CharmingCavalier 1741 Share Posted March 3, 2023 Spoiler IT'S FOLKBALL FRIDAY!!!!!!!! Heartland Folkball League Championships XVI 1914 Heartland Folkball League on the Fields of Valwyck Brought to you by The Miller’s Mark, Good for whatever ales you! The Crows Take Flight! After last season’s ominous message by Heinrik Rarehird of the Grenz Hurlers, many were relieved that the suggestion was literal. Over the course of the past year, the Haeseni King, Georg I, financed the move of the ancient team into the fields surrounding Karosgrad. The Hurlers’ plain white and red shields have now been replaced with the uniquely vibrant orange. However, it is still to be seen if the Hurlers will suffer from the same mediocrity of the Hurlers or if Rarehird’s return will harken in a new era. 1914 Bracket For the first time since its inception in 1899, the Heartland Folkball League Championship Tournament will be held outside the Heartlands. Venturing up north for the first time, at the behest of King Georg I, who the League learned is a fervent Folkball enthusiast, the tents were hoisted around Valwyck near Karosgrad. Gleefully, snow was non-existent these summer days, but the northern winds dulled the usual heat. Many fans found it an excellent relief to the regular broiling they usually endure down south. So, our dearest readers, we come to you in this handbill to recount the Folkball fabulousness that unfolded in the Haeseni lands. As the Black Barons of Velec secured victory last year, they now stand at a precipice with two players reluctant to work together. Likewise, the Upstreeters remain a threat to all teams so long as Charles Fisherman remains the best half in the League. Yet, as always, lots were drawn and matches set. And then the play began the next morn. Game 1 Adrian Black Barons vs Bywater Hedgehogs After last year’s smashing success for the Black Barons of Velec, the enthusiasm was combustible. Meanwhile, the Hedgehogs made it to the semi-finals for the first time since 1911 last year. Both teams seem set on retaining this success, but only one will. Bywater remains with its standard squad led by the Devilish Duo of halfs Richard Longstride and Tegan Smoothhands. Meanwhile, the Black Barons are split between the female-fan-favorite Leo Pold and the upstart Amir-Mickyle of the Qalasheen tribe of Yordanza. As the tournament’s first match began with the ringing of the bell, the players launched from the back into one another, the halflings being put on the back foot due to their short stature. Their offense was stunted as Hugh Heffher was able to break up any synergy between the Devilish Duo of Bywater. Meanwhile, the long shots of Yordanza landed several times. On the other hand, Leo Pold spent most of the game behind halfling shielder Obidiah Longfoot, who prevented Pold from scoring once throughout the entire game. Despite this, Yordanza’s shots sometimes bounce off of the buckethelm of Jerry Applebuck. However, it was only enough to gain Bywater three half-points against the four scored by Yordanza. So, in the end, the Adrians soared to the semi-finals, but discord was still ripe amongst its ranks. How will this fare for the season? How will Bywater adapt, especially with so few halflings alive these days? Game 2 Karosgrad Crows vs Joannesport Goats The Karosgrad Crows were pitted against the Joannesport Goats in their debut game. Coach Filippo Jacoson’s team has been languishing these past seasons with their foot-centric play style, so this match against a relatively aggressive team could go very well or very poorly. For the first time since 1910, the renowned half, Heinrik Rarehird, stepped onto the pitch to lead the Karosgrad Crows. With exceptional choreography, the ex-Hurlers, now Crows, took to the field to perform a chanting dance where they got the orange-clad Crows in the stands to shout, “The Crows Take Flight!” Meanwhile, Louis du Ballon was juggling balls in the corner, his team awkwardly standing behind him. As the match started, it was clear the teams were an off-suited match. The rushing plays of Karosgrad’s Willem Steav and Viktor Berenson in support of Rarehird’s deep tosses were offset by the footwork of Ballon. However, neither ended up returning a point. For most of the game, both teams marched down the field and got close to a net but ended up losing possession or throwing it into the waiting arms of a netter. However, the final minutes saw Steav dive on a ball Ballon was dribbling down the field, tossing it to Rarehird, who then made a desperate shot at the goal. The whole field went silent as it coursed through the air and Pierre Escargot dove for its interception. Yet, his body fell, and the folkball sailed past him, scoring the winning point for the Crows. Game 3 Atrus Stars vs Minitz Mootgoers On the tournament’s second day, the Atrus Stars were set to take on the Minitz Mootgoers. The Mootgoers, since coming under new management following the Minitz Folkball Riot of 1911, have yet to miss a semi-final position. However, the Stars haven’t seen a breakthrough since 1912. Many of their fans are seething at the piling of losses, but Minitz fans are also desperate to reclaim the glory of their 1912 victory season. This year Alfredo Canto was left on the sidelines recovering from a broken ankle which he received at the hands of Charles Fishermen in last