Happy New Year!

 Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy New Year from the View Staff!!!

15 Gold Equipment Build

 

Tell us your questing party choices in the Facebook comments and justify your answers!

A Blue Tale: An Attempt to Set it Right

by Daniel "Baron Diamond" Diamond

In part one of this tale, I related how, in an attempt to save Gwen’s soul, I’d led a party which was accidentally responsible for releasing Blue, the malevolent extra-planar entity which takes the form of a magic two-handed sword to trick hapless people to their doom. Now hear the tale of how a few of us narrowly failed to return it from whence it came. It was a target of opportunity in the middle of a completely different major crisis: The Furies Unleashed!

Decades ago, partly because of machinations of the Blackstar Guild, the seven blades of Wayland were drawn together in one place. Unwittingly we had as separate questing parties each escorted them to their fateful rendezvous. As most of the parties combined into a large army in a clearing, the adventures of Banecroft were growing increasingly ill at ease as more of the swords gathered together. Leaving some of our party crouched in a hollow, Myrddin and I rushed to find out more. We rapidly learned that only one sword was outstanding, and we consulted with that party outside the clearing on the wisdom of continuing. Using the Sable Dragon knightly power, I pondered, “Is it a bad idea to let this Wayland Blade into the cleaning?” Instead of the expected “yes” or “no”, I was told that “it is inevitable.” That answer disconcerted me momentarily, and while I was on the back foot the bearer of the final Wayland Blade entered the clearing.

There was a blinding flash of light. The seven furies descended upon us like wolves in the fold. The army broke with impossible speed: even against invulnerable enemies I’ve never seen an army of the Realms break so suddenly. I have no knowledge, but suspect some trick of magic, as scores of armed adventurers were being run down like hares. The rout was swift and complete. Myrddin and I were among the first slain, but after the initial onslaught the rest of our party emerged from their hollow and rescued us and we joined everyone else in the deadly game of cat and mouse that was our retreat from that place. 

In the light of the next day we one and all set upon the task of figuring out how to deal with these Furies. It took time to learn their different weaknesses, so early in the day they hunted us not unlike how they had done that night. During our initial scouting attempt, I saw two things unrelated to the Furies but of definite interest to me. There was a gate in the woods, which after asking around we learned was to the Rainbow Plane.  And in a cave on the far end of the land, there was Blue, lying in wait in his sword form for hapless adventurers to pick it up. While most were dealing with the Furies, I hit upon a plan to get rid of Blue while we could. 

Separated by fate and the furies from my close comrades, I gathered the most experienced and capable adventurers as I could see, most prominently Sir Tetch and Sir Callin. Sir Tetch was the key to my plan: the rest of us would escort her to where I had seen Blue, her magics would ward her from Blue’s death effect, and we would escort her to the gate to the Rainbow plane where she would throw it in. They agreed the plan was worth trying, but my plan was fatally flawed: “protect the soul” would not be enough to thwart Blue’s fatal contact. 

We set off, and halfway to our goal the Furies caught our scent and closed in on us. Some of us fought and died, some of us escaped but were separated. Sir Tetch and I stuck together, and decided to press on alone. Large concentrations were what the Furies seemed to zero in on, and indeed the two of us reached the cave without further incident. We entered the cave and found Blue where we expected it. Sir Tetch put the plan into action and died instantly. Knowing from hard experience that I’d need magic to stop Blue, I fell back before his onslaught. 

Meanwhile, Sir Callin had rallied the rest of our party and came up in the nick of time, and together we counterattacked to reclaim Sir Tetch. In that we were successful, and while we beat Blue back into it’s dormant state, we’d attracted the attention of a Fury, in particular the one possessing Prospero of the Blackstar Guild. As our party carried Sir Tetch away, in the rear guard I saw the Propero-Fury pick up Blue and resist it’s death effect, putting Blue in the Fury’s belt! And when Prospero-Fury attacked the rear guard, it fell to my perfectly ordinary sword. By the end of the day the army in general and an academically inclined Chimeronean mage in particular had catalogued what each Fury was affected by, and we’d later learned that this specific Fury was proof of anything but the ordinary. Thus, it could carry Blue. As our party fell back, I had an idea, and experimented: I found I could drag the rapidly regenerating Prospero-Fury without being slain by Blue, and I hatched a new plan.  

