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
