Arrowsreach Royal Visit - the way an event should be
Well, yesterday started with picking up the K&Q from the airport (after much packing & repacking of the car - "Do we need this? Should we take that? etc").
Then it was the long drive across Melbourne to the far eastern reaches (Croydon, Arrowsreach) for their Royal Visit tournament & feast.
Konga did extremely well for his first event (ably assisted & guided I am sure by my best looking Peer, Mistress Bliss). He had been a busy boy, building a lovely collection of matched weapons (Daggers, Maces, thrusting Broadswords, Two-Handers, 5ft Spears & Halberds) as well as a having a great little spinner made up [As each set of fighters was called out, the first of the pair would "spin" to find out the weapon combination - with various combinations available - and a one in eight chance that the choice would be completely up to her Royal Majesty's whim - a powerful force her Whim)].
With 17 fighters in the list, we all thought that a round robin was ambitious - we were proven to be correct. However the fighting was brilliant - ability to adapt & general fighting prowess were demonstrated for all in a more neutral setting - the only sheilds on offer were small bucklers (which died & were replace by larger bucklers). This meant that the majority of fighters did not have a shield anywhere near as big as they are used to {I felt very comfortable with all the combinations on offer & enjoyed the day immensely}.
As the day went on, we had a number of fighters remove themselves from the list - and after having succeeded through 6 rounds - time was running out & it was obvious that we wouldn't finish 17 rounds (ambitious as we thought). After fighting the next round as 2 on 2 melees (1st & 2nd bouts fought together, etc) it was decided to simply tally up & the top four fought a final - the final being a best of 7 with each weapon combination between His Excellency Master Brusi of Dragonvale & His Majesty, Count Sir Draco which, despite Sir Draco valiant attempts to "do an Achilles" was won by Brusi.
My fight of the day was Spears against Sir Veniamen [sp?], (We always enjoy fighting each other & I have been happy to face him a number of times during this latest sojourn here in Lochac (the first time I met him he was King & whilst attending a Stormhold weeknight training & meeting we danced (a fast waltz around the hall - much to many peoples ire - and others enjoyment). A great person who doesn't take himself too seriously & enjoys life.) - our fight was a fast & furious attempt to get the final shot in, with many thrusts (that was all we could do with these weapons) & blocks. A virtual whirlwind of action & movement, spinning & bobbing around. He eventually got me - but we both had a ball.
I determined whilst watching the finals that I had a little bit more in me & since he was one of the few still in armour, we fought a few more bouts after the final was fought - with thrusting only dagger & thrusting broadsword. I am very happy after that with where my fighting is at and look forward to William Marshal in a couple of weeks from now.
The feast was great - casual, relaxed & every dish that came out was not just edible (unfortunately there are feasts that this happens at) but absolutely scrumptious. I really eat huge amounts at feasts - but I did at this one - trying almost every dish that came out (and having seconds of a number of them). The court by their Majesties was great - with Her Majesty Asa really showing that she knew her populace with each award she gave.
We left after court, collecting a number of the desert (3rd remove) items as "travellers" - I had a mild headache & a long way to drive home (about 1hr).
One of the best events I have been to in a long while - Arrowsreach will be a Barony sooner than later I feel - nothing should hold them back now.
I was also happy to note that I was actually able to carry on a brief conversation or two with a certain person before & after our bouts & around the list field - hopefully that ravine is slowly being filled.
Now I'd better get outside & unpack the car, in the heat - ugh - maybe I'll wait till the evening.
Then it was the long drive across Melbourne to the far eastern reaches (Croydon, Arrowsreach) for their Royal Visit tournament & feast.
Konga did extremely well for his first event (ably assisted & guided I am sure by my best looking Peer, Mistress Bliss). He had been a busy boy, building a lovely collection of matched weapons (Daggers, Maces, thrusting Broadswords, Two-Handers, 5ft Spears & Halberds) as well as a having a great little spinner made up [As each set of fighters was called out, the first of the pair would "spin" to find out the weapon combination - with various combinations available - and a one in eight chance that the choice would be completely up to her Royal Majesty's whim - a powerful force her Whim)].
With 17 fighters in the list, we all thought that a round robin was ambitious - we were proven to be correct. However the fighting was brilliant - ability to adapt & general fighting prowess were demonstrated for all in a more neutral setting - the only sheilds on offer were small bucklers (which died & were replace by larger bucklers). This meant that the majority of fighters did not have a shield anywhere near as big as they are used to {I felt very comfortable with all the combinations on offer & enjoyed the day immensely}.
As the day went on, we had a number of fighters remove themselves from the list - and after having succeeded through 6 rounds - time was running out & it was obvious that we wouldn't finish 17 rounds (ambitious as we thought). After fighting the next round as 2 on 2 melees (1st & 2nd bouts fought together, etc) it was decided to simply tally up & the top four fought a final - the final being a best of 7 with each weapon combination between His Excellency Master Brusi of Dragonvale & His Majesty, Count Sir Draco which, despite Sir Draco valiant attempts to "do an Achilles" was won by Brusi.
My fight of the day was Spears against Sir Veniamen [sp?], (We always enjoy fighting each other & I have been happy to face him a number of times during this latest sojourn here in Lochac (the first time I met him he was King & whilst attending a Stormhold weeknight training & meeting we danced (a fast waltz around the hall - much to many peoples ire - and others enjoyment). A great person who doesn't take himself too seriously & enjoys life.) - our fight was a fast & furious attempt to get the final shot in, with many thrusts (that was all we could do with these weapons) & blocks. A virtual whirlwind of action & movement, spinning & bobbing around. He eventually got me - but we both had a ball.
I determined whilst watching the finals that I had a little bit more in me & since he was one of the few still in armour, we fought a few more bouts after the final was fought - with thrusting only dagger & thrusting broadsword. I am very happy after that with where my fighting is at and look forward to William Marshal in a couple of weeks from now.
The feast was great - casual, relaxed & every dish that came out was not just edible (unfortunately there are feasts that this happens at) but absolutely scrumptious. I really eat huge amounts at feasts - but I did at this one - trying almost every dish that came out (and having seconds of a number of them). The court by their Majesties was great - with Her Majesty Asa really showing that she knew her populace with each award she gave.
We left after court, collecting a number of the desert (3rd remove) items as "travellers" - I had a mild headache & a long way to drive home (about 1hr).
One of the best events I have been to in a long while - Arrowsreach will be a Barony sooner than later I feel - nothing should hold them back now.
I was also happy to note that I was actually able to carry on a brief conversation or two with a certain person before & after our bouts & around the list field - hopefully that ravine is slowly being filled.
Now I'd better get outside & unpack the car, in the heat - ugh - maybe I'll wait till the evening.
posted by Hanbal at 2:17 pm
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