-Episode 6-
26th Heyday
-Cool, Cloudy No Rain, negligible wind-
(Wartime Month: Major invasion, 4 Villages, Westmarch)
-Immersion-Smell of Rust-
(outstanding hook: Remote Event: Communication of Opposition)
-Paid 9 gp for the past week of Karta’s maintenance-
Q: Is the opposition from Muriel YES
Scene #14: E: Negative for Captain Sonder: a Delay of Peace (sounds like he is wounded on patrol)
After breakfast, my father has me join him in his office. He holds out a letter to me, “Do you know what this is? A letter from Mother Muriel from the Temple of Light. She has expressed, concerns about you. Concerns about your sorcery and that your soul may be at risk. She asks, or rather, demands that I sequester you in the monastary at Gieldreth until you learn to tame your ambitions and devote yourself to the goddess.”
I furrow my brow, angry. I can still smell the iron of my blood from my morning’s mortification, “I had already agreed to purify myself as she instructed. Yet, she demands this?”
Q: Is Faust angry at Muriel? NO
“She means well, but she’s a fanatic. Do you wish to go to Gieldreth?” my father asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Absolutely not,” I snap. “But I will go see Mother Muriel.” I snatch the letter from my father’s hands and read it again for myself, my blood beginning to boil.
Q: Is father amused? EXCEPTIONAL YES
My father grins and begins to chuckle, “It seems our good priestess may have just angered the most devout member of my household. Should I send a couple of men to help keep your temper?”
I glare at my dad, “No. That will not be necessary.” I bow my head, then return to my room and dress for a walk through the city, tucking my still wet scourge into my belt.
-Encounter-Peasant-
As I walk through town to reach the temple, a man, a farmer from the look and smell, approaches me. “Good day, my lady. Forgive my intrusion, but are you not a member of Baron Faust’s household?”
I step back, warily, “Why do you ask?”
Q: Does he sense my unease? EXCEPTIONAL YES
The farmer takes two steps back and bows his head, “Please forgive me. I know it is beneath you to speak to one such as me, but I have desperate need.”
“Speak,” I command with some hesitation.
“I…I seek your family’s permission to leave your estate and carve out my own freefarm with my wife, children and livestock, but I have been unable to speak with your steward. The guards will not allow me an audience and he never seems to leave the keep though I have waited outside for days,” the man stammers.
Q: Does he sound fresh from Norgard? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Do you understand what you are asking?” I reply with concern, “This is not Norgard. This is the frontier. No sea guards our west, no mountains our east. Orcs come and go from our land as they wish, in spite of our efforts to keep them at bay. In a village, protected by its palisades and men, by your own neighbors, you will likely live a long and healthy life to watch your children form households of their own. A free farm? There are none else to protect you. In exchange for what? Two more days to labor on your own land rather than your lord’s? Is this what you seek?”
Q: Does he insist? NO
The farmer blinks at me, suddenly realizing his folly, “Forgive me. I am a fool. A fool who saw only that my labor was used by another. I did not think of the danger.”
I nod and offer a meager smile, “We often see only what is directly before us, and not the greater world around. Be well my friend.” I nod to dismiss him, continuing on my way.
Arriving at the temple, I walk past the worshippers and acolytes towards the Revered Mother’s Quarters.
Q: Does anyone try to stop me? YES Q: Do I recognize her? YES (Generate acolyte…another purifier type)
“Stop!” the novice calls out as she quickly approaches, her white robes fluttering with each step, “You are not permitted in the priest’s quarters.”
-Persuasion 11-
I stare into Tyria’s violet eyes, “I must speak with Mother Muriel. It is a matter of some urgency.”
Tyria smiles, “Patience is a virtue that must be nurtured. Please, return to the temple and kneel before the goddess until the Revered Mother is ready to receive you.”
I look around the temple, then back towards Tyria. “No.”
Q: Is she surprised? NO
Novice Tyria smirks, “Do you forget that you are on holy ground? That to violate the sanctity and peace of the church is an affront to Our Lady?”
-Intimidation 22-
“Do you forget that my father built this temple? Invites the Church to govern it? Allows the Church to manage its own affairs and enjoy his protection and endorsement?” I reply with a raised eyebrow and a hint of menace in my tone.
Tyria scowls, “I will inform the Revered Mother that you seek an audience.”
“Thank you, novice,” I reply with a warmth I do not feel.
