496 - The Anarchy Era

(Oh... I don't think I remembered that at all...) Sir Ullin first seeks out Sir Benshaw.  He will ask the newly appointed herald if he recalls coming across or knows of any old records dating back to the time Vortigern, with any mention of the Gewessi or a kingdom named Wessex.  He will explain he is trying to gain insight on the occupants of to their South in an effort to better gain the information Lady Ellen has requested.  If the herald is not familiar with any of this, Sir Ullin will ask if herald recalls any records in Sarum or a roll of knights who were thought to have been favourable to Vortigern, or possibly of someone who may know this information. When Sir Ullin visits the storyteller, he will enquire if she has heard or known any tales from the times of when Vortigern was in power.

Sir Benshaw is rather short with you "When Saxons start bearing heraldry, I shall start paying attention to their depravity. They are base creatures and I know nothing of their ways, less of all their obnoxious little tribes that they laughingly refer to as kingdoms. If you want to do Salisbury a service, burn them out of Hantonne and be done with it." Conwith is more accommodating, and regails you with the story of Vortigern and his secret sons, each born to a different Saxon princess and each promised great power in return for bringing an army to Britain. They each did so, causing chaos amongst the gentle and noble British who eventually overcame each evil prince and they were slain in increasingly unlikely and unnecessarily demeaning circumstances.

Taron will grimly prepare his equipment and practice fanatically - he's not going to be caught wanting again if it comes to a fight. 

Does Taron want to spar with Balen?

Yeah I think that would be good! 

Go ahead and roll out one of your practice fights if you wish

“Your weapon of choice Taron!”

Taron picks up his favoured mace and swings his arm to loosen up the shoulder. Hitching up his shield, he looks over to Balen. "Ready when you are!"

(( It might be nice, if possible, to arrange a time that you can both be on together for 10 minutes or so and play it out live in the app! ))

Yes indeed. Would have to be a weekday tho

Set a time and a day. Balen flexes a spear...

(What does Sir Ullin know of Sir Benshaw?  Is he known for any great feats? Perhaps a Heraldry roll?)

Balen positions his rebated spear. Make your play! (Will messaged)

Apparently I'm not authorised to send a PM to you RossM so - I can be free most of today if necessary. 

UllinBethalto said: (What does Sir Ullin know of Sir Benshaw?  Is he known for any great feats? Perhaps a Heraldry roll?) I think Ullin knows Sir Benshaw as a below average soldier in battle, a fairly average knight but one who learned to read and therefore, a prime candidate for his new position.

Gareth G. said: Apparently I'm not authorised to send a PM to you RossM so - I can be free most of today if necessary.  I'll bring you both into a pm - though I really would recommend the app if you can be on at the same time - you can still message just me your moves in advance there, and your rolls are in line!

Theres an app?

Meanwhile, while they roll out their practice, let me know how you travel to the feast, what you take, how you ride - anything you want me to take into consideration!

Ross M said: Theres an app? It's what roll20 calls the interface where you roll the dice -  it's where they designed the games to be played rather than via the forum, hence why we can't roll dice here - it's designed for players to log in at the same time and pay around a virtual desktop. So for things like this combat, you can arrange a time, log into the game, play it out and the log will save the full transcript. We can bring it into the forum as and when it makes sense too. For secret information - like for example declaring your moves, you can do so in there to the gm, the other player can't see it and I can, exactly the same as Pmming me the move, but instant, so you can keep the combat moving. As I say, if you're both on at the same time, the combat will take no more than 10 minutes!

Is there anything particular about Saxon customs concerning such diplomatic visits that are known?

Lets choose one knight travelling to make an opposed roll, Hatred (Saxons) vs Courtesy, to see how many of their customs are known

Having never been to a Saxon country before, Dylan doesn't know what to bring. He packs his wife's latest attempt at feast clothes, and rides on his Courser, with Twyla accompanying on her Rouncy with a Sumpter to bring their gear. Armor and sword are packed, not worn, and Dylan rides in his hunting leathers. (Rolling for knowledge of Saxon Customs) Hate Saxons 10 out of 15, Courtesy 8/8 CRIT!

