Being the online web log for the Southwestern Pennsylvania branch of the SCA, Inc.
Just a reminder, the submission deadline for populace content and officers reports for the Althing is March 15th!
Only 10 days to submit your reports or content for the first 2018 Althing.
No matter if you want to talk about upcoming events or period art, submit everything and anything to Chronicler@Debatablelands.org.
From Lady Zianna:
I will try my best to express my deepest thank yous to EVERYONE that made last night’s demo at the Carnegie Science Center an amazing event. There was such an overwhelming feeling of interest in what we do on a daily basis that so many people – “Had no idea that other people wanted to do this too.” That was a quote from a guest standing in front of our pewter pouring display. To give you an idea of the impact we had, let me describe the locations we had manned by over 100 people from our Kingdom.
On the Entrance/Main Floor we had our Royal Area. Their Highnesses sat for pictures – processed down three floors being led by Heralds followed by an army of fencers! Their Excellencies took hundreds and I mean HUNDREDS of photos with guests sitting on the thrones! It was a glorious site to see when guests entered. “This was more fun than I thought it would be.” Probably one of the best things I heard all night. Thank you!
Guests walked past our siege weapons to make it upstairs. I was walking down the ramp and heard – “That’s the largest ballistics I have ever seen in person!” Thank you!
We took over the space lab with Archery – Combat Archery – Thrown Weapons – and Swords. So much that we used the last table that the CSC had! And we could have used more! The displays were stunning and could be seen from four floors as people walked from floor to floor. I was two floors up and a guest said – “Who cares about the rocket thing – I want to play with the axes!” Thank you!
We had music on the mezzanine as people started their journey back in time. Thank you!
In the Science Stage – members of DragonSong played and we had our fire dancer – which we will have an even better space to allow for the fire next year. Thank you!
On the ground floor we had Barony and Kingdom Equestrian members letting guests slay dragons! The CSC event coordinator said to me: I had a blast in the saddle! He took his walkie off and put his phone down to be in our world! Thank you!
We had our bar up and running! Meads and cider – and the wrong chocolate (my fault completely) – lol… As I was passing by the bar I heard a guest ask – “Can I buy a bottle of that?” Guests were taking pictures of our notes and saying they wanted to try this at home. Thank you!
We had heavy fighting! Our new list ropes and corners worked well. We had all levels of fighters including Knights and Tuchux landing awesome shots! We had a rogue battle on the first floor and battles in front of Their Highnesses. Again in passing – while we had guests holding a weapon – Knight ready with his shield – I hear – “Can I really swing at him?” “Hit him!” Whack! “Oh that is so bad ass!” Thank you!
Arts and Sciences took over the second floor! There is no other way to describe it! We had music – pewter casting – illumination – calligraphy – embroidery – cording -armor display –weaving and looms – cooking – spinning – printing – OH MY!!!! People were so interested in what we were doing that I could not break in to hand out parking vouchers! Thank you!
The Third Floor had fencing duels continuously! Silva Vulcani and Ballachlagan spread knowledge and fun over the lands. As well as made sure the banners were put up and taken down. Please note that there were over 150 banners displayed. Thank You!
We took over the stairwell to sing Banners of Scarlet on four floors. That was amazing! People stopped, listened, and watched. And we all felt the unity as the drum rang out and we looked up and down seeing people singing on all floors. Thank you!
We had two merchants who added opportunities for the guests to take a piece of the evening home with them. Knights of the Classroom (who also provided the banners for the evening) and A Case of Random. Thank you!
The other organizations that made it possible – Broken Plow – Pgh Armored Combat – Pgh Role Play – who were amazing to work with on the logistical side of things.
There are a few people that I need to personally thank for their time and assistance. I would not have been able to make this happen as easily as it was without them.
Their Highnesses and Their Excellencies
The door opener for this entire evening – Clewin
My floor contacts – Anlaith – Tor – Ells – Robert
My boots on the ground – Magni
My friends who aren’t even SCA members – Shag – Heather – Mike – Lyric
My most understanding roommate – Nick
What a wonderful evening and I look forward to the next demo at the Science Center. Thank you everyone. I do want to ask for any and all feedback. I want to know the good things and the bad things. There are for sure things that need to be improved on and/or can be done differently. Please email me at ziannaevents at gmail dot com with all of your input no matter how small you may think it is.
Lady Zianna Beguy Urdina de Zabaleta
Hello,
There will be fight practice on Sunday, March 4th at the Chinese Church form 2 to 6 PM. Loaner armor will be available.
Hope to see you there.
Robert
Here begins the court report for Tavern in the Park, on February 10, AS 52.
His Excellency Brandubh, after trying out his best “Hel-loooooooooooo, Debatable Lands!”, thanked everyone for attending this little event, and explained that Her Excellency Hilderun was out of town and sends her greetings and well wishes for all to have a wonderful time.
His Excellency invited THL Elss Ausberg to give thanks and recognition for those who helped organize the event’s activities, noting that every person was trying a new thing for the first time.
His Excellency then wished to acknowledge those scribes who entered the day’s A&S competition, creating a scroll blank inspired by the personae of Their Excellencies. Entrants included: Lady Nichola Beese, Katrina Beese, Lady Aibell ingen Chernachain, THL Lucetta di Cosimo, and Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope. The following winners were announced:
Katrina, Youth division; THL Lucetta, Novice division; Mistress Arianna, advanced division.
