[Hellsgate] Bryn Gwlad Pilgrimage A&S Challenge / Iron Artisan

[Stephanie Kohan]

One more oyez for local A&S challenges - at Fall Baronial in October, 
there will be 3 separate A&S opportunities - A&S Challenges open to both 
never-entered-any-A&S-event artisans & never-entered-in-this-field 
artisan, and Iron Artisan!


http://bryn-gwlad.ansteorra.org/events/Legends/AandS.php

http://bryn-gwlad.ansteorra.org/events/Legends/ironArtisan.php


I have re-posted the Iron Artisan info below, as it is a format many of 
our artisans have not competed in before (including yours truly!). I 
have it on good authority from Lady Simona that "the whole thing is 
going to be epic" ! Just imagine, what can 3 artisans make in 4 hours?


Is anyone interested in creating a team for Hellsgate? Or helping out as 
support staff? I'm game, so if you are too, reply or find me at social!

YIS,
Lady Johanna



Bryn Gwlad's Iron Artisan 2013

Have you seen the show Iron Chef, where chefs are required to make 
dishes in a limited time-frame using a "secret ingredient" revealed at 
the start of the competition? Do you and your friends think you have 
what it takes to create a static A&S entry under similar constraints? Do 
you seek the glory of the title "Iron Artisan"? Come prove your skill 
and creativity!

How Do We Participate in the Iron Artisan Competition?

1) Assemble your team.
You may have up to a total of three competing team members. A well-made 
team will have a variety of skills. Artisans of all skill levels, from 
novice to laurel, are encouraged to compete. The unusual format of this 
competition means that time management will be vital. You will be 
working under time constraints, so choose collaborators with whom you 
have good communication. You are also allowed one or more non-competing 
"support staff" - this is the person you send back to camp to fetch your 
cloak if you get cold or a snack when you get hungry. Once the 
competition has started, support staff are not allowed to assist with 
the planning or creation of the competition pieces.

2) Choose a team name.
This name will be displayed on your team's work table during competition 
and may also be used elsewhere, so choose a name you will be proud of.

3) Register the team.
No later than 27 September, you must email Simona della Luna at 
Simona.della.Luna at gmail.com with a team name and contact email address, 
and the names and baronies of origin for your team members. As they are 
not actually competing, support staff do not need to be listed, though 
you may include them if you like (just note that they're not competing). 
Team members (but not the team name) may be changed up to the morning of 
the competition, but because we need to know how many teams to prepare 
for, no new teams will be allowed to enter after the deadline.

4) Research and prepare.
During the competition each team will create an item (or items) that 
might have been used or owned by a historic or legendary figure 
associated with the Third Crusade, but teams will not know which person 
they're creating for until the start time is called - the client is the 
"secret ingredient." There is no restriction on the form of the entries, 
other than the need for them to be a physical object, rather than 
performance pieces. To make preparation a little easier, below is a list 
of potential clients. It is possible that this will be expanded. If so, 
the additions will be announced no later than 27 September.

  * King Richard
  * Saladin
  * Robin Hood
  * Maid Marian
  * The Sheriff of Nottingham

It is *strongly* suggested that you meet with your team members before 
the competition to plan strategy and possible projects. Assess the 
group's skills and determine which projects can be successfully 
completed within the time limit. An overly-ambitious but incomplete 
project will not compete well with a more modest but fully-finished 
project. Be sure to allow a little extra time for Murphy's Law, as 
things rarely go exactly according to plan once on-site.

5) Assemble your tools.
Teams may bring whatever tools and references they feel would help them, 
though space may be a limiting factor for anything particularly large or 
unusual. If in doubt about the suitability of an item, consult with 
Simona della Luna at Simona.della.Luna at gmail.com no later than 27 
September. Due to the likelihood of a burn ban, do not plan to use open 
flame. There is a large stonework grill next to the competition area 
that may be used, but availability will be limited depending on the 
needs of feast preparation, which will take priority.

