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.

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.