A live action role-playing (LARP) is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically portray their characters. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by real-world environments while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may be mediated by game rules or determined by consensus among players. Event staff decide the setting and rules to be used and facilitate play while Storytellers / Plot / Game Masters (staff positions) craft stories and characters to make the world feel alive and active. Learn more about LARPing in general HERE.
Our game, Darkwood Nights is a World of Darkness (WoD) Live Action Role Play (LARP) game set in the 10th century Black Forest focusing on immersion and character driven interaction. You take on the role of your character and act as that person throughout the time of game. Everyone dresses as their character and we decorate our game site to support a medieval feel which, when combined with acting as your character, creates the feel of existing in a small village in the 900’s.
But this is also the World of Darkness and so, unlike our world, the monsters that go bump in the night are real. Vampires, werewolves, spirits and monsters stalk the night while mages and fae wage their wars and study their magics. You can play as one of these monsters, specifically a vampire, mage or fae or instead play a human trying to make their way in a world where monsters are real. You can help the Storytellers by taking a break from your Player Character (PC) and play a Non-Player-Character (NPC) to help make the world feel alive and tell the stories of Darkwood Nights.
Combat in Darkwood Nights is handled by the use of latex and foam weapons and, like in our world, is fast and brutal (in character, the weapons are very soft). Players use these LARP safe weapons, and the powers their characters possess, to fight each other in real time. Combat is not the only pathway to conflict resolution in Darkwood Nights, trickery, diplomacy and stealth are all equally valid tools in the World of Darkness and often carry less risk. All of these combines into a came that immerses you into your character and the setting, letting you feel what your character feels, speak as your character speaks and, for a weekend, live their life.