News Archives

Sylvan Crusade Report ~~ May 31st - June 2nd, 2002
I can tell you that the fencing was fun! Lord Kusar and the clever fencers of St. Swithin's Bog came up with a scenario that was a blast. After a tavern brawl erupted Friday evening (with Don Corwyn's drunk twin brother delivering some excellent insults), fencers were paired up Saturday to travel to a grand melee scenario where they would see examples of noble and honorable combat. Unfortunately, having come from the tavern, one of the pair was marked as "drunk". (This meant they had to fight with their off hand, but took more than usual hits to kill or wound). Fencers had to travel to a battle, but to get there, they had to pass by the three thugs, two corrupt night watchmen, one angry spouse and, of course, a final stop at the tavern.

The fencers were given two coins and sent on their way. The thugs were tough, but quite bribable. (Is that a word?) Unfortunately, to bribe them, it left one no money to bribe the watchmen (who had more weapons). Most groups tried to fight one or the other - usually unsuccessfully. There were three thugs, but they had coins you could steal if you killed them. The watchmen were only two in numbers, but had two weapons each. Tough choices! Fortunately each scenario was stand alone, so if you died you got to be brought back for the next step - you just lost points.

After getting past these two obstacles, the sober partner had to return the drunk partner to a spouse (with two weapons). Given her anger, fencers were forced to approach on their knees. Fortunately there was a nearby flower shop (run by "pistol packing Patty") where one could buy flowers for the wife if one had enough coins. (Which few did). Flowers seemed to buy passage by the angry spouse.

The last stop was a tavern where there was but one lone beer remaining. The drunk partner wanted it and the sober one wanted to keep it from the drunk. This led to a fight that resulted in points only if the drunk killed the sober or the sober took the drunks arm. If the sober took the drunk's life, that was negative points. (Interestingly enough, there were no negative points for killing the angry spouse . . . )

Some of the highlights of watching the groups:

- Watching Don Donan and Lady Brianna declining to bribe anyone and pretty much mowing down the whole field on their way to victory.

- The evil twin to a guy who should spell his name "Owen" sneaking up on the helpless flower girl and slitting her throat to have flowers to take to the angry spouse.

- The helpless flower girl, having well learned her lesson well, blowing away both Lord Quinn and his partner - with a rubber band gun in each hand.

- Don Lyev's "enthusiastic greeting" of his spouse.

My partner Meg and I also had fun as we tried a rerun of the scenario and actually managed to bribe the thugs to kill the watchmen. It left us weaponless, but it was fun!

This was followed by some melees, an old timers tourney and a novice tourney.

It was a great time and I thank Kusar, Iago, Ludovick, Armand, Corwyn, Michael, Colin, Caroline, and "Pistol Packing Patty" for providing us with much fun!

Dorinda

SCA: The Musical: Thanks!
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of SCA the Musical in one way or another! Whether you worked the event; contributed to feast or sideboard; taught a class or led a dance; carried, delivered, or ran errands; competed in any of the competitions, bardic or martial; made scrolls; or just attended to be part of the audience! We shall attempt to thank everyone individually here in no particular order...

This was a bardic themed event and it would not have been complete without bardic classes. Thank-you Ivhon for coordinating the classes and crash space for the instructors.

Once again Heronter lived up to our motto, "If you go home hungry it's your own d*mn fault!" Thank you Felicity for creating a wonderful, filling, tasty, yummy, timely, and fun feast. We heard nothing but good things from everyone about the feast, even if it did have mushrooms...just teasing! It was great!!! And thanks to the kitchen crew: Tronose, Laurette, Gwenhyvar, Paige, Domnhall, Mike, Marguerite, and most likely more people!

