A place for scenes specific to Sir Gracian

Sir Gracian was lovestruck. Cupid had fired his arrow and hit it's mark because nothing could tear Sir Gracian away from fair Lady Ariette. He enjoyed her company, her scent, her laughter and her smile. He whispered things in her ears and danced with her even though he was hardly a good dancer.

He didnt tell her much about his adventure to the North. Not that he avoided the subject but this was a joyous occasion and the loss of Sir Caradwg and Sir Tyngyr was not something he wanted to think about tonight. "I would love for you, my dear, to meet my brother-knight and good friend, Sir Dalan. But let me introduce you to him and Lady Ellowyn tomorrow, my love, and then enjoy their love like we enjoy ours." he said and kissed her hand with a smile. "I can not take my eyes off of you. Never have I seen such beauty as yours."

---

Sir Gracian has three things on his to-do-list:

• Introduce Lady Ariette to Earl Robert and thank him for his support (Intrique/Courtesy).
• Ask Lady Ariette to introduce him to Duke Morvid of Gloucester so Sir Gracian can thank him and get to know him (Intrigue/Courtesy).
• Spend as much time as possible with his wife to be (Dancing/Flirting)

"You are such the flatterer, my dear," Ariette replies, beaming.  "I could not be happier myself."

During the first two courses, Sir Gracian and Ariette had an opportunity to chat with Sir Dalan and Lady Ellowyn.  It is safe to say that all introductions have been made and some basic chit-chat has occurred, and there are 5 more courses to come.

Sir Gracian did introduce Ariette to Sir Robert, and did manage to convey his appreciation in a most courtly manner (gain a check in Courtesy).

Likewise, Ariette introduced Sir Gracian to Duke Morvid, although the two don't know each other all that well.  Ariette's father was a banneret (he owed 6 knights to the Duke each year) but the Duke has upwards of 100 knights and 300 soldiers he commands for Arthur.  The Duke seems personable enough and although Sir Gracian is not as famous as perhaps the Duke would have liked, he just accomplished something significant for Arthur and the Realm and the Duke is getting some good press here and making Arthur and Guinevere happy.

Unlike Sir Dalan and Lady Ellowyn, who have known each other for a couple of years and spent many hours together, Sir Gracian has only really just met Lady Ariette.  He is finding her to be very enjoyable company and she seems to honestly feel for him.

As Sir Dalan and Lady Ellowyn head to the dance floor, Ariette snags Sir Gracian's hand and pulls him after the pair.  And it looks like one of the new knights is bringing a stunning woman to the dance floor as well.  It is a party!

Sir Gracian has always feared dancing and in many ways feared it more than battle itself, but he is striken with love and feels like he can dance for hours and hours. After a while he gently lead his wife-to-be towards a somewhat quiet corner of the great hall. "When can we get married my love? I can not wait to show you Dinton once the chapel has been rebuild and the garden looks splendid."

"The Winter is always a good time for a wedding," the young damsel suggests.  "And I can't wait to show you your new lands at Stonewall.  There is much to do.  We will need to figure out what improvements to make, whether or not to fortify, what knights we can call upon to serve the Duke," she lists off.

Nestling her head against his shoulder she comments, "it will be nice to have someone else to help make these decisions and deal with any problems."

"Of course My dear. We will get married at Dinton this Winter - or perhaps when Spring comes and everything is green and the darkness of Winter is gone? Then once we are married we can tour your land at Stonewall and get to work on what to do." He smiles and kiss her hand but then turn more serious. "But I need to tell you that I can never turn my back to Dinton Manor. It is where my family has lived ever since Emperor Aurelius ruled and I made a promise to both myself and my father that I would restore Dinton to it's former glory. I need you to understand how important Dinton is to me and I give you my word that your land will never be neglected or left unprotected."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Thu 07 Sept 2017.

"Of course, dearest Gracian.  I would not wish to marry a man who had no loyalty to his family and his history," she replies.

OOC:  All events occur in the winter, marriage, child-birth, age rolls, etc.

Sir Gracian smiles and looks relieved. "I never thought love could be like this ... please come with me dear Ariette. I want to introduce you to an old friend - if I can find him that is." He adds with a laugh.