Your journey then goes without incident. The Prince meets you at the border, and fortunately, your common sense means that you do not commit any faux pas courtesy wise. You soon arrive at Hantonne, and the city, well it looks fine. Intact. It shows some signs of looting, but this is a city that was spared complete devistation, and the people, they seem to be there. The out lying farms are being farmed, the city is filled with commoners going about their daily business. At the centre, a great longhouse has been built and it isn't fortified as if against a hostile population, but the Saxons have started planting public gardens around it.

Balen looks for troops in the city. His eyes are open for military intelligence, but he does not actively seek it. 

Dylan looks for someone to introduce themselves to as they make their way to the longhouse. 

During the ride Owain will keep his eyes open for any sign of where Hantonne's knights may have fought against the invaders, and any indication of their fate - recent pyres, graves etc. Within Hantonne itself he'll also look if there are any merchants, and if so, any badge or marker that would serve to identify them.

On the journey: There are very few signs of battle along the way, until reach Hantonne, where you see the unmistakable aftermath of a siege. The churned up field has started to sprout green once again and the bodies and metalwork have mostly been removed, though you still take great care with your horses along the road. You know all too well that swords can sink in the mud and remain a peril that will retire your steed, and they can remain there unknown for decades. It's likely that your families have all lost a horse this way. There are plenty of graves, one or two per abandoned manor, and as the Saxons do not bury their dead like Christians it seems that someone has made a considerable effort to honour the knights slain. In place of the manors, longhouses are springing up in the centre of the villages and it is here that Balen notices the troops. Every Saxon is a warrior, even the children and they are here in every village. Hantonne: Hantonne is busy, and while it has been looted - plinths without their statues and decorative trim removed from buildings, the population are not in distress. The city is busy, merchants unload their wares from the docks that once sheltered Uther's fleet. The Plentyn Taranau, once a ship of the fleet of Logres is in dock, being loaded with barrels of wine from Cambria, fleeces from Malahaut, even herbs from Cornwall, along with any and every other trade produce of the Britons. There are warriors around the city too, which while they are soldiers, here they are keeping order, ensuring that the city keeps ticking smoothly. While merchants are not allowed to bear insignias or badges in Salisbury, or any of Logres' former counties, here they bear them, though your attempts at heraldry are of course, doomed to failure as the common folk do not understand the sacred rules of pedigree, and there is no rhyme nor reason to their choices. Who does Dylan introduce himself too? There are every flavour of commoner along the way, and many Saxons too, warriors with various markings, including those with the facial markings that declare them to be Wotan's chosen. You even note some men with the wild crazed look that comes with surviving the life changing drug induced beserk state, though no others will go near them.

Dylan will observe the commoners and saxon warriors with curiosity, but will not stop for idle chatter. He rides for the central great longhouse. If not challenged he will dismount and head inside. When challenged, he will say 'We are knights of Salisbury, invited to meet with King Cerdic. You will bring us to him."

You actually are first challenged by a knight of Silchester, wearing blackened armour stood in front of the great longhouse door. He stands in your way, spits at your feet and growls "Wait your turn, Salisbury, your betters will enter first."

Dylan will give him a glance up and down to see if he knows of him. (rolled 10 vs Recognize 3) "If I saw anyone better than us, I would defer, Silchester. Now stand aside. You should know better than to open your mouth without permission of your Duke." Dylan will move to enter that hall unless physically restrained. (He will try and make his Size 18 frame seem physically imposing as he moves forward)

The knight, who you suspect to be a house knight of Levcomagus does not stop you, but shakes his head as you enter. Inside, a Saxon version of a herald announces "A dhaoine uaisle, leig dhomh mo thoirt a-steach, Sir Blai ... Tha mi duilich, is e seo Sir Dylan, a tha a ’fuireach aig a bheil fios càite ann an Saliabury." No-one is paying much attention however, the lower ranked Saxons are busy setting up the feast, and there is no-one of particular note yet in attendance.

Dylan will observe the proceedings and see if he can discern who might be in charge of setting it up - i.e.  if the Saxons have the equivalent of a steward.

Owain wasn't expecting to recognise any traders, but he makes a mental note of the symbols displayed by some of the most prominent to ask Master Wainwright about later. He makes sure to keep half an eye on Balen as the number of Saxons around them begins to increase, but will take his time making sure that his horses are properly stabled before approaching the Blackened Knight at the longhouse.

