Ragnaroc - Battle in the Age of the Gods (Added 2nd Pic)

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

This weekend I finally attended my first <A HREF="http://www.empiremp.com/">Empire of Medieval Pursuits</A> (EMP) event in Washington State, <A HREF="http://www.ragnaroc.org/">Ragnaroc</A>

Myself and Nick were there from Friday in the late evening until we left Sunday morning. So we got there, set up, watched some belly dancing, had a drink or 2 then crashed.

I've only ever done <A HREF="http://www.sca.org/">SCA</A> Fighting, which I love to do, but the rules in the EMP allow for a lot more havok, though most people didn't take full advantage of those rules, almost everyone at the very least grappled at one point or another.

Knees, Kicks, Elbows, Punches, Shield punches, grappling, head butts, all of these are fine in the EMP. Some of them are obviously more successful combat techniques than others, but they're there if you want to use them. It's also a counted blows system, with no loss of limbs, 3 good blows and you're done, or 1 substantial blow, whatever adds up first. (Go to the EMP site for any further information and rules etc.)

--

The fighting had various battles during the day, each battle pitted 2 gods against eachother. The gods were chosen for fighting skills for the most part, though I ended up being chosen based on my artisan skills. These gods could only kill each other, but once one had been killed, the other would become mortal and then could be killed themselves. And though there were many gods, only the 2 gods whose battle it was were immune to the attacks of mortal men.

Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this, but all it really did to the battles was add a very cool story and flavour, something different. It wasn't like the gods were racing all over decimating everyone because more often than not the 2 gods kept eachother in check.

I was chosen to be Thor, and faced The Serpent (Sir Luther?) in one battle, and though he could not be killed by any hand but mine, he certainly could be tackled! One of our side tackled him and I clubbed him in the back with my hammer (lightly..death from behind/ground).

This made me mortal, I was almost immediately stabbed with a spear, but since it's a counted blows system made it back to my line before any other significant damage.

The Serpent and Thor could also travel wherever they wished on the battlefield, through the bushes, around side roads, the two armies had to stay to the main road. So I snuck around behind the opposing forces line, and killed two more of them from behind before being swarmed. But I had caused a bit of chaos and our forces came crashing through them.

The Ring of Fire was a ton of fun, lots of people watching, and in my first 2 fights Duke Davon was in the ring when I entered, the first one was my most memorable as I blocked his giant 2 handed mace before being clubbed on the other side of my head, which actually gave me a small cut inside my helmet.

Count Morgan was a rather memorable one as well, I shield bashed him in the face as he stabbed me in the groin, as he was falling back I hit him once more atop the head. A double kill, and a painfull one.

Earlier in the day Brun (Nick) had shield bashed me in the face and cut the opposite side of my head, need to fix that padding.

Is it good that all my most memorable moments involve me getting thumped? I dunno, I love it.

The belly dancing was great Saturday night, but I eventually went to bed at a decent time.

Overall the event was great, the fighting got started a bit late but was well worth it. My only negative comment is that I wish I had known more people there since I'm not exactly the social butterfly, but that's not a reflection on the event itself, only me.

The EMP and SCA are very different animals when it comes to the fighting system. I really like both of them, and the SCA certainly allows for a variety of fighters to compete on par with others, even twice their size, which is great.

My favorite parts of the EMP system of fighting are the grappling, and the counted blows system of fighting where you don't lose limbs. One substantial blow can still kill you. It sounds complicated at first, and it was, but with time over the day it got a lot easier.

The Ring of Fire fights were as close as I've been in my fighting career to feeling like I'm in a real fight. Racing into a burning ring with Davon standing there with his giant mace, and you know that he can grab you if he wants... that's quite the feeling. But I also looked forward to those fights the most.

