The Consort

Astrid asked me if a friend of her's, Count Vik Vikingson could fight for her in the crown tournament. The gist, I figured, was that he just wanted to fight in the tournament, and wasn't looking to win, and thus agreed. Astrid is now Queen of An Tir, and Vik had a very good day of fighting. And just like that, I was out a consort.

It took a bit of time for me to start looking for a new consort, because being relatively new to fighting, I had little experience dealing with a consort, and being relatively new to the Summits, I don't know many people. Acacia suggested several different individuals, most of whom I dismissed for various reasons.

Her Ladyship Idonia Sherwood was brought up in passing. And after a time I reconsidered her on some whim. What I knew about her was her interest in the A&S field (I knew nothing of her specific interests), which to me seems a reasonable pairing, me in the martial area, her in the A&S area. A logical approach to my situation. I asked her Baron, Tadhg, and a friend of hers, Elizabeth Turner, about her, specifically in regards to her viability as a consort. Both had given a positive response.

After some social awkwardness on my part (try talking to a relative stranger about something serious and personal), we began dialogue about the potential pairing. Her primary concern was the notion of gossip that tends to surround fighter-consort pairs. The general notion is that the consort-fighter pair is a romantic thing; husbands fight for their wives, boyfriends fight for their girlfriends... Even though I could cite several consort-fighter pairs that had/have a non-romantic partnership. I assured her I would do my best in dealing with any rumor milling and gossiping I encountered. Funnily enough, her friends noted to me that she was attractive and single.
Call it hedonistic and shallow, but one of the qualities I was seeking in a consort was beauty, despite having no interest in pursuing romantic relations with a consort right now, it was still a criteria I had. Perhaps its a subconscious "status symbol" concept.

With this partnership begun, I'm eagerly looking forward to coronet. Despite my inexperience, part of me is mentally preparing in the event I win.

Update

Recapping will be brief.

EDIT: An ambiguity was pointed out to me today, when I say some fighting was lackluster, it is on my part, not other fighters'.

Egil Skillgrimson Memorial Tournament 2012. Went in with a 42" sword (one-handed); worked a bit on single sword; had my ass handed to me handily in the tournaments; fought the byes in the "notable fighter" invitational, felt much more comfortable without any pressure to perform, even though I lost all those fights; enjoyed some good deaths though.
All in all, I think I'd prefer to go to Grand Thing next year, a more kingdom-central event with less fringies, and more fighting that is typically scheduled on the same weekend.


War of the Trees 2012. A small Summits war event; saw fighters from Wuduholt be Secg (shire in the West Kingdom) as its close to the border; "war" fighting (only about two dozen fighters) was lackluster for me; pick-ups were lackluster; Griffin Quest tournament had good fighting, though my anxiety levels were high. Switched to a planked 2" stick, cut to 32" in length—more persona appropriate.

Summits June Investiture 2012. Had a few pick-up fights with Sir Einarr, whose more aggressive approach was an interesting (in a positive way) change in fighting for me; Summits Defender tournament saw me out in two, but enjoyable skirmish in the finals.

West-An Tir War 2012. Came to the event a day late due to coming off a cold; first day of war fighting was lackluster and frustrating, had fun running around with my knight though; had pick-up fights with (then) HRH Vik Vikingson, Viscount Miles Fitz-Rauf, and another fighter whose name I didn't catch; second day of war fighting saw some good piking on my part, was much more loose and enjoying myself; Brian squired his other two men at arms; got heat exhaustion and heat tetany on the drive back, which was the scariest experience of my life, so far.

An Tir Coronation 2012. Saw Viscount William Jeffrey the Rogue knighted before the squire's tournament; tourney proper was total shit on my end; spoke with HRM Vik about the headspace issue.

Hocktide Emprise, 2012

Hocktide Emprise is Glyn Dwfn's premiere event. Largely an equestrian event, it also hosts the Shire Defender tournament with some atypical rules.
"Hocktide Rules" as they've become colloquially known, only acknowledge good limb blows, rather than "taking" the leg or arm. Two limb blows results in a death.
The tournament also consists of an atypical format: six rounds to be fought, with a set number of "lives", the fighter with the most lives at the end wins. A fighter could have fought with or without "honors", that is to say, to contend for the Shire Defender position. Each round was a different weapon style: single sword, sword and shield, mass weapon and shield, two weapon, greatsword, pole/great weapon.

Of the six rounds I won the first two; single sword and sword and shield. To me, these were the most important. Largely, the fighting wasn't important to me, while I was fighting for the Defender title, I think that the format distracted me well enough from getting too deep into my head, and getting overly-serious.

