One morning, as Shannon Heibler was waking up from anxious dreams, she discovered that in bed she had been changed into a monstrous fighter in the making…

 

I came back from Oktoberfest a pretty different member of Belegarth.  I came back wanting more.  Wanting to be a more helpful part of it, nationally and regionally.  I came back wanting to be worth a damn on the field.  I came back wanting to improve my unit and realm even more than they have already improved.  (And they have – I’m so proud!)  So I came back with a plan.  More to the point, I had several plans about my role in Belegarth.  The first part was cozying up with a copy of the Book of War and getting, erm, familiar with it and all its bizarre nooks and crannies.  I’m able to answer most questions now without checking it, but I always keep it close by at practice, just in case.  I’m still a little weak on weapon construction rules.  I also started brain storming ways to make Clan of the Hydra and Rhun even better.  I’m super protective of Hydra as a unit so I’m always wary of us going down “the wrong path.”  It’s come close a couple of times so I’m trying to steer our recruitment in such a way that we will almost never have to worry about that, just because of the mindset of the people we get.  I’d like to see a bit of focus as a unit on helping Belegarth as a whole and making that part of becoming a member – be it recruiting, helping at events, or generally being active and aware of what’s going on in a healthy kind of “Go team!” way.  I’m a little concerned with the slight sense of emphasis on sport wide popularity going on (the who’s who of Belegarth and so forth) which I’m fine with as long as we don’t forget about our pre-existing members.  Once they get left by the wayside… well, I’m honestly assuming it won’t happen.  I just get paranoid. 

 

Personally, I’ve begun a quest to be a better all around fighter.  I generally prefer fighting with a 48” red sword, but I want to learn sword and board so I can help other realm and unit members with the same.  Also, sword and board is much more effective for me (at this point) on the field.  Once I have the basics of the basics down, I’m going back to red to hardcore train on that.  I approached Bo and he’s been awesome about breaking things down for me and other people.  I’m ecstatic to say that I have already seen a pretty notable increase in my skill though I have miles to go…  I need to pick one or two things, or ask Bo to suggest some, to focus on at each practice.  I’ve been overwhelming myself trying to integrate everything and that’s just not going to help me in the end.  It’s funny.  The thing Bo has said (jokingly) to help me the most was to compare (don’t judge!) Belegarth moves and stances to dancing.  I used to be big into ballroom dancing so now I just practice things at home like a dance routine.  My poor downstairs neighbors must hate me. 

 

I’m cross training as well.  I have a blue sword in my cubicle to practice switching grips and positions while I’m on the phone with customers.  I’m picking up some training weights tonight to wear on my shield arm at work so I stop getting tired so quickly (pathetic red wielder that I was…).  I’ve also been trying to run everyday around my neighborhood.  This is the hardest part because a runner, I am not.  I’m actually a great sprinter, but endurance escapes me.  I hope to change that a little bit.  This pesky respiratory ailment that I’m dealing with may stop me briefly though.  Boo.

I’m excited at just how much a change in attitude, or rather, an increased focus can improve me as a participant of this sport.  I encourage other people to do the same if they feel like they’re stuck in a rut, like I was.  I also encourage a strong sense of unit or realm pride.  If you are unhappy about something, bring it up to someone you can trust.  Don’t just let things suck.  Other people probably feel the same way as you, to an extent.  And if there is no one to go to and nothing you can change from the inside, check out another unit. 

 

Might I recommend Clan of the Hydra…?  :0)

[...]

 Structured training session IV focused on techniques for using the sword to block and the shield to attack as well as integrating footwork, attack, and defense into a cohesive entity. 

The first subject we went over was about integrating the basics. I tried running a few drills but they weren't really that good at illustrating the topic. That's definitely something I'll be working on doing better.

The next topic was about using the sword to block. The main points I covered were:

-Using the forte of weapon, i.e., the lower third of the weapon

-Using fist to intercept, i.e. punch blocking

-Arm pump

-Don't anvil

-Turning hand slightly out to block attacks to that side.

We then did a few sword blocking drills. Those went pretty well.

The last topic, and one near and dear to my heart, is about using the shield as an offensive weapon. We first covered how to shield bash. Then we went over how safely shield check someone on a knee as well as how to fall properly--tucking your chin in to prevent your head from banging into the ground-- if you happen to be on the receiving end of that. We then showed how you can use a football technique--hit the shield and then push up--to knock the opponent over with little effort. We then went over shield hooking-using the edge of the shield to hook the inside edge of your opponent's shield, thus creating an opening. You can then follow up with a cross shot to the arm, armpit, or body.

