Dragon Egg

“The Lady of the Dragon is offended because someone stole a dragon egg. She is coming to claim one of the four villages. You will choose among yourselves, who will be destroyed. If you haven’t decided by the end of round three, you will all die.” 

type: communication game, LARP
purpose: critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, cross-cultural awareness
no. of players: 16-30
time: 90-120 min
prep time: 30 min to print materials and set-up spaces
materials:

  • A large room, so that each of the four “villages” have enough space (can be done outdoor)

  • pint out Rules of the game (one per village)

  • Village overview (Each village will recieve their own description)

  • Laws and traits (one copy per village)

  • Role cards (one per participant)

  • Paper and pencil (for ideas)

RPG: yes

Preparation:

  • Divide participants to 4 groups and explain them where will be their stations
  • Read them the Story, explain the rules
  • Give them print-outs
  • Let them select their characters
  • Answer any questions
  • Send groups to their villages
  • Deliver to each village an envelope with a message:

    “YOU DO NOT HAVE THE DRAGON EGG”
    It is strictly forbidden to show this message to other villages. 

  • Begin the Game (5 min preparatory phase)

Game

Story:
“The Lady of the Dragon is offended because someone stole a dragon egg. She is coming to claim one of the four villages. You will choose among yourselves, who will be destroyed. If you haven’t decided by the end of round three, you will all die.” 

The task of the game is to survive. 

There will be 1 preparation phase, and 3 meeting phases.

Since villages are far away, communication can only be done through messengers. Villagers must choose 2 messengers for the meeting phase. The messengers can go to one other village per meeting phase. The messengers must travel together.

  • Preparation phase – 5′
    Villagers have 15 minutes to decide on a preliminary strategy
  • 1st Meeting phase – 5′
    Selected messengers can travel to one place to talk with others. The messengers can only go to one place per round. If messengers come into the village, the talks are held between the messengers and the villagers. At the end of the phase, the messengers must return to their village.
  • Strategy phase – 5′
    After the meetings, the villagers decide on the strategy for the following round.
  • 2nd Meeting phase – 5′
    Selected messengers can travel to one place to talk with others. The messengers can only go to one place per round. If messengers come into the village, the talks are held between the messengers and the villagers. At the end of the phase, the messengers must return to their village.
  • Strategy phase – 5′
    After the meetings, the villagers decide on the strategy for the following round.
  • 3rd Meeting phase – 5′
    Selected messengers can travel to one place to talk with others. The messengers can only go to one place per round. If messengers come into the village, the talks are held between the messengers and the villagers. At the end of the phase, the messengers must return to their village.
  • Final strategy phase – 5′
    Villagers decide on their final decision that will be given to the Lady of the Dragons. The decision is delivered by messengers. 

 

 

Resolution of the game:

  • Finally, each group must tell the “Lady of the Dragons” who will be the tribute.

  • If three parties unanimously decide for one “village”, that “village” will be destroyed, and the three other parties survive.

  • If all four “villages” decide for an effective strategy, like tricking, deceiving or coming to a deal with the “Lady of the Dragon”, they can all survive.

  • If they do not, and there is no clear vote, all “villages” get destroyed. 

For reflection:

  • What happened?

  • What was your strategy in the first round? Did it change? How? Why?

  • How did you feel?

  • Why did you choose to do …?

  • How did you feel about the process/ outcome? 

  • How did the stereotypes make you feel?

  • If you could, what would you do differently?

  • What will the “Lady of the Dragon” do next?

Printouts

If you will have more then 20 players, you might need to create some extra characters to all villages.