Posted on

Eventide 2017

In a few days, our holiday kicks off. This year, the Sultan of the Sandridden Plains is sponsoring our festivities, giving the Felnar celebrations of Eventide a unique flavor. Here’s what you can expect this year:

Crypting Contest

From 12 – 3 bells on Satyrsday, Krystof de Versyss, will be judging the Crypting Contest.

Decorate your cabins, as is our tradition in Felnar, to resemble the tombs and crypts of Pendaan in order to ward off the dead when the veils are thinnest.  Also, in honor of Sandridden Plains

Viewing by the judges will be between 12 bells and 3 bell on Satyrsday,
With the winners announced during the Eventide feast that night!

Martial Might and Fighting Expo
At 3 bells on Satyrsday! In the Fighting Pits/Ampitheater. Your host, Taviendar, has more details:

The Baronness Fienna Welgory of Felnar and the Sultan Salah Bin Khalaf Al’Anka of the Sandridden Plains are hosting a martial competition in celebration of Eventide.

Rewards will be provided by our generous hosts. Healers will be present to provide aid to those that fall in combat.

Team Competition
Format: Single Elimination

Entrants: Teams of up to 3 people. “Teams” of 1 or 2 are acceptable. All entrants must be in good legal standing.

Combat Restrictions: NONE (with exception to illegal practices, such as poisoning the competition) – Teams are encouraged to diversify their capabilities. Practitioners of arcane and faith-based magics are encouraged to participate. All entrants must stay within the boundaries of the arena.

Free-for-all Melee
Format: Last Person Standing
Entrants: All entrants must be in good legal standing.
Combat Restrictions: NONE (with exception to illegal practices, such as poisoning the competition). All entrants must stay within the boundaries of the arena.

For more information, see the post.

Bardic Circle
At 4 bells, please join us in the amphitheater for a communal-style bardic in the form of our Southern relations. To entertain our guests and one another, let us sit together in a circle, as the nomads following their Pashas do, and exchange songs, riddles, jokes, dances, and more. Let our stories shield our spirits as the veil between worlds grows thin.

To accommodate those who must dine elsewhere, we ask that participants only share pieces that are 2 – 3 ticks long. Those coming to the circle that wish to hear and see, but not perform, may do so by sharing with the performers tokens (compliments, food, water, other small gifts).

There is no winner to be crowned, no grand prize to be sought, though the Sultan is giving restorative consumables to the performers as thanks for their participation.

Evening Party and Dance 
We will be entertaining the favored son of the Sultan on Satyrsday Evening, complete with food and drink provided by residents to share in the custom of our benefactors. Those bringing food or drink, or interested in doing so, should state that here.

Also,  please be on the lookout for a dance led by our own, Raeven. She and other performers will dance and teach a few steps that should be both fun and easy to do.  Dance lesson info is also found here!

 

Monarch of Straw Competition
The Purkish Tradition that invaded last year continues with another annual contest on what scarecrow will be given the title King/Queen of Straw and preside over watching our fields for another year. Last year, Maille’s Brunnhilde won. Who will get the title back this year? Tazmin shall be our judge! Please bring your scarecrows to town by the 9 bells on Suns Day!

Prizes to be won!

Canvas and Cups
Led by the talented, Sano Qualdpo Shakkur, you can learn the joy of painting.To mark an end to the holiday season, participants will paint a Cornucopia filled with produce, setting suns, gilded gourds, fairy’s lanterns, and other gorgeous components.

This lesson is suitable for residents of all artistic abilities. This will likely happen after Breaking Fast on Sun’s Day. Refreshments, paints, and instruction will be available. There are a spots left, please register here.

Posted on

The Sandridden Plains

 

From the traveling diaries of Adventure Tim:

Whether as part of the nomadic tribe, ruled by Pashas, or living in the great city of  El’Idur, the people of the Sandridden Plains boast a proud history of honor and culture, contrasted against tribal traditions of conquest, raiding, and slavery. Believed to be the birthplace, of Radiance, the Sultanate of the Sandridden Plains endures within its nigh barren borders.

The Grand Sultan of El’ldur presides over his domain, dispensing law and justice in accordance to the tenets of Radiance and longstanding custom.

