On this episode of Game Face LARP: A Foam Fighting Podcast, Prim and Sorvana sit down with Sir Marik of Dragonspire for a conversation that doesn't hold back. With 16 years in the game, Marik has seen it all—the evolution of the sport, the weight of leadership, and the reality of hitting a wall. We’re getting into the grit of what it takes to stay in the game when the "honeymoon phase" ends and how to keep "facilitating the fun" without losing yourself to burnout.

Meet Sir Marik: Sir Marik of the Realm of Dragonspire (big fan of dinosaurs, btw) shares the origins of his persona name as well as some history on his realm. He shares a bit about his perspectives on being "just a guy," which might be one of the reasons he's been the title-less "king" leading Dragonspire.

The Burnout is Real: We dive right in to the evolution of the game—how it used to be vs. where we are now. We’re talking about the mental toll on veterans and new players alike, and how life outside the battlefield affects your ability to lead inside the realm.

Facilitating the Fun: Marik discusses the responsibility of creating space for others - his example being the craft nights he hosts for his realm. Plus: Are you a "creator" or an "artist"? There’s a difference.

High School Lore & Garb Fails: Before the armor, Marik rocked the "Scottish" American Eagle fit at his first event - Mittelmarch's WAR in 2010. We all look back at our "high school" roots: Marik the preppy kid, Sorvana the goth queen, and Prim the straight-edge Avril Lavigne wannabe.

Foam-Smithing 101: From 2000s flash videos (Blue Sword Construction 101) to modern forums, Marik discusses being self-taught, the trial-and-error of weapon building, and how to lower the barrier for people who find DIY intimidating.

The Hard Truths of Leadership: It’s not all glory. We tackle practice logistics, realm admin, on-field (and off-field) conflicts, and the inevitable egos that show up in the community.

Why Stay? When the "honeymoon phase" is over and friends leave the game, how do you keep going? Marik shares the "DAP" (the glue) of Dragonspire and the power of a community that shows up.

The Tenth Man: Why you need friends who don't always agree with you, the logic of healthy dissent, and how the community helps us stand up to real-life bullies.

Closing Advice: A challenge for the veterans. Don’t be the problem—learn how to listen, adapt, and grow as the game evolves around and beyond you.

Get your calendars out! We’ll be at these events this season:

May 16: Dunland Spring Fight Night (Brazil, IN)

June 2–7: BMCS Armageddon XXIII (Billie Creek Village)

*August - TBA | Dragonspire - Heroes Forge 2026 (Terre Haute, IN)

September 30-October 4 | Numenor - Oktoberfest 2026 (Billie Creek Village)

Welcome to the newly rebranded Game Face LARP: A Foam Fighting Podcast! In this episode, Prim and Sorvana discuss the evolution of the show’s name, some exciting sound upgrades, and the best guides to prepping for the upcoming fighting season. From gear repairs to the "camping essentials," we’re covering everything you need to know before hitting the field in 2026.

The Big Rebrand: Why we changed our name to Game Face LARP. We discuss learning from the LARP community on TikTok and our commitment to being inclusive and respectful of indigenous cultures. Shout out to Anders Anvil on TikTok!

Leveling Up the Audio: We’ve got new podcast equipment! Hear the story of the "homie" who hooked us up and why we’re sounding crisper than ever.

Gearing Up for the Season:

Practices: Tips on physical prep, repairing your weapons, and making those necessary garb changes after a long winter.

Camping & Event Prep: A deep dive into travel logistics, car maintenance, and the legendary camping checklist from Sir Tari and the Geddon Wiki.

The Culinary Side of LARP: We polled Facebook to find out what keeps you fueled at events.

The Gourmet: Foil packs and Dutch oven pineapple upside-down cake.

The "Ready to Eat": Pop-Tarts and the "Can of SpaghettiOs" diet.

Community Highlights: Jacob Baker’s campfire apples and Quentin Overturf’s 12-pickle feast with House Dregoth.

Camping Must-Haves: Our listeners share their "can't live without" items, from battery-powered fans and moving blankets to...um, well...maybe just listen and find out?

Creators: Anders Anvil (TikTok)

Resources: Sir Tari’s Camping List & the Ruxandra Woods Geddon Wiki List

Vendors: Smokin' Barrel Barbeque (Mittelmarch Olympics)

Get your calendars out! We’ll be at these events over the next three months:

April 23–26: Mittelmarch Olympics XXI (Indianapolis, IN)

May 16: Dunland Spring Fight Night

June 2–7: BMCS Armageddon XXIII (Billie Creek Village)

We’re back from the first big hit of the year! Prim and Sorvana traveled to Normal, Illinois, for Wolfpack Opener 2026. From the adrenaline of the arena to the confusion of team colors, we’re breaking down the highs, the lows, and the sore muscles that come with shaking off the winter rust.

The Road to Normal: Our experience traveling to the first event of the season and getting through a surprisingly streamlined weapons check.

Arena Chaos: * The intensity of packed indoor battles.

The struggle is real: Dealing with team color confusion mid-fight.

Lost & Found: That mini-heart attack when you lose an arrow, and the relief of getting it back.

Unit Tactics: Breaking down the intense unit fights and how the field felt for the first time in months.

The "Afters": * Post-game recovery at the local Chinese buffet.

The Unexpected Guest: Why was there a clown? We discuss the most surreal moment of the trip.

The Recovery Phase: Dealing with the "Monday After" soreness and our best tips for travel recovery.

Looking Ahead: * The importance of pre-regging for events (save your future self the headache!).

Pacing your physical energy for a long fighting season.

Keep these dates on your radar as we gear up for a busy spring:

Rising Winds: Chaos Wars

Punic Wars

Mittelmarch: Olympics XXI

Dunland: Spring Fight Night