About Avalon
Combat section
Avalon is a non-profit group dedicated to the study and practice of historical armour and armoured combat techniques, emphasizing, but not limited to, the styles prevalent in Medieval Europe. Members make and wear armour and wield mock weapons in simulated combat activities, which range from simple sparring, to medieval tournament reproduction, to full-scale battles. Practice sessions are friendly, informal, and free; the only prerequisites are an interest in armoured combat and the will to participate.
Avalon’s Activities
The members of Avalon practice historically based armoured combat. Ideally, a member will pick a time period and culture and purchase or build clothing and equipment appropriate to the choice. A person interested in Viking culture would look at armour based primarily on chainmail and a spangenhelm. Another, interested in 15th century Germany, might obtain full Gothic plate armour. Although the group focuses mainly on Medieval Europe, Samurai and Spartans are equally welcome. That is, however the ideal; in reality, new members often do not know what their specific interests are and older members have a variety of interests. Neither option present problems.Avalons safety requirements are identical to those of the SCA. Weapons are to be made of rattan and, where necessary, padding. The same SCA minimum armour requirements must be met, regardless of era and culture of interest. Safety requirements are, for good reason, not subject to be compromised, and if a member cannot meet the minimum safety requirements, that member cannot fight. As in the SCA, sparring is full speed and full force, and anything less than 100% commitment to the safety rules is unacceptable. Although accidents and injuries can and will happen, strict observance of the safety regulations can keep such occurrences to a minimum. We fight for glory, personal improvement, and honor, and take no pleasure in the injury of our fellows.
On the other hand, while the safety regulations are written in stone, the actual rules of combat have a little more leeway. The basic rules of the list are identical to the SCA; however, strict observance to any one set of sparring rules can interfere with studies of authentic historical combat. Safety, however, is the primary concern. Alternate rules of combat will be posted on this website as they are approved.
Why Do We Do This?
Because it is fun, of course. Tremendous fun. While it true that these activities are excellent exercise and provide opportunities for education and personal enlightenment, the bottom line is it is good fun.Who Can Join?
Anyone. Male or female, Japanese or gaijin, so long as you are over the age of 20 and have an interest in participating, you are more than welcome to play with us. If you are under 20, talk to us, we maybe able to work something out. There are no requirements for size, martial expertise, or historical knowledge. If you are interested, we are happy to practice with you.Avalon and the SCA
Based in Tokyo, Avalon is an offshoot of the American historical recreation organization, the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) , which has a world-spanning membership numbering in the tens of thousands. In Honshu, the SCA is present on the military bases in the form of the local stronghold, Vale de Draco, centered at Yakota Air Force Base. However, because of differences between Western and Japanese culture, and because of the difficulties presented by daily life in a city like Tokyo, the full range of SCA practices were never able to be realized. Avalon was formed to provide an organization in which members from both cultures could comfortably engage in their interests. Avalon exists alongside Vale de Draco, and, indeed, currently shares fighter practices with the stronghold. Dual membership is both common and encouraged, but far from mandatory.Standards and Rules of the List
Armour and Weapon Standards-----------------
Avalon’s Base Armour and Weapon Standards are identical to those of the SCA.
- Armour Standards
[.pdf File]
Avalon Armour Standards Addendum
1) An aventail/camail is not sufficient neck/throat protection. A gorget must be worn underneath.
- Weapon Standards
[.pdf File]
Avalon Armour Standards Addendum
Pending
Rules of the List-----------------
Avalon’s Base Rules of the List are identical to those of the SCA.
However, Avalon variant rules may be used so long as all fighters envolved agree to those rules.
- Avalon Variant Rules
Avalon Rules Systems (accepted for general use)
1) Avalon Basic Rules ? As per SCA standard rules except as follows:
a. Standing leg wounds ? If struck a telling blow on the leg, the fighter must “plant” that foot. He may step forward and back from it, but may not lift it from the ground or drag it. (In case of melee, a fighter not-engaged in combat may drag himself over to the combat, but must “plant the foot again once an opponent engages him).
b. Limited Grappling ? Fighters may grab and push each other (if wearing gauntlets). Throws, locks, punches, and kicks are not allowed.
c. Blade grabbing ? Blade grabbing is legal; however, if fighter allows the blade to slide through his grip, that fighter must take an arm wound. Half-swording is also allowed.
d. Face Thrusts ? Face thrusts are allowed, with the level of force being positive pressure.
2) Counted Blows ? As per Avalon Basic Rules, except as follows:
a. Fighters do not take wounds. Any telling blow to a legal target area (head, body, arms, legs) counts as one blow. You do not put one arm behind your back, nor do you plant your foot.
b. Fighters fight until they have been struck a prearranged number of times (the usual number is “3”, but any number is acceptable, so long as everyone agrees prior to combat).
c. The first fighter to be struck a number of times equal to the prearranged number is defeated.
d. Optional Rule: Any successful attack to a “weak point” (armpit, unprotected groin, open-faced helm) is an instant kill, no matter how many blows have been struck.
e. Optional Rule: Strikes from mass weapons count as two blows.
