a little magic
TRANSCRIPT
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A Little Magic
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A Little MagicJ
Shifting Forest Storyworks
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Creator: J Li
Lead Editor: Rebecca Ganetzky
Editing: Henry Towsner
Technical: Henry Towsner
Chief Playtester: Matt Brown
Thanks to all our playtesters!
Copyright 2005 by Shifting Forest Storyworks
Menlo Park, CA
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction without permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden except for
purpose of reviews and for the Parlor Larp General Rules section, which may be
reproduced for private use only.
www.shiftingforest.com
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Table of Contents
General Information 3What is a LARP? 5What is a Parlor Larp? 6How to Use this Book 7 A Guide to Directing 9Parlor Larp General Rules 11The Tale of Bob the Miller: Rules Examples 15
Game-Specific Information for Director 17Public Background Overview 19Secret Background Overview 20Character Overview 21Game Overview 22 Advice on Setup 24 Advice on Casting & Running 25
Larp-Specific Rules and Announcements 26Character Summary Chart 28Character SheetsDirector Copy 31
Player Materials 47Rules Summary 49Public Background Overview 51Larp-Specific Rules and Announcements 52
Character SheetsPlayer Copy 53
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General Information
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Alarpisanactivityinvolvingseveralpeopleinwhichtheparticipantsactoutastory.Likeaplayortraditionalimprovisationaltheater,eachparticipantgenerallyactsoutonecharacterinrealtime.Unlikeaplay,theeventsandendingofthestoryarenotpredetermined.Unliketraditionalimprovisation,thestartingsituationandnatureofthecharactersispredetermined. Allbutoneoftheparticipants(thePlayers)depictcharactersinthestory.Theychoosetheirowninterpretationofwhateverdetailsareunspecifiedabouttheperson-alityandbackgroundofthecharacter,andusethistodecideonthedialogandactionsoftheircharacter.Theyareresponsibleforthestrategicandthematicallysignificantdecisionsofthecharacterandthinkingoftheideasthatthecharacterislikelytothink
of.Somevalueplayingacharacterforthestrategicchallengeoftryingtoachievethecharactersgoals.Othersvaluethevicariousexperienceofdramaandemotion. Thelastparticipant(theDirector)isresponsibleformanagingthelarpandper-formingthemanynecessarytasksotherthandepictingmaincharacters.Theseincludegeneralorganization,playingminorcharacters,keepingtrackoftheresultsofactionsandtheconsequencesofhiddenaspectsofthesituation,sometimesintroducingnewelementsorinformationtomanagetheplot,andadjudicatingrules.TheDirectordoesnothavetheauthoritytodictateactionsofotherparticipantscharacters. Rulesexisttorepresentskilldifferencesbetweencharactersthatdonotexistbetweenplayersandtoresolveactionsthatcannotbedirectlyactedout,either
becausetheyareunsafe(likefighting),orsimplyimpractical/impossible(likemagic).
Lookingformoreexplanation?Justcheckoutthedetailedguideavailableonourwebsite,www.shiftingforest.com.
Definitions:Player:Aparticipantwhosesoleroleisthedepictionofoneimportantcharacter.
Director:Theparticipantmanagingthelarpwhoperformstheothertasksdescribedabove.TraditionallycalledtheGameMaster.
PC:Acharacterdepictedbyaplayer.
NPC:AcharacterdepictedbytheDirector.
InCharacter(IC):Descriptiveofactions,dialog,eventsordecisionsactuallymadebythecharacterandtakingplaceinthefictionalworld.
OutofCharacter(OOC):Descriptiveofactions,dialog,eventsordecisionsinvolvingtheparticipantsintherealworld.
Roleplaying:Theactofthinkingasacharacteranddecidinganddepictingtheiractions,usingthecharactersowndecisionmakingprocess.Anactionthatisroleplayediscarriedoutbyactingratherthanabstractedwithintherules.
Game:Aspecifictimealarpisplayed.
the firstruleof larping: AlwayskeepICandOOCknowledge/motivationsseparate.
What is a LARP?
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formatanD mission: ParlorLarpsaredesignedtoprovidemaximallyaccessible,artisticallysatisfyinglarpexperiencestoarelativelysmallgroupof-8playersandDirector.Allrequirelittleornopreparation,anormalsizedlivingroom,andtake-hours.
the art form: ParlorLarpsareintendedassomethingmorethanjustagame.Whiletheyarecertainlyaleisureactivity,theyaremeanttobethoughtofasexercisesinartaswellasentertainment,andinthatsensearemoreliketheatergamesthanboardgames,or
evenmanytraditionallarps. Likeaplayornovel,theyaredesignedtoprovideanexperience,provokeanemo-tionalresponseormaketheparticipantsthink.Whileelementsofentertainment,funandchallengewillcertainlybepresentfrequently,manyoftheParlorLarpsarenot,andarenotintendedtobe,entirelypleasantexperiences.(Asuccessfulportrayalofafrighteningatmosphereisrewardingeventhougheveryoneisfeelingfrightened.)Theselarpswillbemuchmoresuccessfulandenjoyableifallparticipantskeepthisgoalinmind.
CharaCter Development: Unlikemanyothersingle-sessionlarps,ParlorLarpsaskplayerstofillinmanyde-tailsoftheircharacterbeforebeginningtoplay.Thispersonalizationprocessisguidedbyasetofquestionsattheendofeachcharactersheet.Ithelpsturnthecharactersfromacollectionofgoalsandbackgroundinformationintoreal,fully-fleshedpeople,andalsoallowseachplayertoidentifybetterwithhis/hercharacter. Allcharacterscanbeplayedbyeithergender,thougheachgamehasonepre-ferredmaleandonepreferredfemalecharacter.
Dont Conflate playeranD CharaCter suCCess! Whileeachcharacterhashisowngoals,andmanycharactershavedirectlyoppos-inggoals,itiscriticaltorememberthattheplayersarenotcompetingwitheachother.Thegoalofeachplayeristoeffectivelysimulateandportrayhischaracterandworkwiththeotherparticipantstobuildarewardingstory.Thisistrueformostlarps,andisvitaltothespiritofParlorLarps. Remember:Ifyouproduceadramaticandcompellingstory,everybodywins.
What is a Parlor Larp?
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How to Use this Book
general information: AllparticipantsshouldreadthissectionthefirsttimetheyplayaParlorLarp,(excepttheGuideToDirecting,whichneedonlybereadbytheDirector.)
DireCtors seCtion: Directors,andonlyDirectors,shouldreadthisentiresectionaheadoftime.Thissectioncontainssecretstoryinformationandadvicenecessarytodirectthelarp,aswellasDirectorcopiesofinformationgivenouttoplayers. DirectorsshouldreadthePublicBackgroundOverview,andthenLarp-SpecificRules&Announcementstoplayersatthestartofgame.
PublicBackgroundOverview:RelevantbackgroundinfothatallthePCsknow.SecretBackgroundOverview:RelevantbackgroundinfothatnotallPCsknow.PlayerCharacterOverview:AquicksummaryofPCsandtheirrolesinthelarp.GameOverview:Aguidetotheplotandprogressofthegameitself.Larp-SpecificRules:Rulechangesoradditionsforthisparticularlarp.Announcements:UsefulOOCremindersandotherinfofortheplayers.CharacterSummaryChart:AquicksummaryofmajorrelevantinfoforallPCs.CharacterSheets:TheDirectorscopyofeachcharactersheet.
player materials: ThissectioncontainsperforatedpagesthattheDirectorcantearoutofthebookletandhandtoplayersasappropriate.Keepinmindthatbydefault,playersshouldnotseeotherplayersCharacterSheetsorGameMaterials.
RulesSummary:AshortenedversionoftheParlorLarpRulesforreference.PublicBackgroundOverview:Acopyofthepubliclyknownbackgroundinfo.RulesandAnnouncements:Acopyofthelarp-specificrulesandannouncements.CharacterSheets:8charactersheetstobegivenout,oneperplayer.GameMaterials:Somelarpshaveadditionalmaterials.SeeSetupAdvice.
iC/ooC: Agreeonasymbol(e.g.crossedfingers)toindicatewhenspeakingOOC.
interpreting CharaCter sheets:Names:[Maleoption/Femaleoption]Lastname.Or,FirstnameLastname.CharacterStyle(seenextpage):Foundinupperleftcorner.Age:Foundinupperrightcorner.(Certainlarpsdontincludeages.)ApparentIdentity:Generalideaofwhattypeofpersonthecharacterappearstobe.RealIdentity:Generalideaofwhattypeofpersonthecharacterreallyis.Goals:Acharactersgoalsatthebeginningofthelarp.Notsetinstone;can
changethroughneweventsandroleplaying.Giveninroughlydecreasingpriority.Abilities/Resists:SeeRulesInventory:AlistofnonobviousitemsthePChasatthetimeQuestions:Thesequestionsrefertoaspectsofthecharacterthatwerenotprevi-
ouslyspecified,thattheplayershoulddevelopatstartofgame.Makesuretoanswerquestionsinaccordancewiththespiritofthespecifiedpartsofthecharactersheet.PotentiallycontroversialanswersshouldbecheckedwiththeDirectorfirst.
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a noteon genDer: AllPCscanbeplayedaseithermaleorfemale,thougheachlarphasonechar-acterthatispreferentiallymaleandonepreferentiallyfemale.However,forthesakeofsavingspaceandstandarization,allPCs(andsomebackgroundcharactersofunfixedgender,suchasJohn/JaneSmithsspouse)willbereferredtobydefaultashe.
priorityof CharaCters: While8charactersarealwaysprovided,eachlarpcanrunwithasfewas. IntheCharacterOverviewandintheorderingofcharactersheets,PCswillalwaysbelistedinorderofpriority.Thismeansthatthefirstshouldalwaysbein-cluded,andeachsubsequentcharactershouldbeaddedwitheachsubsequentplayer.Usingthisorderiscriticaltothebalanceofthegame--dontchangeit.
CharaCter styles: Eachcharacterhasa-lettercoderepresentingitsCharacterStyle.Thiscodeis
meanttodescribewhatitsliketoplaythecharactertohelpplayerspickcharacters.
G/E:GoalorEmotionoriented.Gsaremorerewardingtoplaywhenfocusingonpursuinggoals,andEsaremorerewardingwhenfocusingondepictingemotions.
L/D:LightorDarkpersonality.Howdepressing/disturbingthePCis.S/C:Simple/Complexpersonality.ComplexityofthePCspersonality/motivations.
Eachlarphasonecharacterofeachstyle.Alllettersaregivenrelativetotheothercharactersinthelarp(soinaDarklarp,theLswillbedarkerthaninaDark). Ingeneral,allLscanbedarkenedandallSscanbemademorecomplexiftheplayerdesires,buttheconverseisnottrue.
QuiCk-DesCription ClassifiCationfor parlor larps
(see upperrightofbaCkCover): Theclassificationsystemisdesignedtodescribetheemphasesofeachlarpinordertogiveanideaofwhatitwouldbeliketorunandplay.
priorities:Theopeninglettersoftheclassificationrepresentwhichoffivemajorelementsarepresentasprioritiesinthelarp,indecreasingorderofimportance.
A:Atmosphere.AparticularmoodorfeeltothelarpD:Discovery.TheexistenceofICunknownsandtheneedtofindoutaboutthemM:Morality.MoraldilemmasandcomplicatedmoraldecisionsR:Relationships.ComplicatedorchangingrelationshipdynamicsS:Strategy.Aneedtomakestrategicdecisionsinpursuitofgoals
sCales: Anumberfrom0-.0=barelypresent.=average.=maximal.Dark:TheprevalenceofdepressingordisturbingelementsDIR:TheamountofDirectorplotinterventionrequired,difficultyofDirectorroleNPC:TheamountoftimeandefforttheDirectormustexpendplayinganNPC(s)
Content aDvisories:NC:Normalcontent.Teenagersandoldershouldbecomfortableplaying.AC:Adultcontent.Containsthemes/elementsthatmaynotbesuitableforteens.DC:Disturbingcontent.Containsthemes/elementsthatsomeadultsmaynotbe
comfortablewith.Considercomfortlevelofeveryoneingroupbeforeplaying.
