LARP: Las Cruces
Sin and Redemption on the Edge of Civilisation
Author: Jan-Yves Ruzicka
Co-authors: Alan Downward and Emma Nichols
The town of Las Cruces sits at the border of God’s America and La Republica del Mayo, in the blasted wasteland that is the American south. Out here, you pay your respects to the Almighty, pay your tithe to the Wardens and survive the best you can.
But tensions are rising. Rumour has it that the Wardens are on their southern route, and they’ll visit Las Cruces soon enough. Patrols from La Republica have been spotted in the south, far closer to the town than they usually come. And tempers are rising between the townsfolk too, as long-buried secrets start to rise.
It’s only a matter of time before something snaps. And meanwhile, the Devil watches from the sidelines, and laughs…
This year’s Live Action is a Post-Apocalyptic Western set in a tiny village in the nuclear war-blasted remains of the United States.
What is a LARP?
A LARP, or LIve Action Roleplay, is like your standard tabletop RPG in many ways. You will get to play a character, with goals, a personality, and relationships with other people in town. However, you’ll also get to dress up and wander around the town, whisper in corners and the like.
We’ll have between 20 and 30 people in this Live Action, so there’ll be plenty to do and a bunch of people to talk to. The Live Action happens in a private venue, and spectators aren’t allowed, so you don’t have to worry about making a fool of yourself; or, should I say, you’ll definitely make a fool of yourself, but we will be too.
Do I have to dress up?
It won’t be that hard. If you’re into costuming and all that jazz, have a ball! Get all the props, look the part, and stun your friends. If you’re not so into the dressing-up thing, grab some jeans, some boots and a shirt. You’re already looking like a character from a western! Add anything you feel is appropriate to the game.
Do we have to role-play the kissing bits?
If you don’t want a role with romance, we won’t give you a role with romance. If you don’t like politics, we’ll make sure your character doesn’t care for all that manoeuvring and sly-talking. There’s roles for everyone.
But I’ve never been in a LARP before!
Don’t worry – you’ll get everything you need to know several weeks before the event, and we’ll be GMing the event on the floor, so if you have any questions you can bug us on the night.
Entry will be $10, or if you buy a full pass to Buckets of Dice ($20), entry is free!
Signup is now closed. See you on the night!
Signup is closed? Ian & I haven’t signed up for characters yet. Also Jo & Stu want to come, as well as some of Angus’s flat. Can you make more characters?
Sorry, already added a few characters and I don’t think I can really add any more (plus, I’ve started dishing out role assignments, and I will be out of town for the next two-and-a-bit weeks doing research).
What I can do is add you to a waiting list, in case people can’t show up on the night, etc. If you get everyone to email me some details (name, email, preferences on the politics vs. roleplaying axis) I’ll assign you as necessary.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that I won’t come up with something cool for you to be in the Live Action between now and June, but no guarantee that I will. You might want to pack western-themed clothes just in case. And it’s not Friday night this year!