting prairire dogs at 400 yards.
I think his weekend was better spent. I'd rather date an elf, even a fake one, than someone who spends their leisure time killing things.

That's funny. You spent the weekend in a field pretending to ne an elf, And I spent my weekend with a high power rifle shooting prairire dogs at 400 yards.

Still have nothing on the party in Grozny :p

I think his weekend was better spent. I'd rather date an elf, even a fake one, than someone who spends their leisure time killing things.

Well then, Thats not my problem, now is it?

The closest I've come is watching other people do mediaeval battle re-enactment, but they had metal swords & armour, not foam ones.

The closest I've come is watching other people do mediaeval battle re-enactment, but they had metal swords & armour, not foam ones.

Foam is for wimps. *nods*

Well then, Thats not my problem, now is it?
No, it isn't.

I haven't larped ( is that right?) but I do dagohir (sp?), where people beat the shit out of each other with fake swords. Though dag people are pansies about what weapons they allow in. Some of them, anyway.

I plan on joining the SCA sometime soon, but I don't have the money for armor at the moment.

I think his weekend was better spent. I'd rather date an elf, even a fake one, than someone who spends their leisure time killing things.

*points to sig mentioning gender*

I have no problem about people spending leisure time hunting (as long as said animals get eaten, can't stand waste) but I do fail to see the comparison. The two hobbies aren't mutually exclusive - you just don't do them at the same time, cos that could get messy :eek:

*points to sig mentioning gender*

I have no problem about people spending leisure time hunting (as long as said animals get eaten, can't stand waste) but I do fail to see the comparison. The two hobbies aren't mutually exclusive - you just don't do them at the same time, cos that could get messy :eek:

you could hunt with a longbow...

Foam is for wimps. *nods*

There's an interesting article somewhere (actually from a guy who was with my faction briefly) about the difference between larp fighting and re-enactment fighting - one of the points made is that with re-enactment any touch is counted as a hit, you are not necessarily encouraged to really hit people. This is not the case in larp (though you should pull your blows).

But you don't thrust with a LARP weapon... ever.

*points to sig mentioning gender*

I have no problem about people spending leisure time hunting (as long as said animals get eaten, can't stand waste) but I do fail to see the comparison. The two hobbies aren't mutually exclusive - you just don't do them at the same time, cos that could get messy :eek:

Have you ever seen a praire dog? Its about the size of a popcan, but with legs.

They are hunted because they dig holes. Their habbitat is in cattle country. This as you can imagine is a problem. If something like say a thunderstrom startles a herd of cows, and they are in a pasture with lots of prairie dog holes, a rancher could easily lose a quarter of the herd to broken legs.

also, on point, I'm wearing boots of escaping (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3cocbIsto)!

I've been once, it wasn't fully explained to me on the way, it was more of a "we think you'll like it you'll see when you get there"........I died early on.......lack of instruction to blame I'm sure.

I would probably do it again, now that I have a better understanding.

Have you ever seen a praire dog? Its about the size of a popcan, but with legs.

They are hunted because they dig holes. Their habbitat is in cattle country. This as you can imagine is a problem. If something like say a thunderstrom startles a herd of cows, and they are in a pasture with lots of prairie dog holes, a rancher could easily lose a quarter of the herd to broken legs.

Which again, I have no issue with ... I'm just puzzled over relevance.

I've been once, it wasn't fully explained to me on the way, it was more of a "we think you'll like it you'll see when you get there"........I died early on.......lack of instruction to blame I'm sure.

I would probably do it again, now that I have a better understanding.

Ah, then you're friends failed on the most important task of larpers - always look after the newbie. It can be a bit of a steep learning curve at times, especially when you come to an existing system where everyone knows each other and is involved in the plot. But if you did enjoy it, I would advise giving it another go, it only gets easier.

Which again, I have no issue with ... I'm just puzzled over relevance.


My point was, do you have porblem with it, because theres not enoughmeat to make a meal out of so nobody eats them.

My point was, do you have porblem with it, because theres not enoughmeat to make a meal out of so nobody eats them.

Ah, right. Ok, my view on hunting is simple - there should be a reason for it. This can be either due to properly done pest control or the meat should get used up (for say deer hunting/pheasant shooting etc).

I've never done an actual LARP, although I've been in sorta similar things, and I'd quite like to try them at some point. Sadly, all my geeky friends are currently far away from me, which makes RP tough enough without adding the LA. :tongue:

*points to sig mentioning gender*

I have no problem about people spending leisure time hunting (as long as said animals get eaten, can't stand waste) but I do fail to see the comparison. The two hobbies aren't mutually exclusive - you just don't do them at the same time, cos that could get messy :eek:
One is acting and (arguably) being creative. Any violence is fictional/dramatic.

The other is only destructive and involves killing things for real.

Do you see the difference now?

EDIT: Gender has nothing to do with it. I meant that I find a person who whiles their time away creatively more attractive that someone who just kills stuff on their days off.

I played Live Action Vampire: The Masquerade for 6 years in High School every Thursday night at the Allegheny College Campus. My only character Gerard Benedict rose from the ranks of a lowly Neophyte to the Prince of the City by lying, cheating, stealing, betraying, and murdering his peers and eventually resorted to Diablory to gain power.

