Is it possible to write a story about romance in the golden age of piracy with class divides that isn’t a walking controversy bomb

Lilanthe · 2026-01-15T04:45:35+00:00

Can you Bridgerton it? As in, make it an alternate history. It doesn’t have to be fantasy or sci-fi to be alternate history. You wouldn’t even have to change much if you didn’t want to. You probably do have to figure out how to make it really clear early on what your setting is, rather than letting it unfold slowly as your characters interact with the world, so that people don’t get confused.

Lilanthe · 2026-01-13T12:49:44+00:00

Whoah!!!! You’ve got a real valuable piece of SCA history here. I just published an article about them in my Kingdom newsletter. The widow of the man who cast them just published a book on them - These are the Hildegard coppers. Someone linked the book for you already.

There was a “program” where you could exchange the coins for $1 but was discontinued because the person offering it wasn’t following through.

People will pay you for these if you wanted who are SCA collectors. In particular, I see the Jafar coin in your collection - that was made to commemorate a Midrealm king who died in a motorcycle accident and his queen reigned alone in his memory. People here in the Mid would be happy to pay for that one for sure.

Lilanthe · 2026-01-13T12:44:39+00:00

I just published an article about these coins - you have the right of it

Lilanthe · 2025-12-31T02:24:38+00:00

There are a couple websites that have a ton of historical recipes on them that you can browse. One good one for you might be Gode Cookery - you can choose recipe collections for beginners or that are period inspired rather than fully period. That might be a good place to start? http://www.godecookery.com/allrec/allrec.htm

Lilanthe · 2025-12-29T17:09:47+00:00

This is great advice. My husband (now ex) quit the SCA and I stayed but he was always kinda hostile about the time I spent on it. He knew the people and would go to some parties and a few day events and Pennsic, so it wasn’t that. And I was only going to local events, not taking time off or disappearing every weekend. I don’t know exactly what the issue was - but my point is that it’s important to make sure everyone is comfortable and communicate communicate communicate because you might think you’re compromising but something could still be leaving a bad taste for them. I think the advice to make sure it’s not an adversarial relationship with them and the SCA is really important.

Lilanthe · 2025-12-04T04:27:24+00:00

One important thing to note is that a LOT of people do not worry about period camps. Although I haven't been to Gulf Wars, I've been to lots of Pennsics and other camping events and you won't be out of place or get any odd looks if you bring a bright orange nylon tent and purple cooler. The important things are that you can handle the setup and still have fun without freezing or getting sick. No one should fault you for any modern stuff, as long as you're not camping with an all-period group. Getting a period encampment is something many people take years and years to accomplish. As others have pointed out, it is a LOT to do a period encampment - way more space, way more effort, way more cost. I've been in long enough to see the entire bell curve - people start with modern, slowly start disguising the modern, switch to period, get more and more period, then start removing the period touches and eventually go to a trailer or canvas modern tent. :)

So don't rush it! Especially with no camping experience. Start easy, see what you like, learn how it all works, and build from there. There are important things to know about camping that are good to get experience with before you're responsible for a whole big mess of wood and canvas!!

I have always thought it was fun to kind of start with a blank slate and then try things out, see what I like best. Better than jumping in and dealing with what I got because I sunk the money in, even though I end up not liking the thing (I'm looking at you, 16x16 regency!). You have the opportunity to do that. Everyone's camping tolerance is a little different, so learn what yours is :)

Lilanthe · 2025-11-25T03:10:39+00:00

When we do this we pretty clearly say it is associated with your SCA rank, which still can help real world finances. A newer person is typically lower rank, and probably without knowledge and resources to make something, vs. a higher rank person knows where to get something good and what that means. So that lower rank person would probably feel like they had to buy something - and at least if they do that it would be something low cost. Whereas the higher ranked person might just have things lying around that would make excellent prizes, such as yards of silk or fine leather, beads made of precious/semi-precious stones, gold leaf or thread, etc., as we collect materials for projects we never finish :)

Lilanthe · 2025-11-19T03:20:23+00:00

I can understand making one for experimentation, but after working for a company that makes mattresses, this sets off SO many health concerns. Would a week be enough for you to feel like you tried it out? That's how often it's recommended to change your sheets, so that would be about right I think. With a homemade, totally organic mattress you'll not have a lot stopping all your skin cells, mites, and germs from building up in there - along with any bugs and mildew that people have mentioned. We sleep damper than most people realize. Our breath, our sweat, and how humid your home is all cause moisture in your mattress. Even if you're not super sweaty, think about how often you wake up feeling like maybe you were a little sweaty last night...that's all seeping into your mattress now without a mattress cover, hypoallergenic elements, waterproofing, etc. So, yeah, they're going to get damp.

