2012 Ball Highlights!

First off - 'grats to Jen W. / Baroness Mixolydia Hartwoode!

The ball was fantastic, from the shenanigans getting there, to the trip home the next morning. Highlights, in no particular order:

* FOOD. All the food!

* Fashion! So many wonderful outfits!

* Seeing all the new players get excited for, and at, the Ball.

* Three new players walking in as the Ball is about to start. "This is our first event..." Welcome, guys, and glad you had fun!

* Taunting Aemorniel and leading her through the hall on a chase to some hidden discussion areas.

* Pre-Ball shopping. "Hey Diane, what do you think of these pan..." "NO. Too floofy." "I'm Quinarian." "STILL too floofy."

* Hot Cider. Diane's new Induction Burner got its first run, and it proved awesome. 8 gallons of cider went in about an hour. Next year, it may be wise to ask multiple people to bring some...

* Having the inspiration to lend Carlos' costume to someone before the ball. It turns out that Calder didn't have an outfit, so that worked out PERFECTLY.

* Seeing Calder / Arzu walk by in Carlos' garb, and wigging myself out every time.

* Seeing Croínamara step into her own as the M.C. for the event.

* The last step Gideon needed before he can become an active Sorcerer, and begin casting. Now, the fun REALLY begins...

See you all at the December event!

The nicest part about coordinating the food is taste-testing many of the items as I handed out SPs. Good thing, else I would have missed the chocolate covered strawberries among other things.

I like Chris Goley, and it is not his fault his GPS sucks and some distances were off by more than an order of magnitude. I was very happy to see a patrol car and after I waved down the police officer, got directions to the Shop-Rite, yet another 2 miles away. I must mention that the entire town seemed to be shopping for Thanksgiving. Remember, always carry a book with one's towel.

Much needed conversations with many people.

The continuing education of Angel.

Me (to three newcomers to Travance) "Never walk by yourself."
One of them "We won't - we'll go with each other."
Me "That's not what I meant."

Being gifted an interesting item for telling stories and good puns.

Trying to buy some of Mark B's NPC's magic items, only to see them go at far above their value. The Law of Unintended Consequences now applies - my Sorcery prices will rise substantially, particularly if I have it "on hand." Still, the conversation with him and Lord Aleister was interesting and informative. Nice to hear a Lord refer to me as a "stand-up guy."

My disappointment in not being considered a "colorful individual of Travance" was tempered by the ties I forged among some others.

My appreciation to all who helped entertain Lady Gwenyth Cooper. It was real.

The Silverbow brothers and their escortees.

Antrim's mini-me, who of course, was taller than Jon. We need photos.

~Running around doing makeup for people and prepping some of my female friends for their corsets. It was so much fun getting ready together. Also--Nick you make such an adorable Antrim.

~Father Osred as my escort. Nerdgasms abound. It felt like high school all over again giggling excitedly with Almat about it and making sure my outfit was "perfect" to match him. As always it is a pleasure to spend time with you Mike. Also explaining the proper etiquette to Father Osred on what side a lady stands on what side a man stands on and why was so amusing. Your deadpan humor is hysterical.

~Deep Chroniclerite discussions. It was so wonderful to has such philosophical discussions and debates. I loved the feeling of discovery and realizing at times there are no definite answers to some of life's questions--that they have to be found within you and that not all of life's truths are the same for some people. There was such contemplation after all that on what it is Aemorniel feels she wants to do for Chronicler and what she is and isn't capable of.

~"Aemorniel...this is Brazen speaking to you..." Oh Gideon...haha. I admit I hope the theme of me "researching" solutions continues. It's so brotherly. Also that secret hidey hole was so nice! Our talk was very enlightening and gave Aemorniel much to think on when it comes to her future and her relationships. Your words in reply to her concerns and advice were very welcomed. It'll be interesting to see how our dynamic will go from here if I continue on my path and if you continue on the path you are considering for future lessons.

~Realizing "Crap...I have three students...when did this happen?" Then being asked by some people IG and OOG if I would be okay with teaching them stuff. I should start scheduling class times. Haha

~2nd place at the Singing contest with a favorite song of mine--a serious surprise to me. All that money is going towards books I hope you all know. That and bacon for my bodyguard.

