New Aussie ranger

Whether new to the forum, or completely new to the community, herein you will find the best information to-date to help you get started on the right foot with that dangerous business of going out your door.

Moderators: caedmon, Greg

User avatar
Elswyth
Wayfarer
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 1:15 am
Location: Australia

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Elswyth »

I don't check this post for a day and I have a score of people to reply to... who says all internet forums are dead??

Iodo wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:07 am it is possible to dye wool different colors.
As concerns this whole paragraph - dyeing is definitely on my list of things I want to try at some point! I would want to do plant dyeing in particular, which is a scary thing to contemplate bc of the numerous ways I could mess up lol. Besides that, my situation atm isn't one I can experiment with that stuff yet, though I hope that will change soon.
Iodo wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:07 am Yey! that is the BEST bit of this hobby and you can start right away, as soon as you have a tunic and pants you can wrap a snack and a water bottle up in one of these: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=4187 and hit the trail for a morning or an afternoon, don't wait until you have assembled a complicated kit to have fun
I already go on walks in just some brown trousers and a modern green button-up shirt lmao, I'm not waiting for the eternity it'll likely take me to assemble a full kit that I'm happy with. Thats a super cool roll thing you linked tho, I'll have to try it :D
Eofor wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:16 am There may be an Australian supplier for that wool soon, if I hear more I will keep you updated.
PLEASE DO that would be a literal godsend.
Eofor wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:16 am I try not to do shameless plugs but you really want to go over and have a look at our group as we specialise in travel of the early middle ages. We hike and camp in all weathers using only period equipment, we climbed Mount Kosciuszko last year through knee deep snow in full kit, we sleep our in sub zero, just this weekend gone we canoed down the shoalhaven and camped overnight in the shadow of the great sandstone cliffs (there were so many Argonath references)
Goddamn it why didn't I decide to move to Sydney area when I had the chance :((
Iodo wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:07 am Rohan is best??? Nahhh, you got that all wrong, Dwarves are best! Totally the best and without question! Adventure, fighting dragons, axes, mattocks, mining, prospecting, and not forgetting gold! just think of all that treasure you be missing out on...
Ah, but in this day and ago I'd have to buy my own gold alas.
ForgeCorvus wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:18 pm But all in all, Dwarves are the best. Humans are taller because the material isn't as good so they had to be made bigger to compensate
First of all, bolder to assume I'm taller than a dwarf...
"What roads would any dare to tread, what safety would there be in quiet lands, or in the homes of simple men at night, if the Dúnedain were asleep, or were all gone into the grave?"
User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Eofor »

Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:29 am Goddamn it why didn't I decide to move to Sydney area when I had the chance :((
Nothing is ever set in stone, some of the members of the Eastway have been invited to the snow with us in the past and would have attended but for state lock downs.

You would need to achieve a high standard of gear and have spent some time with us on smaller events but there's no reason you couldn't come along one day.
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
User avatar
Elswyth
Wayfarer
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 1:15 am
Location: Australia

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Elswyth »

Eofor wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 10:45 am
Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:29 am Goddamn it why didn't I decide to move to Sydney area when I had the chance :((
Nothing is ever set in stone, some of the members of the Eastway have been invited to the snow with us in the past and would have attended but for state lock downs.

You would need to achieve a high standard of gear and have spent some time with us on smaller events but there's no reason you couldn't come along one day.
Just in case I needed any more motivation to join them + make more garb xD

I have so many time periods / fantasy vibes planned it'll be a miracle if I ever finish any of them :mrgreen:
"What roads would any dare to tread, what safety would there be in quiet lands, or in the homes of simple men at night, if the Dúnedain were asleep, or were all gone into the grave?"
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Iodo »

Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:29 am I already go on walks in just some brown trousers and a modern green button-up shirt lmao, I'm not waiting for the eternity it'll likely take me to assemble a full kit that I'm happy with. Thats a super cool roll thing you linked tho, I'll have to try it :D

thank you, it was just my quick fix to needing to carry stuff and a modern bag spoiling the look

Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:29 am Ah, but in this day and ago I'd have to buy my own gold alas.

it doesn't have to be real, I have quite a bit of costume jewellery/LARP coins that don't look out of place at conventions etc... but because of the "common persona" theory it wouldn't make sense for Iodo to be too wealthy, so as long as I have a few coins it's enough, the Dwarven state of mind is more one of wishing that I had gold and trying to be near it, hence the place of residence of Erebor, than one of actually having my own hoard of the yellow stuff, I wouldn't want to fall victim of the Dragon sickness would I :mrgreen:

Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:29 am First of all, bolder to assume I'm taller than a dwarf...

very true, I am also taller than a dwarf, but I am short compared to most of my friends/family so I can mostly get away with it, you have to make compromises to follow the persona you love somewhere

Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 12:08 pm I have so many time periods / fantasy vibes planned it'll be a miracle if I ever finish any of them

I'm in a constant state of never having fully finished anything, I think that is just how it goes :P
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
ForgeCorvus
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 302
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:07 pm

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by ForgeCorvus »

Iodo wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:04 am
Elswyth wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:29 am First of all, bolder to assume I'm taller than a dwarf...

very true, I am also taller than a dwarf, but I am short compared to most of my friends/family so I can mostly get away with it, you have to make compromises to follow the persona you love somewhere
I describe myself as being of Dwarvish stature..... I just need to be viewed from further away
I'm 5'10" but take 52 inch jackets and need an 18 inch shirt collar, however all the sleeves are about five inches too long.
In fact the only clothing I own that fits is either fantasy garb or my re-enactment uniform.

