Run in Russia, early 2018

by Malcolm Harbrow

Millennia ago, at the dawn of the Atomic age, humanity developed the Positronic robot. With the help of these benevolent servants, they settled fifty worlds. The Spacer worlds were paradises, free of war, free of disease, free of want, their citizens’ every need cared for by an army of robotic servants. Earth became an overpopulated hive, its population huddling in their caves of steel, rejecting robots and the higher living standards they could provide.

But a century ago, after a thousand years of looking inwards, Earth established new colonies — without the use of robots. These new “Settler” worlds have sparked a technological and economic boom, and are already challenging the might of the Spacers. War could follow.

But there is also a chance for peace. Environmental collapse on the Spacer world of Persephone will force its population to relocate within decades. An economic crisis on the Settler world of Echo means that it needs more people for its terraforming project to succeed. Can Spacers and Settlers overcome their differences and find a way to work together? Or will both worlds have to be abandoned?

Persephone’s Choice is a retro-SF larp for 13 players set in the universe of Isaac Asimov’s famous robot stories. The players will portray diplomats, scientists, and robots as they debate Persephone’s — and humanity’s — future. It is inspired by the larp Persephone’s Gift by Daniel Kane and the MIT Assassins Guild.