Live to Fight Another Day
We
arrive at our mustering point just after the cannon sounds. ItÕs a resurrection
battle, so we can still join in late. After the endless march to the Woods
Battle, weÕre hot, dusty, and just a little surly, but we still take the time
to drink some Gatorade, don our helmets, and gather into a loose column. After
penetrating the first rank of trees the air gets noticeably cooler and our
spirits lift. We even start singing. IÕm excited. This is my first melee at any
war, and this is Pennsic War! We halt in a small clearing and Oswulf divides us
up to cover the approaches. I turn to Max, my fire team leader, ÒWhat do we do
now?Ó ÒWe wait,Ó he replies, Òand in a minute fighters will come up that trail,
and we kill them.Ó I start bouncing, the adrenaline is already pumping though
my body, and IÕm ready for some action. True to his word, moments later a
crashing noise can be heard, followed by the appearance of the first rank of a
mighty horde...
As
a shieldman, your primary role is to stay alive and to keep your brothers
alive. If you do, you will have plenty of chances to cut down the enemy when he
screws up.
Shield
up! Shield up! Keep your shield up! I know it gets heavy, but the moment you
lower it, youÕll catch a spear in face.
Water,
water, water - donÕt get dehydrated. Being carried off the field as a hero is
one thing, but to spend the rest of the day in the ChirurgeonÕs tent is
distinctly inglorious.
If
you drink enough water that your urine turns clear, then you will have much less
to fear from dehydration. It helps to start the night before.
Apply
sunscreen to any exposed flesh. IÕve seen some of the most interesting sunburn
patterns...
Tuchux!
Tuchux! When you see a bunch of guys in all black leather armor chanting
something that sounds like, Two chuck! Two chuck! You have met the Tuchux.
DonÕt stand in front of them. They will run down anyone to reach the enemy. If
you are the enemy, get ready to rumble.
Alone
is dead! Keep with your unit. If you lose them, hook up with anyone from your
army and stick tight.
Keep
moving. To stop is to die.
Unsupported
spearmen - If they have no shieldman, they are vulnerable. Rush them, but cross
the killing distance quickly.
If
you fall down, it is safest to play dead. Pull your shield over your body as
though you were dead, and getup during the next hold, or when itÕs safe. Of
course, there are a few of us who can execute a backwards roll and leap to our
feet...
Never
argue during battle. If an opponent is behaving improperly, point it out to a
Marshal and leave it at that. If a Marshal is the problem, do what he says. The
MarshalÕs word is final. Ask for his name, and talk to a Marshal you know
afterwards.
Vision
Defocus
your vision and try to see the entire field. Just as in tourney fighting you
were taught to see your whole opponent and not just his sword, or his head, so
too in combat. Do not get caught up in trying to kill the man in front of you.
Rather look at everything around you. Nine out of ten times, the shot that
kills you will be from someone you didnÕt know was there.
Wider
vision will also give you a better shot selection. Strike the shieldman facing
the guy on your right, or left...
Most importantly, find a
daily routine thatÕs comfortable for you. WeÕre out there to have fun, and to
kick some butt. Do whatever you need to do in order to be safe and have fun.
Read our news blog, and take a sneak peak at whatÕs in the pipeline
