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Send Captain Zorikh to the Battle of the Nations!

Help this creative adventurer represent the USA at the most intense international medieval combat tournament in the world!

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Send Captain Zorikh to the Battle of the Nations!

Send Captain Zorikh to the Battle of the Nations!

Send Captain Zorikh to the Battle of the Nations!

Send Captain Zorikh to the Battle of the Nations!

Send Captain Zorikh to the Battle of the Nations!

Help this creative adventurer represent the USA at the most intense international medieval combat tournament in the world!

Help this creative adventurer represent the USA at the most intense international medieval combat tournament in the world!

Help this creative adventurer represent the USA at the most intense international medieval combat tournament in the world!

Help this creative adventurer represent the USA at the most intense international medieval combat tournament in the world!

Zorikh Lequidre
Zorikh Lequidre
Zorikh Lequidre
Zorikh Lequidre
5 Campaigns |
Brooklyn, United States
$905 USD 13 backers
12% of $7,500 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 5 Projects Mountain Filled 5 Projects

This is, without a doubt, the most ambitious, dangerous, intense, and risky thing I have ever done.

Our Story

For 25 years I have been doing armored swordfighting with rattan (wooden) swords in the Society for Creative Anachronism. In the past 5 years I have gotten in to Brazilian jiu jitsu, fitness, and film making. for the past three years I have been pushing my own personal envelope, stepping outside my comfort zone, and finding ways to travel to far places to take physical risks and have adventures that will unleash my inner badass.

 

Now I have just found what is definitely the most adventurous thing I have done so far. In Poland this spring will be the latest edition of an international medieval armored swordfighting competition known as the Battle of the Nations. This year there will be 14 nations represented in a variety of battle scenarios, and for the first time America will be there too!

 

A veteran team of top American amateur swordfighters is being put together for TeamUSA, and I have signed up, tried out, and been placed on the team! This is a very great honor. I surprised a few people with my toughness and heart at the tryouts in Springfield Il, but not myself! I knew I could do it if I just made the commitment, worked hard, and decided that it was what I wanted.

 

My girlfriend, Maria, is joining me in this adventure. She has been a wealth of support for me, both emotionally and motivationally (as invaluable as it is immeasurable) and practically (organizing garb, making travel arrangements, encouraging to find my missing passport, etc.). Without her this effort would be far more difficult, if not impossible.

 

As a part of this adventure I am shooting a series of videos of my preparation for this, and of the trip and competitions itself. These videos will be posted on YouTube and on my website page for this adventure http://www.captainzorikh.com/botn2012

 

This is but the latest in a series of adventures, personal, professional, physical, and emotional I have had lately, and one thing has come through for me in all of them: If you decide to do it, it will be done. I hope that by doing this I can inspire other people to decide on what they want and find within themselves what it takes to get it done.

 

This is also the beginning of a new sport in America: Maedieval armored combat with steel swords. There has been combat with wood or rattan weapons for several decades, boffer weapons almost as long, and schools of western martial arts have been laying the groundwork for this for years, but this takes it to a whole new level. By participating in the Battle of the Nations we are saying that America is ready to be taken seriously, to prove that we can stand up with the best in the world. A new sports league is being started her in the US as a result of this, and those who are involved today will be able to say that they were there when it happened!

 

The Impact

This being the very first year that an American team is being put together, and with the great quantity of unknowns involved in this adventure, there are very few people committed to the team this year. Therefore, every person counts. I have been given a specific position in one of the melee teams that has been formed for a particular competition at the Battle of the nations based on my size, skill, and experience.

 

I am also an experienced video producer, and intend to shoot and edit videos documenting this adventure. This will help explain what this is all bout, promote the team and the sport for future support, and most importantly, spread the story of our honor and courage far and wide.

 

Without your help, these tasks will be much more difficult. Your contribution will enable me to fulfill my role on the team both on the field and in the world of mass communication.

 

Furthermore, you will be helping me realize my dream of being a knightly adventurer, and taking my martial arts game to a new level, and hopefully, inspiring someone else the reach for their own stars.


I have made many sacrifices in my life to the game of armored combat and the world of medieval recreations, and am making many sacrifices to be a part of this endeavor. If I can successfully pull this off, lay it all out on the line and find out what I am worth, while representing my country in a sport that I love, it will all be worth it.

 

What We Need & What You Get

Needless to say, this will cost money. I would not be starting this campaign if it didn't. Here is a breakdown of what is needed for this adventure:

New armor (the rules of the Battle of the Nations require me to upgrade the armor I have been using to a much higher standard of protection and historical authenticity)

Airfare & hotel for two to Warsaw, Poland

Airfare & hotel for one to Springfield, Illinois for the national practice

New medieval garb for two (like the armor, the Battle of the Nations costuming standard is higher and more specific than our current wardrobe)

Insurance (we are engaging in a full-contact sport with risk of injury and death).

Food and miscellaneous expenses while in Poland

 

I am taking a big risk doing this, both physical and financial, but I am someone who will do what it takes to get it done. That being said, any amount with which you can help will lessen the risk, and ensure that time and effort that would otherwise be spent attempting to pay (or pay back) a dollar will instead be spent making sure that I am well prepared for the adventure.

 

But of course, you will get something for your help.

$10 I will list your name in the credits of the videos I make about this adventure. (not available for businesses)

$25 I will list your name or company in the credits, on the website, and send you a postcard from Warsaw upon arrival.

$50 I will list your name, send you a postcard and send you a personalized 8" x 10" autographed photograph of myself in armor in Warsaw when I return

$75 Your name or company in the credits, on the website, the postcard, and either a TeamUSA Battle of the Nations t-shirt or a personalized autographed photo of myself in armor in Warsaw, suitable for display.

