Fin de Siècle

Introduction

To drift with every passion till my soul
Is a stringed lute on which all winds can play,
Is it for this that I have given away
Mine ancient wisdom, and austere control?
Methinks my life is a twice-written scroll
Scrawled over on some boyish holiday
With idle songs for pipe and virelay,
Which do but mar the secret of the whole.
Surely there was a time I might have trod
The sunlit heights, and from life's dissonance
Struck one clear chord to reach the ears of God:
Is that time dead? lo! with a little rod
I did but touch the honey of romance—
And must I lose a soul's inheritance?

Hélas, Oscar Wilde

Turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Fin de siècle. End of the century.

Fin de siècle is a Czech content larp for 28 players by Rolling. From Friday to Saturday you will embody one of our pre-written characters from the late 19th century. We will recreate the gloomy, dark atmosphere of the world of poètes maudits, interspersed with occasional bursts of optimism and nostalgia.

About the game

The game is set in Paris at the end of the 19th century, where several people meet at the cabaret Le Chat Noir. They spend two evenings filled with the shadows of the past, absinthe haze and difficult conversations that will change their destinies. They will also spend one beautiful and sunny afternoon laughing and reminiscing about the days when the world seemed brighter and more magical.

The characters are inspired by real people and their life stories, as well as literature and art from this period.

Historical period

Fin de siècle or End of the Century is a well-known term for the turn of the century, a time that combines boundless optimism with equally profound pessimism. It resembles a pair of scales; on one side, there is cynicism, pessimism and decadence, as well as the fear of modernity and, above all, of new schools of thought advocating ideas that might seem almost insane to some. This goes hand in hand with the idea that humanity is simply degenerating. On the other side, there is faith in human progress, new technologies, and a vision of a beautiful future. The magic of this epoch lies in the fact that the scales are never balanced; instead thay swing from one extreme to the other.

Game Style

Most of the time, the game takes place in a cabaret where drink and talk about their feelings, make difficult decisions, or just try to understand things that are beyond human understanding. So don't expect an action game, but rather a conversational game with an emphasis on the stories of the individual characters and, especially, their decisions that steer the game, its continuation, and conclusion.

One of the main themes is the atmosphere of the specific historical period and its duality. While some moments can be incredibly positive and beautiful, others bring the worst nightmares that plague the characters. At the same time, the game also works with a specific approach to the players: at the beginning, the game will suggest what you should do or what you need to make a decision about and when. As the game goes on, this will change: the players will have more control over the decisions of the characters, and the climax of the game will be purely up to you.

Themes of the game

The game explores the themes of the period's ideological trends–the history of France, and especially the reflection of Fin de siècle, as portrayed not only in history, but also in the period’s works of art.

Besides political themes and advocates of different political currents, you will encounter a wide range of artists, including painters and the well-known Poètes maudits. Their perception of the time they live in, their concerns, and their moods will intertwine with both the mundane and the political.

Fatality is another significant theme, whether it’s the death of the body or the soul; the fear of the end of the century, as well as the fear of one's own death, the finality of a decision, and the inability to return to what has been left behind. All of this can be found in our cabaret.

Groups in the game

These are characters with a common interest, whether in professional or political life. The characters belong to several groups at once: for instance, a scientist can also be a politically engaged republican. You will find the descriptions of the groups here:

Dancers, actors, magicians, entertainers. Various artists perform in the cabaret under the baton of its charming owner. Why do they work in a place with such a bad reputation? Perhaps the community here gives them a little recognition, and their popularity with the audience makes them feel that their existence is worthwhile. But what if they lose this local fame? Will their world, which is already built on somewhat shaky foundations, collapse? When they are not standing on the stage, they feel misunderstood and rejected by society. They simply do not know how to be ordinary people in the crowd. And that is why they take shelter in our cabaret where they do what they are good at and where the audience rewards them with sustained applause. Here, they are the undying stars, the idols of all the men and women in the audience. At least until the curtain falls…

