Introduction
Grimwell sits at a rough hewn table in Fish's Alehouse in Qeynos Harbor. Gathered around are four members of the Festival of Unity Planning Committee; uncomfortable on a stool obviously too small, sits Klumpp, a bald, pale-skinned ogre in shining plate. His hand glows with the divine power of a paladin, and his expression seems more thoughtful than is common among his ilk. Across the table, are Tosta and Spindel, both Ratonga. One with white fur, and in travel-worn leathers, scratching his eyepatch as he takes a drink, and a small tawny female, who tunes up her lute gracefully, smiling. To his left, is Phemme, silver-haried, willowy elder Koada'dal, with the poise and elegance of her historic ancestors.1) Tell us a little bit about the Qeynos Faire. What was your original inspiration? What were your goals?
Spindel: /shrugs Well, fer me, I dunno. Everyone likes a good party, ya know? As long as I been here, dere aint been a big bash er anything fer a while. So, all I wanted was ta get a bash goin, everyone comes, dey have a lotta brew, dey fall down, and get dragged home. Grins and lights a cigarillo.
Klumpp: Looks at the table in thought. It's hard to say, really. There seemed a general sense that we needed -something- to raise our spirits, and few knew what. Several of the leaders of the Qeynos and Kelethin guilds got together to try and address it, and the festival was born. My goals have been to bring to light the qualities we tend to take for granted in times of hardship (which we've all faced for too long now): an appreciation for life, love, and happiness.
Tosta: I'm a 'tonga, so everyone knows I wasn't from Qeynos originally. But this is my home -- don't let anyone tell you different! Sometimes the people who were born here just don'trealize just how good they got it ... a city free of oppression, evil magics or fear. I'm proud of my home, and I want everyone else to feel that same pride. For me, this was a celebration of our homelands -- both Kelethin and Qeynos -- of the people too darn stubborn to give into darkness and tyranny.
Phemme: I heard a rumor about plans for a grand faire, meant to relieve the citizens of their day to day worries and bring joy and merriment to our shattered lands. Naturally, I was intruiged, so I tossed young Nathan Ironforge a gold piece and sent him to find out more. He brought me news of a meeting that would take place soon, and I made a point of being there!
2) Now that you are on the final day of the Faire, how do you think you have done so far on achieving those goals?
Tosta: Did we achieve our goals? Heck, yeah!
Klumpp: Grins hugely.The attention we've had paid to this festival has been beyond our wildest expectations, and I've had countless people come to me, telling me how much fun they're having. Since that was the point, I'd say we've absolutely met our goals - surpassed them even.
Spindel: Well.. Leans forward and nods. Are you kiddin? I mean. Wow. Just wow. People were crawling outta da woodwork fer dis. Dis was one of dose tings dat's like a snowball rollin downhill. There was hardly any elbow room at dat auction, and da joustin? Un-Bee-leev-able. /laughs and takes a drag off his smoke.
Phemme: Oh, not only do I believe we met our goals, I think we've surpassed our original expectations by leagues! Blushes slightly
3) How many people were involved in setting up the Faire?
Phemme: The truth is, Grimacing a bit, I'm not sure we can count the number of people who contributed to this venture; dozens comes to mind.
The four huddle around the table, head-to-head, and names start pouring forth in a rush
Rhemdir, Zilvrae, Reedeep, Tock, Telis, Lorami, Mnekurae, Tregarde, Lera, Shackleton, Lyrako, Vinka, Afflicto, Raison, Thrar, Etude, Trueflight, Drakael, Jethal, Lorelea, Zorgin, Xelanna, Elquinjena, Lysari, Kade, Tyger, Akissa, Snowmoon, Shirrar, Annwen, Clump and, Zahira
They all throw their hands in the air, sure they've left out some very important contributors, but in the moment, are at a loss to recall
4) How long did you spend planning for the Faire?
Klumpp: Six weeks, replete with weeky meetings, planning boards we contributed to at our leisure, and various guilds creating their competitions and events.
Spindel: A couple of hours each weekend, and den gettin da Faire Grounds goin and wit da Tourney...fillin out all da paperwork...yada yada yada...lotta work, but REALLY worth it. Nods and takes a sip of his drink.
