ANST - Gulf Wars vs Lilies

[Michael F. Gunter]

Good People of Ansteorra,

There is this continuing debate about which is better, Gulf Wars or Lilies.
I have never attended Lilies so I cannot properly compare them. But please
allow me to discuss aspects of Gulf Wars since I've attended all but one of
them.

Weather:

As has been stated, prepare for anything. There is usually an evening of rain
so bring waterproof containers. But usually there are wonderfully cool
evenings made for sitting around bardic fires and passing mulled wine.
The days are bright and sunny. Warm enough to dry anything that may have gotten
wet in the rain and great fighting weather.

Fighting:

There are tournaments and melees scheduled for every day. Bridge battles,
siege battles, town battles are not even War Points. There are tournaments
sponsored by Meridies, Trimaris and Ansteorra. There are tournaments reflecting
the Grand Pas d'Armes of the past. Tournaments sponsored by the Queens. There
are pickup fights and instruction from nearly every Crown in the Knowne Worlde
as well as the greatest fighters in the Society. Don't miss the Torchlight 
Tournament. 

The War Points fighting will include Open Field battles with combat archery,
siege battles with EVERYTHING, a resurrection battle, and the Champion's fights.

Not only will combat archery be used in many scenarios but ballistas, battering
rams, catapults, trebuchets, war elephants, battle armadillos, siege ramps
and archer towers have been seen.

The duello is grandly represented. Several tournaments, a War Point champions
competition, melees, a high-personna late period tavern with gambling, drinking
and dueling in the courtyard, and instruction from some of the SCAs greatest
fencing masters.

Other martial activities:

Try your hand at throwing a knife, ax or spear for War Points.
Learn target archery.
Don't miss the opportunity to watch the equestrian activities. They will have
several competitions throughout the week in preparation for next year's War
Point. The equestrian competitions are some of the grandest and most spectacular
sights of the War. 

Parties:

House Porto/Lost Boys infamous Kamakaze party. Hooter Shooters!
House Asgaard's little soiree.
The Inter-kingdom friendship food and drink party in front of the fort.
Ansteorra chili night.
etc...etc...etc...

A & S

Be sure to catch the A&S War Point Competition. The finest artisans from two
Kingdoms vying for the War Point. There is also a People's Choice A&S display
of other artists from throughout the Knowne Worlde.
Classes! Classes! Classes!
Just looking at some of the wonderful campsites is an Arts and Sciences trip
in itself. 

Other STUFF!

Tons of merchants. New Orleans is an hour and a half away. Great Court is
simply glorious! 3,000 people from everywhere. Go and watch the hound coursing.
Page's school. Bardic circles, Puppet shows (LOVED the puppet show!), armor,
horses, wenches, ladies, brawny menfolk, beer!

And the #1 reason to attend Gulf Wars..... It's Our War!

Just some idle thoughts.

Yours,

Gunthar

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