{"id":3218,"date":"2014-09-14T13:01:48","date_gmt":"2014-09-14T13:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bucksurdu.com\/blog\/?p=3218"},"modified":"2014-09-14T13:03:02","modified_gmt":"2014-09-14T13:03:02","slug":"blood-and-larp-at-barrage-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bucksurdu.com\/blog\/?p=3218","title":{"rendered":"Blood and LARP at Barrage 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
The swashbucklers before the brawl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Barrage 2014 was winding down, we set up a “barroom” ala Blood and Swash<\/em> for some semi-LARP-ing. \u00a0The basic idea was to replicate the pirate tavern brawls and Jennifer, Chris, and I run using Blood and Swash with the HAWKs as the figures. \u00a0Note in the picture above that we used foam koozies as beer mugs. \u00a0We put koozies, paper plates, tables, and chairs around the playing area.<\/p>\n

\"Sammy's<\/a>
Sammy's early musket shot takes out Tom before he even had a chance to do anything exciting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There were four swashbucklers in the game, and they were assigned additional players to be on their teams. \u00a0Each swashbuckler was assigned a suit of cards. \u00a0I pulled cards and announced the suit. \u00a0The swashbuckler would then determine which of his team members would act.<\/p>\n

\"Kurt<\/a>
Kurt and William display their fencing skills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rob<\/a>
Rob accosts Sammy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Blood and Swash<\/em> tavern fights the objective generally is to get a treasure chest full of gold out of the tavern. \u00a0It is every player for himself, with each player controlling three or four figures. \u00a0This game was no different.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A three-way fight between Sammy, Rob, and Chris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rob<\/a>
Rob is victorious against Sammy; Eric attempts to dodge a musket ball from behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We used standard Blood and Swash<\/em> rules. \u00a0Each player was given a card with pre-rolled stats (Slug, Shoot, Sword, Save, and Hit Points). \u00a0In Blood and Swash<\/em>, figures are in one of four categories from swashbuckler (best) to men at arms (worst). \u00a0For our LARP event, the more dressed up the players were, the better their character type. \u00a0Equipped with foam swords, Nerf guns, and other accouterments, we launched into the game.<\/p>\n

\"Jennifer<\/a>
Jennifer the pirate meets her doom. Note the fallen "beer mug" and the spill marker cut from a cheap shower curtain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bill<\/a>
Bill and Chris fight over William's dead body.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sword play, shoving attacks, and fisticuffs were handled with the GM (me) calling out die rolls, which the players compared to their stats to determine success or failure of the action. \u00a0Throwing and shooting was accomplished by players physically throwing mugs or plates and firing Nerf guns. \u00a0As in Blood and Swash<\/em>, reloading took four actions.<\/p>\n

\"Rob<\/a>
Rob attempts to take the chest as Geoff considers his alternatives<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"After<\/a>
After killing Rob, Geoff prepare to leap over his body to take the chest out of the bar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The participants, observers (HAWKs not participating in the game), and GM all had a terrific time. \u00a0All of the things that make Blood and Swash<\/em> fun, such as people slipping on spilled beer, dropping swords, and leaping over tables, chairs, and bodies, all occurred in this game. \u00a0The HAWKs are already talking about how to make this better next year. \u00a0I suspect at a minimum more people will develop costumes so that they get better characters.<\/p>\n

\"Geoff<\/a>
Geoff brought a fist to a sword fight. It didn't work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A protracted sword fight...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Chris<\/a>
Chris bends down to pick up his dropped sword as he faces William amidst the growing pile of dead bodies near the chest and the exit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The victor!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Elton John said, “Saturday is all right for fighting!”<\/p>\n