[Steppes] Steppes Fighter Practice - 05-15-2005

[Mike]

Heilsa,

This past Sunday was an excellent day to be out and about, the day was 
bright with sunshine, with some clouds in the sky. The wind was from the 
north with a bit of a chill to it, although windy and gusting, it was 
still a beautiful day to be in armor and training to "kill" your friends. :)

In less than three weeks time, another Joint War Practice have been 
scheduled with the baronies of Elfsea and Steppes on the first Sunday of 
June - June 5th, 2005 at 2 PM.

The location will be Elfsea's normal fighting practice field - Veteran's 
Park in Arlington, street address: 3600 W Arkansas Ln., Arlington, TX 
76016-5835.

This is the link for Elfsea's fighter practice information.

http://www.elfsea.net/Events/fighter_practices.htm

In the 1st sentence on the above web page, is another link for a yahoo 
map, click on the word "Veteran's Park", and a map should appear.

Or could just go to the main Elfsea web site and follow the links:

http://www.elfsea.net/

The below is a list of dates and locations for the next two months of 
Summer:
June 5th, 2005 - Veteran's Park, Arlington - Elfsea
July 3rd, 2005 - Mary Heads Carter, Carrollton - Steppes
   Combat Archery will be involved on July 3rd.

Link below is the map to Steppes fighter practice:

http://www.steppes.org/graphics/maps/mhc_p.gif

Back to Fighter Practice this past Sunday:

People fighting this day:  20
Children:  5
Total in attendance: 39
Tournament style or individual fights noted: 54

Weapons used this day:
Sword
Rattan Spear
Fiberglass spear
Great Sword

Shields:
Rectangle shield
Heater
Round
Buckler
Kite

Type of training that took place:
Tournament style of fighting

Melee/war practice
Spear training scenarios:
2 on 1
3 on 2
4 on 3 - open field scenarios. Combat Archery training was involved in 
the Melee/war practice with all archers being NON-CONTACT for this 
scenario, including myself; plus a stationary reference point. A good 
method of introduction to combat archery, rather than just shooting at a 
stationary reference point.

Eight tournament squares were established to aid all who wish to train 
for fighting in the future tournaments, with the next event being 
Warlord XXXII.  For those who have never fought in a tournament, the 
skill level of each individual is quickly determined by entering each 
square and facing off with an opponent. The winner advances and the 
loser does not, it is just that simple.

And if you are wondering, it is always a good idea that if you are able 
to attend an event, enter the tournament at that event, regardless of 
your skill level.

Each of the tournament squares is 25 feet in area. Thanks to Lord 
CinaedOHosey for the material in establishing the squares.

The format of this was design to allow for fighters to enter and have a 
continuous series of fights going on. A pair of fighters enter, the 
winner advances to the next square, while the loser of the previous 
fight waits for the next fighter to enter the square. Thus, continuing 
round of fighting is being offered here. The results being determined by 
this type of training.

One - the level of skill that each fighter brings to practice is - for 
the better fighters will advanced to the next level of skill, and the 
those who do not advanced will remain and continue to learn at their level.

The skill level of fighting will shake it's out so that there will be at 
a minimum of three levels:
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

actually there will be additional levels of skill being displayed as 
well, for there will be individuals who will move up and down the above 
levels on various days of practice. Thus, those whose skill is somewhere 
in between will get exposure to the better fighters at these various 
levels. This is with the hope that over time with constant attendance, 
additional advice, and practice each will advance into the next skill 
level, thus advancing and improving the quality and quantity of 
fighting, not only at the Steppes practice, but at other tournaments, 
plus War events.

As always - instruction was provided for by the more advanced fighters. 
Sir Count Mahdi - Baron of Steppes, Baron Firth, Centurion Morgan - 
Central Knight Marshal, Lord Hrafn - Steppes Knight Marshal, Lord 
CinaedOHosey, Lord Damon, Lord Michael, and Till. These are the 
individuals that I witness providing instruction at various times 
throughout the day. Always as a training tool - ax handles to warm up 
and learn basic techniques of how to swing a sword for the newer fighters.

Spear training melees:
2 on 1:
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword
vs
Baron Fritz with shield and sword
Eric with heater and sword

2 on 1:
Melanie with fiberglass spear
Rose with fiberglass spear
vs
Lord Damon with rattan spear

2 on 2:
Melanie with fiberglass spear
Rose with fiberglass spear
vs
Baron Fritz with shield and sword
Lord Richard with rattan spear

2 on 2:
Rose with fiberglass spear
Dirk with great sword
vs
Lord Damon with fiberglass spear
Lord Richard with rattan spear

3 on 2:
Melanie with fiberglass spear
Rose with fiberglass spear
Lord Damon with round shield and sword
vs
Baron Fritz with shield and sword
Lord Richard with rattan spear

3 on 2:
Sir Mahdi with buckler and sword
Lord RIchard with rattan spear
vs
Melanie with fiberglass spear
Rose with fiberglass spear
Lord Damon with round shield and sword

4 on 3:
Sir Mahdi with buckler and sword
Lord Dirk the Dead
Rose with fiberglass spear

vs
These 5 fighters alternated between sides
Lord Damon with fiberglass spear
Lord Richard rattan spear
Bjorn with heater and sword
Eric with heater and sword

The archers were opposing the Sir Mahdi and his side.
Only one archer at a time was one the field.
Melanie as a Non-Contact archer - 30 lb. recurve
Joe as a Non-Contact archer - 30 lb. recurve
Lord Michael as a Non-Contact archer - 30 lb. recurve, providing 
instruction and live fire examples for the these two new combat archers. 
Note - the Non-Contact status was for this practice only.

