[Ansteorra] Gulf War Gate

[Ron Hardy]

Greetings this glorious Autumn day unto all the citizens of Mighty
Ansteorra, from Master Fritz der Rothirsch,

It is with some urgency that I write to you this day, in the matter of our
Mighty Gulf Wars Gate.  I sent to all the populace and your Barons a missive
some weeks ago describing the requirements for building this tribute to
Ansteorra and seeking your commitments to make this dream of Kings a
reality.

I am happy to say that the Baronies of Stargate, Steppes, Bryn Gwlad,
Bonwick and Bordermarch have all lain claim to a part of the building
process.  Their people stand ready to have their names forever etched in the
lore of Ansteorra by saying, "we built this for the glory of our Kingdom!"
The Projects that have been taken up already are #'s 1, 6, 7, 8 and a
Special Project not listed (see attached original missive, below).

But what of the rest of you?   There are many Projects for the Gate still
left unclaimed.  If the entire Gate does not get built, then all other
effort is for naught.   This undertaking is too grand to be left to a few
willing souls; it will literally take the effort of every person in this
Kingdom to make this Gate a reality, whether in time spent wielding hammer
and saw, or by reaching into your purses to finance this project.  Right now
what we need most urgently are the carpenters, welders, smiths and willing
laborers to embrace this lofty goal and claim a section of the Ansteorran
Gate as their own.
We have heard from no Shires, Cantons, Strongholds or Keeps in this matter.
Remember, each Project will require only a handful of actual laborers, and a
short period of time to complete.  Do not allow the size of your group to
daunt your resolve.  The Kingdom will reimburse all material expenses, and
supervisory help is nearby.  All you need are a few talented folks and
plenty of heart.

Act now!  The DEADLINE for completion of each Project for the Gate is
Christmas of this year!   Remember, the Gate must be erected and in place
BEFORE next Gulf Wars.  Final assembly in Steppes, and the two trips to
Meridies to erect the Gate will all take time as well.   The crew who erect
the Gate on the Gulf Wars site will likely be traveling in February.
Consider volunteering for this task, too.  Again, the requirements are
outlined below.

Put the Ansteorran Gulf Wars Gate at the top of your group's next meeting
agenda.  Decide how you will contribute to this noble and grand undertaking.
Make the commitment now.  Direct any questions you have to Master Fritz
(contact info below).
 The glory of the Kingdom of Ansteorra will be reflected in the eyes of all
those who answer this call, and the admiration of Kings will be yours.   I
remain,

In service to Ansteorra,

HE Master Fritz der Rothirsch, Gate Architect
rhemail at swbell.net
214-821-1223 (no calls after 9 pm)


I am reposting the original message for those that may have missed it the
first time.


The Time to begin the Construction of the Great Gate of Ansteorra is Here!!!

The King has declared that a Mighty Gate shall be built in the lands of
Meridies, on the battlefields of the great Gulf Wars.  A Gate that will
guard the camps of the Ansteorran Army when next and forever hence we ride
into battle against the Trimarans and their allies.  A Gate that will be a
symbol of the might, strength and pride that is Ansteorra.  The King has
declared it shall be built, and so it shall be!  Now is the time for all
skilled carpenters, blacksmiths and strong laborers to come to the service
of our Sovereign and make this dream a reality!  On to Gulf Wars!

It is necessary that this enormous undertaking be broken down into several
large Projects, each to be accomplished by a skilled crew from various
regions in our Kingdom.  This Gate is to be the work of our entire Kingdom,
not just one, or even a few people.  Each group is asked to recruit your
best craftsmen in the construction skills, form a crew and take on one of
the Projects described below.  It is necessary that the leader of each crew
be skilled in the tasks your group volunteers for, and that the other
crewmembers have a good working knowledge of the tasks required.  The
structural integrity of our Gate is of the utmost importance.

Each group will be responsible for purchasing and picking up the needed
materials (to be reimbursed upon presentation of valid receipts), supplying
their own tools, building their Project and possibly of transporting their
completed Project to Steppes for final assembly.  Detailed scaled plans and
elevations will be provided to you, and supervisors will be available to
come to you to help get you started.  Assistance by telephone will always be
available.  DEADLINE for completion of your group's Project is Christmas
2002.

