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William Brand

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    THE NARRATIVE & ROLES

    in 1721 Fort King George

    Posted

    THE NARRATIVE

    Now that a few events have come and gone and we're sitting at the 2 month mark leading up to Fort King George, it's time to talk about the overarching narrative, which is being worked out as we speak.

    First, we need to be candid about the differences that exist between attendees.  Some crews and individuals have been doing this for a long time, but a few people have never had the opportunities to attend any event at all.  This creates an uneven 'casting' in our participants, so we need to remind ourselves regularly that we're all enthusiastic.  We all want to be here.  Our specific reasons and experiences might differ, but everyone is looking forward to this event.

    Second, this is the inaugural year of what we expect will be an annual event.  The Fort staff will be getting to know us, and us, them.  Our varied personalities and skill sets will be on display to be judged, appreciated and evaluated for future gatherings, so some of what we're planning this year is fairly simple and to the point.  

    Now, the Fort is most interested in us portraying the life, food, skillsets, trades and what-have-you of sailors, so to be clear, while many of us have played pirates, privateers, scoutboatmen, etc., all of those roles are sailors first and foremost.  This should be no problem for all of us to demonstrate the most basic aspects of life at sea.  Since the event happens ashore, there's the added element of land and sea meeting to trade, eat, discuss and all the social aspects that come with that, especially in a remote frontier setting.  

    Our over-arching narrative is a simple one.  Sailors have come ashore to buy and sell.  To get ship's stores.  To trade what they have for what might most be needed.  Commerce, pure and simple.

    The underpinnings become more sophisticated as a choice amoung each of you depending on your level of experience or how much you want to bring with your specific talents and goals.  This is an opportunity to fashion ideas with like minds at one table.  Some of you might be more immersive, with detailed backgrounds and stories of characters that you've been fashioning for years, while others are just starting out in re-enacting.  

    It's best to remember that we're the 'Whole Company'.  We're the acting troupe made up of seasoned and fledgling actors.  

    This will not be an exact portrayal of Fort King George with specific characters.  Instead, it's a working stage, perfectly presented to show the architecture and the backdrop for our performances in a live 'theater-in-the-round'.  To this end we ask that you turn inward and decide what person you wish to play.  Some of what you decide will not be seen by the visotors to the Fort, but it gives you a proper 'base' from which to play a part.  Some of you will be playing characters that have a history of piracy stemming from whatever needs or collision of circumstances drove you to the sweet trade, but remember, you're not a pirate first.  You're playing a person that turned pirate or became pirate out of greed, necessity or any number of reasons.  Focus on the part.

    The rest of the narrative plots are being nailed down, but this year is an establishing scene, and more to the point, a dress rehearsal for so many events to come.  


    ROLES:

    Now is the time to choose what role/part you'll fill at the inaugural 1721 event, with emphasis on a trade or craft of the period. We can use almost any plausible trade ashore and role aboard ship, from carpenters to shoemakers. We'd like your kit to reflect whatever trade skills you'll be focusing on.

    For example, I'll be portraying the Quartermaster of the Mercury, with my kit and clothing reflecting that role and the duties of it. This will include basic clothing and kit, along with the day to day tools of a working sailor. I'll have some books and writing utensils along with small coffers and bags for coin and ship's accounts.

    Please carefully consider the role and basic trade skills of your character and we'll add it to the list of impressions. If you already know your role for this event, please share it in this thread, and feel free to ask questions and get suggestions.

     

    THE LIST OF ROLES:

    Garrisoned Soldiers:
    Michael S. Bagley - Garrisoned Soldier
     

    Mercury Crew:
    William Pace - William Brand, Quartermaster
    Peter Chaaps - Cook
    Miranda Elizabeth Oberhausen - Steward
    Chris Schultz - Able Seaman (Event Photographer)
    Paul 'Stynky Tudor' Barton - Spy/Broom Peddler/Old Salt
    Kathy Smith - Cook's Mate


    Scout Boatmen of the Carolina:
    Benjamin Schaffer - Chirurgeon
    John Wages - Scout Boatman
    Jennifer Mincey - Scout Boatman
    Jeremy Adcox - Scout Boatman
    Morgan Dunovant - Scout Boatman
    Rick Winnen - Scout Boatman
    Adam Morrow - Scout Boatman


    Townspeople:
    Lisa Weingarden-Dousharm - lady's maid/domestic servant

    Scuttlebutt

    in Scuttlebutt

    Posted

    This is the thread where you can just talk about everything, nothing and small talk.  It's like Facebook in a thread that doesn't disappear or get bumped down.  Rant, chat, share news or start interesting random bits of thought.  If your questions or comments can be applied to subjects already on the Pub, we'll direct you there.

    How's everyone doing today?

    ''Calendar of the Mercury

    in Mercury Crew

    Posted

    We're chasing multiple venues for next year, such as winter events (indoors) and some living history sites.  Everything is in the early stages, so it may be a few weeks before we talk about them.  We want to see what's viable before we announce the possibilities.  I'll post news as soon as I have it.

    The Watch Dog

    in Fiction

    Posted

    Aboard the Watch Dog

    Ajayi had passed the night without much sleep, but hadn't minded the passing of it.  

    He'd lain down but once and remained where he was all night, having noted how the woman he barely knew paced, muttered, halted, paced and revolved again through pantomimes of action.  It had been disruptive, to be sure, especially in the confined spaces of the great cabin, but had come with explanations that Brand hadn't offered.

    For instance, her bruises spoke of a something beyond the passing of the Navarra, what with some of them too finger-like.  Many of them were on one side, belying the use of a prominent hand.  Her eyes were also too wide for shock to have lingered so long from the collision.  But more than any of this, she seemed to have forgotten him entirely, and for his size, this spoke volumes. 

    This last thing might have bothered someone else, but Ajayi was no stranger to attacks.  He'd born them with a dignity rooted to deep to be rooted out and he understood that inward, focused shout of self-voices that came after a beating.  So, without any more narrative than her appearance and agitation he'd kept himself still and pretended a sleep that never fully came.

    Instead, he'd thought of people, places, dates, all removed by leagues and time.  He'd pondered on the ruin of a smile that would never be the same.  He'd considered revenges and purpose, doubts and decision long into the night as the Steward's pacings came in waves.  Three times the sea and her feet had almost lulled him to sleep, but he'd woken each time, careful to be quiet.  Careful to not remind her that she'd forgotten him there.  Careful for her sake, because the sake of others gave him something he hadn't owned for himself in years.  Strength and purpose.

    He was glad of this needful, sleepless guarding when he woke.  He was glad of the gifted knife still secreted beside him.  He was glad that on waking, one of his pained, broken teeth had slipped it's moorings.  He spat it out quietly with relief and smiled for the sunlight and blood.  Two bright reminders of life.

    Donated prop items for the fort

    in Massacre Island

    Posted

    If anyone would like to help out with some added items for the encampment and barracks, please let me know. We have a few items under $30 we'd like to secure as donation props to the fort. I have links for each item and they can be ordered and sent to the fort directly, or brought in by participants.

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