Tuesday 26 August 2014

A Final Moment for the Gathering 1114



My last sketch from the 1114 Gathering is of a mummified body placed in repose near the Sunset circle. All things come to an end eventually, for me it was a visit to exotic lands, unfortunately for some good souls at the Gathering the end is of a more permanent nature.

For those of us who have fallen I hope you are at peace.

God of the Sky


On the final morning of the Gathering I returned to the Sunset ritual circle, beside the statue of Anubis was the statue of a god with the head of a bird. My knowledge of Jackals culture and belief falters at this point, I am not sure if this is Ra or Horus, I intended to ask a member of the Jackals but it slipped my aging mind at the time. However, it would have been wrong to miss the striking image from my sketchbook. I will make a point of learning more when the nations next meet. Perhaps I will be able to buy someone a drink and return the hospitality the Jackals showed me when I visited their camp on the evening of the second day.

Update: Thank you to Alrisha of the Jackals for informing me this is Thoth, ancestor of knowledge. The head is the form of an Ibis, a bird sacred to him.

Campaign Home of The Wardens



Turning to face up the hill of the Tarantulas camp I found myself looking on the imposing sight of The Wardens camp. Their white geometric symbol standing shining out of a deep burgundy field and the hessian fence framed the entrance to their marquee flanked by tarps and tents of their members. No doubt their lanterns would be burning brightly in the evening welcoming The Wardens back from their travels. As I finished the sketch I noticed the signs of a muster beginning to take place. Not wishing to overstay and needing to get back to my own duties I reluctantly left back for the main field.

Campaign Home of Spider Bitten Moon



After my visit to the market I strolled the south fields of the Gathering and found myself by the Tarantula faction. After a short wait at the gate I was welcomed & granted permission to enter and sketch. Part way up the hill was the white marquee of Spider Bitten Moon. Blue signs stood proud of the entrance canopy and black screens guided the view into the entrance area and canopy. All was quiet while I sat and sketched, I hope they will find their way to this sketch and make a copy of it should it please them.

Market by the Trees



In the early afternoon I took a break from my duties to grab food and take in the scene across the field. Marquees and tarps stood firm against the breeze as shoppers came and went. It was not long before my sketchbook emerged from its bag and the scratching of nib on paper began.

The Pyramid



Venturing outside the ritual area I found myself drawn to a warm sunny spot outside my healers guild. I turned to look upon the small pyramid opposite, then back to glance within the guild. I could see Hilda and Crymson were already prepared for the day. Feeling a little guilty at not being there on time help I decided to sit in the sun and sketch the pyramid. I had a feeling I would be making up for my leisurely start to the day later in the afternoon.

Statue of Anubis


It seemed fitting with all the images and symbols of the dead around to find a statue of Anubis standing centre stage on a golden pedestal.

An Eerie Doorway to the City


I returned to the Sunset circle on the second morning of the gathering eager to catch the image of a doorway that had been causing concern to many of the visitors to the Gathering. Skeletons and skulls were carved into the sandstone surround. The doorway, or perhaps someone concealing themself behind it had been influencing the minds of those passing by and tempting them to enter the city. Later in the evening of the second day I stood and watched the door slam itself shut after playing host to the arrival of an undead hoard.

The Golden Cobra


Close by the dry fountain stood a pedestal holding the golden form of a cobra poised to strike. I was lost in concentration as I sketched and was hardly aware of the arrival of others as they discussed their findings in the adjoining area. It would appear one made the choice to pocket discovered coins. The sound of a body hitting the floor brought a stunned silence and the urgent attentions of a healer. Curses are a generous gift to greedy in such places.

The Dry Fountain


Stone surrounds and rushes held the false promise of an oasis. Skeletons around the edge reached for the mirage of water. A young family wandered up to share the scene. Their youngest member looked up to her father and said “Daddy, the skeletons must have come to life and drank all the water,”

A Feast at the Gallows


On the walls high above the centre area of the ritual circle area was a partially occupied gallows. One enterprising rat had climbed the heights to make a meal of the condemned. As I sketched I was joined by Oddjob and young Mattaus Whargg of the Vipers, as well as my wandering friend Uri. Always a pleasure to break the silence, chat and enjoy the morning with the living!

The Circle of Skulls



Stepping out of my studio in the cold light of dawn I took a walk down to the Sunset ritual circle on Jackal lands. It was deathly quiet at that hour of the morning in more than one way. The first scene before me was a circle of stone around a vast cluster of skulls and bones. Some skulls were the size of giants, others were tiny and tucked into gaps or even eye sockets. The macabre piece was my first study of the 1114 Gathering.


