LARPing

[Xanadu84]

Every time theres a LARPing thread...I swear, am I the ONLY person here who does World of Darkness LARP? Cause it's still LARP, and its a very, very different beast.

I'm sorry I have never heard of it. Please explain.

World of Darkness LARP is the LARP based around White Wolf Publishing's World of Darkness series, split between the old World of Darkness (oWoD) and the new (nWoD) in much the same way 2end edition D+D was replaced with 3rd edition. In both systems you have the most prevalent part, Vampire (The Masquerade in oWoD, The Requiem in nWoD). There is also other supernatural creatures with there own books and sub-systems, like Werewolf, Mage, Changeling, an many others. There are local level games, and there is also the international Camarilla fan club, which runs many games that all take place in an inter-connecting world: People from Australia can come and play a game in New York, and maybe they have heard of some of the more famous people there.

Combat is all but discouraged, in favor of political machinations, spying, and currying favor. The storyteller may present a mystery for players to work together and solve, but most of the time, the players are doing favors for the Prince of whatever to give there friend contacts within this other group, so you can learn some weird ability that will help you overthrow this other person, which will let you challange the position of the prince...just a whole bunch of Machiavellian scheming for rank and position. Combat is settled through rules and rolling dice (Or rather, drawing cards numbered 1-10). Physical contact is very discouraged, and even prop weapons are disallowed in favor of index cards with things like, "Gun" written on them. Costuming and accessories can be downright excessive, however. Basically, True Blood would be a perfect example of a WoD LARP. Its all about creating a story.

 

[shreedder]

Every time theres a LARPing thread...I swear, am I the ONLY person here who does World of Darkness LARP? Cause it's still LARP, and its a very, very different beast.

I'm sorry I have never heard of it. Please explain.

World of Darkness LARP is the LARP based around White Wolf Publishing's World of Darkness series, split between the old World of Darkness (oWoD) and the new (nWoD) in much the same way 2end edition D+D was replaced with 3rd edition. In both systems you have the most prevalent part, Vampire (The Masquerade in oWoD, The Requiem in nWoD). There is also other supernatural creatures with there own books and sub-systems, like Werewolf, Mage, Changeling, an many others. There are local level games, and there is also the international Camarilla fan club, which runs many games that all take place in an inter-connecting world: People from Australia can come and play a game in New York, and maybe they have heard of some of the more famous people there.

Combat is all but discouraged, in favor of political machinations, spying, and currying favor. The storyteller may present a mystery for players to work together and solve, but most of the time, the players are doing favors for the Prince of whatever to give there friend contacts within this other group, so you can learn some weird ability that will help you overthrow this other person, which will let you challange the position of the prince...just a whole bunch of Machiavellian scheming for rank and position. Combat is settled through rules and rolling dice (Or rather, drawing cards numbered 1-10). Physical contact is very discouraged, and even prop weapons are disallowed in favor of index cards with things like, "Gun" written on them. Costuming and accessories can be downright excessive, however. Basically, True Blood would be a perfect example of a WoD LARP. Its all about creating a story.

I can fully understand the discouragment of combat, but using dice or cards would break immersion for me. As well as having index cards with a weapon name written on them. One of my favorit part about LARPs in the physical aspect even if they are non combative.(we forced a person who was half deer to eat a venision burger as part of a ritual, or forcing players to crawl through a maze while trying to defend themselves from attack.)

 

[Bloodysoldier]

Try going to an Anime Con. Most of the time there is always a Larp area set up by some group. That is how I found SleepingSamurai, which turns out is staffed with people who i went to school with.

http://www.thesleepingsamurai.com/

Spear wielder by the way.

 

[Xanadu84]

Every time theres a LARPing thread...I swear, am I the ONLY person here who does World of Darkness LARP? Cause it's still LARP, and its a very, very different beast.

I'm sorry I have never heard of it. Please explain.

World of Darkness LARP is the LARP based around White Wolf Publishing's World of Darkness series, split between the old World of Darkness (oWoD) and the new (nWoD) in much the same way 2end edition D+D was replaced with 3rd edition. In both systems you have the most prevalent part, Vampire (The Masquerade in oWoD, The Requiem in nWoD). There is also other supernatural creatures with there own books and sub-systems, like Werewolf, Mage, Changeling, an many others. There are local level games, and there is also the international Camarilla fan club, which runs many games that all take place in an inter-connecting world: People from Australia can come and play a game in New York, and maybe they have heard of some of the more famous people there.

