Authenticity and Historic Re-creation

1) EVENTS

• All events are held by private individuals and as such the host holds authority over all activities.
• Participation at events is by invitation only, not the 'open door' format used by some other historical groups. The event host sets the details of invitations at his or her discretion.
• Normal events are structured as a 'trading camp'.
  • These camps occurred when two or more friendly boats of Norsefolk happened to be in the same place at the same time.
  • Events are not restricted to this format.
  • Event hosts may choose specific locations, dates, times of year, whole new themes for events, level of authenticity, etc. Some examples of events would include:
    • someday: Host: Freydis Setting: standard event at Freydisthorpe (bring anyone you wish)
    • someday: Host: Thorbjorn Setting: an attempt at Iron Production. Authenticity rules WAIVED. (attendance by prior arrangement ONLY)
    • someday: Host: Erik Setting: A Boat Landing. Each person will be allowed the clothes on their back plus one standard box. As captain I will provide one sail, one set of cooking gear, sheepskin bags for every person and land to hunt on and cut wood from. A barrel of fresh water, and some dried supplies will also be on hand.
    • someday: Host: Ketill MUSEUM presentation - team by appointment only
• Event sites should (where possible) be split into modern and period areas, preferably separated visually. (This has the advantage of allowing those without authentic camping gear to attend as 'walk ins').
• Authentic sites will have a clearly defined 'Time Line', past which the Authenticity Rules are under effect.
• Authenticity rules are in effect from noon to midnight. This allows for 'visiting', artefact assessment (and morning coffee!).
• Authenticity will be subject to peer review, as discussed below.
• Group activities should be conducted with an eye to creating and maintaining a reputation for excellence.

2) INTERPRETATION & PERSONAS

• DARC makes intensive use of the role playing level of historical interpretation. (see FAQ)
• DARC recreates what was likely rather than what was possible (no viking buddists here - see FAQ)
• Personas are defined by the supporting artefacts.
  DARC gives no awards - your status is shown by other people's willingness to comply with your requests. Your station is shown by your wealth of artefacts. People progress within DARC by the accumulation of material. This allows people to start out as a thrall or common freeholder, poor and perhaps supported by other DARC members. As they are able to display the artefacts of the middle class, then the noble class they may take on those roles, or remain at the level that most interests them.
• People may participate in historic events at any level, providing their artefacts support that level.
• It is recommended that your persona should be based on your real interests and capabilities. This will provide more realism in your interactions with other members.
• Rank from other organizations does not transfer to DARC.

3) AUTHENTICITY

• All artefacts (costume, equipment, tools, etc.) in view within the authentic camp, must be based on those in use during the period between 800 and 1000 CE in Scandinavia and England.
• Items should conform to the type of original artefacts - it is not necessary that they be exact reproductions.
• Some flexibility is used in artefact selection due to the small number of period samples (eg. using the Oseberg tent [dated to 824] as a model for a tent from 925 is acceptable - unless a better example can be found)
• If there is any doubt about the historical accuracy of an object, keep it hidden. It is not considered suitable to use modern objects or objects that are close when proper examples exist. Members are expected to slowly acquire the correct equipment, rather than make do until later. Exceptions to this standard are listed in the camp rules.

4) PEER REVIEW

• Artefact selection and rationalization is subject to question and defense during morning sessions. Any person can question, all objects should have a rationalization (based on artefact or technology.) Verbal proofs will be considered sufficient, but should be backed up by research (after all if you've found something interesting the rest of us will want to see too).
• A council exists (Ketill, Bera, Ragnarr, Kadja) to adjudicate any disputes.

5) TRAINING

• At each non-standard event the organizer should provide for a number of 'facilitators' to establish and maintain a period mood.
• With the event description for such non-standard events, there should be some kind of general reference material as a background to the specific scenario.
• It is recommended (but not required) that new members be involved with those more experienced as thralls or bondi. Basic equipment can then be provided on loan (costume, utensils). Production of a new member's personal equipment marks the transition to freeman (karl) - or higher!
• There is a long term goal of creating a general handout that provides background information for the use of new members.

6) COMBAT RELATED ACTIVITIES

There has been much debate on this issue over the years. The general consensus is that the combat should take the form of 'training' and 'duels'. Both would have occurred within the historical framework being proposed. Since Norse practice included basic weapons training for women, there is no reason not to include both sexes. Weapons would be either be steel swords (unsharpened), or period type wooden training swords (no use of rattan). Shields and armour would be 'real' (no plywood or foam). More discussion on this topic is needed but will likely be driven by someone who decides that they want to begin this type of activity.

Archery, Axe Throwing, Spear Throwing are welcome and have occurred in the past. It is up to those partaking in this activity to ensure the weapons in question are safe and are being used in a manner that will not endanger others.