| Live Action Role Playing, otherwise known as | | | | - these are the GMs who lead the action as well |
| LARP is a role-playing game where characters | | | | as the Plot Committee who help the GMs to keep |
| actions are physically and mentally acted out. Each | | | | the game moving. There are those who are part |
| character has the opportunity to create a | | | | of the game - classified as NPCs or non player |
| persona that fits into an imaginary role within a | | | | characters. The NPCs are not considered actual |
| game setting. | | | | players of the game, but rather they help to |
| Each LARP group have their own rules, costumes, | | | | assist those who are playing. The last group of |
| participation, focus of character activity as well as | | | | players are those who actually play the game - |
| genre. There are two categories to LARP - it can | | | | classified as PCs or player characters. These |
| be played either as a game or as a campaign. A | | | | people will learn new skills to enhance their |
| game can last for hours or days, but a campaign | | | | character while part of the story. |
| can be known to last for months. Each LARP will | | | | Various LARP Settings: |
| differ in size from the amount of players as well | | | | Espionage LARPs are usually inspired by spy |
| as the duration for each game. | | | | fiction. These LARPs will usually avoid physical |
| The game will contain an interaction of three | | | | combat and real-looking weapons which could |
| elements: a world, its rules and the people within | | | | attract unwanted attention from the public and |
| that world. The Game Master of each LARP have | | | | authorities. |
| the responsibility to create the imaginary world, | | | | Fantasy genre LARPs are set in historical settings |
| along with its history, culture, myths and rules. | | | | inspired by fantasy literature and fantasy |
| History of LARP: | | | | role-playing games such as Dungeons & |
| LARP was originally invented by several groups | | | | Dragons. These settings will typically have low |
| beginning in the late 1970s. These groups created | | | | technology, will be inundated with magic, and may |
| an environment where characters were able to | | | | have fantasy races. Many fantasy LARPs will use |
| experience first hand the tabletop role-playing | | | | physical combat and will focus on adventure. |
| game within a created setting. Today LARP has | | | | Fantasy is one of the most common LARP |
| become a popular game in North America, Europe, | | | | genres internationally. |
| Russia and Australia. There have even been large | | | | LARPs within a historical setting will take place in |
| games with thousands of participants have been | | | | our world history. They will normally vary from a |
| created by various companies. As well, various | | | | 1930s murder mystery to a feudal Japanese |
| LARP books have been published and more | | | | Samurai story. It is important to portray accurate |
| companies have been created within the LARP | | | | historical events, in both fictional content, as well |
| industry in order to sell costumes, equipment, and | | | | as in actual props and costume. |
| foam weapons for game play. | | | | Horror LARPs often use fictional writings or |
| How to Play: | | | | movies as their inspiration. LARPs with a horror |
| Players take on the persona of a character that | | | | theme can be set in any era, often crossing over |
| has been created within story setting. When a | | | | historical or science fiction genres. |
| persona is taken on, this includes the characters | | | | Mythology LARPs are set in a historical era with |
| habits, speech, and physical actions. In essence, | | | | legendary aspects of that time. For instance a |
| they become the character. | | | | Celtic mythology LARP might include features of |
| Game Rules: | | | | Celtic myth such as Druids with powers from the |
| Game rules are used to determine how | | | | gods and goddesses, or legendary creatures and |
| characters can affect other characters in the | | | | monsters. |
| game. These rules will ultimately define each | | | | Game Weapons: |
| characters abilities, as well as items within the | | | | Various type weapons are used within each LARP |
| setting. It is the responsibility of the GMs or Game | | | | game, but the most popular are latex and foam |
| Masters of each game to create the rules | | | | swords. Foam swords (often misnamed |
| necessary for each LARP. | | | | foam-injected weapons) offer many advantages |
| Players: | | | | compared to latex weapons. These are a few of |
| Game Masters or GMs are those who define the | | | | the characteristics that differentiate foam from |
| LARP settings and scenarios. The GMs decide how | | | | latex weapons: spectacular realism, durability in |
| and when characters are created. There are | | | | extreme combat conditions, weather resistant, |
| three categories to the people who play within a | | | | very safe. |
| LARP setting. There are those who run the game | | | | |