Year 487 Summer Campaign

[Geoffrey]

Despite a good start to the day, things had not gone so well.  But that's what it was to hunt.

The knight had picked up on his, or another quarry as the light of day faded away but it was too late to do any good.

[OOC: Final hunting roll result 7 vs skill 10, success.]

[GM Craig]

As the sun sets, the four of you return to Lincoln empty handed. Arne in particular looks much the worse for wear, covered in scratches and scrapes.

Most of the hunters seem to have had poor luck as well, though the King and Earl Roderick each brought down magnificent deer. A few knights report seeing a Griffon on the area, not far from where Cedwyn has hunting.

The general mood of the party is sullen, and the next day a sort of lethargy falls upon the Royal party. There will be no more hunting, and rumour has it the King is fuming over the absence of the Duke.

A few days later, you are all alerted when a trumpet sounds. Overhearing servants as they run past, you learn that the Duke of Lindsey has finally returned.

The King's party assembles in the courtyard of the castle, and stands there with banners flying. The King and the Earl are on horseback as the Duke and a small party of knights ride in. The Duke, obviously alerted, does not seem surprised, and hails King Uther. They have a brief conversation, which you are too far away to hear, and the Duke dismounts to enter the castle in the company of the King.

Word spreads that there will be a feast, and the Royal Party begins busy preparations.

As evening falls, you all enter the great hall. As junior knights and mercenaries, your seats are far from the high table. There is no slight in this - that Arne and Valka are even permitted at the table is an honour. The mood at the feats is formal and cold. As the meal progresses, it is clear that the Duke is not happy with the presence of the King, though he is careful not to be insulting or incorrect. The feast is good and plentiful, though certainly not sumptuous.

[OOC: I need Intrigue rolls from anyone who wishes to attempt it.]

As the dinner is cleared, entertainment begins. Bards come and sing songs, and play music and the mood lightens somewhat. Senior knights from Lindsey tell their tales of valour and battle. Then, the King stands and the hall grows silent.

"Tales of Glory and valour abound in Lindsey it seems. Let us know hear from Salisbury. Your King calls for quiet." He waves and hand to the four of you. "Come, knights and warriors. Tell us the tale of your recent adventures."

Every eye in the room falls on the four of you. Reactions are mixed, and more than a few eyebrows are raised at Arne, and particularly Valka.

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OOC: Up to you who tells the tale. You can attempt a Compose roll. Success gives you a +5 skill (+10 on Crit) on the next roll, either Orate or a Singing. Decide who will tell the tale before you roll. If Valka makes a Play (drum) roll, she can give someone (or herself) an additional +5 skill due to musical accompaniment.

Arne has Compose 2 and Orate 5.
Valka has Compose 7, Orate 10, Play (Drum) 10 and Singing 10
Rodric has Compose 1, and Orate 10
Cedwyn has Compose 1, Singing 5 and Orate of 5.

There will be glory for success in performing at the King's command.

[Arne]

Arne was surprised to see so many faces turn to look at them upon King Uther's request for a tale.  Should he tell their tale?  Ha, not likely.  His talent in composition and speech-making was about equal to his hunting.  He turned to Valka with a grin, and whispered, "You were born for moments like this, Valka.  Make us immortal."


OOC:  Sure, Arne will try and Intrigue roll, although he's only got a skill level of 2.  Again, I still can't make any rolls on that website.

[GM Craig]

[658] 16-01-29 18:24:16 CST - GM Craig (altarka@shaw.ca)
Arne Intrigue
1d20 <= 2
16 ... failure

[GM Craig]

During the week before the Duke's arrival, Arne lurks around doorways, and generally tries to overhear conversations, but doesn't turn up anything credible.

[Cedwyn]

[Cedwyn intrigue: Roll 6 vs Skill of...6. Crit Success.]

"Rodric make us famous with the tale of Excalibur," he smiled.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn waited for Uther to drain his cup or have it less than half full. Once it was so, he unobtrusively stood and took the pitcher of wine to his knightly lord.

"Your Grace," he began standing behind Uther's chair, "If it please you, might this knight of yours be permitted to fill your cup."

Cedwyn leaned forward once assent was given to him, whispering for Uther's ear, "The Duke believes you drunk on a need for power."

[GM Craig]

Uther nods and smiles as he offers you his cup. "Thank you, Sir Cedwyn," he says in a normal speaking voice. In a whisper he says, "You know this how?"

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn whispered as he slowly filled the King's cup.

"I overheard his knights and steward," he whispered back, "And others. The Duke fears what you will become if you become High King."

In a normal voice, Cedwyn said, "It is my pleasure to serve you, Your Grace."

[GM Craig]

"Thank you, Sir Cedwyn."

He holds your eyes and nods.

[Cedwyn gets a check for Intrigue, and 10 glory.]

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn returned his place seeking the advice of his companions.

Whispering he said to them, "Whatever tale we spin at the King's command, we should not talk about the power of King Uther. The Duke is afraid of him; which is why pur reception here has been so chilly."

[Arne]

Arne raised an eyebrow and smiled as if Cedwyn had told him an amusing tale, but nodded his acknowledgement of the knight's warning.  So that's what all this is about, eh?  Well, perhaps we can put the duke's mind at ease.  If not . . . he has us badly outnumbered.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn offered his own smile and laughter in return.

