Does LARP freak anyone else out?

[Kamard]

That said, if there was a different game around I might consider it, but it would depend on the game.

Boffer larps are as different from PRS larps as D&D is from Vampire, mechanically. I prefer boffer.

Try a boffer larp, like NERO. There is a NERO chapter around Portland, I *think*. Also, there may be a chapter of MASI out in that area, since some folks we used to game with went out that way after college.

I am not familiar with Europe or the West Coast. I think Amtgard is big out that way, there is a NERO NW too.

Most boffer larps are pretty similar mechanics wise. If you learn one, you can do most of them.

 

[Greybar]

re: boffer LARPs

There is something really fun about not just being in character, but actively having to decide if you're willing to take that extra step into a lunge.

Not "Hmm, I could move one square to be in a better place but I would draw an AoO from that ogre"
but "If I press him harder then I might have a foam-wrapped piece of PVC smacked upside my head"

and "something emerges from the cornrows, wrapped in shadows but it seems to carry a weapon"
really doesn't convey what it is like to actually see a number of figures you can barely make out in the moonlight coming between those cornrows with 6-foot weapons pointed in your direction. There's an involuntary back-step you do as you lower a weapon into a guard that you don't get from "roll initiative"

two bits

John

 

[shadow]

There's a weekly Vampire LARP at the student center of my university. One of my friends participates in it from time to time. Out of sheer curiosity, I went with her to a session just to observe. There were a few weirdos such as the girl (or guy?) who wore a long hooded black cloak to obscure her (his?) entire body, but most of the people there seemed pretty normal. However, it just didn't seem like my cup of tea. Instead of the vibrant action of most table top games, most of the people just sat around and chatted. I prefer to play as warrior or wizard locked in a life or death struggle. I need action in my games! Sitting around talking about Vampires and clan politics just isn't my idea of gaming.

 

[dave_o]

What's this NERO you am speak of? Ar!

Does it have a website or anything?

I'd really dig some direction in finding a LARP in the Lexington area, dude.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kamard]

NERO is two games. Both claim to be the One and True NERO.

Guess there was a messy breakup some time ago. Regardless.

http://nerohq.com/

http://www.nerolarp.com

A quick perusal of the campaigns/chapters of the games doesn't show any in KY proper, but maybe one is nearish you.

NERO is pretty expensive, let me note.

Other games can be found by searching http://www.larplist.com/.

 

[boschdevil]

LARP

Jeph, you are not alone. Though I thoroughly enjoy D&D, the concept of LARP just freaks me out as well.

 

[Ravellion]

Afterall, I love acting, and I love gaming- why not combine the two?

For me, that is the reason NOT to. I like acting, I like gaming. The mix of the both being described seems unpleasant to me. Like Fish n' Chips with mustard and caramel.

Rav

 

[Kamard]

For me, that is the reason NOT to. I like acting, I like gaming. The mix of the both being described seems unpleasant to me. Like Fish n' Chips with mustard and caramel.
Rav

You don't like Fish n' Chips with mustard and caramel?

 

[jester47]

My LARP experience-

I have done the Vampire once or twice. It was very very boreing. The reason isstated above. Its a bunch of people sitting around talking and nothing really happens. I have done amtgaurd. It was very very stupid. Why? It was a bunch of guys in a park just hitting each other with badly made boffer weapons. In fact it was SCA light. There were no quests, plots or characters. It was a society. Ok this is lame.

I have not tried NERO and we will get back to that.

There is only one goup that I have found that can do LARP right (remember, I have not done NERO, but from what I understand is that it may fall into the do things right category). The group that seems to do things the right way and is a great group to get into is the International Fantasy Gaming Society. They are a boffer weapon group (but the swords look like frikkin swords with blades and hilts and such). All they do is run adventures. Admittedly the adventures take a production staff and they play on ranches and out of the way parks. They have safty staff (whiteshirts, white is the color for invisible in game) and go to great lengths to make the adventure seem real. This takes a lot of coordination, money and time, but the experience is well worth it if you are going to larp.

NERO always sounded interesting, but I never got to do it. Now, I am not really into the live thing anymore, as in the end it was too limiting. However, the IFGS was one of the greatest bunch of people I have ever had a pleasure of gaming with. And in the LARP hobby thats saying a lot. The cretin qotient in IFGS is far lower than most other LARPs. From what I have heard about NERO, I would expect the same.

If you are interested in LARPing check it out.

Aaron.

 

[Kamard]

the International Fantasy Gaming Society. They are a boffer weapon group (but the swords look like frikkin swords with blades and hilts and such). All they do is run adventures.

Ohhh, I forgot the IFGS. We have a bit of overlap between groups up here, with some IFGS folks coming to our games, and vice versa.

They're good people.