Organized by: Ben Lacasse
Single Short
1. Shader
2. Radstar
3. Pike
5'
1. Nos
2. Aiden
3. Pike
Sword and Board
1. Shader
2. Nos
3. Cronin
Mixed Florentine
1. Pike
2. Eldritch
3. Aiden
Tug of War
1. Cronin
2. Ruby
Best Overall Performance
1. Shader
Sportsmanship Award/Honor in Combat
1. Radstar
by: Dustin Mack
Once again, many of us traveled to the lands of Neden. And once again, they served up a solid day of fun. They held a handful of the standard combat tournaments. I believe I saw single short, sword and shield, and sword and marn, at least. There was also the traditional Neden cornhole. This had a standard tournament and, if I'm not mistaken, an open challenge against Syruss with various partners. New this year was a tug of war. This ran as 1v1 and 3v3 (technically. The children were mysteriously very strong). Some of the past Neden originals weren't held this year, such as Judge Dresden and Tournaments of Sobriety.
We were told early on that there were some small dragons trying to invade the area. Prizes were handed out in return for catching them. I couldn't find any but the children seemed to do a good job at it. Maybe since the dragons were small they were easier for small kids to find. Regardless, Neden should be safe from a dragon invasion for a while.
At some point a demon showed up, and not one of the many that are usually found there. I believe their name was Kissum (pronounced kiss-OOM). They seem to have a business of sorts acquiring things. It sounded to me like a useful service. I have their business card with my gear, I can pass along how to contact Kissum if anyone is interested. I did confirm that this was not the same being that appeared in Blackwood recently.
There was also a mysterious being in black that showed up. I don't believe anyone interacted with them so I have no idea what they were doing. By the time I had considered talking to them it was too late and they were gone.
Oh, I can't forget to talk about the food. Burgers, hot dogs, various pasta salads, and a variety of chips. I liked the burgers, but apparently JB may have done something to the hot dogs. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems eating a hot dog caused Makhta to transform into some kind of bat creature. This was clearly not a happy thing. It did lead to an impromptu Judge Dresden in an attempt to figure out what happened. Unfortunately I did not get to hear the results.
That all brings us to the raffle. As usual, there were many items that have magic abilities within Neden. Honestly this is one of my favorite things about visiting there. I won a magic missile paddle and a magic microphone, among a few other things. Among the prizes were a very creative circle of healing, a glowing mushroom, some gnomes, a large bug, mystery pouches, and of course the coveted ribbon piece. For those that don't know, four of these ribbons can be used to turn a Neden in house magic item into an "actual" magic item.
Even with some traditional parts missing, this was still a good time. I know they had some hiccups throughout the day, but these guys do everything they can to ensure people enjoy themselves while visiting. This is an event I make sure to hit every year. Not just because its close and a single day, but because there's always something fun happening. If you haven't gone to one yet, you're missing out.
On an OOC note, I know Cal has shared this already but it's worth including here too. Our community once again did something great and raised over $1500 to help a kid with leukemia. It's always amazing to see what people in this game can pull off when there's a major cause.
Lots of players in our game are part of nations. This series gives them a chance to talk about why they decided to join and what it means to them. If you would like to talk about why you joined your nation, please fill out this form.
By "Potato"
I heard about a feast happening at the Halls of Neden filled with great food, games, and most importantly prizes. So knowing how lost I tend to get on my travels, I started heading there right after the fun I had helping Timmy. I did manage to get lost completely, but luckily Queen Karma crossed my path with Isoba. So I joined their party to the Halls to get there just in time for the fun to begin. At the door to get in and pay, I was informed they are generously also gathering food donations for those in need. Being that is a cause I hold to heart, I donated what I could as well. I was happy to see the realms gathering for a cause once again.