[Geoffrey]

Rodric coughed slightly as he nodded his understanding to his fellow knight.  Taking a sip from his glass he began to recount their most recent adventure.

?Shortly after meeting our new Northern friends here,? Rodric indicated Arne and Valka,  ?we came upon Merlin under the guise of an old goat herder asking us to retrieve his animal which stood atop a nearby cliff.  We agreed and went to retrieve the goat but our efforts were thwarted.  After the fact we agreed it was due to the fact that the animal was enchanted,  not because our skills in the hunt were lacking.? Rodric joked.

?We had chased the animal into some nearby woods when we heard the goat cry out and unbelievably heavy footfall.  The trees parted and we found we were standing before a three eyed giant with the goat clutched by the horns in one of its hands.  Tossing the animal aside it let out a roar.

Arne and Cedwyn charged forth, axe and sword at the ready and Valka close behind with naught but a dagger.   My squire at the time,? Rodric paused, his head dropping for a moment as he recalled the brave lad, ?Suger had trailed after us carrying my shield and a few spears, so I readied my shield and moved quickly to close with Suger right behind me.

As we charged the giant, the beast ripped a tree the size of Valka from the ground for a weapon.  Sir Cedwyn was the first to reach the giant and the beast nearly landed a solid blow on him.  The knight countered  with a slash of his sword to the giant?s leg.  The creature roaring in fury, even though it?s thick hide appeared to absorb most of the blow.

Then Arne closed, his axe cutting deeply into giant?s hide.  Perhaps it was seeing the beast up close, Valka decided she needed more than a simple dagger and called out to Suger to throw her a spear.  And throw he did.  Sugar had thrown it with such accuracy Valka caught it without losing a step and drove it deep into the beast.

Now the giant was truly enraged Sir Cedwyn took the brunt of its fury.  The giant hit him with such force it sent him flying through the air and nearly knocking him out cold.  Undaunted by a flying knight, Arne took another swing, his axe biting even deeper than his first hit.  Despite the giant?s thick hide the warrior?s blow was powerful enough to stagger the creature.  Valka followed Arne?s attack with her spear, driving it deep and the giant slumped to the ground.  With the foul odor from its breath still in the air telling us it still lived one final stab made sure it would not rise again.
 
It was then that the old man stepped out, congratulating us and revealing that he was none other than Merlin himself.  The wizard knelt down and healed Cedwyn of his wounds and asked the four of us to follow.  Merlin walked further into the woods as a mist began to rise.  We knew not what lay beyond the mist, but we knew well enough not to deny a request by a wizard we followed and found ourselves in a place where everything seemed more alive.  Before we were able to fully get our bearings a warrior on horseback, covered in green slime and with swords in each hand was upon us.

Merlin asked us to deal with the warrior as he moved behind us.  It was then that the creature grew two more arms, these new limbs breaking off branches from a nearby tree to wield as clubs.  The battle was furious but it was also quick.  It was a strange creature to be sure, where blood would spill from a normal man, this creature bled foul smelling water.  And when it was over, no body remained for both man and beast, which we now noticed were one, dissolved into naught be a green slime.?

[OOC: I apologize for any grammatical errors, wanted to finally get something up.]

[GM Craig]

Sir Rodric starts out hesitant, hunting for words. Then Valka starts up with her drum to try and help Sir Rodric find his tempo, but they cannot seem to find a synchronous pace, and the whole story becomes even more disjointed.

Still, the Lindsey knights seem intrigued, and several of the ladies at the feast start fanning their throats with their kerchiefs amid heaving bosoms.

When the story reaches the point where the slime creature was finally defeated, Uther stands and brings the story to a halt.

Uther looks at the wizard. ?Merlin,? he says, ?Why were you at the lake that day??

Merlin rises. "My king. I attended the lake that day to speak to The Lady of the Lake, a powerful fae, and ask of her a boon. A sword, forged by faeries in the Land of Youth as a gift for their gods. As all here know, Britain is in turmoil. But as with Britain so with the land of Fae. I asked the Lady of the Lake if she might help restore both worlds to their rightful place. So she gave me the sword, to be entrusted with the rightful High King of Britain, that he may restore peace to both realms.?

Merlin pauses. "Behold the Sword of Legend, Excalibur!" Merlin pulls the sword from under his robes. The blade gleams with an inner light, gleaming in the smoky halls and dispelling all shadows. Merlin steps forward, reverses the blade, and hands it to the king.

Uther's hand closes over the hilt, and he raises the blade over his head. A bright light fills the hall, forcing all to turn their gaze from it. A moment later, the light fades, and Uther sheathes Excalibur with a flourish.

Duke Lindsey is sitting straight up in his chair by this time, as are his knights - indeed everyone in the Duke's court. They are all (some in spite of themselves) quite impressed, and you all clearly see that Lindsey looks at Uther with new respect.

Later that night, the mood among Uther's party is celebratory - it seems Lindsey had pledged his vote for High King to Uther.

[15 Glory for all for witnessing Lindsey's capitulation.]

As the night wears on, you are called to a meeting with Earl Roderick.

"Knights and warriors - the King's success with Lindsey has inspired him to send emissaries to other dukes and kings. In pursuit of that inspiration, the four of you will depart for Eburacum, and the realm of Malahut the Centurion King. Bring to him Uther's warm greeting, and invite him to join Uther here in Lindsey. You will be representatives of the King in this matter, so conduct yourselves accordingly."