#boffer

This is why safety rules matter!

Don’t forget if you like my videos and want to see me test more stuff, I’m looking to commission a set of historically accurate fitted armour for testing!

You can pitch in here if that’s something you’d like to see:

Will Byers

Plays a magician of some kind - not part of any organisation but often some kind of sibling role with El.

Would wear a robe (inspired from his dnd character) - finds it really fun to wear but also really practical bc it’s one big piece of clothing

Likes to have secret meetings with different characters - likes to be keeper of other peoples secrets

Gets really into the lore and is often one of the core characters

Mike Wheeler

Plays some fucking knight - sucks at boffer fighting but tries to do it anyway

Is really proud of his sword

Plays both protector and a knight with a mission

Wears full armour the entire time and never wants to take it off - he’s so happy when he wears it

Often plays really prideful and loves it when he gets to be heroic in fight scenes

Likes to be deep in the lore, hate sit when he misses something important

Dustin Henderson

Spends most of his time in the tavern telling made up stories

Plays a traveler

He likes to entertain kids that are there

Wears as much colour as possible during larps, preferably the entire rainbow

Cares about the lore a normal amount - Aka he only cares when he’s not in danger

Lucas Sinclair

Loves to explore the nature/forest

Tries to create characters with Max but it doesn’t work out

Likes to wear leather armour and fights with a slingshot

Usually only plays himself - doesn’t really make a character

Likes to fight both boffer and verbally

Cares deeply about the lore and like to fuel the fire by telling secrets with Will

Max Mayfield

Always plays a wight and loves it

She likes to sneak up on people (cough cough Lucas and Mike) and scare them

Wears a bunch of red and braids really long braids with sting and ribbons to make it look disheveled

Doesn’t really care about the world or the lore but has a bunch of fun

Jane (El) Hopper

Is very confused by what is happening

Plays a magician with Will

Wears really flowy dresses because she loves them

Always has the biggest hood out of them all

Doesn’t like to be the centre of attention but has a great time helping Will with it

Steve and Robin

Runs the tavern bc Dustin roped the into it

Has so much fun (even tho Steve won’t ever admit that)

Likes to be really obnoxious and comes up with really strange backgrounds to their characters (Parents were mermaids but only the human genes combined so now Steve and Robin are humans) (They miss their parents very much if you ask them)

Very very proud of this one. Commissioner wanted a scarab beetle-themed shield, and asked if I could figure out a way to get that cool shiny colour you see on scarabs. Said I'd give it a shot, and discovered the beauty that is Hula Hoop Tape. It's pricey, particularly for this much surface area, but the commissioner has deep pockets and didn't care. That lovely green-gold sheen is hula hoop tape over black duct tape, to get that super unique shine.

He also wanted a cross-body strap, adjustable arm strap with quick release, and a hand-grip with a piece of grip-taped pipe to hold. Built into the back of the shield is a pocket for spell packets, with a fabric flap with a magnet in it. Corresponding magnets are in the pocket and the back of the shield behind it, to hold the pocket open or closed with ease.

S w o r d .

So Hidden Mountain does a great job with their children and youth. Like - I am always super impressed with the time and effort they put into activities and boffer and things. I wish I liked other people’s little kids enough to do the things that they do.

Before the tournaments on Saturday, they had youth combat. There were, I think, maybe five or six kids in armor competing (one of ours forgot his cup and the other one I don’t think even brought his armor). One of the combatants was a little girl named Willow. I think Willow is around 6. Willow is now my hero and inspiration.

For those of you who haven’t watched youth combat - you should. It’s so much fun watching THEM have fun, and it really reminds you that what we do is a game and it’s meant to bring you joy. Willow brought a whole lot of people joy.

In one of her matches, when the Marshal called lay on, she proceeded to scream and rush her opponent. It was a battle cry to end all battle cries and should be a ringtone. Watching this tiny, armor clad warrior scream and rush into combat was adorable, hilarious, and empowering. Especially when her opponent back peddled a couple of steps.

And then she died. But this little girl didn’t JUST die. She D.I.E.D. When she lost her fight, she dramatically flung both her shield and sword into the air and collapsed to the ground with an equally impressive death-rattle. I wasn’t sure which she enjoyed more - the fighting or the dramatic demises. Spectators appreciated both.

At one point during the Rapier tournament, one of the fighters looked at his opponent and proceeded to scream in a very Willow-esque way. “What? It was adorable when she did it.” He reasoned.