A Letter from the Guvnah's Office

Earlier this week, I recieved a guest by the name of Mr. Syxx Craig of the Edison Corporation. He entered the house with letter of introduction from Desmond, our dear Head of State.

It seems that Mr. Craig desires to host a Masquerade Ball by way of introduction of himself and his business associates to Caledon. With the assistance of The Guvnah, he made his way to Loch Avie to determine if I might be able to lend a hand. I sat down at my writing desk in the office and checked the calendar.

"Yes. Yes, I have time to meet with you this week, sir, for a scoping meeting and to begin the initial plans. February? Hmmm. Looks as though the 22nd and 29th of the month are open." I said.

"The 22nd should suit quite nicely, Your Grace. Thank you very much." he excitedly responded.

"Very well, then. Let us meet in the Loch Avie Public House on Tuesday night - say around 8:30pm to discuss your intentions and needs."

As the gentleman rose to take his leave nodding that he would not fail to be present at that time, my assistant reappeared and handed him his coat and hat. Mr. Craig took his leave of me.


As planned, we met and discussed his desires for the event. Loch Avie will host the Masquerade on February 22nd at 7:00pm SLT. Mr. Craig has requested the use of the Conservatory a' Ghaidhealtachd. What he describes is quite a classical event. He will create most of the decoration for the ballroom, and will also have display of many of The Edison Corporation's fine ships. Mr. Craig was concerned about security at the event. I tried not to laugh too heartily in the young man's presence, but I did chuckle and add that the Loch was well defended.

"Och! Dinna fash yourself, Mr. Craig. Many who will surely be present at the occasion are loyal to Caledon and Loch Avie. There will be knights of the Order of the Red Rose, members of the Academy of Arms, and members of the Caledon First Lancers in addition to many other noble and well-armed gentlemen and ladies present."

His eyes shot up at the thought of our Caledonian ladies bearing arms. I simply smiled and laying a hand on my lap felt the dirk sitting snuggly against my thigh - held by the antique lace garter given to me by my fiesty paternal grandmother.

"I shall ensure that you are contacted by the commanders of the Lancers if you should desire something formal by way of honor guard." I said.

The Invitation created by Mr. Craig

As we continued to discuss what would be required by way of communication and invitation, building and decorating, and prim space, Mr. Craig told me that he will make arrangements for the musical selections on his own. I nodded and told him that he need only tell me to whom the parcel stream should be assigned.

We said our goodbyes, a firm timeline in place for the work and the event. I thought to myself, "how unusually nice it will be to simply provide the venue for an event." I will be pleased to provide assistance as it is needed, but am really looking forward to simply enjoying myself and the other guests while Mr. Craig and the Edison Company get to know and entertain us.

Now....I really should start shopping before I head off to the ski slopes for a week's holiday.

On Behalf of Sir Telemachus

Greetings to all Citizens of Caledon, Denizens of Winterfell and Residents of Steelhead and Brythany!

I am proud to announce the Grand Opening of Sir Tele's Arms & Smithie. My home is Octopus Gardens, to the right as the ferry lands at Caledon Cay, and the Smithie is in my backyard and easy to find.

I have long treasured roleplay combat...all in fun! To this end, I have scoured the Grid to find the very best weapons' scripters and animators. Currently, my Smithie offers the full line by Navar Harbinger in one vendor and the full, though rapidly growing, line by Stormie Frua, a builder who uses Navar's animations. Stormie has a Darkness line (very good for Winterfell) and is building a Camelot series...a complete set of period accurate Renaissance weapons. Many of Navar's weapons look quite steampunk in my view.

I am also proud to offer, free, the Honor Combat System by QaPla Xie...an excellent and very easy to use combat life meter; it is vended along with information notecards from the anvil at the door.

