Riverbend

Small realm located in Illinois, across the river north of St.Louis. Founded in 2004. Keeps up to date attendance records on the web.

Noted for revised ruleset for normal practices:

Sliding weight minimums, with balance point based on weapon length.
no differentiation between stabs and slashes (stabs damage armor).
no headshots with javelins
restricted bashing and grappling rules for safety concerns (no bashing gimps, etc.)
Minimum age: None! (Special "scout" class for anyone under 16 or wanting to refrain from contact)
Heavier weight minimums for weapons with multi-direction striking surfaces (clubs, flails, maces)
120" maximum perimeter for shields (3x2 punch shield)
Heavy/light shields take 2/1 red hits to break.

Fighting Style:

Heavy contact, frequent bashing and grappling.
Prevalance of double-cores, and heavier weapons in general due to weight minimums.
Field Battles, as well as scenario battles, and sport-fighting hybrids (like Ultimate Combat Frisbee)
Large assortment of weapons from missiles to reds to shields.
Very high garb standards with "Peasant Rule" for people violating garb minimums (loaner garb available for rent)

Normal weekly attendance: 10-20.

Nationally recognized full-time realm members:

Each year Riverbend hosts an opener in March and a closer in November. These events draw guests from St.Louis's Arnor and Rhudaur (a Dagorhir group), as well as members of Numenor, Henneth-Annun, and Dark Tide. There is always free food and good hard fighting at these events.

Website: Riverbend

FaceBook: Riverbend