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.