A group of decadent, rebellious, free-spirited artists. They reject the contemporary bourgeois society and its values. They dance when others stand still, remain silent when the masses sing. They want to experience all facets of life, from the sweetest to the bitterest, to the core—and to vomit their experiences, emotions, rage, and darkness shamelessly on paper. They are known for their passion for experimenting, whether it is sex, alcohol, or harder drugs, and they do not care about what the society thinks. They want to live their own unrestrained lives for as long as the beauty of their fleeting youth allows. They do not care what comes next. Will this life bring them happiness, or are they doomed? Are they willingly plunging into the merciless waves of the stormy ocean, all aboard the same ship?

The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries is the period of Post-Impressionism. Visual impression is no longer as important as it was for the previous generation, the Impressionists. Now it is no longer enough to express emotion through colourful brushstrokes as the heart commands. Now, the brush must be controlled by reason; everything must be thought out and done rigorously. No hastiness, no loud, meaningless colours. The new art must be rooted in reality. But what reality is? And is it worth capturing? Every painter in this epoch has their own opinion on that. Some see beauty in the starry night over the town of Saint-Rémy, others in the cancan dancers at the Moulin Rouge, and still others in the ordinary regulars playing cards in the pub. Which of these views is closest to the truth? Which art will be most appreciated by other people? That is hard to say. Because no artist can ever be sure that their intentions will be understood by those around them.

Being an artist does not mean sitting in pubs and drunkenly scribbling incomprehensible verses on paper. That is how only foolish young men see art. Real art is much more difficult to achieve. It is hidden behind the notes of diverse melodies, in the lovely tones of a piano, in the fine voice of a perfect singer, in the pages of award-winning novels, and in the best-selling newspaper headlines. And behind all that are years of arduous work and self-improvement. Or is it just talent? Or powerful acquaintances and good friends? None of the artists wants to tell. But there is one thing they have in common—art is their passion and they cannot imagine their lives without it. And neither can their wallets.

Workshops filled with the roaring sound of steam, splendid exhibition palaces, and unstoppable progress. This is the daily life of scientists and inventors. They have dedicated their lives to striving for a magnificent world where nothing is impossible. Their heads are full of plans and visions never seen before. They know they will one day change the future. Most of them have devoted years to studying and trying to bring humanity one step closer to a better world. What does it matter that some of them have torn coats and not a franc in their pockets, while others hold degrees from the Academy of Sciences, have influential friends, and own beautiful houses? What does it matter that they are called wicked by church dignitaries and that their inventions have taken people’s jobs or lives. Just like progress itself, the scientists keep looking forward, without a glance back. Because now is the time to make Bell's telephone obsolete with their own invention, to confirm Darwin's theory of the origin of man, or to marvel at Edison's light bulbs…

A group of people who set the direction of the present day. Their predecessors were dying on the barricades, opposing one king or another—or at least, they like to talk about it. The truth is that many of them had a difficult time during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III. The first years of the Republic were even more difficult, as all efforts were almost thwarted. The Republicans proudly opposed the Commune, and with even more zeal, they stopped MacMahon's attempt to establish a monarchy. When the Constitution was adopted, they hung French flags from the windows and sang La Marseillaise, fully embracing the legacy of the revolution. For the adherents of the republican worldview, the dawn of new times has arrived. They are entering the new century full of confidence and determination. But behind the dawn looms a black cloud—of uncertainty, conflicting views, radicalisation, and the search for internal enemies. This is why the peace and stability of the republic remain only wishful thinking…

