Outlands Armored Combat Handbook

Preamble.

Please note: these rules are to be used in addition to the Society-wide rules published in the Marshal's Handbook (and the SCA Missile Combat Rules where applicable), and are to be observed by all fighters in the Kingdom of the Outlands. All fighters in the Outlands must be familiar with both these rules and those in the Marshals handbook The society rules address things that are not covered here, and must also be observed by all fighters. The definitions of materials, etc., are the same as those used in the 2000 edition of the Marshal's Handbook. This is the current handbook as of 02/01/02.

Table of Contents:

  1. Conventions
    1. General Conventions Of Heavy Weapons Combat In The Outlands
    2. Tourney Conventions
    3. Melee Conventions
  2. Authorization in the Outlands
  3. Structure Of The Marshallate in the Outlands
  4. Armor And Weapons Standards in the Outlands
    1. Weapons And Shields
    2. Armor Standards
    3. C. Additional Recommendations and Notes
  5. Missile Weapons in the Outlands
    1. Combat Archery Conventions
    2. Combat Archery Weapons Standards
    3. Other Projectile Weapons and Siege Weapons
  1. Conventions
    2.

    1. General Conventions Of Heavy Weapons Combat In The Outlands

      1. No one shall participate in SCA combat or combat-related activities while impaired by alcohol or drugs. This includes legal drugs which have an impairing effect.

      2. Fighters should make every effort to cover or disguise mundane aspects of their equipment to help maintain a period atmosphere on the field.

      3. A fighter may not intentionally grab, trip, or entangle another fighter, whether standing or on their knees.

      4. Grappling, which is defined as intentional body to body, body to shield, or shield to body contact, is forbidden. Gauntlets and basket hilts are considered an extension of the body for this definition. Fighters may not tackle opponents or fall on them as they die in order to make them fall. Charging is allowed in melees only.

      5. Fighters are encouraged to comment on blows they feel landed on them with less than minimally acceptable force and discuss questionable blows with their opponents and with the marshals. The person who received the blow should initiate the conversation.

      6. Marshals are required to stop fights they feel are dangerous or out of control.

      7. If a blow is intercepted by a weapon or shield, but the blow continues on to an acceptable target with acceptable force, the blow will be considered good.

    2. Tourney Conventions

      1. A fighter may not circle an opponent who has lost his/her legs, but must stay within the forward arc of the disabled fighter (i.e. May not step past or around the disabled fighter.) This arc is defined as a stationary 180 degree arc in front of disabled fighter with the starting position of his opponent defining the 90 degree mark.

      2. Should a legless fighter lose balance, marshals should call hold; however a legless fighter may not deliberately fall to escape a disadvantage. (i.e. A fighter who has lost his legs may not deliberately fall over while on his knees in order to avoid blows.) A fighter who has lost one leg and remains standing accepts the responsibility of maneuvering normally and not falling to escape a disadvantage.

      3. If a fighter with using two weapons loses an arm or drops one weapon during the fight during a fight, no hold shall be called as the fighter is still armed.

    3. Melee Conventions

      1. Killing from behind shall be allowed in melees where that convention has been verbally agreed to and understood by all sides. Killing from behind shall be accomplished in the following manner:

        1. The attacker comes within obvious weapons range of the defender while the defender is unaware of the attacker's presence. The attacker then moves directly behind the defender.

        2. The attacker places his weapon in front of the defender's face and says loudly and clearly, "You are dead from behind."

        3. Pole weapons may be rested on the defender's shoulder, and the attacker should press down with the pole as he announces, "You are dead from behind."

        4. The attacker may not restrain or otherwise grapple with the defender, nor may the defender struggle or escape, but must acknowledge the kill immediately.

      2. When two melee lines engage, any combatant in one line within the range of an opponent in the other line is considered engaged and may be struck.

      3. Blows may only be struck against an opponent aware of the engagement. Otherwise the killing from behind rule applies when it is being used in the scenario. A defender is not compelled to turn and face an attacker is he is already engaged.

      4. Killing on the ground shall be accomplished as follows: If the defender has fallen and is not hurt the attacker must lightly touch the defender with his weapon and say loudly and clearly, "You are dead, my lord." The attacker may not pin, trap or hit the defender on the ground. The defender may not escape or fight back, but must acknowledge the kill. This convention is considered to be in effect in all melees.

      5. No holds will be called in the event of a dropped weapon in a melee.

      6. When a hold is called in a melee, fighters should drop to one knee and remain still without talking until asked to move by a marshal. when the hold is over, the marshals will call for fighters to rise, then call, "Lay on!"

  2. Authorization in the Outlands

    1. All fighters who participate in tourneys and melees at official events in the Outlands must be authorized for the weapons, forms they use and must show proof of authorization (valid green authorization card or equivalent from another Kingdom) before going on the field.

