Freetown, Synopsis and Background
Freetown is a post-apocalyptic LARP set in the year of 2037, approximately 25 years after a deadly virus almost wiped out the whole human race. Only those younger than 13 survived and a very few above that age survived, due to immunity.
We focus on LARPING most, with Airsoft elements baked into the cookie.
For more information about background see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_(TV_series)
The above TV Series should be seen as a source for the basic ideas, not rules of the world.
Freetown is situated in the north of Stockholm, at a place called Rosersberg. The town was started by one of the old survivors and his family.
It is set up as a trading hub for people all around in the old Sweden and Nordic countries.
The town is controlled by the mayor and his family together with the chief of police, the medical center and the “Trader”.
They make up the main ruling body of the town, though there are 3 other parties in the council, they only have the right to listen in and share information, not voting.
The other three are:
Free Trader Enclave (FTE). This is a small group of free traders that decided to join together and work for the common good of trading (and wealth). They travel all over and bring goods into the town's trading center and then distribute it in town or to other towns around the country. They also sell information to the highest bidder.
Republican Army of Stockholm (RAS). RAS is a military organization that was founded by two siblings about 10 years back. The two siblings, Johan and Jonna Olsen, started up RAS to help secure the area from raiders and other parties that wanted control over the area. However, as many other groups, they fell for power and greed and as that grew with them, the tension between the two siblings also grew stronger. Johan, the younger sibling, found “God” and wanted RAS to embrace religion and follow him to greatness and admit he was the new messiah.
Jonna however, managed to persuade RAS to not follow Johan, and after a fierce fight between them, Johan chose to leave and found his own chapter. On the way, stealing weapons, ammunition and other supplies from RAS.
RAS is the less violent group of the two major factions. Compared to DLC, RAS is easier to negotiate and argue with. However, RAS will not just lie down and take it without a fight. But, they will try to negotiate first, and shoot later.
Divine Light Church (DLC). Founded by Johan Olsen, the younger sibling of the Olsen family. Johan sees himself as the new Messiah and is a true born child of God.
Though DLC is a religious entity, they are highly militaristic and strive for power by any means.
Once a day, Johan or one of the priests of DLC will hold a communion in the town. During the harvest festival, A grand Mass is held in the town on Friday evening to celebrate the festival opening. This marks the opening as well as the big feast for the evening. It starts with DLC marching to town under drums and then the Mass will be held before the feast starts.
The Police. The Police department in Freetown, with the lead of the Police Chief, is the highest authority in Freetown and are allowed to sentence people without communicating with the town's counsel. The Chief has been in charge for 15 years and has developed connections all over the greater area of Stockholm. Knowing most people more or less traveling to and from Freetown. He is known to be ruthless, but fair in his judgment. Always willing to compromise if it suits him. Also,he wants evidence and all versions before he sentences someone. He is a man of his words.
Other non-governal groups:
The Crypt Guild (TCG). TCG is a small group of “agents” that provide information and special “things” to those that can afford it.
They seek power, but do it by manipulating from the shadows.
It's a small group led by “The Grandmaster”. No one knows who they are or how they manage to dig up information and resources.
The only obvious way to get in contact with them is through the local bar and restaurant owners, The Traders.
It is rumored that members of the guild wear a tattoo on one of their shoulders. What the tattoo looks like, no one knows.
Free Entertainers of Stockholm (FES). This is a traveling group that comes and goes as they wish. They are entertainers of various sorts. Everything from music, singing, dancing to stand up comedy is in their repertoar. As far as anyone knows, they don't strive for power or wealth. They just want to have a good time.
OR at least, that is what they say.
During the harvest festival they sport daily and nightly events both in the Bar and on an outside stage
Freetown is ruled more or less by the mayor and the council.
The mayor rules with an iron hand together with the chief of police. Iron hand is a strong word, and would suggest a dictatorship, however, this is not the case. The mayor strives for everyone's health and happiness. Which means he enforces the laws of the town to 200%, but also makes sure everyone is healthy, well fed, got a job and are happy. He wants everyone to work for the same goals, to make the greatest town they can. In light of this, the mayor has issued a decree for the whole town that gives all inhabitants free healthcare at the clinic. This means medicine, treatment as well as prevention medication in the form of vitamins derived from natural resources.
Beside the mayor and chief, there are the medical group run by the Esteemed doctor and his medical staff.
On top of that, there is also “The Traders”. All outside traders are subject to the scrutiny of “The Traders”. They are the authority in Freetown when it comes to who is allowed to trade or not. All goods that come through the town must be approved by “The Traders”. He and his wife run the trading post and market in the middle of the town, as well as the bar and restaurant. It is rumored that he is a relative of the mayor.
FTE more or less lives in the town and makes up a small portion of the town's population. Main part of the population are workers, farmers, medical personnel, police, fire crew, journalists, messengers, cleaners and you name it. However, everyone is more or less a trader in Freetown, but FTE is the go to group when you need something.
The police department is the largest group in Freetown. They enforce the town's laws (see below), and make sure that any violations are swiftly sorted out.
Main job for the department though is to keep RAS and DLC under control, and that is mainly maintained by controlling how much supplies each group gets in the form of food, medication, ammunition and other needed things. It is rumored that the chief of police has access to a highly trained group of individuals when needed as well as a large arsenal of lethal and non-lethal weaponry.
DLC AND RAS are subject to sanctions due to their violent nature and all trades with them must go through “The Traders “ and the police. If someone is caught trading with RAS or DLC outside the normal protocol, it might mean anything from a severe beating to jail and or even death if the crime is severe enough.