Now off to see what games there are and the prizes to be won. So many good items up for grabs and I've been told there are chests to be found. There was a poker game going on but I decided not to join. The games were a lot of fun. They had plinko, cornhole, ladder ball, a duck shooter, and toss the beanbags either at pins or in baskets. I played them all, I had a really hard time with turning the pins up with the bean bags though. I kept racking up tickets all throughout the day. While I took breaks between playing the games I went and hunted for chests. I found a good few throughout the day and enjoyed the riches. The next thing I knew the food was out, so I joined my friends to dine.
The first round was snacks and dips to enjoy. I got the buffalo dip with some chips, that was delicious and one of my favorites of the night. While sitting down and talking to friends, I wrote my name down on my raffle ticket stash. By the end of the day with how many tickets I won, I really regretted forgetting my new stamper. I went to the table and spread out my tickets to what I wanted. I overly stuffed the pot for the blue ribbon with tickets. While doing so I found a chest cleverly hiding with the prizes. I found a few chests throughout the day while I played the games and mingled with friends.
While there Isoba and I saw little JB and talked to him a few times. She gave him a little spoon which he named spencer spoon. I gave him a positive potato which he named pauline potato, then tucked them in the brim of his hat. I went off to play more games and find more chests. Before I knew it the feast was ready to be served. From across the room I could smell them, the potatoes.
I went up for a plate of mashed potatoes and a side of stuffed chicken. The potatoes were creamy and delicious. The chicken was good as well. I ate my fill and went off to play more of the games. The more tickets I get, the better my odds for what I want. I played games until the fighting tournaments could start.
I fought in every fighting combo they offered. I lost in all, but that's okay. I fight in them for the practice until I can win them. I Watched the other fights to learn more. I played a few more games before they closed off and put in the last of my tickets. They announce its time for the raffles, time to see what Isoba and I won.
We won so much. I now have almost a full arsenal of weapons, just missing a five foot now. I gave away a dagger since I won four of them. I won almost everything I wanted and then some. But most importantly I won the ribbon I wanted, just need to get some more of them now. I won this blue nerd container for Isoba and she got so excited over it. She too won the cup and a magic staff she wanted. We left here with our hands full of new gear to put to good use. Overall it was a great day in the Halls of Neden. The only thing that could've made it better was if the hall was filled up more like the other feasts I've gone to in the realms. But then again there would've been more competition for the prizes.
By Emma "Companion" and Zack “Bubbles O’Sudsie” Koval
What you missed: Timmy's birthday (Companion's POV).
We arrived on the mouth of what would soon be a long trail battle. Upon arrival we were informed that Timmy had gotten his birthday stolen, and we would need to get it back before sunset or else he would lose it forever. We were told this happened right after he finished his homework, which his mother said that if he did not complete he would not celebrate his birthday, and presumably unprompted. After following through the direction that was indicated that Earl von Hurl the Duke of Puke went through we were met with a gate, a henchman with riddles and "stuff" blocked our path.
There we got the first sighting of the Duke, as he told his henchmen to not let us pass.
We ended up getting through by solving riddles, and engaged with an enemy line.
They were covered in inches worth of filth, and sometimes patches would come off of them and hit our weapons and equipment, rending them unusable until we scrubbed it off.
We fought them foot by foot, until we arrived at a small clearing, where we met the angel of cleanliness. I chose to try to converse with the duke to try to figure out the truth of the matter at hand.
Upon talking with the Duke further I was able to determine the other side of the story.
Timmy did not want to complete his homework, which he had put off to the last possible moment, and as such he set up a ritual and called the Duke to do it for him. However in exchange he lost his birthday. It was also revealed tht this was not the first time this had happened, however this time we had gotten involved.
Since this was a contract that both parties agreed upon, and had both given given consent (Timmy had agreed to give up what mattered most to him), this was not an issue that should have been resolved with force. I therefore tried to negotiate the price of our intrusion, and Timmy's birthday. The price that I bartered it down to was four birthdays (which would be four of five of my birthdays [birthday is the closest word for it in english]) and the death of the angel of cleanliness. However, as I was too slow to rile people, this plan was not executed. However we managed to learn that the Duke was able to be negotiated with. And, that he was growing more amenable to deals as time passed.
