THE MINISTRY OF STEAMPUNK
PARASOL DUELLING
Parasol Duelling is perhaps the most gracious and elegant of the Steampunk 'sports' that may be used in competition or to settle minor differences amongst friends.
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Based loosely on the game 'rock paper scissors', in parasol duelling the combatants aim to present their parasols in one of three alternative positions, called the plant, snub and twirl.
The competitors usually start off back to back and under the direction of whoever is overseeing the duel they walk a number of paces apart before turning to face their opponent.
Two combatants at the ready
According to the preference of the overseer, the combatants then on a verbal command seek to adopt one of the three aforesaid positions, hoping that they will win the round.
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The problem is that whether you win or lose depends as much on your opponents choice of positions as it does your own, because:
The Twirl Beats The Plant
The Plant beats The Snub
The Snub beats The Twirl.
Parasol duelists demonstrating the 'Ready' position
Parasol duelists demonstrating the 'Plant' position which beats the 'Snub'
The 'Twirl' position which beats the Plant.
The parasol must make one complete rotation
The 'Hanging Snub', which represents a fail
The 'Snub' position which beats the Twirl
At Asylum XIV in 2024 the Parasol Duelling competition will follow the Parasol Promenade. Both features will be run by the magnificant folk of the Lincoln Steampunk Society, a number of whom can be seen demonstrating the key positions in the photographs above.
So come along and take a look - or take part. You might even get to take home a medal!