Comments | jhkimrpg: LARP Help!!

jhkimrpg

LARP Help!!

Apr 30, 2009 22:31

Help!

So I've been asked to help organize an outdoor fantasy larp for some kids I know, about a dozen of them around age 11 13. I'd like to do it, but (1) I've never played or organized an outdoor fantasy larp, and (2) I've never done any larps for kids before. My larping has all been theater-style with adults ( Read more... )

Comments 11

gbsteve May 1 2009, 08:00:04 UTC

I'd ban head hits altogether. We do in the UK. With the genitals, it's the only place a foam weapon really can damage.

I'd also have hidden treasure that has been placed beforehand and clues that lead to it. That really worked for me when my Mum did it for me when I was under 10.

mr_orgue May 1 2009, 13:30:00 UTC

I don't know about the combat aspect - not my expertise.

On the join-as-team-for-climax tip, I think that would work well. Set a clear superordinate goal and provide space for the opposing sides to work together with dignity, and you're away. I think kids this age should be well capable of working the tropes around this, probably it will come naturally to them.

I think the easy-healing idea is a good one. The kids will all be keen to whack each other a heck of a lot, so structure the game around letting them do that. Easy healing also promotes honesty in when you got hit - if you'll be back in a moment, there's less incentive to fudge on this. Probably important in this age grade.

aaronjv May 1 2009, 21:42:17 UTC

Hello

rizwank told me about your project. Not knowing where nor when this is to take place, all I can offer is some contacts with people who specialize in this kind of LARP (live combat).

Check out LARP Alliance and post in the forums there, or let me know if you need more advice ( ... )

jhkimrpg May 2 2009, 04:34:55 UTC

Well, this runs into resource problems. I'm probably going to have one or two grownups at most who will help out, so villains aren't going to outnumber anyone. Also, I'm doubtful that the kids fighting only grownups is going to engage them enough for long. They have a lot more energy than we do.

So the scenario is going to have to really rely on kids driving things rather than them being shuttled around on carefully overseen quests. So I lean towards allowing kids to fight each other but limiting the consequences, and encouraging them to eventually set aside their differences.

aaronjv May 2 2009, 06:05:20 UTC

Depending on where you are (Southern California? Midwest? East coast? Outside the United States?), I can put you in touch with LARP groups would be more than happy to assist, and you could get a group.

In fact, the LARP Alliance just had a Board of Directors meeting tonight, and I found out that they have already run mini-larps ("line courses", they call them) for Ren Faires, haunted houses, etc., for kids of about that age, and the urchins loved it. LARP Alliance probably already has a scenario ready, I bet ( ... )

jhkimrpg May 2 2009, 07:00:23 UTC

Well, I'm in Northern California. If there are scenarios written, that would be great. (It looks like LARP Alliance are based in Southern California, right?) I'll write and see if they have anything (though I recently found that it is quite short notice - we'll be running next Saturday, May 9).

Thread 5

ogremarco May 2 2009, 00:45:47 UTC

I'd suggest calling in favors for a lot of adults to play npcs that the kids can whack on. We did this for Jordan's son's b-day one year and it was good fun. We of course all played to lose, and had some bruises to prove it, but the kids absolutely adored it.

jhkimrpg May 2 2009, 04:36:40 UTC

Well, as before, I'm doubtful about how many adults I can get. I supposed I'll try asking around.

hunnythistle May 3 2009, 01:11:13 UTC

I like some of the puzzle/ scavenger hunt aspects mentioned by aaronjv. You could still incorporate those elements w/o alot of onsite work, if you do it like an Easter Egg hunt. So, in order to enter the castle, or whatever, for the Finale, the kids need to have found, say, 5 key items. You can give them puzzles or riddles that will decode a map, or heck just give them a classic treasure map. Each team gets a unique map for one of the items. Then, the kids have the option of ambushing and beating on each other to capture items, or negotiating, or allying with another team to beat up on a third team, etc ( ... )

badgerbag May 3 2009, 21:00:08 UTC

I am thinking along similar lines. I'm going to make a map and some scrolls with clues, we hide some stuff, have puzzles ( ... )