What You Missed- Feast of Verai 2

by: Adrian "Cronin" Cronin

We arrived in New Verai after a long harsh journey through the mountains. Once my countrymen and I were presentable we made our way into the feast hall of New Verai, where warmth and the smell of spices filled the air.

We chose to seat ourselves in the back of the feast hall where our heathen ways would be more forgiven in the presence of such formal fare. New Verai had guards patrolling the feast hall, keeping a close eye and ear on the goings-on. Camel racing and Blackjack were in full effect and it wasn’t long before the first round of food was brought to the center of the hall for all to enjoy.

The Steward of Verai announced the feast to be a day of service and explained the custom for landowners and knights to show appreciation to their subordinates and bring them food and drink. He also took this time to state with great conviction that slavery was quite illegal within these lands. He wanted to make sure there could be no doubt. We all did our best to participate and share in the festivities but as always… danger reared its ugly head.

I was outside in my “Feast Gear” aka fully armored and wielding an angel blade when I heard the familiar voice of the Sacred of Spirit screaming for help in the distance. I told my countrymen to go and get Hygar, and anyone else willing to fight, then I began my steady march. Looking to my left I saw a familiar friend, Orion, armed and ready to back me up. We marched side by side then broke into a jog and met the corrupted elementals in a clash while the rest of our party began to approach behind us.

Once I fell in battle, bested by the elemental beasts, the gods brought me back quickly from the brink of death and I was able to outflank the elemental horde. With the aid of the party, we made quick work of the elementals and saved our old friend: the Sacred of Spirit. Azurewrath, my faithful blade, was broken in the battle; leaving it mundane for a large portion of the quest.

Upon our return to the feast hall, Hygar spoke with the Sacred of Spirit, and Voraniss stood vigil around them with the scent of danger still rich in the air. The conversation was abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a familiar lich, inhabiting our very own Tempest. She spun a wicked poem, insulting our Archdruid and cursing his intention to become King. Once her performance was finished and she had stated her piece, she made her way out of the feast hall and rejoined the corrupted elementals outside.

We rearmed ourselves and met their forces head on outside the feast hall. The Lich, unaffected by any of our attacks, wielded wicked powers. She killed us with her very voice and laughed as we all crashed against her. No one was lost permanently in the fight but the sting of defeat rang true as the Lich walked away from us unscarred.

When the battle was complete, and the danger passed, Hygar conferred with the Sacred of Spirit again who then informed us that Siltana wished Hygar to make a choice: Remain on the path to becoming her Sacred of Earth or continue with his plan to become King of Voraniss. In a sensational showing of regality, Hygar chose to become King; for his people will always come first. If the Archdruid was saddened by this choice, he did not show it. His face remained like stone, unchanged by the demanding realities of his station.

The Voranians present were left saddened and confused by what had transpired. Why would these fundamentally opposed forces fear Hygar ascending to the ancient throne of our country? Was this a test of some kind? Voraniss would leave with more questions than answers, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. It would take more than that to strip us of our hope and determination.

For a time, I took comfort in a friendly clash of steel with Tor of Creathorne and his friend Peasant. We swapped stories, traded blows, and strengthened the bonds of friendship.

New Verai also tended to our broken hearts with yet more food. And boy did we eat our feelings at this feast. With the appearance of rice, chicken with a delectable sauce, meatballs, meat on a stick and all manner off unidentifiable deliciousness, I Commander Cronin Barbaria, Druid of the Mountain did nothing short of stuffing my body to capacity. And then dessert came. Boy oh boy.

At some point during the battles of spoon and fork, Mogar and I joined with the fighters of the feast and participated in the gladiator pits. Bloated and exhausted, we were made short work of. However, Sir Rillan reigned supreme and was awarded land and livestock in the lands of New Verai. In a grand Knightly gesture, Sir Rillan declined his reward and passed his prize along to another fighter of the arena, Leon, who could use the opportunity to create a life and better himself.

When at last the evening came to an end, we all said our goodbyes. Our hearts heavy, and with the fate of the Sacred station still unanswered, it was a quiet ride home for Voraniss. But dreams of tomato shorba, spicy chips, and sweet’n spicy chutney offered comfort as we passed back over the mountains.

What You Missed - Feast of Verai 2 (photos)

[Editor's Note: All photos by View Staff]

Fried vegetables and other dayboard items

Rub A Khali's gaming tables

Milling about the hall

The falafel comes out

It was good falafel!