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the basiCs
What Doesthe DireCtor Do? TheDirectoristhepersonwhomanagesandsimulatestheuniverseofthestorysothattheplayerscanfocusonroleplayingtheircharacters.Heknowseverythingaboutwhatisreallygoingon,andobservesallaspectsoftheplotasitunfolds.Hemanagesthegame,givesdescriptions,answersquestionsabouttheenvironment/situ-ation,propogateseffectsofPCsactionsontheenvironmentandonNPCsactions,mediatesAbilityuse,andsometimesmediatesConflicts. TheDirectoralsofiltersinformationsothateachplayeronlyknowswhathe
needstoknowinordertosuccessfullyplayhischaracter.Mostplayersfindthathav-ingalotofsignificantknowledgeOOCbutnotICcangetdistractingorconfusing.
npCs: InsomelarpstheDirectoralsophysicallyroleplaysanNPCatthesametimeashisotherduties.Whendoingso,itsfinetomoveinandoutofcharacteraslongasitsclearwhichiswhich.However,heshouldtakebothroleplayinganddirectingresponsi-bilitiesintoconsiderationwhendeterminingtheNPCsactionsandtiming.
the DireCtors objeCtives:
TheprimaryobjectiveoftheDirectoristoproduceasatisfyingexperienceforallparticipants.Therearetwopartsofthis:makingsureeachplayerissatisfiedwithhisPCsinvolvement,andmakingsurethattheflowofthecollectivestoryissatisfactory. ThefirstinvolvesmakingsurethateachPCcaresaboutwhatsgoingon,alwayshassomethingtodoandiscapableofseriouslyaffectingeventsthatmattertohim. Thesecondinvolveskeepingtheflowofeventsroughlywithintheintendedprogress,guidingthestorytorisingaction,climax,andanendingthatfeelsconclusive,aswellastimingeventstobeasinterestinganddramaticasreasonablypossible.
step-by-step guiDeto DireCtinga parlor larp
MakesureyouarefamiliarwithalltheGeneralInformation.ReadalltheGame-SpecificInfo,ideallyatleastanhourbeforeplaying.Makesure
youknowallofit,includingcharactersheets.Importantdetailsmayonlybestatedonce.
SetuptheroomaccordingtoAdviceonSetup.Gatheryourplayersandexplainthegistofthegame.GothroughPCs.Describethembyname,style,age,andApparentIdentity.Distributecharactersheets,butdontlettheplayersreadthemindetailyet.Iftheplayersdontknowtherules,gooverthem.ReadaloudPublicBackgroundOverview.
Lettheplayersreadandanswerthequestionsontheirsheetsinprivate.Whentheyaredone,quicklygooverthecharacterwiththem--youdontneedtoknowtheanswertoeveryquestion,butgetanideaofeachcharacter.Giveoutpropsatthistime.
HaveplayersofPCswithsignificantrelationships(e.g.marriedcouples)goovertheirPCspersonalitiesandrelationshiptogetherbeforestartofgame..
GathereveryonetogetherandreadtheGame-SpecificRulesandAnnouncements.Runthegame!Afterwards,playerstendtoenjoyawrapuptodiscusswhatwasgoingon.
A Guide to Directing
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aDviCeon DireCting
physiCal behavior: Maintainingatmosphereandkeepingeveryoneincharacterasmuchaspossiblearecriticaltoasuccessfullarp.ThustheDirectorsinvolvementmustbeveryunobtrusivewhennotplayinganNPC:Stayinanunusedcorner.Dontinteractwithanyprops
(evenchairs).Askandanswerquestionsasdiscreetlyandquietlyaspossible.Avoidinterruptingimportantmoments.Dontrefereeconflictsthattheplayerscanmanagethemselves.TheDirectorisinvisibleIC,andthereforeshouldntbeasocialpresence. However,youshouldstillmovearoundandqueryplayerseveryonceinawhilesoastokeeptrackofwhatisgoingonwitheveryone.Youwillalsooccasionallyhavetogiveexpositionsofeventsorpeopletoallpartiespresent--atthesetimes,interrupt
clearlyandbriefly.Makesureeverybodyhearsyouthefirsttime.
unDerstanDing playersanD CharaCters: ThemoreyouunderstandeachPCsprioritiesandwayofthinking,themoreeas-
ilyyoucanguideeventsindirectionsthatwillseriouslymattertothecharacters.Thestoryisaboutthem--itshouldevokeideas,themes,andinteractionstheycareabout.
paCinganD aCtion: Timingmakesthedifferencebetweenastoryandathree-hoursequenceofevents.TimebackgroundeventsandNPCactionssothattheycontributetoratherthandetractfromtheflowoftheplot.Eachconflict/situationshouldbethoroughlyaddressed:Dontinterruptsituationsthathavenotbeenthoroughlyexploredwithnewproblems.DontintroduceaneventuntilafewPCsareinapositiontoproperlyaddressit.Dontaddlesserplotpointstoamajorplotpointinsuchawaythattheywilldrawattention
awayfromwhatreallymatters.Keepinmindthateventhingslikeresponsesfrombackgroundcharacters(likeservantsonerrands)willcontributenewmaterial. BeawarethatatmanytimesnothingwillappeartobehappeningfromtheDirec-torspointofview,butthesamemaynotbetrueoftheplayers.Donotbeafraidoftwentyminutelulls.Ontheotherhand,docheckwithplayersinalulltoseeiftheyfeelinvolved.Iftheyrenot,dontbeafraidtogiveadviceor,inmoreextremecases,tweakeventstomakesurethingsgetrollingagain.Ahalfhourlullisaproblem. ParlorLarpsarewrittentotakeapproximatelythreetothreeandahalfhours--thegamewillbemostrewardingifyoupaceittolastaboutthatlong.
making
up
ansWers
: Youwillfrequentlyhavetoanswerquestionsaboutagivensituation.Whendoingso,answerbasedonwhatisconsistentwithbookletinformationandpreviousanswers,generallylogical,appropriatetoatmosphereandgenre,compatiblewithpacing,inter-estingfortheplot,unlikelytoupsetorderailtheplot,feelsfairtotheplayers,andwillleaveyouampleroomlatertoguidethegameinavarietyofdirections.
exerCising initiativeanD making exCeptions: ParlorLarpsarewrittentosavetheDirectorfromhavingtospontaneouslytakemajorguessesormakeupimportantplot.However,everyDirectorwillrunintositua-tionswhereitseemsmostbeneficialtothegametodepartfromoroverrideaspects
ofthescenario.Thefollowingisadvicetokeepinmindwhendoingso: Understandthescenariosothatyouwillbeabletounderstandtheconse-quencesofyourchanges.Beselfish:alwaysleaveyourselfasmuchroomtomaneuverasyoucan,andcommittoaslittlefutureimprovisationasyoucan.Rememberthatthebiggerthechange,themorelikelyitistogetoutofhand.PaycarefulattentiontohowyourchangedrawsthePCsfocus,andwatchoutforpacing. Mostimportantly,identifyandplaytoyourownstrengths.Makeitsothatanyadditionalworkyouhavetodoisworkthatyouunderstandandcomesnaturallytoyou.
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rulesin larping: Inalarp,mostnormalactivityissimplyactedout,withroleplayingandcommonsensedeterminingtheeffectivenessofsocialinteractions.Therulesexistasameanstosimulatecharactersactionsandcapabilitiesthatcannotbesafelyoreffectivelyactedout.
funCtion levels: Eachcharacter,bydefault,startsatFunctionLevel.AcharactersFLrepresentstheconditionthecharacterisinandtheirabilitytoact,bothphysicallyandpsychologi-cally,andcanincreaseordecreaseoverthecourseofthelarpasaresultofharmor
recovery. Ingeneral,acharacteratFLisessentiallyunharmedandingoodshape,atFLisinanunpleasantbutnotparticularlydisablingstate,atFLissomewhatdisabled,atFL2cannotperformmostactivities,andatFLcandolittleotherthanspeak.IfacharacteriseverreducedtoFL0,s/heisoutofthegameandcompletelyunabletoaffecttheplotthereafter.ItisimpossibletogohigherthanFLorlowerthanFL0.
DamageanD reCovery: DecreaseofFLiscalledDamage,butrepresentsanylongtermharmtoeffective-ness,notjustphysicalinjury.IncreaseofFLiscalledRecoveryandrepresentseither
fixingormakingupforpreviousharmtothecharacter.Changeingeneralisabbrevi-atedDR. DRismostlydonetoacharacterthroughAbilities.EachAbilitycausesDRinaslightlydifferentway,soItiisimportantthateachplayerkeeptrackofwhatspecificinjuries/recoverieshischaractersDRrepresents,aswellaswhatFLthecharacterisat. Inmostcases,DRisexplicitlycalledforbytherules,butifaplayerdecidesthathischaracterwouldbeseriouslyaffectedeitherwaybywhathashappened,hecanchangehischaractersFLaccordingly,subjecttoDirectorapproval.
removalfromthe game:
AcharacterthatistakentoFL0isremovedfromthegame.Specifically,heisremovedbythetypeofdamagedealtinthatlastblow.Allpreviousdamageissimplyinterpretedasmakingiteasiertodealthelastblow.Thus,ifacharacterisremovedbybeingpunched,heisprobablyunconscious,butifheisremovedbybeingintimidated,heisprobablyhidinginacornerunabletodoanything.
abilities: Abilitiesareactionsthatacharactercantakewithsuccessdeterminedbyrulesratherthanroleplaying.AbilitiesaredividedintoConflictAbilitiesandNon-ConflictAbilities.Non-ConflictAbilitiesalwayswork;ConflictAbilitiesstartConflictsinwhich
othercharacterscanuseotherabilitiestoopposethem. Abilitiesaregiveninthefollowingformat:
Namex[#ofuses](RaNgeof fLs)[bonus]:DescRiptioNof effect(amtDR)(resisttype)
Examples:Intimidatex(-):Makesomeonebackdown(-FL)(S)Flatterx(-):Makesomeonefeelundulyproudofthemselves(+)(E)Spark(-):Brieflycreateatinyflamebymagic
Parlor Larp General Rules
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#ofuses=thenumberoftimesthatabilitymaybeusedduringtheLarp.Ifnoneislisted,theabilitymaybeusedasmanytimesastheopportunityarises.
RangeofFLs=therangeoftheusersFLsatwhichtheabilitymaybeused.IfacharactersFLisoutsidetherange,hemaynotusethatability.
Bonus=anumberfrom-tothatrepresentsthecharacterseffectivenessatusingthatabilityagainstopposition.+/-=significant,+/-2=extrordinary,+/-=world
class.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)AmtDR=DRcausedbytheability,ifapplicable.-/+FL#indicatesthatittakesthe
targetdown/uptothatFL,respectively.-/+#indicatesthatthetargetloses/gainsthatnumberofFLs.
Type=typeofResistrequiredtoblocktheability.P=Physical,S=Social,E=Emotional,NR=NotReistable,P/S=PhysicalorSocial,whicheverishigher.OtherlettersforotherResists.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)
SpecialexceptionstoabilitiesaregivenintheSpecialsectionofthecharactersheet
ConfliCts:
Aconflictoccurswhentwoormorepeopleuseopposingabilities.Conflictsneednotbephysical;twopeopleattemptingtointimidateeachotheralsocounts. WheneveranybodyusesanabilitylistedunderConflictAbilities,everybodyabletoparticipateintheconflictisinvitedtodososimultaneously.Toparticipateisnotnecessarytobedirectlyinvolvedintheactionthatstartstheconflictonesimplyhastobetakinganactioninreactiontootheractionstakingplace. Ifaplayerthinksthathis/hercharacterwouldbetoosurprisedtoimmediatelyrespond,heshouldwaituntilaftertheconflicttorespond,thoughhestillResists.
ConfliCt resolution
DeClaring aCtions: Conflictresolutionworksasfollows:First,participantsstatetheirintendedactions.Othersareinvitedtoparticipate,stopparticipating,orchangetheirownintendedactionsinlightoftheintendedactionsofothers.(Intherarecasethatthiscausesanendlesscircle,everybodyshouldchooseactionssimultaneouslyinsecret.) Aparticipantcandeclarehis/herintendedactionascontingentonthesuccessorfailureofanotheraction(e.g.onlyrunningawayifhispartnerdies.).Hecanalsodeclarethatheisnotacting,andsimplyfocusingonResistingasaprimaryaction.
resisting: EveryparticipantinaconflictisalwaysbydefaultResisting,evenifheisperform-inganotheractionatthesametime.Thismeansthatthecharacteristryingnottobeaffectedbyhostileactionsofothers.TherearethreedefaulttypesofResists:Physi-cal,Social,andEmotional.CertainlarpsmaychangetypesofResists.AcharacteralwaysusesallResistshehasatthesametime. EachtypeofResistbehaveslikeanabilitywithabonusoftheResistnumber(seebottomleftofcharactersheet)whoseeffectistopreventallundesiredactionscor-respondingtothattypeofResistfromaffectingtheuser. Notethatmostactionsdontneedtoberesisted.Bydefault,especiallyinsmall
conflicts,aplayercanchoosetojustpermitanactiontargetinghisPCforsimplicity,orbecausehewantsittosucceed.. AnabilitythattakesaResistiscalledaability.
biDDing: Afterallintendedactionsareestablished,allparticipantsthensimultaneouslyBidDamage.Biddingmeanssecretlychoosinganamountofdamage(inFLs)theplayeriswillingforhis/hercharactertoriskgettinginordertoincreasethecharactersactionschanceofsuccess.