Then there was the sideboard. Between the two we certainly didn't let anyone starve! Malcolm made the stew; it was a labor of love based on all the thought and prep that went into it. Thank-you to everyone else who contributed to the sideboard (hopefully we're not forgetting anyone): Siobhan, Laurette, Griffith & Yzabeau, Anna, Dorinda, and Phil (who cut the cheese!) ;>

All the competitions, bardic, archery, thrown weapons, and fencing. That would be Maeve, Rendell, Eleanor, & Jean-Franc respectively. Thank you to Cygnus as well for volunteering to marshal our heavy weapons tourney. We'll try to actually have one next time!! Thank- you! Everyone who competed had a blast!

Yzabeau made a new group of friends with all the children she befriended, entertained, played with, and enjoyed. We think it's safe to say she has quite the fan base! Not to mention she commissioned the wonderful Harp shaped pi¤ata. Thanks to Mathias for making it so much fun for the kids to swing at it!

Congrats to Laurette on winning her A&S competition! We hoped she liked the scroll! =>

Speaking of scrolls thanks to Laurette, Eleanor, Dagonell, and Lady Mea the Bold of Hartstone for making prize scrolls! They were well and joyously received. Thank you Anna for all the calligraphy including last minute names on scrolls.

Thanks to Ciaran for doing Mood and to Lothin for the artwork for the event pamphlet. Thanks to Dagonell for the artwork for the cloak.

Thanks to Catarina and Marguerite for sitting troll. We hope you were well entertained when people performed for extra beans through troll! Thanks to Siobhan for counting all the beans and placing them in bags. Thanks to Gwenhyvar for making the bags!

Thank you to all the dance coordinators, Jane, Leonor, & Ciaran. They had a quite a group of gentles dancing with them after the feast. It looked like a lot of fun. Thanks to Dorinda and Ciaran for dancing the Karabuschka (sp?), it was fun to watch!

Oh, and let's not forget site clean-up. Just about everyone lent a hand at some point during the clean up. Special thanks to everyone who did KP after the feast -- it's a hot & messy job. Also to Antonio for mopping the hall!

All the people who donated their time talents and prizes not to mention the fabric, art supplies etc. Thank you all. Hopefully we haven't forgotten anyone! Thank-you so much, truly, without the support of the entire shire this event would not have been the success that it was!

With that said, who's up for helping out next year?! =)

Tousen Takk (1000 thanks) and go raibh maith agat (thank you)

Maeve and Keinven

SCA: The Musical: The Report ~~ April 20th, 2002
For those who didn't have a chance to attend "SCA - the Musical", I thought I would supply a short event report. It was a great event, and I can't thank the bards of this Kingdom enough for traveling to our little Shire to provide such an entertaining day!

While the weather started off a bit wet, most of us figured that there was no better place to be trapped inside on a rainy day. I mean, really! We had almost a dozen of the best entertainers in the Kingdom cooped up with us, so it was bound to be a good time!

After a preliminary class or two, the fencing tourney started with the bards lined up outside the list to sing a "swan song" for each defeated fencer. Most fencers had a bard on retainer just in case the unthinkable was to happen, while one or two preferred to work with the strategy "I don't plan to die". One who made an attempt at her own swan song was heckled unmercifully as being "too cheap to hire a bard". Somehow in the midst of a beautiful song or two and some really excellent poetry from Lord Michael Alewright (and some really hissingly bad poetry from most everyone else), there was some fencing and Lord Bryon of Heartstone emerged victorious. Lord Michael even created a beautiful poem to honor Lord Bryon's courtesy during the day.

After the fencing, the bardic competition started to heat up. Bards wandered through the hall looking for an audience (and a bean or two) and we got to witness some of their best performances.

THL Gwendolyn the Graceful sang some of her beautiful songs throughout the day. In addition to performing and teaching, she also lead the crowd at feast in a rousing rendition of the AEthelmearc version of "Children Go Where I send Thee". (OK, I can't remember the name, but I think I have all twelve verses memorized now. Can I get partial credit?) Everyone had a great time singing along with her!

A new lady to our Shire, known only as Jen, wandered through the hall singing beautiful songs - many in Latin, while Lord Michael Alewright recited most of his poems in a tongue more common to our area.

