https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Nath 2026-09-02T14:35:53Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.20.0 https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T01:07:41Z

<p>Nath: /* 2008 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> '''Dragonbane''' International 325 player 5 day larp in Sweden with a purpose built village and mechanical dragon, attended by 5 players from the UK. These include Nathan Hook, who also helped design the larp and become involved with the Nordic larp scene afterwards.<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> '''The Bristol Manifesto''' published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/ Includes the Nordic-style freeform 'Not to Yield' (Babylon 5 setting) by Nathan Hook.<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> '''Level 5''' Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> '''Pan''' Psychological horror larp rerun by Nathan Hook in the UK, near Exeter. Weekend long larp in the nordic tradition.<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T01:05:23Z

<p>Nath: /* 2006 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> '''Dragonbane''' International 325 player 5 day larp in Sweden with a purpose built village and mechanical dragon, attended by 5 players from the UK. These include Nathan Hook, who also helped design the larp and become involved with the Nordic larp scene afterwards.<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> '''The Bristol Manifesto''' published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> '''Level 5''' Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> '''Pan''' Psychological horror larp rerun by Nathan Hook in the UK, near Exeter. Weekend long larp in the nordic tradition.<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T01:05:11Z

<p>Nath: /* 2006 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> '''Dragonbane'' International 325 player 5 day larp in Sweden with a purpose built village and mechanical dragon, attended by 5 players from the UK. These include Nathan Hook, who also helped design the larp and become involved with the Nordic larp scene afterwards.<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> '''The Bristol Manifesto''' published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> '''Level 5''' Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> '''Pan''' Psychological horror larp rerun by Nathan Hook in the UK, near Exeter. Weekend long larp in the nordic tradition.<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T00:59:38Z

<p>Nath: /* 2014 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> '''The Bristol Manifesto''' published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> '''Level 5''' Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> '''Pan''' Psychological horror larp rerun by Nathan Hook in the UK, near Exeter. Weekend long larp in the nordic tradition.<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T00:57:47Z

<p>Nath: /* 2007 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> '''The Bristol Manifesto''' published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> '''Level 5''' Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T00:57:35Z

<p>Nath: /* 2011 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> ***The Bristol Manifesto*** published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> '''Level 5''' Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T00:57:23Z

<p>Nath: /* 2012 */</p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> ***The Bristol Manifesto*** published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> **Level 5** Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> '''Heart's Blood''' A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> <br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath https://grandtribunal.org/oldwiki/UK_LARP_history 2015-03-17T00:56:43Z

