Wyrd 2012 is the Werd, or How I Tried to Learn Dothraki and Then Got My Arm Chopped off

Over this last weekend I received an invite to attend the Tri-Wyrd Convention 2o12 at the Costa Mesa, California Hilton.

Tri-Wyrd is an interactive storytelling, transmedia, LARP, Belegarth and a bit of everything else con.

Meaning [Just in Case]: Imagine Dungeons and Dragons-esque tabletop gaming. Except you don’t have figurines, you are the character, in costume, with a bag full of magic/lockpicks/weapons/spells/cures and such.

You’ll get to [foam created] swordfight. And wear your chainmail in public. Mas Fun.

However, as of last week, I did take part in any of those particular clans of geek/nerd-dom, I was curious and concerned that I might feel like a total lame not knowing the lingo.

But you know what? I had a great weekend. I met some awesome people. I learned some awesome things. I improved my knowledge of languages, real and created.

I got to be a live action part of an “Arcade Game” and at one point I think someone may have mistook me for a high-end lady of the night.

Highlights:

1.  Meeting  and interviewing David J Peterson, creator of the fleshed out version of the Dothraki language for “Game of Thrones” on HBO [A Song of Ice and Fire Series, for us purists]. There is an almost 45 minute interview with this guy, so if you have a long car ride, a cake to bake, or laundry to fold, this is what you should listen to.

I sound like a squeeky dweeb [no really, I sound like I’m 12] and he sounds really cool and, voila, speaks well [who didn’t see that one coming, right?].

Peterson can speak/communicate in over 10 languages, linguistically recognized and conlinger created. He created the Dothraki language, in its fullest formation, and is incredibly humble about it.

Fun Peterson Facts:

• Was inspired to learn all the languages of the world from a dream he had when he was a child. Admits he may set the bar a little high.

• Made up fun facts about Dothraki as a part of the application process when he submitted his “Dothraki Dictionary” of sorts to HBO.

• Has his Master of Arts in Linguistics.

• Thinks Albanian is an interesting language, recommends that people should learn it if they ever get the chance.

2. The “Arcade Game” called Tomb of the Goblin King.

Ok, so a live action version of an arcade game literally involved me crawling through tunnel in a parking garage in goth evening wear, throwing a sword at a crowd of Goblins trying to attack my boyfriend “Britt! You can’t throw the sword! Throwing swords is not allowed” and using sugar packets to bribe my GM. Kind of.

So yeah, the arcade game is literally structured like a real arcade game and you can “die” within the first few minutes then go back to the beginning. No save points.

According to my GM, the shortest a team stayed in the was 2 minutes.

I loved it. Of course, I love screaming weird stuff in public, playing dress up and sword fighting [thank you Coach Redmon for teaching me everything I know] and just having fun.

So yes, Tri-Wyrd was super fun. I got to hang out with the Belegarth combat league folk, craft with the costume crafters, get my portrait drawn [Thanks Jula] and just have a great time overall. Totally going back next year. Join me and we shall battle. Epically.