Knights: Searching for a King
timeline
9 – 21/5/2022, Wales
Abroadship.org
Youth Exchange about social inclusion, using the method of outdoor and LARP
Creation of names
After a long journey we have arrived to a magical place between the green hills of Wales full of sheep and cows. The only thing missing here is a haunted castle in a distance with a dragon inside.
We woke up the next day to the gentle sound of raindrops falling on our tents. Time has come for seven knights from all corners of the old continent to come together and form a new house – Children of Hera, as wise as the animal companion of the goddess of Wisdom. Searching for a King is no easy task, so their first endeavor was to get enough ingredients and cooking utensils to survive the coming days.
The long awaited day has finally arrived, with the four main kingdoms of England coming together to each claim their land and clarify their ownership of crop fields and farm animals.
Some were afraid of a horrible bloodshed while others didn’t even manage to present, scared of what they would be confronted with.
The division however ended up happening with unprecedented calmness.
So, Dragonshire, the Elementary Kingdom, the Smilodon Tribe and the Children of Hera each, have now enough crops, supplies and land to survive.
Will this result in a peaceful, cooperative community or will it resort in a full-fledged war?
It’s still early to say my dears, but a simple observation by a simple bard would be that some kings seem less eager to share than others.
Let me tell you a story about today’s our glory. I came to a new town, where a queen was crown.
Because no food was left, our queen went on a quest. Other kingdoms we fought, so a feast we enjoyed. A fire we made, and the gods we served. We pursue food and glory, just follow our story…
Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits.
In the land of Cymru, where the dragons fly, there were four villages living peacefully. That all changed when the Mother of Dragons came. Her unborn child was stolen by someone. Or something. The villages squabbled and blamed the theft on others.
They could not put aside their differences but in the end were all made equal in the fire of the Mother’s wrath.
Meanwhile, in the land of Albion, seven Children of Hera set off to repeat the pilgrimage of sir Gawain. Their destination was the Green Chapel where they would meet their fate at the hands of the Green Knight. They expected the worst but together they conquered their fears and bravely accepted the killing blow. They did not even flinch and all they received was but a bloody scratch proving their courage. After all, all knights must bleed, for blood is the seal of their devotion.
Sometimes we have warm mornings, others cold. But today, we had a specially hot and dramatic beginning of the day. We had the opportunity to learn about hobbit, elfs, humans, and dwarfs. We saw them perish out of selfishness, stubbornness and ambitious, unable to unite their aims. The dragon burned them and so their story ended. But ours’ is just beginning. Today we dinner to the king’s Arthur table, when the Green knight came. Honorable knights as we are, we pursued its challenge and meet our destiny. After many quests, we bravely faced our fears and so, our lives were pardoned. Stay tuned for more, our days as knights of queen Ashliayas the Ashtonishing in wonderland have just begun!
Day 2 – Smilodon
12th of May
The first light of day enshrouded the mighty knights’ tents
Assuring they would indeed go about their daily jobs.
An unfamiliar sense,
Since Albyon carries a century old curse
never to feel the sun’s warm caress.
So, let me start this story by going back in time.
Sit back, open your eyes and ears, inhale the air and hold your tears.
Soothsayer Teiresias fastens two aspirins, this headache does not forgive.
Memories ignite like banners nailed to skeletal bodies.
My dear friends and brothers, I welcome you to the courtyard of Erebus.
Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves and Humans jumping in and out of reality
Diving deep into the fantasy realm
Jumping up and down the floor
Bargaining, lying, forming alliances…
All in search of the mindless thief who dared to to steal Mother Dragon’s egg.
What if the thief is nothing but a dream?
Buried in the center of the forest
Are two magicians who stole the light with spells.
The pain at the last hospitable edge of the moonlight walks stooped
like an age-old old man.
It’s greed my fellows, it is the luck of trust
That turns us one against the other.
No egg can be stolen,
No fight, no Dragon can be won,
Unless we come together, right now.
Kingdom of the Elementary Tent – Day 3
Today was market day! We buy, we ate and partied with the other kingdoms! All courts were formed and presented, among us might be the future king of Avalon. Who will it be? The drunken, the mad, the posh, or the fair? Some surprises await as not all members of the courts were happy with its choice as ruler. We’ll see where our future paths leads us…
Day 3 – Smilodon tribe
13th of May ( actually the last 24 hours so 12th and 13th of May)
I feel the need to step away from our fantasy world for now, since each one of us is firstly human and then a character of a witch, a fairy, a nymph, a dragon or an almighty king.
So, allow me to present those last 24 hours as your fellow human, within our special common experience.
Friday night was dedicated to reflexion, it was a bonding experience that felt freeing and safe, fulfilling our need for profound human connection via communicating our goals, visions and feelings with each other. It was valuable for us and we appreciate we were given that time.
It’s truly beautiful to see how close people come within a few days.
We stayed up late, laughing and playing games, completing each other’s imaginative and surreal stories.
The next morning was dedicated to a self-discovery session we experienced in pairs of two. It brought us closer to both ourselves and our partners. It’s essential to let go, be vulnerable and feel one’s feelings without suppression.
We have limited time on this earth for a reason.
Be present.
With each and every one of the people who stepped on the battlefield giving their heart and soul into defending their ground, it truly was a close match.
The alliance between Dragshire and Smilodon triumphed but it felt nothing like a won war, since due to unclear circumstances ( godsend message ) , the legendary brotherhood of the Children of Hera had their final battle.
To their honor, all tribes and the orphan survivors of the Children, who were welcomed into the other kingdoms, walked miles and miles to finally reach the breathtaking sight of the infinite ocean.
There, they laid wreaths in memory of the Children and said their final goodbye,
letting them be carried away by the motherly hug of the ocean’s waves.