Okay, maybe not all kings were ideal, but all of them were certainly better than that bunch of Republicans who have no idea how to run the country! The stability and prosperity of the country can only be guaranteed by a crowned king… and us as his advisors. That is our right. You know well what my father accomplished in the service of Napoleon III! Monarchy has been in place in France since time immemorial. It is the only reason we have come this far and become a world power. So why should we change this order and tear it down? The road to republicanism is covered with the blood of people from both sides of the barricades, and unless the republicans abandon their goals, more blood will surely be spilled. But the supporters of the former Paris Commune are far more vicious. It is already bad enough that instead of serving on the nobility’s estates, people set to work in factories. What is more, the supporters of the Commune want to rule us! It is time to restore our estates and titles to their proper splendour. But none of this will be possible without a rightful heir to the throne leading the country…

You must not forget the people! Because if you ignore them, they will rise like a wave and bring you to your knees. We got rid of the Bourbons! We overthrew the lying citizen king! And when the Emperor lost at Sedan and a change was about to happen in Paris, we were ready. It has been several years since guns fell silent in the streets of Paris. We fought and would have won if the nation hadn’t betrayed its own blood. It is too late to complain today… Today, our ideas are not heard, but the revolution and the people cannot be silenced! Our brothers and fathers did not die in vain in the Commune. It is our mission to carry on their legacy and finally steer the world in the right direction. We will never be silenced! Our thoughts will spread and will be heard by the world, from workers in the factories to well-read men in tailcoats. They will be spread not only by debates and lectures, but also through strikes and struggles. We will always find the means. The proletariat has nothing to lose, but can conquer the whole world!

The French Revolution sparked democracy. Officially, all people were granted civil rights and liberties that made them equal and gave them the same opportunities. All people? No! Women were left out, even though they too shed blood on the barricades. Let us remember Olympe de Gouges, who said: "woman has the right to mount the scaffold; she must equally have the right to mount the rostrum", and was executed for that. Even today, the efforts of feminists to have their own opinions are often ridiculed, and they are scorned by society, even though they are only trying to gain the same rights as men. Social inequality between the sexes is being justified by women's biological predisposition to motherhood and their perceived general intellectual and physical weakness, which the representatives of the Enlightenment validated with scientific research. Yet it is seen every day that women perform countless household tasks and still manage to go to work and earn money just as well as men, if not better. Even so, women do not receive the recognition they deserve. The feminist movement wants to change this and give women the chance to do, write, and say what they want and, more importantly, what they think, because their opinion matters!

What makes a person human? Is it their actions, their nature, or their soul? It is this slightly philosophical question that unites a rather disparate group. Each member has their own opinion on the subject, often not the same as the others have—although they tend to avoid themselves rather than discuss the issue together. Soldiers will answer this question by telling you that a man's deeds always speak for him. In combat, when you are pointing a rifle at the enemy, there is no time to think about someone's character. You only have a brief moment to obey your general's order and fire or draw your bayonet. If you ask the doctors, they will tell you that character and features inherited from your parents play a major role. And it is not a good idea to mess with the psyche. There is already a cure for hysteria, an issue currently mentioned in connection with women from all classes of society. But as far as men are concerned, they do not—and cannot—have any deficiencies. On the contrary, the dignitaries of the Church will tell you that nothing is as important as purity of soul, which must always be cared for. All are equal before God. At least, that is what the priests say. But what do those who have been excluded from the protection of the Church think about it? And then there are spiritualists who seem to have found the way around the ordinary, dull, and unsatisfying life and its finitude. "This cannot be all," they say to themselves. "There must be a greater force pulling the strings to which we are tied." They may be disappointed. Or they may eventually discover something that will haunt them forever.

Vision

What we want from the game is to create strong stories together and for each other in the setting that we have described. The game cannot be won, but it is also not the goal to just create as many cool and dramatic scenes as possible regardless of character integrity. The game does not support a gamist playstyle; we try to encourage each player to create a coherent and powerful story throughout the game for themselves and other players.

The players will be given pre-written characters with backgrounds, relationships, and goals. Every player will have a number of key choices and how they interpret their character will be up to them–but they will not be able to change or add major content. We believe this design allows us to convey powerful stories in a historically conscious manner.

