And many men say that there is written upon his tomb this verse:
Hic iacet Arthurus, rex quondam rexque futurus: Here lies Arthur, the once and future king!
– Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur
Inclusivity and accessibility
Banner photo by Ann Sundqvist
The pitch
It is the Year of Our Lord 540, and Britain stands upon the precipice of ruin. It has been three years since the death of King Arthur Uther Pendragon, who slew his own son Mordred at the Battle of Camlan yet was mortally wounded himself. There are those that say he did not perish, but was taken to the isle of Avalon by Nimue of the Lake, to sleep and await the time he would return, during Britain’s darkest hour.
Yet for many the hour could scarce be darker. Camelot is ruled by the troubled King Constantine, once the Duke of Cornwall. For three years the King has fought to keep his throne, from the two sons of Mordred, who claim Camelot is rightfully theirs. The King’s hold on power wanes and Briton and Saxon alike see the evils of bloodshed and famine ride across the land. Wars and rumours of wars spread like rats.
In the Old North the pagan kings who swore fealty to Arthur are quickest to forget their oaths. The Saxon King of Northumbria pays no heed of Camelot anymore, and is gathering swords around him. The British recall war against the Saxons all too well, and will not be caught unaware by the pagans a second time. The Picts hold even less reverence for the British Christ and would eagerly descend upon his houses and people in arms with their pagan friends to finally do away with their southern, Christian overlords.
At the heart of the British Isles, caught between Camelot and its enemies sits the small Kingdom of Rheged, and its old king Oswin. Born a pagan but now of Christian faith. Son of a Saxon father who sits the throne of his Briton mother. A king without a son and heir. Once a bitter foe of Arthur, whose court now holds his memory in high esteem.
Now that the years warring is done, Oswin holds court at his winter residence. With no hope for a son, Oswin seeks a match for his daughter and has announced a great mêlee tournament for the prize of her hand, and his Kingdom. Knights of the south, warriors of the north and the great lords and ladies of Britain gather to show prowess, chivalry the ideals of Arthur and Camelot.
Some seek fame, some seek love, some seek wealth and power,
Some gather to scheme, and some gather to plot for Britain’s darkest hour!
About the game
Circa Regna Tonat was a weekend LARP set in a thoroughly ahistorical Dark Age Britain, heavily inspired by the Arthurian legends of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Thomas Malory. It was a character driven game of romance, drama, intrigue and action that will provide an immersive weekend for players who want to play something outside of the horror genre.