what_is_live_roleplaying
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| ===== The Basics ===== | ===== The Basics ===== | ||
| - | You may already be familiar with roleplaying in the context of tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeon & Dragons, but if not the core of it is that you are taking on or acting out a particular role - "inhabiting" a character that you or someone else has created. The way you play the character is influenced by your own interpretations of how they would act and react to the situations they encounter. In most tabletop roleplaying games, each player narrates their character's actions, while another player (a GM or DM), or the dice, respond how those actions affect the fictional environment and other characters within the shared story of the game. In most TTRPGs, the players are all on the same team, and are working together to navigate the story and overcome its challenges. | + | [{{ :image:ascendancy:ascendancyshieldwall_e13_byagentbsmith.jpg?500|<html><font color="black">Boots, blasters and bravado - a force of Ascendancy soldiers advance towards the enemy</font></html>}}]You may already be familiar with roleplaying in the context of tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeon & Dragons, but if not the core of it is that you are taking on or acting out a particular role - "inhabiting" a character that you or someone else has created. The way you play the character is influenced by your own interpretations of how they would act and react to the situations they encounter. In most tabletop roleplaying games, each player narrates their character's actions, while another player (a GM or DM), or the dice, respond how those actions affect the fictional environment and other characters within the shared story of the game. In most TTRPGs, the players are all on the same team, and are working together to navigate the story and overcome its challenges. |
| Live roleplaying is different in that rather than narrating your character's actions, you are physically acting them out. You dress, speak and act as your character while playing the game, as do all of the other participants. If you want to engage in a dual with another character, you call them out, draw your blaster and fire it at them. | Live roleplaying is different in that rather than narrating your character's actions, you are physically acting them out. You dress, speak and act as your character while playing the game, as do all of the other participants. If you want to engage in a dual with another character, you call them out, draw your blaster and fire it at them. | ||
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| ===== Playing a Character ===== | ===== Playing a Character ===== | ||
| - | Playing a character is a bit like being in improv theatre - you have an impression in your mind of how your character would act, and use that to play your role, improvising what you say and do. Unlike theatre, at LRP events everyone is both an actor and the audience at the same time, collectively improvising a story together in which everyone is an active participant, working from their own understanding of their characters and a shared concept of the setting and wider story of the OSVerse. The game organizers are mostly concerned with giving the participants narrative hooks to inform and enrich their roleplay - giving them things to roleplay about - and reacting to what the player's charcters are doing to create the feeling of an immersive game world. | + | [{{ :image:free_union:skepticalfucrew_e11_byrobdaviesphotography.jpg?400|<html><font color="black">A pair of Free Union freighter crew are not impressed by a trade offer</font></html>}}]Playing a character is a bit like being in improv theatre - you have an impression in your mind of how your character would act, and use that to play your role, improvising what you say and do. Unlike theatre, at LRP events everyone is both an actor and the audience at the same time, collectively improvising a story together in which everyone is an active participant, working from their own understanding of their characters and a shared concept of the setting and wider story of the OSVerse. The game organizers are mostly concerned with giving the participants narrative hooks to inform and enrich their roleplay - giving them things to roleplay about - and reacting to what the player's charcters are doing to create the feeling of an immersive game world. |
| At events, you will spend the majority of your time "In-Character", so for new players its usually a good move to create a character that you will enjoy playing, and is easy for you to roleplay. Thankfully, when you create a character for a LRP game like OSLRP, you get to choose most of the aspects of what they are like, and their personality. For some players, they prefer to play characters which are very similar to their own personality, while others might exaggerate or downplay one or two aspects of themselves, or even play something very different to themselves. While the game imposes some rules about how characters interact with each other, and has some guidelines on characters that might fit well with certain Factions or Species, for the most part you get to determine what your character is like. Don't worry about adjusting your character's personality if you're not having fun though, characters change over time just like with people in the real world. | At events, you will spend the majority of your time "In-Character", so for new players its usually a good move to create a character that you will enjoy playing, and is easy for you to roleplay. Thankfully, when you create a character for a LRP game like OSLRP, you get to choose most of the aspects of what they are like, and their personality. For some players, they prefer to play characters which are very similar to their own personality, while others might exaggerate or downplay one or two aspects of themselves, or even play something very different to themselves. While the game imposes some rules about how characters interact with each other, and has some guidelines on characters that might fit well with certain Factions or Species, for the most part you get to determine what your character is like. Don't worry about adjusting your character's personality if you're not having fun though, characters change over time just like with people in the real world. | ||
