What You Missed - 17th Annual Tournaments of Chaos Ft. Tournament Results

By: Arthur  "Aiden" Granger

So to start, I should share something I feel is important to know: The running joke is that LUCK is my dump stat.

So as another Tournaments of Chaos passes, it’s fair to say it was quite a weekend. I walked into it as no stranger to chaos, being intricately woven into every aspect for better or worse in my time with you all. Those close to me know I collect yes/no coins and it's the time of year I throw judgment to the wind (within some level of reason) and let fate guide me through the chaos of a coin flip.. 

I should probably start with the chaos dice. With the company of others they are always a fun gamble. It was a miracle everyone on site wasn't entirely blown up and at the same time equally surprising everyone didn't walk away from them with godlike powers. This isn't abnormal but to say the collective excessiveness of the rolls i made throughout the weekend where without boon or consequence would be a gross understatement. 

On the first night, vampires were around, and seeing as I worked hard on a nice fire for everyone, I felt no harm in tracking a couple that had been freshly married to join in the group's festivities. Fun fact for the kiddies newer to these lands but once upon a time we would go back out on nightquests several times. Maybe your friend forgot their magic sword or you were short a friend and suddenly search teams would sneak out on reconnaissance. Me, I brought back vampires. Many would say that's bad but to be fair I would debate gaining access to the forge of dracula and kin had its allure for our side. Also who doesn't like new friends that are night owls, right? 

Day two was your standard (if you can call it that) tournaments many have come to know. Chaos tourneys always entail some of the most unique tournaments that you'll ever see. Oversized lightning bolts, unorthodox weapon combos and more were cheered by myself and other onlookers

As all forces returned to the fire the party really kicked off. Lupa opened their shop to serve drinks to tired adventurers. It’s one of my favorite times when I can walk around and see so many people spending time together in such a setting. After Kiddo and Tulli lit the fire, the evening was enjoyed into the late hours.

As you would expect, the final day of chaos is wind down time. Those who hadn't bowed out the night before from exhaustion and libations made their way back to the tourney field once again for the remaining tournaments and awards. I suppose you could say I failed upward with the first place win of the sneakiest person on site. I am a good sport, however, and if you can’t laugh at yourself who can you laugh at, right? Another year the wheel turns or whatever the cliche would be.

Results of Chaos tournaments:

El Classico:

Shandar

V-Power

Daekara

Sword and Shield:

Shandar

Aelias

Shader

Hand and a half:

Shandar

Avendar

Eldritch

Illegal Weapons:

Shandar

V-Power

Eldrich

One Combatant Unlimited:

Shandar 

Anton

Double Dagger: 

Shandar

Aelias

Avendar

Great Weapons:

Shandar

Eldritch

Mogar

Turtle: 

Shandar

Shader

Aelias

Longsword:

Shandar

Anton

Avendar

5pts to victory:

Shandar

Daekara

Aiden

Florentine (Marn and single short):

Aelias

Shandar

V-Power

3 Lives:

Shandar

Daekara

Avendar

Chaos Grand Melee:

Shandar

Aelias

Radstar’s Lightning Bowl:

Fancy

Shadar

Nikolai

Foamsmith:

Avendar

Fro

Most Honorable:

Lupa

Most Chaotic:

Timm

Most Lawful:

Laika

Most Shady:

Aiden

Most Badass:

V-Power

Most Helpful:

Anton

Why I Want To Go - Blackwood Tournaments XII

By Adrian "Cronin" Cronin

Fellow adventurers,

Let Summers final blessings be upon you. The transition of seasons can be hard, even for a druid as withered as I. As I make preparations for my company to assist in harvests across the many nations of the realms, I find myself gripping tightly to the leisurely summer I have enjoyed. The welcome shift in temperature calls to the armored folk, to camp fires and combat.

And so, I travel to Blackwood, as I have many times before. To take in their grand customs and hospitality, for a chance at glory. 

I am told Friday will feature the opportunity for a bit of excitement. A rift, opening in the northern fields. Sounds of despair and calamity, and the smell of blood have kept explorers at bay. I look forward to seeing what our collective may divine of this place, and to do battle with whatever profane beings dwell within.

Saturday, (should I survive the night) will be filled with countless contests of prowess and cunning. Many of which feature randomly assorted teams, which I cannot wait for. It is always a great opportunity to forge new bonds with my fellow warriors, and test my ability to adapt on the fly.

