WitL highlights 2017

Okay, a few things to start. First I don't even know if I can do a highlights as I didn't PC, but I as I was JUST reminded by a fellow player, if I preach these and event recaps I should also do them. This event was great, sure it was stressful, but y'all worked so hard also, so here are my Highlights folks!

The ride up early, when even the War Dog thinks I need a smoke break. I love you guys. Wednesday Night was awesome I spoke to so many people I normally never get to interact with, it was refreshing.

A Pimp Named McKinley, Jared bro, that has to be a reoccurring npc, if allowed. I will npc with you anytime. We did all an NPC can save for kill PCs. Dude, when the boat started sinking...I won't lie, shit was real. I got so much more to say but, 6 hours talking, dude you know. July, what we are doing, next level! How about you and Danni killin it? Made a mini mod, like then and THERE, that wouldn't have happened without y'all!

Stephie, you are a solider. I can't say how much you mean to me, the whole Wolf Pack. Smokes, energy drinks, ALL the water(could relate to Nyad level) you made sure that I ate. When I had to go, you jumped right up when I was hurting, to have my back on that level. The stuff you do for the game, the players, and me...I have your back, knowing that you ALWAYS have mine. If I could rip out a heart and slam you in a new one, I would!!!

Speaking of heart ripping, how about Eden(I can say this now, Argyles fav fake person as he says)??? YOU own that role. Outstanding performance, you carried a scene that was a nervous about...all about dem players!!! You are a rock star out there, Matt told you time and time again, you've stepped up as Duncan says. You make me want to be a better role player.

Andrew Randolph, wow y'all killing it with that island. It was so hyped by PCs, we had NPCs ask to be sent there! Like what? I had to see it, had to. You and crew really nailed it. Evin and Riza, dope work as other players called it.

Dustin, "I want a bottle of fake blood to spit out."
Forest,"What?"
Dustin,"yeah I need a small bottle of blood to spit."
Dustin, that was awesome, just awesome. Jared and I called that the most metal moment of the weekend.

Rachael and Allice, you know the PCs loved it. What more can I say?

Reece, that was epic. I had you bro, I had you. Matt Magnus might be busy, but he cares.

Oh, super shout out to Matt Calo. Thanks for rolling with it man. That time a RM is like,"super rp I'll look over here." The patience of a Saint.

Ree and feast, we put you though hell. I love you, feast was great, thank you for sending us food. The dry ice, the way to make it all work, is inspiring. I volunteer to help you the next event you cook.

Paul as Amazar. Good to see you back! I might be busier than I even know, but I will always make time. Welcome back, I missed you.

The Team, wow we did it. I am so sorry to not help more. The clean up, I am so sorry. I could barely walk. The fire, damn y'all did even let it slow you down. I don't have the words the monster crew. Y'all are inhuman. Will Bartlett, well done. Matt knows that you'll die for him...and roleplay. Hayley wow, just wow. Miria, gurl you made friend and I ; owe you. The Perfects, In perfects, y'all are family. I love you all.

Rogues, no names. Yo know I got you! I could barely walk, and was like,"nope, I got this." Y'all carried me to bed...That. That was a highlight of my life.

Drega Mire, thank you. "Remember; The Beatles." Tori thanks for keeping out of bracelets. It isn't a good look.

Ben Herman, what won't you do for this game?

To my wife, thanks for sleeping alone and always being there when I need you. Your understanding is something that made me fall in love with you all the faster.

Romeo, I thank you, I owe you, and I got you. Trust.

The Witch Hunters. I am proud to be one of YOU. We got this, it's bumpy, but it wouldn't be run if it wasn't. The next generation is coming into it's own. Let's do this!!!

