Tuesday 28 May 2013

A Standing Bow of Strength.


My last sketch of the Fayre took me back to the guild tent and found me sitting before the Archers Guild. Within was a mighty crossbow mounted on a stand. Crowds and passers by had not yet found their way into the guilds and I took advantage of the clear view to sketch their bow and study its form.

As I worked a fellow mage emerged from the desk at the Mages Guild wandered over to look over my shoulder and give me a bag of treats to take on the road. A generous act and I will look forward to meeting that fine fellow when I next spend time in the Mages Guild.

The Tarantulas Gate


The final morning at the Fayre brought another day of sunshine. The Tarantula's faction camp had been our neighbour for the event and our factions had helped each other many times over when threats had arisen. I took the opportunity to walk to their gate and study the ornate pillars marking the entrance to their realm. 

The dwellers of the underdark are certainly craftsfolk and artists, some would see their work as dark or macabre, but they seem to live their own way without compromise and it shows in their craft and art.

The previous evening I had looked across from our camp to theirs as I did my duty on the gate in the early hours. Our camp held fire and song, theirs glowed with lights and colours to stand proud in the underdark. It was a pleasure to sit and capture the image of the gates in my sketchbook.

A Fortune Lay Out of Reach.



In the late evening I answered an invitation from a good friend who works as a guard at the casino. It was a pleasure to be given a guided tour of the casino and be introduced to some of the staff who work there. Crowds gathered around the tables, the poker tables held only a few modest conversations while the blackjack tables called to onlookers and the gasps and sighs of a turning card.

I sat at an unused table central to the room and sketched the comings and goings of the blackjack tables so as not to disturb the concentration of the poker players. I was hardly noticed as the cards held the trance of potential for a fortune, if only it could be reached.


Purity of Voice & Generosity of Heart.




Many times I have listened to the Bards across the guild tent and enjoyed hearing them. As evening began to draw in I took the opportunity of a quiet spell to wander over and introduce myself. I was made most welcome and they were very accommodating in allowing me to sit within the guild and sketch as they practiced and attended to those who called at their desk. Books and instruments lay around me as I worked and the light slowly faded, but voices and chords still rang clear as if a muse sang through them.


The Lifemasters Fountain


My wanderings took me from the Tesseract back into the Healers Guild. There I met with my pack brother Soal and sister Freydis. We caught up on the events of the morning and relaxed in the shade of the guild as the morning sun grew in strength.

My attention was called by the fountain sitting quietly in the corner and as the discussions continued and the masters arrived for the days tasks I sketched the fountains form as I considered what events might hold for the day.

The Tesseract




Stone pillars and wooden walls lay draped in ivy, flowers and a multitude of butterflies. Wards glimmered with a strange light and a white pillar stood centrally in the central space. The Tesseract seemed to embody the essence of the our Fey hosts and would prove to be the backdrop for many competitions and games at the Fayre. I spent an hour soaking in the atmosphere without interruption before the days events began as I moved the scene from my senses into the sketchbook.


The Bears Gate



Another glorious morning brought Iduna's blessings for me as I took my first stroll of the day. It was only a short journey up to the Bears gate, all was tranquil and the youngsters of the Bear Faction took turns to run down to the gate and check the comings and goings of those who happened to be passing through. The gate would no doubt seem more turbulent moments later in the day as those hostile to the faction chanced an attack, but the Bears are sturdy folk and would no doubt meet the challenge head on.

As I was finishing my sketch, Will McCaullich wandered down to say hello and chat for a while. It seems he has discovered the pleasures of going for a wash in the morning and was on his way to partake of warm waters. A gentler start to the day than his usual method of throwing himself into a mountain tarn in his homeland of Caledonia!

Ancient Symbols & Runes


The afternoon brought me back to my own faction camp for food and the familiar company of my pack. Suitably refreshed and having done a stint on the faction gates I strolled towards the faction command tent. Standing before it were two standards holding symbols and runes of the heart beasts for those of the Norse lands.

The standards showed care, craftsmanship and the history of our people, I settled myself on the floor next to the Storm Ravens tent to sketch down the sight before me.

In Service to the Healers Guild



With the crowds beginning to arrive within the guild tent, I made my way over to the Healers Guild and made myself available for any duties they may have.

As discussions took place between masters and those at the desk I passed the quiet moments by reaching for the sketchbook and drawing down the healers symbol. Luckily the morning was quiet when it came to injuries and skirmishes with conversations and negotiations holding sway over the proceedings, and so the sketch spread to capture more of the scene behind the desk.

The Armourers Guild




The rising sun brought warmth to the later morning however I still found few people to be about. I walked up the gentle hill and into the guild tent. To my right was the corner occupied by the Armourers Guild. Their anvil stood proudly before their room and bore their emblem. I settled on the edge of light and shadow in the entrance of the guild tent and put pen to paper. The arts of the armourer are something of a mystery to me; method, understanding and a spirit of craftsmanship take form and function within the hot coals, the plate of the anvil and the quenching barrel.

The Guilds at the Fayre



After enjoying the festivities of the fayres first evening I grabbed a few hours sleep in the darkest hours and rose with the dawn. Clear light and a warm gentle breeze brought fresh energy to my mind as I walked the fields alone. The peaks and valleys of the guild tent stood before me on rising ground. I settled down to sketch and for a while I was alone with my thoughts, vision and the scratching of my pen. Before long I had gained a new companion, we passed the time of day and chatted as we both took comfort in the warming rays of the sun.

A ruffling noise behind us took our attention to a tent lower down the field, three ducks appeared from the tent and waddled past us. They headed up the hill and into the guild tent. My new companion and I were left bemused and laughing at the sight, I suspect they were only foraging for dropped scraps of food but the line and purpose they took showed they had made this trip before.

The Merchant Camp


Since the spring moot I have taken to my wanders and made contact with good family friends. It was mid afternoon when I stepped into the clearing containing their tents and cooking fires. For I while I relaxed with my past acquaintances, drank mead and discussed the comings and goings of a life I left behind when I took retirement. Warmth, a good meal, mead and good company, sometimes simple pleasures and hospitality are more than enough to fill the soul.

Tuesday 7 May 2013

The Storm Ravens Shelter

On my arrival at the Spring Moot I wandered into the Storm Ravens camp to introduce myself and I gained a warm welcome. During my time sitting within the Wolf Camp they have been happy to stand by me and chat for a while, they have also been encouraging of my sketching and asked how much it would cost for a sketch of their tent.

In return for their help (especially with regard to discussing matters of healing) and encouragement the answer is nothing. It was a pleasure to make my final sketch of the Spring Moot a sketch of the Storm Raven Tent.



For now I will look forward the GEF and seeing my pack brothers and sister of the Shian, I will also look forward to greeting the many other friends I have met on my wanders & sketching at the Spring Moot

A Meeting With Malthus Calgar & the NDM

Like many, I look for ways to better myself. It was such a way which took me to the Mages Guild to seek guidance, council and membership. I was informed I would be considered but would need to speak with my faction High Mage to gain reference before I could be interviewed. I have never had the pleasure of meeting with Malthus before and was a little nervous of approaching unannounced to ask such a favour. But needs must, and I took the wander from the desk at the Mages Guild up to the Wold Camp and the tent of the NDM.

It was a relief to see the High Mage relaxing with the rest of the Militia in the early evening sun and it put my mind at ease knowing I would not be disturbing duties. The NDM spoke of the importance of enjoying a good evening bask and Malthus proved to be approachable, friendly and was kind enough to write my reference in my sketchbook.

Sadly our conversation was cut a little short when we were concerned our camp was about to come under attack. Once the threat had passed I sat myself down close to the unlit fire pit and sketched the NDM tent onto the back of the reference Malthus had written for me. On showing the reference to Francis Littlefoot of the Mages Guild he seemed well pleased.

My thanks to Malthus and the NDM for making me welcome and helping me with my learning.

A Lone Shield at The Order of Fenris

I arrived back at the Wolf Camp in the early afternoon, as I passed through the gate I could see the men of the Order of Fenris preparing themselves for a march. Their camp was obscured by the comings and goings of figures clad in long black armour and many shields lay against the wall of their tent. Following a series of shouts and orders, they grabbed their shields and lined up to march out of the faction gate. A few moments later and they were off down the hill towards the market square. The camp quietened and their tent stood in silence with only a single shield standing by the entrance.



The sun stood alone in a cloudless sky and I settled beneath the warm rays to draw the scene before the sound of marching boots and calls heralded the sound the Order returning home.

The Deeper Caves of the Tarantula's Circle

My first visit to the Tarantula's circle encouraged further visits to spend time in the quiet of the Underdark. Within the darker caves a large ornate silver box lay in a corner surrounded by the webs of spiders. Skeletons and cocoons were also held firm against the wall by the silver white threads and webs.

Light was not so abundant in the deeper caves and sketching was not so easy in the darkened corners. Both time and focus was needed to judge line, form and perspective to set to paper the scenes before me.

As I was finishing my work I felt the scampering of a tiny form upon the back of my hand. A closer look revealed a small spider who had chosen to use me as a route along her travels. I carefully set her down by the wall. It seems there are many eyes in the Underdark.

Das Shoppe

My duties on the Saturday of the Spring Moot took me to the camps of many factions as I accompanied Master Healer Raven Fire. One camp was that of the Viper Faction and I enjoyed shelter from the weather beneath the canvas as issues were discussed and resolved. Outside, close to the gate of the Vipers was Das Shoppe, a twin poled tent carrying flags above the canvas roof. Chairs and tables lay outside of the entrance providing a welcome rest for the travelers who called by.



My urge was to reach for my pen and sketchbook, but discussions and intent listening was needed, not to mention I would have had to rudely turn my back our hosts to turn my attention fully to the tent. Needless to say it was my first port of call on Sunday morning to put the scene within my mind to the paper of the sketchbook.

The Home of a Ragger Warrior


As the morning aged and the sun rose higher amongst the passing clouds, I wandered back to my own camp in the Wolf Faction. Close to our own tent was the distinctive white and green form of one of the warriors of the Raggers. Its unusual form and pronounced ridge pole caught my eye and as I awaited for my companions to awaken I sat down to sketch. It seemed the Norscan weather was not too far away as I hurried to finish before another spring shower cast itself upon the landscape and my fresh ink work.

This would be my last sketch for the day as my duties needed attending.

A Chamber of Council, Perhaps?

With my first sketch done, I moved deeper into the cave. It seemed surprisingly light and inviting, the second chamber contained a semi circle of white high backed chairs surrounding a stone table. Behind the chairs the walls held drapes adorned with markings or runes of a nature unknown to me. The light reflected off the empty chairs and gave me plenty to work by. It seemed wrong for me to sit in the chairs so I settled on the floor next to an open box of scrolls.
It seemed the world was still mainly asleep with the exception of an occasional visitor, for a while all was peaceful as I sketched and pondered on the purpose of the arrangement before me.

The Circle at the Spring Moot

I took to my wandering on the first morning of the spring moot, it was early and the lands seemed quiet and peaceful. It was not long before I happened upon a cave filled with strange lights and the low drone of air moving through darkened tunnels. The first cavern was clearly a ritual circle special to the faction of the Tarantula. A face formed from the rock over the circle held would soon be holding gaze over those who performed there. I settled myself down and sheltered from the spring shower outside to put pen to paper and capture the scene before me.