Graphic by HL Damon Hroarson Borrendohl		NORTHKEEP'S  DIONADAIR  TOURNAMENT Our "In-Barony" Martial Competition usually held around September at Woodward Park, 21st and Peoria, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  We have this tournament to determine our Dionadair.  The list is open to all, but only fighters who regularly attend Northkeep fighter practices may hold the title.  Dionadair is an Irish term, locally pronounced as "DJIN-ah-der" (or "jin-AH-dare" plural Dionadean "djin-AH-dane"). A Dionadair is someone who is a protector, a defender, a leader in battle.

The Chronicle of The Dionadair of Northkeep

These are being the words of Gunter. Scribe and Thrall to Lord Borrendohl. By his order:

    In the summer of AS XXIX, a proclamation was made to the populace of the shire; in the fall, there was to be a tournament for the fighting population of our shire. Lord Angus MacKnockard and my Lord Damon hosted the tournament. The prize was to be a spear fashioned from cold steel by Lord Angus mounted and embellished by my lord. The victor of the tournament is to carry the spear and the pride of the shire until the completion of the tournament the following year. In addition, at his discretion, to add an embellishment this would carry forward to his successors.
    Before recounting the gallantry of our barony's arms-men, I must recount the terms of the list as written by the Lord Angus and Lord Damon.

• The list is to be a double elimination tree.
• The list is randomly drawn under the supervision of the prior victor, the knights' marshal or the seneschal. 
• The victor is to have demonstrated skill with a variety of weapons. These skills demonstrated in  the manner here written. To enter finals an aspirant must have used at least three of these six  weapons forms:
  • Single weapon
  • Single weapon and shield
  • Two weapons
  • Spear
  • Great Sword or Polearm
  • Bastard Sword or Short Pole weapon
     
• Entry is limited to residents of Northkeep who have not achieved the rank of Knighthood.
• The victor of the final round must best his opponent in two of three possible bouts. Each finalist  will have the opportunity to choose the weapon for one bout. The third, if required, fought with each entrant's choice.

    On the second weekend of September the populace of the barony gathered to witness the skills of our honorable men at arms and to encourage them in feats of bravery and chivalry. Fifteen stout hearts presented themselves as aspirants to the title and honor accorded the victor. To recount all of the deeds of these noble souls would be to many for this poor scribe's wit. Suffice to say that the final bout came to be between Lord Gest Grimson and Lord Thorvald Egilsson. With a demonstration of great prowess Lord Gest bested his noble foe and came to be first to carry the title Dionadiar.
    The following year, AS XXX, the call went forth, once again to gather the fighting men of Northkeep and try their skill for succession to the tittle. Thirteen presented themselves before Lord Gest and the assembled populace. This year again, skill and honor abounded. Hersir Thorgrim Bjornson and my Lord Damon came to be the final pairing. With great skill, Hersir Thorgrim bested my lord in only two bouts. Lord Gest then presented the spear with his embellishment of a scabbard to his humble successor.  Hersir Thorgrim dedicated his victory to his lady and the fond memorys of Lady Kendra Kenmare and Baroness Caitlinn. As a token of his regard, Lord Gest bestowed a knife upon Hersir Thorgrim.
    Hersir Thorgrim announced that a prerequisite to entry in the following years tourney would be attendance at a minimum of eight Northkeep fighter practices or wars.

By the quill of Gunter. Scribe and Thrall to Lord Borrendohl.
By his order, the continuing chronicles of the Dionadair of Northkeep:

    On the twenty-first day of September, A.S. XXXI Hersir Thorgrim summoned together the fighting membership of the shire to compete again for the title of Dionadair.
    Then fighters qualified for the tournament and eight presented themselves. Prior to every bout each fighter drew from a deck of cards to select which weapon he would use that round. The choices were:  

• Sword and Shield
• Mass Weapon and Shield
• Two handed Weapon
• Two Weapons
• Fighter Choice 

    Each round fought as a best of three bouts round. The list filed laid out as a twenty-foot square tower top. At least one competitor was eliminated from the tournament by falling from the tower rather than by injury.
    The final pairing was Lord Colin Ua O'Neill and Lord Thorvald Egilsson. Lord Colin emerged as the victor after the full three rounds. Hersir Thorgrim continued the tradition of bestowing a knife upon the victor and presented the spear to Lord Colin with the embellishment of the Shire's Badge on the Scabbard done by Lord Gest.
    The coming year may see great changes in the prestige and method of the Dionadair tournament, as we shall witness the investiture of Their Excellencies Northkeep. We await their pleasure and decree concerning the future of the tournament with great interest.

By the quill of Gunter. Scribe and Thrall to Lord Borrendohl.
By his order, the continuing chronicles of the Dionadair of Northkeep:

    'Tis  now the year of our elevation, ASXXXII.  Northkeep is a Barony. Their Excellencies have decreed that the Dionadair is to be the Baronial war leader.  Fourteen presented themselves before their excellencies.  As in the previous year, weapons were drawn from the deck.  This year we did without the tower.  The final round came down to Lord Ulf Arfinson and Lord Merrik Viltar Har.  Ironically, each lost the bout using his chosen weapon.  The deciding bout was fought single sword and quickly concluded by a single unanswered blow to Ulf's face.
    Collin ua Niall gifted Merrik with a large dagger and passed on the spear.  At populace the following week, Collin presented a huge new "Baronial War Banner" which was of such a length it dwarfed the spear's shaft.  In the winter of the year.  Lord Merrik, in performing his role a Dionadair, bore the banner into battle and glory during Gulf Wars.

Graphic by Diarmaid O'Duinn

WINNERS

A list of the Dionadean, those whose names hang from Northkeep's Battle Spear.

• AS 41/2006 Lord Morgan Blackdragon
• AS 40/2005 Lord Randell Lee
• AS 39/2004 Centurian Angus Gunn
  
• AS 38/2003 HL Damon Hroarson Borrendohl
• AS 37/2002 Lord Evan der Fultime
• AS 36/2001 Lord Angus MacKnockard
• AS 35/2000 Lord Karl Hungus
• AS 34/1999 Lord Wilhelm de Kaalavo
• AS 33/1998 Lord Ulf Arnfinnson
• AS 32/1997 Lord Merrik Viltâr Hâr
• AS 31/1996 Lord Colin ua Niall
• AS 30/1995 Hersir Thorgrim Bjornson
• AS 29/1994 Lord Guest Grimsson

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Last updated - 2 November 2006