---

Ok we will get married in the Winter then :)

And Sir Gracian will go looking for Sir Perin. I know the character is busy but I dont know if we can play out parallel storylines. I think we need to get some connection between the "new blood" and the "old blood" :D

They slowly make their way through the great hall taking their time talking to the knights and ladies attending the feast. While Sir Gracian enjoy the feast and celebration and still cant believe this is happening, he knows just how more important this occasion is to dear Ariette. So he gives her every chance to shine and bask in the attention of the guests, all the while he see if he can spot anyone he knows.

He suddenly sees Sir Perin dance with a beautiful woman whose identity is unknown to Sir Gracian. He leans in to Ariette, points out Sir Perin and whisper in her ear "That is Sir Perin. Recently knighted, my neighbour and a good man .. but do you know who he is dancing with my dear?"

"Oh my," Ariette replies, "that is Countess Fiona of Hereford.  She has a . . . bit of a reputation.  Maybe more than one."  Cocking an eyebrow at Gracian she asks, "you say he is newly knighted?  He has moxie, I'll give him that.  She is way out of his league."

Seeming to think on it for a while she concedes, "although, I think she has a lot more say than most in who she marries, and they seem to be getting . . . uh oh, spoke too soon."

The pair watch as Fiona disengages and heads off, only to be intercepted by a rather powerful-looking Roman.

Chapter 2.2 - Summer Campaign (515 AD) Letter from Ariette

Sir Gracian receives a response to his letter.  It is full of flowers (literally) and sunshine (figuratively).  Although he attempted to Romance his fiancee in his own letter, it seems that as yet he does not have the hang of flirty-correspondence.

In response to his question about Countess Fiona, Ariette writes:

The Countess is an odd bird, very private in her affairs and little is known about her.  She is Arthur's cousin, she has ruled Hereford for 6-7 years since her father died.  It is in a weird and wild forest called the Dean Forest, that is reputed to be overrun with mythical monsters and the Fae.  She is often referred to as a witch and there is no doubting her intelligence.  Hereford itself, the one time I was through there with father, seemed normal and the people happy.  A few years back the Duke of Dorset began courting her, rather persistently.  Not sure how the Countess feels about this but she still entertains him and he is generally considered her suitor and most likely to win her hand.

Chapter 2.2 - Summer Campaign (515 AD) Letter to Ariette

Sir Gracian is unsure what to do with the flowers he has received and he suddenly realize how incredible primitive he is when it comes to romancing a woman. So he sits down again and writes a new letter. This time he make sure his handwriting is as fine as possible and tries to think first and write later.

Being forced to think slows down the process somewhat.

My Love,

I will not bore you with details about the campaign. I can just say that we are chasing the Irish raiders and hope to chase them from our shores, so we may once again live in peace.

But even though I yearn for a battle and the chance to win glory so I may prove my worthy of your love, then I think of you day and night. At night the scent of your perfume comes to me and I dream of you. When I look at the stars in the nightsky above me I think of your eyes. When I wake up in the morning my heart almost burst because you are not by my side.

One day soon I will return home and prepare for our wedding. To start a life with you and build a home and a family. To hear the sound of childrens' laughter in the halls of our manor. Men wage wars and win battles but it is the love of a woman that brings light and joy into a man's heart.

But I am not the only one lovestruck. The noble Sir Perin can not stop thinking - or talking - about the Countess. He talks of her beauty and her wit and I listen to him till my ears bleed. What do you know of the Duke of Dorset? I have only seen him twice I think but I have never talked to him or heard much about him. Do you know what he likes or excel at or if the man has any flaws?

I will end this letter now. The courier is about to leave and I must hurry so he can bring you this letter. I love you and long for you.

Your servant

Gracian

Other than what Sir Perin already knows about the Duke, there is little that Ariette can add.  She does not know him that well, although he has something of a reputation as a warrior and for being a bit stubborn.  Ariette does not think that he will take it well that Sir Perin is pursuing the Countess.

Chapter 2.3 - Fall (515 AD) Banneretcy of Stonewall

Deciding that a visit to his betrothed is in order, Sir Gracian sets out on a leisurely 5-day journey up to Stonewall, just north of the City of Gloucester.