More over, the event was relaxing and mellow. Nothing much else about this event (plus, I'm playing catch up)

Bar Gemels XXVII

Things started on Tuesday before I even got out of the area. I attended the southern Summits regional practice in Grants Pass, I received a bad shot from Thomas Direwolf to my left shoulder, which drove my pauldron into the back of my shoulder, striking a nerve. A few fights later I realized just how badly I was affected; my shoulder and elbow were extremely sore, and I had lost most of my strength in my hand. I stopped fighting and only hung around for a short time after, packed up and drove back to my house. I now regret not trying to ice it that day.

Thursday was a repeat of my previous trips up to Terra Pomaria - leaving immediately from work and driving like a lunatic to get there on time to see Visc. Acacia before I headed off to the branch practice with Sir Brian. Unfortunately the then apparent sustained injury's symptoms persisted only after a few fights. Brought around by recoil in my sword arm.
I've never realized how frustrated I become when obstacles impede my path. Astrid was in attendance at the practice, and I spoke with her regarding my sentiments and concerns about the coming fighting at the event that weekend.

We (Visc. Brian and Acacia, their children, and I) skipped the Friday of the event, as they worked, and there was little of interest (to us) occurring at the event.
Saturday saw us arrive on site around noon to a simple local event. We showed up towards the end of the ransom tournament, which saw a large contingent of Adiantum fighters, including the Summits' Tanist, Squire Aaron Duncan, and Baron Tadhg.
Both Sir Brian and I didn't don armor until much later—he also suffered an injury, a spastic neck after a major chiropractic adjustment. I was anxious and unhappy about my injury preventing me from doing pick-ups for part of the day.
Shortly before the torch-light tournament I gave my oaths to Brian and Acacia, which turned out to be sentimental words and an exchange of items rather than an official oath. It felt more wholesome than a display, that way.
Brian gave me a leather pouch which has a boar on it. He had spoken of this pouch before, its original purchase was to give to a friend whose helm he now wears, which also bears boars—though Brian's device includes an eagle. Acacia gave me a leather strap with dragonflies—the charge on her device—which I am to wear around my sword arm. I, in turn, gave them a length of cord my mother (non-SCAdian) made via card weaving, which has always been something which holds sentimental value, and has survived quite a bit of moving.
The torch-light tournament only saw Azizah bint Rustam (a very good, young [17] fighter, stepdaughter to Visc. Sir Abu Nur Rustam ibn Abdallah), Duncan (one of his Highness's man-at-arms), Sir Brian and myself in the list.
Being concerned for my shoulder (thinking without the snap motion, my arm should be alright), I went with a glaive and dagger. I bested Duncan (fighting flourentine), and gave Brian (fighting center-grip round/sword) a run for his money before he blasted me. Azizah, having a broken hand, was fighting single sword, I of course obliged without a thought.
I was unsure of the format, Azizah and Brian tied for the win, and Brian, after consulting with Acacia, ceded the win to Azizah. I'm still unsure of the prize.
The fighting then ended up in "fun fights", with the Bar Room Brawl weapons: a torch mace, ham-hock short maces, and a drumstick. By that point, I was so caught up in fighting that I forgot about my injury until we tapered off and my shoulder began to smart.

(Probably the best shot from that weekend, and the pickings were slim.
Photog cred: Mike Murphy)

The next day was the Gryffon's Quest tournament, formerly known as The Summits Sixes, a scholarship tournament orchestrated by the Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate who reside in the Summits.
There is to be four tournaments this year, the winner of each is provided with travel and site fee money for the coming Ursulmas event.
Entry into the tournament requires sponsorship from a Lady of the Rose or Valorous Estate. Visc. Acacia was kind enough to accept my request for sponsorship.
The tournament list was seeded by warm-up fights with his Highness and several members of the Chivalry in attendance. Unfortunately I was chewing on nerves and had an overly-serious mind. I won no fights against the Chivalry or his Highness. I then lost my first two fights in the tournament, being eliminated.
Can you tell I'm still not happy about it?
This was also my first "serious" tournament fighting for Astrid (there was a short processional before we began). I think we ironed out a few things through the experience.

