Re: In Persona

[Beth Morris <bmorris@iamdigex.net>]

Poster: Beth Morris <bmorris@iamdigex.net>

I was never one to avoid playing devil's advocate....

Mohajerin, Leila wrote:

> As I see it there are two very different concepts going on here:
> 1. Pick a persona and develop it.
> 2. Stay in with the theme of events.

Exactly.  And my point, somewhere earlier in this thread, was that the
'theme' events are nice (for the reasons you've listed below -
encouraging study of new areas of interest, new crafts, etc.) but they
*aren't* about playing persona.  Same with 'theme reigns'.  They're a
great chance to learn and display things in a new medium or whatever,
but they're rarely about 'persona' unless you happen to have a persona
related to that of the Royalty.  [As an example, during Galmr Jarl's
first reign I did a bunch of research on period Viking verse forms and
titles for him, and then Mistress Meghan (Kestral) and I did up some
promissories that looked like runestones, and had the 'award text'
written in a runic hand, in a skaldic verse form.  It might not have
been something we'd have attempted without that 'incentive']

> The reason we pick a persona is to distance ourselves from the normal
> 90's life we all (hopefully) have.  Choosing an alternate name, time and
> place helps to distance ourselves from that other life.  It also gives
> us a starting point for researching and practicing elements of a
> specific culture.

Which, as Vitha points out elsewhere, is contrary to the 'theme event'
idea.  But with a real 'persona', one can focus one's research into
learning all aspects of a particular culture/timeperiod/social class
etc.  For some, this is the ideal, for some it isn't.

> But we are doing this for fun and sport.  Facts are that modern tents
> are easier to set up, and more accessible for the beginner, that certain
> modern equipment is necessary (I heard of an person in a wheel chair
> being chastised for distracting another- How Rude!) and there are levels
> of comfort and sanitation I do not want to forgo!  There are "Enchanted
> Grounds" at events in many parts of the Known World and Pennsic.  If you
> want to set up your own, I am sure there are plenty of people to join
> you.  As for the rest of us, we will try to do the best we can.

And, honestly, much of being in persona (to my mind) lies in behaviour,
speech and attitude, more than accessories or encampment.  That's where
I disagree with your contention that:

> I do not consider it a
> "character" I put on and off. <snip>  Hopefully Sveva doesn't  behave any
> differently that Leila would.

In fact, Sveva probably *would* behave differently - the swear words she
uses (if any), the calendar, her attitudes towards the gender
differences, religion, social class, etc.  And all this can be done with
only minimal "props" if that's one's inclination.

(Personally, I'm on a campaign to own all the things that Keilyn would
have owned, if I have to make them *all* myself.  I'm gonna be at it a
while.... <grin>)

> I feel that is the attitude of a lot of
> gamers or fantasy types.

Perhaps.  Or perhaps you are lumping together those who try to play a
consistent persona with the makers-up of fantastical (and usually
ridiculous!) persona stories.  There is very rarely any need (in
day-to-day converse or activity) to know more about one's "persona
story" than:
a) location (at least country, and whether urban, rural, etc.)
b) time period (within a decade or so)
c) social class (especially relative to those around you - here's where
SCA ranks help!)
d) education/training (if relevant)

The important things are not the 'life histories' ("Well, my father was
a Mongol but they raided my mother's Viking village and then when she
was pregnant she was cast out and went to Ireland, where she sailed to
the new world, which is how come I'm named Ghengis Tippecanoe
O'Leary....") but the details of their *current* life: monetary units,
and how much things cost; famous people who they're familiar with; kings
& current events; timekeeping; crops they grow; holidays; oaths, etc. 
What languages do you speak?  What foods do you or don't you eat?  

Enough holding forth...

Keilyn
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