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Sleeping Assignments The day camp is no longer in. Arrival/ability to be on site returns to normal. You can arrive beginning at 12pm on Friday. Locations previously off limits because of the day camp have also returned to normal.  With Ren Faire starting the week after the event, we will once again need a crew to assist with moving things around the site. This will be rewarded with extra build/service as well as camp clean up.  With Ren faire next week, Goose and Marybeth will be hard at work with prep for that, so there will be no food service this month.  For this event, we are trying something new - CVC Decompression Zones, where you can remain in-game but take a breather from aggressive CVC roleplay. If you happen to see someone there that you want to fight (verbally or physically), please do them the courtesy of avoiding them until they leave that immediate area. Remaining in these areas to avoid consequences (versus to take some time to chill without fully going OOG) is bad sportsmanship and if abused will be punished. These two areas will be the smoker’s porch  and the back porch of the kitchen . We’ll temperature check how this goes to see if we want to instate something like this (whether these areas or others) long-term. (As always, you can step out of game in OOG zones like the kitchen/drink room, bathrooms, parking lot, leave camp or sit quietly in white headband in your sleeping area if you need to decompress OOG. Starbucks is also an OOG decomp zone, especially if you bring Alice back a PSL.) Check in Friday begins at 6pm. Friday Lay on is at 10pm. Lay off is Sunday at 2pm. To help us get cleaned up after game is over in a timely manner, if you are staying either upstairs of the Inn  or in the AG , your belongings must be fully packed up by noon Sunday. This doesn’t mean your things need to be removed from the space, but they should be packed and ready to go! Please continue to respect the shiny new Inn floor. Parking at Logistics At this time, the only people authorized to park in the area behind or next to logistics are with direct permission from the Director, or the Officers, Safety Lead, Weekend Event Runner, and Exalted Team. Anyone else cannot  leave their cars parked in that area. Please do not park in front of the door/garage door to the area under the barn, or you will be parked in. Early Camp Cleanup If you are leaving early (before lay off) and need cleanup assignments, please see the Logistics Marshals. They will be able to assign you tasks to complete. Please do not see them for early cleanup if you will still be on camp at lay-off on Sunday at 2pm, and instead come to lay-off to get your assignment. Community Announcements New player Training will be held at 7:30 PM Friday night under the white tent outside the Inn. First event players are required to attend. Should you miss this scheduled training, please find a community manager to give you your own. Saturdays around 10:30am are usually best for make-ups. Your character card needs to be signed off to prove you attended. Important safety tools for the game are gone over at this time. Should you want a more in depth training about certain mechanics like combat, death, crafting, etc., you are welcome to stay longer. The mandatory part of training should only be 20 or so minutes. We ask all other players to please stay clear of new player training as multiple people makes for more distractions and will cause training to go longer. Reminder that if you are engaging in CvC to please utilize the "Ok check-in system!" Safety tools are for anyone and everyone. Even if you think the other person is okay, it doesn't hurt to just flash the sign. There will be a new player tour mod at 11am Saturday. This mod is optional but encouraged. There will be combat spec'd to your level, loot, and an in game tour of the proper. This is also a good way to get more comfortable with fighting/combat in general. Ask questions if you have them! Below are helpful links for new and old players alike! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AGnNK4tXme0f195dipefnS0X-_EzIUd3gvPRGxgLXIE/edit?usp=drivesdk https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tq47jOfEk_MRzuasNNgDHG_tx_ZXkasazziFv6qPQr4/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.yawm5ozd75h https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FQwj_9lmbsXM8ttLB1uFh5mxc8ezBD3dX8ftNINrdFw/edit?tab=t.0 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1afVYFlqHgRlGuFzSZsUGTvL92KBcSAaCDFq0BDF66Rc/edit?tab=t.0 https://docs.google.com/document/d/10XB4uAkuAT1k1BgT6NqE2qic1irG4yFqejIEn0M7KQA/edit?tab=t.0 Safety Announcements It is going to get quite chilly this weekend at night, please pack and dress accordingly. Remember it’s possible to get hypothermia sub 50 degrees, especially if you’re sweating and improperly dressed. It may get below these temps.  Despite the forecasted cooler weather players should be doing their best to keep fed and hydrated, not doing so increases bad health outcomes across the board.  Safety will continue to monitor for improper fighting and aggressive strikes, remember to do your best and pull your swings especially with the colder temps.  The on call list will be posted on the marshal discord and logistics. Atmosphere Announcements Crystal (plays Kestrel), one of our stage combat trained players, will be teaching a workshop on roleplaying injuries. Look for her by the inn/market tent at 9pm on Friday. Reminders from the Atmosphere Team this month! Please stay in character. If for some reason you need to go out of game, please do so away from other players as to not impact their immersion and gameplay. Please do not interrupt a scene for an OOG comment unless it is absolutely necessary.  Roleplay your combat and sell your blows. It makes combat more fun for everyone Please do not openly use your phone. We get that there are times when you may need to check the time or check a rule, but please try to do these checks with your phone under a table or away from other players. Please be mindful of your trash and OOG food containers. If they are left out, they will be thrown out/moved to the drink area of the kitchen. Exalted Announcements Players may not longer utilize skills to unlearn Exalted Opening and Legendary passive skills, and must reach out to the Exalted Team before attempting to unlearn one of these skills as additional steps may need to be taken first. Unlearning an Exalted class now carries a cumulative 6 month timer before you may learn a new class. IE if you unlearn an Exalted Class for the second time, you may not learn a new one in it's place for 12 months. These details can be found in the General Exalted Mechanics. Descriptions, achievements, and other mentions to the Weave, the Crucible, and Visigalis will be updated in the coming months alongside the story being run about these topics. If you have any questions about how the changes effect your class roleplay, feel free to reach out to the Exalted Team after the event. Photography Announcements Eve will be doing player portraits starting at 9:30 pm until opening announcements! Find them at the Dragon's Claw Inn. If you have any limitation on your photo being taken, please let the photographers know! We ask that you reach out to a photographer at game (ideally when the photographer is OOG/taking photos) so we can get to know you and discuss your limits (eg. no photos at all, only when a certain character, etc.). You can also reach out to us through this form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1oem4Ok2pLGxrpPx0UPDCuHtbKR-ZOBcZNryK4d6R4sw_5A/viewform?usp=dialog

https://forms.gle/Nh5DXxVx6EkzJFoy6 Fill out this form if you are planning to attend the upcoming Knight Realms event, running August 29-31. Even if you aren't sleeping on site, having an RSVP count is always helpful for us!

