Elanthian Vogue/Lumnea 5121 (Rumor Woods Supplement)
Editor: Rohese Bayvel-Timsh'l
Editor's Thoughts
The Elanthian Vogue team have ventured back into the Rumor Woods to bring you a first-hand glimpse at a few of the new wares available this year and, with two weeks of jousting tournaments, we thought it would also be a good opportunity to put a spotlight on chivalry and those who live by its code.
Jousting
Adventurers from all corners of Elanthia have gathered once more to take part in the festivities of Rumor Woods and pageantry of the Grand Tourney. This season's theme highlights the Lion and the Stag, and this is reflected in the motif of the grounds. Previous years have seen Serpent against Phoenix and Coney vying with Tortoise where jousting hopefuls, young and old, compete for bragging rights and titles if aligned with the winning faction.
We chose a particularly good day to settle in the viewing stands as the lists were busy. The sun was shining and the air was filled with the chatter of festival goers in the market behind. The trumpets blared as the knights were presented in glorious style to the gathered crowd. The heralds cried the pairings and soon the rhythmic thunder of hooves could be heard before the impact of lances was seen, quickly followed by the din of clashing metal and cheers for the prowess of well-placed strikes.
| Knights of the Daffodil Did you know that the daffodil has an association with chivalry? Before going to battle, an order of human knights gathered in a meadow filled with daffodils to swear an oath of chivalry and kindness towards their foes. They donned vibrant yellow daffodils as a sign of their mutual vow, and, when they did indeed win the battle, they refrained from all pillaging, looting, and raping. As word spread, the peasants began to bless the "Knights of the Daffodil," knowing that they would be treated gently. The order is long since gone, but the daffodil continues to represent respect and chivalry. |
Having its origins in the military tactics of heavy cavalry and with associations to the courtly ideals of chivalry, jousting has become popular, with many taking it up to showcase their courage, skills and talents. It is not a sport for the faint hearted as evidenced by the gouges and hoofprints marring the ground in both directions, along with the smatterings of blood and torn fabric in the sand and sawdust carpet. The scene is made all the livelier with squires dressed in green and red tabards running back and forth to exchange lances and the herald announcing points scored on each circle to even louder cheers.
"Fight for glory, but always with honor!"
For those wishing to make an impression, we suggest you pay a visit to The Knight Way, a series of open-walled merchant stalls selling a range of high-quality wares: from gauntlets and helms to customized surcoats and armor.
It is also advisable to choose the correct saddle for your mount – should you opt to ride your own horse. The Minstrel's style saddle available from Saddle Me Up is mid-weight with loose stirrups and utilizes a billet and buckle girth type system for saddling; perfect for jousting.
Those spectating might like to consider purchasing an appropriately emblazoned pennon or banner from Unfurling Battle to wave in support of your chosen faction. And for the less exuberant supporters, how about a lion or stag adorned handkerchief from Poiret & Company for attracting the attention of your favored competitor. Adding a touch of perfume may also help to mask any unwelcome aromas arising from the proximity of so many horses ... and people.
"Appreciate them all as testaments to our civilization's exquisitude" ~ Poiret
Lifestyle: Life in Service Part IV
"Chivalry! Why, maiden, she is the nurse of pure and high affection, the stay of the oppressed, the redresser of grievances, the curb of the power of the tyrant. Nobility were but an empty name without her, and liberty finds the best protection in her lance and her sword."
When anyone mentions honor and nobility, the Chivalric Order of the Azure Sun comes to mind and, in particular, Sir Bristenn Mires, its Standard Bearer and acting Steward-Adjudicator.
In Phoenatos 5116, Baron Dunrith Malwind announced at public court the inclusion of the Order of the Azure Sun into the Tomes of Immuron. This inclusion formally identified the Order as a knightly order and granted recognition by both the Barony of Vornavis and the Empire as a whole.
I was fortunate enough to catch Sir Bristenn during the Grand Tourney and he kindly agreed to speak with me on matters relating to chivalry and the Order. The viewing stands on the jousting field were crowded but we managed to find a space on one of the wooden benches that afforded us a good view out over the lists. We spent some time discussing the hopeful champions on their mounts and avoiding spilled ale from the passing tavern wenches.
Out of personal interest, I wanted to start by learning more about the man behind the banner so we chatted a little about his family.
