Faerie Magazine Winner & Orycon Drossbox!

Faerie Magazine

If you loved faeries, you might have wonderful dreams at night.  For example, you might dream about winning a prize like Cathy Lallemand.  She won the beautiful, full color Faerie Magazine for a whole year!  Or perhaps you would dream about finding hidden treasure around town, stashed in secret faerie caches.

Probably what WOTAN dreams about.

You might however be the rather savage and uncivilized sort such as a Redcap.  Perhaps a Boggart instead or even...a filthy, dirty, nasty, rotten Barbarian named WOTAN.

And if you were WOTAN, you'd probably be happy as a hedgehog to dream about plucking pixie wings or making kabob spears out of spritelings.  No doubt, skewering faeries on a giant needle would be one of your favorite nightly visions - if you were a Barbarian.

WOTAN in the Mandalorian jail.

That's probably what WOTAN was dreaming about the very day that Amethina was zipping along the silvery freeway path on her way to Orycon 32.  Fortunately for all the little fae, WOTAN was just dreaming.  And snoring, very loudly.

In fact, his foghorn snore is probably what accounted for the whirlwind of autumnal leaves that piled along curbs and eddied them into the air.  Amethina knew that this year at Orycon, she had better watch out for WOTAN - he was bound to get some revenge for being thrown in galactic jail the year before.

Tumwater Bridge Path

Just in case, she decided to hide her Drossbox along the way at Tumwater Falls Park.  It was a blustery day to be hiding anything outside, but Amethina thought up this rhyme for a clue as she navigated her way past the playground.

Through a park of autumn leaves
A path lies to the right
Under the bridge, near the fence's end
Hides a Drossbox out of sight.

Venturing down beneath the concrete structure she searched around until she found a suitable hiding place for the treasure and tucked it safely away.  After WOTAN tried to steal the Faerie Treasure from the pirates at the WA Midsummer Renaissance Faire, Amethina was very careful about keeping them out of his reach.  He's a Barbarian though, so it is highly unlikely that he will be able to solve any riddles that might give away the location of the treasure!

Definitely what Amethina dreams about!

As it turns out, that was a smart move because WOTAN was on a pranking rampage that weekend!  He even left a gruesome rat and disgusting cockroaches all over Amethina's magical booth.

That's alright though, in the end, Amethina and her court of faeries and spritelings conquered that great, hulking barbarian in the end.

Or maybe that was just a dream....

Knight Prize and Drossbox Hidden Treasure...

Contestants searched high and low in their efforts to win the Amethyst Crystal Potion, said to be great for protection, the mind, mysticism and calm.  Many magical items were found for protection: Juniper and Poisonwood Magic Wands, Air Elemental Parchment, a Macassar Ebony Wand - the list goes on!


After a week of hunting for items, all the entries were rounded up for the prize drawing.  The box was shaken and yon random castle guard was enlisted to draw the name of the final winner:

JESSICA MENTON!!

Congratulations and happy winnings to her, as the Magic Potion is on its way for her very own use.

Drossbox

In the mood for prizes, treasures and other fun games, Amethina decided to continue the adventure and go on a little excursion.  She dug through her own treasure chest for some faerie sparklies and packed a small, weatherproof container full of all the necessary components: stamp, booklet, shiny things, instructions, cool stuff and then set out to the Barony of Tacoma to find an excellent place to geo-cache this Drossbox.

Once in the land of Tacoma, Amethina stopped by one of her favorite shops where some fairy friends dwell.  Whilst there, she found the perfect place out back to hide the Drossbox full of treasure.

Amethina points to the hidden Drossbox!
(Elf Hoodie by BluPixie)

Pulling her elf hoodie up over her head so as to blend in, she sneaked the treasure in under a bush and thought up this little rhyme to help any scavenger hunters find it:

Where the Moon is a Crescent

Faerie treasure is present

Around a corner

Up a stone stair

Under a shrub, it's tucked in there!

Do you know a place in Tacoma that fits that description??

Magic sewn for the evening, Amethina said goodbye to her friends and was off to the next adventure! 

Happy Hunting!

A Knight to Remember

Even Queen Elizabeth who was visiting from Canterbury Faire came by the Faerie Bower to express happy returns at the safe rescue of the Fairy Queen.  

Queen Elizabeth and her entourage.

