Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
by Carolyn WhippleAt Swarthmore College, the changing of the leaves and the cooling weather of fall are always accompanied by the distinct thwacks of foam swords and battle cries of roughly 200 Swatties. Traditionally since its inception in 1982, mid-October announces the beginning of the annual Pterodactyl Hunt. This year the hunt was organized by the three wizards (Susan Zell ’07, David Pupkin ’09, and Revan Williams ’09) and happened this past Saturday after a postponement due to rain. The Pterodactyl Hunt takes place on the campus at night with players separated into two broad groups of Monsters and Hunters. The objective is for the Hunters armed with foam swords to slay the three heavily protected Pterodactyls while avoiding “death” at the hands of nasty Monsters like the Goblins, the Vampire, or the sly Cat. Twists and turns are added every year and there are some secrets in the game that is up to the Hunters to figure out for themselves.
This year, the Hunters faced additional challenges with the reign of the new Goblin King James Mendez Hodes Õ08. The Daily Gazette braved the dangers and interviewed the King himself:
Daily Gazette: How long have you been the “Goblin King”?
James Mendez Hodes: 2006 was my first year as the Goblin King. Most Special Monster roles in the Pterodactyl Hunt such as the Vampire, Pterodactyl, and Orc King, are assigned through seniority. However, the Goblin King is the Hunt’s only hereditary position: the prior Hobgoblin Queen (Lauren Goodfriend ’08) selected me as her successor, just as I will select one when I step down.
DG: What does training usually entail? How was it different this year?
JMH: Historically, Monster Training has consisted of a 45- to 60-minute presentation right before the Hunt itself, followed by half an hour of brawling between the Orcs and Goblins. But this year, I wanted to expand the fun of the Hunt into more than just two hours out of a weekend. I got some foam swords ahead of time and organized about half a dozen optional Special Training sessions, each one running between an hour and two hours, for the Goblin Army and visitors. At these sessions, we studied the application of concepts such as proper posture, stance, relaxation, range, positive and negative space, and theatricality to foam fighting. Training also gave the Goblins an opportunity to meet each other, foster camaraderie, and get used to watching out for each other. Oh yeah, and we had a barbecue!
DG: What is the difference between a goblin and an orc, the two most common Monsters?
JMH: The Orcs dressed in plain black garbage bags with varying war paint patterns, and no set uniform underneath. The Goblins dressed in black and red clothing, red bandannas, black and red war paint, and red medical trash bags with biohazard symbols printed on them. The Orcish battle cry was “ORCS! ORCS! ORCS!” (repeated ad infinitum) or “WAAAGH!”; the Goblin battle cry was a call-and-response, “Black and Red!” “THEN YOU’RE DEAD!” The Orcs and Goblins also follow different Kings. The Orc King bore a long sword and shield; he also sported a crown of leaves, and a cloak that made him a challenge to hit. As the Goblin King, I wore a conical hat and wielded two swords, but was unarmored and therefore a larger target. Despite the historical animosity between the two races, there’s really just one difference between Orcs and Goblins: Orcs are brutal, but cunning; Goblins are cunning, but brutal.
DG: What is your favorite part of the hunt?
JMH: Fighting is all well and good, but my favorite part of the Hunt is the camaraderie. It’s walking out onto a dark field for the first time, looking patently ridiculous and surrounded by people who look just as ridiculous as you and have been through all the same hours of fun and practice as you. It’s the knowledge that your mates will run to help you out just as you’ll run to help them, that you can shout a battle cry and two dozen voices will rise in harmony with yours, that you are part of something and that something, as far as it can be, is pretty [intense]. Also, it’s fun to watch 200 Swatties running around in a field, dressed like the homeless.