~Funny moments that prove people identify me as a scholar: people rushing up to me excitedly to see if I had heard of "the book" the merchant was selling as if they expected me to jump up instantly from wherever I was and rush over to the merchant and throw money and another time being conscripted somehow into judging the Storytelling contest.

~Unofficial lessons: teaching the Sylvan princess about who I would recommend to try to speak to the Londywn's on the matters of the lands' disputes by explaining the cultural differences between Northern and Southern Londwyn and who would more likely be able to get an audience with the Queen on her behalf. Then recommending Lois Maxwell for the job though she wasn't there. WHERE WERE MY LONDWYNS WHEN I NEED THEM? Later that night making a literal map of Camp Sac for a new guy who had heard about the game from the Con and giving him a lesson on all of the lands, their colors and symbols, what they're known for, and their lords and ladies, etc. It was a wonderful talk with you and I hope you enjoyed the game.

~Aemorniel's favorite moment of the night: Osred and Aemorniel going forward to speak with our new Baroness after she was officially named and Osred "introducing" me and saying that he found me to be a bright one. Not only that but Baroness Mixolydia agreeing with him. Mike--I hope you know Aemorniel will keep that close to her heart probably forever as one of those gems in life to treasure.

~Being Blinked up to the catwalk by Angel so Goley could find me. I was so amused by this.

~MaryBeth and I planning scholarly things. I am intrigued to see how this all goes.

~Post event hotel hang outs. People need to stop breaking Alex's plastic guns. Haha

This was my first Ball...ever! Thank you, everyone who made this event so memorable!

-OH MY GODS! THE FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE! I enjoyed RPing my perpetual hobbit-y hunger. Gina, I am addicted to your apple cobbler!
-After an instill confidence, the halfling kissed a goblin on the head for good luck and went ahead in the line for food.
-I really enjoyed hearing fellow Travancians sing and tell wonderful stories. Awesome job, all of you.
-Travance has a baroness! Congrats, Jen! Also, I really enjoyed the dancing.
-Of course, everyone looked so handsome and so beautiful. I tip my hat to the winners of the fashion contest! You all looked stunning!
-Arza, good doing business with you!
-The ball was just a nice break from getting down and dirty fighting monsters and sleeping in dusty tents (not that I don't enjoy that either). I was so great to socialize and role play without worrying about combat. I had such a great time.

So, this has been a rather productive evening for Elric with the feedback received on the pork boats, and being named "lord of potatoes". To having to sing in frong of most of the town. (this is the last time he makes the mistake of singing in front of Croinamara)
Then there was the fact that this is the first time Elric was drunk enough to impersonate Jonas Kane.

Do not expect Elric to remember anything after when he was singing.

Elric_Ashby wrote: (this is the last time he makes the mistake of singing in front of Croinamara)

You only have to make that mistake once

First Ball ... walking in on the lovely arm of Maralas (that's Mixolydia's -er- Dame Hartwoode's -er- Baroness Hartwoode's cousin don't you know ...)

Sitting at the high table. How did I end up there?

Hot Cider

Photography

Food! More Food! Even more food!

Being able to have conversations without he worry of being ambushed.

Dancing

Maralas's dress coming in fourth! We spent so much time working on it, very glad that it got recognized. (Of course now we have to figure out what to do for next year)

Thank you everyone!

I had such a fun and marvelous time at the Ball. Everyone looked so excellent, and were so spot on in their RP. Some highlights:

--New(er) players in their first corsets, and being asked to help with so many costumes as I darted around the changing room - Love you guys, everyone looked so good!

--"Little" Antrim. Nick is the best sport there is.

--Suddenly being asked to judge a singing competition. How delightfully frivolous for El and Rosa, and reminiscent of my years of taking part in those things - Everyone did so wonderfully I certain wouldn't have the nerve to do join in myself again. :) Also, Aemorniel's song gave me chills. A+.

--Jen Fiore is the best MC there is.

--The overhead walkway deserves special recognition as the best promoter of atmosphere and RP.

-- Talks with Kwildar. Somehow being jaded and too honest works wonders.