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| ===== What do people get out of it? ===== | ===== What do people get out of it? ===== | ||
| - | Life roleplaying appeals to all kinds of people for a lot of different reasons. For many people, the process of playing another character is enjoyable for it's own sake. By immersing yourself in a fictional character you have created, you can leave behind your real life for a while. For others, being able to affect the ongoing story and make a difference in the setting feels empowering, while others enjoy the costuming, social interaction or the thrill of combat. | + | [{{ :image:ascendancy:drnovaatwork_e13_byagentbsmith.jpg?300|<html><font color="black">Dr. Nova desperately treats a dying patient</font></html>}}]Life roleplaying appeals to all kinds of people for a lot of different reasons. For many people, the process of playing another character is enjoyable for it's own sake. By immersing yourself in a fictional character you have created, you can leave behind your real life for a while. For others, being able to affect the ongoing story and make a difference in the setting feels empowering, while others enjoy the costuming, social interaction or the thrill of combat. |
| Unlike in many other games, in live roleplay there is no ultimate winning or losing - while you may succeed at bringing your character's goals to completion, there is always more challenges to overcome, mysteries to investigate, or stories to meddle with. Since you set your own goals for your character or group, you are able to determine your own metrics for success or failure. Equally, some players attend with no set goals, and just enjoy being caught up in the story and the roleplay happening all around them. There are many different facets to the game, and if you are finding something less enjoyable, you can always pivot to a different area of the game that you find more appealing. | Unlike in many other games, in live roleplay there is no ultimate winning or losing - while you may succeed at bringing your character's goals to completion, there is always more challenges to overcome, mysteries to investigate, or stories to meddle with. Since you set your own goals for your character or group, you are able to determine your own metrics for success or failure. Equally, some players attend with no set goals, and just enjoy being caught up in the story and the roleplay happening all around them. There are many different facets to the game, and if you are finding something less enjoyable, you can always pivot to a different area of the game that you find more appealing. | ||
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| ==== Costume ==== | ==== Costume ==== | ||
| - | Costume is an important part of live roleplaying as it helps everyone to maintain their immersion in the sci-fi setting of the OSVerse. Your costume should be appropriate to your character and the setting, so at a minimum we request that you do not wear clothing with obvious modern-day logos or branding. Each Faction has guidelines on the general style of costume for its members, and a pinterest board for inspiration - each Faction's costume guidelines is fairly broad, and designed to be relatively easy to find kit for online, in charity shops, or even make your own! | + | [{{ :image:commonality:lithoslookson_e13_byagentbsmith.jpg?300|<html><font color="black">Costume can be simple, or very elaborate - it's up to you and your character concept!</font></html>}}]Costume is an important part of live roleplaying as it helps everyone to maintain their immersion in the sci-fi setting of the OSVerse. Your costume should be appropriate to your character and the setting, so at a minimum we request that you do not wear clothing with obvious modern-day logos or branding. Each Faction has guidelines on the general style of costume for its members, and a pinterest board for inspiration - each Faction's costume guidelines is fairly broad, and designed to be relatively easy to find kit for online, in charity shops, or even make your own! |
| There are a wide variety of specialist Live Roleplaying costume traders or swap groups online, and we usually have a couple of traders and equipment makers at our events who sell various props, LRP-suitable weapons and other kit. Asking in one of our community groups is usually a good way to get started with building a costume. There are a number of 3D printer designs that we have made and released, so if you or someone you know has access to a 3D printer, then those can be an easy way to get some good-looking sci-fi props. | There are a wide variety of specialist Live Roleplaying costume traders or swap groups online, and we usually have a couple of traders and equipment makers at our events who sell various props, LRP-suitable weapons and other kit. Asking in one of our community groups is usually a good way to get started with building a costume. There are a number of 3D printer designs that we have made and released, so if you or someone you know has access to a 3D printer, then those can be an easy way to get some good-looking sci-fi props. | ||
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| ==== Food and camping ==== | ==== Food and camping ==== | ||
