Themes surrounding privilege and the financial comforts required to be an artist will be conveyed and reinforced through privilege mechanics.
In the real world, privilege (financial or otherwise) is a major factor in how much time, energy, and resources an artist has to create. In this game, characters will gain and lose certain privileges depending on their performance at the retreat, which will be continuously evaluated by the faculty NPCs. The more your character impresses the professors, the more privileges they gain; therefore, the more time they will have to focus on their art.
The background and financial status of the characters will also be a factor in the time, space, and resources they are awarded at the start of the larp—but, aside from a select few, these privileges will likely increase or decrease over the course of the game.
Privilege Mechanics include:
- Dishwashing Duty: the five students in the worst standing with the professors will be assigned to wash dishes after each meal.
- High-performing students will also occasionally be assigned to dishwasher duty, seemingly at random, as a reminder of the constant excellence and output that is expected in order to maintain relevance in the art world.
- Supply Preference: privileged students will get first pick of art supplies and workspaces after each meal. Faculty will even hide and save certain supplies for students in their good graces, when requested.
- Preference in time slots goes to students related to major donors
- Room Assignments: the wealthiest students will receive the best rooms, and those favored by the faculty will receive the second-best. The less privileged a student is or the worse their standing within the school, the more roommates they will have for the duration of the retreat.
- Note for prospective players: Please consider your sleeping comfort and room assignment needs when filling out the sign-up form with your character preferences. Wealthy, well-connected students will be assigned two-person rooms while disadvantaged students will be assigned to a six-person room full of bunk beds. Sleeping preferences should definitely be factored in when considering and communicating the player experience you desire in this game.
- Rooms will not be reassigned at any point in the game, regardless of any increases or decreases to a character’s “privilege.”