HOSPITALITY

The Law of Hospitality grew from out necessity for survival in a harsh desert landscape. Its tenets are:

  • No one may harm their host nor their family
  • No host allows their guests to be harmed
  • Hospitality is invoked by the exchange of gifts

On the third point, if no gift is given, or the gift is refused, there is no invocation of the rights of hospitality.  However, the gifts need not be ornate or expensive, simply given in good faith. Water and food are acceptable, so long as they are given as a gift in which the host and guest share together. 

Destroying the covenant of hospitality is an egregious error.

RELIGION AND THE UNDEAD

Radiance in El’Idur is so steeped into history, one cannot divorce the faith from the city. In fact, the Shrine of the Radiant Hand is seen by a large portion of the faith as the birthplace of Radiance itself.  The Shrine, located in the Fireforge mountains is a site of pilgrimage for adherents of the date.  The great Paladin, Hazel Al’lvah was trained at the shrine, and he is believed to be the first Avatar of the Faith.

The undead that stalk the dunes and ruins of the plains, in service to the lich kings. These powerful creatures have brought ruin and death to many, and as such those who truck with such powers are no friends to the Sultanate of El’ldur. The City of Pyramids are their home. Travel there at your peril.

SLAVERY & GENDER

Sadly, slavery is a part of life in the Sandridden Plains. While no natural-born Radiant is permitted to be taken as a slave, converts in their servitude may still be seen as property. The Radiants of the area justify this to foreigners as slavery can often save a life.  Slaves may be freed, and once done so, are normal citizens.

Unlike many other nations, gender roles are still a factor in the Sultanate. A woman’s virtue is to be protected, and women are almost always veiled. Do not attempt to remove the veil. While masks are not favorable in some countries, this is a very different matter.

There is more, though, as a Fortunate traveler, I may not be the best to speak of them. You can learn more in the libraries of Felnar*, or probably just by talking to people.

*OOG: requires a login to the Mythical Journeys site.

Posted on

Entering Felnar

As part of getting to know our land better, we’re going to publish some summaries of the lands and people of Pendaan for our players and cast. The information below was pulled from the larger regional packet found in our library.

“Crossing the Neb, I could have headed North. But nay, here I am in Eldyrwood. A fantastic spot. Wide range of people from other countries. Danger and rewards, if you keep your head and follow the law. A place where the drinks are so strong,  there’s risk that nethermancers will have no shortage of preserved cadavers. Oh, look, a farmer has come into the tav – ” – Nils Smythe, Rest In Peace

 

The city of Felnar, and the lands under its rule, stands surrounded by the Midnight Moor to its North, the Rothruadh Mountains to its West, and the Forgotten Forest to the South.

While not as rich as Arkenstone, nor a mighty military power on the level of Varradon, Felnar has been a regular gateway city for trade. It has survived war, disease, and conquest and stands with a tenacity and proud history.

The Drakomyr family has ruled Felnar for centuries, often taking wives from noble families of Sarden or Arkenstone in order to strengthen alliances. Delegating rule  of outlying towns to governors, the Countess makes annual visits to the governors to check on their performance.

Faith

The faiths of Radiance and Fortune are followed in large numbers within Felnar and its holdings, with Shamanism being frowned upon, though still practiced in the rural and outlying areas.

Visitors to the main city can find The Sanctuary of Radiance and The Temple of Hope’s Vessel, which cater to the various schools of their respective faiths.

Culture

The “Masque” is a Felnar tradition based in the folklore that masks and costumes can disguise the living from the undead, fae, and other creatures seeking to steal mortals away at Eventide.

From the stringing of copper wires across doorways to keep out spirits, to the Keaning Pole at Haftane, Felnar has absorbed the holidays of its neighbors and married them to local customs that celebrate the seasons changing, and to ward off Fiends, the undead, Fae, and other entities.  The two great celebrations are Eventide, in the autumn, and Haftane, in the Spring.

As a vital way station for trade routes, Felnar has a relatively diverse makeup of peoples from all over Pendaan. While Beasts and some races are not granted the full rights under the law, slavery is illegal within its domain.

Eldyrwood

The repelling of a Fiend incursion within the town of Eldyrwood this past year.

Run by the three margraves, the town is filled with residents from all over Pendaan. It has been the site of numerous battles, and mystical conflagrations  over the past decade. The rough and tumble town has an disproportionate amount of residents that follow Shamanism, which is largely tolerated, if not outright legal.

 

Eldyrwood Residents assembled.