Q: Will Mother Muriel see me? YES
A few moments later, Tyria returns, “Mother Muriel will see you, please follow me.”
Q: Did she realize I knew her name? YES
“Thank you, Tyria,” I reply. She glares at me as I follow.
-Immersion-Smell, Fish-
Scene #15: E: New NPC: the Gratification of Liberty (Generate an adventurer)
I enter Mother Muriel’s quarters and am surprised to see how well furnished her apartment actually is. I knew she was noble born, but I had suspected that she would have left all vestiges of past wealth behind her. She even has a glass bowl with two colorful little fish swimming inside! She looks up at me as I enter the room.
I see a woman kneeling down in the middle of the room, her blouse pulled down, fresh lash marks on her back concealing scars from past years of discipline.
“You are a day early. I have not asked to inspect you but on God’s Day. Nonetheless, turn around,” Mother Muriel commands. Tyria smirks.
Q: Is she pleased? EXCEPTIONAL YES
I unfasten my blouse and let it drop to expose my back as I turn around. Muriel she beams, “Very good, my child. You have not neglected your penance!”
Then I turn to face her, pulling my shirt back up, and pull the letter she had sent my father, “Yet you do not trust me. I am devoted to the goddess, for she is worthy of my love and adoration. She is the source of all good in this world. Yet…you seek to imprison me. To punish me for crimes I have not committed.” I glance down at the scarred woman, who is now looking back up at me. Then locking eyes with Mother Muriel, I pull the scourge she gave me from my belt, hold it out, and drop it at her feet. “I’ve no need of you. Or of your order. I shall serve the goddess as the sacred writings demand. Not as your words would.”
Q: Is she pissed? YES
“You will not turn your back on the goddess!” Mother Muriel fumes.
“I don’t. I turn my back on you,” I reply, as I turn and leave.
Q: Does she try to stop me? YES E: Progress on ‘Sir Warran is a rival of Lord Severon’: the Care of the Masses
Mother Muriel reaches to grab me, but I slip from her grasp, “You are on a dangerous path to damnation!” she warns.
-Intimidation 15-
“Yet your arrogance is even greater than mine!” I retort, angrily. “The evil you suspect in others may well be a reflection of a darkness within yourself! You guard yourself, Revered Mother. And let Freia guard me!”
Q: Does Eveline get up? YES
The woman on the floor lets the scourge fall from her hands, pulls her garments back over her shoulders, and stands up beside me.
I chuckle, “And guard my new friend.” I take her hand, and drag her out with me.
“Witches!” Mother Muriel fumes, “Eomen has already claimed your souls!”
Q: does she laugh? YES
My new friend and I race through the temple and out into the street, then I stop and look at her, and we laugh.
The woman looks back towards the temple, where Mother Muriel and her acolytes stare down towards us, then she looks me in the eyes, “So, what do we do now?”
I glance at Mother Muriel and meet her frown with a grin, then I look to my new companion and reply, “Let’s get you back home. Change out of those robes you are wearing.”
“But…I was living in the temple. I have nothing else,” she explains.
Q: Does Ysedra recognize Eveline? NO
“How have I not seen you before?” I reply, curious.
Q: Do i know Plowstump? NO
“I’ve only been there two years. Sent to Mother Muriel by the elders in Plowstump,” seeing my blank expression, she adds, “It is in Hammerfell. A small village off of the trade road. I was…no longer welcome there.”
“Because you are…a witch?” I ask.
The girl nods, “Yes. I am a witch. But…you are too, right? Mother Muriel said you are,” she blurts out as I pull her into an alley to talk more quietly.
“No, I am a student of magic. Of ancient tomes and lore. I do not treat with evil spirits,” I study her face, searching her blue eyes for deception, “Have you?”
“No! Never! I am a child of Freia, as we all are,” she protests.
“Then why do they call you a witch?” I ask, seeking truth.
Q: Does she explain? EXCEPTIONAL NO
She looks down at her feet, “Because…I must be a witch. Everyone says so.”
-Insight 12-
Realizing she isn’t ready to talk, I take her by the arm, “Come with me. If you have nothing, you need something. A change of clothes at least. My name is Yseldra. Yseldra Faust. What’s yours?”
Q: Is she happy to change the subject? YES E: Setback to ‘Sir Warran is a rival of Lord Severon’: the Taking of the Environment
“Eveline,” she smiles, then her face drops a bit, “Eveline Lovechild.”
“Lovechild?” I raise an eyebrow.
