Get your own Free Home Page(Names are in their current spellings to the best of my knowledge. No names are changed to protect the innocent, but some names are intentionally omitted. We all make mistakes, and others should learn from them, so they can try not to repeat them. If you are offended, I apologize.)
Five years later, new seedlings appeared in the forms of Caistrin Stormbrand, Alaric Stormbrand, William of Freidrichsburg, (mka) Angie Smith, and James Gilbert. These first five attended a Barony of Forgotten Sea recruiting demo on 23 October, AS XXIII, and got the proper food for growth, but with instructions in SCA language, which wasn't well understood at the time.
Early in December, AS XXIII, as an attempt to replant Lost Forest, a demo was put on in Westheart's University (CMSU multi-purpose building) with assistance from Forgotten Sea. Our incipient Shire grew from this demo, and at the time of this writing, many members recruited then, are still with us.
In our infancy, gatherings were held in Westheart, in the lower level of a game merchant's shop. We put on feasts and fighter practices, and on 2 December, AS XXIII, a writing appeared in the Southern Eastheart news, of the newly formed group. I was shown this writing, and made contact with William of Friedrichsburg. With his sincere dedicated enthusiasm, he told me of the group, showered me with propaganda, and invited me to their next fighter practices, and feast. I attended a practice in late December, but did not feast until 20 January, Lost Forest feast III.
The warmth with which I was first received, left a lasting impression of Lost Forest hospitality. I only hope new members now, still find this same acceptance. Soon after my introduction to Lost Forest, Wulfgar and Brecanni made contact through a Westheart leather merchant. They came to a fighter practice, and their first feast was 24 February, AS XXIII. At this feast, I was nominated for the office of Minister of Arts and Sciences. I accepted the honor and was warranted by March. Molly made her Lost Forest debut at the 25 March feast, escorted by Dorian Hathaway. Molly sang wondrously in this first appearance, and regaled us with her abundant knowledge on the art, leaving no doubt as to who the Lost Forest musical authority now was.
We held a moot in public on 1 April in Shepard Park in Westheart. A good time was had by all, but we were soon to find out, after a video tape with my Arts and Sciences report reached kingdom level, that live steel play-fighting is NOT allowed in the Society. On 7 April, a planning moot was held for Come Save the Holy Land, which was to be our first "Kingdom" event. It was very short time to try to pull off all the planned events. We were seeing a finished product in our minds without considering the work involved. On the 29th of April, we feasted.
Our first slate of officers for the incipient Shire of Lost Forest was as follows:
A.S. XXIV was opened for Lost Forest, with a two day demonstration at Eastheart's wilderness, on 13 and 14 May. The demo was in response to park administrators wanting support for Wake Up to Missouri weekend. We displayed our crafts, demonstrated fighting with James heralding each battle, sang, and even joined a group of Cloggers in several rounds of dance. Caistrin showed great agility as he danced in his armor.
The following day, 15 May, we did a mini demo for Southern Eastheart's Recreation Center. We displayed some crafts, garb, showed some music, and our weapons, in an attempt to offer the staff an idea of our capabilities for a future large-scale demo, which we did in December, but that comes later.
We attended the Barony of Forgotten Sea's Conquest moot of AS XXIV. We arrived in a force of 20. The pavilion, made by Molly, was set up, and our Lost Forest banner proudly flew, leaving no doubt as to who we were. Fighter authorizations were held, then the swamp, bridge, and woods battles ensued, as well as a combat game of skill and teamwork. Wulfgar was introduced to the art of combat archery, and I saw my first non-Lost Forest SCA fighting. In the pavilion, members sang, played chess, did needlework, and socialized. Our Shire song, written by Caistrin and Ferogain, had it's first public performance by Molly, and drew a crowd of pleased listeners. We had fun, were proud of who we were, and made it known.
Our next major event was Come Save the Holy Land. This was our first SCA event, held on the last week-end of May, A.S. XXIV (Memorial Day Weekend). Friday night, was the wedding of Wulfgar and Brecanni. The event did not follow much of any crusade or Holy land theme, and ended up being more of a happen what may revel. At Their Royal Highnesses Volkmar and Isadorra's Court Saturday night, Caistrin and William received their Awards of Arms. In May, Wulfgar opened his archery range for Lost Forest use. Scheduling changes with madrigals, and differences of opinion on public behavior arose, and heralded in the War of the Morals.
