Ye’H.A.W. (Huntsville Armored Weekend) aims to bring armored and unarmored fencing together for a weekend of group combat, featuring mixed arms and tactics mimicking a 15th century battlefield. The goal of this is that everyone can play, regardless of how much armor they have, and will find their niche within the group scenarios.

The weekend shall also feature an unarmored tournament meant to simulate life-or-death duels using our wound timer system (Totentanz), where if you are incapacitated, you are out. This shall take place on Friday evening for those who arrive in town early and would like to get in some steel fighting.

Our archers will make a return to be an obstacle during the melees, as well as new special roles that can be applied for in certain scenarios.

The event will take place at The National Speleological Society (6001 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, AL 35810).

Scenarios for 2025:

• Day 1:
  • The Campaign: Two sides under the command of Captains shall face each other in a variety of scenarios.
• Day 2:
  • Combat of the 30: Full Harness in a limited area, modified armor as worn rules to encourage a longer scenario and use of multiple weapons.
  • Pike & Shot: Replicating combined arms pike warfare of the 16th century. Unarmored to half harness of the period, along with special roles that can be applied for.
  • Dark Age: A scenario for shields, the sides will clash in the manner of Hastings. All participants must provide a Center grip round or teardrop shield as well as their spear. Armor is limited to maille shirts and open helms.

In the interests of safety both on and off the field, the following shall be required:

• All participants are expected to read and practice the melee doctrine for this event. This shall ensure unit cohesion and consistency in the unpredictability of group combat. As well as adhere to the gear requirements both armored and unarmored.
• Use of Poleaxes and other heavy weapons shall be limited to those shown to have the restraint and control necessary to be trusted with them. At any point if a wielder of such is shown to be irresponsible with their weapon, they shall be barred from using it, regardless of if it is a privately owned polearm.

This section includes links to rules documents and other important resources pertaining to this event. All participants are strongly encouraged to review all of this material before registering for the event.

Penalty Escalation and Special Rules:

We would like to avoid handing out penalties of course, however, to ensure safety in the event that we must. This shall serve as an escalation guide and what to expect. There will be no arguing with a Marshal’s call, period.

• Verbal Warning: Example, small rule infraction or starting to play a bit too rough. These things happen, but an eye will be kept on you in case of repeat offense. You will be asked to return to respawn point and re-enter the scenario, no loss of a life however. Basically a white card.
• Rulebreak Penalty: Example, more serious infraction of rules such as grappling outside of your gear level, a second call on excessive force, or striking the back of an opponent in a non-permitted way, or not stopping when scenario is halted. Discretion of the Marshal, loss of a life/lives within a scenario, removal from scenario. Yellow card equivalent.
• Serious Rule Break Penalty: Example, repeat offense of any yellow card infraction following warning. Misuse of Heavy Weapon, such as choking up, striking at non-helmets, or wielding it when not certified. Striking with shields, wrap shots, unsportsmanlike behavior. This will result in loss of Heavy weapon privileges, removal from scenario, being put in the penalty box (Sitting out the next scenario). This is our Red Card and to receive one is to be put on very, very thin ice.
• Ejection: Example, any infraction following a Red Card offense. Malice. Uncontrolled fighting. This is our Black Card, you will never fight armor on the continent again. I will ensure it.
• Along with this there is a special rule which can be used by the Marshals, called “HORSE”. If the majority of your lance is killed, your priority should be to fall back and rejoin a formation. If a Marshal sees 1-2 fighters harassing a 4 stack lance or larger by themselves, the Marshal may call “HORSE” implying the use of cavalry. This will automatically take a life from both fighters. This is to encourage sticking to the formation.

Registration for Ye’H.A.W. 2025 is open! Register Here

Please review the event rules and found in the Rules and Regulations section before registering. To see if your gear or harness meets our safety requirements, watch the video below to get a detailed look at the different levels of armor we accept at Ye’H.A.W. Email us at rocketcityhema@gmail.com if you have any questions about your gear or harness setup.

Ye’H.A.W. Melee Equipment & Conduct Video

Cost for Event:

• Early Bird Registration: $42.75
• Full Event Registration: $53
• Single Day Registration: $32.25
• 2025 Shirt (S-XXL): $15

Registration fees can be made payable to the event coordinator, Walker Skaggs, day of (cash or check) or in advance to Rocketcityhema@gmail.com using PayPal.