WOLFPACK OF
THE HIGH PLAINS
Belegarth Medieval Combat Society –
Bloomington-Normal Chapter
Illinois State
University Medieval Combat Club
These are the Laws of the Jungle
As old and as
true as the sky
The wolf that
shall keep it will prosper
The wolf that
shall break it must die
As the ivy that coils a tree trunk
So our law runs
forward and back
The strength of
the PACK is the WOLF
And the strength
of the WOLF is the PACK
GOAL
The Purpose of this para-athletic group is to have
fun safely by recreating historic medieval combat with padded hand-to-hand
weapons. We will practice weekly, compete with other fighting groups,
attend national events, and bring glory to the Wolfpack.
POLICY MEETINGS AND
AMENDMENTS
1. Policy Meetings of Wolfpack occur as needed and are held outside of regular meeting
times (preferably right before or right after practice).
2. At policy meetings, grievances and proposals for creating or modifying
rules are heard.
3. Both the pro and con sides of the argument must be heard before a
decision can be taken.
4. Wolfpack members must be informed of a policy meeting at least two
weeks in advance. The meeting must be held at a reasonable time and
location.
5. A new rule can be added by a simple majority (51+ %) of members
present.
6. A policy can be changed or dropped by a ¾ majority of members present.
7. Rules and policies may be created, altered, or dropped at any point in
the season.
BATTLE
I. Membership
1. The club is open to and welcomes any and all
members within 50 miles of Bloomington-Normal who are fifteen or older.
2. People who live outside the 50-mile radius
(and are not members of other realms) can become members of Wolfpack under the
following conditions:
A. They must be voted in as full members by a simple majority of voting members
present at an official club meeting
B. Distant members can only vote on Wolfpack issues if they continue to
attend Wolfpack practices at least twice a month.
3. Potential members under the age of 18 must
have a parent signed waiver that has been notarized by a certified notary of
the public.
4. Each member who attends for more than eight
consecutive meetings are strongly suggested to build or purchase their own
weapons and wear minimal garb.
5. Any person who attends practice for six
weeks (or twelve meetings), clearly understands the rules, and has paid dues is
considered a full member with voting rights in official Wolfpack elections.
6. Garb and battle names are not required, but strongly
encouraged.
7. Full members of Wolfpack are required to
fight with Wolfpack during realm battles 50% of the time. Failure to
fight with Wolfpack can result in a removal of Wolfpack political rights full
member status by a ¾ vote of club members.
II. Meetings
1. It is the responsibility of the Warlord to
arrange meetings and contact its members.
2. The Combat Club shall meet at least once a
week for at least one hour.
3. Which days the club will practice is largely
determined by the member’s schedule.
4. The order of business for a typical practice
is as follows:
a. Warm up exercises (strongly recommended).
b. Combat practice, training, and dueling for the first half hour.
c. Announcements (grievances or suggestions may be presented during this time).
d. A club vote will be taken on any policy amendments or grievances if
necessary.
e. Group battles
5. The club shall fight outdoors in early fall
and late spring.
6. During times when it is too cold to fight
outside, it is the responsibility of the Warlord to secure an indoor meeting
place to fight at least once per week, if the club wishes to fighting
through the winter season.
7. During the winter months, fighting outdoors
is optional, unofficial, and weather permitting.
8. If the Club decides not to continue into the
winter, officer elections are held for the next semester, and the club
activities are suspended for the duration.
III. Combat Rules
1. The combat rules and most weapons design
rules for Wolfpack will be based on an edited version of the Belegarth Book of
War (BoW), revised for Wolfpack’s
own purposes. They will be kept in a document separate from this
constitution.
2. If a change is made in the BoW, it is assumed that Wolfpack will follow the change, unless
it is specifically voted down. Only a simple majority (51%) is required
to vote down changes to the BoW if done before
October 1st of the present year.