A strong group of indiscrete hedonists, backed by established non-residents of Lost Forest with high ranked backing by kingdom, or so we were led to believe, wanted open partying and debauching, while another group wanted revels and such where whole families could attend, without having to answer questions raised by smalls, or those raised by non-attending spouses. In other words, unrestrained partiers, the Hedonists, against those wanting revels of a more discrete nature, the Moralists. AS XXIV's War of the Lilies started the rumor mill going as to who did what to who, who would or wouldn't, did or didn't, and Lost Forest's June feast raised eyebrows of the Moralists, so soon we started to be known as incipient Shire of Lost Morals. The rumor mill took it's toll, splitting the Hedonists, and the mis-conduct at the feast caused the Moralists to fight back. I prepared to withdraw from Lost Moral activities, and drafted letters to the Crown, our Seneschal, the populace, etcetera. I know not, who else fought for the cause of the Moralists, but I didn't think my prepared artillery was enough to cause the kind of panic shown by the Hedonists. The War goes on.
On the 2nd and 3rd of June, we put on a demonstration at a carnival in Southern Eastheart. After the demo, and days onward, the War of the Morals continued. The rumor mill could have been a factor in our madrigal head's sudden illness. With madrigals lost, and theatrical productions un-organized, Our seneschal announced to Southern Eastheart's Recreation Center director, at a meeting, that our December demo would have to be cancelled. I and other officers said we could do it anyway, without the music and plays. We overrode the Seneschal's decision, which was made without consulting other officers, nor the council which was formed for this sort of decision making. Tight circles of friends deciding things figured heavily in our internal political troubles. We all need to know that we will see only a tiny part of a situation if we associate with only a tiny part of the populace. The seneschal saw only the formal entertainment, and seeing that it fell through, assumed we were sunk. What was neglected, was the fact we had eager fighters and craftspersons who wanted a chance to show their work. In September, House Hrafnsheim was founded for dedicated servants of Lost Forest. Lost Forest's Order of the Phoenix was also born around this time, as an order dedicated to the ideals of chivalry and the combat arts.
Many participated in the Renaissance Festival in Forgotten Sea. Lost Forest ran a merchant table, or rather, I did.
28 October brought Lost Forest a very refreshing, no-business bonfire revel, hosted by Hermit Manor. In November, we held a pre-Thanksgiving feast at the Officer's Club of Southern Eastheart. There was disagreement over previously negotiated, and actual price for use of the Club, out of character, yet showing great chivalry, the Pirates (soon to be known as Buscarls) funded the balance. At the end of the month, we were requested to attend a photo shoot conducted by Southern Eastheart. On 8 December, photos and an article appeared in Southern Eastheart's news. The article spoke of the evening's demonstration at the Recreation Center. Lord Caistrin was not in attendance. I believe, not wanting to alienate the rest of the Hedonists, and not wanting to fight the War of the Morals any longer, Caistrin stepped down. The outside influence on the Hedonists, Lord Jon the Lost, cornered me, and covered me with apologies for past influences and conduct. Perhaps my artillery was more formidable than I had first thought, as it made a hit without even being fired. Wulfgar held his first moot as seneschal, and passed out Lost Forest cords for service. This marks the end of the War of the Morals. We have since become more tolerant of differences, but are faster to voice a grievance. I harbor no hard feelings, and later conversation with other involved parties reveals that they harbor none as well.
6 January had a feastmoot, during which, I handed out 2 Quills of Excellence for Arts and Sciences work. They were to Molly and Lycurgis. 26 January had Arts & Sciences night.
On 9 February, we did a demonstration for the school at Seneschal's College. We told of our histories, garb, crafts, and the SCA. The fighters held an outdoor demo of combat. On 21 February, the news of Eastgate ran color photos and a lengthy article. Molly announced the re-birth of the madrigals at Arts & Sciences night for February. Also in February, my first attempts at passing my name and device were made. I tried Ogjn the Curious; "Ogjn" is a compression of north European words: ogje, augen, oye, oje, and oge, for the word "eye". My first device attempt was Argent, a roundel gules, surrounded by 4 outward pointing arrowheads sable.
