#179 reposted 13feb18

Sometimes the Society for Creative Anachronism can produce some really great Creative Anachronisms. Walking around Pennsic with lanterns and torches is considered a fire hazard, but there are no street lights in the middle ages. So people tend to have a flash light subtly stashed about their person. The more creative may invest in lights that look like candles. And some emphasise the anachronism and carry a lightsabre instead of a sword. A particular pirate in our camp went with the last option.

There were a lot of medieval-jedi walking around that year.

#177 Reposted 6feb18

176 was a very dated joke about Spamalot being in town.

Height is not actually a requirement of being a Dwarf. It’s about culture and attitude. It’s about speaking the language, participating at the Bura’zak-ka and playing a good game of b’tduz. Vindalf’s culture is rather more based on Pratchett than Tolkien, with a smattering of D&D.

#174 reposted 30jan18

I used to participate in the Pennsic War with the Society for Creative Anachronism. It was the best time of the year, even better than Christmas. 10,000 of my best friends all gathered together in Pennsylvania for learning, shopping, dancing, songs, and armoured combat. The first year I went, I was so busy going to classes and dances, that I didn’t actually see the “war” which was on the far side of the food court.

When I did remember to armour up and get in the line the next year, it was just like being in Braveheart or 300. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of taking a charge on your shield and pushing back the enemy horde. Then we invite the enemy around for drinks after and everyone has a good time.

Some day I’ll get back there; When the kids stop spending my viking budget on food and shelter.

#173 reposted 25jan18

I would have made it out to a lot more armoured fighting practices if we could spend more time in the temperature range where it’s cold enough to survive the helmet, but warm enough not to snow.

Begin Spam:

I have an Etsy show now! You can buy the jewellery and things that I make on my own anvil. Right now, I have a few brooches and torcs available, but more items on the way. I would have a few more torcs by now, but the women folk in my family keep calling dibs on them.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Vindalfsanvil

End Spam.

vindalfsanvil:

A simple penannular (almost a full circle) pin was a common accessory from the Roman era to the Victorian age. These versatile brooches were much like an ancient safety pin, and just the thing for holding on a shawl, cloak, scarf, or kilt.

These are made from 1/10 inch upcycled copper wire for the ring, with a slightly thinner gauge for the pin. The wire is gently deformed and hardened on the anvil to provide more strength than simple shaping would provide.

These brooches are treated with a (not historically accurate) light polymer coating to discourage tarnishing or reacting with sensitive skin.

Pins like these are essential for any historical reenactor, being based on “Type D” brooches. Especially good for iron age, Celtic or Norse reenactment.

Also, an excellent accessory for LARPers and Cosplayers who want an authentic alternative to safety pins.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/588456909/simple-penannular-brooch-shawl-pin?ref=shop_home_feat_2

#172 reposted 23jan18

Spiders are terrible and I hate them. The fast little ones in Toronto were bad enough, but out here in Oromocto we get barn spiders. They are massive! They can be mistaken for small crabs! They have HP bars!

I discovered that the monsters lurking outside my windows here are the same species as Charlotte. Charlotte’s web is now a horror movie for me, now I know what she looks like! I have to hunt them with spears and axes, like in Skyrim.

Also: Good News Everyone! You can now buy things from Vindalf again! This time it’s via Etsy. I have a couple of items from my anvil now listed, and more coming once I figure out what is in demand.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Vindalfsanvil