This has got to be one of the most important, potentially life-changing hobbies I have ever taken up, even if it’s been a shaky ride so far.
My ex-partner had been playing on and off for several years. I’d heard of it, but not given it much thought until said ex introduced me to Empire, a game run by a small company called Profound Decisions. They’d been asking a friend about it, and explained to me that, while most live games was mainly battle-orientated, this one wasn’t so much. That alone was a good selling point for someone who’d never held a sword in their life.
I agreed to join them at Empire’s second year, which was held last Easter. Because I’ve never played a live game before, I had no idea what to expect, and have made enough newbie-related mistakes during my first year. Overall however, it has improved my confidence and social skills where other pursuits have failed. It has also led to a waterfall effect of getting me interested in other things I wouldn’t necessarily have considered before. Above all, it provides a holiday four times a year, where I can escape from reality and its depressing state of affairs, and step into a world where gender doesn’t matter, you’re not judged out of character, and most important, provides a good excuse to dress up.
Admittedly I am going through a rocky period with my current character, but as I get more used to the way this game works and the outlet possibilities, I can only continue to blossom generally.
See also: Sweet making, Sewing
Photo by Oliver Facey
From the Empire – A LRP Documentary
This documentary was made by Lina Halim for a graduate project, and sums up this hobby pretty well:
Shared under the Creative Commons Licence
