How to Approach a Fighter

As a Waterbearer, you wander along the battlefield, looking for a victim, um, fighter that needs refreshment. During the battles, you are most likely going to catch them just coming off the field or in a huddle talking strategy with other fighters. At times, they are fully dressed in their armor with their helms on, taking a break until they feel ready to get back into the battle.

For this scenario, there are many ways to approach a fighter, but only one way to do it safely.

If someone were to approach a fighter from the rear and touch him on the shoulder, the fighter might presume this as engagement and act on reflex. It is possible that they might take a swing at you. If they make contact, it is the waterbearer’s fault. It is a technicality, but putting your hands on someone without their consent considered a simple assault. Also by coming from the side and hoping that they see you when you touch them is your fault if and when they hit you.

The surest way to approach a fighter is to come from the front, speak in loud, low tones and show them your water jugs so they know what your intentions are. Try and make contact. This can be very difficult with someone wearing a sugerloaf or one of the helms with a full-face plate. But if they face your way, it is a good chance they will acknowledge you. Some also wear glasses all the time, except when fighting. When you come up to them, all they can see is a blob. So again, when you address them, speak in low, loud, clear tones so they know what you are doing. It seems that speaking in low, loud tones can penetrate the padding and helm so that they can hear you better.

If you are lucky, and they have their helm off, it is prudent to let them finish dressing down before offering them fluids or assistant. But there are some things to remember:

Reasons a Fighter Might Refuse Care
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He/ She is fine or will be in a minute.
He/ She has a personal friend that takes care of his/her personal injuries.
He/ She is fine or will be in a minute.
You are too intense.
He/ She is fine or will be in a minute.
He/ She is a First-Aider. EMT, Nurse, Paramedic, MD and will take care of it themselves.
He/ She is fine or will be in a minute.
They don't know who or where they are (this is extremely rare).
He/ She is fine or will be in a minute.
It's the same old knee, elbow, shoulder, and they will take care of it the same way as the last fifty times.
He/ She is fine or will be in a minute.

You can always look to see how they are walking or if they are wobbling too much. But again, this might change in a few minutes. You can ask them when was the last time they voided. That is a good indication of problems.

Even if the fighter is dressed down, always approach the fighter from the front and talk in low tones. Even if they are not on the field, they still feel like they are being hit from all sides. They are not thinking about their health or what they have put their body thru. They are thinking about the one whom got away, should they have actually taken or not taken a shot, or what will happen in the next campaign. Always be polite and never push a fighter to doing something they really don’t want to do. As we have said, there are many reasons for a fighter to refuse.

Some fighters do pour water over them of ask for a cloth. You, as a waterbearer, can do this with the fighter’s permission and direction. But if they do not ask, please do not do this. Again, this is considered simple assault and the fighter can take legal action. The fighter can also go into shock or have other medical problems.

For the most part, there are differences between waterbearing and safe waterbearing. Being safe for everyone lets us all play our game.

In service
Lady Danae of Athens
Head Waterbearer of the East Kingdom Waterbearer Guild

Last modified: October 1, 2004