Reality Crashes My Brain

I'm not very good at schtick.  I tend to be rather shy, not very outgoing.  Really, it's a miracle I'm in the SCA at all... but that's another story.  However, schtick is one of the reasons I am still in the SCA.  I joined the SCA almost six years ago.  At that time, there was a lot of schtick going on.  This was the time of the sheep trials and the balloon-dog defense, the first ARRG! with its battle between Jara and Windhaven for Ripon, the second ARRG! with the disappearance of Doctour Jock.  As a recent acquaintance put it, I joined the SCA for the fencing; I stayed for the schtick.

Over the past few years, unfortunately, schtick in Northshield has faded.  The Rapier-banter list is silent.  There have not been any sheep trials or their like.  Little time is spent developing personae and their relations with one another.  This is disappointing; I really miss those earlier years.  Oh, sure there are reasons for this decline.  Those good at schtick have other obligations now; people have moved; mundane life interferes.  Nevertheless, I miss it.

I saw a glimmer of hope, however, this past weekend, at Warriors & Warlords XIV.  Otes brought to site several nerf blowguns.  Almost immediately, Doc Jock organized an assault on the neighboring midrealm encampment.  It was beautiful watching Mateo and Roland scamper for cover before the assault.  It escalated after the assault.  Sybil swiped the nerf darts.  Jock kidnapped Miguel.  Cookies and cordial appeared!  A ransom note was delivered.  A squirrel was kidnapped.  Negotiations ensued.  A squirrel was nearly hung!  Booty was acquired....  That was fun.  And beyond the fun, we met several new people - Miguel, Sybil, Janusch.  (Marina we knew already.)  Why has it become so difficult to have fun in the SCA these days?

Here are some rules for schtick, as stated by Mateo:

1) Never swipe essentials.  (Food, fencing gear, sunblock (!) are out.)

2) Never, never go in someone's tent.

3) Stuffed animals make good hostages.

4) Play the game: an RBG is a "gun" even if it isn't loaded.

5) Have fun.