Avatar: TatianaDokuchic Varriale
VW: Second Life
Location: Ottawa, ON
Country: CA
VW: Second Life
Location: Ottawa, ON
Country: CA
The Duché de Coeur is delighted to announce it's Egg Decorating Contest. Open to all courtiers of the Royal Courts, prizes will be given in both RP$ & L$. Two hundred RPS Influence Points will also be awarded to every contestant.
Eggs may be mechanical or static with a maximum of ten prims per entry and a limit of one entry per person. Eggs should reflect the historical nature of the Duch.
Eggs will be displayed at the Coeur Fair beginning Wednesday, March 31st when voting will begin. Prizes will be awarded Sunday April 11th during.
Contact TatianaDokuchic Varriale for information.
Congratulations!! (April 25, 2010):
1st Place: Fellice Babii - Search for Persephone
2nd Place: Harleywan Haggwood - Duchy Egged
3rd Place: Pekel Panacek - Dance Macabre; Candace Ducatillon - Duche Easter Egg; Trasgo Beaumont - The Souvenir
It was a pleasure to see the thought and creativity that went into all of the entries. Thanks to everyone that participated!!
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Norma now enjoys frequently gazing in her own trumeau. Seems that Seamus didn't have room for his trophy in the cottage. Photo by Seamus Gabardini.
The Traveler closed the door of his room at the the tavern behind him and sat heavily on the bed. Hunched over and with his head in his hands he looked like a man weary to the bone but after a few moments he sat up straight and on his face was a look of sheer joy. Despite his tired body, his soul was free for he had found it! He had in his possession all the pieces of the Queen's Trumeau! He glanced wearily at the bag holding the pieces then decided after a few moments to take a closer look at the legendary thirteenth piece. As he crossed the room he noticed the bag was no longer the same shape as when he placed it on the floor. As he drew near, he hesitated for he knew something wonderous had happened. Crossing slowly to the bag he knelt and opened it to find the Queen's Trumeau intact and as beautiful as the day it was made! He sat on the floor and gazed at himself in the mirror and saw instead of an old man, one much younger and less wise.
"As tempting as it is," he said to himself, "I much like the man I am today for one cannot trade youth for wisdom." With a smile he placed the Mirror carefully back in it's container and wrapped it with cloth. He then rose and went down to the tavern to see Maria, his stepdaughter.
"I have a present for you," he said with a smile as he approached her where she sat in the garden court.
"One always accepts presents with a smile, " she said as she began to open the wrap. As the mirror came into view and she realized what it was, she began to cry. "But, how can this be?" she said with tears of joy. "
I don't know Lass, " said the traveler, "but I have learned to never question the ways of this mysterious world. " "Still," he said," it is yours to keep."
Maria gazed at herself in the mirror for a long time. "No, she said, it is not mine. Many have searched for this prize and it should belong to everyone. " I will place it out for a final hunt tomorrow then it will go into the possession of the Duc and Duchesse de Coeur for display in the Grand Chateau de Languedoc. There, it can be seen by all and enjoyed or not as one prefers." " The first to find it will be rewarded as due. " She said.
"You are wise for one so young". said the traveler with a grin.
"I think it runs in our family, yes father? " She replied with a haughty smirk.
"It does indeed child, it does indeed." He laughed.
By SkyeRyder Varriale
MariaLouisa Muircastle assembles the winning pieces of the Queen's Trumeau. Photo by SkyeRyder Varriale
After a long, arduous adventure, the final pieces of the Queen's Trumeau were laid out for all to see at the Coeur Fair on Sunday, March 6th. It seemed only fitting that MariaLouisa Muircastle was one of the winners, given that it was her family's honour at stake. Seamus Gabardini also came away with a trumeau, which he shared with his other "partners in crime", Drake & Norma. After all, they were a big help in the process!
"It is so your turn ... get in here". Photo by Seamus Gabardini.
For those adventurers that haven't quite finished yet, the clues & mirror pieces are still in the Duch and twenty RPS Influence points will be given for each piece collected. Contact TatianaDokuchic Varriale for more information.
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Seamus Gabardini, Fletch Kidd & MariaLouisa Muircastle celebrate their quest victory with a traditional beer! dance at the Duch de Coeur Opera House. Photo by Seamus Gabardini.
A month after embarking on the Quest for The Queen's Trumeau victory was sweet for for this intrepid team! They waded through swamps, dug through caves and drank endless cups of tea & coffee as they puzzled their way across the Duch de Coeur completing Parts 1 to 3.
Congratulations go out to Seamus Gabardini, Fletch Kidd, MariaLouisa Muircastle, Drake (the German Shepherd) & Norma (the mule-not shown)!
There's still time left to complete the quest and I'm sure any one of the adventurers already celebrating would be glad to lend a helping hand (given the right incentives that is 
) ). After all, I hear that Seamus is still trying to pay off his purchase of the diving gear.
) ). After all, I hear that Seamus is still trying to pay off his purchase of the diving gear. 
"Convincin Drake its his turn to go back in and look for Clue no 8" Photo by Seamus Gabardini.
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Once upon a day gone by a lady came to France to aid the queen as well she couldin court, as fate perchanced.As the months and years were spent,a deep, fond friendship grewbetween the Queen and this young girlthat no one could undo.Her majesty was vain of heartand had a Trumeau goldit's gilded frame, it's fragile glassa wonder to behold.A glass so finely craftedit gave back more than tookand all who viewed themselves in itwondered how fair they looked.It was her prized possessionand she gave it to the careof her most trusted ladyto polish and repair.Jealousy, the demon boldreared his ugly headand many in the courtwished the Lady dead.They wove a web of of lies so dearthat they finally wroughta seed of doubt, the slightest crackand were rewarded what they sought."Your lady, she is not your friendbut a witch who strivesto place a curse upon your headWhile filling it with lies."Then, in the midst of Winter Ball,came a resounding crash.The prized Trumeau had fallen,and upon the floor had smashed.In thirteen parts the Trumeau broke,but only twelve were found.The queen was devastated,her Lady hunted down.The queen's Trumeau was mendedas best that could be done.But without the missing piece,the magic was all gone."Take each piece and scatter it"The queen in anger declared,"In the Duche de Coeur", she said,for my Lady hails from there.No one knows how this tale ends,it's lore lost long ago.But tales do tell of the thirteenth piece,and how it's magic grows.No matter if it truth or no,the essential fact remains,The finder of the thirteenth piecebe given wealth and fame.
The Duché de Coeur announces its first RP Quest with a hefty RP$ Prize among the goodies to be found at the end. The Quest is expect to last several weeks and everyone is invited to partake in the fun!
We will be posting clues & information here so watch for more! Note that comments appear in reverse order so start from the bottom and read up.
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On March 1, 2013, Saffia Widdershins & Elrik Merlin of Designing Worlds visited us in the Duché and subsequently created this wonderful travelogue.
As well as highlighting some of the Duch's most beautiful areas, this provides some wonderful insights into the history of the Duch, its development and its generalphilosophy.
Read more about it at Designing Worlds explores the beautiful Duchy of the Coeurs
Posted in: Duché de Coeur
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Anxious & excited, I wait as Helena Loudon peers into my future. Who could that dark & handsome man on bended knee be?
New friendships were made, old friendships renewed at the Coeur Fair during the weekend of February 5th to 7th. Merchants were still busy setting out their wares when the first of the crowds started to arrive Friday evening, launching the festivities that lasted throughout the extended weekend.
Everyone was in excellent form as they participated in the various activities including the fortune telling, knife throwing and bobbing for apples. MariaLouisa, Baronesse de Coeur, was most diligent in pouring rounds of beer & the wonderful Duch wine which I'm sure had something to do with the spontaneous outbursts of dancing whenever someone yelled "beer!".
My heartfelt thanks to all of the participants who made this event one to remember. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again next month, March 5th to 7th.
See Duch de Coeur - The Coeur Fair for more information.
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Winter at the Coeurs means sitting in front of a warm fire with friends after skating through the Coeur countryside!
This is a fabulous way to see the stunning landscape. Starting at Lieu d'Idylle , you will travel through gorges, over lakes, around windmills, under and over bridges, through tunnels, and along canals, all while fighting the snow in your face. Race with your friends!
The 10region course is clearly marked with both logs and arrows. At normal "Run" speed (CTRL-R), the course takes about 15 minutes to complete when there is no one else in the region. If you just want to explore, feel free to jump the logs and visit other waterways.
Text & Illustration: Bedrich Panacek
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A fresh breeze is blowing through the Duch de Coeur.
Cool, clean,
it brings the promise of renewal
and
the excitement of change.
We're accustomed to renewal in the Duché. Over the past five years, we've prided ourselves on changing with the seasons and adapting to the times. Even if those timesdid tend to reflect thelate 1700's
Now we'veembarked onan exciting new challenge. Land will be reshaped, rivers will be diverted and the carriage horses will be taught new routes. Old haunts will be removed only to reappear, refreshed in their new locations.
Soon we will be officially inviting you to rediscover our beloved land. Until then, you can still explore to your heart's content and have fun spying out some of the work in progress.
Don't mind the dust, that's just some Coeur magic in the air!
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Photo: Nordic Wild by Head Like an Orange
Posted in: Duché de Coeur
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