[Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Pendragon: Tales of Chivalry and Sorcery is the place to go if you want to play Pendragon. Cpt._Funkotron will be your GM, with assistance from CarrieVS.

Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby CarrieVS » Sun Jan 21, 2018 1:19 am

Miles looks rather daunted as he goes off in the Prince's wake. Eliver gives him an encouraging smile as he looks back at them, trying not to appear disappointed. Of course he'd like for Miles to be spending the evening with him rather than Princes and Bishops, but this recognition is no more than he deserves, and he's pleased and proud for him.

El is left to wander about the staggeringly vast city - it seems several times larger than Sarum. Persidius will be sorry to have missed such a spectacle. As many other knights are doing, he disposes of the spoils of the campaign so far in the market, though he keeps back Elaine's sword, hoping to give it back to her when they meet again. Not the rest of her gear: even if it wouldn't invite comment to carry a set of Saxon battle gear all the way back to Salisbury, he has no particular desire to see her dressed in it again.

He does his best to put his sister out of his mind. There is nothing he can do for her yet, and she is a strong and capable knight. She must have some standing amongst the Saxons, too, to have been not only trusted to fight alongside them but to do so in the dress and manner of one of their nobles. She has managed this long, she will look after herself for a few more weeks.

Flush with ready money, he continues to look around the market, but aside from indulging his taste for sweetmeats finds nothing he particularly desires to buy.

For the most part, it's a pleasant week. Although Miles spends his evenings and nights in more exalted company, he passes the days in the town with Eliver. El also finds the time to visit the abbey and ask after Terrwyn, who is recovering well, and in the evenings Miles may not be there, nor his closest friends, but Elspeth, Pamigen, and young Leiryn are not bad company. To say nothing of new faces - whether other knights from Madoc's army, or any of the better-off inhabitants of the city who seem friendly or interested, Eliver is not one to scorn a new acquaintance.

By the end of the week, though, the sights of Venta are beginning to become commonplace, and he is chafing to be off again.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:31 am

Venta

Sir Miles accompanies Sir Madoc and his eight knights to a stately manse not far from the cathedral, laid in stone with small glass windows and crowned with a tile roof. It is arranged in a hollow square with a garden courtyard in the middle. Each side of the building is as large or larger than Mile's own manor hall at Wylye. A burly slave greets them at the door and permits them entry. Roman slavery is still very much the norm in the south and east. The knights wait a short while in the atrium, a large waiting room with four columns around the center painted with vines. They marvel for a while at the intricate mosaic tilework in the walls and floors. A cymric knight and a roman knight examine one section, along the widest uninterrupted patch of wall, depicting scenes from the Iliad. Prince Aeneas of Troy, the father of the roman people, is nowhere to be seen. Also missing is his grandson Brutus, the first King of Britain, who banished the faeries and giants to the deep forests and the high mountains. "Figures a roman wouldn't honor King Brutus" says the Cymric. "Lord Bishop Andronicus not a Roman, he's a Greek. That's why he's left out Aeneas". They begin arguing over which omission was a greater offence. No one present is sufficiently well read to know that the mosaic ends where it ought to, at the funeral of Hector, and that neither the sack of Troy, nor the founding of Rome by Aeneas, or the conquest of Britain by Brutus, was featured at all in the text, that the first was featured in the Odyssey, the second in the Aeneid, and the third only in oral tradition and popular folklore. Not knowing any of this, but thinking to argue from great authority, this debate continues to storm for a fair while as the others wait quietly. Finally, Madoc, no better educated than they but quite fed up, says "Oh, stop your bickering, you're worse than Cain and Abel", it's possible that he includes this allusion to pass himself as more learned than he has right to, as it's more than likely the only such biblical story he knows, "it's clear as day that the artist ran out of room before it could finish, look there, the city's still standing. Troy burned, everyone knows that." he says with a scoff. There is a general hum of consensus, and the dispute is mollified.

