AER: Batleth Tournament, 2013
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AER: Batleth Tournament, 2013

The KAG ship IKV Melota held its 15th Batleth Tournament and, wow, what a Tournament it was. This event had our biggest turnout since moving to public property. We had 18 combatants, and 32 total attendees for which I can account. I may have missed some in the counting.

Very important to us, we had the following guests:

IKV Houston*** (non-combatant)
Fleet 31 (combatants)
1701st (non-combatants)
IKV Bayou Serpent (combatants)
Bynars (combatants)
USS Trinity River (non-combatant)
Amtgard (combatant)
Mundanes (non-combatants)
Mundanes (combatants, whose honor is their own)

18 registered combatants. 1 dropped out during the fighting due to injury.

FRESH MEAT! Lots of first-time-in-the-Ring combatants.

Fleet 31 fielded Admiral (Cameron) Wilkinson himself, "Lizzie" and Redux. Kai! First time at Tournament and they bring three Warriors into the Ring. They have been working hard at the Batleth Practices during the summer getting ready for this. Cameron even designed his own Batleth and it faired quite well.

Our son fought for the first time. Our girls fought. (They are the Bynars.) The parmachi of one of the girls fought for the first time. With more than these as new Warriors, a whole new dynamic occurred. We were not always fighting the same Warriors who we know all too well. All of the new Warriors were young. Most were fast and light. All were fast. No more lumbering amongst the aging dinosaurs. This Tournament brought out the best of tactics, styles and tricks.

The Honorable Mundane Warriors included Caleb and Edward. Both were first time combatants. Caleb is Caraneth's friend and a martial artist in his own right. Edward is our daughter's parmachi and ex-Army. Edward did one of the coolest moves ever to be seen on video during the Mekleth competition.
I think that they are both convinced to return next year.

The IKV Bayou Serpent fielded Warriors as usual. Ripar was in his splendid best both fighting and cracking everybody up with his humor. Behrmaq took to the Ring again and fought honorably for his ship. It is great to see them here.

Amtgard was represented through Qlu's tabard. Qlu returned after a bit of a hiatus. It was good to see his smile back in the Ring.

What do you call a tradition that is outside of your control? For some reason, there is a tradition that Mekleth is taken by a guest. This always happens when we have a guest Warrior. Is it tradition because it always happens? We don't plan it to happen. It just does. Admiral Wilkinson took the Mekleth Trophy.

Both of our kids faced each other for Daqtag. That was quite an exciting battle. Caraneth took the Trophy.
Even though Avalona did not win a single weapon, she placed so highly in all divisions that she took Show.

So, here is the score:

Win Dr. Gizmo
Place Adm Wilkinson
Show Avalona
Batl Dr. Gizmo
Mek Adm Wilkinson
Daq Caraneth

Except the the incredibly dangerous Dr. Gizmo, all of the other slots were the young Warriors.

It was mentioned that this was the first time that a female has brought home a trophy. Not quite true. This is the second time. My parmachi brought home Show in 2000. I guess that means that I have a trophy wife.
All four of us in this family have now brought home a trophy at some point in time.

There were non-combatant games and the pinata.

There are no more children in the IKV Melota. The "children" are now in college, the armed forces or in the work force. With this in mind, the pinatas are now rather adult oriented. Things that you can use at your work cube. Things that you can use for fellowship. Things that you can use for parmach.
Very different from your usual.

The USS Joshua's Kobiashi Maru was modified to become a game of walking (on boards in teams) around the cul de sac collecting objects and stealing them from your competitors. Lt Chuck was hefted for the XO toss. Trivia is a traditional item almost to the point of being required.

At dusk, Ceremonies were held as is our way. The Bloodwine was dipped. The Death Howl rocked the lake. Awards were given. And, one special *** promotion was made.

The 1701st provided a special tasting of exquisite suds. Again, guests contributing to the event. We thank you.

Sunday, we groveled out of the tents and started packing and cleaning. We pride ourselves on the fact that we have never had a complaint from the park and intend to keep it that way. In fact, the park staff covered for us when the State Police originally observed the condition of the grounds Sunday morning. They know that we always make good on cleaning up.

Thanks to Mrs. Gizmo for handling the scoring and the lunch. That made a difference.

