What is LARP?

Live Action Role-Play (LARP) is a form of role playing where you take on the role of a character or characters, and collaborate with other participants to explore and tell a story. Unlike tabletop role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, where success or failure is determined by the role of a die, in LARP, you embody your character, and control their actions by acting them out.

Fantasy is the most common genre for LARP in Southern Ontario, but any kind of story setting could conceivably be the basis for a LARP. Fantasy Alive is (perhaps predictably) a Fantasy LARP. Taking elements from fantasy fiction, but set in Fantasy Alive’s own setting, the rules of play combined with your choices help to determine the path that the story takes.

In LARP, you will typically use props, costumes, and even makeup to take on a role in an immersive setting where a little imagination can make a simple forest path a walk through an enchanted forest, or a field into a field of battle. When at an event, although it is encouraged that you take a break if needed, you will typically be consistently in character, making choices from the perspective of the role that you are embodying.

What kind of roles are there to play?

As a fantasy LARP, Fantasy Alive has a broad variety character types available for play. While the game does not have a ‘class’ system, wizards, warriors, rogues, clerics, merchants, physicians, tradespeople, scribes, and more are all viable archetypes that can be built using our rules system. As well, you can choose from a variety of playable species – from humans, elves, dwarves, goblins, gnomes and orcs, to minotaurs and even a few fantasy species unique to the world of Fantasy Alive. If you wish to learn more about the world of Fantasy Alive, you can check out our wiki.

Different characters may have different options when encountering challenges in the course of play. A warrior might choose to fight a foe, a wizard or cleric might call upon magic to defeat them, and a tradesperson might try to negotiate or bribe their way out of trouble.

How do you handle combat safely?

Different styles of LARP games handle combat in different ways. Fantasy Alive is a ‘boffer LARP’, meaning that we use padded or foam weapons (‘boffers’) to simulate combat. In the rules of the game, characters have a certain number of ‘life points’, as well as ‘armour points’, if they are wearing armour. Based on the weapon being used, as well as the attacking character’s relevant skills, they will call a number. If they strike, that many life points or armour points are deducted from the target’s current total. Other effects, like a blow that stuns a foe, can also be called.

Magic is handled using touch or packet delivery. A spell caster will call out the incantation for their spell, which includes the relevant rules for what happens if the spell successfully affects the target. A ‘touch’ spell may be delivered using a short piece of foam known as a ‘fist boffer’, or with direct touch if the subject has consented to being touched. A ‘packet’ spell may be delivered with a small cloth beanbag, usually filled with bird seed. If you find that you are subject to a spell and do not understand the effect, it’s okay to ask!

Fantasy Alive uses dramatic combat – while it can be fast-paced and intense, dramatic combat involves big actions, and big reactions. Getting hit may provoke a yelp of surprise or mock pain, as the target reacts to the attack as their character would. For reasons of safety, some areas like the head and groin are off-limits for attacks.

Sometimes accidents happen, especially when running around out of doors. In the event that someone needs to call a hold to combat, they can shout ‘Zebra!’. Zebras do not exist within the game world, and this call is an indicator that someone needs to stop what is going on, sometimes because they have sustained a real-world injury that needs to be attended to before play can continue.

Can I participate if I have reduced mobility or other barriers?

While LARP is based around the idea of embodying your character’s actions, we know that the game is the most fun if everyone gets a chance to participate. Our storytellers and management are happy to find ways for people who may not be able to physically participate in all aspects of the game to get involved in what they can participate in. We have a non-combat system that allows people to opt out of physical combat if they are not capable of doing so safely.

How can I get costumes, props, and/or weapons?

Costumes and props can come from a lot of places. In general, the Fantasy Alive aesthetic is built around a fantasy ‘medieval’ look. Gender roles are not strictly enforced, so anyone can be of any trade, martial or otherwise, if they so see fit to do so. Costume pieces can often be made, found from online vendors, or even thrifted – sometimes minor modifications can turn something off of a second-hand rack into the perfect look for your character!

Props are very much the same. We encourage people to bring electric candles for preference, to avoid fire risk, but you can find or make props that suit your character through retail, online shopping, or even just going to the craft store with a plan and some ideas! It’s not uncommon for a new LARPer to start with a very simple loadout, which gets more complex and develops character as time goes on.

Weapons and armour can be trickier to source. There are a number of sources online for pre-made latex weapons that are ‘LARP safe’. Alternately, you can construct your own, using guides for ‘boffer weapons’. Fantasy Alive’s weapon guidelines can be found on page 52 of our rules of play. Armour can similarly be purchased or made, with recommended guidelines found on page 51 of our rules of play.

Next Steps

• If you want to explore our Database, we have a FAQ document that may be helpful.
• Consider joining our Discord server.
• Check out our Event Schedule for an upcoming event where you can try it out for yourself!