“A nice way to say bastard, I guess,” she follows as I lead her to the market.
“I’m sorry,” I reply.
Q: Does she smile? NO
She remains in her thoughts as I take her to the Silver Needle.
-No Encounter en route-Q: Is Eveline surprised? YES
At the Silver Needle, I guide Eveline inside and am greeted by Master Adrian with a confused gaze, and then a bow, “Do what do I owe this honor, my lady?” Eveline gasps, her eyes widen in shock.
“My friend here requires fresh garments. Something suitable to relax in a tavern, something for the road, and perhaps something for court. Please, let us see what you have on hand.” Adrian bows, then taking Eveline’s hand guides the young woman to a fitting stool so she can stand and her measures taken.
“A novice from the temple?” he asks Eveline.
Q: Does she say? EXCEPTIONAL YES E: Ambiguous Significance: the Overindulgence of a Path
“A ward, entrusted to the church, but not a novice. Never to be offered vows. Forever a servant,” she stammers. Then she giggles with delight as he measures her, and gestures her to step down, and shows her a nicely made dress and blouse to wear around town. “These are beautiful!” she gasps, eyes wide.
“Perfectly suitable for the servant of a lady,” he replies, seeking my approval.
Q: Is she upset at the notion? NO
“Servant?” Eveline glances from him to me. Then she smiles, “Servant. Will I be your servant…My…Lady?” she asks
I shrug, “I don’t have a maid of my own yet. If you desire to serve, and are able, I might allow it.”
Q: Is she eager? NO
She hesitates, casting her eyes downward, “I am not worthy of such a thing.”
-Persuasion 14-
I reach out, and lift her chin, “Then perhaps, be my friend? It seems you need one.”
Q: Does that sound reasonable? YES
“I’ve not had one in many years. If you will endure me, I will be yours as well,” she replies, managing a weak smile.
“Try this on,” Adrian commands, and Eveline turns and begins to disrobe. I see not just this morning’s wounds, but years worth of scars.
-Medicine 19-
“Stop,” I command her. “Adrian, lock the door. Eveline, sit down.” I pull some herbs from my pouch and begin cleaning her freshest wounds. When I am done, and the cuts no longer bleed, I help Eveline dress, as servants have often aided me. “Adrian, this needs to be stitched here, and…here!” I instructs, and he marks the garments appropriately. Then we try on a heavier garment for the road, riding breaches and a heavy cloak as well to ward off the cold and the rain. I also instruct him to craft a court gown for her, a pale blue to accent her eyes and golden hair. “Deliver these to my home when you have them adjusted, and the dress as well when it is ready.” Adrian bows in gratitude as I pay him.
“I don’t know what to say,” Eveline admits as we leave the shop.
I smile, and ask “Do you have a trade?”
Q: Does she admit a trade? NO
“No,” Evaline confesses. “My mother was an herbalist. A midwife, but I have never practiced as such. The village would not bear it.”
“Because they feared you a witch?” I ask.
Q: Does she repeat the accusation? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Does my generosity confuse her? NO
She scowls in anger and casts her eyes downward. I nod, and lead her to a nearby cobbler, where I purchase some walking boots, town shoes and court slippers. She allows this with no questions, studying me as I allow clerks to fawn over the two of us.
“With no trade, no friends and no family, you will stay as my guest at my father’s home until I return. My father is a gracious host, and I should only be gone for a few days,” I advise her.
Q: Does she protest? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“No! I…cannot be left alone. I…” she swallows, “I am a witch, and bad things happen.”
I study her sad, fearful eys, “Is there a curse upon you?”
She nods, slowly, “I believe so. Can I…go with you?”
“I am crossing the Lonefields tomorrow, to explore an old ruin and retrieve some lost books. It is dangerous work, and I need to hire a couple of men to help guard me along the way,” I warn her.
Q: Does she ask to come anyway? EXCEPTIONAL YES
She takes a deep breath, and begs, “Please, take me with you!”
I nod, “You can guide one of the mules.”
She smiles, “Yes! I can…guide one of the mules. And repay your kindness, for taking me from the temple…and buying me clothes…and sheltering me tonight?”
“And sheltering you tonight,” I agree. “Now we must go see another friend of mine who will be joining us, and arrange some men as well.”
