Why I Want To Go - A Weekend In Creathorne

by: Anna "Hedda" Rufus

It has been some time since last I set foot in Creathorne. Word went out across the realms, calling friends and allies to gather for food, games, and whatever adventures might stumble our way. I am not entirely certain I qualify as either friend or ally, truth be told, but I will be joining in the chaos all the same.

Rumor reached me of goblins lurking about… perhaps they intend to join the cookout? If so, I hope they bring something other than trouble. I also caught wind of talk regarding necromancy and rending permits. Are such things to be formally requested, or are they simply granted upon arrival? I have grown far too accustomed to Blackwood, where undead wander as casually as townsfolk and it is more of a suggestion than a rule.

For now, I shall step out of Hartlepool for this Excursion and present a new adventurer to the company. Whether it is wise to bring a fresh recruit to help Veet fend off goblins is… debatable. Still, it should be fine. Probably.

Why I Want To Go - Makhta's Lucid Nightmare ...and the Dream Shards Pt. 2

 IC (Aiden Penclaw)

The sound of the anvil had begun to make Aiden's ears ring. It had been one year since he hid the dream forge and escaped being fae touched again. A bead of sweat ran down his cheek as he could feel it calling again. Word had traveled of Makhta's plight between all corners of the realm. Things were getting worse and even the fires of the forge showed Aiden visions of a terrible possibility at hand. If action wasn't taken soon the friend he had made the last two years would burn in a gristly death saved for those of vampiric blood. Weapons of silver and every magic trick and trap packed, he looked back at his forbidden traps in the corner. Various supplies that once deterred fae were being left behind to make room for what comes ahead. With a long breath Aiden mounts his horse for the trip from Tarngire within Invictus. Making his way back towards the forge to meet up with Omri, Ryu, and several more to find what can be done to prevent fate. He whispers under his breath- "If not for our friends then why else-" Aiden begins his trip.

OOC (Arthur Granger)

Do you enjoy questing events? Looking for an event that could lead to changes that affect your character for years to come? Maybe you're a newbie looking to learn more about the travelers and groups of the realm you run into along the path. Come along and join this weekend in a plot that heavily features a friend we all know at this point and be a part of seeing this story's progression. Maybe a few curveballs might be thrown our way as those new to adventuring will learn. Dreams can turn into nightmares in a world where logic might not be the only answer. All in all a fun weekend and I look forward to it!

Why I Want To Go - Makhta's Lucid Nightmare ...and the Dream Shards Pt. 1

by: Sky "Raindrop" Rubenstein

IC:

Friends, Heroes of the Realms, Comrades in Arms,

One of our own is in danger. I don’t know about you, but I grew up hearing tales of Makhta’s heroism and prowess. And my experience is that she lives up to her reputation. I have been honored and delighted to get to know her these past few years, and fight at her side. Now, she is in danger. Cursed by vampirism that has been getting worse and worse, I have watched her struggle with her own darkness, and to find her path. Now her life, fate, and heart lie in our hands. To save her or lose her forever. I am proud I get to fight for my friend. My warlord. I will not let her lose herself to the Darkness forever. Please, I encourage those who are able to join us in this fight. Help us keep our friend safe, and find peace with herself, and harmony.

Dame Magus Raindrop Storm

Knight Protector of Faerie

Magus of the Realms

OOC:

I had the pleasure to play with Randy at Intercon this past year, and he is an incredible storyteller. I have heard some of what he has planned for mechanics this year, and I think that this event is going to be a phenomenal one with some innovative storytelling techniques. Beth Tozier is an incredible storyteller and friend as well, and I always enjoy getting to play with her, both player-to-player and player-to-npc. And then you bring Sean V into the mix, one of the minds that brought us Bedlam, and an amazing storyteller and NPC, one of the best out there, and someone who always plays an excellent villain. Then adding in Kelly Bonci, one of my good friends and a delightful person who has always played incredible characters, and done a great job bringing characters to life, and Kathy Fey’s experience, storytelling, and roleplaying acumen, this is shaping up to be an incredible event. They’ve really worked hard to weave in character stories, as well as personal plots and storylines, and I am so thrilled to see what this brings.

Come prepared to roll with the punches, improv, and play hard. I think this is going to be a good one.

Sky Rubenstein

Why I Want To Go - Exotic Items, Creatures, and Wares 6

By: Emily "Kara" Murphy

Hello People of the Realms,

It has been some years since I’ve visited Stonewood…on a weekend that is. Although I’ve fallen out of the habit since I moved south, I used to visit quite regularly on the weekdays, when the land was less likely to be ravaged by some powerful evil person or evil army or evil lich, or occasionally all three at once. Although all nations in the area see what can only be described as a weekend spike in monster sightings, Stonewood took the cake for how quickly I would feel the need to leave before dusk on a Friday. Why am I breaking this years long streak you ask? Well…if your Baroness jumped off a bridge, would you?

