Real Name: H.L. Davin Wright
SCA Name: Davin ap Einion
SCA title: Lord
Years in the SCA: 22 (1996)
Where did you start, what was your first event?
I started in Rhydderich Hael after watching a fighting demo at my younger brother’s middle school. My first event was Ice Dragon, where I served as a Page under Clement of Morocco serving feast.
What is your persona? Early 1200’s (4th Crusade) Welsh.
Why did you pick this persona?
I have family ancestry from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England, and Finland… among others. I chose Welsh due to the history of successful repulsion against conquest, and general interest in the “Struggles of the British Isles” without picking a more common, “English, Irish, Scottish, Viking, Norman, etc” persona. The Welsh are, in many respects, the last of the original Britani people.
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
The only group I’ve ever been formally associated with is the now defunct “Clan Kitemitsu” from Atenveldt. We fielded 15 fighters at our peak, and I was clan champion. I’m free roaming at the moment.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I’ve studied (and professionally tutored) mathematics, philosophy, chemistry, and physics. I’ve been an EMT, and I’ve managed at a fast food chain. I’ve worked customer service, telemarketing, and line manufacturing (repeatedly screwing the cap on the bottle type stuff). I am currently a Photo-Voltaic system designer, a structural and electrical engineer producing blueprints for residential solar power systems.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
I am primarily a heavy fighter, though I’ve also done rapier to a limited degree. I volunteer, even if not in a recorded manner, at almost every event I go to. I was a member of the Chirurgeonate until it’s dissolution due to legal quandaries. I’ve created most of my own armour, but I’m not very good at fabric things. Initially, I started with dancing since I wasn’t old enough to fight back in 1996 (because the rules were different).
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.).
I’ve been a warranted Baronial Chirurgeon, and Deputy exchequer. I’ve been a heavy marshal in charge for an event. I’ve been Chirurgeon in charge for an event. I’ve been the official Baronial water bearer (for Atenvledt, where we need a lot of water for fighter practice). I’m always trying to find a way to be more involved and helpful, but I’ve never been part of the “cool kids club.”
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
I really REALLY wanted to do heavy fighting. (in 1996, hitting a person under the age of 18 was legally considered child abuse, regardless of parental consent)
What are your goals now?
I am trying to get back into fighting, recovering my previous prowess and advancing my skills… helping to train others and pass on what I know… and just generally participating more.
If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the next year, what would it be?
Win a tournament using my preferred style, long sword.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
Try everything. Find out what you like, learn more about it, and get better at it. Listen to stories. Ask how you can help, because you’ll be exposed to more things that way.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?
I can’t say I would want to magically have a talent I don’t have. Without working for it, I wouldn’t know how to use or apply it. Working hard to get better is part of the journey. The only thing I would magically want would be a mundane thing… and in our current world, that would be the time and finances to train more and attend most events.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
I want to work towards peerage, both Knighthood and Pelican. One day, perhaps even Crown when I’ve been involved enough in the “behind the scenes” and attained an exceptional level of prowess, martial and otherwise. I feel I have a lot to offer, but I know I’m not at these levels yet. Being modest, I just want people to be aware that I’ve only have my AoA… for people to observe my talents and behavior and recommend me for what they feel I’ve earned… and help me learn on my journey.
Please add additional comments as you see fit.
To me, the SCA is more than a dream… more than a game… more than an escape from reality. It’s a way of life. Preserving more than just knowledge and skills the world has left behind, but also culture. The brightness of our shared dream shines upon the darkness that threatens to envelop the modern.
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