The game is a “come and play” sort and only light preparation is expected of the players. You will get a full character sheet and you will not be asked to participate in writing it; however, we will ask you to read it thoroughly, think about your interpretation, and consult any issues that might arise with the organisers.

We will also not expect you to study detailed historical information on your own; we will supply you with comprehensive materials, summarizing what you need to know. There will also be a workshop before the game to sum up the main historical facts in a participatory manner, together with contemporary social norms and typical behaviours.

We will provide most of the costumes (see in Costumes), food for the whole game, all props, and equipment.

Our game is not transparent and it works with surprises and secrets. We are aware that this is unusual in many larping cultures, but we believe that the lack of transparency in our game has a purpose and that we have ways to make it work. We ask you to trust us in this.

The characters have their secrets. The secrets are to be revealed, but in time; and we believe that the game works well if the secrets are a surprise for both the characters and the players. Therefore, before the game you will be asked to talk about your gaming preferences and set intimacy levels and physical boundaries with your close in-game partners, but please do not include “spoilers”: do not send them your character sheets or tell them what your character thinks about theirs. There will be no option for pre-play.

If you are unhappy about something in the game, want to make a major decision which might influence your co-players, or want to tweak something in your in-game relationships, you will be able to talk to the consulting organisers who are there to solve players’ issues. There is, however, no in-game negotiation with other players.

Throughout the game (and prior to it), there will be organisers on site in a designated non-gaming area who will be available to consult with players on their concerns, questions, and wishes. Organisers can also help you if there are any issues with any of your relationships, if plots are not moving forward or you get lost in the game. Please feel free to come and ask about anything; we’ll be happy to help.

The game strives for a fairly high level of visual immersion: we will ask you not to have any modern objects (mobile phones, plastic bottles) visible during the game etc. However, our goal is not full historical reenactment. Costumes and props will not be historically accurate to reenactment standards. Similarly, it is perfectly fine for participants to have modern equipment (hygiene supplies, medicines, modern snacks) hidden in their in-game suitcases, and while we somewhat prefer contact lenses to glasses, wearing glasses is also not a problem.

There will also be one or two photographers with modern cameras present during the game; please ignore them. They will not try to interact with you, but they will provide you with pretty pictures later on. Players will be able to opt out of being photographed, but they will not be allowed to take their own pictures during the game and workshops.

The game includes physical play of violence and some intimacy. Intimacy will go up to the level of a hug/light kiss on the lips, plus a mechanic to symbolize sex when necessary–but players will always be able to set stricter boundaries or opt out.

The game will include gun replicas (non-projectile guns which make a sound) and some fighting with cold weapons (not latex, but softened wooden weapons–safe and commonly used in the Czech Republic, with wooden hilts). The workshops will include a general briefing on safety and gun handling.

The role division will not depend on your abilities or your off-game characteristics; only your content preferences, which you will state in the questionnaire. Please note we will not be able to ensure anybody plays a specific character, and the roles are pre-written and will not be changed. We also cannot guarantee you will be playing with your friends– though we can make sure you do NOT play with somebody you really don’t want to play with.

Once we get all your information through the forms we send you, we will send you a choice of three characters that we think would fit you, with detailed descriptions. You will then send in your order of preference for these characters with your comments. We will always make sure you do not have to play anything you really do not want to play, but we cannot ensure everybody will get their top choice.

The game plays out some uncomfortable topics relevant to the historical period. Sexism is common in the game, as well as nationalism and xenophobia. There will be characters who are bullied and discriminated against and characters who bully and discriminate others. It will be possible to set your preferences regarding these topics in the signup questionnaire, but please be aware that you will encounter these topics quite frequently in the game. Please be prepared to play on a set of period-appropriate prejudices and viewpoints that very often conflict with our present-day perspectives.

