As we get closer to Gencon, I wanted to make sure there was more information for those of you following along. Here’s the player’s Briefing.
7TH Sea LARPThe World : 7th Sea is a role playing game from Alderac Entertainment Group (www.AEG.com) set in a world similar to ours, but where swashbuckling adventure and dramatic heroism prevail. In the lands of Theah, Montaigne is the mirror to France after its Revolution where style still remains paramount. Avalon is Great Britain where legends have a power far beyond mere stories. Eisen is a war-torn Germany still divided by religious and cultural differences where martial prowess is a way of life. Castille is Spain, still recovering from a recent invasion from Montaigne, where passion drives the people towards greatness. The islands of Vodacce are the complicated city states of Italy where intrigue and deceit rule. The Vesten are the people of Denmark and Scandanavia, struggling to reconcile their ancient Viking-like traditions with their new Guild laws. The frigid lands of Ussura correspond to the lands of Russia where civilization is still just an aspiration.The Setting : Of particular note is the current status in Montaigne. Last year, Revolution swept across the nation of Montaigne. The oppressed peasantry rose up and swept the corrupt nobles from power. The decadent Emperor Leon was executed and a new Revolutionary Council came to power. While some view the Council’s reforms as excessive, particularly the daily executions and the requirement for everyone to carry documentation, others believe that only by completely wiping out all nobles and their supporters can their nation rise to greatness. In the midst of all of this lies a small restaurant known as the Circle of Song. The staff of the restaurant are all trained performers skilled enough to obtain places in opera houses and theaters, but they ply their trade by singing and dancing while serving the patrons. All entry to the restaurant is arranged and paid ahead of time, so everyone can simply devote themselves to enjoying the show.

The Mechanics : In 7th Sea, all characters have traits and skills detailing their inherent and learned abilities. These are simplified for the LARP into a rating between 1 (weak) and 3 (strong). Traits (Brawn, Finesse, Wits, Resolve and Panache) and Skills (Athlete, Fencing, Scholar, etc) are listed on the character sheet and used by game masters when determining if an action is successful. Most skill checks are made in opposition to another character, though game masters may impose penalties or bonuses at their discretion. Both characters total their most appropriate Trait and Skill, add a draw from the game master’s special deck of cards, and compare their totals. The higher result succeeds, with special effects for succeeding by 4 or more. For ease of play, the most commonly used skill checks are already summarized on the back of the character’s placard, a 3’x5’ card each character wears around his neck.

For example, if Timothy wants to remove a ring from Roger’s pocket, he would approach a game master and explain the situation. The game master would have Timothy draw a card from the special deck and add its value to his Finesse Trait and Criminal Skill. The game master would then approach Roger and have him draw a card while totaling his Finesse Trait and Criminal Skill. If Timothy succeeds, he would take one of Roger’s items. If Roger succeeded, he would catch Timothy in the act.

The special deck of cards consist of cards ranging from 0 to 3 (with values of 1 being the most numerous). There are also a couple cards marked “Arcana” which count as a value of 2 and allow the character to draw an additional card. When making a check, characters may spend a “Drama Coin” to draw an additional card before the results are revealed. Characters generally start with 2 “Drama Coins” at the beginning of the game and may gain additional coins from the game masters by entertaining or excellent role playing. Any players may nominate another for a drama coin by describing what they witnessed to a game master.