Baroness Phee has decided that we should help our Stonewood friends by venturing into their lands to enter a Horadric Vault and obtain a key to Pandemonium. Stonewood, infamous for their anti-fae protections, shall receive the aid of the nation that is at least 3/5ths Fae or Fae adjacent in retrieving something I definitely know about and definitely did not space out when it was explained to me by Tony. I suppose I asked for new issues when I moved, but this is not quite what I meant. Granted, as much as I don’t doubt Phee’s intention to help, I’m still not convinced this isn't just a ploy to see James Swift.

I won’t lie and say I am being forced to go, however. There are people I hold dear in Stonewood that I want to help and protect. I won’t shy away from any challenge if it means preventing those I care about from being in danger, or in more danger that is strictly necessary for what we all do. And with what Deckard Cain is promising we’ll face, the challenge will be worth it in the end, to save lives of civilians and to help our friends and allies. I hope to see familiar faces there, working towards those goals. And hopefully, one of those faces can tell me what a key to Pandemonium is, because I won’t lie (again), I do not know what that is, and I am a little concerned with the name. May the Warrior of Summer aid us all in our quest.

Yours in Faith,

High Priestess Magus Jarl Sir Kara

Why I Want To Go - Tournaments of Blackwood XIII

by: Nixon "Jasper" Showalter

Hello friends, foes, and otherwise,

The lands of Heminshire call to me, as I am sure they are calling to many of you as well. There are good times to be had and I can now only wait eagerly for the weekend! I saw many of you around this time last year, though at the time I was working as a bartender keeping you all hydrated and keeping spirits high, with some side work on the Western Flank (I still occasionally get dreams of Orion chasing me down through the woods with dramatic music in the background, how strange). However, getting to see first hand all of the incredible times there were to be had, I knew this year I wanted to try my hand as a competitor. 

Starting off the weekend with the Fated Arena is incredibly exciting. I have only heard stories, but I can say without a doubt I am eager to experience it for myself. There is nothing like entering a competition knowing your objective is not only to win, but to survive. And for all of you wealthy benefactors out there, it seems there will be some use for all of that coin you have accumulated. If anyone wants their heraldry on display, send me a pigeon and we can work something out.

Saturday is going to be a blast, a day full of tournaments for you all to put your best skills on display. Hopefully those of you who suffered, excelled, and survived this past weekend will be recovered to put on a show like no other! This past year Blackwood hosted some of the most unique and whimsical tournaments I have seen on the field, so I know without a doubt there will be fun times to be had. Not only are we competing for placements in each tournament, but winners will also be earning points towards the champion titles of Slayer, Archmage, and Skald. These are not only impressive titles, but also come awarded with their respective relics as well. 

As night approaches, the festivities do not end! Drinks will be available to keep the night young, with challenges to Beat the Bartender to keep your bar time exciting. Sir Tao will be hosting a stack deck tournament for those of you who seek to rise in the gambling ranks, and last but certainly not least, Ser Elizah will be opening the Drag Inn for adventurers to compete in some incredibly fun games. The return of Dark Deed and Stoneface are extremely exciting to hear, but for the return of my personal favorite Nay, Poxy, Nave, I cannot wait! Ending the night, the Drag Inn will be hosting their first ever Drag Show, which is so exciting and I look forward to seeing all of the incredible performances for the night!

On Sunday, breakfast will be served (and I am sure it will taste incredible after the night's festivities and with the talents of Irri and Cronin at the stove) and tournaments will continue! To end the day, awards will be presented, titles will be appointed, and we will all have great stories to share.

I cannot wait to see you all there, and I hope you are all excited for a great weekend full of fun times, exciting tournaments, delicious drinks, impressive performances, and all of the amazing things Blackwood has to offer!

Until the sun touches the sea,

Jasper Havarti Sherwood

Why I Want To Go - Pressure Point 4

by: Anna "Hedda" Rufus 

You’ve heard the stories, haven't you? Our predecessors had battles of all kinds. Protecting our lands against a variety of internal and external threats. Entering through portals and solving puzzles that many of us have never thought to dream of.

