The winner of last year's Raleigh Wars tournament, Matt Huffman, showing off the the winning trophy

Raleigh Wars is an urban assassin tournament involving the use of water weapons. Initially started by a group of friends bound by a common geographical area three years ago, it has since evolved into a regional game moderated by custom built web-based software. The new game starts this Friday at midnight.

Above is Walden going in for the kill during a performance by Lake Inferior during the Assassin's Ball

To participate, you simply sign up online and supply some personal information. You are later provided with two targets chosen at random, and supplied with enough information to locate a complete stranger and “assassinate” them via a device with a self-contained water supply (such as a squirt gun).

The game has rules that each participant must abide by, and the game has a committee available via email to settle disputes.

The game is based off of the common Assassin game that takes place across several college campuses across the country. The idea is that you find someone outside of their residence, workplace, or any other location they may be and get them wet via a water gun or other approved method.

The game lasts for three weeks. At the end of the allotted time, all of the participants of the game are invited to the Assassin’s Ball. It’s an event held at The Manor, near the Rose Garden and Little Theatre. There are live performances by Acroentertainment (previously covered on several occasions) and by the great local band Lake Inferior. Additionally, micro brewed beer and food are provided. Last year saw a German Wheat beer and undisclosed cheap keg beer, garden pasta, beer and black bean chili, and cheesy burritos with a number of side items and snacks.

Above is a video of a “hit” taking place. I participated in the first tournament of Raleigh Wars a few years ago, and was assassinated in perhaps the most elaborate way (an event still talked about today). The person chosen to assassinate me was assisted by housemates and lied waiting in my attic. After being convinced that I should open the attic door (I’m still unsure of how this happened) I was immediately hit with a supersoaker, and thus, out of the game.

The rules, as listed on the web site, are as follows:

1. You must reside and work in Raleigh to play.
2. No damaging personal property or using physical force.
3. No breaking the law. This means no breaking and entering. However, if you are granted access to the house then feel free to open fire.
4. No hits on a target when they are at a location that requires their presence. This means no hits inside work, school, church, or jury duty.
5. No hits on a target when they are in their bedroom or bathroom and the door is closed. Wait it out if you like but these are personal spaces and thus off-limits.
6. Weapons must have a self-contained water supply. Examples of unacceptable weapons include (but are not limited to) snowballs, hoses, fire extinguishers, icicles, and sprinklers.

The software that runs the game was developed by those administering the game, and provides email notifications upon events (game start, new target, change of game mode, etc.).

Since the first game, it has grown in size to include people from all over Raleigh; however, in order to keep the game playable it is limited by area–it’s only open to those inside the beltline.

The entry fee is $10. Considering the fact it includes three weeks of fun and entry to party with live music, entertainment, food and alcohol afterward, it’s a great deal for the price.

Find out more information.