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I get asked a lot about what the Art of War (AoW) event is. I thought I'd share my thoughts here.
If you like SCA war fighting, then this may be the funnest event you've ever been to.
After 23 years in the SCA, other than the event I got Knighted at, AoW is the most fun I've ever had at an event. Period.
If you are ambivalent to war fighting, or maybe just never understood what the big deal about it is, then this event may just change your SCA fighting career.
Basically, it's an event where several out-of-Kingdom, and many in-Kingdom experts on SCA combat share their knowledge for 4 days straight.
It's similar to Sport of Kings, but there are some very stark differences between AoW and any other SCA event you may have attended.
#1-For the 4 days, you are in the ARMY. You sleep together, wake up together, eat together, then attend classes and fight together EVERY day. It's all the fun part of being in the army without the bad stuff (no drill sergeants-unless you bring one)
#2- No Camp to set up or take down. Because you are there for ONE thing and one thing only, War fighting. You just bring your sleeping bag, your armour, and some clothes, that's it. No tent to put up or take down, your food is all prepared for you, no dishes to wash etc. You sleep, eat, drill, and fight, for 4 days straight.
#3- Many folks there attend as a UNIT. Half the people there are flying solo, but about half are there as a fighting group. If you aren't already in a war unit, you will likely be assigned one (sometimes different ones every day).
Don't' feel like you have to be in a unit to attend! As a matter of fact, there are some fighting households that began (Black Company, Iron Ring) during the last AoW!
As I said, this is different than any other SCA event you may have been to.
So, here is a sample day of what you would typically expect.
7:00 - 9:00 Everyone get's up- Breakfast is served till 9:00
9:00 -12:00 Breakfast ends, first round of classes start for the day. (possible multi-track, examples small unit tactics, moving as a large unit, how to be a spear god, etc.)
12:00 Lunch is served till 1:00
1:00 Armour up.
1:30 -3:30 Armoured classes start
3:30 - 5:00 Practical application of classes start (we test the theories of the days classes by fighting scenarios usually)
5:00 Armour off and showers (Yes there are hot showers on site)
6:00 Evening panel discussions, and presentations on historical Wars, Campaigns or Generals. Some Historical, some SCA.
8:00 Return to bunks or evening quiet time.
9:00 Go to bed, cause your butt gets woken up at 7:00 am to start the party
over again!
This event takes place during April 15-18, 2010 in Aquaterra.
The still vestigial Website is at:
It will have much more information as we get closer, but pre-registration is already open. Units who want to reserve cabins are highly encouraged to pre-reg. Anyone looking for the 'Spartan Experience' can rough it in the Adirondacks, but if you are a weather-weenie like me, I would recommend sleeping in the main hall if you are going it alone.
Please don't hesitate to ask myself, Sir Hathawulf, Sir Brand or any other of the White Lions about this event. Most site specific questions should go to Jade of Redstone who is the event steward. Her contact info I believe is on the website.
Save the weekend. (It's no longer opposite Tir Righ's Principality event!)
Please forward as you will.
In Service,
Sir Daniel
KEM An Tir and War Junkie
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