Northshield--Armored Combat:Authorization process

Authorization process

In the absence of creating their own process, kingdoms will use the following:

Authorization procedures

Requirements

These authorization procedures require:

1. A candidate who has trained enough to be ready to authorize
2. A marshal who is warranted to conduct authorizations for armored combat (rattan) in the kingdom
3. An experienced authorized participant(s) to be the opponent(s) for the practical test.
4. A warranted marshal, authorized marshal, or an authorized participant, in that weapon form/activity/discipline to act as a witness and provide a second opinion (2 person integrity rule). They could also be the opponent for the practical test.
5. Northshield additions for requirements
   1. Two (2) warranted marshals are required to authorize a new fighter or an established fighter in a new weapon form. It is preferable, but not required, that at least one should be unfamiliar with the fighter authorizing.
   2. A digital or paper copy of the Armored Combat Handbook must be available at any official event at which authorizations may be conducted. Note that this includes a group practice if an authorization is to be attempted there.
   3. Authorizations at practices are allowed.
   4. The opponent of the authorizing fighter should be experienced and known to the marshals. (This is so the warranting marshals have a standard reference by which to judge the authorizing fighter.)

Documentation

The candidate must show the authorizing marshal any required documentation, such as waivers, and fill out any relevant forms.

Theory test

This can be a written or verbal test. The marshal will quiz the candidate on:

1. The Rules of the Lists
2. Expected behavior and responsibilities
3. The conventions of combat for the activity or weapon form they are authorizing for:
   1. What to do during holds
   2. Rules of engagement
   3. Use of weapons and shields
   4. Target areas
   5. Acknowledgement of blows
4. Equipment requirements (such as weapon and armor standards) for the activity or weapon form they are authorizing for.
5. Their kingdom's specific conventions and equipment standards.

Armor and weapons check

1. The candidate will put on their armor and present themselves and any weapons and equipment needed for this authorization to the marshal for inspection.
2. The marshal will inspect the armor to ensure that it meets kingdom requirements and covers everything required.
3. The marshal will inspect the weapons and equipment to ensure they meet kingdom requirements.
4. If the armor, weapon, or equipment fails the inspection, it will need to be fixed before continuing.

Practical test

Sparring

1. For the first few minutes, the candidate and their opponent will establish calibration of blows, and either fight at 1/2 to 3/4 speed and verbally acknowledge all blows landed, or alternate between defensive only and offensive only.
2. The marshal and the witnessing authorized fighter are looking at:
   1. Basic technique - can they throw and receive blows without the risk of injuring themselves or their opponent?
      1. Note - they don't need to be good, just safe.
   2. Ability to call blows when hit - including 'light', 'good', and 'too stout' blows
   3. Ability to defend themselves safely
   4. Ability to follow the marshal's instructions.
3. If this portion of the authorization is not satisfactorily completed, the authorization procedure will be stopped.
   1. The candidate will be told of the problems observed and given instructions on how to correct the problems.

Formal combat

1. If the first portion of the bout has progressed satisfactorily, the candidate will then fight an opponent in one or more tournament-type bouts, acknowledging the effects of blows appropriately until one of them is defeated.
2. The marshal and the witnessing authorized fighter are looking at:
   1. The same things they were looking for during the sparring portion
   2. Whether they can apply the conventions of combat
   3. How they react to full speed blows
   4. Whether they react appropriately under pressure
   5. Whether they can maintain control and their temper.
3. The marshal and the witnessing authorized fighter will discuss the candidate's performance. They can ask for further bouts or demonstration of technique.

Passing the test

1. If the authorizing marshal and witnessing fighter/marshal agree that the candidate has met the requirements, the marshal will notify the candidate that they are now authorized.
   1. The newly-authorized participant and marshal will properly complete any documentation required by the kingdom. This must be registered and tracked by the kingdom. This could be an online system, or paper forms sent to the kingdom official responsible for tracking authorizations and/or issuing proof of authorization.
   2. Proof of authorization should be given to or made available to the newly-authorized participant. This could be a physical card, or a digital database record.
   3. The fighter may be issued a temporary card or keep a copy of the authorization form and waiver if they intend to fight prior to receiving the proof of authorization.
   4. The fighter should receive proof of authorization within one month. If not, they should contact the kingdom official.
2. If the marshal decides not to authorize a participant, they will explain why, and what they need to work on to succeed next time.

Re-authorization procedure

1. Regardless of how recently the fighter's authorization has lapsed, the authorizing marshal must test the fighter on their knowledge of the rules, particularly any rules that have changed within the last 4 years.
2. If the authorizing marshal has not seen the candidate fight recently enough to confirm that they still meet the required competencies, observe them during combat and confirm that they are still competent, or run through the practical test.
3. If a fighter has been sanctioned (e.g. had their authorization removed or suspended), the authorizing marshal must confirm that the issues relating to the sanction have been addressed.
4. Northshield's additions to Re-authorization procedure
   1. For the practical test, a successful authorization bout with any previously authorized style will reactivate all the previously held armored combat authorizations held.

Northshield additions for authorizations

Northshield practical test for authorization in Armored Combat Combat Archery

1. Combat archery authorizations must be performed in a melee scenario, which can be conducted with as few as 2 combatants sparring plus marshals and the authorizing fighter.
2. The candidate will demonstrate their combat ability by:
   1. The fighter should show an above-average awareness of their surroundings throughout the testing procedure.
   2. The fighter must demonstrate that they can select their target and not simply shoot at both sides without regard to friend or foe.
   3. The fighter must demonstrate they can cease to shoot or relocate themself when they are in danger of shooting toward the 'border'.
   4. The fighter must demonstrate awareness of potential noncombatants by ceasing to fire towards the marshal or by repositioning themselves to keep a clear line of fire.
   5. The fighter must not drop, block with their bow, or show frantic signs of uncertainty as an opponent is advancing.
   6. The fighter must demonstrate blow acknowledgement from a projectile and a handheld weapon, and how to yield to an opponent before they are struck (if that is their choice).
   7. The fighter needs to confirm they understand they are a fully armored combatant, and at some point will be struck in the course of melee activities even if they try to yield first.
3. If the fighter shows tendencies to panic when under attack, to fire arrows in an uncontrolled manner, to attempt to fight with both a weapon and a bow, or attempts to block rattan blows with their bow, they should not be passed.

Northshield's practical test for authorization in Armored Combat Siege

The candidate will demonstrate their combat ability as follows:

1. The fighter must demonstrate an understanding of the rules for siege.
2. The fighter must demonstrate that they can safely operate an engine.
3. The fighter must demonstrate that they are able to inspect their own engine.
4. The fighter must show how to render their engine safe.
5. Understand how engines/engineers are killed by opponents.
6. The candidate must demonstrate blow acknowledgement from a projectile and a handheld weapon, and how to yield to an opponent before they are struck (if that is their choice).
7. The candidate needs to confirm they understand they are a fully armored combatant, and at some point will be struck in the course of melee activities even if they try to yield first.