At Panteria this past weekend in the Shire of Pantervale, Emperor Ionnes and Empress Honig presided over the competitions to select Their Archery and Equestrian Champions.
On Saturday, Baroness Alanna of Skye, riding Brandy, won the equestrian competition and was named King’s Champion of Horse. Empress Honig selected Mistress Eleanor Fitzpatrick as her Champion of Horse.
During the Archery Championship Shoot on Sunday, the Winner & Queen’s Champion was Kusunoki Yoshimoto, and the King selected Siobhan inghean Cormaic as His Champion.
The day’s tests of skill were designed with a Chinese theme. Outgoing Queen’s Champion, Master Li Kung Lo, explained that Emperor Chin has called forth all mercenaries to defeat his aunt, the evil Empress Wu.
The second shoot was at increasing distances; archers could only proceed to the next distance if they did not miss. There followed a sumptuous lunch, after which competitors formed into small groups and proceeded to each of 6 stations. Three stations had timed shoots: Rats and Rat King, Egg-Stealing Monkeys, and Bats. The other three stations were 6 shots, untimed: Empress Wu being overpowered by a Dragon (a friend/foe shoot), an Assassin, and a Hunting Shoot (at 3D animals).
The final round was a version of the now-traditional head-to-head pairing. In this story, Emperor Chin has reneged on his promise to pay his mercenaries. So, each archer had to knock down 5 “coins”, and the first to shoot Chin would win and advance to the next opponent.
For the past five years the Westernmost Shire of the Southern Region has been getting together and holding an event known as Shire Wars. This year things are little different, in that more Shires and the Barony of Bhakail have joined the event to make it even larger. This year this Shires of Montevale, Blak Rose, Owlsherst, Silver Rylle, Hartshorn-Dale, Buckland Cross, and Archer’s Ford (incipient) have joined up to challenge Bhakail and any ally she may bring to a David vs Goliath type themed event. But who is David and who is Goliath? Well, that is for you, the Good People of the East Kingdom, to find out by coming to the event. Root for your favorite side or join that side, whichever you prefer. But, wait! There have been rumors that invasion may happen from the South and from the West, since the Southern region is engaged with itself and not protecting the Southern and South Western Boarders. For this reason, their Highnesses, rightful heirs to the Crown, are coming to this event to find out what is going on and further help protect this great Kingdom. Will there be battle between the Shires and Bhakail, or will there be a raid where Bhakail and the Shires join forces behind their King and push back the invaders?