[Ansteorra] Of all things wonderful and silly....

[Chris Zakes]

At 01:07 PM 3/25/2013, you wrote:

>Prootwaddles were included in The Fantasy Trip because the designer of that
>game, Steve Jackson, is well-acquainted with the real-world version from
>his time as Vargskol Halfblood, Baron Bryn Gwlad. But the game version is
>loosely based on the SCA ones -- they came first.
>
>Aethelyan Moondragon
>Ansteorran not-quite-as-fossilized-as-Tivar

To the best of my knowledge, Prootwaddles only ever appeared at two 
events. The first was the Second Barbarian Invitational, 4th of July 
weekend, AS 13 (1978.) During the quest, parties encountered three 
humanoid creatures (called Proot, Wah and Dull) with curious designs 
painted in woad* on their bodies. They were very noisy, aggressive 
and obnoxious, wanting to eat, fight or fornicate with anyone they 
encountered. And no, they weren't very bright.

The second "appearance" was at a Bryn Gwlad event held at Buescher 
State Park. It included a night quest. My group never physically 
encountered the prootwaddles, we just heard them going "Prrrooott!" 
off in the brush. "From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged 
beasties, and thigs that go prrrooott in the night, good lord deliver us."

This was around the time that Steve Jackson/Baron Vargskol was 
developing The Fantasy Trip game, thus they were included. (Kind of 
like Richard Garriot/Shamino/Lord British including various Bryn 
Gwlad folks in the early Ultima games.)

         -Tivar Moondragon

*Did you know that woad is an effective sunblock? The three fellows 
playing the prootwaddles had some *very* interesting sunburns on Monday.