Tuesday 22.07.2008 - Thursday 24.07.2008

As the vacation season was on, the Guild gathered in the middle of the week. Since Heikki was a busy little bee, he was still working and was left out from all the fun. The original plan was to scratch a stone by the road to the Cave on both days, but the Tuesday was quickly over, before we even got the plan for the stone done. The evening did saw some wall painting and a plan (with some scratching involved) of an other new stone. At some time during the day, a new bed was brought to the Cave.

After a good night's sleep we woke up to a new day with joy in our hearts. The last night's mess was cleaned up and some breakfast had. I no time Pekka's peugeot was filled with hairy men and headed to the nearby quarry. We loaded as much as new stones as we dared and the suspension could take, bringing a good set of smaller stones home.

A meal and ale was had and off to the roadside we went. Pati came to help us with his excavator and moved some rocks around to make space for our project. The stone's surface looked a bit too fragile, thus we gave it a little treatment, smoothing the worst of the craggy bits. After this, the pattern was drawn and the scrathing process could commence. By the end of the day, not much was done, as only two of us could fit to work simultaneously.

The return to the Cave in the fading light didn't end the evening. Some work was done to a little stone, began by Pekka some years ago. A furious session of Kakkipallo was had. Then we took a trip to the Altar of Hiisi and Karhukivi, from where the journey went onwards to the beach and sauna. The long, hard day ended peacefully by burning offerings at the Altar of Ukko Ilmarinen.

Saturday 07.06.2008 - Sunday 08.06.2008

An arrival to Kankkila was quickly followed by cleaning the Cave and taking out the Vaari-Stone. The stone took a short trip on the forks of a tractor and soon arrived to the yard of Pekka's grandmother.

The stone was set on the ground and dug in. Pekka's grandmother was moved to the point of tears and offered the boys some cognac. Gladly we hoisted a drink in an honor of Pentti, Pekka's grandfather. At the way back to the Cave we visited a little cabin owned by Pekka's grandmother and took a new sofa with us to the Cave. Since nowadays we have to spend our nights in the Cave as well.

After a session of kakkipallo and a maintanance of the winch we headed to the woods, where the Wotan-stone sat. After setting up the pulleys and trying to winch the stone up hill we came to the conclusion that it's just too heavy. Nearly pulling down a pine tree we used as a pivot point we gave up and pulled back to the Cave to think about a new strategy.

Some cleaning and arranging of furniture took place next. After this, it was time to eat something. As Zach was cooking, Heikki and Pekka planned the program of the incoming evening. The dinner was had after which we left to check out a new potential stone by the road. From there a pilgrimage to the Altar of Hiisi, and from there to Sauna and swimming. The night ended by eating and burning the offering upon the Altar of Ukko Ilmarinen.

Saturday 25.08.2007 - Sunday 26.08.2007

The Cave doors we're opened at the noon as Heikki and Pekka arrived to Kankkila. Soon after joined by Zach and Worm a grand effort of cleaning up the Cave began. There were three sleds upon which the unfinished (and some finished) stones lied at the center of the room. All of these were taken outside, the floor was brushed and vacuumed and the stones put back in. This time reducing the sled-count to one. This was achieved by finally begining the Woodland journey of the Wotan Stone.

The Wotan Stone and the rest of the Guild on the forklifts, Pekka drove the tractor to the woods, as deep as it was possible. Now we just have to wait the snow to fall to take the stone even further to the forest with sled and pulleys.

The next event was the Kankkila Kakkiri-Tournament 2007. The standings didn't change from the last year but Heikki did throw a new record. The runes in the Vaari-stone were at last finalised and the first pattern, on the top of the stone began to take shape.

At the time of the sunset we made a pilgrimage to the Altar of Hiisi Joukahainen and visited the Karhukivi as well. Before the bedtime Tulenväki (the Folk of the Fire) came to delight us with their dance.

Saturday 14.07.2007 - Sunday 15.07.2007

After waking up in Kubbe's place after the tiring role-playing session the Guild arrived to Kankkila after noon-time. The air was wet and cold-ish. We had aquired some Sahti (Finnish traditional homemade ale) since everyone seemed to enjoy the taste of it at the midsummer's feast. The Guild's fridge had been stolen to serve an other purpose (Pekka's sisters' wedding that is) but this didn't slow us down. We filled a big bolw with cold water and stored our drinks there.

The Wedding-stone's carving was finished with minor touch up's and some carving was done to the Vaari-stone as well. We also painted the Wedding-stone. A new Kakki-game was created as the 'Kakkipesis' was played along side the original Kakkipallo.

After the hard day's work, considerable amount of beer and sahti, and Kakki-game-fun we began our journey to the Altar of Hiisi. The darkness fell quickly and the rain had made the hills slippery. Thus we slided and skidded our way back to the Cave. Since Worm and Zach had an early start the next morning the evening ended there.

Friday 11.05.2007 - Saturday 12.05.2007

Straying our normal manners we decided to scratch stones on Friday instead of Saturday. Pekka and Worm had visited a quarry in Myrskylä a week before and aquired a car load of new stones. Pekka arrived to the Cave well before noon and Worm couple of hours later. During this wait, Pekka had scetched a model for a new stone. The Wedding Stone for his sister.

Heikki and Zach arrived and we began to work. Pekka drew the pattern he scetched earlier on one of the new stones while Worm and Zach began to scratch the Vaari-Stone again. When the pattern was drawn Heikki and Pekka took the hammers and started working on the Wedding Stone.

A long session of Kakkipallo was had at some point, well before the dark and after destroying our first couch (which was provided by Kubbe, sooo long ago), We made a few Kakki-boffers out of the foam used on the seat and the back rest. Thus began the Battles in the North, during which the valiant steed (Honda Monkey '89) of our friend Pati lost one of it's ears (front brake handle).

The evening was finalized by some more scratching and feasting on cold meatpies (oh, that sweet heartburn). When we woke up on the Saturday morning we decided to scratch the Wedding Stone all the way before heading out to Kubbe's appartment in Porlammi for another night of feasting.

Saturday 24.03.2007 - Sunday 25.03.2007

The Guild arrived to the cave at the sunny mid-day. After an intensive Kakkipallo-session Pekka, Worm and Heikki went to shoot with Pekka's bow. Zach arrived soon after and we had a jolly time putting arrows into the target. After the archery, a trip to the altar of Hiisi was in place, and as usual, we paid a visit to Karhukivi and gave some mead to Hongatar.

On the journey back to the cave, an idea struck Pekka and he proposed a trek to the woods; to a highest hill in the area. The proposal was received merrily and soon after the journey began. First over the fields, then on a path and then thru the trailless woods, until finally the hiltop was reached. Pekka hadn't visited the hiltop for many years, but the same old pine on which he had first climbed as a child still stood on the top of the cliff. One by one we climbed the tree and breathed the strong winds while taking in the magnificient view.

A small fire was put up, some rations devoured and Pekka tormented the others by playing a tin whistle while the sun slowly sank to the horizon. Since the darkness crept upon us, we took another way to our journey back home. After a steep descent from the hill, we came by a small stream. Finding a place to cross it we hiked some way up river and found a little rapids. This was a good place to get to the other side and while crossing, Zach managed to get wet up to his knees.

After the tiresome journey through the dark we were back at the cave. Since the hour wasn't that late we took up the hammer and resumed to scratch the runes on the stone we began last time. As usual, the night ended on a massive tournament of Deluxe Ski Jump.

Saturday 06.01.2007 - Sunday 07.01.2007

As usual, the Guild gathered at friday in Porlammi, in the home of our former Master-of-Arms. What was unusual, we had little to none alcohol. Nothing important from the Guild's point of view happened during friday, so no more from that. After waking up on saturday we had our "healthy" breakfast and headed to Kankkila. Reinforcements had joined us again, this time in the form of a little pocket viking, Tommi, who is Pekka's good friend.

As soon as we got to the cave the bustle began. The heater, our "hi-fi-system" and the rest of the essential equipment were carried in. Although the temperature outside was record high it still was a degree or a two below zero, thus the heater was truly needed. The design process for two new stones was also began instantly, the other being a little tombstone for a cat, and the other a huge block as a memorial for Pekka's grandfather, on which we decided to use all 5 visible surfaces to carve upon.

It's important to remember to relax every now and then while working, thus we decided to teach Tommi the most noblest of the sports: Kakkipallo! At this point is good to mention that Zacharias didn't drink any beverages due to his effort to quit smoking (and because he had to go to work the next day). Alas, the play sucked since the low percentage of alcohol in our bloods.

After the game was done, we set on a trip to give sacrifice to Karhukivi and Hiisi. This time a year there ain't many hours of sunlight here in Finland and we were low on lamp oil, thus we made haste. After arriving to the the altar of Hiisi we stood a while and enjoyed the view. Suddenly a ghastly fog arose and surrounded the hill. We trodded down to the field and when we got there, the fog had enshrouded the whole hill. The gods came to collect the offerings. It seems that every time we go to lie sacrifice to Hiisi, there's magic in the air. Thru the darkening day we wandered to the Uusitupa-Stone and discussed about falling into trance and the journeys of the soul.

When we finally got back to the Cave, we began to work again. Soon another Pekka's friend, Ari, joined us. After a busy streak of scratching we went to visit Pati, who summoned us to have a drink. We returned to work and the tombstone for the cat was finished. After which Zacharias went home to Mäntsälä, only to be replaced by visitors from Porlammi: Tumppi and Worm's little brother Mikko (both of whom had joined us in celebration of Kekri). From here on the evening rolled on in the usual way; scratching, playing Kakkipallo, Skyggedansing, drinking and talking; and of course - as usual - Heikki passed out on the sofa.

When the tiredness finally caught us, the time of the bedding-ritual became: Blackworm against Heikki in Deluxe Ski Jump, the winner gets to sleep in the bed. As usual, Worm's defeat was devastating but since he allways insists that he wins every time, he was allowed the bed while Heikki took the floor.

The next day saw us cleaning up the mess of last night, after which every one went on their way. Blackworm, Heikki and Mikko went to erect the tombstone, and thus ends the journal for now.

Saturday 23.09.2006 - Sunday 24.09.2006

The morning dawned in the appartment of Kubbe in Porlammi. The history has proved that the Guild is a slow one to wake up but this time it didn't take that much an effort. Zach and Pekka went off to an early start and headed to Kankkila before the others, including a guest star, Dunwich the Estonian. They gathered the Guilds horde of beer bottles and filled Pekka's car with them, then drowe to the shop to meet the others. This time the total bottle count was 510 and enough to buy food and even some to spare. Soon after the whole Guild was in Kankkila.

The stonehunt began. Pekka and Zach packed themselves inside the tractor and Worm and Heikki took a ride on the forklift. Three stones were caught and back to washing. One of them failing the closer inspection and thus discarded. The two other found themselves inside the Cave soon after.

Pekka and Worm went out to find a blank to carve a statue of a god/-dess. They walked to a pile of dried wood and found what they were looking for. They carried it back to the Cave, during which they visited the soon-to-be altar site. The site was prepared to some measure by Zach and Pekka earlier the week.

We set on a trip to the altar site and arrived to the Karhukivi. We decided to straighten the stone since it has been awry from the day we set it on the ground. We also made a little circle of stones around it and made an offering of alcohol to the spirit of Karhu.

A little trek further on the hill took us to the site of the Altar. A while we spent just enjoying the beauty of nature. Then we began working. A good two hours we moved and turned the altarstone until it was in it's place and facing the direction we wanted. We arranged the circle of stones around it and gave the first offering to Hiisi, though the altar is still unfinnished.

Back at the Cave we began a furious Kakkipallo session. After which followed some drumming, eating and Dunwich trying his hand in Skyggedansing for the first time in his life. As the light faded and the night fell we were forced to stop playing Kakkipallo, when we couldn't see the ball anymore. Lighting the oil lanterns we packed the beer, booze and whiskey along with the sausages and headed to the Altar of Hiisi.

As we arrived to the hill the daylight was almost gone. Pati arrived with a sack full of firewood and two bottles of Koskenkorva and the bonfire was set. The night strolled onwards, stars shining and unnaturally warm for the season. Enjoying the sight of Kirjokansi, good friends, drumming, music, food and bewerages the time passed. We sacrificed to Hiisi and Tapio, toasted to the gods and talked of way of the world and how it should be. The magic of the Autumnal euquinox was nearly touchable. The magic of the stone, the magic of the wind, the magic of the fire.

At some point the fire dwindled, the weariness took over and with the final offering we headed back to the Cave. One of our three oil lanterns was already out of oil and the other two didn't last the whole journey but still, we made it back safely. Tired, we soon headed to bed, but not before some more manic drumming.

The next morning brought us one by one to the Cave. After cleaning the last night's little mess we headed to the Altar to see if there was anything left behind last night. We found a bottle of whiskey and a few cups and a strange formation of flies and wasps around the altar stone, circling the spot where the alcohol had been sacrificed. After a tiny moment of wonderment for the way we've came down from the hill last night in the dark - it was quite a steep place, that - we headed back to the Cave and dispersed each on his way.