Helicon

Helicon is a Nordic larp by Katrine Wind and Maria Pettersson where a core mechanic is extreme Dyadic Play

The Muses of antiquity have been captured by a group of exceptionally talented students at an elite university. They keep all the Muses' inspiration to themselves and have ritually bound them into servitude, thus becoming The Inspired - the most celebrated artists, scientist and leaders in the world.

Once a year, all of the Inspired and their Muses come together at Helicon Manor, to renew the ritual that binds them. All of the Muses are siblings; they both crave one another's company and need it. As for the Inspired, they get to spend time with the only other people in the world who also know how it feels to be host to an ancient supernatural force.

Website: Helicon Larp – A larp by Maria Pettersson and Katrine Wind

Vision

Helicon is a larp about inspiration, power, complicated relationships, freedom and dependency.

Characters will use and abuse power, and try to find a way to co-exist. They need to decide what they are willing to do to other people and creatures in order to achieve their goals, and what they are willing to sacrifice in order to get what they want.

This collaborative larp aims for high emotion and intensity. It includes a lot of social play and tension, as well as some ritualistic content.

Mechanics

Helicon relys heavily on dyadic play, where you are two people whose narratives and somewhat identity are closely bound to each other. You are the "Muse and Inspired" of a field, e.g. philosophy, dance, sculpture or politics.

Dinner Warfare is a also a design element in Daemon.

Setting

Ingame, the larp takes place in a mansion called Helicon Manor, in a remote place somewhere in rural Wales.

The larp is set in the “vintage era”, which is an unspecified time, somewhere between the late 19th century and the middle of the 20th century. The exact year or location are not of  central importance to the game. The World Wars are not relevant to the larp.

Mortal characters come from different parts of the world and from various backgrounds, most of them from upper-class families but some got in on pure brilliance. They met when they all studied at the same elite university in England, St. Catherines’s. There, they found a way to lure the Muses of antiquity, and to compel them to manifest themselves.

Since graduation, they have all had spectacular careers, either in art, science, or in leadership. They are the Inspired whose work is known across the world. They can choose however and wherever in the world they want to live – some cannot get enough of fame and publicity, while others prefer to dwell as hermits in secret locations, and only come out to show their latest works.

All of them are able to earn vast amounts of money. Some will use their fortunes wisely, while for others the money will corrupt and destroy.

You can read more about the setting here: World of Helicon - Setting document

Playstyle

Helicon is an epic style Nordic larp where collaborative storytelling is in focus. There is both room for dramatic, participatory and heartwrenching ritual scenes as well as quiet one-on-once scenes and fun.

The larp is designed for the most possible intensity both regarding mechanic and schedule. While every part of the larp is designed in collaboration by Maria Pettersson and Katrine, you can read more about the principles of design in Katrine Wind's design concept: River Rafting Design found in the Knutepunkt 2025 book.

More about the design here: Extra design thoughts regarding Helicon

Practical facts

Number of players: 29 (+ 2 facilitator characters)

Language: English

Playtime: 3 acts over two long days including four hours of preparation time with relations, workshops and a little briefing time

Runs:

5. - 7. January 2024	🗺️	Broholm Slot, Gudme, Denmark
16. - 18. February 2024	🗺️	Broholm Slot, Gudme, Denmark
6. - 8. December 2024	🗺️	Broholm Slot, Gudme, Denmark
3. - 5. January 2025	🗺️	Broholm Slot, Gudme, Denmark
2. - 4. January 2026	🗺️	Broholm Slot, Gudme, Denmark
20. - 22. February 2026	🗺️	Broholm Slot, Gudme, Denmark
16. - 17. January 2027	🗺️	Frimurarsalongerna, Gothenburg, Sweden: Run 9
13. - 14. February 2027	🗺️	Frimurarsalongerna, Gothenburg, Sweden: Run 10