...don't blame me.

Blame the history teachers.

And this is why we should never leave Photoshop in the hands of heralds.

My apologies to Doghouse Diaries.

And here's the scroll and medallion! (see, I told you it was shiny.)

Remind me to never flip off a comment that could actually give someone a bad idea.

This is why.

(10:37:51 AM) zephyrofgod: Just as long as the baronies don't fight over who gets me, I'm fine. :P
(10:41:26 AM) zephyrofgod: But anyway.
(10:42:33 AM) Cathus: Last I heard they were going to do a double-elim tourney among the baronial champions to decide who gets you. I know there was some discussion about allowing the shires and colleges to "hire" champions as well.
(10:43:14 AM) Cathus: TRMs champions are not allowed to participate, because they already have you
(10:43:56 AM) zephyrofgod: ...ow.
(10:44:11 AM) zephyrofgod: That hurts my head.
( tourney-planning for dummies )
(10:55:31 AM) Cathus: The tourney for snort-inducement of Constantia
(10:55:49 AM) zephyrofgod: And you know, every damn person who knows me would be lined up to compete.

No more will I travel, No more will I roam.
No more will I wander on salty sea foam." - Leaving Song, Andrixos Seljukroctonis

Home is a wonderful place, and I felt at home with this event. Thank you, Vatavia.

One. I know too many big words. But not as many as baronnemelisend.

Two. Valor was amazing. And I am so happy I got to go.

( and away we go! )

In short, amazing, awesome, and incredible.

And so I can mention everyone I saw and hung out with (so no one feels hurt), I'm listing them. Ha. Ha ha ha ha.

In alphabetical order: ( my silly bit of silliness ) Phew.

Here's one for the SCAdians... tell us all about your lives in the Modern Middle Ages. Start with your SCA name and basic persona: Constantia Aemiliana Kaloethes, a sixth century textiles merchant from Constantinople, living now in Calontir. Better market, y'know. :)

1. What is your favorite Kingdom besides the one you live in?
You mean, I can't pick Calontir? I have to admit it was fun hanging out with TRH Nigel and Adrielle of Ealdormere, and given how Ealdormere's struggle to become a kingdom was much like Calontir's, I think that's why they might be my favourite. (Yet, I have yet to step a foot into Canada. This much be rectified.) My problem is that online, I hang out with many gentles from all over the Knowne World, and it's hard to decide what kingdom I like. I really need to brush up on my inter- and intrakingdom anthropology, really.

2. What event do you try NEVER to miss?
I hate missing Coronations and Crown Tourneys. I've made most of them in the past few years, but thanks to the snowpocalypse at TRM Ariel and Martino's Coronation, I wasn't able to make it. Still, what the hell is with the natural disasters at Calontir Coronations? Luther and Maerwynn's Coronation took place in drenching rains, the snowpocalypse for Martino and Ariel's Coronation...I'm afraid to ask what TRH Hirsch and Magdelena's Coronation'll bring.

3. What was your original persona?
I'm still on my original persona! Ha! I win!

4. How long have you played in the SCA?
I was in the fringe for about three years, and have been active for about two-three years. Something like that. I blame the Llama for getting me truly involved, but college friends of mine (I remember helping him do research for a Mongol name, and then he fell off the face of the earth) and an ex-boyfriend who played in Calanais.

5. What is your favorite style of medieval clothing?
Byzantine, of course. Seriously, that much understated opulence on such a simple garment? Much love. Plus, well, it's something I could actually attempt to sew and and trim, though I hate sewing pearls on anything. That should be a form of punishment in some South Asian countries, I suppose.

6. Who is your favorite Knight? Why?
Wow. Um. Interesting question. I like watching Valens and Angelo fight, but in terms of courtly virtues, I adore Count Corwyn of the Midrealm. Technically, he's a Master of Arms, but he's a blast to dance with and flirt whilst in dancing. Gelosia with he and his lady-wife was something I want to do again, darnit.

7. What is the dumbest thing you've ever done at an event?
Um. That might be easier to answer with what haven't I done at an event? Then again, I maintain I do stupid things while sober, so that eliminates the "stupid things while drunk" category. Probably the Bacon Bender with the Outlands while at Lilies. Nine pounds of bacon. Very little sleep. Slight dehydration. Upset tummy. Not the smartest thing, but it was fun.

8. Have you ever been the last person awake at an event?
Yes. Several times. I'm a night owl by nature. That, and I was bound and determined to stay awake on the last night at Lilies this year. I never said I was smart, mind you.

9. Who were your first King & Queen that you remember?
My first event was the Coronation of Semjaka and Xorazne. I wish I had been able to go to events during their reign, but alas, life conspired against me. After that, I remember Angelo and Jane, and I've been active since then.

