The Nibelungen as a location

Just to let you guys know, I intend to make the Nibelungen available as a location for other larps to take place in after Episode 1.

While the ship is purpose-built for my pulp sci-fi game, it will be flexible and allows for an exciting range of dynamic world simulation. I won’t say exactly how until after the game, but there are a few opportunities to explore.

Flight of the Hindenburg
I’d be willing to have this game in the Nibelungen, and we could add a neat bit of AV and flight simulation while we’re at it. The game size would need to be reduced to around 25 people though.

United Airlines flight 175
One of those games that isn’t a game and doesn’t need to be fun. United Airlines flight 175 was the second jet liner to crash into the World Trade Centre on September 11 2001. The Nibelungen can simulate the experience. Would be a single evening for experienced larpers.

The beginning
I’d like to run a larp where the players are gods creating a universe.

I’ve got the materials for a murder-mystery set on a space station that could play well in this venue. It’s written for around seven or eight players I think. The name is “Murder on the Horizon”.

It’s not out of the box, it’s a homebrew in an original hard SF setting with excellent flavour and proper character write-ups (i.e. the murderer knows they did it, they’re not guessing with everyone else like in those rather silly How to Host a Murder games). I’m pretty sure the author would happy for us to play it, will check with him.

[quote=“Exquire”]Flight of the Hindenburg
I’d be willing to have this game in the Nibelungen, and we could add a neat bit of AV and flight simulation while we’re at it. The game size would need to be reduced to around 25 people though.[/quote]

Reducing the player size that much would require a massive re-write. Would be nifty to have the AV though.

I forgot that I’d never really documented this.

Essentially, the Nibelungen is a fairly large single-room flexible venue with focus on lighting, sound and interaction.

Stuff:
Large, oval table (seats about ten I think)
Psychotic lighting programmable for static environments and “emergency, emergency” type flashing stuff.
Vintage fans stuck to the ceiling for circulation and look
Three black spacesuits (2 belong to nzLARPS)
It says “Shikadi” and “Nibelungen” in stencil all over the place.
Long, oblong-shaped room
One long wall is mostly frosted louver windows
Big, single thermal curtain across that window is full light-blocker
Curtain can be rolled up and tied or hung for darkness in daylight
Can sleep half a dozen comfortably, or hire bunks and sleep up to 12.

Computer/AV stuff:
Computer can output to built-in projection system (720i) and external sound card/PA system. Also links to built-in high-speed network connection (which can be accessed wirelessly). Very large subwoofer can make shit move about on demand.
The venue includes a bunch of fixed-place (after setting up) control panels that enter the computer as a PS2 keyboard connection (USB and powered extensions also available but not for the built-in buttons). These buttons can be configured by a purpose-built configuration utility as well as inputs to your chosen simulation program. Joystick and throttle control panels also exist and input by USB.
At the moment I don’t have a computer in place, but there are lots of those around and they can be prepared at other people’s places beforehand. More simple than it sounds.
Projector is high-contrast so outer-space dogfighting (very dark) can be done. But it’s not particularly bright so you’ll be straining your eyes for vampire flicks at noon.
Sound system can do 5.1 (system has an awesome subwoofer) but prefer stereo. I’d be really keen to see multi-channel environments and can adapt to suit.
KVM style video switch allows two computer video inputs. Also wired for component video and composite/S-Video but the video switching must be done by projector remote interface at this time. Sound switching can be done through mixing desk or digital distinct amplifier inputs.

Hope this isn’t all too technical, don’t let it scare you off. Happy to arrange viewings and demos. I’d want to charge a standard venue rate to hire the place out, and I’d want to be around while it’s going on.

The Nibelungen will become the Hub club on Saturday the 4th of August at 6pm for a 2014 (superheroes) game. I’ll try to do a bit of set-dressing beforehand and make her sparkle.

A perfect use for the venue so see you there…