Sir Callin was intent on restoring Sir Tetch, and as large concentrations were as much a liability as an asset, I took my leave of them as they fell back to base. As the Prospero-Fury came back to life, I performed a fighting withdrawal towards the gate, then slew it anew, then carried it at best possible speed towards the clearing where the gate to the Rainbow plane lay. Having seen how long it took it to regenerate, I’d drop it and step away just before it caught me unprepared. I repeated the process three times, gaining nearer the gate each time, but the third time I took a wound. Seeing me hard pressed, two other adventurers ran to my aid and we soon had the Prospero-Fury in the clearing which contained the gate to the Rainbow plane. Only one more iteration would be necessary to allow me to throw Blue through the gate as it slew me. However, this help drew the attention of two other furies, and when they descended upon us my final attempt unraveled. 

There have been many attempts since to get rid of Blue, ranging from the wild to wise, from crass to clever. Only a few years ago we learned the true way to banish Blue, a difficult ritual for which some of the components have been gathered. In that effort, Lord Temorse is the most knowledgeable.

Meme Monday

 by The Meme Team

 Happy Holidays from the View Staff!

Morning Coffee Break

 Got your morning cup of coffee and a few minutes? Great! We're trying out a new feature at the View - we're going to be asking a series of questions and we want to know your answers! The question is posted below. So while you sip your morning beverage of choice, ruminate on this one:

What do you hope to find in your Yule stocking this year?

Head on back to the Facebook page and let us know!

Search the Realms

Below is a word search. Within there are the names of twenty different Realms Deities whose existences have spanned the years of our community. Most are extremely well known, but with a couple less known ones in there just to make it a challenge.

If this is not displaying correctly on your device you can click here.

To select a word, click on the first then the last letter and the whole word will highlight. Words can be going in any direction, forwards or backwards, diagonally or orthogonally. A message will pop up when you've gotten all twenty!

Report your success on the Facebook comments if you can get them all!

Meme Mondays

 by the Meme Team

Bonus Among Us Meme: Part 10 (finale)

Morning Coffee Break

Got your morning cup of coffee and a few minutes? Great! We're trying out a new feature at the View - we're going to be asking a series of questions and we want to know your answers! The question is posted below. So while you sip your morning beverage of choice, ruminate on this one:

What was the best gift you ever received at an Uncle Cecil's?

Head on back to the Facebook page and let us know in the comments!

Throwback Thursday - The Hats of Cecil's

Though we couldn't see one another at Cecil's this year, let's turn back the clock to look the Hats of Cecil's form years past.

https://viewfromvalehaven.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-12-hats-of-cecils-photos-by-jesse.html

Cross the Realms 4

 If this is not displaying properly in-browser or your mobile browser is having an issue, click here!

Hello everyone! Below is a classic crossword puzzle where all answers are spells in our spell system. They are all spells that are either a single word or two words with the space removed in the middle. Each clue is the name of that spell that has been scrambled.

See how many you can answer before you have to start looking things up... or using an automatic descrambler tool found on Google.

Tell us how you did in the Facebook comments!

Indana's Kitchen: Baked Brie

 Today we'll be looking at a holiday favorite, baked brie!

There isn't a recipe per se, more like some steps to follow that will lead you to cheesy success.

To make your baked brie, you'll want:

• A wheel of brie
• Pre-made puff pastry
• A topping of your choice (orange marmalade, red pepper jelly, caramelized onions, or whatever you have on hand that is sweet and spreadable)

Optional:

• Flour
• An egg

Meme Mondays

 by the Meme Team

Bonus Among Us meme Part 9:

Rumors for December 1020

[Across the Realms]

The Black Dagger thief was recently reported captured and locked up to await trial, however recent rumors state that guards are on the hunt again after a possible escape. It's likely the thief is now laying low, guards have asked for citizens to report any suspicious behavior.

[Chimeron]

The mountains and forests near the Faedraw River have been engulfed in thick and heavy fog. Animals can be seen fleeing from the forest. Scouts have tried to investigate the area but have not been returned.

