The Armour Archive

Hey folks,

My friend Justin and I are finally on the very, very verge of getting to start our figthing career! It's awesome because we've been waiting for this for so long, and I know we won't regret it. We live in Dinuba, CA, near Fresno. We're in the Barony of Nordwache in Caid.

Since we'll start attending more kingdom-wide events soon enough, I was wondering if people could share their impressions, opinion and give their own advice about how we should step into the lives of being Caidan warriors. What're the most prominant groups? Which fighters are famed in this area, or should I consider trying to get to know? Who're the good armourers (sans Brand and Dirk, who I know of already!), etc...

What kind of things is our kingdom known for? Even more specifically, if people are in the kingdom, what is thought of my particular barony, or this area?

Cheers!

-Gregory-

Isn't Caid the one whose sheildmen ordered pizza and had it delivered during a battle and then sat behind their sheild eating, while looking at the enemy?
Or was it ice cream?

Gregory J. Liebau wrote:I was wondering if people could share their impressions, opinion and give their own advice about how we should step into the lives of being Caidan warriors.

Best thing to do is show up and fight! That simple. Show up, fight, be willing to learn, be chivalrous, be honest, be nice and people will go out of their way to help you out.

Gregory J. Liebau wrote:What're the most prominant groups?

There are many, Caid is very densely packed with people.

Gregory J. Liebau wrote:Which fighters are famed in this area, or should I consider trying to get to know?

Get to know everyone, if you hit enough tournaments you'll figure out who is a regular on the tourney circuit. Same with wars. Caidan Knights can be found at that site. What do you mean by famed? Known out of Kingdom, revered for marital skill, loved for chivalrousness, etc? Really just show up and you'll figure it out pretty quick.

Gregory J. Liebau wrote:What kind of things is our kingdom known for?

-Where 2 Hours is a long drive or a short court
-Being the smallest Kingdom area wise in the Known world
-Not travelling a lot out of Kingdom.
-The old tag line was, "Welcome to Caid, now get dressed". I believe it was from the 90s when Caid was at the top of the costuming curve, I think the Kingdoms are fairly equal on style now.

Gregory J. Liebau wrote:Even more specifically, if people are in the kingdom, what is thought of my particular barony, or this area?

You are located in one of two of the furthest places for Caidans to travel, the other is Starkhafn, but it has the draw of being located in Las Vegas. I live in Dun or, which most LA/SD area people consider the north end of the Kingdom, and you are 3-4 hours north of me. That being said you have a great bunch of people in your Barony that are caring, loving and supportive. Also you have Castle Kirk in your Barony.

Kolfinna

Winterfell wrote:Isn't Caid the one whose sheildmen ordered pizza and had it delivered during a battle and then sat behind their sheild eating, while looking at the enemy? Or was it ice cream?

I don't know if it was Caid that did that, but what an awesome idea

Caid is a great Kingdom.

Be proud, and strive to fight for your Kingdom's honour. You will do well.

Caid is where I got my start. Starkhafn, actually. Sir Luther of Anshelm Arms is out your way.

John
Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus
www.mron.org

Winterfell wrote:Isn't Caid the one whose sheildmen ordered pizza and had it delivered during a battle and then sat behind their sheild eating, while looking at the enemy?
Or was it ice cream?

I think it was Calontir. But it would have been before my time so I can't verify it.

I live about fifteen minutes from Her Royal Majesty Kolfinna - my lady is squired to His Royal Majesty Sven (notice how she neglected to mention being Queen of Caid?). Their Majesties may be some of the most recognizable fighters in the Kingdom, since they travel constantly.

I would add one more thing that Caid is known for - less camping events than most Kingdoms are used to. On the bright side, if you receive the Crown Prints newsletter, you know there are often 2-4 events to choose from on a given weekend.

Come down south and introduce yourself! If you don't, we'll see you up there before long. There is a group of fighters from Nordwache that travel down to L.A. area events fairly often, and you might be able to travel with them.

If possible, don't miss the Knewbie Knockabout tourney in the Shire of Wintermist (Bakersfield). It's not too far, and it's specifically for fighters authorized less than two years.

