What is Odysseus?
Odysseus is a Finnish larp for 100 players. It can also be described as Nordic larp, but due to distinctively different elements in typical Finnish larps compared to games that are seen as “Nordic larp”, we decided to call this style “Finnish larp”.
Why Finnish larp? The majority of all larps played in Finland represent (and have for two decades) the style used in Odysseus, and we wanted to describe a few common elements in our larp culture, as they are strongly present in Odysseus. Descriptions of both Nordic and Finnish larps as well as larps in general can be found on this page.
Odysseus will be played in Finland during summer 2019. The game takes place on the starship Odysseus 800 years in the future after a devastating tragedy. During the game, the players will assume the roles of crew and passengers on the old but still functional military vessel Odysseus. The characters include crew members, their relatives, as well as other lucky survivors and passengers from a few other ships.
Odysseus is a Finnish larp for 100 players. It can also be described as Nordic larp, but due to distinctively different elements in typical Finnish larps compared to games that are seen as “Nordic larp”, we decided to call this style “Finnish larp”.
Why Finnish larp? The majority of all larps played in Finland represent (and have for two decades) the style used in Odysseus, and we wanted to describe a few common elements in our larp culture, as they are strongly present in Odysseus. Descriptions of both Nordic and Finnish larps as well as larps in general can be found on this page.
Odysseus will be played in Finland during summer 2019. The game takes place on the starship Odysseus 800 years in the future after a devastating tragedy. During the game, the players will assume the roles of crew and passengers on the old but still functional military vessel Odysseus. The characters include crew members, their relatives, as well as other lucky survivors and passengers from a few other ships.
What is larp?
Larp is an acronym for Live Action Role Playing, but it is nowadays used as a name itself. Larp is an artform that can be described as theater without an audience, a story created by players. In addition to player input, a larp requires pre-written information from the game masters. As the bare minimum, this information provides the setting of a game, but more typically it also contains descriptions of the world and the characters.
In a larp, a player assumes the role of a character for the duration of the game; this duration typically varies from a couple of hours to several days. During a game, players (in the roles of their characters) interact with other players character without a pre-determined script. The characters might have some goals during the game, or they could just live out their everyday lives.
Larp is an acronym for Live Action Role Playing, but it is nowadays used as a name itself. Larp is an artform that can be described as theater without an audience, a story created by players. In addition to player input, a larp requires pre-written information from the game masters. As the bare minimum, this information provides the setting of a game, but more typically it also contains descriptions of the world and the characters.
In a larp, a player assumes the role of a character for the duration of the game; this duration typically varies from a couple of hours to several days. During a game, players (in the roles of their characters) interact with other players character without a pre-determined script. The characters might have some goals during the game, or they could just live out their everyday lives.
What is Nordic larp?
Nordic larp is a term used to describe a school of larp design that emerged in the Nordic countries. Nordic larp is dramatically different from larp in other parts of the world – here are a few examples of aims and ideals that are typical for this unique gaming scene:
Immersion. Nordic larpers want to feel like they are “really there”. This includes creating a truly convincing illusion of physically being in a medieval village / on a starship / inside a WWII bunker, playing a character that is very close to your own physical appearance, as well as focusing on getting under the character’s skin to “feel their feelings”. Dreaming in-character at night is seen by some nordic larpers as a sign of an appropriate level of immersion.
Collaboration. Nordic larp is about creating an exciting and emotionally affecting story together, not measuring your strength. There is no winning, and many players intentionally let their characters fail in their objectives to create more interesting stories.
Artistic vision. Many Nordic games are intended as more than entertainment – they make artistic or even political statements. The goal in these games is to affect the players long term, to perhaps change the way they see themselves or how they act in society.
'What is Nordic larp?' is borrowed from Nordic Larp webpage (https://nordiclarp.org/what-is-nordic-larp/).
What is Finnish larp?
Finnis larp is not an idiomatic term, but we have decided to use it for Odysseus, as calling our game Nordic larp did not feel right even though it is a close miss. Most of the aspects that define Nordic larp (Immersion, Collaboration and Artistic vision) also apply to Finnish larps, but there are a few other aspects that are common to larps in Finland.
Story driven. A game is not a free sandbox in which players create their story. Instead, players co-create the story based on heavier pre-game input from the game masters than in typical Nordic larps. Players are free to experience and shape the story to their preferred directions. There are multiple pre-defined intertwining plots and dynamics that together create the fiction as well as mechanics that carry the story forward. Often, there are several ways to accomplish the goals the characters may have, and the personal plots and relationships do not have any desired outcome – it is entirely up to the players to make most out of them.
Characters. Each player receives a pre-written complex character that has a unique history, story, plots, and a network of contacts. The characters are assigned to players based on a casting questionnaire, on which the players are asked their preferences on plots, relationships, and overall experience. Players rarely create contacts or plots by themselves – instead, they are delivered by the game masters. There is a little room to make adjustments, but the larps rely heavily on players respecting and playing the plots they are given. However, it is of course possible and even encouraged to make new contacts and relationships in-character during the larp.
