Ståhlberg's Log

[Krilari]

Spoiler:

For those I haven’t bragged to told yet, I’m going to be going on a vacation starting immediately tomorrow. My vacation in a bit different in that I’m not going to the Bahamas or Disney or Universal or any such thing. Instead I’m going to be going to what is called The Pennsic War. This is a massive 2 Week camp out hosted by the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA, for short) of which I am a member. Since a fair majority of those I’ve spoken to are rather interested in what I do, I’m going to be updating this post through the days of my vacation, logging the various sights, sounds, and magnificent events. If anyone has any questions or comments, I encourage you to post or PM. I honestly feel the SCA is a wondrous passtime and I’d be more than welcome to help if any of you are interested.

With that out of the way, allow me to introduce you to Gunnar Ståhlberg- My nordic persona.

The Penultimate Day

I sit here in my arid cottage, crouched over tomes lit only by the gracious scrying bowl, it’s waters reflecting an endless light that allows me to write now as I do. It’s not for idle banter that I write at the moment, but for the dream of great conquests. While I’ve lived my life for the past years welting away in this arid landscape I do so thirst for my return to the Great North, to breathe the airs of the chilled summer nights and bask in the suns of the summer’s day. Tonight will be one of much preparation as the journey ahead will be one spanning a day’s worth of travel even by ways of ship or horseback. Once arrived, however, I will join with the great kingdom of the East in their war-camp under the banner of Setmour Swamp. It will be good to don the old colors and lay my grasp on a blade once more.

Alas, all I can do now is snuff the shimmer of my scrying bowl and ready myself for the dawn’s light. The Pennsic War is upon us, and is shall be Glorious.

[Krilari]

The Long Night

I faced a long night for the past two nights. On the first night of my log sleep evaded me as nothing but excitement filled my mind. Endlessly I tossed and turned with the prospects of the War and the glory it will bring! Such enthusiasm bled into the morning as I, along with my dear own mother, sought out the final preparations. Only with a great many ropes and ties was I able to bind all of her wears and wonders to the wagon, but it was a job well done never the less. At the time I faced nothing more than the challenge of self-entertainment.

Our venture began at midday and from there further on into the day, developing into night and morning once more. Had it not been for the blessing of sleep and my ever-faithful scrying bowl then I may have lost my mind. In total I counted seventeen hours spent upon the Great King’s Road, watching as the arid heat of the South bled away into the misty mountains of the North.

As predicted the great natures have fallen within the bounds of my first Law as downpours greeted us at every turn, even as we came upon the gracious war camp itself. I can only pray I’ve prepared myself properly for a muddy endeavor.

For now, however, I sit from atop my wagon watching the dawn’s light grace the fields that are soon to be painted red. By midday I will be due to camp as will my mother who has elected to camp with the elders this year. If the Gods are good then I shall write again on the night’s fall of our first day’s venture.

Spoiler:

[Krilari]

Day 1 - Ground break

From the blissful comfort of my bed roll do I write tonight as a great many pains assault me. From the pad of my foot to the curl of my knee and far beyond soreness has conquered me, though the battle is still mine! Both the encampment of myself and my mother have been established upon the soft earth after a hearty rainfall.

The most of my day have been spent toiling about in one fashion or another, though all the while I cursed myself. From the flatlands I brought only a single set of footwear which is fitting in no way for these hills. I've hence decided to abandon the thought and venture barefoot to... Debatable sucess

For now, I rest as tomorrow is a new day.

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[Krilari]

Day 2 - The Hunt



My boots reek of apples.

Morning came to me in the swiftest fashion it had in a great many months. Perhaps a blessing from the wartime excitement, but that’s still to be proven. At the crack of dawn I, along with my mother, took to a hunt that brought us some distance from the war camp, yet despite such I found a grail most holy: A pair of boots. Looted from some who was not so strong as to survive the wilds I found my new footwear to be more than adequate to manage the rolling hills and sharp mountains. Otherwise the fruits of our hunt were great and bountiful, certainly enough to keep us fed for the coming week so long as I keep everything properly salted.

Sadly the day would not be one of rest as I presumed it to be. My friend- a man of trade and games- made his way into camp earlier that morn and needed a sturdy set of hands to establish his shop. From midday to sun down I found myself hard at work.

