This story follows a Head Judge (HJ) as they manage a 2HG Sealed Side Event that grows larger than expected due to poor planning and communication from the Side Events Lead (SE Lead). The HJ struggles to run the event smoothly due to constantly changing priorities from the SE Lead and lack of support from the Scorekeeper (SK). In the end, the HJ and their floor judges (FJs) are able to run the event to completion despite the challenges, but are immediately asked to support an even larger new event with no notice. The moral of the story is about the importance of planning, priorities, and communication for running successful Magic events.

1. A Song of HJs and SEs
Written by: Matteo R.R. Callegari

2. Battleground Characters
Story Moral

3. The Battleground
•Private Events
•GP Side Events
•GP Trials
•PPTQs

4. The Characters

5. Head Judge
“You know nothing, HJ!”

6. Side Events Lead
“Bring me moar players!”

7. Scorekeeper
“Let me count them for you, my dear”

8. Floor Judges
“We’ll fight with you, HJ!”

9. Players
“Do you want to play with me?”

10. The Story
“Oh, my sweet summer HJ, what do you know about fear?
Fear is for the GPs when the players arrive at hundreds at a time.
Fear is for the long rounds when the last tables hide for years and judges certify and leave before
the last result arrives.
That is the time for fear my little HJ, when Maester Kalle promises he’s almost done talking”

11. Chapter 1 – Once upon a time
“You will be HJ of the 2HG
Sealed on Sunday at 11:30”
“You have 2 FJs, we expect 40
teams, 4 rounds, Regular REL.
Do your job”
11:00

12. Chapter 2 – Winter is Coming
SE Leader: “Great news! We
have 85 teams instead, deh,
but you can’t use the mic”
11:20

13. Chapter 3 – The Feast…
SE Leader: “Ehi, remember
that you must take care of
lunch breaks for your FJs”
12:10

14. Chapter 4 – …and the Famine
SE Leader: “I need 2 of your
FJs to fire a huge event in 15
minutes”
SK: “I’m on break, so I won’t
enter the results this round. See
you soon, hopefully”
12:45

15. Chapter 5 – The Fall
“There is an appeal, because
that player disagrees that I can
GL him for drawing an
additional card. I will push that
GL down his throat”
13:45

16. Chapter 6 – Slowly Rising Again
“Yeah HJ, we are missing
only 3 results. Someone will
win and someone will lose.
It is known”
14:10

17. Chapter 7 – Finally Some Rest
“We need you for an
investigation. HJ I’m
scared as I really have no
idea what to do”
14:45

18. Chapter 8 – The Deserved Prize
“We won! We won!!
Can I have my prize?
Fast as a deer!”
16:15

19. Chapter 9 – Happily Ever After
“HJ, I need all your judges in 20
minutes to fire a 300 players event”
16:40

20. The Moral•Planning
•Priorities
•Communication

22. The End