Pentathlon Categories

Deadlines

The general registration deadline for entries is March 7, 2026.
There are several categories that have early deadlines. These are noted in the descriptions of the specific category below.

Deadlines are firm and include complete documentation.

Group Entries:

The Pentathlon allows for Group Entries. It is not a separate category. Please see the “Group Entries” section for further information.

Cross-Entry:

Any individual or group project can be cross entered into as many
categories as the person or group feels that it would belong in each category. However, the individual or group must show that the item being entered would have been accepted into each category as a single entry. To wit: If the project is a piece of 14th Century, metal armor, would the leather work on the armor be entered into the leatherworking category on it’s own. Did the project creator make or tan the leather? Is it tooled or dyed? Et cetera. The use of leather to hold plates together does not necessary indicate that the leather used is an A&S project in and of itself. Please contact the Pent Coordinator if there are any questions as to if something can or should be cross entered.

Agriculture

Farming and foraging arts, including knowing and growing of plants, herbs, and crops, forestry topics, harvesting, and land management.

Animal Husbandry

Tools of the trade or accessories made for use in livestock keeping and wild animal harvesting.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Equestrian
  • Beekeeping
  • Hunting
  • Farming
  • Fishing

Animal Arts

Items crafted from materials harvested from animals except fiber arts (FIBER ARTS) and edible items (CULINARY and BEVERAGES)

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Leatherwork
  • Bone
  • Items made from Parchment
  • Tanning
  • Parchment making

Applied Research

Extremely well researched items too simple or modest to compete fairly in a more traditional category. The score would be split between the research paper and the item, with the paper being worth more than half of the points.

The paper/research portion of the entry must be submitted in advance, and must be received electronically or postmarked by February 14, 2026.

Beverages

A beverage prepared for human consumption.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Beer
  • Ale
  • Wine
  • Mead
  • Cordials
  • Non-alcoholic beverages

Please note, we will not be able to judge any alcoholic
beverages on site. We will contact any entrant with more details and instructions prior to the event. More details to follow.

Entries for this category must be submitted by February 14, 2026.

Ceramics, Glass, and Stone

Items made of ceramics, glass, or stone.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Pottery
  • Glasswork
  • Beadmaking
  • Stained glass
  • Stonecarving

Chemistry, Alchemy, & Potions

Formula or recipe-based items that are not food/beverage.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Dyeing
  • Pigments
  • Paints
  • Stains
  • Cosmetics
  • Glazes
  • Perfumery

Please include a list of ingredients in addition to your documentation. This will be posted next to your entry to prevent any allergen related accidents.

Culinary Arts

Items prepared for human consumption (beverages excluded).

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Main dish
  • Side dish
  • Sweets
  • Subtleties
  • Breads
  • Food preservation
  • Sauces
  • Flavorings

Please let us know if power is required for a crockpot or
warming pan. We will provide power strips, but the entrant is required to bring their own plates, serving spoons, containers, et cetera. Please include a list of ingredients in addition to your
documentation. This will be posted next to your entry to prevent any allergen related accidents.

Entries for this category must be submitted by February 14, 2026.

Curiosa

Unique or unusual entries that don’t fit in any of the traditional categories.

An example of this is a material culture item that will be judged on its function, not skill of construction/skills of the artisan who used modern materials and equipment to make the item.

Curiosa entries would only be entered under Curiosa, not cross-entered under any other category.

Entries in this category must be approved by the Pent Coordinators in advance. Entries for this category must be submitted by February 14, 2026.

Fabric Construction

Any items made of fabric.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Clothing
  • Accessories (made completely of fabric)
  • Household items (table cloths, banners, etc.)

Fabric Decoration

Application of surface decoration on fabric.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Embroidery, beading, and gold work
  • Appliqué
  • Fabric printing and painting

Fiber Arts

The arts associated with making yarn/string or the creation of fabric.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Spinning
  • Weaving
  • Narrow-work (tablet weaving, inkle weaving, etc.)
  • Sprang
  • Knitting
  • Netting
  • Nalbinding
  • Lacemaking
  • Felting

Literary Arts

Entries in Literary Arts must be received electronically or postmarked by February 14, 2026.

Entries may be sent electronically or via hardcopy in the mail. If you are sending a hard copy, please contact the Pent Coordinator in advance at IDPentGuy@wnysca.org. If you do not receive a confirmation email that an electronically submitted entry has been received within 24 hours of sending it, please also contact this address.

Entries may not exceed 10,000 words. This is approximately 40 pages double spaced exclusive of images.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Essays
  • Research paper
    • A research paper may be written in any style which the entrant chooses (EG Chicago, ALA, etc.). The judging of the paper is to be focused on the research presented, and any theories or conclusions presented. The entrant is strongly encouraged to be consistent in the use of the style they choose.
  • Musical arrangement
  • Musical composition

Metal Working

Items made of metal or use of metal as a decorative element.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Armor
  • Tools
  • Items for domestic use
  • Jewelry

Mixed Media

This Category is for mixed-media items that you would have on or about your person as part of your ensemble, that are more than the sum of their parts. It is limited to items that, due to a combination of materials, are difficult to place.

Mixed media entries cannot be cross-entered under any other categories. (Mixed Media entries can, however, be the item half of an Applied Research category.)

Entry in this category is by discretion of the Pent Coordinator and must be made in advance. Entries for this category must be submitted by February 14, 2026.

Performance Arts

Entries should not exceed 15 minutes unless you have made prior arrangements with the Pent Coordinator as there are time and space limits. The number of longer performance entries may be limited and are at the discretion of the Coordinator.

As the Competition is a combination of in person and remote participation by both entrants and judges, all entries should expect to perform in a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Due to the scheduling requirements, early registration is required.

Deadline for registration in this category is February 14, 2026.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Instrumental
  • Vocal
  • Physical (dance, juggling etc.)
  • Storytelling
  • Drama/Comedy/Improv
  • Oratory
  • Historic Combat (Entries of artistic endeavor showcasing a martial art of SCA period and/or used currently within the Society.) The format is limited only by the entrant’s creativity and safety considerations.

SPECIAL NOTE: No entry will be accepted if the presentation requires a Marshal or safety equipment to be present. No active combat (by Society definition) of any type will be allowed.

Scribal Arts

Items that would be made by a scribe. Handwritten and/or painted pages based on documents or manuscripts.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Calligraphy
  • Illumination

Skill-Based Arts

Skills that are, in and of themselves, arts, but are not performance pieces. Videos are encouraged for Skills that do not lend themselves to entry in a to.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Forestry survival skills
  • Ice skating

Studio Arts

Various visual arts that require a specialized set of tools or space to create. Studio Arts do not include Scribal Arts.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Drawing
  • Printmaking
  • Painting
  • Bookmaking

Woodworking

Items made of wood or use of wood as a decorative element.

This Category may include, but is not limited to:

  • Construction
  • Embellishment
  • Turning