8 replies to this topic

[Freebooter]

Hello,
I was going to make a salutation in good ole Scottish Gaelic but I can't figure out how to add the vowel marks to this forum and my charactor map won't paste like it does when I put those letters in an e-mail. Oh well. Anyway, a few months ago over at swordforum (www.swordforum.com), some of the guys were talking about a "Sword Gathering", obvious for local guys or people who could travel, at some Irish Pub in Columbus, Ohio to be held in January. They had posted some pics from last years gathering. Sword enthusiasts and guys of like ilk who could make it came and showed off one another's swords, some in period attire such as barbarian stuff, kilts, etc., and partied and seemed like they had a good ole time. I wondered if they had to charter the place for that night.

I was thinking, would it not be neat for someone to have a Conan gathering like that. Sort of a Conan type barbarians' gathering, just for fun and camaraderie? I know that some people in the dark age barbarian reeancting circles want total authenticity such as all hand-stitched wool and linen, etc., but some people just love the Conan stories and "Frazetta" type barbarians and don't mind wearing modern made tunics, etc.. It would be neat to have a gathering for both to come and drink a few, share their comaraderie and love of the barbarian genre, compare and admire one another's attire, swords and weapons, etc.. I doubt if it would ever be in my neck of the woods. I know only a handfull that might be interested. Oh well, just a thought.
Take care,
Freebooter; "Am Boghadair"

[budgie]

Hello,
I was going to make a salutation in good ole Scottish Gaelic but I can't figure out how to add the vowel marks to this forum and my charactor map won't paste like it does when I put those letters in an e-mail. Oh well. Anyway, a few months ago over at swordforum (www.swordforum.com), some of the guys were talking about a "Sword Gathering", obvious for local guys or people who could travel, at some Irish Pub in Columbus, Ohio to be held in January. They had posted some pics from last years gathering. Sword enthusiasts and guys of like ilk who could make it came and showed off one another's swords, some in period attire such as barbarian stuff, kilts, etc., and partied and seemed like they had a good ole time. I wondered if they had to charter the place for that night.

I was thinking, would it not be neat for someone to have a Conan gathering like that. Sort of a Conan type barbarians' gathering, just for fun and camaraderie? I know that some people in the dark age barbarian reeancting circles want total authenticity such as all hand-stitched wool and linen, etc., but some people just love the Conan stories and "Frazetta" type barbarians and don't mind wearing modern made tunics, etc.. It would be neat to have a gathering for both to come and drink a few, share their comaraderie and love of the barbarian genre, compare and admire one another's attire, swords and weapons, etc.. I doubt if it would ever be in my neck of the woods. I know only a handfull that might be interested. Oh well, just a thought.
Take care,
Freebooter; "Am Boghadair"

While its a good idea can you imagine how the meadia would treat it

Ive done a few scifi conventions in my time (mostly Trek ones) and while I found the majority of folks attending to be wonderful, intellagent people to talk to I couldnt get over the way the public view us.. lots of grown men and women running around in uniforms or alien outfits and playing with plastic weapons... ..

Now view the same scenario with a bunch of folks in wool, furs and chainmail running around with big swords and axes.. not all of them built like big butch types ( eg. how many 5' 4" 90lb barbarians do you know!! )
Do you think those people would take you seriously irrespective of your job status or intellagence level.. folks see stereotypes and often mock what they dont understand..

still be fun though..

Budgie

[Orkin]

Konas ta tu!

I certainly support the idea of a get-together. In California, of course!

Seriously. we discussed this before, and there's nothing wrong with meeting in Cross Plains, Texas on Howard Days. It's in June.

Some numbers

Shoot, if you can get some crazies together out where y'all are more power to you...

[Freebooter]

Hey Orkin,
I had forgotten all about the Cross Plains thing in June. I am going to try to make it to that. It is a long drive from Millbrook, Al. to Cross Plains, Whew!
Anyway, I wonder what sort of folks go there? I wonder if any people go to it wearing Conan type garb such as his famous plain tunics and ankle highstrapped sandals or with weapons.
Take care,
Freebooter

[Kane]

Have to admit that I want to try and get to Cross Plains this year. It would be great to see where Howard wrote and lived.
The idea of driving from Ohio to Texas does not thrill me however.

[terryallenuk]

Reckon everyone who can , _should_, try for '06 as it will be a special occasion wherever we are from.

Terry

[Orkin]

Holy Cow that's right, REH 100th birthday!
We're making plans to visit Texas anyway....

[monolith]

Here is the perfect location for a Gathering.

Crom Castle and Estate Nortern Ireland

On the shores of the Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh lies one of the most important nature conservation sites owned by the National Trust - Crom Estate.

The 1,900 acre estate includes the largest surviving area of oak woodland in Northern Ireland and one of the most important and least spoilt freshwater habitats in the British Isles.

Crom the Worm God

Name: Crom Cr?aich / 'Bloody Crescent'/

Properties: Sun God / Zodiac God / Chief God

Associated Sites: Mag Sl?acht / 'Plain of Adoration/Sacrifice' now called Moysleet, near the present village of Ballymagauran in Co. Cavan. Ireland

Festivals: Domhnach Crom Dubh - Last Sunday in July or First Sunday in August. During Lughnasadh - (The August festival of Lugh)

Crom Cruaich was the most ancient and venerated god of all the various tribes of Ireland. It is said that the worship of Crom was brought to Ireland by the legendary king Tigernmas. The God was worshipped in idol form at Mag Sl?acht 'The Plain of Adoration'. The word 'sl?acht' means either 'to genuflect' or 'destruction' in modern Irish. The idols were extremely ancient even in the time of King Loeghaire a contemporary of Patrick the christian bishop of the 5th century A.D.

The Crom idol is described as having been once covered in gold (the accounts vary some sources say he was covered in both silver and gold - Vallency in his Ancient History of Ireland) and it was surrounded by twelve plain stones in a circle. The stone idol is described by classical Roman writers as being rectangular in shape and unadorned by any carvings or inscriptions.

Some writers believe that animal and possibly even human sacrifices were made to this God. There is no definite evidence to either prove or disprove this theory.

[budgie]

Interesting article Monolith..

Im sure the name Crom Cruaich was used in the 200AD story's of Slaine (another excellent barbarian), there were some excellent celtic myth used in those story's.. wish I'd kept my old issues...

Hopefully travelling to Ireland in August, Ill need to look this place up and place in on my route I think..

On the meeting front theres no way you are going to get everyone in the same place.. costs for some would be astronomical.. more localised meetings on each continent may be a more suitable alternative..
#
budgie