Sir Gracian and his squire Idres slowly journeyed north making sure to give the messenger he had send ahead plenty of time to reach the fair Lady Ariette. Sir Gracian didnt wish to show up at Stonewall unannounced and a messenger had seemed like a good idea. Not only did Sir Gracian long to spend time with the woman he loved while recovering from the burns he received on the campaign against the Irish. He also wanted to inspect Lady Ariette's holdings now that he would soon be responsible for them.

The leisurely journey north was spend in conversation with his squire Idres and enjoying the early Fall where the forests seemed to quickly turn into shades of red, orange and brown. Life seemed good for a change and Sir Gracian - ever the incompetent poet - spend the days travelling north trying to compose a poem to the woman he loved.

Idres on the other hand was clever enough to politely tell Sir Gracian that poetry should be left to poets and not warriors and Sir Gracian decided (wisely) to listen to the young boy.

"Oh, Sir Gracian!" Ariette exclaims when her knight arrives, "you are injured!  What happened?  Tell me all about it, I was so worried."

She indicates the stable to Idres and assists her betrothed into the main hall to sit and rest by the fire there.  The heat feels good and the scent of burning wood brings a slew of memories of his youth.  A maid bustles in with a steaming cup of mead and some bread and cheese.  Not long after, a bowl of soup arrives as well.

Far better than the fare on the road.

"Oh it looks far worse than it is, my dear. And besides my good squire Idres has cared for my wounds with great skill. Had it not been for him then I am sure infection had set in."

Sir Gracian is a bit overwhelmed by her concern. It is not something he is used to but he quickly deduce that he if married life is like this then he is going to enjoy being married.

"Irish raiders tried to capture Princess Gwendollyn of Escavalon. We hurt them but their knights managed to get away by blocking a bridge with burning carts. I merely assisted Sir Perin and Sir Sejanus in pushing the carts into the river so we could pursue the cowardly Irish knights. I was unfortunate enough - or clumsy enough..." he adds with a grin "... to get burned. But the Irish retreated to the coast and abandoned their plan to capture the Princess. What cowardly men call themself knights and dare to attack women like that?"

He reach out and take Lady Ariette's hand and gently caress it.

"But enough talk of war. I have missed you and not a day went by where I did not think of you. I wish I was a poet like the noble Sir Dalan so I could bring you sweet words of the kind you deserve, but I am afraid you are to marry a man with no such skills."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

The Lady seems quite aghast that knights would attempt to so callously treat a woman of the Princess's stature.

"You speak of such bravery as if it were a common gift to all men when nary a one in ten would take on such a dangerous task," she squeezes Sir Gracian's hand.  "I admit to liking flowery words and kind remembrances as much as any Lady but I far prefer the strong arm and stead head of a man who can protect me and our lands," she counters.

While she is sure that Idres did an adequate job and that Sir Gracian is a mighty hero who can easily ignore the pain of flaming wounds, that does not stop her from desiring to baby her knight at least a little.

"I will then do my best to learn how to speak flowery words. You deserve the world and I will will do all that is in my power to earn your love for the rest of my life.

And also - at least it will give you something to laugh about when you hear my desperate attempts to make poetry." he adds with a smile and a laugh. Her company turns the warrior into a gentle giant and gives Sir Gracian a sense of being ... whole. Probably for the first time in his life.

"May I stay with you and be your guests, my love? At least until my wounds have healed? It will give me a chance to spend time with the woman I love more than life itself."

"You are not leaving here until you are fully healed, my Dear," she retorts.  "What sort of manor would I keep if I were to allow you to go off injured?"

Ariette is happy to have you rest and recover and chat with you about Dinton manor and your plans there and to tell you about the manors and holdings here, etc.

I am going to put together the specifics of the manor shortly, I have most of it already.

Sir Gracian and Lady Ariette spend the days touring her holdings on horseback. They are days without worries but instead full of laughter and joy and the long meaningful discussions of two people getting to know each other. And the evenings are spend with games and soft whispered words of love and lust

---

OOC: No rush, Teller. Take all the time you need.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:04, Wed 27 Sept 2017.

