Proposed Changes to Heavy Weapons Authorization Policy

 

Greetings Citizens of AEthelmearc,

 We have proposed a change to our authorization system.

The goal of this change is to reduce paperwork and expenses to the Kingdom while maintaining the safety and quality of combatants passing authorizations within Æthelmearc.  

In Short we plan on doing away with individual authorizations for Two-Handed Weapons.  (i.e. Great Sword, Pole Arm, and Spear) will all become a single “Great Weapons” Authorization. 

Here are the Pros and Cons to this change as I see it so far:

Pro:

·         Cuts the number of Rattan Authorizations almost in Half thus reducing the amount of effort and paperwork by marshals & fighters

·         Cuts the expense of Mailing in Half & Cuts the workload on marshals in half

·         Cuts the workload on the auth clerk and the MOL a too hopefully facilitating faster response times on getting authorization cards

·         Similar authorization standards are used in other kingdoms with no difference in injury rate

Con:

·         Initial shock (yes some people will freak)

·         People who want to auth in just spear may have a harder time authorizing

·         People who want to auth in a cutting only great sword or who wish to use a short “Katana like” weapon may have a harder time authorizing.

How a “Great Weapons” authorization should be performed:

·         The Authorization Process will require that people show safety & proficiency in three areas: Two-Handed Cutting, Two-Handed Thrusting, and Two-Handed Face Thrusting. 

·         A well rounded 6’ - 7.5’ Pole-Arm Authorization is kind of the standard.

·         People using a weapon that is primarily cutting (i.e. a short great sword/Katana) may need to use a second weapon to complete the thrusting portion of the authorization.

·         People using a weapon that is primarily thrusting (I.e. a spear or a pole-arm that they primarily thrust with) may need to use a second weapon to complete the cutting portion of the authorization.

·         People will not be required to fight all three forms to pass (just like we don’t make people fight with maces, axes, daggers, single broad sword, etc. to pass a weapon & shield authorization)

 What we plan to do with current authorizations:

·         Anyone with all three forms will be grandfathered in.  When their card expires they will get a new card showing “Great Weapons” instead of the individual forms. 

·         If they only have 1 or 2 forms listed they must pass the Great Weapons Authorization to pick up all three.  (i.e. you can’t say, “hey, I passed great-sword so I can fight every 2-handed weapon right?.”) 

·         You will not be allowed to fight a form you are not authorized in.  If your card says spear only then you only get to fight spear. 

·         Authorizations to get the “Great Weapons”  form will naturally be easier for people who already have one or two 2-handed weapon forms under their belt.

This change will leave us with  Five (5) Heavy Weapon authorizations  

1.       Single Weapon (i.e. Weapon with, or without, a Shield)

2.       Two Weapons (Florentine)

3.       Great Weapons or Two-Handed Weapon (Any Weapon that is typically controlled by two hands simultaneously)

4.       Combat Archery

5.       Siege

 

The proposed timeline is as follows:

·         April: Discussion of the rough draft of the proposal at the April Marshals Meeting at Blackstone Raid (Meeting time 10:30 AM on the Battlefield - Saturday)

·         May: Discussion of the (revised) rough draft of the proposal at the May Marshals Meeting at War Practice (Meeting time to be announced soon.)

·         June: Discussion of the Final draft of the proposal at the June Marshals Meeting (Meeting time and place to be announced soon.)

·         July 1st: Final Draft of the Proposal to be added to the Combat policies of the Æthelmearc and submitted to the Æstel for publication

·         August: M.O.L./Authorization Clerk advised to prepare new Authorization form.

·         September 1st: Policy Change appears in the Æstel and go into effect. 

Any Concerns with this policy should be discussed with your local area marshal or can be directed to myself at se.marshal@aethelmearc.org

In Service,

Tristen Sexwulf

Earl Marshal of Æthelmearc

“Quicumque est necesse pro malum praevaleo est pro bonus men efficio nihil.”

 

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