Last year, we had a thread that tried to collate all the pre-written theatreforms that were out there for people to choose from to run at Chimera (and other places) I think we should try and keep that going here in the general forum, so that we can keep track of these valuable assets, especially the stuff written locally that might not be online (yet)
Game Banks
Freeform Games - this company produces high quality, fun theatreform games, marketed as murder mysteries to the unsuspecting masses. They have a variety of genres and their games can cater to numbers from 8 to 33. nzLARPS presently owns “A Dead Man’s Chest” and "Happy Birthday RJ"
Irish Gaming - Some 47 game scripts. Have your virus checker updated.
Shifting Forest Storyworks- 10 scenarios for 8-10 people, very nice looking.
RPG Net List - A fantastic list of larp scenarios (I think Ryan started the page?) divided up by number of players, and links to where you can get them from. In fact, like this list only better.
Individual Games
The Final Voyage of the Mary Celeste- nzLARPS owns the hardcopy book, as well as the pdf. A 13-19 player game of absolute madcap insanity.
Carry on at Camp David - Light-hearted Cold War crisis for 15-18 players.
Diamond Geezers - East London Gangsters (i.e. “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) for 10 players (Scott Kelly owns a copy)
An Ecumenical Matter - Light-hearted religious-themed for 15 players.
Midsummer Mischief - A P.G. Wodehouse larp for 25 people. Ryan has contact with the writer.
Colonel Sebastian T. Rawhide’s Circus of the Spectacular - Join Colonel Sebastian T. Rawhide and his Circus of the Spectacular as they return to America from their TRIUMPHANT tour of Europe where they performed for Kings and Heads of State. But… the Circus is ailing financially. Can the valiant members of the Circus save the show from the clutches of the nefarious Bungling Brothers? For 14-22 players, written with a simple card-based combat system called MENKS which involves yelling out stuff like “POW!”. The scenario is not available online but Mike is willing to send to a GM who wants to run it at Chimera. Contains high weirdness in the style of the Mary Celeste scenario.
The Road Not Taken - An experimental LARP of decisions and emotions for up to 12 players. Each player takes a turn in the spotlight in a 10-minute scene that’s specifically about their character, who must make a tough decision, while the other players play voices in your head. Note the link below is the whole game, don’t read past page 4 if you want to play it.
Dark Summonings: The Uncivilized Guest - Occult adventure set in 1926. For 10-20 players, usually takes 4 hours. Written for Rules to Live By, but could be adapted to simpler mechanics like our “kick ass” system.
Marin County New Age Society Cocktail Party - Set at a high-society cocktail party, another classic US theatre-style scenario by the people who wrote Mary Celeste. For 10-15 players and 2 GMs. Available free online from the LARPA Game Bank I think, but can also be bought as a book.
City of Blood and Darkness - In the multiverse are many cities where beings both mortal and immortal dwell. One such is Sigil, the City of Doors. Another is Ribcage. A city of evil, oppressive Order. Of blood, and of darkness. Ribcage teeters on the edge of a Lower Plane of evil, the fiends held at bay only by the efforts of Lord Paracs. If this sorcerer falls, Ribcage will plunge into the Nine Pits of Hell. Yet surely the celestials would not allow such a victory for evil? City of Blood and Darkness is in the Planescape setting, has 40 characters, and is designed for a three hour slot. It comes with moderately simple “pack of cards” mechanic that uses each suit for a different type of ability: Fighting, Magic, Thievery, and Will. This could easily be swapped out for an even simpler abstract or live combat system, as no mechanics are mentioned on the character sheets. (Ryan Paddy and Chimera both have the script)
The Shadow Play - A Victorian freeform for 24 characters with supernatural stuff, remniscent of some of the darker themes at the Great Exhibition. The system is unclear, looks like Mind’s Eye Theatre but I’m not familiar enough with that to know. It also has this curious system of tradable objectives, which you receive Plot Points for achieving, and once you get three points a new side of your character is revealed. This scenario might require figuring out of how it is intended to be run, or emailing the author, or just creative license. (Ryan Paddy and Chimera both have the script)
