Clyde's Travel Log - Iris Faire 2022

Iris Faire 2022

Montgomery Bell State Park

Burns, TN

16 Apr 2022

Shortly after dawn broke on the morning of April 16th, AS LVI, Lord Sigmund and I made for the western passage off of the Plateau unto the fertile lands of the Barony of Glaedenfeld for their annual Spring event, Iris Faire. The trip was uneventful. While the day was overcast, the weather was mild throughout the day.

The event was well attended. Very well. The Kingdoms emergence from the ravages of the plague's grasp has filled the north with much hope and anticipation for what both the figurative and literal Spring holds for those that embrace what it has to offer. There were so many familiar and smiling faces that it would be hard for even the most stoic of curmudgeons to not feel some warmth in the glow of humanity present.

At the risk of becoming one-dimensional, I went to the event for one thing… armored combat. Sigmund and I both, in fact, committed ourselves to the field that day with no real time for anything but that. I heard a count of 20 said for the list. The Gold Iris Tourney was a double elimination, best 2 out of 3 format. There were fighters of all levels in the list from novice to knight and even a royal peer. 

The list was enjoyable though short for me. I was out in 2 rounds after fighting Sir Iastreb and Lord Mongo. There were many 'hot sticks' in the list, I just wasn't one of them. The Tournament ran its course though the morning into the early afternoon. In the end, Count Sebastianos came out victorious after a good final fight with HL Idris ibn Tariq al-Magribi. For my part, I received many complements and good advice from peer and non-peer alike. While I was disappointed to have not fared better, I found satisfaction in my effort.

I was able to get into some pickups after the tournament. Graf Ulric, Sir Mandin, Lord Martin, Baron Aethelwolf, and Lord Marcus were the ones I recall. All are solid, honorable opponents. I was happy to share time with each of them.

My only fault of major importance to me in the days martial time was that I allowed myself to get overheated and did not react accordingly. I only note it here as a reminder that I can be dumb and was dumb on this day. Everyone should understand and recognize the symptoms of heat injuries. I do know and let myself push past the point where a pause was in order. Hopefully my lesson is learned…again. I am not afraid to call myself out. Be smart. Recognize. React. It's not hard.

The end of the day was sealed with a Baronial and Kingdom court. There was much business to be conducted and the court was lively for it. There Excellencies Glaedenfeld consulted their Oracle, who came into the a host of fantastic beasts and bodyguard. They recognized their citizens, young and old. The Barony is strong and has a bright future if I bear true witness to the spectacle of their court. Our Shire will have naught to fear with the strength we have to our west. 

With the closure of the Baronial court came Their Majesties. They elevated many worthy subjects with the highlight being Fionnuala ingheann ui Domhnall (Nuala) to the Order of the Laurel and Arianne Lightheart to the Order of the Pelican. Their Majesties are noble and generous to their people. Long live Their Majesties.

That, friends, was the majority of my day. There was comradery all day long and many conversations, while enjoyed, I fear that I will not remember much of. But, all I did was fight. Iris Faire had so much more to offer and I have some regret that I did not have more time to witness it all. From Archery to classes and an A&S competition, the event had something for all.

This was my third event weekend in a row. I have come to observe and theorize that in this reopening we are doing that we, as a society, might be pushing too hard to do too much. Not in the number of events, but in the content. As I put forward in a previous journal, this recovery and rebuild phase I feel we are in, needs more time cut out for just plain old social time in the day. My feeling is we are a society trying to make up of lost time and maybe, just maybe we are overachieving in the effort in some ways. The kingdom has had roughly two years to plan the best possible events they could and idea upon idea has been put in storage waiting to be unwrapped for this time we are now in. Are we trying to unwrap them all at once? Im not sure. I encourage event planners to consider going back to the basics for activities and time planning. Keep it simple needs be the mantra of the day. We don't have to do and act on every idea that we have developed in our down time. Give people just enough to do and time to just be with each other. Finding a balance between just enough and too much should be an goal for events this year. Finding that balance seems to be what we are really trying to do. We'll get there.

Lord Sigmund at I bid our farewells and mounted the highway east, back to Easaraigh. We were both tired and happy from the day spent with our neighbors and look forward to future visits with them.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'

Squire to Earl Benen MacTire

Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travel Log - Fools War XXXI

Fools War XXXI

Camp Benjamin Hawkins

Byron, GA

April 9, 2022

This past weekend I made the trek south, to the pine forests surrounding the Shire of Tir Briste for Fools War XXXI. The event is a 'long weekend' affair, but I was only able to make it for one day, Saturday.