Thelen Venn climbed the worn stone steps to his study, his travel clothes torn and stained from his ordeal, while across Crownhurst's cobbled streets, Dr. Hallowet descended into his alchemical sanctum beneath the Guild Hall, both learned men moving like wraiths through the flickering torchlight, their souls as battered as their bodies. The weight of their deeds hung between them heavier than any enchantment. No shared chalice of wine in the Scholar's Quarter tonight, only the hollow need to retreat into solitude and grapple with the loss of Amaris…..Ertex felt the profound weight of transformation in their essence, knowing they bore within them not just the scars of battle but also the warmth of shared meals in taverns, the trust born of watching each other's backs against impossible odds, and the melancholy wisdom that the creator's perfect city, while still cherished, could no longer contain the vastness of the soul they had discovered in the wider world. The familiar hum of the city's heartbeat seemed somehow quieter now, a gentle lullaby for the weary traveler who had learned that home was not just a place of making, but a feeling carried in the bonds between kindred spirits….. Four elven souls stood at the threshold of the Tower of Echoes, their forms once again the noble spirits they had been before magic twisted them into fearsome creatures. Encarion's eyes, no longer burning with verdant light, met those of his ancient companions Lescara’s gentle features restored from the grotesque mask that had hidden their true self; Arvaelor, his proud bearing returned; and Breneth, whole again, the madness that had fractured his mind for so long finally healed. They moved toward each other with the slow wonder of those awakening from a nightmare, their embrace a moment of pure recognition and forgiveness, souls touching souls without the barrier of corrupted flesh. As one, they turned toward the Tower of Echoes, its ancient stones humming with promise, and walked through its welcoming archway, their footsteps echoing not with the hollow sound of the damned, but with the gentle music of spirits coming home…. The forest breathed around her like a living cathedral, ancient oaks stretching their gnarled arms toward a canopy that filtered sunlight into dancing patterns of gold and green. The dryad moved through this sacred space with uncertain steps, her bare feet finding familiar purchase on moss-covered stones and fallen leaves that crumbled to fertile earth beneath her touch. Yet nothing felt quite real, not the whisper of wind through silver birch, not the distant trill of songbirds, not even her own ethereal form that seemed to shimmer between substance and shadow. Who am I? The question echoed through her mind like water through a hollow reed. She paused beside a stream that sang over smooth pebbles, catching her reflection in its clear depths. The face that gazed back was beautiful in the way of growing things, high cheekbones like the curve of new leaves, eyes the deep green of summer forests, hair that flowed like cascading vines. But it was a stranger's face, belonging to someone whose name felt foreign on her tongue. The memories came in fragments, sharp as broken glass. Darkness. Pain. A voice speaking words heavy with desperate love, weaving chains of magic that bound her to something terrible and endless. She shuddered, pressing a trembling hand to her chest where phantom aches still lingered. Immortality given in fear of loss, twisted into torment when mortal flesh could not bear what was meant for the eternal. Her very nature changed until she could no longer remember what she had been before Thandor's voice broke with grief, realizing too late what his love had wrought. But that was... over now? The realization came slowly, like dawn breaking over a mountain peak. The chains were gone. The pain had faded to a distant echo. She was walking in a place where wildflowers bloomed in impossible profusion and every breath tasted of honey and morning dew. The Reverent Gardens. The name came to her suddenly, carrying with it a sense of profound peace. This was where the worthy came to rest, where Life herself welcomed her children home. But why was she here? What had she done to deserve such grace? She continued forward, drawn by an instinct she couldn't name. The path wound between towering redwoods whose bark glowed soft amber in the filtered light, past groves of flowering cherry trees that released petals like blessing snow. With each step, the forest seemed to grow more beautiful, more alive, until she emerged into a sun-drenched glade that took her breath away. Four figures knelt in the meadow's heart, their hands pressed gently to the earth around a tender sapling. They were like her, dryads, with skin like polished wood and hair that moved as if touched by invisible breezes. Their laughter rang like silver bells as they coaxed the young tree upward, whispering encouragements, their voices weaving together in harmonies that made flowers bloom in their wake. "Grow strong, little one," the nearest dryad murmured, her auburn hair falling like autumn leaves around her shoulders. "Feel how the sun loves you, how the earth holds you dear." "Yes," agreed another, her voice warm as summer rain. "You are safe here, cherished here. Let your roots drink deep." She froze at the forest's edge, her heart clenching with sudden, overwhelming recognition. She knew those voices. Knew the graceful curve of their movements, the way they tilted their heads when they laughed. But how? When? The memories danced just beyond her grasp, leaving her