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Subject: Rapier conduct conventions

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Kristophe

Provost
Posts:81

08/01/2006 10:13 PM	Alert
I was wondering if anyone had established a standardized set of 'conventions' regarding fight conduct. Recently we've had a few instances at local practices in which out-region folks interpret events differently and it's led to some misunderstanding. Examples include: 1. As a point of safety our local practice generally resets a fight if someone's blunt becomes entangled/caught in a swept hilt. It doesn't happen often but when it does we like to make sure the blunt is still properly attached etc. When fighting folks from other regions I've seen someone yank back a rapier to free it and proceed to strike immediately - this to me represents a safety concern. The question becomes - if one fighter pauses to allow a safety check and the other takes advantage of that pause to kill them it's not really a fair bout. What's the accepted policy on this? 2. Points of advantage. If you arm someone, and then you leg them, various groups will either concede advantage or not. Is there a set policy on this? I have heard good arguments in both directions so I was wondering if there was a standard? 3. 'Arming' someone. Our practice generally lets someone transfer a weapon to an offhand and ready themselves before continuing. The exception to this is combination attacks or attacks in motion are allowed to finish before allowing the person to re-arm. I have however heard that this is not necessarily standard so what's the accepted procedure? It seems that different regions of Antir handle such occurrences differently so I'd be curious to see what 'conventions' have sprouted in different regions.

KitH

Free Scholar
Posts:65

08/02/2006 11:13 AM	Alert
Here are my thoughts concernign those points. 1. Yes you should stop fighting and check your blunt if that blunt has gotten caught in your opponents guard. I have had several instances where we have stopped after that instance and discovered the blunt still in my guard. 2. That one depends solely on the fighter in question. 3. Gernerally the practice that I have seen is to allow the transfer of the weapon. In fact, I don't remember a time where I haven't seen it allowed. But the rules do say that allowing that transfer is optional. (Section 6.2.8 of the current rules) Let me add another situration for discussion 4. "Legging" someone. In most of the areas that I've fought, the fight doesn't stop as the person who has been legged is going to their knees. I've heard that the convention in some locations is that the fight does stop. (Note. I've also found that it's generally the person who's been legged who wins that continued engagement...)

Kit Heinrichs SCA: Christopher MacEveny, Cadet to Don Magnus von Bremen

SimonFencer User is Offline

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Posts:132

08/02/2006 12:08 PM	Alert
Definitely stop to check that tips and guards are ok. If you ground a tip it is probably best to call a hold and check it also. I for one won’t yield any advantage nor do I expect you to either. If I throw a single shot and retreat you get to change weapons, if I am throwing a combo during an advancement you don’t. Seems fair to me in both situations. Basically this works the same as the arm. If I leg you and retreat you get to go to your knees unhindered. If I am throwing a combo (I have been known to do this) you are going to have to fight your way to your knees. I agree with Kit’s assessment, if you leg someone and don’t press the attack, there is a significantly higher chance that you won’t win after. Oh yeah, if you are fighting Guidoboldo and his large buckler, don’t leg him, he is practically invisible behind it. Paul

Paul Franklin in the SCA: Simon Valdez, AoA, cadet to Mouse Around the triple W: Simonfencer

Raoul

Has a lot to say...
Posts:269

08/02/2006 1:03 PM	Alert
1. If there is a concern about safety, such as when a tip gets caught in a guard, call 'Hold'. 2. Different strokes for different folks, but it would seem that the pendulum is swinging heavily towards keeping your advantage. 3 and 4. Simon has put it well. Raoul

"So let us go and get killed where we are told to go. Is life worth the trouble of so many questions?" -Athos

Dormouse

Provost
Posts:113

08/02/2006 7:19 PM	Alert
Mighty correct you are my dear Albert. But to add to that a convention, by definition, is not written down or codified. If this is done they become rules. Dormouse

I humble myself before God, and there the list ends. --- Maj. Gen. Sam Houston (The Alamo 2004)

Dormouse

Provost
Posts:113

08/02/2006 7:52 PM	Alert
To probably no one's surprise, I agree... Dormouse

I humble myself before God, and there the list ends. --- Maj. Gen. Sam Houston (The Alamo 2004)

Kristophe

Provost
Posts:81

08/03/2006 8:12 AM	Alert
Thanks for the feedback all. So as I read it the general consensus is that any attacks or combinations in motion take priority to letting a person reset after an arming/legging. However, if there's a break in the flow of combat then the polite thing to do is let them recompose etc. This is pretty much how we've been doing it so that's good to know.

Utgar the Mad User is Offline

Provost
Posts:104

08/18/2006 3:36 PM	Alert
1: Call hold and it negates any safety issues with the tip since you can then check it. 2: No where does it say, If you arm or leg your opponent you need to step back and let them switch or ground.... If I arm you and you don’t defend yourself in some way I’m going to continue till your dead or I am... I would also expect the reverse... meaning if I arm you and stand there like a dope while you continue fighting with the good arm and I die.. gee too bad for me 3: number two effectively covers this one as well I don’t know that there is a regional variation on this... I have fought people in Aquaterra that never push the fight, and I have fought others that always push the fight as well as all types in between..... I think as some here have said its dependant on the fighter and some days just their mood

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