Salutations Internet, I’m Voss, and today I’m going to talk about the Grande Bataille/Grand Battle of Bicolline (aka The GB).
In my last article I talked a bit about the Grand Battle of Bicolline. So how does one go about going to the land, the myth, the legend? First things first: decide how long you plan on attending and if/where you’re going to camp.
There are 3 different types of tickets for the GB. Sunday-Sunday, Thursday-Sunday, and only Friday aka “Discovery Day”.
If you just want to dip your toes into the world of Bicolline then maybe the “Discovery Day” Friday only ticket is for you. It offers a much lower barrier of entry, you only need one set of clothes, you don’t have to worry about bringing as much gear, you don’t need to have a place to camp, and at the end of the day you can retreat to the modern conveniences of a hotel. However, you will miss out on the evening events and shows since you have to leave by 8pm, will only see a few tournament matches, and won’t be able to participate in combat, if that is your thing.
Just want to be there for the biggest battles, largest parties, shows, or watch the finals of the various tournaments? Still want to camp with your friends and experience more of what the GB has to offer? Can only get 4 days off work in a row? Maybe the Thursday-Sunday ticket is for you! Be aware, you will miss out on any of the shows or events that happens earlier in the week, and won’t be able to participate in most (if not all) of the tournaments.
Finally, if you want to be there for everything the GB has to offer, or at least as much of it that one person can experience of it at one time, then the full Sunday-Sunday ticket is a no brainier. Joining and watching your choice of tournaments, seeing live music every night, taking as much time as you want to see and explore the beautiful site, and partying when you’d like, the only real downsides are that you need a good 8+ days booked off to do it and it’s the most expensive option.
Once you’ve decided if you’re going for more than just the Friday, the next thing to consider is if you want to camp in a “decorum”/in-genre tent or in the “non-decorum”/modern tenting area. Both have their pro’s and con’s.
Decorum
- You need a period appropriate (generally canvas) tent or an appropriate looking tent frame you can cover in canvas
- This can be a high cost if not something you already have
- Waterproofing is a MUST
- Not always the lightest or easy to transport
- Generally closer to town and amenities
- This includes things like water spigots, the showers, and bathrooms/porta-potties
- This isn’t always a pro, like if you’re TOO close to the bathrooms
- Not all Decorum area’s are close to a water spigot
- Decorum covers most of the available camping area
- You generally need to be part of a guild to camp in specific areas (If you plan on attending more than once or more than just the GB you’ll eventually want to join/make a guild. More on Guilds in another article)
- Surrounded by other in Decorum buildings and tents
- Great if you value immersion
- Can have approved fire pits for light/cooking/heat/ambience
- You will need to USE said fire-pits if you’d like to cook anything yourself. Pro for some, con for others.
- All your lights, chairs, storage, etc outside your tent also needs to be Decorum
- This can add more cost if these are not things you already own or have access to
- There are ways to camp in the Decorum area’s without your own tent
- Bico and other groups rent out decorum tents
- Be warned that Bico’s official tent rentals sell out very quickly
Non-Decorum
- Can use any modern tent made of any material
- Usually cheaper than decorum tents
- Generally already waterproof, lightweight, and easy to transport
- Not the closest to amenities
- There is a water spigot and set of porta-potties not too far away but they are down a large hill
- There is a dedicated area for Non-Decorum tents
- Unless Bico changes the area you’ll always know about where you’ll be camped
- No fire allowed outside the communal fire-pit
- However you can use any modern camp cooking equipment
- Unless you plan on taking it into a Decorum area, nothing needs to be Decorum
- Modern lights, camp chairs, and coolers are fine here
- If you camp or LARP you probably have most of these already
- There is a rule on excessive noise past a certain point of the night
While these are not exhaustive lists they should give you a good idea what to consider when it comes to deciding where to camp. Both are viable options and one is not inherently better than the other. While it is definitely nice to be in a decorum area, it is a big investment, and you might only use this equipment once a year. If you do not already own decorum camp equipment, are on your own, on a budget, or have to pack light, I would highly recommend Non-Decorum. If you value immersion, have connections with others who go, and the means to transport your equipment, then Decorum camping is more for you.
Next time I’ll be discussing what you’ll need for your first time at the Grand Battle of Bicolline, from what you’ll want to have before you go, to what you can pick up there.