There is most certainly a Saxon who seems to be supervising the others, she also tends the cauldrons in the fireplace where something is cooking, something that smells like food, but is completely unidentifiable to you by smell alone. Owain, you immediately recognise Sir Blaines, and he glares at you "I should have known you would be here. Why is it, whenever a junior knight of Salisbury is facing the dungeon, you're always two paces behind?"

(Owain was lost to his madness when Cynian had his encounter with Sir Blaine. Nevertheless I think that the point stands, especially if it is directed at Ullin, who actually stepped in to defend Cynian from Sir Blaine.   Actually it was Narwar, faulty memory on my part!)

(( I remember now, it was Ullin I was referring too, but I think I'll leave the statement as is, it was many years ago and Blaine has just misremembered his salisbury knights EDIT - clearly I don't remember!!! ))

Owain will appraise Sir Blaine coolly. "Greetings Sir Blaine. How fared Levcomagnus this winter?"

Sir Dylan will approach the woman who seems to be in charge with the intention of striking up a friendly conversation. "An impressive sight. And a most sumptuous one. It seems preparations are well under way. I'm sure your king will be pleased."

"Stad le bhith a ’cleachdadh innealan eadar-theangachaidh gus faighinn a-mach dè a thathas ag ràdh. Caog." ----- Sir Blaine shrugs "As well as can be expected, the loss of the King was a blow to us all. Less so to us than yourselves, I understand you have resorted to paying Saxons for protection. Lady Ellen must know she can count on Silchester, on Levcomagus for protection?"

"Considering that the majority of Logres' nobles were slain by treachery, I believe Lady Ellen can be forgiven for being cautious on whom she places her trust. I will be certain to pass on your assurances of Silchester's aid, although I am certain some at court will wonder whether this is aid freely offered or what the price may come attached."

"Lady Ellen is a.. a childhood friend, someone who I trust implicitly. There would never be a price attached! Sir Owain, Silchester looks after her own."

"What do make of the situation here?" Owain speaks more softly. "King Cerdic of Wessex . I wonder if he is directly the heir of Gwessi who were granted this land by Vortigern,  or whether he hopes by using it to claim some legitimacy for this invasion?"

"Wessex was gifted by Vortigern, this much is true, so their claim has legitimacy, and certainly not harmed by what appears to be a complete military victory. Which, if you ask me, makes it all the more important that we..." he pauses. "We should talk later. After hearing what Cerdic has to say."

Dylan, it is at this point that the opposite door opens and unmistakably, the King and his entourage, some 20 warriors file in. King Cerdic wears a magnificent cloak, made from the pelts of dozens of wolves, it is thick, long and wholly impractical. It clearly weighs heavy on the man, and would be a nightmare to fight in, but it has the desired effect, this already large and handsome man dominates the room with his presence. Next to him, a skinny man, elderly and uniquely unarmed among the Saxons, whispers something into his ear and points at you. Cerdic nods and looks at you, his pale blue eyes are piercing and seem to look right through you. "Sir Dylan, I am told, Welcome to my hall!"

Dylan will bow with whatever respect is normally accorded to a foreign King. "I bear greetings from Salisbury and from Countess Ellen. She looks forward to hearing more of your disposition and intentions." Dylan glances around the room briefly.  "I must confess, I did not expect to find things so...organized and undamaged... after the recent change in leadership."

Balen's head flicks automatically backwards to check they are not being encircled...

(I've also started my duel with Taron in the app.)

"Ah, our Northern neighbours, well, take a seat, enjoy the food and drink. We shall talk more once everyone is sated." Balen, you have been watched carefully and curiously, but no warriors, or any others have moved suspiciously behind you. Sir Blaine enters the hall, as one by one, knights arrive from among the merchants, several of them carrying crates to their wagons first. You notice that all of Wessex's neighbours are represented, Dorset, Salisbury and Silchester alike.

Dylan will take a seat at a table within sight of the king, and then introduce himself to his neighbors. 

Taron will sit with knights from other counties, introducing himself and trying to learn more about what is going on in those areas. He'll pick at his food nervously, drinking nothing but water (or juice or whatever non-alcoholic beverage is served) as he feels uncomfortable in this house of Saxons.