If one is strolling through Edmond’s Hafer Park on a Saturday between 1-4 p.m., he will see a large group of people dressed in medieval garb beating each other with foam swords and javelins.

They are part of Dagorhir, a nation-wide live action role playing game formed in 1977 inspired by J.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.  Members create their own personas, weapons, and costumes, and then fight each other while completely in character.   Alterra, Oklahoma City’s chapter of Dagorhir, has about fifty members.

Wesley Crane, or as she goes by in Dagorhir, Taere Keal Imogenn, is a sophomore majoring in Science Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. 

“I enjoy the brotherhood of it,” said Crane.  “It’s a very open group of people.  When we fight, you get this bond you don’t find other places.”

Along with being a very open group of people, they are also very devoted, and rarely miss a meeting.

“We’re out there unless our vehicles can’t get us there,” said Crane.  “Unless we’re snowed into our homes, we’re out there.  There was one event we went to where it was hailing and sleeting.”

James O’Haro, also Tiberius Eaghra, is the founder of Alterra.  O’Haro describes how the game of Dagorhir works.

“It’s a sport where the participants use safely padded weaponry to simualte medieval combat,” said O’Haro.  “We do this using a hit-base system.  They are five different hit zones, your arms, your legs, and your torso.  It’s only legal to hit someone in the head if you’re using arrows, javelins, or rocks.”

O’Haro and Crane, along with most of the members of Dagorhir, make their own costumes and weapons.

“Foam Smithing is what we call it,” said Crane.  “It takes a lot of time.  People are very meticulous and very detailed with their work.  I’ve actually sold my arrows before.”

The weapons are perfectly safe, having foam exteriors.  O’Haro explains what it takes to have the edge with weaponry.

“All weapons are rooted with fiberglass and kitespar,” said O’Haro.  “You won’t have the edge without fiberglass and kitespar.  It would be like having heavier football cleats.”

Dagorhir can have thousands of participants at a time.  Ragnarok, an annual Dagorhir event that takes place in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, had thousands of people from all over the world come together to battle with foam weaponry.       

“The biggest event is held in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and is called Ragnarok,” said O’Haro.  “Thousands of people come from all over the country, even out of the country from places like Japan and England.”

            “Ragnarok lasts a week,” said Crane.  “It’s a good way to get the WoW [World of Warcraft] junkies off of the sofa.”

There is a large age spread within the members of Dagorhir.

“A lot of people don’t realize that Dagorhir spans a very large age range,” said O’Haro.  “Students from High School to sixty year old men are on the field.”

There is the perception from some that Dagorhir is nerdy, in the same vein as Dungeons and Dragons or World of Warcraft.  However, remarks made by non-members do not trouble Crane and O’Haro.

“I’ve been talked down to; it’s just one of those things where you got to take the high road,” said Crane.  “Dagorhir’s a lot of fun.  You forge friendships that last a long time.  When people shut me down, I move on.”

“I’ve heard it all,” said O’Haro.  “I’ve heard every insult.  But the people standing there making fun of you, they’re the people that want to join.  What little kid didn’t play dragons out in the backyard hitting things with a stick?”