Once upon a time, the Fae waged brutal war on each other, house fighting house in the name of ancient blood feuds.
Millenia passed as violence begot violence. Until one day, an entire house was obliterated in an act of magic so foul that the very fabric of reality was torn asunder. What was left was a passage to another place, a world inhabited by fragile mortal creatures.
Horror at what had been done quickly turned to panic, plunging the entire realm into chaos. As reprisals began and houses were torn apart, one Queen emerged, Mòr Urchadainn, with the power, charm and ruthlessness necessary to unite them.
War and murder were Forbidden, and for the last eight hundred years there has been tenuous peace, under the rule of one Monarch.
Fascinated by mortals, many Fae travelled to the new world – some fashioned themselves into gods and demanded worship, while others stole humans back to their own realm, only to watch them slowly lose their mind.
The Fae are not what they once were, though savagery still rages under the thin veneer of civility. Politics is the new bloodsport and alliances between houses are hard-fought yet easily broken.
A new generation now lives who have never known war – most are free-spirited and tempestuous youngsters who devote their lives to poetry and the arts, and who only fight for sport.
But their elders remember. Some are haunted by the atrocities of war, but others remember the glory. A few secretly long for a return to the old ways. For how can life ever be truly sweet without the promise of death?
The reign of Mòr Urchadainn ended 20 years ago when, as so few had done before her, she died in her sleep.
Now, after two decades of mourning, the noble houses are finally ready to appoint a new ruler. But with the heir-apparent, Mòr Urchadainn’s eldest son, barely 200 years old, many of the ruling families are restless, disturbed by the idea of one so young taking the throne. Still, they know better than to show it just yet. No, better to wait and see where the winds of change might blow. Then, perhaps, they can strike.
The Wedding
As emissaries from the Kingdom’s noble houses gather for the coronation, the Crown Prince is preparing to hold a great celebration in honour of his younger sister’s wedding. Such occasions are rare, and cause for much revelry!
With so many powerful and intriguing visitors at court, there is no better time to test your skills against others for the honour and glory of your house. Romance is in the air, and new unions between houses spring from the earth. And of course, the music, dancing, drinking and storytelling goes on long into the night.
That being said, behind closed doors, the politics of Court never stop.
So wait, is this a larp or a wedding?
It’s both! We’re going to blur the lines between the real world and the fictional world in which the larp is set. Here’s how it will work:
- You will play a member of the Fae, born in this fictional Fae realm. Everyone will be given a character based on their preferences, as well as suggested relations with other characters.
- Our real world still exists within the fiction. Not only does it exist, but members of the Fae will often journey there and live human lives for a time.
- Your character might have lived any number of human lives, at any point in time (time between the Fae realm and the mortal realm being a very flexible concept, and rarely linear). So you may have been a Regency girl looking for love, a Czech soldier fighting during the First World War, or a noble in 1917 England (and if those sound familiar, it’s because you’re welcome to use your experiences from other larps to build your character and relationships to other players).
- You’re encouraged to talk about your human lives (real or imagined) during the larp – make things up, embellish, and entertain!
- Everyone will be known by their real first name. We still want to feel like we’re getting married with our friends! Within the fiction, the Fae adopt common human names to safeguard the power of their true name.
Themes & Aesthetics
An extravagant & debauched celebration!
The Fae are hedonistic, pleasure-seeking creatures and no one throws a party quite like them. Everything is a competition and a chance to show off – who will wear the most extravagant outfit, pull the most daring stunt, be the most outrageous flirt, laugh the hardest, dance the longest… so let go, have fun, embrace your wild side, behave outrageously – trust us, you’ll be in good company.
Nature & The Occult
Magic was once a mighty force in this world, but not anymore. The Gods, once a tangible presence, now survive mostly in myths and legends. What remains today is almost entirely petty magic – divination, dream-walking and augury, ancient rituals whose true meaning were lost long ago, and sacrifice and blood magic as old as the Gods themselves.
The lives of the Fae do remain intrinsically tied to nature. Though most now live in castles and other dwellings, their homes and fashion still reflect a longing for the wilderness. Expect to see both the gentler and more savage aspects of Nature reflected in characters and costuming.