-Encounter, local character-Watch captain-Q: Has he already heard? YES
As we are walking towards the Devil’s Cup, a familiar voice makes my skin crawl, “I heard that you have been frequenting this place. And I see that you are bringing Mother Muriel’s lost ward here as well, undoubtedly to beg Henna to let her whore herself here now that she has turned her back on the goddess,” Captain Demitri leers, reaching his hand out to stroke Eveline’s curly blonde hair.
-Intimidation 4-.
“Get your hands away, dog!” I command.
“Or what?” he sneers, “You’ll whine to your father? He should take you over his knee for what you did at the temple today. Or perhaps I should lash you myself? Or this one.” He smirks.
Q: Does she rebel? EXCEPTIONAL YES (Intimidation with advantage 9-
“Take your hands from me!” Eveline snarls, and I notice lightning dancing around her fingers.
Demitri furrows his brow, “Two witches?”
I grab Eveline and pull her away, and warn her, “He isn’t worth it.”
Q: Does he press for arrest? YES
“No! She comes with me!” He reaches and grabs at her, but she slips away. I pull her after me and run towards the Devil’s Cup with her.
Q: Does she blast them? YES
He and one of his men race after, quickly overtaking us. They grab hold of Eveline and lightning bursts from her hands as she tries to slap Demitri, but he slips away from her hand, and back hands her, then cries out as ice burns his hand, “Sorcery!”
-Intimidation 21-
Fire bursts from my hand, “Leave us, now!” I command.
Demitri fumes in rage, “Your father will hear about this!”
“I can guarantee it!” I snarl in anger.
I release the spell and take Eveline with me, heading inside the Devil’s Cup.
Q: Is Karta there? YES. Q: Is Karta pumped? YES
“Karta!” I say walking swiftly towards her. “This is Eveline. She is coming with us. We set out first thing in the morning.” I toss a pouch of fifty crowns on the table in front of her, “Hire two men to come with us, and meet us by the west gate at dawn.” Then I turn to Eveline, “This is Karta. She is my bodyguard.”
Karta grins as she takes the pouch, “I’ll see you in the morning, Captain. Eveline,” she nods towards the blonde haired sorceress.
Then I take Eveline back towards the keep with me.
-Encounter-Soldiers-raid-
Along the way, I see a group of town watch breaking into a house to arrest someone. Not seeing Demitri, we continue on our way unmolested.
In the courtyard outside the keep, I see lists being set up, and spot my brother, Severon, and Lord Warran, along with several of my father’s house men, readying their horses and armor, boasting against each other as townfolk start to gather. “What’s going on there?” Eveline asks.
“Sparring match, I suppose. Lord Warran and my brother have a grudge, and Lord Warran imagines I am the prize for victory,” I explain.
“What? Are you?” Eveline asks, confused.
I shrug, “I may have promised him a seat at my side and several dances at my father’s birthday if he can unhorse my brother.”
“Why would you do that?” Eveline queries.
“Because my brother deserves to be unhorsed, and often. You’ll see what I mean once you get to know him,” I grin.
Q: Is she amused? YES
She giggles with me as we enter my father’s hall.
Q: Is Mother Muriel already there? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Demitri? YES
I enter the great hall and am disappointed to see that not only is my father, my mother, and two of my brothers are inside, but also a very angry looking Mother Muriel and Captain Demitri. “There she is,” Mother Muriel shakes her head, “My stolen ward.”
“A vile witch!” Demitri snarls, “She should be hanged from the gallows!”
Q: Does Eveline cow? YES
My father leans back in his chair as I walk towards him, confident, pulling Eveline along with me even as she struggles timidly to stay back. I whisper, “Stay close. You are safe here.”
As I stand boldly between my two accusers, I bow my head, then stand tall facing my father, not even dignifying my adversaries with a glance.
Q: Is Muriel aggressive? YES
“This daughter of yours defies church discipline, rejects instruction, and has led another astray. Causing my ward to break her oaths to the church, and damning the poor girl’s soul to Abyssia. I demand my ward be returned to me, and that your daughter be sent to Geildrith for instruction before it is too late for her. As I fear it may already be.”
Q: Does Demitri interject? NO
My father turns to Demitri, “Captain, tell me again what happened to you?”
=Demitri’s Deception 19 vs Meriel’s Insight 20-
“I approached your daughter, and asked her to surrender the girl to me so that I could return her to the church. Your daughter threatened me, then the girl attacked me with lightning in her hands,” Demitri lies.
My mother, Baroness Meriel, leans over and whispers in my father’s ear. He smirks, suppressing a laugh, then he calls out, “Yseldra. Did you defy the church, kidnap this girl, and allow her to attack my watch captain?”
