Banner War Wrap Up Report
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Jaida al-Sahrawiyya
Sep 22, 2025, 9:07:50 PMSep 22
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We did it again, Aquaterra! We outshone our own shine, and stepped up the game another notch! Banner War 2025 was a SMASHING success. We had 217 adults come through the gates, with TWENTY TWO YOUTHS in tow. We had a large number of newcomers, and several of them won tournaments! What a show we put on this weekend! I have WAY TOO MANY WORDS to say below, so: TL;DR - event was amazing, I felt incredibly honored by so many things that happened, we raised $118 for the Barony through the Garage Sale, and I can't wait to attend this event next year as a mere participant and see what the next person to take up this mantle will do with it now. Thank yous at the bottom.
I have a LONG list of people to thank for their contributions to this event, but I first want to take a few moments to tell you what this event has meant to me. When I first started playing in 2016, I was invited to a Boar's Hunt in Aquaterra. It was introduced to me as "getting drunk and dressing up like medieval people in the woods". I was 28 years old, had literally moved to WA 3 week prior, and was VERY INTERESTED in what this could possibly mean. I was not at all prepared for what the SCA actually was. That first event was spent...well...getting drunk and dressing up like a medieval people. It wasn't FALSE advertising so much as WAY UNDER advertising. I had a blast, but I wasn't really "immersed" at that event. I still decided to come to Banner War that year, with the same group of people, and it was...so different that time. I met the person who would set me down my ultimate SCA path at that event. Keeva Haakensdottir (HeatherJo Burgy) encouraged me to leave the party camp and go see what the rest of the event was all about, and that was the best decision I ever made. She then took me under her wing and introduced me to all the other people who would help me carve out my path before she had to take a step back to deal with her modern life. Her last act was to introduce me to Zahra bint al-Rammah and suggest I take up the mantle as Head of Retinue for their Reign. We met up, vibed well, and off the races did I ever go...until COVID hit a year later. I was mostly out of commission for a year and half thanks to all that, but when we came back, Zahra and Geirliekr let me follow them around like a lost puppy while teaching me the ways of Retinue, and various crafting interests, and various other service interests, all while introducing me a plethora of people.
For 6 years, I leaned heavily on these two, while picking up other mentors and friendships along the way that all built me up.
At some point in those years, we needed a Steward for the first Camping event coming out of COVID. It was a Banner War, and that was the event that kicked everything off for me, so I stepped up and put in a bid. That year was...wild. I had only actually experienced this event twice before the shut down, there were wildfires, there were a lot of other pitfalls, and in general, we weren't really sure how to do this again after what COVID did to everyone. But we rallied. It became less about the "planned" activities and more about coming back together as a community for the first time. There was a lot of laughter and chatter, even if there wasn't a lot of "action". I got engaged at that event, many others had magical moments again. We were coming back.
Since then, I have had the honor of running Banner War 3 more times. Every year it got more and more like it used to be. We saw more and more faces come back, more and more activities came back, I learned a lot about what the event USED to be like, and brought some of that stuff back, while adding new stuff in, and it's grown bigger every year. This year, our new B&B even managed to convince other Baronies to join in the revelry, and we were blessed with TRH's presence as well.
One of the best things I heard from SEVERAL people this weekend was "that it feels like what the SCA used to be", and that's honestly the highest praise I could have gotten.
AND THEN, in the middle of Evening Court I was given a high honor in the Barony of Aquaterra and was admitted into the Order of the Green Bear, and presented with the MOST BEAUTIFUL SCROLL I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. My Pelican, Zahra, took the time to create this unique scroll to be presented to me by Their Excellencies Aquaterra, Tabbita and Mar Skal, and the presentation was so great, and I was surrounded by people I adore and they all got to see me cry like a widdle baby before I ran away.
This weekend was pure magic, and I truly hope that most participants felt at least an OUNCE of the joy I felt this weekend.
All that being said, you likely heard me comment quite loudly and often, that this is my last time running Banner War. Some of you came back with "so you say now" because you know me rather well. But the reality is - I have other pursuits I would like to take more seriously now, and Stewarding events take a LOT of time and effort. I'm not saying I'm done contributing to this and other Baronies, but at this time, I have no intention to run events in Aquaterra for the forseeable future.
