GM: Sam Tillis
Players: Adrienne Mueller, Dylan Arena, James Lawton, Sean Nittner, Sarah Terman, Matthew Fisher
System: Pendragon, 6th Edition
There was an age—or there will be an age—of wonders, so unlike our present night. Harken for it, this era of enchantment, when men and women strive towards the light. See Camelot, there, glistening white upon its hill after a gentle fall of rain, beacon for all who pledge to serve life, love, and chivalry. For but a moment shines this age, so bright; so brief, before its candle flickers out. But let us hold it ever in our hearts: the age of Arthur, King, and Guinevere; the man they loved who would undo them both; of grails and dragons, wizards and their ways, and lusty knights who swear the sacred vow; they gallop through our tales, let’s meet them now.
Our Masks campaign is complete, and the South Bay crew has started a new game. Pendragon! And because we’re not ones to dip our toe into a game lightly, we’ve asked Sam to run the Great Pendragon campaign, starting in the year 464!
Background
We created characters in Salisbury, sworn to good lord Roderick in the settlement of Sarum. A place near Stonehenge. A place build on the bones of giants. A magical place.
Our land was part of Cymric, kin to the Picts, born to the bronze-wielding Trojans and the iron bound Celts. We could claim our lineage back to Brutus of Troy. We were not yet, but we would soon be bachelier, or Bachelor Knights.
Our parents were born under the tyrant king Vortigern who gifted the Saxons the Kingdom of Kent. Those were dark days. Ambrosius Aurelianus untied the Cymri tribes and fought off the Saxons, unseating the tyrant Vortigern. He was naked high king and took the name Pendragon.
Ambrosius as loved by the Cymri people, but he did not live long. He fell in battle to the Saxons and his brother and heir Uther took his stead. Though Uther claimed the title Pendragon, he was not made high king by his people. In an effort to gain supremacy he turned Cymri knight against knight, brother against brother, instead of focusing on the Saxons to the east.
Our fathers now fought under Uther’s banner, as would we.
Our time as Pages
There was a formative moment that helped shape each of us in our youth.
Elias (played by Sean) dove into a swimming hole with friends but got caught on the bottom and stayed under for a long time, trapped in the kelp. Many thought he would drown, but after a moment he burst out of the water. He could not see well in the deep waters, but he swore one of God’s creatures of the sea set him free. Since that day his hair has been curly like the ferns and fronds of the water. Elias has one older sister and five younger siblings. Christian, though with very little idea of what that means.
Henry (played by Sean) was in a cellar when two adults entered, thrusting their bodies against each other. He sat and watched for what seemed like hours. They ravished each other and would not stop. Henry has five younger siblings. Pagan.
Gregory (played by Adrienne) was a small child who grew to be a small man. When he was young he touched his fathers bridle and ask if he could ride, but he was told no. He touched his fathers sword and asked if he could fight, but was told no. Finally he found a musty tome covered in dust in his fathers library and asked if he could read, and he was told yes. He grew to love books and the word of God. Gregory has a younger brother who is much larger than he is. Christian, a stalwart believer.
Moris (played by Sarah) has always looked bigger and older than his age. Once when they were all pages, he was mistaken for a squire and got to spend the night listening to all the squires gossip and chat. He told the story a hundred times, and each time the boats he recounted grew. Christian.
Aurelia (played by Matt) is obsessed by her Roman heritage. Her mother Octavia shared with her copy of Meditations, a book she said was very old. Aurelia studied it and believed the Romans were the best of us. They built the best roads, their ruins still stand when more modern buildings have since fallen, and they were the most cultured of us all. Pagan, follower of the Roman gods.
Caradoc (played by James) was also a small child that grew into a small man. When he realized he could not compete with the other boys in games of wrestling and valor, so instead he learned to bake. He made sweet pastries that he shared and made many friends in the process. Pagan, though many have tried to convert him.
Our time as Squires
Caradoc was squired to Sir Bruce, a worldly man who loved his pigs more than the loved battle. One day Caradoc was sent to bring one of the pigs into the pen but could not control it, and when the pig ran wild, all he could do was hold on for dear life and ride it. Sir Bruce initially laughed, but when Gregory (who was also squired to him) pleaded with him to help, he came to Caradoc’s aid.
Gregory was the smallest in Sir Bruce‘s large household, and when there as not food on the table to feed him, he found nourishment in scripture. Often turning to the good book for guidance.