As my main reason for the journey was Armored Combat and I did not camp on site, my commentary will be focused on a very small part of a large event that had a lot (Yes Jeffe, a plethora) of activities that I did not have time to witness or take part in.

My day started on the melee field and that is where I stayed all day. There were several scenarios planned for the day. The architect for the scenarios was HL Ysabel d'Ange. She was also marshal in charge for the day. The overall concept had three armies with shifting alliances and mercenaries at times in play vying for control of  the lands of Mercia and Northumbria during the Viking age. The fighting was good and well mannered. There was combat archery in play. We had a large contingent from Trimaris on the field (they appeared to be in their true, outstanding melee form all day) in addition to the many Meridians that came. The combatants fought from beach, boat, bridge and battlement with resurrection and without. There was fighting all day long.

The scenarios had much promise, but I think we did not do them justice as each engagement eventually broke down to basic concepts. Throughout the day, we (collectively) struggled to act as a team and work toward the goals the scenarios laid before us. We just fought. We fought without much in the way of purpose other than to have a good time. And it showed. While I enjoyed the fighting, the lack of focused purpose shone through in many places. Good times were had, but we did so in a way where the effort HL Ysabel put into the scenario's designed for our enjoyment were largely put aside in the process. We, the combatants, devolved into a group think mindset shortly after things started and we just wanted to jump into the fray without thought or strategy or direction. The Meridian contingent left the field happy, but not sated. We left much on the field that was incomplete, unfinished. We need to do better.

My commentary above is no reflection on the event itself. Fools War XXXI was well planned. The activities set before the fighters that came had much promise. So, no fault to the staff of the event should be seen here. The 'We' that needs to better is those of us that are responsible for driving the Meridian Army and melee activity in this Kingdom. And, since Menhir 2020, that includes me. As a legionnaire of the Legio Ursi, it is now my responsibility to help guide this kingdom on the melee field. I am no longer 'rank and file'. I am a sergeant in the chain of command and need to step up an do better. This is my third melee event since becoming a legionnaire. I don't think I knew what that responsibility was until this weekend. While I did not feel worthy before, I am now challenged to fulfill the faith put in me in elevation to the order. I accept this challenge. I will do better.

In some down time, I did get in a couple of pickups with HRM Lochlainn and Baron Eoin Seys. The pickups were good and fun. I gave them both several hard, challenging passes before retiring for lunch. I was able to get another hour of melee fighting in before moving on to find HRM for an entourage shift that afternoon. HL Kikuchi and followed a trail into the wilderness to find HRM, who was supposed to be on the equestrian field. After some time, having crossed a lake by bridge with no sign of HRMs passing, we returned to the melee field. Luckily for us, HRM returned to shortly after we did. With the finding of HRM, I provided a couple of hours to entourage duty for HRM and attended a Legio Ursi meeting during the shift. The shift was uneventful and I was relieved of my duty and prepared for court.

At court that evening I witnessed several good things as I shared company with Sir Seamus, Lady Etain and Lord Xenos. Of note the Elevation of Duchess Ysmay to Pelican and a 'drive by' elevation of Baron Fynlo MacCane to Pelican. Both were beautifully done. I also got to witness Sir Griffin being rewarded Queen's Yeoman for his win on the range. 

Fool's War XXXI was an excellent event. I saw many happy faces and witness many great deeds along with celebration of accomplishment. For armored combat, I feel the event will be a catalyst for some focus on melee in this kingdom. It will be fun to take part in the effort to get things on track for the Meridian Army. Time will tell if the result is favorable, but I have confidence that good things will come. 

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'

Squire to Earl Benen MacTire

Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travel Log - Meridies Spring Coronation

Meridies Spring Coronation of Lochlainn and Paraskova

Dalwhinnie Fields

Marion, AL

April 2, 2022

Photo Credit Carol Cotton Blicknstorfer

In the evening hours of April 1st A.S. LVI, His Excellency, Earl Benen, and I took the journey south off of the plateau through the Sequatchie Valley into the primordial, subtropical woodlands of the southern kingdom for the Coronation Event of Lochlainn and Paraskova. The event was held at Dalwhinnie Fields, which is a popular location for kingdom activities in the southern region. We opted to stay at an inn for the evening due to the lateness of our arrival caused by the over 5 hour journey there.

