Answer 12 & 13: Preprints

"12) On the subject of preprints and awards, would you prefer to set someone else to design them or would you be more prone to designing them yourself?

I realize from what I read today that preprints for a reign appear to be done at least a month before an actual reign starts (which makes sense considering the fact that they want to give out awards during the beginning of their reign, but I'd simply never really considered it). Basically, as the reigns stand now, you have three months to either design or have someone else design 5(?) preprint awards (plus, I'm sure, quite a few other things to do or decide).

13) Would your awards be in a Japanese style and, if so, did the Japanese give out awards like they did in the West? If not, what century/culture would you choose?"

Since I do not have any experience on designing a scroll, I would probably be more comfortable with someone else designing it. However, I would want to have some input on the design. I've always like the scrolls that have a common theme for a reign. Like during Suzanna's last reign, they tried to have a representation of Hubert somewhere on the scroll. I find that interesting and unique for that particular reign.

The style of the scrolls would still be European based, but I might have a few Japanese touches made to it. I don't want to force my persona's culture on someone's scroll. I would however wish to have have something Japanese on it, probably kanji, so that it would be unique and identifiable from my reign.

Whether the Japanese gave out awards like in the West, I have not researched it, and I have not heard much of such awards. I'm sure they did to a certain extent, but to how much they did, I am not aware of that. Since the country was divided up into warring clans, I'm sure some awards were given, but they only would be worth anything in their own territory.

Answer 11: Type of Consort

"Which is more important to you and why...

...to rule with your significant other (ie, the person you love)?

...or to rule with someone you know will make a good ruler?"

The easy, and hopefully obvious answer is BOTH. But, I understand the basis of the question. If I had to choose, which would I? Considering my situation has changed a tad since this question was probably asked originally, it makes for a interesting question to ponder.

Ideally, I'd hope that my consort would be both, and since I was not seeing anyone when I decided to fight in Crown, I was resolved that my Consort would be someone who would make a good ruler. But now that I am seeing Isolda, that puts a different outlook on it. However, since she is new to the SCA, I don't think it would be fair to her or Calontir if she was my consort at this time, but I would consider her in the future. That would be a baptism by fire and putting more stress on the reign that will already be there.

Now I was just speaking specifically to my situation right now. If you mean generally speaking, and the person could not be both my significant other and a good ruler, then I would probably lean towards someone who is a good ruler for my first reign. If this wasn't my first reign, then I would go with my significant other. And this is with the assumption that we both think she would be able to handle being Queen, or that she even wants to be Queen.

In the end, the best scenario would be that my consort would be both someone I love, and someone who would be a good ruler.

Crown Roundtable

While at Fall RUSH, I made an audio recording of a roundtable on being Crown. It actually came out pretty decently, even with the interuptions. Once you've had a chance to listen to it, I would like your thoughts on the matter.

Question 1.3 & Goal

1.3) After the discussion on money, have you had a better chance to figure out how much money you need to have for your reign? Are you saving money for it?

Clothing Goal

So, did you make an outfit or at least part of an outfit for the month of September? :) If so, where are the pics?

Question 17

I'm going to start this question by saying it was prompted by reading through SCA Crowns. There is a lot of information on that page that might shed another light on the subject matter at hand.

You were seneschal for roughly 3 years. From what I've read or found thus far, being Crown is that responsibility times a factor of 10. I encourage you to answer the question before reading the above page, then to read the above page and see if your answer differs.

17) How do you see the responsibility of Crown and your abilities of maintaining an even keel without becoming overwhelmed?

Answer 10: First Order of Business

"What do you think/feel would be your first order of business as a newly Crowned King? or a newly Crowned Prince?"

Definitely banishment of certain people who annoy me. Yeah!

Ok, seriously. I have thought about this, and I don't really know for sure. Whenever I think about it, I remember something HG Kensor said once when asked about his feelings on his reigns. He said (and I'm drastically paraphrasing) that his first reign he really didn't know what he was doing, so he didn't want to do anything to screw things up. He was just along for the ride and to gain experience. For his second reign, he had an idea what it was like, and he had some things he wanted to do. Since he had that first reign under his belt, he had a better idea what he could do and couldn't do, and what obstacles he may face.

I feel that is pretty good logic. I'm going to assume that I'm not going to be a popular King anyway, so I don't really want to piss people off more than necessary. I'm not saying I'm going to be a pushover, but I don't think I want to openly and aggressively change things that might not be popular opinion.

However, one thing that I feel strongly about because I am a parent is activities for minors at events. I would want to make a change to Kingdom Law that if there are no youth activities scheduled at a event, no fee should be charged to minors. I think it is unfair for parents and children to pay to come to an event, but then have nothing for the children to do. This would be like charging admission for your children to go to a movie, and have them stare at a blank screen. I hope this would encourage groups to plan more children's activities, and thus get kids interested in the SCA at an earlier age. Maybe even promote some kid oriented events.