Rub A Khali's camel races

A litch interrupts the feast with a message for Lord Higer

She waits for him outside the hall 

Her minions are ordered to attack

Sir Shean is sneaky

The fight rages on

"No effect!"

Conversing after the lich departs

"You really don't have a name?"

Enjoying the time

Soup is served!

Cribbage tournament is under way

Butter chicken with rice

Swoop brandishes his weapon

Fighting in the gladiator pit

Roasted vegetables and broccoli salad

More food is served!

Delicious-looking stuffed chicken

What You Missed - Folkewood Spring Event (photo edition)

Editor's Note: all photos and captions by James "Tao" Murphy

"Peacefully figuring out disagreements"

Voraniss after they were called out by the Nightpack

The pickle merchant's barrel

There is always room for jello

Confused monkey

Ritual to spread the immunity

Fire emblem back but confused

What You Missed - Folkewood Spring Event

by Renee "Mouse" Booke

The weather wasn’t ideal for Voraniss’ journey to New Verai. Spring had gotten off to a very rainy start, and so the ground was damp and slick. The clouds hung overhead keeping an eye on us regardless, knowing that we wouldn’t be deterred from venturing off to help our neighbors. We weren’t sure entirely what to expect considering what has happened to us in the past, but we knew it wasn’t going to be good. After the posted missives suggesting that someone was looking into buying lycans, we felt like a target had been placed upon our backs. We were all on high alert for danger.

When we arrived the different factions of New Verai were engaged in heated political discourse. This conversation was quickly interrupted when an assassin struck. This time the victim was the Sacred of Flame, a Fire Priestess by the name of Azeneth. It all happened so fast that I was shocked, for one moment she had been there right in front of me, and the next moment she was gone.

Thinking quickly, someone used time magic to prevent Azeneth from being completely obliterated. Now, the arcane isn’t exactly my expertise…so take what I say with a grain of salt. From my understanding it was this magic that put her soul in a type of stasis so that we could work to retrieve her and bring her back to reality. The only problem was that time rifts were popping up around the area as a result. We were going to have to work quickly to prevent things from becoming worse.

It soon became apparent to us that Azeneth would be needed in our own time to prevent something tragic from happening. Without her, it appeared as if some kind of disease that slowly turned people to stone might possibly become a reality. Either way, my motivations were simpler than all of that. Azeneth was a friend, and adventuring to save her just felt right.

In and out of rifts we went, collecting items to help us construct a compass that would be able to direct us in time. At one point, some very primitive peoples with a strong relationship to fire made Karmha their Queen, hailed Kyara of Gau Dring as a Priestess of the Flame, and worshiped a shapeshifted Swoop who appeared before them as a Fire Elemental. It was very interesting and I saw many things that are difficult to describe with words…namely because I don’t fluently speak the grunty language of Mogar and his ilk, so I have no idea what everyone was saying to one another.

In another rift we found ourselves in prison with our weapons confiscated and blocks put on our magic. We had to use our smarts, solving puzzles to free our magics, while others bribed the guards to get weapons and sneak them inside the prison walls. I heard some adventurers were quite crafty about this, going so far as to hide the bodies of guards they managed to overpower.

Once we had obtained some special ore for the compass, it needed to be properly aligned to where/when we were by receiving Siltana’s blessing. The tricky part of all of this was that it was going to take at least two types of magic to do so. Together we all formed an elemental circle, charging the area with the natural power of Siltana. Gau Dring and Voraniss took the lead on this, teaming up to act as the elemental points while the rest of the adventurers sorted themselves around the circle in the elemental positions they most strongly identified with. With the elements on the outside of the circle, those representing the aspect of Spirit where safe to be in the center. Lako and Hygar took up that burden and were able to fuse their power to interesting effect. Hygar’s connection with the natural world and Lako’s ability to manipulate time and reality took them on a strange and bizarre magical journey, but they were able to get the job done.

It’s when the nighttime came that my memories start to get a little fuzzy, so you must forgive me. My emotions regarding all of these events are still running quite high. I remember the nighttime rifts to Gaol opening up, I remember solving puzzles and rearranging objects with my friends that were as heavy as boulders…and then I remember the compulsion to go and fight the Night Pack. The response to the challenge I issued them at Feast of Leviathan. I remember marching into battle alongside my brothers and sisters of Voraniss, I remember Sarix Nosetti becoming a were-boar of Mogar’s line earlier that day and agreeing to fight beside us. I remember Rillan fearlessly coming to our aid as a fellow lycan, and friend. And I remember the screaming.

