Lord Kieran's Pennsic War Guide for the Masses
So, you are getting ready for the Pennsic War and you are running around not knowing what you need, or what to bring, or what to do, much less in what order to do them. The last week before your departure to Pennsic is a period of seemingly endless last minute projects and preparations, and can be so stressful, it is no wonder you forget to bring paperwork, or gear to War. This guide is to aid in your Pennsic preparations, and give you a checklist and guide for preparing and completing your trip.
Pre War Preparation
Part 1- Making pre-packing preparations. OK, nothing is worse than getting to war and finding out you forgot your membership card, or authorization paperwork back at home. It is the worse thing that can happen to you in the Pennsic experience. If you forget your membership, you cannot fight, and you have to pay an additional $20.00 to enter war. If you forgot your authorization paperwork you will not fight. If you planned to fight at war and forget these things, you have decided to spend this war drinking. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!
One week before War, make three photocopies of the following paperwork.
1. Your membership card
2. Your Authorization Paperwork
3. Your Pennsic Pre-Registration
4. Your Drivers License or other Photo I.D.
Place all these in three separate manila envelopes and write on the front of the envelope in black marker PENNSIC PAPERWORK. On the back of the envelope, write the license plate number of the vehicle you will be in with black permanent marker (there is a reason for this later).
Take these three envelopes and place one in the vehicle you will be driving/riding down to Pennsic in, inside the glove box. Place one in your armor trunk on the very bottom (or for female in the place you packed your clothing). Place one in the Household envelope at the Pre Pennsic Household Meeting.
This way you are assured to have the paperwork you need at troll, and at the marshals' tent. This triple redundant system has never failed if it was followed correctly, and we have had incidences where people left their cards at home.
Next is to pack your armor. DO THIS THE DAY/NIGHT BEFORE YOU LEAVE! Do not do it several days before, as pieces could be moved, fall out, etc. By packing the night/day before, you are assured everything will be in the container.
USE THE PROVIDED LIST TO CHECK YOUR ARMOR!!
CHECK TWICE! The armor list has two boxes next to each armor piece. That is so you can double check all pieces, YOU WILL BE SCREWED IF YOU FORGET ARMOR!
Using the Armor Packing List:
A. Highlight all the pieces upon the list you own, and need to fight at War.
B. Cross off all the pieces you do not own.
C. Pack the armor very carefully, making sure to check off all of the pieces as you place them in the box. Check off the first box as you place the piece in the box.
D. After you have packed your armor, visually inspect the box and check for all the pieces you have put in. Check the second box on the sheet as you do so.
E. Duct tape the trunk closed, or seal the bag and tape it shut.
F. Tape the double checked list to the container.
These two things are the most important things to accomplish in your war pre-prep. Next, we move on to other things, that if forgotten will not ruin your war experience.
Map/Directions- Make sure you, or the person driving has a map to the Coopers Lake Campground. These will be passed out to all members at the Pre-Pennsic War Planning Meeting,
Camp checklist-
Use the attached sheet to aid you in planning and packing your equipment for war.
All equipment is not necessary, but it is nice to have at war. War is a nice vacation, but it is LONG, and you may need these things to get through the week.
Packing for the trip
Part 2- Packing for War. Packing is best done for War in three stages.
1. Pre insertion preparation.
2. Insertion.
3. Visual inspection.
Pre Insertion Phase
In the pre insertion part, I usually put all the equipment I am planning on bringing to War in a 6'X 8' square on the garage (living room) floor. This allows me to visually inspect all the pieces I am planning on bringing. Also, it gives me a chance to see all the things I am bringing BEFORE I begin packing them in the vehicle. This aids immensely in making the most out of the space I have in the vehicle.
Large heavy objects go near the front, and light or stuffable objects go toward the rear. Pack the vehicle from the front of the square to the rear. This allows for maximum utilized space, and safety of the delicate objects.
Check the list and make sure you have all the important objects you have listed on it!
Insertion Phase
Pack the vehicle, while checking off all the first of the boxes on the list.
IMPORTANT: Pack your armor FIRST! If you are a fighter, pack your armor before you pack ANY other thing on the list. DO NOT FORGET YOUR ARMOR!
Next, pack your tent (it is probably the second heaviest thing on your list). DO NOT FORGET YOUR TENT! You will be miserable if you forget your tent.
Then, continue down the list in order of importance.
DO NOT forget the following items:
1. Armor.
2. Clothing.
3. Bath essentials (these can also be purchased in town if forgotten)
4. Feast Gear.
5. Sleeping Gear.
6. Prescription Drugs, or Birth Control (this is not a joke).
Visual Inspection Phase
When the square is empty, visually inspect the packed vehicle and check off the second of the squares on your list.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR ARMOR!