    2. Authorizations may be given for a period of up to four years. In order to be authorized, a fighter must present a valid "blue" membership card which proves that a properly executed waiver is on file with the Office of the Registry of the SCA, Inc.

    3. Unauthorized fighters may train with authorized fighters to prepare for authorization. This may include melees and "practice tourneys" held at fighter practices which are conducted for the purpose of training. However, a waiver must be on file locally or a "blue" membership card must be in the possession of the unauthorized fighter when training at official SCA events takes place.

    4. Foreign fighters must familiarize themselves with the Armor and Weapons Standards and Conventions of Combat of the Outlands. Authorizations from other Kingdoms will be honored in the Outlands; however, if a fighter from another kingdom stays in the Outlands for three months or more, he must re-authorize in the Outlands.

    5. All fighters authorizing for the first time must undergo an armored field test and a written or verbal test of the Society and Kingdom Armor Standards, Rules of the Lists and the Conventions of Combat, as given by a warranted authorizing marshal. Additional weapon forms require only the field test; updates to authorizations required no test.

    6. Fighters re-authorizing are assumed to be safe, but a verbal examination, by a warranted authorizing marshal, of the Society and Kingdom Armor Standards, Rules of the Lists and the Conventions of Combat, is highly encouraged.

    7. The following weapons forms and activities require separate authorization:

      8. Chiurgeons are authorized through the Chiurgeon's office. Chirurgeons that need to enter the field DURING combat must be authorized as armored combat marshals (ACM) before being allowed on the field. An example is those treating injured combatants during a bubble hold at war.

    8. A fighter's authorization may be suspended immediately for a period of three months by the Crown, the Earl Marshal or for the day by the Marshal in Charge of the event in the case of repeated instances of: violations of Armor Standards, Rules of the List or Conventions of Combat, striking with excessive force, not acknowledging adequate blows or reckless or dangerous fighting. The Earl Marshal must be informed of any suspension by the Marshal in Charge within one week of the incident (and on the day of the incident if possible). Following immediate investigation by the Earl Marshal and review by a Quarter Court as soon as possible, the fighter's authorization may be restored or suspended for a longer time. A fighter may not fight or practice at SCA events during suspension. Grievances are to be resolved as per Society regulations.

    9. A fighter must be 16 years of age in order to participate in heavy weapons combat in the Outlands, including fully armored practice or instruction. Minors must be authorized by the Earl Marshal or a specifically designated representative. Before fighting, minors (younger than 18) must complete three copies of the minor waiver and medical consent form, signed by parent or guardian and notarized. The local group keeps one copy on file, the Minister of the Lists retains one copy, and the minor keeps one copy with him at all times. The parent or guardian must witness and approve the activity. The authorization of Minors can be accomplished by witnessing marshals carrying out the actual testing and combat witnessing, followed by the appropriate paperwork being sent to the Earl Marshal. The Earl Marshal shall then issue the authorization card. Witnessing Marshals must be Authorizing Marshals. Minors will receive validation stickers indicating their minor status and signaling the List official to request to see the notarized minor waiver. Membership by both the parent or guardian and the minor who fights is strongly recommended.

  3. Structure Of The Marshallate in the Outlands

    1. The Earl Marshal is appointed by the Crown and is the designated representative of the Crown. The Earl Marshal must at minimum report to the Crown, Society Marshal and Populace quarterly. The Earl Marshal maintains warrants for marshals, enforces fighting rules and conventions, oversees the activities of local knight marshals, coordinates fighting conventions for Inter-Kingdom events, handles fighting-related disputes and grievances, interacts with the Chiurgeonate, and answers correspondence. The Earl Marshal oversees period fencing, equestrian activities, and archery though qualified deputies.

    2. The Earl Marshal may appoint authorizing marshals as warranted deputies. Authorizing marshals are responsible for testing and authorizing fighters and marshals and act as the Earl Marshal's designated representative. They must report incidents of safety or concern to the Earl Marshal when needed. They must send all authorization paperwork to the Minister of the Lists quarterly.

    3. If there is any combat related activity within a local branch, that group must select a Knight Marshal with the approval of the seneschal and ruling nobility, to be approved and warranted by the Earl Marshal. The Knight Marshal must report to the group and to the Earl Marshal monthly, is in charge of training fighters, enforcing rules and equipment standards and generally overseeing combat and combat related activity for his group, including fencing and archery. They should also be authorized marshals.

    4. Marshals-at-large are authorized but unwarranted marshals with no particular responsibility except general enforcement of marshallate rules and standards. Marshals-at-large may be the marshal-in-charge of an event, may marshal tourneys, melees and other combats, and may do equipment inspections. Persons wishing to authorize as marshals may train with an authorized marshal after signing a combat-related activities waiver.

