Shield Stories with Justin Balanca-Hawkes

 Organized by James "Tao" Murphy

Please physically describe your shield; style, Heraldry colors etc? 

KFG is a medium sized punch heater shield painted white with a black unicorn chess piece on the front with the letters "KFG" underneath in black and has black taped foam around the edges.,

How long have you had your shield? 

I’ve had KFG for just shy of 2 years now.,

Is this your preferred shield style? 

Heater shields are my preferred style of shield largely because of the amount of time I’ve been using them as well as the simple reason of liking how they look,

Have you ever tried a different style of shield? 

I’ve tried serval styles of shields including rounds, coffins, doors, and bucklers, but none of them felt as nice as a heater shield to me.

Who made it?

KFG was originally started by Dave Hayden and was one of his last projects he had worked on. I was asked to help bring it over the finish line by Stephen Sanford and together we finished the shield as a memorial item to Dave.

Have you ever had to fix/repair/refoam it since it's original creation?

I have made small repairs and standard upkeep to the shield, but am planning on refoaming it and touching up the paint job in the coming months.

What is your favorite move with the shield?

Do you have any interesting stories about the shield?

KFG has some very memorable moments for me so far. The one that stands out to me the most was the first time I used the shield’s power at Ghost of a Chance when we had to go to Hell to forge a hammer that was important for future success at the event. While we were there were being attacked by imps that would throw fireballs upon death and we were taking heavy casualties and bleeding resources as a result. I decided to use KFG’s power the next time I got hit by a fireball and because of KFG I was able to largely pull the attention off the imps to me so the rest of the party could work on forging the hammer. It was a very memorable moment for me and I’m very fond of it.

 

Q1 review of The Community S.P.A.R.K. initiative

Organized by: Nixon "Jasper" Showalter

Hello to the Realms Community! Welcome to the Q1 review of The Community S.P.A.R.K. initiative, looking to Spotlight: Passion, Achievement, Recognition, Knowledge and more with the intent to provide an anonymous place to shout-out our peers within the community. Each quarter, we will be releasing a review of all of the Sparks submitted so people can catch up and see what our amazing community members are up to! Below is the 2026 Q1 Review, containing all of the Sparks shared from January through March. Thank you to everyone who took time to recognize someone with a Spark, and to everyone who works to uplift and support this community. If you want to submit your own S.P.A.R.K. fill out the form HERE.

Arthur Granger / Aiden Penclaw

Both your crafting and role playing add so much to the game!

Casey Lemay / Karmha 

Story telling as an eventholder pales only to skills as a crafter and shopkeeper

Kathy Fae / Makhta   

Putting a hat on an already awesome hat with this one. 

Online RP has really taken off since Covid among our new generation, and you have jumped right in without reservation. Thank you for being open to this change and being such an amazing role-player.

Dani Lacasse / Elizah  and Crystal Welch / Cressida

Half-way through the Player's Meeting and you two are rocking it! Our bureaucratic system is a mess and you two are doing awesome. You are coordinated, keeping us focused, the tech is going smoothly. Keep it up! 10/10 no notes. 

Dani Lacasse / Elizah  and Crystal Welch / Cressida  

The players meeting went great! I really appreciate both your humor and gravity over a 11 hour day.

Pat Bobell / Saka, Amber Fox / Tarnisha, Nixon Showalter / Jasper, Pi Fisher / Alpacasaurus/Kwido and Greg Falconer / Daekara

I’d like to thank all of you for your help and feedback with my Masterwork Tool Proposal. Despite the proposal failing, I still consider it a success- I can’t wait to playtest and refine the draft for next year. 

Rob Ferullo / Gael    

I don’t think I’ve had a single interaction with you where I haven’t smiled.

Isaac Saff / 404    

Even when life is giving you lemons, you serve lemonade to people around you. You show up to fight practice with cookies because you felt like it, and you are first to volunteer when anyone needs help. Thank you for being you.

Josh Learned / Shandar    

Your moral compass and sense of justice as of late have been absolutely spot on and really wonderful to see. I feel more comfortable and safe at hard meetings knowing you'll be there to help keep everything on track and ensure a just resolution.

Justin Thibeault / J’ortsa

I have received many compliments of you as head NPC at SQ. People were surprised to hear it was your first time doing so. Way to go!

Ian Perry / Timm

I'm really proud of you for how hard you've worked on proposals this year. Spending months iterating and gathering feedback, and when ones you were passionate about failed immediately working to adjust and playtest those same proposals to increase the chances for next year. That is extremely mature and the exact right response to that type of setback. 

Becky Baron / Kovaks

You've been a shining example of service and integrity for years. And as of late you've been doing the even harder work of learning when to serve and when to rest. I've seen you make difficult choices to take care of yourself that when I first met you you wouldn't have done, and likely would've suffered more for it in the long run. Proud of you 

Kelly Perfetto / Fern

In spite of WPI and UML having "sibling clubs" there has been very little cross-attendance between the fight practices until now. Thank you for encouraging the WPI folks to go to Lowell practice.

Keith Cronyn/ Saegan    

You are a major inspiration and someone I look up to, both in fighting ability and community presence. It is incredible to watch you teach younger players and uplift all of those around you. I am extremely thankful to call you a friend and be able to learn from you.

The EH Community    

I was really proud of the rules changes at the EHC this year and how the room went about it.

So many important changes went through with so few hitches. 

In other words, thank you to the people who were there. You’re helping make the game a better, safer place.

Nixon Showalter / Jasper    

You have an excellent spirit which showcases itself in so many ways, but perhaps most recently in your dedication to doing the position of player's rep wonders. You do wonderful things for this community, and I look forward to seeing what you'll do next. 

Anna Rufus / Hedda    

You go after every task with the ferocity of an arrow, it's great to see, and perfectly inspiring. You're a wonderful part of the community!

Dani Lacasse / Elizah    

You did an amazing job organizing the EHC, and even when things got hard you looked into the face of adversity with the decorum of an absolute boss. Keep it up!

Pi Fisher / Alpacasaurus/Kwido and the OEC    

Additionally, we're happy to share the [Omnibus] draft with the general Realms community, as EHs do not have a monopoly on pedantry and careful eyes.

This quote is so excellent. 

Thanks for having a finger on the pulse of the Realms and being egalitarian.

Dan Hudon / N   

 Dan, your interesting character concept has blossomed into a wide-spanning plot that’s engaging more players all the time.  Thank you for the gift of your time and creativity in offering a depth of lore for us to explore, both online and in person.

Crystal Welch / Cressida

Crystal is such a sweet and caring person all the time. They constantly do check in when she knows that their friends are struggling or going through a tough time, and is always so enthusiastic and willing to lend a hand when needed. Many may not see what you do behind the scenes, but I do and I love your for it ❤️

Kai Yang / LukeJohn

I just wanted to say thank you to Kai for being a work horse yesterday and continually asking "how can I help?" throughout the day. From running out to get more supplies when the kitchen realized they were down on a few things to helping take trash out and more. You're appreciated!

Rob Ferullo / Gael

Gael always brings around such a wholesome and positive energy that can be super uplifting amid all the chaos and stress. It can be felt by others how kind and genuine you are, and it's good to have you around, keep up the great work!

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!

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:

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Realmsle #30

 

                       

This custom Wordle-adjacent-puzzle features a 5-letter word that is particularly relevant to the Realms.

If the embedded page isn't working below you can click this link to get to the puzzle.

Like regular Wordle you can copy your result's (but only if you follow the link), so paste them or a screenshot onto social media to let us know how you did. But no spoilers!

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.