Gryphon's Fest 2021
General Information
- Date: 22-24 October, 2021
- Location: Puddleford
- Royalty: TRM Lucian & Tamar, TRH Hirsch and Magda
- Event Stewards: Jon Chesey and Rochwen Morwenna
- Theme: Our Saints Weekend
- Website
The Gryphon's Fest for 2021 was delayed due to the impact of COVID-19 which had delayed both Lilies War and Gulf Wars to dates very near or overlapping with Gryphon's traditional dates followed closely by Crown Tournament. As such, the event was delayed to late October.
Theme Events
The theme was "Our Saints" and celebrated Calontir saints. The following events helped develop this theme:
Pilgrimage to Saint's Shrines
For each of the six saints, a small shrine was created. These were designed similar to "Little Libraries". Each contained a short history of the saint as well as a stamp. A few of the shrines also contained actual relics from the saints, such as Pavel's shrine containing his fighting tunic and coronet. Attendees were invited to visit each of the shrines which were placed around the site, and stamp their site book like a passport. If they visited each shrine, they could turn them in at Gate to enter a raffle to take one home (excluding the actual relics).
Steak Thang
Based on type of cookouts Pavel held, the event hosted a heated grill at which attendees could bring their own steak or other item to cook. The event stewards provided sides.
Competitions
Rattan Scenarios
Relic Battle
This scenario consisted of a series of melee battles. Each round a "relic" associated with a Calontir saint was available to win. The relics were generally rattan versions of items associated with the saints and gave special powers to be bearer in subsequent rounds. The relics and their associated powers were as follows:
- The horn of St. Andrixos - Allowed the bearer, if legged to shout "Arise Calontir" and retake their legs
- The spade of St. Hyrim - The bearer could only be killed by great weapons
- The bone of St. Kensor - The bearer could only be killed by single handed weapons
- The tools of St. Brom - Thrown weapons
- The scutum of St. Pavel - The bearer was immune to all blows for the first 60 seconds of the battle
- The rubber ducky of St. Rhianwen - The bearer could ignore the first three blows they were dealt. This relic was a child sized rubber ducky inflatable innertube that could be worn on the helmet as a crest.
Davi's Crazy Weapons Tournament
For the third year, Davi held a tournament in which entrants were not allowed to have the same weapon system as their opponent. This ended up having an interesting synergy with the previous Relic battle as it was decided that the weapons there did not strictly fall into any established category and thus, could be used at will but did not retain their powers from the previous scenario. The bone of St. Kensor was a popular choice. So much so that it was decided that it should be the new travelling trophy for the tournament.
Steel Scenarios
Build Your Saint Tournament
Fighters will compete for pieces of a saint found on the field of battle. Fighters will retrieve the various body parts of their saint from the field to reconstruct them on a board on their team’s side. The first team to reconstruct their saint wins! Unlimited resurrections allowed. All weapon styles welcomed (two-handed weapons will require all combatants to have rigid protection on the hands)
Redeem Yourself Tournament
You have been forsaken by your saint! You must win in battle to redeem yourself. Each fighter begins the tournament completely vulnerable. With each victory, a body part will become invulnerable. Body and head will be the last. The completely impervious fighters will face each other as equals to battle for the Saint’s favor.
Anything But Rapier Tournament
Fighters will compete in a round robin with weapons other than rapiers. Any secondary weapons will decided between combatants.
Archery
Red Rover, Red Rover
A team shoot. All shooters are divided into two teams, with people added as they show up. Multiple Saint inspired targets. At end of each round, losing team gets to steal a member of the winning team.
Gryphon's Fest Champion Shoot
Designed by the current champion.
Equestrian
Saint's Head-to-Head Competition
B3R equestrian championship tournament.
Tippet Tag
A game similar to flag football in which the objective is to take the opponent's flag off their arm.
Mounted & Carriage Archery
Equestrian authorized archers could shoot from horseback while others could ride in a carriage and shoot.
Arts & Sciences
Devotional in Any Medium
Attendees were invited to submit any entry related to a saint, either Calontiri or Historic. The winner was by Konstantia Kaloethina and was piece of illumination recreated from a prayer book using period pigments Konstantia created.
Unofficial Court Report
Baronial Court
- Their Excellencies Duncan and Gwendolyn gave gifts of LED Halloween rings to all youth. This was in replacement of the tradition of giving gifts to the youth at B3R's Winter Court which the Barony decided not to host in 2021 due to the number of other events the Barony was hosting as well as difficulty finding sites due to many locations still being unsure of COVID safety.
- Two members of the populace received a Tributary (B3R's newcomer award).
- Hugo van Harlo, Finan mac Domnaill, and Nadya Helming received a Talon (B3R's martial combat award).
Royal Court
- Alys Knighton (known as Apple) received a Golden Calon Swan
- Kenda Ottarsdottir received a Leather Mallet
- Nadya Helming was made a Stile Fyrd
- Michael Ledger (known as Michael Redboots) was given a Torse
- Eyfriðr Gold-Bearer was given a Calon Lily
- Ysabel de la Oya brought news of the upcoming Kris Kinder market
- Eight newcomers received mugs
- The populace was invited to swear fealty
- Winners of the various competitions were announced:
- Sir Franbald was the victor of Davi's Crazy Weapons Tournament
- Donald Andrew Macdonald and Hugo van Harlo won steel tournaments
- Gwendolyn (of the Midrealm), Lora Greymare, and Maria Arosa De Santa Olalla won various equestrian competitions
- Copin di Gentile was the victor of the archery competition
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