She was most pleased to see everyone in good health and cordially invited the Fairy Court to visit Canterbury Faire next year. A splendid offer!

"We are about to have a ceremony here," Amethina told Elizabeth.  "Would Your Majesty grace us to stay?"


Queen Elizabeth smiled, "I would delighted."


Waving her hand, all the chattering elflings perched around and Morgan - the Fairy Queen's Champion - was summoned forth for audience.

The Fairy Queen's Champion
 kneels at court.

Morgan was fierce in battle and bravely defended all the childlings and elves, hobs and sprites from that brash and hulking, faerie-smashing barbarian WOTAN.


Kneeling down before the Queen, Morgan bowed her head with respect as Amethina spoke for all the court to hear.


"You have done a great service to the Fae with your constant vigilance and dedication to protection, even at the risk of your own life."


Amethina touched her magic wand in an arc from the Champion's shoulder over to the other,  "For this loyal service, let it henceforth be known that you shall be called Lady Morgan, a sworn Knight of this Court."

Amethina presents Lady Morgan
 with magical bracers.

Zane, one of the young fae, brought over a box from which the Fairy Queen withdrew two black leather items. 


"In recognition of your advancement, we present to you these magical bracers.  They have had a protection enchantment placed upon them to aid you in your duties."


Lady Morgan gratefully accepted her gift and rose to a chorus of cheers and congratulations!

WOTAN the Barbarian is blocked by
 Lady Morgan from entering the Faerie Bower

Just as she finished securing them to her arms, a booming voice echoed down the lane to the Bower.  "WHERE IS THAT FAERIE QUEEN?!!" 


It was none other than WOTAN the Barbarian and he was in a fit!


"Stop right there!" commanded Morgan as she immediately sprang forth.  "You may not enter this Bower."


Just like magic, glamor rippled in the air as a protective shield surrounded the brave Knight and all the Faeries in the Bower.


"Aaaaarggggh!!!" WOTAN roared angrily.  "What is this disgusting faerie magic?  Your pathetic, glittery Queen stole my mallet!"  He raged and shook his club but he wasn't getting past the Champion...

...TBD...

+++++

Welcome to my very first Blog Contest!  If you've never played one, just follow the instructions and join right in.  

HOW TO PLAY:
Amethina told Lady Morgan that she had cast a magical protection enchantment the new arm bracers...


1. Visit The Gilded Quill on Artfire or Etsy and find one magical tool that can be used for protection spells.  Come back here, and leave a comment naming the magical tool you found! (REQUIRED)


ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (if you want more than one chance to win):
2. Become a follower of the gildedquill and tweet about this giveaway. Come back here and leave an additional comment with your twitter ID.  You may do this once a day.


3. Become a fan of The Gilded Quill on Facebook, and leave an additional comment saying that you are a new fan.


4. Become a follower of The Gilded Quill on NetworkedBlogs and share this article.  Come back here and post that you've done so (remember to include your username :)

Contest Prize Amethyst Potion!!

This contest will run for one week, through Wednesday, October 27th at the end of which I will draw a random winner from the eligible participants.  **Please make sure you leave a valid email address when entering this giveaway!**

From Queen to Shining Queen

When last we left our Fairy Queen Amethina, she was being held for ransom by swashbuckling Pirates!  Mary, Queen of Scots, remained to true to her most gracious and royal promise to use goblin fruit to buy her fellow Queen's release.


Spritelings of the faerie courts flew into action!  They flitted all around Midsummer gathering all the goblin fruit they could find into a huge basket.  Soon it was practically overflowing and the Queen Mary designated her loyal servant Vidor Karoly Fedence Kovacs to assist with the delivery.

A favor is offered

Well, the Pirates hemmed and hawed and tried to extort some more booty but they made a deal with Queen Mary and weren't going to risk a full-scale, cannon-blasting, mast-cracking battle out on her waters.

Escort home

"Besides," said Amethina as they unlocked her cold iron shackles. "That illiterate Barbarian Wotan has a treasure map that he can't read.  You can trade rotten goblin fruit to him for the treasure map - Barbarian's love rotten fruit."


As everyone knows, hunting for treasure a favored activity amongst the sea-dogs and wayfarers.  If they weren't convinced before, the opportunity to find gold cinched the deal.


