Fayre of the Greenskins 1105

This year's Fayre was held in the Greenskin (previously Algaian) lands near Lonesome Pine. A wonderfully sunny, though oppressively hot, glade had been selected for the main camp, a short distance from the glade where the Imperial staff were with the Draken.

Unfortunately it turned out that although we'd been invited by the Draken we hadn't been invited by Emperor Heyami so we, like all the mercenaries and independents, were considered to be something between gatecrashers and trespassers. To further expand our problems the Empire considers mercenaries to be totally without honour, possibly due to having had problems with mercenaries turning to banditry in the past. Our discussions with them throughout the weekend showed that they had never had, or needed, a sophisticated mercenary culture due to their warrior caste system. For quite a while mercenaries were forbidden from carrying weapons outside our own little camp (in the middle where everyone could keep an eye on us) though later on this was relaxed - though only after factions spoke up for us, and we agreed to help the imperial forces in case of trouble in the camp.

The Vipers were without King Harriata, this was possibly due to injuries received at Devastation in Norsca. Matron Mother Alurethi was in control of the camp in the King's absence. At least once they were attacked by what were apparently Nything cultists.

The Algaians seemed to be having a lot of internal problems. One of the results of Lady Squirrel's banishment being the Silveroak group moving away from the camp of the Algaian host to be with her.

The Wolves seemed strangely subdued after their losses at Devastation, though this could have been a combination of the effects of the heat, which must have come as something of a shock for the Norscans, and the rumoured assassination of Princess Anima of the White Wolves.

The Fir Cruthen camp was much smaller than usual but they seemed to have bounced back from their losses at Devastation in that special way they have.

There were many games to compete in and even the mercenaries were permitted, and encouraged, to enter. The competition was intense with many entrants for every competition. Captain Marshall of the Black Company won the Perfect Bushi (warrior) competition which almost lead to more problems with the Emperor, but eventually the prize was accepted by 'Captain Marshall of the Algaia'.

A delivery of food was made to nomads nearby, apparently they've had problems with their crops recently.

On the second night the Draken held a Ceremony of Lanterns, a time celebrate the lives of the fallen and a last chance to speak to those that had fallen recently. It was a very moving ceremony despite its formality and gave many of us a chance to reflect on those that fell in the fighting against the Blood queen. To some the similarities between the ceremony and the Fir Cruthen festival of Samhain seemed very strong. The ceremony was followed by refreshments and a chance to relax together.

There were a few small attacks by the Swarm after the Emperor declared war on them. The Swarm also placed bounties on the heads of Knox and Lix of the Jhereg.

An attack on Donald of the College was a definite case of bandits picking on the wrong target in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We left the camp after the Emperor's most excellent closing ceremony with the Silveroak, escorted by Imperial troops to the edge of their lands.

Fayre 1105 Piccies

There's only a few photos and no map of the camp so far but there's also three panoramas


Sheltering from the Sun	Many sports and Competitions	Lions v Vipers in the 8 x 8 contest

Training them Young	Imperial Tent	Imperial Fool

There's always one that has to be different	Some of the Imperial Court	Perfect Bushi presntation