Why the World Needs Wizards

Transcription

On April 25th, 2001, your Dragonmaster recorded the original version of "Why New York Needs
Wizards" for WNYE-FM Radio and the Teachers' and Writers' Collaborative of New York, Inc., Nancy
Larson Shapiro, Executive Director, and producer/supervisor Mr. Irwin Gonshak. The resulting
broadcast originally aired Tuesday afternoon, September 4th, 2001, on WNYE as part of the
Collaborative's "Anything Goes!" series. One week later, of course, as the world already knows, 9/11
changed the world forever. Now, nearly three years later, your Dragonmaster is honored to once again
share this epic commentary with everyone --- only this time, I do so as leader of the Council of the Wise,
for whom these remarks, newly re-edited and revamped, will henceforth serve as our Official Manifesto.
For we, the Wizards who will form this Council, believe that the days are coming when the future of all
Mankind will be decided through the actions of certain Mortals lacking not only proper imagination, but
also simple and honest responsibility. And so, let me now share with you my hopefully sensible thoughts
on the subject of.......
"Why the World Needs Wizards"
reetings, Mortals! By now, thou hast seen mine website a good many times across
the Aeons, so I suspect 'tis common knowledge to each and all that I, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, Duke
of Talisker --- Master Mage and Sorcerer in the Service of Her Majesty, Margaret, Queen of Scotland
and the Isles --- continue to refer to myself as "New York City's first and only Unofficial Wizard." Much
hath occured since the years that I first materialized hither within thy Shire of the Hatted Man, as Milord
Oberon, King of the Faeries, would call mine adopted metropolis; even now, a good many of you
listening hither remain confused as to why ye Byg Appyl, as you so legendarily call this place, should
have a Mage of its very own.
To explain that question, I must recall a letter written by one of Earth's more desperate Mortals, as
printed in that portion of the chronicle known unto ye as the New York Daily News --- the portion, to be
more exact, bearing the designation 'Voice of the People': "Isn't anyone happy anymore? Why has the
Voice of the People column become an obnoxious, cats-in-an-alley, nails-on-a-chalkboard,
car-alarm-at-five-o'clock-in-the-morning (Where in thunder is that noise coming from?!) rant? Life is not
all that bad, people. Sing a song, or something......"
Would that I could convince the author of that letter (whose comments, by the way, I very much
approved of!) that indeed there might yet be a means whereby Happiness could be restored not simply
unto the City, County and State of New York, but unto all the countries and nations of the World! In the
three short years that have passed since the dark events of 11th September 2001, Mortal-reckoning, it
remains apparent to this foolish old beetlehead of a Wizard that New Yorkers --- indeed, all sentient
beings, as a rule, and regardless of whether they cast their lot in the name of good or in the name of evil,
share a common, albeit somewhat curable, affliction:
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Theirs has been an environment permeated across countless centuries by constant surfeits of cynicism,
pessimism and just plain old everyday bad manners! Many incidents such as these have plagued
Mankind for far even more millenia than I myself would dare to count; frankly, I do not expect such
traditions to change any time soon.
And yet, since I happen to be a charter member of that fraternity of do-gooders known as the Masters of
Good Magic --- those would be the various Wizards, Witches, Warlocks, Mages and Sorcerers throught
the Greater Multiverse who have devoted their lives --- and powers --- to fighting eternally for the virtues
of Justice, Wisdom, Honor, Compassion, Loyalty and Mercy --- I have a vested interest in seeing to it
that the Terran Solar System is rescued from the abyss of eternal doubt; and so, to achieve that purpose, I
have taken quill in hand --- OK, make that keystroke in fingertip --- that I might address my thoughts
with regard to answering the question: "Why does the world need Wizards?"
One of my most favorite sayings reads as follows: "I've lived long enough to have learned that, no matter
how nice you are, there will always be times when the world will find a way to break your heart --- but
only if you let it do so. Never let it do so." I think --- and you must note that I am, after all, speaking
strictly for myself at this point --- that the Planet Earth should have someone who, among other things,
can remind the populace of this kindly philosophy on a daily basis. Oh, 'tis true that such a person need
not necessarily be of Mortal-born stock, but I would again remind you goodly gentles that it was our own
Exalted Brother, the wise, powerful and incredibly fabulous Merlin --- he who is sometimes called "the
Father of all Mages" --- who regularly took on such baggage without so much as contemplating even the
consequences of his every action.
Indeed, as King Arthur's staunchest, noblest ally, Merlin did his level best to symbolize the very
conscience of Camelot. And that, I think, is what has separated us Wizards from you Mortals over the
aeons: whereas we Wizards have long reminded ourselves each and every day of what our consciences
represent for all of us, sadly, you Mortals have forgotten what your consciences represent. How else,
then, do you explain that mindless garbage which you ever so often dismiss with the epithet "reality
television"?
In a world where anything --- even, to some extent, Magecraft itself! --- can be exploited for personal
gain, 'tis enough to case even this Mage to cringe in utter horror, especially when one considers the toll
that such exploitations can often take upon our very spirits!
So canst thou provide another reason, I can sense thee asking, as to why there should be Wizards
walking the streets of the world?
Well, know ye this: we have long had a history across the Ages of making the rather frustrating error (as
one is often wont to do) of taking on far too many burdens in various aspects of life, from the most
simple and petty of household chores to even the boldest business ventures. These situations, I think, are
best blamed 'pon the overwhelming obsession of the typical everyday Mortal to keep up with the world's
ever-quickening pace. Now, none of us need be Merlin, let alone possess his far-seeing powers --- or
even his knack for knowing practically everything about present-day trivia --- to sense that we have
reached a crossroads whereby, more often than not, we have failed to keep an eye upon what is
happening around us at all times.
Then again, of course, Merlin possessed those abilities in abundance!
Oh, you Mortals may laugh now, if you so choose, but I would ask thee to heed well the words of one of
thy more popular eccentrics, one Dennis Miller by name: "These are merely mine own observations; if I
have erred in making them, pray accept my humble apologies." English translation: "Of course, that's just
my opinion. I could be wrong."
Another of my reasons for the necessity of Wizardry on Earth concerns another of these same
aforemention'd eccentrics for which your powerful planet is quite legendary. His name was Henry J.
Stern, and he was responsible in time of yore for the stewardship of New York City's forests. That would
be the responsibility you Mortals refer to as Parks Commissioner. I used to imagine how considerable an
amount of stress might have gone with being Seneschal of..... er, how dost thou call it again? Oh yes, the
New York City Parks Department. Anyway, in order to deviate from the apparent Sturm und Drang
which accompanies ye aforenoted stress, Sir Henry, who often took the knightly name of Starquest,
relieved himself by dressing up in some of the most outlandish costumes that I have ever seen!
Why, for several years, during our very own Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival --- which I myself have
attended, clad in mine own full regalia --- this same Sir Henry dressed himself in the very trappings of
Royalty. As I recall, I sort of disapproved of his "King Henry" outfit; I was quick to remind him that the
members of Whittier, California's own Guild of St. Olaf at least bother to take their costumes extremely
seriously, often triple-checking if necessary to ensure that every last fragment of their own, sometimes
self-constructed, regalia is in fact historically accurate.
This, of course, is not to state that those who attend our Medieval Festival do not triple-check their
costumes for historical accuracy; I did merely suggest that Sir Henry might follow the example of the St.
Olaf Players, and dress himself as King Henry in a more befitting, more historically accurate costume.
The Renaissance, I must own, has had a sizable amount of coverage on the History Channel; however, I
think that if you are to become a proper part of the Renaissance, you should learn to dress though you
were indeed an actual participant therein!
Having said thus, I hope that those of you who take part in, attend, and are otherwise involved in our Fort
Tryon Park Medieval Festival will provide a proper tribute one of these years to us Mages; given that we
stand as the Shire's proverbial 'voices of reason and conscience,' I imagine that we are due for at least
some form of recognition!
There is one final reason to make the case for our wizardly presence in this wondrous globe; and, sadly,
that reason has its roots in a very simple truth: one never truly appreciates a good thing in New York
until it is gone. Case in point: the stranger from Marysville, Kansas who, for a short time, was the very
epitome of the true New York eccentric --- the composer, singer, poet, inventor, and occasional Viking
warlord, Louis Thomas Hardin, also known as Moondog. In 1999, my Dark Chambers website joined the
rest of the avant-garde classical music community in mourning Moondog's passing, at the age of 83, in
his adopted country of Germany.
He had settled there, in the tiny village of Recklinghausen, in late 1974, after having spent over 20 years
standing on the corner of 53rd Street and Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan, selling his
own recordings, poetry and other works. Though he was classified as being legally blind, the
heavily-bearded Moondog made his name by mingling unexpectedly with some of the greatest Mortals in
New York's celebrated legerdemain --- from Marlon Brando to Allen Ginsburg.....and even sitting in,
during his first years spent hither in this City, with our own renowned New York Philharmonic!
During his years in Recklinghausen, Moondog first encountered the woman with whom he would spend
the rest of his life: Ilona Goebel. Working as his business manager/translator, Ilona eventually coaxed
Moondog into abandoning his trademark Viking costume, along with his trusty spear. From then on, he
continued his composing-performing career --- and never looked back!
Moondog's last known public appearance occurred in Stuttgart, in the late summer of 1994, when he
staged a 30-minute recital devoted solely to some of his finest compostions, as part of the annual
Stuttgart International Jazz Festival. At the time of his passing a little over 4 1/2 years later, his New York
Times obituary made reference to an unpublished biography of Hardin, which would have been titled The
Viking of Sixth Avenue; to date, no more has been heard (at the very least, not to my knowledge,
anyway!) of that particular book. Still, it would have been nice to have been able to locate that tome, that
I might have the chance to look at Moondog's full story for myself, with a view toward exploring the
Hardinian Valhalla in greater and more extended depth.
Well, Mortals, there you have it --- our Exalted Father Merlin, Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern, and
the late composer Louis (Moondog) Hardin: three examples of why I believe that Earth is in desperate
need of Wizardry. You see, these three entities have, in their own ways, symbolized the unique qualities
of wonder that Imagination and Magic can sometimes accomplish when both are realized to their fullest
potential. This is especially true whenever a child --- or perhaps a young adult --- decides that it is worth
it to simply take matters into his or her own hands, and follow his or her own special star. Granted, there
may yet be other reasons for the necessity of Magecraft hither in this unusual Metropolis; but in the end,
if one were to learn, as that Daily News 'Voicer' had hoped, to sing a song; or take in the peace and
comfort of our City's forests; or simply revel in the company of friends...... then maybe, just maybe, New
York --- and more, the world with it! --- could indeed be free of the pessimism, the cynicism, and the bad
manners which have plagued it so constantly for lo, these many aeons.
Still, I believe that --- and here, I speak as a New Yorker, as an Earthling, and as a Wizard --- there are
those who will likely wonder if indeed New York and all the world can be rescued from all its cynics, its
pessimists, and its naughty people. Well, in a larger sense, that is why I am here: to make certain that
Mortals do not abandon their imaginations, as another of my colleagues, the brilliant author/artist Tony
DiTerlizzi, reminds us in his three children's books (I've personally looked through them; and find them
very imaginative indeed!); to inspire those with forward-thinking hearts to to believe in something far
greater than themselves --- and, in accordance with mine own nom de plume (Heh-heh!) to remind at
least one or two of ye out thither --- who are into noble Quests, Renaissance Faires and Festivals, and the
like --- to only support (and believe in) the Good Dragons of the Multiverse.
Ah yes, 4897 years old I may be, but I'm a wise enough Mage to understand and speculate upon the
destiny of those with whom I share this Planet. The problem is simply that there ought to be someone
who, at least unofficially, should stand up and tell my fellow Earthlings what to go and do with
themselves. And since no one's around to assume that mantle and take up the challenge, old Blackwolf
figured..... well, as you Mortals so bluntly put it, if ye want something done, go do it yourself.
That said, know ye this, Mortals: thou and I art stuck with one another; and accordingly, as your
Unofficial Wizard, I shall continue to do my level best to keep thee each and all upon ye straight and
narrow. This, of course, is where I believe every Mortal belongs. And anyway, someone has to defend
Mortalkind against the Forces of Evil in a straightforward, responsible, and meaningful manner.
And that, hopefully, is where I come in. Oh, I'm sure that to date I haven't made the history books (well,
at least those that truly matter, anyway! Heh-heh!), but I will say, as I have always said across the aeons,
that if I can contribute in some small, albeit unsung fashion, towards increasing Earth's continued
prosperity, then I'm a happy Wizard, truth be told. Even if, at times, I end up getting the funniest looks
from all my fellow Mortals ..... well, one must expect, and ultimately put up with, such things. Besides,
hast thou truly seen a Mage of mine abilities and capabilities before? I think not! Hopefully, in the end, I
trust that you will find me to become a very quick and most eager student.
Oh yes, we have much to teach one another, you and I. I'm sure that none of you have ever been known
to keep a Dragon in thy bathtub wherever you are out thither; but please be aware that indeed there are
Good Dragons in our Multiverse in general; and in mine adopted Realm of New York City in particular.
And even though ye may not be able to see them (unless, of course, you are deep in the Realm of
Dreams!), chances are, they might be watching you! And listening, too!
But you know, methinks that I have talked enough for now, for not even a Wizard can be made to ramble
on for all time. So, before I take my leave of thee, let me invite ye to explore mine own humble
homepage 'pon ye Aether. Thou shalt access my Dark Chambers at
www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwolfmain2.html --- or, better still, ye may wish to e-mail
me, at either pirate1_power@hotmail.com or blackwolfmmi@aol.com.
And now, if you'll all kindly excuse me, I must away to mine humble hovel, that I might yet partake of a
well-earn'd nap. (We Wizards need our sleep, too, you know! [Yawn!]) And so, this is Blackwolf the
Dragonmaster, New York City's first and only Unofficial Wizard, bidding thee safe journeys, each and
all!
Well, Mortals, I hope you enjoyed this new transcription, Why the World Needs Wizards. I had a lot of
fun working on it --- re-working it, as the case may be; and I'm sure that, three years after I first typed it
up, it will still be inspiring enough to remind ye goodly gentles to re-awaken the Wizard within thine own
secret heart! Anyway, if you wish to obtain any further information regarding the Teachers' & Writers'
Collaborative, please consult their homepage, as shown above. If you prefer, you may e-mail them at
info@twc.org; or write to them at 5 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003. You may also phone them
at (212) 691-6590, or give them a toll-free call at 1-888-BOOKSTW.
Click hither to toast Scarborough Faire; Or see me letter that says
TONY Mag ain't playin' fair! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye
lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Dark Chambers
Greetings, Mortals! Come share your Planet this
Earth Day with.......
ye, Lords and Ladies, even New York City's first and only Unofficial
Wizard hath the urge to go green, as it were. Click ye 'pon my Diary of Magecraft
for my pitch about something I call Time Warner Presents the Earth Day Special
2!
In the meantime, O ye that hath join'd us late, know ye that our main objectives
hither are to inspire the force of Imagination within the hearts of those who
would seek to dream! This I do by introducing ye, the potential Renaissance
Faire-goer, to the art, science and wonder of the Renaissance Faire Community,
and its various and sundry related arts, skills, pastimes, and assorted other nice
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stuff. Here, then, be what ye may find within the innersanctums of these Dark
Chambers:
Blackwolf's Dossier
Queen Margaret of Scotland and the Isles
Classic Blackwolf
Blackwolf's Links
Blackwolf's Editorial Archives
Magecraft in the News
Thor the Barbarian
The Gallery of Faire Friends
How to Hire a Dragonmaster
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's First Movie
Blackwolf's Webrings
The Story of Rocky the Leprechaun
The Dumbledore Eulogy
Blackwolf's Dream Wench
King Richard and Queen Eleanor
King Salmonella of Vulgaria
Ik the Troll Tribute & Interview
Blackwolf on Plantersville
Royals of the Week
Beauty of the Week
The 2008 Mardi Gras Monarchs
Special Treats!
Special Features
The Diary of Magecraft
The Dragonmaster on MSN
Blackwolf's Bonus Link of the Month Listings
The Royal Hall of Fame
In Other MageNews.....
Blackwolf in Poetry
Blackwolf's Banners
Linking to these Dark Chambers
Blackwolf @ RenSpace.com
Blackwolf @ MySpace.com
Blackwolf @ MyYearbook.com
RenFriends.com
WebMD.com
Faire season hath return'd, goodly gentles --- and Henry VIII himself hath a
personal message for those who would dare think of not doing Scarborough
Faire! All I can say is simply ---- YOU HAVE BEEN WARN'D!
Happy 10th Birthday, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog! 'Twas 1998 when the
then-fledgling Late Night w/Conan O'Brien didst unleash this cigar-chomping
legend on an unsuspecting audience of insomniacs across the Planet; today,
the fresh hound remains a comedy icon! I should know: to this day, folks
recognize your humble Dragonmaster from that expletive deleted 10-minute
comedic juggernaut that is the Star Wars Nerds Clip. I would therefore be remiss
were I not to pay ol' Poopstar proper tribute on this, his 10th Birthday! (His
website, though, is still unlinked hither because it still ain't been updated in
months, so methinks ye knows what ye needs to do, fresh hound!)
By Merlin's beard, I had quite a blast mugging for you Mortals in celebration of
my first official public appearance of 2008! As I told you, the Easter Parade on
5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan was filled with silly folk: members of the cast
of Rapid T. Rabbit and Friends; the Royals of the Imperial Court of New York; my
fellow Champion of the Imagination, the Incredible Bunnyman; bunny-musicians
Katherine O'Sullivan and Mason Brown; peace fan Maggie DeVries, who literally
let her body do the talking --- oh, as ever, I could go on and on and on! But I
won't. Suffice it to say, goodly gentles --- I was just too darn busy having too
much fun! Huzzah!
Imagine this, dearies: you're producer David Heyman. With three movies to go
before your role in the legend of Harry Potter comes to an end, how, I sense ye
asking, do ye top thyself? By producing Paddington Bear, The Movie, that's
how! Coinciding with this coming October's 50th Birthday Celebrations
involving Michael Bond's beloved bear from Darkest Peru, Warner Bros. and
Heyday Films now take on this new live-action/CGI adventure, written for the
screen by Hamish McColl! Further details forthcoming!
What do I mean, three Potter movies, you ask? Well, it seems as though Warners
and the Heyday crew are of the mind that, because Deathly Hallows is so
complex and fully detailed a finale, they've decided to split it into two movies,
both of which, presumably, will be shot back-to-back, simultaneously. Expect
Deathly Hallows, The Movie: Part One in theatres in November 2010, with Part
Two to follow in May 2011. In the meantime, Half-Blood Prince, The Movie, hits
theatres November 21st. David Yates returns as director, and Steve Kloves does
the same as screenwriter, with both men set to maintain their duties right to the
very end of the saga. As ever, stay ye tun'd!
Meanwhile, some 8 months after Deathly Hallows first came out, it looks like
Manhattan Federal Judge Robert Patterson has made the wise decision. As your
Dragonmaster ranted hither earlier in the week, things would be quite saner, as
it were, if the Lady Rowling, Steven Vander Ark and RDR Publishing simply
settled stuff out of court! Have I not said, dearies, that there are those of us who
would give their wands a brush or three to see an in-print version of the Harry
Potter Lexicon website? Oh yes, I certainly have! And more, we still have not yet
seen any making-of books about the Potter movies, let alone any authorized
comic books and/or graphic novels out of the realms of DC Comics; and really,
do you honestly think we're all gonna wait around forever as far as that goes?
Certainly not!
Behold --- my Champions of the Imagination! For various reasons, we've battled
valiantly in the tradition of beloved and glorious Moondog, to defend the forces
of Imagination and all those for which they stand against the Forces of
Nastiness! Besides yours truly, my burly Barbarian buddy Thor, and the ol'
loony in the loincloth, Master Thoth, those Champions are: Patrick Barnes, The
Oddist, alias the incredible Bunnyman, fluffy-tail'd Defender of Truth, Justice
and the Bunny Trail Way; Lord Clisto Seversword, whose Tome of Adventure
and Knowledge is reaching 4 1/2 million hits thus far (and counting); my fellow
Wizards, Merdwin the Mediocre and Ryleh the Wanderer; Chorley, Lancashire's
beloved Henry VIII; and that Stetson-clad strummer in the tighty-whities, the
Naked Cowboy! Through our combined websites, adventures, personal
appearances, etc., we seek to bring a little magic to a Planet in desperate need
of Dreamers! Please support all of us in our respective efforts!
For our Royals in our surfing audience: pray, Milords and Miladies, check ye this
out!
And since this ol' Wizard is now as hopelessly devoted to YouTube as the rest of
you, know that coming soon will be a new segment, featuring your
Dragonmaster's Favorite YouTube Moments! Pray, check out this sneak preview,
plugging the Cartoon Network I used to know!
Follow your Dragonmaster to Renaissance Magazine's EXCLUSIVE Renaissance
Faire Weblog, where goodly gentles like yourselves can stay on top of
everything that's happening in ye Realm of Faire! (I've even join'd Renaissance
Magazine's E-News mailing list, so I might better keep my fellow Faire
colleagues abreast of all that doth transpire in ye Faire Wyrlde! Huzzah!) Again,
say I: come, join me!
As always, these Dark Chambers can be accessed in two ways. There's the long
way:
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwolfmain2.html
--- and the short way:
http://www.darkchambers.tk/
.tk, for ye more unenlightened netsurfers, refers to the island nation of Tokelau,
near New Zealand, in that area of the South Pacific known as Micronesia. Now, I
know not how those goodlies got to be so computer savvy in that little corner of
the world, but I understand that they're giving away free domain names there.
Click here to figure it out for yourselves. Regardless of how ye access me
humble webpage, I hope you'll gain much pleasure from your pursuits of my
many adventures, be they on television, or here in cyberspace!
Blackwolf's Bonus Link for April is:
The St. Ives Historical Society! From its Castle Keep in the Shire of California
City, the Society seeks to share its love for beloved Gloriana with e'en her most
loyal subjects!
And our Bonus Link for May is:
Sacramento, CA's Grove of the Oak, just your typical merry band of Pagans,
Druids, Wiccans and other Magic-users who host an annual Celtic Midsummer
Faerie Festival, use their imaginations and assorted other nice stuff.
As always, if ye wish to e-mail this foolish old beetlehead, you may do so at
either electric_pirates@hotmail.com or blackbeardian@yahoo.com --- because
that, by Merlin's beard, is the way I like it! Huzzah!
Click ye hither if thou must depart mine Chambers; otherwise, return ye to Blackbeard's Castle!
BLACKWOLF THE DRAGONMASTER,
BLACKWOLF THE DRAGONMASTER'S DARK CHAMBERS
and all related elements are trademarks owned by EPE Holdings, Inc.
TMs and (C) Copyright 2008 by EPE Holdings, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Intro to Blackwolf's Dossier
Blackwolf's Dossier:
An Introduction
ow that you've found your way here to my Dark Chambers, which, by the way,
continues on as a key component of Richard Washington's Blackbeard's Castle, methinks a proper,
albeit slightly revised, resume of me humble person is in order. For several aeons, I had wanted to share
my background with many of you Mortals, mainly because so many of you were nice enough to ask a
good deal of questions concerning my life and adventures. In the beginning, I was a little fearful of
taking on such a challenge. Then again, it hit me: I didn't grow me beard, much less wind up wearing
these wizardly garments, based solely upon me good looks!
Until recently, as my Dossier will show you, during my many travels through the Multiverse, I used to
bring along me official, painstakingly hand-crafted business cards. (Richard tells me that Mortals find
business cards to be very, very essential. I, for one, can't imagine why.) Now, you may have noticed that
those cards (I've since had to use signs, into the bargain) identified yours truly as "New York City's
Unofficial Wizard." (The aforenoted signs which I now use serve basically the same purpose.) For those
of you were wondering why that is, let me explain that, as Unofficial Mage and Sorcerer-in-Residence of
the City, County and State of New York, my duties are basically to instill the power and force of
imagination and creativity within the young and the young-at-heart of the greatest city in the Mortals'
realm --- what they themselves call "the Big Apple." Like most of the many duties I have taken on over
my four millennia of existence, these are tasks I take extremely seriously. What's more --- like young
Master Washington himself! --- I don't like leaving ANYTHING unfinished!
And yet, for all of this, there are still some of you --- a good many of whom happen to be amongst my
fellow Magic-users --- who are probably seeing these, my Dark Chambers, here in cyberspace for the
very first time. And I sense that you're asking yourselves the Really Big Questions:
"Exactly why is that foolish old fuddy-duddy Blackwolf mounting his very own homepage, by thunder?
Knows he not the horror that often comes with writing up all that text and so forth? Does he not fear the
many dangers one often tends to associate with merely being Webmaster of one's own Domain? And,
more to the point, will he let us in on that which he knows?"
Well, my Brother Mages, let me just say this about that:
You're right. Those are indeed noble questions; and I have no quarrel with you as far as answering them
is concerned. As you'll see, in order to answer those questions for you properly, it will be necessary to
take you back four thousand years in time --- long, long ago before there was ever a civilization among
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Intro to Blackwolf's Dossier
you Mortals. At that time, I lived in a land that the Irish now call County Laoighis, in the village of
Abbeyleix.
My name then was Padraig, and I was the Squire and Caretaker in the service of the ruling Ard Rhi, or
High King, of Abbeyleix. In fact, I served in that capacity longer than anyone else in the entire realm --20 years, to be precise. And indeed, I would have chosen to remain in that humble station had I not
inadvertently stumbled upon a bizarre plot that, if carried out, would threaten the peace in Abbeyleix.
Still, even though I did save the day in the end, I did not do so without paying a price, alas. The resulting
consequences would be just the beginning of a chain of events which ultimately resulted in my
discovery, for the very first time, of the fine art of Magecraft --- and, with that discovery, my allegiance
(also for the very first time) to the Grand High Istari!
The ultimate purpose, then, of the Dossier which follows is to share with you (once and for all, I hope!)
the tale of how I came to be called Dragonmaster! It's a tale that, hopefully, will span the cosmos over
my four thousand years of existence and far, far beyond..... to reveal the who, what and why behind this
fearless old fuddy-duddy, whose Dark Chambers aren't really as scary as the name implies!
Anyway, that ought to do it as far as prefacing my Dossier is concerned. Now then, if you'll kindly click
here, we shall get on with it.
A magician's wand is all you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
These Dark Chambers are hosted by
Pray, get your own Free Home Page!
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Blackwolf's Dossier
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster
Duke of Talisker
"New York City's Unofficial Wizard"
Philosopher of the Internet
Lord High Mage of the Hard Drive
Champion and Conqueror of Thaumaturgic Technology
DESCRIPTION: Human male 18th-Level Mage; 10th-Level Bard.
AGE: 4897 (or thereabouts).
HEIGHT: 6'1".
WEIGHT: 160 lbs.
EYES: Blue.
HAIR: White, with flowing beard of approx. 8" in length.
PENMANSHIP: Left-handed.
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Good.
THAC0: 6.
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1.
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Blackwolf's Dossier
STR11, DEX12, CON14, INT18, WIS17, CHA13.
SPELLS: Blackwolf's repertoire principally consists of the traditional combinations of offensive,
protective, and defensive spells. A typical list of such spells, including certain modifications made by
him, would encompass the following: 1st --- charm person, comprehend languages, detect magic, hold
portal, protection from evil, burning hands, hypnotism, identify, shield, remove fear, aid and speak with
animals; 2nd --- hypnotic pattern, levitate, mirror image, detect evil; 3rd --- lightning bolt, hold person,
plant growth, summon insects, clairvoyance, gust of wind; 4th --- charm dragon, dimensional door, cure
serious wounds, lower water, produce fire, detect scrying, remove curse; 5th --- passwall, teleport, wall
of force, dispel evil; 6th --- disintegrate, legend lore, telekinesis, heal; 7th --- limited wish, power word
stun, teleport without error, vanish, charm plants, reverse gravity, time stop.
WEAPONS OF PROFICIENCY: dagger; dart; quarterstaff; long sword; short sword.
NON-WEAPON PROFICIENCIES: Even before the events that led him to settle down amongst the
Mortals of New York City, Blackwolf's primary non-weapon proficiency was that of reading/writing;
eventually, he mastered the fine art and science of, among other things, ancient history
(Celtic/Scottish/Gaelic); spellcraft; etiquette; local history (Abbeyleix); and weather sense. Since settling
in the Big Apple, the Dragonmaster has somewhat extended his vast repertoire of non-weapon
proficiencies to include: storytelling; disguise; riding, land-based (horse); musical instrument (lute);
singing; computer programming; recent local history (New York City, County and State); endurance;
iconography; languages, modern and ancient (an indefinite amount); animal handling and training
(dragon); and weekend adventuring (hiking, cooking, photography, etc.).
EQUIPMENT: Blackwolf's Dark Chambers contain a wide assortment of equipment, both Magical and
Mundane, from an endless library of universes. The huge, heavy, voluminous tome permanently chained
to the floor of the Mage's hovel (55 lbs., 6700 pages) is his Diary of Magecraft. Here, with quill in hand,
Blackwolf often records for posterity the detailed instructions of the various spells and incantations he
has mastered over the aeons; the Diary's text may also include the Dragonmaster's many tales and
chronicles of his visits to certain dimensions and/or points in Mortal history (specifically, that of the
Terran solar system and its environs). Various other spellbooks and related literature may also be
ensconsed within Blackwolf's vast archives. These, along with assorted other items, may be usually kept
on a shelf, in a chest or in some sort of pocket dimension [several of the latter are rumored to be scattered
all about his Dark Chambers].
During his outdoor travels, Blackwolf limits his equipment to the few items he keeps in his own,
custom-designed [by his own hand] belt-pocket. Until recently, these items principally consisted of his
official "business card," which identified him as Unofficial Mage and Sorcerer-in-Residence to the
Mortalfolk of the City, County and State of New York; his powerful DialStar, which, to the average
unsuspecting Mortal resembled a typical wristwatch --- but in truth was a device developed for use in
journeys back through time, or simply to cast the Dragonmaster's familiar time stop spell; and the device
for instant image capture, known in the Mortals' tongue as a "camera". With this latter device, Blackwolf
had the power to freeze in time any image of the moment that tickles his fancy. And, from time to time,
should a given situation arise which deeply touches his inner soul, Blackwolf always carries his
handkerchief in his belt-pocket..... just in case he needs to blow his nose a good sniffle or two.
MAGICAL ITEMS: Currently, Blackwolf's most recently obtained magical item is his DragonStar
pendant, which renews his power to deflect any force-spell cast by any and all evil Necromancers.
Blackwolf's Dossier
Though constantly worn round his neck, the pendant is usually obscured by the Dragonmaster's long,
flowing white beard. And as per the traditions of his fellow Magic-users, Blackwolf always wields the
customary wooden staff borne by most Mages of his experience and expertise. It easily functions as a
wand, a divining rod, or as a standard walking stick. Also worn around Blackwolf's neck is a large
key-chain pendant, at the end of which can be found the key that unlocks his Diary of Magecraft; he
alone can command the incantation which unlocks the Diary.
COMBAT/TACTICS: Like most Mages, Blackwolf prefers to use his powers for defensive and/or
largely educational purposes. However, his status as Dragonmaster permits him, if need be, to wield
certain of his spells against evil dragons in each of the three major branches in the Hexagon of Balance:
lawful evil, unlawful evil and neutral evil. For obvious reasons, Blackwolf constantly strives to keep his
powers a secret from New York's Mortals (save those whom he genuinely trusts), choosing instead to
"illuminate the young and young-in-heart of the City; and to rejuvenate their sense of wonder."
ALLIES/COMPANIONS: Master Washington of the Eastern Realm, his Mortal-born alter
ego/apprentice; Sir Clisto Seversword, Knight of the Holy Blade of York; Ian MacTavish, of the Clan
IronWolf; Ryleh, Wandering Hedgewizard, formerly of the Shire of Harrison; Merdwin the Mediocre,
Mage of the Far Hills, of the Shire of Schenectady; Thor, Barbarian warlord King, whose redoubt lies in
the realm called Hawley, Pennsylvania; Master Thoth, channeler and chronicler of the Realm of the
Nular-in, whose own dominion lies in the ancient Realm of Queens; the poltergeist of Fergus
MacAndrich Lochinvar Gordon, late of the Shire of Port Washington; and the seven sorcerers known
as the Grand High Istari. In addition, as per his name and rank, Blackwolf is allied with the various
Dragons of the Multiverse which are aligned with either lawful, unlawful or neutral goodness; and
accordingly can assume mastery over them all should the situation be rendered necessary.
FOES/ENEMIES: Those who would disallow usage of the Imagination; various and sundry
Necromancers and other evil magicians; and, simply, all evildoers in general.
APPEARANCE: At 6'1", 160 lbs., Blackwolf appears as a heavily-bearded, blue-eyed man of weathered
visage, possessed of a gentle, gruff tone, and dressed in robes of nondescript attire and black sandals. His
kindly smile reflects his ever-positive philosophy and his unchanging belief in the miracle of the
Imagination, along with his unique knack for seeing the Greater Multiverse from a childlike perspective.
PERSONALITY: Never petty or harsh, not even with his own enemies or detractors, Blackwolf is
always on the watch for those who, like himself, are standard-bearers for the causes of kindness within
the heart, and dignity toward and respect for all living beings. Since he is a Mage, he firmly appreciates
the sacred Code of Honor upheld by all Masters of Good Magic from time immemorial: namely, that a
Mage always lives up to his promises. While he himself has willingly admitted that he does not
necessarily stick to such principles (even though he tries!), he does make an effort to instill those values
into the minds of all he meets. Small wonder, then, that manners and the proper maintenance thereof rank
among the Dragonmaster's favorite subjects! In a human sense, as noted earlier, Blackwolf will often
reveal his more human side; indeed, he is quite capable, if need be, of shedding a tear or two (at least,
once in a while!). Blackwolf also enjoys history, the sciences, alchemy, and other Mortal aptitudes.
These have permitted him over the aeons to hone his skills both as a teller of tales and as a Magic-user.
As a long-standing patron d'artes, the Dragonmaster has often found his most special joy in the making of
music. Sometimes, armed only with his trusty lute, he will sing a favorite song for the birds and other
creatures dwelling in and around Central Park (regardless of one or two of the pigeons singing off-key on
Blackwolf's Dossier
occasion!). In his opinion, the more songs one has in one's heart, the better!
LOCALES FREQUENTED: Other than his present home base, the plane of the space-time continuum
commonly referred to as simply "the Mortals' Realm," Blackwolf's travels have taken him to various
dimensia throughout the unchanging seas of the Multiverse. During his New York adventures, however,
his primary locales are those of the Shire of Sterling; and the small but burgeoning Realm of the
Cloisters, the latter being regarded by his fellow Magic-users as epicenter for the domain called Northern
Manhattan. As for his Dark Chambers, the Dragonmaster's location for his beloved hovel remains a
secret to but a chosen few, principally those amongst his aforelisted allies.
HISTORY: Padraig of Abbeyleix, son of Saemus, was the only child of that warrior's bloodline, his
mother having died in childbirth. As a boy, Padraig had always considered his father to be a hero; indeed,
the vast majority of Saemus' moral characteristics would serve him immensely when, in his later years as
Blackwolf, he would pass these same qualities on to his own son, the Mage and Sorcerer, Master Yen
Sid. But it was during his youth --- specifically, his teenage years --- that Padraig of Abbeyleix
underwent his most important education: namely, when he served in the Court of Lord Treadloach, Ard
Rhi, or High King, of all Abbeyleix. At the age of 14, young Padraig was press-ganged into service as an
apprentice caretaker in the High King's Court. The following year, his father Saemus gave him his first
sword --- no doubt intending that his son should serve Lord Treadloach where it truly mattered: upon the
field of battle!
By his eighteenth year, however, it became apparent to Padraig that he had little taste for killing, and so,
he willingly chose to remain a caretaker to the Ard Rhi's Court. Four years later, he had added the title of
Squire to those responsibilities, maintaining them even after his father Saemus had been (ironically)
killed in battle. Nonetheless, the fearless Padraig remained determined to serve his High King --- to the
death, if need be. Deeply moved by this youngster's profound loyalty, Lord Treadloach "adopted" young
Padraig as his own, and granted him his own living quarters in the Royal Palace. It was by this time that
Padraig had begun to develop his prowess as a chronicler/historian, keeping a secret journal of his
adventures and accomplishments to that point. That journal would eventually form the basis for the early
chapters of Blackwolf's Diary of Magecraft.
As Caretaker and High Squire, young Padraig was primarily responsible for the the palace's upkeep. In
his additional duties of Steward to the kitchen Help, Padraig oversaw those serfs and young boys who,
like himself, had been press-ganged into toiling for the Ard Rhi's service. In his quieter moments, he took
to practicing the lute, and was often invited to play at several of Lord Treadloach's banquets. By age 24,
he was the oldest-serving Squire in the region's entire history.
MEDIA APPEARANCES: The following media (films, television, radio and books) have recently been
blessed with the appearance and/or participation of the Dragonmaster: Anything Goes!, weekly radio
readings (Irwin Gonshak, producer/supervisor); Thoth, live-action documentary short subject (Amateur
Rabbit, Inc. production; Sarah Kernochan, producer); Late Night with Conan O'Brien, television talk
show (Broadway Video in association with NBC Studios; Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive
producers); Leaf Pile, local-origination variety show (Jeff Leibowitz, producer-editor); The Adventures of
Thor the Barbarian, local-origination variety show (Barbarian Enterprises, production company);
Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, television talk show (G4); The Nerd Show, unsold television pilot;
Totally Obsessed, documentary series (VH1); The Best of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog (compilation
DVD; Lions Gate Home Entertainment); Attack of the Show (in concluding portion of interview with
Blackwolf's Dossier
Triumph; G4).
ANNUAL EVENTS FREQUENTED: Blackwolf has made regular commitments to the New York
Renaissance Faire Sterling Forest, Tuxedo Park, NY; the Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival, in the
Twin Kingdoms of Washington-upon-the-Heights and the Inner Wood; and the Greenwich Village
Halloween Parade. It is at Sterling Forest in particular that the Dragonmaster has expressed a particular
loyalty to Her Majesty, Elizabeth I, Queen of all England.
MOTIVATIONS/GOALS: Having scribbled over four millennia's worth of tall tales, magic potions,
and other interesting items in his Diary of Magecraft, Blackwolf now seems content to hold fast to
maintaining his duties as Unofficial Mage and Sorcerer-in-Residence of the City, County and State of
New York. In this specific function, Blackwolf, having resolved never to cast his spells publicly, save in
the most extreme and/or dire of circumstances, now devotes himself to instilling the wisdom and wonder
of the Terran children within the spirits of those whom he encounters each day; and also to remind
Mortals of just how much unconditional positive regard the Humanoids of every known star-system are
truly capable of. Indeed, it can be said of Blackwolf that his ultimate philosophy is best summed up in
the Dragonmaster's own words:
"There are those who would declare the days of Magic to be over. Never trust them. I, for one, would
rather that those glorious days endure. Besides, now that I'm travelling from dimension to dimension
within the confines of the Mortals' Realm, well --- when all is said and done, I just think, by thunder, that
I'm simply having far too much fun!"
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Electric Pirates Entertainment, Inc./EPE Holdings, Inc., Attention:
Richard Washington, Founder and Chairman, Suite # 14-E, 15948 Harlem River Drive, New York, NY
10039-1012 USA; E-mail: electric_pirates@hotmail.com or blackbeardian@yahoo.com.
The Dragonmaster's Dossier is under construction; check back
again frequently, as I build up the saga of my many adventures both
within and beyond the Realms of the Aether!
A magician's wand is all ye lack; click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Her Majesty, Margaret, Queen of Scotland and the Isles
Presenting Her Most Sovereign Majesty,
Queen Margaret of Scotland and the
Isles!
Portrait by Brent Allan Thale, (c) 2004 by Brent Allan Thale and The BAT Cave. All rights reserved.
Y'know, dear Mortals, much time hath elaps'd since first I came to Bonnie Scotland --- to settle meself
here, within the innersanctums of Castle Talisker. On occasion, these Dark Chambers have spent several
segments waxing poetic about the fairer sex (I shan't share the balance of mine observations with thee
hither; this is, after all, a family website!), but before I came hither, I had not the chance to be an actual
Courtier in a Ruling Monarch's service!
Well, before long, Her Majesty, Margaret, Queen of Scotland and the Isles, certainly had something to
say about that (well, this old Mage is, in a sense, Celtic-born in nature)! As her Court Wizard, one of my
tasks is to grant her the ability to utilize the space-time continuum as she sees fit. Also, I'm responsible
for giving Her Majesty some humble words of advice, singing strange and exotic songs (I am still, after
all, a Bard, you know!), telling heroic tales --- and, last but not least, dealing with that age-old
annoyance.....babysitting!
But you're here to learn Her Majesty's real story.... which is to say, how I wound up in her service. Well,
it all began around the early spring or late summer in what you Mortals would perceive to be the Year of
Our Lord 1529 --- some four years before Her Scottish Majesty would begin her tradition of making the
customary pilgrimage to the village of Scarborough, where, as per the usual rituals, the Royal Courts of
Scotland and England join together, ostensibly to party, decide Britain's destiny, and engage in acts of
Chivalry, Ribaldry, and related Renaissance-era silly stuff.
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Her Majesty, Margaret, Queen of Scotland and the Isles
March 15, 1529 A.D. --- The Isle of Skye, Scotland
After twenty years of journeying through various dimensions, I had felt that the time had come to take a
well-deserved respite or two. To that end, I decided to venture out into the universe called Scotland --specifically, that small, unique cluster of land known as the Isle of Skye. What I had hoped to do there
was simply find a spot where I could rest, meet a few of the local populace, share one or two tales of my
most recent journeys in time --- as you know, Mortals, it matters not to a Mage such as myself about
whether or not one can be branded a heretic, or some such like that! --- and then be on me merry way.
What I did not know, however, was that I was to become involved in a chain of events that would
ultimately bring me into contact with no less an individual than Her Majesty, Margaret, Queen of
Scotland and the Isles.... and, indeed, ultimately cause Milady to declare me Duke of the Region of
Talisker, and (by virtue of extension) Her Majesty's Court Wizard! Huzzah!
Now, as this page is pretty much under reconstruction, 'twill be a while before I can properly spill the
beans regarding the complete chronicle which will form the gist of these little adventures; so, keep
watching this space for the remainder of my audiences with Her Majesty of Scotland and the Isles!
A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
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Intro to Classic Blackwolf
And now, your Dragonmaster brings you......
Classic Blackwolf
"Reach deep within yourself, Richard, and seize the courage!" --- the Pagemaster
elcome to Classic Blackwolf!
And what exactly is Classic Blackwolf, I hear you asking? Well, this is a chance for me to permanently
preserve here 'pon the Aether some of the absolute best segments of these Dark Chambers with which I
have made my wizardly name. Without them, I don't think I would be able to go on, nor would I continue
to boast of having made my reputation as New York's Unofficial Wizard!
In any case, these segments represent the truly classic moments that helped make Blackwolf the
Dragonmaster's Dark Chambers the super-fantatsic website it is today!
So enough talk from me --- just click on the segment upon which you wish the most to hop back onto
Memory Lane. And, as usual --- have fun!
WHY MAGES MATTER
THE TALE OF THE LITTLE KNIGHT
THE OFFICIAL RULES FOR PROPER PRACTICE OF THE DISCIPLINE
OF THAUMATURGY
A WIZARD @ WAR
WHY NEW YORK NEEDS WIZARDS
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Intro to Classic Blackwolf
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Classic Blackwolf: "Why Mages Matter"
And now, in its entirety, Blackwolf's Dark Chambers is proud to present our fearless
Dragonmaster's unique, profound insights on.....
Why Mages Matter
ecently, I received some dire news from my dear friend and fellow Mage, Merdwin
the Mediocre. Having just obtained my new costume and regalia, I had intended to travel to one of the
two Renaissance Faires in mine native Shire --- if only to show myself off in my new threads, just for
dear Merdwin. Alas! as the Mediocre One explained to me (and thank goodness I learned this from
him!), it seemed that the powers that be were toying with the idea of completely abandoning the presence
of a Court Wizard altogether!
Since then, I've learned that several Faires across the country have expressed similar desires. The very
idea of having a Faire without the presence of a Mage so distresses me that I am compelled to type in a
few well thought out words on the subject of Why Mages Matter.
One of my primary duties as Dragonmaster of the Grand High Istari --- those are the seven senior
Wizards of the Masters of Good Magic, by the way --- is to defend the continued existence of all
Magehood throughout the Multiverse; clearly, I would be less than a Mage if I failed to speak up
immediately. The final days of the 20th Century represent a period of unprecedented abandonment of the
Imagination by scores of Mortals worldwide. Theirs is an age when information technology and the
power to gain "the whole story" are rapidly becoming more and more dominant than the simple ability to
observe the Universe from a child's perspective.
Strangely enough, the American cartoonist Burne Hogarth foresaw a world that would, within the space
of a million years or so, be inhabited by Mortals of a New Species ...... Mortals of, perhaps, a greater
wisdom than our own species. In his last achievement for the comic-book genre, the never-completed
graphic novel Morphos, the Shapechanger (published posthumously in 1996 by Dark Horse Comics),
Hogarth tells the tale of a young man born from the unlikely union of a virgin female and the genetic
codes of no less a Mage than our own Exalted Brother Merlin, the legendary Father of all Mages. Indeed,
'tis Merlin who charges Morphos with becoming "the fulfillment of Merlin's destiny," his mission being
"to prevent the present destruction of the world so that there will be a future in which [the evolution of
that New Mortal Species] could take place."
I believe that, whenever a Court Wizard is in attendance at any of this nation's Renaissance Faires, he/she
is representing the very embodiment of the mission given to Morphos by Merlin. To me, the Mages at
Faire are the last true dispensers (and, at that, defenders!) of wisdom in our Multiverse. Keep in mind
that their main objective is to exhibit, and sometimes demonstrate, proper respect for the Laws of Nature.
I have read a good many books by the leading authors of so-called "science fiction" during my travels;
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many of these writers have stumbled upon that very theory first espoused by Merlin concerning how we
Mages maintain our grip upon the constant balance between Good and Evil.
For those of you just studying Magecraft proper, Merlin's Theory dictates that any potential Sorcerer's
Apprentice must be able to distinguish between Sorcery (a/k/a the Discipline of Thaumaturgy) and Black
Magic, or Necromancy. Merlin, after all, was the first to remind us Magic-users that the practicing of
Sorcery involves the energy of the would-be Wizard combined with Mother Nature's forces, and proper
respect therefor; whereas in Necromancy, the user is combining his/her own energy with that of any
sentient life form [living being] --- with the results often proving fatal.
The Grand High Istari make it their business, then, to make certain that Mages and Mortals alike can
respect and understand the ability of all Magicians to make such distinguishments, regardless of personal
cost. Should there be any kind of failure to so distinguish on this level, the resulting situation would be
one of pure and utter chaos!
Similarly, it is the job of a Mage to demonstrate his/her willingness to make decisions that will not affect
his/her own powers, let alone their ability to predict (in some cases, to see into) the events of the future.
For countless aeons now, we Mages have been forbidden to even interfere with Mortal history; yet we
have chronicled many tales over these periods of those among our ranks who have, for various reasons
(some of them understandably personal), failed to abide by that rule. Mind you, these particular
Magic-users need not necessarily be Necromancers; but, to repeat what I have explained, if any such
failures manifest themselves, the results would be little more than chaos!
Nearly two years ago, when the High Istari elevated yours truly to the rank and title of Dragonmaster, I
was made to take a Sacred Oath, wherein I promised, among other things, to protect all Sorcery against
those that would dare misuse its power. To this very day, I have come to take that Oath extremely
seriously, for Magic has been known, lo these many aeons, to possess a most seductive lure --- especially
for those that would seek to use its resources for personal gain. That is why, even today, I continue to
watch out for those potential Sorcerers, along with their would-be Apprentices, who would attempt to
wield the Mages' powers for their own dark, sinister, nefarious purposes.
If I have said far too much for most of you to comprehend, much less figure out, then I must humbly ask
for your forgiveness; for my one and only purpose in sharing these thoughts with you has been to drive
home the point that YES, MAGES DO MATTER!
And, of course, we mustn't forget the most important reason as to why Mages matter: the children.
To abandon the presence of a Mage is to abandon all that is pure and noble within a child's own secret
heart. Without the power to observe the wonders of the Universe from the viewpoint of a child, then, the
ability to wield Magic, I say, is not worth possessing. So, if you are among my Brother and/or Sister
Mages, let me entreat ye thus: visit a Renaissance Faire in costume, and then take a good, long, hard look
at that boy or girl staring up at you in wonder..... trying to understand why you're looking so wise and
dignified. The minute you do, I believe, you shall know that you have succeeded in accomplishing your
mission. Besides, as I see it, it's up to us Masters of Good Magic to team up with the Faire Industry to
guarantee that we who dabble in this unusual business remain a crucial part of the Faire landscape --- at
least, for the children's sake.
By that, I mean that the true measure of sharing Magic with others at Faire has its most basic roots in
observing and sharing the miracle of this Life, no matter what form it takes, from a child's eyes.
I should know, after all. I have had over 4800 good years' worth of expertise on this topic. (Heh-heh!)
Having said all this, I should like to close by making a wish: namely, that all my Brother and Sister
Mages may yet benefit from the wisdom that I have here attempted to dispense for you. And yet, oddly
enough, the mere making of said wish doesn't really make it enough to appease the situation. That,
Brother and Sister Mages, is where YOU come in. "And what can we do, Master Blackwolf?" I hear you
asking. And I, Master Blackwolf, shall tell you what you can do:
Share your feelings, whether they be of doubt, or of trust, or whatever, with your fellow Faire
performers, co-workers, or administrators. Let them know whether or not you approve or disapprove of
what they are and/or aren't doing to make the Faire-going experience better for everyone. If both Wizard
and Faire-worker can settle whatever differences might befall them fairly and reasonably, then, I think, a
Mage's continued presence at Faire may provide a rich, remarkable array of possibilities that can secure a
truly lasting future for the overall Faire Industry.
In conclusion, then, let's remember that ours isn't exactly your typical 9-to-5 job: it's a job that requires us
to be bold adventurers, imaginative dreamers, and noble-hearted philosophers all rolled into one! Bring
the whole lot together, and what you have is a truly wise Wizard. And that, my dear friends, is Why
Mages Matter.
(By the way, if you share any of the notions and/or concerns that I have here voiced, please express your
thoughts by contacting me at either of my e-mail addresses: blackbeardian@yahoo.com or
electric_pirates@hotmail.com.)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, Duke of Talisker, makes his dwelling in New
York City, where he serves as the Big Apple's "Unofficial Wizard."
Return to Blackwolf's Classics Page, for more from New York's favorite Mage! Otherwise.... A
magician's wand is all you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Classic Blackwolf: The Tale of the Little Knight
The Tale of the Little Knight
nce upon a time....
