Well, my Belegarth cherry has officially been popped. After being away from a padded sword for a few years (during the late Shogun--may it rest in peace), it felt good to get back into action. Our unit, the House of Einherjar, made a showing three strong, and we had a skirmishtacular time on the battlefield. My sword and shield work was sloppy at best, but through practice, I hope to regain my edge soon enough.
Belegarth Rule #1: Don't power-drink until 4:00 am the night before the fighting.
Special thanks goes to Clan of the Hydra for being incredibly hospitable and approchable, House Dregoth for allowing us the use of their enchanted light-conjuring device (without which we would have been doomed to set up camp in the dark), and Lady Feri (sp?) for dispensing helpful information and assorted foodstuffs throughout the event--your chicken sandwiches are practically orgasmic, and I have the stains on my garb pants to prove it.
Our numbers are already on the grow, and a couple of us are planning to make Melcaorme (Beltaine's just too far and too soon, unfortunately), so we hope to see some of the same faces there and meet some new people to boot. Here's to the growth of the House of Einherjar, and, with luck, the beginning of good relations with the other units in the Midwest.
This is the brief account of what Bruder experienced on Khador hosting it's first event:
My guesstamation is we had about 30-40 fighters show up.About 15 of which were in my realm alone.This is the exact reason why I set up and ran the mini.So that my noobies in Rockford see what it's like firsthand what an event is like without the travel.That way they are more likely to put up with traveling for upcoming events, such as Okfest.From what I've seen while heralding most of the event, the noobies in my realm fought really hard.All but one (which I affectionly call the realm's douche) took their hits well and did not bullshit around.I even saw a couple of them sparing with vets during the breaks.This shows to me that they want to learn and get better.And for that, my respect and admiration for them grows.
This also gives me some optimism that if I were to suddenly leave the Rockford area for whatever reason, then Khador and Belegarth will stay.Some of these guys appear to be really serious about Belegarth.Hell today, a noobie within the realm just started petitioning for House Dregoth despite knowing damn well I am going to pick on him a lot for that. :p
A lot of people left right before we started the back trails/capture the flag battles.I understand that the Rhun guys have a practice at 6 but they missed out on a lot of fun.There was this little girl dressed in complete hippish looking monster garb who showed up today.She never fought before.She is about 4'9", and has to weight less then 100 pounds.Obviously I'm the exact opposite.I am the only thing standing between her and the flag.She apparently thought the best way to get around me is to not to block and spin/side step around me, but instead to dive and barrel roll inbetween my legs.The last thing I saw was this girl roll under my shield.While doing so, she bumped into both of my legs.This caused me to lose my balance.I figured I was going to fall, so I tried everything in my power not to fall on top of her.I remember my brain saying to me "Oh god, oh god!I'm going to kill her!" Someone watching this later said that I apparently screamed "Ahhhhh!"Well sometime during all this I felt both inside of my legs tapped.I somehow managed not to fall on her, and I counted myself dead.I have not decided if that was a stupid or a totally sweet move.
And I also can't help but giggle as I'm writing this.It was pretty damn funny.
Anyways, I can not wait until Okfest.I've already pre reg.I am planning on heading on down Thursday morning or earily afternoon. Unless there is a Northern Illinois camp, I am going to camp with the Hydra.
By the way...
A special shoutout to Rabbit and the Order of the Eternal Flame up in Rhinelander. They drove about four hours to come down to this event.Thanks guys! You guys are definitely near the top of my list of practices to hit up next summer.
Wolfpack is booming right now. We have had to alter plans due to supplies issues for our weapons building sessions but our noobs don't seem to mind one bit. Our practices are averaging about 35-40 fighters every Tuesday and Sunday. Last weekend we got some of them even in garb I believe thanks to Faline. This saturday and for the following 3 weeks our residentgypsy caravan, Kampina Del a Ruv, along with Faline and anyone with a sewing machine are making garb for our enourmous influx of new people. We are busy hashing out runs to the fabric store, getting an idea of what our want to wear and whether or not it is possible, and getting prepared for Octoberfest. This year is going to be great.