The 8th of March, a demo was held at Westheart's high school, and students showed much disrespect. On the 9th, we did another demo for NoCastle's high school with quite the opposite reaction from the students.
The Coronation of TRH Tomeeki and Fiona brought us some confusion over gifts. A walnut mace was to be given to the King, meaning new King Tomeeki, but not so stated. Ferogain eagerly presented His Majesty Volkmar, soon to be Count, and not King, with the mace. He showed much pleasure at the gift, but we now had nothing for the new King. Wulfgar remedied this by presenting at Court, after Coronation, his own spear on behalf of Lost Forest, to King Tomeeki. We thus, through an error, pleased both a King and a Count. A mistake can almost always be turned to advantage, even if it is only a learning experience.
On 18 March, we held a feastmoot and discussed the up-coming benefit demo for (mka) David Powell, a new member, who suffered a dread blood disease. We held the demo on 6 April at NoCastle's high school. We fought, sang, and displayed much work for those attending. We presented a joint project of a dagger for David, to his parents, who were in attendance. The blade was given by Lord Garth, re-conditioned by Anvilslinger, and hilted by myself. We charged nothing for the demo, but received almost $250 in donations. We presented the money also, to the family.
Some fuss about awards came about, and on 12 April, I wrote an Ogjnthink on Awards. The writing stressed going above and beyond the average, and that they should not be self-recommended. It also included selflessness, which I have since toned down considerably. 14 April had for us a fighter practice, followed by an egg hunt for the children. Ravenna autocratted the egg hunt. Some time in mid April, the rumor mill started churning again, slanders against one member, and rumor of a Satanic element coming to Lost Forest. How do we deal with a known Satanist with a background of trouble with the law who wants to join Lost Forest? I wrote a letter to Princess Hywela, who was also my Arts & Sciences superior. I mis-worded the letter, and the boat of political stability rocked. HRH Hywela did not respond, but she had Lady Liriel (at the time of this writing Baroness of Forgotten Sea) contact me to find out the meaning of this. I had no Satanism proved to me, so I naively used the word "witch" instead of Satanist. We have in our Society, many pagans who are far from Satanic. Be certain of meanings before writing or speaking. The rumor never came to fruition, and I err'd grievously. Many Lost Forest members were ready to quit if associated with the Satanist (one actually did), and I was too hasty in my letter. We never met the Satanist.
On 19 April, the Westheart news ran a big article with photos from the demo at Nocastle.
A.S. XXV came in with the 6 May feastmoot. This was followed on 19 May with a demo in Westheart, at an athletic goods merchant's land allotment. On 22 May, a problem arose, that didn't need to be a Lost Forest problem, as it was initiated and spread through mundane channels. A wife of a new member noted that a certain lady was a member of Lost Forest. She told her husband to 'steer clear of her'. This in itself, posed no problem, but the wife and new member are alleged to have started spreading slanderous stories about our lady member. The gossip was spread in a mundane setting, but complained about in an SCA setting. It should have been left at this, but, trying to do right, we attempted to clear the problem up. Things were eventually settled, but it took a long time, and greatly frustrated other Lost Forest members during the ordeal. Keep the mundane, mundane.
14 June was a demo at Seneschal's College Library. By 22 June, Arts & Sciences night had all but died, due to lack of interest. Our madrigals took a journey to Carlsby, on the other side of Forgotten Sea on 1 July. The trip was for the Performing Arts Symposium. They performed wondrously. Molly received her Award of Arms at Court. 4 July, we demo'd for Southern Eastheart's Festival in the Park. While we entertained mundanes, David Powell died at the Hospital.
27 July, was a meeting at Wulfgar's, to plan up-coming events. 4 August, fighter practice met with another cancellation for no apparent reason. 10 August, feast was held, and on 18 August, I held my first meeting of the Lost Fen. In August, I assisted a young gentle with a school project. I taught him how to make chainmail. 26-28 August, Tribal Revelries I was held. We had our first Arts & Sciences competition, with little participation. The Schreck of Bern, made a proposal of marriage unto Basia, which was accepted with most of the Shire bearing witness just before feast. Countess Zenobia and Baron James held a mock Court.