The Banneretcy of Stonewall was granted to Ariette's family in perpetuity.  In return, the holder must provide for and maintain 6 knights and 20 men-at-arms for the Duke of Gloucester in case of war and provide 6£ of food tot eh City of Gloucester per annum.

The benneretcy consists of four manors: Stonewall, Overton, Red Branch, and Lady's Hall.  In addition, the lord of the fief has the revenue from a quarry and additional fields.

The manor at Stonewall has a small castle, while the other three have fortified houses.  The income from the fief is 70£ with 38£ in expenses for a net income of 32£ per annum.

I will come up with some specifics on town populations, hyrds, hydes, etc.

The good Sir Gracian is starting to become nervous. Yes the lands his beloved Lady Ariette shows him are wonderful and beautiful indeed. Vast forests perfect for hunting. Good soil for growing crops. Cattle and sheep that spell both food and money. The lands are what the knight that grew up in poverty has always dreamed of. But now that he is about to suddenly gain possession of them he feel nervous. So many things to keep track of and his mental to-do list is now so extensive that he wonder how can get it all done in a lifetime. Yes he manage to smile bravely when Lady Ariette comment on how it would be nice with this or that building or what manor needs to be fortified. Then she mention brigands and Irish raiders and Sir Gracian start to develop tics and when she one evening casually mention the taxes he is to pay and his obligation to provide knight and men-at-arms in case of a campaign he lay awake all night wondering what if life wasnt easier back at Dinton.

Lady Ariette, whatever her faults, is not particularly stupid nor unobservant.  In the morning after a sleepless night, the two are having breakfast when Ariette stops eating and looks over at Sir Gracian with a comforting smile.  "You are worried," she says, putting a hand up to stop his denial, "I can tell.  I have watched it building.  You were not born into this, you have not lived this.  Your life has been a series of tasks.  Work for this knight, clean his armor, pitch his tent.  Become a knight, serve your lord, go on this campaign, find this item, fight this giant, find the Fae."

She puts a delicate hand on his arm, "but now you are facing an entirely new world.  Getting married, becoming the owner of multiple estates, becoming a banneret with knights serving you.  And still you have your old life as well."

She bobs her head to signify that thing happen, "life is full of change and no one expects you to get everything right from the start."  She gives a mischievous smile, "well other than the part about being my husband, you better not screw that up," she warns playfully.

"But I have been managing these estates for a while now and can continue to do so.  When I need help, I will ask.  When you see something you think should change, we will discuss why it is how it is and how we can make it better.  But you can do other things that I can't.  Leading your knights to get rid of the bandits or protect our lands from Irish raiders.  Keep the men in line and make sure they are well trained and getting what they need.  I can't do those things because I have not lived your life and could never lead men into battle.  And as you grow more comfortable, you can take over additional responsibilities.  We'll just take it one step at a time and deal with things as we need to," she says.

Leaning over she gives Sir Gracian a playful peck on the cheek.  "If I didn't think you could handle this, I would never have agreed to marry you."

Sir Gracian sits quietly and look at his future wife before he starts to laugh. It takes a while before he is able to speak and when he does he reach out and caress her hand. "Oh I am going to be you a good husband - it is the rest I worry about! Because you are right of course. This is so far from my world that it can possible be and I am lost. But I trust you my dear. I trust your wit and your ability to manage these lands more than anything else in this world and I that is just one of the many things about you that I love so dearly."

He spend the remaining time at Stonewall getting to know Lady Ariette better. He want to know her interests, her likings, her values. He want to spend as much time as he can with her before he have to return to Dinton and tend to his duties there. If there is time at Stonewall (which he doubts there is) then he will get an idea of the knights and men-at-arms that he will soon command. Perhaps (with a little luck) they will be able to tell him about the brigands that seem to trouble Stonewall and the other holdings.

---

OOC: Basically I am fine with proceding to Winter Phase :)

Winter Phase 515AD

1.a Roll Gracian's Stewardship for Dinton Manor
Critical = +3£
Success  = +1£
Failure  = -1£
Fumble   = -3£

Base income is 6£.

Roll for Improvements.

