While the society and the Kingdom strive for greatness in many things, it is important that it also remember to love what its does.

This fundamental concept is embodied wholesale with our next subject. Originally from the Province of Mooneschaodwe, and a perpetual citizen of the north, his has risen from the ranks of aspiring fighter to become one of the of the backbone of the kingdom’s fighting arm while also embracing the spirit of hard work, generosity, and comradery.

Perhaps only one thing typifies this man more than his foolish grin, and that the spirit of enjoyment he carries with him nearly all the time at events and meetings.

From a Kingdom of Heroes comes Sör Vladislav “Vlad” Strelec

Introduction

What is your full SCA name and full title? Also, what do you prefer to go by at events?

Answer: Sör Vladislav Strelec, KSCA. Vlad is always preferred.

How long have you been playing in the SCA (also, how long have you been in Ansteorra)?

Answer: I have been playing in the SCA since the fall of 2003. I have lived in Ansteorra for the entirety of my SCA life.

How did you come into the SCA?

Answer: How did I come into the SCA? I hope you are ready for a good one. My sophomore year of college at Ok. State I was living in the dorms. One of the friends that I had made on my floor was a member of the SCA and had constantly harped and nagged and pleaded for me to come out and give it a try. Honestly, I wanted to but felt that I didn’t have the time. One day I saw my friend coming down the hall towards my room. He always entered a la Kramer from Seinfeld, so I locked the door and let him run smooth into it. After I got done laughing I let him in while I started working on an assignment. He just stood there in silence watching me type. A little fact about said friend, he had the ability to pass gas at will. So, while I was typing he decided to call upon this ability and let it rip. I was beyond irritated and told him to get out of my room or we were going to fight. He said this, “Okay, let’s do it. K-D lawn at noon on Sunday” and walked out of the room. I just stood there wondering if I had just been called out to duel Old West style. So, I showed up at the aforementioned date and time, saw a bunch of people having the time of their life, found my friend, suited up, and fought for what felt like hours (in actuality, was only about 5 minutes). I. Was. Hooked. The fighting brought me in, but the people that I met that day were what kept me. To this day they are still some of the best friends that I have and I would not be where I am today if not for them.

What is your (current) persona?

Answer: Short Answer: 1358 Ottoman Turkish

Long Answer: Romany, rounded up in the Wallachian slave trade, sold to the Ottomans, rose up through the devsirme to become a Turkish Spahi and timar holder.

What is your local SCA group? Have you played in any other groups previously?

Answer: Currently I have the pleasure to reside in the Barony of Wiesenfeuer. I started playing in the Province, then Shire, of Mooneschadowe, and had a brief yet very enjoyable stay in the Barony of Eldern Hills. Northern Region boy, through and through.

Are you an officer, deputy, or in another type of leadership role? (please feel free to elaborate on any of these you feel comfortable with, including time in, the job, and your favorite parts of the job)

Answer: Currently I am not an officer, but I have been Deputy Knight Marshall and Hospitaler during my time in Mooneschadowe. Being the Hospitaler was probably the most rewarding position I have ever had. Being able to see the spark in someone’s eye when you get to tell them all the wonderful things that we get to do with (and to) our friends.

Skillsets within the SCA

What activates do you most often participate in at events?

Answer: Fighting is primarily what I do at events, be it tournaments, melees or teaching during pick-ups. I have been known to pick up a bow or a throwing spear (I’ll leave the axes and knives to the professionals). And generally anything that anyone needs done I am more than happy to oblige.

What activities do you most often participate in with your local group?

Answer: Weekly fighter practices and when my schedule permits I like to help with the pop-up shed clean outs or work days.

What awards do you have, and why/how did you receive them?

Answer: I have an AoA, Sable Talon, Sable Comet (from Mooneschadowe), Centurion of the Sable Star, Sable Falcon, Knight of the Society, Flame of Chivalry (from Their Excellencies Ciarn and Branislava, Wiesenfeuer), and have held the King’s Blade of Chivalry two times (Lochlan III and Gabriel I).

Do any of your awards have a particular emotional significance to you?

Answer: Becoming a Knight of the Society was a pinnacle achievement for me and I strive to be worthy of that accolade every day. Being awarded the honor of carrying the King’s Blade of Chivalry also holds a great deal of significance for me. All of the devices on that scabbard and baldric are of very skilled, honorable, and great members of this Dream and I count myself lucky to be among them.

If someone were to see you at an event during the day, what would you most likely be doing?