| - | For a weekend-long event, everyone needs food, drink and a place to sleep. Although some of our attendees like to book into a nearby hotel or B&B, most attendees bring a tent with them and camp. Most players will camp in one of the four designated Faction camping areas in the main in-character area, but depending on the site we also try to set aside an accessible camping area and an out-of-character camping area. Orion Sphere LRP does not have special camping rules for in-character and out-of-character tents or "period" tents. Depending on the individual site, we may be able to host some attendees in indoor bunk rooms - these are usually assigned on the basis of medical need or other accessibility requirements. A good, multi-season sleeping bag, pillow and an underlayer is also important to getting a good night's sleep, even if you have been assigned a bunk space, as these will rarely supply bedding. | + | [{{ :image:general:shoutingintherain_e13_byagentbsmith.jpg?300|<html><font color="black">It's always a good idea to be well prepared for the British weather.</font></html>}}]For a weekend-long event, everyone needs food, drink and a place to sleep. Although some of our attendees like to book into a nearby hotel or B&B, most attendees bring a tent with them and camp. Most players will camp in one of the four designated Faction camping areas in the main in-character area, but depending on the site we also try to set aside an accessible camping area and an out-of-character camping area. Orion Sphere LRP does not have special camping rules for in-character and out-of-character tents or "period" tents. Depending on the individual site, we may be able to host some attendees in indoor bunk rooms - these are usually assigned on the basis of medical need or other accessibility requirements. A good, multi-season sleeping bag, pillow and an underlayer is also important to getting a good night's sleep, even if you have been assigned a bunk space, as these will rarely supply bedding. |
| In general, our events will have a caterer who will supply meals to attendees who purchased a Meal Ticket before the event, as well as drinks to all attendees. Alternatively, players can bring their own food and drink, but you will need to bring your own cooking equipment. It is a good idea to bring more food than you would usually need, as live roleplaying can be an energetic activity and it is important to eat enough to compensate for the extra exercise. | In general, our events will have a caterer who will supply meals to attendees who purchased a Meal Ticket before the event, as well as drinks to all attendees. Alternatively, players can bring their own food and drink, but you will need to bring your own cooking equipment. It is a good idea to bring more food than you would usually need, as live roleplaying can be an energetic activity and it is important to eat enough to compensate for the extra exercise. | ||
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| ===== Combat ===== | ===== Combat ===== | ||
| - | A lot of live roleplaying games involve combat, using latex weapons and blasters to fight against other participants. The rules provide a framework for fighting, to simulate your character's ability to deal damage, perform special attacks, and resist harm with armour or natural toughness. These rules let you know what to do if you get hit with an attack, and how to respond. As well as the game rules, we have special [[safety at events|safety rules]] to make sure combat is as safe as possible, while remaining a tense and thrilling experience. | + | [{{ :image:general:dynamiccombat_e13_byagentbsmith.jpg?300|<html><font color="black">LRP Combat is a thrilling part of the game</font></html>}}]A lot of live roleplaying games involve combat, using latex weapons and blasters to fight against other participants. The rules provide a framework for fighting, to simulate your character's ability to deal damage, perform special attacks, and resist harm with armour or natural toughness. These rules let you know what to do if you get hit with an attack, and how to respond. As well as the game rules, we have special [[safety at events|safety rules]] to make sure combat is as safe as possible, while remaining a tense and thrilling experience. |
| Combat at Orion Sphere LRP tends to be a mixture of gunplay and melee combat, usually in groups of no more than 10-15 participants on each side. These skirmish-level combats tend to be less risky in real life than the large-scale battles of other fantasy fest LRP games. The most important aspect of LRP combat is that it is representative - you are not trying to land hard blows, so everyone fighting with melee weapons must pull their blows so that they land with virtually no force on impact. If you are completely new to LRP combat, we encourage you to ask other players in your Faction, or your Faction NPC, to give you a quick tutorial on how to fight safely. | Combat at Orion Sphere LRP tends to be a mixture of gunplay and melee combat, usually in groups of no more than 10-15 participants on each side. These skirmish-level combats tend to be less risky in real life than the large-scale battles of other fantasy fest LRP games. The most important aspect of LRP combat is that it is representative - you are not trying to land hard blows, so everyone fighting with melee weapons must pull their blows so that they land with virtually no force on impact. If you are completely new to LRP combat, we encourage you to ask other players in your Faction, or your Faction NPC, to give you a quick tutorial on how to fight safely. | ||
| - | Combat at Orion Sphere LRP is generally fairly easy to avoid - combat-heavy missions will usually be signposted in the mission description, and combat encounters in the main In-Character area will generally have plenty of escape routes. We also have a special signal for attendees who are unable to safely engage in Combat. | + | Combat at Orion Sphere LRP is generally fairly easy to avoid if you dont't want to be involved - combat-heavy missions are signposted in the mission description, and combat encounters in the main In-Character area will generally have plenty of escape routes. We also have a special signal for attendees who are unable to safely engage in Combat. |
| ==== What happens if my character dies? ==== | ==== What happens if my character dies? ==== | ||
what_is_live_roleplaying.1764286377.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/11/27 23:32 by conan
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