Heroes & Heroines: A Renaissance
A.H. Stephens State Park Group Camp
456 Alexander Street NW, Crawfordville, GA 30631
6 September 2025
Sigmund’s Tale
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| Heraldic display of Sigmund Nacht. Photo Credit Kenneth Haldane. |
In the summer of Anno Societatis LX in the Kingdom of Meridies, a crier arrived in the Shire of Easaraigh. In the warm summer sun, the messenger proclaimed a call of tournament, a summons, had been issued throughout the Kingdom. The noble and sometimes enigmatic Order of the Sable Sword has put forth invitations to many fine and able fighters of the land. Among the selected, was a squire from this very shire, Sigmund Nacht. Combatants had been called to attend the field at the Heroes and Heroines event sponsored by the Shire of Forth Castle on the first weekend of September, only a short time hence.
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| Sigmund and I at the Meridies 40th year event. Photo Credit Katherine Radford. |
Our Sigmund has travelled far and wide from his humble beginnings. I was there the first time he donned mail and hefted a blade. We saw his promise and supported his training. The shire lamented when he left our lands to seek fortunes in the Kingdom of Trimaris to the south. There, in the land of sand and storm, he join the house of Sir Teric Gwynedd as a squire to that good and renowned knight. I admired his growth from a distance and watched his progress on the squire’s path with joy. He learned much in his time there in those lands. Eventually, he returned back to the Cumbrian Plateau and the quiet Shire of Easaraigh. Sir Teric, as is common when a squire is separated from mentor, released Sigmund from his oath. With his return to Easaraigh, Sigmund shared what he had learned in the southern lands with any who would listen and he had learned a lot. Our Sigmund is a warrior in his own right at this point in his life. The Trimarians saw this, awarding him a Lion d’Or for his valour and skill in combat prior to his return north. And, I could not agree more with their recognition. Meridies saw the warrior in him as well, adding him as a Companion of the Argent Shield this year. After a short time back in our lands, he found a new mentor in Viscount Valeric the Blackheart, a knight of the west that had moved to our lands many years ago. Sigmund continues to grow. He is renowned and well respected. His skills are as solid as any. He is generous with his knowledge and has been a boon to our fighting community in Northern Meridies.
The Order of the Sable Sword took notice. These mysterious becloaked fighters of Meridies, subtle watchers all, sent riders throughout the kingdom to call a cadre of 24 skilled fighters to an invitational tournament. Sigmund was on their list, an invitation received with the sword and escutcheans seal in wax adorning the writ. I offered my support to this new adventure laid before him. To this end, we found ourselves in the eastern hills of the kingdom in the late summer of Anno Societatis LX.
Our journey not overly long, we made rest in a roadhouse a short distance from the tournament grounds. The excitement of the coming day kept us up late, but we found sleep eventually, waking early the following morning to break fast and complete our journey to the grounds.
The day was clear and the sun bright. This fact of the day would prove to be the most important one. As the sun rose in the heavens, it began to excise a tax upon everyone under its gaze. I confess, it would vex most all of us before the day’s end.
The day started with a tournament in the bear pit format for all armored fighters. Sigmund did not partake, choosing to save his efforts for the Invitational he was there to attend later in the day. I did participate. I made I 12 or 14 passes before I retired and had to hydrate and rest. The Sun’s cost on me was hard and I took my leave before the tournament completed.
After the bear pit, Sigmund was able to spend some time warming up with his knight, Viscount Valeric. Warming up is a good add to anyone’s tournament preparations. Having the opportunity to do so with your mentor is even more beneficial. Like a have a coach in your corner, they can bolster resolve and help you with any butterflies roaming in your stomach.
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| Valeric and Sigmund warming up. Photo Credit Eoin Mac Cana |
The Invitational Tournament began with 4 ‘pools’ of fighters, a count of 6 in each pool. Each combatant found everyone in their grouping. I was marshalling a pool, so did not get to see Sigmund fight firsthand. But, he did well enough to advance to the next round of the event.
The second round was another sequence of 4 pools of combatants, 5 per pool. This is when the great orb in the sky began to wreak is worst upon the participants. The brave warriors not only fought their opponent, but the far reaching blaze from above. Sigmund was in the pool I was marshalling. I could see the effort in him. He fought well both against his opponent on the field and the one in the sky. He did well enough to make it to the third round of the tournament and was announced to the final 16.
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| List tree with shields. Photo Credit Kenneth Haldane |
There was a procession. The 16 where announced to the populace, with their consorts where present.
The final round of 16 was a single elimination tournament. Each pairing would fight for the best 2 or 3 fights to progress. Our Sigmund was matched to fight Drogo inn Keiliselgr, an noble man and fighter of the southern reaches of Meridies. The fight did not happen. Recognizing that he was spent, Sigmund withdrew… with humility and grace. His name called, he came to the field and yielded. He shared private words with Drogo and they embraced in comradery and happiness.
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| Sigmund and Drogo. Photo Credit Kenneth Haldane. |
I could see the conflict on his visage. Sigmund answered the invitation for many reasons. He was asked, of course, but there was more. He came to show his Kingdom who he is.
Sigmund is proud and humble. He loves this hobby. He shares his joy with those around him. He brings a strong spirit and embellishes the community with it. He is makes smart choices. There is no lament about the withdraw. It was the right decision for him and a decision all of us (both in and out of the martial part of this hobby) have to make at times. While I am sad that was not able to see it through, I was happy for him to be able to experience the journey and that I was able to see his impact and how he affects those around him. I could argue that the way in which he yielded the field says more about our Sigmund than swinging a stick does.
Sigmund Nacht is a pretty cool dude. Im happy to know him and call him friend.
Fare the well, friends! Safe journey to thee.
Meistr Eoin Mac Cana, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
SCA, Inc