with nothing but an ache of longing so profound it brought tears to her eyes. One step forward, then another, but her courage failed. She took a hesitant step back, suddenly terrified of what she might learn, of what she might have lost. What if they didn't know her? What if she was a stranger intruding on their sacred work? What if— The auburn-haired dryad looked up. For a heartbeat, time suspended itself like a held breath. Green eyes met green eyes across the sun-soaked meadow. She saw recognition dawn in that beloved face like sunrise breaking over still water. A cry rang out, pure joy given voice. "Look! Look who has come home!" Three heads turned as one, and suddenly the glade filled with cries of wonder and delight. They rose like flowers seeking light, hands pressed to hearts, tears streaming down their cheeks as they beheld her. "Thessalune!" The name burst from them in unison, and hearing it spoken with such love finally shattered the last walls around her memory. "We thought you lost!" "You came home!" sobbed the second, her voice breaking with emotion. "Oh Thess, you're really here!" They surrounded her then, these sisters of her heart and soul, pulling her into embraces that felt like coming alive after an eternity of death. Their tears mingled with hers as they held her close, hands stroking her hair, voices murmuring endearments and promises that she was safe now, loved now, home now. "We never stopped believing," whispered the eldest, pressing her forehead to Thessalune's. "Never stopped hoping you would find your way back to us." And suddenly, like storm clouds parting to reveal the sun, the nightmare lifted from her troubled mind. The fog of confusion cleared, and she remembered, remembered their childhood in the sacred groves, remembered seasons of laughter and growth, remembered the terrible day when love became loss, when Thandor's desperate magic had tried to hold death at bay but instead bound her to an existence her mortal soul could not bear. But that was over now. The curse was broken, the pain healed, and she was surrounded by the sisters who had never forgotten her, never stopped loving her, never stopped calling her name into the wind with hope that someday, somehow, she would hear and answer. Thessalune collapsed into their arms, sobbing with a joy so pure it seemed to make the very air shimmer around them. The sapling they had been tending stretched its tiny branches upward as if reaching for their happiness, and throughout the glade, flowers bloomed in celebration. She was home. Finally, truly, eternally home.

Camp The Day Camp is currently in, and so no one will be permitted on site until after 5:30 when Steve, James, Drew, or Alice give the ok. This is a very hard and strict line. You will be kicked off site before this time if you attempt to come on early. The Crafter's Workshop Room will be unavailable this weekend as it is the office for the Day Camp and will be locked. No one is permitted inside this room for the time being. Food Allergy Notice While the main course and sides will be gluten and dairy free, this feast will include dishes made with sesame oil as part of the flavor profile (especially in the chicken and sides). If you have a sesame allergy or other food restrictions, please plan to bring your own food for safety. We won’t be able to guarantee a sesame-free environment. Also, the dessert will include dairy, coconut, and gluten. Thank you for understanding and helping us keep everyone safe! The Kitchen will be serving regular meals Friday and Saturday on top of serving feast! Photos We will be doing player portraits Saturday evening starting at 5:45 pm up until feast start! Look for Percy across the road from the Adventurer's Guild. Community Managers New player Training will be held at 7:30 PM Friday night under the white tent outside the Inn. First event players are required to attend. Should you miss this scheduled training, please find a community manager to give you your own. Saturdays around 10:30am are usually best for make-ups. Your character card needs to be signed off to prove you attended. Important safety tools for the game are gone over at this time. Should you want a more in depth training about certain mechanics like combat, death, crafting, etc., you are welcome to stay longer. The mandatory part of training should only be 20 or so minutes. We ask all other players to please stay clear of new player training as multiple people makes for more distractions and will cause training to go longer. Reminder that if you are engaging in CvC to please utilize the "Ok check-in system!" Safety tool are for anyone and everyone. Even if you think the other person is okay, it doesn't hurt to just flash the sign. There will be a new player tour mod at 11am Saturday. This mod is optional but encouraged. There will be combat spec'd to your level, loot, and an in game tour of the proper. This is also a good way to get more comfortable with fighting/combat in general. Ask questions if you have them! Below are helpful links for new and old players alike! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AGnNK4tXme0f195dipefnS0X-_EzIUd3gvPRGxgLXIE/edit?usp=drivesdk https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FQwj_9lmbsXM8ttLB1uFh5mxc8ezBD3dX8ftNINrdFw/edit?tab=t.0 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1afVYFlqHgRlGuFzSZsUGTvL92KBcSAaCDFq0BDF66Rc/edit?tab=t.0 https://docs.google.com/document/d/10XB4uAkuAT1k1BgT6NqE2qic1irG4yFqejIEn0M7KQA/edit?tab=t.0 Rules Riyena’s Reconfiguration This ritual has been updated to clarify how transformed weapons interact with proficiencies. Previously, a weapon transformed by this ritual would retain its original properties (including which proficiencies you would use) while adopting a new form, effectively benefiting from both weapon types and their associated proficiencies simultaneously. The updated version now specifies that while the weapon still counts as both types for for effects, it uses only the proficiencies of the new weapon form. This change ensures more consistent mechanical application while still allowing for versatile transformations. This change will be going live for the event. Anyone benefiting from this effect in an Artifact may alter the artifact to count as either the previous or reconfigured form, but must note this on their card. We have some previews for classes that some of you sleuths may have already discovered here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/110HCTQGpwVS6gybGMg8qSRg70fRhLOft These (rules) will NOT be live for the event, but anyone who happens to be in the middle of lessons for these classes may reference the new documents for achievements/lessons/etc. Anyone with the Legendary for any of these affected classes that have new skills added to their classes may contact a card team member to have those skills added AFTER the event. Safety We are still asking that players be mindful of their swings during combat, players found to be fighting in an unsafe manner will be warned. We also must note that players should do their best to watch where they are going, this goes for PCs and NPCs. Don’t press so hard you push a player back blindly, don’t dodge and weave so much that it results in players inadvertently hitting you in the head or other sensitive areas, selling blows and roleplaying hits goes a long way to alleviating some of these issues. Be sure to use that bug spray and check for ticks regularly, there has been an uptick in ticks so be vigilant. We have also noticed an uptick in heat related injuries even more so than other years with comparable temps. In some cases this is due to players not eating and hydrating adequately. We ask that players stay cognizant of this and do their best to take care of themselves. If you are found to be repeatedly needing assistance from a Safety Team member for these reasons, you may receive a violation. Do not fight near or around where the Ren faire gate usually is. It is under construction and there are giant pits in the area! Atmosphere There will be a workshop on Teaching Lessons Friday around 8:15pm. Look for Nick (plays Nesterin) around the inn/market tent. Reminders from the Atmosphere Team this month! Please stay in character. If for some reason you need to go out of game, please do so away from other players as to not impact their immersion and gameplay. Please do not interrupt a scene for an OOG comment unless it is absolutely necessary. Roleplay your combat and sell your blows. It makes combat more fun for everyone Please do not openly use your phone. We get that there are times when you may need to check the time or check a rule, but please try to do these checks with your phone under a table or away from other players. Please be mindful of your trash and OOG food containers. If they are left out, they will be thrown out/moved to the drink area of the kitchen.

In days when stars still danced with song And rivers whispered truths so long, There lived a fey of ageless grace, With moonlight silver on his face. Thandor, prince of twilight air, With starlit crown and silver hair, Dwelt in the vale of Elaren’s bloom, Where night would chase away the gloom. He wandered wood and wove the breeze, Played frost upon the slumbering trees Till one green eve, by ash and oak, He heard a voice the silence broke. A lilt, a laugh, a drifting sigh He turned and met a dryad’s eye. Her name a song called Thessalune With eyes like spring and breath perfume. Her limbs bore leaves, her hair was moss, A child of root and earth’s emboss. She moved with grace the forest knew And made Thandor’s heart beat true. Seasons passed, then circled round They wed where holy roots were bound. But fate, that bitter, ancient thread, Wove sorrow in the words she said: "My love, I wither with the years. No fey am I, I walk with fears. My time is but a fleeting flame A candle whispered in your name." Thandor wept in starlit grove, With trembling hands and vows he wove. He swore to still the march of doom To trap the scythe that ever loomed. He carved a charm from midnight bark, Lit runes that glowed with embers dark And with the blood from fey-born vein, He cast a spell ‘gainst death and pain. The forest screamed. The stars went blind. Time itself began to unwind. And she awoke, immortal soul But with it came a heavy toll. She did not bloom. She did not die. She breathed, but with a hollow cry. Her limbs were twisted root and bone, Her eyes like glass, no longer known. No bird would nest, no beast drew near The wind itself would recoil in fear. The trees would bend to give her path, Yet whisper not, afraid her wrath. She wept beneath eternal skies And met her lover’s haunted eyes. “You gave me life, but not my own. Now I remain, yet not alone.” So Thandor built her tomb of stone, Where none would wander, none would moan. A hollow hall where shadows grew A place where no sunlight ever bloomed. Its walls were carved with runes and rhyme, To halt the breath, to still the time. And deep within, she sleeps unknown, Crowned in roots and thistle-throne. It stands there still, in moonlit glen, Where neither beast nor man dare wend. And if you pass it, leave a thorn For love like theirs is both gift and scorn.

