Sex and Violence Mechanics

For The Circle we will be playing out stories about physical and sexual abuse. To make sure all players feel safe participating in these scenes, we have mechanics for both sexual play and abuse play. 

Sex will be simulated by “theater sex” with underwear on. The character might be naked, but the player will keep underwear on. Underwear can be as expansive as the players want, so it might be tights underneath the costume. If props like whips or paddles are included in the scene, the same method applies. 

Violence will similarly be simulated by show fighting. Players who are ok with slapping and being slapped can make use of that, but otherwise all violence will be through pulled punches and slaps on the hand.

We will also make play around food available during the larp. One character may force another to fast or to eat certain foods, or to eat without utensils. The player experiencing the abuse will have the opportunity afterwards to go to the kitchen and get whatever food they might want as a substitute for the food they missed, or don’t want any more of.

We put a lot of emphasis on the pregame workshop, and here we will go through and practice:

• Coercive control
• Abuse play
• Sex and violence techniques.
• Hot Chair
• Rituals
• One-on-one sessions
• Singing and jamming
• Terminology
• Opt in/ opt out methods
• Safety