A moment later, the lady of the house enters and bids them welcome. She is a handsome woman, even Miles can admit, a slim creature not even twenty, pale-skinned , lithely limbed, and red-haired. She wears an elegant stola, the traditional garb of a roman matron, but as soon as she opens her mouth, Miles can discern an Irish accent. She is Lady Rhianneth, wife of the bishop. The Prince introduces himself, and Miles notices almost immediately that the Pince has taken notice of her beuaty as well, and indeed looking at how she looks at him, the feeling is returned. Although Miles had only eyes for Eliver these days, he had noticed the Prince's rugged good looks in the past, the permanent shadow of his father's beard, pronounced cheekbones, eyes not tortuous to look at, in fact although he shared enough key features with his father to prove the blood relation, Madoc's handsomeness was evidently a product more of Uther's famous taste for beautiful women than fatherly inheritance, for as has been whispered by court gossips of nearly any court, the King can be more likened in appearance and behavior to a lecherous troll than a dashing knight. The intersecting sight-lines of their come-hither eyes are subtle, and layered beneath the traditional formalities, had Miles not been paying perfect attention at the right moment, he would have assuredly missed it.

Rianneth leads them through the house. Miles can see out into the courtyard that the knights of the bishop are using the garden lawn to spar with eachother, if he needed any reminder that the Bishop was as much a secular lord as a religious leader; a baron of the cloth. Each guest is given their own small bedroom, with a feather bed, a hanging lamp, a coal-burning brazier for warmth, and a wooden tub for bathing. Slaves file in and out of the guests rooms bringing hot water for the bath, under Lady Rhianneth's anticipation that the adventurers would need to wash and relax after so long at see and so many battles. Once the water has been brought for Mile's room, his squire Diane, Terwynn's sister, dismisses them and insists on handling it herself. "Shouldn't trust slaves too far, Sir" she reasons as she undresses him, like she's done several times before, an ordinary routine. But something seems different this time, he notices. Her cheeks seemed a little pinker than usual. The way she sent the slave away said something deeper than her words, it was almost possessive.

In the evening, they are all summoner down for versperna, supper, in the dining room. They all lie front-facing on sofas in a semicricle as they eat, in the roman fashion. The food is exquisite, more sumptuous even than one of Roderick's feasts, rich with sugar and exotic spices. Through polite conversation, they learn that Rhianneth is a daughter of Gilliomanus, a petty Irish king who attempted to invade Logres and crown Paschent, a son of "The Tyrant Vortigern and his Saxon Whore [sic] Rowena, daughter of Old Hengest", as its king seven years ago. As part of the truce won by then-prince Uther at the battle of Menevia, she was given over as a hostage as a young girl to the court of the Pendragon, where she remained until last year when her hand in marriage was awarded to Bishop Andronicus, for his services to the crown. She rebukes her father's foolishness in trying to depose the right and proper king.

The next evening, the Bishop himself arrives. His Grace the Bishop Andronicus of Venta looks like the last sort of person who would fit that title. He is of square jaw, wide slumping shoulders, height on level with Miles. He is not dressed like a holy man but like a Baron, toga excepting. There is good reason why he is called "The Bishop of the Mace". He is truly neither Roman nor Greek by birth, but Cappodocian, hailing from the eastern-most frontier of Anatolia (Turkey) . Even after being ordained into the priesthood, he took great pride in leading his own men in battle and slaying his enemies by the strength of his own arm. By a clever legal loophole, he is permitted to do this by canon law. A priest is forbidden to bear the blade, but the canon is decidedly silent on the subject of maces. Of course many clerics live in ignorance or unspoken defiance of current doctrine and carry swords anyway, but Andronicus makes a point of being proper in all things. The Holy Father in Rome thought that by assigning Andronicus to a British bishopric, that the near-constent sleeting rain might cool his fiery spirits, but the deployment has given him nothing more than saxons to slay, wealth to wage war with, warlords to compete with, and most recently a pretty young wife to enjoy. He couldn't be jollier.

The conversation is of course dominated by the raids. Madoc regales Andronicus of his own exploits, of taking the hand of Old Hengest himself, and setting fire to three fleets. Andronicus, delighted, toasts Madoc and vows to accompany him to set fire to the fourth. At one point the subject turns to Sir Miles of Wylye, and his heroic leap and double impalement while one of his arms was barely in his socket, and how it rallied his shipmates to conter-board and massacre an enemy crew twice their number. Bishop Andronicus raises his wine to Sir Miles 'Excelsior' as he calls him, and the others follow suit. "One condition on my involvement in this venture, my Prince" says Andronicus, in an aside. "What's that?" answers Madoc. "I want to be in the same ship as him" laughs Andronicus.

