Pennsic XXXVII Known World Novice Tourney 2008

[Drogo the Clueless]

Yet another movie slide show I put together. This one features mostly me, but what can you expect when the photographer is my wife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WhCQoCd_gc

[Lucas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubyE9Osk ... re=related

Here's a video of one of my fights. Second round. I will have the finals between Joseph of Serpentius and myself up soon.

[Joseph]

I had a blast fighting against both you guys. Lucas I will be excited to catch the finals video when you upload it.

[Euric Germanicus]

Cool Lucas. Grats on winning. Knowing how good Joe is, it must have been a hell of a fight.

[Lucas]

Euric,
It was a hell of a fight. Joseph, thank you for such a clean, chivalrous, and hard fight.

Here is part one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5_sc0bad2Y

[Joseph]

For me, the tournament was many things. I really went into last year's novice tourney with no tournament experience or the right mindset on fighting. Since last year's war I really started improving on my fighting by building a pell, training hard and listening to people for all the advice I could pick up. I wanted to go into this past novice tournament with a better mentality and a lot more then I put in the first time around. After the first group I was happy with how I fought with only a loss to the incredible Lord Ru (Atlantia). After the second group and the round robin to get into the finals I was honestly happier then I ever could imagine just to have made the finals. Aside from catching my breath, I had to relax and just go into the fight with the right mentality. It was an incredible time fighting with you Lucas, I really can't say I would have been happier had it been any other way and it was awesome to see you throughout the war and always be greeted with kind words and such. I hope to see you again next (obviously not in the Novice tournament) but we will have to cross swords again!

[Lucas]

After last year's tourney, which for me was a real education in what people will do to advance, I was hesitant to enter. However, I was focused by the time the tourney began, and made it through the first round with only one loss, which was discussed with that person afterwards. 2nd round, I lost to Lord Ru as well, who is a friend of mine and a member of my barony. If there was anyone I would have wanted to lose to, he was it. I wasn't really thinking about the finals until I was almost through the 2nd round, when I looked down the line, realized I had bested most of the people on it, and my brain did a big "oh sh%&!" It was hard to collect myself then, but after watching Joseph fight through the round robin, I realized I needed to get my head together to stand a chance against him. When the finals began, my adrenaline had completely deserted me, and you can see it in the video.

Joseph, it was a real pleasure to fight you. I would not have felt upset to lose to you at all. It was a very, very close fight, and I was pleased with the calls we both made. We will definitely cross swords again, as I believe there are some interkingdom practices being created soon.

Lucas

[Murdock]

My Newest Newb Tig

He almost won that. Came in 3rd i think.

[Joseph]

was a real education in what people will do to advance,

Last year I face thrusted someone twice and they didn't take it and it threw my mind out the window (being my first tourney and all) A few fights later the guy came up and was told he didn't realize that meant he was dead and that he was sorry. So I know what you mean.

This year's tourney had a few thicker moments but there were a few standout class acts like Ru, Drogo, Cameron (Midrealm) who were above and beyond courteous and very verbal with their calls. I think Olaf posts on here as well with the round shield and full mail kit.. he was a class act as well.

As for interkingdom practices, Just say when. Since we live in Philly its on the southern edge of the kingdom as it is.

Its ashame there is no Kingdom Crusades this year.

[Drogo the Clueless]

First off thank you for the compliment.

The Novice Tourney was a real joy for me. I am in a odd spot when it comes to the SCA and being a novice. Technically I have been apart of the SCA for going on 8 years now. In my younger days it was all about meeting new people and having a good time (it still is now... just in a different way, I will let you read between the lines). I was in the military and moved around a lot. Now that I have settled down in one place, I finally picked up the rattan sword.

I have never been the most athletic or graceful person. That combined with the level of fighters in my area (sometimes I swear the white belts outnumber the unbelts) leaves me questioning if I am improving. I was very pleased with my own performance at the tourney. I didn't feel totally inept. I identified some weaknesses I need to work on (next year I will have a thrusting tip authorization and I will defend against them better).

I truly believe every fighter I faced on the field was honorable. On a side note, it was my first time on the melee field at Pennsic, and again I saw a lot of very honorable fighting. I hope that will always be my experience in the SCA.

