Forget Fight Club — those who want to test their strength in battle need look no further than the Baton Rouge area. Ordo Procinctus is a medieval-inspired fighting group fusing modern technique with the weapons-based style of the Middle Ages.Eric Wiggins, University alumnus and computer analyst at LSU IT Services, has been involved with the group since 2003 and a knight since 2004.Wiggins decided to join the order despite his lack of martial arts training or experience after seeing members at the annual Louisiana Renaissance Festival in Hammond.”I thought it was so cool,” he said. “I had just switched to a sculpture major so I had access to the metal shop. I cranked out a full suit of armor and just showed up. I jumped in and got my ass kicked.”Chivalry sport is a competitive fight in which each combatant tries to earn victory.”These guys beat the crap out of each other and fight as hard as they possibly can. It’s not something you see anywhere else,” said Wiggins.The order was started in 1994 and currently has 19 active members.The group is open to anyone  age 17 and older who wants to try their hand at fighting, regardless of gender or experience level.”Anybody that is brave enough to jump in there can just go and test their mettle,” said Wiggins. “You keep fighting, and you try to get better, and you see what you’re capable of.”But becoming a knight is no easy task.”You start out as a page. And then people that stick around for two or three tournaments can petition a knight and ask to be squired,” said Wiggins. “When a squire has proven his worth and gained approval from the War Council [comprised of all the knights], then he runs the gauntlet.”To prove their worth in the gauntlet, squires either fight every member of the organization successively, or they fight until they’re completely exhausted.”Sometimes it’s an hour and a half of nonstop fighting,” Wiggins said. “It’s really just to show the squire that they’re capable of doing way beyond what they ever would have thought.”After the gauntlet, the Council decides whether the performance was acceptable. With their approval, the squire may then be knighted in a special ceremony after he undergoes a two hour silent vigil for reflection.”For me, being a knight is about the strength and confidence to perform any task in any situation,” Wiggins said. “It’s also about acting honorably — not necessarily in a stereotypical medieval way, but respecting yourself and the others around you.”Wiggins stressed that Ordo Procinctus members don’t classify themselves as a live action role play — LARP — group, as the fighters don’t take on false personas or act out characters.”Nobody in Ordo is trying to be anybody else. People come here to find out who they are and become the person they want to be,” he said.The fighting can be brutal — contenders attack each other with full force — but the knights are sure to take safety precautions.”None of us are afraid to get hurt, but since we have other jobs, we try not to break ourselves,” said Wiggins. “You have to wear head and neck protection, front and back chest protection, as well as forearm and shin protection.”Most of the fighters make their own armor, avoiding blatantly modern materials like plastics to make it seem more authentic.”My husband just started doing it in January,” said Ann Ostrom, foreign language and literature instructor. “Nothing is choreographed — it’s all live action.”Tournaments are held the first Sunday of every month at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival Grounds in Hammond.Wiggins recently started his own group, Combat School of the Red Staff, dedicated to learning historically accurate fighting techniques.   Currently, the group’s seven members are studying German long-sword fighting and can be spotted in the Sculpture Garden on Tuesday afternoons.”When people see us with swords, they probably think it’s just some fantasy thing, but it’s a martial art,” said Adam Zapletal, Moodle University ITS analyst and Red Staff member. “There’s a lot of discipline and practice involved.”For those who prefer an even more traditional fighting style, Ludus Tigridum offers students a chance to release their inner gladiators. “The name means ‘School of the Tigers,'” said James Hamilton, Latin junior.Hamilton started the group last year to promote classical studies through authentic Roman entertainment. The gladiators must supply their own props, but no previous experience is necessary. Like Ordo Procinctus, Ludus is open to warriors of either sex.”There were female gladiators — it’s written down,” Hamilton said. Ludus Tigridum is slated to make its debut performance at LSU Day, which has been rescheduled for fall 2010.In the meantime, students who prefer to enjoy their battles from the sidelines can watch knights duke it out every month.”I thought it was awesome,” said Shane Valure, psychology sophomore. “I watched the fights, which were followed by a free-for-all … Afterward, I got to try on some chainmail made from spoons.”Follow Elizabeth Clausen on Twitter @ TDR_EClausen.—-Contact Elizabeth Clausen at [email protected].