Many of you know I was a sportswriter before I become a teacher. That meant I sometimes got to make predictions on the outcomes of games and tournaments. So, will you forgive me if I make some picks for East Kingdom Crown Tournament in the shire of Lyndhaven?
You heard it here first: Duke Darius Serpentius will win Saturday’s East Kingdom Crown tournament.
Yes, I am going to go with my heart and – I think – my head.
Assuming that the pairings allow for it, His Grace will face Duke Andreas Eisfalke Von Ulm in the finals. They are the only dukes in the field, they are fierce competitors, and they have each won multiple crowns.
The difference? Duke Darius has been training pretty much since King Konrad Von Ulm won Crown late last year, and Duke Andreas has just stepped down after a full reign. A king never gets to fight as much as he would like to. Add the trip to Lyndhaven for each of them, and I think Duke Darius will have the endurance to outlast Duke Andre.
The only other former Eastern king in the field, Count Gryffith Fitzwilliam is one of my picks for the final four, but there are a number of other knights in the field who could well get there. If forced to commit a fourth, I would go with Sir Kenrick of Warwick, who was one of the four finalists in King Konrad’s crown.
But . . . neither Duke Andreas, who was king, nor Count Griffyth, was in that tournament. The other finalist was Jarl Thorson, who is not fighting this time around.
So who else will be around late in the tournament? Let’s assume we really do get the spiffy 32-person field, so we’d have a clear final eight. Sir Wilhelm von Ostenbrücke finalled in last Crown, Sir Edward Grey of Lochleven is one of the real up-and-comers in the tournament, and Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver looked good in the last Crown and has the ability to be there toward the end.
I have one pick for final eight, and maybe final four, that might surprise you. Syr Yesungge Altan usually has to long distances for Crown. He lives in Ruantallan, so he will be a lot fresher than some of his opponents.
You want unbelts? We got unbelts. I really like Lord Horace of Serpentius, one of Darius’ squires. He’s been fighting really well. So has Baron Berach MacTavish, also one of Darius’ I think and an OTC to boot.
How about two more? Two barons/OTCs from Stonemarche, no less. I like Baron D. Sebstianius at least halfway into the tournament, and Baron Wulfhere of Stonemarche can be one tough cookie. Also, Master Julien de LaPointe is a Master of the Laurel, and a very classy fighter. One more knight, Pan Jan Janowitz Bogdanski, is a solid fighter and should have a good day.
In my heart, I am pulling for Lord Asgar Roulfson, from my home shire of Glenn Linn, to have an excellent day.
I don’t mean to slight anyone, and there are a lot of folks I do not know. Very likely that means they are from Northern Shores, and that they will be fighting on home turf. I know that’s the case for Baron Lachlan Mac an Toisich of Benchar, the baron of Ruantallan. Like Yesungge, he’s fairly close to home compared to many of the others.
If anyone wants to comment on the rest of the field, I would be interested in hearing about: Perceval Gower Esq., Turi MacKinnon, Joseph of House Serpentius, Damon Von Drachenklaue , Baron Aethelhawk Keyfinder, Herr Lienhart Fischer von Torum, Ragnar the Frogg, Guthfrith Yrlingson, Lord Sawney of Distant Shore, Lord Edmond O'Rourke
Lord Barnabus O'Pheylan, Big Damn John, Matthew of Wiltshire, Lord Nicholas of Losthaven, Lord Atreides Coridan, or Lady Cornelia Vande Brugg.
One last note of full disclosure. Some folks know this already. Duke Darius is fighting for my wife, THL Alethea Eastriding. I honestly made my picks independent of that. And besides, I am just a little terrified about the possibility. ;)
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