July 26 – August 11 2024
Coopers Lake Campground 205 Currie Rd, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Land Agent: Prince Douglas Du VraiCoer, who secured our homes in the foreign lands while war was waging.
Pomp and Circumstance
Opening Ceremonies: The Kingdom of Acre gathered at Pennsic War 51. At opening ceremonies the kingdom of Acre was called on to the battle field to announce our declaration. Queen Tara III announced That the Kingdom of Acre declares to fight for the East in the coming war.
We secured gifts from the many artisans, brewers of the kingdoms, to smooth out our alliances with foreign powers. These gifts were delivered by Lady Ismina Marcella di Salaparuta & Sir Navarre, who also served their graces and their highnesses at various functions throughout the war. Some of the gifts presented were brooches, and veil pins made by Queen Tara III, veil pin holders pin cushions made by Lady Zipora Dubois, delivered in bags made by Rosalinda de Vulpes Countess Tiberias, Wine from the home brewery of Sir Bonniface Tennequay Du Vrai Coer, Count of Gelene, Wire Wrapped rings from Hugoline the delicate, Earrings from Lady Elena di Salaparuta, and glass lampwork beads from Sir Ariana De Gallo, Countess of Kantara.
Beers And Brats: Acre royalty was invited to Beers and Brats hosted by the MidRealm, where there was no beer this year, but there was liquor and a variety of Brats and lots and lots of discussion about battle planning for the upcoming war.
State Dinner: Acre royalty was invited to State Dinner which was Hosted by the East, We were seated next to their Majesties East, and provided with musical entertainment and a fabulous show provided by the East Kingdom’s Royal Wizard.
The Rose Tournament: Unfortunately the annual Rose Tourney was cancelled this year due to some of the wet windy crazy weather we had this year, but Lord Harold Johnson & Prince Douglas were the Acre Champions that were to compete if it had taken place.
Party Life
Tuchux Party : despite all of the rain, and quite a few fallen trees in their camp, the Tuchux held their party, though it was expectedly less lively than usual, but was still alive with bon fires, music, and a full bar.
Fight Pub: was a bar that I only discovered this year. It is not a party spot, as there is no place to sit, but is a bar with Fight themed drinks. I drank the “wrap shot” all night, and it was amazing. Definitely worth checking out if you find yourself down in the bog. The drinks are very tasty and very potent.
Chalkman: We frequented chalkman quite a bit this year. It was a great spot to hang with friends, listen to music and have a kind of low key, bonding and hang out spot.
Mardi Gras: was packed this year. We lost some of our Acre party crew in there, certainly, but I think most of us stopped in for a quick visit, and decided there wasn’t enough room for us to hang out comfortably, so we left. It did have some awesome drum circles going on – if you could make your way there through the sea of people.
Pleasure Pavilions: We caught pleasure pavilions on its last night of parties, and Prince Douglas and Queen Tara made friends with Angus at the bar, who declared among filling each frothy glass “New best friend!” and it was so.
Battles
Out on the thrown weapons field, Sir Adriana di Salaparuta, Countess of Blanche Garde competed under Acre banner, scoring war points!
Lord Gilchrest created, assembled and fired an arbelast in battle.
Battle 1: Cathedral Battle (Resurrection battle with flags to gain, and areas to keep) It was an intense fight, with lots of holds. A true endurance challenge for anyone, but our kingdom showed heart beyond measure and fought with great courage and distinction. We received several people from varied lands requesting the honor of donning an Acre tabard and fighting by our side. Our forces were called to support the left flank of the Southern army. Our forces quickly took the necessary point from the position and defended it throughout the remainder of the engagement. Acre did a lot to reinforce this line, and were directed to then do the same for the far right. Acre’s army brought cohesion to the line and the right was secured for the Tyger. We did our job on the field and did it well. When the battle concluded, the East was the victor.
Battle 2: Hidden Fortress Battle. This was a “capture the flag bridge” style battle / “Town battle” with little goat paths, mash up with unlimited resurrections. It was a fierce and incredible fight, with Acre’s army front and center, joining forces with House Three Skulls, Anh Dub, and the retired 404, facing the Tuchux. We repeatedly denied their advances and counter charged to great effect, keeping the center with brutal engagements and a delightfully target rich environment.
On two separate occasions we were called on to lead major charges to take the flag, and both times Acre rose to the occasion and were successful in our mission. There were a massive amount of siege engines on the field, creating a wall of ballistas and catapults raining down on us whenever we returned from the resurrection point. After the battle everyone felt great and much glory was achieved. We as a kingdom won on the field today.
Battle 3: Woods Battle .We came to this battle with combat archers so, we went down the path that archery was allowed. It was a brutal fight with lots of spear work, and ample opportunities for combat archers. The ground was muddy and uncertain. There was an amazing battle drummer who really added to the ambiance, and was much appreciated. In the end we were weary and muddy but victorious.