Monday 4 August 2014

A Meditation for The Order of Fenris


As midday approached, I headed back to the wolf camp. The gate guards informed me all was well and the morning had been quiet, it was good to hear and a welcome contrast to the battle on Friday evening. We had lost some devoted souls during the battle. One group who had suffered losses was the Order of Fenris. My mind was still set in remembrance and respect from my work earlier in the day and I decided to sit and sketch their camp while I spared the fallen brothers time and thought (as I did for Jacob of the Bees)


Beyond the fence the rest of the Order were getting ready for their day, it was good to hear their calls and banter. It reminds me to sharpen my healing arts to help those who stand in the front line.

A Meditation for Hunter

On the Friday of the moot my friend Hunter of the Storm Ravens was killed while performing a ritual. I had not known Hunter for long, but a shared enjoyment of cold beer and a laugh made the short while I had known him seem much longer. I know little of rituals but was grateful for investigations and explanations from Snowy McTaff and Sunspark. I am now a little more enlightened as to the risks ritualises take and the heavy price for any mistakes.


Despite the splendour, I was not in the mood to sketch the Eye of the Dragon on the Saturday, but felt more comfortable on the Sunday studying and sketching the ritual circle. As I sketched my thoughts were with Hunter, the world is a poorer place for his passing.

A Home in The Harts

Climbing one of the hills overlooking the moot field I began to pass by the Harts camp. I was tempted to sketch the gate with its flags and view of the command tent until I saw two tents sited toward the back of their camp. Not wishing to intrude I sat outside the faction wards and sketched from the open field. A wooden door formed the frontage to a yurt like tent while the ends of the rafters of the neighbouring ridge tent were adorned with a horse head style crest. Sadly I could not see anyone to speak with to find out who were the owners of the tents, but should I pass by in future I will make a point of saying hello.


The Dragons Command


On Sunday morning I found my travels taking me by the Dragons camp. At such an early hour the camp was all quiet save for the sounds of flags fluttering in the breeze. Two marquees stood facing the gate framed by the mature trees behind them. With the quiet, the breeze and the gentle sunlight as my companions I settled down to sketch.

Campaign Home for The Children of the Hunt

With the mornings rain beginning to fade and the sun gaining strength I strolled back to my faction. Standing just outside the canopy of a sweet chestnut tree stood the bell tent of The Children of the Hunt. Well used and travel worn it looked as if it had provided shelter for many years but was still sturdy and well capable of granting sanctuary from the elements. Sadly, The Children of the Hunt were not at home at the time I was sketching, introductions would have to wait for another time.

Elf & Safety

Some things just make you smile!


The Dragon Shrine

As the rain outside slowed to a gentle patter I wandered the areas near the ritual circle, at the heart was a shrine festooned with skulls, coins, symbols and crafted objects. Coins had been placed within the eye sockets of the skulls reflecting light and giving a hint of movement to the long dead bones. A dragons skull lay close to the centre of the shrine and it seemed fitting to sketch in such a place.

The Skull & Helm

Taking shelter from the early morning rain I found myself amongst the work of archaeologists in a room close to the Eye of the Dragon ritual circle. Items around me were carefully tagged and presented with notes requesting they were not to be moved. Sitting on a plinth beside them was a helm with a skull still in place. Striking and poignant I settled down to sketch the scene accompanied only be the sounds of the rainfall outside.

Snowy & The Pegasus

Snowy certainly knows how to make an entrance for a date, it was only a shame his intended Lyra was not there to see his spectacular arrival. After a suggestion from Hunter & Gansk, I was persuaded to capture the scene.

Wednesday 28 May 2014

A Quiet Morning in the Jackals

My final sketch of the GEF found me sitting to the side of the jackal camp, within was an elegant marquee sitting close to the entrance. Unfortunately I was unable to find out who it belonged to as only a few people were up and about. Once the sketch was finished I took a few moments to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet close to the lake before closing my book for another event.

Shelter for the Bruid

On the final morning of the GEF my wanders took me by the Bear Faction camp. The distinctive tarps have caught my eye on many occasions and I settled down with the sun on my back to sketch the tarp of the Bruid. By the time I was completing the sketch quite a few of the bears were up and about and the camp echoed to the sounds of banter and tales from the night before.

Jugger!

