Come join the people at the Duchy of Broknarra as they celebrate the season!
With a chill in the air the stage was set for Broknarra’s Gathering of the Winter Solstice and Crown War VII. The hallowed grounds of MacAlpine’s Vale (Zink Park) were quiet in anticipation, on the 8th of December ACI XXVI, as the masses from throughout the region converged for battle
In total SIXTY-FOUR participants braved the near-freezing temperatures and periodic drizzle to make Broknarra’s Gathering an unparalleled success.
The High Chancellery had delivered on the promise to provide the interim rules update, v6.5, with numerous requested clarifications ahead of the bound publications slated for April of next year and likewise introduced an updated waiver.
His Grace, Duke Tragos, was among the first on the field. Aiding Lord Magnus in the preparations. As the influx of combatants swelled, the day underway with a Tale of Two battled led by Otto van Tuyl and Arron Kylech respectively.
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Eligible Factions
Event Activities:
NOVICE TOURNEY:
Free to enter, this tourney is for the up and coming combatants and will be single-elimination weapon-of-choice for all contestants who have been a Citizen (only requirement for entry) for less than six months.
PRIZE = Badge of Deed
(and a surprise shield gift from Lord Mediocretes!)
VICTOR = Jacob Stephenson
FACTION CONFLICT:
Each faction will be required to have five Citizens of Apokrypha and a standard (pennant, flag, etc.). The first side to secure two victories will win the conflict.
PRIZE = Seasonal Faction Victory Pennant
HIGH FACTION = Dragons Storming the Mtn.
WARLORD TRIAL:
These sessions are required of all first time fighters. A FREE copy of the OFFICIAL MELEE RULES (6th Ed.) can be had here.
Seek out Chancellor of Reeves Wesimus to identify which Reeve is on duty for the respective sessions at 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM.
THANE BATTLE:
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In attendance were Dragons Storming the Mountain, Sparta, Egyptians and Men of the Northern Lights.
This battle would be open to the Vale’s Southern staging area as well as the notorious “Bowl.” The forces of Sparta and Dragons were especially numerous since they are so very close to one another in aggregate victory points towards Faction of the Year.
After a fierce battled amongst all four factions present, Dragons emerged the victor.
The second Faction battle would follow, and once again the Southern field was team with fighting. When the last of the conflicts had ceased, the Dragons had secured their second point as well as the season’s Pennant!
Now the forces of High Captain Wes of Letcher and High Captain Arron Kylech were assembled in the “Bowl” for the next round in the season’s Warlord Trials .
The Trials are a precursor to the formal Provincial Warlord Campaign which will run from the first weekend in January, ACI XXVII (’08 ), until it culminates with the Gathering of the Summer Solstice during June. When the signal commenced the High Captains’ forces filled the Bowl with the din of fighting. After a great while, the forces of Wes at last prevailed and placed him within two points of securing a shut-out victory. Since each of this day’s Warlord battles (a tradition at Gatherings) were valued at two points, a brief round of negotiation commenced amongst Wes and Arron ahead of the next battle. Ultimately it was agreed that the open Southern field would serve the next round.
As the forces swarmed the field, the pitched fray was anyone’s for the taking. While the sides were ultimately whittled down to a handful, the might of Lord Zero was felt on the field as he helped save Wes’s contingent from defeat. At the last, Wes had captured the second round and the entire Trial; as well as Arron’s 11 syn bid!
In the brief rest period that followed, voting was held, and officiated by the Presiding High Chancellor, Lord Tristin, for the three Broknarran Chancellors who would serve throughout the upcoming new year.
Lord Brok, running unopposed, was unanimously confirmed by a vote of the present Citizen populace as Chancellor of the Ward for ACI XXVII (’08). Incumbent Chancellor of the Ward, Wesimus, was reaffirmed for the new year by a vote of the active Reeves. Meanwhile, among the three parties contending for Chancellor of Ward (backfilling Lord Mediocretes who is stepping down), all votes fell evenly among current Chancellor of the Ward, Lord Kaji, and rival contender Mentor Siegfried the Rage. Presiding High Chancellor, Lord Tristin, subsequently decreed that voting would remain open through the 29th of December, ACI XXVI (’07 ), to afford Masters & Mentors who were not in attendance to turn out and provide their vote in the hopes of breaking the tie.
Finally, Presiding High Chancellor decreed that the new new interim rules set (version 6.5) handed out this day would serve until the full High Chancellery concluded the bound version for publication at the end of spring. He reiterated that the High Chancellery would contionue to actively solicit input for amendments and that ALL input was welcomed from the whole of the populace. Next came the seasonal zenith event: Broknarra’s Seventh Annual Crown War.
The Novice Tourney was then held among those participants who have been fighting for six months or less. Veteran fighters took this opportunity to secure a period of repose before the Thane Battle would get underway. Congratulations to Jacob Stephenson who took the Tourney.
Fighters now rallied for the Thane Battle. This day would witness the defense of Crane’s Keep by standing Thane, Lord Alexandros St. Crane, who first won the property ACI XXI and sought to secure it for a sixth year.
Contesting his hold was the inestimable Adean Blackwind, newly minted Reeve of Broknarra. In keeping with tradition, one of the contenders must win at least three out of a potential five battles.
A wind of change was in the air as Adean swept the first two battles in rapid succession. Despite his lesser numbers, Lord Alexandros and his men deftly captured the third battle in a drawn out fray.
A fierce battle would ensue in earnest as the fourth round got underway. As the sides whittled away at one another, it was anyone’s round. When the last foe fell, it was Adean’s day. Thane Adean, new land lord of Deed Parcel VI (to be named anon).
As attendees made ready for the evening’s feast inside the Vale’s sheltering keep, a Squad Tourney was held to foreshadow the potential return of the Squad League which is under consideration for the new year. Meanwhile revelers enjoyed the warmth emanated by the copper fire bowl.
Later accounts reinforce the culinary prowess of High Chancellor (Board member) Alton, who both personally underwrote the feast materials (so that Broknarra might expand its coffer by bearing no cost) and prepared the victuals as well. Stories were even told of Lord Alton’s famed first feast at the very first Gathering in ACI VII (’88 ), some 19 years ago, during the season of Broknarra’s founding. One can but imagine what wondrous revelry will be witnessed in the coming year as Broknarra celebrates its 20th season!
Details of the prior week, 01 December, may be viewed here.
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Click shield to view prior Gathering: Autumnal Equinox / Known World War VIII, ACI XXVI ('07)
