Why I Want to Go - Black & White 2022

by Kelly "Fern" Perfetto

This Black and White marks my first full year in the Realms! Last year was completely overwhelming in the best way possible; I didn’t know the itinerary, I wasn’t great at fighting, and I got a bit cursed along with half of the militia for a year and a day. A month ago, I foolishly thought that I may get a more relaxed B&W this year. 

My Chronicling apprenticeship, squireship, gods, demons, and friends all laughed at that. This Black and White, you may see me running around doing any number of things throughout the event.

The day kicks off with the Champion of Chimeron Tournament, where I’ll be fighting to do better than last year. Right after that is the Newbie Tournament, which I’ll be helping Kovaks run. Expect new adventurers to approach you during the day, searching in vain for someone who’s never died, or the nearest knight.

At some point, I’ll be looking to delve into the secrets of black holes and help rescue Sparrowsong, an adventurer lost at the Feast of Folkestone. I also suspect Rakshasa - tiger demons, for those of you who haven’t had the distinct displeasure of being on their hit lists -  may show up during the day, looking to cause no end of trouble. In between those quests coming back to haunt me, I’ll be doing my best to dodge international incidents, running Black and White Bingo, and finding time for my mandatory ‘sit down and rest’ break.

As always, I look forward to the food, presented by members of the Order of the Spoon. There will be snacks throughout the day, a meal with my friends, and the dessert table that’s always good enough to require guards. What more could I ask for?

After the feast and court will be the raffle, and then of course normal dancing. I don’t know about you all, but my dance card has been filling up these last couple of months. It’s at least a better list to be on than the demons’. 

Also, bring your pencils! As I mentioned, I will be running Black and White Bingo this year! Come find me during the event to get a card. One of these is below. Will you fight Blue? (Probably.) Will you get kidnapped? (I hope not.) Will you help a newbie? (You’d better!) 

I can’t wait to see all of you at Black and White this year! And it sure does look like it will be all of you attending.

Prompt credit to myself, Cpt. Orion, Ryu, Margaret, Griffin, Tony, Grarr, and Ypnn. 

Loremaster Quiz - Which Event?

Time for a game, everyone!

The linked quiz below will take you to a set of 20 questions. In each of those questions a photograph from a past Realms event will slowly reveal itself over the 20-second time limit. Before the timer expires you must decide which event the picture is from given the four choices available. Your score is based on the number of right answers you get and how quickly you can get those answers.

The link to the quiz is HERE

When you're finished with the quiz, come on back to Facebook or Discord and let us know your score!

Caption This

Here's a photo from a Realms event lacking any specific context. Go on back to social media and comment with the best caption you can think of.

Battlecry!

 Battlecry!

This is a weekly bulletin for practices in the Realms.  Practices are one of the most important facets to the Realms, it is a place where many people are introduced to the game, as well as a place to enjoy the company and meet new members of the community.  Even if you are not a fighter, it is still a great form of exercise, as well as a way to hone your combat skills, which is an important skill for helping out at events while NPCing.  A lot of what makes a great combatant in the Realms has to do with muscle memory and building a good intuition for combat, which can only happen with consistent practice, so make sure to try and stop by your local practice as often as possible

Monday

Riverhawk Fight Practice (https://www.realmsnet.net/events/1885)

6:00pm-9:00pm - UMASS Lowell South Campus Quad, Lowell, MA

Details

• Practice consists of a mix of individual and group combat.

• Public restrooms are available on site.

• Loaner weapons are available.

• Water is available on site.

• Masks are optional.

• More information can be found on the group discord: https://discord.gg/B42zqSeKPf

Important Notes

• None this week.

Weather

• This week will be cloudy and in the mid 50’s, with a chance of rain, so keep an eye out for updates.

(Red square for parking, green for practice location)

Wednesday

Nashua Blackwood Fight Practice (https://www.realmsnet.net/events/1857)

4:00pm-8:00pm -Greely Park (Concord St), Nashua, NH

Details

• Practice consists of a mix of individual, squad, and line battles, as attendees prefer.

• Loaner weapons are available.

• There is no water on site, bring your own.

• Public restrooms are available on site.

• While a few people might be there around 4:00, 5:00 is a more likely time to get started.

• We set up near the grills and tables on the West side of Concord St, just off the access road to the north of the public restrooms.

• Masks are optional.

• This is outdoors and inclement weather is very likely to limit attendance.

Important Notes

• None this week.

Weather

• This week will be sunny, in the low 50’s. 

Riverhawk Fight Practice (https://www.realmsnet.net/events/1885)

6:00pm-9:00pm - UMASS Lowell South Campus Quad, Lowell, MA

Details

• Practice consists of a mix of individual and group combat.

• Public restrooms are available on site.

• Loaner weapons are available.

• Water is available on site.

• Masks are optional.

• More information can be found on the group discord: https://discord.gg/B42zqSeKPf

Important Notes

• None this week.

Weather

• This week will be sunny, in the low 50’s. 

(Red square for parking, green for practice location)

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Fresh Faces with Zack "Tony" Emmert

photo by Bri Meisser

1. How did you learn about Realms?

I learned about the Realms through a friend of mine that I played D&D with. Kelly (who plays Fern) kept nagging me to come to SMAS fight practice, and then one day I caved and finally did it. Then they, and other SMAS folks, kept trying to get me to come to Black & White 2021, and once I went I knew I was sticking around.

2. How many events have you been to?

I've been to most of the events of the past year or so. Ashen Bounty IX was my 13th event, and Feast of Blackwood 2022 will be my 14th.

3. Have you ever LARP’ed before? If so tell us about it? 

This is my first ever LARP experience, and I gotta say, I'm having a blast!

4. What is your character like? Where are they from? What is their species? What is important to them?

My character, Tony, started out as a bit of a Generic Human Fighter Person™️. But at DI2, my first questing event, he really started to come into his own. He's a human from rural Chimeron, and the most important thing to him is protecting his friends and companions.

photo by Bri Meisser

5. What do you remember most about your first event? 

To be honest, my first few events are kind of a blur. But one thing I remember from Uncle Cecil's is Cpt. Orion (and the rest of us) having way too much fun with "Please be HAM"

6. What things have helped to make you feel welcome in game? 

The Chimeron Militia and the Knights of the Sable Dragon. Having a solid group of other newer players that are dedicated to helping each other out, and another group of more experienced players that are equally dedicated to helping new players enjoy the Realms has been truly wonderful. Also, shout out to the loaner armor bins!

photo by Bri Meisser

7. What parts of the game do you find most challenging? 

Sometimes I have a bit of a habit of going on a mission on a questing event, killing a bunch of monsters and having a great time, and then going back to the tavern and realizing I have no idea why we were there doing anything in the first place. I'd say the most challenging thing for me is balancing my desire to be on the front lines hitting things, and my desire to be involved in the plot and know what's going on.

8. Do you have any game-related goals (as either a player or character)? 

My main goal as a player is just to have a great time, make friends, and do cool stuff. And so far, I'm doing pretty well at that.

9. What advice would you give other new players? 

Don't be afraid to just walk up to someone, introduce yourself, and just meet people. The best way to get involved and have fun in the Realms is to make a few good friends.

10. What have you enjoyed most about the game so far?

Questing. Questing Questing Questing Questing Questing. Questing. I want to go on all the quests.

photo by Bri Meisser

What's It Do? What's It Do?

In this continuing View feature, we show you a picture of a theoretical magic item. Then you go back to Facebook and in the comments, invent your idea for the powers that this item would have.

Here is this week's item:

 

Once you figure out what mystical powers this dragon has, come on back to social media and let us know!