The Shield & Torch: designing for play (2)

I’ve already done a bit of reflecting on the play-testing for Shield & Torch and the lessons learnt – but this project contains so much that’s new (or at least not-quite-like things I’ve done before), there’s a lot I’m gaining from the play-test and it makes sense Stop people falling down the gap between expectation

The Shield & Torch: Designing for Play (1?)

Now, despite the incredibly broad title for this – I’m just going to focus on a few things that have come up so far in debriefs with the cast of The Shield & Torch, following last week’s playtest. I’m just covering a few points and might do a bit more of this thinking next week,

The Shield & Torch: why it feels like cheating (and why it isn’t)

So, last night was the playtest of The Shield & Torch – a mix of interactive theatre and role-playing game (that allows people to play out someone’s evening in a fantasy tavern) that I’ve wanted to try and make happen for a while. My brain’s still somewhat wired from the day of prep, the show

The Shield & Torch: small traditions and back pockets

The Shield & Torch is a live event set in a fantasy tavern, combining elements from interactive theatre and role-playing games. Tickets are now on sale here. I’ve never made something like The Shield & Torch before. I have not worked with the majority of the cast before. I have not had to try and

The Shelf of Gifts

A gift from Blossomdrift to Lichencross, which once belonged to Beachbriar The gift is a small glass jar filled with dried rose petals. As you unscrew the lid, the sweet pink frangrance touches your nose. The petals are small and crinkled, no longer soft and lush, but still carry something of a summer memory. The

Bristletap’s shelf (entrusted to Applecap)

An item that once belonged to Applecap: A carved penguin made of coal.It was a gift from my Grandmother.I lost it.It was found. Five other items on the shelf: A carved wooden duck made of burnt wood.A feather from the Complicated Owl.A drawing of a ghost.A hat from the wedding where the bride never appeared.A

Cloudsway’s shelf (entrusted to Blossomdrift)

An item that once belonged to Blossomdrift A pair of dark green handknitted mittens with mismatched patches of darning, gifted to Cloudsway during a bitter winter a pinecone the sound of a struck match a softly whistled tune

Candlehum’s shelf (entrusted to Holyviolet)

An item that once belonged to Holyviolet There’s a white paper bag with a familiar orange, pink and brown logo in fat letters on the front. It’s a surprise to see it on his shelf, as last I’d seen the bag, Socrates was very carefully fastening it to his belt, so he could enjoy the

Cornerchime’s shelf

A map, with a note attached People travel through here, only some of them stay. This is a liminal space for many. If you decide not to stay, please leave something behind. The hills like to remember. Notes on a development on Conebird‘s map The hedge has grown. It hasn’t done so in years.  It

Bookfold’s shelf

A map with this note attached If you’re hungry while traveling, the Open Garden next to the village is open to all; help yourself, but it’s poor manners to be too greedy. The only caution is to beware the Forgotten Road. Nobody knows where it leads or what’s on it, and the few who’ve been