SPEAKER_05 0:38

Welcome to Stories with Dice. This is the Sword Campaign, a Pen Dragon actual play podcast using the sixth edition starter set from

Welcome to Stories with Dice

SPEAKER_05 0:51

Chaosium. If you're enjoying our actual plays, please subscribe to Stories with Dice so you'll never miss an episode. Don't forget to rate and review us, it really helps others discover the podcast. Follow us on social media to stay updated, share your thoughts, and join the conversation. You'll find the relevant links in the description of each episode. Last time, on the Sword Campaign. As the Salisbury Knights recovered from the Battle of Carleon, a merchant from St. Albans arrived, claiming Sir Histelwin fathered his daughter's unborn child. Sir Histelwin agreed to the marriage while Sir Caradoc successfully wooed Annabelle, a lady in waiting in Count Robert's court. A joyous double wedding followed, attended by King Arthur, and soon after, Sir Histalwin's wife gave birth to twin sons. At Pentecost in the new year, Arthur sent our knights to three foreign courts to secure military aid against King Lot, whose forces were marching south. King Nim of Galvoy refused their request and seized all the gifts meant for the other two lords. While en route to Cemulard, Fix attempted to ambush the knights. And we're back with Pendragon the Sword Campaign episode seven. Joined as ever by Ed playing Sir Ian.

The Alarm is Raised

SPEAKER_05 2:20

Hello and Tony playing Sir Karadoc. Hello, hello. And Pete playing Sir Histelwin. Hi. The lustful. So when we last left off, Sir Karadoc was on watch and succeeded in his awareness role, so he raised the alarm. And Sir Ian, you were in your tent trying to sleep, but could not sleep. And Sir Histelwin, you are awoken by Sir Karadoc's cries. Now you are not sleeping in your armor. The only one who's armored at the moment is Sir Karadoc because he was on watch. The two of you are just wearing your Akatin padding, so that's the only armor that you have.

SPEAKER_04 3:05

That's what I think that's what I thought. You'd probably have that. I probably might put my nasal helmet on and grab my kite shield. That's bad.

SPEAKER_05 3:12

Right. So and because Sir Karadoc had raised the alarm, the two of you have time to grab a weapon, your shield, and helmet. But donning your bigger, hefti armor, you don't have time for that. So Sir Ian and Sir Histelwin, when you rush out of your tents, you are already met by two picks. And these these guys are they're naked and they have like spirally symbols sort of painted all over their bodies, and some of them have battle axes, some of them have daggers. And Sir Karadoc, you are also accosted by two picks. So if everyone wants to tell me what action you're gonna take for the turn, and then technically it's simultaneous, but I find that might be chaotic, so we're just gonna go from Sir Karadoc to Sir Ian to Sir Histowan. That's how that's how we'll do it, just to keep things easy. So let me know what everyone at the moment is going to do, and then we'll resolve those actions.

SPEAKER_04 4:08

Yeah, so I've probably got my shield and my sword. I wouldn't grab anything else. I guess I will go forward to a good old-fashioned attack on one of the Okay.

SPEAKER_01 4:22

Tony, Doc, is he just gonna attack? Yeah, I think I was wondering what is the kind of the battle situation if they are c all coming from one side or if they are actually surrounding us. They're coming from all sides of the clearing where your squires had made camp. In that case, I will go towards the two closest to me, and I will attack.

SPEAKER_03 4:43

And Sir Histel win. Yeah, I I guess I'm stumble slightly coming out of the tent and have no time to change my forward momentum and will carry on straight into an attack.

SPEAKER_05 4:53

Sir Karadoc, let us resolve your combat first, shall we? And because you are all fighting multiple opponents, you get a negative five on your attack.

SPEAKER_01 5:04

Okay. Counting okay, so I'm rolling with a negative five. Roll one?

SPEAKER_05 5:09

So, Sir Karadoc, give us your damage.

SPEAKER_01 5:13

Perfect. That's what I wanted to hear. A nice eighteen. It's wide swing that gets him right in the middle.

SPEAKER_05 5:23

That is a major wound. You've knocked him down. Describe to us this moment.

SPEAKER_01 5:29

So I I I stand up, I get my shield, and I confront them with my shield, and then I I make I take my long sword and I just he swing in a very wide arc, trying to hit them both, but they hit this guy on the middle, right on the on the ribs.