Aurelia was squired to Sir Bar, a great warrior who earned his title in battle, but was perhaps too rough around the edges for the other knights. Sir Bar had steward to manage his holdings but Aurelia who was literate read the books and found that he had been shaving pennies, cutting corners, in and many small ways hording coin for himself. She corrected those “errors”, nearly bankrupted Sir Bar for a year (though he thankfully recovered) and made an enemy of his steward.
Moris was squired to Sir Owen, who for some time he thought was not much of a knight at all. Moris thought that being a night was all fighting Saxons and winning the hands of maidens. but Sir Owen mostly concerned himself with settling disputes, and taking care of the people on his land. One day however, the found a village being attacked by Saxons. Sir Owen was outnumbered eight to one, but he still charged in. He slew five of them and sent the others fleeing for their lives. Moris watched with adoration and respect. It wasn’t that Sir Owen wasn’t valorous, its that he did not flaunt it.
Elias was squired to the Sir Hew, a cruel knight that enjoyed his power over people. Elias had an incurable sweet tooth. The dough that Caradoc made was undeniable. Sir Hew punished him for his intemperance but eventually the beatings were visible and Sir Hew realized that questions would be asked. So he turned to beating Eli’s young siblings instead. Eli gained great control over what he put in his mount and an even greater hatred for Sir Hew.
Henry was squired to Sir Miles, a knight that was perhaps too generous with his squire. When Henry was coming of age, Sir Miles introduced him to a woman to teach him the ways of love. But Henry’s endurance and excitement was such that she needed to bring a friend. Henry had energy for all!
Passions
Each of our characters (would be knights) had strong passions. Devotion to Earl Roderick, love of our family, hatred of the Saxons, deference to the holy. In particular…
Henry loves the house of Early Roderick. He thinks it is blessed by the gods to give everything a man could desire. Food to feast on, beautiful women to bed, and honor to be gained. Sarum is paradise on earth.
Elias hates this place deep in his heart. It is a place where those with power abuse it and those without are abused, and never will a knight say otherwise. Honor and valor are words used as veneer to cover the rot within. Earl Roderick is perhaps the one exception.
Gregory loves his family and believes it is his brother that should inherit his fathers title and glory. He knows his father feels the same, but the lord God is the only one who can know what is right, so and Gregory will continue doing the best he can, knowing he is standing in the way of his more worthy brother.
Moris has been in love with Pridwyn since the first time he set his eyes upon her. She is a lady in waiting to Ellen, wife of Earl Roderick, and her smiles are like the sunlight upon his face. He wants to marry her and spend his days in her embrace.
Aurelia went on a long journey with Sir Bar to the west. While other nights grew weary of the travels, Sir Bar pressed on. When other knights fled from the Saxons that outnumbered them, Sir Bar fought alone. After a deadly battle, where Sir Bar had been gravely wounded, he gave her the sword of a fallen knight and together the rode into the Forest of Gloom to seek aid. Aurelia read from the Meditations and was guided to find a Roman Bath. The pure waters healed Sir Bar’s wounds and he survived.
Caradoc traveled once with Sir Bruce and Gregory. While the others were out, Caradoc was left alone to set up camp. Sir Owen and his squire Moris came to their camp, weary from battle, and Caradoc gave them the food they had and the bedrolls he had made up for his knight and fellow squire. Sir Own and Moris slept well that knight while Sir Bruce and Gregory had empty bellies and hard ground as their only company. Caradoc could not be chided however, he was observing the highest form of hospitality.
Family Traits
Each of our families was known for a particular characteristic.
- Henry’s family are bird lovers
- Elias’ family are seductive
- Gregory’s family is musical
- Moris’ family are silver-tongued
- Aurelia’s family are clever
- Caradoc’s family are poetic.
They each have history as well.
Caradoc’s uncle Abel was accused of a capitol crime. He breached hospitality and got into a fight with his guest Liam (Eli’s father) and injured him more than could be excused as simply roughhousing. Abel was ordered to made amends but he would not. They duel and Liam killed him.
Aurelia’s mother Octavia insulted Uther when in his court (back in the days when Ambrosius was still alive). Octavia believes she is the descendent of Marcus Aurelius and while Ambrosius was suited to be high king, his brother Uther was not. She spit as his feet in disgust.
Moris‘ family advanced quickly in prosperity. His grandfather was a young man when the Romans left London and chaos ensued. He was loyal to the king and fought off raiders. His loyalty earned him the land of Tisbury.
