Greetings and Salutations!

[Otwell Throckmorton]

First off I would like to say I'm VERY, VERY, new to the world of Renaissance Festivals!  (A ren-Faire virgin if you will)  Ever since I was a child I wanted to go to one... but for some reason it took me 28 years!

I had the privilege of visiting the wonderful town of Scarborough this past weekend!  I'm, now, no longer a virgin!!!

The people were wonderful, the arts were abundant, the shows were entertaining, and the beer flowed freely!  I am so incredibly grateful that I didn't end up going to a sub-par festival to break in on!

That being said, I really, really want to get much more involved next year!  Thus, naturally, I'm starting to save now for costume, friends of the faire tickets, and all the things to do it right next year!

I sought out and joined this forum to gain expert advice from the individuals that have been ren-fairing for years!

Currently my wife and I are at ground zero, we are struggling a bit with building our costumes and characters, as our interests are QUITE eclectic!

ANY and ALL advice that anyone is able to offer up would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Otwell Throckmorton]

Also... my first question would be, is Lance Altec even appropriate as a Renaissance name?

Lance doesn't seem to appear on lists of names for that time period, and obviously Altec doesn't seem to fit in any surname categories... I just liked the ring to it!

When I delve into something, I delve all the way, so I don't want a name that isn't fitting to the time period!

[Otwell Throckmorton]

Also, on my Character...   I love Wizzards, and have always been a magical character when I play RPGs, but by nature I'm more of a philosopher in my personality, and would love to be able to play some sort of mad, raving, lunatic, philosopher character.  I could model him after Diogenes of Sinope, or even Socrates...  and then have a Renaissance spin on him though.  But then I do have a Aragorn Ranger-esqu side to me as well...    This is why I'm having a hard time choosing a character to adhere to!

[DonaCatalina]

Question #1
If you are concerned about having a historically appropriate name for the year 1533, try the Academy of St Gabriel online for name resources.
But honestly, if it doesn't bother you, it won't bother us for you to be named Lance. Just be prepared for the King Arthur jokes. And whatever forum name you pick, that is what people will call you for the most part.

Question #2
I have a few friends who are 'wizards'. To be period accurate, My persona sees them as kindly wise, maybe old, men who are probably from Ireland. To a Spaniard, being from Ireland explains a lot.

And lastly on costuming, you will probably find that your tolerance for the weather, as well as your personal interests, determine what you choose for garb. In other words, don't spend a fortune before you have a few more experiences and have a chance to look around.

[stonebiscuit]

My advice for having a great time at faire:

Don't skimp on your footwear, and don't leave them as the last thing you buy. Your whole comfort will depend on them, and good ones are expensive. Think about what sort of shoes or boots you want, and start working to make it happen. Make sure you wear insoles. Wear sunscreen. Hydrate yourself well, ideally beginning the Thursday or Friday before you attend. Go with someone you like. The rest is gravy.

[Merlin the Elder]

....I have a few friends who are 'wizards'. To be period accurate, My persona sees them as kindly wise, maybe old, men who are probably from Ireland. ....

...my ears are burning... not sure about the wise part, unless you mean wise-arse...

[Hercules]

Scarb is fun. But you should go to TRF in October and see what's running around there to get a broader perspective. That's where I lost my cherry. 

[raevyncait]

Welcome to the madness.

As far as names/characters go, don't feel as if you immediately have to come up with a character.  I've been active at Scarby since 2007, and had my faire name and a sketchy idea of a general direction for my character/persona by the end of that season, but I've only in the last few weeks started looking at fully getting her fleshed out. She is still very much a work in progress, and I'm ok with that.

Also, don't stress yourself out about period accuracy unless you're going to be on cast and it's REQUIRED of you. While the Caitrina (Cait) part of my name is reasonably period and true to my character (Scottish/Gypsy mix), the Raevyn part is nothing of the sort, but I embrace it because it speaks to who I truly am, and I was gifted with it by someone who has turned out to be a lot of fun and a good friend.

[DonaCatalina]

....I have a few friends who are 'wizards'. To be period accurate, My persona sees them as kindly wise, maybe old, men who are probably from Ireland. ....

...my ears are burning... not sure about the wise part, unless you mean wise-arse...

I was trying to be polite....let's not scare the young man too badly yet.

[Merlin]

....I have a few friends who are 'wizards'. To be period accurate, My persona sees them as kindly wise, maybe old, men who are probably from Ireland. ....

...my ears are burning... not sure about the wise part, unless you mean wise-arse...

She was referring to me for the wise part and you for the old part.

Anyways.... footwear...footwear...footwear.
Whatever you decide... get GOOD footwear.

Second...think cool if Scarby is going to be your home faire. You can always add a cloak for the few cool days but mostly it's hot as hell.

