[Artemisia] Possible additional rapier activities at Uprising

[Mike Bradley]

Unto my brothers and sisters of the blade, Greetings from Don Conchobhar,

A little while back I had an idea for a tournament that I was going to
run this Uprising. But, I will not be doing so primarily for a very
personal reason. Don't bother asking what, as I will probably run the
tourney at a future date, and I won't give away the surprise until I
decide to do so.

However, while attending Quest in Gryphons Lair (Your Excellencies, I
commend You for Your gracious hospitality and Your event stewards for
a wonderful time; Your Highness Tianna, I do believe that my daughter
likes You more than she does me after questing with You) I spoke with
many and two things seemed to come up a lot. However, before speaking
with the Powers That Be to arrange things, I'd like to gauge the
interest of the rapier community at large. Basically, I don't feel
like putting in the effort to run things if they are going to be
poorly received or attended.

Matter the first, a Rose & Butterfly Tourney. Before going any
further, I should note, that if I run this it will be under the
original rules from when I first ran the tourney. Specifically that
all entrants must be sponsored by a Lady of the Rose or Papillion (and
similar Orders from other Principalities, i.e. a Duchess, Countess, or
Viscountess) or currently reigning Queen or Princess. I would be
interested in hearing both from the rapier fighters and the Ladies on
this matter; a lack of interest on either side would be enough to
convince me not to sponsor and run the tourney. As there is little
time to prepare, I would only require a letter of sponsorship if the
sponsor was not able to be present.

Matter the second, Battle Chess. The last time I recall rapier Battle
Chess at Uprising we were still using foils and epees, Master Albert
had just received his White Scarf, and I was attending my first event.
Don't ask what year it was, or what Uprising it was, I'm not
particularly fond of being reminded of my age. If this is to happen,
there are a few things that are needed ... (1) 32 (no more, no
less...ok, I *can* work with less, but I'd rather not, and if there
are more, well, maybe more than one game will happen) rapier fighters
that want to participate (2) two people that want to play chess (3)
barring any visiting Donas, Their Ladyships KyneWynn and Rowan to
portray the Queens (4) at least one more, because I'm up for playing,
Don for Kings on each side.

As it is *very early* Tuesday morning, I'll give through this up
coming weekend to gauge interest. This is not to say that you only
have that long to find a sponsor for the R&B, or that I need a list of
all 32 chess pieces by then, but a limit on when if there is not
enough interest in one or both activities that I am not going to get
them onto the schedule. This should give everyone on the list a chance
to go to fighter practice, chat with people, etc. and let me know. You
can post back to any of the lists that this went out to, or reply to
me privately. Also, feel free to forward to this to any of the local
lists, or any other list as you see fit.

HL Conchobhar, Defender of the White Scarf