  4. Armor And Weapons Standards in the Outlands

    5. In general, use common sense when constructing armor and weapons. Armor should be comfortable and fit properly to be most effective. Ablative armor (which is destroyed on impact) is not armor. Remember that we are attempting to recreate history, so bear that in mind when designing equipment. Remember that all equipment undergoes wear and tear and must be maintained to be safe.

    1. Weapons And Shields

      2. *Note that these standards are in addition to those listed in the Marshals Handbook.

      1. Butt spikes are not allowed on one or two-handed swords.

      2. Weapons that allow the fighter to punch (in which the line between the body to the weapon along which force travels is unbroken, rather than a thrust, in which the line between the body and the weapon is angled) are forbidden. Examples of forbidden weapons include, but are not limited to "warboards", knight's shields, punch daggers, and shovel handle spears.

      3. Weapons Definitions:

        1. Great Swords: Great swords shall be no more than 6’ in length.
        2. Slashing Poles: Slashing poles may be a maximum of 7’6" in length.
        3. Spears: The maximum length of a spear is 9’.
        4. Mass Weapons: Mass weapons include any two handed slashing weapon, as well as single handed axes, maces, hammers or the like.

      4. Two-handed weapons, i.e., great swords and pole arms, may be swung through any arc, so long as the power portion of the swing occurs only in the last 90 degrees of the swing and the weapon does not strike with "excessive force". A proper blow with a two-handed weapon should hit no harder than a fairly heavy one-handed sword blow. Anything hitting with much more power than that is hitting with "excessive force" and is not within the standard.

      5. Low profile thrusting tips are allowed only on single-handed swords.

      6. All edges and thrusting points must be marked in a way which clearly contrasts with the rest of the weapon.

      7. Metal quillions on one and two-handed swords must be at least 1 1/4" at exposed ends and must not be able to penetrate more than ½" into an SCA legal faceplate. Quillions should be designed to minimize damage to rattan weapons.

      8. Shields must be grasped and/or must be readily detachable from the arm; a shield may not be attached to the armor. A fighter may carry only one shield at a time.

      9. There may be no gaps in a basket hilt which allow a weapon to penetrate or become caught.

    2. Armor Standards

      3. *Note that these standards are in addition to those listed in the Marshals Handbook.
      *Definitions such as rigid materials are defined in the Marshals Handbook.

      1. All combatants must be armored to Society heavy combat standards in addition to the following standards and are considered full-contact participants.

      2. There may be no gaps wider than 1" between the lower edge of the helm and the neck protection, even when the fighter tips his head. Helms should fit securely on the head, so that a blow cannot push the helm into the face or move the helm out of position.

      3. The larynx and front of the throat to the collarbones must be covered by rigid material backed by a minimum of 1/2" closed-cell foam or equivalent. One layer of untreated heavy leather backed by padding is not sufficient, nor is a chain mail drape alone. A mail drape backed by padding is sufficient. A gorget or drape must be constructed so that a thrust, blow, or movement cannot push it out of place and expose the throat.

      4. Society rules require the hand and wrist to be covered with rigid material. This can be accomplished by any combination of basket hilt, gauntlet or half-gauntlet, and vambrace which in combination sufficiently protects these areas. Gauntlets made of heavy leather, hockey gloves and lacrosse gloves alone are sufficient for use behind a shield or with a basket hilt, but are not adequate for use with pole weapons or weapons without basket hilts unless rigid plates are added so that the sides of the hand and fingers are protected. Steel gauntlets with padding are strongly recommended for use with pole weapons and weapons without basket hilts.

      5. Rigid elbow protection backed by padding as required by Society standard is required on both arms, regardless of whether or not a shield is used.

      6. Protection made of rigid materials is required over hand, thumb, and fingers behind a shield. A half gauntlet that does not adequately cover the thumb and/or fingers is not sufficient protection for the hand behind a center grip shield.

    3. Additional Recommendations and Notes

      1. A minimum of heavy leather backed by padding is strongly recommended to cover the sternum, upper ribs, and lower abdomen. Society rules require protection for kidneys and floating ribs. A minimum of heavy leather backed by padding, for example a gambeson, is strongly recommended as breast protection for women.

      2. A minimum of rigid material backed by padding is strongly recommended to cover the collarbones and points of the shoulders.

      3. A minimum of heavy leather backed by padding is strongly recommended to cover the forearms (vambraces).

      4. Use of a plastic martial arts or football type mouthpiece is suggested.

      5. Many types of plastic are now available and are being used in constructing armor, but not all plastics are appropriate, and it is often difficult to tell them apart by looking. All plastic to be used for armor or weapons should be tested for impact resistance, flexibility, and resistance to heat, cold and sunlight. Be aware that many plastics give off toxic fumes when heated and exercise care in using heat to shape pieces. When plastic is used as rigid material, it must be of sufficient thickness to function like other accepted rigid materials, for example steel or boiled hardened leather.

