MELEE GATHERING
Spring Equinox
MELEE GATHERING
Spring Equinox
was held March 27th, ACI XXIII at "Lobo's Den"
NEW RECORD = 116 in attendance ! ! !
11:00 AM Sign-in & Arms Inspection
11:30 AM Temper's Guild
12:00 PM Ironman Battle Royale
Mercenary Auction at 12:30p 1:00 PM High Squad Tourney
1:30 PM Champions Tourney
& Women's Tourney 2:00 PM Novice Tourney
2:30 PM Warlord Tourney FINAL
3:30 PM High Faction Conflict
4:30 PM Earl's Choice Battle
7:00 PM Feast & Awards Ceremony
IRONMAN BATTLE ROYALE:
This "every man for himself" battle will require that one combatant secure TWO victories. The battle will be fought to the death for as many rounds as it takes for one person to win two. Truly a battle for the heartiest of fighters to see to fruition. Prize = Badge of Deed conferred by the Crown Earl of Broknarra.
"Set in the Courtyard of the fabled Towne of Doolin (among his many namesake sites), a host of fighters amassed with the famed "weapons in the center" to conduct this endurance battle. Since the victor must win two of the battle royales, several rounds were fought before Lord Motomushi became the first to achieve two victories. Huzzah for us old men!!"
CHAMPIONS TOURNEY:
After nearly two months of qualifiers, the final battles will decide who will become the Champion of the Spring Equinox This tourney will consist of those who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the five prior qualifying tourneys (Single Sword, Dagger, Pole, Shield, and Two-weapon). The Champions Tourney will be double-elimination with combatants selecting their weapon combination of choice. PRIZE = Badge of the Champion!
"After five prelimiary tourneys, over thirteen weeks, and requiring that contestants place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the prelims in order to be eligible to fight, this ultimate tourney event (open to all sexes) was underway. Being double-elimination, every contestant was afforded ample opportunity to grasp for the glory. After several rounds of battle, Lord Robert Markham, Master-at-Arms, emerged to capture this season's Broknarran Champion of the Spring Equinox, ACI XXIII. Past Champions include: Zero Crane for the Winter Solstice of ACI XXII, Lord Felcyn Fistophilus for the Autumnal Equinox of ACI XXII, and Lord Kronin DeSunder for the Summer Solstice of ACI XXII.
Congratulations, Lord Markham!"
NOVICE TOURNEY:
For the up and coming combatants, this tourney will be single-elimination weapon-of-choice for all contestants who have been a Citizen for less than one year. PRIZE = Badge of Deed
This tourney afforded a contest opportunity to all MELEE folk who've been involved for less than one year. As it turned out, it was very hugely attended with our Earl, Lord Felcyn conducting it within an enormous ring of contestants. After what proved to be an almost hour- long single-elimination tourney, top placements went to Lance, Arngrim, and especially a newer fellow who's name we couldn't recall. Congratulations gentlemen!
WARLORD TOURNEY FINAL:
With the top two bidders having been determined on 12/30 of ACI XXII (2003), battles will be fought every week beginning 1/2 of ACI XXIII (2004). Each weekly victory will afford one of the two High Captains a victory point. At the MELEE Gathering three battles will be fought worth 2 points each. At the conclusion, the High Captain with the most victory points will become the Broknarran Warlord of the Spring Equinox.
In what would prove to be one of the closest battles of the day, the massive contingents of Zero and Daemir would engage one another on the open field. With Zero carrying a nine to three lead over Daemir, Daemir would need to win all three battles (worth two victory points each) in order to produce a tie; connoting a chance to win by breakingthe tie.
As the first battle ensued, the rain poured in earnest (making one of the finest MELEE battle scenes witnessed). In spite of the inclement weather, Daemir's forces encircled those of Zero and dealt several "first blood" casualties. Nonetheless, Zero's forces were packed with seasoned veterans and there proved to be far too many leadership "heads" to cut off in order to throw that side into
disarray. Ultimately, Daemir's side was whittled down to just Arngrim and Chiam, who's speed kept them alive far longer than would've been expected. At the last, Zero's forces smote the two men and he carryed the final victor after thirteen consecutive weeks of conflict.