IV. Combat Safety
Safety first, playability second,
and realism third. Safety is the first rule,
always. We are here to have fun, not hurt each other. All
combat will be conducted in an honorable manner of fair play, common sense, and
good sportsmanship.
1. The head and neck are illegal
targets to anything but yellow and white weapons.
Repeated violations of
this rule are grounds for expulsion.
2. Anyone who is suspected of being intoxicated
will not be allowed to fight under ANY circumstances.
3. Never attack spectators, bystanders,
or other non-combatants for any reason. This is grounds for expulsion.
4. If you are killed, drop your weapons, yell
dead, and fall down (safety permitting). If you walk off the field, hold
your weapons above your head so other fighters know you are dead.
5. Do not hit someone intentionally that is
already “dead”. This is illegal and can result in suspension from a
battle, practice, or event.
6. No “playing dead”. If asked, you must
tell the truth about whether or not you are dead or alive. Whatever
condition you say becomes your condition.
7. Warm up exercises are
not required but are encouraged. The first half-hour of all club sessions
will be spent in warm up, training, and dueling.
HOLDS
8. A “hold” is called in the event of an
injury on the field or in order to prevent injury from happening. If you
or another person get hurt, call “HOLD!” and an
officer or marshal will assist you. Do not call a hold to tie your shoe,
pick up a weapon, or for any reason not related to safety.
9. All combat stops instantly if a hold is
called and every combatant must take a knee. This overrides all other
factors. No movement or changing of weapons or positioning is permitted.
10. If you are backed into a tree, corner,
picnic table, or other unsafe area, ask to be able to extricate yourself.
If necessary, call a hold.
11. An officer or marshal must investigate a
called “hold”, and give the call for combat to resume.
12. ONLY an officer or marshal can call
“LAY ON” after a “hold” to resume combat.
13. Unnecessary Roughness: Fighters
should strive not to be any rougher than necessary during combat. Those
who are identified as using excessive force will be disciplined in accordance
with their violation, from push-ups to suspension from several battles to
expulsion. Examples of unnecessary roughness include (but are not limited
to):
a. Excessively strong hits from behind.
b. Shield bashing with excessive force.
c. Failure to control swings based on target.
d. Intentional head shots.
e. repeated strikes to obviously dead fighters
The marshal or officer on duty may assign push-ups or
warnings at their discretion. (Battle:
Section V: Consequences of Breaking Rules)
V. Consequences of Breaking
Rules
1. Disputes are always to be taken to
the officers or marshal on duty for arbitration.
2. If a dispute between members leads to a
fight, both parties can be expelled. No one is to raise a fist with the
serious intention of hitting another person. This is a strict rule and
not subject to the punishment progression outlined below:
a. First Violation (one day): Member gets
reminder and warning
b. Second Violation (one day): Member is asked
to sit out of determined number of battles (1, 2, etc.).
c. Third Violation (one day): Member sent home for the rest of the day.
d. Members who are sent home twice in the same semester can be expelled from the
club.
e. Any marshal or officer has the
power, at least temporarily, to rule arbitrarily on any issue where safety is
involved.
f. Only officers and Marshals have the authority to punish offenders. A
member can only lodge a complaint. In all cases, the officers have the
final say.
NOTE: All officers present must agree to initiate
these measures. (Battle:
Section V: Consequences of Breaking Rules; 2c,d.).
Violations are as follows
but not limited to:
a. Using a weapon that is known to be unsafe.
b. repeatedly not taking hits.
c. using a weapon improperly (hitting with hilt,
shaft, etc.).
d. intentionally breaking/throwing a weapon out of
anger.
e. intentionally violating any rule or practice of the
club.
VI. Weapon Safety
1. No weapon that is unsafe (as defined by
Belegarth standards and the officer’s discretion) will be allowed in combat.
2. A weapon with a duct tape “X” or a Wolfpack
“Failed” sticker on it is broken. Do not use it.
