Unsolicited advice to an SCA newbie

I couldn't help myself. There I was, casually reading my news alerts about my favorite topic, the SCA, when I saw:

somewhere between fascinating and freaky

Reading Mark's words about his first event brought out a somewhat protective streak in me. I wrote him a comment warning him that there is a dark side to the SCA.

I thought to myself: "Please, don't let some jerk scare these nice people off." Let them be warned, because to me, they just looked super nice and trusting. And I hate to see anyone take advantage of newbies.

But it is also a blatant attempt to lure them in at the same time. Them and any other such folks that might read this.

Here, in my opinion, are some of the best resources for all you new people interested in the SCA. I do hope you enjoy your stay with us, however long or short it may be.

The Newcomers Page at SCA.org
Always a good place to start.

Get local: Find your Kingdom.

Stay informed: read SCA today, reporting the news from around the Known World.

Read your eyeballs out at Stefan's Florilegium. One of the best archives of SCA information in existence, but entirely text based.

Learn the lingo: The Dictionary of SCA Slang - It is not required to learn ALL the slang. Some of these are strictly regional and some derogatory. If there is a word you don't know the meaning of, check this site first. If it's not here, just ask what it means the next time you hear it. We will be all too happy to enlighten you.

Advice: How to attract Laurels and avoid embarrassing them

Occasionally I'll get emails from gentles seeking information about the SCA. Usually, it's just "where's fighter practice in my area?" and I'll be a helpful internet junkie and provide their Kingdom and local SCA websites with a missive to seek out the Hospitaller for loaner garb, ask lots of questions and have fun.

Sometimes, someone will ask something that requires more actual thought, which I appreciate deeply. Greet, of Greet's Middle Ages, commented on one of my posts, which sent us into an email discussion about Laurels:

Can you tell me where to find out more about the laurel/apprentice system, and how it works? I'm not really concerned with earning rank in the SCA - in fact I think I'll embody the 'jack of all trades, master of none' apellation, and I have no idea how I'd choose one of my interests above the rest anyway- but I am curious as to how it works. Most especially to avoid embarrassing anyone - particularly me!

~Greet

I'm in exactly the same boat - I'd rather know a little about a lot of different things, instead of mastering one craft. Which is why I'll likely never reach Laurel status. Not that that is what I'm in the SCA for, but there are plenty of people for whom the achievements/awards are the reason they play.

A newbie to the SCA is afforded much latitude in respect to embarrassing statements or moments. We were ALL new once, and we learned what was and was not acceptable...eventually. I would advise anyone in the SCA less than a year against taking on the huge responsibility it can be to be a student, just in case you haven't figured out the social norms of your local group or household yet. Get comfy with the SCA first, then look for a teacher.

It is my understanding of the Laurel system that if you have talent(s), they will seek you out for apprenticeship. I think they use some sort of 'talent radar', but I cannot confirm this, as I am not a Laurel myself. I do know they have a secret decoder ring, which I suspect enables them to communicate without the knowledge of the populace or Crown. Maybe they are just discussing the latest blackwork embroidery techniques, but I haven't managed to find anyone to break the code as of yet....

If you've found the Laurel of your dreams, it is NOT considered gauche to ask if you can apprentice to them. However, just like a Knight/Squire relationship, they do NOT have to say yes to anyone who comes along and asks to be their student. So you may get rejection, and that's OK. Move on.

Here's the secret: you can learn from any Laurel you wish! If there is one with a particular skill you'd like to learn, go up to him/her and start asking questions. Laurels can't resist answering questions about their chosen field of study. They will talk your ear off, so bring a notepad or recording device. Just in case, have an escape route planned, or you may find yourself in a five hour conversation about medieval glue-making.

Get to know your local Laurels. Then you can ask about an apprenticeship if you deem one of them is worthy enough to teach YOU. By worthy I mean 'compatible'. Don't ever accept a student (or Squire) status from someone you've never hung out with in the mundane world. Make sure that you are both socially on the same page - if one of you is a heavy drinker and the other abstains at events, well, that can make for some really interesting entertainment for the rest of the group you camp with. Not to mention possibly dissolve your student/Laurel or Squire/Knight relationship into ugly screaming chaos.

In the Outlands, the making of a student is usually informal, but sometimes it can happen in court. It usually consists of the Laurel presenting the new student to the populace (and/or Crown), and saying nice things about him/her and why they want to take them as a student. Then the student reaffirms his/her desire to be student to the Laurel, and the Laurel will attach a belt to the student (which depending on the Kingdom can be a number of colors) to signify the students' status as a ward of the Laurel. The student may also make a 'favor' for the Laurel to wear as well. Everybody cheers - huzzah!

