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Join us on February 7, 2026
Iluvenen was once a dark and nameless wilderness ruled by monsters. Then the noble heroes of the West came in their chariots, slew the monsters, and raised from the wilderness a great nation.
That is the story told in Iluvenen. The monster-kin, descended from the children of humans and monsters, are an inconvenient reminder of what the story fails to explain.
The Language of Bones is a game played in pairs. One person plays a monster-kin raising a monster from their grave with the power of dance, and the other plays their long-dead ancestor. Throughout gameplay, the monster-kin are able to speak, but the monsters cannot, because the language of bones is dance. This is a game about genocide, legacy, erasure, reclamation, and the complex fractures between ancestors and descendants.
What
A live action game about channeling ancestors who rest uneasily
Duration: 4 hours. 2 hours workshop, 2 hours play
Players: 6 to 20 players, who pair up during the workshop
Designed by July Pilowsky, to premiere at Make A Scene 2025
Facilitated by Sybil Pembroke
Admin support from Jon Cole
When
Saturday February 7, 2026
Noon to 5 pm
Optional debrief and dinner to follow
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: Small parking lot West of the library, otherwise street parking along Marshall Avenue.
Tickets
Get a ticket here! Once you have filled out our form you don’t need to do anything else besides show up to play. If the event fills up, the same form is how you join the waitlist.
On the day of the event we request a pay-what-you-want goodwill donation ($5–$30 suggested) to support low-cost immersive scenarios in Minnesota. No one will be turned away if they do not make a donation.
Story
Players take on the roles of Ancestors and Descendants trying to communicate a message from the past and solve a crisis in the present. Together, pairs will play a series of scenes where the Ancestors are raised from their burial sites, Descendants explore their own pasts and identities, and each can search for meaning and gain a deeper connection to their buried inheritance. Depending on the dynamic of each pair, these relationships can be by turns healing, tense, or disturbing. But no matter what, at the end of the night, someone’s going back in the ground.
Techniques
This larp emphasizes non-verbal communication and improvised movement set to music. In fiction, the characters are doing a forbidden dance. As players we get to decide what that dance looks like, in ways that suit the players and the characters.
This game is played in pairs, which are formed during the workshop. You’ll practice the techniques with lots of different people before choosing your partner for the game.
Ancestor characters are nonverbal, communicating only through movement. Descendant characters may speak, but they also need to use the “language of bones” to learn from and share with their returned-from the grave ancestors.
Content Notice
This is a game about genocide, legacy, erasure, reclamation, and the complex fractures between ancestors and descendants.
This is a highly physical larp where movement is as much a form of communication as words. The basics of the two movement techniques will be taught during the workshop, so no prior skill is needed to play!
Costuming
No costuming needed, though do plan to wear something to move in for long periods of time. This game was written in a black box style, where players can either wear something monochromatic or regular street clothes. To comply with our venue’s policies, don’t bring any weapon props.
Covid policy
N95 respirators or better are required for everyone at this event, and we will have a few to share.
We strongly recommend all attendees get the Fall 2025 covid vaccine before attending this event. The Minnesota Department of Health has stated that in Minnesota you don’t need a reason or to be at extra risk to receive this important annual vaccination.
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, stay home. If you are able to, take a rapid test before arrival. Please reach out if you have any questions about our policy.
Other Information
Calibration and Consent Tools
This game is played in a dyad and you’ll have a chance to check in with your co-player about touch boundaries during the workshop. We’ll also discuss and practice tools you can use to check in or ask for modifications during play.
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, and players are always free to leave for their well-being.
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.
Accessibility
Our venue 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.
We assume that players will have the ability to navigate freely around the space. This is a scenario with pervasive music and conversation, which could be tricky for people with auditory processing disorders, even though we don’t aspire to club volume.
Please reach out if you’ve got any accessibility questions or to request accommodations.
Minors
This larp might be appropriate for a minor (under 18 years old), depending on their prior roleplaying experience and comfort with the subject matter. Since Larp House is an all-volunteer group without a legal entity, we require a parent or guardian to attend alongside any minor who’d like to participate. By all means reach out if you are unsure if this larp is a good fit for your child.
Contact
Contact us with any questions or concerns!
Image credits
Photos courtesy of Make a Scene Scenario Festival.
