GM: Sarah Terman
Players: Matthew Fisher, Sam Tillis, Ronan, Nik, Sean Nittner, David, Amy, Andy, Amy, Amanda, Michael M, Chris, Marie, Michael M (different Michael M), Daniel, Mari, and Megan.
System: In the Viper’s Den, a bespoke larp created by Sarah
By every measurable goal I failed this game and had a wonderful time doing so. The measure of a good game indeed!
Sarah wrote this game as a birthday present for Matt and so appropriately he played the prince, who was also celebrating a birthday party. We had an inception of birthdays!
Here’s the pitch for the game:
Isola dei Serpenti – a desolate island where the criminal underclass of Tanasoldi was once sent to be forgotten. But no more. Led by the cunning and ambitious Niccolo Pescatore, you rebelled and declared yourselves an independent nation, appointing Niccolo your new Prince. For several years it looked like your country’s only real asset would ever be your pride, but you have managed to scrape by. However, you have unexpectedly discovered you are sitting on secret wealth beyond your wildest dreams: your island is home to a veritable lake of a rare reagent that has recently been revolutionizing arcane theory and application.
But this is a delicate time for your nation. The other Tanasoldite princes had previously refused to have any dealings with a nation of criminals, but now they are slinking back, hoping to set up trade routes and secure a supply of your resources. It’s a route to wealth for all of you, but the other princes will surely try to wring every drop of advantage they can out of the arrangements. Forming an agreement with one will also anger all their many enemies, and there is always the risk that ill-handled diplomacy might lead to war.
Handling the myriad fractious Tanasoldite Princes will take skilled negotiation. Unfortunately, none of you have much diplomatic experience, but an ambassador is needed, nonetheless. Thus, Prince Niccolo has gathered together his most trusted courtiers tonight, intending to determine which of you is the most cunning, most devious, and best suited to defend the interests of your island amongst the sharks of the more established courts. This person will be appointed Isola dei Serpenti’s ambassador, and their bold hand will chart your nation’s path for years to come. It will be a great honor, but it can only go to one – will it be you?
I played Bernadro the scientist and inventor from house Verdi. My great rival Simona (from house Rossi) was granted the position I coveted as director of our research institute and our house ended with the least favor (by a lot shot). The one person I sought to mentor was, at best, undecided in her academic pursuits. I got caught trying to pickpocket someone, gave up on my dreams, was reinvigorated to try again, and then failed once more. It was a delightful tragedy (for me at least, plenty of other count members achieved their ambitions).
As with all big larps, you only see a part of the story but as an isle of criminals (thieves, con artists, and smugglers specifically ) there was a lot of chicanery going on. I actually found that getting caught trying to steal from someone introduced some new drama, gave me a chance to repent and try to be a better person. But that’s a hard road to walk when you’re so used to being a thief.
The game was a great delight, and my only regret was that I didn’t just give the smugglers (who were the best of us all) our favor to make them win the game, since we had no chance!