Finally, Matt Magnus Majchrzak BRAVO SIR! Your master piece, your imagine, Mona Lisa, you're vision man.
Man, thank you. You're a brother, a mentor, a friend, and I don't have the words. An artist too.
A few years ago, Luis and yourself told me to keep coming and see what I find. I have never looked back. I imagine that that when asked why Forest? You said something like,"let's see what he can do, plus he'll stop asking so many damn questions about it." Matt I don't know what you saw in me, but I am so grateful for the opportunity that YOU made possible.
Look at those haters now man, a warrior should judge himself by the success of his enemies...Dude they see YOU! Players wonder at how you top yourself time and time again. We all wish we could do more. It drives me to learn, to grow, and give more when I think I am spend. It's all for the love of the game. You gave me a way to go out there and give it back. I can never repay that, but I'll never stop trying. I love you Matt, and so does Knight Realms. I think I speak for everyone right now, thank you.
"AND I'LL FORM THE HEAD!"
"Peaches, you have not yet begun to feel the diddle."

Until next episode, be real and love each other y'all

Congratulations! New Level Achieved!
Title Unlocked: Seasoned Adventurer.
Achievement(/s) Unlocked:

-Sequence Break ("What do you mean I can't speedrun a LARP?") - Die to a boss before it spawns.

-Templates Don't Mean Nothin' - Die with the Spawn template without successfully dealing any damage.

-But Their Soul Refused To Break - Give a sufficient answer to return to life.

-Glass Cage Of Emotions - Cause an emotional breakdown in a normally emotionless character.

-Just Full Of Feelings - Cry at least three times in one event.

-Positive Energy Cram Session- Learn more than six Healing talents in a single event.

-The Start Of Something Beautiful - Witness the first Positive|White Strand ritual.

-Probably Should Have Said Something - Hear about colleague's betrayal, be completely unsurprised.


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I don't think enough furious propellers could possibly be given to the Icarus team, that rig was incredible and seeing it in motion was the most amazing piece of practical effects I've ever seen at a LARP. I don't think your build is going to be one-upped by this or any LARPS any time soon.

I'm not getting involved in plot...im not getting involved in plot...wait a black sorcerer hurt Aleister and barak...welp time to get involved and meet the homonculi

Much moral discussion about how I feel about the homonculi existence and the fathers, Tari actually showing some racism

All of steve...his plot just keeps pushing and he's very patient with me. Had fights with both good and dark, talking down a mob, defying a knights orders and potentially ruining a long standing friendship. On the back end, picking a fight with dark trying to stick to my morals. Pledging my life for a very uncertain cause

All of the political conversation and someone beginning to open my eyes to a reality I don't want to see. You know who you are

All of the magic, between the lessons given, learned and all of the magical conversation was amazing. For once I didn't feel like I had to go to someone for the answers.

Jason aka Barack having endless patience with me and continuing to help me figure out the white sorcerer thing.

My new home on Sunday, I can't remember the last time I just sat around with people, told old stories and laughed like that.

My welcome to my new home, Romeo is literally the sweetest person ever.

Dropping a mega surprise during feast and just watching that particular reaction

There's something special about playing an recurring NPC for several years and seeing how the roleplay shapes them. It went from being bribed with quiche and cookies; to being afraid of being eaten; to running into danger together; to mourning with each other and putting differences aside. Uncertainty isn't usually my friend, but when I get to experience "Who Will You Be?" first-hand, it definitely is. Thanks for taking a chance on me, Matt.

One of my favorite parts about this event, was the in-game and out-of-game camaraderie with the cast. If getting our make-up and garb ready to go took longer than it should have, it was because we were laughing too hard.

The intro was great, especially since I saw it from a different angle than most of you did. I saw an endless parade of NPCs stream out of Logistics. Then it was like a radio broadcast, listening as the town's thrown into mayhem. Grunts and screams. Someone shouts at the top of their lungs, "GET TO THE BLACKBIRD!"

Then Matt calls us to get into position, sends us through the portal, and we're running at top speed to save the town. It felt like a TV show or a movie that opens right at the most dramatic moment.

Friday night, I get an OOG compliment that caught me off-guard in the best way possible. Peter R., thanks again, dude!

Chet getting so incensed at someone in the Inn that he picked up one of the smaller benches and threatened them with it. Walter S. after game asking me about that moment. He's a character (pun totally intended), what can I say?

