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 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.