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For Role-Players

Hjelm Dyb Festival Live is a live-action role-playing scenario inspired by the universe of J.R.R.
Tolkien, offering you a unique opportunity to play a character on your favorite side of Middle-earth. Whether you wish to play a dwarf, elf, human, orc, Uruk-hai, or something entirely different, there will be a place for you here.

You can take part in camp-based role-play, marketplace interactions, and both small and large battles in a dynamic and living story set three years after Aragorn has taken the throne of Gondor.
The festival takes place near Hjelm Dyb, where the light side honors those who fell in the Battle of Helm’s Deep. On the dark side, a shadowy necromancer lurks, curious to see what might happen if the fallen Uruk-hai from the battle were brought back to life—an attempt to return darkness to the land, now that no king sits on the throne of Rohan.

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Minimum age: 9 years

Registration is via email: hjelmdybfestival@gmail.com

You can register as an individual or as a group/association. If you are not a member of Bifrost, transportation and insurance are not covered. However, you can become a member of Rollespil i Ryomgård and thereby be covered under Bifrost. For more information about membership, email rollespiliryomgaard@gmail.com

 

Alcohol is permitted, but not near children. It is recommended that it be consumed either at the marketplace, at one of the vendor stalls selling it, or in your own camp.

Intoxicating substances are NOT allowed under any circumstances. Anyone found using them will be expelled from the area without warning and barred from continuing in the game. You will be allowed to retrieve your belongings after the market closes before being sent home.

 

What Is the Game About?

The Battle of Helm’s Deep is deeply engraved in the memory of the people of Rohan, and a festival to honor the fallen warriors and the alliance with the Elves is well deserved.

But dark forces are always at play. A dark necromancer seeks to rebuild the army of Uruk-hai that lost the battle at Helm’s Deep. With a force of 10,000 risen from the dead, darkness could return—especially now that the Dwarves are too far away, the Elves have either left or hide in the forests, and Men are weakened and vulnerable under a new King of Gondor and a new Queen of Rohan.

The game is structured so that each side can enjoy immersive camp role-play and participate in various battle scenarios throughout both days.

Each day features a major battle—with no predetermined winner.

Festival guests can also take part in the big battle. For safety reasons, we need to know how many participants will join each side and whether they are bringing their own weapons.

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Ruleset:

Character Development

1. Character Background

  • Story: Each player must develop a detailed backstory, including their character’s origin,
    motivations, and goals. This enhances personal immersion and camp role-play. Contact the
    organizers with any questions.

  • Personality: Describe your character’s traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Players are encouraged to role-play accordingly.

  • Progression: Characters should evolve through experiences and interactions during the game.

 

2. Costumes and Props

  • Authenticity: Costumes and props must be true to Tolkien’s universe. Use realistic and safe
    materials.

  • Approval: All costumes and props must be approved by an organizer before the game begins.

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Race Descriptions

1. Humans

  • Background: Versatile and adaptable, known for courage and strength.

  • Abilities: No magical powers, but skilled in various professions.

2. Elves

  • Background: Wise and long-lived, dwell in forests like Lothlórien or realms like Rivendell.

  • Abilities: Natural magic (healing, nature), skilled archers and swordsmen.

3. Dwarves

  • Background: Hardy and strong, masters of craftsmanship and mining.

  • Abilities: Skilled with metal and stone, resilient in battle.

4. Hobbits

  • Background: Peaceful and small, live in the Shire, avoid adventure but can be brave.

  • Abilities: Stealthy and strong-willed.

5. Orcs

  • Background: Malicious beings serving dark lords like Sauron.

  • Abilities: Strong and enduring, limited magical ability.

6. Trolls

  • Background: Brutal and dim-witted, allied with darkness.

  • Abilities: Immense strength and endurance, nearly invincible without magical weapons.

7. Ents

  • Background: Ancient tree-beings, guardians of forests.

  • Abilities: Great strength, can manipulate nature, nearly immune to normal weapons.

8. Goblins

  • Background: Small, cunning creatures living in caves.

  • Abilities: Fast and sneaky, attack in groups with clever tactics.

9. Uruk-hai

  • Background: Elite orc warriors created by Saruman.

  • Abilities: Strong, disciplined, fearless in daylight.

10. Nazgûl

  • Background: The nine corrupted kings of men, now Ringwraiths.

  • Abilities: Nearly invulnerable, powerful dark magic, terrifying aura.

 

Life Points by Race

  • Humans: 5 life points

  • Elves: 6 life points

  • Dwarves: 7 life points

  • Hobits: 4 life points

  • Orcs: 5 life points

  • Trolls: 9 life points

  • Ents: 10 life points

  • Goblins: 4 life points

  • Uruk-hai: 6 life points

  • Nazgûl: 7 life points (special damage rules)

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Damage System

  • Unarmed attacks: 1 life point

  • Daggers/small weapons: 2 life points

  • Swords/axes: 3 life points

  • Polearms (spears, lances): 4 life points

  • Bows and arrows: 3 life points

  • Heavy weapons (clubs, two-handed): 5 life points

  • Magical attacks: 4 life points

 

Armor and Bonus Systems

1. Armor

  • Light armor: +1 armor point

  • Medium armor: +2 armor points

  • Heavy armor: +3 armor points

  • Shield: Can fully block an attack with a successful parry

 

2. Musicians

  • Boost: Can grant +1 life point to their team while playing.

 

3. Standard Bearers

  • Inspiration: +1 life point to all allies while the banner is raised.

  • Effect: Must be visible and actively carried. If the bearer falls, the unit loses the bonus.

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Magic

1. Magical Abilities

  • Elves: Healing and nature magic (4 life points damage or healing).

  • Nazgûl: Dark magic (4 life points damage), can paralyze enemies in melee.

  • Humans: Some may learn magic with special training and organizer approval.

 

2. Using Magic

  • Casting Time: Requires focus and several seconds, leaving the caster vulnerable.

  • Limitations: Magic can only be used a limited number of times per game for balance.

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