GOREAN SHORES FESTIVAL - 2005
Oar Dance - GS Patrons
winning dance was performed by resident Builder - Sandman
Rollo_the_Ax
taking the bosk by the horns, I run to the mock up of the ship, and jump up and
grab the railing and pull myself up to it...... * I will go first and show you
all how it is done where I come from.........LOL...LOL..
* Standing on the rail, I ready myself for the dance......then leap from it to
the first oar.. finding my footing, I leap again to the second and balance there
for a second....then leap again and again to the third and forth.... feeling
confident, I turn to wave to the crowd and leap again....
Landing on the fifth oar I turn to face the crowd yet again.....smug and full of
confidence, I leap backwards onto the sixth oar, mugging it up for all to see...
then once again, jumping backwards as I wave ..... my foot landing just short of
a good hold I start to teeter and realize that I have made a serious
error.......hands and arms flailing about as I try to recover and then......it
is too late.....I lose my footing all together, and fall down....landing on my
ass in the mud.......
Mud pit claims first dancer
Bolt
Sarakai
Ok I'll go next...
Striding up to the half ship and clambering aboard
Climbing up onto the half deck and looking about at the oarsmen as they start to
row…Adjusting the sword that was looped over my left shoulder so that it crossed
my back diagonally…Dressed in my scarlet tunic, black breeches and calf high
leather boots I run a hand over my shaven head…at my waist was tied an empty
tankard…I had seen this done perfectly before whilst I had been in the
northland…even attempted it once…I rub the place on my chest that had borne the
brunt of my fall…Looking to the crowd I dance a little jig and then bow slightly
and with a flourish approach the stern of the ship…
My eyes narrow as I watch the rise and fall of the oars, noting the timing and
the distance between each stroke and then without further adieu I leap out onto
the oar as it starts on its rise…arms extended and with feet close together I
hold myself for an ihn and I watch the rise and fall of the next oar and as the
oar starts to descend I leap off and catch it as it reaches its lowest point…Now
there was no time to turn back …one could liken my gaze to that of a swooping
tarn on the hunt, observing everything but focused on only one thing…the next
oar…
My arms slightly raised and my feet firmly locking onto the oar I rise up on the
oar as it makes its ascent and as it nears its zenith I leap, catching myself on
the next oar and holding myself steady as it the oar starts to descend…I would
use the rising stroke to make all my jumps, thus giving me a fraction of an ihn
to adjust when I landed on the next moving oar…It had been on the next jump that
I had fallen the last time I had attempted this and this thought swept through
my mind before disappearing in a surge of adrenaline as I made the next leap on
the upstroke of the oar…catching myself I bend backwards slightly…careful not to
over adjust I twist slightly to the side and make the next leap…
The upstroke of the oar eased my passage through the air and as I landed upon
the next oar I could feel my left foot start to slide off the oar…twisting to
the right and using my arms as balance I do a full circle with my right foot,
before using my left foot to plunge down and on the upstroke to leap to the next
oar…this time I land perfectly and a slow grin creases the corner of my lips as
I realize I was going to make it all the way to the end…the next oar as I landed
I twisted my hand in a salute to the crowd…keeping my balance, using my whole
body I wait for the upstroke to jump to the final oars…
The last three or four oars were over in a blur and as I reach the final oar on
its upstroke I leap up on the railing of the ship, landing easily and then
jumping down onto the deck I turn to the crowd, grabbing the empty tankard from
my belt and with a roar close my other fist above it, making the sign of the
hammer...I had done it!
WHOOOHOOO!!
