Greetings Sapience!

Throughout this year past, the Festival of the Forge was held. It had
made appearances in some the Cities in Sapience. Cyrene, Mhaldor, and
Hashan. This festival was arranged to honour Lord Phaestus and give a
nod to the crafters within Sapience. We've also had a wonderful concert
for our word smiths, singers, and dancers. There was a drinking contest
held within Hashan where Jesra drank the competition under the table,
bringing home a drinking horn. A drunken free for all for our combatants
within the continent, where Zeon stood victorious, attaining an artefact
pipe.

During Phaestian, the crafters within the villages throughout Sapience
unveiled the methods behind their crafts, and now they are able to be
spoken to by anyone that is wishing to be taught about the multiple
professions. A great crafter to start with would be the good old dwarf
shopkeeper Rurin, speaking with him will give an idea of who all helps
keep his shops stored.

In The Cities that were able to attend the Festival there were forging
contests held. Each of the cities had specific items to forge and the
winner had their forged item enhanced by the Smith. Ruth during Lupar
forged a warhammer, Trey in Glacian forged a whip, and Daklore forging a
battleaxe.

During the course of the year a writing contest was opened, as we
accepted entries on the subject of Crafting. The prizes have been
adjusted to better reflect the work that has gone into these pieces.
Third place winning ten credits goes to Ikue Stormcrow, with her poem
"Spin Spin Spin." In second, attaining sixteen credits comes Raslazel
with "Blood, Sweat and Tears: A short essay on creation." Kennaric's
poem, "The Sculptor of Men" takes the adjusted first prize of twenty
credits.

Now we come to the Design contest, with, as most know, a single prize of
a crafting license, which dependent upon the craft displayed in the
entry. We had many many entries, all displaying creativity in many
unique ways, from seafood dishes, to cakes, to dresses, to necklaces and
bracelets and more.

The Order would like to extend a special mention to the two of the final
three that didn't make it. Beya with his platter of sailor's shock and
Nadine with an enchanting gown of starlight velvet. They both expressed
creativity, passion and technical know-how with their entries. These two
received fifty credits as a runner-up prize.

From myself, the Order of Lord Phaestus and the Smith Himself we would
like to congratulate Ripley on her stunning bearded star pendant. Not
only was this beautifully designed, but she demonstrated a deep
knowledge of gemstones, and a historical backing as well. For this
effort she will receive a jeweller's license and enough credits to
quickly get to work showcasing her talent to the realm.

No work however goes unnoticed, and all who participated in any contest,
whether it was mentioned here or already played and awarded, will
receive a token of our thanks. It is for you all that we have organised
this event, and hopefully all who took part has learned something about
the realms of our Lord Smith. Without each person participating our work
would be for naught.

The Divine Order of Phaestus thanks everyone that had helped out with
the events that had taken place. The Order, The Crown Merchants, the
participating cities for allowing us to host events within their walls.
And again, thank you to the participants for making this Festival a fun
one!

If there are any questions or concerns, please let myself or any of the
councilors to The Smith know.

Thank you all for your interest and participation,
The Divine Order of Phaestus, The Smith

Penned by my hand on the 25th of Sarapin, in the year 571 AF.