[The Dreaming]

Dreamers who took interest in the Forgotten Grove and its melody dubbed "Empty Rain" may find themselves revisiting the Grove more frequently, be it for the duration of their dream, or just passing through on their other quests.

Those who delve deeper into this place may end up speaking with one of the statues

But its words always seem jumbled, or backwards.

Lately dreamers have been hearing the same message.

"Ollp uli gsv Yilpvm Szmw."

It is apparent that the Statue wants dreamers to investigate the Grove further...

[Neden]

Large colorful explosions can be seen above the Neden Castle as its denizens and other creatures who inhabit the lands surround the castle to see what the commotion is about.

Sir Naj can be seen using Portals to come and go from the castle with various boxes. Dresden O'Leary Esquire is on the scene with a pen and and taking quotes from the onlookers for the Neden Kazoo. Most people are trying to answer this Demons questions but are a bit Distracted by Cevaris and Darkin trying to squeeze elephants through the side entrance of the castle.  Lord Syruss can be heard yelling various things as different explosions take place.

"No the lions go in the other room" "Yes, of course that's what the piñatas are for" "Naj I swear to the Dark One himself no more experimental portals without the proper wards up" " Has anyone seen my fuzzy anti magic slippers....we need those STAT!"....."Oh man I can't WAIT FOR OUR FRIENDS TO SEE THIS ONE...not that one that's gross banish that..."

Why I Want to Go - A Very Merry Virtu-Yule at Cecil's Uncle's Crazy Tavern 3

By Cal "Syruss" Marsden

Hello friends, 

Cal here aka Syruss I am going to forgo my usual IC cheeky writing style to talk to you about an event that is near and dear to my heart. I have been going to Uncle Cecil’s tavern since its conception, which correct me if I am wrong, is in its impressive 13th year. I have had the privilege and frankly pleasure to watch this event evolve over the years. This year is going to be its most drastic evolution to date. 

But here is my take away. First, after experiencing the virtual event Black and White ball this year that Chimeron put on early this year I am extremely excited and hopeful for the content that I know can be provided in a virtual context. I will attempt to keep this a “Why I want to go” and not so much a “What you missed” but for those who missed this unique experience then let me tell you this, it is the bar currently for virtual Realms content. They provided an immersive setting with a copious amount of activities ranging on a multitude of medias and most importantly allowed us to be with each other during a year that seemed determined to keep us apart. While Uncle Cecil's isn't a Chimeron event, I know its staff cares just as much about our community and creating a festive atmosphere for us all to share.

Which brings me onto my next point: What is the True Meaning of Uncle Cecil’s Tavern??? Togetherness!!!!

Now don’t get me wrong there are a ton of great things that make up this event. This is our annual Holiday Party. This is where for the most part we let our hair down (for those of you with hair...lucky jerks that you are.) We come together to celebrate the year, bask in revelry, recount our happiest moments of the year, sing songs, exchange gifts, partake in libations(if that is your fancy), exchange gifts, eat tons of delicious food, and just be merry in the moment. It is the combination of all those things that make it great, but without the company surrounding us those activities would suffer all the more for it. Sure all that stuff is individually pleasing and we all appreciate it but when we experience it as a community it resonates and impacts us greater. The school of Positive Psychology shows us that when we witness joys in others it greatly impacts our brain to increase the pleasure we are having in the experience. So take a room filled with all your favorite people experiencing bliss coupled with your own holiday merriment! This my friends is a truly special time of year.

That is why this year is so important. This year more than ever we need to be surrounded (even virtually) with those we love and cherish. With our comrades, our peers, friends, allies, frienemies and even your friendly demon scallywags always looking to increase the cheeky fun times. So come to the event. If not for the cool mystery box, if not for the fun recipes we usually get to eat that we now get to create, if not for the fun gift swap, then to see the smiles that you put on your friends faces when they see your holiday cheer after a long year.

I can’t wait to raise a glass with you all remember table 2 is where the fun is at.

See you under the mistletoe friends

Love and Respect

Cal/ Lord Syruss

15 Gold Dungeon Building

 

Tell us your dungeon building choices in the Facebook comments and justify your answers!

