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What is
Dagorhir!?! |
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- [Text Edited From Official Site]
The freestyle
simulation of Dark Age battles featuring foam weaponry and
costumes indicative of the era. Taking on historical and
fictional personas, participants engage in challenging
scenarios ranging from single combat to large-scale field
battles numbering hundreds of fighters.
- Okay, what does that mean?
Alright, you asked
for it. At its essence, it combines several things.
First, we make medieval or ancient weapons from
safe materials so that we can hit each other full
force with a minimum amounts of pain (this isn't
fencing or touch fighting). Examples of equipment are
swords, maces, flails, and two-handed weapons, but also
include missile weapons such as rocks, javelins, and arrows.
Then, we make costumes that represent the age we are trying
to recapture. This ranges from tunics, tabards, sashes, and
cloaks to boots and more complicated articles.
After
that, using a VERY simple gaming system, the fighters go out
onto a field and engage in combat simulations. These battles
are anywhere from individual duels at small
practice days to huge 400+ fighter field
battles at our largest event, Ragnarok. Some
battles are simple field battles of two sides where one
"wins" by completely destroying the other side. Other
battles may consist of a set of scenarios based off an idea
or story, usually Tolkien-based, such as recreating the the
first initial battles between Morgoth and his horde of orcs
versus the Forces of Light (elves, dwarves, men). Still
others are more straightforward like "Capture the Flag",
"Take the Castle", or other objective-based scenarios. Some
explore the ranking and structure of medieval miltary
organizations.
That's during the DAY, now take the
same group of intelligent, fun-loving people interested in
going back to a simpler, rougher time, and move off the
field. Enter the contests, both fighting and nonfighting,
such as the pumpkin joust or strongest man tourney. Include
nonfighters such as artisans and merchants selling fine
clothing, weaponry, jewelry and other merchandise on the
sidelines at events. Add in old-style feasts, camping, and
bonfires with much carousing.. People making life long
friends, joining units to be a part of a close knit group.
Learn to make medieval garb and weapons, and hone your
martial skills.. Those who are more devoted to the sport
become leaders of the realms, recruit members, and organize
and run events. Each realm has titles suited to their realm
for those with exceptional skill or leadership, including
the status of kinsmen, chieftan, knight, or warlord.
- How/When did Dagorhir Start?
In 1977 Bryan Weise
a.k.a. Aratar Anfinhir the Stormbringer conceived Dagorhir
in an attempt to simulate a safe Tolkien-esque combat
enviroment.
- Is Dagorhir dangerous?
It is no more dangerous
than any other active team-based sport (such as soccer or
football). We have a well-developed set of guidelines to
ensure the highest amount of safety.
- Still looks pretty daunting to fight in such melees.
Melee combat still seem a little scary despite the
emphasis on safety? No problem, if you'd rather not be in
combat at all, nonfighters are heartily welcomed as well
since fighting is only one part of this organization. There
are merchant and craft guilds plus no small amount of
roleplaying off-field as well. Plus at events the fighting
is only half the fun, there's always the feasts, contests,
and after hours bonfire/tavern celebrations.
- What about the roleplay and characterization?
Both historical and fantasys characterizations are
common in Dagorhir. There is a heavy emphasis both on the
races and cultures described in Tolkiens writings, as well
as the European cultures they were based upon. You'll find a
host of both Tolkien-based and early European groups and
units. While participants are encouraged to explore a wide
range of races and cultures, no special abilities or powers
are granted for this.
Are there characterization
limits? Yes. Character bakgrounds must adhere to historical
or medieval fantasy genres. We do not allow modern or
futuristic characterizations. We have a wide variety of
people in our organization. Some examples of historical
cultures and races are Celts, Huns and Romans. Some examples
of fantasy culures and races are elves, dwarves and orcs.
- OK, I am interested. What do I need to do?
Get
in contact with the nearest Dagorhir group. Groups in
Dagorhir are referred to as Realms. They will be happy to
help. As far as weapons go, most groups will have equipment
that you can borrow for you first few times out. You
can check out the links page for information on sites. Style
costume is required to participate in Dagorhir, exception
are made for people who are new. Loose fitting clothing,
such as sweat pants and plain dark t-shirts, as well as a
solid boots, are recommended. Blue jeans, t-shirts with
logos, sun-glasses, and baseball hats are discouraged.
If you wish to show up in proper garb, a simple
costume is not difficult to make.
A great way to make your first garb is to
just buy 2 or 3 yards of fabric, cut a hole in the middle,
and sew the edges and neck hole. This is called a tunic.
Pull it on and belt it in the middle, wear some black or
brown sweat pants underneath, put on some boots, and there
you have it.... garb.
While getting some simple garb
together is quite easy, you can literally spend the rest of
your life attempting to put together a complete medieval
wardrobe. Garb constructed of hand stiched period materials
in styles appropriate for their character is the goal of
many.
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