The next night, late after dinner, Miles finds himself unable to sleep. He climbs out of bed, careful not to disturb Diane on her bedroll as he does so, and begins wandering the house. He comes to the garden, and hears hushed voices. Acting before thinking, he conceals himself behind a pillar and listens. It's undoubtedly the Prince and the Lady. In not so many words, she seems to be trying to seduce him, and he trying to resist her for the sake of propriety. A minute later, it sounds as if she's won. Miles is in far too deep now, if he moves away he fears being spotted for an eavesdropper. Suddenly, he hears a noise behind him, and sees the hulking figure of the Bishop in his night gown carrying an oil lamp ambling down the hall towards the courtyard, no doubt looking for his wife. Miles may be in a position to halt him somehow if he thinks and acts quickly.

EDIT: Fuuuuck, that was way longer than I meant it to be.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Kivutar » Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:41 pm

Miles is frozen with horror for a moment. What should he do? He can't help but feel sympathy for the lovers - Rhianneth was so young, and how could she love the ill-tempered older man?

He has to warn them and stop the Bishop. He turns around and steps into the hall, coming face to face with the huge cleric.

Miles pretends to startle. "Oh! I beg your pardon - " Curses. Now he must address the Bishop. "- your Excellency." (was that right?) "My wound was troubling me, and I found I couldn't sleep."

The Bishop furrows his brows, and Miles tries to think fast. What did Christians do? If the Bishop were a Druid, he would ask about healing magic. Had Persidius ever said anything about Christian magic? He'd heard him lecturing Eliver once or twice, using tales of "saints" who worked wonders. Persidius could talk about them for hours, or what felt like it. Maybe the Bishop could be distracted by religious questions?

"Your Excellency," he began again. "I have prayed to all of my gods to ease this pain, and it was no use. Walking in your garden, just now, the thought came to me that your Christian god might be more helpful. How does one pray to your god, your Excellency?"
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Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."

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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:06 pm

He holds up the lamp to Mile's face to see clearly. "Ah, Exelsior, didn't see you there. Walk with me a while, would you?" They pass into the garden and it seems that Mile's ploy has worked, that the lovers heard him and took their chance to scatter. "It's good you should take interest in these things, not just for your arm but for your mortal soul. The heathen gods have no true power you see, only the true God, almighty creator of the heaven and the earth, can give blessing. The druids and priestesses are all either charlatans or devils you know, sent by the great adversary to deceive us and tempt us to sin." Before long, Miles finds himself agreeing to be baptized in the morning to keep up his deception. At least he will now be co-religious with his beloved Eliver now. They walk to the kitchen and find lady Rhianneth there, in her nightgown, eating grapes. She was apparently struck with a midnight hunger. Andronicus bids Miles good night and escorts his wife back to bed.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Kivutar » Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:11 pm

Miles listens politely and ask some questions, but inside he grows more and more horrified. This has gotten well out of hand.

He recalls Eliver once, in a rare darker mood, telling him about what Christians called Hell, and what acts got one sent there. He'd put his arms around his lover and tried to laugh it off, silently cursing this foreign religion that frightened Eliver needlessly.

Besides, the Bishop is now talking about martyrs and saints, and it dawns on Miles that he really would be expected to use a new name. By the time the Bishop suggests "Polycarp", he has definitely had enough. No one will ever call him Polycarp.

"Your Excellency," he says "All of this is new and strange to me. When I return to Salisbury, I will ask Bishop Roger for further instruction, and have him baptize me in the cathedral there."

And by the time they return, he thinks, everyone will have forgotten. Even if not, he will simply refuse to go through with it.

By all the gods, if Madoc is not grateful for this...
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Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."

Hosea 3:1
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:57 pm

"Hmpf. As you wish. However, if you fall in Nohaut without the divine grace of Christ, don't come crawling out of perdition to complain to ME about it, eh?"
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Kivutar » Mon Jan 22, 2018 1:46 am

Miles escapes with relief. This will be an adventure to tell Eliver, all right. If only Eliver could be here with him...

He is so preoccupied with that thought that he very nearly trips over Dianne. He is alarmed, but relieved when she continues snoring. Very good, she needs sleep. She'd seemed a little flushed earlier, and he hopes she isn't ill.

