The adventures of ..?????.. (Who will I be?)

[Will Gamwell]

In the past few years that I have worked out at Faire, I have not had a need for a persona.  Working as Security and also having a uniform that is garb, we always work to try and make ourselves stand aside from being "part of the show".  We still need paytrons/playtrons to take us seriously.  We do on occasion pull out an accent when socializing with paytrons, which tends to be scottish due to the kilts we wear.

So moving forward to this coming season, being that I am not going to be Security, I have several things to consider.

1.  What do I want to do at Faire?
2.  What will my persona be like?

The answer to question #1 may restrict the possible answers to question #2.  What I have decided is that this year will be a year of testing out various possibilities and ideas.  I have an offer to galavant around with the Royal Guard for a weekend to "kick the tires" and see how I like it.  Other than that, I have pretty much every weekend open to play with my ideas that I have bouncing around in my head. 

Other than the Royal Guard, I have several people who have offerred to allow me to "hang out" with their group.  Most of which are Gypsy groups.  So I have that option of a character to try out.  Royalty, merchant, peasant, pirate, Scottsman...etc.  The list could go on.

I have come up with a name that I like that would work for several of my options.  As well as a rough draft of his story.  Most of it can all be changed slightly to accomodate.  Here it goes.

Rafferty Nathaniel Holt (or just Rafe)
I originally began with the name "Rafe the Rogue" on another Ren Forum several years ago.  The name stuck with me and transformed into Rafferty.  Nathaniel and Holt are both family names from my father's side that were common during the Renaissance.

Place of Birth:  Romsey in Hampshire
Date of Birth:  TBD
Father:  Thomas Holt
Mother:  Sarah Elizabeth Holt

His Father's occupation will be dependant upon the social status of my character.  Turner or Joiner are ones that I would most likely use.
Rafe's story would most likely begin with a job on an estate.  Warrener is one I am considering.  This position would most likely be the starting point should my character end up being anything from a peasant to a pirate.  If Rafe's social status is to be higher, I don't have a beginning at this point, but somewhere along the lines would have been a Man of Business, Steward, or Factor for some minor lord's houseold.

I know this is all very rough, but it is a good representation of how it all is currently in my head.  Any feedback is highly welcome.  As the run at MNRF begins and moves on, I will update accordingly.

Cheers,
Sean

[Lady Christina de Pond]

I would suggest taking every idea and option of who you want to be and try a different one each weekend and then when you find the one that you feel best fits. If you like them all you could atlternate each year or each weekend

[Will Gamwell]

Well given the overwhelming response to this thread  I thought I would give an update.  This past weekend was spent "On Grounds" getting everything ready for opening weekend.  Also there was a cast rehearsal and I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen since last year.  Amid many questions as to certain events that took place last year I was asked what I was doing.  After telling everyone that asked that I did not exactly know what, I got many offers to come play with different people and different groups.  The most appealing offer was from a friend of mine who plays the Prince and wants to create a group of guys to be the Princes Men.

I have pretty much decided to forgoe much of the background story that I was working on and go with something very simple.  Name, family, place of origin.  Which will give just enough background to explain my position as a companion of the prince.  Everything else will be left to improv.

This of coarse will be something I will be trying out.  Given my friendship and interaction outside of faire with the man who plays the prince, we should be more than capable of coming up with several bits here and there in which we can always fall back on. 

Now for the challenge, costuming.  I pretty much have nothing to fit a noble attire.  Except maybe the shirt and boots.  Much purchasing needs to take place (...or borrowing!)

Sean

[DonaCatalina]

A lot of people start with just a name and country of origin. You may find after looking for some noble garb that your interests change and you want a name to go with clothes that you like.
Have Fun and Good Luck!

[Will Gamwell]

Thank you Dona,
I do have a doublet that I am borrowing from a friend until I can either get one made or buy one that would fit.  Although if there is someway I can make a copy of the one I am borrowing... It is exactly the style in which I am looking for. 

Sean

[Will Gamwell]

So the 3rd weekend of MRF is upon us and I have yet to really try out any of my ideas.  For the past two weekends I have been wandering in gypsy-ish garb and assisting my girl and her troupe in the Feast of Fantasy.  I have not given the character a name as of yet.  He is mostly silent, and usually poses as the body guard for the troupe, walks in the parade behind two of the ladies from the troupe and makes sure to give them ice once in a while (they dance with isis wings the whole parade!!!).  Smile and wave at the crowd, hand out favours to paytrons/playtrons.

I did however get a chance to walk around with my friend who plays the prince while in my gypsy garb.  It worked OK.  With a little thought and refinement, it could go well.

Otherwise, the plan for this weekend will be to walk around with the prince in royal-ish garb, then run to help out with the Feast shows & walk in the parade.

....that is a lot of changing outfits...not sure how I will handle all of that.  If it is too hectic, I may just keep the gypsy character and work on interaction with the prince in that context.

Cheers,
Sean

[renren]

Keep it simple, no need to switch gears".. My 2 pence..

[Will Gamwell]

I am going to give it this weekend to try out...it may last only one day.  I can invision myself as dressing as a higher-class character and interacting more with paytrons/playtrons.

Yet the simplicity of staying in one character is quite appealing.

Thank you Ren.

[Escarlata]

Rafe, could you alter your gypsy persona just a bit to be high born .... ummmm ... maybe the Sultan's son who ran away because he was enamored of the gypsy dancer that played at his father's court?

[Will Gamwell]

Hmmmm!  Now that is an interesting twist!  Especially with the fact that I did fall for a bellydancer!!  LOL!

[Will Gamwell]

So a run has gone by and here I am again preparing for festival again.  Things have changed quite a bit.  I am now a drummer (well, somewhat anyway - still taking lessons) for the gypsy/bellydance group in the Feast of Fantasy at MRF.  I will also be drumming for several drum jams during the day.  The rest of the day, attempting to wander the village and not claim the title of "Village Idiot"! 

This weekend I have Academy for festival which goes until August 8th. (weekends only).  Anything I find of interest that they teach me, I will be happy to share with the class.

Cheers!
Rafe