Gregory’s brother Lambert was accused by Sir Hew of stealing his horse. Sir Hew took his hand for the offence.
Elias’s father Liam tended to Henry’s mother when Henry’s father was away. Based on when Henry is born, Eli believes Liam is is true father and that they are half-brothers. All his life, Eli has envied the life Henry has and the way in which Liam looks at him, like a father proud of his true heir.
Proving our medle
Despicable Sir Hew gathered the young squires together only months before their 21st birthdays and told them it was no longer time to play with fake armor and weapons. We would don hauberks and and help, wield lances and arming swords, and set out to prove our valor.
We were set off to joint against hay bails and once we had show we were capable we were paired off to face each other:
- Caradoc vs. Henry
- Aurelia vs. Elias
- Mors vs. Gregory
As we charged their were many suprises
Caradoc unseated Henry, and then laid him low. Henry would need the ministrations of many maidens to restore his health after those blows.
Aurelia’s lance was shattered on Eli’s shield. She turned to sword and Eli did as well. She thought this was perhaps that Eli was mocking her and she unseated Elais as they clashed swords. When he fell from his horse she dismounted, so they would always be on the same playing field. However Eli turned away from her, because…
Moris charged as Gregory and saw in a moment that he was not just dismount, but slay young Gregory before his feet could leave his stirrups. He pulled his lance up at the last moment and earned the ire of Sir Hew. “Do you think that in battle you foes will be so lenient?” Moris defied him that this was training not a battle. Eli walked over (away from his duel with Aurelia) and added his words “Sir Hew, do you not think that Sir Bruce would be dismayed if he returned form the hunt with one fewer squire?” Sir Hew relented “Gregory, you go charge those bails and charge them again. Tilt as those bails until the sun goes down and comes up gain! Squire Moris, I will have words with you later.”
Moris however followed him. “Why trade words later when when we can trade blows now?” They would tilt at each other!
Elias rejoined Aurelia to complete their contest, but they were both distracted by the joust between Moris and Sir Hew. Without meaning to, Elias delivered a terrible cleaving blow (critical) and though Aurelia was still conscious, she knew another such blow would end her.
Moris tilted at Sir Hew, an experienced knight with many battles in his past…and he threw the old man from his horse! We all stopped to watch in surprise and trepidation (Elias the most of all). For a moment Sir Hew looked at him with scorn, but it quickly turned to a smile. “Well done. That was valor! That was skill! That was what makes knight! Practice is over.”
Aurelia had a moment to decide. Should she surrender as she would have if the practice had not been cancelled, or should she use Sir Hew’s words to call the battle a draw. She chose the path of honesty and conceded. Both Eli and Aurelia heaped praise on each other for a battle well fought.
Elias was awed by Moris and after they returned to the stocks told him he was inspired by his valor, which came not from his strong arm but from his heart. Eli pledged to always be at his side.
Celebration
That evening the knights, squires, and fair ladies of Earl Roderick’s house feasted. Moris wanted Pridwny to know of his valor and enlisted his fellow squires to aid him. Henry retreated to the scullery to share the word with Pridwny’s handmaidens such that they could carry the word to her.
Gregory however, made sure to serve lady Pridwyn while conversing loudly with Caradoc about Moris valor and charity. How the great man would have slain him but not for his mercy, and how when Sir Hew chastised him, he unseated the old knight.
Pridwyn overheard and asked Gregory to speak more on this. “Is this tale true?”
Gregory was delighted to continue “Yes it is.”
“What do you think of Moris?” She inquired.
“He is the best of us. Though squire Caradoc is very good as well. He unseated Henry.”
“And what do you think of Henry?” Her eyes cast over his handsome features.
Gregory paused, unsure how to answer. “He is agile.” He needed something to differentiate them. “But Moris is Christian.”
Pridwyn then inquired are Caradoc’s faith, who Gregory had just earlier praised. Caradoc shook his head “I’ll turn to the Christian god when I am convinced.”
Pridwny looked insulted “Our lord has to convince you?”
Knighting Ceremony
We all knew that at the end of the ceremony, unless we had failed in some spectacular way, that we would be knighted. And we all had different feelings about what was to come.
Elias was eager to be free of Sir Hew’s control. He hated here and was jealous of Henry’s happiness and fortune.
Aurelia wondered if her father had bushed for her to be made a knight. She wondered if she earned it.
