Artwork: Remi and Esme 2012

Artwork by Zoe

And now for some artwork that were holiday presents this year: Esme and Remi, my Madrigal PC and my husband's. They were completed in an hour or two last night with watercolors bought in Japan (and forgotten about until 24 hours ago).

Note Taking: How LARPs Can Ease Your Scholarly Urges

by Zoe Eddy and Anthony Reed


I'm pleased to have the input of my friend, Anthony Reed, the fellow who originally introduced me to LARPing. Anthony is also a diligent note taker and note sharer; his tactics for note-taking have improved my experience and approach to LARPing.


Note-taking may seem like a strange topic. Note-taking is something, in my opinion, that players do religiously or almost not at all. As an anthropologist and a writer, note-taking has always appealed to me. Zealously taking notes, I quickly found, improved my game experience, and allowed me to, on a meta-level, interact with the game world more reflectively. Anthony and I thought about the note-taking phenomenon at LARPs, and expanded on it a bit further.

Remi's Dream

by Christopher Wilkins

LARP System: Madrigal, Accelerant

PC name: Remi Girard

Years Larping: 2

Recently, Chris has been looking for a reason to respec his PC, Remi Girard. Currently, Remi is driven by a maniacal pursuit of the Ancient Enemy of the East: the creature responsible for the demise of his crew. However, after a recent interaction with the mad spirits of an ancient grove, Remi is slowly realizing that revenge, as his sole motivation, is corrupting. After considering the dangers of his current path, Remi had this dream. (A note: The Fountain of Ice is an in-game mechanic that, for a price, allows characters to recreate themselves.)

Madrigal Highlights

So this past weekend was the Madrigal season opener. I invite everyone to share their highlights, comments in general, and that sort of thing. A huge thank you to the staff and NPCs that made it all possible.

To get things rolling...

I really enjoyed the Fenric/blood spirits/grove plot arc. Up until this event, it had been an engaging, if somewhat straightforward, narrative. However, this event, identities and plot twists were revealed that, I believe, shook players engaged with the plotline. It was simply an example of fine writing, good acting, and, maybe most importantly, a well-paced plotline (in other words, the staff member didn't immediately reveal the most surprising plot points too soon).

Gamesthetic: Rob C. of Accelerant's Blog

I'm happy to feature Rob Ciccolini's blog, Gamesthetic, and I urge everyone to go check it out. In the blog, Rob writes about LARP, but also about tabletop games and game design in general. Rob is the creator of the Accelerant System, and, in my opinion, one of the most important voices in LARPing. Also, Rob is a really active part of the games he runs (and I mean that figuratively and literally-- if you hear vague whispers of, "was it a tall and lanky beast sporting two longclaws?" then you may be in trouble); even if you're a new player, after game, Rob will make sure to spend a few minutes chatting with you about your experiences. So, clearly, I'm very excited that Rob has a blog up-and-running: it will be great to read more of his posts in the future!

http://gamesthetic.blogspot.com/

And So Begins the LARP Season!

Contributor: Beth Fallon
Submission: non-fiction guide to PELs
System: Accelerant (but all take heed)
Years LARPing: 21
Email: efallon@earthlink.net

With the end of the Mirror, Mirror Revel, and Aralis and Lost Eidolons on their ways (not to mention a host of non-Accelerant games), the Post Event or Summary Letters are probably flooding inboxes. Or they should be. When I first started LARPing, I didn't really care too much about PELs, because I was too busy gushing about The Magic of the First Event (trademarked). Then, as I became jaded (literally and figuratively for Madrigalites), I had my First Real Event Complaint (also trademarked). It was minor, but I was a little devastated. What if staff hated me? What if they told the offending person? What if someone complained about me? What if I hurt the person's feelings-- it really wasn't that big a deal, was it? When I finally sat down to write the letter, however, I was a little dismayed. How could I frame it without sounding whiny, overly aggressive, or mean-spirited? How long should I spend talking about it? What if, in writing about the module, the reader ignored all the good things I had to say about the game? What if they ignored my personal character requests because they were worried about fixing the single bad part of my experience?

I think we've all been here. PELs, especially if something went less than perfect, can be difficult to write. We often have close friends who are on staff, and LARPing is a small community. Therefore, I'm giving you Beth Fallon's guide to PEL writing. As an experience LARPer and staff person, she gives a good perspective on not only how to deal with OoG problems, but also how to make staff aware of IG desires and goals. So, read on, and incorporate her advice into any post-game summary you might submit.