Oh, Jehan, Luther's semi-retired at the moment.

Lorccan wrote:I live about fifteen minutes from Her Royal Majesty Kolfinna - my lady is squired to His Royal Majesty Sven (notice how she neglected to mention being Queen of Caid?). Their Majesties may be some of the most recognizable fighters in the Kingdom, since they travel constantly.

I actually knew that Kolfinna was our queen! I do recieve the Crown Prints, and was aware of her being queen due to that and talk between members of our barony.

I'm also aware of Castle Kirk, but have yet to go and visit it! Ack!

I would add one more thing that Caid is known for - less camping events than most Kingdoms are used to. On the bright side, if you receive the Crown Prints newsletter, you know there are often 2-4 events to choose from on a given weekend.

I picked this up on a recent thread. I don't mind that, really, considering I'd probably never get the opportunity to do much overnight stuff, anyway (unless if I went way south for an event, in which case I'd plan on staying the night in any case.)

Come down south and introduce yourself! If you don't, we'll see you up there before long. There is a group of fighters from Nordwache that travel down to L.A. area events fairly often, and you might be able to travel with them.

I'd love to do that! I've been interested to meet a lot of the L.A. crowd, since there seem to be quite a few of them around the archive and other boards! Hopefully it won't be too long before we get to.

If possible, don't miss the Knewbie Knockabout tourney in the Shire of Wintermist (Bakersfield). It's not too far, and it's specifically for fighters authorized less than two years.

Funny you mention that one... It's actually what we're aiming at to make our fighting debut (Justin and I). Our first official fighter practice is tomorrow, and the locals would like to work us hard in order to get us to that tournament ready to go!

We'll also be attending Highlands for at least a day, and might attend a couple of other September events before the Knockabout.

Thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. I'm honored that our Queen has been thoughtful enough to add her input, as well!

Cheers!

-Gregory-

I'll add that the Hospitalers of Caid, and Methius Vaux (a prominent member) are very good people - intensely chivalrous folk.

"Oh, Jehan, Luther's semi-retired at the moment."

That's unfortunate. I rather love the bascinet he made for me.

John
Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus
www.mron.org

Kottr wrote:-The old tag line was, "Welcome to Caid, now get dressed". I believe it was from the 90s when Caid was at the top of the costuming curve, I think the Kingdoms are fairly equal on style now.

I've always heard that, too - Caidans are the best-dressed. Of course, I think Atlantia does a pretty darn good job, too. I don't know that all kingdoms are equal on style these days, but it's been a couple years since I've been to an inter-kingdom event besides Pennsic (or Crusades).

Listen and watch.

Don't be afraid to get in there and get hit.


My stronghold is so small i have ONE other guy to fight (light only) but last night at a small demo we discovered two new members coming from Guam (USAF all of us), he is both light/heavy so now I HAVE SOMEONE TO FIGHT! WOOHOO! (Without leaving the country).


Of course, being surrounded by real castles is a nice side benefit.

Kevin wrote:I've always heard that, too - Caidans are the best-dressed. Of course, I think Atlantia does a pretty darn good job, too. I don't know that all kingdoms are equal on style these days, but it's been a couple years since I've been to an inter-kingdom event besides Pennsic (or Crusades).

I think that the top end costumes from each Kingdom all are pretty fantastic. It might be that the rank and file Caidans dress nicer than their counterparts in the Known world? I'm not sure, I only meet out of Kingdomers at Lilies, Gulf and Pennsic Wars, so I don't know what the day to day people dress like. Any multi Kingdom livers have any insight?

InsaneIrish wrote:

Winterfell wrote:Isn't Caid the one whose sheildmen ordered pizza and had it delivered during a battle and then sat behind their sheild eating, while looking at the enemy?
Or was it ice cream?

I think it was Calontir. But it would have been before my time so I can't verify it.

You're right it was Calontir. My bad.

B. Fulton wrote: My stronghold is so small i have ONE other guy to fight

Where are you in Drachenwald?

I've been to a lot of kingdoms, but Caid isn't one of them so I can't really say.

