I like the idea that when I go to a big camping event (or any event, really), I might not know a single other soul there, and yet I am surrounded by friends. One of the best things to do is just wander around and when you see something cool (which is pretty often), just stop and ask them to tell me about it. Bam! Instant camaraderie.
Amongst European historical reenactors it tends to be looked down upon as more fantasy whilst amongst RPG fantasy (or LARPers) it is considered to 'serious'. I personally fall amongst the former group, however I can appreciate the effort and enjoyment SCA members get from it - so thumbs up to you.
@59spore Its not required to create a persona. Only requirement for the SCA is that you make an attempt at appearing pre 1700 when at events. Most groups have loaner clothing you can wear until you make or buy your own.
My boyfriend got me into this and I love it! I wish I could get more involved but right now our finances (among other things) are holding me back. Most of his family are involved also and he and his brother are both Squires (to different Knights).
BEHOLD! A more accurate Renaissance Festival! I'm currently in the process of joining my local shire "Coill Fhionnabhann" of the kingdom Gleann Abhann! Honestly I think i could live my whole life like this and be happy.
@xNightshadex There are other groups that do other time periods and there are other groups that do fantasy; the SCA was founded to have fun studying a specific historical time period and cultures that interacted in certain ways.
Michigan is part of the Middle Kingdom, whose website can be found at midrealm(dot)org. There's a calendar of events there. The Chatelaine is the officer responsible for outreach; the Chatelaine's page has a number of helpful links for newcomers and contact info if your questions aren't answered there. The main SCA web site also has info about events and joining up.
the swords are made of Rattan, covered with sports tape and duct tape. they are very hard. thats why we have to have exacting armour and if one buckles out of place you're not allowed on the feild til its taken care of
Have you ever tried fighting any of them? I can tell you now, that you'd loss-especially against the women fighters; they know there stuff and take on the men for fun.
@ishouldplayzelda Some people call it LARPing. Others Know it as LRPG (Live Role Playing Game). Either way it is fun. In y opinion LARPing is more fantasy. Where the person you play as certain atributes. LRPG is more real. In the SCA We Do Full Research On The Medieval Time Eras Between 600 ad & 1600 ad. Come out for more then just the fighting. We do have good classes that help us to know the time fram better.
@asolfvikorson The SCA actually sits very much in the middle ground behind historical reenactment and RPG fantasy, this includes its combat and crafts, which is why it has such appeal - as mentioned in the video you can lean towards either extreme :-)
I don't know about others but I hate it when the SCA is referred to as LARP. It's not playing, (ok, it is a little bit) but it's so much more intense than just play. It has its own code of honor and its a hugely established society.
What i would do is go to the SCA website find out what kingdom you are in and then find some local events they are having and just go to one and speak to someone about joining.
@WeaponSamurai Most dont wear armour at all. Well not actual armour. Most wear modern sports protective gear and hide it. They still call it armour. I don't. You will need a decent helmet though. How many weapons do you want to carry? No limit but you should stick with one and work as a team.
@malave31 - Did you read my comment before commenting on it? I was posting in response to someone else's comment, though I don't remember exactly what they said because it was 2 years ago that I replied and I don't feel like looking back at all the old comments to find it, but I'm pretty sure it was something implying that SCA combat is not a full impact sport, when I know different having seen the bruises and been in the SCA for 15 years now.
@deathonaburrito2 Makes sense :) I'm the same way with anime conventions...though I have broken the rules there myself on occassion ;). I'll have to check out these steampunking groups. I just wish there was something that just purely focused on the 17-1900s *sad face*
The combat is not slow. They hit at full speed. Sometimes tournaments can be slow to watch, but that is because the combatants are waiting for an opening before throwing a shot, no point in wasting energy hacking away with shots that won't land when you need to be able to continue in the tournament.
In the East Kingdom you do not have to be a paid member to authorize to fight. In the East you only have to be a paid member to hold office or be royalty.
