The larpers!

[UncleMonty]

Could someone pass me a clue? I have no idea what a larper might be.
Any examples?

[RouJoumis]

OK - I'm not a larper and don't know any, so all this is stuff I figured out/ was told when larpers featured in a different comic strip. Here's what I 'know' (take it with a huge grain of salt; someone will be along shortly with a better description):

LARP = Live Action Role Play (or something similiar)

Apparently a bunch of people create their characters, then make costumes, fake weapons, etc. and go out and play a game . . . acting out what their charactors would 'really' do. So you wander around the larping grounds talking to real people, seeing real clues, etc. for the game . . . Kinda like SCA roleplay, but a little bit different . . .

. . . for example, I'm sure there are rules of some sort for different LARPing games. I don't know how all the rules work and such, but I'm sure they must be there. Otherwise, who would decide who won a particular battle? Unless you want to actually behead your fellow player, of course . . .

Anyone else got a better description? Please?

[UncleMonty]

Well, that sounds pretty reasonable, considering the comic's showing Ben teasing "Darth".
So, they're not just people in costume then. They're actually involved in a game or play-acting of some sort. Hmm... I'd guess the other players make sure they know who's behind the mask though - because one actor's rendition of Darth Vader could be a lot friendlier than another's.

[Earl McClaw]

OK - I'm not a larper and don't know any, so all this is stuff I figured out/ was told when larpers featured in a different comic strip. Here's what I 'know' (take it with a huge grain of salt; someone will be along shortly with a better description):

You got it about right. (Haven't LARPed myself, but as an RPGer I've seen enough about it.) There are actual rule books out there with different approaches to the game.

For a very tame version of a LARP, get one of the "host a mystery" party kits.

White Wolf's "World of Darkness" is famous / infamous for LARPing. Considering how many people take goth as a lifestyle I'm not surprised.

[DracoDei]

Actually, there is a whole other type of LARPing, both of the the ones that Earl McClaw mentioned require no particular physical skill...
The other type you use PVC-covered-with-open-cell-foam weapons and sheilds and metal armor. Your character wouldn't have a trait of 'runs fast'... your character is exactly as proportionally fast as YOU are...
I have never done this, but I did take a very few fencing lessons and helped a guy out by sparring with him since he had a major showdown coming in his next game... he completely ruled me... but I gave him enough of a workout that he got some better practice than just swinging at twigs or whatever.

[Earl McClaw]

Actually, there is a whole other type of LARPing, both of the the ones that Earl McClaw mentioned require no particular physical skill...
The other type you use PVC-covered-with-open-cell-foam weapons and sheilds and metal armor.

Sounds like the aforementioned SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). They have a national network of organizations (with feudal trappings) and stage full-contact (but well protected) tournaments.

[Mantis]

its a lot like the SCA, we have larping over here in england, we use foam weapons painted in layers of latex so they look realistic, its good fun, but unless you in shape your characters tend not to live long (not being able to run away quite fast enough)