Dagorhir Battle Games are many things to many people. Dagorhir combines fast paced full-contact
combat simulation with elements of live action role-playing. Dagorhir combines elements of both history and fantasy. Dagorhir
is both a game and a sport. Dagorhir's participants experience Dagorhir on a variety of levels. This wide ranging appeal is
the reason for Dagorhir's nationwide success.
Dagorhir was founded in 1977 by a bunch of college friends who shared an enthusasim for Tolkien's
Lord of the Rings and medieval history. Regular "battles" were held, and friends were encouraged to come out and play. Over
the next couple of years, Dagorhir was featured on a number of local college radio shows. Demonstrations were performed at
Maryland's local Renaissance Festival. Dagorhir's membership began to expand in the Maryland/Virginia area. Dagorhir was featured
on a variety of news shows called PM Magazine in 1982, and hundreds of new members joined. This show was featured accross
the country, and new chapters (realms) sprouted in various locations including Ohio and Illinois. By 1986, a national event
called Ragnarok was held in Ohio. Ragnarok has grown every year, drawing hundreds of avid Dagorhir enthusiasts from all over
the United States.
As with many well known role-playing games that started as a fad in the 1970's, Dagorhir was originally
based on The Lord of the Rings. The name "Dagorhir" is derived from Tolkien's Sindarin Elven Language, and translates to "Battle
Lords". While there are some similarities between Dagorhir and role-playing games, Dagorhir boasts many advantages. Dagorhir
is a sport, not a table top game. Dagorhir is athletically challenging. Its participants learn competition and team spirit.
You do not have to be an athlete to enjoy Dagorhir. Dagorhir caters to everyone. Dagorhir is an exciting form of excercise
that improves coordination and balance. Dagorhir is social, and allows for interaction among a diverse group of people. Role-playing
games restrict social interaction to one's immediate freinds. Computer games are even more limiting in this respect. Dagorhir's
particitpants include a vast range of people, including college students and professors, high school students, construction
workers and accountatns, computer "geeks" to goths. Dagorhir challenges creativity and imagination. Dagorhir members make
costumes, armor, and (safe) weapons for use in Dagorhir events. Dagorhir inspires arts and crafts as they build and create
accessories to help them more fully enjoy the game. Members interact impovisationally with characters they develop and portray
in a historic/fantasy setting. Dagorhir "weapons" are well padded to prevent injuries. Dagorhir's combat rules outline safe
conduct for all our members, and these rules are strictly enforced by the "Heralds" (referees). Within the rules, combatants
may slam, wrestle, and even "kill" their opponents. In our civilized age this "weekend warfare" is a gratifying relief from
the stresses and anxieties of everyday (mundane) life.
First time participants creat a historically or fantasy-based persona to portray. This imaginary
"character" should coincide with the participant's fantasy, and their perferred means of escape from everyday life. A new
member must bring or borrow a costume, and a weapon for thier character to use. They will be required to sign a release form
and provide proof of age. Minors ages sixteen and up may participate only with parental concent (minnimum age in Rowanoak
is 13). All participants are required to check in with the event organisors before they enter the battle field. During check-in
experianced Dagorhir members will evaluate each participant. Each weapon is measured against stringent safety standards, and
each costume must meet minnimal standards of appearance. Then the participant pays any site fees, or other cost for the event.
(Weekly practices are free, and so are most events in Rowanoak if the event is at a public park or site.) They register their
character and join in the fun.
New members are often discouraged when they are confronted with skilled participants with many years
of experiance. Don't be discouraged, by your third event or practice you will begin to develop a "combat sense" and a fighting
style, that will help you to survive.
Dagorhir allow us to build our fantasies into a shared reality. To experiance Dagorhir is to grasp
at the unobtainable. Dagorhir allows us all to realize our dreams beyond the mundane existance of everyday life.
Sean (Dominus) Richey.
