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(stuff you need to play in the SCA)
(stuff you need to play in the SCA)
Okay, so, let's back up to #1 (from this post https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/newcomers/sca-101).
What do you need in order to start playing in the SCA?
A. Some clothes. There is an office in each branch (city or town) that is in charge of making newcomers welcome. That is called the Chatelaine or Hospitaller. They will have access to what is known as Gold Key, these are loaner clothing available to be checked out for events.
You can also make very simple medieval clothing quite easily. (see, a tube! and this post https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/newcomers/survey-of-clothing )
The only requirement to take part in SCA events is that you pay your site fee (it is what allows us to rent the park where the event takes place), sign a waiver saying you won't sue the SCA if you fall in a hole, and wear YOUR BEST ATTEMPT AT PRE-17th CENTURY CLOTHING.
Note the wording. You.best.attempt.
If you are new to the SCA, then your best attempt is your best attempt! The expectation is that you make a reasonable EFFORT.
Obviously, if you have been intensively playing in the SCA for 10 years, your level of effort is expected to be higher than at your first event. Remember, the idea is to have a FUN HOBBY :) So, do what is fun for you! If you LOVE researching clothing and recreating it, do that! If you are here just for the archery, get yourself a plain tunic and concentrate on what makes this fun for YOU.
B. A bowl, a spoon, a cup.
Back to the fun hobby plan :) You need to make this fun and enjoyable, so, you'll need something to eat and drink each day. Not eating and drinking makes for no fun. Your best effort applies here as well, so you need something passably medieval to eat and drink out of. Any small wooden bowl is fine. Any metal spoon from your kitchen, is fine. Your cup can be a regular ceramic cup, but they are breakable and often very modern. If all else fails, you can always drink out of your bowl ;) Pewter mugs are the general first instinct, while they are sort of okay, very old ones may have lead in them, and they are too hot to drink coffee. No coffee is also often no fun, so ask around your local branch for a good source of mugs. You can always just put a sandwich and a modern water bottle into a canvas bag, that is also fine.
C. A name.
Here, things get a little tricky. Don't worry about a name at first. Go to a few meetings and events, figure out what is going on, generally. After you have some idea of what you like to do in the SCA (see #2 in this post https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/newcomers/sca-101), and what time periods you think look cool to wear the clothes from (see survey of costume post here: https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/newcomers/survey-of-clothing ), then start thinking about choosing a name.
You'll need to narrow down a little, to a rough area of the world and time period.
There are LOTS of lists online of names. For example: you like to ride horses and do archery, calligraphy, and fighting. You are female, and like to wear pants. Perhaps Mongolian would be a good choice for you! Or: you are male, like fighting, cooking, and axe throwing. You don't like long tunics, or tight pants. I think you should consider being early period, perhaps from Northern Europe. If, on the other hand, you are passionate about one specific time period, go for it! The SCA is all about doing what YOU like. If you feel that being a 14th century Japanese person is the most interesting thing ever, do it! Your activities don't have to match your time period, but if you are not already in love with a specific one, it is easier to pick one with clothes that let you do what you like.
Once you have a place and time, start looking online for names. PICK 10 I mean it, don't pick one, don't pick two, pick 10. Write them down. Take them to your local practice. Have people who know what's going on in the SCA read them. There are two reasons for this.
1. You don't want to be named the same as a very famous person. It's awkward. VERY awkward. Would you want to name yourself Micheal Jackson? Or Lady Gaga? You'll have to deal with THEIR reputation forever, not your own. Awkward.
2. You don't want a name that sounds like something you were not thinking of. I had a friend who accidentally named himself something that sounded like cat-ball. Can you guess what everyone called him? Cat-ball. These things are not obvious when you read them to yourself in front of the computer. Get another opinion, or 5.
When looking at names, there are a few pitfalls common in the SCA.
a. Don't start at letter A and go to B, and then C. By the time you get to F or G you'll be totally overwhelmed. Go backwards, or jump around. Many SCA people have names at the start of the alphabet, for this reason.
b. Don't become obsessed with name meanings. They are fine, but don't sacrifice sound, pronounceable quality, etc, just because one name means "wolf who jumped through fire", and you like that. You get a first and last name, make your first name something people can SAY.
c. Common names are GOOD! Most SCA people name themselves something odd. You don't have to. You? Can be an awesome medieval person named John or Mary. You do not need to be named Earcongota, or Milisendis, or Lanthechilde.
A note about names, and being a grown up :)
So, you are starting in the SCA, here is your great opportunity to get to take a NEW NAME.
Things to think about:
1. you will have to introduce yourself BY THIS NAME to people you like and respect. AND people who you know from, say, the workplace. This name will be used to call you up in court, in front of the King and the whole population of the Kingdom, to recieve awards. This name will be called every few minutes on the field if you fight. Do you want to sound like you fell out of a bad fantasy novel? Do you want your name to have more than four syllabules, non English letters, and a hyphen? BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO :)
Do you really want to be named Sexburg? Or Æðelberga (nickname Tata)? Or Ultrogotha?
2. Do what makes you happy. YOU? Are an adult. This means that in the SCA, you get to take whatever name you choose. And EVERYONE will call you that. If you want to name yourself B#%T-A$%, that is, it turns out, a period name. If you would like to name yourself Sexburg, that's fine! If you are comfortable with the consequences, go for it! Name yourself "desirous of beer"! Go Spanish and have six names! This is supposed to be FUN, so have fun! You are an adult, so you get to make decisions! You also get to live with the consequences of them ;)
3. Don't obsess about persona at first. You CAN ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR NAME. You can use your modern name for a while. Go EXPLORE the SCA. Figure out what you like and don't like.
Okay, you ready? Here's the link where you start. It is sorted by location first, and time second. There are a LOT of choices here, so remember, BEFORE you go here, have some idea of a time/location so you don't get overwhelmed!
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