The current offerings in the Smithie are impressive: beautiful and functional bows, crossbows, spears, swords and daggers with styles from Gothic to tribal-primitive to Spartan; plus a lute which plays songs and can be used to hit people; a fist fighting system complete with wall climbing ability, and more. Many of the weapons have special functions; the bows and crossbows, for example, can shoot grappling hooks with ropes attached for scaling or light an opponent on fire; they can also cage any normal avatar, even one without a combat meter!

I will note that some of the weapons are Gorean....it is very hard to remove weapons from Navar's full vendor on his end, and thus may I offer a quick disclaimer: the Gorean slave prod is for consensual use only :) Ahem.

Please, come by anytime and browse. I look forward to many great adventures...storming castles, having organized and/or spontaneous battles, sparring for fun, as well as Duels for serious matters of Honor. A Code Duello for Caledon will soon be provided in a notecard from the anvil also, sponsored by myself and the Loch Avie Academy of Arms for those so inclined. May it be rarely used.

Love to all. And Happy Fighting!

Sir Telemachus Dean, ORR
Caledon Cay

Tournament of the Loch Avie Academy of Arms

The second major event of the Highland Fling was the Tournament of the Loch Avie Academy of Arms. Sir Telemachus took care of the details of the tournament itself - signing the combatants, determining the matches, setting the rules, and then emceeing and refereeing the event.

I was thrilled to rez the Loch Avie Sky Arena (which may yet get a gælic name) high above the loch itself. The arena had been created just for me as a possible venue for the Tournament for Life, which we held as a demonstration event and fundraiser for the Relay for Life several months ago now. Ultimately we chose another arena for that event. But the Sky Arena is now the official tournament field for the Academy of Arms. (Makes a very fine party/dancing space as well. This will be demonstrated in the very next post.)

Greeting the very first arrivals to the arena
Sir Telemachus, Miss Diamanda Gustafson, Miss Kashi Babii, His Grace Cymru.

Miss Laval prepares to battle Miss Gustafson

Battle number one went to Miss Gustafson.

A nice crowd gathers in the Loch Avie Sky Arena

Miss Poppy was paired against her love, the Duke Regent of Kintyre. To the surprise of most, he indeed did fight to win and defeated Miss Poppy in the second match.

Two members of my clan battle in match number 3. Mr. O'Toole defeated Sir ZenMondo.

Miss Babii readies herself for battle (against her father).

The battle begins - Cymru against his own daughter. Miss Babii took the match

The FINAL battle was between Miss Gustafson and Miss Babii. Miss Gustafson prevailed! She is now the Highland Fling's first champion.

Sir Telemachus announces the winner: Miss Diamanda Gustafson.

The Battle Royale begins - all comers are welcome to battle during these times.

(left to right) Miss Babii, Sir ZenMondo, Lord Primbroke, Sir Telemachus, Mr. O'toole.

The final four of the Battle Royale.

My thanks to all who participated in this event, and to those who continue to spar and practice - awaiting the next time. A reminder that the weapons system is free to all who desire to use it.

The Harvest Festival of Steelhead and Caledon

September 9 - 15.

Multiple events in multiple sims!

It was not so long ago that Lady Primbroke contacted my cousin, Duchess Carntaigh, and me to inquire whether we might be interested in hearing her idea for a fall event series. Knowing Christine as we do, Gabrielle and I immediately said that we would love to hear her thoughts. That evening, I set out a bottle of my best Perrier Jouët Grand Brut, and some Uisge Beatha Reserve for us as we enjoyed the evening, each others' company, and began to brainstorm about the festival.

We were shortly joined by Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega and Lord Primbroke.

Sitting on the deck of the pub planning the festival.

As the Festival developed in our minds, we new that we wanted both Steelhead and Caledon to be involved. We also new that we wanted as many of the Caledon sims as possible to host the events - little did we know just how many sims would actually be on the grid by the time the festival would take place. Des has certainly gone full steam ahead. We also had a strong desire to involve as many of the citizens of Caledon and Steelhead as possible. By the end of the evening we had quite a list of suggestions for activities as well as a plan for getting more thoughts from others throughout both lands. We also decided which of us would contact the Imperial Navy, the Early Birds, the Librarians, the management of Steelhead, and so on.

