SL Tournament Association celebrates 2019 season of Melee and Archery Tournaments

On Friday, January 24, 2020 a large segment of the SL Tournament community gathered to honor the first ever, best in Blade and Bow tournaments during the 2019 SLTA tournament season. Headmaster Forester Lowenhart of the Double Dragon Academy (DDA) served as the Master of Ceremonies, provided opening remarks and presented the 2019 awards for Hosts and Service.

Some of the attendees as they arrived, left to right: Dragon's Lair Lt. General Brett, Knight Corvus and Lady Dear; Captain Rachael, Sir Jerit and Lady Celeste of Schleswig-Holstein; Lord Edward of Casterly Rock and Princess Morgane, Queen Topaz of Westeros; Duchess Ariell of GameLyon; DragonsLair Aspirant Skyler, ArchDuke Nephilim, Knight Atrasalus. Aspirant Zriy. BA Knight Kyavel, Aaron.

"Tonight we will celebrate your hard work this past year with a few awards, many accolades, and fellowship.

Last June, at the SLTA Anniversary awards for Jousting, we knew a Warrior doesn’t test his ‘metal’ by the point of a lance alone. But by the point of the Sword and Arrow as well!

So we made this promise…

…An awards ceremony after a full year of Archery and Melee Tournaments!

Now look what you've done!

Promise fulfilled, thanks to all your efforts!"

Headmaster Forester, shared charts showing the strong support for the tournaments by the community in 2019

"It has always been the goal of the SL Tournament Association to promote and support all medieval competitions, not just those of joust.

FIRST SLTA TOURNAMENTS

The first Monthly Championships in Archery, Joust and Melee began at the DDA campus in October 2011 and were sponsored by the SLTA in Season II (2012).

In Season III of the SLTA (2013) the championships were spread around to various realms."

Below: Headmaster Forester shared slides of the Realms who have hosted SLTA tournaments in the past nine years compared to how many of those Realms still survive in SL today.

“Not many survive in SL to day. But those that do, all began 2019 hosting SLTA events.

Certainly SL has taken its toll, due to the high cost of owning a Realm and changing interests. But so has the inability to keep players engaged.

The key difference between the groups and Realms that continue to endure, and those that have not, is what brought them together in the first place.

Those that came together for the service of others, united the community and endure. Those that came together out of hatred for others divided the community and fell.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said

“Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer! We must not let that happen here.”

So I encourage you to continue to unite in your efforts for the good of the community.

As Helen Keller once said…

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

Tonight’s ceremony bares witness to that. So let’s turn our attention to those who made it happen!

You, your fellow Warriors and your Hosts!”

HONORING THE HOSTS

“Without the Host, no tournament would have a place to go. The best the SLTA can do is say ‘Thank You’ for your efforts on the behalf of the community and present a small token of appreciation for hosting Melee and Archery competitions in 2019.”

Melee and Archery Tournament hosts Casterly Rock, Tamriel Isles, GameLyon Keep and Dragons Lair

BEST OF SERVICE 2019

"...we should also take this opportunity to thank and recognize individuals who have provided a support network for making this season happen. Such as our tournament officials, notice senders and results reporters.

I do wish however to single out two for a special recognition for their service to the community…to one whose efforts stood out as a Best Of Service (Ariell Fallen), and another in close contention, who deserves an Honorable Mention (Nephilim Ventris)."

Duchess & Dame Ariell Fallen of GameLyon Keep words of thanks:

"This celebration is a pure joy for me. For the first time, we are coming together to mark all the remarkable Archers and Sword Combatants involved in the Second Life Tournament Association. I offer my heart felt thanks to Headmaster Lowenhart for allowing me the opportunity to assist him this evening. I also wish to press forward my gratitude for the Headmaster's unwaivering support of the community of Medieval Games!

Sir, I offer you my humble thanks.

My personal journey with Tournaments & the SLTA started just over a year ago, in early January. The past year has been so very good to me. The things I have learned, the wonderful people who have taught me lessons of skill and character, each so valuable. I look forward to many-many more years and lessons. While exploring my own ability at combat, with swords, bows, lances, and even a few good old fashioned bare knuckle brawls, I took on the responsibility of record keeping for the Melee and Archery components. Every time I compiled or filed data, adding raw numbers from reports....I cheered the victors!

Tonight, this night is for you, those afore mentioned Victors and Champions!

We have many competitors to honor this evening. Hailing form different ports and lands, each one has made a most tremendous impact on their challengers in competition!

Allow me at this time to turn your focus to them, the men and women we all want to sport with, the fine company of warriors."

TOP TEN IN MELEE TOURNAMENTS

Presented by Lt General Kjeller of DragonsLair

“… I am known best for my fairness and even temperament as an instructor of the joust, a sport near and dear to my heart. But I am not here at this time to prattle on about the Joust but in stead to speak of the noble efforts of so many valiant competitors in the Melee competitions. I am deeply honored to stand before you and present the Top Ten of those competitors…”

Winners (alphbetically): Sir BA Knight Aaron Constantine, Duchess & Dame Ariell Fallen, Duchess & Dame Atrasalus, Lt General Brett Kjeller, Lord Bravo Foxtrot, Sir Corvus Swords, Duchess & Lady BA Knight Kyavel DragonRose, Archduke Nephilim

Ventris, Lady Squire Shantressa Myarieth.

HONORABLE MENTION IN MELEE TOURNAMENT

Presented by Archduke Nephilim Ventris of DragonsLair

"Let me start by saying, that it is indeed an honor to be here among such great friends and family this evening.

As I look out to everyone, I reflect back on the years we've spent together in camaraderie both on and off the field.

This past year has had its ups and downs, victories and losses but when we take a look back, we see it has been full of excitement and excellent opportunities for each of us to grow and become better competitors and people in general.

