What is Live Action Role-Play?

What is "Live Action Role-Play?"

Live Action Role-Play (LARP, LRP) is an interactive game concept that takes inspiration from fantasy books or films like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia. It places the players into a medieval fantasy world, where knights and nobles reside as well as orcs, elves, fae, spirits and other beings. Participants step into the role of a character they create by donning period-appropriate attire and acting as if they are the character.

Who could take part?

Everybody! LARP creates an imagined fantasy world inhabited by a diverse array of people from all walks of life. If you’ve ever read a fantasy book or seen a film and thought, “I would’ve done that differently,” then LARP is especially for you! Whether you’d like to portray a young squire, a seasoned warrior, a wise old sage, a pampered noble, or anything in between, there is room for everyone to play. Care to subvert a classic fantasy trope? Then feel free! There are nearly limitless options to create a unique and realized character that is truly your own. 

How does this world come to life?

This fantasy world is created with special effects, masks, and scores of trained extras that help you immerse yourself in the experience. The end result? Participants live and breathe in a fully interactive fictional world that serves as a brief vacation from daily life. What makes LARP stand out from a Renaissance fair is that everyone there is fully in character and is an active participant in the game’s story and world. Your actions can shape and impact the story and create a ripple effect through interactions with other players. 

Aim of the Game

Unlike chess or similar games, there isn’t one primary objective. Each participant can set their own goal as well as its importance, and how it’s achieved is up to each player. You’re also encouraged to invite other players to participate in whatever your mission may be. Likewise, you may also take part in someone else’s story. This can create a plethora of unique quests and fascinating play opportunities. The only aim that everybody has in common is to have a good time together while enjoying the ambiance. 

The Storyline

Nearly all LARP events have a main plot. This usually kicks off with a background story and a defined setting for where the game takes place. It includes a reason for all the characters to meet there and interact with each other. Players can choose to dive headfirst into the story or follow their own objectives in the greater context of the plot. The level of engagement is entirely up to the player. As a result, there are never really winners or losers.

The Event - "Conquest" (of Mythodea)

ConQuest of Mythodea is the largest interactive event of its kind. Each summer, the Brokeloh manner near Hannover is transformed into a fantastical realm. The event sprawls over more than 60 hectares of fields and forests. Thousands of participants from all around the world join fully trained experts to create an experience like no other. The event staff works through the event to keep the fantasy alive through tons of props, ensuring a fully immersive experience. 

The Organisers

The Realms of Mythodea team is based in Oberursel, Germany and works all through the year to create ConQuest as well as other events within the world of Mythodea. In addition to the core event team, around 250 volunteers dedicate their efforts to help bring this event to life. 

Meals & Lodging

ConQuest of Mythodea is an outdoor event. Therefore, you’ll need a tent that fits the medieval atmosphere of the event. In addition, while there are plenty of vendors and bakers with an array of delicious meals and treats, we advise bringing a grill to prepare your own food as well. There’s a supermarket directly on the event grounds, so you can stock up on groceries. 

Your Equipment

To embody a fully realized character in a fantasy world, you’ll need to look the part! If you’ve never been to a LARP before, we suggest starting out with simple medieval trousers, unicolored tunics, and a cloak for when it gets chilly at night. This will give you a good foundation to build on as you flesh out your character more and acclimate yourself to LARP. It’s also worth considering what kind of character you’d like to play. For example, if you’d like to portray a wizard, then it might be worth looking at robes and cloaks to look the part. Knights would likely opt for armor or chainmail. On the flip side, what nobody wants to see are watches, mobile phones, neon-colored shirts, or sneakers. These kinds of items ruin the overall ambiance for everybody, so it’s best to be mindful when deciding what you’re going to wear. 

Fighting and Safety

What`s a knight without a sword? Or a medieval court without a tournament? In order for players to fight without hurting each other in real life, participants at LARP events use LARP-safe weapons. These are props made out of foam, latex coating, and airbrush painting that look pretty close to the real thing. On the other hand, armour is often real. We suggest that if you want to ensure maximum safety, it’s best to wear chainmail rather than a knitted wool pullover on the battlefield. Also, with few exceptions, we don’t support the use of plastic weapons.