The Grind: Our Unfiltered Chat with Sir Marik

Olympics XXI Recap: Heists, Storms, Kegs, and Chaos

On this episode of Game Face LARP: A Foam Fighting Podcast, Prim and Sorvana share their wild adventures from Mittelmarch's [https://www.facebook.com/mittelmarch] Olympics XXI event. It was an absolute whirlwind of a weekend, packed with everything from a chaotic double-heist to a sudden storm that nearly took out camp dinner. We break down the entire event day by day, highlighting the Dunland [https://www.facebook.com/dunlandlarp] Dagger Fights, the Assassin's Tournament, Saturday’s field battles, and an incredible lineup of tournaments. Plus, we dive into the Arts & Sciences competition, a Dunland VS Dunland tug-of-war, and a show-stopping Bardic night to close out the weekend that left us entirely voiceless. In This Episode: Happy 21st Bday, Olympics! Thursday: The Adventure Begins Travel & Camp Setup: We discuss the art of packing too much gear into standard cars, our very first time navigating a U-Haul trailer, and the crucial lessons we learned for future event setups. The Night Quest Heist: Prim and Sorvana recount their double heist and how they managed to "break" the Mittelmarch Night Quest. It was a perfect, beautifully "chaotic good" start to the weekend. Night Fighting Energy: Why does everyone get just a little bit feistier when the sun goes down? We share our thoughts from watching the night battles. Friday: Support Roles & Severe Weather The Missing Field Fights: Why we skipped the Friday daytime battles to hold down the fort with support roles, camp volunteering, and surviving a shift at Troll. Surprise Tornado Warning: A sudden storm brought radar-detected rotation, high winds, and a mad dash to batten down the hatches. Prim recounts the chaos of cooking camp dinner in a tempest—but rest assured, the potato soup was still incredible (even if it was a little late). Dagger Fights & Delicious Treats: Our favorite wins and losses from the Dunland Dagger Fights, plus a massive shoutout to the Table of Lords for the amazing charcuterie spread. The Assassins Tournament: A look at our awesome experience this year, and why we are actively gunning to be targeted marks in the next one. Honorable Mention: An eternal thank you to the mystery hero who gifted the Dunland camp a keg! Saturday: Tournaments, Triumphs, and Tales Field Battles & #TechTuesday: We finally hit the field for some daytime combat and give a special shoutout to our awesome Thaliondor [https://www.thaliondor.com/] Friends! Spectator Mode & Arts & Sciences: We took a breather from the fighting tournaments to watch the action and focus on crafting. Sorvana entered her hand-embroidered, Dunland Dagger Fight-winning belt flags, and Prim showcased her illuminated Poison Mushroom Hat. Honorable Mention: A massive, proud congratulations to Sorvana on her college graduation! The Knights Chat: Does Tari warming up to the idea of AKAB? The jury is still out, but we hope she doesn't mind us being total stinkers. We also send a huge congratulations to Sir Psycho on being knighted at Olympics XXI! (Go follow his incredible LARP videos on Tiktok (@psycho2cool [https://www.tiktok.com/@psycho2cool]), FB (Aquila Magna [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578576810583]), and YouTube (Aquila Magna [https://www.youtube.com/@AquilaMagnaLARP]). Tug of War, Mongolian Wrestling, & Feast: Closing out the weekend, we had Tug of War with Dunland 1 vs. Dunland 2 in which one team learned a little lesson in physics. The delicious feast was made by Smokin' Barrel Barbeque [https://www.facebook.com/SmokinBarrelBarbeque]. Sorvana has a bone to pick regarding a minor disappointment in her loss at Mongolian Wrestling...don't worry, she'll be back next year to try again! The Bardic Grand Finale: Hosted by Sir Berenor of the Rangers, this was the absolute cherry on top of the weekend. We share our immense pride in all the Dunlanders who took the stage, how we completely lost our voices cheering, and a realistic assessment of whether or not Dunland is just a bunch of loveable drunks. Sunday: Breaking Camp Heading Home: Packing up was an absolute breeze. Gold star to the entire Dunland crew for a smooth teardown! Meeting You IRL & Community Feedback We dive into your Facebook responses to find out YOUR favorite parts of Olympics XXI and who we missed seeing on the field. Plus, we had our very first moment meeting a listener "in the wild" at an event! A massive shoutout to Lily—it was so incredibly cool to meet you! Upcoming Event Schedule: Get your calendars out! We’ll be at some of these events this season: June 2-7 | BMCS - Armageddon XXIII [https://www.facebook.com/share/1ANuCUS7Zb/] (Billie Creek - Rockville, IN) June 27 | Mittelmarch - June Monthly Melee [https://www.facebook.com/share/1FUxmqPFLv/]  (Indianapolis) June 27 | Redstorm - Tempest [https://www.facebook.com/share/14c9XBNcBNr/] (Mattoon, IL) July 18 | Mittelmarch - July Monthly Melee [https://www.facebook.com/share/1BCpwCUpg6/]  (Indianapolis) July 24-26 | Galladorn - Onslaught II [https://www.facebook.com/share/1FLpUQJ3e7/](Springfield, OH) August 22 | Dragonspire - Heroes Forge 2026 (Terre Haute, IN) August 29 | Mittelmarch - August Monthly Melee [https://www.facebook.com/share/1AEEVuSHiG/]  (Indianapolis)

