SCA members?

[Draconis]

Hi Suhel,

What were you thinking for equipment and changes? from what i've sene in the SCA there wasnt much enthusiasm for Roman equipment, most guys wanted plate armor or German pattern salets.

I have rarely seen Roman gear in SCA, almost none. Salets are really good for SCA combat as its very hard to get a solid shot with all the glancing surfaces. Does everyone know what SCA combat entails? You are swinging a weapon weighing at least a kilo maybe more, fas enough and hard enough to constitute a killing blow had they been using a steel weapon. Thats pretty hard. Hence the need for safety and protection. The person who recieves such a blow in an acceptible target area is expected on his or her honor, to fall down dead if its a killing blow, or stop using an arm or leg if the blow lands there. So all attack and no defense is not really an option as it would mean ignoring blows that would have killed you but the protection you were wearing prevented your demise.

They have terms for those who do not take blows, and its not Mr. Popularity. The whole purpose is to enjoy the combat without anyone gettingseriously hurt and party and tell war stories all night. Even with the protection, you do get bruises even through that. Much fodder for war stories that evening.

A common sight at a war, after a day's fighting is someone showing a huge bruise cheerfully proclaiming " You should have seen how I got this..." Everybody expects a few bruises, but no broken bones.

Safety is so important though, the sight of a helm with broken chin strap flying 12 feet over a ferociously fought melee comes to mind.

But between the fighting and partying, an SCA war is about as close to Valhalla as you can get and live to tell about it.