-Persuasion 22-
I bow down, unfasten my blouse, and slowly turn so that all in the room, from the guards and servants, to my father, mother and brothers can see the lash marks across my back. Then facing my father, “I obeyed Mother Muriel’s instructions to mortify myself for the crime of seeking, through study of elven lore, how the First Father’s creation works. My devotion to Our Lady, my mortification, was not sufficient penance for seeking knowledge, so Mother Muriel demanded I be…cloistered, and punished more severely in spite of my devotion and obedience. So I returned her scourge to her. For a Faust will not be treated unjustly. And my friend, Eveline, for she has a name that her accusers do not deign to speak, realized that I am right. That it is not Freia who condemns us, nor the teachings of the Church, but simply, Mother Muriel. Who seems to adore the lash as much as Demitri, who also threatened Eveline and I with one, when I refused to surrender her to him.”
Q: Does Demitri protest? YES -Demitri Deception 16- Faust Insight 17-
Faust glares at Demitri, who protests, “I threatened no such thing!”
“You are a reliable officer and a bad liar. Fortunately, I have need of an officer to lead a squadron to Axworn. Perhaps you might scourge a few orcs instead of young women,” Faust snarls, dismissing the Captain.
Q: Does he beg not to go? YES
“Please, forgive me my lord. I merely spoke rashly and meant nothing by it,” Demitri pleads.
Q: Does Faust Tolerate this? NO
“Stop,” Faust commands. “Insolence I can occasionally tolerate. Even a reckless lie. But this…sniveling cowardice?” he signals for Sergeant Wolstan to approach, “Strip his rank and arms, then cast him out of my sight.” The sergeant salutes and with two men by his side, disarm Demitri, yank off his insignia, then drag him outside.
Q: Is Muriel nervous? YES
Mother Muriel shifts nervously on seeing what just happened to her ally.
Q: Does Faust ask Eveline to speak? NO
Faust turns his attention back to Mother Muriel, “My daughter’s obedience to your earlier commands were…insufficient? If my daughter’s devotion is inadequate, what of the rest of my house? What of every vassal and tenant in my land? Every member of your flock? Are we all to be scourged and exiled?” Faust raises an eyebrow.
Q: Pivot? YES (Muriel Persuasion 22)
“Perhaps I judged your daughter hastily,” Mother Muriel admits, “But my ward must be returned to me. She is a grave danger to us all, and to her own mortal soul. She is sworn to the church as my ward, and I must see to her guidance and purification.”
My father nods his agreement, so I interrupt, “Father? She is now sworn to me, as my maidservant.” I slip my signet ring onto one finger, and turn, presenting my hand to Eveline.
Q: Does Eveline kiss my ring? YES E: Negative for Karta: the Overindulgence of Peace
Eveline leans forward, and kisses my ring, “I am sworn to you, Yseldra, and your house.”
I smile, and turn towards my father, “To serve, she must stay at my side. Under our house’s protection.”
Q: Is my father amused? EXCEPTIONAL YES
My father leans back and laughs so hard tears roll from his eyes. My mother grins. Muriel fumes. Faust waves her off, “Revered Mother, it seems that this, Eveline, is no longer your ward, but my Yseldra’s. I trust the Church will respect the sacred oaths of fealty between liege and vassal? And I will hear no more of this…nonsense?”
Q: Does Muriel relent? YES Q: Is Eveline proud? NO
“Of course, my lord,” Mother Muriel bows. The glares at me as she turns and leaves. Eveline shudders as the bishop walks away.
“So, father, what’s happened in Axworn?” I ask, attempting to change the subject.
Q: Does he allow a change of subject? YES Q: Orcs? YES Q: Did they give worse than they got? NO
“There was an orc raid. Captain Sonders was on patrol, and wounded in the fighting. Two of his men were killed and he was forced to retreat lest they be overrun. I am dispatching a force to reinforce the border villages tomorrow.”
“Father, I leave for Guldall in the morning,” I reply.
Q: Does he forbid it? YES
“No. It is too dangerous,” he shakes his head.
-Persuasion 7-
I shake my head, “It is dangerous to wait. There were kobold eggs waiting to hatch, it is likely half of them already have, if I wait much longer, they likely all will. With a small team, we can cross the Lonefields in a single day. Bolder actions have been taken.”
“No. You will not return to Guldall tomorrow,” he affirms.
