Q&A: East Kingdom Earl Marshal
This is one of a series of Q&A articles with East Kingdom Officers. The Gazette thanks Sir Jibril al-Dakhil, the Kingdom Earl Marshal, for answering our questions.
Please describe your job responsibilities.
It is my job to ensure that rules of safety are learned and adhered to by all. It is also my job to ensure that we have the best safety standards in each area of marshal exercise in the East Kingdom
What do you enjoy about this activity?
My favorite part of this job is making everyone happy. It’s so rare that you can hold a position that your every decision pleases everyone. 
Do you have a goal for your term?
My goal is to continue to foster the integrity of the marshals throughout the Kingdom and to remind everyone that the marshal volunteers make up the foundation for all chivalric activity in the game. Sometimes we forget to give the marshals their due respect because they are not the most glamorous ones on the field. After all, when everything goes well and everyone understands the rules the marshals are almost invisible.
Are you currently looking for any deputies?
I am currently looking for a Southern Region Heavy Weapons – and among the existing deputies my “drop dead”.
What was your first event? And what made you stay?
My first SCA event was Gulf Wars. I drove down with Sir Stephen von Dresden and stayed because he kept the car keys. It was also tons of fun, free outdoor showers and I got to sweat off those few extra pounds.
Which people made an impact on you in the SCA and why?
This is not a question that I can answer easily. There are just too many people that have made a huge impact on me both on and off the field. The one that shapes all of my experiences is Sir Balin’s statement, “you never regret going to an event but you regret missing one.” The kindness and generosity of people in SCA is beyond comparison and a beacon of light in a sometimes dark world.
Could you share with us a moment – or several moments – that describe what makes the SCA special for you?
A smile from then Avelina Keyes on a very bad day, when she didn’t know me from a hole in the wall. Encouraging words from Duke Vissevald that I hadn’t realized how much I needed. Manfred Man-Butter. ICOD squire walks. Yes, cryptic.