This is subject to the Chiefs discretion, and he has sole jurisdiction in these cases.
DLC and RAS are separated by Freetown that are in between the two factions. RAS is situated towards Skeppartorp and DLC on the opposite side of Freetown. There is a border at each side of the town that is marked with red bands on one side and blue bands on the other side. DLC and RAS are not allowed to cross over the border to the other factions' side.
The Laws of Freetown
Only official habitants of Freetown are allowed to carry a weapon in town. You are a resident of Freetown if you have an official card issued by the mayor with your name, age, date and some other information on it together with the mayor's signature.
None inhabitants of Freetown, such as traders, entertainers and members of FTE are allowed to carry a handgun or a knife. No other weapons are allowed. However, they are allowed to own weapons, just not carry them openly around in town.
Members of DLC and RAS are not allowed to carry weapons of any kind into the town center.
They must check in their weapons at the security office when they want to enter the town. Members of DLC and RAS also must have clear markings of which faction they belong to.
You shall not steal. Thievery is forbidden. If you are caught stealing from someone else, or the town in general, you will be sentenced swiftly and harsley. If its repeated, you might be A: Banished from town, or B: Sentenced to death, or C: Forced to work for the town over a period of time, or D: Jail Time.
Harming others. Though it's not forbidden to kill or harm someone else, you might still stand trial and face the council for sentence. Having a feud with someone that ends in violence among the population happens from time to time, it has never ended in fatalities. However, people are encouraged to take their issues up with the council when needed for guidance.
The council will not deal with drunk and disorderly conduct. That is the police department's problem.
No littering. Yes. We don't throw garbage everywhere.
Taxes are set to 20% of the trade from the parts that are trading. The mayor, or someone appointed by him, will be collecting taxes several times a day when needed. If you are not an inhabitant of Freetown, you can pay a one time Tax during the Harvest Festival when you visit. This tax is announced when you arrive at Freetown and the security office. (Se separate list).
Trading with RAS and DLC is prohibited unless you have a special permit by the Police and “The Traders”. Once that is obtained, all trades with DLC and / or RAS must be approved by the police.
This is because RAS and DLC are subject to sanctions when it comes to supplies etc due to the violent nature of both groups.
Breaking these rules will, when found out, cost you an arm or a leg, if not more.
All inhabitants in Freetown will have a social card issued with their name, age and occupation displayed on it. It will also show if you are a visitor, inhabitant or belong to one of the factions.
It will also state what form of weapon you are allowed to carry.
Those that come to Freetown for the Harvest Festival will get a temporary ID card issued at the security office and it will state that you paid the tax, your name, age, occupation and if you are allowed to have a weapon on you.
During the festival, traders from outside Freetown get a temporary license to trade and it will be stated on the card.
Bartering between inhabitants or temporary visitors in Freetown is allowed without a trading agreement with Frreetown. This means you can trade small amounts of food without having a permission.
Ammo, electronics or other things on the special list are not allowed to be traded without a license.
Technology
When the virus started to spread, most governments more or less panicked. This led to countries closing down almost in full, at the same time as several wars flashed up around the globe. Plundering spread as people tried to get supplies and then go into hiding in bunkers etc.
The most devastating effect on modern technology was that the three major powers in the world, Nato, China and Russia used EMP bombs to try and wipe out governments all over the globe, and by that try to gain a bigger foothold and more power.
This led to the fact that most of the modern technology was destroyed, leaving almost nothing working.
Bits and pieces of technology that are working are found now and then.
Most of what's working is being found in military bunkers and other secure locations. However, sometimes you might get lucky and can find something that is working laying around.
Examples:
Communication equipment
Cars (mostly military vehicles like jeeps etc)
Laptops (no internet)
Lab equipment
Daily items like: Flashlights, kitchen aids etc.
Military equipment like: Sights, range finder etc.
Helicopters (thou no one can fly them)
Random things
All things Medical
The esteemed doctor (Yes he calls himself that), has been researching the virus for several years now. His research has given results in the way of a genetically manipulated rDNA protein vaccin.
It renders people almost immune to the virus.
One side effect of the virus is that those inoculated with the vaccine gain the benefit of regenerative tissue. This means that wounds inflicted by for example violence or in accidents heal slowly. Even those that are shot dead will eventually rise again. However, if you are dead, it will take an hour before you get back up, and even then, you will be weak and feeble for another hour until fully healed.
However, even if the new vaccine has regenerative powers, you can die.
Being blown up by a bomb, grenade or something like that will kill you. Also if someone decides to use a heavy caliber and shoots your head off or decapitates your head with a sword. You will die.
Your Character
We love creativity. Go through the different factions and groups, find what thrills you the most. We encourage those that want to expand the storytelling and develop their own niche.
For example, if you want to set up a small stall and sell coffee, candy or anything else, feel free to do so. (See In Game Trading and Currency).
We also encourage people to draw up their own plots. Be it evil or not. All ideas you have, if feasible, will be incorporated in the main story if we can.
If you want to play a high ranking character, like a faction leader, feel free to send in an application with your character synopsis to the GM’s. Maybe you get lucky.
Character Application
We want the following information from you when you send in the basics of your character and what you want to do:
Your name
Character Name
Character Age
Male/Female
Faction affiliation if any
Character Background
Weapon and armor tier you want to use
You will have to provide all this when you apply for a ticket to the LARP.
We will try to accommodate your wishes for the faction and what position you want to play. However, we will reserve the right to choose who will be appointed to some of the higher positions.
Also, if we find that your character isn't suited for the game as you like, we will communicate with you to solve the problem so that you can play the character you want and are comfortable with.