A simple game based on the rules for Jugger.

Premise

There are two teams with an equal number of players trying to get the centrally-located "skull" into the goal at the opposite end of the field. The round is over when the skull is securely placed into the goal with no runner touching it. A drum beat called a "stone" occurs every 1.5 seconds (at 90 BPM) while the game is being played.

Runners

Each team has one "runner", who cannot carry any weapons or shields, and is the only player on that team that is allowed to touch, pick up, hold, carry, throw, and place the skull with their hands. Runners can only grapple with/be grappled by other runners, as long as they both have agreed to this prior to the game.

Enforcers

Non-runners, called "enforcers," engage in combat with the other team, attempting to kill and pin other players (including the runner) and allow their runner to score a goal. They may hit/deflect the skull with their weapons or shield, but cannot carry it in anyway.

Deaths

After any player is killed, they must drop their weapon (if they have one) and kneel/sit with an empty hand on their head for at least 5 stones, after which they may resurrected if not pinned.

Pinning

Any alive enforcer may "pin" a dead player by placing their weapon on the dead player, which prevents them from resurrecting. When the pinning is broken by the player lifting their weapon, the dead player must wait 1 stone to resurrect. A player pinning another cannot also engage in combat - any attack made on them kills the player pinning, and the pinned player is now unpinned (and must wait 1 stone to resurrect).

Implementation

A foam flag could be used as the skull, while large traffic cones could be used as the goals for each side.

Other ideas to play test

  • More than two teams
  • More than one runner per team (this could just turn into rugby, since runners can throw the skull)
    • More "throwable" skull
  • Runners take one-hit deaths (to prevent them from being legged and slowing down the game)
  • Jugger-style ball & chain (not Belegarth-legal, but could still be made safe/fun)
  • Somehow get out of pinning?

Changes after play-testing

  • Wounds heal after 5 stones if not in combat
  • Anyone can pick up the skull if they drop all their weapons/shield