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Thisisnottosaythatthecharacterexplicitlydecidestogetdamagedinordertosucceed--whetherandhowmuchtobidisanOOCdecisionthatisbasedontheplayersjudgmentofhowlikelythecharacteristoseriouslypushforhisintendedresultdespitechanceofphysicalorpsychologicaltrauma. Nomatterhowdedicatedthecharacteris,however,bidsizesarealsolimitedbytheamountofdamagethecharactercanplausiblygetintheconflict,andeachpartici-
pantisresponsiblefordeterminingaplausibleICreasontotaketheamountofdamagehebid..Forexample,inmostcasesitisimplausibletotakemorethandamageinapettyargument,butanyamountofdamageispossibleinagunfight.KeepinmindthatlosinganFLisimportant,andbydefaultplayersshouldnotbid. Bidsonlyapplytoacharactersprimaryaction.Thismeansthatifacharacterisdoinganormalaction,thebiddoesnotincreasehischancesofResisting.If,however,heisonlyResisting,thenthebidwillincreasethechanceofallResistssucceeding.Damagethatwasbidonlyactuallyoccursiftheactionisinanywaysuccessful. Whenallbidsaredecided,allparticipantsholdout0-fingersbehindtheirbackscorrespondingtothesizeoftheirbids,thenshowthematthesametime.
ranking: Participantsthencalculatetotalsbyaddingtheirabilitybonusandbid.(Werec-ommendthenholdingoutfingersfortotals,forefficiency.)IfacharacterisprimarilyResisting,anybidhemadeisaddedtoallhisResisttotals. Atthispoint,participantssortoutwhichattemptedactionsexecutebyrankingallparticipantsbytheirtotals,fromhighesttolowest,withtiesbrokenrandomly(suchaswithrock-paper-scissors). Actionstakeplaceinorder,startingfromthehighest.IfapreviousactioncausesacharactertohavetoolowanFLtoperformhisintendedaction,orsimplypreventsthatactionfromoccurring(e.g.aResist),thatactioniscancelled.Inessence,aResist
cancelsalllower-rankedeffectsoftherelevantResisttypeonthatcharacter. Ifanypartofanactionsucceeded,thenthebidgoesintoeffectimmediatelyaftertheactionexecutes. Itsimportanttonotethatwhenanintendedactiongetscancelledbecauseofeffectsofearlieractions,anylimited-useabilitiesspenttoattempttheactionarestillusedup,butanydamagebiddoesnotoccur.
artifaCts ArtifactsareitemsthatmakeiteasierforacharactertocauseDR,oftenasacon-flictaction.Themostcommontypeofartifactsareweapons,whichobviouslycause
damage.However,artifactslikedrugsmaycauserecovery. Certaincharactersmayhaveabilitiesthatmakethemgoodatusinganartifact,butbydefault,characterssimplyuseartifactswiththeirGeneralPhysicalability.Ifanarti-factuseactionsucceeds,thenthetargetisDRedanamountaccordingtotheDRamountoftheartifact(exactlythesameasusinganabilitythatnormallycausesDRonitsown). Incertaincases,artifactuseabilitiesoverrideDRamountsonanartifact,eitherbythedescription,orbybeingthemselvesfixedDR(i.e.-/+FL#).ArtifactuseabilitiesthatarethemselvesunfixedDR(i.e.-/+#)stackwiththeartifactsownDRamount. Bydefault,knivesare(-)andgunsare(-2).
after resolution:
Aftertheaboveprocessiscomplete,charactersmayelecttousemoreabilitiesinresponsetotheresults.Thisopensanewroundoftheconflictinwhichanybodyinvolvedcanuseabilitiesandtherulesforresolutionarethesame.Thisprocessrepeatsuntilaroundhappensinwhichnobodyusesanability.Thenroleplayingcanresume. Afterablockofconflictisresolved,werecommendplayingoutasmuchofthedeterminedactionsaspossible(withoutreallyhurtinganybody,ofcourse).ThisisespeciallyhelpfulwhenaconflictabilityusedcorrespondedtoICdialogitisusefulforfuturedialogtoknowexactlywhatthecharacterssaid.
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BobtheSurgeonisstrollingthroughapark,enjoyingtheflowers.Hiswife,MegtheEngineerusesherGetBobtoComeHomeability.(Shechoosestodothisbe-causeshehastheabilityifshedidnt,shecouldstillsimplytrytotalkhimintogoinghomethroughroleplaying.) Bobdoesnotwanttogohome,andchoosestoResist(inthiscase,onlyhisSo-cialResistmatters,sincetheonlypowerbeingusedagainsthimissocial).BobsplayerthinksthatBobfindsthisisimportantenoughthatheshouldbidtoResist,whichhedefinestorepresentdamagefromthefrustration.MegsplayerdecidesMegdoesntconsiderthematterimportantenoughtobid.Bobhasabonusof0toSocialResistandMeghasabonusoftoGetBobtoComeHome.Consequently,bothofthem
havetotalsof. Thetieisresolvedbyrock-paper-scissors.BobwinshisSocialResistisrankedhigher,andthereforeexecutesfirst,blockinganySocialpowersusedagainsthimfortherestoftheround.Sincehehasbidtouseit,heisreducedtoFLassoonasheresists.Whentheyplayitout,Megstillactsouttryingtotalkhimintogoinghome,butheispreparedtosayno,althoughhegetsfrustratedather.Megsabilityisusedup,soshecannottryagain.
Bobhasanon-conflictabilitycalledIndependencewhichallowshimtorecoverFLofdamagewheneverhesuccessfullyresistshiswife.SincehesjustresistedMeg,
hecanuseit,andheisrestoredtoFL.Sinceitsanon-conflictability,itdoesntcre-ateaconflictandMegcantpreventit.
Afterthishasoccurred,Megdoesnotdroptheconflict,butstartsanewonebyimmediatelytryingamoredesperatetactic.SheusesherGuiltTripability,anemotionalattackwhichdoesactualdamage.Bobdecidestofleethepark;sincehedoesnthaveaspecificabilitythatletshimdothis,itcountsasaGeneralPhysical.ZagrabastheRestauranteur,whoisalsowalkingby,useshissocialabilityTeaseonBobtoembarrasshimintostayingandstandinguptohiswife. BobhasaGeneralPhysicalof0,andagainbids.MeghasaGuiltTripof,and
doesntbid.ZagrabashasaTeaseof0,butaspecialabilitythatgiveshimabonusoftosocialabilitiesimmediatelyaftertakingarefreshingwalk.Inaddition,ZagrabascaressomuchaboutencouragingBobtostandupforhimselfthathisplayerdecidesthathebidsFLofdamage,representingthesocialawkwardnessofforcefullyintrudingonaprivateargument.ThisgivesZagrabasatotalof2,whileBobandMegbothhavetotalsof. Zagrabasgoesfirst,beatingBobssocialresistof-,andforcesBobtostay;rightafterhisactionexecutes,hisbidexecutes,reducinghimtoFL.Bobsactioncontra-dictsthisandwouldhaveexecutedafter,soitgetscancelled.Sincehisactiondidnthappen,hisbidgetscancelledaswell.Megcanstilldoheraction,andshebeatsBobsemotiionalresistof0.HerpowerimmediatelytakesthetargettoFL,andsinceBobs
currentFLisgreaterthanthat,heisreducedtoFL. Theypausetoactouttheactionsoftheround.Bobturnstoleave,butZa-grabasstartsmockingBobforcavingintohiswife,whomhedescribesinunflatteringterms.Bobturnsbacktoconfrontherasshestartsmakinghimfeelguilty.
BecauseZagrabassucceededduringthepreviousround,Bobstandsupforhim-self,usinghisComplainabilitytododamagetoMeg.Meg,meanwhile,triestogetrevengeatZagrabasforwhathesaidabouther,usingherGeneralPhysicalabilityand
The Tale of Bob the Surgeon:A Few Examples of Conflict Resolution
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herunusual,extra-heavypurse(whichdoesthesamedamageasaknife).ZagrabasgetsangryatMeg,andusesEmbarrass(anemotionalattack)tohumiliateherforFLofdamage,hopingshewillthenleave.ApasserbyusesInstantlySummonPolice.WhenMeglearnsthis,shedecidesthatsheonlywantstoattackZagrabasifthepolicehaventarrivedyet.Atthesametime,anunnamedshadycharacterwishestoslipoutbeforethepolicearrive,usingaGeneralPhysical.UnktheLawyer,inthe
escalatingargument,triestousehisThreatentoSueabilityonZagrabasbecausehehatesrestaurateurs. Meanwhile,UnkspetplatypusEggyandZagrabaspetechidnaEtcheachfighttohelptheirmasters.EggydeclaresthathewantstousehisSpeedyAttackabilitytodophysicalinjurytoZagrabas.Hearingthis,EtchdecidestoattackEggyinhismastersdefense.Eggydeclaresthatifheisbeingattacked,hewouldratherfighthisattackerinsteadofZagrabas,andEtchdecidesthathestillwantstoattackEggyanywaytodemonstratehisloyalty.SoEggyinsteaduseshisabilitytoattackEtch,whileEtchuseshisGeneralPhysicaltopokeEggywithhisspines,eventhoughhecantactuallycausedamageusinggeneralphysicalwithoutanartifact.Thusthefightbetweenthetwo
petsbecomesacompletelyseparateconflicthappeningatthesametime. Bobsbonusis-2,andheissodrainedbyMegsguilttripthathehasnothingex-tratothrowintoit,sohedoesntbid.Meghasabonusof0,andbidsbecauseshesgottenangryandreckless.Zagrabashasabonusof2,butallofhisResistsare.HewouldliketobidtoincreasehisResists,butbecauseheisperforminganactionbesidesResisting,hisbidcouldonlyapplytotheaction,sohedoesntbid.Thepasserbyhasabonusof,theshadycharacterhasabonusof,andUnkhasabonusof2.Finally,thepetsbothhaveattacksof-2andallResistsat-(beingonlypets).Noneofthesepeopleareinvestedenoughtobid. Theshadycharactergoesfirstat,andleaves.Sincenobodysactioniscontra-dictedbythis,everyoneelsesactionsstillhavethepossibilityofhappeningnormally. UnkandZagrabasaretiedat2.UnkbeatsZagrabasResist,buttheordermatterssinceZagrabascanonlyuseEmbarrassatFLorhigher,iscurrentlyatFL,andUnkslawsuitalwaysdoes2damage.Zagrabashasasingleusenon-conflictabilitythatletshimwinatieduetobeingextremelylucky.Heusesit,andhumiliatesMegbeforeUnkthreatenshim.ThenheisreducedtoFL2. NowMegandthepasserbybothhavetotalsof,andZagrabashasaphysicalre-sistof.MegwontattackZagrabasifthepolicearethere,andhastobeatZagrabasResist,soallthreethrowrock-paper-scissorstogether(eventhoughitdoesntmatterwhetherZagrabasorthepasserbygoesfirst,aslongasoneofthembeatsMeg).Megwins,andhitsZagrabaswithherpurse,sinceshewontreacttosomethingthathasnt
happenedyet.HerpursealwaysdoesFLofdamage,soZagrabasisreducedtoFL.Thenthepasserbysummonsthepolice,whoseeeverythingthathappens,butaretoosurprisedtoreactuntilthissetofactionshaveresolved. Now,at-2,BobcomplainstoMegandbothanimalsattackeachother.Noneoftheseactivitiescontradicteachother,sotheorderdoesntmatter,butalltheactionslosetothecorrespondingResist. Nowthatthepolicearehere,MegsplayergetsDirectorapprovaltotakeFLofvoluntarydamagetorepresentherfearofgettingintroubleforcaughtdisturbingthepeacebyhittingpeopleinapublicpark,bringingherdowntoFL.
Sincethepolicearepresent,peoplehavetobecarefulaboutwhattheydo.Unkusesasocialability,Slander,tomakeZagrabasouttobeaviolentcriminal.Bobde-cidestotrytomakeMegfeelbetterusinghisShelterability,whichrecoverssomeoneFLbyofferingtoprotectthemfromdanger.Megissosurprisedatthisthatshefailstotakeanyaction,butshedecidesthatthewayBobishelpingheristoodemeaning,andResistsit.Sincethepolicedontcareaboutthepets,EggyandEtchattackeachotheragain,andthistimeeachbid2because,withZagrabassoinjured,theyrebothwillingtoriskseriousphysicalinjurytotrytohurttheother.Nooneelsebids. Unkhasabonusof2,whichovercomesZagrabasResistof.ItdoesFLof
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damage,reducingZagrabastoFL0.Zagrabasissoreviledasacriminalthathecannolongeraffectthegame,andisremovedfromplay.Hispreviousdamagecontributestothisforinstancethebruisefromthepursemakeshimlooklessrespectablebutitisthefinalabilitywhichdetermineswhyheisremoved.Bobhasabonusof0,whileMegsResistis,soBobisunabletohealher.Finally,EggyandEtchhavetotalsof0,soEggydoesFLofdamagetoEtchwhileEtch(whousedaGeneralPhysical)suc-
ceedsinpokingEggywithhisspines,butdoesnodamagetohim. Finally,theyactouttheresults,withUnkopenlyaccusingZagrabasofbeingacriminalandBobtryingtocomfortMegandsherebuffshim,whilethepetsfightdedicatedlyinthebackground.