1.b Roll Ariette's Stewardship (16) for Stonewall Banneretcy

Roll Stewardship
Critical = +5 to Harvest roll
Success  = +3 to Harvest roll
Failure  = No modifier
Fumble   = -3 to Harvest roll

If there was Raiding
No raiding.

Previous Harvest
Bad or Good  = No modifiers

Arthur's Reign
510 - 524  = No modifier

Curses or Blessings
No curses or blessings

Harvest Roll


Note:  Harvest Roll only affects food production, which is 84£.  Regardless of the harvest roll, Sir Gracian makes 68£ from non-food.

Expenses are 87£, including 12£ to be a Superlative knight.  So your Dinton income does not have to go toward supporting your upkeep.

2. Roll for Experience - Make rolls for all Personality Traits, Passions, and Skills in which you have an experience check.  Some buildings/holdings also give yearly checks.  If you roll 20, or above your current score, raise the value by 1.  If both sides of a Personality Trait have checks (e.g. Pious and Worldly), you must roll for both individually but can choose in which order you make the rolls.

3. Training and Practice
- Increase one of your squire's skills by 1.
- Choose one of the following options:
  o Gain 1d6+1 Skill points to distribute (cannot raise any Skills above 15)
  o Gain 1 point in a Skill (cannot raise a skill above 20)
  o Increase an Attribute, Trait or Passion by 1
    x No Attribute can be raised higher than its cultural value
    x No Trait can be raised above 19
    x No Passion can be raised above 20
    x SIZ cannot be increased after age 21.

4. Compute Glory
- Glory given during the year can be added immediately.
- Gain glory for exceptional traits/passions (16+) equal to its value
- Gain glory for quality of maintenance - Rich knight 10/year, Superlative 15/year
- Gain 100 glory if you are a Religious or Chivalrous knight
- Gain from Holdings, conspicuous consuption (like holding tournaments/feasts) etc.
Glory bonus - For every 1,000 Glory you attain, you get a Glory bonus: you may add 1 to ANY stat, skill, or trait.
Sir Gracian gains 893 Glory from marrying Ariette and 100 for becoming a banneret.

5. Determine Upkeep and conspicuous spending
- Upkeep:  Poor (4£) Ordinary (6£) Rich (10£) Superlative (12£)
- Hire any retinue for next year or make manorial improvements (http://www.eisinger.net/pbem/S...manorimprovement.pdf)

When you are done, update your character sheet / holdings.  I will come up with a mini-problem once you are done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:18, Thu 12 Oct 2017.

Winter Phase 515 AD

1A. Dinton Manor

Sir Gracian rolled 13 using 1d20.  Stewardship @ 11 (Failure)

Sir Gracian rolled 2 using 1d2.  Income (Apiary)

Sir Gracian rolled 6 using 1d3+3.  Income (Logging)

Income for Dinton Manor: £6 - 1 (Stewardship Failure) + 2 (Apiary) + 6 (Logging) - 1 (Upkeep Apiary) = £12

Gains Check in Energetic.

1B. Stonewall Banneretcy

Sir Gracian rolled 8 using 1d20.  Ariette Stewardship @ 16 (Success; +3 Harvest Roll)

Sir Gracian rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  Harvest Roll (Superlative; Income 200%; State of the Land +3)

Income for Stonewall Banneretcy: £236 - 87 (Upkeep; Superlative) = £149

1C. Total Income

£12 (Dinton Manor) + 149 (Stonewall Banneretcy) = £161

2. Experience

Sir Gracian rolled 4 using 1d20.  Lance @ 13 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 11 using 1d20.  Sword @ 14 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 6 using 1d20.  Awareness @ 5 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 20 using 1d20.  Faerie Lore @ 2 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 1 using 1d20.  Courtesy @ 8 (Failure)

+1 to Heraldry, Horsemanship, Singing, Orate and +5 to Faerie Lore

Sir Gracian rolled 8 using 1d20.  Valorous @ 15 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 9 using 1d20.  Just @ 14 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 1 using 1d20.  Energetic @ 16 (Failure)

+1 to Worldly

Squire Idres

Sir Gracian rolled 8 using 1d20.  Idres (First Aid) @ 6 (Success)

3. Training

Squire Idres +1 to First Aid

Training Option (1d6+1 Skill Points)

