Live Action Role Playing. A collaborative storytelling game in which players take on the role of characters, either casted (pre-written), of their own creation, or somewhere in between. The goal of LARP is to build a shared context or fantasy using the collective imagination of the players. For example, a LARP based on The Lord of the Rings might have players in the role of hobbits making their way through the Mines of Moria. A more experimental LARP might have players taking the role of animals, inanimate objects, or even concepts or memories inside a single person’s head.
LARP comes in many forms, but one thing they all have in common is a notion of “in character” (IC) and “out of character” (OOC). Players are not their characters, and vice versa. You can think of this in the same way that a film or theater actor is not the character they play on screen or stage. Using the example above, it would be appropriate in character for a player in the role of a hobbit to ask about second breakfast. It would not be appropriate for that same player to ask in character when the next season of The Great British Bakeoff is airing. Likewise, if players are having an out of character discussion, it is not appropriate to interrupt them in character.
Table top roleplayers should be familiar with the above, but in LARP there are additional considerations for physicality and space.
Valhalla is a “boffer LARP,” meaning players use safe, padded weapons called boffers to simulate combat. Think of it as playing make-believe with foam swords and costumes, but with some light, controlled fighting. The intention of combat in this LARP is to provide a method of expression via physical action and tactical play. It is NOT a contest of who can hit hardest or dominate others using their OOC physicality.
In order to engage in boffer combat, all players must pass a safety authorization. Players who do not have a safety authorization may not handle boffers or foam dart blasters. See the Safety Guide for more details.
A “campaign” LARP is a series of events that have continuity, much like in a TTRPG. To put it simply: if something happens in Event 1, characters in Event 2 will remember it. This is just to contrast with “one-shot” LARPs, which may have multiple events but without continuity between them. Valhalla is a campaign LARP.
The last point of distinction is the sandbox. Many LARPs have fixed or branching narratives with varying levels of player influence. There is often a Plot or ongoing story with NPCs which characters can or must participate in. Valhalla is not plot-driven. Instead it is focused on providing an interactive environment for players to tell stories in together. Players are highly encouraged to run their own activities at events, suggest world-building elements and engage with characters in a way that is fun for them.
A story with a main character.
A table-top roleplaying game such as Dungeons & Dragons with an omnipresent Dungeon Master.
A video game where you can easily escape consequences.
A replacement for therapy.
Your character is the way you interface with the world of Valhalla and the other characters in it. This character, your viking, should have traits and characteristics that you think will allow you to have interesting experiences, especially when interacting with others. Bear in mind however that events can last hours or days, so it is important to craft a character you can embody sustainably. See the Roleplaying Guide for more details.
OOC - Out of Character, see also: OOG (out of game)