People talk back about the heroic and demonic feats of adventurers and how they cherished the camaraderie among the nations. Coming from Atlantis, these stories are like the wars under the waves with different enemies tied to them. My mettle has been tested in many ways since coming to the land. Many enemies placed all sorts of afflictions upon me and took me to the brink of death. The stories that have reached my ears recently? Of a challenge to test myself to the limit of what my mortal coil can handle. These things I have not had the chance to experience since washing ashore. I have been tested through tournaments of many kinds. Stories from the past say this trial cannot compare to those. It proves we can be much more and takes every fiber of our being. How far can you push the mind, body, and soul before it breaks?

I cannot do it alone. Across the realms many of you have heard from me. A call for people to come and challenge themselves alongside me. We will be split into teams. We will attempt to keep ourselves awake and challenge our minds and bodies together for the first time in a decade of previous combatants. Run until your legs give out, then stand back up anyway. Fight till you drop and get back up relying on your teammates to help you up if you must. Fight past your comfort zone, swallow the strange stuff and move forward anyway. Let us take the next step of stories to tell the ones who follow in our footsteps. I cannot promise you will be on my side or, if you challenge your team against mine to take the victory. What I can promise is that you will come to this, test yourself in ways you may not have before, and you will become closer to a tight knit group that creates a bond together.

I will challenge myself to be a captain. I will strive to win and be the best. I will push myself to the limits. There are people there to ensure we are safe, though they will also push us to be outstanding as well.  

Why do you come and read my words? Is it curiosity, or perhaps inquisitiveness? Whatever brought you here, I am glad you did. Let yourself bear witness to this next story of greatness, trials, emotional and physical tests, and the forging of souls that will carry on the chronicle of heroes brought to their Pressure Point.

Whan-Hedda con Atlantis

Why I Want To Go - Tournaments of the Branch 4

By: Briar "Phee" Sieracki

My dear friends,

For those who have been unable to make the first 3 iterations of Tournaments of the Branch, truly, you have missed some fantastic times.

To begin, Lord Harkon has made sure that the fields are fought as evenly as possible; to begin, there is both Combat and Arts & Sciences. The tournaments are split between Knights and Unbelts…simply, if you are of a peerage such as a knight, a magus, or the like, you fight under that. Unbelts is the easiest way to describe a wide array of people who might not have had the attention drawn to them that they should: squires, pages, people with no titles whatsoever. There are even steps to break Unbelts into further categories, should numbers prove large enough.

Combat is easy enough to explain, but Arts & Sciences…in years past it has been tactics and strategy (using the infamy of Argyle!), embroidery, calligraphy, some…resource allocations…many skills we may not think about when it comes to the world around us.

In this way, Tara has offered a format in which people can fight their peers, and allow those who may be looking for squires, apprentices, or mentees to find them. A fantastic way to match your skill as well as get all eyes on you.

There is, of course, also the Champion of Champions tournament, a recognition of heralds (a personal favorite), and newly added, an encampment competition!

As every year, there are also two altars available, that allow our spellcasters and fighters to try the other paths’ shoes, so to speak. An altar to Rawonam where magic casters may lay their spellbook to take up arms, and an altar to Antioch, where a fighter may lay a weapon or armor and try magic for a while.

Between a casual day of tournaments (a rare case where I enjoy watching the fights!), food, friends…it is worth the time to make it.

Phee

---

I might be a bit biased because Hillary is my partner, but I mean it when I say that TotB is absolutely a tournament you should make the time to hit. In my years in the Realms, I’ve never seen cleaner tournament fights, the joy people get from hearing their names called or trying a new tourney they never would have otherwise.

Swing by for a few. Bring your dad, it’s Father’s Day after all! You’ll be glad you came, and sad you missed it.

Briar

Why I Want To Go - Heroes for Hire II

by: Angel "Aris" 

Hai everyone! If you don't know me I am the one who plays Aris, if you don't know who that is, well its the person running around with orange hair and fox ears. And this is why I want to go to Heroes for Hire. 

First off I want to start by one of my goals as a new player is to hit almost all the events this year. 

Second, I am really excited for the Summer Solstice Festival, (I love solstice's), as it gives me the opportunity to celebrate it and just hang out with people I don't get to see or talk to enough. 

Third, I stand for random questing and all that it is. (aka, the various odd jobs from wildcard guild) Which means plenty of opportunities for shenanigans. 

Hopefully see you there - Angel

Why I Want To Go - Anthologies

 

From Violets 

Hello, wonderful people of the Realms, this is why you should join me in questing at anthologies. One of the reasons I'm so excited to go to this event is the blooming. I'm extremely interested in finding a way of healing or curing it using information gained from ground zero. Something else I'm very excited about is finding out more about the blue blazers. The blue blazers is a group I’ve only heard of once before, and im excited to be able to interact with them, though I have been told they do have a price for asking for their help. Hopefully, no one makes any deals.

