Newcomer Information

The Barony of SunDragon is the Western Phoenix, Arizona chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating pre-17th-century European history.

To make the SCA more manageable, the Known World has been broken up into groups called Kingdoms and these Kingdoms are further sub-divided into more local groups called Baronies. The Barony of SunDragon is a local chapter of the Kingdom of Atenveldt and the Kingdom of Atenveldt geographically covers all of Arizona in the United States of America.

The Kingdom of Atenveldt was the fourth kingdom created and it was founded in January 1971 (which was in the fifth year of the SCA). When it was founded, Atenveldt covered a much larger geographical region than it does today. But as the SCA grew, kingdoms were spun out of Atenveldt (like Trimaris in Florida or the Outlands in New Mexico).

Each kingdom is ruled by a King and Queen and each barony is ruled by a Baron and Baroness. The method of choosing the King and Queen and Baron and Baroness varies by kingdom, barony, custom, and tradition. In the Barony of SunDragon, the Baroness and Baron are chosen by a polling of the populace and they serve a maximum three year term.

There are many officers in the Barony in addition to the Baroness and Baron. Some of these officers are:

Seneschal - The legal representative for the local group to the outside world. Acts as the chief administrative officer, similar to a group's president.

Gold Key - Also known as the hospitaller or chatelaine in other groups. This person is responsible for familiarizing newcomers with the Barony. This person also has access to loaner clothes so that newcomers can wear the appropriate garments for an event.

Reeve - In charge of the financial affairs of the group. The treasurer or Chief Financial Officer of the Barony.

Herald - In charge of making announcements, keeping court reports and helping people research their names and heraldic devices in preparation for submission to the College of Heralds.

Knight Marshal - In charge of the rules and regulations for hard-suit fighting, rapier fighting and archery. Sees to the safety of the participants. Keeps a record of who is authorized locally. Is responsible for seeing that fighters have an opportunity for training. This person is not necessarily a knight nor a hard-suit fighter.

Rapier Marshal - In charge of the rules and regulations for rapier fighting. This person reports to the Barony's knight marshal.

Captain of Archery - In charge of the rules and regulations for archery. This person reports to the Barony's knight marshal.

Minister of Arts and Sciences - Coordinates the study and practice of the medieval arts and sciences. See this officer if you have any questions in these areas or want to learn more about one of the skills and crafts.

Chronicler - Publishes SunDragon's newsletter, the Chronus Draconum (commonly just called the Chronus).

Librarian - Maintains the Barony's library which contains books on medieval/renaissance subjects as well as the Compleat Anachronist booklets that are published by the SCA.

Scribe - Coordinates the efforts of the members of the Barony in producing illuminated scrolls that are given out when awards are presented.

Sheriff - Coordinates the security of the Barony and its members at events. Also, the sheriff is the keeper of the lost and found box.

List Mistress - Keeps track of the fighters and their scores during tournaments.

Regalia Officer - Maintains an inventory of the items owned by the Barony.

Prize Coordinator - Locates and stores the prizes to be given out at events, competitions, and tournaments.

Water Bearer - Keeps the Barony very hydrated.

The baronial regnum lists the people who currently hold the baronial offices along with their e-mail addresses.

Here are some further resources to help you with your introduction to the SCA and the Barony of SunDragon:

Advice To Newcomers
A Novice's Guide To Events
Beginner's Handbook - From the Barony of Rowany in Australia
The Dictionary of SCA Slang
First Time Garbing- SCA style
Forward Into The Past - An Introductory Guide To The SCA
The Guiding Hand - An intro guide from the Kingdom of Ansteorra
How To Make A Quick-And-Dirty T-Tunic
Life in the Current Middle Ages - SCA Intro
Map of the Knowne World
Maps of the Known World - Individual Kingdom maps
SCA Demo - SCA Online Demo
The SCA Without Breaking the Bank