In September, we did a demonstration for Eastheart's Fall Festival, and it conflicted with the Coronation of Gabriel and Hywela. On 20 September, Eastheart's paper ran a photo. The incident I am about to discuss, is a lesson in overreacting, as was the Satanism issue. Lord William was told by, or overheard, our Kingdom Seneschal say, after putting a demo ahead of Coronation, 'Now you'll never get official status.' This statement spread throughout the Shire like wildfire, and I started calling us Shire of Perpetual Incipience. We were all angered and frustrated. We wrote letters to superiors and heard nothing for months. We felt the silence we received backed what Lord William claimed. The demo was scheduled months before any date for Coronation was announced. The only known conflict was with the Renaissance Festival near Forgotten Sea. We felt 1 day, in support of a local community Great Event, would not hurt RenFest. Thoughts of secession as a band of rebels brewed in our minds.
15 October, we were asked to do another demo, this time for Volksmarch, at Camp Shawnee in the Eastheart wilderness. We reveled, walked on stilts, fought, displayed crafts, and showed off our Lost Forest. We were still getting silence from kingdom level, so we still pondered how to secede and stay together through the process.
21 October marked our 2 year celebration of existence. The revel was held at Wulfgar's home. On 4 November, Kingdom silence was broken with denials of any bad words spoken toward Lost Forest. We were confused. Lord William's word is his oath. I do not doubt he heard something. We were not spoken to for months, and now we hear nothing's wrong. Things smoothed over, but not without the months of frustration. We were perhaps too quick to anger. The fact remains, that no one tried to put us right at the beginning. 2 December brought another feastmoot. Though secession wasn't the main topic of discussion, it was still considered until Kristkinder on 8 December, in Forgotten Sea. King Gabriel and Queen Hywela called a meeting between Lost Forest officers and kingdom officers, headed by Their Majesties. Their concerns and reasons for our long incipience were the facts that the first Lost Forest fell apart, and that our constant troubles could make us fall apart again. Rumblings of a new household within Lost Forest, headed by a disgruntled ex-Lost Forester, recruiting from "our" mundane populace was another concern. Their Majesties and their officers were happy that we had held together throughout our difficulties. One of our merchants disappointed us, when he left his wares and departed. None of his things were marked, and many potential customers like to barter and negotiate price. He left us no instructions, thus our hands were tied, and we were stuck with packing his things up. (Don't leave things, to include children, in the care of another without prior arrangement, and iron out all details before doing so. Things like this on short notice are very inconsiderate.) At Court that night, Wulfgar and I, received our Awards of Arms.
The first part of January brought a re-submission of my name and device. I now, at Kingdom Herald suggestion submit "Ognyen Fenlander" and for my device, I attempt "Gules, a roundel pierced within 5 mail links or, within a bordure invected or. 6 January's feastmoot was met with awards and new members. Brecanni received a Quill of Excellence and Lord Garth received a bottle of mead for his work on the SCOUT. New members were Lothar Schwarzfalkner, Hengeist of Stamford Bridge, and (mka) David Lambrith. On 13 January, our Herald, James Gilbert left Lost Forest for England. Hermit Manor hosted the 15 January Healer's meeting. 17 January, the New Crusade (mka Desert Storm) began, with Lord William, Lycurgis, and Shannon Haggerty of Limerick on the crusade. On 1 February, we demo'd at Westheart's Southeast Elementary School. The student's main focus was on the New Crusade, our pouches, and our shoes. One never knows what will pique a small's interest. The demo was performed for several waves of first graders. We had great fun trying to deal with their questions. Lord Garth insured one small that he was indeed, NOT a giant. Another asked if he'd killed anyone. He said that is against the law. Another student said, "But they do it in war."
The 3 February feastmoot bore honors for me, in that I won a bottle of Lord Wulfgar's mead for my place setting. At Caloncon of 9 February, I finally received my long awaited Minister of Arts and Sciences handbook. 12 February was yet another scheduling error for the madrigals. The practice was cancelled with no notice what-so-ever to anyone. When cancelling a gathering on short notice, at the very least, the site should bear a scroll of cancellation.
