Since this is the first post on my blog, I do feel a little exposition is required. I play in a live-action role-play (larp) that is more action verses role-play. Other descriptions of the game that I play are "its kinda like a fantasy medieval-reenactment society", "its not like Nero", or "its not like SCA". From my understanding, AMTGARD is a strange amalgamation of a lot of styles of larp, but it is more physically focused.
I started playing in late April of 2012, and since then I have easily settled into the culture that is Amtgard. Amtgard isn't just a game, it is a society of friends and families and sometimes rivalries that has created a really enjoyable culture that really feels like its something I've been looking for my whole life.
Amtgard isn't just about the fighting and the fantasy though, another part of Amtgard (from which I understand is a lot like SCA) is the Artisans. Amtgard has entire culture also built around their crafters and armorers, dressmakers and thespians. This is called the Arts and Sciences, and is deeply interwoven into Amtgard politics and society. Amtgard honors and prides itself on the amazing creations and accomplishments of its members. There is an honors system within Amtgard that one can follow to try to achieve the most revered position of Knighthood. One of the orders of Knighthood is that of the Artisan, or as it is called in Amtgard, the Serpent.
I will clarify that I am not a Knight. I am what is called a Squire. A Squire an apprentice to a Knight, and is either their best friend or someone that the Knight believes has what it takes to become a Knight.
Currently I am an officer in Amtgard, which is an elected position. I am what is called the Regent, and my duties are primarily over the Arts and Sciences. Secondly, is being Vice-President, but a lot of people tend to forget that part. I'm going to try to not get complicated here....
In Amtgard, we are divided up into Kingdoms. Kingdoms are for the most part a couple of states that all follow the same Corpora (Amtgard is an official Non-Profit Organization and therefore we must have volunteers who 'run' our chapters). Within a Kingdom you have 'parks' which are smaller chapters that all follow the same Corpora as their Kingdom. My Kingdom consists of parks from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virgina, and Illinois.
Now that is out of the way, I'll clarify. I am a Kingdom Level 'Officer' that was elected into this position by the voting populace of my Kingdom, and it is only a 6 month term. The end of my term is fast approaching, and I have decided to run again.
As I said, Arts and Sciences are interwoven with politics. How you may ask? At the end of every 6 month term there is a Fighting competition and an Arts and Science competition called QUALIFICATIONS (Also known as Quals), and the position I am running for requires me to make an average score of 3 on 10 unique entries. By unique, I mean that the competition is organized into multiple categories and I am required to enter and make an average score in 10 different categories.
So my pilgrimage to Qualifications has begun again. Quals are on March 2nd and it is currently January 15th. A month ago I began brainstorming ideas for my entries. It is best to enter in over 10 entries just in case one or two don't make the minimum score of 3. Last year I think I had over 12 entries and I was still really nervous. I had planned for 15 but as I got closer to the deadline, and crazy mishaps occurred I was unable to finish a few of the pieces.
Now the exposition is over, and I offer you the meat. This blog was created to document my pilgrimage to Quals, provide craft project ideas/suggestions, provide how-tos, and to become one of my entries for Quals.
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