 

The next shield attack was what I call the "drive by". Basically, you step in and simultaneously use the edge of your shield to punch the inside edge of your opponent's shield. This causes the shield arm to pivot towards the body and making the back vulnerable. As you're executing this, you follow with a wrap shot to the back and then continue out of your opponent's range. We stressed how you have to not hesitate when doing this or your opponent may compensate by shifting his feet and continuing to face you. We did a few drills of this and that that was the end of the session.

 

Afterwards Cyric and I talked about how the integration topic should really have been the capstone for this session since it was about taking everything the learned up until this point and applying it. I still need to give further thought as to the kind of drills that are good for this subject.

 

Session V was the introduction to small unit (2-4 people) tactics and formations.

 

The first topic was on 2-person teams and teamwork. I first discussed the main points:

-Communicate with your partner

-Maintain awareness of the other person

-Figure out your zones of coverage

-Avoid bumping each other

-Stay within reach of each other.

-Don't get drawn out.

-Hammer and anvil-One person occupies the single fighter while the other moves to the side or back.

 

We then split the students into groups of three. Each person took turns being the single fighter while the other two worked together to try and quickly take out the single fighter.

 

The next topic was about formations and roles. I talked first about the line formation and had everyone form the line. I talked about how this presented your combat power towards the enemy but can be difficult to control and move in. The next formation was the column which was useful for moving-as long as the person in the front knows where to go, then you should be OK-and in woods battles but not useful in an open field. Your combat power is mainly to your flanks with only a single fighter directly to the front and to the back. The next one we talked about was the wedge which was useful for punching through a shield wall. I pointed out that the point person should go for a gap between shields instead of directly shield bashing a shield. I also talked about how you can set up another wedge directly behind the first one to take advantage of the opening created by the first. After talking about the wedge, we covered the vee formation which is pretty much the inverse of the wedge. The vee is useful primarily in bridge battles for forming what is called a "kill pocket". In a kill pocket, any fighter who steps into it gets hit the front and sides as he attempts to punch through. We also showed how having spears and reds can increase the effectiveness of a kill pocket. After that we talked about two shield formations, one with a spear and two shields and one with an archer and two shields. With a spear and two shields, the spear can engage the enemy outside of melee range or force opponent shields to move creating openings for the shieldmen. With an archer, the shield fighters protect archer from melee fighters as well as enemy missiles while the archer shifts position and fires between gaps. After that, I briefly covered the basic roles on the battlefield: line (front line defense), support (archer, red sword, spear, glaive), and skirmisher (using mobility for engaging the enemy from the flanks or rear).

 

We then covered how to take on a veteran. Since many of the trainees had been to Octoberfest, they had had an opportunity to see this firsthand. The main points I went over were:

-Again emphasizing communication and working together

-Hit high and low but watch the head shots

-Throw shots from unexpected angles

-Don't get separated. That's exactly what the veteran would want you to do.

 

The drills we did were very similar to the ones for the two-person teams only we were using teams of at least three.

 

The last topic of the day was on how to deal with multiple opponents. The main points were:

-Using positioning and not letting all of them be able to engage you at once.

-Singling, i.e., shifting your position so that you're only facing one opponent and the others have to take some time to catch up.

-Using positioning and singling to make them get in the way of each other.

-Gimping and going-engage one and gimp. Move on to the next one and hopefully gimp him. Move on to the next.

-Using your sword to block attacks coming from that side.

-Avoiding the kill pocket

 

The drills we did were similar to the last ones with more focus on the single fighter dealing with multiple opponents.

 

[...]

Well... what can be said about Octoberfest 2007. A great deal things.

First and formost, the awsomeness that was Octoberfest.

It was awsome.

I would like to thank our graciouse hosts on behalf of myself and Thunder-Guard. We had an excellent time, felt welcome... hell, we felt at home and didn't want to leave.

The poeple were great, the fighting was great, the food wasgreat... EVERYTHING was great.

I am excited for the next event me and mine have the privilage of attending.

I could go on quite the rant on how great it was (and belive you me, I did to any who were willing to listen) but I am far too lazy to type it all!

HAIL!

~Reverend of Thunder-Guard~

[...]

So, yeah. Me, my long lost twin, Fayla, and Taverline created the newest drink at Okfest. We decided to call it Anal Sex. If you wonder why we named it that is because once you take the first drink, it make you remenice about everything and anything sexual that you have done or want to do. Plus, Fayla and I have figured we all (who make mixed drinks for events) should create the Belegarth BrewingCo. because there are many drinks like Bug Bear Blood, Saki Dew, Anal Sex, and a couple other drinks I don't remember were there. Well, please people give suggestions and opinions about creating a Belegarth Brewing Co. that will only exist during the events. We want to know what people think, so message me like crazy!!!!!!! Thanks.

[...]

Khador stuff-

So we had six fighters represent Khador this past weekend at Oktoberfest.  Trystan, Locus, Critter, Critter's sister (I don't remember her name), Sean (Sean doesn't have a fighting name yet.  He will get one before the next event) and myself.  Lucos's son was there but was too young to fight.