Attendance this day:

Sir Baron Qadi 'Abd al-Mahdi Jamal ibn Hakim - Baron of Steppes,
   and his lady, Countess Valeria Richila Navarro - Baroness of Steppes,
    with their son, Alexander

Visitor from the Western Region:
Dirk the Dead

Clan Ross:
Centurion Morgan Buchanan (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan)  - Central Region 
Knight Marshal,
     and his lady, Lady Ciannait Chaimbuel
Lord Richard of Durnsford (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan),
    and his lady, HL Mary Elisabeth
Lord Hrafn Olafsson (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan) - Steppes Knight Marshal,
     and his lady, Lady Elizabeta di Valore della Rosa
Lord Roc the Bold (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan)
Eric and his lady, Stephanie
     and their daughter: Katherin

Condottieri:
Lord CinaedOHosey and children
   Tori, Jon, and Nikko
Lord Michael Fray

Baron Fritz der Rothirsch

Lady Honour du Bois
Lord Damon Xanthns
Lord Richard

Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu
     and his lady, Hilliary
Kaneki spent most of the practice working on his personal armor, he 
managed to get into armor toward the end of the day and get some 
one-on-one fighting.

Till
Joe
Rose
Byorn inn Svarti
Billy
Cuhlwch
Matthew and his lady,   L. Rose of Naareth
Melanie
Malcom of Strathclyde - professor from UNT with students
   Jesus (El Loco)
    and I failed to get the other two names.

Plus, at least one or two others while I was out on the field providing 
instruction in Combat Archery.

Tournament style or one-on-one fights I witness this day:
Lord Hrafn with round shield vs Till with great sword
Baron Fritz with rectangle shield and sword vs Lord Hrafn with round shield
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and sword
Billy with round shield and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and 
sword vs
Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Billy with round shield and sword
Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Lord Hrafn with round shield
Till floretine vs Lord Damon with round shield and sword
Baron Fritz with rectangle shield and sword vs Billy with round shield 
and sword
Lord Damon with round shield and sword vs Billy with round shield and sword
Billy with round shield and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Lord Hrafn with buckler and sword vs Lord Damon with round shield and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Baron Fritz with buckler and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and sword
Lord Richard with kite shield and sword vs Billy with round shield and sword
Lord Richard with kite shield and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Lord Damon with round shield and sword vs Lord Hrafn with buckler and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and sword
Billy with round shield and sword vs Lord Richard with kite and sword
Till with heater and sword vs Lord Damon with round shield and sword
Baron Fritz with shield and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and sword
Lord Damon with round shield and sword vs Billy with round shield and sword
Rose with sword and inverted sword vs Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and 
sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Baron Fritz with shield and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Billy with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Lord Richard with kite and sword
Lord Richard with kite and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Lord Damon with round shield and sword
Eric with heater and sword vs Lord Damon with single sword
Till with heater and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Lord Damon with round shield 
and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Lord Hrafn with round shield and sword
Lord CinaedoHosey with fiberglass spear vs Rose with fiberglass spear
Melanie with fiberglass spear vs Rose with fiberglass spear
Lord Hrafn with round shield and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Lord Damon with round shield and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and sword
Lord Damon with round shield and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with heater and sword vs Lord Damon with round shield and sword
Billy with No-dachi vs Bjorn with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with buckler and sword vs Lord Damon wit round shield and sword
Baron Fritz with shield and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Sir Mahdi with buckler and sword vs Bjorn with heater and sword
Till with great sword vs Billy with No-dachi
Rose with fiberglass spear vs Melanie with fiberglass spear
Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Bjorn with heater and sword
Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
Dirk with great sword vs Till with great sword

Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Jesus with round shield and sword
(This is Jesus 1st time in armor and fighting). Centurion Morgan 
providing the basic level of instruction for Jesus.

Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and sword vs Lady Honour with buckler and 
sword
Lady Honour with buckler and sword vs Dirk with single sword
Sir Mahdi with buckler and sword vs Dirk with single sword
Sir Mahdi with buckler and sword vs Kaneki with No-dachi

Combat archery training using a stationary reference point:
Melanie
Joe
Dirk
I, Lord Michael Fray,  was providing the instruction. 30 lb., recurve 
being used. Reference point - 20 feet from archer.



YIS,

Lord Michael Fray
  Combat Archer for the Condottieri
  King's Archer
  Steppes Deputy Knight Marshal
  Steppes Deputy Hospitaler