Most importantly, I had a blast. I think a lot of people there also did. I met some very cool people, but in my old age I have forgot most of their names already.

So here is to next year and one last chance to test my strength at the Known World Novice Tourney.

[Adamo]

I watched a good part of this tournament and though I was thrilled to hear after I left that Lucas won, I saw several "newbies" that already seemed to really have it together and it was really cool seeing so many new fighters competing together.
Besides the fighting, some of the guys out there had some pretty legit kits (here's looking at you, Drogo), and that was pretty cool too.
It was interesting though, to see the comparison of the different issues that the kids just out of boffer had, compared to the folks who clearly started this later in life.

Adam

[Lord_Wolf]

What does one consider a 'Novice' ?

[Derian le Breton]

What does one consider a 'Novice' ?

A quick google of "pennsic novice tourney" revealed the following:

Any authorized fighter who's PRIMARY authorization date falls within two years to the day of the Tourney,
is not a squire,
is not a KSCA,
is not a Peer by right of Arms by their own hand,

-Donasian.

[Drogo the Clueless]

Thanks Adamo for the compliment on the kit. I actually received a token of appreciation for the kit from the organizers of this years tourney. I promptly turned around and gave it to my Lady, Sabina. She is the one responsible for all the finishing touches on my kit.

Heck, she is the reason I even have a persona and a period name. When I first met my wife 4 years ago, I had no SCA name. When she introduced me to her SCA group they asked me what my name was. My answer was "Dan, and I am clueless as to what my persona is." By my own mouth I named myself that day and was known as "Dan the Clueless" for the longest time. My AoA even says "Lord Dan the Clueless".

About 2 years ago my Lady Sabina, pushed me to pick a name, a device, and a persona. Now I am Drogo the Norman Crusader living in 1208. A part of me will always be "Clueless" as it is a part of my own personal SCA history.

[Ian Mac D]

I think Olaf posts on here as well with the round shield and full mail kit.. he was a class act as well.(

Joseph I think you are talking about Ulf of the Northern Outpost. He dresses very much like Olaf except with a different helm. He dresses so much like Olaf in armor (and out for that matter) he has been nicknamed by Olaf "Mini-ME".

[Joseph]

thanks for the clarification.

There was a few squires in the Novice tournament this year (I myself am one of them) and last.

Drogo, the only thing I could tell by fighting you (since I fought you in both rounds ) is that you couldn't defend very well against thrusts. I see that in alot of people who don't fight with tips. Other then that you were always in the right position (shield /sword/ head not over your belt) and you kept a good eye on your range. Good Luck to you at next year's tournament!

[joleicia]

sniff....
(seriously, I was tearing up reading these posts)
...this is what this tourney is all about...hearing fighters who participated speak this way about it and talk to each other about it just makes my heart want to burst.

As the Hostess of the tourney...
-I thank the 53 fighters that came out - lower #s than last year, but the date change and lower Pennsic attendance had alot to do with that I think

-I thank the Chivalry who came out to help with marshalling...and the other non-Chiv. who jumped up and helped when they saw how few we had

-I thank my best friend who made sure her Royal schedule allowed her to be available to run my list table and donated the tokens for those fighters who won the first pool of fights

-I thank Lord Damon and Lord Wulfgang (both of the "Sarnac bloodline") who provided me with the half-gauntlets for the winner - I hope he's posted pics here sometime soon

-I thank Sergant Guillaume for the box he created for the runner up and all of his support before, during and after the tourney


As I said to all fighters on the day, amoungst them are the future chivalry and sovergns of the Known World. I asked them to look around, make connections, meet and greet others not just on the field that day. It brings me such joy to know that some left that field remembering names of those they met, and happily greeted them on another day at Pennsic. I saw Lucas later on Saturday and invited him and his Lady to sit with us while we all ate in the food court. That's part of what Sarnac wanted, was the making of connections with those sharing a connection of time fighting. All walk onto that field with one thing in common at the very least and would walk off the field with two things. Both enough to build on and create friendships that can and do exist across borders.

At the tourney we had 2 past winners come out to help and support the tourney as it had touched their life in such a positive way. That meant alot to me. If all of our efforts changes at least one person each year, it's worth all of the stress and heat of the day.

