January - April 1997
Issue #2
The Round Table
The Official Newsletter for the
Kingdom of Avalon

Ó 1997,
Avalon Publishing, Kingdom of Avalon


FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
My humblest apologies for being so delinquent in getting this issue out. The newsletter
itself was done last month, but due to problems getting things printed we ran late. This
issue had to be updated before printing.

I’d like to thank all those people who contributed ideas and articles for this issue.
If you have anything to submit, be it questions, comments, character bios, commercials (ads)
or quips, please forward them to me by the first of each odd numbered month.
(i.e. January = 1, March = 3...) Barring holidays and natural disasters, I hope to have
each issue out mid-month.

Also, if anyone would like to submit artwork for the cover of the Round Table,
please make the art defined and in black and white. Then I can scan and digitize the art.
Computer files should be in .TIF format, 300 DPI.

Please forward all submissions to me personally (if you are hand-writing it, please
write clearly), E-mail to: sam@lek.net. Text files should be in .TXT or .DOC formats.


APRIL FOOLS’ ELECTION
Elections for Council will be held the night of Tuesday April 1, 1997.
If you want to place your name up for nomination, it is required that you have
ten (10) signatures of PAID members on a sheet of paper with your name and
position that you are running for. Get that sheet to Ed Ritty by Friday, February 28.
Positions for nomination are: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and PR Officer.


DAGORHIR RULES UPDATE
- With the light winter we have had this year, garb is to be worn at all Avalon events. Non-period clothing will not be tolerated at battles outside of winter clothing. This means NO JEANS or TENNIS SHOES. Garb is requested but not mandatory for practices.

Personas - Please make your personas more realistic. This includes costuming and role-playing whenever applicable. Character history should be plausible and relevant to the way your character would react on the field.


WEDDING BELLS
Adder and Terri have announced that they will be handfast sometime in 1997.
More details to follow. Congratulations to you both.


WEREWOLF ATTACK
As witnessed by Eldarin

As Avalon prepares for the Festival of Giving of Thanks in late No-remember,
dark clouds descended upon the Kingdom. Were-wolves from the descended upon the
good people of Avalon from the east, their beginnings unknown.
At first, the beasts were few in number, but quickly gained numbers by
attacking and converting good villagers. Champions rose to combat the foul plague,
but were eventually overtaken in the end. Despite their silvered weapons,
overwhelming numbers prevailed. As the black storm grew in strength, a number
of heroes emerged to combat the evil: a healer with the ability to cure the
lyncanthrophy, a warrior with a Gauntlet of Healing, a score of champions.
All were inevitably defeated.


At the moment of the fall of the Kingdom of Avalon, the werewolves
and the destruction was lifted. All became as it was before the attack.
Damage was suddenly undone and those who fell to the eternal sleep of death,
woke to see another day. Later, it was told the Muses that it was the doing
of a higher power. It seems that the attack was meant as a reminder:
That in this time of preparation for the Festival, all mortals should
remember to be thankful for even the small things that one might take for granted.


ALLIANCE BATTLE
The last battle of 1996 was held in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Avalon. A goodly number of warriors attended the challenge to match sword against sword in this new arena, while warriors of a different sort looked on. Small barricades littered the wooded battlefield, providing both cover and obstacles. Arrows sang through the air, seeking the hearts of their enemies, as swords crossed to litter the field with bodies of slain foes.


From this battle rose a new figure of authority as Lars was bequeathed the title of Sheriff of Avalon. His band of merry men were likewise elevated to the status of deputies of the Crown by King Orion.
 
About a score of Avalon warriors showed up to battle on what is part of a 40 acre paintball field. This looks to be a promising new battle site.


 
OGRES & GOBLINS & ORCS, OH MY!!!
New members of Avalon are hereby invited to take part in our next project: a pack of ogres, goblins, and orcs! This group will be created by the experience of Jerry, the previous Baron of Dangeld, Cheryl. the woman who created Clan Macgregor, and Grom, the leader of the pack, whose persona is nationally renown for the sheer awsomeness of his ability to make it work.

This type of persona is incredibly fun to role-play, and if you have a little imagination, it is one of the most ingenious. You don’t have to have brains - your character sure won’t! Plus, at feasts, whenever a Goblin is asked to pass the food, everyone knows to duck and find cover.

Anyone who is interested should get in touch with one of the people mentioned. If you don’t know us, just ask someone. We need to get a list of any people who are interested in looking into it! Hurry up or you may not get in!



A LETTER TO THE KINGDOM...

(as written by Cheryl)

Dear Avalonians,
The Clan Macgregor has been a cause of curiosity, unease, and even feelings of malice in the Kingdom of Avalon for many weeks. As a member of Dagorhir Avalon, I feel that I should tell you a little bit about my new persona, and why she and her followers wish to live in the Realm of Avalon, not the Kingdom of Avalon. Please keep in mind that although most newsletter entries are written in persona, this one is not. If you have not even thought twice about the new clan, read this anyway - It’s a cool story.