Opener this year is already underway. I have appointed Rhys, our student advisor, with the task of speaking with ISU administration so we can get the Horton Field House again this year. As soon as we have a date, I will be posting up the details so people have time to get off from work and prepare for the best single day winter event in Belegarth. As a side note, I am also trying to see if ISU would be willing to let us use that site as a practice area for winter fighting. With fingers crossed and a hefty donation to ISU athletics, I think we can grease the wheels on this. I have big dreams for Wolfpack both at ISU and within Belegarth. Getting there is going to be the fun part.
I usually thank a ton of people for things going on in the realm but individually I can't do that. I have to thank the Wolfpack Knights, Squires, Vets and Noobs all together because honestly were it not for our dedication to one another, we wouldn't be where we are now. This has been a group effort and I am so proud. Thank you Wolfpack for being my friends, family and working to expand our realm and our sport.
I've come to love the time I spend working in my realm, finding new ways to recruit people, making new friends, and planning events. Lately, Bele-life has had to take a back seat to real life. Real life is a pain in the ass. I am currently in training to become a banker for the 4th largest bank in the world right now and have been doing nothing but studying for a series ofexams my job depends on for the last month and a half.
Last Sunday, we moved Wolfpack back to ISU's quad. It went very well. Lupus, a new member last year, is an RA now and brought what looked to me like half of his dorm floor. Thanks to Sir Morpheus, Sir Fox, Squire Keichii, and Mekoot Davit we have a new stockpile of Loaner weapons and sheilds. I was amazed when Sir Morpheus showed up with them. They look great, and for once I wouldn't mind using the noob gear. Hell it looks better than some peoples standard.
Sir Fox and Sir Kyrian have their training program that should go into effect next Sunday. As a work in progress, I believe this will be an essential recruitment and retention tool. Like every new thing, there are some things to work on and build towards but I believe that they are headed in the right direction. I can't wait until we get it off the ground.
Last but not least, a Warlord's work is never done. While juggling a full time job at Chase, which I drive to Peoria every day in order to work, I also am the current Warlord. I am working on getting ISU to let us use the Horton Field house again for the Wolfpack Season Opener so we can set a date pleanty of time in advance for people to get off from work, trying to secure a winter fighting place, get advertisements printed out, get my student appointed representitives their jobs and get them communicating with our new RSO Faculty Advisor to name a few.
My life is just so busy right now, I need a second to step back and breath. Sometimes I wish Belegarth could be real life, it would make things a lot more simple. Oh well, these are the rants of a souless ginger kid and with that, I leave you to your thoughts.
Dunharrow will be running our annual Realm Tournaments: -Solo -2 man -4 man
Prizes will be rewarded to the winningteams in each tournament.
Points will be rewarded to a realm when they win a Realm Battle. Different battle scenenarios will be put into effect throughout the day (These include; Bridge, Monarch, and Field battles. Along with a few twists thrown in). The realm with the most points at the end of the day will go home with a prize from Sai's own pocket.
King Sai has Spoken!
Come for the killing, stay for the grilling and chilling! After party to be held at Nemesis' folks' place. Pool Party! Directions will be given to all who attend.
My first event started out with a 14 hour drive at 90 MPH up the 15, and ended with the reverse drive. However the journey was much more memorable then the end or the start. The week long fight seemed to float by all too fast with each swing. Usually ending in my own death; and of course a hearty chuckle. I was so humbled by the fighters I faced because their was just such an overwhelming number of skilled players! I never got an easy break, which my endurance can only be credited to the water fountain conveniently placed on the side of the field.
Some honorable mentions for the experience of course have to go out to the coordinators! Also Juicer and Kite for keeping me on my toes all week long >_< The night life was amazing which mostly involved either the Urukhai(sp) main fire or the Gelfan beer pong table (good times).
Sin night was surprisingly memorable through the drunken haze, and by my own intuition to head back to my tent before I did something stupid (Which backfired, but if ya want that story you'll have to PM me. Long story short I wasn't allowed to sleep in family camp the next night >_< )
The whole experience was an amazing first event, and I hope everyone enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed everyone else's. Much love from Archaeus of Andor and remember Belegarth collective, don't work too hard ;)
