Defender of Starhaven

Tournament Rules

 

Eligibility: To enter the Defender of Starhaven Tournament the fighter must be:

1.    An authorized light weapons fighter in at least single epee rapier with a valid authorization card or complete copy of authorization paperwork at the time of registration for the tournament. (Out of kingdom authorization cards are acceptable if they are valid and the fighter has recently moved into the shire from outside of Trimaris)

2.    A resident in the Shire of Starhaven

3.    Must have a device for display between rounds of combat (see Device Rules below)

4.    Must have a consort present at the tournament. 

5.    Must NOT be a Don, Donna, Warder or other SCA Rapier equivalent

6.    Must not be the current Defender of Starhaven

 

Format

 

1.    The Defender of Starhaven Tournament is set up to closely match the rules and operation of the Champion of Starhaven Tournament.

2.    Each contender for Defender will present themselves, their consorts and a retinue in the Processional at the start of the Tournament. Retinues for the processional must be the minimum of the fighter and their consort with a maximum of 10 additional retainers

3.    Fighting will consist of a series of combat rounds.    The rounds are as follows :

a.     Standard round robin – each fighter will fight every other fighter.  Each pair of combatants will determine by agreement the types of weapons to be used for each round.  Schlager may be used if both are authorized and properly equipped for it. If no agreement can be reached, the fighters will use single epee.

b.     Melee – all fighters will fight against each other in a melee round.  Each fighter may choose their weapons style (except schlager). No rubber-band guns or other projectile weapons will be used.

c.     Defender’s Choice: The current Defender will be allowed to come up with their own round of fighting, subject to the final approval of the seneschal.  This part of the vent must remain in full compliance with all SCA and Kingdom fighter rules.

 

NOTE – For 2006, the Defender’s Choice round will consist of a “Tavern Brawl”.  The rules for this round are as follows :

1.    The round will be a melee.

2.    Each fighter will be required to provide a defensive secondary that is non-weapon, non-buckler – something that would be found in a tavern (i.e. cane, scabbard, rubber chicken, wooden stool, wooden or metal tankard, pitcher, or other item of feast gear, etc).  These items will be scattered around the field.

3.    Each fighter will begin the round seated in a chair, with weapons either in a scabbard or in their belts.

4.    At the command of lay on, each fighter will stand up from their seat, obtain a defensive item, and then and only then, draw their weapon.

5.    The winner of the round is the last person standing.

6.    Three rounds of this fight will be conducted, with one point going to the winner of each round.


Selection of the Defender of Starhaven

 

1.    The fighter with the most points will be declared the Defender of Starhaven.

2.    Points will be awarded for placing in the round robin combat round – 3 points for first, 2 points for second, one point for third

3.    One point will be awarded to the winner of the melee round.

4.    Points will be awarded in the Defender’s Choice round as specified in the rules of that round.

5.    In the event of a tie, the fighters will face each other in a best 2 / 3, with single epee, to determine the winner.

 

Device Rules

 

1.    The device used for display between rounds should be constructed of a rigid material and be approximately 8 inches wide by 12 inches tall.

2.    The device should bear the Arms of the fighter, or of their consort.  In the event the fighter does not have a device passed by the College of Heralds, the fighter may present an “un-passed” device as long as it is not known to belong to another person and does not conflict with another fighter entered in the tournament

 

Fighters should remember that these devices represent them, and no small  pride should be taken in the construction and display of said devices

 

digital distance finder