As a result of his victory, Zero will receive a portion of the bidding proceeds that he and Daemire contributed to win the two High Captain spots, a Badge of Deed, and a six-month enlistment on the Broknarran Free Company. Hard-earned and well done, Zero!
HIGH FACTION CONFLICT:
Multiple battles will be fought until one Faction has won three battles thereby becoming the victor of the High Faction Conflict. Each faction will be required to have five Citizens of Apokrypha and a standard (or pennant, for lag, etc.). The first side to secure three victories will win the conflict. NOTE: points from the Conflict will go towards the "Faction of the Year ACI XXII" tally. PRIZE = Seasonal Faction Victory Pennant
The field glistened with a sea of spear tips, shadows were cast by a horde of dark-garbed folk, call to arms was raised among the holy warriors, and the blood and bone colored tunics of the fourth contingent shone distinctly among the masses. These four Factions fielded to fight in the highlight event of every Gathering. Among them were the Dark Order, the Dragons Storming the Mountain, the Crusaders, and the Warriors of the Grey Night. Since the sea of heavily armored japanese was vast, the Order of the Nine Hands divided themselves up among the remaining three faction to lend them support.
The first battle beheld a temporary alliance between Grey Night an the Crusaders as the flung themselves into the opposite flanks of the Dark Order. Used to such onslaughts, Dark Order weathered the charge and, though taking casualties, oblitered or beat-back both factions' efforts. With all three weakened by the opening foray, the Dragons Storming the Mountain swept in mercilessly skewered all who remained.
During the second round, the Crusaders rapidly engaged the Dark Order at the signal was called to commence fighting. This left the Grey Nights and the Dragons to battle amongst themselves. However, as all the forces converged on the increasingly smaller parcel, the two paired fights rapidly began a huge chaotic bruhaha with faction members fighting anyone who wasn't on their unit. Though suffering their worst losses yet, the Dragons Storming the Mountain once again
weather the fray and won their second battle. Since the terms of the High Faction Conflict require that one team win three in order to conclude the bout, the Dragons were best positioned as the third battle followed next.
The third battle of the High Faction Conflict witness a return to the woodlands surrounding the Towne of Doolin. First in was Dark Order who purposed to hold a strategic high ground position. The Grey Night and remnants of the Crusaders also entered the woodlands and wound up in a skirmish with Dark Order. Also along woodland border, elements of the Dragons, Dark Order, and the Crusaders fought one another. Ultimately, the Dragons Storming the Mountain moved their contingent into the gully and engaged Dark Order on the promentory they held. Finally, the remnants of the Dragons (still numbering more than ten) returned to the open field to offer man-for-man battle to the balance of the Warriors of the Grey Night. At the last, the Dragons captured their third, and last needed, victory to win the High Faction Conflict.
Very well-earned Dragons! You've set a new example for how a faction can look and operate.
EARL'S CHOICE BATTLE:
This will be the first instance of this event, since Broknarra has recently voted its will by a show of arms to appoint the most recent Earl, Lord Felcyn Fistophilus, Master Crafter.
The final combative activity was a special scenario constructed by our Earl, Lord Felcyn Fistophilus. The battle consisted of a host of Juggernauts empowered with a special stave with a red-eyed serpent coiled about it. Lord Felcyn led his tight crew of 'Nauts into the woodlands with the remaining combatants (who greatly outnumbered the 'Nauts) following them shortly thereafter. Once in the woodlands, Felcyn's Juggernauts actually managed to surprised the larger party of fighters with a pitched battle following. By all accounts, a great time was had by all.