At this point the student becomes an extension of the Laurel, so it is important to know just what perception the Laurel would like to student to 'give off' in public at events. Embarrassing behavior will surely upset the Laurel, so it is key to act according to the Laurel's wishes. Communication with the Laurel is most important! If yours is the type of Laurel who sits in the shade needleworking while everyone else goes to watch the tourney, you should know that. If you'll be called upon to mend the royal regalia with your Laurel on the friday night preceding an event, you should know that. If your garb needs to be the same period or quality as your Laurel, you should know that too. Nothing funnier than a late period Elizabethan Laurel showing up to a grand court processional with her questionably period pirate lass of a student. Ahoy!

Being a student to a Laurel is very much like being a Squire to a Knight, but without all the physical requirements. A Squire has no guarantee that he/she will eventually become a Knight, just as a student has no guarantee of becoming a Laurel. On the flip side, it is not required that one be a Squire to become a Knight, or a student to become Laurel, as I have seen many cases where such awards were given without the 'normal' hierarchy being followed.

My advice to you would be to enter into any 'Laurel's Prize' A&S events in your Kingdom. This is the natural habitat for Laurels, as it is a prime hunting spot for new students. In these types of competitions, Laurels are not allowed to enter any of their crafts, only judge entries. This makes for a great learning environment, plus you can pretty much tell if a Laurel has their eye on you. He/she may leave a mound of tokens next to your entry or even bring other Laurels over to your entry to show you off. There may be a 'winner' of the day, who has the most tokens, but truly you are all winners from the critique, creative direction, and ego-boosting experience that comes from having people drool over your work. Laurels are usually good about awarding effort vs technical skill in the newbies, as they want to encourage the artist to flourish.

Let me tell you though, never let a Laurel judge your work who has just endured a 16 hour road trip complete with flat tire and screaming baby. You could have a completely period model of the Sistine Chapel and you might still get snarky comments on your judging sheet. As I've said before, take it all in stride, it's just a game!

Wow, can I get wordy at times. Since the real purpose of this post is to educate, I feel I should make an addition to the 'advice' I've given to Greet, an SCA newbie from Meridies, recently returned from Gulf War (yes, I'm still jealous). Here's a couple links I've found on the subject of Laurels, elusive creatures that they are...

Did you know that the 'Order of the Laurel' is a peerage level award? Well, I did. But lots of people don't!

The Kingdom of Atlantia has a wonderful FAQ page about Laurels. Man. I should have read that before answering Greet....

I am a PEZ dispenser of advice

This is what happens to me when I get snowed in. I feel like it's my right to write a novel every time someone asks my advice....

----------------- Original Message -----------------
Date: Dec 28 2006 11:15 AM

hi,

i've been wanting to join sca and i wondering if you might be able to provide me with a little info, i live in ohio and i was wondering what the closest house for me to join in would be. i have full leather armour curiass and plated skirt that covers the kidneys and was curious as to what the requirements for armour and advancement are.

thanks for the help,
c

Greetings C -

Ohio is a big place, and I only know a couple of people from there. That makes me NOT an authority on this subject! I would most definitely ask this question on the SCA Group on MySpace.

There are many people from Midrealm (aka Middle Kingdom) who would gladly give you their opinions about houses in the area.

Here's a website listing many (but I cannot say for sure ALL) households in Midrealm

For general Kingdom information, here's Midrealm's website. You might also try MiddleWiki, on their page about armor. And Knights.

A Knight is the farthest advancement one can make in armored combat. As to the requirements in your Kingdom on how to become a Knight, well, you'd need to ask some Knights about that. But trust me when I say that there is a great deal more involved in achieving Knighthood than in say, testing for your next belt in Aikido. Nothing against Aikido...

But if I may dispense some general advice on the subject of finding households?

Just being 'closest' might not be the best criteria when searching for a house (or household) to join. From what you describe of your armor and your questions about fighting requirements, I'm going to say fighting is pretty high up on your interests. So joining a period cooking household would not be in your best interests, even if it WERE the closest.

Here's a web page with a great map of the Midrealm regions (Oaken is where you are 'in general')

Once you've figured out what Barony you are closest too, visit their website, and those of other local groups to start gathering information about practices and events.

You should find out when and where the closest fighter practice is, show up with your armor and start asking questions. I'll bet you a dollar, even if your armor is not up to the Kingdom requirements, somebody there is going loan you enough parts to at least get out there and swing a sword. After you sign the waiver of course.

Even if you are not allowed to fight at first, fighter practices tend to be very social environments, where you should ask around about your interests, thereby leading you to others who share them.