Attending Brazen mass the following morning; Chet having almost a half-dozen moments where the message of Duncan's mass smacked him in the face. At one point, Chet even passed on the message of the mass without realizing the source until afterward.

Loon. Chet adores challenges, which may be to his detriment, but that sure didn't stop him from getting into a couple shouting matches. Kim, thank you for being a great sport!

Gabe teaching Chet how to harness his rage. Excellent lesson. It was definitely fun getting to roleplay with you beyond a couple one-liners. Thank you Chelsea for volunteering.

The "Great Travancian Bar Crawl" was interesting. After Camp Con some years ago, I'd wondered what it would be like if that concept (characters drinking real-life alcohol) were expanded outside of just the Dragon's Claw. On the other hand, my Malycite NPC was too busy getting into trouble with Utgard to see the results. Praise Malyc?

Thanks to Orophin for being there at just the right moment before "Daniel Havington" was turned over to the authorities.

Chasing after an incredibly frustrated Seth after a tip-off from Dimetri. Nalick's holy symbol deciding to fall off at a perfectly poetic moment. A short stand-off in the Barracks, followed by a tense moment in the watchtower field.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW I'M NOT JUST GONNA STAB YOU IN THE BACK!?"

Nalick stands with his back facing Seth, arms stretched to the side. Chills.

Kwildar hug. It can't not be a highlight when a saint of your goddess shows up, hugs you, and cracks a couple one-liners.

Amizar's invention and a nutty idea that could only happen with Chet Hardwick bouncing ideas back and forth.

Hayley getting painted up as baby Icarus in Logistics and Rachael as Yoyo being covered in blood. Oh. My. God.

Saturday night, I'm out of Ludwig garb and got most of the make-up off, just as Justin W. (Jackdaw) started his Monster Marshal shift. He talked to a couple of us there about a mod he had planned and with what little sanity I had left, I volunteered. It went great. Also, "sorry for getting us lost on the way to the party."

Sunday morning I wake up lacking much of a voice. Sitting on the bench in the Barracks, I hear what sound like actual, real-life wolves outside. Tobias heads outside and I hear, "Shoo, shoo!" thinking Jason F. is shooing away some coyotes before realizing that it was some NPC wolves as a wake-up mod. Props for the realistic sound effects, guys. Sorry I wasn't up to roleplaying with you.

Nalick heads to the Inn and once inside, the first thing I see is Sam P. coming down the stairs. A pleasant surprise!

There was a great mini-moment later that day. Long story short, Nalick was with a group of people during a cluster-fudge of misunderstanding and Lord Tartaros called all of us "ridiculous" among other things. Later on, Nalick's helping someone carry things out of the Inn and listing a bunch of things. The door swings open and Tartaros is standing there holding it open while Nalick and friend pass through.

Nalick: "...and Lord Tartaros being a saint!"
Tartaros: "Even after I called all of you ridiculous?"
Nalick: "Hey... I'm forgiving!"
[Laughter]

Philosophical discussions with George about Andorra. All of that few and far between for Nalick (RP with George, mentioning Her name outside of someone sneezing, and just in general having philosophical discussions). That said, I think it went well. In any event, it was good practice. As always, Bob shows up at just the right moment and the discussion expands. Trying to emphasize the fact that he's trying to remain respectful of Bob's opposing viewpoints while disagreeing emphatically.

Eodra mod. Holding hands and chanting "UNITY!" and a million other silly things. Clergy are definitely a family now.

Chet finally meets Jed and makes a "great" first impression. Calls the guy a "liar" to his face--the fact that Jed agreed notwithstanding--and angering him by giving Scarlet a plate full of food from Kaladonia's cookout. Cracking wise that she eats without utensils just like he does. Hannah, you nailed the role!

Forest, you goddamned Energizer Bunny--if that bunny was giving empowering pep talks in between cranking out 67 gallons of fake blood. Who's to say he isn't. Not me. Anyway, love ya, brother!