Uncle Cecil's Favorite Yuletide Recipes

 It’s time for another exciting year at Cecil’s Uncle’s Crazy Tavern! What would our Yuletide tradition be without good food and drinks? It would be a dang shame, that’s what. Thankfully, we have a few recipes to help keep your bellies full and your cheeks warm until we can gather in person again. If you can’t make them for the party this weekend, give them a try some other time. It’s never a bad night for a cocktail and holiday food.

Do you have any questions? PLEASE reach out to Cecil. He is more than happy to talk about food and drink prep with you.

Cocktails and Mocktails

Yuletide Mocktail

Not everyone wants to hit the booze, and that’s fair. Our Yuletide Mocktail balances seasonal flavors into a memorable, refreshing drink.

Ingredients:

• ice
• cranberry juice cocktail
• apple cider or apple juice
• orange juice, fresh squeezed
• ginger ale

Directions:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice
2. Add juices in equal measure and stir
3. Top with ginger ale
4. Serve with garnishes of your choice

Notes:

• Fresh squeezed citrus juices make a big difference in cocktails, and an even bigger difference in mocktails. The flavor profile is more complex than what you get from bottled juice. To emphasize the fresh notes of the juice, you can garnish with a twist of orange peel.
• You see cranberry, apple, and citrus commonly combined in recipes for this season. Yule straddles the line between the end of the apple and cranberry seasons, the start of citrus season. Before mass refrigeration and climate control allowed for long-term storage on fruits, this was the only time of year you might have access to these flavors together.

Cranberry Gin Fizz

Herbal flavors from the gin and thyme play nicely with sweet-and-sour cranberry syrup. This cocktail takes a little bit of prep time, but the end result is worth it.

Ingredients:

For the Cranberry Syrup:

• 1/2 c. cranberries
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 3/4 c. water
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme

For the Cocktail:

• 2 oz. gin
• 3/4 oz. Cranberry Syrup (see below) 
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. elderflower liquor
• Ice
• Club soda
• Fresh cranberries, to garnish
• 2 sprig fresh thyme, to garnish

Directions:

Make the Cranberry Syrup:

1. Simmer cranberries, granulated sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and cranberries break down, 10 to 12 minutes
2. Stir in 4 sprigs fresh thyme
3. Cool to room temperature
4. Strain; discard solids

Make the Cocktail:

1. Combine gin, Cranberry Syrup, fresh lemon juice, elderflower liquor, and ice in a cocktail shaker
2. Shake until chilled; strain into 2 glasses
3. Top with ice and club soda
4. Garnish each drink with fresh cranberries and 1 sprig fresh thyme. 

Notes:

• Elderflower liqueur is ideal for this cocktail, but you could substitute an aromatic berry or floral liqueur. Chambord is something you might have handy.

Apple Whiskey Ginger

Apple Whiskey Gingers are a great way to relax after a long day. Make it sweet or make it strong - this drink can accommodate a wide range of tastes. It’s an easy cocktail that tastes like you worked hard to make it.

Ingredients:

• ice
• 2 ounces bourbon, whiskey, or honey whiskey liqueur
• 3 ounces apple cider
• 2 ounces ginger ale
• Orange slice, thyme sprig, or apple slice brushed with dilute lemon juice as garnish

Directions:

1. In a shaker, pour alcohol and cider over ice
2. Shake and strain in a highball glass filled with ice
3. Top with ginger ale
4. Garnish and serve

Notes:

• Jack Daniels Honey is a great choice to keep the drink sweet and playful
• Wild Turkey 101 will keep the drink feeling strong as the ice melts
• Any dark liquor works well in this drink. Avoid the clear liquors - they either add no substance or have the wrong flavor profile.
• It’s ok to not shake this if you don’t have a shaker, but seriously get a shaker for the future. It’s a simple tool that can really improve your cocktail experience.
• You need to brush the apple slice with diluted lemon juice to prevent it from browning

Holiday Food

Papa Cecil’s Soy Garlic Wings

This recipe was an involuntary family secret for over 20 years! I wish I was joking. No one but the Cecils could make it right. I promise that you can succeed, just do not try to get fancy and make the dish better with high-end ingredients.