Now it is my pleasure to present calendar for your review. I hope you will plan to attend and participate in many of these excellent events.

Thanks to all the volunteers and citizens who have made this all possible!

Steelhead & Caledon Harvest Festival Events

* All Week *

• Harvest Festival Art Fair - Caledon Tamrannoch, Gallery Tamrannoch – Caledon-on-Sea, Sea Song Gallery

• Steelhead Art Walk: located in Taiyou House

• Pumpkin treasure hunt : Look for pumpkins containing treasures around Steelhead.

• Corn maze: next to the Steelhead Town Hall

• Scarecrow Building Competition, Entries in by Monday and on display throughout the week. Winner to be announced at Friday's dance. See details at the bottom.

* Sunday, September 9 *

• 9:00am – 6:00pm SLT - Tree Felling - Caledon Murdann. Trees (suitable for transplanting) may be felled by buying for L$0. Limit of two trees each, please. The Murdann Thorn tree grows nowhere else.

• 2:00pm SLT – Niko Donburi Concert – SL’s “Weird Al” - Caledon Tamrannoch, Gallery Tamrannoch

• 3:00pm SLT Horse race around Steelhead. Starts at 3 pm SLT, meet at west end of Town Square. Horse and rider combination only.

• 6:00 pm SLT Edward Lowell performs Live Music at Kokopelli Stage: Steelhead
  

* Monday, September 10 *

• 2:00 - 4:00 pm SLT Harvest Festival Tea: Steelhead City Gardens

• 6:00pm SLT - Scarecrow Building Contest Submission Deadline - Steelhead See rules at the bottom of this post.
  

• 7:00pm SLT - Loch Avie Lancers Parade and Review - Caledon. The parade route will wind through several of the Caledon sims, ending on Loch Avie, where the public may mingle with the Lancers and their Patron, Her Grace Eva Bellambi, Duchess Loch Avie upon conclusion of the review.
  

• 7:00pm SLT – Kelvinblue Oh Concert, Blues - Caledon Tamrannoch, Gallery Tamrannoch

* Tuesday, September 11 *

• All day - Treasure Hunt - Caledon Cay

• 6:00pm SLT - Story Telling at the Anvil - Caledon Tamrannoch

• 8:00pm SLT - Opening of the Caledon Races by Otenth Paderborn, Duke of Murdann & Caledon Sail & Steam Society. Caledon Murdann
  

• 8:30pm SLT - Tako Races, Firth of Caledon (from Caledon Murdann to Caledon Sound and back)
  

• 9:30pm SLT - Steamboat 3 Lap Races 'Caledon Cup'
  

* Wednesday, September 12 *

• 12:00pm SLT Naval Battles, Caledon Sound

• 7:00pm SLT - Butterfly Hunt (Jewelry Hunt) - Caledon Loch Avie

• 7:00pm SLT - Tako Races, Firth of Caledon (from Caledon Murdann to Caledon Sound and back)
  

• 8:00pm SLT -Steamboat 3 Lap Races 'Caledon Cup'
  

• 9:00pm SLT - Naval Battles, Caledon Sound
  

* Thursday, September 13 *

• 7:00pm – 9:00pm SLT - SeptemberFest Dance, music by Radio Riel, Gabrielle Riel - Caledon SteamSky City

* Friday, September 14 *

• 6:00pm - 7:00pm SLT Kissing Booth: come get in a liplock with the Fair Maidens and Dashing men of Steelhead. All proceeds go to Steelhead.

• Steelhead Dance 7-9 pm SLT, Kokopelli Stage. Wizard of Oz theme. DJ Fuzzball Ortega rocks the House. Steelhead
  

* Saturday, September 15 *

• 6:00AM – 8:00 AM SLT - Buggy Race - Caledon Murdann. The races will take place on an elevated track. A teleporter to the track will be on the dock. Any model of buggy, carriage, or wagon welcome.