@WeaponSamurai :-) no use getting a knee or elbow crushed in a 4 ft by 4ft enclosed bear pit brawl. moto cross gear works better for heat shedding, but you have to disguise it. :-) so "armor" yes, if you fight. hmm weapons? what ever you CAN wield. looking at your site, you may fit as an ideal "archer / flanking light infantry"...if you like gadgets... like making your own crossbow :-) but you can be a samurai if you choose... bring all 3 swords. ever seen a ninja vs a knight? :-)
Best to talk to your local herald who can also help with registration of arms. When I joined 40ish yrs ago, my name was part historical, part fantasy. Although I documented my name I did run into trouble with the herald since my first name in Irish is a slight twist on Rhiannon (Rhiadain) and changed to means "warrior"-thus not a woman's name. My matronymic (last name from mother's side) name is n'a (means daughter of) and this is where fantasy came in Rind-Ailue, which means "star wish" in gaelic. Caveat: been inactive for 30 yrs but if get back active will keep this name as it has history.
Looked back at old comments and found another one I made at the time; someone was dissing the sport and I actually called them out and suggested they show up to a practice with their cup and say whatever it was they said to the face of a knight (looks like their comment was removed). I hate when people dis the sport that my friends play.
Why don't ya come out to a practice sometime, borrow some loaner gear (bring your own cup) and say that to one of the big guys wearing a white belt. I'd love to watch.
Not LARPing....JVR has it correct; Historical re-enactment, of any person who 'might' have lived during the middle ages. The combat is full-contact and non-choreographed...they really are trying to hit each other. The standard age-limit is 18 yrs (17 in some kingdoms), and you must be an active member to authorize for fighting.
The SCA in reality has nothing to do with RPG fantasy , we are a educational Re-creation society, the fighting is a serious martial art that you have to train to do. want to know what it was like to battle in sarmor put some on... thats what its about learning the middle ages by acting being hands on and learning through action rather than just through reading. The titles and Honors are real and won through service and recognition. Please feel free to search out you local group and learn.
Not really LARPing as one would understand it. Its an actual society intended to recreate pre 17th century European life. No magic, monsters or fantasy. Its pretty much all inclusive and I encourage more to look into it. I made a video you can check as well.
if you have been to 5 pennsics and still think waterbearing (or anything else) is still "womens work, maybe you should try joining the sca, and learning more about us Asolfr Vikarsson Chatelain of the Barony of Rivenoak Kingdom of the west
Not true at all. The SCA, as the video points out, is an educational organisation for those who are interested in learning the skills of the time. No group, not even ARMA can truly claim to be fully authentic, murder is, after all, illegal nowadays. The SCA has never, at any point, claimed to be fully realistic, but to compare us to fantasy is completely ridiculous.
@ishouldplayzelda well this more broader while there is no actual obligation to roleplay its up to you though you evantually will because think about hitting someone and saying ;take that dude sounds lame. What ever floats your boat!
@norseczar27 No, you cannot be Vlad the Impaler. It is against SCA rules to pretend to be an actual documented person from the period. You can choose to be from his time period and place, but you cannot be him anymore than you can be Henry VIII.
Finally! Something awesome I can share with those who dont quite understand what I do!! Thanks for sharing! Well done!
I like the idea that when I go to a big camping event (or any event, really), I might not know a single other soul there, and yet I am surrounded by friends. One of the best things to do is just wander around and when you see something cool (which is pretty often), just stop and ask them to tell me about it. Bam! Instant camaraderie.
Amongst European historical reenactors it tends to be looked down upon as more fantasy whilst amongst RPG fantasy (or LARPers) it is considered to 'serious'. I personally fall amongst the former group, however I can appreciate the effort and enjoyment SCA members get from it - so thumbs up to you.
Very Nicely done video. It was not known to me till now that the production company is based our of Salt Lake City.
@59spore Its not required to create a persona. Only requirement for the SCA is that you make an attempt at appearing pre 1700 when at events. Most groups have loaner clothing you can wear until you make or buy your own.
The SCA is such a huge and amazing family.
My boyfriend got me into this and I love it! I wish I could get more involved but right now our finances (among other things) are holding me back. Most of his family are involved also and he and his brother are both Squires (to different Knights).
It may be restrictive but you still get some really good black and blue hits. The object is to have fun and not end up in the hospital.
Those kids fighting is just priceless, haha. You can tell that they're gonna grow up to be decent folks.