A special thanks to Admiral Wilkinson and Caleb for their assistance in the setup, tear down and packing that we all face in making this event happen.

Now, the Special*** part!
Most important to the IKV Melota and me personally, we had a Houston area person make the drive. She has another KAG recruit that could not come. With the prior Houston person this makes three. We have the nucleus of what I have referred to for years as the Project: IKV Houston.
We tapped Kalara as the ensign of the IKV Houston*.
She was serious about participation. She brought cool stuff to share. We have the beginnings of at least an Outpost in Houston.
Ensign Kalara, Admiral Wilkinson (Fleet 31), and the Melota were discussing having cross pollination events in Houston to have a greater impact.

It was a good weekend.

Captain Salek, Zantai
Architect, Project: IKV Houston

*project name. Ship name subject to change with reality.


Bat'leth Tournament
Purtis Creek State Park
near Eustace, Texas
September 2013

Friday the 13th saw the first arrivals as warriors began to trickle in.
Banners were unfurled. Weapons were arranged. Preparations were made.

As dawn broke on the 14th a roll of honor could be made.
Joining the warriors of the I.K.V. Melota were representatives from:
I.K.V. Bayou Serpent
U.S.S. Trinity River
U.S.S. Joshua
U.S.S. Navras
Fleet 1701
Fleet 31
a Houston group that has not yet been named
many new-comers whose honor is their own

The day was warm but not oppressively hot.
Lots were drawn and the first round of Bat'leth duels were announced. The combat was glorious. Our warriors have improved greatly over the years.
Not a single combatant tasted defeat without extracting a point or two from the foe.
During the third round of Bat'leth duels K'Mok curled up in a fetal position on the sand.
His previously injured left calf had (without permission) surrendered to damage.
There is no taste quite so bitter as watching as comrades fight on without you.

After the Bat'leth duels came the Mek'leth.
Shorter and faster, the Mek'leth is a formidable weapon in close quarters.
Several of our group opted to fight two handed. When four blades are flying it becomes difficult to judge.
My favorite, the D'k Tahg duels, were last.
New people bring new tactics and this year saw some impressive battles.
As the dust cleared the last two fighting for the trophy were both of Clan Salek.
They were proud...and rightly so.

Visitors and spectators wandered in and out for most of the day but just as the D'k Tahg fights got under way a family came to watch.
The House of Boone stayed for the rest of the day. They joined in with out non-combat games and even participated actively during our Awards Ceremony.

Once again Squeezenart of the Clan Salek supplied the pinata.
She is quite creative with these things.

During the Awards Ceremony we howled for the those who had passed since our last gathering. Important personages, dear friends, and close family were honored with the same howl.

Then the trophies. (I don't have my notes in front of me...but if memory serves)
1st Place - Overall - Qel' oghwI'
2nd Place - Overall - Cameron - last name ? -
3rd Place - Overall - Erin of the Clan Salek
Bat'leth Champion - Qel' oghwi'
Mek'leth Champion - Cameron - last name ? -
D'k Tahg Champion - Errol of the Clan Salek

We also give a trophy to the lowest score...a sort of reminder to practice more.
As our warriors improve and scores are elevated this "award" is getting harder and harder to assign. Last year saw a tie for this position. This year the tie was spread between five warriors. Captain Vixen drew lots from the five to assign this year's award.
The Cat-*-Trophy went to K'Beck.

The moon rose and set to the sound of our fellowship.

Sunday the 15th.
With the dawn we broke camp. Many stayed after to clean...leaving our area of the State Park cleaner than we found it.

It was a glorious weekend.

- K'Mok


IKV Melota 15th Annual Bat'leth Tournament AER:
*Clears throat*. HERE ME ONE AND ALL!!! The warriors of the Imperial Klingon Vessel Melota held their 15th(!) Annual Bat'leth Tournament this weekend in the Terran Empire enclave of Purtis Creek State Park. I, Lieutenant Commander Dragen-vestai Draconus, departed Mansfield, Texas with fellow warriors RotokQ and Greg Goodwin (Stardate 08/13/2013).We engaged the warp engines, arrived at Purtis Creek State Park, set up our personal outpost, fellowshipped with fellow warriors (Klingons, Ferengi/Romulan hybrids (aka Errol Whitaker), Human/Federation (Fleet 31 & 1701st/USS Summoner). With the dawning of the new day Saturday morning, we commenced weapons check around 0830 and combat around 0900. We had a recent record number of EIGHTEEN (18) COMBATANTS this year. (The most we have fielded for years was anywhere from 6 to 12). Combat was fierce, intense, and hot (In more ways than one). MANY surprises were seen during combat (The screaming wall of mouse, the children of Clan Salek, mundane combatants trained in Terran Empire martial arts). Combat, for the first time in the 8 years I have been with the IKV Melota, was NOT OVER until AFTER 5PM! We then had the noncombatant games of the Pinata, toss the ensign through the airlock, trivia, and singing for the Spyro Dragon. Then for ceremonies, awards (I shared the "cat-ass" trophy, NOW known from now on as The "Tony" award?) with 5 others (Lots were drawn and the warrior K'Beck was given the DUBIOUS honor of taking the cat ass home). Sunday dawned with the usual groans of pain, anguish, hangover (Thankfully I missed out on that one), etcetera. Upon arrival back my home port, I unloaded the heat sensitive items and crashed. SPECIAL NOTE! Thanks to Mírakel G. Mayoral, Ensign Qalara(sp?) for making the 5 hour drive to join us from Houston, Texas and the IKV ? (name to be determined), Captain Ri'Par, Ber'Maqh(sp?) Barry Ingram for making the 7(?) hour drive from Louisiana. These warriors make the ultimate sacrifices of time and resources (aka gas prices) to come and engage us in glorious combat and fellowship.


AER

IKV Melota Bat'leth Tournament (number 15)

Purtis Creek State Park
Near Eustace, Texas
September 2013

Friday the 13th I left after work to head to the camp site, I unpacked the car, leaving the combustibles inside my car as there was a burn ban. Lucky for me there were plenty of people who brought their propane gas stoves.

Saturday the 14th Roll call and weapons check were quickly done. Joining the warriors of the I.K.V. Melota were representatives from;

I.K.V. Bayou Serpent – R’par & K’Bear (sp?)
U.S.S. Trinity River – T’Paun
Fleet 31 – Cameron Willkerson & Redux Chen
1701st Fleet – Adam Dugger
And a Houston group that has not yet been named. - Mirakel Mayoral

Numbers were drawn and the first round of Bat'leth duels were announced.

The warriors have improved greatly over the years. Not a single combatant went without extracting a point or two on their foe.

During the third round of Bat'leth duels K'Mok aggravated a calf muscle that he apparenly had hurt earlyer in the week, and was unable to continue fighting.

After the Bat'leth duels came the Mek'leth. Shorter and faster, the Mek'leth is one heck of a weapon in close quarters. Several of the group opted to fight two handed. When four blades are flying it becomes hard to see the hits as they land.

Last but not least were the D'k Tahg duels. New people brought new tactics, and this year I saw some impressive battles. Once it was all said and done, the last two fighting for the trophy were the two young adults of Clan Salek.

Visitors and spectators wandered in and out for most of the day, just as the D'k Tahg fights got under way, a family came to watch. The family Boone stayed for the rest of the day. They joined in with our non-combat games and even participated actively during our Awards Ceremony.

Once again Squeezenart of the Clan Salek supplied the piñata, a blue policeman call box, about 2 feet tall. It was stuffed with an amazing array of items, I managed to get away with a few choice items myself!

During the Awards Ceremony we all howled for the those who had passed since our last gathering. Important personages, dear friends, and close family were honored with the same howl.

Then the trophies if I recall correctly, they went as;

1st Place - Overall - Qel' oghwI' – Mark Akala
2nd Place - Overall - Cameron Wilkinson
3rd Place - Overall - Erin of the Clan Salek
Bat'leth Champion - Qel' oghwi'
Mek'leth Champion - Cameron Wilkinson
D'k Tahg Champion - Errol of the Clan Salek

They also gave a trophy to the lowest score, a reminder to practice more.

This year the tie was spread between five warriors. Captain Vixen drew lots from the five to assign this year's award.

The Cat-*-Trophy went to K'Beck.

Sunday the 15th.

With the dawn I quickly broke camp and repacked my car. Many others stayed after to clean, hopefully leaving our area of the State Park cleaner than we found it.

T’Paun




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