Hellfire & Happiness: A Regency England Occult Digital Larp

Not your typical country house party.

Your host has invited a rather eccentric mix of guests – some potential matches – and chief among them, the oft gossiped-about Mx. Byron. In this three-session freeform digital live action role playing (larp) experience, you and your fellow esteemed party guests are invited to explore the true nature of Byron’s works in a Regency Era setting.

Will you summon a supernatural muse, uncover a sinister plot, or simply focus on matchmaking? Pursue Hellfire or happiness in this immersive event.

You’ll collaborate on character creation, defining your character’s place in this society and its underbelly. This game is very character-driven.

March 1, 1911

Dear Diary:

At great risk to myself and my host, I have been invited to a country manor to bring a bit of life to a house party. I am asked to use my particular predictive talents. I am to arrive as a mysterious stranger. In truth, it isn’t money or prestige that lures me, but the rumored presence of one Mx. Byron…words so sensual. I glimpsed Mx. Byron in their Club once, and have thought of them ever since. So clear in my mind is the way Byron described a sunset. What supernatural lure compels me to worship them?

I must have answers, and I know my divination tools will reveal the truth about them.

~Nora Mary Carrington

This experience runs for four hours. Players are given custom characters based upon a survey. Includes up to eight players.

Hellfire FAQ:

What is the Regency Era and what years does it encompass?

The Regency refers to a short amount of time (9 years) during which King George IV ruled in place of his father, King George III. It followed the Georgian Era and preceded the Victorian Era. It’s popularly associated with Jane Austen and Lord Byron, literary figures who significantly influence this larp.

What’s the name mean?

Hellfire refers to Hellfire clubs, which were distinctly illegal in England at the time. Happiness refers to the potential matchmaking legacy of Jane Austen novels – the less cynical, more ideal parts of society that fans of the era enjoy.

What are the costume requirements? This takes place in England – do I need to do an accent if I am not English?

You are welcome to adapt an English accent (if you do not have one anyway), choose to play a character who isn’t English, or play an English character but use your own accent. We want you to be comfortable.

What equipment do I need to run this game?

A computer with a camera, microphone, and internet connection.

What role does the Occult play in this game? How is it freeform?

Plot details are secret, but the occult appears in conjunction with the Hellfire club and its surrounding lore. Additionally, most runs happen concurrently and affect each other – so continuity is important to how the occult functions in the game. No two adventures are the same.

The GM has some ideas that she’ll throw at you, and a grab back of tricks – but ultimately this is character driven, which is why the one-on-one character development is so important.

How do marginalized people find a place in this story? How do you handle the mistreatment of marginalized people in the past?

People (and characters) of all genders and sexualities are welcome in this game.

Additionally, the matchmaking component is a part of the game, but it’s entirely opt-in, so if you do not want to be involved in that plot, you won’t be. “Mx.” is a gender-neutral way to address anyone (like Mrs. or Mr.) and we encourage its use.

Regency England was full of isms, especially racism and sexism, as well as discrimination against English. People with physical disabilities and those who were neuroatypical were not readily accepted. Classism was very much a part of daily life. So much for romanticizing it, right?

We are going to do away with most of these isms and phobias. Matches of all genders may be made; we accept LGBTQIA+ individuals, those with illnesses and disabilities, etc.

This game will not explore:

• Contemporary life or political issues (allegories are fine)

• Rape or sexual assault

• Domestic violence

This game will explore:

• Gender roles

• Expectations of station

• Questioning of early spiritualism through the lens of science and/or Christianity

• Danger and death, including opt-in character death

You may encounter themes of:

• Bullying

• Verbal abuse (this theme requires consent to play)

That said: marginalized individuals may wish to play for empowering and emancipatory experiences. This is certainly permitted. Players should construct this with the GM during character design.

You are very welcome to challenge these roles. If you would rather not heavily explore them, please let us know during character creation and we will cast you appropriately.

There is no antisemitism in this game. Religious discussion should stick to the focus of the story, as some characters may feel that it is against their beliefs to interfere or interact with the beyond.

No player is to treat any other player or character differently due to physical characteristics, including but not limited to color of skin. On a related note: please remember that physical characteristics do not determine or define gender. Everyone will provide their IRL and character pronouns.
How important is historical accuracy?

Not extremely. We’ll have a full document with facts about the Regency Era, but this game is ‘Regency-ish,’ and the story is the most important element.

How does the digital experience work in an era with no computers?

In the Regency Era, touching was sparse – and in the case of the division between men and women, very rarely permitted. Think of the physical divide we experience due to the digital format as a representation of the physical distance demanded by the conventions of the era.