Dreamstone 2023
Barony of Bryn Madoc
Camp Daniel Morgan
Hard Labor Creek State Park
Rutledge, GA
23 April 2023
In the afternoon of the 22nd day of April, Anno Societatis LVII, I hopped on my mount and turned it's nose southward. The journey took me off the Cumbrian Plateau, through the gap at Vulpine Reach and into the fertile lands of the Barony of Bryn Madoc for the event, Dreamstone. Late in the evening, I found lodging at a nearby waystation before completing my journey early the next morn. There was rain shower as the dawn broke, but the showers dissipated shortly after breakfast.
The trip from the waystation to the camp was short and I found setup well underway with many attendees in the effort of claiming space for day shades near the eric. The field was shared with rapier and armored combatants. Attendance was high with many notable and infamous personages. Once again, my focus was on armored combat and that is where I spent my day.
I received many complements on my new shield, which 100% of should be directed to my wife Ellen. Again, she dresses me well and I am grateful for her efforts.
The armored combat day started with a bridesmaid tourney for combatants that have never won a tournament. Having won a tournament of the same type many years ago, I did not participate. I think there were 6 participants. The format was round robin. The contest was won by Vilhjalmr Skogr.
The next contest, after some delay, was the Dreamstone tournament. The late start was due to waiting for the completion of the rapier captain's tournament. The armored and rapier Dreamstone tournaments ran concurrently. The format was a standard double elimination. In the first round, I drew Duke John of Ean Airgead (the Mad Celt). He is a formidable opponent and it was the first time that I can recall having ever shared the field with him (as an opponent). I do not remember a lot of detail of the fight, such as is my failing, but I do remember a nice clean hit to the top of my helmet. For a man that is at least a foot shorter than me, it was a excellent shot and happily accepted on my part. My next round was against a gentlemen that I think was called 'Roman'. The fight was not my best and I lost the round. The Dreamstone (armored) tournament was won by Duke Timothy of Long Bennington.
I made mistakes in the second round fight. The first was pausing my fight and making assumptions about shots I thought I landed. The pause left my defenses down. The fight should not stop until there is firm acknowledgment or a hold is called. If I had question, I should have called hold. That is on me. My second mistake was failing to change my strategy. I allowed the fight to be reset after some uncertainty and proceeded to carry the same fight to my opponent in the second pass. Failing to adapt, I fell into the trap of my own making and took a good blow losing the second pass. I was out of the tournament. The fault is my own. Lesson learned.
My next tournament was a great weapons tournament. Mostly a novelty for me. I haven't used my glaive in many years. It showed. It was single elimination and I was out in 1. The tournament was won by Thorhall Wulfstanson.
The last tournament of the day was in the format of the Diamond Tournament from Gulf Wars. I was paired with a rapier fighter, Giovanni (if I recall correctly). Together we had to win both our fights to advance. If one wins and the other loses, a second pass occurs where the first hit, on either field, advances the pair. In this round, we drew the Ducal pair of Duke Wulfstan (armored) and Duchess Thorkatla (Rapier). I gave Duke Wulfstan a good effort, but he won the first pass. Giovanni carried me to a sudden death round where I once again lost to His Grace. The tournament was single elimination, so that was the end of our run. Earl Lochlainn Glen Nodha and William were the tournament champions.
In my passes with Duke Wulfstan, I discovered a blind spot with my new helmet. In my second pass with His Grace, he landed a blow to the lower portion of my faceplate. The blow did not register, but I felt my aventail move. I had to ask for clarification as to what he hit because the aventail movement was not demonstrative of a telling blow. Left me slightly confused resulting a late thrust to His Grace well after his blow struck (which he, rightfully, assumed was good). So far, that was the only problem I have had with blow calling in my new helmet. I can live with it.
For pickups, I managed to only get in a couple of people. I had several good passes with Earl Lochlainn. I also squared with Baron Richard na Teanga Mhin, but only one pass. I owe him many more, but we keep missing each other for pickups. That was it.
My review of my fighting day was that I started out flat and came on later in the day. I did not get as much fighting in as I wanted. I will work on that in future events. I think I need to make sure I get some warmup fighting in before tournaments. Around 5 low-impact passes to loosen up should do for a pre tournament warmup. I did that at Iris Faire and it seemed to be 'just right'. I missed out on several quality pickups (it was a target rich environment). That’s on me not making time in an event schedule that had downtime built in.
I attended the Bryn Madoc court at the end of the day. The affair was loaded with whimsy and good humor. Many gentles were recognized to the joy of those in attendance.
After court, I repacked my gear and mounted my steed for the journey northward in the dusk of the day. The trip was uneventful. The only excitement was when I stopped for a respite and had to fight a rabid marmot (Buccee's) on the side of the highway. I found my home where I left it in good order and greeted by our hounds as I arrived. It was a splendid trip and day in the sunshine with the people of Bryn Madoc. I look forward to visits in the future.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