"Dressed nice" is so relative. For example, if you see 10 early period persona people dressed as nicely as they can be correctly, and 10 in Tudor, the IMPRESSION that MOST people get is that the Tudors are "dressed nicer." This is a blanket statement, using anecdotal evidence, I'm not suggesting it as gospel truth. But anyway, the point is....

If Caidans like later period stuff more than say, Calontiri....the impression that folks might get is that Caidians "dress better" than Calontiri. That impression might be quite incorrect. The Calontiri who seem to GENERALLY (again with the qualified statements) prefer earlier period clothing might be dressed just as "nicely" for the persona.

I just agree with what Kolfina said about the high end. Every kingdom has their high end dressers, and with only a little variation, they're all pretty darn kick-butt.

I am living in my 4th kingdom, Middle, Ansteorra, Atenveldt, and Artemisia. What I have seen is people dress pretty much at the same levels in all kingdoms, 25% WOW factor, 25% damn nice 30% nice attempt 10% need an iron and a wash 10% eww factor.

Where are you Theo?




Caid is a great place. I have only been able to get out there for the first time last Great West. But I met some of the most outstanding people.

met some twits, But you will always get that.

Have patience with them, and they will treat you well. Hospitallers are a great group of people. Drafn is a good gang and a fun shield wall to break down. Corvus is a really well put together group as well. They make great speed bumps on the field.


I am so going to get my ass beat for this.


Sieg

We just moved to Twin 2 weeks ago. We are planning on attending Hearthwarming to meet our new sca family.

I think Caid is one of the greatest kingdoms in the known world, especaly for a new fighter. It is much easyer to go to events in Caid where most everything is just a hop off the freeway. My best advice is to get out and into things, meet alot of people, be polite any courteous and always willing to learn. The barony of Calafia is where most of the big war units come from, Drafin, Corvus, Mermadons, Orkneys, Hospitallers, Abbey, the 5th Brigade is in Driburgen which is north of Calafia, just some of the great groups from down there, all with great guys in them. If you ever have the chance to go to a Calafian brigade practice, you should go they are a blast. There are great Knights from all parts of Caid, I don't think I met a Caidian knight who I realy didn't like. besides that fight hard and have fun and you will fit in.

Don't get me wrong...I love Atlantia. But I really love Caid.

Started in al-sahid, lived in Dreiburgen and Western Seas.[/i]

For what it's worth, I think Caid rocks. I could go into my reasons, but in the end any SCA Kingdom is just a bunch of folks; some you'll like and some not so much. Hang with the folks you like, and be polite to the ones you don't, and you'll be happy.

Nordwache has a reputation for a more "rough-and-tumble" fighting style than the rest of the Kingdom. If the idea of a full-body shield-press by a 400# person intimidates you, you'll need to get over it.

Because it is at the far end of the Kingdom, Nordwache can be somewhat insular. Nordwache fighters don't make it "downtown" much and most Nordwache events will have few "downtown" fighters in attendance. Get to know the fighters up there who do travel, so you can coordinate trips (I know Sir Franscesc sometimes organizes a vanload); get to know people in the rest of the Kingdom who may offer crash space when you do travel south.

(N.B. - The "welcome to Caid, now get dressed" saying comes from a time when the social scene was dominated by a particular group (dare I say "clicque"?) that included several late period costume laurels. It was never the case that the "average" Caidan was all that well dressed, just that you better lose the blue jeans if you wanted to get noticed by the "in crowd")

InsaneIrish wrote:

Winterfell wrote:Isn't Caid the one whose sheildmen ordered pizza and had it delivered during a battle and then sat behind their sheild eating, while looking at the enemy?
Or was it ice cream?

I think it was Calontir. But it would have been before my time so I can't verify it.

It was. Been there, had the cheese on my faceplate to prove it.

I THINK it was William of V'tavia's reign - Pennsic XIV maybe?

Edited to add - but I hear Caid has a really, really cool Queen.

Broinnfinn
(Calontir Shield wall Veteran)

broinnfinn wrote:Edited to add - but I hear Caid has a really, really cool Queen.

Really? I hear she's quite a pain

Only 80 more days left before I get to fight full time again!

Kolfinna