We're a little under three weeks until the next go-around. Wash your garb, take care of your weapons, grab some bug spray, fill out that Event Recap Form, and let's see what you guys are made of next time!

I FINALLY MADE THE FULL WITL YAY!!!! Also happy two year KR-niversary to me.

TREASURE ISLAND!! Between me, Snow, and Calven, we probably logged 50+ combined hours to get that damn treasure, but it was totally worth it. Also I'm suuuuuper into ciphers now (thanks Magpie!) Good job team, that was so much fun. Sorry we tore up your island, James. It'll grow back.

There's just something about sailing to an island to find treasure that is super satisfying.

The great Travancian bar crawl! It was super fun to be able to drink actual booze at my little bar. Alisandria and Jonas hanging out before hand:
"So I should probably go prepare for this, huh?
"Nah, you'll be alright. You and I are just doing what we always do"
"eh, I still have ten minutes to go brew the beer, it'll be fine"
GARBAGE BOOZE hehehe Jonas you crack me up.

Tying for best food even though I'm stingy and only gave food to Matt. Can't wait to see the prize!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who got snacks from my stew and bake sale. Life shat on me this month, and I wouldn't have been able to do WITL without y'all.

Layon- immediate attack. Beeline to Blackbird. "How did you get here?" "I sprinted".

Rolling up to Jed's shack- Oh hey there, Seth, what are YOU doing here? Meeting Scarlet, almost getting killed by Scarlet. I totally would have taken a tag for that, your reaction was beautiful.

Accidentally shooting Chet in the face. "Do you even know how to work that thing?" POW right in the kisser. Sorry Jeff!!!

Chilling with Jade was great, as always. Especially when merchants came to town.

Digging through my stockpiles to help Snow snag a beholder. Sorry your plans got walled, man. I was rooting for you, and secretly hoping for some murder. It IS meant for an evil character, after all.

Trying to commune with Mae's new Phoenix. Being so tired and sore and delirious from lots of running that people probably thought I was actually drunk. That was super fun.

HOLY SWEET JESUS THAT MONSTER!!!! It was so majestic and beautiful and scary and awesome and that was the MOST fun I have EVER had on a main mod, with soul gauntlet coming in second. I LOVE mods where I have to be OOG spritely and dodge shit like my life depends on it (NOT related to combat), and this was amazing. Team lady power fetching cannon shells like Gimli and Legolas was a highlight. Y'all need to collect your free drinks at the Blackbird next month, and let's do it again. Also Meander, I need some of that special sauce. I've said it before and I'll say it again - if y'all EVER need help making awesome shit for plot, I am super crafty and will happily lend my skills (just not money, I'm a grad student, after all).

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge 400 magic fire. My legs are so sore. I'm very upset I live on the third floor. Totally worth it, and now I think I need to start having IG training sessions (cough cough WINKS).

Do you want to go to a party? I really need to RP with Jonas more, you are hysterical. Possibly opened up some new rogue plot, we shall see. Watching loot magically reappear for sorcerers. Most intriguing.

Late night Blackbird bonding with my bros. Jared said it best- Dark Hollow is actually a family. I love you nerds. See you next month.

OH YEAH and we totally saved a turtle

OH YEAH Dave McCormick- you are one observant sunofagun. I have never heard anyone more accurately describe Kelley, and by proxy, Wili, than you did.

The Bar Crawl was a huge joy for me. Grim getting IG drunk enough to dance around and sing was pretty great. He so rarely has known joy in his life in Travance, and it was this that reminded him of what he's fighting for, and for whom.

Alisandrian games were great, especially the Tarot readings. Both of mine, from the NPC and from Carlos were super accurate to what went down.

Grim realizing what he's fighting for, and trying to protect is the moments of happiness like the pendarvin cookout. Homunculi just socalizing and laughging with everyone else. Peace and joy and camraderie that he has often denied himself as the wolf at the edge of the fire.

Hanging out with norm as any of his characters is always great.



A long ride to the Night Harrier island, posing like a hero on the boat.