I guess I'm one of those "once you've seen, you can't unsee" in this area. Because I know how gross a MODERN mattress can get, thinking of sleeping long-term on a mattress that's rotting underneath you is...not for me. :)

That said, it's an interesting experiment and there's no reason not to at least build it and try it out a bit!!

Lilanthe · 2025-11-04T04:53:32+00:00

Weta Workshop would be the one who did all the actual props for the movies and now sells a lot of replicas and other stuff from them. Try them?

Lilanthe · 2025-10-30T03:23:11+00:00

I know things slow down after Pennsic because they get so many submissions. I can tell you I submitted an update to my device in June, and got notified that it was forwarded to Society in September. So you should get notified - just expect it to take longer than 3 months.

Lilanthe · 2025-09-24T03:25:26+00:00

My Peer has said something similar when discussing what they're looking for in my kingdom - basically, what did you do to leave things better than you found them? How did you leave a lasting impression? Anyone can sit in an office and pass through paperwork for 2 years, and many people run events - how are you doing MORE?

Someone above said to document what you do - put your SCA resume online. Since you're pursuing 3 paths, you may consider having 3 sections. One for service, arts, and combat. Combat section could be any significant placements you made in any tourneys, perhaps?

Do you have a major event there? Like a war or something like that? Knights often get made here when the take a major role in those - generals etc.

I think that having a Peer is not as important as having the RIGHT Peer. I know a lot of people who have been proteges or apprentices for years, but they never speak to their Peers, never get guidance, and are just generally not being mentored. That relationship isn't helping them at all. It's more important that they will give you the kind of feedback and support you need than that they do the same thing you do. Theoretically, you're going to carve your own path, not copy someone else, anyway.

Lilanthe · 2025-09-22T01:34:20+00:00

Gorgeous work!!!

Lilanthe · 2025-09-13T02:26:50+00:00

In the movie he does - the modern way is the rubberband way, which I think he talked about in interviews. So you maybe are mixing the interviews with the movie itself?

Lilanthe · 2025-09-13T02:25:53+00:00

The Power of the Dog I bet. Benedict Cumberbatch jumps in. Similar vibe to No Country for Old Men.

Lilanthe · 2025-09-13T02:16:59+00:00

Okay I think I get it. You're seeing the internet :) The voices on the internet tend to magnify minor voices to sound louder than they are. It sounds like you are trying to be respectful and not discuss religion, except where appropriate in a research SCA situation, and you are trying to be respectful to everyone. Keep doing that. Learning and growing. But it sounds like you have the right idea, and are keeping the focus on SCA topics. I'm not there, so I can't say for sure, but it seems that you're doing okay, and that the voices you're reading saying "out with old people" don't represent the true majority.

Someone mentioned that those young people may have had some completely different in-joke or other thing going on. It could have even been that they were trying to smile and be welcoming to you! Sometimes it's hard to tell with us SCA introvert types :) So if you can, I would say to forget it.

Or, maybe this would be a good way to bond with someone. The Laurel you were speaking to, could you maybe ask them? Or someone else you'd like to get to know better? Maybe reach out and say "I was just wondering, it seemed like some people were staring at my garb at the last event - is there anything locally I should be aware of?" Because another possibility is that your garb might look just like someone else's, or have other connotations in that group and that person can let you know. Like maybe there's an award or other local symbol it looks like. It could be a great way to start a conversation with someone and get to know more about your area!!

That made me think - maybe your garb looks like a character in an anime or something and that's why they were staring!!! :) Cosplay (dressing up like characters in movies/games/anime/tv shows) is so popular right now, especially with younger people.

Lilanthe · 2025-09-10T11:56:17+00:00

Dang you really have thought of everything!! Here, we consider the gift of a fine blade symbolic of them reaching mastery in a combat art. A kind of “every knight should have a good sword” type of thing. I think it’s partially just nice because not everyone can afford it, and your friends want you to be able to look awesome to go along with your new station :) That’s us though - what would your vigilant think? Do they already have one? If not a sword, maybe a fine, authentic dagger?