Around here, Dwarves and Hobbits are a little (to a lot) taller and Elves are not as ageless :-)
All debts are paid....... Nothing forgiven. Nothing forgotten.

"All Things Strive" Gd Tak 'Gar

Barron (BAH-Ron) son of Barris (BAH-Ras) AKA Barron 'Blackcap'.
Independent Fellsward, Jobber, Tinker and Traveller in Trifles
User avatar
Desert Loon
Dúnadan
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:51 am

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Desert Loon »

Hello there! I'm new here too, and the people here are gracious and encouraging. In particular I appreciate the encouragement while starting out with minimal kit.
Glory be to God for dappled things
...
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim. (Hopkins)
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Iodo »

ForgeCorvus wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:03 pm In fact the only clothing I own that fits is either fantasy garb or my re-enactment uniform.

I have this problem too, hence I usually just use tunics from my garb in every day life, store clothes never fit
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
Tom_Ranger
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:02 am

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Tom_Ranger »

Iodo wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:04 am
thank you, it was just my quick fix to needing to carry stuff and a modern bag spoiling the look
When I'm at a festival, I try to always carry a pouch full of nothing but $1 coins for effect.
Life is a great adventure; if I live to be 10,000 years old, it won't be enough.
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Iodo »

That's a cool idea, I'll remember that one :P
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
Cimrandir
Haeropada
Posts: 938
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:44 am

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Cimrandir »

Hmm, seems I neglected to express a proper welcome here on the forum. Mae govannen Elswyth!
Persona : Cimrandir - late 3rd Age Dunedain
User avatar
Tom_Ranger
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:02 am

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Tom_Ranger »

Welcome.
Life is a great adventure; if I live to be 10,000 years old, it won't be enough.
User avatar
Hanasian
Wanderer
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:01 am
Location: Lakeshore Inn, Annuminas, Arnor
Contact:

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Hanasian »

Elswyth wrote: Sun Feb 13, 2022 2:39 pm Hail and well met my friends!

You can call me Elswyth or Cedar (neither are my "true" name, but I gather names like one might gather nuts in the autumn), I am an aspiring ranger from Australia. I've had a long love of fantasy and particularly Tolkien, and have been intending to put together a ranger kit for a long while now. I only have a few items so far - quiver, a dagger, an eating knife, a some boots that can serve me short-term, and I am in the process of sewing a green tunic out of linen (I also have a hood made out of the leftovers of said linen). I have a little experience in medieval reenactment, and am honestly delighted to find a group of people with the same dedication to historical reenactment except it's middle earth reenactment! (Idk about the "re" ... middle earth enactment?).

I am interested in making a kit that is more than just "cosplay" - an outfit or two that feels to me like actual clothes, that are comfortable and practical for the lifestyle one imagines a ranger to lead. I plan to base a lot of my kit off what I know of early medieval patterning - my tunic for example is very similar to the Bocksten Tunic, though it does not have the gores in the front and back. I mostly work with the easy geometrical patterns of the pre-1400's, I still consider myself a beginner seamstress and have yet to work with much that isn't rectangles, squares, or triangles lmao. I figure this would be fitting for the Middle Earth vibe anyway.

Anyway, I'm super excited to have found a forum for other people like me!! I'm amazed already at all the resources available here, some of which will make my job far easier than researching it all on my own. I hope to have something beginning to resemble a kit that I can show y'all soon!

And lastly - I'm curious how many (if any at all) people might also be Australian? Our climate and in some ways ... unique landscape often mean (in my experience with reenactment at least) that European-based sources have to be tweaked a little. For example, pure wool fabric is nearly impossible to come by, and it would be unwearable for at least half of the year. We tend to deal with extreme heat rather than extreme cold. I would love to know if there is anyone I could discuss things like this with!

I look forward to being a part of this forum!
'G'Day! Welcome! In Australia myself. Haven't gone 'all in' with the re-enactment, but have been historical costuming for years and attending the medieval faires (Abbey Medieval Festival in Queensland, Barossa MNedieval Faire in South Australia, etc.), and was a regular at the Washington Renaissance Faire when I lived in Seattle up to fifteen years ago. I did make a somewhat crude Ranger outfit for the Lord of the Rings 'line party' when Fellowship premiered, but didn't keep it. I tend to be more of a forum roleplayer and fanfic writer these days.

Lots of wonderful information I've gathered here on this site.
Hanasían
Annalist, Physician, & Historian
of The Black Company of the Dúnedain,
The Free Company of Arnor
User avatar
Elswyth
Wayfarer
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 1:15 am
Location: Australia

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Elswyth »

Hanasian wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:10 pm and attending the medieval faires [...] Barossa MNedieval Faire in South Australia...
I realise this was said back in March (oops), but let me know if you're going to be at any of the SA med fairs! I almost always attend Barossa and the formerly-Gumeracha med fairs with the SCA, and I would love to meet a fellow forum nerd :D
"What roads would any dare to tread, what safety would there be in quiet lands, or in the homes of simple men at night, if the Dúnedain were asleep, or were all gone into the grave?"
User avatar
Hanasian
Wanderer
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:01 am
Location: Lakeshore Inn, Annuminas, Arnor
Contact:

Re: New Aussie ranger

Post by Hanasian »

Unfortunately not this year. My wife and I had plans for 2020 but the plague happened, and now we're in the middle of making some big life decisions so the 'fun' things have been put on hold for 2022. We were just looking at some pictures we had of our time at Cammlann Village in Washington State a few years back. Too fun. Hoping to get back into it in 2023.
Hanasían
Annalist, Physician, & Historian
of The Black Company of the Dúnedain,
The Free Company of Arnor
Post Reply