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Game-SpecificInformation for Director
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BrookviewisaNewEnglandtownofabout200,000people.ItwasbuiltuparoundtwofocitheKingstonfamilyinvestmentsandRidleyCollege.Mostofthetownspopulationconsistsofarelaxedbutenthusiasticmiddleclass,althoughpoli-tics,business,andculturearedrivenbyasmall,old,andsnobbyelite. TheKingstonfamilyisatthetopofthiselite.TheirvariedbusinessesdominatetheBrookvieweconomy,andlittleofnoteisdonetothetownwithouttheirap-proval.Rumorsaboundoftheirmafiaconnections.However,theirindifferencetoanduninvolvementwithactualBrookviewlifemakesthemfeeltomostpeoplemorelikeatownfixturethananysortofpresentorloomingpower. RidleyCollegeisasmallliberalartscollegeabouttwohundredyearsoldatthe
edgeoftown.Itsfriendlyprofessors,energeticstudents,andstronginvolvementinthecommunitymakeitquitepopular.
ThegameissetonaneveninginlateNovember,ataninformalgatheringatM.Shelleyshouse.M.Shelleyisastudentwholivesathome.AllcharactersarestudentsatRidleyexceptforJ.Kingston,theonlychildoftheKingstonfamily. Outside,thenightiscoolandclear,withalovelyfullmooninthesky.
thefolloWinginformationisknoWntoeveryoneexCept j. kingston:
(j. kingstonshoulDleavetheroomorjustignorethisinfo) ProfessorP.Baxley(nobodyknowswhatthePstandsforrumorsayshisfirstnameisreallyjustProfessor) isthemostnotoriousandwell-lovedprofessoratRid-ley.Hesportly,jovial,andeccentric.HehasbeenteachingatRidleyforfortyyears,andiswidelyspeculatedtobeimmortalhelooksinhisearlyfifties,andconstantlytellsstoriesofhiswildandrambunctiousyouth. HeteachesNaturalHistory0infallsemester,awidelypopularclass,especiallyforfreshman,andadvisestheNaturalHistorymajor.Heislikethesortofprofessorinarchaeologymovieshegoesaroundinanexplorerhat,andhasahugeofficefilledwithoddfossils,driedplants,bizarrethingsinjars,andotherartifacts,includingwhat
heclaimstobeanextremelyrareiguanaskeleton. Baxleyisalsoslightlynotoriousforbreakingrules,makingbargainswithstudents,involvinghimselfinstudentsnon-academiclives,etc,butisbenignandpopularenoughthatthecollegedoesntbotherhimverymuch.CurrentandformerNaturalHistorystudentstendtoformalooseacliquecenteredaroundhisofficehours.OfthePCs,M.ShelleyandR.vanFleckbelongtothisclique.E.Richmondusedto,butstoppedtwoyearsago.
Public Background Overview
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Themagicinthisstoryisoftheurbanfairytalevariety.Friendlyoldwitchesdominorspellsandjinxesusingobscureherbsintheirkitchen,havelotsofcats,anddrinkmintteaeveryday.Anoccasionalimporspritelurksonaparkbench,tradingandcollectingantiquesandtrinketsfortheirownincomprehensiblepurposes.Minorcursesorcharmsworkandmakelifealittleeasierandalittlemoreenchantingandquaint.Majorspellsareverydifficulttoachieve,andtendtobackfireorhaveunintendedconsequences.Magicistheprimaryelementofnooneslife. Bluemoonsarethesecondmooninamonththeyhappenaboutonceeveryfouryears.Bythelightofabluemoon,newlycastmagicisstronger,andoldmagicisweaker.
PolyphemiusBaxleyisaprofessoratRidleyCollege./sprite,heisquiteinvolvedwithmagic,oftenwithobscurespellsandresearches.Heallowsthishobbytomanifestinthenormalworldasadetailedandeccelecticknowledgeofnaturalhistory,whichheteachesatRidley. Baxleyisalmostahundredyearsoldbecauseofhisnature,hecanbeimmortalifhelikes,andhasbeenacomfortablelate-fiftiesinappearanceforthepastfortyyearsorso. Morethanfiftyyearsago,inhiswildandrambunctiousyouth,Baxleywasinlovewithtwodifferentwomen.Wantingbothofthem,hesimplycouldntdecidewhichto
marry.Thedecisionwastakenoutofhishandswhentheylearnedabouteachother,fellinlove,andbothdecidedtodumphimtostartafamilywitheachotherinstead. Baxleywasfurious,triedtotalkthemoutofit,andwhenthatfailed,threwtogetheradirecurseunderabluemoon.Hecursedthemsothat,astheyabandonedhim,sowouldtheyandtheirchildrenincreasinglyneverfindtruecompanionship. Thecurseworked,andthewomeneventuallybrokeup.Lateron,bothofthemmarrieddifferentmen,wereneverquitehappywiththeirrelationships,andhadchildrenwhohadevenmoreofthesamedifficulty. Baxleyeventuallygotoverthem,matured,startedteachingatRidley,andgradu-allybeganoncemorewantingachildofhisown.Twenty-twoyearsago,hehada
briefliaisonthatproducedhischild,Devon/Deva(themotherwasuninterested,andleftshortlyafterthechildwasborn).However,asD.grewup,Baxleyrealizedhehadaproblemthepowerofdirecursescamefrombalance.Becausehehadcursedthetwowomenandtheirlinestoloneliness,hisownsonwastwiceasincapableoffriend-shipandcompanionship. AsD.gotolder,moreobnoxious,andmorefriendless,Baxleybegansearchingforwaystobreakthecurse.Hefinallyrealizedthattheonlywaytobreakitwaspara-doxicalhehadtocauseittofailonce:thatistosay,makeboththeirdescendantsfindlove.Butbecauseofthepowerofthecurse,theonlytimethiswaspossiblewasbythelightofabluemoon. C.FisherandJ.KingstonarethegrandchildrenofBaxleystwolovers,bothunat-
tached,andofanappropriateage.Baxleyhasdecidedthatthemostefficientwaytogoaboutthisistowaituntilthenextbluemoon,thensaveeffortbymakingthemfallinlovewitheachother.
Tothisend,hehasgatheredagroupofstudents,someofwhomowehimfavors,someofwhomheconvincedbymiscellaneousothermeans,tosetupC.andJ.(Hehasnttoldanyofthemwhy.)Thus,theeveningsgathering,underabluemoon,isBaxleysplottobreaktheeffectsofthebacklashofthecurseonhisownchild.
Secret Background Overview
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j. kingston (preferreDmale): eDC. KingstonistheonlychildandheiroftheKingstonfamily.Hisfatherisextremelystrictaboutpropriety,andcontrolshislife.HeistheonlypersonwhodoesnotgotoRidleyheispresentvisitingM.Shelley,hisonlyfriend.Hisgrandmother,whomarriedintotheKingstonfamily,wasoneofBaxleyslovers.Forconvenienceofcasting,heisbisexual.
C. fisher (preferreDfemale): elC.Fisherisalsoanonlychild,bornandraisedinBrookview.Heisahappyandstraightforwardbutsomewhateccentricperson.HeisalsobisexualHebelievesinmagicbecausehehadateacheroncewhoknewsome.HismaternalgrandmotherwastheotherofBaxleyslovers.Sheisgenerallylucky.
D. baxley: gDC.D.BaxleyistheonlychildofProfessorBaxley.Becauseofthecurse,heismediocreateverything,resentfulofeveryone,andconsequentlyextremelyobnoxiousandincapableofmakingfriends.HeespeciallyresentsM.Shelleyforbeingsopopular.Heknowswhoisfatherisandknowsaboutmagic,butnotaboutthecurse.
m. shelley: gls.Shelleyisanextremelysweetandnicepersonwhotakescareofeverybodyandiseverybodysbestfriend,butiseasytopickon.HeisthehostofthegatheringbecausehefriendswithJ.Kingston,andKingstonenjoysgoingto
Shelleyshousetogetawayfromhisfather.HeowesBaxleyafavorforpassinghiminNaturalHistorytwoyearsagowhenhewastooupsettotakethefinal.
r. van fleCk: glC.VanFleckisoneofthepeoplewhoconsidersShelleyhisbestfriend.HeispassionatelydefensiveofShelley,thoughShelleydoesnotknowthis.HealsohatesD.Baxley.HealsoowedProf.Baxleyafavor.
a. grouse: els.GrouseisFishersbestfriend.Heisfromoutoftown,andcametoRidleytostudycreativewriting.Heiscreativeandromantic,veryattachedtotheideaoflove,andwantstofindlovehimself.Hewastaughtaboutmagicbyhis
greataunt,andcandoalittlehimself.
jean frommer: eDs.FrommerisafriendofShelleyandVanFleckwhoiscur-rentlytakingNaturalHistorywithFisher.HeisdeeplyinlovewithFisherheaskedhimoutlastmonth,butwasrefused.HealsoowesBaxleyfornotturninghiminwhenhetriedtostealfromhimearlierintheyear,buthasunderstandablymixedfeelingsaboutsettingFisherupwithsomeoneelse.Heisgenerallyunlucky.
e. riChmonD: gDs.RichmondwasBaxleysstudentthreeyearsago.HeisresentfulofBaxleysblatantlyunethicalfavor-collectingandtheNaturalHistory
studentssocialgroup.HeowesBaxleyagreatdealandisdelightedatthechancetofinallyreturntoacleanslate,butpreferstobreakupandcausetensionamongtheothersifhecan.
Character Overview(Listed in order of decreasing necessity for smaller-group games.)
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the situation: BaxleyhastoldShelleytoinviteallthecharactersexceptKingstontoacasualeveninggatheringathishouse.HehasalsousedalittleluckspelltomakesureKings-tonwoulddropbyShelleyshousethatnight.
the storm: Abouthalfanhourintothegame,Baxleywillcall.Hewillexpressanxietyandmentionthatamajorunpredictedstormisheadingin,willarriveintwoorthreehours,andthathoweverlongtheteamwasplanningtotake,theyonlyhavethatamountoftime.Hewillcomplainabouttheunreliabilityofweatherpeople,butneverexplain
whatthestormhastodowithanything.Itsthejobofthepersonwhoanswersthephone(probablyM.Shelley)todiscreetlytelleveryoneelseofthisdevelopment. Inactuality,thestormisrelevantbecausethecloudcoverwillcompletelyblockthemoonfortherestofthenight,abruptlyshorteningthetimeframeinwhichthecursecanbesuccessfullybroken.
falling in love: KingstonandFisherdonotactuallyneedtofallinlovewitheachothertheyjustneedtobothbeinrequitedlovewithsomebody.Atthefirstconvenientmomentafterthishappens(dontinterruptanimportantscene),gotoendgamenarration.
Loveisdefinedasthesortofromanticcrushinwhichthepersoninquestionwantstospendtimewithandshareliveswiththetarget.Itdoesnothavetobedeeporprofound.Theydonthavetofeellikesoulmates,orwantmarriage.
professor baxley: Afterthefirsttimewhenhewarnstheteamofthetimelimit,Baxleywillcallintermittently(everyhourorso)tocheckuponprogressandgiveencouragementandadvice.Ifthingsaregoingbadlyoruncertainly,hewillbepalpablyanxious,repeatedlyaskforreassurance,insistthatheknowstheycandoit,andmuttertohimselfalot.Ifthingsaregoingwell,hewillbeexcited,complimenttheirwork,andcalllessoften.
Hecanbeeasilyliedto. Hewantsverymuchforthemtosucceed,andconsequentlywantstomakethemunderstandhowimportantthisis,butisnotwillingtoletthemknowmuchaboutwhatsreallygoingon.Hemay,ifpressed,admitthatmagicisinvolved. Heisnotpresenthimselfbecausehesafraidthathispresencemightsomehowinterferewiththebalanceofthecurse,andalsobecausehefeelslesscertainofhim-selfonthesubjectofthecurseandwouldratherotherpeopledealwiththeproblem. IfBaxleygetsincreasinglydesperateinthelasthalfhour,hemayresorttopressinghardenoughtomakehimselflookbadofferingbribestotheteamiftheysucceed,tellingthemtojustsetbothpartiesupwithanybody,etc.
KeepinmindthatBaxleyonthephoneisthebestwayfortheDirectortofeedinformationand/orprioritiesintothegame.Feelfreetoasktospeaktodifferentpeopletogetdifferentreportsorgivedifferentadvice.
luCk: Luckisathemeinthisstorybecauseitistheprimarywaymagicworks.Variouscharacterstendtohavegoodorbadluck,andvariousabilitiesaffectluck,eitheringeneralorinspecificareas.Keepthisinmind,andoccasionallymakeminoreventshap-
penreflectingthewayluckgoes.
Game Overview
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the mysteryanD baxleys Culpability: ItsfineifKingstonand/orFisherstartsuspectingthatsomethingstrangeisgoingonBaxleyisnotaverygoodconspirator.Itisalsofineiftheteamstartsfeelingsuspiciousabouttheassignmentasthenightgoeson,aslongastheyhavespentalongperiodoftime(abouttwohours)pursuingit. ItremainstruethatBaxleysmotivesinthisarenotpristine:Hewantstoset
uptwonotnecessarilycompatiblepeopleforthebenefitofhisownson,regardlessaboutwhetheritwouldmakethemhappy.Heliedabouttheircompatibilitytogettheirfriendstocooperate.IfitlookslikethecharactersaregoingdowntheroadofuncoveringBaxleysmotivesandbehavior,havehimsaymoreandmoresuspectthingstohelpthemalong.
enDgame: Thegameendsinthreepossibleways: Inthefirstcase,everyonedecidesprematurelytorejectBaxleysmission,discussitwithKingstonandFisher,andeverythingsociallyresolvesbeforetimerunsout.
