cavalier
personify integrity & tenacity
A cavalier’s Role
A Cavalier is the fourth Rank, or “level,” that any Sword Tag participant achieves. Cavaliers have an understanding of Integrity and Tenacity. Cavaliers seek to understand and demonstrate the values of Courage and Mentorship. This is a middling Rank to transition from the rules-learning ranks (Squire, Knight, and Delta-Knight) to the Noble Ranks (Dragoon, Lancer, and Sentinel) that have more of an emphasis on mentorship and peer support. A Cavalier has mastered the rules of Sword Tag and is ready to start demonstrating and sharing their knowledge.
A cavalier’s Load-out
The following are the load-out rules for what kinds and lengths of boffer a Cavalier can use. All boffers that Cavaliers can use boffers should be marked with green tape. They can also use any load-out that any of the Ranks below them may use.
Bigger Swords
A Cavalier may wield up to two Swords at the same time that are 38 inches or shorter in length.
All Swords must be compliant with current Sword boffer rules (these can be found on the Basic Sword page).
Bigger Axes & Maces
A Cavalier may wield up to two Axes at the same time that are 32 inches or shorter in length.
All Axes and Maces must be compliant with current Axe boffer rules (these can be found on the Basic Axe page) and Mace boffer rules (these can be found on the Basic Mace page).
Spears
A Cavalier may wield a single Spear that is 50 inches or shorter in length.
Please remember the 6 Foot Rule: If a you are using a Shield or a dual-wield load-out, the lengths of all boffers and shields placed end-to-end cannot exceed six feet (72 inches).
Please remember the Dual-Wielding Rule: Spear boffers in excess of 50 inches in length must be single-wielded, meaning that they cannot be used with a second boffer or with a shield.
All Spears must be compliant with current Spear boffer rules (these can be found on the Basic Spear page).
How do i become a Dragoon?
What are the Values?
- Courage
- Mentorship
What are the Rank-up requirements?
- Make and bring your own Squire boffer to share (you can find instructions on the Basic Sword page).
- Teach someone how to make a Sword boffer that meets the standards. The person you teach will speak up for you at your ranking ceremony. They will share what they learned and will have to explain the rules for making a legal Sword boffer.
- Be assigned to mentor or work with another participant three (3) times. A Cavalier may request to be assigned to someone.
- Squire Boffer Challenge: for three Gatherings, the Cavalier will choose to use a single Squire boffer (26 inch sword) and no shields. During this Challenge, you must be active in games, not “waiting out” the challenge. This Challenge is to remind you to rely on your teammates and demonstrate your leadership skills.
- Attend minimum of 3 sessions after your prior rank up. These sessions do not need to be consecutive.
What do the higher Ranks look for?
- Does the Cavalier choose to stand their ground in the face of defeat? Or do they run?
- Does the Cavalier work with others, using the principle of “learn a thing, do a thing, teach a thing?”
- Does the Cavalier take an active role in leadership and help other in leadership positions? Can the Marshals rely on this Cavalier?
- Does the Cavalier stand up for what’s right? Do they apologize when they are wrong?
- Does the Cavalier run away when faced with overwhelming odds? Or do they stand their ground?
- Does the Cavalier they seek out situations and scenarios that challenge them?
- The higher Ranks will also ask the people that the Cavalier has mentored to come and speak with them about what they’ve learned.