The 17th anniversary party

Food and fun and riddle runs, oh my

The Grand Order celebrated its 17th anniversary today! We'll add a bit about the party here!

The Riddle Run

Wybert helped me write some short riddles, relating to furniture or objects inside Songburrow Hall. The competitors got 10 minutes to answer them all.

First riddle We long to roam the grassy plain, With beating hooves and flowing mane, Yet though we hear our riders call, We hang here trapped upon this wall.

Answer: Rohirric Tapestry

Second riddle I have no hair, nor blood nor bone, And yet my skin is tight and thick, I have no legs, but I can roll If you should you beat me with a stick.

Answer: Drum

Third riddle My turret rises to great heights, A citadel of rare delights, Yet my defenses swiftly fall, When greedy guests to this place call.

Answer: Pastry tower (most hobbits got this one right)

Fourth riddle To hear my name, you’d think of food, But if you ate me ‘twould be rude! So go away and let me sleep, As from my woolly bed I peep.

Answer: Pig in a blanket

Fifth riddle My first is found within the woods, My second’s sharp and bright, My third hangs high within great rooms, Can you now see the light?

Answer: Leaf-blade chandelier

Riddle run winners:

Guest category: Hermann, with runner-up Hartten.
Order category: Pycella and Mermund.
Quickest reply: Lottie

The 17th Anniversary Menu

Pycella's Pie Shop had prepared a festive menu for all guests and for all belly-sizes. Here is the list of all food and drink that quickly vanished from the table.

For starters: George’s Cheese Plate – a cheese selection served with roasted nuts and jam (no Brockenborings Blue) Songburrow Egg Surprises – very local eggs boiled and wrapped in sausage meat, deep fried

For mains: Prancing Pork – May Queen’s favourite slow-roasted pork with crispy taters and thick gravy Pycella’s Evergreen Pie – a creamy pie with spinach, parsley, and other green veggies.

For afters: Birdie’s Soothing Seedcake – might make you sing too Badgers’ Best Berry Trifle – with lots of berries, whipped cream and brandy Piggiest Biscuits – pig-shaped biscuits filled with sweet caramel filling

Special drinks: Spillers Brew – a refreshing wheat beer both suitable for drinking and spilling (on the lawn) Singer’s Cider – the apple cider that boosts the singer in you Dauntless Dandelion Wine – the wine that makes everyone feel dauntless Songburrow Strong – 17-year-old special brandy, best saved for the last!

Songburrow Hall - a song by Saelo

Played by the Badgers at the start of the party, this one is best sung to the melody of "House of the Rising Sun", the version by The Animals.

In the Shire, under a green hill, I know a house unlike all A home for the order of mathomers, There stands the Songburrow Hall

Songs are woven from softest beams of sun Like a fabric made of strands When bagpipes, gorn, horn, flute in the yard Find way to badgers' hands

If you come with a grievous heart Smile is gifted in this home Those wander further than they intended Find shelter under its dome

With bright colors, as a charming spirit There stands the Songburrow Hall

The Grand Order Anniversary Poem, by Wybert

When once a-wassailing I did go, Through frosty orchards, fields unsown, I met a friendly hobbit maid, Was glad that I was not alone.

I asked her questions of her kin, She said that they were duty bound, An ancient artifact once lost, To ever seek ‘til it be found.

I thought no more on what she said, And then one day came to an inn, I dined too well, drank too much ale, So that my head began to spin.

Drowsy now, fell fast asleep, Perched on my stool with my head bowed, And when I woke, to my surprise, Gathered there a merry crowd.

Poetry, music, song, and dance, They called to me, bid me join in, Once more I saw that hobbit lass, And in that crowd were all her kin.

The days that followed flew by fast, I so enjoyed their company, The happiest day in all my life, Came when I was asked round to tea!

So that is how I joined this kin, Who some think odd, or secretive, But let me set the record straight, Let me to you their history give.

A relic, quite beyond compare, Was known to hobbits long ago, Though what or where this thing may be, No one now may surely know.

Let the Grand Order’s name be known, Let all learn of what we speak, For one day we will surely find That long Lost Mathom which we seek.

Our Founder swore us to protect, The woods and meadows of our Shire, How well we love its streams and hills, Pastures, mills, each farm, and byre.

We honour its traditions too, Remember those who came before, As Mathomers, we walk the bounds, Intent to preserve hobbit lore.

In Songburrow’s halls, here we do hold, Collections and exhibits rare, Our library of scholarly tomes, Considered by some beyond compare.

Yet think not we are dull and dry, For poems, stories, songs, and jest, Are ever heard when we do meet. To dance a reel, we love the best.

Our music’s famed throughout the land, The Badgers play so fast and loud, And should the Strollers be in town, You can be sure they’ll draw a crowd.

There’s one more thing that I should say, And if I don’t, you’ll think me rude, My kinsfolk wish to share with you, Their greatest love… and that is food!

So please tuck in, the party’s on, Let’s sing and dance the night away, Mathoms Lost and Mathoms Found, Will keep until another day!