Another Road To Lindisfarne

It is the year of our Lord 1590, and contrary winds over the North Sea have prevented his majesty – James I and VI of England, Ireland, and Scotland, long may he reign – from claiming his lawful bride at the appointed time. After storms keep Anne of Denmark stranded in Norway, the king decides to go after her himself. On their return journey, a noblewoman and her servant drown, and there are rumors of war.

What else could have caused this but witchcraft? These foul winds are the work of the Devil and his wicked agents. Among the accused are Agnes Sampson of North Berwick, Doctor Fian, Francis Stuart the Earl of Bothwell, and a young woman named Elouise McCleary. Bothwell has escaped persecution (so far) by virtue of his nobility. Sampson and Doctor Fian were both gruesomely tortured and burned. But what to do with this young woman? Elouise is neither wed nor employed, nor has she been said to touch strong drink or turn men’s eyes to wood. Is it true she could be a witch?

The people pray for an answer.

Three days have passed since the burning of Agnes Sampson. The witchfinders have been in consultation without rest. Today, they announce that Elouise McCleary must be taken in a caged cart to the holy isle of Lindisfarne. Once there, an ancient ritual will be performed to cleanse this land of her and the last traces of her coven’s unholy workings. As the sun breaks on the Sabbath day, the witch will face her absolution, suspended between the deep and the firmament.

This is the story of that journey…

An unofficial larp translation of Witch: Road to Lindisfarne by Pompey Crew Design. Set in 1590 during the North Berwick witch trials, this larp  includes female characters beyond the Witch and explores internalized misogyny, the effects of torture, and historical witch trials in addition to the themes of the original game. With thanks to dymphna for use of her torture mechanic from Dreaming The Devil.

With thanks to Jon Greenaway for additional development and research.

This game is: A slow march towards a violent/uncertain end, an exploration of witch hunts, about the journey rather than the destination, focused on secular authoritarianism and mob justice, forced proximity between people who perhaps hate or fear each other, a slightly altered history, scene-based (with prompts), player-driven, character-driven, prop- and setting-light.

This game is not: about the Spanish Inquisition, about the Malleus Maleficarum, about the so-called Burning Times, a visceral display of torture and burning, high fantasy, costume-heavy, production-heavy, What You See Is What You Get.