--FOGROM! Also, lamenting that he's been stuck doing paperwork. Come back Fogrom!

--Rosa threatening to maul Orias's limbs.

--Dancing and laughing with Erdrick, and RPing our hilariously awkward IG relationship during said dance sessions. Spending my night trying to get Erdrick to look nice, even though Sam had decided to intentionally not care as the character.

--Playing a happy Elawyn! Not even long, uncomfortable, far too honest conversations with a pretty Orias Wormwood could ruin it for more time than it took to explain it to a concerned Keavy and Jade.

--Making James RP with me with regard to repercussions of said conversation. I <3 Sebastion.

--Of course, long live Baroness Hartwoode.

Thanks everyone for all your effort and everything you do to make these things great.

First Ball ever! I loved every bit of LARP Prom :)

-Really happy about the compliments of my mask! The person I commissioned did a fantastic job on it so all the thanks to her!
-Everyone looked gorgeous/handsome!
-Food. So much food. Too much food, I would have had more if I wasn't full on my first plate!
-Being a part of the "Why are you in a dress?" group. Keavy still doesn't understand them, besides the formality.
-Meeting new players and new characters was fun.
-The Bard competition. Wow. The voices you guys have! I was thoroughly enamored! Especially to those I didn't realize were singers!
-Jacopo making the dragon train angrier, but other Travancian men eventually scaring it off haha!
-Dancing! All the hilarity! Not bad for Keavy and Caelvan's first time dancing.
-Trying not to get Papa Tanis to kill Keavy's new fiancee because of the littlest things. Hilarious!
-Curing drunk Anhil three times.
-A moment of intense RP between the Wormwood-Elawyn conflict.
-Getting to know Jade better.
-Kaladonia Dodgeball?
-Long live Baroness Mixolydia Hartwood!
-Figuring out what to self-teach with Bran and Gideon. I'm going to be more resilient!

I wish it hadn't gone by so fast! It was more fun than I imagined :)

Should I let you guess my favorite moment? You might be surprised. . .

1. Pure shock at Fogrom's reappearance. It shook Mixolydia to her core that he showed up the day the new Baron/Baroness was to be named saying the Count wanted him back in Travance and various other 'Fogram is here to stay' statements. Knocked her down a peg while she wondered why he was really here, and made the actual announcement all the more exciting for her.

2. All the best conversations happen on the catwalk.

3. Having a personal retinue. Will make life so much easier to have people around her she can be herself with.

4. Dancing--so many enthusiastic participants, a working sound system, AND having the cousin that taught Mixolydia everythign she knows about dancing being able to handle half the huge crowd. Also, OMYGOD the stealing of partners during hole-in-the-wall was stellar. Rogues, all of you!

5. RP with certain people who know who they are. In-game tension and posturing, you are the fuel for fantastic roleplay! Also blatantly presented, ever so subtle messages. Ones that took me until this morning to pick up on.

6. Finally, the announcement. . .more heady than swearing the oath was the cheer that washed over me afterwards. I had tears in my eyes and was glad I had a moment before I had to face you all. The heartfelt congratulations afterwards were heady and humbling all at the same time. I hope I don't disappoint you.

*footnote--drama free afterparties with good wine, laughter and amazing lamb stew, and then breakfast with friends.

Thank you all. I cannot say that enough.

<<2. All the best conversations happen on the catwalk.>>

You do not know the half of it. There are two places that act as sound collectors.

Time to change that forum signature, Jen

I had a wonderful time. It's always nice to RP without the everpresent threats of danger.

-Like everyone else has said or is going to say, the food was fantastic. My sausage balls disappeared in record time, I think. Maybe I should get a bigger crockpot for next time.

-Alex Blockus, when you showed up as cleaned-up Orias, you gave Winks quite the start, and you can probably figure out why.

-Great discussion with Victor Sylus. First part of Winks' longest running assignment finally done, time to move on to the next one.

-Fun chats with Jade throughout the night.

-Hilarity with Rose and Bernard after they showed up.

-Hats off to Mirwen for doing very well on a song that I studied at one point while I was a music major in college.

-Huge congratulations to Mixolydia on being named the new Baroness. I foresee great things.


I won't be at the next event, so see everyone at the Banquet.