Waves crash upon the shore, churning up the sands and delivering more flotsam and debris from the sea. Planks, masts and tattered sails dot the shoreline, washed up from the sunken hulks that had once sat not far from this island’s cliffs. The fortress, once the seat of power for a man who desired power and wealth above all else, now stands as a monument to his failure. His hoard taken, his fleet broken, and his colors torn down and replaced with the blue and red of the Kormyrian Royal Navy. Marines and guards posted on the walls, masons and carpenters milling about to repair the damage, and officers from Drega’mire and the Navy discuss boundaries and garrisons. Crabs scuttle amidst the bloated dead, feasting on the bounty left by the Heroes of Travance after their most recent assault. These wayward souls had followed their king to the death, and they had paid the price for their greed. Now they served as a reminder, as did the horned head that sits staked atop the highest point of the stronghold. A warning to any ships and sailors that should pass; to remember the tale of Ramsey’s Folly. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the days and weeks after the battle, the Navy set about trying to dismantle the remaining portions of Mace Ramsey’s fleet. Initial estimates after the battle report nearly 75% of the fleet killed or captured. Captain Axianna coordinated with the various fleets to ensure that there would be no successor to this fallen pirate king. The last remnants scattered to the four corners of the world. Some went to ground, hiding out in ports or remote coves to wait out the storm before returning to their ways. Others decided upon a more brazen approach, trying to collect what scattered remnants they could to build their own pirate fleets. A few had even decided to go legit, and accepted terms offered by the Navy and the Kingdom in return for complete surrender. Regardless of their next move, pirates around the world knew that things had changed. And they had begun to fear new rumors spreading in hushed whispers through portside pubs and dockyard taverns. Rumors about how the pirate king had been killed by a shadowy spectre with glowing red eyes. How a black phantom ship had begun stalking the waves, hunting for any wayward ship that chose to fly the black. How a mighty fleet, and powerful captains, had been brought low by a mere handful of adventurers. Many took these tales to heart, and became ever more fearful of the life that they had chosen to lead. Some scoffed at these as pure nonsense or exaggeration. After all, sailors are a superstitious lot, and are prone to making up stories about the life and the sea. But the wise know that there is always truth buried in these stories, and only fools would dare throw caution to the wind.

Photos from Week in the Life are posted! https://drew0899.editorx.io/event-photos

https://forms.gle/wZn8V7vU3wQV9Ghf7 This form will remain open until the evening of Monday, July 28. It will close on Tuesday, July 29 and we will send out sleeping assignments on the evening of Wednesday, July 30. At the August event, we will be hosting an in-game Feast on Saturday (around 6pm!)  If you would like to pre-arrange for your cleanup assignment ( especially  early cleanup) to be taken care of by either helping to serve Feast (can be done as your PC or a generic NPC) or washing dishes afterwards, please indicate so on the appropriate place on this form. Alice will reach out to you with more information!

Hi everyone, this might be a lengthy post, however if you are able to read the whole thing, you should be able to see some insight as to plans for future Knight Realms rules updates.  Let me start by explaining the dynamic of rules changes through the decades we have been playing. (Ver.1.0)  In the beginning of time (for KR) there was the original KR rules we sometimes refer to as “1.0”. I worked on them tirelessly for years with the help of close friends. They looked as perfect as they could be and we started playing with them. Insert 100+ players for several years and people start looking at them and saying, it could be better. I give some people my blessings to edit them, some edits are big and some edits are small. All in all, each roll out of changes seem a positive thing. This process continues to varying degrees for about 20 years.  (Ver2.0)  For the 20 th  year (April 2018) I decided to let the whole thing have a complete rebuild, almost seemingly from scratch. Extreme and major base system concepts completely rewritten. This endeavor was meant only with the best intentions. In our minds we were fixing a ton of unfixable problems, making everything fair and mathematically equal and also helping to reduce level gap creep. We also developed a stranglehold on large numbers and number inequity. It was meant to be a huge improvement that would vastly increase everyone’s gameplay experience. Moreso than that I personally believed in it. Was it good? In some areas it was and, in many areas, it turned out to be controversial. The fighting about whether or not the change was good or bad was palatable and in your face at all times. I chalked these hard times up to it being necessary to break some eggs in order to make an omelet, but after several years, I started to believe myself that the omelet didn’t actually taste quite right… (Ver3.0) Sometime after covid ended and we continued live play, we started to steer a little bit away from the hard concepts of 2.0 and back to some of the concepts of 1.0. Simple concepts such as the return of roleplay skills and loosening the grip on the math/equality in favor for fun. The result was 3.0 (July 2021) which is generally where we are at now. Looking back, I feel that there are certain spots in our rules change history where we tried to be something we were not and instead of embracing our niche, we tried to fix it, when in reality some of these things should not have been fixed. Sometimes it’s both the working parts and the broken parts that make us who we are.  In some cases, fixing things took us further and further away from our intended identity.  Every time we have ever changed a rule, we have believed that change to be positive. Over time however we sometimes make an unfortunate observation. Making an improvement in one area sometimes directly causes a new problem to arise. When that happens, we have to stop and think, which problem is worse, the older one or the newer one? If the older problem feels worse, than in an odd way the change was a success. If the newer problem feels worse, then rules regret starts to set in as we realize the whole situation was better if we had not changed it in the first place. Over the last couple of years, I have been having a lot of rules regret. Fundamental changes that felt great at the time, now feel worse when weighed against newer problems that have arisen as a result. The death system is only one example, but a good example. The older problem was people feeling bad about losing their characters. That was solved with a change to unlimited lives, but the newer problem as a result is the feeling that character death doesn’t matter. Some people did sound the alarm at first, but at that time to me, the older problem was worse than the potential newer problem. After several years of playing with that change, more and more I saw and even felt the pointlessness of character risk, character sacrifice, character conflict, when the stakes are so incredibly low. I’m now at a point where the newer problem feels very clearly worse to me than the older problem. But the death system is just one example and there has been many areas of changed rules where this type of dynamic is currently playing out this way in my mind.  