As we progressed in our venture we eventually found the condition to return the birthday by force: blow out the candles on the cake before the sun sets. We also learned why the Duke wants birthdays: because he is able to leave his imprisonment for the day, allowing him a semblance of freedom.
Knowing that we were closing in to the cake, still wanting him to have a bit of freedom, as he seemed lonely, and knowing that a lot of our casters had expended a bunch of their spells in prior encounters, I bartered two of my birthdays for spell resets.
When we reached the cake there was one final obstacle in our path: the vice principal of Timmy's school. Which used magic to freeze (time based, not temperature) all but one of us at a time and would quiz that person. If the person answered successfully they would be allowed to fight them.
Once we bypassed this hurdle Timmy had to answer some questions on his own to bypass a magic barrier, and he blew out the candles on the cake a split second before getting killed.
Once raised Timmy gave us the hat off his head, explaining its properties.
Upon putting it on:
1. It makes you invulnerable to everything
2. It makes it so that you cannot wield weapons
3. It lowers your intelligence to a miniscule ammount (to the extent that you cannot cast spells with it on)
We used the hat to retrieve stolen items that the Duke intended to vanish off with, and then he explained that he cannot come with us any further. I attempted to get him through with a divine aid, and it worked to an extent. I can now call upon him on the two days that I traded him.
What You Missed - Neden Questing: Happy Birthday Timmy (Bubble's POV)
I am not what one would call an active adventurer, but after the call went out to adventurers about a particularly gross Fae taking a small child's birthday, I knew I needed to be there. Both to help wash away the muck of this mean Fae, and whatever filth the small child happened to generate. Humans, especially small ones, are gross.
As everyone gathered, little Timmy explained that a fae named Earl Von Hurl, the Duke of Puke had taken his birthday, along with all of the stuff for his party including the presents and cake. He even had a lollipop he wasn’t allowed to lick (which helped reduce the sticky factor considerably). The Adventurers, galvanized by the sad story, set off to get it back by the magical deadline of “Fundown” following Timmy’s lead and magical guidance.
As we cross a bridge and a soft spot into Faerie, we arrive in what must be the most filthy section in the entirety of Faerie. It makes me want to jump in a tub of ammonia just thinking about it. Regardless we came across a gate, with a snotling (the term I remember for these slovenly fae) in front. Repeating orders whispered to him by a fae hiding behind a tree on the other side.
We had to answer some “Riddles and stuff” to get past this gate. The main thing I remember here was that one riddle was hyped up as “A Doozy”, and then Lord Sir Tao answered “A Doozy” to it. Even though it was not the intended answer, when pointed out that they had said it would be a doozy, they kept their word and accepted it.
The fae whispering orders soon revealed himself as Earl Von Hurl, a truly nasty piece of grime, Lord and prisoner of the lands we were in. Von Hurl, knowing we needed to get the birthday back by Fundown, did everything he could to slow us down, from making us fight minions, covering us with heavy grime, setting up a barrier between two trees and attempting to gaslight us into thinking we could not just walk around it, and other such things.
During this time, we learned more about this Duke of Puke. Firstly, his powers of filth is so strong that while covered in his filth, Von Hurl and his minions were immune to Fae Stones and the Bane until scrubbed clean. Then we learned that he ruined the dress of the True Court’s Duchess of Beauty, which is what earned him his exile to his little land of mire. Then, there was the awful and sad reality that technically, the Duke made the deal with Timmy fair and square as Timmy had summoned him to get someone to do his homework, and the phrase: “For your birthday, I will do your homework” means VERY different things to a slow human child and a timeless Archfae. Lastly, the most dire and awful piece of information we learned, was that EARL VON HURL CAN GRIME SOAP! WHOLE BARS OF SOAP! It was horrendous.
