Pandemonium Traditional & Live Action Roleplaying
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Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) is a distinctly different experience from that of either table-top gaming or theatrical performance. The true beauty of LARP is in how it creatively melds the best qualities of both arts. Just like in "normal" gaming the Player, with the help of the Storyteller, creates an entire alternate personality known as the Character. Just like in theater the Player performs their Character on a stage in front of an audience. The originality of LARP is in its fusion of those two concepts and the addition of the Real World thrown in the mix. A live action roleplayer develops a Character, then performs that Character in a real world setting, interacting as that Character with other Players and Mundanes (Non-Players).

The objective of live action gaming is to create an illusionary reality. Our goal as Players is to have fun, our goals as Characters can be complex and varied. Our main goal as performers is to create a performance that, for those who are watching it, cannot be distinguished from reality. Our motto is: "Spread Unexplained Weirdness."

The Masquerade is our term for the illusionary reality we are creating: that we are our characters and that we are not playing a game. During an event it is a secret that we are not really our characters, that we're really just gamers playing a game. (How horribly dull, we're really just gamers! Oh, the shame!) This means that the game is a secret from the Mundanes, tell no one that you are playing a game.

The fun and easy part of the Masquerade is getting into Character, working towards your Character's goals, feeling what they feel, acting as they would act. The hard part is not letting your excitement over the game or the intrusion of external issues break you out of character. It is vital to the performance as a whole to keep most of the Players "in character" most of the time. Everyone has to break out of character sometimes, it's a necessary evil. In order to not disrupt the flow of the illusion when going out of character, follow these guidelines:

• If you want to go out-of-character for a break or a lengthy conference with God go "Off Duty." When Off Duty you must exit the playing area and stay away from the other, "in character" players. Please DO NOT interact with other players while you or they are Off Duty.
• Stay in character, always assume others are in character. If another player accidentally says something incriminating about their character to you while they're Off Duty and you're not, that's their mistake and your character now knows it.
• DO NOT use any obtrusive signs, symbols or phrases to go Off Duty. Being caught by God doing so will result in immediate karmic retribution.
• Remember to maintain the "Masquerade" during the entirety of the event, even while Off Duty. There will be time enough to gossip with friends, bemoan the fate of your character, or fight with your significant other after the performance is over.

To maintain the quality of our illusion while also keeping things safe for all involved we have established a few simple rules and regulations which must be followed while you are involved in all Pandemonium events. (If you have not already, please go read The Covenant now.)

The Gamemasters/Storytellers in this live action system are called by the title "God". God in the role-playing universe plays many roles; generic NPC, official arbitrator of the rules, pivotal plot nudger (to name a few). In many instances the same individual who is acting as God for the game will also be playing a Character in that game. The God's Character is primarily an instrument of the story and will be ruthlessly used as such by God.

The difference between the gamemaster when she is acting as God and when she is playing a Character should be fairly obvious, but the following guidelines will help us all avoid confusion.

• The individual who is the Gamemaster is only acting as God when she is wearing the official "God Hat". Whenever she is not wearing the God Hat, assume she is in character.
• If you need God to arbitrate a problem do not approach her when she is "in character" and interacting with other characters (this will disrupt what she is trying to accomplish within the story). Please unobtrusively slip her an "I Have A Question" card or wait until she is unoccupied.
• You will be able to tell what character the Gamemaster is playing by the costume she is wearing.

God is the ultimate and final authority in any disputes involving the game. During particularly large events, God may appoint temporary "Rules Lawyers" who have received special training and are authorized to make final rules decisions in the absence of God. Only God can mediate magic or storyline disputes.

Live Action events are played in public places and Players will often be distributed over a large area. Be aware that a God or Rules Lawyer will not always be on hand to assist you with using the rules, so you'd better be prepared to do it yourself. It is your responsibility to learn how to use the rules. In cases where a God or Rules Lawyer is not available every Player is empowered to act, with the accord of the other Players involved, as a rules referee. The nature of this LARP requires that every participant honors the rules and does not cheat.

The guidelines which pertain specifically to the live action experience are as follows:

• Always endeavor to use your brain to solve problems. LARP, and Pandemonium in particular, is a game of social interaction. Avoid overt physical conflicts. You will have more fun and the story as a whole will be enriched as a result.
• To use an item or "weapon" it must be available to you at the time, not in your backpack two floors up in the hotel room.
• Any general world knowledge or skill which you personally have, your character automatically has. To use your own skills and knowledge you must actually use them. Reality will provide your chance of success. When using your own personal skills, you MAY NOT do anything dangerous or illegal, even if your character would. It is your job to find a justification within your character's personality or circumstances as to why they would not. Supposedly your Characters are striving to blend in with human society, so you as a Player must also strive to blend in with the Mundanes.

Happy LARPing!

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