That Was Different

Unlike most LARPs, I’ve not been reliving a single event from Saturday; I’ve instead been reflecting on the day as a whole.  I imagine it is much like I would reflect on a real visit to a real port on a real island of yesteryear.

Sure, there was a big battle, and the British did a great job of pounding the port with their cannons, and invading the town, but that didn’t define the day.  The day was 50 interactions each, by 50 friends, providing 2,500 different stories for our recollection.  You don’t believe it?  Well, here’s a sampling of what I saw and heard tell of:

1. One crew accused and shot Katlyn for being a traitor.
2. Ambrose bravely charged the entire British army and fired his blunderbuss dropping their front line into the eel infested waters.
3. The beautiful mermaid drew unsuspecting sailors to her lair by the charm of her song.
4. The Wanderer and the Shark Hunter engaged in a bitter battle that started over a stolen dinghy.
5. The Appraiser plied her trade throughout the day as treasure was recovered from the hiding places of our pirate forefathers.
6. The British pummeled the Wharf with their precision cannon-fire.
7. Angelina and Governor Shillingsworth held a shouting match about the merits of the old ways compared to the modern days.
8. There was Veronica Hobbe’s meritorious past, and her dirty little (HUGE) secret.
9. The bedraggled lady who spent the morning in the infirmary, then rose in the afternoon to regale us with tales of her personal victory over ailment.  Thank God!
10. The extent to which Bellamy will go for revenge.
11. The Howler’s dedication to “Your Grace”.
12. The land-based foursome who tended to the needs of Port Falton, while filling their own purse with lost treasure.
13. Lucinda and Bellamy’s turbulent past.
14. The homage paid to the lost crewman, Meaty Michael.
15. Lucinda’s receipt of the Black Spot.
16. Governor Shillingsworth describe the realities of life from the standpoint of the privileged.
17. Clara celebrated with a town feast and gifts on her 18^th birthday.
18. Negotiations for barrels of tobacco, sugar, and indigo.
19. The flash of steel as townsfolk and crews tested their swordsmanship.
20. The musician fiddling the favorite sea shanties.
21. The biologist, naturalist, adventurist who found and sang the happy ending of the well-known sea shanty for Clara’s birthday.
22. The variety of beverages and the beautiful stemware at the King’s Cup.
23. The joy and grace of the town dance.
24. Meeting “Stretch’s” worst enemy – himself.
25. The carpenters’ drawknife and adze demonstrations.
26. The carpenter competition, and the Wanderer Captain’s beautiful square peg.
27. Cookie and his tasty fireside soup.
28. The scurry of the pleasant women-folk who kept the town in water and smackerels, and sumptuous supper at the end.
29. The beautiful Russian contortionist.
30. The dedication to her profession of Molly O’Brien who mopped the entire wharf.
31. The whispered conniving, planning, cavorting, and deception of hushed conversations throughout the town.
32. Captain William Bainbridge singing bass from the Sea Shanty Hymnal.
33. The message found in the bottle that washed up to the wharf.
34. Captain Crab Legs (AKA “Captain Hook”).
35. The favoritism shown by the Governor to Lucinda’s crew.
36. The Wanderers beautiful ship.
37. Stretch’s magnetism both for the ladies and for the gemstones.
38. The encounter between the crew of the Broken Curse, and William Drake.
39. The delightful Britany floating around town.
40. Mr. Barclay’s array of cannons.
41. Bellamy Vast when she was sober – not!
42. Cabin Boy Hobbes anticipating her captain’s every whim.
43. One of the sapphires.
44. Billy Bones and Ambrose keeping the peace — at least their definition of it.
45. A conversation with the smooth-talking Marie Saint Vire and her infectious accent.
46. The sole commonality between Angelica, Bellamy Vast, and William Drake.
47. The crew of the Wanderer being shipped off to work in the Governor’s sugar plantation.
48. Barclay’s leg that was injured in the hurricane.
49. The disappearance of George Hobbes
50. The plot to free Clara from Port Falton.

Each of these contain a tale worthy of a sea shanty, and these are only a portion of the delights of the day.  There are at least 2450 many more tales and perspectives that you could share, (and I welcome you to add them as comments, or send them as stories that I’ll add to the Tavern Tales).

Thank you for bringing Port Falton / Port Judas to life.  I wish I could give a hug and a personal thank you to everyone who attended.  Your attention to costume, story, props, and food, combined with a willingness to sacrifice a personal win for the fun of others, made this a day for the history books.  I am proud to call you my friends.

Billy Bones