Romanesque
Harem Son Saat is a Romanesque Larp, meaning, in the French culture, heavily character-based and character-driven. Characters are pre-written and extremely detailed, each being given their own set of problematics and relationships. The gaming experience relies on the characters’ narrative arc, their evolutions, torments and secrets in the troubled years preceding World War One.
A historically-inspired game
Historically-inspired games try to establish a 360° visual and strive towards an accurate visual. In that regard, appropriate costume and preparation work are requested of the players. However, this is not historical reenactment, a measure of liberty and interpretation is allowed, and because it would be too costly otherwise, we will let the occasional anachronistic element exist (bathrooms for example will be left as such).
More importantly, the action will be set in the entirely fictional domain of Morta Siyah, a minor sultanate. It will retain most of the culture and background of the Ottoman Empire at the time, but shall by no means be considered as representative of Turkish culture or religion.
Narrativism and themes
The game will strive towards the narrativist approach, meaning that the collective building of a shared story will be given the priority. Oppositions between characters will, likewise, have primarily a dramatic function (as opposed to being a competition between players).
The themes of the game are domination, sexual objectification, balance of power, culture shock and civilization in crisis. The characters are all conditioned by their environment and culture. They are constrained by the system, but are also enforcing it, in every form of domination. Through confrontation with others, they might have to make complex choices, enforce their prejudice, or on the contrary redefine their own identity, and accept their vulnerability.
At the center of the culture shock is the Harem, a siege of power, but also of the fantasy of the unknown and forbidden. The European representation and taboos, especially regarding sexuality, are expressed at the time through the orientalist movement, and for most, are associated with prostitution. In reality, the Harem is strictly codified and a place of power. The shock between representation and reality will therefore be explored in this narrative.
Constraints in gaming style
The game will be centered on gender segregation in different groups. It will also impose strict constraints, starting with the existence of gendered-segregated groups and their separation over the course of most of the game.
Meal times and resting periods will also be fixed and immutable. Constraints over players will be moderate, food will be largely provided, and you should be able to sleep uninterrupted. However, freedom of movement will be limited at times, and this will be necessary to create the proper atmosphere.
Female characters and eunuchs (gender-neutral) characters will have to cross the distance between the Harem site and the main site several times per day (a few hundred meters, very short walk, on the road or on the grass), and should choose their footwear accordingly.
Characters won’t be able to cross over that separation, unless at some given times. Also, as the title implies, the game narrates the last hours of Morta Siyah. Therefore, revolution is not in order, and questioning the establishment will also be a matter of some characters’ narrative. The end will be coming soon enough.