  5. Missile Weapons in the Outlands

    6. *Note that these standards are in addition to those listed in the SCA Missile Combat Rules.

    1. Combat Archery Conventions

      1. Combat archery shall be allowed in melee scenarios in which it has been previously agreed to by all sides, and in which all participants understand its use. Combat archery is not allowed in tourneys, enclosed places or where spectators are in close proximity to the field.

      2. An archer must be authorized in a basic heavy weapons form before authorizing as a combat archer. Only fully armored archers will be allowed.

      3. An archer may fight with heavy weapons at any time providing that first their bow is safely removed from use. A bow is removed from use discarding it in a manner which does not cause a hazard to the archer or other fighters.

      4. The archer is always considered a heavy weapons fighter and may be struck/killed in the same manner as any combatant on the field. A cry of "yield" from an archer shall also be accepted as an acknowledgement of death.

      5. An Archer must wear a full gauntlet or have equivalent protection on the bow hand and a half-gauntlet on the draw hand. An archer must use a weapon with a basket or shield with the draw hand.

      6. Where fiberglass arrows are used, they arrows must be inspected before each use. Using retrieved fiberglass arrows from the field will not be allowed unless each arrow has been inspected by a field marshal. Golf tube arrows may safely be gleaned.

      7. The force requirement for blow acknowledgement by combat arrows and other missile weapons is the same as those of any other weapon. A blow to the body or limbs should be of equivalent force to that of a single-handed thrust, while a shot of lesser force is to be accepted in the face.

    2. Combat Archery Weapons Standards.

      1. Bows for use with golf tube arrows may have a maximum draw weight of 50 pounds. Bows for use with fiberglass shafts shall be 30 pounds maximum draw weight. Both draw weights are measured at a maximum of 28".

      2. Crossbows of firing either golf tubes or Heavy Modified UHMW blunts shall have a maximum draw weight of 1000 inch pounds.

      3. Arrows constructed from plastic golf tubes may be of either tennis ball or thrusting-tip style.

      4. All fiberglass-shafted arrows shall use a minimum diameter of 1/4 inch solid fiberglass rod. All fiberglass shafted arrows shall have blunts approved for use with fiberglass shafts, with a cross section not less than 1 1/4 inch in diameter. Acceptable blunts for handbow arrows are: Baldar Blunts, Morak, or UHMW blunts. All fiberglass shafted arrows shall have a Full ABD (Anti Bounce-back Device) with a cross section not less than 1 1/4 inch in diameter. It shall not be possible to force the nock of the arrow or any part of the ABD more than 1/2 inch into a legal face guard.

      5. All fiberglass shafted bolts shall use a 12" long shaft of ¼" diameter and shall be of the Heavy Modified UHMW Blunt design. This consists of a not less than 2 inch long by 1 1/4 inch diameter core of UHMW Polyethylene, drilled to a depth of 1 inch to accept the shaft with all edges rounded. The striking surface of the blunt shall be covered with no less than 1 inch thick by 1 3/8 inch diameter closed cell foam with 1/8" of foam around the edge of the blunt. The Heavy Modified UHMW blunt shall have a full ABD constructed from no less than 1/2 inch thick by 1 1/4 inch diameter UHMW polyethylene, drilled 1/4 inch deep to accept the shaft with all edges rounded off.

      6. All bows and crossbows shall have caps on the ends of their limbs which are 1 1/4" minimum diameter and will not penetrate more than ½" into a legal SCA faceplate.

    3. Other Projectile Weapons and Seige Weapons

      1. Siege weapons, javelins and/or throwing axes shall be allowed in melee combat only if the scenario calls for their use and the Marshal in Charge approves of their safety and construction.

      2. All siege weaponry and missiles must be inspected by a warranted marshal before use in any melee scenario. Any projectile weapon used by siege weapons such as catapults and trebuchets can only be used against stationary targets such as walls, towers, and other siege engines.

      3. Siege engines using javelins or arrows (balista) can be used against armored combatants following SCA heavy weapons standards for wounds and death (limb shots are wounds, head and body are death).

      4. Javelins must be constructed of one inch ID (1 ¼" OD), schedule 40 PVC tubing, the shaft being spiral wrapped with fiber tape, and the head constructed of tennis balls or legal 2 handed weapon thrusting tips. Shafts shall be between 2.5 and 5 feet long. The total weight of a javelin shall not exceed 2 pounds.

      5. Throwing axes shall be constructed of hose, foam padding, and tape only. No rigid material shall be allowed. Throwing axes shall not exceed 2 pounds in weight.

Signed