Dagorhir Events are either single-day or multi-day affairs.
Depending on how well organized each Event is you may find: scenario battles, merchants, item trading, auctions, performances, food, storytelling, drinking / partying, etc.
PRACTICE VS. EVENT
The purpose of reqularly attending Dagorhir Practice is to be prepared for Dagorhir Events.
That preparation comes in many forms:
a better understanding of the battle rules than a 30-minute prep course
working knowledge of scenio mechanics,
friends in the dagorhorrim community
having garb or at least being on your way to getting it
volunteering and having an understanding of what you'll be doing
teaching / leading others
having an idea of what you'd like to learn from someone else
WELL KNOWN EVENTS
We have a Realm Calendar where events within a 4-hr drive of most of our practtice sites are noted. Check it out.
Bigger Events Are:
Gates Of Fire: In PA, hosted by the Aratari unit Gestiguiste. Weekend campout.
Ragnarok: The big one! A week long camp out. Every june. Cooperslake Campground.
Badon Hill: In PA. Weekend Campout.
Winter War:
PERSONAL SAFETY AT EVENTS
Keep yourself safe at events.
LARP and living history events can be a lot of fun. Depending upon the event there can be fighting to watch or do, merchants to shop at, classes to learn new things, arts and science displays and shows to admire, and other activities. In the evenings some camps, units and households may hold parties, both private and open to the public. Some events, particularly larger ones, may have volunteers tasked to assist with security. However, whatever any event or group may say about keeping attendees safe, there are things everyone can do to help keep themselves safe while having fun.
Just to be clear, everything discussed here can be of use to everyone. Whether you are male/female/other, 5ft tall or 7 ft tall, 100lbs or 400 lbs, a multi-black belt martial artist or a quiet pacifist. We each can assert some control over our own safety at events. Some of these tips will be concrete actions one can take while others lean towards awareness or attitude. Some of these apply if you have trusted friends at an event, some apply even if you know no one else there. They are not presented in any particular order of importance. Please use as many as you choose. Please also remember that even following every tip listed cannot guarantee anything.
1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Events tend to be split into public and private areas. Troll, battlefields, merchants and class areas are public. Areas where groups set up their camps or single tent camping areas, are considered private. When entering any private area even if for an open party, take a few minutes to look and listen first.
1A. Is there alcohol or other substances (legal or illegal) being consumed? Are there activities that make you uncomfortable?
1B. How "controlled" is the party? If people are drinking, are folks mellow and talking, or are they falling down drunk and doing dangerous acts like "let's do cartwheels over the fire pit"?
If you are not comfortable with the kind or level of activities happening at a party, leave.
2. If you wish to drink or do drugs at an event, unless you have a trusted person who agrees to be your "designated driver", DO NOT ASSUME anyone else will keep you safe. Event security are not babysitters. If you're at an event with friends, take turns: you drink one night, they drink the next.
3. If you have friends at an event, even if you're not out together, keep in touch. Set check in times, such as texting hourly or every two hours.
4. If you are drinking, take your own mug, and no one else touches it. Don't let somone take it to get you a refill. If they want to admire it's appearance, hold it out for them to look but not touch. If they ask to taste what you're drinking offer to pour some from your mug to their's.
5. For extra security, use a mug with a lid. it's harder to drop something in that way. There are merchants that even make period looking mugs with lids and straws.
6. Don't take drinks from strangers. Only accept drinks from trusted friends, or only drink what you brought yourself.
7. If you do want to drink something offered by a stranger, ask them to take a drink of it first. If they object, remind them that poison tasters are period.
8. If someone tries to get you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, such as going off alone "just to talk", or anything else you feel unsure of, it's ok to say no. If they press, say no louder or get the attention of other people to help you remove yourself from the situation.