Squire's Log #4: Adventure Has Arrived

Let the D&D Party Commence!

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“Adventurers from across the realm are now at Lumley Castle, transported by the magical winds of the Feywild. ”

Huzzah and hark!

The day of the great D&D party has arrived. Adventurers from across the realm are now at Lumley Castle, transported by the magical winds of the Feywild.

The air was thick with magic this morning. I wandered into the gaming room prepared by Beth the Bard and was transported to a floral paradise. Ginny Di was transformed into a forest nymph. And I am certain Jeremy Crawford actually brought the plasterwork to life and taught it to do battle.

The transport which collected our guests was perfectly disguised as a luxury coach, summoning all to the Castle steps where they were whisked away to their session zero. I was not privy to these private gaming sessions, as only the six players and the Dungeon Master may enter therein, but the ghosts have have been frequenting the rooms and told me of what they heard. It seems Aoife Wilson’s adventurers are on the most tragic of quests to discover a group of lost children of old, and each of Ted Adams’ heroes are bound to a companion Wyvern, who Lily says are being pursued by a T-Rex, though I am sure she speaks in jest. According to Jack, Jeremy Cobb’s tale is full of many frightening things, such as vampires and dark mists, but I hear so much laughter from that room I feel he cannot be in earnest.

My solo camping trip was canceled before it was even booked. Our annual migration to the East Coast did not happen. We spent two years going nowhere.

When 2022 rolled around, D&D in a Castle announced 8 events throughout the year. So many great DMs were going to be there. My excitement that had waned somewhat during the pandemic resurged. But still, the response was, “Maybe someday.”

Then the 2023 events were announced: Three events. And so, in November of 2022, I put down my deposit. I was going to the castle in 2023.

I spoke with my family. They were beyond supportive. D&D had gotten me through the pandemic. It made sense I should go. Plus, I was turning 50 at the end of 2023, and what better 50th birthday present than to go to England to play D&D? Coming from Canada, between the exchange rate and the cost of flights, it was not going to be cheap. But we figured out that hurdle as well. Then, it was just a matter of waiting.

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At the banquet this night, there was much remarkable cosplay and attire most excellent. Particularly memorable were the well-crafted elegance of Vee Mus’e and the costuming perfection of Elisa Teage. The ballroom was rife with Tiefling horns as well as T-shirts bearing the image of the sacred and feared D20.

Our bardic minstrels were in top form, their music and our joyful revelry keeping the cultists at bay and the portal to the domains of dread tightly shut. For our guests learned how the Castle stands between this realm and that, and how its enchantments keep us all safe. We all triumphed at our first quest to stave off certain forces of evil, and there was much rejoicing.

And now, dear journal, the first day of D&D in a Castle has come to an end. It was a day filled with excitement, wonder, and adventure. As the Castle Squire, I call upon Lady Luck to bless all our adventurers as they sally forth into the unknown!

Yours Ever,

The Castle Squire

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