I am obviously quite happy regarding this.  Usually it is just Trystan and myself who represent Khador.  We all were overwhelmed during realm battles obviously, but man did I enjoyed fighting for Khador more then anything else.  I love my growing realm.  We have been getting no fewer then fifteen per Rockford practice for the past eight weeks.  We are obviously not the best fighters but a fair number of the guys there are on the path.  They have a lot of potential.  They understand the game well, they take their hits well, and most importantly, they are eager to learn.  A few of them are or have gotten their garb and weapons together, much faster then what I was when I first started this sport.  I have high hopes for them.

 

Just like in every practice/realm, there are two or three who don't take their hits well.  Everyone knows it, so they don't take it personally.  They aren't likely to show up to events anyways.  And if they do, I encourage everyone to plow them over if they are not taking their hits.  It is the way it should be.  Anywhos, funny how in this past Sunday's practice, I was too tired to fight because I just got back from Okfest, so I just heralded the entire time.  So I saw two of them not taking a hit so I grabbed a red axe, announced that if I don't see someone taking their hit then I will red them full force.  I watched them carefully and I did not see anymore problems for the rest of practice. :)

On a Khador news note, we are going to find a indoor location here hopefully soon.  Once we do, I am going to have no fewer then twenty five posters printed off and I will distribute them in Rockford and the surrounding communities.  If this means we gain one more memeber, it is totally worth it.

CofH stuff-

I am now officially a Guard in Clan of the Hydra.  I only have two words to describe my feelings:

FUCKEN YEY!

Other then one stupid minor issue which may or may not be a problem in the future, this unit is perfect for me and I am perfect for this unit.

I just had to ware my sexy new tabard all day Sunday... afterall I didn't get home until about 9p.m. anyways.

 

 

One more thing I must comment on because I think they deserve high praise.

I was quite impressed with awesome turnout from Thunder Guard in Thunder Bay Canada.  A shitton of you guys down for a 1600 mile trip.  Way to go!

p.s. if I sound like a complete retard, I am sorry.  I have spent the last four days writing three essays that have made me feel asthough I have lost I.Q.  I guess this is what happens when I go to a community "college".

[...]

[...]

I was wondering if anyone knows of or is in,or owns a group/unit near Chicago,IL,that isnt way out there.......I hope to get in one asap,thx..

I very much miss attending events this summer! It seems like much "life" has gotten in the way of me attending things this season (both practice and events).

I hear your name in certain circles, and it always makes me smile

I spend my time thinkin' about you, and it's almost driving me wild

And there's a heart that's breaking down this long distance line tonight...

 

 

[...]

 

...for they are our future.

 

I personally hate the term "noob" but it's become such a part of our terminology along with "hold", "rhinohide" and "gimp". To some, a new member is fresh meat, a "willing" pell to be beaten on. To others, a new member is the grating, and at times annoying, person who is still trying to figure out where he fits in. And to some, a new fighter is a person with a lack of control, who swings excessively and headshots every person they fight. But they bring such boundless enthusiasm and driving willingness to learn. Ah, how quickly we forget that we were that noob once. And that's really what I'm getting at.

 

We all had to start somewhere. Look back on when you first started. Were you left to fend for yourself or did someone help you through the growing pains? I remember my first mentor in fighting, Sir Killian of Valdemar (no relation to the current Sir Killian). When I first started coming out, he epitomized what I thought a knight should be...hell on wheels with an undeniable presence on the field. When he commanded you, you followed without hesitation. But without him, I wonder if I would be where I am now. Time and time again, I hear stories of veterans who ended up staying in because of someone or perhaps a few people who saw their potential beneath the surface. Can you be that person?

 

Here are a few things you can do to keep your new members going:

 

1. Be mindful of the example you set. New fighters will pick up on the fighters who throw tantrums, storm off the field, blow off shots, or argue with the marshals. If a veteran gets away with it, why shouldn't they? Conversely, if the new members see veterans taking their hits, enjoying what they're doing, and being respectful to each other, they're going to see that too.

 

2. Take them under your wing. It's far easier to let them fend for themselves, to let them continuously be beaten down until they either step up or walk away. But oftentimes that leads to alienation and a person leaving the sport. For many of us, it's how we learned. Why should the fighters of today have it any easier? Teaching them takes work. Mentoring them takes work. However, it can be difficult to stick around when you're crushed on a regular basis and it seems like there's no one willing to help.

 

3. Be approachable and take the initiative to seek them out. Vets are often intimidating and sometimes outright terrifying to our new fighters. Don't make it any harder for them by making that expectation a reality.

 

4. Be patient. It can be difficult and frustrating especially when they keep making the same mistakes over and over. But, again, did you not go through that yourself?