10. Who is your favorite Laurel? Why?
Well, Master Conrad Martin von Kessel, or huscarl105, for one. But this is hard, because I love Laurels. Mistress Fionnuala evil_fionn is fun to conspire with (I promise I am working on my encaustics. I promise!), and well, I seem to attract or be attracted by Laurels anyway. Works for me. A&S is all sorts of awesome.

11. RAPIER in the SCA- sexy, street-fighting suave, or fancy-prancy pursuit for prats?
I'm in Calontir. This is a loaded question. Jury's still out for me. I'll watch it, I'm intrigued by it, but at the same time, it's really late period for me, and Iunno. Just not my thing, I suppose.

12. Who is your favorite Pelican and why?
Mistress Elasait, elasait, I think. Waterbearing is a needed task, and...I have no words for the respect I have for her. I'm totally in awe. Oh, and she still manages to have fun, too. I also have Countess Lyriel, Mistress Onora, Mistress Dorcas, and Master Modar on that list, too. Yeah, I sort of grok service, too.

13. What SCA time period clothing do you like the least?
Tudor. Sorry, I'm not at all for corsetry. Not my thing at all. *shudders* I'll at least admit that I look decent in it, but I like a certain bit of freedom of movement. And getting dressed without assistance is also a plus in my book.

14. What book should every SCA fighter read?
The Book of the Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi. Yes, it's Eastern fighting styles. At the same time, it covers things that I think even the Western European personae can get into, too. Besides, bushido's all sorts of cool in my book. Secondly, does anyone think it funny that I'm totally not a fighter and I'm answering this question?

15. If you could change something in the SCA, what would it be?
There's very little I'd change, because I think it would drastically affect our culture as a group. At the same time, I think there are opportunities to communicate with the mundane world that I don't think we always seize, and yes, welcoming beginners is something that I do believe is integral to not only our growth, but our succession plan, and we're not always good about it. Just me, though.

(Compagnia homework from Jib. I'm just now getting around to it. Feel free to comment. It helps the brain think things through.)

---

[[Since I'm the only guy on the list...I can say Queen... ;) ]]

Sooo ladies...here's a little homework for you...to be completed between now and the time that you really do become Queen. *heh*

Read through the West Kingdom Royalty Handbook: http://www.westkingdom.org/files/RoyaltyHandbookRev9.PDF

I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you would do if you were Queen. I'd like to hear ideas of what you'd want for largesse, what style of scrolls you'd want, etc. etc. ad nauseum. This is basically a chance for you to put on the fantasy hat and think about everything that you would want or need to be Queen.

I'd like this to be an open discussion for you to contemplate things and ponder what it would mean to be Queen.

Until the next time,
Jibra'il.

---

I figured I better get around to it.

I think a lot would depend on who my King was. I'm all for the Byzantine Coronation in purple and gold (yeah, that's pretty damn nifty), but I'm all for bringing in influences from his persona's culture, especially if it's one that would have had contact with the Byzantines.

I've been joking about making my reign a full family affair with the Compagnia, but honestly, I'd seek out dependable, organised people to do their jobs. I'm keen to have my Chamberlain and Herald to be close, but distant enough to keep themselves occupied properly. Possibly even people who had done the job before, and had done it well.

I'd style myself as Queen in the proper Greek way: Basilissa.

As for tokens, I'd love etched beads or even pewter coins. If I could wrangle some kind of small pectoral pendant with an angel* on it...yeah, I'd be one super-happy camper. Hell, even little pewter or brass repoussé angel pins or pendants done in the style of an icon would make me super, super happy.

Largesse is hard for me to figure out, as I'm one of those pragmatic people when it comes to gift-giving a large amount of the time. I'd love to be able to give things that the reigning monarchs of kingdoms could get great use out of (the stationery idea is awesome!), but I also want to make sure that it's also going to be able to get several uses out of it. I might have to come back to this.

Scrolls would be partially dependent on my King. I love C&I, and I love the idea of an early period scroll and an later period scroll, depending, of course, on how late later period is.

I'm not sure who I'd have make my county coronet. TE Jane and Angelo have amazing coronets, but I'm far too rough and tumble, I think, to handle the nice pretties for long. I love TG Valens and Susannah's leather coronets, and that's something I could handle. (Maybe, eventually, one of each?) Then again, Drachenstein Treasures does amazing work, and I might be convinced to not be quite so rough and tumble for one. For a metal one, I'd be happy to see lapis or amethyst or even moonstones on it, maybe with angel wings around the brim.

Stepping down, I would style myself again in Greek: Komitissa.

