Practice 01/25/26

Given the forecast, and the potential for a storm this weekend, Armored Practice is likely to be a “game day” decision, dependent on weather and road conditions.

As of right now, I plan to hold practice. If that changes, I will post any cancellations here, to the Barony Discord, and the Barony Facebook page with as much notice as possible.

12th Night RESCHEDULED to January 24th

Salve accolens! I have some unfortunate news to report: North Park lodge has just lost their heating, electricity, and water, so we can’t hold 12th Night there tomorrow. But the merriment must go on! Therefore, 12th Night will be taking place on Saturday, January 24th, AKA a week from tomorrow. My apologies to everyone for the disruption.

If you have any questions, or if you were scheduled to volunteer in any capacity and won’t be able to make the new date, please let me know. Thank you all for your flexibility and understanding.

Best wishes,

YIS,

Forveleth Dunde 

12 Night autocrat 

Reasonable Masking at 12th Night

Salve accolens!

With 12th Night nearly upon us, I wanted to make a small request of you all.

In the last several months, COVID transmissions rates have skyrocketed and flu transmission rates have been downright astronomical. Of course, we’ll have Corsi Rosenthal boxes all over, but mitigation is a stackable attribute; we can engage in multiple forms of mitigation, and each one we embrace increases the overall impact of the mitigation. That’s why I’m taking the initiative to ask you all to consider “reasonable masking” if you attend 12th Night this coming Saturday.

What is “reasonable masking?” The concept is that one should wear a mask at all times that they reasonably can. It’s not strict masking, and it’s not mandatory masking. It’s subjective to each individual, letting each person decide for themselves when and if they mask up. The implication is that we trust each other: if somebody isn’t wearing a mask, we trust that they can’t reasonably wear one at that moment.

Why bother? Obviously strict, mandatory masking would be better at reducing risk. Well, besides the lack of ability and desire to go back to mandatory masking, we should remember that infection is a result of viral load, not just exposure. It’s the unfortunate fact that we’re all exposed to flu and COVID, probably daily, but as long as the viral load is small enough our bodies can fight it off. For these reasons, avoiding exposure is impossible but avoiding infection is a reasonable goal we can aim for.

I love our Barony very much, and I don’t want any of you to become infected while we celebrate a wonderful time together at 12th Night. The baronage and event organizers are doing everything we can to keep you all safe, but there’s only so much we can do. If, through reasonable masking, we can keep that viral load reduced enough that we’re all able to avoid infection, I will be a very happy baroness.

Yours in service,

Baronessa Violeta deValencia

Armored Combat Practice Cancelled 01/18/26

The Region 2 Regional Muster takes place at the YMCA at 111 W Park St, Franklin, PA 16323 on 01/18/26, from 9AM-3PM. As most of our attendees have announced their intention to attend the Regional Muster, armored practice at Become Better Sports Performance and Personal Training will be cancelled on 01/18/26. Fencing practice will be held as usual from 1-5 at Become Better Sports Performance and Personal Training, 5372 Enterprise Blvd, Bethel Park, PA 15102.

Fencing Survey Meeting at practice on Jan 11th @ 2:30pm

Hello, fencers!

I’ve received responses on the end-of-year fencing practice survey from nearly all of our regular practice attendees!

We’ll set aside some time for a meeting at fencing practice on January 11th at 2:30pm to discuss the survey results, as well as plans for 2026 fencing practices and a few important notes for our fencing community.

Thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts!

Robert MacEwin of Thornhill
Debatable Lands Fencing Marshal

As the world changes, so too must we change with it.

Times are getting tough for many people, not just in the SCA but in the world at large. Regardless of cause, regardless of reason, the simple fact remains that things are harder than they were before. We feel strongly that we, as a Barony, are well positioned to help our local community. And we believe that those with the ability to help, should.

Starting tomorrow at fighter practice, a collection box for donations to a local food pantry will be set out by our Knight Marshall, Lord Patrokles Anthenaos. Additionally, we plan to have a donation box at events as well. This will be an ongoing effort to support and give back to our local community, in addition to other charitable activities that we would like to pursue.

To facilitate these efforts, Prima and I are creating a new Baronial office to coordinate charitable activities by the Barony. The goal of this office is to ensure efficiency, retain knowledge, and support efforts by members of the Barony to help our local community. More about this will be announced soon.

We understand that some people may view this as an intrusion of the mundane into our game, but we feel that ultimately there’s no real separation between the two, only the illusion of separation. And the veil is pierced so easily. Every time somebody gets sick, experiences discrimination, or struggles with financial limitations, those are real-world things that affect us in the SCA. And if the real world can exert itself on us, why can’t we exert ourselves on the real world? Why shouldn’t we be a force for good in the land of Mundania? This isn’t an intrusion of the mundane into the SCA; this is an intrusion of the SCA into the mundane! Let it be a benefit to all.

Let’s do some good.

Yours in Service,
Baronessa Violeta deValencia & Praetoria Aurelia Argentia Prima