Resplendence
Wilderhope Manor - aka the Cardini House in the New World.
A Flembic player event weas always going to interest me. One run at Wilderhope Manor, an imposing Elizabethan Manor on Wenlock Edge in Welsh Marches, owned by the National Trust was something I wouldn't miss. The fact that this would e (IC) run by the duelling club (a group I approve of thoroughly but which I don't take part in due to my innate clumsiness), and would be largely focussed around a masked ball (see above reason for largely not dancing either) didn't spoil my enthusiasm, but instead pointed me at making sure I was busty with other activities.
Back in November I bought a new mask, and in between came up with a costume to match the Chiaroscuro theme that would be, initially at least, slightly menacing, and clearly not suitable for dancing. I also planned an alternative to the duelling that would keep me indoors through that period - an in-character wargame, capable of being played repeatedly, in under an hour each time. This was based on the popular DBA wargames rules, customised to fit the setting, and simplified even further, so that it could be played, with a full-time referee, by people who had never seen or read the rules. Figures were purchased and painted, largely out in my car with the radio on, sitting by a canal so that I wouldn't be distracted by other things at home.
On Friday morning there were slight problems at work, and I eventually got to Wenlock Edge at dusk, a little later than planned. It was a lovely sunset - but straight in my face all the last few miles along the Edge, so less enjoyable than I would have hoped. On arrival I settled in, helped a little bit with set dressing, and with the check-in process.
Friday night was a gentle, sociable session, Saturday somewhat busier. A late and pleasant surprise was that kt_peasant was attending, so the Dottore and Maddy managed to spend time enjoying the comfortable chairs in the parlour between all the running around. The game ran well on Saturday - playing six or seven games over a five hour period even continuing after tea was served.
Before dinner, a very entertaining period was fitted in, reorganising the table plan. The original plan had three key people in fixed positions, and the rest added arbitrarily. People could challenge any seat-holder for their seat, and if the challenge was successful their places would be swapped. As the deadline approached the pace speeded up and one poor (if presumptuous and IC irritating) wemic was bounced around to ensure that he ended up off the high table, and that other people ended up next to suitable partners.
Dinner was entertaining. although the food wasn't that thrilling. The toasting game went well, my two toasts seeming to go down well. The ball was all it should be, with the Dottore in an (IC) grump, largely avoiding the dancing, but having some very strange conversations, and managing to insult a number of people while masked and unrecognisable. A few discussions were quite complimentary about the mask and costume arrangement. The ball over, the comfy chairs provided a very pleasant end to the evening.
Sunday was clearing up and leaving by lunchtime. A decent lunch was had at a pub on Wenlock edge, and a sleepy Nick headed back for Coventry.
As usual, the fun in Maelstrom events came from the core group of players I get to play with. This time, although the player base was much smaller than usual, with about 70 attendees the confined nature of the event actually meant that I got to play more closely with a slightly larger group. The usual suspects though were as wonderful as ever.
A Flembic player event weas always going to interest me. One run at Wilderhope Manor, an imposing Elizabethan Manor on Wenlock Edge in Welsh Marches, owned by the National Trust was something I wouldn't miss. The fact that this would e (IC) run by the duelling club (a group I approve of thoroughly but which I don't take part in due to my innate clumsiness), and would be largely focussed around a masked ball (see above reason for largely not dancing either) didn't spoil my enthusiasm, but instead pointed me at making sure I was busty with other activities.
Back in November I bought a new mask, and in between came up with a costume to match the Chiaroscuro theme that would be, initially at least, slightly menacing, and clearly not suitable for dancing. I also planned an alternative to the duelling that would keep me indoors through that period - an in-character wargame, capable of being played repeatedly, in under an hour each time. This was based on the popular DBA wargames rules, customised to fit the setting, and simplified even further, so that it could be played, with a full-time referee, by people who had never seen or read the rules. Figures were purchased and painted, largely out in my car with the radio on, sitting by a canal so that I wouldn't be distracted by other things at home.
On Friday morning there were slight problems at work, and I eventually got to Wenlock Edge at dusk, a little later than planned. It was a lovely sunset - but straight in my face all the last few miles along the Edge, so less enjoyable than I would have hoped. On arrival I settled in, helped a little bit with set dressing, and with the check-in process.
Friday night was a gentle, sociable session, Saturday somewhat busier. A late and pleasant surprise was that kt_peasant was attending, so the Dottore and Maddy managed to spend time enjoying the comfortable chairs in the parlour between all the running around. The game ran well on Saturday - playing six or seven games over a five hour period even continuing after tea was served.
Before dinner, a very entertaining period was fitted in, reorganising the table plan. The original plan had three key people in fixed positions, and the rest added arbitrarily. People could challenge any seat-holder for their seat, and if the challenge was successful their places would be swapped. As the deadline approached the pace speeded up and one poor (if presumptuous and IC irritating) wemic was bounced around to ensure that he ended up off the high table, and that other people ended up next to suitable partners.
Dinner was entertaining. although the food wasn't that thrilling. The toasting game went well, my two toasts seeming to go down well. The ball was all it should be, with the Dottore in an (IC) grump, largely avoiding the dancing, but having some very strange conversations, and managing to insult a number of people while masked and unrecognisable. A few discussions were quite complimentary about the mask and costume arrangement. The ball over, the comfy chairs provided a very pleasant end to the evening.
Sunday was clearing up and leaving by lunchtime. A decent lunch was had at a pub on Wenlock edge, and a sleepy Nick headed back for Coventry.
As usual, the fun in Maelstrom events came from the core group of players I get to play with. This time, although the player base was much smaller than usual, with about 70 attendees the confined nature of the event actually meant that I got to play more closely with a slightly larger group. The usual suspects though were as wonderful as ever.