At Dystopia Rising, we spend a lot of time on our costumes, and they look great. We distress our jackets, sew all sorts of patches and accessories, and craft realistic boffer weapons. However, then we often pack those costumes into suitcases, cover our bunks in sleeping bags and spread out all sorts of non-genre items across our sleeping space.
Remember: there’s nothing wrong with this. The most important thing about your sleeping space is that you’re comfortable sleeping in it, and genrefying your sleeping space costs both time and money that not everyone has. But we do spend a significant amount of time in our bunks, and if you want to make it an immersive space, consider the following tips for making the most of your sleeping space.
Start with bedding
Remember the number one rule: you have to be comfortable sleeping in your bunk, so if the sleeping bag works for you, go with the sleeping bag. However, having actual bedding… sheets, blankets and pillows… is the first step to making your sleeping space look post-apocalyptic. It’s also a role-play opportunity. Does your character make the bed? Do they have an elaborate set-up of pillows and quilts or just a spartan blanket over white sheets? Do they make militaristic hospital corners? And even if you have a sleeping bag, consider bringing an old sheet or blanket to throw over it when you’re not using it.
Find the best bags
Particularly for Dystopia Rising New York, your storage and travel space may be limited. People who ride share might not be able to take extra equipment to phys rep their space. In this case, consider what you’re using to carry your stuff to game. A military duffle can probably carry all your gear, and it’s completely in genre for Dystopia Rising. If you have space in a car, a trunk can store a tremendous amount of storage, and double as furniture. Often these solutions are less expensive than buying a modern roller bag, and can often be found at military surplus stores (if you’re in New York City, consider Army Navy Bags… a store that just sells military bags at low prices.)
Organize your space
Bunks at Dystopia Rising often are in tight, cramped areas that become even tighter and more cramped when you add a dozen larpers. Work to keep your stuff in bags, boxes and out of piles on the floor. This isn’t just consideration for other larpers, but an actual survival tactic: when you’re in SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) you’re taught to keep your stuff off the ground as much as possible to keep it clean. Even if you can’t keep it out of piles, consider throwing up a privacy sheet around your bed, and then piling it on top, at least until you go to sleep.
A little goes along way
A string of christmas lights, a couple of tea lights, and a few pieces of paper or clippings to hang on the wall go a long way from transforming your space from a temporary bunk to a living space for your character. Is there a drawing you particularly like? An in-game newspaper article or picture? A piece of canvas with your faith’s holy symbol? These items will fit in a backpack without taking up too much space, and help make your sleeping space more immersive.
Remember, a sleeping space is a place for sleep, first and foremost, and genrefying it is a nice “extra.” Using these tips can help make your character feel like a more persistent presence in the world in an affordable and easy manner.