Writing Freeform Larps

Writing Freeform Larps

Freeform larps are interactive roleplaying games involving anywhere from six to as many as eighty players, all with detailed character backgrounds.

Writing Freeform Larps is a 154-page book outlining a structured process for writing freeform larps, covering the initial concept through to running the game. Topics covered include writing plots and characters, character sheets, and rules and mechanics.

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Reviews

"I recently finished my first ever LARP. I read your book while I was working on it and it was massively helpful. We did a playtest a few weeks ago and it went really well. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to write it without something like that to help guide me so thanks for putting so much effort into writing such a quality resource." Ezzy Pearson, author of Stellar Standoff

Contents

1 Introduction: A short explanation of freeform larps and why I wrote the book.

2 The process: The ten-step process I use to write my freeform larps.

3 Character sheets: A detailed look at freeform character sheets.

4 Structure and events: How I structure my freeforms, from game start through to wrap.

5 Plots: My four-step process for planning and writing plots.

6 Characters: What makes a good freeform character?

7 Rules and mechanics: A discussion of freeform larp mechanics, including combat, romance, contingencies, crime and punishment, abilities—and more.

8 Running freeform larps: My approach to running a freeform larp.

Appendix A: Freeforms: Details of the freeforms mentioned in the text, along with links.

Appendix B: Abilities: Example abilities from several freeforms.

Appendix C: Other freeform styles: A discussion of other freeform styles, including horde games, workshop games and faction games.

Appendix D: Where to find more: Links to other resources.

The freeform writing process

This is a brief summary of my writing process (discussed in more detail in chapter 2):

(In reality, I hop between sections as the muse takes me. But the overall flow follows this process.)

Links in the book

These are the links in the book:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 7

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D