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Out of The Myths of Time
The First Night

by Lord Darius "Who are you supposed to be?" von Tannenburg

Eight years ago two young friends set out to find something called the SCA. The search began online and led us to a Denny's on 2nd street in San Bernardino, CA. I had heard about the SCA from a co-worker who had played briefly in Antir. They were doing something called "Baronial Council" and newcomers were encouraged to just show up. What we found was just a little different from what I had seen growing up in Kansas. To start with, everybody was wearing strange (to me, then) clothes. They all were trying to use foreign accents, mainly Scottish and Irish with one or two English and German. As if the clothes and funny voices weren't enough, every time somebody came or went from the room they also bowed to the couple at the head table who were wearing some kind ofcrown. They were all very busy and at the same time all very eager to stop and introduce themselves before zooming off to somewhere else. I remember having a time of it trying to take in all the colors and new words. I was surprised to learn that despite wearing blue-jeans, a leather jacket and boots, everyone thought I was naked! Welcome to the SCA.

I've come a little ways since then. I know what most of the words mean. Along the way I found out I would have to pick a name and design a banner. Fortunately, I had good examples to follow. At one council meeting in Cabazon a great lady full of wit and humor displayed a banner she was hoping to have passed. It had a blue background and it was covered or divided into many repeating geometric shapes and over that were a bunch of fish called lucies. Yes, it was "Lucies in the sky with diamonds." I wonder if that's still around; it would look great decorating a feast hall. As for a name, again I can thank my newfriends for showing me the way. A Viking gentleman (was that a pun?) told me a tale of how he was at first denied his first choice for a name and wound up with one he liked even better. Folks in Gallavally might ask their Chatelaine for that story. At one time, slipping one past the Heralds was a quest surpassed only by the grail itself.

I now have a name and a device and no longer show up naked at events. I also just fell in with a horde that invaded the manor of the Reeve and Reevess to paint silk banners that will soon be flying all over the Barony. Three cheers for Robynn and Malcolm for opening their home for that.

All those great outfits, filled with such interesting personalities, made a big impression on a new person eight years ago. They still can today. A lot of money, time and effort went into those things so that they could be used to say so much about us. They deserve better than to sit at home between tourneys hanging in the back of the closet feeding the moths. Dress to impress at your next meeting (and you just might), even if it's at someone's home, or, better yet, someplace public. Bring your banners or unit standards to court. Let's remind ourselves and each other who we are. Besides, you never know who's watching, aching to ask what you're doing.

OUT OF THE MYTHS OF TIME articles. Copy 2003 Albert R. Endsley.

Darius von Tannenberg has granted permission for all of his articles that were previously on the Dreiburgen web site to continue to appear on the site, 9 Oct 2006.

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