3) Counted Blows, Armour as worn ? As per Counted Blows Rules, except as follows:
a. The number of blows that a fighter can be struck before he must yield is based on the armour that that he is wearing. The total armour worn is judged, and assigned a number before combat. The number is assigned according to the following categories:
i. “unarmoured” ? Plastic armour, unhardened leather armour, light cloth armour: 1 Blow
ii. Light Armour ? Chain armour, coats of plates with non-overlapping plates, hardened leather, heavy cloth armour: 2 Blows
iii. Medium Armour ? Coats of plates with overlapping plates, Coats of plates with non-overlapping plates worn over chain armour: 3 Blows
iv. Heavy Armour ? Coats of plates with overlapping plates worn over chain armour, Solid Plate armour: 4 blows
v. Extra-Heavy Armour ? Solid plate worn over chain, or with chain reinforced “weak points” (groin, armpits, etc): 5 blows
b. When judging armour, judge should assign points holistically. The primary point of judgement is the body armour. Therefore, a fighter with chain body, splint arms, and plate legs would still only be assigned two blows.
c. Plastic is always considered “unarmoured”, and aluminum counts for minus one level. Therefore, a cote of plates with non-overlapping plates is only good for one blow. Bar grills and basket hilts do not exist for purposes of judgement, so a bargrilled helm would be designated as "open-faced".
d. Optional Rule: Any successful attack to a “weak point” (armpit, unprotected groin, open-faced helm) is an instant kill, no matter how many blows have been struck.
e. Optional Rule: Strikes from mass weapons count as two blows.
Experimental Avalon Rules Systems (practice only under peer supervision)
1) Plate as proof ? Can be used with either the Avalon Basic Rules or the Counted Blows Rules.
a. All solid plate armour ? helmet, legs, breastplate, etc. ? is considered to be invulnerable to strikes. Telling blows can only be struck to the unarmoured, or lightly armoured, areas. Therefore, if the fighter is wearing head to toe plate, he can only be struck in the groin, armpits, backs of the legs, etc.)
b. Bargrills count as unarmoured.
c. Optional Rule: Strikes from mass weapons are handled as per regular rules, even against plate armour.
2) Full Leg Targeting ? Can be used with either the Avalon Basic Rules or the Counted Blows Rules.
a. Opponents may strike a fighter from one inch below the knee.
b. Opponents may not strike a fighter on the knee itself. Lower leg only.
Blood of Heros
If sports are an analogy for war, what does that make this?
Playing Field and Initial Player Placement:
1) The playing field will have roughly designated boundaries. And will have goals (baskets) on either end.
2) In the center of the field, there will be a 3m-diameter circle.
3) The dog skull will be in the center of the circle.
4) The two Runners will begin play inside of the circle, each on his team’s side of the field.
5) The Wolves will begin play anywhere outside of the circle, each on his team’s side of the field.
6) The Castles will begin play anywhere within 3m of the goal on their side of the playing field.
Rules of Play:
1) Two teams will compete. The victor will be the first team to get 5 points.
2) The period of time it takes to score one point will be referred to as a “round”.
3) The ball will be an imitation dog skull. The goals will be baskets on either end of the playing field. A team will be given a point when the dog skull is placed in the opposing teams basket.
4) Teams will ideally consist of 5 players:
a. 1 Runner, armed with a dagger, fast feet, and serious motivation.
b. 2 Wolves, armed with longswords, broadswords, and other short weapons. Shields are not allowed, although in the case of beginners, a small buckler might be used. It is allowable ? and even encouraged ? for Wolves to fight with two weapons.
c. 2 Castles, armed with two-handed swords, pole arms, spears, or any other long weapons.
5) Only the runner is allowed to carry the dog skull (and therefore is the only person allowed to score).
6) A round begins with the dog skull in the center of the circle and the players in their placement positions.
7) Once a round begins, no non-Runner can enter the circle until either Runner breaks it.
8) A round ends once a point is scored. The players will then switch ends of the playing field and set up for the next round.
Rules of Combat:
1) Unless otherwise stated, the combat rules are identical to Avalon basic rules.
2) Wounds to the arms are handled as per the usual rules. However, wounds to the legs are considered incapacitating.
3) When a fighter is struck an incapacitating blow (i.e. a solid blow to the head, torso, or legs), that fighter will fall to the ground and count loudly and slowly to five. When the fighter finishes counting, he may stand up again and fight.
4) If an opposing fighter lays his weapons (gently) upon an incapacitated fighter and says “Pinned”, that fighter cannot rise until the weapon is removed.
5) Fighters cannot be struck if they are not standing.
6) Fighters cannot be struck from behind, except for the Runner. The Runner is always in play (look at it like this: by running away from you toward the goal, the runner is really attacking you). However, when striking a runner from behind, fighters should not strike with great force. Runners should recognize that the other fighters are being kind to them, and allow themselves to be incapacitated by less powerful blows from behind.
7) When a Runner is incapacitated while carrying the skull, he or she must drop the skull.
8) Grappling is allowed; tackling and arm locks are not.
Weasel Rules:
1) Do not be a jerk.
2) When a runner is incapacitated, he must not fall on the skull.
3) When a runner is incapacitated, he must not throw the skull far away, or out into the bushes.
4) When the skull is on the ground, the Wolves and Castles may not touch it, nor may they get within one meter of it.
5) Team members other than the Runner may not move the skull or cover it up.
6) Wolves and Castles may not pick up the Runner when he is carrying the skull.
7) It is allowable to use the terrain for cover and defense; however, spectators are not considered “terrain.”
8) If a runner leaves the designated field while carrying the skull, his team forfeits a point.
1) The Marshal of the Games may penalize a player who breaks the rules by having the fighter sit in the penalty box for 3 minutes.
2) Any player who argues with the Marshal of the Games is automatically penalized by having to sit in the penalty box for 3 minutes.
3) Should the Marshal of the Games be faced with a situation not covered in the rules, or is not able to quickly remember the correct rule for a given situation, he must yell out “Melee!” All fully armoured fighters, including those in the penalty box, and those in teams waiting on the sidelines, must fight a battle, using normal Avalon rules (once you are down, you stay down). The decision is handed in favor of the survivors. Should the survivors be from a team that is not involved, they may choose whichever ruling they wish. Keep in mind that the melee is in effect the moment the Marshal calls for it. During the melee, the Marshal should read the damned rules so he will know how to make the call next time.
Avalon Etiquette
Contact Information
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