The Astral Winds
School of Novices

Course Overview

Throughout the program, the students will participate in the following courses:

Combat 01 - Combat Basics

In this course, students will be shown the very basics of Amtgard combat, including proper stance, movement fundamentals and how to hold a weapon

Combat 02 - Striking

In this course, students will learn how to throw some basic strikes while using a short weapon.

 
Combat 03 - Blocking

In this course, students learn the fundamentals of defending oneself with a short weapon.

 

Combat 04 - Wrap Shots

This course teaches students how to throw strikes that will bend or wrap around an opponent's defenses in order to land a blow.

 

Combat 05 - Offensive Parries and Ripostes

In this course, students will learn how to turn a block into an attack.

 

Combat 06 - Closing

Students will learn how to rapidly close distance with an opponent while fending off possible attacks.

 

Combat 07 - Strike Combinations

This course teaches students how to strike an opponent multiple times in rapid succession from different angles.

 
Combat 08 - Florentine Basics

Students will learn the basics of Florentine (dual weapons), including stances and weapon positioning

 

Combat 09 - Florentine Strikes

This course will demonstrate various strikes while using the Florentine weapon style

 
Combat 10 - Florentine Defense

In this course, students will learn how to defend themselves while using the Florentine weapon style. 

 
Combat 11 - Sword and Shield Basics

In this course, students will be shown the basics of fighting with a sword and shield.  They will learn stances and shield/weapon positioning.

 

Combat 12 - Sword and Shield Strikes

This course will demonstrate different strikes for use with a sword and shield.

 
Combat 13 - Polearm Basics

In this course, students will learn the basics of using a polearm or spear. 

 

Combat 14 - Polearm Strikes

This course will help the students develop offensive skills while using a polearm or spear.

 
Combat 15 - Polearm Defense

In this course, students will learn how to defend themselves while using a polearm or spear

 

Combat 16 - Weapon Style: Short Sword vs. the World

This course will teach students how to use a short sword to attack and defend against opponents wielding other weapon combinations.

 

Combat 17 - Weapon Style: Florentine vs. the World

This course will teach students how to use the florentine style to attack and defend against opponents wielding other weapon combinations.

 

Combat 18 - Weapon Style: Sword and Shield vs. the World

This course will teach students how to use the Sword and Shield style to attack and defend against opponents wielding other weapon combinations.

 

Combat 19 - Weapon Style: Polearm vs. the World

This course will teach students how to use the florentine style to attack and defend against opponents wielding other weapon combinations.

 

Combat 20 - Team combat tactics

During this course, students will learn how to fight as a cohesive team.

 

Combat 21 - Battlegame Elements

During this class, students will learn about the various elements of a battlegame such as Archers, Shield Walls, Armored Soldiers and Spellcasters. 

 

Combat 22 - Battlegame Tactics: Non-spellcasters

This class will discuss the abilities and battlefield roles of the various Non-magic Battlegame Classes

 

Combat 23 - Battlegame Tactics: Spellcasters

This class will discuss the abilities and battlefield roles of the various Spellcasting Battlegame Classes.

 
Combat 24 - Jugging

The students will be introduced to the sport of Jugging, a fast-paced team sport involving Amtgard Combat.

 

Construction 01 - Construction Basics

This course will give a basic overview of the materials and tools used in Amtgard equipment construction.

 

Construction 02 - Examples of Amtgard Garb (Costume)

Students will be shown some examples of Historic, Fantasy and Amtgard costume and garb.

 

Construction 03 - Short Sword Tutorial

Students will learn how to make their own Short Sword.  Materials will need to be provided by the students.  A materials list will be provided by the instructor.

 

Construction 04 - Shield Tutorial

Students will learn how to make their own Shield.  Materials will need to be provided by the students.  A materials list will be provided by the instructor.

 

Construction 05 - Basic Tunic Tutorial

Students will learn how to Sew their own Tunic (shirt).  Materials will need to be provided by the students.  Students are required to create their first Tunic to match the class uniform.  A materials list will be provided by the instructor.

 

Construction 06 - Basic Pants Tutorial

Students will learn how to sew their own pants.  Materials will need to be provided by the students.  A materials list will be provided by the instructor.

 
Construction 07 - Class Equipment Guide

The students will learn how to make all the special equipment needed to play any given class in a Class Battle Game.  This equipment includes: Spell Balls and Spell Strips, Class Sashes, Arrows and Throwing weapons.

 

Society 01 - Introduction to Amtgard

This course gives a brief overview of Amtgard, it's organizational structure, and the activities of it's members.

 

Society 02 - Amtgard Kingdoms

This course will give the students a brief lesson on the Kingdoms of Amtgard including their history and geographic territory.

 

Society 03 - Dragonspine Overview

Students will get to learn about our sponsoring Kingdom, Dragonspine as well as the other chapters that owe fealty to her.

 
Society 04 - Astral Winds History

In this course we will discuss the history of the Fairbanks, AK chapter of Amtgard, called Astral Winds.  Students will learn about the group and the people who helped build it.

 
Society 05 - Rulebook: Part 1

This course will give the students a basic understanding of our rulebook and how to navigate it's pages.

 
Society 06 - Rulebook: Part 2

The students will take an in-depth look at the battlegame classes, their special rules and abilities, as well as the rules for Armor and equipment.

 
Society 07 - Rulebook: Part 3

Students will learn all about the rules for magic in our Battle games.

 
Society 08 - The Corpora: Part 1

Students will learn about our governing document, the Corpora and how to navigate it.

 
Society 09 - The Corpora: Part 2

Students will learn all about the Awards system of Amtgard, including Knighthood.