Put the Packing Checklist on your dashboard, or the dashboard of the vehicle you are riding in (there is a reason for this later).
Leaving for the Trip
The time has comes to leave for the trip to Coopers Lake Campground. Make sure you have completed the following things:
1. Paperwork Envelopes
2. Armor List
3. Packing List
Inspect the vehicle once more. Check to see if you have your armor, tent, and paperwork (the absolute necessities).
Now, open the glove box and remove your paperwork envelope, place it on the dashboard of the vehicle with your packing list. Place the directions to Coopers Lake Campground on top of the envelope. Sit in the car, and turn the key.
Follow the directions to War!
Upon Arrival at Coopers Lake
When you arrive at Coopers Lake, be prepared for a short to hour-long wait to be processed inside the campground. When you arrive, you will be directed into one of five LONG corridors filled with cars. Wait your turn, as it might be a while, as only about 5 cars are allowed into Troll at a time. This is a good time to have a beer, or breathe in the awe you always feel when you first arrive at War.
When you pull forward, leave the car running, and get into line for Troll. Troll is a computerized station where you sign in to War. Take the following things with you to the Troll line:
1. Your manila Paperwork Envelope.
2. Your Drivers License or other Picture I.D.
3. Membership Card
4. Pre-Registration paperwork
5. Your license plate number (it is on the back of the manila envelope)
6. Money/Travelers Checks (no personal checks accepted)
Go to Troll person on your turn, show them all your paperwork, and pay the remainder/total fee for the event. You will receive a medallion with a number on it. It is your proof of payment and your official Pennsic #. IMMEDIATELY PUT THE MEDALLION AROUND YOU NECK. DO NOT LOSE THIS MEDALLION! Take the receipt you are given, and put it in your manila paperwork envelope. Take your car pass and pick up your Pennsic XXVIII booklet, and return to your car. Immediately put the car pass on your rear view mirror, and the manila envelope in the glove box.
Go to site W-09 on the Map and meet us there. Prepare for the AWE that is PENNSIC!
Helpful Hints
1. Never lose your medallion
2. Never lose your medallion
3. Never lose your medallion
4. If you plan on seeking sex at War with new people, bring your own birth control. It sells out at Coopers Lake Store the first day of the first week. Not to mention condoms are way less messy and the bathrooms are FAR away. I highly recommend them for ANY sex at War.
5. Drink with a partner. War is HUGE, and even experienced veterans get lost when intoxicated. War is also a scary place at night when alone drunk in the bog.
6. Bring a BIG mug. Parties are awesome, but they do not have their own mugs or glasses. A mug is essential to your party life at War.
7. Bring alcohol!! Pennsylvania is a funky state, and it is really difficult to purchase hard alcohol nearby. It is easier to bring your own.
8. Pack your clothing in watertight containers. Bugs get into everything, and if it rains, your clothes WILL be wet. Also, it allows for food storage once you unpack other things.
9. Bring a cover cloth for your cooler or mundane containers. Remember we are in the enchanted village, no modern things are supposed to be visible.
10. Bring and save $100.00 in case of emergency.
11. Bring a lantern, it is really helpful.
When at Pennsic War
When at War, the most important thing to keep is your medallion.
If you lose your medallion, you will need to present that receipt that you placed in the manila envelope marked PENNSIC PAPERWORK in order to get in and out of the Troll Gate. It is so much easier to just wear the damn thing on the provided rope the entire time you are at War.
Also, Pennsic is a place that the rest of the world should be like. People for the most part, are honorable, kind and chivalrous. Yet, do not let this lull you into not paying attention to your surroundings. Last year, there were two incidents of assault, and it is best to keep in mind there are still bad people out there.
1. Always wear your live steel knife or dagger.
2. Always travel with a buddy at night.
3. Have a partner or "wing man" when going out drinking.
4. Remember, better safe than sorry
When going out to a party at War, all you need is an empty mug and a poor sense of direction. Your mug will never be empty, and you will most likely fall in a hole or firepit somewhere and wake up in the morning. Things to keep in mind are that most parties thrown by people are at their own expense, and they take donations. Also, try to go as a group, so that everyone makes it home that wants to. Pennsic is a big place, and people often get lost. Usually where they don't want to be lost.
Be kind and chivalrous to all the people you meet at Pennsic. You never know when the little girl that you were kind to just happened to be the daughter of the King of Lochac or something. We are meant to represent the nobility in the middle ages, and we should be on our best behavior to do so.
All in all, stay smart and be safe and War should fly by too fast with no problems.
Lord Kieran Annachie MacLeod
Lord of Leon