Live action role playing, or LARPing, is a way to get away from everyday life and explore a world of your own making with friends.Role-playing as a fictional character while engaging in make-believe combat with other players is one of the benefits of LARPing.LARPing can allow a normal person to assume the role of a powerful warrior, a deadly mage, or an assassin in an adventure scenario.You can learn how to plan and play your own LARP Game by following the steps below.
Step 1: There is a setting or backdrop for your LARP game.
The first thing to do is to decide what scenario you'll play.LARP games are often associated with settings and characters from the fantasy genre of art and literature, like the Lord of the Rings novels.Many LARP games don't stick to the convention.There are realistic settings and storylines that can be set in the modern age or based on history.There's no limit to the types of scenarios you can design, because your LARP game is the product of your own imagination.For our first LARP game, we want to try a classic middle ages/fantasy scenario.The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire novels are examples of fantasy universes we could choose from if we were uninspired.Let's be adventurous and do this instead of creating our own.We'll be warriors from the kingdom of Karyphesh.Let's say we want to say this is a vast fantasy kingdom with a variety of different sub-regions.We will be able to visit a variety of different settings.If you're making up your own scenario for the first time, there's a good chance it will end up being hackneyed.This is fine!A good measure of good humor is advised when playing latex, since it is basically playing pretend for grownups.Your stories and scenarios will become more complex with time.
Step 2: Let's create a conflict.
It can be anything you want it to be.There is no rule that says you have to have a conflict.If you really want to, you can live a normal life in the world you've created.When you can have fun with an exciting conflict, why do this?A conflict is a great way to make your LARP engaging and to give everyone something to do.You can make a conflict that fits the world you've created.As long as you want, you can add as many minor details to your conception of the central conflict.LARPing that involves fictional combat, wars or clashes between two or more fictional nations or entities is always a good bet.These can be normal wars between humans or can have supernatural aspects.Make your fictional conflict urgent and engaging regardless of what you choose.The outer reaches of the kingdom of Karyphesh have begun to be invaded by mysterious demons.As it stands, this is a pretty cliched plot line, so let's spice things up by saying that these demons have been causing entire villages to disappear, leaving only giant symbols in an ancient tongue burnt into the ground in their place.The king of Karyphesh, who wants to convert his subjects into mindless slaves, may be sent by a benevolent deity to protect the kingdom from the so-called demons.The conflict in your world can unfold however you want it to, and everything is up to you.
Step 3: Make a character.
LARPing is a lot of fun because it allows you to be someone you are not.No one is a noble knight or a space marine in real life, but LARPers enjoy pretending to be these types of people and acting the way they imagine they would act if they were real.You can design a character based on the setting you've chosen.Consider both his or her appearance and personality.What sort of being is my character?Is he a human or not?What is his or her name?What does he look like?What do he do for a living?Since many LARPs focus on fantasy combat, you may want to choose a profession that would give you some martial skill.What does he do?Is he kind or cruel?Guarded or outgoing?Is it Fierce or Coward?What kind of training does he have?Does he know more than one language?Do you know a craft?Do you have an education?What quirks does he have?Does he have bad habits?Fears?Odd talents?Our character is a royal knight from the capital of Karyphesh.He is big, tall, strong, tan-skinned and has short black hair.He wears steel armor and carries a broadsword.He runs a kitten orphanage when he's not defending the kingdom.What a handsome man!
Step 4: Your character should be given a back story.
How does your character fit into the world you've created?What happened to him or her in the past?Why does he do things?As you complete your character, you'll want to consider these.Your character's story isn't just for flavor.It's a way to give your character a reason to get involved in the LARP game.A logical back story can help guide your decisions as to how your character might participate in the conflict.Melchior has a troubled past.At the age of 5, his parents were killed by bandits and he was left by the side of the road to die.He was saved by a group of cats and raised for two years before he was old enough to make his own decisions.He trained as a squire and became a knight after years of poverty.Melchior has a love for cats that sometimes leads him to connect with other people who he sees as cruel and unloving.He is loyal to the lord who pulled him out of the gutter and plans to fight for his honor in the coming war against the demons, who have killed one of his lord's sons.
Step 5: Have the other players design their own characters.