Sir Gracian rolled 2 using 1d6+1.  Skill Points

+1 to Romance, Games

4. Compute Glory

+10 Stopping the beating of a peasant
+125 Defeating the Serpent
+180 Defeating the Irish raiders
+100 Defeating Sangnoir the Giant
+50 Telling the tale of how Sangnoir the Giant was defeated
+100 Killing a Raven Witch
+10 Killing ambushing Archers
+10 Entering the Kingdom of Inapercu
+275 Completing the Quest
+150 Public Recognition from the King
+75 Defeating Irish Footmen
+100 Defeating the Irish Men-at-Arms
+75 Preventing the Princess' capture.

+16 Energetic
+21 Hatred (Sir Agravaine)
+16 Amor (Flydorill)
+16 Orate

+15 Superlative Knight

+893 Marrying Lady Ariette
+100 Becoming a Banneret

+4 Manor Improvements etc.

Total: +2343 Glory

+1 STR and +2 CON

5. Upkeep and Conspicuous Spending

Hiring Engineer (Cauras; Stonewall Banneretcy) (£1; Glory 1)
Hiring Steward (Albrecht; Stonewall Banneretcy) (£1; Glory 1)

Hiring Steward (Guy; Dinton Manor) (£1; Glory 1)
Hiring Steward (Berel; Dinton Manor) (£1; Glory 1)


Dinton Manor

Manorial Building: Sentimental Artwork (£5; Glory 1; Check Amour)
Manorial Building: Mosaic Floor (£2; Glory 1)
Manorial Building: Roman Baths (£3; Glory 1)
Dove Cote (£5; Upkeep £1; Income £1-2; Check Love Family)

All build using Roman Ruinae advantage reducing the combined cost to £5

Stonewall Banneretcy

Mill (£15; RH2)
Lead Roof (£8; +2 DV; Glory 1)
Logging (£1; Income £4-6; Check var)
Sheep Herd (£5; Upkeep £2; Income £1-4)

Not quite sure what to roll for with the Improvements. I dont know what Skill Level hirelings possess, so I kind of struggle to figure out just how many projects I can get going. Oh god I have so many plans :)

Purchase:

Destrier (£20)
Reinforced Mail (£5)

Total Expenses: £50

Total Glory: +4
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Mon 16 Oct 2017.

Provide a list of potential projects and I will let you know what can be done and who needs to be hired.

Your Winter Adventure:

As Ariette had earlier mentioned, Stonewall has been plagued by raiders and sure enough a large group of bandits attacked Red Branch and made off with food and clothing.  Reports suggest a group of 30-40 men with improvised weapons.

Sir Gracian was furious. Brigands on his lands? Yes Ariette had mentioned it a few times but he had been too focused on her ... eyes ... to really pay much attention to what she said. But now the lands were his, the wedding was over and the brigands needed to be stopped before Spring where Sir Gracian would be called away to deal with the Saxons to the south.

Sir Gracian started by gathering informations about all their attacks. The problem had been going on for a while but he suspected they were not very mobile and that they had a hideout somewhere and most likely close to Red Branch. Especially now during Winter.

He tried to learn as much as he could about the area around Red Branch talking to hunters and trappers, to vagabonds and drifters and to the villagers at Red Branch. The more he knew about the terrain he would be fighting in the better.

He then offered a reward of £1 to the person that gave information critical to the capture of the brigands.

Sir Gracian then gathered his Knights and his men and journyed to Red Branch. He brought with him supplies and building materials so the people at Red Branch did not suffer needlessly. He was there Lord and it was his duty to keep them safe - he had failed in that and he would have to pay the price.

Being in Red Branch also gave people an opporunity to see who it was Lady Ariette had married. He knew better than to pretend they were all equal, but he was determined to become known as a just and caring Lord that took his duties seriously.

And once in Red Branch the hunt for the brigands began ...

Arriving in Red Branch, Sir Pracian is approached by a squirrelly man clad in pelts.  He introduces himself as John, the trapper.  He has spent a lot of time in and around the area hunting small game and collecting furs.

"I hear ya'll's offerin' a re-ward for informashin 'bout them bandits ebnn up and round 'ere," he drawls.

