[MR] Combat Archery at Last Chance Authorizations/War Practice 7/21

[Alan MacNeill]

As you all are aware, the Society Earl Marshal has required significant 
changes in combat arrow standards effective August 1st.  There is 
significant work being done throughout the known world to develop varied and 
sundry arrow designs that will meet the new standard, and a testing standard 
has been developed.

At the Barony of Caer Mear's Last Chance Authorization/War Practice event 
(Petersburg, VA July 21st), I have gained permission from the Atlantian 
Kingdom Earl Marshal to perform testing of experimental designs, in 
accordance with this protocol:

1.  *All* Combat arrows used at the event must meet the new requirements.  
Yes, I know, it is 10 days before the deadline, however that is the ruling, 
and I support it.  That means your old arrows cannot be used here unless 
they meet the new standards. sorry.  No exceptions.

2.  Combat Archery will be a part of some of the Melee scenarios ongoing 
during the day.  Combat arrows to be used in these Melee's MUST be on the 
APPROVED list of the Society Earl Marshal.  No exceptions.

3.  Arrows that are experimental may *NOT* be used in the Melee's that day.

3a. There will be an area set aside for testing experimental arrows in a 
manner consistent with the testing standards promulgated by the Society Earl 
Marshal.  I plan to have a range not unlike that for target archery, and I 
have at least two helms which I will be volunteering for use in target/drop 
tests.

4.  Willing heavy armored fighters may volunteer to serve as "targets" for 
experimental arrows.  They must be fully legally armored, and this will be 
done outside of any combat situation.  No fighter will have to face an arrow 
he is uncomfortable with, and the Marshal in Charge of the event (Earl 
Amalric Blackhart) may refuse any proposed test he deems unsafe.

5.  Accurate and complete results of any testing done will be kept and 
transmitted to appropriate places (Kingdom Earl Marshal, Society Earl 
Marshal, SCA Missile Combat list, and appropriate deputies).

Needless to say, this is a golden opportunity for Atlantian Archers to field 
test their designs (or to see new designs they have not considered), and for 
the heavy fighters of Atlantia to see these new arrows, and satisfy 
themselves of their safety.  However, this will require your help.  I hope 
for a large turnout of archers, and an equally large turnout of heavy 
fighters willing to observe and or be test targets during those times they 
are not participating in Melee's.

I refer you to the event flyer copied below for more information about the 
event.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your 
leisure.

Looking forward to seeing many of you on the 21st.

Lord Gorm of Berra
Autocrat

>Last Chance Authorizations & War Practice
>July 21, 2001, Incipient Canton of River's Point
>Petersburg, VA
>
>The last of the Mongol horde has been driven from Caer Mear. The Baron 
>takes
>a deep breath and begins to relax. Just then a Herald arrives with a
>message...War is brewing in the East. The Kingdom's troops are depleted and
>need fresh soldiers. The existing soldiers need practice to remain the
>finely tuned war machine that makes Atlantia proud. Come one and all to
>prove your skills and join the Atlantian Army.
>
>The Incipient Canton of River's Point, under the sponsorship of the Barony
>of Caer Mear invites you to Richard Bland College in Petersburg, Virginia
>for a day of authorizations and melees to test the mettle of our fighting
>forces.  Authorizations in both Heavy and Rapier Combat will be offered 
>from
>10 AM until 4 PM. Melee battles will be fought all day (yes, we have space
>to do both at the same time).
>
>The SITE: Richard Bland College, 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA 23805.
>See Directions below. This site is DRY, absolutely no alcohol will be
>allowed on site, and there are NO pets allowed. Please note that we will
>have no inside facilities for this event, we will have lots of water on
>hand, but bringing your own might not be a bad idea. Site opens at 9 AM and
>closes at 5 PM. If you want to know about local hotels/crash space, please
>contact the autocrat.
>
>AUTHORIZATIONS: Authorizations will be available in both heavy and rapier
>combat. The MOL will be Fed-Exing the packet to the Kingdom MOL on the
>following Monday, so your permanent cards should be able to be in your 
>hands
>in plenty of time for war. We will be offering to laminate your temporary
>cards, just in case.
>
>MELEES: Once you've authorized, you're gonna want to fight. If you're
>already authorized, you're gonna want to fight. We will be having a variety
>of Melee combats throughout the day to prepare for War. Exact formats will
>be decided by the interests of the fighters on hand, both for Heavy and
>Rapier.
>
>CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES: Will NOT be provided. Please note that the site is
>outdoors and not very child-friendly. Please be prepared to entertain your
>own children or make other arrangements.
>
>LUNCH: Far, far too often the valiant Atlantian Army misses lunch to engage
>in combat. Not today. A field lunch will be prepared for all who request it
>and will be available on the field. Your generous donations will defray 
>this
>expense. Please note that restaurants are not very convenient to the site
>and plan accordingly. We're serious, if you let us know you are
>coming, you WILL be fed.
>
>FEES and reservations: $5 for all over 18. If you're under 18, you're our
>guest. To guarantee your lunch, please send a notification that you are
>coming to Lady Rhiannon of Berra (Gina MacNeill), rhiannon at caermear.org,
>7208 Vaughan Road, Petersburg, VA 23805, 804-861-8876 (NLT 10PM please). If
>you wish to pre-pay, we will be more than happy to accept it, but no
>pre-payment is mandatory. The amount of prepared food will be based on the
>number of pre-notifications we receive, and only those who pre-notify will
>be guaranteed food.
>
>DIRECTIONS: From I-85 and points South: Find your best route to I-85 exit 
>65
>(Squirrel Level Road) in Virginia. Turn Right at the top of the ramp and
>follow the signs to Richard Bland College. Once on the college campus,
>follow the SCA signs to the site.
>
> >From I-95 North or South: Find your best route to I-95 in Virginia. Exit 
>51
>is I-85 South, take it. The first exit on I-85 is Squirrel Level Road. Turn
>Left at the top of the ramp and follow the signs to Richard Bland College.
>Once on the college campus, follow the SCA signs to the site.  AUTOCRAT:
>Lord Gorm of Berra (Alan MacNeill) 7208 Vaughan Road, Petersburg, VA 23805,
>gorm at caermear.org, 804-861-8876 (NLT 10 PM please).


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