As we celebrate the Harvest Moon, the time has come to choose our Baronial Defenders once again! Individuals considering competing should recall that, should they be victorious, they will represent the best of our barony. Our Defenders are so called for they defend our Lunar Lands from the harsh light of the Sun that might seek to push us into darkness. Those wishing to claim the title of Defender should be willing (should the need arise and the Defender happens to be available) to stand behind Their Excellencies when they sit court at events. They will also be responsible for creating the tournament for the next Defender, and may be among the first asked to help with other tournaments. Don’t know how to run a tournament but still want to try for the title? No worries! We have many wonderful folks in the Barony who would be happy to help guide you!
Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/qV7SxRpdHt7t9Npf9
(Note: yes, you only have to register for the big day at the school!)
We begin with the Archery Defender shoot on Sunday, October 13, at 9:00 in the morning at Paseo Vista Archery Range in Chandler. Our outgoing Archery Defender had this to say about the shoot:
The Snail Army has returned and has set its sight on the Barony of Twin Moons after our archers helped to hold the line against them at War of the Phoenix! Come on and all to loose your arrows in the defense of our lands against this slowly crawling foe and stop them in their trails.
Next, we move to our newest Defender title of Equestrian Defender! This will be held Friday, October 25 at 6:00pm at WestWorld Trailhead Arenas in Scottsdale.
Calling all riders of the lands as the Barony of Twin Moons holds its 1st tournament for Equestrian Defender of our lands. Her Excellency Catyln will challenge you to a test of horsemanship both on and off horseback to find our Premiere Equestrian Defender. Even if you don’t ride, please come and watch the opening of another chapter of Baronial History and cheer on your favorite rider and/or horse.
And finally, the pièce de résistance, the main day of Defenders will be Saturday, October 26 at Kyrene Aprende Middle School in Chandler. Gate will open at 9:00 with Opening Court at 10. Following court, we will enjoy a day of fighting, music, the arts, food, and fun! A&S, Hardsuit, Cut & Thrust, Rapier, and Standard Bearer will all take place in roughly congruent time with each other, with a chili cookoff and bardic to wrap things up before Closing Court when we congratulate all our new Defenders! As a bonus to the day, we will also have fun activities for our youth and their families! We encourage the general populace to read the bit about the Youth activities, as some of it requires audience participation! (after all, aren’t we all one giant family?)
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A&S!
To enter as a contestant for Defender, you must present 2 entries in total, each from a separate category. Documentation is required. Please email your intention of submission to Maredudd Browderer, artssciences@baronyoftwinmoons.org, by Oct 11, 2024 so that she may find appropriate “judges”. If you are displaying or competing at A&S we recommend you bring your own table, or request a table in advance from the event steward.
Hardsuit!
For our Hardsuit Defenders Tournament, Lord Feilan will be hosting either a 30 minute bear pit OR a bracket fight! The number of fighters entering will determine the exact format, but either way, each fighter will start with a single sword and will go up in armaments every time they lose.
For the first round, everyone will have a single sword. When they lose the first time, they go to sword and defense. Then if they lose again, it’s double offensive weapon. Then it’s two handed weapon of choice. If they lose after the two handed, it’s weapon of choice.
Rapier!
For our Rapier Defenders Tournament, Lord Duncan will be hosting a 3 Loss Round Robin! For the first round, everyone will have a single Rapier. When they lose the first time, they go to Rapier and Cape. Then if they lose again, they will get to go to Rapier and Dagger. If they lose after that, then they are eliminated from the Tournament.
Cut & Thrust!
Come to Defenders to see what our current Cut & Thrust Defender has in store for you!
Standard Bearer!
Come to Defenders to see what our current Standard Bearer has in store for you!
Youth!
For our Youth (& their families), we will have a few different activities for them to participate in, with the main activities including the following:
– Scary Fruits & Veggies! Bring your PRE-CARVED pumpkins, turnips, or other scary (but delicious) fruits or veggies out for a little friendly competition! This is a great opportunity for the kids to learn a bit about the tradition of pumpkin carving, and for them to see what else they can turn into a scary seasonal decoration!
– Guising! The precursor to modern trick-or-treating, guising was all about dressing up in scary costumes to hide from the fair folk when the veil was thin. Costumed children (and perhaps adults!) would go door-to-door performing a “trick” to get a “treat!” We invite the youth to don their best scary medieval costumes and show off their talents to the populace! Tell a joke, sing a song, do a silly little skit (maybe at the expense of a parent even!), and earn a treat from the populace members! Perhaps a trinket, perhaps a sweet, you won’t know unless you do it!
BONUS EVENT!!
Fundraiser Tournament! (Sponsored by Horde Ernak! Win a pair of drinking horns!)
Our amazing Hard Suit fighters will be holding a Bear Pit to help raise funds for the Barony. When a fighter loses, any member of the populace can donate a $1 to Sir Helgi’s belt (or Tunic) to “resurrect” them to fight again!
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Chili Cookoff!
Chili is the star of the show and everything else is a lowly peasant. You’re feeding a group of starving pilgrims as they travel and want to keep them well feed for their next days travel. (Power for crockpots will be available)
1.) Must contain a minimum of two types of beans, legumes, lentils, or other starchy bean like ingredients.
2.) Must contain at least one type of whole and/or ground chili (can be a non-spicy member of the chili family
such as bell pepper, Ancho, Mulato, etc..)
3.) Must contain one protein (can be meat or a vegetarian/vegan substitution)

Bardic!
Bards of Twin Moons! Prior Grimald the Faithful of Tir Ysgithr, and Bardic Defender of Twin Moons, says that the great Bards of Atenveldt only hail from Tir Ysgithr! This “good brother” challenges our populace to return our Bardic Defender title and regalia to our glorious Lunar Lands by bringing them story and song of what lights up your Moons! They ask that you prepare for the pleasure of Their Excellencies and themself, a piece extolling the deeds and virtues of our Barony! This could be an original piece (story, poem, song) describing what it means to you to be a Moonie, or if you’re stumped for words but still proud to be a Moonie, bring an existing story or song from the past that sums up what about our fair Barony you love the most! Pieces should be no longer than 5 minutes in length. This competition is set to begin right before closing court on the main day of Defenders on the 26th day of October. Come help us reclaim this Defender title, and show this boarish monk that the great bards don’t just herald from Tir Ysgithr!
We hope to see you at all the amazing tournaments! Long live Twin Moons!
In Service to the Dream,
Farulfr Taðksson (event steward)
Fionnghuala inghean Ghearailt (event co-steward)