3 March brought 2 new members from King's Point to our feast. These being (mka) John Miller, and William Langsford. 17 March was the Coronation of Roderick and Brayden. It was a beautiful candle lit affair. The Lost Fen, on 23 March, went to the Art Museum located in Forgotten Sea. The museum abounds with useful ideas, and has excellent examples of riveted flat wire chainmail. On 25 March, I received a one-year extension on my warrant as Minister of Arts and Sciences. Also in March, a submission attempt at a Lost Fen device was made; per fess vert azure, a 2-leafed cattail eradicated or.
Student Teacher Day for Southern Eastheart was on 16 April. We had a small showing, but the few we had, impressed organizers so that we received an invitation for next year as well. 28 April, political turmoil over House Wildwood continues. We want them as part of Lost Forest, but they want nothing to do with us, yet we are incipient Shire, recognized throughout the Society as such, and they, a household, un-recognized as an official part of the SCA, have established themselves within our bounds refusing affiliation with Lost Forest.
20 May, A.S. XXVI brought temporary music potential when a meeting was actually held. 31 May through 2 June, we held Tribal Revelries II. Each year our event grows, and this year, the Great Hall was filled to capacity for feast and Court, which was held afterward. Dale of Hermit Manor accompanied me and assisted as needed. I attempted to run a running joust, Normanslayer, and Log Battle. They were ill attended. In addition to myself and Dale walking on stilts, 3 other gentles gave them a try. They were OK at it. We experienced an exceptionally heavy rain which made the small ford in the road into nearly a river. It was impassable for many vehicles. My orange dragon with its sealed bottom glided across and died at the other side, but it made it far enough to come back to life and continue on. I braved the ford, due to His Majesty's throne which needed repair. Power was out at home, so I had to resort to complete handtool construction of the needed pieces. Mistress Hertha Blair was impressed enough at my craft work that she requested that I make her a recorder case. I was flattered. I also accompanied her on her herb walk. At Their Majesties Roderick and Brayden's Court, Parthalon and Brecanni received Awards of Arms, I received Companionship within Calontir's order of the Golden Calon Swan, and Lycurgis received Companionship within Calontir's Order of the Calon Torse. (I wonder if the repairs to the King's throne earlier that day had something to do with my C.C.S.?) Other high points of the event for me were the smalls requesting me to play recorder for them, their enthusiastic hunting for polished stones which I had scattered, friendly frogs in the pool, listening to a little girl play recorder, Baroness Liriel's and Ly Juelda's puzzlement when I told them my snake staff was in fact, not finished, and Dale's disappointment in being told it was time for him to head home.
On 20 July, I opened my home isle to Lost Forest bardic arts by having an informal bardic circle and open fire cook-out. 28 July, we held a revel/demo in Grover Park in Westheart, with invitation given to House Wildwood, in an effort to attract some attention to Lost Forest. Wildwood residents did not attend.
Our 4 August feastmoot was held at the Eastheart wilderness Lake Buteo, and Lord Lycurgis' offer of Lord Wulfgar's mead to King Roderick was brought up. Earlier, Lycurgis offered the mead to the King, and He accepted. Then, Lord Wulfgar was informed, which led to some fast and furious brewing. On 9 August, a band of Lost Foresters journeyed north to Little Germany, to rendezvous with the King, on his way to the Pennsic War. It was a good trip, and we had a short informal talk with the King.
Lost Forest's involvement with the Coronation of Conn and Cadfael consisted of Lord Garth being invited by the Prince to be part of his entourage. Lord Garth made truly appropriate garb for the occasion.
Many of us assisted Forgotten Sea people with the RenFest. We heralded, demonstrated crafts and helped with the archery booth. Also, in the Autumn of AS XXVI, Lothar began work on a catapult, which at the time of this writing, is fully war-capable.
