2024-06-25

Clyde's Travels - The Unexpected Writ


On a plateau, up in the north of Meridies, there was this guy. He was the quiet sort of guy who goes about his business in the unseen, subtle way that quiet folks do. He enjoyed the way of the almost shadowy service he provided. Lending a hand here, doing a thing there, trying to be helpful when the need arose and seeing opportunity to be useful in his own way. 

Then, suddenly, without so much as a sound, a flock of Pelicans pounced on him, brandishing a Writ to join their order! One moment, he's just doing his thing. Next moment, he's freaked out and dumbfounded. Shocked I tell you. Shocked! 

Pelicans are vicious, merciless fowl, I tell you. Picking on innocent guys just minding their own business.


That's pretty much how it happened.

I've been at a loss since Their Majesties sprung the trap on me, in court, at the event I was stewarding nonetheless. Shameless, I tell you. Me, just trying to get through my court business, handing out gifts to our champions and making announcements and such. To be set upon by the Order of the Pelican, it's… well, it's… 


 Video credit to Mistress Flannait inghean ui h'Eighnigh (MKA Tani Mough).

…an extremely humbling honor that I had never expected to happen to me. 

Truly. Never in a million years.

But, here we are. How did I get here? Not sure. 

Is this some sort of life time achievement thing? Am I destined to be retired from the hobby soon, no longer fit enough to play. "Need to make room for the draft picks, Eoin. You understand?"

Did all that stuff, the service here and there I have done over the years, accumulate to a level in my service meter that set off an alarm and flashing red light somewhere at the Pelican HQ?

Is this a territory thing? Have they laid claim on me? And now, I am forever bound to do only their bidding like some sort of Frankenstein's Monster.


Are the Pelican's going militant and needing soldiers for the new military 'wing' of their order. Hehe…'Wing'… Ha!

Well…

I don't know. 

All I can say, is those noble birds saw something in me of worth. I never sought their attention. I'm a squire!. A stick jock! I fight. 

But, I guess I am more than that. If anything, they have said that loudly, in no uncertain terms. I will always question my worth when praise is directed at me. That keeps me honest with myself, IMHO.


These wise peers of service have said I need to be one of them. I can accept that. I take that its recognition earned through demonstration of service over time. If they say I am worthy, that is enough for me. I am truly, truly thankful for all of those who saw me as worthy of this accolade.

I will question it. I will doubt. That’s the check and balance to the equation. That's my way of staying true.

But, in the end it isn't some sort of pass/fail achievement exam that got me here. It's a body of work, of service, that they noticed and recognized. I can appreciate that even if I don't necessarily understand how I got here. This isn't ego talking. It's just the acceptance that the order knows what it is doing in asking me to join them.


All kidding aside. This is amazing to me. I have no idea how this works or what to do next. Got some good folks around me though. With a little help from my friends, Ill get my feet under me and figure this out. 

Now for the next part, planning for the delivery of the promise in the Writ. Elevation. That is going to be a new adventure. Stay tuned.


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





2024-06-22

Wardens Challenge: Episode VI, The Return of the Warden… An Epilogue

Unto the good people of Meridies and the hearty souls of the Northern Plateau, do I, Baron Eoin Mac Cana, Warden, send good tidings and warmest greetings.


Back in January, when our shire, Easaraigh, began discussions and planning for our event this season, I volunteered to steward the activity as we shifted its occurrence on the calendar to the month of June. Having spent the last two seasons at the Pennsic War, in support of my Earl, Benen Mactire, I had not been able to attend my shire's event due it occurring during the Pennsic campaign. This season, I sought to remedy this shortfall. This would be the sixth occurrence of Wardens Challenge that my home group, Easaraigh, had hosted since the Wardens Challenge inception, shortly after I was presented the title of 'Warden of the Northern Plateau' by the illustrious Imperator Barthelemy. My home group honors me by sharing the title I was presented in the name of the event. At this point, I feel the idea of the Warden belongs to Easaraigh more so than me, as bearer of the title.


This sixth occurrence of the event, happened to align with the sixth movie of the Star Wars franchise (in story order, not so much in release) in that we had chosen 'Return of the Warden' as the theme. From that point, we decided the lean into 'borrowing' from the Star Wars marketing look and feel for our own advertising. I really enjoyed both the subtle and blatant references that came to fore. That blending of whimsical anachronism in our medievally inspired hobby is a joy of mine, I confess. It keeps us honest and true to the foundation of this hobby that, at times, can be too serious. I am entirely pleased with the product we created.

Artist credit Ronan of Axebridge MKA Brett Tadlock


Our event, Wardens Challenge, Episode VI: Return of the Warden, held true to our base principles here in Easariagh. Like the fabled tale of Goldie Locks, we like our events to be 'just right'. To that end, we shone bright yesterday at the fairgrounds in Sparta.


As steward, my shire and the attendees made the event happen in the magical way things do sometimes. For my part, I was just a witness to a smooth running clock that chimed on schedule without a need for winding. Ceri and Maria greeted our guests as the arrived. Ellen and I welcomed and thanked them for coming. Our many volunteer teachers shared knowledge to willing students. Our martials (Sean, Benen, Asa, Mongo, Arianne) held many competitions of skill and daring. At lunch, we broke for sustenance and our stewards (Ronan and Elysant) and staff (Hallgrimr, Yrsa, and the 2 Lairds Hallgrimsson) delivered a bounty of victuals that filled the stomach and pleased the senses. Very many hands made light work for this steward. You are all appreciated.

We topped our day off with a royal court, the likes of which has not been seen on this part of the Northern Plateau in recent memory. We are so happy to have been able to share our day with Their Royal Majesties, Sebastianos and Morgan; with His Highness, Barthelemy, and the baronages to our east and west; Their Excellencies Ysabel and Jean-Azriel of Glaedenfeld and Bjorn of Thor's Mountain. The rarity of so many renowned leaders visiting our small shire was a sight to behold and we were so pleased to be able to host them.


To all who came to visit our shire of Easariagh, in the land of the Cumbrians, on a warm day in the month of June… I offer my humblest thanks. We, of Easaraigh, thank you all for coming. We do this not just for ourselves, but for you and our hobby. Thank you.



Your servant in humility,

Baron Eoin Mac Cana
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Steward, Warden's Challenge VI




Clyde's Travels - Magna Faire 2024

Camp Meadowbrook Cullman, AL Hosted by the Barony of Iron Mountain December 7, 2024 In the veiled, becalmed morning that bespoke of Skadi’s ...