September 16, 2014

How to Meet Knights in Bishkek

z_9bec6473Bishkek often seems deceptively simple to visitors from other countries. The editorial board of “Welcome!” wants to dispel this impression by telling you about the mysterious Black Guard (The Black Company).  Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?

We all know that people prefer gathering in groups united by common interests. The Black Company is bringing together lovers of history, travel, books, fantasy, and physical activity. It all started 10 years ago with a group of enthusiasts that met up in a garage with some cans of beer and regrets that they weren’t born in the times of noble knights that saved damsels in distress. This regret coupled with the determination to organize a “club” to gather like-minded people resulted in the start of The Black Company.

At first the club was made up of about 25 people. Since then, the movement of role-playing IMG_9193games has been gaining momentum, slowly but surely.  Now the club includes a workshop and is located at a gym at a school in Bishkek; for those interested, there’s more than enough space for people that would like to train and play at the club.

The Black Company specializes in multiple activities. The first and perhaps most important is the branch of games known as “Live action role-playing game” (LARPG). In these games, each participant plays (or, as the members of the Club say, “acts out”) the character’s actions and does nothing to warn their associates or opponents.  The actions of any of the characters in the game can be quite surprising: for example, a serious duel or a magic ritual.  Games can last for several hours or several days. The game playground can consist of two rooms, and cshHGh2YYJscan be conducted at a site in the mountains that stretches for several kilometers in all directions.

Participants prepare for the games very carefully; they sew costumes, make crossbows, bows, staves and swords. Rules prohibit the manufacture of any material other than metal. Another activity of the club is fencing. If you want to, you can learn the art of fencing quite seriously, including full contact with an opponent.

The club is very active in the community.   It organizes festivals as well as conducts demonstrations at schools, children’s homes, and events for teens and young adults.

As in many other articles in the magazine “Welcome!,” we would recommend going to the club to meet with its members, and maybe even try out the world of role-playing games for yourself. K2njpHRt5O0

If you don’t want to participate, at least stand on the sidelines at one of the gaming activities and bring back an interesting story about distant Bishkek knights and beautiful ladies. The next big event from The Black Company is a role-playing game based on the computer game “Heroes of Might and Magic III.” The game will take place in the mountains, from August 14-18, so if you don’t have plans these days, come step into the Middle Ages!
For information regarding role-playing games, training, photo shoots, prices, etc., feel free to call a representative of The Black Company, Nicholas, at 0556 600 365 or 0703 600 365.

PS. It should be noted that since its inception to the present day, the club has been sustained solely on the enthusiasm of participants. The Black Company has no sponsors; participants in The Black Company organize all the activities with their own private funding. (This is quite interesting in view of the fact that the club was formed during a difficult economic period for Kyrgyzstan and not every public project found support from sponsors or can boast that has existed on the “enthusiasm” for over 10 years.)

Photo by Yulia Khizhnyakova

16 days
Guaranteed!
i
Fixed dates for 2020:

Bike Tours in Kyrgyzstan: Meeting Nomads 2020

This is an adventurous tour on your own or rented bicycle in a country not often visited by western tourists. During your bike tour there will be plenty of time to enjoy our wonderful nature ...

From 
1345
The price depends on a group size. The price 1345 EUR per person is available for groups of 4 people.
More info
14 days

Bike Tours in Kyrgyzstan: Crossing Kyrgyzstan (14 Days)

An amazing bicycling trips for cycling around Kyrgyzstan! Fresh air and kyrgyz nomadic culture to fill you in with excitement and discoveries of unique history. Tour will take place from Tal ...

From 
1275
The price depends on a group size. The price 1275 EUR per person is available for groups of 4 people.
More info
14 days

Cycling, Trekking and Horse Riding in Kyrgyzstan

If you are active and adventurous, we can offer you this unforgettable trip. Imagine yourself cycling in the Tien Shan mountains, 3 days hiking in Tong and horsebacking in a yurt camp at 245 ...

From 
1350
The price depends on a group size. The price 1350 EUR per person is available for groups of 4 people.
More info
7 days

Motorcycle Touring in Kyrgyzstan

Join us for an adrenaline-packed Enduro adventure through Kyrgyztan’s rugged mountain terrain. Riding through Kyrgyzstan's thinly populated landscape will make you realize that the middle of ...

