Dagorhir: Who Does This Stuff?

The word Dagorhir might sound like gibberish if you aren't fluent in the Elven languages of The Lord of the Rings, but if you did hold a degree in Sindarin, you'd know the word means Battle Lords. Still a little lost? Today, Dagorhir is a form of live-action gaming practiced by enthusiasts around North America.

The Dawn of Dagorhir

Founded in 1977, Dagorhir was inspired by the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and basically consists of staged battles. You won't find any blank firing guns or Civil War memorabilia at these mêlées though; Dagorhir is a fierce competition among a hodgepodge collection of Orcs and Elves, Roman soldiers and wild mercenaries, even the occasional pirate and ninja thrown in for good measure.

Weapons are all carefully padded and inspected so they don't cause bodily harm even when swung as hard as a baseball bat — but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't hurt.

So why do it? According to Dagorhir.com, fans get a thrill out of a variety of aspects: From the sport of the combat simulation and the combination of history and fantasy, to the community spirit and the inherent creative challenge — basically, there’s something for everyone.

The Deeds of Dagorhir

Also known as a medieval combat organization, Dagorhir battles occur around North America throughout the year — but one event draws Dagorhir enthusiasts like no other: Ragnarok. Taking place annually in Ohio since 1986, Ragnarok is now a weeklong event with everything from combat to camping and socializing to shopping — provided you're in the market for armor, weapons, medieval fashions and the like.

The evening celebrations and revels are a match for the excitement of the daily battles, providing something for every one of the more than a thousand people who spill into the Spring Valley Campground each year.

The Heralds of Dagorhir

So you might be wondering, on a heated battleground filled with hundreds of impassioned warriors who aren't supposed to seriously injure one another, who keeps the fighting in check? And since the approved foam weapons aren't likely to take your opponents to the ground, who's to make sure a bunch of defeated foes aren't still running around wreaking havoc?

According to the Dagorhir Manual of Arms, those jobs fall to the heralds who act like referees on the field. When making decisions, they keep three things in mind: safety, playability and realism. Heralds perform their duties in a number of ways, like by removing overly enthusiastic fighters from the mêlée. For example, kicks to an opponent's shield are OK as long as you keep one foot on the ground; flying kicks aren't allowed.

Heralds also keep an eye on death tolls. If you've received what counts as a mortal blow, you'd better stay down — unless you get properly healed or resurrected, of course.