TALAN: What is it?

There are a few things to understand before playing TALAN.

TALAN is a live-action role-playing game or LARP, to abbreviate. Live-action role-playing games come in two forms: Interactive Theatre and True Live-Action. In Interactive Theatre, you act out what your character would actually do, excepting violent or otherwise invasive actions. In True Live-Action, you still act out everything you want your character to do, but really draw a sword (actually a safe, foam and tape ‘boffer’ weapon) and strike your target when the time is right. Naturally, your target might be wielding similarly safe weapons for defense, and you would not be guaranteed to win. Hence, there is an inherent ‘do it’ theme to TALAN.

Which leads to the next question: What is a boffer weapon? Boffer weapons are a combination of PVC piping, pipe foam, and tape. Most medieval-style weaponry can be constructed in this fashion provided it passes a rigorous safety test. Likewise, a great many ranged effects in the game are represented by thrown beanbags (called ‘spell packets’). In this way, the live-action theme is still fun without sacrificing personal safety.

Fighting is done by swinging your boffer weapon (see the chapter on combat for how and how not to do this) or completing the necessary actions and successfully striking a target with a thrown spell packet. If you hit, your target is affected; if you miss, it is not.

This is all to say nothing of infighting, factions, backstabbing, politics and outright thievery that results from the many layers of plot interaction.

Throughout all of this, real-world concerns still take precedence and often supercede the game. TALAN requests in writing any medical conditions which might affect your play, that we may be better prepared to assist you should an emergency arise. Participants are urged to dress appropriately for the weather and to drink plenty of liquids while involved in play.

Players are also required to observe site informational signs regarding safety or traffic restrictions, and to respect other site visitors who may not be directly involved with TALAN. Please leave your housing clean and avoid littering the environs; we greatly appreciate having a steady location in which to play, and would like to keep coming back.