I understand that Master Robin believes that the lack of competition 
and lack of official presence improves the circle but I am not finding 
this true. The lack of official presence at Warlord, Defender and 
Spring faire made the Bardic  unfun. (I want everyone to understand 
the Baron and Baroness of Steppes were there,but the activities were 
not official and mostly not listed on the add or Wed site or event 
pamphlet. Everybody left and the private nature of the Bardic made 
what we were doing Robin's or Darus's or Miscreants' or Falconrose's 
bardic and private household affair. 

Some people won't enter an individuals campsite. (By the way these 
people have been as polite and pleasant hosts as you can ask for.)I 
don't if people feel it is political or they just think they have to 
be asked, I really do not understand the thinking, but what I know 
many people do not show up at private affairs. 

 I find the situation stressful. I didn't find the bardic circle at 
last Warlord fun at all. I put energy into it, but most people didn't. 
Also there was almost no audience. I felt like we had been pushed to 
nothing. We are not important. 

I have felt that the Steppes really hasn't thought any form of 
entertainment was important when they refused to let me do persona 
taverns, coffer shops or bardic circles at Warlord. 

I was doing public activities sponsored not by me but by the Barony. 
Steppes refused to get back with me and they gave the only good spot 
to do it to the horses.  I do not think bardic has to be an 
competition, but I think it makes a difference if it hosted by the 
group. 

Up to Duke Lloyd reign the big Bardic under the tree at Camp Burrnet 
had 75 people at it. That year there was some political problems  with 
the inquiry and me. But when other people, like Isabel of the Towers 
took it over along with other it was very large. These Bardic circles 
were hosted by the Steppes were on neutral ground open to all. 

I also think it makes a difference if the head of the group shows up 
and the peers in the area. One of the best private bardic I went to 
was hosted by Master Edwin and Mistress Branywn. They did it on Sat 
night and it was one of the many things to do at that Warlord. I think 
it happened at the Canton site. Yes, even at Canton there were many 
things to do in the past. 

The Bardic on Sunday at Warlord for years was the end of the Quest. 
You won the Quest because you had the best stories. Each team selected 
a Bard to tell their  tales. It was great fun. Of course Duke Lloyd, 
the person who ran those quests, would never make up his mind on who 
was the winner and declare everyone winners. Those bardic evenings 
were wonderful. But again even if Lloyd ran it these activities were 
sponsored by the Barony and were public. 

Even the Friday night bardic was a Steppes activity. We ran a Tavern. 
It was based around persona. People came and performed until sunrise. 
Households ran the tavern but it was open to all.  

willow