Tao of Fencing Part II

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The Tao of Fencing according to Raven, part 2

    A rule oft forgotten, and even more oft, unknown, is the rule that tells fencers to be someone of note.

    Being someone of note doesn't mean that you need to win all the time, although that strategy may work well for some, and I do recommend giving it a try. Please remember though that you must win honourably. Being someone noted as a 'rhino' is not the type of notoriety that you want.

    Being able to say that I am Baron such and such, in charge of this and that isn't really saying much to the fencing world. Saying that I am the Dread Pirate, Baron such and such, in charge of this and that, of one ship or another, never defeated in battle, and having great repute with the opposite sex, is much more worthy of note. Leaving the politics out, you could still say that I am the Dread Pirate such and such, of one ship or another, never defeated in battle, and having great repute with the opposite sex, and still be just as impressive.

    Of course if you haven't attained the type of skill immediately that allows you to honestly state that you have never been defeated in battle then merely say that I am the Pirate such and such, of one ship or another, I am an accomplished fencer of great (and improving) skill, and have great repute with the opposite sex. Still sounds great, doesn't it? And what if you don't have great repute with the opposite sex? Lie!

    Another way to become someone of note is through persona development. One can easily say that I am a French Doily born in Lace-Ruffland, living in the early 1600s, but wouldn't it be better to say that I am an English born marauder of the 1500s sailing the Spanish Main, looting everything in sight, and killing French Doilies. With persona development we can use our imagination and creativity. Why stop at killing French Doilies? Involve yourself in world events of the period. Make your persona the type of person that epics are written about. Then, if nobody else writes epics about you, write them yourself, mine is already several pages long and still growing.

    A very serious portion of being someone of note is not being just like everybody else. Sure, all the fluffy, frilly garb with the long curly haired wigs may look manly, but nothing can damage the notoriety of a gentleman fencer faster than having someone come up behind you and say "Excuse me, m'lady".

    A few more words about garb here. Garb can be important in being someone of note, I recommend that you ensure that it is unique, has its basis in period, and is cool. I prefer to have several different sets of garb and make a point of changing frequently throughout the course of an event so that everyone can see how cool all of my garb is. Ideally, one's garb would also have some mix and match aspects.

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