Creative solo tourneys such as “Wizard Duel”, “Wig snatching” and “Epic Swings” are going to be a blast to participate in as well as witness. I’ll do my best to take respite in a camping chair as competitive as I am, for I am told there are laurels for furniture as well…

Dinner will break at 6pm however a pulled chicken sandwich will be provided for dinner, and at 8pm…. “The Sweaty Owl Carnival” & "Blackwood Clontarf Casino" begins…

I have been a druid for nearly a decade, and never once considered whether or not owls sweat…

The carnival will feature many games of chance and guile as well as a chance to celebrate the victories of the day, alongside my fellow adventurers. A time to catch up in character and no doubt rest, after so much epic activity. It has not been the easiest year, and a carnival so close to fall reminds me of simpler times. 

Sundays tourneys begin at 11am, they feature many great realms staples as well as a few to “mix things up.”

Blackwood Tournaments is a great place to mix things up. It’s an anniversary to many epic moments that the members of my company reference to this day. Feats of strength, agility and guile as well as moments of pure community comradery. It is a place where valor is tested, where history is made.

I cannot wait to be a part of it.

-Druid, Commander Cronin Barbaria of the Broken Spears Free Company

Conspiracy MONTHLY

 By Kieran/Kyra Barry

You notice we never include the date on these?

Fresh Faces with Isaac “Four” Saff

This week we learn more about Isaac Saff, who plays 404, commonly referred to as Four (both he/him).

Photo by Brookelyn Tilton

1. How did you learn about and join The Realms?

I joined SMAS during my freshman year at WPI. After breaking my leg at the second practice I went to, I returned about halfway through the year once I had healed, and have been going to SMAS ever since. My first event was Training Day.

2. How many events have you been to?

Around 23 events. 

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

I went to a day camp for a week that ran off an entirely different system, but didn't do much more between then and when I joined SMAS.  

 

Photo by Ryan Welch

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

Four is, by default, a construct designed to look human, but is full of gears and metal on the inside (there's also a plant growing inside that's a gift from a friend, and allows him to function in the absence of magic). He has met his creator, who is a dwarf living somewhere in the Realms, but he's not sure where he was made exactly. He's technically a construct, but given his newfound ability to shapeshift, that's not a constant. Four cares a lot about the people he considers his friends, which ends up being an ever-expanding group of basically everyone he's met who doesn't intend to cause him or his friends harm, and some who used to intend harm. He wants to see the world become a better place for everyone, and will refuse the idea that it's not possible.

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

I tried to help fight a clockwork and it did not go well for me. If I remember correctly, I managed to lose both of my legs and was stuck without heal limb, as there were no healers right there. But it was really fun! 

 

Photo by Bri Meisser

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

A lot of things. People are very friendly and I don't think anyone has turned me away if I go to try and say hi or get signatures for spells. Also, the fact that a lot of people are on Discord means that I've been able to interact with people in a less awkward environment, which makes meeting them in person for the first time a lot less difficult. People also have been very accommodating of the ways that my brain functions differently as I've been working through them.

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

The game can often be loud, and sometimes stressful, which can lead to me being overwhelmed more than I would like.

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

I'm working on getting better at remaining calm in stressful situations so that I can be less of a disruption to myself and others.

9. What advice would you give other new players? 

Be willing to ask for help.

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

It's hard to pick one thing. This is an amazing community, and I'm glad to be a part of it. 

 

Photo by Bri Meisser

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Why I Want To Go to The 17th Annual Tournaments of Chaos

by Jason “Aeston” Rosa 

Our community has lots of traditions. Often stretching back decades these pieces of our shared heritage carry special meaning. They’re proof of our storied history. They’re evidence our game has endured through generations of players. They’re the inheritance that our veteran heroes pass along to those who will carry them forward. And most of all, they’re a way to come together and celebrate who we are in the ways that make the Realms great. One of those amazing traditions is happening this weekend, it’s the 17th Annual Tournaments of Chaos, and it’s absolutely going to be an awesome event. 

There are tournaments, of course, lots of individual and group tests of combat prowess to challenge yourself, with the game’s greatest combatants stepping forward. But that’s only the tip of the chaotic iceberg. There are crafting and skill competitions, games and performance artistry, and some good old fashioned stories around the camp fire. 

