Firefly airsoft LARP

[Gryphon]

Here's an idea I've been workin' on: How's about we shoot at each other Firefly-style?

Gorram it, but I'm a huge Firefly fan, and have wanted to run a 24-hour Firefly airsoft LARP since the first time I saw the series. I'm thinking late July (like the weekend of the 28th) in the Eau Claire area, hopefully at Armsdealer's new field north of Fairchild if possible, start at 10am Saturday and end 2pm Sunday. The setting would be a Border World mining colony that's having some serious "local color" problems. $25 for Saturday-only play, maybe $40 for the entire event including a meal at the shindig on Saturday night.

This would be a costumed immersion event with pre-assigned roles like town sherriff's deputy, independent prospector, Magistrate's prod, smuggler ship crew, Alliance trooper, religious separatist fanatic, trading post guard, maybe even a few Reavers if there's enough of us. Firefly outfits are easy-peasy; rent the DVD if you haven't seen the series already and you'll see what I mean. Any gun you wanna sling is welcome, Firefly folk ain't fussy when it comes to shootin' irons.

I'm trying to recruit Browncoat cosplayers/actors to be NPCs for this event, so it will really feel like you just stepped off a transport when you climb outta yer mule. Shiny, huh?

This trip anybody else's trigger?

[Kerrik13]

Sounds awesome. I've wanted to try a LARP before (I used to do Belegarth and liked that "in character" aspect of it) and I like the setting/universe.

Plus, it would be nice to see some storyline airsoft games spring up instead of just trigger heavy games for those that want the more "in depth" experience.

[juansinanos]

Great idea. I love that show. You should do the battle of serenity valley from the first episode :D .

Or if you have a CQB then do the boarding of a ship like in the episode where they rescue Mel from Adelai Niska.

[79TransAm]

Im game, I have not seen firefly and I will say I do prefer more milltary style sims, but id be willing to give this a chance and could even play a NPC if ya wanted

[Gryphon]

Transam, Alliance Ranger is the probably way to go for you. Rent the DVD set and watch "War Stories" - the mercs that grab Mal and Wash are former Alliance Ranger sharpshooters working for Niska. Their equipment looks to be close to current-issue US stuff and I'd be perfectly happy to have an Alliance Ranger unit in the game.

If you WANT to do a little costuming, you could come as a Fed. To see closeups of standard Alliance Federal infantry, watch "Train Job" - it's leftover "Starship Troopers" Mobile Infantry gear (the series producers got it cheap.) In the episode "Serenity," the Alliance Feds' helmets are black bicycle helmets with aluminum panels pop riveted on. Here's a link to gear pics: www.trooperpx.com/MobileInfantry.html

The Alliance military is a huge outfit spanning many worlds, so there are lots of variations in gear shown in the background throughout the series and the sequal movie "Serenity." All I ask is that the uniform is consistent WITHIN EACH UNIT.

For more info on the series than any one person would ever want to know, go to FIREFLYFANS.NET

[Kerrik13]

I think it would be fun to play a role in this event... I may have to rent the series and watch some of it. Do you have an idea of how the rules might play out? Combat heavy or more of a storyline/interaction game?

[Defender 1]

I want to be Crow, Niska's enforcer, minus getting thrown into an engine intake. Yeah, I'm a Firefly retard too. :wide-eyed

[Erik_MAA]

Make it happen and I'm sure a lot of PALADIN guys would come. Almost all of us are Firefly fans.

[Texx]

I want to be a nameless person that shoots at the star and is then shot and defeated by their superior marksmanship. Then the star can make a witty comment... So are the events of the movie going to have bearing on the theme of this game?

[Kingmob3]

Definitely interested, have you considered talking to any of the die hard FF fans on the fourms(ie Browncoats etc)?

"Jane, why do you have so many guns? You only have the two hands."
"Well I get excitable as to choice and all, figured I'd keep my options open"

KM

[Gryphon]

"You have seen Crow. He loves to stand by the door to say 'BOO!'"

We'll have doors, Defender, but we're low on functioning jet intakes, so this oughta work for you - I figure the 'Verse is full of Crow-type muscle, especially out on the Rim. You could work for the Magistrate, he's the type would find use for a man with Crow-like talents. Gotta love a good thug role, it's where the action is.