Very Bad Things - In an unnamed generic English town, some Very Bad Things are going to happen. Some of those things are sordid and petty, among the many common sins of modern life. Some of them are all–but unbelievable. Most of the really bad things are going to happen to you. Sorry. Very Bad Things is a trashy daytime soap opera freeform for 21 players. Contains high weirdness. The characters are detailed, but there is also a system in which characters get random connections to each other. The system also contains other unusual stuff, but it could be changed easily. (Ryan Paddy and Chimera both have the script)
Clandestyne by Gaslight - Set in an alternative 1899 with occult themes. For 40 characters, many inspired by famous figures from literature and history… including Fu Manchu and Pope Leo XIII. (Ryan Paddy and Chimera both have the script)
Murder on the Horizon - The earth year is 2231. New Horizons is the name of the largest space station in the solar system. It sits on the asteroid Ancorra, the largest stable asteroid in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. It was built to ship the ores that are mined here—Iron, Titanium, Gold, and Uranium being some of the most important. In the time since the founding of the station 56 years ago colonies have sprung up on some of the moons of the outer planets, and the station is a critical way-point for all ships inbound or outbound. A murder has taken place on the station, and some of the 1500 inhabitants have gathered to investigate. A hard SF scenario written for 10 characters, no system. It is a little incomplete, but the setting and character material that exists is nicely written, could be played at that size or expanded with some more character writing. NZLARPS has access to some SF costumes and props, and asking Craig (Exquire) for help would be a good idea on the props and special effects front. The scenario is has never been run, so would need a good proof-read at least. (Ryan Paddy has the script)
After Life (SPOILERS in the full character writeups) The game is set some time in the future, beginning on a high-speed train traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Players take on the roles of the passengers of one car, whose lives are unexpectedly cut short during a tragic accident. However, the regular mechanisms of the afterlife are somehow suspended, leaving the dead to find their own way to a final reward or punishment. The wayward spirits may have one last chance to second-guess a lifetime of decisions…
Much Ado About Something - By Alan Schwartz. Hear ye, hear ye! By order of Theseus, Duke of Athens, ye are hereby summoned to the reading of ye Last Wille of William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, recently discovered slain by unknown causes. Shakespeare’s Legacy includes the title to his complete works, which some believe may one day have value. 16 players. (Idiot Savant has the script)
Prayers on a Porcelain Altar - By J. Tuomas Harviainen. This game simulates an awful hung-over morning. Last night you were at a random drunken party with strangers, now no one remembers anything and everyone is feeling ill. Upstairs is a dump and those blood-covered sheets look really disturbing. It would be nice to know what the hell happened. Script available online.
Local Games
For the Honour of the Family - by Katrina Allis, Freya Sacksen and Gareth Cranefield (of Wellington) 7th June, 1826. For centuries, the Cantacuzio family, a powerful and ancient house, has been at the centre of Wallachian politics. They have endured much over the centuries in their attempt to build and ultimately profit from a just and strong Wallachian society. But now the head of the house, Duna Cantacuzino, has suddenly died and with the traditional mourning rites observed, the family must gather and choose the new head of house before the next new moon leaves the dusk horizon. Suspicions abound over Duna’s death, ambitions clash and strong family ties are tested against ruthless Wallachian politics. 14 PCs.
Graduation Day - by Donna Giltrap (of Wellington) The independent city-state of Tourmaline is ruled by the wizards of the White College. Prince Ambrose, the younger son of the King of neighbouring Arlandia, was sent to the White College to receive a gentleman’s education. To the surprise of many he actually passed his final exams. Today Prince Ambrose is holding the traditional graduation feast to honour the College Masters. 9 players.
Nightmare Circle: The Return - by Raoul Griffiths. Arkham’s popular eccentric, Cyrus Crane, went missing several months ago in the mountains as he hunted for occult relics. Now, a miracle has happened, Cyrus has returned alive, and he has invited all his friends to a dinner to celebrate his homecoming. 9 players.