Oh how I remember the call to the God of Vengeance as we marched. I could feel his light around me as I carried him onto the battlefield and stood face to face with one of the Masters of the Night Pack. I remember he and I exchanged words, I remember my rage…but I can’t remember much after that. My memories fade to darkness like I am haunted by some memory that is just out of my reach. The echoes of howls and the sound of battle feel like a distant dream…but I digress.

When the dawn came we were tested by the Gods. Trapped in a mental prison of our own doing, I suppose we felt the need to see that vengeance through and finish our quest against the Night Pack, and to learn that were truly not prepared for such a battle. We wouldn’t have made it out of there had our friends not come to rescue us, for which I am incredibly grateful…but my soul still aches.

After that, people worked on putting Redd back together after his life force had been used in a ritual to restore our magics to us. The poor man was incorporeal for most of the adventure, unable to physically interact with many of us, but still able to be there and be of assistance. There were also political tensions between nations of the Realms, but ultimately we were able to talk things out once everyone had calmed down and put their concerns out in the open. Most of it came down to miscommunication and misunderstandings. For my part, I will strive to improve my communication skills for the future and make sure those under my care do the same.

The last part of our adventure, after we put some very wiggly reality puzzle pieces together, took us far back into the past. A time where we met one of the most majestic creatures I have ever seen. Kang, I believe his name was, appeared to be a pink gorilla of sorts. Lako believed this must have been some kind of distant ancestor, but Mogar believed this was definitely something he wanted to mate with during tusking season despite the fact that the creature was flinging his own poo. Kang was not intellectually advanced, but he was strong and could speak in broken phrases to us. We tried to befriend him, and soon learned that his innate immunity to the disease we were fighting would help make everything right.

Swoop played music, trying to set the mood for Mogar’s wooing of Kang, but it was no avail. The Orc’s moves were rejected. Kyara tumbled around in an acrobatic display to entertain him. Laika even tried to stand on his head with some help from other adventurers. Kang clapped his hands, amused, but wasn’t really having any of that. Despite the wound to Mogar’s pride, Gavin and Artair were able to gather up the adventurers and get Kang to participate in a ritual to Gaia in which his immunity and strength were shared with the rest of us, curing those who had been afflicted with the disease. I wanted to take him home, but alas we were pulled away in time and returned back to the present.

Azeneth was back. Despite my relief upon seeing her face once more, many believed that things have been altered by our meddling; worried that we have yet to see the damage our actions have caused. If assassins are trying to kill people in our time/reality to perfect their own, I have no doubt that we will be forced to deal with this again. Next time I hope we are better prepared to prevent such a travesty.

What You Missed: Feast of Verai 2018

by Steven "Therian" Matulewicz
Also by Kelly "Twenaria" B.

I will tell you now:  there are going to be a lot of aspects of this event I am going to miss in the review.  That is because, while the venue was intimate, there was a vast variety of things to do and try.

So let’s get to the food.  Many people have tried to throw feasts with Eastern flavors and dishes.  This was, hands down, the best one I have been to.  Every item I tried was able to capture a complexity of flavors.   There was not a single dish that I tried that I did not like (which is also rare, by the way).

Talking with the staff, while I know after the fact that the “tapas” style of serving was accidental, I really liked the waves of food without the traditional removes.

The two new Gambling Games that were at the event I felt were wonderful additions to the casino scene of the Realms.  Camel Races, which was 4 camels racing on a board using  1-9 in a deck, betting every round if you want to your camel to continue… had some great Drama.  I admit that what made this game for me was James’ colorful commentary as we raced.  The second game, Pyramid Builder, was a wonderful new card game .  While I am sure the next time I see it, there will be some tweaking, the core mechanics is a bit of luck and strategy so that it was entertaining to play.

The Premise of the event was Verai’s day of balance:  where for the day the low (slaves) were the lords and vice versa (i.e. the Lord was cooking in the kitchen).  There were plenty of RP moments   and intrigue.  That and a rash of stabbing.  There were a few  things lurking in the woods, however I am not sure how much was  the event and how much was  PC shenanigans.

There were many things going on that I was not involved in, such as the cribbage tournament (free to enter, 100 gold to the winner).    What I can say is simple.  It was a solid event with many immersive opportunities.  If you get a chance to go to another Feast like this, you should not hesitate to pre reg.

