I have a tale to tell of Spring Crown in Stormhold...

The month was September, the season Spring and a time of renewal for the Kingdom. The holiday began fairly, and many were they who flocked to Stormhold, willing to try their luck in combat or in the gentler arts. The Crown was to be contested, and the mettle of our makers also. The company was excellent, the fashions exemplary and the food divine. There was even coffee. 

For the artisans of Lochac, sadly, the fates were against us. Arrangements fell like sheaves before the scythe. The tables were filled with the works of our brightest stars, yet they sat unattended for too many hours...a few hardy souls, called to battle against the odds, could make but little headway. As time passed, the weather only got wilder, unlooked-for demands took control of circumstances, and at the last, it was impossible to finish the task. The people dispersed across the Kingdom once more, taking their goods with them. They left no trace behind, but an emptiness where bells might have sounded.

***

Greetings, Lochac!

Unfortunately, the tale of woe with which I started is all too pertinent. There were as many entrants in the Arts & Sciences as in the Crown Tourney itself, which is a fantastic turnout! I understand many beautiful things were on display. However, all the arrangements for judging came to grief somehow, and could not be well remedied on the day...and then there was some serious Weather to be managed, causing a flurry which took all the attention from other things. It became impossible to announce results or give prizes during the event. 

I apologize that things have not gone to plan. I acknowledge the work everyone did, before and during the weekend, and I appreciate the courtesy and understanding which was employed by numerous people in trying circumstances. There were those who did their best to amend the situation - for their efforts, despite all impediments, to make this Spring round of the Lochac A&S Championship run successfully, many thanks go to:

Lady Ysabel Norrice

Magnifica Ginevra Lucia di Namoraza

Lord Angus Galloway

Mistress Clara Bone-Aventure

Count Jayne Hunter

Given the general confusion, and the fact that I was not myself present, there may have been other good people who contributed here - if I have missed someone, to them also, much thanks. 

As the dust settles, I find that we have very little information. I have no records from the judging that was done, so I'm relying on all of you to help me here. We still want to allocate everyone's scores towards the Championship, and this now becomes a job for the electronic age.

Each person who had an entry in the Arts and Sciences competition at September Crown is asked to send a digital copy of it to me. This applies however your entry was judged (or not) on the day! 

I hope all the original participants will be able to do this. If you just meant to enter, or had something nearly ready, please don't add yourself to the competition at this stage. Similarly to an invalidated Crown Tourney, we want to reproduce the original circumstances as closely as possible. 

Two weeks are now assigned for people to digitalise and send their entries in. After that time, I will organise for them to be judged, if need be, or I will collate the scores and record them for the Championship. Announcements will be made, and prizes awarded as normal (just somewhat delayed!). 

If you were one of the entrants, here is what is needed: 

Scans or clear photographs of:

- your completed entry form (including all the scoring and feedback pages, if they were used)

- any documentation you presented.

- the entry itself. 

Send all these to the KMoAS email (artsandsciences@lochac.sca.org) as soon as you can, and in any case before the end of Wednesday 24th September. 

If your entry was not a photographable object, or there is any other reason you can't send it electronically, please contact me as soon as possible, to see if we can find another way for your entry to be included. We want to get the best possible result for everyone.

If you have any concerns about this process, please reach out to me and we can talk things through. 

Sincerely...with my fixing hat on...