SPEAKER_05 5:45

Yeah, so he's he you know he swings his battle axe, you clank it against your shield, and you deliver mighty blow that knocks him to the ground and gives him a major wound. And let me roll for this other person here. And I believe that is gonna be a hit.

SPEAKER_01 6:04

Let me just double check that. I roll for defense, or you just roll for attack? I uh no, it's attacked. It's attack. Oh. I fail. Okay. I failed. Well, no, not so bad because I have the armor.

SPEAKER_05 6:19

Yeah, yeah, your armor. Your armor is ten, so the damage is seven total. So Ian.

SPEAKER_04 6:24

Okay, so we'll attack the one on my left. Mine. I need a fourteen, and I well, I lie. I got a four.

SPEAKER_05 6:36

So I succeeded. Did and oh so the only the only piece of sort of defensive gear that they have are those shields that are attached right to the arm, the targ shield. So he has a partial success, you have a success, so he gets to use that little shield. Roll your damage. Okay, here we go. 15 damage. That is also a major wound. Yeah, so he swings his axe at you and uh clanks it against your shield.

SPEAKER_04 7:06

And then I bring my bring my sword down, he kind of goes to raise his little shield on his arm, and I cut into the shield, breaking well, maybe I scratch along the shield and into where his elbow meets his forearm, and just cut pull a bunch of tendons from there and slice it through. And then swing my head around vaguely not knowing where the other one is.

SPEAKER_05 7:31

Right, yeah, I I made one mistake. It's it's a knockdown, but it's not a major wound. Okay, so you've knocked him you've knocked him to the ground with your mighty blow, and then we'll do the other one here. That is a failure.

SPEAKER_04 7:44

I might succeed. I got a six, I needed a nine. That's a minus five. I whack him with the sword as well. He takes a mighty twenty-four. My goodness. That is a major wound. I probably see him coming. Well, maybe I don't see him coming. I kind of put my shield up and I just lash out on the tip of my sword and it gashes through his stomach, and I kind of like take a couple of steps back, kind of like swearing under my breath, because well, in fact, I'm not swearing under my breath. I'm swearing out loud. Fuck you.

SPEAKER_05 8:19

Okay. So Histelwin. So I have a success and you have a failure, okay? Swing and a miss. So you come you come rushing out of your tent swinging at this one pick, then you've sort of left yourself open, and he jabs you with his dagger. Uh so you can deduct your actin armor from that 11 damage, which is two, I believe. Yep. Yeah. So that's nine damage. So while that pick stabs you with his dagger, the other one comes in also with a dagger. Oh, and that is a critical.

SPEAKER_02 8:50

Not there too well here. And that's a success.

SPEAKER_05 8:53

Okay, so a critical versus a success. Ed, correct me if I'm wrong, but a critical gives you an extra four d6, is that right? It does indeed. Ouch. Do I get a chance to use my shield? Yes, because you have a partial success. You're knocked down. It is not a major wound, but you're knocked down. Alright, so Keradok.

SPEAKER_01 9:13

Yeah, I confront the guy in front of me and I swing my sword. That is a success.

SPEAKER_05 9:19

That's a failure for me. So minus your armor, that's three damage. This guy is crawling away. Fine. By me. Right.

SPEAKER_04 9:31

So one guy's so both down on the floor in front of me. Yep, and they're trying to crawl away. So the first guy, he looks the one who's the least wounded in my eyes. So I'm gonna dab him while he's down. So if he's trying to turn to crawl, I'm gonna attack him.

SPEAKER_05 9:46

I'm gonna ask you first to give me a battle roll. A battle roll, okay. I'm gonna do something a little that's probably not exactly by the book, but that's okay. Any modifiers or just just straight battle roll?

SPEAKER_04 9:59

I am gonna give you a plus five. A plus five. That's very generous of you, sir. So I need a fifteen and I roll a twenty. Terrible fumble.

SPEAKER_05 10:09

Okay, yeah. You are not aware that your companion Sir Histelwin has fallen to the ground. So you may continue. Okay. I'm really focused on him, so I'm gonna attack him. Okay, so as they're because the the two of these guys are are crawling away, so give me a merciful roll first. Well, let's see how merciful I am.

SPEAKER_04 10:28

No, I failed me my merciful. I'll roll my cruel critical. I'm a bloodthirsty son of a bitch. You are just Yeah, I I I basically to twist the twist the sword round, and I just basically jam it through his body into the ground.

