Helheim Invasion

The Adventuring Party had gathered under the blistering Southlands sun to prepare for their journey. Setting off in high step and song, they had little idea what would await them upon their quest.

After a few Random Encounters and one very strange Dungeon Crawl they arrived at their destination to be greeted by comrades and allies, all gathered together for one purpose, to storm the gates of Hellheim…it wasn’t war…it was an Invasion!

From August 5th to the 8th Guilder, the Dallas area Chapter of Dagorhir Battle Games, hosted one of their annual events known as Hellheim Invasion. Fighters from across Texas and surrounding states gathered for three days of foam sword fighting, feasting, and the camaraderie of like minded individuals.

 The site itself, Four Winds Faire in Troupe, TX, was simply grand. With castle walls and seedy taverns, a jousting ring, gypsy wagons, an outdoor chapel and much, much more you couldn’t help but feel transported to another place and time. Wandering the site gave you a sense of setting unlike anything else I’ve seen at an event.

 

Camps of warriors and soldiers checking gear and cracking jokes, trading insults with friends not seen in too long, painting up and strapping on armor…very much like a fort on war footing you could feel the tense anticipation, the eagerness for combat.











The fighting began late Friday night with the Assassin Games with dozens of “Marks” being hunted by lone “Assassins”, “Informants” casting suspicion and doubt on everyone, and bodyguards accosting random passersby in an effort to protect their clients. Perhaps the most fun I’ve had walking around and introducing myself to people EVER! The laughs, the surprise of being stabbed in the back by your grinning friend, the chance for folks *cough*Vanguard*cough* to yuck it up in character…all excellent and memorable experiences, truly something I’d like to see and participate in again.

 Roll on to Saturday and the main battles…under the blistering Texas sun we got to see some of the best fighters around smack and smash each other into happy oblivion time and time again.

 Incorporating limited resurrections, objective based scenarios and the big hill outside the walls was, I feel, a rousing success on the Battle Planners part.

One of the best decisions was the water based objective battle…incorporating the hoses and several barrels of water into a battle was a great way for the fights to have fun and stay cool as the temperatures rose into the 100 + range for most of the day.

Saturday night was for feasting and fun, with an expansive and delicious meal prepared by Necavi and Co. and enjoyed immensely by everyone. Tortilla soup in bread bowls, heaps of salad greens, fresh fruit and vegetables, and a delicious pico de gaillo…Yum doesn’t even begin to describe it.

 Special thanks from me and mine again for all the hard work that went into it and my only regret is I couldn’t take left overs home with me…:D

All in all an excellent trip…good fun, good friends, great food and fighting…can’t wait to do it all again.

Battle For Texas!

Battle for Texas.... I have one word... AWESOME!!!!!!

Weapons Check

The first thing I loved about The Battle for Texas was just the amount of people who showed up. When we arrived there about 20 people. After a while a few more trickled in then a few more then before I realized it, there were 60+ fighters on the field.

Ditching at the beginning of day with about 15 who were there was great fun but was ultimately only warm up for what was to come in the big field battles, tournaments not to mention the actual gate battle for Texas.

Don't worry, Burgos is already dead at this point, now it's a struggle to stand back up!

In the single blue tournament I was bowled over and forced to grapple a mountain of a man named Burgos. After some struggle, a headstand, and a little luck, I came out on top. The hard fought battle paid off in taking 2nd place overall and taking home my prize which was an awesome plastidipped shield made by Izec of the Bronze Hammer.

Before and after painting done by Heather Shupp (Grim Sister)

It was great to see so many Texas fighters all on one field fighting with and along side one another even before pleasantries had been exchanged. Overall it was an incredible experience that I hope will become a much more frequent occurrence.

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Iron Union (minus Gorbag)

Sliph - Newest member of The Southlands

Islaked Inedakey (Did I spell that right? O_o) showing off his bad-ass shield!

Krix and Casimir

Warlords

Grimsword Raid - Thursday, September 10, 2009

So, there we were...just setting up for some drills and sparring, when all of a sudden Raiders appear...striking quickly they draw us into battle!

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Led by a man known as Izec, he of the Bronze Hammer... 

the boys from Grimsword are fierce fighters, but by the end of the battle we were close to becoming staunch allies...

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I would like to thank everyone from Grimsword who came down to fight, Izec, Casimir, Derek and the rest...it was a blast having you and I hope we get to fight again...

FOR THE SOUTHLANDS!

The Southlands, a Travelers Guide

The Southlands exist because no one else wanted them...the people that is, the folks who don't have a thing worth fighting over, or defending from others. Too far from everywhere else, the villages and towns that make up what we know today as The Southlands decided to rally together...help each other, trade with and defend each other...

For Seven Hundred years the peoples of The Southlands have stood together in the face of everything out in the wild, and the machinations of neighboring territories who now see The Southlands as something worth fighting over...

Drawn by a chance at freedom, or just a chance at all...wanderers, vagrants, merchants and criminals...not to mention the odd, honest person...all show up in The Southlands, are brought close and made family by it's people...and they in turn grow the community they now call home. From ancient China to Members of Elronds House...all are welcome in The Southlands.

A few of the sites worth seeing while visiting The Southlands are...
The Southlands Forge of the Guild Alchemica...one of the first, outside powers to set up shop and join with the people of The Southlands...now one of it's staunchest and most determined supporters, the Guild is a powerful force, both for war and for industry

Khoonbish and his Mauraders, warriors for hire and loyal Rangers of our Borders...the yeti-kin and his band are brutal, swift and fearless...and sons and daughters of The Southlands ALL!

The Dojo of Sasori, where the Scorpion will teach you how to Strike!
and many more...!

Welcome to The Southlands,
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