Sunday 3 September 2017

The Gardens of Nara, Gathering 1117AF

Sketches and Scenes from the Gardens of Nara in Nihon. Our hosts for the Gathering of 1117AF were most accommodating.

The Approach to the Gardens of Nara


Sounds of water and the knocking of bamboo to enjoy in the quieter moments in the garden.



Lanterns in the Maple Tree


Gong by the Ritual Circle



Hanging Charms of Bamboo




Entrance to the Ritual Circle

Adventures of Bear in Nihon

Sketches I did for Scarlett, she was going to miss her dad while he travelled to the Gathering in Nihon and he promised to bring her Bear and tell tales of his adventures on his return to cheer her up. Bear came with me for a visit to the Gardens of Nara and he went home safe with her dad the sketches.


Bear Gets a Lift With Anders


Bear Rests With the Dragon

The Sword of Ravus

During the Summer Moot I spent time chatting with Ravus in the Healers Guild. He described an old sword of his. Listening to his words I sketched the forms in my mind. Hopefully he will find his sword by the Spring Moot next year and I will see how accurate I have managed to interpret his words.


The Sword of Ravus

The Gryphons Summer Moot 1117AF

I feel I should apologise to the people of the Gryphon Faction, I had intentions of providing more sketches to capture their culture and scenery but unfortunately I was involved in the high magic trials. The trials took far more time than I expected and my time was limited to only a couple of sketches, one is the sword above the flames and the other of an urn by the ritual circle. In addition to these is the sketch of a sign hanging outside the Scouts Guild.

Sword Above The Flames

The Urn by The Circle

Sign of the Scouts Guild

Friday 2 June 2017

Botanical Drawings at the Healers Guild

Despite my young, slim and spritely appearance (ahem!) it is often the games of skill and intellect that interest me at the GEF. I was delighted to see Nephri had organised a botanical drawing competition at the Healers Guild and I couldn’t resist taking part. I was amazed at the standard of work my fellow artists had submitted and flattered that my work was appreciated when standing among such fine pieces.


The Spinning Wheel


My usual morning wanders took me to the Tesseract. All was quiet before the beginning of the games and my attention was taken by a spinning wheel standing in the corner of the viewing pit.

The Clock at the Tesseract

After finishing my sketch of the spinning wheel I strolled around to the other viewing pit to cast an eye over the arenas and combat pits. Standing between them was a clock hanging off a stone pillar.

An Invitation to the Herbalists Ball


A chance meeting with a friend had raised a request to visit the Alchemists Guild to sketch the herbalists ball. I always enjoy my time spent sitting amid the bottles, scrolls and specimens at the guild and needed no real persuasion to call in again. I hope I have managed to capture the essence of the skill he has shown in creating this ball of herbs.

Signpost to the Arenas

This year the Tesseract had an entrance adorned with many things to tease the mind. Unfortunately it was closed to me when I arrived early but I could at least sketch the warning signpost located outside.

The Alchemists Bottle Off.

One of the challenges set by the Alchemists at the GEF was the creation of a bottle to form a suitable vessel for a potion. I did not have the materials to take part in this competition but I could at least make a sketch of an entry I enjoyed.

A Crystal Delivered to the Mages Guild


I have noticed a few items arrive at the Mages guild during my hours of guild service there. This time a small wooden chest was delivered contains a crystal within a jar. While things were quieter at the guild desk I took the opportunity to sketch it into my book.

Fun and Games at the GEF

A familiar statue of a serene monk at the Tesseract had acquired a paper hat no doubt courtesy of an enthusiastic visitor. It raised both a smile and a sketch.

The Corruptors Banner

I saved my finial sketch for a visit to the Corruptors Guild. An intricate banner presented me with a challenge in its form and geometry. 

Saturday 6 May 2017

A Welcome to the Circle of Homecoming.

A cool spring morning greeted me as I emerged from my studio tent within the Wolf Faction & I set off on my walk across the fields to the Circle of Homecoming in the McYokel lands of Caledonia. I passed by the flame within the stone pit by the entrance to the circle and settled infant of the circle to sketch my first scene of 1117AF.


The Judgement of the Bears

Surrounding the Circle of Homecoming were stands of pine trees. To the back of one of the stands was the skeleton of a legal man. Such people have no profession to pedal in Caledonia, it seems this one did not understand this aspect and paid a heavy price.


A Game of Elements.

Leaving the ritual circle I wandered over to the Mages Guild. At such an early hour all is quiet, I tidied up a little and seated myself down by a game  on a side desk. I had the feeling it would come into play later in the day once the high magic trials got underway.


The Depiction of Fire

A portrayal of the element of fire……Let the trials of high magic commence.

The Homecoming Gargoyle

I returned to the Ritual Circle on Sunday morning and bumped into old friends from the Vipers. We found the peering face of a Gargoyle from the pine trees to our amusement and once they had departed for a warm brew and breakfast I decided to sketch it into the Book of Wandering.


(One gargoyle sketch as promised Alex, have a good day mate!)

The Forlorn Hope

Beside the Circle of Homecoming was a courtyard and one wall was adorned with messages for those who were yet to return home or perhaps were unable to do so.


Travel safely my friends.

A New Roost for a Storm Raven.

On Saturday I called in to see my old friends in the Storm Ravens, they may have left the Wolves but I was still made welcome in their new faction the Dragons. Banter and beer was enjoyed and I promised a sketch for them. I called into the Dragons again by the warming morning sun of the following day to once again say hello and keep my promise.


The Watchers Rest

On the final day I strolled back to the ritual circle. I seated myself by the large wall flanking the circle and sketched the scene across the circle to the chairs where the watchers take a moment to sit and contemplate between rituals.

The Courtyard

Piers and Columns of stone allow for the climbing ivy to weave the space over and around the Homecoming Courtyard.

Kongassan Dire Otter.

For my final sketch of the spring moot I headed over to the archers guild. On the desks were skulls of beasts taken by the arrow. Some looked more menacing than others.