UPDATE
Current sign-ups for this event are full, however you can still sign up for the WAITLIST at the registration link below.
Should a player drop out of the event, there may be a chance you will be contacted to fill their slot.
— REGISTER HERE —
Join us on January 13, 2024
It’s 1993, when grunge music is all the rage, hacker kids are dialing up to this new thing called “the Internet,” and discontentment ripples through the secret world of the vampires.
In Chicago, Prince Lodin has dominated the vampires here for decades and kept various factions at bay. However, his days of dominance and absolute monopoly are numbered. Unrest is breeding among the undead of the city, and whispers of a plot to depose him are growing louder.
As a downpour pummels the streets outside the crumbling ruins of the City Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana, a small cabal of vampires gather inside to wait out the storm and conspire to overthrow the Prince. Will these vampires set aside their long held-grudges and bloody interpersonal histories, or will they end up at each other’s throats?
What
Hell Is Other Vampires is a larp about, well, vampires, but also an interpersonal drama about whether the group can put aside their personal problems to achieve their common goal, or if they succumb to petty squabbles instead.
Tone: A supernatural goth early ’90s gritty drama
You might enjoy this game if you are a fan of vampire media such as The Daybreakers or Interview with the Vampire, with a touch of No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre and Reservoir Dogs, or if you wonder how semi-immortal beings can get along when they can’t live with what they’ve done to one another. The setting is within the World of Darkness franchise of games, but no prior knowledge of the system or franchise is necessary to play.
Run Time: 3 to 4 hours, including approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of active play time
Players: 3 to 9 players
Facilitators: two
Written by Evan Torner
Organized by Ari Fenenga and Jon Cole
Admin support from Katherine Shane and Jon Cole
When
January 13, 2024, from 1–5 PM
Tickets
Get a ticket by filling out the Hell Is Other Vampires registration form. Once you have a ticket you don’t need to do anything else besides show up to play!
On the day of the event, we request a pay-what-you-want good will donation ($5–$20 suggested) to support low-cost immersive scenarios in Minnesota. No one will be turned away if they do not make a donation.
Where
Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Transit: one-quarter mile south of the Green Line/University Avenue. Green Line stop: Fairview Avenue
Parking: Parking lot west of the library, accessible from Marshall Avenue.
Details on the Game
Play Style
Characters in this game are vampires from around Chicago who ostensibly want to overthrow their tyrannical prince. They may exhibit bravado, arrogance, suspicion, paranoia, guilt, regret, anger and similar strong emotions over the course of play.
Players will take on roles with their own secrets, flaws, and agendas as guided by character cards with prompts.
Time will be given to develop backstories connecting characters within the game. You will play within a web of relationships, and form new connections over the course of play.
This larp uses a bespoke system distinct from Minds Eye Theater.
Content Advisory
Representational violence, representational intimacy (sexual violence will not be part of this game)
Safety Tools
The check-in and cut techniques will be discussed and practiced before play begins, as well as subjects that are off-limits for players.
Following play, we will debrief to discuss our experiences and shed the roles we assumed for the game. The debrief is encouraged, but not required, should you choose to leave following play.
Costuming
No costuming needed, but it is certainly welcome. If you want to wear something that makes you feel like an early ’90s grungy vampire in the Midwest, go for it!
Other Information
COVID-19 Policy
Attendees need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and boosted to the extent recommended by the CDC for their demographic group. Bring proof of your vaccination status for inspection during check in, which could be your card, a picture of it, or a document on your phone. Our policy means you will need to have had the 2023 monovalent covid vaccine at least two weeks before this event or we will turn you away at the door. Please reach out if you have any questions about our policy. N95 respirators or better are required, and we will have a few to share. We will be playing in a large and well-ventilated room and bring our own CR box to run. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, stay home. If you are able to, take a rapid test before arrival.
Accessibility
Our venue is the Merriam Park Library and is climate controlled. Our play space has plenty of seating, and is located on the lower level, accessible by elevator. The main entrance has double doors that can be opened by button-push, there are two accessible restrooms on the main level. The lower level has restroom access (not equipped with accessible entrance button). The upper level has two accessible bathrooms.
Water will be available, and we recommend bringing a water bottle for your ease of access. No food will be provided.
Social
After the event some folks will get food together to continue to hang out at Hourglass Café & Bar. Hanging out afterwards is totally optional, and we think it’s fun to get to know your fellow players as people, not just as their characters. Folks who didn’t attend the event are welcome to attend this part.
Contact
Contact us with any questions or concerns!
Image Credits
Chris Barbalis and Loren Cutler, used under Unsplash license