Scribal War Band

The First Shelter-In-Place Scribal War Scenario :

The Battle of the Illuminated Capitals

"Ever since I was a wee baby parchmenter (sic) I have dreamed of hosting a great war, played out on the parchment and vellum I produced. A challenge and series of battles between scribes, the scribes of kingdoms, defending their personal honor of skill and art, attempting as groups to defend and show the strength of their kingdoms... A war... one which would, perhaps one day, be the basis of odes and fables, created anew by bards of our lands, regaling the beauty of the art as it goes to battle....The heroism of the battle... the victories achieved by the great armies of each kingdom..."

~ David Bianco, The First Shelter-In-Place Scribal War

On March 21st, David de Rosier-Blanc of Antir announced the First Shelter-In-Place Scribal War. Scribes across the known world would compete for bragging rights and prizes of real parchment. The premier scenario was THE GREAT ILLUMINATED CAPITALS BATTLE. Each kingdom would form a team.

David provided each participant with (2) 3" x 4" scraps of parchment on which we would each illuminate a capitol to the best of our ability. One scrap was an outline, and the other was a fully painted letter. Scribes could win individually and Kingdoms could win as a group.

The West Kingdom scribes arrived in force and provided 29 of the 120 total entries. From novices to masters we worked together and presented more than a full alphabet and two additional characters besides. And if that were not enough, we decided to present "historiated" letters, meaning each letter contained some narrative element. The competition and judging is ongoing, but here is what we submitted.

Words from our Warband General

We did it! We submitted an entire alphabet! Plus an et/ Ampersand & a thorn. The West really set the bar high, both in terms of quality AND quantity.

Out of 166 total entries, the West provided 29 AND we are the only Kingdom where a seated Royal marched into battle with their troops. And we had two; her Majesty and his Highness of Cynagua.

The competition rolls into judging now, and make no mistake, it's going to be stiff. There are some excellent artists out there across the Knowne World. I will be watching it eagerly.

Yet this was only the 1st scenario, and in the coming weeks the next competition will be announced. So raise a glass and rest those hands. We will soon have a new opportunity to represent our Kingdom, and demonstrate the prowess and creativity to the whole of the Known World.

YIS

~ Baron Carrek Macbrian, Western Scribal Warband