Drawers and Shelves

More glassware was stored into shelves and benches around the lab.

Cabinet of Small Skulls

Plants had grown in one area of the Overseers Lab, beneath the taller plants stood a small wooden framed glass cabinet. Small skulls sat on top, contained in its dark recessed were more jars of dubious liquids.

Lost Young Souls

Tucked behind a wall at the end of the Overseers Lab was a collection of toys. Bears, dolls and other forms lay in the undergrowth. It seems the Overseer did not hold his subjects and studies to adults. One bear in particular caught my eye as it seemed to hold a paw out looking for a lost companion.

Alchemy of the Overseer

Dawn on the second day of the moot brought me back to Laboratory of the Overseer. One area held jars of many liquids and distorted forms. Some jars bubbled and frothed in a reaction of their own elements. The bench of jars made for an early exercise for this artist.

The Great Tree.

I passed through the further chambers of the Overseers Lab to the ritual circle of The Great Tree. Here at least it seemed nature and more natural energies held sway over the macabre scenes of the lab.

Gloves and Botanical Samples.

Away from the Test Bays furniture stood against the stone walls, sturdy gloves sat beside jars containing botanical samples. Before I started my sketch a young girl appeared next to me,

“The Overseer is going to kill you,” she whispered. Unnerved by the proclamation by new companion I stumbled over my reply before asking why?

“Are you a member of the Unicorn Faction?” She asked

“Err No,” I replied

“Oh, in that case you will probably be OK” she added before wandering off.

I breathed a sigh of relief, that was turning sinister to the point of needing a change of underwear.

I Didn't Understand People Until I Took One Apart.

A cold night gave way to a frosty morning as I wandered into the lab of the Overseer. Aside from the cool breeze pushing through the Test Bays all was still. The skeletons of test subjects lay on the mortuary slab and medical notes daubed the walls. I set about making my own notes and sketches to capture the scene.

Standing Armour.

With the morning sun gaining strength I sought the shelter and coolness of the ritual circle and succumbed to the temptation of sketching the suit of armour standing by the central pier.

While I was concentrating on the proportions and gifting the sketch with as much accuracy as I could, a wandering merchant from the Vipers came over to chat. He was most generous with his knowledge and explained many of the aspects and symbolisms surrounding us (I have tried to pass on some of this with the explanations accompanying other sketches from this years gathering).

I stopped sketching to chat for some twenty minutes or half an hour with him, it was only when some rough looking seafarers passed by he seemed to gain a desire to move on and left towing his wares behind him.

The Unicorn Camp.

During my guild service on Saturday morning Sunspark, Soal & I had ran across the field from the guild tent to offer assistance and healing to the Unicorns when they were under attack. I returned to their camp on Sunday afternoon to request permission to sketch, once again I was well received and offered the protection and hospitality of the camp. Once again the angle I chose to sketch from lay outside the faction wards.

I had almost finished my sketch when White Reavers appeared and marched in. I sneaked in after them to make myself available to assist should I be needed. The Reavers seemed to take issue with some in the Unicorns but fortunately they chose to leave without claiming any lives. It was with some relief I sat myself back down and finished my drawing.

A Celebration of Life & Growth.

During my wanders of the Ritual Circle the previous day I came across an area the Unicorns had dedicated to the aspects of life and growth. The scene was a delight for a soul such as I, the gentle breeze and trickling of water gave me good company as I seated myself down and enjoyed an hour of peace and sketching.

The Ritual & the Cemetery

My duties to the healers guild kept me busy for much of the day and it was early evening before I took to my wanderings with my sketchbook. Once again I was drawn back to the area of the ritual circle. Beside the lights and sounds of the circle itself was a small cemetery holding the remains of the fallen heros of our hosts. The stillness was a marked contrast to the activity of the circle itself and I settled down to sketch as the ritualists worked near by.

Rituals carry their risks and despite the skill of the ritualists one ceremony caused some harm to some of those who had just completed their work. Graf, the High Healer of the Harts & I rushed into the circle once the seal was lowered to give what aid we could. Once all was well I returned to my sketch. The next ritual was by Twig Splitter and his group, I was gifted a fine tale of humour & meaning to listen to while I worked, a privilege indeed!

A Banner of Skulls

To the side of the ritual circle where areas demonstrating the aspects of Unicorn life & culture. As with any culture, death features and is recognised. The smell of turned earth hung in the air above the neat boarders of the grave, stone pillars framed the junction where it met with the walls of the room and it was topped by a banner of skulls of various sizes. 

As the hour of the morning grew later, I moved my position to capture the scene of melancholy.

The Scales of Grynd.

With the sounds and scents of breakfast being prepared in various camps I took a stroll down to the ritual circle area of Grind to explore the culture of the Unicorn Faction. On entering the rooms adjacent to the circle I was confronted by an enormous set of scales. It seemed fitting for such a nation with a history of merchants to turn a small item essential to fair trade into such a grand statement.

I enjoyed spending time sketching it and chatting with those who stopped for a while to say hello. A little conversation and time to ease yourself into the the day is always a good start.