On that note of making deals, I have been extremely interested in learning more about the weavers. For those unfamiliar with how the strange magic door and people work, the rough gist of it is that there are titles that hold power. Such as weaver, tricker, and traveler, with these titles you can manipulate and change magic and reality in different ways.

Hope to see you soon- Violet

---

Margaret here.

I’m really worried about Makhta. The darkness in QTN has gotten worse, to the point where there are rumors that The McKyre is returning to fight the darkness because the darkness is here. I should’ve made fixing Makhta part of the deal for putting Soultaker in charge of the Dreaming, but I didn’t realize the Dream Demons were going to keep the Chimeronian Vampires because it was ‘funny’. But I digress. 

Meanwhile, someone from a group called the blue blazers wants help finding the actual name of a door, presumably the door to the Lauralins. Nothing sketchy about that. They are offering to take us to Springs, which is the location of the first known case of The Blooming. I still have a ritual that may be able to cure The Blooming, with the looming question hanging over me of if it’s worth the price. All while a former Villain continues to bet on my successes, and to stack the deck in my favor. So uh. If anyone wants to help with all of this I certainly wouldn’t say no. Because the chess pieces are being assigned, and I don’t want to end up as a pawn. 

With Light,

Magus Margaret August, Lightbringer

OOC Note:

I am incredibly excited for Matthew’s first foray as an EH, especially after having to miss their storytellers mod. The teams involved in anthologies are fun, and I trust them to roll with things while managing to turn a free event in the park into one of my most anticipated events so far. Kathy as MM is going to be hilarious, Sky will make us cry, and Matthew will make me want to pull out my hair. All in good fun. Can’t wait to see you there.

~ Bri

---

From Companion.

As someone who the villain has tried to directly afflict with the blooming finding ground zero is an exciting venture. We may be able to collect clues on how to cure or at least slow the progression of the blooming within hosts. This could help us save countless people as the blooming spreads through the lands, as it was designed to be a magic nature combo curse. It's a pain in the ass to fix after a certain point, but if we can find more information, it may be possible!

There is also the potential to find out more about Midoru, the rune that was supposed to be dead long ago. This rune has recently seen a resurgence, infecting at least two known people, myself and Makhta. During our questing into the plane of lost things, two items were found containing Midoru: a necklace and a wand. As of now, what happened to the necklace is unknown. There is still so much that we don’t know about Midoru. However, what we do know is scary on its own. We know that it never died, and that it has a cult to back it. We know that creatures with it on them have started showing up, and we know that it can spread. I am both excited for and dreading what we may learn during this quest.

I hope to see you there,

LiiCompanion

Why I Want To Go - The Gilded Lion and Silver Branch Summer Festival V

by: Emma "Chrysanta" Harvey

Hello Friends!

I have once again been asked to write for the View! Yay!

This time, it is to get people excited for The Gilded Lion and Silver Branch Summer Festival! So, why should you trek all the way to the Rhiassan-Chimeronian border? Well, not only is it a lovely time to enjoy yummy food, refreshing drinks, and good company, there are always many fun activities and strange occurrences.  From Dinosaur jousting to puppy dog catching (at least that’s what happened last year), who knows what may occur!

Why else should you join us for this summer festival? Well, from what I know, one of my best friends, Friend Rowan, will have her rarities shop with many treasures to spend your hard earned gold on (Friend Grevin told me to say that). I also have the honor of serving drinks for my lovely friends of the Realms! Yup! Cinnamon’s Tea Trove will be hitting the road with special drinks and tasty treats! So if you haven’t been to Mirador, fear not! A pair of friendly fauns will be available to serve you lovely, handcrafted libations. 

As for anything else? I am not too sure. Probably someone will annoy Friend Aeston. Probably me. (Hee hee)

See you at the festival!

Dream Mender Chrysanta Morris

Friend of the Realms

Scholar of Air and Warden to Magistrate Zula

Why I Want To Go - Chimeron Questing XXXI: Lights In The Dark

 By: Kyle "Killian" Yazinka 

Good Evening friends and a few enemies,

If you haven’t been to a Chim Questing, I’ll let you in on a secret. There hasn’t been a bad one since I’ve started playing. If you have, you know I speak the truth. But on top of the greatness in which they will supply us with a great weekend of questing, Saturday marks the birth of both Sean “Eamon” Finn and myself. So even if you hate questing and just think tournaments or feast are your cup of tea. Change your mind and come spend a slightly damp weekend questing. I will consider it my gift from you.

