How important are weapons to your persona?

[Jean Pierre Dewell]

OHHH for me my sword is so part of me being a Musketeer, every Musketeer movie I have seen have there swords with themit fits so perfect!

[Robert eben Hope]

It is all I have....I am an archer, can't be an archer with out a bow!

[Don Quixote]

It is sometimes fun to carry my unique DQX bent sword when faire policy permits or I am working cast, it does draw some attention and comments. But most times as a playtron it just gets in the way and is uncomfortable.

[Whistler Fred]

My faire persona is that of a 16th Century peasant, so I don't carry any standard weapons.  However, I'm also a musician with a fairly formidable collection of pipes of various sizes and volume.  Some might consider these to be weapons...

[tiberiusflynn]

As a Pirate its kinda vital for me to have a sword. Recently, I have acquired a shorter and lighter sword to avoid entangling my weapon in my companions feet.

And, as a precaution. I know that all weapons are supposed to be "peace tied" but if I'm going to be around a bunch of drunkards with swords....I'm going to have one on me as well. You never know when it will be needed.

[BLAKDUKE]

As a Pirate its kinda vital for me to have a sword. Recently, I have acquired a shorter and lighter sword to avoid entangling my weapon in my companions feet.

And, as a precaution. I know that all weapons are supposed to be "peace tied" but if I'm going to be around a bunch of drunkards with swords....I'm going to have one on me as well. You never know when it will be needed.

HALLALEUAH  YAYUSSSS.   PRAISE  ODIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aaroncois]

My persona is that of a French Lord/Musketeer-type and I do own a basket-hilt rapier (it's a piece of crap, sadly. Looks nice, but you can feel the tang rattle inside the hilt), but I've never worn it to faire and don't really plan to. I have enough trouble shepherding three kids around without constantly worrying that I'm tripping them or somebody else (or myself) with a 4'-long scabbard. Sterling only began to allow weapons last year anyway, so I'm long since used to being unarmed.

[DT_Masters]

It's still all in development. While the character has firmed up pretty well, the issue of a weapon or so is still in question and the main part of that is the amount of weight I am already carrying with the camera gear. This last time, with those two tiger skin bags? One bag was for my loot such as figurines and that was relatively light. The other one that I wore through out Scarborough, however, had the backup 35 mm frame, lens, flash, film, cleaning cloths, batteries, and whatever. As time goes on, I suppose I will figure out how to better wear the gear in garb, how to better calculate just what is needed and what is sufficient backup. But until I make those adjustments, a weapon is a secondary consideration.

......and there are several weapons in that consideration. A few years ago, I considered carrying a lariat with a monkey fist at one end. At the time, my tying of a monkey fist was barely passable. Still, it is a possibility to return to especially since the llama wool parka suggests sailing to regions of southern Spanish America......bolos with monkey fists? The nice thing about this line of thought is that they are inexpensive to make.

Last TRF, I bought a katana, an acceptable sword for an adventurer and sailor. It, however, is still in the problem area of the camera taking priority and how to wear it, how to outfit wearing it such as Xena style behind the back......and that llama wool parka worn is a priority part of my costume as well. Of course, as an adventurer to the Orient, I am skilled in their method of weaponless fighting.........but just as it was true when I was not in garb but olive drab time traveler clothing, that's part of the private fantasy and others are not likely to know about it.

Likewise, while I hardly think of it as a weapon, it is nevertheless true that the Time Piece is essential to my outfit. That's the calculator watch, a time traverler's device, worn under the leopard bandana. In "previous stories", it's enabled me to be remembered by the locals as the were most likely to see me. I suppose in a manner of thinking, it's a defensive weapon of a sort. But again, that is part of the private fantasy that is not obvious.

An alternate to the lariat is a bull whip even if it does have a Hollywood suggestion to it. A whip could be on one hip and a bowie type knife, era equivalent, could be worn on the other. In concept, it shouldn't interfere too much with weight or the picture taking..........but then again, neither are in inventory, either. Knives as props, however, are not too difficult to construct. Once did it as a high school project for the Macbeth daggers with the cross beams of an old wooden stool, black twine, plant spikes, and silver paint.

Finally, since there is something of a Ranger mentality in me and my character, a bow might be in place as well.......but under current considerations, I'm seeing that out of place at the faire.....though in place at the Sultan's palace when I was hunting those tigers.

[DonaCatalina]

I'm pretty sure that Don Juan is not getting a sword for his birthay this year.
I think he's up to 5 or 6. I've lost count.

[Dragonlord]

I'm pretty sure that Don Juan is not getting a sword for his birthay this year.
I think he's up to 5 or 6. I've lost count.

One can never have too many sharp pointy things.  A guy and his swords are like women and their shoes.  No matter how many you have, it's never enough.

[Butch]

I'm a mariner.  I need a small belt knife to do my shipboard duties.  I have no need of a sword.  I also use a small axe from time to time.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

I carry a piper's dirk... a pair of sgain dubh's and a Blackthorn walking stick (Cold Steel).

I have a full size Claymore but because of it's age and size, it doesn't come out much.  Next year, i'll have a baskethilt swinging at my side...

[tiberiusflynn]

I carry a piper's dirk... a pair of sgain dubh's and a Blackthorn walking stick (Cold Steel).

I have a full size Claymore but because of it's age and size, it doesn't come out much.  Next year, i'll have a baskethilt swinging at my side...

What do you think of the blackthorn? I bought one and wasn't too impressed with it....

I currently carry the Cold Steel 1917 cutlass but seeing out the design is fairly basic...it doesn't look too anachronistic.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I have a small dagger that I wear on my belt.  But during the hot, hot summer, I really hate to have a heavy belt, as I'm constantly drinking water and gatorade to not dehydrate, and everything interferes with the very frequent privvy runs.  Then I usually wear just a belt and 1 pouch and my mug, don't even wear my sash with the favors on it.

Otherwise, if it's not stinkingly hot, I usually wear the dagger with all garb except my noble garb.  It's not that important that I HAVE to wear it, but it was a gift from our son's friend who studied in China and brought a dagger and a short sword back for Steve and me.  They aren't H/A, but we wear them proudly, as it was a very kind gesture for the young man to think of us.

[Pirateleach]

Weapons Weapons Weapons......ooooooo i love 'em!
Some folks need em to draw that focus to their garb and character.  Having the right weapon to compliment your garb is the bee's knees.

I have a cutlass and flintlock on my baldric and a blade in my boot.  Do i need them, naaaaaaaa. I have gone without them before. Makes it easier to sneak up on a wench and give here good fright(smooch) and scamper off.