I’m not mad at myself or any team of rules authors for the changes that we made over the years. Once again, I think we all had the absolute best of intentions and even if a few people claimed that they could foresee the future problems of a change, we still needed to feel the new problems first hand, over time, to truly be able to decide which was better and which was worse. So, regret may not be a fully accurate description and instead I’ll say that I’m glad I am in a place where I can look back on a change that I feel did not work out the way I hoped and am willing to candidly admit it and consider a change back towards the original direction.  What does this mean?  We will be periodically making changes to rules that might seem closer to the original KR rules system. We will focus on things that do not require game wide card re-writes, but eventually at some point a year or two down the line, it will be inevitable. We understand rules change fatigue and we will do our best to do things in an order that has the least amount of disturbance. If ever we make a change that affects skills and abilities on your card, we will allow you to re-write as we find appropriate.  We will not be making any changes that invalidate the existence of the exalted lists. A lot of time and emotional energy was put into those by both rule designers and players and we will not create a situation where they are taken away and we start that process over. That being said, we may make edits to the exalted lists if we find it necessary. How fast this is going to happen is anyone’s guess and we do not have a defined timeline. Currently I am interested in the death and resurrection system and adjusting priest so it no longer feels like the gods are blended together with all priests, I would like to say don’t panic, but I know some of you will no matter what and I’m sorry for that. I will say it anyway. Don’t panic. Things will be fine. Game rules in most games are ever changing and we are hoping to eventually shift back into a younger truer version of the Knight Realms rules. This announcement isn’t because we have big things in the works and are about to come down with them all, it’s to let you know to not be surprised when the changes do happen. Each part will happen whenever it happens, I am simply steering the ship in that direction and as most adventurers we will see where the winds take us.

The rain was falling at a steady pace outside the Dragon’s Claw Inn. The soft patter against the rooftop casts a dull ambience against the bards playing in the background. Most folk are rushing inside, hoods drawn up and cloaks wrapped snug, looking for the promise of a warm dry resting place after a long day's work. All except the one. Cooper had been no stranger to storms, having lived most of his life on the seas and amid dreary, bustling ports. He sauntered in, and found himself a quiet table in the back corner. He had never been one to socialize, which has become even more noticeable since he became captain of his own ship. But he didn’t care; his crew knew what he could do, and they dared not cross him. He sat there for a time staring into his mug when he felt a thud hit the side of his table. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” He looked up to see a wild haired Sylph with one hand leaning on the table and the other holding a mug of frothing beer. “Hello Maxie. Fancy seeing you here.” She slid over to a chair and kicked her feet up onto the table, “Well a little birdy told me that you had caused quite a stir recently. A cadre of high class snobs, fleeced for all they’re worth, and nary so much as a flower pot out of place.” She took a swig of her ale, “Of course, no one actually knows who did it, but everyone in our line of work knows the marker of ‘The Silent Blade.’” She laughed out loud at hearing the moniker that he had been dubbed with. He chuckled a bit himself; while he hated the name, it served its purpose. He took a gulp from his own mug and took a bite from the food on his plate. “And what about you? I’ve been hearing some rumors about some, ‘strange weather,’ befouling certain ships. Large swells appearing on calm waters, gales so strong they could tear the masts clear out of the hull, even ice sheets covering the gunports and rigging. It truly seems that ‘The Ocean Witch’ is earning her bounty.” Maxie let out a cackle, pulled her feet off the table and leaned towards Cooper. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled a worn piece of parchment from within. Slamming it on the table with a smug look of pride, Cooper glanced down to see a familiar form he had become all too acquainted with: a wanted poster. The picture was crude, but the true art lay in the myriad of crimes that were levied upon the target. And the price for capture was enough to make even Cooper consider his options. “I’d like to see you top that,” Maxie said with arrogance dripping from every word. Cooper quickly glanced around and reached into his own pocket to pull a similar looking parchment. The picture here was even worse than the first, but if anyone ever saw his face, they would not live long to tell. And while the list on this poster was impressive, the number below did not seem to reflect. The Sylph woman smiled with an icy grin, “Looks like someone hasn’t made it to my level, despite being in the game for far longer.” Cooper let out a loud laugh and leaned in close, “If they knew about all of the ventures I’ve undertaken, my bounty would be triple yours.” “Well, I don’t always care for the subtle approach. Fear is a powerful tool, and you can only be feared if you have a face to put to the scary bedtime stories.” “Well then, perhaps we should see what the price for true fear is.” The table shook with a powerful impact of a knife hitting the table. The two looked up to see a hulking Nordejar gripping the handle of a wicked looking blade, a crooked smile crossing his face. “Well hello there Knox, a pleasure you could join us.” Maxie said with a wry grin, “Pull up a chair, and let’s see how you fair against our humble rewards.” Knox sat heavily onto the nearest chair, the wood creaking beneath him. He reached into a pouch and produced his own poster, and the others looked with inquisitive eyes. “Well now, a fine reward you have gained for yourself.” Cooper leaned back in his chair, “And such a gruesome ledger you seem to have filled.” Maxi glanced up to the tattooed man, “Indeed, slaughtering the crews of three whole trading ships. I see that ‘The Bloody Claws’ has earned their name.” “Hey, I only did that to one ship. But sometimes I gotta let the boys have their own fun. And them jacks like to blame all the nasties on one name they know rather than 50 they don’t.” “Aye, and I can feel the jealousy of my own crew, eyeing the glory, wanting a piece for themselves. But none of them would ever last as long as we have.” Cooper said with a smug grin. Maxie raised her mug towards the center of the trio, “Then here’s to the three of us. Glory riches, and freedom to take them both. To the saltiest dogs on the sea.” —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some time later in the night, after all had been said and done, the table sat alone. Empty mugs and cleaned plates sat beside the three wanted posters, all left by their previous owners. A hooded figure approached the table, having observed the night since the very first rogue entered the inn. He reached down and picked up the papers. Glancing over their contents, his eyes glinted, and a tight smile was drawn across his face. “Yes, they will do quite nicely.”

