Amtgard is a live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries (Germany, Croatia, Canada, Korea, and more). The organization has hundreds of active groups with over ten thousand members world-wide.[1] A live action role-playing game, or LARP as it is commonly known, is a form of role-playing game where the participants perform some or all of the physical actions of the characters they play the role of. ... Smaug in his lair: an illustration for the fantasy The Hobbit Fantasy is a genre of art that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. ... A roleplaying game (RPG) is a type of game in which players assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create stories. ... A foam weapon, known as a boffer or latex weapon, is a padded weapon used for simulated combat and are strongly associated with some Live action role-playing games. ...

History

Amtgard was created by James H. Haren II, also known as Peter La Grue, in El Paso, Texas in 1983^[1]. Taking pieces from the rulebooks for both Emarthnguarth and Dagorhir (both of which he had played previously), he advertised in the newspaper for an event known as "Attila the Hun's Birthday Bash." Though only a few people showed that first day, it was a hit, and soon the game spread throughout the state and then the country. The largest concentrations of Amtgard chapters are in Texas and the Central United States, but groups are found throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Croatia, Japan, Finland, Germany, Korea, Russia, and Sweden^[2]. El Paso redirects here. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Dagorhir is a live-action dark age battlegame (or LARP) organization founded in Maryland in 1977. ... The Central United States is a bridge region between the Eastern United States and Western United States. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 in South Korea or ì¡°ì„  in North Korea, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ...

Contrary to urban legend, Amtgard is neither a Scandinavian word for "the middle ground," nor an acronym for the founding members. Amtgard is named after two very good friends of Peter La Grue's from his Emarthnguarth days, Matthew and Katy Amt, who now participate in Roman Legion recreations on the east coast.

Amtgard has given birth to a few splinter groups, notably the High Fantasy Society.

Several aspects of Amtgard have been influenced by the Society for Creative Anachronism - in particular the Amtgard system of knighthood closely resembles the peerage system of the SCA. The Society for Creative Anachronism (usually shortened to SCA) is a historical reenactment and living history group approximating mainly pre-17th century Western European history and culture. ... For other uses, see Peerage (disambiguation). ... The Society for Creative Anachronism (usually shortened to SCA) is a historical reenactment and living history group approximating mainly pre-17th century Western European history and culture. ...

Ruleset

Character creation in Amtgard is class-based; that is, players choose a "template" archetype with pre-established abilities, similar to systems used by Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop roleplaying games. Players can increase the abilities of their characters by going up in level; a player's level is determined by the length of game time they have played that particular class. The original Dungeons & Dragons set Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) published by Gary Gygax and David Arneson in January 1974. ...

The primary focus of the rules of the game is combat. The abilities of the classes are generally related to combat. Non-combat oriented talents and attributes are left up to the imagination and actual capabilities of the players and are not covered by specific rules.

Amtgard combat is resolved with actual physical fighting, though there are some rules in place to enhance safety. The weapons are boffer weapons (with less emphasis on realism and more emphasis on safety) but a player's physical ability, rather than game-based attributes as with other LARPs, determines the outcome allowing for a more realistic experience. Despite this, injuries are quite rare due to the stringent attention paid to safety. Contact is limited between fighters and non-weapon tactics like grappling or shield bashing are strictly prohibited. The basic combat rules are nearly identical to Dagorhir with a "limb loss" system. The main differences in the games are the inclusion of a magic system for some battle-games in Amtgard, and the evolution of the boffer sword. Amtgard fighting tends to be much faster and more technical than Dagorhir or its spinoffs. The universal round blade used widely in Amtgard has led the game more away from "fantasy scenario battles" and into a stick tag sport at its core. Tournaments and "ditching" (a form of combat where two teams face off and engage using only limb loss rules and no special abilities) have become popular. A latex boffer Sword and Dagger. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

One large difference between Amtgard and games such as NERO is that combat in Amtgard is hit-location based instead of hit-point based. A hit from a weapon does not decrease a "hit point" total, but instead disables the location struck. A blow to the arm or leg disables the limb and a blow to the torso kills the player. Any combination of 2 limb shots also kills the player. Two limb shots to the same arm is also considered a death, while multiple shots to the same leg have no effect after the first shot. NERO is an acronym for New England Role playing Organization. ...