Before I begin the story, I need to clarify a few things so I don’t cause any new confusion. First of all, I have talked with Jerry (Connor Macgregor) about the history of Avalon in deciding where the Scots should live. He has assured me that Avalon, the land surrounded by mist, is a realm exempt from natural laws, like time and location. However, the key to that is the word REALM. Throughout the years, Avalon has been divided into branches and united as one. The main body of Avalon is governed by the crown of the Kingdom of Avalon, but that does not mean that in the outer corners of the realm, there aren’t separate groups. That is what the Macgregor Clan is, but I also want to assure you that when Avalon goes to fight, we will recognize it as being the entire realm, and the Macgregors will fight alongside the Kingdom of Avalon. Now that I’ve explained that part, let me tell you about us, so you can figure out why we do certain things, and can react to our actions with the knowledge required to do it confidently.


A BRIEF HISTORY OF CLAN MACGREGOR:
The Macgregors are descended from Gregory, who was heir to the throne of Scotland. When a law took that throne away from him, he and his descendants lost all their land and titles. For a long time they lived on the lands of allied Clans. However, they grew and became powerful, which enabled them to help a Scotsman of a brother Clan. Together, they conquered Perthshire and the surrounding lands (most of Scotland), and in return he gave them land of their own. This land had belonged to the Clan Campbell, and even though they had twice as much land as the Macgregors after they had been given that, they still did everything in their power to get that land back.

For over a hundred years, Clan Macgregor held this land by Right of the Sword, but eventually the Campbells, who were numerous and wealthy, gained political power. With this influence the Clan Campbell designed the destruction of several Clans. One that I know of was Clan Stewart, whose members were sent away on slave ships. (I asked a Stewart for help when researching Clan Macgregor and he told me that the Campbells did indeed do that.) The Campbells used their new allies and their old to gain control of the coveted Macgregor land. Then, they saw to it that a law was passed that said that clans no longer followed the laws of their laird (chief). Instead, they were to obey, or be punished by, the laird of the clan on whose land they lived. Since the Macgregors refused to submit, their laird was taken prisoner and executed at a great feast and celebration arranged by the Campbells (kinda like Braveheart!).


One of the things that we added, which is very believable according to the records, was a tragedy personal to our personas. My persona is Gwendolyn Macgregor, whose beautiful older sister was raped and murdered by a group of Campbells. When the Clan took vengeance on those who had done this, their homes were burned while they slept. Any who made it out were faced by the Campbell army, and many lives were lost. The clan was split into small, tattered groups who fled into the wilderness with whatever they could carry.


Eventually, Gwendolyn became laird. The rest of her family was dead, and the Clan was being hunted by nearly all of Scotland, because there was a price on their heads. This is what was happening when they entered Avalon. The guardian spirit of Avalon greeted them, and granted them sanctuary. The first battle where the Clan Macgregor appeared took place while they were searching for a new home. They were ready to be attacked by anyone, and had no reason to try and talk to anyone first, for they still thought they were in Scotland!


The reason that the Macgregors put such an angry challenge in the newsletter is simple. They have known war, and little else, for countless generations, and it was all due to the fact that they wanted land of their own. In the second battle, while we were told that we were fighting invaders on the land that we had just settled, the Avalonians were told the exact opposite by the herald!!! So, at the first opportunity, Rimmer took Gwendolyn prisoner, (thinking that she threatened the king), and told her that her land belonged to Orion. With adrenaline and Wode pumping through them, and considering their background, what the *heck* do you think they would have done? I think we role-played quite well.


Now that things have quieted down, and the Clan Macgregor has had time to figure out where they are, things are different. They do not believe that another war would be worth all the destruction that it would cause. However, make no mistake, they do not fear war. In fact, some of them fear peace, because they’ve never seen it, and it’s not something they know much about. War is. So, that explains all of that.


TO BE CONTINUED...


JERRY HARTUNG/BLACKSTREAK ON TRIAL
On January 21, 1997, a special meeting was called to put concerns regarding Jerry Hartung’s Heralding proficiency to rest. All attendees were asked to stand and support for or against arguments on whether Jerry’s Heralding proficiency should be taken away or not. Many members stood to have a one minute per person formal forum to argue their case. In the end, a vote was taken. Results were 27 to 13 for Jerry to keep his proficiency. If he had lost the vote, Jerry would have been stripped of Heralding for a period of one year.


It has been suggested to all members that, if you have a problem with Jerry or any other member, to take it up with that member instead of complaining about it to others or starting rumors. This is to prevent any other "witch hunts" in the future. The premise of Dagorhir is not only to have fun, but have fun safely.


CHARACTER BIO: DEVON MACGREGOR
This month’s Character Bio was submitted by Devon MacGregor, (Chris Johnson),
one of the Scotsmen presently making their way around Avalon.

A Knight in rust stained armor rides up to a dark, gloomy, decrepit castle; he looks up into the ever darkening sky. This knight see the moons in full glory lighting this place of pain. On the highest point of the castle looks out a woman ever lost for her love that never comes home. She knows he went to glory one night, but never sent any word of a win. Her man being of no great wealth or lineage; he gave her everything, his money, his surfs, his body, and most of all his love. She believes he is still out there traveling, winning fame, glory for, a name, and honor. "He is still out there; wishing to come home; hoping that one day he will see me again," is what she would think to her self ever minute of the day. Every second of the day she would dream she would her a horse gallop into the inner yard, but to no avail no one is to be found. She has never deserted the family she was born into or married. Suitors frequent the manor daily, but are never asked to stay latter than lunch. No social events have happened there since the night before he lord and lover left on his crusade. She lays dormant in wait for him, with no children of their own, gets antsy with every day.


