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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 all the ongoing larps and larp-running groups we know of in New Zealand, listed by region. For a list of upcoming events, check out the calendar at the top right of our homepage.
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.
- Nightmare Circle is a live-combat horror larp inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft. Events are run across a variety of periods from 1920s to modern day.
- One World By Night Auckland is a World of Darkness vampire chronicle using the old Mind's Eye Theatre system.
- Ravenholme is a live-combat gothic fantasy set in a haunted manor where bizarre gatherings occur down through the ages. The events in the campaign are often set hundreds of years apart, tied together by the eerie manor. Expect stately dinners against a shadowy backdrop of mystery and bloodshed.
- 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!
- St. Wolfgang's Vampire Hunters! is a live-combat larp set in 13th Century Europe, following the adventures of a secret holy order that defends Christendom against the forces of darkness.
- Vampire Requiem is a World of Darkness vampire chronicle using the new Mind's Eye Theatre system.
Hamilton has had various larps running in the past including vampire chronicles, but at the moment we're only aware of one larp group.
- 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.
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.
- Saga is the University of Canturbury gaming club. It runs larp events at its yearly Buckets of Dice gaming convention.
- OURS is the Otago University Roleplaying Society. Members may occasionally run larp events.
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 Diatribe Welcome 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.
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Larp is when people improvise characters in fictional situations. There are lots of approaches to this, and NZLARPS supports them all.
Genre
Larp can be about any fictional situation, so it can encompass any genre. It can be about a period in time from Earth, or a more fantastic setting. It can be inspired by an existing work of fiction like a movie, or be original material. It might focus on social intrigue, adventure, or anything other style of interaction.
Production style
Some larps strive to reproduce the physical world of the fiction with costume, special effects and set dressing. Others take a minimalist approach like you might see in some theatre productions, with plain clothes and maybe just a few important props. Sometimes players are asked to imagine things that aren't present.
Rules
When characters attempt actions that conflict with other characters or with the setting, there are sometimes rules to help decide the result. Or sometimes the players decide for themselves. Some larps can be described as having "live combat", meaning they involve physical combat with foam weapons. In other larps, randomisers like cards or rock-paper-scissors are used to decide the results of uncertain actions. In some larps there are rules for characters abilities, and those abilities may be developed over time. There are several professionally published sets of rules with settings, but often larpers create their own rules specifically for their larp.
Logistics
Larps can be run in private venues or public places. They can last for hours or for days at a time. There is often a price, to help cover the costs. People who choose to help the organisers run the larp may get to attend for a lower cost or for free. Players may be expected to put a lot of effort into equipment or background material, or they may just be able to turn up and play.
Why larp?
It depends who you ask. Some people like the acting and improvised storytelling. Others enjoy experiencing an unusual world from the inside, instead of reading about it or watching it on screen. Some like trying to achieve objectives through their character. It might be the emotional intensity of a dramatic scene that will appeal to you, or the adrenaline of fighting as your character in an epic fantasy. A larp can focus on one of these appealing factors or have them all.
The right larp for you
Given all this variety you may have to try a few different larps before finding some that suit you, with people you enjoy playing with. It's a bit like finding a theatre group or social sport team. If nothing suits, there's always the option of starting your own.
Wikipedia larp article
Diatribe kiwi larp forum
RPGnet international larp forum
Shade's LARP List international portal
Larp books from Amazon
Murder mystery larps ready to run
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