The menu, in no particular order:

Hummus with fresh baked Pita

Fruit Plates (Dates, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Apples)

Olives

Sauces

Tzatziki

Tahini

Falafel w/fresh baked pita

Koshari

Lentil Soup

Tomato Shorba

Caprese Salad

Folkestone Chicken Bites

Kofta Kebabs

Broccoli, Chickpea & Pomegranate Salad

Goat Stew

Caprese Chicken

Fig & Goat Cheese Salad

Egyptian Green Beans with Carrots

Egyptian Meatballs

Dessert

Kheer

Dates

Honey Sweet Balls

Basbousa
***For a more in depth review of the food, see below**

And I will leave you with some pictures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, I think he's done with his writing.  Now, it's my turn.  I want to talk about one of my favorite parts of the feast, which is the feast.  We all know going to a feast can be a bit of a gamble.  How many of us have left a feast still pretty hungry?  Maybe the beef was too dry, or the chicken, uh, not dry enough?  Not the case here.  Now, considering the kitchen staff, there should be no surprise.  The food was AHHHHH-MAZING.

The day board was filled with fresh fruit, like different grapes, peaches, pears, dates and olives.  This was a pleasant surprise, and helped set the culinary tone for the day.  Two types of soup were served up, a curry lentil, which sounded great, and the tomato shorba.  I asked the kitchen staff to pick for me, and got the shorba.  It was out of this world.  I could have easily put away 3 more bowls of it, and been happy.  The soup was rich, full of bright flavors like roasted peppers and garlic.  It was velvety on the tongue, and just filled your whole being with delight.

Photo by  Jason Rosa

The koshari was not super impressive to look at, at first.  All I saw was cooked tomatoes and onions on top of pasta.  Maybe some meat thing under it?  NO!  It was a delightful lentil mix, topped with macaroni, topped with nicely seasoned tomatoes and onions.  Like most of the dishes, it needed salt.  The kitchen put salt and pepper out on each table so people could season themselves.  Personally, I would have liked a bit of salt to have cooked into the food, but I do understand this tactic.  This hearty dish was available for some time, which is for the best, as I had multiple helpings.
Homemade falafel went out, although I didn't find it until it was cold.  The flavor was great, well seasoned, and the tzatziki sauce complemented it well.

Photo by Jason Rosa

Photo by Jason Rosa

The caprese salad, folkestone chicken bites, and the caprese chicken were both very good, but fairly standard fare.  Let's keep going with the more adventurous dishes.

Photo by Jason Rosa

Kafta balls.  OMG.  People passed on these delightful little morsels because they are fools.  The beef and lamb was seasoned with garlic, parsley, and, I think, cinnamon and allspice.  I'm sure there is more to it than that, but it was just delicious. There were also another type of meat ball that went out.  These were very good, with a nice crisp to the exterior.  Not because they were dry, but because they were well done.

Photo by Jason Rosa

Another dish that caught my fancy was the goat stew served over rice.  The goat was very tender (a feat if you have ever tried to cook goat), and the broth was nice and peppery.  Large bits of carrot added a nice color and tasted great.

Photo by Jason Rosa

I also enjoyed the Egyptian green beans/carrots/onions.  Again, the dish needed salt to really shine, but that hardly stopped me from getting seconds.

Photo by Jason Rosa

Dessert was a master piece of out-of-the-ordinary sweets.  There were honey/fig/nut balls that went perfectly with the kheer.  Kheer is a sweet rice pudding.  This kheer was almost perfect.  The flavor was spot on, with cardamon, cinnamon, raisins, toasted nuts.  The liquid was just amazing.  The rice was a bit undercooked, and slightly crunchy.  BUT WHO CARES, BECAUSE KHEER!  The other pleasant surprise came in the form of basbousa.  I had no idea what this was.  It looked like sticky cornbread.  But it was heavenly.  Imagine what would happen if cornbread and baklava had a fight.  A sweet, honey laden cake called basbousa is what would come out of that situation.  And the winner is whoever got to eat it.

For a moment, set aside the usual work it is to throw a feast.  Let's not discuss how many hours of menu search clearly happened here.  Instead, pay attention to the details that went into keeping the theme of this event, how hard it is to step outside of the culinary box of feast throwing.   All while keeping plot content flowing, keeping NPCs well garbed and interesting, and having new and fun games for the gamblers to try.  This event was immersive and delicious.

And if the Magistrate is reading:
Please send soup,

XOXO
Twen