year’s opening round. His loss put the team at a significant disadvantage, and the Bianc Cavaliere was forced to pick up the slack of the quicker component of the team’s offense. Throughout the game, the knight in white plate scored three points for his team by marching past the press gang of Mootgoers. Despite this, Halfbert Pocke put on a triumphant display and scored four points on his own with the backup of Reinhart Wilhelm’s shield, pushing away enemies and making plenty of space for maneuvers. Although the netters scored some half-points, the show’s real star was the halfs, as usual. Although the Mootgoers snuck out a close victory next year, with the return of Alfredo Canto, the Stars may finally have an opportunity to have a winning season! Game 4 Barrowton Bannermen vs New Vienne Upstreeters The Barrowton Bannermen may not be the strongest team out there, but they have one thing going for them - the rising half Everett 'Bad Mouth' Tillman. Will he be able to lead his team to victory, or will his lack of coordination prove to be their downfall? On the other hand, the New Vienne Upstreeters are a force to be reckoned with. Led by the exceptional Charles 'the Fish' Fisherman, who can throw the ball precisely, this team has dominated the league with their unmatched skills and strategy. As the first bell rang, the Barrowton Bannermen put up a valiant fight, but it quickly became apparent that their opponents outmatched them. Charles 'the Fish' Fisherman showcased his exceptional talent as he scored not one but two nets for the New Vienne Upstreeters. The crowd roared excitedly as they witnessed his unparalleled skills on the field. The only action Bannerman fans got from this game was from Louis 'Lasso' Longburkes, who knocked a single Fish toss over the net and scored the sole half-point for the team. As the time dwindled and the tension built, the New Vienne Upstreeters held their ground, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory. It was a moment of triumph for Charles 'the Fish' Fisherman and his team, who once again proved why they were among the best teams. Contrastingly, the Bannermen have a lot of room to develop. As the team owner, the Right Honorable Sir Cornelieus Llewellyn Fortescue Smyth XII cannot be unseated from his half position but acts as an impediment to his team. Will they be able to rid themselves of this defect? Will shielder Horace 'Dusty' Foreman retire and make way for new blood? Semi-Finals 1 Adrian Black Barons vs Karosgrad Crows On the penultimate day of the tournament, the fans of the north flocked to the first-ever HFL semi-final held in the north. In the fields below Valwyck, the Karosgrad fans piled around the field to watch their team face off against the previous year’s champions: The Black Barons. By contrast, the massive droves mainly blocked out Adrian fans, which became noticeable when Leo Pold’s army of female fans was not seen on the sidelines. As Leo Pold slothed onto the field, saddened by the lack of feminine shrieks, he was overshadowed by the tall farfolkian Amir-Mickyle Yordanza. Meanwhile, the entrance of star half Heinrik Rarehird for Karosgrad brought the fanfare to a climatic jamboree, as three carts were flipped in anticipation of the team’s victory. The opening bell set the teams off against one another Yordanza started winning possession after possession. However, Baldemar Baltsoeng and Andrik Lothar, the Crows’ netters, hit down shot after shot from the upstart. On the other hand, Leo Pold grew increasingly angry with the flaunting of Yordanza and sulked about the pitch, unwilling to play and to leave others open to double coverage. By the end of the match, the only score delivered was by the Crows’ netters, who swatted one of Yordanza’s shots over the net and scored a half-point. Meanwhile, Leo Pold had taken to leaning on the railing and heckling his team. What a diva! How low has last season’s most valuable folk fallen to be behaving in this manner?! Regardless, the Crows sailed through to the final and this marked a triumphal comeback by the ex-Hurlers from obsoletism to the brink of victory. Will Rarehird carry the team to a championship in its opening season? Will the King of Haense be impressed with his team’s performance? Only time will tell. Semi-Finals 2 Minitz Mootgoers vs New Vienne Upstreeters In the afternoon of the third day, the Minitz Mootgoers took on the New Vienne Upstreeters. Charles Fisherman, as usual, had been dominating the tournament and was now pitted against Halfbert Pocke and his shielder Reinhart Wilhelm for Minitz. The Upstreeters, without a coach, were left entirely under the control of the Fish himself. What devilish tricks could be employed? As the match began with the ringing of the bell, the Upstreeters rushed Reinhart Wilhelm. Four men, except for one netter, piled onto the man and began a beating that left him broken on the ground. Halfbert Pocke managed to score a goal amongst this chaos but was surprised to find that several plays later, he was the victim of the same strategy. Both were carried off the field on a litter. With the elimination of both of the Mootgoers’ stars, despite the protestations of Coach Gebhard von Minitz from the sidelines, the Upstreeters quickly overwhelmed the three remaining men. They marched back from a deficit to lead by two points when the