A Feast
Our campaign of Pendragon continues. We are still on the first Quest, heading towards the wedding of King Arthur and Lady Guenever. Some of the quest parts we are able to avoid by simply being nice to people. There are many references to Monty Python and the Holy Grail during the course of the evening. At the feast though, there are many young ladies and it turns out that at least two of us are definitely not Sir Galahad.
We have some unconscious bandits, a palfrey and a happy nun. We send for the local Reeve, but in the meantime we put the bandits in the crypt. The nuns offer to check us over for wounds, though they do not have anyone named Piglet or Winston.
They state that we should go to a smith who is known for the high quality lances that he makes.
Later that afternoon, the Reeve turns up to cart the bandits off. He seems upset that we left them alive, since that means he’s going to have to organise a jury.
The following morning we are provided with a breakfast and directions to Mirror Lake, where the smith can be found. He has apparently been there sine time immemorial.
Equipped with a packed lunch, after a short ride, we reach the lake. It is beautiful and still, just like a lake of silver. There is a smithy there, with blue flames coming out of the forge. A dark skinned smith is busy hammering. We great him, and he welcomes ask, welcomes whether we are here for lances.
We state that we are, and he offers us all a drink. He thank him, and offer him bread in exchange.
He states that he needs water for the forging of the lances, and asks us if we could bring him some water from the lake. We are all willing to do that, but I guess some knights might be too proud for that.
Once we have brought him water, he says that once a task has been started, it is important to see it through to completion. “Like with a woman” states Madog, which causes the smith to miss his blow.
We are then sent to get a long haft from his shed. We fetch the ashen hafts, and when we return he is quenching some shimmering spear tips.
He tells us that we should head towards that castle (pointing to the far end of the lake), there is a knight guarding a bridge. We will need to see that our lances can strike as true as our hearts.
Madog tries to gift the blacksmith with his family heirloom, which is a fancy spearhead. However, the smith refuses to take it, Madog seems to be upset that we seem to have got a better deal out of this than the Smith has. I ask the Smith whether he is Wayland, but he denies it, saying that Wayland was his master. I am impressed.
We move onwards, heading towards the castle, and the Chasm of the Echoing Fall. There is a bridge across the chasm, with a black knight sitting on a black horse in the middle of it. I ask whether IT is okay if we cross the bridge, and he asks us why we wish to cross. “To get to the other side” is the obvious answer. He clarifies whether we are wishing to get to the Tourney, and we say that we are.
Maddog offers him some beer, since it must be a warm job standing on the bridge all day. The Black Knight is grateful and accepts.
He says that normally he requires that we all cross lances with him, but he says that since we are such a nice bunch, he will require that only one of us tests ourselves against him. Sir Lupinus takes up the offer.
Sir Maddog and myself stand aside, and let Sir Lupinus lead the charge. Sir Lupinus is struck hard by the lance of the Black Knight, but remains seated upon his horse. After a bit of confusion, we figure out that the Charge rules don’t quite work in Foundry, so we fall back to making simple skill checks.
We are allowed into the castle of King Leodegrance, where there will be feast. We hand the Palfrey over to the stablehands, and we are shown into the great hall.
He is seeking brave knights to aid the King. The best knights will be offered a place in the new order. A Tourney will be tomorrow. It will not be as great as the one in London to honour the wedding. Tomorrow will be the peasant’s fight. Then the following day will be the fighting of the beasts. And finally there will be the grand melee.
We are offered accommodation. During the day, we catch sight of Guenever, who is the most beautiful woman I have seen. I feel an urge to prove myself in her eyes. But Petronelle the Subtle is probably more in my league, and distract me from trying anything stupid with Guenever.
Tonight, there is a feast.
For some reason (I rolled really well on a Glory check), I am seated close to the salt. Which isn’t far from the ladies.
I have a starting Geneality of 16, because of my appearance and fine cloak and pin of gold. I’m not sure what affect this will have, but apparently it will go up and down during the course of the feast.
I begin the evening by flirting with the young lady Petronelle the Subtle, and things seem to go well. Until I try to dance, at which point I show up my inability to do this by rolling a natural 20. I am sufficiently courteous though to get her forgiveness I think.
I get involved in a discussion about Chivalry. I fail to demonstrate Modesty, but get +1 Geneality.
I make another attempt at dancing, and this time I do much better. I complement the Lady Petronelle on her ability to teach and guide me. Though I have a passion towards Guenever, I might create a more realistic one towards the Lady Petronelle.
The feast finishes early for the night, since there will be much activity tomorrow.
