The Great Pendragon Campaign

[Toonces]

<Speaking to Dalan>

Earl Roderick:  "And I, for my part, do swear to defend and honor Dalan 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 Dalan.  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."

[Barthheart]

Beaming with pride and in a deep booming voice Godric declares "I, Godric de Pitton, eldest son of Gerard de Pitton, 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]

Earl Roderick:  "And I, for my part, do swear to defend and honor Godric 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 Godric.  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."

[Toonces]

As Sir Godric stands, the onlookers break into cheers.  Your fellow knights come up and congratulate you, shaking your hands and pounding you on the back.  It is quite the spectacle.  As the congratulations wind down, you make your way outside where Sir Elad draws you to the side. 

Sir Elad:  "My fellow knights, my heartfelt congratulations.  I wish we had more time to celebrate, but unfortunately duty already calls.  The Saxons are invading the south.  King Uther Pendragon has summoned his armies to meet this threat, and the Earl leaves shortly to meet the King in Sarum.  I will see to your armor and weapons and have the stable boys groom your horses for the journey.  You have been training for this day all your lives.  I know you will not let me, nor your Earl down.  Now, go, eat and drink.  You leave in the morning."

<more to follow>

<bump>

[Toonces]

Summer 485

Morning comes far more quickly than you would like.  Groggy, slightly hungover, you gather yourselves and meet in the hall to break your fast on oatmeal with tender venison strips left over from the previous evening. 

A serving girl reaches over Maelgwyn's shoulder to refill his wine cup, apparently deep in conversation with a girl out of sight behind the three of you...

Girl 1:  "It's so terrible!  I heard that a thousand saxons landed to reinforce King Hengest!  He's the devil's son, that's for sure."

Unseen girl:  "I'll trust Prince Madoc to take care of us.  He's handsome enough, and he talks boldly enough.  But the truth will depend on how he fares in battle, of course."

Girl 1:  "Well, I'll say it's too bad he's illegitimate.  No bastard will automatically inherit.  It'll be difficult, you can be sure, unless his glory is truly great when the old king dies."

A grumpier, deeper female voice breaks in..

Agatha:  "Listen darlings, it'll take something monstrous to get rid of tough King Uther.  Madoc will have to be waiting a long time for any inheritance!"

Girl 1:  "But don't you think it's bad luck to talk that way?"

Unseen girl:  "Say, Agatha, did you know that Merlin has gone away?"

Agatha:  "Well, he comes and goes at his will."

Unseen girl:  "Yes, but he is gone again, and at such a time..."

As the women move away down the table their conversation fades into the din of noise of other knights eating their morning meals. 

A shuffling next to you draws your attention.  A lean knight in slightly worn armor slides next to you.  You vaguely recognize him as a knight of importance in Earl Roderick's service, although his name escapes you.  He looks at you, trim black beard and short black hair, somewhat gaunt face, and black, no-nonsense eyes...clearly not one to be trifled with.

Sir Lycus:  "Sir Dalan, Sir Godric, Sir Maelgwyn.  Good morning.  You may recall me, my name is Sir Lycus, advisor to his grace Earl Roderick."

[Arctic Blast]

Dalan looks up rather groggily from his meal, regretting the last hour or so of drinking from the night before...

"Sir Lycus, it is good to have you here at our table."

[Barthheart]

"Hail and well met Sir Lycus! You'll have to excuse my friends here.... to much celibrating last eve for their constitution."
Though looking at the bags under Godirc's eyes you could tell he did well with the merry making himself...

[Staggerwing]

"Bore Da, Sir Lycus. We newly-knighted are at your service... " Maelgwyn ruefully glances from Dalan's unusually pale visage to the dark circles under Godric's eyes while stifling a rebellious rumble in his own stomach.

".. more or less."

[Toonces]

Sir Lycus: "Well met.  Aye, we've got quite the mess on our hands, no?  Damn Saxons!  Curse them!  You sirs have right come along just in time. 

"We're going to assemble an army soon.  Sir Madoc, Uther's bastard heir, is calling to arms now.  I hear rumors the army's to assemble in Silchester, out yonder a day or two down the road, but Sir Madoc should tell us either way later.  You've heard that we're to assemble in yon yard at noon's bells?  Well, I suppose we'll find out one way or the other then. 

"The Earl will be there, for sure.  He has honor.  Damn other nobles though...ack!  Can't trust 'em no further than I can throw 'em!  Several of Uther's vassals haven't answered to call, damn them to hell!  So, we may be a bit shorthanded, eh?"

A knight across the table clears his throat.  You remember him from last night's festivities, although his name escapes you as well.  You seem to remember drinking a toast or three with him, as he and his companion were also recently knighted...

Sir Luke:  "Sir Lycus, what is this we hear of Merlin?"

Sir Lycus:  "Well, Merlin is absent because he is so exhausted from using so much magic last year to help King Uther win a victory in the Battle of Damen.  But the king has promised to help Duke Ulfus of Silchester."

