From Committee Games to Freeform LARP
LARP and freeforms are basically roleplaying games where the players get up and move around the game world, rather than sitting around a table rolling dice. There are many forms of the medium, and there is little in common between fest LARP (played in a field with maybe thousands of participants and foam boffer weapons), high-budget Eurolarps, chamber/theatre/freeform LARP and, say, Nordic LARP. The diversity of the format is part of its fascination to CJ.
CJ wandered into his first proper UK freeform at the excellent Fallcon in 2000 and immediately fell in love with the format. Having played an irascible golfer in the Bassenthwaite game Irons in the Fire he realised he was already doing something similar, via a different route.
At that point he had already been writing games in the style of old wargamers' “committee games” — the ones that start as a cabinet meeting and end with three coups, two scandals, and at least one missing battleship. At Fallcon he had run his committee game Boots for the Glory of Russia, and it appeared that it shared DNA with the UK freeforms community games.
Despite legendary bad luck, frequent bouts of ill-health and a life that often resembles an episode of an early 70s sitcom, he has since written a considerable number of freeforms. He is happy for any interested party to run them, and he always likes to hear your experiences.
In the daylight world, CJ is a parapsychologist — a sort of academic ghost-hunter rather than the “turn off the lights and scream on camera” variety. He writes professionally for television and has contributed to many roleplaying supplements, but remains most proud of his work for the Ars Magica line.
CJ has also collaborated on several other freeforms, written numerous LARPs, and contributed to two Cthulhu Live books. His best-known long-form LARP, Cassandra 23, ran across seven weekends in Gloucestershire in 2000 and is still whispered about in certain circles.
The Curse of Whately Manor & Early C23 LARP
The C23 series of Cthulhu Live games have their own webpage.
In February 2000 the spslings and NPCs from To Play The King got their chance to try out a LARP with the brilliant freeform The Curse of Whately Manor. As the author says, it practically runs itself, and you need no rules beyond what are provided with the script, which can be downloaded from the Cthulhu Live site.
We ran it in a hotel; three players failed to show up, but some judicious juggling of parts and a couple of inspired cameo roles from Polly (who was co-referee) and it worked beautifully.
The game is set at an occult auction in an English country house; the owner has died mysteriously, and various individuals have come along to buy. The tone is a rather silly exercise in Lovecraftiana; in our game the Necronomicon was stolen three times...
The lots which were available; we slightly modified the suggested list to fit in with
the props we had to hand...
The Lansdown Hotel's Victorian Ballroom had a superb atmosphere...
Soon the players were involved in a web of treachery, intrigue and deceit...
(and they started to play the game as well...)
Persuaded it would protect him, Ben decided Ankhs were cool...
Kevin (Security Guard) watches Ben carefully as he examines the lots on the auction
table...
The guests watch the auction with interest, and bidding is frenzied.(From left to right: Ben, Kevin, Rupert, Rob, Andy, Hannah, Chris H, Polly, Sara.)
Poor Ben, the Ankh didn't work for him! Here he has become the zombie slave of Hannah!
Kevin (far right) reveals his true colours as a Scotland Yard officer and makes two
arrests; one was actually guilty, and one was innocent! Here we see the final accusations...
Thanks to all who took part in a truly memorable night!
Last updated: 25th April, 2000.
Some of CJ’s Games
A selection of CJ’s theatre-style freeforms, ranging from occult politics to Gloranthan chaos, via haunted TV studios and 1980s disco.
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Boots for the Glory of RussiaHistorical
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HistoricalHogwartsVillage LifeParapsychologyHistoricalGothic VictorianaLost SoulsHistoricalPovertee StreetThe spectacular puppet based freeform!Modern SatireAn August MoonAll the characters are real people; their stories live on here.BiographicalAcross the Amazon by Airship!SteampunkThe LovecatsUrban FantasyBehind the ChaletIntense, challenging, with very heavy themes.Ars MagicaRoad to BlackthornPart of CJ’s ongoing love letter to Mythic Europe.Ars MagicaHouse of the Four DoorsArs MagicaHouston, We Have a ProblemFirst ran on Discord in 2020 during COVID lockdown.Ars MagicaPuck’s DellArs MagicaPelorian Song ContestGloranthaRipples In TimeModernCarmanian RhapsodyGloranthaInky Fingers, Hearts AflameArs MagicaThe Covenant of Roughtop TorArs MagicaTransmission X21First game run at Cheltenham Freeforms.Ars MagicaThe Covenant of Roughtop TorArs MagicaHighly Haunted LiveCJ worked on Most Haunted and many other paranormal shows.Modern TV
Note: Many of these games are available to run on request; drop CJ a line if you’d like to host one.