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Thoughts regarding the SCA.

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Kenneth:
I have a few questions regarding the SCA and I hope it's okay I ask them here.
I know there are facebook pages for the different kingdoms but I thought I would try asking here first as I know a few here are members and the group as a whole seem very helpfull.
It's not as much questions actually as it is thought I've had I wanted to share and hopefully get some response to.

I've been thinking about getting into SCA for a few years now but there are some things holding me back and making me unsure if the SCA would be for me.
Biggest problem is that I live in Denmark and there are no SCA presence here whatsoever and the closest one seems to be in stockholm, and from what I've understood, if you are to fight in SCA events you have to be "certified" and practice regularly and I simply do not have the time nor economy to travel that far on a regular basis...especially if I am to save up for larger events around Europe.
I'm not really sure what other options I have in this regard as I can't very well train myself.

I also have to admit that having read a few threads on the AA and comments to various SCA vidos and seen quite a bit of bashing of LARP and the people who participate in it, I've gotten at sense of a "better than them" attitude which proberbly, sadly, have sullied my view on the SCA.
I've seen alot of comments that it's an insult to be compared to LARP, that in the SCA they fight for real and LARP'ers just roll dice, throw rice at eachother and that the SCA is more serious because it's historical, contrary to LARP which is fantasy (which in itself is not true, as there's alot of non-fantasy LARPs).
I'm well aware that far from all SCA'ers share this opinion, but roleplaying have been a big part of my life and proberbly "saved" me as a kid so it means alot to me and I hope it's a bit clear why I may be turned off by such comments.
I also worry that if I become part of the SCA I will run into alot of these people and won't be able to keep my mouth shut and in that way become alienated.

The thing that originally got me interested was the focus on history combined with a sort of sport, in the fighting aspect but looking at pictures and videos it almost seems like it's a minority who actually have historical gear.
I know it sounds very rude and I do not mean to cause offence but I got really confused when I saw people in modern protective gear, blue foam in helmets and metal shields...with actually only few having real historical kits.
Have I completely missed the point here?...or am I just an elitist jerk?

Now there are ofcause things I do like about the SCA.
I really like the structure it has with titles, organized tournaments and all that, really speaks to me and it seems you can really be someone within the SCA by the merit of your skills and your activity...and ofcause, the registered coat of arms is a big plus as well.
I also really like the idea of knighthood...that you can actually become a squire to a knight who would train you and then some day be knighted within the SCA...which ofcause you can as well in LARP, but there you most of the time just create your character as a knight and show up, you haven't really earned it as such.

All in all I guess I'm just confused and unsure as to wheter it would be the right thing for me or if I should just stick to LARP, but as I mentioned in my introduction thread I'm kinda stuck in the middle between LARP, Reenacting and SCA and a part of me want to combine it all into one, great "super hobby".

I know it may all sound a bit like rambling and part of it is me just trying to get a few thoughts out I've been having for a while...and I hope I haven't offended anyone by sharing this.
If any of you somehow have any form of advice, ideas or anything like it, I would love to hear it.

Sir Rodney:
I can’t speak for the SCA / LARP relationship in Denmark as I’ve never been there, having only reached northern Germany in my travels.   In the U.S., upper Midwest specifically, there does seem to be a rift between the two groups.  Obviously there’s cross-over, more than most would admit.   ;)

Don’t take the ramblings on the AA too seriously as those are the voices of a few who have determined that their weekend extracurricular activity is better than the activity chosen by everyone else.  My experience is that the stateside LARPers don’t hold a candle to the European LARPers in regards to kits and combat.  This is, of course, a generalization that I’ve observed from on line forums, photographs, and videos.  One persons point of view, take it with a grain of salt.

There’s hundreds of arguments on AA and other forums whether SCA / LARP/ Living History / HEMA / WMA / fill-in-the-blank is “better” than another group.  These arguments miss the point.  Each group focuses on a particular time and/or activity and, thus, can’t be directly compared to another.  Many people are involved in several groups sequentially or simultaneously.  Only the individual can determine what’s right for them.

I used to hold the belief that the SCA was the best thing since sliced bread.  Time and experience has taught me that you need to do whatever it is that fulfills you.  Give something new an honest try.  If you like it then “great”, if not move on to the next adventure…   :)

Kenneth:
I agree with all you said there.

There's not really a relationship here as there are no SCA at all in Denmark, there is a bit with reenactment and LARP, but I think both groups recognize that people are in it for different reasons.

This is the video that sort of sparked my doubts about joining the SCA, along with comments on forums etc.


The guy in the video is not an SCA but foamfighter (not quite sure what that is) but there's a few in the comments that, and I'm ashamed to admit it, got my blood boiling...comments about people not getting hurt in LARP, but do in SCA and that somehow makes it "better".
But just the guy in the video seems very condecending in the way he talks about LARP'ing and when I look at the clips of foamfighting, I just think "that's LARP...but without the story"...and he says that he's more athletics, which is why he's doing foamfighting and not LARP'ing and I just get a feeling of being back in school with the "jocks".

This is one of the comments from the video:
"In An Tir it is more about how you can improve your physical prowess. We hit hard and learn how to take hard hits. We still celebrate and feast and drink. But those activities are icing on the cake. The main part is about fighting to your last breath and becoming a better fighter for it. And at the end of the day that makes the feast and drink and music all the sweeter. And just because we try and break bones does not mean we actually get to accomplish that fact. As you said, the armor is there for a reason and with out it many would suffer many more injuries then a few broken bones. Besides what can be more prideful then to say that a fighter was good enough to break your bones? I look forward to the next annual SCA moot which is to be held in glorious An Tir. And you said that in the east kingdom that the fighting aspect is only a minor part in the SCA? I find that sad. We are fighters. We participate in SCA events and tournaments to get away form the civilized world to take part in simpler times and enjoy true physical activity. I say SCA is primarily fighting with a great many, wonderful and interesting i might add, activities on the side. "

To be honest, that scares me.

I have heard many times that LARP in the US is very different from how it is in Europe and I'm ashamed to say that making fun os US LARP'ing isn't uncommon here.
I did hear a story about a European LARP'er moving to the US and wanted to continue, but found that unlike here people don't pay to participate in events and spend very little time and money on costumes and props...which I guess is the main difference, maybe we take it more seriously.

Wheter or not I join the SCA may end up being a moot point, as there is not presence here.
May have to ask on the European SCA facebook page what my options are in this case.

Sir Rodney:
I watched the video and see your point.  This guy seems very full of himself and whatever LARP/SCA hybrid group he belongs to.

The quote you provided also appears to be from an individual very full of himself.  No one I know in the SCA “tries to break bones”.  We all have families, jobs, real life at the end of an event.  I get enough injuries from incidental contact.  I have, and will, notify a Marshal if I noticed some D-bag “swinging for the fence” on the field.  Save that stuff for the ACL.

Again, be aware that people who post videos of their favorite recreational pass time on the internet only represent a small fraction of all those who actually participate in that activity.  Read through the lines and the personalities.   ;)

Sir James A:
^ what Lord Rodney said, regarding safety.

ANYONE trying to break bones in ANY recreational combat: SCA, LARP, WMA/HEMA, or otherwise, should be removed from participation. That's stupidity and blatant disregard for the safety of others.

The quotes make the guy sound like a complete idiot. I've had minimal SCA experience in the US, for a year, over a decade ago, and it was nothing like what he says it is.

edit: Basically, go try it, if you like it, keep doing it, if you don't, quit and find something else. :)

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