Ingredients

• 20 Chicken wing parts (10 whole wings)
• 1 bottle La Choy soy sauce
• 1 jar garlic

Materials

• Gallon zipper bag or bags, depending on the size of your wings

Directions

The day before you bake:

1. In a zipper bag, combine wings, La Choy soy sauce to cover them, and TOO MUCH garlic (see Notes)
2. Marinate the wings overnight in the refrigerator

The day you bake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place wings in a single layer in a disposable baking pan and cover with foil. Discard the marinade.
3. Roast the wings, covered, for 1 hour
4. Take the wings out of the oven, uncover, and drain all liquid from the pan - this is easiest with a turkey baster
5. Return wings to the oven uncovered until browned. Maybe 20 minutes, but it can vary widely

Notes

• The garlic in this recipe is one of those ingredients where I cannot give you an exact measurement. You are going to just add a ridiculous amount of garlic. When you catch yourself thinking, “There is no way a marinade could use this much garlic,” double it. You think I am joking, but I am deadly serious. There should be no half-inch by half-inch square of wing where there is no garlic. If you can poke a wing and not touch garlic, add more. Most areas of that size will have multiple pieces. I promise the final product does not have an overpowering garlic flavor. Pinkie swear.
• Whatever you do, not try to improve this recipe with higher quality, healthier, or off-brand ingredients. It will not taste the same. Fresh garlic does not work. Real soy sauce does not work.
• You do not need to use a disposable pan for this recipe, but it makes cleanup much easier.

Mama Cecil's Crabbies

This is always a party favorite. The crabbies at UCCT 2019 used a horseradish cheese spread instead of Old English Spread for an added kick. That was a hit, and you may want to make the same substitution at your home. 

Ingredients

• 2x 6 oz. canned crab meat (usually 4.25 oz. drained weight, each), drained
• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 5 oz. jar Kraft Old English Spread
• Alternatively, use 5 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese, orange if possible
• 6 English muffins, split

Materials

• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon or rubber spatula
• Cookie sheet
• 1-gallon freezer bag

Directions

A day or more ahead of time:

1. Mix all ingredients except the English muffins
2. Spread evenly on the English muffin halves
3. Freeze in a single layer - using a cookie sheet or plates is helpful for this
4. Store frozen crabbie rounds in the freezer bag until needed

When you want some tasty crabbies:

1. Preheat the oven to 425
2. Cut each frozen crabbie rounds into 6 wedges
3. Bake frozen wedges on a cookie sheet until bubbly and lightly browned, usually 10-12 minutes

Notes

• Kraft Old English Spread is a highly processed cheese product that is becoming increasingly hard to find. It is often dairy-adjacent in the grocery store because it does not require refrigeration, like Velveeta.
• You can use real cheese in this recipe. Choose a bag of pre-shredded sharp cheddar. You want pre-shredded cheese because the starches they use to stop the shreds from binding will help emulsify the melted final product. Choose orange cheese just to give your crabbies a bit of color.
• Get the cheapest canned crab meat you can find. It’s usually called “Pink Crab Meat”. This is not a recipe that benefits from more expensive crab. The nicer canned lump crab meat can change the texture of the dish in a way that not everyone enjoys.
• If you are not really into crab, just use 1 can. The end product will still be ooey-gooey goodness.
• You can make this dish and bake it right away, but freezing it gives you an appetizer you can pull out and bake any time with almost no effort. I was going to point out that means you can save some of your Black & White crabbies for later, but Lady Lindsay (my OOC wife and fellow Feastocrat) pointed out to me that Realmsies have never failed at finishing every crabbie that comes out of our kitchen, no matter how many we make. You should take that as a challenge.

Uncle Cecil’s Best Turkey Yet

I have spent years perfecting my roast turkey. This recipe uses techniques gathered from famous chefs, BBQ pitmasters, and old-school cooks. If you want crispy skin, succulent meat, and drippings to make the most flavorful gravy, this recipe is for you. Herb and spice measurements for the rub are approximate, but the salt is not. Use the same amount of salt even as you change the other seasonings to meet your needs.

