Hello, Altavia!
This month, we had the honor of running Consorts’ Champion Ranged, and I am absolutely thrilled with how the event went. A huge thank you to our stewards, Karen, Doug, Joe, and Ingram, and to our Marshal-in-Charge, Merlin. The event ran smoothly, the competition was exciting, and most importantly, it was a wonderful time.
We had some particularly exciting news during the event. At the break, after the main shooting and before the single-elimination rounds, our very own Merlin was offered entry into the Order of the Mark. He said yes and immediately asked to be placed on Vigil!
In the open handbow finals, one of our archers, Joseph went head-to-head with Tomaso of the Barony of Angels. Tomaso is a familiar face at our Altavia archery practices, so it was especially fun to see two archers from our nearby archery community competing against each other. Joseph won the finals, making him the handbow winner of the day, and Tomaso was chosen by Her Majesty as her Handbow Champion. Congratulations to both of them!
In the crossbow finals, I had the pleasure of shooting against Ronan, who was victorious. In closing court, Ronan was also offered entry into the Order of the Mark. He said yes, giving the archery community two new vigilants.
We also had not one, but two Arts & Sciences classes this month! The Brewers’ Guild hosted a class on fermented-food judging, and Petrusha continued his mead-making series with Part Two. It is wonderful to see Altavians sharing their knowledge and creating opportunities for one another to learn and grow.
The other big event this month for people in our little Barony happened thousands of miles away at Pennsic, in Pennsylvania.
Three Altavian archers made the journey, including Achillious, Merlin, and me. We spent a lot of time on the archery field practicing, competing, and helping to run the ranges.
Achillious, Merlin, and Paganus tried out for the Heroic Team as allies to the Midrealm. They got to shoot head-to-head against the Eastern Heroic Team on an extremely challenging course of eight targets, with the first archer to hit all eight taking the point for their team. Afterward, I had the opportunity to shoot the course against one of the other team’s crossbow archers. It was fantastic, difficult, nerve-wracking, and absolutely amazing. I’m hoping to get plenty of practice in and try again next time, because I would love to compete in that tournament!
All four of us Caidan archers also made the Midrealm Allies Champions Team, where we got to shoot the roving range, Friend and Foe, and clout against the Eastern Allies Champions Team. It was an incredible experience to represent our Barony and Kingdom alongside such talented archers.
Merlin and I also competed in the Known World Baronial Champions Tournament, which was specifically for people who had already won Baronial championships in their home Kingdoms. Merlin won, representing the Barony of Lyondemere as their current Crossbow Champion. Congratulations, Merlin!
Immediately afterward, I had the opportunity to compete in the Ladies’ Shoot, where I was delighted to shoot alongside a bunch of lovely women. I ended up with the overall highest score, which was a fantastic way to cap off an already extraordinary day on the range.
Thank you, Altavia, for continuing to make our Barony such a wonderful place to be. Whether you are competing, teaching, learning, volunteering, creating, or simply showing up and cheering on your friends, you are what makes this community special. I am so proud of everything our populace has accomplished this month, and I can’t wait to see what adventures the coming month brings!
In service to the Dream,
Baroness Amabel
