"An unstrung bow is just something extra to carry. A strung bow is a weapon." - Halt O'Carrick, in the novel Ranger's Apprentice 4: The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan. Just one of a number of photos I'm excited to post soon from a photoshoot yesterday out on the local trails.  Photography by Dos Almas Media, who can be followed at: https://www.instagram.com/dosalmasmedia/ https://www.facebook.com/Dos-Almas-Media-100273485922050

Less than a week to go! Here I come Olaran! Look out Hearthguard, I'm coming for you first!

Side Blogs

Hey all! Thought I'd drop a note to tell you all I have two side blogs now!

@ems-back-room is for my controversial ship content. So if you don't like taboo ships or you're under 18 stay away!

And @eir-the-ranger is my new blog for all things LARP. Named and proctored by my LARP character for Fell and Fair's Weekend Warrior Experience, Eir Stoneblade, Ranger of Olaran.

WEEKEND WARRIOR 2019
—-
Philos, Ranger of Olaran, member of the expedition to find the Sword of Hope for the king of Olaran. Originally from the province of Raven, Philos’ mother was a Ranger, and he trained with her until he came of age, proving himself capable of taking up the responsibilities of a Ranger. He was eventually was reassigned to various provinces of the kingdom, until the fateful recent Autumn Feast. He volunteered to embark on the expedition to search for the Sword, but he is now looking forward to the return trip home, and the familiar lands of Olaran.
#weekendwarriorexperience #fellandfair #larp (at EastWind Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6dqct7HZ56/?igshid=z5kcd6mlj0cq

Here you are folks- video 3/3, the short trailer and an interview explaining what this is all about. (Video transcript follows) For more, check out our Weekend Warrior Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1336679351/weekend-warrior Transcript: Hey guys, I'm Samantha Swords. I'm a medieval martial artist and filmmaker and I'm really excited because I'm joining forces with Skip Lipman and Ron Newcomb of the Forge Studios- they're well known for the series, 'The Rangers', and also Zan Campbell of Fell and Fair, and together what we're doing is we're creating an event called 'Weekend Warrior'. Now Weekend Warrior is an immersive cinematic experience, and what that means is it's like a live-action experience but it's also going to be filmed. So we're going to have a documentary crew led by Arel Avellino, and he and his team are going to be following us around in the word as players and filming it. So it's going to be very exciting because a lot of it is going to be like an unscripted movie where you are actually the heroes and you are creating the story, and role play, as well as fight, and solve puzzles, and basically do outdoor adventure, medieval-style. It's very exciting. We're going to be having some really great sponsors (partners) on board. We've got Calimacil, who are the really beautiful producers of high-quality foam swords that look like real swords. We have Epic Armoury on board, we have Armstreet, we have Burgschneider, we have LARP distribution, we have Crows Head Archery, and many more people who are getting on board as craftsmen for the project. I was able to visit Calimacil at their workshop in Quebec, and it was an amazing experience. They have this beautiful workshop set up to create all these amazing swords, and it was actually a lot like my time at Weta. I got the same kind of vibe- the passion from them, as producers of these beautiful, beautiful weapons. So this event is really getting people excited, and what we're doing is something that hasn't been before. I play Amurin, the Reeve of Olaran, and I'm the leader of the Kingsmen. Now the Kingsmen are one of four factions- I personally think it's the best and you should totally join my faction- but if you feel like you want to join the Men-at-Arms, who are like the Vikings of the world, or the Lords of the Sea, or perhaps the Rangers, then that option's open to you as well. Now this event can't happen without your support. This is a Kickstarter, and we're using it to get people involved, and get excited and also get the event off the ground. We have a little bit of time left, and we're almost there with our funding, but we need you to help us to get this to happen. So- tell your friends, bring them along, and join us for Weekend Warrior. Let's make this a reality. Cheers guys.

http://geekandsundry.com/weekend-warrior-levels-up-larping/

This September as the chill of Fall begins to crisp the air and turns the leaves into an inferno of colors, war will come to to the Kingdom of Olaran…at least for one weekend. Set in the universe of The Rangers web series, Weekend Warrior, is a Live Action Roleplay (LARP) event that just...

We were so imersed in our adventures in Olaran that we didn't even look at phones much bless take pictures. Managed the energy for one action shot while it was raining at the end of the weekend! It was so fun, if you have ever considered a larp @fellandfair is the place to be, join us! #fellandfair #larp #ranger #archery #archers #southcarolina https://ift.tt/2AmU9yg

Well, this was today’s project, finally sat down and worked out a Ranger backstory for myself in the Weekend Warrior LARP by Fell and Fair in their original setting Olaran. As usual, I went overboard. Hope you guys enjoy! 

