A tight bodice or a heavy suit of armor may not be the most comfortable outfit on a hot summer day.

Nor would belly dancing be one's chosen act of seduction, or a sword one's preferred weapon of defense.

But then again, the men and women wandering a growing encampment west of Helena have medieval on the mind, as "Phoenix Rising" -- an event held by the Society of Creative Anachronisms -- makes its Helena debut at Spring Meadow Resources this weekend.

How medieval is it?

Consider Lord Elias, a knight marshal from the Shire of Silver Keep, based in Bozeman, who went about the morning Friday preparing his wear for the weekend ahead.

His helmet weighed in at nearly 25 pounds while his armored vest -- complete with metal plates and a pleated leather skirt -- topped 35 pounds.

"I'm the guy in charge of the fighting," said Elias, whose real name is Lloyd Candel. "I'm looking forward to the grand mêlée."

Friday's events included a one-on-one display of ground combat. Today, however, the team tournaments begin, or grand mêlée, as Elias called it.

Given the forecast, it may prove to be a hot and dusty battle. A human chess match is also planned, along with jousting, archery, and heavy fighting. Classes on needlepoint, paper making, heraldry, and belly dancing are also on the agenda, among other things.

Elias started playing in the SCA in 1998 after returning from Germany where he was stationed in the Army. It was there, amid the country's medieval castles, that he became hooked on the lifestyle.

Elias now plays his part as a 12th century Scottish Norman with pride. Friday morning, he watched Count Oriah hammer out his armor, the Celtic cross on his shield gleaming in the sun.

Across the field, a small collection of vendors sat in the shade of their tent selling medieval goods. The banner above another tent housing the crowned prince and princess flapped in the breeze. A suit of armor stood poised outside their door, motionless and stoic.

Beatriz Pantoja de Las Mercedes, a member of the Shire of Castelleone, based in Helena, anticipated the evening's Hafla (Middle Eastern party) with anticipation, along with the night's display of belly dancing.

Today, however, the 15th century Spaniard plans to participate in the human chess game. A grassy yard not far from the battlefield will be converted into a giant chessboard.

Additional pieces, she said, are welcome.

"You can be a piece or a thinker -- a chess player," she said. "I'll probably be a piece. I'm not a strategic thinker."

While this marks the first year of Phoenix Rising, its participants and players see a bright future for the event.

Mercedes believes the celebration will stick around and continue to grow, giving Helena a touch of medieval flavor.

"Eventually, we'll be able to use this site to its fullest," Mercedes said. "If someone wants to come down as a jester and start juggling, that would be great. We just ask that people try to dress in the Renaissance style."

Boxes of spare clothing are available for those who may find their closets short of 16th Century attire, according to Lady Red Hawk, a member of the Shire of Stan Wyrm, based in Great Falls.

"You can step out of real time and go back 600 years," said Red Hawk, whose real name is Pam Jones. "We have a lot of very talented people here. Some do medieval brewing. Others grow, spin and die their own wool. It's a lifestyle."

"It's also a family thing," added Sonya Crosby, who dressed as a Viking and went by Lady Daria. "A lot of times the members of the SCA will become your family. You get together and form households."

The three shires hosting the weekend event (Helena, Bozeman and Great Falls) fall under the Kingdom of Artemisian, which includes the states of Montana, Idaho, Utah, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado.

Today's events are expected to take place from 10 a.m. and last well into the night.

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com