What I AM excited to do is encourage and support others taking up the mantle of Event Steward of Aquaterra and An Tir. I'm not going anywhere, I will be around, I just want to see what OTHERS can do with these events, and what other fresh and fun ideas someone else may bring to this favorite event of mine. So if you have any interest in running an Aquaterra event, and particularly in running Banner War in the future - I am open and available to advise and offer assistance to those interested, and maybe some day I'll come back and reprise my role here, but for now, I'm off to other pursuits!
And now for the thank yous!
As always, I begin by thanking the absolute backbone of all that I do. My husband - Ambrose of Aquaterra (Kahlil Blocker) was behind me every step of the way along my journey, running errands, setting up and tearing down various things, feeding the HORDE of people who came for the Potluck and Trivia Night, and I'm sure he did things I never even saw or heard about in the background. He was granted membership in the Order of the Golden Estoile this weekend, and it's most certainly well deserved.
While my Peers were not tasked with much specifically for this event, their presence and support is always welcome and appreciated, so thanks to my Pelican (Zahra bint al-Rammah) and my Laurel (Maire Blakater) for being present and an uplifting influence to my favorite event.
Their Royal Highnesses, Ulfgar and Juahara brightened the day on Saturday by bringing their shining Presence to the field and the Event at Large, and I'm incredibly grateful to have gotten to spend time with Her Royal Highness while the War was going on in the woods. Their Presence will not soon be forgotten in these lands!
To Their Excellencies of Aquaterra, Tabbita and Mar Skal, I once again thank you for allowing me to bring this event to your Lands and this War to your Fields. Until we meet again I wish you all the best.
Their Excellencies of Wastekeep, Anna and William, travelled from afar to our Lands, and brought with them a joyous presence, and many witty remarks. I myself laughed at His Excellency a good few times throughout the weekend, and am very grateful for Her Excellency adding to the joy with her warm smile and infectous laughter. Until we meet again on the battlefield of hospitality!
Their Excellencies of Wealdsmere, Shahzia and Arawn, also traveled far to our Lands, and brought with them an energy that was infectous. They had a mighty curiousity for our activities, and added to revelry in fun and exciting ways. We can't wait to welcome them back to our Lands in the future as well!
For the making of our beautiful site tokens: Bel Kris Tain (Tristian Alo) and Ankyra (Amanda Vrtis)
For Leading the Charge at our Gate: Umble The Mumbler (Scott Humphries) and Michael Maximillien de Champagne (Michael Todd)
For handling Site Concerns and Issues as my Site Steward: Karpat Gangleri (Duke George)
For Coordinating our Merchants: Siobhan a Burc (Ruth Blair)
For coordinating our wonderful A&S Activities: Medb ingen Echuid (Daisy Nillson) and Sabina di Zorzi (Geri Ellis)
For handling all Heraldic Needs: Sigbjorg Kaladottir in Froda (Amanda Brooks)
For Youth Activities and Combat: Camilla Valerian and Alanna Von de Huga (Alanna Grenier)
For Heavy Combat Activities: Loftr Jolgeirsson and Steven Desjardin
For Archery Activities: Peter of Aquaterra (Peter Dietzel)
For Thrown Weapons activities: (Christopher Blair)
For their Rapier Wit (and pickup fights): Conner of Aquaterra (Hanna Twiss-Brooks)
For making our Newcomers feel welcomed and introducing them to our phenomenal site:
Maximillien de Champagne (Michael Todd) (yes he's on here twice, he's just as bad as I am, really)
For bringing Siege Cooking back to the Barony again: Lord Oz Von Baekyn
For All Things Games: Lady Eibhlin inghean Sheain (Lynne Startup)
For providing Bardic Entertainment and hosting the Bardic Circle: Pongoda Kitsine (Chess Nyberg)
For doing basically all of the setup and tear down for the event: Konradr Franksson (Konrad Champan) and his Merry Band of Helpful Hands (I unfortunately did not get all of their names, so please pass on my many thanks to your other House Members who spent all weekend doing whatever was asked of them) This group of young populace members earned a significant amount of War Points just by being at my beck and call, and it was amazing.
There were also many other hands that were not named above, as I did not catch all of the names of the many people who assisted with set up and tear down. It really is a team effort and every little bit helps. So thank you to any who helped but I didn't catch your name.
