What is LARP?

LARP stands for Live Action Role Playing. Unlike tabletop roleplaying, where players sit around a table and roll dice, LARP puts you physically inside the story. You wear your character's clothing, speak in their voice, move through real forests, castle courtyards, or halls — and experience a shared adventure as it unfolds around you, right now, in real time.

No dice. No screen. Just real moments.

The core idea is as simple as it is captivating: you create a character — a medieval merchant, an elven healer, a grim detective in Victorian London — and embody them for the duration of an event. Fights are resolved with padded foam weapons, intrigues are woven through real conversations, and adventures play out on actual terrain. The result is less a game and more a collectively authored, interactive theatre where everyone is simultaneously writer, performer, and audience.

What happens at a LARP event?

A LARP event can last a full weekend or just half a day. On the site — often a forest, an open-air museum, or a historic estate — the game world comes to life.

Organisers, usually called the game masters or GM team, prepare scenarios, plots, and non-player characters (NPCs). Most participants play their own characters (player characters, or PCs) and drive the story forward through their actions. What ultimately happens is never fully predictable — and that's exactly the appeal.

What genres of LARP are there?

The LARP scene is surprisingly diverse. The most common genres include:

• Fantasy — elves, dwarves, magic, and swords; the most classic and widespread setting.
• Medieval — historically inspired, often without magic, focused on trade, politics, and feuds.
• Post-apocalyptic / Science Fiction — eco-wastelands, space stations, dystopias.
• Horror & Mystery — Lovecraftian dread, detective adventures, vampire politics.
• Historical — reconstructions or fictional reinterpretations of specific eras.

Many events blend elements from multiple genres. At Tales&Legends, the focus is on fantasy and medieval-inspired settings — accessible to anyone who wants adventure, whether they're a seasoned LARPer or attending for the very first time.

What do I need to get started?

Less than you'd think. For your first event, you usually need:

• Basic costume — simple, medieval-looking clothing in natural fabrics. Many shops offer starter outfits or basic costumes at an affordable price, and experienced players at events are happy to help.
• A character concept — no elaborate backstory required; just a rough idea: Who are you? What do you want in this world?
• Openness — the most important ingredient of all. LARP communities tend to be genuinely welcoming to newcomers.

Swords, armour, and elaborate props come with time — and with the fun of it.

Safety and consent

A good LARP event depends on clear rules that protect everyone. These include weapon checks (foam weapons can be spot-checked for safety at any point during the event), safety signals (for example, crossing your arms in an X in front of your body means "stop, pause, out-of-game"), and event rules covering physical contact and in-game content.

LARP is for everyone

Young or old, with stage experience or none, fighter or diplomat — LARP has room for every playstyle. Some people come for the action, others for deep character work, and others still for the community around the campfire. Often it's the unexpected moments that stay with you longest: a spontaneous oath of alliance sworn in the rain, a storyline that unfolds across three events, friendships that outlast the game entirely.

If you're curious: take a look at our upcoming events — first-timers are always welcome.

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