Sir Luke:  "Duke Ulfus?"

Sir Lycus:  "Aye, Duke Ulfus.  What, don't you know who the Duke is?  Good lord, man, don't they teach you young squires anything anymore before you are knighted?  Duke Ulfus of Silchester is advisor to Uther, keeps him informed of what is going on in Logres.  Anyway, mages must sleep when they use their powers to such great extent.  <Sir Lycus pauses in thought>  Ah!  The king is so impetuous without the magician's guidance....I hope he is not acting too hastily!"

Another man in robes who you do not recognize interrupts your conversation and leans over to whisper in Sir Lycus's ear.

"Sirs, excuse me, but I must attend to the Earl.  Well, then, I'll let you get to your meal.  We'll meet again in the yard in a few hours.  Good day."

With that, Sir Lycus gets up and follows the robed man out of the hall.  Since your throbbing hangovers appear to prevent you from being more inquisitve of your fellow knights, you bend to your meals, finish, and then each attend individually to your horses and gear in anticipation of shortly marching to war...

[Toonces]

Noon



Sir Madoc

You assemble in the courtyard at the appointed time.  Around you are many knights, squires, and other assorted attendants although surprisingly few peasant folk.  There is quiet murmuring all around you, but the crowd seems exceptionally subdued, as if in expectation of a meeting of importance.  At the head of the courtyard is a raised wooden platform, perhaps level with your head.  A step just below that is also slightly elevated, perhaps waist level, on which you see Earl Roderick, Sir Lycus, and one or two other knights you do not recognize.  Additionally, other noble-looking men are on the platform, although you have no idea who they are, nor their significance.

From the right a ripple of conversation travels through the crowd.  A young knight in gleaming silver armor can be seen.  He has a handsome, lean, shaved face with shoulder-length, unruly hair and a piercing gaze.  He wears a cloak embroidered with two yellow back-to-back winged dragons on a green field, with a diagonal stripe of yellow behind.  A small retinue of knights flank him as he makes his way to the raised platform and motions for silence.

Sir Madoc:  "All, hear me!  Spies say another Saxon army has landed in the east!  Is there no end to these devils!?  His name is Aethelswith, but we don't know his plans.  The king has ordered Duke Lucius of Caercolun to be ready.  But our army isn't going to be distracted.  We're going to attack King Aelle, as planned, even though certain of our cowardly vassals are not reporting.  Disloyal bastards, that's what they are!  Caercolun won't be there, but that's the king's orders.  But that Cornwall...he's the worst of the lot!"

Sir Madoc pauses, as if his own rhetoric has gotten away from him.  He seems to internally compose himself before carrying on.

Sir Madoc:  "We shall assemble in Silchester in two weeks.  I have spoken with the Earls of note previously and they have our orders.  Our king calls us...FOR THE KING!!!"

The crowd cries, "FOR THE KING!  FOR THE KING!  FOR THE KING!!!"

Sir Madoc pauses for a moment, then steps from the platform and makes his way from the courtyard.  The members of the crowd begin to talk excitedly among themselves.  Through the commotion you see Earl Roderick gesture for you to come forward to him.  You make your way through the crowd to him.  Your recognize Sir Lycus at his side.  Another, larger knight stands nearby as well, although you do not recognize him.  Sir Lycus nods to you in acknowledgement.

Earl Roderick:  "Sirs, it is good to see you again.  As you've heard, we've quite the mess on our hands, those Saxon bastards!  We're to assemble in Silchester in two weeks.  You've much to do in that time.  First, you must see to squires for yourselves.  I've many young men ready and eager to serve and you shall have no problem finding willing and able volunteers.  Also, you shall need to replace any worn gear.  Give your needs to my steward <he nods to a gray-bearded man in robes off to the side whom you recognize as the man who called on Sir Lycus previously> and see that you are properly fitted out.  You shall need chainmail and shield, spear, and sword, or axe if you prefer, although you may need to acquire that at market as I do not normally keep axes in my armory.  Ensure your squires are properly outfitted as well! 

"We go to war, sirs, and you are knights in my service.  You must comport yourselves thusly.  I shall put you under command of Sir Amug, your trainer and mentor.  He is a banneret knight, and tough as you well know, and he shall lead you well.  Two of your fellow young knights, Sirs Perin and Celwine, shall meet you in Silchester.  You have not yet met them, but they know you are coming and will look for you and introduce themselves to you when you arrive.

"I will meet you in Silchester in two weeks and we shall go to war together.  If there are no questions, you have much to take care of, so take your leave.  Sir Lycus and Steward Adam will see to any questions and needs you have."

With that, the Earl hurries off with the large knight and other nobles.

[Arctic Blast]

Dalan wanders over to the area where the Squires have gathered.

