LARP (pronounce it as it looks) stands for Live Action Roleplaying. Think of it as a type of theatre, except there is no script. Rather, you create the starring role -- your character -- and decide how that character will act, what they will do, and what they will say. Everybody else does the same. The Rules of the game determine what kind of skills and abilities you can give your character, but as far as personality, motive, and history, it is all up to you.

The Kina, for example, is my Aralis character. Nobody told me how to play her; I made her up. I used the game rules to determine her skills and the information on Garandi to help craft her background and beliefs, but I created her personality based on how I wanted her to be.

At a LARP event, everyone dresses up as their character, and acts as their character for the entire length of the event. A Plot Committee runs the event, and determines generally "what is going to happen." The Staff members under them play all the monsters, villians, and other roles to fill out the setting and provide the backdrop and motivating plot of the event. Nobody can ever say for certain exactly what will happen -- any member of Plot will tell you that the Player Characters do not always do what you expect! -- once you bring all these elements together. But we can tell you that you will have fun.

LARPing is really something that must be experienced to be understood, and is a lot of fun to boot. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed!

"All in all, I had one of the best times in a LARP I have had in a while. "
-John Mangio (Kage)

"It was a lot of fun, and I was really impressed with the amount and quality of roleplaying, both from the pc's and npc's. Everyone seemed to put so much work into their characters, costumes, and roleplaying- it was great! I can't wait for the next event! "
- Jaime DeCaro (Eshana)

"This weekend had almost all of those classic gaming moments that you look for in an event. Daring escapes, large battles, tension between the PCs, scary monsters... "
- Jake Evans (Meilyr)

"This was my first time playing Aralis and to be blunt it was one of the best LARPing experiences I've had in a long time. The roleplaying, both NPCs and PCs alike, is outstanding! With the fear factor set on high and the PC tension rising, it adds up to equal an exciting and thrilling game."
- Chip Malette (Akinari)

"I will most certainly be back. As a matter of fact, I may drop one of my other games that I have been in for 3 years now to play Aralis. That's how much fun I had and how much promise I see in Aralis."
-Chris Bolduc (Takura)

"As I'd never participated in a full weekend event before, I wasn't entirely certain what to expect. Suffice it to say that I cannot wait until my next chance to run around like a madman in the woods...I don't think I've ever had so much fun 'running for my life', or, for that matter, for others' lives."
-Adam Singer (Ixpar)

"But there was one weekend moment that really made me laugh. The moment was when Dave called 'game over' and then everyone smiled. Seems simple, but for someone who doesn't know anyone and only has seen the looks of 'don't mess with me, I'll kill you' all weekend, it was amazing to actually see the wave of
everyone leaving character. It was awesome. So my hats off to everyone involved in this game.
I think your all part of something great!"
- Chip Malette (Akinari)

"I'd fuckin' rather cut off my own head than not go."
- Jaime DeCaro (Eshana)

And if you still have questions, feel free to ask. I'm always willing to provide answers!