Behind the amphitheater on Tuesday, August 19, WriCampians of all ages were busy preparing foam weapons known as boffers for the upcoming 4th WriCampia LARP tournament. The campers and staff of RPG displayed both camaraderie and craftsmanship in the eve of the games, chatting and enjoying the summer day while meticulously constructing their props.
Live-action roleplaying, or LARPing for short, is a form of fantasy roleplay where participants (commonly playing characters of their own creation) battle each other with various different boffers. In WriCampia tradition, the RPG elective culminates in a LARP tournament each year. The RPG counselors ensure that each boffer is tournament-legal and that “everything is pure skill,” said Counselor and Referee Alek Ramseur.
Like many places that offer LARPing as an activity, the lore surrounding the annual tournament runs deep. Last year, Counselor Thomas Khan was “killed” by Director Peter Quinn-Jacobs, and following said battle, Peter also “died” of his “battle injuries.”
According to Senior Camper Willem V-M (titled Dreadlord Willem, King of the Barbarians), WriCampia’s former grounds at ILC boasted a large collection of boffers for the RPG squad to use. But since relocating to Camp Danbee, RPGers have taken the design of their weaponry into their own hands.
Linh P., an Upper Camper (Sir Bophna Dingleworth) was all excitement as she crafted a custom boffer for the tournament. “I really love LARPing. Even though I never get far in the tournament, I always enjoy watching.”
At WriCampia, LARPing is a beloved activity that adds a physical and theatrical depth to the roleplaying games and fantasy storytelling that so many campers enjoy. Like many other niche and creative activities, LARPing is sometimes looked upon as nerdy or juvenile by those with more mainstream hobbies (or who, perhaps, lack an appreciation for play and imagination). Many LARPers at WriCampia are grateful for the inclusive environment fostered at camp, where they can not only indulge in their passions but find affinity with like-minded peers.
“A bunch of people can make boffers and fight each other, and no one is judging them or calling them cringe or lame. It’s the coolest thing of all time,” said Alek.
LARPing is just one of the many forms of storytelling celebrated at WriCampia, and brings about not only legendary storylines but also great friendships. Thomas shared: “My favorite part is probably the fun stories that can come out of it. Peter and I are great friends—he actually got me into LARPing—but as far as the story was concerned, we were mortal enemies.”
Looking ahead to this year’s tournament, the stakes are high as WriCampians anticipate yet another thrilling development in the Thomas-Peter saga. Alek warned: “There’s new blood, and they’re gonna come for revenge. It’s gonna be a bloodbath.” What’s more, the Bonk Bow, a renowned boffer in the WriCampia RPG universe, will reportedly also make an appearance this year. In the words of Alek, the Bonk Bow was created by an “esoteric blacksmith from ages past” using some of the “darkest materials known to man.” He explained, “It is allowed in the tournament, but it requires such a high level of skill that no one has won with it. The skill ceiling is too high.” This year, will the one who wields the Bonk Bow finally triumph, or will they join all the rest who have tried and fallen?
No matter the outcome, this year’s tournament is not one to miss. Clearly, the LARPing world has something for everyone–it’s fun for the writer, the crafter, the actor, and the athlete. It seems its magic is certainly worth experiencing, if not as a participant then at least as a spectator.
“I recommend everyone go and try LARPing once, or at least watch the battle. And if you don’t want to be in the tournament, there are practice battles,” said Senior Camper Astro G.
And if you still aren’t convinced by everything LARPing has to offer, there’s always the thrill of winning, which Willem described as his favorite part of LARPing. I think we can all relate to that to some degree. ✎