Training with Aiki at the beach, realizing how far I have yet to go if I'm going to beat the opponent I'm intending to face someday, then training a new swordsman as they came iand realizing just how far I've come.

So many barbecues. All of the meat. Twas meat realms.

Scholar brunch lunch thing. Hearing my gawd show up, learning a bit about cinder's fate and realizing Grim doesn't really have much to ASK his god because he simply believes and loves.

Arguing with Aldric over whether Grim would be a better Valosian than Galladellian.

Asking gideon for help with Forging a really kickass thing for a certain perfect as a gift. Getting far more than he ever asked for. Grim won't forget such kindness, and hopefully the perfect Homunculi won't either.
The invasion of Travance by the horror that is Icarus spawn. A huge swarming battle outside the Inn. The terrifying realization that Grimkjell is acting guard commander. Stepping up, getting the search and destroy going, and smashing through foe after foe till encountering Rudy's node form, then clobbering that into non-existence as well.
Well met by moonlight indeed, as Grim and Lilith re-unite and he protects her like the loyal wolf that he is, in his heart.
Scheme o clock with Tobias, initial plot dump, Kaladonia cookout moment of mirroring each other's voices and responses. Realizing how incomplete Grimkjell felt without his Londwyn besto doctor and good if not best friend there.
Brief talks with Seamus about proper squire choices.

A talk with Barak Tellinghast about choices for both rituals, and being excited that grim endorsed or suggested both choices independently.
Realizing that the quite time of feasting and knowing joy with friends both Travancian and Homunculi born was what he had always wanted. Being told he smiled a lot more lately, which is probably true.
Grim's hilarious family interference spoiling everything ever for him (though probably not permanently or badly). Big bear arm wrestling valius and Big Belberith and losing was also great.
The charge of the Heargen on the high risk, high reward mod was glorious as we ALL came to bring our A game and beat the heck out of some demons and ghoulies and other such nasties. It was indeed clobberin time and the 5 heargen fighters did their job so very well.
Hayley's sweet but creepy old lady, and the later reveal of what would have happened to Grim if he overstayed his welcome, and me realizing it's a real compliment that a guy with no aligned lists at all (at present), is considered a good enough man to consider killing simply because he's virtuous.
Cornhole and other hobbit games and fun with the Alisandrian hobbits from Abergavenny (Laugh at the land marshal getting the name wrong).

Two incredible Tarot readings.

Tobias' telepathic exploration and mental therapy for Lilith at the suggestion of Silus Crone. Grim was so impressed and proud of his friend. The group that went with all contributed, except for perhaps grim who mostly was along for the ride and as the protector. Grim intercepting every attack made by their foe within the realm of memories was kind of awesome and demonstrative of that aspect of Zanshin that makes him a Kensai as well as simply a Marauder.
Alice's little crayon/colored pencil drawing of Liliths' house and the places set was huge of course.

Ben's marshaling of magical mental landscape mod was top-notch, and bringing in the Night haunter for one final exchange of words with grimkjell was Glorious.

Grim's final request in the mindscape, even though it was declined. Grim finally getting the courage to say the words after the battle with Icarus, but hilariously speaking into her hair andprobably unheard.

Eden for everything, but most especially for "Oh, I see your out for the night with Him again." Them big sister nasties were great.
2 PCs popping up from behind the Djinn and tonic's bar during patrols and scaring the crap otu of my search and destroy team.

The almost-accident with the not-water during that patrol was pretty hilarious too. Fortunately nobody drank anything that they shouldn't but it was close, lol.

Mourning the lost guardsmen who died doing their duty in the best possible way, even after they came back.
Going to father's wrecked lab to find Yoyo, and afterwards to negotiate with her in good faith. Rachael's "Oh. You." was great. Grimkjell gets a lot of them from Father's children for various reasons, all of them hilarious.
Explaining the concept of marriage to Lilith, and being amused when she thought human reproduction was gross.
Finding out just how well the town did in the preparations for Icarus and by going on and succeeding in a thoughtful way on all the mods Matt M ran.
Seeing Forest work his ass off.
Chopping down for realsies, even if I got hella blisters from it.