Answer: Morning time they would see me hammering tent stakes or holding pavilion poles. Mid-day they would more than likely see me in armor and on the field or loving on my Lady and our child. In the afternoon if you don’t still see me in armor, I would be in the showers.

If someone were to see you at an event in the evening, what would you most likely be doing?

Answer: Either washing dishes and singing, talking with my friends and family, or sitting in the hafla playing my drum.

Have you tried a new activity recently, and if so, what was it and what were the results?

Answer: I attempted Knife, Axe, and Spear recently. Spear went great… Knife and Axe however were complete and utter failures. I don’t know if more practice would even help me. It was honestly that bad.

What is something in the SCA that you love to talk about?

Answer: I love delving into the history. Be it actual history or just listening to people recount their favorite moments in the SCA. That is something that keeps the fire burning for me.

Are there any SCA activities that you would like to learn more about?

Answer: Is all of them a good answer? My goodness, there are so many skilled people in this Kingdom and you can see they love what they do. It makes you want to do it too!

What do you feel is one of your strongest skills in the SCA?

Answer: I am a fighter and I love to fight.

What do you feel is a skill that you want to grow more in the SCA?

Answer: Leatherwork and woodworking are two things that I have always been interested in. When and if I have the time I would like to focus more on making those two things an actual skill set.

The Person

If someone wanted to talk with you at an event, or at a meeting, but didn’t know you, how would you like them to approach you and address you?

Answer: I am a very informal guy. If someone just came up to me, introduced themselves, and asked a question or we could talk about whatever they wanted to. As far as how they should address me, Vlad is just fine.

Do you consider yourself approachable, or perhaps a little intimidating?

Answer: I consider myself very approachable. One of the things I try to have with me at all times is a smile.

Could you talk about some of your SCA relationships? (students, teachers, friends, formal or informal).

Answer: Oh man. I had SO many people take me under their wing when I first started. Mooneschadowe was like my family. As far as formal relationships go, I was squired to Duke Jean Paul de Sens and Duchess Gilyan Alienora of Clonmacnoise. Jean Paul was one of the people that I met at my very first practice. I started just before he was announced to the Order of the Chivalry. When he was elevated I vowed to be their first squire. Sadly, I was number 2 or 3 (I have a squire twin). They helped shape me into the man I am today (in and out of the SCA) and continue to support and encourage me in my future. I now have a squire, Fynn Alreksson. He is a great guy that pushes me every week to be a better fighter, teacher, Knight, and person. To get someone like him as my first squire makes me feel very lucky. I am also a member of House Whitacre. Every one of my family in the SCA is like family to me outside of it. Honestly, I don’t think there is enough time or paper for you to print all the people that I hold in high regard.

Do you usually go to court? (why or why not)

Answer: Usually, yes. I go to cheer like a fool for awards and recognition of deserving individuals of the populace.

Some big issues

What is something about the current SCA that you would like to change, and why?

Answer: Recruitment. If you aren’t growing, then you are dying.

What do you feel is your biggest current contribution to the SCA?

Answer: I and my lovely bride had a beautiful baby girl recently. So, bolstering Ansteorra’s numbers one child at a time!

From the Barony of Namron, the Ansteorran Gazette is honored to feature a lifelong member of the society and fixture of the northern region. For many in Namron, some of their earliest memories include a pleasant greeting from Adena, and if anyone had ever served feast in Narmon, its hard to imagine not running into her with a tray in one hand, and a pitcher of tea or water in the other.

From a Kingdom of Heroes comes Her Excellency, Adena Terricsdottir

Introduction
Question: What is your full SCA name and full title? Also, what do you prefer to go by at events?
Answer: Baroness Adena Terricsdottir, OP Adena is fine

Question: How long have you been playing in the SCA (also, how long have you been in Ansteorra)?
Answer: I have been in the SCA since I was born, so 35 years. My first event was a Namron Medieval Fair, and I was about a month old.

Question: How did you come into the SCA?
Answer: My mother, and that entire side of the family, has been in the SCA since the last 70’s. My Mother, Grandfather, 2 uncles and 2 aunts were all at Pennsic IV. My father began playing in the late 70s as well, with both of my parents in Caer Mear (where I still have a cousin who play), they moved to Ansteorra in 1980, and I was born in 1982. I have always lived in Namron, and always played in Ansteorra.

