Photo: Kelsey Mohland

About Western Wars

Western Wars was started in 2004 as Oregon's first annual Belegarth combat gaming event.

Today, Western Wars is a non-profit combat gaming organization that is completely produced by a dedicated team of talented and passionate volunteers. Western Wars is more than just a combat gaming LARP event. It is a celebration of the fantasy and history enthusiast community and a homecoming for the Pacific Northwest boffer fighting sport.

the Game

Belegarth Medieval Combat Society is a non-story LARP and battle gaming organization with players and active groups all across the world. As a 100% community created medieval fantasy sandbox, players can develop their own characters, lore, and organizations. Take yourself on an adventure and explore the realms, form groups and societies with like-minded friends, or spend time with the artistic and historical science guilds. You can pen lore alongside monsters, warriors, and deities that have been developing within the community for over 20 years.

Belegarth is a fun, safe, and inexpensive sport. Participants wear medieval or fantasy-themed clothing and fight with foam-padded weapons. The full contact fighting is hard and fast and has refined into its own brand of martial art. It is approachable and open to all skill levels and athletic backgrounds. The rules of the game prioritize safety and simple combat mechanics. You wont need to memorize a spreadsheet of special rules or complicated point systems to play. This game translates to other LARP and battle games, so it you are familiar with Amtgard, Dagorhir, HEMA, or even airsoft and paintball, you will pick up the rules very quickly.  

If you have ever wanted to take to the battlefield with a sword and shield and test your skill against a variety of opponents, this game is for you!

Photo: Kelsey Mohland 

What to Expect

Registration - Troll

Whether you are coming for a day or camping out for the full weekend, you will need to stop by the registration desk (commonly referred to as Troll) and pay for your Attendance Pass and receive your registration materials. 

Pre Registration is available online only for full weekend passes. Pre registered attendees must still check in at the registration desk upon arrival to sign waivers and collect their registration materials. Day passes are available onsite at the registration desk.

Garb and Equipment

Unless you are a day-time spectator or visitor, you will need to provide your own garb and equipment. 

Garb is defined as medieval or fantasy inspired clothing or costumes. Western Wars asks you to please adhere to all Local and Federal Public Decency Laws when wearing your garb.

For those participating in combat and/or the other event activities, garb is required. Garb is required in all special event locations and on the fighting fields.

Classes, Workshops and Quests

If you need to put your sword down for a break, or combat is not your cup of tea, there are still many activities available to you at Western Wars!

Members of the community often host classes on crafts, arts, and hobbies. There are garb workshops and places to learn how to create your own armor or other equipment. Western Wars even has Quests!

There are several quests at Western Wars ranging from craft station challenges and photo scavenger hunts to a story-driven adventure. Grab some fellow adventurers and seek your rewards!

Libations and Festivities

Are you looking to fight all day and party all night? Western Wars is the place for you! 

While the event itself does not sell or serve alcohol, you are welcome to bring your own beverages of choice for your camp or to share. Period drinking vessels (wood, ceramic, glass, or horns) are required when not in your camp, and some areas may be off-limits for alcohol consumption. Please do not openly consume beverages of any kind out of their original containers outside of your camp. Reusable water bottles for water are the exception. We ask all attendees that partake to please be responsible and know their limits. We all want to have fun at Western Wars, but safety is our number one concern. 

All attendees will be provided a wrist band at registration. Attendees under the age of 21 will receive an underage wristband. Wristbands must be worn at all times while at the event.

Western Wars has special events organized every night to enjoy and socialize at. With live music, DJs, games, and tailored communal spaces, there is no shortage of activities to keep the party going. Camps are welcome to host their own entertainment for the community. Belegarth has always been a place where the community can share skills and passions, and Western Wars wants to uphold that mission.

Camping

General tent camping is assigned. The camp ground is laid out with quieter campsites located farther from the central communal area. Attendees will be given their camp locations according to their preference and grouped with their preferred realm, units and teams by request. An overflow tent camping  site is available for late event arrivals. If you do not want to camp alone, we can assist you with finding a friendly camp to share. Tent sites are primitive, and include a fire ring, picnic table, and may have no more than 2 cars parked at a time. Additional vehicles must be parked in General Parking. 

Adirondack camp sites with covered lean-to bunk houses (6 bunk beds in each structure) are available through a first come, first served application that opens in February. These camps are ideal for larger groups that are looking to camp together or host their own camp activities and parties. These sites are primitive, but include a fire ring for each structure, and an additional covered structure in the center with a picnic table. Vehicles are allowed for unloading and loading only, and must be moved to General Parking during all other hours unless given specific permission (i.e. for an accessibility reason).

Camping spaces are spread out, so if you are seeking to camp away from the festivities, or are just seeking a little more quiet, you will be able to find a sanctuary. Sharing your camp with other like-minded people is a great way to make friends and share camping resources.

Camp Wilkerson has a limited number of dry RV spaces available. RV spaces are first come, first served. There are no RV dumping facilities at Camp Wilkerson.

Combat

Western Wars attracts sword fighters from across the battle gaming worlds. We are often considered a hot spot for Cross-Gaming (visiting a different battle game than the one you regularly partake in) with a lively and fierce fighting field. From sunup to sundown, there are always some kind of field battles, spar sessions, trials and exhibits, or competitions going on. While we use the Belegarth rule system, we welcome cross gamers from other battle gaming systems with open arms. If you are passionate about medieval combat, you will be comfortable on our field. Check our our program page for updates on our schedule for official competitions and scenario battles hosted by Western Wars.

You must be 16 or older to participate in combat games at Western Wars.

The Event Team

Photo: Kelsey Mohland

Bear

Executive Coordinator

Photo: Anthony Pineda

Squire Veithryn

Executive Coordinator

Photo: Kelsey Mohland

Sir Shino

Executive Coordinator