-Persuasion 9- Q: Does he allow this? Very Unlikely YES
“Then perhaps I should go with the men reinforcing the border. Mical and Severon have both been allowed to prove themselves, so should I be,” I press.
“Alright, to the border villages, but no farther. You will not cross the Lonefields. Is that understood?” Faust insists.
I smile, for he knows I’ve no intention of abiding that constraint, “Unless I must pursue a foe, I will not cross the Lonefields.”
Q: Does he allow it? YES
“Do you hear this Meriel,” he turns to my mother, “Our daughter will only cross the Lonefields if she must pursue a foe. A foe like…kobolds in Guldall, I imagine.” Then he smirks at me. “Perhaps I should have sent her to Gieldreth after all.”
I shrug, “They could not hold me against my will. I am your daughter.”
He nods, “Indeed you are. Good hunting in Guldall.”
—
Guiding Eveline from my father’s hall, I find Bethsabe in the kitchen overseeing the midday meal preparation, “Beth, this is my personal maidservant, Eveline,” I introduce my friend, “Please arrange sleeping space for her somewhere near my quarters. Adrian is sending proper clothing for her some time to day”
Q: Does Beth say anything? YES
Bethsabe bows, then smiles at Eveline, “It is good to have you join our household. I am sure that you will enjoy serving Lady Yseldra. I will explain your duties tonight, after you return from your Lady’s errands.”
Q: Does Eveline like the sounds of this? YES
“Uh..um…thank you, Mistress Beth,” Eveline stammers with a nervous smile, “I will not disappoint you. Either one of you,” she bows. Then I lead her out into the courtyard and the stables.
Spotting Lionel, I tell him, “This is my servant, Eveline. When I send her to speak with you, regard her words as mine. Now, tomorrow, she and I will be leaving along with a company of soldiers. I need that mule, Dunn, from before. And also a second mule, both ready with saddlery and packs at the crack of dawn along with the other animals. Do you understand?”
Q: Does he agree? NO
“I’m sorry, my lady,” Lionel responds with a bow, “Dunn out with a patrol. I will provide two other suitable animals. And a mount for yourself?”
I frown slightly, “No, a mount is unnecessary. I did like Dunn though, but perhaps…Sonders told me that Dunn doesn’t run. I might need mules that can run. Please see to it.”
Lionel bows his head towards me, then nods towards Eveline. He waits for us to walk away before returning to his work.
Q: Is Esdras home? YES
Then I lead Eveline back inside through the keep to the dovecote atop Esdra’s tower. I stop to knock on his door. The falconer answers, “Master Edras,” I nod, “This is my servant, Eveline. She will assist you with my birds in the mornings, and in cleaning the dovecote as one of her duties when she here at the keep.”
Q: Is he gracious? EXCEPTIONAL YES
The impeccably dressed man bows, then extends a hand to Eveline, “It is a pleasure to meet you. Do you know anything about birds?”
“Well, we had a few hens when I was growing up,” Eveline admits.
Esdra laughs, “Well, pigeons, falcons, hawks are all very different from hens. I look forward to training you. But always give yourself time to bathe after working up here before returning to your chamber duties. And change your shoes before stepping outside…and then again before returning indoors. It is much nicer that way.”
Q: Does she look forward to this duty? YES
“Yes…thank you…of course,” she laughs with a smile.
Then I lead her out to the parapet watching over the court where Severon and Warran are about to tilt. I point out the different competitors, all household knights except for Warran, and we watch for several minutes.
Q: Does Severon Knock Warran down on the first pass? (Very Unlikely) YES
Eventually, the two favorites face off against each other, and as expected, my brother knocks my impertinent advisor off his horse in the first pass. I laugh, “Well deserved!”
“You wanted your brother to win?” Eveline asks.
“No, I wanted them both to lose,” I laugh, then we head back into town so I can finish buying supplies for our venture.
—
-Immersion-6th sense-Hyperawareness
-Encounter-Holy man trying to convert people to some local deity- Q: Freian sect? NO Q: Krenax? YES-Q: craglander YES
Scene #14:
Eveline and I head back towards the market to pick up supplies and see if Karta has found us any help. I get the keen sense that people are staring at us and whispering. Every eye seems to be on us. Suddenly, I hear a booming voice, “You! Reject your wealth, live simply…like this one!” pointing at Eveline, still wearing her novice robes, “and bear your husband many children. This is the way of the First Father, the god of creation.”