Question: What is your (current) persona?
Answer: 11th Century Norse

Question: What is your local SCA group? Have you played in any other groups previously?
Answer: Namron, Ansteorra. Always

Question: Are you an officer, deputy, or in another type of leadership role? (please feel free to elaborate on any of these you feel comfortable with, including time in, the job, and your favorite parts of the job)
Answer: I am a Pelican (which I think counts as a leadership role), but I am also currently the Namron Treasurer.

Skillsets within the SCA
Question: What activates do you most often participate in at events?
Answer: List Mistressing, feast serving, and Waterbearing. I have been working on learning new things, so I have recently been spending a lot of time under a pavilion learning from others.

Question: What activities do you most often participate in with your local group?
Answer: I always attend populace meeting (as an officer) and I sometimes attend A and S classes.

Question: What awards do you have, and why/how did you receive them?
Answer: My list is long, so without naming them ALL, I have mostly service awards, with a smattering of A and S awards in there too. I love being of service, and have done many types of service. Working with Kids was always a favorite, and I soon will be doing more there, I am sure. I enjoy doing work that is fast paced, but also organized (feast serving and list mistressing), and I love teaching others to do those same services.

Question: Do any of your awards have a particular emotional significance to you?
Answer: I was honored to receive a Compass Rose when I was young (for work with Children). I have always loved doing that, but it has fallen more towards the wayside as I got older. My elevation to Pelican will always hold a very special place in my heart, as will my Court Barony.

Question: If someone were to see you at an event during the day, what would you most likely be doing?
Answer: Sitting and nahlbinding or embroidering.

Question: If someone were to see you at an event in the evening, what would you most likely be doing?
Answer: Eating feast, or perhaps helping with court.

Question: Have you tried a new activity recently, and if so, what was it and what were the results?
Answer: Card weaving… so far, not so good.

Question: What is something in the SCA that you love to talk about?
Answer: The hand skills that we have. The way that artisans can take ordinary items (thread or metal) and make truly amazing and inspiring items out of them!

Question: Are there any SCA activities that you would like to learn more about?
Answer: metalworking and pottery are both on my list of things I want to learn.

Question: What do you feel is one of your strongest skills in the SCA?
Answer: My ability to talk to people, and to make people feel included (I HOPE)

Question: What do you feel is a skill that you want to grow more in the SCA?
Answer: My art. I say now that I am crafty, but not artsy. I want to work more on artsy.
The Person

Question: If someone wanted to talk with you at an event, or at a meeting, but didn’t know you, how would you like them to approach you and address you?
Answer: I think that I am approachable, but I know that the titles and hat can intimidate some people. If someone chooses to address me as Mistress or Baroness, that is fine, but certainly not something I would ever chastise someone for not doing. I think that just approaching me and asking me for time would suffice.

Question: Do you consider yourself approachable, or perhaps a little intimidating?
Answer: See above. I don’t usually think of myself as such, but some people do find certain ranks intimidating. Please approach me!

Question: Could you talk about some of your SCA relationships? (students, teachers, friends, formal or informal).
Answer: Sometimes, it feels like all of my relationships are SCA. I am lucky to be in a very close knit group of SCA friends. Many weekends, if we aren’t at an event, we still find ourselves at a movie, house party or a birthday party with the same people. We have much more in common than just the SCA; reading interests, movie interests, humor, intelligence. I think that these friendships might have started out as SCA, but have evolved into true, mundane friendships as well.

Question: Do you usually go to court? (why or why not)
Answer: Yes, anytime I am at an event, I am at court. I love seeing those I know being recognized for the good that they have done. I think that recognition really helps people keep going and doing what they love, and I like being able to support that.

Some big issues
Question: What is something about the current SCA that you would like to change, and why?
Answer: I wish we (myself included) made an effort at being more period. I think that includes upgrading every-day items, less talking about totally mundane things (movies or politics), moving cars out of line of sight…

Question: What do you feel is your biggest current contribution to the SCA?
Answer: I hope that it is making people feel welcome and keeping them in the SCA.

Twenty years ago, Ansteorra learned of the passing of Sir Riccardo Di Pissa, who was described at the time as “a hero, from the kingdom of heroes.”

For many, no other quote has as accurately formed Ansteorran’s perception of the Kingdom than those few words. From Ansteorrans who helped shape the Kingdom to the newest member, every person has heroic qualities and each, in their own way, makes this society all the better for it.

When The Ansteorra Gazette set out to make a series highlighting the “Kingdom of Heroes,” a call to members was announced. The response has been astounding.

For the second instalment, from a Kingdom of Heroes comes Honorable Lady Magdalena Cortez.

