Fond Farewells and Happy Hellos
by Fenian Niafer
Goldfest and Samhain marked the end of another year, as well as the end of Scribedom for all three of Celtia's World leaders. It's
Go raibh maith agat and
Slán! to
Katlyne MacRoth, affectionately known to many as the Rose of Celtia; to
Flidhais Brigantes, the fun-loving, down to earth mystic; and to
Victoria Aedui, the famous games-mistress with a one of a kind sense of humor. They are retired from their Scribal duties but never from their abiding interest in Celtia. If you see Katlyne, Flidhais or Victoria on the com panel, send them a grateful gram in appreciation for their loving stewardship of our fair World.
Celtia's three new Scribes each have unique talents that, when blended together, should make for a lively and productive future in the coming months.
A prolific participant since his first day at Ancient Worlds,
Jacques Elliott Cruithni has faithfully served on Celtia's welcoming committee almost from his arrival. No party is complete without a visit from our resident vee-jay. I had the pleasure of working with Jacques as a team member on the award-winning
Meath Tour and Samhain Bog Body project. His enthusiasm is simply matchless.
Bridgette Cormac is a natural addition to the ranks of Scribedom. Her warm hospitality keeps with the best of traditions. Her friendly, witty ways add a special sparkle to Celtia. She is Ceann Mor ('hood leader) of
Caer Uisc in Dyfneint, Albion as well as an active roleplay writer.
Last but not least, we have the veteran Scribe,
Vortigern Aedui. Vort may be best known for his more than slightly twisted funny bone, recently evident with the opening of his
Comedy Club in Tara. He also brings a wealth of knowledge about the Gauls, Arthuriana, and the history of Celtia all the way back to the Ancient Sites era.
To Vort, Bridgette and Jacques: a hearty
Fáilte!
Editor's note: Another happy hello to our new Celtia World News Co-Editor, Fenian Niafer, one of our most prolific and talented writers. We are honoured to have the esteemed Ollamh of Bardic College on board.
Fáilte fáilte fáilte!
Two New Gems In Celtia's Crown
by Fedelm Cruithni
Celtia's newest magical mystery tours won Gem awards, along with a gorgeous plaque designed by the talented
Laurels Curius. Surprises wait around every bend in the road on the Goldfest V
Celtia Road Trip, a gem of a tour featuring some of the fascinating, fun Hood homes our members have created. The wild and wondrous Samhain
Bog Body Forensics & The Celtic CSI Team tour is another gem that includes intriguing articles, a cool quiz and threads for discussion of the mysteries surrounding these ancient people. Be sure to take the tours and treat yourselves to a gem of a good time.
Goldfest V in Celtia and Still Alive
by MacMorna Niafer
Disco at the Trisk-O
John Travolta fans (both of them) were accorded a rare treat during Celtia’s day of GoldFest. Everyone who is anyone (or pretends to be) showed up for the
Disco Dance at the Triskelion Tavern. The party started in the wee smalls and continued, non-stop, for some twenty-two hours. Entertainment was provided by The Village People, The Bee-Gees and a host of other meteoric entertainers who haven’t been heard from since the 70’s. Our lovely hostess, Ms Bridgette, unveiled her new drink, the Disco Demolition, which is appropriately described as a Molotov cocktail without a fuse. On the scene for some serious boozing and schmoozing were numerous notables from Celtia and most of the other Ancient Worlds. All I can say about the costumes is, there must have been a run on polyester leisure suits and faux leather pants. Well, the mirror ball and the strobe lights have been packed away for another day, but the memories of the night will live in the hearts of all who attended.
Where is Simon Cowell When You Need Him?
Budding lyricists tried their hand at rewriting the words to some of our Disco Faves.
Neva,
Topi,
Taysat,
Mac,
Beauty,
Cail and
Gisele got in some great licks, but it was
Kendal who stole the show with his rendition of "In The Navy." He had everyone on their feet and dancing! (Click on their names to read their ditties.) Though Simon never showed, "Paula-Bridgette" was at her best and sweetest. A good time was had by all!
Number Five is Alive
Apologies to my little buddy Johnny Five from
Short Circuit, but I was more than half-dead by the time I finished Katlyne’s quiz
Dead or Alive? The object was to guess whether each of thirteen images, songs or words represented something dead or alive. And the operative word here was GUESS! Kate’s cryptic clues had us all scratching our heads and biting our nails. The tombstones were beautifully rendered by
Louisa Agis.
Samhain Tricks and Treats
by Vortigern Aedui
This year's Samhain was a spooky combination of bogs and barrows, highlighting the hoods of
Cruachu and
Croghan Hill. Festivities started off strong with a CSI: Celtia Samhain Investigation of the bog bodies of Northern Europe. The investigative tour finished with an excellent quiz by
Flidais Niafer, known as
Which Bog Body Are you? The cherry on top of this bog sundae was Fenian Niafer's
Bard of the Bogs writing contest. Winners included
Mebh Cormac's incredible poem
I am the bog and
Cinaedh Cruithni's excellent post,
My bog body tale.* Great job!
But the fun was just getting started in the barrows of Cruachu with Mebh's
Tale of the Banshee quiz to test your knowledge on other otherworldly creatures. The Tuatha Dé Danann Masquerade wrapped the events up with a ceili where folks could dress up as their favorite gods of Ireland. No Samhain would be complete without a
Home Decorating Contest with winners such as Mebh Cormac for most traditional, Jaques Elliott Cruithni for the scariest and
Xtreemli Curius for the funniest home. A special request was made by the judges to present an award for the home of
TaysatWesir Nebet for having a unique design. Incredible Samhain everyone.
Editor's note: Vort also won an award in the Bard of the Bogs contest for his hilariously hairraising tale about
a very tall king.
The Next Dish
by WinterMist Manach
Summer of Revenge (SOR) has unfortunately ended and so have a few our characters' lives. Last we left you at Lughnasadh with a
marriage, a
murder and a
kidnapping. Much has happened since our favorite Magh Croimor outlaws were holed up in
that cave, with
toad children and all, on Sean's and WinterMist's marriage
night debacle. Then there's the
sorry lot of the Niafer warband that was left on the road and a bull full of...um...
water.
Another outlaw joined with a
curious sword lost in
a game, and that damned bull showed up, while the others searched
tunnels, fought and
wailed. Eventually the outlaws
tried to
burn down the Sea Hag before meeting up for the ambush. The Niafer searched high and
low, with
dogs and in
caves, for their
missing Rian, but it was an old wizard who found his
daughter. From that
red dawn, bodies of a dark sacrificer and an
outlaw, along with the "good" and the "bad," litter the boglands.
And now we leave you with another
murder or avengement and possibly a
bog body, with the "good"
triumphing. But inquiring minds want to know: will there be any bannocks in the oven? Will Fenian yet be challenged in his position as war chief? Will the other outlaws accept Sean as their leader? Who will harass who first? Look for us next year!
