With games lining every table, puzzle challenges, economy games, carnival games, a casino, adventures and contracts from the adventurers guild, and some vendors to peruse, if you're bored, it's your own fault.
I was a busy man, meeting with the Knights of Blackwood, and the Kingdom of Blackwood, about nation politics. But business is one of the things people come to Leviathan for. I would try to name all the honors that went around but, honestly I know I'll forget some.
While every time someone gets knighted, or given a title, it's important, it's important to them and it should not be forgotten, looked over or passed up, I really need to mention two things that happened at Leviathan this year.
First, Matt “Mathies” Butler was knighted into the Knights of the Eternal Flame. He’s been playing this game for an age longer than some of our players have yet seen, and the sheer amount of passion he has for our community cannot be put into words without being understated. He's a role model through and through and absolutely deserving of the title.
Secondly, Lani “Gwen” Jones was elevated to be a Lord of Rhiassa, stepping up along side Aeston and Areni and taking the name Stromgate. This was a landmark moment, taking the reins of a nation is a huge responsibility, beyond simply establishing a new pecking order, there is a lot that goes on in running a nation. Especially one with such a brand and pedigree as Rhiassa. Beyond that, taking the family name of Stromgate is important as well. As a community we use the word family a lot. We say “my realms family” we interchange nation and family often, and generally speaking the community does a lot for the people that come into it. It's just a thing. But taking family name, a noble name is rarer. It represents a deeper connection, and has not happened since perhaps the time of Bedlam.
Take a second to recognize these things. They have meaning that transcends these pages.
It would be a crime to speak of Leviathan and to leave out the food, and I have to say for me this was a pinnacle year for this event. The appetizer round was awesome, I loved the idea of needing to venture out in order to acquire other appetizers and needing to hobnob with the other folks of the hall. As I already said, I was a busy man at this event and an excuse to pull myself away from all the business at hand and just mingle was welcomed.
The variety of foods was awesome, and it seemed that there were constant options and at every turn I was both enjoying one thing, and absolutely missing out on another. This is a huge compliment from me because I can be kind of a food snob.
So what did you miss? You missed a lot. Honestly it was a mistake, you should have been there. And I didn't even cover things like the NPC auction, the view awards, or the things I'm sure I missed myself. I didn't cover the decoration, the atmosphere, the immersion. You missed a feast as it should be.
Oh well, next time I'll see you on the field,
Keith “Saegan” Cronyn
