Camp Discovery
Gainesboro, TN
26-28 September 2025
On the 26th day of October, Anno Societatis LX, I made my way into the hills and dales to the west of Easaraigh to attend the Kingdom of Meridies premier armored combat tournament, the Meridian Grand Tournament (MGT). The event was hosted at Camp Discovery. The site is a favorite and has a long history for the Shire of Easaraigh as a place of good times and treasured memories. Many Easaraigh events have been held there in the past, having the Kingdom host an event there a blessing for us as we are so near.
 |
| Image of the tournament field, the MGT champion banner blowing in the wind. |
On Friday evening, I attended the vigil for a friend, Xenos Theodrikes, who was to be elevated to the Order of Chivalry on the following day. While standing as a guard, I watched the coming and going of many esteemed persons from Meridies and other kingdoms. The vigil is a blur for the vigilant. We get to celebrate their coming elevation. They get sequestered away and held in place by sage council, the occasional anecdote, some humor, and shared wisdom. Xenos’ vigil ran late into the night, there on the shores of Flynn Creek, lit by firelight and heralded by the laughter and voices of communion. I bid my farewell while the vigil was still going strong to find my way home to rest for the coming tournament.
 |
| Xenos, on vigil in a tent, receives counsel from TRMs Lochlainn and Paraskova. |
The following morning, I returned to prepare for the tournaments. There are 6 tournaments in total at MGT. I had planned to compete in 3 of the tournaments, the Count Francois Duvant Memorial Chalice Tournament, the Sable Sword Challenge, and the Sir Lee Fribrand Memorial Great Weapons Tourney. But, I withdrew after participating only in the first two of my intended. An injury that has been plaguing me for some time made me think better than attempt a third tournament. That is a story for another time and audience. I made it to the second round of the Chalice and fought 10 or 12 fights in the Challenge. While my showing was not spectacular or noteworthy, I mostly enjoyed myself and had a good time in the tests of skill I was able to participate in.
In the morning, I helped marshal the Armatura, a 3 v 3 bear pit format tournament. A rapid, endurance test starts MGT off with a bang. The Legio Ursi sponsors the tournament and its our job to keep it moving to run as many matches as possible in the allotted time period.
The second tournament was the Order of the Blade’s Sabre Tourney. I assisted marshalling again and helped to keep things on schedule. This is a single weapon tournament, single elimination with lethal double-kills.
 |
| Image of my helmet, gauntlets and list tree shield. |
Still early in the day, I armored for the Count Francois Duvant Memorial Chalice Tournament hosted by our Order of the Chalice. This is a donation tournament where the entry fee is required. It is single elimination, open to any weapon style. The collected fees and additional donations are sent to a charity of the champion’s choosing, which is traditionally a woman’s shelter or something similar. This year, our community contributed $4,700 and the Order of the Chalice was able to send proceeds to Stepping Stones Safe Haven in Murfreesboro, TN. The tournament is a truly worthy and wonderful endeavor to participate and contribute in.
On the heels of the Chalice Tournament, the Order of the Sable Sword’s Challenge Tournament was held. This is a William Marshal style event. I helped the Order get things going before joining in myself. Much like the Armatura, this tournament is more about accumulating a number of wins more than anything else. It can be quite a test of endurance if you are doing well.
The final open participation tournament, which I withdrew from, was the Sir Lee Fribrand Memorial Great Weapons Tourney. Polearms and greatswords are the only weapons styles allowed, fought to single elimination each round.
 |
| MGT List Tree with the shields and heraldry displayed of the champions for the Grand Tournament. |
The last tournament of the day is the Earl Richard Raefen Grand Tournament. The top 2 from each of the day’s tournaments along with 6 chosen combatants for a tournament of 16 are matched to determine the overall MGT champion. This year, the champion was Sir Haldr. He had an excellent day. One of Easaraigh’s own, Sindri Bynarsson, was asked by the Order of the Laurel to represent them in the Grand Tournament. He represented himself, our Shire and the Order of the Laurel well. I was very happy for him. It’s a big honor to be chosen. I had that honor for the Pelican at my last MGT. It really made my day.
While MGT is a big ‘stick jock’ day for us in the Armored Combat community, it is also a great day for just reveling in our hobby. Under my day shade, field side (thanks to Sir Conal MacDale), members of my shire congregated. We shared the day in each other’s company, bonding, laughing, and witnessing the event together. That part of MGT is more important to me that anything else and that shared moment in time is what I will remember in the years to come.
For those interested, here is a video playlist of the tournaments and the royal court that I captured.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde', Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
