Birthday Larp Report

[jhkimrpg]

So as I had previewed in a recent post -- "LARP Help!" -- I just finished running that larp.

• bandits and heroines and kidnapping
• renaissance sort of costumes
• almost all 7th graders but possibly some range on the ages (downwards)
• lots of combat
• in the woods somewhere

Comments

[badgerbag]

Danny totally didn't do the first one! Milo did it!

[eldfast]

Aw, how incredibly sweet :) (but ... but ... wooden swords?! That would have been considered way too dangerous in any larp I've been to ...)

[jhkimrpg]

I did have a moment of dismay. The kids (specifically Jake) had brought many of their own weapons that they wanted to use. However, I did recall talking to Russians from last year's Solmukohta who fight with non-padded weapons. The wooden ones were pretty small and light, which might not be clear from the pictures.

[eldfast]

I've been to larps with unpadded weapons too; only people who had practised "choreography" with them were allowed to use them (those were metal, but still

[jhkimrpg]

Well, no one complained about the wooden weapons hurting, but I'll keep it in mind for next time.

On the other hand, there is an issue with trust here. As an organizer, I wanted to trust the kids to run the game themselves as much as possible. I'd like them to be inspired to organize games for themselves. The issue with wooden weapons hurting isn't some subtle point that 13-year-olds can't understand, so I think it's fine leaving it up to them. If someone is 5, then I might lecture them about fighting with sticks. However, 13 is way past that point.

(And yeah, maybe I'm talking a bit about chopping wood here, too. I can understand the reaction, but it did feel bad as a lack of trust. I wanted the kids to feel like I trusted their judgment.)

thanks for the birthday larp!

[anonymous]

Hello!
Thank you so much for posting this birthday larp! I came across it when I was searching for something for my son's 12th birthday. His request/interests were virtually the same as for your daughter. We did this yesterday and it was a huge hit for everyone involved. We had three 14-year-old girls and four 11 year-old-boys, three adults and one 4-year-old playing a dragon. We live on an extensive forest, so included lots of movement through the trails, and up/down hills etc. We ran the scenario using all of your characters. The boys ended up doing a lot of sword fighting. The girls fought and did lots of negotiating and arranging of truces. Money was used to buy the amulet from the thief. Super fun. Thanks again - I don't have any experience with participating in larps, and certainly not planning one. Your character notes and all the info. made it possible. I've also just noticed that this was from 10 years ago - your kids must be all grown up.
thanks again,
Jen

Re: thanks for the birthday larp!

[jhkimrpg]

You're welcome, Jen.

Yes, the kids here are all off in college. I'm not sure if the birthday girl Ellie does larping any more, but my son Milo (who is 19 now) is an enthusiastic role-player and larper.