Caradoc had struggled through his time as a squire. He was nervous that he was just a tiny person, but believed that if he could well as a night, he might still be a great man.
Henry loved the house and all of it’s bounty, but he was excited to see the larger world and to meet all the women that live there.
Gregory was surprised he made it this far. Surprised he was still alive.
Moris felt the weight of responsibility. It was only since his grandfather than this family were knights. There was still much to prove to be worthy of Tisbury.
Early Roderick greeted us all with mirth. “This is a great day. And let this be the last day that you are struck without recourse.” At that he slapped us all in the face.
He asked us all to pledge ourselves to be his banner knights, and when we had, he drew his battle worn iron blade and anointed each of us as knights.
We had newly appointed warhorses outside, and by tradition we all raced out to leap upon them. Dame Aurelia the leapt on her steed Atlas and flew off like the wind, leaving us all to chase her. The rest of the newly titled knights save Henry leapt up on their steeds and rode off gallantly. Sir Henry, however, distracted by a maiden’s cleavage and she leaned forward, ran right into the back of his horse Tatiana and the horse ran off without him.
Sir Elias, who rode his clumsy steed Isabeau caught up to the fairy-touched Tatiana and returned her to his brother Sir Henry. Though it took all of his temperance to keep the steed he was given, and not claim Tatian for himself.
The other warhorses were Comfry (Moris’ steed) and Gabriel (Gregory’s steed). We did not learn the name of Caradoc’s horse.
Gifts
After the ceremony our parents bequeathed us with gifts befitting a knight.
Henry’s father gave him a bridle decorated in bronze and gold. “This is so you might better control your steed.” Henry smiled that he was quite adept at control.
Liam, Eli’s father watch all of this with great attention, before he gave Eli a medallion of his grandfather James, who fought the Saxons “Let this remind you when it is right to stand and fight.”
Gregory’s father told him that “God has a plan for you, even if it is unclear to me.” He gave him a silken undershirt that might preserve him when wounded badly.
Moris’ father walked up to him with a limp “Do our family proud.” was all he said ad he gave Moris a set of silver plates engraved with the family’s accomplishments.
Aurelia’s mother Octavia spoke to Aurelia in Latin. “These people do not know our true glory. Find the ruins of our people and honor them. Find the enemies of our people and end them.” She gave her a spear head with a silver insert engraved with the figures of two wolves.
Caradoc’s father handed him a find cloak with pins of gold. He said no words.
Crests
We then set about drawing our crests. There were some truly arcane tables in the book for how to do it, but we ended up playing with the theme’s we had already seen. As Henry had been called a chicken-fucker a few times already, and for other reasons, the cock seemed like an especially appropriate crest. I only got pictures of two of the sheets, but I’ll get the others next time.
Our first months as knights
For three months we performed the duties of knights before dangers called. In particular…
Henry had the best of times. Women in villages who would not give him a second thought as a squire, now saw him as knight.
Moris tried to make his father and Sir Owen proud. He mediated disputes between peasants by day and composed poetry for Pridwyn by night.
Elias found himself in the company of Sir Hew more than he had hoped. He was often in the chambers of Earl Roderick asking why our Lord Uther would set knights to fight each other instead of uniting us to fight the Saxons. At every turn though Sir Hew cut him off “We fight who we are ordered to fight.” He slapped Eli on the back “We are brothers now!” The words burned in Eli’s ears but he consented “I will do as our lord commands.”
Gregory studied the scripture and tried to convert others. He gained a reputation as the most spiritual among us.
Caradoc worked on marshalling resources for the upcoming war. He tracked food and weapons and supplies. When Uther did call the banners, Caradoc was worried that not all of his liege were sending their full accompaniment. Some were holding back because the were not committed, while others were worried about leaving their own lands defenseless for fear their neighbors would take them while they were gone.
Aurelia had a new partner and was considering who she should marry. As a woman, she was in a strange position. Most women her age were already married. Most knights were not. Which path should she follow. She looked to Dame Aspara, an elder knight, 50 at least, who fought alongside Ambrosius and had the respect of many. She counseled Aurelia and offered her two possible suitors. Sir Leo was handsome and had good prospects. He was a safe bet. Prince Madoc, bastard son of king Uther was safe as a ranging river in a storm. Aurelia was smitten already!
Calling the Banners
We were called into Earl Roderick’s Hall and told that King Uther was riding for Sarum with his bannermen. There were a thousand Saxons to the east, calling on reinforcements and we were going to ride to fight them. But between ourselves and the Saxons was Sussex, and no one knew what we would encounter there.