Empire of Medieval Persuits: http://www.empiremp.com/
Ragnaroc: http://www.ragnaroc.org/



Duke Davin Steingrimsson standing over me after clubbing me with his giant 2 handed mace. It is the hardest I've ever been hit, eclipsing a mark set earlier the same day. And both cutting me, the first time my helm has cut me, I have the same cut on each eyebrow, time to fix my helm padding.
[img]http://www.dark-horse.ca/magnus_davin.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.dark-horse.ca/ragnaroc_02.jpg[/img]

[InsaneIrish]

Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this, but all it really did to the battles was add a very cool story and flavour, something different. It wasn't like the gods were racing all over decimating everyone because more often than not the 2 gods kept eachother in check.

You realize the EMP was started by and Ex-SCA person right?

[DELETEMYACCOUNT]

Wow, sounds like a great time!

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this, but all it really did to the battles was add a very cool story and flavour, something different. It wasn't like the gods were racing all over decimating everyone because more often than not the 2 gods kept eachother in check.

You realize the EMP was started by and Ex-SCA person right?

Yes... point being? Gods in a battle just right off the top could sound a bit silly to some, so I was just saying it wasn't silly at all. Heh.

[Atherbridge]

I'd be interested to hear in greater detail about the "good/substantial" blow system. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun but would require a fair amount of calibration training.

I like these kinds of scenarios that push the boundaries of complexity. Unfortunately the EMP is not located where I am.

[Syrfinn]

Yeah, I looked at their site and watched some of the videos of a Ragnarok a few years ago. It does look like a blast.

If it was in my neck of the woods, I would definetly try and check it out.

[InsaneIrish]

Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this, but all it really did to the battles was add a very cool story and flavour, something different. It wasn't like the gods were racing all over decimating everyone because more often than not the 2 gods kept eachother in check.

You realize the EMP was started by and Ex-SCA person right?

Yes... point being? Gods in a battle just right off the top could sound a bit silly to some, so I was just saying it wasn't silly at all. Heh.

Just that this "Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this," was probably un-needed in your review. Unless you were looking to slight the SCA for its differences.

[Kilkenny]

You realize the EMP was started by and Ex-SCA person right?

Yes... point being? Gods in a battle just right off the top could sound a bit silly to some, so I was just saying it wasn't silly at all. Heh.[/quote]

Just that this "Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this," was probably un-needed in your review. Unless you were looking to slight the SCA for its differences.[/quote]

mmm.. Irish, you're coming off as overly thin-skinned, and possibly looking to provoke something.

Magnus is just giving a report on a fun event he attended and made a small attempt to pre-empt negative remarks about a somewhat odd combat scenario. I certainly didn't see it as any sort of anti-SCA commentary. I thought it unnecessary, as I've fought in plenty of SCA scenarios with similar, or sillier, conventions.

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this, but all it really did to the battles was add a very cool story and flavour, something different. It wasn't like the gods were racing all over decimating everyone because more often than not the 2 gods kept eachother in check.

You realize the EMP was started by and Ex-SCA person right?

Yes... point being? Gods in a battle just right off the top could sound a bit silly to some, so I was just saying it wasn't silly at all. Heh.

Just that this "Some SCA folks might roll their eyes at this," was probably un-needed in your review. Unless you were looking to slight the SCA for its differences.

Why does it seem like you're always a grumpy pants? No, I honestly meant exactly what I said. Since when I first heard it, coming from an SCA background where people are people I raised an eyebrow when I read there were gods.

And I wanted to point out that it's not as odd or out of place as it may sound to people coming from an SCA background. Not a slight to the SCA at all.

[Broadway]

Why does it seem like you're always a grumpy pants?

Because Irish, is in fact, a big ol' grumpy pants.

[InsaneIrish]

Why does it seem like you're always a grumpy pants?

Because Irish, is in fact, a big ol' grumpy pants.

Only when I am being Irish....



ok, I stand corrected, I read slight where there was none. I appologize for the snarky comments.

[Irishbull44]

I wish I could have attended but real life kept me from making it. I had several friends there, one of whom is the " former SCA person" who started the EMP. I was going nuts Saturday night thinking about the Ring of Fire going on and me not there to take part in it.

