The combination of fantasy and reality.  There are many arenas in 
which one can be a sword-wielding knight or a master craftsman simply by 
saying that he is: role-playing, for example.
<p>
In the SCA, you can live out your fantasy -- but fantasy only goes so 
far.  If you walk around claiming to be the greatest singer in the 
world, eventually, people will want to hear you.  Conversely, even if 
you never say anything at all about your singing talents, if you 
demonstrate them, you will be recognized for them -- possibly formally, 
certainly informally.  The SCA gives participants an outlet to excel 
with skills or talents that the 'modern' world doesn't necessarily 
reward.  It also encourages behavior that is timeless: courtesy, 
kindness, and respect for others.
