The Great Pendragon Campaign

[Arctic Blast]

"To be honest, I'm not really sure what the right thing is in this case. Seems a bit odd to take them in after we let their friend run off in to the woods."

[Toonces]

Old Garr: "Well, I didn't want to say anything, but it did seem a bit odd lettin' that fella go and all.  Usually you sirs always haul 'em away to spend a lil' time in ye ole dungeon.  Still, you're still young squires.  I suppose your master won't bother himself too much over a couple of good-for-nothin's as these here rascals.  Might be you have to empty a few chamber pots around the nobles a bit, though....ha!  Noble chamber pots!"

Old Garr starts laughing to himself.  You can tell he is trying not to, but the thought of you explaining your letting go one bandit while bringing the other two in clearly is too amusing to hold in...

Old Garr:  "I can always hold 'em here, have 'em till fields or somethin' for a bit.  Little cow shit might humble 'em a bit and who knows, earning a bit of honest coin might bring 'em into the Lord's grace...."

[Barthheart]

After a long deliberation and looking a little sheepish Godric says
"Well Pastor I think it might be best for all involved if you were to make these two work off their penence here for your village as these fine folk are the ones who've been wronged.
As for the other one..... well... I'll figure something out..." 

[Staggerwing]

When the others have drifted slightly out of earshot Maelgwyn turns to Godric.
  (quietly)"This 'embarrassment' of ours is still only a short ride away and on foot. He will need at least another hour to make it to the village. As I have made no promises and am not bound in my actions *quite* the same way you are I can be off after him and put to rest this matter quickly. Afterwards we needs never speak of it again..."
Maelgwyn look Godric directly in the eyes.
  "You needs not allow or disallow it. Thus no blame on shall fall on you. If you choose to rejoin the others without another word I will be off. I can make my return before the next mealtime."
He waits to see what Godric will do.

[Barthheart]

Godric steadily returns Maelgwyn's hard gaze and places a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I am will to bare full responsiblilty for this.... transgression. I am confident that God will judge the miss guided sole and myself fairly. There is no need for any further actions in this.
Come, let us feast with the others and enjoy this night."

[Toonces]

With that, the three of you bid goodbye to Old Garr, and the villagers of Imber who have seen you off.  You note that Old Garr and some of the villagers have filled your saddle bags with a noontime meal of cheeses and (stale) bread, and a bit of mead left over from the previous night's festivities.  You feel overwhelmingly good about the entire experience, and it hardens your resolve to serve your knights and your good Earl to the best of your abilities.

The ride back to Vagon Castle takes the better part of the day.  You arrive back in triumph in the late afternoon, having stopped for a time to enjoy your mid-day snack and enjoy the peacefulness of the countryside and reflect on your adventure of the last day or two.  You arrive to the foot of the castle and you recognize Sir Elad sitting close to the castle's entrance upon his chestnut rouncy.

Sir Elad:  "Hail and well met, squires!  I am glad to see you back, although you, Maelgqyn, look a bit worse for wear!"

Sir Elad chuckles quietly to himself, although you note that he looks at Maelgwyn with concern over his wounds.

Sir Elad:  "Please, follow me into the castle."  <turns to his squire at his side>  "Fetch the maester for Maelgwyn, and then get the cooks to rattle up some venison and potatoes.  I imagine our young adventurers have worked up quite an appetite.  Also, have Jorge open a new cask of that red we received last month...we'll see how that vintages suits a good tale!" 

You follow Sir Elad into the castle.  Stable boys take your horses from you while younger squires and pages from court remove your gear to the armory.  Sir Elad leads you into the meeting hall, a nice fire burning in the large hearth at the end of the hall.  As you sit down around the table, servants begin to place roasted meats, potatoes, onions and cold cheese in front of you.  Jorge and another youngster bring large flasks of mead and goblets of a fine red wine as well.  The fire is warm and a few of the notables from the court have gathered in the hall to hear your tale.  It is not crowded, yet, but you can sense an eagerness from the handful present to hear of your adventure.

Sir Elad:  "So, squires, tell me of your adventure?  How do things go in Imber?  What happened to you, Maelgwyn?"