I can give no insight into what will be happening to us. My fighter brain doesn't pay attention well to the reasoning behind everything but for all those like minded souls, we can hit things and they will die. For you folks who enjoy understanding why we are doing what we are doing, Chimeron will put your mind to the test, hit you with some curveballs, and then give you a nice break so that us dumb dumbs can catch up on what is going on. In the great words of Nataliya “Shader” Kostenko, Killian is a dirty three path now so I’m supposed to know the plot. So you might have to teach me what’s going on but explain it to me like I’m turning 6 on Saturday not 36.

I can’t wait to see you all there.

Great Love

Sir Killian Battlefate

Why I Want To Go - The Wedding of Tirvanel and Margaret

Kenkilit is overwhelming.  The stolid mountainside with its structures carved in, the grandest of churches bustling with care, the sacred sky overhanging Voraniss, the marketplace and the busy streets, scents of freshly made food wafting throughout, alive with sounds of birds and music and the sweetest voices of all manner of people.  Humans, elves, animalkin, hybrids and more, all adorned in colorful raiment's, each with a kindly smile for a stranger.

Those here who serve Aurora have been especially kind, as I readjust to humanity, and life.  And I have been returning the kindness as best I can by aiding their supportive efforts.  But now, in these exciting weeks leading up to the wedding, we have been fully in the mode of preparation.

The hall is decorated, the cooks are arriving, attendants will make their way here soon, then I do hope that many of the wedding couple’s fellow adventurers will gather from far and wide to share in the festivities.

I’m told there will be forays into the craggy mountain forest for those who feel the need to battle small monstrous threats (for I have been told Kenkilit is well protected from the worst of enemies).  The food will be plentiful and lovingly served.  The ceremony itself should be a sight to behold, with all arrayed in wedding splendor.  Some court proceedings will occur to inform the masses of what we must know.  And as the moon rises high, the leaders of Voraniss itself will bring their light and wisdom to ceremonial fruition.

I eagerly anticipate being witness to every facet of this joyous occasion, but just as much, I am looking forward to meeting travelers from around the Realms, to learn of their lands, and of their travels.  Perhaps one of them will have heard of my home.  

-Rand of Firton

Why I Want To Go - Ashen Adventures III

By John “Gordon” Rescigno

Hi Everyone! This is going to be a short Why I Want to Go, because I really want to get going with entirely too much to pack! Ashenmark events are some of the most exciting that I remember going to as a newer player. They felt accessible even with minimal knowledge or even magic. Talk to people, ask questions!

They reward curiosity at every turn, and take 'Roll With It' to eleven. 

The people in Ashenmark and the events that they throw mean quite a bit to me as both a player and a character for the last decade.

One of my most vivid memories was Gordon walking into a Shrine of Gaia for the first time. I was Embraced at the time and being around so much life magic ended the spell, and he felt changed when his soul returned. That event set off Gordon's journey as a Gaian, and I am very excited to see what this new plot brings to all of us and our growth.

What's going on this weekend? Well there is a new plot surrounding a mysterious island, life energy, and a blight to explore! There's Golems, a Dryad, a Leshen, OH MY! With the open, interactable world we were given last year and the options that Camp Blanchard brings along, I am very excited to see what kind of setting they're able to provide us.

Something extra special that I'm personally excited about:

This is the questing event where the Northern Alliance emerges from the deep snows and trudges down south to quest together again. This event is perfect for our mixed playstyles, because there is something for everyone at these events

Come make some memories together!

John/Gordon

Why I Want To Go - Clontarf Shuffle V

 By Kyra/Kieran "Omri" Barry

Good day, people of the Realms!

You may be wondering why I, a non-poker player, would want to go to a poker tournament event? Wouldn't it be one-note? Won't I be bored? Au contraire my dear readers, for as long as I've gone to Clontarf Shuffle I've never once been bored, despite not once gambling. Except for the dino races which only require a little bit of skill and mathematical skills to assess which ratios are favorable to bet on, and a whole lot of luck which King Orion sorely lacks for this as he's repeatedly lost his squire's tuition several times over. Or so he's claimed. He's certainly lost some amount of coin, for what original purpose is unknown. Tip: If he plays, bet on different dinos, his are out to get him and cost him money.

If my eyes don't deceive me, Lady Kyomi is the feastocrat! If you've had the misfortune of never attending an event where she's been in charge of the food, rectify that as soon as possible! Even a dayboard from her kitchen that's continuously supplied by delicious food instead of a full feast is not to be missed. My mouth waters thinking of previous fares she's made, and while I can hope for some returns I'll be happy to eat whatever she provides.

