La Madrina is a mafia-themed larp where family is everything. Inspired by iconic films like The Godfather, GoodFellas, and Road to Perdition, this larp is set in 1930s New York, where three Italian immigrant families try to navigate the chaos of the Great Depression and the end of Prohibition. The plot is inspired by a real event that has happened several times in the history of organized crime.
The Italian Mafia may rule the streets, but they are ruled by their relationships and personal ambitions. The families must unite against outside threats despite old grudges, but how do you work with someone who might stab you in the back if it means being better off? Trust is fragile between people who need each other as much as they dislike each other.
This larp is not about gunfights or heists; in La Madrina, the world of organized crime is merely the backdrop against which the characters and their complicated relationships unfold. At its core, it is a drama about parents and children, siblings and lovers, caught between duty, ambition, and love, about what happens when bonds of blood and loyalty are tested, and about the lengths to which each character will go to achieve their goals.
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Genre
Family drama, historic larp, Mafia
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Date
Run 3: 23-26 October 2025
Run 4: 30 October to 2 November 2025 -
Language
One run in English and one in German planned, depending on number of sign-ups in each language
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Duration
Arrival Thursday afternoon, in-time from Friday morning to Saturday evening, departure Sunday morning
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Accommodation
According to character either in double rooms or shared rooms (with a maximum of four beds, linen included)
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Catering
Full board (four meals a day)
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Price
€375 (discounted €225 and supporter €450)
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NPCs
2 NPC spots with minor plot for 100€ (maggiordomo and housekeeper)
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Age
18+ due to liability reasons
Themes
- Family drama and relationship conflicts
- Negotiations and matchmaking
- Intrigue and power games
- Sexism and homophobia
- Secrets and scandals
- Wishes vs expectations
- Modernity vs tradition
Story
New York, 1931: Herbert Hoover is President, the Great Depression has reached its lowest point yet, and the economic crisis and Prohibition have led to a brutal rise in crime. The struggle for bare survival fuels distrust, avarice, and greed among the city’s citizens. To make matters worse, criminal gangs have sprung up on every corner, and bloody street battles for control of neighborhoods occur almost daily. Hopelessness and despair make the citizens vulnerable to all forms of oppression and exploitation. The three major Mafia clans have suffered real territorial losses in the last two years, and to make matters worse, rumors are circulating about the end of prohibition and the establishment of an FBI forensic laboratory.
A war on the streets would be the death of the Mafia, because destroyed livelihoods no longer pay protection money; where there’s no money, there’s no laundering; if you can’t even afford bread, you won’t buy drugs, and if the economic crisis continues, your debtors will never become solvent. What can save you is strength in numbers. That is why Gaetano La Rosa, New York’s most influential Mafioso, has invited the most important representatives of organized crime to his country house to discuss a possible common approach. Specifically, the Famiglia La Rosa (a Cosa Nostra with strong political influence and roots in Sicily, which mainly controls Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn), the Cosca Conti (a ‘Ndrangheta with roots in Calabria, which mainly controls Queens and the Bronx), and the Bel Sito clan (an up-and-coming Camorra with roots in Naples, that controls parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island and supports itself primarily through speakeasies and gambling) – all aware that they will eventually be wiped out by law enforcement or rival groups if they decide to continue operating on their own.
Gaetano has stated that he would democratically elect the new head of the family as a result of any merger. If he were to run himself, there would be no doubt that he would win, as his family is not only the largest, but he also commands the most respect from the other families. However, if for some reason he does not run, each family would naturally want to see someone from their own ranks at the top of the Alliance – and then it would all come down to who can be strategic and find the most supporters, as the redistribution of the remaining territories is also at stake.
If that happens, we’ll see where everyone’s true loyalties lie.