FEAST & AWARDS CEREMONY:
This feast will be held under the pavillions at "Lobo's Den"
One of the finest feasts yet witnessed was held in what came to be called "Felcyn's Redoubt." Minister Lobo and wife Katie were kind enough to donate flesh of cow (burgers) and tubes of meat (hot dogs) not to mentioned the pleasure watching them be cooked over the open fire. Aavid very kindly volunteered to make the primary entree, Jambalya, which proved to be a huge hit among those desirous of a spicy mix of meats and rice. Thanks are due, too, to the gentleman who brought the homemade marcaroni and cheese (the realy good white kind). Jenny of the the Grey Night was kind enough to prepare two batches of special honeymeade for those of age. The feast proved to be one of the most resplendant in many moons. Our Earl and his lady sat center of the long feating table and he regaled us with many a story. Much talk there was of taking the Broknarran Free Company into some sortees abroad and murmers began regarding the upcoming Crown War IV; to be held at the Known World War VI in late September. Without question, folk near and far left the event satisfied with a full belly and memories of the best time at a MELEE GATHERING they'd every had.
HIGH SQUAD TOURNEY:
This tourney is the culmination of a series of preliminary battles among both the sagacious and the up and coming leaders of MELEE in order to hone the skill of their squads. Each leader is required to enlist four others to form the traditional five-man "squad" (the smallest fighting unit of the Broknarran Free Company). All of the squads then face off in several one-on-one (single squad vs. single squad) bouts and battle one-another through a double-elimination tourney. Each squad submits 3 syn to enter the tourney. Awards are as follows: 3rd Place = 10% of the syn coin, 2nd Place = 15% of the syn coin, 1sf Place = 25% of the syn coin, a Badge of deed for each enlisted person, and a Grand Badge of Deed for the leader
Several weeks of preliminary Squad trials had been held in preparation for this ultimate contest. With the field littered with five-man squads, each unit would fight another through several rounds of this double-elimination event. After several exhaustive, honorably-fought, rounds, Kronin's Squad and Zink's Squad would remain to fight for first place and claim Badges of Deed for all of their respective soldiers. The two seasoned sides wasted no time before fervently engaging one-another in heated battle. After the intial sortees were concluded, an injured Lord Markham was all that remained of Kronin's Squad; facing the remnants of Zink's Squad. It was Zink himself who dispatched Markham and thereby secured the hard-won victory for his squad. Nicely done, Zink & crew.
PAN-MELEE WOMEN'S TOURNEY:
By the will of Earl Felcyn, this season tourney for the women of all of MELEE will bear witness to the finest fighting lasses from throughout the realm.PRIZE = Badge of Deed
"In what proved to be the most vigorously contested, and well-attended bout yet seen in MELEE's history. Being a double-elimination and weapon-of-choice tourney, each woman meted out her own special brand of frenzy on the other. After several rounds of fighting, Lady Katherine Wallace proved her mettle and emerged as the Victor. Very well-earned, Lady Katherine. Wear it well!"
THANKS
As you should all know, were it not for the volunteer efforts of a MANY people, the Gathering could not have been the wild success that it was (even in spite of the threat of foul weather). Having said
that, permit the the space to recognize a host of people who contributed.
To the faction Captains Arawn Snowock, Lord Tristin du Navarre, Martel of Erickson, and Tiegin please our thanks for organizing the factions you have into fun havens for friends.
To the Retainers (staff) of Broknarra Minister Willow, Minister Kristoph, Chancellor Lobo, and Chancellor Thalyn ABUNDANT thanks for your constant effort to make MELEE very well organized, fun, and safe for everyone to enjoy.
To our Earl, thank you for the fine example you set to our new and old Citizens. You are the true example of what a Crown should be. I am proud to serve you.
And special thanks to...
- Katie Piccinnino (sp?) for making sure I had breakfast (great eggs!)
- Jenny for the most wonderful mead
- Canus LaRue for the chairs and tables
- Reeves for ensuring safety and fair play
- - Andalyn and Miriam MacFurdith for the generous contribution of pictures
- HMR (notably Chris Duke) for the very cool live steel demos!
- Aavid for some of the best Jambalays I think we've every had
- and to EACH OF YOU who make MELEE better than its ever been
Seasonal Champion, Lord Robert Markham.
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If you enjoyed the above MELEE GATHERING of the Spring Equinox, then be sure to attend the Summer Solstice on June 26th. CLICK the shield for details =>
