Acts and calibration
The larp is played in acts with breaks for calibration. Time has passed between each act. In the first act, the patients try to establish themselves in their new environment. Increasingly, the demons struggle to remain in control and escalate their manipulation while the patients build self-esteem, courage and openness. The last acts of the larp reach a crescendo as the demons create conflict and fear, before the intensity subsides towards a calmer conclusion.
Content and themes
The Devil You Know is a relationship drama with supernatural and grim elements. Below, we have listed themes and content that you will encounter in the larp, or that may appear dynamically in scenes with others. This list will help you decide if this larp is for you.
| Degree | Content/theme | 1: Will I experience this? 2: Can I avoid it? |
|---|---|---|
| Central theme of the larp | Demons, anxiousness, lack of self esteem, shame, intimacy, loneliness, traumatic past, psychological manipulation/gaslighting, memory loss, psychiatric institution | 1: Yes, these themes are everywhere 2: No, you will encounter these themes repeatedly and must interact with them |
| Part of the vision | Possession, hallucinations, violence in relationships, deprivation of liberties, aggression, mention of and simulated blood, simulated drugs/medicine | 1: Yes, these will be part of the larp 2: No, not fully. Limited interaction must be expected |
| Part of the design | Sexuality, substance addiction, co-dependency, suicidal behaviour, sexual abuse, depression, poverty, death, religion, simulated violence, anti-social behaviour | 1. Probably, either in co-operative play or on behalf of others 2. Probably. You do not have to interact with these themes |
| Voluntary player initiative/participation | Other themes not listed here. | 1. Maybe, if you or others include it in their play 2. Probably. Leave the scene if you want to |
| Avoided | Real sex, real drugs, real alcohol, real violence, full nudity, body shaming, explicit visual self-harm, realistic mental illness (incl. diagnosis) | 1. Not a part of the larp 2. Yes. You can play this larp even if these themes are challenging for you |
Meta techniques
All meta techniques are explained before the larp starts
Calibration: before a scene
Always check with other involved players before a planned scene if you are unsure if they are okay with it. The demons are expected to have a good overview of their patient’s preferences and should be able to assist in finding good play.
Calibration: during the scene
To change the intensity in an ongoing scene, or to check whether a co-player is ok, we use the traffic light model. Green means all is well and more of this type of play is desired. Yellow means that it’s ok, but that the intensity must be lowered a notch. Red means that it doesn’t feel right and that the scene must be abandoned. Several techniques can be used to communicate more complicated messages.
Zones
Bedrooms can be marked as calm rooms. If so, we will play more quietly there, and show consideration. There will be an off-room available for those who need to take a break from the game for a bit.
Look down
This is a technique for passing by or leaving a scene without disrupting the game. You hold the palm of the hand against the forehead as a screen and bend the neck. This way you can walk past or leave a scene and visually show other players that you don’t want to be engaged.
No questions are asked about why you are using the look down and there will be no play on the fact that someone has left the scene or passed by.
Violence and sex
We use theatre techniques to simulate violence and sex. Players should discuss and calibrate the scene in advance, escalate slowly and calibrate along the way. During simulated sex in the larp, the clothes are kept on and the genitals are not touched. Violence, sex or sensual play should not escalate in such a way that there is peer pressure on who wants/gets/dares the most .
In the case of simulated violence, you start by wrestling and slowly escalating to give each other time to talk, make threats or negotiate. For example, one of the parties may yield or provoke, or others may intervene. Give other players the opportunity to understand why the characters are fighting and what is at stake.
Character death, plot trains
No character can die or be physically or psychologically injured to a degree that it limits play. Nothing should happen that is so surprising or has such high priority that it takes over the larp or requires the staff’s full attention.
Who is responsible for what
ORGANIZERS
The fiction
Relations for demon characters
Food and meals
Location
Production
ORGANIZERS AND PLAYERS
Backstory
Relations for patient characters
Ensemble
Characters
Demonic aesthetics
PLAYERS
Moving the game forward
Relations between patient and demon
Bed linens
Costume and accessories
Transportation to the venue