Q: Does Eveline object? EXCEPTIONAL NO (Hagri’s religion 19, vs Yseldra’s Religion 22 (My Persuasion 7)
Eveline shies away from the Craglander holy man, but I reply to him, laughing, “The First Father is the god of beasts and the tamer of chaos. Freia is our mother. Both are worthy of honor, but Krenax would not see men breed like rabbits,” I argue as I push past.
Starts to argue, but realizes I am right, so he turns his attention back towards the rest of the crowd, neither ceding my point or choosing to debate.
In the market, I purchase backpacks, bedrolls, mess kits, dried food for travel, and have the shop’s runners deliver things to the keep. “Your mother was a midwife?” I confirm with Eveline as I lead her to the Pestered Pestle to see what Warde might have to sell us. Eveline nods as we walk inside the sweet smelling shop.
“Lady Yseldra? To what do I owe this honor?” Warde asks on seeing us.
“Good man, this is my servant Eveline. I may send her to you on my behalf, treat with her as you would with me. Anyway, her mother also followed your trade, and she could use tools to pursue it herself,” on seeing his hesitation, I explain, “Not to open her own shop or to lure me away from yours, but to assist me in my own studies and research to better use what my father’s garden grows.”
Q: Is he agreeable? EXCEPTIONAL YES
“Of course, my lady,” he agrees, and soon Eveline is fitted with a pouch full of healing herbs and another pouch, similar to mine, full of small knives, tweezers, a small mortar and pestle and the other sundry tools needed to transform the First Father’s gifts into medicines and tinctures.
I also buy two doses of naroot, and I hand one to Eveline, “This is…” I start to explain, but she immediately begins chewing it, “in case we fear being taken by orcs in the Lonefields, so…”
“I know what it is for,” Eveline replies. Then her eyes widen, “I won’t be in trouble with your family for taking it, will I? An embarrassment? A scandal?”
“No. You are sworn to me. You serve me, and I protect you. That is the way of things,” I explain.
Q: Is she relieved? YES Q: Does she explain why? YES E: Action by Lord Severon: the Travel of Riches
She smiles, her lips already taking on the whorish blue tinge, then casts her eyes down, “It helps…to…to lay with men. It keeps my curse in check…like the lash does. But…” she winces, “but…shame instead of pain.”
Q: Does she cry? NO
I pull her into my arms and hold her tight, stroking her hair, but it only takes a moment for her to pull away and smile back at me. “Thank you.”
Q: Does she know she knows magic? YES
Or final stop, is at a bladesmiths shop. I had only been there once before with Mical, but I find a nice, sturdy looking dagger and buy it, along with a scabbard, for Eveline. “I know…you know magic,” I whisper as she nods confirmation, “But sometimes, magic fails and steel is needed. Plus, sometimes the mutton is too overdone.” I joke.
Q: Does she laugh? EXCEPTIONAL NO
She frowns at that, “That would require a knife, not a dagger.”
I sigh and shrug, “Come along. Let’s find Karta.”
Q: Has Karta already found her men? NO
At the Devil’s Cup, Karta is nowhere to be seen. There is also a severe shortage of men who look like they might be able to acquit themselves in a fight who aren’t already wearing a uniform or the mark of a merchant company. “Alright, we’ll just meet her in the morning.” I concede and we head back towards the keep
No Evening Town Encounter-
-Immersion, Smell Breath-
Scene #15: E: Positive for Karta: the Pursuit of Allies (the men she finds are better equipped and sturdier than I expected, studded leather armor and a 3rd hit die)
Returning to my father’s keep, I Eveline is shown to her quarters and allowed to change into her new clothes, and then joins the other servants for dinner while I join my family in the great hall. Captain Sonders is not with us, but Lord Warran sits beside me again, somewhat chastened. His breath smells of wine.
Q: Is Severon gloating? YES
“Today’s match was magnificent, father! You should have seen how well your men performed. The masses were amazed! And then…facing your vassal,” Severon smirks at Lord Warran, “Your son showed the strength of the Faust line.”
Q: Does Bertran wince? NO
Bertran does not react to his brother’s boasting, but instead, continues to eat.
Q: Does Faust congratulate his son? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“Glad you enjoyed your games,” Lord Faust replies sourly, “but now that you’ve had your sport, there are greater matters to attend. As you may have heard, Captain Sonders was injured on patrol this morning. Orc raiders near Axworn. Even more troubling, Westhold sends for immediate aid.” Turning to Mical, he says, “Mical, you will assemble a company and set forth at dawn to reinforce Westhold. Lord Alestor will have a rider meet you on the way.”