As for stepping down, I think it'd be cool to see the individual devices of the outgoing King and Queen. I'd also adore having a heraldic surcote for that occasion, even if it is just -slightly- out of period for me. Or at least, something to change into afterward. (No, I'm not a garb whore. Really.)

I think that's all I've figured out. A lot of it's up in the air, I know, but I'm more apt to not stand out too much, especially in the role of Queen. It's a partnership, as far as I see it.

-Constantia

*per device acceptance. Yes, I'm thinking about an angel on my device. It's my own little way to cant the crap out of it, given my name ("Constantly of good character"). Angels also show up a ton in Byzantine artwork. (Yes, I went to Einarr's class on heraldry for non-heraldic cultures. Fascinating stuff. God, I'm such a herald.)

Jib is a great Brother.

He even gave me a new nickname.

Lady Brat-child.

You can now return to your regularly scheduled evening. Day. Whatever.

According to Jib, I never do anything half-assed.

I got apprenticed this weekend. This is true.

However, I was also awarded my AoA, which means you can call me Kuria Constantia Kaloethes now.

The funny thing is I was in Morning Court, and after the mesnies had processed in, my name was called first. My mind, in about fifteen seconds, went through the following: "Hey, that name sounds familiar. They even pronounced it right...holy CRAP. That's me!" I looked over at newcastleepl, told him he was in big trouble, and went down to kneel in front of Their Majesties. Her Majesty told me that it was hard to track me down (which is true. I don't do events often, nor do I really do stuff with a local group. I -am- my local group), and that I could be seen serving, doing work with the artisans, and being joyful and exuberant.

His Majesty handed me my scroll and made a comment about how distinctive my laugh is and nearly made me snort in Court. I wagged my finger at him for that.

I'll write more about this amazing weekend later. I'm sleep deprived, probably need a shower, and a little hungry, but I'm glad to be home. Where there's a flush toilet. :P

Waking up early on the day of the event (after getting there at ten or so the previous night), I helped Cathus and Rowan with getting things packed up, then got in garb, helped summersdream and spikedearheart into garb and accessorised and all and then we headed to site. Site... *sigh* That site was gorgeous. Won't lie. Beautiful church in downtown St. Louis. There, we found that the church had been transformed into a small medieval village (of sorts), complete with merchants of all kinds, music, and activity of all kinds. I scouted out the location (I do this most places I go if I can. It means I don't get lost as badly), and found out where everything was, from fighting, to A&S, and even the classroom I was to teach in for the first dace class of the day...immediately after morning Court.

Speaking of morning Court, HG Alethea made a presentation on the new vigil box and items...and then asked a boon of Their Majesties, Luther and Maerwynn, to make HE Honoree (who was Onora) a Pelican, putting her on vigil immediately after court. I was excited, and honestly, she deserves it. The amount of work and service she's given to this kingdom is incredible.

Afterward, I taught my dance class with Lady Hanne. I was only able to teach one dance: Rufty Tufty, which I suppose I was all right with, but I do wish I was slightly better prepared for teaching (caffeine!). I know it wasn't my best job, and I need to bear in mind how to better communicate the steps and do it in a faster time frame. I did take some of Azenari's ball prep class, thn went to go exploring.

I was a girl with big jugs as I bore water on the fields, and helped with Troll a bit, though much of it was being teased or teasing ruaidhriprime and ld_hrothgar.

After that, I went to go check up on summersdream and spikedearheart, and med up with some gentles from Crescent Moon: Simon, Phoenix, and Jacquette. All of us socialised a bit, and then I remembered I had business to attend to. I found purplellamaboi, gave him stuff I had found him, and dealt with business that day (eh. I'm a Byzantine merchant persona. Everything is business!), so got that done and spent a large portion of the time before Court hanging out with Phoenix and huscarl105 and summersdream and spikedearheart.

About this time, we were told by some other young adult Calontiri that were were "rabble-rousers" and that we needed to go sit in the balcony with everyone else. Yes, we made lots of comments during Court. It was bad.

Evening Court was loooooooong. But it happens. turnberryknkn was made a Calon Golden Swan, cantigajoy was made a Baroness (and you should see that coronet. It's amazing!), and HE Honoree was made a Pelican.

After this, we didn't go to feast, but rather Schafly's Tap Room. And waited. And waited. And waited. And freaked people out. It was GREAT! (I dig the whole garb thing.) Some people even took photos with other patrons. Had the wait not been so long, and Court not been as long as it was, we would have danced. But the Ball was cancelled (it happens), and so we headed to post-revel. I mostly sat with Phoenix, and watched others do silly drunk things, though I confess that there were things that I did that added to that general sense of Calontiri mayhem.

I love my kingdom and I love to see my SCA family when I am able to be with them.

And wow, this ended up being much longer than I thought!

-C