“As you all know, it is your duty to meet incoming knights with hospitality. I am sending you to the west, to Forrest of Gloom to meet the knights of Cawdy, King of Summerland. The king has not sworn his allegiance to Uther, but neither has he sworn enmity. He might still be an ally.”
“I want you to go and meet the knights who ride towards Sarum and determine their loyalty. If they are enemies, turn the back. If they are neutral, question them. If they are allies, greet them with open arms.”
Sir Elias asked if we might be able to do more, make an ally of the King of Summerland so that we would not have to watch our flanks as we marched east. Roderick was not averse to the idea, but did not want to put King Uther in a diplomatic disadvantage by overstepping. We must be careful.
Forest of Gloom
Before we set out Eli asked Aurelia about the Forest of Gloom. She had been there before. Had she spotted gods creatures? The nymph, the dryad, or other woodland wonders? To his dismay she had not seen such things, but did note that the road seemed to shift as we traveled and hide the way out from us.
Elias believed that the Devil was in the forest and if we were luck we would find and slay him (Fumbled Folklore roll)
Henry told the kitchen staff that we were riding west into danger to fight the devil and that we might not make it back. The questioned him, wasn’t the threat to the east after all? “He comes from behind.” which none could mistake for inuendo.
Moris brought flowers to Pridwyn. “My companions and I ride today for the Forest of Gloom. The earl is concerned about threats from the west. It might be quite dangerous.” He turned away as he held out a bouquet of flowers. “I will miss you every moment I am gone. I hope that, on occasion, you will think of me.”
Pridwyn sneezed horribly. Not that we understood allergies, but turned out she was allergic to these flowers (Fumbled Orate). Moris ran off, embarrassed and fell into a bout of madness (Critical on a Passion Crisis roll). The flowers were a terrible idea. He would ride for two weeks to the west to find her a better gift in the Forest of Gloom on his own!
Aurelia meanwhile, learned that Prince Madoc would likely be arriving the next day…while we were in the west! She asked Henry to learn all he could about the prince. What he desired.
Eli jumped upon his riding horse Tasmir and rode after Moris to try and talk sense into him. “Together we will slay a dragon for your love. But we will do it together, and without forgetting our duty to our lord.” Eli’s words calmed his passions and Moris remembered his duty.
The Enchantress
After a days ride (thankfully Sir Gregory brought Eli’s warhorse so he was not without) we came upon a small village at the edge of the Forest of Gloom. On the road there was a family lying naked on the ground facing up to the sky. The were alert and awake, but would not move from the road. “I’m sorry good knights, I would like to oblige you, but we cannot leave. There was a woman who told us to wait out here…We invited her into our home and she told us to leave.”
We tried to persuade them and move them ourselves, but they resisted, as respectfully as they could. Eli knew this must be an enchantress. The work of the devil. The peasants nodded “The devil she may be, but she took the form of a woman.”
Elias, Henry, and Gregory stayed outside to help the family. Henry, very disposed to help the villager’s wife. Greogry, trying to break the curse with God’s words, and Eli guarding the road such that no one who came from the forest would see this site or trample the villagers.
Inside the hut they sotted a an unbearably attractive woman in a gossamer gown. She was folding and sorting clothes, placing them in the center of the hovel.
Aurelia stepped forward stridently and demanded that the woman reveal her name, but he woman refused.
Instead she told her “The villagers welcomed me in and told me ‘what is our is yours’ so now I suppose this is all mine. It’s rather inconvenient.”
Caradoc took one look at the woman and believed she was a follower of a dark god and every word she spoke would ensorcell those who heard her dulcet tones. “Speak not another word!” That turned out not to work, as she continued to speak.
Aurelia appraised the situation and returned a retort “This is our lord’s property, and it was not theirs to give.” This seemed a good argument to the creature who was no a gallant young knight in her eyes. Resplendent and beautiful.
The Enchanter spoke again “So they gave me what was not theirs to give?”
Moris, trying to gird himself against the power of his loins corrected “No, they said what is theirs is yours. It was you who misunderstood.”
—
Outside Gregory tried to convince the family that they were under a spell, and though the believed him, that did not break the enchantment. He did, however put clothing over them to preserve their modesty.
—
Inside the Enchanter asked Aurelia for a gift, since the peasants had not truly given one to him, and as he was a guest, was he not entitled to a gift?
