WAR HAWKS ON THE MARCH: the beach episode !!

After a long and grueling campaign, the War Hawks have a rare opportunity to rest before the final offensive to free the world from tyranny. Are these war-hardened youngsters ready for their next great challenge - SWIMSUITS AND LOVE LETTERS !?

Long Description

WAR HAWKS ON THE MARCH, Episode 42: "Warriors Take Flight ! Interlude on the Azure Coast."

After a long and grueling campaign to turn the tide against the cruel forces of the Authority, the elite unit known as the War Hawks have a rare opportunity to rest before the final offensive to free the world from tyranny. While they have been ordered on a mandatory 'Rest and Relaxation' trip to a beautiful resort on the Azure Coast, not everything is as easy as it seems.

With messenger parrots delivering shocking news from the front, burgeoning emotions being brought to the fore, and vulturous reporters from the propaganda department seeking to exploit the heroic stories of the War Hawks… they’ll have to work hard to keep a handle on this summer vacation. Are these war-hardened youngsters ready for their next great challenge - SWIMSUITS AND LOVE LETTERS !?

Last Time on WAR HAWKS ON THE MARCH:

When all hope was lost for the encircled Coalition troops of the Auric Desert, the valiant War Hawks descended from on high and broke through the enemy lines. While their heroism may have saved the brave soldiers of Division IX from annihilation - as well as the critical enemy intelligence they’d intercepted - a heavy price was paid in blood.

As the emotional ramifications of their seemingly endless sacrifice weighs on the young minds of the elite War Hawks, the discovery of the Authority’s secret weakness has sent shockwaves throughout the Coalition forces. As they move forward to the frontline, the War Hawks carry with them the hope of an entire nation, no - an entire planet! - on their weary shoulders. For the first time in years, an end to this terrible war seems close at hand if only the War Hawks can REACH OUT AND TAKE IT !!

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WAR HAWKS ON THE MARCH, otherwise affectionately known as “the beach episode” is a comedic larp for 16 players set in the style of a filler episode in the latter half of an intense mecha anime. Leaning into the humor and absurdity of “main character energy” without trying to push forward the “important plot”, this larp takes place during a relaxing day at the beach shortly before the final story arc of the anime.

While character sheets will give context to the heroism and tragedy the War Hawks have faced, the larp will focus on the emotional state and interpersonal relationships of the characters. As the day progresses, the mood will shift from blowing off some serious steam to facing up to all the emotions they've been suppressing, and then deciding what kind of person they want to be when the sun rises.

Themes & Mechanics

Just below the sandy surface, you might run into something unexpected. Beneath the teenage awkwardness and beach-themed fun, you’ll find the deep stuff:

• the value of taking a damn break every once in a while;
• how it feels to have spent your entire adolescence alongside this band of lovable brats;
• dealing with the fact that you made it through the tough shit, and so many others didn’t;
• living through one freakin’ major historic event after another, over and over, and somehow you’re still at the center of it all;
• not at all being ready to deal with the idea of what you’re going to do next, if you actually manage to save the damned world that is;
• having spent the better part of the past year suppressing your feelings for the cause and finally letting it all burst out of you;
• the joy of actually having time to hang out with your friends.

Safety mechanics will include:

• pre-game workshops;
• post-game debrief;
• off-game calibration;
• the door is always open;
• and “look-down” to exit or bypass scenes.

Game features will include:

• typical beach activities such as playing badminton, building sand castles, and making smores by the “bonfire”;
• physical props to engage with and represent all the activities above;
• an emotional act structure via the phases of the “day”;
• messages from the front to keep the characters connected to the "plot";
• invasive reporters collecting propaganda material;
• and character objectives in the form of emotional "epiphanies".

Character Tropes

Each character in the larp pays homage to multiple anime tropes, reinforcing the over-the-top energy of the shows that inspired us.

In the chart above, each character is associated with one of their anime inspirations - from Eighty-Six, Iron Blooded Orphans, Valkyria Chronicles IV, and Neon Genesis Evangelion.