Aaron Veitch, co-captain of Owensboro’s Black Forest Live Action Role Play (LARP) Group, is passionate about sharing his love of foam weapon combat and the friendships it fosters. Vicci said LARPing combines elements of medieval combat and strategy games, providing participants with a unique physical and mental challenge in a safe and fun environment.
“We are currently the only LARP group in Owensboro,” Veach said. “We follow a rulebook called Beleghas, which makes it more like bubble martial arts than just role-playing.”
Veitch co-founded the group with his roommate. They host games every two weeks at Unity Fellowship Church on the corner of 7th and Davis streets. The church allows them to use the grassy area for their activities.
Despite LARP’s growing popularity nationally, local groups remain relatively small, Veach noted.
“Not many people know about us at this point,” Veach said. “But we want to change that by involving more people.”
Veach’s interest in LARPing comes from a background in martial arts such as boxing and kickboxing, but he wanted something that could involve more people and include combat with weapons without the risk of injury. I was there.
“I’ve always been interested in martial arts, but there’s a limit to what you can do with just your hands,” he says. “LARPing is quick, easy, and anyone can do it. Plus, it’s foam padded so it’s safe.”
Veach said costumes and medieval attire are encouraged for the large event, but new attendees can wear whatever they’re comfortable in. Although fun and safety are more important than strict adherence to historical accuracy, some large-scale events across the country require costumes for full immersion.
Black Forest games come in a variety of styles, including objective-based scenarios and team combat. One of the popular games, “Kill Your Killer,” starts out as a free-for-all, with players tagging out and rejoining opponents after they are eliminated. He said the variety of games will keep things fresh and fun for everyone.
“The fun thing about LARPing is that it’s a great group-building exercise,” Veach says. “I personally enjoy making the gear, but my co-captain is on the field more. It’s important to create a fun experience for everyone.”
With about 30 members on the Facebook page and about 10 actively participating in events, Black Forest hopes to grow. Veach led a LARP group about seven years ago that has grown to include more participants, and he hopes to replicate that success with this new venture.
In addition to local conferences, Black Forest is also beginning to expand its presence at large-scale events. The group hosted a booth at the recent Multicultural Festival in Owensboro and supported activities at OMG!con, a popular convention held in June. They also hope to attend the upcoming Owensboro Comic and Toy Convention.
The group will continue to meet every other Saturday, with its next event scheduled for October 5th. For more information, those interested can follow the Black Forest LARP Facebook page, which will post updates and details about upcoming events.
