Observations:
We had 17 entrants this year. "Orcbait" and "Dragonfood" certificates were offered to the players in each game most beset by the orcs and dragon respectively. An "Orcbait" and a "Dragonfood" plaque were awarded to the player most beset in the tourney. The "Blank Card" option was available to the players.

Some Tourney Stats:
Number of returning players from 2004: 6
Number of other repeat players: 2
Number of Ladies playing: 5
Number of rookies: 9
Initial Castle success rate since 1999: #3 (6); #2 & #4 (5); #1 & #5 (3); #6 & #8 (2); #7 (1).

Tourney Report:
All too early on the morning of 4 Aug 05 five audacious warladies and twelve bold warlords assembled to vie for the Throne of Marnon. Tourney Director Lord Bolduc, with the mighty Ms Nar assisting, divided the field, which included Queen Kirchner and ex-Kings Crowe and Runnicles, onto three boards to establish which six would advance to the final contest.

On BOARD 1 did ex-King Crowe, Lords Bolduc, Fisher, and Metzger, and Ladies Hood and Powers contend. Although both Lord Metzger and ex-King Crowe captured a treasure on the first turn, 'twas Lady Powers that emerged victorious on Turn 9. Lord Bolduc soon scored his third treasure to qualify for the final. Lord Fisher was Dragonfood with five men lost to the dragon and ex-King Crowe was Orcbait with eight men lost to frenzying orcs. Lord Bolduc did displease the Wizard four times in the first five turns.

On BOARD 2 Queen Kirchner, Lords Duke, Hogen, Humbert, and Koski, and Lady Verity Hitchings met to decide which two would advance. The first treasures were claimed on Turn 2 by Lords Duke and Hogen and by Lady V. Hitchings. Lady V. Hitchings again proved her mettle by winning the round on Turn 6 and advancing again to the Final. Lord Hogen captured his third treasure on Turn 7 to also qualify. Lord Duke was both Orcbait and Dragonfood with seven and nine men lost respectively.

On BOARD 3 ex-King Runnicles, Lady Katherine Hitchings, and Lords Haba, Hood, and Leader met to eliminate three. Lord Hood scored first, capturing his Ring on Turn 2, but ex-King Runnicles claimed the victory on Turn 7 and Lord Hood qualified on Turn 8. Ex-King Runnicles was Orcbait with 17 men lost to the slavering beasts. Lady K Hitchings was Dragonfood, having lost 11 men to that rapacious maw.

THE FINAL
So it was that ex-King Runnicles, Ladies Powers and V. Hitchings, and Lords Bolduc, Hogen, and Hood were left to qualify for the Crown. Turn 1 saw ex-King Runnicles lead off by capturing his Ring from Lord Hood's minimally defended Castle. Lord Bolduc and Lady Hitchings also captured their Rings. On Turn 2 Lord Hood captured his Crown and ex-King Runnicles his Chest. Turn 3 gave Lady Hitchings her Chest. Turn 4 witnessed Lord Hogan capture his Crown, Lady Powers capture her Ring, and then Lord Hood capture both his Ring and Chest using an extra attack campaign and boat privileges to cross the Sea of Marnon. Ex-king Runnicles scored his Crown immediately afterwards to show that but for the lack of a tempo, he would have recovered the throne. Further squabbling established the Royal pecking order for the year.

And so Lord Hood becomes the new King of Marnon, ex-King Runnicles placed second, Lady Powers third, Lord Hogen fourth, Lord Bolduc fifth, and Lady V. Hitchings sixth. Ex-king Runnicles won the Orcbait plaque, Lady Katherine Hitchings won both the Dragonfood and Orcslayer (28 orcs slain) plaques.

But plans are afoot to constitutionally unseat King Hood early in August 2006....

Be there. Marnon needs you.

See http://hometown.aol.com/WizQuest/wzqhome.htm for more details on the land of Marnon ...