Trondheim in 2004

Trondheim is still Norway's third largest city, and the larp-community is still Norway's oldest. But Morigelian studies has moved the beginning slightly from '87/'88, the correct dating is that organised larping began in Trondheim with the first skirmish at Hegra Fortress around 1988. During the first few years, there were few larps, and things went so slow, that we could not speak of a flourishing community until ca. 1993.

During the period gone by since then some groups and people has disappeared from the community, whilst others has come to it. This document only address and present groups active today, and a number of other bodies the community relates to.

Soria Moria

The 'old boys' of Soria Moria are still 'going strong'. They were the minds behind the first skirmishes, and did their so far last larp in 2003 - "The Trial". Their long 'life' has made them the owners of what is Trondheim, and possibly Norway's largest singular collection of larpish equipment. They are themselves the most experienced group of organisers in the city.

Still - they may start to lag behind when it comes to larp theoretical development. Despite this there is no doubt about the huge thanks owed to the four by the community: Egil Moe, Øyvind Moe, Håvard Steinsbekk and Tord T. Ophus. One can not dismiss SM for the future, as they are the masters of Norway's longest running sequential larp: All together 17 different events over the last fourteen years are connected to SM's Alfirda-universe. SM gave birth to the commercial branch "Interactive Experiences", and this entity has altered it's modus operandi somewhat, but it is still one of the few commercial initiatives made by Norwegian larpers.

Arcadia

Arcadia is rapidly gaining on Soria Moria with regards to experience and character base. This group began almost at the same time as Sleipner and as a part of the Allfirda-universe. As Arcadia desired to develop their games in a different direction than Soria Moria, the chose to break free from this and ever since they have created a thoroughly detailed universe. In this they have had all together ten events. In addition Arcadia has been the driving force behind two other larps set in different environments; BL4 and Delta 5. Compared to Soria Moria, Arcadia's 'crew' has been relatively changeable, but as of today, these people are 'full' members: Magnus Lie Hetland, Ragnhild Ljosland, Anne Torvatn, Tim Torvatn, Rigmor Dahle, Lynne Wermuth, Jean-Philippe Caquet, Jørn Slemdal and Tonje Bakke (source Arcadia's own website). Arcadia has led the way in Trondheim with regards to establishing a communal store of equipment, and they have always had a communal attitude with regards to their possessions (tents and so forth) Arcadia is a boon to new groups, as they share methods and resources willingly.

DecaDance

This group may be said to have appeared as a counterweight to Arcadia. They emphasise other elements in their events, and thus complete the spectrum. DecaDance's hallmark is a fairly liberal attitude to… decadence. Their events are characterised by intense horror and a relaxed attitude towards sexuality and alcohol. But this does not mean that they create outright dionysiades. Theirs are thorough and competent larps. Primarily DecaDance work mostly within dark fantasy and horror, but they've also done one historical larp and are planning more. As Arcadia, they've had a bit of renewal of who they are, but presently DecaDance is: Sunniva Saksvik, Gudmund Saksvik, Heidi Brimi, Helge Lund Kolstad and Espen Høe. DecaDance has made four larps.

Valley of the Shadows

VoS is a fairly young 'unit' as a group, but it consists of a number of experienced larpers. They came more or less out of the organisation The Village, but they've ever since clearly made them self's known as something separate from this. VoS carry on the 'style' SM brought to Trondheim in days gone by: Large larps with a wide spectre of plots and intrigues held in a low/dark fantasy setting. The group emphasises detailed development of their setting and continuous updates as to what's going on there. VoS is: Roy W. Andersen, Johan Fagervold, Martin Fjeldvær, Håvard Haugrud, Arnt Nordli, Cecilie Schei, Ole I. Stene and Wenche Wolter.

Organisation The Village

This is a members' organisation with the purpose of building and running a Village for larps roughly 100 km south of Trondheim. The Village is slowly growing and 'happening' - and already the site has hosted five different larps. The organisation was founded in 2003; current chairperson is Sunniva Saksvik.

Blåknutepunkt ("Blue Solmukohta")

Still the informal and fluctuating name for trondheimian parties and (on rare occasion) theorising. There have been five of these parties so far; the next is coming up shortly prior to Knutepunkt in Oslo. It's open for everyone…

Living History

To some extent, Trondheim's living history community springs from the larp community. Many of the central people in the various organising groups are also active members of groups doing living history. Presently Trondheim has four active groups

• Ordo Ignis - Knights' Tournaments, steel fighting medieval style and showcases. A fairly established group focusing more and more on tournaments as sports and shows.
• Medium Aevum Nidrosiense - Medieval: Handicrafts, literary history, theatrical history and food-history are the main areas covered by M.A.N. The group hosts regular workshops and they co-operate with Ordo Ignis on the "Borgdagene"-festival.
• Historic Society Hugin - Mixed medieval activities, some swordfighting, archery, and studies of the life of footsoldiers are what this group works with.
• Normannerprosjektet - Gjenskaping og studier av normannisk millitærvesen og kultur. Jeg vet lite om aktiviteten i denne gruppa - og om den faktisk eksisterer pr. i dag.