The Dragon Rising: A Pendragon Solo campaign. Episode 2
Year 485 - Winter, part 2.
Lady Ava Harwis
Lord Gussig, our hero Tremayne’s father died on campaign and was buried less than two weeks ago.
Lady Ava, his widow is planning on asking the King to allow them to keep an estate that was bequeathed to Sir Gussig for heroism in battle.
The King has just arrived at Ironguarde for the feast as he is making the rounds to shore up support after a protracted and very bloody war with the barbarian tribes of Priad Besh.
I’ll be using the Book of Feasts for all the.. feasts.
So first is the APP (appearance) roll. Tremayne has 18 (sexy bastard) Roll 1D20: 19, a failure (well shit)
So Tremayne’s seat is “below the salt”. Below the Salt: There is normally no shame in being seated below the salt for the average knight or lady, and the majority of Gamemaster character guests will be seated here. Here far from the high table, food is a little colder and the salt a little coarser—but, some would argue, there is much more fun to be had.
Lady Ava’s APP (16). Roll 1D20: 6, a success. She is seated “near the salt” or near the high table of the hosting Lord.
As a large feast it has four rounds. The first course (round) is Swan neck pudding.
Our card for the first round of the feast is “Dangerous Game”.
Several young knights play a rather dangerous game with knives. They ask Tremayne to join in.
Taking a deep drink of the sweet mead, Tremayne watched his mother politely rebuff yet another suitor at the table just below the dais where Lord Roderick Lytton nervously watched the main door of hall. A widow with lands was a prize indeed he noted with irritation.
He muttered a curse as someone barged against him causing him to spill some mead. He stood and turned ready with a colorful curse to throw at the offender.
“Balin!” He grinned at the young man smiling back at him. “What’s this?” He asked in mock horror and tugged at the goatee of the other knight.
“Careful, you unwashed oaf.” Balin stepped back out of reach and made a show stroking his obviously new growth. “And that’s Sir Balin to you peasant.”
“You’ve got something on your face.” Tremayne chuckled.
“And the girls love it.” Balin countered.
Tremayne pulled him onto a rough embrace, “It’s good to see you.”
Laughing Balin pulled away, “Come on, lets make some money.”
Tremayne grinned and followed his friend through the crowd to a table further down the hall, away from the prying eyes of the higher lords and ladies.
“Knives? Really Balin.” He muttered as they joined a group of young knights already noisily engaged in a game.
“Easy money, you old maid.” His friend replied with a wink and a grin.
They watched as two of the knights spread their fingers on the table and proceeded to stick a dagger between each finger going faster and faster until they had completed three passes and the quickest knight stepped back, his arms held aloft in triumph.
After several games Tremayne had beaten all comers bar one. He looked at his smirking opponent with ill concealed dislike.
“Ha, Tremayne is all that’s left? This should be simple.” The dark haired man sneered.
“That’s Sir Tremayne to you Tyrholt.” The young knight snapped back.
“Sir Tremayne? You look like a fucking Blesh.” He said with a chuckle.
“They must be knighting just about everyone.” Tyrholt replied with a chuckle. “Come on then Harwis, let’s win that money of yours.”
Not bothering to respond to the jibe Tremayne stepped up to the table, spread his fingers and looked up at his antagonist. “Ready?”
Tyrholt didn’t reply, just stepped up to the table and began sticking the dagger between his fingers.
With a muttered curse Tremayne followed suit, quickly trying to catch up.
As the daggers blurred and the gathered crowd of young knights shouted and cheered. Tremayne moved the dagger faster and faster until the final pass and the dagger thumped down into the table. The gasps of the onlookers gave Tremayne the first idea that something was wrong. Then the pain lanced up from his hand.
Roll dagger skill (5). Roll 1 D20: 18 a failure. He wounds his hand (2 damage).
“Ah ha I win!” Tyrholt shouted in excitement as Tremayne watched the blood drip from his injured hand.
“It had to be him didn’t it. “ Tremayne complained.
“Ignore him, he’s an ass.” Balin replied as they moved back towards their tables just as the servants began to serve the second course.
“I hear they put your father in the ground finally.”
Tremayne spun around as Balin put a hand on his arm, “Leave him, it’s not worth it.”
Tyrholt stood there a smug grin on his face, “I heard it was the whores disease, typical of a Harwis not to die like a warrior.”
The slap took him by surprise and staggered him back a step.
He wiped his mouth and came away with blood on his hand.
“Bastard.” He hissed just in time to catch Tremayne’s fist with his jaw.
As he picked himself up off the floor of the hall, several of the young knights began pushing and shoving.
“Enough! Are you pups in your cups already? Stop or I’ll throw you out with the dogs myself.”
Lord Roderick Lytton stood at the main table glowering at them all. Sheepishly the young men filed back to their seats.
So that sets up a potential antagonist for the future.
Let’s draw the card for the second round.