<p>Nath: </p> <hr /> <div>CJ has in March 2015 started to collect resources on UK LARP History on what may well become a more formal project, or be quietly abandoned, in the future. So far I have collected only names and dates for various strands of UK LARP, and tried to put links as I can find them. I've used the following terminology<br /> <br /> * FEST = Fest Contact LARP<br /> * CLARP = Contact Larp- one where physical contact is used to resolve combat<br /> * FREEFORM - in the UK sense - all characters designed by game writer, no physical combat. See Mo Holkar's blog here for a great explanation http://blog.ukg.co.uk/uk-freeform/<br /> * WKFREEFORM - a weekend long Freeform. <br /> * CTHULHULIVE - Games run using rules published in 3 editions, by Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games &amp; Skirmisher over the years. A non-contact LARP<br /> * R/P/S- Rock/Paper/Stones mechanic games. The best known ones are probably the Minds Eye Theatre World of Darkness series<br /> * VLARP - Vampire LARP, or any occult modern monster games<br /> <br /> == 1982 ==<br /> <br /> April 1982 '''Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded at Peckforton Castle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Trap by Peter Carey and Rob Donaldson [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Steve Jackson Games''' publish ''Killer''; this book codifies a US college game known by many names. Many games were tun across UK campuses and schools as a result. I would be interested in hearing more about peoples experiences playing variants in the UK.<br /> <br /> '''Mazes and Monsters''' is a Hollywood film in which Tom Hanks plays a LARPER. A moral panic about the dangers of RPG is stoked by the film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazes_and_Monsters<br /> <br /> == 1983 ==<br /> <br /> February - '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' created for purpose or arranging trips to Peckforton. At this stage they do not run their own events? Still going today, the longest surviving UK Fantasy CLARP system. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> <br /> == 1985 ==<br /> <br /> 1985 sees the sale of Peckforton Castle, end of Treasure Trap, and the explosion of UK Fantasy CLARP.<br /> <br /> Peter Garner starts overground Fantasy CLARPS in Kent, under the name '''Garner Adventure Tours''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Treasure Trap''' closes after losing access to Peckforton Castle &amp; financial issues. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Durham University Treasure Trap''' begin running their own events. 30 years on they are still running weekly events as part of Durham University Student Union. Claims to be he oldest continually operating Fantasy CLARP group in the UK [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap] <br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' was again a group of enthusiasts from Treasure Trap who responded to the closure of Peckforton by running their own Fantasy CLARP games, lasting till 2002. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Mythlore''' Fantasy CLARP set up by Mark Cordory, still running today as '''Mythlore New Lands'''. It ran mostly in the Forest of Dean with occasional forays into the Brecon Beacons. <br /> <br /> '''Garner Adventure Tours''' moves to Chislehurst Caves, and is renamed '''Labyrinthe''' http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP launched by Helen Holdforth and Roger Price in Coventry. It runs for next twenty years. https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run ''Romeo &amp; Juliet meet the Verona Chainsaw Massacre'', a KILLER variant with rules for tragic romance that ran in the King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds for one week in September 1985.<br /> <br /> The '''Nameless Anarchist Horde''''s CJ &amp; Hugh Wake run '''Cthulhu at Halloween '85''', a one off Cthulhu CLARP in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The game is set in the modern era, and features 6 investigators, NPC ghouls and a 2 person carried shoggoth costume worthy of an Ed Wood film.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' was a private Colchester group of Fantasy CLARP players http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1986 ==<br /> <br /> John Naylor and Steve Bell found '''Fools &amp; Heroes''' Fantasy FEST. Founded in Nottinghamshire there establish local branches throughout the UK and the annual FCLARP ''Summerfest'' which was the first Fest to break the 1,000 player mark in the early 1990's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_and_Heroes<br /> <br /> '''Heroquest''' Fantasy CLARP launched in Gloucester, with events at Biblins in Forest of Dean by Mark Roberts. http://www.heroquest-larp.co.uk/live-roleplaying-uk/about-heroquest.html They are still going strong today <br /> <br /> '''Flights of Fantasy''' Fantasy CLARP set up in the Northwest. It later becomes '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> == 1987 ==<br /> <br /> Pete Garner leaves '''Labyrinthe''' and former player and staffer Jan McMannus takes over; Alan Morgan deals with the innovation of Play By Mail downtime, keeping your character involved between adventures. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> Children's TV show '''Knightmare''' begins, and is arguably a TV competitive LARP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare<br /> <br /> == 1988 ==<br /> Andrew Rilstone's &quot;fantasy parties&quot; at the University of York. FREEFORM http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1989 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Australian Games Group''' publish Morgana Cowling's '''The Freeform Book''' http://www.amazon.co.uk/THE-FREEFORM-BOOK-MORGANA-COWLING/dp/B003LM07L6 popularising the use of the term FREEFORM<br /> <br /> == 1990 == <br /> <br /> <br /> The term LRP seems to the normal term in the UK. I have found no references to LARP before this date.