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<DIV><FONT size=2>Greetings from the Autocrat of Defender of the
Fort,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>First let me thank the Seneschal and the Baron and Baroness
for trusting me to spearhead the Barony's yearly highbrow event. I look
forward to working with as many of my Baronial brothers and sisters as
possible. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>You might note that the Autocrat name listed on the official
records will be Lord Volodymyr of the Black Isle. That is the official
name that I was born into the SCA with over two and a half decades ago. It
is the name by which I received awards, such as my Crane. My second name
Marius Atreidae was created (for obvious reasons) when I started working with
The Assassins Guild of Ansteorra. The Assassins game became very popular
with everyone from the King to the commoner and my work as a guild liaison
became so wide spread that most people now address me as my dark persona.
Defender of the Fort is an event that plays up the chivalrous aspects of
the Barony so it seemed appropriate to dust off my original persona and
answer to the pet name my very old time friends called me, "Vlad NotVlad".
Don't worry, when called I will still answer to Marius.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>That said, things for Defender will also run slightly
different than it has in the past. I have already talked with several
individuals about taking on key roles, but have several more slots to fill over
the next few weeks. If you have something specific in mind that you would
like to volunteer for please give me a call and we can talk. Of
course, as always, the Baronial Officers are expected to run the
competitions that are associated with their offices. I will be contacting
each on a one to one basis. Those offices that are not filled at this time will
present a special challenge, but I am sure that we will find good replacements
to fulfill the obligations. This will have to start soon as we have to
contact last years winners to retrieve the pass down prizes and get preferences
for this year's competition scenarios.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Due to the nature of the feast structure there will be no
Feastocrat for this event. Instead, individuals will prepare the
individual dishes on their own and bring them to the site ready to be
served. Only a minimal of cooking will be done on site. Once the
food reaches the site, a serving coordinator and crew will oversee feeding the
populace. After feast a cleanup crew will take over to see that everything
is put away clean. By splitting up the duties I am trying to ensure that
no one is worn down by a full day of work. Even the cooks should be able
to sit down with the rest of the populace to eat. Volunteers that serve
and clean will receive feast free. A serving and clean up coordinator has
not been selected yet so if you are interested please contact me. Once
a coordinator is selected you will be able to contact them
directly. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>We already have pretty much settled on a full menu. I
have not spoken with all of the cooks that I have in mind so I do not want
to give the final list publicly until I have. I will say
that Alaric has agreed to prepare his chili from our rained out event. It
will now be called White Stew and will be a side dish rather than the main
course. I have tasted it. It is quite yummy. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I am open to suggestions for site and feast tokens.
I know that some talk of site tokens went on at a past populace, but I was not
Autocrat then so my memory needs to be refreshed. We need to get started
on these ASAP. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Here is a short list of the people that will make Defender run
smoothly. When I have permission to post their phone numbers I will add
them.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>* Autocrat - Volodymyr of the Black Isle (Marius) -
281-367-3409 cell or 281-419-2167 home</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>* Head Troll - Alaric Sweinbrothar</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>* Site Foreman - The Lord of the Manor, Saint David Saint
David</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>* Culinary Consultant - Musashi no Domai
"Kitsune"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Many thanks to these individuals for stepping forward
immediately to serve their Barony. When more positions are filled I will
post updates.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>As always I am open to any suggestions that will make the
event interesting and pain free. There will be on going meetings and
projects from now till the event. If wish to be a part of it please give
me a call. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>In peaceful service to the Barony,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Vlod NotVlad</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>"what shall it profit a
man,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>if he shall gain the whole
world,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>and lose his own soul ?"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Andy size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV></DIV>
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