• All Day - Highland Fling - Caledon Loch Avie

• Trebuchets available to fling your friends into the next sim.
• Loch Avie Academy of Arms practice green and free weapons open to all.
  
• Celtic Music playing all day

• 1:00pm - 2:00pm SLT - Caber Toss Contest. Join Professor Avalanche near the Loch Avie Public House and test your skills with the caber as you drink Uisge Beatha and enjoy the company of your friends.

• 5:00pm - 6:30pm SLT - The Loch Avie Academy of Arms invites you to the first Academy Arms Tournament. Eight contestants will vie for championship of the Harvest Festival Academy Arms Tournament. ALL are welcome to watch the warriors in the sand as the clashing steel of axes and Claymores rings through the air. The event will take place high over the Loch in the new Academy Arena. Sir Telemachus Dean will be referee of the event, and is accepting applications for entry into the contest. Please IM him with your interest. (Should there be more entries than we have time to host during this tournament, we will plan another tournament for the following week to accommodate the numbers.)
  

• 7:00pm – 10:30pm SLT - Ceilidh - Caledon Loch Avie. The formal ending of the Harvest Festival will be on Loch Avie with Celtic Music of all kinds provided by Lord Primbroke. Come join the musical celebration. Dance. Sing. Enjoy!
  

About our Events:

Scarecrow building contest:

RULES:

1. Must be your own design
2. 30 prim or less
3. No mega prims allowed
4. PG rating for idea

If you'd like to participate, please give a no mod/no copy scarecrow to Christine McAllister by Monday, September 10th. Scarecrows will be displayed in Steelhead and you can vote for your favorite scarecrow! Winner to be announced at the dance on Friday.

Pumpkin hunt:
Look for pumpkins containing treasures around Steelhead, ongoing all week.

Butterfly hunt:
The Loch will be filled with Butterflies by Random Calliope from 7pm SLT until they are all captured. More information about Mr. Calliope's work may be found here



More information including Landmarks may be found at every Caledon telehub, and in Steelhead locations as well.

See you all next week!!

Loch Avie Academy of Arms

Consider this the formal announcement from Loch Avie that the Academy of Arms is accepting new members. While anyone may obtain the weapons system designed by Tharikis Olafson for use in Loch Avie, membership will guarantee that one may train with Sir Telemachus or Sir Hotspur on the practice green in Loch Avie (by appointment or on first come basis) . Members of the group will also receive any announcements of new weapons, tournaments, training events, and the like prior to any general release of this information.

All are welcome to use the system in the Loch and the practice green as long as they follow the rules of civilised engagement in the sparing ring.

Please see some more detailed information in Hibernia on the Skids.

I have had the fortune to train with both Sir Tele and Sir Hotspur on the green and I believe that my skills are improving. I have also had the opportunity to spar with Miss Gustafson, Miss Laval, Mr. Szondi, Mr. Webb, and Mr. Goodliffe. Each of these experiences has increased my abilities with the very fine weapons system. My favorite is the large axe, followed by the Claymore (which is a beautiful weapon), and then the short sword and shield combination. I have yet to try my hand with the battle hammer.

This is proving to be an excellent exercise and fitness routine. Perhaps those corsets will be a bit less necessary in the near future. And it is also great good fun. I have found myself laying on the grass face down many times now. But I have also managed to send a few of my partners to the ground as well.

Here are a few pictures from my adventures:

Eva Bellambi, Warrior Duchess.

Instruction with Sir Telemachus

Plthbb. Choke. Grass is not your friend....but one can learn much if one chooses to get back up and fight again.

A WIN!! (the good teacher does not have to win every time in order to teach the skills)

Short sword and shield training with Sir Hotspur

Miss Gustafson battles an old friend of Sir Telemachus.

Mr. Goodliffe, Miss Laval, Sir Tele and I watch as Miss Gustafson battles the master fighter.

Colonel Somme arrives for his match.

Mr. Webb arrives for his lesson as well. Busy night on the Loch green.