<br /> <br /> '''BattleBoard LRP''' in Colchester advertises and grows to thirty players. http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> Brian Williams runs &quot;Ace of Spades&quot; FREEFORM at University of Edinburgh. http://nnbtv.org.uk/Games/History.html<br /> <br /> == 1992 ==<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' founded as a charitable organisation to run Fantasy FEST events at Locko Park, Derby. http://www.lorientrust.com/ ''The Gathering'', the Summer Bank Holiday event reaches considerable size in the years to come.<br /> <br /> '''Home of the Bold''' Gloranthan FREEFORM run at Convulsion<br /> <br /> '''Battle Board LRP''' splits in to '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' based in Basildon http://www.battleboard.freeserve.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 1993 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mind's Eye Theatre''' VLARP rules released, suing a R/P/S (Rock/Paper/Scissors) system. These games cover '''White Wolf's''' ''World of Darkness'' setting. The '''Camarilla UK''' follows and still continues today in London.<br /> <br /> A different approach to VLARP was '''ViP: Vampires In Public'''. Lots of system material here, but IO don't have dates for the game. http://www.vampiresinpublic.org.uk/index.php Thanks to Mark Nichols for the details - it began in Coventry and expanded to Oxford, Lancaster, Birmingham &amp; Worcester.<br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/camarillauk/Projectinfo_page.htm <br /> <br /> Also '''Machiavelli Games''' begin 5 years of large scale games set in the world of ''Ars Magica''. http://archmachiavel.tripod.com/<br /> <br /> == 1994 ==<br /> <br /> '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' both cease running. '''Mists of Avalon''' and '''Shadows of Sorcery LRP''' <br /> <br /> == 1995 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''Cafe Casablanca'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> '''The Lorien Trust''' becomes '''Merlinroute Ltd trading as The Lorien Trust''', a private company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorien_Trust#Lorien_Trust_Events<br /> <br /> == 1996 ==<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Curious Pastimes''' founded and the Fantasy CLARP Renewal Campaign, still going strong today launched. http://curiouspastimes.co.uk/ &amp; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curious_Pastimes<br /> <br /> == 1997 == <br /> <br /> '''Cthulhu Live''' 1st edition published by ''Chaosium''. The game rules by Rob McLaughlin are clearly partly inspired by the earlier HPLHS games in the USA. Immediately COCLARP groups spring up, including influential groups in Malvern, Worcestershire and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> ''Quest Celtaii'' is running, I believe in Scotland. Does anyone have details?<br /> <br /> ''Bradford Fief'' of '''Camarilla UK''' VLARP ran from 1997 to 2000 http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~sdmanby/<br /> <br /> == 1998 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Arabian Nights'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cthulhu Live''' adventure on farm at Ashchurch, Tekesbury<br /> <br /> Matt Pennington and others set up '''Omega''', a Post Apocalyptic CLARP<br /> <br /> == 1999 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Shakespeare's Lost Play'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/weekend-freeforms<br /> <br /> '''Nothing Ventured''' becomes '''Forever's Destiny''' this year.<br /> <br /> July 23rd '''UK Freeforms''' founded as Yahoo Mailing List by Steve Hatherley - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/uk-freeforms/ &amp; https://www.facebook.com/groups/363628217072715/<br /> <br /> ''Chaosium'' publish the CON LARP book '''NEXUS''' http://www.abebooks.co.uk/Nexus-Live-Action-Roleplaying-RPG-Supplements/10885384018/bd<br /> <br /> == 2000 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> CJ runs his '''Cassandra 23''' 7 weekend Cthulhu Live campaign which takes place over multiple locations in real time in Cheltenham &amp; environs.<br /> <br /> CJ writes '''Boots for the Glory of Russia''' COMMITTEE GAME for CGCHESU LARP Soc. Download a later version here http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/boots-for-the-glory-of-russia<br /> <br /> ''Fantasy Flight Games'' publish the '''Cthulhu Live''' ''Players Companion'' http://www.amazon.com/Cthulhu-Live-Companion-Robert-McLaughlin/dp/1887911103<br /> <br /> == 2001 == <br /> <br /> Simon Morgan, owner of ''Eldritch'' a CLARP kit kit company takes over '''Labyrinthe''' from Jan Mc Mannus. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> <br /> '''Freeform Games (Murder Mysteries)''' set up by Steve Hatherley &amp; Mo Holkar selling high quality play at home murder mystery style games suitable for gamers as well as general public - http://www.freeformgames.com/index.php<br /> <br /> CJ runs '''Cassandra 23''' Episode 8; not part of the previous years '''Cthulhu Live''' series, but a Cyberpunk influenced SF sequel set in the near future. <br /> <br /> Fallcon in Oxford features several FREEFORMS; CJ's '''The Open Day''' Harry Potter FREEFORM does not run after he is taken ill en route, leaving an angry mod of larpers dressed as schoolkids with wands hunting for me. '''The Open Day''' did run at CHCHE SU LARP Soc, which ends on September 1st 2001. The first Society event is a run of the US microgame FREEFORM '''Strangers on the Bus''', written many years before, in which one of the characters is a terrorist off to blow up the World Trade Centre. For obvious reasons the game was pulled...<br /> <br /> == 2002 == <br /> <br /> '''Cambridge University Treasure Trap''' Fantasy CLARP founded by former Durham players Jennifer Curtis and Toni Badnall. Continues till 2014. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> '''Birmingham University Treasure Trap''' run their last event. [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> == 2003 ==<br /> <br /> As late as 2003 LRP rather than LARP still a common usage.