⏱️ New Player Orientation Speech Tool

"Safety is our single highest priority.

1. The 'HOLD!' Call: If anyone is injured or a real hazard appears, yell 'HOLD!'. The moment you hear 'HOLD!', you must immediately stop fighting, repeat 'HOLD!', and drop to your knee or squat. Stay completely frozen until a white-tabarded Elder calls 'LAY ON!'.

2. Field Referees: Look for officials wearing White Tabards with 'Elder' on the front. Elders run the combat and make referee calls on the field.

3. Target Zones: You may strike the torso and limbs (above wrist and ankle). You may NEVER strike the face, throat, neck, or groin. Hands holding weapons and feet on the ground are safe from hits. The crown and back of the head may only be struck by flails and morning stars!"

"Darkon functions entirely on the Honor System. You are your own referee for taking hits. When a strike hits a legal target zone with sufficient force—enough force to distinguish an offensive strike through clothing or light armor—you must call it immediately out loud!

Yell 'ARM!' if your arm is hit, 'LEG!' if your leg is hit, or 'DEAD!' (or 'GOOD!') if your torso is hit.

If you ever feel a hit was light or questionable during a battle: Take the hit first! Never stop fighting to argue with an opponent. If you have a concern, speak to a White-Tabarded Elder after the point."

"Here is how wounds and damage work:

• Arm Light Wound: Drop anything in that hand and let your arm dangle lifelessly at your side.
• Leg Light Wound: Lock your knee or drag the leg. You can NEVER run or lead with a wounded leg! If both legs are wounded, drop to your knees.
• Mortal Wound / Death: A hit to your torso or a second limb hit makes you Mortally Wounded. Yell 'DEAD!', place your weapon on your head, and lie down. You have a 5-minute death countdown unless healed. Dead players spend 12 minutes in Hades and lose memory of the 5 minutes before their death!"

"Now let's cover Non-Weapon Tactics—how you interact with shields, weapons, and opponents without swinging a blade!

1. Shield Bashing & Kicking: You can push-bash an opponent with the flat of your shield front-to-front only. Never bash a player on their knees or a Large monster. You may also push kick a shield from the front if one foot stays planted on the ground.

2. Shield Destruction: Heavy two-handed weapons destroy shields in 3 solid hits. When your shield breaks, yell 'SHIELD DESTROYED!' and drop it.

3. Grabbing Weapons & Shields: You may grab an opponent's shield or the unpadded wooden shaft of a spear or polearm. However, never grab a padded blade or striking surface—doing so gives your arm an instant Light wound!

4. No Anvilling: You cannot rest a weapon or shield flat against your body to absorb hits—that is illegal 'anvilling'.

5. Grappling Safety: Grappling is allowed, but all takedowns must be a controlled descent from the front in open terrain (never in the woods). No submission holds, no chokes, and no pulling garb or hair!"

"In addition to martial combat, Darkon features powerful magic. Classes are recognized on the field by their Sashes and Favors.

• White Sashes are Clerics who can heal wounds or resurrect slain allies.
• Grey Sashes are Mages who hurl elemental spell balls.
• No Sash means a Fighter wearing armor and wielding martial weapons.

When a caster throws a soft Spell Ball and it hits your body or shield, listen for their invocation callout—if they call 'FIREBALL!', 'LIGHTNING BOLT!', or 'ICE STORM!', take the effect immediately!"

"You are now ready to enter the Realm of Darkon!

Before stepping onto the battlefield: Make sure you visit the Check-In Table so the Secretary logs your battle credit for today. If you need a weapon, grab a safety-inspected loaner sword or shield from our Marshals. Look for White-Tabarded Elders on the field if you ever have questions. Welcome to Darkon, and let's fight!"