Rapier and Cut & Thrust
Marshall In Charge: Warder Patrick Von Gruuthuse
The Rapier, Cut & Thrust, & Youth Combat Hall (Expo South) hosts a variety of activities.
If you have gear to unload you MUST do it through the doors in the hall, and not the glass entry doors.
Rapier and Armored fighters: at St Valentines Massacre & ToC on 2/8/25, to limit touchpoints for the spreading of viruses and germs – we will not be providing 5 gallon coolers of water or Gatorade in either fight hall. We encourage everyone to bring your own personal hydration choices. The concession stand sells beverages at a reasonable price, if needed.
Large indoor events in the winter definitely carry an increased danger of sharing/spreading the current flavor of viruses and illnesses. There is no shame in staying away if you are not feeling well or worried about your future health.
Wash your hands frequently and wear a mask if you prefer.
To view Youth Combat activities and schedules, click HERE.
Baroness Gianna, OP, and The Fellowship of the Traveling Hat are proud to present a spectacular Make-and-Take 14th Century Hat salon at Val Day from 11 am to 3 pm in the rapier hall (Expo South building).
- Rapier Activity Descriptions
- Cut & Thrust Activity Descriptions
- Youth Combat
- Hat Salon
- Return to Val Day Home Page
Rapier and Cut & Thrust Schedule
| Time | Rapier List | Cut & Thrust List |
|---|---|---|
| 9am-10am | Authorizations and Bear Pit Tourney | |
| 10am-11am | Dice Tourney | |
| 11am-12pm | Lunch break | Bolognese Marathon |
| 12pm-1pm | Poker Tourney | Break |
| 1pm-2pm | Melees | Bolognese Marathon |
| 2pm-3pm | 2:30pm A-Game Tourney (Scales of the Dragon Tournament) | |
| 3pm-4pm | Pick ups until lists close |
In an effort to highlight and encourage fencing tournament prowess in the Midrealm, 5 A-Game tournaments will be featured throughout the year. The top three fencers from each will receive a token which will grant them entry to the Scales of the Dragon tournament to be held at the end of the year. The winner will hold the prowess favor until the following year’s tournament, where a new bearer will be determined.
Please contact Warder Kat die Herrliche Rachel Kerner (bearnigsword at gmail) for further information
Scales of the Dragon Tournament – Please note this is scheduled for 2:30pm
Additional Activities
Rapier Activity Descriptions
Bear Pit
Bear Pit Rules:
3-5 pits, Everybody starts in the middle, If you win 2 fights you move up a pit. if you lose you move down a pit.
Dice Tourney
Dice Tourney Rules:
Rolls 2 D6, one more main hand and one for off hand.
- 1= Sword
- 2= Dagger
- 3= Rigid Parry
- 4= Non rigid Parry
- 5 = Shield
- 6= Choice
If not authorized/doesn’t have the equipment default to single sword.
Re-roll if combo isn’t valid ex) a roll of 3 and 4
Poker Tournament
Poker Tourney Rules:
Get in line. Win your fight: get a card. Lose your fight: get back in line. You can only have 5 cards total. Limited to standard poker hands.
Melee
Melee Team Captain Rules
1vs1, winner is Team captain and the person they beat is on their team. Then it’s 2vs2, winner is Team captain and the people they beat join their team Then it’s 4vs4, etc.
A Game
A-Game:
Double elimination. Best of three. Doubles count as a loss for both. If you double 2 times , re-fight.
Cut & Thrust Activity Descriptions
Bolognese Marathon
This tournament shall consist of ten rounds followed by a finals match. Combatants will cycle through five different weapons forms with each form being fought twice. Each round will be fought for five passes (not best of five). After round 1, pairings will be decided based on the number of points each fighter has, employing a Swiss system. So if you have 12 points, your opponent will likely only have 11-13 points going in.
Points
- A strike to the head will result in 3 points.
- A strike to the foot will result in 2 points.
- A strike to any part of the body shall result in 1 point.
- Any time both combatants are struck within a single tempo, it shall be counted as a double and no points will be awarded.
Rounds
- Rounds 1 & 2 – Polearms
- Rounds 3 & 4 – Longsword
- Rounds 5 & 6 – Sword and shield
- Rounds 7 & 8 – Sword and cloak
- Rounds 9 & 10 – Single sword
- Finals – One pass with each form
Please note:
- One handed swords will be restricted to 38″ blades or shorter.
- Weapons will be made available to anyone who does not own their own.
- Grappling will be allowed (and encouraged) between any combatants who have been authorized to grapple.
Hat Salon
Baroness Gianna, OP, and The Fellowship of the Traveling Hat are proud to present a spectacular Make-and-Take 14th Century Hat salon at Val Day from 11 am to 3 pm in the rapier hall (Expo South building). The salon will be adjacent to Mistress Gianna’s post-elevation vigil, so stop by to congratulate her or offer advice if you’re in the area!
If you attend the salon, you’ll get hands-on with the most popular hat of the 14th century: the bycocket! Create your own from a commercially available wool felt hat blank ($15 per hat, or bring your own). The class will use modern tools, techniques, and materials to quickly and affordably attain the right look. We will also cover suggestions for embellishments you may wish to add on your own to make it even more stylish. If you already have made embellishments to your own hat, please drop by to show them off! Ages 15+ or with adult supervision. Supplies limited.