I reluctantly dragged myself away from the bar before I became a fixture there for the day and started my wander back to my faction camp. On the way back I bumped into quite a number of my faction heading the other way. Minky (goblin surgeon & quick) informed me it was the jugger finals and suggested I try some slow motion sketch shots. It turned out our lads were far too speedy for me to sketch whilst in action. I had to resort to grabbing a shot of them while they waited to launch up the field. The Jackals put up a good fight but in the end team Wolf came out the victors, well done lads!

The Drinkers.

A stroll in the afternoon sunshine is best interrupted by cold beer as often as possible. I was passing the beer tent and it seemed a shame to waste the opportunity. Clutching a pint I carefully picked my way through the tables and muddy floor to a quiet corner. After a few sips I grabbed my pen and began to add a little more ink to some of my earlier sketches. In front of me I became aware of sniggering & the general sounds of mischief. I looked up to find four of Norsca’s finest fighters holding a set pose and chanting the words “we know what you're doing!”. The spontaneous comedy seemed to have set a few people laughing in the bar including myself, graciously they held the pose long enough for me to capture them with an imp in a box snapshot. Nialls suggested a title of Four Jerks in a Bar for the sketch (ok, I confess the title wasn't quite that, but it is a family event) and it was an honour to sketch them up once I had finished my pint.

The Campaign Home of the Odinshiem Guard.

As midday drew nearer I strolled back to the wolf camp and settled myself down beneath an oak tree to sketch the tarp of the Odinshiem Guard. A simple but effective little structure, it held a good position and provided the guards with an excellent vantage point to observe the comings and goings of the faction camp. I could happily have sat for longer and sketched but the hours of gate guard duty were upon me and the task needed attention.

The Campaign Home of Mlezzir.

It was with some relief that I stepped out into the sunlight of the late morning. Casting my eyes across the traders field I could see a black & burgundy marquee sitting within the Tarantulas camp. As the owners enjoyed breakfast and a chat, I sat myself down my a merchants tent to sketch. Once I had completed the doodle I wandered in to say hello and was given a warm welcome. One feature I almost missed was a monkey hanging by the canopy, after a little persuasion “he has missed off the monkey, fetch me a weapon!”, I added a few lines to correct my mistake.

The Incantors Drape.

Hung over the stonework of the tesseract was a banner of a well rooted tree. I know little of the ways of incantors but this drape seemed to be of their ways.

Lights, Energy & Power.

The second full day of the fayre seemed to hold the promise of a brighter day, but with the sun yet to gain in strength I again headed for the shelter of the tesseract to sketch undercover. The lights forms and energy of the control area made for an interesting subject.

The Bank.

Later in the morning I wandered to the guild tent. The bards, healers and mages were busy setting up. I was sure someone was getting ready behind the stern exterior of the Bank, but the customers had not yet congregated before the barred window. It seemed like a good opportunity to sketch down the exterior.

The Wooden Bottle

Clocks and objects adorned the tables and pedestals near to the entrance of the tesseract. An unusual wooden bottle caught my eye as I wandered and I took a few moments to create a simple sketch.

The Library Alcove.

The presence of the power guilds was evident around the tesseract, I took time to read the tributes left to the fallen healers before walking into the library alcove of the mages. The early hour gave me time to sit and sketch in solitude before the crowds gathered for the days entertainment.

Let the Games Begin.

With the air heavy with moisture I walked into the tesseract at Maedhros and took in my surroundings. A huge golden masquerade style mask looked over all who stepped towards the circle. It appeared I had found my first scene to sketch, let the games begin!

Tuesday 6 May 2014

The Fallen Capital.


My final sketch for the spring moot may seem deceptively simple but it made for a challenge. During the passing of time some of the columns of the circle had tumbled and lay in the undergrowth. The ornate work and geometry of the corinthian capital at the head of one of these columns needed careful attention to avoid stray lines. It was something of a relief to finish the sketch, put my pens away and step out into the sunlight. Grateful for my visit to Viper lands and also looking forward to the journey to the Grand Fayre in a few weeks.

The Banner in the Shade.


Once again the morning sun rapidly grew in strength and I found myself seeking out the shade of the ritual circle. All was quiet and I was uninterrupted as I wandered looking for a scene to capture. The Vipers had many banners and signs, but the simple image of a viper entwined around a sword caught my eye. Set against the wall of the ritual circle and above a stone bench I felt the image made a pleasing scene.

The Vipers Command Tent.


