Amtgard is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that is dedicated to the recreation of the Sword and Sorcery genre as well as educational aspects of both Medieval and Ancient cultures. Amtgard focuses largely on a Medieval-based combat system but also encompasses the arts and sciences of the time, in a friendly, social atmosphere. Amtgard uses safe, foam-padded replicas of Medieval weaponry. Anyone aged fourteen years or older may compete in the martial aspect of the game but we welcome members of all ages. There’s a place for everyone!
Well, that doesn’t exactly explain it in experience but that is the true definition of what Amtgard is. We meet once and sometimes three times a week! I live in Hobbs, New Mexico and have been playing Amtgard for over 8 years now. I’ve had experience on the fields in Lubbock and Midland, Texas as well as had the chance to see other “Kingdoms” and a few big Amtgard events.
This is a really huge game, stretches even beyond the United States. We have fields event in Japan!! This has been a game that has opened me more to not only social experiences but it has even broadened my horizons as an artist. Currently as I type this I am what is known as a Regent. Pretty much in simpler terms it equals to a Prince or Princess. Now I’m by no means a Kingdom level monarch but I am part of the monarch locally which is just as important! The field that I’m a part of is called Dark Oasis which resides in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Everyone who joins gets to pick what they want to be with in the game. Take myself for example, I’m known as Ashley outside of the game, or as we call it “mundane”. Yet, with in the game I’m a vampiric drow named Zsadist Nightshade, or Z for short. You can be whatever you want and have whatever name you want, as long as it doesn’t represent a historical figure or mythological figure. (i.e., Merlin, Robin Hood, Fa Mulan….) When coming up with your name it’s better to ask and get opinions just to make sure you aren’t stepping on any toes.
Amtgard is easy to get in to and costs little to nothing to play! We’re a family oriented community and even go further in to helping new comers, or newbies as most call them, in to becoming experienced players! You don’t even have to participate in the fighting if you don’t want or are unable to! There are all kinds of things you can do to participate which can include sewing up some garb for players to wear, you can create scrolls and artworks and enter them in for awards! The possibilities are endless!
You even have households you can petition and be a part in, form your own. I’m in one household known at House Mortis. A household based out of Midland that we strive to keep the role-play and persona-play active with in the game! We strive for the Orders of Mask and Orders of the Dead which are for good role-play and portrayal of persona. There is another type of group you can join which is called Fighting Companies. If you’re a fighter and want to be in a group of people similar to you then there is certainly a group out there for you! All you have to do is petition them and prove that you would make a great addition to their company! You’re usually given a tabard that has company colors or the like on it. The pictures I have in this article are an example of just that, the colors I wear are for the fighting company The Unseen Hand. If you don’t find a company you truly fit in there is always the option to create your own and get those you deem beneficial to your company to help in the creation process.
There are so many things you can do with in this game. You level up in different classes, you have the ability to become belted as either a Page, Man-at-Arms (or Woman-at-Arms), Squire and even a Knight when you have all the necessary requirements done. Becoming a Knight even opens up two more classes you can play with in the game!
I encourage anyone to give it a try. There are endless wells of knowledge on how to get started, as well as how to start your own Kingdom if you don’t have one with in your area!
Some useful websites:
http://www.amtgardinc.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtgard
http://www.amtgardrecords.com/atlas/
