06/19/2026
Accessibility/Ableism/Polarization
Last week I spoke how the overall price of weapons has gone up and how that has made the game much more expensive than what it used to be. Well another way we inhibit accessibility to the game is through our own culture.
Traditionally Belegarth and Dagorhir are prone to this due to them being more physically focused. Which, like any sport, is somewhat understandable, however we are not a traditional sport. We are sport-like/adjacent, which frees up other possibilities for participation. Games such as Amtgard and Darkon do this very well with their character classes, crafting, leadership, and just overall game mechanics. How ever you personally feel about either game above is your own opinion, the fact of the matter is they DO have better accessibility for people to participate unlike bel/dag.
Belegarth reluctantly has adapted somewhat in the last several years with the introduction of the guilds. Allowing for the more crafty, RP, and leadership capable individuals to have a place to go that isnt solely just fighting. Which is fantastic, however other than gear, the attitude towards fighting hasn't really changed much. What do I mean by this?
Well, this is where ableism comes in. Traditionally we expect our fighters to be physically able to be on the field. If theyre not, then usually that means little to no participation from them. However, at any point we can become disabled in some way. Does that mean we should be cast aside? No, we as a community and said individual should find a way for them to participate safely without making people feel left out.
However we cannot purely put the blame of an organization for lacking certain systems. Most games we play are usually some form of confederation or non-profit that simple lacks the manpower and means to install a more proper form of authority to really govern said systems. So really what I am saying is that part of the problem rests with the individual who is capable of making that decision for themselves. Screaming at officials and others within the community doesnt resolve said issues and only furthers divides us. There has to be a level of personal responsibility for you're own actions as well. Be a bridge, not another faux torch bearer.
We as a community are fairly protective of our own, which on one hand is very good, however on the other hand it has its drawbacks. One of those those aspects I have noticed in the greater foam community is we like to create safe spaces for ourselves so we can obtain the power to bully others. Really think about that, I am sure you or someone you know has experienced that in the game. Whether is be from a person, unit, realm, peerage, and even the wider community as a whole. This inherent othering of people is utterly barbaric and tribal and should be put down like the beast it is. Whether it be for a righteous cause or not, it still leads to destructive behaviors and ultimately alienation that induces polarizing effects within the community. Context is always key when navigating said social interactions.
Ask yourself this, is it better to have some people in your community that are a little bit different, than no one at all? If all you are trying to do is to create a vacuum within your own community than you yourself are the problem and need to consider retirement or therapy. This plays for both sides of the aisle.
The game has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, we watched the fall of Dagorhir because they couldn't change when the community demanded it. We cannot repeat the same mistakes of the past. The world is a wheel and we need to learn to break it. Stand up for injustice within our community, and keep moving forward. But do so with context and understanding, not through some polarized view or hearsay. How can you be a bridge when all you want to do is bear the false flame of insecurity and project it on others?
What are some of the ways your community has done to allow for better accessibility within the game? Our team would like to know.
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