"To be fair, I was born on the imperial frontier, outside of the empire's borders. This was within the Protectorate of Wehnimer's Landing- before it was declared a protectorate by fiat under the newly minted Northern Sentinel, Earl Eddric Jovery of North Hendor- on seventeen Phoenatos, fifty-eighty-four. My parents were Brennisen, known as Bren, and Fiona Mires."
A somewhat reserved and humble man, it took some pressing on my part to get him to share how he came to be knighted and, subsequently, Standard Bearer for the Order of Azure Sun.
"As it happens, by and large adoubements within the empire are an earlier affair, between eighteen and twenty summers. The northern baronies, however, always prove to be something of an exception to the rule, and I received my accolade somewhat later around the age of twenty-four. It is somewhat of a long story, but as a lad in my teens, and somewhat against my parents' wishes I struck out on my own and fancied myself an adventurer. Gifting me the family home on Cheridin Avenue, they withdrew from frontier life and resettled in the Freeport of Solhaven, where my father's trade was far less dangerous as he grew older and my mother found better work, somewhere around fifty-ninety-nine. That home, however, no longer stands- as it was destroyed in the onset of the Second War for the Sword. That said, how I came to receive my colée at the hand of Baron Dunrith Malwind in the spring of fifty-one-ten was after a hard decade and more of fighting in conflict after conflict, war after war, and yet surviving each catastrophe to eke out something of victory- it was after the Cataclysm, as it's known, where the Freeport of Solhaven was lost to us and then restored, that His Excellency recognized my deeds among so many others far more worthy. I believe to this day it had far less to do with what I had accomplished and more to do with what he believed I could. In his own words, at my adoubement, he said that though I was young and untried, neither are a crime so long as they are tempered with good judgment and acceptance of sound advice from my fellows. I have come to accept that what he meant was my true tests would be ahead- and he was not wrong. Shortly thereafter, these same fellows and I founded a new order of knights within Vornavis, the Order of the Azure Sun. Its arms were not of my design, as to be fair, I would have chosen something with a bit more teeth, but they serve to remind those who witness them that this is at its heart an imperial order. As time went on, I received the position of Standard Bearer, wherein I would oversee the teaching, guidance, training and development of our pages and squires, while hoisting our banner. It is of no coincidence that the position would be named such- bearing the standard being much the same as setting the example. Currently, however, I also hold the temporary position of Steward-Adjudicator, which would mean that until such the actual position of Adjudicator of the Order is filled, I am at the head of the order."
Clearly a man of honor, I was interested to learn more about what chivalry meant to him. Once the din of the latest charge on the list field had died down, I posed the question and was not disappointed by his response.
"That's quite the question. Sparing you the scholastic explanation of the code and the philosophy behind it, as well as a tangent about entailing virtues- the number of these, of course, is always up for debate, and there is no one single definitive number - what it truly means to me is doing what is right, regardless of the personal cost Which, to be fair, is a sentiment bandied about often enough, albeit in my opinion half-heartedly. To simply say "Coming from me, however, I can assure you it's true" is also scarcely enough evidence either- as part of the code is not simply saying the words, but acting them, and I feel my deeds speak for me in this regard. However, the code also instructs one not to speak of their own deeds but to instead praise another's."
It is pretty clear why this Knight is held in such high regard! Putting matters of honor and valor aside for a moment, my curiosity was piqued so I decided to return to more personal matters and asked him to share an insight into his daily life and pursuits; I was keen to learn about what motivated him.
"My days as a younger knight-errant, an adventuring and itinerant man-at-arms of Vornavis and the House of Malwind, are somewhat behind me. To be quite honest, much of my work day is spent in administrative duties regarding my order, managing its fortress, and tending to the land which Baron Dunrith Malwind granted us. Granted, I still make time and never neglect the profession that found me- so what time isn't spent under that curious responsibility is spent training and practicing the art of war, even if we in Vornavis find ourselves in something of peace these days. What motivates me, however, is as well a curious question- as again, my days as a gallant knight-errant have passed, and now, an imperial knight and leader of this order, I would have to say what motivates me is not only the trust and duty to my liegelord, but the order itself. Just as Baron Malwind cares for his knights, I too care for my pages, squires, and men-at-arms, and seek to always do my best for them and do right by them."
How does one frame a somewhat frivolous question about fashion to someone who clearly lives their life in service. Struggling to find a subtle way to broach the subject, I opted to simply ask if he had any interest in such things. This is an interview for Elanthian Vogue, after all! His answer was somewhat surprising and it merely solidified my impression that this man was not only gallant but a gentleman.
