The Quest Challenge

This Quest is open to all. It will test you in every area in which a praiseworthy noble of our time would be expected to set an example. There are fourteen categories. To complete this Quest you must succeed in at least ten of them, including Courtesy and Etiquette.

If you would like to know where this Quest came from and why we did it, look here.

Judging

Categories to be judged in an Arts and Sciences Competition will use the guidelines found here.  Suitable competitions can be expected to occur at Midsummer, Midwinter and Championship.  Other suitable competitions may be held at other events though the year and these will be advertised by the event stewards.  To be considered acceptable for the Quest such entries must achieve a score of at least 30 out of the possible 50.

Documentation pieces will be considered acceptable once submitted for publication on this website or published in the local newsletter or in Cockatrice.

Courtesy and Etiquette

This is the one required area of the Quest, for, no matter how successful you may be in your other endeavours, if you fail to achieve the expected standards of courtesy and etiquette, you
will be frowned upon by those who meet you. As you are of noble birth, you would naturally be thoroughly educated in this area. Your education shall be tested by the following questionnaire.
(You may of course adapt it to suit your own local group.)

Introduction

You would be expected to know who you are and where you come from. You must now document this knowledge. Whilst this area is to a large extent creative writing, to succeed you must create a believable history supported by historical references.  This is a Documentation piece.

Calligraphy

As one of high rank, you may have been fortunate enough to have learned the twin arts of reading and writing. You may demonstrate your skill in this area by producing one standard page of writing. This may be a scroll, a letter, or a record such as you might have kept, or any other such document as you may choose. You shall demonstrate your ability to write legibly and to set out your page in an appropriate fashion.
Please document your choice of lettering, techniques and page layout. This will be judged in an Arts and Sciences Competition.

Clothing

You will of course be appropriately dressed. You shall demonstrate this by producing a complete outfit including at the least outerwear, underwear, and headwear. Footwear and accessories need not be made by you but should be used to complete the outfit. Please document this attire. This category shall be judged in an Arts and Sciences Competition

Everyday Life

Here you may record your knowledge of your everyday routines and occurrences, such as hobbies, past times, religious observances, household duties, community obligations, work, and so forth.  This is a Documentation piece.

Habitat

This category covers your knowledge of where you live including your home, your land, and the surrounding area, including climate, sources of water, land use, nearby cities and towns. This is a Documentation piece.

Food

Food is necessary for life. Thorough knowledge of this subject would be essential. To complete this category you shall document your knowledge of food in your area, including what was available, where it came from, restrictions on food, how it was stored and prepared. You shall include a sample of a menu for a normal day and for a feast. You must also prepare and serve a suitable dish at an event with appropriate documentation. This is a Documentation piece and your dish shall be submitted to the Cook's Guild for comment.  (Cook's Guild submission forms can be found here.)
 

Heraldry

Heraldry is important to the order of society, for pageantry and display and for recognition of people and their things. You may demonstrate your knowledge in this area by completing all of the following:
*Passing the Pursuivant Extraordinary exam.
*Submitting your name and device for registration by the College of Heralds (registration is not required but your group herald must have checked it and sent it upline).
*Heralding at least four rounds of fighting over at least two events.

Survival Skills

Life is hard and dangerous. You may demonstrate your ability to defend yourself through any of the following:
*Heavy Combat. You must complete four tournaments.
*Archery. You must enter a minimum of 4 IKAC shoots and score 40 or higher in at least one IKAC shoot.
*Rapier Combat. You must complete four tournaments.
*Poisoning. You must document your knowledge of poisons and enter that in an Arts and Sciences Competition. 

Skills and Technology

This category covers those diverse and necessary skills not covered elsewhere such as jewellery making, herbalism, wood carving, armouring. You must document your techniques and materials. This category will be judged as part of an Arts and Sciences Competition.

Decorative Arts

Such arts are appropriate ways for those of high birth to fill their leisure, and for those of middle rank to make their fortunes. You shall demonstrate your proficiency in an art such as embroidery, lacework, weaving, or similar. You must create at least two items and document their construction. This category shall be judges in an Arts and Sciences Competition.

Dancing

Dancing was popular throughout all levels of society so you will probably be familiar with this art. You may demonstrate your ability by becoming a member of the Guild of the Silver Rondel as a dancer.  This means performing one dance of each of these types - basse dance, bransle, pavan, galliard, allemande, ballo, any other kind not yet listed - to the satisfaction of current Guild members.  This could be done at your local dance practice or may be possible at Bal d'Aneala.  

Entertainment

If you wish to be well regarded you should consider entertaining. You may demonstrate your abilities in this challenging area by performing at two events. You may choose any form of entertainment including song, music, theatre, juggling, storytelling. You may have up to two other people assisting in your performance and your time limit is 5 minutes. This category shall be judged in an Arts and Sciences Competition.

Games and Pastimes

These are many ways to fill your leisure hours. You must display proficiency in at least one indoor game, one outdoor game, and one other game of your choice. You must assemble the pieces required and document the history and rules of the games.  This category will be judged  in an Arts and Sciences Competition.