6 October feastmoot, with invitation to Wildwood given, was held with 3 Wildwood members present. One member, and ex-Lost Forester, Xavier duBoisson, acted as their spokesman and aired alleged grievances. Their House Lord, made Wildwood feel as though we desired the house to have outcast status, when in fact, our only complaints were against the House Lord's past behavior, that he and his lady founded a household within Lost Forest, making no mention, except negative, of our existence, and for them allowing infractions of SCA and Kingdom laws, and laws of chivalry, within Wildwood. We explained that since Lost Forest is the recognized group in the area, this could reflect very poorly on us. Newly enlightened, the Wildwood representatives returned to their home of Westheart and told of what they learned. On the 8th of October, Lord Wulfgar received a message from Kingdom of Calontir Seneschal, Lord Deotrich Hiltipard, that a meeting had been called between Their Majesties Conn and Cadfael, himself, and the populaces of both incipient Shire of Lost Forest, and House Wildwood, to settle differences. The meeting, held on 14 October was at the home of Lord Wulfgar. Their Majesties spoke first with Lord Wulfgar and Lord Garth individually, then called forth the officers of Lost Forest. Then were called the officers of House Wildwood, headed by Manfred Eichbaum, since their founder (and this is just my opinion), not wanting Kingdom interference with his group, or fearing consequences of his giving Wildwood only half-truths and falsities, left Wildwood angrily, and perhaps even the SCA. The way things were, was explained to us, in a get-along-or-perish way. A household cannot stand by itself, nor can a Shire with internal turmoil. Our Lost Forest has a changing populace, with Southern Eastheart, and Westheart's University as 2 major groups. It was decided that we would pursue status as Stronghold, rather than Shire, as its structure allows flexibility for a fluctuating membership. Their Majesties then called for the entire populace, explaining policies and opening things up for discussion. The King, Queen and Kingdom Seneschal were surprized at our seeming lack of hostilities. I hope Wildwood found Lost Forest as I found them; a group of friends I hadn't yet met. The meeting was closed, and the Royalty mingled with us. Not wanting Them to leave empty-handed, I presented Queen Cadfael with a walnut dagger I had finished at Renfest. I suggested to Lord Wulfgar, a bottle of mead for the King. He just happened to have one, so both King and Queen left with gifts. His Majesty Conn approached me about making him a Jerusalem Cross of antler, as He saw on Lord Caistrin some time back in Three Rivers. Who was I to refuse? I made Him the last of 3 antler Jerusalem Crosses, and sent it to him, through Lord Garth, at another gathering I was unable to attend. 30 October, Lord Wulfgar received a message from the Queen of Her desires to contact the one who gave Her the dagger. Lord Wulfgar contacted me with the message and neither of us knew Her reason. I tried several calls, then made contact through the mail. Queen Cadfael wanted me to make a scepter to replace the one in use by the Princess. I accepted, and hoped for it to be ready for presentation at Tribal Revelries III.
On 3 November, we feasted, and on the 27th, an officer meeting was held, during which, it was agreed that Lady Brecanni should be my official replacement as Minister of Arts and Sciences. The new office of Reeve, as a sort of event/transportation coordinator was put before us. William Shadowheart was considered for the job.
7 December brings us to Kristkinder. There was a mix-up in our merchant space reservation, so we set up in the hall. Queen Cadfael spoke to me regarding the scepter, and I got to see the existing one for comparison. At Court that night, I accepted for Lady Molly, her Companionship in the Order of the Golden Calon Swan. His Majesty Conn, presented me a coin of the realm, for the cross I made.
Our Greathall in Westheart, found by Lord William, had its opening feast on 12 January. A moot was held, with its theme being Lost Forest unity. All present swore on the sword, an oath of loyalty to Lost Forest. Later in January was a Tribal Revelries III planning meeting. On 4 February, was another feastmoot, and 7 February met with another demonstration; this one being for Eastgate's Middle School. Lord Parthalon let one of the students don a kilt. 22 February was yet another demonstration, this being arranged by Forgotten Sea, but performed by Lost Forest. Our fighters impressed these Cub Scouts and their leaders from the Isle of the Northeast, so the village Ladies Auxiliary asked Lost Forest to cater a banquet for them. Another article appeared in the news of Southern Eastheart on 28 February. Another attempt at a device was submitted in February. It was Gules, a 4-point compass star pierced sable fimbriated or within an annulet or, a bordure rayonne or. A resubmission of Lost Fen's device was also made; Per fess vert azure, a heron in its vigilance or, within a bordure rayonne or. At the feastmoot of 3 March, our bardic group announced their Monday night practices. The group, headed by Black Corwin McCamie, like most bardic and musical groups in Lost Forest, was not without its internal bickering. 22 April marked our 2nd annual appearance at Southern Eastheart's Student Teacher Day. It went great, and Manfred was worn out, fighting with students and a few teachers. Over 3000 were in attendance at this event. (One student asked Manfred if he was Shredder. Manfred's answer was obvious.)
