Identity, unity, dissociation |
| Designers: Melina Cunelius |
| Number of participants: 8-10 |
| Duration: 3 hours |
| The presenter feels that this larp IS suitable for young people aged 16+ |
About the larp
Group therapy session for a miscellaneous group of people from different walks of life. However, this all seems so familiar even when the faces of all people in the group are unfamiliar, distant. The session is for the patients to create themselves, find meaning in their existence and come together to move forward.
Content Warnings: Although the larp does not involve actual conflict or traumatic events, it is about a disorder that is the result of trauma, so there will be allusions to it.
Melina Cunelius: I’m a disabled larp writer, focusing on issues of identity and mental illness. I’m on rehabilitation benefit, trying to reflect my own issues through the lens of larp, and bring understanding of mental health issues with art of larp.
Parameters
| Physical contact | Light contact; touching hands or forearms |
| Romance and intimacy | Romantic themes but no player contact; e.g. discussion of romance, illicit glances |
| Conflict and violence | Themes of conflict, but not enacted by players; e.g. quiet threats and vengeful stares |
| Communication style | Lots of speech |
| Movement style | Sitting or lying |
| Characters | Players create their own characters, in a workshop |
| Narrative control | Players have some influence over story, but there is basically a script or structure that they’re within |
| Transparency | Transparent design, but players can create secrets during play and keep them from each other / reveal them when wished |
| Representation | The fictional space looks very unlike the play space, but players will use their imaginations |
| Play culture | The concept of rivalry or cooperation between players doesn’t really apply |
| Tone | Intense |
The Smoke 