3. NEVER intentionally hit someone with the
handle of a sword or shaft of a weapon.
4. NEVER intentionally throw a weapon that is
not yellow or white.
5. Missile weapons are not allowed on the field
after dark (determined by a Marshal/Officer).
6. All new weapons must be approved by a
qualified weapon checker before it can be used. Officers have the final
say on weapon safety.
7. Marshals will check all missile weapons
before every practice.
8. No weapon will be used unless the maker is
willing to be hit with it by all three officers.
9. Weapons are to be checked the first practice
of every month for safety, weight, and regulations as stipulated in the
Belegarth BoW.
VII. Marshals
1. A Marshal acts as the referee on the field
of battle. At least one marshal is required for any field battle at the
officer’s discretion. Any combat ruling a Marshal makes during a battle
is FINAL.
2. Marshals wear yellow tunics during battles
to mark them as non-combatants.
3. Marshals judge duels, oversee battles,
determine weapon safety, and enforce the conduct rules.
4. A marshal must pass a weapon as safe.
Officers always have the final say on weapon safety.
5. Marshals are appointed by the officers.
6. The requirements to be a marshal are:
a. Being a club member for 1 year/2 semesters/32 weeks.
b. Being able to recite all the basic combat rules.
c. Pass an oral quiz about rules details.
d. Know enough about building weapons to tell if a weapon is safe.
VIII. Fighting Units
1. Each new unit formed within the realm of
Wolfpack should submit a declaration of existence to the officers. It is
encouraged for each unit to have a standard or coat-of-arms, but not required.
2. A unit leader may not be a Wolfpack officer.
IX. Warleader
1. The position of Warleader
is chosen for each inter-realm event from the members of Wolfpack as a whole if
the position is declined by the Warlord (President) and theLieutenant
(Vice-President), in that order.
a. If either accepts the position, they can be removed by a ¾ vote of no confidence.
2. Qualifications: A nominee for the
position of Warleader must be:
a. A full voting member of Wolfpack
b. Experienced in realm battles held at no less than 2 inter-realm events.
(Including Spring War, Beltaine, Octoberfest, Chaos
Wars, etc.)
3. Nomination and Voting
a. Nomination
1.) All knights and squires of the realm are automatically nominated for the
position if they fit the qualifications and do not decline the nomination.
2.) At the meeting where a Warleader is decided, all
candidates must be nominated and seconded.
b. Voting
1.) The voting process for the Warleader is
two-tiered, the first to determine fitness and the second to determine
acceptability to the realm as a whole.
2.) The first vote will be among all candidates. They will be
ranked in descending order from the candidate who received the most votes downwards.
3.) Beginning with the candidate who received the most votes, the realm will
vote on their fitness for leadership. A ¾ vote is required for the candidate
to be elected as Warleader.
4.) If the first candidate does not receive a ¾ approval vote, the rest
of the candidates are voted upon. (Battle:
Section IX: Warleader: 3.b.2) Each must
receive a ¾ vote of confidence to be approved.
5.) If none of the candidates receive this ¾ approval vote, the position reverts
to the Warlord or the Lieutenant if the warlord declines the post a second
time.
4. Powers and Duties
a. In a battle at the event for which they were
elected when the Wolfpack is working together as a realm (such as realm battles
and battles where sides are divided up by realm), the Warleader
is empowered to:
1. Determine tactics and strategies.
2. Give command to unit commanders/representatives and unaffiliated Wolfpack
members.
3. Remove any Wolfpack warrior from said battles for reasons of insubordination or
misconduct on the battlefield.
4. During events longer in duration than three days name a second-in-command
who can act as the Warleader when the Warleader him/herself is unavailable, or if the Warleader is injured or incapacitated.
b. The Warleader is responsible for any and all
misconduct performed by their second.
c. Outside of battles where the Wolfpack as a whole is acting as a realm (such
as unit battles, battles where teams are chosen in any way other than by realm,
etc.), the Warleader acts only in an advisory
capacity and has no true power or authority.
d. The Warleader’s duties are entrusted in their
powers; they should exercise these powers for the benefit of the realm and the
glory of Wolfpack.