[Arctic Blast]

"We were successful, Sir Elad. It was indeed a bear charging about the wilderness out there which was finally dispatched by my sword. Would not have been possible had Maelgwyn's charges not distracted it enough to let me at it, and it was coming for me before it ended up ripping in to him. We left the remains of the beast with the locals. They could use the meat and coat, and I scarcely fancied hauling that monster back here anyway.

We also encountered some petty thieves down the road, but we took care of them as well."

[Toonces]

Sir Elad raises an eyebrow at you.

Sir Elad:  "Thieves?  Tell me more about these thieves."

[Staggerwing]

Maelgwyn looks at first at Godric and then at Dagan. He swallows the bite of food he had been chewing and clears his throat:
"...More like uncouth beggars, they seemed. They'll cause no further annoyance to passersby with their whining for undeserved handouts."

[Toonces]

Sir Elad:  "Very well.  You're not the first to report groups of beggars, thieves, and others of questionable motives on the King's roads.  We will report this to the Earl at the feast this evening.  In the meantime, you all go and change into appropriate attire for tonight's festivities.  We shall meet at the Great Hall at the hour of eight.  Now, get to it!"

With that, Sir Elad bids you farewell and leaves you to your food and drink.  Unaware that there was to be a festival this evening, you quickly finish your meal, drink your wine and then hurry along to your quarters to bathe and change into your finery.

Time passes quickly.  You are clean, your hair properly combed, and you are wearing your fine clothes.  A maester attends to Maelgwyn, changing his dressings and binding his wounds more properly.

Maester Alan:  "Now, Maelgwyn, you shall need to take it easy tonight!  I say, a proper bout of dancing will rip these bindings right off of ye!  I can tell by looking at you that you're a rambuncious one, but I tell you, no dancing!"

With a chuckle, you bid the maester and others a good evening and are led by several pages to the Great Hall where Sir Elad awaits.

Sir Elad:  "Now boys, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your finer points of nobility.  Mind your manners!  The Earl may invite you to speak with him- stand upright and tall, and make your impression.  You will likely sit towards the rear of the guests.  Enjoy yourselves, but do not make a spectacle!"

As Sir Elad is speaking with you, a rather portly man approaches your group from inside the entrance to the Great Hall.  He arrives just as Sir Elad is finishing his talk with you.  You notice that he is wearing a fine brown robe laced in satin.  He wears a fine gold chain around his neck, made of interlocking shields with ornate devices.  Altogether he strikes you as a dignified, somewhat well-to-do member of the court.

Herald Jon:  "Why Sir Elad!  It is a pleasure to see you, sir." <bows slightly>  "Did you hear about those bloody Saxons that assaulted the south coast again?"

Sir Elad:  "Now, now, Jon, not tonight.  There will be plenty of time to discuss military matters later."

Herald Jon:  "Of course, sir, my apologies."

Sir Elad:  "No reason to apologize, Jon."  Sir Elad turns to you all.  "Maelgwyn, Dalan, Godric, may I present Jon, the Royal Herald for Earl Roderick."

Herald Jon:  "Pleased to meet you young squires.  I heard a bit about your exploits in Imber.  I say!  You'll have to tell me about that bear sometime when we are not quite so busy.  Speaking of which..."  <turns to Sir Elad> "...it is time for you all to enter.  Please follow me."

Herald Jon turns and opens the door to the Great Hall.  Sir Elad follows him, with the three of you a respectful distance behind Elad.  You enter through the doors into...into complete bedlam!  It is the singular loudest, rowdiest, and largest feast you have yet experienced. 

The Great Hall stretches before you, seemingly forever, but in actuality probably a couple hundred feet.  The ceiling towers above you, girded by stiff wooden beams into an arched roof.  At several spots, large hearths burn logs creating a great fire and lighting the hall periodically along the walls.  Several long tables extend the length of the hall, all filled with laughing, loudly talking men and women in fine dress.  The tables are heaped with mead and wine, candles sit in long rows at one or two foot intervals in the middle.  Trays of various appetizers, olives, bread, onions and such are scattered about.  In between the tables, serving girls refill goblets and cups, serve renewed platters of food, and in general run around keeping the guests full of drink.  As you are taking it all in, you feel a rustle at your feet.  Glancing down you see a blur a black- some sort of cat- followed almost immediately by a brown and white beagle, barking vigorously.  Just as you regain your footing a glimpse of pink satin in blonde pigtails bulls through your party, laughing and giggling before running off after the dog. 

