Aside from reenactment, when time comes to bring the Renaissance into LARP, it is often an inspiration for some fantasy settings, and thus the whole time period can see itself compressed into a few character archetypes, often related to famous historical figures or well known occupations from the time period. One of the most popular Renaissance characters in LARP is certainly the musketeer, as found in Dumas’ famous novel and the larger swashbuckler genre in literature. Inspired by the real life musketeer regiments of the French Royal Guard, they evoke daring acts of bravery, panache, wit, and the often flawed pride that brought the practice of duels to its pinnacle. Rapier-wielding fencers, adventurers and ambitious lowly nobles can take inspiration from this famous trope in LARP.

The Renaissance also saw the emergence of large gangs of outlaws and bandits, often composed of deserters or discharged soldiers that roamed the countryside and pillaged rural communities and road travellers. More organized and dangerous than the bandits of previous time periods, they represented a serious threat to many states. The modern depiction of the brigand or highwayman is heavily influenced by these groups that first appeared during the Renaissance.

Another iconic figure of the Renaissance is the aptly named Renaissance man. Simultaneously a scholar, artist, scientist, philosopher and visionary, this historical archetype is best exemplified by Leonardo da Vinci and implies unparalleled creative genius as well as universal curiosity. Similarly, other famous Italians from the Renaissance can all be mentioned as archetypes in their own right: Lorenzo de’ Medici as the banker, merchant and patron of the arts; Christopher Columbus as the navigator and explorer; Niccolo Machiavelli as the diplomat, political schemer and philosopher.