Challenge of the Penn winning entrant - Kovaks

Challenge of the Penn was a non-com challenge at the Tournament of Chocolate '26, as entrants were encouraged to complete a chronicle leading up to the event on a chosen topic. It was named in honor of Iawen Penn, the last Knight Commander of Eagle's Rook, whose love of the written word and stories was well known.

This was the description of the non-com in the event: "With the battles with Guthrevyn, our libraries have not gone unscathed. We beseech adventurers of the Realms to rise to the challenge and provide legible chronicles on the founding of Eagle's Rook. These should be turned in upon the start of tournaments or upon arrival. They will be judged on completeness and accuracy to the best of our experts' knowledge, as well as presentation and legibility as we take pride in restoring our libraries."

Challenge of the Penn

The Eighteenth Day of the Fourth Month of the One Thousand Twenty-Sixth Year

On the Occasion of the First Tournaments of Chocolate

In honor of Sir Iawen Penn, a great historian and Knight, I have taken on the Challenge of the Penn, to document the founding of Eagle’s Rook. Both Sir Iawen and I claimed the title of Librarian and historian. As such, I have chosen to complete this challenge with a compilation of letters as found in the View from Valehaven periodical without any interpretation. These documents speak for themselves and tell the story more completely and succinctly than I could over thirty years later.

I have transcribed these documents, but I am a better historian than transcriptionist. Please assume that any and all spelling errors are on the part of the transcriber and not of the original author or publisher. The exception I will note is that Sir Gunnar uses both Guthrefen and Guthreven as spelling for the one who ruled over Raven’s Loft. 

A chronicler’s note: the acceptable terminology has changed in the past decades. These letters contain words that are no longer considered correct, but are maintained for historical accuracy.

Yours in Service,

Kovaks of Darkvale

Master Chronicler of the Royal Court of Chimeron`

October 992

To the People of the Realms:

        While many of you are among my oldest and closest friends, I have never told you anything of  my origins or my reasons for coming to these lands. However my past has caught up with me, and I would now take your leave to fully introduce myself.

        My full name is Gunnar Artaec Guthrevnes. “Guthrevnes” can be loosely translated as “son of the War-Raven”. I am from Raven’s Loft, a land to the northwest of Fenmere.

This story begins with my youth. I was brought up in Raven’s Loft by Brecca, a servant of Guthrefen, my father. She told me when I was young that I was an orphan and had been brought to Raven’s Loft and taken in by Guthrefen when I was but a babe. Brecca said she had heard that my parents had been killed by Guthrefen’s guards for not paying enough taxes, and they had beaten me until their arms were so tired they could no longer lift them,... but I refused to die. The brutes brought me back to the keep, to show me to the heirless War Raven, and he chose to keep me and raise me up to inherit his lands as his son, for he was unable to continue his line. When I was young, I believed Brecca’s tale in its entirety, but as I grew older, I learned that she often stretched the truth.

Whatever my origins, my foster father’s cruel disposition led me to believe that I was indeed an orphan. Guthrefen was a fierce and powerful warlord, but I grew to learn that he was a most dishonorable and malicious man. Much of Raven’s Loft’s military strength came from Guthreven’s skillful deployment of his favorite military strategy. He would lead his forces to the site of a battle between neighboring lands and wait until the battle was gnarly over. Then he would swoop down upon what was left of the two armies and annihilate them, whether they were friends or foes, always making sure to hunt down and kill anyone who escaped from the ranks of either army. He would then strip the bodies of arms, armor, and equipment, regardless of their title or birth, and steal back to Raven’s Loft under cover of night. As far as I know, he still practices this strategy.