Herald Jon murmurs unintelligibly to Sir Elad and then makes his way to the other end of the hall.  You watch him and see that he stops and bends to speak into the ear of a man sitting there.  The man is dressed very fine, in a great black and silver coat, lined with white satin.  A gold belt around his waist holds a longsword in a jeweled sheath.  His bright eyes linger on your party a moment as Jon speaks to him before looking away to the feast in front of him.  He speaks a word to Jon and gestures gently in your direction.

Herald Jon stands and faces you down the hall.

Herald Jon:  "I present, Sir Elad, Marshall of Castle Vogon!"

Sir Elad quietly gestures to you to follow him as he makes his way to the Earl.  Your group walks up the center of the hall.  Despite the seeming chaos at the adjacent tables, the guests make room for you to walk comfortably between the tables to the Earl's seat.  He sits on a slightly raised platform, facing the length of the hall, a table in front of him.  Two gentlemen sit to either side on slightly lower seats. 

Sir Elad:  "Your Grace."  <bows> 

Earl Roderick:  "Sir Elad, how nice to see you tonight.  I'm glad you could enjoy our festivities."

Sir Elad:  "Of course, your Grace.  I never miss a chance to taste the northern mead!  Your Grace, may I present to you Squire Godric, Squire Maelgwyn, and Squire Dalan."  <The Earl looks at you appraisingly>  "These young squires have been in the service of three of your Grace's knights from the outlying lands.  They have been under intense training by both myself and Sir Amig."

Earl Roderick:  "Ahhh....Sir Amig, that old warhorse!"

Sir Elad:  "Yes, your Grace.  You may recall that the villagers of Imber were complaining of livestock gone up missing or slaughtered in the surrounding woods?  Well, I sent these squires out there over the last few days and they took care of it."

Earl Roderick:  "Indeed?"  <Looking at you> "Well, now, perhaps you can tell me a bit about your adventure in Imber?  How is Old Garr, anyway?"

[Arctic Blast]

"Your Grace. I'm not certain that there is much to tell. The people in the area were having problems with a large bear, and Sir Elad sent us to deal with it. We eventually tracked the bear down with Old Garr's help and slew it. If you don't mind my asking, your grace, how long have you known Old Garr? He seemed to be an...interesting sort."

[Toonces]

Earl Roderick:  "A bear, eh?  Aye...that would explain it."

The Earl looks pensive a moment, as if thinking, then shakes his head.

Earl Roderick:  "Old Garr and I go way back.  He is a good man, very pious.  I make it a point to try to know all of the main people in those villages under my care." 

Earl Roderick turns to the rest of you.

Earl Roderick:  "I can see that you all are humble squires of few words.  Humility is a virtue; I admire it. It shall serve you well in our Lord's service."

Earl Roderick makes a slight, almost imperceptible gesture to Sir Elad.  Sir Elad bends down and the two have a brief, unintelligible exchange before Sir Elad straightens again.

Earl Roderick:  "Well, Godric, Maelgwyn, Dalan...please, enjoy yourselves this evening.  I will be expecting big things from you all in the future!"

Sensing your dismissal, you murmur your thanks to the Earl, bow, turn, and make your way to the back of the hall.  Sir Elad guides you to seats towards the back of the hall.

Sir Elad:  "Now then.  The seats closer to the Earl are reserved for the knights who serve his grace.  You shall sit back here.  Enjoy yourselves; you've earned it!  Please, mingle and get to know your fellow citizens.  I shall join you before we retire for the evening."

With that, Sir Elad takes his leave to the front of the hall at a place of honor nearby the Earl.  You are served quite a feast of various meats, cheeses, mead and wine.  It is spectacular.  You notice that finer cuts of meat are served to the knights at your fore, but you are not offended as your fare is still quite tasty.  The gossip around you seems to center on a recent invasion by Saxon raiders on the east coast of Britannia.  You think you hear that Uther Pendragon has detached knights to deal with the invasion, but you are unclear of the status of the assault and defense.  Being of few words, you do not examine the folks around you closely and therefore you do not gain much more of use from them.

