The few, the proud, the SPARTANS

JOINING THE SPARTANS:

So you got this far and you want to join the Warband eh? have you spoken to a member already or attended a practice or gathering?. You may have visited the Spartan website at SpartanWarband.com and if your not familiar with the SCA you may have visited SCA.ORG .

Still want to join?

Stand the line? That armours hot! They are going to come at us hard ! Youll get hit and pummeled and you will get a few bruises!

BUT.... That first time the battle ends and the dust lifts and your still standing...that time your band stands victorious, whether youve defeated a strong enemy or you made the cost so high that you brought glory to your army..THAT is victory, THAT is Sparta ! !

Still interested?

You've already taken the first step. You know a bit about us and what we do. But there's a few more things your going to want to do:

1. The very first thing to know is this: not everyone gets in. Sometimes we are not a good fit for you or your not a fit for us. Sometimes this ‘game’ turns out to be something you weren't really expecting. This isn't a video game or a role-playing game. Its not a LARP . If you want to be a fierce warrior then you will have to get there on your own merit, not on lucky dice rolls. If you want to go far in the club you'll have to show up and pitch in. For these reasons it’s a good idea to show up to a few events or gatherings before attempting to join the Spartans. Once you DO join your going to find yourself in a very tight group of friends. You'll share our camp, our food, our drink. You'll rejoice at our victories and sweat on the line of battle beside brothers and sisters of the warband. You'll meet other Spartans from our group in the other Phrateries across the country. You will share in the honour that is the Spartan warband.

2. You need to have an understanding of what the SCA is. The warband has a lot of activities within the SCA and as such you will need to know a bit about it. As a member of ANY household, warband or sub group within the SCA , YOUR honour and that of your group is bound together. Remember that always.

3. Fill out an application. This sounds like a very mundane step but it tells us a lot. It gives us basic information such as how to contact you and what skills you may have that would benefit the warband. You will find an application at the end of this guide or you may ask for an e mail version (preferred ).

4. You wont need to do this right away but you will eventually want a paid membership in the SCA. This allows you to get authorized which is the safety test that allows you to participate in combat. You can find a form online at SCA.ORG . If you join via online be sure to print the immediate proof form to show proof of membership before you get your membership card.

5. Get a name. There's a list of common names for Greek personaes in the Spartan Guide. Its not all inclusive but can be used as a good start. Just look around, see what looks good. Say it a few times, see if rolls off the tongue right. Is it memorable? Can others pronounce it? Once you know what your going to be called then let us know.

6. Work on your personae: This can be elaborate or very simple. It is the details of who you are portraying . If you need help with this step, just ask.

7. Get Garb. This is the costume/clothing you'll wear to events. If your not used to SCA or reenactment then you might feel odd and think you'll be more comfortable in street clothes...trust me, when you stand out as the only one not in garb you WILL feel odd. Your starting garb can be something VERY simple and you can either purchase, have someone make it, or learn how to make it yourself at one of our may craft nights. The warband has garb we consider UNIFORM. This is mentioned elsewhere in this guide. You'll want to acquire the basics quickly .

8. If you are going to fight you should get Armour. You'll want to read the section on armour. Sometimes there is loaner armour for newcomers to try the sport but you'll want your own. It'll fit better, you'll be used to it, your fighting will improve. What is a Spartan without his panoply?

9. If your going to fight you should be prepared to sweat, to get bruised, to push limits. You don't have to be an athlete or a jock or be in peak shape. We will train you. You WILL have to be prepared to play the game. You will have fun, you will have stories of glory and you will become part of a close group of friends. You will get out of this what you put into it.