Well, not the greatest pics, but I suppose that’s work in progress pics for ya. Made a banner/flag for the Rangers of Olaran encampment for this year’s upcoming Weekend Warrior event by Fell and Fair. Traditionally these types of banners would have had established wooden frames/poles, or affixed to polearms, but I went with the idea of a piece of cloth that easily fit into a pack and is just affixed to whatever deadfall/branches are available lashed together with twine. It’s made of moss green linen I ordered from England, handstitched, with the Rangers of Olaran emblem painted onto it, double-sided. 

- Brynn Vessmer - Ranger Scout, Aged 32 years. Alias: “The Borderland Ranger” Birthplace: Tewbury, The Borderlands Brynn Vessmer was born to Alara and Temmin Vessmer, commoners among the thorp of  Tewbury situated equidistant between Ki and the capitol of the Borderlands; Harpsdale. The small community was but one of many in The Borderlands that struggled to exist, stockpiling what they could in the summers,  and scraping by every winter in the dark pines that filled the region. The dreary wooded land was known for harsh weather, difficult winters, and creatures akin to those from nightmares rumored to lurk among the wilderness. Like the small village of Elg to the northeast, those in Tewbury also practiced in the Old Ways rather than the conventional religion of Olaran. His life growing up in The Borderlands has left him superstitious at times, and enthralled by folklore.

Brynn was the quintessential middle child, with two older brothers and a younger sister he only recently met. Robb, his eldest brother had joined the Kingsmen at age eighteen, a good sixteen years back, and perished in his first year of service to the crown, in Murnock. He would have been thirty-four this year. Brynn’s surviving older  brother, age 33, is Temmin Jr. (“Temm”), who moved away from father’s house and became a lumberer to the south across the river, in the settlement of Ko.

Brynn was raised primarily by his father, learning the trades of the woodsmen that kept Tewbury afloat, such as hunting, tanning hide, and carpentry. At age 17 Brynn became praised by his community and those in Harpdale as he was able to track down a criminal named Darek Finnman, a highwayman who’d been lairing just within the woods outside of Harpdale and had been causing much trouble for wayfarers. This act earned him some coin to line his pockets, and established him as somewhat of a small folk hero for the next few years.

He eventually left the nest, so to speak, eight years ago at age 24 and headed south like his older brother before him to join the ranks of the Kingsmen, determined to make his late brother proud. However, early on into his training, he was one of three selected from his training class to become a Ranger, based on skills all three possessed from their upbringings; a better way they could serve the kingdom. Brynn didn’t fight the decision, and leaned into it, he had already planned on becoming an archer within the Kingsmen, but couldn’t deny that his years of hunting and tracking could be utilized better outside the black and yellow ranks.  

For the first four years of his training as a Ranger, he had been stationed in a number of locations, to the Highlands just south of the Grimmock Mountains, a short mission to The Barrens north of the Coldfell River, and an extended time at Blackwell Crossing in Raven. During this time period, he discovered upon a return back home that he had a new baby sister named Mira who had been born shortly after his departure. The other discovery at home was less than pleasing, as his mother had not made it through the previous winter, succumbing to a terrible sickness.

For the last four years, Brynn has been spending more time back in the Borderlands, acting as an agent of law and order of the woods after receiving a Commission from the Crown for the region, leading to him being simply known by many as “The Borderland Ranger.” He is often found at roadside inns near Harpdale when not on an assignment. However, when the winters loom on the horizons, he travels south to the lands near the city of Olaran (unless he is commanded elsewhere).  He’s seen his younger sister slowly grow under the tutelage of his father as he’s patrolled the woods, but Tewbury no longer feels like home. He regrets he and his living brother down in Ko not being closer, and having not seen him within the last 8 years, but simply put, they have nothing in common. He’s not sure if being a Ranger is as close enough to following in Robb’s footsteps, but he likes to think if Robb was alive he would be proud. His time away from The Borderlands makes him long for home, but time spent in The Borderlands reminds him it no longer feels like home and drives him away; only for the cycle to repeat. 

This year however, as fall approaches, he makes his way across the Highlands, for his first venture westward to the Thornwood, a land known for the kingdom’s largest wineries and woods said to hold remnants of magic from when the Old Ways were once practiced there. The region is known to be currently locked down by Rangers holding the northern border against the Sea Lords and Hearth-Guard forces, allowing none to enter who do not acknowledge the rule of the Council and the Kingdom of Olaran. There, Brynn will join in the efforts to hold the border with the Rangers, alongside a number of Kingsmen.   

Weekend Warrior 6

I can not even begin to describe what an amazing time I had at Weekend Warrior Experience by @fellandfaironline! Their staff put together an amazing event with amazing quests and equally amazing battles!

