Mystical Experiences in Role-Playing Games – Lecture & Soirée

Unexpected spiritual or mystical experiences are often reported in the world of live-action roleplaying games.

In this illustrated lecture, Dr Anna Milon explores accounts from the RPG community of magico-religious encounters that seem to transcend the boundaries of play. These accounts (such as when one man described 'meeting the god Pan') raise questions about how and why such moments occur. Drawing on the long, intertwined relationship between ritual and play, Milon considers the idea of the ‘magic circle’ – a space set apart from everyday life. A drinks soirée follows, with informal discussion and complimentary wine.

Dr Anna Milon is a postdoctoral research fellow at Nottingham Trent University. Her research explores the relationship between fantasy, ritual and belief, with a particular focus on live-action role-play. Her PhD thesis at the University of Exeter was on ‘The Horned God as Environmental Figure in Fantasy Fiction and Live Action Role-Play’.