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!

-Helping with Antrim 2

-Helping Croinamara figure out the pronunciation of Ferasyl and Rily'annia. She had it perfect before she had to say it to everyone else. Left me in giggles and comfort her later about it.

-Seeing this poor girl just pacing the hall by herself and deciding she could hang out with Tanis and Syl (no one else seemed interested in sitting with them at the time) Then it turns out she's a Selandrian Princess! A big surprise. I did my best to keep her company (or make sure she had company) during the ball and introduced her to all the colorful individuals of Travance.

-Team "Why are we in a dress!" Though, you all looked lovely IMO.

-Dancing! It's always fun and I think the lessons are starting to stick with some of us. Went smoothly considering.
-Tanis getting super flustered dealing with Dame Hartwoode's 'flirting'. Hilarious.

-Make-up was great (Thanks JJ!!!) The shoulder scar was noticed so it wasn't a waste either

-A Sylvan as the baroness? Well, Syl's more comfortable helping the barony out now at least.

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 :cool: 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.