Unwritten Rules

Unwritten "rules" of Belegarth combat.

Standard of combat

These are in no way enforcable in multi-realm events, but these rules have become the standard in many established realms and events.

If you have the question "Is this an unwritten rule" your best bet is to use common sense.

Standards
Heralds wear yellow tabards, sometimes edged.

Photographers will sometimes wear yellow tabards as well. Please do not hit them, they give us good pictures after the event is over.

Heralds are not shields.

Go easier on women and smaller fighters when using red weapons and heavy offensive shield usage. Does NOT mean tap fighting.

Drop to knees when a hold is called.

Don't call a hold to stop from getting killed.

Don't move during a hold.

Don't re-equip during a hold.

Hits after a hold are not counted. (Situational)

Try to avoid fighting near weapons piles.

Try to avoid fighting near onlookers.

Half draw on a throw means the hand should not go behind the head.

You can grab your own weapon anyway you want.

Field Combat
Shield bashing archers can be dangerous (use common sense).

No catching arrows

Swing lightly while calling the weapon color if coming up behind unaware fighters to kill them. Also can be used with red weapons and the fighter is legged without a shield. (Courtesy shot)

Take a courtesy shot so you aren't blasted next time.

Weapon/arm above your head means you are dead and trying to get off the field. (Only clear the field if a marshal/herald tells you to unless it's an emergency.) Reference rule 3.4.2.1

If killed you can call "down" or "got it" to inform your opponent you are dead (Still lay down immediately) Reference rule 3.4.2.1

If you are dead, look dead. If you are alive, look alive.

No kicking people. Just because it is not a grapple doesn't mean you can kick someone. Shield kicking IS allowed. Reference rule 3.5.4

Don't hit someone with a non-striking surface of a weapon.

Don't hit or bash people with the core (inside) of a shield.

A shield is a shield, doesn't matter where it is.

Am empty hand is considered part of the arm.

Hands and feet are always legal targets, you just take no damage if holding a weapon or having foot on ground.

Grappling on the field is best equated to high school wrestling. Reference rule 3.6

Gear
No matter if it is possible to make a javelin/staff combo which meets safety and specs, you can't!!

No core in the head of a flail.

Shields should not taco (edges meet when shield is bent in half).

Axes should not taco (edges meet when shield is bent in half).

Not recognized in all places

A shot in motion continues if you loose an arm or are killed. Some places use if you're killed, no shot continues.

A weapon's "Magic Switch" from one hand to the other. Drop the weapon and pick it back up if you loose an arm.

If you hit someone in the head, you are dead.

Some places make sure the other fighter can continue after a head shot. Other places keep fighting. IE: Don't use a head shot followed by a kill shot.

Missing a shield kick and kicking your opponent is death.

Don't throw anything other than a rock or javelin.

Hand on a shield is same as hand on weapon.

Others
Dont be the first one to go to sleep at an event.

Dont show up at an event before 8AM without coffee/food for the Troll unlucky enough to pull the morning duty

Discouraged in the BOW means not intentional

Resources Compiled from information from the belegarth boards
"Unwritten Rules list" [1]
"Two missing archery rules" [2]
Belegarth Book of War [3]

Initial creation and formatting done. --Thorondor 21:40, 21 February 2008 (EST)