Al-Barran Midwinter AS LX (2025): Difference between revisions
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== War Practice == | == War Practice == | ||
Sunday’s activities at the Menaul School were dedicated to martial exercises in preparation for War of the Phoenix and Gulf Wars. Several heavy fighting scenarios were rehearsed including bridge battles, barrier battles, and field battles. Rapier fighters also rehearsed melee scenarios. | Sunday’s activities at the Menaul School were dedicated to martial exercises in preparation for War of the Phoenix and Gulf Wars. Several heavy fighting scenarios were rehearsed including bridge battles, barrier battles, and field battles. Rapier fighters also rehearsed melee scenarios. | ||
A small court was held. | |||
== Feast == | == Feast == | ||
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!Group Spoken For | !Group Spoken For | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[ | |[[Brennan MacDuffie]] | ||
|[[Order of Chivalry]] | |[[Order of Chivalry]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 312: | Line 314: | ||
|[[Slaine inghean Ui Sheanain]] | |[[Slaine inghean Ui Sheanain]] | ||
|Royal Peers | |Royal Peers | ||
|- | |||
|[[Catrina Fraser]] | |||
|Populace | |||
|} | |} | ||
== Belting Ceremonies == | === Belting Ceremonies === | ||
At least three peers and their students performed belting ceremonies at al-Barran Midwinter. | At least three peers and their students performed belting ceremonies at al-Barran Midwinter. | ||
=== Karma & Annie === | |||
[[Morgana Quarry|Karma Tinzin Khandro]] announced on December 15, 2025 that she would be taking [[Annie (of al-Barran)]] as her protégé and scout. | |||
While originally planned for the midday feast, the belting ceremony was rescheduled to follow closing court during evening feast. The ceremony was held in the court hall. Mistress Karma read the ceremony, including several oaths which Annie agreed to. Annie was given a yellow belt, the symbol of a protégé to the Order of the Pelican. On its end, the belt had a painted depiction of a bee, Mistress Karma's personal symbol for community, hard work, and prosperity. To symbolize her becoming a scout, Mistress Karma also gave Annie a red glove. The glove also had an image of a bee. | |||
=== Tariq, Elieth & Elusaid === | |||
During the brief recess inbetween Mordygan & Ymanie's elevation and Mikhail's elevation, Tariq ibn Yusuf ibn & Elieth Salazar held a brief ceremony in the feasting hall to commemorate the belting of their own student, [[Ealusaid of Ardrenk]]. Despite residing in Atenveldt, Tariq and Elieth often spend time in the Outlands and were the former Baronage of the [[Barony of Citadel of the Southern Pass]]. | |||
=== John & Iohann === | |||
After closing court, [[John Wryght]] took on [[Iohann von Isenberg]] as a squire. The ceremony took place directly outside of the court hall. | |||
Revision as of 18:05, 23 December 2025
 Feast Hall | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 20–21, 2025 |
| Location | Barony of al-Barran (Albuquerque, NM) |
| Event Steward | Rowland de Grey of Lincolnshire |
| Event type | Midwinter Feast / War Practice |
| Baroness | Adrianna de Tarente |
Overview
The al-Barran Midwinter & War Practice was held on December 20–21, AS LX (2025) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event celebrated Medieval Germanic Yuletide traditions, including the burning of a Yule log and the Ceremony of Lights, followed by a day of heavy combat preparation for the upcoming 2026 war season.
The event was hosted under the reign of King Simon and Queen Aria, with the Saturday festivities held at the Ballut Abyad Shrine Center and Sunday’s War Practice at the Menaul School.
Activities and Points of Interest
The site token for the event was a simple wooden token attached to a piece of cord. Attendees were encouraged to decorate their site token with paint markers made available at the event and add their token to a tree in the feast hall as an ornament.
Key activities included:
- Horse Pinata: A multi-colored horse pinata measuring close to 12' tall was placed in the parking lot.
- The Yule Tree: Populace members are invited to trim the tree with symbols of life and hope, including hand-painted ornaments from the A&S station.
- Court Dancing: Hosted by Mistress Catriona nic Aoidh in the late afternoon.
Arts and Sciences
The Arts and Sciences area, located in the Fez Club, featured several drop-in workshops and structured classes:
- Scribal Workshop: Skill-building and instructional feedback.
- Fiber Arts Playground: An open space for spinning, weaving, and embroidery.
- History of Printed Textiles: A presentation and hands-on block printing workshop using Speedball inks.
- Heraldic Consultations: Hosted by Master Aethelwulf.
- Roman Makeup: A workshop and demonstration with Lady Aurelia.
