ASC-01-27-20

Writing Prompt: Share a story about a way that you have given or received tangible recognition / largess - whether formal (such as a blood drop from a Pelican or a leaf from a Laurel) or a pass-down legacy largess item, or even something simple.

Thomas de Groet

It was Sunday morning at Steppes Warlord, AS LIV, and I was sitting the Consultation Table with Tostig and Castellana, when Her Excellency Adalia, Golden Staff Herald, came up to me with His Excellency Count Daffyd in tow. Adalia indicates me with her hand, and Daffyd asks for my services as a Calligrapher. Their Majesties, it seems, had been having difficulty with leaving or losing their mundane keys while in garb, and they needed something to attach to them in order to prevent this unenviable fate from continuing. Therefore, Daffyd calls on Adalia, who is not a calligrapher, but she points Daffyd to me. He explains the situation, and I quickly walk to get my supplies. I take two strips of Bristol paper, write "King" on one, "Queen" on the other, and the offending keys are attached to these. To me, this is nothing special, it took longer to get the materials than to actually do the calligraphy, but Daffyd stops me before I can leave, and explains about the tradition of the Pelican's Blood Drop, in preparation for reaching into his pouch to present me with one.

Alain de la Rue

The years have passed since this moment, but I remember it well. It was my first event or close to it, held in the Shire of Emerald Keep. There was a great feast held in those halls and my friend Prudence was preparing it. She needed help. Understaffed and overwhelmed, she raced against time. I did what I could, not really knowing much about anything really, but what I could do was help serve. So I hurried back and forth from the kitchen, bringing out plates and so forth. All of that part was a blur, a whirlwind of food and drink and people. It was apparently very taxing. When feast was finished, I found a table and rested my eyes for a good while.

As I was walking around afterward, a man approached me, thanked me for serving and helping out. He explained a little bit about some bird that that would peck itself to give blood to their offspring. I had no idea what that meant. Then he gave me this bead that looked very much like a drop of blood and thanked me once again.

I thanked him and shuffled off, unclear about what had just transpired. My wife, who was more involved at the time, listened to me explain my story. Then she impressed on me the significance of the Order of the Pelican and the blood drop I received.

I’m a bit more well-versed now, but I look back on that humble beginning fondly. I’m glad someone took time from the event they were enjoying to take notice of me; taking notice of someone who’s story was just starting.

Rene Damours

06/18/20
Like Sofia Speranza, much of my largesse has been at A&S competitions; the braided bookmark with a fish pendent is still in use, and there are so many lovely items that I've gathered over the years. There are, though, a few that really stand out for me. In no particular order...well..the story for this is really a longer one, but needless to say, I had a heart incident and, well, died for 45 mins. I survived and at the first event I went to after I recovered, Ivarr runamagi, a man I look up to. A man I love dearly. A man who inspires me greatly, gave me a necklace and spoke words that wet my eyes even as I think of them now. Love you, Ivarr. The second is a small ring. I'm not entirely sure what it's made out of, sadly, but when HG Ebergardis von Zell was Princess the first time, there weren't many cadets there. In fact, I think there may have only been two by the time court was to start. The tournament was out in the west, and it was snowing and cold. I had the good fortune of being with Her Highness, carrying the Princess' Blade until court started. We were outside in the snow while She was frantically getting ready for Court. Later, at Her Coronation Day, she called all of the Cadets to Her and said goodbye. When she said goodbye to me, she pulled this ring from her finger and gave it to me. It was a great moment, and one that I cherish. Finally, Her Grace Conall Ó Ríoghbhardáin, a sister-in-arms, and one of my favorite people, came to me after one of fights in an Ansteorran Rose Tournament. I had fought Doña Ingrid, and it was a good one. She beat me, and I think went on to win that tournament, but after my fight, Conal approached me with a buckler. She praised my fight, this was WELL before I was given a White Scarf, and told me how proud she was and how much I earned this. I wrote on the back of it who had given it to me and when. It, like the necklace and ring, are safely tucked away.

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Delphina de Champeaux

06/18/2020
These coins are very special to me. They are from a long time ago in a place that is dear to me but no longer there. It was in the late 90s early 2000s and we were fighting down in la Marche Sauvage in a rapier tournament. I was having a pretty good day and having a great deal of fun. I had just fought and won and was leaving the field when I was approached by the Baron of Bjornsborg - Emrys who requested to pay ransom for his lady wife, Brianna, whom I had just fought. This is my memory and may be faulty but it is one that brings me both joy and sadness.