In the spirit of posting more content, I went to my first ever storytelling open mic (on 5-1-15) and what better story to tell than the happenings at a Belegarth camping event. This is basically an explanation of what a typical event day looks like in short story format from my (Maron's) point of view. Enjoy!
Since I live in Chicago, I have also posted the current locations and Facebook pages of the area practices (meetups). If it's your first time, we have loaner gear for you. Just show up in workout clothes and prepare to sweat :)
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Note: This story is based on a fantasy, but all of this is 100% true!
Maron has never been the typical face of society. As a pseudonym for the lady standing behind the mic, she stands for style and smiles, minus the sass. With her life being a large adventure consisting of being a poet, web developer, martial artist, sword fighter, chef, nerd, healthspirer, blogger, youtuber, warrior, musician, musical producer, singer, lyricist, short story artist, volunteer, comedian, photographer, dance game master, aspiring gameshow winner, novelist, teacher, mentor, public speaker, and now a story teller, for this segment, we shall delve into the land of nerdom, which connects with being a warrior, martial artist, and sword fighter. Maron is a full-fledged fighter despite over 80% of the combatant population being male. Oh well!
Welcome to the “Belegarth Medieval Combat Society”: A land where people wear medieval garb and whack each other with various foam weapons.
Well, what on earth is that? How is this even something remotely fun? It seems kind of… weird
Fun? The entire group revolves around foam, fun, fighting, friendship, family, and food! People from everywhere land (98% nationally) gather in one central location to enjoy the awesomeness!
This past weekend (April 23rd-26th), Maron had recently returned from “Spring Wars”, one of many “events” where several hundred people gather on a campground and camp, fight, socialize, and be merry for several days while enjoying being off the grid for a bit and not having to worry about adulting.
Maron arrived at YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln at approximately 10:30pm in Davenport, Iowa, aka smack dab in bu-fu nowhere, and went to “troll” aka check-in. She then entered the distant land of Selonia, aka her cabin, and set up shop, changed into her medieval garb, and went wandering for the night.
By the end of the very cold night, I ended up in “Hellhammer” camp in a circle talking about living in Chicago and taking the train.
The next morning, we all wake up at morning o’clock, which is generally between 8 and 10am because we don’t really check our phones or wear watches, take our foam weapons to “weapons check” to ensure safety and that the weapons meet the length/weight requirements and such, and you take them with you once they’ve been checked. Once your weapons are checked, make sure to eat some breakfast. It can span from a granola bar, cereal, eggs, lots and lots of bacon, coffee, tea, and you can even hit up Lady Feri, the food vendor, who sells the tastiest unhealthy indulgences ever, such as a bratwurst wrapped in a cheese quesadilla… Mmmmmm, fattening! Afterwards, you change into your “fighting garb” and prepare for the epic battles, which last for several hours. You can fight with a sword/shield, two swords, dagger, spear, two-handed sword, javelins, and even throw a “poke ball rock” (made of yarn) on someone’s head and win the fight against that person. After one of the days of fighting, there was a 5 man tourney, where Maron decided to join last minute with one of her fellow Selonians, two fellow Chicago folk, and a random newbie from Canada… Yes, people come to these things all the way from freeking Canada!
Next, it’s time to clean yourself up, change in to your feast garb, go to the “feast hall” (or tent), and eat even better than you can at home… unless you’re a chef like Maron is. This time, beef/vegetarian Chili and beef stew were served the first feast night and garlic/onion pork roast, pulled chicken cooked in a wood fire, ratatouille, and salad were served the second feast night. Mmmmmm, the tastiness!
Once feast has been served and cleaned up, it’s time to have some drinks and be merry… people even home-made their own beer, meade, apple pie drink, and much more. Maron’s palette of drink is always left smiling.
Since there is way more to these events than can be described in 7 minutes, for a small piece of nightlife pie, let’s just say that on Saturday night, Maron and the Selonians decided to adventure to “Pirate Camp”, the land off in the distant dark scary mudpit downhill maze past the scary, poisonous trees. Thankfully, the camp was able to be spotted easily because that’s where the main fire was. Drunken pirate songs were sung, cowbells were hit, jolly jolly grog was passed around, and fire spinners were spinning their fire sticks. After awhile, Maron had enough grog and wanted to go wander around some more until she encountered the Jesters Court, another group of fighters. One of the Selonians, named Flea, decided to wander with Maron and ended up in the Jester’s headquarters, located right next to some campfire and the crab shack, where Geyser was setup. Flea was a very sleepy Flea and decided to pass out in one of the Jester’s tents. Lots of conversations about history and the Children’s Crusade later, we needed to “flick Flea back to Sylas camp… or wherever”… hurmph… Shenanigans were definitely had in the Jester’s camp, but at least Maron and the Jesters ensured he got back to his bed safely!
As much as this story can expand forever and ever, if you’re interested in entering this fun-loving community and the best thing that has ever happened to Maron, there is actually a practice on Sunday from 3:30pm to sundown (weather permitting) on Foster Avenue Beach, 5200 N Lake Shore Drive off the Bryn Mawr Red Line. For more information, search for the facebook group “Morva” or “Esgaroth”. Hope to see you lovely people come out and fight and be merry sometime!
For other places to check out the Belegarth community, here are some other Chicago (and suburban) practices, all of which are currently active:
The realm (practice area) of Nightfort practices Sundays at 4:00pm to 7:30pm (or sundown) at Citizen’s Park, 511 Lake Zurich Rd, Barrington, IL 60010 (weather permitting) from approximately May-October. Winter and bad weather practices are at the Village Church of Barrington, 1600 E. Lake Cook Rd, Barrington, IL 60010
Facebook Page: Nightfort: Belegarth Medieval Combat Society
The realm (practice area) of Dunharrow practices on Tuesdays from 5pm to sundown at Wing Park, 1000 Wing St., Elgin, IL 60123
Facebook Page: Dunharrow, BMCS
The realm (practice area) of Obsidian Hollow practices on Saturdays from 2-5pm at Big Sky (Ken Carpenter) Park, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, IL, 60156
Facebook Page: Obsidian Hollow
The realm (practice area) of Galahad practices on Thursdays from 7-10pm at the Southeast corner of Michigan and Balbo in the Chicago Loop (near 829 S Wabash, Chicago, IL 60605)
Facebook Page: Morva; Galahad Medieval Combat Society
The realm (practice area) of Muxlovia practices on Saturdays from 5-8pm at the Bible Baptist Church of Romeoville, 301 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville, IL 60446
Facebook Page: Muxlovia