SPEAKER_05 10:45

Yeah, so he's like he's crawling away, and then he he realizes that you're over him and he turns and looks, and he's got this look of sheer terror in his eyes and on his face.

SPEAKER_04 10:55

And he's like, No, no Yeah, I don't take any pleasure in it, it's just that he's he's now dead. That's it. Okay. I know I look around.

SPEAKER_05 11:05

Yes, and now you notice Sir Histelwind. Sir Histelwind.

SPEAKER_03 11:08

I'm just yeah, using the shield so that they can't follow up. Oh, you get plus ten. That's cool. So what do I roll for defense?

SPEAKER_04 11:16

Is that just your weapon skill plus ten. Then minus five for the two? Yes, so plus five. Cool. Well, he's rolling. I just re I I looked at the crit rules. So for every extra person that you're you're fighting, you get an extra minus five, which is harsh. Now do they get the same?

SPEAKER_05 11:34

Do they get a plus or a minus, the opponent? No, no, you just get the you just get the minus. They don't think the opponent gets no penalty or benefit. Oh, okay. So I've been doing that wrong. All right, thank you. Okay, so Sir Shistolwin, you have a partial success versus their success. Okay. Let's uh roll the damage here. So I take another six. Yeah, still not a major wound, but not great either. Alright. This one is fleeing. And this one is also fleeing. Now, if any of you want to try to catch one, we can do an opposed move roll, or you can just let them go. It's up to you, go.

SPEAKER_01 12:11

We'll let them go. And I if I see that Elstawin is in danger, I will go and provide support. So I'm charging.

SPEAKER_05 12:19

So you're charging so there's still one more pick of over him with a dagger, so you're gonna Yeah, I'm charging. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 12:26

Uh

The Aftermath of Battle

SPEAKER_01 12:27

Sir Elsterwin, I come to your aid.

SPEAKER_05 12:31

So give me an attack roll, Sir Karadoc, and you have a plus five. Okay, success. He failed. So give me your damage.

SPEAKER_01 12:41

Uh seventeen only.

SPEAKER_05 12:43

He's knocked down, you've given him a major wound. So paint this picture for us.

SPEAKER_01 12:48

You come charging up screaming, Sir Histelwind and I just skewer him with my with my sword right below the sternum, and I push him aside with my shield after that.

SPEAKER_05 13:01

He falls to the ground, screaming in agony. And Sir Histelwind is is also on the ground, bleeding profusely. He hadn't had time to put his armor on. I call my I call my squire to provide support. Okay. This'll be for his first aid. Okay, and that is a success. And I must now remind myself what first aid does.

SPEAKER_04 13:26

First aid. Page one nine nine on the main book. A first aid roll of success, character gains hit points equal to the healing rate up to the total value of the healed win. Okay.

SPEAKER_05 13:37

Thank you. So your healing rate is three, so you gain three back. Okay. So what are you doing?

SPEAKER_01 13:45

I will finish with the the the picked on the floor. I will just put him out of his missionary. And then when Owen is done, I will ask him to treat my wounds. Okay. Give me a merciful role.

SPEAKER_04 13:58

He's the wrong one for that, if I remember correctly.

SPEAKER_01 14:01

No, I'm more I was more arbitrary if that's the thing. I'm actually merciful at half eleven. I'm in I didn't admit that.

SPEAKER_04 14:10

Not today.

SPEAKER_05 14:11

Give me the cruel role. Yep. So you can choose. So you choose to slit his throat. Okay. And I'm gonna I'm gonna say check your cruel trait for good role play there. So you've killed this helpless pick who was on the ground bleeding profusely. Your squire, Owen, has applied first aid to Sir Histelwind and is helping him back to his tent. Sir Ian, what are you doing? Guess I'm gonna be taking over what?

SPEAKER_04 14:35

Get armored up, stoke the fire a bit more, and I guess I'm gonna I was gonna say I'll search the pick, but they're naked, right? So They are. Yep.

SPEAKER_05 14:46

Naked as the day they were born.

SPEAKER_04 14:49

I I drag them a good distance away from camp and dump their bodies together. I'm not even gonna bother burying them and stuff. The heathens, after all.

SPEAKER_05 14:57

So your your squire your squire says, Sir Sir, sir, s would you like us to burn the bodies? Let the let the let the wolves have them. Yes, yes, sir. Yes, sir, you know best. So he goes back to taking care of your horses.