If you indeed made your armor, as your MySpace page says, then I guarantee you'll find like-minded souls in that category. But I also read on your page that you rarely drink. If drinking is something you'd rather stay AWAY from, you will need to make some careful considerations when joining a household.

You will not come into contact with alcohol at fighter practice, but you most certainly will at camping events. What if your first camping event consists of dealing with the the leader of the house you've just agreed to join, who suddenly turns into a belligerent alcoholic because they drink all weekend?

These things have been known to happen, and what usually results is that the new person gets scared away from the SCA because of a bad first experience.

Before asking to JOIN a house, ask to CAMP with them before making any decisions. Hang out with them first, and make sure your interpersonal relations work well. Treat it kind of like dating, because joining a household is like marriage.

A word of note: Just because you WANT to join does NOT mean you are invited. This is something we deal with in my household quite often. But because WE also have our standards, we sometimes have to deny people who don't fit them.

Figure out what is most important to you, and seek out others who share the same ideals. Take your time considering your choices. Just like they say about love; you'll know when it's right.

If it's advice you want.....

Here is an actual email I received today, and my reply below. It was mentioned (again) the other day that I should be an advice columnist, so this is my attempt. That also means that I'm officially opening my inbox to questions if any of you have any! Please send any questions to anachronista@gmail.com and I'll do my best.

Hi,
Im interested in the SCA and though I've already found the main website, I would like it if i could have a living person tell me about it. I've already had experience with reinactment of the medieval times, and from what i've seen amtgard and sca are like night and day. What can you tell me about it?


Having never tried Amtgard, I can't really pose an accurate comparison, myself. The SCA may or may not be the right thing for you, and if not, there are many, many different reenactment and LARP groups now, and the presence of the internet makes it very easy to research them.

I joined the SCA in 1993, and my first event was Pennsic (largest SCA event in the world). I was instantly enthralled and overwhelmed at the same time. Pennsic was the last thing I did while still living in Massachusetts. Two weeks after I returned from SCA heaven, I moved 2000 miles away to Colorado, where I knew no one. I knew the SCA existed in Colorado, but finding my local fighter practice took two months of networking (there was no internet for the general public quite yet). But when I found it, it felt like home, so I stayed.

I would be terribly bored if not for the SCA, and probably 90% of my social life involves events or the friends I've made in the SCA. Before SCA, I went to RenFairs to satisfy my need for the past. I didn't really like the commercial aspect of always getting someone to buy something (if you were working in a shop) or hawking for tips (being a performer) I wanted to just relax and do medieval things, like brewing, calligraphy, swordfighting, dance, etc, without the feeling of always being 'on stage'. Which is why the SCA was perfect for me.

You can also involve yourself as much or as little as you like. Some people I know go to only one or two events a year, and lead a relatively 'normal' life otherwise. Some I know live this lifestyle almost 24/7. It's really up to you - the SCA does not require a certain number of hours invested or event time, but if you want things like nice garb, cool camping equipment, weapons, etc, you are probably going to have to invest time/energy/money to get them.

The biggest mistake I see people make when setting foot into the SCA is that they immediately want all the cool things they see everyone else wearing, using or playing with. Without learned skills like sewing, carpentry, metalsmithing and so on, they need to either buy or barter for the things they want. Then they get discouraged because it either takes TOO much time, energy or money to play this game the way they want to.

There's 3 secrets to SCA success for a newbie

1. Pace yourself. You don't need the really big nice pavilion right away. Or the flashy sword. Or the Elizabethan court gown. Don't try to do/buy/make everything at once. And It's perfectly OK to attend camping events with a conventional nylon tent.

2. Find friends that do some activity that is interesting to you. If at all possible, if you already HAVE a friend in the SCA, start there. If not, try to find a 'Household'. (these are groups of people who share similar interests). Friends and Households can loan you garb, instruct you on court etiquette, and maybe even give you crash space in one of the nice pavilions at the next camping event.

3. Ask questions. You will probably find your interests within the SCA changing rapidly at first. It is in your best interest to find the things you LIKE to do, instead of doing things that bore you. Many SCA members would love to help you, but you must ask questions.


In the 13 years I've been in the SCA, I've changed my persona name and culture three times, been involved with two or three minor households and one major one (where I am still today) and tried my hand at literally hundreds of things like brewing, calligraphy, fencing, bellydancing and so on that I would have NEVER found had I stayed in 'mundane' real life.

I've traveled to distant Kingdoms and drank mead around a fire with people from even further distant lands from whence I came. I've danced until dawn under a million stars. I've performed songs that made people laugh and cry. I've loved, lost and loved again. I have learned. I have taught. I have listened. I have lived.