My Friend Aliquis

So I promised I’d explain who Aliquis is. Aliquis is my friend.

Aliquis and Alius taught me everything I know about the Scadian mindset, and ushered me into a new era of my life.

So who the hell is Aliquis?

Aliquis is Latin for “someone.” Alius is Latin for “someone else.”

When I finally broke down and got a Facebook about four years ago, I decided to go crazy with the quotes section. It’s really, really long. Quotes from most of my friends, my favorite movies, my favorite TV shows, scientists, authors, anything that vaguely...I don’t know, defined me in some way, it went in there. If anyone said anything funny or smart, it went in there.

Then I started doing SCA things. Scadians very often have separate Facebook pages for their personae, and I decided to do that, and when I did, I kept a quotes section.

I got in trouble for quoting someone right away.

I’m not sure I’ve lived it down, or if it was blown out of proportion by one or two overzealous people, I have no way of being sure. I was overenthusiastic but also rather surprised to find how serious some people are about separating their “mundane” lives from their SCA pursuits.

I couldn’t justify not sharing what I’d learned. And if I didn’t document what people taught me, I’d surely forget. So several times on my Facebook and this blog, you’ll find me referencing Aliquis. Sometimes with a suffix to keep them distinct, but the important thing is this, Aliquis is a real person who said something I didn’t want to forget. By default until someone gives me permission to name them, or if I just forget their name, they are known Aliquis. Aliquis is free to step forward and identify him/her self, or proffer more advice.

Aliquis will always be my teacher.

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"If you wanna be a spearman, you gotta learn to run backwards." --Aliquis

"When you learn to fence, practice hitting one point over and over and over again. No matter what else you practice, just drill that one point. Then [in a fight] the moment it opens up..." --Aliquis

"If you have a shield, spearmen will stand behind you and try to steer you, they'll bump you to the left and to the right, trying to line up targets. You gotta establish a rapport and fight as one." --Aliquis

"Always be the good guy. It's damn tiresome, but it's needful." --Aliquis Sanctus

"Always attack from the front." --Aliquis Sanctus

"We gotta do something about that garb. That whole Cardinal thing? Creepin' me out." --Aliquis

Aliquis: "We gotta do something about your persona. You got a good thing goin' with that Cardinal thing...but it's gotta go."

Skopa: "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Aliquis: "Well that's even better!"

"You can't teach spirit." --Aliquis

"THIS BOX CONTAINS ONE DEMON"

--Label on Aliquis's kit crate, in Japanese Kanji

"Beware the Skrealings." --Aliquis

"Fuck shields. Shields can all go die. I broke two of one of the locals' plywood ones, and the strap on his oak. He bought a fancy AC aluminum one. Goals updated." --Aliquis

"It is easy to be awesome. Have money, have time, have no fear, be crafty and be careful as a wild eyed man can be." --Aliquis Sanctus