SPEAKER_01 15:10

Um can I roll for Owen to give me first aid or to treat my wounds? Yes. Okay, so hopefully he will do his job. He does. So he did his job. So success.

SPEAKER_05 15:23

Yes, a regular success? Okay, so you regain hit points equal to your healing rate?

SPEAKER_01 15:28

Okay, that would be four, and I have three and seven. How do I do this? I do I get rid of one of the wounds?

SPEAKER_04 15:36

Or So just looking at the rules there. So you you do the first eight per wound?

SPEAKER_01 15:43

So first one worked. That's what I thought. Uh second also success. So both of them are treated. Okay, so the first one is is done, and the second one I get another four. So I only have three left on that one. Which I guess it will just recover naturally now.

SPEAKER_04 16:01

Yeah, the key thing, the key thing is that we don't get disease or any other kind of like nasty stuff that fest us. So even if it doesn't do any hip hip weight, at least it keeps off in.

SPEAKER_03 16:13

I'll better get my uh square to treat my other two wounds then.

SPEAKER_05 16:18

Yes, yes, yes. Um yeah. So he comes over and into your tent and begins treating your wound.

unknown 16:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 16:26

So it's one success. And yeah.

SPEAKER_04 16:30

So yeah, he's treated them both. But once once that wound is treated, it can't be treated again. That's it.

SPEAKER_05 16:34

You just get one. Yeah, and then you just on your natural healing, which is you you get the whatever your healing rate is once a week. So the rest of the night goes by uneventfully. Your squires in the morning break camp and you lead your horses through the forest. Sunlight is streaming through the canopy, dappling the trail ahead of you, and you hear ravens cry ab somewhere above you, above the canopy of trees. And that and that day passes with the steady rhythm of your travel. You find refuge in a small clearing, and your squires make camp, they set up a fire, and it crackles under the sky that's prickled with stars, and this soft mist creeps over the ground and curls around your camp like a ghost tide. And then the next day dawns, the undergrowth gets thicker, the trail is a little narrower, and a chill lingers in the air, and by night the clouds shroud the moon, and the firelight dances weakly

Journey through the Forest

SPEAKER_05 17:39

against the pressing dark, and then on the third day, morning dew clings to every blade of grass and leaf, sparkling like jewels in the light of day. Yet this beautiful moment is fleeting as the woods swallow up the trail and you find yourselves entering an abandoned village nestled in a hollow in the forest. There are sagging, thatched roofs, moss covered stone walls, your horses snort nervously, their breath is sort of misting in the air, and the empty windows of the cottages, they seem to seem to feel like they watch you as you pass, and you see this old Roman road leading north out of this abandoned village, and it winds through the hill to a Motin Bailey castle, and when you are within hailing distance, a guard calls out from the parapet Oi, state your business.

SPEAKER_03 18:41

I look at Sir Histowin. We are here to parlay with your lord. And who are you? We are representatives of the young king, Arthur. Why would you want to parlay with my lord?

SPEAKER_05 18:52

We have proposals from our king. Want to give me an orate role, Sir Histowin? So the boy king wants to parlay with Lord Hyfid. Well, I'll be damned. Open the gate and the gate creaks open, and the gentleman at the at the that was at the top of the parapet has come down and he says, I meant no disrespect, my lords, there's reports of an enemy army on the move, and you know, we just can't be letting any strange knights

Arrival at Karahas

SPEAKER_05 19:23

come bangin' on our door, but uh come this way, come this way. And he takes you takes you through the castle and into their great hall, and there you see the air buzzes with activity, servants are moving around, setting trestle tables with bread and wine. There's a scent of roasted meat that's filling the room that is making your mouths water, and uh at the head of the hall stands Sir Haifid. He's one-handed, uh his hair is streaked grey, and lines are etched onto his face that speak of years of hard living. Welcome, knights to Karahas. You'll have my hospitality this day and nights food, drink, and a place to rest. But as for your business, let us discuss that after the evening meal. You must be hungry. And he motions to his squire and he says, My squire here, John, will show you to the guest lodge where you can wash and change your clothes. And so he takes you to your to the guest lodge, you you wash up, you change. Your squires, maybe they they change your bandages, those of you who who got hurt pretty bad in that fight with the picks. And then Squire John takes you back to the hall and the meal begins, and you know, there's the hum of conversation, the clatter of dishes, and some hearty laughs, and as the final course is cleared, Sir Hyfrid rises from his seat, beckons you forward, and he says, All right, now that you've had your bellies full, out with it, what is your business?