Food and gambling, what more could you want? Yet, somehow Sir Tao still provides! In past events there have been light questing opportunities throughout the day, giving people the opportunity to help out around Blackwood and other nearby things.

Not to eschew the gamblers, this will feature the final stacked deck table! Good luck and may fortune be in your favor.

Speaking of gambling, a non-traditional method of gambling is bidding tickets in the auction! There are a variety of fabulous items every year, and you never know if you're going to get the item you placed a ticket for. Ooo, aaah, thrilling.

Even if you don't like gambling, food, and light questing, it's an excellent opportunity to socialize. There's no great looming overhead threat, so people can just enjoy each other's company. I certainly do.

May your paths be lit,

Omri

OOC:

This is also a charity event, as it has been in past years! Coming and donating will lead to charitable gains for the End 68 hours of hunger charity, information found here https://www.end68hoursofhunger.org/. Even if you don't donate, any extra bit left over from the event will be going towards charity, so the more people show the more likely they'll have money to donate.

I genuinely have such a good time whenever I've gone. 

Why I Want To Go - Tournaments of Artemis XIII

Organized by: Dani Lacasse

Written by: Various noted authors 

I have been trying for years to go to Tournaments of Artemis and I am thrilled to finally not only attend, but to compete with my team, Team Princess! I received a beautiful letter inviting me to take part and I immediately replied and started building a fierce team. Tournaments of Artemis highlights the many incredible women and gender minorities across the Realms and gives them a stage to show off their fighting, casting, and leadership. These tournaments are about tactics, command, and strategy as well as honor. I know I am excited to meet my fellow competitors on the field and have a great time with the many different tournaments being run by the illustrious Huntress Guild. There are several new tournaments this year including I Choose the Bear Pits, Pigeon Tea Time, and Gridway to the Danger Zone! I absolutely cannot wait to find out what those entail. In addition to small team fighting, the participating huntresses have been asked to bring a banner with either their team or personal heraldry to promote team spirit and help make the tournament field look fabulous! I am looking forward to showing off the Team Princess heraldry and admiring the many stunning banners. Whether you are competing, marshalling, or cheering from the sidelines, I look forward to seeing you this weekend at Tournaments of Artemis XIII!  - Crystal “Cressida” Welch

I am looking forward to Tournaments of Artemis this weekend and fighting alongside my team! This is an excellent time of year to get back into the swing of fighting against worthy opponents. At these tournaments, I have come to expect an atmosphere that is simultaneously lighthearted and competitive, in an excellent mix that I have found to propel me throughout the day. ToArtemis was in fact the first tournament event I went to (less difficult to achieve in 1021-1022) and while I’ve had to take a year or two away from this event, I’m excited to see what new games and challenges the Huntress Guild has come up with. Perhaps there will be some returning favorites as well, but we shall have to go to find out! - Kelly "Fern" Perfetto

Firstly, I wanted to say thank you to the entire staff that runs this tournament every year and for creating a space in which each and everyone of us can have the grace and presence to show off our skills. Now as to why I want to go to Artemis. It's an inherently crucial event to me both in and out of character as it's the first tournament I won almost a decade ago, and not only that; it's the event that I became a part of Invictus and earned my black wolf. It defines not only my achievements as a fighter, but has helped me realise that beyond everything else.. Beyond competitiveness, beyond the wins and losses, and beyond every problem we have going on in the outside world…We come together and do this to build and uplift a community and make new (hopefully life-long) friends. - Madi "Lupa" Neal

I’m really excited for Tournaments of Artemis this weekend as it will be my first official Tournament! I hope to have a lot of fun with my team and as the leader of the team, I am looking forward to learning more about strategy and leadership on the battlefield. I’ve also heard much about how this is a fun tournament where learning and sportsmanship is valued and I’m glad that my first tournament will be in such a lovely environment. There are also new fun sounding tournaments with goofy names that I’m looking forward to participating in such as Pidgeon Tea Time which sounds absolutely delightful. Overall, I think this will be an enjoyable event where I can hang out with my friends and learn a lot about how to improve my fighting skills and I’m psyched to participate! - Fin "Second" McMurtrie

Why do I want to go to Artemis. Oof, thats a bit harder to answer than most events. Combat is one of my favorite parts of the community, and the more people involved in that, the better. But because we have so many talented fighters in the community, it’s difficult to get involved and not feel like you’ll never do well. The Huntress Guild providing a place to help women and gender minorities learn and participate is one of the most important missions we have in the community. WGM often require learning a different style of fighting and training, and having a place where they can come together to learn from each other and share tips can be so valuable.