We have come to see each other as more than just opponents. Through these sports and gatherings we have come closer together in the community as friends, as family, as a whole. And I would like to thank each and every one of you for your continuing dedication and contribution in making this one of the most exciting adventures Second Life has to offer!

So with that, we see folks come in and start from the beginning, working their way up, up to the top of the ranks. This year we've had some wonderful and super exciting tournaments with skill levels increasing exponentially

One person comes to mind as an absolute terror since shes began fighting in the tournaments. A lovely woman, sister and friend that keeps everyone in stitches (pun intended) lol' And brings joy to each event she attends.

May I present the Awesome, the Amazing! Lady Aspirant Skyler Constantine!!!"

TOURNAMENT LEADERS IN MELEE

Presented by Lt General Kjeller of DragonsLair

"At this time, I am honored and humbled to get right to the point (Melee humor) and present to you the Top Four Melee Tournament Leaders!

The time spent watching this Lady rise through the ranks has been a reward in and of it's self for me. In fourth, with great pride, I call forth one of my former Squires, Duchess & Dame Ariell Fallen.

And speaking of watching, this young Lady has always been a pleasure to behold with her many talents. In third, I present to you, Duchess & Dame Atrasalus.

And now, my second former Squire, while easy on the eye, she is deadly behind a blade and pray you never become her mark whilst she is in possession of a long bow. Always a bright and cheerful individual, able to lure you in to rang with her giggle. In second I present to you, Dame Skysong.

I struggle to find the words to present this next contender. Brother in Arms, Friend of many years, Teacher and mentor as well as student of some of my own skills. Quick with a limerick and quicker with a blade, In first I present to you, Archduke Nephilim Ventris of DragonsLair!"

Archduke Nephilim's words of thanks...

"Thank you all so very much and for pushing the limits of our skills, my thanks to everyone of you!"

TOP TEN IN ARCHERY TOURNAMENTS

"I'm BA Knight Aaron Constantine of Gamelyon's Keep, and representing Dragon's Lair. I'm pleased to be here to present awards for the 2019 SLTA Top TEN Archery Awards."

Presented by BA Knight Aaron Constantine. Winners (Alphabetical): Duchess & Dame Ariell Fallen, Duchess & Dame Atrasalus, Lord Bravo Foxtrot, Sir Corvus Swords, Lady Creamecurves, Lord Edward, Lt. General & Ranger Elite Hacker Jannings, Duchess & Lady BA Knight Kyavel DragonRose, Archduke Nephilim Ventris, Dame Skysong.

HONORABLE MENTION IN ARCHERY TOURNAMENTS

Presented by Dame Skysong of Dragons Lair

"As competitors, we strive to better our opponents in tournament… but even more so, we strive to better ourselves - to aim more accurately, shoot faster, and be consistent in hitting our targets.

While this contender may not have arrived in the top ten, they have exhibited perseverance – striving to improve while cheering others on.

The archers have noticed the improvement and applaud the efforts of this individual. We have cheered her on and anticipated the improved skill that would be seen next.

Please help me celebrate the achievement of this honoree in a most enthusiastic manner...

Princess Morgane Lannister"

TOURNAMENT LEADERS IN ARCHERY

Presented by Lady Bachelor Knight Kyavel DragonRose

"These awards are for outstanding achievements in Archery Tournaments. Theses four people have shown impressive skill and determination to take the top honors in the tournaments they attend.

Now, I beg each of YOU gathered here this evening, do help me celebrate them all, most loudly, as they are called forward!

I am pleased to announce your top four winners for Archery...

In 4th place we have ...

Duchess of Tamriel Isles & Dame Atrasalus representing Dragon's Lair!

In 3rd place we have...

Archduke Nephilim Ventris of Dragon's Lair!

In 2nd Place we have ...

Duchess of Gamelyon's Keep & Dame Ariell Fallen representing Dragon's Lair!

Our top place winner

in 1st place we have...

Dame Skysong of Dragon's Lair!

Words of thanks from

Dame Skysong of Dragons Lair...

"It is an honor to accept this award tonight. I want to thank you all for your time.

Hours spent on archery range being encouraged and enlightened by my brothers and sisters have helped me so much.

You have given of precious time to share tips and tricks, have come up with fun and inventive ways to practice, and provided excellent and awe-inspiring competitions.

This means more than I can say. So, in honor of our most excellent medieval sport, your timeless sportsmanship and friendship, I accept this award. Thank you!"

CELEBRATING THE WINNERS

Presented by Headmaster Forester Lowenhart

"WHAT A GREAT EVENING!

I want congratulate all of our presenters for their excellent presentations, and of course to our stars of the evening, tonight’s honorees, on their well-deserved achievements.

I hope all found it a meaningful and rewarding evening, filled with lasting memories and an infusion of spirit for the new season!

Remember, the points clock has been reset to zero for the 2020 Season, which gives everyone an equal chance to be on the stage next year with the best of the rest!

I also want to express my gratitude once more to the Dame & Duchess of GameLyon’s Keep, Ariell Fallen for all her assistance in organizing tonight’s program, as well to Lady Skyler Pixie Constantine for capturing tonight’s moments in a painting.

Although this may conclude this evenings awards presentation, it doesn’t conclude the evening’s festivities!

For those who can stay, we invite you to a fellowship gathering and dance in the steamy depths of the DRAGON PIT.

I see the sun is setting, which can mean only one thing…let’s light this rocket and end with a bang!

FIREWORKS!

For those who must be on their travels elsewhere, we thank you for coming and wish you a safe journey.

May the high road be afore ye!”

The 2019 season came to a close with a display of fireworks and a gala fellowship dance in the DDA Dragon Pit.

#tournament #awards