From 
1750
The price depends on a group size. The price 1750 EUR per person is available for groups of 6 people.
More info
10 days

Classic Kyrgyzstan 2020

The Pearls of Kyrgyzstan are hidden high in the Pamir and Tien-Shan Mountains and guarded from curious eyes by powerful snow-covered walls. We invite you to have a look at high-altitude Lak ...

From 
$1135
The tour price is 1135 USD. The price doesn't depend on the amount of people in a group. The tour will be fulfilled even if only one person buy it.
More info
5 days

Festivals of Kyrgyz Culture 2020

Kyrgyzstan is a small mountainous country in Central Asia where mountains cover 93% of the landscape. People have been inhabiting the mountains of Kyrgyzstan silk road for thousands of years ...

From 
$880
The price depends on a group size. The price 880 USD per person is available for groups of 2 people.
More info
6 days

Horseback Riding to Lake Song Kul 2020

Over many years the horses help shepherds to move their houses (Yurts) over the passes to the alpine pastures. A horse is considered to be an integral part of the life of the nomadic people. ...

From 
$1028
Price from 1028 USD per person (the price depends on a group size). The price 1028 USD per person is available for groups of 4 people.
More info
14 days

Bike Tours in Kyrgyzstan: Lake Issyk Kul for E-Bikers

This bicycling trips is around Lake Issyk-Kul, a mountain lake at 1,600m. Daily distances are between 30 and 65 km with one day being only 15 km. The cycling is almost always over asphalt ro ...

From 
980
Price from 980 EUR to 1290 EUR per person (the price depends on a group size). The price 980 EUR per person is available for groups of 4 people.
More info
10 days

Unique Tours in Kyrgyzstan silk road: A Yoga Mountain Vacation

Escape the daily stresses and pressures of life for a relaxing yoga vacation in the mountains of nomadic Kyrgyzstan. Not only will you practice yoga every day, but you will also be able to v ...

From 
$1480
The price depends on a group size. The price 1480 USD per person is available for groups of 3-10 people.
More info
14 days
Guaranteed!
i
Fixed dates for 2020:
07/15/2022 - 07/28/2022

Pamir Expedition in Kyrgyzstan 2022

The trekking program is created for those, who want to see the amazing nature of Kyrgyzstan. It goes in the Pamir mountain system through various landscapes. We trek along the gorges of Turk ...

From 
$2270
The tour price is 2270 USD. The price doesn't depend on the amount of people in a group. The tour will be fulfilled even if only one person buy it.
More info
2 days

Mountain Climbing – “Advance Climb” Program

Great two-days tour programs for those, who want to try alpinism in Kyrgyzstan and increase rock climbing qualifications. We offer you three different programs near Ala-Archa gorge with the ...

From 
$330
The tour price is 330 USD. The price doesn't depend on the amount of people in a group. The tour will be fulfilled even if only one person buy it.
More info
8 days

Cultural Tourism in Kyrgyzstan - Culinary Tour

The Kyrgyz Republic is a multinational and multicultural country. Over 80 nations and ethnic groups live here, they differ in number, language, religion, and culture: Uzbeks, Tajiks, Russian ...

From 
$1550
The tour price is 1550 USD.
More info
7 days

Mountaineering School – “Advance Climb” Kyrgyzstan tourism packages

Ascend to the greatest peaks of Kyrgyzstan silk road with Advance Climb 2015 program in Ala-Archa. Besides short training sessions, we will reach the following tops: Box Peak, Koshevogo Peak ...

From 
$970
The tour price is 970 USD. The price doesn't depend on the amount of people in a group. The tour will be fulfilled even if only one person buy it.
More info
2 days

Enchanted rock climbing program “Open Climb”

The Open Climb program consists of 3 modules. The first one is about introductory methods of climbing and types of belay in Chunkurchak canyon. The second module includes the Climbing to “Li ...

From 
$330
The tour price is 330 USD. The price doesn't depend on the amount of people in a group. The tour will be fulfilled even if only one person buy it.
More info