Further, it will be necessary for a crew of six to eight skilled
construction workers and strong laborers, plus one or two plucky persons to
serve as camp chatelaines, to travel to Meridies early in the year of 2003
to prepare the ground and erect the Gate. This will be heavy labor.  Two
separate weekend trips will be required. Gas and food will be provided.  Be
prepared to camp in the cold and wet.

Please disseminate this information to your group and help recruit the
talent needed to make this Gate a strong, beautiful reality.  If you have
any questions, please contact Master Fritz der Rothirsch at
rhemail at swbell.net, or 214-821-1223 (before 9 pm).


The various Projects are as follows:

1. Tower Construction:  (Stargate)
Two towers, octagonal and 7' diameter x 16' high.  To be built in 8'
sections.  Wood framing and construction.
    SKILLS:  Basic home construction carpentry (i.e. wall framing).
    TOOLS:  Table saw, chop saw, pneumatic framing nailer (ideal).
     CREW:  six people, 3 days.

2. Crenellations:
Two Crenellations, octagonal, app. 9' diameter each.  Built in sections.
Wood framing.
     SKILLS:  Cabinetmaker/carpenter
     TOOLS:  Jigsaw, circular saw, pneumatic nail gun (ideal).
     CREW:  four people, 2 days

3.  Door Arch:
One span, 12' long x 2' wide. Metal framing and wood facing, banded top and
bottom in steel.
     SKILLS:  Framing carpentry, metalworking/welding.
     TOOLS:  jigsaw, circular saw, oxy/acetylene rig, mig welder, 4" angle
grinder
     CREW: 4 people, 3 days

4.  Doors:
Two doors, 6' wide x 12' high each, shaped to form a center arch.  Laminated
up 2-by and plywood construction, cut to shape.  Steel banding.
     SKILLS:  basic carpentry, metalworking/welding
     TOOLS:  jigsaw, circular saw, oxy/acetylene rig, mig welder, 4" angle
grinder
     CREW:  4 people, 2 days

5.  Tower Bases:
Two bases, 7' diameter.  2 x 10 framing, to be set on piers.
     SKILLS:  Carpentry (i.e. joist framing)
     TOOLS:  circular saw, heavy-duty drill/screw gun
     CREW:  2 people, 2 days

6.  Tower "Skins" (Bryn Gwlad)
To cover both towers, provide a look of stone construction.  Built of
prefabricated textured sheet metal and plywood.  The group that does this pr
object needs to be geographically near the group that builds tower framing
(#1 above).
     SKILLS: light metal working, basic carpentry
     TOOLS: circular saw, tin snips
     CREW: 2 people, 2 days


7.  Tower Storage Doors: (Bonwick)
Two wooden doors to be set in back side of towers.  Will provide storage
access inside towers.  2' wide x 6' tall each.
    SKILLS: Basic carpentry
     TOOLS:  circular saw, jigsaw
     CREW:  2 people, 1 day

8. Tower edging (Bordermarch)
Strips of material will need to be cut into the outline of bricks using
either a jig saw or
router and template (preferred method).
SKILLS: basic cutting or routing
TOOLS: jigsaw or router capable of accepting collars
CREW: 2 people, 1 day

*SPECIAL PROJECTS *
Construction of the Ansteorran Gate will be made more efficient with the use
of some highly specialized tools and skilled craftsmen to take on the
following Special Projects:


*Need someone with access to a sheet metal shear and 2 1/2 ' capacity sheet
metal brake.  See #6 above. (Bryn Gwlad)

*Also need someone with access to heavy-duty sheet metal brake to bend 8'
lengths of 14-gauge steel into U-shape. (Bryn Gwlad)

*Need a professional, highly skilled welder and assistant to weld frame for
doors and archway.

*Need a good blacksmith to produce 175 rivets, 6" long made of 3/8" mild
steel.

*Need a highly skilled blacksmith to produce 4 small hinges, 2 lock
mechanisms and 2 door handles for small storage doors on backs of towers.


In service,
Master Fritz der Rothirsch
Baron of the Steppes
Gate Architect