Aurelia wanted to impress him and find a way to break the spell. “I will fetch my lyre and play you a song.”
Caradoc continued with the earlier line of reasoning, looking away from the beautiful enchantress “The only thing they own is their obligation to our lord.”
She thought on that. What a peculiar idea “So does that mean I know own their obligation. Does their lord own me? As an agent of their lord, does that mean you own me as well?”
—
Outside Eli heard the clomping of hooves and rode out to greet the four men who emerged from the forest. The look rough and worn, just as the fabled Knights of the Fey were described in his stories. They were creatures who used glamours to hid their true nature. [Fumble on Recognize]
But Fey Knights as they might be, they must still be loyal to the Pendragon to proceed. Elias asked “Have you sworn allegiance to our great king? Tell me true, as I know the fey cannot lie.”
The conferred amongst themselves and responded “If that is what is required, then yes, we are loyal to the king.”
Eli trusted them implicitly and was delighted that he would return with two knights of the fey to join Uther’s court. “Follow me, and I will show you the way to Salisbury.” He led them on a circuitous path so as to avoid seeing the people lying in the road. Allies these knights might be, he did not want to embarrass Earl Roderick but them seeing suck behavior in his realm.
—
Caradoc could tell the Enchantress was further attempting to trick him, so he drew his blade, and Sir Moris followed. The beautiful woman with delicate fingers was, without drawing it from anywhere, suddenly wielding a sword that shone like the moon.
Moris smote the fey just as she plunged her blade into Caradoc dropping him low. The Enchantress disappeared and the spell on the villagers was broken.
From Caradoc’s wound, a single daisy grew. Moris ran outside to summon Eli for aid!
—
Meanwhile the Gregory and Henry sought to question the knights before they passed on to Salisbury. Gregory recognized them as the mercenaries Idwall and Emir. They were not fey knights after all!
Henry questioned their loyalty and they said they would offer their services to Earl Roderick. They worked for coin, and though they would fight for the Saxons, our lord was much closer. After more questioning Henry decided he would accompany them to Sarum.
When Moris exited the hut and called for Eli, he ran in, collecting well water which he blessed by saying the lords prayer over it. “Our Father” was as much as he knew of it, but his ministrations nevertheless saved Sir Cardoc. He pulled the daisy from the wound, doused him in holy water, and burned the devil from him with a heated blade [Critical success at First Aid]
Meanwhile Aurelia circled the daisy in blood (which has salt) and watched as it burst into flame of it’s own accord.
Poor Moris had nothing he could show Pridwyn as proof of his valor, though Aurelia espoused his glory and the villagers of this area would forever remember his valor [Critical Success invoking Loyalty]. We hoped the word would make it to Pridwyn as well.
Separate ways
Henry escorted the mercenaries to make sure they tried nothing deceitful. Caradoc followed so he could be treated by the chirurgeons at the Earl’s keep. Aurelia accompanied them as well. She heard Prince Madoc was arriving and she wanted to be the first women he set his eyes on.
Before they left Sir Caradoc shared as warning with the villagers. “It is good that you offer hospitality to those in need, but you live close the the Forest of Gloom. Use more care with your words in the future.”
Gregory, Elias, and Moris would stay with the villagers, as their Earl had instructed, and as hospitality demanded, and see if any others arrived from the forest.
The Forest at Night
That night Elias woke Gregory and Moris and offered them adventure. “Let us go into the woods under moonlight with our swords and our valor and slay a sleeping dragon.”
They went into the woods unprepared and quickly lost the light of the moon under the leaves of the trees and lost the road as well. Lost with nothing but their night clothes and their swords, they could have met an inglorious end if not for Sir Gregory, who said a prayer to the Lord and found their way home.
Though Elias yearned for more, his temperate soul understood the gift the lord had given them, and did not wish to squander it. The returned to the hovel and slept restlessly, dreaming of valor not yet attained.
Other events at night
On the way back to Sarum, Aurelia asked Henry to teach he the desires of men. She wanted to be everything Prince Madoc desired and to know his deepest needs. Henry gladly complied and they snuck away from the camp to lay by the lake, but oh their energy!
Sir Cadoc lay awake listening to Henry’s lessons ad was grateful that at least this might distract Henry from Pridwyn. If only the lusty knight’s thirst could be slaked so.
The Dragon Banner
The next day Caradoc, Henry, Aurelia, the mercenary knights Idwall and Emir, and their two squires arrived are Sarum to see the dragon banner flying above the keep. King Uther was here, as was his son!
