Those who participate in the SCA at official events wear clothing of a style approximating that worn prior to 1600. Those in the SCA often call this clothing "garb." Garb is a generic term meaning clothing of a historical time period covered by the SCA. In the SCA, everyone is expected to make some attempt at period garb. This does not mean that it has to look especially period, or authentically sewn with period materials and stitches, but you should attempt to try to either make, or acquire, some garb to wear. It helps to set you in the right atmosphere to truly experience the past.
There are many skills, arts, crafts and activities that are offered by the SCA. When you first come into contact with the SCA you might find the sheer number of these activities to be a bit intimidating. The easiest way to think of it is that the SCA provides a place where people with varied interests about the Middle Ages can come together and celebrate the values and learn the skills that exemplify that age. One person might find historical brewing of interest; another weaving, yet another metal working, yet another medieval combat. All of these people are given a place where they can participate and learn with like minded people and an umbrella under which they all, for their various endeavors, achieve recognition and support.
Do not feel pressured to choose any particular activity in which to spend your time in the SCA; indeed, there are SCA members who have participated for years without spending time doing anything other than socializing with people who have become their friends. The best way to find people in the SCA who are practicing an art in which you have some interest is to take a little time to observe the group, attend a few practices or meetings and ask around: people will point you towards those you need to meet.
The SCA is a world wide organization (though the majority of members are in the USA, Canada, Australia, Western Europe and New Zealand). There are 17 kingdoms across the globe, each with its own King and Queen, chosen by right of arms in a tournament of combat skill and honor. The Kingdoms are independent from each other, though each has a considerable amount of contact with the other Kingdoms, especially those on its borders. Las Vegas is part of the territory of the Kingdom of Caid, which includes southern California and Southern Nevada. To the South of Las Vegas is the Kingdom of Atenveldt (Arizona), to the East, Artemisia (Utah, Montana, southern Idaho and the parts of Colorado and Wyoming), to the North, the Kingdom of the West (northern California and northern Nevada). While "wars" are often fought between the kingdoms, and each has its own set of laws and customs, we are all part of a single group with some universal customs and ideals and we are all friends.
Each kingdom is divided into a series of smaller, more local groups called principalities, baronies, shires, marches, strongholds, cantons, colleges, and ridings. Each of these groups has a set of characteristics which it meets to fit into a particular category and its own local character. Baronies are one of the largest of the groups within a kingdom. They are ruled by a Baron and Baroness, who are sworn to uphold the Crown's law and authority and administered by officers who are sworn to the Baron and Baroness and who ensure a smoothly running group. You are in the barony of Starkhafn; which covers all of Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, Pahrump, Henderson, Mesquite, Laughlin and Boulder City.
In the SCA one may not simply take upon themselves any title they wish. Many titles that were used in the Middle Ages are reserved for those people who have been awarded those titles by a Kingdom Crown, a landed Prince or a local Baron or Baroness.
The whole title and award structure of the SCA is based upon members earning recognition.
It is beyond the scope of this FAQ to explain the rather widespread award structure of the SCA. The best advice for a newcomer is to relax, behave politely and respectfully to all (for all in the SCA are due respect and courtesy) and over time you will learn the award structure. Everyone is understanding of a newcomer who is unaware of the intricacies of how a Duchess (for example) earned the right to be called a Duchess.
Those in the SCA holding a title of one sort or another often gain the right to wear a particular piece of clothing, or insignia, which indicates they hold that title. Examples include a white belt (worn by a knight), a Crown (worn by a King or Queen) or a Laurel's medallion (worn by a Master or Mistress of the Laurel).
Over time, as you participate more with the SCA, you will learn about what regalia goes with what title. As a newcomer nobody expects you to know this right away; just ask politely and it will be explained to you.
No. Actually this is important enough to say again.
No. We in the SCA strongly believe that one should be allowed to participate in all of our activities without paying for a membership. We do not believe that those who could add to our group should be excluded because they cannot afford a membership.
Many people who participate in the SCA do obtain memberships. They do this to support our national level group, obtain a newsletter and to make sure we have insurance for our many local events.
Put simply, as a newcomer do not worry about waiting for a membership before you come play with us. Just come out and play; once you have been around for awhile, and can afford it, then it is time to start considering a membership.
We use rattan to re-create the sword in use during the Middle Ages when performing our heavy weapons combat. Rattan is a vine and, though solid instead of hollow, looks similar to bamboo.
We in the SCA are attempting to re-create the actual skills of armored medieval combat. In order to do this we believe we must be able to swing full power sword blows using full body mechanics. This allows us to test the strength of defenses and the skill of attacks in a full speed manner.
The problem with doing this with blunted steel blades is that the small cross section of a blunted steel blade, combined with its relative lack of flex upon landing a blow, means that a blunted sword, used in the manner a real sword blow would be used, has a serious chance of badly hurting or even killing a target. Indeed, in the Middle Ages most swords were reasonably blunt, having little more edge than modern blunted blades. This allowed them to be used against metal armor without the edge chipping rolling over. These blunt blades still killed quite effectively.
Even full plate armor is no reliable defense against a blunted steel blade swung full power.
Thus, in the SCA we chose to use rattan, a material that flexes more than human bone, to recreate swords. Rattan has been used in many warrior cultures from history for sword training. It has a balance and weight similar to steel blades and allows a trainee to use full power sword blows with a lesser risk of seriously injuring one's partners.
Due to the use of rattan the SCA has amassed an impressive safety record as compared to any other full contact martial art modernly practiced. Indeed, SCA Heavy weapons combat possesses a safety record an par with soccer or softball.
The SCA is the oldest and largest organization of its type in the world. A search on the interest for SCA related information will yield countless results, all of them useful to some degree.
However, the best place to gain more information about the SCA and specifically about Starkhafn is the old tried and tested method of personal contact.
Starkhafn has a newcomers meeting once a month where you can get many of your questions answered.
Starkhafn maintains a news groups on yahoo groups; joining that newsgroup will allow you to learn about local happenings and also get to know local SCA members
Another good place to meet local members is at our Sunday fighter practice. While technically a rapier and heavy weapons practice, many people come to socialize and keep up to date on local happenings. Just stop on by and let the people you meet know you are interested in the SCA.
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