HUNGARIAN DARK FOLK LARP · 1873
WILL O’ WISP
Where history ends, folklore begins.
18–20 JUNE 2027 · BEDEPUSZTA, HUNGARY
THE WORLD OF WILL O’ WISP
A WORLD BETWEEN HISTORY AND FOLKLORE
Not so long ago, in the days of our great-grandparents, the world was different. The great cities of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy glowed with the lights of a new industrial age — railways, factories and modern inventions transforming everyday life.
Yet only a few hours beyond the city, another, ancient world still lingered. Beneath the canopy of the Mátra Mountains, small communities lived by tradition and faith. Outlaws and fugitives wandered the surrounding hills, while beyond the warm circles of firelight, the creatures of folklore and myth came to life.
The year is 1873. This is where our story begins.
THE EXPERIENCE
STEP INTO THE STORY
Will-o’-Wisp is a drama-oriented LARP evoking the folk life of 19th- century Hungary.
The story takes place in 1873, in the fictional villageof Mátrafénye, where the agents of the law recently ambushed and killed Vidróczki Márton, the last famous betyár (outlaw) of the Mátra mountains.
During the game, participants portray: the inhabitants of Mátrafénye outsiders arriving for the Midsummer’s Eve celebration or for other reasons members of Vidróczki’s former band, also known as the betyárs.
Through these roles, players confront their characters’ pasts, sins, and the consequences of their actions.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
EVENT DETAILS
DATE
18–20 JUNE 2027
LOCATION
BEDEPUSZTA, HUNGARY
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH
SETTING
HUNGARY · 1873
THE EXPERIENCE
WHAT TO EXPECT
HISTORICAL DRAMA
Step into rural Hungary in 1873, a world shaped by social change, tradition and the tensions of a changing age.
HUNGARIAN FOLKLORE
Superstition, folk beliefs and ancient stories are woven into everyday life — and not everything beyond the firelight can be explained.
CHARACTER-DRIVEN STORY
Your relationships, secrets and choices shape the experience. There is no audience — the story exists through the people who live it.
IS THIS EXPERIENCE FOR YOU?
THIS LARP IS FOR YOU IF…
YOU’LL ENJOY WILL O’ WISP IF…
…you want to explore Hungarian folk tales, myth and culture, and the challenges of 19th century rural life in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy
…you enjoy exploring your character’s inner struggles, including crime, punishment, and facing their own conscience.
…you are interested in experimenting with difficult emotional and social situations and themes, including aggression, oppression, and loss
…you accept portraying a pre-written character.
…you enjoy portraying a character who walks the line between sanity and madness, possibly leading to their downfall.
…you are comfortable with your character’s story potentially ending in their death.
…you enjoy playing with secrets and intrigues that the organizers prepare for you to discover.
…you like to play to lift to make the other characters’ stories better.
THIS MAY NOT BE FOR YOU IF…
…you are afraid to experiment with negative feelings such as frustration, grief and guilt.
…you want to win the game.
…you don’t like “playing to lose”.
…you are looking for a combat-heavy game.
…you want to play with full transparency or full sandbox. You can negotiate and create your own scenes, but some might need to be agreed upon with the organizers.
JOIN THE EXPERIENCE
TAKE PART IN WILL O’ WISP
YOUR PLACE IN THE STORY
THREE TICKET OPTIONS
REDUCED — 265 EUR
NORMAL — 425 EUR
SPONSOR — 585 EUR
APPLICATION
READY TO STEP INTO MATRAFENYE?
Characters are pre-written and assigned through a casting process based on your preferences. The game is for participants aged 18 and over.
YOUR TICKET INCLUDES
WHAT’S INCLUDED
2-DAY LARP
A two-day immersive LARP experience with pre-written characters.
ACCOMMODATION
Two nights at Bedepuszta Village Retreat.
FOOD & DRINK
Food and drinks during the event.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS
Professional event photography.
THE LOCATION
BEDEPUSZTA, HUNGARY
A VILLAGE MADE FOR STORIES
Bedepuszta Village Retreat is a secluded village in the Hungarian countryside, surrounded by forests and rolling hills — an atmospheric setting where the modern world quickly feels far away.
During Will o’ Wisp, the village becomes Mátrafénye: a small community in 1873 where everyday life, history and Hungarian folklore begin to blur together.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
ARRIVAL
Please arrive at the venue no later than 13:00 on the first day, allowing enough time to prepare before the game begins in the evening.
During Will o’ Wisp, the village becomes Mátrafénye: a small community in 1873 where everyday life, history and Hungarian folklore begin to blur together.
TRANSFER FROM BUDAPEST
We plan to provide an optional transfer bus with stops in Budapest city centre and near Ferihegy Airport.
During Will o’ Wisp, the village becomes Mátrafénye: a small community in 1873 where everyday life, history and Hungarian folklore begin to blur together.
ESTIMATED TRANSFER COST
€45 one way · €75 round tripThe transfer is not included in the event ticket. Final prices will be confirmed before payment and may be lower.
OTHER OPTIONS
If you are considering car rental or public transport, feel free to contact us and we will help you plan your journey.
LOCATION
Bedepuszta Village Retreat
Szabadság u. 1, 3075 Bedepuszta, Hungary
A secluded, authentic village 95 km from Budapest, combining traditional rural life with modern comfort.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is provided in houses with 1–4 rooms, with rooms shared by 2–3 people. Private accommodation can be requested after securing your place for an additional €70 for two nights. Rooms and houses will be allocated based on preferences given in the registration form.
CHARACTERS
You will experience Mátrafénye through a pre-written character assigned through a casting process based on your preferences. Characters belong to three main groups: residents of Mátrafénye and its surroundings, visitors from the cities, and members of the roaming betyár band.
COSTUMES
Participants are expected to bring their own costumes for the LARP.
TRANSPORTATION
An optional shuttle will operate from Liszt Ferenc Airport via Budapest city centre. The shuttle is not included in the ticket price. Further transfer details and final prices will be confirmed before the event.
ACCESSIBILITY
Bedepuszta is a large rural venue with uneven and partly hilly terrain. Paths are mainly grass, gravel or compacted ground and may become difficult in wet weather. The venue is not suitable for wheelchair users.
FOOD & DRINK
Meals are provided from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. Special dietary options will be available. Late-night snacks, coffee and tea are also included.
CASTING
After registration, you will complete a casting form so we can find the character that best matches your preferences. As the characters are fully developed, only minor details can be changed and not every preference can necessarily be accommodated.
COSTUMES & WHAT TO BRING
Bring everything you need for the three-day event, including your own costume. We strongly recommend sturdy black or brown boots suitable for walking on uneven terrain. You are welcome to bring props for your character; some props will also be provided by the organizers and listed on your character sheet.
Organisers
Organizers
Peti, Lead producer, narrative and game design
Nimloss, Narrative and game design, scenography
Dodie, Narrative and game design
Amara, Narrative and game design
Banka, Project coordination
Hanna, Narrative and game design
Noemm, Logistics
Szozsi, Narrative and game
design
Thrawn, Logistics