On Chivalry

The following are my ongoing thoughts on what chivalry means to me. I will update them as they occur:

• The sooner you act like a knight, the sooner you will be one.
• As a Mistress-at-Arms, I am always pushing myself towards my knightly goals. I am always working on the ideals listed here, and coming up with new ones.
• Strive to push yourself further.
• It is too easy to rest on your laurels after you achieve something, but chivalry requires you to continue to push past that point and grow still further.
•  The path of chivalry is a challenge to grow outside of your comfort zone. 
•  The last two go hand-in-hand, but are not necessarily the same thing. It is possible to push yourself within your comfort zone, but you should also explore the world outside of it, in order to grow.
• A higher class of knight requires a higher class of person in all aspects.
• This comes from pushing yourself to be a better person, a harder worker, a better friend and significant other, and on, and on.
• The teacher provides the tools, the student must provide the desire and will.
• This does not mean that the teacher should not work hard for their students. As I see it, both individuals should be doing an equal amount of work. In this way, the individuals can get as much out of the relationship as they desire.
• The basic shots are not a task, they're a lifestyle.
• Fancy techniques and styles may look cool, and often come in handy, but you simply cannot execute them properly without the basics. It is impossible to grow properly in any activity without a strong base to grow from.

The Station of a Mistress-at-Arms

As a Mistress-at-Arms, on a path to knighthood, I have sworn to protect my Liege and his household, to train as he bids me, to maintain his kit in such a manner as befits one of his station, and to gain him renown by enhancing my own. I am sworn to bear arms against all his enemies and cherish those things he holds dear. Above all, I am a loyal warrior and serve my people as a strong sword arm and able body through my Liege.

In return, he promises to train me and give me every chance to walk upon the road I have chosen. He will protect my household and myself and bear arms against my enemies. He will guide me in the ways of a Knight and a peer and place me where I will have a chance to learn these things.

My First Sash

This is my red sash, indicating my Hireling status in the DGMA. The writing on the end is elvish for The Beast, my nickname courtesy of Oroku. On my sash, I have my first war braid indicating my attendance of Sam Hain. The red strand represents receiving my red sash, and the brown and green strands represent the DGMA. The other item is my first belt flag, made for me by Ora. It is the symbol of Clan Vertha of Dagorhir, the parent game of Belegarth. Clan Vertha is a house for the LGBT community and straight allies. The flags were created to help support visibility of the LGBT community in Dagorhir, and some have started sporting them in Belegarth.

Tasks for a Mistress-at-Arms

Here is a list of the tasks given to me by my teacher, Oroku Norinaga. I will do my best to create a complete list, and keep it updated.

• You cannot turn down a titled fighter who challenges you or offers to spar.
• Create a blog Clearly, this is ongoing, but generally accomplished.
• Take over leadership of the Freeholders of Stygia I am unable to perform this due to my early induction into the DGMA.
• Learn the 12 shots from Naga
• Create a biography
• Write an essay on the musical Camelot from the perspective of a future knight.
• Write a formal introduction to Squire Phira
• Create a Geddon page http://wiki.belegarth.com/%C3%81ine_N%C3%AD_Fhathaigh
• Write to Ronda Rousey, and get an autographed picture from her
•  Have enough garb to wear a different outfit each of the 6 days of Chaos
• Learn the 5 basic shots As we have determined, the basic shots are a lifestyle, not a task. However, I have them down, and use them consistently.
• Learn the 5 basic shots with the off-hand

Photos from Sam Hain VIII

Bonding with Badhbh

Team battles with some awesome people

Down an arm, but still in the fight

I got to meet the legend that is Forkbeard

Conquering Stygians! Áine (L), Oroku (M), Valas (R)

DGMA before the feast: Echo (L), Áine (M), Oroku (R)

We make quite a team: Áine (L), Oroku (R)

Sam Hain VIII

This weekend, October 5-7 of the year 2012, I attended my first event. It was a fantastic experience. I traveled with my teacher, Oroku Norinaga, to Crystal Springs in Utah. On the way, we picked up a fellow Hireling of the Dread Gate Mercenary Alliance, Echo. The nights were cold, the days were beautiful, the hot tub was warm, and most of all, the fighting was excellent and clean. I felt myself becoming a more controlled fighter as the day progressed, and I couldn't have been happier with my performance. I met lots of new people, made new friends, and met some legends. I may have even let slip the dark secret of my lineage (My father was half mini-van.) I am so glad that this was my first event, and I am eagerly looking forward to next event season. For now, I will continue to work hard, play hard, and grow as a Belegrim and a person.

Recruited

On Sunday, September 30th of the year 2012, I was recruited as a Hireling to the Dread Gate Mercenary Alliance. Sadly, this means I will not be able to take over the Freeholders of the realm of Stygia as planned, but I am very honored to have been invited to join this group of excellent fighters. They took a huge leap of faith to recruit me into their ranks so early in my career, and I promise to do my best to live up to the overwhelming vote of confidence they have granted me.