Tosta: Well, lets just say we drained a lot of kegs of Brell's Finest before we were done. Spin was up so late some nights I had to twist his tail just to get him to come to bed. Writing letters, setting up contest rules, registering contestants, organizing my knights to advertise all over Norrath? WHEW! I tell you... when the final ceremonies are over, I'm crashing and I ain't waking up for a week!
Phemme: Well, our first planning meeting took place on April 22, and we had weekly meetings thereafter, so I'd say we spent about two few hours per week, as a group. Each event host, then spent some time with their own guild members and friends, sorting out their details. All in all, I'd say I spent ten hours in preparation.
5) What was the most difficult challenge in terms of getting this off the ground?
Spindel: Oh jeez. Da tourney. Are you kiddin? Every take a bunch of knights and put dem out in one place at one time? I'm glad da sky was overcast, cause it it weren't da glare woulda blinded me. Chuckles and grins But yeah, dat and da casino was hard too. Worked out ok. I was surprised about da tiger though, didn't count on dat one. Hope everyone was ok. Scratches his nose and shrugs
Phemme: Truthfully, the tasks before us were not particularly difficult. Meeting with like-minded people about a common goal is never unpleasant! We had so many willing to give their time and effort, so it all came together beautifully.
Klumpp: Getting the word out that this festival was available to the public. We stationed heralds throughout Qeynos, Kelethin, and many areas between to make announcements, and while we did garner a considerable amount of public awareness, we are still, at the end of the festival, hearing reports of those who were unaware of it. We had so many people willing to help with the planning and running of events it was almost overwhelming, reminding me that there were many who were in desperate need of the relief this festival would provide. It was heartening, to say the least. Nothing in the way of scheduling, ideas, or cooperation hindered us at all - in fact, we had more than we hoped for.
Tosta: The thing I worried about most was making sure everyone heard about it beforehand. I almost ruined my singing voice hollering and playing town crier. I wanted as many people to come to the party as possible.
6) What has been the most rewarding part of the Faire so far?
Spindel: Everyone coming tagedder. I mean, I aint seen so many happy people havin a good time in such a long time. People say dat sumthin like dis wuddn't work. Glad ta prove dem wrong. Cheers guys.
Klumpp: Watching the good people of Norrath enjoy themselves in such numbers.
Tosta: Well... it may seem silly, but during the tourney, I looked around and I saw all the knights -- armor shining and guildcloaks everywhere, and it really got to me. It was almost like something out of a ballad or song. Norrath's a rough world, and we need brave fighters to keep our citizens safe. To me, that was the best part of the whole thing.
Phemme: Those who've come to the Festival of Unity, of course, and enjoyed the events! Those have been my reward. Oh, I feel blessed by Tunare, to be sure!
7) Have you been able to participate in any of the events, or have you been too busy making sure everything happens?
Tosta: I had a chance to perform a favorite song at Tregarde's Wishing Well, and that was a lot of fun! I didn't enter any of the contests, but let's just say I managed to enjoy myself anyhow. Grins impishly and upends a full tankard in one gulp
Phemme: A lady simply to set aside time for herself! I've had time to enjoy several of the activities. Snowmoon and I had the great fortune to be highest bidder at the Erolissi's Luck auction, and spent a lovely evening with our date, Shackleton. Later that evening, we enjoyed an ale and a tale at the Tavern Night, then ended the evening betting against the house playing 21 I had my fortune told by Drakael, and I must say, I feel even more confident about an even brighter future than I already had!
Klumpp: I thought I would be too busy, but with as many planners as we've had, I've been able to jump in and participate. I was in the joust (Congratulations, Tibbarian, our jousing champion), I competed in the Feyiron Chef (Congratulations, Lysari, whose cuisine pleased the judges more than mine), I was in the bachelor/ette auction (Congratulations, Lorelea, auctioned for 10p!), and I was in the Spider Pie Eating competition (Congratulations, Lera, whose stomach proved larger than mine [somehow]). I have really enjoyed myself.
Spindel: Heh heh heh. Wit Tosta's cookin? Signed up fer dat FeyIron Chef... Wink I been busy, but I played some cards, got ta plave a bet fer some of dem folks in da auction. (Next time Lorelea! Heh heh heh Grin) but besides dat, just been makin sure everyone has a good time!
8) What sort of turnout have you received so far?