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey, turkey breast, turkey leg, or large chicken
• NOT a Butterball, kosher, or pre-salted turkey
• ½ tsp. Kosher salt per pound of bird
• Fresh poultry herbs - ideally sage, rosemary, and thyme
• 1 tsp. chopped per pound of bird
• 2 additional sprigs of each for a whole turkey, 1 sprig for a breast or leg
• Black pepper - ⅛ tsp. per pound of bird
• Ground allspice - ⅛ tsp. per pound of bird
• Ground ginger - ⅛ tsp. per two pounds of bird
• 1 onion, halved
• 1 apple, halved
• 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 if only doing a breast or leg
• Canola or other vegetable oil

Materials

• Roasting pan with rack
• Butcher twine if roasting a whole bird
• Aluminum foil
• Meat thermometer

Directions

1-3 days before you roast:

1. Combine salt, chopped herbs, black pepper, allspice, and ginger
2. Rub ⅔ of the salt mixture underneath the bird’s skin on the breast and legs and in the cavity
3. Rub ⅓ of the salt mixture on top of the skin
4. If roasting a whole bird, truss it and tuck the wings under the shoulders (see notes)
5. Chill bird in the refrigerator covered for 1-3 days, longer is better
6. Remover the cover 24 hours before you intend to roast the bird

The day you roast:

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees
2. Rub a thin layer of cooking oil over the skin of the bird
3. Make a 2-layer foil shield to cover the breast of the bird, but do not put it on the bird yet (see notes)
4. Stuff the apple, onion, and cinnamon sticks in the cavity of the bird. If roasting a breast or leg, place underneath or next to the meat as you feel is appropriate
5. Place the turkey into your roasting pan with 2 cups of water in the bottom - add water later in the roast if this fully evaporates (see notes)
6. Roast bird at 500 for 30 minutes
7. Remove bird from the oven. Place the foil shield over the breast. Insert your meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, or the thickest part of the thigh if there is no breast.
8. Set oven to 350 and put the bird back inside
9. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN AND BASTE THE BIRD. Basting is not needed in this recipe, and it will not improve your end result.
10. Roast until the thermometer reads 150 in the thickest part of the breast or 170 in the thigh
11. Let the bird rest for at least 10 minutes before carving

Notes

• Trussing a bird is tying the leg ends together so the legs rest closer to the body of the bird. This helps the birds cook evenly and not dry out. Exactly how you truss a bird is largely a matter of choice. Many turkeys come pre-trussed. Watch a couple of youtube videos and you will be a champ in no time.
• This recipe is my own take on Alton Brown’s famous brined turkey. It uses a dry brine, which is easier and yields a more flavorful bird in the end. Watching his video from this episode of good eats can help you understand how to cover the breast of a turkey with a foil shield.
• Dry brined birds release very little water as they roast. You need water in the bottom of the roasting pan to prevent the drippings from burning. Those drippings can make one heck of a gravy or improve the broth you make from the carcass, so don’t let them go to waste!
• This technique works on whole turkey, whole chicken, or the parts of either.
• Fun Fact: Cecil will pretty much always be thrilled if you call or message him to ask about cooking a turkey. Seriously, a good turkey is one of the most delicious dishes you can make for a holiday. You’re thinking, “Oh, I don’t know him well enough to do that.” Yes, you do! You are Realms family, and family gets to learn how to make a good turkey.

Meme Mondays

 by the Meme Team

Bonus Among Us Comic Part 8

Morning Coffee Break

 Got your morning cup of coffee and a few minutes? Great! We're trying out a new feature at the View - we're going to be asking a series of questions and we want to know your answers! The question is posted below. So while you sip your morning beverage of choice, ruminate on this one:

It's almost winter-time, what is your favorite memory of eventing in the snow?

Head on back to the Facebook page and let us know in the comments!

Guess Who With the View: Round Nine

 

15 Gold Questing Party

Tell us your questing party choices in the Facebook comments and justify your answers!

Escape the Dream Part 1

Welcome to a new View Miniseries: Escape the Dream.

Each week we will share a link to a short (10-15 minute) virtual escape room, each with only one or two puzzles to them. Each installment will have an episodic story that goes along with them.

You'll need to be logged into your Google account to access the escape room, primarily because it will allow us to keep track of who completes which chapters so we can release a tally at the end of the story.

Best of luck, you can get to the first chapter by clicking: HERE

Snowy Path by David Stevenson