femkes_follies | Kingdom Culture and More Thoughts(TM) (Reply)

It must be noted that Culture varies a lot from Kingdom to Kingdom within the Knowne World. And some of those cultures are those that would really cause us (John and I) Culture Shock - as surely as moving to Vermont. (Yes, I know that most of my lj friends are Godless Liberals(TM) and can't imagine why that would be a problem. It would ;-)

It is also exceedingly difficult to assess any level of such culture on the Intarwebs, or even via a few acquaintances, however sterling.

But I'm attempting to do so, anyway. And I'm not sure how many people out there have enough first hand experience to be able to gainsay my assumptions - but feel free if you've a mind.

Impression number one: Atlantia has a much richer A&S culture than the Middle. Both in terms of its set up for Faires and other venues and in its encouragement and development of various guilds. The chance to actively participate in something other than a bean count without reading through the acres of paperwork on the website for the Middle. And shall we talk about the settling of the Midrealm Faire in Kentucky until further notice? Again. I always knew their A&S website was fabulous. I've lately come to realize that the Atlantian University has better support and structure. In general, as a Kingdom, Atlantia seems to just set a higher value on the Arts and Sciences again.

Impression number two: The culture of Northshield as a Kingdom is still developing. Some of it started as "We're not the Midrealm" and hasn't yet found its own identity. Some of it wants to lean toward a Kingdom persona - a la Calontir. But nothing has really settled into the bones of the Kingdom, as yet. It's like a small town that lives in the shadow of a big city. I think it will develop - but right now they're finding out who they want to be. And some of that, will they, nil they, will be as a descendant of the Middle.

Impression number three: John opined that moving to Atlantia means learning an entirely new fighting style - The Atlantian Guard. He rubbed his chin and stated it was a vary period Guard, and he wouldn't be entirely sorry to leave behind the "Bear Style" popular in the Middle that is so defensive by nature. There also seems to be a larger emphasis on Pas d'Armes and Tourney fighting with an emphasis on Chivalric behavior. Which is not to say that boorishness is permitted in the Middle. But rather that there is greater emphasis on the "sport" aspect, and less on the pageantry. I think this is an effect of Southern Gentry vs. Midwestern Practicality.

Impression number four: Smaller Kingdoms may have a slight tendency to feel a bit like small towns - everybody knows everybody. And everybody knows everybody's business. I'm not sure if this is a plus or a minus. Mundanely, it's always made my skin crawl. Not sure how'd I feel SCA-wise.

Impression number five: I think for my purposes, Culture Shock would be worst in the East, or in Calontir. Least in Atlantia and Northshield. Granted, SCA Kingdom is not a reason to choose a specific place to move to. And we may not get a choice at all. It is, however, the end of the Gordian knot that I can reach, and pick at a little. The rest is in John's Court.

Thoughts and Advice?