White Wolf Community
Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
So, an idea I had years ago when I first became Exalted developer was to create a live-action version in the tradition of Mind's Eye Theatre, with elements of cosplay and big-ass foam weapons. However, years later for various and sundry reasons, it hasn't happened. For one, there never seems to be the time necessary to remake the game in those terms. Another thing is, unlike Mind's Eye Theatre, I can't imagine the game being non contact, and I believe trying to do stunts might well kill people. Finally, I was never certain there was an audience.

Anywho, I was just curious how many folks do this to some degreeor would if there were rules available. I've run into an Exalted cosplayer at DragonCon, so I know there is at least one out there. So, tell us your tales, people, and if you want, include any photos of you in Exalted dress or of daiklaves or other artifact weapons you've fashioned. And hey, if the tale of costume design or the costume itself isn't actually for Exalted, but is one that would work in its anime fantasy milieu, that's fine, too. If you can build one for another similar property, it's fair to say you could do so for Exalted as well.

Oh, and just to give you guys an idea of the two ends of complexity one might choose from when dealing with Exalted costuming, here are illos of the Sidereal Exalt Lupo (a fairly simple look to pull off, assuming you’ve got the abs for it) and Cathak Meladus (making a full suit of weathered Air Dragon armor would be very time intensive, I imagine):


http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/Johnny_Redactor/lupo_lrf.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk160/Johnny_Redactor/cathakmeladus_lrf.jpg

Hope to get some feedback from you folk on this subject, and I'll be back in a couple of weeks with another entry. Till then, have fun playing.

Posted 1 Jul 2009 5:38 PM by johnny redactor

Comments

Adamant Siaka wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 1 Jul 2009 10:52 PM

Speaking of cosplay, a Mad Max outfit would look hilariously appropriate for Lupo, so that he can tell the opponents of the Gold Faction that they are already dead in full style.

While I've been to many a DragonCon, that's typically worked against my desire to cosplay; Atlanta at that time of year is at such a temperature and humidity level that I'm typically filthy with sweat by the time I get to the White Wolf booth, even when wearing shorts and a t-shirt.  And going with the Lupo look would, even with my fanatical exercise routine, produce odd looks on MARTA.

zenten wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 2 Jul 2009 9:28 AM

I have no idea how Exalted could be done properly as a LARP.  There are just too many powers and setting elements that I can't see how they would translate.

However, if you pulled it off I would buy it and try to run a game.

Jutlander wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 2 Jul 2009 12:56 PM

The last time I visited Jacob Klünder (White Wolf freelancer) we started cooking on an Exalted LARP scenario. It was going to be very social minded and indeed non-contact.

Real life got in the way, but we have never officially dropped the idea and we still have the notes for whenever we get our acts together and do something about it.

Lunatyk wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 2 Jul 2009 1:32 PM

I once wanted to make an Abyssal Exalted costume... I made a design but I have no clue where to begin searching for the right materials...

Jutlander wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 2 Jul 2009 3:17 PM

"I once wanted to make an Abyssal Exalted costume... I made a design but I have no clue where to begin searching for the right materials..."

I know what you mean, man. Human flesh is so hard to come by these days. And do not get me started on the shoulder pad skulls. Finding them in the right size is just difficult.

Holden wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 2 Jul 2009 4:10 PM

I wrote up Meladus for Scroll of Exalts :0 eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee he looks awesome

Hark wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 3 Jul 2009 4:25 PM

I've gone to LARP's that use foam weapons for combat. I can easily see an Exalted LARP done that way with little difficulty. The most important detail being clearly establishing safety rule in your core rulebook.

The biggest diffulty would be a need to dramatically simplify the rules, thus losing much of the subtly the makes Exalted so amazing. Being in the middle of a raging physical conflict isn't exactly the best place to use a complex rules system.

I recommend looking at some successful physical contact LARPs as see how they handle it. http://www.knightrealms.com/ is a LARP I go to and I could see Exalted done using thier system just by raising the awsome level of the powers characters get and a some tweaking of rules that that don't fit the setting.

Nightspear wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 4 Jul 2009 1:43 AM

I've been involved with developing a combat-heavy LARP for a few years that I think with relatively little work could be converted to Exalted, it's just hard to be, well, exalted-like without the laws of Creation around you. I want to jump several yards with each leap, but noooo...

demihappycow wrote re: Chambers of Love: Live-Action Edition
on 8 Jul 2009 5:21 PM

Honestly I don't think Exalted would work well as a LARP at all.  Too many of the mechanical things that are really cool about the game just wouldn't translate well or be overly difficult to pull off.  Stunts are overly dangerous, the tactical depth of combat would be virtually impossible to retain without destroying the flow of the game, and given the larger size of most LARP groups letting all the PCs have the normal Exalted-level ability to effect the world at large could overwhelm even the most dedicated and able storytellers.  

I do a lot of LARPing, mostly with homebrew systems or adaptations of tabletop games, and Exalted is actually my #1 example of a tabletop game that would not convert well to LARP.

Of course, a heavily political Dragon-Blooded LARP, maybe set in or around the deliberative or something, could be awfully cool...

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