This whole thing is the result of a couple of thoughts I’ve had about LARP characters and campaign styles. Thought I’d see what people think.
The setting of the idea is in the modern era, assuming an alternate history in which the Roman Empire survived perpetually and has conquered much of the world. The players begin the game as raw recruits on their first day at the military training camp Fort Rubicon after being conscripted into the Roman Imperial Army.
From the player end the costuming requirements would be very basic. This would help achieve a militaristic uniformity. So costume would be based on modern military gear with a pseudo-Roman theme to it. Red shirts, medals and adornments based on ancient designs, an asklepian instead of a Red Cross, pugio worn by officers as dress daggers. The list of possible examples could go on.
It would be the crew who would really have to go the extra mile in this department. Not only with costuming but for set dressing such as flags, a big map of the world and equipment being issued to the new recruits. The officers would have much more elaborate uniforms reflecting their long service while players would add to their uniforms over successive games. A strong crew culture would be vital to this setting.
The rules would be very simple. It would be a NERF game as the LARP/airsoft crossover hasn’t really yet taken off in New Zealand but also because I think the much higher safety requirements for airsoft would detract from the style of the game. As there would be little in the way of sci-fi or fantasy elements to this setting combat could be covered by falling to the ground once hit and then roleplaying that would.
For example, once hit in the leg fall bodily to the ground. From then on you scream for help, use your arms and good leg to drag yourself slowly along the ground, attempt to stand but keep falling. Eventually a medic would come to your aid or you’d pass out if you figured you’d been injured for long enough with no help arriving. The simple nature of combat would make combat quick, brutal and dramatic.
The style of storytelling I think can be achieved in this game is where I think it starts to get hard to sell. The uniformity removes most of the new costuming buzz and character creation would mainly be the background of an ordinary citizen. As opposed to the heroic epic of other campaign games this would be inspired primarily by war films. Characters from different backgrounds are recruited, brought together and expected to opperate as unit and obey a hierarchical command structure. I think there’s good potential for roleplaying in characters getting to know each other and how each one of reacts to military life.
While certainly not a milsim game, it would be more physical than others. Good footwear would be essential, and players could expect to do some running in formation, climbing, crawling and other basic training excerses, especially in the first game which would be set in a training camp. Players would take night watch shifts, wake up and get to work when they’re told to, eat when they’re told to and take a lot of shit from officers who are charged with getting them working as soldiers should. It would also have to a dry game, as there would be no alcohol on military bases. I know there are a few LARPers who would love the sound of this. It would never get too extreme as the goal here isn’t to punish people but to create a different atmosphere than what we’ve had in previous LARPs.