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=♦= In the charming castle town of Babblebrook, nestled snugly within the rolling hills and verdant meadows of Dúnfarthing, the Musin people hold dear their rich tapestry of traditions and holidays. Among these cherished celebrations, none is more eagerly anticipated than the Sweetberry Festival, a joyous homage to the delectable fruit that has woven itself into the very fabric of Musin culture. [!] A Group of Musin celebrating a harvest of Sweetberries during the festival Originating in the earliest annals of Musin history, the Sweetberry Festival traces its roots back to a time of liberation and newfound freedom. Legend has it that the Musin, weary of their oppression under the tyrannical rule of the ratiki overlords, embarked on a daring escape from a mysterious island, its name now lost to the winds of time. It was when they arrived on Almaris, amidst the lush foliage and towering trees, that they encountered the enigmatic Giant, a benevolent figure who bestowed upon them the gift of the sweet, succulent berry that would come to be known as the Sweetberry. Captivated by the tantalizing taste and boundless gene square is transformed into a bustling marketplace, alive with the vibrant colors and enticing aromas of freshly picked Sweetberries. From dawn until dusk, Musin of all ages come together to revel in the delights of this cherished fruit, engaging in a plethora of activities and competitions that pay homage to its sweetness and versatility. In one corner of the square, skilled jam makers labor over bubbling cauldrons, concocting an array of tantalizing preserves and spreads to be sampled and savored by eager festival-goers. Nearby, bakers ply their trade, crafting an assortment of mouth watering pastries and desserts infused with the irresistible flavor of Sweetberries. Artists and poets alike find inspiration in the luscious hues and delicate fragrance of the Sweetberry, their creations adorning the walls of makeshift galleries and echoing through the air in melodic verse. Children frolic amidst fields of wildflowers, their laughter mingling with the joyful strains of music that drift through the warm summer breeze. As the sun dips below the horizon and the stars twinkle overhead, the Sweetberry Festival reaches its climax with a grand feast fit for royalty. Tables groan under the weight of sumptuous dishes, each one lovingly prepared and infused with the essence of Sweetberries. And as the Musin people gather together to dine and raise their voices in song, they offer silent thanks to the Giant whose gift has brought them together once more, united in celebration and bound by the sweet bonds of friendship and community. For in the heart of Babblebrook, amidst the laughter and the music, the spirit of the Sweetberry Festival lives on, a testament to the enduring power of love, hope, simple joys of life. =♦=

This is extremely cool

Upon a fine morning a monastic knight poured over the contents of the fine poetry over a cup of warm Matcha tea and, feeling inspired, he decides to write a poem of his own to reflect on recent events: "Scourges of the world, Duty-bound we are to slay, A mirthless quandary, With sin comes a price to pay."

This is cool When are we playing Sea of Thieves?

The tall, freshly sworn in Petran knight rubs his hand togeather "Joust huh - perhaps ea win over some hearts!" he says to himself and goes to pick out his BEST fur hat.

[!] Several copies of a leatherbound book have appeared in Sakuragakure, bearing fine calligraphy and artistic depictions of the characters within. 四歌仙 GRAND RECORD OF THE FOUR POETRY IMMORTALS ___________ Foreword I, Kakinomoto no Akahito, in possession of ancient poetic scrolls passed down for countless generations within my bloodline, have sought to transcribe and compile an anthology of the Four Immortals of Classical Oyashiman poetry, who were foundational in the standardization of the classical waka, choka, haiku, and haikai styles now enjoyed in tavern and court alike. ___________ I. 遍照 Konjō An ancient monk from Bachi-shoto, his early life was faced with the wanton destruction of the Third Pirate Hyperwar which decimated the port cities of the Western archipelago. He was the first poet to practice the choka style, which typically but not always features alternating lines of five and seven syllables. His imagery revolved around the pursuit of internal harmony and political unity. ___________ “Heart of Oyashi scattered across the turtles and shattered by stormy seas brought together again under the blossom of sakura trees” ___________ “A stack of old books fingers stained by ink and quill to be wise is tiring” ___________ “Sharp like the horn of oni but tender like the summer sun Are words from the lips of a lover.” ___________ II. 祐子内親王家紀伊 Izumi Taishinnō-ke no Kii The first daughter of the mythical Daimyo Asatada of the famed Fujiwara clan, her mother was of common origins. Married to the second son of the Shogun, Izumi was renowned in her time for her beauty and sensibility. Primarily practicing the court-standard waka style, she exuded the traditional Oyashiman melancholy. She nobly committed seppuku during the 2nd Heavenly Disruption of Commerce to avoid being taken hostage by the infamous Li-ren invader Chao Ling, the bastard Marquis of Bongleng. ___________ “Meaningless, meaningless to watch the flowers wither but while their beauty fades My heart opens again.” ___________ “Winter nights are long seeming endless as the sea from Yamatai to Gushiken The kami warm our tea” ___________ “No, I do not want My wants are ever-shifting Like a sand-snake in the desert“ ___________ III. 天命開柿本別天皇 Kakinomoto no Taifu, posthumous name Amenokotohirakasuwake Perhaps the most famous of the ancient classical waka-poets in the old country, Taifu was the progenitor of the Kakinomoto line, a long-standing family of yōsei poets, calligraphers, and philosophers from Dodaitase. He was the court poet for three Shoguns across seven decades, and for this was granted the posthumous name Amenokotohirakasuwake. ___________ “Dull moon in the sky, The misty autumn night Concealed in a blanket The stag and wolf alike” ___________ “Footsteps of shinobi like raindrops upon the roof A humble pitter-patter Signaling the season new” ___________ “Crashing thunder and roaring waves Triumphant are the winds of Dodaitose.” ___________ “Diamonds and gold, Kimonos of silk Even the blossoming sakura Has not the splendor of parenthood.” ___________ IV. 素性法師 Akabeko Jinsai The first and most esteemed of the oni poets, he lived in the early days when humans and oni-kind first began to intermix. Initially fearing him to be a raider, the villagers of Chomokyo soon learned his loud grunting had a soulful rhythm. He is the founder of the haikai-style, a baser genre popular in taverns and under the influence of sake. His imagery focused on the mundane and vulgar pleasures of daily life, and it is said that he sired as many children as he wrote verses. Today some refer to him as Akabeko-kami and offer him candles believing his spirit to be incarnated as a minor kami of fertility. ___________ “Konnichi’ug Your mother’s bosom I rest there Yare yare.” ___________ “Butahito, katsuhito Small small man Majo majo, majomomo Oni lady big.” ___________ “Smoke of cactus green High on mountain top, Ahshu dubai gasu fushi Down goes the large rock” ___________ Transcribed with reference to ancient familial scrolls, this anthology of poetry was compiled in Year 177 SA (1154 Kamijikan) [!] A signature stamp was boldly imprinted at the bottom 柿本赤人 Kakinomoto no Akahito

Princess Rowena grinned as she received her invitation, preparing her best dress for the ceremony and her armor for the joust.

Adalwulf rejoiced! "A splendid union!". He then prepared his mount to joust in the event!

The Commandant of the White Comet had little love for mortal squabbles. He therefore prayed that one would not spark from this.