There was, however, one respite from all of the pains: an ornate little teahouse on the side of camp. I normally have neither care nor qualm with those from the Far East, however on this particular day I had the pleasure of their drinks… After so much work, the slightest sip was divine.

To the Barony’s camp I retreated for the night, enjoying quite a few drinks and tales with old compatriots. At least, until my apple whiskey was tipped onto my freshly found boots.

My boots reek of apples.

For now I retreat to the cold baths and pray to the gods that tomorrow may prove to be more of a respite. To whoever reads this when it is found, enjoy the incredibly life-like sketches.

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[Krilari]

Day 3 and 4 - The Haze


As I sit here in the safety of my nook I realize I've been absent from my pages for the past few days, however there's not all too much I cover- from the third day at least. It was spent as many of my days have been here in that I was working with a friend of mine to establish his merchant stall.

As for the fourth day, however... It was my first taste of alcohol past tipsy and, dare I admit, that for the first time I've managed to get myself fairly sloshed. This endeavor began at about O' Dark Thirty as we made our way into Pentwyvern encampment and enjoyed the brew of rum before frowning at their incredibly lacking festivities. With mugs full we made our way to the next celebration. Vlad's Pleasure Pavilion is a celebration famous throughout the war camps, yet on this night I found it particularly lacking, as did my traveling companions. By this time I was not much a tipsy man, however my ally 'Don' was well beyond pissed and his drunken antics made for a better show than any party or celebration

Onwards we ventured to more private venues: Darksphere and The Three Swans. Between the open bars at either I found myself quite intoxicated

...

Yet not as much as my friend. By the time we stumbled to camp and into a chair, he thought it the best idea to run around in massive circles. Only after much enticing did he calm.

For now I rest in my bunk, waiting for the early morn chill to pass so I can asses the full damage done.

Spoiler:

Stahlberg's Fifth Law of Pennsic Warfare

There is no better entertainment than a man with three too many drinks in him.

[Krilari]

Day ??? - Lost



At this rate the days are beginning to blur together as one. At one point I thought my last log was two moon ago, then four, then three... It's no use attempting to record at this point, perhaps I should begin keeping the days by their date upon the East King's Calendar.

Saturday, the Twenty-seventh day of July.

The past few days have been fillies with mirth! Our friend from the Far East has arrived and with him he has brought a sea of various beers, ales, rums and all sort of drinks... If be a lying man if I said I did not partake.

Still, I have more than drunken revelry to report. Two friends of mine have agreed to have a handfasting! To those so uncouth to know what it is, a handfasting ceremony is one in which two parties agree to live with one another for one year and one day. Afterwards the two parties look to one another and agree to marry and spend the rest of their years together, or to part peacefully. If there's to be a ceremony then I will certainly have to see it for my own eyes.

Otherwise the war has drawn into full swing! Merchants line the stress peddling their wares, and a great many wares they are. Otherwise warriors are beginning to line the battlefield in preparation for battle. I believe it's on this day that the kingdoms will announce whom they will back: East or Midrealm.

[Krilari]

Tuesday, July 30th of the East King's Calendar


Never a dull moment around the War Camp. While I've taken to relaxing after all of the first week's work there is still life blooming all about. As each day passes more and more faces appear and more and more tents fill our site. Just two moons ago one of our elder fire spinners arrive on surprise. Along with him joined two others as well as a gracious store of alcohol. The parties from there on have been lively to say the least.

I myself have kept myself occupied at the local trade house where others like I worked the tarot for the sake of entertainment. While simple, it passes the hours like little other.

Otherwise I've been fairly absent from the battlefield which is something I hope to amend soon. I simply need to find my armor... If I can't, I fear the price of replacing well-crafted steel. Still, despite such, I've had my gracious mount of sketches which I share for whomever's to read this.

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Stahlberg's Seventh Law of Pennsic Warfare

All activities will slowly gravitate towards the nearest fire. As it does, the likelihood for injury increases exponentially.

[Krilari]

Day twenty-six of Julius' Heat, year 14 of the New King's Calendar.

The time comes for my pilgrimage strikes once more! Standing in spite of horrors amidst the family, great sundering, and plight of the coin we travel now, but a few hour's pace from the grand gathering. To this year I look forward more than any other, as not only does it mark year in the presence of my comrades, but it also comes with a few familiar faces from our own commune of writers.

@Scout
@Piken

I look forward to making new memories with you, my friends.