Special Thanks to Gideon (who has a new surname that I haven't yet committed to memory) (Jim Meyers) and his House Hrafensheim for hosting another phenomenal loadout breakfast!
Until next time,
Yours in Service,
Jaida al-Sahrawiyya
Protege to Rai'Sa Zahra bint al-Rammah
Apprentice to Magnifica Maire Blakater
#BannerWar2025 #AQBannerWar #Aquaterra
I have a LONG list of people to thank for their contributions to this event, but I first want to take a few moments to tell you what this event has meant to me. When I first started playing in 2016, I was invited to a Boar's Hunt in Aquaterra. It was introduced to me as "getting drunk and dressing up like medieval people in the woods". I was 28 years old, had literally moved to WA 3 week prior, and was VERY INTERESTED in what this could possibly mean. I was not at all prepared for what the SCA actually was. That first event was spent...well...getting drunk and dressing up like a medieval people. It wasn't FALSE advertising so much as WAY UNDER advertising. I had a blast, but I wasn't really "immersed" at that event. I still decided to come to Banner War that year, with the same group of people, and it was...so different that time. I met the person who would set me down my ultimate SCA path at that event. Keeva Haakensdottir (HeatherJo Burgy) encouraged me to leave the party camp and go see what the rest of the event was all about, and that was the best decision I ever made. She then took me under her wing and introduced me to all the other people who would help me carve out my path before she had to take a step back to deal with her modern life. Her last act was to introduce me to Zahra bint al-Rammah and suggest I take up the mantle as Head of Retinue for their Reign. We met up, vibed well, and off the races did I ever go...until COVID hit a year later. I was mostly out of commission for a year and half thanks to all that, but when we came back, Zahra and Geirliekr let me follow them around like a lost puppy while teaching me the ways of Retinue, and various crafting interests, and various other service interests, all while introducing me a plethora of people.
For 6 years, I leaned heavily on these two, while picking up other mentors and friendships along the way that all built me up.
At some point in those years, we needed a Steward for the first Camping event coming out of COVID. It was a Banner War, and that was the event that kicked everything off for me, so I stepped up and put in a bid. That year was...wild. I had only actually experienced this event twice before the shut down, there were wildfires, there were a lot of other pitfalls, and in general, we weren't really sure how to do this again after what COVID did to everyone. But we rallied. It became less about the "planned" activities and more about coming back together as a community for the first time. There was a lot of laughter and chatter, even if there wasn't a lot of "action". I got engaged at that event, many others had magical moments again. We were coming back.
Since then, I have had the honor of running Banner War 3 more times. Every year it got more and more like it used to be. We saw more and more faces come back, more and more activities came back, I learned a lot about what the event USED to be like, and brought some of that stuff back, while adding new stuff in, and it's grown bigger every year. This year, our new B&B even managed to convince other Baronies to join in the revelry, and we were blessed with TRH's presence as well.
One of the best things I heard from SEVERAL people this weekend was "that it feels like what the SCA used to be", and that's honestly the highest praise I could have gotten.
AND THEN, in the middle of Evening Court I was given a high honor in the Barony of Aquaterra and was admitted into the Order of the Green Bear, and presented with the MOST BEAUTIFUL SCROLL I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. My Pelican, Zahra, took the time to create this unique scroll to be presented to me by Their Excellencies Aquaterra, Tabbita and Mar Skal, and the presentation was so great, and I was surrounded by people I adore and they all got to see me cry like a widdle baby before I ran away.
This weekend was pure magic, and I truly hope that most participants felt at least an OUNCE of the joy I felt this weekend.
All that being said, you likely heard me comment quite loudly and often, that this is my last time running Banner War. Some of you came back with "so you say now" because you know me rather well. But the reality is - I have other pursuits I would like to take more seriously now, and Stewarding events take a LOT of time and effort. I'm not saying I'm done contributing to this and other Baronies, but at this time, I have no intention to run events in Aquaterra for the forseeable future.
What I AM excited to do is encourage and support others taking up the mantle of Event Steward of Aquaterra and An Tir. I'm not going anywhere, I will be around, I just want to see what OTHERS can do with these events, and what other fresh and fun ideas someone else may bring to this favorite event of mine. So if you have any interest in running an Aquaterra event, and particularly in running Banner War in the future - I am open and available to advise and offer assistance to those interested, and maybe some day I'll come back and reprise my role here, but for now, I'm off to other pursuits!