Winks Sharpthorn wrote: Time to change that forum signature, Jen

Better?

Croínamara wrote:

Elric_Ashby wrote: (this is the last time he makes the mistake of singing in front of Croinamara)

You only have to make that mistake once

Well then, time to rewrite Elric so that he can get master rogue... Next time this happens, he will likely be vanishing.

Baroness Hartwoode wrote:

Winks Sharpthorn wrote: Time to change that forum signature, Jen

Better?

Much.

-My biggest highlight for Ball was being there, as it was a very last minute decision on my part to attend. Thank you Geoff and Diane For making it possible!

-My last minute escort, Mikael.

-Disco Mask!

-Snagged a very lovely skirt for $20, and avoided spending $200 on a dress. Yes it was lovely, but fortunately sanity intervened.

-Chocolate covered strawberries!

- Being wheedled into playing Carlotta instead of the character I had planned to bring in. It was really nice to be wanted

-The gypsy corner.

- Keevy wearing a wolf mask. "I hate to tell you this, but... I know who are."

-Congratulations to the new baroness!

Well this was totally awesome for my first ever knightrealm experience! Me and my friends were nervous!

My highlights were

-meeting awesome people before lay-on that was cool, also having help getting off my Huge movement hindering hoopskirt lol

-actually havering my name read off and walking down to meet the count and thinking the whole time "don't trip! don't trip! DONT TRIP!!!!" And then messing up anyway by not curtsying lol

-FOOD WAS AMAZING. OMG. You guys are such good cooks!

-meeting so many ppl IG and making friends!

-watching Reese and Krysos play chess with LOTS of money as stand-in pieces haha

-DANCING! HAHA that was sooo much fun!!! Stealing partners was awesome And being stolen from aswell haha

- Being blessed by Don and running to Reese "I DONE BEEN BLESSED!

-storytime = dying of laughter
And so much more!

Thanks so much everyone for welcoming me and my friends with open arms! We are deff coming back for the December event! Sorry if we were super noobish RP is a lot harder than I thought it would be for me haha!

Always great to hang out with friends both new and old.


The best for me was the looks I got for invading personal space and acting creepy! Especially from those who did not quite know me well enough to see through my disguise

So SORRY if I truely creeped you out.......

JR wrote: Especially from those who did not quite know me well enough to see through my disguise

So SORRY if I truely creeped you out.......

Yes I must admit you frightened me just a tad hahaha but your mask looked very cool! The smile on it made the creeping even better hahahaha!!!

I had such a great night at the ball! It's hard to pick out the best parts, but I'll try.

-Dressing half of Purchase crew and helping with makeup and things. It was certainly very fun.

-Only a Quinarian would get their feathers so ruffled by a certain circumstance that they personally could do nothing about. It was seriously funny to watch, and of course, it was rectified about five minutes too late for their liking.

-I was honored, of course, to attend on Guildmaster Silverbow's arm.

-So much wonderful food! I wish I could have tried it all. Stew, cobbler, potato pork boats, all of it was so good. I'm glad my strawberries seemed to go over well!

-Being told i had no choice but to participate in the Competition of Song. Everyone did so wonderfully!! And of course, congrats to Rowan and Aemornial! (and thanks for the compliment, walter :) I was wondering if anyone would recognize it)

-Being told shortly after the competition that my next list had to be bard.

-The dancing! It was all so much fun (especially what with stealing partners and having partners stolen).

-Listening to the competition of storytelling was so much fun. Congratulations to the winners!

-And of course, congratulations to Baroness Hartwoode.

It was such a great night and so much fun to see everyone all dressed up and not having to worry about monsters for once. There were so many beautiful outfits and so many things I'm sure I'm forgetting, but I just want to thank everyone for coming out and the great times that were had because of it!

Ahahah, Rowan... It's really Kelly's cobbler, not mine. I just imitated it.

Ball was amazing. First of all, I was able to fill up on delicious food even without being able to eat any of the meat. Diane, the lentils were WONDERFUL, thank you.

Got a few really fun reactions to me being escorted by Elric. I think we were a lot more obvious at ball than we normally are....

