Crime in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area seems to have been decreasing lately. Perhaps that is because of all the +1 maces and Daggers of Inquisition that are being wielded in the area. No, these weapons aren’t being carried by police. These fictional items and other elements of an intricate fantasy world are being used by the folks who inhabit Darkon – an imaginary medieval world that is played out in live re-enactments throughout the real-life Maryland/D.C. area.
Moving beyond the tabletop world of 20-sided dies and pencil and paper, and even online arenas like World of Warcraft, the role-players of Darkon interact with one another as their characters in various locations. The characters they take on have very intricate lives and back stories too, and Darkon is remarkable in its intricacy — fictional counties are divided, intrigue develops, and full-contact “combat” takes place. It takes your local Renaissance fair to the nth degree.
The documentary Darkon premieres Nov. 12 on IFC and takes us into this fascinating, though somewhat odd, world to meet some of its characters — both the real people and their medieval alter egos. In some cases it’s an interesting juxtaposition between a lack of power and excitement in the real world with a thrilling life lived out in Darkon (one guy we meet goes from vacuuming his living room and taking out the trash to taking on an opponent on the battlefield). And these aren’t just typical geeky guys who do this. There is a geeky girl, as well.
The people who periodically enter Darkon are probably no more unusual, and are probably more fun, than those Civil War re-enactors who go out on weekends to live and die at a fictional Gettysburg over and over again. At least these stories develop onward.
Yet bureaucracy rears its head even in this escapist world. If you happen to be in the particular realm of Darkon that is just off of Highway 198 on Nov. 11, you can witness a cardboard shield battle, with elections to be held after. If things don’t go right, don’t blame me — I’m voting for the 12th level mage.