A Busy Week

The week has just started and I'm already exhausted.
I should be maintaining myself better, a weak sleep schedule and a disorganized house. Just yesterday (Sunday), the Shire of Myrtleholt fired back up their fighter practices (Sundays; 11am; Riverside Park in Grants Pass, OR). From the previous week to this one saw a massive temperature jump, from rainy and in the 50s, to partly cloudy and in the high 70s to mid 80s. Hydrating was a bit of an issue afterwards, and I was exhausted for the rest of the day.
My soon to be knight (as a man at arms, not a squire), Visc. Sir Brian's latest instruction was to work on non-stop throwing of shots, which I take as a push in aggression. I am a very passive, counter-shooting fighter presently, though my "computer" doesn't process openings fast enough to fire at every one. Practice yesterday saw only a mild increase in aggression.
I still reflexively evade and back-peddle, rather than meeting a press. Part of it is that my wraps have been going too deep, and striking with the bottom half of my reverse edge, and my other "standard" shots tend to get caught up on account of my long arms.
All in all it was a good practice, albeit a hot one. I hope the weather treats me better for the coming fights.

Tomorrow is a southern principality regional practice (at the previously mentioned location, 4pm). Expected folks include Sir Lawrence of the Marsh and Sir William Brannan. Its a good opportunity to get fights in with folks I would normally only see at events, and instruction from more experienced fighters.
I don't think I'll be pushing myself physically too much, especially considering that it starts during the hottest part of the day. I'll be trying to work on more cerebral/cognitive aspects, and technique, and hopefully someone might be willing to do slow work.

Wednesday will be a day of packing in preparation for the drive and trip on Thursday, when I'll be heading up to the Barony of Terra Pomaria, getting into town, stealing some of my foster mother's food, and then going to their local practice. I'm not sure what I have in mind for practice there, but I'm sure Sir Brian will have something for me. I anticipate Duke Sir Tjorkil, who was a fun fight at the last practice I attended up there.

Friday can hopefully be leisurely, as Saturday holds a ransom tournament and a torchlight tournament, and Sunday holds the Griffin's Quest Ursulmas scholarship tournament.
I'm looking forward to swearing my oaths of service, and then fighting for a consort for the first time. I'm anxious to see how these things will change my mental state and what affect they will have on my fighting.

I've been studying the West Kingdom's March '12 Crown finals between Visc. Sir Brand McClellan and Duke Sir Hauoc Bender. The contrast of styles is very interesting.

The Consort

This is a subject that's been on my mind for the past month or so. The inspiration of a fighter, the consort.

For me representing another individual puts me in a different mindset than I normally have. My actions not only reflect myself, but my consort as well, and thus I feel obligated (from an internal view, not external) to act and speak in such a way that brings her honor as well as myself; I've felt this way in non-fighting/non-SCA aspects as well, a desire to please and not let someone down. Such a partnership encourages me to perform better, in a sense of worthiness of even having a consort, though I do not know where this personal notion stems from.

I can appreciate fighting for someone you're romantically involved with. However, the additional social/interpersonal facets that consort-fighter relationship may add to a romantic relationship seems a rather daunting notion, and I'm certainly not in a place where that would be okay with my mental state.

My concept of a fighter-consort relationship seems very one sided, and this bothers me. I see a consort as someone who cares for the fighter before, during and after fighting; Ensures they are in a healthy state, physically and mentally, as well as representing the fighter, being worthy of honor and to be fought for. While the fighter simply has the latter of the consort's requirements: representation and worthiness of such.

Maybe I'm over thinking "how things are".

I had asked my foster mother, Viscountess Acacia Gryffyn, about women who might be suitable consorts, she had one response: Astrid.

I won't bother with the finer details of the interim, but Astrid agreed to a partnership for the season (when the season "officially" ends, I'm unsure). The communication has been good, and she's begun work on a favor.

(Left) Viscountess Acacia Gryffyn, 26th, and 31st Princess of the Summits.

(Right) Beginnings of Astrid's favor.

Astrid and I have had decently strong communication as to what we want, what we're willing to provide and so forth. On the 26th I'm heading up to the Barony of Terra Pomaria for their Bar Gemel's event where I'll be giving two oaths of service, one to Visc. Acacia, and another to her husband, Visc. Sir Brian Caius Brittanicus. There will be three tournaments, two of which Astrid will be present-a torchlight tournament, and The Griffin's Quest tournament. The latter is a scholarship tournament for Ursulmas, which requires sponsorship by a Lady of the Valorous Estate. Good thing I know a Viscountess.

My Kit - Present & Future

When I was first in loaner gear, I was wearing a sweatshirt and soccer shin guards on my arms to fit into the vambraces. At various practices, I was wearing Else's leg harness, and a helm that barely fit my melon.
When someone tells you that a comfortable and well fitted kit is important, you listen to them, dammit!