Tanja/Katasha founded the first Huntress Guild the year I started playing, and I had the privilege of spending a lot of time watching and learning from Tanja, and seeing the things she did differently and had to adjust. I don’t think she ever knew how much I looked up to her. Then years later, when Diana helped Alysha restart the Guild, I was lucky enough to be involved and help through her. It let me be on staff as a marshal, train at practices, and contribute in other ways. I always wanted to jump in and help as much as I could, but I was worried about trying to force myself into a place that, at the time, I didn’t belong.

In recent years, I became less involved. It was harder to be around and so desperately want to say I belong, while struggling with the feeling that I never would. So why do I want to go this year? This year I can finally go as a Huntress. I can finally go and say I belong. There’s no way this won’t be one of the most memorable events I’ve ever attended. It’s still surreal to me that it’s happening. I keep fighting the imposter syndrome that makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong. And part of what’s made me excited to go is how supportive the community has been in making me feel welcome and helping me get over that struggle.

I’m excited for a day of fun tournaments with many of the people who’ve helped me the most, including my team, who I wouldn’t be on that field without. I want to go and watch and face all the younger WGM in the community who’ve gotten more involved in fighting in the last few years. I want to go because it feels like starting a new, exhilarating chapter in my realm’s career, one that I finally have a chance to write. - Josh "Shandar" Learned 

Why I Want to Go - A Library in Fae

By Kelly "Fern" Perfetto

There were once ten Unchanging Places in Fae…

This is how I have begun telling this story for the past three years. Not long, but long enough for someone only beginning to adventure within the last five. I will try to give the abridged version, and not the fanatic professor version. I share this so that you may know some of the wonders and mysteries you walk toward, if you join myself and others in venturing through the fae wilds this weekend.

One of the Unchanging Places was the Great Library of Fae. Both the Library and the caretaker, the Duke of Knowledge, Duke Holophonese, fell to Bedlam.¹ From what I hear, adventurers of the modern era first traveled to this Library two decades ago. There they found that in order to wake the enchanted Duke, they must use the Library.

As many of you know by now, this Great Library was not one of paper or parchment books, but rather of what we have been calling memory flowers. Once one sniffs one of these flowers, they are transported into the memory that flower contains. When the adventurers played out the stories incorrectly, the vision would fail and they would find themselves in the positions they had ended the memory in. When played correctly, the adventurers would find themselves near the flower they had sniffed to access the memory.²

One of the challenges the adventurers faced in choosing and playing out these stories was that the names were present on the stems, but spelled in Ogham.³ These stories appeared to be a mix of significant events of Fae and Realms history, as well as the individual recollections of adventurers present. It is possible that Fae Belief Magic brought the stories the group would be most invested in close together.

From what I gather, the flowers of the Great Library of Fae were not seen for ten years after their destruction.⁴ Some tried to grow them from seeds, with limited success. And then some started appearing in the woods at Black and White of 1023. In 1024, some of us learned how to transplant these flowers.⁵ I know I carried one away with the notion that somehow we all would start up a new library, with the blessing of prominent fae. The large maroon flower you may have seen me bringing around to feasts is one of these flowers, carrying a tragic story, but innocent in of itself.⁶

With whispers on the winds and bees carrying invitations in the form of pollen, it seems that there is some new Library grown in the depths of the fae wilds, or perhaps the old one reemerged from hidden roots. What a wonderful thing, that there seems to be life where once there was only destruction. How delightful that there is a new chance to share information. These magical plants still live, they have not been entirely destroyed. I suppose I must wait, but I am excited to meet the new librarian, if one exists, and talk to them about cultivation and curation.⁷ There is an invitation handed out to all of us. While I will caution people traveling into the fae wilds, as I often do, what an incredible opportunity awaits all of us who go. The flowers want to share! Imagine what mysteries of the past we could uncover. There is more I have not shared, for fear of making this letter too long, but I will gladly share what knowledge I have of this. Come along with me on an adventure that promises some joy!

~ Fern Eberhardt

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OOC:

It’s so refreshing to write a WIWTG for an event my character is just as excited to attend as I am! It’s not all doom and gloom and duty this time, folks. Fern might perhaps even be more excited than I am.

This event is drawing on Fae Plot (in capital letters) that started two decades ago now, as part homage, part callback. Expect to be playing your character, but kind of your character acting out other roles, as Fern tells us above. As much as I would have fun just wandering around and looking at flowers and sharing stories for six hours, I suspect we’re going to have a few challenges ahead of us. I really am quite excited though. Eric is an engaging storyteller who is (in my experience) happy to roll with improvisation. And I’ve heard through the grapevine that there might be other plots, stories, and marshals mixed in, to keep us on our toes.