When assured that this is the case, he spills his tale.  About two weeks ago he came across a large camp deep in the woods to the south.  It was a pitiful place but there must have been 80-100 people there, mostly women, children, the elderly and the infirm.  Ole John is sure this is where the bandits are from and they must have been out raiding when he came across the camp.

He will gladly show you where the camp is.

Sir Gracian listened carefully to Trapper John. Brigands were one thing but women and children? Somehow Sir Gracian had just thought of the brigands as marauders no different than Saxon and Irish raiders but now they turned out to be familymen trying to feed their women and children.

"Do you know where they come from, Trapper John? People dont just decide to live in the woods without a reason and with little chance of survival."

If Sir Gracian could figure out what had caused them to enter his lands then perhaps this could be settled without bloodshed. Saxon and Irish raiders could have caused them to flee their homes and settle here.

The trapper shrugs noncommittally.  He knows outdoors pretty well, why people move from place to place?  Not so much.  However, Sir Gracian knows or one of his knights can inform him, that there was a lot dislocation of villages and towns during the period after Uther's death and Arthur's wars of reunification.

Once a place is destroyed, it is not an easy thing for the people to find a new home.  Adding one POP to a town costs the yearly income from the town (I count this as the town only and not the villages associated with the town).  So adding 1 POP to one of Stonewall's small towns would cost 15£ and a failed roll could doom the effort with the time and/or resources lost.

Driving them off or killing them all?  Relatively cheap!

Sir Gracian leans closer to Trapper John and pause for a moment.

"You know if they have a leader? I am sure they do. So you go back to them and tell them that I want to talk to him. You tell him that I offer him and the people he lead a chance noone else will ever give them - I offer them a home. You tell him that and tell him that it is no trap. I am Sir Gracian of Dinton and Stonewall and he has my word as both a man and as a knight that no woman or child shall sleep on my land without a roof over their head but I will not accept that my people shall live in fear of being attacked by brigands."

He place a purse heavy with coins on the table between them.

"You tell him that and the money is all yours. If it makes him feel better he can pick the place for the meeting himself. I come with peace and I trust he will honor that."

Trapper John greedily takes the heavy pouch and heads off.  That evening he returns and provides a date and time for the meeting.  Next to a large tree in an open field, tomorrow at noon.

At the appointed time, Sir Gracian arrives alone on his horse at the tree.  He can see a hundred yards in each direction and there is no immediate sign of anyone.  After a couple of minutes, four men appear out of the grass not far away.  Apparently there is a small gully there.  Three are armed with bows and the fourth holds a staff.  The man with the staff approaches alone while the others watch wearily, arrows knocked but pointed toward the ground.

"I'm Flynn," the man announces expansively.

Sir Gracian dismounts and ties his horse to the tree before turning to the man speaking to him. He steps forward and lock eyes with the man. The eyes says alot about a man, he thinks as he tries to evaluate the man standing before him.

"Peace upon you, Flynn." he says. "I am Sir Gracian and I am lord of these lands. I have faced Saxon raiders and Irish marauders and them come to these shores to get rich. But I reckon you steal for another reason. Am I right, Flynn?"

Flynn regards Sir Gracian with a wary look of his own.  He is silent for a moment after the knight speaks before he replies, "we'z just tryin' a survive, Sir.  Been chased out a five places in az many years.  If yur offers fer real, we'd be might 'preciative."

"The offer is real. The wars were brutal and left people homeless and lost. We are trying to rebuild our lives, if not for our own sake then for our childrens sake. I am the lord of these lands but how can I be true to myself if people - men, women and children - live in the woods like hunted animals and starve?"

Sir Gracian takes a step closer to the man.

"If you swear to obey the rule of Law and help me rebuild this land, then I promise you a home on my lands. Do not mistake this for weakness, Flynn. I am not weak and nor is the King but if we are to create a Kingdom of Peace then we must work together instead of fighting against each other.

What do you say, Flynn?

Flynn gratefully accepts the offer and leads Sir Gracian and his knights to their camp.  The conditions there are . . . primitive.  It takes some time to get everyone moved and land and buildings set aside to increase the size of one of the towns.  However, everything works out by the end of the year (516).