The Winter Revel: Forward to the Cold

Contributor: Zoe

Submission: non-fiction thoughts on Winter LARPing

LARP System: Accelerant

Characters: Tev/Esme

Location: Cambridge, MA

Some thoughts on how to stay safe and have fun during the chill of winter's cold. Check out LARPcast for a Winter Larping episode from Mickey and Bill.

With the Mirror, Mirror Winter Revel swiftly approaching, it's time to think about bundling ourselves out to weather the winds and chills. Admittedly, it has been a mild winter-- troublingly so-- and, with our fireplaces and woodstoves quietly unused, we look forward to fair weather and brisk battles on spring grass.

However, as longtime New Englanders are well aware, the shift from winter-to-spring is a fickle thing. We still face frigid evenings and wind chills that pierce deep into our bones. With that in mind, use this Winter LARPing key as a guide to help you through the frost...

Bonesong Part Two: Creation Sings, and I am... in Counterpoint

Contributor: Erin the Red

Submission: In-Game writing from Rowan MacMaith and Chance, two musical players from the same game

LARP system: Accelerant
Your Location: Connecticut, USA
Character name: Rowan MacMaith
Years LARPing: 7

Chance and Rowan are two longtime players-- they are both of the Bayastri race, a cat-like animal race. Cat-races are popular in many LARPs, among many players. Many players use extravagant make-up and costuming. How players play their cat-people depends on the game. Erin writes that Rowan and Chance are "Cat sisters" and "longtime friends." The following is a dialogue between the two female-identifying characters. (Both players are talented and creative musicians.)

Read Part One!

Building a Staff Make-Up Kit

Contributor: Beth Fallon
Submission: Building a Staff Makeup Kit
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant [http://www.larp.com/madrigal/]
Location: Ayer, MA
Years LARPing: 21
Email: efallon AT earthlink DOT net

A DIY make-up guide from one of the most well-made up ladies of LARP!

Treasure

Contributor: Jyn
Submission: Treasure
LARP system: Accelerant/Madrigal
Character name: Tashka

A short work of fiction from longtime-LARPer, Jyn.

Just a teensy amount of Beth. Wonderful. Important. Experienced. How to Talk to "Big NPCs"

Contributor: Beth Fallon 
Submission: How To Talk To "Big NPCs"/non-fiction from someone who really does know
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant

Your Location: Ayer, MA
Character name: Every character in the book. I owe her an art request, for sure.
Years LARPing: 21
Contact Email: efallon@earthlink.net

Having noted a reticence of some otherwise awesome players to talk to Plot-Staff NPCs, a handy guide to interaction! 

Cat in a Shetra Crown

Contributor: Zoe Eddy

Submission: Sharpie, pencil, paper, colored pencil
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant
Your Location: Cambridge, MA
Character name: Esme
Years LARPing: 2ish

This is my version of the GM's white cat in a Shetra headdress. The Shetra are an ancient spider race that like to bring people into their world-wide Web. My character, Esme, willingly walked into the Shetra web courtesy the Lord of the Web's majestic sister (you know she hates me); along with two others (both more experienced than I am), I work to rectify the maledicted (tainted and terribly evil) weave of the Web.

You know I do.

The cat. The White Cat is not the GM's pet (I think...). It is the GM, garbed as a white cat, who comes to visit an IG group, the Order of the Star, in order to help them on all sorts of vampire-slaying things. The White Cat, which may or may not be 6'7"+, also helps all sorts of other people IG.

I really have nothing to do with him.

Zephyr's pre-Shadowfane Thoughts: Part Four

A very thankful shout-out to LARP Ohio. Bill and I do not know each other well, and disagree about most things. He has much more experience, stirs stuff up equally, and does good work. I want him in New England. He probably does not want me in Ohio. Go over, play, and leave comments. Bring them over here. I will keep posting this.

Contributor: Rick Pierce

Submission: In-Game writing from Zephyr's character history (character background)
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant
Your Location: Connecticut, USA
Character name: Zephyr
Years LARPing: 22
Contact Email: rgpierce@earthlink.net

Read Part One!

Read Part Two!

Read Part Three!

