Marcel Mauss, Beneficial Actions, and Refusing a Gift

Contributor: Zoe
Submission: The art of beneficial traits and character development

Just some very pretentious rambling about LARP theory and anthropological theory.
For those of you who have taken courses in anthropology or economic theory, you are probably familiar with Marcel Mauss’s theory of the gift and reciprocity. For those of you who are not, I will briefly summarize one of the key points: gift-giving creates social bonds between members of a group. Reciprocity, the impulse and obligation to return an equal-and-opposite (and-even-slightly-greater) gift in return, is one of the most fundamental of these bonds. Therefore, when an individual refuses a gift or refuses to return a gift, then they are not behaving neutrally, but instead making a very strong statement. To refuse an individual’s gift, for instance, can be to refuse a relationship with that person. The Gift, by Marcel Mauss, is a relatively slim novel, and worth picking up, if this interests you.

Onto LARP and gift theory...

Spotlight on Mirror, Mirror: Thoughts from a Cave

Contributor: Zoe

Submission: Thoughts from a Cave, fiction by Tev

LARP System: Accelerant-Mirror, Mirror

Years LARPing: 2

With the teaser released, the bags packed, and the happy band of (most anti-)heroes ready for adventure, I give you a somewhat anti-climactic end to the Mirror, Mirror spotlight. Check back in tomorrow for another post, and Sunday for a recap of the event. I'll also be posting something else from Beth about PELs-- even for those of us who have written dozens (or hundreds), a refresher is never a bad thing, especially if something goes horribly wrong in the first event of the season. But, for now? Thoughts from a Cave, by Tev.

Spotlight on Mirror, Mirror: Goat Stew

Contributor: Zoe

Submission: Recipe

Character Name: Tev

Part of the Spotlight to Mirror, Mirror series.

Awhile ago, I posted an entry about the joys of cooking-- LARP cooking, specifically. One of the best parts of LARP cooking is the chance to theme your food. It adds to the IG atmosphere, and can serve as a subtle way to enhance your character (see what I did there?) A lot of standard fantasy LARPs offer us little in the way of authentic culinary adventures-- stew, bread, stew, bread, stew, cheese. And, if we want to be really accurate, little in the way of spice and other tasty additives. Mirror, Mirror, however, is great in that it allows you to be a character from any universe. This, of course, expands our options. Because Chris and I play characters from the "Dark Sun" universe, we're going with a middle-eastern/fantasy Persian stew. Yes, I said stew, but this is a far cry from the mucky, humdrum messes of yore.

Spotlight on Mirror, Mirror!

As a countdown to the Mirror, Mirror Revel starting this Friday, and going until this Sunday, I invite players, staff, and NPCs to share their favorite parts about Mirror, Mirror. What are you planning for this event? Do you have any new costumes, props, or recipes? What have been your favorite modules? Most unexpected moments? I posted something about winter LARPing yesterday-- please contribute and share one of Accelerant's newest and most action-packed games!

Mirror, Mirror Revel
March 2nd-4th
Camp Woodstock

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.