Again, thanks to all who helped the tourney and the fighters entered.
I plan it to be on Saturday each year now, but again, late in the day to give people arriving as much time as possible to get there and set up.

I'm babbling now, but it's a happy and proud babble

[joleicia]

What does one consider a 'Novice' ?

A quick google of "pennsic novice tourney" revealed the following:

Any authorized fighter who's PRIMARY authorization date falls within two years to the day of the Tourney,
is not a squire,
is not a KSCA,
is not a Peer by right of Arms by their own hand,

-Donasian.

All above it correct, but all should also note that the "2 years" includes time spent in Youth Combat in the SCA. I'm willing to explain reasoning behind it, but will not change this.

Also please note that those that have earned spots in other tournies at Pennsic have no bearing on their RIGHT to fight in this tourney. Someone had commented to one of the fighters entered that they shouldn't be compteting because they had won a spot on their Kingdom's unbelted team. This is very incorrect and I'm not happy at all that the comment was made. If someone has worked hard enough in their first 2 years of fighting that they are good enough to get a spot on such a team, I say 'good for them' not 'you are too good for this tourney'. I really wish the commentor had come to me first rather than berate the person. It put such negativity in their head just before fighting and they thought they shouldn't have entered. I'm glad they checked that all was okay with me first.

[Lucas]

Here is a pic, as requested by Her Excellency:


[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/20713096@N00/2788861866/url]

[Koredono]

sniff....
(seriously, I was tearing up reading these posts)
...this is what this tourney is all about...hearing fighters who participated speak this way about it and talk to each other about it just makes my heart want to burst.

As the Hostess of the tourney...
-I thank the 53 fighters that came out - lower #s than last year, but the date change and lower Pennsic attendance had alot to do with that I think

-I thank the Chivalry who came out to help with marshalling...and the other non-Chiv. who jumped up and helped when they saw how few we had

It was my honor to come and help marshal, as I'm sure it was for the other chivalry who came with me.

-I thank my best friend who made sure her Royal schedule allowed her to be available to run my list table and donated the tokens for those fighters who won the first pool of fights

-I thank Lord Damon and Lord Wulfgang (both of the "Sarnac bloodline") who provided me with the half-gauntlets for the winner - I hope he's posted pics here sometime soon

-I thank Sergant Guillaume for the box he created for the runner up and all of his support before, during and after the tourney


As I said to all fighters on the day, amoungst them are the future chivalry and sovergns of the Known World. I asked them to look around, make connections, meet and greet others not just on the field that day. It brings me such joy to know that some left that field remembering names of those they met, and happily greeted them on another day at Pennsic. I saw Lucas later on Saturday and invited him and his Lady to sit with us while we all ate in the food court. That's part of what Sarnac wanted, was the making of connections with those sharing a connection of time fighting. All walk onto that field with one thing in common at the very least and would walk off the field with two things. Both enough to build on and create friendships that can and do exist across borders.

At the tourney we had 2 past winners come out to help and support the tourney as it had touched their life in such a positive way. That meant alot to me. If all of our efforts changes at least one person each year, it's worth all of the stress and heat of the day.

Again, thanks to all who helped the tourney and the fighters entered.
I plan it to be on Saturday each year now, but again, late in the day to give people arriving as much time as possible to get there and set up.

I'm babbling now, but it's a happy and proud babble

I would babble in a similar vein, over my man-at-arms Rosalia, who was accorded Most Chivalrous in the tournament, and received words of great praise from Duke Hauoc (who marshalled her pool) on both her skill and comportment, and gave her words of advice to help increase her abilities in the lists; she (barely) didn't win enough bouts to advance to the second round, but she did way better than I would have at the same point in my career, and in all ways did me and my house proud.

[SERPENTDUKE:)]

joleicia,
I had some words with the the commentor and he then apologised to the injured party.
I was to busy to help at the tourney ,So I dealt with it in my own gentle way

[Lucas]

Here are the pics of the main tourney prize from the novice tourney(Sorry it took so long):

[img][img]http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp149/Drumgod882/IMG_1066.jpg[/img][/img]

closeup:

[img][img]http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp149/Drumgod882/IMG_1063.jpg[/img][/img]

Made by Lord O'Quinn here on the AA.