There is no rule that says you can't LARP by yourself, but it is more fun to interact with others and do battle with them.Since your friends will be joining you in your fictional world, each should design his or her own character so that each person is able to experience the world through the eyes of an active participant in it.Unless you're willing to fight imaginary enemies as a group, you may want to have some of your friends be characters that are opposed to your own.For a total of six players, we can get five other people to LARP with us.The groups of three will make it an even battle.The two other players on your team might design characters who are allies of Melchior (for instance, other knights, mages, or soldiers fighting for the greater good), while the three you're fighting against might create characters that would want to fight you.
Step 6: You can make your own gear, weapons, and clothing.
If you and your friends are going to pretend to be wizards and knights, you should look like it.Your options can be simple or elaborate when it comes to costumes and gear.The most casual LARPers use their ordinary clothes and weapons made from foam, wood, or PVC piping, while seriousLARP enthusiasts spend thousands of dollars on lavish, period-accurate costumes and real (or real-looking) weapons.It's up to you and your fellow LARPers to decide how far you want to go.Melchior is a knight, so we'll probably want to find him a sword and armor.We could use a broom handle or a yardstick as our sword if we wanted to stay thrifty.We can make a breastplate out of foam or paint an old shirt grey to represent our armor.If we wanted to go one step further, we could make a shield from a trash can lid or a piece of plywood and use a bike helmet to mimic a metal helm.LARPers like to recreate items with food and drink.If Melchior is injured in battle, we might want to use a small flask filled with a sports drink to mimic this.
Step 7: Your characters can participate in the scenario.
When you've designed a fictional world, a conflict in that world and all of the characters who are participating in your LARP session, you are ready to play!Imagine a reason for your characters to meet.Do you want to do anything during the LARP session?You might want to invent a set of circumstances that would cause your characters to meet and engage in hostilities if you wanted to have an exciting battle.If you're looking for something more cerebral, you could envision a scenario where the two groups of people involved are not enemies, but competitors in a battle of wits.Melchior and his two companions are on a mission to find demons when they run into three of them.The leader of the demon band is the one who killed the lord's son.The fight writes itself.
Step 8: There is a character named LARP!
Your LARP game is set up for success at this point.The rest is up to you.Don't hesitate to dive into your fictional world.You can start enjoying your LARP experience if you start thinking and acting like your fictional counterpart.Keep an open mind, stay respectful of our fellow LARPers, and be open to letting them influence your role-playing experience.Have fun.If you don't enjoy your LARP session, why bother with it in the first place?
Step 9: You should stay in character.
LARP games can be serious, grim affairs or casual adventures with a group of friends, but regardless of the specifics of your game, it's almost always better to have players who are committed to their roles than those who aren't.amateur acting sessions are whatcurbless games are about.LARP experiences are the most engaging when everyone tries to take the acting portion of the game seriously.In the presence of other people, first-timers can be shy about pretending to fight monsters in foam armor.To break the ice, you may want to do a few basic acting exercises with your teammates.If you want to do the classic "Question Scene" exercise, have one player ask another a question to which the second player must respond with their own logical follow-up question.The players keep asking each other questions at a faster and faster pace until one hesitates or fails to ask a question, at which point one is replaced by another player and the scene starts over.
Step 10: You can join another's LARP game or create your own.
You can either make your own game or join another person's.You will be responsible for organizing and planning the game if you choose the former, but you will have total freedom to do what you want.If you join an established game, you won't have to worry about as much, but if the game's creator feels strongly about certain aspects of his or her game you may need to abandon your preferred characters, scenarios, and/or rule set.The ease of creating or joining a LARP game can be affected by your geographical location.You may be forced to make your own game even if you prefer to join someone else in the LARP community if your location has an active community that organizes lots of local games.If your LARP game is really good, you may be able to start a community in your area.LARP resources can be used to find other people's games.It is possible to find LARPing activities near your address with the help of the website Larping.org.Larp.meetup.com has information on LARP groups around the world.
Step 11: You should find an area for LARPing.
The game is based on the players' physical actions.If you were just to say, "I swing my sword at you", the experience would be more realistic.To get into the physical aspect of LARPing, you need a place to play.If you can, you may want to choose places that resemble the fictional setting of your scenario for added realism.If your adventure takes place in a forest, try to find a clearing in the local nature preserve to LARP in.The combat aspect of a typical LARP game is what makes it so enjoyable.This can include running and jumping, swinging, throwing and shooting fake weapons.You will want to choose a site that will allow you to safely do these things.There are fields, parks, and athletic spaces.If there are other people at these places, first-timers may get embarrassed.
