[Ansteorra] Favorite Tournaments

[Patrick Cuccurello]

> I have a quick question to the list.  What is your favorite tournament
> format to :
>
> a) participate (fight, Herald, List-Mistress, waterbear, etc) in

For fighting, The Great Hunt.  Was a staple at Pennsic years ago.

   A half day/ all day tournament with Erics (List Fields) spread all over
the site. Can run while there are other things, and other lists going on.
Each field has a fighter representing an individual beast or monster.  They
would fight in the manner of that beast or monster.

Peacock--garishly dressed fighting Florentine short swords

Elephant--big fighter, big shield, mass weapon

Cobra--fast, mobile, spearman

Three Headed dragon--Three fighters tied together with 3 to 6 feet of rope,
each with a small round shield and a sword.

Tiger--baddest S*O*B you can find :)

Rhino--well, I think we all know about that one <<grin>>

Tournament can translate into either Chivalric, Rapier, or Youth Boffer
fighting.  It makes for a great Youth tournament.

You get the idea and can think up whatever beasts/monsters you like. You
have to search the site for your animal--they can be hidden. So the entire
thing can be set up as a Quest if you wish, but not necessary.  If you best
the animal the Herald of the field gives you a medallion (metal, wood,
fabric) or talisman (fur, tails, hides, horns, or things made from them)
bearing the design of that animal.  The winner is whomever collects the most
talismans (there can be ties).  Everyone keeps their medallions or talisman
as tokens of their battles for "no sh*t, there I was" stories.  The Rhino
medallions are highly prized since you literally have to fight him until he
gives up (since it can be so exhausting to be the Rhino, you usually have
fighters who can switch off every couple of fights to stay fresh).

I like it because it can be real enjoyable, its something very different,
and depending on how it is set up can have a great deal of Pageantry.

> b) watch?

Pas d' Armes

Petruccio