Battle 4: The Field Battle. There were 5 field battles, the first of which we were severely outnumbered. We engaged and hit them hard, but we were overwhelmed by numbers. First battle went to the mid.
King Damien III took the Acre Pennent from his spear, and presented it to Dagar, Overdog of the Tuchux, as a gift to the commander of an enemy rank that fought with valor and friendship, a unit who made us better for fighting them , a unit who truly made the game great for us. This was received with a rousing cheer of “Acre Ooh Ah”
In the second battle we were outnumbered again. We decided to find a hole, and punch through it, under the command “Teagan Smash” in honor of newly Squired, Teagan’s First battle with his Knight. Our charge was so quick that it stopped them mid stride and drove the ranks into their numbers before we were engulfed in fighting, and ultimately being overrun. Second Battle went to the mid.
Third battle Ealdomere switches sides, evening out the numbers a bit. Our forced quickly advanced and Acre and Anh Dub worked together and were tasked with protecting the center right. We stopped the charge pretty quickly and kept the line together. Third Battle – East.
Fourth battle Acre formed up in the center behind a Roman Legion. The Romans engaged with Black Talon and Iron lance. Once Talon and Lance were destroyed, Acre led a charge into the Tuchux breaking up their line . Fourth Battle – East
Since lining up behind the Romans worked so well last time, Acre Decided to try that again. It was a long fight, and closely fought. The fifth and final battle – East.
Classes
Classes at Pennsic were taught by many of Acre’s finest including:
Sir Ariana De Gallo, Countess of Kantara who was teaching dance classes
Hugoline the Delicate who taught a Ukelele Class
Fiona the Volatile who taught a Scribal Class
Lady Luna of Valeria was spotted performing in the recorder ensemble
Court
Wednesday Night Acre had Court.
Princess Una called forth Lady Ismina di Salaparuta and Lord Malcom McKenneth to present them with largesse in thanks of their services to the crown throughout war.
All first time Pennsic goers were called into court to be welcomed, as well as those who brought them who were called into court and presented with a fish hook token, for being fishers of men.
Lady Kristen Draconsinger was called into court and presented with a token of a key, and told by the Queen that the key to accomplishing great things is believing you can succeed, and while you may encounter many locked doors in life, remember that you have the key to open it.
Despite the Rose tourney being cancelled Lord Harold Johnson & Prince Douglas were called into court to be presented with a Rose Tourney favor, and asked to wear it and proudly represent their kingdom in future battles.
Sir Conrad Jarnhand was called into court, to have it announced that regarding his curse, (a previous king placed a challenge/curse on Sir Conrad, and the only way to lift the curse is to train and qualify 2 combat archers.) That her grace was authorized in combat archery, lifting half of the curse. Sir Conrad provided the queen with bolts for ample ammunition in the woods, and guided the queen through battle, providing direction, and advice.
Baron Leon was called into court to be provided with largesse and the many thanks of her grace, Queen Tara III, for loaning his archery gear, bolts, and even being the target for the qualifications so that the queen could be a CA in the woods battle.
Lord Teagan was called into court, and was Squired to King Damien III
Baronness Brooke was called into court for her many years of dedication in archery, and elevated to the rank of Yeoman. Calligraphy by Lord Eamon Grey, Illumination by Lady Lily Morgaine, and Words by Queen Tara III
Countess Aliric Lundonie was presented with the long deserved Nameless Order (Calligraphy by Lord Eamon Grey, Illumination by Lady Lily Morgaine, and Words by Queen Tara III)
Acre Bardic Circle
Promptly Following Court commenced the ever famous Acre Bardic Circle, hosted by Sir Niccolo da Palermo, Count of Samasota.
House DeLondres and Sir Persephene Psaras di Salaparuta, Countess of Ponte donated substantial amounts of mead to keep the crowds in good spirits and well lubricated.
Princess Una was diligent and delightful, handing out largesse and favors to performers throughout the night.
There was one performer who sand a song, that all in this hobby can relate to called “I have a hobby that collects other Hobbies” which incited much laughter and eventually sing alongs.
Danx's Performance of The Peasant Knight had people talking all night, as the best performance of that piece in a long time.
Lady Luna and Lord Kendall performed a musical performance with drums, and singing that delighted the crowd.
Suddenly mid ceremony, a trojan Duck, Created by Lord Gilchrist, entered the Acre Gates – and I think the entire Baorny of Anh Dub came climbing out of it to join us in our festivities.
We were blessed by a performance from Lady Rosalie and the young Olivia who bravely sang around the fire for at the Acre bardic circle for the first time.
This Pennsic was a great one! Can't wait to see you all at Grand Heraldic
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