final bell rang. Although the play was undoubtedly underhanded, and some argue illegal due to the obvious head trauma the two men sustained, the officials did not issue any penalties for the team, citing that the injuries to the head were sustained from “contact with the ground, not contact with other players.” Minitz fans disagree, so let’s just hope there is no riot to report next year! Championships Karosgrad Crows vs New Vienne Upstreeters The big finale to the sixteenth championship of the Heartland Folkball League was a climatic challenge of the Karosgrad Crows against the New Vienne Upstreeters. If the Crows win, this would be a triumphant return for Rarehird. In contrast, this would be the sixth championship for the Upstreeters, making them three higher than the next closest team, the now-defunct Florentine Bulls. Notably, the Hurlers, now Crows, have a storied history with the Upstreeters. Vienne’s coach, Greg Miller, was banned from the League after he paid Sedanite Roberto il Toro to grievously injure Heinrik Rarehird, the Hurlers’ star half, to avoid their return to the championship in 1910. Rarehird took years to recover and rebuild his shoulder strength, which will likely never be the same again. Once again, the fields were swarmed by masses of orange and black figures, massing to support their team. King Georg was rumored to be in attendance. He had sent barrels of wine so significant to the field in anticipation of his team’s victory that the officials had to house them in Valwyck to avoid them taking up the majority of the field and tent areas. The teams squared up against one another. Charles’ the Fish’ Fisherman approached the midline to extend a hand towards Rarehird. Rarehird approached, and we can only imagine what thoughts went through his head. The rumors that Fisherman had been involved with his targeting all those years ago must have been confirmed as accurate to him, despite the League not issuing punishment. So, at that moment, Rarehird extended one hand and then rocked Fisherman with a haymaker to the face, knocking the man on his back. Officials rushed the field, and Rarehird was ejected. He was drugged off the field, screaming, “I will get you back, Fish! We were friends! And you paid to ruin my life!” The Fish recovered, and play began, but the words certainly shook him. Every move he made was matched by the jeers of the Crows’ fans. He scored enough to tie the team with the Crows, who had remarkable plays by secondary half Willem Steav. However, in the last seconds of the game, a missed net play by Andrik Lothar allowed an opening that Fisherman exploited to score the game-winning net. However, the crowd did not cheer; fans instead took to shouting Rarehird’s name at the victorious Upstreeters. That following day, a day usually filled with celebration, was without the Upstreeters, who had packed and left for New Vienne in the middle of the night. Instead, that day was proclaimed Rarehird Day, and Karosgradians flocked to the fields to hoist their champion, who, while he did not have a trophy, was their hero! Congratulations to the Winners! of the Heartland Folkball League Championships XVI THE NEW VIENNE UPSTREETERS! List of Champions 1899 ……… Petran Suns 1900 ……… New Vienne Upstreeters 1901 ……… Florentine Bulls 1902 ……… Florentine Bulls 1903 ……… Florentine Bulls 1904 ……… Grenz Hurlers 1905 ……… Petran Suns 1906 ……… New Vienne Upstreeters 1907 ……… New Vienne Upstreeters 1908 ……… Grenz Hurlers 1909 ……… Bywater Hedgehogs 1910 ……… New Vienne Upstreeters 1911 ……… New Vienne Upstreeters 1912 ……… Minitz Mootgoers 1913 ……… Adrian Black Barons 1914 ……… New Vienne Upstreeters (This Year) List of Most Valuable Folk 1908 (Joint MVF)……… Heinrik Rarehird (Grenz Hurlers) 1908 (Joint MVF)……… Charles Fisherman (New Vienne Upstreeters) 1909 …………………… Jerry Applebuck (Bywater Hedgehogs) 1910 …………………… Charles Fisherman (New Vienne Upstreeters) 1911 …………………… Charles Fisherman (New Vienne Upstreeters) 1912 …………………… Gither von Volburg (Minitz Mootgoers) 1913 …………………… Leo Pold (Adrian Black Barons) 1914 …………………… Charles Fisherman (New Vienne Upstreeters) Details on Team Changes The Karosgrad Crows The Karosgrad Crows were formed in 1914 when the Grenz Hurlers moved with the support of the Haeseni crown under King Georg I. The Hurlers predated Folkball and traced their roots to the ancient Haeseni sport of Stonneball. The game was similar to Folkball in its scoring but differed with its intense violence and heavy ball made of hewn stone. Its founding members or date are unknown, but the team is known for its brutality and holds the record for most ejections in a single game, with three. They were initially called the Grenz Highlanders but changed their name in 1882. ROSTER: Shielder - Viktor Berenson Halfback - Heinrik Rarehird Halfback - Willem Steav Netkeeper - Baldemar Baltsoeng Netkeeper - Andrik Lothar Bench - Everard Franz Feodorson Bench - Seth Hairytooth Bench - Eckehard Kranz Coach - Friedrich Meier 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarven 1718 Share Posted March 3, 2023 "This ist outrageous!!" Yvian would protest upon hearing the upstreeters' devilish tactics, the Minitzer scowling at the loss as he went to go aggressively polish his armour 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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