.....a King and Queen ruled their subjects from a very elegant castle. Although this particular castle had
everything their hearts desired, the King and Queen were not very happy. For one thing, the castle was
quite cold. Indeed, the place was so cold that they were forced to wear blankets over their robes just to
keep themselves warm --- which certainly did not make this Royal Couple look like a King and Queen in
the least.
And that wasn't all.
It was, at best, an annoying situation, but the fact was --- to put it bluntly --- the King and Queen couldn't
sleep. Night after night, Their Majesties were being kept awake by the most horrifying sounds
imaginable. Those sounds belonged to a dragon who lived in a nearby cave at the top of the adjoining
hill, a few miles away from the castle.
Every single night, this dragon would roar as loudly as possible. It was a sound so fierce that it literally
awoke most of the village!
However, there was, as often happens in tales such as this, an opposite side to this particular situation. In
the dragon's case, it was this: This poor fellow was the loneliest dragon in the world. He was, by his own
choice, a rather tame beast; but nobody in the Kingdom seemed to believe that, unfortunately. He'd
always wanted to have someone pay him a visit, or, at least, spend enough time with him so that he might
be able to share his favorite beverage --- strawberry flavored herbal tea.
But, alas, the majority of the villagers were afraid of him.... and as a result, he was always being left
alone. So off he would ramble, back to his deep, dark cave. And there he'd sit, all alone, feeling
incredibly lonely! In fact, the dragon's loneliness was such that, night after night, he howled in sorrowful
anguish; and big, huge, dragon tears would drip uncontrollably down his cheeks!
Well, it wasn't long before the King decided that something would have to be done about that dragon. So
late one morning, he summoned his Knights. There were four big Knights --- and one little Knight.
"I can't get any sleep," complained the King. "Go do something about that dragon!"
"What exactly should we do, Your Majesty?" asked one of the big Knights.
"Oh, do whatever you like," grumbled the King, "as long as it keeps that dragon quiet!"
So off the Knights went to do something about the dragon. It wasn't much of a climb, but they did make
it to the top of the hill where stood the entrance to the dragon's cave. Suddenly, quite unexpectedly, they
heard the horrible sound of the dragon roaring! The big Knights were so frightened by all that noise that
they just turned tail and ran!
But the Little Knight just kept on going. He had always been a brave Little Knight --- and he certainly
wasn't afraid of any ol' dragon! On he went, past the entrance and into the dragon's cave.
When he entered the heart of the cave, he found himself in for a most unexpected surprise. There, as he
had hoped, was the dragon. But the dragon was not behaving ferociously at all. In fact, he was crying!
There he sat, his scaly head hung shamefully. In one furry paw, he wielded his trusty, dragon-sized
handkerchief; and at his feet was a huge puddle filled with all his tears!
The Little Knight's heart went out to the poor fellow. "Oh, you poor, dear beast!" he said.
The dragon noticed the Little Knight. "Oh, it's you," he muttered between sobs. "Well, you might as well
get on with it."
"Get on with what?"
"Slaying me, of course!" sobbed the dragon. "I'd rather be slain by a Knight than spend the rest of me
days living like this!"
"Oh, I couldn't," said the Little Knight. "I don't think it would be wise for me to slay a dragon with tears
in his eyes! Maybe if you told me why you're crying, perhaps I could help."
"Well, you'd cry, too," the dragon continued his lament, "if you were the loneliest dragon in the world!
Everybody's afraid of me. No one even bothers to pay me a visit, let alone sample my strawberry
flavored herbal tea! The old-timers are the worst of the lot, too!"
"You mean, among the Humans," the Little Knight commented.
"Yes, the Humans. They always take their children away whenever they try to approach me, and they say
'You stay away from that dirty old dragon!' And they run and hide whenever I'm trying to gather
strawberries for my tea recipe! And you know what the really worst thing about all this is?"
"What?"
"I don't have any friends!" sobbed the dragon again. That puddle of tears was growing larger every
minute.
"Well, I've come to see you," said the Little Knight. "If you like, I can bring a sample of your strawberry
tea back to the castle with me, so that I can prove how tame you really are. That does mean, of course,
that I'll have to bring you along as well."
"And you'd do that because you aren't afraid of me?"
"No, I'm doing it because I would certainly be honored to be your very first friend. And anyway, you do
owe the King and Queen an apology."
"I do?" said the dragon.
"Well, you have been keeping everybody awake with all those howls of anguish," said the Little Knight.
"I'm sorry," said the dragon. And he meant it with all his heart. "But what's a lonely dragon to do?" And
again, those huge dragon tears began to stream down his scaly face.
"Well, you could live with us at the castle," suggested the Little Knight. "I'm sure you're a true
fire-breather, as all dragons are. Maybe, those fiery nostrils of yours could come in handy --- just to keep
our castle warm. And who knows? Why, maybe you could share your strawberry tea with the King and
Queen."
"You mean, I could really live with Their Majesties --- and serve them my tea?" sniffled the dragon, who
all of a sudden was beginning to feel a little better. "Oh joy!" And at that, the beast snorted happily.
Within an instant, fire did indeed begin to blaze from his huge nostrils. In seconds, the cave was nice and
toasty warm.
"Thank you so much, Sir Knight," the dragon finally said, as he sniffled a happy sniffle, and blew his
nose. "I can't tell you how happy you've made me!" And once more, he burst into tears --- but at least this
time, his tears were happy ones. And since the Little Knight was just as happy for the dragon --- and
since there was enough dragon-stench in the cave to cause his own copious flow of lachyrmal fluid,
anyway --- the Knight did the sensible thing: he joined the dragon in a joyous sniffle or two.
Oh yes, it was quite a happy morning the two new friends spent in the dragon's cave, each wielding a
hankie, each sniffling happily between sobs, both their faces drenched with the happiest of tears! Finally,
to seal their new friendship, the Little Knight and the dragon blew their noses simultaneously --- and it
was probably the happiest sniffle anyone had ever heard!
When the Little Knight finally returned to the castle, the dragon by his side, at first the King and Queen
were somewhat frightened of him. "No fear, Your Majesties," said the Little Knight. "He'll be living with
us from now on --- to keep the castle warm and share his favorite tea with you. That is, if it's all right
with you."
And proudly, the dragon snorted! Fire shot out of those mighty nostrils, and the beast smiled joyously.
Before long, the King and Queen threw off their heavy old blankets --- and found themselves once again
looking like a King and Queen!
And, once again, that wasn't all.
As it turned out, the King did indeed like strawberry flavored herbal tea. So did the Queen. Why, even
the big Knights enjoyed the dragon's tea; and they all apologized to the big fellow for being so afraid of
him. The dragon, for his part, forgave the big Knights, for he really was a rather tame sort of dragon,
after all.
The King smiled as he took his brightly-jeweled sword from the folds of his royal-purple-and-ermine
robes. "Dragon," he said, "your heart is pure, your fire is quite warm, and you make the finest strawberry
tea in all the land! As far as I'm concerned, one name best describes your many talents. Please lower your
head."
The dragon did as he was told; and then the King tapped each of the dragon's scales gently as he said,
"From this day on, you shall be called Heartburn; and I henceforth declare the Little Knight to be your
protector and guardian. Oh yes --- and best friend, as well. And take comfort in this knowledge: I vow
that you shall have as many friends as your humble heart desires. And so --- arise, Sir Heartburn the
Dragon!"
"Thank you all, my new friends!" smiled Sir Heartburn. And to the Little Knight, he said, "And thank
you, my first and best friend!" Then he gave all his new friends a big, loving dragon hug!
So there you are. That's the Tale of the Little Knight. If you should visit that castle one day, you would
find its Throne Room filled with some very, very happy people:
Of course, the King and Queen are happy, because their castle is warm, and they have a dragon who is
very quiet (during the night, of course!), and is very versatile --- especially when it comes to making
strawberry flavored herbal tea!
Even happier than the King and Queen is that very dragon in question, Sir Heartburn, resting comfortably
on the biggest pillows in the Kingdom. Unquestionably, Sir Heartburn is happy because no one is afraid
of him anymore, and he has lots of friends, and has lots and lots of strawberries to pick whenever he
needs to make more tea.
But happiest of all is the Little Knight, Sir Heartburn's very first, and very best friend (not to mention, his
protector and guardian!). And as you can imagine, the Little Knight is happy because --- well, everybody
else is happy. And since everybody here is pretty much happy, there's nothing else left to say except.....
THE END!
Return to Blackwolf's Classics Page, for more from New York's favorite Mage! Otherwise...... A
Classic Blackwolf: The Official Rules!
or all its endless possibilities, even Magic is not without its share of governing
laws. Like so many other things in this life, Magic is, by and large, a force to be respected, preserved,
and (if need be) defended! With that in mind, it is now my privilege, both as a Mage and as a chronicler
of things Magical, to share with you.....
The Official Rules for Proper Practise of
the Discipline of Thaumaturgy
as compiled by Blackwolf the Dragonmaster from
the writings and ruminations of various Mages and
Sorcerers throughout the Greater Multiverse
The first and probably the most important rule one may encounter should one wish to attempt to practice
Thaumaturgy is that the Discipline is not intended nor should it be used specifically for the purposes of
play and/or amusement. This does not apply, however --- nor do I believe should it --- if the practicing
Mage is in the presence of children; furthermore, per the traditions of most Mages throughout the course
of History, children have been known to exhibit a certain fondness for the Discipline, and, therefore,
belief therein. It is a fondness which they themselves must be able to develop in certain ways.
The second important rule to be encountered by any would-be Wizard is that the forces of good and evil
are not always portrayed in black and white. One of our wisest and most beloved sages, one Obi-wan
Kenobi by name, once warned the apprentices of his generation, "Your eyes can play tricks on you. Don't
trust them." Actually, the unceasing struggle between Light and Darkness follows a basic hexagonal
pattern, in that there are six primary elements: Lawful good, unlawful good and neutral good; and lawful
evil, unlawful evil and neutral evil.
Those Wizards who cast their spells in the name of "lawful good" are those who, by tradition, practice
their craft in accordance with and in proper respect to the laws of Nature; whereas "unlawful good"
sorcery is practiced by those Mages for whom said laws are often antiquated. "Neutral good" sorcery,
meanwhile, is the domain of those Wizards who, either of their own free will or by accident and/or by
design, otherwise could not care less.
Similarly, the Mages who practice their spells in the name of evil are bound to the same Hexagonal
Pattern. The strongest of these specific Sorcerers are often referred to as Necromancers --- and, as such,
have absolutely neither respect nor tolerance for the laws of nature. Indeed, the majority of these
Necromancers, according to legends written by historians of the era, cast their spells using sentient (or
living) beings, including but not limited to Mortals, with the results often proving fatal.
The discoverers of the Hexagonal Pattern of Light and Darkness based their theorems on the notion that,
if both good and evil were to continue unchecked in the Realm of the Mortals, a certain balance of power
would need to be constantly maintained --- and often, such maintenance would need to be accomplished
in ways not necessarily understood by Humans. Thus was it made a law by the High Istari that no
practicing Sorcerer or Mage would be permitted to cast any kind of spell, good or bad, with the use of a
sentient being. Failure to comply with this specific Magelaw would constitute a breach of the space-time
continuum, for which the most severe penalty was usually death.
A further thing to learn in terms of the development of potential powers of Magecraft is for the would-be
sorcerer to remember that Magic per se is primarily based upon the knowledge of certain principles of
the laws of Nature, and the application of said principles. For example, a sentient being can, if given the
proper tools, construct a computer system (though not necessarily one of the so-called 'multimedia'
systems) from mere bits and pieces; further, one must recall that there exists no "impossibility" regarding
the use and application of Magic.
There are basically three principal ranks in the Discipline of Thaumauturgy: apprentice, adept and Mage,
with Mage being the ultimate level. In the rank of apprentice, there are six levels; the lowest of these,
Level One, or Level A, is reserved for those first-time users of the Craft, while Level Six, the highest
rank of apprenticeship, marks the official 'coming-of-age' period for the potential sorcerer, who, as a
result, now has the ability to begin studying as an adept.
There are twelve main levels in the adept class of the Discipline. Level One adepts are the beginners;
those adepts who reach Level 12 are the veterans --- the individuals who, after approximately 14 years of
tutoring under the aegis of the teaching Wizard, are but a step away from being proclaimed Mage. With
the rank and title of Mage comes the right and privilege to classify oneself as a Wizard; however, usage
of the word 'Mage' is often recommended, primarily as a symbolic gesture of respect.
Mages come, unexpectedly, from all walks of life. Moreover, they also come from all timeframes, all
centuries, all legends. And their greatest and most important claim to fame lies in their basic ability to
rise above the petty differences, arguments and jealousies of mere Mortals. To a Mage, the negative
behaviours of the Mortals are merely instruments in what they have long described as the eventual
erosion of society as presently constituted. For these and other reasons, then, our Great and Exalted
Brother Merlin --- he who is known throughout the Greater Multiverse, and all regions beyond, as Merlin
Ambrosius, or simply Merlin the Magician --- sought, in the late 33rd Century, Mortal-reckoning, to
initiate an elite academy for the teaching and preservation of the Thaumaturgic Arts. The results of his
efforts during that period are ranked among the great landmarks in the history of Magecraft; indeed,
without the founding of what would later be known as the International Thaumaturgical Commission, the
council known as the Grand High Istari would never have materialized in the Mortals' Realm.
The following comments by Merlin were transcribed by the Mortal called Thomas Malory from an
interview with him which was conducted by the veteran London-based historian and television journalist
Robin Winters. These remarks represent perhaps the best description yet regarding the basic elements of
the Discipline of Thaumaturgy, and what the Mortals of the Terran solar system must do in order to
achieve the ability to control said elements:
"The Universe is composed of opposites, what some may call the masculine and feminine principles, or,
as the Oriental scholars call them, the ying and the yang. When these two principles are complementary,
the Universe may be said to be in complete Harmony. Yet when they are not complementary, then it
merely amounts to little more than discord. One may tend to consider the human mind as a basic model
of such principles. As you know, the mind is of two aspects. One is the logical, reasoning faculty --- that
which one may call the masculine, or the Left Brain; the other is the intuitive faculty, i.e., the feminine,
or Right Brain. Each has its purpose, and they are meant to be complementary --- which, in fact, they
are. However, in most people, the Left Brain is the more dominant --- that which reasons by means of
logic and rationale --- whereas the Right Brain, that which is intuitive and receptive, is mostly passive.
So passive, in fact, that one may regard it as being stunted in terms of its development.
"The present technological society has encouraged, in certain cases instigated, the development of the
mind's masculine, controlling, logical faculty; whereas the feminine, receptive, intuitive side has
tragically fallen into disuse. During my travels in the Mortals' Realm, I have heard the expression 'It's a
man's world,' and there is a kind of truth to that, although not in the literal sense. People are crowded
together in large cities, with dense populations, surrounded by the emanations of Mankind's
technological achievements, cut off from the pastoral world. I myself find it disquieting to adjust to such
surroundings, and while I don't permit myself to be completely intuitively deafened by them, I simply
spend my days paying greater attention.
"Most people these days seem to be very inattentive. Needless to say, that's because there's so much in
this world to pay more attention to! It is always difficult to pay attention to absolutely everything, and
remain in a constant state of alertness and receptivity. More often than not, Mortals choose what things
they will and won't respond to. I, frankly, would advise such people that all we need to do in the end is to
basically stop distracting ourselves and learn to become less preoccupied with our own concerns --which is to say, we must relax ourselves into an attentive state, as opposed to driving ourselves purely
with directed logic."
In these remarks, our Exalted Brother Merlin concluded ultimately that only by seeing the Universe
through a child's eyes, while simultaneously exercising the will of an adult, can one truly take the first
step toward mastering the Discipline of Thaumaturgy. Thousands upon thousands of apprentices, adepts
and Mages, at various points in the history of Earth and other planets, have followed Merlin's example an
eternity of times over. And no doubt, I believe that they shall do so again, perhaps unto this same,
unchanging eternity. Still, what I have presented here represents only a small sample of the most basic
rules for the proper practice of the Discipline of Thaumaturgy. These statements and facts are in no way
representative of your Dragonmaster's own personal opinions. Rather, they were intended to inform, and
hopefully enlighten. And if I have succeeded in accomplishing both those goals, I shall be very grateful
indeed.
Return to Blackwolf's Classics Page, for more from New York's favorite Mage! Otherwise..... A
magician's wand is all you lack; click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Classic Blackwolf: A Wizard @ War
A Wizard @ War
he events of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 (Mortal-reckoning) have shaken us
all, I suppose, to our very foundations. When the World Trade Center Complex was utterly pulverized by
two separate plane crashes, New Yorkers --- and, indeed, Americans of all beliefs --- were at first
horrified, and then frightened out of their wits when, in a single 30-minute period, both towers collapsed,
changing, perhaps forever, a City, her skyline, and her people.
From the perspective of this wily Wizard, the destruction of the Trade Center represents the end of what
we thought was 'innocence'. Now, President Bush has chosen to play hardball --- and more, he has
chosen to play said hardball in the most expeditious means imaginable: WAR! This leads me to wonder:
What is to become of our future, if indeed Mankind's destiny is to wage war against the enemies of these
United States? How many lives will we place at risk if indeed it comes to waging war against terrorism?
Those of you who have read my Dossier will recall that I have had a strong distaste for taking the life of
another sentient being; yet, like Merlin before me, I have studied the ability to cause death with a single
look. It is not an aspect of my powers that is worth sharing with any of my friends; I have loved everyone
far too much to cause that kind of harm. Nevertheless, the fear of war has been on my mind from the
moment I began monitoring the events of these last six days; I am hard-pressed to understand the
repercussions of all these tragic incidents.
Having said all that, I face now the prospect of being the first Mage to experience, albeit from the
comfort of my hovel, the horrors of war from the viewpoints of that breed referred to by you Mundaners
as Generation X. What will we do? How will we tackle the rest of the world? And will the evil Osama
bin Laden really hold true to his threat to kill all Americans with extreme prejudice? These are not easy
questions. Even your Dragonmaster knows that. I know, too, that no form of Magecraft can provide even
the most jaundiced of Mortals with the proper answers. There are, after all, some Dragons that not even
ol' Blackwolf can defend, much less slay.
Which is why, having made my assessments of all these issues, I should like to take a minute to thank all
our heroes --- our beloved Policemen, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Executive
Personnel. I must say, on a personal note, that Rudolph Giuliani might have flustered your Dragonmaster
no end from time to time, but as I have watched the events of these last six days, I have seen our City's
Seneschal with unexpectedly new eyes --- eyes that I never thought I would bear. He has determined that
our City will rebuild --- stronger, tougher, and BETTER than before..... and I, for one, now find myself
sorry to see him leave the Mayoralty of the City of New York. The ability to cause a city to return from
the dead is not a task to be left to a successor with lesser experience --- I, frankly, would rather that term
limits in New York City be repealed! Rudy's actions during this week just ended are, as I see it, reason
Classic Blackwolf: A Wizard @ War
enough for such repealment.
In closing, I should like to thank our President for his desire to rid the world of evil. I pray indeed that his
efforts are successful. In praying such a prayer, however, I remind myself of his warning that the road to
victory will not be an easy one. Sacrifices will be made along the way. Some of these sacrifices we will
simply have to accept. The alternative --- that of giving in --- is not something I would wish to take on. I
only hope in the end that Peace with Honor is achieved regardless of the means, and regardless of who
will secure that Peace. For those are the Dragons I would prefer to spend my life with most of all: the
Dragons of Peace.
Return to Blackwolf's Classics page, for more from New York's favourite Mage! Otherwise..... A
magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
"Why New York Needs Wizards"
On April 25th, 2001, I had the privilege of making my unprecedented debut as a commentator on this
wondrous conveyance you Mortals call 'radio.' Through the good offices of the Teachers' and Writers'
Collaborative of New York, Inc., Nancy Larson Shapiro, Executive Director, and producer/supervisor
Mr. Irwin Gonshak, your Dragonmaster made his remarks over WNYE-FM Radio here in New York, as
part of the Collaborative's "Anything Goes!" series. The program originally aired on Tuesday afternoon,
September 4th, 2001. One week later, of course, 9/11 changed the world forever. Even so, your
Dragonmaster continues to realize that there may be many of you who may not have heard the
programme for yourselves (and some of you who are connected here 'pon the Aether expressed similar
wishes to me personally); and so, for that purpose, and the benefit of those of you who did miss the
broadcast, 'tis me pleasure to present to you my hopefully inspirational thoughts on the subject of.......
reetings, Mortals! Now, if thou hast seen mine website of late, thou knowest by
now that I, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, Duke of Talisker --- Master Mage and Sorcerer in the Service
of Her Majesty, Margaret, Queen of Scotland and the Isles --- often refer unto myself as "New York
City's first and only Unofficial Wizard." Almost from the very moment that I materialized hither within
thy wonderful Shire, some five years ago, Mortal-reckoning, a good many of you listening hither hath
attempted to discover exactly why the Big Apple, as you so legendarily call this place, should have a
Mage of its very own.
Well, before I answer that question, permit me to recall a certain recent incident which involved myself
and my Mortal-born alter ego, Master Richard Washington [who, not so incidentally, also happens to be,
among other things, my business manager, apprentice --- and my very best friend!].
'Twas late on a certain Monday during the Winter Solstice just now ended, when, having spent a
considerably long day exploring the Aether --- or, as you Mortals more popularly call it, the Internet --Master Richard prepared to make the journey back to his Upper Manhattan apartment (where also lies
mine humble hovel). Regrettably, however, the lad did experience a slight degree of difficulty in terms of
being permitted entry into New York's incredible subway system, of which I have heard so many
wonderful stories! Forced to depend upon the kindness of total strangers, lest he make his journey back
home on his own --- in the dark, mind you, and in 20-degree temperatures, no less! --- Richard was
indeed allowed the said entry, despite hearing in the background one or two rather rude complaints about
'holding up the line' and some such.
Upon finally reaching his beloved domicile, young Master Richard then settled down peacefully, and
began reading his copy of that chronicle you Mortals call the New York Daily News, which he had been
carrying about his person for much of the day. And that is how he came to notice the following letter, as
printed in that portion of the said chronicle bearing the designation 'Voice of the People': "Isn't anyone
happy anymore? Why has the Voice of the People column become an obnoxious, cats-in-an-alley,
nails-on-a-chalkboard, car-alarm-at-five-o'clock-in-the-morning (Where in thunder is that noise coming
from?!) rant? Life is not all that bad, people. Sing a song, or something......"
Would that I could convince the author of that letter (whose comments, by the way, I very much
approved of!) that indeed there might yet be a means whereby Happiness could be restored unto the City,
County and State of New York! Alas, this being the year 2001, Mortal-reckoning, it has become
increasingly apparent to this old beetlehead of a Wizard that New Yorkers, as a rule, and regardless of
whether they cast their lot in the name of good or in the name of evil, share a common, albeit somewhat
curable, affliction:
The environment wherein the common New Yorker dwells has been permeated over a 2000-year period
by constant surfeits of cynicism, pessimism and just plain old everyday bad manners! Indeed, such
incidents have plagued Mankind for far even more millenia than I myself would dare to count; frankly, I
do not expect such traditions to change any time soon.
And yet, since I happen to be a charter member of that fraternity of do-gooders known as the Masters of
Good Magic --- those would be the various Wizards, Witches, Warlocks, Mages and Sorcerers throught
the Greater Multiverse who have devoted their lives --- and powers --- to fighting eternally for the virtues
of Justice, Wisdom, Honor, Compassion, Loyalty and Mercy --- I have a vested interest in seeing to it
that this wonderful City of yours is indeed rescued from the abyss of eternal doubt; and so, in an attempt
to achieve that purpose, I have asked the goodly gentles of the Teachers' and Writers' Collaborative to
allow me this time upon this incredible device you call radio, that I might address my thoughts with
regard to answering the question: "Why does New York need Wizards?"
One of Master Richard's most favorite sayings (it's certainly one of mine as well!) reads as follows: "I've
lived long enough to have learned that, no matter how nice you are, there will always be times when the
world will find a way to break your heart --- but only if you let it do so. Never let it do so." I think --- and
you must note that I am, after all, speaking strictly for myself at this point --- that New York should have
someone who, among other things, can remind the populace of this kindly philosophy on a daily basis.
Oh, 'tis true that such a person need not necessarily be of Mortal-born stock, but I would remind you
goodly gentles that it was our own Exalted Brother, the wise, powerful and incredibly fabulous Merlin --he who is sometimes called "the Father of all Mages" --- who regularly took on such baggage without so
much as contemplating even the consequences of his every action.
Indeed, as King Arthur's staunchest, noblest ally, Merlin did his level best to symbolize the very
conscience of Camelot. And that, I think, is what has separated us Wizards from you Mortals over the
aeons: whereas we Wizards have long reminded ourselves each and every day of what our consciences
represent for all of us, sadly, you Mortals have forgotten what your consciences represent. How else,
then, do you explain that mindless garbage which you ever so often dismiss with the epithet "reality
television"?
In a world where anything --- even, to some extent, Magecraft itself! --- can be exploited for personal
gain, 'tis enough to case even this Mage to cringe in utter horror, especially when one considers the toll
that such exploitations can often take upon our very spirits!
So canst thou provide another reason, I can sense thee asking, as to why there should be Wizards
walking the pavements of New York?
Well, I remember young Master Richard making the rather frustrating error (as he is often wont to do) of
taking on far too many projects for his various business affairs --- a situation best blamed 'pon the
overwhelming obsession of the typical everyday New Yorker to keep up with the world's
ever-quickening pace. Now, none of us need be Merlin, let alone possess his far-seeing powers --- or
even his knack for knowing practically everything about present-day trivia --- to sense that we have
reached a crossroads whereby, more often than not, we fail to keep an eye upon what is happening
around us at all times.
Then again, of course, Merlin possessed those abilities in abundance!
Ironically, then --- and this may shock a few of my fellow Magic-users --- I am of the notion that there
exists a source which has, in a similar vein, taken on Merlin's propensity for constant, non-stop
knowledge. I refer in this instance to the all-local news cable network calling itself New York 1.
"New York 1? Now why in thunder would you dare suggest that New York 1 --- a harbinger of Mortals,
of all places! --- should possess even the slightest hint of Merlin's magic?" I can sense thee asking. And,
as usual, I am only too ready to offer thee mine answer.
Know you, then, that what hath afforded New York 1 such knowledge is the fact that it hath taken its cue
from its 'big brother,' if you will (that, I believe, would be the Cable News Network, or, more simply,
CNN). By presenting local, national and international news from the perspective of the average New
Yorker, New York 1, in its 9 1/2 years of existence, hath come quite close to doing the one thing we
Wizards have spent centuries trying to accomplish, but could never really hope to do: New York 1,
simply put, is this City's version of the Philosopher's Stone (or, as my distinguished colleagues at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would refer to it, the Sorcerer's Stone); it transforms heat
into light via its non-stop coverage of the day's news, and, in so doing, likewise transforms lead into
gold!
Oh, you Mortals may laugh now, if you so choose, but I would ask thee to heed well the words of one of
thy more popular eccentrics, one Dennis Miller by name: "These are merely mine own observations; if I
have erred in making them, pray accept my humble apologies." English translation: "Of course, that's just
my opinion. I could be wrong."
Another of my reasons for the necessity of Wizardry hither in New York concerns another of these same
aforemention'd eccentrics for which your mighty metropolis is quite legendary. His name is Henry J.
Stern, and I believe he is responsible for the stewardship of thy City's forests. Or, as you refer to him, his
title is that of Parks Commissioner. I imagine that a considerable amount of stress does at times go with
being Seneschal of..... er, how dost thou call it again? Oh yes, the New York City Parks Department.
Anyway, in order to deviate from the apparent Sturm und Drang which accompanies ye aforenoted
stress, Sir Henry, taking the knightly name of Starquest, relieves himself by dressing up in some of the
most outlandish costumes that I have ever seen!
Why, each year, during our very own Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival --- which, by the way, it has
been my pleasure to attend dressed in mine own full regalia for the past two years running (and, frankly, I
can't wait to go for year number three! Huzzah!) --- this same Sir Henry hath dressed himself in the very
trappings of Royalty. He does, I think, have quite a lot of work to do as far as improving his "King
Henry" outfit goes; at least, the members of Whittier, California's own Guild of St. Olaf bother to take
their costumes extremely seriously, often triple-checking if necessary to ensure that every last fragment
of their own, sometimes self-constructed, regalia is in fact historically accurate.
This, of course, is not to state that those who attend our Medieval Festival do not triple-check their
costumes for historical accuracy; I am simply suggesting that Sir Henry might wish to follow the
example of the St. Olaf Players, and dress himself as King Henry in a more befitting, more historically
accurate costume. The Renaissance, I must own, has had a sizable amount of coverage on the History
Channel; however, I think that if you are to become a proper part of the Renaissance, you should learn to
dress though you were indeed an actual participant therein!
Having said thus, I hope that those of you who take part in, attend, and are otherwise involved in our Fort
Tryon Park Medieval Festival will provide a proper tribute one of these years to us Mages; given that we
stand as the Shire's proverbial 'voices of reason and conscience,' I imagine that we are due for at least
some form of recognition!
There is one final reason to make the case for our wizardly presence in this wondrous Realm where 'the
Bronx is up, the Battery's down and the people ride in a hole in the ground;' and, sadly, that reason has its
roots in a very simple truth: one never truly appreciates a good thing in New York until it is gone. Case
in point: the stranger from Marysville, Kansas who, for a short time, was the very epitome of the true
New York eccentric --- the composer, singer, poet, inventor, and occasional Viking warlord, Louis
Thomas Hardin, also known as Moondog. In 1999, these Dark Chambers joined the rest of the
avant-garde classical music community in mourning Moondog's passing, at the age of 83, in his adopted
country of Germany.
He had settled there, in the tiny village of Recklinghausen, in late 1974, after having spent over 20 years
standing on the corner of 53rd Street and Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan, selling his
own recordings, poetry and other works. Though he was classified as being legally blind, the
heavily-bearded Moondog made his name by mingling unexpectedly with some of the greatest Mortals in
New York's celebrated legerdemain --- from Marlon Brando to Allen Ginsburg.....and even sitting in,
during his first years spent hither in this City, with our own renowned New York Philharmonic!
During his years in Recklinghausen, Moondog first encountered the woman with whom he would spend
the rest of his life: Ilona Goebel. Working as his business manager/translator, Ilona eventually coaxed
Moondog into abandoning his trademark Viking costume, along with his trusty spear. From then on, he
continued his composing-performing career --- and never looked back!
Moondog's last known public appearance occurred in Stuttgart, in the late summer of 1994, when he
staged a 30-minute recital devoted solely to some of his finest compostions, as part of the annual
Stuttgart International Jazz Festival. At the time of his passing a little over 4 1/2 years later, his New York
Times obituary made reference to an unpublished biography of Hardin, which would have been titled The
Viking of Sixth Avenue; to date, no more has been heard (at the very least, not to my knowledge,
anyway!) of that particular book. Still, it would have been nice to have been able to locate that tome, that
I might have the chance to look at Moondog's full story for myself, with a view toward exploring the
Hardinian Valhalla in greater and more extended depth.
Well, Mortals, there you have it --- New York 1, Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern, and the late
composer Louis (Moondog) Hardin: three examples of why I believe that New York City is in desperate
need of Wizardry. You see, these three entities have, in their own ways, symbolized the unique qualities
of wonder that Imagination and Magic can sometimes accomplish when both are realized to their fullest
potential. This is especially true whenever a child --- or perhaps a young adult --- decides that it is worth
it to simply take matters into his or her own hands, and follow his or her own special star. Granted, there
may yet be other reasons for the necessity of Magecraft hither in this unusual Metropolis; but in the end,
if one were to learn, as that Daily News 'Voicer' had hoped, to sing a song; or take in the peace and
comfort of our City's forests; or simply revel in the company of friends...... then maybe, just maybe, New
York could indeed be free of the pessimism, the cynicism, and the bad manners which have plagued it so
constantly for lo, these many aeons.
Still, I believe that --- and here, I speak as both a New Yorker and as a Wizard --- there are those who
will likely wonder if indeed New York can be rescued from all its cynics, its pessimists, and its naughty
people. Well, in a larger sense, that is why I am here: to make certain that New Yorkers do not abandon
their imaginations, as another of my colleagues, the brilliant author/artist Tony DiTerlizzi, reminds us in
his two children's books (I've personally looked through them both; and find them very imaginative
indeed!); to inspire those with forward-thinking hearts to to believe in something far greater than
themselves --- and, in accordance with mine own nom de plume (Heh-heh!) to remind at least one or two
of ye out thither --- who are into noble Quests, Renaissance Faires and Festivals, and the like --- to only
support (and believe in) the Good Dragons of the Multiverse.
Ah yes, 4987 years old I may be, but I'm a wise enough Mage to understand and speculate upon the
destiny of New York's Mortalfolk. The problem is simply that there ought to be someone who, at least
unofficially, should stand up and tell this town what to go and do with itself. And since no one is
apparently around to assume that mantle and take up the challenge, old Blackwolf figured..... well, as you
Mortals so bluntly put it, if ye want something done, go do it yourself.
That said, know ye this, Mortals of New York: thou and I art stuck with one another; and accordingly,
as your Unofficial Wizard, I shall continue to do my level best to keep thee each and all upon ye straight
and narrow. This, of course, is where I believe every Mortal belongs. And anyway, with our valiant Sir
Rudolph scheduled a few months from hence to vacate that castle known by ye as Gracie Mansion (that,
if my memory serves me correctly, would in fact be this coming New Year's Eve), well, someone's got to
replace him as a major voice hither in thy noble Shire --- at least, in a strictly non-political manner.
And that, hopefully, is where I come in. Oh, I'm sure that I won't be making the history books any time
soon (well, at least those that truly matter, anyway! Heh-heh!), but I will say that if I can contribute in
some small, albeit unsung fashion, towards increasing New York's continued prosperity, then I'm a happy
Wizard, truth be told. Even if, at times, I end up getting the funniest looks from all my fellow New
Yorkers ..... well, one must expect, and ultimately put up with, such things. Besides, hast thou truly seen
a Mage of mine abilities and capabilities before? I think not! Hopefully, in the end, I trust that you will
find me to become a very quick and most eager student.
Oh yes, we have much to teach one another, you and I. I'm sure that none of you have ever been known
to keep a Dragon in thy bathtub wherever you are out thither; but please be aware that indeed there are
Good Dragons in our Multiverse in general; and in ye Big Apple in particular. And even though ye may
not be able to see them (unless of course you are deep in the Realm of Dreams!), chances are, they might
be watching you! And listening, too!
Speaking of listening, I would be remiss if I did not take a few moments to explain to you about a few of
the goodly gentles to whom I have referred over the course of these remarks --- starting with the Guild of
St. Olaf. As I mentioned earlier, the St. Olaf Players take their costumes extremely seriously,
triple-checking them whenever necessary for historical accuracy, and never failing to entertain their loyal
subjects throughout the Realms of Southern California, as well as educating them about the Renaissance;
the First Elizabethan Era (I refer, of course, to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I!); and the rest of the
Royal Courts of Europe during the 14th through 17th Centuries, Mortal-reckoning. And, naturally, I have
found a noble friend and occasional "pen pal," as the Mundaners call such people, in His Majesty, King
Johannes III Gustavus Vasa of Sweden --- also known as Ole Olausson, the Guild's wise and venerable
Founding Guildmaster.
[Incidentally, 'twas from His Swedish Majesty, by way of Sir Ole, that I first began picking up something
the Mortals in that particular Kingdom refer to as "Hollywood savvy"; ironically, I possess not that
essential 'cool element', the cellular telephone. I guess I still have much to learn as far as completely
understanding the virtues of modern technology is concerned! (Heh-heh!)] Nonetheless, I am certain that
the King of Sweden and his Court would enjoy hearing from thee; and if thou so desirest to communicate
in said manner, pray, contact them by writing to His Swedish Majesty at his Royal Manor House, 11423
Miller Road, Whittier, CA 90604. Ye might also wish to reach the St. Olaf Players 'pon ye Aether, at
www.guild-of-st-olaf.com.
Then, of course, you have others amongst my dear friends and conspirators: the former Knights of the
Heights, for example. They are, of course, the ones without whom 'twould be impossible to put together
our annual Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival each September; as I have told ye many times through
these years, I have never missed out on the chance to be part of the festivities, and I don't mean to do so
in 2001, either! Anyway, Eileen Merle-Rao is the beautiful maiden who coordinates our single-day Feast;
and ye may reach her by contacting the Washington Heights/Inwood Development Corporation, 57
Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033; or by e-mailing Milady at songbird@uptownwench.com; or
else, by giving her or her colleague Rose a call at (212) 795-1600.
One last hello, before I forget, to Their Majesties, High King (HojKonung) Rohan Lochlann and Queen
Guinevere Lochlann of the Empire of Ironthorn, with whom I hope (next year) to spend the weekend.
They, and their predecessors, King Alphonse d'Orleans and Queen Rhiannon MacLochlainn, have
provided much wisdom and counsel, not only to myself, but to Master Richard as well; and for that, I
shall always be grateful unto them. If ye would seek to know more of their further good deeds, please
contact Their Majesties of Ironthorn at Royal Palace Headquarters, 4042 Lunns Store Road, Lewisburg,
TN 37091; or e-mail the HojKonung at writer1001@hotmail.com. The Empire may itself be found 'pon
ye Aether, the address thither being www.angelfire.com/yt/Ironthorn/.
But you know, methinks that I have talked enough for now, as the realm of radio does not allow even a
Wizard to ramble on for all time. So, before I take my leave of thee, let me invite ye to explore mine own
humble homepage 'pon ye Aether. Thou shalt access my Dark Chambers at
www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwolfmain2.html --- or, better still, ye may wish to e-mail
me, at either electric_pirates@hotmail.com or blackbeardian@yahoo.com.
And now, if you'll all kindly excuse me, I must away to mine humble hovel, that I might yet partake of a
well-earn'd nap. (We Wizards need our sleep, too, you know! [Yawn!]) And so, for the Teachers' and
Writers' Collaborative, this is Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, New York City's first and only Unofficial
Wizard, speaking on behalf of my director and engineer, Sir Thomas of Ronan; and bidding thee
farewell, each and all!
Well, Mortals, I hope you enjoyed this transcript of Why New York Needs Wizards. I had a lot of fun
working on it; and I'm sure it was inspiring enough to remind some of ye out thither to re-awaken the
Wizard in thine own secret heart! Anyway, if you wish to obtain any further information regarding the
Teachers' & Writers' Collaborative, please consult their homepage, as shown above. If you prefer, you
may e-mail them at info@twc.org; or write to them at 5 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003. You
may also phone them at (212) 691-6590, or give them a toll-free call at 1-888-BOOKSTW.
Return to Blackwolf's Classics page, for more from New York's favourite Mage! Otherwise.... A
magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf's Links
Blackwolf's Links!
elcome to Blackwolf's Links, where 'tis but a cinch now for ye to select a specific
section hither, lest ye deal wi' all that blarsted clutter! Merely click ye 'pon the section as marked by
category, and ye shall be taken thither posthaste! Enjoy!
Lords, Ladies, Knights, Warriors and Barbarians
The Kingdoms
The Guildfolk
Fellow Magic-users
The Faeries and Friends
Mages of the Media
The Hogwarts School
King Arthur's Court
The Big Kahuna
Beloved Gloriana
Dragons
Resources
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Blackwolf's Links
Blackwolf's Marketplace
The Realm of Master Shakespeare
The Realm of the Rings
The Realm of the Heralds
Narnia Nation
The Games
The Realms of EverQuest
Favorite Faire Performers
The Clansfolk
The Music-Makers
Castles in the Aether
Magecraft @ the Movies
The Awards
Lordi Lovers
Lucasfilm and the Loonies Who Love It
The Boldgoers
Faires Within the New York Realm
Faires Beyond the New York Realm
Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire Variety)
Blackwolf's Links
Unexpectedly Cool People
Unexpectedly Cool Places & Organizations
Leprechauns
Blackwolfian Bric-a-brac
Blackwolf's Links: Lords, Ladies, Knights, Warriors & Barbarians
Lords, Ladies, Knights, Warriors and
Barbarians
From ye Fyles o' Robyn's Roost: Frank Hui's Flemish magick captures two of the Fops
from KCRF --- Fraydrick Doublet', Royal Dressmaker Par Excellence (Jason Wade) and
Leopold Bloom, Royal Horticulturist Supreme (Lee Trowbridge) --- who decided to do
Scarby's Final Weekend! (Quite an elegant pair, aren't they?) Pray, click ye 'pon them,
that ye might access thy Dragonmaster's favorite Lords, Ladies, Knights, Warriors and
Barbarians!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwlintro.html [2008/04/22 08:20:25 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Lords, Ladies, Knights, Warriors & Barbarians!
Lords, Ladies, Knights, Warriors and
Barbarians!
Sir Clisto Seversword's Tome of Adventure and Knowledge
Thor the Barbarian
Master Craig of Farrington
Ryleh the Wanderer (also here)
Gibbon the Troubadour
Edward Alleyn, the Renaissance Man
Michael McDane Harris, the Renaissance Geeke
Madame Bonancieux' Cavalier Homepage
Sir John of Neitz' Page
Lady Shondra's Realm
Lady Callisto's Valkyrie Adventures
Sir Wilhelm Bonn's Page
Father Sinnius Vice, Man of the Cloth
The Black Fox
Lady Alys de Trois Rivieres
The Chronicles of Sir Trong Trongersoll
Ik the Troll (also here and here)
Ragnar the Viking, Mascot of the Minnesota Vikings
Natasha Busse, Bardly Princess
Ivanna Maningarb's Faire Realm
Lord and Lady Thorson
Sir Justin, Lord Thompson of the Mad Dolphin
Sir Freedom the Beater
Lady Evenstar's Page
Sir Romeo the Mercenary
Legio, the Angry Dwarf
Lord Kerridwynn, Bard of all Ages
Draxula.com
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Sir Robyn Sotheby's Roost
Captain Cur and Wonderflea
Sir Karl of St. Louis and his Knights for Hire
The Knights of Noble Cause Productions
Sir Carlos de Tuzzio: A Knight 2 Remember
Lord Magnus' Manor
Kailord Lone Wolf in his Tower of the Sun
General Neves Regor
Wolfgang von Orlok's "No Pay, No Landsknecht"
Zorikh Lequidre
Robert Eggers' Palehorse Productions
Sir Johannes Kepler
Nutopia
Zoltan the Adequate
Lord Diodato's Realm
Brother Donald, Teller of Tales and his Benevolent Order of Scurillious Monks
Rosalilly's RenFaire Regalia
Debbie D (Destiny, the Vampire Mermaid)
The Texas Renaissance Festival Beefeaters
Oderferious Thunderbottom, Keeper of the Bristol Faire's Privy Council
Lord Volker of Stuttgart, High Executioner
The Lost Vikings' Hoard of the Ohio Renaissance Festival
Lord Thurlstan and the Alewulf Horde
Baldr the Barbarian
The Vikings Re-enactment Troupe and The Vikings North America
The Austlend Vikings of Virginia and the Carolinas
Gladsheim: The Hoosier Vikings from Indiana
Glomesdal, them Oklahoma/Arkansas Vikin' Folks
Clan FitzOsbern, Atlanta/Fulton County, GA
Nyr Heida, serving Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska
Sudhere of Baton Rouge and Biloxi
Sir Kostroman's Castle
Los Hermanos da Silva
Lady Cheshyremoon's Realm
Lord Odin and Lady Guinevere in their Castle of Dreams and Legends
Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms
The Kingdoms
Photo by Scott Suchman for Cheaspeake Life Magazine
Fred Nelson as Henry VIII continues to rule the Realms of Revel Grove @ Crownsville!
Pray, click ye 'pon His Majesty, that ye may indeed enter Blackwolf's Kingdoms' Links!
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Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms!
The Kingdoms!
From the Photo Gallery of Sapphire & Sage: King Henry VIII burneth rubber, astride his
noble Vespa steed! Huzzah!
The Society for Creative Anachronism,
Inc.
The Adrian Empire
The Realm of Mardi Gras
Amtgard, Inc.
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Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms!
The Empire of Chivalry and Steel
Other Kingdoms Ruled by Monarchs
The Kingdoms without Monarchs
Gasparilla
The Micro-Kingdoms
Darkon
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Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms of the SCA
The Kingdoms of the Society for Creative
Anachronism, Inc.
King Caspar and Queen Cecilia of Meridies, as Prince and Princess, October 13th, 2007,
during the Meridians' Unchained Doom battle!
The Western Kingdom
The Eastern Kingdom
The Midrealm
Meridies
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Atenveldt
Caid
Ansteorra
Atlantia
Calontir
An Tir
Trimaris
The Realm of the Outlands
Drachenwald
Artemisia
Ealdormere
Aethelmearc
Lochac
Northshield
Gleann Abhann
You may also wish to check out the Royals' own
websites:
King Konrad and Queen Brenwen of the East
King Lutr and Queen Tessa of the Midrealm
King Caspar and Queen Cecelia of Meridies
King Sinclair and Queen Kari of Atlantia
King Anton and Queen Isabeau of Calontir
King Cedric and Queen Elizabeth of An Tir
King Mittion and Queen Rosalinda of Trimaris
King Trumbrand and Queen Kaylah, Prince
Aaron and Princess Rustique of Ealdormere
King Lars and Queen Mary of Northshield
Your Quest is on: nay, you're not through! Proceed posthaste to Kingdom Two! Otherwise: A magician's
wand is all you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms of the Adrian Empire
The Kingdoms of the Adrian Empire
Your Dragonmaster has always been fond of this Coronation shot from the files of the
Adrian Empire's Kingdom of Castilles: Their Majesties, the King and Queen, with their
cute little Prince (or Princess, perhaps?).
Castilles
Esperance
Terre Neuve
Umbria
Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms of the Adrian Empire
York
Resume thy Quest, I ask of thee; proceed posthaste to Kingdom Three! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
all you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms of Mardi Gras
The Kingdoms of Mardi Gras
2002 King Jonathan Miller and Queen Jamie Blakeman, in this classic Royal Portrait
from the Krewe of Mid-City!
New Orleans & Vicinity
Rex, King of Carnival
The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club
The Krewe of Mid-City
The Bards of Bohemia
The Jugs' Social Club and Krewe of NOMTOC
The Ducks of Dixieland
The Krewe of Pontchartrain
The Krewe of Argus
The Krewe of Excalibur
The Krewe of Caesar
The Knights of Sparta
The Krewe of Pygmalion
The Knights of Babylon
The Knights of Jason
The Krewe of Eve
Le Krewe du Lac of Lake Charles
The Krewe of Cork
The Knights of Adonis
The Krewe of King Arthur, Marrero, LA
The Krewe of Bacchus
The Krewe of Endymion
The Krewe of Hercules
The Krewe of Houmas
The Krewe of Orpheus
Le Krewe du Vieux
The Krewe of Carrollton
The Krewe of Morpheus
The Original Krewe of Orpheus, Mandeville, LA
The Krewe of Alla
The Krewe of Aquila
The Krewe of Choctaw
The Krewe of Tucks
The Krewe of the Muses
The Krewe of Napoleon
Le Krewe d'Etat
The Mystick Krewe of Shangri-la
Baton Rouge, Shreveport & Vicinity
The Krewe of Orion
The Krewe of Southdowns
The Krewe of Jupiter
The Krewe of Selene, Slidell, LA
Le Krewe Mystique de la Capitale
The Krewe of Gemini, Bossier City
The Krewe of the Centaurs, Shreveport/Bossier City
The Shreveport Bar Association's Krewe of Justinian
The Krewe of St. Andrews
Le Krewe de la Noblesse, Lake Charles
Galveston, TX & Vicinity
The Mystick Krewe of Aquarius, Galveston
The Krewe of Babalu, Galveston
The Krewe of Gambrinus
Mobile, AL & Vicinity
The Order of Inca
La Luna Servante
The Mobile Mystics
The Krewe of Bowlegs, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Biloxi, MS & Vicinity
The Krewe of Ulysses, Pascagoula
Thy Quest is on, there's still much more: Proceed posthate to Kingdom Four! Otherwise: A magician's
Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms of Amtgard, Inc.
The Kingdoms of Amtgard, Inc.
The Burning Lands
The Emerald Hills
Dragonspine
The Wetlands
The Valley of the Silver Rains
The Rising Winds
Persist, if thou would stay alive! The Quest resumes at Kingdom Five! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
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Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms of the Empire of Chivalry and Steel
The Kingdoms of the Empire of Chivalry
and Steel
Galandor * Vega * Ostgard
This Quest hath much within its tricks; proceed posthaste to Kingdom Six! Otherwise: A magician's
Blackwolf's Links: The Other Kingdoms Ruled by Monarchs
The Other Kingdoms Ruled by Monarchs
King Alanus and Queen Barbara of Bermania, during one of their Royal Feasts from
years agone!
Scotland and the Isles (also here)
The Royal Court of Scarborough Faire
The Imperial Court of New York
Cheltia
Spain
Connachta
Hightower (And pay particular attention to Queen Anastasia's Guide to Byzantine Punishments!)
Shiabruck (also here and here)
Doon Douglas
Dragonwynde
The Eternians
Denmark
Bermania
Kingdom of the Winds
Camarand
Westeros
Blackwolf's Links: The Other Kingdoms Ruled by Monarchs
The Companions of the Cross
The Blue Kingdom (also here and here)
The Realm of Forever
King Neptune's Realm
King Edmund's Realm
Acre
Morcia
Evendarr
Blingenstein (also here and here)
Vulgaria
Candy Land
The Realm of the Hoofengoofers
The Druid Princess' Realm
Princess Aisling and her Irish Language & Drama Troupe
Queen Catherine
Queen Victoria
Kingdomality.com
Berenicia
YouTube's The Royal Channel
Still more to go, and on toward heaven! Proceed, young Squire, to Kingdom Seven! Otherwise: A
Blackwolf's Links: The Kingdoms without Monarchs
The Kingdoms without Monarchs
MU, Continent of Legend
James Gurney's Dinotopia
Terry Brooks' Shannara and Landover Sagas
The Mystic Realms
The Jungle of Utt
The Stallion's Kingdom
The Realm of Shadows
The Canton of Brokenbridge
The Town of Highmoon, Version 2.1 (Chris Thurtle's "The Bard's Rest")
To Kingdom Eight, I say, away --- our Quest is not yet done, okay? Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf's Links: The Gasparillan Kingdoms
The Gasparillan Kingdoms
Rey y Reina 2006 of the Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago, King Antonio Serrano and
Queen Stephanie Rose Conte, look quite ravishing in their royal robes!
Ye Loyal Krewe of Samuel Bellamy, Brandon, FL
Ye Mystick Krewe of Neptune, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL
The Krewe of Venus
The Krewe of Santa Margarita
The Norse Krewe of Alafia
The Bonney-Read Krewe
The Krewe of Columbus Celebration of Tampa
The Crewe of Bobbie C. Davis
The Crewe of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society
The Gaucho Association of Tampa
The Ladies of the Crown
The Krewe of Agustina de Aragon
The Krewe of Alegria
El Krewe de Chasco
The Krewe of Ft. Brooke
The Krewe of Hillsborough
Blackwolf's Links: The Gasparillan Kingdoms
El Krewe de Mambi (Sociedad de Mambi/Circulo Cubano de Tampa)
The Krewe of the Nautilus
Ye Notorious Krewe o' th' Peg-Leg Pirate
The Krewe of F Troop, Inc.