As the town of Eldyrwood is located in Felnar, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the laws  before you begin a grand adventure that leads to dark rites, desecration of a tavern, or bowing to the wrong person.

 

For a larger view of Felnar, its history, and regional customs, go to our library (requires login).

Posted on

Casting Call: Come into the fold

At Mythical Journeys, we strive to give our players the an immersive and interactive experience. If you’ve never LARPed before, or if you had heard of us, but never experienced the game for yourself, signing up to cast with us is a fun and free way to get a feel for our world and game system.

Our next game is on the weekend of August 25, 2017, and we’d love to have you on the non-player side of the fence!

We provide:

  • Food and drinks
  • A place to sleep
  • Showers
  • Costuming, weapons, props, and character roles that are easy to understand
  • A supportive crew of people to show you the ropes!

Whether you want to be involved in the combat scenarios, or just add role-playing flavor to the game, we have the roles for you.

But what is really like?

We asked veteran plot writers and cast, Jeff and Sabrina, a few questions about their experience and what people should expect/bring:

What do you like most about casting?

Jeff: I like being able to experience the world of Mythical Journeys from multiple points of view. I enjoy helping bring to life stories with our Players, helping them to be the heroes or villains in their own adventures.

Sabrina: I like casting because I can bring characters to life. I love how it can change a player’s perception about the world and those who live in it.

There is no wrong way to help out on the Cast side of things…

How does casting help someone new to Mythical Journeys?
Jeff: Casting can give you a good sense of our collaborative world. You get the opportunity to play various classes of characters, people of various nations and religions, and exposure to combat. All of it at your level of interest.

We have people who like to fight, so they do that a lot. We have those who just like RP, and so they get used for those purposes. There is no wrong way to help out on the Cast side of things as long as you are enthusiastic, and willing to provide the best entertainment possible to our Players.

What should people bring with them that you normally see people neglect?

WHAT TO BRINGJeff: If people have their own costume pieces it can help in building out wardrobes for their various NPCs. We have an extremely large section of garb, but having your own additional stuff can be beneficial- especially with accessories (belts, pouches, etc). There are  not required at all though- at the bare minimum just your blacks (black shirts, black pants) and sleeping gear (blanket/pillow. We have mattresses and a place to sleep).

Sabrina: A belt, socks, towel, and a change of normal clothing kept in your car for Sunday. Personal makeup remover wipes can’t hurt.

Here’s how to register for cast:

  1. Log on, or sign up for a new account on MythicalJourneys.com.
  2. Click on the Events tab.
  3. Select the event you want to cast for (Fall 1 2017, August 25-27).
  4. Click the Cast button.
  5. Show up Friday evening on August 25 and meet the welcoming community of fellow cast-mates and players.

If you need any further help, you can send a Help Request (requites sign in).

We hope to see you there, friends! Spread the word. The more the merrier, or in some cases, scarier (for our players, that is).

Posted on

The Town Crier – Setting the table

Welcome!

You love content. We all do. It’s what makes Mythical Journeys such an immersive game. You may have noticed we’ve been giving the social media and communications wing of Mythical Journeys an overhaul over the spring.

Our goal is simple. To keep you engaged with the world, even in the offseason, and to recruit more people into our supportive community. To do that, we’ve started the Town Crier, the newsletter and blog for MythicalJourneys.  Here we’ll have content, letters from staff, calls to action, forum highlights and more. This isn’t a replacement of our site, but a space where we can provide you with regular, easy to follow updates.

New Players

Leaping into new things can be daunting. By and large, LARP communities have an organic recruitment that spreads through word of mouth, but Mythical Journeys actively recruits from outside the gaming world at venues like the Connecticut Renaissance Faire.

Almost a third of our players hadn’t even tried live action role-playing before they found us. But the learning curve on a LARP can be steep.  What do I wear? Who can I be? Where is this held?  Our main page has those resources, but we’ll cover things like that here from time to time and provide you with material to begin your journey.

Casting Calls, In Game Regional Info, History Snippets, and More

Whether you’re new or not, the Town Crier will include content about what’s hot on the forum, brief summaries of history, regional spotlights, and more things that give a sense of Pendaan and the town of Eldyrwood.

 

We’ll also post pictures, multimedia, and calls to action (cast recruitment, PEL deadlines, etc) here so you don’t miss anything. We hope you’ll love it!