SPEAKER_03 20:54

My lord, the young king, he asks for your assistance. King Lot is known to be marching upon us. And if uh you would wish to uh show your allegiance to the young king and prove your loyalty, then uh if you and your men would meet us at Lamborgh, where his uh armies march north to face them in battle, he would be uh honored

The King's Request

SPEAKER_03 21:16

and grateful to you.

SPEAKER_05 21:17

Sir Hyfid strokes his chin, and he says, Well, sir, my loyalty lies with King Leo de Grants of Camilyard. I can do nothing without his say so, but luck is with you this evening. We expect the king any day now. He will remain here until he arrives. I am sure he will wish to meet with you My my lord Yes May may I speak?

SPEAKER_04 21:39

You may I I believe that he was there when the king was pulled the sword from the stone and he gave his loyalty to the King Arthur.

SPEAKER_05 21:47

Yes, yes, that's all well and good, but the king must tell me what to do. I cannot send his armies to battle without his say so, you understand?

SPEAKER_04 21:57

I I I I I do. I I was I I I was just making sure that uh I'm I'm I'm I'm new at this and so I assumed a great Lord like yourself would I will stop you there clearly you are the new at this so I will bid you close your mouth.

SPEAKER_05 22:17

I am tired, and I will have my leave, I will sleep now. My squire will send you back to the lodge, and I will see you in the morning. Rest well. And so Squire John leads you back to the guest lodge, and the castle is quiet.

SPEAKER_04 22:31

I'll be mimbling about all this kind of like diplomacy stuff is all kind of like hard work. Give me a good give me a good sword and a shield and I'll be happy. All this kind of like faffing around with words, just a bit much.

SPEAKER_01 22:44

I agree with you, Serian. I also don't like so much all this talking and jumping around.

SPEAKER_04 22:50

S Historwin's good with his tongue.

SPEAKER_01 22:52

Yeah, thank God we have him. If not, I I don't even know how we could be talking with these lords. Crystalwyn, what do you think we should do to try to convince them tomorrow, on the morrow if they come? Is there any plan?

SPEAKER_03 23:07

We need to put our message before the king as we have been tasked to do. If as the Lord says the king is on his way here, surely we could rest here for a while. The wine is good, the food is good.

SPEAKER_04 23:19

Well this is day eleven, and we have only got another week or a half or so to speak to the other lord and to travel there.

SPEAKER_05 23:34

Yeah, one point of order is in the last episode I said I said you had two weeks. That was incorrect, you have three weeks. So So yeah, sir Sir Ed is correct. So do we know how far it is to the next You don't, no, no no no.

SPEAKER_04 23:49

I'm up north, as they say.

SPEAKER_01 23:52

Um in any case you cannot leave without saying our peace to this to these lords.

SPEAKER_04 23:59

I I agree, and we don't even have a a gift to give him.

SPEAKER_05 24:03

And you you also know you also know that you you can't leave without his say so. He hasn't given you his permission to leave, so you can't leave. I mean you could leave, but then that would be a slight and you would you would lose uh you would lose honor for doing that.

SPEAKER_01 24:19

Perhaps we could propose, I don't know if we can propose it directly, perhaps not, said Estarwin. But perhaps we can propose like a hunt tomorrow and try to use this time hunting to get him on our side. We can show our progress in in weapons, perhaps get a nice board and a nice dinner, and get him on good spirits on the on the night. I can sing or we can do something. Anything to prepare for the other

A Hunting Expedition

SPEAKER_01 24:48

king. Fine idea, Sir Carado.

SPEAKER_05 24:50

Okay, so you know that you guys get a good night's sleep, probably the first good night's sleep for a while since you've been sleeping on the road for eleven days now in the woods. So the next morning you're roused early by the servants, they they they escort you to the great hall, hearty breakfast awaits you. And Sir Hyfid is there, he's already seated at his at his main table. Welcome, good sirs. I trust you had a good night's sleep. Indeed, sir.

SPEAKER_01 25:19

We we thank you for your hospitality and and a good night's sleep. We're nearly after the last days.

SPEAKER_03 25:26

Generosity also, my lord. Ah, you are most welcome. I hear tales that your woods hear about some of the finest hunting grounds around. Me and my companions are fond of the hunt. Is there any chance that we may hunt with you?

