How important are weapons to your persona?

[Ian Maxwell]

No respectable Highlander would go out in public without weapons. I wear a basket hilt, dirk and sgian dubh.
both the smaller blades were made by a friend and are quite beautiful if not H/A.

Ian

[RSLeask]

It can depend on things like outfit, but generally speaking... yes, I feel incredibly out of place without a sword.  Despite having to keep it peace-tied, there's something about the weight that's reassuring to me.  Besides, my main persona is a wayfarer that lives by his sword, so it's only suiting that he carries one (or several, as I'm planning on).  Laws may have been in place restricting weapons, but I doubt they mattered much to those that travelled the wilds more than they stayed in towns or villages.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

A medieval Warrior Monk without a weapon at a faire, is like a Ferrari without a bright paint job. He's still expensive, but not as flashy. 

[DonaCatalina]

I've noticed an increase in the number of replica pistols at faire lately. Are there more, or am I just now noticing?

[Drudonn]

I haven't noticed--I'll be sure to be on the look out for them when I go to TRF.

My wizard persona is one who lives in the woodlands and wilds, so a sword isn't really the best tool to have. I'll have a couple of axes and knives (multi-purpose tools!) on me, but I've decided that I won't be wearing a sword. I do love my sword collection, but I felt like going in a different direction--no sword, no staff. Instead, I've got axes and a quite magical looking walking stick.
(comes up to about my waist)

[Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman]

Dona: They've been showing up with the increase in pirates.

[analise]

Dona: They've been showing up with the increase in pirates.

That, I think, and folks doing the Steampunk thing. Or at least most of the Steampunk-y folks I know have pistol replicas of some sort.

[Capt Robertsgrave Thighbiter]

 Dona, you are correct. With the availability in the last 5-6 years of relatively inexpensive India made flintlock pistols of several sorts, a lot of those who do a pirate impersonation can now sport ( almost) period black powder weapons, capable of firing a live round.

10-15 years ago - the only flinters available were actual antiques ( way way expensive) or gunsmith made reproductions ( merely way expensive) and a few kits for those handy with tools ( not cheap either, and I'm sure more then a few either never got built or were built badly by those figuring to put it together with a screwdriver and hammer).

My only concern is that there are now many more fire-able flintlocks in the hands of folks who may not actually be aware of how to handle black powder or flinters when loaded with ball.  Even a blank load can be dangerous.

[Ronald the Bald]

As a member of the Highland regiment at Scarby I always carry a basket hilt until at least after parade. When I put away the sword and armour I still at least have a couple of daggers and an oak staff that I know well how to use.

It isn't just Hollywood hype that weapons are carried in our period. Look at renaissance paintings. Arms and armour are quite common for gentlemen to wear. Those without arms tend to be women, children, religious figures, or common labor going about their tasks. There are also many where it is not possible to tell if he is armed.

Outside of faire I am almost always well armed. I have a CHL and carry everywhere I can. I would feel naked at faire unarmed. I leave my gun in the car, but have something else always.

[Craigmeister]

Ha!  My longbow is very important to my persona.  I don't want people to think I'm flippin' Peter Pan or something.  Of course, I could almost pull off a trebuchet operator w/o my bow & arrows.  ;-)

[crashbot]

I am not sure how this is actually applied as far as ownership of the weapons, but here is an excerpt of Mens clothing laws during the Elizabethan period in regards to wearing them.

None shall wear spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked: except knights and barons' sons, and others of higher degree or place, and gentlemen in ordinary office attendant upon the Queen's majesty's person; which gentlemen so attendant may wear all the premises saving gilt, silvered, or damasked spurs.

That said, I wear a sword because it completes the outfit and I like it.  

*edit

After reading that a few times and letting it stew, I am not sure if the law means "none of a particular station shall wear X, if X is ornate"  and plain or unadorned weapons are fine?

[Ilia the Stupefying]

I would love to have a character that would allow me to wear a sword. As it is, I do have a medieval style knife that I can wear with my garb (it kind of looks like a butcher knife) but by the time you have to peace tie it, it's not worth the bother to carry.

[DonaCatalina]

I am not sure how this is actually applied as far as ownership of the weapons, but here is an excerpt of Mens clothing laws during the Elizabethan period in regards to wearing them.

None shall wear spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked: except knights and barons' sons, and others of higher degree or place, and gentlemen in ordinary office attendant upon the Queen's majesty's person; which gentlemen so attendant may wear all the premises saving gilt, silvered, or damasked spurs.

That said, I wear a sword because it completes the outfit and I like it.  

*edit

After reading that a few times and letting it stew, I am not sure if the law means "none of a particular station shall wear X, if X is ornate"  and plain or unadorned weapons are fine?

I suspect the wording was left vague to increase the possibility of fines. But maybe I'm just cynical that way.

[Nighthawk]

As a kilted Scot, I always carry my sgian dubh in my right stocking top. Tradition dictates that a Scot will leave his weapons at the door of his host, except for his sgian dubh, and that should be displayed for all to see. By displaying his sgian dubh, a Scot is declaring his friendship.
Beware of any Scot that does not display his sgian dubh in this manner, for he is hiding it elsewhere.




Since I have one made of plastic, I can wear it even at Faires where weapons are not allowed.

That is my persona, as well. When at faire, it's assumed that I am in England, which is hostile territory in the late Renaissance, so I feel I should be carrying my dirk, basket hilt claymore and targe, as well, especially as I'm there with my family, and my wife and daughter may need their honor defended.

I've noticed an increase in the number of replica pistols at faire lately. Are there more, or am I just now noticing?

I think it may have to do with more of us doing research into correct weapons of the time. I plan on getting a brace of steel Scots pistols over the off season, as they were very commonly carried in the late Renaissance, all the way up to the middle of the 1800's.


...oh yeah... and carrying a lochaber axe may be frowned upon, even at faires that allow weapons...

[kulrath Bane (Dragon Slayer AZ)]

For me having weapons is an essential part of my character as I am a Mercenary.  I am always ready for a fight as long as I get paid for it....