What to expect
- Pre-written characters
- Characters have secrets
- Cooperative play style (play to lift)
- Ressouce play
- Safety mechanics
- Self-preparation and workshop on site
- Pre-game hype and communication on Discord
- Organizers play full characters at the larp
- In-game entertainment (horse racing, gambling, Lindy Hop)
What NOT to expect
- Absolute historical correctness
- Reenactment
- Point-based system
- Achieving your character’s goals (play to win)
- Transparent game
- Play on racism
- Play on antisemitism
- Gunfights
- Servant characters that serve food & drinks and help with getting dressed
Content Warning
- Sexism
- Homophobia
- Transphobia
- Violence (physical and emotional)
- Murder/manslaughter
- Fake blood
- Open fire
- Incest
- Sexual violence
- Domestic violence
Your contribution fee includes:
- Three-night stay in an old mansion with historic flair
- One (shared double) bed in a room for 2-4 people, shared bathroom on the corridor
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Full board
- Dinner on day of arrival
- Four meals per game day
- Breakfast on day of departure
- Props depending on the character
- Documentation by a larp photographer
Concession and supporter fees
If you have the financial means, you can pay an additional €75 for a supporter fee and help fund concession fees for other players. Two supporter fees will fund one concession fee. We do not check for actual need and trust that these concession fees will only benefit financially weaker players.
If agreed, you may pay by installments. In return, please try to keep our work to a minimum by setting your own reminders.
- Not accessible to wheelchair users
- Poor visibility in one of the stairways
- Partially uneven floor (old floorboards, cobblestones)
- Some players will be given written information to read during the game.
- Nametags are worn on the night of the workshop (and optionally at the afterparty) and the first day until players change for the casino night.
- 10.12.24 Sign-up begins.
- 31.12.24 Sign-up ends. Flagging begins.
- 10.01.25 Flagging ends.
- 20.01.25 Confirmation of spot/offer of a spot on the waiting list. You receive your character. Payment period begins. Cancellations are subject to a cancellation fee of €25 to cover administrative costs.
- 31.01.25 Payment deadline ends.
- 30.06.25 You receive your complete character sheet. Invitation to the Discord server.
- 15.07.25 Refunds will now only be issued if a replacement player is found, minus a cancellation fee of €25.
- 15.09.25 Refunds will now only be issued if a replacement player is found, and will be limited to the amount the replacement player pays (on a “pay what you can” basis), minus a cancellation fee of €25.
Flagging
Since we cannot know everyone who signs up and cannot be aware of all possible conflicts between players that could disrupt the game, we use a flagging process for safety reasons. Flagging allows you to let us know if there are any other players who match the following criteria:
- Red flag: ‘This person is unsafe for others/the game. If this person attends, I will drop out.’ (We reserve the right ask if you are willing to share more details. We take red flags very seriously and want to handle them conscientiously).
- Orange flag: ‘I am not comfortable with this person and, if they attend, I will opt out. I do not consider them unsafe for others/the game; it is purely a personal matter.’
- Yellow Flag: ‘I don’t want to play a close relationship with this person for personal reasons, but I have no problem with both of us attending the larp.’ (We will do what we can with the casting, but we can’t guarantee that someone won’t larp with you).
We appreciate any comments you are willing to make about the nature of the flag. No one will be told who flagged them. This information will remain confidential. We reserve the right to exclude players from the game if they receive a certain number of yellow and/or orange flags.
Gender
We welcome all non-binary, genderqueer, and other gender identities to our events and will strive to provide you with a character that you feel comfortable with. Regardless of your gender identity outside of the game, you can play as any gender. To enhance the immersive experience, we ask that players make an effort to adapt their appearance to reflect the gender of the character they are portraying, keeping in mind that this should be as comfortable and achievable as possible. If you need guidance or support with this, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!
In order not to reveal too much about each character, only family relationships and character quotes are listed.
We will not be using a first-come, first-served system or a random lottery. Instead, characters will be assigned based on the most suitable match for each player, ensuring a well-balanced and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
When filling out the registration form, you will have the opportunity to indicate your top three character choices, as well as your preferences for character traits and game content. Since our game is designed with some intransparency and certain characters have hidden aspects not reflected in their short descriptions, we will assign characters primarily based on your preferences. We encourage you to fill out the form as accurately and thoughtfully as possible so we can make the best match for you.
We kindly ask for your understanding and respect that half of the spots are reserved for friends, fellow organizers of other larps, and select individuals, as we organize this larp non-commercially and in our free time as a hobby. Any unfilled spots will be made available through the same process as the rest.
You can use the following fashion basics from the 1930s as a guide:
- Men: Think tailored three-piece suits in dark tones (black, charcoal, navy, or pinstripe) with wide lapels. Accessorize with crisp dress shirts, silk ties, and leather dress shoes. Add trench coats or wool overcoats and fedoras for outdoor scenes.
