more LARPing musings

[juldea]

So I find myself concerned about how a particular plot in a particular game will work out, and I think I can give general details here without being too specific. Maybe more experienced gamers will be able to give me some insight.

In order to fully play my character, I need supporting cast who will actually be manipulative, smirking, arrogant assholes. I'm worried that the players of those characters will, by trained response to societal norms, shirk from fully acting out those roles, to the detriment of my gaming experience. Can anyone assure me that's not the case?

I want to go into this game expecting to at some point be slapped on the face (and to slap back), to go nose-to-nose with someone in an argument, and similar power struggles. I don't think I can contact the necessary people pre-game to let them know that I want that experience (although possibly the GMs can help with that.) I don't know if other people even want to role-play that deeply along with me!

So, experienced folks - do you find that your fellow players downplay a bad/stern character due to fear of player being seen that way? Do I just need to suck it up that this won't be the immersive experience I'm hoping for? Or should I start building up my cheeks' pain thresholds now? ;)

Comments

[v-cat.livejournal.com]

it of course depends entirely on who you'll be playing with, but
i dont know if people would actually slap, as that might constitute assault and if they dont know you, they dont know that you wont flip out about it, but there are definitely larpers whod slap you in the face verbally. ive actually been on the receiving end of that, and it was pretty awesome once i came out of character (in character it took me all my self control not to blow him up where he stood)

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I realize that the actual physical part would need to be worked out beforehand, because of all the rules about no physical conduct, yadda. But I am just as worried about people holding back from doing the verbal slapping. As weird as it is to say, glad to hear you've been on the receiving end of some of that, so I know it can happen!

[gower.livejournal.com]

Wear a little button that says "It's OK to slap me." That'll probably work.

When I poured a glass of water on my friend's head back at Intercon 13, I was a little scared that she'd flip out. But it was great. We talked about it later. She really wanted me to. I wouldn't have done if I hadn't known her really, really well, though. The social penalties for striking someone are so great that most people won't take the risk.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Hah! I bet I can get that button in time, too. Good plan.

[etherial.livejournal.com]

I need supporting cast who will actually be manipulative, smirking, arrogant assholes.

These are the best roles to play!

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Yes, but while they're fun to play quietly, is it really that easy to call a LARPer girl you don't know fat to her face?

That, aside from slapping, is my new example behavior here - I need a person in that game who, if I were to come up and try and show off a new outfit in that manipulative way women sometimes do, would deadpan, "You're fat," to shut me up. (I am perhaps more immune to that statement than many women due to the fact that it's a joke in my world.) I think to a smirking enough arrogant asshole, that's an offhand comment to 'get the bitch to be quiet' - absolutely the kind of behavior I'm looking for. And very, very unlikely to get.

[etherial.livejournal.com]

The boundary we're talking about is where the actor ends and the character begins. Sylvester Stallone gained 30 lbs. to play an overweight Sheriff in Copland, but you don't see LARPers doing that. It's generally assumed that certain characteristics (like body type) are unavoidably part of the actor. You need to find a way to indicate that any weight you show (real or imaginary) is fair game. I recommend sweat pants that say "juicy" on the butt.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

It's generally assumed that certain characteristics (like body type) are unavoidably part of the actor.

Yes, but the right kind of bastard would say that no matter the body type of the woman he's saying it to. ;)

I recommend sweat pants that say "juicy" on the butt.

They don't really go with the costume...

[shadowravyn.livejournal.com]

I can absolutely say, with confidence, that I could readily play a manipulative, smirking asshole. And, since I can, I'm sure others can as well.

And since I'm presuming that this is in reference to the game we'll be in together, I'll happily take the opportunity if it presents itsef. ~_^

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Sweetie, I have no doubts as to your abilities. ;)

Look out, though, I'd hate to have to deal with the Kreg Problem between you and me!

[shadowravyn.livejournal.com]

It'll just make the manipulative smirkiness all that much easier!

I'm going to flirt with whatever guy you're flirting with, just cause I can!

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Bitch!

[bronzite.livejournal.com]

Actually being a jerk is something that's much easier to get away with with people you know rather than with people you don't. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, most really good LARPers are extremely empathetic people -- its what lets them sympathize with their own characters and with others. Unfortunately, being a huge jerk is kinda hard for a very empathetic person, because they feel the consequences of their own actions. Some skill at acting gets around this, but there is always a minefield of people who don't distinguish between game and reality quite as much as we'd like, and even though an empathetic player might not agree with their view, they also don't want to wildly piss them of either.

Of course, until you've played a game or two with that person, you never know which they are. So typically, if you want a real roleplaying experience without the kid gloves on, you're probably going to have to drop into an environment with people who you know and know you, rather than one open to general admission. Especially with non-friendly physical contact; almost every game I've ever played in had an explicit rule in its base set saying something to the effect of "If you touch any other player in any meaningful and non-affectionate (or, in many cases, affectionate) way, we will kick your ass right out of this gamespace." Sometimes the rule is in all caps.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Yep - I would expect that if any of the people reading this post were cast as the important characters, I'd have no issue. My problem is exactly with people that I don't know (assumedly; I don't know who is cast in those roles yet) and how to let them know before game that I am ok with an immersive experience to the point of somewhat physical contact, and definitely to the point of verbal abuse.

I have also had in almost every game the very explicit no-touching rule, but most often with the caveat of, "without consent," to which many people often immediately yell out, "I consent!" I guess gower's button idea above would be good for this. ;)

[princess-muffin.livejournal.com]

If this is in reference to any game that I am in, feel free to contact me offline and I will give you my complete assurance that I'll NOT hesitate to live up to expectations.

Otherwise, I recommend having a chat with whomever your player compatriots are, and assuring -them- that you really -do- want things to be taken to the next level. Those in the LARP hobby love to chat game, character, and plot theory, and chances are your conversation will be more than appreciated.

Wild Speculation Here

[etherial.livejournal.com]

I suspect that this has to be applied to whichever Stern Viking Jarl she happens to be talking to this very second. Though, if it's anything like Orgia, there may be ways to visually cue the other players in.

Re: Wild Speculation Here

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Oooh, good idea, and passed on.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

See, we know each other, and therefore I have no worries that you'll treat me like shit if you need to. ;) It's the mixed-gender unknown-to-each-other pairings that leave me, not exactly worried, but curious.

[gower.livejournal.com]

I think I'll address this at game start somehow. I want to give people who want to consent a way to consent.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a similar-to-Orgia number system? ;)