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!

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.