War Practice
Sunday’s activities at the Menaul School were dedicated to martial exercises in preparation for War of the Phoenix and Gulf Wars. Several heavy fighting scenarios were rehearsed including bridge battles, barrier battles, and field battles. Rapier fighters also rehearsed melee scenarios.
A small court was held.
Feast
The Midwinter Feast was served family-style with a focus on traditional German cuisine, overseen by the Baronial culinary team.
Midday Repast:
- Beef or elk goulash
- Vegetable lentil soup
- Leek onion peasant soup with fresh bread
Evening Menu:
- Soup: Spargelcremesuppe (cream of white asparagus) or onion leek peasant soup
- Main: Pork schnitzel with Jaeger mushroom sauce or potato and onion latkes (VG/GF)
- Sides: Spaetzle with butter, Gurkensalat (cucumber dill), Rothkohlsalat (pickled red cabbage), and steamed broccoli
- Dessert: Apple strudel with warm custard or gluten-free apfelkuchen
Court and Recognitions
During the Saturday and Sunday courts, Their Majesties recognized numerous gentles for their service, skill, and contributions to the Kingdom.
The following awards and honors were given over the course of the event:
Elevations
A significant portion of the event was dedicated to peerage elevations.
Sir Lycus of Stag's Pass
Sir Lycus was first offered elevation to the Order of Chivalry at al-Barran champions on August 30, 2025.
At al-Barran Midwinter, Lycus was the first elevation of the day in a session held following the recess of morning court. Lycus was heralded in by Ilo de Faux. Amongst his retinue, one person carried a belt resembling a WWE champion's belt, baring the inscription "Barbeque Champion of the Known World." Before hearing from selected peers, Lycus was released from service by Falnorr Lakemeir.
| Representative | Group Spoken For |
|---|---|
| Faris al-Muwallad | Order of Chivalry |
| Matthias Alexander Casca | Order of the Laurel |
| Mariana Vivia de Santiago | Order of the Pelican |
| Nerissa Della Badessa | Order of Defense |
| Karma Tinzin Khandro & Callum of Skye | Order of the Mark |
| Darius of Jaxartes | Royal Peers |
| Duke Xerxes of Calontir | Additional testament |
Jaxx's testament was notable in that he concealed himself within the crowd before being called upon to speak and was wearing a silver colored mask to hide his identity. It was only when called upon that he approached and revealed his identity.
Lycus's spurs were the work of Zachariah and Adrien. Béla Kós presented Lycus's sword. The sword was originally gifted to Jarl Leif Ivarson. It was then passed on to Fionnghuala O'Rion who passed it to Falnorr Lakemeir. Near the conclusion of his elevation, Lycus elected to participate in the buffet ritual. Lycus's scroll resembles an amphora and is inscribed with the scroll text. It is the work of Dragoslava Ikonnikova.
Master Batu Mongo
Batu Mongo was first offered elevation to the Order of the Pelican at the Outlands University Collegium on September 20, 2025.
Batu's elevation ceremony was the second of the day, following a brief recess after Lycus's elevation. It was unique in that it was framed as a trial. Batu was led in wearing handcuffs and a rough, plain brown tunic. Nicolae Rares heralded him in, reciting his many service contributions in a manner deliberately styled as criminal charges. After each, Baqu would refute these claims, reframing them in a positive manner. Immediately following Batu and Nicolae in the procession was an individual in a black executioners hood.
| Representative | Group Spoken For |
|---|---|
| Brennan MacDuffie | Order of Chivalry |
| Auria the Innocent of St. Golias | Order of the Laurel |
| Æðeluulf munuc | Order of the Pelican |
| Siegfried Stern | Order of Defense |
| Karma Tinzin Khandro | Order of the Mark |
| Zachariah de Kane | Royal Peers |
| Maria Theresa Sanchez Garcia | Populace |
Following the peer testimonials, Roi Simon and Reine Aria announced that they would be elevating Batu rather than executing him. It was also declared that Batu was deserving of clothes befitting a peer rather than prisoner's rags. At this prompting, Æðeluulf munuc and Auria of St. Golias stepped forward and ripped the brown tunic off of Batu, revealing a brocade robe underneath. The robe was the work of Auria of St. Golias.
Batu chose to swear his peer oath upon lightning and his fealty upon Thunderhead, likely an homage to his role as Kingdom Historian-a role he originated. During his ceremony, he was presented with a cap of maintenance made by Uighur-un Buqu. He was also presented with a coat made by Hette (of al-Barran). At his vigil and throughout the event, Batu also wore a prayer shirt made by Khadijah bint Zamir.
