A guide to kiwi larp

So you want to get into larp in New Zealand? You've come to the right place, this is your guide to the strange new worlds of kiwi larp.

Below is a list of many of the ongoing larps and larp-running groups we know of in New Zealand, listed by region. For a list of upcoming events, check out Coming Events in the database.

Auckland

Auckland is bustling with larp activity and organisers are keen for new players and crew.

• AMERICA is the Auckland University roleplaying club, and it runs two gaming conventions each year called Battlecry and America's Cup. Each convention typically includes some larp events.
  
  
• Chimera is a larp convention that runs annually in Auckland, bringing together people from around the country for a weekend packed with 3-hour scenarios using a wide variety of styles, settings, and rules.
  
  
  
  
• Multiverse is a live-combat fantasy campaign based on the writing of Michael Moorcock. Against the backdrop of the eternal struggle between Chaos and Law, players find themselves drawn into mysterious events and challenging scenarios that have wide-reaching implications.
  
  
  
  
• One World By Night Auckland is a World of Darkness vampire chronicle using the old Mind's Eye Theatre system.
  
  
• Skirmish is Dungeons and Dragons brought to life. It's light on roleplay & costume and heavy on fighting with foam weapons and magic with thrown packets. Character creation is easy, which is lucky as death is common. Kill monsters, take their stuff, level up, and kill tougher monsters - it's classic fantasy questing!
  
  
• Teonn is a dark fantasy campaign. The Last Great War between the humans and the Morhkin led to a difficult truce between these ancient enemies. The peace was aided by the sudden appearance of the Elementals, who offered to hold the new town of Cormere as neutral ground. People from all around Teonn are now travelling to Cormere.
  
  
  
  
• Vampire Requiem is a World of Darkness vampire chronicle using the new Mind's Eye Theatre system.
  
  

Hamilton

Hamilton is home to fantasy and World of Darkness larps.

• Knightshade Realms is a live-combat fantasy larp. By wit or charm, by stealth or the sword in your hand. Live by your actions and find your destiny.
  
  
  
  
• Quest Waikato is a live-combat fantasy campaign.
  
  

Wellington

The most common larp events in Wellington are one-offs with pre-written characters and abstract resolution. These larps are most often run at roleplaying conventions such as Confusion and Kapcon.

• Kapcon is Wellington's largest yearly roleplaying convention. It traditionally includes a large larp on the Saturday night, with as many as 60 players. Kapcon typically runs on Wellington Anniversary Weekend in January.
  
  
  
  
• The NZRaG Forum is a good place to find out what's happening in the Wellington roleplaying scene. Most of the discussion is about pen-and-paper roleplaying, but larp comes up too and announcements of Wellington larps are made.
  
  

Christchurch

• Saga is the University of Canturbury gaming club. It runs larp events at its yearly Buckets of Dice gaming convention.
  
  

Dunedin

• OURS is the Otago University Roleplaying Society. Members may occasionally run larp events.
  
  

Getting into kiwi larp

If you haven't already, you should check out the NZ larp forum Diatribe sometime, at www.diatribe.co.nz. It's a great place to meet with fellow larpers and find out about the scene. Check out the Welcome to Diatribe page for an introduction to the forum.

Once you've found one or more larps that you like the sound of, contact the organisers to book into an event and you're ready to go.

If you can't find any larps in your area, check your local roleplaying game store for notices. There are probably many larps running that the society doesn't know about. Otherwise, consider starting a larp yourself. NZLARPS will be happy to support you.

There are also many benefits to becoming an NZLARPS member, and we'll be more than happy to keep you in touch with your local larp scene.