Pennsic 30 will be hosted by the Midrealm. The waterbearer in charge is Baron James Douglas of Ealdormere.

Hopefully, the Waterbearing Basics section can answer most of your questions about waterbearing. This section provides some more specific information about Pennsic. Due to the size and complexity of the event, the waterbearing gets a little more complicated. Some of the information listed here may change or be updated before war (such as the battle schedule). Please plan on attending one of the classes sponsored by the Pennsic XXX Waterbearers to get current information and have any remaining questions answered.

When You Arrive at Pennsic

You can find information on waterbearing either at Chirurgeon's Point or at Waterbearer's Point. When you arrive, please sign in at one of these places. Information on waterbearing classes will be available here. If you intend to waterbear on the field, please bring a copy of your blue membership card and your driver's license or other proof of age. If you do not have a blue membership card, you will be asked to sign a combat waiver.

Set-up and Clean-up

Set up for a battle begins at least two hours before the first battle of the day and an hour before each additional battle that day. It takes a while to fill up all of those bottles! Please come as early as you can to Waterbearer's Point. After the last battle of the day, bottles and straws need to be collected from the field. If more people stay, we can all go back to camp sooner!

"On the field"

Both at Pennsic and at your local events, "on the field" or "on the field during battles" means entering the list or battlefield area during holds. AT NO TIME should a waterbearer enter the battlefield during active combat. Unless you are a kingdom or non-partisan waterbearer, you are not permitted to enter the battlefield, even during holds.

Getting On and Off the Field

At Pennsic we use a flag system to signal when waterbearers may enter and exit the field. Unless the Pennsic Field Marshal or the waterbearer-in-charge otherwise directs you, you may enter the field ONLY when the flags are raised. When the flags go down, get off the field quickly! If there is a discrepancy between the instructions you have been given by the waterbearer-in-charge and someone else, follow the instructions of the waterbearer-in-charge and let that person know as soon as possible. Good communication is the key to success at any event, especially Pennsic!

The flag that signals "waterbearers in" is BLUE. If any other color flag is being held overhead by the Field Marshal, THE BATTLE IS ABOUT TO START. Any waterbearer that hasn't already cleared the field at that point should do so with all haste. The Field marshal will also use the blue flag to signal "waterbearers out" by pointing it toward the sidelines. Verbal commands will accompany both signals.

Marshals on the field may occasionally call for water even when the blue flag is not flying. In that case, you may hand over water jugs to the requesting marshal, but you may NOT enter the field, no matter how earnestly the marshal may entreat you to do so. If the marshal insists, politely point to the marshals' tower and say "NO FLAG". Not all of the marshals have learned the flag system yet.

Wearing the Guild Badge

Non-Partisan or Kingdom waterbearers are encouraged to wear the guild badge. If possible, please make and bring your own to war. If you are wearing this badge, you are assumed to be a non-partisan waterbearer and under the authority of the waterbearer-in-charge and ultimately the chirurgeon-in-charge. Anyone representing themselves as a Kingdom waterbearer must give water to any and all who ask for it, regardless of whether you know them, what household, local group or Kingdom they are from. It may not always be possible for you to waterbear on the side of the battle that you are rooting for. Please volunteer anyway!

Classes

Click here for the class schedule

Battle Schedule

Click here for the Battle Schedule

Waterbearing in the Woods

TBD- check back for updates. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please feel free to contact either Lady Soffya or Baron James.

NOTE: this waterbearing in the woods policy is for last Pennsic.  Pennsic XXX may differ.
After much discussion with the Chirurgeons and Marshals, we have decided upon the following policy for the woods battle. Waterbearers will be permitted to assist at both resurrection points and along the perimeter. However there will be no waterbearing teams in the woods. Only warranted chirurgeons are permitted on the chirurgeon teams that will enter the woods.

This battle is particularly grueling you are urged to volunteer as much as possible for this day. Set up will begin early on Thursday morning. We are in need of extra shade for the resurrection points. If you have a portable sunshade you are willing to share, please bring it up to the North or South res point at least one hour before the battle begins then take it home after battle is complete. Shades should be clearly marked with your name, as they all tend to look alike. Thank you in advance.