Storm Bridge
A chapter of RW in Louisville, KY
Contents
Heraldry
History
The (brief) history of Madoc's Keep
Long ago, possibly lost in the mists of time (waaaay back in 2000) was the beginning of the shire of Five Oaks.
Slightly less long ago, Azmandius, Gwenhefar, Argon Noble, Brandon Firedrake and his sister, Lady Jenna, decided that in addition to attending Five Oaks each week, they would create a group somewhat closer to home. Not only would this let them play Amtgard more often, but it would allow them to find new players (for surely, in such a large city as Louisville, there must be SOMEONE who would understand the concept). Some time passed, and it started to look as if the city only understood basketball and professional wrestling, not the middle ages. The numbers seemed to ebb and flow, mostly involving those who were members of the Five Oaks, but lived in Louisville or directly across the bridge in Indiana.
Then, one day in June of 2002 (a Saturday, actually, as they met at the Five Oaks on Sundays), the people that Madoc's Keep had been waiting for began to arrive. Two newcomers (Etaukan Dreamsmith and Merrick) found the Amtgardians, played for a bit, enjoyed it, and went home. Within a month or two, they had managed to drag basically everyone they knew out to the park, and hey; those folk also had a good time. Almost as soon as they found the game, these people were making weapons, and garb, and armor, and making really (really) long drives to get to Kingdom events.
The veterans that attended the park, meanwhile, coped with the newcomers with amazing patience. A mini-shire composed almost entirely of newbies can’t have been an easy thing to deal with (no doubt it’s still difficult, from time to time), but they carried it off with exceptional grace and kindness. Endlessly reciting rules for those who forgot, lending weapons at the beginning and advice after that, explaining the aspects of the game that long-time players seem to know intuitively…. Even going so far as to refrain from using their hard-earned sixth level classes in our battlegames, lest the gang of first level people be exterminated without even the chance to make a fight of it. When we asked to move the park location, they agreed, even though it meant a longer drive for them.
Current Officers ( September 2008 - March 2009 except Park PM (November 2008 to May 2009))
- Current Weaponmaster - Viper Moonshade
- Current Dragonmaster - Twilight
Contacts and Directions
Basic Directions to the Park (and to our usual meeting spot): Take I 65 into Louisville. If you’re coming from I 64, just take it into downtown and get on I 65 (south) there. In Louisville get off of I 65 onto the Watterson Expressway (I-264) going West. Pay attention and GO WEST. On the Watterson, pass one exit, (Crittenden Drive) and then get off at Southern Parkway/ Third Street. Go straight, through the light at the end of the ramp, and up to the next street, “Southern Parkway.” Take a left on Southern Parkway. Follow the road for about 3 miles until it ends right in front of Iroquois park. Take a left here (Newcut Road), and drive alongside the park for about one quarter mile. At the first stop light (there will be AutoZone on your left), turn right into the park. Take an immediate right again toward the basketball and tennis courts. Park the car. Madocs Keep meets across from the tennis courts. Any problems, call Viper (502)835-7041