The Grind: Our Unfiltered Chat with Sir Marik

On this episode of Game Face LARP: A Foam Fighting Podcast, Prim and Sorvana sit down with Sir Marik of Dragonspire for a conversation that doesn't hold back. With 16 years in the game, Marik has seen it all—the evolution of the sport, the weight of leadership, and the reality of hitting a wall. We’re getting into the grit of what it takes to stay in the game when the "honeymoon phase" ends and how to keep "facilitating the fun" without losing yourself to burnout. In This Episode: Meet Sir Marik: Sir Marik of the Realm of Dragonspire [https://www.facebook.com/DragonspireBelegarth] (big fan of dinosaurs, btw) shares the origins of his persona name as well as some history on his realm. He shares a bit about his perspectives on being "just a guy," which might be one of the reasons he's been the title-less "king" leading Dragonspire.  The Burnout is Real: We dive right in to the evolution of the game—how it used to be vs. where we are now. We’re talking about the mental toll on veterans and new players alike, and how life outside the battlefield affects your ability to lead inside the realm. Facilitating the Fun: Marik discusses the responsibility of creating space for others - his example being the craft nights he hosts for his realm. Plus: Are you a "creator" or an "artist"? There’s a difference. High School Lore & Garb Fails: Before the armor, Marik rocked the "Scottish" American Eagle fit at his first event - Mittelmarch's [https://www.facebook.com/mittelmarch] WAR in 2010. We all look back at our "high school" roots: Marik the preppy kid, Sorvana the goth queen, and Prim the straight-edge Avril Lavigne wannabe. Foam-Smithing 101: From 2000s flash videos (Blue Sword Construction 101 [https://web.archive.org/web/20120621012344/http://dagorhir.com/gear/content/weapon_tutorials/howtomakeabluesword.swf]) to modern forums, Marik discusses being self-taught, the trial-and-error of weapon building, and how to lower the barrier for people who find DIY intimidating. The Hard Truths of Leadership: It’s not all glory. We tackle practice logistics, realm admin, on-field (and off-field) conflicts, and the inevitable egos that show up in the community. Why Stay? When the "honeymoon phase" is over and friends leave the game, how do you keep going? Marik shares the "DAP" (the glue) of Dragonspire and the power of a community that shows up. The Tenth Man: Why you need friends who don't always agree with you, the logic of healthy dissent, and how the community helps us stand up to real-life bullies. Closing Advice: A challenge for the veterans. Don’t be the problem—learn how to listen, adapt, and grow as the game evolves around and beyond you. Upcoming Event Schedule: Get your calendars out! We’ll be at these events this season: May 16: Dunland Spring Fight Night [https://www.facebook.com/share/1EdhGt5eTx/] (Brazil, IN) June 2–7: BMCS Armageddon XXIII [https://www.facebook.com/share/1ANuCUS7Zb/] (Billie Creek Village) *August - TBA | Dragonspire - Heroes Forge 2026 (Terre Haute, IN) September 30-October 4 | Numenor [https://www.facebook.com/groups/287841582671/] - Oktoberfest 2026 [https://www.facebook.com/share/18Muv5UeBG/] (Billie Creek Village)