Sandman
taking my staff in one hand and the rope in one,, I pull back,, and swing up....
my feet reaching the rail at the bow of the ship.. then slowly sliding out onto
the first oar
eyeing the oars ,, following the Builders dictum of measure twice then cut
once,, I leap up,, then come down on the first oar .. my bulk causing it to flex
,.. crouching down and leaping .......... skipping the 2nd oar and landing on
the 3rd... my boots catching the blade as the whole ship shudders
feeling the oar flex,, I begin to bounce up and down,, the oar flexing under my
weight,,,,,, springing up.. I plant my staff on the 4th oar,, and vault to the
5th ... teetering ,, my arms flailing
finding my balance,, I grimace,, thinking this seemed
easier in practice ........... steeling myself I leap from oar to oar to oar ..
stopping at the 8th...... my footing sure now,, nodding to the crowd
thinking more than this will be needed to win the judging .. I bounce again,,,,
then spring up........ skipping the 9th to land on the 10th using my staff to
balance
looking at the last two oars... reaching into my pouch .. taking out my seldom used kurt ... bouncing and leaping thru the air,, tossing my staff to the ground ,,, swinging the kurt to wrap around the oar,, my feet hitting it and my great bulk pitching forward .. barely held on by the kurt
my chest heaving as I am barely restrained by the kurt ....... shouting somebody
toss me the rope
ahh there it is reaching out .. letting go of the kurt and slowly swinging back
to the ground
Kyoto
I clicked my tongue softly as I heard it was my
turn. Nodding to Sandman as I passed him on the way to the ship, grinning at
him, he and Bolt would be tough to beat. I took another long swig of the paga,
long enough that I drained it, and then tossed the empty aside. My stride as I
approached the mock half ship was ground eating and in a space of ihn, I'd
reached the side of the ship, grabbed a mooring line and swung up to the deck.
I closed my eyes for an ihn, standing on that half deck, but it still didn't
feel like it should, there was no gentle rocking below my feet, no creaking of
the timbers as the Thassa rolled underneath. Not even the slightest breeze
stirred my clothing. But there was the gathered crowd watching and I felt a
thrill inside at the eyes upon me. I grinned mischievously at them before I
turned to look once more about the ship. Looking up, I spotted a free hanging
line from the mock ship's truncated single mast. Grabbing it, I wrapped it once
about my hand, walked back several steps and then ran forward, springing onto
the rail and leaping towards the people watching.
The line held and I swung far out, a throaty yell of
triumph echoing in the enclosed training yard. As I arced back, I lifted my feet
and bent my legs slightly at the knees to cushion the blow as they met the rail.
Yes!
I leaned far back and then pushed off once more, but more carefully this time,
my jump planting me on one of the ship's dozen oars.
My head fell back and I yelled the name of my beloved city, that infamous
scourge of the gleaming Thassa...
Port Kar!!!!
My hand slipped free of the line and I stood, teetering, on the narrow but
sturdy shaft of temwood. A Grin plastered itself to my lips and I jumped and
spun in the air, relying on years of time spent on the Thassa and, before that,
the Tahari, to help me keep from falling to the mudpit below. Landing, my knees
took the force, bending to keep the oar from shattering under the sudden stress.
Standing tall once again, I leaped across to the next, but barely had my feet
touched before I leapt to the next in line, laughing heartily at the slight feel
of danger.
I turned swiftly, but the sudden shift caused me to
nearly fall, my arms flailed out in circles. As my balance returned to me, I
laughed again and leaped back. From oar to oar, I traversed the bank that would,
on a real ship, be lifting and falling in time with each other. The last oar lay
ahead and I took a chance, jumping over the one beside it to try for that prize.
I realized while I was in midair that my feet would not make it, so it was my
hands that reached, my arms ahead of me, trying to stretch, trying to prevent
the inevitable fall to the mud pit below. Fingers closed about the wood and
clenched, the wood bent from the sudden affect of gravity from my flailing form.
My feet dragged through the mudpit, but my grip held and I swung beneath it.
Pulling up, I scrambled to retain that perch on the
oar, my feet kicking back and then swinging over the oar till I rested upon my
stomach. Twisting, I shifted my weight till I sat there, a stupid grin on my
face. Slowly, I stood once again, fighting to get that balance I had lost only a
spare ehn ago. At last, my feet were planted, shoulder wide, my hands were a
mere inch above that oar, fingers spread. Slowly, I rose, my back uncurling till
I once more stood tall, my legs shifting to hold me there.