Grateful for the help of Queen Mary, Amethina presented an offer in kind.  "From one queen to another, please accept that we owe you a favor for dealing with all of this....unsavory business."

"Goodbye, sweet Chia."
(Pic: Douglas Herring)

A favor from the Fae was no small matter.  They do not grant such things lightly and Queen Mary smiled in agreement.  She was a clever woman and no doubt would use the boon quite craftily when the time was right.


Queen Amethina kissed the bright green parrot that had kept her company in captivity.  "Goodbye sweet Chia, I shan't miss those Pirates but I will miss you."

Faerie Court back at the Bower.

With that, the pirates returned the Fairy Queen's wings and chiming magic wand.  Amidst the happy chatter of all the elflings, Amethina was escorted back to the fairy bower at the top of the hill....

...now where did that Barbarian go....?

Deals Between Goblin King & Fairy Queen

Wotan the Barbarian was on the rampage around Midsummer Faire and it was going to require extra measures to subdue him. 

Gnerkgzorp the Goblin King

It was time to cut a deal with Gnerkgzorp, the Goblin King.  Now, Elves and Goblins don't always get along, kind of like brothers and sisters.  When the sun goes down however, they're all still Fae-folk so sometimes they work together...


...and so Gnerkgzorp the Goblin King said to Amethina the Fairy Queen, "If you help with my Goblin Parade, and make a loud ruckus noise, I'll cast a spell on Wotan to make him do our bidding."


Yelling and whooping isn't very dignified, but the agreement was struck and the Goblin Parade ensued.  Elflings and sprites, goblins, gnomes, and fae of all kinds both light and dark marched all through the fair.  


Horns were blaring, rattles shaking, woodwinds piped and voices hollered. It was a rumpus to behold indeed!

Parade Dancing
(Photo: Chris Yetter)

Just as the wild ruckus was coming to an end, Wotan began to feel dizzy, "What's going on here?  Why do I feel...hey!  I was under a spell!  Oooh, you glittery gnats, I'll smash you all!  I want the Queen!"

Queen's Champion blocks Wotan's mallet!
(Photo: Iris Thiel)

The loyal court of the Fairy Queen formed a wall between she and Wotan, making as more noise in protest than his Barbarian ears could handle. "If you want me," declared the Fairy Queen, "then you must defeat my Champion!"

Did you see that?  A giant bear head!
(Photo: Iris Thiel)

A great battle ensued. Wotan's mallet smashed down, skillfully blocked with crossed sai.  They parried and the Champion rolled aside, dodging a forceful blow.  She lept on Wotan's back but he flung her over his shoulder to the ground.  Just as she leaped back to her feet, the fight took a shocking turn!


"Oh no, my valiant Champion!" cried the Amethina turning away with an indignant huff. "You cheated to win - Just like a filthy barbarian...."


Much to everyone's surprise Wotan had used a giant magical bear head to reduce the Champion into a crumpled pile on the ground, lain in defeat.

Wotan capturing Thorne!
(Photo: Richard Doyle)

"Your Queen is now mine!" he roared, shaking his mallet at the flock of fae.  Thorne twilled her nose at him and stuck out her tongue defiantly! "I'll get you too, you winged vermin!" And gave chase, capturing Thorne over his shoulder.


Now that Wotan had the two ladies captive, he had to think about what to do with them...


...and think...


...and think...

Yarrrrr! Lemme at them fairy wings!
(Photo by: Richard Doyle)

...and FINALLY he came up with the brilliant idea that he could sell them for profit toooooooo....the pirates!


In short order, they plucked the wings off the two faeries to prevent them from escaping by air.  Next, they unceremoniously placed a Cold Iron shackle on each of the their arms.


As everyone knows, Cold Iron is the bane of all Fae, stealing their magic powers away from them and robbing them of their glamour.


Pirates, always having an eye for riches, decided that they were going to hold the the Fairy Queen and her lady Thorne for ransom.  The price?  A trove of Goblin Fruit, enough for the crew, that is good for making a pirate impervious to at least one stabbing out on the high seas.

In Her most royal and magnanimous grace (and recalling that Thorne was a very amusing jester to the Queen's Royal Fool), Mary Queen of Scots beneficently agreed to set a basket by her throne for the collection of such fruits.