You MAY NOT arrive on camp prior to 5:30pm.  The Day Camp is currently in, and so no one will be permitted on site until after 5:30 when Steve, James, Drew, or Alice give the ok.  This is a very hard and strict line.  You will be kicked off site before this time if you attempt to come on early. The Crafter's Workshop Room will be unavailable this weekend as it is the office for the Day Camp and will be locked.  No one is permitted inside this room for the time being. Check in Friday begins at 6pm. Friday Lay on is at 10pm. Lay off is Sunday at 2pm. To help us get cleaned up after game is over in a timely manner, if you are staying either upstairs of the Inn  or in the AG , your belongings must be fully packed up by noon Sunday. This doesn’t mean your things need to be removed from the space, but they should be packed and ready to go! Please continue to respect the shiny new Inn floor. Parking at Logistics At this time, the only people authorized to park in the area behind or next to logistics are with direct permission from the Director, or the Officers, Safety Lead, Weekend Event Runner, and Exalted Team. Anyone else cannot  leave their cars parked in that area. Please do not park in front of the door/garage door to the area under the barn, or you will be parked in. Early Camp Cleanup If you are leaving early (before lay off) and need cleanup assignments, please see the Logistics Marshals. They will be able to assign you tasks to complete. Please do not see them for early cleanup if you will still be on camp at lay-off on Sunday at 2pm, and instead come to lay-off to get your assignment. Community Announcements New Player training will be at 7:30pm under the white tent outside the Inn. Stick around as our Community Manager team goes over important safety rules of the game. Your Character card needs to be signed off after to show you attended. Make up training can be arranged for people coming later to the game, just ask for a CM at logistics. If you want a more in depth training about certain mechanics and what not, feel free to stick around longer. This part is optional and everything that will e gone over is in our New Player Training Quick Notes guide. A tour mod for new players will happen at 11am Saturday, so be in the Inn around 10:45am. Someone will come by to collect you. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AGnNK4tXme0f195dipefnS0X-_EzIUd3gvPRGxgLXIE/edit?usp=drivesdk https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FQwj_9lmbsXM8ttLB1uFh5mxc8ezBD3dX8ftNINrdFw/edit?tab=t.0 https://docs.google.com/document/d/10XB4uAkuAT1k1BgT6NqE2qic1irG4yFqejIEn0M7KQA/edit?tab=t.0 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1afVYFlqHgRlGuFzSZsUGTvL92KBcSAaCDFq0BDF66Rc/edit?tab=t.0   Safety Announcements We have notice an uptick in players noting hard hits from other players in combat, we ask all to mind their swings and play safely. Safety Team members will be vigilant this event for players swinging too hard. Those found fighting too aggressively will be warned. If you are found to be a repeat offender, you will receive a Safety Violation and may lose combat privileges for a time. (Yes, combat is a privilege) There is a moderate chance for rain and storms this weekend at this time so pack accordingly. If a storm comes through during game, we ask that people head indoors. As always the on call list will posted in Logistics and the Discord Marshal chat. Reminders from the Atmosphere Team this month! Please stay in character. If for some reason you need to go out of game, please do so away from other players as to not impact their immersion and gameplay. Please do not interrupt a scene for an OOG comment unless it is absolutely necessary.  Roleplay your combat and sell your blows. It makes combat more fun for everyone Please do not openly use your phone. We get that there are times when you may need to check the time or check a rule, but please try to do these checks with your phone under a table or away from other players. Please be mindful of your trash and OOG food containers. If they are left out, they will be thrown out/moved to the kitchen. Reminders from bar team! Please pick up after your own trash and personal belongings. This was an issue last month, especially in the den. Also please note that bartenders are not responsible for your personal belongings, food, or drink and should not be expected to mind them for you. Logistics Announcements Various questions were brought up me a few times in the past year about borrowing npc gear so I wanted to take a minute and sort of get it in writing.  If you really need a weapon you are allowed to borrow weapons from logistics. It will be written in your card and you MUST get signed off at the end of the event when you return it.  You must return all borrowed items to logistics by 1pm Sunday as that is when logistics closes for the event.  There was never a written expectation on how long you're allowed to borrow gear but after speaking with the officers and leads we have come up with what we believe to be a reasonable time frame. You're  allowed to borrow for 3 months (returning it at the end of every event) before we have to put a soft cap on borrowing gear. Those are npc resources to be used by our amazing npcs. We feel in a three month period you should be able to source your own materials and gear for continued play.  We also do not sell gear from logistics. If you are looking to buy gear in person there is a vendor that comes every so often.  If there are any further questions pertaining to this sort of thing, please feel free to reach out to Nick (Logistics Lead). Pappa and Witch KR Kitchen Menu Sold at the Dragon’s Claw Inn on Saturday. Cash or card will be accepted, prices per item will range from $5-$10. Breakfast 9am -11am Breakfast sandwiches Taylor ham, sausage, or bacon with egg and cheese on a roll Hash browns Lunch 12-2:30pm Sliders or wrap Chicken Caesar Wraps Chicken Fingers Chips Grill Cheese Nachos Dinner 5-8pm Sliders Chicken Fingers Sausage Links or Brats dinner Plate with Diced Potatoes Bread Pudding Bites Cheesecake egg rolls From the Photo Team  We are asking that anyone who does not want their photo to be taken or publicly posted to reach out to any member of the photo team so we can make note. We ask that you reach out to a photographer at game (ideally when the photographer is OOG/taking photos) so we can get to know you and discuss your limits (eg. no photos at all, only when a certain character, etc.). You can also reach out to us through this form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1oem4Ok2pLGxrpPx0UPDCuHtbKR-ZOBcZNryK4d6R4sw_5A/viewform?usp=dialog And just like our check in system, if there is any moment at game where you do not want your photo to be taken and a photographer is nearby at the scene/encounter, give the photographer a thumbs down or quietly let them know. We all have those moments where we maybe don't want a photographer around!  On Saturday from 6-6:30 pm, Eve will be doing drop-in photoshoots! Meet up with her by the frog pond outside of the Dragon's Claw Inn.

