Fantasy, Not History: Why DrachenFest US is Going “Fantasy Concepts Only”

Hey folks,

We’ve got a new rule at DrachenFest US, and we want to take a moment to explain it—like, really explain it. Not just what it is, but why it matters, how it helps us build a better game, and how you can adapt your amazing characters to still shine in our world.

Here it is (And please read through to the end, especially if you're currently playing a historically inspired character):

Fantasy Concepts Only.

You can bring characters inspired by any fantasy world—your homebrew D&D setting, a favorite game, another LARP, or something totally original. But they need to come from a fantasy realm, not Earth. Avoid real-world proper nouns for people, places, and religions.

So no:

• "Greek Priestess of Apollo"

• "Viking Berserker from Norway"

• "Samurai from the Edo Period"

Yes to:

• "Priestess of Heliod from the high cliffs of Theros"

• "A viking raider from the frozen isles of Skarnheim"

• "A samurai or bushi from the amber empire of Kawa-no-Orochi"

Let’s walk through the why—and how this rule makes DrachenFest more magical, more inclusive, and more fun for everyone.

Historical Characters come with Real-World Baggage, and honestly- this is supposed to be a vacation.

Okay, so, you might be thinking that this rule is just about appropriation- it's really not. We'll explain more in a bit- but let's get it out of the way early and ask the question; why not allow 'open source' stuff like Vikings or Greeks? Who does that hurt?

No one, if we're just looking at appropriation. But like we said, this is about more than that. In fact, it has on multiple occasions hurt others through what we like to call 'collateral roleplay damage' and it's often not intentional or even something you'll notice in the moment- But others will. That's because when you bring the real-world into the game, you also bring real-world context. And that context often includes sexism, colonialism, antisemitism, classism, racism—you name it.

Even if your personal intent is to challenge or satirize those ideas—or show your character breaking free of them—not everyone knows what your intentions are. You might be playing a crusader who’s realizing women can be knights too, and the players who know your story might applaud your clever twist. But the ones who don’t? They just see a guy shouting about heretics and scoffing at “weakling lady knights” or maybe it's not even that drastic- maybe its just a seemingly innocuous cultural piece to the character that you didn't know had misogynistic roots or history. Either way it's unfortunate, and they'll have a pretty understandable reason to assume you’re an asshole... In real life.

And that’s a problem. One that has been landing with increasing frequency at the Ref desk.

Real-world characters carry this context whether you want them to or not. The way they speak, the symbols they wear, the values they project—even subtly—can bring someone else’s trauma crashing into the game space. And no one wants to be blindsided like that.

Here’s the fix: lean into fantasy, even if it's just the names. Be a crusader from the sun-blasted Empire of Emberlight, sworn to the Flame of a Thousand Eyes. Be a senator from a floating city built on debt and shadow. Be a swordmaster from a fallen jade kingdom where honor is measured in haiku. Use the archetype—but not the baggage.

This way, you get all the drama, gravitas, and visual flair—but none of the real-world bigotry baked in. And better yet, you give other players room to engage with you without wondering what you really meant by your costume, or your character’s beliefs. Cool side effect? You don't have to do constant mental gymnastics as to why your character from 1500s earth is suddenly real cool with a whole lot of things they wouldn't be cool with and adjust their behavior every five minutes to keep in compliance with our rules. Basically, If they're not from earth, then earth bigotry doesn't need to follow them.

The Complexities of 'Fairness' at a Festival

From 2021-2024, your access to playing a character from a real world culture was sometimes gatekept by whether you had a right to it. If you wanted to play a character with roots in Japan, or West Africa, or Indigenous North America, the question wasn’t only “is this in good taste?”—it was also “do you have permission?” This is actually an important question to ask, but who decides the answer? We may have a pretty diverse team, but no matter who does it, players being put on the spot to prove their identity or defend their heritage comes with a different kind of baggage. What if they were invited in by others with the 'right' to do so? The conversation can get messy, but in any game pulling from earth's history we still think it's an important one to have.

When some real world cultures are restricted and others aren't- It can create a much needed level of equity for under represented minority groups, and we strongly encourage this approach when possible. At this scale however, it was becoming less sustainable, and we found that it came with some pitfalls. It was occasionally even especially harmful to people of mixed background who have already spent a lifetime being told they’re “not enough” of something to belong. Recreating that pain at a game—especially one about transformation, power, and self-expression—is the opposite of what we’re trying to build.

On the flip side, with 'open source' cultures and places- we've heard dozens of #opinions about what goes on that list- and instead of wading into the well intentioned but often exhaustive cyclical arguments that can end up invalidating the pain of those most vulnerable- we decided to shift the model entirely.

It's why we're asking everyone to rework Earth-specific names, places, and religious elements into something fantasy. Folks can still draw inspiration from their culture, history, and aesthetic traditions- but with a buffer of fantasy to create some insulation for potentially harmful actions. Is that perfect? Nope. Does it prevent every issue? Absolutely not. It certainly doesn't stop cringe reinterpretations, and that's why we still expect you to do some research to figure out what to avoid, and what might be sacred to others. We also expect you to be receptive to concerns. So far, folks have been good about this, and we want to keep that good thing going.

And don’t worry—we’re not asking anyone to hide their real self. You don’t have to file the serial numbers off your identity. 

We're simply asking for a fantasy veneer when expressing your heritage, aesthetic, or spirit—and for it to not be anchored with real-world names or specific earth religions. If you have real tattoos with cultural or religious significance, you’re not expected to cover them. Your body is your own, and we won’t ask you to hide who you are—just to be thoughtful in what you create on purpose for your character.

To be clear: Yes, there are absolutely real-world costume elements we consider off-limits—especially items with active spiritual, ceremonial, or sacred significance. That’s not about fantasy; that’s about respect. And it's there that we ask that people to lean into reimagining when possible. A fantasy priest’s robes may be inspired by Shinto garments, Yoruba beadwork, or Catholic vestments, but they should feel like they belong in a realm called the Clouded Isles or the Empire of Light.

And none of this is a license to go wild with race painting, bad accents, or caricatured behavior. That's still extremely off limits. Again, if you’re playing something that feels uncomfortable or veers into stereotype, someone (staff included) may ask you to check in or rework it. Just know that it’s not a punishment to have a conversation. Shame is often times antithetical to learning or actionable change and what we're aiming for is growth, dialogue, and community care. In that regard, we insist that everyone treat those conversations with respect—both by being willing to listen and change if someone approaches them. Have Dialogue, not debate.

For those raising concerns? We encourage offering your concerns with the stated intent of improving the space and to remember that perceived attacks can trigger defensiveness in the unprepared. The approach can make all the difference but if you get blown off or you're unsure how to approach, are just too exhausted, or just don't feel safe to do so on your own, please talk to a ref or come by the ops desk!

🧵 Costumes and Symbols: What’s Cool, What to Watch

Costume is one of the most expressive parts of LARP—and we love seeing everyone bring their world to life. But when your character’s look is pulling from real-world cultures (and believe me, you will- everyone does, because almost all fantasy is rooted in real world earth history), some elements are totally fine, and others may need extra care.

✅ Okay to Use (Preferably with a creative spin):

• Wrap garments, layered robes, linen tunics

• General historical silhouettes.

• Weapons and armor of all kinds.

• Colors, motifs, or textures drawn from real aesthetics but used in a reimagined way

⚠️ Avoid:

• 1-1 Real-world religious regalia (ceremonial robes, prayer beads, miters, ceremonial headdresses, etc.)

• Sacred symbols and clan emblems, especially from living traditions

• Historical military insignias, funeral garments, or items with real world cultural significance

• Recreating specific insignia from history (e.g., samurai clan heraldry, Roman legion insignia)

A linen wrap robe with fantasy accessories? Great. A robe that directly mimics the outfit of a Tibetan monk, or features a real Shinto shrine emblem? That’s too close.

The goal is to evoke—not reproduce. Let your costume say “this feels like an air nomad from Avatar, not a tibetan monk. Be a mystic from a desert kingdom, not a Sufi mystic.

When in doubt, push it just one step further into fiction. A fantasy war priest might wear crimson robes and sigils from a fictional god of flame—not a Roman cassock with a real-world cross.

Real-World Inspirations & Fantasy Alternatives

Here are three common archetypes and how you can translate them into strong, respectful fantasy versions. Plus, we’re including example fantasy settings that already do this kind of worldbuilding well and can serve as excellent reference points.

Viking-Inspired Characters

• ❌ “Erik, Norse raider from Denmark who worships Thor

• ✅ “Erak of Skarnheim, a frostborn warrior devoted to the Thunder God Oltor

• 🌍 Fantasy Settings to Reference: Elder Scrolls (Skyrim’s Nords), Dragon Age (Avvar), The Witcher (Skellige Isles)

Japanese-Inspired Characters

• ❌ “Aiko, samurai of the Tokugawa clan”

• ✅ “Aiko of Kawa-no-Orochi, a blade-sworn guardian of the Jade Crane court”

• 🌍 Fantasy Settings to Reference: Kara-Tur of the Forgotten Realms, (Magic: The Gathering), Final Fantasy XIV’s Far Eastern regions, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom)

Roman or Greek-Inspired Characters

• ❌ “Titus, centurion of Rome who serves Mars”

• ✅ “Titus of Avenna, a war-leader sworn to the Crimson Flame”

• 🌍 Fantasy Settings to Reference: Theros, Numenera, Exalted (Realm Dynasty factions)

Okay, isn't changing proper nouns just a bandaid?