Aurelia asked Henry another favor, that he introduce her to a handmaiden that could aid her in wooing Prince Madoc.
Henry took her to Emma, who has lovely scents. She was willing to help, but saw Aurelias desperation and took the risk of asking a price. Her sister served another lord that she did not favor. Would Sir Henry and Dame Aurelia make sure that she was hired by Earl Roderick so she could leave his services?
“Is she as lovely as you?” Henry asked, excited for the opportunity to bed another beautiful maiden.
“No. She is an ugly fiend!” Emma said, knowing it was untrue but Henry paid her the compliment that was due “Of course, in comparison to you, she must be!”
Return the Forest of Gloom
In the day, under the light of the sun, armed with steel, atop their great steeds, the knights Moris, Elias, and Gregory set off once more into the forest in search of adventure.
The found a great boar, Moris harried it with his lance delivering a killing blow, but the beast still charged and impaled Elias even has he rai it through it with his set spear. The knight survived, the board did not. It was no dragon, but the boars bristles would make a find brush for Pridwyn and would feed the gathering knights bringing glory to their names.
Sir Caradoc’s Daisy Wound
Though Gregory offered his silken shirt to Caradoc he did not accept, trusting that the would heal with time. But secretly he felt the roots the daisy growing through him, that he was still connected to the foul Enchantress and her blade. He recalled that she did not die, but only disappeared.
The monks of Earl Roderck’s keep tended to him and asked what caused this would.
“An evil spirt.” He confessed.
“Is the devil still inside you?” The asked with painful ministrations at the ready.
“Sir Moris slew the creature, and Sir Elias tended my wound. They are both Christians.” But he could not conceal all. “There is still a soreness.”
“Have you considered accepting our Lord and converting to Christianity. It will aid you.”
Sir Caradoc shook his head “The devil has no hold on me.”
The monks continued their work but not without leaving the door open. “The devil has many forms. Should you change your mind, the lord is always ready to receive you.”
King Uther
King Uther stormed through Roderick’s keep raging with red eyes, ready for battle. Aurelia tried to hunt down Prince Madoc, but she encountered the king instead!
“You’re the Roman woman’s girl?”
Though she wanted to proudly claim her lineage back to Marcus Aurelius, Aurelia bowed and showed him great modesty (Crit on Modesty check)
“Arise Dame Aurelia. your service to this realm is appreciated. We ride east soon. You will see how much blood can flow through this realm.”
Aurelia risked making a request, that King Uther might introduce her to his son Prince Madoc. He declined, she would have to do more to earn that audience.
Return for a Feat
Sir Elias, Moris, and Gregory returned to Sarum at the end of the, proudly carrying the boar upon a spit. Prince Madoc and his host received them, and they ate and drank well.
Deep in their cups, Elias asked that the prince unburden himself to the young knight. The prince said he was like his father. “I have a hunger like my father. A deep chasm that cannot be filled. I also know that regardless of what happens to my father, I am his bastard son and I will not be made king.”
“I can’t know the future and the whims of the lords, but I would endeavor to fill your chasm.” Elias offered, and then asked the young prince to help him dress his wounds. They retreated into private chambers and soothed each other’s pains.
A second gift
Mors found Pridwyn, who was weary from being being courted by all the knights who arrived with Uther. Still, she was glad to see Moris. He told her of slaying the boar.
“Did you not also slay an Enchantress?”
“I did, but I have no proof of my valor. No gift to offer you.” With that he handed her the boar bristle brush, carved with his families crest.
“No other knight has given me gifts with such utility.” She smiled.
“I imagine many knights have have give you many useless baubles. I wanted to give you something that makes your life easier.”
“When my handmaidens brush my hair in the morning, I’ll will think of you.”
“And I of you.”
Thoughts on the game
I’m so delighted we’re trying this game. Character creation is arcane, and we had to have multiple discussions about gender and sexuality, and I’m quite pleased with where we landed on all of those. We decide to leave gender norms to be in place but neither would they be punishing nor without exception.
I’m pretty sure we’re going to benefit from some kind of wiki. I recently made a wiki on Obsidian Portal which worked fine, but I’ve got to imagine there is more modern options available!
Some questions that came up in game.
- Do you determine knockdown damage before or after armor is applied?
- Was there a deeper reason for Liam killing Abel? Did he perhaps confess something