- Women: Simple knee-length dresses in solid colors or floral prints, often with pleated skirts or belted waists, or high-waisted skirts paired with fitted blouses. Look for designs with puff sleeves or modest collars. Accessorize with pearls, brooches, and hats. Style your hair with finger waves, pin curls, or sleek bobs. For makeup, think bold red lips, smoky eyes, and arched brows. Layer with cardigans, wool coats, or second-hand fur coats for outdoor scenes.
- Everyone: Props like vintage watches, cigars (no smoking indoors), or beaded purses add flair. Choose fabrics like wool or tweed for an era-appropriate aesthetic and to stay cozy in autumn weather.
The larp will feature an evening event with optional black tie dress code. A detailed costume guide will follow to help you create the perfect outfit.
While you will be given a detailed description of your character after casting, including backstory, closest relationships and possible in-game impulses, it is up to you to bring the character to life, deal with their key issues and ultimately shape the outcome of their story. While some secrets may be revealed throughout the game, you will have a great deal of autonomy and responsibility in how your character reacts to events and interacts with those around them.
We don’t expect you to read up on your own and become a history buff; the players’ guide will provide you with all the relevant information about the game and its setting. We simply ask that you read all the information provided. We highly recommend that you get in touch with your fellow players a few weeks before the game to develop a shared understanding of character relationships.
We will be setting up a Discord server for this purpose so that you can get in touch with your fellow players.
Cancellations are subject to a cancellation fee of €25 to cover administrative costs.
- Before 15th July: Refunds will be issued minus a cancellation fee of €25.
- 16th July to 15th September: Refunds will only be issued if a replacement player is found, minus a cancellation fee of €25.
- After 15th September: Refunds will only be issued if a replacement player is found, and will be limited to the amount the replacement player pays (on a “pay what you can” basis), minus a cancellation fee of €25.
Your spot is not freely transferable. If you wish to cancel, please contact us immediately so that we can contact someone on the waiting list or find a suitable replacement.
Luxembourg Airport has the best flight options. We’ll help you connect with other players so you can team up for a hire car.
- Design Document v2.0 (German, October 2022) (subject to changes)
There are two servants in the house: the Maggiordomo and the housekeeper. As players, you have a number of off-game tasks to carry out during the game. You can also use this as an opportunity to eavesdrop on conversations, spy discreetly or influence other players. When there is nothing to do, you can move around the house and play out your own plot. If and what dress code, you have to follow can be agreed with the family La Rosa before the game.
- Maggiordomo: He is more of an assistant for all situations. He makes sure that no guest is left with an empty glass (or at least that there is always a full bottle next to the empty one). He is considered discreet and trustworthy and therefore keeps the betting books and stakes for the horse races and casino night. On casino night, he is also the dealer at the blackjack table, so he should be familiar with the rules of the game. He opens the front door, receives the mail, calls for dinner, relays messages and distributes the Director’s cards.
- Housekeeper: Her position is similar to that of the Maggiordomo. She makes sure the table is set and laid, the rooms are ventilated, refills the dishwasher and checks that the house is clean and tidy so that she can inform the management if anything is wrong. She also brings drinks to the ladies and acts as a communication link between the kitchen/organizers and the players. On casino night she serves drinks, and can be tipped so that she can enjoy the games on offer.
To be allowed to work in a Mafia household, the family must be sure of their loyalty, which means that, like all members of Cosa Nostra, your characters will have taken the ritualised vow of silence (omertà). If there is an election, they can both vote and theoretically be elected. However, it also means that they are expected to be loyal and will die a traitor’s death if their loyalty can be credibly questioned. In a system where even blood relatives are treated as subordinates, both are not perceived hierarchically as classic servants, but are treated neither better or worse than other subordinates.
Gallery
A picture is worth a thousand words: The Kelric View has accompanied Run 1 and Nummi Run 2 and captured the best moments with their camera.
Characters
We have up to 29 playable characters (including 2 NPCs) for you to choose from.
Credits
Story and characters: Marik Roos and Nicholas Chung (original by Marik Roos)
Sign-up and finances: Nicholas Chung
Production: Marik Roos, Nicholas Chung
Props: Marik Roos, Nicholas Chung, Tibor, Liverollenspiel Förderverein e.V. Ludwigsburg
Kitchen: Tibor
Crew: –