Hello lovelies, 

It all began with the forging of the rings...eh. Wrong story. It all began in 2024 at Austria ComicCon. Hias returned totally exhited after a quick chat around the hall  and said he'd had a long conversation with the Middle-earth exhibitors and asked if we'd like to go next year. The event takes place in August at the Reichenau Castle Ruins and is the largest Middle-earth event in Austria. I let myself be swept along by the wave of enthusiasm and we decided to buy a ticket when it went on sale. The three-day ticket wasn't cheap at €158, but we treated ourselves to it anyway. It was a good decision because the event sold out shortly afterward.

We had to wait ages for the announcement of the classes but then in later June the registration was open. We snagged the last places for the lotr ttrpg and then I also booked classes for hand spinning and costume design while Hias took grass basket weaving and book binding. Together we decided to do archery on Sunday and "the one ring" TTRP on Friday together. Apart from the workshops, we also had to book a hotel for 180€ for the two of us because I hate camping. You could either camp at the festival in a modern or a historical tent but you could not sleep in the castle. It was also a very good choice not to camp there because one week before the event we checked the weather forecast and it woul be cold. Very cold at about 8-17°c daily. Imagine camping at 8°c? I could not. 

So, back to December when we planned our outfits for the festival. We made a little challenge for ourselves: sew the hobbit costumes only from fabric we already had in our stash. And it worked out pretty well, I sewed a skirt, and apron in January but then...the top was left unfinished. Months passed by and it was not until July that I started sewing the top again but went into another direction with it. I had also planned 2 elf outfits but in the end only managed to do one. In two days. Because I'm lazy. The consequence of my action was that I finished both the hobbit and the elf costume at 5.30 am, the day we were supposed to leave...at 7am. So I got about 15mins of sleep. Not my proudest moment.

We left Vienna at 7 a.m. and arrived in Reichenau on time at 9:30 a.m. We changed our clothes, and it was time for the festival. The ruins were within walking distance from the parking lot, and I quickly took a picture in front of the sign before we went to the class. It was now time for me to spin. I was a bit confused the first meter and didn't know that you were supposed to pull the material from the top, but then I figured it out and spun meter by meter. That went pretty well. Then I switched to the spinning wheel, and it was a disaster. I seem to like spinning thin threads, and they kept snapping on the spinning wheel. Wow :(. But here is my finished  yarn.

I was so cold and for lunch Hias and I decided to get back to the car. It was the only warm place on the festival and we were once again grateful for not camping. We ate our food and then made some pictures. 

Afterwards, it was back to the event and it was time for the lotr ttrpg. The play was...something. The DM was obviously seasoned and had a good story planned but somehow we and especially the problem player, derailed the whole thing. We almost killed a guy we should not have killed at all, went into a secret grave and two players had to turn on the rest of the three (instead of just one) and all in all it was a bit weird. Plus, I did not like the play system. You played with a D12 as standard and HAD to get over 14, with a 12 as the only critical roll and automatic success. Sometimes we were able to add 1D6 up to 3D6 to get over 14. But as expected, we failed so many rolls.

We drove back to the hotel and we were starving! But the hotel restaurant had a pizza day and we could choose our own toppings. It was so good! Too bad I didn't take pictures.

My outfit on Friday was Lottie Sufferfrost, a hobbit from the shire. She is a ditzy young hobbit (about 25 years old) who likes to drink mead and eat cheese.

I made the outfit myself except for the blouse and the pocket. I got the pocket at the Renaissance faire in Krumlov and the blouse is a vintage Dirndl blouse. My favourite detail are the hair on my feet. 

The next day began early with a breakfast and then off to the castle and our workshops. I attended a design class and hias was at a basket weaving class. Both were all day classes. In the morning we talked about the design and studied books and after lunch, which consisted of a tiny portion of beef ragout with gnocchi, we drew and coloured the design. The reason I visited the class is because I am not good at designing. Years of cosplay ruined this creativity and all I know is how to recreate. So when I made the design and after the feedback that the skirt looks like Tinkerbell, I did not want to continue :(. I wanted to go for a "Galadriel's all female ceremonial and representational guard in Valinor" but...nah. It didn't. 

 

 

Hias wove a grass basket and when I visited him the grass was instantly in my nose and my whole imune system was in panic. Great. Thank you allergies.  

 

And here is my outfit for the elf I named Airël, Lady in waiting to Lady Arwen. I made the costume in 2014 and wore it for my first Middle-earth festival. (See more here)

We wanted to wait for the concert in the evening but it was SO DAMN COLD that I just couldn't wait. I was cold and frustrated and in a bad mood. Therefore we left the festival and went to the hotel restaurant again. Instead of Pizza day, this time, they had burger day! Hooray! The best. So, after a burger and a Kaiserschmarrn, we went to the room and watched Wonder woman while embroidering our costumes. 

Sunday, the last day, had already arrived, and after checking out and having breakfast, or just a glass of tea for me, we drove to the castle for the last time. The weather was still cool, but not as cold as yesterday. We shot a few arrows, and then it was time for lunch. We had brought our own lunch because I was not satisfied with the amount of food. But I still got a piece of cake for dessert. It was still chilly after lunch, though, so we decided to leave earlier.

And that was the middle-earth festival.

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All the best, 

Auris Lothol