Emotions. Many Finnish larps drive to stir strong emotions in players. To give them an experience to step into someone else's shoes and live their lives. Feel their losses and joys. Players are encouraged to maximize the drama, to cry when their characters are sad, to yell when they are mad, and laugh when they are happy.
Players’ role. Finnish larps rely strongly in players being active and respectful. Players are expected to memorize their characters and respect the plots they are given – but to also make their characters their own and bring them to life in a way they feel comfortable with. It is strongly encouraged to discuss with your pre-defined contacts before the game and make deeper connections between the characters. If there is a written romance, friendship or mentor, players should discuss beforehand what they expect from that particular contact, what boundaries they have, and what they hope to accomplish for the characters.
Secrets. Secrets and surprises are a typical ingredient of Finnish larps. Each player’s character might have information the other characters do not have. The story is designed to slowly unfold throughout the duration of the larp, and shocking revelations and mysteries are meant to be solved for the whole duration of a game.
Full ingame. Players live the lives of their characters throughout the larp. There are no pauses or acts. There is no off-game other than in designated offgame areas, or if there is need to have a discussion to set up a scene or to adjust boundaries. Usually there is also a signal to alert the players that the end of the larp is drawing nearer, so the players have a chance to finish off plots they still want to play.
We want to welcome you to experience Finnish larp with intricate plots and drama ready made for you to lead your experience to a direction you want!
Nordic larp is a term used to describe a school of larp design that emerged in the Nordic countries. Nordic larp is dramatically different from larp in other parts of the world – here are a few examples of aims and ideals that are typical for this unique gaming scene:
Immersion. Nordic larpers want to feel like they are “really there”. This includes creating a truly convincing illusion of physically being in a medieval village / on a starship / inside a WWII bunker, playing a character that is very close to your own physical appearance, as well as focusing on getting under the character’s skin to “feel their feelings”. Dreaming in-character at night is seen by some nordic larpers as a sign of an appropriate level of immersion.
Collaboration. Nordic larp is about creating an exciting and emotionally affecting story together, not measuring your strength. There is no winning, and many players intentionally let their characters fail in their objectives to create more interesting stories.
Artistic vision. Many Nordic games are intended as more than entertainment – they make artistic or even political statements. The goal in these games is to affect the players long term, to perhaps change the way they see themselves or how they act in society.
'What is Nordic larp?' is borrowed from Nordic Larp webpage (https://nordiclarp.org/what-is-nordic-larp/).
What is Finnish larp?
Finnis larp is not an idiomatic term, but we have decided to use it for Odysseus, as calling our game Nordic larp did not feel right even though it is a close miss. Most of the aspects that define Nordic larp (Immersion, Collaboration and Artistic vision) also apply to Finnish larps, but there are a few other aspects that are common to larps in Finland.
Story driven. A game is not a free sandbox in which players create their story. Instead, players co-create the story based on heavier pre-game input from the game masters than in typical Nordic larps. Players are free to experience and shape the story to their preferred directions. There are multiple pre-defined intertwining plots and dynamics that together create the fiction as well as mechanics that carry the story forward. Often, there are several ways to accomplish the goals the characters may have, and the personal plots and relationships do not have any desired outcome – it is entirely up to the players to make most out of them.
Characters. Each player receives a pre-written complex character that has a unique history, story, plots, and a network of contacts. The characters are assigned to players based on a casting questionnaire, on which the players are asked their preferences on plots, relationships, and overall experience. Players rarely create contacts or plots by themselves – instead, they are delivered by the game masters. There is a little room to make adjustments, but the larps rely heavily on players respecting and playing the plots they are given. However, it is of course possible and even encouraged to make new contacts and relationships in-character during the larp.
Emotions. Many Finnish larps drive to stir strong emotions in players. To give them an experience to step into someone else's shoes and live their lives. Feel their losses and joys. Players are encouraged to maximize the drama, to cry when their characters are sad, to yell when they are mad, and laugh when they are happy.
Players’ role. Finnish larps rely strongly in players being active and respectful. Players are expected to memorize their characters and respect the plots they are given – but to also make their characters their own and bring them to life in a way they feel comfortable with. It is strongly encouraged to discuss with your pre-defined contacts before the game and make deeper connections between the characters. If there is a written romance, friendship or mentor, players should discuss beforehand what they expect from that particular contact, what boundaries they have, and what they hope to accomplish for the characters.
Secrets. Secrets and surprises are a typical ingredient of Finnish larps. Each player’s character might have information the other characters do not have. The story is designed to slowly unfold throughout the duration of the larp, and shocking revelations and mysteries are meant to be solved for the whole duration of a game.
Full ingame. Players live the lives of their characters throughout the larp. There are no pauses or acts. There is no off-game other than in designated offgame areas, or if there is need to have a discussion to set up a scene or to adjust boundaries. Usually there is also a signal to alert the players that the end of the larp is drawing nearer, so the players have a chance to finish off plots they still want to play.
We want to welcome you to experience Finnish larp with intricate plots and drama ready made for you to lead your experience to a direction you want!