Baron Brandubh offered additional thanks and encouraged everyone to continue to enjoy their evening.
There being no further business, the Court of Their Excellencies was closed.
Submitted by Kieran MacRae, Comet Pursuivant.
From Lady Zianna. If you only read one post about the demo, please pay attention to this one:
Tomorrow – Tomorrow – the Demo is Tomorrow!!!
I need to stress the following information….PLEASE FOLLOW THESE FEW RULES!!!!!
Entering and exiting the Science Center:
YOU CAN NOT ENTER OR EXIT THROUGH THE MAIN DOORS!!!!!
We can enter as early as 4pm to start setting up.
I want to thank everyone in advance for making this evening an amazing event. Your help – your willingness – your passion – your support makes our game – our hobby – our organization one of the best in the WORLD!!!
One last thing – – HAVE FUN!!!!!!
See you tomorrow
Greetings to the Debatable Lands!
Tomorrow, Thursday March 1st, is once again A&S in BMDL!
Got a project you’re working on? Got an inkle loom you can’t get under control? Need embroidery info? Need help with sewing up some garb? Get some help, work on a thing, or just talk about what you’d like to see in the future.
We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.
Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.
Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank par! king lot.
See you there!
Elss Augsburg
These are finished and will be debuted at the demo on Friday at the Carnegie Science Center!
There is a total of 12 corners and 16 ropes that are 20′ long. The poles remove from the bases for easier storage.
Vivant to Lady Zianna and her helpers for the manufacture!
From Lady Zianna:
I need to hear from you!!!!
If you have not yet contacted me about being able to retain – we could really use your help. I am looking for shifts to be 30-45 minutes (or longer if you want.) If you have thought about trying to retain or you have years of experience – we have open times this Friday at the Carnegie Science Center from 6pm-10pm.
Trumpets! Drums! Banners! Oh my! Calling all musicians, heralds and warriors: help us process through the masses by clearing a path for Their Royal Highnesses to enter the demo in grand style.
Contact me if you are interested or have questions– ziannaevents at gmail dot com.
See you on Friday!!
The Sylvan Strand Nominees have been announced, and the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands brought home much glory.
Congratulations to Kameshima-kyo Zentarou Umakai, our Webminister; Lady Elizabeth the Hunter, Webminister for the office of Earl Marshal; and to Maighstir Kieran MacRae for being recognized for their hard work!
Here is the list:
Published February 26, 2018
The following websites and people are recognized as the Sylvan Strand Nominees for the William Blackfox Web Awards, as announced in Court at the College of Three Ravens:
Best Overall Website
Winner: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Kameshima Zentarou Umakai, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Barony of Endless Hills, Dono Leo-San, Webminister
Best Appearance
Winner: Shire of Coppertree – Lady Aerin Wen, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Dominion of Myrkfaelinn – Lord Robert of Ferness, Webminister
Best Organization
Winner: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Kameshima Zentarou Umakai, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Shire of Sylvan Glen, Lady Umm Samin Bint Asad Al-Isfahaniyya, Webminister
Best Use of Technology
Winner: Authorization Clerk, Mistress Maria Christina de Cordoba, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Earl Marshal, Lady Elizabeth the Huntress, Webminister
Best Artwork
Winner: Shire of Nithgaard, Graphic by Lady Avitoria Vidua
Honorable Mention: Signet, Banner Graphic by Master Kieran MacRae and Background Graphic by THLady Fiora d’Artusio
Best Special Interest Website
Winner: AE Rapier – Lord Simon Caminante, Webminsiter
Honorable Mention: Brewers Guild – THL Madoc Arundel, Webminister
Best Regular Feature
Winner: Barony of Delftwood, Lord Sabastian Mora, Webminister
Honorable Mention:
Best Content
Winner: Barony of Delftwood, Lord Sabastian Mora, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Kameshima Zentarou Umakai, Webminister
Best Blog
Winner: Barony of the Rhyderrich Hael, Baron Magnus de Lyons and Baroness Miriel du Lac – http://mandmreign.blogspot.com
The Seneschal’s Spotlight is a monthly feature that highlights an aspect of the Barony and/or its people.
This month’s Spotlight falls upon the Business Meeting. Every other month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) on the first Wednesday of the month (except for August where we meet the first Wednesday after Pennsic) we hold a Business Meeting. While the Officers of the Barony are required to attend or to send a Proxy if they are unable to attend, the meeting is open to everyone in the Barony.
Every time I send out the reminder(s) for the Business Meeting, at the end is the following:
The Officers of the Debatable Lands are elected by the membership and is made up of members of the populace, just like you. The Officers are responsible for ensuring that the policies of the Kingdom and Barony are followed and are accountable to the populace of the Debatable Lands. The Business meeting is open to everyone in the Barony and attendance by the populace is encouraged.
This is an open invitation to everyone both within and outside of the Barony to attend and participate in the meeting.
What happens at the Business Meeting?
While the list isn’t exhaustive, they represent things that have been discussed at previous Business Meetings.
The Barony is all of us, not just the Officers, and your input and presence are very welcome. We want to know what is important to you and hear what you would like to see happening in the Barony. We hope to see you at the next Business Meeting (our Budget Meeting) on Wednesday, 4 April 2018 at 8:00 p.m. at Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church on the North Side.