Yesterday we were invaded. They call thenself “scouts”. But do not fear, the invader is leaving today at noon. At night all courts were assembled, for the most gracious ball of all. Not with any difficulty, some course have some problems controlling their own subjects… Not only referring to the drunk general of queen ashlysas the Ashtonishing but other in her realm…
Children of Hera – Day 4
Forming a new house is a rather complicated process. Today, Children of Hera displayed their talents for arts and crafts. Master of the Tailor guild chose a mix of spring grass green and blazing sun yellow as the color of the house and fashioned the finest attires for the evening ball. The court painter illustrated a new coat of arms – a great Fiery Owl, the ever present ally of Hera. The royal bard composed a balad praising the knights’ heroic deeds, that will be sang for generations. Finally, masters of the smithing trade forged the mightiest weapons of war, capable of slaying any horror of the night.
As the evening approaches, lights start to shine through the palace windows. Flowers, ribbons and candles decorate every corner. Gossip is starting to spread. How many courses will be served? Who will wear the best dress? Will one of the nobles truly bring his mistress instead of his wife? And what about that mysterious lady who charmed the prince and vanished before midnight, leaving behind only one slipper? Will she come this time? Come see for yourselves, all are welcome!
Smilodon tribe- Day 5
15th of May
Ladies, gentlemen and gentle them,
May the games begin!
(Actualy, give me a second to comment on last night’s unbeforeseen disaster….)
Unaynchronized anthems,
Awfully colored uniforms,
Last-minute preparations…
And let’s not even attempt commenting on the dances – we should keep the spirits down.
Just kidding!!!! You thought I was a hell of a bitch there for a second, didn’t you?
All tribes did their best, it was truly wonderful seeing each ones realization of a self-made culture.
Moving onto today, which was a day of intercultural cooperation.
All tribes had to come together
And compete in a seriea of physically and mentally demanding, dare I say
!!!!EXHAUSTING, TOTALLY AND UTTERLY DRAINING!!! activities, organized by their jesters.
More awaits, hang in there folks.
Children of Hera – Day 5
In the morning we witnessed a mighty clash between the houses. Elementary Tent fought valiantly in the Battle of Ribbons but in the end, they were crushed by the Children of Hera. However, luck was not on their side in the race of carriages and they were bested by the Smilodon Tribe. Afterwards, all the houses united to face the darkness consuming the Magical Forest.
After noon a mysterious madman speaking in riddles appeared at the gate. His twisted words lead brave heroes into a trap but thanks to their cunning and a pinch of luck they fought off a horde of goblins and claimed the spoils of their lair. After the bells struck at five, all the houses locked horns in a quest for the best gift for the soon to be wed Dragon Lord and Owl Lady.
Dear readers,
Interesting events happened are happening in all 4 kingdoms. Though each of them participated in the national
Games, there are rumours of war… weapons are being fabricated all across the land, and few have seen soldiers training in the field. As a prove, this writer provides to its readers with the picture of one of them.
Do not fear dear reader, no matter what happen we will continue with our updates
The vicious battle has reached its end and the blood can’t seem to wash off the brave fighters’ hands.
With each and every one of the people who stepped on the battlefield giving their heart and soul into defending their ground, it truly was a close match.
The alliance between Dragshire and Smilodon triumphed but it felt nothing like a won war, since due to unclear circumstances ( godsend message ) , the legendary brotherhood of the Children of Hera had their final battle.
To their honor, all tribes and the orphan survivors of the Children, who were welcomed into the other kingdoms, walked miles and miles to finally reach the breathtaking sight of the infinite ocean.
There, they laid wreaths in memory of the Children and said their final goodbye,
letting them be carried away by the motherly hug of the ocean’s waves.
A lost fragment from the Royal battle chronics
The night is here and we don’t care
We feel the fear in the air
With drinking beer and standing here
Because the night will bring us fight
And we will see who real the knights will be
Our blades is sharp enough to let out all your guts
We feel that iron and smell the ashes
Let’s enemies bones will smashes with our powerful Slashes
Because we are soldiers of queens Ashleyes
Long live the Queen and shall war begin
Aaaaaaaaaa
Children of Hera – The Last Day
Even now, centuries later, the Welsh Poppy covers the fields where the blood of Children of Hera was spilled. It is said one poppy blumes for every knight that has fallen in the tragic battle.
But what happened in the aftermath? The house of Hera crumbled. The Exiled King Patricus and his ever loyal brother seeked refuge in the Brotherhood of Sabrecat, where they awaited the day they would reclaim their lost heritage. The druidess found asylum at a farm of her betrothed in the Dragon Kingdom, taking with her the king’s younger sister. The youngest of the royal siblings was saved from the slaughter by a jester and a chambermaid and together they fled to monks from the Temple of the Elements. And although the house of Hera was buried in history, her children still remember their prevailing roots.
Albian
The land of Kings, Knights, Magic and Dragons.
The dark Medieval ages, then real suprime king was needed!
Four new kingdoms was raised.
Childrens of Hera, Smilodon, Draigshire and Elementary Tent.
They started as independent and confident kingdoms,
But later food supplies was started running out and they need to solution figure out.
The market was idea and 1st step to inclusion, because living separately its just an illusion.
Looks like everything was fine again, but then green knight step in and challenge them.
Challenge was accepted and fulfilled with bravery and honor, They proved that knights always ready for the fights.
Then the day was come and diplomacy didn’t help, the war was begun.
After the bloody battle one kingdom was foll, Those who survived was between The other kingdom’s divide.
People understood that no blood no fight just peace and light could help them survive.
To Albian lands and people unite, four glorious and festive weddings was made.
After all festivities was time to get to know who gonna be the real suprime.
After long debates and selections, King Gonzales the Great was elected.
Lithuanian team, Peace and prosper to everyone
