An Tir Dearg

Rennies and Guilds
By Bjarki Magnusson of Hamarr Heim

“I woke to the sounds of a flute and harp being played in the distance, the fog in my head almost as thick as on the battlefield the eve before. I could hear the sounds of the camp coming back to life with the dawn. With a smile I remembered watching a pirate on the lake making the crossing from the island on empty casks roped together. The shanty he sang echoed briefly in my ears. I also remembered the woman who’d stood in my arms as I watched. Ah yes, the woman…she was still asleep next to me, exhausted from dancing in the feast hall where I’d found her.” – an excerpt from No Shit…There I Was! / Bjarki’s Saga.

The reasons people become “Rennies” are as varied as the people themselves. We come from all walks of life, each in search of something. What that “thing” is will dictate how you “chase the dream.” Do you work in a meaningless job and want to feel what it’s like to have power? Are you a librarian looking for an outlet for your alter ego? A craftsman looking to find a connection modern tools don’t allow? Perhaps you’re an amateur historian anxious to learn firsthand how things were done? Or are you just in search of the next cool party?
I know why I’ve been doing this for the last twenty years, and my reasons have changed over that time too. When I was a young man I’d always been intrigued by moral codes throughout history. Whether it was a monk, knight, or gunslinger they had a clear code to live by. As different as each where, they still knew what was expected of them if they were to be thought of as honorable men. Modern times seemed to hold no such clear cut ideals. So for me it was a type of personal quest to see I could live up to a code. The goal was to pick a trade I actually might have chosen back then and live it out on the weekends. My adventures along that road are a book all unto itself so I won’t go into great depth here; this isn’t meant to be about me. It’s about you. It’s about why you became a Rennie and how you can get the most out of the experience.
A Rennie can be solo, going to Faires alone each time. I’ve done this and enjoyed it. But eventually you meet other solos and couples and find yourself part of a troop/pack/crew. And then one magical evening you manage to stay after closing, or if you’re lucky enough you discover the SCA. Now instead of visiting the past, you’re getting a taste of living it. And for just a minute…time slips and you go back in time. That’s the “drug” that’ll keep you coming back for more. The thing that makes you need to be part of a Guild/Encampment. That special thing which makes you a Rennie…not just a “Turkey with Dressing”.
The easiest way is to become part of the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronism / www.sca.org ). They will teach you the historical side of “The Dream”, though they aren’t “Rennies”…they’re historical recreationists. Their attention to details and procedures may not be what you’re comfortable with, but there are always problems with every group of course. So the trick is to find one where you fit in…and a difficult trick it can be. It’s a lot like a marriage, or any partnership for that matter. What do you have to offer your “mate”? Why will these people who have worked so hard to create their version of “The Dream” want you to play with them? What do you bring to the table?
So the trick is knowing why they play and what they’re looking for. Then you decide if it matches your goals too. If so, how are you going to increase their enjoyment of the Dream so that they’ll invite you to play with them? Why will they want you? Even in an all inclusive group like the SCA asking yourself this will increase your enjoyment of the experience.
So to help you, here are some of the things a guild will be looking for. Being able to provide them will increase your worth to the Encampment.
The first thing noticed about an encampment is the appearance. Are the tents period? Are mundane items out of sight? Are the members in Garb on time? The public pays to be entertained, to have reality suspended for them. An aluminum can sitting in view will ruin that illusion, as will a pair of tennis shoes. Even if not noted right away it’ll be obvious later in the pictures they took. Have you added to that atmosphere? Do you have your own period tent, garb, feast ware? Can you “play your part” for the crowd? What is it you’re going to do all day while waiting for the party that night?
Even before the crowds show up the encampment must be built. The tents need to be erected, interiors decorated, fence lines set, feast hall assembled, kitchen brought up to speed, displays set up, and fire pits and lanterns/torches readied. This all happens days before faire opens. Do you take the time off work to make this happen? If not, why is somebody else going to do it for you? Unless they already “owe” you, then you’ll “owe” them. You need to make good on that debt if you want them to want you there. Don’t forget that it all must be torn down afterwards too.
Do you have:
More than one set of garb appropriate for the guild you wish to join?
Period feast ware?
Period seating?
Period tent?
Transportation for you & your equipment?
Storage for your equipment?
Commitment/ability for setup & teardown?
Finances available for camp expenses (wood, ice, & fuel)?
Finances for maintenance and repairs of personal equipment?
An ability/desire to attend multiple events?
The more of these you can answer “yes” to, the better. But even if you can’t, as long as you have skills to barter you’re in good shape…and labor is a skill.
Do you have:
An extra period tent to loan?
Extra garb or equipment?
Hardware for camp (lanterns, benches, tables, etc.)?
Can you transport others and/or their gear?
A skill/craft to trade/barter (brewers, carpenters, & cooks are biggies)?
Can you make garb or work leather?
Are you an entertainer?
More cash than free time? Find another member with more time than money.
Those are always welcome additions that can make up for ways in which your equipment might be lacking.
Then there’s the question of what your own personality will bring to the camp and how it will relate to the other members. Like any partnership, you’ll be expected to do your fair share. The issue will always be what’s “fair”. If nobody ever has to ask you to do something, because you do what you see needing to be done, then assuredly you’re doing more than your share. In return you can rest assured you’ll be welcome to the point that all your equipment needs will be taken care of. But sit on your butt and be assured you’ll NOT be invited back. So by the time you’re old and worn out you’ve better have “credit” or something else to barter with. Have you helped with the kitchen duties? Even IF a person’s persona was that of a slave, you should respect the effort they’re putting out to make YOUR event more enjoyable. So what are you doing to make THEIR event more enjoyable? After all, who’d want to put on a feast for people who don’t appreciate it enough to show it?
Do you have special needs? Allergies to tobacco smoke? Have you got kids that need watching? Make sure the Guild you’re interested in is kid friendly. Dietary needs and religious/moral beliefs should be addressed ahead of time too. Basically anything that might effect a person’s enjoyment needs to be addressed.
Finally your persona will need to be addressed. Don’t come to a royal court wanting to portray a Fairy, unless you’re portraying an actor playing the part of a fairy in a performance, and ” Klingons need not apply at the Viking encampment, the Star Trek “Away Team” just needs to go away, and please take that Jedi with you. Thanks and fare thee well!” Seriously though, make sure your character is believable. When the 5’4” 120lb. “Sir Aluminum Foil” stops by to boast of his latest combat victory…well let’s just say that’s pushing reality too far for even me. Tell me of the adventure you had hunting, or even better poaching. Tell me of the bandit or tax collector you’ve outsmarted. Tell me of the blue eyed raven haired woman you bought/sold at the slave market. Take the time to research your persona. Make sure you have the right equipment to support it. You and those you’re playing with will get much more out of it IF you’re believable. This is especially true for those who aspire to be “Royals”. How many “courts” have been ruined by bad royalty, those unworthy of the respect the position is due? Even in these Modern Middle Ages injustices have cost more than one Dictator their crown. So find out what “Royalty” expects and what you can expect from them in return when considering a guild.
But most importantly remember this is all for fun. It isn’t real. This isn’t supposed to turn into a cult. Crowns are made from base metals and fake gems, so don’t be surprised that those wearing them aren’t the “real thing” either. They’re just people playing a role who need your help to do so and as such are indebted to you for your help…so what are they giving you in return?