Real Name: Shea Transue

SCA Name & title: Baron Tassin Tresseaul

Years in the SCA: 8 years

How did you find out about the SCA? / Where did you start, what was your first event?

I actually found out about the SCA via my 8th grade history teacher. She was a civil war reenactor and since I was interested in more medieval pursuits she told me about the SCA. I did find the SCA at that point but being in Middle School I couldn’t drive yet so it made it hard for me to go to practices, meetings or events. I ended up going to a few meetings in Eisental and went to the East Kingdom War Practice at the Ukrainian Homestead but after that I stopped going since there wasn’t anyone my age and it was so hard to get there. Fast forward to college, I was at Penn State and my friend Sarah Perelli (Lady Serena Milani) invited me to this medieval thing which ended up being an event put on by Nithgaard. I ended up working the second half of that event in the Kitchen washing dishes. That was a pretty good indicator of my path in the SCA.

What is your persona? / Why did you pick this persona?

My persona is currently kind of fluid, when I initially started in the SCA I wanted to be from Northern France in the 1300’s. This is where my family was able to trace our oldest recorded ancestor too so I was very interested in learning more about that place and period. Recently I have become more of a mishmash of times and cultures. I do Viking, Landsknecht, and 1300’s English. It all really depends on who I’m with and how much I need to help out because who wants to get their nice garb all sweaty and gross setting up tents?

Do you have any group or household affiliations?

I am not officially associated with any Shires or Baronies, I am an Expat. I mundanely live in Allentown, PA which some might recognize as the East Kingdom. That being said, my heart still resides in the Shire of Nithgaard because that’s where I really came into the fold and still have many friends. As far as households go I am a part of The Duchy of Arindale.

Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.

I have always been a huge Sci-Fi nerd and lover of everything associated with that. I think that is one of the main reasons I went to school to be an Engineer. In 2017, I graduated from Penn State with a Bachelors in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. I currently work as a Manufacturing Engineer for a Medical Textile company, we make woven, knitted, and braided products that are used in everything from sutures and heart grafts to medical meshes. On a day to day basis I work to design and improve the machinery and implement new and better processes. I troubleshoot and facilitate repairs to electrical and mechanical systems. I also do a lot of work validating the machinery and processes. I own my own home and enjoy playing board games and video games as well as camping and Kayaking. If you looked at my you tube history you’d see a lot of SCP content, how to make this or that, comedy sketches, and currently how to make cocktails.

What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?

Most recently I was honored to be the consort of Cormacc Mac Gilla Brigde at Crown Tournament. A&S wise, I love to do pewter casting, woodworking, and most recently Machine Embroidery. By the way, if anyone wants something embroidered let me know and we can talk. I’m just itching to use my machine! If I had to pick, I’d say my biggest passion is helping however / whoever I can, whether that is being the Autocrat, working in the kitchen, retaining, taking watch shifts at Pennsic, holding Kingdom Offices or just setting up tents. That’s what I really like doing.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)

I am currently the Kingdom Chamberlain, Kingdom Events Coordinator, and Kingdom Exchequer Archival Deputy. I have autocrated several events and always want to do more… just sayin in case anyone needs an autocrat.

When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? 

When I first started I knew helping people was going to be a big part of what I wanted to do. I also thought I wanted to do marshal activities like heavy fighting and I was very interested in siege combat.

What are your goals now? 

My current goals are to become more involved at the kingdom level, since I don’t have a home group, find more events that people want me to autocrat, and refine my pewter casting skills. I’m also working on the creation of an online database for the kingdom regalia and the creation / implementation of a new digital submission system for exchequer warrants. I’d also like to get all of the exchequer paperwork Rhys sent me scanned and archived.

What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? 

I remember thinking that for my first couple events the “SCA” signs along the road were just so sketchy, it was very intimidating following them to an unknown location.  Now I’ve grown rather fond of playing spot the sketchy SCA sign.

After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?

I’d really like to teach more pewter casting classes. I recently did a demo and it went so well that I am excited to spread my knowledge to others.

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?

I would say don’t be afraid to ask people about what they’re doing, whether that be A&S, marshal, or service. Usually, if you show the slightest interest in someone’s passion they will bend over backwards to help you get involved.

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?

I wish I could be a voice herald or Bard. Being able to think on the fly like that or really be able to sing or play instruments would just be so cool.

If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why?

I would have liked to join the SCA in the late 80’s or early 90’s at the inception of Æthelmearc. It would have been so cool to be able to help build and influence a new kingdom. I also feel like based on the stories I hear that there were a lot more shenanigans. Now 50 some years in, I feel like many of the questions have been answered and the formulas have been set.

Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?

Since I joined the society I have wanted to become a Pelican. I think at my first event when I was working in the kitchen someone mentioned that I’d be one someday and that notion just kinda stuck in my head. Almost all of the figures that I admire most in the society are Pelicans, and if I am honored with that distinction someday I feel like I will have really made a difference, just knowing the sacrifices and hard work others have done before me to be recognized by that same order.

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 more people my own age (26) and more time devoted to revels and hanging out. I feel like the time you spend around the fire singing songs and having an adult beverage or two are some of the times that will be remembered most.

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