What is Shadowmoor LARP?
Before your first game
How to LARP: An overview for beginners
At its core, Live Action Role-Playing is a storytelling game similar to tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Instead of paper and dice, each person physically portrays their character throughout the game. These characters are then put into fictional settings and given stories, adventures, and challenges to complete together.
Because LARP (specifically our game) offers many ways to play, there are many valid ways to approach a game. We invite you to seek out different folks to talk to – get different opinions on what makes the game great! Some people prefer to spend all their time in boffer combat and are not interested in intense roleplay; others prefer to play a character who hangs out in the tavern knitting and spreading gossip but s up a “sword.” Each of these individuals can have just as much fun during the same event weekend, and each of them will have a different way of looking at the game and what makes it wonderful for them.
Light-to-medium contact, point-based boffer
We use a point-based system for tracking damage received and given with light-contact boffer combat for the physical combat and cloth-wrapped birdseed “packets” for the magical combat.
Structured
Shadowmoor relies on the structure of rules (click to download). Lots of what we do in terms of game mechanics is reinforced by our immersive ruleset. This allows endless opportunities for creative ways to apply those rules to win in various scenarios.
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Campaign
The first season of Shadowmoor started in 1997 and has since operated on an annual season basis with events approximately 8 times each year from early spring through late fall. The game’s story and the characters you play can exist over long story arcs lasting multiple years.
Immersive
You will play your character for the full duration of the event (including while eating and sleeping) from Game-on Friday night through Sunday afternoon. We strive to create an “in play feeling” environment in all game areas, from your character’s costumes and makeup/culture to decorating personal cabins.
Medieval High Fantasy
Shadowmoor is rife with magic and playable magical creatures, such as Elves, Dwarves, Lizardfolk, Ogres, and more! Magic is both a part of our combat system and a part of our world lore. Kingdoms and tribes with their own powers and abilities influence a constantly changing world. You have the ability to impact this world for good or ill.
Player-vs-Player (PVP) friendly
There is a mix of player-vs-player (PVP) and player-vs-environment (PVE) play styles at Shadowmoor. You are allowed to steal (game-value/in-play items) from, fight with, and even kill other player characters at your own discretion. Players are encouraged to take the actions that their characters would take, but to also consider the out-of-play physical and emotional safety and fun of other players.