Texx, you got a particular star in mind? I reckon we could scare up somebody pretty to shoot you some, but it's gonna be tough to find somebody who's star-pretty AND witty AND can shoot straight. Might require auditions. You could consider being an independent prospector, lots of people will be trying to shoot them. Sheriff would be fun, too, it should be a lively job trying to keep the peace in Docktown.

I don't want to tie this thing directly to the series or the movie, and I really don't want anybody playing an actual character from the series. The 'Verse is a big place. There are a number of Border Moons that Serenity has never even touched down on. This game will be set on one of those. If somebody wants to be a Doctor, GREAT! - but don't call yourself Simon Tam, OK?

Timeline-wise, this scenario would take place around the same time as the original Firefly series, about six years after the end of the war.

[Kerrik13]

I think this sounds like a lot of fun... might have to invest in a Hi-Capa and a UMG... they look fairly futuristic. I'm looking forward to playing in an event like this.

[Beest]

Damn...sounds cool as hell. Not really familiar with firefly but always wanted to watch teh movie (that was based on the series right). Maybe I can get my crap and gear back together by then.

[seppuku]

It sounds like fun, but "LARP" is such a four-letter-word. ;)

I haven't seen the series yet, but the movie was very good. If things worked out, I'd definitely give it a try.

[Defender 1]

I think this sounds like a lot of fun... might have to invest in a Hi-Capa and a UMG... they look fairly futuristic. I'm looking forward to playing in an event like this.

I think in one episode, in the flashback scene, the captain is running around with a UMP. "I keep shooting at them, I don't think they like it"

Also I was putzing around on browncoats.com, they have a very in-depth history as well as some other fun stuff related to the series. Damn they need to bring this show back.

[SuperGnome]

It sounds like fun, but "LARP" is such a four-letter-word. ;)

I haven't seen the series yet, but the movie was very good. If things worked out, I'd definitely give it a try.

haha, that EXACTLY what I was thinking when I saw this thread (which I'm currently reading backwards)

*edit*
Fantastic series btw... I can imagine a good number of ways this could play out, and it might be a blast but I dunno if I've got it in me anymore. Cripes, I only roll dice maybe 6 times a year.

[Cleric]

This could be a very fun event. I love Firefly. If I had not used Equilibrium images for my avatar and sig, I would have used Firefly images. For those of you who have not seen the series, either rent it or borrow it from a friend.

[Defender 1]

Steal it if you have to :)

[Gryphon]

Update:
I've recruited some UW theatre majors, two armored vehicle operators, and (tentatively) a couple of local Browncoats to play NPCs. I can always use more NPCs, though, so if you know anyone who might like to play free in a "non-shooter/not-too-likely-to-be-shot-at" capacity, please refer them to me.

[Texx]

I'd be more than happy to play any role you need, Gryphon. I'll start growing my mutton chops right now.... :)

[Jakael]

I am totally down with this. Because of this topic I watched the series and serenity and loved it. Lets get this to happen, it will be great fun, even with a bit of LARP, just leave the rice bags at home lol.

[Renshai]

Yeah, I'm a little late to the party, but I'm a firefly retard too. I'd be up to play a specific role if you still need people.

[Kerrik13]

I think a fair amount of people are looking forward to this event. I have a friend who LARPs that is going to school in Minnesota and she is spreading the word through her friends about it. In case anyone didn't know, this is happening on the weekend of July 28th and is supposed to be a 36 hour event.

[breech]

if i went to this i could actually get some use out of my jane cobb hat :)

i mean besides the weird look i get when i go into stores and all

[AlexTanner]

I just saw a flyer for this, and that's why I registered for these fourms. I don't posess an airsoft gun, but I have been meaning to start doing airsoft for a while and I am a serious browncoat.

I will be willing to play any charecter but I am really looking to be a browncoat.

Please shoot me an email at alex@slightlyunstable.org

[juansinanos]

I would love to go to this. I would be happy to play either an Alliance Trooper or a Brown Coat. I've got a AUG an a HiCAPA for a futuristic Alliance Trooper loadout and an AK-47 for more of a Brown Coat/ mercenary loadout.

One question though, How close do you want the Alliance Trooper loads to be to the actual?

[Downslide]

Didn't the Brown coats have G36s?

[juansinanos]

Well if you want to be technical, yes Mal does use a G36 in the first episode. The Alliance use Moritas (A bulpup, G36ish rifle with a shotgun underneath.) and some of Rance Burgess' men from "Heart of Gold" are carrying AK-47s.

