Ulmen Trials 2004

2004 Trials written by Lars of the Handlordz Team.

WOW! We just got back home from the 2004 Ulmen Trials and damn what a trip it was! Here is a basic play by play by day of our trip to help you understand more about the trials and everything that happens/happened this year.

We arrived on the weekend and was greeted by many of the Ulmen fans and family. We went to dinner right away to the Pizzeria - a favorite of Ulmen. Then we gave out gifts from America. Next to the Tower pub and drank bier of course.lol
Monday, was a dinner to go over the trials with the Ulmen4(group). We went to the manager of the castle and learned that he has always been a big fan of the trials and he granted the Ulmen4 official permission to use the castle and also came along to ensure that we had all the equipment/lights etc... that we needed. Also he is going to ensure that we get the castle for the future trials with no problems. He is a new manager and we are very happy to have him with us!

That night we met up with all of the other challengers and the Ulmen4 went over the trials, rules, and verified people and their challenge dates and times. Newcomers had their own room in which De'vo, Yoseph, Marius, Domi and others spent plenty of time with them discussing every detail and answered all their questions. Once everyone was content with the trials and what was expected and what they had to do, we went to the Tower Pub once again for a JAM session! This was one of the highlights of the trip! This is also where we bought lots of bier and convinced the Ulmen4 to allow us to take photos, but we were only allowed to take photos/video of the pre-trials and De'vo's challenges.

Still barely light out and the Ulmen4 assume their positions in the 4 windows of the castle wall. This is extremely high and can be seen for many miles in several directions. The Ulmen 4 does this to warn the town that the Trials is coming that evening.

A little later at dusk, the Ulmen4 comes down from the wall to begin. They light their torches in a small ceremony dedicated to their fathers, and are ready for the official beginning of the trials. The first competitors wait in the markplazt below the castle. A representative lets them know when they can start the steep walk to the castle. Once at the top, Ulmen representatives stand outside the wall and ensure that no-one else except the competitor enters the castle. All family members and friends must wait outside the outer castle wall. Once the representative gives the go ahead, the competitor enters the castle and walks to the Ulmen4, entering their torches and awaits the command to begin.

This year there were 9 competitors not including De'vo. We were honored to have Arkon from Turkey, and Stephan from Austria take the trials. Also Alena was the first lady ever in Ulmen history to take the trials. She did not complete the first step, but she is now determined to pass the trials. Expect to see great things from her in the future!

This was the original pic taken at the trials, this was not edited in any way!

TWO MOONS!?!? Many stories of mystery have plagued the Ulmen castle over the years, and this picture is yet another example of some of the strange things that sometimes occur in Ulmen.

De'vo got his chance to take the 9th step around midnight of Tuesday evening. He re-completed the first 4 steps. The Ulmen4 made him redo them because of the step change last year. But he smoked them without thinking. The 9th step was really the only thing on the dark side of his mind. We were all allowed to walk with De'vo to the Volcanic MAAR(lake) in Ulmen in his attempt to take on the Elemental step. We all met at the castle. Most everyone came to take the walk with De'vo, all the competitors, family members, friends, and even Ulmen fans came out. We began the grueling hike into the woods, fight off the nasty bugs and trying to keep warm. It was EXTREMELY cold outside and all of us felt nervous for De'vo who had to be submerged into the freezing lake up to his chest/neck!

The Ulmen4 first went into the water to their knees and lit their torches. De'vo then went into the water, and dropped down to his knees putting the water up to his neck. Even though he tried very hard to keep calm, we could tell that the freezing lake had taken it's toll on him. Never-the-less, De'vo completed all the requirements for the water elementals and we were all very happy for that! We were all very happy that he completed the brutal water elemental. We all walked back with De'vo, and he did not come with us to the Tower pub. He took a shower, and spent the night trying to keep warm, and tried not to get sick.

Wednesday quickly came and we got a bus to take everyone to Koln (cologne) Germany. We all went to an internet cafe to let our families know how all was going. Most all of our competitors went as well. We then had some drinks, and saw some sights.

Wednesday night Marius Jr., Yoseph and Pia took their trials. However they all did extremely well and are nearing the 7-9th step! These guys are all incredible! Then we went to the Tower pub again and jammed.

Thursday came and we all took a day trip to fantasialand which is a large amusement park. We all needed to have some fun and let off steam! Most of the competitors would leave this night to get back to their families. We had a goodbye dinner for the ones that left.

Friday was a relaxing day to rest from the long week. Friday night we went to burgfest in the castle. A few of the competitors stayed for the Friday burgfest and we drank all night, danced, and partied.

Saturday night came and most of the people had already left unfortunately. But we were anxious to meet some of the Superhandz/Handlordz forum members who said they would come and meet up with us. Some of the Ulmen fans and members show up to meet and greet. Among them were Domi, Marius Jr.(Jr/Jr), Gman, me, Alena, Micha, De'vo, a few more with family and friends.

We were all a little worried that some of those hard nosed magicians may come and try to infiltrate, so the forum members that came were put to the test. They had to give a demonstration of their abilities in the back of the castle with the members surrounding them. It was freezing cold but they both did a good job, especially given the circumstances.

Shortly after proving themselves, we all welcomed them into the Ulmen4(group), and they are now scheduled to be the first to attempt the trials for next year. They got to meet De'vo finally, and he took the rest of the evening to talk with them, and answer all of their questions. I was too busy partying at this point to know everything that was said, but I do know that De'vo went out of his way to make them feel comfortable and to help them with anything they asked about. I saw De'vo teaching one of the forum members about creation, as well as helping him with the Cobra. However we, the members were not allowed to use cards at burgfest, so we went to the Tower Pub to JAM! Unfortunately, one of the members had to leave at this point and missed the session with De'vo and Marius Jr.

We all went to the Pub and once again I was too busy playing darts and drinking to know everything that went on. But I do know that De'vo did a session with another forum member, and taught him several things, from his special fan closers from his nightmare books, to a complete box routine. Also since this member was interested in sybils, Marius Jr. with De'vo taught him the original I.S. from Marius Jr.'s grandfather. We all drank more, danced, partied, and De'vo stayed and jammed with Marius Jr.and the forum member all night.

Sunday came and we all went to Stephan's restaurant for our last supper. After dinner, we were all too tired to do anything but sleep and get on the plane.

We are happily here at home, but miss everyone! We will always remember this trials, and look forward to the future trials.

We took some amazing footage of the trials, but the camera ate the tape. After a week of trying to salvage the tape, we were able to get this awesome footage! The Ulmen4 stripped our original footage down to bare bones not wanting to expose too much of this special event. Most all of the footage of De'vo taking the actual trials was not allowed to be put here for the public eye, but we were allowed to show you some brief clips of the Ulmen4. Here is what you will see in this video clip:

First you will see the Castle ruins of Ulmen in the daylight, before the Ulmen4 take their places in the windows of the castle. Next is a clip of the Ulmen4 lighting their torches and their formation when they back up to let in the first competitor. Then you will see the Ulmen Maar - volcanic lake that hosts the brutal water elemental in the daylight and a quick clip of the Umlen 4 with De'vo in the lake.

The clip is short but will at least give you a feeling of the trials. Next year we hope to include footage of some of the competitors with the competitors and the Ulmen4's approval.

If you are seriously interested in taking the Ulmen Trials next year, email us at: handlordz@msn.com and we will assist with helping you contact the Ulmen4 and getting on their 2005 schedule for the Ulmen Trials.