Miles goes to sleep with his head in a whirl from all the goings-on. The sooner they leave - luxurious though this place is - the better.
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Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."

Hosea 3:1
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:46 am

Lincoln Castle

Roderick casts a solemn sidelong glance to make sure that his grace the duke of Lindsey is no longer in sight, then looks back to Persidius, cracks a smile and begins to laugh like he hasn't laughed in years, a hooping hollering harmony of jollity. He pitches forward and has to lean a hand against the young Roman to keep his balance. After what feels like a solid minute, he finally calms down a bit to right himself. "So the stubborn fool was hiding after all. I'faith lad, you've set the embassy off to rather a sour start, but I wouldn't bargain a sodden sesterce that he makes a public case of it, in front of all the barons here and the King no less! He'd have keel over in embarrassment. Look at you Caius, not even a scratch, m'boy, I hope Sir Bleddyn didn't take all the glory for himself!" He claps Persidius on the back, and beckons for Bleddyn to come join them. "Barleyfield, there's some dark ale waiting for you in the hall, not as good as your wife makes I know, but Lindsey can only do as well as Lindsey can. I expect you'll have to give him a few of the horses back in bloodmoney, but leave the politics with me and go enjoy yourselves. Eat some roast meat, drink some spiced wines, find some sweet wenches, when I get back I want to hear all about it."

Bleddyn and Persidius are both shown seats below but near the salt, that is at as close to the high table that the lower tables get, a position of respect.

As per The Book of Feasts, which I just bought, there are five things your characters can do at a feast. Pick 1.

1.) Draw a Card: The Book has 155 event cards, from which I will randomly pick. The more glorious the character, the more feast cards you can draw per round. Persidius can draw 2, whereas Bleddyn can only draw 1.
2.) Gossip: Roll intrigue to either find out what most people are generally talking about, or try to find new information on something or someone specific.
3.) Indulge: Focus on the food and spirits. Roll either Temperate or Indulgent. A successful temperate means you are eating and drinking sparingly, primarily making sure that everyone else has enough to eat and that they get to try everything, a courtesy appreciated by your table-mates. On a successful indulgent, you eat, drink, and become merry, which is taken as a compliment to the host, but may result in drunkenness.
4.) Flirt: One might flirt to simply have fun and pass the time, they might want to try to spark a romance, or they might hope to find a passing squire or servant (male or female) to have a roll in the hay with.
5.) Gaming: Play a board or dice game with someone, in the vein of checkers or backgammon generally. You can play for fun and props, or more commonly you can gamble.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby sunglasses » Wed Jan 24, 2018 2:04 pm

I'll draw a card
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:43 pm

Card 78: A Maiden in Distress.

As Bleddyn is enjoying his beer, he looks down the table and sees a young unchaperoned maiden being harried by an amorous and handsy knight. No one else notices or cares enough to say anything, but Bleddyn feels he ought to. (Courtesy Roll: Failed). He only manages to stutter half-way through his second sentence when the knight shoves him aside sharply, telling him to mind his own business. This affront is easily grounds for a duel to first blood if Bleddyn wants one.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby sunglasses » Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:28 pm

Am I healed up? Dear god, tell me if I'm still half dead before I do something fool hardy and duel this dude.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:41 pm

He's 15/25 HP. It would be a duel to first blood, meaning fist person to deal a wound of 1 or more,
not to the death.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Ladki96 » Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:57 pm

you can do it sunny! go spear him! er, he can go spear right funk? what's the spear skill of this knight?
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:23 pm

Ladki96 wrote:you can do it sunny! go spear him! er, he can go spear right funk? what's the spear skill of this knight?


Yes, he can use his spear. However, the prowess of Sir Nunyadamnbysnesse is at present shrouded in mystery.
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Re: [Pendragon RP] 487 Adventure - "Sword of Victory"

Postby sunglasses » Wed Jan 24, 2018 7:08 pm

"S-sir, y-you a-are b-being m-most un-uncouth. I-I, Bl-bleddyn of B-barleyfield, ch-challenge y-you t-to a d-duel. I-I m-may st-stutter w-with m-my sp-speech b-but I-I d-do n-not st-stutter w-with m-my sp-spear!"


Bleddyn doth challenges the handsy fella to a duel
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