Luckily I had come with a lot of soap, and it was at this point I got to meet one of my personal heroes, Clean Living: The Inventor of Washing Hands! Clean Living is an angel under the domain of poison, or more specifically of antiseptic materials and hygiene, and currently serves under the Dark One, returning putrid things to the All. Clean Living decided to show up and help us on this quest, due to his perfectly reasonable hatred of the hygiene habits of the snotlings, helping us by making a more powerful soup that worked on the spiritual and on the real.
To make this soap, the party worked on killing and bringing corpses of the snotlings to myself and Potato, and we cut open the bodies to harvest the fat needed to make soap, which was then rendered down with added water and lye, and stories from our fellow adventurer’s pasts to scent the soap, including a powerful story about her troubled past from Isoda. This soap was able to almost immediately wash away the grime with no effort to scrub at all! Clean Living gave me another gift to aid in our quest: Scour: The Holy Soap dagger, once used to punish blasphemers in times long past, was now to be used to wash away the ick as we try to forcibly undo a deal between a Duke and a child.
Eventually we get to a deep swamp of grimy muck, that contained Timmy’s presents and a bunch of Crocs, and an elder Croc with an alarm clock in its gut. With the power of holy soap and some friendly undead who didn’t need to breathe, and Gale’s helpful alligator mount, the presents were retrieved after much struggle. While I don’t know what happened before and after, I did briefly exist in this swamp just long enough to drown in grime. I need to bleach that memory from my mind...
But anyway, within the presents were a bunch of Timmy’s homework. Omri led the charge in doing the homework, though we all had to contribute, because we needed to help invalidate the deal Earl Von Hurl and Timmy had made, with the other half of the deal being late handled by Companion coming to a deal with Von Hurl selling him two of the five birthdays she had for some reason I don’t understand. Time. Blech. One homework problem of note was “What is the difference between Dragons and Dinosaurs?” and my answer of “None per Alexander Cecil” was marked as correct.
After a little bit of travel, we met some sort of Teacher demon, forcing us to take the test that the homework was supposed to prepare us for, and would give out “Pop Quizes” to the party members. Only those who had answered one correctly could harm the creature. Once the test was slain, we pushed past the last of snotlings and arrived at the last barrier before the cake, a test Timmy had to answer himself. It was hard for him, but with a little bit of help from us, Timmy gave the correct answers until the final question, which was not multiple choice, but a practical exam. He had to do a ritual for Prophesy to get the recipe for his birthday cake. Omri and some others helped Timmy assemble and cast the spell, at which point Timmy got his birthday cake and birthday back just before Fundown.
At this point we were able to leave Von Hurl’s feculent domain, deal undone and all parties getting what they wanted. Timmy turned 9ish, the Duke got two birthdays as specific days he could escape his prison on a technicality, and I got to meet my hero and get a powerful blade of sanitation.
Signed
Bubbles O’Sudsie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On an out of character note, this was genuinely one of the most fun quests I have been on in the realms, this plot staff did an excellent job making a light hearted and silly quest for us to do, the wonderful NPC’s fought to their role excellently, and Tim Suitor was a scummy and filthy and expertly played antagonist as Earl Von Hurl. Mine Falls, while definitely a northern site, was a great site for a one-day quest. The downside of having to let normal folks pass us by on the trail was not that bad of a burden, for a cheap but very nice site.
And as a final note, the soap making thing we did IC was complimented by Ethan making real OOC soap on a camp stove, scented based off the stories we told. We got to take it home.
By: James "Tao" Murphy
I think I have been to every one of these. I have gone by myself, and I have gone with friends. The great thing that happens in both cases is that I meet friends there as well.
This crew knows how to put on a show. I have played poker there, I have played ball rolling games, I have fought in tournaments, I have spun a giant puzzle wheel. I have watched my magic cask fill with cider. I have eaten great food, (Even the year of the cranberry incident). I expect to see some amazing things in the museum, I expect to hear some bardics, I expect to enjoy great food, and amazing companionship. I expect to win prizes!