Riding through the massive wood doors and have seeing such an impressive building the messenger was awestricken. He was only new to this class of people; being born in the midland valley of Scotland. the farm he grow up on was that of another and he never owned but the clothes on his back. War ravaged his former harm, killing his mother, father, and leaving him to care for his younger sister and brother, and he being only the age of sixteen had no idea of how raise them. After giving the two to a peaceful family that had no children of their own; He was asked by a legend, a warrior to carry a messaged to a far away land, to a castle where a womanly sight a waits news of her lord and lover.

As the messenger enters the gate a lady comes running into the yard. Upon seeing that it was only a boy a felling of despair settled over the manor; much like the true thunderstorm that moved in over the land. The moons were blocked from view, making the land that much darker. Night continued to fall as the messenger told the lady of the manor that her lord and lover was killed in battle, the letter written to this lovely lady said; in short:

"My lady your husband and lord is the greatest warrior
that my eyes have ever seen. He lead great men into battle;
and lead them even better than they fought. He defend his
name expertly, and with honor.


With this news I also would like you to take this youth
and train him I send him to you cause of the expert training
of your husband. I need you to do this for me cause his
people are in need of a great fighter. I thank you for the
time, and I am sorry at your loss." - Connor MacGregor

 
Though sadden with the loss the lady honored Connor’s request, and trained the young boy to the best of her land’s abilities. Thus began The training of the boy!


Spending the next five years her in this strange land, the boy was trained by the best and became the best. Though untalented at first the boy learned fast on what is honor, courage, patience, and love. The boy was trained by the very same man who trained the late lord of the castle. the trainer Olden being the lands trainer was old, in fact he was very old which seems to be the norm. in this strange land. Speaking of this land I will now explain it, or at least try. The name is Jasper Gambit, where is it I have really no idea. The land has its normal Shiites , grass, trees, animals, and humans, but one thing is different form Scotland there is no English. But back to the story. The boy grew in mind, body, sprit, and talent. He got to a point of where he was the most fear fighter from the castle of Krackhaven. He though was never allowed him to become a knight, because of him being born in a strange land.

The boy became home sick at the end of the five years, since he had learned all he could here, and he had defended his new home well the lady of the castle allowed him to travel back, but there was just one condition of his leave it was that of: He was obligated to this land, and when ever he was called he had to came with Godspeed to Krackhaven. So The boy left Jasper Gambit and headed home to Scotland. On the way home the boy meat up with a mage named Cjestyva who was in search of a new home. Together the two defeated many of kings, lords, knights, and armies. They traveled to many far away lands Ireland, Denmark, Germany, France, and Spain. The last place they were at was a place of wilderness, but in a clearing these two meet a shith named Eppy. Eppy was a few hundred year old wooden Elf. Not trusting him to much the boy still learned a great deal from this shith. The greatest thing Eppy showed the boy a place in a far off land where the people had slanted eyes, yellow skin, and talked in a strange tongue. There though they meet a man similar to the boy; in that he was pale of skin, and brown hair.

Upon leaving that strange land and Eppy, the mage took the boy back to Scotland his native land. There the boy meet again Connor MacGregor, and here it is tame to tell you the name of this young boy, he is Devon MacGregor of the clan MacGregor the warrior poet, and as the narrator I know a great deal about this man because I am Devon MacGregor. Upon returning to his home Devon found out that his clans name had been banned by the English, fearing death he and his clan traveled into the mist and arrived in Avalon.


PERSONALITIES OF AVALON
The following is a short list of prominent personalities roaming around the Kingdom of Avalon. By no means is this a complete list, just people I thought were worth mentioning. There are a number of Barons and Knights, for instance, that are not mentioned. For new members, there are a number of baronies that are available for you to join, although at this time there are three official baronies. A Battle Unit consists of 5 members in good standing. A Barony consists of at least 10 members in good standing. You can either wait to be recruited, ask around or remain unallied, start your own barony/unit or fight in a per battle basis as a mercenary.
Orion of the Hutt River - Current King of Avalon
Karnac - King’s Champion
Lars - Sheriff of Avalon



Q: Why did the Scotsman cross the road?
A: Because he was stuck to his sheep!
Anonymous


CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BATTLE PRACTICES

Starting Jan. 7, 1997, battle practices will resume every Tuesday nights from 7:00 p.m. to ??? meet in the Rock Room (Memorial, 2nd floor), the JAR Arena or the field across from the Gardner Student Center.


BATTLES - 3/9, 3/30, 4/13,4/27, 5/11, 5/25

Battle in Ellet, in Hyre Park across from Acme, starts at noon.


4/1, 5/6

Monthly Business Meetings


4/1

Council Elections - Members must be paid by the 3/30 battle
to be eligible to vote for new council members.

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