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, 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.
Then, one day in June of 2002 (a Saturday, actually), the people that Brandon and Jenna 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.
Brandon and Jenna, 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. And now?
Madoc’s Keep is well on it’s way. No longer an offshoot of Five Oaks (though we still love to visit our nearest neighbors), the former Canton is now Rising Winds’ newest Shire. A smallish Shire, to be sure, even with the expansion of the last few months, but that’s all right. We have everything we need: the wise elders (the afore and oft-mentioned Brandon and Jenna, along with Lord Teth), our own cadre of up and coming battlefield badasses (look at the tourney placements from Crown Quals and compare them with any other new-born Shire), and some gifted artisans to round out the cultural side. Madoc’s Keep is moving forward, but more importantly, we are treating it as an adventure. Coronation? What’s a Coronation? All right, let’s check it out. Winter War? None of us have ever seen one, let’s go and see. Crown Quals? No idea, other than that you enter culturals and fight in tourneys. Well, we can do both of those, so let’s do it in a big way.
We’ve been exploring this world that the Amtgarders have built, and we have been having a blast. Look for us to be visiting your park in the coming year, and be assured that you are welcome to visit ours.
Etaukan DreamSmith Sheriff of Madoc’s Keep
Current Officers ( March 2008 - September 2008 except Chancellor (May 2008))
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 Markosias' Cell phone: 905-1076
Important Note: DragonMaster/WeaponMaster will be held in Iroquois Park, but it will NOT be held at the spot described above. It will be held a few bowshots distant; on the other side of the Amphitheatre, next to the frisbee golf course. (Look for the big tent, the House Tannelorn Banner, or yer usual Amtgard types walking around)
