The novices are locked in the holiest of holy in Athena’s temple. This final night you will be tested and tempted by the gods themselves. Will you have the faith to turn your back forever on family, love, and desire to become an Exalted Virgin Priestess and finally have true power in the world of men? Or will you listen to the sweet temptations of wild Dionysus, the god of ritual madness and fertility, and leave with his free but shunned cultists. Maybe you will reject the gods and return to your beloved but intensely patriarchal Ancient Arcadian Greece outside the temple walls. Your virginity, your soul, the patronymic name that your father branded into your very skin – you might lose them all tonight.
This larp uses physical space to direct players rather than time-bound act structures – as you walk into the different gods’ areas, their essence will influence your character.
All characters identify as female, players of all genders (or none) are equally welcome.
WHAT: ATHENA’S CHOSEN, a parlor larp for 8 – 16 players (the more the merrier!).
Designed by Susanne Vejdemo and Anna-Karin Linder.
Organized by TLS, Katherine Shane.
WHEN: Saturday, May 12th from 2pm to 6pm
REGISTRATION: If you are interested in playing, fill out our Athena’s Chosen Sign-Up Form before 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 2nd. If more people sign up than we have room for attendance will be decided by weighted lottery. You should know if you are in or out of the larp by Friday, May 4th. If fewer folks than max sign up, registration will be open after the deadline for stragglers.
WHERE: TBD. We are considering a few different options. Stay tuned!
One option is an inside location at local nonprofit. If we use this option, we will be requesting a voluntary good-will donation of $10+ per person to support the work of the nonprofit in appreciation for the use of their space. No one will be turned away if they are unable to make a donation. However because this is a larger event, we are hoping to collect an amount that reflects the value of the space as a rental. We are requesting a voluntary good-will donation $5-10 to support the work of the nonprofit in appreciation for the use of their space. No one will be turned away if they are unable to make a donation.
PLAY STYLE: This is a Fastaval-style scenario. After workshopping the game techniques, play is comprised of a single ongoing scene in which players interact with each other while under the influence of different goddesses and gods. Players are cast as prewritten characters during the larp. Each character sheet is only one page long.
THEMES: Athena’s Chosen is about power, lust, love, faith, choice, drama, greek demi-goddesses, empowerment.
ACCESSIBILITY: Stay tuned for more information about the venue.
One play venue we are considering is ADA accessible. Plenty of seating. Water available. Climate controlled building.
COSTUMING: Costuming is encouraged but not required. We recommend making a toga/robe/etc. Out of a white sheet and wearing close fitting clothing underneath. This will offer players the option to remove the toga/robe to represent “nudity” while maintaining usual U.S. clothing norms and personal modesty choices. We will have materials on site for costuming purposes, as well as assistance for making your costume. Please reach out if you would like to discuss your costuming needs and we’ll see what we can do.
CONTENT ADVISORY: Play will include sexual content by way or orgiastic rituals mediated by meta-mechanics. Play will also comment on brutalities and injustice present in the ancient world, and these may also appear in visions received from goddesses or gods during the game (short scenes roleplayed by a small group of players in the vicinity of other players). No knowledge of Greek history or mythology is required to play.
ART: Photo courtesy www.goodfreephotos.com.