Minnesota roleplay collective
Documentation for Boundary Waters, a live-action game about shared journeys, burdens, and friendship
This run was played outdoors on a lovely day in a city park, with riparian forest and the Mississippi River standing in for the forests and lakes of northern Minnesota.
Designed by Katherine Shane
Organized by Tom Fendt
24 August 2019
St. Paul, Minnesota
Six players + a facilitator
Why do we do we travel? Why do we go to the world’s wild places? Why do we paddle or hike for days, when we could reach the same destination in a few hours by car? In a world of elevators, why do we climb mountains? Sometimes we go into the wilderness to figure out what matters. We take on burdens to learn how much we can carry, and who will help us bear the load. We go to liminal spaces to find a path forward, or the way home. Sometimes we all need to go to the Boundary Waters.
In Boundary Waters, a group of six strong women facing difficult choices travel through the lakes and portages of the Boundary Water Canoe Area, heading for the Canadian border. As they paddle, they contend with the inner voices of hope and fear, guilt and love. At portages, they carry heavy burdens over difficult terrain, just as they must carry the burdens of their past and future choices over many paths. Sometimes they share each other’s burdens. At night they gather in the dark and liminal space of a campfire under the stars. As they travel, the beauty of wild places will hone who they are and what they value most. When they reach the border, each must make a choice.
Boundary Waters, a live-action game for two to six players
As featured at Make a Scene!
Designed by Katherine Shane
Organized by Tom Fendt
24 August 2019 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St Paul (Google Maps)
Metro Transit routes 46 and 134 stop about half a mile away. We’ll solicit carpool needs and offers.
There is no cost to participate in this larp.
If you are interested in playing, fill out our Boundary Waters Sign-Up Form by Sunday, 18 August 11:59 pm. This larp will run as long as we have a minimum player count by this deadline, so please register by or before August 18th if possible!