I raised my arms in triumph, laughing at the escape from danger. Looking back
over my shoulder, I jumped again, a half spin in the air turning me to face the
other way, my arms swinging about till I stood steady once more on that narrow
shaft of temwood.
Catching my balance again, I eyed that long line of
oars and the mast line I'd left there. Slowly, I flexed and straightened my
knees, over and over, till that oar I stood upon bounced lightly beneath me. I
let out another yell and then I ran, long legged strides carrying me from oar to
bouncing oar. If I'd given it a thought, I'd have probably missed or slipped,
braining myself on the oar shaft on the way to the mudpit below.
My
feet hit that last oar and I used it's spring to catapult me into the air,
grabbing the line as I passed by. As I swung out again, I shouted, at the top of
my lungs...
Gorean Shores forever!!!
I released my hold on the line, praying to the Priest Kings that I would not break my neck with this foolish move. My arms flung out and as my feet hit the grass, my legs buckled at the knees and hips, tucking under to absorb the jarring impact. I rolled forward before coming to a rest on my back, staring up into space, laughing hard.
Grinning at everyone as I realize they thought I had
finished before leaving the oars.
Ok, I'm a show off...
I stood and grinned at GaigiN as he passed
GaigiN
Now That I am certain the the Captain is on the ground, and the rowers begin I
time my leap and just manage to get to a stand . . . . balancing precariously. I
stay as close to the ship as possible because the oars move least there
Learning from watching Bolt, I time my move to the next oar to the upstroke of
the rowers . . . waiting until the oar moves forward I am poised to make my leap
.
At just the right time I jump and . . . . . . almost make it . . . Gabbing for
the oar with my hands . . . I miss that too and do an artistic face-plant
in the enormous hole in the mud left by Rollo
~Standing now knee deep in the mud I wave to all and move toward the wharf to
return to my Serpent to get cleaned up.~
Mud pit claims second dancer
Paedur
Laughs as I slap a good shot across Emerald's back.
Fresh clothes ehhh? then..
pauses and smiles settling My steel and moving to the fa pux ship....
reaching up to pull and then vault Myself up onto the rail.
bowing deeply to the crowd and them watching the
rhythm and the movement of the oars.
and with a grin and a wink I leapt up into the air and .....
landing at the top of the oar and sliding down to the very bottom of the oar
balancing as it raises and falls.
as it reaches the top I bow once again and then it goes down to lift and at the
peak I leap up into the air and do a back flip, landing on the oar, and smiling
as I bow again and then....
leaping at the top to move to the next oar, spreading arms and legs wide, before
landing securely on the second oar.
riding it up and down placing My feet in the
proper place to ride it up high and leaping again into the air moving over to
the third oar....
Again spreading My hands and legs wide apart, a great giant "X" smiling and
winking as I go.
Some how some way, a slight error in timing or maybe a bit over exaggerated wink
or bow.
Hands and legs still spread wide when the oar suddenly appears.
Between My legs...
suddenly the smile fades to a "OH" !!!!!!!
and now knowing the truest meaning of the latest battle move called a "HARKON"
Balancing for a moment while I catch My breath before rolling off to one side,
the loud THUNK in the mud.
Somehow the cool wet mud a relief
Laughing in the mud at the extent One must go to beat His fellow Men. LOL
Ohhhhhhh groaning softly as I laugh.
Turning up to stand barely taking a careful bow in the
mud and then moves Myself from the mud.
Laughing as I go. LOL
Mud pit claims third dancer
Xertog
Hands Laroona my cloak and I climbs up onto the ship
Moving to the stem side of the ship at the railing, eying the oar below. My
hands placed firmly on the railing before leaping over it down onto the first
oar… My knees bend with my hands held out to my side.
Steadying myself and leaping to the second oar …. My right foot lagging behind a
bit it strikes the side of the oar moving it out from under me.
Reaching out with my hands trying to grasp the oar... I grasp nothing but air.
Falling backwards, cringing, …tucking my arms in close and covering my face with
my hands.
My ass
hits the mud first then I’m engulfed by the mud.. The mud splats in every
direction,… scurrying to my feet. Makes a futile attempt of wiping the mud from
my face as I wade towards the edge of the pit. Wincing a bit placing my hand on
my back…. ....
Sandman next time can you make the pit a little deeper or the ship not as tall?
…chuckles…
Wades out of the mud and walks towards Laroona ..
Laroona how about a consultation hug for your Man? ..Laughs
Mud pit claims fourth dancer
Emerald Forest
*I walk towards the ship as
Xertog makes His way out of the mud S*
*I stand at the side of the mud pit and looks in,
doesn't look to clean LOL ,
then I coil back the whip and lets it soar and it catches on one of the oars and
with the rhythm of the strokes I launch Myself up towards the ship and over the
rails and lands on the deck, then I uncoil the whip
from the oar and wraps it around My waist S*
*I look over the side of the ship and takes a leap of faith onto the first oar
and gets My balance before launching off to the second one and lands on top of
it towards the middle*
*getting My balance again and takes of for the third and fourth in a couple of
bounds, getting My balance again,
shaking a bit and looking down at the mud LOL,
then taking off for the fifth and sixth oar almost losing it
between the two, then I take off for the seventh and
spins to see how many more to go LOL*
*then I take off for the last few and jumps of the last oar onto the sand,
glad I
didn't go into the mudpit LOL*
Mud pit claims fifth dancer
FREE WOMAN DANCE
Laroona
Woken rudely from a deep slumber, by
Xertog’s guff voice…. “come woman get your dancing shoes on, there is a Festival
on” ….. muttering to myself as I stumble off the couch, dainty hands rubbing the
last remnants of sleep from my eyes, I rise and stagger to my robe, putting on
my finest robes, for the Festival….. feeling around for my dancing slippers, I
grab the first pair and pull them on… they do feel a bit strange after little
use in many years…..
Not wanting to let my man down I stumble behind him…. My feet seem to feel like
lumps of bosk-dung has been stuck to the soles as I clump from the holding to
the tavern, mumbling under my breath it is still too early as this old FW needs
her beauty sleep….leaning in he whispers “hear the music, feel the beat, I would
really enjoy seeing you dance” …. I think he must be crazy there are plenty of
slaves who can amuse him and dance, but then he is my man…..
Hearing laughter and then I hear cymbals crash and clang….. I stomp my feet,
feeling the beat…. Lifting up the hem of my robes,… would not want to stumble
over and fall on my petite tush or flat on my face and have allllllllllllll
those men seeing what my plaited hairy legs below the robes… I stagger around
the furs and tables of the tavern… ignoring the giggling slaves,,, oh dear I
felt something squish,,, shrugging my shoulders, I look down and it is only a
slave…. Clomping to the sand pit as the dreaded noise the musicians make gets
louder…
I notice a pole sticking up from the sand….. ESCAPE ROUTE enters my mind,,, as
something stirs in my memory… I head to the pole….. staggering and stumbling I
grab hold of it with gloved hands…. I hears slaves snickering, glancing back at
them I glare, before the light comes on in my head… get to the top of the
pole….. no one can get you there….
Huffing and puffing, I feel a footstool, giving me a lift I scramble up the
pole, and nestle on the top… arranging my robes and veils, my feet tucked under
me, none can see what is hidden now…peering down I notice caitlin next to the
pole, ohh she was my footstool…. Still hearing that awful banging noises I cover
my ears to block out the sounds… then realizes my body is swaying to the music…
Losing my grip from the pole I slide down and land in the sand… shaking myself
off and regaining my composure, I clomp back to sit next to Xertog, wondering
what came over me… I look down at my dancing slippers….. these are not
slippers!!!!!!… they are a pair of Xertog’s boots, the girls must have moved
them around….. feeling around with my toes I feel
something soft and smelly…. KINGS these are his socks he wore last year stuck in
them!!!
I look at Xertog smiling sweetly at him and lean over and speak softly “next
time you want me to dance, you can spend coin on new dancing slippers”
