Newcomer

What is the SCA? - The Society for Creative Anachronisms is an international not-for-profit educational organization that studies and preserves the culture of the Middle Ages by re-creating it. (and we have a lot of fun doing it!)

What exactly do you do? - Members of the Society participate in a wide variety of activities, such as tournaments, feasts and fairs, representing assorted aspects of life in the Middle Ages. Local branches like the Barony of Dragon's Laire, sponsor events featuring competitions and activities of all sorts and smaller less formal meetings to explore topics of interest. We also provide educational demonstrations and talks to schools and other community groups free of charge. For more information on demonstrations see Demos.

Who are the members? - Members of the SCA come from all walks of life, all ethnic groups, and ages. The man sitting beside you at the feast might be a plumber or a software engineer in mundane life. The woman on his arm might be a doctor or a waitress. The young man singing might have been raised in the Society or only joined last week. They might be independently wealthy or living on social security.

Why do you have those funny names? - Members of the SCA create a alter-ego we call a persona. It is this person, complete with one of those funny names, who is a member of our Medieval "Society". (Kind of like when you were the Lone Ranger or Cinderella as a kid) For more information on creating a persona visit the Persona Points Page.

Do you Live like this full time? - No, like you, the vast majority of us have a day job. Being the Baron's personal Herald just doesn't pay the bills. And we like electric lights and indoor plumbing, especially on those long nights spent finishing that new cotehardie or mail shirt.

How do I join? - First contact the Chatelaine. Or come out and visit us at fight practice, the business meeting or some other activity. Most are open to any interested party. You are also welcome to visit our events, as long as you respect the rules, including wearing an attempt at medieval clothing. (We have loaner garb, so you don't have to have your own.) To participate fully in the SCA, you will need to become an official member by paying the corporate office for a membership. (For full details of fees, benefits and forms contact the Chatelaine.) There are no local dues, although a subscription to the local newsletter, The Flames of the Dragon, is highly recommended. (Subscription information at below) Also Watch for the New Newcomers Resource coming this Fall. NewDragons04@yahoogroups.com

Some Special notes For those with children..........(Yes, your children are welcome)

We are a Baronial "family", and like any family, it worries us that our " smalls" may become injured. We are a polite society and this politeness is taught to the young children as well. Teach your child what "HOLD" means... make a game of it....use it at home. It could save them injury in the future... at any SCA function ... an adult will yell "HOLD" if there is danger involved.... make sure they understand it. (pets can also be taught to 'hold') Make sure that if they get lost or separated from you at an event they know where to go to wait for you. Teach them to ask for a CONSTABLE if they are lost.... our constables have radios which will aid in reuniting you.

Also, teach your child not to touch things that do not belong to them ... at events AND in our homes there are many items laying around that they could be injured with ... our young ones should know not to touch ANYTHING without asking... including braziers and swords and daggers.....lets face it ... we have a LOT of "really cool" stuff!!

We do not childproof our encampments or homes... we just teach the children not to touch without asking permission. And isn't that part of being a society of honor and trust? :) These are good habits for everyone, young and old, to learn! Believe me when I say that at events you will have 200 or so adults assisting you in that training. :) We are a caring group.. and that makes all the difference in the world.

We are a Baronial "family" ..... and many of us happily open up our homes for picnics, archery practice, crafts etc. PLEASE remember that ALL Children attending practices/events who are not shooting or under the guidance of a marshal MUST be under parental supervision at all times.

As always.... if you have any questions please feel free to discuss them with me... it is my pleasure to be of help!!

The Barony also has email lists.

Specifically for Newcomers: This list is a great place to ask all those nagging questions. NewDragons04@yahoogroups.com

Main DL List: open to all new and old -(This has recently changed servers)

To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
<dragonslaire-subscribe@antir.sca.org>

If you have any problems, please contact Master Hroulag, at the following address: n7bsn@amsat.org

Additional special interest lists are posted on the links page.

Visit Our Lexicon, a small dictionary of SCA jargon, for help understanding what we are all chattering about.

The Flames of the Dragon is the official Baronial Newsletter...Subscribe to this newsletter today. It contains up to date news and information about the local happenings of the Barony and the area.