A.S. XXVII was ushered in by a short article in Southern Eastheart's news on 8 May. During the warmer spring, summer, and autumn months, feasts were held at the Grove in Eastheart's wilderness. We no longer use the Greathall of Westheart, as mundanes capable of paying much greater rent moved in. 25 June's Westheart news ran an article which got us some contact, and at least one new member. 27 June, we held a public revel at Liberty Park in Eastgate. A photographer from the Eastgate news happened by, shot photos, and Lord Garth and Lord Parthalon appeared on the front page, in color, 2 days later.
At a Court of the Barony of Forgotten Sea, several members of our fair and noble incipient Stronghold made a presentation of a chest of tennis balls in the (post period?) tradition of Shakespeare's Henry V, and told the Baronial populace of the state of war that exists between us. Our ambassadors told the time and place at which our battles would be fought, which was to be at Tribal Revelries III. After Court, Count Sir Valens approached our Lord Lycurgis and stated that the 3 trees on our Lost Forest device technically made us a part of the Triatian alliance. Lord Lycurgis looked him in the eye, and said 'Over our dead bodies, Your Excellency.'
We had 24 attend our feastmoot of 5 July. Lady Molly is officially recognized again, as head of our bards, as Black Corwin had left Lost Forest. His other office of Historian/Archivist was inherited by me, hence, this book.
On 8 July, a meeting was held to attempt some further planning for Tribal Revelries III. We had some of the typical pre-event confusion, but Basia seemed to have things under control for the feast. By the feastmoot of 2 August, most of the problems had been ironed out. Our soon-to-be Seneschal, Lord Lycurgis, wants to make moots more formal and orderly. I felt that this would enhance the Middle Ages feel of our local events, and agreed with his idea. We also discussed the possibility of regional deputy seneschals to ease communications and lighten the load of the seneschal proper. Lady Brienne publicized that we had been invited to perform a demonstration at the request of Odessa mundanes on the weekend of 7-9 August. The turn-out for the August feastmoot was over 30.
Very few attended the demo in Odessa, as notification was late, and many of us were in preparation for Tribal Revelries III.
28 August marked the beginning of Tribal Revelries III. I arrived near noon, and made my first order of business getting the 2 bottles of mead from Lord Wulfgar for the quest. I then buried the treasure at the specified point (known only by me), without witness. I then checked on clue points for the quest, unloaded my dragon, worked on Her Highness' scepter, and played recorder with 2 ladies from the most foul Barony of Forgotten Sea. (I must refer to the Barony in such a manner, as this event's theme put us in a state of war.) The shifts for the Troll Booth were not yet made out, so I departed to return again at 10:30 that night, to see if I was scheduled. I was not, so I went home, and woke at 5:00 to get back and place the questing clues before others were awake to spy me. I was successful. The field was now filled with tents, and untold numbers of cabins were now occupied.
I waited for signs of life in the encampment, and bided my time with carving, conversing and eating garden produce with Carter of Hermit Manor, and even fighting several rounds of Log Battle. Carter bested me 3 of 5 tries, and we quit, as our bodies warned us that it would be in our best interests. We went on to some Normanslayer. A bit later, one of the ladies I met the night before joined me for some more recorder playing.
The schedule of events was to be made by 8:00, and when I finally saw it, I noted, that again, as last year, my events were neglected. I slipped them in, and Manfred heralded their existence.
I got some response from the heralding, in that 3 parties showed at 10:00 for the quest. None appeared for the Log Battle or Normanslayer. The quest commenced, and about 2 hours later, a party of 5, none of which resided in Lost Forest, but with several familiar faces, came running toward me with smiles, and 1 lady holding over her head, the treasure chest for which they had quested. They waited to open it until they returned to me. (I'm glad they did, so I could see expressions.) The chest was opened, and a groan murmured through the party when they discovered, clutched in the jaws of a snapping turtle's skull, a scroll bearing more of the runes they had struggled with during the quest. The scroll told of the box's contents and gave a warning to smalls, on the mead. In the chest (pine with Lost Forest Tribal Revelries III engravings on the lid) were 2 bottles of Lord Wulfgar's mead, the skull with the scroll, a packet of polished stones from East Anglia (eastern England), a pouch with rings, pendants, polished stones and raw crystals of Calontir, and other various baubles. With no arguments, they divided the treasure between them, until they got to the chest itself. 3 of them wanted it, but were unsure how to decide. I saw an opportunity to get some use out of the games, so I suggested elimination by Log Battle or Normanslayer. The 3 chose the Log Battle and the quester who defeated the other 2 won the chest.