"So, you're the litter we're picking from, eh? Well, we don't really have time to get to know each other, and I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so let's cut to the damn chase. If you would rather sit in your room and meditate on whatever nonsense men meditate about in their room rather than spending time amongst the womenfolk with a beverage in hand, do not waste my time. If your answer to a challenge is "Let me think about it.", do not waste my time. For those that leaves as potentials, I seem to have broken my lance off in a bear and I would rather like to replace it. Whoever is going to take care of that for me is my Squire. I'll be happy to learn all about you on the road to Silchester."

With that, Dalan heads over to a comfortable looking pile of hay and enjoys a bit of a power nap.

[Toonces]

From out of the crowd, some of whom are looking at Dalan's slumbering form with amusement, some with confusion, a rather middle-aged looking man steps forward.

Jon:  "Sir Lycus, Master Ael, I would be honored for the privilege of serving Sir Dalan.  If there be no objection, I'll see to his lance and gear?"

Ael:  "That will be fine, Jon.  See my man and he will draw your gear from the armory."

Sir Lycus glances down at Dalan's snoring form and chuckles gently.

Sir Lycus:  "Well played, Sir Dalan, well played indeed."  He glances at you other two.  "Jon will be a fine squire to Dalan.  In fact, I'd say they're perfect for one another.  Young Sir Dalan shows some impetuousness...Jon's served many knights well.  He will provide valuable maturity.  Now then, Sir Maelgwyn, Sir Godric, I believe someone younger would be more suitable. 

"Sir Maelgwyn, perhaps you may be interested in young Geml?  He just turned 15 years in January of this year.  He is the son of Lady Adwen, daughter of Sir Bles.  You may recall that Sir Bless was killed in battle down south last year?  At any rate, her son has come of age and it would be honorable of you to take him as your squire.  In fact, Lady Adwen isn't much older than you...hmmm...well, at any rate, he'd make a fine choice.  Of course, there are many other from whom to choose in the great hall.  We're in no hurry if you'd prefer to wait until supper...many will be in attendance in preparation of needs such as your own.

"Sir Godric, I'd recommend young Han.  He is son of Lady Indeg, the richest heiress of the county.  Young Han is nearing 18, but his lord knight died in battle last year and he has not taken a new knight into service as far as I know.  He should be at the great hall this evening as well.  Of course, you should choose a squire that is of your choice, I simply provide a suggestion. 

"Now then, what arms and armor do you need replaced?  We can supply spear and sword, shield and chainmail, but other sorts of gear will need to be purchased at market.  No reason why you'd need any more, but if it's your fancy so be it."

[Arctic Blast]

Dalan rises up after a brief period of sleep and stretches out. "Hmmm? Nobody's brought a lance yet?" One of the boys remaining in the Squire pool mentions that Jon has in fact gone to being collecting up gear.

"Ah, I shall have to make sure he takes good care of that saddle of mine. Won it in a tournament you know...have I mentioned that?" At this point, Dalan realizes that he's basically talking to himself as the others have split away with their squires for a bit. "Erm...yes. I had best see to this Jon fellow, then."

[Staggerwing]

Maelgwyn slowly walks over to the group of restless men and boys. Not taking his eyes off of them he addresses Sir Lycus:
  "You, no doubt, ken that I follow the Old Ways. I'll not seek to bring any of your Christ-flock back to what was merely a grandfather or two ago the only world we all knew, both above and below. For one to be squire to me I must know he values honor to those he pledges to in this world as much as whatever reward he might be promised in the next by the Cross-men. My uncles who have already campaigned against the Sassenach have oft spoken of how, after a battle was lost, the Church-priests cursed the defeat upon fellow Briton warriors who were not Christian, but Hen Llwybr. There has even been call for choosing those of us who take not the water-dunking to be warred upon as if we were part of the very Host who yet now masses from the coming of the rising sun across the water.

  "Geml, whichever one of you lot he might be, believe you those not splashed by a priest to be worthy of your service? There may come a time when some will be harsh with you or tell you that your service means nothing if given to a Heathen. Such voices may even be kinfolk.

  "Be ye ready for this or would'st ye wait for a christian knight to serve?"

[Barthheart]

Entering the Great Hall that evening, Godric looks around trying to spot Han. Finally he sights Han standing with a small group of other young would be squires.

Godric: "Are you Han, son of Lady Indeg?"
Han: "Aye Sir!"

Godric looks over the lad. He looks sturdy enough to carry a substantial load and has sharp, inquizative eyes. "I hear tell that you are without a knight. It so happens I am without a squire. We are about to ride off to meet the Saxons in battle. Would you be interested in serving me?"

Han, face brightening: "Aye Sir! I'm eager to get back at those that slew my first lord."

Godric: "Good then it's settled. Your first task is I'll be needing a helm of some kind, even just mail if that's all that is available. See Earl Roderick's steward for that. My sword needs a good sharpening and my shield could use a polish.'
Han: "Aye, I will take care of all that."

Godric: "Good, I like your spirit. Firstly though enjoy your dinner with your friends for you may not see them for sometime...."
Godric wonders off in search of Dalan and Maelgwyn for some food and grog for himself.