Bicolline

Infobox LARP Group
title = Bicolline
subtitle =


caption = Bicolline logo
parent_group =
founded = 1996
location = Quebec
structure =
genre = Fantasy
system = Proprietary (foam weapons)
event_style = Largest event is five-day fest with around 2000 participants
active = Yes
web = http://www.bicolline.org
footnotes =

Bicolline is a fantasy live action role-playing game (LARP) campaign in Quebec. Events take place at a dedicated venue covering 140 hectarescite news |first=Idir |last=Hocini |title=Aventure à Bicolline |url=http://www.muvmedia.com/rallye/reportage.php?rid=592 |format=HTML |work=Le rallye Québec-France |publisher=Müvmédia |date=2007-09-29 |accessdate=2007-11-26 |language=French ] called the "Duchy of Bicolline" located in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc near Shawinigan.

Venue

The most passionate players involved over the years have built a medieval village with roads, bridges, ditches, an inn and a castle at the "Duchy of Bicolline" venue. Construction days are scheduled throughout spring and summer. Players are responsible for their buildings and must follow standards of construction. The village is composed of one hundred buildings, with more being added. The demand for construction sites is such that one Bicolline staff member spends all year controlling applications, validating the plans for buildings, ensuring that projects are feasible, and so on.

etting

The world of Bicolline has its own geography, economy, conflicts, and complex geopolitics that have been evolving since its inception in response to the actions of the players. The geopolitical system is based on feudal Europe, and is the basis for most of the actions undertaken on the ground during the events.

The complexity of the setting is such that it is almost impossible for an individual to control more than one area of competition such as commercial, political, military, or religious. Generally, guilds specialize and focus on one or two aspects of the game. The guilds have diverse experts among their members, each able to follow the changes and fully understand one aspect of the world of Bicolline.

The political arena consists of fiefdoms, provinces that form the kingdom. All levels of politics can be filled by players, making the world very dynamic. Accession to titles of nobility follows a democratic system. This modern aspect helps to make the experience accessible to all. It is possible to create internal conflicts and external playing with virtual units. These virtual wars can be realized in a fight during real scenarios on the ground.

The commercial aspect of the game is constantly changing, following an in-game market. Goods are transacted at extremely variable prices depending on their availability and the stability of the kingdom. Bicolline mints its own coins, called the Solar, that are the currency of transation.

Guilds

The basic unit of organisation both in-game and out-of-game is the "guild". Guilds are voluntary groupings of players promoting an event, a race or a common goal. Typically a guild has about thirty members. There are sometimes unguilded "clans" with fewer members which will usually eventually form a registered guild. The guild structure allows efficient distribution of information and gives players a weight in the game beyond what they can achieve as individual characters. There are currently 60 recorded guilds and clans.

The majority of the guild can be divided into broad categories: military, commercial, political, religious, criminal, and magical. Each is affiliated with one or more kingdoms in the world of Bicolline: Empire, Andorra, Arganne, Ozame, Nasgaroth, Garganesh, Irendill, Taluskan, Sands-City, Berkwald, and the Independent Cities.

ystem

Unlike some LARPs, Bicolline does not have a character creation system. The players can portray any kind of character that they are able to roleplay.

Activities

As many as 2000 players each year attend the main event "The Great Battle of Bicolline". Dozens of volunteers and a core group of employees work all year to create one of the world's largest and most immersive LARP settings. In addition to the Great Battle various events are held throughout the year including the "Feast of Gallion" (approximately 600 people in March), tavern evenings (100 people about 7-8 times per year) and campaigns and battle scenarios of all kinds that usually attract several hundred people.

The Great Battle of Bicolline

Every year since 1996 a large LARP has been organised at the venue. The Great Battle of Bicolline brings together around 2000 LARPers and medieval reenactors over five days, and culminates in a huge battle.cite news |first=Evelyne |last=Moisan |title=Oyez! Oyez! Chevaliers, elfes et sorciers sont arrivés! |url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20060818/CPNOUVELLISTE/60818119/5409/CPNOUVELLISTE |format=HTML |publisher=Le Nouvelliste |date=2006-08-18 |accessdate=2007-11-26 |language=French ] The battle is prepared for throughout the year with skirmishes and diplomacy between the various groups that attend.

Trollball

Trollball is a demanding, exhausting and dramatic sport played in Bicolline and other LARP settings. It is played in Europe and Canada, with many teams competing. Trollball was started by Jose Antonio Oullette in 1995. cite news |first=Rupert |last=Bottenburg |title=Days of Lore |url=http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/1998/082098/cover.html |format=HTML |publisher=Montreal Mirror |date=1998-08-20 |accessdate=2007-11-26 ]

The goal of the game is put the troll head in a well without being hit by the foam weapons of the opposing team's attackers. Each player has a clearly-defined position within his team such as Troller, Healer, Attacker or Reserve. Strategy, group cohesiveness and solid fighting skills are major assets in this sport.

References

External links

* [http://www.bicolline.org Bicolline]
* [http://www.trollball.org Trollball]