Practical info

Gender

Players can choose characters regardless of their own gender. All characters have a set binary gender (are men or women) but the game welcomes players of all gender identities. We would like to keep the visual representation of men and women visible at first glance so we’ll very much appreciate it if you use some basic visual cues such as fake facial hair for playing male characters if you’re not male-presenting as a player.

We view all our roles as equally interesting and valuable: all of them are the main protagonists of their own stories. However, it is good to warn that the game works with sexism and characters may encounter it in some form, some more than others. This specific historical era, in addition to other topics, is also associated with feminism. We believe that the fight for rights and stronger voices of women is an interesting topic to play with and we want to honor women who fought for it by keeping their stories and this narrative as a part of the game.

None of the characters at this game are openly non-binary (although some are gender non-conforming and how players read them is up to them). However, we welcome non-binary players, as long as they are comfortable playing one of the character genders. It is up to them what they prefer.

Date

The 10th run of the game and its first international run will take place from July 3 to 5, 2026.

All players must arrive on site on Friday morning, when pre-game workshops will be held. The game itself will begin immediately afterwards. Play will continue until Saturday night, followed by a post-game party. There will be a joint clean-up on Sunday morning.

Location

Fin de Siècle will take place in the old Terezín Hospital, a former 19th-century military hospital in the town of Terezín in the Czech Republic (60 km north of Prague and easily accessible by public transport).

Price of the game

We have split the tickets for the game into multiple pricing packages. This will allow you to support the organizers and sponsor the game itself. The choice of package has no effect on the significance of your application or the content of the game. Standard ticket: 300 EUR – The Standard ticket includes a full game experience, accommodation, food, props, and most of the costume. Republican ticket: 350–400 EUR – In addition to a full game experience, accommodation, food, props, and most of the costume, the "Republican" sponsorship package includes an extra absinthe glass with the Fin de Siècle logo. Cabaret Owner ticket: 400–450 EUR – In addition to a full game experience, accommodation, food, props, and most of the costume, the "Cabaret Owner" sponsorship package includes an absinthe glass with the Fin de Siècle logo, a diary with the Fin de Siècle logo, a thank you note, and your name among the sponsors on the website. President of the Third Republic ticket: 500 EUR and more – In addition to a full game experience, accommodation, food, props, and most of the costume, the "President of the Third Republic" sponsorship package includes an absinthe glass with the Fin de Siècle logo, a diary with the Fin de Siècle logo, an online webinar with the organizers about the era the game is set in and inspiration drawn from real personalities, a thank you, and your name among the sponsors on the website.

Cancellation fee

The participation fee must be paid by the due date. Any spots that remain unpaid after the payment deadline will be cancelled and advertised to the waiting list players.

After the payment deadline, the cancellation fee is 10% of the paid participation fee. Cancellation one month before the game is 50% of the paid participation fee. Cancellation 14 days before the game and less incur 100% of the paid participation fee.

If a paying replacement player is found for the cancelled spot, an amount higher than the cancellation fee can be refunded, but only up to 90% of the paid participation fee. In some cases (several days before the game), the last-minute replacement players are only asked to pay a voluntary participation fee. If the cancellation fee is 50%, you will receive any portion of the replacement player’s payment that exceeds 50% of your original ticket price (up to 90% of the participation fee paid). If the cancellation fee is 100%, you will receive the whole amount paid by the replacement player (up to 90% of the participation fee paid).

Costumes

We will provide most of the costume, but not all of it. This means that outer layer of the costume will be ready for you. However, we would like to ask you to bring your own underlayer (part of which will be visible) for the costume. If you have any trouble bringing this, let us know, and we will try to find a solution.

More specifically, we would like male character players to bring their own plain white shirt, which they will wear for most of the game, and lightweight white trousers for a part of the game taking place outdoors.

We ask female character players to bring a white blouse to wear for most of the game and a white skirt or simple white dress to use for the outdoor part of the game.

