The written word can inspire many things: films, television shows, artwork, music, fashion, cocktails, book clubs, and more.
Books brought about the beginning of Lit w/ Literature, Muskrat Distilling’s monthly book club gathering. Fantasy literature served as the catalyst for a recent local event that drew participants from all over.
Last month, I shared about the book clubs I heartily participate in, with Muskrat’s fantasy-focused program being what got me to read Fourth Wing after several friends recommended it, one even buying the book for me. I didn’t think I had the capacity to dive into what is now slated to be a hefty reading commitment; however, the enticement of a boozy book club inspired me to crack open the book and finish it in time for the inaugural Lit w/ Literature meeting in November 2023.
Now, skip a couple of seasons, and we land in summer 2024 of the year of the Wood Dragon, which is fitting, considering we were, mere days ago, tromping through the woods at Boyne Mountain fulfilling dragon-related challenges that mostly pertained to Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series. But humor me as I back up to days before the actual event for a debriefing of The Dragon Gauntlet and the preparation my team and I underwent.
Pre-Gauntlet
We learned of The Dragon Gauntlet early this year at a Lit w/ Literature meeting. Rain & Revelry, a Northern Michigan-based event business geared toward throwing the fantastical events of dreams, came to promote its summer 2024 event based on Fourth Wing. Initially, the price tag to participate seemed a little high for a self-employed individual like myself, but after brief contemplation, I, my book club friends, and a few others signed up and formed the Basgiath Running Club.
In the months leading up to the big day, we prepared. We marked our calendars, got matching t-shirts, reviewed Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and various dragon facts, and watched the weeks fly by, not fully knowing what to expect from The Dragon Gauntlet.
The Monday before we were to report at Boyne Mountain, we met for cocktails out back at Muskrat Distilling to strategize. Our team of seven assembled, drinks in hand, Yarros tomes within reach, a note-filled book at the ready, a laptop synched up to WiFi, and an extra non-participant mind that reminded us baby dragons are called hatchlings. We took Fourth Wing-centric trivia quizzes, viewed dragon lore & mythos, and even broke focus to check out a stunning NoMI sunset.
A few days later was Boyne City’s weekly summer Stroll the Streets, Dragon Vale edition. It was a rowdy Friday night downtown, one of the busiest nights of the year, according to restaurants, bars, and vendors, which was due, in part, to the cast of characters and out-of-towners who had come for the event. There were themed dragon drinks, fire-defying acrobats, sword-swallowers, and book-based merch created by local artisans. It was an anticipatory celebration of what was to come bright and early the following morning, and my team and I probably stayed out a little too late.
The Dragon Gauntlet
Saturday, August 17, dawned overcast and cool. In view of a whimsically mist-shrouded mountain, my team kicked things off with mimosas and hot quiche before taking the chairlift up to SkyBridge Michigan. This 1,200-foot-long, 118-foot-high pedestrian bridge connects the McLouth and Disciples Ridge peaks and overlooks the Boyne Valley. Basing the event off Fourth Wing, the bridge, which swayed more than I imagined it would, played the role of our parapet initiation. To one teammate’s disappointment, backflips were not allowed on the bridge.
Once more on solid ground, the seven of us entered a sea of black-clad fantasy nerds—the only kind of cult I will ever belong to. We gathered our gear (swag bags), received our signet powers (Shadow Wielder x 2, right here), and awaited the green light to start our adventure. Some innocent bystanders did stumble upon us, and they seemed a tad confused, huddling together after crossing the bridge and winding up in the midst of 250+ cadets donning armor, leather, braids, and matching t-shirts.
On this side of the bridge, all teams dispersed according to their color, and the Gauntlet began. Together, we traversed steep inclines and slightly treacherous downhill expanses, followed trails, went off map, and explored the small paths in search of our quarry. We shot arrows, bowled balls, hopped through ropes, and pulled a teammate across a man-made pond. We answered tons of trivia questions (all dragon-related), got stumped by riddles, rappelled down sandy embankments three times, got sweaty, and recorded everything with team selfies in the scavenger hunt app. And even though we didn’t come in first place overall, we completed the course first, and that meant a lot to us.
The entire active challenge portion of the day was a blast, but one of the best parts was that everyone in attendance—all 250+ people—wanted to be there. There was laughing, smiling, camaraderie, an air of shared interests, and kind compliments all around about people’s rider get-ups (and our team shirts). I believe it’s wise and educating to expose yourself to differing perspectives, views, and lifestyles, but there is something to be said for being surrounded by like-minded people, your people. The cherry on top? The weather was darn near perfect: mild temperatures and decent cloud cover, with bursts of steamy sunshine and gentle rain showers only as we tromped back to the lodge and parking lots. We’d survived The Dragon Gauntlet unscathed, and it was time to celebrate.
Post-Gauntlet: The Bookish Ball & After Party
Blessedly, there was a four-hour hiatus in festivities, giving us all time to stretch, rest, eat, hydrate, shower, and get gussied up for the evening of fantasy fanfare, and the event did not disappoint.
Toned down, atmospheric lighting, vendors showcasing their wares that spoke to our nerdy, bookish hearts, heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar with signature drinks, and dancing to music that struck chords across generations. The predominant mode of the night was black, but I chose to wear red, resulting in comparisons to The Morrigan of ACOTAR fame and comments like, “She’s giving Mor” and “I just crossed paths with The Morrigan,” which were definite highlights after sweatily stressing over boob tape and humidity ravaged hair.
After awards, door prizes, announcements, and thanks, we danced to our hearts’ content, shout-singing to MCR, Whitney Houston, Panic! At the Disco, the Spice Girls, and more, with back flips and flag twirling thrown in for good measure. When the clock struck 10PM, and the lights went on just like in high school, we headed to the Snowflake Lounge for the after-party. We partook in more singing and dancing, complemented by some showboating behavior on the dance floor, courtesy of the heartily imbibed who had been at the bar long before we made our swanky entrance.
All in all, it was a Saturday for the books—an experience that deserves an 11/10 rating, and one that I highly recommend other people participate in given the chance. Here’s hoping another event like The Dragon Gauntlet is in store for 2025.
Thank you to Rain & Revelry, Fantasy Girls Podcast, Boyne Mountain, Muskrat Distilling, Lit w/ Literature, and the stalwart team I was lucky to be part of—Team Basgiath Running Club.
Coming up next:
September—Surrounded by Writers
2 responses to “Organized Rambling: Debriefing The Dragon Gauntlet”
What a great capture of of the weekend!
[…] independent authors, Etsy creators, and even Rain & Revelry, the event company that hosted The Gauntlet back in […]