Duchess Maurya, Lady Darraigh and Lady Merriwether were the one group that did not wander the hall looking for an audience - their audience came to them! They held an informal bardic circle all day where various people came and both listened to them sing and learned songs. They willingly shared their song books with others, and people had fun learning some of the SCA's old favorites.

A young dark haired man both sang swan song and entertained with the recorder, while a beautiful lady with golden hair sang songs fair. (Well, she actually threw in a naughty one later in the evening, but I am sure her performance was not bolstered by any personal knowledge of such things.) And of course there was Ivhon . . . well, he can tell his own tales, but I wouldn't ask for a repeat of any of his humor-filled "swan songs".

Baron Fridrikr sang songs and told tales that were historical and comical . . . or maybe it was comical and historical . . . oh nevermind. At any rate, he performed throughout the day, even finishing the works of others. (He should have gotten bonus beans for actually singing along with at least one never before performed death dirge.) Alas, at least one performance, while spectacularly performed, did seem to lack a bit of extra bounce that could only be provided by a set of authentic Viking tap shoes. Hopefully he will be able to acquire this equipment before the next heated competition!

Although THL Brion did not get the opportunity to sing his worm song, he most definitely entertained people with stories. One of his best pieces was heard by this author in the bardic circle held after the feast, but I can't tell you about it - you will have to ask Brion! :-)

Lord Dagonell was perhaps the most versatile of the bards as he sang, recited poetry, told stories, and even did puppetry. The shy Scottish sheep was a big hit even if it didn't say much. (Although lying low is probably a wise move when one is a Scottish sheep . . . ) However, the big hit was a magician who turns princes into frogs. His skill as a magician was proven beyond all doubt when, just after the performance, several ladies were seen wandering the hall asking "has anyone seen my lord? He seems to has just disappeared!" Now that is talent!

The sun came out in the afternoon allowing for some outside activities. Thrown weapons enthusiasts had the chance to play "musical chairs" with thrown weapons. Someone else will have to explain how this is possible with no actual deaths, but I am told it did happen with Gavin being the winner. Meanwhile Lord Antonio de Luna was victorious in the archery tourney. This also provided a chance for the children to get some entertainment by attacking Duke Christopher. He was seen wandering both in the hall and on the patio with about a half dozen young people clinging to his legs and back. While they never seemed to actually pin him down, they had a great time trying.

The A&S table was also set up with a heated competition between a handmade drum and a poem on the fickle nature of women (and perhaps gentlemen as well!) Later in the evening, Lady Laurette was recognized as the populace's choice of the day for her drum.

Finally, it was time for feast and the final bit of the bardic competition. Bards were cruising round the hall singing and playing at every table. Beads were flying like . . . well, like beads at a bardic competition. The food was wonderful. and finally, it was over. Time to call the bean counters! While many skilled bards had performed that day, the winner of this competition (and the beautiful appliqued cloak made by Lady Keinven) was the lady Jen! She received a standing ovation and much applause. The autocrats also took time to recognize THL Brion, THL Gwendolyn, Lord Michael and Lord Dagonell for teaching that day. Their reward of gummy bears prompted our Sylvan Bard to launch into a cute story . . . dere are twee ways to get gummy beaws out of you mouf . . . .

Later in the evening the children had the opportunity to break a pinata, and young Miranda proved that she is in fact the true offspring of Brion and Kazi by giving the thing a mighty whack and sending candy and toys flying in every direction. (If Mom and Dad ever teach her which end to hold on to, she will be even deadlier!) She got to take home the stick as a souvenir, and the rest of the kids got noisemakers. (Thus ending the peacefulness of feast!)

Finally, the day ended with some great dancing and a bardic circle.

All in all it was a great day, and the event staff (Lady Maeve, Lady Keinven, Lady Felicity and the rest of the Shire) should be proud of providing such an entertaining day for us all. Thanks for your hard work!!!

-- Dorinda

If you're using Yahoogroups (and you probably are, since the shire has a Yahoogroups page), make sure you go and change your profile. Yahoo has just made a sneaky change to everybody's 'Marketing Preferences', the result of which will be a load of spam. They had changed my preferences to all yes's. So I changed them all back to no. To change them back here's what you need to do to avoid all the ads:

Go to My Groups and click on Account Info, verify your password if it asks you to, and your Yahoo ID card comes up. Click on 'Edit your Marketing Preferences' and change ALL the Yes buttons to NO. Click Save Changes.

I've done mine already, and I was shocked to see what they'd signed me up to receive without telling me! If you actually gave them your address and phone # in your profile, they've signed you up for phone and postal spam as well as email. Make sure they are marked NO as well.

-- Laurie Lee

Stormsport's Three Bears Event
Yesterday (March 23rd, 2002), the Shire of Stormsport held their annual 3 Bears event and it was great! Quite a number of people from Heronter attended (and had a good time as far as I could see) and we have some things to announce!

Congratulations to Lord Tristan Ravencrest for placing second in the double elim tourney (which was won by Duke Morguhn Sheridan), and for also being Awarded Arms by TRM at court. It was a fine showing in the tourney and great day.

Vivats to Baroness Liadain Deidre for being inducted into the Order of the Cornelion for her continued courtesy. It is nice to see that others have noticed what we always knew.

Congratulations to Quinn of Heronter for his co-win in the under-8 division of the Tablero tournament. After an hour long final match, the gentle in charge could see that Quinn and his opponent (Aengus and Eibhlin's son Kevin who goes by something that sounds close to Roland) were evenly matched and declared a tie.

Also, we should recognize Master Charles, Lady Lidia and Lady Jonvieve for their beautiful entries in the A&S display. And we shouldn't forget that Lady Jonevieve, THL Olwen, Leonor, and Lady Rebecka all taught classes as well!

It was a fun day and it was nice to see so many people there.

Next - SCA, The Musical!

Dorinda

Ice Dragon News! ~~ March 2nd, 2002
This was a fine weekend for the Heronter fencers! Lord Jean Franc, Sloan, Lord Brocc, and Matthias all competed in the Ice Dragon tourney and looked to be doing some pretty fine fencing! In addition, Jean Franc was approved as a full fledged marshal and Sloan recieved his authorization in rapier and dagger. Adding to that, Matthias went up Wed and got his authorization in rapier and ridgid parry device. It is a fine time to be a fencer in Heronter! -- Duchess Dorinda

Greetings! The Shire of Heronter is celebrating 12th Night on December 29th, 2001 this year. Activities include fencing, bardic, dancing, a quest, children's activities and a pot luck feast. (Oh, there will also be the opportunity to subscribe to our newsletter, The Vigilance at $6 per year...very reasonable I might add! Yes, I am the Chronicler!) There is no site fee.

The location is the First Presbyterian Church, 509 Predergast Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701. We use the 6th street entrance and parking is in the gravel lot directly across 6th street. The feast hall is just inside on the right. Fencing and children's activities are downstairs in a HUGE open otherwise stated.

The following letter was read aloud at the Nov. 15th, 2001 meeting

To Lord Dagonell from Frederick of Holland, Duke, Greetings

I write to the people of Heronter through you, since I know your name and since I have unfortunately forgotten the names of those I met at Pennsic. Please bring this up at a meeting and find out who those were in the camp and read the following for them.

One night at Pennsic I was wandering, looking for a Bardic Circle and not finding them, when I heard singing from a camp. I followed my ears and found a circle of people all singing together. I watched from the gate for some time, then turned to go, but a sharp-eyed lady had noticed me and invited me to join them. There I was offered a chair and some single-malt Scotch, and singing continued. I offered a few of my songs as well, and after perhaps an hour of very pleasant pasttime, took my leave, leaving a book of my songs with one of the bards there. I am afraid that I do not remember all the names of the people at that circle, but I would like to thank them and to give to them the enclosed CD of songs by our most recent Bard of the West, in appreciation of their hospitality and welcome.

In Service to my Crown and Queen,

Frederick of Holland,
Duke, MSCA, etc.

The enclosed CD was Bardic Fire