The Krewe of the Hibiscus
The Krewe o' Pair o' Dice
The Krewe of Shamrock
The Krewe of the South Shore Marauders
The Krewe of the Caribbean Cowboys
The Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago
The Krewe of the Knights of Zingaro
1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (The Rough Riders)
The Maverick Krewe
The Sirens of the Golden Sabre
The Krewe of Southern Sisterhood
The Enchanted Krewe of Brigadoon
The Krewe of Ybor
The Knights of the Krewe of Cavaliers
The Krewe of St. Florian
The Krewe of the Rum-Runners
The Krewe of the Unsinkable Molly Brown
The Thieves of San Lorenzo
Ye Krewe of Sir Henry Morgan, Admiral of the Brethren of the Coast
Ye Mystic Air Krewe
The Pyrates of the Gulf Coast
The Royal Privateers
To Kingdom Nine, I say, away, our Quest still isn't done this day! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
Blackwolf's Links: The Micro-Kingdoms
The Micro-Kingdoms
The Realm of Alphistia
The Kingdom of Talossa
The Principality of Hutt River
The Kingdom of Vulgaria
das Konigriech Riesenguthland-Ellermark
The Imperial Republic of Shireroth
The Empire of the Alexandrians
The Federal Empire of Nonopartia
The Empire of Tesseria
The Hampire of Hamland
The Republic of Trinovantium
The Iridian Empire
The Kingdom of Bartonstein
The Kingdom of Mangaria
The Kingdom of Hanover
The Dominion of British Western Florida
The Principality of Vikesland
The Molossian Republic
The Republic of Librestan
The Republic of Gariston
The Principality of Ashbourton & Commonwealths
The Republic of Perilo
The Empire of Thrace
The Kingdom of Zarahemla
Until the Quest begins again, click ye hither for Kingdom Ten! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
Blackwolf's Links: The Lands of Darkon
The Lands of Darkon
King Alfred Goldenhue of Elidor!
King Alfred Goldenhue of Elidor
Lord High Captain Ig of Aquilonia
Warmaster Talid of Nurgle
The Cabal of Moot
The Land of Albion
Lord Bannor McKragg of Laconia
The Empyrean
Legion Exsilium
The Tavern Tales, Darkon's Official Newsletter
Blackwolf's Links: The Guildfolk
The Guildfolk
Sir Thomas Fludd, from the Guild of St. Ambrose, greets ye, that ye might know the way
to meet a few of me favorite Guildfolk! Huzzah!
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Blackwolf's Links: The Guildfolk!
The Guildfolk!
Dagorhir
The Knights of the Aratari
The Guild
The Border League
The Silver Knights Jousting Team
The Guild of St. Arbogast
The Guild of the Knights of Iron
The Knights of the Selohaar
The Guild of St. George of Virginia
St. Andrew's Guild of North Carolina
St. George's Guild of the Bristol Renaissance Faire
The Guild of Blood, Love & Rhetoric and La Academia della Spada
The Hoggetowne Medieval Fayre Thieves' Guilde
Organized Recreational Combat Simulation (ORCS!)
St. Murphy's Guild
Captain Alphonse and Newcastle Infantrie
The Guild of St. Ambrose
St. Andrew's Royal Order of Noble Scots
The Fraternity of St. George
Kumpania Wispersteppe: The Scarborough Faire Gypsies
The Guild of Santa Maria
St. Matthew's Guild
Travellers' Union Theatrical Guild
The St. Ives Historical Society
St. Michael's Guild
The House of Swindon
St. Cuthbert's Guild
St. Luke's Guild of Hollister, CA
St. Bernard's Constables
St. Blaise's Guild of Town Criers
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwguild.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:21:58 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Guildfolk!
das Todesengel Fahnlein, St. Maximillain's Re-enactment Guild
The Guilds of St. George of California
Sir Thomas Blackwell's Regiment of Foote, King's Army, English Civil War Society
St. Gabriel's Guild, Reno, NV
Her Majesty's Hounds, Inc.
The House of Bayard
The House of Bayard USA
St. Wolfgang's Bavarian Court
Sir Clifton Bassett's Knights of the Azure Cross
The Sacramento, CA Grove of the Oak
The Order of the Black Rose
Ye Merrie Greenwood Players and their Renaissance Faire @ Richland, WA
Ontario's Knights of Valour Jousting Team
The Loyal Order of Pretzels, Eating & Drinking
The (Not Quite) Noble Guild of St. Vitus
Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia
The Barony of Raven's Nest
The Knights of Santiago
The Players of Detroit
House McFionn
The Known World Players
The Archers of Ravenwood
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwguild.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:21:58 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Fellow Magic-users
Fellow Magic-users
Our Exalted Brother Merlin, with his faithful teammates during his penultimate season at
Plantersville! From left to right: Jason Bennett (Igor); Jennifer Cerda (Morgan le Fay);
Merlin; and Kimberly Bennett (Nimue)! Click ye 'pon them to meet Merlin's other
colleagues in the realm of Magecraft!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/magicintro.html [2008/04/22 08:22:04 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Fellow Magic-users!
Fellow Magic-users!
Ryleh the Wanderer's Renaissance World
Our Exalted Brother Merlin!
Merdwin the Mediocre
Erus the Grey, Master Mage of the Lone Star Shire
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, Master Mage of Sonoma County, CA
Alkatar, the Green Wizard
Jonathan the Storyteller
Master Thoth (also here, here, here, here and even here!)
Josh Kane's NYC Wizard School
Moondog's Corner
Laurie Cabot
C.H. Morgan and Magelight Productions, Inc.
The Enchantress, Dr. Barbara Holstein
Silver Ravenwolf of the Black Forest
Tom & Katie Crecelius --- when Merlin married Nimue!
Merlin, the Magical One
The Amazin' Walter and his Daughter, Christy the Clown, South Padre Island, TX
Ed the Wizard
Julian Thornton, Master Mage of Sherwood, Oregon
Gingernutt the Clown and Company, London
Kevin Weekley
Ben Kaplan's Calicat
Baxter Owen Graham and Drumstick Media, Whitefish, MT --- Home of the Legend of Old King
Stinky Toes
Jillian Curtis' The Little Prince and his Magic Wand from Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
George R. R. Martin
Herbie Brennan, alias Cornelius Rumstuckle, President of the Wizards' Guild
Amoka
Jennifer Macaire
King Henry's Original Magic Show
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmagic.html (1 of 3) [2008/04/22 08:22:07 AM]
Wizardrealm (with a delightful section on --- you guessed it! --- Wizards!)
Serious Comedy Publications, publishers of WizardWonderland.com and WizardsofWealth.com
Galadriel the Leopard Queen
Wizard's Castle (Tonawandah, NY)
John Howe
Don Maitz and Janny Wurts
The Myles Pinkney Fantasy Gallery
William Stout
Scott Grimando
Larry Elmore
Steven Paul Carlson's Legendary Creations
Ruth Sanderson
Scott Roberts' TavernTent.com
Rob Liptak
Ken Kelly
Brian Kong (also here)
Kyle Baker
Paolo Rivera and SplashPageArt.com
Buzz (also here)
Gary Gianni
Richard Bartoletti
Melissa Benson
Jeff Tobis
Thomas Fleming
Mark Sparacio
Silent Devil Productions, Richmond, VA --- Home of Dracula vs. King Arthur
Rob Granito and the Painted Jester Studios
Chris Yambar
Spiderwebart --- Home of the Complete Works of the Brothers Hildebrandt
Ray Lago
Dave Fox
Marisa Scirocco, Alien Ambassador
The Wizards of Reality Engine LLC
Prysmos.com: Merklynn's Visionaries Page
Carol Bulzone's Enchantments, Inc.
Madeleine the Magician
Magical David
Marcia, the Musical Moose
Yuri, Prince of Color
Leonard and Susan Filgate's Rip Squeak and Friends
Pamela Silin Palmer and her Rabbits of the Rainbow
Tony DiTerlizzi --- "Never Abandon Imagination" (to which I add a very jolly "Huzzah!")
Kinuko Y. Craft
Michael Hague (also here)
Merry Lane Press, Home of King Bartholomew and the Jester's Riddle
Ian Brackenbury Channel, the Wizard of Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand
Wizard Dafydd of Footscray, Victoria, Australia
Korky Paul's Gallery
Mary Pope Osborne, Keeper of The Magic Tree House
Tony Abbott, Royal Historian of Droon
Peter & Angie Mayhew (yes, Chewbacca is married in real life!)
Rocky the Colorado Leprechaun
The San Diego Chicken
M.A.D. House Productions, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England
More magic here! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf's Links: More Fellow Magic-users!
More Fellow Magic-users!
The Almodarrs of East Waterboro, Maine
4-Color Comics, Inc., Scarsdale, NY
Ken Gale's Comic Book Radio Show
Valiant Comics
Zorikh Lequidre's Captain Marvel Culture Project
Gary Frank
L.A. Williams
Ruth Thompson's Tarnished Images
Mario A.C. Della Casa (also here)
Sara Karloff, Daughter of Boris and Keeper of his Legacy
Bill Diamond Productions, Creators of Monster TV
Eve Blaack Publications, Inc.
AmericAnime Productions, Inc. (also here)
Garden State Horror Writers
The Merlin Entertainments Group
More of my Fellow Magic-users soon! Till then: A magician's wand is all you lack; Click yon mouse and
haste ye back!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmagic2.html [2008/04/22 08:22:09 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Faeries and Friends
The Faeries and Friends!
What's better than experiencing an audience with His Majesty, Oberon the Magnificent,
King of the Faeries (mka Gene Landry)? Spending lunch with Milord Oberon, that's what!
And that's exactly what Frank Hui did when His Faerie Majesty fluttered into the 1999
Texas Renaissance Festival, as is chronicled on the archives of Lord Robyn Sotheby's
Roost! Since then, sadly, our very heavily winged Monarch, despite having relocated his
noble Court to the Land of Small Sota, as he of old didst call the place, hath nonetheless
vanish'd into ye Mysts of the Aether. (Drat!) Pray, click ye 'pon the Faerie King, that ye
might know of Blackwolf's other favorite Faerie Folk (and a few other significant magical
beings)!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/frealm-intro.html [2008/04/22 08:22:16 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Faeries and Friends!
The Faeries and Friends!
The Faeries
Fairy Day --- 6-24-08!
The Faerieworlds Festival Concerts, Hornings Hideout, North Plains, Oregon
FaerieCon Philadelphia 2007
Robert Gould's Imaginosis, Los Angeles
The Maryland Faerie Festival, Upper Marlboro
Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball, L.A.
Frances Tyrrell's Illustrated Faeries Gazette
Dreamweaver Productions and Animal X's IBelieveInFaeries.com
IDoBelieve.co.uk, Britain's Amy Brown Faerie Pages
The World of Faeries Festival @ South Elgin, IL
Greenbelt, MD Green Man Festival
pwca's Digital Mischief
Herbie Brennan's FaerieWars
Faerie Magazine
The Faerie Journals
The World of Brian & Wendy Froud (got goblins?)
LittlePeople.net
Tate & Co., Paramus, NJ --- Collectibles for the Imagination
Elfwood, The World's Largest Sci-Fi/Fantasy Art Site
Rick & Ana's FantasyArtGallery.com, Corona, CA
The Cottingley Network
eFairies.com
FairiesWorld.com, Pittsburgh
Western Pennsylvania Fairie Festival @ Coopers' Lake, Slippery Rock
Spoutwood Fairie Festival, Glen Rock, PA
Wicked Winter Faerie Renaissance Faire, Edison, NJ Convention & Expo Center
Jessica Galbreth's Enchanted-Art.com
Tom Cross, creator of The Way of the Wizards
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/frealm.html (1 of 3) [2008/04/22 08:22:19 AM]
Kathryn Swenson's Gnomenculture and The Faeries' Garden, Bellevue, WA
The Realm of the Fae
John Walker's The Fairy Faith
Renae Taylor's Faerie Shop
The Peter Stone Company (actually, his name is Koslowski!)
Jules' Enchanting Gifts, Berkeley Springs, WV
Tir na Nog, the Land of the Young
Lady Elizabeth's Faery Garden
The Faerequeen's Castle
Camomile's FaerieWorld
Judith A. Orr's A Fairy Walk
The Gnomes
Collingwood/O'Hare Entertainment's Gordon the Garden Gnome
Travelocity's one and only Roaming Gnome! (Now really, I'd be nuts not to link to HIM! And yes,
he's invaded MySpace, too!)
FreetheGnomes.com
Robert Tatters' GnomeTour and Gnomenclature
QueenGnome and Jani's Gnome Court
Gnomeland
Gnomads!
Gnomar.com
The Legend of the Gnome
The Pixies
CornishPixies.com
The Pixie Pit
The Fire Pixie of San Francisco
The Insects
Sybil Kane's Insect Wonderland
The Giants
Walter, the Giant Storyteller
Blackwolf's Links: Mages of the Media
Mages of the Media
Few of us, I fear, recall Sony Pictures Television's Mr. Merlin, starring Barnard Hughues,
Clark Brandon and Elaine Joyce. But then again, your Dragonmaster wonders if Merlin
was right about the state of TV in general. Anywho, click ye 'pon Team Merlin, that ye
may know of ol' Blackwolf's favorite media links!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/media-intro.html [2008/04/22 08:22:23 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Mages of the Media!
Mages of the Media!
NBC's Late Night w/Conan O'Brien, Home of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
G4
Thor & Muninn's The Barbarian Chronicles
Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Entertainment (Adam asked me for my autograph! Cool!)
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Dr. Demento
Andy Mangels, Documentary Filmmaker and Animation Historian
Lou Scheimer Productions
Weird Al Yankovic
Reverend Jen, in Nick Zedd's The Adventures of Electra Elf & Fluffer
Nick Jr.'s Backyardigans in the Tale of the Mighty Knights, with guest star Adam Pascal
GRACE's Meatrix Saga
Demented Stuff: An Online Tribute to Sid & Marty Krofft
The 1970s Live-Action Children's Shows Shrine
The Cars.com Waiting Room Guys
CHRW-FM Radio, London, Ontario, Canada --- Home of Audiozine, The Radio Show for
Do-it-Yourself Lifestyles!
Withersin Horrorzine
Toonhound: The UK's Best Toon Guide!
Fox' Family Guy (Let's face it, I just couldn't resist!)
The History Channel
Thirteen/WNET's Warrior Challenge and roadtrip nation
Galileo's Battle for the Heavens from NOVA
Tupperware! from The American Experience
The Way the Music Died and The Monster That Ate Hollywood from Frontline
Rhapsody of Fire: Aresius of Elgard's Chronicles of Algalord
The Time Soldiers from Big Guy Books
The Spiderwick Chronicles, featuring The Movie (also here)
E! Online
AccessHollywood.com
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmedia.html (1 of 3) [2008/04/22 08:22:25 AM]
ETonline.com from Entertainment Tonight
The Insider
Charmings.org
Jeffrey O'Kelly's The Adventures of Doctor Snuggles
Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works
Dewey the Helpful Doo-it and the Doo-its
Procidis, Home of Maestro and Barille's "Once Upon a Time" Saga
4Kids Entertainment's The Winx Club
Canada's Family Channel's Mentors
Don LaFontaine, America's Action Announcer
John Leader (He likes Don's limo!)
Joan Baker
Joe Cipriano, Foxvoice
Ben Patrick Johnson
Bill Ratner, Walt Disney World Resort Voice-in-Residence
Ashton Smith
Keri Tombazian
Rodney Saulsberry
Randy Thomas
The Cult of Cummings (Jim Cummings, that is -- the undisputed voice king of Disney!)
Rich Monahan and Friends' kickhead.com
Mike Garibaldi's Dialogue Project (also here)
Rapid T. Rabbit and Friends
Michael Bonfiglio's Dotting America
The Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Ghoul-a-Go-Go
Sarah Kernochan, Filmmaker of Mages
Tim's TV Showcase, Mooresville, Indiana
Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter: The Musical, based on the book by Diane Stanley
Powerhouse Cultural Entertainment, LLC
Blackwolf's Links: The Hogwarts School
The Hogwarts School
Oh yeah, Michael Gambon might make a splendid version of ol' Albus --- but as far as
your Dragonmaster is concern'd, there will always be only one Albus Percival Wulfric
Brian Dumbledore: beloved Richard Harris! Click on him, please, to see me Hogwarts
links!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/hstro.html [2008/04/22 08:22:32 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Hogwarts School!
The Hogwarts School!
HarryPotter.com, featuring Order of the Phoenix
Scholastic Inc.'s Official Harry Potter Books Page (U.S.)
Bloomsbury Publishing's Official Harry Potter Books Page (U.K.)
JKRowling.com (Need I say more?)
TheLeakyCauldron.org and its parent site, The Floo Network, featuring HarryPotterSeven.com
Prophecy 2007: From Hero to Legend @ the Sheraton Centre Toronto
Lauren and Nina, the Moaning Myrtles (also here)
Draco and the Malfoys (also here)
Harry and the Potters (also here)
Ginny and the Weasleys
Hollow Godric
The Parselmouths (also here)
The Remus Lupins (also here)
WizardRock.org
Real Wizard Rock!
The Wizard Rockumentary
The Order of Merlin, East Lansing, MI
WizardNews.com
HPANA
DanielRadcliffe.com and DanielRadcliffe.co.uk
RupertGrint.org
EmmaWatson.net
Matthew Lewis
Jamie Waylett
Devon Murray
The Hogwarts Galleries
Beyond Hogwarts, featuring Dumbledore is Not Dead (?)
The Dumbledore Fanfiction Fanlisting
Meg's Unofficial Harry Potter Page
Nasubionna's Harry Potter Gallery (Elite Version)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwhs.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:22:34 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Hogwarts School!
The Wooden Wand
MuggleNet.com
The Potter Lexicon
Dissendium.com, featuring Riddle Diaries.org
Alivans.com --- Fine Handcrafted Wands for Wizards
Privet Drive
Hogwarts Courtyard
Godric's Hollow
Immeritus: A Sirius Black Fan Club
ThePensieve.net, Version 1.2 featuring The Beginning of the End: A Half-Blood Prince
Examination
Veritaserum: Let the Truth Be Told!
PotterParties.com
The Potter Fanzone
HogwartsProfessor.com: A Discussion Site
Project: Ferret
The Mirror of Erised
The Portkey
Potterfan.com
The Sugar Quill
Fiction Alley
HarryPotterFanfiction.com
Alex's Harry Potter @ Hogwarts Page
Wizrocklopedia: An Encyclopedia of Wizardly Rock n' Roll
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwhs.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:22:34 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: King Arthur's Court
King Arthur's Court
(Photo from the University of Puget Sound's Production of A Connecticut Yankee in
King Arthur's Court)
They don't get any more legendary than King Arthur! Click ye 'pon him and his Court,
that ye may properly enter Camelot!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/arthurintro.html [2008/04/22 08:22:37 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: King Arthur's Court!
King Arthur's Court!
Nathan Currie's King Arthur Page
Murph's Tribute to the King Arthur Movie
Iowa State University's Mystic Realm of King Arthur
The University of Rochester's Camelot Project
Arthuriana: The Journal of Arthurian Studies
UK Online Interviews King Arthur! (Seriously!)
Camelot Village
Camelot Revisited
King Arthur Books
Paul Parkes' King Arthur's Disasters
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwkac.html [2008/04/22 08:22:39 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Big Kahuna
The Big Kahuna!
That's King Henry VIII to you, pal, and don't you forget it! Click ye 'pon His Majesty
(cleverly disguised as one Ray Irving), that ye might notice Blackwolf's favorite Tudor
tomes!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/hal8intro.html [2008/04/22 08:22:51 AM]
The Big Kahuna!
King Henry's Royal Pages, featuring your Dragonmaster's Letters from Manhattan
King Henry's TudorRoyal.com
The BBC's Going Out: Lancashire Interviews the King (and Ray, too!)
The Dark Castle Lords Meet Ray and the King!
Mike Farley, a/k/a Good King Hal, Crewkerne, Somerset (and pray, observe His Majesty's Royal
Blogge!)
Michael Butler's St. Henry's Guild of Fresno, CA
Thirteen/WNET's The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Henry VIII from Masterpiece Theatre
TudorHistory.org
Royal.gov's Henry VIII Tribute
The Boleyn Family Page
John Guy, Tudor Author & Historian
It's ALL About the Tudors!
TudorBritain.org, from Britain's National Archives and the Victoria & Albert Museums, London
Jorge Castelli's Tudor Place
Kelly Crispen's Tudor Menu
The Henry VIII School, Coventry, England
Henry VIII School, Cwmbran, Monmouthshire, Wales
Henry VIII: Intrigue in the Tudor Court, from Garry Stevens' Key Centre for Architectural
Sociology
The Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournaments Resource Library
The Tudor Group
ElizabethI.org
RoyalPaperDolls.com
Sir Francis Bacon's New Advancement of Learning
Tudor-Portraits.com
The Tudor History Resource
The Marie Stuart Society of Scotland
The Mary Rose (that's Henry's VERY big boat!)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwhal8.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:22:55 AM]
The Tudor Times, from the kids @ Nettlesworth, England Primary School
Anne Boleyn's Coronation Book
Lady Boleyn's Page
The Tudor Times
The Six Wives Tell Their Own Stories!
The Midnight Garden's Medieval/Renaissance Wedding Pages
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwhal8.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:22:55 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Beloved Gloriana!
Beloved Gloriana!
Her Majesty, Elizabeth I, Queen of all England (shown hither in ye guise of the Mortal
Kimberly Stockton), herewith invites ye to click 'pon her (nay, ye needn't be shy!), that ye
might notice even more of Blackwolf's favorite Tudor links!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/lizintro.html [2008/04/22 08:23:04 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Beloved Gloriana!
Beloved Gloriana!
Her Majesty, Elizabeth I's Royal Homepage
Kim Stockton's MyVirginQueen.com
Mary Ann Jung as Elizabeth I and the Ladies of History Alive, Inc.
Deirdre Sergeant's Elizabeth I Page
St. Elizabeth's Guild
ElizabethI.org
The Newberry Library, Chicago's Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend
EnglishHistory.net's Elizabeth I Site
Karen Larsdatter's New Year's Gifts for Queen Elizabeth
The Army of O'Neill
If thou knowst a performer who hath devoted herself to a web
presence in character as Elizabeth I, please e-mail me with the
relevant information; and I shall include said site in this new
segment immediately!
This new segment of Blackwolf's Links is under construction; pray, check ye back anon!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bw-liz.html [2008/04/22 08:23:06 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Dragons
Dragons
Myles Pinkney's Treasure Dragon, happily guarding her hoard! Dare ye click 'pon her to
see what ol' Blackwolf's favorite Dragons are up to?
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/dragintro.html [2008/04/22 08:23:13 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Dragons!
Dragons!
Animal Planet's Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real, hosted by Patrick Stewart
Jules Bass' Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon
Arena Football's New York Dragons
Sparky the Dragon (Aye, his new site's better than ever! Huzzah!)
The Dragon Tales Gang
Blackjack the Dragon and William
Scorch the Dragon (and his best friends, Ronn Lucas and Ken Kragen)
The Unofficial Scorch the Dragon Fan Page
Dolossus the Dragon and Jessica (Neon Dragon) Peffer
The Dragon Booster Chronicles and the Dragon City Fan Site
Carrie Rutherford's Dragonfolk Studios, Forest City, NC
Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy
DragonWings.net
Claude the Fire-Breathing Dragon (and his protector, Sir Gabriel)
Wyndsong the Snowdragon
Real Musgrave's Pocket Dragons
Gabriel Zanotto's Dragon's Lair
OlogyWorld.com, featuring Dragonology!
D.R.A.G.O.N.S.
Draconian.com (Here There Be Dragons!)
The Dragon's Treasure!
The Compleat Flight of Dragons
Dandalf the Dragon
Lanse'shri, Domain of the Weredragons
The Dragon's Lair, Andover, MA
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwdragons.html [2008/04/22 08:23:16 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Resources
Resources
Click 'pon ye Castle of Resources, that ye may learn of Blackwolf's favorite places to
bury his Wizardly nose in!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/resrce-intro.html [2008/04/22 08:23:21 AM]
Resources!
Renaissance Entertainment Corporation
The Fellowship of the Black Spot, West Allis, WI
AtTheFaire.com
The Directorie of Renaissance Faires
AllAboutRenaissanceFaires.com
RenaissanceFestival.com
Renaissance Productions
Sir Salvatore's Historical Yellow Pages
Last Chance Forever, Inc.
The SCRIBE
RomanticTimes.com
Renaissance Magazine
The Academy of Knightly Arts
WeMakeHistory.com, Inc., Prescott/Phoenix, Arizona
The Dwarven Tavern
Jester Central and the Jester's Mask
History
Graphic Expressions
Cinefantastique and Femme Fatales Magazines
Justin Thompson's Mad Dolphin Books
CostumeNetwork.com
The Compleat Strategist
The Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation
Peter Glassman's Books of Wonder
Medieval Times Dinner Theatre & Tournament
Starlog and Fangoria Magazines
The Phantom of the Movies' Videoscope Magazine
Filmfax Magazine
Locus Magazine
Excalibur Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwresources.html (1 of 3) [2008/04/22 08:23:24 AM]
Camelot Theme Park, Chorley, Lancashire, England
Oliver's Crown Jewels, Harvey, LA
NERO (New England Roleplaying Organization, Inc.)
Halloween Adventure/New York Costumes
Tournament Productions
Cornelius Green Photography, Baldwin, NY
Noel Camardo Photography, NYC
Kenzer and Company
Rue Morgue --- Canada's Premier Horror Magazine
Graig Weich's Beyond Comics, NYC
The New England Rennies' Faire Enthusiast Community
NYLine, Home of the Star Wars Nerds
Explosion Toys
The Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art, NYC
ComicStories.com
Ted Riddle's Monolith Comics
Comics Guaranty, LLC
Metropolis Comics
Otakuden
Papercutz Comics
Danielle Corsetto's Girls w/Slingshots
Jim Hanley's Universe
KASO Comics
Mike Carbonero's NeatStuff Collectibles
The Eternal Collector
HighGradeComics.com
Mercury Comics, Publishers of Atomika: God is Red
Image Comics' NYC Mech
Richard Hatch's MerlinQuest Entertainment and The Great War of Magellan
Keith R. A. DeCandido
CrazeeComics, Home of Russ5377 and the Cosmic Wars
Doctor Mego's Clinic, The Adventures of Megoman and Dawn of the New Mego
The Mego Museum
Open Book Press
Makoto: A Sport for the Mind and Body, Huntington Station, NY
Powys Media
Dark Vision Comics
Drumfish Productions' The Sentinels
Rick Spears & Rob G's "Teenagers from Mars"
Chris .R. Notarile's Blinky Productions
Gene Landry's the red dilemma, inc.
Palladian Interactive Theatre (formerly The Theatre of Interactive Drama), Des Moines, IA
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
The California Independent Renaissance Guilds Association, Inc. (CIRGA)
Pastimes, Inc.
Upstairs Media, Inc.
Coney Island USA and Sideshows by the Seashore, Home of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade
The Mud Truck
The Chashama Theatre
The Witches' Voice Online Newsletter
Danny Perez' Blog of All Kings
Carnifex Press
The Washington Heights/Inwood Development Corporation
The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, NYC
The Sci-Fi Channel
WYES-TV/12 PBS New Orleans, Home of the Rex Ball and the Meeting of the Courts
Harry Knowles' Ain't it Cool News
The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film & Television
The Music Educators' National Conference and the National Anthem Project
Yahoo!'s 10th Anniversary Netrospective: The 100 Greatest Web Moments
Blackwolf's Links: Blackwolf's Marketplace, Route 1
Blackwolf's Marketplace
Enter the treehouse of Blackwolf's Marketplace, with links to everyone's favorite
Renaissance Faire merchants and vendors from all over the Planet!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/merchintro.html [2008/04/22 08:23:30 AM]
Blackwolf's Marketplace, Route 1!
The House of Dra
FantasyLand Fonts
Enchanted Costumes
Halloween Adventure, Union Square, NYC
Abracadabra Costume Superstore, Chelsea, NYC
Costume Holiday House, Fremont, OH
The Celtic Empire
Carpatina Costuming
Falconrose
La Wren's Nest Armory and Swords
Lundegaard Armory, High Bridge, NJ
Noel Costumier, Las Vegas
Sofi's Stitches Medieval Costuming
Dancing Dragon Designs and Legends of Fantasy, Arcata, CA
Sapphire & Sage
Harrington ArtWerkes
Mardigan's Maile, Buzzard's Bay, MA
TRF's Renaissance Moccasins
The Village Flutemaker, Erik Sampson and Bamboo Friends, Inc., Davie, FL
Peter Stachowiak's Medieval Productions, Chester, NY
By the Sword, Fort Myers, FL
Gypsy Moon, Cambridge, MA
Janelle Olmstead's Something Else Studios, Palmyra, NY
Threads of Time and The Realms' Finest
Fashions Through Time, Inc., Tampa, FL
Pendragon Costumes, Torrance, CA
Dawn Kleinkauf's "Dawn of Creation," Granbury, TX
The Neon Gargoyle, Allentown, NJ
Angel Sword, Driftwood, TX
Son of Sandlar, Savannah, GA
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmerch.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:32 AM]
Ed Beard, Jr.'s Enchanted Realm Studios and Destini Productions, Inc.
Cardlings, Pueblo, CO
By My Hand Designs, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Medieval Mayhem Ltd.
Allen ye Printmaker, Oswego, NY
Kathryn Maloney & Daniel Murphy's Go to Great Panes, Pearl River, NY
Castle Lane, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Eugenia Zazkowska Fine Jewelry
Risa Hirsch Erlich Fine Ceramics
SoitenlyStooges.com, Home of the Three Stooges and C3 Entertainment, Inc.
Blackwolf's Marketplace resumeth hither!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmerch.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:32 AM]
Renboots
Imperial Weapons
RenBraids.com
Rampant Lion Designs, Arnold, MD
The Pillaged Village, Carlisle, OH
Under the Mystical Moon, Inc.
de Signet International
Ancient Circles, Willits, CA
Historical Resources Publishing
Panther Primitives, Normantown, WV
Shrader the Bootmaker
Anthony Pace's Xlibris.com
Marty Magic, Santa Cruz, CA
NativEarth, Mariposa, CA
Underhill Pavilions, Floyd, VA
Family Crest Vintners
Klaus' Online Armory, Richardson, TX
Katrina Marie Designs, Hoosick Falls, NY
Dark Crystal Clothing
Rosco, Inc., Rome, NY
Coquina Arts Fine Art & Feng Shui
Raven Blackwood's Gifts n' Goods
Jeff Coleman Studios, Fayetteville, NC
Dick Sheridan's Jake's Toys, Home of the Fool on a Stick
Herbal Elegance Medieval Makeup, featuring the Black Prince Armoury, Orlando, FL
Sales from the Crypt, Sugar Loaf, NY
The Chivalry Bookshelf
The Women of the Myst
Ghostraven
Avalon USA Medieval Costumes
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmerch2.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:35 AM]
Garb the World!, Inc.
The Merchants of the Caspian Gate
The Thistle & Moon Workshop
The Crafty Fox
Stimpzilla's Sumptuary Law
Ye Odd Bodkin Renaissance Shoppe
Blue Moon Crystals & Jewelry
The Midsummer Knight's Dream Fantasy Puppets, Ocala, FL
David Wittrock, the Travelling Blacksmith
Blackwolf's Marketplace resumeth hither!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmerch2.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:35 AM]
Museum Replicas, Ltd., Conyers, GA
Luna Books
Casta Diva Clothiers, York, PA
The Silk Painting and ArtSpirit Galleries
The Vicky Visconti-Tilley Gallery
The Scots Dragon, Ames, IA
Minda's Masquerade, Orange County, NY
Crystal Dreams Publications, Home of the Shadow Poets
The Renaissance Artists' Puppet Co., Norristown, PA
Jennifer Breitkopf's Brite Design
Irves Fine Jewelry, Brooklyn
The Unemployed Philosophers' Guild, Brooklyn
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmerch3.html [2008/04/22 08:23:37 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Realm of Master Shakespeare
The Realm of Master Shakespeare
What, I wonder, is on ye Bard of Avon's mind? Click above to open Blackwolf's favorite
links to Billy's remarkable world!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bard-intro.html [2008/04/22 08:23:42 AM]
The Realm of Master Shakespeare!
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival @ Montgomery
The Fairbanks, AK Shakespeare Theater
The Arizona Classical Theatre & Shakespeare Festival
California Shakespeare Festival @ Orinda
Shakespeare Santa Cruz, University of California Santa Cruz Performing Arts Center
Marin County, CA Shakespeare Festival
The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare Stroll, Pinecrest Gardens, FL
Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, Orlando, FL
Georgia Shakespeare Festival @ Atlanta
Boise, ID Shakespeare Festival
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
Kansas City, MO's Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Incline Vilage, NV
The Nevada Shakespeare Festival
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
The Theatre for a New Audience, New York City
The FauxReal Theatre Company, New York City, Home of William Shakespeare's Haunted House
Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival @ Ashland
The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
The South Carolina Shakespeare Company
The Texas Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare Dallas (Texas, that is!)
Utah Shakespearean Festival
Richmond, VA Shakespeare Festival/Encore! Theatre Company
Shakespeare's Globe, London
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwshake.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:45 AM]
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwshake.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:45 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Realm of the Rings
The Realm of the Rings
Aragorn and Arwen, King and Queen at last! A fitting way to introduce my Realm of the
Rings section, where all things Tolkien doth rule!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/ringintro.html [2008/04/22 08:23:51 AM]
The Realm of the Rings!
Houghton Mifflin's Official Lord of the Rings Trilogy Page
LordoftheRings.net from New Line Cinema
The Lord of the Rings --- Live On Stage!
Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar
Our Exalted Father Gandalf's LotR Blog
Let The Hobbit (Live-Action Movie) Happen!
The Council of Elrond
The Heart of Middle-earth
Gandalf's Cave
Clear Stage Cincinnati's Production of The Return of the King
TolkienMovies.com
The Tolkien Society
Heren Istarion, The Northeast Tolkien Society
TolkienTown.com --- The World's Biggest All-Tolkien Store
The Last Homely House
TheOneRing.com
TheOneRing.net
TheHobbitBlog.com
The Bastards Have Landed: The Official Peter Jackson Fan Club
Ringers: Lord of the Fans
HobbitsLive.com
Brave Little Hobbits: A Christian Perspective on LotR
Daisy Brambletoes' Hobbit Hole
The LotR HumorZone
The Bagginses' Caption Page
The One Ring Circus
Aragorn's Realm
The Tolkien Trail
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Gondorian Homepage
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwrings.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:54 AM]
Ringzone.net
The Hobbit Hole
The Tolkien Sarcasm Page
Lords of the Rhymes (for mature Hobbits only, please!)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwrings.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:23:54 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Realm of the Heralds
The Realm of the Heralds
This standard coat of arms, from the files of Ian Brennan's HeraldicSculptor.com,
introduces our Realm of the Heralds link feature! As you might have guessed, it's all
about heraldry! Have a look!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/hldrintro.html [2008/04/22 08:24:01 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Realm of the Heralds!
The Realm of the Heralds!
Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry
James P. Wolf's Heraldry Store
FreeCoatsofArms.com
Ian Brennan's HeraldicSculptor.com
James P. Wolf's Heraldry on the Internet
The Coats of Arms Family Crest Newsletter
Heraldica
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwherald.html [2008/04/22 08:24:03 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Narnia Nation
Narnia Nation
He's Aslan --- and boy, is he really on the move! Enter now my Narnia Nation section,
where The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are comin' at ya!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/narniaintro.html [2008/04/22 08:24:06 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Narnia Nation!
Narnia Nation!
Narnia.com, The Official Site --- now featuring Prince Caspian
Narniaweb.com and Narnians.net
The Official Narnia Books Site
NarniaFans.com
The Narnia Fan Site
Slate Magazine's Josh Levin on the SNL Narnia Rap
The Narnia Academy
TheOneLion.net
Narnia Outreach
The Stone Table
NarniaResources.com
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwnarnia.html [2008/04/22 08:24:08 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Games
The Games
King Magni Bronzebeard of Ironforge Mountain, from Blizzard Entertainment's World of
WarCraft! Who better than he to take you through some of ol' Blackwolf's favorite
Computer and Role-Playing Games? Come, goodly gentles --- let's play!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/gamesintro.html [2008/04/22 08:24:20 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Games
The Games!
Blizzard Entertainment's World of WarCraft and Battle.net
The World of WarCraft Wiki
The Burning Crusade
Wrath of the Lich King
Mythic Entertainment's Dark Age of Camelot
The Camelot Herald
George R. R. Martin
The Brotherhood Without Banners
Amoka's Game of Thrones/Song of Ice & Fire RPG Gallery
Bioware's Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate
Pool of Radiance: The Ruins of Myth Drannor
What'sername: Anniversary
The Croft Times
The Tomb Raider News Channel
Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn!
D&D ('Nuff said!)
Dragonlance.com
The Forgotten Realms
Eberron, created by Keith Baker
D&D Online
D&D Adventures
The Advanced D&D Hall of Heroes
Worlds of Imagination
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/games.html [2008/04/22 08:24:22 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Realms of EverQuest
From the files of KeithParkinson.com, your Dragonmaster's Dream Wench demands that
you click 'pon her, to discover what doth transpire in her World --- and beyond!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/firi-intro.html [2008/04/22 08:24:30 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Realms of EverQuest
The Ruins of Kunark
The Scars of Velious
The Shadows of Luclin
The Planes of Power
The Legacy of Ykesha
The Lost Dungeons of Norrath
Gates of Discord
Omens of War
Dragons of Norrath
The Depths of Darkhollow
The Prophecy of Ro
The Serpent's Spine
EQ2
EQ2: The Rise of Kunark
Desert of Flames
Kingdom of Sky
Echoes of Faydwer
EQ2 Adventures: The Fallen Dynasty
The Bloodline Chronicles
The Splitpaw Saga
Legends of Norrath
Escape to Norrath
EQ2 Players
EQ Players
The EQ and EQ2 Vaults
The EQ and EQ2 Mages
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwfiri.html [2008/04/22 08:24:32 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Favorite Faire Performers
Favorite Faire Performers
Avast, me 'earties! 'Tis July 29th, 2000, as DC Smith, 2000 Captain Kidd of the Seattle
Seafair Pirates, shares some grog wi' two wee shipmates! (Aargh!) Click on 'em, ya bilge
rats, to meet Blackwolf's other favorite Renaissance Faire Performers! (Aargh!)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/perfintro.html [2008/04/22 08:24:40 AM]
Favorite Faire Performers!
The Seattle Seafair Pirates
The Hanlon-Lees Action Theatre
Leghorn the Piper, Official Piper of Scarbie and 4 Winds RenFaires
Hack & Slash
The Swordsmen --- The Bold & Stupid Men of Chicago
Savage Grace Entertainment
Patrick Franz as Lord Loxley (that would be Robin Hood, dude!)
Gilroy, An Fear Grin and Gizmoe the Gospel Clown
It's the Ded Bob Web Paj! (Oh yeah? So is this!)
Mary Ann Jung's History Alive!
Bubboon, the Royal Fool
The Jokesters
The Twilight Knights of Santa Cruz, CA
The Poxy Boggards
The Itinerant Band of Virginia Beach, VA
Diane Linn, The Bard O'Neill
Julian Thornton, Sorcerer of the Robin Hood of Sherwood Festival
Royal Magick
Wyldefyre
The Fabulous Baker Babes
The Sahaja Gypsy Dance Tribe
The Ladies of the Salty Kiss
The Washing Well Wenches
The Flying Fish Sailors
The Whiskey Bards
The Gypsy Dance Theatre
Larksong: The Maryland Renaissance Festival A Cappella Singers
E Muzeki
Empty Hats
Ray Pena's Flight of the Raptor
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/fairperf.html (1 of 4) [2008/04/22 08:24:43 AM]
Johnny Phoenix
Paolo Garbanzo, Juggler Par Excellence
The Don Juan and Miguel Show and Blind Dog Entertainment
Mickle-a-Do
Silent Lion
Ken Siklie is Bob da Vinci, Leonardo's Brother
Nicholas the Storyteller
Three Pints Shy
Rick Nestler, alias Philip Hole, the Singing Gravedigger
Tim & Vicki, Putnam, CT
Nox Arcana
Buggler the BugleFly
Queen's Gambit
Mel Ginsberg-Stevens, alias NeidFyre
The Timony Twins, featuring the Mook Brothers
Eric Paul Scites' FaireWynds Historical Entertainers
The Gutterpups
Merry Mischief, Jordan, NY
Whipboy and Commidiots Entertainment
The Highland Mercenaries of Tracy, CA
Jim Greene's Scarlett Rat Entertainment, Home of Emrys Fleet, the Ratcatcher
Mary "Binky" McCarthy (aka Queen Bea and Squirrely Girl)
Aaron Bonk (El Bonko the Outrageous)
MooNiE & Broon! (also here and here)
The Glastonbury Revelers of Des Moines, IA
Marlowe's Shadowe
Master Payne
Richard Cosman
Bruce the Bruce, Wand'ring Minstrel
The Privy-Tiers
The Phoenix Roost Tavern
ShaeLaurel (formerly known as Kat and the Fiddle)
l'Ensemble Cercamon
Gypsophilia
The Merry Misfits of Doom
Iris & Rose: Wild and Thorny!
Blackjacks n' Blarney
The Regal Royales
Axel the Sot (Scott Hendricks, Arlington, TX)
Malarky the Sot (Jessica Bromley, Pittsburgh)
The Sturdy Beggars' MudShow, starring Billy Billy vonBilly
The Theatre in the Ground
New Riders of the Golden Age, Sarasota, FL
Thryce Wycked Wenches
Tartanic
Bob Bartley & Gypsy: FowlTales
Knights of Mayhem
Martin & Victoria Singer
Donal Hinely
Joshua Safford's Ravenstory
The Seattle Knights
The Summer Knights of Miami, FL
The King's Champions
Isis and the Star Dancers
Howl-o
Alex the Jester
Rumpelstiltskin the Jester
Roger the Jester
Kester the Jester and The Minstrel's Gallery
The Prairie Players Theatre Academy, Champaign, IL
David Ballard and the Moxie Puppets
NaCl Theatre, NYC
Arm of the Sea Puppet/Performance Theater
Blackwolf's Links: The Clansfolk
The Clansfolk
Pipe Major Evan Kohler-Camp, leader of Lillburn, Georgia's Atholl Highlanders Pipes &
Drums USA, honks us a happy tune, tae remind us that thar be a wee bit o' Scotland in
us all!! Click on him to see a few o' me favorite Scottish links! (Heh-heh!)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/clannintro.html [2008/04/22 08:25:19 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Clansfolk
The Clansfolk!
Clan Iain Abrach-MacIain
Clan Shaw
House McFionn
Clans An Cu and Nan Con, Cordele, GA
The Highlander Warriors of the Kingdom of the Gael
Company A of the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders' Volunteers, Hampton Roads, VA
Fergus of the Clan Gordon (Uncle Fergus' Bagpipers' Paradise!)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwclans.html [2008/04/22 08:25:22 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Music-Makers
The Music-Makers
Hawke and Cedric, The Bedlam Bards, making their usual musical merry --- as depicted
by pwca's Digital Mischief --- and simultaneously providing the perfect intro to these
links for some of ol' Blackwolf's favorite music-makers! Pray, have a look!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/musicintro.html [2008/04/22 08:25:32 AM]
The Music-Makers!
The Tortuga Twins
3 Pints Gone (Bill & Kathy Marina, Colin O'Brien and Randy Adams), West Allis, WI
Kenny Klein
Tapia's Gold: A Renaissance Band of Cucamonga, CA
The Corsairs of Carrollton, TX
Joshua Jenkins, the Shantyman
Queen Anne's Lace
The Merry Minstrels
Minstrosity
Music by the Master, Sir Thomas Tallis
The Rogue of Dundee
Terry Griffith, Irish Balladeer
Owain Phyfe
Daniel Marcotte's Bardsong
Minstrel Woode
Highland Sun
Cantiga, featuring Max Dyer
Wyndnwyre
The Poxy Boggards, Escondido, CA
M.O.M. of Arlington, TX
The Brobdingnagian Bards
The Bedlam Bards, Austin, TX (also here)
The Rogues
Passamezzo
Anne Marie Grimwell and Robyn Badfellow: High Strung, Sarasota, FL
The Band of Wandering Idiots (BOWI)
The Forgotton Celts
Charlie Rafferty, the Piper
Haggis Rampant and the Kilts of Many Colours, featuring The Brownlee Family Bagpipe Trio
(Steve, Pam and Gillin), Mandeville, LA
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmusicm.html (1 of 3) [2008/04/22 08:25:35 AM]
Jacob Heringman
Shooglenifty
Tempest
The Gypsy Guerilla Band
Sistermonk Harem, Langley, WA
Michael & Pasha --- PureFire
The Mediaeval Baebes
Bobby McFerrin
Celtic Woman
Gaelic Storm (also here)
Blackmore's Night
Istanpitta
The Malcolm Smith Memorial Page
Joe Matzzie's Music Pages, New York City
Mince Pye, New York City
Erika Lieberman and the Reelies, New York City
Dan Lux and Blind Dog Ballet
Deborah Brewin-Wilson
Joe Jewell and FeatherStone
Lochanside
The Wild Thyme Band
Harvey Sid Fisher, Zodiac Balladeer
Cecilia
Qntal
Corvus Corax
Estampie
Raquy Danziger and the Cavemen
Mother Tongue
Shamrocks in the Wind
The 2-Man Gentlemen Band
The Reverend Vince Anderson and his Love Choir
The Hungry March Band
Luminescent Orchestrii
Romashka
Break of Reality --- Heavy. Cello. Thunder!!!
Matt Moran's Slavic Soul Party!
Franz Nicolay and Guignol
Midnight Syndicate
Finntroll --- Oompah metal rock from Helsinki! (Who knew?)
Lordi, your Dragonmaster's Official Rock Band
Scott Alexander, Maker of Musical Mistakes
Matthew Fass' "Max & Minka: Accordion Magicians"
Sir Robert James of Sherman's Keep
Heth & Jed
The Crooners (also here)
Green Day (these guys are now true blue Dragonmaster fans!)
The Foo Fighters (More true blue Dragonmaster fans!)
ZZTop.com --- the Most Powerful Beards in the Multiverse!
The Oak Ridge Boys --- Yeah, I love the bloomin' Elvira song, too!
The Long Island Banjo Society
The Doodlebops
Princess Katie and Racer Steve and the Rockin' Royal Retinue
Listen to some more music hither!
Blackwolf's Links: More Music-Makers
More Music-Makers!
Marija Serfovic
Apocalyptica (also here)
Hand-in-Hand
Tuuli Pauliina Rasanen
Antti Suniala
Jan Unestam
Hanna Pakarinen
Das Sorin Sirkus, Helsinki, Finland
Dagmar (also here)
Glynis & Brian Radford's Tapestry of Music
Rabadash Records' top artist, John Autin
Big Daddy Owen Tufts and his Big Daddy-O Revue
Danny Rubio
Theresa Anderson (also here)
Chocolate Chip Chamber Music
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwmusicm2.html [2008/04/22 08:25:37 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Castles in the Aether
Castles in the Aether
Click the castle main gate to see your Dragonmaster's favorite Castles!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/castle-intro.html [2008/04/22 08:25:41 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Castles in the Aether!
Castles in the Aether!
Manresa Castle, Pt. Townsend, WA
Castle Pleasantdale, West Orange, NJ
The Louisiana Castle @ Franklinton
The King's Courtyard, Phoenix, AZ
Oheka Castle, Huntington, Long Island, NY
Saint Clements Castle, Portland, CT
Stokesay Castle, Reading, PA
Belhurst Castle, Geneva, NY
Castle Douglas, Rockwall, TX
The Dupont Castle, West Virginia
Casa Loma, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, England
Samlesbury Hall, Preston, England
Castle Farms, Charlevoix, MI
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwcastle.html [2008/04/22 08:25:43 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Magecraft @ the Movies
Magecraft @ the Movies
Wyld Stallyns rule! Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted (Theodore) Logan (Keanu Reeves), with
those Historical Party Animals from that first Excellent Adventure! Billy the Kid (Dan Shor), Napoleon I
(Terry Camillieri), Siegmund Freud (Rod Loomis), Joan of Arc (Jane Wiedlin), Socrates (Tony
Steedman), Abe Lincoln (Robert V. Barron), Ludwig van Beethoven (Clifford David) and Genghis Khan
(Al Leong) know what it means to be excellent to each other. Oh yeah, and party on as well. (Look, it
was the best your Dragonmaster could come up with! Here be the movies I love, and the movies I'm
checking out now.)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/cinemintro.html [2008/04/22 08:25:49 AM]
Magecraft @ the Movies!
The Answers
The Internet Movie Database and The Internet Broadway Database
The All Movie Guide
Movies Central
The Big Movie Zone
MovieWeb.com
Showbiz Data.com
The Monster Movie Database
The Power
The Sony Pictures Motion Picture Family
Universal Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures
New Line Cinema
20th Century-Fox and Fox Searchlight Pictures
Miramax Pictures
The Weinstein Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
DreamWorks SKG and DreamWorks Animation
Lions Gate Pictures
Imagine Entertainment
Jerry Bruckheimer Pictures
Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse
Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope
Spyglass Entertainment
Morgan Creek Pictures
Walden Media
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwcinema.html (1 of 5) [2008/04/22 08:25:52 AM]
This Frog (that would be Kermit)
The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company's MirrorMask
The Jim Henson Foundation
The Jim Henson Legacy
Willy Wonka
Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( also here)
Deep Roy's Teeney Weeney Productions, Inc.
RoaldDahlFans.com
RoaldDahl.com, featuring the artwork of Quentin Blake
Rusty Goffe's Page (one of the Original Oompa-Loompas!)
The Willy Wonka Thing, featuring the Wonkapaedia
The Wonka Facts MegaSite
Kevin Hart's WonkaFest
Krull
Those Weird Guys' Krull Page
The Krull Archives
An Introduction to the Tales of Krull
Legend
DocDroz' Legend Page
The Realm of Legend
Movies of the Round Table
Dandalf the Dragon's Excalibur Tribute
Crystal's Quest for Camelot Page
Chrissy's Q4C Page
Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie
WotC's D&D Movie Page and New Line's Official D&D Movie Page
Dune
Duneinfo.com
Duneworld
The Dreamers of Dune
The Xanadu Preservation Society and Xanadu on Broadway
The Bill & Ted Chronicles
Mike Jittlov, the Wizard of Speed & Time
Warwick Davis and the Leprechaun Series
Leprechaun Center
Ficky's Leprechaun Site
Leprechaun: A Legacy --- An Essay from the Brothers Redcloud
TRON
The TRON Sector
TRONguy.net
Ancanar
Kaena: The Prophecy
Joe Camp's Benji and the Mulberry Square Organization
Raise the Titanic!