Introduction

Q: What is your full SCA name and full title? Also, what do you prefer to go by at events?

A:  Honourable Lady Magdalena Cortez, but everyone pretty much calls me Dena. I ask in formal introductions to be addressed properly; otherwise Dena is sufficient.

Q: How long have you been playing in the SCA (also, how long have you been in Ansteorra)?

A: I started playing when I was 17, so roughly 1990/1991,  but I didn’t take the SCA seriously until I moved to Ansteorra  in 2005.

Q: How did you come into the SCA?

A: Some friends were fringe players in California and took me to an event one evening. I fell in love with the drumming and dancing.

Q: What is your (current) persona?

A: 16^th Century Spanish

Q: What is your local SCA group? Have you played in any other groups previously?

A: Bryn Gwlad out of Austin, Texas. I played in the Barony of Carolingia in the East Kingdom briefly. Before that, I didn’t pay much attention to what groups were in the area.

Q: Are you an officer, deputy, or in another type of leadership role? (please feel free to elaborate on any of these you feel comfortable with, including time in, the job, and your favorite parts of the job)

A: At this time, I am a deputy Seneschal for Bryn Gwlad.

Skillsets within the SCA

Q: What activates do you most often participate in at events?

A: Working. All the working! Also rapier fighting. And of course socializing with friends and family.

Q: What activities do you most often participate in with your local group?

A: I live quite a distance from my local group so I primarily keep an eye on the FB group, post notifications for the business meetings and attend business meetings as time/finances allow.

Q: What awards do you have, and why/how did you receive them?

A: AOA, Sable Talon (for killing Countess Gwen at BAM), Queen Rapier from Countess Lisette, Golden Martlet, Drageiau Bryn (Service award for BG), Sable Crane, Star of Merit from Duke Lochlan and Countess Michelle

Q: Do any of your awards have a particular emotional significance to you?

A: My QR was awarded to me on the field and was the one Countess Lisette wore. Receiving my Star of Merit from Lochlan and Michelle as well as my Sable Talon all carry pretty deep emotions with them.

Q: If someone were to see you at an event during the day, what would you most likely be doing?

A: Working or fighting – that’s all I seem to have time to do at events!

Q: If someone were to see you at an event in the evening, what would you most likely be doing?

A: It really depends on how the day went. I have been known to be out and about with my friends, or fast asleep by 8 p.m.!

Q: Have you tried a new activity recently, and if so, what was it and what were the results?

A: I have recently taken up knitting. I’m still in the newbie stage which means lots of frustration and throwing of yarn.

Q: What is something in the SCA that you love to talk about?

A: Silk banner painting and brewing. I am certainly not the master in either but I love talking about them.

Q: Are there any SCA activities that you would like to learn more about?

A: Knitting, Bobbin lace making and Viking wire weaving. They have all peaked my interest and I would like to learn more about how to do them.

Q: What do you feel is one of your strongest skills in the SCA?

A: I am always willing to jump in to help accomplish a task. I am always willing to work.

Q: What do you feel is a skill that you want to grow more in the SCA?

A: I need to hone the skill of patience, especially when something doesn’t go according to plan, especially with projects I am working on or learning.

The Person

Q: If someone wanted to talk with you at an event, or at a meeting, but didn’t know you, how would you like them to approach you and address you?

A: Time and place are important. During a tournament may get them a short response or reception because I am trying to focus on the tournament. But afterwards, I am all ears and happy to sit and talk. I especially love to talk while working so roll up those sleeves and let’s get to work!

Q: Do you consider yourself approachable, or perhaps a little intimidating?

A: I like to think I am approachable but have been told on several occasions that I am incredibly intimidating. I am not sure how best to combat that. I do have a strong personality but I am always willing to talk and help.

Q: Could you talk about some of your SCA relationships? (students, teachers, friends, formal or informal)?

A: I have been a protégé to Mistress Myfanwy for seven years now  (I think, may be eight now) and I am cadet to Don Pieter Raush for four years. I am married to Centurion Vasilii and have friends scattered across the Kingdom. .

Q: Do you usually go to court? (why or why not)

A: I initially didn’t. My very first court was an eight-hour court, so that left me with a sour taste but since coming to Ansteorra, I tend to enjoy them much better and love seeing friends getting recognized for their hard work and dedication.

Some big issues

Q: What do you feel is your biggest current contribution to the SCA?

A: I really am not sure, but my trustworthiness when tasked with a job I think is my biggest contribution. People know that if they ask for my help, I will see it done.