Combat is all but discouraged, in favor of political machinations, spying, and currying favor. The storyteller may present a mystery for players to work together and solve, but most of the time, the players are doing favors for the Prince of whatever to give there friend contacts within this other group, so you can learn some weird ability that will help you overthrow this other person, which will let you challange the position of the prince...just a whole bunch of Machiavellian scheming for rank and position. Combat is settled through rules and rolling dice (Or rather, drawing cards numbered 1-10). Physical contact is very discouraged, and even prop weapons are disallowed in favor of index cards with things like, "Gun" written on them. Costuming and accessories can be downright excessive, however. Basically, True Blood would be a perfect example of a WoD LARP. Its all about creating a story.

I can fully understand the discouragment of combat, but using dice or cards would break immersion for me. As well as having index cards with a weapon name written on them. One of my favorit part about LARPs in the physical aspect even if they are non combative.(we forced a person who was half deer to eat a venision burger as part of a ritual, or forcing players to crawl through a maze while trying to defend themselves from attack.)

The thing is that for Word of Darkness, you can't physically do the combat, because it involves growing claws, drinking blood, leaping and all of that. Acting out Physical actions is great for other LARP, but would actually break immersion in WoD. It would just draw attention away from the politics and social game, not to mention be completely incompatible with certain Vampire abilities. Using props for weapons would be nice, but it's really not feasibly for 2 reasons. One, the Camarilla is run by White Wolf, so one jerk-off swings a "Fake" sword, and suddenly realized that a big chunk of wood can still knock out some teeth, and White Wolf is talking with their lawyers, throwing around world like, "Liability". Two, most of the games take place in a contemporary, urban (or at least civilized) setting. Waving a toy gun or sword while acting out a blood frenzy, ranting about those children you just ate, is a good way to get tasered by a passing cop, or at the very least kicked out of your dorms Common Room.

Also, the lack of Physical stuff I was talking about, for the most part, applies only to combat. Other touching is allowed, assuming that the touched player is comfortable and not forced. There can be some downright crazy scenes: Ive seen players improv crying into someones arms, bang stuff around, get right up into peoples faces and scream, etc. One game that I ran involved players wandering around the Fine Arts Center comparing creepy pictures on a digital camera to there surroundings, finding real world locations that I took pictures of earlier, only filled with bodies, following clues, and getting to a spot in the woods where other human NPCs ambushed them. So really, its only Combat that changes, but it definitely completely changes the tone of the game.

 

[Bloodysoldier]

Why is everyone comparing two different styles of LARP? You just cant compare theater Larp to adventure Larp. Wod is theater larp, involves interaction with other players through means communication, than its counter part adventure Larp which involves a more physical role. The saying you can not compare apples with oranges applies here.

OP was not talking about theater larp he was talking about adventure larp.

When you mention LARP, most people will think of hitting each other with foam weapons. Which is what happens a lot; to be honest because it appeals to more people than any other form of LARP out there. I've been to a few theater Larps, Do not get me wrong I had fun. But its requires a certain type of person to really get into it and enjoy, as they say some things are acquired taste.

I do enjoy being in character and making political maneuvers to get a seat closer to my goal. But I do really enjoy more combat LARP though. It is a bigger rush.

 

[shreedder]

Why is everyone comparing two different styles of LARP? You just cant compare theater Larp to adventure Larp. Wod is theater larp, involves interaction with other players through means communication, than its counter part adventure Larp which involves a more physical role. The saying you can not compare apples with oranges applies here.

OP was not talking about theater larp he was talking about adventure larp.

When you mention LARP, most people will think of hitting each other with foam weapons. Which is what happens a lot; to be honest because it appeals to more people than any other form of LARP out there. I've been to a few theater Larps, Do not get me wrong I had fun. But its requires a certain type of person to really get into it and enjoy, as they say some things are acquired taste.

I do enjoy being in character and making political maneuvers to get a seat closer to my goal. But I do really enjoy more combat LARP though. It is a bigger rush.

I have to agree with you. Personaly I like the adventure LARP style because it allows for both routes. Do I want to play a character that is a sleesly polition getting others to do my bidding, or do I want to play someone who gets their hands dirty to get what I want, or even someone who is just a military man trying to help the greater good by following orders.