The Dragon Rising: A Pendragon Solo campaign. Episode 9
Year 486 - Fall
Lady Sestia Flaccus
After a summer of fighting of Blesh raids from across the Gungarry river, Tremayne Harwis prepares to attend Lord Lytton’s fall feast at the court in Ironguarde.
Lord Titus Flaccus has been taken prisoner after leading an ill-fated charge against the usurpers who had taken his land.
The province of Stragoll has fallen and the lord killed by the Blesh King Osric.
Lord Lytton’s Hall, Ironguarde.
Unsurprisingly the main topic of conversation at court is the death of Lord Stragoll and the Blesh occupation of his lands.
As Tremayne entered the main hall with his mother, Sir Colan and his younger brother Kynan, conversations paused as people saw the group enter.
“Sir Tremayne, Lady Ava, welcome. Follow me please.” A young page waved them forward.
We’ll have a three-round feast.
First a roll against appearance.
Roll 1D20 (18): 11, a success.
Tremayne and his group are placed “near the salt”.
The feast began with plates of parsley bread and the attendees settled in as the mead and ale began to flow. As the first course was cleared Lord Lytton banged his tankard on the table, a hush fell across the hall.
“Welcome my people.” His voice boomed.
For several minutes he waxed lyrical about the failed attack on Southern Staune Dries with Lord Titus and the Blesh attacks from across the Gungarry.
“Which now brings me to a most pleasant task.” He scanned the hall, “Sir Tremayne, please come forward.”
With all eyes upon him, Tremayne made his way to the dais of the high table. He went to one knee and looked up at Lord Lytton.
“Sir Tremayne Harwis, for your efforts in securing our northern border and repelling the Blesh menace, I raise you up to the rank of Lord in your fathers place, may the gods bless Gussig’s memory.” Lytton glanced around the hall. “I also hereby grant you the title, Warden of the River lands and the manors of Brackenbrook and Riverwood.”.
A buzz of hushed voices echoed around the hall as the news washed over the crowd. Tremayne was sure he heard a few chuckles and guffaws mixed into the noise.
“I accept these titles and thank my lord.” He said solemnly as he rose and stood looking up at the high table.
Lord Lytton nodded, “It is done, let us feast!”
The cheers echoed from the rafters.
As he made his way back to his table Sir Tyrholt Merdith leaned back from his seat, “I hope you enjoy your new manors Harwis.” He chuckled and grinned at several of his drinking companions who joined in the laughter.
Confused Tremayne sat beside his mother, “Why is Merdith mocking me for gaining manors? “
Lady Ava sipped from her goblet, “Those manors were pillaged and left barren.”
Let’s test Tremayne modest v proud on that news.
Roll 1D20(9): 8, a success. Now to test proud as an opposed roll.
Roll 1D20(11): 16, a failure.
“And Tyrholt Merdith sees that as something to gloat over?” Tremayne chuckled, “Idiot, land is the value, not the buildings and peasants.”
Lady Ava smiled and patted his arm, “Exactly my son, you see things more clearly than some.”
We’ll give Tremaye 100 glory for the new title. He now has 1988 glory total.
Now we’ll start the feast proper and draw some cards.
Round 1.
“Merrily did he run!” - An entertainer mocks one of your distinguishing features in his song.
Roll modest v proud.
Roll 1D20(Modest 9): 19, a failure. Roll 1D20(Proud 11), 15, a failure.
We’ll say Tremayne grits his teeth and smiles.
+1 geniality for the round.
A wandering musician has made his way into the hall and was winding his way around the tables. His songs and verses poked fun at various lower ranked knights who deal with the mockery. Until the singer launched into a verse of the lord with the long braids who is mistaken for a bear. Tremayne realized the song seems to be an uncomfortably close description of him, especially when members of the Merdith faction begin laughing uproariously.
He clenched his fist and began to rise only for Lady Ava to gently touch his arm and give a slight shake of her head causing him to sink back into his seat, cheeks flaming.
Round 2.
Holy Blessing - It seems you are blessed by higher powers. Keep this card and automatically succeed any test. If you have this card at the end of the feast, you get 15 glory.
+1 geniality for the round. (2)
Gwaelod appeared a little later in the evening, an older druid trailing behind him. As they approached the table of the Harwis faction the old man rushed forward and sank to his knees.
“Mae bendigedig, mae bendigedig.” The older man proclaimed as he grabbed Tremayne’s hand and placed it gently against his own forehead. The young lord didn’t pull away but looked at Gwaelod in confusion.
Gwaelod smiled back, “Evan, sees great things in you Tremayne.”
Conversation faded around them as more feast goers watched the exchange. Approving nods and whispered blessings filled the hall.
With a somewhat childish satisfaction Tremayne noticed the angry and jealous glances the Merdith group was sending his way. He grinned in spite of himself.
Round 3.
A local knight mentions having trouble with bandits.
Roll against hunting.
Roll 1D20 (6): 12, a failure. Tremayne offers advice but the knight disagrees.
As the feast stretched into the late evening, Tremayne accepted toasts and congratulations from many knights and minor lordlings. One such knight has approached him needing advice in handling raiders on his lands.
“Well Sir Magorix, I would suggest you ask your lord for some men to rid your lands of these bandits.”
The tall, blond knight nodded slowly, “My lord, I wish it was so easy. My Lord of Lestana is sick and has been for many months.”
“Lestana? What brings you down to Lytton?”
Sir Magorix had the grace to look embarrassed. “As I have said my lord is sick and his son is but ten and five. The marshal of Lestana, Sir Selwyn, rules in the prince’s stead until he reaches an age of maturity.”
Tremayne leaned forward, “And this is the lord who refuses to help you?”
Sir Magorix nodded, “It is my lord and there is nothing I can do about it.”
“That my friend is a problem. Your lord should support you in times like these.” The young lord replied. “I will see if I can help you.”
“My lord is too kind.” Sir Magorix said, a relieved look on his face.
Let’s try an awareness roll for Tremayne.
Roll1D20(7): 7, a crit!
Leaning back in his chair Tremayne gaze settled on the table of noble guests, just below the dais of the high table. An attractive blond woman laughed at the comment from a passing knight and motioned to a servant standing behind her chair.
Tremayne started with surprise as Ella leaned forward and refilled the woman’s goblet. He reached into his pouch and absently ran his fingers around the rough edges of the silver coin; she had given him. Ella finished pouring the drink and glanced at Tremayne, she leaned in and whispered to the blond woman, who in turn looked at him.
As he finished his drink, Tremayne got to his feet but paused as he saw the blond woman give a slight shake of her head. Puzzled he sat back down, noting the smile he got from the blond woman.
Lady Ava leaned across and patted his arm, “If only your father could see you now.” She said with a smile.
Tremayne nodded and smiled back, “I miss him.”
“We all do.” She replied, wetness glistened in her eyes.
Tremayne looked for Sir Colan and called him over.
“Who is that blond woman?” He motioned to the table near the dais.
“That is the sister of Sir Marcellus, Lady Sestia Flaccus. She is here to gather support for him. Why do you ask my Lord?” The old warrior asked.
Tremayne shrugged, “No reason.” He replied, his eyes never leaving the beautiful woman’s face.
I don't trust her.
The coin from a beautiful woman can only mean trouble coming for young Tremayne.