Yes. But bandaids aren't useless. They might not be enough for a gaping wound but they do stop infections, and it may sound kind of ridiculous but you might be surprised at how effective it is at creating safety.

Imagine a fantasy setting where a group is based on a Jewish-coded culture—like the Deves in Glen Cook’s Instrumentalities of the Night. Now imagine there’s an in-game conflict, and people are shouting “Kill the Deves!” It’s intense. But it’s contained. The names, the world, the context—it’s fictional.

Now imagine if the group wasn’t fantasy-coded. What if they were just Jews in name, dress, and concept? Now someone’s shouting “Kill the Jews.” Even if the plot is justified in-character, even if it’s a moment of villainy—it’s too real. And potentially traumatic.

That’s the line we’re trying to avoid crossing. By using fantasy terms, alternate names, and fictional cultures with even the barest hint of insulation for everyone, we fairly create a buffer that helps keep high-stakes drama safe for all involved. We can still explore war, religion, betrayal, and big emotional moments—but we keep it wrapped in just enough distance that it doesn’t accidentally wound the players telling the story.

To the Players with existing Historical Characters

To those of you who’ve spent time crafting characters based on real-world history with a smidge of fantasy—Roman senators, samurai nobles, Crusader knights, Greek oracles, and beyond—we see how much effort you’ve put in. And we want to say up front: we get that this new rule may ask you to shift some of your work and how that can be frustrating, especially if your concept was thoughtfully built or already had an arc meant to challenge real-world biases- but we want to make it clear that this is a rule that puts safety first, and hope you'll eagerly join us in making sure everyone is having fun.

We’re also not asking you to throw away what you’ve made. We’re just asking for a some alterations:

• Change the names of real-world people, places, and gods- It doesn't even have to be a lot; ie. Jesus to Olsus, Thor to Oltor, Athena to Hathenia etc.

• Let your historical setting become a fantasy one.

• Continue engaging in play—and in feedback—with care

That’s it. The armor, the aesthetic, the archetype? Those can stay. We’re just asking you to shift the world your character lives in—just far enough to make space for everyone to feel safe, respected, and powerful alongside you. This isn’t about erasing influence, or stopping people from appreciating other cultures. But for those with a more sensitive history that still experiences marginalization today? It has a really nice side effect of not feeling like their history is being worn like a costume. When we reframe the story through fantasy, it helps avoid impersonation. Even so, "It's just Fantasy" can not, and should not ever fully absolve us of the need to be sensitive and thoughtful about our approach- especially since fantasy is still inspired by the real world. It can however give us an additional layer of protection.

It might seem like a small distinction, or even an unnecessary one—but the difference is real, and it’s meaningful. There’s a world of difference between a white person saying, “I’m a Chinese person, and we should go kill those samurai for what they did to our people,” and them saying, “I’m from the Earth Kingdom—have you heard what happened when the Fire Nation attacked?” The second version tells a story that most critics agreed was a pretty damn good one and is ultimately a pretty thinly veiled retelling of real world history anyway. More importantly, the first one risks telling someone else’s real story, and plays directly with real world trauma without any sort of protective gear.

There's also reworking of fantasy versions of earth that can be done; like the Assassin’s Creed universe. It includes fantasy elements like the Isu. But it’s still tied to real Earth cultures, religions, and timelines. So if you love the vibe of that world? Great! Just lift your character into a different sky. Let the Isu still exist, but let them shape a fantasy continent, not ancient Egypt or Constantinople. Rename the cities. Invent your own syncretic religion. Suddenly, the story still feels the same—but now it’s yours, and it belongs fully in this shared space. The templars can still exist even- they just won't be referring to the Freemasons.

We’re not trying to erase your character’s past. We’re trying to make room for their future—and for everyone else’s too.

Make the World Bigger

We’re not asking you to be less creative. We’re asking you to be more.

Take your inspirations—your historical warrior—and give them a fantasy homeland. Rename their god. Invent a banner or dialect. Drop them into a mythic world with new stakes.

When everyone does this, we get a world that feels vast and wondrous and unfamiliar and fair. No one has to feel left out. No one has to justify themselves. And we all get to dive into something extraordinary, together.

Fantasy is the point. Let’s keep it fantastic.

See you in the sandbox—The DrachenFest US Team