A Song of Wins and Losses: A Game of Mugs
As we enter into the fifth anniversary season of the Heinbail Dynasty League, the idea of a themed season had been suggested. As with all things HDL, it is unlikely that participation will reach 100%. However, that will not stop us from formalizing the idea and seeing how it plays out.
There are some owners in this league whose actions, promises, and attitudes make it clear that this whole dynasty endeavor is more of a fantasy than reality. Some men of this world believe they are greater and more powerful than they really are. Others are cutthroat and evil seeking nothing but power and trophies. Still others are full of bravado and boldness the likes of which make others tremble.
So if a fantasy world is what some want, a fantasy world is what they will get. It has been declared that the 2018 HDL season will henceforth be known as A Game of Mugs, a singular part of the broader dynasty that is A Song of Wins and Losses.
As with other similar stories, this realm is made up of houses. Each house possesses a different set of virtues and principles. We need to learn who they are and what they stand for as they all vie to drink from the 2018 Mug.
House Name: House Hallahederer
Contrary to popular belief, the primary/secondary owner relationship in this historic house is an even partnership. House Hallahederer was founded at the genesis of our HDL mythology when the two leaders, David Hallahan and Scottford Lederer, decided in the very beginning that two heads are better than one. Each man, a master of his own domain, saw an alliance as the best way to assert dominance over the other houses of the realm.
The house name is a combination of the two great owners’ family names. It has been known to strike fear, or in some cases bravado, into the hearts of men in each of the three kingdoms (divisions) of the world.
Sygil: The Shaking Hands
A fine house requires a fine sygil. Since the formation of our realm, House Hallahederer has been working to find ways to cooperate with every other house. In fact, they are leaders of trade in this world. Rather than viewing other lords as enemies, the two wise owners find that striking deals with them is one of the best ways to promote peace and cooperation.
While everyone has the same goal of acquiring the singular Mug that is available every season, there is no reason to believe that there is not a way to find common ground with others and create mutually beneficial trades. Thus the sygil is that of two men sealing their trade agreement via a shake of the hands. Rumors of fleecing by House Hallahederer have been greatly overstated and a look back at history shows there are far greater abusers of the trade market in the kingdom.
House Words: “‘Tis Always Our Year”
There have been four chapters in the A Song of Wins and Losses tale. Many in the realm, correctly, point out that House Hallahederer is not in possession of four seasons worth of Mugs. Some say, “How can your house words be, ‘’Tis always our year’ if there is proof that there have been other houses in which the year belonged to them?” To this, the great men of this house say, “POPPYCOCK!”
These house words are more of an approach to the greater war than a reflection and accounting of the battles. Some may believe the only way to consider a year a success is to walk away with the Mug. The wise owners of this house preach patience and believe there are always more battles. While some of these battles will be lost, they maintain the mindset that each year can still be a success even in the face of adversity. Men will perish on the battlefield, but the Kings of the Slack will look to the victories and future in which more Mugs are added to their trophy room.
Other Houses of the Realm
The author Nicholas Sarlo never completed his Canterbury Tales in which he attempted to libel the great men of the HDL by poking fun at their weaknesses. As everyone in the realm knows, the author Sarlo is merely a fool and is regularly the butt of many jokes. It is known that he is self-ranked as #3 amongst all the jesters in the kingdom every year.
It is clear that his works will never be completed, so it falls on the shoulders of the other men to tell the story of their dynasty and house. We look forward to seeing more houses, sygils, and words as they will not write themselves.
