by Ericka Simpson
Staff Writer
The Aztecs and the Goths marched onto the practice fields prepared to slaughter their enemies by breaking eggs with their handmade cardboard weapons. They are returning for a rematch this afternoon at 5 p.m.
Barbarian Wars, an event from last year, pitted the upperclassmen against the underclassmen in all out warfare with no real objective except to “kill” as many on the enemy side as possible. Each person had three eggs attached to himself, and if all eggs were smashed, then they were dead. Whichever team had the most people left standing at the end of the battle, kept their pride and won bragging rights.
“It is the biggest adrenaline rush that the school has ever sponsored,” junior Justus Stout said. Senior Evan Johnson asked Stout to give the rally speech for the underclassmen, and, according to Stout, it was “very exciting and empowering.”
The event created a chance for the under and upperclassmen to band together in an aggressive way. Stout said that it was a lot of fun last year, and he can’t imagine a way that it would be more fun.
Changes to Barbarian Wars
Last year’s battle lasted about 15 minutes, according to Vice President of Off Campus Events, junior Elijah Ammen, and had no strategy or strict rules. Basic rules did apply such as not hitting people in the face with weapons that were made with cardboard before the event.
“While that (killing everyone) is enjoyable, we decided to put some more structure in there and add other elements such as strategy and objectives other than just smashing people’s eggs,” Ammen said.
This year’s event will incorporate some strategic elements by having mini-scenarios within the overall battle, according to Ammen. These scenarios will include “Protect the President,” “King of the Hill” and “Capture the Flag.”
Obstacles will be added to the field to make it more complicated, he said, but they are still deciding what these obstacles will be.
“We are overhauling the whole system without losing the spirit,” Ammen said. “We want to keep the appeal but change the dynamics.”
Other changes to the event include the division of the teams. According to Vice President of On Campus Events, senior Olivia Pool, there will be four teams divided by classes instead of upperclassmen against underclassmen. The idea of having a faculty team was thrown out because they were uncertain if they could get enough participants.
Even though the event has few rules, the requirements for what weapons can be constructed will be at the discretion of Events Council. Last year, according to Pool, there were some flails that were made, which could have injured participants and will not be allowed this year.
“There were no real injuries, and we thank our lucky stars,” she said. “But we are trying to prevent what could have happened last year.”
Barbarian Wars is intentionally at the end of the year when students have a lot of work they are trying to finish, according to Pool. It only lasts an hour and is “a stress reliever.”
“Most people could use an excuse to hit someone,” Pool said while laughing.
There are no sign ups for the event. People are encouraged to come, make their weapons and support their class. The incentive for winning, according to Pool, is that the class participants receive a T-shirt that says in blood-spattered text, “I am a Barbarian.”
“I would encourage everyone to participate, because the more the merrier. Actually, the more the bloodier,” Stout said. “It’s one of those opportunities to go crazy.”
“Barbarian Wars 2.0”, as coined by Ammen, is hosted by Events Council and will be held today in the Grassy Bowl, 5-6 p.m.
Tags: Aztecs, Barbarian Wars, Barbarian Wars 2.0, Elijah Ammen, Evan Johnson, Events Council, Goths, Grassy Bowl, Justus Stout, Olivia Pool
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