I came up with the sandwich board, implemented, designed and constructed...
I do accept cookies as rewards for my hardwork.
Also, I took some of the info off the boards somewhere so I can't claim all the credit.
Keep in mind, this is VERY general for the normal person walking by to understand and posted up in bend, oregon so feel free to change your info accordingly.
Here is the text:
Come Fight With Us!
Belegarth Medieval Combat Society turns Dark Age warfare into a safe, fun, full contact sport using foam-padded weapons. On the battlefield we exchange strikes which may be blocked or constitute hits disabling limbs and bodies. This is a fast-paced creative martial art for ages 14 and up. Swords, flails, axes, maces, and more come from cores of fiberglass, PVC, and kite spar tubing surrounded by layers of foam adhered by heavy duty glue and tape. Before being allowed on the field, all weapons are safety checked by ‘heralds’ or referees. Heralds wear yellow tabards and coordinate the battles.
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Feel free to watch, take pictures, root for a warrior or join in the fun!
Rules of Combat:
1. No swinging to the head or neck! Only extra-cushioned projectiles in flight (arrows, javelins, or rocks) are built to safely bounce off the head.
2. Two strikes to any combination of limbs (arms or legs) = ‘death.’ When you ‘die,’ call out “Dead!” while dropping your gear and falling to the ground.
3. One strike to either arm results in putting it behind your back. If your leg receives a strike, you must kneel on the ground and drag the injured leg.
4. One strike to the body (shoulder tops through hips and buttocks) = ‘death.’ For example, if you are hit in the chest you would call out “Dead!”, drop your weapons and lay on the ground. Same for the back, butt, hips, and shoulders.
5. We aim to make solid contact with our opponents. If an opponents’ swing does not make sufficient contact call out “light!” or if the strike only catches clothing, a warrior would call “garb.” Also, hands holding swords and feet on the ground don’t count.
This is an honor-based system, so we count on everyone to keep track of their ‘hits’ and to call their own ‘death.’
For more information check out:
http://www.belegarth.org-------------------------------------------------------------
Belegarth is a national non-profit society consisting of many different groups that gather for local, regional and national events. The group or “realm” in Bend, OR is called Babylon. Babylon’s realm leader is Gavin Douglas or fighting name “Dyse”.
*Practice Times:
Wednesdays * 4pm
Sundays * 1pm
Drake Park year-round
*Practice times may vary depending on weather.
Other Belegarth groups in Oregon can be found in Ashland, Eugene, Sandy, and Portland.
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Fighting names/Persona
In Belegarth, everyone creates their own persona or character. Often, this is simply an alternate name and warrior’s garb but invites people to write their story.
To find out more on creating personas check out
http://www.belegarth.org-------------------------------------------
Affordable
Belegarth is fun and affordable! As you learn to play you are welcome to use loaner gear from the group *. In time, all warriors are expected to acquire their own fighting garb (clothing) and weaponry. One can construct equipment for less than $50 or purchase online for as much as one is willing to spend.
To find out more about how to make weapons check-out rules and regulations at
http://www.belegarth.org----------------------------------------
History
What is the origin of the name 'Belegarth'?
The name Belegarth means "Great Realms" in J.R.R. Tolkien's Sindarin language. The name comes from the following.
beleg = adj. great, mighty y/352, S/428 leka (BEL-EK).
ardh = n. realm, region. Ety/360 arda (AR1-AD).
Ety = Etymologies - History of Middle Earth.
S = Silmilrilian
# is page number
The members of Belegarth are known as 'Belegrim', which means "Mighty People".
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Why do you guys wear funny clothes?
Our clothing is called 'garb'. Garb is the ‘uniform’ for our sport. Warriors are encouraged to make medieval or fantasy themed clothing that portrays their individual persona, unit allegiance, or realm affiliation.
Though the "uniform" rules are more creative in our game than most other sports, Belegarth maintains standards that determine valid garb.
At local practices you may see participants wearing street clothes just like basketball players may wear sweats instead of game jerseys. At national events, however, garb is an elaborate display of tabards, tunics, armor and warrior-wear from all cultures of the world.
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Events
Events may be major competitions or campout gatherings in the woods. Many fighters practice locally to go fight other groups at large national events hosting 200-700 warriors for a few days up to a week at a time. Events often include 1 on 1 or team tournaments, field battles, games, delicious feasts, and fiery nightlife.
Big events in Oregon:
~Western Wars (held either around Portland or Bend area in May)
~Chumpsgiving (held the day after Thanksgiving in Bend)
Other nearby events:
~Thaw Brawl (held in Idaho during April)
~Chaos Wars (held in Idaho during July or August)
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What makes Belegarth different from other medieval combat games?
There are a number of other medieval combat organizations currently in existence: the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), Amtgard, Dagorhir, NERO and others. While there are similarites, there are also differences from one group to another. Belegarth's chief differences come in the level of contact, role-playing and costs to play.
Belegarth combat is a full contact sport. This differentiates it from other foam combat games in that we allow grappling, shield kicks and bashes and do not require participants to pull blows. This allows for fast paced, hard fighting.
Belegarth participants are also not required to roleplay, although it is certainly encouraged. Many foam combat groups have races, classes, magic and roleplaying integrated into the gameplay. Belegarth's combat system is focused entirely on just that: combat. If you choose to roleplay, your character is limited only by your imagination; we have no rules regarding roleplaying and no combat advantages are given.