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Combat Archery Authorization Procedures
for the Office of the Marshallate
Kingdom of Atlantia

The following lists the Adapted from Armored Combat Authorization Procedures. CA specific modifications are in Bold.

  1. General
    1.1 Authorization is designed to ensure that all combatants are able to conduct themselves in a safe and courteous manner while on the field of combat.
    1.2 The authorization process ensures that all combatants taking the field are conducting themselves according to a common standard.
    1.3 This process also ensures that all combatants have the minimal level of proficiency necessary to ensure that they do not present a threat to themselves or anyone else on the field.
    1.4 All combatants in tournaments and melees in Atlantia must be authorized in the weapons they wish to use.
    1.5 Visitors to Atlantia may participate at Atlantian events if they go over the Atlantian rules with an Atlantian marshal before they compete.
    1.6 Combatants with a valid authorization from another kingdom who move into Atlantia, may trade in for an Atlantian authorization card. See the Policies of the MoL for the procedure.
  2. Who May Become Authorized
    2.1 To become authorized a combatant must meet the following requirements.
  3. Where can Someone go Through the Authorization Procedure
    3.1 All authorizations will be held either at an SCA event or at fighter’s practice
    3.2 Marshals wishing to conduct authorizations at practice must obtain prior permission to do so from the Deputy Earl Marshal for Combat Archery, and coordinate MOL support to insure all reporting standards, both for MICs and for MOLs, are adhered to.
  4. When can Authorization Occur
    4.1 Authorizations can be held at any time during the course of the event. When a combatant authorizes during an event they may participate in subsequent activities as allowed by their new authorization.
  5. Authorization Personnel
    5.1 There are five people involved in the authorization process.
  6. Combatant (Candidate) Attempting to Authorize
    The following are guidelines that the Candidate should, and in some cases must, follow prior to and during the authorization process.
    6.1 Must have read and be familiar with the SCA and Kingdom of Atlantia conventions of combat prior to attempting to authorize. This includes the SCA Missile Combat Rules. If the candidate intends to participate as an archer in Rapier Combat, this also includes the SCA Period Fencing Rules and Atlantian Rapier Combat Rules.
    6.2 Be prepared mentally and physically to authorize.
    6.3 While not always possible, it is strongly recommended that one authorize in the actual armor they will be fighting in after the authorization.
    6.4 Report to the MoL prior to taking the field for authorization to complete all required paperwork.
    6.5 Be prepared to authorize when the call for authorizations is made.
    6.6 The combatant authorizing must ensure they are at the proper place at the proper time.
    6.7 Follow up with the MoL after the authorization to ensure all paperwork is complete.
  7. Combatant (Tester) Assisting with the Authorization
    The following are criteria that must be met by anyone involved in testing the Candidate during the authorization process.
    7.1 Be authorized and experienced in the weapon form he is using. The tester does not need to be authorized in Combat Archery.
    7.2 Be of sufficient expertise to test the competence of the candidate.
    7.3 Be properly armed and armored.
    7.4 Testers should not use unusual equipment.
    7.5 The tester should not be someone who regularly practices with or trains with the candidate.
  8. Minister of the List
    The Marshal shall confirm that the candidate has completed all the necessary paperwork with the Minister of the List and has submitted it in accordance with the policies of the Minister of the Lists.
  9. Marshals
    9.1 At least one of the marshals must live in a different local group from the candidate. If the candidate lives in a barony, at least one of the marshals must live outside that barony.
    9.2 At least one of the marshals must be warranted in the “Combat Archery” discipline.
    9.3 If the candidate intends to participate as an archer in Rapier Combat, it is recommended that the team include a warranted rapier marshal. Alternately, the marshals should have a copy of the Rapier Combat Rules available while testing the candidate’s knowledge.
    9.4 Inspect the armor and equipment of all personnel participating in the authorization process.
    9.5 Test the knowledge of the candidate regarding the applicable rules governing combat in Atlantia.
    9.6 The knowledge test should include questions applicable to the weapons being used in the authorization. Emphasis shall be placed on the Combat Archery rules and conventions. This testing should be more extensive than for other weapons forms, as it is a more significant “determining factor” in this authorization. If the candidate intends to participate as an archer in Rapier Combat, the test shall include Rapier Combat Rules that the candidate needs to be familiar with.
    9.7 Inform the participants in the authorization of how the authorization is to be conducted.
    9.8 Ensure that both combatants’ armor is legal.
    9.9 Neither of the marshals may be combatants who regularly practice with the candidate.
  10. Conducting the Authorization
    10.1 Once the candidate has checked in with the MoL and a suitable tester has been selected, the on field authorization can begin.
    10.2 The marshal in charge of the authorization shall introduce the marshals and combatants participating in the authorization.
    10.3 Ask the candidate enough questions to ensure they are familiar with all the necessary rules.
    10.4 While there is no checklist of questions or required number, the questions should include legal targets and the use of the candidate’s weapons.
    10.5 Inspect the armor and weapons of the candidate and the tester.
    10.6 Ask if the candidate feels sufficiently protected in the armor they are wearing.
    10.7 Explain how the authorization bouts will proceed.
    10.8 The remainder of the authorization must be conducted in an area where is safe to shoot without hitting others in the vicinity.
    10.9 In order to verify that the candidate is willing to be struck with his own projectiles, one of the marshals shall shoot at the candidate several times from the 15 foot minimum range with the candidate’s equipment. The marshal should not intentionally aim at unarmored areas. Once the candidate has been hit three or four times, the authorization can proceed to the next step.
    10.10 The candidate shall be informed that in the next step, he must demonstrate proper conduct on the field of combat, and proper technique for “dying defensively”. The candidate and the tester shall position themselves about 30 to 50 yards apart. The tester shall be instructed to approach the candidate, slowly at first, to allow him to get off a couple of shots, and then to chase down and ‘touch kill” the candidate. If the tester is struck with an arrow, he should call the shot, and then continue with the scenario.
    10.11 Upon the call of “Lay on” the candidate and the tester shall proceed with the simulated combat. The marshals shall observe, paying particular attention to whether the candidate acts in a controlled manner, violates any rules (shooting into spectators, shooting within 15 feet, etc.), and properly demonstrates acknowledging a touch kill and dying defensively.
    10.12 Consultation.
      10.12.1 The marshals and tester will consult to determine if the authorization was successful.
      10.12.2 Both marshals must pass the candidate or the authorization fails.
      10.12.3 They will then discuss the results of the authorization with the candidate.
      10.12.4 If the authorization was successful, congratulate the newly authorized combatant.
      10.12.5 If the authorization was unsuccessful, clearly and concisely explain the problems.
      10.12.6 The marshals may offer advice to help the candidate to improve.
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