SCA .. is there an expert.. i respectfully request thy opinion

[Necrotism (aka TJ)]

i have a friend who is thinkin about goin into the sca thing... and they live in the middle of bfe no where... and has a bazzillion questions... and the answer i know not.. as a generally rebellious person... i dont' think that i would be able to play well with others who are rule nazi's .. but thats me.. i think my friend would do quite well ... soooo was wonderin if an sca'r would have advice for a "rookie"

thx in advance.

[Crazeyal]

I am no expert, but I have experience. The SCA can be a Dragon or a lamb, and the cause of this can lay pretty squarely on the individual joining. The community is vast and open. There are people there who are the salt of the earth. The amount of talent and knowledge of medieval ism can be daunting.

There are literally Professors and professionals, artists, historians, weavers, blacksmiths... you name it. Most will part with information for a modest fee or take in a newbie out of the kindness of their hearts.

There *IS* a dark side of this. The cliques and jockeying for position are legendary. You can be stabbed in the back, face, middle pinkie toe just by showing up! This is if you play politics or not. I've met people who simply let the nonsense slide, and have been happy as hell for 20 years. Some people actually drop the modern living and make their existence from faire to faire.

It's what you want to do with it, and what you are willing to put up with. I'm too competitive, so I never bothered to be part of the SCA. I knew I'd wind up bitter and angry. There are people who go once a year and love it. Tell your friend to go in and experience it. If it's not for them, they will still have a great time visiting.

[Sehson]

Basically reiterating what AL said.

My experience differed drastically with where I was. The Shire I joined in the seattle country was great they were very friendly and did not take themselves too serious. They considered themselves in Fey country so there was a couple of Fey characters, since most everyone was members of some other larp/anachonism group (starfleet, pirate, mechwarrior, cosplayer, etc.) I was welcomed with open arms and joined the brewers guild (I made wine, not alot but a couple of tasty/sneaky fruit wines). Get togethers often included discusions ranging from particle physics to ancient religions, both real and fictionalised.

When I left the service and moved back to MI, The local group was friendly but very caught up in the politics, You were expected to "earn your keep", earn titles, and play by very defined rules. And I'm talking about the play side, meaning any get together had to be done by the rules or everyone could get in trouble. Thats how much political BS there is local. Even more telling was the fact that a bunch of people in SCA garb considered me a freak for going to a restaurant in a traditional folded kilt, (IE 7 yards of fabric folded and draped, not2-3 yards machine pleated and sewn) after working at the renfest.

SO basically the experience will depend on both individual persons and the individual SCA group

[Karkiln]

Hello I'll see if I can help you out abit on this subject.

I have been involved in the SCA for almost 20 years.
First you can go to www.SCA.org or www.antir.sca.org and find out what group is your area.
Then see what events might be taking place in the near future.
There are rules but they are more of guidelines then in stone laws.
The only place the rules are more strict are when they are dealing with the combat that takes place , but that is for the safety of all around whether in the combat or just watching.
If you enjoy history with a interest in middle ages.
Like to dress up in different clothing.
Like to learn about many different things.
The SCA might be for you.
The list of activities to do is long so ill let you look into that.
You will find people who are rules lawyers just walk away from them .
The SCA can be fun if you remember you are there to have fun.

And yes everything the previous posters have said is true to what i have seen .

So hope this help you and your friend.


Lord Kerl Klauezhan of the East

[Landsknecht]

The SCA is whatever you want to put into it. Basicly for every facet of pre 1600 life there is someone in the Socity studying it. I had a good friend who this past weekend was elevated into the Order of the Laurel for his research, teaching and skill of Period Rapier, Fishing, Tennis and the Arte of being a Courtier. For those who don't know, The Orders of the Laurel (the Arts and Sciences), The Pelican (Service to the Society) and the CHivalry (MArtial Combat with Rattan) are the highest awards that can be offered to a member in the SCA.
As in life and all the myriad things one can get in to, the Society has its share of those who deem themselves and the way THEY play and the only way the game SHOULD be played. There are those who'll give you grief about not wearing garb made from the correct cloth for your personae. But they're not a great huge part of the SCA as a whole. On the other hand there are those who'll help you get your kit good enough to get you on the field. Teach you how to make your garb and camp gear. They'll help you learn how it was done in period and how it can be done today. There's folks in my local group who annually make a garment from "Sheep to Shawl" they call it.
There are "horror stories" of course but I wouldn't trade my associations with my friends and Brother and Sisters in arms for anything.

If you have any questions I am at your service and will answer as best I can.

Though after tomorrow I'll be at the annual Pennsic War along with about 10,000 Scadians and other folks. It's the largest (though not wholly SCA) event in the world. Attendence is going to be down from previous years where we had over 12K! Check out some of the vids on You Tube. Search for Pennsic War, SCA Combat and the like. It's a great two weeks worth of fun!

[freiman]

I've been in the SCA for 18 years, occupying posts from general scum (no real job) to deputy kingdom seneschal. I was the number two man in charge of Europe, the middle east and Africa (the kingdom of Drachenwald). I am guessing (just a guess) that I probably have more hard information to pass on. I might be wrong about that, and if I am, I apologize.

I will be willing to answer any questions that you have.

But this is not an SCA recruiting board.

This is a LARP Board, and I really don't want to turn this board into an SCA love/hate fest. So if you have any specific questions, I would love to answer them by PM or email. I promise that I wont lie or sugar coat anything. I will also answer any questions you might address directly to me here, unless the mods say not to.

I do have four pieces of advice.

First - the safety rules? They mean that shit.

Second - If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. Stop and figure out what's wrong.

Third - You always have the right to say no. This applies to anything.

Fourth - Everything that freiman says is true. Really, you believe me, right?

f

[Necrotism (aka TJ)]

thank you all for your thought out and detailed responses... my lil friend who has asked all these questions is out of town for a week or so... when they get back she will get forwarded your responses... and hopefully some good questions...

thnks again !

TJ