The Maelstrom campaign run by Profound Decisions is a live role-playing game. Live role-playing bears similarities to tabletop role playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. In role-playing games you create a fictional character and pretend to be them. In live role-playing games this includes dressing and talking as the character you have created. You will meet and interact with hundreds of other players at an event, each of you playing the role of a character that fits the Maelstrom setting.

Sometimes characters fight, using specially made rubber swords, or cast spells at each other. Everyone follows the rules of the game to allow each player to work out who has been affected by any combat or magic that takes place.

Most role-playing worlds draw on literary sources like Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" or Ursula Le Guin's "Wizard of Earthsea" as well as historical sources, real world myths and legends and a large dose of imagination. There is no script, you can do whatever you want, so long as it makes sense for the character and there is no way to win or to lose. The point of the game is simply to enjoy playing.

At Profound Decisions we concentrate on a particular style of live role-playing that emphasises social interaction over combat. Our games focus on economics, politics and communication between players rather than battles against monsters.