The Third Festival of the Way

[WarderDragon]

The Festival of the Way
WarderDragon

In the Year of Our Lord, 3 Anno Britannia (A.B.), Four Companions set out from Castle Britannia in search of the City of Dawn.

While the four would never reach their destination - their ultimate fate depends on he who is telling the tale - their maps and journals would later aid Cantabrigian in reconnecting the Old Kingdom, setting the stage for what would become the Empire of Britannia.

In the Year 29 A.B. (2009), during the reign of Casca the Usurper, Clainin the Thaumaturgist would fall. In honor of the Wizard and Scholar, the Widow would call for a Procession in rememberance of he and a previous Thaumaturgist. She would set about selecting those who she divined to possess the essence of each role, bringing together the Britannians in a time when the Kingdom seemed poised to turn upon itself.

Thus Bucko the Warrior, Count Pete the Bard, Asimov the Necromancer and Pol the Shepherdess would set out from Britain, led by Ceno, and accompanied by fifty candle bearers. We intend to continue that tradition.

Come join us as we again celebrate the Procession - with four new companions - in the Third Festival of the Way.

Date: Friday, May the 20th.

Time: 6:00 PM PST / 9:00 PM EST.

Location: The Draw Bridge of Castle Britannia.​

 

[WarderDragon]

Ashlynn of Chesapeake penned a report detailing the Procession.

You can read her report here.

 

[WarderDragon]

The Third Festival of the Way
WarderDragon

"...A road is never simply a road. It is a symbol. A symbol of who we are, of where we've come from and of all the things that help us to become what we will be. A road is a journey, a lifetime, a story. Today we gather to recall the legendary origins of the main thoroughfare of this land. And in doing so we are recalling all the people of this realm, past, present and future, everyone with whom we've journeyed. And all the companions we will meet along The Way..."
- Magdalena Canzione, Third Lord of the Way.​

And thus began the Third Festival of the Way.

Once again the People of Britannia - and others arriving from Dawn and Magincia - gathered upon the steps of Lord British's Castle to receive the Water of Life and to honor the Great Thaumaturgist of Akalabeth.

Magdalena - chosen for her role in the Second Festival - began the Procession with rousing words that echoed Ceno and James before her. She annunciated on the meaning of the Road - on the Quest that led four companions through the Dark Drachenwald to Old Trinsic - and then guided them forward.

The Shepherdess - Silverbrook - whose paternal uncle was the Great Thaumaturge. The Warrior - James - a fearless soldier who wished to see Dawn for himself. The Bard - Aesop - whose wisdom and love of women were his greatest strengths. And the Necromancer - Sluggy Freelance - who could quite silence the conscience on his shoulder. Four actors to face the perils of Britannians forebearers. Four companions to tread the road anew.

I shall not beat a dead horse. Those who inhabit Britannia know this tale well. Those involved in the Procession have heard the tale a hundred times this month.

But I - the Keeper of Stories - will enunciate on one this fact. It is not just the destination that is important. The Goal. The End. It is also the Journey.

And it is in that wisdom we find our triumph.

Remember the Thaumaturge.

 

[WarderDragon]

Magdalena's Speech - The Third Festival of the Way
Magdalena Canzione

A road is never simply a road. It is a symbol. A symbol of who we are, of where we've come from and of all the things that help us to become what we will be. A road is a journey, a lifetime, a story. Today we gather to recall the legendary origins of the main thoroughfare of this land. And in doing so we are recalling all the people of this realm, past, present and future, everyone with whom we've journeyed. And all the companions we will meet along The Way.

Long ago and far away there lived one of the greatest and most powerful Thaumaturges of our time.

Loved and revered by all wherever he went his sage advice was often sought after by many a king and queen in times of peace and trouble. Though he wandered far and wide he would always return to the wondrous City of Dawn, suspended in time, ever ageless.

But though Time may have forgotten his beloved city it did remember him. And alas, with all of his knowledge of the arcane arts – the thaumaturge could not escape his own mortality.

And so to honor him, he was to be interred in center of the City of Dawn. The heart and soul of its magic. Many would travel from far-off places to attend the funeral, four would leave and never arrive.

The first was a shepherdess who was the thaumaturge's niece.

The second was a bard of great renown who would go to sing the dirge.

The third, a provisioner, who secretly practiced the dark arts deep in
the cellar of his shop.
He would go hoping to steal the ring that the Thaumaturge was rumored to wear, believing that it would grant him great power.

And the fourth, was a young strapping fighter who went simply to see the spectacle.

And so the four filled their skins with the Water of Life - which still flows to this very day from the fountain in Lord British's Castle - and set out on their journey.

They did not know Dawn's secret, that it existed in the ether. And appeared in this world but for a moment when both moons were dark in the sky.

It is said that the Four wandered from North to South and South to North , searching season after season until their footsteps would make the very road that now runs from Britain to Trinsic. The first trade road that has shaped this realm into the cities and settlements which we all know today.

And now, here is The Storykeeper who shall lead us along the path made by the Four.

Remember the Thaumaturge!