Belegarth

I discussed this a few months ago, on the Fighting Skills forum, but now that everything is official it merits a bigger plug here.

The first (I hope annual) Fighter Academy will be held the weekend of May 29th at Spring Valley campground, otherwise known as the home of Ragnarok.

Full details found here:

http://www.dagorhir.com/forums/index.php?topic=12848

The webpage and pre-reg is here:

http://taurendor.bravehost.com/fightacademy.html

Here is what you need to know:

-it is a weekend of intense fighting and skill development

-as such, it will be fighters-only, so everyone there will be either a good fighter who wants to get better, a great fighter who wants to teach others, or an ambitious new fighter who wants to become good

-in addition to having fighting classes and running scenarios and battles intended to allow fighters to put those skills into use, we will also be having a weapons making workshop, including a.) high-performance swords with thrusting tips and b.) graphite-core javelins that can be aimed accurately up to maybe 60 feet (and self-stabilize) among others

-the point of this event is to provide a place for new fighters, especially those who really don't know how to fight well yet, to be surrounded by veterans who have a serious approach to fighting, and to get to know them. It is also a place to come to further develop and solidify the community of serious fighters in Dagorhir (and also Belegarth) in a technical, training-oriented atmosphere that has heretofore been largely lacking, at least in the East.

-the cost of the event is 20 bucks; we need about 50 people to show up if we are to break even, and any additional funds will go towards the next year's event.

Obviously, this takes its inspiration from Amtgard's Sword Knight boot camp, as well as from the fact that there are a lot of new fighters in Dagorhir (and I expect Belegarth, but perhaps to a lesser degree) who come in, start fighting nowhere near an established realm, and then show up at a national event having no real ability with foam fighting. This was my experienced--I came to Ragnarok, I had no idea how to fight, I got my **** wrecked repeatedly and left that event feeling kind of down on myself. But now we have the resources and the will to get new fighters on board with the techniques they will need to build a solid foundation, as well as to provide experienced fighters with more insight into what they already know, and new goals towards which they can work.

If you are within driving distance of this event, I strongly urge you to come. It will be a weekend of hard fighting and serious training. The event site is kickass and the hosts are very cooperative and familiar with our organization, moreover, the campground is right near all the comforts of home (Mmmm...USA Steak Buffet) and also the interstate.

i've looked here and there but i haven't see who is teaching what?

what instructors are you going to have there? and what are they going to be teaching?

Unfotunately, the instructor list is not finalized. Some instructors that we had initially have backed out, so we're trying to get replacements.

People you may have heard of include me, Brennon, Bishop of the Dragoons, and several others whom we have not confirmed yet, unfortunately.

This event is primarily geared towards newer fighters, so I'm not sure how much you personally would benefit (if you wanted to teach something, there's probably an open spot for you) but there will be some good, hard fighting to be had as well as some quality weapon construction tutorial sessions.

I'd love to come, but there's really no way I can make it.

As the organizer of that other teaching event, I love this kind of thing. Its hard to go to Ohio twice in such a short time but it sounds like the right kind of thing.

You can talk about other games' events all you like here. SKBC is also on the list of events in Ohio this yeah that I really wish I was able to go to, but won't be able to make.

I know I can post about SKBC. Heck I have posted about it enough that I am sure some are sick of me.

Lol, I see that now. Cheers, mate.

We never tire of people talking about what they are passionate about.

SKBC is during my sisters graduation from college....

Do you supply materials for the javs and swords? or do we need to come with them? I would fall under the new and ambitious category but I'm not 16 so maybe next year. Think I could just do the weapons part I would still pay the $20.

On a side not i was wondering which event would be better to go and check out rag or Armageddon more vendors and bigger battles the works.(Not trying to hijack a thread here. ^^)

Well, we won't be having actual weapon builds, so much as demonstrations with partially-completed weapons, and completed weapons as examples, and samples of the kinds of materials we like to use, info about how to use it, and so on.

Also, I won't use Bel's forum to tell you not to go to their event. But Ragnarok is larger and has more vendors. Make your own decision.

If vendors and solely attendance is what you're after, you probably would be better off with Rag.

Armageddon has (disclaimer: from a number of stories from attendees of both, so this isn't my personal experience here as I've never been to Rag) harder, longer, cleaner fighting.

Also, there are a number of classes/vendors and other things outside of fighting that are being stepped up this year at Geddon.

I would honestly recommend going to both if you have the opportunity. You can make a much better judgment for yourself that way.

yea it looks like we'll be having some classes being taught at gedon this year.

The consideration for taking two weeks off is VERY tempting but I don't think I can afford it. But....