Hope to see you there.
Sir Tao,
Lots of titles
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Hey, James here, I have always had a good time at this event. It’s a rare Sunday event, its good food, a very cheep bar on the main side of the building (that is CASH ONLY), it has sideshow games that I do not see anywhere else, it’s has a ticket auction with just some amazing stuff. Tickets you get by playing games or donating food or both. And that speaks to my heart. If you stop by a supermarket on the way there and donate at least 5 cans you will get $5 off the door price. And You will also get tickets to win prizes. Why I want to go, fun, food, good times, great cause.
By: Dustin "Gwynplaine" Mack
Ah Neden, a wretched hive of scum and villainy… no wait, that’s that other place. Neden is a land of undead and hijinx. I always have a fun time visiting Neden. Hydration challenges, fighting pizza monsters, and surviving hordes of undead. But this time, we’re going for a party.
Why do I want to go? It’s my clownly duty to attend little Timmy’s birthday. This way, even if this Earl Von Hurl bozo gets away with stealing Timmy’s party, at least he’ll still have a clown. But that’s not gonna happen. Homie don’t play that! We’ll get the party back from that joker. So come join this insane clown’s posse and help little Timmy get the birthday he deserves. It could be another 27 years before you have this much fun.
OOC: Neden puts on really fun events with lots of humor and spirit. I have never had a bad time at one and I go to as many as I can. I don’t know what Ethan has in store but I’m confident it’ll be entertaining. And it’s the last real questing before that cold white stuff comes back.
Poker
1st - Avendar
2nd - Potato
3rd - Trent
Cornhole
1st- Jack and Elora
Judge Dresden
- Eagles Rook
Best Bar Patron
-Isoba
Single Short
1st - Daekara
2nd - Hulger
3rd - York
Hand and a Half
1st - Godwyn
2nd - Syruss
3rd - Hulger
Sword and Board
1st - Orion
2nd - Rawlin
3rd - York
Florentine
1st - Eldritch
2nd - Hulger
3rd - Shader
Duncan's Challenge
1st - Anton
2nd - Shader
3rd - Eldritch
Crew Battle
- Team Raptor News
Most Honorable
- Hulger
Best Overall Placement total
- Hulger
Neden is a wild time.
I’d tell you people were drinking and fighting and laughing and singing. But I suspect you’d know that, because it’s Neden.
Genuinely it was a good time. Meatball ran a good amount tournaments with the help of Calico. Fighters and casters alike from all over fought hard in a wide range of bouts. Some staples, like sword and shield and Duncan’s Challenge, but also a new tournament “Crew Battle” where 5 man teams sent 1 person in at a time with 2 lives each.
There were several non-coms as well, including corn hole, apparently a Neden national pass time, the “tournaments of sobriety”, and Judge Dresden. I’m a big fan of Judge Dresden, while the Neden legal system may seem to lack a certain “Justice” to the critical eye, I believe that there is a fairly even playing field, and justice can be found within the system.
Per what has become standard, Neden had a wonderful and elaborate prize table, and many people participating in tournaments were able to walk away with great prizes.
I would be a fool not to mention the bar, Elizah and Rufus did a great job tending bar all day, and I kept hearing great things about the different mixed drinks that were offered.
All and all, what did you miss? A great and relaxed event.
Written by: Dani "Elizah" Lacasse
Every year around this time we often find ourselves asking “What am I thankful for?” From good health, to family & friendship, another big thing that always crosses my mind is how grateful I am for being part of such a supportive community that cares so deeply about service and giving back to others. Nedengiving is one of many of those events that embodies just that, and I for one am thrilled to see it back in full swing.
