Real Name: Jen Sadler
SCA Name & title: (Maggie) Rue, Granted a Ladyship
Years in the SCA: 3 then 9, with about a 12-year hiatus.
How did you find out about the SCA?
I was on my second year of community college (1993) about to transfer to Binghamton U. when I stopped and chatted to a person in a medieval-style address who gave me a quick spiel. Sounded interesting but I was leaving the area. I found the SCA again early ’95 and that time it stuck for a while longer.
Where did you start, what was your first event?
So, I was at Binghamton U. and looking for mead for my medieval wedding that I was planning in a year or so (1995). Met up with the Ragnesfolke household and enjoyed hanging out with them so much I ditched my fiancé. First event was over in Myrkfaelinn. After graduating in 1996 I got busy with roleplaying games; through those activities (and a decade later), I came to know my now-husband Weasel—he was security at one of the cons at which I sold games. I won $500 on a scratch ticket in 2009 and went to Pennsic on a whim. In 2010 I rejoined the SCA, supporting Weasel in his endeavors in the East.
What is your persona?
Mostly English, 1400s, someone who is a “finder”, so to speak. You come asking for information or an item, give it a little time and money, things turn out all right at the end. My A&S specialties are Criminal Activities and Botanical Endeavors.
Why did you pick this persona?
The name came first. I wanted something that was as easy to remember as Weasel, so I picked “Rue”. Then I went and researched until I found “Rue” as a last name in-period, grabbing a quick personal name, Maggie, that matched well so I could register it.
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
I am the “Largest Man” in Ragnesfolke, a member of House Three Skulls, and associate with both the East and Aethelmearc. I currently live in the Shire of Hunter’s Home.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I am currently a freelance writer and editor for both mundane and roleplaying publications. I started out as a proofreader, editor, then Creative Director for West End Games in the 1990s, working on Star Wars and was the last Paranoia line-editor. I’ve worked for numerous roleplaying game companies, quite a few fiction and nonfiction publishers, and wrote a number of articles regarding writing and roleplaying games. Most of my writing credits are under Jen Seiden or Schoonover. My husband is THL Methius Weasel and I have two children, two pitbulls, and five aging cats.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
I started out as in heavy list with the rest of Ragnesfolke and recently have started taking it up again. I’ve feastocratted and autocratted, mainly in the East. I like embroidery and creating things, lots of things. Mostly I volunteer where I can be of use.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)
Mostly Arts & Sciences and affiliated activities. I am the A&S officer of the Shire of Hunter’s Home, Guildmistress of the Herbal and Apothecary Guild, Deputy Guildmistress of the Aethelmearc and East Kingdom Chartered Assassins Guilds, I am a Youth Minister-at-Large, you see my name as an Admin for the Aethelmearc public Facebook page, and I try to make myself useful. I’ve tried to help out with newsletter stuff and I enjoy both being in the kitchen and walking through the woods.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
I had none back in the 1990s. There were absolutely no ambitions back then. When I first met up with Weasel, he told me that he did this Assassins Guild, but he’d “never get any recognition.” It has been my goal to change that, and I think it has gotten to a point where that goal has been accomplished.
What are your goals now?
Now I want to be able to enjoy myself, put out more Arts and Sciences displays, become a better fighter, etc.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
For me it is fighting heavy weapons. I love the idea of being incredibly skilled and fit; I hate the idea of getting hit or injured. I blame bad experiences in my past but I get quickly overwhelmed when I am up against someone and start to panic. It will be difficult.
If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the next year, what would it be?
Enjoy some events without chasing my daughter around and keeping her out of trouble.
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?
Give it time. People will unconsciously try to show you what they like to do the most and will sometimes not realize they’re pushing you. Let their enthusiasm wash over you but don’t stress out.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?
Making clothes. I am horrible at following patterns.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why?
I’d have started over again later. My experiences starting in 2009 was hampered by what I remembered of the 1990s. Things really changed over that time period, a lot for the better, but it was different.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
Any award I currently desire I can achieve myself with time, hard work, and perseverance… save one. I’d love to be Queen of Aethelmearc, and I don’t know if I can ever put together enough will and strength to make that happen. As to why, I dunno. It’s something that, every once in a while, I dream about.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be?
I’d like to see us as a community try to put more out there in print (I do love the written word) or even just more accessibility to A&S information. I know places exist on the web, but we need the authors names first-and-foremost with their works to make people proud, and we need to fix dead links or create more universal repositories/sites, etc.
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