Q: Does Mical agree? NO (Minimum 3 days there, 3 days back, likely a two week journey, returning no sooner than 5th of Great Harvest)
Severon objects, “That should be my honor to command!” Mical shakes his head and scowls.
“Your brother needs the experience in command. And you…you need experience with diplomacy. You leave for Windlash tomorrow with an armed caravan of mead, honey and horses. The horses are for your grandfather, but the rest is to secure an agreement with Thane Dundover. It will be good for you to visit a dwarven court, they are very different from what you have seen before. Mind your manners,” Baron Faust explains.
Q: Is Severon pleased? YES
Severon, surprised for a moment, shakes his head, then smiles, “It is a great honor, father. I will secure a favorable agreement. I don’t fully understand why you seek favors from Windlash when Irongate is so much closer, but allies, no matter how distant, lend strength. Thank you.”
Q: Is Othna going as well? EXCEPTIONAL YES E: Negative for Orcs: the Antagonizing of Expectations
“I’m going with you, husband,” interjects Lady Othna. “I’ve never visited a dwarven court. It is has been ages since I’ve visited your grandfather’s.”
Q: Does Severon agree? YES (this is a base 35 day trip out, so staying a week at each court ene route, that is three thirty-five day months that Severon and Othna will be away, returning on the 27th of Vinetread)
“Of course, my lady,” he readily agrees.
“Bah!” snorts Lord Warran, “I was hoping for a rematch at your father’s birthday!”
Severon smirks, “I’ll lay in the mud again on my return, until then, enjoy pretending you are the greatest champion in my father’s domain.”
Q: Any mention of my servant? YES random—Faust
“Also, my daughter has seen fit to oath bind a retainer to herself,” Faust tells my kin. “Not the usual way to obtain a maidservant, but then…kidnapping a ward of the church is not a normal thing to do either,” he grins to the shock and amusement of my kin.
Q: Is Erana amused? YES
“First a half breed bodyguard, and now kidnapping a novice? Whatever has gotten into you? Ensuring your life journal is an exciting read?” Lady Erana laughs.
I shake my head, amused by her jest, “No, dear sister, but perhaps it will one day be.”
“Why then?” demands Severon, “Karta is a solid enough fighter for a recruit, and had for a wage. But you oath bind…who? And why?”
“Her name is Eveline. And she needed our house’s protection,” Explain.
“But what does she bring us?” Mical demands.
“Fealty,” I reply, meeting each brother’s gaze in turn. “And there is no greater gift than that.”
Q: Does everyone accept this answer? EXCEPTIONAL YES
Bertran begins smacking his tankard against the table. Verna, then Erana, then the others all do so in agreement. I smile.
—
(Immersion-6th sense, hyperawareness)
Scene #16: E: Remote Event: a Failure of Liberty (goblin “convert” uprising in Windhold)
After dinner, I go up to Captain Sonder’s chambers. A nurse sits with him, and I can see the freshly changed bandages across my old friend’s bare chest. Every hair on the back of my neck stands on end, “Sonders? Are you awake?”
The captain’s eyes flutter open and he pulls himself up in bed, “Ah, Yseldra. Nice to see you,” he replies gesturing for me to sit. The nurse excuses herself.
(Generate orc raiding party, 16 men and a warchief, a little weaker than a Farhold patrol, but not by much)
“What happened?” I ask, moving a piece on his chessboard as part of our longstanding game.
“Simple ambush. Thought we were pursuing a group of hunters that had been spotted steeling cattle. Followed the tracks to a ravine. Of course, I expected an ambush, so I sent a few recruits to investigate the bait while I paralleled them on the high ground with the rest of my men. That was what the orcs wanted, and hit those of us on high ground. While stampeding cattle through the ravine.” He shakes his head. “Didn’t see that coming.”
“And here I thought you a master of strategy,” I tease.
He laughs, which turns into a pained cough, “War is unlike our little games. On a chessboard, you know every piece, learn every rule, and can see where each one lies. In war, there are always hidden pieces, hidden places…and there are no rules. Remember that.”
I smirk, “Only if you will. You are too good a friend to my father and I to lose.” I lean over and kiss his forehead. He grips my hand. “Recover quickly. Father has need of you.”
“As you command, clever girl,” he teases. I screw up my face in mock displeasure, but from him, I’ll allow it.
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