It seemed fitting to take a trip down to the Vipers early on the final day of the moot and draw the vipers distinctive command tent. Conventional architecture may suggest the taller and gated structure is more fitting for the centre point of the camp but the Vipers will always seem do things their own way. The distinctive form holds a presence and uniqueness too.

The Comings and Goings of the Order.


As the light began to fade on the second full day of the moot I set myself the task of a few minutes speed sketching the comings and goings of the Order of Fenris, this is a task I find difficult at the best of times but the Order seemed to be particularly hurried. It later came to light many of the order had been struck down by some type of bug or food poisoning. (A real shame to see these guys under the weather after all the effort they put in for our faction & the game, I hope they are all feeling better soon).

The Militia Chest.


Late morning afforded me one more stop for sketching before I took to my duties at the healers guild. I walked up to the guild tents and sitting on the Militia table was a vast chest. Set among the drapes of the table and the walls I found it to be an unusual subject but well worthy of a sketch.

A Pedestal of Leaves.


Across from the fountain by the ritual circle was another alcove rich with greenery growing by the stone walls. Amongst the foliage was a pedestal table with leaves carved round the central column. Once again the table held bottles and containers.

The Element of Water


After leaving the Gryphons Camp I returned to the ritual circle to sketch the details. Gently trickling away by the right side of the circle was a fountain. Scattered around the base of the fountain were cups bowls and bottles, behind it was a drape bounded by greenery clinging to the stone walls.

Welcome Rest for the Gryphon Warriors.


The second full day of the moot seemed to hold the promise of spring as I set forth from the Wolf Camp to wander the fields. I crossed the merchants field and found myself walking by the Gryphons. The steady sound of snoring rose from many of the tents as I passed by, no doubt the Gryphons were enjoying a quiet mornings rest after a hectic night of guarding and fighting the boarders of their camp. I am certainly not one to deny such people their rest.

Quietly I sat myself down besides their faction gate and sketched the tent and standard of the Order Of Mythras. One or two of the early risers from the Gryphons bid me good morning as they passed by. I returned their greetings and once I was finished with my drawing I continued my stroll, leaving the rest of the camp to awaken to a fine dawn.

Odd Job Awakens.


As late morning approached I decided to revisit the splendour of the vipers ritual circle. Sitting myself down by the wall I looked over the scene and details of the circle before making my first marks on the sketchbook. I had the basics drawn down as the first ritualists and eager observers arrived to begin the proceedings. It was appropriate to find them to be Vipers, we exchanged friendly banter and I was relieved to find I was welcome to carry on sketching. They were indeed skilled at their art and they filled the circle with energies of meaning, humour and dark wit as they sought to achieve a magical awakening for Odd Job (one their prominent citizens). I particularly enjoyed the moments where the ritualists stopped for a brief moment of two to pose for my sketch. It was a pleasure to catch up with one of the ritualists afterwards and show him I had captured a likeness of him in the sketch (such as you can with a few quick scribes of a pen), he was kind enough to give me a gold coin for my trouble, I wonder if I can pay the Alchemists to make me some more brown ink!

I am glad to say the ritual for Odd Job was of course a success.

The Banner Beyond the Tarantula Gate.


By mid morning it seemed the sun was rapidly warming the faction camps of the moot. I strolled across the merchants field to stretch my legs from my time sitting and sketching. As always the Tarantulas proudly displayed their colours by their faction gate, a banner was thrust into the earth besides the tent of one of their houses or groups and I sat down just outside of their faction wards to jot down the details. It seemed an inappropriate hour to walk in and raise questions as to who owned the banner, I am sure I will find out all in good time at a future meeting.

The Green Alcove.


I moved from the small fortified building towards to ritual circle as I continued my morning wander. To my left was an alcove where the corners were a haven for plants. Sitting amongst the foliage was a stone pedestal with a high back, on the pedestal were cups, jugs and bottles of various types. It was unclear if these were offerings of some type or of a symbolic value. Perhaps just a simple decoration?

The Cold Morning Stroll.


After the bitter cold of the night I wandered down into Lecce with the frost clinging to my winter boots. I was eager to put pen to paper after my winter studies had taken precedent over my traveling and sketching time. On my way toward to ritual circle I noticed a small fortified building, no windows were evident, only a stout door and low battlements set against the near by trees. It seemed a fitting first image to sketch and luckily the rising sun quickly gained strength brushing away the frosts and making my stay a more congenial affair.