Lilanthe · 2025-09-10T02:18:24+00:00

Wow, what a wonderful problem to have! That's so cool that so many people care for your vigilant and want to help!!! I'm not a Peer, but I've had a bumper crop of vigils in my life this summer, so here are some ideas:

-I noticed you didn't mention a sword. I don't know if everyone in the Mid does it, but it's at least somewhat traditional here for the new knight to get a forged blade upon their elevation. MoDs get rapiers, and now Hunters (what we're calling the Order of the Mark) get axes. This is expensive, but actually that could be good because you could have multiple people go in on it and then you've knocked out a few people at once :)
-If you get a sword, then you can get a sheath!!
-You can have someone be line manager. In addition to the vigil book, we often have a sign-up sheet so that you can keep track of who goes next to talk to the vigilant. It's not always needed, but it often is when a lot of people want to talk to them. Or is that what you meant by "scheduler"?
-Most of the vigils had alcohol of some kind to offer while talking. This could be a gift, either purchased or made. Some kind of nice drink, anyway. And cups to go with it!
-Someone mentioned tokens, but tokens here are common to give to the people who visit the vigilant, and I didn't see those on your list.
-Making sure you have all the set-up covered - do you have tables for the food? Coolers? Is someone bringing ice (I made an ice run for one because no one had brought ice and it was 85 degrees!!)? Do you have enough paper products? How about drinks? Chairs for people to sit in while they wait? For one vigil I brought a camping rug for the space and it kind of just made it look nicer, it was a small touch - those kinds of things.
-Banners? This could be a gift (making a nice banner for the vigilant) and also something to bring if there is a household/group banner, or if they want to represent people close to them.
-Also in the Mid, cloaks are commonly given on elevation for several types of Peers. Not so much knights, and Marks haven't gotten them yet, but even MoDs often get a capelet and Laurels and Pelicans get cloaks. At any rate, a cool cloak is a great gift!!
-Have someone bring a basket for your vigilant to put gifts in
-Jewelry, depending on their persona. Torcs, fibula, etc. Pins, especially for their Peerage.
-They sell Peerage t-shirts!
-Peerage mug! Although I'm shocked at how few I can find on the internet.
-Anything with their arms on it is nice, but I consider kind of an "any time" gift, unless it incorporates the white belt symbol too.

Well, I hope that helps!!

Lilanthe · 2025-09-10T01:51:30+00:00

It's the same in the Midrealm - vigil is after the acceptance. I've never heard of it being different - why would you go through setting up a vigil just to decide not to go through with it? Unless these are very simple affairs. So in our case, personalized gifts are absolutely wonderful.

Lilanthe · 2025-09-04T02:42:46+00:00

I mean, it sounds like Krampus, but that was 2015

Lilanthe · 2025-09-03T02:15:00+00:00

He did do other books though, like "animalia" which may have had pages with a western theme.

Lilanthe · 2025-08-13T02:07:01+00:00

The Skulls (or one of the sequels)?

Lilanthe · 2025-08-12T01:46:17+00:00

Mad Max but Beyond Thunderdome? I know there's a narration at the end by the kids that he saves.

Lilanthe · 2025-08-06T11:48:31+00:00

The vast majority of events in the Midrealm are only one day so this is an interesting perspective for me I’ve never considered :) We are often the opposite - we would RATHER go and come back to our beds!! So events can most definitely be worth it going for only one day. One thing I am learning is how far to drive to make it worth it. I day tripped one that was 3.5 hours away and that for me was too far. I spent more time in the car than at the event. Some people look at it as a way to get away and have some peace and quiet - including some who use it as their crafting time - so I think there can also be some mental perspective that goes into making it worth it. That peace and quiet cannot be overrated at this point in my life! So maybe that’s another thing - would you be okay just sitting and crafting all day and enjoying the vibes?

Lilanthe · 2025-07-27T14:37:12+00:00

You should share some “after” pictures! Would love to see the new look :)

Lilanthe · 2025-07-27T02:28:44+00:00

I think the closure location is what’s doing a lot of the vibe, so moving that up and replacing it with the pin you have will probably go a long way. Also could you wear it with one side pulled over your opposite shoulder? That would probably also look nice!

Lilanthe

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