I played Live Action Vampire: The Masquerade for 6 years in High School every Thursday night at the Allegheny College Campus. My only character Gerard Benedict rose from the ranks of a lowly Neophyte to the Prince of the City by lying, cheating, stealing, betraying, and murdering his peers and eventually resorted to Diablory to gain power.

Ventrue?

Ventrue?

Brujah actually.

I played Live Action Vampire: The Masquerade for 6 years in High School every Thursday night at the Allegheny College Campus. My only character Gerard Benedict rose from the ranks of a lowly Neophyte to the Prince of the City by lying, cheating, stealing, betraying, and murdering his peers and eventually resorted to Diablory to gain power.
Resorted to Diablory, eh? That sounds drastic.

What is it?

Brujah actually.

Interesting. Sounds like a very 'old school' Brujah. Sounds like a very very long term game. When did the chronicle begin, in 'game' years?

I played Live Action Vampire: The Masquerade for 6 years in High School every Thursday night at the Allegheny College Campus. My only character Gerard Benedict rose from the ranks of a lowly Neophyte to the Prince of the City by lying, cheating, stealing, betraying, and murdering his peers and eventually resorted to Diablory to gain power.

Thank God! I just found this topic and I thought I was alone! AND I'm in LARPer awe of you. My schemes always seem to bite me in the backside. In a WoD, I have been mortal, ghoul & vampire. Playing, torn between the desire for power, the urge for self-destruction, and the fight to retain a sense of self. LARPing isn't any stranger than community theatre.

Resorted to Diablory, eh? That sounds drastic.

What is it?

It is drastic, you eat the souls of your enemies to gain power.

Interesting. Sounds like a very 'old school' Brujah. Sounds like a very very long term game. When did the chronicle begin, in 'game' years?

Gerard was actually vamperized in the 1500's as a 12th Generation Brujah, that's why he was so old fashioned, he was a Southern Plantation Owner. He was discovered and staked, he spent 450 years in torper and work up in the 1990's. The time the game took place was 1996-2002 and we just kept the dates and times the same really, no fudging anything.

Thank God! I just found this topic and I thought I was alone! AND I'm in LARPer awe of you. My schemes always seem to bite me in the backside. In a WoD, I have been mortal, ghoul & vampire. Playing, torn between the desire for power, the urge for self-destruction, and the fight to retain a sense of self. LARPing isn't any stranger than community theatre.

My approach was always to think about what the character was like, write a script or a story or two with him/her in it, and then more or less become them when I am playing. I wasn't alone in my scheming, I had two good friends and my brother working with me, and I of course installed them in positions of power before my pretty epic Caeseresque demise.

Same reason I dont like Acting or solo's

I am self conscious in person, no way I could act that silly and try to be serious about it

It may sound funny for someone who spends her professional life standing up in front of about 150 people every day, but I am too damned SHY to LARP.

Tabletop gaming with an intimate group, yes. LARPing... I have a feeling I'd be awful at it.

It may sound funny for someone who spends her professional life standing up in front of about 150 people every day, but I am too damned SHY to LARP.

Tabletop gaming with an intimate group, yes. LARPing... I have a feeling I'd be awful at it.

Agreed I have taught as large as 200 person classes yet I still am too uncomfortable with LARP

Hell outside of my expertise I am shy public speeking in general

There's a group of about 20 larpers at my university, we don't really do the role-playing part (ex: classes and HP and all that stuff), we basically just do the combat boffering bit, which is quite fun and an amazing workout. :)

I'd probably be the only person who brings real weapons to a LARP, and I'd be on top of a horse.

*drifts off into his own little world*

My point was, do you have porblem with it, because theres not enoughmeat to make a meal out of so nobody eats them.
Au contraire, BlackAdder. (http://www.lovelandnet.com/toms-place/writing/pdf/recipes.htm)

I'd probably be the only person who brings real weapons to a LARP, and I'd be on top of a horse.

*drifts off into his own little world*
THAT is a big no-no. No live steel, no real weapons of any kind.

Because, you know, people could get hurt and you're damned likely to freak the mundanes, which leads to hearing the words, "FREEZE! PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!"

One is acting and (arguably) being creative. Any violence is fictional/dramatic.

The other is only destructive and involves killing things for real.

Do you see the difference now?

EDIT: Gender has nothing to do with it. I meant that I find a person who whiles their time away creatively more attractive that someone who just kills stuff on their days off.

Hi Murv! :D

THAT is a big no-no. No live steel, no real weapons of any kind.

Because, you know, people could get hurt and you're damned likely to freak the mundanes, which leads to hearing the words, "FREEZE! PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!"

Yeah, damn Mundanes and their lack of imagination... "But really, I'm Dercon the dwarven cleric!"

EDIT: Gender has nothing to do with it. I meant that I find a person who whiles their time away creatively more attractive that someone who just kills stuff on their days off.

Ah no, the gender comment was because you called me 'he' not the content of what you said :p Yes, larp and hunting/RL violence = two very very very different things.