Seeing Melody again, as well as all the other doggos.
Aella for being the family member that understood. People realizing that Grimkjell was happy
Congratulating Blue Kestrel, Valanye, and Kardin on their becoming squires.

Having a thoughtful couple of heart to hearts with Jackdaw, and realizing how he's changed, as well as how Grimkjll has changed as well. realizing they were good friends despite it all.
Main mod vs Icarus was great, as I was on Team Gras' squad which had one of the more dangerous jobs in all of Travance. It was funny dark souls moments as Seth was fast rolling and grim in his heavier armor simply backstepped away from every hammy fist swing. He still got zapped by the magic da mage raray whih made for some fun RP.
Sharing meals iwth family, helping with feast.

Assigning Kanas to escort Eden as a test of his heart and soul.

Mourning father with Lilith, and swearing a blood oath of vengeance even as he realized what a terrible idea it was. Grim's so worried about that family, and he's gonna do his best not to see it destroyed by Eden's selfish act. Realizing that him grasping his blade so hard he was drawing blood is a direct emulation of his action during his previous confrontation with Eden in April or so.
Fun conversations in the dark about brothels and the like.
Interesting arguments about Homunculi, their safety, how the town and Kormyre should react to them. Grim arguing strongly that they should be accepted, and hoping in his heart of hearts that Ludwig and the rest of the people that objected would soften or change their minds over time.
A very important conversation with Belberith over drinks. A bit of sadness we never did that Marauder lesson, but I'm certainly he'll be out again.
Brotimes with Tobias, Brother, Aella, Beligor, Little Bear and Burkhart. His family, his blood, those he loves.
Hayley's shrieks after being "Born" as the Icarus core, and her makeup jo and appearance were super wonderful as well.
Feast was superb, but Ree was cooking so clearly I'm repeating myself.

Grim telling all his family how much he loved them before marching off against Icarus.

Interrogating a Mortal Hunter, and letting the hardass in grim come out in a social situation. Thanks Tim P and also Christine and of course Karen. Itr was nice to call that lore and have it matter for once.

Everything about the Seth interactions before and after Main mod were perfect. Especially when Seth pinned grim to the wall verbally and rendered him speechless for a second when he explained his motivation a bit. After main, the confrontation with Gras, Clytie, and Pluvious, with Grim there as the one-non knight desperately hurting as he saw the same hurts in Seth. Seths' RP was so on point, you could believe he was a berserker for reals with those words and his physical roleplay, especially throwing the guard sign into the dirt like that.

Realizing Tobias was complete MVP from the very moment he started. Matt said "Change my story." Tobias and Grim just went Saitamaok.jpg nad did exactly that. It's been a few years since this started. The end is now in sight, but it will always be prpobably my favorite plotline ever. The casting is wonderful, the crew were amazing, the costuming insane, the boss fights are glorious, and the off-time interaction with perfects, trues, and others is amazing.
With the crippling of Dr Heimdel and putting him on the chair, at least one other pointed out he's basically now on the Golden Throne. So Kr has a bit of a Horus Heresy feel to it now, which is about the best thing ever.

Brief but fun interactions with Lois all week and weekend.
Yoyo and her delicious, holy rat.

Finally succeeding in implementing cinder's advice from their last conversation, and act on his feelings and actually talk about them

Seeing Tobas, Skarosh, and Sigried again. hearing Sigfried's mass in the dakr before main, and realizing he had finally learned the lesson to love, feel joy, and smile instead of simply being driven by duty and honor and living as a machine of destruction for the Barony. It was the right words at the right time, and I can never thank Zach enough for that.,

Fighting with Grashugel's skirmishers without considering why. Then realizing it was a society of badasses and competent people. Lorelei. Grim, Seth, Gras, Wrenton, Arradir, and Kanas.

A final moment I'll recall as a highlight. Grimkjell, "I like the flower. It's pretty, you're pretty."
Lilith *laughs and says* "Of course. I'm perfect."

And he agreed.