A Temple
Our campaign of Pendragon continues, and this week we have lots of extreme dice rolls, both good and bad. However, they aren’t evenly distributed amongst characters. Suffering some extreme bad luck on the first round of combat, right at the start of the session, did leave me wondering what to do with my character. Both in terms of what I wanted to do with the character, and also in terms of what effect it would have on the character’s own confidence.
Basically, I failed a passion check, fumbled my first attack roll, and my target got a critical on his attack roll. I fell over, and was down with a mortal wound and dying before I could do anything. This was whilst on a mission to rescue a Lady who was potentially the target of my affections – so in a situation that was really important for him to succeed at and come across as heroic and competent. Meanwhile, another character rolls two critical attacks in a row. Dying would have been easier.
Being mortally wounded means that I would die within the hour unless someone can succeed at a first aid check and get me above zero hitpoints. I was down to -2, so fortunately just a standard first aid check would be needed (it would give me 3 hitpoints back). I would also need to roll three times for characteristic loss.
We are at the Temple of the Whist Christ in the Swamp, which is in the swamp and seems to be a somewhat rundown church. The Lady Petronelle, for whom I have some affection, is possibly inside – kidnapped by some Saxons. So whilst two of our companions scout around the outside of the church, myself and Sir Maddog and Sir Lupinus open the doors and make our way inside.
Within is a ruined church full of 7 saxon raiders. Strangely, I don’t feel as much hatred for them as I expected to, but I charge straight at the nearest. However, I trip on a broken bench, dropping my sword and the Saxon runs me through with his spear. The last thing I remember is hitting the floor hard.
I awaken to find Lady Petronelle leaning over me, feeding me some strange tasting ointment. I have been bandaged up, and the liquid is causing my strength to recover. Looking around, most the Saxons seem to be dead, and my colleagues are still alive. Lady Petronelle is safe, though I’m not sure I’ve succeeded in my attempt to be seen as a heroic knight.
There is a discussion going on between my comrades and the surviving Saxon, who claims that the Bretwalda, King of Kent, ordered the kidnapping. He seems to think that the Saxons are the rightful owners of the land.
After some effort, we make it back to the castle and King Leodegrance, who is very happy with our actions (even mine apparently), and rewards us with some new armour, and some fancy clothes.
I am taken to have a lay down and receive medical attention by the Ladies and a Monk who seems to know something about healing. We are paid ransoms for the Saxons that we defeated, and are granted each a squire.
On speaking with the King, there are rumours that the Bretwalda (King) Ael of Kent is a foul sorcerer, as well as being a Saxon. He seems to have designs on Arthur’s Kingdom, but there’s no way that the Saxons will ever conquer it.
The following day, it is time for a tourney, in which all the knights fight a mock battle. I have a decision to make, whether to take part or to take the time to relax and heal. I’m feeling strengthened by whatever potion it was that Lady Petronelle fed me, and also by the skills of the Monk. Still weak, but I decide to join the Grand Melee and maybe die.
Before I ride out to do battle, the Lady Petronelle provides me with her favour.
Sir Lupinus comes up with a cunning plan for how to win the Melee. There are multiple teams of knights, and we need to grab the banner of one of the others. Whilst he and Sir Maddog run distraction, I manage to ride my horse past all the other knights and grab the Banner, claiming the victory.
I dedicate our victory to Lady Petronelle.
With the tourney over, the following day we gather together our things and head with the King to London, to the wedding of Lady Gwenivyr and the High King Arthur. Though I am offered a place to rest in the wagon with the Ladies, I select to ride with the other Knights.
Our journey to London goes with incident, and the ride doesn’t seem to have caused any of my wounds problems.