<br /> <br /> '''Omega''' comes to an end<br /> <br /> '''The White City''' run Fantasy CLARPS in Oxford<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Torch of Freedom'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-torch-of-freedom<br /> <br /> == 2004 ==<br /> <br /> Matt, Alison and Bill Pennington create '''Profound Decisions''' and launch Renaissance Fantasy FEST ''Maelstrom'' <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''The Siege of Troy'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-siege-of-troy<br /> <br /> == 2005 == <br /> <br /> '''Portly Pixie''' Fantasy CLARP closes https://portlypixie.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/hello-world/<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> == 2006 ==<br /> <br /> ''Skirmisher LLC'' publish a 2nd Edition of '''Cthulhu Live'''<br /> <br /> Phil Branscombe, Duncan Mathias and Andy Byatt take over Fantasy CLARP '''Labyrinthe''' which becomes '''Labyrinthe UK Ltd''' and runs to present day. http://www.labyrinthe.co.uk/introduction/history/<br /> '''<br /> UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Pyrates'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/pyrates<br /> <br /> == 2007 ==<br /> <br /> First '''Nordic Style LARP''' ''To Strive...'' run in UK at Grand Tribunal in Cheltenham. http://www.grandtribunal.org <br /> <br /> ***The Bristol Manifesto*** published in the Knudepunkt book for this year by Nathan Hook, presenting a simulationist playstyle.<br /> <br /> == 2008 ==<br /> <br /> '''Forever's Destiny''' starts running Fantasy CLARP events in Northwest England and continues to the present. http://www.destiny.org.uk/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4553 It grew out of '''Nothing Ventured'''.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''1897: Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee<br /> <br /> '''Peaky Games - a Game Writing Weekend''' starts, and runs to current day annually. http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/peaky many Freeform games have been written there and some are available for purchase.<br /> <br /> '''Consequences''' the Freeform LARP Convention held at Naish on the South Coast begins, and has run every year since. http://www.ishtari.co.uk/consequences/<br /> <br /> == 2009 == <br /> <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Tales of Pendragon'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/1897-queen-victoria-s-diamond-jubiliee http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/tales-of-pendragon<br /> <br /> '''Isles of Darkness''' splits from the '''Camarilla UK''' and both continue till present<br /> http://www.islesofdarkness.com/<br /> <br /> ''Pervasive Games; Theory &amp; Design'' by Montola, Stenros &amp; Waern published in English.<br /> <br /> == 2010 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' begin running ''Odyssey'' a Classical era Fantasy FEST. http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/odyssey?1 based on the earlier ''Odyssey'' events by '''Boogieman Games'''. <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Sharp &amp; Sensibility'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/sharp-and-sensibility<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 1'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> == 2011 ==<br /> <br /> December 2011 - '''Phoenix LRP''' a Fantasy CLARP in Coventry announce they will run events using the Portly Pixie system. The forum suggests they ran adventures in to 2013, and they may still be active. http://www.phoenixlrp.com/<br /> <br /> '''Ornithocracy: A Parliament of Feather''' by David Mumford launched https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''Wasteland UK''' a Post Apocalyptic CLARP with Nerf guns launched. - https://www.unexpectedevents.co.uk/WastelandUK/AboutWLUK.aspx<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run WKFREEFORM ''Once Upon A Time in Tombstone'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-tombstone<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' run WKFREEFORM ''Masquerade'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/masquerade<br /> <br /> **Level 5** Nordic larp run by artist Brody Colon in Liverpool. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?585179-Level-5-1970-s-self-actualisation-workshop-larp-Liverpool-UK<br /> <br /> == 2012 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' end their ''Maelstrom'' FEST game. <br /> <br /> '''SWATT''' set up by Stephen Begley at Sussex University, a former member of CUTT. Fantasy CLARP [Source: Wikipedia, Treasure Trap]<br /> <br /> Lizzie Stark publishes a history of LARP ''Leaving Mundania'', which largely ignores UK styles.<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: All That Jazz'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/lullaby-on-broadway:all-that-jazz<br /> <br /> The '''Art of War Freeform''' by Mark Galeotti run at Continuum Convention.<br /> <br /> *** Heart's Blood*** A jeepform-style / nordic freeform based on Dracula published by Nathan Hook<br /> == 2013 ==<br /> <br /> '''Profound Decisions''' launch ''Empire'' a Fantasy FCLARP http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire?3<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' second run '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM ''The King's Musketeers'' http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/the-king-s-musketeers<br /> <br /> '''Space Penguin''' games launch ''Pioneers'' a SF CLARP https://www.facebook.com/groups/PioneeersLarp/<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook &amp; Tasia Kann publish ''Green Book 2'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Projekt: Ragnarok''' Occult WWII game - http://www.projektragnarok.co.uk/<br /> <br /> == 2014 == <br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of '''Cruel Hoax''''s WKFREEFORM Cafe Casablanca http://uk-freeforms.wikidot.com/cafe-casablanca<br /> <br /> Nathan Hook publishes ''Green Book 3'' - '''Nordic Style LARP scenarios'''<br /> <br /> '''Firecat Masquerade''' begin ''Tales Out of Anchor'' http://firecat-masquerade.com/ and the COMMITTEE GAME '''Project Snowflake''' enters playtest<br /> <br /> First '''Golden Cobra Challenge''' http://www.goldencobra.org/<br /> <br /> == 2015 == <br /> <br /> '''A Foot On The Stairs''' 1920's country house LARP<br /> <br /> '''UK Freeforms''' third run of WKFREEFORM ''Lullaby of Broadway: Into the Woods''</div>

Nath