Well, everyone, at long last, I'm posting the hunt. Just a few ground rules and some information on deer-hunting:

Who may participate? Lords (this includes knights) and Ladies. No commoners, unless... um... unless you PM me with a reason so dazzling I absolutely have to allow it. So just noblemen and Ladies, thanks. The men would come equipped with their swords, a bow, and a hunting horn in case they were to be separated from the main party. Ladies would bring only a little cudgel, for hitting small animals (or, I suppose, men who tried to fondle them in the woods?) and a hunting horn. Women may ride sidesaddle or astride, but sidesaddle is encouraged (women who ride astride in Thiasa are scorned or at least spoken ill of). Although the sidesaddle was still an imperfect invention in the real world until the late 1500s, we're going to say that in Thiasa it's just fine, even for jumping (look up sidesaddles with a 'jumping horn'--you can do some really awesome things with those).

Where/when may you post? You may post in any of the three forums. You don't need to wait for the King to post first. You DO, however, need to join the main hunt thread in order to get the chance to kill the stag. You don't necessarily NEED to post in chronological order (i.e. first in the breakfast, then in the hunt), but you'll probably find it makes more sense if you do.

How does the Assembly work? Basically, only the king and a few keen hunters would really be talking hunt strategy. You may do that, of course, if you like, but you can also just treat it like a feast, post socially, scheme over how to get the king to gallantly ride to your rescue (he probably won't), etc.

How does the hunt work? Well, before the day itself the king's huntmaster would have gone out into the forest and scouted for an appropriate stag. Then, early on the morning of the hunt, he'd send out his hounds to locate the animal again and set up relays of dogs along the trail leading to the stag, so that they could use rounds of fresh dogs to track down the animal. The hunting party would thus follow each round of dogs, who would keep the stag's scent. Traditionally, the man of highest rank (that would be the king, in this case) would have the opportunity to kill the deer with a spear or sword, but in this case... I won't let any women take this opportunity, but if a man acquits himself particularly well in the hunt (that is, if I like your posts!), the King will allow you to stab the deer. I'll RP out making this decision if I see someone suitable. IF (and this is a BIG IF) a woman acquits herself amazingly well, and I can think of an in-character reason to have him do so, the King MAY allow her the kill. Yes, the standards are higher for women... that's how things were back then! Ha. Anyway, this is an incentive to do your best posting in the hunt.

What happens after the hunt? After the hunt, the deer was disembowelled and dismembered. Parts of the carcass were fed to the dogs, as a reward. The rest was sent back to be cooked. The antlers would make a lovely trophy. And then, picnic!

What would they eat at such a picnic?

-small meat pies (shaped like little coin-purses, completely closed, very easy to eat)
-bread
-cheese
-seasonal fruit (I'll say peaches, maybe some winter apples)
-all of this would be served on large platters laid on a cloth on the ground and eaten with the fingers; everyone would receive a napkin. No plates. Who needs plates?

If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me! And have fun.