This larp is for you if
- you want to explore dark themes of oppression, power inequality, and the things we do to survive, or to feel that we still have some power
- you enjoy to play both in a subtle way, trying to keep up appearances and pretend that nothing is wrong, and intense scenes where characters are put in traumatic situations
- you enjoy a 24/7 playstyle, where we remain in character even at night
- you want to explore how decent people might come to excuse, accept and in the end encourage terrible things done to each other
- you enjoy storytelling through debauched moments – bad sex, humiliating games and desperate attempts at flattery
- you feel comfortable taking responsibility for your own safety and setting boundaries during play as needed
This larp is not for you if
- you want to play a hero or heroine, someone who manages to do the right thing despite everything, and not have their values and morals sullied
- you want to feel sexy, cool and glamorous at this larp, and have titillating play on hot sex
- you are uncomfortable with physical play
- you are uncomfortable with blasphemy and mocking of religion
- you are uncomfortable witnessing scenes including sexuality, humiliation, violence, abuse, nudity and breaking taboos
- you are uncomfortable with sleeping in-game, and sharing a bed/room with the characters that make sense for your character
- you need the larp to have a dedicated off-game area with a safety host
Content declaration:
During play you will likely become witness to scenes that include full nudity, public humiliation, sexuality (both heterosexual and queer), as well as simulated realistic-looking sex (in underwear), abuse, sexual abuse, violence and blasphemy. You need to be comfortable with these things happening in the play area.
Playstyle
The larp is played in 5 acts, which all have their own themes and rules. You can read more about them in Act Structure.
During the first acts of the larp, we will have a mostly subdued playstyle, inspired by historical social realism – the characters are all invited to stay at a country house, and will behave as is appropriate when meeting new acquaintances that you would like to impress – polite, correct and pleasant. If anything ever seems a little strange or uncomfortable, it is better ignored for the sake of propriety.
During these first acts, we will be following a closed-door principle where the worst things always happen behind closed doors, or out of sight from the main play areas. However, as the acts progress, this principle will be eroded. In act 1, it is complete, while in act 5, there will be a lot of things happening in the open as the characters care less and less for their public facade.
The larp is played on a 24/7 basis, meaning there will be no off-game hours during the night. You will be expected to share a room with the character that makes sense for your character, to keep all off-game things hidden, and to sleep in historical sleepwear. It is possible to keep playing late into the night. However, there is a meta-technique to signal when you want to sleep undisturbed.
Physical, sexual and violent play
For participation, we recommend being entirely comfortable with hugging a stranger tightly, being touched by a stranger or with lighter kisses on the mouth, on top of being comfortable witnessing the things mentioned in the content declaration. But whether it is gentle intimacy, portrayed lust or pretend violence, you will always have the option of having full control of your own body. You always choose who to touch and control who touches you. You can always leave any situation and step outside the play area to take a break from the fiction as needed.
All sex scenes are portrayed through realistic-looking, theatre-style sex, with underwear on. Full nudity may occur during other scenes, but you will always be required to put on underwear before engaging in a sex scene.
All genders, sexualities and bodies are invited to participate in and explore the setting and story to the fullest. The larp is played in a very physical style where dancing is dancing and fighting looks real. Sexual play will be played through theatrical sex, utilising what we call the hand technique while violence will be portrayed in a real, physical fashion with a focus on trust and controlled, slow escalation.
Alcohol
Real alcohol will be served, but players are instructed to not get drunk. Being tipsy is fine but anything beyond that will mean that you are not allowed to continue play until you are sober.
Safety
Libertines is a larp for those who are comfortable taking responsibility for their own experience and for setting their boundaries clearly. This is based on the principle of slow escalation, as well as methods to indicate boundaries during play.
The larp focuses on an immersive experience, without many off-game elements. The organizers and helpers will be playing the larp, but are of course available for the participants should the need arise. There is a limited space for off-game calibration and no social hangout for this – you need to be comfortable seeking the organizers out in case you need to speak with them. This is also a part of our vision of our participants taking responsibility for their well-being and experience.
Inspiration
Our main inspirations are the seedier and darker sides of historical fiction. Below are listed some movies, series and books that might serve as an inspiration. Bear in mind that none of them reflect the larp perfectly, but they all reflect something of what we want in the larp.
Movies
Dangerous Liaisons
The Libertine
Barry Lyndon
Amadeus
The Scandalous Lady W
Madame Bovary
The Menu
Heretic
TV-series
Vanity Fair (2018)
Books
Justine / Juliette (Marquis de Sade) (For the mannerisms, but with significantly less extreme content.)