Horde to live and die by the sword in Ballan

PHOENIX Park will experience an invasion of sorts on Saturday 1 February when a horde of live action role-playing Swordcraft enthusiasts descend on the grounds to fight it out for the day.

Swordcraft is a medieval-themed Australian game where players use weapons such as replica swords, arrows, axes, hammers, flails, spears and shafts (made out of foam or rubber) to fight in large-scale battles, sieges and skirmishes.

While participants wear robust costumes of steel armour, chain maille and leather, they are strictly prohibited from intentionally trying to harm each other.

There are active chapters in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Ballarat Swordcraft chapter treasurer and self-confessed devotee Sarah Kelly said the annual Biff Day at Ballan comprises multiple battles over the event where players, many of whom adopt elaborate fictional names, typically “have a real crack”.

“If you were to give it the closest approximation, it’s like a tournament for basketball or soccer or something like that,” she said.

“It’s pretty dynamic (because) there’s so many different things going on.”

Ms Kelly said the aim of the game is essentially getting the other team down to zero people by striking opponents’ ‘hit’ or ‘wound’ points, with competitors’ starting value depending on their weapons and armour.

“If I start on five points, and somebody hits me with a sword in the leg, I lose one point,” she said.

“If they get me in the torso, that’ll be a two-point loss, and once I get to zero, I’ll take the death.”

Ms Kelly said all ‘weapons’ are designed to be virtually harmless, with a lot of the swords, for example, made of a carbon fibre core and a foam outer layer with a variety of coatings and finishes.

“They’re very impressive (however) injuries from them are rare,” she said.

“Ninety per cent of the time it’s just a twisted ankle or something that you would get in any sport.

“You’re not trying to hit them as hard as possible, you’re not trying to do damage per se, you’re just trying to strike them to the point where it’s an acknowledgeable hit.”