5. Removal from Office
a. The Warleader is automatically removed from office
at the conclusion of the event wherein they were active.
b. If the Warleader is injured or otherwise
unavailable at shorter events, the position reverts to the officers of
Wolfpack.
c. If the Warleader abuses their powers or displays
gross incompetence, the Warlord of Wolfpack has the authority to summarily
remove them from their post.
Note: If the Warleader is
dismissed by the Warlord, the appointed second may also be removed at that time
if the Warlord sees fit to do so.
d. In the event that the Warleader/second is
removed from their post, the position reverts to the officers of Wolfpack.
1. If either officer has already been voted down in a vote of no confidence,
that officer may not assume the post of Warleader.
2. At longer events, a new Warleader should be
chosen at the earliest convenient time in a simple nominate-and-vote
process. The nominee with the most votes assumes the post.
Government
I. Officers
1. The structure of Wolfpack is
democratic. All rules are made by majority consensus. Power is
vested in the Officers (and to a lesser extent Marshals), however, to enforce
the safety rules and club policies.
2. There are three officer positions.
They are the Warlord (President), Lieutenant (Vice-President), and Scribe
(Secretary/Treasurer).
3. The term of office for all three positions
is one semester. There are no term limits.
4. The requirements for any and all Officer positions are the following:
a. Membership for two consecutive semesters/32 weeks with 50%+ attendance.
b. Demonstrating firm knowledge of all the safety rules and club policies.
5. All three officers have the following responsibilities:
a. Explaining the safety rules and club policies to new members.
b. Arbitrating disputes between members and disciplining rule breakers.
The
Warlord has the final say on the matter.
c. Determining if a new weapon passes safety standards.
d. Training any member to use any weapon if they ask for instruction.
e. Building/repairing weapons for the club and its members.
f. To act as a Marshal if needed.
g. Must have physical availability during the week.
h. Must maintain an attendance level at or above 50% at official meetings,
barring catastrophe.
6. The additional responsibilities of the WARLORD are:
a. To arrange the group’s meetings, contact members, and secure a place to
fight
b. To know and enforce the safety rules and Club policies, including issuing warnings,
assigning punishments, and telling repeat offenders to leave the group.
c. To advertise and recruit new members at the beginning of every semester.
d. To keep in touch with other combat groups, arrange inter-city tournaments, and find out information about national events.
e. To organize the group’s transportation for inter-city tournaments.
f. To organize and run policy meetings.
g. To organize and run elections at the end of every semester.
h. To make announcements and conduct ceremonies.
7. The additional responsibilities of the LIEUTENANT are:
a. To organize (with the help of the Warlord/Scribe) a weapon building day
every semester.
b. Building or arranging the construction of a weapon for a member who needs one.
c. To take over the office of the Warlord and all their responsibilities in the
event that it suddenly becomes vacant.
d. To maintain the Wolfpack First Aid Kit.
NOTE: Only an elected Wolfpack Officer, Marshall,
or certified/club recognized medic may gain access to the contents of the Med
Kit.
8. The additional responsibilities of the SCRIBE are:
a. To record any new rules or changes to the constitution.
b. To operate as the liaison between Wolfpack and the ISU administration.
-checking the ISU Medieval Combat Club mailbox in the Office of Student Life
(OSL).
-securing a University Advisor.
-annual re-registration of the Club’s Constitution.
-notifying OSL of any changes in officers.
c. To collect and retain the member’s signed and/or notarized waivers.
d. To take attendance at every official meeting where votes are to take place.
e. To keep and maintain a list of active members.
f. To collect each members dues and any other fees.
g. To petition the University for discretionary funds for student
organizations.
h. To organize any fund raisers.
i. To record the Club’s income and
expenditures.
j. To maintain (or find someone to maintain) the Combat Club web page.
