“Friar Lorenzo’s Confession”
May 12, 2025
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Most of the photos used in this article are the property of their rightful owner:
Maksim Dobrousov. He is a very talented photographer. Please consider visiting his portfolio to support and appreciate his work.
TO BE, OR NOT TO BE?
https://docrpg.com/event/to-be-or-not/
That was exactly what I thought when deciding whether I should drag my old bones out of their comfort zone and drive far, far away to play in one of the most promising theatrical LARP games of the year. And oh, I’m so glad I did.
But first things first. A quick decision, a rapid conference call with the GMs, a short trip to the fabric store for wool and other materials for the costume—and it was settled! I was going to play the last available role: Friar Lorenzo. Yes, the one from Romeo and Juliet—the one with both the poison and the Bible.
Did I mention the conference call? I was informed that my role was a Playwright—a player who enacts the role of a higher power, receiving messages (or prayers) from other players and may or may not try to answer those prayers by making their wishes come true. No special powers, no magic, just pure plot-driven action and character motivation.
Now, what was that about “may or may not try”? Apparently, I didn’t have to act on every single wish—I could simply ignore them. But what I heard was, “You should do everything you can to make those wishes come true, changing your logic on the fly and creating a complicated course of the story progression.” As you can imagine, I wasn’t looking for an easy solution, oh no—aha-ha-haa.
The role I was supposed to play was that of a True Christian—one who is in deep sorrow over everyone’s suffering and desperately attempts to make things right. What I thought would be a calm game of confessions, prayers, and masses turned out to be a violent tale of intrigue, succession, and betrayal.
This is the story of Friar Lorenzo.
This is my confession.
Of more than thirty five people directly or indirectly involved in the events that would unfold, let’s focus on those most important to described schemes and see how the plot unravels.
THE PEOPLE
Duke Orsino of Illyria
Lorenzo’s closest childhood friend, from the days when Lorenzo was still a mere Illyrian nobleman and a somewhat reckless bachelor. In a fit of jealous rage—fueled by a false suspicion that Lorenzo and his wife were engaged in an intrigue he ordered their execution. His wife perished; his daughter was abandoned in the woods to be claimed by wild animals, but unknown to him, was secretly saved by fairies and left at the steps of the Danish king’s court.
With help of a friend Lorenzo escaped Illyria on the brink of death and never heard from Duke Orsino again.
Queen Alba of Naples
Widow of the King of Naples, mother to Princess Juliette and forbidden love of Lorenzo. She ordered to exile her firstborn son after his indecisiveness led to her husband’s death in a war against Milan. From that day forward, she has hated Milan—and all those tied to it—with every fiber of her being.
After fleeing Illyria, Lorenzo took holy orders and became a friar, eventually finding his way to the Neapolitan court. For nearly twenty years, he has served his queen faithfully, deeply concerned for her wellbeing and the unrelenting stress that weighs upon her.
Juliette of Naples
The darkest and most closely guarded secret of Friar Lorenzo—his only and beloved daughter. Officially, she is the last living descendant of the King of Naples and the sole rightful heir to the throne. Yet in the ruthless games of politics, her own desires are always cast aside, and she is treated as little more than a bargaining chip.
Romeo of Milan
Son of the Duke of Milan. A passionate, hot-blooded young man—a brawler, a reveler, a rake—yet beneath the fire and bravado lies a soul shaped by romance and poetry. By sheer chance, a letter he had written to the love of his life was tucked into a book, one of many Lorenzo carried back to Naples after a diplomatic mission to Milan. And by that same strange hand of fate, the book—and the letter within—found its way into the hands of Juliette.
Count Antonio and his wife Katarina of Milan
Parents of Romeo—and sworn enemies of Queen Alba. They are the very embodiment of a toxic medieval union. Katarina, the Duchess, is cold, detached, and unwaveringly obedient to her husband’s every whim. The Duke, by contrast, is a man of boundless charisma who lives for pleasure, loathes boredom, and despises all things Neapolitan. And yet, for all their flaws and feuds, they remain devoted and loving parents to Romeo.
Iago
A Neapolitan nobleman who once served in Illyria, now counted among the Queen’s favored courtiers. Reputed to be a master of tangled tales and intricate intrigues, he remains a wildcard in Lorenzo’s eyes. Quiet, watchful, and difficult to read, his silence speaks louder than words—hinting at hidden motives. What those motives might be remains as much a mystery as the man himself.
Everyone Else
Though not specifically named, each individual plays a vital role, their presence essential to the unfolding plot. Like pieces on a chessboard, their moves, intentions, and alliances will shape the future.
THE GAME BEGINS
I won’t dwell on every twist and turn—two days of LARP of this intensity can barely be contained on paper. Instead, here are the true turning points and plot hooks that carried Friar Lorenzo from humble priest to player in a bloody game of crown and conscience.
THE FIRST WISH
The Neapolitan court arrives at the Danish king’s castle for the feast and ceremony. As other parties arrive—friends and enemies alike—Lorenzo notices Duke Orsino, who has no recollection of him. He tries to maintain the status quo. Tension rises as different factions meet and talk.
At this point, I receive the first (of many, MANY) prayers, which states:
“I wish for Queen Alba to never return home to Naples.”
After weighing all pros and cons, I come to a conclusion: it will be really hard, but I can do it.
The course is set.
THE DEADLY PRAYER
Juliette’s despair over her arranged engagement to Prince Hamlet was plain to see. The prince, on the other hand, acted as the real Prince Hamlet would. It’s impossible to say whether he was clinically insane or not, but it’s obvious that, fate or no, Lorenzo’s daughter will never be happy in this union. Romeo, by contrast, moved like wildfire, open in his passion for Juliette. Their marriage could end the decade-long conflict—if only the queen would approve it…
But then night comes and the queen asks higher power to protect Prince Hamlet in the upcoming duels (that’s why Lorenzo almost throws himself on Othello’s sword the next day) and prays for Romeo to die. That should make his father suffer...
It’s decided then. Romeo must die.
__________
Duke Orsino somehow recognises Lorenzo and almost beats the shit out of the priest, but their "long and complicated talk" must wait—they decide to go separate ways for now.
Ferdinand, the long-lost son of Queen Alba, has returned; she forgives him and reinstates his rights to the throne. Juliette’s fate now hangs by a hair as she becomes less and less important. Her marriage now is more a financial arrangement than a political one.
THE WEDDING
The next morning, it becomes absolutely clear that Romeo and Juliette want to be together, and Prince Hamlet himself asks to marry them.
Lorenzo figures out it is the only way he can implement the dark wish of his queen.
He agrees to marry them, but—fearing for his life—asks them to drink a poison that would put them both into a deep sleep for the rest of the day.
Telling them, as their parents see both their children dead in the name of true love, they would finally have to reconsider the arguments that led to this tragedy.
Lovers agree, not knowing the poison is very real and only Juliette is destined to survive.
Fate has a different plan: fairies happen to be nearby to heal the two young souls, while their parents were mourning, and help them escape.
Both alive.
MYSTIQUE AND BETRAYAL
Matilda, servant of the Danish queen, uncovers her true Illyrian origin story and asks Lorenzo if he is her father.
Lorenzo denies all allegations and swears on the name of God that she is the rightful daughter of Duke Orsino.
The plot widens as more and more evidence appears that Duke Orsino’s insane rage was caused by magical influence. Strings lead to Naples—and Queen Alba—and Lorenzo becomes not only scared for his head but fearful that his whole life is a lie.
See for yourself: a magic spell leads to his exile; he becomes a priest but is then seduced and falls into deadly sin. He becomes obsessed.
Could it all have been another spell?
All the puzzle pieces come together perfectly as more voices raise concern that Alba is the queen of fairies, while she clearly descends into madness.
WAR NEVER CHANGES
With his daughter alive and the newly uncovered truth, Orsino agrees to provide Lorenzo with political sanctuary in Illyria.
At the same time, elaborate military maneuvers start as a decoy. Both Illyrian and Milanese forces move closer to Naples in an attempt to capture it.
Iago controls half of the armies and clearly tries to prevent bloodshed but understands Naples’s chances and offers alliance.
Answering a different prayer, Lorenzo sends the small amount of aid he can spare to the fleet of Scotland. He still controls one Neapolitan military regiment, loyal only to him. He confesses to the Count of Milan that he is, in a sense, Romeo’s father-in-law as Juliette’s real father.
Lorenzo offers to recall his regiment and grant free passage. At the same time he pushes everyone to agree to the following:
No bloodshed in Naples;
Iago becomes a temporary ruler;
Queen Alba is kept alive and well in a Danish monastery, never to return home.
"LOVE" LETTER
Fairies and mythical creatures now act freely and fear nothing.
Behind the scenes, Tisiana—the nurse to Juliette—was revealed as the true sorceress. Alas for Alba's poor soul and sanity, the events already proved unbearable. In the shadow of the impending war, Lorenzo sends a letter to the Pope, begging holy intervention to purge the north of heresy:
“Dear Papa,
the gates of northern castles are wide open to the devils bidding as the legs of a whore are spread before the guardians of said gates, drowning in debauchery as they trample the symbols of holy faith. Everything here must be burned to the ground. I cannot do it alone; send your armies!
Yours truly…”
EPILOGUE
As events unfold, Duke Orsino bades Lorenzo to marry his newfound daughter. Without second thoughts renouncing his priesthood and orders, Lorenzo weds with Queen Gertrude’s blessing—becoming Illyria’s prince in all but name.
Katarina, Duchess of Milan, ends her husband's life with a poisoned dagger and flees with her love - Prince Ferdinand, leaving control over Milan’s armies to Iago.
Romeo and Juliette found refuge in Illyria, safe for the moment.
The Danish kingdom does not deny refuge to Queen Alba, keeping her far from the coming war if she wishes so.
Every potential opponent’s forces are now weakened, while Pope's armies are looking North.
Lorenzo, understanding that many more deaths will come and seeing how forged alliances change, waits.
Lorenzo’s family—children and even grandchildren—will be the rightful heirs to the thrones of Illyria, Milan, Naples, and, in the future, something bigger—something entirely different.
An Empire.
It was an incredible game and an unforgettable experience. I’ve barely touched on what happened over those two days—both my own adventures and those of everyone around me, not to mention the countless side plots I witnessed. Debates, vengeance, heartfelt confessions, even my attempts at family therapy for Othello and Desdemona—what a rollercoaster!
The GMs put in Herculean work, and seeing a game crafted with such love and attention to detail is truly inspiring.
I want more!