Inthesecondcase,thestormcomesinandthemooniscoveredbeforeKingstonandFisherbothfindlove.Atthispoint,D.Baxleyexperiencesavaguesenseofhope-lessness.Atthesametime,thecursegoesbackintoeffect,functioningtobreakupanycompellingrelationshipseitherofthemmayhavefoundorbeenontheirwaytofindingoverthecourseofthegame.Kingstonsfathercallsandordershimhome,pos-siblyevenangrilyforbiddinghimtogotoShelleyshouseinthefutureifappropriate.InventexcusesforFisherasnecessary.ProfessorBaxleywillalsocallagain,knowingthatthecursedidnotbreak.Roleplayhisreactionsasappropriatetoeverythingthathadbeengoingonwithhimthroughoutthenight. Inthelastcase,thegameendsatanappropriatemomentafterbothKingstonandFisherhavefoundlove.Atthatpoint,moonlightspillsinthroughthewindow.Bothofthem(andthepeopletheyarenowattachedto,ifsaidpeoplearenoteachother)suddenlystarttwinklingwithapalegoldenlight.Thelightreachesoutfromthetwoofthem(andonlythetwoofthem)toD.Baxley,untilhebeginstwinklingtwiceasbrightly.Thentheconnectionthinsandsnapsandthelightgraduallyfades,withasenseofconclusiveness,positiveness,andtriumph. KingstonandFisherwillfeelastrongsenseofconnectionandpossibility.D.Baxleywillfeelasthoughagreatweightthatneverknewwastherewassuddenlyliftedfromhim,andthateverythingisnowpossible.Inthelongrunthereafter,D.Baxleywillbecomegraduallymorepersonable,andProf.Baxleywillbeextremelyhappy,gratefultotheteam,andwillingtousealittlemagictomakeKingstonsfather
moreinclinedtopermithisromance.
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Ifyouhavealargerspaceormultipleroomsavailable,usethem.Themoreprivacypeoplecanget,thebetter.Sidebedroomswouldbeespeciallygood.
Setupfurnitureintheroomtomakesmalltwo-orthree-personconversationsratherthanentire-groupconversationsmostconvenient.
Haveasmanyobjectsconducivetoaromanticatmosphereavailableasyoucangetdrinksandwineglasses,flowers,candles,etc.KeepthemsomewhereunobtrusiveuntiltheyareusedIC,butitsniceforthecharacterstobeableto
getthemiftheywanttousethem.
Haveaselectionofromanticmusicavailable.AfterFishersandKingstonsplayershavefinisheddevelopingthecharacters,discreetlytrimtheselectiondowntoincludeprimarilymusicthattheywillfindmusicallyandthematicallymoving.Addmusicsuitedtootherromance-pronecharactersifconvenient.
HaveaphoneorphonepropintheroomsothatProf.Baxleycancallonceinawhile.Thebestthingtodoisbrieflyleaveandactuallycallinwithacellphone.
MakesureShelleysplayerisfamiliarwiththedrink/snackareasohecanhost
Haveshortpartygamesavailable.
Designateawindowthroughwhichthemooncanbeseen.Anoutdoorpatioareawouldbeidealifpossible,butifnot,useawindow.Iftherearenowindows,putupapieceofpapertorepresentone.
Advice on Setup
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aDviCeon Casting:
Formostgroups,itisstronglyrecommendthatKingstonandFisherbeplayedbypeopleofoppositegender.Theyarethepreferredmaleandfemale,respectively,butitismostimportantforthemtobeopposite.
Similarly,KingstonandFishershouldnotbegiventoplayerswhoareforotherOOCreasonsaredisinclinedtointeractwitheachother,ifsuchexist.
Lastly,itisveryimportantthatbothKingstonandFisherbeplayedbypeoplewhocanroleplaythenaturalprocessoffallinginlove.
ItisimportantthatD.Baxleybeplayedbysomebodywhoiswillingandcapableofbeingextremelyobnoxious.
aDviCeon running:
IfD.Baxleyisbeinginsufficientlyobnoxious,prompthim.Thepremiseofthe
gamewillfailifpeoplecanlookathimandsay,hedoesntseemthatbad...Makesurehestaysrealistic,though.
TakespecialcaretogooverFishersandKingstonscharactersatstartofgametomakesuretheyareatleastmildlycompatible.Iftheyrenot,discreetlysuggestchangeswithoutgivingawaytoomuch.
Arrangeforpeopletodiscreetlysignalyouinsomewaywhentheyhavefallenin/outoflove,andwhotheyhavefallenin/outoflovewith.
Remembertooccasionallymakethingsgofor/againstthefavoroflucky/unluckypeoplefornoreason.(Fisherislucky,Grouseisalittlelucky,Frommerisunlucky.)
Advice on Casting & Running
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larp-speCifiC rules:
Thisgameimplementsamajorrulechange:TherearenoConflicts.AllabilitiesareNon-Conflictandalwayssucceed.Actionssimplyexecuteintheordertheyaredeclared.
BecausetherearenoConflicts,therearealsonoFunctionLevelsorResists.
TheResistareaofthecharactersheetinsteadgivesageneralideaofhowgoodthecharacterisatdealingwithPhysical/Social/Emotionalthreats,simplyforroleplayingpurposes.AbilitieswillalsoincludeacorrespondingtypeofResistifrelevant,againonlyasahelpfulreference.
Abilitiesthatchangepeoplesmindsorattitudesarenotsetinstonetheycanwearoffnaturallyinresponsetofurtherevents.
beginning announCements:
Thisgameissetinaworldthatdoeshavealittlemagicinit,thoughmostnormalpeopledontbelieveinit.Thestyleofmagicfollowstheurbanfairytalegenre:relativelybenign,quaint,basedoffofherbsandcharms,anelementofdreamsandromanceineverydaylife.Everyoneshouldusethisgeneralintuitionofthenatureofmagic.Forthosewhowantmoredetail,asktheDirectortoreadyoutherelevantsectionofSecretBackgroundInformation.
Keepinmindthat,althoughthelarpisonlythreehourslong,itisaromancestory.Loveisintheair,andcharactersareexpectedtofallinandoutoflove
overthecourseofthegame.Playyourcharacterswiththisinmind,andupdatetheDirectorregularlyonyourfeelings.
Youwillfindoverthecourseofthegamethatyouwillhavetomakeupalotofsmalldetailsaboutyourdailylife,RidleyCollege,andBrookviewingeneraldontbeshy,feelfreetoimprovise!
Larp-Specific Rules andBeginning Announcements
(Read this to your players at start of game)
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CharaCter style age year
yr took
nh101
[Julian/Juliet]Kingston
EDC 20 Pre-College Never
[Cole/Connie]Fisher
ELC Freshman Freshman(Now)
[Devon/Deva]Baxley
GDC 20 Junior Freshman(yrsago)
[Mike/Mina]Shelley
GLS 2 Junior Freshman(yrsago)
[Ren/Renee]
vanFleck
GLC 2 Junior Freshman
(yrsago)
[Andy/Amy]Grouse
ELS Freshman Freshman(Now)
JeanFrommer
EDS 20 Sophomore Sophomore(Now)
[Eli/Eliza]Richmond
GDS 2 Senior Freshman(yrsago)
Character
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Why they are here
knoWleDge
magiC other goals frienDs
JusthangingoutTimeawayfromfather
No Havefun M.Shelley
InvitedOtherwisenoidea
Yesformerteacher
LearnaboutpeopleSetupA.Grouse
A.Grouse
InstructedbyBaxley YestaughtbyBaxley
BetheonetosucceedUpstageM.Shelley
None,ofcourse!
OwesBaxleyforpassingNH0,ownshouse
No Benice/hostJ.KingstonR.vanFleckJeanFrommer
OwesBaxleyforwriting
arecommendation
No ProtectM.Shelley M.Shelley
BaxleysaidKingstonandFisheraresoulmates
Yesgreataunt
Findlove C.Fisher
OwesBaxleyfornotreportingtheftattempt
No InlovewithC.Fisher
M.Shelley
PaybackhugedebtstoBaxley
No Makepeoplemadateachother
None
Summary Chart
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A Little Magic
ED
C
[ Julian / Juliet ] Kingston
Age20
apparentiDentity:OnlychildandscionoftheKingstonfamily
real iDentity:Suppressedyoungpersonconstantlyforcedtomeettheexpectationsofhisfather
baCkgrounD:YouaretheoneexpectedtocontinueontheillustriousKings-tonfamilyname.Yourmotherdiedwhenyouwereveryyoung.Yourfatherhasalwaysruledhisfamily,histown,hisbusiness,andyouwithanironfist.Hehasverystrictrequirementsofyou,andinsistentonkeepingappearances.Becauseofthis,youhaveneverreallyhadanyclosefriends.
Youwere,ofcourse,privatelyschooled.YourfatherhasarrangedforyoutogotoOxford,startingthecomingJanuary.HehasalsoarrangedforyoutobecomeengagedtoanequallyrespectableFrenchheirwhomyouwillmeetthere.Youknowvirtuallynothingaboutthisperson,butyouhaveheardru-morsthathisfamilyisinvolvedinillicitdealings,andthatyourfatherislookingtogetbackintothebusinessnowthatyourgrandparentsaredead.
Youhavealwayssecretlywantedlove,andarefrustratedthatyouarenotallowedtohaveit.Youveneverhadarelationshipbefore.Youarealso
bisexual,thoughyourfatherwouldnevertolerateitifhefoundout. YoufrequentlycometoM.Shelleyshousetogetawayfromyourfather
andservants.Youarealwayswelcomethere.M.isprobablyyourbestfriend,butyoufeellikeevenhedoesntreallyunderstandyou.
goals: Relaxandenjoyyourtimeawayfromyourfather.
non-ConfliCt abilitiesEtiquette:Failtomakeasocialmistake.(Ifyoudosomethingwrong,usethis
abilitytotakeitbacksothatitneverhappenedIC)PowerfulStarex:Makesomeonefeelchastisedbylookingatthem(S)PublicSpeaking:Holdanaudiencesattentionwhenyoutellastoryormake
aspeech.AirofMysteryx:Addanairofmysterytoagestureoraction.Intimidate:Makesomeonefeelintimidatedbyyou.(S)
resists
Physical DecentSocial GoodEmotionalAverage
speCials
None
inventory
$200
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2
other knoWleDge:TheKingstonsarenot,infact,criminals.Theywereoverfiftyyearsago,but
whenyourpaternalgrandmothermarriedyourgrandfather,shediditontheconditionthathecleanuphisactsincethen,yourfamilyhasbeentheperfectlylegalsortofextremelyelitistandaloof.
Bluemoonshappenaboutonceeveryfouryears.
relationships :YouarefriendswithM.Shelley.YouknowhisfriendR.White,butnooneelse.
Questionsto ansWer:
Whataresomereasonsyouhaventbeenabletobeabletogetreallyclosetoanybodyinthepast?
Whatwasyourmotherlike?Howwelldoyourememberher?
Doyouspendalotoftimewithyourfather?Whatdoyoutalkabout?
Howdoyoufeelaboutbeingbisexual?Howdidyoufindout?
Whatistheonethingyouliketodomost?Howoftendoyoudoit?
Whatdoeslovemeantoyou?Whydoyouwantitsomuch?
Whatdoeshomemeantoyou?
Whattypeofmusicdoyoulistento?Whatbooksdoyouread?
Haveyoutraveledalot?Wherehaveyoubeen?
Whataresomeofyourfavoriteitemsthatyouhave?
What,inlife,doyouconsidertobetrulyimportant?
Howdoyoufeelabouttheideaofyourfamilybecomingacriminalagain?
WhatdoyoupicturetheFrenchfiancebeinglike?
Whatwasthebestthingthateverhappenedtoyou?
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EL
C
[ Cole / Connie ] Fisher
Age19
apparentiDentity:EccentricfreshmanatRidleyCollege
real iDentity:Youareprettystraightforwardlywhatyouappeartobe.
baCkgrounD:Youareanonlychild.YouvelivedinBrookviewallyourlife.Youarebrightandcleveryourparentswantedyoutogotoawell-knowncollegeoutofstate,butyouinsistedongoingtoRidleybecauseyouloveithere.
Youvealwaysbeenalittlebiteccentric,tendingtodoyourownthingdespiteinconvenienceordisapprovalfromothers.Youarefundamentallyahappyperson,engagedbylifeandcomfortablewithyourself.However,becauseofyoureccentricities,yourfriendshipstendtoberocky,inconsistent,andultimatelykindofunsatisfying.
Youarebisexual.Youveneverhadarelationshipbefore.JeanFrommeraskedyououtlastmonth,butyouturnedhimdown.