With the help of Brecca, I left my despised foster father and came to these lands to prove my honor and wipe the shame of the Raven’s Loft from my past. However, recently I received a demand from Guthreven to return to Raven’s Loft and serve him as his son and future warlord of his lands. I answered a sharp denial, and he returned with a challenge…

I am to journey to Raven’s Loft to fight him in honorable combat. If I defeat him, his lands are to be mine. If he defeats me, the Realms will never see Sir Gunnar of Fairhaven again. The War-Raven claims knighthood and has a squire, so in turn, my squire Myriel will join me on this adventure. I must face every encounter on the road to Raven’s Loft before anyone else, and alone. However, I bid you all come to my aid, for we may well need help finding our way, and even if we do not, you may well enjoy venturing to the land of Raven’s Loft, discovering what manner of beasts live in the wilds of that land

Sir Gunnar of Fairhaven

Knight of the Eternal flame

Knight of Fairhaven

February 993

To the foolish upstarts who claim Raven’s Hold,

You are encroaching upon my rightful property and trespassing upon lands that have been in my family for ages. I strongly advise that you remove yourselves from Raven’s Hold, the ancestral keep belonging to the heir of the lands of Raven’s Loft. The rightful heir shall soon be returning to his duties of training to inherit the position of Warlord of Raven’s Loft. If you have not ceased to be a problem by the conclusion of the Quest to Raven’s Loft, you shall be sharply dealt with. You need not worry for your lives. I assure you that I would never be so harsh as to deprive you of the eternal, exquisite, unending agony that will soon be your constant companion. Yes, friends, I shall make you immortal, though I doubt you will thank me for it.

Guthrefen

Warlord of Raven’s LoftMarch 993

To the People of the Realms,

At the first Feast of Min, I was knighted as the first Knight of Fairhaven by Dame Gil, Knight of the Realms. In retrospect I have come to the conclusion that I was inadequately squired and improperly knighted. The title of “Knight” felt as awkward next to my name as “Lady” might next to the name of a known prostitute. When the Knights of the Realms knighted me as a Knight of the Eternal Flame, I had at that point come to know my own worth and that I was indeed of knightly quality.

While squiring Myriel of the Eclipse, I have come to fully understand how to properly squire someone. In m y estimation, no Knight of Fairhaven has yet been properly squired. My squire is currently more worthy than many who claim knighthood, although she is not yet worthy of the knighthood I would bestow upon her. However, one thing is clear to me, in order to remain true to myself, and in order to bring my present and future squires into an order of true knighthood, I am leaving the order of the Knights of Fairhaven.

If my quest to Raven’s Loft is successful, I shall be founding a new land there. It shall be known as Eagle’s Rook, and an Ivory Tower on a royal blue field shall be its standard.

My loyalty stands, as ever, with the Kingdom of Valehaven, and so the Royal Eagle shall be centered on the standard. Any of my followers may remain in Fairhaven under the protection of Wulfric of Fairhaven if they so desire. They need fear nothing from me. However, any citizens or followers of Fairhaven are welcome to join me in Eagle’s Rook if my quest goes well and I indeed claim my ancestral lands.

Sir Gunnar Artaec Guthrevnes

Knight of the Eternal Flame

Heir of Raven’s Loft

Wielder of Devil’s Bane

June 993

To the People of the Realms,

Over one year ago, I was honored to be able to take as a squire Myriel of the Eclipse. She and I adventured to every corner of the known Realms, and I never once found any cause to doubt her dedication, her loyalty or her spirit. Then, this spring, my past caught up with me. The wretched cur, Guthreven, who would have had me as his heir, had me magically entrapped not long before I was able to quest to meet him in honorable combat. Word was sent to Myriel to complete the quest for me, and for Emmalcome, the Captain of the Guard of Raven’s Hold, to accompany her. Guthreven and his followers opened a gate to Faerie in the lands where Myriel and Emmalcome were departing from, they sent assassins after them and a message that I would be scalped if they did not arrive on time was delayed, making it near impossible for Myriel and Emmalcome to succeed. However, her spirit never faltered, and with the help of a few brave souls along the way, they succeeded in the quest, bringing my body back to the Realms… Myriel had not earned her Knighthood yet.

At Doomghaurd, I marshalled, and had the opportunity to observe my squire in situations in which I was not involved. On that day, she quelled the few remaining doubts I harbored about her ability to be a true Knight. Knowing that we might never emerge from Faerie, I decided that I could not lead Myriel to what might be her death without bestowing upon her the recognition that she had indeed made the transition from being a Squire to being a Knight. So, on the first day of the fifth month of this year, I founded the order of the Knights of Eagle’s Rook. Marking my assuming the role of Knight Commander and Sir Myriel’s accepting the title of Knight of Eagle’s Rook, the following oath was sworn: 

I shall tread only upon the paths of honor, for a true knight knows no other way.

I shall harbor neither fear nor self-doubt, for there is nothing I cannot accomplish.

I shall be true to myself, in word and in deed, in spirit and in arms.

The Knighting of Sir Myriel is the greatest memory I have since I left Raven’s Loft as a youth and came to these Realms. On that day, I was also honored for Gael Bahn (formerly known as Shadow of the Eclipse) to accept my offer to squire him into the order of the Knights of Eagle’s Rook. I am confident that he will prove as worthy and loyal a squire as Myriel did.

With the defeat of Guthreven, I inherited the lands of Raven’s Loft. I could not bear to live with the memories of that accursed name, so I have chosen to call my newly won home Eagle’s Rook, in memory of the royal Eagle of Valehaven that once meant so much to me. Before looking for any followers I knew that my path was meant to pass into Faerie, and I could not take the responsibilities expanding my lands when my future was somewhat in doubt.

However, now that my quest to Faerie is complete, I would like to extend a word to any and all warriors whose hearts are true, whose spirits are brave, and to whom honor is a way of life, and not just a card to be kept in our hand and played when it will prove most advantageous. To you, I say that if your current paths suit not you, I invite you to join us, and I would be most honored to fight by your side, and call you my follower. 

Death before Dishonor

Sir Gunnar Artaec Guthrevnes, KoEF

November 994

Eagle’s Nook: Tales & Poetry from the Land of Eagle’s Rook

I have taken refuge in the armory, to have a minute’s rest from the newest members of our country. Eagle’s Rook has grown considerably with their coming and I am happy they are here; they are just a bit hard to handle at times. I should take this time to explain the political structure of our government, so that there are no questions as to why our happy chaos has occurred. I shall be brief for I do believe I have little time

Knights - The Knights of Eagle’s Rook are the rulers of our land who make all decisions under our laws. Though all Knights have equal say, the Knight Commander has the final word on any matter. All Knights are bound by the Code (which is to tread the paths of honor, to harbor neither fear nor self doubt, and to be true to yourself in word and in deed, in spirit and in arms) which is the stem of our government. At the moment, there is only the Commander, Sir Myriel, and myself to guide our realm.

Squires - They too are bound by the Code and given close and personal instruction by their Knight. On any issue that may arise between the Knights, the Squire may voice opinion and question, but does not yet have a vote. We have no Squires right now, but that may change very soon.

Followers - A follower may either be a person who follows a specific Knight or Squire or may wish to join because of their belief in the Code. They too follow the Code, but with them the Knights are more lenient for they are learning the ways of the Code. They are given instruction by the Knights and their progress is noted. They fall under the responsibility of the Knight or Knights. If a Squire has a follower, he or she is still under that Knight’s responsibility. We have three followers. Gonf, who I hear from the Weapons Master has improved considerably (verily, I have seen it myself). Ragnar who has the spellcraft (much like my own youth, welcome aboard). and Bishop whom I hail most whole heartedly (I have seen within you and am pleased). I am content with progress on all of them and am happy with their contributions. Gonf has almost finished the East Tower and well before the snow. For Bishop I have given him my servants to govern, for a warrior must know affairs of management and of sword. To Ragnar, I have given a difficult task, which is to verse me on the ways of our residents (whom I shall write about in a moment) and to make sure they are comfortable here, for they are most welcome. 

Residents - When I came to Eagle’s Rook I came as a resident, one who likes Eagle’s Rook, believes the Code is valid but wishes no part in the governmental structure. They come for our protection and, well, because they like us. They are bound by the law and are encouraged to follow the code, but are given the greatest leniency. I would like to extend my hand to the Visitant Gypsies who have come under our protection. I believe they will be a valued part of our country (I hear one of them is searching for me in the outer rooms; I had better conclude soon). Lilith and I have been close friends since their entrance to the Realms and I am glad to see them in the courtyards below. She is still the head of the Gypsies and all problems with her children should be directed to her, but I stand behind them and take ultimate responsibility. In their mischief I have seen honor and good hearts and it is for this that I am comforted by their presence here.

Any member may leave at any time for any reason, though I would hope they would talk to me or Sir Myriel as to why (we do not believe in leaving on bad tidings). Nor has any member been forced under our rule; each one of our people volunteered to rally by our standard. Our borders are open to all new members on all levels of our society (save one must be a Squire before becoming a Knight) and may choose to raise or lower their status. I admit that much more is demanded the higher you go but as I have found fom going from the lowest to the highest that it can be very rewarding.

We are some twenty five people strong now (not including the servants and peasants whom I have undying gratitude for their help and patience in our times of trouble, you bring the goodness upon yourselves and we will bring to you what you have given us tenfold). I am pleased and am looking to the years ahead with gladness in my eyes. A HUZZAH! to you all!

Death before Dishonor

Sir Pyr

Knight of Eagle’s Rook

Neden BBQ - Tournament Results

Organized by: Ben Lacasse

Single Short

1. Shader

2. Radstar

3. Pike

5'

1. Nos

2. Aiden

3. Pike

Sword and Board

1. Shader

2. Nos

3. Cronin

Mixed Florentine

1. Pike

2. Eldritch

3. Aiden

Tug of War

1. Cronin

2. Ruby

Best Overall Performance

1. Shader

Sportsmanship Award/Honor in Combat

1. Radstar

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

---

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

---

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. ^↩

Queen of Hearts XXXI - Aces, Crafting and Performance Rubrics

Hello all,

August seems like a long way off but planning for Queen of Hearts is well underway for our exceptional staff of marshals and contributors. This year Rhiassa has teemed up with the Kingdom of Chimeron, inviting them to put their own unique touches on this historic event series.

One of their suggestions was the importance of publishing all of the crafting and performance rubrics well ahead of the event so that entrants to those tournaments can have a greater understanding of how to best score points. So that's what you'll see below.

First, however, I'd like to announce this year's Ace's Categories.

Ace of Spades - Champion Ace

Ace of Hearts - Mage Ace

Ace of Diamonds - Bard Ace

Ace of Clubs - Ranger Ace

Some reminders of how we structure the Aces Tournament (from last year's Queen of Hearts website)

Aces is a 4-person "Champion" team. The four Aces are each trying to earn their own points while also helping one another earn points through various fights and competitions.

The Aces tournament is in three parts:

War Maneuver Showcases: Most Aces will be able to fight with their teams in most of the war maneuvers most of the time. In some cases, before the war maneuver takes place, all Aces will be called out to the center of the field and compete 4 on 4 (or less if some Aces are called away for something individual). These 4 on 4 fights are meant to be, in a sense, miniature versions of the war maneuver about to be fought. Although all available Aces will be fighting in these fights, there will be a random and rotating system that determines which Ace suit(s) the points will be applied towards.

Ace Individual Challenges: These competitions involve the two aces of the same suit competing against each other in combat and in other challenges that specifically relate to the theme of their Ace suit as listed above.

Ace Group Challenges: Some Ace competitions will involve multiple Aces from your team working together against the Aces from the other team in things such as multi-person combat or other challenges.