Feargus mac Airt had some gorgeous armor when I was attending Canale fighter practices. Wax-hardened leather. Bazubands, "shovel" greaves, a coat of scales, and a scale mantle on his gorget. All of his leather was from Torvaldr's Leatherworks (www.skaldic.com)
I knew I didn't want a coat of plates, and a leg harness that hung from my hips. I didn't want to clang around in metal.
I wanted a Torvaldr kit. I knew what I did and didn't want in a kit.
I ordered a made to order Norman Conical helm from Windrose Armoury (www.windrosearmoury.com).

Vesta in the background, overseeing practice.

Gorgeous November fall colors in Myrtleholt.

I frequently get comments on my kit's appearance. The follow-up question is always "Did you make it?", and I must confess I am a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't. But I didn't feel like spending years and thousands of dollars in figuring the best method to bake the leather, what combination of waxes works best for varying temperatures, etc. I knew what I wanted.

 

I love the shape, but would like some brass banding, a la Brand's helm. 

But now, I want something a bit different. Don't get me wrong, the kit is beautiful, but I feel that it isn't as appropriate to period late dark ages (my persona time frame). Specifically its the coat of scales being leather that bothers me the most. A cutting weapon would be able to slice right through any part of my leather kit.

What I want is a lorica squamata, Roman scale armor. Particularly, I'm looking to have a vest of aluminum scales, with a maille Haubergeon underneath. This is my primary change. I also want a dark ages helm, something similar to Visc. Brand McClellan's (minus the animal tail). I like the shape of Windrose Armoury's "dark age" helm as well.
With a more "period" kit, would be low profile and hidden leg armor. I'm liking the look of the "wingless knees" that Windrose Armoury has. My main concern is thigh protection that is low profile, in order to fit under "fighter pants". I'm also liking the look of some splint greaves that sit below the knee (I'm paranoid about my shins).
I'll then keep my leather pauldrons and a single spaulder, the bazubands, and my gorget with a leather plated mantle (for my shoulders).

As for a shield, I'm wanting to try out a 30" diameter center-grip round. I've recently been inspired by Magnus Ulfarsson in that regard, whose videos I've found on youtube (www.youtube.com/magnuswyvern). I'm thoroughly impressed by his ability to apply the Five D's of Dodgeball to heavy fighting, especially for being 6'5".

Introduction & Origins

My first recollection of anything SCA was actually about four or five, at my paternal grandparent's house; my uncle and his friend were doing heavy combat on the front lawn. I have also had an interest in knights, dragons, and medieval things when I was growing up. I'm not sure what sparked that interest, however.

I was actually introduced to the SCA when I was eleven or twelve years old, by my aunt and uncle, my father's brother and his wife (They had actually began playing back in the 80s, and met through the SCA). It was a day event in the Barony of Fettburg, Principality of Cynagua, West Kingdom. I hadn't really a clue what was going on; my garb was pretty decent, though. I was mostly drawn to the heavy and rapier tournaments. I do recall being beet red when called up in court for the "first event" tokens.

During my stay at my aunt and uncle's, I went with them to a few social meetings. I recall (now) Sir Mari Alexander, and Count Sir Gemini de Grendel, specifically (they both have very intense personalities, in my opinion).

After that visit with my aunt and uncle, the SCA fell out of existence to me. Sometime when I was twenty-one, I was suddenly hit with the urge to look up the SCA. I don't know what prompted it, however.

The shire I lived in, Brinaiaide, was dormant, and the next closest was about a hour's drive away. For some reason, I had a real fire in my gut about involving myself. I got in touch with the Shire of Canale's chatelaine, Mistress Else Hunrvogt. Simultaneously, I was developing my persona, and was in touch with a Laurel very knowledgeable in Welsh culture.

I was driving two hours round-trip to Canale's fighter practices, I was well-received by Else and her husband, Sir Heinrich von Melk, Feargus mac Airt, and a few others. Subsequent fighter practices saw me in loaner armor (the horrors). They invited me to the March Crown tournament (2010). I like to think they fostered me into the SCA. I like to think I share many sentiments as Sir Heinrich regarding heavy fighting.

I abruptly moved to southern Oregon, and mundane life took precedence.

In the spring of 2011, I looked at the armor I bought, and wanted to actually wear it, and fight. I checked out the local branches, and attended a war practice. There, I got in touch with Lord Robert Engleson, and subsequently spent a couple days working at his place, and got myself fighting fit.
From there, I began attending practices, and a few events. Which brings us to the present.

More to follow, I assure you.