Encampments are spread throughout the festival grounds, designed to feel like a wandering village rather than rows of tents. Each turn reveals something new—stories, demonstrations, music, steel (or foam), laughter, creatures, and entertainment.
Step into the pit where warriors are tested, not judged. Tank’s Training Grounds is a high-energy sparring experience built for honor, skill, and pure adrenaline. Whether you’re sharpening your edge or stepping into combat for the first time, these pits are where legends are tempered. The Grounds are dedicated sparring pits and will haveStructured, referee-assisted matches to keep combat fair and flowing. LARP-safe weapons and shields provided. Structured, referee-assisted matches to keep combat fair and flowing
- Free for Wyrd of the
World Tree Campaign members
At Wildefell Wolves we strive to educate others about the habits and environment of wolves. We are a small ambassador program that focuses on animal training for events and media appearances in order to promote a positive image of wolves and their need in our ecosystem. Our rockstar is the grey wolf Stark who played Ralph the wolf in the summer blockbuster Rampage where he worked side by side with ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson. Stark passed away in September 2023. Stark’s understudies include Leshen the big friendly giant pup, who is in training and has a loving demeanor. Astarion who is a bit shy, but warms up to women. Eivor the owl is also available. Our animals have a variety of experiences under their belt including interpersonal meet and greets, posing for magazines, as well as acting in commercials, films and music videos.
This will be Wildefell Wolves' 4th return to NorseForged Gathering!
We are renaissance fair actors who specialize in Knightly orders, Entertainment, History, Armor, Combat and Music. Enjoy our campsite straight out of the 15th and 16th century, interact with our armor, and witness feats of live combat with our Knights from the orders of the Thistle, Dragon, and Ermine.
In addition to our immersive encampment experience, the Knights of the Realm will present multiple stage performances each day of the event, bringing steel, spectacle, and storytelling to the forefront of the Gathering.
The Wayward Falconry Academy is a falconry school and raptor breeding facility based in Elon, NC. We do talks, free flight shows, weddings, and private falconry experiences. With the wide number of species the birds we use vary season to season so be sure to see us throughout the year to see our whole collection.
Sword Circle is honored to return to the Gathering hosted by NorseForged! Throughout the weekend, Sword Circle will open their encampment for interactive, educational experiences centered around the art of swordfighting and medieval combat. Guests can sign up for an Intro to Sword Fighting class led by Alex Foster, a seasoned instructor with 19 years of medieval combat experience (no equipment required; ages 16+; limited spots available). Test your mettle in the fan-favorite “Fight-a-Knight” challenge and see if you can defeat every knight. Spectators are welcome to enjoy live medieval combat demonstrations happening throughout the day, or step into camp to meet the knights, ask questions, explore merchandise, and learn more about Sword Circle’s programs.
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We The Knights of Myth combine realistic fast-paced full contact sports with simulations elements of live action role playing along with modern day Armored combat such as HEMA and Buhurt. Each set of rules for the different events will be posted and reviewed with participants before events begin as well as armor and weapons checks which must be conducted upon arrival to said event. Knights of Myth rules of engagement will follow a realistic base style with different adoptions based on the scenario that participants are involved in with that said some examples of group battles and a verity of duels with one or two individuals in combat or even on a larger scale like some films like Lord of the rings and television series Game of Thrones yet unlike those whom have given us our inspiration, our weapons are not sharp at all and are rounded off at the tips and dulled on the blade side (this only applies for Buhurt and HEMA) or are made of Polypropylene and Foam for larping events.
mOss' Merrie Marauders are pirate performers and immersive fair entertainers bringing The Struggle to Norseforged Gathering 6. Specializing in high-seas comedy, audience interaction, pirate recruitment, treasure division, and the fine art of organized chaos, our encampment offers guests the chance to step into the Golden Age of Piracy.
Visit our encampment to meet the crew and hear their banter from the "deck" of The Struggle, join the ranks of the Merrie Marauders, and witness the time-honored traditions of pirate life — from dividing plunder to testing the mettle of new recruits.
Captain mOss and his crew will present pirate recruitment performances throughout the Gathering, bringing laughter, legend, and a touch of mutiny to the shores of NFG 6.
The Struggle is real — and all are welcome to sail beneath her banner!
Gemstone Mermaids is a professional mermaid performance troupe bringing ocean magic to the mountains at Norse Forged Gathering! Visit our enchanting merfolk cove to meet real mermaids and experience the wonder of the sea right in the heart of the festival.
Throughout the event, guests can watch live, swimming mermaids performing in our portable tank, The Pearl, where our mers will dazzle from beneath the surface. For an extra magical experience, try a Gemstone Dive, where a swimming mermaid will retrieve a genuine gemstone chosen just for you from the depths. Guests can also transform into merfolk themselves with our Mermaid Makeover Experience, perfect for young sea sprites and adventurous landwalkers alike.
Be sure to stop by our Mermaid Artisan Shop, where our merfolk sell handcrafted treasures inspired by the ocean. Our shop features shell candles, hair accessories, jewelry, prints and stickers of original mermaid artwork, figurines of our mermaids and their underwater companions, and many other magical keepsakes from the sea.
Whether you’re looking for a unique treasure, a magical experience, or simply want to meet a real mermaid, Gemstone Mermaids brings an unforgettable splash of fantasy and wonder to Norse Forged Gathering.