Amtgard
[1] Amtgard was created by Jim Haren Jr, also known as Peter LaGrue, in El Paso, Texas in 1983.
[2] Taking pieces from the rulebooks of both Emarthnguarth and Dagorhir (both of which he had played previously), he advertised in the newspaper for an event known as "Attila the Hun's Birthday Brawl."
Character creation in Amtgard is class-based; that is, players choose an archetype with pre-established abilities, similar to systems used by Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop roleplaying games.
Non-combat oriented talents and attributes are often left up to the imagination and actual capabilities of the players or rules specified in a scenario.
Amtgard combat is resolved with actual physical fighting, though there are some rules in place to enhance safety.
Contact is limited between fighters and non-weapon tactics like grappling or shield bashing are strictly prohibited.
An exception to this rule occurs when a player chooses to "post" instead of kneeling, which is the normal requirement upon being struck in the leg.
A player who chooses to post may remain standing, but is not allowed to move the wounded leg, save to pivot.
Players may choose to post due to bad knees, rocky or wet terrain, or simply because they do not wish to kneel.
Magic, another important aspect of Amtgard, is handled primarily either by audible incantations or by thrown "spell balls", small, safely-padded, brightly colored projectiles.
The largest "grand melees" are held at the major annual events and can incorporate hundreds of members from chapters all over the world.
The setting encourages and incorporates elements of historical Europe and Asia as well as the high and low fantasy genres.
Elements from steampunk and post apocalyptic fiction are not unheard of, and the only real rule governing a characters back story is that they be compatible with a swords and sorcery setting.
A Fighting Company is essentially a military structure, much like a "clan" in any multi-player video game, whereas a Household is devoted to some cultural or personal goals, such as the arts, benevolence, common interests, etc.
[9] There are incremental awards for all sorts of arts and crafts, ranging from sewing to singing to armor smithing.
The ruling body of each sub-chapter can also create awards for specific actions or talents that aren't included in the standard selection.
Each sub-chapter is contractually bound to abide by the official Rules of Play (currently version 8.6.2) and is sponsored and supported by one of the Amtgard kingdoms.