$125 Your name or company in the credits, the postcard, the autographed photo, and a TeamUSA Battle of the Nations hoodie sweatshirt

$150 Your name or company in the credits, on the website with a URL link, autographed photo, and a "promotional consideration provided by" logo and link in the video.

$200 Your name in the credits, the postcard, the autographed photo, a t-shirt and a hoodie.

-or-

Instead of the hoodie I will visit a location in Warsaw of your choosing and shoot a roll (36 frames) of pictures for you (pictures to be sent on a disk, or for an extra $50 I will add a set of 3'x5' prints)

$300 Your name in the credits, the postcard, the autographed photo, and a beautiful TeamUSA surcoat to wear over your armor to show your support!

$400 Your name in the credits, the postcard, a t-shirt, and I will visit a location in Warsaw of your choosing and shoot a short travel video of it. I will post the video on my YouTube channel and send you a DVD copy with a personal message.

-or-

Your name or company in the credits, on the website with a URL link, autographed photo, "promotional consideration provided by," and the roll of pictures which will include me holding a sample of your product or displaying a symbol of your company suitable for your company's promotional use.

$1000 Your name or company in the credits as "associate producer," on the website with a URL link, postcard, t-shirt, autographed photo, location video or roll of pictures of me holding a sample of your product or displaying a symbol of your company, and I will come to your home or office and give a multi-media presentation describing the adventure to you and up to 15 guests.

$2000 every perk listed that you want, plus your name or company above the title of each video saying "[your name] PRESENTS..."

I can arrange for additonal members of the team to be part of any presentation.

For an extra $200 I will throw in the TeamUSA surcoat in which I will be fighting at the event, autographed by myself and as many members of the team as I can get my hands on.

Should you wish to put together an "a la carte" package of the perks, (ie: You may want the t-shirt and the presentation, but don't want your name in the credits or the video) contact me and I will be happy to work with you.

I can also arrange for an exhibition of the sport of armored combat for your special event, party, convention, school, or martial arts exhibition or tournament. Contact me for details.

Other Ways You Can Help

But whether or not you can send money, you can still help by getting the word out. Perhaps you know someone who would love to have photos or videos of Warsaw. Perhaps you know of a business that is looking to reach fans of medieval culture, swordfighting, martial arts, and international travel. Perhaps you know of an occasion which would benefit from having experienced swordfighters or speakers about medieval culture and history, knighthood and armor.

Perhaps you can also supply some of the garb and accoutrements we need. the authenticity standards at Battle of the Nations are higher than at your average SCA event or renaissance faire, and thus our wardrobes need an overhaul. We will be happy to work with you to give you perks equivalent in value to what you can contribute.

Due to my low budget, I can only aford one weapon, a low-cost polearm. But as every good knight needs a sword, great and valuable gratitude will be given to the provider of a goood, knightly, hand-and-a-half sword compatible with Battle of the Nations rules.

This is just the beginning of the sport of armored combat with steel weapons in America, and you will be getting in on the ground floor by supporting this adventure!

7% of the funds raised will go to TeamUSA, the rest will go to defraying the above costs (minus the percentage Indiegogo takes out). 
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Choose your Perk

Freeman

$10 USD
I will list your name in the credits of the videos I make about this adventure. (not available for businesses)
3 claimed

Minor Noble

$25 USD
I will list your name or company in the credits, on the website, and send you a postcard from Warsaw upon arrival.
3 out of 100 of claimed

Lord or Lady

$50 USD
I will list your name, send you a postcard and send you a personalized 8" x 10" autographed photograph of myself in armor in Warsaw when I return
1 out of 100 of claimed

Baron or Baroness

$75 USD
Your name or company in the credits, on the website, the postcard, a TeamUSA Battle of the Nations t-shirt, and a personalized autographed photo of myself in armor in Warsaw, suitable for display.
1 out of 50 of claimed

Viscount or Viscountess

$125 USD
Your name or company in the credits, the postcard, the autographed photo, and a TeamUSA Battle of the Nations hoodie sweatshirt
2 out of 50 of claimed

Count or Countess

$150 USD
Your name or company in the credits, on the website with a URL link, autographed photo, and a "promotional consideration provided by" logo and link in the video.
1 out of 50 of claimed

Duke or Dutchess

$200 USD
Your name in the credits, the postcard, the autographed photo, a t-shirt and a hoodie. -or- Instead of the hoodie I will visit a location in Warsaw of your choosing and shoot a roll (36 frames) of pictures for you (pictures to be sent on a disk, or for an extra $50 I will add a set of 3'x5' prints)
1 out of 5 of claimed

Knight

$300 USD
Your name in the credits, the postcard, the autographed photo, and a beautiful TeamUSA surcoat to wear over your armor to show your support!
0 out of 10 of claimed

Prince or Princess

$400 USD
Your name in the credits, the postcard, a t-shirt, and I will visit a location in Warsaw of your choosing and shoot a short travel video of it. I will post the video on YouTube and send you a DVD copy with a personal message. -or- Your name or company in the credits, on the website with a URL link, "promotional consideration," and a roll of pictures which will include me holding a sample of your product or displaying a symbol of your company suitable for your company's promotional use.
0 out of 5 of claimed

King or Queen

$1,000 USD
We will produce a full documentary. Your name or company will be in the credits as "associate producer," on the website with a URL link, postcard, t-shirt, autographed photo, location video or roll of pictures of me holding a sample of your product or displaying a symbol of your company, and I will come to your home or office and give a multi-media presentation describing the adventure to you and up to 15 guests.
0 out of 5 of claimed

Emperor or Empress

$2,000 USD
Every perk listed that you want, plus your name or company above the title of each video saying "[your name] PRESENTS..."
0 out of 2 of claimed
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