How I Found the SCA (or the SCA Found Me)
This began as a Facebook Post by Fergus Ó Dubhshláine. It occurred to Duchess Natalya de Foix that these stories should be stored in Compendium Caidis.
Please feel free to add your own story.
From Lachlan of Cromarty
When I was in highschool I stumbled across a demonstration at Jackson's Mill in Lewis County, West Virginia. The demo was hosted by the Barony of the Debatable Lands (Pittsburgh, PA. Then Kingdom of the East, now AEthelmearc). I recall seeing heavy weapons fighting and got to try my hand at fencing. Being D&D players, my best friend John and I were pretty intrigued. We wanted to do armored combat, which eventually I would try long before picking up fencing for real. But first we helped found a shire in Morgantown, WV known then as the Shire of Swampwater Springs (not my name!--I did design atrocious branch heraldry, however!). Our first real event was Pennsic in perhaps 1984? After high school, I moved to Caid and John moved to Pittsburgh. We both participated in our respective kingdoms for some time, though John was more interested in other Living History groups and eventually parted from the SCA. I'm apparently here for good!
From Natalya de Foix
In 1975, I was working at UCLA's Graduate School of Management, and as part of an Arts Management project, we decided to put on a play. One of the grad students and I got to talking, and the SCA came up. He said, "Here, you should call this person and talk to her about it," so I did. That's how I met Bevin Fraser of Stirling, who invited me to her home for tea. My first "event" was a council meeting at the home of Piers and Ximena; my first costumed event was the investiture of Thomas and Elaine. About six months after joining, I became Principality Seneschal, and somehow it's now murfle, murfle decades later. . .
From Liudmila Vladimirova doch'
In the fall of 1998 I started grad school at UCSD, and during the club rush (I think that's what it is called) encountered an SCA table by the College of St. Artemas. They told me the current King was named Ivan (Eye-van, which I told them was wrong) and I could totally do Russian stuff if I wanted to. So the following week I went to their meeting (in a long dress with a shawl because I thought you must make an effort at all times). Deborah Fox was there teaching about embroidery ("You can do it between classes! It isn't hard!") and showing awesome Elizabethan garb. I was hooked, and went online to find out what could I do without sewing skills. I discovered the Slavic Interest Group and came up with the name. I also encountered Mistress Soraya, to whom I later apprenticed. And in a couple of days I made my first outfit by hand because I didn't own a sewing machine, so that I could attend Calafian Anniversary. In a proper embroidered headdress, of course, because Richenda! That first outfit had gold rick-rack on it, which I later replaced, so my daughter now wears it to events.
From John ap Griffin
Bjo/Flavia & I were long-time science fiction & fantasy fans. We participated (sometimes ran) conventions, perticipated (& sometimes ran) masquerades. When the Hobbit & Lord of the Rings books were published, we devoured them; we'd been sword & sorcery fans & Tolkein's work too these to a whole new level. We moved to the SF Bay Area from SoCal in 1967 & some fan friends there suggested that we join them in attending a medieval reenactment event in March; they knew we'd be able to come up with costumes (even if Bjo was 8 months pregnant with our 2nd daughter Lora/Lorissa). So that's how we witnessed the first actual coronation in the SCA, when Henrik the Dane (now Duke Henrik of Havn) rode in to be crowned on a borrowed horse.
From (Amy Cendejas)
My boyfriend got me involved. I'd always loved the idea of Renaissance "play" but I didn't have the money to get to a "Faire". He told me about this and I have been enamored ever since, but it's only been since March this year. LOL
From (Sarah Javed)
I had heard of it from word of mouth when I was in HS but the chateline at the time was MIA from my area and so I never got to get involved. Then about a year later once I graduated I tried again - I met up with a nice family at their home, but still didn't have much guidance after that and never made it to an event until about Another year later when two coworkers of mine were involved. I believe I wore a cloak to work one day and it sparked the conversation. That's when I finally got to go to an event. Between persistence and luck - HA!
From Guenevere Marian Coe
I remember I heard about the SCA while I was in HS in the mid '70s. I went to a few events when it was still at the bowling greens off 6th St. Baron Talanque was the only one who remembered me from that period. I there as a long period of inactivity while priorities changed - but I never forgot. In '91 there was a demo at a fair in San Marcos, I think, and I've been playing ever since.
From (Pat Kaschube)
Ren faire pre military, turned into SCA as a boot E5 in the military as the Corvus warband showed the comradarie and discipline that I wanted in my SCA fighting. 22 years latter it still holds true. Through the many ups and downs the Raven is strong.
From (Triona Le Fox)
It was during winter formal in HS. I was with my date, and we were having dinner w/ a few of the other kids. One of them was talking about sword fighting. I HAD to know more. So he told me about this wonderful group called the SCA where they would teach you how to use a sword (Allied Gardens) , dress up in medieval clothes, and go camping. Not long after I found myself going to said park, and meeting some of the fighters. I went to Potrero, but left for school so it really wasn't till a couple years later before I was able to do much beyond wars.
From (Pete Reimer)
The 1980's. My junior high English teacher and her husband were members of the SCA from Berkeley. Went to a fighter practice and was hooked. This was also the D&D teenage years so the chance to experience a part of that in the real world was very exciting.
From Caspian Blackrune
I was a D&D geek in HS in the early 80s. A friend and I used to fight with broomsticks in the back yard. He saw an article where Canyons was having an event and we attended. I've been addicted ever since.
From Tierrynna Caer Narvon
Noticing the highschool trend. I was about 15, one summer my best friend and i were walking around and she said she had a meeting to go to. Not wanting to intrude i said i'd wait at the library. But she insisted that i'd be welcome. So i went. The small group was planning a weekend camping event, and as i sat and listened to these folks brainstorming, well i had to contribute to the idea pool. My first event was probably 6 months later, 12th nite. It was truly a magical night of fun, costumes, food and frivilousness. But i was only 15 going on 16. I was unable to be involved for a few years. But after graduating HS, i found the local group in So. Idaho. I jumped right in and still enjoy my friend's and SCA family.
From Gürcü Iskender
As a teenager, I was obsessed with ALL things sword-related - played RPGs, modern fencing, all the movies Fighter practice was at a park near my dad's house and we went a few times, as I was VERY interested. Unfortunately, I was rudely snubbed by the people there (Except for Baron Cameron and Sir Corwin, later Sir Alisander) - so i started a LARP (which at one point had 400+ people playing). Met Sheridan Ua Neill in the LARP, and he convinced me to give the SCA a second chance, as he and his wife had started playing SCA also. That was 1987 or so.
The rude folks? Some of them have now been friends for 20+ years.
