Bicolline's Grande Bataille of 2024 - our adventures!

The Grande Bataille de Bicolline is a grandiose event that brings together a vibrant world and a magical community. Every year, over 5,000 people come together to create unforgettable moments in a medieval-fantasy world. 

We sent three of our employees, Médène, Casparian and Éris, as ambassadors for the Artisans d'Azure in 1024. They were able to equip you for various quests and even guide you in finding them. They themselves, however, took part in a number of adventures, and here they are! You can learn more about life in Bicolline and the different types of events that take place there.

What were our ambassadors doing that week?

During the week, Casparian and Éris were mainly focused on the store in place, which we share with our partner Calimacil & Nemesis, while Mécène was in charge of sending the various groups on quests organized in tandem with the Azure’s Quests guilds. This way, they could each contribute to furthering the Duché’s adventures. Casparian even witnessed a march down the Grande Allée, acclaiming a newly-elected King of one of Bicolline's provinces, and was able to inform some adventure-seekers of the importance of this character. The game is always present, whether you're on a quest or out shopping! Every year, the Allée Marchande is the place to be for anyone in search of clothing, accessories, weapons or armor, to discover the wonders of the local artisans and better-known stalls that set up shop there during the week. The list of merchants for the year 1025 is already available on the Duchy of Bicolline website, under the heading Grande Bataille.

Alexis, one of our leather craftsmen, competed in the prestigious Bard Competition at the Auberge earlier this week. This was his first experience in the Duché de Bicolline during the Grande Bataille. The crowd, which included the various members of Artisans d'Azure who had been present during the week, applauded his performance and sang along. 25 people performed several songs for the event! 

During the week, the Azure Order proved very effective, sending people across the Duché to battle bandits to rescue a witch, discover hidden phoenix feathers, understand the secrets of a Volvä and much more. This year's quests are guaranteed to generate great interest too. To find out more about last year's quests, you can read our other blog on the subject. These quests allow adventurers, young and old, regulars and newcomers alike, to start learning more about the guilds in Bicolline, their culture and the way they operate, which varies greatly. We also find out more about their religions, their home countries, their history and, above all, their members, who make the universe come alive.

Festivals and feasts

The Duché wouldn't look the way it does without its fair share of feasts and parties. In the Vieille Ville, as usual, Médène, a hobbit herself, was present at the Hobbit Lunch. Near the small stage in the Faubourgs, people had gathered and brought delicious dishes and various beverages to share their love of good food. Despite the light rain, the event was a great success. In addition to the abundant food, many children had gathered to take part in the many games, contests and activities. 

Always on the lookout for good food and good parties, Médène was also invited to the 25th anniversary of the Chimère Guild. She marvelled at the costumes of a gigantic parade that took place to celebrate in their camp. Giant puppets were deployed to orchestrate a grand ball, dancing with the most colorful costumes in honor of this grand celebration.

The Battles

The battles of the Grande Bataille are decisive moments, not only for the combatants who take part in them, but also for the whole universe, which, hanging on the battlefield's lips, waits impatiently to find out who the victors are. There are three: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Each one is a battle between two fronts, identified by blue and yellow headbands, with different objectives. 

Médène remembers the heat from Tuesday's battle, in which her guild, the Nains-Génieurs, had to find a skaven in the woods. As they zigzagged between lines of shields, protecting themselves from arrows and bolts, they felt as if they were playing cat-and-mouse. At every turn, they hoped to see him and found themselves between the most impressive battles. Bad luck for them! The little rat escaped from the presence of Irendille's dwarves and hobbits.

On the other side of the Tuesday battlefield, Éris and Casparian were fighting for their nation, the Terres d'Auquesse. Around the fort, where the fighting was raging, a spearman darted towards Éris, a renowned archer. At the speed the spearman was running at him, it was impossible to get an arrow in. Grabbing his dagger, Éris maneuvered the weapon and was able to get close enough to stab him, narrowly winning the duel!

For his part, Casparian had a funny experience on the Thursday of the Great Battle, near the path nicknamed the highway, a large dirt road that cuts through a valley of closely spaced trees; difficult terrain for both front lines and archers to handle. As he waited for his troops to redeploy, the enemy line reformed in front of him. Some Warriors, plated and protected by high shields, organized themselves in front of him. In a stroke of mad genius, Casparian decided to hold his ground. He ran to position himself between two trees and held his position, hoping his allies would join him. Was it his sparkling charisma, the symbols on his shield or his swordsmanship that enabled him to stand alone? Casparian single-handedly protected a section of forest against an entire guild! His allies joined him several minutes later before the opposing line could move.

Delicious Food 

After the fight, there's nothing better than good food. Several concessions are available throughout the Allée Marchande. The classics are the wood-fired pizzas near the Inn, and the market’ slush in the same location. To hear the village blacksmith at work while enjoying a delicious meal is an experience not to be missed! 

In Vieille-Ville, a fairly new building also houses several food options, as well as a large marquee for eating and gathering. Bicolline's most important culinary element, however, is its cider! It's available at the old tavern in Vieille-Ville or at the Inn in Haute-Ville.

Guild play and events

The game is played everywhere in Bicolline, both on the main road and in certain camps where more private activities take place. In 1024, Médène attended an evening of alchemy in honor of the coronation of Buck, the Dwarf King, the Nains-Génieurs leader. A duo of strange witches were hired to entertain the good king's court. Under the shadow of the great dwarf statue, some even confessed secrets by drinking truth potions or suffered strange side effects! 

Every year, the Terres d'Auquesse celebrate their nation in an important ceremony that showcases their culture. As Éris and Casparian are members of the Sicarii, an occult guild of this country, they were in the front row to not only observe this ceremony, but also participate in it. A large procession of flags, illustrating the diversity of guilds in this nation, opened the ceremony. Some who passed by the camp shortly afterwards saw that evening's red moon turn even redder, as sacrifices were offered in honor of the nation's prosperity. Some fire artists of the Terres d'Auquesse turned the ceremony into a national celebration, with laughter continuing well into the wee hours of the morning.

A very different ceremony awaited Médène as she became the first knight of l’Ordre Champêtre. The Mac'Mairt, an exploratory guild from the Celtic Isles, welcomed her for this ceremony where the hobbit swore to protect justice, good morals and, of course, good food! 

Precious friends invited Eris to attend a wedding in the elven forest of Irendille. In this enchanted place, where old buildings intertwine with wooden aisles, light filtered through the leaves and illuminated the two happy people celebrating their union. 

At the Hundar Camp, Casparian had to deal with a group of children who had come to retrieve a precious mirror. Attempting to protect it, the Cordélian children's nimble hands were once again victorious! The children and teenagers thus had more opportunities to interact with him, and had a lovely adventure to tell. Families will be delighted by the many adventures created for all, and children can easily take part in many of the quests.

Religious, magical and occult ceremonies

Every religion, occult and magical art can create a ceremony. These ceremonies are important for the great virtual game of Bicolline, but also serve to highlight the community that keeps this faith, magic or occult art alive. 

Médène took part in the great ceremony of the Cercle, an important religion in Bicolline based on a great pantheon, respect for life and its protection. Each year, one of its deities watches over its believers, and so they honored this year's deity, the Reaper, by following the voice of the High Priests.

As for Eris and Casparian, they performed several secret ceremonies steeped in the occult arts of demonology. Among other things, they performed sacrifices on several altars dedicated to Tenamuahc to make their nation shine. Rumor has it they even sacrificed a baby at the foot of a dark chapel… (fake rituals, of course!)

Shows and Music

Shows on the Vieille-Ville stage are not to be missed. Every evening, a group of artists performs to get the crowd dancing and singing along. But that's not all! A grand opening show takes place on Sunday evening to kick off the week of the Grande Bataille. On the Découverte Day, Friday, another one takes place in the evening; this is the Yorrick Blood Sport Game, narrated by a beloved character for many years now. It's best to come early, as our three ambassadors did, to reserve a good spot to watch the monsters take on various events! Several music bands also set up in certain areas and perform their music, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Those present on the battlefields can sometimes hear war drums and even bagpipes!

Conclusion

The most important element, emphasized by our three ambassadors during their visit to Bicolline in 1024, is the spirit of the community. Vibrant with the rhythm of quests and adventures, it's their creativity that brings this universe to life over the long week. The Duché de Bicolline experience lies not only in its battles, celebrations, ceremonies and gaming, but also in the new friends we make, the adventures told and cherished for years to come.

So, see you in Bicolline in 1025? If you're lacking the equipment to complete your many quests, our stores in Montreal and Saint-Élie are open! Don't hesitate to give us a call or consult our store advisors to find the latest equipment for your adventures.