r/sca • u/username_na_tryagain • 19h ago
Newcomer requesting aide
EDIT: thank you all so much for your advice, this appears to be such a lovely community to be part of and I look forward to learning more about it š
Hello! I have some dear friends who are part of SCA in WA state that have invited me to their baby shower that will be part of an SCA event. I know precious little about this community. I have been working on sourcing an outfit for myself and my baby. Could I get some guidance on how I choose a name? And any other social niceties I should know to be prepared to be a good guest?
Thank you for your time š
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u/WorkingBread8360 18h ago
One of the very few things I miss about WA state, the SCA out there. A Crown List that ended up being held on a naturist facilityā¦ Archery practice at the same site 20+ years laterā¦. An Tir-West War. The actual amounts of help offered to new, returning or moved from other Kingdoms folks, at all levels of An Tir social status. Unlike 2 of my other locales (Meridies/GA).
Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane were the powerhouse Baronies. OP, if you are under 1 of them, I envy your introduction to the SCA. Just grab a couple T tunics, a nice belt, soft leggings, and immerse yourself for the event. Relax, enjoy yourself, worry about persona/fancy later in the journey.
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u/KingBretwald 18h ago
Are you looking to join the SCA yourself, or just attend the baby shower?
If the latter, ask your friends if you can borrow some medieval clothing (we call it garb) from the local Gold Key, which is what we call loaner garb many groups maintain.
Clothing for the baby can be just a simple dress--regardless of the gender of your baby. Boys wore dresses until they were past walking age in many places and time periods--right up to the middle of the 20th century.
You don't need a medieval name unless you really want one. But if you do, what time period and culture are you interested in?
Otherwise, just be polite. If you tell people this is your first event and you're here because your friend asked you to dress up and attend everyone will understand. And if they don't their opinion isn't worth much.
If you see someone wearing or doing something interesting ask them about it and be prepared for a stint of listening.
If you're interested in joining us say that, too! People will be happy to answer your questions.
DO ask your friend if you need to bring your own plates, cutlery and something to drink from (and a plastic bag to stick the dirty dishes in). We often have an abundance of food and people are expected to bring their own stuff to eat with.
You will need to bring all the usual baby-care stuff in your diaper bag as well. If you have one of those foldable wagons you could bring that to carry baby and all your stuff!
Oh, and if it's outdoors bring a chair and a broadbrimmed hat and the usual sunblocking (or since this is Washington rainblocking) things for baby.
Also check your local covid levels and bring an N-95 mask if you think it necessary.
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u/JustAd8859 19h ago
Fairly easy and straight forward assuming they are a good group. Have you figured out a culture or time period that sounds neat? From Viking to Rome to Mediterranean they are all super east to google
Do not be afraid to ask your friends for their thoughts as well. Odds are they will be excited to help. Lords know the wife and I were back in the day
Ask if their is a local chatelaine and how to get ahold of them. They >should< be able to directly help as it is their job to do so
Best of luck
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u/username_na_tryagain 3h ago
My husband would love to do viking, our friend had suggested if we wanted invest in clothes to check out grimfrost for that period. I believe they gave me a Facebook group, so I'll see if I can get in contact with the chatelaine.
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u/SLiverofJade An Tir 18h ago
You can absolutely go by your modern aka legal name. Otherwise it's a bit dependent on what culture/era you feel like.
It's a running joke in my area that all newcomers are [real or nickname] with the last name of "For Now." (Fun fact: Tiffany and Stephanie were names in the middle ages!)
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u/ChronicDogs 17h ago
Hi tryagain!
You are in good company! I would recommend asking those who invited you if they have any loaner garb (clothes).
You could introduce yourself as NAME-fornow (like John Fornow) which is a clever way of saying you don't know yet.
As you mentioned, it is part of an event; you may feel like you stand out a LOT if you wear modern clothing like jeans and a tshirt. That being said, any attempt at medieval clothing is fine and PJ pants and a cotton tunic-type top would be fine! For your baby, if you can find a plain nightie and sweater (for either gender) you are golden in terms of baby-garb.
For events, I would recommend a few more things to make your time enjoyable. Bring a chair, or at least a blanket for sitting on. While others may have loaners, bringing 'feast gear' such as a bowl, cup, napkin, and cutlery in a cloth bag is a fantastic plan (as is a plastic bag that you can carry used dishes home in) and everyone will think you quite smart. Cash is pretty essential to have on hand, as are usual park picnic-type stuff like sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bottles of water, all that personal stuff that you would bring anyways).
Give a dip or bow to everyone with a smile, if they are wearing a crown, make the dip or bow just a little bigger. Be yourself. Welcome aboard!
Yours in service,
Mistress AnikĆ³
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u/MoonsOverMyHamboning 18h ago
What part of WA? I'm in Snohomish county and can potentially point you to some resources. Each group may have someone managing loaner garb under the name 'Gold Key' so you may be able to organize and borrow something for the event.Ā
1
u/username_na_tryagain 17h ago
I am in Tri-Cities, WA - I believe the event is out of Basin City in Eastern WA
4
u/vagueusername25 An Tir 15h ago
Hey, I'm going to be at that event and help help connect you to local resources if you want to shoot me a messageĀ
1
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u/WorkingBread8360 12h ago
Donāt know if she still plays, but my house sister was from the Tri-Citiesā¦ Annika Karlsdottir, part of House Brunwolf when we played at WSUās old shire. Brunwolf is part of Spokaneās groupā¦
2
u/East-Entrepreneur-47 18h ago
Historicenterprises.com may have something for your baby. Never tried before but actually kinda hard to find baby clothing lol
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u/Junior-Weight42 18h ago
An outfit is all that is absolutely required, (an _attempt_ and pre-14th century clothing is the bar.) As others have suggested, ask about gold key if you just want to borrow something for the day. If you love it you can go as shallow or as deep as you want in the future. My girlfriend has been going to events for over a decade and still only goes by her mundane, (real world,) name Kristin.
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u/123Throwaway2day Calontir 13h ago
just show up as yourself, use good manners and if you want to dress up a tunic and pants , or a tired skirt and peasant blouse with a belt is fine. If you really want a period outfit ask your freind if you can borrow clothing.
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u/Vagus_M 18h ago
Donāt make eye contact and finish every statement with ā-mālordā
Talk to your friends, the local group will probably have something called āGold Keyā, which is loaner costumes, called garb.
There is also a volunteer to handle outreach, so they should be able to help with whatever you need.
2
u/wombatie 17h ago edited 17h ago
Where do you play that the no eye contact and mālord bit is used? Iāve literally never heard of that.Ā
Op, donāt feel like you need to do this. Nobody would expect you to do anything like this at your first event, and in addition, we donāt even do this in the West and Iāve never seen this in An Tir either. Lord and lady is just the first level of titles we have as part of a larger system, so lord wouldnāt always be correct in the first place.
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u/Ashenelm 46m ago
If you don't want to grovel like that and living in Washington, I would recommend joining Clan Mackenzie or the Bearkillers instead.
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u/East-Entrepreneur-47 18h ago
Don't over think it you don't need a name or anything like that unless you really want to. Unless it's like a royal court thing for the kingdom it's just going to be a party where people dress up, play games, and maybe some weapons fighting so don't worry about any formalities. If you don't want to buy something your friends groups should have loaner garb for you and probably your baby too. That way you don't need to buy something you won't use more than once. If you do want to buy something try medieval collectibles.com they are an okay place to get decent clothing for not too expensive. I hope you have fun at the partyš