And now for the thank yous!
As always, I begin by thanking the absolute backbone of all that I do. My husband - Ambrose of Aquaterra (Kahlil Blocker) was behind me every step of the way along my journey, running errands, setting up and tearing down various things, feeding the HORDE of people who came for the Potluck and Trivia Night, and I'm sure he did things I never even saw or heard about in the background. He was granted membership in the Order of the Golden Estoile this weekend, and it's most certainly well deserved.
While my Peers were not tasked with much specifically for this event, their presence and support is always welcome and appreciated, so thanks to my Pelican (Zahra bint al-Rammah) and my Laurel (Maire Blakater) for being present and an uplifting influence to my favorite event.
Their Royal Highnesses, Ulfgar and Juahara brightened the day on Saturday by bringing their shining Presence to the field and the Event at Large, and I'm incredibly grateful to have gotten to spend time with Her Royal Highness while the War was going on in the woods. Their Presence will not soon be forgotten in these lands!
To Their Excellencies of Aquaterra, Tabbita and Mar Skal, I once again thank you for allowing me to bring this event to your Lands and this War to your Fields. Until we meet again I wish you all the best.
Their Excellencies of Wastekeep, Anna and William, travelled from afar to our Lands, and brought with them a joyous presence, and many witty remarks. I myself laughed at His Excellency a good few times throughout the weekend, and am very grateful for Her Excellency adding to the joy with her warm smile and infectous laughter. Until we meet again on the battlefield of hospitality!
Their Excellencies of Wealdsmere, Shahzia and Arawn, also traveled far to our Lands, and brought with them an energy that was infectous. They had a mighty curiousity for our activities, and added to revelry in fun and exciting ways. We can't wait to welcome them back to our Lands in the future as well!
For the making of our beautiful site tokens: Bel Kris Tain (Tristian Alo) and Ankyra (Amanda Vrtis)
For Leading the Charge at our Gate: Umble The Mumbler (Scott Humphries) and Michael Maximillien de Champagne (Michael Todd)
For handling Site Concerns and Issues as my Site Steward: Karpat Gangleri (Duke George)
For Coordinating our Merchants: Siobhan a Burc (Ruth Blair)
For coordinating our wonderful A&S Activities: Medb ingen Echuid (Daisy Nillson) and Sabina di Zorzi (Geri Ellis)
For handling all Heraldic Needs: Sigbjorg Kaladottir in Froda (Amanda Brooks)
For Youth Activities and Combat: Camilla Valerian and Alanna Von de Huga (Alanna Grenier)
For Heavy Combat Activities: Loftr Jolgeirsson and Steven Desjardin
For Archery Activities: Peter of Aquaterra (Peter Dietzel)
For Thrown Weapons activities: (Christopher Blair)
For their Rapier Wit (and pickup fights): Conner of Aquaterra (Hanna Twiss-Brooks)
For making our Newcomers feel welcomed and introducing them to our phenomenal site:
Maximillien de Champagne (Michael Todd) (yes he's on here twice, he's just as bad as I am, really)
For bringing Siege Cooking back to the Barony again: Lord Oz Von Baekyn
For All Things Games: Lady Eibhlin inghean Sheain (Lynne Startup)
For providing Bardic Entertainment and hosting the Bardic Circle: Pongoda Kitsine (Chess Nyberg)
For doing basically all of the setup and tear down for the event: Konradr Franksson (Konrad Champan) and his Merry Band of Helpful Hands (I unfortunately did not get all of their names, so please pass on my many thanks to your other House Members who spent all weekend doing whatever was asked of them) This group of young populace members earned a significant amount of War Points just by being at my beck and call, and it was amazing.
There were also many other hands that were not named above, as I did not catch all of the names of the many people who assisted with set up and tear down. It really is a team effort and every little bit helps. So thank you to any who helped but I didn't catch your name.
Special Thanks to Gideon (who has a new surname that I haven't yet committed to memory) (Jim Meyers) and his House Hrafensheim for hosting another phenomenal loadout breakfast!
Until next time,
Yours in Service,
Jaida al-Sahrawiyya
Protege to Rai'Sa Zahra bint al-Rammah
Apprentice to Magnifica Maire Blakater
#BannerWar2025 #AQBannerWar #Aquaterra
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