His scroll is a work in progress.
Master Edric Capellarius
Edric Capellarius was first offered elevation to the Order of the Pelican at the Outlands University Collegium on September 20, 2025.
Edric's elevation followed Batu's after a brief recess. He was heralded in by Phaidra of Phaestos who gave a speech deliberately styled after the opening narration of Disney’s Robin Hood. Cecilia Mowebray accompanied the speech on ukulele, using the same chords from the film. Edric was escorted into court, followed by members of his procession who placed a wooden trunk, an abacus, and a display cushion bearing his Baron of the Court coronet behind him.
He was released from service by Tana à l'Esprit Fort.
| Representative | Group Spoken For |
|---|---|
| Raymond the Quiet | Order of Chivalry |
| Tana à l'Esprit Fort | Order of the Laurel |
| Y Port Lairge and Melodia Shaw | Order of the Pelican |
| Siegfried Stern | Order of Defense |
| Karma Tinzin Khandro | Order of the Mark |
| Cecilia Mowebray | Royal Peers |
| Asfirdr Riksdottir | Populace |
Master Edric's medallion was specially cast by Domin d’Alsace. His scroll was the work of Ymanya Murray.
Master Mordygan Mac Gregor and Mistress Ymanie the Midwife
Mordygan Mac Gregor and Ymanie the Midwife were first offered elevation at the Outlands University Collegium on September 20, 2025. Their Bronze Age themed elevation was held the night before in their home. To conclude their vigil they shaved their heads.
As a married couple offered elevation simultaneously, they also elected to have a shared elevation. Their ceremony followed Master Edric's after a brief recess. The elevation began with a series of boasts by Simon, Aria, Hrothger, Ingriðr, Cecilia, and Iohann. Following each boast, the speaker would take a sip from the Warlord Drinking Horn. They were then heralded in by Nerienda of Elmet.
| Representative | Group Spoken For |
|---|---|
| Zachariah de Kane | Order of Chivalry |
| Matilda de Seton | Order of the Laurel |
| Mariana Vivia de Santiago | Order of the Pelican |
| Jorundr Sylfuson | Order of Defense |
| Callum of Skye | Order of the Mark |
| Sabiha al-Zarqa | Royal Peers |
After the testimonies from selected peers, Mordygan and Ymanie were presented mantles and laurel wreaths. They created the mantles for each other and the wreaths were created by Mordygan.
Their scrolls were the work of Nerienda of Elmet and took the form of matching three-legged stools.
Master Mikhail Luchnyk
It is currently unknown when Mikhail Luchnyk was offered elevation to the Order of the Mark.
His elevation was the last of the day, taking place after a somewhat longer recess. He was heralded into court by Thomas Winterbourne de Kent. While both Mistress Karma and Baroness Eórann elected for bow arches at their elevations, Mikhail instead processed in through an arch of arrows.
| Representative | Group Spoken For |
|---|---|
| Brennan MacDuffie | Order of Chivalry |
| Sabiha al-Zarqa | Order of the Laurel |
| Ayse al-Rumiyya | Order of the Pelican |
| Otto Schwarz Herz | Order of Defense |
| [Name] | Order of the Mark |
| Slaine inghean Ui Sheanain | Royal Peers |
| Catrina Fraser | Populace |
Belting Ceremonies
At least three peers and their students performed belting ceremonies at al-Barran Midwinter.
Karma & Annie
Karma Tinzin Khandro announced on December 15, 2025 that she would be taking Annie (of al-Barran) as her protégé and scout.
While originally planned for the midday feast, the belting ceremony was rescheduled to follow closing court during evening feast. The ceremony was held in the court hall. Mistress Karma read the ceremony, including several oaths which Annie agreed to. Annie was given a yellow belt, the symbol of a protégé to the Order of the Pelican. On its end, the belt had a painted depiction of a bee, Mistress Karma's personal symbol for community, hard work, and prosperity. To symbolize her becoming a scout, Mistress Karma also gave Annie a red glove. The glove also had an image of a bee.
Tariq, Elieth & Elusaid
During the brief recess inbetween Mordygan & Ymanie's elevation and Mikhail's elevation, Tariq ibn Yusuf ibn & Elieth Salazar held a brief ceremony in the feasting hall to commemorate the belting of their own student, Ealusaid of Ardrenk. Despite residing in Atenveldt, Tariq and Elieth often spend time in the Outlands and were the former Baronage of the Barony of Citadel of the Southern Pass.
John & Iohann
After closing court, John Wryght took on Iohann von Isenberg as a squire. The ceremony took place directly outside of the court hall.