The Heartland Games 1106

And yet another Heartland Games flies by on the Isle o'Roarke, overshadowed once more by factional politics and - this time - the end of the world. The Games seemed largely incidental, as cadre-fights and Conclave battles took the stage, though the Bears took part with their usual gusto and fun - and were the only faction to stay the distance. We also seemed to be the only faction at the opening ceremony, so the Ring Master held one just for us!

We entered 2 teams, Highlanders and Islanders, and the lovely McMinxes, but alas once more we were denied the prize by Wolves. However, as the Circle of Treachery was abandoned, only Bears remained to compete and our glorious Queen Morrigan - of course - claimed the victory, denying Laird Jander and others with her prowess.

I spent most of my time with the Bards Guild, to free my time at the Moot, so unfortunately missed a lot of the games - though I did have an enjoyable half of Jugger against Team Bimble from the Wolves. [Who we defeated!] The McMinx team also were a delight to watch, led ably by the lovely Belladonna McNasty. At the Guild, I was accosted by a gentleman with a grievance - apparently I had smiled at his sister, when passing her in the Great Library, and now she refuses to marry her arranged match! Well, what can I say...?!

We received news that the Conclave had seized ritual circles in Caledonia, Erin and Albion, in preparation for a synchronized ritual strike, and that their leaders had shown themselves at these circles. The Bears circle was none other than my sister's at Strathbraan, and the forces we pulled together warmed the heart: Adara Darkendale and Tarrin of Clan Mortain enacted a ritual transport at Inver Keithing, sending a force over 90 strong of Bears, Lions, Dragons and even Vipers to crush the Conclave menace.

Ambushed as they appeared, the transport scattered by Conclave interference, they fought their way through hordes of potent unliving - some turning our warriors to ice at a touch of their polearms - to reclaim the circle. Alas, our numbers worked against us at the end as the leaders fled via the circle before they could be reached and stopped. However, their plans were foiled - and we later heard that 3 of the Conclave's highest leaders have now been slain. Hopefully, our foe is in disarray.

Alas, however, that it did not prevent their retaliation and our only loss of the weekend was at their hands: Merlot McMead, father to Shiraz, a fine clansman caught out on his own. May his fate be a lesson to us, and his name forever be remembered. The strike team, under El's leadership, all returned home safe and sound - mission accomplished.
The next day, the forces against Famine again marched on these two camps, the embodiment of Knowledge at their head - demanding wholesale slaughter if they did not renounce the cause of Evil. I am told, apparently, that the Tarantulas and Vipers withdrew their support for Famine in the face of this onslaught and have declared for Peace. Several key members renounced Satoon, also, and his minions came out that evening seeking retribution. I know not the end result of all this action, what was accomplished and what was destroyed.

The cadre war continued through the evening's Entertainers' Competition, with the embodiments of Magic, Illusion and Knowledge being driven from their hosts. The competition itself was more subdued than usual, with all the other events distracting and limiting the audience, but the talent on display was no less great. Lester the Jester was the winner, with John Tapper and Captain Nell gaining 2nd and 3rd respectively. Unfortunately, only my sister and I were there for the Bears - the others arriving too late to enter - however, the faction en mass serenaded the Guild Tent afterwards to the delight of the Guild leaders. Next year, I am told, Laoch Dougie's Sporran Dancing will be the highlight of the competition.

That evening we were attacked by minions of Satoon, Despair and his ghostly lackies, who spread nightmares and fears as they attacked in the dark. Apparently, they hunt fae and beastkin and others with 'strange skin', to flay them and slay them. We had to destroy Despair's minions in order to stop him, who lay about rending patterns with their touch. At Laird Jander's request, a host of Lions marched down to relieve our beleaguered healers as Ma and her charges sought to remove the delusional effects the fallen suffered.

Having assailed us perhaps 4 or more times, once the reinforcements appeared Despair neglected to bother us again, but foul liches and other minions attacked our allies, the Harts. And so into battle we went once more, before marching up to the Lions camp - where a great ritual was in progress, using Spirit as the circle, to create a great weapon against the Conclave in a joint effort by many factions. The ritual was a great and unhindered success.

On the last day, as we gathered in the market place to hear the results of the Games, a rift in the Void appeared - spilling forth a host of demons under the command of a fearsome monstrosity - formerly Orcus, host of Illusion. They seemed to be targeting specific individuals, trying to drag them back through the gate, and many were seized - including Anders of the Wolves and the Ring Master. 7 Lions fell defending their Queen, in the thick of the fighting, ripped to nothingness in the void. Eventually, the rifts were fixed and the assault stopped... but few were left with the stomach for the remaining games.

Notes:
The Incantors’ Guild is currently split over whether to allow sentient unliving to join its ranks. Unliving members narrowly avoided being dismissed by Light Incantors at the Guild Tent.

The Militia were surprisingly effective, backed up by Empire Dragon Knights, who claim authority on Roarke Isle.

Our supposed allies, the Harts, are reputedly getting extremely friendly with the Wolves faction...

 

All Works are © Original Author

(OC Author - Paul Martin)