So, let me preface this by saying: I am very much committed to waiting to see how the first newsletter is formatted before engaging any sort of correspondence, and I am not entirely sure that this is the sort of LARP where one wants to make detailed character plans ahead of time. There is no "scene" to set, the point is to communicate in character.
That said, it's a Romance LARP! Set in the Romantic Period! And Gothic Romance is very much of the era.
So here's a place for rivalries, obsession, and upsets to be out in the open as a genre theme. As far as I know, it's not a Magical Realism setting. So the ghosts probably aren't real. [EDIT: They might be.] But then, what is that light in the window of the tallest tower of the old ruin? And who keeps sending me very bad and increasingly frantic poetry?
I never, ever want to harass someone! You know, sending unsolicited love letters or not giving up after you've been turned down is kind of the Dating App Dick Pick of the 19th Century. So consent, consent, consent. And that means opening up a space for people with an interest in those stories to talk about it (and for the GMs to weigh in or halt anything unsuitable).
For myself, personally, I am interested in telling a cool story with people. I think the epistolary angle is really unique. At the end of it, if the Colonel is successful, I'd like to think he will have a happy ending. But that doesn't mean that there are no bumps (or bumps in the night) along the way.
Thoughts?
I feel as through I myself and my character, the Countess Theodora Monroe, would be very suited to navigating complications such as rivalry, unrequited love, mystery, or other tropes used in the writing of the Gothic era such as blackmail or coercion. As a recipient I only ask that such circumstances be made "winnable" and without an unavoidable avenue of failure.
As GM's are moderating the experience, I feel a sense of great ability to recieve such dramas (though my character would likely not start them herself).
Similar sentiments to above, the player finds this very interesting but the character is not particularly interested in romance. That being said, Eleanor can offer a sympathetic ear and she does want to enable her friends to find love and all the drama that might entail, so maybe we will get the chance to write together.
As much as I as a player find this very intriguing, I'm afraid I've inadvertently created a character who wouldn't be into it at all, alas.
Thank you for starting this discussion!
Just a couple GM weigh-ins:
Ghosts/ magic/ occult are as real in this world as they are in our own...take that as you will. And roleplay it as you will while retaining respect for the religious ceremonies of cultures other than your own.
I have a list that tells me everyone's comfort levels with varying types of roleplay. Part of us filtering is to try and direct the flow of types of roleplay to the right players. There are many of you who do want romantic play (19th century appropriate of course) and others that do not want it at all. We hope this allows all of you to get to play to your tastes without us having to put down a blanket rule for everyone. With our correspondences to you, we will try and guide you to other players who want similar experiences. So please trust in us and always reach out if you need adjustments to what you are receiving!
Default mode: be respectful, go slow, get consent, reach out to the GM if you need a second opinion :)
I think there’s something to be said for this kind of RP in this format. Particularly since it is VERY safe, with us not necessarily knowing each other’s full names and addresses. By having the GMs as a filter, we get an extra level of protection to ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable.
I think, for me and for my character, James, I would be comfortable with playing with obsession. On both sides, really. I think the interplay of perceived roles and breaking them down and reversing or building new ones is intriguing.
a layer of the weird, strange, or bizarre is always welcome.