Youbelieveinmagic,insecretwonderfulthingsthatlurkineverydaylife.Youhadateacheralongtimeagowhoknewalittlemagic.Youareentrancedbymysteryandnewexperiences.
knoWleDge:YouareinNaturalHistoryrightnowwithA.GrouseandJeanFrommer.A.GrousewantstofindloveItsabluemoontonight,atimewheremagiciseasierandanythingispossible.
resists
Physical PoorSocial SuperbEmotionalDecent
speCials
None
inventory
Luckyworrystone
non-ConfliCt abilitiesWishx:Wishuponastar,andtelltheDirector.TheDirectorwillchange
circumstancessothatitismorelikelyforyourwishtocometrue.Soliloquizex2:Forcepeopletolistentoyougoonaboutanesoterictopic
thatyouandfewotherpeoplecareabout.Nothingmeaningfulcanbesaidorachievedaslongasyoukeeptalking(nomorethanmins).
Understandx:Intuitivelyknowtheanswertoanyyes/noquestionaboutapersonspersonality,motivations,issues,ordesires.(E)
Luckx:Causeanyeventthatcouldhappenbychancetogoinyourfavor.
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goals:Gettoknowpeopleandhaveagoodtime.SetA.Grouseupwithsomebody.
relationships :
YouareclosefriendswithA.Grouse. YouarecasualfriendswithM.ShelleyandJeanFrommer. YoudontknowJ.Kingston,R.vanFleck,orE.Richmond
Questionsto ansWer:
Inwhatwaysareyoueccentric?
Whatfascinatesyou?
Whataresomeofyourfavoriteactivities?
Whatdoesmagicmeantoyou?
Whatfrustratesyouaboutyourparents?Whataboutyoufrustratesthem?
Describeyourrelationshipwithyourfamily.
Whattypeofmusicdoyoulistento?Whatbooksdoyouread?
Whatdoyouloveaboutthistown?
Whatisyourmajor?Doyouknowwhatyouwanttodoforaliving?
HowdoyoufeelabouttheKingstons?
Whatmakesyouangry?
Whatdoeslovemeantoyou?
What,inlife,doyouconsiderimportant?
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A Little Magic
apparentiDentity:ObnoxiouschildofProfessorBaxley,JunioratRidley
real iDentity:Bitterfriendlesspersonwhoismediocreateverything
baCkgrounD:YouareProfessorBaxleysonlychild.Yourmotherwassomewomanwhoagreedtohaveyoubutdidntwanttoraiseyouandtookoff.Yourfathercaresaboutyou,buthestheonlyone.Allyourlife,youhavebeenmediocreateverything,andasyouwatchedeveryonearoundyouconstantlybeatingyou,outshiningyou,gettingthecreditandrecognition,yougrewmoreandmoreresentfulofthem.Yourresentmentmanifestedasanobnoxiousattitude,winningyouevenlesspopularity.
knoWleDgeof prof baxley:Youknowmagicisreal.Yourfatherdoesit.Hesaquartersprite,andhasbeenaroundforalmostahundredyears.Hedoesabunchoflittlemagicstufftomakelifemoreconvenient.Youvetriedtolearn,butofcourse,yousuckatit.HisrealnameisPolyphemius.
the assignment: Yourfathercameuptoyouthismorningandtoldyouthathewasassigningyoutoaveryimportanttask,withthesortofwinkthatsuggesteditsprobablypartofsomesortofmagicproject.HesaidthathesdispatchingyouandabunchofhisformerstudentstohangoutatM.ShelleyshouseandmakeC.FisherandJ.Kingstonfallinlove.Everybodyisin
onitexceptthetwoofthem.Itsveryimportantthatithappentonight.
non-ConfliCt abilitiesAnnoy:Knowwhattosaythatwillmakesomeonemoreannoyed.UnwantedPresence:Stronglyfrustratepeoplebybeingpresentwhenthey
dontwantyou.Targetx:Makeeveryoneintheroompayattentiontowhatyouredoing.Indifferencex2:Upsetsomeonebysheerforceofhowmuchyoudontcare
abouttheirproblems.
Cursex:Makesomethingbadhappentosomebody.Thecursewillbalancesothatacomparablebadthinghappenstoyou.
Charmx2:Causeatrivialeventthatcouldsucceedbychancetooccur.
[ Devon / Deva ] Baxley
GD
C Age20
resists
Physical AverageSocial PoorEmotionalPoor
speCials
Whenyoutrytousemagic,flipacoin.Ontails,youfailandwastetheability.
inventory
Nothingremarkable
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goals:Betheonewhomakesthemfallinlove.Trytomakesurenobodyelsegetstherefirst,soyougetthecredit.UpstageM.Shelleyinanywaypossible.Subtlypickonhim.
other knoWleDge:Tonightisabluemoon.Bluemoonsaregoodtimestocastmajormagicalef-
fects,butalotofoldmagictemporarilystopsworking.M.Shelleyisdisgustinglynice,andreallyeasytotakeadvantageof.
relationships : YouvemeteveryonebutJ.KingstonbecausetheyallgotoRidley. YoukindofhateM.Shelleybecausehessobrightandsweetandpopular.
Questionsto ansWer:
Whataresomethingsyouvetriedandfailedat?
Whatwastheclosestyouveevercometohavingafriend?Whydiditfail?
Whataresomethingsyoulikedoing?
Whatisyourrelationshipwithyourfatherlike?
Howdoyoufeelaboutmagic?
Doyourealizehowobnoxiousyouare?Ifso,whydontyoustop?Ifnot,whydoyouthinkpeopledislikeyousomuch?
Ifyoucouldhaveonething,whatwoulditbe?
Whatdoyoupictureyourmotherbeinglike?
Whatdoeslovemeantoyou?
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A Little Magic
non-ConfliCt abilitiesKindness:Makesomeonefeelbetterbybeingnicetothem.(E)Empathyx:Understandwhysomeoneisupset.(E)HumanNaturex:Understandwhatsomeonereallymeanswhentheysay
something.Cannotbeusedtodetectfactualdeception,onlysocialoremotionalobfuscation.(S/E)
BeTherex2:GettheDirectortoalertyouthenexttimeaparticulartypeofeventtakesplace(e.g.J.Kingstongetsangryatsomeone).
Recover:Recoveremotionallyfromsetbacksorbeinghurtinareasonablyshorttimebyforceofoptimism.
apparentiDentity:Bright,friendly,charismaticandnicejunioratRidley
real iDentity:Verysupportivepersonthattendstogettakenadvantageof
baCkgrounD:Youareanextremelyniceandcaringperson,manypeoplesbestfriend.However,youarealsosensitiveandeasytopickonortakeadvantageof.
YoutookNaturalHistoryyourfreshmanyear,alongwithD.BaxleyandR.vanFleck.Attheendofthesemester,youhadamessybreakupwithyoursignificantother,andwastooupsettotakethefinalorturninyourpaper.Prof.Baxleyofferedyouabehind-the-scenesdeal,inwhichhewouldpassyouanywayifyousworetoowehimafavorinthefuture.
the assignment: ProfBaxleycalledyouuplastweektocallinthefavor.Hehasassignedyou,severalotherstudents,andhissontoarrangetohangoutatyourhousetogether.Hesaidthatearlyintheevening,J.Kingstonwilldropby.ThegroupofyouhavetomakeC.FisherandJ.Kingstonfallinloveev-erybodyisinonitbutthetwoofthem.Hesaidtheywillmakeeachother
veryhappy,butthatitsvery,veryimportantthatithappentonight.
goals:Makethemfallinlove.Beagoodhost.
resists
Physical AverageSocial PoorEmotionalBad
speCials
None
inventory
Nothingremarkable
GL
S
[ Mike / Mina ] Shelley
Age21
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other knoWleDge:IncontrasttohowfriendlyProfBaxleyis,hissonD.Baxleyisreallyobnoxious.
Nobodylikeshim.Youwouldkindofratherhenotbehere.J.Kingstonisoppressedbyhisridiculouslystrictandelitistfather(hismother
diedalongtimeago).Youvebeenfriendsforafewyears,andheisalways
welcomeatyourhouse.Hecomesbyalottogetawayfromhisfather.Aromanticrelationshipwouldbegoodforhim.YouknowC.Fisherfromschool.Hesadecentperson,butkindofeccentric.
relationships :YouareJ.Kingstonsonlyclosefriend.
YouarealsofriendswithR.vanFleck(Junior)andJeanFrommer(Sophomore).
Questionsto ansWer:
Whyareyousonice?Wereyoualwaysnice?
Whatareyourparentslike?Whatisyourrelationshipwiththem?
Whataresomeexamplesofpeopletakingadvantageofyouforyournice-ness?Doyourealizehowoftenithappens?
Whatdoesfriendshipmeantoyou?
Whatsyourmajor?Whatareyourcareerplans?
Whatdoyoulookforinasignificantother?
Howdidthatbreakuphappen?Haveyoudatedanyoneelsesince?
WhatdoyouactuallythinkofProfBaxley?
Whataresomeofyourfavoritethingstodo?
Haveyoutravelled?Wherehaveyoubeen?
Whatdoyoudislikeaboutyourself?
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A Little Magic
apparentiDentity:FriendofM.Shelley,JunioratRidley
real iDentity:SecretlyardentdefenderofM.Shelley
baCkgrounD:YoutookNaturalHistoryyourfreshmanyear,alongwithD.BaxleyandM.Shelley.Youwereunremarkableintheclass,butlaterneededProfBaxleysrecommendationforaninternship.Heofferedyouabehind-the-scenesdeal:hewouldwriteyouastunningrecommendationifyoupromisedtoowehimafavorinthefuture.
the assignment: ProfBaxleycalledyouuplastweektocallinthefavor.Hehasassignedyou,severalotherstudents,andhissontoarrangetohangoutatyourhousetogether.Hesaidthatearlyintheevening,J.Kingstonwilldropby.ThegroupofyouhavetomakeC.FisherandJ.Kingstonfallinloveev-erybodyisinonitbutthetwoofthem.Hesaidtheywillmakeeachotherveryhappy,butthatitsvery,veryimportantthatithappentonight.
goals:WatchoutforM.Shelley.Makethemfallinlove.
[ Ren / Renee ] van Fleck
GL
C Age21
non-ConfliCt abilitiesHit:Makesomeonesociallycowedforawhilebyhittingthem.(S/P)DetectLiex2:Tellwhensomeoneislying.(E)Improvisex:Soundlikeyouknowalotaboutaparticulartopic.(S)Intimidatex2:Makesomebodykindofscaredofyou.(S)Pressx2:Makesomeonegiveyouadditionalinformationwhentheyoriginally
werenotplanningto.(S)
resists
Physical AverageSocial DecentEmotionalPoor
speCials
None
inventory
Nothingremarkable
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0
other knoWleDge:IncontrasttohowfriendlyProfBaxleyis,hissonD.Baxleyisreallyobnoxious.
Nobodylikeshim.Youheardhismotherleftbecauseevenshecouldntstandhim.
M.Shelleyalwaysgetspickedonortakenadvantageofbecausehessonice.
relationships :M.Shelleyconsidersyouafriendjustlikethetwodozenothershehas,but
youaredeeplydevotedtohim.Youconsiderhimoneofthefewextremelygoodpeopleintheworld,andareveryprotectiveofhim.Youhaventtoldhimthisbecauseitwouldmakehimfeelself-conscious.
YoucanstandD.Baxleylessthanmostpeople,especiallybecauseofhowcruelhetendstobetoM.Shelley.
Questionsto ansWer:
Whatsyourmajor?Whatareyourcareerplans?
WhydidyoutakeNaturalSciencefreshmanyear?
Whatdoyoulikeaboutyourself?
Whatdoyoudislikeaboutyourself?
Whattypeofmusicdoyoulistento?Whatbooksdoyouread?
WhatdoyouactuallythinkofProfBaxley?
Whatisyourattitudetowardsrelationships?
WhydoyouvalueM.Shelleysomuch?
Whatisyoursexualorientation?
Whatcharacteristicsofapersondoyouconsiderimportant?
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A Little Magic
apparentiDentity:FriendofC.Fisher,freshmanatRidley
real iDentity:Idealisticyoungpersonwhowantslove
baCkgrounD:Yourparentsneglectedyou,soyoutendedtodowhateveryouwanted.Youarefromoutofstate,andchoseRidleyfortheircreativewritingprogram.ItfeelsalittleoddbecausemostpeopleatRidleyarefromthearea.YouaretakingNaturalHistorywithC.FisherandJean.Frommer.
Youbelieveinmagic.Agreat-auntofyoursusedtoknowasmallamount,andtaughtyousomeofit.
the assignment: ProfBaxleycalledyouuplastweekwithaproposal.Hewantedyou,severalotherstudents,andhissontoarrangetohangoutatM.Shelleyshousetogether.ThegroupofshouldmakeC.FisherandJ.Kingstonfallinloveeverybodyisinonitbutthetwoofthem.Hesaidhethinkstheyresoulmates,butthatitsvery,veryimportantthatithappentonightbecauseJ.FisherwillsoonleaveforOxford.
goals:MakethemfallinloveFindloveyourselfOthergoalsasyoudeterminethem
[ Andy / Amy ] Grouse
EL
S Age19
resists
Physical PoorSocial PoorEmotionalDecent
speCials
Mustmakeasmallhandgestureorsayafewwordswhenusingmagic.
inventory
Nothingremarkable
non-ConfliCt abilitiesIndependentx:Haveaneasiertimesucceedinginadiscreettaskthatdoes
notinvolveotherpeoplewhenyoudoityourself.Kiss:Makesomeonefeelmoreclear-headedandhappyormakeaphysical
injurystophurtingasmuchwhenyoulightlykissthem/it.Massage:Giveagoodrelaxingmassage.Storytell:Tellanengagingstory.