"Perhaps moreso as a younger man, again. I am far more comfortable in gamboised linen, leather and mail than silk, satin and cologne- though years ago I was accused of being quite the dapper dresser when my mail and aketon were left behind. I actually believe I participated in a fashion show once, yet I don't believe my leaning towards bold lines, solid block colors and a wasp-waist silhouette jacket cut were as appreciated. I would wager it was old fashioned compared to the more jaunty ensembles. There is at least however a fashion when it comes to imperial heraldic arms and armor, and I suppose this is actually a fine venue to talk of it. I for one favor surcoats over my mail- but in much of the southern empire, this is actually quite old fashioned and almost anachronistic. The style these days, as armoring has advanced enough for it, seems to be white or alwyte armor- that is, plate armor without facing, gilding, or cloth. The Order of the Azure Sun, as well, also follows this trend in how we present our arms- grey for the trainees, the pages and squires, but our sigil of the azure sunburst on white for our men-at-arms. We tend to use three different pieces, each serving that same purpose- the surcoat for mail, the tabard for plate, and the jupon for either. In fairness however, the practice of wearing one's arms as a surcoat or, regionally, a tabard is still something of a tradition in the northern baronies. Given our harsher climes and often enough wilder territories, the need to quickly replace or interchange pieces of one's armor outweighs the need for a more fashionable and more expensive suit of alwyte armor. Just as well, cyclas are also of that same anachronistic anti-fashion fashion, but simply more accomodating to the man-at-arms who finds himself fighting more on foot than on horse given their cut. Though, should one look closely, they'll often find each region has, despite the utilitarian nature of armor, acquired for themselves their own trends in regards to what is worn- just like the northern baronies and their woolen arms, or the heartland knights and their really rather stunning alwyte full harnesses of plates, you'll often find brigandines and jacks-of-plate in the eastern provinces, or glued or gamboised linens in the west, but what it all truly depends upon is what the fighting man or woman can afford versus what is available. Often enough, the more humble man-at-arms will take what works best in place of what looks best, as our armor is a means to our survival in such a profession."
With the current tournament drawing to a close for a few minutes, I reluctantly brought the interview to a close but resolved to make every effort to speak with him again soon. I am not ashamed to say that I may have developed quite a crush.
You see Sir Bristenn Mires the Knight of the Empire. He appears to be a Human from Honneland. He is alpine in stature and has a broad-shouldered slender frame. He appears to have come of age. He has brooding, haunted pale ice-grey eyes and fair, albeit battle-scarred skin. He has short-cropped, tousled salt-and-pepper cordovan hair revealed in a few artfully dishevelled tresses that escape from the leather-and-wool lining of a heavy steel mail coif, the rest concealed beneath the chainmail hood. He has a grim, stalwart visage accented by deep frown lines at the center of his brow. A deep scar mars his face, running across it from above his right eyebrow to under his left eye. He is holding a gleaming steel sugarloaf helm in his left hand. He is wearing a steel-banded hoarbeam knight's shield slung over his shoulder, a silver locket, a twice-belted azure wool surcoat emblazoned with an argent roaring lion's head over a leather-lined gleaming chain hauberk with an open-necked padded arming doublet underneath, a leather swordbelt, a steel-bound leather scabbard, some leather armor-backed gauntlets, some thickly padded suede breeches, a pair of hip-length leather riding boots, and a pair of golden spurs. Bound in sturdy, silvered steel shaped into a swan's wings that rise regally, the heater shield's boiled leather face is painted a bright azure. Proudly blazoned over the blue field is an argent roaring lion's head, the paint of its white face outlined in silver ink. At the crest of the shield's steel wings' tips is an embossed blazing sunburst. Fashioned of pure gold, the spurs are reinforced with a thin edge of golvern. A small sigil of a shield is stamped on the center of the spur.
Tinker Toys!
Take a piece of the Grand Tourney home with you! Stop by Zeitzing's wagon and pick up a memento to recreate the tournament at home. For just 500 raikhen, you could be the proud owner of a replica jouster worthy of competing in your own lists.
The white toy jouster is constructed from a multitude of molded metal parts that encase and protect the toy's inner workings of wheels, gears, and levers that can be seen at the joints. Detailed etching and skillfully applied paint portrays this particular toy jouster as a human jouster equipped with a lance and a shield mounted on a coal horse.
Be on the lookout for Zeitzing himself too; it is rumored that he can spruce up your toys.