Archery Rivalry Fest

(Year 235, Spring) This weekend saw the xth Archery Rivalry Fest in Gibbi Point. This is the annual gathering where aristocracy dresses up in Medieval outfits, mingle and enjoy sme food and entertainments, and of course not the least; challenge each other for the Archery contest where the winner gets to own the medal for the coming year.

Traditionally 8 Houses participated, but this year the number of contending families was reduced to 6. The reason is simple; only teenagers can enter the Archery contest and the same teen can not sign up two years in a row. With 6 contenders it gets easier to find those 6 teenagers.

So, who will win, and not the least - who will shoot an apple of the head of the leading Lady of last year's winning House?

Before thew contest, members of the attending Houses had time to mingle and look around in the tiny Medieval Fair that was built up at Wanderwoods Forest in Gibbi Point.

Baron Tybald de Bellacorde had desided to stop by to chat with two of this year's contenders, Lady Ailis Fyres and Miss Rubigale Rossell. House de Capp did not enter in a long time as they had no teenagers.

At the Medieval Fair there are plenty of stands providing various crafted goods, but here you can also attend year round to practice your own crafting skills in woodworking, candle crafting, paiting, Archery and more.

Also Mr Ted Rossell with wife Meredith were observed chatting with Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie. Her dynasty, House of Ross, won last year's rivalry, meaning this year's winner will shoot an apple off the Duchess' head! She must be quite nervous!

Also Priest Ezais de Porportoza serving the Advorton parish attended to socialize a bit.

Then a drum could be heard, and HRM King Tarriot gave a toast to the Archery Rivalry Fest.

This means that the contest is about to start! And this year the Luxe-Hamper dynasty, our royal House, has a contendeer:

HRH Prince Bazil (22) looked more than ready to show off his Archery skills!

Unfortunately for Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie, none of this year's contenders are very skilled. Meaning, no matter who wins, the winner most likely never before shot an apple off from anyone's head...

Let's hope Ribra Lynn was not aware of that...

The contest is actually split in two teams, on the left is royalty and Houses holding one or more peerages. In other words the real nobility.

Above, we see the 3 contenders represnting nobility; Lady Ailis Fyres (19) from Windenburg, Prince Bazil (22) from Del Sol Valley, and Lord Kizzel de Gould (16) from Glimmerbrook, Ravenwood. Behind them sit their parents, Countess Moira von Dresden, Queen Venezia and King Tarriot, and Countess Elisabeth and Count Halfert de Ticktop.

The right side represents rest of Aristocracy, meaning Houses with no real peerage. 

From left to right we see Miss Rubigale Rossell (16) from StrangerVille with parents Mrs Meredith and Ted Rossell. Mr Cornelus Dougham (24) from Newcrest with parents Mrs Corinne Dougham and Prime Minister Charloman C. Dougham. And finally, Mr Janus Heighwood (19) from Ravenwood with father Mr Shiftold Heighwood.

Each contender will have a go with each of the two other contestants on their same side, and the one from each side with the highest score will meet in a finale!

Prince Bazil first lost to Lord Kizzel de Gould, but won over Lady Ailis Fyres. 

Then Lady Ailis Fyres won over Lord Kizzel de Gould. The final score of the left side was Prince Bazil 140 points, Lord Kizzel de Gould 140 p, and Lady Ailis Fyres 130 points. Bazil got the top score because he had the higher score from one of the single rounds. But who will Prince Bazil meet in the finale?

Miss Rubigale Rossell lost to Mr Cornelus Dougham, but then won over Mr Janus Heighwood. Mr Janus Heighwood also lost to Mr Cornelus Dougham. Ms Rubigale Rossell got it thanks to the higher single score in a round.

So, it's Prince Bazil vs Ms Rubigale Rossell for the finale!

And it means that their mothers should start worrying for next year's apple entertainmen!

If Prince Bazil wins, Queen Venezia will be seen with an apple on her head! It won't be the first time though, as the Luxe-Hamper dynasty won this contest back in Year 231. If Ms Rubigale Rossell wins today, her mother Mrs Meredith Rossell will help with the apple next year...

During the finale Baron Tybalt de Bellacorde desided to make an announcement!

He is aweare that this event is also a way to show off the houses' new grown ups, so he declared that he has now been a widower for long enough, and is looking to remarry! Not many of the attendees paid him any attention, though...

Because; this year's winner of the Archery Rivalry Fest is indeed Prince Bazil! Queen Venezia will need to prepare for her 2nd apple shooting!

Prince Bazil got the big medal that he can wear for one full year. Above he is posing with his parents, Queen Venezia and King Tarriot.

Then - Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie made courtesy for the Monarch.

Because Bazil is not skilled enough (the duchess can probably lower her shoulders...) the Head of House of Luxe-Hamper will perform  the apple shooting!

Now, did King Tarriot even see this coming? No, he did not. And did he practice? No.

And King Tarriot missed the apple!

Thanks Similius, the arrow did not hit anything else on its way, but nobody blamed the duchess for getting a bit upset by the drama!

There is no rule saying the shooter must actually hit the apple, but most of them do. So, this might harm the relation between King Tarriot and Duchess Ribra Lynn quite a bit. It doesn't help much claiming that it was just for fun.

Anyways, the event was a big success, and most of them had a great time.