Nice review and it sounds like you had a great time. Glad to hear it. His Grace Davin was using the famous 5 flanged two handed mace in the Ring of Fire? I have the matching mace that was made with that one in my garage. Sadly it is broken now but I have fond memories of fighting with it. I was also interested in your comments regarding the EMP fighting system.

Magnus are you going to be attending Honey War this weekend?

Take care and be well,

Brogan.

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

I wish I could have attended but real life kept me from making it. I had several friends there, one of whom is the "SCA person" who started the EMP. I was going nuts Saturday night thinking about the Ring of Fire going on and me not there to take part in it.

Nice review and it sounds like you had a great time. Glad to hear it.

Magnus are you going to be attending Honey War this weekend?

Take care and be well,

Brogan.

I don't get south of the border too often, and there's a stretch of events up here for the next while I'd like to try and make.

[Cedric]

Ragnaroc is quite possibly the funnest event I have ever gone to. Unfortunately I wasnt able to make it this year...

EMP fighting ROCKS.

[d'Antioche]

Nice pic, Magnus. Any more where that came from?

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

Nice pic, Magnus. Any more where that came from?

I'm on Facebook, anyone on here can feel free to add me "Richard Wasnock" since that's where any pictures I dig up will be. If I find any specifics of folks, like maybe me being nutted by someone, I'll track em down off facebook if possible.

Don't have much yet though.

[Irishbull44]

NICE picture!!!! That is indeed the mace I know and love. Davin is a great fight and he also holds that top spot in my list for person who has hit me the hardest in the SCA.

Please share any more than you can find and I might get some via email that I can post if you don't mind me doing so Magnus.

Take care and be well,

Brogan.

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

Another Picture added, or will be in a second.

[Tabernacle74]

Im in the Roman gladiator kit. Both of the belts in the picture were made by Magnus. He does great work.

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

Im in the Roman gladiator kit. Both of the belts in the picture were made by Magnus. He does great work.

So much fuuuuun. heheh

[Murdock]

ohhhhhh

fire

soooooo wants the fire

fighting in fire ring


ohhHHHhhhh

soooooo cool

[Payn]

I was chosen to be Thor, and faced The Serpent (Sir Luther?) in one battle, and though he could not be killed by any hand but mine, he certainly could be tackled! One of our side tackled him and I clubbed him in the back with my hammer (lightly..death from behind/ground).

Yeah, that was me doing the tackling on Luther. In hindsight, I should have tried harder to keep from going out of bounds.

As far as getting drilled by Davin, he and I were spear fighting once (6 foot cutting style) when I saw his hands cross over. Knowing what was about to come, I started to try and yell "GOOD" before he hit me. All I could get out was, "OOOOHHHHH SHHHHIIIIIIIITTTTTT"

You could see the corners of all 4 plates, and their rivets, and the burrs in various shades of purple on my belly.

[Magnus Ulfgarsson]

I was chosen to be Thor, and faced The Serpent (Sir Luther?) in one battle, and though he could not be killed by any hand but mine, he certainly could be tackled! One of our side tackled him and I clubbed him in the back with my hammer (lightly..death from behind/ground).

Yeah, that was me doing the tackling on Luther. In hindsight, I should have tried harder to keep from going out of bounds.

As far as getting drilled by Davin, he and I were spear fighting once (6 foot cutting style) when I saw his hands cross over. Knowing what was about to come, I started to try and yell "GOOD" before he hit me. All I could get out was, "OOOOHHHHH SHHHHIIIIIIIITTTTTT"

You could see the corners of all 4 plates, and their rivets, and the burrs in various shades of purple on my belly.

HaHa, that's awesome. I loved fighting him.

[Tabernacle74]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OjdYWbeYyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3arpzqy81k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhYlnjR3oUM

Here a couple vids I have up right now.

[Sir Daniel]

I think I posted this earlier. I recomend the hi quality version if you can download it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jFgxoJuNW78

Since the Midgard serpent was the boyfreind of the person making the video, most of that battle with thor is on it (second battle before all the ring of fire stuff.