And they say 'playing cowboy' is weird

Time has a photo-essay article by photographer Brian Shumway, who traveled to Utah to document participants of an underground phenomenon— a kind of medieval Fight Club— that combines elements of Dungeons and Dragons with ancient combat:

Daniel, of Midvale, Utah was photographed near a camping area in Samak, Utah, at a weekend-long LARP event in the mountains, wearing a medieval-inspired costume for a wizard character he created, with a full silver beard and wig, coned hat and glittery striped blue-and-silver wizard dress.

Rachel, 22 and Suzanne, 26, of Salt Lake City, Utah

Heather, 35, of Orem, Utah was photographed in front of a large rose bush in the backyard of her parent's suburban home, wearing a medieval-inspired costume for a character she created, holding a foam-based dagger and wearing flowery blue dress she made herself.

 Isaac, 22, was photographed at a park in Salt Lake City, Utah, wearing a medieval-inspired costume for a character he created, with upper protective body armor, knee-high leather boots, large hammer, and foam-based shield at his side.

Kelik wears a medieval-inspired Celtic costume, including a foam-based shield and sword (or boffer). He was photographed at Pioneer Park in Provo, Utah, where he and other members of his group, Belegarth, have weekly practice battles.

Michelle is a young housewife. She was photographed in the front yard of her suburban home in West Jordan, Utah, wearing a medieval-inspired costume for a human-sized fairy character she created with retractable wings, metal mesh bra, corset, striped leggings and a short skirt, and holding a foam-based sword (or boffer) with protective leather arm gear.

Shawn of West Jordan, Utah

Rico says it's like no one in Utah ever heard of the SCA:

The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-seventeenth-century Europe. Our 'Known World' consists of nineteen kingdoms, with over thirty thousand members residing in countries around the world. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events, which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes and workshops, and more.

Rico says he attended his first SCA event (in Berkeley, California) back in the Dark Ages of the mid-1960s...