Jaida al-Sahrawiyya

10/2025 thoughts: This year was the first year I really felt like I knew what I was doing running Banner War. It was my third time through the ringer, I had learned a lot of lessons about what this event used to be like, and I had added a lot of my own flavor to it. This was the year I just went nuts with the War Points. I gave every one who had ANY EXCUSE to be handing out war points a bag of at least 10 of them to hand out. I was really worried people would hate me “flooding the market” so to speak, but what actually happened was it made people immerse themselves more, because everyone got into the spirit of the “Beg, Borrow, Steal” mentality. I don’t really even think anyone was truly trying to WIN THE WAR CHEST that year, they were just having a blast trading points around. There were only 3 Banners Raised, but that didn’t matter – the Mercenaries were out in FORCE, and everyone was just having a great time “competing” for War Points.

I finally have had time to get my words together, and I’m here to deliver the rest of my shoutouts!

What an amazing Banner War we had! There were so many tournaments and I was…not fully prepared for that, but it worked out so well! So many people took up a torch and hosted a tournament or a class, and it made for a fantastic event!

So on to the myriad of shoutouts I have to give!

First and Foremost – my co-steward, Michael Maximillien de Champagne (Michael Todd), on this one was brand new to it, and took it on with such voraciousness! Thank you SO MUCH for all your hard work on this event!

As always, major Thank You’s to Their Excellencies Aquaterra, Zahra bint al-Rammah (Robyn Beamer) and Geirleikr Vedrsson (Cameron Visser) for being the awesome inspirations they always are for me!

Of course, Ambrose (Kahlil Blocker) took care of me, as well Archery, as well as the Potluck that accidentally became a feast, as well as our loveable doggo, as well as…probably a bunch of stuff I didn’t even notice.

Konradr Frankson (Konrad Chapman) once again saved the day by allowing us to use his van again to haul all the things we needed to make this event happen!

Graham von Baekyn (Shawn Tolliver) was once again a phenomenal Site Steward, and made sure everyone had a great camping experience!

Ileona Escorcul (Rachel McCue) and Bobbie Emerson took care of me and our camp so well this weekend!

The rest of my shoutouts are for people running specific Tournaments. They are no less important than those listed above, but I’m running out of flowery language, but don’t want to ignore all the various people who made the event what it was!

Camila Valerian (Nency Orozco) for running the Silent Auction, Youth Banner Hunt, and probably at least 3 other things I didn’t even notice, too

Sabina di Zorzi (Geri Ellis) for hosting the Newcomers Tea and Chat after the Site Walk

Alanna Von de Huga (Alanna Grenier) for hosting several things Youth and leading them to victory

Lóftr Jólgeirson for letting a bunch of kids beat up on him and some Knights. (Hope your head feels better soon!)

Peter Dietzel for running the Archery Range along with Etole and Ambrose!

Etole (Robin Begin) for hosting the Thrown Weapons Championship and Range!

Oz Von Baekyn for bringing the Siege Cooking Competition back to the event!

Mýrún Bjarnardóttir (Myla Lee) for also bringing an Iron Needle Competition to the middle of the woods!

Halawa al-Waddi (Bethaney Dukellis) for coordinating several wonderful classes out there this year!

Kathryn Garnett (Kay Rairigh) for hosting the Dirty ½ Dozen Contest

Eibhlin inghean Sheain (Lynne Startup) for hosting Games all day along with the Bocce Ball Tournament

House Hrafensheim for graciously hosting a Loadout breakfast so we didn’t have to cook before or while packing!

And last, but clearly not least – the ridiculous amount of participants that showed up to make this event worth having!

(Listen. If I missed a shout out, it is not for lack of trying to remember who all did stuff for me on this one, but my goodness this Barony came together for this one!)