Amtgard's Unsung Heroes
[12/28/2004] [Bayushi Mano]You may have never heard of them. They may never make the top ten list. All I know is that there are people out there that deserve every bit the respect shown to the world's finest. From the very first day I showed up at our local park, (the tiny Shire of Olympus in Mt. Vernon Iowa) bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready for some action, there have been people who have done their best to assist me in every way, from fighting technique, to weapon making, to simply introducing me to my elders and betters. I've now been involved in Amtgard for about two years, and still, every week, my superiors take time to teach me anything I'd like to know. I haven't done much traveling, but I can only hope that in kingdoms, duchies, and shires across the country new players can enjoy the experience i've had. It's mentors like these that keep the game going, that bring back the new blood week after week. They spread the knowledge they've acquired, and in doing so allow others to grow. I think that experienced players can learn from these models, and stop their quest for personal glory. By teaching an inexperienced player, you are planting the seed, and in time, this player will teach again what you have taught him. It may be fulfilling to succeed as an individual, but I believe that it could be even more satisfying to create a vein of skill that will travel throughout generations of newbies to come. So here's the message behind all this talk... go out and find a beginner. Teach him or her how to fight. Make him or her a sword. If you are capable of doing so, make them your page. You'll have a hell of a good time watching them grow and prosper, and they get to, well, grow and prosper. You may be surprised to see your own skill increase, as teaching allows you to dissect and analyze your own fighting style. Of course, you shouldn't take my word for it.... I'm still the learner.
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