Ekaterina Stepanova doch' Novgorodskaia

Photo
'
Information
Registered Name: Ekaterina Stepanova doch' Novgorodskaia Resides: Northkeep in absentia, Barony of the Middle Marches (Midrealm) Status: Active Joined SCA: 1999
Order of Precedence
OP
Heraldry
Per pale gules and sable, an orle Or. Achievement art by Emma de Davyntre

Boiarynia Ekaterina Stepanova doch' Novgorodskaia

Previously Known As: Caterina de Bartelo
Nickname(s): Kit, Kitty
Pronouns: Out of garb: They/he When in garb: pronoun ambivalent

Additional Registered Heraldry:

Badge: (Fieldless) A delf gules.
Personal Heraldic Title: Red Delf Herald Extraordinary
Achievement: Upon a 12th century Rus helm affronty argent mantled gules and Or, two crossed herald's batons argent.

Offices:

• Local Offices Held
  • Deputy Herald, Barony of Northkeep (2001-2003)

• Regional Offices Held

• Kingdom Offices Held
  • Actuarius Pursuivant (Deputy in charge of Warranting) (2016-2017)
  • Tressure Herald (Heraldic Education) (2017-2018)

• War Service
  • Deputy Cry Herald for Gulf Wars XXV and XXVI
  • Heralded for Ansteorra in the Tournament of Champions, Gulf Wars XXV and XXVI

Persona History:

Ekaterina is the daughter of a wealthy fur trader named Stepan who has eschewed marriage in favor of attending her somewhat dim brother Ivan on his trips to Byzantium to conduct the family business. Because she is from Novgorod she can read and write her letters, and in order to "assist" her brother she has learned a smattering of other tongues as well.

We don't talk about why she isn't allowed in Baghdad.
Alternate Personas: Stepan Tvorimir syn Ivanov & Yi Jun

Interests:

Vocal Heraldry, Ceremonial and Processional Heraldry, Court Heraldry, Heraldic Consultation, Onomastics, Device Heraldry, Bardic Performance, Linguistics, Kyivan Rus and Novgorod, Korean Studies, Period Communication Styles, Ansteorran History, SCA History, Interkingdom Anthropology, Period Dyes, Historical Fashion Aesthetics, Anything that doesn't run fast enough.

Timeline of Activity:

• Mooneschadowe Guardian 1999 - First Event
  
• 2005-2016 Travels to other lands
  
• 2016-2018 Namron, Northkeep
  
• 2019-2023 Sojourn to the Palatine Barony of the Far West, aka South Korea
  
• 2024- Dual Citizenship with the Midrealm
  

Prior Groups:

• Barony of Wiesenfeuer
• Barony of Namron

Populace Provided Information:

Ivo Blackhawk

I’ve known Kitty ever since they were 14, at their first event. I and my wife (we were only dating at that point) were sort of adopted by Kitty, and brought up back to their camp to show their mother. I felt a little like a lost puppy being presented at that point. That being said, there was absolutely no missing the fact that this kid was not, in any way shape or form, typical, and that if they stayed in the society, they were going to make waves, and accomplish great things. I’ve watched Kitty grow, grow up, and become one of the most incredible individuals I know of in their chosen fields. To say they are a force to be reckoned with would be a monumental understatement.

About 5 years ago, as something of a side project, I started writing title cards for people along the theme of “If I were to introduce you in a book, this is how I would do it”. This is what I wrote for Kitty.

"Kitty wasn’t just ‘there’, she noisily radiated the type of quirky self confidence that can only be called inhuman. Where legends of demigods and superheroes wanted to dwell on the supposedly human aspects of doubt, Kitty bubbled with unusual confidence that seemed to outpace both her energy levels and her formidable education, if you can believe that. It was like a drug, you almost wanted to try and bottle it and sell it, telling yourself you could change the world if you could just somehow replicate this once precocious kid’s completely unique, if explosively extroverted, outlook on life."

Notable Contributions or Accomplishments:

• Re-wrote Ansteorran College of Heralds Warranting Materials as Actuarius Herald (2017)

Non-Armigerous Awards and Recognitions:

• Gilded Girnch - Barony of Eldern Hills (2018)
• Merlon of Northkeep - Barony of Northkeep (2018)
• Torsade of Namron - Barony of Namron (2020)
• Flint and Steel - Barony of Wiesenfeuer (2021)

Affiliations:

• Protege to Reis ap Tuder
• House Wolfstar - Star
  • Whelped by Skeggi Berbeinn Sebbason ins Sterka
    
• The Free Company - Member

Mundane Information:

Kit has been playing in the SCA since they were 12, and despite having spent roughly half of their adult life outside of the bounds of Ansteorra likes to think of themself as the Vindheim Cryptid. Most people recognize them by voice if not by face, though the face is pretty memorable as well.

Kit is always ready and willing to help people with their heraldic questions, and is especially enthusiastic about names research, and specifically to helping people see the joy inherent in membership within the Slav Squad. They can be reached at: kmonealis@gmail.com

In Case of Court:

No surprises. Absolutely none. I promise I'll still cry, fear not.