Swordcraft is a live-action medieval battle game held weekly in Princes Park, Parkville, where 300 participants wear elaborate costumes and use foam weapons to compete in scenarios like capture the flag. Players develop unique characters that are part of warbands with complex histories. The level of detail in warband identities and player backstories is extraordinary. Swordcraft emphasizes fun, community, and providing an escape from reality through role-playing different historical cultures and periods. While the weapons are foam, the battles still require skill, strength, and a willingness to get hurt. Newcomers are welcome and given training to learn the safety rules and point system before joining the battles.

1. FEATURE12
Photos by Juan Marulanda
SWORDCRAFTA NORTHSIDER’S GUIDE
By Seth Ananda and Marianne McDade

2. FEATURE 13
D
o you reminisce about your younger days of
brandishing makeshift swords to defend the
kingdom? Or maybe you still fantasise of being
an archer in a band of fleet-footed elves, or a ruthless
mercenary fighting for gold and glory?
If you can answer yes to any of the above, we have found
what you are looking for, and it is a lot closer to home
than you’d think.
You may have passed Princes Park around 8pm on Friday
night, and been surprised to find hundreds of weapon
brandishing knights, orcs, elves and other fantasy characters,
embroiled in what could best be compared to Gandalf’s
five armies battling the seven kingdoms for the iron throne.
If rumours are to be believed there is one Swedish dragon
character that – literally - breathes fire.
Our Northsider team went down to dispel the rumours
and check out the northside’s very own Swordcraft
event extravaganza.
WHAT IS SWORDCRAFT
“Swordcraft is a bunch of nice guys hitting each other
with soft weapons,” said Tor from Sweden, who is most
recently known as the Demon King but is best known for his
elaborate costumes and on-field fire breathing.
Swordcraft or LARPing (Live Action Role Play) is a medieval
live action battle game where players don costumes, and
use foam weapons to compete against each other. The
Parkville event was started by brothers Jeff and Phill Krins
who were inspired to take the action from computer games
into the real world.
“I wanted to create an activity where I could immerse myself,
swing a sword for real and experience combat live and
not through a computer screen,” said key organiser and
Organisational Development Consultant, Phil Krins, 37.
Three years on, the event is attended by roughly 300
participants each week who turn up in elaborate dress
and compete to achieve varying battle objectives. These
could be a ‘capture the flag’ scenario, or a chess-style
assassination of key participants, or ‘Total Annihilation’
which, as it sounds, is the indiscriminate slaughter of every
member of the other team.
Kills are determined by a hit point system, which is in turn
determined by armour and weapon style. Your aim is to
eliminate your opponent’s points before they kill yours.
Sounds simple enough, and it is. Except for when it isn’t.
Once you hit the oval, it becomes apparent that you are not
in Kansas anymore and that you have only just begun to
scratch the surface of what it means to be a Swordcrafter.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Whatever you read or hear about Swordcraft, the only sure
thing you can expect is surprise. The extent of detail that goes
into to this event is truly extraordinary.
Each player has their unique character, and that character
forms part of their group’s warband. Each warband has their
own incredibly detailed identity, complete with a complex
history that defines the ‘culture’ of their group, including
social and political hierarchy. These identities often interact
with each other to influence the outcome of the game.
“There is a geo-political game in the background, where
warbands compete for resources and territory, but not every
warband takes part. There are requirements,” said Daan, the
6ft axe-wielding leader of the Orcs, complete with full armour
and prosthetic mask.
Currently there are 20+ warbands registered, most with
identities derived from folklore and actual historical eras.
“It’s a mash up of history and fantasy,” said Riyana, one
participant from The Order warband.
The players that make up the warbands will often have
a particular role in their group and their outfits reflect
this position.
Hannah Gridley, 21, who is second command of the Briar
Wolves, wears bone, beads, and feathers trinkets, as well
as war paint. “Face paint tells a story for each warrior. Each
mark means something…my face paint shows I am second in
command, [that] I am a healer, and that I follow the guidance
of the spirits.”
Swordcraft is one sport that is more about the players and the
stories they create during the match, than about the result of
the match itself. It’s about your presence on the field and how
well you interact with the other players.
Luca David Mazon, 30, a forklift driver from Sunshine and
elf from the Van Warren band, describes a good player as
someone who is both a fierce and theatrical fighter.
“The more dramatic your death, or when you get shot in the
leg with an arrow [the better]. It’s about being theatrical and
fun and honest.”
What ever you do, don’t let the dress up fool you into
trivialising this sport. We had a go – as if we wouldn’t -
and it is a lot harder than it looks. Although the weapons
may be made of foam, they are not flimsy. The hits do
hurt, and it takes some serious skill and strength to be able
to wield them properly.
WHERE TO START
The first thing that participants do when they arrive at the
oval is to change into their character. They then sign up at the
counter where they pay a small participant fee. First-timers
are given a long sword and shield and escorted to a training
area where they get some basic info for fun and safety.
The trainers do a fantastic job of explaining the rules and
the point system, helping you to understand what to do
throughout the event, and generally how not to be a “d**k on
the field”. Integrity and honour are essential for the game to
work, as players are responsible for counting their own hits
and playing fair by not “swinging like a Muppet” and causing
unnecessary injury. ‘Muppets’ are quickly found out and
corrected with a taste of their own medicine. While a good hit
might not lose you an arm, I don’t suggest motivating a more
experienced player to ‘re-educate’ you on fair play.
After training, the nubes are taken onto the battleground to
join the fight, and that is where the Swordcraft experience
really begins.
If rumours are to be believed there is
one Swedish dragon character that –
literally - breathes fire.