Kong
KingKong.com
KongisKing.net
Jeffrey Blair Latta's Kingdom Kong (that would be Kong 1976)
Movies We're Watching (Theatrically and on DVD, HD DVD & Blu-ray)
Out of Our Minds Animation Studios' The Magistical
Roland Emmerich's 10,000 BC
Nim's Island
Funny Games
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
You Don't Mess with the Zohan!
Made of Honor
Iron Man
Speed Racer (Go, Speed Racer, GO!)
The Incredible Hulk
Drillbit Taylor, Budget Bodyguard!
Leatherheads
Valkyrie
Shrek.com
Sex and the City: The Movie
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Wanted
Hancock
The Dark Knight
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Mamma Mia!
Scorsese Meets the Stones @ the Beacon: Shine a Light
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2
The Year of the Dog
Get Smart
Kung Fu Panda
The Love Guru
Baby Mama
Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!
Alvin and the Chipmunks
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
DragonLance: The Animated Movie --- Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Incredibly Strange Movie Sites
CoolCinemaTrash.com
UnknownMovies.com (think of it as In Search of for the average AMC hater)
BadMovies.org
Cannon Films.com: Those Ruthless Mortals!
Catastrophe in the Movies: An In-Depth Exploration
DeNiro's TribecaWorld
Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Center
Tribeca Film Institute
Tribeca Theater Festival
Tribeca Cinemas
Blackwolf's Links: The Awards
The Awards
He's the reason your Dragonmaster remaineth hook'd 'pon ye Oscars! Pray, click ye 'pon
Milord William, that ye may know of ol' Blackwolf's fave awards shows! (The envelope,
please!)
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/awardintro.html [2008/04/22 08:26:00 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Awards!
The Awards
Oscar.com
The Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Raspberry Awards
The Emmy Awards
The Quills Book Awards: A Celebration of the Written Word, presented by the NBC Universal
Television Stations and Publishers Weekly Magazine
The Envelope, from the Los Angeles Times
The George Foster Peabody Awards
The Screen Actors Guild Awards
The TV Land Awards
The Saturn Awards
The Tony Awards
The Olivier Awards
The Grammy Awards
The Latin Grammy Awards
Dick Clark's American Music Awards
The Prism Awards
The Humanitas Prize
The Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards
Canada's Gemini Awards
Canada's Grammys, The Juno Awards
The World Music Awards
The NAACP Image Awards
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwawards.html [2008/04/22 08:26:02 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Lordi Lovers!
Lordi Lovers!
Lordi, Kita, Amen, Awa and Ox --- your Dragonmaster's Official Rock Band, in all their
Arockalyptic glory! Click on the Monstericans to check out Blackwolf's Lordi links!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/lltro.html [2008/04/22 08:26:08 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Lordi Lovers!
Lordi Lovers!
Castle Lordi, The Official Site
Castle Lordi @ MySpace.com
Dark Floors: The Lordi Motion Picture
The First Dark Floors Trailer
The Monstericans' Beast Loose in Paradise, from the Dark Floors Soundtrack
Lordi @ Union Square Park!
Two Interviews w/Mr. Lordi, from the Files of Westword.com (here and here)
Lordi's Rocktaurant
LordiStore.com
LordiFans.com
The End Records, Lordi's U.S./Canadian Label
woozyfly.com/Lordi --- Can't help lovin' those Monstermen!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwlordi.html [2008/04/22 08:26:10 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Lucasfilm and the Loonies who Love It!
Lucasfilm and the Loonies Who Love It!
Luke Skywalker. What more do you Mortals need to know? Click on our #1 Jedi to step into the
Wonderful World of Lucasfilm!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/blukeintr.html [2008/04/22 08:26:13 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Lucasfilm and the Loonies Who Love It!
Lucasfilm and the Loonies Who Love It!
LucasArts Entertainment Company
Star Wars.com, Where It All Began; Where It Dwells Today
Star Wars Kids.com --- Where Padawans Play
IndianaJones.com (You'll love it. Trust me.)
Industrial Light & Magic
Skywalker Sound
THX, Where the Audience is Listening
The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith
A New Hope
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
The Star Wars Holiday Special
The Lapti Nek Preservation Society and the Fourth Moon of Utapau
The 501st Legion (Darth Vader's Fist)
The Emperor's Hammer
The Empire NYC Garrison
The Florida Garrison
MidSouth Garrison
Golden Gate Garrison
SoCal Garrison
Central California Garrison
501st United Kingdom Garrison
The Jedi Assembly --- Bringing Balance to the Force!
The New York Jedi
MEPA: Mos Eisley Port Authority
NYLine.org: A Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Memory
Philip Wise's RebelScum.com
The Jolly Roger Squadron
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwlucas.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:15 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Lucasfilm and the Loonies Who Love It!
The Rebel Legion
Dewback Wing
SWAFT.info: Star Wars Action Figure Theatre
The Force.net, The World's Daily Dose of Star Wars
The Raider.net
The Indy InfoCenter
Think Labyrinth: The Movie
Labyrinth: The Unofficial Site
Within Your Heart: A Labyrinth Page
It's Only Forever: A Labyrinth Tribute
Jareth's Realm, featuring the Blog of Eternal Stench
Magic Dance!
The Big, Big Willow/Shadow Moon Page
The Crossroads: A Willow Webpage
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwlucas.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:15 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Boldgoers
The Boldgoers
Click these three of the Enterprise's finest --- Kirk, Spock and Scotty --- to enter my
Boldgoers section, where all things Trek are properly beam'd up!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/wyztrektro.html [2008/04/22 08:26:22 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: The Boldgoers!
The Boldgoers!
StarTrek.com, Featuring Movie 11
Roddenberry.com (Rod Roddenberry, that is!)
Memory Alpha,
TrekToday
TrekWeb
TrekGuide
Trek Nation
TrekTrak
The DS9 Avatar
Big Bill Kruse's Next Generation Page
The Klingon Assault Group
New Voyages: The 5-Year Mission Continues!
The Captain Kirk Page
TrekPeople.com
Trek --- The Animated Series
Curt Danhauser's Guide to the Animated Trek
Daisy Down Under's Complete Trek
The 7 of 9 Zone
The Enterprise Crew
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/wyztrek.html [2008/04/22 08:26:24 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Faires Within the New York Realm
Faires Within the New York Realm
Our own Elizabetha Regina at Sterling Forest Tuxedo Park (she that calleth herself Ann
Alford in the Mundaners' Realm), would have ye know that Sterling Forest ain't
necessarily the only Renaissance Faire game in New York State! Click the pic (from the
files of Sir Trong Trongersoll's Chronicles, I might add), that ye may understand why!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/fairnyintro.html [2008/04/22 08:26:32 AM]
Faires Within the New York Realm!
Sterling Renaissance Festival
Kingston Renaissance Faire
Yorkshire Renaissance Faire @
Holbrook
Hudson Valley Mayfaire @ Ulster
County Fairgrounds, New Paltz
Cathedral of All Saints Renaissance
Faire, Albany
Hawk Creek Wildlife & Renaissance
Festival, East Aurora
Herschell Carousel Factory Museum's
Brass Ring Thing Renaissance Faire,
North Tonawanda
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwfair-nyin.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:33 AM]
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwfair-nyin.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:33 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Faires Beyond the New York Realm
Faires Beyond the New York Realm
Mary Ann Jung as Elizabeth I, making a little Renaissance magic happen for yet another
of Gloriana's junior subjects! Her Majesty leadeth our caravan of Renaissance Faires
Beyond the Realms of New York!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/inoutro.html [2008/04/22 08:26:43 AM]
Faires Beyond the New York Realm!
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwfair-nyout.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:45 AM]
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia & West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Canada
England
Australia
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwfair-nyout.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:45 AM]
Alabama
Alabama Renaissance Festival @ Florence
Mobile Renaissance Faire @ the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds
So Alabama's not for thou? Alaska, then, might show ye how! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/alabam.html [2008/04/22 08:26:48 AM]
Alaska
3 Barons Renaissance Faire, Anchorage
The Last Frontier dare leave thee cold? Head for Arizona, if ye be bold! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/alask.html [2008/04/22 08:26:50 AM]
Arizona
The Western Gates Faerie Realm and its Phoenix Faerie Festival
Renaissance in the Pines @ Flagstaff
Arizona Renaissance Festival & Crafts Marketplace @ Apache Junction
Two Rivers Renaissance Faire, Yuma
Doth Arizona cause a thaw? Onward, then, to Arkansas! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/ariz.html [2008/04/22 08:26:52 AM]
Arkansas
Herbhome Farm MayFaire, Erbie
Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival @ Fayetteville
So Arkansas doth leave thee numb? California, here we come! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/ark.html [2008/04/22 08:26:54 AM]
California
Northern California Renaissance Faire @ Casa de Fruita, Hollister
The Crossroads Group of Faires
Agoura Hills Renaissance Pleasure Faire Reunion Picnic & Revels
DragonSlayers' Scottish Renaissance Festival of Santa Cruz and Aptos
Folsom Renaissance Faire & Tournament
Sonora County Fairgrounds' Celtic Faire
12th Night Feast & Midwinter Revels @ the La Mesa Women's Center
Day of St. Francis Renaissance Faire, Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside
Pittsburg Scottish Renaissance Festival
Golden Gate Renaissance Faire (also here)
History Revisited's Central Coast Renaissance Festival, San Luis Obispo (also here)
Big Bear City Renaissance Faire
Kearney Park Renaissance Festival, Fresno
St. Paul Newman Center Renaissance Festival, Fresno
Heart of the Forest Renaissance Faire @ Santa Barbara
Queen Bess and the Pyrates @ Victoria West Park, Fresno
Renaissance Rose's Fair Oaks Tudor Fayre
The Gold Coast Family of Faires
The Meridian Festival, Santa Sussanna
California City Renaissance Festival & Renaissance Banquet, starring April Bloom as Elizabeth I
Truckee Renaissance Faire
Valhalla Renaissance Faire @ South Lake Tahoe
Calaveras County Celtic Faire
The Faires of Rusty Sword Productions, An MS Moms Company
Cain's Crossing Renaissance Festival @ Weimar
Ardenwood Celtic Festival, Hayward
Freedom in Motion Theraputic Riding Center's Freedom Faire @ Bishop
Calaveras County Jousting Championships & Renaissance Festival @ the Fairgrounds' Angels
Camp
Downtown Vacaville Medieval Fantasy Festival
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/calif.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:56 AM]
Hath La-La Land confused thee so? To Colorado doth ye go! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/calif.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:26:56 AM]
Colorado
Ravenshire Renaissance & Pirate Faire, Grand Junction
Medieval World USA's Fort Collins Medieval Festival
Colorado Renaissance Festival @ Larkspur
Mancos Renaissance Faire
So now ye feel ye're in a rut? Then, hie ye to Connecticut! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/colorado.html [2008/04/22 08:27:00 AM]
Connecticut
Connecticut/Olde Worlde Renaissance Faire @ the Hebron Fairgrounds, Putnam
Southern Connecticut Renaissance Festival, Ansonia
Renaissance Faire of the International School of Dundee, Riverside
Thou sayest Connecticut's less than great? Let Florida become thy fate! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/conn.html [2008/04/22 08:27:03 AM]
Florida
Northern Tampa Bay Area Renaissance Festival @ the Museum of Science & Industry
Italian Renaissance Festival @ Vizcaya, Coconut Grove
Florida Renaissance Festival, Deerfield Beach
Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire, Pensacola
The Royal Chessmen's Camelot Days of Fort Lauderdale
Sarasota Medieval Fair
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, Gainesvile
Riverdale Kiwanis/Lee County Lakes Park Medieval Faire, Ft. Myers/Lehigh Acres
Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Festival, Tavares
Enchanted Knights Renaissance Faire, Eustis
Miami's Homestead Tropical Fairy Festival
Had enough of Florida fun? Let Georgia be thy Number One! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/fla.html [2008/04/22 08:27:05 AM]
Georgia
Georgia Renaissance Festival @ Fairburn
Farewell to Georgia; off we go to 'tater-lovin' Idaho! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack; Click
yon mouse and haste ye back!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/georgia.html [2008/04/22 08:27:07 AM]
Idaho
Moscow Renaissance Faire
Sun Valley Shakespeare Festival & Renaissance Faire
O make ye now a joyful noise, upon thy way to Illinois! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/idaho.html [2008/04/22 08:27:09 AM]
Illinois
The Stronghold Center Olde English Faire, Oregon
Four Kingdoms Renaissance Faire, Rock Island (also here)
Illinois Renaissance Faire @ Urbana
Lincolnshire Renaissance Faire, Decatur
The World of Faeries Weekend, Vasa Park, South Elgin
So you're not into Illinois? To Indy, then! Pray, make some noise! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/illin.html [2008/04/22 08:27:11 AM]
Indiana
Fishers Renaissance Faire @ the Conner Prairie Living History Museum
Indy bores ye now, I see; To Iowa, I say to thee! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack; Click yon
mouse and haste ye back!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/indy.html [2008/04/22 08:27:13 AM]
Iowa
Council Bluffs' Renaissance Faire of the Midlands @ Scary Acres
Des Moines Renaissance Faire @ Waterworks Park
Dubuque Museum of Art Renaissance Faire @ Storybook Hill Children's Zoo
Amana Colonies Renaissance Festival, Harvest Faire & Gathering of the Celts (also here)
Sioux City RiverCade and Kingdom of Riverssance @ Riverside Park
To Iowa farewell we say; to Kansas, then, we must away! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/iowa.html [2008/04/22 08:27:14 AM]
Kansas
Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bonner Springs
The KCRF Performers' Page
Missouri River Regional Library Renaissance Festival @ Jefferson City, featuring the KCRF
Royal Court & Cast Members
Great Plains Renaissance Festival, Wichita
If Kansas be not much for you, Kentucky's what ye need to view! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/kans.html [2008/04/22 08:27:16 AM]
Kentucky
Kentucky Highland Renaissance Faire, Eminence
Farewell, Kentucky! Gumbo calls! To Louisiana's Cajun halls! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/kentuck.html [2008/04/22 08:27:18 AM]
Louisiana
The Louisiana Renaissance Festival @ Hammond
Acadiana Medieval Faire @ Arnaudville
To Maryland our next stop be, is what this Wizard asks of ye! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/louisi.html [2008/04/22 08:27:20 AM]
Maryland
The Maryland Renaissance Festival @ Crownsville
The Friends of the Maryland Renaissance Festival
The Maryland Faerie Festival
Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland @ Jefferson-Patterson Park
Though Maryland's a joy, I say: To Massachusetts let's away! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/maryl.html [2008/04/22 08:27:22 AM]
Massachusetts
King Richard's Faire, Carver
The Higgins Armoury Museum's Renaissance Faire, Worcester
Festival of the Lion, Grafton (also here)
1st Parish Church of Newbury Renaissance Faire
Silver Kingdom Renaissance Festival @ Ye Olde Commons, Charlton
Massachusetts may be fun, but now we're off to Michigan! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/mass.html [2008/04/22 08:27:24 AM]
Michigan
Grand Valley State University Renaissance Festival, Allendale
Silver Leaf Renaissance Festival, Portage
Shiabruck Medieval Faire, Owosso
Derbyshire Renaissance Faire @ the Muskegon County Fairgrounds
Gilkeyshire Renaissance Faire, Flint
Weekend in the Spirit of Sherwood Convention, Warren
Ishpeming Renaissance Festival & Art Faire @ Lake Bancroft Park
The Players of Detroit's Wassail Fest @ their Playhouse
The Michigan Renaissance Festival @ Holly
MayFaire @ Marshall
Castle Farms' City of Charlevoix Renaissance Festival
To Michigan, a farewell pop, Minnesota being our next stop! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/mich.html [2008/04/22 08:27:27 AM]
Minnesota
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival @ Shakopee
Friends of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Ye Olde Wyrlde Renaissance Faire @ Twig
Is Minnesota not for ye? To Mississippi, then, wi' ye! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/minn.html [2008/04/22 08:27:29 AM]
Mississippi
St. John's Episcopal Church of Ocean Springs Renaissance Festival, Sur de la Mer @ Marshall Park
To Mississippi, hail! Farewell --- for now, Missouri casts its spell! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/missi.html [2008/04/22 08:27:30 AM]
Missouri
Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire @ Wentzville
Historic Arts Productions' White Hart Renaissance Faire, Hartville
Joplin Renaissance Festival @ the Keltoi Winery & Vineyard
So long, Missouri! Hail! Farewell! Nebraska now doth cast its spell! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/misso.html [2008/04/22 08:27:32 AM]
Nebraska
Nebraska Renaissance Festival & Pageant @ Ashland
Farewell, Nebraska from me rooms; Nevada, Chance's Kingdom, looms! Otherwise: A magician's wand
is all you lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/neb.html [2008/04/22 08:27:34 AM]
Nevada
Age of Chivalry Renaissance Faire, Las Vegas (also here)
Goodbye to Lady Luck and all --- for Joysey's next upon me walls! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/nev.html [2008/04/22 08:27:36 AM]
New Jersey
New Jersey Renaissance Kingdom: Camelot @ Somerset
Paladin Medieval Faires, Belvidere and Stanhope
Lakewood Lions Club Renaissance Faire @ Pine Park
Those Medieval Things @ Drew University, Madison
Ciao, New Jersey, we must flee! New Hampshire be our destiny! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/nj.html [2008/04/22 08:27:38 AM]
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Renaissance Faire & Samhain Celebration @ Kingston
Milford Renaissance Faire in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley
New Hampshire's fine, as one would know, but onward to New Mexico! Otherwise: A magician's wand
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/nh.html [2008/04/22 08:27:40 AM]
New Mexico
Farmington Museum Renaissance Faire
Cloudcroft Renaissance Fantasy Faire @ Zenith Park
Farewell, New Mexico, old friend: North Carolina's 'round our bend! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/nm.html [2008/04/22 08:27:42 AM]
North Carolina
North Carolina Renaissance Faire @ Raleigh (also here) and Christmas in Camelot @ the
Kerr-Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Maketplace @ Concord/Huntersville
So, Carolina left ye vex'd? Ohio is the stop that's next! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/nc.html [2008/04/22 08:27:44 AM]
Ohio
Great Lakes Medieval Faire, Rock Creek
Ohio Renaissance Festival @ Harveysburg
Ashville Viking Festival (also here)
Ohio State University Medieval & Renaissance Faire
The Ohio State University MRF Performers' Guild
Farewell, Ohio, and away to O-k-l-a-h-o-m-a! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack; Click yon
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/ohio.html [2008/04/22 08:27:46 AM]
Oklahoma
The Castle of Muskogee's Renaissance Faire
University of Oklahoma @ Norman Medieval Faire
Lawton Renaissance Faire and the Trail of Fear Halloween Scream Park
Scarlett the Fox' Renaissance Festivals @ the Oklahoma State Fair Park
Okie's as smooth as a bullet from a gun, but now we be off toward Oregon! Otherwise: A magician's
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/okla.html [2008/04/22 08:27:48 AM]
Oregon
Bhealltain Celtic Festival, Eugene
Shrewsbury Renaissance Festival, Philomath
Da Vinci Days @ Corvallis (that, of course, would be ol' Leo!)
Robin Hood Festival of Sherwood (natch!)
Faerieworlds @ the Secret House Winery, Veneta
Oregon's a friendly scene --- to Pennsylvania.... and the Queen! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/oregon.html [2008/04/22 08:27:50 AM]
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire @ the Mt. Hope Winery, Cornwall
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival & Craft Marketplace
Wrightstown Public Library Village Renaissance Faire
Kutztown University Medieval/Renaissance Faire
Fairie Festival @ Spotwood Farm, Glen Rock
Ukranian Homestead Midsummer Renaissance Faire @ Mahoning Township/Leighton
So Pennie hasn't got it all? Let South Dakota heed thy call! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/penn.html [2008/04/22 08:27:52 AM]
South Dakota
Siouxland Renaissance Festival, Sioux Falls
Dakota's not your cup of brie? Onward, then to Tennessee! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/sd.html [2008/04/22 08:27:55 AM]
Tennessee
Tennessee Renaissance Festival @ Arlington-Triune
Shakespeare and Friends in the Park @ Rogersville
Ardmore Renaissance Festival
Oak Ridge Renaissance Faire (temp site)
Now forward to thy heart's desire: none save the Lone Star Texas Shire! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/tenn.html [2008/04/22 08:27:56 AM]
Texas
Texas Renaissance Festival @ Plantersville (also here and here)
Scarborough Renaissance Festival (also here), SCREAMS Halloween Theme Park (also here) and
the Mythical Monster Museum, Waxahachie
South Texas Medieval Fantasy Faire @ West Gurp Park, Corpus Christi
Excalibur Fantasy Faire @ the Avalon Isle Fairgrounds, Lockhart
Four Winds Renaissance Faire, Troup
The Tablerock Festivals @ Salado
Enchanted Realm of Bastrop
Ravens Loft Renaissance Faire, Emory
Enchanted Forest Renaissance Faire @ Live Oak Park, Ingleside (also here and here)
Middlefaire @ Hillsboro
So long, O Texas! Off we go to Utah, where the Mormons grow! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/texas.html [2008/04/22 08:27:59 AM]
Utah
Utah Midsummer Renaissance Festival, Cedar City
Utah Renaissance Festival/Fantasy Faire @ Layton Commons Park
Farewell, O Utah! What we want is next to enter auld Vermont! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/utah.html [2008/04/22 08:28:04 AM]
Vermont
Green Mountain Renaissance Festival @ the Champlain Valley Exposition Fairgrounds
Thou sayest Vermont shall never win ya? All right, then --- onward to Virginia! Otherwise: A magician's
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/verm.html [2008/04/22 08:28:06 AM]
Virginia & West Virginia
Out of the Woodwork Productions' Virginia Renaissance Faire @ Lake Anna's Winery,
Spotsylvania
The Faires of Medieval Fantasies Company, West Augusta
Newport News Harvest Faire
Potomac Celtic Festival, Leesburg
Tamarack Park Renaissance Faire, Beckley, WV
It seems our journey's almost done, so now we head for Washington! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/virg.html [2008/04/22 08:28:08 AM]
Washington
Camlann Medieval Faire and May Festival, Carnation
Washington Renaissance Fantasy Faire @ Gig Harbor
Northwest Renaissance Festival, 9 Mile Falls (also here)
Port Gamble Medieval Faire
To Washington we'll come again, and now, we move toward Wisconsin! Otherwise: A magician's wand
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/wash.html [2008/04/22 08:28:10 AM]
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Renaissance Faire @ Chippewa Falls (also here)
The City of Janesville Renaissance Faire
Cambridge Renaissance Faire @ Ripley Park
Tribe Woden Thor's Medieval Festival & Joust @ Wild West Days Grounds, Lafarge
To Canada we journey hence, across the border, past the fence! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/wisc.html [2008/04/22 08:28:12 AM]
Canada
●
Ontario
The Royal Medieval Faire, Waterloo
Canadian Faire Entertainment, Inc., Milton (postponed until July 5th, 2008)
King Garrick Woodson and the Gregor's Crossing Medieval Fayre, Chatham
Lindsay Little Theater Renaissance Faire @ Victoria Park
FaeryFest @ Guelph
British Columbia
British Columbia Renaissance Festival @ Burnaby (also here and here)
●
And so to England's mountains green, our journey having gone so clean! Otherwise: A magician's wand
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/canada.html [2008/04/22 08:28:14 AM]
England
Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Tewkesbury Medieval Fayre @ Lincoln Green Lane
Elizabethan Revelries @ Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent
Herstmonceux Castle Medieval Festival, Sussex
The Robin Hood Festival & Pageant, Nottinghamshire
Warwick Castle Medieval Festival, Warwickshire
Our journey ends in lands beneath: to Australia and her Barrier Reef! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/england.html [2008/04/22 08:28:16 AM]
Australia
Abbey Museum Medieval Tournament & Experience, Caboolture, Queensland
Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland
Melbourne Medieval Fayre & Tournament
Balingup Medieval Carnivale
Sydney Winterfest Mediaeval Fayre @ Castle Hill Showgrounds
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/australia.html [2008/04/22 08:28:17 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire Variety)
Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire
Variety)
Three beautiful ladies to rule over the Barnesville, Ohio Pumpkin Festival: 2007 Queen
Ashley Jackson, Princess Alexis Laurine and Mini Miss Elizabeth Kirkpatrick! Pray,
Lords and Ladies, click ye 'pon the pic to discover more of my favorite special events
(which is to say, those of the non-Renaissance Faire persuasion!).
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/eventintro.html [2008/04/22 08:29:36 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire Variety)!
Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire
Variety)!
The Maryland Renaissance Festival's Team Wench Fantasy Balls
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Horrorfind.com's Horrorfind Weekends
Monster Mania
Flashback Weekend Horror & Sci-Fi Convention
Cinema Wasteland Movie/Memorabilia Expo
Chiller Theatre
Mike Carbonero's Big Apple Comic Conventions
The Pittsburgh Comicon
Philadelphia Comic-con
ScreamFest Horror Film Festival & Screenplay Competition
Otakon
DragonCon Atlanta
BabelCon Baton Rouge, Port Allen, LA
Charlotte, NC Heroes' Convention
I-CON @ SUNY Stony Brook, Long Island
Eastern Texas' Yamboree @ Gilmer
National Peanut Festival, Dothan, AL
Wings Over the Prairie Festival & Duck-Calling Contest, Stuttgart, AR
Chardon & Geauga County, OH Maple Festival
Hatch, NM Chile Festival
Gilroy, CA Garlic Festival
Irmo, SC Okra Strut
Marion County, KY Country Ham Days @ Lebanon
Watsonville, CA Strawberry Festival
Montrose, MI Blueberry Festival
Barnesville, OH Pumpkin Festival
Lexington, NC Barbecue Festival
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwevents.html (1 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:29:39 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire Variety)!
Oyster Bay, NY's Oysterfest
National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, MI
Ponchatoula, LA Strawberry Festival
Gueydan, LA Duck Festival
Greenville, MI Danish Festival
Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair, Abbeville
Florida Strawberry Festival @ Plant City
Pierce County, WA Daffodil Festival
International Rice Festival, Crowley, LA
Macon County Fair, Decatur, IL
National Hobo Convention, Britt, IA
The 2005 and 2007 World Beard & Moustache Championships and the High Sierra Beard &
Moustache Championships, Truckee, CA
Stromsburg, NE Swedish Festival
More Special Events here!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwevents.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:29:39 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: More Special Events (Non-Renaissance Faire Variety)!
More Special Events (Non-Renaissance
Faire Variety)!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwevents2.html [2008/04/22 08:29:41 AM]
Blackwolf's Links: Unexpectedly Cool People
Unexpectedly Cool People
Who is one of America's Founding Fathers, was faithfully loyal to his beloved
Philadelphia, and these days is so cool that he can guzzle down a pina colada without
thinking about it? Why, that would be Ben Franklin, of course! Hey, he's cool enough to
even pose with blushing babes for, of all networks, the History Channel! Anyway, do
click ye on the Benster --- who wrapped up a big 300th Birthday Party a while back, and
will soon be tying ye proverbial knot with, of all people, Miss Betsy Ross --- to visit more
of ol' Blackwolf's favorite cool people!
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Blackwolf's Links: Unexpectedly Cool People!
Unexpectedly Cool People!
Bobby (Boris) Pickett (1938-2007)
Paul Jabara (1948-1992)
Cynthia Rothrock
Pamelyn Ferdin
Karen Lynn Gorney
Warwick Davis
Kiran Shah
Kenny Baker
Yvonne Craig
Craig Swanson
Frank Dietz
Adam Savage
Patti D'Arbanville
Sandra Lira
William Clifton
Utah Phillips
Greg Jbara
BIll Fulton, Mage and Motivational Speaker
Rachel Kadushin
Michael Karol
Moby and the Little Idiot Collective
Bruce Campbell
Ted Raimi
Alexandra Tydings
Sondra Fortunato, Miss Football
Dave Dade
Chefelf.com (Little Elf, Big City)
Melissa the Loud and Djinn
Nick Jones
Laura & Lee's TravelswithTigger.com
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Blackwolf's Links: Unexpectedly Cool People!
Ye Li and his version of Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire
Biker Billy Hufnagle
Jurgen Burkhardt
Ken Mondschein
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
Buffo, the World's Strongest Clown
Tanya and Adrienne, The Wau-Wau Sisters (also here)
Angie, Tara and Helen --- The World-Famous Pontani Sisters
Ralph Archbold, America's Quintessential Ben Franklin
His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (also here)
His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America
Blackwolf's Links: Unexpectedly Cool Places & Organizations
Unexpectedly Cool Places &
Organizations
From the files of Laura Gilbreath's TravelswithTigger.com: Gaspar, Melchior and
Balthasar --- los Tres Reyes Magos, according to Disney's Epcot. Laura captured the
boys in full splendor in December 2003. In New York proper, los Tres Reyes do their
thing with the help of the folks at TeatroSEA/Los Kabayitos Puppet & Children's Theatre!
Click on the lads to see more unexpectedly cool places to go!
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Blackwolf's Links: Unexpectedly Cool Places & Organizations!
Unexpectedly Cool Places &
Organizations!
The Jekyll & Hyde Clubs
The USS Flying Fox NCC-3116
The USS Justice NCC-556
Starfleet, the International Star Trek Fan Association
Docking Bay 516: Long Island, NY's Branch of TheForce.net's FanForce
Merlin's Magic Dinner Theatre @ The Rib Trader Bar, Orange, CA
Salem, MA Wax Museum and Witch Village
Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, FL
Lightech Industries
The Bowery Poetry Club
Jennifer Miller's Circus Amok
The Washington Redskins Hogettes
The Joker's Child, Fair Lawn, NJ
Toot Joslin's High Sierra Beard & Moustache Club and the Railroad Regulators 601, Truckee, CA
The National Beard Registry
The 1st Berliner Beard Club
The Swabian Beard Club
The Handlebar Club of London
The Whisker Club
South Central Alaska Beard & Moustache Club
ACTOR: A Commitment to our Roots
The Food Bank for New York
Stromsburg, Nebraska
Metropolitan Maltese Rescue, Inc.
Society for the Educational Arts, Inc.
Blackwolf's Links: Unexpectedly Cool Places & Organizations!
Bennachtai na Feile Padraig, from Master Blackwolf!
Blackwolf's Leprechaun Links!
Photo by J. Li, from the Files of Montreal, Quebec, Canada's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Click on the good auld Saint himself, that ye might be granted
access unto thy Dragonmaster's Leprechaun Links!
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Blackwolf's Leprechaun Links
Blackwolf's Leprechaun Links!
elcome to Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Leprechaun Links Page! There are
four basic categories to deal with: Leprechauns on DVD; Leprechaun Television; Leprechauns on
Parade and Leprechaun Personal Pages. The first two categories are self-explanatory; Leprechauns
on Parade refers to the official sites of the various St. Patrick's Day Parades with which these Dark
Chambers, not to mention our sister website, Uncle Fergus' Bagpipers' Paradise!, have connected over
the years; and Leprechaun Personal Pages are those who actually perform or actually dress up as
Leprechauns. Enjoy!
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Leprechauns on DVD!
Leprechauns on DVD!
Darby O'Gill and the Little People (also here)
The Irish in Film: DOLP
Finian's Rainbow
FredAstaire.net --- Background on the Film
Leprechaun Horror Series
Leprechaun Center
Leapin' Leprechauns!
Spellbreaker: Secret of the Leprechauns
The Boys and Girl from County Clare
More Leprechaun Links here!
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Leprechaun Television!
Leprechaun Television!
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns
The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold
Saban's Mystic Knights of Tir na Nog
The Cavern of the Mystic Knights
epguides.com's Listings
TVAcres.com's "Leprechauns" List
Leprechauns on Parade!
Atlanta
Chicago
Baltimore
Mobile, AL
Cleveland
Denver
Philadelphia
Kansas City, MO
Tucson
Las Vegas
Pittsburgh
San Francisco
Trenton, NJ
Norristown/Jeffersonville/Conshohocken, PA
York, PA
Seattle
Phoenix, AZ
Scranton, PA
Harrisburg, PA
San Diego
Washington, DC
Manchester, NH
Union Township, NJ
More Leprechauns on Parade here!
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More Leprechauns on Parade!
More Leprechauns on Parade!
Norfolk, VA
Jackson, MS
Worcester, MA
Seaside Heights, NJ
Milwaukee
Hermosa Beach, CA
Rochester, NY
New Haven, CT
Alexandria, VA
Dublin, CA
Naperville, IL
Davenport, IA
Charlotte, NC
Elmhurst, IL
Tallahassee, FL
Rolla, MO
Savannah, GA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Toronto, ON, Canada
Montreal, QC, Canada
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Leprechaun Personal Pages!
Leprechaun Personal Pages!
Ro's Abode --- Leprechauns
Finnegan O'Reilly, the Angry Leprechaun
Larry Poss' Leprechaun/St. Patrick's Day Page
Click here fer a verra Special Leprechaun Treat!
A Verra Special Leprechaun Treat!
o conclude these Leprechaun Links, here's our 2008 Verra Special Leprechaun
Treat:
"Cead mille failte, Mortals and friends of Blackwolf the Dragonmaster! Shamrock the
Western New York Leprechaun here, tae wish ye all a Bennachtai nai Feilie Padraig!
That's Happy St. Patrick's Day, in case ye were wonderin'! Here I be, with of several o'
me wee friends who wished upon a pot o' gold one afternoon, and hoped that an actual
Leprechaun would pay their class a visit! Click as ye see me here, tae discover all me
treasure!"
Blackwolf's Links: Blackwolfian Bric-a-brac!
Blackwolfian Bric-a-brac!
Welcome to Blackwolfian Bric-a-brac ---- featuring links to your
humble Dragonmaster's ugly mug!
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Blackwolf's Links: Blackwolfian Bric-a-brac!
Blackwolfian Bric-a-brac!
That @*$^#&! Star Wars Nerds Clip!!!
From Time Out New York Magazine: The Exhibitionists, Photographed by Sarina Finklestein
From Brotherhood 2.0: Maureen Johnson Interviews Yours Truly......
.....and Then, Bids the Brotherhood Farewell
The Burly One and Your Dragonmaster Doing the DreamKnights LARP
Me w/Debbie D @ The National @ Penn Plaza Pavilion
Thor and Me as I Send Him to Seek Out Gillian Zoe Segal
Infected w/Martin Sargent becomes "Touched by a Wizard" (that would, of course, be me!)
Dana Glazer's The Evolution of Dad
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elcome to my Editorial Archives! Here, some of my more recent commentaries on
life as New York's Unofficial Wizard will be posted, so everyone can enjoy them properly. Simply click
on the title corresponding to the editorial you wish to peek at, and let matters take their course from
there. Have fun!
On Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Blackwolf vs. Solaris the Shadowmaster
A Wizard @ War, Version 2.0
Responding to Ded Bob on the Bush Re-election
Why the Dragonmaster Loves America!
Moropor, Sorcerer of Vermont vs. Wal-Mart
On the Live-Action Hobbit Movie
Remembering Nick & Mary Yankovic
Remembering Bill Huttel
Saluting Merdwin the Mediocre
Remembering Pat Battista, the Royal Blacksmith
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On the Scarborough Renaissance Festival
"Why the World Needs Wizards"
Writing to Time Out New York Magazine
On the Future of Harry Potter
On the Fall of the House of Windsor
Responding to the Winter Carnival Scandal
Remembering Archbishop Iakovos
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Blackwolf on LotR: RotK
Master Blackwolf on The Lord of the
Rings: The Return of the King
n case you Mortals haven't figured it out already, 2004's big story from
Tinseltown, as they call that Kingdom of Controversy (Los Angeles, for you more unenlightened
Mortals), was the triumph of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, when it became the first
sci-fi/fantasy movie ever to win the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year. But in Lloyd Grove's
Lowdown, as published in the March 2nd, 2004 New York Daily News, Sir Elton John grumpily ranted
about Frodo's triumph, calling the ceremony "the most boring Oscars I've ever attended." Indeed, Sir
Elton complained that Annie Lennox' ballad, "Into the West," which won for Best Original Song, did not
deserve the honor.
Sir Elton, methinks ye should shut up! You were simply ticked off because of Michael Eisner's then
impending deletion as CEO of Disney (which, of course, has since gone down --- cold, I hasten to add!);
I don't think for one moment that you're feeling the love tonight. And at this point, I'd better elaborate:
For far too long, the science fiction and fantasy genres have been overlooked and ignored by the more
snootier clientele of the motion picture community. I'm old enough of a Wizard, in fact, to remember
how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences allowed (and here, I use that word lightly!) Star
Wars Episode IV: A New Hope to land Oscars in the so-call'd 'technical' categories, only to be beaten to
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Blackwolf on LotR: RotK
the Best Picture throne by Woody Allen's Annie Hall. Many of us Magic-users ranted 'We wuz robb'd!'
that night, I can tell ye!
We in the sci-fi/fantasy community had to contend ourselves with stuff like the Saturn Awards if we
wanted to properly honor our peers for a lifetime of service to this vital field of fiction. But now, thanks
to the vision, diligence and unrelenting determination of one Mortal --- Peter Jackson --- and the constant
dedication and loyalty of friends, fans and admirers throughout the Multiverse --- science fiction will
now never again be overlooked at the Academy Awards. Because as of right now, we in the sci-fi/fantasy
community herewith resolve that we won't be overlooked again! We're going to make sure that Mortals
like Sir Elton John eat their words and understand, in not too simple language:
In the Realm of Imagination, as in all Realms, you either lead, follow or get the hell outta the way.
And, by Merlin's beard, your Dragonmaster can guarantee that the Hobbits will be leading for many more
aeons to come!
Hast thou a problem wi' that, Milord?
NEXT
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An Editorial Message from Master
Blackwolf
while back, your Dragonmaster received a few hate e-mails from a disgruntled
sorcerer calling himself Solaris the Shadowmaster, suggesting that I come out of ye closet and reveal
meself as the, quote-unquote, "retard that you truly are." In his rant, Solaris suggested that the only
reason for my recent successes, particularly my association with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, not to
mention my appearances on G4techTV's Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, is so that I can be made fun of.
Solaris' bitching left me with little choice but to come out into the open and address these anti-Blackwolf
letter-writers thusly:
Pray, Milord --- stick it in thy ear!
Look, Mortals, I'll lay it on ye line, as I always do: No other Wizard is as committed as I in terms of
kicking butt for the Mortalfolk of the City, County and State of New York on a 24/7 basis. And I don't
play nice when it comes to those who don't appreciate my simple message of using one's imagination in a
responsible and meaningful manner. The controversy concerning Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl
XXXVIII Halftime Show has once again demonstrated to me what our Exalted Father of Mages, Merlin,
told me many aeons ago: namely, that Mortals are, as a rule, victims of their own conscience, having
been fed for far too many centuries far too many largely explicit helpings of cynicism, pessimism, and
just plain old everyday bad manners!
Believe me, I don't take kindly to any rude remarks about the job I do, and I wish to remind my faithful
visitors and fans, in fact, that those rude remarks will NOT be tolerated --- EVER --- not within my
Royal Census guestbook, not in any e-mails or IMs that are sent to me, or anywhere else within these
Dark Chambers!
I hope I shall never again be forced into exhibiting Mage Rage within my own homepage; but on that
day, Solaris the Shadowmaster forced me into ye proverbial corner. The bottom line, goodly gentles, is
simply that there are those who get it about Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, Duke of Talisker --- and there
are those who just don't. To you who do get it about me, as always, my thanks for thy trust, support and
loyalty, lo these several years I've been here 'pon ye Aether. As for the rest of ye: These Dark Chambers
are here for the long haul --- and there ain't a damn thing ye can do about it!
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And now that we've cleared the air on that one:
Perhaps ye'd like to learn of Rings; Or why a war is not me thing....
Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse and
haste ye back!
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nce again, your Dragonmaster finds himself having to battle certain Dragons in the
(dare I say it!) real world. As ever, the idea that I must do so leaves a horrible taste in my mouth; you'll
understand why when I explain my reasons for this new commentary, A Wizard @ War, Version 2.0.
As you know, the big international story involves what is being called the darkest hour of President
Bush's admininstration: the world having already been horrified by explicitly graphic photographs and
videos depicting American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners --- and facing the prospect that there may yet
be further such depictions to come --- well, to call a spade a spade, the subject has left so bitter a taste in
me mouth that I can hardly keep me feelings to meself anymore. We have, I strongly suspect, made it
possible for our foes to cause us even more physical, emotional and psychological damage, perhaps
irrevocably so, than was done on 9/11 itself!
I need not remind you folks what's at stake here, but for the benefit of those of you out there not playing
along at home, as it were, here is what we are dealing with: We're up against a fanatical terrorist
organization known as al-Qaeda, whose long-range goal is not simply the murder of every man, woman
and child in the good ol' U.S. of A. --- no, these fools, and indeed they are fools, seek no less than the
destruction of ALL of Western civilization! At the heart of al-Qaeda is a fiend calling himself Osama bin
Laden. Even now, this villain hides in a dark cave somewhere, apparently gloating with joy over the
concept of a (perish the thought!) "Vietnam II" --- one which might, should Osama emerge triumphant
(and I simply MUST go on record as praying that he will not!), pave the way for some kind of Islamic
superstate, with himself as absolute ruler. That is why it is up to us, the good guys, to stop him at all
costs.
Even now, especially in mine adopted metropolis of Manhattan, the debate rages over the revival of the
concept of conscription into the U.S. Armed Services --- the Draft, as it's more simply known to the
Vietnam historians --- but, having learned the lessons of "the previous 'Nam," I believe that there are a
good many of you youngsters out there who won't go for it. This is not to say that there are a lot of you
who won't want to fight for our country, because many of you will want to do so. Please understand that
these are very angry times right now, and that there are, and I hope that there will continue to be, people
who are doing their best to try to make things right for us all. And your Dragonmaster humbly and
wholeheartedly supports those people.
Be further aware that I have shrunk from having to write these words, especially since I've had to write
said words on Mother's Day itself (my apologies, Mumsey dearest). But it is obvious to me that we can
no longer afford to hide behind the spectre of spin doctors and talking heads any further. The time has
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come to speak out and remind our President why 3000 souls perished for no good reason on September
11th, 2001. With the Republican Convention coming in August to Madison Square Garden, these will be
dangerous times indeed for New York City and the world, as President Bush arrives to accept the
nomination of his party for a second term of office. There will be protests in the streets, though; I know
not if I'll be involved in any of them. But this much is certain:
I have had to accept that I am indeed a Wizard @ War --- not just against the Dragons of Evil, but against
the Dragons who would destroy us all. In short, we are waging our own battle against Sauron --- and,
given that our Exalted Brethren, Merlin and Gandalf, are not here to rescue us..... well, all I can say is,
please be thankful that there is, at the very least, ONE Wizard determined to keep ye Home Fyres
burning. That Mage, of course, is yours truly. And with your help and support, I hope, we can indeed
secure those long hoped for Dragons of Peace.
So, Lords and Ladies: Art thou with me? If so, let us have at it! God Bless America, by Merlin's
beard! Pray, let us kick some ass!
Click here to know of me shadow war; Or here for my Ded Bob
abhor! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse
and haste ye back!
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Blackwolf Responds to Ded Bob
ell, my dear Mortals, 'tis a done deal: George W. Bush has reclaimed the White
House for a second term as President of the United States. On the eve of his all too obvious victory, my
Mortal-born alter ego Master Richard was inspired to comment, and I quote:
"No matter who wins the Presidency, it's all over --- because we need to remember that this country is at
war. We're battling against a network of fanatical ideologicalists whose primary aim is to kill every man,
woman and child on the Planet until America bows to their will, thereby plunging Western civilization as
we know it into the Dark Ages. The problem is simply that these fanatics just don't and won't get it: The
Dark Ages is no time to be consumed by petty jealousies and infighting. Anyone who believes otherwise
is whistling in the dark."
Clark Orwick, aka smuj, faithful sidekick to that ultra-ribald bag o' bones Ded Bob, was one of those to
whom Master Richard sent his remarks. Here is smuj's response:
"Well, Dick, that's the 'junior high-school simpleton' way of looking at it. I'm into a more nuanced view,
but you go ahead and live in your ethnocentric, unsophisticated world. Just please don't assume that
thinking, open-minded folks will take up your sophomoric notions."
Let's be honest here, Mortals: I'm a very patient Wizard, and I can be pretty damn civilized when I wanna
be. But understand this, dear goodlies (and, as always, my apologies for whatever rude language I inflict
upon ye during these brief remarks): I don't play nice when people insult my or Master Richard's
intelligence. Which is to say: Thou shalt not get on Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's bad side and get
away with it!
And I am not about to let Ded Bob get away with it any time soon. It seems to me, Mr. Orwick, that you
have perched 'pon thy shoulder a chip the apparent size of the national debt. Ded Bob may be a legend
among many Renaissance Faire fans, but alas, the man behind Ded Bob is little more than a grumpy,
bitter, lonely person with little or no regard for the human condition. When Ded Bob was a featured guest
at 2003's New York Renaissance Faire, I rejoiced in that news, and indeed had hoped to thank him in
person for having led me to his former Georgia Renaissance Festival colleague Ik the Troll --- a quest
that was not successful until I learned that it was only recently that the Ikster had reactivated his website.
And after personally recommending Ik's page to such Wizardly souls as meself, this is how you reward
me?
And whilst I am bearing me Wizardly soul hither, Lords and Ladies, I should like to make something
explicitly clear to those who would be disillusioned by another four years' worth of Dubya: Bush won.
Kerry lost. Now shut up and deal with it. Otherwise, if ye feel the need to leave the U.S., fine! Maybe
you lot don't wish to have the American way of life defended at all costs, but, by Merlin's beard, I DO!
And I shall fight you tooth and nail if I have to if that wish is to be properly granted!
As for you, Mr. Orwick, I wish no ill will upon you, sir, I'd like to make that clear; but understand this:
You, sir, are a meanie, and therefore deserve to be treated as such! And believe me, this is ONE Wizard
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Blackwolf Responds to Ded Bob
who does not play nice when it comes to meanies! As for the rest of you, be warned: To get on
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's bad side is to do so at your own peril. And since I dislike physical
violence anyway, I prefer to simply stare very harshly at you. That serves as your reminder that I have a
very long memory, and will not hesitate to inflict that memory 'pon anyone who dares besmirch my good
name!
Click hither for a second Mage @ War; Or here to know why I love
America more! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon
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From your Yankee Doodle Dragonmaster!
Some All-American words of wisdom
from your Yankee Doodle Dragonmaster!
ormally in these Dark Chambers, your Dragonmaster lets the real world take
second place when it comes to matters regarding my adventures. It appears, however, that our
erstwhile colleague Ded Bob (mundanely known as Clark Orwick) has a few incredibly angry
things to say regarding the world, post-9/11 and afterwards.
But in all seriousness, I can sense that there are those out there, both within and beyond the
Renaissance Faire Community, that are disturbed by the recent events on the other side of the
Planet, particularly in the Middle East. It surprises me not one whit that the world has been
plunged into chaos beyond imagination. You need only look at the respective front pages of the
March 23rd New York Post and New York Daily News to figure things out for yourselves; but in the
event that you're having trouble doing so, let me quickly bring you Mortals up to speed:
Once again, an organization of radically Islamic fundamentalists has chosen to seek vengeance
upon these United States, seeking nothing less than to punish our country for its mere existence.
Hatred, fear and aggression are clearly virtues praised by these fools to such an extent that they
have devoted themselves to a common objective: the destruction of Western civilization and all that
it has represented since the latter portion of the 20th Century, Mortal-reckoning. That would, I
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suspect, include the murder of every innocent man, woman and child born on American soil. That,
my friends, is something I simply cannot stomach. And I have no doubt that you folks can't
stomach it, either.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear, Mortals: I love America, by Merlin's beard! Indeed, I wish
to go on record as stating that I love these United States more than life itself. But frankly, I'm
getting sick and tired of having to wake up every other morning and watch another angry terrorist
either gloat over 9/11, or worse, threaten our American people! Blaming America for everything is
getting to be so bloomin' annoying that Master Richard, my Mortal-born alter ego, has said to me
personally, "When are these morons gonna get it? They just wanna kill until they've conquered the
world, and I'm sick and tired of waking up every other morning and hearing about what they're
gonna do to us!"
I realize that what I'm saying to you, my loyal fans, may be a bit shocking --- perhaps a bit
offensive, given the subject matter --- but I want it understood, goodly gentles, that I have
attempted as best I can to make my own logical assessments of this horrible situation without so
much as pulling one single punch, or insulting others in any way.
But please be aware that these are dangerous times for us all, my friends. Even a Wizard as old as I
can figure that one out. The point is, kids, that we're a Nation built on the virtues of respecting
other people's beliefs, other people's right to exist, and caring deeply for each other. It saddens and
shocks your Dragonmaster that we have to live under such conditions, but clearly we'll need to
look out for ourselves as never before. We're at war here, people. There's no nice way to put it. In
war, there is no such thing as nice. Yet that is exactly why right now, there are men and women out
there fighting --- dying --- so that one day, we can render the Planet into a state of total niceness.
Previously, I've said that America can stick up for herself quite well, even if she is a 227-year-old
kid! And believe me, there are more than a few of you folks out there who would obviously agree
with me! But I find it a bit difficult each day to fulfill my mission knowing that these dangerous
times will pretty much be with us for the forseeable future. Yet I have chosen to go on, because I
have a responsibility that I take very seriously. There's a reason I'm New York City's Unofficial
Wizard; and if I have not properly taken stock in what that reason is, I hope you will all consider
these remarks as the first occasion in quite a while whereby I have done so.
In the end, I believe in a world where one can speak one's own mind freely, fearlessly, and without
any degree of doubt. For too long, I have seen the horrors of doubt plague Mortalkind, and shaken
my head in lonely sorrow. For too long, I have rested my head in utter exhaustion, knowing that
another day's battle is just around the corner. And for too long, I rant angrily when I constantly
feel the need to do something about it.
But truth be told, that's what makes America so wonderful: the simple knowledge that a man's
gotta do what a man's gotta do. In my case, of course, a Mage must do what a Mage must do. So I
hope you'll all learn these lessons I've tried to impart, and I trust that you will gain much wisdom
from them. If, however, my comments have offended any of my loyal fans, I must ask your
forgiveness; even I, a humble Wizard, know when the time must come to stand up for the good ol'
U.S. of A. --- which explains why I wear red, white and blue ribbons around me waist at all times!
For that is my reminder (and I hope it will remind YOU as well!) that mine adopted Realm is no
mere Kingdom: nay, 'tis a Republic!
Oh, and by the way, in case you terror-loving bastards out there didn't get the message, we call this
little Republic the United States of America! And, needless to say, we'll be more than ready to kick
your butts anytime, anyplace, anywhere!
Wouldst thou like to hear me rant? Or is Moropor's growl worth thy
two cents? Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon
A Missive from Moropor
Greetings, Mortals! (Muhahahahaha!!!)
am Moropor, Sorcerer of Vermont, whom some of ye may remember from
Nick Jones' surrealistic epic play Canada's Midriff. Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, my brainless
goody-goody lookalike, has given me this temp space in his wacky website that I may address you
Mortals regarding an incident which has been brought to my attention:
For aeons now, Vermont has been my dominion --- for only here, within the peaceful forests of
what you Mortals have long called the "Green Mountain State," have I been able to design and
develop my constant schemes for no less than world domination! (Muhahahahaha!!!)
Unfortunately, 'twas my misfortune to learn in a time of yore regarding the presence of an enemy
far more powerful than even that do-gooding double of mine --- which, in its so-called infinite
wisdom, dared to choose my Realm to leave its own foul stench. It is an entity known in your
tongue as Wal-mart!
To be more precise, last year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its annual list
of the 11 Most Endangered Places in America. Each year, they search for the 11 places in America
that are most threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development, or insensitive
public policy. Well, here are the (Ick!) losers, if you will, that those dum-dums chose for 2004:
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A Missive from Moropor
At #1: 2 Columbus Circle, New York City (just how the place managed to fail to be noticed by even
that wiener of a Wizard, Blackwolf, is beyond me!); #2: the Bethlehem, PA Steelworks Plant; #3:
Chicago's historic Cook County Hospital; #4: the Elkmont Historic District of Tennessee's Great
Smoky Mountains National Park; #5: the George Kraigher House in Brownsville, TX; #6: the
Gullah and Geechee coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia; #7: the Madison-Lenox Hotel
Building in Detroit; #8: Utah's 9-Mile Canyon in Carbon and Duchesne Counties; #9: the
Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, CA --- best known as the final resting place of that stallion for whom
you Mortals had a fondness of old --- some idiot horse called Seabiscuit; and, at #10, the tobacco
barns that have given Southern Maryland a very pleasing look.
And that brings us to their #11 selection: my domain of Vermont! What then, you ask, has
Wal-mart to do with all this? In the Mortal year of 1993, Vermont was the one state free of the
onslaught of Wal-mart, and with the aid of my awesome power, that was the way it stayed. And I
liked it that way! Well, since then, I made the mistake of foolishly allowing these fiends to spawn
four of their so-called Super-centers; and since then, plans have called for seven additional stores to
form in their evil Associate image, causing, as the Trust's website rants, "degradation of the Green
Mountain State's unique sense of place, economic disinvestment in historic downtowns, loss of
locally-owned businesses, and an erosion of the sense of community that seems to be an inevtable
by-product of big-box sprawl."
Now, under normal circumstances, I would be laughing evilly about these little problems; however,
after carefully considering the larger picture, I am forced to concede --- and I must emphasize that,
as a charter member of Der Bad Guys, I realize that whatever attempt I make to confront these
fools will undoubtedly seal my severe punishment --- that the Good Guys must rescue Vermont
before Wal-mart destroys the Vermonters' way of life!
Leading the aforementioned Good Guys is the Honorable Jim Douglas, Governor of Vermont; I
herewith encourage those of you browsing this silly missive from my dominion's capital city to send
him a letter, an e-mail, or just do something. Let His Excellency know that his people are in danger
against the force of the Wal, as it were; just submit your concerns to Sir James' Office, 109 State
Street, Pavilion, Montpelier, VT 05609; or just phone toll-free, 1-800-649-6825.
At least, if nothing else, your evil Sorcerer (that's me!) will hopefully have a chance to put up with
all the peace and quiet the lands of Vermont afford me. After all, only here can I attempt once
again to maintain my peace amongst Vermont's people --- whilst simultaneously, as usual, trying to
take over the world! (Muahahahahaha!!!)
And now that this horrid little PSA is out of the way, 'tis me displeasure now to offer you the
option of either venturing here or here; or simply returning to Blackwolf's Dark Chambers!
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A Message for Hobbit Fans from Blackwolf
A Message for Fans of The Hobbit
ollowing is the complete text of Robert Shaye's missive sent to the Partners of
TheHobbitFilm.com:
Dear Loyal LOTR Fans:
Thank you very, very much for the incredible outpouring of support for LOTR, and for your eagerness to
see The Hobbit.
We at New Line are most touched and appreciative of your compliments, as well as for your passion for
the remarkable work of the author, the filmmakers, talent and craftspeople.
We are also, like you, most anxious to see The Hobbit realized.
Please be assured that there is in no way a crass argument with MGM or anyone else over money or
rights. In fact, no discussion about any settlement of our respective claims has been commenced. When
and if such discussions ensue, be assured that we intend to be equitable and appropriate to the spirit of
Tolkien and The Hobbit. We will, as much as possible, "do the right thing", respecting the incredible
loyalty and appreciation of the worldwide LOTR/Hobbit fans. We hope that MGM will feel the same
way.
However, we also wish to have the film overseen by the best possible mentors --- and for us, if possible,
that means Peter and Fran. They are totally occupied with King Kong now, and will remain thus, we
believe, for the next 24 months or so.
So our efforts will take time to realize.
Sincerely,
ROBERT SHAYE, Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, New Line Cinema
From your Dragonmaster's perspective, that means that we, the many fans of The Hobbit who have
devoted ourselves to the cause will have to have a little bit more patience. But the most important thing
we Hobbit fans can do RIGHT NOW is to hold on, believe and hope.
Why hope, I hear you asking?
Well, I have believed for so many of my journeys over the aeons --- and I think that there are a few of
you out there who would agree with me --- that there is no greater power in the Multiverse than the
unstoppable force of Hope. Hope encourages us to believe in our dreams, to share them with others, to
give a little bit of love to others when it is needed. For, once we saw Aragorn in his full regal splendor as
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A Message for Hobbit Fans from Blackwolf
King of Gondor at the end of Return of the King, did we not leave the theatre not just with tears
streaming down our faces, but with hearts filled with Hope?
If I were Aragorn the King, I think I would not hesitate to share the answer to that question. Besides, 24
months doesn't really mean the end of the Hobbit dream. It just gives us the time we need to rally others
to our cause, and to keep up the rally until such time that we are certain that Peter and Fran can indeed be
free to take the project on.
So in closing, heed the wisdom of a foolish old beetlehead (that, of course, would be me!), and hold on to
the power of Hope. Believe long enough, tell others about our efforts .... and maybe, just maybe, The
Hobbit will indeed become a reality. The 1977 Rankin/Bass animated adaptation need not necessarily be
the ONLY one. Making a motion picture is a process that takes time. Robert Shaye and the goodlies of
New Line are simply asking for our patience; accordingly, your Dragonmaster joins him in suggesting
likewise.
And remember: Hope is always there within every one of us. Even if, as Bilbo Baggins once grumbled,
adventures tend to make one late for dinner! (Heh-heh!)
Fearlessly yours, as ever,
Master Blackwolf
Return to Moropor's Vermont; Or hail the lov'd ones Weird Al wants.
Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you lack;Click yon mouse and
haste ye back!
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Blackwolf's Missive to Weird Al Yankovic
ollowing is the complete statement from Weird Al Yankovic concerning the loss of
his parents, Nick and Mary, followed by your Dragonmaster's response to same:
On April 9th, my mom and dad, Nick and Mary Yankovic, passed away in their home in
Fallbrook, California. It was the result of a terrible accident: that morning, they had
started a fire in their fireplace with the flue closed; and were asphyxiated by carbon
monoxide poisoning.
Suzanne called me that afternoon on the bus to give me the news, so that I would hear about it before the
wire services picked it up.
Needless to say, I feel pretty much the way you would expect me to feel --- shocked and deavstated
beyond words. I loved my parents so much, and this all still seems like a horrible nightmare that I can't
wake up from.
I want to thank my family, friends and fans for the incredible outpouring of love and support that they've
shown me. It's wonderful to know that there are so many people around the world who truly loved my
parents, and it's also nice to know that I am not alone in my grief.
I take some small measure of comfort in knowing that they died peacefully, and that they never had to
suffer through the pain and loneliness of having to live without each other. I'm also grateful that they
both lived long enough to see me happily married to Suzanne, and particularly happy that they got to
meet our beautiful baby daughter, Nina. She filled their lives with so much joy this last year. Nina may
be too young to remember playing with her grandparents when she gets older -- but don't worry, we'll
have some great videotape to show her!
Many people have wondered what's going to happen with the tour. I briefly considered canceling some
shows, but I ultimately decided that it would be better for me personally to continue working. Plus, I've
heard from so many people over the years that my music has cheered them up in times of tragedy.....
well, I thought that maybe, my own music would help me, too.
So far, it has. Going up on stage in front of thousands of supportive fans is a cathartic and somewhat
theraputic experience for me right now. I don't know if I can say that the concerts really take my mind off
of the tragedy, but at least they give me a break from sobbing all the time.
Anyway, I've decided not to cancel the shows; the tour will continue, as planned. However, I have
decided to put a moratorium on all interviews and meet-and-greets for the time being --- I just feel like I
need some time alone right now.
The funeral will be a very small, intimate family service, with only the immediate family attending, so
please, I ask that you respect our privacy. Just knowing that your thoughts are with us at this time is more
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than enough. But if you care to contribute anything, in lieu of flowers, Suzanne and I would like to
suggest a donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council in my parents' name.
One thing I would like to ask everybody to do, though: please, go out and get some carbon monoxide
detectors for yourselves and for your loved ones. Had my parents had one in their home, there's a very
good chance that they would still be with us today.
Out of fairness to my Mom's memory, I should point out a few errors that appeared in the press:
Although she was starting to have a problem with short-term memory loss (she was, after all, taking
medication for it), my mother was never diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
As long as I'm pointing out errors that the press has made, it was my Aunt Dot who found my parents
when she was brining them lunch that day, as she routinely did (and not a group of relatives concerned
that they "hadn't heard from them in a while" --- the family was close and caring and saw each other
several times a day). Also, my aunts and uncles all live in separate houses (not together, as some articles
implied), and for what it's worth, I am not represented by the William Morris Agency either.
I don't know how much else I can say about my parents that I haven't already said in interviews over the
years. Although I always found it a little uncomfortable, my dad talked a lot about death. He mentioned a
few times that he was planning to go on a diet so that his casket "would be easier to carry." I guess that's
where I got my sick sense of humor from. And he was always talking about how much he was looking
forward to seeing his old Army buddies again (in the Next Life). I sure hope they're having a terrific
reunion right now.
As unthinkable as this tragedy is, I just know that my mom and dad were very much at peace with the
world and with their lives. And I guess I can take a small amount of comfort in that, too.
Thank you all again for your overwhelming kindness and support. It means more to me than you can ever
know.
Love, Al
Please click here for Blackwolf's own comments on
this horrible tragedy.
Click, if The Hobbit film be thy thing! Or click to recall Bill, the King!
haste ye back!
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Greetings, Weird Al.
First, if I have not done so already, let me briefly introduce myself. I am Blackwolf the Dragonmaster,
Duke of Talisker --- Master Mage and Unofficial Sorcerer-in-Residence unto the Mortalfolk of the City,
County and State of New York. Needless to say, I and my fellow eccentrics are equally as saddened as
you have been over the loss of your beloved parents; as you have rightly said, you are not alone in your
grief.
In fact, let me go so far to say on the record that we, your fellow eccentrics --- for some of whom you
have clearly made quite a difference over the years --- stand ready to serve as your surrogate family.
Individuals such as Thor the Barbarian, Master Thoth, Debbie D, the Naked Cowboy, the weirdos from
Lloyd Kaufman's Troma, and myself --- we have styled ourselves eccentrics because we believe that
there are some types of species Homo sapiens who lack that most remarkable, and perhaps that most
precious of God's gifts: Imagination!
This very website, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Dark Chambers, was founded primarily on the
notion that every person in the Multiverse must use their imaginations in a responsible, and meaningful
fashion. Clearly, Weird Al, throughout your entire career, you have repeatedly demonstrated just how
responsible your particular imagination is. That could not have been possible without the help and
support of the two that brought you into this miracle called Life.
We take seriously what the miracle of imagination represents; the joy of sharing happiness with others,
and the willingness to do our own thing in our own way, and to do so in a fashion others would consider
as something other than, quote-unquote, "normal." We do what we do simply because we are no longer
convinced that this is a 'normal' world; I, for one, gave up on such notions aeons ago!
Still, that Nick and Mary fervently and wholeheartedly supported you means a lot not only to us, your
fans, but also to the world that embraced you for many, many years.....
Though we will indeed respect your privacy during this painful period, know that we will embrace you,
Suzanne, Nina and the entire Yankovic family. Indeed, let me be the first to invite you to contact any or
all of us if you need us. I will be more than happy to e-mail you privately with our various web and
e-mail addresses if you need them.
In closing, a sensible thought: loving one's parents has always been something I have taken pride in from
the moment I first came to present-day New York City; since then, I have always smiled whenever I have
seen a mother and child at play. Being New York's Unofficial Wizard, I know what it is like to
understand the power of love. My one prayer is that, when little Nina grows up, she will discover for
herself just how wonderful the glories of this Life truly are.
And if nothing else, be not afraid to shed a tear. Besides, even a good sniffle or two --- especially when
armed with a trusty hankie --- can be grounds for a jolly laugh. But only if you look at it the right way,
and learn from it.
In that respect, then, I offer my condolences to all the Yankovics; and in so doing wish them every
happiness. Love one another, and be well.
Fearlessly yours,
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Master Blackwolf
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Blackwolf Remembers the King: Bill Huttel, 1953-2001
Bill Huttel
11th January 1953-12th November 2001
f ever a man epitomized the qualities necessary to become a true King of England,
then one shining example would doubtless be William G. Huttel, of Forestville, Maryland. Revel Grove
--- more popularly known amongst us commoners as the Maryland Renaissance Festival at Crownsville
--- was, for thirteen wonderful seasons, his exclusive dominion over which he reigned well and proudly!
Here, as the Washington, D.C. area's living doppleganger of His Majesty, King Henry VIII of England
--- he who often expressed a unique passion for, among other things, wine, food, song and (naturally!)
the occasional wench --- Bill solidified his reputation as one of the best-known and best-loved
Renaissance Faire Monarchs in the country.
Standing a huge 6'8" and weighing in at over 300 lbs., Bill looked every inch like King Henry's living,
breathing image, with his jolly laugh and his gentle demeanor. Upon graduating from Suitland High
School, Bill sought to follow in his father's footsteps and become a deep-sea diver in the U.S. Navy. His
enormous size, alas, precluded those dreams altogether. Instead, he turned to football --- and to the
campus of Catholic University, where for two seasons he was a top defensive end until a series of knee
injuries curtailed his athletic career.
That left Bill with one other available option: music and voice. He had an excellent baritone; and was
only too ready to utilize his vocal talents to their fullest potential. Thus was born Bill's occasional joke
that he was the only music major in Catholic's long history to have ever attended the University on a
football scholarship.
After graduating from Catholic in 1975, he became a road manager for an Annapolis-based folk
ensemble called the Second Coming Band; subsequently, he spent several years promoting concerts in
nearby Ocean City, MD.
Bill's ascension to the Maryland Renaissance Festival's Royal Throne began in 1988 when he agreed to
help out a friend who had responded to an MRF casting call. Before long, Bill found himself serving as
Master of the Lists --- essentially, a glorified announcer on the Festival's then-unamplified jousting field.
Clearly, the position of Master of the Lists was well-suited to Bill's tremendous vocal abilities.
But the following year, the decision was made to switch Monarchs, from Queen Elizabeth I to King
Henry VIII; and accordingly, the powers that be at MRF held an extensive tournament of auditions for
the role of the Tudor Dynasty's Big Kahuna. Bill was passed over in favor of a D.C.-area actor who had
more theatrical credentials; and whilst our Master William did express some sadness in not becoming the
King, he was nevertheless quite content to resume his duties as Master of the Lists. Destiny, however,
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would have otherwise.
Just four days away from the Festival's opening weekend, the actor they had hired for the King Henry
role abruptly resigned. Carolyn Spedden, who herself was in her first year as the Festival's Artistic
Director, soon found herself in a last-minute bind. With practically no time to so much as rehearse the
character, she asked Bill to assume the Royal duties. So began the Legend.
"That first weekend," Carolyn recalls, "we had another, even more experienced actor literally walking
directly behind Bill, whispering things in his ear like, 'Look to the left. Smile! Wave! Now, look to the
right!' But, in a remarkably short time, Bill was doing the role as though he'd been born to play the
King."
Indeed, Huttel's incredibly canny resemblance to Henry Tudor, Eighth King of all England to bear that
good, noble name, often startled even the most casual students of history. Bill's extra inches in height
looked proportional; and, year in and year out, he dyed his hair and beard red, the better to match His
Majesty's hair color even as he wore those wonderful costumes which were painstakingly recreated from
the actual paintings of Hans Holbein. Yet only there were such similarities skin deep.
Historically, Henry VIII was regarded by many historians as being historically ambivalent. He could be
quite ruthless and tyrannical at times; indeed, that precise attitude cost two of his legendary six wives
their respective heads! What's more, he consolidated Britain's power and broke ranks with the Roman
Catholic Church so that he could divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in favor of his mistress,
Anne Boleyn. To most modern Americans, however, King Henry VIII represents the epitome of the
archetypal "Hail, friend! Well met!" sort of Royal Monarch --- his arms wide open, a skank of roast
turkey in one fist, a generous flagon of mead in the other.
That image helped to transform what had begun as a last-minute fill-in into one of the longest-running
relationships between a Renaissance Faire and a Ruling Monarch. Surprisingly, the Guinness Book of
World Records does not have a specific listing for this type of longevity. Yet the Performance Company
of the Maryland Renaissance Festival, under the supervision of Artistic Director Carolyn Spedden,
presented an epic series of storyline arcs, each built around one of King Henry's six wives, their stories
unfolding in an atmosphere rife with the smells of roast beef, wine and cheese; the jolly sounds of bawdy
bar ballads; and the merry laughter of those delicious tavern wenches.
And though the real-life King Henry was at best a braggard, and at worst a bully, none of His Majesty's
real-life nastiness ever rubbed off on Bill. Just ask actress Theresa Flynn, who portrayed Jane Seymour:
"People always used to ask me, 'Does Bill have many friends?' And I'd just answer, 'Only every person
he ever met!'" You might also do well to ask Jules Smith, General Manager of the Maryland Renaissance
Festival; and Chairman of its parent company, International Renaissance Festivals, Ltd.: "Bill didn't just
stand out in terms of his size, but he also had an aura that could capture any crowd. I've watched
hundreds of children, and even a few adults as well, line up to be knighted by him. For these folks, he
was more than just a character. He really gave you the feeling that you were in the presence of someone
very special."
The Maryland Renaissance Festival at Crownsville is said to be the second-largest Renaissance Faire of
its kind in the nation. It attracts about 500,000 visitors annually. In 2001, its 25th Anniversary Season,
the Festival drew about 290,000 loyal subjects to the Shire of Revel Grove. Over 200 actors, performers
and musicians comprise the Royal Court and its itinerant hangers-on, along with the inhabitants of Revel
Grove itself. Each of the seven weekends of the Festival season features a series of skits, mini-plays and
sketches --- some scripted, most entirely spontaneous --- encompassing such medieval pastimes as
jousting, fire-eating, swordplay and the fine art of chivalry. Guests are encouraged to rent costumes,
purchase a turkey leg or two and mug of ale (or other beverage) and join in on the merry shenanigans.
Bill in time became so enamored by his duties as the King that he soon took his Royal act on the road.
For eight seasons, King Henry VIII occupied a second throne --- at the Florida Renaissance Festival!
"Bill's greatest secret lay in the fact that he always brought himself to the role," remembers Bobby
Rodriguez, whose self-named production company controls the Florida Renaissance Festival. And for
four seasons, again under the watchful eye of Jules Smith, His Majesty added a third Kingdom to his
dominion, at Canada's Ontario Renaissance Festival.
In addition, Bill made a few token appearances as the King at several smaller and lesser-known Faires
across the Eastern Seaboard. Among his non-royal appearances were his roles in several murder mystery
plays staged at the historic Blair Mansion in Silver Spring, and at the Chesapeake Center for the Creative
Arts at Brooklyn Park; along with various additional roles in regional theatre companies throughout the
Washington, D.C. area. But on or off the throne, it was always easy for people to recognize their beloved
King, and have even total strangers greet him warmly.
"I think that today's modern-day Monarchs could take a lesson or two from Bill," suggests Carolyn
Spedden. "I never heard him utter a bad word about anyone. He treated everyone he met with dignity and
respect.... and, as a result, he was universally well-loved."
Another of Bill's friends who no doubt agrees with Lady Carolyn's assertions is Mary Ann Jung, who
played Anne Boleyn to His Majesty at both the Maryland and Florida Festivals, and who frequently
reigns at Florida as Henry's equally legendary daughter, Elizabeth I. One unusual evening, Mary Ann
remembers, Bill was visiting her and her husband. When the time came for him to go home, he
discovered that he'd parked in a space reserved for one of his neighbors, who had subsequently blocked
him in. "He was forced to knock on my neighbor's door at two o'clock in the morning and wake him up,"
Mary Ann recalls. "So there he is, and there's my neighbor, whom he's never met before, and Bill says:
'I'm sorry, I seem to have parked in your reserved space.' And that's when my neighbor just looks at him,
without blinking, and says: 'That's no problem, Your Majesty. I'll move my car at once!'"
Bill Huttel's marriage to Ms. Kimberly Kink ended in divorce. He is, however, survived by an uncle, Mr.
Paul Staubus of Lusby, MD.
Recall Al's parents, if thou can; Or click for thoughts from Merdwin's
fan! (That would be me. Heh-heh!) Otherwise: A magician's wand is
all ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf on Merdwin
A Few Words About Merdwin the
Mediocre
our humble Dragonmaster has been asked to say a few words about a dear
friend and fellow Mage, one who, quite simply, has given me more merriment and happiness than I
could ever hope to possess. Please be introduced, then, if I have not done so already, to the one and
only (and, thank goodness, the one genuine article!) Merdwin the Mediocre!
Combining elements of audience participation, verbal and visual humor, and just plain old madcap
mayhem for Mortals from 10 to toothless, Scott Payne has long been an inspiration to a good many
of us Magic-users. That, combined with the fact that he is a very sensible and devout Christian, is
obviously the result of his upbringing, courtesy of his two biggest fans (other than myself, of
course), his dear parents, Chuck and Debbie!
In his more than 15 years' worth of magical misadventuring, Merdwin, wearing his traditional
purple Wizard's robes --- with his familiar sign-off "Ta da!" cleverly sewn on to the back of the left
shoulder thingy --- has amazed, amused, bamboozled and often befuddled audiences young and old
--- and the twist is that they love it! Whether it's the New York Renaissance Faire Sterling Forest,
King Richard's Faire, the Great Lakes Medieval Faire, the annual Tuesday in the Park
Celebrations in his home shire of Schenectady, the nearby Waterfront Farmers' Market in Troy,
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Blackwolf on Merdwin
Albany's best events, from the annual Tulip Festival to First Night and its sister New Year's Eve
party, Chatham Village Last Nite, the Mediocre One has never failed to enchant and delight
children of all ages and forms. Indeed, few Mages have never been so remarkably scatterbrained,
and incredibly proud of it.
But the Merdwin the Mediocre that I know is the one who, each September, takes time to journey
to our delightful Shire of Manhattan. Here, as the living image of the Medieval Festival at Fort
Tryon Park, Merdwin entertains the young and old of our Twin Kingdoms of Washington upon
the Heights and the Inner Wood... and does so with a balance of silliness and complexity unequaled
by few Mages in the New York Realm. Believe me, dear goodly gentles, not since the late and
beloved Jack Adams has one Magic-user so eternally burned his presence into mine own Wizardly
person.
For now, my fellow scatterbrained sorcerer's webpage, at http://www.merdwin.com, is under
re-construction --- but ye may still reach the Mediocre One by sending him an e-pygeon at
wizbizniz@webtv.net; or, if ye prefers, ye may send thy missives to me purple-clad partner in
Magecraft by means of ye olde slowe methode --- I believe that would be P.O. Box 3301,
Schenectady, NY 12303.
Merdwin, dear friend and Brother Mage, I, Blackwolf, your humble Dragonmaster, cannot place
into words how much you have meant to me over these many long years. We are both incredibly
wacky each in our own different but delightful ways, but we share a common bond: we both enjoy
sharing with mere Mortals the magic of Imagination, and more to the point, we're both
determined, as I usually say, to have a spectacular lot of fun without so much as being malicious. It is
that, and all the adventures you and I have shared, that has allowed our friendship to endure; and
I hope we have a good many more years together, for as long as the Eternals will let us!
With love, your faithful friend and foolish old beetlehead,
Master Blackwolf
Return to honor a King long gone; or bid farewell to our smith, anon!
haste ye back!
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Remembering: Pat Battista, 1945-2004
Reverend Patrick Henry Battista
16th March 1945-6th December 2004
Reverend Patrick Henry Battista, who, for nearly 27 years, demonstrated his powerful skills as a
veteran blacksmith with the New York Renaissance Faire at Sterling Forest, Tuxedo Park, and was a
long-time resident of the Tuxedo Park area, died Tuesday afternoon, December 7th, 2004, at his home in
the village of Wurtsboro Hills.
Born in the Bronx, NY, on March 16th, 1945, to Josephine Tambone, of Cherry Hill, NJ; and the late
Patrick Battista, Sr., he served as a member of the New York City Police Department Mounted Patrol
Unit, and was a Detective with the Putnam County Police Department. An ordained minister, he was also
a working pastor of the Celtic Christian Church who often worked as a cleric for various area hospitals.
Rev. Battista also was connected with the Clan McLeod; and was a member of the Orange County
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.
In addition to his mother, Rev. Battista is survived by his eldest son Steven and his wife Shelly, of
Richlands, NC; his daughter, Kristina and her husband, Mr. Jeff Zaffino, of Rossville, GA; his younger
brother Henry and his wife Sofia; his grandchildren, Cole, Samantha, and Gianni; and several nieces and
nephews.
Pat was, indeed, a rather pleasing and jolly fellow; his apprentice Tracy was an able and kind-hearted
assistant in the day-to-day activities of his Magikal Forge. It was probably the most joyous place to settle
down and enjoy the pleasure of everyone else's company. On occasion, I did tend to encounter a few of
the more elegantly dressed among Sterling Forest's populace, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I especially.
As you know, I was lucky enough to have Her Majesty invite me to a rare demonstration of her singing
abilities; I may or may not have told Pat about what had happened the day I was there. Still, if I did
manage to tell him, I certainly hope that he took much pleasure in my news.
The 2005 Opening Weekend of Sterling Forest will, I suspect, be a rather teary affair, as there will be
notices dedicating this year's New York Renaissance Faire to his memory. Luckily, it will do my heart
good knowing that I will not be alone in my grief. Those behind the scenes at the Tuxedo Park Faire will,
no doubt, mourn his loss by asking those gathered at Roselawn at the end of the day's last joust to
observe silent contemplation in dear Patrick's honor.....
Patrick, dear friend, I shall miss you truly. Clearly, when I attend this year's Faire, I shall not be surprised
by the overwhelming prepondernace of hankies that will be in vogue. That, my dear blacksmith, is
because they'll be remembering you. And now, my friends, if you'll excuse me, I must blow my nose
now. For, as you already know by now, even a Wizard has to have time to shed a tear or two once in a
while........
Return to me Merdwin tribute hence; Or hail to Scarby's yonder
fence! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse
and haste ye back!
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Remembering: Pat Battista, 1945-2004
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Blackwolf on the 2006 Scarborough Renaissance Festival!
Master Blackwolf Reflects Upon
The Scarborough Renaissance Festival!
Their Royal Majesties, King Henry the Eighth (Richard Allan Patterson) and Queen Anne Boleyn
(Shannon Hopps), as photographed by Frank Hui, from the files of Robyn's Roost
nd it came to pass that the beloved Scarborough Faire, The Renaissance Festival
of Waxahachie, Texas, did shorten its name to the easier-to-remember Scarborough Renaissance
Festival, or SRF. Once again, the Royal Gates opened to an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Fairegoers, some
from all 50 States, others from various nations throughout the world. And lo, 'twas writ that Scarby didst
likewise join the ranks of MySpace.com, with their own dominion located thither. To honor this grand
reflowering, your Dragonmaster herewith presents his own personal assessments of this delightfully
splendiferous phenomenon.
What, you may ask, has allowed Scarby to endure in its 28-year existence in a way no other Renaissance
Festival before or since has endured? Well, one answer, I would suppose, would have to do with the
merry twosome pictured above: Their Royal Majesties, King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn of
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England! As I have previously scribbled hither, the most magical moment of any Renaissance Festival (at
least, from a child's perspective!) is when a young lad or lass can be personally greeted by the King and
Queen, and even have the honor of being spoken to by Their Majesties! And of course, there's the
additional wonder of the Children's Knighting Ceremony, where the Royals often reward the youngsters
for the performance of good and chivalrous deeds performed in the Mundaners' Realm! My goodness,
that moment is always such a joy! Is it any wonder, then, that for over a decade now, Richard and
Shannon have made more magic happen for ALL their fans than any other Renaissance Faire King and
Queen in the United States?
The Scarborough Renaissance Festival is owned and operated by Southwest Festivals, Inc. When the two
families that have run SRF since its founding in 1980 staged the first event in 1981, they wasted little
time making the world aware of their primary vision; to develop a premier Renaissance event which
could link together all the merriment, all the mirth and all the fantasy of 16th Century England in a
joyous, out-of-the-way country setting, deep in the heart of Northern Texas, some 35 woodly acres south
of Dallas-Fort Worth, near the small village of Waxahachie. Today, it's one of America's biggest and
most popular Renaissance Festivals, attracting an audience of some 200,000 guests each and every year.
SRF's sister event, the SCREAMS Halloween Theme Park, the premiere attraction of its kind in the
Dallas/Fort Worth Region, was developed in 1996. Today, The World's Largest Halloween Theme Park
attracts some 60,000 guests per year, never failing to shock or frighten their best and worst customers
each October 31st! With over 4000 performers, artisans, food-service people, grounds staff, and retailers
serving both events each season, Southwest Festivals, Inc. is committed to serving Dallas/Fort Worth and
her people in all sorts of ways. For SRF, eleven stages flood your senses with over 200 performance acts
each year, for seven weekends including Memorial Day Weekend. Their Majesties, in fact, lead a cast of
over 150 volunteers, the Scarborough Academy of the Performing Arts --- who each year dedicate
themselves to teaching potential cast members all the ins and outs of doing the Faire thing!
Scarby's over 200 permanent shoppes bring together a vast cornucopia of unique, one-of-a-kind
handmade items made by artisans from all 50 states, and various points beyond. Why, on a given day,
one could explore the wonders of Glassblowing, Blacksmithy, Candlemaking, Printing on a Guttenberg
Press, Leather Crafting, Broom-making, Armory, Coin Minting --- and dozens more skills besides! In
addition, the Faire ranks as one of the nation's largest outdoor "juried" craft exhibitions. But supposing ye
wish thy tastebuds tickled? Ah! SRF hath the cure there, too: over 60 traditional and non-traditional
foods are served during the 8-weekend season; while five food court areas and seven strategically located
pubs and taverns offer such notable potables as beer, wine, mead, and other frosty favorites!
For three days each May, the Festival is open exclusively to schools, as more than 35,000 teachers and
students explore the grounds and even interview the core membership of the Royals, and explore all
aspects of the Renaissance experience! For teens and young adults, these sessions are always a unique
way to dive deep into the heart of the specific topic of whatever it is they're studying. It's always a wise
scholar, I've always said, that knows a thing or two about learning to be good in a Kingdom!
Oh, and did I mention that there's nothing like a Renaissance Faire to bring forth the unchanging power
of True Love? As is often the case with events of its kind throughout the cosmos, a beautiful Princess can
marry her Knight in Shining Armour at Faire! During the season, one can unexpectedly bump into one or
even more than one of over 20 Renaissance Weddings staged on the Fairegrounds per year! (Cool, huh?)
Well, enough facts and figures, my friends. SRF has been such a phenomenon over the years, in terms of
the music, the merriment, the humor, and even the personal stories. So many of the latter have emerged
from this delicious Renaissance Paradise that it's hard to comprehend the mystique that one can often
associate with an event of this magnitude. The Scarborough Renaissance Festival has stood the test of
time because there are people who appreciate its wonder, and are able to fall in love with it each and
every year.
On a personal note, it has been my pleasure, both as Dragonmaster of the Grand High Istari, and New
York's Unofficial Wizard, to have been linked to the world of SRF by no less than Her Majesty,
Margaret, Queen of Scotland and the Isles (Janna Casstevens, Head of the Performing Arts Company); I
consider it an honour to have been named Her Majesty's Court Mage, as well as Duke and First Marquess
of Talisker. While recent events have thus far prohibited me from contacting Her Majesty, I know that
she has quite a merry time "makin' me wee baby brother Henry go mad --- and the best part is, he canna
do a thing aboot it!" (Heh-heh!)
Well, Lords and Ladies, methinks I've written enough hither. All that remains now is to wish everyone at
the Scarborough Renaissance Festival my fondest felicitations as it embarks 'pon a brand new season! I
hope that, even though, as ever, I can't join you all out thither, save in spirit, you will be able to inspire
newer and more wiser generations of Rennies and Playtrons and their friends, fans and admirers to build
their own dreams, and, if the occasions demand, believe in them. I look forward to setting foot upon the
grounds of the land of Scarborough in aeons yet to come. Huzzah! and hurrah! Long live the
Scarborough Renaissance Festival!
Return to my tribute to the Royal Blacksmith; or click to find out Why
the World Needs Wizards! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all you
Blackwolf's TONY E-mail!
Blackwolf's E-mail to Time Out New York
Magazine!
You know you've arrived when you've made it to the letters page in Time Out New York Magazine. They
put only a small portion of my remarks in their Letters column on Page Two; here is the full text of what
I wrote:
To the Editors of Time Out New York:
irst, let me introduce myself. I am Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, Duke of Talisker
--- the City's first and only Unofficial Wizard --- and, on behalf of my fellow New York eccentrics, I am
writing to take offense to your magazine's recent blurb posing the question "Where have all the weirdos
gone?"
My colleagues and fellow "weirdos," as you call them --- the Naked Cowboy and Master Thoth --- have
taken advantage of their eccentricities to earn them, in their respective fashions, friends, fans, and
admirers from all over the world. And, like myself, they have used their eccentricities in a positive and, I
hope, meaningful manner. Admittedly, many of our fellow eccentrics have taken to mounting places on
the Internet; for some of them, myself included, cyberspace hath proven to be a godsend, in that we have
the power to do and say certain things that otherwise would pretty much get us arrested.
As for myself, I would honestly say to you that I am among the few eccentrics --- "weirdos" --- who take
on their personae on a regular basis. We're not mad, we're not bad, we simply believe in the power of
self-expression. Just ask Thor the Barbarian, on whose twice-weekly television show I humbly serve as
Mage and Emissary. He, too, is dedicated to spreading a message of self-expression and believing in
your dreams.
Your writer, who felt that the classic era of New York City weirdos died along with beloved and
much-honored Moondog (Louis Hardin), should have dug even deeper before passing any judgment on
the status of eccentricity in ye Byg Appyl. Indeed, I would go so far as to advise the readers and editors
at TONY to take a closer look online if they further wish to pursue the question of where the great
weirdos of New York have gone.
Fearlessly yours,
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, Duke of Talisker
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Blackwolf's TONY E-mail!
Does the world need us Wizards? Click here for my score; Or watch
here to determine if Potter's at war! Otherwise: A magician's wand is
all ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
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A Message to Harry Potter Fans from Blackwolf
A Message to Fans of Harry Potter from
Master Blackwolf
year or so has passed since your Dragonmaster first read the original version of
Wizarding World Press' Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter. Since then, a second
UUG, along with accompanying supplemental volumes, has been published; in the interim, we have
witnessed, among other things, the losses of two of the most important links to young Harry's life: the
Prisoner of Azkaban himself, Sirius Black, Harry's godfather; followed, most recently, by the
horrifyingly tragic murder of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore --- and, even worse, what on the surface
some would call his betrayal at the hands of Professor Severus Snape. Clearly, the first UUG was correct
when it explicitly stated on its back cover, "If you thought that Harry Potter was just a children's story,
THINK AGAIN!"
The UUG and its follow-ups were designed to analyze every single chapter of J.K. Rowling's Potter
books to date, blow by blow, segment by segment, in painstaking detail. And with Half-Blood Prince
having made headlines worlwide, with Goblet of Fire, The Movie certain to follow, your Dragonmaster
can only determine that the editors' conclusions as made in the first edition of the UUG are quite correct:
that indeed we are soon to witness the ultimate Wizard smackdown --- the super-battle of Gryffindor vs.
Slytherin. Simply put, Mortals, 'tis a War of the Wizards.... and the fate of two worlds --- Mage and
Muggle --- now hangs in the balance!
As you know, Lord Voldemort --- "He who must not be named" --- is Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Jr., Heir
of Salazar Slytherin. If you will recall the climactic battle pitting him against Harry, as shown in the
Chamber of Secrets movie, Harry's encounter with the Basilisk climaxes in his unexpected wielding of
the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Yet, despite Dumbledore's death, the question remains unanswered:
Could Harry Potter, son of James and Lily, despite his ability to speak Parseltongue, be revealed as the
one true heir of Godric Gryffindor? That mystery, more than any other, as the authors of the first UUG
explained to us, now lies at the very heart of the Harry Potter "septology," thus setting the stage for the
aforementioned War of Wizards. Thanks to the WWP team, you now know, and perhaps better
understand, all that has gone before, and all that is about to come. And with the Wizard War now about
to reach its final climax, only the still unknown seventh book in the chronicles will once and for all
present the entire truth!
With his last and greatest defender now gone, and Harry himself, now more alone than never before, and
having already resolved not to return to Hogwarts for his final year, the Boy Who Lived now prepares
himself for his fulfillment of the Lost Prophecy: that he, Harry Potter, and Harry Potter alone, must either
destroy Voldemort, or vice versa, that both the Wizard and Muggle worlds can survive, for neither can
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A Message to Harry Potter Fans from Blackwolf
persist whilst the other lives. As your Dragonmaster has said previously, if this was to be his destiny all
along, why all those years ago was he left on the Dursleys' doorstep in the first place? Indeed, what
forces were at work to give Harry the power to survive, much less develop his need to live as a person,
free to choose the power of life?
The site www.HarryPotter-Boards.com will, I assume, have much more to say on these issues than I
could ever hope to say in a single page; but any and all interested Potter fans who have also read the
original UUG and its subsequent follow-ups are hereby advised to e-mail me with their concerns or other
speculations.
Click to read me TONY letter; or find out if I think Windsor's getting
better! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse
and haste ye back!
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Blackwolf on the Fall of the House of Windsor
Blackwolf on the Fall of the House of
Windsor
ell, Mortals ---- the following simply speaks for itself. Here is the Associated Press
news item out of London, as of February 10th, 2005, Mortal-reckoning:
CHARLES TO MARRY PARKER-BOWLES
By MICHAEL McDONOUGH, Associated Press
LONDON --- Prince Charles said Thursday he will marry his divorced lover, Camilla
Parker-Bowles, in April, all but putting an official seal on a long romance that the late Princess
Diana blamed for the breakdown of her tempestuous marriage to the heir to the Britsh throne. The
announcement, however, ruled out the possibility that Ms. Parker-Bowles would become Queen.
The Prince of Wales and Ms. Parker-Bowles will marry on Friday, April 8th, at Windsor Castle,
said Clarence House, Charles' office and residence.
During a visit to London's Financial District on Thursday morning, Charles accepted
congratulations on his impending Royal Nuptials.
"Thank you very much. You're so kind," the Prince is reported to have said. "I'm very excited."
Parker-Bowles will use the standard Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall after the
marriage ceremony. Once Charles becomes King, however, she will not be known as Queen
Camilla, but rather, as the Princess Consort, according to Charles' office.
That decision by the Prince appeared to be a nod to public opinion, which has never warmed to
Camilla. As for the marriage itself, it will be a civil service, and not an official Church of England
service. "There will subsequently be a service of prayer and dedication in St. George's Chapel, to
be presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury," the statement from Charles' office continued.
The decision as to that specific type of service reflects the fact that both bride-to-be and
groom-to-be are divorcees, and that Parker-Bowles' ex-husband is still living. In general, the
Church of England, the legally established faith of the nation, disapproves of the remarriage of
divorced people in church. As Britain's Monarch, King Charles III would be the supreme governor
of the Church of England. Some Anglicans could potentially oppose his holding that role as a
divorcee who remarried outside his own church.
The announcement received the blessings of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony
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Blair, both of whom expressed delight at this news. Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan
Williams also gave the announcement a thumbs-up, saying that the wedding service plans "have
my strong support and are consistent with Church of England guidelines concerning remarriage."
Yet neither Charles nor Camilla possess the star-power of Diana, whose memory remains strong
on Britain, despite the fact that theirs has been a peculiarly deep love story: one that has endured
time, scrutiny and so much intense criticism that Parker-Bowles was once regularly insulted in the
streets.
At this point, methinks I shall stop quoting from the above long enough to put my own two cents in on
this obviously developing story. There are a good many Mortals, your Dragonmaster among them, who
have pretty much feared the coming of this announcement. After Prince Harry's recent shenanigans with
that bogus Nazi costume, I never dreamed that the House of Windsor would become this insane. Now,
however, the asylum's key cast of inmates have, I would suppose, risen up in rebellion.
To make a long point short, Mortals, the House of Windsor is on its last legs --- and the spin doctors of
Buckingham Palace know it. The problem is simply that they do not wish you the public to know it.
When all is said and done, my friends, the first British Coronation of the 21st Century may very well be
the last of its kind --- no matter what the tourists or the BBC may tell you. Perhaps Obi-wan's ancient
wisdom should be essential remembering, even if you are not browsing these Dark Chambers from
London: "Your eyes can play tricks on you. Never trust them."
Why, Master Blackwolf, I hear you asking, should words like these come from the lips of a Wizard --and, come to that, a Mage who has devoted several of his many adventures to behaving politely among
Monarchs? I'll tell you why. Royalty, like some things, is not a concept, nor is it a trend. It is something
that must be earned. More to the point, a true Royal must earn his or her right to claim his or her
Kingdom's Throne at the expense of sacrificing all that is Mortal of him or her. And, even though I am
loathe to utter the words here, that includes the emotion of love. As we all know, King Edward VIII was
not willing to make such a sacrifice when he encountered his beloved Wallis Simpson; as a result, the
world remains forever haunted by his final words to his people that rainy December dawn in 1936, when
he declared: "....But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry out the
heavy burden of responsibility and discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help
and support of the woman I love."
And so, dear friends, you now know why I see a rather harsh moon rising on the House of Winsdor.
Simply put, folks: the beginning of the third Charlesian Era may yet spawn the coming of the next great,
and possibly tragic, annus horribilis.
Of course, these be thy Dragonmaster's commentaries. I could in fact be incorrect, Lords and Ladies.
Click for my Harry Potter predictions; or for my reaction to the
scandal in King Boreas' Realm! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
A Message from Master Blackwolf!
A Message from Master Blackwolf on the
St. Paul Winter Carnival
s you know, Mortals, my Bonus Link of the Month for February has been the
website for America's oldest winter festival, the St. Paul, MN, Winter Carnival. The celebration was a
joyous 10 days' worth of frolicking, feasting, and loads of snow-filled adventure.
Whilst Milord Boreas, King of the Winds, didst conduct himself with dignity and honor, as he rightly
should, being the Windlord and all, there were, however, incidents of a most ineffective nature involving
the Wind King's nemesis, Vulcanus Rex. For most of the half-century that the present Winter Carnival
Legend has been part of the snowy landscape in St. Paul, the Vulcans have carried out acts of mischief
that, until now, were as simple and as fun as one could ever hope they could be.
Toward the end of the 10-day Festival, it was reported that no less than the Fire King himself groped
three women in a bar --- raising possible questions concerning the future of one of the most colorful
pieces of St. Paul legerdemain. Carnival organizers last week granted a leave of absence to the 2005
Vulcanus Rex, Tom Trudeau, and restricted all activities of his Fire Court. There would be a special
panel convened at the end of the Carnival that would consider how the Vulcans operate.
Apparently, there had been rumors --- or, very possibly, rumors of rumors --- that the Vulcans had been
involved in incidents of wild partying. Carnival CEO Robert Viking was not surprised by these
allegations. In the past, Vulcans painted greasepaint on their cheeks and smooched women
cheek-to-cheek, regardless of whether they wanted it or not. As a result of several protests during the 70s,
the tradition was abandoned; subsequently, the Vulcs began using greasepaint sticks to mark willing
participants, children mostly, with the customary "V." In recent years, however, the marking ritual has
drawn fire (no pun intended) from folks who wanted no part of the marking concept, women in
particular.
The charges against Trudeau stemmed from what the Vulcans call their "garter ritual," wherein a garter is
placed upon a woman's thigh as a sort of Royal Knighting Ceremony. Three female bartenders at a St.
Paul area bar didst accuse the Vulcs of surrounding them, one at a time, with these garters. The Vulcans
then held up their capes whilst Trudeau sexually molested them as he placed the garters on their legs,
according to the criminal complaint. Trudeau now faces three gross misdemeanor counts of 5th-degree
sexual conduct. Several former Vulcans have expressed horror over the incident.
"It's devastating to our organization, and to me personally," the Associated Press quotes Howie Register,
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A Message from Master Blackwolf!
Vulcanus Rex 1996, as saying. "We're not some dirty, nasty old men out there being a bunch of drunks.
We do too much good to have this be our black eye." By tradition, the Fire King and the seven members
of his Court are usually seen hanging off the side of a fire truck dashing through the traditional Carnival
Parade routes. They're also committed to feeding the hungry and homeless, visiting area hospitals, raising
funds for local charities, and acting as goodwill ambassadors for the City of St. Paul. Their complete
background is available on the Vulcan Krewe website, www.vulcankrewe.org.
Your Dragonmaster would like to express how horrified I am by learning of these terrible happenings in
Milord Boreas' Realm; in previous years, the Carnival ended with both Courts of Fire and Ice leaving the
lands of St. Paul in peace until the returning of the winter storms. That something this horrible could
occur here, in the Windlord's own snowy domain, leaves me quite shocked! Nevertheless, the Carnival
having ended a while ago, the February Bonus Link designation still stands, as a tribute to the more
responsible organizations and individuals who take their beloved St. Paul Winter Carnival quite
seriously. Let us hope that future Winter Carnivals will maintain the Legends and traditions their fans
have relied upon in a responsible and meaningful manner. 'Nuff said.
Click here to honor him the most --- that wise old Sage, Lord
Iakovos! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon
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Blackwolf Remembers: His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, 1911-2005
His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos
July 29th, 1911-April 10th, 2005
hese Dark Chambers pause to note the passing of one of the true giants of the
modern religious community: His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos. In the late spring of 2005, a virtual
Gathering of Nations assembled in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City for the funeral of His Holiness Pope
John Paul II. And shortly afterward, the world received news of the loss of yet another human icon
among the real defenders of Good against Evil.
He was a towering figure in the ecumenical movement, the first Greek Orthodox Archbishop in over 350
years to officially confer with the Catholic Holy Father, a leading champion of social causes, and, more
to the point, one of New York City's true living legends.
Born as Demetrios A. Coucouzis, July 29th, 1911, on the tiny island of Imbros in the Aegean Sea, near
the entrance to the Dardanelles, Iakovos' parents ran the local general store, where as a child, he sold dry
goods, icons and other memorabilia. By age 16, he secured his admittance to Halki Theological
Seminary, graduating therefrom in 1934, at which time he was named an archdeacon. 5 years later,
young Iakovos' journey led him onto the shores of America, where he taught at Holy Cross Theological
School during its years at Pomfret, Connecticut.
When he was elevated to the priesthood in 1940, he chose for himself the name Iakovos, meaning James.
A short sojourn in Hartford, CT led him back to the Big Apple, where he dispensed his wisdom at the
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. World War II saw him spending his time in Boston, working there as Dean
of the Cathedral of the Annunciation. By 1945 he had earned a graduate degree from Harvard
University's Divinity School; it would be another five years before he finally became a U.S. citizen.
In 1956, Iakovos assumed the rank of Metropolitan; three years later, he was named Archbishop of North
and South America. At the time of his Enthronement, the church had 1.5 million communicants, 375
churches, and over 150,000 worshippers across the U.S. and Canada. Then, in 1959, he visited Pope John
XXIII --- marking the first time in more than 350 years that an Orthodox prelate had sought an audience
with the Pope. The encounter would serve as prelude to the historic meeting between John XXIII and
Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964. The Eastern branch of Christianity, rooted in the
Greek-speaking portion of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Western branch, rooted in the
Latin-speaking realms, had not come together since 1054 A.D., when the Patriarch of Constantinople
ordered the closing of Roman Catholic churches in his region, leading to his excommunication by Pope
Leo IX.
In 1965, in what many observers of Orthodoxy still call his greatest achievement, Archbishop Iakovos
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marched in Selma, Alabama, alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a New York Times article
reported: "The striking cover story in Time Magazine which depicted Dr. King side-by-side with the
black-garbed Iakovos marked a new presence of Greek Americans and the Greek Orthodox chuch in
American life." Even joining the ranks of those who opposed the Vietnam War, Iakovos remained
outspoken in his beliefs and observations. "If we lose our youth," he warned his flock in 1969, "our
churches will be empty within the next 10 years, except for those few survivors of our first-genenration
immigrants."
Iakovos' unexpected retirement in 1996, on his 85th birthday, left most members of his flock shocked and
stunned. Even today, there are some supporters of Iakovos who feel that his retirement was a sign that
Patriarch Bartholomew wanted to reaffirm his authority over the American church. At issue between the
Archbishop and the Patriarch at the time was a unification plan which Iakovos had conceived,
encompassing all the U.S.-based Orthodox churches with ties to the mother churches overseas, notably
the Albanian, Ukrainian, Syrian, Bulgarian, Serbian and Romanian churches. When, in early 1994,
Iakovos assembled the leading prelates of all these churches in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Bartholomew
was apparently displeased that the Archbishop had not immediately sought out his approval for such a
gathering. The Patriarch went on to denounce Iakovos' unification bid as a step toward independence
from the Mother Church of Istanbul.
Eventually, Iakovos was succeeded by Warren, Ohio's own George Papageorgiu, who subsequently took
the name of Spyridon. Alas, after 3 1/2 years, Archbishop Spyridon's reign was beset by allegations of
controversy, many of them stemming from a series of reports of sexual misconduct on the grounds of
Holy Cross Theological Seminary. By late 1999, the five ruling Metropolitans of the American Church
had voiced their concerns to Patriarch Bartholomew; the findings of their scathing joint report eventually
proved instrumental in bringing about Spyridon's unprecedented resignation as Archbishop. And so, in
the early spring of 2000, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios was brought in to continue the efforts
begun by his two immediate predecessors. 5 years later, His Present Eminence is still overseeing his
flock from his 79th Street and Central Park West headquarters --- where he remains one of the most
popular Greek Orthodox Archbishops in recent memory!
Still, even if Archbishop Iakovos was reaching the boundaries of old age, there were those at Greek
Orthodox Headquarters who still held a special place in their hearts for him. They'll tell you the tale, for
example, of the time he spent with the children of St. Basil's School at Garrison, NY. When it was time
for Iakovos to leave, then 7-year-old Marina Madiotis got mad at the people in charge at her school.
"He's my best friend," she pouted. "Make him come back!"
Today, I would suppose, there are many youngsters at St. Basil's who'd feel the same way. Of course, the
Eternals will, as ever, have other plans for those who are good at heart; and certainly, Archbishop
Iakovos was truly a good person at heart. His death at the age of 93 brings to a close the era of New York
City's three greatest religious heroes, the other two being John Cardinal O'Connor and Lubavitcher Grand
Rebbe Menachem Schneerson. Though their respective styles and methodologies differed, these three
leaders were, and are, praised by every New York City Mayor and New York State Governor who has
ever encountered them in their respective lifetimes. Their influences on New York's Government, both
State and City, will certainly never be forgotten.
Shortly before his retirement, Iakovos determined himself not to remain still in his devotion to his
beloved Archdiocese. To remain still, he believed, would only further hasten his death. "I will use the
time I have left to further my ecumenical work," he declared from his home in Rye, NY. "The Orthodox
Church in America must remain an active church and an activist church, because the world today needs
to be rearranged." One must hope, especially in a post-9/11 world, that Archbishop Demetrios can indeed
fulfill Iakovos' challenge ..... and triumph!
These Dark Chambers herewith encourage you to click above as shown, that ye might leave thy
condolences.
Magecraft in the News!
ither in this segment of these Dark Chambers, I, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster,
now present for thy perusal the latest breaking news from the realms of the Fantasy, RPG/Gaming, and
Renaissance Faire Multiverses! I hope you'll enjoy what I've got, so let's begin right away!
Boo-hoo-hoo!!! The time has come for a fond farewell to the Saul
Zaentz Company's Presentation of The Lord of the Rings: Live on
Stage! They've done 492 performances at Drury Lane's Theatre
Royal, enchanting some 446,000 fans ---and now, the show will close
on July 19th, having failed in its world premiere in Toronto several
months prior. They'll call it one of the costliest theatrical flops in
memory. I say, DON'T listen to them! Relish all the magic of Frodo
and friends, and the vision of producer Kevin Wallace;
author/lyricists Matthew Warchus (who also directed) and Shaun
McKenna; composers A.R. Rahman and Varttina; music
supervisor/orchestrator Chris Nightingale; set and costume designer
Rob Howell; and choreographer Peter Darling! Huzzah! to you all;
your tremendous efforts will never be forgotten!
Many of you will recall how your Dragonmaster paid heartfelt tribute
to the greatest New York eccentric of them all --- Louis Thomas
Hardin, Jr., a/k/a Moondog! Now in bookstores from Process Media
is the biography I had long thought would never be published:
Moondog: The Viking of 6th Avenue, by Robert Scotto, Professor of
Literature at CUNY's Baruch College; with an Introduction by Philip
Glass. In his new authorized bio, which you may also find at
BarnesandNoble.com and through Amazon.com, Dr. Scotto
examines Moondog's early life and adventures, and explores his
influence on present-day avant-garde composers. The new book
features a 28-track CD covering the Dog's 50 years of unusual
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musical achievements. Publication of the book coincided with the
recent Moondog Rising Festival, held at the Advent Lutheran Church
on 93rd Street and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan. Here, Dr. Scotto
was joined by Stefan Lakatos, master of the Trimba, along with
vocalists Ben Grow and Anisa & Roderick Romero; pianists Geoff
Duce and Eric Sedgwick; Eric's composer/pianist brother Daniel
Sedgwick; the Sospiro Wind Ensemble; and members of the
Eupraxia Players, Robin Boomer, Director. Portions of the event
were captured on film by Moondog's publishers, Managarm, to be
used in a future documentary feature which would be based on Dr.
Scotto's book.
The new British Columbia Renaissance Faire @ Aldergrove Park
begins its second season August 29th through 31st! Journey to the
website now for a preview! Huzzah!
The goodlies of 3alarmcarnival.com have produced a delicious
original documentary, Renaissance Men: The True Story of the
Hanlon-Lees Action Theatre! The David Baker Entertainment
production of a Kevin Leeser film follows the Knights of Hanlon-Lees
to the Arizona Renaissance Festival, to see just how modern-day
Knights rock and roll!
I trust that there are those among you who just love to wield a
sword. Fortunately, Galatia Films' Reclaiming the Blade, hosted by
John Rhys-Davies, should result in a considerable amount of
drooling from ye! With appearances by King Aragorn himself, Viggo
Mortensen, film swordmaster Bob Andersen, actor and classic
butt-kicker Karl Urban, conceptual artist John Howe and and Weta
Workshop's own Richard Taylor, this first-of-its-kind documentary
covers the entire history of swordplay in the performing and other
arts. It hits theatres in limited release this summer. Also from Galatia
Films is the epic drama Glastonbury: Isle of Light, in which we follow
the adventures of Joseph of Arimathea shortly after the Crucifixion
of Christ. The film will be shown in limited release during Holy Week.
These Dark Chambers are proud to have been able to support our
hosts at Yahoo! and cyber-artist Jonathan Harris in a unique
undertaking, one in which over 40,000 contributors have taken part.
Well, the Yahoo! Time Capsule is now closed until March 2nd, 2020:
Yahoo!, Inc.'s 25th Anniversary! At that time, as was the case prior,
for every contribution made to the Time Capsule, Yahoo! Inc. will
donate at least $100,000 and spread that amount amongst these
seven charities: The World Wildlife Fund, the International Rescue
Committee, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Grameen Foundation,
UNICEF, One.org, the International Children's Art Foundation and the
Seeds of Peace! Cool, huh?
As ye know, me Trollish pal Ik, who created me site's awesome logo,
will soon be back in residence at Atlanta's DragonCon --- where, as
before, much of the photos wherein he shall be featured will be taken
by his dear sweet Mumsey. Presently preparing to once more
assume his Trollish throne over at the Georgia Renaissance Festival,
the hairy hunk, alias Bryan Thompson, may also be seen at the
Georgia Independence Day Festival, and perhaps might show his
Trollish mug over at the North Carolina Renaissance Faire, as well.
Those of you who don't know who Ik is, click ye hither for your
Dragonmaster's special tribute to --- and exclusive, one-on-one
interview with --- the ol' Ikster!
Think the 2005 Inaugural New York City Beard & Moustache
Championships was something? Well, you're right: The Knitting
Factory was the place to be if you wanted laughter, frolic, beer --and, needless to say, BEARDS! (Did we mention that there was also
a documentary called Splitting Hairs that received its world premiere
there, too?) Well, the Beardians, led by Phil Olsen's BeardTeam USA,
did Brighton, England's Brighton Centre for the 2007 World Beard &
Mustache Championships, hosted by Brighton's venerable
Handlebar Club (which marked its 60th Birthday as well), with
proceeds to support the efforts of the children's hospital charity the
Rocking Horse Appeal.
Ultimately, San Francisco's own Jack Passion, 23, triumphed in the
Full Natural Beard category, with his flowing orange fuzz. Phil's
Beard Teamers took four additional trophies home: Burke Kenny,
Natural Full Beard with Styled Moustache; Marty Gerhinger, Natural
Goatee; Alexander Antebi, Imperial Moustache; and Jones Gandhi,
Moustache Freestyle. And, as you might expect, Germany's Elmar
Weisser was, as he was at the last Beard Bash in Berlin, the life of
the party --- transforming his whiskers into a literal representation of
London's Tower Bridge! Elmar defended his Championship in the
Full Beard Freestyle category, and his fellow Deutschlanders easily
dominated in English (Georg Lutz), Dali (Max Pankor), Hungarian
(Gunther Rosin), Imperial (Karl-Heinz Hille), Sideburns Freestyle (our
old pal Jurgen Burkhardt), Partial Beard Freestyle (Germany's
all-time beard legend, Willi Chevalier), Verdi Style (Durmus Sensoy)
and Garibaldi Style (Franz-Peter Pill) --- nine first-placers in all! Of
the winners from the host country, only two stood out: Paul Lewis in
Natural Moustache; and Ted Sedman in Chinese Style Moustache.
Also, artist Nick Morley shares his adventures with these wacky
bearded dudes, in Nick Morley's Amazing World of Beards, which
just finished up a nice, strange run at Brighton's Permanent Gallery!
Before that, though, there was the 3rd Annual High Sierra Beard &
Moustache Championships to be dealt with; that beard battle has
just recently wrapped up in the Village at Squaw Valley, California.
Toot Joslin, America's previous Beard King, will have all the details
for you, if you'll kindly e-mail him at
toot@highsierrabeardandmoustache.com. (Why, there's even a
quartet of mustache-lovin' superheroes: the FanTachestic 4!)
Meanwhile, the next stop for these Championships will be
Anchorage, Alaska, to be staged May 23rd, 2009, at the Dena'ina
Civic & Convention Center, and hosted by the South Central Alaska
Beard & Moustache Club, the City of Anchorage Area Lions Club and
the Tall Tales Taxidermy! There's more to learn at
anchorage.net/worldbeard!
I wish now to thank those of you who visited our Fort Tryon Park
Medieval Festival and made 2007's festivities the BEST ever! And of
course, that was partially due to the efforts of my colleagues, too:
Merdwin the Mediocre, the Crimson Pirates, the New York Scottish
Pipes, Drums and Dancers, and all our Sterling Forest, New York
Caledonian Club and SCA Eastern Kingdom friends! We all had a
jolly time sharing our wisdom, music, silliness and assorted other
medieval stuff with you good Mortals! We'll all be back on Sunday
afternoon, September 28th, to do it all again! Pray, be ye thither!
I am quite anxious to have you Mortals explore Sybil Kane's Insect
Wonderland! This unusual alphabet book was conceived over 50
years ago; and was recently rediscovered, revised and nurtured into
children's book status by the goodlies of Prescott, Arizona's One
World Press. The three who made it all happen: Parry Morton, Sybil's
niece, Carol Kane Simerly, and Carol's daughter Marguerite Young!
Please join your Dragonmaster in cheering on their noble efforts!
Huzzah!
Disney's live-action/CGI-animated musical, Enchanted!, is now out
on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray! Kevin Lima's three-time Academy
Award Nominee for Best Original Song stars Tony Award winner
Idina Menzel, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Amy Adams and, as
the evil Queen Narissa, Susan Sarandon. In the story, Adams stars
as Her Serene Highness, Princess Giselle --- who is banished from
her animated Kingdom of Andalasia by the nasty Narissa, whose
magic spirits our heroine into the live-action realm of present-day
New York City, where --- she thinks --- there's no such thing as 'true
love'. But it eventually turns out that Giselle soon finds herself
falling in love --- with a married man! Enchanted! features the first
major score from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz since The
Hunchback of Notre Dame!
And there's much action in Lucasland as well --- in the form of
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to be released
May 22nd! Sadly, this time you won't see the big showdown
featuring Indy vs. big ol' Pat Roach, the onetime
bodybuilder/wrestler having passed away July 17th, 2004. Expect the
film to be dedicated to Pat's memory, as well as that of Denholm
Elliott, who, of course, portrayed Dr. Marcus Brody, and was the first
among Indy's extended family we lost to AIDS.
A few Huzzah!'s to the goodlies from the land of Darkon, who, not
surprisingly, are the focus of the hot documentary entitled (Duh!)
Darkon, likewise now out on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray! Meanwhile,
click ye hither for my list of Darkon links in my Kingdoms section!
Her Majesty Queen Christina of Gilkeyshire once more invites
everyone to return to her Realm in Flint, Michigan, for Gilkeyshire
Faire --- 2 straight weekends of feasting, frolic and all the other good
Renaissance stuff, on the grounds of Flint's own Kearsley Park!
Merchant and entertainer applications are being accepted and
reviewed for the next Gilkeyshire Faire; for more information, ye may
e-mail Her Majesty at kafrinky@yahoo.com (I do hope that that is the
correct address!)
Mystic Realms' Fantasy & Folklore Festival is set for June 6th, 7th
and 8th, at Wheaton Arts in Wheaton, New Jersey! Photos and
recaps from the event to be posted soon!
The Kingston Renaissance Faire, in support of The Queen's Galley
--- a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides relief, awareness
and prevention of food insecurity --- is now seeking out a new venue,
and has undergone major staff changes and certain other matters of
interest. The Galley, also to be found hither, also supports, creates
and implements programs dedicated to the nutritional education of
children, families, and seniors. Would ye know more? Pray, e-mail
Steve Kraus, Creative Director, at krf@evindale.com or K. Lee Dixon
at kldixon@thequeensgalley.org for further details!
O, dear, sweet Debbie D! She and your humble Dragonmaster shall
team up again this coming Saturday, June 21st, for the 26th Annual
Coney Island Mermaid Parade! I trust ye'll all recall the 2005 Mermaid
Parade, wherein I was 13th in ye line of march --- and I got to witness
an actual, honest-to-Merlin Pirate wedding! Huzzah! and Hurrah!
Check out these photos from the 2004 Mermaid Parade, as taken by
the Corporate MoFo himself, Ken Mondschein! And yes, I'm in one of
them! (There are lots more photos from the Parade on the Coney
Island USA Message Board, too!) And click ye hither for Debbie and
her Sea Princess pal Serena, posing with Thor the Barbarian and me!
Huzzah!
(By the way, I'd like to thank the folks at Omnipelagos.com, as well
as the folks at TVWiki.tv, both of whose respective sites had the
good sense to preserve the original text of the missive I submitted to
those foolish Wikipedians! Like me, TVWiki.tv and Omnipelagos are
of the notion that you good folks have the right to know my full
story, as I originally submitted it to the Wikiwimps! Clearly,
Wikipedia has no taste for a Mage like me, I fear.)
Well, Mortals, that's some of the news your Dragonmaster has for
now. Click ye hither if ye would know more from the Realm of
Magecraft; or, otherwise, if you goodly gentles wish to share any
additional news items related to RPG/Gaming, Renaissance Faires
and Fantasy, regardless of the source or point of origin, I would be
delighted to hear from you! Please submit your items to our e-mail
addresses, electric_pirates@hotmail.com and
blackbeardian@yahoo.com. Be well! Huzzah!
In the meantime: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Blackwolf on Ik the Troll!
So what exactly turned your Dragonmaster on to Ik the Troll, you
ask?
Well, you have to blame Ded Bob for that, my friends! Believe me, when Ded Bob tells
you that Ik the Troll is, in the Ded One's words, "sooooo cute --- and funny, dammit," you
sure as hell better believe him! It took me a while to personally get in touch with the
Ikster; for a time, the Ik Files could not manifest itself, as Ik needed a few ticks of ye
clock to become a Trollish dad (yes, he did of yore have a family of Iklings to support,
you know!). Nonetheless, Ik the Troll is quite a legend among those who have visited the
Georgia Renaissance Festival; and I certainly hope that Ik's legions of fans can seek him
out. If, of course, he doesn't seek them out first.
So, having said that, here's my exclusive one-on-one with ol' Ik, King of all Trolls!
Why have ye been dormant all this time?
Well, first I had a short, 24-month long nap, which was interrupted by a Goblin Courier
who had a summons for me to join the Troll Courts for an Official Meeting, and, long
story short, I was elected King of the Trolls, much to mine own surprise. Didn't even
nominate meself, 'twas apparently a write-in vote. Since then, I've been performing the
duties of Troll King, regulating Autumn for Mother Nature, dealing with Bridging Issues
for the Bridgeless, etc.
Have ye been busy with that novel ye were working on?
Oh! Ye means the one being written about me. I was contacted by a sturdy young man
long ago who wrote down a lot of things I'd said about my own life. He checks back with
me now and again for additional details, and just to catch up for a spot of tea. He tells
me the book's trudgin' along, but to a Troll, that's neither here nor there, since we can
write and yet we can't read.
What can those mere Mortals at the Georgia Renaissance Festival expect from your
return next season?
Well, tea will be at 4 o'clock, of course --- nothing shall get in the way o' that! I hope to
help Humankind to better understand the nature of Nature, respect the trees, see things
from beyond the narrow vision into which Humans tend to corral themselves, dance like
nobody's watching --- sorry, what was the question again?
What has been your weirdest moment of the year thus far?
I had a bumper crop of ToeJam which, as of just last month, is now considered a major
delicacy in France. Strange people, those French. Behold! the Power of Cheese!
Do Trolls dream of electric sheep? (One of those weirder questions, there.)
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Trolls dream of memories of long ago, and things yet to be --- the waking world that be
the Dream that is today. That deep enough for ya?
Where can I next see ye, if I don't see ye at Faire, then?
I be planning to do DragonCon, where I hope to meet up with a few of me old friends.
Other than that, it's back to cleaning out all the pollution out o' me old bridge. You
Humans and yer pollution! You do realize, don't you, that you always make Native
Americans cry when you do that?
Tell me about life as a Troll in the Atlanta-Fulton County Region. Do people stop and
stare and ask the obvious questions, which they need not do?
Actually, ye'd be surprised how I fit in around here. Being so close to Alabama, Trolls
just don't stand out too much.
What do the folks at DragonCon think of you, and why do you want to take it over so
badly?
Ssssssshhhhh!!!!! Takin' DragonCon over be a secret!!! I've always been popular there!
All the stars want to pose for pictures with me. I get to meet some of the niftiest Humans
around --- Soupy Sales, for instance; some of the cast members from all the Star Wars
films; and I even spent 30 minutes with Margot Kidder, which was great! I just love all
those movies you Humans make! As for why I wanna take DragonCon over, well --- just
blame it on the thrill that goes with being King of the Trolls goin' to me 'ead. Someone
once said that with great power comes great responsibility, but the power's enough for
me. I can always leave the responsibilty in the fridge for later. (Hope it doesn't go bad.)
What attracted ye to that strange, bizarre land of MySpace?
There be a few o' me Human friends there that wanted me to keep in contact with 'em.
Despite the reputation of MySpace being a haven for pedophiles and psychotic teens (I
have yet to actually meet one thither!), I'm also featured on City of Heroes on the
Protector server, along with my horribly out-of-date website, and my CafePress site.
Will ye be more of a ladies' Troll?
If I were any more of a ladies' Troll, I'd have to wear some sort of flea-colar device to
kepe them away! You do know, don't you, that AXE body spray is made from
Troll-sweat?
What did ye think when the freaks of Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest and
became Finland's newest national heroes?
Just goes to prove how nice guys Finnish last!
Are ye into heavy metal these days?
Nah, too crunchy. Tryna cut down and slim up.
As ye may or may not have heard recently, I have pursued other trolls from Finland --Finntroll, to be more precise. Your reaction?
Well, in my abscence, I understand the need to fill the void. They do rock, for true --- and
we Trolls know all about rocks. Waitaminnit --- you pursued them? Ye've not become a
Troll Hunter, have ye?
What, I wonder, will bring ye to the Carolina Faire? Have ya any plans for the folks
attending thither?
As a Knight of the Sidhe, I'll be attending as a Champion to one of the Avatars of the
Faerie Queen. As for my other plans there, none exactly --- I just hope they have tea,
though.
One more question: when in Merlin's name are ye gonna visit ye Byg Appyl?
I've already been! I watched from a distance as Manhattan Island was purchased with
some beads. But I hope to return there someday, as I hear there be the most
WONDERFUL bridges! I know not when I might return to ye Byg Appyl, much less take a
bite out of it whole. From what I've heard about the place, Trolls don't stand out there too
much, either.
Well, as you can see from the photo here, Ik is rather nice to the world's littler creatures
(but only when he wants to be!). Click above to experience Ik's world, or visit Ik's
MySpace.com domain --- and remember, "Tusk no one!"
More Magecraft in the News!
More Magecraft in the News!
Well, Filmation fans, you are about to get one doozy of a present --- because Lou
Scheimer's going to tell the full, complete Filmation story, and Filmation historian (and
Village People/Can't Stop the Music expert) Andy Mangels is going to help him. Look for
Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation, coming to bookstores worldwide June
11th, from TwoMorrows Publishing!
Well, friends of Firiona (and ye knows who ye be!), I trust you enjoyed your recent soiree
in Vegas, baby! Aye, 'twas the Sony Online Entertainment FanFaire at the Rio
Hotel-Casino! Milady Firiona Vie and all her EverQuest friends (and fiends!) invaded the
place, goofed off, made some magic, munched on one or two few unsuspecting Mortals
for lunch, and even had a few of their Dwarven Warrior pals bash in a head or four. Cool,
huh?
For Halloween 2005, your Dragonmaster was interviewed by Milady Jessica Burgess!
She hosts Audiozine: The Radio Show for Your Do-it-Yourself Lifestyles, heard
exclusively on London, Ontario's CHRW-FM 94.9, on the campus of the University of
Western Ontario. Our conversation coincided with Audiozine's Halloween episode.
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Blackwolf's Gallery of Faire Friends
ither within this section of these Dark Chambers do I now present several recent
photographs, submitted by Faire friends from all over the various Shires, Realms and Kingdoms of the
Multiverse, which I have deemed suitable for inclusion herein. Enjoy!
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I (Mary B. Kababik), Ruler of the 2000 Bristol Renaissance
Faire!
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Sir Clisto Seversword, Knight of the Holy Blade of York, and his son, Squire Dustin, as
they pose for regal portraits during the Bristol Renaissance Faire 2005! (Surprisingly
enough, these new Flemish paintings came straight from Lord Seversword's own
archives!)
King Henry VIII & Lady Victoria (Jacob and Edith van Housen) ---two old friends from the
Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival --- posing with me and several furry Furbies during
Sterling Forest 2000!
(Submitted by blueyedwitch@hotmail.com)
Our Exalted Brother Merlin (Bill Palmer), performing in front of an appreciative audience
during his Farewell Season at the Texas Renaissance Festival @ Plantersville!
Bill and Gordon, from West Allis, WI's own Wild Mountain Thyme, now calling
themselves 3 Pints Gone, as they venture forth to their next performance during a day
spent at Bristol!
His Majesty, Oberon the Magnificent, King of the Fae (Gene Landry), in all his fabulous
winged splendor!
King Oberon and Queen Titania the Fabulous,
along with King Helebrand and Queen Elistari of the Elvenrealm,
the Elementals of the Four Seasons, and the other members of the Faerie and Elven
Courts, pose for this happy Royal Family portrait! Huzzah!
Here are two more new shots from Clisto's archives: my ancient old pal is joined hither
by His Majesty, King Henry the Red of Shiabruck, whose traditional Medieval Festival is
always a hoot!
Another veteran of the Bristol Faire is Lord Magnus of Correion. Here he is at the 2005
Return to Camelot Medieval Faire, eyeing the potential wench who might yet pass his
way.
Now, there be other paintings hither in this Gallery than ye thought ye imagined, so I beseech thee,
click ye hither, that ye might explore more!
Blackwolf's Gallery of Faire Friends, Room 2
Blackwolf's Gallery of Faire Friends,
Room 2
Their Majesties, King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn (Richard Patterson and
Shannon Hopps), America's longest-reigning Renaissance Faire couple, still enjoying
their dominance o'er the Scarborough Renaissance Festival of Waxahachie, Texas! Click
ye hither for your Dragonmaster's little tribute!
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Your Dragonmaster's favorite lute-strummer, Master Craig of Farrington, at the 2003
Florida Renaissance Festival!
Now, venture forth to the next Room of the Gallery, to discover who else is rank'd among
Blackwolf's Faire Friends!
Room 3
What can your Dragonmaster say about this Mage that I have not already said? Clad in
his full purple splendor, Merdwin the Mediocre (Scott Payne) loves to show everyone
why he's the slightly scatterbrained Wizard that I have come to know and love so dearly.
Ben Cherry, the world's favorite impersonator of the Most Dangerous Pirate on Earth
(and raison d'erte for Electric Pirates Entertainment, your Dragonmaster's parent
company) --- Blackbeard! Here be the Bad Boy of Bristol, England in all his Piratical
glory; but ye may also check him out over at the Onslow County, NC Public Library, one
of several North Carolina stops he makes before journeying to Virginia, where he and his
First Mate DeeGee headline the annual Downtown Hampton Roads Blackbeard Festival.
If I may, yo ho ho and a bottle of Coca-Cola Classic!
The Georgia Renaissance Festival's beloved hairy hunk, Ik the Troll (Bryan Thompson),
in a rare moment of deep Trollish thought.
Now then, onward to the next Room for more of my Faire Friends! Huzzah!
Room 4
Lovable Ragnar the Viking, (here with one of his little Viking friends), always prepar'd to
give his all for his beloved Minnesota Vikings!
Frank Hui shares with us the 2004 Grande Entry of Her Majesty, Queen Margaret (Lolly
Foy), Royal Boss Babe of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!
Now, if you please, click ye hither, to visit the next Room in the Gallery!
Room 5
Well, well! As I live and breathe --- a pair of Bills! Little Rock, Arkansas' own motivational
speaker/magician, Bill Fulton, mugging merrily with our Exalted Father of Mages (Bill
Palmer)!
There goes ol' Frank Hui again, this time capturing Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon
(Greg Taylor and Rosella Gonzalez) in all their finery. This entry from Sir Robyn's files,
by the way, is from the 2003 Plantersville party.
Still more to see, Lords and Ladies! Pray, click ye hither to view the
Gallery's next Room!
Room 6
Elizabeth I, Queen of all England (Lisa Petersen), rules the land at the Ohio Renaissance
Festival! Fearless Frank Hui, whose works dominate Sir Robyn of Sotherby's Roost,
captures Her Majesty's magic as only he can!
Now consider this, dearies: You're His Majesty, King Henry VIII of England, and ye find
thyself confronted by a whole mess of Junior Tudors --- in full period costume, no less!
What dost thou doest, Milords and Miladies? Pose for a big party-style portrait, that's
what you do, you sillies! Behold!
More of me Faire Friends in ye next Room!
Blackwolf's Gallery of Faire Friends, Page 7
Page 7!
King Russell and Queen Eileen, in royal emerald green!
It's 1/27/2007, and Their Majesties, King Gabriel and Queen Ashley of Noblesse, are
presiding over the 22nd Annual Coronation Ball of the Krewe de la Noblesse, at Lake
Charles, Louisiana's Civic Center Coliseum. The 2007 Theme: A Shakespearean
Interlude.
Russell Grantham runs Plus Sales Distributors, LLC, and is a longtime member of the
Buccaneers of Lake Charles. Eileen, his wife, is longtime Treasurer of the Krewe Deja Vu
du Monde.
They have five kids: Suzanne, Donna, Norma, Gabe and Casey!
More Flemish portraits hither in the Gallery's next Room!
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Blackwolf's Gallery of Faire Friends, Page 8!
Page 8!
Declan McCullagh captures the full splendour of Fred Nelson as His Majesty King Henry
VIII. Taken in October 2004 at Crownsville, this is the first time whereby your
Dragonmaster can properly introduce you to a really sensible photo depicting the Tudor
Dynasty's Big Kahuna as he ponders his destiny as lord and master of the Maryland
Renaissance Festival!
The Bug Babe in all her facially delicious glory: Milady Insectavora, from Coney Island
USA's Sideshows by the Seashore!
Now, if thou wouldst, click ye hither to view the Gallery's last Room!
Page 9!
King Terrence (Terry Long) hopes you were able to see him (and his faithful Royal Teddy
Bear) --- captured here by photographer Bette Marshall --- strutting the usual Royal Stuff,
in Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter: The Musical, by Tim Battle and Robert Neal Marshall, and
based upon the book by Diane Stanley. In fact, here's King Terence now, sung here by
Kevin LeCaon, crooning his own number, the hilarious Goody, Goody, Goody [I'm the
Richest King I Know] !
From the files of Pastimes: King Louis and Queen Anne celebrate the joy of a
spectacular reign! Vive la Belle France!
It's August 31st, 2003, and in this merry photo by Valerie Olson, King Henry and Queen
Margaret preside over the Minnesota Renaissance Festival's Children's Knighting
Ceremony! Huzzah!
Be there a Flemish painting ye wish to see enshrin'd hither in my Gallery of Faire Friends?
Pray, e-mail me, and I shall see to it that said Flemish painting is ensconsed hither posthaste!
Huzzah! and hurrah!
The Gallery is under construction again; pray, check ye back anon!
or: How Blackwolf Can Work His Magic for You!
ell, Mortals, now that you know all that you need to know about New York's
Unofficial Wizard, do you feel that somehow it isn't enough? Would you still like to know even more
about ol' Blackwolf?
More to the point, would you like to hire my services? If so, here's a list of the things for which this
humble old Mage is available:
● Storytelling and Wisdom. This, of course, is the heart and soul of all that I do --- especially with
the children, of whom I am especially fond. It helps immensely if the kids (and here, I must stress
that my specific target audience is between the ages of 9 and 13) are good, well-behaved,
terrifically-skilled in the art of using their imaginations --- and especially if they know how to
believe in dragons! (Oh, and did I mention that I have one or two connections with a certain K.
Kringle?)
● Comedy and Commentary. Always clean, but occasionally with a grumble or two about life in ye
Big Apple. Hey, you try being a 4800-year-old Wizard who inadvertently winds up trapped in the
greatest city in the Mortals' Realm ..... 'tis not exactly what one would describe as a simple walk in
the Enchanted Forest! (Heh-heh!)
● Calligraphy and Typography. Ah yes, there's nothing I like better than putting my ten very
talented fingers to work --- believe me, Lords and Ladies: I love it, I love it, I loooooove it! I can
liven up your party invitations, business cards, letterheads, or even a wedding feast or two with my
lettering prowess; in fact, if it be hip-hop, classical, early Renaissance, or standard New Age
lettering, I can design anything on paper that you can use!
● Website Logo Design. This is the other type of work I do with my aforementioned ten talented
fingers --- and what's more, I do not use any computers to do it, either! Previously, that means
I've designed the website logo for the popular singing duo The Bedlam Bards; as well as the
website logo for my fellow Mage, Ryleh the Wanderer. I should also mention that I've also created
a logo for yet another of me good friends, Dragonlord Kilber K'zar.
● Weddings! If you think you can willingly accept the challenge, your Dragonmaster now does
weddings, too! I can, if thou so desire, add a silly, and often strange touch to your special moment!
The format is as follows: I bless the bride and groom, followed by a short storytelling session, a
few photo ops and the traditional meet-n'-greet! Huzzah!
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And of course, as some of you may already know, I continue to seek out financial and other
arrangements regarding my documentary film project about myself, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's First
Movie! For you newcomers to these Dark Chambers, the film tells the tale of how I came to be the Big
Apple's first and only Unofficial Wizard; and chronicles a day in my magical life (and that's as far as I
intend to go in terms of a plot synopsis, thank you!).
My asking prices for the above-listed talents are as follows:
●
Storytelling, comedy and/or commentary --- $150-$200
●
Website logo design and calligraphy --- $150-$250
Weddings and personal appearances, including traveling and
other expenses --- $350-$600
●
In the case of weddings and personal appearances, my rules are as follows:
First and foremost, SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY, PLEASE! Interested Mortals wanting to step up to
the challenge of having me crash thy party should provide a proper phone number and any additional
contact information, in the event that I end up in a situation where I'm unable to locate said person or
place which hired me (this being New York City, one can never be too careful, you know!). Also, a
face-to-face meeting is certainly a MUST! I can contact you in or out of my robes, if need be; all I ask in
return is that you please be specific as to where EXACTLY you are located, be ye in New York or
elsewhere, as I don't really want to have to be forced into tracking people down needlessly! Once we seal
ye deal (in writing, preferably), you pay me in cash immediately once I show up; at which point, I do ye
olde meet-n'-greet/photo op thing, and then properly vanish.
And now that we've made that little caveat clear, let me say once more that, if you wish to hire me
services for any or all of these things, or if you simply want my complete story, you're more than
welcome to e-mail me!
And one other reason for the serious enquiries thing: If in fact you work the LARP circuit, and yet
cannot accept my present status as a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
at face value, be warned that that's a very good way to lose customers, because your Dragonmaster will
not be tolerant of those who resent me AFTRA status! As an AFTRA member, I must obey that
organization's by-laws; those of you having problems with that, I wish I could be of help. Also, I am now
only accepting written contracts for future personal appearances. The reason for this is rather simple: not
only is it good business, but I have no wish to be swindled by some silly person who wanted to somehow
weasel his/her way out of the commitment to use my services. In other words, if you brew this particular
beer, in a sense, you ARE expected to drink it! Meaning, you pay me period, or I don't work for you at
all.
Nevertheless, as always, the e-mail addresses are: electric_pirates@hotmail.com and
blackbeardian@yahoo.com. Those of you who wish to contact me via the slow process --- 'snailmail,'
as you Mundaners call it --- the address thither is:
BLACKWOLF THE DRAGONMASTER
c/o EPE Holdings, Inc.
Suite #14E, 15948 Harlem River Drive
New York, NY 10039-1012 USA
I would certainly enjoy hearing from you; I stand ready to accomplish whatever mission you can grant
me! (We Wizards just love taking on challenges; that's why we are so fond of those who love using their
imaginations! Huzzah!)
Blackwolf's 1st Movie!
am so incredibly proud of what I am now about to share with you, dear friends --because it's something, quite frankly, that I've always wanted to do ever since I first posted these pages
hither 'pon ye Wyrlde Wyde Webbe! I humbly present, for your perusal and enjoyment, the first proposal
for a little thing I like to call........
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's First
Movie!
Admit it, Mortals: you have always wanted to know how I became New York's Mage in the first place,
right? Well, this documentary (with a slightly fictional slant) finally tells the epic story! You'll see how
the Grand High Istari elevated me to the title of Dragonmaster; how I was dispatched into the present day
Multiverse; and you'll even discover a little of my early life as the warrior youth Padraig of Abbeyleix!
What's more, my First Movie also will bring you scenes from a typical wizardly day in the life of your
fearless, humble Dragonmaster. Yes, it is going to be quite an adventure --- it will feature, should all go
according to plan, interviews and observations from a few of my friends from my two Home Faires;
commentary from a few interested Mortals --- and also, I even get to sing a song or two! Lovely, eh
what?
Of course, no motion picture can properly get off the ground without being financed first. That is why I
turn to you: street performers, RenFaire personnel, foundations, individuals --- any one with a yen for
checking out this most unusual website, these Dark Chambers. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't even mind
too terribly if, after checking the site out, you e-mailed one or two of my segments to a friend! (Just
remember, a good deal of what I post hither is indefinitely in a constant state of construction!)
Any and all interested Mortals who would like to help me get my First Movie documentary project off
the ground are hereby encouraged to contact me, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster, by snailmailing me c/o
EPE Holdings, Inc. (Attn: Richard Washington, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), Suite # 14E,
15948 Harlem River Drive, New York, NY 10039-1012 USA; or by e-mailing me at either
electric_pirates@hotmail.com or blackbeardian@yahoo.com. I would certainly love hearing from
you; I am quite anxious to share my saga with any and all who are willing to give it a try ....... and, of
course, to believe in the magic of Dragons and the Imagination! Huzzah!
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Blackwolf's 1st Movie!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bw1stfilm.html (2 of 2) [2008/04/22 08:36:00 AM]
Blackwolf's Webrings!
Blackwolf's Webrings!
Powered by WebRing.
These Dark Chambers are affiliated with WebRing.
To browse, pray, visit hither!
This Medieval & Renaissance site
is owned by Blackwolf the Dragonmaster.
Wanna join the Medieval & Renaissance Ring?
[Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [Random] [Next 5] [List Sites]
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwebrings.html [2008/04/22 08:36:03 AM]
Blackwolf Presents the Story of Rocky the Leprechaun
In March 2003, partly to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and partly to honor his 20 years of faithful service
as one of the Denver Broncos' most beloved and popular boosters, these Dark Chambers chose as our
March 2003 Bonus Link none other than Rocky the Colorado Leprechaun! Glen Scott Brougham first
created the character in 1979, in part as a promotional service for the Colorado State Lottery. Nearly 30
years later, Rocky has become a Denver icon --- a permanent fixture in Denver's annual St. Patrick's
Day Parade, as well as an eminent Bronco booster, in the tradition of his equally legendary colleague,
Tim (The Barrel Man) McKernan. Yet at the same time, he has visited hospitals and nursing homes,
spearheaded several of his own fundraising events for local charities, and has even written his own
collection of original poetry. Through it all, he has never wavered from his never-ending journey of
making everyone, the children especially, giggle with delight.
To observe his 25th year of service, the Colorado State Legislature honored Rocky with a special
Proclamation, declaring the Big Green Day as "Rocky the Leprechaun Day" in the City of Denver!
As New York's Mage, I remain honored to be able to share with you the wonderful saga of how the magic
of the Rainbow led to Rocky's being granted the name that has been an integral part of his life ever since.
With that in mind, not to mention with his permission, and with his text slightly adapted for grammatical
correctness, as it were, your Dragonmaster is pleased to present, in his own words:
The Story of Rocky the Leprechaun
y name is Rocky, and I'm a Leprechaun. Us Wee Folk normally have just one
name, with the exception of our Elders and our High Chieftain, all of whom have earned their last names.
I share my home in the forests of Colorado with a wonderful assortment of Elves, Faeries and other
Woodland beings. Together, we all live in a special region of Colorado we call Magic Mountain. It's
called that, of course, because those who live there are --- well, magical!
But I'm here because I want to share with you the true story of how I came to wear this particular
rainbow on me shoulders --- the one that gave me me very own name! Now, 'tis said that Leprechauns, as
a rule, are always magical. Now, I'm not the first to admit it to any of ye Mortals, for whom we must
obviously be a sight to behold, but I do know that Leprechauns do believe in the power of Magic. We see
it every day that we're alive!
MAGIC
We see it in the sunrise,
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We see it in the dew,
We see it in the rising fog
And days so fresh and new.
We see it in the butterfly,
We see it in the toad,
We see it in the friends we meet
Each time we cross the road.
We see it in the music,
We see it when we write,
We see it when we wake up,
And fall asleep each night.
Magic is only magic
To those who do believe.
So cherish and protect it --It's a wondrous planted seed.
As they grow, each young Leprechaun boy or girl learns the wonders of the forest. By seeing those
wonders, they slowly begin seeing the magic within themselves. That magic grows with practice until,
when they're full-grown, they can do all sorts of wondrous things. It's always been a part of our heredity
to be able to claim proficiency at the gifts given us all by Mother Nature.
Our ancestors first appeared in the country of Ireland. I guess that's the place where all Leprechauns
come from, really. Our love for the world's forests has sent us popping in and out of various regions
throughout the Planet that are world-renowned for their magic and beauty. And when I was young, I, too,
had a desire to see some of those wonderful places. It was said that I was blessed with the gift of inner
sight more than most Leprechauns my age; indeed, no matter where I looked, folks used to say that I
could always find a rainbow in hiding. It didn't take long before I began to develop a fascination with
rainbows.
VISION I
I have found in all my travels,
That rainbows do appear.
I see them in each sunrise,
On days so bright and clear.
I see them every rainy day,
I see them on the shore,
I see them in icicles --Of rainbows, I want more!
So I go chasing rainbows,
Finding those I see,
Filling each with color and wonder,
In the facts that let them be.
In time, the fascination became an obsession, and my days were flooded with anticipation when I
searched for them --- and attainment when I discovered them. As I grew, so did my magic, which I found
to be increasingly helpful with my searchings; and it was then that I began to discover that there was a
world that existed beyond Magic Mountain and her safe forests, and I wasted no time expressing my
wish to pursue their wonders wherever rainbows coud be found.
But the Elders warned me about the dangers of the World Beyond. According to legend, the Humans had
written up stories of how we Leprechauns had pots of gold, and that the lust of Humankind could prove
threatening, even to one as innocent as myself. Aye, we still do save and gather gold, but we only do so
for its its lovely color, and for no other reason. There has never been any real lust for gold amonst us
Leprechauns, for we have long known its worth. Besides, gold is easily created with a little Leprechaun
magic to begin with.
GOLD
Just as an ounce of gold has worth
So has all that dwells on Earth
Just as gold lights fire within
So do stars when night begins.
All in Life is of its own beauty in seeing
The worth is its own opportunity
Though gold may be wondrous to behold,
Recall its worth --- 'tis only gold!
And there were other dangers as well: not every big animal is aware of the kindness of us Leprechauns. I
knew I could count on my ability to shrink and enlarge meself at will. This would allow me to
communicate with them, if they would but listen. Sometimes, one of the problems of this Life is that if a
person is unaware of magical ways, they'll never hear the music or experience the wonder that Magic has
to offer.
Travelling would be no problem, either: I could pop in and out at will during my journeys at any given
moment, allowing me the chance to knapsack it through the forest. If any obstacles ever came to me, I
could summon my magic at any split-second.
And so, I bid a fond farewell to friends and family. I had no idea how long I'd be gone from the safety
and comforts of Magic Mountain. But the lure of exploring new places was quite a strong force...... Still,
it was time to go.
FREEDOM
I take a step down the road,
Not knowin' where I'll rest,
But in taking me second step,
I feel Life is at its best.
Freedom in a free soul,
Leaving all you know,
Looking for excitement
At each step down the road.
Reaching a small waterfall, I sat in its mists. At just the precise moment, a beam of sunlight hit them.....
and a rainbow appeared. Wasting no time, I sat in its glow on a moss-covered rock. As I closed my eyes,
I imagined a glorious waterfall flooded with rainbows. One moment later, I opened my eyes .... and
found meself staring at a towering waterfall, tall and magnificent. The sensations within me grew in
intensity as I stared at a glowing rainbow within the mists. Somehow, I had opened myself up to the
amazements that only Mother Nature could provide.
I decided to descend into the mists near the base of the falls. Here, you could hear the thunderous sounds
of the ever-plunging waters. And there was a miracle beyond my wildest imaginings: two beautiful
rainbows encircling me, while a third spanned the very chasm of the falls. It was here, in this protective
rainbow bubble, that I enjoyed my first fruits and day-cakes. I just sat there, immersing meself in
rainbow hues and dripping, pounding waters. This was truly a rainbow day fer sure!
REWARD
I took a walk into the spray
Below a towering fall
On boulders wet in winds so fierce,
I stood below its walls.
The gale-force winds blew the spray,
I've never felt such force.
And sunlight shone upon it all,
And 'round me, two rainbows formed.
Such a rhapsody of mists that blow!
Such crashing roars and thunder!
These are falls that shower rainbows
Upon the one who ventures.
Upon leaving the falls, I soon set up camp in the nearby woods, making sure I was nowhere near the
coming sunrise as I sought out a rainbow in the dawn. Throughout the night, the water's songs played and
the moonglows cast their light over my little campsite. Those rainbows even surrounded the fireflies'
lights, as did the sparks of the little fire I had created. I was growing more and more aware.
With the next morning's dawn, I noticed that the dew had fallen on everything --- the grass, the flowers,
the branches. As the first warming rays of the sunlight touches those precious droplets, they were set
aglow with wee rainbow sparkles. Even the spiderwebs were shining like pearls on silken thread. I soon
washed the Dreamdust from me eyes with the rainbow's iridescent hues; how refreshing their newness
was!
FRESHNESS
In morning dew I wake up,
With rainbows from dew I cleanse.
With energy I greet this new day.
New dawnings never end!
The visions of Life I perceive through
The wonders of Life I adore.
The freshness of rainbows engulf me,
More adventures in Life are in store!
After some warming brew and day-cake, I returned to the chasm of the falls. There, as I had anticipated,
the rainbows appeared.
VISION II
As the morning sun rose into the sky,
The towering falls came alive.
For fleeting moments, mist and sun-born
Rainbows showered the valley floor.
The golden sprays shot into the air
And turned to red, and orange appeared,
And the lower falls were lit too,
in violet and the deepest blue.
Almost a fire's glow existed
Below the mighty falls in the mist.
And only for me this vision to see:
Rainbow mists, bathing canyon and me.
Sure, and if one never looks for a rainbow, he or she will never find their color unless it's by chance, I've
always said. There are always wonders for the soul who opens up and goes to seek the rainbow. And
having seen these particular beauties, I thought to myself: Surely, there can be no place where rainbows
can sparkle like these dewdrops and falls. I thought a lot about this as I munched contentedly on fresh
berries and day-cakes, washed down with rainbow dewdrops. What a breakfast that was! I then sat down
to meditate on a place even more twinkling than this: In a flash, the thunder of the falls was replaced with
the pounding of the sea.
At the seashore, the day was clear and bright. The waves marched in like rows of soldiers, restless, ever
relentless. At the edge of the water line, a sea foam was tossed and caught. Here, glistening from the
edges of the waves, are me million rainbows, dancing at the waves' command as though they were a
ribbon of diamonds! As I walked to the shoreline toward the rocks where the waves broke, I noticed
more rainbows being born. At that point, I just sat there and watched Nature exhort her heartbeat. I just
felt so observant and grand.......
KING OF THE SEA
Proud sat the King as he watched
The endless procession march in.
As he sat on his throne he wondered
Just where his armies had been.
They'd bow down in reverence before him,
And praise him with thundering roar
That shook the Earth with a pounding
Which was heard from each mountain and shore.
These armies had conquered the far-off shore
And had set foot on so many lands!
The Monarch inspected these spoils of their wars
That were strewn across these rolling sands.
He chose white jewels from England,
And coral from the Great Barrier Reef,
And strange little pebbles from who-knows-where
And rainbows at his feet.
With all these in hand, I bid my farewell,
For it was time for me to leave.
But I knew I'd return again someday
To the throne of the King of the Sea!
How wonderful the sea was! It went out forever! Beyond the shore, I noticed a small boat skipping the
waves; her sail was decorated with a rainbow. My excitement then knew no bounds! Could the Humans
know of rainbow magic, too? Yes, my passion for rainbows had emboldened me; and accordingly, I
decided to attempt to contact the Humans who were sailing in the boat. Rendering meself invisible, I
popped aboard. I landed on the bow of the little boat, the seaspray awash in me hair. The mists gave the
sailboat what I like to call "rainbow bumpers." To my surprise, the Humans took no notice of them. i
walked about and caught several glints from a mirror's edge. There were rainbows aboard, but again, the
Humans had failed to notice them. I felt disappointed. I had hoped that the Humans knew of rainbow
magic. The fact that a rainbow was festooned on one of their sails was a start.
Returning to the shore, I pondered these creatures who had rainbows, and yet were incapable of realizing
their magic. I must learn more of these Humans. These Big Folk, as we Leprechauns often call Humans,
were quite a mystery to me. And so I developed a plan.
UNNOTICED
Where do rainbows foster?
Where do rainbows shine?
Where do they go unnoticed,
By all who pass them by?
On I drifted, seeing rainbows intertwining and forming new colors. When I next opened my eyes, I found
meself standing on a busy street in the Human city known as Denver, Colorado. Though I was still
invisible, I nonetheless was forced to hide, as I was not used to all this hustle and bustle. Why, then, was
I here at all? How could rainbows exist amidst such chaos? People were passing one another by and not
speaking to each other. There were colored lights, but they flashed quite coldly. The sky was unclear.
There were dirty puddles in the streets. Just when I was certain I'd found a place where rainbows did not
shine, my wandering eyes caught a brief glint. In the distance, coming my way and surrounded by a few
tall and over-powering people, I sensed a rainbow --- in the eyes of a child!
HUNGER
It was there, in yearning of learning.
It was there in its wonder.
It was there --- the rainbow shone!
It was there in inner hunger.
How can Humans lose sight of rainbows? The color of Life, as seen by a child, never seems to get lost or
even fall out of perception. Those who call themselves "grown-ups" often tend to lose faith in rainbow
magic, or never even believe in it at all. How, then, could my magic bring visions of rainbows and the
wonders that go with them back to the Human world? Surely, I thought, if I could find a way to remind
these Humans of the rainbows within them, maybe their insight could enhance the rainbow spirit. But
how could I share what my visions had seen?
Magic, I soon realized, is the key to bringing color to the Humans. So I popped back to the forest. Here,
armed with all the luck and magic I could muster, I could collect all the colors in the rainbow --- and then
share them with the world! I went everywhere: sampling waterfalls, adding pinches of dewdrops and sea
foam, seeking out glints from the edges of icicles and sparkles from the twinkling stars. My visions took
me around the Planet and beyond it; and I collected every last color in a small six-sided glass bottle. And
through my travels, I had poured the samples of a million rainbows.
Over the weeks of toil, the weight began growing, and my bottle of rainbow essence swirled. Oh what an
accomplishment it was, gathering and sharing a wealth of color, feelings, and amazement with a world
quite blind to the rainbows of this Life. At last, the day came when me vial was completely full, and there
was more magic, color and vision than I had thought possible. Now, how could I deliver all of this wealth
to the world?
And that's when I envisioned ---- my Sunshine Sled!
It would be driven by the first piercing rays of the morning light --- the same piercing rays that push back
the night, bring hope to the new day, signify the renewals of Life, and bring the world clarity, adventure,
and the Sun's love of Time. The vessel itself would be golden with a rainbow bubble and silver vents --a perfect conveyance with which I could spread me rainbow essence. Once those concentrated droplets
had spread, there'd be a new brilliance in the world, with which would come a new spirit of awakening.
Summoning all my powers and strength, I lifted me huge bottle into me new Sunshine Sled. Wishing
meself good luck, I then sent it toward the approaching dawn. As the Sun touched the Sled, it sped off,
forming in its wake a rainbow sunrise..... From the first colors of the new dawn to the deep purple of
night withdrawn, here at last was me rainbow day, which I had so long worked hard for. I just sat back,
feeling proud and joyful at my accomplishment. Then, I ate the last of me dry-cakes and took a good
swallow or two of good ol' rainbow dew. At last, it was time for me to go home.
So I sat back, closed my eyes, and pictured meself back home at dear old Magic Mountain. When I
opened my eyes, I was indeed back at my small waterfall, with its rainbow light.
Walking up the hill, I could see friends and family greeting me anew. What a welcome I received:
"Rocky's home! Rocky's back! And what a glorious rainbow sunrise to herald his return!"
My clothes were a sight fer sure, for I was glistening with spilled rainbow droplets, and my eyes were
awash in the brightest colors.
"Tell us, Rocky, of your journey!"
Well, that's exactly what I did. I told about all my travels, my Rainbow Quest, and all the rainbow
droplets.
RAINBOWS
I have found in all my travels,
From ocean beach to mountain snows,
That there's a world of wonder,
Tilled with a million rainbows.
I've seen them shine from ocean foam
And reflect off mirror and wall,
And explode from under clouds on high,
And glow from waterfalls.
I've seen rainbows double around me,
In mists under sunning glow,
And I carry one under my shoulder,
It's magic and I chase the rainbow!
But it's not the pot o' gold I seek,
I find that's in my soul.
It fills me with wonder and excitement
Whenever I spy a rainbow!
"Well, do ye know what that means, Rocky? It means that you have brought the rainbow sunrise and the
extra sparkle of a brand-new day. Only a truly great Leprechaun could accomplish something that
magical!"
It did not take long before word of my amazing feat reached the the Three Elders of Magic Mountain,
who answered only to the King of all the Leprechauns, who had rulership as well over all the Wee Folk. I
was soon summoned to their Presence Chamber. Here, matters of state in the world of the Wee Folk were
decided upon by the Wisest, Most Holy and Revered, Most mgical and Magnificent. The Three Elders
asked me to recount my adventures again. I did so, never leaving out one detail. When I was done, a hush
fell over the Chamber.
Then the First Elder stood and asked me, "And so, Rocky, what have you learned?"
I thought about it, and said proudly:
WISDOM
I have found that I search for rainbows,
And I find they fill my soul.
And somehow, I stillfelt empty,
When I saw other hearts so cold.
So I've found that I've had to share my wealth
With those who would never know
The rewarding and warming feeling
When discovering a rainbow.
The Second Elder then stood up, and asked: "What about your beliefs?" I replied:
UNBOUNDED
My magic has been tested,
My dreams have reached their limits.
Yet I found unbounded love
In those believing in it.
I believe in all that is vision.
I believe in all that I see.
But most of all, I believe in Nature,
For I know she believes in me.
Finally, the Third Elder stood up. "What about tomorrow?" he asked me.
TODAY
I'm not living for tomorrow,
I'm just making my todays count.
And when I tally moments,
I'll find my tomorrows won't start.
All I have is my today,
My memories of yesterday,
And my visions of the future --I'll live every minute today!
Finally, the Three Elders spoke in unison. "But will the Humans see?" they said together.
I was quite aghast, so I thought about it, and then I said:
SHARING
I have gathered and spread the seed,
That will spread through this Life indeed;
I know somewhere the vision I share
Will touch every life beyond there.
And rainbows will grow thick for sure,
When people feel Nature's lure,
And color will spread near and far
To all peoples, all children, all stars!
The Three Elders fell silent and nodded their heads in agreement. They then summoned all the
inhabitants of the Wee Folk World to a grand audience and reception ball, to be attended by the
Leprechaun King himself!
The forest floor filled with the sounds of all the magicians and musicians, poets and painters, dreamers
and dancers, collectors and thinkers. Every last magical being filled the floor of that Grand Presence
Chamber.
And there were reports coming in from all over the world: renwed vision and energy spreading. The
Humans were a little less blind, and color began flowing in all their hearts and souls. And at this Grand
Court of thousands, a hush suddenly fell over the assembled throng. And a great light shone above the
Three Elders --- as the King of the Leprechauns himself arrived!
To everyone's surprise, His Majesty was smiling straight at me! "Rocky," said he, "step forward."
Bubbles and butterflies filled my every being. My feet were heavy and my eyes were whirling. Every last
eye fell upon me as the Leprechaun King spoke:
"Hear me, all ye Wee Folk --- Leprechauns, Faeries, Elves and Pixies! This one person has accomplished
a most amazing feat: he has singlehandedly taken the essence of the rainbow, and shared it with all the
world. This undertaking was born out of a noble, unselfish desire to make this a better, brighter Planet. It
is Our opinion that this one deed has singled Rocky out to be truly a most special and magical
Leprechaun. Therefore, let it be known that from this day forth, now and forever, you shall be called
Rocky, Defender of the Rainbow, in honor of your giving nature and unusual insight!"
With that, a cheer went up from those assembled, and songs began, and the froest and all within started to
dance. Magic soared into the air, and a vivd rainbow halo, grand and magnificent, circled the forest
clearing.
The Leprechaun King then turned to me again and said, "Henceforth, Rocky, the insignia of the rainbow
shall be borne upon your shoulders, their colors forever intermingled with your heart! Your unselfish gift
of bringing color to all the world has earned you this, our highest respect."
And with a sweep of his magical shillelagh, the magical halo of rainbow, sent up by the love of all the
clan gathered here this special evening, fell forever in light wonder upon my shoulders, both its ends
touching that one very special place where the Leprechaun's pot o' gold truly lies: THE HEART!
Well, me friends, that's me story. I hope it inspired ye to believe in the power of Magic, because it's as
real as the sunrise. I hope, too, that one day, ye'll be inspired to be aware of Life's unique, abundant
diversity .... and maybe chase your own rainbows! Because when you do, you'll find that they can fill
your heart with the most precious gold imaginable. At every corner, a rainbow can be hidden for those
who only take the time to see them. The gift I give to you is as real as the rainbows you'll find everyday!
P.S.: If you liked my story, I hope ye'll let me know. Write to me at 5231 Highway 73, Evergreen, CO
80439; or e-mail me at flspectrum@aol.com. Happy rainbow-chasing!
With love and Magic,
Rocky the Colorado Leprechaun
Firiona, baby!
Two words: Firiona, baby!
Milady Firiona @ E3 2K1: Photo by Joost "Silverdawn" Loijens for GameSpy.com
ehold your Dragonmaster's Dream Wench! For an all-too brief period, she was
Denise Harris-Kester, the beautiful Phoenix, Arizona-born living image of Firiona Vie, immortal
Princess of EverQuest!
Firiona, for those of you not entirely aversed in EQ lore, is EverQuest's central character. She's a High
Elven Paladin who has been sent by the goddess Tunare to restore hope to, and then maintain balance in,
the worlds of Norrath. How, then, you ask, did Denise even wind up as the living Firiona? Well, it all
started with a phone call from her mom. Denise was working in a retail shop somewhere in Phoenix,
when Mrs. H called her up to ask if her daughter had done any modeling recently. When Denise asked
why, her mom explained that there was a display box that she'd seen, advertising a new computer game
called EverQuest. Now, Mrs. Harris had noticed that, on the cover of the box, the fictional Firiona
looked exactly like her Denise!
"I wasn't sure that I belived her," Denise explains. "Mom has always been very proud of me. I started
looking for the game anyway, but could never find it because it was still not yet released." So when
Denise told her mother that the game had not yet come out, Mrs. Harris pointed her daughter toward the
possibility of an EverQuest website --- and, as it turned out, the instinct of Denise's mom was right on
target! "As soon as I logged on, suddenly the first thing I saw was this full screen shot of this elf girl with
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Firiona, baby!
my face! I was so shocked that I started screaming and my roommates came running into the room. They
were all just as surprised as I was. The weird thing was, it wasn't just the face; the body was uncannily
similar as well. The legs were my length with similar muscle tone, the waist was long just like mine, and
even the chest size was the same."
Well, Denise's mom suggested that she send her modeling portfolio to the folks at Sony so she could ask
them about future modeling work. Next thing you know, Denise is on a plane bound for Denver, where
she hoped to have some new shots taken for her portfolio. She did, alas, have to sacrifice her job, as the
company for whom she worked wouldn't grant her the day off. So the pictures were taken, her portfolio
was updated, and she sent the whole kaboodle to the Sony people. Some time later, they got back to her
saying that they'd keep her portfolio on file in case something really came along. And you will note that
this all took place before EverQuest was ever released to the general public!
Before long, Denise Harris was back on her feet, as a graphics coordinator for Precedence Entertainment,
where her assignment is to develop graphic designs, logos and such for the magazine ads and packaging
for Precedence's line of collectable card games. Among Precedence's titles: card game adaptations of the
syndicated sci-fi series Babylon 5, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. It
was Lara in particular that would play a key role in Denise's ultimately assuming the role of Firiona Vie.
"At the time, I never heard back from Sony, and was enjoying my new job," Denise recalls. "Later that
year, though, when we did GenCon, I attended dressed as Lara Croft. We were about to release the Tomb
Raider CCG, and I had volunteered to dress up. Besides, I love dressing up. I always wear costumes to
conventions and the Arizona Renaissance Festival."
Executives from Sony Online Entertainment and Verant Software were also attending GenCon to
promote the coming of EverQuest. By now, Denise wasn't expecting to become Firiona, but she still
wanted to find out how that Firiona painting looked so much like her. "I was thinking that maybe one of
the photographers that I'd modelled for when I was in college must have sold his or her shots of me to
some artist or something." Well, Denise went to the EQ booth and found veteran TSR artist Keith
Parkinson, who had painted Firiona and all the cover illustrations for the original game and expansions.
"I went over to the booth where Keith was, and I asked him: 'Where did you get my face?' At the time,
remember, I was dressed as Lara Croft, brown hair in a braid, gun belt, green tank, shorts and boots --very unlike the EverQuest painting." Denise removed her shades, introduced herself to Parkinson, and
again asked the artist where he'd gotten her face. "He was shocked over how I actually looked like his
painting. He explained to me that he'd crafted the original painting from three different references of
women that he'd had."
"So, where ya from?" Parkinson asked Denise. "Phoenix," said she, causing Keith to smile and say that
he lived about an hour or so from her, in Tucson. "He asked me would I like to model with him, and he
took my card. I was familiar with his work, and I had long admired his talent. Wow! He actually wanted
me to model for him!" Six months later, Parkinson called Denise to say that he'd been hired to do the
cover painting for the first EverQuest expansion, The Ruins of Kunark. "I drove down to Keith's
home/studio, where I had my first photo shoot for EverQuest. I did all the poses not just for Firiona
herself, but practically all the female characters on the painting. It was a lotta fun, and I left the place
with a signed copy of the original poster, as well as my own copy of his art book."
Eight months later, Keith called Denise again. This time, the cover painting was for EQ's second
expansion, The Scars of Velious. "I gladly go, and each shoot goes even better than the last one, because
Firiona, baby!
Keith and I are always more comfortable with each other," Denise comments. Shortly after this, Keith
made one more call to Denise, this time to ask if it was all right if the folks from Sony called her up.
"Sony said they wanted a live-action model for the Scars of Velious release party in Vegas. I giggled over
the irony of the situaion, and told Keith that Sony was indeed free to gimme a call!"
Jeff Butler, one of the original EQ Producers, then called Denise to make the formal request on behalf of
Sony that she be the Firiona Vie model for the release party thing in Vegas. "I later learned that it had
been Jeff who was the one at the booth that day at GenCon who pointed me to Keith. Talk about weird!
Anyway, he wanted me to be the model at the show, and I agreed --- because that's what I had wanted to
do in the first place!" Jeff soon put Denise in touch with Lisa Leyba, who was in charge of the costume
arrangements and itinerary for the event.
"The costume reached me about a week before the show, but there was no staff that came with it," Denise
explains. "I know that fans of EverQuest immediately associate the staff with the character of Firiona
Vie --- and, being the costume buff that I am, I took it upon myself to handcraft the staff. The crystal was
still setting while I was still on the plane ride to Vegas."
By this time, no one was really in the know about Firiona Vie. Her official backstory and origins had not
yet been fully established. "A friend of mine actually owned a copy of EQ, and so I went and I watched
him playing ---but that is totally different than playing the game yourself. I read every bit of history on
Firiona Vie that I could get my hands on. And by the time the Vegas party was in full swing, I was as
prepared as I could have hoped to be --- or so I thought."
The costume itself takes about 2 hours to put on from start to finish. "That includes taking a shower,
drying my hair and putting it in a hair-fall, putting on the ears, putting in my blue colored contacts and
extensive makeup. Then I have to get the boots on, and then the skirt, and then I finally wriggle into the
cape top. Last comes the jewelry, and don't forget your magic staff as you run out the door. Whew!"
Denise did try to remain in character as Firiona Vie, but since many folks didn't really know the
character, our heroine spent a good amount of her time telling her own story as well as Firiona's. Of
course, the fans did ask her if, as a dedicated Mac user, she herself played EverQuest. "Well, how do
you actually explain the differences with certain computers to somebody who literally lives, breathes,
and sleeps EverQuest? Since those folks just didn't understand, I had to tell them that I didn't even have
a computer capable of playing EQ. The fans were great, though. I announced the winners of the contests,
and got to sign the T-shirts with both my name and Firiona's signature, which I came up with. The really
best people, though, were all the Verant employees and the GMs. They brought me water when I needed
it, and helped me sit down and relax whenever possible."
Several days before the Vegas party, Denise got one more call from Keith Parkinson. He had some really
great news: Firiona Vie was to be featured on the cover of TV Guide! "He had to tell me three times
before I was able to stop saying, 'You're kidding!'" Denise did a preliminary shoot in her full costume
before she went to the release party, so that Keith could send his sketches to TV Guide executives. Once
she'd returned from Vegas, the two collaborators completed the final shoot. "I was really excited about it,
because this was gonna be national. Then again, the game itself is national too, but only the gamers get to
see the box cover. Lots and lots more people see TV Guide! Now, I really have something to brag about
at my high school reunion!"
The day the TV Guide issue was released, Denise hit the stores to pick up a few copies. But she
Firiona, baby!
discovered that, of the six special covers coinciding with that issue's cover story, focusing on online
entertainment, she was unable to find the one with her face. She searched all over the neighborhood, and
at last, just as she was about to order some copies directly from the TV Guide people, another rescuing
call came from Denise's mother. "Thank goodness she was lucky enough to find eight copies!" she says.
"I still have some of them in my apartment, and I've since had one of those covers framed and placed on
top of my entertainment center."
Well, Denise went on to become a regular fixture at all EverQuest FanFaire Celebrations, and for a few
years made special appearances at E3, the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, where,
in the first year that she attended, she had to remain in costume and in character for the entire three days
of E3! And, as your Dragonmaster implied at the outset, she even found time to get married, too! And
even though Denise Harris-Kester no longer officially wears Firiona's costume, fans of EverQuest
continue to tell tales of the several EQ FanFaire parties wherein she took part --- giving lucky
EverQuest fans across the cosmos (meself especially) plenty to dream about! Such memories were in
particular vogue in June 2003, when the Las Vegas Hilton Resort hosted the inaugural Sony Online
Entertainment FanFaire! And needless to say, Firiona and her EverQuest friends were amongst those
oddly-dressed characters who attended the ceremonies!
O Firiona! How can I say to ye in mere words how many times I have dreamed to spend at least one
night in thy comforting presence! Well, though I am (for now) resigned to the fact that such a day may
never come, methinks I'll just have to settle for sharing thy beauty with the Planet in general, by means of
these two pictures, shown above and below, of ye and thy closest friends!
EQ FanFaire San Diego, April 2004: Hammy the Halfling (with part of iPaulo) lives out a
Dwarf's wildest fantasy!
Firiona, baby!
King Richard and Queen Eleanor!
Their Most Sovereign Majesties, King
Richard and Queen Eleanor of England!
elcome to Master Blackwolf's very special tribute to the Merry Monarchs of the
Kansas City Renaissance Festival! Pray, click ye 'pon Their Majesties; then enter, that ye may be
dazzled! Huzzah!
This new segment of my Dark Chambers is under construction; pray,
return ye posthaste!
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Greetings from Our Royal Persons! We welcome ye to Master
Blackwolf's small tribute to Us! When ye click on either of Our Regal
Names, you will be taken to the portion of Our Pages where ye may
learn all ye have ever wanted to know about either or both of Us! In
the meanwhile, click ye hither or click ye hither, that ye goodly
gentles may yet know of Our forthcoming journeys! Otherwise, click
ye hither or hither to truly meet either or both of Us --- how say ye?
--- "up close and personal," so to speak!
Wishing Our loyal subjects every happiness, We remain thy humble
servants,
King Richard and Queen Eleanor
Meet King Richard George Arthur of the Royal House of Tudor!
Richard George Arthur, Royal House of
Tudor
King of all England
Born and raised in London, I now call the Royal Palace at Whitehall my home, having dwelt thither, first
as Prince, and now, as King for much of the 50 years of lifetime I have spent hither 'pon this glorious
Earth. If you have ever seen Our Royal Person skinny-dipping, that's only because I prefer to do the
balance of that in the Royal Treasury! A Monarch and his money are always a symbol of riches and
power, it hath been observ'd! My favorite color, if I have been known to have such, is yellow, because 'tis
daffodils that are My favorite flowers; from what Master Blackwolf hath told Me, there is a wonderful
Daffodil Festival held each year in that land ye Mundaners call Pierce County, Washington; I must make
a note to visit thither one of these days. Eleanor, I think, would love all the flowers and such; so too, I
suspect, would my eight lovely daughters: the Royal Brood, as I call them --- the Princesses Elizabeth,
Margaret, Christina, Jane, Anne, Constance, Catherine and Mary!
While 'tis always Mine intent to never offend or make fun of people maliciously, I have to often remind
My subjects that there are many reasons as to why i am their King; the purpose of these pages is to let ye
know of some of what I do, and how I do it. So let us begin by briefly examining how I first encountered
some of My closest Royal Friends and Confidantes, many of whom you may meet (along with the Queen
and I, of course!) on the grounds of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival at Bonner Springs!
I recall how a few years back, We did appoint Sir Geoffrey as our first Captain of the Royal Guard. He
did serve faithfully and with honor for many years, defending the land with all that ever was in him.
What more could ye ask, say I, of a man who was both friend and Royal Servant? I do wonder what hath
become of dear Geoffrey these days anon. Last I heard tell, he had begun exhibiting his prowess as one
of England's best and proudest wrestlers; indeed, of yore, I once battled him --- and he even let Me win a
battle or two! (Well, once in a while, he did, anyway!) But since that time, wise and noble Phoebus hath
assumed the Captaincy of the Royal Guard; he remaineth in that capacity for now until his own
impending retirement. I hope that that shall not take place for a while to come!
Another of My Royal Friends, one Avery Rochester, first encountered Me while on one of his excursions
as a Falconer. Ultimately, I named him My first Royal Falconer; he remains thus as I speak. Not only
was his bird remarkable, in fact, he made Me a gift of it. And what Royal Progress, I ask ye, would be
complete, without greeting Their Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York? Even now there is not a
day that goes by when I have not been able to recall a time I have spent in their delightful company.
My first great Court Jester, and perhaps the best of them thus far, if I do say so Myself, was the
remarkable Giacomo! I had hired him after an "accident" in which he had tripped and fallen while
carrying a load of pies. Those pies ended up splattering the finery of that blowhard Duke of Sussex,
whom I had just lost to in a game of draughts. (Kings, as you know, have this little thing about not liking
losing.) In any case, when Giacomo looked up at Me, I knew right away that I had found my Court
Jester! Since then, I have told him a great many things which the rest of Our Courtiers should ne'er dain
Meet King Richard George Arthur of the Royal House of Tudor!
to hear. And I continue to trust 'pon his very life that they never will!
Let's see, who else amongst Our Royal Friends canst I speak of before ye? Ah yes, there's good ol'
Maestro, beloved and honor'd Gypsy Knight, and brother of the Queen. He and I used to visit the
Gypsies' parties each night after My parents had fallen asleep. Despite the fact that he wanted to be
elevated into the nobility because his sister was now the Queen, I could not do so; better things have I to
do than to have an entire plague of Gypsies invading my Castle. Nonetheless, Maestro and I remain the
best of friends.
The ladies have many pets, if thou wert asking, My friends. The horse and falcons always come whene'er
I whistle --- although, I must admit there is one animal in our family of pets that does tend to make My
Royal Blood boil at times: that weird-looking lemur the Empress of Madagascar gave to the Queen! She
loves to hang about the Royal Tapestries, and then just scream at nothing in particular. Oh yeah, did I
mention that the little devil stinks? Believe Me, goodlies, thou hast seen rodents in Our lands, but thou
has yet to encounter a rodent more loathsome than that @#%^$&! lemur!
There are many, many more tales I could tell ye about My Royal Person; but now, if thou wouldst, click
ye hither to greet my lovely and ever charming wife and consort, Her Most Royal Majesty, Queen
Eleanor!
Meet Queen Eleanor Boleyn Elizabeth Catherine of the Royal House of Tudor!
Eleanor Boleyn Elizabeth Catherine
Tudor
Queen of all England
Born and raised on the sunny shores of Greece, I am, at age 45, Her Majesty the Queen; and, as you all
know, my major function as consort to His Majesty is to take care of everyone, and to serve as the
ultimate hostess. In this latter capacity, then, 'tis my pleasure to greet you here, in my portion of
Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's very special tribute to the King and myself! My favorite color, in case you
were wondering, is burgundy; it always is the kind of color which allows a Queen to feel fashionable. I,
too, have had a history of being a skinny-dipper (just please, don't tell the King!); but unlike my Royal
Husband, I never make fun of anyone! (Besides, it isn't ladylike!)
Now, in this part of the tribute, I hope to share with you some of My favorite things, including what I
hope to accomplish for My Husband, and the Kingdom in general. Like so much of what Master
Blackwolf puts on his pages, much of what you will discover here is in a constant state of construction;
as you know, it's never easy for a Wizard to put a lot of stuff here! Anyway, let's begin, shall we?
Well, among My Hobbies are these: music, mostly the Gypsy fiddle and sometimes the harp; painting;
teaching Our Royal Daughters; collecting and wearing the finest jewelry; relaxing by the fireside with
My dear Family; munching My favorite tasty treat --- chocolate bananas! (Yum!); and hosting tea
parties! I usually use the tea imported by the Gypsies, especially those we import directly from India. Oh,
and like my charming husband, I can't stop loving that most extreme of Royal Extreme Sports --- THE
JOUST!
I'll never forget the day Richard said right to My face that he would willingly give up the throne just to
marry Me! It has always been one of the proudest moments of My life; I imagine dear Mother Nature,
who has been a part of Me almost from the moment I first visited the Faeries' Realm, was just as happy
for Me!
Click ye hither, that ye would know of King Richard; or click ye
hither to visit Our Royal Silly Page!
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Richard and Eleanor's Somewhat Sensibly Silly Stuff!
Now that you know all that you wish to know of Us, here is Our chance to share some of the sensible but
rather silly things We have done recently! Pray, enjoy!
Young Samantha seems non-plused to have the King have a laugh or two at her expense! This was from
Our New Year's Eve Promo Party at the Great Wolf Lodge!
We know not what this guy was thinking, but --- if 'twere Knighthood he sought, Knighthood he got!
More silly stuff hither!
Richard and Eleanor's Somewhat Sensibly Silly Stuff!
More Silly Stuff with Their Majesties!
Like Master Blackwolf, Our Royal Persons are rabid Harry Potter fans; just because We are King and
Queen meaneth not that We are afraid to show it!
If I may: Nyahh, nyahh! I just love doing the Kansas City 4th of July Parade! And no, you can't ride my
Royal Rickshaw! (Nyahh!)
More Silly Stuff with Their Majesties!
Royal Storytime @ the Louisburg Public Library! (King Salmonella and the Vulgarian Royal Court
joined us for that one.)
Still more silly stuff hither!
Meet King Salmonella of Vulgaria!
From the Kansas City Renaissance Festival
Presenting His Royal Majesty
King Salmonella TirMongo Ablegirim
Kralovesh Evdokin d'Vulgaria
Lord High Protector of the Royal Radish
Grand Overseer of the Caves of the Golden Truffles
elieve me, Mortals, when King Salmonella revealed a few of his secrets to the
KCRF staffers, they discovered some very interesting facts! So interesting, in fact, that your humble
Dragonmaster felt compelled to share those secrets with you. As is usual, the text has had to be adapted
somewhat so that the phrasing of same makes better and more proper sense. (I've always felt that if you
are going to converse properly with Royalty, the first thing you must always remember is that your every
form of diction is being watched constantly, and not necessarily simply by the King himself!)
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NAME GIVEN @ BIRTH: It is the same, but without all those flourishes.
NICKNAMES? Some have called me Sal, or even Mongo.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Pawshlee, in Vulgaria.
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Vulgaria's capital city, Khaamskee, where stands my Royal Palace.
AGE: 50.
CLASS: Royalty, that most distinguished breed of upper-class!
WHAT'S YOUR MAIN FUNCTION IN SOCIETY? Well, my main function is to rule as Monarch of
all Vulgaria --- a rule that is often propped up by truffle exports.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM? AND HAVE YOU EVER GONE SKINNY-DIPPING? As if
there is any other way to swim!
HAVE YOU EVER MADE FUN OF PEOPLE? Only those who are less "colorful" than us.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Well, all colors are my favorite, really. How in the world
could I pick just one from so many delightful colors?
HAVE YOU EVER COMMITTED A CRIME, OR BEEN CONVICTED OF ONE? Well, I do have
to admit that once I stole a chicken when I was still a youngster.
DESCRIBE YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND(S), AND HOW YOU MET. Well, before I ever met my
dearest wife, my closest friend was my childhood companion and playmate, Dabro. He lived in the hut
down from our own family, so it was natural that we would always get together during the annual carp
feast. Alas, we were separated as teenagers when, during a wedding banquet, the lad had far too much
peeva to drink. Before long, he'd wandered off accompanied by a comely dyevooshka. I haven't seen dear
Dabro since.
1 PILLOW OR 2? Well, I only favor two pillows. You need only look at my Queen to understand why.
ANY PETS? Ahhhh! That would be my little puppy, Abyezyaana --- my Little Yanni, as I call him for
short. He was a gift from the Court of the Empress of Madagascar.
FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC: Oh, I love a good polka tune, though I seldom if ever dance anymore.
I will say that I have found myself falling in love with some of the music of your country. The Celts have
a very mystical melody! And how can one not be stirred by the sounds of your bagpipes? They remind
me so much of our smyearches.
ANY HOBBIES OR PASTIMES? I enjoy travelling, because I feel that it is the King's responsibility to
discover all the many different lands beyond the borders of Vulgaria. And if I'm not doing that, I'm
usually found buying new things for the Queen and Princess!
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL HYGIENE. I bathe once a month --- regardless of whether I need it
or not.
FAVORITE FOOD: Like many of my loyal subjects, I especially go bonkers for radishes! They seem
to go with just about everything!
ARE YOUR PARENTS ALIVE, AND IF SO, DO YOU GET ALONG WITH THEM? Considering
that most of our populace is very well long-lived, I can happily say that both my parents are alive and
well, and having a jolly time ruling our Kingdom while we, the King and Queen, are traveling in your
fair Realm. How wondrous it is knowing that were it not for the wisdom and compassion of Pakrat, my
father, and Inkena, my mother, I would not have been molded into the man you now see before you.
IF YOUR PARENTS ARE DEAD, WHEN & HOW DID THEY DIE? Well, as I have just said, they
are still alive, but like myself, they expect to die in true Vulgarian fashion. Regrettably, I cannot reveal
the full details, as they are extremely personal.
FAVORITE PLACE OF RELAXATION: Well, we have a very special garden on the grounds of our
Palace. I usually go there to do most of my relaxing and thinking.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HOLY DAY, AND WHY? Why, that's Troitsa, and it has always had
an important degree of historical significance, ever since Christ instructed His Disciples to 'go into all the
world and teach all nations.' However, Svyaatkee is a fun holiday, too, with all those gifts.
FAVORITE DRINK: I do prefer a good cup or two of chai.
DESCRIBE YOUR BEDTIME: When I'm at home, I like staying up a little past sunset. We have a
little rock which glows in the dark, and allows me to stay up even later than that! From time to time, I'll
spend my nights just looking up at the stars.
WHAT, IF ANYTHING, DO YOU USUALLY WEAR ON YOUR FEET? At home, there's this nice
tooflya that I like to wear around the castle. But, as you can see, I reserve my elegant bateenak for very
special occasions.
MARRIED OR SINGLE? Again, I am very happily married; and should you wish to figure out why,
you need only gaze upon my dear Queen!
DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY: Well, as I have mentioned twice now, there is my beautiful wife, Her
Serene Majesty, Queen Citronella Danika Svetlana Zora Helina d'Vulgaria --- Light of the Vugarian
Realm and Keeper of the Holy Flame. And then, of course, there's the light of both our lives: our
beautiful and lovely daughter, Her Royal Highness, Princess Petronella Ophelia Xena de Vulgar! How
can you describe her other than to say that she is a dragatsenost!
FAVORITE TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Singing! Ha-ha!
WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHORE OR SUBJECT
IN SCHOOL? We had a very special school in the small village where I grew up. We mostly studied
practical manners, though. I did, however, enjoy learning how to hunt wild alyen for even the most
special meals.
AND WHAT WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CHORE OR SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? I never
liked milking the kazaa.
FAVORITE SPORT TO TAKE PART IN: We loved making a ball out of the bladder of a sveenya,
which we then let dry and toughen. After that, we'd take turns running with it and throwing it while the
other team tried to take it from us.
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH: Sveenya tossing!
MOST HUMILIATING MOMENT: Well, while we were playing our game with the sveenya, Dabro
attempted to get it from me, and that's when my bryookee fell off in front of all the girls!
PROUDEST MOMENT: One would think that the proudest moment of my life was the very morning
of my Coronation. But my two proudest moments are the day I was married and the day our daughter was
born. I know it might seem trite to one such as yourself, but you need only look at both my dear ladies to
see exactly why they never fail to make me proud all the time!
WHO'S THE CRAZIEST OR SILLIEST PERSON YOU KNOW? Besides myself, I would have to
say my Uncle Inets. He does an imitation of an enndyook that simply has to be seen to be believed.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IN THE OPPOSITE SEX. Other than a wonderful smile and
two beautiful eyes within which one can lose oneself, I would say that I look for a lady with great
child-bearing hips.
IN OUR HIERARCHICAL SOCIETY, EVERY PERSON HAS SOMEONE WHO IS 'OVER'
THEM. DESCRIBE YOUR IMMEDIATE 'OVERLORD.' I, good sir, would answer only to the Holy
Trinity.
DESCRIBE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT THAT ENTITY. How can you not rever your Lord and
Maker, the Creator of All!
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST KISS! Well, out of self-presevation, I shan't divulge her name; I will say,
however, that we had gone out hunting for wild byelka, and there was just something about the way that
she belched that made me look at her in a whole new light. It was rather a clumsy first attempt, but as
time wore on, we practiced a lot and wound up getting prety good at it!
DO YOU EVER KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CHILDHOOD FRIENDS? To my knowledge,
there have not been many that have moved out of Pawshlee. There are times when I have been known to
make the journey back there, but, alas, it is just not the same anymore as it was when I was growing up. I
seem to have gained more important and even greater responsibilities, while most of my friends from my
childhood and young-manhood have seemed to have grown apart......
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Ah! Who in the world could not wish to vacation at the mud-baths
outside of Cluj-napoca, in Romania.
HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELLED OVERSEAS? Well, lately I've been over many seas!
DIRT FLOORS, MUD FLOORS OR STONE FLOORS? We have stone floors in our Palace.
WHAT'S YOUR BED MADE OF? It is made of only the finest khlawpak, and filled with the most
comfortable kooreetsa down.
HOW MANY PEOPLE SLEEP THERE? Only my Queen and I ....... now.
WHAT ARE THE 10 THINGS PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
1. Now, don't go spreading this around --- but I used to sing quite a lot.
● 2. I do try to keep up with the latest in modern technology. Why, we recently installed some of the
newest candles made than can burn cleaner than most common candles.
● 3. Would you believe that there are some people who actually think they've seen me fart the
Vulgarian National Anthem?
● 4. I want my loyal subjects to know that I am a man who has always believed that we will be
treated just as we treat others.
● 5. And that I am doing all my best to try to improve life in my Kingdom.
● 6. Despite the fact that I am 50, there are those who think that indeed I am much younger than that.
● 7. I'm very proud of telling people that I am 50, because in my heart I like to think that I will
always be younger.
● 8. People should also know that I am secretly a clown, even during those times when I am
supposed to be serious.
● 9. I think that it's very important for everyone to learn all about my country, and about the wonders
of the truffles that we have.
● 10. I think that radishes are just as important as truffles, and that they are a living religious relic.
As the years roll by, I hope that everyone will learn even more about me.
●
Well, Your Majesty of Vulgaria, I do hope that everyone had a chance to learn more about you and your
Royal Family. In that light, I must thank not only Your Majesty himself, but also your Mortal-born pals
Tim Hunt, Portia Bowers ('tis only Tim and Portia that we see hither) and Amanda Cherry, who served as
the Vulgarian Royal Doppelgangers @ KCRF. I'm sure King Richard and Queen Eleanor and their Royal
Family had a jolly time showing you folks around -- for, as ol' Blackwolf always says: "The most
magical moment in any Royal's life is when he or she chooses to make friends with another." Something
worth pondering and appreciating during these short months of the Solstice forthcoming. Long live
Vulgaria! Huzzah! and hurrah!
Even More Silly Stuff with Their Majesties!
Lunchtime at Court with cute little Paola. Thou WILST say "awwwww" or off with thy head!
One last Royal Family Portrait, from Our New Year's Eve Gathering. We wish you, each and all,
Happiness and Merriment, both in the coming year and beyond! HUZZAH!
Click ye hither, to return to the Palace Main Gate! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack; Click yon
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Blackwolf on the Texas Renaissance Festival!
Blackwolf on the Texas Renaissance
Festival!
Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon (Greg Taylor and Roselle Gonzalez) with the 1999
TRF Royal Family, by Frank Hui for Sir Robyn of Sotheby's Roost!
isten up, Mortals:
When it comes to Renaissance Faires in ye Lone Star Shire, they get not any cooler than the Texas
Renaissance Festival!
George Coulam hath labor'd four and thirty seasons, say I, to bring the finest in Faire from around the
world to this little corner of the Planet; and with ev'ry passing season, Plantersville gets better and better
and better!
Doubly so in the case of texrenfest.com, whose recent collection of video footage has now become a hit
with those who venture forth to YouTube! And, of course, as you goodly gentles know, Master
Blackwolf knoweth a hit when he sees one!
No word-mincing here, gang: Plantersville rocketh! And he that sayeth otherwise is destined to be turn'd
into a toad, capeesh?
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Blackwolf on the Texas Renaissance Festival!
Therefore, big hugs to the Texas Renaissance Festival! And, er --- oh yes, more videos, please!
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Blackwolf's Royals of the Week!
Royals of the Week!
very week, my Royals of the Week segment spotlights
the coolest Royal People in the Multiverse!
Hail, King Anton and Queen Isabeau of the SCA's Kingdom of Calontir! Verla Herschell,
a/k/a Mistress Rhianydd Arbeth, presents Their Falcon Majesties moments after their
Coronation!
Now click ye hither to meet this week's Royal Maiden!
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Blackwolf's Beauty of the Week!
elcome to my Beauty of the Week segment, where
your humble Dragonmaster presents the most beautiful Royal
Maidens in the land!
Hail, Queen Annapolisa! She rules the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia Apple Blossom
Festival --- and, for the event's 75th Birthday, they chose Kathryn Cleveland to fulfill that
regal role! By Merlin's beard, she does look fabulously happy!
Remember, shouldst thou knowst a State and/or County Fair Queen whom ye think
should be named Blackwolf's Beauty of the Week, pray, e-mail me, and I shall bestow the
honor immediately!
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The Mardi Gras Monarchy, 2008!
elcome, Mortals, to your Dragonmaster's annual presentation of the Monarchs of
Mardi Gras! This is the unofficial place of honour for the men and women who have been selected to
reign over their Krewes for 2008, and who have spent the past two fantatstic months struttin' their stuff
during the short period leading up to this morning's Rex Parade, centerpiece of all that is Fat Tuesday!
Kneel before them all, I entreat ye!
Rex 2008: King John Edward Koerner III and Queen Ellen Rogers Logan
Zulu 2008: King Francis Boutte and Queen Joycelyn Boutte
From the Krewe of Endymion: King John Lewis and Queen Bethany Burst
From the Krewe of Mid-City: King Harold Ilg and Queen Kelsey Leigh Jarrett
From the Knights of Jason: King Turner Raymond Kirkwood III and Queen Laura Yaeger
From the Knights of Sparta: Queen Shayna Lynn Beavers
From the Krewe of Orion: King Victor Roth and Queen Anna Babin-Neal
From the Mistick Krewe of Comus: Queen Virginia Kerr
From the Krewe of Apollo: Queen Jeanne Barousse
From the Krwew of Proteus: Queen Ashley Morgan
From the Krewe of Oshun: King Robert Norris and Queen Kimberly Gibson
From the Krewe of the Atlanteans: Queen Elizabeth Elliott
From the Krewe of Cleopatra: Queen Danielle Champagne
From the Krewe of Pygmalion: King Jacobus Romano and Queen Linda Patin
From the Krewe of the Athenians: Queen Caroline Newlin
From the Beau Brummell Club: Queen Silasa Jackson
From the Krewe of Janus: Queen Gabrielle Richard
From the Krewe of Mystery: Queen Kingsley Louise Blum
From the Krewe of Neophermenos: Queen Annetherese Hirth and Crown Prince Franklin Hirth
From the Krewe of the Mystics: Queen Tina Woollam
From the Krewe of Momus: Queen Isabel Sanders
From the Krewe of Hermes: Queen Lauren Levy
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From the Knights of Babylon: Queen Rebecca Montgomery
From the Krewe of the Nobles: King Michael Buras and Queen Elizabeth Marie Buras
From the Prophets of Persia: Queen Lauren Elise Wood
From the Krewe of the Little Rascals: King Jonathan Tinkle and Queen Amanda Tinkle
From the Krewe of Excalibur: King Theodore Samuel Alcus and Queen Wanda Voss
From the Krewe of Eve: King Ronald Ulfers and Queen Lori Ostarly
From the Krewe of Pontchartrain: King Daniel Smetherman and Queen Kristy Bowen
From the Krewe of the Southdowns: King Brett Woodworth and Queen Melanie Hawthorn
From the Krewe of Adonis: King Oscar Blank and Queen Emily Anne Bourg
From the Krewe of Shangri-la: King Cory Heitmier and Queen Paula Ponamsky
From the Krewe du Lac: King Peter Reggie and Queen Debbra Carlin
From the Krewe of Mona Lisa & Moon Pie: King Bernard Cyrus and Queen Lucille Bustamente
From the Krewe of Pegasus: King Robert Higgins and Queen Kimberly Muller
From the Krewe of Mithras: Queen Louise Acomb
From the Krewe of the Dorians: Queen Shelby Farmer
From the Krewe of Alla: Maharajah Michael Leman and Maharanee Allison Crosby
From the Krewe of Dionysus: King Warren Wallace and Queen Haley Schmitt
From the Krewe of the Achaeans: Queen Elaine Stewart
From the Krewe of King Arthur: King Patrick Clementine and Queen Sherry Watters
From the Krewe of Argus: King Bruce Degler and Queen Kristin Nielsen
From the Krewe of Morpheus: King Gerald McGaughey and Queen Gwendolyn Goudeau
From the Krewe of Carrollton: King Ralph Romagura the Elder and Queen Katherine DiLeo
From the Krewe of Choctaw: Chief Frank Ruiz, Jr. and Princess Jina Ellingburg
From the Krewe of Caesar: Emperor Joseph Dempsey and Empress Jessica DeVun
From the Twelfth Night Revelers: Queen Amelie Rose LeBreton
From the Krewe of Cork: Queen Sammie Poche
From the Krewe of Hercules: King Dwight Kramer
From the Krewe de Vieux: King Ronald Lewis
From the Krewe of Iris: King John Charles Rivera and Queen Jayne Finkowski-Rivera
From the Krewe of Isis: King Frank Renaudin and Queen Tiffany Renaudin
From the Krewe of Nereus: Queen Eugenie Grevemberg
From the Krewe of Zeus: Queen Danielle Wilson
From the Krewe of Osiris: Queen Elizabeth Palmer Eliis
From the Krewe de Napoleon: Emperor Nathan Ales and Empress Nicole Crossen
From the Krewe of Morpheus: King Gerald McCaughey and Queen Gwendolyne Goudeau
From the Krewe of Lourdes: King Stephen Fecke and Queen Brittany Boasso
From the Mystic Krewe of Covington: Queen Mrs. David S. Davidson
From the Krewe of CAMAN: King Craig MacDonald and Queen Cori Kinnerup
From the Krewe of Petronius: King Charles Turberville and Queen Dawn Falgout-Loebig
From the Krewe of Rhea: King Vincent Catania III and Queen Patsy Catania
From the Krewe of Eros: Queen Emily Elizabeth Mesa
From the Original Illinois Club: King Richard Amos and Queen Erin Elizabeth Beasley
From the Krewe of the Harlequins: Queen Helen Waller
From Les Pierrettes: King Christian Brown and Queen Ella Bright
From the Caliphs of Cairo: Queen Jane Reeves-Ellis
From the Krewe of Mount Olympus: Queen Cerise Potts
From the Young Men of Illinois: Queen Maryn Barnes
From the Krewe of Aquila: King Douglas Drufner and Queen Jeanne Drufner
From NOMTOC: King Edwin Murray and Queen Racquel Cheatham
From the Krewe of Houmas: King Carleton Casey and Queen Stephanie Spinella
From the Original Krewe of Orpheus: King Troy Bower and Queen Lauren Dennis
From the Krewe of St. Andrews: King James Davis and Queen Ellen Davis
From the Krewe of Selene: King Royal Montz and Queen Judith Judd
From the Krewe of Tucks: King Russell Shearer and Queen Lyn Kieltyka
From the Krewe of the Centaurs: King David Johnson and Queen Barbara Zerrahn
From the Krewe of Gemini: King Tobin Grigsby and Queen Sally Graff
From the Krewe of Justinian: King Merritt Chastain and Queen Jan Bookter
From the Mystick Krewe of Aquarius: King A.J. Saper and Queen Charlene Manning
From the Krewe of Gambrinus: King John Stahlman and Queen Debi Ross
From Z Krewe: King Benton Vandiver and Queen Colleen Fountain
From the Krewe of Vesta: King William Whatley and Queen Jennifer Richards
From the Krewe of the Elves of Oberon: Queen Tipping Ellis
From the Krewe of the Centurions: King William Cox and Queen Amy Cox
From the Krewe of Thor: King Peter Rau and Queen Madison Rau
From the Krewe of the MCCA: King Milton Perrette and Queen Stacy Gallaspy
From the Krewe of Okeanos: King Dow Strumbmueller and Queen Alexandria Catsulis
From the Krewe of Thoth: King Chad Renton and Queen Elizabeth Rushing
From the Krewe of Des Allemands: King Hugh DuFrene and Queen Beatrice DuFrene
From the Krewe of Tchefuncte: King William Trapanier and Queen Lisa Marie Stanga
From the Krewe of Lions & Covington: King William Woessner and Queen Carolyn Woessner
From the Krewe of Grela: King Dale Strohmeyer and Queen Jan Strohmeyer-Brien
From the Krewe of Chahta: King Moselle Williams and Queen Viola Ducre
Blackwolf Presents A Conversation with Rex 2008!
From the Feb. 8th, 2008 New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Rule of Revelry: A Conversation with Rex
2008
by John Pope
(Photo by Chris Granger, New Orleans Times-Picayune)
If Rex 2008 could have his way today, he'd be toasted with some Barq's Root Beer.
John Edward Koerner III, this year's King of Carnival, used to run the company that makes that soft drink
that's as closely tied to New Orleans as he himself is. But that's just not brand loyalty talking.
"Champagne makes me crazy," he chortles.
OK, so maybe he'll have to lift a couple of glasses of the ol' bubbly during his day-long rule, but that's
only because 64-year-old Koerner isn't the first to admit to being the champagne type. He himself is just
another street guy, as he explained to me a few days before Fat Tuesday.
Though he sold Barq's to Coca-Cola for a sum he refuses to disclose, and lives in a peach-colored
mansion that's a stone's throw from Tulane University, he's still a plain-spoken kind of guy whose
fondest Carnival childhood memories include running along the streets with his dad to check out all the
Parades.
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Habitually jolly and quick with a quip, Koerner grows wistful as he reminisces about joining his father at
the Processions' starting points to watch all those musicians and members get themselves ready. "You
always got to watch 'em board, lift their masks, drink their cocktails and hang all their beads on these
little nails, while the bands were just hanging around and practicing their drumbeats. That was the fun of
it," he comments.
In full costume, each Fat Tuesday would see the Koerners heading off to Felicity Street, where Rex'
floats were lined up to await the signal to head off toward St. Charles Avenue. "In those days," says he,
"they were able to throw before they could start the Parade. Back in that neighborhood, sometimes we'd
see the Mardi Gras Indians and Zulu, which didn't have their own defined route at that time. We'd find
our way back in there, try to get one of their coconuts, then we'd watch as Rex left from Felicity Street.
At about the third-to-last float, we'd run, jump into our station wagon, and then run down to the other
side of Lee Circle, and we'd see it all over again."
John Koerner wasn't born into Carnival Royalty --- he married into it. Ann, his wife, was the daughter of
Dolly Anne Souchon Johnsen, a one-time Queen of Carnival who later taught the make-believe
Monarchy how to walk, wave and wield their trusty scepters. Johnsen, who died in 2004, was married to
Erik Johnsen, who was 1991's Rex; Dr. Edmund Souchon, her father, was an obstetrician who was
renowned as a leading jazz musician, scholar, and (occasionally) a gravelly-voiced singer.
The Koerners have two boys: John IV, who's previously served Rex's Court as a page and a Duke; and
Parker, who'll join the Dukedom himself today.
"John represents a wondrous amalgam of of a successful New Orleanian with an equally successful Rex
tradition. He's a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of man, and what you see is pretty good. And now
that he's become Royalty himself, he fully deserves it," says Boatner Reilly III, a longtime pal and former
Rex.
Civic involvement has long been an implied prerequisite for those who would wear the crown of Rex.
Koerner, who launched Koerner Capital Corporation after he'd sold Barq's, has been a member of several
Boards of Directors, among them, the Louisiana Nature Conservancy and the National World War II
Museum. He's a former Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and the New Orleans Business Council;
as well as a former co-Chairman of MetroVision; and he has served on the Bring New Orleans Back
Committee. Currently, he also sits on the Boards of Legg Mason; Lamar Advertising; St. Charles
Pharmaceuticals; Finetooth, Inc.; and Selltis. At Tulane, where he earned undergraduate and law degrees
and a master's degree in business administration, he chaired the university's governing body, and also led
the Dean's Council at the A.B. Freeman Business School.
"He loves to get involved and make things happen," says another longtime friend, Jimmy Reiss.
Yet in spite of all these activities, Koerner says that it was a stunning surprise when he was chosen as
Rex --- because he hadn't really played any major role in the Rex Organization. Up to then, his Rex role
had consisted primarily of loading bulging bags of throws onto the float that he would ride: the last one
in Rex's Procession. "It's so far back that if it were 50 feet even farther back, it'd be part of the Elks
Parade," he chuckles gleefully. Meanwhile, his wife Ann, who sits nearby, rolls her eyes in mock
exasperation.
Koerner's ascension to the Rex Throne began in October, with an invitation to join a friend for some
drinks. Having no idea that this would be no more than a simple casual get-together, Koerner showed up
close to a half-hour late, to his host's consternation. "He was quite anxious. He says, 'Hi, how are ya?' and
just as we turn into his sunroom, there were a whole group of former Rexes just sitting there."
As soon as he'd accepted their offer to reign, Koerne found himself part of the time-tested Rex machine,
which this year has had to move faster than normal because Mardi Gras is so early. "They got everything
pre-programmed," he explains: "do this, be here, do that, get your boots made, wave your scepter in the
proper fashion, stand here, go there. The people who are involved in the Organization know exactly what
to do, and they always bring you right along."
Another vital part of the Rex Protocol involves secrecy. As the Koerners were supposed to keep mum
about John's impending reign, there was no evidence last week of anything in their house that might give
the surprise away --- no purple, green and gold wreaths; no Mardi Gras keepsakes; no gift boxes wrapped
up in purple, green and gold ribbons; and certainly no stacks of invitations.
Consequently, says Annie Koerner, she wasn't comfortable with all this until a few days before Fat
Tuesday proper about displaying a papier-mache model of the Rex float that her Grandpa had made. It is
meticulously detailed, right down to Rex's fur-trimmed golden mantle! For Ann, it's the pervasive
hush-hush atmosphere of Rex that is "the finest part of Mardi Gras. I've always been part of it. My sister
reminded me of that when she was Queen of Osiris, our mother wouldn't let her tell her own boyfriend
until the time was appropriate."
So far, says John, all has proceeded smoothly, with just ONE exception: his beard.
Being the first real-bearded Rex since Thomas Woodward in 1900, and given that Rex's costumes
includes a beard, this might seem like something requiring no thought at all. Oh yeah? Well, since the
makeup crew had decided that Rex should be disguised and look completely different from his everyday
appearance, he was told to shave off the beard he has worn since 1971 and glue on a fake. He has resisted
that. "We're sort of at a bit of loggerheads," he explains. "We're experimenting with certain dyes to see if
we can get the beard to match the wig. We're even using my chest hair for practice. Makes me look like a
zebra!"
An avid outdoorsman who helped set up the speedboat chase sequence from the James Bond movie Live
and Let Die, a portion of which was filmed here, Koerner says that, to get himself ready for the Royal
Ride, he's had to learn how to tone down his usually effusive personality "because you have to learn how
to be Royal and gracious." For our interview, John looks a little sedate, wearing the Rex tie, with its
purple, green and gold stripes; along with the Rex member's pin, with its purple, green and gold ribbons
on his blazer's breast pocket. As he displays the pin, he notes, "It looks like they steal some ideas off of
snowflakes!"
Grinning yet again, John Edward Koerner III warns that his equanimity may well be tested --- because
for the next 6.1 miles, he'll be riding directly behind the 325-member Marching Tigers, from his beloved
Tulane's longtime rivals, Louisiana State University! "That's gonna be a bit of a strain," he laughs, as
Ann, again in mock embarrassment, hides her face in her hands. "I might even have to bring some
earplugs. I don't know how many times I can deal with Hold That Tiger!"
Click ye hither to meet the 2008 Queen of Carnival!
Blackwolf Presents an Interview with the 2008 Queen of Carnival!
From the February 5th, 2008 New Orleans Times-Picayune:
King's Daughter: An Interview with the
2008 Queen of Carnival
by Mary Lou Atkinson
Even if her father is a King, it's not a given that a girl will grow up to be a Queen.
Yet that's the way it's worked out in the family of George King Logan II, better known to friends and
family by his middle name. This Mardi Gras Day, his younger daughter, Ellen Rogers Logan, reigns as
Queen of Carnival, sharing the spotlight alongside Rex 2008, John Edward Koerner III, at the Rex Ball
and Meeting of the Courts of Rex and Comus.
"On some level, every little girl dreams of being a Queen one day, but I never imagined this," she says.
However, clue number one came when she found a crown in the family's freezer.
That happened last summer. "My dad said let's play a game, which wasn't all that unusual, since when we
were little we always liked to play board games. He handed me an index card with a little poem written
on it, and the words led me to different places around the house. It led me to the freezer, and there was a
crown in it, so I knew that I was gonna be Queen of something. Well, the last clue led me to a Scrabble
game, and it had pieces with red dots on the backs of the letters, and I had to put each letter together to
find out what exactly I was gonna be Queen of. Well, I put 'Queen of' together right away, and as soon as
I got to c-a-r I knew that it was Queen of Carnival! It was really, really fun, and I was so excited! I
jumped up, and I hugged my parents!"
"And screamed a bit, too," laughs her mother, June Logan.
"Yes, there were screams involved," Ellen admits.
