Setting the Scene Estis vigla kaj sunbrila posttagmezo, la tago post mi cxeestis semajnfinan ludajxo-kongreson, kaj mi paroladis kun amiko kiu iam regis Esperantan rolludaČon. Mi jxus partoprenis en du vivadaj rolludoj, unu kiel antikva, psikopata vampiro, la alia kiel juna, societa frauxlino cxe 1890a balo. Tiam mi komprenis ke Esperantistoj gxuus partopreni similan eventon. Basically live action role-playing is a form of participatory theater, where the audience act as characters in the story. It's a very relaxed, social gathering. And you don't have to worry about flubbing your lines, because you make them up as you go along. Some of the basic points about running the live-action event are: Write up broad characterizations, so that each person can make the character their own. Create open-ended storylines, so the players have choices about their actions. Plan other activities, games, distraction, at the event to keep the action moving. Delegate responsibility. Between making all the food for the party and taking care of all the character write-ups, I just ran out of time. Which meant I was tired, frazzled, and stressed out, when the party rolled around. (Funny no one seemed to notice ;)) Set a firm sign-up date. In a storyline with interwoven characters, having five or six people as possibles means writing characters up at the last minute or having extra characters who have little impact (AKA pointless, irrelevant and probably boring to play.) If someone is supposed to die have it take place offstage, before the story begins if possible. I set up storylines that gave almost everyone a motive for murder, but no one would take the step, without some direct coercion on my part. Esperantists are just too nice. For all the stress of the event it was a lot of fun. I'm even planning a new one: A Policeman's Ball in the Stainless Steel Rat setting. Sybil Harlow Sacramento, CA