”For God and Country’ is a prewritten LARP organized in the Netherlands by a volunteers. After a successful first run in Dutch, it will be organized in English for an international audience in 2026.
International Run 1-4 October 2026 in Leersum, The Netherlands.
Sign up period is February 2 till 16 in 2026.
Please read the design document below for all information. The information on this webpage is an incomplete summary.
Although the story is based on Dutch history, it tells a story familiar to the rest of Europe: a struggle between the lower classes and nobility, family politics and religious wars. A general knowledge ofEuropean history and culture will suffice. Workshops will help you with the rest- it is not more complicated than a fictional setting.
“For God and Country” is set at the dawn of the Eighty Years’ War; the conflict between the Low Countries and the Spanish Empire that would eventually give rise to the Dutch Republic. Though later celebrated as a heroic struggle for freedom, the outcome at the time was anything but certain.
In the late sixteenth century, discontent simmered across the Low Countries under Spanish Habsburg rule. The reasons varied: many citizens felt their religious practices were being restricted, others were enraged by rising taxes, and regional leaders resented Madrid’s heavy hand in local affairs.
This LARP delves into a time were simmering tensions boil over into open revolt. Players are invited into a retelling of period when everything hung in the balance’. Here, individuals with vastly different stakes cross paths to debate how this growing conflict should continue: through ruthless force, careful diplomacy, or something in between? Who will emerge as the region’s leading voices, and how will they shape the future of these lands as the “Father of the Fatherland”?
At the start of the game, the characters gather just before a council of war. Most are patriots who, despite profound differences in conviction, claim to act for the good of the Low Countries. Their first confrontation arrives quickly: a group of Spanish-aligned envoys on a diplomatic mission, soon to be taken captive by the others.
Rebellion is now undeniable. The question that remains is whether the path ahead demands more bloodshed in pursuit of freedom, or whether concessions must be made to prevent the conflict from becoming darker still.
Amid these turbulent times, people still lived, loved, and struggled. Families sought ways to survive, or even to seize new influence in the shifting landscape. After all, history is shaped not only by great battles and councils, but by the choices of individuals much like you and me.
The following aspects tell you a bit about the game’s design choices. Please read the Design document for more information.
“For God and Country was a deeply immersive experience, capturing a turbulent period in Dutch history. The characters were created with great care and a strong commitment to historical atmosphere. I loved exploring the norms and values of the era while portraying a commoner with a rich backstory. The “non-face card”(non-noble characters) roles added so much depth to the overall narrative — we truly made history come alive!“
– Lizzie
“Grand history on a human scale. The team made a story that is deeply emotional and personal, set in a time that not only echoes through Dutch history, but gives us interesting parallels for the modern world. Heavy themes are handled very well, which makes this is a story about so much more than just politics.”
– Gijs
‘For God & Country’ was designed and run in The Netherlands in 2025. We want to thank the following people:
