Wynn Answers: 1.2 Expense

1.2) Wynn posted this in answer to Q1.0:
The numbers that I have heard are more in the $5-7k range. With a couple of reigns that I know of being more like $10k.
How would you break these numbers down? Wouldn't some of that cost already be absorbed in the fact that we generally go to events anyway? Take for granted that I realize as Crown more events get added to the roster causing other expense, but I think a rough estimate of other possible costs might be helpful.

Honestly, I didn't ask these types of questions of the people who I spoke to about this. Hard to feel comfortable being too specific without appearing nosy. The numbers have been things like "Here's how much we went in debt during our reign" or "This is how much I recommend that you have in the bank earmarked for the reign before you start." I think every reign has its own bugaboos, too--for example: maybe your car breaks down and you have to fix it so that it can drive long distances.

Though I'm not so good at that whole "breaking it down" into hard numbers thing, I can list various and sundries for you:
Largesse--even though you ask for it, you end up buying some gifty things, too (e.g., special gifts for another Kingdom's Crown that you visit or who visit you)
Travel--the travel fund only covers so much
Wars--you take a whole lot more than you would as a member of the populace and probably go to more than you might otherwise (this includes some that may happen while you are Prince and Princess)
Clothes--looking good costs, and while people make stuff for you, it isn't always free--nor do I feel that's a realistic expectation for you to have
Scrolls--giving out cool stuff costs (there's a budget for this, and scribes will donate a lot, but I wouldn't want to be that kind of Crown)
Special things--pilgrim's badges as payment for the muster at war; dubi to give out with fealty; favors for those who fight in your Crown tourney; anything special you give with King's favors, Court Baronies, QEDs, etc.

And regular events don't cost the same. It used to be just you, now you and your thrones and your hats and, and, and... And, as you say, you go to more than you would normally, and you may have retinue with you that you my or may not be/feel responsible for in some way. You can't necessarily go to events in the same way, either--Crown can't swan in at 11 (well, not if they want to look good, and most likely even the ones who do have been working prior to showing up) and there are expectations of going to feast at every event and of at least making an appearance at post revels. I think you may end up day-tripping a lot fewer events--which can mean hotel costs plus eating away from home for longer.

There's a start on some of the things that will cost.

Answer 1.1: Current Expenses

"1.1) In an effort to help you determine your costs, what do you normally spend on a weekend for an event? Average."


That really varies on a lot of factors. Depends on if I'm riding by myself or not. Whether people chip in on gas. Where the event is. Will Con be traveling with me. Site/Feast/Camping fees. Whether I bring food, eat out, or eat feast. Will there be merchanting (ie. Kris Kinder) that I'm interested in. And whether I have to make anything specifically for the event (garb, armor, camping, etc.)

Wars are an exception though. They definitely cost more than regular events, but they also don't happen every weekend, and you can plan for them. If I won Crown, the only war during my reign will be Estrella.

Gas is the biggest expense by far. For an average event, not including gas, I can do it under $50, easy. Even with Con. If I just do the basics, which I can and have done, I can do an event for just the site fee. But that usually means day tripping it, bringing my own food or eating at home. With gas nowadays, I can probably expect double that unless I'm riding with someone who is willing to go in on gas.

So really, your question is hard to answer. There are a lot of variables.

Wynn Answers: 1. Expense, 4-5. "Famous"

1) How expensive do you think being Crown will be?

The numbers that I have heard are more in the $5-7k range. With a couple of reigns that I know of being more like $10k. Of course, there are ways to make things more and less expensive. I'm pretty sure the higher cost reigns included a lot of out of kingdom travel (read airline tickets) and expensive clothes, gifts, etc.

[Question 2 seems very personal to Kato. And I don't have time for 3 right now—but I'll get back to it.]

4) Would either of you equate "Crown" with the same rock-star attention you get with being, for lack of a better word, famous? (Even if only on a minor level)

Khaentlahn, I think you have the most experience with what it means to be "famous," but a shot in the dark is that yes, Crown does come with a minor level of this within the SCA. It definitely puts you on a new level of renoun, with a much larger number people who you have never met knowing your name, and talking about you, judging your decisions, etc. There's a level of demand and responsibility that is quite different from a member of the general populace. To explain a bit more, as Crown, there are a huge number of people who have expectations of you, and who will want to talk to you, ask you questions, or just be close to you.

5a) If 'yes', have you ever been in the position to handle "famous"?

There's an amount of this that comes with becoming a capital P Peer—for sure at the time of your elevation. The number of people who know your name that you've never met is much higher. People who you don't know now feel a certain ownership of you and that they now have a reason and a right to stand back and judge the things that you do. This happened for me to a much lesser extent when I became a Lily, so I can only imagine that Kato would be experiencing it with his recent elevation to Hus.

Answer #1: Expenses

"1) How expensive do you think being Crown will be?"

I really don't know how much it will cost. I am going to assume around $1,000. This is one thing that you don't hear much about, at least I haven't. Vaska went to a class once about preparing to be Royalty and they mentioned it to be around $1,000, but obviously your mileage may vary. It depends on what you do. Traveling every weekend will be expensive.

Gifts, vehicle maintenance, garb, travel expenses, food, site fees, etc. are just some of the expenses I will have to consider. I know there is a travel fund for Royalty, but that only goes so far, and I don't want to tax that if I don't have to. I am going to try to save money each month, so I can hopefully rely on that instead.