ANST - Wiesenfeurer Baronial (long)

[Lori Campbell]

I was actually putting together a report for our local newsletter, but
since there seems to be interest here, I thought I'd post some of 
it here so everyone could see it.

Kat  >^.,.^<
**********************
Greetings from Barn and Katrionna, Baron and Baroness of Wiesenfeuer, 

Another Baronial Championship has come and gone and, despite the heat
and humidity, what we're hearing is that everyone had a wonderful 
time. We expected fairly low attendance, as the Crown had plans to go 
elsewhere and many were traveling North to Calontir for Valor 
Tourney.  Despite our low expectations, we had a respectable turn-out 
with @ 240 through gate.  

The chivalric torchlight tourney went very well despite the ominous
rumblings of thunder in the distance.  HL Karl Sturmfeur (known as
"Fluffy") took his great sword and fought his way into the finals to
face Count Gunthar.  Though His Excellency won the bouts to become our
new Chivalric Champion, it was hard fought and very exciting to watch.

The rapier list was small - 9 fighters - so, after counseling with our
rapier champion, Ld Geoffrey of the Bay, we elected to run it so that
each competitor fought every other competitor.  Wiesenfeuer's own Ld.
Sigfreid von Steinburg and Don Donovan Fitzpatrick competed in the
finals, with Don Donovan winning the bout to become our new Rapier
Champion.

A tightly run archery competition was held and Ld. Artair Macmora had
the best score, but for health reasons deferred the honors and 
responsibilities of the actual title of Archery Champion to his 
runner up, Ly. Angelica Fletcher.  Ld Artair also held a wonderful 
bow-making class that proved interesting and well attended.

Last years' titled bard, Ly Elanor O'Roarke, ran a unique bardic 
competition where the entrants challenged each other in front of 
individual members of the populace who then awarded a glass token to 
the bard whose performance most impressed them.  The bard with the 
most tokens after the day's challenges, and thus the new Titled Bard 
of Wiesenfeuer, is Lady Sibeal inghean ui Ruairc.  

Our arts and sciences competition had many fine entries from
leatherwork to period garb.  The overall winner was Ld. Oxlade
MacKinnon from Mooneschadowe who impressed the judges with both his
research and his brewing skills.

Our German feast sold out and was very highly complimented.  Though
every course was wonderful, the highlights were definitely the
mushrooms in cream sauce, the tomato soup and the bavarian
cream-chocolate-fruit dessert.  Our heartfelt thanks to Ly Siobhan and
her kitchen crew for doing such a great job - both with preparing and
with serving and clean-up!  

Knife, axe and spear throwing was held and Lord D'Alder Camber emerged
with the best overall score, thus winning the competition.  Also on 
Sunday was our annual Middle Eastern Drumming and Dancing 
competition.  Competition was close, but it was finally determined 
that m'lady Draco was the winner.  The drummer that most impressed 
the judges with his skill and rhythm was Ld Shaldemar.

The weather for the weekend was actually nice - a full 10 degrees
cooler at its hottest point than the 105 degree heat from last year. 
There was quite a bit of thunder, but what little rain there was
didn't amount to much.  It certainly didn't dampen spirits!  Speaking
of water, the "water war" held on Sunday was great fun!  From the
sneak attack on Baron Lucais, to his army's "drive by" retaliation. 
Barn was most apologetic for shooting Lucais' herald (who came
to us under a white flag of truce), however, Barn would like all to
know that he was not responsible for the soaked-from-head-to-toe
condition she arrived home in.  He only shot her once.  We suspect
foul play among those who would cast the lion's share of the blame in
our direction.   We've heard rumors that strongholds and siege engines
may be added to our war next year.

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Ld Antonio and Ly Genevieve on a
truly beautiful wedding.  We hope they enjoy their honeymoon journey 
to the Palace of Caesar in distant desert lands.  Antonio has quite 
the bride price to pay upon his return, so we wish him good fortune 
in his ventures while they are away.

It was, indeed, a prosperous weekend for our barony.  Spang Hollow
Pottery presented us with new baronial dishes.  Our sewing guild
(whose colorful french name I cannot spell :) presented us with new
baronial regalia of a floor covering and kneeling pillows displaying
the baronial arms.  They also gave Barn and I a personal gift of white
cloaks with flames around the hem.  Lord Mordane paid a hefty 
bride price for his lady Ravon, including items of special interest: 
a turnip (for Ulf, of course) and a sheep.  Our new baronial coronets 
were presented, as well, in unforgettable style (please forgive us 
and Master Lucais for giving in to the urge to pull everyone's leg a 
little during the presentation).

The following recognition was bestowed in court:
 Morgan Dracos:  Sable Crane
 Braden Longhair:  Kings Archer
 Aldric de Kerr:  Sable Thistle - leatherwork
 Elizabeth of Castleton:  Flint & Steel  
       (Wiesenfeuer's non-armigerous award for service)
 Arafel of Caer Lleon:  Flaming Weasel
       (Wiesenfeuer's recognition for graceless social errors)

Barn and I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard making 
this event what it was:  first and foremost, our autocrats, Baroness 
Gitana de Castile and Baron Uriah of Wolfstar who worked all weekend 
handling all the usual autocrat problems and event activities without
complaint.  I'll save the rest for our local newsletter, except for a 
few special thank you's to those who were not from our barony but 
volunteered their time to make our event better:  Master Ulf of 
Namron for filling in for our just-married baronial herald;  Lady 
Meadbh ni Roseach (sp?) from Wastelands for field heralding both 
lists;  Mistress Stella from Elfsea for helping us with clean-up on 
Monday;  our previous champions for all the help they gave us in 
running this years' competitions; and the merchants from Small Grey 
Bear in Meridies for hauling in all that wonderful stuff to shop 
through.

I'm certain we're forgetting someone, so please forgive us if you 
weren't mentioned specifically - everybody's contributions were 
greatly appreciated! Last but not least, we'd like to thank everyone 
who came and participated and brought with them a commitment toward  
having fun.  It is absolutely your fault that we all had a great 
time!  Thanks for making our first Baronial Championship as 
Baron and Baroness so special!  We're looking forward to next year!

Barn and Katrionna
Baron and Baroness of Wiesenfeuer
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