The warriors among us

It’s strange phenomenon, how easily a veteran can pick out other skilled fighters in a mob of Belegrim. It reminds me of a senior in high school, intuitively spotting gullible Freshmen ripe for pranking. Of course, there are some easy indicators like impressive garb or armor, but even with nothing but street clothes and a sword in their hand, the battle-hardened of Belegarth are still obvious. Despite this, I often get pegged as a fighter. It even happens among people who have known me for years, casually asking “Hey, why haven’t you gotten...

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Typecasting female event-goers

An overview of some of the women you will meet if you go to a Belegarth event. What type(s) are you? The Feminist - “I am woman, watch me fight!” She is all about her other ladies, battling for equality within Belegarth. The Feminist can be found trying to pull other women together around her, forming strong bonds of sisterhood. She isn’t usually a man-hater, but can sometimes come across as over-sensitive when surrounded by so many guys. The Dude - “Sisterhood? I prefer brothers-in-arms.” This girl would rather be known as one of the boys....

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How NOT to pick up a Belegarth girl

It is inevitable, given the ratio of men to women in Belegarth, that you will eventually be hit on if you’re female. Even I, in my quiet corner of the game, have managed to attract the odd suitor. And, like anywhere else, it always seems like those most confident in their pickup lines are the most awful. So, this is a little PSA for all the guys out there who might try to pick up a girl at Bele: don’t do these things! 5) Bragging about your kill count - “Yes, I’m in beast mode today! I’ve killed five people in the past hour!” This one is especially...

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Honor and Respect - The Pitfalls of Hit-Taking

Every vet has had to explain the phrase “honor sport” if they've ever taught a new person. This is usually followed by rounds of questions about cheating, making you wonder if they’re gauging just how much they can get away with. A few minutes later, you still find yourself giving a stern lecture that they can’t yell out “I hit you!” like they’re a kid playing cops and robbers. It doesn't matter that they are absolutely sure the other guy is cheating. It doesn't matter that they felt something solid under their sword. It doesn't matter that...

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The Fighter's Shadow

Who is the fighter’s shadow? They are the tireless men and women who serve Belegarth, never receiving a word of thanks or praise. They are the non-coms, spending hours making garb for their friends, forgotten with the words “lay on”. They are the significant other, left alone all day as they wonder what role they have at an event. They are the curious newbie, full of hope and questions but ignored by their veterans. They are all those who suffer under the weight of Belegarth’s apathetic, abrasive culture but still believe in its promise. ...

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Do you want to spar?

“Do you want to spar?” An innocent question, asked thousands of times at every Belegarth event, dozens even at a single practice. It is short and sweet but holds layers of meaning. It can be sign of respect, an offer to help, or even the beginnings of friendship. It is a symbol of inclusiveness, a way to reach out to our fellow Belegrim and say, “Hey, let’s learn together.” But, despite its benign nature, that simple phrase has triggered terrible anxiety in me for nearly eight years. After a lifetime of competing with men in academics and...

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How it began

I was first introduced to Belegarth as a Freshman in college. It was not through the fanfare of U of I’s Quad Day, a sea of wide-eyed hopefuls seeking their fortune, but at our local realm’s opener. At the time I didn’t even know the name “Numenor”, but it would come to define most of my days at the university. My first experience was completely uneventful. I had been invited by an old high school friend who had already fought for a year, asking me to to watch over his things and take pictures if I’d like. He figured I’d enjoy it; after all,...

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