Sleep

The game starts on Friday night around 9 p.m. This block ends around 3 a.m. on Saturday. You will then have 8 hours of sleep, and the next part of the game doesn't start until 11 a.m. However, we understand that this schedule may be difficult for some. From 11 a.m. on Saturday, the game continues without much of a break until 10 p.m. In order to participate in the game, you need to be prepared for this.

Food and drink

We will provide food from Friday lunchtime to Sunday breakfast. There will small snacks available in addition to main meals, and a bar stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be open throughout the game.

We are able to acommodate food options for vegetarians and basic allergies (gluten, milk, eggs). You will be given a menu before the game. If any of the meals contain ingredients you’re allergic to, we will ask you to bring your own meal alternative instead.

Alcoholic drinks will be available at the bar, in addition to soft drinks. As part of the game design, it is interesting for us to allow players to drink absinthe and similar drinks. However, it is not allowed to get drunk during the game. If this occurs, we would have to ask you to leave the game.

Sanitation

The game takes place in an old building, which has some drawbacks. We will not provide shower facilities during the game. There will only be a trough in the building for washing dishes and basic hygiene (there is only cold water).

We will clean the sleeping areas and the premises, but as the building is old, it is impossible to get rid of all dust and dirt.

Accommodation

We will arrange sleeping in the Terezín Hospital building, where players will sleep on the floor. A sleeping mat will be provided for each player. Some players will sleep in a room with multiple othes, while others will stay in a room with only a few people. Please bring your own sleeping bags.

If anyone is uncomfortable with these conditions, we can arrange accommodation in a hotel. However, there are several strict rules. Upon signing up for the game, you can fill out a form based on which we will book the hotel for you. Please do not book a hotel yourself.

You will not be able to leave the game location and go to your hotel during the game. You will check in at the hotel on Friday morning before the workshops start, and you will be able to go there to sleep after the end of the first block of the game at 3 a.m. on Saturday morning. You will then leave the hotel for the Saturday game on Saturday morning and will not be able to return until Saturday evening (around 10 p.m.) after the game.

Signup

The signup is open! End 9/11/2025!

All applications received within that interval will be treated equally. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of spots we can offer, we will draw half of the participants for each run and select the remaining ones in a way that we feel makes the final lineup workable in terms of the game preferences included in the application.

Signup form

Helpers and NPCs

In order to run the game, we will also need a few helpers and supporting players. These will portray short-term roles entering the game to help the authors and players flesh out and move the stories along. There is no participation fee for supporting role players, but these players are expected to be responsible and help with some work during the game.

About us

The game was written and produced by:

Who helped us:

Zuzana Hrnčířová She helped us with the administration at the first runs, and she deserves a big thank you for that! Ondřej Konrád Student at the University of Applied Sciences, photographer, and graphic designer. He doesn't play LARPs, but he designed an original logo for us. Petr Zip Hájek In the old days, a larper and organizer, who eventually quit larping. Years later he returns, this time as a moment catcher through the viewfinder. Together with Zuzana, he is responsible for the visual presentation of Fin de Siècle. Tomáš Fechtner A computer scientist who enjoys playing LARPs and is now trying to contribute to their creation. He is responsible for the website of Fin de Siècle. Mikoláš Orlický A former film director, dramaturge, and screenwriter, who sometimes ceases to be former for a fleeting moment. He played LARPs for a few years.

Sponsors:

David František Wagner Ondřej Dobiáš We would like to thank everyone who decided to financially support our play.

Made by Rolling:

Rolling, the Association for the Development of Experiential Educational Games, is a non-profit organization made up of passionate people with years of experience in teaching, experiential projects, and civic education. It manages the production of the event and its external communication.
Fučíkova 283, 411 55 Terezín, IČ 02296802, Bankovní spojení: 2300500209/2010; Spisová značka: L 10922 vedená u Krajského soudu v Ústí nad Labem