Jinxx2:Causeanyminoractiontofail.Charmx2:Causethenextfewrandomeventspertainingtoasingleobjective
tofallinyourfavor.(Directorwillmanagethis).Blessx:Undergoasignificantritualtomakesomeoneelseslightlymore
lucky.Needsabunchofspices,wax,andhalfanhourtocastthespell.
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other knoWleDge:C.Fisherisreallycool,butkindofeccentric.Hedoesnthavealotoffriends.JeanFrommeraskedC.Fisheroutlastmonth,butgotturneddownTonightisabluemoon,aspecialtimeformagic.Bluemoonsareveryrare.
relationships :YourebestfriendswithC.Fisher.Youdontknowanybodyelseverywell.
Questionsto ansWer:
Whatdoyoulikeaboutcreativewriting?
Whatsortsofthingsdoyouwriteabout?
Whyisloveimportant?Whatdoesitmeantoyou?
Whatunusualhobbydoyouhave?
Whataresomeotherthingsyouliketodowithyourtime?
Whereareyoufrom?Whatwasitlikethere?Haveyoumovedoften?
Howdoyoufeelaboutyourparents?
Whattypeofmusicdoyoulistento?
Whatdoyouwantoutoflife?
Whatareyourcareerplans?
What,intheworld,doyouconsiderimportantormeaningful?
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A Little Magic
apparentiDentity:FriendofC.FisherandM.Shelley,SophomoreatRidley
real iDentity:UnluckypersondesperatelyinunrequitedlovewithC.Fisher
baCkgrounD:YouareinNaturalHistorywithC.FisheranA.Grouse.YoufelldeeplyinlovewithC.Fisherinthefirstfewweeksyouknewhim,andaskedhimoutlastmonth.Heisobviouslynotinterestedinyouandturnedyoudown.Youdidntmakeafuss,butarestillinlove.
Earlierthisyear,youwereshortonmoney,andtriedtostealProf.Baxleysrareiguanaskeletontopawnformoney.Hecaughtyousneakingintohisof-ficeatAM(heavenknewwhyhewasthereinthefirstplace)and,aftersomenegotiation,agreedtoletyougoifyousworetoowehimafavor.Youdoubthecouldproveanythinganymore,butyouwouldntputitpasthimtotrytogetyouintroubleifyoudontcarryitout.
the assignment: ProfBaxleycalledyouuplastweektocallinthefavor.Hehasassignedyou,severalotherstudents,andhissontoarrangetohangoutatyourhousetogether.Hesaidthatearlyintheevening,J.Kingstonwilldrop
by.ThegroupofyouhavetomakeC.FisherandJ.Kingstonfallinloveev-erybodyisinonitbutthetwoofthem.Hesaidtheywillmakeeachotherveryhappy,butthatitsvery,veryimportantthatithappentonight.
goals:Figureoutwhetheryouwanttocooperatewiththeassignment.
non-ConfliCt abilitiesSleightofHandx:Anysleightofhandaction(pickpocketing,theft,magic
tricks,etc).(P)Speed:Moveveryquickly.Sneakx:Physicallyhideinacornerorshadow,ormovebetweentwoplaces
withoutbeingnoticedwhenunobserved.Overhearx2:Overhearaconversationwithoutbeingnoticed.Insult:Deliverastingingandeffectiveinsult.(S)
ED
S
Jean Frommer
Age20
resists
Physical GoodSocial AverageEmotionalPoor
speCials
None
inventory
Pocketknife
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other knoWleDge:IncontrasttohowfriendlyProfBaxleyis,hissonD.Baxleyisreallyobnoxious.
Nobodylikeshim.C.FisherandA.GrouseareclosefriendsM.Shelleyalwaysgetspickedonortakenadvantageofbecausehessonice.
PeoplesayC.Fisheriseccentric,butyouthinkhescreative,individualistic,honest,confident...
relationships :YouareinlovewithC.Fisher.YouarefriendswithM.Shelley.YouknoweveryoneexceptJ.Kingstonfromschool.
Questionsto ansWer:
DescribethewayyouareinlovewithC.Fisher.
Haveyoueverbeeninlovebefore?Ifso,whathappened?Ifnot,whatisyourimpressionofit?
Whydidyoutrytostealtheskeleton?Haveyoueverstolenbefore?
DoyouthinkProfBaxleyknowsaboutyourfeelingsforC.Fisher?
WhatdoyouthinkofProfBaxley?WhydidyoutakeNaturalHistory?
Whatisyoursinglefavoriteactivity?
Whatsyourmajor?Whatareyourplansforthefuture?
Whatdoyoumorallyvalue?
Whatdoesfriendshipmeantoyou?
Whatdoyoudislikeinaperson?
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A Little Magic
non-ConfliCt abilitiesOverhearx:OverhearaconversationwithoutbeingnoticedDiscreetx:Causesomeonetoreceiveapieceofinformationwithoutknow-
ingwhereitcomesfrom.(TellDirector).ObscureReferencex2:Makesomeonefeelstupidfornotunderstandinga
referenceyoumade.(E)Uninvolvementx2:Makepeoplenotpayattentiontoyouwhenthereisa
conflictunlessyouareinsomewayobviouslyinvolved.(S)Glarex2:Causeapieceofminorbadluckintheformofarandomeventto
befallsomeonebyglaringatthem.
resists
Physical PoorSocial PoorEmotionalAverage
speCials
None
inventory
Nothingremarkable
GD
S
[ Eli / Eliza ] Richmond
Age23
apparentiDentity:FormerBaxleycliquemember,SenioratRidley
real iDentity:StudentdeeplyindebtedtoBaxleybutresentfulofhim
baCkgrounD:YoutookBaxleysNaturalHistoryclassyourfreshmanyear,gothooked,anddecidedtomajorinit.FortwoyearsyouwerehappilyintheBaxleyclique.Duringthattime,youmadefreeuseofyourconnectionwithBaxleyandhisowninclinationforfavor-tradingtoyourownbenefit.Thenoneday,earlyinyourjunioryear,youlookedupandrealizedjusthowmuchyouowedBaxley,andhowharditwouldbetopayitallback.
YoustartedresentingBaxleyforlettingyougetsofar,andresentingthewholesocialgroupandthephenomenonitrepresented.YoudroppedoutofthecliqueandstartedavoidingBaxley,butseeingallthosepeoplesoinno-centlyandignorantlycorruptmakesyouirrationallyangryatallofthem.
Forthepastyear,youhavebeenrunningsmallfavorsforBaxleytomakeupyourdebt.Untilrecently,youdidntthinkyouwouldevergetoutofit.
the assignment: ProfBaxleycalledyouuplastweekandtoldyouthathe
hadsomethingveryimportantforyoutodo,andthatifyoudidit,youwouldfinallybeeven.Hehasassignedyou,severalotherstudents,andhissontoar-rangetohangoutatyourhousetogether.Hesaidthatearlyintheevening,J.Kingstonwilldropby.ThegroupofyouhavetomakeC.FisherandJ.Kingstonfallinloveeverybodyisinonitbutthetwoofthem.Hesaiditsvery,veryimportantthatithappentonight.
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goals:Fulfillyourdebt,makethemfallinloveMaketherestoftheteamfighteachotherSpecifically,breakupM.Shelley,R.vanFleck,andJeanFrommersfriendshipTakeadvantageofM.Shelley,howeverconvenient
other knoWleDge:Yourenotsure,butyoubetalotoftheotherpeopleontheteamarehere
becausetheyalsooweBaxleyalot.ProfBaxleyssonD.Baxleyisreallyobnoxious.Nobodylikeshim.M.Shelleyisridiculouslyinnocentandnice,andveryeasytotakeadvantageof.
Questionsto ansWer:
Whatwasyourlifelikebeforecollege?
WhatweresomeofthedealsyoumadewithBaxleyearlyonthatgotyousofarindebtforfavors?Doyouoweanythingotherthanunspecifiedfavors?(E.g.,kepttradingforgoodgradessoyoucouldskipclass,tradedforrecom-mendationsandinternships,academicconnections,borrowedmoney,etc.)
Whywereyousowillingtotrade?
Howdidyoucometorealizeyouwereintrouble?
Whodoyoublame?
WhynotjustignoreyourdebtstoBaxley?
WhatdoyoumissfromyourBaxleycliquedays?
AreyoustillaNaturalHistorymajor?Whatareyourfutureplans?
Whatisyourlovelifelike?Whatdoeslovemeantoyou?
Whatactivitiesdoyouenjoydoing?
Whatareyourpoliticsviews?
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Player Materials
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funCtion levels, Damage, anD reCovery: Bydefault,eachcharacterstartsatFunctionLevel.AcharactersFunctionLevel(FL)representstheconditionthatthecharacterisin,physicallyandpsychologically,andcandecreaseorincreaseoverthecourseofthelarpasaresultofharmorrecov-ery. Ingeneral,acharacteratFLisessentiallyunharmedandingoodshape,atFLisinanunpleasantbutnotparticularlydisablingstate,atFLissomewhatdisabled,atFL2cannotperformmostactivities,andatFLcandolittleotherthanspeak.IfacharacteriseverreducedtoFL0,heisoutofthegameandcompletelyunabletoaf-fecttheplotthereafter.Exactlyhowthecharacteristakenoutdependsonthenature
ofthedamagethatreducedhimtoFL0. AplayercanrequestthattheDirectorapproveanFLchangeevenwhentherulesdontcallforit,ifhethinksthatprioreventswouldcausethechangetohappen.
abilities: Abilitiesaregiveninthefollowingformat:Namex[#ofuses](RaNgeof fLs)[bonus]:DescRiptioNof effect(amtDR)(resisttype)
Examples:Intimidatex(-):Makesomeonebackdown(-FL)(S)
Flatterx(-):Makesomeonefeelundulyproudofthemselves(+)(E)Spark(-):Brieflycreateatinyflamebymagic
#ofuses=thenumberoftimesthatabilitymaybeusedduringtheLarp.Ifnoneislisted,theabilitymaybeusedasmanytimesastheopportunityarises.
RangeofFLs=therangeoftheusersFLsatwhichtheabilitymaybeused.IfacharactersFLisoutsidetherange,hemaynotusethatability.
Bonus=anumberfrom-tothatrepresentsthecharacterseffectivenessatusingthatabilityagainstopposition.+/-=significant,+/-2=extraordinary,+/-=worldclass.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)Thiswillmodifythecharacterschanceof
successwhenusingtheability.AmtDR=DRcausedbytheability,ifapplicable.-/+FL#indicatesthatittakesthetargetdown/uptothatFL,respectively.-/+#indicatesthatthetargetloses/gainsthatnumberofFLs.
Type=typeofResistrequiredtoblocktheability.P=Physical,S=Social,E=Emotional,NR=NotResistible,P/S=PhysicalorSocial,whicheverishigher.OtherlettersforotherResists.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)
SpecialexceptionstoabilitiesaregivenintheSpecialsectionofthecharactersheet
ConfliCt
resolution
DeClaring aCtions: Conflictresolutionworksasfollows:First,participantsstatetheirintendedactions.Allothercharactersareallowedtoparticipate,stopparticipating,orchangetheirownintendedactionsinlightoftheintendedactionsofothers.(Intherarecasethatthiscausesanendlesscircle,everybodyshouldchooseactionssimultaneouslyinsecret.) Aparticipantcandeclarehis/herintendedactionascontingentonthesuccessorfailureofanotheraction(e.g.runningawayonlyifhispartnerdies.).Hecanalsodeclarethatheisnotacting,andsimplyfocusingonResistingasaprimaryaction.
