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Open Palms: An Occult Fantasy LARP

Open Palms is the Cambridge LARP Society's game for 2026-2027.

Alternative History

Open Palms is a supernatural-mystery LARP set in an alternative 1970s version of the UK, magic is real, occult entities sit in government, and the fantastical lives alongside the mundane.

In 1946 the newly formed Labour Government announced the formation of the Pact, a binding agreement between his Majesty's government and a previously unknown donor, one with the will and resources to fund the rebuilding of the UK, and put an end to the poverty that the war had forced on Britain.

But that deal came at a cost; an impenetrable barrier around the entirety of the UK, and the terrifying knowledge that humanity was not alone in the cosmos. Other worlds existed, with their own denizens, histories, and laws of reality, that could force their way into ours with terrifying - and impossible - effects.

Soon magic and the supernatural became commonplace. Devils plied their trades on street corners and in Government, spirits haunted abandoned factories, and magical constructs built roads and office buildings.

But after twenty five years, trouble has come around again. Incursions, where other worlds press against ours, overwriting physical laws and spewing forth strange creatures, are increasing faster than official response teams can keep up. In desperation, the Ministry of External Affairs has announced the Citizens Defence Initiative, calling for brave and patriotic souls, knowledgable of the occult, to form 'Branches' - local support groups to assist their fellow citizens with magical affairs, investigate and respond to Incursions, and perhaps, discover the cause behind their increasing violence...

The new home of the Cambridge Branch, the Basilica de San Cerveza has opened its doors to those wishing to support the Initiative. You are among those who have decided to respond.

Major Themes

• Occult Investigation - Why are the Incursions increasing? What other Occult entities are out there, and what are they planning? Who is really behind all of this?
• Mutual Aid & Community Support - Not only must you investigate Incursions, the people of Cambridge will rely on you to solve their magical problems...
• Tiny Fish in a Cosmic Pond - The Powers That Be are bigger, stronger, and more knowledgeable than you are. To beat them you must even the odds - make friends, make deals, and make use of every advantage you have to bring them down.

What Can I Play?

• A world-weary PI who uses runes to find leads and follow up on clues.
• A Union leader who makes deals with devils and spirits to protect his fellow workers.
• A bouncer, ready to remove undesirables from their bar, no matter what world they come from.
• An eccentric scholar searching for that last perfect artefact to add to their collection.

How Do I Start?

If you're new to LARPing, head on over to our general FAQ on the hobby.

After that, you should read the The World to see what in the setting takes your interest, then, when you're ready, go to Character Creation to create what kind of character you want to play. If you're not sure, or want to try it out first, you can crew to see what it's like.

See Look and Feel for tips on starting kit, but don't worry - the society has plenty to spare if you'd like to borrow some first!

If you have further questions that aren't answered here, you can email the Refs or ask on discord.