Team Interview
Interview by Bradrid Largegranite
The journey had been several days by ship. At the first stop at Tower of Lysean, quickly changing ships, then sailing through the inner sea, and finally west of Evershale continuing up a river by a small elegant boat. The boat man gestured the last stop had been reached and I stepped upon solid ground, a welcome change, and was now eyeing the treetops of Avelorn continuing into the far distance. I asked the only companion left, a younger elf dressed in simple white robes, for directions to the stadium. He nodded, pointed to his closed mouth, shaking his head then pointed at one of the paths leading towards the forest.
Entering the forest, It was like a carpet of silence fell upon me. Around me huge trees towered and the atmosphere stirred my spirit with a sense of loneliness yet at the same time an inkling of tranquillity and being connected to something larger. A wave of release went through my body, I noticed breathing deeply, my shoulders loosened from tension I hadn’t even realized present. Strange place I mused and walked on.
The treetops came to a clear and before me appeared the Radiant Tree, stadium of Eye & Arrow. An enormous tree growing from a lone pillar in midst of an abyss. Behind it, snow-covered mountains with numerous waterfalls sloping the mountain sides swishing joyfully over rocks ending by thundering down in a pool far below in the abyss. A honeysweet scent spread in the air from a myriad of flowers. A stone bridge with decorated wooden arches served as passage to the stadium and on it an elven male walking energetically towards me greeting me with a radiant smile.
The Tree of Light- Eye & Arrow's Stadium
A: Well met and welcome. We don’t get many visitors around here, I take it you are Badrid Largegranite?
BL: Indeed, and you are Aniur?
A: That will be me. It’s an honour having you as guest, please let me show you into the stadium.
Inside the tree opened a great space around 40 meters tall. Rays of sun, from between the gnarled trees branched, illuminate the pitch covered by sap green grass. On the sides ornate canopies and terraces along with three banners of silk portraying the team’s logo. Through an opening in the network of the tree we walked upwards to one of the terraces where a jug of wine was awaiting on a wooden table
A: Have a seat. I imagine the journey has been long, care for some refreshments?
BL: Please. It's a great relief to be able to sit without the constant movement of a ship at sea beneath me.
A: I can imagine, I have often seen other races struggling to find their sea legs.
BL: City dwarves are certainly not renowned for their seafaring abilities. But I cannot let anything stand in the way of my journalistic responsibilities.
Bradrid produces a quill and parchment So first of all, what can you tell me about yourself. Who are you, where are you from and what qualifications brought you to be chosen for the first Avelorn team?
A: I’m born and raised in Saphery, studied as a scholar many years in the arts of magic and cultivation of the mind. During the years it became too much sitting at desks and … To put it shortly I was to restless for this way of learning, although being smart enough. So, I took up the sport and from the beginning felt so at home using my body much more actively. Years passed and I missed putting to use my acquired skills of analysing and strategic so the coaching role was a natural way to empty that void.
BL: So a mage before taking up the blood bowl coaching huh?
A: Yes, however, here in Avelorn they are not impressed by magic, they find it unnecessary and waste of time. When I warm tea water in an instant for the maidens, no complaints are heard though
Aniur tells with a satisfied smile and joyful eyes
BL: What have you learnt about the team’s playstyle that wasn't obvious since you took over the franchise?
A: When I Looked at the raw technique and key positions I imagined a dynamic passing game, drawing the opponents around even adding in some dump-offs. The Handmaidens being frontliners of caging, really guarding the ball and assisting the linewoman in pushing opponent players out the way, and with their speed shifting position to help next turn's ball carrier. So, that didn’t happen. I’ve learned the passers/catchers speed being a bit lower than what I’m used to from rest of Ulthuan’s catchers have a big impact and having gone in a different direction is probably for the best. For now, Eye & Arrow seems to have grown in a direction with great versatility having many tools for both defence and offence.
My role as a coach is quite different from usual though. The team have their own philosophical approach to life, and apparently also blood bowl. So frankly speaking my coaching role is mostly about teaching specific techniques of the game and collecting information about scheduled teams. In the beginning it was quite frustrating, I made plans for strategies, player development and so on, all discarded. Then I went on analysing their playstyle in hope to make suggestions, but they seem to change on impulse. For all these efforts they have a habit of smilingly teasing me urging me to see clearly.
BL: So, the maidens' philosophy is quite important for the team, in general. I have heard few words about this, and I presume the same goes for our readers. Can you tell us what it is about and relates to the game?
Aniur let out a long laugh, then composing himself and looking kindly at me
A: I invite you to stay! Then I will have a companion while trying to learn the answer for this question as well. On the proposal of Shinesa I started a practice in accordance to the maidens. Until now it has mainly achieved to make me feel like a child overwhelmed and puzzled by how the world works. They talk a lot about being present in the game, listening to the game itself. Part of this is not multitasking. Elpida told many people believe they save time when they do so. Apparently, she overlooked me brushing teeth and using the restroom simultaneously telling me “Like this you end up with a mess in the toilet and a mess in your mouth”.
A: That reminds me I’ve arranged for you to meet with Shinesa, she will surely be able to provide you with more clear answers, or at least she is confident they are clear. I’ll let that decision be up to your own evaluation.
Aniur tells with a wink and gave me directions to find Shinesa. Following a path I found her sitting still and erect in a grove
BL: Hello, I’m Badrid Largegranite. Pleased to meet you, I’m here for the interview about your team.
Shinesa didn’t move as much as an inch. minutes passed, still no reaction. Feeling a bit restless I decided to sit down and wait. After around half an hour she rose slowly fixed her gaze firmly and kindly towards me.
Sh: Well met Miss Largegranite and welcome to our home. Thank you for coming, I’ve been waiting eagerly for our meeting.
“Eargerly?” I thought a bit puzzled when connecting the waiting time
BL: Thank you for your gracious welcome. You have a beautiful home.
Sh: Surely you have many questions and understanding from your conversation with Aniur you have also some questions about our way here in Avelorn.
BL: Well yes, how did you know? A guess?
Shinesa points to fingers to the front of her head
BL: You read minds?
S: I saw your notebook while resting in meditation
Shinesa let out a heartly chuckle
BL: I don't understand. Aniur said you disapprove of magic. What do you mean?
S: As custom in Avelorn, first we walk, in silence that is. Then we talk.
And so we did. For around half an hour more
S: So, what would you like to know Miss Largegranite?
BL: Taking into considering Eye & Arrows flaming start, first placing 2nd in youngbloods then winning the regionals with a 5-0 sweep your results seem to go a little downwards. What thoughts have given this and can you share what is your plan to turn it around?
Suddenly and precisely Shinesa shifts to a sitting position on the ground folding her legs, gesturing by hand for me to join and with low voice speaks
Sh: Let me tell you a story
And without so much as waiting for me to nod, launching into it.
Sh: In old times, in the far empire of Cathay, a cook named Ting worked his craft at the emperor Wen-Hui’s castle. One day, Wen-Hui noticed Ting cutting up an ox. Impressed by the dancelike rhythmical precision, elegance and perfect result of Ting, the emperor expressed “Ah, this is marvelous. Imagine skills reaching such heights”. Ting put down his blade and answered “What I follow is the essence of nature, which is beyond all skills. When I started cutting up oxes, all I could see was the ox itself. After three years I no longer see the ox, I meet it with my spirit, not using my eyes. A good cook changes blade every year, as he cuts. A mediocre cook changes his blade every month, because he hacks. I guide the blade where it wants, inserting the blade, that has no thickness, into the places of the ox where there is natural space and Whump! The whole ox has already separated. I’ve cut oxes for 19 years and my blade is as sharp as coming right from the grindstone”. “Excellent!” The emperor said “I have heard the words of Cook Ting and learned how to take care of life”.
Just like the cook Ting was once new to his craft we in the Avelorn region are new to this sport, experimenting with strategies, playstyles and techniques. However, the long-term goal is mastering this sport and being flexible in our game. Clinging to certain strategies and playstyle will leave you prone to changes, in other words one will be driven about by circumstance. As a good cook, or a mediocre cook clings on to a certain technique, habit will keep him there not being able to change without strain. By combining discipline while seeing clearly the spontaneous arising of space, or openings in the game, we will be able to match any opponent. So to put it shortly, we have the head in the right direction and from here on all there is left is to keep walking.
BL: I’m sure the fans will be happy to hear that. So this direction you are walking, can you share some details on how to making it work?
Sh: On the pitch, if the focus is but winning matches, or only to succeed touchdowns you are separated from the activity thus not fully there. I observe many players and coaches inviting anxiety into their performance by approaching the game in such way. As I see it they are living in the future, focused on the outcome, which leads to anxiety. Opposite there are teams hindered by low morals after a string of losses or comparing past glorious achievements, these are living in the past, which leads to depression. Being in the present opens the possibility to become one with the game, one with the tackle, one with the passing and one with your team. Being in the present you are free and in contact with your inner spontaneity, unhindered by mental blocks, thereby you act in resonance with the unfolding of the specific game. Only in this way you can seize the opportunities that lies within chaos, in life and on the blood bowl pitch alike.
BL: I think I understand. That's a very complicated yet also very simple philosophy. I wish I had more time to hear you speak of it but sadly we have deadlines so I must press on. Are there are teams you especially like or are impressed by, and any you dislike or look down on?
Sh: The team that brings me most joy to follow is the Trantio Dragon Hawks. For me they are, in blood bowl, a representation of keeping to life. Even after losing so many players they vitally insist on re-growing. Second, they are embracing and uniting players cross culture and races towards a common goal. Naturally there are some tension arising from time to time, and we witness players rigidly refuse to cooperate.
Shinesa let’s out a calm warm chuckle
But really this is but a reflection on our world in general, and playing in union like this is a small step in a direction towards a more harmonious way of our different existences here on earth. As for disliking or look down on, well as well as liking, these questions clearly reflects a mind of discrimination. We cultivate a different frame of mind where these notions of separations are not nourished.
BD: You're the first person I've met who won't speak ill of the Anglers. Any comment?
Sh: If you have nothing nice to say...
BD: I couldn’t help but notice you had but 3 banners in the stadium, is it a specific expression of art in asymmetric?
The now familiar warmly familiar chuckle from Shinesa sounds the air
Sh: After the return of our honored guests from Sartosa Blag Flags, the 4th banner was no longer present in our stadium along with other delicate smaller fabrics and ornaments. They are pirates, and we expected them to bring souvenirs, however we expected more so our wine cellars to be emptier and not textile to be missing.
Shines gives a wink
Sh: The vacuum of the missing fabricate has led to an arise of spontaneity and we have decided to remake our logo. Reflecting upon it, the team logo represented mostly the Avelorn spirit in general. Now we have come up with ideas to make our personally stand out more.
BD: Interesting, can you reveal some details?
Sh: The overall design and symbolism is already decided. Still present will be trees, from crown to roots. In addition is the uncarved block, a river along with two arrows meeting midair. All these are symbolism of our way. The uncarved block represents things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, a power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed. However, you might see we use many rocks picked from nature and then carve them in to sculptures. This is done with a mentally as to ask the rock “what would you like to become?” in other words seeing at along which lines it already started, and by sculpturing responding, “I see, I will cooperate with you to bring this into completion”. This mentally I apply as well when training my players for specific elements in the game. A good example is Sinestra Darklightning. Her natural state seems to contain a quality of bruteness hence I sculpture in training to refine this natural power. The river represents the journey through life, that we are ever changing yet preserving a constant representation, which we shortly put can label the ego or coherent sense of self. The rock is placed in between the river, as to symbolize how life, our own actions as well as external factors, sculpture us. The arrows are an image referring to when a disciple have a profound realization sourcing from a way of thinking beyond the discriminatory mind and puts this into a response to a Master’s question. like two arrows shot from opposite directions hitting each other head on here their minds become one. In blood bowl we can put it into perspective by referring the natural spontaneous unfolding of games to be the master and the disciple as the player being able to get in touch with this flow.
BD:
frantically scribbling This is fascinating. Did you come up with this philosophy yourself?
Sh: Later Ms Largegranite. I believe our heads have exercised enough for now. In honour of your visit there have been made preparations for a celebration. Let us go and let the dialogues for the rest of tonight be told through dance, music and art.
BD:
The sun had now descended the sky, and faerie lights dimly illuminates the vast groves with a celestial glow. The whole team along with many others where gathered, and all entered the festivities the night transcended into a stream of dances, wine, music, poetry and feasting lasting days. My consciousness was lucid yet I felt like being in a state of not acting. A strange experience indeed.
As my stay came to an end I walked towards the boat feeling sadness at leaving such a happy confident place. Looking over my notes of the stay I see that I had completely failed to capture but a fraction of the wisdom I heard. I hope that is enough for my readers.