I played Live Action Vampire: The Masquerade for 6 years in High School every Thursday night at the Allegheny College Campus. My only character Gerard Benedict rose from the ranks of a lowly Neophyte to the Prince of the City by lying, cheating, stealing, betraying, and murdering his peers and eventually resorted to Diablory to gain power.

:hail::hail: Impressive! I have to admit I've only really enjoyed the VtM games when they were regionals - we never got enough people to make the local one interesting and dynamic.

There's a group of about 20 larpers at my university, we don't really do the role-playing part (ex: classes and HP and all that stuff), we basically just do the combat boffering bit, which is quite fun and an amazing workout. :)

LARP fighting is amazing fun and exhausting. I;m still hurting from where I was monstering in full chainmail for two-odd hours in one of the big battles over the week-end. If you like the combat and there is a system nearby, I cannot recommend enough going to a big fest event - there is nothing quite like being part of a massive battle with 400-odd people aside. Very different from small scale fights and skirmishes

Did Vampire LARP (which is totally non-contact) - I played a manipulative Gangrel who sometimes flew into fits of bestial rage.
Also I partecipate sometimes in the reenactements of the battles of the Italian Independence Wars (generally on the Kaiserlich-Königlich side).

It may sound funny for someone who spends her professional life standing up in front of about 150 people every day, but I am too damned SHY to LARP.
Trust me Kat, there is something very cathartic about getting a hold of a sword and being able to go after someone and beat the crap out of them... especially after a day in front of those 150 brats. I'm sure you remember Ronald Saveloy from Interesting Times? Like that. :D

So what is the difference between organising a weekend of contemporary LARPing and running a terrorist training camp, if you are muslim anyway?

So what is the difference between organising a weekend of contemporary LARPing and running a terrorist training camp, if you are muslim anyway?
Simple, in a LARP forgetting the pizza just brings cries of vengeance against the idiot and challenges to duels with foam weapons.

In a terrorist training camp the fool who forgets the pizza will be volunteered for the next suicide bombing run.

Ah no, the gender comment was because you called me 'he' not the content of what you said :p Yes, larp and hunting/RL violence = two very very very different things.



I did? Oops. Sorry.

Simple, in a LARP forgetting the pizza just brings cries of vengeance against the idiot and challenges to duels with foam weapons.

In a terrorist training camp the fool who forgets the pizza will be volunteered for the next suicide bombing run.

I dunno, LARPers can be vicious when you get in between them and their pizzas :D

I dunno, LARPers can be vicious when you get in between them and their pizzas :D

Yeah but we don't do [real] suicide bombing runs.

Yeah but we don't do [real] suicide bombing runs.

Well yes - we may send them on suicide charges into monsters armed with foam or latex weaponry but usually all they come out with there is a few bruises

I don't really see the attraction, myself. But then I hunt, trap, tinker around with making my own alcohol, and watch wrestling, so I don't really have any stones to throw at the glass house of odd hobbies.

Doesn't appeal to me. I couldn't take myself seriously whilst doing it, either.

done it a couple of times used to be a member of the infamous Shrouded Circle

I think the closest I've ever come to LARPing was when I used to wrestle with my brother. It was probably more like improv (ie. never reject anything) - if I got hit then I couldn't pretend I'd just shrugged it off. But if I saw a punch coming then I could try to block it, which, likewise, my brother couldn't pretend I'd messed up the block.

With D&Ding generally, I played once or twice at 6th form. At university I thought I might like to play again. However, as I walked up to room where they played all I could here was an argument numbers and rules. I carried on walking.

There's an interesting article somewhere (actually from a guy who was with my faction briefly) about the difference between larp fighting and re-enactment fighting - one of the points made is that with re-enactment any touch is counted as a hit, you are not necessarily encouraged to really hit people. This is not the case in larp (though you should pull your blows).

But you don't thrust with a LARP weapon... ever.

That does depend a bit on your re-enactment group. SCA combat is not exactly a touch-wound system, but is rather full force, full speed, rattan swords*. Of course, the SCA aren't quite a re-enactment group in the normal sense.

I'd probably be the only person who brings real weapons to a LARP, and I'd be on top of a horse.

*drifts off into his own little world*

I can think of very few groups which would let you bring live steel to an event, and none which let you fight with it on the field. It's just way too dangerous.

Personally, I've never LARPed. I hope to take it up though - there's (at least theoretically) a group at the uni I intend to attend. I also plan to join the SCA at some point.

*There is a (possibly apocryphal) story told about an SCA member who'd recently been to the doctors. He asked "So what can't I do now, Doc".
The doctor, instead of just saying "Nothing", flippantly replied "Don't take up any sports which involve being repeatedly struck in the head, like kickboxing or karate."
"How about a sport where you put on a 16gauge steel helmet and bash each other in the head repeatedly with a length of rattan?"
"That's exactly what I mean... people do that!?"

Yeah, damn Mundanes and their lack of imagination... "But really, I'm Dercon the dwarven cleric!"
Sorry, ex-SCAdian. ;) You learn how NOT to stampede the cattle and frighten the women and children pretty early on.

I don't think much of LARPing, maybe because most of the people in my area who do it manage to come across as complete loons.