[Steppes] Steppes Fighter Practice - 8-22-04

[meggiddo at netzero.net]

Heilsa, 

A hearty VIVAT to Hrafn (Curtis), our Knight Marshal, with his splendor
showing at Pennsic this year. Hrafn will be back at practice next Sunday
- 8-29-04.

Next Sunday, 8-29-04, will be the last opportunity to gain practice in
melee before Gothic Wars. Those of you, that have attending and learning
to fight as a group will have a more enjoyable time at Gothic Wars
because of your time spent in practice. It will show on the battlefield!

A brief shower occurred at 11:30 AM and last all of 10 minutes. Of
course, the humidity rose right after the rain fell to the ground. The
sky cleared and the sun shined down.

Note about attendance, fighter practice and the weather:

The park (Mary Heads Carter in Carrollton) drains extremely well. The
month of June where we have rain most of that month, the field was still
suitable for a heavy fighter practice every Sunday afternoon.

It makes NO difference if it is Hot (100+) or Cold (25 degrees) or rain
or shine.  We will be in the park.  We have been there even when it
started to snow.

What can we do if it is raining?  Work on various projects - armor,
weapons, etc., spend some time in a social gathering. Usually the
pavilion is empty and we have it all to our selves.

When the rain lets up, then practice will continue.

So, come on out - even if it is raining where you are, does not mean it
will be raining in the park.

After practice, we have a social gathering at one of the near buffets.
Nothing like sitting down to hot meal and cold drinks in hand, in a cool
or warm building (depending upon the season of course) with the memories
fresh in all of our minds to re-fight those one-on-one battles or the
group melee scenarios. To discuss possible improvements in armor,
fighting style, or to just generally discuss the state of the world in
general.


In attendance at this practice were the following:

Sir Mahdi, Baron of the Steppes, 

Sir Duncan of Clan Ross,

Centurion Morgan and his Lady Kim, 

Hosey and his children - Tori, Jon, and Nikko. Hosey is the Commander of
the Condottieri. He trained and mentor Hrafn (Curtis).

Chiara - captain of the Steppes Baronial Guard,

Roc the Bold and his Lady Icia, Roc is also an excellent make of armor.

Clayton, who do not fight but stopped by and picked up his helm that Roc
had made for him.

Honor from Elfsea, - nice to see you come out and fight, 

Matt and his Lady Nicole  - Matt having decided to become a member of
the Barony Guard.

Aria and his brother Donyell, - men-at-arms to Vicki,

Josh, - new fighter,

Robert - a transplant from Mid Realm,

Duncan and his Lady Kitty,

Eric and his Lady Stephanie, with their children,

Linda and her son, Levi.

Melissa,

Neal,

Dux, Cathy, and Thomas of the Fray were present - Thomas being the only
one to armor up. I do not recall seeing Thomas fighting during the
one-on-one phase of practice. Do recalling seeing all three leaving
during the melee portion of the practice. They did not fight melee.


Happenings:

Various individual fights started the day as usually. Some of the fights
that I recall:

Vicki vs. Aria
Vicki vs. Donyell
Aria vs. Donyell
Sir Mahdi vs. Roc - Roc just recently became a man-at-arms to Sir Mahdi.
Chiara vs. Linda in spear training
Hosey vs. Melissa
Hosey vs. Honor
Josh vs. Matt
Matt vs. Vicki

These are the ones that I recall and I hope that I got the pairings
correct.

Combat archery calibration for Chiara, Eric, Robert, and Duncan
(non-belted one) occurred before melee practice.

A simple resurrection battle took place on a restricted field much like
a bridge or a gate battle would be at a SCA War event. Valuable training
took place for all this day.

The training involved learning how to work together as group or unit.
This type of training needs to take place long before anyone takes the
field at a SCA War event. The feedback both at the individual level and
at the group level is beyond price, especially, if you are serious about
war!

The sides were chosen and consisted of the following:

Sir Duncan carrying sword and shield,
Robert carrying sword and shield,
Eric carrying sword and shield,
Matt carrying sword and shield,
Vicki carrying sword and shield. - Commanding
Aria carrying sword and shield,
Donyell carrying sword and shield,
Josh carrying unpadded glaive,
Linda carrying 9-foot fiberglass spear,

Vs.,

Sir Mahdi carrying sword and shield,
Honor carrying sword and shield,
Centurion Morgan carrying sword and shield,
Roc carrying great axe,
Hosey carrying sword and shield - Commanding,
Duncan carrying sword and shield,
Chiara carrying 9-foot fiberglass spear,
Michael - combat archer with both UHMW and Baldar Blunts and 30 lb bow.

The two different commanders offered up two separate style of command
during a SCA melee. It needs to be noted that each commander of any unit
will have their own style that suits them. In addition, the better
commanders will take advantage of what each fighter reporting them has
to offer. This mix of fighters will vary from scenario to scenario -
thus a successful commander will adjust to ensure their side will always
have the advantage, which does not necessary mean or equal to the number
of fighters following them nor their individual skill levels. Enough
soap box.

The restricted field battles set up so that if some one stepped over the
boundary markers, then they were "Dead" and had to go back to the
resurrection point and wait until one side or another was completely
killed off. 

Example of this scenario:

Both sides came out and faced off and the fight was on. When the dust
cleared (so to speak) on side, there were 4 fighters still on the field,
while the other side had been "killed" off. The other side came out in
force to fight the last 4 fighters that still held the field. Thus,
these 4 fighters got too experienced being out number and having to
fight more that one foe at a time. This type of scenario does happen
more often than one might think.
To those who have not been in such a scenario before nor have practiced
for it a question?

How well would you fare?

Combat archery was involved a portion of the time. I did set out on one
scenario to re-inspect and re-load my quiver. 

Plus, allow the heavy fighters an opportunity not to worry about this
"old archer, who is getting on in years"! :)

Three separate battles were completed - note a battle here is where we
went 4 or 5 even 6 times before it was agreed that we needed a break.

At which time, we stopped fighting, got some water, rested a bit and
discussed both the triumphs and the defeats of those battles. Once,
again valuable feedback provided to all during this rest periods.

The beginning of the 4th battle was called due to lighting and thunder.
It then started to rain. Small drops of cooling water fell to the ground
and those of us that were lucky enough had some fall on us.

The weather from start to finish proved to be delightful for August. The
sun shone down at the beginning of practice, and by the middle of the
practice the sky have become overcast, providing additional shade for
all. Plus, the humidity had drop.

Once again, I provided a shade pavilion and a "Thank You" to Aria,
Donyell, Nikko, Tori, and Vicki in assisting in set-up.

Tear Down group - Donyell, Chiara, Nikko, Matt, and Aria.

I hope that have listed all of those who pitched and help. In
additional, a "Thank You" to Sir Duncan for the use of his weapons and
shields that help outfitted some of the newer fighters so that they
could get on the field.

I have not forgotten that Aria loaned out a sword and Roc loaned out a
sword and one of the Condottieri's shields.

Of course, there were a free exchange of advice and pointers for every
one.

Next Sunday, the agenda will be practice both one-on-one at the
beginning and then melee war practice.

Remember to bring plenty of water and what were else you would like to
drink and/or snack on. No alcoholic drinks though, park rules!

Remember, next Sunday is August 29th, the last weekend before Gothic
Wars. There will melee practice. So one and all come out and join a side
- See how well you would fare as part of a group in practice? 


Michael Fray
Unit Combat Artillery for the Condottieri
Steppes Deputy Knight Marshal
Combat Archery Authorizing Marshal at Large
King's Archer
Holder of the Gryce