[MR] raising and lowering expectations

[Lord Lyon Filshenri]

Unto the Tavern, Greetings:
 
I confess I must agree with His Majesty in this matter. It isn't that no
one understands the cost and time associated with having a true period
kit--we all do. Some of us were playing for ten years before we had a
period pavilion, and still use the folding chairs because we haven't
gotten to chairs on the list of things we want to upgrade. After 20+
years as a medievalist, I still use sweat pants instead of period
chausses, my armor is kydex, but my pavilion and camp furniture look
great. We're all still working on it.
 
It isn't the inability to be perfect that is the problem, it is the
half-heartedness of some folks' attempts. When I see knights in cowboy
hats, I can't tell myself they haven't the experience to know better!
When I see people turn down the offer of a mug for their drink or some
fabric to throw over their cooler, I know they just don't care. Smoking,
sure it's an addiction--but not in COURT! THAT is the matter that I
think His Majesty is addressing. 
 
Yes, we are expected to "make an attempt"--I think the people His
Majesty is addressing are those who for whatever reason consider the
lowest acceptable form sufficient attempt. And those people are an
offense to the honest efforts of others.
 
This is a medieval society. If you want to go to events in semi-mundane
clothes and drink from the can, there is always NASCAR. It is not
unreasonable to expect that others will want you to make EVERY
reasonable effort to preserve the atmosphere at events.
 
Respectfully,
 
Lord Lyon Filshenri
Squire to Syr Otto von Schwartzkatz
Barony of Marinus, Kingdom of Atlantia.
 
Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.