Week of Needfest, CY 592
By Livernia Brognan
At the dawn of every new year, spectators, nobles and champions gather in our fair city of Chendl. King Belvor decreed that even in the midst of war, we should still celebrate what the gods have given us. This year proved to be more exciting than usual, and that is saying something considering the “cockatrice” incident two years previous.
Rumors had circulated for months regarding an announcement from the royal house. Lord Marten had assured this reporter that there was no substance to the rumors. The sudden appearance of Fragarach, ancestral sword of the royal house, made Marten’s claims seem at best unfounded. It was during the arena fight on Sunday that a real fight broke out. A quick, bloody and magical exchange involving the participants and some spectators cleared the Chendl Coliseum. One of the offending parties was quickly escorted by security to the palace grounds, and the other group escaped authorities. No official announcements were made regarding the skirmish.
Lord Heldenster announced that the missing crown prince was officially declared dead early in the week. Funeral services were to take place on Midwinter’s Night. The royal decree was rescinded two days later, but no further information was given. Many experts say that it was the reappearance of Fragarach that changed the king’s ruling.
In place of the planned funeral services, a large feast was given on the night of the shortest day of the year. It was one of the strangest nights in recent memory. A full eclipse occurred when no astronomers had announced one. Signs of fire in the sky and spontaneous combustion at various places in the Grand Pavilion went unexplained. An anonymous source in the Stargazers said that it involved the shifting of planes. They went on to say that events such as this are rare, but not unknown. The appearance of the legendary Mordenkainen on this night seemed an odd coincidence, but no official announcement connected the two events.
Another event that will be talked about for years to come was the misguided effort to increase fan excitement at the King’s Archery Tournament. Massive creatures brought to the city in secret were unveiled for the event. One spectator described them as “land sharks”. These horrific beasts made quick work of the champions, and it was only with timely intervention by the attending priests that a wholesale slaughter did not ensue. Several concerned nobles have called for new legislation regarding the transport and care of “dangerous animals”.
As always, the Chendl Players gave incredible performances in the various arts of the guild. Winterdance led by Master Kimbar Po was a true display of theatrical dance. Master Po’s near death by drowning a few days later was not able to overshadow his performance. The recounting of the Battle of Emridy Meadows was tremendous as always. The final arcane display called, “Fire in the Sky” was a bit of a letdown after the real fireworks three days previous. The most talked about performance came from a member of the Riverwalk Society of Verbobonc, Master Caelith. It was a stirring recount of some exciting battles in a dormant volcano near the Kron Hills.
The tournament results were as follows –
- King’s Joust – Lord Anton Hargamac, Order of the Hart, Chendl
- Trithereon’s Gambit – Lord Stephen Vannay IV, Veluna
- Crescent Cup – Lucas Caelith, Verbobonc
- Duel Arcane – Jeron Gammel, Grey College, Greyhawk
- Arena Fight – Victor Nikeas, Church of Kord, Verbobonc
- Spire Chase – Erwin Muir, Old Faith, Kron Hills
- King’s Archery – Delvanos Caelith, Riverwalk Society, Verbobonc
Congratulations to all the winners. May next year bring the same level of competition, and may it be in more peaceful times.
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