War & Violence
The Fae are a proud and bellicose people, prone to anger and fits of passion. They have been known to wage brutal wars over the most inconsequential of perceived slight. At heart, war is a sport for the Fae, an outlet for their darker and more violent urges.
Eight hundred years of peace have done little to curb the militaristic streak that permeates most aspects of Fae culture, and many houses continue to insist their youngsters be trained in the military arts.
Costuming: A Practical Guide
- Take a look at our Pinterest boards for inspiration:
- Remember it will be cold outside! Include a cloak or coat in your outfit.
- If you want to explore the woods, bring boots. Boots are cool.
- Steer away from bubblegum colours, plastic accessories and LEDs – think Game of Thrones and not ‘Japanese anime’.
Who can I play?
Below are examples of some of the main character groups you can play. You’ll be sent a form to complete with a few questions about the kind of play you’d be interested in, and we’ll let you know which group you’ve been cast in soon after. Then we’ll work with you to help bring your character to life!
Courtiers
Companions and advisers to the Monarch, courtiers do not shy away from using (and abusing) the power and prestige conferred by their titles. Master of Spies, Master of Lore, Master of Dance, Master of The Keys – the functions of court are numerous but the primary duty of the courtier is to preserve the sanctity of The Crown (whoever might happen to be wearing it).
Member of a Noble House
Representatives of the Kingdom’s most powerful houses will be attending the wedding and coronation. Some come to play the political game – to reaffirm alliances, settle old scores, or better their family’s fortunes. Others, particularly the younger Fae, are more concerned with chasing love, lust, and celebration. Among the elite there are also rumours of secret societies, and strange parties with even stranger games.
The majority of guests will be a member of one house or another. The more powerful noble houses may also be accompanied by trusted advisers and bodyguards, while minor houses may be the vassal of another, with all the complex loyalties that entails.
Mystics & Occultists
Some Fae choose to devote their lives to the Old Ways. They are shamans, sorcerers, seers and thaumaturges – beings of visions, rituals and petty magic. Though some may be loosely affiliated with a particular house, they are only truly loyal to themselves and their Gods (often in that order).
Palace Guards
The palace guards are common folks who mostly try to stay out of the political game (which can be hard to do – you never know when you’re going to find yourself owing a favour to the wrong person). The life of a palace guard is a mix of training, archery, sword fighting, and drinking and gambling in the tavern. As a group, the palace guards are loosely inspired by Terry Pratchett’s City Watch.
The Sellsword Company
Low-born Fae with no title or fortune to their name, who sell their swords to the highest bidder. Some do it for fame, some for fortune, others for an easy life of lovers and liquor. The Company is loyal only to each other and to money.
No-one is quite sure why the Company has been invited by the Crown Prince for the duration of the wedding and coronation. Perhaps the young heir is not as sure of the noble houses’ support as he pretends to be?
Practical
When:
Everything starts at 16:00 on Friday 30th November. Don’t be late! By Monday morning, it’s all over.
The Castle is a fully-functioning hotel, so if you’d like to arrive earlier, you can! Just let us know which day you plan to arrive, and we can book you an extended stay. Extra nights cost €30 per person.
Where:
Moszna Castle, Poland
Transport:
We recommend you book flights to either Wrocław or Schönefeld. The closest airports are:
- Wrocław, Poland ~ 1h30 drive
- Katowice, Poland ~ 1h30 drive
- Berlin Schönefeld, Germany ~ 5h drive
- Prague, Czech Republic ~ 5h drive
To make transport easier, we’ll arrange a bus leaving Berlin Schönefeld Airport at around 11am on Friday, and back to Schönefeld on Monday morning (exact times TBC).
Costs:
What we’ve covered:
- Three nights stay at Moszna Castle including all food
- Bus to/from Berlin Schönefeld Airport
- Miscellaneous awesomeness
What you’ll need to cover:
- Your transport to Moszna Castle (or Berlin Schönefeld Airport if you want to catch the bus)
- Costumes (see the ‘Themes & Aesthetics’ section for inspiration)
- Outside of wine at dinner, you’ll need to pay for your own alcohol from the on-site bar. Alcohol is dangerously cheap in Poland – please drink responsibly!