At that point, mother and daughter watched a WYES-TV video of a previous Rex Ball and Meeting of
the Courts of Rex and Comus that Mardi Gras night. Well, tonight, it'll be Ellen's turn to play a major
role in that tradition, when the Rex Court leaves Rex Headquarters at the Sheraton Hotel to cross Canal
Street to head for the Mistick Krewe of Comus Ball, over at the Marriott.
While Ellen will experience Carnival Day 2008 from a Royal Perspective, at least one aspect of the
Celebration will be just the same as it always has been for her: Mardi Gras in the Logan household
means family time.
Recalling her earliest memories of Mardi Gras, she comments: "I remember being surrounded by my
entire family --- from my sister Ginger and my brother King, to aunts and grandparents. It was always
such a family occasion" as they watched the Parade together. Now, all four of her grandparents --Margot and Dr. Sam Logan and June and Dr. Al Bertucci --- plan to attend the Ball to see their Ellen in
her Royal Role.
Prior to that, though, 85-year-old Dr. Logan will ride in the Rex Parade for the chance to see her from the
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vantage point of a float, as she watches the Procession from the reviewing stand over at the Hotel
InterContinental. It was 1907 when his father, Dr. George King Logan, was a Rex Duke, a role that his
namesake, Ellen's dad, had in 1974, the year before Ellen's aunt, Ms. Margaret Pratt Logan (now Mrs.
Milton Fried) reigned as Queen of Carnival.
Others who'll share in the family celebration of Ellen's rise to the role of Queen: King her brother, now
27, and sister Ginger, now 25, both of whom returned to New Orleans after Katrina, according to June,
"because they felt that they needed to be a part of the rebuilding process." The Logans themselves have
since had to undergo a rebuilding process of their own, in that their home off Metairie Road took on four
feet of water during the post-hurricane flooding.
"We moved back in upstairs one year to the very day we evacuated," says King Logan. "We didn't have
our own trailer, but our neighbors did, and so they let us use it. So the trailer became our kitchen and
dining room" until the downstairs repairs were completed.
Having Ginger --- more formally, Virginia Zatarain Logan --- close by has been a particular boon for
Ellen. Ginger was Queen of the Atlanteans and a Rex Court Maid in 2003, and, as her sister will tell you,
"I cannot explain how helpful she's been."
Oh, not that Ellen has needed too much in the way of Royal Instruction, having reigned as Queen of the
2005 Harlequins' Ball, shortly after graduating from Sacred Heart. While there, she played on state
championship soccer and volleyball teams in her senior year, serving as varsity captain in both sports.
She even took part in a mission trip to Nicaragua and a student exchange program in Argentina, and was
a Peer Support Leader, as well as a member of the Diversity Team.
A member of University of the South at Sewanee, where she majors in English with a minor in
anthropology. Indeed, the night before she was to become a Maid in the Atlantean Court, she was
wrapping up an anthropology paper for school. "She's gotta e-mail things in every day," explains June,
that being a trade-off for missing a week of so many classes. Currently, Ellen is also considering
attending law school after she finishes up her undergraduate studies, and this past summer found her
working at the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office, before she left there for the Sewanee/Rhodes
European Studies Program.
Her other summer jobs have included being a waitress, which she describes as being "a great experience.
It is so hard. But it's also fun, because you get to meet people." And Ellen Rogers Logan is definitely a
people person, according to her father. "I think Ellen would tell you," he says, "that her friends and
family are what's most important to her." King Logan even describes his youngest child as both "spirited"
and "well-rounded." June Logan's adjectives for her little girl, meanwhile, include "loyal" and "loving."
So on the night of February 5th, 2008, those adjectives came into play as Ellen Rogers Logan took on a
very special role in a very special tradition. "I see Mardi Gras as the soul of our City, a very important
aspect of our City," she says. "To me, Mardi Gras is a way to show that we're back and we're ready to
roll."
Now click ye hither to learn how Their Merry Majesties spent the
evening!
Blackwolf Presents Mardi Gras 2008: A Royal Wrap-up!
From the February 10th, 2008 New Orleans Times-Picayune:
A Royal Wrap-up!
one save the Times-Picayune's Nell Nolan can wrap up the Rex Ball and Meeting
of the Courts of Rex and Comus in that delicious, unmistakale style of hers. Here, then, is her on-the-spot
chronicle of a very merry finale:
A confluence of Crown'd heads!
All that glistened flowed into the rivulets of Royalty when a Hailed Foursome stood together on the stage
set up at the Grande Ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott Hotel on Mardi Gras Night and
acknowledged their enthrall'd and most loyal subjects, all of whom were dazzled by the sparkling
sensation of the brilliants, paillettes and rhinestones that enhanced the Monarchal appointments. And yet
it was not just the Crowns and the gowns, the Sceptres and the Goblet that captivated the crowd --- it was
also the quartet of individuals chosen to rule during this rather short-spaced 2008 Carnival and the
glorious gallivanting of the Rex and Comus Balls.
Limelighted for the Rex Royalty was their King and Queen --- John Edward Koerner III and Ellen
Rogers Logan; whilst their regal Comus counterparts were the unidentified Comus, along with Her
Majesty, Queen Virginia Downman Kerr. In the closing moments of Carnival, the Royals dominated the
stage at the Bal Masque of the Court of Comus for the traditional Meeting of the Courts. The sequence of
the Sceptres and the Cup of Comus all moved in an elegant sweep in this time-honored fashion, and to
much ovation. Tradition went hand-in-white-glov'd-hand with our Monarchy.
The venues for both gala Balls --- the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel for Rex and, just across Canal Street,
the Marriott for Comus --- figured well in the festivity, as did the crossing of the downtown street by the
Rex Royalty and their entourage to appear at the Comus Ball.
Johnny and Ellen both have extensive Carnival connections: His Merry Majesty's late mother-in-law,
Dolly Anne Souchon Johnsen, reigned as Queen of Carnival in 1949. Dolly's husband, Erik Frithhof
Johnsen, was 1991's Rex. Annie, John's wife, was a Rex Maid in the 1971 Court; and their eldest son,
Johnny IV, was a page in 1995, then, 11 years later, a Duke.
For Queen Ellen, Dukedoms tapped her great-grandpa, Dr. George King Logan, in 1907, as well as her
father, King (who continues in that name) in 1974. Two other major connections belong to Ellen's older
sister, Ginger Zatarain Logan, Rex Maid in 2003, and her aunt, Margaret ("Puff") Logan, now Mrs.
Milton Fried, who bore the Sceptre in 1975.
That same year, Alston Montgomery wore the crown of the Queen of Comus. Ginnie Kerr and her
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parents, Alston and her husband, John Hervey Kerr III, hail from Lexington, Kentucky. In 1975, Puff and
Alston were headliners at that year's Meeting of the Courts. This year, a Royal Redux of sorts occured
with Puff's niece and Alston's little girl wearing the Queens' robes.
As a sub-deb, Ellen was Harlequin Queen at the Orleans Club, while debutante Ginger was this year's
Queen of the Atlanteans.
50 years ago, Rex honored his 1958 Queen, Ainslee Dinwiddle, who this night returned to be presented
to Their Merry Majesties 2008, joined by her husband, Pete Grannis and their son, Wilcox Snellings.
Many Carnival connections have dominated the Kerr family, too --- Queen Virginia's maternal
grandmother, Anne Cameron Kock, now Mrs. George R. Montgomery, was Comus Queen in 1947, and
Alston, Annie's daughter, succeeded her some 28 years later. Now, with Virginia as yet another Monarch
of the Mistick Krewe, they are the only living-at-the-same-time, direct line of three Comus Queens!
After the most recent Rex Parade passed in front of the Morris-Downman House on St. Charles Avenue,
the house of the Montgomery family, and that of Anne's son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William
Grace, Jr., one more flag of Comus was thus hoisted on Fat Tuesday. Bill was Rex a few years ago, while
Annie Ray Montgomery was 1973 Atlantean Queen.
The 2008 King of Comus has seen several of his own generations in his family and that of his wife. As
per Carnival tradition, they and their organizations must never be named.
Looking back to last year's Meeting of the Courts, Rex was ruled by Ronald French and Brooke Hastings
Parker; while Comus' Queen was Ashby Geary. Dr. French's wife, who shares his birthday, reigned with
Rex as Flora Fener. She will be next year's 50th Anniversary Queen at the Rex Ball.
Earlier in the day, Rex's 2008 Parade, dedicated to the theme Royal Rivers, saluted familiar area bodies
of water. In a Rex first, the Parade was dedicated to the memory of the late B. Temple Brown, Jr., Rex
1992, who had conceived and proposed this year's Parade theme. Joining the jovial Johnny on the Rex
float were His Merry Majesty's Pages, Alex Tebo and Harry B. Kelleher IV (Comus Page last year, and
grandson and great-grandson of Rexes bearing his name!).
As our happy heroes rode along, Rex 2008 made toasts at several stops, notably at the Hotel
InterContinental, --- in front of his Courtiers, his own --- and, some three blocks away, at the Pickwick
Club, where the Comus Queen and her Court, along with several of the Mistick Krewe's dignitairies
viewed the Rex Parade. Pickwick Club President Joseph Murphy, Jr. was first to greet Rex, welcoming
him on behalf of the Pickwick Club and all of New Orleans. The King spoke, saying how happy he was
being there, and looking forward to spending the evening with Queen Virginia and the Comus Court. She
in turn wished the King a lovely day. One bystander then toasted Rex with a Barq's root beer, in playful
salute to the 19 years His Merry Majesty spent as Founder, President and co-owner of Barq's, Inc.
Also earlier, on the viewing balcony, Joe Simon's Jazzmakers added musical noteworthiness with Rex's
theme song, "If Ever I Cease to Love," which obviously was sung and played over and over throughout
the day. One other musical moment added some levity: As the Louisiana State University Marching
Tigers arrived before the reviewing stand, they faced Queen Virginia of Comus with the lyrical line, "I
wanna know if you'll be my girl."
Hours later, and after at least three of the Royals had a little quality time with their nearest and dearest, it
was time for the Rex Ball to begin over at the Sheraton.
The 2008 Rex Maids and Dukes, then: Catherine Crosby and Parker Koerner (son of Rex and his wife);
Katherine Saer and William Danvers Hales; Kingsley Blum and Chris Sarpy; Maggie Bryan and Clay
Smith; Amelie Rose LeBreton (Amelie's grandma was 1941's Comus Queen) and Peter H. Dupuy Jr.
(grandson, brother and nephew of Rex Royalty); Kelly Reilly and Scott Powell, both of whom have
Royal sisters; Elizabeth Elliott and Joey Sanford; and Ashley Morgan and Pat Gillin. Many other links to
the Make-believe Monarchs are evident in all the Maids and Dukes' families.
The 2008 Debutantes: Claire Connick, Caroline and Martha Cockerham, Eugenie Grevemberg, Marcelle
Robert and Ashley Robichaux. Being 2007-08 Debutantes, Misses Blum, LeBreton, Elliott, Morgan and
Grevemberg have all wielded the Sceptres of Mystery, 12th Night, the Atlanteans, Protues and Nereus.
The 12th Nighters' Coronation Ball kicks off Carnival season in New Orleans; the Rex Ball and Meeting
of the Courts concludes it.
Acknowledged as dignitaries at this 137th Grande Ball of the King of Carnival were: Lt. Gen. Robert
Elder, Jr., Cmdr., 8th Air Force; Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, Cmdr., 8th U.S. Coast Guard, District of
New Orleans; and Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Bengt Samuelsson, who spent a few moments conversing
with Dr. Nick Bazan, who, accompanied by his family, hosted a formal breakfast for his float co-riders
on the morning of the Parade.
The Ball's General Chairmen were two former Rexes: R. King Milling and Denis Henry MacDonald.
With the presentations thus made, and the Royals properly enthroned, the Rex Krewe members, their
wives and/or female guests surged forward, in the customary rows of five or six couples to pay homage
to Their Merry Majesties. The opening dance was, as always, reserved for the Court members and their
ladies.
As Rex-goers approached the Throne, they got a closer look at Queen Ellen's regal attire --- a glittering
gown, designed by Cathie Stuckey, shining in Rex's familiar gold, and made with metallic embroidered
French lace over gold dupioni lame. Adornment was from Austrian crystals, paillettes, and golden bugle
beads. Wide-scalloped lace bands embellished with crystal bands defined the Imperialesque bodice,
forming a triangular inset in the front of the A-line skirt, which ended in a full court train. The finishing
touches were the specially designed gold pparure, Rex Medici collar, mantle, and Sceptre annd Crown.
Over at the Comus Bal Masque at the Marriott, Queen Virginia was dazzling in pure silver. Also
fashioned on Imperial themes, Judy Cobb's design, created for Alice Designs, was of silver Chantilly lace
over silk chiffon lame. The linear motif of the lace created a wide, intricate scalloped border at the
hemline of both skirt and train. Mass quantities of sparkling Austrian rhinestones, flashing margaritas,
silver bugle beads and crystals encrusted Queen Virginia's regal robe. Her Majesty of Comus wore the
customary Medici collar of silver lace, all aglow with rhinestones, and completed the lush raiments with
a magnificent mantle, and gloriously glittering Crown and Sceptre.
The Maids of Comus 2008: Louise Acomb, Tippi and Elizabeth Eliis, Kelly Geary, Caroline Seady Gray,
Mia Scoggin, Elaine Saussy Stewart and Cameron Yancey --- all clad in white ball dresses of their own
choosing. Prior to the February 5th doings, half of these lovelies had borne their own Royal Sceptres --Louise, Queen of Mithras; Tippi Ellis, Queen of Oberon; Betsy Ellis, Queen of Osiris; and Elaine
Stewart, Queen of the Achaens.
Queen Virginia's Royal Pages were Price Butcher (whose mom, formerly Helen Nalty, was a Queen of
Comus) and Davey Charbonnet (grandson and nephew of Rex Royals John Charbonnet and Annie
Goliwas). The Comus King's Pages were Louis LeBourgeois IV and Billy Nelson.
Serving as General Chairman of the Comus Ball was Earl LeCorgne, Jr. His wife, formerly Grace
Phillips Parker, is a relative of Annie Parker Koerner, and reigned as Comus Queen for 1952. Another
erstwhile Royal who was in on the festivities was a one-time Mistick Club Queen, Georgia Monsted
(now Mrs. Richard L.) Simmons.
The Logans and the Kerrs entertained loads of accolades regarding the loveliness of their fair ladies, as
did Queen Ellen's four attending grandparents --- Dr. and Mrs. Sam Logan and Dr. and Mrs. Al Bertucci.
Annie Koerner was regaled with compliments on her glorious Johnny, who, in turn, had this to say about
his Consort: "My Queen was beautiful!" As for Queen Virginia's dad, John Kerr was especially proud
that a key highlight of the evening was escorting two previous Queens, Alston, his wife, and Anne
Montgomery, her mom, up to the Throne, to greet their sparkling third generation and radiant successor.
The two Queens for 2008 have surnames with distinctly Scottish connections: On the crest badge of the
Kerrs is inscribed the motto "The sun in his splendor," which would describe, in ironic reverse, the
nocturnal dazzle of the meeting of the Four Monarchs and all their fulgent finery; whereas the Logans'
motto is "This is the valor of my ancestors." For both Virginia and Ellen, family and the love of family
and the family's enjoying the wonder of Carnival were properly partnered in their Royal Reigns.
After the Meeting of the Courts --- and the sweep of the Cup and Three Sceptres, the final great gesture
in the waning moments of Mardi Gras 2008 --- the next moves to be made were back across Canal Street
to the Sheraton's Napoleon Ballroom, for the wondrous revels of the Supper of the Two Queens.
And thus do we turn to the Future, when the admiring glances of the Four Monarchs will be repeated
anew, but with different principals. (Those possessed of Carnival savvy are already guessing as to who
will be honored come February 24th, 2009, along with who shall wear the great Crowns before then.) As
they have for generations, the power that brings merriment and mystique together shall be regenerated
once more --- and, like the Royal Rivers, regale all New Orleanians with Carnival confluence!
Blackwolf's Special Treats!
rom time to time hither within these Dark Chambers, your Dragonmaster will
bring ye goodlies something that's so incredibly special, you just HAVE to tell your friends about it!
Jessica Eppler reigneth as ye new Elizabeth I at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire!
She and her rather hawkish pal demandeth thy presence next year, capeesh?
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Of course, a longtime Faire Friend of your Dragonmaster (and Lord Seversword's as
well!) has been this burly fellow: Larry, the Texas Centaur! Here's Larry during
Plantersville's Final Weekend, November 18th and 19th, 2006, a bit beardless, of course,
but still as feisty as ever!
Lord Axel and Lady Catherine (Allen and Christine Leddon) are joined by the
Distinguished Mr. Claus and more than a few very Royal Friends! 'Tis the 2006 Chivalry
for Children Foundation's Salvation Army Angel Tree Gathering in Wichita, Kansas --and no doubt, all is certainly merry and bright hither! Huzzah!
Want MORE Special Treats? Click ye hither!
More Special Treats!
More Special Treats!
"Bonjour, mes amis! Le Roi, Henri Valois le Trois d'Alexandre-Edouard de Valois, Lord
High Sovereign of all France, greets you, O faithful visitors to Blackwolf the
Dragonmaster's Dark Chambers, with my personal invitation to join me and my dear
friend, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I of England, at the 2008 Kansas City Renaissance
Festival! Now, we have many memories to share with you all on the KCRF's Performers'
Website, so, if you goodly gentles would kindly join us thither, s'il vous plait."
Now click hither for yet another Special Treat!
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Even More Special Treats!
Even More Special Treats!
"Greetings, you 21st Century twits! Henry VIII here! It's a good thing Master Blackwolf is
me buddy --- else I'd have him turn ye Mortals into toads! Now have a peek at my Royal
Pages --- both old and new --- or I'll have your head!"
Click ye hither for an Extra Special Treat!
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Extra Special Treat!
An Extra Special Treat!
"Greetings to you, visitors to Master Blackwolf's Dark Chambers, from us, King Mittion
and Queen Rosalinda of the SCA's Kingdom of Trimaris! We're Master Blackwolf's latest
Extra Special Treat because the Dragonmaster noticed this Portrait of our Royal Persons
-- and figured we were just too royally cute! Anyway, click as shown above, to find out
what we'll be up to!"
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Blackwolf's Special Features
Blackwolf's Special Features!
ow, Mortals, here are a few online items that I will periodically bring to your
attention if you want to journey deeper in depth concerning the stuff that I usually refer to in my Main
Page. These, then, are my Special Features! Enjoy!
● Farewell to Queen Mother Elizabeth: BBC News' Special Tribute
●
From the British Monarchy Official Webpage: The Official Farewell
●
Our Exalted Brother Gandalf's Journal of the Rings
●
What's New with the Dark Chambers?
●
Master Richard's Mundane Page
More to come!
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What's New in Blackwolf's Dark Chambers
What's New in the Dark Chambers?
Well, now that you're here, why don't we find out?
elcome to that special little portion of these Dark Chambers whose core function is,
basically, to bring you Mortals up to date as to what your Dragonmaster's most recent adventures have
been. It's a sort of occasional chronicle of what I've been up to in the past several weeks, and I hope that,
as we go on, we can post a few new items of note hither. That said, onward we go!
Well, believe me, Mortals, it's about time I brought you goodlies up to speed as to what has happenend to
your humble Dragonmaster in the several weeks and months since this segment was developed. Among
other things, I joined the fraternity of Bloggers, which means that my legendary Diary of Magecraft is
now for real (Huzzah!); Thor the Barbarian and I have pretty much abandoned public-access television
in favor of Internet radio; as I have been saying throughout the balance of this site, our shows can be
heard when you visit Moosemeals.com. (I must, quite frankly, keep it real wi' ye, m'Lords and Miladies:
Howard Stern may be a jerk at times, but it becomes more and more apparent to me that he has seen the
future --- namely, that unless the true eccentrics of the media rise up and raise their voices in the name of
Freedom through non-traditional means, including but not necessarily limited to ye Wyrlde Wyde
Webbe, the media as we presently know it will simply cease to exist!)
Still, it is only through such non-traditional media as the Internet that folks like myself, Thor, the Naked
Cowboy, Master Thoth and the folks behind the Halloween Parade are able to make the noise that we
make on a 24/7 basis. We realized early on, as we were nurturing our respective codes of behaviour, that,
in order to be taken more seriously in public, we would have to dress more radically, behave more
unusually, and, more importantly, find alternative means to express our opinions fearlessly, without
causing what one would otherwise describe as 'malicious mischief.' Hence, our respective websites, mine
own included.
And, by extension, it's also why there are still some of you out thither who still just don't get it about
yours truly. That, goodlies, is what 'the buzz' is for --- and as the Mortals say, ye either have the buzz or
ye don't. And I've discovered, to even mine own surprise, that I've generated a whole mess o' buzz,
before, during and after my encounters with ol' Triumph! Do you realize that, in Yahoo! Search alone,
mine celebrated nom de plume pops up no fewer than 414 times? If nothing else, that's a challenge I
never even knew I was able to conquer!
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What's New in Blackwolf's Dark Chambers
So pray, m'Lords and Ladies: check ye back anon, as I reveal more
and more of that which is new and true within the innersanctums of
these Dark Chambers!
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The Mortal Behind the Beard: Richard's Mundane Page
Meet Richard Washington:
The Mortal Behind the Beard
ell, folks, this is where you get to know the real moi: Richard Washington,
webmaster, grumbler, adventurer, Buccaneer-in-Training --- and pretty much one man at war with the
big guys (David vs. Goliath, that sort of thing). Anyway, for now, this is gonna be my Mundane segment,
so you guys can get a load of my online stuff, which will be frequently posted as I see fit. Enjoy!
For now, here's some of what this Mundane page will feature:
First, check out the exclusive jump links to six other component sites created and maintained by yours
truly: KringleQuest.com; Uncle Fergus' Bagpipers' Paradise!; Edward VII: The Homepage; The
Quartet of the Longbeards; Tales from Berenicia and Old Man Fiddler!
Then, explore my tribute to the Pagemaster, Keeper of the Books and Guardian of the Written Word;
and to David Kirschner's film production, starring Macaulay Culkin and Christopher Lloyd, which tells
the Pagemaster's tale. Plus, explore Blackwolf's Library Links, where you can journey to several of the
Pagemaster's favorite libraries!
Here, too, you may find Blackwolf's partners in eccentricity: Master Thoth (note that he stopped using
the S.K.!), whose Oscar-winning documentary was previously seen on Cinemax' Reel Life (Sheila
Nevins, I could kiss you!), and is now available from the ol' loony in the loincloth himself; and of course,
that Stetson-clad Western dude in the Jockey shorts, the Naked Cowboy!
Since I grew up during the Seventies, I was among the few that had the chance to listen to the real
WABC Radio. Check out this way cool tribute to Musicradio 77 WABC!
I was among the several who pledged a very special allegiance to Epcot's magical duo, Dreamfinder and
Figment --- which explains why there's a whole page devoted to their memory. It's T.J. Warner's
Figment's Imagination, Version 5.0 (and yes, Version 6.0 is still under construction!); and it links to
the official site starring Figment's original voice, the late Billy Barty, and to the official pages of Billy's
two nonprofit organizations, Little People of America, Inc. and the Billy Barty Foundation. On June 1,
2002, Figment returned to his Epcot home, inspiring the International Order of the Friends of
Figment not only to upgrade their own homepage, but also to make plans to move to a new URL; so far,
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those plans have not ye been realized. (We'll let ya know.) For now, Dreamfinder's loyal fans can enjoy a
peek at Emuck.com's interview with Ron Schneider, the original living form of Dreamfinder!
Among the projects I had wanted to develop for some time was a film adaptation of Elisabeth Beresford's
"The Wombles." Johanna Cormier's Womble Lovers' Page has not been really updated since prior to
or after 9/11, but you can still journey there to learn more about them! Of course, my Really Big Dream
continues to be that live-action/CGI adaptation of Norton Juster's "The Phantom Tollbooth," one that
would bring together the combined resources of Industrial Light & Magic and Jim Henson's Creature
Shop. As ever, if anything comes up on it, I'll let you know.
As Halloween happens to be among my semi-favorite holidays, well, I need not tell you that only one
wench is the undisputed Queen of all Halloween: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark! Her site reminds me,
oddly, of my slightly twisted side --- which explains why Blackwolf has me linked to L.A.'s Coven 13
Nightclub page. (It's here on the Mundane segment because a lot of its material is intended for mature
audiences. You know the deal.)
You might wonder what my thing is about linking to the home page of one Gordon E. Peterson II, from
Houston, TX. Well, Gordon's page is one of my favorites because, among other things, he has the one of
the best beards I've ever seen on a Texan!
Recently, Debbie D introduced me to another Debbie --- Debbie Dutch. As is the case with the site of
Club Coven 13, Los Angeles, be warned that her site is intended for mature viewers.
Also for mature viewers: Blackwolf's new pals, the Imperial Court of New York; the obviously
ultra-inspired Naked Cowgirl; the very hilarious but incredibly horny Scotty, the Blue Bunny --- as
well as the most insane filmmakers in the Multiverse (and Thor the Barbarian's #1 influence) --- Lloyd
Kaufman's Troma Pictures!
I also like bikers --- because to me, they're America's Last Pirates! Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a group of
former Veterans who ride their beloved steeds from Harley-Davidson; while Biker Billy Hufnagle, he
who Cooks with Fire, is the only Harley-lovin' chef on public-access television --- and then, you have
these guys: The Star of Davidson Motorcycle Club from Armonk, NY --- who got writ up a while back
in the New York Times! And most recently, I had the pleasure of briefly encountering the Southern
Cruisers' Motorcycle Club, who are really really tough, and do tend to beat up everybody else. But only
when they choose to. (Lest we forget: a lot of bikers are Vietnam Veterans, so this website also supports
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund!)
Like a good many of you out there, there have been times when I've had to stand up for America and all
she holds dear. Which is why recently Blackwolf alerted me to the Re-energize America homepage
co-founded by, among others, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. I think this site has something very important to
say. Please visit it. We also wanna remind you that there's still a lot of information you can check out if
you wanna help those who continue to be affect by Katrina, Rita and their aftermaths. Please check out
these websites: RedCross.org; Doctors Without Borders; UNICEF.org; Oxfam America;
NetworkforGood.org and the AmeriCares Foundation.
And last but not least, me oldest, most venerable links are here: my Page o' Legal Stuff and the
IndexCenter!
Blackwolf Salutes 'the Pagemaster'
And now, Blackwolf the Dragonmaster salutes......
David Kirschner's "the Pagemaster"
"Reach deep within yourself, Richard, and seize the courage!" --- the Pagemaster
o one feature film, not even a 75-minute feature, can truly introduce a child to the
wondrous, sometimes unpredictable realm of reading. At best, such a feature can serve only as an
introduction, rather than merely 'the gospel.' Yet David Kirschner's film production "the Pagemaster"
sets out to encourage a child to explore that very realm without exhibiting any degree of so-called
'preachiness,' as the film's many detractors might have you believe. The result is perhaps one of the most
uniquely envisioned, remarkably executed animated features this old Mage has ever seen --- and, believe
me, in all me 4000-plus years, I've seen Magic conjured in many a form or two.... but obviously, never
quite like this!
"the Pagemaster," in a sense, owes much of its existence on film to the New York Public Library --specifically, to its Headquarters Branch on 5th Avenue, now known as the Center for the Humanities. It
was here, several years ago, that David Kirschner --- at the time, in the midst of his run as President and
CEO of Hanna-Barbera --- took his two daughters, Jessica and Alexis, then aged 7 and 9, respectively.
"As we walked in," recalls David, "three sets of Reeboks echoing across that classic marble floor, I
began to get very carried away as I explained in a whispered voice everything about the Library. Then
suddenly, I realized that there was now only one set of footsteps. When I turned around, both my
daughters were standing perfectly still, holding hands. They were clearly in awe; they said to me that
they'd never seen so many books before.
"And then I started remembering what it was like being a child --- and walking into a library for the very
first time. It was almost as if you'd set foot into a haunted house or something..... exciting, and yet at the
same time, kind of scary. And those aisles --- they just seemed to go on forever!
"And that's when I thought: 'What a great place to set up a story!'"
Thus did it occur that David Kirschner found himself and his daughters heading back to L.A. on the next
flight out of New York; and, once they were back home, David pumped up his imagination..... and
conceived the story of a resourceful yet cautious 10 1/2-year-old named Richard Tyler, whose world is
nothing less than a constant struggle against the forces of danger.
And, as Master Tyler would tell you himself, that danger can be found in even the most comfortable of
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places --- his very own backyard! Why, even his bedroom, to say nothing of the treehouse his father,
Alan, is building for him, are accidents waiting to happen. And as for the streets where his friends like to
play --- oh, don't get Richard started! His trusty bicycle has more safety features on it than your average
747; plus, he can quote you the exact percentage of accidents known to occur in a typical American
home, as well!
But Richard Tyler's life is about to be changed, and in a most extraordinary fashion. It all begins late
one afternoon when Alan sends his son off to the local hardware store to pick up a box of nails. However,
when a severe storm manifests itself, the boy is forced to take temporary refuge in a huge library.
Here, he encounters the Senior Librarian, one Mr. Dewey. And Mr. Dewey turns out to be quite an
eccentric sort of fellow. Indeed, he tells Richard that he, Richard Tyler, needs a little bit of adventure in
his young life --- along with a few elements of fantasy and horror to be thrown into the mix. But Richard
simply wants to use the public phone booth!
His journey there eventually leads him to the library's huge, circular rotunda --- the centerpiece of which
is a magnificent domed mural which celebrates the wonders of Adventure, Fantasy and Horror in all
their forms. Treasure Island, Moby Dick, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the Fantasy genre in general, as
symbolized by the figure of a massive fire-breathing dragon, are all depicted in each of the mural's 'four
corners;' and, at the very center of the mural, the portrait of a wise, Mage-like being, his long hair and
beard literally resembling the very pages of a book.
Which should be no surprise to you Mortals, because, as we will soon discover, that wise, Mage-like
being will prove to be none other than --- the Pagemaster, Keeper of the Books and Guardian of the
Written Word!
And before the Pagemaster is done with young Richard Tyler, he'll take the lad on a journey of discovery
that he's not likely to forget any time soon.
All Richard has to do in order to find his way back home is to reach the library's EXIT sign. And to do
that, he must undergo three tests: the Test of Horror; the Test of Adventure; and the Test of Fantasy.
Helping our young friend along on this deceptively simple quest will be three remarkable book-beings,
each one named after their specific genres: Adventure, the ferocious buccaneer book; Horror, the
somewhat misshapen but gentle-hearted hunchbook; and Fantasy, the tender but tough-talkin' faerie
godmama.
And by the time their quest is ended, one young boy will have been transformed into a hero!
Clearly, when David Kirschner conceived the saga of the Pagemaster, he was drawing from his own
childhood experiences.
"I was terrible at sports when I was little," he remembers. "My world was one where I'd just climb on top
of my bunkbed and escape into the worlds of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Bram
Stoker, Mary Shelley..... Their books were my world, along with the illustrations that often accompanied
them."
Considering such remarks, 'tis obvious that young David Kirschner's imagination was spellbound by the
power of books. But since Richard Tyler's constant phobias were taking an extreme form, it seemed quite
logical that the boy should be thrust from his safe, flesh-and-blood universe into a realm that was equally
as extreme: the vibrant, boundless realm of animation!
It all began with director Maurice Hunt, who, over a year's time, sketched out thousands of inspirational
drawings. Then, Hunt assembled a team of storyboard artists, led by production designers Gay Lawrence
and Valerio Ventura, to put together another collection of literally thousands of drawings. These were
then carefully reviewed by Hunt and Kirschner to guarantee proper establishment of the correct mood of
each specific scene.
Step two involved the Layout Department, controlled by art director Pixote and layout artistic supervisor
Don Morgan. Their crew choreographed every character's slightest movement, along with camera
placement at every given film frame.
For step three, three video cameras recorded the film's 15-member voice cast, headlined by, among
others, Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy, Frank
Welker, George Hearn, Phil Hartman, Jim Cummings, B.J. Ward, Ed Gilbert, Dorian Harewood and
Robert Picardo, as they recorded their roles in a studio. These performances were the result of hours'
worth of script readings, discussions with the producer and director --- and several hilarious adlibs! In
some cases, some of the 15 actors had to redo their recordings months, or even a year, later!
In Macaulay Culkin's case, this was especially daunting, as Mac's voice had changed in the intervening
period between his recording of Richard Tyler's lines for the animators and portraying Richard himself
in the live-action sequences, under the direction of former Industrial Light and Magic alumnus Joe
Johnston.
When Johnston began live-action filming, his team scouted every California library within a 50-mile
radius of the actual location. Since nothing came even close to what the filmmakers wanted, they decided
to construct their own library! Teaming with live-action production designer Roy Forge Smith, Johnston
commissioned artist Chris Hopkins to create the massive mural that was to serve as the centerpiece of
the library's huge rotunda.
By the time that the Pagemaster was released in November 1994, the project had been some 3 1/2 years
in the making. While the film itself opened to mixed reviews and limited domestic box-office grosses, it
was, if you ask this ol' Dragonmaster, 3 1/2 years that were well worth the effort. Indeed, many film
critics figured that this kind of film was not really worth enjoying. Nonetheless, there were several
teachers and educators across the country who were more than anxious to make the Pagemaster's saga a
major part of their curriculum. Sadly, nothing came of their good intentions.
Because of this, I figured it might be a good idea to enshrine the Pagemaster's memory here in my Dark
Chambers, so that other Mages (and the several teachers among you Mortals, too!) might wish to take a
cue from his words of wisdom, those words being:
"When in doubt, look to the books!"
And know ye this: since the Keeper of those Books is numbered amongst us Masters of Good Magic, let it
be known that he shall be welcomed here in the pages of the Chronicles of the High Istari; and, before
Time itself doth cease to pass, he shall be ranked among the honored Mages of our Greater Multiverse.
Such is the word of Blackwolf the Dragonmaster!
20TH CENTURY-FOX Presents in Association with TURNER PICTURES, INC.
MACAULAY CULKIN
CHRISTOPHER LLOYD
in DAVID KIRSCHNER'S
"the Pagemaster"
Featuring the Voice Talents of
WHOOPI GOLDBERG
PATRICK STEWART
LEONARD NIMOY
FRANK WELKER
GEORGE HEARN
JIM CUMMINGS
ED GILBERT
PHIL HARTMAN
And Also Starring
ED BEGLEY, Jr.
MEL HARRIS
Music Score by
JAMES HORNER
Animation Co-Producers
DAVID J. STEINBERG and BARRY WEISS
Story by
DAVID KIRSCHNER & DAVID CASCI
Screenplay by
DAVID KIRSCHNER & DAVID CASCI and ERNIE CONTRERAS
Live-Action Unit Produced by
MICHAEL R. JOYCE
Produced by
DAVID KIRSCHNER and PAUL GERTZ
Live-Action Unit Directed by
JOE JOHNSTON
Animation Unit Directed by
MAURICE HUNT
If the Pagemaster's world is to your liking, then check out Blackwolf's Library Links, featuring
links to some of my favorite libraries in the Multiverse! And click ye here for the complete
Pagemaster end credits!
Also, for a tribute to another movie that, IMHO, deserves to find its audience, check out the Q for
Camelot Site, celebrating Warner Bros. Feature Animation's Quest for Camelot! And thou canst
explore further Kingdoms from the Celluloid Realm in my Links segment!
Whatever You Imagine: Blackwolf's Library Links
Whatever You Imagine
Lyrics by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill; Music by James Horner
Produced by Keith Thomas for Yellow Elephant Music, Inc.
Performed by Wendy Moten
hatever you imagine
Can one day come to be....
There are dreams to awaken,
Roads to be taken.
Follow them and they will set you free...
Whatever you imagine
Is where your heart can go.
There are worlds filled with treasure,
Time without measure,
To learn whatever you may need to know.
Imagine,
And you and I can fly past the sun
And leave all our doubts and fears behind us.
You see, that's just what can happen
When you look inside your mind.
There's no limit to the wonders you can find!
Whatever you imagine
Can make your life brand-new.
There are miracles waiting,
So keep concentrating
And I promise you that if you do......
Whatever you imagine can come true.......
Ah yes, the wisdom behind that song never fails to bring the twinkles back to this ol' Dragonmaster's
eyes. And as this happens to be that portion of my Dark Chambers which salutes the Pagemaster, for
whose motion picture Barry, Cynthia and James composed the preceding, I thought it would be a kick if
we included a few links to several of the most famous libraries in the world. These, then, are......
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Blackwolf's Library Links!
●
The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
●
Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
●
Alameda County, CA Public Library
●
Alexandria, VA Public Library
●
Ann Arbor, MI District Library
●
Appleton, WI Public Library
●
Austin, TX Public Library System
●
Baltimore County, MD Public Library @ Towson
●
The Free Library of Boston
●
The Public Library of Boulder, CO
●
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
●
The Chicago Public Library
●
The Cleveland Public Library
●
Denver, CO Public Library
●
Fairfax County, VA Public Library
●
The King County Library System of Seattle
●
The Michigan Library Consortium @ Lansing
●
The Las Vegas/Clark County, NV Public Library System
●
The Lewis & Clark Library, Helena, MT
●
The Los Angeles Public Library
●
The New York Public Library
●
The Brooklyn, NY Public Library
●
The Queensborough, NY Public Library
●
Omaha, NE Public Library
●
The Free Library of Philadelphia
●
The Punxsutawney, PA Public Library (for those of you who can't wait for Groundhog Day!)
●
St. Louis, MO Public Library
●
The Salt Lake City, UT Public Library
●
Salt Lake County, UT Public Library System
●
San Diego, CA Public Library
●
San Francisco Public Library
Check back often for more of Blackwolf's Library Links!
'the Pagemaster': The Complete End Credits
The Complete End Credits
from David Kirschner's "the Pagemaster"
ell, Mortals, I've been promising you this one for quite a while, so I thought we
might as well just have at it! Anyway, even in the case of a movie like the Pagemaster, one has to
remember that, like everything else in the world in general, it takes people to bring a project this vast
and inspiring to life. That said, here are the Mortals who assisted the Pagemaster in guiding young
Richard Tyler through his journey of discovery.
Associate Producers CLAIRE GLIDDEN and ROXY NOVOTNY STEVEN
Supervising Animator BRUCE SMITH
Art Direction P I X O T E
Production Designed by GAY LAWRENCE and VALERIO VENTURA
Visual Effects Supervision RICHARD T. SULLIVAN
Animation Sequence Director GLENN CHAIKA
ANIMATION SUPERVISORS
Story ROBERT LENCE
Layouts DON MORGAN
Backgrounds JIM HICKEY
Assistant Character Animation DONALD PARMELE
Special Effects Animation MARK MYER
Animation Checking GINA BRADLEY
Color Key CLAYTON STANG
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'the Pagemaster': The Complete End Credits
Ink & Paint LAURA CRAIG, BONNIE BLOUGH, DEBORAH RYKOFF BENNETT
Final Checking PAT SITO
Check back soon for more of the Pagemaster's end credits!
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Blackwolf's Bonus Links for 2008!
elcome to Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Bonus Link of the Month, 2008 Edition!
Regular visitors to these Dark Chambers know the drill by now, but for those of you who don't, here's
how it works: each year, starting in January and going on until November, your Dragonmaster ferrets
out, from the vast resources of me Links, twelve very special sites --- each and every one of them having
been considered by me to be incredible enough to bring to your attention! Finally, in December, I select
the one link from these 12 which I shall proclaim worthy of the ultimate knighthood --- Blackwolf's
Bonus Link of the Year for 2008! This very special portion of these Dark Chambers is herewith
reserved for just these twelve honorees! And if thou seekest Bonus Links from the 6 previous years I've
done this, you may find them in my Royal Hall of Fame, where they are justly enshrin'd as Internet
Immortals! Huzzah! and hurrah!
JANUARY: The Faeries of Cottingley Glen, Somewhere in England
FEBRUARY: WYES-TV 12, New Orleans
MARCH: Annika the Ninth Valkyrie, Shorewood, Wisconsin
APRIL: The St. Ives Historical Society, California City, California
MAY: The Sacramento, California Grovoe of the Oak, Inc.
JUNE:
JULY:
AUGUST:
SEPTEMBER:
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OCTOBER:
NOVEMBER:
DECEMBER:
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Blackwolf's Royal Hall of Fame!
Blackwolf's Royal Hall of Fame!
elcome, Mortals, to my Royal Hall of Fame! Once again, the Cycle begins, as I
ferret out, from the vast resources of my Links, twelve very special sites which, IMHO, I consider to
possess enough incredibility to bring to your attention! This section, Blackwolf's Royal Hall of Fame, is
their place of honour, for here, they will henceforth be honored as Internet Immortals! Click on the link
corresponding to the year in which I made my specific picks!
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
As always, we will place the complete list of 2006 Bonus Link picks hither! And to those of you among
me Links what didn't get picked ---- fear not, for my Bonus Link o' the Month Quest remains a yearly
tradition hither within these Dark Chambers! Pray, stay ye tun'd!
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Blackwolf's Royal Hall of Fame: The Class of 2002!
Blackwolf's Royal Hall of Fame: The
Class of 2002!
Blades of Glory and King Edmund's Medieval Fayre, Campbellford, Ontario, Canada
The Rex Organization, Mardi Gras New Orleans
Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire, Portage, Michigan
Scarborough Faire, The Renaissance Festival, Waxahachie, Texas
Master Craig of Farrington, The Minstrel Lutenist, Waco, Nebraska*
Sparky the Dragon, New York City
The Guild of St. George of Virginia and Out of the Woodwork Productions, Inc., Woodbridge,
Virginia
King Richard's Faire, Carver, Massachusetts
The Chronicles of Sir Trong Trongersoll, New York/New England Region
The FauxReal Theatre Company, NYC
The Louisiana Renaissance Festival, Hammond
Tom and Katie Crecelius' Medieval Magic, Milltown, Indiana
*2002 Bonus Link of the Year!
Here be me picks for 2K3; I chose quite well, as thou canst see! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye
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Class of 2003!
The Royal Medieval Faire, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
The Kingdom of Vega in the Empire of Chivalry & Steel, Las Vegas
Rocky the Colorado Leprechaun of Evergreen
The SCA's Kingdom of Meridies
Potterville
St. Elizabeth's Guild, Long Beach, CA
Their Majesties, King Dag and Queen AnneMarie*** of the SCA's Midrealm, Chelsea, MI
The Seattle Seafair Pirates**
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival Performers
The Guild of St. Olaf, Whittier, CA (no longer accessible)
Ragnar the Viking, Minneapolis/St. Paul
The Amazin' Walter and his daughter, Christy the Clown, South Padre Island, TX
**2003 Bonus Link of the Year!
***As of 4/28/2007
Here be me picks for 2K4; Methinks thou couldst nae ask for more! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all
ye lack; Click yon mouse and haste ye back!
Class of 2004!
New Line Cinema's LordoftheRings.net
Castle K'zar, Home of Dragonlord and Dragonlady K'zar, Kingwood, TX
Rengeek.org, Southeastern Texas
King Alanus I and Queen Barbara of Bermania, Fairfield, CT
Ik the Troll (Bryan Thompson), Atlanta, GA
The Lords of the Rhymes, NYC
The House of Dra, Magnolia, TX
The Production Team of Ringers: Lord of the Fans
The Pyrate Guys, Founders of International Talk Like a Pirate Day
King Thorson and Queen Svava^***** (Chris Butler & Lisa Snook) of the SCA's Eastern
Kingdom, Starksboro, VT
Queen Margaret of Scotland and the Isles (Janna Casstevens Lewis), Salado, TX
Ralph Archbold, America's Ben Franklin, Philadelphia
^As of 10/02/2004; 2004 Bonus Link of the Year!
*****Count and Countess as of 4/2/2005
Now, to our Class of 2k5; the noblest Bonus Links alive! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack;
Class of 2005!
Her Majesty, Queen Anastasia of Hightower (Anne Kokol), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The St. Paul, MN Winter Carnival
King Elric Bishop and Queen Elizabeth Bishop of Ostgard****** (Chris & Martha Yard) Tyler,
Texas
Sir Clisto Seversword's Tome Adventure & Knowledge (Jake Brunette), South Milwaukee, WI
Lucasfilm's Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, San Rafael, CA
Prysmos.com: Merklynn's Visionaries Page, England
King Maximillian and Queen Lethrenn***** of Meridies (Jim & Sara Nichols), Birmingham, AL
Master Payne, Seattle, WA
M.A.D. House Productions, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Los Angeles
Erus the Grey, Texas
Collingwood/O'Hare Entertainment's Gordon the Garden Gnome, London, England
*****Count and Countess as of 9/11/2005
******2005 Bonus Link of the Year!
Now, harken ye to this next list: Behold, the Class of 2K6! Otherwise: A magician's wand is all ye lack;
Class of 2006!
Deep Roy and Kiran Shah, England
Finntroll, Helsinki, Finland
Princess Aisling's Irish Language & Dance Troupe, San Diego, California
Tony & Angela DiTerlizzi, Amherst, Massachusetts
His Majesty, King Henry VIII of England (Ray Irving), Lancashire, England
Utupau IV and the Lapti Nek Preservation Society, Somewhere Beyond the Multiverse
The Seattle Knights Jousting/Performance Troupe, Seattle, Washington
Carrie Rutherford's DragonFolk Studios, Forest City, North Carolina
The Maryland Renaissance Festival @ Crownsville
Lordi, Rovaniemi, Finland*
The Texas Renaissance Festival @ Plantersville
The Johannes Kepler Project, The Mysts of Time
*2006 Bonus Link of the Year!
Class of 2007!
The Royal Order of the Tudor Rose and Deirdre Sargent as Elizabeth I
Buggler the BugleFly
Kinuko Y. Craft
ZZ Top
Pirates of the Caribbean: @ World's End, Spider-Man 3 and Shrek: The Third
The Texas Renaissance Festival @ Plantersville (also here and here)*
Black Fox Designs
Don Juan & Miguel
Ronn Lucas and Scorch the Teenage Dragon
Isis and the Star Dancers
The Myles Pinkney Fantasy Gallery
Princess Katie & Racer Steve
*Bonus Link of the Year!
Class of 2008!
In Other MageNews......
In Other MageNews......
A wise Rennie always knows to link to The Weather Channel's
website, weather.com, because you never know if you're gonna have
to do Faire in the rain, as King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn
had to do one year at Scarborough Faire! Everybody remember that
one? Anyway, I have linked thither because it's a terrific place to log
onto if one wants to do Faire without getting drench'd 'pon; and
besides, as always, your Dragonmaster is not one to take any
chances!
When His Nordic Majesty, King Sven Veorg, is not greeting his
subjects at the Arizona Renaissance Festival @ Apache Junction,
one can find him, cleverly disguised as the Mortal called Parry
Morton, as the official photographer for those hoedown-happy
Country Thunder Concerts, at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, AZ;
and at beautiful Twin Lakes, Wisconsin! Check out the link for the
full details, and click ye hither for His Nordic Majesty's Royal Photo
Gallery, along with the voice of the Country Thunder Concerts, Mr.
Steve Wood!
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Blackwolf in Poetry
ere are several poems written to celebrate your humble Dragonmaster, and
everything that I do just so that I can continue kicking Wizardly butt in the name of the City, County and
State of New York --- as only I can do it!
"The Merlin of Manhattan" by Alison
Taylor
Where do you look for a Wizard?
This is not the Yellow Brick Road to Oz,
Manhattan's underground tube station,
Is not your mind's imagination,
Because commuters, tourists, travellers and such like that,
Going about their dialy routine,
Unaware of the man in the tall, pointed hat,
Who has broken up their monotonous scene.
The Goblins, Faeries and mystical measures,
A vocation belonging only to the able,
Drawn away from the office and clerical table,
Into spells and conjuring and mythical tales,
Master Blackwolf unfolds in fantasy scales.
Mediaeval magick in Manhattan today,
Captivation of imagination in such a way
Can only be brought into the front of the mind's eye,
If the allowance of belief is permitted to apply,
Trudging around New York's streets and modern-day living,
Is this emblem of Fantasy,
Dream-maker in the giving!
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Blackwolf in Poetry
"Outside the Bubble" by Ray Irving
A world distorted as a whole, living there inside your bowl.
Don't bother me with your codes and rules, for I live out here, amongst the fools!
Fools! You may think of me and mine as dressing up strange all the time.
But stop and think: How's your life going? I may be odd, but inside, I'm glowing.
Rolled-up paper, catch the train, get home late, then back again.
Toil your way to make a living --- My way's easier, for I'm just giving!
Giving Fun and Hope to all you slaves, bringing Light to all your days,
My wand is hot with wishes true. and my spells are meant to help you.
So, dear friends in this dark, grey world: within thy bubble, 'tis quite absurd!
Give up youe ways of bitter stress! Pop that bubble! Clear up this mess!
Enjoy thy life, without a care! Stay at home and save thy fare!
Become a King or Queen, or a Wizard, too --- yes, that is my advice to you.
Look at Ray Irving! He's now a King; whilst Master Blackwolf does his thing!
Are these two men really fools? Maybe they've rediscover'd Life's tools!
Tools that repair broken ways into ever-smiling happy days.
It may be so there's too much trouble trying to escape from your own bubble.
Without a plan, you may never stop ---- so prick thyself, and make it POP!
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Blackwolf's Banners
Blackwolf's Banners!
n yet another bid to avoid the horror of bandwidth constraints, I, Blackwolf
the Dragonmaster, have given all my banners a page of their own, so that everything in these Dark
Chambers looks a little less cluttered. Enjoy!
NarniaWeb: Your Source for Narnia Movie News
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Blackwolf's Banners
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How to Link to the Dark Chambers
Do you wish to link to these Dark Chambers?
If so, please use the following formula:
Start with a
href="http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwolfmain2.html."
Once that's done, add in img border="0", followed by src="bwbanner2.gif"
and alt="Blackwolf's Dark Chambers" --- and then finish it all off with /a.
When taking on each of these steps, begin each part of the formula with
these icons: < > < / >, remembering to save the /a icon (with the < and >
inside, please!) for the very last.
When you're all done, the results should look like this:
You can also, if you like, add in the words Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's
Dark Chambers, in case any potential visitors get confused. I would
recommend, as well, that, if you have access to such technology, you
consider typing or pasting in those five very important words --BLACKWOLF THE DRAGONMASTER'S DARK CHAMBERS --- onto or next
to the image. As for me, I like to think that, in terms of linking to my own
site, the face of this humble old goat is enough to tell the whole story!
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A Reminder from Master Blackwolf
A Reminder from Master Blackwolf!
For those of you who must now take leave of my Dark Chambers, I
wanted to bid ye Mortals farewell with this friendly and wise
reminder, as demonstrated hither by this portrait from the Carolina
Renaissance Festival & Marketplace --- Remember, goodly gentles:
the Royal Family that maketh ye merry together, stayeth together!
Huzzah!
http://www.geocities.com/blackbeardian/Magecraft/bwroyals.html [2008/04/22 08:42:35 AM]

Why the World Needs Wizards

Transcription

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