Rules Summary
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0
biDDing: Afterallintendedactionsareestablished,allparticipantssimultaneouslyBidDamage.Biddingmeanssecretlychoosinganamountofdamage(inFLs)thattheplayeriswillingtoriskhis/hercharacterreceivinginordertoincreasethecharactersactionschanceofsuccess. Regardlessofthecharactersdedication,bidsizesarelimitedbytheamount
ofdamagethecharactercouldplausiblygetintheconflict,andeachparticipantisresponsiblefordeterminingaplausibleICreasontotaketheamountofdamagehebid..Forexample,inmostcasesitisimplausibletotakemorethandamageinapettyargument,butanyamountofdamageispossibleinagunfight.Keepinmindthatlos-inganFLissignificant;aplayersdefaultbidshouldbe0. Bidsonlyapplytoacharactersprimaryaction.Thismeansthatifacharacterisdoinganormalprimaryaction,abiddoesnotincreasehischancesofResisting.However,ifheisonlyResisting,thenabidwillincreasethechanceofallofhisResistssucceeding.Damagethatwasbidonlyactuallyoccursiftheactionisinanywaysuccessful. Whenbidsaredecided,participantsholdout0-fingersbehindtheirbackscorre-spondingtothesizeoftheirbids.Allparticipantsthenshowtheirbidsatthesametime.
ranking: Participantscalculatetotalsbyaddingtheirabilitybonusandbid.(Werecom-mendthenholdingoutfingersfortotals,forefficiency.)IfacharacterisprimarilyResisting,anybidhemadeisaddedtoallhisResisttotals. Atthispoint,allactionsarerankedbytheirtotals,fromhighesttolowest,withtiesbrokenrandomly(suchaswithrock-paper-scissors). Actionstakeplaceinorder,startingfromthehighest.IfapreviousactioncausesacharactertohavetoolowanFLtoperformhisintendedaction,orsimplypreventsthatactionfromoccurring(e.g.aResist),thatactioniscancelled.AResistcancelsalllower-rankedeffectsoftherelevantResisttypeonthatcharacter. Ifanypartofanactionsucceeded,thenthebidgoesintoeffectimmediatelyaftertheactionexecutes. Itsimportanttonotethatwhenanintendedactiongetscancelledbecauseofeffectsofearlieractions,anylimited-useabilitiesspenttoattempttheactionarestillusedup,butanydamagebiddoesnotoccur.
artifaCts ArtifactsareitemsthatmakeiteasierforacharactertocauseDR,oftenasacon-flictaction.Themostcommontypeofartifactsareweapons,whichobviouslycause
damage.However,artifactslikedrugsmaycauserecovery. CertainPCsmayhaveabilitiesthatmakethemgoodatusinganartifact,butbydefault,PCssimplyuseartifactswiththeirGeneralPhysicalability.Ifanartifactuseactionsucceeds,thenthetargetisDRedanamountaccordingtotheDRamountoftheartifact(exactlythesameasusinganabilitythatnormallycausesDRonitsown). SpecificartifactuseabilitiesmayoverrideDRamountsonanartifact,eitherbythedescription,orbybeingthemselvesfixedDR(i.e.-/+FL#).ArtifactuseabilitiesthatarethemselvesunfixedDR(i.e.-/+#)stackwiththeartifactsownDRamount. Bydefault,knivesare(-)andgunsare(-2).
after resolution: Aftertheaboveprocessiscomplete,charactersmayelecttousemoreabilitiesinresponsetotheresults.Thisopensanewroundoftheconflictinwhichanybodyinvolvedcanuseabilitiesandtherulesforresolutionarethesame.
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BrookviewisaNewEnglandtownofabout200,000people.ItwasbuiltuparoundtwofocitheKingstonfamilyinvestmentsandRidleyCollege.Mostofthetownspopulationconsistsofarelaxedbutenthusiasticmiddleclass,althoughpolitics,busi-ness,andculturearedrivenbyasmall,old,andsnobbyelite. TheKingstonfamilyisatthetopofthiselite.TheirvariedbusinessesdominatetheBrookvieweconomy,andlittleofnoteisdonetothetownwithouttheirap-proval.Rumorsaboundoftheirmafiaconnections.However,theirindifferencetoanduninvolvementwithactualBrookviewlifemakesthemfeeltomostpeoplemorelikeatownfixturethananysortofpresentorloomingpower. RidleyCollegeisasmallliberalartscollegeabouttwohundredyearsoldatthe
edgeoftown.Itsfriendlyprofessors,energeticstudents,andstronginvolvementinthecommunitymakeitquitepopular.
ThegameissetonaneveninginlateNovember,ataninformalgatheringatM.Shelleyshouse.M.Shelleyisastudentwholivesathome.AllcharactersarestudentsatRidleyexceptforJ.Kingston,theonlychildoftheKingstonfamily. Outside,thenightiscoolandclear,withalovelyfullmooninthesky.
thefolloWinginformationisknoWntoeveryoneexCept j. kingston:
(j. kingstonshoulDleavetheroomorjustignorethisinfo) ProfessorP.Baxley(nobodyknowswhatthePstandsforrumorsayshisfirstnameisreallyjustProfessor) isthemostnotoriousandwell-lovedprofessoratRid-ley.Hesportly,jovial,andeccentric.HehasbeenteachingatRidleyforfortyyears,andiswidelyspeculatedtobeimmortalhelooksinhisearlyfifties,andconstantlytellsstoriesofhiswildandrambunctiousyouth. HeteachesNaturalHistory0infallsemester,awidelypopularclass,especiallyforfreshman,andadvisestheNaturalHistorymajor.Heislikethesortofprofessorinarchaeologymovieshegoesaroundinanexplorerhat,andhasahugeofficefilledwithoddfossils,driedplants,bizarrethingsinjars,andotherartifacts,includingwhat
heclaimstobeanextremelyrareiguanaskeleton. Baxleyisalsoslightlynotoriousforbreakingrules,makingbargainswithstudents,involvinghimselfinstudentsnon-academiclives,etc,butisbenignandpopularenoughthatthecollegedoesntbotherhimverymuch.CurrentandformerNaturalHistorystudentstendtoformalooseacliquecenteredaroundhisofficehours.OfthePCs,M.ShelleyandR.vanFleckbelongtothisclique.E.Richmondusedto,butstoppedtwoyearsago.
Public Background Overview
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2
larp-speCifiC rules:
Thisgameimplementsamajorrulechange:TherearenoConflicts.AllabilitiesareNon-Conflictandalwayssucceed.Actionssimplyexecuteintheordertheyaredeclared.
BecausetherearenoConflicts,therearealsonoFunctionLevelsorResists.TheResistareaofthecharactersheetinsteadgivesageneralideaofhowgoodthecharacterisatdealingwithPhysical/Social/Emotionalthreats,simplyforroleplayingpurposes.AbilitieswillalsoincludeacorrespondingtypeofResistifrelevant,againonlyasahelpfulreference.
Abilitiesthatchangepeoplesmindsorattitudesarenotsetinstonetheycanwearoffnaturallyinresponsetofurtherevents.
beginning announCements:
Thisgameissetinaworldthatdoeshavealittlemagicinit,thoughmostnormalpeopledontbelieveinit.Thestyleofmagicfollowstheurbanfairytalegenre:relativelybenign,quaint,basedoffofherbsandcharms,anelementofdreamsandromanceineverydaylife.Everyoneshouldusethisgeneralintuitionofthenatureofmagic.Forthosewhowantmoredetail,asktheDirectortoreadyoutherelevantsectionofSecretBackgroundInformation.
Keepinmindthat,althoughthelarpisonlythreehourslong,itisaromancestory.Loveisintheair,andcharactersareexpectedtofallinandoutofloveoverthecourseofthegame.Playyourcharacterswiththisinmind,andupdate
theDirectorregularlyonyourfeelings.
Youwillfindoverthecourseofthegamethatyouwillhavetomakeupalotofsmalldetailsaboutyourdailylife,RidleyCollege,andBrookviewingeneraldontbeshy,feelfreetoimprovise!
Larp-Specific Rules and
Announcements
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A Little Magic
ED
C
[ Julian / Juliet ] Kingston
Age20
apparentiDentity:OnlychildandscionoftheKingstonfamily
real iDentity:Suppressedyoungpersonconstantlyforcedtomeettheexpectationsofhisfather
baCkgrounD:YouaretheoneexpectedtocontinueontheillustriousKings-tonfamilyname.Yourmotherdiedwhenyouwereveryyoung.Yourfatherhasalwaysruledhisfamily,histown,hisbusiness,andyouwithanironfist.Hehasverystrictrequirementsofyou,andinsistentonkeepingappearances.Becauseofthis,youhaveneverreallyhadanyclosefriends.
Youwere,ofcourse,privatelyschooled.YourfatherhasarrangedforyoutogotoOxford,startingthecomingJanuary.HehasalsoarrangedforyoutobecomeengagedtoanequallyrespectableFrenchheirwhomyouwillmeetthere.Youknowvirtuallynothingaboutthisperson,butyouhaveheardru-morsthathisfamilyisinvolvedinillicitdealings,andthatyourfatherislookingtogetbackintothebusinessnowthatyourgrandparentsaredead.
Youhavealwayssecretlywantedlove,andarefrustratedthatyouarenotallowedtohaveit.Youveneverhadarelationshipbefore.Youarealso
bisexual,thoughyourfatherwouldnevertolerateitifhefoundout. YoufrequentlycometoM.Shelleyshousetogetawayfromyourfather
andservants.Youarealwayswelcomethere.M.isprobablyyourbestfriend,butyoufeellikeevenhedoesntreallyunderstandyou.
goals: Relaxandenjoyyourtimeawayfromyourfather.
non-ConfliCt abilitiesEtiquette:Failtomakeasocialmistake.(Ifyoudosomethingwrong,usethis
abilitytotakeitbacksothatitneverhappenedIC)PowerfulStarex:Makesomeonefeelchastisedbylookingatthem(S)PublicSpeaking:Holdanaudiencesattentionwhenyoutellastoryormake
aspeech.AirofMysteryx:Addanairofmysterytoagestureoraction.Intimidate:Makesomeonefeelintimidatedbyyou.(S)
resists
Physical DecentSocial GoodEmotionalAverage
speCials
None
inventory
$200
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other knoWleDge:TheKingstonsarenot,infact,criminals.Theywereoverfiftyyearsago,but
whenyourpaternalgrandmothermarriedyourgrandfather,shediditontheconditionthathecleanuphisactsincethen,yourfamilyhasbeentheperfectlylegalsortofextremelyelitistandaloof.
Bluemoonshappenaboutonceeveryfouryears.
relationships :YouarefriendswithM.Shelley.YouknowhisfriendR.White,butnooneelse.
Questionsto ansWer:
Whataresomereasonsyouhaventbeenabletobeabletogetreallyclosetoanybodyinthepast?
Whatwasyourmotherlike?Howwelldoyourememberher?
Doyouspendalotoftimewithyourfather?Whatdoyoutalkabout?
Howdoyoufeelaboutbeingbisexual?Howdidyoufindout?
Whatistheonethingyouliketodomost?Howoftendoyoudoit?
Whatdoeslovemeantoyou?Whydoyouwantitsomuch?
Whatdoeshomemeantoyou?
Whattypeofmusicdoyoulistento?Whatbooksdoyouread?
Haveyoutraveledalot?Wherehaveyoubeen?
Whataresomeofyourfavoriteitemsthatyouhave?
What,inlife,doyouconsidertobetrulyimportant?
Howdoyoufeelabouttheideaofyourfamilybecomingacriminalagain?
WhatdoyoupicturetheFrenchfiancebeinglike?
Whatwasthebestthingthateverhappenedtoyou?
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A Little Magic
EL
C
[ Cole / Connie ] Fisher
Age19
apparentiDentity:EccentricfreshmanatRidleyCollege
real iDentity:Youareprettystraightforwardlywhatyouappeartobe.
baCkgrounD:Youareanonlychild.YouvelivedinBrookviewallyourlife.Youarebrightandcleveryourparentswantedyoutogotoawell-knowncollegeoutofstate,butyouinsistedongoingtoRidleybecauseyouloveithere.
Youvealwaysbeenalittlebiteccentric,tendingtodoyourownthingdespiteinconvenienceordisapprovalfromothers.Youarefundamentallyahappyperson,engagedbylifeandcomfortablewithyourself.However,becauseofyoureccentricities,yourfriendshipstendtoberocky,inconsistent,andultimatelykindofunsatisfying.
Youarebisexual.Youveneverhadarelationshipbefore.JeanFrommeraskedyououtlastmonth,butyouturnedhimdown.
Youbelieveinmagic,insecretwonderfulthingsthatlurkineverydaylife.Youhadateacheralongtimeagowhoknewalittlemagic.Youareentrancedbymysteryandnewexperiences.
knoWleDge:YouareinNaturalHistoryrightnowwithA.GrouseandJeanFrommer.A.GrousewantstofindloveItsabluemoontonight,atimewheremagiciseasierandanythingispossible.
resists
Physical PoorSocial SuperbEmotionalDecent
speCials
None
inventory
Luckyworrystone
non-ConfliCt abilitiesWishx:Wishuponastar,andtelltheDirector.TheDirectorwillchange
circumstancessothatitismorelikelyforyourwishtocometrue.Soliloquizex2:Forcepeopletolistentoyougoonaboutanesoterictopic
thatyouandfewotherpeoplecareabout.Nothingmeaningfulcanbesaidorachievedaslongasyoukeeptalking(nomorethanmins).
Understandx:Intuitivelyknowtheanswertoanyyes/noquestionaboutapersonspersonality,motivations,issues,ordesires.(E)
Luckx:Causeanyeventthatcouldhappenbychancetogoinyourfavor.
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goals:Gettoknowpeopleandhaveagoodtime.SetA.Grouseupwithsomebody.
relationships :
YouareclosefriendswithA.Grouse. YouarecasualfriendswithM.ShelleyandJeanFrommer. YoudontknowJ.Kingston,R.vanFleck,orE.Richmond