LARPs
Costumed scenario games
LARPs is the plural of LARP, an acronym for live-action role-playing—games where participants physically act out their characters rather than describing actions at a table.
LARPs range from weekend fantasy battles in the woods to parlor murder mysteries to elaborate vampire campaigns: The local gaming club runs several LARPs throughout the year.
As a verb, to LARP means to participate in such games, or disparagingly, to pretend at something you're not actually doing: He's just LARPing as a revolutionary.
Nature, symbol, or role
- personaAssumed public identity
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- narrativeAccount of events
embodiment · motivation · portrayal · dialogue · arc · protagonist · antagonist · conflict
Mythical small beings
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
dwarves · orcs · quest · enchantment · runes · artifacts · mana · paladins
What one wears
- armorProtective combat covering
- propsTheater accessories or praise
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
- sewingCraft with needle and thread
fabric · historical · authenticity · leatherworking · tabard · cloak · weaponry · mask
Principles governing behavior
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- skillsLearned competencies
- abilitiesPowers to perform
- statsNumerical information, abbreviated
referee · game-master · check-in · safety · consent · bleed · debriefing · session
Of northern Europe
- parlorFormal room for visitors
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- one-shotOccurring just once
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
mystery · post-apocalyptic · steampunk · vampire · werewolf · cyberpunk · historical · war
Professional mutual-aid society
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- chapterDivision of a book
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
convention · network · tribe · camaraderie · alliance · membership · enthusiasts · circle
character
Nature, symbol, or role
- personaAssumed public identity
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
narrative · embodiment · motivation · portrayal · dialogue · arc · protagonist · antagonist · conflict · resolution
elves
Mythical small beings
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
wizardry · dwarves · orcs · quest · enchantment · runes · artifacts · mana · paladins · rangers
garb
What one wears
- armorProtective combat covering
- propsTheater accessories or praise
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
sewing · fabric · historical · authenticity · leatherworking · tabard · cloak · weaponry · mask · makeup
rules
Principles governing behavior
stats · referee · game-master · check-in · safety · consent · bleed · debriefing · session · scenario
Nordic
Of northern Europe
horror · mystery · post-apocalyptic · steampunk · vampire · werewolf · cyberpunk · historical · war · political
guild
Professional mutual-aid society
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- chapterDivision of a book
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
gathering · convention · network · tribe · camaraderie · alliance · membership · enthusiasts · circle · group
LARPstabletop games
Non-digital multiplayer entertainment
board games · video games · tabletop gaming · card games · computer games
LARPsreal life
Existence beyond imagination
reality · lived experience · non-fiction · documentary · everyday life