The Black Hart of Camelot - by Ryan Paddy. Set in the legendary age of King Arthur, this scenario brings together the lords and ladies of the tales for a gathering that will shape the fate of the Kingdom of Britain. 19-24 characters.
But Nobody Loses An Eye - by Stephanie and Catherine Pegg. You’re four years old and invited to a birthday party. This is going to be great! What could possibly go wrong? 8-12 players.
Down and out in Middenburg - by Donna Giltrap & Malcolm Harbrow. A theatreform comedy about beggars in a medieval fantasy city.
Evicting the Dragon- by Patrick Cummuskey. A military resistance scenario set in a near future in which China is occupying New Zealand. 12 players.
Spy Hard - by Tigger Brunton. An espionage adventure-comedy set at a high-society party in the swinging 60s. 20 players.
The Summers Crisis, 2034 - By Danielle Van Rossum. A futuristic United Nations political scenario. 14-18 players.
Breakout Day - written by Morgan Davie, Zak Clarke, Luke Walker, Jonathan Todd, and Nate Cull. Rewritten by Anna Klein, Rowena Knill and Blair Purkiss. A strange callcentre organises a day to boost flagging company morale. 35 players.
Masquerade on Fleet Street - by Anna Klein. A gothic melodrama inspired by Sweeney Todd. 35-40 players.
Betrothals and Betrayals - by Donna Giltrap & Debbie Cowens. Lady Bathurst has invited a number of eligible young ladies and gentleman to stay at Albion Hall, in the hope of finding a suitable match for her only daughter. However, behind the polite conversation and pleasant surroundings lurks many a dark secret and hidden agenda. Inspired by the works of Jane Austen and Susanna Clarke. 13 players.
The Discarded - By Matt “Tigger” Brunton. A challenging role-play confronting the roles of beauty and humanity. In 2172 AD the most repulsive mutant horrors were expelled from earth, wandering the solar system in a rusty shell of a space ship with no place to call home. In a society seeking the ultimate in physical beauty, what becomes of those who are less than perfect? 15 players.
A Feast of Crows - by Zane and Alice Mendoza. Come join us on a Provoke Fashion cover shoot. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a sea voyage. 17 players.
Super Sparkle Action Princess GX - by Stephanie and Catherine Pegg. You are the cast and crew of TV’s hottest new children’s show: Super Sparkle Action Princess GX! But there’s a problem: your footage has been is lost, the script is garbage, and the props mistress hates you. Your deadline is today, and failure is not an option. Are you a trouper? 14-17 players.
Truth, Justice and Spandex! - By Blair Purkiss and Kerry Pellett. It’s the day after graduation at the Neopolitan Academy for Development of Supers. Heroes and Villains from all over Neopolis gather to search for new recruits while the graduates of N.A.D.S themselves lookforward to a bright future. Will good triumph over evil in the battle for these young super’s careers? Or will evil bring them to a life of tyranny and having a damn good time doing it? Stay Tuned! 18 players.
Local Games, The Big Ones
Flight of the Hindenburg - by Nasia Alevizos, Katrina Allis, Nick Cole and Frank Pitt (of Wellington) Pulp 1930s for 65 people.
Sanctuary - by Stephanie Pegg, Naomi Guyer and Sean Broadley - A fantasy larp for…60 people?
The Great Exhibition - by Rowena Knill, Dave Luxton, Liz McCombe, Hamish Meads and Gary Freedman.
A Town Called Refuge - by Ivan Essin, Prema Cottingham, Daphne Cohen, Camern Burns and Hamish Meads.
I don’t know the names of the writers or the number of players that Mafia 2071 and Reunion had, or anything before Flight of the Hindenburg. Can people help me fill in the missing details, or add missing games?
There’s also something like five Bad Dreams that have been written but I don’t know if they are rerun-able. Nor do I know if the White Wolf one offs (by Requiem, New Horizons, Nexus etc) are rerunnable.
