Letters of Intent from Current Submissions (2024)
Listed below are the Letters of Intent from those seeking the position of the Baronage of Starkhafn (2024).
THL Kazetani Tarou Noritatsu and THL Kazetani Kiyotora | Lord Eli of the Oak and Lady Eleanor MacKenzie
Tarou and Kiyotora
Letter of Intent for THL Tarou and THL Kiyotora (2024)
Unto the Crown of Caid and their heirs, the August Office of the Seneschal of Caid, the Baronage of Starkhafn, and Office of the Seneschal of Starkhafn, does the House of Kazetani send greetings.
Upon hearing of the lack of Letters of Intent from the populace of the Barony of Starkhafn for the succession of the coronets, we have had a discussion we freely admit we never wanted to come to pass, that a time has come when we may be the only viable choice for the continued existence of Starkhafn as a Barony. Many friends and acquaintances near and far have asked over the years if we had considered putting forth our names as candidates for Baron and Baroness, and we have responded as we do now, that we have, and while we are qualified and capable of fulfilling the absolute requirements of the role, we do not feel we have the time, finances, or passion to fulfill the role as it should be done to be an inspiration to the populace and a visual representation of their pride.
However, we have a long history of stepping forward to do what is needed rather than what we desire to ensure that the activities we have come to enjoy and see worth in continue to exist and are accessible and available to everyone, most recently demonstrated by Tarou’s stepping up to serve as the Kingdom Minister of Archers. Aside from the Kingdom of Caid, and the Barony of Starkhafn, we have taken on a myriad of responsibilities in the past if the alternative was for events and activities to not occur if we did not volunteer our time and effort, such as event stewarding and holding office in our former homes of the Baronies of Bryn Madoc and South Downs of Meridies, cultivating the growth of an archery program in the Barony of Stierbach of Atlantia, and traveling to act as Live Weapons Marshals for friends and associates such as the Shire of Windale of Atenveldt and the Barony of Naevehjem of Caid. This missive is our indication that we are willing to do so again for the current needs of the Barony of Starkhafn.
While we cannot in good conscious take on the roles of the baronial office even if offered, for the sake of the continuance of the Barony of Starkhafn we are willing to offer ourselves as reeves, to act as regents for a period of up to two years until such time as qualified persons willing to take on the responsibility and positions of baronial peers step forward. We would work towards sharing our knowledge and experience with such persons over an extended period to make this transitional time less tumultuous for all persons involved, including the populace.
We have had a long and storied history within the SCA, from attending events with college roommates in the Midrealm almost 30 years ago, through stints as chatelaine, marshals of archery and thrown weapons, event stewarding, dishwashing, hall sweeping, campsite cleaning and any number of other support roles that need filling. Kiyotora has held baronial office three times, while Tarou has held baronial office once and kingdom office once. As with many SCA couples we have also served as each other’s deputies on many occasions as well. Within Caid, we both hold numerous awards for martial pursuits, arts, and service, including membership in the Order of the Crescent. Outside of the SCA, Tarou has many years of experience acting as Corporate Trainer, while Kiyotora maintains an active position on the Board of Directors for the local makerspace. We are happy to provide more qualifications should you seek them, but instead encourage you to speak with the members of the kingdom’s archery community who have worked with us over our decade here in Caid as well as members of the Barony of Starkhafn and put stock in their honest opinions.
We write this missive unaware of the processes and procedures the kingdom must follow in the event of no Letters of Intent being received. As we will be out of the country in the near future, we simply wanted to ensure that our concern and offer of service regarding the future of the Barony of Starkhafn was brought to your attention.
Yours in Service,
Kazetani Kiyotora, THL, OAA, OD, AoA, CMB(Meridies)
Kazetani Tarou Noritatsu, THL, OAA, OD, AoA, CQY(Meridies), CMB(Meridies)
Eli and Eleanor
Letter of Intent for Lord Eli and Lady Eleanor (2024)
Unto Their Royal Majesties Sven Orfhendur and Iseabail Inghean, Kingdom Seneschal Laertes McBride, Their Excellencies Thomas Chisholm and Catylyn verch Morgant ap Llewellyn, and the noble populace of the Barony of Starkhafn,
We, Lord Eli of the Oak and Lady Eleanor MacKenzie, extend our heartfelt greetings.
It is with great humility that we submit this letter of intent for the esteemed positions of Baron and Baroness of Starkhafn.
As we deepen our involvement in SCA and baronial activities, we recognize that while our history within the Society may not be as extensive as that of others who have served this noble Barony, we bring a fervent dedication and a readiness to commit our time and energy. We are at a stage in our lives where we can responsibly embrace these roles, and we look forward to the guidance and support of the Barony’s wealth of experience.
Our journey in the reenactment community began in 2011 at the Las Vegas Renaissance Fair, where we started in service roles as guards and kitchen staff. This foundation led us to positions of leadership such as officers and head of house in our guild with a combination of 17 years in leadership roles, where we helped develop and direct diverse groups in service and entertainment. Through these experiences, we have learned the importance of constant communication and the myriad responsibilities that come with leadership, far beyond the main event.
Our first encounter with the SCA occurred during the Highland War in 2019, where we joined Starkhafn, as the warband Brotherhood of the Wolf. The friendship, support, and camaraderie we experienced welcomed us into a vibrant community that rekindled our passion for reenactment.
In recent months, Eli has proudly served as captain of the guard to Their Excellencies, while Eleanor volunteered at Potrero War and had the honor of serving as a lady-in-waiting for Her Royal Highness Mercedes during the Starkhafn anniversary. With each event, we have felt increasingly at home in this community and are eager to serve our local Barony and Kingdom. Our growing knowledge only fuels our desire to learn and contribute further. We believe this position is one of service, and we are ready to bring renewed enthusiasm and energy to the Kingdom. We have actively recruited members from the Renaissance community, helping them discover the joys and diversity that the SCA offers.
Together, we bring over three decades of customer service experience and have held leadership roles in various business settings. Eleanor, as a Project Engineer, has honed her skills in communication, collaboration, and organization. Her passion for sewing has led her to create numerous garments for guild members and newcomers alike. Eli, as the leader and trainer of the Las Vegas branch of a pest control company, has dedicated the past decade to providing exceptional service. He also does his utmost in supporting new fighters in their journeys.
We would be honored to serve as Baron and Baroness of Starkhafn, infusing our enthusiasm, experience, and commitment into fostering a vibrant community. We understand the importance of collaboration and are eager to work alongside the noble populace and our esteemed peers. Together, we can create memorable experiences, uphold the values of our Kingdom and ensure that every member feels valued and engaged.
Thank you for considering our intent. We look forward to the opportunity to serve our beloved Barony with honor and dedication.
In Service to the Dream,
Lord Eli of the Oak and Lady Eleanor MacKenzie