Feast of Blackwood 2026 Explore, Innovate, Advance

IC:

Denizens, Warriors and Allies of Blackwood

The time has come once again to take stock of our many graces and press what advantages we can on the ever expanding front against the Ork’ne insurgents. As our scouts, seers and alchemists all had predicted, their numbers in the past months have only grown despite seeing almost exclusively success in our many skirmishes. We are but trimming a line that threatens a spike at the moment we suffer a failure, at which point our extensive research into this foe indicates we will never recover the upper hand. This makes it imperative to finally push off the back foot against this relentless threat, and decisively counter them where we can. The Arcanum Corp has the knowledge and the resources to make victory a reality in our grasp, but unlike our enemy, our numbers only grow more limited as every bout meets its conclusion. We beseech those who feel the call of battle to once more join us on the front lines, as with our talents combined, assuredly we can stem the tide of these invaders. We move to begin the execution of Operation D.N.R. at the southern most Idarin Arcanum Corp base at dusk, and we have no time to spare.

While it’s the Corp’s belief that glorious victory alone is an incentive enough to rouse valiant heroes to our cause, upon the completion of our endeavors on Sunday, His Eminence King Saegan will benevolently open the feast hall of Dark’s Keep, our great nation’s seat of power, to host our allies, defenders and dear friends just as Prince Aeryk Valjeusaren did 25 years ago. Commander Mathies has anniversaries of his own to celebrate as he marks his 10th year preparing delicious food for the clamoring masses, and as always intends to deliver delectable excellence to those with good sense enough to come and enjoy our capitol’s first opening since our King’s Ascension.

Idaris is the backdrop of so much of our people’s history, and we at the Arcanum Corp aim to add the resolution of the Ork’ne Invasion to its fable. All of this said - it is you, Adventurer, that we invite to storm the Ork’ne lines and send these barbarians to their graves. It’s you we call on to revel in our victories, and it’s you we hope to see at Feast of Blackwood!

Explore, Innovate, Advance
General Ripley

OOC:

We are elated to entertain you all weekend for another exciting installment of Feast of Blackwood! There will be Questing Friday through Saturday Night, followed by the Feast itself on Sunday. We expect there to be roleplay and puzzle content during the feast, as well as Bardics and Stacked Deck Tournament, details below. We here in the Blackwood staff couldn't be more thrilled to spend our weekend with the Realms community providing all of the services we love best for all of the players and friends we adore!

Bardic Tournament Details:

• To celebrate Feast of Blackwood’s 25th anniversary, this year’s theme is Legacy. We encourage you to bring pieces about that which has existed long before you and will still echo long after you go!
• All Entries Accepted, but Originals and First Performances are factored into scoring.
• Non-IC Entries will have points deducted from their final score
• All Entries should expect to present on stage for the Feast Hall
• Gold payout for all Entrants, Prize for First Place

Stacked Deck Tournament Details:

• 50-gold buy in for 6000 chips, 1x 50-gold rebuy if you fall below 3000 chips in the first hour (Or at the end of the first hour if you haven’t used your rebuy).
• Optional 10 gold dealer tip to receive an extra 1000 chips at any buy-in/rebuy.
• Standard Blinds, Tournament Length ~ 3 Hours (6x 30 minute blinds)

FAQs:

• Cabins are included in the reg price.
  
• NPCs/Staff cost is a $10 donation for food.
  
• Send Pre-Reg to Corwyn89@gmail.com on PayPal. Please use the "Friends and Family" option to avoid fees.
• Please send all food restrictions/allergies to Matt Butler at corwyn89@gmail.com by 9/5/26 This includes those who will be attending the feast only.
• Contact the EH Team with any pricing concerns, we are happy to work with you!

What content can you expect and when?: (Loose outline subject to change as adversity finds us)

Friday: Cabin set up and a fun night quest once the sun goes down around 8:30-9pm, followed up with socializing in the Tavern!

Saturday Day: Questing starts @ 11am and goes all day. We expect there will be a midway break point (around 3pmish) but there’s a lot to do so we won’t be returning to the tavern after every module. If you are someone who needs more frequent snackage, bring a thermos and snack! Questing should start to wrap around 6pm. We have a Spaghetti Dinner planned that is available to PCs and NPCs.

Saturday Night: Night Quest starts @ 8:30-9pm (Sundown). This is a High Risk Night Quest, meaning if you go on it, there is a potential to take multiple ticks, up to and including character death. We expect this night quest to be both physically and emotionally intense, so if you have specific triggers around the concept of warfare, please reach out to the EH team with your concerns so we can help to tailor your experience and keep you safe!

Sunday: Hall Opens @ 11am, and First Course should come out around 1pm. We will have puzzle and roleplay content happening on side tables all day. Stacked Deck and Bardics will happen before the Main Course. We will host a court after the Main Course comes out, where we will announce the winner of the bardics and handle other business. If you have business at court, please reach out to Ben Lacasse or Keith Cronyn, or find us at the event! The event should be fully wrapped by 7pm.