Important Information from Chimeron by Ryan "Orion" Welch

Greetings fellow adventurers! Feast of Chimeron XXV is in a couple of weeks, and we’re looking forward to seeing you there! Right now, we would like to share with you some information about the special activities that will be going on during the Feast...

Bardic Circle

As always we will welcome musicians, storytellers, and performers of all creeds to practice their art in our feast hall. Books of traditional songs will be made available to anyone who wishes to carol ‘round their table.

For those bards interested in competitive performance, we will be hosting a campfire-style bardic circle just outside the feast hall. Attendance and participation are open to the public, but anyone wishing to compete must register their intention to do so with Captain Orion ((welch.ryan.d at gmail dot com)) by the Third of May so that a schedule can be drawn up. Competitors will perform for a panel of judges and the best bard by their estimation will receive public congratulation during court.

Each bard will have up to ten minutes to perform. Other than that, there are no restrictions to the type of bardic art the competitor may perform. The three-judge panel will score each performance in accordance with the standards set by the Bardic College. Those standards are:

• Technical Proficiency
• Showmanship
• Originality
• Thematic Appropriateness

For more information on the scoring standards, you can read the Judge’s Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BynZJJ37SxzwZzBwa0lrS3dVczBKLXdWNkYxclFyTDZ4NzdV/view?usp=sharing

Tak Tournament

Tak is a quick table game for two players. At this year’s Feast, Chimeron will be hosting the first Tournament of Tak, which will be conducted in a double-elimination bracket format. Each match-up will be played to best of three games. Semi-final and final match-ups will be played to best of five games. Tournament participants who have been feasting for more than two years will be asked to pay a ten gold entry fee which will go directly into the champion’s purse, which will be supplemented with a reasonable contribution from the Royal Treasury. The first runner-up will receive a small portion of the winnings. Additionally, the champion will be awarded a unique Capstone.

Tak sets will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own.

(Link to rules: http://cheapass.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Tak-Beta-Rules.pdf)

Royal Casino

Once again, Sir Wil and the Chimeron Royal Casino will be in business all night. Available games will include Blackjack, Let It Ride, and Roulette. Come try your luck and see if you walk away with a few more Rowan.

Table Games

This year we are making a special effort to make sure there are plenty of opportunities to entertained during the feast. With that being said, we also encourage feast-goers to bring their own forms of entertainment to share with their companions. Table games and board games welcome ((we ask that you try to keep it relatively appropriate to the Realms setting)), but we strongly discourage the use of magic-light-boxes, despite how entertaining it might be to try to capture small creatures with them.

Art Gallery

View from Valehaven Art Gallery

by Janna "Iawen" Oakfellow-Pushee

A Study in Crayon

Luc Fromage, Crayon Connoisseur

Wax, pigmentation, and paper.  Fun for all ages, an expressive medium, loaded with color, movement, and pizzazz.

Ask the Editors

Ask the Editors
by the Editors

Episode 2

Hello and welcome to Episode 2. We appreciate you coming back for our second attempt to show you how awesome asking us questions can be. If you don't think it's awesome, please send all complaints about this episode to George Lucas.

We only have one question remaining in our question vault, which means two things. 1 – That we are going to answer it. 2 - That people need to ask us more questions!

This weeks question from the notorious “Question Box” sparked a couple of great responses from some people very knowledgeable on the topic of guarding the Western Flank, which is apparently located in the kitchen.

“Why don't people NPC as much? (We keep seeing the same folks burn out...)”

~Anonymous

Lets get some answers shall we?

Neden Kazoo

I Can't Even

I Can't Even...

… In Public

Let me preface this article by saying that I love my friends, but my goodness can they be uncouth ruffians. I recently went out in public with a large group of compatriots and let me tell you, it was a test of patience at times. Not just patience with them, but with the public as a whole. It seems that people either don't care or don't know how to act while out and about. Fortunately I am here to remind them.

I previously wrote an article on general feasting etiquette which can be found here: I Can't Even... Social Etiquette  Please review it. It's apparent that you all need to.

This goes beyond dinner table manners though, and into the general way that we act as groups in public. I tend to focus more on how an individual can improve upon themselves, but what about how a collective can better each other?

