[Ponte Alto] Report on the Eastern/Atlantian Fighter Training

[Max Nelson]

Today's Eastern/Atlantian inter-kingdom fighter training was widely  
reported to be a success by the nearly 40 fighters in attendance  
(approximately 10 of whom journeyed to the Central NJ site from  
Atlantia) -- so much so, in fact, that Don Alexendre Bautista De La  
Mar stated on the EKSouth list this evening that "today was the best  
practice I have attended in nearly 30 years of playing in the SCA...  
It was full of great training, and the combination of multi-kingdom  
fighters gave such a great chance to fight people I have never had the  
chance to fight before."  Duke Ronald Wilmot gave a short version of  
the "Advanced Weapon and Shield" class he taught at East Kingdom  
University, and Duke Timothy of Arindale, Sir Albrecht Von Halstern,  
Sir Tanaka Raiko, Sir Gabriel Maccuswell, and a wide range of other  
fighters helped ensure that the emphasis was on training as we all  
fought each other consistently throughout the day (King Darius had  
planned on attending but was unfortunately struck ill on Friday night  
and could not attend).

Everyone truly had their fill of fighting for the day and got an  
opportunity to test their mettle against a vast range of opponents  
from different groups and regions.  Afterwards, a large number of us  
took over a nearby eating establishment to the mild chagrin of the  
locals.  All, in all, a pretty durn successful day!

Folks had so much fun, that they instantly asked for a repeat... so we  
will try to schedule another one for the winter months -- perhaps in  
January sometime.  Caer Adamant (Delaware) has offered an indoor site  
they have (which comes complete with a bar that serves... so we might  
want to try to get that "party" bus again!), and their site would be  
much more centrally located between the East and Atlantia.

Thanks to all those who braved the journey and represented glorious  
Atlantia!  Those who couldn't make it truly did miss a great  
opportunity to expand and extend their fighting, but hopefully we'll  
get another chance in a couple've months.  Ask those who went how much  
fun they had, and I'm sure you won't want to miss the next one!

In service,

Max Von Halstern