Hi Im Ursa or Zebidark.
I got into Amtgard only 19 months ago, when a friend of mine called me and asked if I wanted to come to a LARP. I honestly didnt want to go, I was recovering from a nasty burn to my belly (long story) and have had bad experiences with LARPs in the past. But my wife was gone that day and I had nothing else to do.

I went. Got there and saw these kids walking around in silly clothes and acting weird. I was thinking holy crap, these are a bunch of nerds. Then I saw them pick up sticks and start fighting. I was hooked! I played a goblin my first time out. It was a blast!

Now Im a second term Monarch who has dreams of knighthood. I maybe an Amtholic but I am a proud Amtholic.

Duke of the Frostlands.

Greetings from Groan!

i am, indeed, groan of the Frostlands. no, i don't capitalize everything i should. it's only the internet and i'm lazy.

in 2001 i met this guy at work while i had a busted leg. he approached me and told me about this LARP he'd participated in and wanted to get started up here in WI. i'm a gamer but hadn't gamed for a long time and the idea intrigued me. he showed me the rulebook and i looked it over and started getting ideas. his name was Dan, but his Amtgard name is Donnovan.

seven years later we're a Duchy, helping run major inter-kingdom events, have people running for Kingdom level positions, getting in the paper and on tv, with this park just to the north getting ready to go on the same wild and crazy ride toward its own Greater Destiny.

i will actually manage to get back out to the park. really i will.

-groan

I had LARPed before. We ran a few at my game store years ago, and I had played many at conventions. These were what I like to think of as "gateway" LARPs.

My problem all started back in 2002 when some guys at GenCon convinced us to try a sword-fighting game. The weapons were foam-padded, which had me convinced that they were perfectly safe. Not long after, my brother and some friends convinced me to give it a try. At first, I resisted, remembering how succumbing to peer-pressure had led some of my friends to devote years of their life to things like smoking, alcoholism, and, most dangerous of all, EverQuest (sorry if the mention of that name forced anyone into a relapse). Then I remembered the foam. "How can foam be dangerous?" I asked myself. "Besides, I only live once." Amtgard showed me that I was wrong on both counts.

At first, I tried it casually. I came out every couple weeks, and when my brother would come over, we'd "practice" this thing called "Amtgard" in my backyard. It wasn't until 2003 that I knew I had a problem. I found myself thinking about Amtgard, building "weapons" and making "garb" during the week, anxiously waiting to try them out on the weekend at this park known to those on the inside as "The Frost Lands." Then the quests came, and soon after, the camping events, guilds, and tournaments. I was addicted. Curses.

The years that followed were an Amtblur of participating in and running quests, feasts, elections, events, awards, guilds, battlegames, workshops, weapon-making, garbing, injuries, memorizing rules, elevating a park, creating a park, and everything else associated with Amtgard.

My name is Orkin, and I'm a recovering Amtoholic.

Hello,
My name is Boboko, and I'm a member of the Frostlands.

It started many years ago when I needed...I mean I wanted to swing foam. I've been a LARPer since 1991 and it was fine, but then there was this foam, and though I can stop swinging it anytime... I just choose not to. It doesn't hurt anyone, most of the time, and it isn't like I'm addicted.

I saw the strength that Kyra had, and I thought... maybe I could stand up too, and give my introduction. It doesn't really have anything to do with swapping Foam, but as strong as she was, I thought... I can be strong too, and stand up and be recognized.

Thank you Kyra

On a more personal note. I like quests, I like writing them and I like playing in them. Because I write them alot, I don't get a chance to play in them enough so if you ever need another body for a quest. I'm there for you!! Just give me a few weeks warning so I can arrange for Siren to be placated.

I also enjoy Ditching with you folks and everytime I've come up I've had a good time.

Hugs n' Gaming,
Boboko
FROSTBREW!!!