[Texx]

The Marita was built off a Mini 14 bull pup , though.

[Kerrik13]

Just so everyone is aware, this event is still moving forward with the planning. I have talked to Todd (Gryphon)and am working on some promotional ideas for the event (website, etc). Todd is super busy with some work contracts right now so he isn't able to check the forum much... but I am positive he will jump back on here sometime soon :)

In the meantime, if I finish with the event website, I'll post that as well (hopefully the site will answer some basic questions related to the event).

[Gryphon]

Thanks, everyone, for your patience. I apoligize for my silence. As Kerrick says, I've been snowed under with Work and other four-letter-words.

The plan is that the game will run from noon on July 28 to 2pm on July 29, at Airsoft Battle Zone's field in Fairchild, WI. It is set on a Border Moon about three years after the end of the Independence War, or about two years before the events depicted in the TV series "Firefly." The scenario title is "Freefall." Ataraxia is the name of the moon upon which the scenario takes place. Freefall is the name of Ataraxia's independent port city - it's aptly named, because it's a haven for drifters, Browncoats and criminals hiding out from the Alliance.

Here's a thumbnail background:

After the defeat of the Independents, the Alliance had a huge number of captured Browncoats on their hands. Most of these POWs had all their personal assets confiscated as reparations, and were compelled to do a stint in a "Resocialization Center" before they were released. After release, these "redeemed" but penniless Browncoats tended to seek employment as indentured workers on the Border Moons so they could get as far away from the Core as possible.

The Magistrate of Ataraxia, a small moon with a harsh climate but rich veins of precious minerals, offered terms of indenturement that seemed almost too good to be true to these Browncoats, if they would only sign on as miners. He lied. Once they arrived, the Browncoats who signed on found working conditions to be more dangerous than slave labor. After all, slaves are valuable property, while many Border World Alliance loyalists believed that "Them 'Innypenets' shoulda been burned offa every world spinnin'." Even worse, the Alliance was turning a blind eye to the Magistrate's abuses. Fewer Browncoats meant less trouble, as far as the local Feds were concerned.

This was a miscalculation on the Alliance's part. After a particularly fatal and totally avoidable mine collapse, the indentured miners had had enough. Working with certain disreputable spaceship crews who frequent Ataraxia's virtually lawless port city, Freefall, these desperate former soldiers of the Independence re-armed themselves and seized the moon's mineheads. They claim that they are holding the mines hostage until working conditions are improved to promised levels; in reality, they continue to work the mines and sell the ore to smugglers who make huge profits shipping it off-world. Most of these smugglers are Browncoats themselves, so they are particularly delighted to aid in the liberation of Ataraxia's natural resources.

The Magistrate of Ataraxia's mercenary force has not proved heavy enough to retake the mineheads from these veteran troops , and so he has called for Alliance help in crushing what he calls this "violent miners' strike." The townsfolk of Freefall have refused to join a side in this struggle, preferring instead to stay neutral and profit from the brisk smuggling trade.

I'll try to have more 'nuts and bolts' details soon. Please bear with me....

[Downslide]

That's a slick story so far... I'm now officially interested and my brown duster has found a use... ;)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/Downslide/Website%20stuff/150px-Independents_flag.jpg

[daemondog]

Now I'm starting to get interested!

Always loved the series.

[Shifty]

I am so up for this. I am a huge FireFly fan and I have the show and the movie .

Didn't the Brown coats have G36s?

Well I think that the Purple bellies rifle was a G36 but if you watch the "message" you will see that the Indies had a verity of weapons.

I soo want to be a brown coat. Have a coat with a patch on it all ready to go.

[Section 8]

Any updates? I've been watching this thread since it's conception and would love to go if nothing comes up. I've even got a BFG that resembles "Vera."

[Kerrik13]

I'm working on the event website for Gryphon with all the information a player will need for the event... I'll post it here ASAP.

[Gryphon]

The Firefly game website is up! Blessings upon you, Kerrick. Go to www.freefallgame.com for general info and to preregister. Thanks again for your patience and enthusiasm. This is shaping up to be a fantastic game! We will be adding updates as we go, so check back periodically....

[Kerrik13]

Gryphon,

You should transfer this over to the actual upcoming events section... right now this is just in the "Event Ideas" area.

If anyone is interested in crushing the rebellion and restoring Alliance authority to Ataraxia, send me a PM about joining the Alliance Federal Task Group 7.