Wellington campaign?

Wellington
#1

Just wondering if anyone is contemplating running an open-invite campaign/chronicle larp in Wellington.

It’s cool seeing all the one-off larps that have been happening, and I wonder if a campaign would help service the growing community of larpers. The more I look at expanding larp communities, the more it seems like having a cool game experience in common is a big factor, and campaigns allow more opportunities for a common experience.

A well-made game that runs a few times a year, allowing players to develop long-term characters and settle into a world, can create a real snowball effect. For example I gather that a Vampire chronicle (or a series of them) back in the 90s played a part in creating the Wellington roleplaying scene that we now see at Kapcon.

#2

[quote=“Ryan Paddy”]Just wondering if anyone is contemplating running an open-invite campaign/chronicle larp in Wellington.

It’s cool seeing all the one-off larps that have been happening, and I wonder if a campaign would help service the growing community of larpers. The more I look at expanding larp communities, the more it seems like have a cool game experience in common is a big factor, and campaigns allow more opportunities for a common experience.

A well-made game that runs a few times a year, allowing players to develop long-term characters and settle into a world, can create a real snowball effect.[/quote]

I think people are planning a short medieval one - Exodus, AKA medieval zombie apocalypse - but have to wait until summer and are hunting for venues.

I’d like to see one, and would certainly play in it.

#3

We’d love to have something running down here that’s on a recurring basis.

I actually recently sent out an email gauging the communities interest in things like crewing and travelling outside of Welly, and playing in the rain - and the response was positive.

We’re pretty lacking in venues (in my opinion) down here. And the weather is often crap (it was snowing at my house yesterday).

I think we’re doing all the right kind of research and thinking of the kinds of systems we’d like to use. It’s just (in my opinion) a matter of sorting out the venue. We have a great one over in the Wairarapa but it has no shelters/showers and given the wind and rain that comes even in summer I think the idea of tent camping might put players off.

#4

tent camping doesn’t worry me, :slight_smile:

#5

Tent camping in Wellington?

#6

I’m allergic to tents. Or discomfort in general.

#7

[quote=“IdiotSavant”]
I think people are planning a short medieval one - Exodus, AKA medieval zombie apocalypse[/quote]
My last thought was to run this as a one off weekend event, as we had interest from people wanting to come down from Auckland for it.

I would be keen to be part of an ongoing campaign running a couple of times a year though.

#8

Would people be willing to travel as far as Levin? There’s a big camping site there called Tatum Park that often gets used for reenactment camps - has camping areas, lots of room to run around, and cabins.

#9

i’d be willing to travel for a larp, so long as its not once a month, but yes tatum park is awesome :slight_smile:

#10

Normally we travel to Wellington for games. Levin is much less than that.

#11

Sounds promising. I’ll look into that!

I’m curious as to what genre people are interested in.

#12

Well, we have gear for medieval fantasy…

#13

I know I for one would love to travel down to Wellington to play in a campaign larp running a couple times a year. I miss being a PC!!! [size=50](quiet in the cheap seats)[/size]

#14

[quote=“Stephanie”]Would people be willing to travel as far as Levin? There’s a big camping site there called Tatum Park that often gets used for reenactment camps - has camping areas, lots of room to run around, and cabins.[/quote]Also, I remember one year Easter Camp was at a hunting lodge near Eketahuna, which would be less easy to get to by public transport, but was smaller and more private. May check with reenactment buddies for more suggestions.

#15

There’s a scout camp over in Wainuiomata somewhere that has cabins- no idea where exactly, I’ll find out next weekend- I have some friends getting married there. Want me to scope it out for potential LARP-appropriateness?

And I echo what Idiot said- I’d like to see a campaign game running down here (mainly because that way, I might be able to afford to participate- the cost of entry plus flights to Auckland makes it prohibitive unless it’s something like Chimera, at least until I find a better job), and would definitely play in it.

#16

I think it’s usually a matter of one or two people saying “I’m running a campaign, this is what it is, who wants to help?” then setting a date for the first game and making it happen. It’s the personal drive and the date-setting that does it, the rest follows.

#17

[quote=“AhGoodTheSea”]There’s a scout camp over in Wainuiomata somewhere that has cabins- no idea where exactly, I’ll find out next weekend- I have some friends getting married there. Want me to scope it out for potential LARP-appropriateness?

And I echo what Idiot said- I’d like to see a campaign game running down here (mainly because that way, I might be able to afford to participate- the cost of entry plus flights to Auckland makes it prohibitive unless it’s something like Chimera, at least until I find a better job), and would definitely play in it.[/quote]

We’ve investegated the camp and found it’s a bit expensive and not overly-ideal. You share the camp with other groups at any given time, so you’ll have lots of factors that’ll break the immersive-nature of the game.

#18

[quote=“amphigori”][quote=“AhGoodTheSea”]There’s a scout camp over in Wainuiomata somewhere that has cabins- no idea where exactly, I’ll find out next weekend- I have some friends getting married there. Want me to scope it out for potential LARP-appropriateness?

And I echo what Idiot said- I’d like to see a campaign game running down here (mainly because that way, I might be able to afford to participate- the cost of entry plus flights to Auckland makes it prohibitive unless it’s something like Chimera, at least until I find a better job), and would definitely play in it.[/quote]

We’ve investegated the camp and found it’s a bit expensive and not overly-ideal. You share the camp with other groups at any given time, so you’ll have lots of factors that’ll break the immersive-nature of the game.[/quote]

Is that Brookfield? I remember there being an isolated set of cabins and dining area that we used many years ago when I was pottering around in the SCA… There was not another soul to be seen, but then I supposed it could probably have changed heaps since I was last over there.

#19

There’s a central cluster of buildings with the various facilities and bunks and what not. Then, apart from those there are assorted camping areas that share basic toilet/shower facilities. They’re all accessed by the same road and cars can come and go at will. There are lots of cool areas, but when we enquired we were told that during the warmer months (when we’d want to play) the place is pretty chocka.

And even if it were just one or two groups, the vehicle traffic plus consideration of not waking them while they slept just didn’t make the venue seem overly ideal. It looked great on the web, but we left it thinking it just wasn’t quite right.

Mike and Laura’s place out in the Wairarapa is ideal in terms of privacy and perks, but it lacking in accommodation. Mike and Laura are the couple who run Adventure Games plus host various medieval groups. There are weather concerns out there too, namely the wind and the heat (and lack of shelter from the elements). I’m mindful that camping in the rain is unpleasant, but doable, but camping in the rain and a 100kph gale really isn’t - and it’s the wind in Wellington that has me the most concerned about enjoyability of a game that requires camping.