Thorne tickling Calabash, Queen Mary's Fool with a feather
(Photo: Chris Yetter)

After the last joust on Sunday, it was her promise to deliver them to the Pirates when the ransom price was reached...

Midsummer Faire: Barbarian Birthday!

B.O.O.M. Pirates fire their cannons.
(Photo: Richard Doyle)

Trumpets blazed and cannons boomed, signaling the opening of Midsummer Faire for the second weekend!


A lovely patch of land known as Maris Farms was now transformed into a Renaissance Realm, complete with privateers and swashbucklers, faeries and goblins, knights and jousters and of course the elite court and Her Royal Majesty, Mary Queen of Scots.

Amethina the Fairy Queen
(Photo: Larry Bennett)

Mount Rainier towered on the clear blue horizon - perfect weather for the Fairy Queen to keep an eye out for her arch-nemesis, Wotan the Barbarian!  This weekend was Wotan's birthday and Amethina had a suspicion that he would make an appearance so she planned ahead.


Being a Barbarian, Wotan had probably forgotten that it was his 274th birthday and so the Fairy Queen decided to arm all the elflings of her court with confetti poppers!

Aidan vs. Wotan the Barbarian
(Photo: Tammy Krout-Johanson)

When he arrived, they would all be prepared to bring the party to him! (As everyone knows, Barbarians LOVE colorful, shiny things).


It was a good plan, stalwartly defended but it wasn't enough.  Wotan was on a smashing rampage - he was still perturbed over the Cave Decorating incident.


Amethina was just going to have to come up with a new plan for how to counter-act that troublesome Barbarian...

++++++++

Seen in this post:

Elf Ears by Faire Play

Hair Braiding by Brenda the Braider

Earrings by D & D Chain Maille Creations

Headdress by SwanesDowne

Hair Wraps by Redwolf Hammer

Fairy Crown by Friendly Faeries

Realm Romping: Seattle!

One day, Kricket and Little Wing ventured up the silver path (that's the way faeries travel from here to there around the Realm) to their friend Amethina's grotto. Excited that her faerie sisters were visiting, they all three began to plan a trip to the Pike Place Goblin Market.

As the ladies flew toward the 99 bridge on their way to the market, they came to a sudden halt. There, beneath the bridge was the dreaded Fremont Troll! He had just awoken from his winter slumber and was starving. Without any warning, he snagged Little Wing under his gigantic hand, trapping her!

The fight was on! Kricket dueled him with her rapier stick with lightning quickness. Poking a thousand teensy times all over while Amethina pulled Little Wing from the affray.

Together all three faeries fluttered around his head and shoulders. With sticks and slings they fought the Troll, pricking him like stinging nettles until he howled for them to stop!

"RUMBLE GRUMBLE GRIPE AND GROAN,

I'LL GRANT A WISH IF YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Immediately the girls huddled, discussing what to wish for. They could get a magical Troll ring, or maybe some of his hair which was known to make the strongest rope in all the Realm. After debating their various options, they finally chose to ask for something that would benefit Faeries everywhere. Together they stood and declared in unison:

"Fremont Troll, from this day

We wish safe passage for all fae!"

Well, the Fremont Troll wasn't very happy but he had to honor his word. They had conquered the Fremont Troll and put an end to his terrorizing of unsuspecting travelers!

Victorious, the girls consulted their map just to be sure, crossed the bridge and set forth on the path to the Pike Place Goblin Market. Check out the landmarks on their map below!

View Realm Romper in a larger map

Spring Fairy Festival 2010

Greetings Blossoms and Sprouts! I have finally trod the silver path home from the Spring Fairy Festival in a ribbon-ly fashion, round-about, by way of Beltane at Crescent Moon Gifts.

The festival was an awesome event with great workshops, vendors, music and fun for the kiddos at every turn. It was such a good turn out this year that I think they might have to upgrade to a larger venue next year which can only result in awesome!

As I wandered around the celebration, here are some of the highlights that I took note of:

--The Fairy Amethina from the Gilded Quill taught a Magic Wand making class for a whole host of Faeries and Elflings, which was a great success and resulted in many glamour-ready magic wands for the spreading of sparkle.

--Blu Pixie also taught a great workshop on how to build your own Fairy Nest. It was a hit and soon, there were nests all over the festival, adorned with creativity and flowers!

