A New World
So, my big 'secret' project revealed!
For the past year Ian and I have been pretty deeply involved in SCA politics, not just on a shire level, but a society one. He has been the Seneschal of Lionsdale and I was working very closely with him as the Chronicler. During that time we have learned a lot about the 'business' that runs the game we play, and the problems with it. For our own part, we tried to start a dialogue with those in power, but as of yet have received no real answers. In the end we have come to a decision to leave our offices and simply 'play' in the SCA. We will still be going to events and practices, and volunteering our time in an unofficial capacity. What we can't do, in good conscience, is be involved with the Society itself. If you would like to discuss this in more detail just send me a message, but it isn't what I want the focus of this post to be.
I don't know how many of you are familiar with the EMP, or The Empire of Medieval Pursuits, a fledgling medieval recreation group that has really started picking up speed in the past couple years. They are based out of Seattle and are well known for their Ragnaroc event, where fighters battle in a ring of fire. Take a look at their gallery for some really powerful visuals. I attended that event this year, and I will be posting a gallery on photobucket (thanks to Mimi the Combat Photographer) A selection of pics can be found on my facebook, for those that are part of the cult. ;)
Well, the EMP is still young, and people that join have a real ability to instate change. They have the power to make a difference and see that things are done right. In short, they MATTER. In the SCA we can prove that things are being done poorly, and even illegally, in Canada. No one is going to do a thing about it, because it has ALWAYS been that way. In my mind that is not OK. I can't continue to do something I feel is wrong just because everyone else is.
The most obvious is how they handle combat. I would compare combat in the EMP to the UFC and combat in the SCA to a sanctioned judo tournament. That isn't to say that one is better than the other... It depends on what you are looking for. SCA combat has evolved into a sport over time, where the rules have created unrealistic situations that wouldn't happen in actual combat. The EMP strives to recreate medieval combat in a more 'realistic' way, allowing grappling, punching and kicking, and a wider range of more authentic weaponry. Does that mean it is less safe than SCA combat? Probably, but the rules are still evolving to match the needs of the populace. Local groups also have the power to instate their own rules if need be.
The second difference is a different approach to recreation as a whole. At the event I was surprised to find a much smaller focus of partying and getting laid and a much stronger one on community, encampments and garb. The atmosphere was amazing. Armor looked like armor. Encampments looked like they were plucked out of time and the people looked like they belonged in them. Individual groups acted as communities of organized individuals that took responsibility for their own people and the area of their encampment. This created the feel of a village or gathering of different tribes. Walking through them you got a real sense of who their Lord or Lady was and how they ran their branch.
The third thing that was obvious was the politics. At events politics exist in the realm of roleplaying. The Lords and Ladies interact with each other with respect, and play a role depending on the situation. Actual voting and administration takes place at meetings set aside for that purpose, and are the sole responsibility of the Lord/Lady who gets votes depending on how many people are in their branch. Branch politics can be as complicated or as simple as the populace wishes, ranging from a diplomacy to a dictatorship. The real difference is that they CHOOSE who represents them, if they don't like what is going on they can LEAVE and give their votes to someone else. It allows for a lot more cause/effect to go on. If you run your branch poorly, the people in it are going to leave, and it is going to collapse.
Get to the point you say?
Ian and I have started our own branch of the EMP. I invite my friends to join us, if they are so inclined, or at the very least take a peek at what we are doing. This is going to be quite the undertaking for us, and we would love the support of those that are close to us. After all, the whole reason for doing it is to make a place where we all come to play and enjoy each other's company. This extends to everyone: newcomer, SCA and EMP alike. The branch will likely make itself known at SCA events as well, as a household, if it's members are so inclined.
So, here are the good meaty bits. To answer Wolfie's questions:
What is your household's name? Our household/branch is called The Viadrina Outpost. Our Charter
Device? "Vert, a tree blasted and eradicated Argent, a base engrailed Azure." (A white tree on a green background over "water") In our recreation culture "The World Tree" reaches from "The Realm of the Gods" to "The Underworld" below encompassing all the earth and it's cultures. The "Forest" (green field) shows our location on the "River" (blue base) both of which are integral to the survival of the Outpost. Our motto is "Stipes non fortior radices" or "A branch is not stronger than it's roots" and proclaims the importance of community to the well-being and prosperity of the branch as a whole.
Website? Is still in progress, though Ian has made a lovely mockup for it. Just waiting to see if we will be hosted at the EMP site or stand alone.
Who is in it? So far, only a few. Ian and I are the Lord Captain and Lady respectfully. We have three other founding members being: Keri who is the Steward (Office Administrator), Mimi (My Lady in Waiting) and Keri's sister, and Scygar a newish fighter with a lot of promise. We also have Bowdyn, his wife Martha, and their daughter. A norse family.
This is the first that a lot of people will be hearing of this. So I hope it doesn't ruffle too many feathers. We really wanted to deal with the SCA stuff once and for all before we went ahead with anything. Then it was a matter of having something to show people, something concrete rather than just an idea.
Anyway, here it is, in all it's glory, for good or ill. Feel free to contact me for more info. You know where to find me!
For the past year Ian and I have been pretty deeply involved in SCA politics, not just on a shire level, but a society one. He has been the Seneschal of Lionsdale and I was working very closely with him as the Chronicler. During that time we have learned a lot about the 'business' that runs the game we play, and the problems with it. For our own part, we tried to start a dialogue with those in power, but as of yet have received no real answers. In the end we have come to a decision to leave our offices and simply 'play' in the SCA. We will still be going to events and practices, and volunteering our time in an unofficial capacity. What we can't do, in good conscience, is be involved with the Society itself. If you would like to discuss this in more detail just send me a message, but it isn't what I want the focus of this post to be.
I don't know how many of you are familiar with the EMP, or The Empire of Medieval Pursuits, a fledgling medieval recreation group that has really started picking up speed in the past couple years. They are based out of Seattle and are well known for their Ragnaroc event, where fighters battle in a ring of fire. Take a look at their gallery for some really powerful visuals. I attended that event this year, and I will be posting a gallery on photobucket (thanks to Mimi the Combat Photographer) A selection of pics can be found on my facebook, for those that are part of the cult. ;)
Well, the EMP is still young, and people that join have a real ability to instate change. They have the power to make a difference and see that things are done right. In short, they MATTER. In the SCA we can prove that things are being done poorly, and even illegally, in Canada. No one is going to do a thing about it, because it has ALWAYS been that way. In my mind that is not OK. I can't continue to do something I feel is wrong just because everyone else is.
The most obvious is how they handle combat. I would compare combat in the EMP to the UFC and combat in the SCA to a sanctioned judo tournament. That isn't to say that one is better than the other... It depends on what you are looking for. SCA combat has evolved into a sport over time, where the rules have created unrealistic situations that wouldn't happen in actual combat. The EMP strives to recreate medieval combat in a more 'realistic' way, allowing grappling, punching and kicking, and a wider range of more authentic weaponry. Does that mean it is less safe than SCA combat? Probably, but the rules are still evolving to match the needs of the populace. Local groups also have the power to instate their own rules if need be.
The second difference is a different approach to recreation as a whole. At the event I was surprised to find a much smaller focus of partying and getting laid and a much stronger one on community, encampments and garb. The atmosphere was amazing. Armor looked like armor. Encampments looked like they were plucked out of time and the people looked like they belonged in them. Individual groups acted as communities of organized individuals that took responsibility for their own people and the area of their encampment. This created the feel of a village or gathering of different tribes. Walking through them you got a real sense of who their Lord or Lady was and how they ran their branch.
The third thing that was obvious was the politics. At events politics exist in the realm of roleplaying. The Lords and Ladies interact with each other with respect, and play a role depending on the situation. Actual voting and administration takes place at meetings set aside for that purpose, and are the sole responsibility of the Lord/Lady who gets votes depending on how many people are in their branch. Branch politics can be as complicated or as simple as the populace wishes, ranging from a diplomacy to a dictatorship. The real difference is that they CHOOSE who represents them, if they don't like what is going on they can LEAVE and give their votes to someone else. It allows for a lot more cause/effect to go on. If you run your branch poorly, the people in it are going to leave, and it is going to collapse.
Get to the point you say?
Ian and I have started our own branch of the EMP. I invite my friends to join us, if they are so inclined, or at the very least take a peek at what we are doing. This is going to be quite the undertaking for us, and we would love the support of those that are close to us. After all, the whole reason for doing it is to make a place where we all come to play and enjoy each other's company. This extends to everyone: newcomer, SCA and EMP alike. The branch will likely make itself known at SCA events as well, as a household, if it's members are so inclined.
So, here are the good meaty bits. To answer Wolfie's questions:
What is your household's name? Our household/branch is called The Viadrina Outpost. Our Charter
Device? "Vert, a tree blasted and eradicated Argent, a base engrailed Azure." (A white tree on a green background over "water") In our recreation culture "The World Tree" reaches from "The Realm of the Gods" to "The Underworld" below encompassing all the earth and it's cultures. The "Forest" (green field) shows our location on the "River" (blue base) both of which are integral to the survival of the Outpost. Our motto is "Stipes non fortior radices" or "A branch is not stronger than it's roots" and proclaims the importance of community to the well-being and prosperity of the branch as a whole.
Website? Is still in progress, though Ian has made a lovely mockup for it. Just waiting to see if we will be hosted at the EMP site or stand alone.
Who is in it? So far, only a few. Ian and I are the Lord Captain and Lady respectfully. We have three other founding members being: Keri who is the Steward (Office Administrator), Mimi (My Lady in Waiting) and Keri's sister, and Scygar a newish fighter with a lot of promise. We also have Bowdyn, his wife Martha, and their daughter. A norse family.
This is the first that a lot of people will be hearing of this. So I hope it doesn't ruffle too many feathers. We really wanted to deal with the SCA stuff once and for all before we went ahead with anything. Then it was a matter of having something to show people, something concrete rather than just an idea.
Anyway, here it is, in all it's glory, for good or ill. Feel free to contact me for more info. You know where to find me!