Game Face On: Prepping for Fighting Season

Welcome to the newly rebranded Game Face LARP: A Foam Fighting Podcast! In this episode, Prim and Sorvana discuss the evolution of the show’s name, some exciting sound upgrades, and the best guides to prepping for the upcoming fighting season. From gear repairs to the "camping essentials," we’re covering everything you need to know before hitting the field in 2026. In This Episode: The Big Rebrand: Why we changed our name to Game Face LARP. We discuss learning from the LARP community on TikTok and our commitment to being inclusive and respectful of indigenous cultures. Shout out to Anders Anvil on TikTok! Leveling Up the Audio: We’ve got new podcast equipment! Hear the story of the "homie" who hooked us up and why we’re sounding crisper than ever. Gearing Up for the Season: Practices: Tips on physical prep, repairing your weapons, and making those necessary garb changes after a long winter. Camping & Event Prep: A deep dive into travel logistics, car maintenance, and the legendary camping checklist from Sir Tari [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fWBjeD0pIDOhD97L4bXYtHqREQHdZM5P/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107851136056331295029&rtpof=true&sd=true] and the Geddon Wiki. [https://geddon.org/Sorcia%27s_Packing_List] The Culinary Side of LARP: We polled Facebook to find out what keeps you fueled at events. The Gourmet: Foil packs and Dutch oven pineapple upside-down cake. The "Ready to Eat": Pop-Tarts and the "Can of SpaghettiOs" diet. Community Highlights: Jacob Baker’s campfire apples and Quentin Overturf’s 12-pickle feast with House Dregoth. Camping Must-Haves: Our listeners share their "can't live without" items, from battery-powered fans and moving blankets to...um, well...maybe just listen and find out? Notable Mentions & Resources: Creators: Anders Anvil (TikTok) [https://www.tiktok.com/@andersanvil] Resources: Sir Tari’s Camping List [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fWBjeD0pIDOhD97L4bXYtHqREQHdZM5P/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107851136056331295029&rtpof=true&sd=true] & the Ruxandra Woods Geddon Wiki List [https://geddon.org/Sorcia%27s_Packing_List] Vendors: Smokin' Barrel Barbeque [https://www.facebook.com/SmokinBarrelBarbeque] (Mittelmarch Olympics) Upcoming Event Schedule: Get your calendars out! We’ll be at these events over the next three months: April 23–26: Mittelmarch Olympics XXI [https://www.facebook.com/share/1KUPA8Fbmk/] (Indianapolis, IN) May 16: Dunland Spring Fight Night [https://www.facebook.com/share/1EdhGt5eTx/] June 2–7: BMCS Armageddon XXIII [https://www.facebook.com/share/1ANuCUS7Zb/] (Billie Creek Village)

Wolfpack 2026 Recap: Road Trip, Battles, & Clowns

We’re back from the first big hit of the year! Prim and Sorvana traveled to Normal, Illinois, for Wolfpack Opener 2026. From the adrenaline of the arena to the confusion of team colors, we’re breaking down the highs, the lows, and the sore muscles that come with shaking off the winter rust. In This Episode: The Road to Normal: Our experience traveling to the first event of the season and getting through a surprisingly streamlined weapons check. Arena Chaos: * The intensity of packed indoor battles. The struggle is real: Dealing with team color confusion mid-fight. Lost & Found: That mini-heart attack when you lose an arrow, and the relief of getting it back. Unit Tactics: Breaking down the intense unit fights and how the field felt for the first time in months. The "Afters": * Post-game recovery at the local Chinese buffet. The Unexpected Guest: Why was there a clown? We discuss the most surreal moment of the trip. The Recovery Phase: Dealing with the "Monday After" soreness and our best tips for travel recovery. Looking Ahead: * The importance of pre-regging for events (save your future self the headache!). Pacing your physical energy for a long fighting season. Event Shout-Outs: Keep these dates on your radar as we gear up for a busy spring: Rising Winds: Chaos Wars Punic Wars Mittelmarch: Olympics XXI Dunland: Spring Fight Night

Here for the HYPE!

Welcome to the FIRST EPISODE of Game Face LARP! On our first episode ever, hosts Primrose Betta and Sorvana Silversong introduce themselves, describe their vision for this podcast, and hype up the upcoming Belegarth events in the area.