Winter Watch's Guild Week Tournament

In accordance with the will of Her Majesty and in upholding the duties charged to me as Senior Chronicler, I hereby submit the account of Winter Watch’s Guild Week Tournament.  

Tiu’s evening saw denizens gather in the Outer Bailey’s Practice Hall to attend the Guild Week Tournament, hosted by the Winter Watch. The hall itself was decorated with sixteen banners along the walls, each representing a different guild or group.

Once everyone had settled in and final arrangements were made, Armsman Nazrin opened the event: “Welcome to the Guild Week Tourney. The Winter’s Watch would like to thank both ser Kobe as well as the Office of Heraldry for the opportunity to host such a meaningful and demonstration of both the prowess and gallantry of the participating guilds and groups.” He then went on to thank the Jewelers, the Treasury, His Royal Highness and the Chambers in their assistance with the prizes for the winners.

The first two groups to battle would be the Royal Army, heralded by Yeoman Kobe and the Einherjar, heralded by Huskarl Baenor. The yeoman spoke firstly of duties and training of the Army, especially with the spear. He then introduced Yeoman Ilyas to the floor. Huskarl Baenor spoke next, describing life in the Conclave, and presenting Karl Ameria as the one to represent them. The heralds stepped aside, and after considering each others’ weapons, the two combatants faced each other.

With a nod given by Armsman Nazrin, Yeoman Ilyas, armed with a spear and shield, and Karl Ameria, armed with an ax and shield, began their battle in earnest. Both yeoman and karl fought bravely, and it was a near match but the yeoman won in the end, to go on to the next round.

The next two provisional heralds invited up to speak were Huskarl Adayne for the Faith and sera Larysa for the Duelists. Sera Larysa introduced the Duelists and sera Mizuki in the form of rhyme. Her poem ended with the following lines:

“For when your Honor is on the line…
There is no better by your side.
And here to champion us today
Mizu-san has come to play.
But you needn’t take my words, so humble
Here she comes to make some trouble.”


Once it was Huskarl Adayne’s turn, she described ser Venture as ‘a devoted Seeker of the Faith, one of the most skilled swordsmen in the Outer” and that he was “a defender of Virtue a accomplished artist and a devoted servant of Lady-Dame Galatea.” She went on to detail the goals of Natura Balanus: “to strive to aid the Castle and its inhabitants in finding the Inner Balance.”  The participants inspected their weapons; ser Venture wielded a rapier while sera Mizuki wielded a rapier and a dagger. They then ceremoniously bowed and began their bout. The fight itself was a display of quick strikes employed by both combatants. In the end, sera Mizuki proved to be the winner of their contest.


The tournament was then paused, as Master Raulison wanted to make a special announcement. First, he told those gathered that the Office of the Treasury wished to extend their thanks to everyone for making the event a success. He then added that the Treasury wished to add an additional prize, a lightning marble treasure chest full of gold, as a sign of unity, comradery and victory.

After a time, Armsman Nazrin announced that The Awakeners’ did not have to fight during the first round, and invited the provisional heralds for the Watch and the Clothiers to step forward. Watchman Kvalhion was heralding for Watchwoman Kallistya, and this chronicler was heralding for sera Arlenia. This chronicler spent her time describing the roles of the Clothiers, before welcoming sera Arlenia to the floor. Watchman Kvalhion spoke of the work that the Watch does as well as Watchwoman Kallistya’s displays of skill, especially in recent moons. Once the introductions were finished, the representatives came to the center of the room to commence their fight.

Watchwoman Kallistya wielded her longsword deftly, using strong and precise strikes, while sera Arlenia’s rapier was more suited to moving quickly. Time passed quickly, and the match was close, though sera Arlenia managed to win.

With that, the first round of fighting came to an end. People chatted amongst themselves for a few ticks before the Armsman called the next guilds up: the Awakeners and the Army. Mistress Taite brought sera Khalea forward, speaking first concerning the guild; those who are often the first faces the newly awakened meet. She then mentioned that they would also be representing the Hairstylists, and that styling was both a way to relax and to express the individuality of the castle’s denizens. When it was time for Yeomen Kobe to speak, he highlighted that fate had chosen two yeomen to fight against one another, but since Yeoman Ilyas had both joined the army and been inducted the same time as he, his cheering would be for the Army’s champion. The two yeomen saluted each other, and then their fight commenced. Although Yeoman Ilyas fought bravely, it was Yeoman Khalea’s skills with two daggers that won the match.

Following this bout were the Duelists and Clothiers. This chronicler highlighted sera Arlenia’s talents with both sword and needle. Sera Larysa reintroduced sera Mizuki with another poem, cheering her on for victory. The two seras inspected each other’s blades, and with a ceremonial bow, commenced their exchange of blows. They were a well matched pair; but sera Mizuki achieved victory.

This last fight brought the second round to a close. The denizens chatted amongst themselves for a few ticks, including a discussion about the merits of tea and coffee. Armsman Nazrin brought attention to who would be fighting for the last match of the evening: The Awakeners and the Duelists. Sera Larysa had two final poems for those in the Practice Hall, one an invitation to see who would win the final round, and a haiku about tea’s superiority to coffee. Mistress Taite welcomed sera Khalea back to the center of the room with encouraging words. Once the last combatants were satisfied with each others’ weapons, their bout commenced. The fight itself was a very close match, as both the Yeoman and the Duelist were fast with their strikes. Ultimately, it came down to one final push from sera Mizuki, allowing her to succeed against Yeoman Khalea.

The Practice Hall was filled with cheering and applause, for the skill on display that evening. After a little while, Armsman Nazrin announced that this competition was also one for the provisional Heralds as well and, as such, the winner was chosen after the first round, as that was the only round where everyone had a chance to speak. The winner was then presented: sera Larysa, for the Duelists. Their prizes were not only the chest of gold and medallions that would be presented to them at the banquet closing Guild Week, but sera Mizuki also won a Champion’s manuscript. This last prize was given by His Highness and Chambers.

With that, the event came to a close, with denizens offering congratulations before going about their evenings.

Those in attendance to the tests of skill included: Sir Varick, Master Raulison, Mistresses Brighde, Auriela, and Taite, Lieutenant Kathris, Yeomen Kobe, Ilyas and Khalea, Armsman Nazrin, Watchmen Kallistya and Kvalhion, Huskarls Baenor and Adayne, Karls Aaniah and Ameria, ser Venture, seras Arlenia, Oydela, Larysa and Mizuki and this chronicler.

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This chronicle will be subject to changes and corrections. I humbly ask all readers to please indicate to me discreetly, any falsehoods I may have mistakenly communicated. It is by means of the conservation of the Past that we continue to serve Her Majesty and give substance to those that follow.  In service to Her Majesty Queen Vivienne, The Office of the Chronicler, and the Denizenry of Her Majesty's Realm.