[Steppes] Steppes Fighter Practice - 02-13-2005

[Mike]

Heilsa,

This day - in mid-February came closer to what we will be seeing in 
March or even early April. Warm and sunny, the type of weather that 
makes one think of shorts and T-shirts with sandals. Just a perfect day 
to be in the park in armor or even to be on the side lines providing 
support to one and all who are preparing for Gulf Wars in mid-March.

In three weeks time - the last Joint War Practice of Steppes and Elfsea 
will take place - March 6th, 2005 in Mary Heads Carter (MHC) park in 
Carrollton starting at 2 PM.  Combat archery will be included in the 
scenarios for this day as well. Bring your combat archery equipment and 
we will all have fun.

Then the next week will be the beginning of Gulf Wars, March 14th 
through the 20th. Which leaves 3 more Sundays to get your armor in shape 
and prepare yourself for Gulf Wars.  And part of that preparation is to 
practice for war fighting.

Those who came out and got into armor had one of the most enjoyable and 
learning intense practices in some time. There are some due to a sick 
love one, who could not make it and that is understandable, others may 
have had other plans as well. 

If all possible - Mark your calendars to attend the last Joint War 
Practice prior to Gulf Wars on March 6th, 2005, at MHC in Carrollton, 
start time is 2 PM. This practice has been scheduled for months now - 
regardless of the weather - we will be meeting at MHC.

In attendance this day:

Sir Duncan Arthur Ross and his son - Derrick (sp?)
Centurion Morgan Buchanan and his lady, Lady Ciannait Chaimbuel
Lord Hrafn Olafsson - Steppes Knight Marshal,
Lord Roc the Bold,
Lord Guillaume de Troyes and his lady, Lady Isabeau Lallement,
Till
Duncan
Mike and his son Mikey. Mike wore his new helm today - a great helm with 
a chain-mailed drape. Looked sharp.
Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu and his lady Hilary
Robert - he also wore his new closed faced helm today.
and myself - Lord Michael Fray

Total number of fighters in armor this day:  8
Total number of children: 1
Total number in attendance: 16

Centurion Morgan got into armor and that was a welcome site to see. It 
was good to see you out and fighting.

Lord Hrafn Olafsson, did not get into armor, since both of his swords 
had "blown out". Hrafn had acquired two new sticks of rattan from 
Centurion Morgan and should be back in armor before next week. Hrafn 
marshaled the practice and thought of some of the scenarios that was 
used today.

I believe that Centurion Morgan still has some rattan if anyone needs 
some - either in 36 inch or 6 foot lengths.  If interest, contact 
Centurion Morgan.

Instruction was provided to one and all by the more experienced 
fighters. A special Vivat to Sir Duncan and Centurion Morgan for sharing 
their knowledge in the martial arts of this game that we all enjoy 
playing. The instructions involved both sword and shield, plus great 
sword and "club".

Weapons used this day:
Sword
Club
Short Spear
Great Sword

Shields:
Heaters
Round
Oblong round

Practice always starts with one-on-one and when possible and agreed to 
by those present, will finish with melee practices. Not just the normal 
type where each side is even, but where one side is out numbered. About 
1/3 of the time will the sides be even in numbers and the other 2/3's of 
the time will one side out-number the other side.

A show and tell for the those interested in both the SCA and heavy 
fighting was provided for by most of the fighters today as people who 
were interest stopped by and ask questions. Which included allowing both 
parents and their children an opportunity to actually handle the armor 
and the "weapons".

Fights that I witness this day:

Centurion Morgan fighting with heater and sword vs Roc with heater and sword

While on the side lines, Sir Duncan provided instruction in using great 
sword to Till with Derrick and Lord Guillaume watching as well.

Then Till went and challenge Roc with his great sword. Till with great 
sword vs Roc with heater and sword. These two went a couple of passes 
and stop. Sir Duncan came over and provided to both Roc and Till 
additional instruction in both offense and defense involving the great 
sword.

This of course, lead to a re-match between Roc and Till, using the same 
weapons as before - heater shield and sword vs great sword being wielded 
in the same hands as before.

Roc with heater and sword vs Mike with oblong shield and sword.
Sir Duncan fighting with short spear and sword vs Centurion Morgan with 
heater and sword.
Sir Duncan fighting with short spear and sword vs Duncan with heater and 
sword.
Sir Duncan fighting with round shield and sword vs Duncan with heater 
and sword.
Centurion Morgan fighting with great sword vs Till fighting with great 
sword.
Mike fighting with oblong round shield and sword vs Kaneki no Ryuto 
Akimitsu with heater shield and sword.

Sir Duncan providing instruction to both Mike and Kaneki no Ryuto 
Akimitsu with shield and sword.

Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu fighting with round shield and sword vs Till 
with heater shield and sword.
Sir Duncan fighting with heater shield and sword vs Roc fighting with 
heater shield and sword.

Centurion Morgan providing instruction in fighting with great sword to 
Till and Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu.

Centurion Morgan fighting with heater shield sword vs Robert fighting 
with heater shield and sword. Both fighters wearing closed faced helms.
Till fighting with heater and sword vs Mike with oblong shield and sword.
Roc with heater and sword vs Duncan with round shield and sword.

About an hour or so into practice - stopped the one-on-one and went to 
melee practice.

2 on 2 melee (2 rounds):
Duncan with round shield and sword
and Till with heater shield and sword
  vs
Roc with heater shield and sword
and Mike with oblong shield and sword.

Partners were switched:
Roc with heater and sword
and Till with heater shield and sword
  vs
Duncan with round shield and sword
and Mike with oblong shield and sword.

Different type of melee practice:

3 on 1 melee (3 rounds)-
Mike with oblong shield and sword,
Till with heater shield and sword,
and Duncan with round shield and sword
   vs
Roc with heater shield and sword

 One-on-one rounds:
Centurion Morgan with heater shield and sword vs Duncan with round 
shield and sword
Robert with heater shield and sword vs Roc with heater shield and sword

3 on 3 melees (3 rounds):
Centurion Morgan with heater shield and sword,
Till with heater shield and sword,
Roc with heater shield and sword
  vs
Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu with club,
Roc with heater shield and sword,
Mike with oblong shield and sword

4 on 3 melee (1 round):
Mike with oblong shield and sword,
Till with heater shield and sword, 
Duncan with round shield and sword,
and Roc with heater shield and sword
  vs
Centurion Morgan with heater shield and sword, 
Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu with club,
and Robert with heater shield and sword.

4 on 2 melees (2 rounds):
Centurion Morgan with heater shield and sword
and Roc with heater shield and sword
  vs
Till with heater shield and sword,
Mike with oblong shield and sword,
Duncan with round shield and sword,
and Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu with club

5 on 2 melees (1 round):
Centurion Morgan with heater shield and sword
and Roc with heater shield and sword
  vs
Till with heater shield and sword,
Mike with oblong shield and sword,
Duncan with round shield and sword,
Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu with club,
and Robert with heater shield and sword.


Michael Fray