SPEAKER_05 25:42

He bangs his fist on the table and he says, That is a mighty fine idea. We shall go on a hunt while we wait for the king's arrival. The forest will offer us some sport this day. I like the way you think.

SPEAKER_03 25:54

I raise a glass to your hospitality, generosity, and fine hunting.

SPEAKER_05 25:59

And so you guys you drink, you you finish your your your breakfast, and and then Sir Hyphed leads you, leads you into the woods. You guys are looking for signs of game. The air is thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs as you move deeper into the trees, you know, birds are chittering. Everybody give me a hunting roll. I'm confused already. My hunting is five.

SPEAKER_04 26:28

Well, good luck to you, Sir Ian. Have a spear and a healthy respect for very large gain. Oh no, no, I've got a I've got a twenty. I completely modched that. I fumbled. You did. Back says for me.

SPEAKER_05 26:39

Yeah. Okay. So, Sir Ian, so you hear something in the underbrush, and you've got your spear, and and you see some movement, and you just lunge at whatever's moving in the underbrush. It was it wasn't even a bore, it was a mouse or and like you you just slam your spear right into the ground, you stumble, and the spear snaps. You can remove you can remove a spear from your character piece list. That could be the lot worse. Sir Karadoc and Sir Histelwin, both of you, in sort of separate occasions, corner a hair, and swift as it is, your your spears are true, and with a quick jab, you bring down two very good-sized rabbits. You each gain a check to hunting and ten glory. And Sir Hyphen himself has won the prize, a nice juicy boar. So Sir Lord Hyphen has brought a boar back, the two of you have brought rabbits back, and Sir Ian has broken his spear.

SPEAKER_04 27:43

I'll I'll probably I'll probably say to the Lord that clearly this is something that I was never particularly good at, and watching the Lord actually hunt has taught me many things, and I will I will I will learn more of it. So I'm kind of like trying to, you know, suck up a little bit, but in a in a in a natural way as possible.

SPEAKER_05 28:07

Okay, yeah, so he slaps you on the back with a hearty laugh, and he said, uh, you are young yet. Do not worry, Sir Dian. Leave the broken spirit here, we will speak not of it. You're too kind, my lord. Gentlemen, what what have you what have you what has the forest presid provided for us this day? And he's his his squire and another another squire are carrying a boar that he that he brought down. Do not be shy.

SPEAKER_03 28:33

My lord both me and Sir Caradoc were successful in your fine hunting grounds, but our prizes bear as nothing to uh to what you have called. This is true.

SPEAKER_05 28:47

But that rabbit is mighty tasty, I know they are very good very good in these woods. Sir Caradot, you look glum. You have captured a rabbit. You should be proud of yourself.

SPEAKER_01 28:59

I I thank you, my lord, for your for your appreciation of my hunting skills. But I must agree with Sir Istalwyn, I mean that is a a ma it's a very generous boar. I will certainly feast very well tonight, and I will happily sing about the Battle of Carleon, and I will tell you how me and my three companions fought for camp robbers.

SPEAKER_05 29:26

Well spoken, well spoken, Sir Caradax. So am I to understand that I have gone hunting with three heroes from the Battle of Carleon?

SPEAKER_01 29:34

I like when I say heroes, but we we we indeed we fought with to the very best of our abilities, and I have some adventures to tell.

SPEAKER_05 29:45

Modest knights, modest knights keeping this from me. This is an auspicious day. Come, let us feast. So then you guys return back to the castle, the animals are expertly prepared over a fire, the boar is roasting and the hares, and along with some vegetables, and there's some fresh bread being brought in and hardy ale. And you sit with the knights of the castle, and you sit beside Lord Hyfid at the long tables, and the warmth of the fire and the satisfaction of the hunt and the and the impression, the good impression that you've made on Sir Hyfid feels very rewarding to you. And just as they begin to bring out, as the servants bring out all the plates, as the food is ready, you hear a clamor rising from the Bailey, and the sound of hurried footsteps and excited voices, and the door swings open to the great hall, and and and a servant comes in and says, The king, the king has come, and the hall falls quiet, and then all the all the squires, all the servants, they sort of jump to prepare to receive

