Live Action Role-Playing?  No, this is not some kinky sex game.  Live Action Role-Playing (henceforth refered to as LARP), is a sort of full-imersion improvisational theater.  For anywhere from a few hours to several days, we don the clothing, mindset, personality, goals, and beliefs of characters we choose.  As these characters, we interact with each other and the world that is provided by those who organise the gathering.  Yes, we are fully aware that what we elect to act out is not real in any way, shape, manor or form.  There is never any real harm done to another, and certain uncomfortable concepts (such as rape) are not brought into the game. This is because we are aware that even though this is all make-believe, the feelings of the real-world Players come first.

    I've attempted to define LARP as a general term, but now I need to get more specific.  I currently belong to two LARP groups based in New England, The Realms and Miller's Reach.  Both are medeival fantasy settings based in their own universes with their own rules and concepts.  The Realms officially began in 1989, at an event called The Duke of Glendale (an event is how we refer to our gatherings).  Miller's Reach us a system put out by "Game Bob!", which held it's first event in June of 1998.  To simulate combat, both groups use a style of combat called "Boffing" or "Light Weapons Combat" or "Boffer Combat".

    In order to successfully simulate combat, we make our own "swords" out of common supplies that one can find at the hardware store.  These include PVC piping, piping insulation, strapping tape, electrical tape, and duct tape.  Building a light, safe, simple sword would cost maybe $4 worth of supplies.  Using these swords (or maces, axes, hammers, daggers, or whatnot), we attempt to beat each other to "death".

    How do we fight?  It's quite simple, really.  I swing my sword at you.  If I hit you in the leg, you "loose" your leg (you hop around on one foot).  If I hit you in the arm, you "loose" the arm (you tuck it behind your back).  If I hit you in the torso or head, you "die" (you sit around and ignore what's happing around you, you are dead after all).  Sound easy?  Well, there's one more really important rule; we follow what is called a "lightest touch" system.  This means that even if I bearly nick your elbow with the corner of the tip of my weapon, then you still "loose" the arm.  This prevents people from having any need to swing hard.  If someone is caught swinging too hard, they will be removed from combat until they can learn to controll their blow strength.  This way, it's fun for everybody, and no one gets hurt.