I had so much fun with the dancing (I haven't done Hole in the Wall for a while, and stealing in was so much fun. Props to all of you who joined in the spirit and learned to steal!), and I hope we get to do it occasionally at normal events. I would be happy to help teach.

Also, singing competition. Wow, so many AMAZING voices. I just hope my performance wasn't too bad. It's been forever since I actually performed for people, and I had fun with it even if I didn't place. Also, being thanked for doing a bedouin song was awesome.

Storytelling competition! Yay third place, I didn't expect that. I just hope people enjoyed my story as much as they seemed to, I need to tell stories more often.

A lot of the random conversations I had were fun, and quite a few little things that happened just made me so happy to be vassaled to the land I am. And that's without the officially being made court scribe, or starting a church of Chronicler.

Getting hugged by the new Baroness when I thanked her for a lesson she gave me months ago.

Hanging out OOG for an hour afterwards. Wish I could have stayed later.

So, everything above was awesome....
But really, the biggest thing? A few conversations sparked some major changes for my character. Likely very slow ones, but they're coming. And all of these come from the extremely deep and kinda mind blowing conversations I got to have with Aemorniel and Osred. I can't even begin to describe how needed and amazing those conversations were. I have a feeling 'Niel and I may spend much time following up on those...

I'm probably forgetting a lot of things, but overall, so much fun.

Almat Shirana wrote: I have a feeling 'Niel and I may spend much tim following up on those...

Oh you have noooooooooo idea.

After five years this was my first Moresca event and I'm glad I made it.

-Getting announced at the last possible moment so everyone will know that I am there. This was not planned but worked out just fine. Still waiting for that applause...
-Escorting a lovely Quinarian maiden.
-Interesting chat with Orias about the meaning of life.
-Speaking with Lady Brightstar and Rosa at the right moment to be a judge for the singing contest. No favoritism involved. I am in awe.
-Trying to translate Mirwen's Quinarian song to the ladies only to be shushed.
-A song that Mother used to sing...
-Guildmaster held the tie-breaker.
-Why is this human scholar woman from Koymyre talking to me anyway? I know Quinarians are fascinating but my lady might get jealous.
-Dancing! I hope no one noticed that Ardin has two left feet. Words of praise whispered by the Baroness, so maybe I wasn't that bad.
-Being ignored by a member of my own Guild. The inhumanity!
-Providing counsel to those who would hear it.
-One really funny photo that no one else will see.
-A few words for Anhil. Sometimes I forget that my words mean something.
-Lord Fogrom: he and I will be good friends. I can just tell.
-Two Antrims are indeed better than one.
-Wondering if anyone managed to capture a picture of the two Squires as they were announced.
-Managing to find Osred alone for a moment. You don't realize how much you miss someone until you see him again.
-Good costumes.
-Good food.
-Good friends.
-Good family.
-Good event.

Norm B

Silverbow Patriarch wrote: -Being ignored by a member of my own Guild. The inhumanity!

Well....you aren't exactly human are you guildmaster?

Well I'm very glad that James insisted that I play Fogrom after I mentioned off-handedly that I'd thought about it.

The effect on Jen's night was just a bonus.

So happy I actually got to go to this one, even if a lot of things didn't pan out how I'd originally imagined.

First of all, roleplaying Tris at a formal party was so much fun... she may be a satyr but she has no idea how to do formal things so her moderate confusion and discomfort were fun to play with. >]

Compliments to everyone on the food and the song and all of the wonderful costuming! It was all astounding.

Between personal rp and our new baroness, this event was fantastic! I think the best highlight for me was the brief RP I had with Orias, immediately followed by Keavy's response to seeing me talking to him alone... I'm still chuckling at it. Also having a few words with the baroness throughout the night was lovely, despite my almost crippling shyness around her.

Dancing was the best! I really hope more dancing is a thing that happens at events every now and then.

Random massage giving? Yes, why not!

And, a personal favourite of mine... confusing the common right out of Almat. Hehehe.

Best ball. Would ball again.

The food was great! Whoever made those cheesey, biscuit, ham things; what's the recipe?

Hookah time, which was often small and rather silly. I missed being a bit of a goof about it.

Special thanks to those that listened to Dorian's 'Theories'.