Adventures in the SCA

The Classes and Events:

Historical Rapier: Footwork- Don Samuael McTavish Italian Rapier- Don Samuael McTavish 14th Century Garb on a Budget- Áshildr Inn Háfagri Introduction to Kumihimo- Kurios Panikó

Bardyard Jamboree- Elaine the Dubious and Emcee Don'tBe

Cribbage- Abd al-Mahdi Jamal ibn Hakim and Valeria Richila Navarro Tablero- Abd al-Mahdi Jamal ibn Hakim Scopa- Valeria Richila Navarro

Those recognized include:

(Will be added when they're posted)

My Experience:

I arrived around 7:20 a.m. at the church and quickly went to work setting up my table before my shift for gate began at 8:00. I had practiced the day before so that I wouldn't be panicking at the event. That was a great tip from Catalin that definitely gave me a little bit of relief.

There were a lot of really impressive tables set up, I was very impressed by the ones by Lady Alexandra, Lady Lucietta, Dominus Decimus, Lady Lucia, Lady Nessa... Okay, I was impressed with everyone! I really liked to be able to see what people were working on and (in some cases) try them!

Court started slightly later than intended, around 9:30, but it was over quickly and the classes began afterwards at 10:00. I unfortunately did not get to attend as I was manning my table, but it seemed like everyone was having fun!

The judges and other attendants walked around and took looks at the tables from 10:00-12:00. At which point, they announced that lunch was served. It was very delicious, especially the chicken salad. from 12:00-4:00, we continued showing until the judges deliberated. I started to feel quite exhausted and had to go spend some time somewhere quiet until court began at 5:30 p.m.

I definitely learned a lot about showing. I felt like I was going in completely blind as there wasn't much information I could find online for people's first time. I was definitely surprised at how many gifts I was given! I will definitely be giving out gifts as well if I go to Glaslyn Artisan in a few weeks. Plus I was very happy that I got to meet my mutual Etienne for the first time too!

My Table

The event was very busy and had quite a lot going on!

Saturday had the baronial archery championship, rapier championship tournament, combat archery championship, baronial novice archery championship, thrown weapons, First Free Company cut and thrust tournament, Ironwyrm memorial William Tell archery tournament, A&S display, on site lace competition, on site embroidery competition, Bardic compeition, brewing competition, Clan Blue Feather happy hour and cookie bar, Arthurian Themed ball, and the Baron's Hafla.

Sunday had the royal hunter tournament, Steppes Warlord Tournament, King's Hope Chiv contest. Royal Blade tournament, and the Midsummer Knight's dream.

Those recognized include:

Steppes Warlord: Sir Louis le Blaireau Queen of Love and Beauty: Mistress Colleen O’Kelly Rapier Champion: HL Andsvar Lorenzoson Queen of Grace and Honor: HL Nessa Faulkner Archer: Ian Thornhill Chisholm Sentinel: Martino Giovanni Arciere Bardic Competition: Master Robin of Gilwell Brewing Competition: Hagar of the Foaming Beer

Lady Rowena of the Steppes - Acorn of the Steppes Domina Aurelia Scaeva - The Boar's Tusk Maria of the Steppes - Sable Talon of Ansteorra- Rapier Hrafn Sten - Acorn of the Steppes Sir Magnus Creppinson - Order of the Oak of the Steppes Alexandra Lunette Arundel- Sable Thistle of Ansteorra- Silk Banners Jonathan of York- Sable Thistle of Ansteorra- Kumihimo Sigmund Úlfsson the Traveler- Order of the Star of Merit Cornelia Thorpe- Sable Crane of Ansteorra- Marshallate Mathias Grunwalt- Sable Crane of Ansteorra- Event operations, Field marshalling Voyszvilk Greycius Vilniszkis- Sable Talon of Ansteorra- Target Archery Ada of Glaslyn- Award of Arms Arnóra orðlokarr- Award of Arms Winebold Everardson- Award of Arms Andrew Nobody- Sable Sparrow of Ansteorra Dae Knarrarbringa- Sable Sparrow of Ansteorra Fearghus Hawthorne- Sable Sparrow of Ansteorra Gavin Mac Giolla Ruaidh- Sable Sparrow of Ansteorra Sigwin Rotbart- Sable Sparrow of Ansteorra Wilhelm Artzt- Sable Sparrow of Ansteorra Perrin de Beaujeu- Order of the White Scarf of Ansteorra

My Experience:

Saturday-

I arrived around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning after the event. I left straight from work at 8:00a.m., very excited to come to my first Steppes Warlord. After changing into my outfit, I turned away from gate during court, so I went to sit and listen to court for the time being. I couldn't hear most anything they said at morning court.

After court was in recess, I sat with some of the people that I recognized from Glaslyn and Elfsea. I worked on my entry for the on-site embroidery contest for the next... four of five hours. I decided to make a piece with only one color (black) mostly because I was using slightly yellow fabric and I was afraid to clash with it. There was a group of people who ended up joining me at the same table who were also working on their pieces for the embroidery contest. All four were very nice and we just chatted until court began.

At 2:30, there was a Clan Blue Feather Cookie Social. I made two dozen chocolate chip cookies that were very good and sixteen snickerdoodle cookies that were very mediocre. Unfortunately, I was developing a migraine so I couldn't stay long. But I was able to talk with some people about their historical interests as well as receive a nice feather pin! Then I went and rushed to finish my piece so that I could enjoy the rest of my night.

After court, a lot of people left to make or get dinner. I can only assume that a lot of them went to Dairy Palace, which I had heard a lot about before the event. I then went to watch the Bardic Competition, which was thrilling. I had no idea how that would work, but it was a lot of fun to watch! I really enjoyed the stories from Mongolia and the musician who played the lute and ukelele.

Afterwards, I joined Bhann Mhearai at the Newcomer's camp. They tripped over the tent and hurt their knee, but we were able to obtain some ice for it. We played two rounds of Werewolf, In the first one, I was seer and correctly guessed the werewolf... only to be killed the same night and unable to do anything about it. After that, we then played multiple rounds of Cards Against Humanity. Everyone was pretty exhausted, so we called it quits around 11:00p.m. I slept in my car as I don't have a tent... I don't recommend that, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as I expected.

Sunday-

I woke up around 6:30 in the morning and got ready for my shift at the gate. I was one of the first people awake, so it was very peaceful. At 8:00a.m. I began my gate shift and drank some of the most delicious spiced coffee that was left over from the Hafla the night before. After my shift, I helped Mhearai with water bearing as they had hurt their leg. I watched the rapier melee outside until it got too hot to bear and went back inside. Around 12:00, I decided to get lunch at the Dairy Palace to see what all the hulabaloo was about. It was well priced, but not exceptional in taste. Perhaps I will give it another chance next year.

There was only one entry into the King's Hope contest. The boy fought about six or so adult competitors and did really well!

At evening court, a large number of awards were given, including to my friend Winebold! It was quite the busy court. My entry for the Embroidery contest received "Suzanna's Favorite". My prize was a nice pair of scissors (ironic since I completely forgot to bring mine) and some gold and silver metallic thread. With this win, I'm officially no longer and Embroidery Novice despite only starting seven months ago. After court, most everyone left to avoid the huge storm that was supposed to be rolling. Despite the heavy clouds, I could see a beautiful rainbow over Canton as I left the event.