3. FEATURE14
“As a history nerd, I’ve
always wanted to re-enact
and role-play different
cultures throughout history.
I’ve found a place where
I can explore more of my
favourite period of history,”

4. FEATURE 15
WHAT’S NEXT?
One of the first things you’ll realise is there are many
ways to battle. The equipment and weapons you
use will dictate your personal style. If you
decide to go with heavy armour, your
play will probably entail a lot less
running around. If you decide to
be an archer, you’ll be keeping
your distance so you can
successfully sniper
unwary opponents.
If fighting is not
your thing,
you
could
decide to be a healer who hangs back and brings teammates
back to life.
Once you figure out your preferred fighting style, it will be
much easier choosing a warband that suits. The Bretons
focus on heavily defended shield wall combat. The Elves
focus on high mobility and archery. The North spends a
lot of time skirmishing and mobbing the enemy en masse.
Free Company – who is Swordcraft’s answer to sell swords
- is a very ordered mobile infantry unit that specialises in
different line fighting formations. The U ndead manage the
gore factor by fighting with severed limbs and leaving far-
too-life-like amputated hands around the field.
Warbands are always angling for new recruits, but it is
recommended that you ‘run’ with a few before choosing
your permanent fit.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY SWORDCRAFT
If you still need reason to give Swordcraft a go,
besides it being ridiculously awesome, it’s
an event with a strong emphasis on fun,
sociability, and community – and it’s great
exercise! There is a wide variety of
people who attend - from forklift
drivers to English teachers to
neuroscientists - each have
their own motivations,
but the intention to
have fun is the
same.
“As a history nerd, I’ve always wanted to re-enact and role-
play different cultures throughout history. I’ve found a place
where I can explore more of my favourite period
of history,” said Acacia, a 22 year old
from Hallam.
Stewie Carey, who introduces himself as “The Great Khan of
The Empire of the Eastern Star – the highest rank,” said he
would “prefer to spend 10 bucks and walk away with a night
of fun” than waste the night getting drunk in a bar.
“It can be a good escape from reality without watching a
movie,” said Tor, the friendly Demon King. ”We are a bunch
of really happy, open-minded, friendly people. Don’t be
afraid that you don’t know how it works or if you can’t swing
a sword. Everyone is willing to teach you all they know, we all
started out knowing nothing.”
Yes, Swordcraft could be considered a nerdy relative to
Warcraft, and other online gaming. However, see it as the
beefed-up distant cousin who is not only ridiculously good
with nunchucks, but who is also an intrinsically cool and all-
around-nice-guy.
Seth Ananda is a practicing animist, a witch, and a full time Dad. His
passions are sorcery, social justice, parenting, and nature. Marianne
McDade is Managing Editor of the Northsider and a new fan of
Swordcraft.
NOTABLE NOTES
Before your first night, it’s a good idea to go to the
website where you can sign up and read the FAQ
sheets and rules. We’ve included a list of helpful links
on our online version. But don’t stress too much. Just
turning up is enough!
Swordcraft location
Southern Pavilion of Princes Park, Parkville
Important times:
Sign-in and armour up
6.30-7.30pm
Training and
warband drills
7.30-8pm
Game
8-10 pm