Several beautiful women circulate through the hall.  You gather that they are ladies in waiting, courtiers, and general members of the Earl's court.  Clearly some are available, although with all of the excitement none of you feels particularly compelled to make any advances and, instead, enjoy your food in drink and retell your recent tale of adventure to one another and those in your immediate vicinity.

After an hour or two, the Earl calls for silence in the hall.

Earl Roderick:  "Now then, all, hear me!  As you know, the bloody Saxons continue to plague our great land!  As such, I am of need of additional knights to serve my kingdom.  Who, then, shall propose candidates for knighthood?"

Sir Elad rises.

Sir Elad:  "Your Grace, I have nominations.  I nominate squires Godric, Maelgwyn, and Dalan.  As you know, they recently served your Grace in Imber where, through great bravery and skill defeated a monstrous beast in the service of your Grace, freeing the people from danger and allowing their properity!  Further, through selfless devotion to your Grace they served your Grace's justice upon the King's Road, vanquishing three ruthless bandits and converting two of them to the Lord's service!  I submit to thee, your Grace, that these three make worthy addition to your Grace's service!"

Earl Roderick:  "Very well, Sir Elad.  Squire Godric, Dalan, Maelgwyn, do you understand what it means to serve under the oath of knighthood?  Do you take such an oath freely and with clear mind and conscience?"

Of course all of you nod your assent, somewhat taken aback by this sudden turn of events.

Earl Roderick:  "Aye, then it shall be so.  Retire to the chapel and spend the evening in prayer.  Come morning, we shall submit the oath of knighthood to thee."

The rest of the feast occurs is a daze as you are overwhelmed by this turn of events.  After the feast you retire to the chapel.  A holy priest conducts you the the alter where he guides you to kneel and pray to your Christian- or Pagan- god(s).  You spend the evening in the candlelit hall, praying and struggling to stay awake!  As dawn's rays enter the chapel's windows, pages come for you and guide you to your quarters where you change into your finest armor and swords.  After changing, you are immediately conducted back to the chapel where, now, the Earl, Sir Elad, and numerous knights of the Earl's service await.  They are all dressed in gleaming chainmail armor, guilded and jeweled swords, and you are awestruck by their presence.  The pages guide you to the alter where the Earl awaits at the center of the aisle, seated at the raised alter upon a throne.

Herald Jon:  "Dalan, Maelgwyn, Godric, come forth and kneel before the throne."

The three of you come forward and kneel before Earl Roderick.  The pages take each of your swords and spurs and put them aside.

Herald Jon:  "Be it known to all men that I, Roderick, am minded to raise Dalan, Maelgwyn, and Godric by virtue of their honor, loyalty, valor, and skill at arms to the high rank of knighthood.  Dalan, Maelgwyn, Godric, do you swear and acknowledge Roderick to be your true and lawful liege?  Do you also swear fealty to Uther Pendragon, to defend and obey him until he depart the throne, or death shall take you?"

You all state your affirmation.

Earl Roderick rises.  "Let this be the last blow you receive without just recourse."

Earl Roderick takes his sword and hits each of you on the shoulder firmly.  You then kneel before the Earl, palms together and upraised.  Earl Roderick places his hands over each of yours' in turn, after which Herald Jon states the following:

Herald Jon:  "Each of you repeat after me- 'I do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Roderick, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honor of knighthood."

<The Earl awaits each of you to repeat the oath of knighthood above...>

[Staggerwing]

Maelgwyn lifts his head and squares his shoulders. He looks at Earl  and takes a deep breath.
"I, Maelgwyn, son of Cadgwyn, do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Roderick, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honor of knighthood."

[Arctic Blast]

"I, Dalan, son of Hervis,  do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Roderick, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honor of knighthood."

[Toonces]

<Speaking to Maelgwyn>

Earl Roderick:  "And I, for my part, do swear to defend and honor Maelgwyn as befits a true knight."

The Earl receives a sword from a nearby page.  He takes the sword and lightly taps you on both shoulders. 

Earl Roderick:  "I dub thee Sir Maelgwyn.  Receive now your spurs..." <a page attaches your spurs> "...your right to suitable arms..." <a page hands you your shield bearing your coat of arms> "...and take this, my sword..."  <The Earl takes the sword and attaches it to your belt>  "...to your side to defend me well.  Arise, Sir Knight."