Now moving on to the non-com rubrics. The categories for this year were announced several weeks ago, but these rubrics will show you how those categories and overall these fit into the scoring that we will use. First, a review of the categories that we announced at the beginning of March:

Performance Competition:

A partner dance

Crafting Categories:

The theme for this year is “The four seasons”. Each of the four traditional seasons (summer, autumn, winter, spring) must be represented across the four of your team’s crafting entries. How you interpret these themes is up to the crafters on your team.

• Foamsmith Competition: a hand-and-a-half blunt weapon with a special emphasis on being “otherworldly”.

• Armourer Competition: a set of pauldrons with a special emphasis on being made of mixed media (at least three).

• Garb Competition: a doublet with sleeves with a special emphasis on being reversible.

• Artificer Competition: a source of light with a special emphasis on the incorporation of movement.

And now here are each of the rubrics we'll be using at Queen of Hearts XXXI

As always, the crafting and performance tournaments are an important and enduring part of the fabric of Queen of Hearts dating all the way back to the origin of the event. We look forward to the amazing contributions in these categories that our teams make every single year.

In service,

Jason and the Queen of Hearts Staff

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Realmsle #31

 

                       

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!

What You Missed - Neden BBQ

by: Dustin Mack 

Once again, many of us traveled to the lands of Neden. And once again, they served up a solid day of fun. They held a handful of the standard combat tournaments. I believe I saw single short, sword and shield, and sword and marn, at least. There was also the traditional Neden cornhole. This had a standard tournament and, if I'm not mistaken, an open challenge against Syruss with various partners. New this year was a tug of war. This ran as 1v1 and 3v3 (technically. The children were mysteriously very strong). Some of the past Neden originals weren't held this year, such as Judge Dresden and Tournaments of Sobriety. 

 We were told early on that there were some small dragons trying to invade the area. Prizes were handed out in return for catching them. I couldn't find any but the children seemed to do a good job at it. Maybe since the dragons were small they were easier for small kids to find. Regardless, Neden should be safe from a dragon invasion for a while.

At some point a demon showed up, and not one of the many that are usually found there. I believe their name was Kissum (pronounced kiss-OOM). They seem to have a business of sorts acquiring things. It sounded to me like a useful service. I have their business card with my gear, I can pass along how to contact Kissum if anyone is interested. I did confirm that this was not the same being that appeared in Blackwood recently.

There was also a mysterious being in black that showed up. I don't believe anyone interacted with them so I have no idea what they were doing. By the time I had considered talking to them it was too late and they were gone.

Oh, I can't forget to talk about the food. Burgers, hot dogs, various pasta salads, and a variety of chips. I liked the burgers, but apparently JB may have done something to the hot dogs. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems eating a hot dog caused Makhta to transform into some kind of bat creature. This was clearly not a happy thing. It did lead to an impromptu Judge Dresden in an attempt to figure out what happened. Unfortunately I did not get to hear the results. 

That all brings us to the raffle. As usual, there were many items that have magic abilities within Neden. Honestly this is one of my favorite things about visiting there. I won a magic missile paddle and a magic microphone, among a few other things. Among the prizes were a very creative circle of healing, a glowing mushroom, some gnomes, a large bug, mystery pouches, and of course the coveted ribbon piece. For those that don't know, four of these ribbons can be used to turn a Neden in house magic item into an "actual" magic item.

Even with some traditional parts missing, this was still a good time. I know they had some hiccups throughout the day, but these guys do everything they can to ensure people enjoy themselves while visiting. This is an event I make sure to hit every year. Not just because its close and a single day, but because there's always something fun happening. If you haven't gone to one yet, you're missing out.

On an OOC note, I know Cal has shared this already but it's worth including here too. Our community once again did something great and raised over $1500 to help a kid with leukemia. It's always amazing to see what people in this game can pull off when there's a major cause.