BEHOLD! A more accurate Renaissance Festival! I'm currently in the process of joining my local shire "Coill Fhionnabhann" of the kingdom Gleann Abhann! Honestly I think i could live my whole life like this and be happy.
I hope it's at least as good as Mythos Production's "In Service to the Dream" was
@xNightshadex There are other groups that do other time periods and there are other groups that do fantasy; the SCA was founded to have fun studying a specific historical time period and cultures that interacted in certain ways.
Michigan is part of the Middle Kingdom, whose website can be found at midrealm(dot)org. There's a calendar of events there. The Chatelaine is the officer responsible for outreach; the Chatelaine's page has a number of helpful links for newcomers and contact info if your questions aren't answered there. The main SCA web site also has info about events and joining up.
the swords are made of Rattan, covered with sports tape and duct tape. they are very hard.
thats why we have to have exacting armour and if one buckles out of place you're not allowed on the feild til its taken care of
Look into SCA.org for any information about joining your local group.
Have you ever tried fighting any of them? I can tell you now, that you'd loss-especially against the women fighters; they know there stuff and take on the men for fun.
@ishouldplayzelda Some people call it LARPing. Others Know it as LRPG (Live Role Playing Game). Either way it is fun. In y opinion LARPing is more fantasy. Where the person you play as certain atributes. LRPG is more real. In the SCA We Do Full Research On The Medieval Time Eras Between 600 ad & 1600 ad. Come out for more then just the fighting. We do have good classes that help us to know the time fram better.
I was thought the Renaissance started about 1200's - 1600's and Medieval was before that..
@asolfvikorson
The SCA actually sits very much in the middle ground behind historical reenactment and RPG fantasy, this includes its combat and crafts, which is why it has such appeal - as mentioned in the video you can lean towards either extreme :-)
Good overview. Camera work and editing is also well done. When will the finished documentary be done?
John
I don't know about others but I hate it when the SCA is referred to as LARP. It's not playing, (ok, it is a little bit) but it's so much more intense than just play. It has its own code of honor and its a hugely established society.
What i would do is go to the SCA website find out what kingdom you are in and then find some local events they are having and just go to one and speak to someone about joining.
@WeaponSamurai Most dont wear armour at all. Well not actual armour. Most wear modern sports protective gear and hide it. They still call it armour. I don't. You will need a decent helmet though. How many weapons do you want to carry? No limit but you should stick with one and work as a team.
SCA.org that is where you can find your local group
in some places you can do fencing at 16 or earlier
I love the SCA :)
@malave31 - Did you read my comment before commenting on it? I was posting in response to someone else's comment, though I don't remember exactly what they said because it was 2 years ago that I replied and I don't feel like looking back at all the old comments to find it, but I'm pretty sure it was something implying that SCA combat is not a full impact sport, when I know different having seen the bruises and been in the SCA for 15 years now.
@deathonaburrito2 Makes sense :) I'm the same way with anime conventions...though I have broken the rules there myself on occassion ;). I'll have to check out these steampunking groups. I just wish there was something that just purely focused on the 17-1900s *sad face*
while i love this documentary, where is the archery? i am an SCA archer and MiT. fighting is not the only part, though it is the most exciting part.
There's plenty of Archery.
605 looks cool with the long hair
The combat is not slow. They hit at full speed. Sometimes tournaments can be slow to watch, but that is because the combatants are waiting for an opening before throwing a shot, no point in wasting energy hacking away with shots that won't land when you need to be able to continue in the tournament.
In the East Kingdom you do not have to be a paid member to authorize to fight. In the East you only have to be a paid member to hold office or be royalty.
Will you continue with this doku?
Very interested.
Robyn of Rye, Chatelaine of Germany
hah! i watched this before i went to my first event and didn't really understand your comment, but then i was drafted at seige to be waterbearer!
You don't have to have a huge war. Armor is pretty much mandatory because you can and probably will get hurt with these weapons.
