Bard's Eye View

A new age, a new name, a new era - but still the legacy continues. The Great Erdrejan Fayre heralded a new start, a new format, as the Guilds strove to unite the factions - or at least encourage them to 'play nicely'. And largely, it seemed, they succeeded - the affair was strangely subdued, mostly due I suspect to the atrocious weather that many factions are not used to, and there was little conflict or trouble.

A good start, or the calm before the storm?

We seemed to be under a sporadic barage of attack from fire elementals appearing literally out of thin air - many of whom were not affected by mundane weaponry: thankfully, it seems the Lady smiled, as myself - and other incantors - seemed able to get round that particular problem! The upside to their unwanted attentions was that I seemed to attract pretty maidens (and others) determined to keep me in one piece, and it seems the Guild don't want to lose my lovely hat. The elemental planes have apparently shifted closer to us, and the other planes have shifted away, or somesuch, under the cataclysm's rewrite. The elementals appeared to be homing in on things of a magical nature, so I'm told.

And, if that wasn't trouble enough, at one stage the transport circle erupted in Unliving – vengeance zombies in the garb of Albion, Caledonia, and elsewhere. Forces quickly rallied to the trouble, dealing effectively and efficiently with the threat until more shambling corpses appeared from all around us. Eventually the wave of unpleasantness ended and, with i believe Gwionn's aid, the troubled circle was put to rest. Apparently, they had been spilling forth from the ancestral planes, which again had shifted closer with the cataclysm.

Sadly I did not see much of the Games themselves, as the Bards Guild were heavily involved in the runnings and also short-staffed, so I offered my support as best I could. The Opening Ceremony kicked off in fine voice, compared by an amusing Estragale [I think] called Pierre, and the Guild leaders laid out the planned entertainment. Each Guild had a game to run, as well as the Jugger knock-out tourney and a market of stalls and traders.

However, within the opening tirades, the Guilds were split and arguing - as the Incantors revealed that the Armourers have created an 'ancestor bane' weapon to deal with a Guild enemy. And, later on, one of the Bards Guild leaders rushed to aid the Armourers as they were attacked, only to be abandoned and left when the assailants turned their attentions to him instead - the Armourers leaving him and his bodyguard to their fate to cries of 'Leave them, they're Bards Guild'.

The Bards entered the Jugger tourney, only to be knocked out in the first round - a disappointing end to our hopes indeed! A very professional (and well supported!) Harts team decimated our brave Bards - despite a noble late rally - and even outsung our support! [And it was a 'tortoise' not a 'hedgehog', I'm informed!] We Bards also entered a competition to 'Save the world in 45 minutes' - and indeed we succeeded, saving the world from the terrors of smelling like rotten eggs!

How did we manage such a feat? Well, the first task was to dodge past a viscious golem (in a rather small tent) to collect letters, which we had to return to our team - for them to make a suitably large and impressive word [thank Anu for Bardic licence!]. The second task was to knock blocks down, but in a set order - which only those round the back could see. So, much gesticulation and shouting but eventually we triumphed - as each falsely flattened block set you back a number. Finally, we were given 10 minutes to plan a mock-ritual, and given the terrible fate we were to save the world from: giant mushrooms spreading a pungent odour.

Finally, for me at least, was the Entertainers Competition - which persevered despite the conditions, with a very packed tent! Compared by the charming and witty Tashmar, Mistress of Entertainment for the evening, there were several fine performances. Dr Tapper and his pack of dancers deservedly won first place, with a wonderful tune about muggers, ending a long-standing run of second places! Kianan McAylwyn and Rab McCaullich came second - with a rousing chorus. Seth came first place with his spellbinding rendition of a story. There were many other notable entrants, and a fun time was had by all, despite the weather (and the noise of the Militia).

Hostilities and tensions eventually boiled over, on the Monday morning, around the Jugger final - between Tarantulas and Scouts. Nothing came from the whispers and the crowds in the market place, but violence erupted near the camps. The Mercenary Alliance took it upon themselves to attack the Tarantulas, for some vengeance or another, but struck the Vipers and Wolves instead. The other factions rushed to the scene, whilst the handful of Gryphons presented a brave front at their gate. In the end, talking won out and the forces dispersed.

And then we all went home...

 

All Works are © Original Author

(OC Author - Paul Martin)