Severská noc 2023 – An Adventure Among the Northmen

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back to the time of the Vikings? If you are reading this article, you probably have. If you want to experience the true Viking atmosphere firsthand, Severská Noc is the place for you. Whether you just want to have some fun and meet new people, or you have ambitions to claim the crown of the Northern King or Queen, I can guarantee you will have a blast.

I recently attended this year's edition of Severská with my friends. While I want to provide an informative report, I cannot help but speak about this event in superlatives. And who knows? Maybe this will inspire some of you to join us next year. After all, Severská is perfect for both LARP newcomers and seasoned veterans.

Let's get started. Severská took place in a Viking settlement near the village of Radoškov. At first, I was worried that the locals might disrupt the experience with their cars or by simply wandering around to gawk at the bunch of lunatics we were. As soon as I arrived, I realized my fears were completely unfounded. Our base of operations, or campsite if you prefer, was hidden in a picturesque valley completely surrounded by forests. Several wooden cabins built by regulars to perfectly match the atmosphere, a fire pit in the middle with plenty of room for all of us, and, most importantly, a well-stocked tap upon arrival proved that this would be an unforgettable experience.

The first day was all about getting to know each other, and there were plenty of interesting people to meet. Since there were no strict rules at the LARP, you could run into rugged Northmen, a Witcher guild master, or a genuine dwarf. A great, friendly atmosphere prevailed from the start, and I quickly felt right at home. The first day flew by, and at the end, the opening ritual awaited us. This was meant to officially kick off the competition for the title of this year's King and Queen. We all stood or sat around the ceremonial fire, listening to the drums as the previous King and Queen handed over the symbol of their power—the crown—to the organizers. That moment marked the start of the games. Or rather… the start of a wild opening feast. After all, the ritual ended with the words: "If you aren't embarrassed in the morning, you didn't have fun the night before!"

The next day, the tournament itself began. We competed in archery, hammer throwing, and combat. And those are just a few of the activities prepared. Either way, each one was better than the last. Everything was accompanied by the sound of drums to awaken our true "fighting spirit." I must say that even though the main goal was to have fun, I quickly started taking the competition seriously when a well-aimed blow from an opponent knocked my glasses off. I didn't let that discourage me or ruin my mood, though, and perhaps thanks to that, Odin sent me some superglue from the hands of a fair Northern maiden standing nearby.

There was something for the artists, too, as each clan had to create its own shield. It wasn't that simple, though, as we were only allowed to use natural materials. Between the competitions, I was able to relax by crushing berries and charcoal with a piece of a branch from a nearby pile of brushwood.

As the second day drew to a close, we were all quite exhausted. We had been fighting tooth and nail for points for our clans, after all. It was time to tally the scores. Clan representatives handed over their points in the form of rune stones to the organizers. A moment of tension followed, leading to the final ritual and the coronation of the new Northern King and Queen. To the sound of drums and the crackling of the ritual fire, our clan's victory was announced. Our honorable Jarls approached the fire, and the badges of their power were placed upon their heads. What else to add but long live the King and Queen!

author Kryštof Halfar