What is LARP?

[Lina Inverse]

I need to know this. I need more infor! Some people can help me!! ^_^

[Beata]

A LARP is a Live Action Role-Playing game. AT many conventions, they will have one-shot LARP events, usually with rock-paper-scissors replacing combat for the safety of non-LARPing convention-goers.

There are many different LARPs, and every one has its own rules! But for the most part, the idea is that you ARE the character you are playing. As long as the game is in session, whatever you do or say is IN-GAME - every action you take is what your character is doing.

For some people, they just like to dress up in character and act strange all weekend, but there can be more to it, depending on the game. At conventions, there usually is a single goal that people are trying to achieve, so that there can be a clear-cut winner, but not all of them are like that.

[Princess_Garnet]

That's a pretty good explanation of what a LARP is. The plot is free to go where it may. There is usually a game master kind of thing. He or she will set a few guidelines for the story and give little directions privately. The players take it where they wish. It's so much fun! Everyone should play at least once.

I've never played at a convention. Our group gets together at a specific location and plays there. Oh, I play in Connecticut, by the way. There isn't really a goal to achieve.

Let's see...

Whatever you want to know about Lina, just ask. There is a point/battle system, PCs and NPCs, stats, magic, weapons, skills, classes, levels. I'm not gonna explain it all at once lol. Just ask me anything you wanna know. :)

[Choutzu]

Could you play the game on the internet?

[Mordrid]

Playing it on the internet kinda defeats the purpose of a LARP

[Galeric]

yes that is why it is called a Live action role playing not over the net role playing!

[Beata]

I'm part of a troupe called Mystic Realms. We're pretty large and organized. The troupe meets once a month for a weekend event at a campsite. Every month has a different organizer (GM). People volunteer and take turns so no one person has to do it every month.


They come up with a basic idea for the weekend, decide on bad guys or create new ones, have people help them make props and costumes, come up with Standing encounters (where PC's [player characters] a recruited from town, do ONE THING, then return to town) and modules (PC's go out in a larger party, and have several encounters.) Also, they sometimes have important NPC's come into "town" and talk to people, stir up trouble, try to get sympathy, etc etc.

Each month, some people volunteer to be NPC's, non player characters. They play the parts of the monsters, bad guys, good guys, and so on. They're part of the plot - they play the parts that the organizer has created.

The PC's play the roles that they have created for themselves. Most people play the same character every month. Some folks have more than one character, so they can have more variety (you can only play one character at an event, no switching back and forth in the same weekend) and some people have LOTS of characters.

We usually have between 50 and 100 people each month. We try to have 1 NPC for every 3 to 5 PC's to keep things moving and interesting.

Any more questions?

[nautyvampyregod]

ok, where does this group take place and how can i join??

[Sacred]

ok, where does this group take place and how can i join??

[Demon_Fist-chan]

same question as the rest of them

[kjc]

Sheesh Beata, get 'em all worked up and leave 'em hanging why doncha?

http://www.mysticrealms.com/

We're in and around New Jersey, so be warned: the parkway tolls from Honolulu will be murder. See you there!

[Beata]

Sorry, Spectre, I forgot where I posted... ^_^' And how come you didn't recognize my screen name, you JOIK? Or do you not remember your fellow Holt, here in Evermoore so far from home? Dumkopf... See if I give Sir Marten any food, ever again!

But yeah, New Jersey is a bit far from Hawaii. I don't think you'll be able to join our troupe. However, our creator/organizer, Tony Kukal, is always interested in helping new groups who want to follow our style of gaming get started. His contact info is on the website, along with lot and lots of cool pictures, links to related sites, etc. Our rulebook is available for purchase.

Plus, since I've found this thread again, I'll actually come back here and answer questions. Really, I promise.

If folks are interested, I could describe a MR-style fight blow-by-blow so they could get an idea of how we work it.

[Demon_Fist-chan]

kool i'll go check out the site and stuffz...

[Beata]

Great! Please post back here with any questions/comments after you've checked it out! Otherwise I'll assume that you ran screaming in terror after being weirded out :P

[BrothelBrother]

does anyone know if there is an LARP in the Birmingham, AL area????or even an RPG shop close by???

[Demon_Fist-chan]

LARP.... hmmm.. dunno if there is...

[Beata]

I suggest you use the comic shop locator - comic shops often sell RPG stuff, too, and you might be able to hook up with other RPers there, too.

Now if I can only find that phone number... *goes rummaging through bags*

Can't find it, I'll have to post back. In the meantime, though, most conventions -be they anime, sci fi or other - usually have LARPs at them nowadays. Even if you can't find a local group, you can meet up with other LARPers and get experience and info at a con LARP. EVen if you don't play, you can talk to the organizers.

Heck, even if you don't go to the con, I'm sure if you went to a con website and found the LARP contact info, they might help point you in the right direction. Pick a con that happens in your state, and go from there.

I ran into a group at ACEN (Anime Central). Their LARP was mostly combat-oriented, and was all about fighting each other. Not my cup of tea, but hey, it takes all kinds. Chicago's not exactly near Alabama , though, and I don't have any contact info.

Also, the websites for Diamond Distributors, Wizards of the Coast and other gaming companies might have shop-locator functions. Try there, too!

hope this helps...

[Princess_Garnet]

Here are my two LARPs:

NERO (New England Role-playing Organization): www.nerolarp.com

Tales of the Dreaming: www.angelfire.com/rpg2/thedreaming

[Misha da crazy]

i play the larp version of vampier the masquerade and it is so much fun. but if you tell any one at my school they give you a weird look and walk away. i suggest to any newbs to any larp to get the phb(players hand book) of the game you wish to play. then go to the place where it is held and watch or tag along with some one the first night. o and most importantly have fun no matter what.