[MR] Hidden Mountain Thanks....

[Jack Black of Flint]

      The johnboat bumped on the deck of the ship.  Crewmen began reaching into the boat,
unpacking as the Captain climbed out.  “Be
careful with some of that, lads, there be a lot of mud and water in there!  If I hadn’t known I was on land, I’d have
thought we were sailin through a bloody hurricane!”  He chuckled, and turned to his First Mate,
Mr. Miller.  “Set sail on the next tide,
lad.  Head south by south east, but we
need ta be makin it a short run.  I’m due
back for the Coronation of their Highnesses, Logan and Esa, in two weeks.  Once you get things ready here, come to the
officer’s mess and we’ll share a glass as we toast the Hidden Mountain, which
has once again faded from sight.”


Yes, lads and ladies, Hidden Mountain's 25th anniversary has passed, and hopefully everyone has gotten home, gotten wet clothes out of vehicles, and dried themselves off.

It rained pretty much all weekend, but that did little to dampen the spirits of the Mountain's people and all who joined the celebration.  We were all honored to have so many who are the Mountain's history come and tell us tales of old, and revel in the present of what they helped create.  Friday night saw many more folks than were expected coming in, despite the rain.  With so many climbing the Mountain, our Gatekeepers were kept busy until WELL after midnight.

Saturday dawned with more of the same, and yet still, people flocked to join us in our celebration.  Fighters put on their armor and fought, fencers fenced, people perused an extensive A&S display of the Mountain's History, His Highness Logan was seen testing his skills in the Gaming Hall, and many showed their generosity through both items donated to, and purchases of tickets for, the Raffle for the Royal travel Fund.

Court Saturday night found few dry eyes as their Excellencies, Thylacine and Adendra, introduced the past baronage present, and thanked them for their service, and promised to continue the tradition laid down by those who preceeded them.

Then of course, yet ANOTHER phenomenal feast by Baronness Tegan de Moreton and her staff, including a succullently roasted pig done by Baron Erik Norton of Helsfjord and Lord Volgarr Thorgulson.  The hall decorations and stained glass windows put up over many hours by Baronesss Elisabeth Borden of Kent, her lord Louie, and m'lady Megan of Tear Sea's Shore turned a modern dining cabin into as close to a Medieval Feast Hall as one could get locally.  All the while the crowds were feasting, all were entertained by the wonderful music of Kumpania Painted Wheel, Lord John Emeris, Lady Amanda Rebellina, and Baroness Morwenna Trevathan (And yes, you read that right!)

After feast, the crowds split, some staying in the dry feast hall to join Lady Amanda and the bards to share stories and songs, and many others changed and donned their masks, to join the ball run by our own Countess Alysandra and Baron James of Middle Aston, which was said to have also run late into the night.

All in all, it was a great time, and everyone appeared to have enjoyed themselves....  I thank all those listed above, and I know there are others I have yet to mention, which I am about to do now....

Lady Shae of the Lyre, my co autocrat, without whom, the site would not have been secured so quickly after our initial site fell through, as well as working with Duchess Simone to locate as much of the past as possible;

Lord Geffrei Maudelyne, who acted as our Minister of Lists for the Day;

Lord Calledon of Halbourne, who Mashalled our Rapier List;

Baron Achbar ibn Ali, who WOULD have Marshalled our Youth combat, had we had any youth *chuckles*

Lord Volgarr Thorgulson, who also Marshalled our Heavy combatants;

Hanim Kisaiya and Lady Anastasia, who organized and ran the children's activities;

Lady Cecelia Blythe, who kept our gate under control;

Baroness Elisabeth Borden of Kent and mi'lady Megan of Tear Sea's Shore, who also decorated the Royal cabin for their Excellencies and their Highnesses;

Everyone who came out, from the merchants, to the combatants, to the campers, to Their Highnesses, for avoiding drowning or being sucked into mud pits, and still had a great time;

And of course, Their Excellencies Hidden Mountain, Thylacine and Adendra, for giving us the opportunity to make the 25th anniversary of the Barony of Hidden Mountain the event it was, to be forgotten by few....

I am sure there are still more folks that I missed, and I deeply apologize if I missed you here, but don't believe you don't have my deepest, most heartfelt thanks....

Yours in Service,
Cap'n Jack Black of Flint
((AKA: BlackJack))
Lord and Master of "The Raptor"
Seneschal, Barony of Hidden Mountain
Brute for Hire