Awkward Conversation: Another guest engages you on a topic you know little about. (Singing: Skill 4) Guest is Elizabet. Roll 1D6 on a 6 she is from one of the noble families. And we get a 6!
Elizabet Lytton is a niece of Lord Roderick.
Singing skill check. Roll 1D20: 8, a failure.
Is Elizabet flirting with Tremayne? (Likely) Roll 2D6: 1/5, No.
Has she been sent to delay Tremayne so he can’t accompany his mother to ask the king for the estate? 50/50 Roll 2D6: 2/3 No.
Elizabet just happens to be sat next to Tremayne and tries to engage him in a subject she is passionate about.
Tremayne slumped down in his chair and reached for a cup of mead.
“Is your hand alright?” A voice beside him piped up.
He glanced over to see a pretty girl of about fifteen looking at his bandaged hand with concern.
He smiled awkwardly, “We were playing knives, I lost.”
“Does it hurt?”
“A little.” He admitted.
“My names Elizabet and you are Lord Tremayne.” She said smiling shyly.
“Just Tremayne, I’m not used to the Lord part just yet.” He said blushing slightly in spite of himself.
“Do you sing?” Elizabet asked suddenly, “I love to sing.”
Tremayne shook his head and smiled, “My singing voice is like a goose farting in the wind.”
The young girl giggled not sure what to make of his reply.
Out the corner of his eye Tremayne noticed a commotion at the high table, his mother was standing in front of the assembled lords and Lord Lytton was standing and pointing at her in none too friendly a manner.
Is Ava Hrwis able to secure a private audience with the King before he departs? (Unlikely) Roll 2D6: 3/6. No and… Lord Lytton becomes aware of what is going on.
Is she able to make the request in the open during the feast before the King leaves? (Likely) Roll 2D6: Yes and…the King overrules Lord Lytton’s objections and hears the plea.
“Your grace, this is not the place for such a request.” Lord Lytton exclaimed, his face flushed red.
Ava Harwis scowled at Lytton, “Your Grace, I know your time is limited and I wanted to speak to you privately but this is the only place I am able to talk to you.”
King Adeon Beaumont looked from Lytton and back to Ava, the grease from the drumstick running down his hand.
“I will hear you out Lady Harwis, it’s the least I can do for your husband’s memory.”
Adeon will roll a test of prudent (4) Roll 1D20: 11, a failure.
Tremayne made his way up to the high table and stood beside his mother.
“Ah you look like your father.” Adeon smiled at Tremayne.
“Your grace, this is not how its done.” Lytton blustered.
“Be silent Roderick.” Adeon said quietly. “ I saw you punch that Mirdeth boy.” He chuckled, “I’m glad to see my new knights have some fire in their bellies.
Now to test reckless (16) Roll 1D20: 8, a success and King Adeon grants the request to keep the manor in the Harwis family.
King Adeon tugged on his beard thoughtfully, “I need loyalty, we have a hard fight ahead of us.”
“Your grace, it’s my land.” Roderick Lytton put in.
“It’s my land, Lytton. All of it.” Adeon snapped at him.
He turned back to Ava and Tremayne, “You can keep the land.” He stood and raised his arms, “I hereby grant the estate of Thornbriar to House Harwis in perpetuity.”
A cheer erupted from the assembled crowd and mugs were banged on the table in a noisy show of approval.
Tremayne grinned as he looked around the hall and glanced at his mother. The smile died on his lips as he saw her staring at Lord Lytton.
Does the King still leave to visit another noble holding? 50/50
Roll 2D6: 6/6. Yes and… calls Tremayne over to him before he leaves.
Tremayne walked away from the high table, helping his mother from the dais.
“Harwis!”
He turned to see King Adeon beckoning him.
“Yes, your grace?”
Adeon leaned down and quietly said, “It took courage for you and your mother to ask for that land.” He paused and glanced back up at the high table.
Lord Lytton pretended not to see them.
“Be careful, you have insulted a great lord.” The king said quietly, “If you can hold your lands I may have use for you.” With that he stepped away and was soon gone into the night with his retinue of knights.
Time to draw the third and last card of the feast.
A man for all seasons: You impress other guests with your consummate knowledge.
House Harwis is known for their falconry, both in knowledge and skill.
Once the chatter about the king awarding them the land has subsided, Tremayne is approached by an older knight with a question concerning his favorite hawk and the fact that Tremayne has a knowledgeable reputation.
Roll 1D20 against his falconry skill (13) : 2, a success. Tremayne gains +2 geniality for sharing his knowledge.
After nerding out for almost an hour with his new friend Sir Amorgil, Lady Ava appears at Tremayne’s side.
“I’m tired, we need to go.”
Tremayne gains 90 glory.
With that the feast is over and we’ll go into the winter phase.
Really enjoying looking forward to the next issue.
Excellent write up! I really like the inclusion of mechanics and commentary with the story. I've had a look at Pendragon and felt overwhelmed but interested in the mechanics. Seems like you have a solid grasp - and for a solo campaign no less!