Content/trigger warning: rape play, abduction from the third subheading onwards, term “slave”.
What does LARP mean?
LARP is the abbreviation for “Live Action Role Playing”. This is a type of improvisational theater that is based on the structure of so-called “pen-and-paper role-playing games”. The aim is to slip into the role of a hero or villain of any gender, ethnicity or culture. With this character, an adventure is experienced in a prepared game story. The special attraction of this game is that you can create your own character, their background and history and develop them over the course of the game. The gathering of players is called a “convention” and can have between 20 and 10,000 participants. The scenarios of live role-playing games come from a wide variety of genres.
Popular ones include fantasy, horror, end times/post-apocalypse, vampire, western, science fiction, cyberpunk and steampunk. Many LARP fans are or were also cosplayers.
Other forms of LARP
Medieval markets often provide inspiration for fans of live role-playing games, which is why LARPers are often found at such events. This is because most fantasy-based games are set in a more or less medieval world. Strictly speaking, historical exhibition battles could also be considered LARP. Since 2004, attempts have been made to recreate the revival of historically relevant events under the term “reenactment” in order to introduce an educational component. Cosplay is the representation of a specific, predetermined person. This is often done at events, the conventions already mentioned. The character and appearance are predetermined.
Crime games such as dinners with crime drama or corresponding parties also use similar elements to live role-playing. Indoor fantasy worlds, such as the famous “Dungeon” chain or escape rooms, also fall under LARP in the broadest sense. A “LARG” is a (live) alternate reality game in which the boundary between reality and game is not as clearly visible as in a constructed world with elves, dwarves and wizards. LARGs are usually set in the crime or espionage genre. Paintball, airsoft and other games with combat and conflict scenarios can also be included in this category.
What does LARP have to do with BDSM?
In the BDSM context, we often find role-playing games that can also be defined as LARP. These include, for example, events that are played over a longer period of time in one location. Possible examples are re-enactments of prison or insane asylum scenarios, a school trip with strict education by teachers, a historical scenario with servants and lords, and so on. Pet play can also be considered LARP. There are entire series of events in which each participant is assigned a specific role and functions that must be played out over the course of the event.
However, sensitive fantasies such as rape play, abduction scenarios, torture games or interrogation practices in a dungeon as well as so-called sub or fox hunts and “O-parties” can also be understood in this context. If someone belongs to both the BDSM and the LARP scene, there is a high probability that they have found a very big fan of erotic role-playing games. Especially in medieval scenarios, you can find more than enough inspiration for torture methods in the context of edge play. In the vampire community, with a preference for biting and blood, there are presumably also some BDSM fans.
What is so appealing about LARP in BDSM?
Role play allows us to completely immerse ourselves in a fake reality. We can experience things very realistically, right up to the corresponding physical reaction. Adrenaline and endorphins, noradrenaline, the corticotropin-releasing hormone and adrenocorticotropin, cortisol and other messenger substances are released. In such scenarios, we can freely live out our fantasies as long as everyone involved is in agreement. This is made possible by completely handing over control to the top. Especially when relatively unknown people are also given a role in the game, the scenario is accompanied by exciting uncertainty. Precisely because some of the scenarios are very authentic, you have to pay particular attention so that the game does not become a traumatic experience.
What do I need to consider?
Communication is the key: although fantasy thrives on the idea that there are no boundaries and agreements, in reality these are essential. A lot needs to be discussed and communicated in advance. Without precise clarification of what can and should happen, no consensus is possible. Wishes, possibilities and limits must be discussed in detail. Even a magic system does not cancel out the SSC or RACK principles of consent.
At large group events, wristbands in different colors are often used to visually represent basic boundaries. At O-parties, for example, depending on the organizer, a red wristband means that Sub may only be played after consultation with the owner. Black could mean that this person may not be touched at all or green that the submissive person must serve everyone and so on.
Precisely because this type of play can quickly cross boundaries through improvisation, the organizer and the people playing on top have a great deal of responsibility. Individual wishes and boundaries must nevertheless be respected, and a safeword must be agreed in order to make it possible to stop. A safe exit option is essential. At some events, there are certain areas where you are not allowed to play. You can withdraw to these areas if you need some distance from the role but don’t want to stop completely.
BDSM fantasy reading: The Gor series
LARP has become particularly well known in BDSM circles thanks to the series of books about the Gor Cycle by John Norman, an epic that takes place on the counter-earth Gor and predominantly uses fantasy and science fiction scenarios to portray the author’s individual view of D/s.
This consists exclusively of male dominance and female submission. The special thing about Gor is that there are slaves here who are abducted from the barbaric Earth and called “Kajira” (female) or “Kajirus” (male). They shed part of their identity, have to serve their masters and declare their allegiance in many rituals, for example through specific poses they have to perform. Gor is also popular as a pen-and-paper game or LARP. However, as it crosses the boundaries into BDSM, there are always dynamics in the scene that are based on the role-playing game, which is why the slave poses in particular are very popular in the BDSM scene.