Take your time.... don't feel like you have to get everything at once and get quality items. Otherwise you'll be getting new stuff every year.

Finally.... come to Row 12 for pre-canon tailgates... that's where all the cool kids are.

[Otwell Throckmorton]

....I have a few friends who are 'wizards'. To be period accurate, My persona sees them as kindly wise, maybe old, men who are probably from Ireland. ....

...my ears are burning... not sure about the wise part, unless you mean wise-arse...

I was trying to be polite....let's not scare the young man too badly yet.

HAHAHA...  I don't scare too easily at all!  Try all you might, but scaring me is near impossible, plus... Merlin the Elder may have met his wise-arse match with me!

I gotta say though Merlin...  My wife and I saw you a few times this past weekend, and we VERY impressed by your garb!  Next time we meet, I will definitely stop and say hey!

She was referring to me for the wise part and you for the old part.

Anyways.... footwear...footwear...footwear.
Whatever you decide... get GOOD footwear.

Second...think cool if Scarby is going to be your home faire. You can always add a cloak for the few cool days but mostly it's hot as hell.

Take your time.... don't feel like you have to get everything at once and get quality items. Otherwise you'll be getting new stuff every year.

Finally.... come to Row 12 for pre-canon tailgates... that's where all the cool kids are.

Yes, Scarb is going to be my wife and I's home faire.  We live in Fort Worth, and it's only about a 30 min drive if traffic behaves, and my cousin and her family actually live right down the road from the faire... it's practically in their backyard!  I hear you on the footwear... I do not plan on doing anything half-arsed!  whatever I decide, I will be going all out!  I probably will be saving up to buy everything all at once, and buying quality items... I may do the wizard thing during the winter to keep warm, and something cooler during the summer!

I will definitely try to make a tailgate as well!  I keep hearing about them!

This first one we went to, we arrived around 1PM and went to the pub-sing (we felt VERY out of place as we were the ONLY two people not in character!  haha) We followed everyone out the gate, and stayed for the canon in the evening...  I'm assuming these pre-canon parties are referring to morning time?  I can't see people missing any amount of inside faire time prior to the closing canon firing!

[Otwell Throckmorton]

ZOMG... and now because of the younger Merlin... I just found out about renspace...  I will be joining that VERY soon!!!

HUUZZZAH!!!!

[Merlin the Elder]

...
She was referring to me for the wise part and you for the old part....

No argument from me...

...I gotta say though Merlin...  My wife and I saw you a few times this past weekend, and we VERY impressed by your garb!  Next time we meet, I will definitely stop and say hey!...

Thanks... new ensemble for this year, especially for Nimue and my vow renewal last weekend at Scarby.  Custom design by a fabulous costumer from Minneapolis/St Paul area who has done commissions for several of us at Scarborough.  Our next trip to Scarby will be Memorial Day weekend. We are denizens of central Arkansas when not at faire, so we don't get to make it down every weekend.  If you're there that weekend, make yourself known to us!

[cowgrrl]

Welcome to the Dark Side. We have cookies (& rum!!).

As others have said, I wouldn't worry too much about figuring out a character. I don't have a character persona at all. One week it's Steampunk, another it's bellydancer & another time it might be pirate. I'm just me in garb.

[Otwell Throckmorton]

If you are concerned about having a historically appropriate name for the year 1533, try the Academy of St Gabriel online for name resources.

DonaCatalina - THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for this amazing resource!  We picked the most wonderful names (as you can see by my name change in the profile)

Glad you guys didn't really get to know me all that well yet!

My wife and I are now known as Otwell and Elizabeth Throckmorton!

[Lady Kett]

Welcome to the Dark Side. We have cookies (& rum!!).

As others have said, I wouldn't worry too much about figuring out a character. I don't have a character persona at all. One week it's Steampunk, another it's bellydancer & another time it might be pirate. I'm just me in garb.

Ditto, on all counts. Even the cookies and rum! Our wizards try to be mean and scary and profound, but they are harmless! (Besides their aim with flying newts sucks, so you're safe even if they get angry!) <duck>

I don't really have a faire name either. My handle here is part of my real name and I just accidentally called my husband "my trusty sidekick" one day and it stuck to him.

We won't be there this weekend but hope to meet you soon!

[DonaCatalina]

If you are concerned about having a historically appropriate name for the year 1533, try the Academy of St Gabriel online for name resources.

DonaCatalina - THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for this amazing resource!  We picked the most wonderful names (as you can see by my name change in the profile)

Glad you guys didn't really get to know me all that well yet!

My wife and I are now known as Otwell and Elizabeth Throckmorton!

Good, now you need to show up Saturday....that's tomorrow....    about 8:30 am to partake of breakfast and beverages with everyone.

[Queen Bonnie]

 More wizards are always welcome. There is never enough magick at faire! POOF!!!!