The King's Arrival

SPEAKER_05 30:54

the king. And Sir Hyfid stands up and before he steps out of the hall he turns to you and he says, I must attend to my lord. You may stay here and await his arrival, or follow if you wish, but we will feast. No one will touch these plates until we return. We follow thee, my lord must welcome the king. You follow Sir Hyfid toward the Bailey as you emerge into the brisk air of the courtyard. The commotion of the king's arrival reaches its crescendo. Grooms rush to tend to the horses, squires are scurrying about to attend their duties, and the sound of the great gates creaking open fills the air. In just a few moments you see King Leo de Grant himself, you recognize him, you know, from the from the tournament and then from the Battle of Carleon. His cloak is flowing behind him as he rides in, flanked by his knights. So you notice that the king is tired, it's sort of evident in his bearing as he gets down from his horse, and despite his weary face, his eyes light up when he sees you. Welcome to Kato House, Knights of Salisbury. For a moment his fatigue seems to sort of melt away as he addresses you, and you can tell you can hear like there's a respect in his tone for you. I am pleased to see you again, though I would rather it were under more favorable circumstances. And then Sir Hyfid steps forward and says, Your Majesty, we've had a good hunt today with these fine knights from Salisbury, and we've saved a place for you at the table. The meal is ready when you are. And then the king's expression softens and he says, Ah, good hunt, you say, and he looks back at his knights who came with him and he says, Let us share this meal together and discuss what lies ahead. So you're in the you're in the Great Hall with King Lear de Grants and Lord Hyphed, and you're eating you're eating the the boar and the rabbits that you caught and the roasted vegetables and fresh bread and drinking the ale, and as the meal progresses, King Lear de Grants sets his goblet down and he says, My men have spotted Lot's forces moving south. It won't be long before his full host arrives at Carleon. You must carry word to King Arthur. Lot leads an army even larger than the one he marched last year, and then he pauses for a moment and he says My manners, I've not yet heard why you've come. What is it that brings the knights of Salisbury to my doorstep?

SPEAKER_03 33:18

We were sent forth with a missive from King Arthur, yeah beseeching that you would join him in the fight against King Lotz and his allies marching south, if you would meet Arthur and his army at Lamborgh from whence they march north to face the battle.

SPEAKER_05 33:37

Well you may tell your king that Leo de Grant will meet him in Lamborghismen. We will depart tomorrow after breaking the fast. Our horses have borne us hard today and must rest before the journey ahead. You and your horses should rest here the night as well. We all has we all have

Preparing for the Journey

SPEAKER_05 33:56

far to go in the morning. And so the next day dawns, you all have a hearty breakfast, your squires ensure that your mounts are well fed and equipped for the long journey ahead. Sir Hyfrid gives you some trail food, some dried meats and bread and flasks of water and wine, and then in the courtyard King Leo de Grants is there accompanied by one of his the knights Sir Ambret, and the king steps forward to say to you all, Sir Ambret will guide you to the edge of my kingdom. Beyond that, you will enter Bedigre County. I wish you godspeed, and remember this, stay on the road in the forest of the silver deer. Do not veer from the path, no matter what you see or hear. Ride well, and I will see you in Lamborgh. And with that he turns, his cloak swirling behind him, gets on his horse, and he and his men ride away, and Sir Ambert mounts his horse and he leads you forward. If anyone wants to make a folklore roll, you can at the mentioning of the forest of the silver deer. I went give it a go as well.

SPEAKER_04 35:06

Why not fail?

SPEAKER_05 35:08

Nope. Fail as well.

SPEAKER_02 35:11

Give it a go, just in the off chance. Nope, definitely fail.

SPEAKER_05 35:14

Okay, yeah, so you you you've never heard of uh this forest of the silver deer before. So it takes you about a day, Sir Ambert leads you to the edge of Camelard. He reins in his horse at the edge of the river Trent. He points down an old Roman road, and he says, Stay to the road, from here. It is a half day's ride. And then the the the path ahead stretches straight and true for about seven miles, its weathered stones or relic of an empire long gone. The woods that flank the road are unlike anything you've seen before, untamed and vibrant, yet impossibly harmonious. It is as though some unseen wild gardener has shaped this place, blending the untamed beauty of nature with a quiet sense of order. But the road that cuts through it feels out of place, unwelcome. Your horses move at a steady pace, the sounds of their hooves echoing on the cobblestone, and then an unnatural hush falls over the woods. And up ahead, on the road, you see a man. He's stepped out of the forest, but then the figure shimmers in the shifting dappled

Encounter in the Woods

SPEAKER_05 36:31

light of the trees, he's transforming before your eyes into the largest wolf you have ever seen.