Subscription rates for the hard copy are $15 per year for 12 issues. This is not available electronically.

Contact: Isketol of Tartersus at Dragons.Laire.Chronicler@donobi.net

The Dream ~~~ A view from our former Chatelaine

It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. A young member, as members go, was to be given the opportunity to autocrat a small event for a weekend. This I shall treasure throughout my remaining years.

Imagine.... a dewy chill as I pull my overburdened Chevy Blazer onto the grass of an early morning field, equestrian arena's and paddocks all about. My gaze sweeps the still void of deserted grounds save the few bales of hay stacked in tidy piles of three. They patiently await the brightly colored archery targets that will be mounted upon them.

Slowly, my car load is lightened, a few more pilgrims arrive to set up and the magic is beginning to weave together, a pavilion here, a "good morning, m'Lady!!" there, a few smiles, a few more weekend homes. Brightly colored pennants unfurl over the honorable grounds of combat and competition. Shields and colors begin to fly over makeshift medieval dwellings marking war bands and households. The marvelous array of genteel folk in a myriad of persona's spanning tenfold centuries of time milling about in what has become a village active with merchants and friends.

The tempo quickens as the sound of Celtic drums begin to throb in an ancient yet familiar rhythm. The Bardic campfires ignite and there are no strangers in this Brigadoon-like town of 400. The scent of dinners simmering over crackling flames heightens awareness of the timeless pleasure man has had in taking sup with his fellows.

A frolicking song rises from one campfire, a soulful Celtic ballad from another. Twilight sets in and stars begin to sparkle like so many thousand diamonds against the black velvet skye of night. As the sounds of drums, stories, ballads and dance rise up together spinning into one magic moment. Campfire sparks flicker like fireflies, chivalric men offer ladies their arms. All the melodious sounds meld together. Night winds into wee morn. The dreamers continue to be In the Dream.

What? It is early Saturday morn. The village is still. This one lone soul emerges from her cozy dwelling into the cool damp of morn. The dewy equestrian field she recalls from less than a day ago is now a village waiting sleepily for the sun to warm it, to coax it to life. She knows that with a few more rays of sun the canvases will be thrown back to greet the day. Teas will brew and breakfast fires will ignite while merchants and village folk alike stretch to greet a special day. A day for valor. A day for Heroes. A day for Noble deeds and clever acts. A day that will be memorable for many years to come. First sound she hears, the familiar *thwamp*, as a flurry of arrows fly to their mark. Archers are warming shoulders and tuning eyes. The clanging of rapiers rings out as sparring begins, the clanking of armor and leather with buckles while warriors arm. A cry of the Heralds greeting the populace, announcing the days events, inviting one and all to join in the festivities. Laughter of children chasing about as all youth should; playing with wooden toys and climbing on every post and tree.

Lovely ladies bow gracefully with their baskets full of wool to be spun, embroidery to be done. Buxom gals bear carts of water to the gallant men on the field off combat this day. A Baron and Baroness wander regally amongst their people with pride as tournaments begin. Wandering minstrels perform along the trail....under an open tent in the distance nine or ten students gather anxiously by a roaring forge as the clanging of hammer to molten steel forms blades and knives. Howls and shouts rise from the erics near by as the first combatant has fallen to a more clever trickster of the sword.... ladies do their handiwork while visiting... sharing recipes and Society lore while works of art unfurl in their fingers.

When the champions are finally declared and the day's deeds shared, 400 voices cheer out a *Huzzah* to the heavens. All live together in harmony. All are part of an enormous family. And all are welcome inside the Dream.

On Sunday morn, the tents fold down, the costumes fade and the world unravels into nothingness again. EXCEPT for the afterglow on the faces of the people as they pass from the gates of the "village" into the netherworld of tomorrow. They glow from the memory. They glow with the hope of doing it all again on a not too distant 'morrow. They each carry the magic spark. The Dream lives within them until it is shared again.

Lady Eileen ingine dubh Luchag-- The Shadow Mouse
Autocrat for Last Chance Tourney on October 4th-6th, 2000
Barony of Dragon's Laire
Kingdom of An Tir.

Newcomer's Nook

Welcome to the Current Middle Ages.