Travels in Shadowfane: Terra's First Adventure

Contributor: Valerie H./Terra

Submission: IG fictive account of Terra's first time in Shadowfane.
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant
Your Location: Virginia, USA
Character name: Terra
Years LARPing: 8

From the same universe as Zephyr, Terra is a shaman in the Shadowfane universe. This is her fictive account of her first time LARPing in Shadowfane. Terra, live her fellow players, is a PC-- this first-time narrative is a description of her "travels as a new adventurer" in Shadowfane. The Seekers are a popular group in Shadowfane-- they are friendly, welcoming, and active members of the Shadowfane community. Terra, a dedicated members of the Seekers, will reveal more about this important Shadowfane group. (In fairness, I should mention Grum's Company, another much beloved Shadowfane group to which Zephyr's belongs. It is something of a cult. We will see more Grum's Company in entries to come.)

Terra is a shaman, in the Madrigal universe. She gains her powers, healing and some combat, by ritual communion with dead ancestors. In LARP, shaman and/or other animistic powers are common. While some might argue stereotypical and generalized, they are opportunities for people to explore other religions and belief systems. People are respectful, creative, and nuanced. Racist and simplified portrayals are criticized and questioned by some members of the LARP community. I invite people to comment, respectfully, on LARP portrayals of belief system and ritual. LARP has some diversity, but it needs much more. I am endlessly thankful to Valerie/Terra for sharing the Shaman experience.

Zephyr's pre-Shadowfane Thoughts: Part Three

Contributor: Rick Pierce

Submission: In-Game writing from Zephyr's character history (character background)

LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant

Your Location: Connecticut, USA

Character name: Zephyr

Years LARPing: 22

Contact Email: rgpierce@earthlink.net

Read Part One!
Read Part Two!

This is the third part of Zephyr's character history.

Newbie Observations

Contributor: Amanda/"Istamira"

Submission: The 3rd in a series of IG and OoG written commentary from a "novice LARPer"

LARP System: Accelerant
Location: Boston, USA
PC Name: Istamira "Mira" Nascirus
Years LARPing: 0 years, 7 months 


Website: Istamira's Quill

In and out of character commentary from a novice larper. Character names, places, and sometimes even plot specifics may be changed or altered to protect readers from horrible knowledge that could threaten the very fiber of the universe! ... or something like that.

Zephyr's pre-Shadowfane Thoughts: Part Two

Contributor: Rick Pierce

Submission: In-Game writing from Zephyr's character history (character background)
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant
Your Location: Connecticut, USA
Character name: Zephyr
Years LARPing: 22
Contact Email: rgpierce@earthlink.net

Read Part One!

This is the second part of Zephyr's character history. Character histories are fictive pieces, generally written by PCs, that provide a background for a LARP character. This background explains a character's motivations, personality, goals, hopes, fears etc. Character histories also provide plot staff with material to facilitate interesting game-play. While some character histories are brief and minimal, many individuals use this written record as a way to assert their characters within the framework of the game universe.

This piece, from Zephyr's character history, was written November 26, 2006 (1516 Madrigal time). "Shadowfane" is a fictional town in Madrigal's country Aerune. It is the center of Madrigal's narrative, and PCs start, and gather in Shadowfane. Each LARP event is, in fact, called "a Gather," indicating a time when the characters come together, in Shadowfane or a related territory. "The town" is a central part of Accelerant LARPs, and serves as a unifying location for all PCs. When writing character, new Madrigal PCs often incorporate a reason for why they have decided to travel to Shadowfane. In general, character histories also allow PCs to explore how they are going to roleplay a character.

Zephyr's pre-Shadowfane Thoughts: Part One

Contributor: Rick Pierce

Submission: In-Game writing from Zephyr's character history (character background)
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant
Your Location: Connecticut, USA
Character name: Zephyr
Years LARPing: 22
Contact Email: rgpierce@earthlink.net



This is the first part of Zephyr's character history. Character histories are fictive pieces, generally written by PCs, that provide a background for a LARP character. This background explains a character's motivations, personality, goals, hopes, fears etc. Character histories also provide plot staff with material to facilitate interesting game-play. While some character histories are brief and minimal, many individuals use this written record as a way to assert their characters within the framework of the game universe.

This piece, from Zephyr's character history, was written November 26, 2006 (1516 Madrigal time). "Shadowfane" is a fictional town in Madrigal's country Aerune. It is the center of Madrigal's narrative, and PCs start, and gather in Shadowfane. Each LARP event is, in fact, called "a Gather," indicating a time when the characters come together, in Shadowfane or a related territory. "The town" is a central part of Accelerant LARPs, and serves as a unifying location for all PCs. When writing character, new Madrigal PCs often incorporate a reason for why they have decided to travel to Shadowfane. In general, character histories also allow PCs to explore how they are going to roleplay a character.