Machinations

***Machinations: Den of Lions***

Costumers of Color & Cascadia Rising Nonprofits presents, Machinations: Den Of Lions (DOL) November 4 through 7, 2027, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Four households, all alike in dignity,
In Villa Leone, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

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An Emperor’s word has summoned every name,
By papal seal these prideful hearts must bend,
One cardinal alone shall hold the flame

That both unites them, and may yet unmend.

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Lucrezia’s hand becomes the prize they seek,
Caterina’s steel remembers unhealed wounds,
Isabella measures rivals with a cold critique,
And Medici gold moves quiet through the rooms.

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Four nights within one villa, hearts confined,
Come see what fragile peace such hands may find.

This is the PNWs newest immersive historical costuming weekend, an original live-action role-play program built around the real women, families, and rivalries of Renaissance Italy. Borgia, Sforza, Este, Medici: All gathered under one roof, all playing for the same stakes.

SETTING

The year is 1501 and we are at the turn of the sixteenth century in Renaissance Italy (setting is 1501, clothing and characters inspired by the 1490-1540 time period). Romagna, Florence, Ferrara, and Rome have spent generations locked in shifting wars and shorter-lived truces, while French and Spanish ambitions press in from every border. The Holy Roman Emperor, charged by the Pope with binding the peninsula together before it tears itself apart, calls a private convocation. He sends one cardinal, loyal to no house, to broker the marriages, betrothals, and alliances that might hold Italy together.

Three days. Four houses. One accord that could reshape the balance of power for generations, if anyone at the table can be trusted to sign it in good faith.

Guests step into full early 16th-century dress for a weekend of intrigue, formal dinners, secret alliances, and the kind of history that reads like it was written for the stage because so much of it actually could have been. Read more about period courtiers here.

Submit Your Deposit Here

DETAILS

Dates: November 4-7, 2027
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Game Time: The game schedule offers at least 20 hours of game time at the venue on Friday and Saturday, plus 2-3 hours of debriefing (to derole) on Sunday morning.
Language: The game will be played in English. You don’t need perfect mastery to have a good time.
Food & Drinks: Meals are included from Friday morning until Sunday morning. Vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and vegan options will be available. We will also provide water, tea, and coffee.
Tickets: There are four double occupancy ticket types. Our single occupancy supplement is $200. A sponsor ticket helps subsidize the game. Sponsor and Villa ticket holders will be lodged at the palatial Villa dei Leoni. Inn ticket holders will be lodged at the nearby Lake Oswego Hilton Garden Inn. Traveler tickets are for players who will arrange their own lodging. Securing a ticket requires a nonrefundable $200 deposit (there are limited spots so submit your deposit early to get your preferred ticket). After sign ups close we will assign tickets and send you an invoice. If there are more sign ups than tickets, there will be a waiting list.
- $750 Sponsor ticket (SOLD OUT 0/10 available) – double occupancy
  - single supplement $200
- $700 Villa ticket (SOLD OUT 0/10 available) – double occupancy
  - single supplement $200
- $600 Inn ticket (22/25 available) – double occupancy
  - single supplement $200
- $475 Traveler ticket (5/15 available)
Setting: The game is set circa 1500-1510 at Villa dei Leoni (Villa of the Lions). The venue is Italianate-style mansion serving as a substitute for a real Italian Villa.
Transportation: Traveling from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego, Oregon covers a road distance of about 16 to 19 miles and takes 30-35 minutes by car or rideshare under normal traffic conditions. You will arrange your own transportation.
Characters: Players will receive fully written character sheets based on historical people who could have been present at such a meeting in the 16th-century. Most characters will be of Italian origin. During casting, players will be able to specify their preference for family faction and country of origin. Casting is not based on true appearance, so ethnicity, age, and gender are of no concern. You’ll simply need to play the gender of your chosen character.
Costumes: Clothing appropriate for 1490-1540 are acceptable. Players will have to bring their own costumes and may bring props. A costume guide will be provided in the Player Guide.
Age: Players must be 21 or older.
Safety: Our code of conduct and guidelines will be provided in the Player Guide. See our Magna Carta game guide for an idea of our frameworks for safety mechanics, player well-being, calibration, derailing, and debriefing – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KTk6cCkmgFabfCk9g_cD9p3YaLwnMlzl/view?usp=sharing
Conduct: This event is open to participants of all races/ethnicities. We ask every participant to help create a respectful, anti-racist, and community-minded environment. This includes following our community policies and being open to correction if harm occurs. Please review the policies here: https://gigi.maktechgroups.com/policies/

WHAT TO EXPECT

A structured three day program running Friday through Sunday, with a cast of characters carrying secrets, plots, and relationships from the moment you arrive. There will be an orientation, safety briefing, at least 16 hours of game time, and a derolling/debriefing session.

Full immersion in 16th-century historical dress throughout the event, with support for guests building or sourcing a wardrobe for the period.

A weekend built on documented historical figures, reimagined. These families never actually shared a villa, so the drama is invented but the people, the politics, and the stakes are not.

Your ticket will include:

Lodging (except for the Traveler ticket) and food
Character and relationship tree
Supporting cast
Professional photography
An intriguing storyline and unforgettable memories!

Villa de Leoni Gallery:

Inside Oregon's opulent Palais de Leon, a short-term rental built with Dave's Killer Bread millions - oregonlive.com

Palais de Leon - Home Rental in Lake Oswego

Palais de Leon - Ultra Luxury Riverfront Estate - Houses for Rent in Lake Oswego, Oregon, United States - Airbnb

Character Inspiration Portrait Gallery:

WHAT IS NORDIC STYLE LARP?

Nordic LARP is a style of live-action role-playing (LARP) from the Nordic countries emphasizing collaborative storytelling, intense emotional experiences, and artistic expression, often tackling complex themes like identity, politics, and social issues through immersive, character-focused play rather than competitive games with strict rules or combat. It’s more like improvised theater or a shared, introspective journey than a typical game, with players exploring their characters deeply, even experiencing “bleed” where emotions carry over after the event from small, intimate gatherings to large-scale productions.

How it differs from American LARP or tabletop games

American/Traditional LARP: While many US LARP styles focus on competition, strategy, or combat, Nordic LARP emphasizes emotional depth, character arc, and collaborative art, often featuring little to no combat.
Tabletop RPGs: It’s live and physical, like acting out a story, but often with less focus on stats and more on internal character life and social dynamics

COSTUMING RESOURCES

Overview: https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/beauty-adorns-virtue-italian-renaissance-fashion/

Look for the subheading specifically on Italy, unless your character has another origin: