AER: IKV Melota – Bat’leth tournament 2014

AER: Bat’leth Tournament 2014 (16th Annual)

This past weekend (Nov 14-16th, 2014) the Imperial Klingon Vessel Melota held its 16th annual Bat’leth tournament. Combat in the Bat’leth (sword of honor), mek’leth and daq’tagh were held. Warriors competed in freezing cold, drizzly temperatures for glory, honor, and to test their mettle against their fellow warriors.

I, Lieutenant Commander Dragen (vestai-Draconus), Cold Revenge Quadrant commander, and KAG Quartermaster, was present. I left the D/FW area of Texas with my Vulcan companion T’Paun and headed for the war zone of Purtis Creek State Park in Eustace, Texas. We unloaded, set up camp, and then awaited the arrival of other combatants with Captain Salek and his wife Squeeze.  Saturday (day of combat) dawned cold, wet, and dreary but that does NOT stop combat. Bat’leth (in which for the first time I advanced to round 2), mek’leth (I got more points than usual: for me), and daq’tagh (considering the long arms and super flexibility of my target, I am proud of my 2 points against Admiral Cameron Wilkinson of Fleet 31) were held. All warriors did well, NO ONE got skunked, and even the catastrophe (aka the “cat ass” trophy) recipient did VERY well for her first tournament (5 & ½ points overall!!!)

Noncombatant games were held for various prizes (tribble hunt, a great race, and a trivia/name that tune game), and the awards ceremonies were held that evening. Blood wine dip, death howl, presentation of awards, and promotions (and 2 special commendations from KAG admiralty presented to Donna Whitaker and Allen Carnahan) were taken care of. The 25th anniversary of KAG itself was honored in turn as well. Bat’leth, mek’leth and daq’tagh were won by the Fleet 31 Federation representative Admiral Wilkerson. 1st place overall also went to the Admiral, 2nd went to Captain Redux Chen of the Fleet 31 ship USS Summoner took 2nd place overall, and the Ferengi/Romulan hybrid Errol Whitaker took 3rd overall. The cat-ass trophy ( a very respectable 5.5 points overall) was taken by 1st time combatant Qalara (who was also promoted to 1st Lieutenant and granted the honorific of vestai by Cold Terror Fleet Commander Captain Salek-Sutai of Clan Salek), captain of the IKV logh veng based in Houston, Texas.

I am probably forgetting something, but I am way too tired and sore (and still cold) from the weekend to think of it. Except for  the crappy weather, the tournament went well. Next years (Lord willing we are here to have one) shall be even better.

Tony Christensen (aka Dragen Draconus)