I felt as if I had never left. My fellow players across the factions welcomed me with open arms. Despite our differences on the field of battle, the Hearthguard welcomed me by their fire and shared food and drink with me as if I was one of their own. It was truly an experience beyond words. (Not gonna lie, Gamble's offer to join them is certainly tempting.)

Finished up my tooled leather pauldron! And decided to throw everything onto the mannequin torso to see how it looks with the rest of it. I’m happy with it! Just need to find two good medieval style buckles for the chest and arm strap (they’re held with leather ties at the moment).  I’ve also made a ton of progress on my camping gear and will be ready to take some pics of that stuff soon. Can’t wait for these 90-100 degree days to be over so I can do some Ranger hiking and camping this fall, and attend Weekend Warrior. 

A collection of things I've worked on for my Ranger kit recently. The bag will have it's own post. My kit has a number of pouches, containers/bags/pockets, as well as a backpack, so it's time to start working on the stuff that goes in them, even if they are out of sight 99% of the time. Paper bits like this are a great inclusion, and weigh practically nothing. All paper documents printed onto durable laid paper, and aged and distressed. Picture 2: A map of Olaran in the world of Adrasil, for Fell and Fair's setting used in the Weekend Warrior event. I worked off of a digital file created by Wes Scruggs. Picture 3: A small folded in half wanted poster my ranger picked up from some billboard. It regards a man named Gudrun Irisson, who is wanted for many things, including the murder of a Kingsman and is potentially associated with the Hearth-Guard. It reads:  “Gudrun Irisson. Wanted! Dead or Alive. Wanted on account of high treason, committing sacrilege and the murder of Kingsman Arnol Westbrook. He is armed and extremely dangerous, and may be associated with the Hearth-Guard. Notable features: Greying hair, deep voice, dyed red leather gloves.”  Picture 4: Another, larger, 'wanted' poster of sorts my Ranger acquired from some backwoods town's tavern. This paper details a notorious wild boar in the woods who has injured a hunter recently. If one could hunt down "Old Tuskgutter" there's a reward in it. Noted. This is an adaptation of a wanted poster from the first "Kingmaker" premade adventure for the Pathfinder RPG. It reads: “Old Tuskgutter. Tales run rampant in this town of Tuskgutter, with each telling wilder than the last. Whoever manages to kill this ill-tempered beast is to receive a reward of 400 silver coins and a fine meal from the old, retired hunter Vekkel Benzen, who hath lost his leg to the monster pig a year ago. Bring the head. - Oleg” Picture 5: This small, folded up note, my Ranger came into possession of while on the case of searching for Gudrun. The letter is written from someone only calling themselves "Your Friend in Black," and was meant to be a letter to Gudrun that has been intercepted. It reads: “Gudrun, I pray to Luminos this letter reaches you in time. They know, it’s a veritable manhunt. They’ve already made posters. Best to lay low for the next month or two for this to blow over. Perhaps Sol might be a place to head... Inaara is fine, she made it to the safe house. - Your Friend in Black. P.S. Ditch the gloves, they’re mentioned on posters.” Also pictured is a small mysterious runestone, discovered very recently upon my Ranger's arrival to the Thornwood. Lastly there is another small note, an “IOU” I’ve received from someone a while back for that town’s local inn. When open, it  simply reads:  “His tab is on me. - Krandus”

Myself out hiking in Ranger kit. The photo is from a few months back when I was hiking in the Blueridge Mountains to a waterfall (behind me). 

While unable to join my fellow Rangers of Olaran this year at Weekend Warrior, I did make my way to the North Carolina Renfaire this Saturday. Not the most scenic place for photos, but it was my first outing with the new cloak. Looking forward to going out to the bridge and mountain soon!

New profile pic from my recent photoshoot! I’m very excited for the Weekend Warrior event approaching this month, it’s been so much work for so long to get ready for this. Two and a half years now of working on the ranger outfit, and the camping gear. While some of it was purchased, and most of those pieces have been altered and distressed, much of it all has been made from scratch.  There’s so many things I had to learn to get this far, learning how to make arrows, archery targets, beeswaxing canvas, learning leatherworking, so much hand-stitching, and more. And I’ve documented much of it all as work in progress stuff, and photographed projects as I’ve finished them.  So it’s now kind of surreal that I finally have photos of myself in it all, and knowing that I’ll be among a large number of other Rangers in great looking kits, all working together. Camping together, and exploring atop a mountain ridge, working as a structured force broken into squads with assignments, with a command tent and quests. It’s great going out and getting pics and video, but it can be lonely. Excited to meet the rest of the Rangers of Olaran.  Photography by @dosalmasmedia: https://www.instagram.com/dosalmasmedia/ https://www.facebook.com/Dos-Almas-Media-100273485922050