Amtgard also utilizes armor for a number of classes. Armor is handled more along the "hit-point" method, with each type of armor granting a specific number of "hit-points" to each hit-location covered. Regular weapon hits to covered locations remove a single point of armor, however, several classes, spells and creatures are able to remove additional points per blow. For example, a 6th level Warrior in full-plate mail might have 6 points of "protection" in the chest, but a magically enhanced sword might remove 2 or more points with each successful hit. Magical armor functions in much the same way, although certain kinds can grant a form of invulnerability, limiting all damage to a single point at a time. Armor can change the balance of a battle by allowing a single player to absorb as much damage as three or four regular players before "dying." Unlike weapons, realism is encouraged with armor in Amtgard, as non-period materials and shoddy construction can reduce the protection granted by the armor.

Magic, another important aspect of Amtgard, is handled primarily either by audible incantations or by thrown "spell balls", small, safely-padded, brightly colored projectiles. Although only a few classes are able to cast magic, the power of magic on the battlefield is significant enough to limit the number of spellcasters in relation to other non-spell casting classes in most battlegames.

Battlegames range from one-on-one tournaments to team battles of forty or fifty people to mass warfare with hundreds of players. The largest "grand melees" are held at the major annual events and can incorporate hundreds of members from chapters all over the world. Conversely, scripted "quests" can involve just a dozen or two participants, and may involve puzzles as well as combat.

^[3]

Setting

Unlike many other fantasy roleplaying games, Amtgard has no established "backstory" to its world. The setting encourages and incorporates elements of historical Europe and Asia as well as the high and low fantasy genres. World map showing the location of Europe. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ... High fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that is set in invented or parallel worlds. ... Low fantasy is a term not devised to describe a specific subgenre but to contrast specific works with high fantasy. ...

Society

Amtgard has a cultural side as well, emphasizing various cultural fairs and competitions as well as various forms of creative expression.

Two important structures in Amtgard culture are the Fighting Company and the Household, both voluntary memberships. A Fighting Company is essentially a military structure, much like a "clan" in any multi-player video game, whereas a Household is devoted to some cultural or personal goals, such as the arts, benevolence, common interests, etc. Both generally place a high value on contributing to the club as a whole, and often have a specific mission statement.

A number of slang terms have evolved within the Amtgard community^[4], a few of the most common are as follows:

• Ditch Battle / Ditch - A melee only form of in-game combat where players line up in opposing sides and engange one another. No classes, no class abilities, no projectile weapons. Only melee weapons.
• Trench Battle / Trench - See Ditch Battle.
• Stick Jock - A player whose focus is mostly in fighter classes, often "ditching" and playing the game more as a sport.
• Ditch Monkey (Trench Monkey) - A player that primarily "ditches" (see Ditch Battle).
• Flurb - A player that more frequently Role-Plays, but generally lacks sport skill. Generally considered a derogatory term.
• Slougher (Sluffer) - A player that ignores the rules of combat, either knowingly or unintentionally. As in to "slough" a hit, as a reptile would slough (shed) its skin. In short - a cheater.

Awards and Honors

Amtgard has a system of awards and honors based on past contributions and accomplishments^[5]. There are incremental awards for all sorts of arts and crafts, ranging from sewing to singing to armor smithing. By achieving 10 ranks of most awards one might also attain the Masterhood for that award. As an example, someone who is very generous and works hard to benefit the province or Amtgard as a whole may gain Orders of the Rose. After attaining 10 Orders of the Rose, one is eligible to be given the title Master of the Rose (rules differ per kingdom). The ruling body of each sub-chapter can also create awards for specific actions or talents that aren't included in the standard selection. The inclusion of a standardized awards system that has encouraged and advanced the Arts & Sciences in Amtgard.

Amtgard's honor system includes not only awards but titles and ranks as well. Titles such as Lord/Lady, Duke/Duchess, Marquis/Marquise, and Viscount/Viscountess are titles bestowed on members in recognition for work in the game or holding offices. For other uses, see Lord (disambiguation). ... A lady is a woman who is the counterpart of a lord; or, the counterpart of a gentleman. ... A duke is a nobleman, historically of highest rank and usually controlling a duchy. ... The term duke is a title of nobility which refers to the sovereign male ruler of a Continental European duchy, to a nobleman of the highest grade of the British peerage, or to the highest rank of nobility in various other European countries, including Spain and France (in Italy, principe... Marquis has many different meanings: The French spelling of the title known in English as Marquess and Margrave. ... A marquise is a French noblewoman ranking above a countess and below a duchess, and is usually the wife of a marquis. ... A viscount is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl (in Britain) or a count (his continental equivalent). ... A viscount is a member of the European nobility, especially of France, and of the British peerage, where a viscount ranks above a baron, below an earl (a count in France), and corresponds in Britain to the Anglo-Saxon shire reeve. ...

The most sought after title in Amtgard is that of Knight. Knighthood in Amtgard is broken into 4 orders, each with different criteria with some minor variations from Kingdom to Kingdom. A Knight in Amtgard is entitled to wear a white belt (trimmed with the color of the knighthood), an unadorned chain (a symbol of fealty), spurs, and a phoenix (the symbol of Amtgard). A player that has been a Knight for 12 weeks may also play the class of Paladin or Anti-Paladin. The silver Anglia knight, commissioned as a trophy in 1850, intended to represent the Black Prince. ... Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne; from a manuscript of a chanson de geste. ... The phoenix from the Aberdeen Bestiary. ...

A Knight is allowed to choose members to become their pupils. Should a mutual agreement be reached, the member becomes a Squire to the Knight. Squires follow their Knights and assist them to the fullest of their abilities, on the field and off, in exchange for their tutelage. Often a Squire will assist in making garb for their Knight, as well as weapons or armor, and is usually seen assisting their Knight in combat, when they are together. A Squire is allowed to wear a red belt. The silver Anglia knight, commissioned as a trophy in 1850, intended to represent the Black Prince. ... For the guitar company, see Squier. ... (See also List of types of clothing) Introduction Humans often wear articles of clothing (also known as dress, garments or attire) on the body (for the alternative, see nudity). ...

Knight of the Crown

• A Leadership order for preforming well in club office.
• Belt trim is Gold.
• Suggested Criteria, hold three of the four high offices with distinction, or two terms as Monarch.

Knight of the Flame

• A service order for contributions to the group.
• Belt trim is red
• Suggested criteria is to attain Master Rose, Master Lion, or Master Smith.

Knight of the Serpent

• An achievement order for excellence in the arts and/or sciences.
• Belt trim is green
• Suggested criteria is to attain Master Dragon, Master Owl, or Master Garber.

Knight of the Sword

• A military order for fighting skills and battlefield prowess.
• Belt trim is silver
• Suggested criteria is to attain three of any of these four; Warlord (Masterhood for the Order of the Warrior), Defender (A title awarded for excellence in the position of Champion of a Kingdom), or winning a Weaponmaster or equivalent tournament.

Squire

• Apprentice to a Knight
• Red Belt

Man at Arms

• Underling of a Squire, Knight, Lord, or other noble
• Black belt

Page

• Underling of a Squire, Knight, Lord, or other noble
• Yellow belt

Organization

A common theme of medieval and fantasy feudalism runs through even the official level. Amtgard sub-chapters are generally organized by size, with smaller groups (called variously a "shire," "barony," "duchy," or "principality," depending on the number of active members and how long the group has been around) grouped under the larger or older chapters, called "kingdoms." Each sub-chapter is contractually bound to abide by the official Rules of Play (currently version 7.2) and is sponsored and supported by one of the Amtgard kingdoms. Each kingdom is a Not-For-Profit Organization registered in their state of origin. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne; from a manuscript of a chanson de geste. ... A shire is an administrative area of Great Britain and Australia. ... Various rulers or governments of Europe, of Japan bestow or recognise the title of baron. ... A duchy is a territory, fief, or domain ruled by a duke or duchess. ... A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a Monarch with the title of prince or princess (a synonym is princedom) or (in the widest sense) a Monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince. ... For the comic series, see Monarchy (comics). ...

The kingdoms, along with their primary locations, are ^[6]:

• The Kingdom of the Burning Lands, El Paso, Texas
• The Kingdom of the Emerald Hills, Dallas, Texas
• The Celestial Kingdom, Central Texas
• The Empire of the Iron Mountains, Colorado
• The Kingdom of the Golden Plains, Amarillo, Texas
• The Kingdom of Dragonspine, Las Cruces, New Mexico
• The Kingdom of the Wetlands, Southeast Texas, Louisiana
• The Kingdom of Goldenvale, Nashua, New Hampshire
• The Kingdom of Neverwinter, Florida, Georgia
• The Kingdom of the Rising Winds, Indianapolis, Indiana
• The Kingdom of the Black Spire Washington, Oregon, Idaho
• The Kingdom of Crystal Groves, Maryland

El Paso redirects here. ... Nickname: Motto: Live Large. ... Central Texas (a part of which is Texas Hill Country), is a region in the U.S. state of Texas. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Nickname: Location within the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas County Potter (and Randall) Government  - Mayor Debra McCartt Area  - City  90. ... Las Cruces is a city in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. ... Southeast Texas is a region in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Texas. ... Official language(s) de jure: none de facto: English & French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans [1] Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33°N  - Longitude 89°W... Nickname: Gate City Location in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Coordinates: Country United States State New Hampshire County Hillsborough Incorporated 1746 Government  - Mayor Bernard A. Streeter Area  - City  31. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area South Florida Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Indiana Coordinates: , County Marion Founded 1821 Government  - Mayor Bart Peterson (D) Area  - City  372 sq mi (963. ... Official language(s) English Capital Olympia Largest city Seattle Area  Ranked 18th  - Total 71,342 sq mi (184,827 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 6. ... Official language(s) (none)[1] Capital Salem Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 9th  - Total 98,466 sq mi (255,026 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English [1] Capital Boise Largest city Boise Area  Ranked 14th  - Total 83,642 sq mi (216,632 km²)  - Width 305 miles (491 km)  - Length 479 miles (771 km)  - % water 0. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N  - Longitude 75° 03′ W to 79° 29...

See also

• Boffer
• Belegarth
• Society for Creative Anachronism

A latex boffer Sword and Dagger. ... Belegarth Medieval Combat Society is a live-action battlegame organization devoted to simulating Dark Age and Mediæval combat. ... The Society for Creative Anachronism (usually shortened to SCA) is a historical reenactment and living history group approximating mainly pre-17th century Western European history and culture. ...

References

1. ^ Amtwiki Article
2. ^ Amtgard Atlas
3. ^ Amtgard Rulebook
4. ^ Amtgard Terms
5. ^ Amtgard Corpora
6. ^ Amtgard Kingdom List from Amtwiki

External links

• AmtgardInc.com Official website
• Rules of Play Official Rulebook
• Amtgard Atlas Atlas of Amtgard Chapters
• The Online Record Keeper (ORK) Online Amgard player records
• The E-Samurai The largest Amtgard-specific forum
• AmtWiki The Amtgard Wiki site
• RedHawk Radio Amtgard created and run radio station. Features weekly show about Amtgard called Radio Free Amtgard.
• Amtgard.ca An Amtgard site concerned with the Canadian branch of Amtgard.

Kingdoms of Amtgard

• Emerald Hills Kingdom of the Emerald Hills website
• Celestian Kingdom The Celestial Kingdom website
• Iron Mountains Empire of the Iron Mountains website/forums
• Golden Plains Kingdom of the Golden Plains website
• Rising Winds The Kingdom of the Rising Winds
• Wetlands Kingdom of the Wetlands website
• Blackspire Kingdom of Blackspire website
• Goldenvale Kingdom of Goldenvale website

Other Amtgard Chapters

• Desert Winds Principality of Desert Winds, sponsored by the Empire of the Iron Mountains
• Principality of the Rosetta Pact Principality of the Rosetta Pact, sponsored by the Empire of the Iron Mountains
• Grand Duchy of Stormhaven Grand Duchy of Stormhaven in Washington
• Grand Duchy of Wolvenfang in Sudbury Ontario, Canada

Copyright References for Amtgard.

• Amtgard Books of Combat and Magic (Rules of Play).
• List of Amtgard Copyrights.