BPAS Standard Tournament Script

Arena Layout

• Ready line is set down one edge of the arena a little way in.

• Flag positioned at each end of ready line, any extra flags positioned along line.

• Chairs, chests etc positioned behind middle of ready line.

• Water supplies set up by chairs.

• Optional: weapons rack and spare weapons for combatants can be set up here as well

Participent Positioning

• Combatants line up along ready line and return between fights.

• Non-coms sit on chairs, or stand around chairs in middle of ready line as “audience of dignitaries”. Combatants should come here to get water, but water bearers should move along line supplying water if necessary.

Sequence of events

Note: Commentator may be marshal as well or can be separate.

1. SETUP

• Arena is set up – all help as appropriate.

• Combatants get ready at arena entrance. Each main knight should be teamed up with a few other ranks to make a small number of mini retinues plus some individual knights depending on numbers and troop types.

• Non-coms and commentator come on or stay on after setup and take up position behind ready line in and around chairs.

• Commentator:

• Gives introduction. Society, Safety, describes tournament as a' Pleasance or outrance etc.

• Declares tournament open and invites knights, men-at-arms to attend.

• Combatants come on:

• Each retinue group comes on individually.

• Commentator introduces knights by name, describes them and there kit, plus brief description of the retinue etc.

• After introduction go to ready line and spread out

2. THE TOURNEMENT:

• Marshal will call out for challengers, and introduce then by name to the audience. Challenges can be single or small groups (2 vs 2, 1 vs 2 etc).

• Before each combat fighters should pay respects to dignitaries.

• Optional: Favors can be gathered from dignitaries and/or public audience.

• Marshall will start each fight with the fighters facing each other with crossed weapons in middle of combat zone in front of ready line.

• The Combats:

• We want big, showy and impressive fights.

• Non-participants should cheer on there favorite to encourage the crowd

• If the tournament is being run a' Pleasance (i.e. weapons are meant to be blunt) still react as though they hurt and treat as though sharp for effect!

• Avoid too much grappling. Specific un-armed moves to put opponent off balance and make a hit are OK. E.g shoulder barges, wrist/arm grabs, binds, disarm or sword control maneuvers etc. but if you get into a prolonged grapple with no benefit, disengage and try something else. The Marshall will break up combatants if this happens.

• Do not grab swords and get into a tug of war! Avoid tug-of-war on hafted weapons. If after grabbing a weapon you do not get an immediate opportunity to strike or disarm, then let go and do something else.

• Marshal will break it up and call combatants back to the center if they leave the combat zone, get too close to arena edge, start grappling too much etc.

• Be chivalric or “nasty” depending on your character as usual.

• Take your blows and react to them according to your armor as usual. We’d rather have a good fight that only lasts 20secs with two blows than one that drags on with lots of hits being ignored that shouldn’t be, especially hits on unarmored locations. If you get beaten very quickly you can always come back for another fight with someone else later.

• Fights will go to the yield, or incapacitation (acted of course). If you get into an obviously losing position and are asked to yield by the marshal or opponent please do so. E.g. on the floor with sword at throat.

• After a fight finishes winner is presented to the crowd and dignitaries and then returns to the line, two or three people should come out to help the loser back to the line.

• Optional: After all combats marshal and dignitaries will pick winner, declare them to the crowd and give prize.

3. MELEE/CIRCLE (optional):

• To finish the marshal may call a melee or circle.

• If melee:

• Form two sides at opposite ends of combat zone.

• On the marshals command the two sides charge at each other. Keep tight ranks to make a good clash of the lines, then do what ever you want, may the best side win J

• If circle:

• Spread out all round the combat zone.

• On the marshals command, attack and fight who ever you like, until only 1 left J

• After fights finish commentator declares the winning side or person.

4. FINISH

• Commentator declares the end to the crowd.

• Calls for the dead to arise.

• Crowd charge if time and inclination.

• Get all props and leave the field.