Ticket types

Player Ticket is $10, and gives you a player spot in Sanctuary.

Introduction to Larp package is $15, and includes a player ticket to Sanctuary, access to the Auckland Larp Faire, and a place in a 45 minute introduction to larp session for new larpers that will take place at 2pm at the Auckland Larp Faire, which is on the same day and at the same venue as the game.

Coming to the Faire as well as Sanctuary is a great way to meet our local larpers, see cool gear that's being sold for larp, chat to people about what larp involves, and maybe attend some panels with experienced larpers talking about doing what we love. It'll definitely put you in the mood for the game.

The introductory session is a perfect chance to hear how larp works, and get your questions answered so you feel comfortable going into your first game.

Timeline of Sat 12 October 2019

1:30pm - Auckland Larp Faire starts, at Ponsonby Community Centre

2:00pm - Introduction to Larp session starts at the Auckland Larp Faire

5:30pm - Auckland Larp Faire finishes

6:30pm - Briefing for Sanctuary starts at Ponsonby Community Centre, followed by game start

10:00pm - Sanctuary ends

Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a 66 character live action role-playing game with an original fantasy setting inspired by The Princess Bride, Arthurian legend, Shakespeare, and A Song for Arbonne (by Guy Gavriel Kay).

This much-loved game has previously been run in Wellington and Hamilton. We're running Sanctuary at the same venue as the Auckland Larp Faire, in the evening after a break for attendees to go have dinner and come back.

New to Larp?

This game is suitable for both new and experienced larpers. If you love fantasy, or want to give live roleplaying a try and don't mind what genre your first game is, we think you'll love this game.

After you buy your ticket you will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and based on your answers you'll be cast as one of the 66 characters. Once you are cast, you will receive a briefing that describes who your character is, the other characters you know, and your goals for the evening. Don't show your character briefing to other players, because that would spoil the surprises. If you have questions, the game organisers are happy to help you via email.

On the night, you'll play the game by acting as your character and try to complete your character's goals. There is no winning or losing in a larp, so it doesn't matter whether you succeed at your goals or not. It's all about having fun. Some other characters may have goals that are in conflict with yours, but you can also find allies. There is no set storyline or pre-determined ending, instead every character is the hero of their own story that emerges on the night!

There is room for all kinds of play: drama, action, romance, intrigue, comedy, politics, tragedy, heroism and villainy. You can choose which aspects of the game you engage in.

You don't need any experience of roleplaying or acting, it's just a matter of giving it a go. You are welcome to put together an appropriate medieval fantasy or early Renaissance costume for your character, and it can be as basic or fancy as you like. If you can't get any costume together, let us know and we'll provide you with a costume.

The game takes place during a truce between nations, and the only "fighting" will be ritual duels between opponents who both agree to take part. The winner of duels will be determined at random by the game organisers, and then acted out by the players (sometimes using foam larp weapons, if the players want to). Taking part in duels is entirely optional.

The Game Setting

It's the time of the festival, a truce held every four years at the Sanctuary of Lykeion. It's time to catch up with friends, with enemies; celebrate the good times, negotiate treaties, & arrange marriages – all blessed by the holy time of the gods.

This year will be a troubled festival. There has been famine all about, and bickering amongst the nations. Some say the goddess of fertility has left the land. Some even say that all the gods have left, upset by the people's departure from the old ways. In the meantime, strange ships have been seen far off shore.

It's the time of the festival. Come join the queen of Madrigal, the warrior-leaders of Necale, emissaries of the ancient realm of Vidan as they celebrate the quarter. Come and see the ship-born strangers, rumoured to be in these lands. Come, fall in with the happy crowd of duellists, the philosophers, the merchants, the scoundrels. Strike a deal, save your people from the famine, pursue a feud, celebrate the gods. Scariest of all, maybe you'll get married.

Credits

Authors: Stephanie Pegg, Naomi Guyer, and Sean Broadley

Game runner: Naomi Guyer

Sanctuary is a project of the New Zealand Live Action Role Playing Society