6) Assemble your materials.
Teams will provide their own raw materials. All of a team's raw 
materials must fit within a standard file box (15" x 12" x 10"), though 
teams may request an exception for materials of unusual dimensions if 
the total volume of their materials would be less than the allowed 
amount. All exceptions must be requested before 27 September. At the end 
of the competition, all judged items will be donated to the people who 
portrayed the historical personages for whom they were made. This is not 
a contest of how much cash you can throw at a challenge, but rather a 
contest of skill, creativity, and time management. Although cost 
documentation is not required, it is suggested that the total cost of 
all a team's materials should not exceed $25 maximum. You probably 
already have everything you need in your stash.

How Will the Competition be Run?

1) Time and Location
On the day of the competition, teams must arrive at the stone pavilion 
no later than 10 am to receive their final instructions. Judges will be 
announced at this time. The projects must be completed in four (4) 
hours. The start time is 10:15, and the end time is 2:15 pm. The start 
time will not be delayed except at the pleasure of Their Excellencies or 
the Crown - if a member of your team is late or leaves early, your team 
will have to make do with fewer hands for that period of time.

2) The "Secret Ingredient" Revealed
Each competing team will receive a one-page information sheet containing 
information about their client. This will include a full set of 
measurements, any necessary health and safety information about the 
client (e.g., allergic to mushrooms and wool), and a small selection of 
information about the historical or legendary person. Teams are welcome 
to use these information sheets or to rely on their own previous 
research when designing and creating their entries. If needed, a 
15-minute fitting session with the client may be scheduled, subject to 
the schedule and availability of the client.

3) The Work Space
Teams will conduct their work in the competition area, the open-sided 
stone pavilion, which has a full roof and concrete floor. It is adjacent 
to the flush toilets. The competitors will be provided with one 
full-size table, and will have access to one electrical outlet per team. 
Note that teams should bring their own chairs. There is a hose bib 
available, but there is very limited ability to dispose of wastewater. 
If direct sunlight is needed, the use of a nearby area in full sun will 
be allowed (check with Simona before setting up). There will be a 
prominently displayed clock. Any activity that would potentially damage 
the concrete floor is not allowed.

4) The Rules
Team members may leave and re-enter the competition area, but they must 
leave their work there. Team members are expected to demonstrate good 
sportsmanship to each other and to the other participants and organizers 
at all times. Failure to abide by the rules of the competition may 
result in disqualification or a reduction in points awarded, at the 
discretion of the judges. Note that, at their discretion, judges may 
observe some or all of the work in progress. Teams are allowed to submit 
their item(s) before the time limit, but once an item is submitted no 
further work will be allowed (no "oh wait I forgot one last thing"). 
Once the time limit has been reached, no further work will be allowed, 
and all items to be judged must be submitted. This is a hard time limit! 
Teams may submit one or more items, but multiple items will be judged 
altogether as a group.

5) Presentation and Judging
Judging will take place at the stone pavilion beginning at 2:30 pm. 
Teams will select one member who will verbally describe the team's 
creation(s) to the judges. No written description or documentation will 
be accepted by the judges, though competitors are welcome to speak from 
notes if they wish. Descriptions should include a little information 
about the team's chosen client, an explanation of the submitted item(s), 
and a summary of the contributions of each team member. These 
descriptions are intended to be brief, and should not last longer than 
ten minutes or so at the most. Judges may ask questions of team members. 
The "secret ingredient" clients may offer their impression of the item 
to the judges, though the clients will not directly participate in the 
judging. Judging will be performed by a panel of three judges. Each 
judge will award each team up to twenty points: Up to five points will 
be awarded for presentation and overall impression. Up to five points 
will be awarded for the usefulness and appropriateness of the item(s)to 
the team's "secret ingredient" client. Up to ten points will be awarded 
for time management, craftsmanship and technical skill. Judges will fill 
out written score cards showing the points awarded, and may also include 
comments to the competitors. The winning team will be the one with the 
highest total number of points. The written score cards for each team 
will be given to the teams after the winner has been announced. After 
the competition, all judged items will be donated to the people who 
portrayed the historical and legendary personages for whom they were made.

6) The Winners!
The winning team will be announced as the Iron Artisans of Bryn Gwlad's 
Fall Baronial 2013, with all attendant bragging rights.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Iron Artisan Coordinator*
Lady Simona della Luna