Their Excellencies letter to the populace from The Quill July 2003

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Good Tidings and Salutations from Their Excellencies Rodrigo and Khadijah,

Last month we had the privilege of congratulating Their Stellar Excellencies on Their Victory in the Coronet Tournament and so it is with great pride that we also congratulate Their Royal Highnesses Alasdair MacFhearghuis and Guenievre du Dragon Vert on Their success in the Midrealm Crown Tournament. It is an incredible honor for Nordskogen to be home to both the heirs of the Principality and of the Kingdom. It is also a time for all of us to step up and help both sets of Royalty in the upcoming year. Now is when Nordskogen needs to pull together and we all need to contribute. How can I make a difference you ask? Can you sew? Can you spare a few hours at an event to attend? Can you make something that can be given in Royalty gift baskets? Can you illuminate a scroll? Whatever it is that you can do, please contact the chamberlain of Their Stellar Excellencies, Baroness Marwen at marwen@baroness.sca.org and of Their Royal Highnesses, Lady Lasairfhiona and volunteer. Lets show the Known World how well we take care of our own and help Their reigns to be as wonderful as can be.

Well we have made it through our period of officer changeovers. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to hold a position. Special thanks to Lady Caoilfhionn inghean Cheallaigh ui Mhordha and Lady Mathilde for their years of service as Chronicler and to Lord Will Douglas for stepping up as our new Chronicler. We look forward to many more clever Quill issues in the coming years.

It is now time to talk about the highly sought position of Baronial Executioner. As this position has had more volunteers than most events we feel the only proper way to select this role is to have a competition. We have decided to hold this competition at the September Folk Moot. The criteria for the competition will be the person who can put on a performance displaying themselves as the most fearsome. The individual must be a resident of Nordskogen and will be determined by applause.

We will be holding our Arts & Sciences Champion Competition at the July Folk Moot. Please bring your Arts & Sciences presentation along with documentation as to how it occurred in its historical time period. The Champion will be determined by the presentation that receives the most 'beans' from the populace. Any performance arts will need to be performed during court, so please contact our chamberlain, THL Giovanna to get onto our court schedule, remember that documentation is required for performance arts as well. Unfortunately our meeting site does not allow alcoholic beverages to be partaken of, so any brewers or vintners planning on entering a presentation will need to make certain their documentation explains the taste and process as no actual tasting will be allowed on site.

Guess what's occurring shortly after you receive this? Yes, you guessed it, Warriors and Warlords X! The largest event in the Principality! But it doesn't happen by itself. It requires all of us to give a little of our time and volunteer. We would like to see each and every person volunteer for at least two shifts if possible. You can sign up online for open shifts on the event web page. Why do it alone? Call up some friends and volunteer together. Especially think of those friends that are not from Nordskogen or Jararvellir so the entire Principality can contribute to the success of the event.

Friday night at WW will be a very busy night in the merchants area. We will be starting out the evening with the Warwick Concert. Next we will be having the Baronial Open House with presentations of a selected group of cooks, brewers, and vintners for the taste pleasures of all. In addition, the KEG (Kingdom Exploratory Group) will be donating KEG's of Beer and Root Beer to celebrate how far Northshield has come in the Kingdom process. Also, there will be a game of Viking Chess between Baron Adrien de Troyes and Baron Rodrigo de Montoya in which the success of each move will be determined by the combat of selected armored combatants representing each piece. And last but certainly not least, it will be Midnight Madness in the merchant area. Wow, what a night!

May sunshine always grace your face so shadow never will.

Rodrigo and Khadijah.