Spindel: Unbeeleevable. Everyone and dere brudder. Kelethin. Qeynos, even some shady characters we thought were from Freeport or Neriak. I mean, wow.
Phemme: Phenomenal! Well, I've never seen so many gather in Antonica before, and certainly never so many for an unofficial activity.
Tosta: It was amazing! Folks from Kelethin, from Qeynos, from Haven - all over the place! I scented a few 'Porters around too, but they didn't give us any trouble, so I didn't have to whup their tails. I guess even the lapdogs of the Overlord need to get out and have a good time once in a while. Klumpp: Different events attract different crowds, and I'm happy to say, they've all far exceeded our expectations. We, the organizers, have had to ask for more help for our events than we originally counted on once the crowds arrived, and we've been thrilled by that.
9) Have you ever done anything like this in the past?
Phemme: Never anything of this magnitude, no. I've been involved in hosting various guild events both in these shattered lands and in Norrath the way it once was, but they were small, and usually brought less than two dozen participants. I've never seen any event like this.
Tosta: All, the Vagabonds have a history of throwin kickin parties, but never anything like this.
Klumpp: Not of this magnitude, no. I've been a part of the leadership for coordinated strikes on Freeport, the defense of Qeynos, and exploration into the wilds of Norrath, but never with this many people involved. It's been a learning experience.
Spindel: We had a couple of parties, and da roach races we had at da Spider before, but sumthin this size? Nah.
10) Will you be doing it again?
Phemme: Looks warily around the others Well, I have to admit, we're all slightly spent, but there have already been rumblings amongst us about…err ...well, something in the future.
Spindel: Heck yeah! /cheer!
Tosta: Marr! I hope not! /laugh
Klumpp: Oh yes. We're discussing that now, actually, hoping to continue the momentum of this faire and community spirit. It's a good day to live in Qeynos.
11) Can you share a little bit about yourself? What sort of person takes on this sort of player run event?
Klumpp: Well, there is a lot to tell, so I'll try to keep it relative to the festival. Grins I'm a bit of an anomaly, as an ogre paladin of Marr, so perhaps there's something to that. I have developed an appreciation for Qeynos after my life in Freeport, and I think that's led me to want to give something back, and perhaps bring to light the qualities others who have never known otherwise might take for granted. I've known darkness, so maybe I appreciate the light just a little more than those who don't.
Spindel: Oh jeez. Um... Well, er... I run a gild outta Qeynos. Da Vagabond Knights, and do a little trainin of Arena Champeens and importin and exportin on da side. What sorta guy runs dis? HA! A crazy one!
Tosta: Me? I'm just an ordinary rat that fate stuck in the middle of a whole bunch of chaos. I didn't mean to end up a knight, but sometimes when you stand up for what's right, it takes you to some crazy places. Bottom line? I'm just a bard, a wife, and female blessed with a whole lot of great friends. It's my friends and guildies that give me the energy to do the stuff I do... helping plan this madhouse Festival included.
Phemme: I certainly don't wish to swank, Looks around the table at those she's worked with these many weeks These, and all of the others who worked tirelessly seem to bear many of these traits; patience, generosity, great wit!
12) Did you have to clear your schedule in real life in order to make time for this event?
Spindel: /sarcasm... Oh, I had to re-arrange my Sch-ed-you-ule around this. SOOOOO....frustrating... /grins
Phemme: Well, I won't say I haven't been neglecting some things, but I haven't had to reschedule anything.
Tosta: Clear my schedule? Gods, you better believe it! I haven't got to cuddle with my Captain or slay a dragon in weeks
Klumpp: Oh yes, quite. I haven't been able to do much else besides the festival since our Opening Ceremonies. What time I do get away is spent either cleaning up from the previous day, or planning for the next. It's a labor of love, though, and I would have it no other way. Grins
13) Did you serve cake or pie?
Klumpp Pie, of the Spider variety, a recipe passed down from my dear mother, Marr rest her soul.
Tosta: Uh... I'm an awful cook. I mostly just stick to beer.
Spindel: Rolls his eyes. Qeynos. Halflings. Baubleshire. Whaddya you think? Both. It was a cornucopia of crafty and creative cooking and culinery crumbly creamy cookies and ...er...stuff!
Phemme: The gods smiled upon us with gifts. When I had a chance, I served CHEESECAKE!