The Dragon Rising: A Pendragon Solo campaign. Episode 15
Year 487 - Fall
The combined forces of the Sochian military have defeated the Blesh forces that took control of the province of Stragoll. King Adeon has installed the son, Odos, of the previous now deceased Earl. The Blesh have retreated completely and fled back over the border. Tremayne is back home and about to get some disturbing news from Gwaelod the druid.
The murder of crows took flight and wheeled around the group shrieking wildly. Tremayne watched the flock with concern, a bad omen perhaps?
Gwaelod watched the birds as they wheeled and flew off directly west out over the river. “By the Gods, it’s happening.”
“What is?” The young lord asked in confusion.
“The bones, I have seen it in the bones.” The druid looked at them, fear plainly etched across his face.
“The Demiurge.” He whispered.
We’ll make a merciful v cruel roll here for Tremayne.
Roll 1D20(7): 6, a success for merciful.
Roll 1D20(13): 2, a success for cruel.
Merciful wins.
Tremayne looked at the druid curiously, making sure not to grin. “The Demiurge? My nanny used to tell me the stories when I was a child.”
“The bones tell me he’s waking.” The druid whispered, his voice husky with fear. “We must perform an Alban Alfed.”
The fine drizzle continued to fall as the afternoon sunlight slipped away into the early evening. Tremayne and Lady Ava knelt in the middle of a ring of standing stones, before a rough wooden altar. Gwaelod, dressed in his druidic robes stood before them, holding a wooden bowl high above his head.
“By the power of the Taladorn, I mark you.” He reached down and put a stroke of blood on their foreheads.
“Gods of Taladorn hear our prayers.” They intoned together as Gwaelod stepped back to the altar.
Out the corner of his eye Tremayne saw a faint grey mist issue out of the standing stones that surrounded them.
“What is going on?” He hissed.
“The Gods are with us!” Gwaelod shouted.
We’ll have Tremayne make a spiritual check.
Roll 1D20(12): 7, a success.
A sharp wind picked up and whipped their cloaks around as the druid chanted, his voice rising into a crescendo.
“Oh Gods of Taladorn give us your blessings!”
Tremayne squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to risk seeing any of the spirits cavorting around them.
Suddenly he felt an overwhelming sensation of warmth and pressure around his shoulders. He let out a shuddering sigh as the warmth enveloped him.
As quickly as it began it was over.
The mist dissipated, the wind dropped and Tremayne stole a look at his mother. Her chin was raised and a contented smile played across her face.
“We have been blessed!” Gwaelod crowed happily.
Shakily the young lord got to his feet and helped Lady Ava up.
“That was….” He struggled to find the words.
“Intense.” She finished for him.
He nodded and glanced back at the druid, Gwaelod stood with his hands folded over his stomach, a big smile on his face and looking very much like the cat who had got the cream.
King Adeon is returning to Andanse, the capital of Sochia, in a triumphant return after defeating the Blesh army.
Does he want to throw a victory feast? Let’s test his proud trait.
Roll 1D20(12): 11, a success.
He will throw a big victory feast and invite all the Earls in celebration.
A quick test on dislike/suspicion of House Harwis to see if Earl Lytton doesn’t take Tremayne.
Roll 1d20(2): 20, a fumble. Tremayne is seen as a rising start from the battle and Lytton makes sure he goes and uses him to make him look good. Lytton’s dislike score drops to 1.
As summer moves into fall, harvests across the Lytton lands either fail or give a poor yield. At Laverstock rodents and birds are ravaging the fields.
Tremayne and Kynan are out in the fields hawking and trying to reduce the rodent infestation using their falconry skill.
Roll 1D20 (13): 4, a success.
The harvest for Laverstock is poor instead of failing.
Invitations to the victory feast are sent out and delegations from each of the provinces who supported the king arrive in Andanse to celebrate their victory over the Blesh forces.