Mystery, mythos, family |
| Designers: Nickey Barnard, Phil Dall, David Dorward and Clare Gardner (Peaky Games) |
| Number of participants: 11 |
| Duration: 3 hours |
| The presenter feels that this larp IS NOT suitable for young people aged 16+ |
About the larp
Humankind lives in a world without existential uncertainties. Three hundred years ago the Great Old Ones took the world. All praise to Them. But although the Elder Gods are here among us, they give little regard for any individual human. Pray to them. Worship them. Hope that should their gaze full upon you that it is a benevolent one.
It is 1892. In the small Massachusetts town of Fall River such large concerns seem far away. All worship the Lord Dagon, of course, and his Progeny are respected members of the local community, but his dread gaze has never been drawn to your sleepy town in living memory. Many prominent citizens have gathered today in the house of the recently deceased Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby in order to hear the reading of Andrew Borden’s will. There is a shadow over the family as one of the daughters of the house is stood accused of their murder. What is the truth of the crime? Who stands to gain and who to lose? And what will ultimately prove the stronger – family, blood or loyalty?
The Borden Legacy is a game of intrigue, family drama and mystery set in a world where the Elder Gods have already won.
Content Warnings: Themes include madness, murder and scandal. In character backgrounds there is a certain amount of murder and mutilation, also some mind control. There are Deep One/human hybrids as player characters.
Costume (optional): In an ideal world, some Victorian costume would add to the atmosphere. Perhaps a long skirt to throw over your other clothes? Or a waistcoat, perhaps?
Presented by
Nickey Barnard: I’ve been writing, running and playing uk freeform or theatre style larps for about 20 years now. In the last few years I have been branching out and playing some of the more Nordic-style big international larps which is informing my writing style – but I am still a bit of a traditionalist at heart. I like writing intricately plotted larps in interesting settings, with heavy flavours of politics and angst.
Parameters
| Physical contact | Not relevant for this larp; e.g. just standing in a room and talking |
| Romance and intimacy | Romantic themes but no player contact; e.g. discussion of romance, illicit glances |
| Conflict and violence | Shouting and other intimidating actions not involving contact |
| Communication style | Lots of speech |
| Movement style | Walking |
| Characters | Characters are fully predesigned |
| Narrative control | Intensely plotted and designed, but players have freedom as to how to achieve their goals |
| Transparency | There are predesigned secrets the organizers have from the players, and also that the players will have from each other |
| Representation level | The fictional space looks very unlike the play space, but players will use their imaginations |
| Play culture | Players are individually trying to achieve goals, such that not all can succeed |
| Tone | Dramatic |
The Smoke 