Crown

[msmemory_archive]

I love this kingdom, I really do. But sometimes I do get wry amusement from it.

About 10 days ago, which was early, I received my spreadsheet with the roster of Crown List entrants, so that I can prepare my Order of Precedence march of combattants. It was 29 lines, which was 30 fighters (one combattant couple, as usual). Looking it over, I discovered that half a dozen of the "usual suspects" weren't there, so I created entries for them, figuring I can toss out the extra cards if the Crown doesn't opt those fighters in at the last minute.

Just now, someone leaked a list of the entrants on a household list, forwarded from one of the shire lists. 43 names. Including some but not all of my "missing" fellows, and a couple of people I'd heard through the grapevine had submitted letters of intent but had not confirmed. Snicker. I'll bet that list is slightly longer yet before the day.

Now, personally, I'd be all in favor of doing as several (most?) of the other kingdoms do, and posting the list of entrants a week or two before the tournament. Surprise only goes so far - and a posted roster would cut down on the nudging and whispers. Then it could be all corrected and updated before the tournament day, too. I know the secrecy thing hearkens back to the First Tournament years, when a fighter did not have to announce his inspiration's identity until his victory, and I'm enough of a traditionalist to respect that, but I think there is also much to be said for proclaiming as a joyous announcement who the contestants will be, both combattants and consorts.

Comments

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Inter-kingdom anthro time. In the West, the heralds aren't involved in this at all. The Lists office gets the list to the Crown, the Crown determines if anyone is not suitable (rare), and then determines which of the unbelted fighters will be moved to the belted list for the first round challenges. Interesting that someone has a list of who's fighting before the event. I think here in the West a bunch of fighters decide if they're entering the morning of the tourney. <g>

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

In Northshield for the Coronet tourneys, we required The Letter, copies of membership cards for both, copy of the front and back of the auth card for the fighter, proof they got the Pale (Midrealm Newsletter) and proof that they got the Northwatch (Northshield newsletter). Some people, in the interest of covering their butts, also sent in copies of their IDs, which resulted in embarassing happy birthday phone calls from the road.

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Gadzooks. I know that fighters (and consorts) in the West must show proof of membership the day of the tournament (and that goes for the Principalities as well), but that does seem a bit much to me ...

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Well, I need the list to compose the now-traditional (10 years or so?)procession of entrants. I'm real darn good, but I wouldn't want to do it on the fly if I could help it. Though I admit parsedgarnish and I were showing off at each other by practicing ordering the local tourney entrants last Sunday.

Up until now, I've been obliged to keep the list confidential. Now that His RM has posted the list, I think I might just get 'em sequenced and tell the fighters where they should stand in line, in advance.

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Well, we don't actually do a procession, with our lists being as large as they tend to be, it would take a long day and make it even longer. But then we don't require letters of intent, either, so ...

[parsedgarnish.livejournal.com]

Speaking of which, the list on armor archive is all willy-nilly!!
Thank goodness you're there to tidy that up. :)