@WeaponSamurai :-) no use getting a knee or elbow crushed in a 4 ft by 4ft enclosed bear pit brawl. moto cross gear works better for heat shedding, but you have to disguise it. :-) so "armor" yes, if you fight. hmm weapons? what ever you CAN wield. looking at your site, you may fit as an ideal "archer / flanking light infantry"...if you like gadgets... like making your own crossbow :-) but you can be a samurai if you choose... bring all 3 swords. ever seen a ninja vs a knight? :-)
I'm moving to halifax ns in part to join the SCA. wish me luck. :) does anyone know if there are any restrictions when choosing a personal name?
Best to talk to your local herald who can also help with registration of arms. When I joined 40ish yrs ago, my name was part historical, part fantasy. Although I documented my name I did run into trouble with the herald since my first name in Irish is a slight twist on Rhiannon (Rhiadain) and changed to means "warrior"-thus not a woman's name. My matronymic (last name from mother's side) name is n'a (means daughter of) and this is where fantasy came in Rind-Ailue, which means "star wish" in gaelic. Caveat: been inactive for 30 yrs but if get back active will keep this name as it has history.
Ok, But I assume that it depends a lot on the shire they belong to, right??
so,is this pretty much LARPing? how is it different and how old do you have to be to join?
How can you join? Are there any hubs in Michigan?
Looked back at old comments and found another one I made at the time; someone was dissing the sport and I actually called them out and suggested they show up to a practice with their cup and say whatever it was they said to the face of a knight (looks like their comment was removed). I hate when people dis the sport that my friends play.
Why don't ya come out to a practice sometime, borrow some loaner gear (bring your own cup) and say that to one of the big guys wearing a white belt. I'd love to watch.
Not LARPing....JVR has it correct; Historical re-enactment, of any person who 'might' have lived during the middle ages. The combat is full-contact and non-choreographed...they really are trying to hit each other. The standard age-limit is 18 yrs (17 in some kingdoms), and you must be an active member to authorize for fighting.
how do you create a character? and whats the rules.
Yah, but I would much rather have a smaller war with no armor at all, than to have to have a huge war, with heavy armor, and restricted fighting.
The SCA in reality has nothing to do with RPG fantasy , we are a educational Re-creation society, the fighting is a serious martial art that you have to train to do. want to know what it was like to battle in sarmor put some on... thats what its about learning the middle ages by acting being hands on and learning through action rather than just through reading.
The titles and Honors are real and won through service and recognition.
Please feel free to search out you local group and learn.
Not really LARPing as one would understand it. Its an actual society intended to recreate pre 17th century European life. No magic, monsters or fantasy. Its pretty much all inclusive and I encourage more to look into it. I made a video you can check as well.
There is! I'll leave a message on your channel.
if you have been to 5 pennsics and still think waterbearing (or anything else) is still "womens work, maybe you should try joining the sca, and learning more about us
Asolfr Vikarsson
Chatelain of the Barony of Rivenoak
Kingdom of the west
What will this be called?
i heard SCA is dead!!!! please provide an idea of how to contact a local group. they've been very elusive to date
Not true at all. The SCA, as the video points out, is an educational organisation for those who are interested in learning the skills of the time. No group, not even ARMA can truly claim to be fully authentic, murder is, after all, illegal nowadays. The SCA has never, at any point, claimed to be fully realistic, but to compare us to fantasy is completely ridiculous.
I'm thinking about joining one of these SCA groups. Is it cool to dress like Vlad The Impaler?
@ishouldplayzelda well this more broader while there is no actual obligation to roleplay its up to you though you evantually will because think about hitting someone and saying ;take that dude sounds lame. What ever floats your boat!
I would just like to beat people,
it looks like combat is really restricted though :(
I believe in the youth combat you can be 14
I'm not 100% sure on that, however
That's the saddest "castle" I've ever seen! But the lucet maker and his lady I'd like to learn from!
@norseczar27 No, you cannot be Vlad the Impaler. It is against SCA rules to pretend to be an actual documented person from the period. You can choose to be from his time period and place, but you cannot be him anymore than you can be Henry VIII.
You see an arse-load of mobile devices now too....
I'd bet good money you wouldn't say that to any of their faces. :p
oldest video I've seen
They should totally expand it up to the 1800s and allow some more fantasy elements to it ^^
1800s is not even close to being the same , if you like that era try steampunk instead