[MR] Vivats, Heavy Fighter Authorizations, Marshalling, and some thoughts

[dave jersey]

First, I wish to congratulate their Highnesses, Cuan and Padragin, may 
their reign be enlightened!

I've been mulling over in some obscure corner of my mind a few things for 
quite some time now.  When I was at Fools War this last spring (a splendid 
time was had by all) I learned that once a heavy fighter is authorized in 
Meridies, they're considered authorized in all heavy weapons.  I did 
witness an authorization and it was conducted with sword and shield.

I recently authorized in a new weapons form.  None of the marshals present 
were authorized in that form.  I went and found His Majesty Logan who did 
me the great honor of being my opponent for the authorization (Thank You 
again Your Grace!).

Yet the marshals, not authorized in that weapons form, deemed me to be safe 
enough to go forth and fight in that form.  I'm not complaining about this 
of course, I knew going into the authorization that this was so.  I feel 
that I am equally safe with Pole weapons and Great Sword, though nowhere 
near as proficient (yet).   I know my capabilities, and I know the 
characteristics and rules of the various heavy weapons, and most 
importantly, what is safe and what is not.

Many people I have talked to do not fight anything other than what they are 
authorized even in pick up fights, simply because they don't think they 
can.  I personally like pickup fights at events because I not only get a 
variety of opponents, but I can experiment with weapons I don't have a lot 
of experience with but am not allowed to take onto the tournament field.  I 
would dearly love to be able to go out on the tournament field with a 
Polearm or Great Sword even if it means I leave with some new bruises, 
because I will also leave with experience and knowledge.  That's part of 
why I keep coming back, because I _always_ learn something new.

I do not feel I am alone in wishing I could take my choice of weapons.

I propose that we authorize fighters in all weapons forms as long as they 
can demonstrate proficiency in one and a knowledge of the rules of the list 
to include all weapons forms found in heavy weapons.  I do not believe that 
spear is the same as the other heavy weapons and that a separate 
authorization should be conducted for spear because it's characteristics 
are quite different from the other heavy weapons.

I am presently waiting for my paperwork to go through for my Marshal 
warrant.  It bothers me a bit that I will be considered a field marshal, 
worthy to oversee not only heavy weapons but combat archery as well, though 
I am not an archer at all.  I did try to authorize at Troy last year but 
didn't know enough of the policies to satisfactorily pass the question and 
answer part.  That suited me fine, it showed me where I needed to 
strengthen my knowledge base.  I have since remedied that gap and am glad 
of the experience.  Still, should we look at establishing an Archery 
marshalate to oversee combat archers?

I realize the answer I'll get is to go ahead and get the rest of the 
authorizations out of the way and be done with it.  I hope though that I 
have given you some pause to think a bit, and if so then I have 
accomplished what I set out to do.

Should we perhaps look at our authorization and marshalling processes with 
this in mind?

With respect and in the spirit of service,
Davi the Mad