--Across the row from Amethina was the beautiful and bright Heather Teakell of Krickets Creation. Heather is the hattress behind these amazing mini tri-corns and tophats, looking awesome in her ivy-arched booth.

--Around the corner from them was the soft-spoken Rachel Pace from Rachel's Fairy Houses. She had a whole new selection of awesome steampunk-fairy rings and amazing new Gypsy Caravans.

ALSO! Rachel has been entered into a contest at Michael's Crafts for the most creative momma-fairy! If you love her work and want to support the community, please go give her your vote here! No signing up is necessary on any mailing lists or anything :)

--The All's Faire gnomes made a showing to invite everyone out to their fantasy faire this June 18th - 20th in Bonney Lake. I know I'm planning to be there!

--There were several performers such as Alexander James Adams (a favorite everywhere), Jimmy Free (amazing solo act), Green Fey (new up and coming band with a unique mellow sound), Adderstone Tribal Dance and Jeweled Scarab Dance Company.

I kept a careful eye out but there were no sightings of Wotan the Barbarian this time around...he must be plotting his revenge for Norwescon!

Fair wind and fair weather!
Aerowynd Flightfeather
Realm Reporter ExtraordinAIRe!
☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:

Norwescon Review 2010

Well my faithful Gilded Quill readers, as you may know, Norweson 33 was this last weekend and the great barbarian Wotan was on the loose. After he was caught licking some crushed Kelpies off his fingers at Orycon 31, Amethina had him thrown in jail by the Mandalorians (that's those Boba Fett types out there)!

As you can imagine, Wotan was NONE-too-pleased. He raged in the cage and swore to get the Faeries back at Norwescon.

True to his word, he starting smashing fae left and right with his great hammer. Not even Amethina suspected that he would terrorize a little baby boggan though! Fortunately...since he's a loud barbarian, his secret plan wasn't very secret and we Fae stick together! When Wotan arrived to register his mallet, he was in for a surprise because none other than the Faerie Queen appeared to lay a geas upon him as she declared this proclamation:

"In this crossroads of creatures, there will be no flattening of Fae!
No gnashing on the Gnomes, or squishing of the Selkies.
You may not bop the Boggans or moosh the Merfolk.
Shiving the Sidhe with cold iron is RIGHT OUT.
You are not allowed to pound Phouka or gank Goblins
And you are sworn to hold your hammer whilst in these borders!"

Then, the Peace Bond Barbarian tied specially made frilly bows all over Wotan's mallet, binding him to agreement. Wotan howled with anger and Amethina flittered with glee that her plan had worked. When he realized what she had done, he gave chase.

Around the merchant's market the two flew! Amethina darted past Eraserhead Press (one of her favorite bizarre publishers) and then ducked into Badger's Den (awesome colored contacts) where that randy Satyr tried to help by gnawing on Wotan's shield (goats like trash).

Around the room they rolled past Art of Wings (where Amethina's faerie-sister Meghann gave her some feather bracers for defense!) and zipped by Cleo Wolfus Design (best Faerie Hair ever!).

A little birdie tipped Amethina off to Wotan's weakness: TOE SOCKS! He hates those things, they gross him out. The Faerie Foo ensued - it was all striped socks, glamour bombs and glitter poi as the Realm was defended by naked twinkle toes and a little help from Faerie friends!

Where you see one fae though...a troop is hidden. While Wotan was busily distracted in the great chase, Amethina's ally from Faeriecon - the Gaoler - secretly found Wotan's cave and set about beautifying it. By the time he was done, it was a perfect nest for any Faerie-loving-Barbarian!

Well, unless you aren't a Faerie-loving-Barbarian (but I heard a rumor that Wotan has a crush on Amethina and just isn't very good at trying to court a Faerie...shhhh....).

After all was said and done, everyone had so much fun that they decided to do it all over again at the Spring Fairy Festival on April 17, in Tacoma Freighthouse Square! The Faerietale Minstrel, Amy Brown, Rob Carlos and a host of other awesome guests will be there.

Amethina will even be teaching the elflings how to make their own Fairy Wand just in case a very very angry Barbarian named Wotan appears!

Vanya Sulie, Faerie Friends (see you all at Spring Fairy Festival & watch out for Wotan!),

Aerowynd Flightfeather

Realm Reporter ExtraordinAIRe!

☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆: