After a many days of waking up before dawn to be out on the water during the optimum fishing hours as well as monitoring factors such as weather, tides and local sea monster reports the Second Annual Garheim Fishing Tournament is finally complete!
Jhirian had the fishermen, both novice and experienced gather in the great hall of Mikithdar all hoping to be named the “Champion of Fishes”. All of the prize fish were hung in the hall and grouped by location – but hidden behind curtains so that the prize would remain a surprise.
Jhirian first called for the lone fisherman that went Ice Fishing on the NW Coast to tell his tale.
Garrick started “Even in the summer months the temperature is well below freezing along the NW coast. I was able to build my shack and remembering the tales from last year, I was sure to cut a large enough hole to retrieve my fish. The fish were very plentiful and were almost jumping onto my line. I found the fish that I wanted and stuck it with my trident. The locals told me it was one of the largest that ever came out of those waters. My fish is a full 2 feet long”
Roll summary:
Garrick: Fish – 4 (fish on!), Skill – 5 (Fish caught!), Size – 2,1,2,1 – Fish of 2’ caught
Jhirian then asked for the fisherman that ventured to Kregand’s Crater.
Olaf was the first to speak-up “Even with every trick-I had up my sleeve I was not able to get a nibble. I think that Trygve pulled out the biggest catch two days before the tournament. What a waste that he pulled
my fish out before I could get there.”
Trygve jumped in “While I agree that timing is everything, I think that some special consideration should be given for me pulling out that fish out of Kregand’s Crater that was the size of a whale!”
“Sorry Trygve, but rules are rules you have to catch the fish during the tournament time.” stated Jhirian with obvious annoyance in his voice. “Happy, what about you?”
Happy was grinning from ear to ear and stood up straight before answering. “I was out on the water, when a fish that was larger than my boat tried to eat my pet chicken leg. Who would have thought that fried chicken would have been good bait? I swung my frying pan at the jumping fish, hitting it square on the head, but it must have had armor plating because it just dove back into the water without batting an eye.
Jhirian stated with some sadness in his voice – “So no fish this year from Kregand’s Crater. To bad, I really like the flavor of those fish. Let's hear from the army of fishermen that tackled the Gulf of Fishes.”
Roll summary:
Trygve Varanger: Fish – 3,1 (no bites)
Happy: Fish – 6 (fish on!), Skill – 3 (fish lost!)
Olaf: Fish 3,3,4 (no bites)
Gurdie was the first to speak-up standing by the fire with his blanket wrapped around his shoulders, "When you say army you are not kidding!?! Falki and I were just talking about everywhere we went there was someone else fishing. I just wanted to catch something, but I could not get a nibble."
"Yeah!" blurted out the young Falki. The retort has sounded so much better in his head before it had exited his lips.
"I think the fish were hiding given the number of us out there. I did not even see one." said Lucky Fred
Fornmir Sharkbait then jumped in, "I was able to catch a few with my trusty fishing pole including a yellow tail almost as long as I am tall. My fish is a full 3 feet long." He crossed his arms in front of his chest for effect after completing his sentence.
"While agree that the Gulf was crowded, I did find the fish relatively plentiful. While I was pulling the a large fish out that if it is an inch is at least as big as Fornmir's fish a large wave hit my boat and it was only my skill with a spear that saved my catch. My catch is also 3 feet long." said Boris.
Ólafr was the next to reply, "I was always the first on the water and the last to come home. I found that once my competitors had stopped churning the water, the fish almost caught themselves. I have a beautiful 4 foot long rainbow catfish for my catch."
Following Ólafr's boast there was an awkward pause and someone pushed Arnie out into the center. Arnie stumbled for a moment and said, "I love all how serious this is to all of you. Luck beats skill every time; otherwise they would not call it luck. I too pulled in a 4 foot rainbow catfish with my trident from the Gulf."
Jhirian then calm and stready voice – “So we have a new leader for the longest fish. How did the group from Jharton Bay do?”
Roll summary:
Fornmir Sharkbait: Fish – 4,4 (fish on!), Skill – 3,6 (Fish caught!), Size – 3,1 – Fish of 3’ caught
Ólafr: Fish – 6,6 (fish on!), Skill – 6,5 (Fish caught!), Size – 2,4 – Fish of 4’ caught
Arnault "Arnie" Stromstrang: Fish – 4,3 (fish on!), Skill – 4 (Fish caught!), Size – 2,4,4 – Fish of 4’ caught
Gurdie: Fish – 2,2(no bites)
Falki: Fish – 1 (no bites)
Boris: Fish – 5,5 (fish on!), Skill – 2,1 (Fish caught!), Size – 2,3 – Fish of 3’ caught
Lucky Fred: Fish – 1,2(no bites)
Bison Njordsson stepped forward still wearing his characteristic horned helmet and said "The fish were very agitated by a shark hunting in Jharton Bay, I has a large fish on my line when a grey shark flew at my boat nearly capsizing me and then ate my fish."
"Bison, what you did not see was that I too had a large catch that I was pulling in, the same shark ate my fish. For a moment I had the shark on my line and gave the beast a mighty pull. The shark must have jumped with the pull and when it broke my line and hit your boat." said Kolgen.
"I am sure that same shark ate my fish too." jumped in Chorlan.
"Great
stories" said Thrinn putting a long emphasis on the second word. "I was also to catch a 3' yellow tail even though the local kept telling me I using the wrong bait."
"Some amazing events on Jharton Bay for sure. How about the local waters of Lake Mikithdar?" said Jhirian
Roll summary:
Bison Njordsson: Fish – 1,3,6 (fish on!), Skill – 2,1 (fish lost!)
Thrinn: Fish – 6,3 (fish on!), Skill – 5 (Fish caught!), Size – 3,1,2 – Fish of 3’ caught
Chorlan: Fish – 1,3 (no bites)
Kolgen: Fish – 3,4 (fish on!), Skill – 1,2 (fish lost!)
Ageirr steps forward and never looks at the crowd. In a lower voice he says, "I credit this catch to my late father. I was able to pull in a 3' red-striper due to the lessons that he taught me."
Roll summary:
Ageirr: Fish – 4,5 (fish on!), Skill – 5 (Fish caught!), Size – 2,1,3 – Fish of 3’ caught
"That only leaves the Howling Seas", burst out Angstrom Stormstrang. It appears that my brother and I will have it tied at the top. I too landed a 4' beauty."
"Not so fast," said Steen, "I entered this competition to win and I came back to shore with a 5' swordfish. I think that I will be the Champion of Fishes!"
"OK, let's stick to what happened and what you came back with. I will name the Champion when all is heard." bellowed Jhirian of the end of Steen comment.
"My nets came back without a fish. I sure I would have had a better return if the number of competitors was not so high." said Snedrick
"Here! Here!" shouted Vloki as he banged the bottom of this spear on the hall floor to make his point.
"I had a good size fish in my sights and throw my harpoon at it. Today the fish won, but I will be back out there tomorrow." smiled Boas.
"It does not appear that my 3' rainbow catfish is the largest catch for this region, but I happy with it none the less." said Torstead.
"I caught a beautiful yellow tail that is almost as big as Steen's, but alas it is but 4' in length.' said Gjurd.
Roll summary:
Angstrom Stormstrang: Fish – 2,3,6 (fish on!), Skill – 6,5 (Fish caught!), Size – 4 – Fish of 4’ caught
Boas: Fish – 6 (fish on!), Skill – 4,3 (fish lost!)
Steen: Fish – 3 (fish on!), Skill – 5,1,6 (Fish caught!), Size – 5,4 – Fish of 5’ caught!
Snedrick: Fish – 2 (no bites)
Torstead: Fish – 3,3 (fish on!), Skill – 6,5,2 (Fish caught!), Size – 3 – Fish of 3’ caught!
Vloki: Fish – 1 (no bites)
Gjurd: Fish – 3 (fish on!), Skill – 2,6,6 (Fish caught!), Size – 4,2 – Fish of 4’ caught!
"So it appears that I now I can name the Champion of Fishes. Congratulations to Steen!" roared Jhirian. "Now that the tales are complete, let the feasting begin! I plan to have a good meal because I need to leave to get to the Coronation."
Final Results:
Biggest Catch and the title of "Champion of Fishes": Kayne_ (2pts)
Best total Catch: andhe (1pt)
Best Entry - Figs & Story: Ronin Dragonslayer (1pt)
All entrants also receive 2 points for participating.
I hope you enjoyed the tournament!
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ENTRIES BY FISHING LOCATION
Ice Fishing on the North West Coast (Fish 1, Weather 1, Size 2)
- Garrick (Kayne_) - Lure 1, Skill 1, Luck 4
Kregand's Crater (Fish 6, Weather 6, Size 7)
- Trygve Varanger (gurusql) - Lure 2, Skill 3, Luck 1
- Happy (Louie le Brickvalier) - Lure 1, Skill 1, Luck 4
- Olaf (AK_Brickster) - Lure 3, Skill 2, Luck 1
Gulf of Fishes (Fish 3+1, Weather 2, Size 4) [The +1 on the quantity is because of the number of fishermen in the location]
- Fornmir Sharkbait (Ronin Dragonslayer) - Lure 2, Skill 2, Luck 2
- Ólafr (Will A. Strong) - Lure 2, Skill 2, Luck 2
- Arnault "Arnie" Stromstrang (andhe) - Lure 2, Skill 1, Luck 3
- Gurdie (Str0ngbad) - Lure 2, Skill 1, Luck 3
- Falki (readallaboutit) - Lure 1, Skill 2, Luck 3
- Boris (Crazycrownieguy) - Lure 2, Skill 2, Luck 2
- Lucky Fred (Athalus) - Lure 2, Skill 1, Luck 3
Jharton Bay (Fish 4, Weather 3, Size 5)
- Bison Njordsson (Ronin Dragonslayer) - Lure 3, Skill 2, Luck 1
- Thrinn (RichardAM) - Lure 2, Skill 1, Luck 3
- Chorian (Louie le Brickvalier) - Lure 2, Skill 2, Luck 2
- Kolgen (Str0ngbad) - Lure 2, Skill 2, Luck 2
Lake Mikithdar (Fish 2, Weather 1, Size 3)
- Ageirr (gurusql) - Lure 2, Skill 1, Luck 3
Howling Seas (Fish 2+1, Weather 6, Size 6) [The +1 on the quantity is because of the number of fishermen in the location]
- Angstrom Stormstrang (andhe) - Lure 3, Skill 2, Luck 1
- Boas (Will A. Strong) - Lure 1, Skill 2, Luck 3
- Steen (Kayne_) - Lure 1, Skill 3, Luck 2
- Snedrick (AK_Brickster) - Lure 1, Skill 4, Luck 1
- Torstead (readallaboutit) - Lure 2, Skill 3, Luck 1
- Vloki (Crazycrownieguy) - Lure 1, Skill 3, Luck 2
- Gjurd (Athalus) - Lure 1, Skill 3, Luck 2
And hey; maybe next year the Jarl will have Black Loch or White River (moc coming soon 
