Event Reports

Packing has gone well, though of course the last bit is always the test of that. But right now there seems to be plenty of room for the one cooler, my clothes, the new Justus shield and the cart. And that's about all that's left!

We had a great time at Golden Rose Tourney this weekend. Even with the heat, the dehydration, a blown fan belt and water pump, what a great time.

Thanks again to Baron Girard and Baroness Guienevra for hosting us and chauffeuring us all around Raleigh in search of a car repair place open on Sunday. (For your future reference, the answer is always "Sears.")

I'm very very pleased to report that HRH Kalisa's team, the one I helped organize, went all the way to the finals and came oh so close to winning. I'm very happy with everyone's performance--the whole team backed each other up: Matteo winning a tough fight during a round where I lost, Philip and Amos (the "purple teardrop men") going (I think) undefeated until the finals, just a great showing all around.

We also looked damn good! I was surprised to have the only crest on the field, though Susan made a lovely wreath of flowers for Philip's helmet. Where are your pictures from the tourney?

Last night Philip, Aethelwolf, Kelby, Leo and I piled into Philip's van and headed to the monthly Bay Company practice in Richmond. We raced the rain most of the way there, but luckily we never saw any of the hail or serious weather that happened a bit north and west of my place. (One house in Fluvanna had its roof torn off.)

Turnout was a little lighter than last time, probably because of the threat of bad weather. Aside from a good Caer Mear turnout and us, the only out of towners were Moe and Matthew from Tir-Y-Don.

I took some gear out to the playground where fighting was going on, and it was just pickup fights. So I armored up for sword and shield inside the church, trundled out---into melees. Sigh. I hate fighting sword and shield in melee. In fact, last night was probably only the 13th or 14th time I've ever done it. And it showed.

Still, a little melee practice is good for everyone, and after a short break I swapped to polearm just in time for the bridge rez scenario, which was quite enjoyable. Especially as the only long weapon out.

The rain put an end to melees and we adjourned inside for one on one practice. Wow it was sticky! I tried out my new 5'6" split rattan pole and it proved very fast. Quite the face stabber. I think I'll name it Needler.

I'm still feeling good, though tiring more easily than I care to. No weights this week, aside from shovelfuls of mulch.

The trip home was filled with ancient SCA stories ("Don't worry... I'm a nurse!")  and a decision to cancel Thursday armored practice in Charlottesville because Philip will be up in NoVA working and I have way too much to do for Golden Rose and would not be fighting anyway, two days prior to a big tournament.

Third outing for the new helm, and this time Al Cortez kindly took some pics. Obviously, I need to make sure my ties are tucked.

Practice was great last night, with more than 5 fights going on at a time, probably 18 people in armor through the evening.

It was especially nice to see Rainulf out. He gave me a very special high speed chiropractic adjustment right on my cervical vertebra.

The lighting was bad, and Aloicius was using a camera he wasn't familiar with (as the unpublished picture of his feet showed) but he did manage to get a few pics of the new helm.

Lots of interest in Isenfir for doing this again! It was Philip, Al, Leo and me this time, but next time it could well also be Kelby, his son, Aethelwolf, and some of the other new Isenfiri. Baron Bryce also talked about wanting to come out to Fourth Sundays, especially when the weather will allow for practice in the back yard.

I fought William, Henricus, Matthew, Patrick, Adilric, Rainulf, Sugarloaf Helm Guy Whose Name I Don't Recall, and I think a few others.

To close the evening: Dagger fights! Hooray! As pictured.

And I heard an amazing story of my legendary stature! According to one of the newer guys who had only met me once, he understood that I ride my bike to work every day.

Forty miles.

One way.

I am a monster!

This makes me wonder: What other amazing story have you heard about me? Bring out your legendary tales! Or make some up! But if you do make them up, please label them as having occurred at Sea Wars X.

On the wall at the Brethren camp where Ice Castles took place:

For one reason or another or another, I have not had armor on since Holiday Faire. Until last night. That was November 22nd, so two months to the day.

This is the third week of the semester here, but the cold has been so complete the first two weeks that we did not hold practice. Yesterday the weather finally broke, with temps in the high 40's, so we were on. Rapier canceled though, for a variety of non-weather related issues.

I spent some time instructing before fighting. Audriana and Jay were two new people out. Audriana might not actually be in to armored fighting, but that was all that was on offer last night so she learned how to throw a flat snap. She's an accomplished rider, so I talked a good bit with her about Master Terafan and his plans.
Jay is a UVa alumnus, apparently with a pretty extensive martial arts background. He's also big and strong, so he could do some good work quick.
If we could get everyone out and armored up, Isenfir would have a pretty impressive bunch. Jonathan, Andrew, Jordan, Danny, Kelby, Kelby's son, Jay and I are all over 6', and all but one of those are over 6'2"! Of course the real irony there is that Sev, at 5'6 or so is the guy clearly figuring this all out fastest.

Kelby and his son whose name I don't recall, Philip, Aethelwolf and I all put on gear. Sev would have too, but he forgot his cup. I fought a good bit, it felt fine for the most part, but I could tell after fighting everyone at least one long set and Philip twice that it would be wise to stop. I still had energy, but some of the joints just weren't quite ready, and my back was starting to complain. All in time.

My new helmet is a wonder, or will be when tuned up and I'm accustomed to it. Right now I have to ask about every shot that might be light, because everything is easier to feel. "Fives" feel like "Sevens" for example. I'm going to weigh the new setup vs. the old one tonight, but I'm pretty sure the new one is a good 3 pounds lighter between the helm and the camail. Quite a difference.

The other big difference is the breaths: I can actually breathe in the new helmet. Not only is the face plate further from my mouth, allowing better air flow, but the breaths are easily 50% larger in total than with the old helmet. I'm not rebreathing old air! I never got winded last night at all.

Strangely, (because the two helms have very similar oculars) I notice some subtle changes to my visibility, but I'm sure one of those is due to the chinstrap allowing the helm to shift around a bit in ways it will not when the strap is set correctly.

Sitting here less than 24 hours later, I can already feel the muscle stiffness settling into my shoulders. The ball of my right thumb is sore. Someone put a nice bruise just above my right butt cheek and my messenger bag sits right on it when I walk. Ah, good times.