[Steppes] Steppes Archer Competition at Artisan on August 2

[jspinks@ix.netcom.com]

Unto the Archers of Ansteorra- Greetings, Challenge, and Invitation to compete!

Although the Fates prevented the determination at Warlord of who was to
hold the title of Steppes Archer for the coming year, we will be making the
determination instead at Steppes Artisan.   Do you have what it takes to be
the Steppes Archer- one of the best archers in all Ansteorra?

The competition will start at 11 A.M. real time and, as at Warlord, there
will be two lists- one for crossbow and one for bow.  You may participate
in one or both lists.  Crossbow will fire standing up.  At the end of the
rounds- the best crossbowman will face the best bowman.   Archers and
crossbowmen must score in each round in order to advance to the next round.  All
archers of Bowman rank and above are encouraged to compete.  Unranked
archers will be admitted to the list on their honor and the discretion of the
Steppes Archery Marshal.

Two of the prizes for this shoot will be as before- 1 dozen Purpleheart
footed period arrows contributed by the Steppes Bowyers and Fletchers Guild
and a 6 foot oak longbow- English tillerd and linen backed.  

Since some are aware of this competition- all shall be made aware of the
skill required to win this challenging shoot and thus earn the right to the
title of Steppes Archer.  Art thou one of those with such skill?  Will you
miss such a chance to try your skill or simply to improve it and measure it 
against others?

Round 1- Castle shoot- Can you help the barony in time of war and siege of 
the enemy?  Shooting for score from a distance through a narrow opening at 
the target on the other side.  This shall be a timed shoot and shall
require that the archer must step behind a pavise after each shot to reload. Top 
75% of archers advance

Round 2- The Hunt- Can you put meat on the Barons table?  A varmint target 
moves from left to right away from you and a deer target moves from rigth 
to left away.  Scores according to difficulty of target and accuracy of
hit. Top 50% of archers advance.

Round 3- Archers Bar- The enemy fires from narrow slits high on the castle 
wall.  Can you take out the opponent by putting an arrow through the slit?
One vertical and two horizontal bars- arrow must be completely within the
black of the target to count.  Top 50% of archers advance

Round 4-  Fighting Archer- A moving archer is difficult to hit.  Can you
shoot and move at the same time?  Archers get one shot at each of a number
of targets at varying range as they walk down the firing line.  This will be 
timed to 30 seconds and eight targets.

Round 5- Crossbow vs Bow- Round to be determined.

Many champion archers will show their skill in this tourney.  Many are
those that will participate and many are those that will find their skill does 
not measure up to the reqirements of the Steppes.  All archers that
participate in this tourney can claim to be amongst the best of Ansteorra. Some
(probably of Trimaran lineage) will be intimidated by the difficulty of the
tourney and fail to challenge themselves and those that have the courage to compete.   

There will be a short break between rounds 1 and 2 for lunch and for those 
that bring their steel- knife and ax targets to practice on following the
competition.  Some loaner knives or axes may be available but do not count on it.

See the Website for directions on how to get to the site of Steppes Artisan/Steppes Archer/Champion http://www.steppes.org/artisan/

Jacque the Spink
Steppes Archery Marshal