9. Delegating Responsibilities
a. Any Officer may delegate part of their responsibilities to another club member (particularly
Marshals, Knights, and Unit Captains).
b. If so, the delegating officer must ensure that the member complete the job he/she
has been tasked with.
c. An officer may only delegate responsibility with the approval of both other officers.
II. Officer Elections
1. Officer elections will be held at the end of
every semester to allow new officers time to plan their actions for the
following semester.
2. The Warlord organizes and directs the
elections.
3. Any and all members get one vote.
NOTE: Members must be present at election in order
to vote. Mailed/Phone-in votes may be accepted at the Warlord’s
discretion.
4. All Officer elections
must be announced and advertised at least two weeks before official election
may take place.
5. Candidates must volunteer/be nominated as
well as seconded.
6. Elections shall be done by secret ballot.
7. Winners are determined by a simple majority (51+ %)
of members present.
III. Vacancies of Office
1. If the Warlord position becomes vacant, it
is filled by the Lieutenant.
2. If the Lieutenant position becomes vacant,
it is filled by the Scribe.
3. If the Scribe position becomes vacant, it is
filled by the Lieutenant.
4. Should a position become vacant or the
remaining officers deem it necessary, an emergency election will be held to
fill any vacancies.
IV. Impeachment
1. If an Officer has been neglecting their
responsibilities to the club, they may be removed form office by a ¾ vote of
Wolfpack members.
2. An impeachment must be announced at least
one week before the actual vote.
3. Any and all members get one vote but must be
present at impeachment to cast ballot.
4. In the event of an impeachment, an emergency
election will be held to elect a new officer using the regular election
procedure.
5. Another officer will fill the position of
the impeached officer until elections can be held. See the guidelines for
vacancies of office above.
V. University Advisors
1. It shall be the responsibility of the Scribe
to secure a University Advisor whenever necessary.
VI. National Organization
1. The Wolfpack will attempt to conform to all
the national rules of the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society, but reserves
the right to alter some for our own particular needs.
2. At Belegarth events, Wolfpack will follow
the rules of the hosting realm.
VII. National War Council
Representatives
1. Officers
a. New officers are required to create and maintain national Belegarth bulletin
board accounts. As part of the transition, the new officers will notify
the Belegarth president of the change in War Council representatives. The
president will notify the board administrator and secretary to add/remove the relevant
individuals to the Realm Leaders War Council forum.
b. The two War Council representatives shall be chosen from the current
officers by the current officers.
c. War Council representatives are required to review the Belegarth Realm Leaders
War Council forum at least once per week and must remain informed on any issues.
2. Notification of Realm
a. Upon notification of an online vote, the Scribe and other officers will
attempt to notify all dues-paid members of Wolfpack regarding the vote.
b. The officers will also create a voting poll thread on the Wolfpack
board. The deadline for creating this thread is no later than one week
after the vote has been started on the national forum.
c. Notification may occur via announcement at practice, private messaging, or utilizing
the contact list as needed.
d. The poll thread will include, at a minimum, the issue, any relevant
discussion thread(s), and the deadline which will be 20 days after the poll is
created.
1. The officers will accept votes other than online, i.e., verbal, paper,
text message, etc., and will include them in the final tally. The
officers will use the list of paid members to track who has voted and to avoid
double voting.
2. Upon reaching the deadline, the Scribe or other officer will lock the thread
and will post the results of the realm vote on the national voting thread.
3. Decisions will be based on a simple majority
3. Failure to serve as War Council
Representative
a. Failure to follow this process may result in an officer’s removal from
his/her position as War Council representative. (Government: Section
IV: Impeachment: 1-5)
b. Should an officer be removed as War Council Representative, a new War Council
representative will be designated by the other realm officers from dues-paid
members of Wolfpack