And night quests! Do you like questing, well Tournaments of Chaos has you covered. Friday night there’s some sort of evil wizard on the loose and that’s pretty much always bad news. And Saturday night strange shimmering lights in the sky are portents of something, and I bet it’s something you’re going to want to hit with swords!

So saddle up your horse and get riding to scenic Silverport in the lands of Sharingil. And tell them I sent you. That should be worth a free drink I would think. 

(I know I’m supposed to tell you to stay Chaotic here but I’m more the Lawful Good type. So just read between the lines)

Aeston

Humanizing the Realms - Paul "Grindin Starbrook" Tilton

1. What do you do outside of the game? What would you like to be doing? (Work, school, projects, etc.)

I work for John Hancock, as a Business Analyst. Which sounds like corporate nonsense, and it is. Luckily I enjoy the people I work with, and I get to work on a huge variety of projects, so it stays interesting!

2. What hobbies do you enjoy other than LARP?

Honestly it feels like my favorite hobby is collecting hobbies. I like video games, audiobooks, learning basically anything, 3d printing, boardgames, TTRPGs, disc golf, watercolors, Battletech, Warhammer, a smattering of MTG, woodwork, I just picked up a camera for photography, gardening, our homestead... Oh jeez I don't think I've ever tried to list them before.

3. Favorite meal, dessert, and drink?

Man, what an impossible ask because cooking is one of my hobbies I didn't list above! I'm gonna have to go in sub categories Meals: I love Japanese cuisine, but everyone loves Sushi, so I'll say Japanese Curry. (If you haven't tried it, you absolutely should). But I also make sourdough, and a grilled cheese with tomato soup on my own bread is pretty simple but tough to beat. Drinks: I've been really into mint Sharbat lately (sort of like a shrub), a nice cold beer never hurts, and lets go bourbon for favorite liquor. Dessert: I'm much more of a savory boy, but there are these chocolate covered sea salt caramel frozen yogurt bars by Yasso that are perfect

4. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would it be? Would you bring anyone?

Wife, duh. But I think I'm obligated to say that 😜. We've got a dream vacation to Japan coming up in October, so, that's definitely high up there. If the stars align (or one of us wins the lottery) I would absolutely love for Ashenmark to take a group trip to New Zealand.

5. Are you working on any life goals that you’re willing to share?

We're slowly building a homestead, and I look forward to the years where we produce a significant portion of our own food. We've got bees (dammit I forgot beekeeping in the hobbies list), a garden with a lot of tomatoes, potatoes, and beans, started keeping meat chickens, meat rabbits. Very fun stuff, and Brooke has been an incredible farm wife. 

6. Favorite outfit other than garb?

T-shirt, sweatshirt, shorts, and flipflops. I've been collecting merino wool tees when I can find them, that is a MAGICAL fiber, man.

7. Do you have any professional or personal skills you’d be willing to talk about?

I try not to monetize my hobbies, but I love creating custom miniatures on Titancraft (similar to Heroforge). So if you want a DnD or Realms mini, you let me know and I can do it for a probably pretty modest price.

 

8. What drew you to the realms, and what keeps you there?

Being a nerdy 14 year old drew me in. I've basically grown up in the game, and now a lot of the faces who have been around long enough are family to me. I love a lot of the aspects of the game, but 100% most important is the community.

9. Favorite movies/shows/books?

Oh God, thank you for asking. I have been trying to get everyone I know to read the First Law books by Joe Abercrombie. Please read them so we can talk about how they're the best gritty fantasy books ever written.

10. If you happened upon 3 wishes, what would they be? (Wishing for more wishes doesn’t seem to work...)

1. $500,000 a year, adjusted for inflation so I can focus on my plethora of hobbies, travel as much as I want, but not have so much money that it becomes a problem. 2. Our pets live exactly as long as we do in good health. 3. No more fucking cancer. Fuck cancer.

11. Who would you like to see interviewed next?

Dan Diamond

12. Anything else you’d like to add? 

Goddammit I also forgot to add Yoyoing to the hobbies list. Please read Joe Abercrombie's books. 

If you'd like to do one of these interviews, send Dani Lacasse (lilpotatogem on Discord) a message to let her know!