 

5. Introduce them to opportunities outside of fighting. Do you know fighters who look at non-fighters with derision as if they are somehow less because they cannot or choose not to fight? That's a lousy attitude but it's one that can be easily propagated. Everyone contributes in their own way and fighting should NEVER be considered the only meaningful thing out there.

 

6. Hang out with them outside of practice. Make them feel welcome. Show them that the social interactions in Belegarth can be just as fulfilling as the fighting aspects.

 

7. At their first event, look out for them and introduce them to the people you know. Don't let them fend for themselves and end up doing something that may haunt them later.

 

8. Encourage them to make their own garb and weapons. That time and emotional investment is often the spark that keeps them interested in Belegarth.

 

9. Impress upon them how Belegarth MUST take a back seat to real life. If they're not doing well in school, then they need to focus on their studies. It's so easy to get caught up with hanging out with friends instead of studying or going to class, particularly in a college environment.

 

New members of Belegarth are the children of our community and you, the veterans and established members, have a direct effect on their growth and development. It's up to you whether you choose to embrace them with open arms or weed them out with indifference.

[...]

It's a common thread with any type of sport or activity- the "Oh, you should have been at this game/event/random happening!" or "When you go to a game/event/random happening, you'll really understand".

Well, I gotta say I do now.

 It had been the talk of most of the realm for quite some time. I mean, you really couldn't have a conversation thatdidn't involve Octoberfest, getting prepared, or how much of a freaking blast it was going to be. And truly, it was.

As a new fighter, it's hard to imagine an event, even with the most in depth descriptions from the veterans. I mean, yeah, it's easy to grasp that there is a field and the realms and units are in different camps around the campground. But, other than that, how do you describe the rest? I mean, no one told me how much of a kickass feast there would be. Turkey legs on Friday? My God! It was great, even if you disagreed with the turkey's taste (which there is always someone).

 And what can I say about realm battles? Nothing is better than your realm whipping someone else's ass. I mean, for the previous two months, we had never fought as a realm before. I mean, practice was always the realm divied up, so you never actually saw your realm whomping the crap outta soeone else collectively. I mean, it was really quite awesome to work together as a whole with the folks you know, and to take down them. I mean, sure, people criticize the "us and them" motif, but you must admit, when your with "us" and whomping the living bejeezus out of "them", it's really quite intense. Even folks who don't fight as much came out to fight with the realm. Although, that's the other side of events- I'm not really sure if we won or not... It really wasn't made clear. But that's no matter, I have to say it was fun to see Wolfpack fight Numenor. For those of you not aware of each realms collegiate affiliations- Wolfpack of the High Plains draws from Illinois State University whereas Numenor draws from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (they're unofficial rivals. While ISU doesn't really play U of I, both schools compete against each other/ compare themselves to the other in terms of...well, everything. ISU is sort of the underdog though). ESPN loves to cover college game days- the Big 10, Notre Dame versus whoever, etc. Who would have ever thought that it would be schools competing against each other in terms of foam sword fighting. What's better is that it wasn't just ISU and U of I representing. The University of Wisconsin at Madison, the different Iowa schools, Eastern Illinois University and so on. While Belegarth is by no means all college students, for us, I would say it's fun to test ISU's mettle against our Champaign rivals.

But that aside, it's the night life that adds another key component to an event. The medieval nature of the sport lends itself dramatically to a camping environment. There is something that screams of a different time with thumping drums, bellydancers (quite lovely bellydancers too, I might add...) and a Wolfpack favorite- Fun with Fire (a special shoutout to Trigger, Lock, Momma Sorcia, Tobin and I think Lysis or Illian (I'm still hazy with the members of Wolfpack that we don't see on a regular basis, so I apologise for any confusion) for showing us how playing with fire is really done!). The nightlife is amazing- and I have to say that the Brotherhood has some good taste in singalongs, especially for Flogging Molly.

As a side note, Sir Fox had told us (meaning the new fighters) to go to the main fire. I have to stress this: it's absolutely worth it. Sir Thorn was going around and trying to get people to go, and if you can go, I would do so, if only for a little while. People started dissing on it, saying that it wasn't what it once was and I think I know why- the more people you have, the more jumping the party is. If no one goes, then no one parties, it's that simple.

The only bad parts of Octoberfest is that of the weather (Hotoberfest- especially on Saturday during the day) and the fact that new fighters, while being told by the older fighters what we should bring- we inevitably don't bring something/think of something that would be especially useful. But, seeing as those two little "issues" are small, insignificant, and largely out of the control of mortal men, all is good.

I loved Octoberfest, and I have to say- bring on Springwars (of course, after Wolfpack Opener!). I've already got plans for Springwars and now I'm one event wiser, it should be even more of a blast.

 

[...]