When we gather in groups, the public's perception of you will be based off of your party as a whole. All members of your company are not weighted equally, however. The less well behaved among you will have a greater impact than than the most mannerly. (Mannerly means the one who has the best manners, not the one who looks most like a man). This is because annoying people are far more noticeable than polite ones. No one notices the family in the corner with the kids who are well behaved, but we all see the family with the screaming brats who are completely undisciplined and running amok. It is the same with ill-mannered adults. People aren't going to say “look at that fine gentleman who is sitting up straight and using a fork”, they are going to say “look at that barbaric moron who is spilling things all over and using his sleeve as a napkin.”

“But Zarine, we don't have an uncouth pleb in our group...”. Oh, yes you do. Every group has at least one, and if you don't think yours does, then it's probably you. You're dragging your whole group down with your filthy mouth, inappropriate clothing choices, and lack of decorum. Think of other people for once. Do you want your friends to be looked down upon because of your uncultured vulgarity? I think not, dear reader!

Groups of friends don't exist to tear each other down, but rather to build each other up, or so I am told. If that is the case, then start doing it. You may not be meaning to disgrace the group with your actions, but intent is not really what is important here. If you are one of the more respectable people in your group and you sit and stew while your friends tarnish your good reputation then you are not helping either. You need to work together to bring the whole group to a more civilized position. If someone is humiliating your gathering, say something to them, preferably in a productive manner that will help rather than hinder your goal. If you are the problem, the first step is admitting it, realizing you need help and accepting it.

I know that I used my own friends as a point of departure, but really they are not all that bad. Over the years, we have all grown into responsible adults and have helped each other come to a place of respectability. We all have to elbow each other now and then to remind us where we are, apologize to servants for someone having a bad day and being rude, hand someone a napkin, or clean up a friend's mess (See: I Can't Even... Be the Sober Friend). It's part of being on a team or in a group. You look out for each other. My friends let me use them to make valid points on Tuesdays, but they are becoming less of an example as they are more influenced by myself and others who are more socially refined. And even I had to become cultured at some point, and it certainly didn't happen on a pirate ship or living with Trent. So if you think you cannot change yourself or your social circle's public perception you're wrong. You can. It takes some work, but aren't your friends worth it?

See you next Tuesday.

Zarine is the proprietor and Madam at Alchimia Lupanar, a magic marshal approved practitioner of medicine, an award winning author, and has 36 years of experience in giving her unsolicited opinion.

Arc Sphere Distortions

Arc Sphere Distortions

by Steven "Therian" Matulewicz

10 More Questions with Janna "Iawen" Oakfellow-Pushee

Photo by Dave Harvill

  1) What achievement either in or out of character are you most proud of?

OOC -  getting hitched, having children, completing three different certifications (Art, Business, CPR/AED) within five years of each other.

IC - getting asked to become KoEF, and then also re-entering the Knighthood years later.  *thinks*  I'm also still really super-proud of Tiptoe through the Tulips, which was over a decade ago at this point.

2) Are you a fighter or a caster? Have you always been? How did you choose?

Caster with everyone; Iawen, though, just unlearned some spells for her commander so she's a 1-path Seer at the moment.  I have not always been a caster throughout the time playing different PCs, and I love to fight, but casting is somewhat easier for me to choose since I'm older.  ^_^;

3) Have you ever owned an artifact, memento, or magic item  that has meant a lot to you, and why?
For Bouquet, there was a few: a jade pendant from Krythron, a necklace that was the essence of Mab...there were a lot of things, and they've either been given to other PCs or lost to time, unfortunately.

Iawen has a key ring (literally) from Soft, and an amazing Shape-shifting mask from Syruss, a True Name from The Gray Man...

Certain there are more but Player 4 is keeping me busy as I type. ;)

4) What group of people do you spend the most time with and why?

Iawen is able {at the moment} to surf between groups, although currently sworn to Eagle's Rook after a five-plus year stint in Coventry, and spent some time within the Kingdom of Chimeron, too, at the beginning of her existence.

5) Who is your best friend in character and why?

Iawen has had bad luck where if she mentions publicly whom she deeply loves or considers Family or a best Friend, they end up dead permanently.  (Don't believe me?  See example Valas, Shane, Airavarri, etc.), so... she ADMIRES many in Folkestone (Quazar, Mathias & Matiya, Lord Malaki, Mestoph, Rubis, Piper, Sasha, Borjid... there's a lot), many in Chimeron (Dame Brynn, Sir Wil, Sir Rel, Warlord Saka, Sir Rosetta, Indana, Ser Kovaks, Rekees... hmm... Chimeron and R names, Folkestone and M names... trend?), Blackwood (Sir K, Jinx, Sir Tao, Sir Cronyn, Toah, Tolf, Flydian, Pilpus, and more... and Blackwood has T names?).  I guess there are a lot of folk, and they all impress her with their strength AND wisdom of character.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

6) What event or moment had the greatest impact on you as a player?

Pass... they're worth speaking about face-to-face, so I encourage folks to talk to me (or even to ask this question of one another!).

7) What event or moment had the greatest impact on your character?

See above answer.

8) What is your most embarrassing moment, either IC or OOC?
I cannot currently remember *the* most, so I'll do an OOC recent one - not hearing a fellow player correctly caused me to publicly scold/rant/get angry over the words, and then come to find out I was 100% wrong about what I thought was said.  Make sure you understand a whole story before you jump to conclusions!

9) What is the best piece of advice you'd give to other players?

Actually talk to folks.  Even shy characters/introverts can learn something from it in the Realms, both IC and OOC.

10 ) What is the most important thing you've learned through the game?

This year, this month?  Patience.

BONUS QUESTION #1: Who would you like to see the next interview be with?

Gideon/Jacob Valeri, Bright/Ian Pushee, Rosetta/Eric Willison, Jinx/Jana Greene

BONUS QUESTION #2: Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print.

A lot can happen in five years; it's a good thing to go back and peek into the past every once in a while to remember the roots of this game and its community so that in the future, we can make it better.

 

Photo by Cara Zajac

Ask the Editors

Ask the Editors

Episode 1

Hello everyone, and welcome to the very first episode of Ask the Editors. Much like another famous Episode One, this one is likely going to be quite bad. Stick around though, because I feel that by Episode Four it should get really good.

As of now, we do not have many questions to choose from so we have decided to start with a fun one to break the ice. This one is from our Question Box:

"How fabulous is the name Valley Girl? The story behind it is unimportant."

~Rani Valley

To Cast off Death's Embrace

To Cast off Death’s Embrace

by Dav(id, e) "Vawn" Hayden

Sometimes people will talk about heroism in terms of "a calling", as in one's destiny being to do great things. In the warrior culture far to the North and West of the Realms, known as the Vaargha, there is a similar concept known as "a growling". For, honestly, nothing embodies the beckoning one feels to accomplish a particular task or goal quite like the gnawing emptiness of true hunger and the quest to end it.

Of course, sometimes a growling is just a growling, the sound one's stomach makes when it's been four or five hours since one's last meal and the threat of perishing from starvation is both real and imminent.

Sometimes the two growlings collide...

I Can't Even

I Can't Even...

 by Sara "Zarine" Jessop

… Mirrors

            This week, let's talk about mirrors and why you should use one. They are very handy devices that show you your reflection so that you know what other people's eyes are being subjected to when they are forced to look upon your person. They should be used every day before you leave your home and enter the public sphere. Yet so often I question whether or not someone even owns one when I see what they have chosen to present to the world. It's a much more pleasant thought than thinking that they did indeed look in the mirror and decided that their presentation was acceptable. I fear for a Realms that thinks some of these choices are good ones! 

Arc Sphere Distortions

Arc Sphere Distortions

by Steven "Therian" Matulewicz

What You Missed, Feast of Eagles Rook

What You Missed:

Feast of Eagle's Rook 3

By Diana "Kiira" LaPierre

Candle flames simulated for safety

Saturday brought with it good weather, good food, and good company. Feast of Eagle's Rook 3 had plenty of activities to choose from. There was eating, fighting, politics, chatting, eating, and manipulating time magic.

Since it was a feast, let us begin there. They began the day with the usual snacks, such as crackers, delicious spreads with cream cheese and jams, dips and dipping devices, and, let's not forget bread and butters. The appetizers were plentiful and delicious and even the littlest feasters were not forgotten about: there was a large bowl of multicolored goldfish crackers, which I'm fairly certain was the majority of what my child ate.

After the appetizer course, there was a soup course in which I partook of the butternut squash soup. It was creamy and had the right amount of seasoning. Served with the soups was something called tack(I think) and looked cool but I didn't try it. Following the soups was a tossed salad course, but I was too preoccupied with appetizers, because I loved the cream cheese spreads. Mmmmmm. Cheeeeeeses.

What You Missed- Feast of Eagle's Rook III (photos)

[Editor's note: all photos by Jason Rosa]

Merchant Barons: Traders of Avendroth

Crowded feast hall

Creathorne Casino is up and running

A delicious-looking spread

Hanging out and telling tales

Tournies in the background

Vuel versus Shader

The ticket auction

The Stacked Deck tournament is heating up!

Mingling and relaxing

Magic dueling in action

Another Avendroth challenge, Code Words

Pen Thief

Law-Abiding Players of the Realms,

Breaching sensitive subjects can be a difficult thing. Sometimes, however, things must be stated. The cards need to be put on the table. We must address the elephant in the room.

Two words: Pen thieving. It's an epidemic we face in game today. Some say it's an honest mistake, but is it? When is enough going to be enough? At what point do we start to punish the culprits for their indiscretions?

How did it begin? We all know those large boxes of generic blue and black pens that cost next to no money. Maybe it started as borrowing one of those occasionally to finish your verbal, get signatures, or answer a puzzle you were working on. Maybe that pen happened to find itself in your pouch and you forgot all about it. Okay. Fine. Accidents happen.

But those very nice Pilot G-2 pens you borrowed from that head marshal, the one that they were using to track the combat brackets, did you return it to them when you were done writing down that rune set? You could have stolen months of writing away from that marshal. It could be they use that at work, too. Those pens write so nicely and last a really long time. Maybe you should think about others livelihoods next time your inclined to nab something so functionally important to some.

At what point does the pen stolen become sacred? I think, in order to answer that question, we need to go back, really far back, about 20 years ago. There was little Diana, a bushy haired, bright-eyed little middle schooler. All she wanted more than anything was a box of those brightly colored, all-the-rage gel pens: Gelly Rolls. Thankfully, Diana's parents bought the popular gel pens for their beloved daughter and she was the happiest person alive for all the days that she had those pens. Until, that is, they inevitably ran out or were forgotten about for something like trading cards or video games.

Years passed and adulthood hit our heroine hard. Those Gelly Rolls became harder to come by, and harder to buy when they returned to prominence because they want how much for those?! For gel pens? Luckily, though, those pens were on clearance when she was purchasing a box to be used for an upcoming series for the View from Valehaven. So, she eagerly purchased them and was temporarily granted the pure pleasure reminiscent of her childhood.

Then, needless to say, they were left with the box in hopes of gaining some questions to be answered. They were going to make everyone who reads the View as happy as they did that girl. But, as you must have already deduced, someone stole it! Thankfully, with the use of international negotiations involving a metal peacock in which the girl reneged upon, she was able to gain back that pen! But one of the other in the set of three was stolen from her feasting table. Heartbreak once again ensued and the set was incomplete and so was our heroine's heart.

After that heart wrenching story, do you still believe that swiping pens is a victimless crime? How long do we let this go on and at what cost? Are not even Gelly Rolls sacred?!

Sincerely,
     Diana

P.S. To the Childhood Ruining Theif: If you let my pen go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will give you an earful.

Ask Syruss

Ask Syruss!

by Cal "Syruss" O'Leary

Sir Syruss is a seasoned adventurer with over 10 years of experience slaughtering undead, charming the ladies, beating up bad guys, frustrating the good guys, and grossing out ladies. SO, if you have a question no matter how bizarre, weird or funny (the funnier the better, then we can sell more issues of the View), consider asking the man who loves to tell you how to live your life; even though no one tells you how to live your life!

Photo by Jesse Gifford

Dear Syruss,

What do you suggest would be the best familiar that I could claim for my own? There are so many creatures out there, both magical and mundane, it's so hard to choose! I'll stay away from bats of course, since that seems to be your thing and all, but surely there must be a method to this madness...please advise!

Signed,

Imaginary Menag-er-ie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

I Can't Even, Spring Cleaning

I Can't Even...

 by Sara "Zarine" Jessop

… Spring Cleaning

            The Spring Series continues this week with a topic near and dear to my heart: cleaning. Even though I employ many people to clean for me, I myself still receive immense joy from the physical act of sterilizing messy spaces. In fact, my housekeepers are not allowed into my private quarters as I dislike others touching my things and cleaning improperly. My rooms are organized and cleaned according to a strict regime that is only realized in my own head and therefor cannot be performed by others.

Arc Sphere Distortions

Arc Sphere Distortions

by Steven "Therian" Matulewicz

View from Valehaven Editorial Staff

Big Changes

By Diana "Kiira" LaPierre

There comes a time in every LARP-based publication's life where the staff make a decision to grow. We here at the View from Valehaven have decided on taking in new editors to help us improve and increase our weekly content. I happen to have the honor of introducing them to you! They are...

The Wrath of Irvin Ruggles: Part III

by Renee "Mouse" Booke

[Editor's Note: need to catch up? Read Part I and Part II]

As the human boulder stomped down the road towards her, Ashryn plucked her rapier from its scabbard. Despite the collection of baubles and engraved buttons that adorned her person, the blade stood out above all the rest once freed. It was so well polished that there was an ethereal glow about it, an aura that drew in the eyes. Crafted for her several years back, the blade was only slightly longer than the average rapier, and measured around three and a half feet. The swept hilt, and the blade, were both forged from a rare ore known in these parts as Sky-Metal. The grip was also made of rare material. For its construction, ivory had been imported all the way up from the Tuh’Chiri Empire in the far south. The pommel, which brought balancing weight to the slender weapon, was also made of Sky-Metal, but inlaid with carved amethysts and almandine gemstones.

“Don’t you move, Reymaris! I’m taking you in!”

Ashryn rolled her eyes, tapping the blade against a tall black boot. “And here I was told never to go anywhere with strangers,” she mused. A coy smile crossed her face. “Come now, Sir Bryson, tis a lovely day, no need for the grumpiness.”

“It will be a lovely day when you have faced the justice of the law!” Bryson called back, still stomping towards her. From head to toe he was covered in a complete suit of well-tempered steel. His cuirass had detailed engraving depicting a displayed raven. Ravens had long been the symbol of the Kingdom of Vamhadras, so it was no surprise to see this nationalistic display from the stalwart Knight. His helm, the product of some artisan’s vision, was a masterpiece. It was narrowly open-faced, save for the extension that covered the bridge of his nose. Though his eyes and mouth were unobstructed, the rest of the dome protected his skull in a thick case of unblemished metal. On either side of the helm back towards the ears, additional plates of metal had been attached, engraved to look like silver wings. It was an angelic statement, a testament to the honor and strength of the Silver-Winged Justicar; the rank and file soldiers of Vestulaan.

Ashryn exhaled slowly, bringing her free hand up to her chest. She held it firmly over her heart. “You wound me with such judgmental talk,” she said, “Can we not just stop for a moment and enjoy the clouds?”

Bryson furrowed his brow, quite agitated with the remark. “The last time I stopped to speak with you, you stole my coin. I have not forgotten the slight.” He began to move, adjusting the strap that ran around his far shoulder; keeping his heater shield in place upon his back. It was easy to shift into his hand with a twist of his torso. Comfortable with his defenses, he next reached for his mace. “I trust you are prepared for combat?”

“My dear Sir Bryson, I can assure you that I am always ready, but I fail to see the point in this conflict,” said Ashryn.

“I’ve made myself quite clear on that. You are a common criminal, Reymaris. You’ve stolen from me, and likely countless others. I’m taking you in to local authorities so that you may serve your time and repent for any wrongdoing,” Bryson replied.