For starters, this event hosts Nedens annual canned food drive that will be supporting the Veterans North East Outreach Center. Bringing at least 5 cans will not only provide a discount on the event entry fee but traditionally has gotten you some tickets to enter in their auction. And if the prizes from Neden BBQ this year are any indication of what's in store for the auction table, you definitely don't want to miss out. The last canned food drive they hosted, the community brought in over 600 cans to donate. [and I challenge us to beat that number this year!]
For folks who haven't had the pleasure of attending this event in the past and may need a little more convincing, there's typically a little bit of activity for everyone to enjoy. Mingling and gambling amongst them, though some of my past favorites that I hope are making a return are the various carnival games including Lord Syruss’s favorite of course, cornhole and Nymbous's SmithNEDian Museum that displays some of Nedens magical artifacts. JB also announced that a new activity to the Neden Hall, that we saw last at their BBQ will be making a reappearance and trust me, even if you don't participate, Judge Dresden is just as entertaining to observe.
Oh, and obviously there's the food! The food at this feast has never disappointed (except that one time with Madame Zarine and cranberry sauce, but you'll need to ask her about that some other time) with their generous conventional spread of “givings” foods, though this year I hear whispers of sea crustaceans as part of the menu? Whatever is served, I'm sure it'll be delicious!
Back in April our dearest Neden friends hosted their first event back in five years and it truly felt like they never missed a beat. The energy and atmosphere were as welcoming and as lively as ever and I expect that Nedengiving will be no different. So grab your cans and pull up a chair.
See you in the hall,
Sir Elizah
Written by: Emma "Irri" Sherman
Traveling to Neden this past weekend was a chance to embrace great weather and greater friends. The day started with your standard barbeque foods, a lovely bar supplied by Ser Elizah (with some delicious mocktails that I thoroughly enjoyed), and some limited tournaments marshaled by Meatball. There were also hidden cashes of treasure hidden throughout the land which many bravely set out to find. For those uninterested in fighting, the Tournaments of Sobriety were there! I drank so much water, and got prizes for it!
As the sun set on the Castle, court was called. Murmur (Tulli) was Knighted into the Knights of the Steward. Lilly was squired to the Knights of the Steward. Bestie JB was made Neden’s Second by Sir Syruss.
Overall, it was a nice day to spend with friends.
Sincerely,
Initiate Irri
Written by: Anna “Hedda” Hewitt
I have never graced the lands of Neden with my presence. I think it's far past due.
I have a lot of questions about this "tournament of sobriety" they speak of and the competitive hydration contest. I am not one to lose at anything so I am sure I can outlast!
The allure of a poker tournament hasn't escaped my eye, if you know anything about me gaining more coin is always a positive.
It does seem as though I will have to keep my whits about me and stay awake for all the fanfare. To the truth you must remember, when were Medieval armies too tired to fight?
When they had a lot of sleepless knights!
Awaken yourself and draw yourself from your bedchambers. It's time to join me in the enjoyment of nedens lands.
Even if you are not one of the sleepless knights who are resting from the battles of the day. They seem to have festivities for those who are less combative as well.
I am curious as to how the waters of Neden fare? Quality of waters and drink alike tell a lot about a nation! They’re also accepting a form of sustenance of canned food donations. Who ever knew food could be contained so!
I am curious as well to the benefits they speak of for bringing some of this mysterious food to their lands. And though you may have slain many dragons and beast, I care not. You are still privy to put the latrine seat down!
If you have been unsure as to why you shall join me in my adventures in the Neden, I assume I have remedied your apprehension. If I have yet to convince you to join me in this, I shall challenge you to come and beat me in the ensuing competitions.
-Whan-Hedda con Atlantis, Squire of Blackwood
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| Feast Hall - Photo by Hannah Blood |
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| Poker Tournament - Photo by Hannah Blood |
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| Custom Neden Barrels - Photo by Hannah Blood |
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| Auction Tables - Photo by Hannah Blood |
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| Neden Head Table - Photo by Hannah Blood |