Throughout the day, the children in attendance were entertained with games and crafts under the direction of Calontir's Minister of Children.
After the quest, I made what I thought could be an unpleasant journey to the pavilion of Their Highnesses Prince Steffan and Princess Lile' to explain that I hadn't yet finished Her Highness' scepter. I had wished for an audience with the Princess alone, but She was speaking with Countess Susannah, the Kingdom Minister of Science, and with Baroness Liriel of Forgotten Sea, and former Kingdom Minister of Arts, so my apology was heard by these 2 regal Excellencies, as well as Princess Lile'. I spoke, and showed what I did have completed. I was well complimented on the work I had done. I departed, not humbled as I had expected, but relieved. (Countess Susannah also assured me that Lady Brecanni had been accepted as Lost Forest's Minister of Arts and Sciences, and that her report was received on time.)
I went back to the shade I had claimed, to do some more carving on the scepter, then wandered off again to speak to Mistress Hertha Blair of Froggestow. I inquired about my request for apprenticeship under her. She explained that she was more than willing to teach anyone, but that she already had 6 apprentices spread throughout Calontir and felt she couldn't do justice to another.
It was now time for the fighting to commence. I watched the field battle, and Lord Lycurgis gave a tremendous show for Lost Forest. Feeling it would boost their reputations should they best him, many Baronial fighters waited in line to do battle with Lycurgis, just in case he should survive his last bout. During the woods battle, I ran several gallons of water to the resurrection points.
I wandered about, checking on various points of activity, then loaded my dragon with my wares and went for a swim. Much refreshed, I walked abit and drip dried in time for Mistress Hertha's herb walk. I was pleased at what I did know, and learned a bit as well. I knew my poison ivy, but was inwardly embarrassed that what I had thought to be poison oak was nothing but fragrant sumac (better safe than sorry, but now I know). I also learned how to identify the dogwoods. The walk was cut short by news that Court would soon be held. There was considerable scrambling about in preparation for Court, and I was disappointed when I realized there would have been time for another 100 yards or so of herb walking.
Court was held at around 4:30 and was heralded by our own Manfred Eichbaum, except for the first item of business which was handled by Baron Christopher of Forgotten Sea. Their Highnesses wished their Court to be heralded by a "Lord", so they called forward Manfred to receive the first Award of Arms of Tribal Revelries III. Lord Wulfgar made a ceremonial transfer of his office of Seneschal of Lost Forest to Lord Lycurgis. Other awards to Lost Forest were Awards of Arms to Siobhan Guinne, Lothar Schwarzfalkner, Greiggor of Greyhaven, and William Shadowheart. Companionship within the Order of the Calon Torse was awarded to Lord Wulfgar Hrafnfoedir, and to Lord William of Friedrichsburg. The grand award came, when Their Highnesses called forward, the populace of the incipient Stronghold of Lost Forest, and lifted our incipient status, making us an official Stronghold. Court was adjourned for our first feast without incipience.
At Feast, the children presented Their Highnesses castles they had built earlier in the day from sugar cubes. The songs and other entertainment was excellent, and all coordinated by Lady Molly. The kitchen was a beehive of activity, and I don't know whether to feel insulted, or pacified, but I was thanked for staying out of the way. The fighter's violent nature emerged again, as though the day's previously fought field, ambush, and woods battles weren't enough. A food fight with grapes and other semi-solid throwables erupted. It was fun for the participants, and the mess was easily cleaned up. With the feast hall cleaned, the bardic circle scheduled at the fire pit, and post-event partying already underway, I made good my escape for the night.
I arrived the next morning for latrine cleaning, sweeping the mess in the arts and crafts building left by the children, cleaning of the feast hall, and mopping of the kitchen. When the cleaning was finished, we bid one another farewell, and ended the last event of our incipience.
Tribal Revelries III, as well as our nearly 4 years of history is history. Long live the Stronghold of Lost Forest!!!
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