Journal entry: week 8

This week I was away at the biggest reenactor only medieval event in the southern hemisphere. This event only happens once every 2 years on the Easter weekend.

Although this was more personal than University related, I took much inspiration from this event and feel more motivated than ever to create a fully explorable Viking Village for my final Project in my Animation Degree.

I was at this event from Thursday will Monday, spending almost the entirety of the time in the Armidale Pine Forest without any modern technology (minus the camera). The event hosted around 700 reenactors (not entirely sure) consisting of both children and adults. Everyone dressed and camped authentically to the time period of 400-1100 AD. This was my second time attending this event, and it was Damon's first (he loved it). During my time here I wandered around the different camps, I cooked over an open fire, I bought way too much stuff at the medieval markets, I also sold spoons alongside my father who sold blacksmithed knives, I drank all sorts of flavoured mead and sung in the Bard competition in the tavern and won (I won a bottle of mead and won the overall Bard competition and received a pottery mug). There was also battles, archery competitions, music, children's games and puppet shows, textile workshops and much more.

NEMAS (the organisers of the event) also built huts in the forest, as well as putting together the tavern and battle fort (which unfortunately they have to take down after each event due to vandalism).

However, although this event was truly magical, the highlight by far was the Burning of the Boat Ceremony. This was unfortunately a farewell to the Jarl (Leader) of one of the reenactment groups who passed away this year, and so this spectacular event was lined with sadness. However, it was an incredible spectacle with Valkyries singing for the Jarl to be welcomed into Valhalla, comrades placing shields into the boat that was to be burned as well as people placing offering into it as well. Standing among hundreds of people witnessing this was something I will never forget.

Coming back here has made me more passionate about Viking History, and more motivated to be part of my viking family 'Rognavald's Lith'.

As for 3D, I think I will use some of these images as inspiration to what I could create in my future Viking Village. But until then, I have to catch up on all the Uni I have missed to be able to attend this event...