[Steppes] Steppes Fighter Practice - 8-28-2005

[Mike]

Heilsa,

Reminder - NO FIGHTER PRACTICE nor JOINT WAR PRACTICE next Sunday 
(9-04-2005) over the Labor Day Weekend - See Gothic paragraph.

Earlier in the day around noon or so, the air felt heavy and still - 
waiting or holding it's breathe prior to start of a race or for thunder 
to announce a change. The day continue as the sun journeys a well worn 
path while the clouds shielded the ground from the sun -

with promises to keep,
and miles to go
until one and all could sleep.

The wind came from several directions as if it would herald a storm 
whose clouds promise so much, while the temperature remain with in the 
parameters of the year (93F).  Toward the end of practice, there was a 
cooling north wind.

A tournament was held this past Sunday August 28, 2005, St Augustine's 
day, Alexandria
Victoria Francesca, daughter of HL Chiara Francecsa Arianna d'Onofrio, 
celebrated the
completion of her first full decade of life. In her honor, HL Chiara 
Francecsa Arianna d'Onofrio
sponsored a tiny tourney.  Alexandria handed out ribbons to the fighters 
and she and the other
children watch the fighters engaged in armor combat to honor Alexander 
Victoria Francesca and
her 1st decade of life with fond wishes for many more to come.

I will let those who ran the tournament make any comments and/or 
announcements concerning it.
Lady Rose of Naareth - was List Mistress for the tournament this day and 
assisted by Lady Hanna.
There was good brisket and cake for all who showed up after the tournament.

Centurion Morgan as the Central Regional Knight Marshal performed two 
authorizations at the end of the tournament:
Siggy One Eye
George

The usual reminder:
Please bring at least 1 gallon or more of water and gatorade. I 
recommend 2 gallons of fluids
and snacks to replenish your energy levels. Plus, various types of snacks -
 - cold pickles
 - oranges
 - energy bars
 - etc...
There are two water fountains in the park, plus
there are several stores close by that carry these items and more.

Everyone paced themselves, resting when their bodies spoke above
the desire to swing that sword, block with that shield. One and all had
supplied themselves with water and gatorade, then it was back out to 
fight some more.

A brief announcement from Lord Hrafn Olafsson - Steppes Knight Marshal

"Just a reminder from your friendly neighborhood Knight Marshall. There
will be no official fighter practice on 09/04/05 due to a conflict
with GOTHIC WAR XV.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this event, it is held in the
Western region of the Kingdom, and is an EXCELLENT opportunity to get
in some melee and tournament fighting. I would recommend attending you
possibly can."

Gothic War:
Labor Day Weekend - September 2nd through 5th
Sweetwater, Texas - it is the old site
Heavy fighting melees on Saturday, with tournaments on Sunday.
Gothic War is also host to the Amazon household 25th anniversary 
celebration,
the annual Crane Party. Haflas are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday night
Gothic webpage <http://adlersruhe.ansteorra.org/Gothic.html>


Fighter Practice involves just that - practice and training. To reach 
our goals, then both words come into focus.

Training involves separate levels -
Basic level to "good"
Man-At-Arms and/or Squire entry level
Centurion level
Tournament level

Practice is to reach the above levels, maintain those same levels,  then 
going beyond those levels to stretch one's boundaries.

People in armor:  10
Children:  6
Total in attendance:  21

Weapons used this day:
Sword

Shields used this day:
Heater
Round

In Attendance:

Clan Ross:
Sir Earl Duncan Arthur Ross
    and daughter - Tressa
Centurion Morgan Buchanan (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan)  - Central Region 
Knight Marshal
Lord Richard of Durnsford (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan)
Lord Hrafn Olafsson (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan) - Steppes Knight Marshal
Eric
     and children:
     daughter - Katherin
     and sons - Michael and Brandon

Condottieri:
Lord CinaedOHosey and children
   and sons - Jon and Nikko
Lord Michael Kettering

Fray:
Frenchy
Siggy one Eye
George

HL Chiara Francecsa Arianna d'Onofrio and
    daughter - Alexandria Victoria Francesca
HL Chiara whose is captain of the Steppes Baronial Guard
    and Apprentice to Master Fritz

Lady Hanna von Dahl was named Keeper of the Flame Artisan. 
Lady Hanna displayed some wonderful tablet, pick-up and inkle woven pieces.
Lady Hanna also assisted Lady Rose of Naareth as a list mistress for the 
tournament.

Lord Matthew,
   and his lady, Lady Rose of Naareth -
         who was List Mistress for the tournament this day


Individual fights prior to the Tournament:
Lord Richard with round and sword vs Lord Hrafn with heater and sword
Lord Hrafn with heater and sword vs Lord Matthew with round and sword
Till with heater and sword vs Lord Hrafn with heater and sword
Sir Duncan with heater and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater and sword
 Lord Richard with round and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Sir Duncan with heater and sword vs Lord Matthew round and sword
Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and sword vs Lord Richard with round and 
sword

Individual fights after Tournament:
Siggy with kite and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Lord CinaedOHosey with heater and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Centurion Morgan with buckler and sword vs George with buckler and sword
Lord CinaedOHosey with heater and sword vs Centurion Morgan with heater 
and sword


YIS,
 Lord Michael Kettering
  Combat Archer for the Condottieri
  King's Archer
  Steppes Deputy Knight Marshal
  Steppes Deputy Hospitaler