Empire Summmer Solstice 382YE

I'm back from my first Empire and I had a blast.  I have to admit I'm sore, tired, battered and bruised.  At this event there were over 2000 friendly nutters (the best kind).   I have to admit that it was a bit overwhelming, but then again it was my first time.  Honestly I can't wait to go again in September.

Here's me just before time in of the Friday.  I totally upped my kit game over the weekend.  I bought myself a circlet, which had to benefits.  It kept my hair out of my eyes and made me look a lot more noble.  I'll have a ratch through the official photographer's websites over the next couple of days, I know I'm in a few of there pictures.


Hots

1.  Being part of the most glorious nation in the Empire, Dawn.  We're all a special kind of nuts.

2. The Empress joining the Earls Council on the Friday night.  She came, gave some plot, we applauded, twas good.  It was a really cool moment actually.

3. The three kids kicking the shit out of about half a dozen Dawnish knights in the Glory Square.  That was hilarious.

4. The Dawnish Egregore.  I didn't catch his name, but he was the man.  He was keeping an eye on the camp, fixing loose guy ropes, hammering pegs and making sure everyone is okay.  When we walked into the new player meeting he complemented our costumes for being a very high standard for newbies.

5. Accosting a YouTube personality.  I bumped into Rickvanman in the out of character area.  Thanked  him for his videos, and asked him for a bit of advice.  He's a very nice man, go check out his channel.

6. The food.  The food is amazing.  I'd go again just for the food.  We went to Conspiracy Catering for a roast dinner two nights in a row.  Best roast pork I've ever had.  And the guys that run it are nuts.  They even treated us to Shakespeare in a Brummie accent, which is amazing.  We also got lunch from Spice of Africa.  I saw a picture someone took of their bowl on facebook and thought "That looks good."  I wasn't disappointed.

7. Water carrying.  One of the rules of Empire is if you go to battle you must monster the other one.  I can't wear an orc mask due to my glasses, so I joined the water carrier team.  Our job was to keep the orcs hydrated.  It's hot in those masks and they are very grateful.

8. The battle.  This was a chaotic mess.  But it was fun.  I was invited to join a lance by one of the yeomen, and he tried to keep an eye on me during my first battle, good man that one.  Even the orcs were good folks, three of them stopped attacking me when I fell a bit hard after suffering a strikedown, and they checked I was alright before wailing on me while I was on the ground.  Then I got saved by an angry purple blur, who summoned a medic to revive my prostrate arse.

9. The tribute for Bessie the Bard.  This was very entertaining, as well as being a bit emotional.  I never met Bessie (she was murdered at E2), but I knew of her legacy.  The performances were amazing.  It was a really memorable event that I will remember fondly.

Nots

1. The weather.  Friday was really hot and Anvil was a bit of a dust bowl.  Saturday we had gale force winds and on Sunday it pissed it down.  More importantly the weather killed our tent.  However we're looking at getting a bell tent for next time.  Then we can sleep in character.

2. Nervousness.  Both of us were quite nervous.  Since most of the folks in camp know each other we felt quite awkward inserting ourselves into conversations.  However a few of the Dawnish folks on facebook have offered to give us a hand.

3. An armour malfunction.  My left poleyn and cuisse slipped down over my greave locking my knee in place.  I spent half the battle limping because my leg couldn't bend.

4. Wood chip.  It's a necessary evil.  It stops the pathways getting too muddy.  But it doesn't half get in your shoes.

5. A mace to the eye.  Totally not cool.  The head is only a target of last resort.  I  was using a greatsword, I had plenty of target.  How his blow went under my glasses and into my eye I don't know.  I do know that shit rattles your brains, even if it is a foam latex weapon.  So wandering about dazed for half the battle, not cool.

6. My knees.  My knees are battered and bruised.  I really need to up my armour game.  My knee caps are bruised from bashing against my armour.  The tendons in the back of my knees are sore from the straps.  I really need some padding.

I think I might miss the battle out at E4, and try and up my armour game for next year.  It'll give me time to get involved in more plot, build alliances and what not.