Winter War Maneuvers’s origins have been lost in the mists of time. When asked, fighters lapse into a dreamy reverie of events past, contests lost and won, first events, and attractive people. All interesting stories, to be sure, but not useful as far as concrete data is concerned.

But a few shreds of history remain. WWM was preceded by a event held in Mag Mor called Iron Chalice. There were two Iron Chalice events, the first one 12 or 13 years ago. Once the student group presented Cook Pavilion, an indoor football field, as an event site, the event morphed into WWM.

WWM is Keep’s biggest event of the year. Much of the fall is devoted to its planning. All members are involved in the planning. Keep’s president usually serves as Autocrat, or person in charge of the event. Other members help plan activities and the Inn. While the main purpose of WWM is fighting, occasionally non-fighting activities occur. The Inn is simply lunch – what to buy, and who to serve it. The day of the event, members help with water bearing and armor.

Members are allowed to participate in the fighting, as well, as long as they are authorized.

WWM prepares the Calontir army for the spring wars Estrella and Gulf Wars. Fighters from all across the kingdom attend. Royalty usually attends. Sometimes fighters from other kingdoms participate, as well.

Though it seems like a simple event, WWM can be full of surprises. One year, two of Keep's members received their Award of Arms at WWM. At WWM 2006, Keep’s longtime advisor was made a saint. You just never know what will happen on the battlefield!