If you’re on the fence about going, and you like roleplaying, I’d encourage you to go. And both Fern and I mean it when I say I would be happy to share what more I know, if there’s time!

~ Kelly

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1 There are multiple variations recorded of the spelling of the Duke’s name. One alternate spelling I have seen is Holofernes.^↩
2 For example, if the memory had failed while people were running away from something, they might find themselves a distance away from the flower. However, if the memory succeeded, they would ‘wake up’ in the same place they had ‘fallen asleep’.^↩
3 This is the vertical line writing. If you know it, it would be good to brush up on, or bring a cipher book!^↩
4 There are multiple variations recorded of the spelling of the Duke’s name. One alternate spelling I have seen is Holofernes.^↩
5 I will note that in 1023, I personally made a terrible mistake by picking one of these flowers. The seeds should still be recoverable, but this is part of why I am so invested in helping the Library bloom.^↩
6 These little flowers do not seem to have the same transportative or group capabilities as the mature ones. We were only frozen in place as we viewed the memories, not playing them out ourselves.^↩
7 At B&W 1024, some of us used magic to speak to one who would be knowledgeable about the memory flowers. Someone answered, and we suspect it may have been the new, or perhaps cycled, Duke of Knowledge, though we cannot yet be sure. ^↩

Why I Want to Go - Tournaments of Chocolate

By Crystal “Cressida” Welch

I am excited to venture into the lands of Eagle’s Rook for the new event, Tournament of Chocolate, this coming Saturday. First time Event Holding is special and I’m thrilled to witness and enjoy all that Kieran has envisioned alongside their talented team of collaborators. I personally love dark chocolate and would happily try my hand at some of the non-com tournaments in order to win some delicious chocolate to take home. I look forward to seeing the variety of different competitions they have dreamed up and spending the day among friends as we take to the field and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. It is also rumored the Avendroth Fae will be making an appearance at the tournaments! I hope you will join me this weekend and of course win plenty of chocolate! 

Why I Want To Go - Neden BBQ 1026

by: Keith "Saegan" Cronyn

 Over the last several years Neden has done an amazing job of serving our community in various forms, often involving charities and merry making. 

The Neden BBQ is a fine example of that, being held on a nostalgic site to the realms, where many a war has been fought, there is a lot of history there. 

I think it was Temorse that coined the term camp chair tournaments, for me, but the Neden BBQ is a great example of that, everyone coming out, setting up chairs, and engaging in some wonderful, casual competition. While it’s not the only activity to have made an appearance in past BBQs, it’s a staple. 

Other activities, including, but not limited to, cornhole, the tournaments of sobriety, and poker. 

A favorite of mine that I hope to see an epic return, would of course be Judge Dresden. A game where crime always wins. Or finding clever ways to bribe the judge. I love this tournament, as it shows a truly unique, and interesting culture within Neden.

Lastly, I want to say I’m excited to find out what the prize table will have this year. In previous years, it has done really well to outshine many of the prizes in the realms, and is kind of a great well kept secret. With anything from in house magic items, to unique, but mundane weapons, to superb crafts, and just wonderous trinkets. The prize table never disappoints. 

I hope that does well to shine some light on why I’d want to go to Neden BBQ, and hopefully we’ll see you on the field!

Why I Want to Go - Dying Light 1.5

Why I Want to Go - Dying Light 1.5

By: Anna "Hedda" Rufus

We strayed too far into dreams and nightmares and crossed paths with the Painter—a fiend who carved his schemes into our very souls and tore pieces from us without a shred of mercy. I fled through crowds calling my name, drenched in blood and mire, stumbling and shattered until I found myself in safe arms once more. Most folk would keep well away after surviving such horrors. But I’ve never been like most folk.

And yet… I found myself here—wherever ‘here’ may be. I was safely resting in Shadowdragon last I remember. I thought myself to be alone, but the shadows seemed to move. The colors look too bright, the air too still, as if the world was holding its breath.

So I steady myself. I breathe. And I follow the pull in my chest, the one whispering that somewhere beyond this strange stillness lies a gathering of souls like mine: wanderers, dreamers, fighters, fools. People who might help me piece together the path home… or at least remind me I’m not alone in the dark. 

I should have learned my lesson the last time. Fear presses tight around my ribs, but curiosity cuts sharper still. If there is even the faintest chance to claw my way back to my own world, I’ll seize it. No matter what trial this nightmare sets before me now.

Why do I want to go? The choice is not mine or any of the comrades who are forced into the Dying light. Though I will get us out.

Squire Whan-Hedda con Atlantis of Blackwood.