Step 12: It's possible to assign GMs.
If you've played role-playing games like Dungeon and Dragons, you are familiar with the concept of a game master.The participants in the game who don't pretend to be fictional characters are called GMs.Instead, they stay "out of character" and ensure the game stays engaging and fun by staging conflicts, facilitating the gameplay of the other players, and controlling the story.GMs may be the people who organize large games.GMs may be in charge of planning and promoting the event.GMs in LARP scenarios have a more supportive role than their counterparts in other role-playing games.LARP GMs can't control the actions of real people as effectively and thus often opt to facilitate fun adventures, rather than dictate them exactly.
Step 13: Decide if there is a rules system or not.
LARP games can have differing rules of player interaction and combat.Some LARP games have no rules other than staying in character.The players are in control of many aspects of the game.It's up to the player to decide if his injury will affect his fighting skill or not.Some LARP games have extensive rule systems that account for every possible scenario.In these cases, players may have a set amount of "life" that is drawn from every time they are injured in battle, meaning that they can be dead after being hit a certain number of times.It's up to you to decide how extensive the rules are for your game.Because LARPing is a group activity, you will definitely want to consult with your fellow players before making a decision.Pre-made rule sets are offered by many online LARPing resources.The authors' preferred rules can be found in some of the posts on Larping.org.
Step 14: Coordinate the game with your players.
LARP games can be serious undertakings depending on the dedication of everyone involved.Taking the time to solve logistical issues before the game itself will ensure that you have the best game possible.If you plan on relaxing with the other players after the game, you may want to make reservations at a local restaurant a few days in advance.Can all of the players make it to the event?Are public transit options available if not?Will the players meet at the site of the event or at an offsite location?There will be food and drink at the event.Will there be any after-LARP events?If there is bad weather, what is the plan?
Step 15: There is a local LARP group.
You may want to start a dedicated LARP group or club in your area if you've enjoyed your first few games.You will be able to schedule the games that you and your friends want, when you want them, if you form a LARP group.It also means that you will be able to meet new people who are also interested in LARPing who can in turn influence your activities with their own characters and ideas.If your area doesn't have an established LARP community, this is a good idea.If you are the first person in your area to start a LARP club, you may be able to see the community grow more than you thought possible.Promoting your LARP group will ensure that you get the best turnout possible.There are classified sites.You may also want to try posting your group's information to online LARPing sites which accept community submissions.
Step 16: There are massive LARP events that you can participate in.
Huge LARP games which can have hundreds of participants or more and last for days at a time are hosted by the biggest groups with the most members.Try to participate in one of the LARP sessions.The scope of the game will allow you to experience scenarios and character interactions that aren't possible in smaller LARP games.While an ordinary LARP game between a dozen or so friends might give you the chance to experience fantasy combat on a small scale, a game with hundreds of players allows you to become a soldier in a huge battle teeming with opposing forces.For some, participating in one of these large-scale meetups is the epitome of the LARPing experience.To find one of these massive LARP events, which aren't necessarily everyday occurrences, you'll want to become an active member of the worldwideLARP community.nerolarp.com, larpalliance.net, and other regional sites are great places to start.
Step 17: You can make and share rules of your own.
If you've become an experienced LARPer and are looking for an additional challenge, try designing your own rule set.It's also a chance to correct any unfair or annoying aspects of the rules that you've been using thus far.If you're unsure of where to start, you can look up other LARPers' self-created rule sets online and work from there.Try playing a game with your new rules once you've created a draft.You may find that they don't work as expected.You can use your experience to revise your rules.
Step 18: A fictional universe is created.
LARPing allows you to explore your creativity to the extent that you please.Adding detail and individual flourishes to your characters, and creating fictional histories and mythologies are ways to express yourself creatively.Some LARPers may want to leave some aspects of their creations up to the imagination, while others may need to account for the smallest details.Your world is yours to explore.Enjoy your journey!Great fodder for fiction writing can be extremely detailed fictional worlds.It's not uncommon for novels to explore both in- and out-of- character LARPing universes to experience popularity and success.Writing about the creation of an amazing fictional universe is something you should consider doing.You could be the next J. K. Rowling.