Her theatre may have begun with laughter, but it ended with shadow and flame.  The Heroes of Travance, along with a very unexpected ally: Commander Telrun of Gaaldron, took the field together and brought Elara to an end. Even after she became lost to the Void she stood no chance against their combined might.   Falling to Heroes the Void crushed her form and sent her soul to Oblivion.   ________________________________________________________________ A gleaming caravan rolled to a halt as it reached the Rift.  Six lacquered wagons, each painted with swirling sigils and scenes of myth, glinted in the morning light. Dancers, stagehands, and performers all rested in their bunks as best they could given the events of the week.  A checkpoint guard approached looking for someone to talk to.  After a moment a Bard, now free of a cursed book, stumbled out of the lead wagon.  “Apologies, I’m sorry.  Elara did not keep things organized so it took me a bit to find the proper paperwork. Forgive the crossed out words.  We here at the Second Dawn Traveling Theatre Company are new to all this. ”  Eiren holds the papers out for inspection The guard thumbed through them, eyes flicking between the pages. “Everything seems to be in order, Mr. Thorne is it? ” he said finally, handing the papers back. “Yes, that's me.  And don’t worry I will get new paperwork once we get settled at our next stop.  Now that I’ve apparently taken over since Elara's sudden departure.” he says. “Ms. Elowen and I are running things now” His eyes lingered on the man for a moment.  “Carry on.” The guard turned towards the others “Let them through!” He shouts before turning back to Eiren.  “Safe crossing.  Things have been a bit more active lately, but don’t worry too much.”  With a flick of the reins, the wagons began to roll once more. Bells chimed from one of the rear carriages as the company moved once more. ________________________________________________________________ Marla stood on the edge of the Proper, her eyes fixed on the departing Caravan as it rolled slowly into the distance. The vibrant colors of the wagons faded into the horizon, and with them, the last traces of the only life she had ever known: the stage. Her breath came in heavy, measured bursts, not from exertion but from the weight of uncertainty pressing against her chest. For years, the stage had been her world its lights, its applause, its chaos. But something inside her had shifted. The stage, once her sanctuary, now felt like a costume that no longer fit. As the final wagon disappeared beyond the ridge, she whispered to the wind, “Where to next?” There was no answer, only silence and possibility stretching out before her like a road not yet walked. ________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile, in Londwyn, the name Viren Malus once again graced the grand halls and playbills of high society. A prodigy from childhood, Viren had earned renown as a violinist.  After years away from the public eye, they returned with a quiet fire in their spirit and a violin case under their arm. Their first solo concert sold out within hours, and the audience sat in stunned silence as her music filled the air, aching with beauty and depth. Soon they were performing with orchestras, their presence on stage as commanding as ever, yet refined by experience and solitude. Londwyn, it seemed, had been waiting for their return. And Viren had never sounded more certain of where they belonged. _______________________________________________________________ Leaving the mists of the Rift behind them, a carriage rolled westward into the larger Kingdom of Kormyre headed for Gaaldron.  A feint smile across the Commander’s face as the light of the day began to fade.   “All in all the job is done and Elara is no more.” He folds his arms and looks to Syrrik.   “Indeed it is Commander.  What will you do now that we were able to work with Travance and Kormyre?” They ask casually. “I don’t know, but maybe it's the start of having one less war to fight.  I don’t think we’ll ever be allies, but one less battle to fight would be acceptable.  There are some noble and honorable people in Travance.  Maybe we will cross paths again.” He looks out the window and across the rolling fields. Syrrik quietly pulls a piece of parchment from their pocket and reads it while the Commander’s attention is elsewhere.  “Bellmare Hill - no survivors” Quietly they say to themselves “Huh, thats unfortunate for Commander Reicks”  “What’s that?” Telrun turns back to Syrrik. ​“Oh, nothing.” They say shoving the parchment back into their pocket.