The inn, owned by a man named 'Hampton', was clean and quiet. They provided ample stabling for our carriage and horse as well as a hot meal as we broke fast the next morn before we departed for the site.

The trail to site was short and the camp was awake with voices of preparation for the coming festivities by the time of our arrival. We unloaded our baggage and took a brief walk around Dalwhinnie, as my liege had not visited before now. I marveled at the advances made to the site and all of the new structures there. The masons and carpenters had certainly been busy with saw and hammer. I also noted what appeared to be a permanent Dane encampment on the opposite shore of the waters near the keep. The lord of Dalwhinnie must have turned his small camp into a thriving place for trade, else we would have made war on the Danes for being so fool hardy to camp so close. The place is a spectacle to behold.

From here, my mentor and I went mostly on our own ways.  I had duty to perform for the Crowns Heir's having pledged service to them as well as a tournament to attend. His Excellency would be making rounds rekindling many southern trade contacts for goods produced on his lands on the Plateau other things that men of his station do.

I was attending to their Highnesses when dreadful news was delivered. Their Majesties, Wulfstan and Thorkatla, as well as many of their retainers had been poisoned that morning at the end of their court! If not for the quick hand of their champions, the dastardly villains that performed the deed may have sent more citizenry to their demise. With grave concern, Lochlainn and Paraskova took the news. 'The King is dead, long live the king!' was heard. All eyes when to the heirs and heads were bowed.

With a determined stride, Their Royal Highnesses, led retainers and soldiery in tow to the field where the Kingdom Seneschal, Mistress Zayn al-Munajjima, and the Kingdom Earl Marshal, Duke Bryce MacLaren, along with the kingdom's assembled chivalry stood guard over the now vacant crowns of the Kingdom of Meridies.

Being part of the retainers in tow, the following events are mostly what I gathered from being slightly out of earshot (wish my hearing was better) and a bad lip reader. The kingdom officers exchanged some official sounding commentary then called forth Paraskova. Who, with determined word and confident response answered their inquiry. It was then that Lochlainn and his warband came up the aisle toward the officers and her Highness. I heard pride and regret at the loss of the worthy, Wulfstan and Thorkatla. I hear stern admonition for the enemies of the kingdom and I heard him lay claim to his birthright. That was how things appeared to me anyway. As most people were nodding and smiling in agreement at this point, I think it must have all been great words and grand testament.  It was then that the crown was placed on Lochlainn and Paraskova and they assumed the monarchy of Meridies. Vivat! Meridies!

Next followed the oaths of fealty and some brief words from the assembled baronages and their Majesties Meridies. Court was adjourned and I prepped for tournament.

I participated in two tournaments. The first was a single elimination speed tourney. The second was a bear pit to 56 points, 1 point for a win and 1 point for 3 in a row. 

So, once in armor, I lost all track of time and number of fights. We went on for hours. I think there were around 20 of us give or take. Many well know fighters from the realm. I'm pretty sure I laughed the whole time. It was a great day. While it was a tad warm, the weather was great. I had many fun fights but only remember a few details. There were the many, many, many fights with Dukes Timothy and Garick. There was that fight with Master Edward when I got my sword stuck in his Corazina. I got to laughing so much fighting Lord Jurgen that Duke Kenneth called hold to check on me. It was a good day. Much fun was had.

I fought until my body said stopped then I bowed out of the tourney field with a salute to my brothers and sisters in arms. A very good, fun day indeed.

Shortly after retiring from the field, I found my Earl deep in negotiations with several peers of renown. He was having a good day as well. So, awesome for all.

With the ravages of the plague receding, the beauty of the event, in my mind at least, was the complete lack of meetings! If I was of such power as needed to mandate laws of the land, I would definitely consider a proclamation for no more order meetings at events unless it is absolutely necessary. In this time of recovery and rebuilding our society finds itself in, it was great to see so many people just enjoying time with each other in discussion and soaking up a day in the sunshine. The populace needs more days like this. Pure joy. This will go down in my mind one of the very best of Coronations for the kingdom.

My thanks to the Barony of Iron Mountain and all the many hands that made the day possible. You made this and it was made well.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'

Squire to Earl Benen MacTire

Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies