Meeting Our Hero...

Last night we spent an evening out in Brighton, enjoying an epic rendition of the legend of Slaine by master storyteller Jason Buck.

The story is based on the 2000AD comics by Pat Mills, and chronicles the exploits of the titular Bronze Age Celtic hero as he unites the clans of the Tuatha te Danann against the Drunes and the Fomorians.

Jason's telling was both a vocal and a physical feat, bringing the distinctively drawn characters to life onstage with subtle changes in stance and pitch. He had us in stitches, even as we were on the edge of our seats waiting to hear how the adventures ended. Listening to him truly feels like watching a bard of ancient times working his magic in the mead hall, reminding us of what storytelling once was, and what it can still be.

Chris has been a fan of the Slaine comics for a long time, and considers them an excellent analogue for exploring the epic named weapons of ancient times, and how the physical forms of both heroes and swords can change over time while still retaining their heroic identities.

The fantasy design of the enormous Sword of the Moon in particular is one that Chris has thought about forging for many years. Perhaps it will see its way onto the Balefire bench soon!