Ashryn bristled with offense. “Now listen here you lumpish, motley-minded measle! Surely I deserve a better label than common! I hardly stole from you, I merely borrowed with every intention to pay you back.”

Bryson shifted his weight towards his back leg at the outburst, such a cacophony of words was not something he was privy to on a daily basis. “Borrowing without permission is still theft.” He rapped his mace against the front of his shield, filling the air with high-pitched, overlapping rings. “Vestulaan forgive me for the violence I must use to uphold your will,” he prayed.

Ashryn sprinted ahead, closing the gap between them. With her rapier in hand, she thrust the blade forward on Bryson’s right side, and then lashed out quickly to the left. The armored Knight was ready, however, and his shield deflected both attempts as he gently turned his body to keep in step with the blows. He kept his shield raised to protect his torso, but never raised it above his line of sight; an act of discipline in the face of Ashryn’s swift strikes. Not to be deterred, Ashryn tried again. With her seemingly delicate blade, she kept throwing shots on opposite sides of body, trying to lure him into the safety of a familiar rhythm. Still on the defensive, Bryson continued to block her shots as best as he could, but found himself losing ground. With every aggressive movement she took, it was forcing Bryson to backpedal. The hardened Knight knew he needed to take control of the pace, or admit his surrender.

“Come on you goatish, fly-bitten clot-pole! Don’t tell me that for all your talk of justice, you’re just going to sit there and let a common criminal walk all over you!” Ashryn shouted, attempting to give him another deft prod with her sword.

Instead of idle deflection, this time Bryson pushed his shield forward with uncharacteristic aggression. It would leave him open, he knew, so he followed it up with a simultaneous effort from the mace. With all the strength he could muster, he swung his weapon downwards from over his shoulder and stepped forward into the attack.

The forcible push from the shield left Ashryn’s sword only one direction to travel in, which the elven warrior couldn’t contest in such close quarters combat. She went along with it, and planted the tip of her sword into the ground. As Bryson stepped forward into his mace swing, Ashryn dipped low to move under his arm. Still holding the grip of the rapier, Ashryn’s arm and weapon combined to make a most glorious tripping hazard. Bryson, unable to stop the momentum of his vigorous attack, tripped over the trap that had been laid before him; and fell face first into the dirt.

To Be Continued…

Why You Should Go: Feast of Eagles Rook

Feast of Eagle's Rook 3 - Why you Should Go

by Diana "Kirra" LaPierre

Cressida says: "It's the eagle-est!"

Bright says: "Lazy Eagle Soup!"

Sayeh says: "Because there will be gold... lots and lots of gold... you'd think you'd be safe in Eagle's Rook."

Orion says: "I'm not going, I have work to do." (Ryan is NPCing)

Bear says: "It's a feast, there's gotta be yummy food!"

Mark says: "Because [Dave Hayden] says SCREECH!!!"

Dani-Danger: "I'M FIVE YEARS OLD, COME TO MY PARTY!"

...well, you heard it here, folks. A random panel of adventurers give their reasons why you should go.

A simple feast in a garrison, with a Stacked Deck, Portal Plots, Snarls from the Kitchen, and more funky stuff than last year!  See you soon!

I Can't Even, First Impressions

I Can't Even...

by Sara "Zarine" Jessop 

… First Impressions

            You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Once you've done something once you can never do it again and claim it was the first time. That's just the way time works. Many things that we do aren't effected by the fact that it's the first, second, or hundredth time we've done it. If you completely bungle it one of those times, you can often simply do better next time. Introducing yourself to people just doesn't work that way.

No, you're an over used Meme!

            It takes approximately three seconds for someone to evaluate you and form an opinion of your person when they first make your acquaintance. “But Zarine, that can't be right...” But it is. It sounds crazy, does it not? Yet we all form these quick conclusions about people and places all of the time and it's almost impossible to stop our minds from doing it. Once we have made these immediate judgments it's fabulously difficult to change them. It's almost like the quicker the assessment of someone or something is made the more deeply rooted in our minds it becomes. I'm sure someone more sciencey can explain the actual psychology involved.