How To Play

First and foremost, we seek to cultivate an environment where you can be met where you are. There are no grand expectations of performance, no one judging you, and no one scrutinizing you. If you want to show up with a pretty outfit and no backstory and simply enjoy the atmosphere, that is great!

If, on the other hand, you've been interested in wading into the waters of immersive role play a little more, we are here to help you. And if you're a roleplaying expert, come on in, the water's fine!

The following is completely optional character-creation for those who are interested in getting more immersed in a character.

First, the Rules

Rule #1: Play to Lift

This is a game about community, both while we are in play as well as when we are out of play. To that end, we ask that you are mindful of how you interact! It's important to read your scene partner's intent, and do your best to elevate that, and trust that they will do the same in turn. If you are uncertain about how another person is feeling about your interaction, you can simply ask them and have a transparent discussion, thereby ensuring that everyone is feeling respected, cared for, and elevated in their play.

Rule #2: Always React

It's more fun if you react to whatever is happening! If someone is putting on a show, you would cheer for them! If someone is challenging someone to a duel, you would gasp! Not reacting is called "no selling" and it is bad form.

Rule #3: Crossed Fingers = Out of Role

Also known as Always Act with Consent! If you are unsure if someone is interested in the same type of roleplay you are, just ask them! Simply cross your fingers to indicate that you are "out of role", and ask: "I'm wondering if you are interested in pursuing a romantic/political/whatever plotline together?" No is a complete sentence. Accept the answer with a "thank you", especially if it is a no! They will appreciate your acceptance.

Rule #4: De-escalation

Listen for and use the term "Oh Mother". When that term is used, it indicates something is true out of game and needs community attention. For example: "Oh Mother, that makes me uncomfortable." Means the player is actually uncomfortable. If directed to you, immediately change course and respect the boundary! If you hear someone use the "Oh Mother" call with someone else, pay attention and see if you can support them.

Rule #5: Look-Down & Walk Away

Not everything is for everyone, and that's okay. If you need to exit a scene for any reason, simply look down, shield your eyes as if you were shielding them from the sun, and walk away to wherever you would like. There is a designated quiet space available. Ask for help if you need it. If you see someone doing the look down, please respect their autonomy and privacy and do not follow or chase. If they need further assistance, they will ask.

Create a Character

Creating a character is easy! There are 5 simple steps:

1) Choose your Continent

2) Choose your Specialty

3) Choose your Status

4) Choose your Secrets

5) Choose your Goals

Step 1: Choose Your Continent

The game setting takes place in London, 1813, so the majority of characters will be from the European Continent. You can read more about the continents here if you are interested, but this isn't strictly necessary.

Please be mindful about appropriating a space that isn't yours, and sensitive and respectful of all cultures!

Step 2: Choose Your Specialty

At the outset of game we ask that you choose a specialty that will help guide your experience. You are welcome to change specialties at any point if you find that the activities of another specialty are capturing your fascination.

Specialties:

Gossip

Choose this if you enjoy skulduggery and sneakiness.

Politics

Choose this if you love debate and complicated political machinations.

Matchmaking

Choose this if you want to interview people and make new friends.

Discovery

Choose this if you love puzzles, science and nature.

Recreation

Choose this if you want to participate in leisurely activities like games and creative arts.

Step 3: Choose Your Status

Status is intended to be understood and recognized by you and your fellow players so that you can interact with the relative power-dynamics accordingly. It's meant to be lightweight and fun. Remember to always play-to-lift and gain consent around playing with status!

Status is represented with Filigree pins (provided by us) worn on the collar or somewhere easily visible. Players cannot gain more than 3 status, and if they gain additional pins, they may distribute them to other players with a roleplayed scene.

1 - Low Status

Maybe your once-wealthy family is in financial straits! Maybe you recently suffered a horribly public social embarrassment. For whatever reason, you've been down on your luck, and everyone knows about it.

2 - Average Status

The majority of people will probably fall into this category. You're doing well, but not ultra-wealthy or famous like some. We advise you to elect 2 status unless you have a strong narrative reason to have Low or High.

3 - High Status

Your star has risen. You're basking in the glow of newfound fame or wealth, or perhaps you come from a long line of generational wealth. But beware, those who are raised up on a pedestal have the farthest to fall…

A player with zero status is considered "disgraced" and will need to work to get back into Society's good graces through deed or word!

Step 4: Choose Your Secrets

Each Secret is written out legibly on cardstock and placed into a sealed envelope that has your character's name on it. The secret that your best friend knows is marked with a gold sticker. (You can elect to select your best friend, or participate in a pre-game workshop in which we will facilitate pairing best friends.)

If you are Low status, you only have to create 1 secret!
If you are Average status, you create 2 secrets!
If you are High status, you create 3 secrets!

People whose secrets are revealed will have their secret cards posted on a public gossip board and lose status accordingly! It is up to each player to determine how they play with this and react to it; it's more fun to experience the fall from grace and redemption arc! So even if just a small number of people find out one of your secrets, you may choose to remove a status and reveal your own secret.

Step 5: Choose Your Goals

Most people find it is easiest to embody a character when they have goals. We advise you to create 2 goals: A goal that your character has that can be accomplished during the eventA goal that you have for the character that can be accomplished during the event. These goals can change at any time. This is more as a guide for you than it is for anyone else! Think about what your character enjoys pursuing.

Ready to play?

Create Your Character

Detailed Schedule

Schedule of Events for Daytime Activities:

12pm - Arrival and Check-in: Welcome to the world of 1813
12:30pm - Workshops: To familiarize you with how to play and connect you with other guests
1:30pm - Break: Time to get into costume if needed, make last-minute touch-ups and adjustments
2pm - High Tea: Enjoy a sumptuous luncheon and tea
3pm - Games, activities, engaging with specialties
5pm - Dance instruction in the Ballroom
6pm - End of day for afternoon-only participants, Break for All-day Participants

Schedule of Events for Evening Activities:

4:30pm - Arrival for Evening-only Participants
5pm-6pm - Dance instruction in the Ballroom
6pm - Evening-only Workshops: To familiarize you with how to play and connect you with other guests
7pm - Dinner Gala: Enjoy a stunning buffet-style dinner
8pm - Dancing, games, activities, engaging with specialties
9pm - Announcements, games, activities, engaging with specialties
10pm - Dancing, games, activities, engaging with specialties
11pm - Finale events, soft “game off”, time to wrap up your stories, retell adventures with other guests, and celebrate
12pm - Event ends