Sir Gracian made his rolls to supervise increasing the population of the town from 3 to 4.  Probably choosing a town that the group was not raiding would be a good idea.  The cost of the upgrade is 12£ (a slight discount as you have the population and just need the space).

Sir Gracian gets checks in Just, Energetic, and Generous.

And finally, after months of waiting, the wedding day has come and gone.  What a perfect day, seeing all of his friends and how well they are doing, standing next to his beautiful bride, Ariette, and now inheriting more wealth than he ever dreamed of.

As he approaches his room in Dinton Manor, it is hard not to be a little sad and apprehensive, too.  There are those who are not here.  And many new responsibilities.  Opening the door and stepping in he sees something that drives all such thoughts from his mind.  Standing next to the bed in an outfit his friend Sir Perin would note is immodestly French, is his new bride, Lady Ariette de la Belle Sourire.

"My lord," she says demurely.

It takes some time for Sir Gracian to figure out how to unfasten, unhook, and undress his wife but it is a fun time.  After nine months of waiting, he finds that it was all very much worth it.

In the morning, Sir Gracian feels a great deal more relaxed for his friend's wedding than he did for his own.

Spring Tournament (516 AD) First Day Feast

Sir Gracian approach Diarmuid when there is a chance to do so. "Peace upon you, Diarmuid. It is good to see you again but it is not the only reason I come to you. I fear a friend of mine, young and gallant Sir Garym, is in need of your wise words and knowledge. Can you come to our table and listen to his tale?"

The Druid smiles as Sir Gracian approaches, "well met, Sir Gracian.  I hope that you and Lady Ariette are doing well?  So many new responsibilities, it is like living in a different world, is it not?"

With a chuckle he retorts good-naturedly, "I hope not more women problems like poor Sir Perin.  Can you believe that he is going up against a lion tomorrow?"  He just shakes his head rather sadly.  "I sort of liked the fellow."

Turning more serious he goes on, "I could stop over to your table later on and see if there is anything that I can do."

"It certainly is a very different world. And truth to be told then I have alot to learn ..." Sir Gracian answers with a tired grin on his face.

But then he turns more somber. "It is indeed about a woman but I fear a woman that is either under a dark spell or that has lost her mind. It is quite the mystery and poor Sir Garym seem willing to go to the end of the world to save her."

"Learning is what life is about," the Druid responds sagely.

With a chuckle, Diarmuid notes, "Salisbury men seem to enjoy a challenge when it comes to women.  I am happy to take a look at the lady.  I know some practical medicine and I have magical resources but what you are talking about may be outside of my ability to diagnose much less cure."

Sir Gracian - convinced that everything is alright now that Sir Garym has been properly introduced - returns to his beautiful wife to dance, laugh and enjoy life. He is determined to dance all night long when not busy making conversation with visiting nobility.

---

I am going on a holiday with my son tomorrow so I will be probably be unable to post for a few days, so I am fine with Sir Gracian doing harmless things like trying to get a check in Dancing and Courtesy ;)

The pair head out to the dance floor and spend some quality time spinning effortlessly around the room.  All too soon it is time to resume their seats.

Sir Gracian gets a check in Dance.

Sir Gracian is fit to leave his bed by evening even though Ariette try and insist that he stay in bed. If she is this concerned because of bruises from a joust, then he fear how she will cope if he is wounded in battle against the Saxons.

But he insist that he is capable of leaving his bed and seek out the knights he led in battle thanking each and every one of them for their help and praise their martial skills. Sir Gracian knows he could have done better in the Melee but things had not gone according to plan (things rarely do) and when he is done with his knights he seek out the body of poor Sir Lamorak and spends the rest of the evening in prayers and thoughts about how easily lives can be lost in meaningless ways.

After the Iris invaders has been defeated and as soon as his duties permits it Sir Gracian seek out Earl Roberts and apologize for not having stood on the walls of Sarum by the side of his Earl.

"My Lord. I gladly offer my services to help rebuild proud Salisbury if so needed but if my presence is not required may I then return to Dinton Manor and see to my home?"

"There was little enough to do in Sarum, Sir Gracian," he replies, "I think you all did fine.  It was I who let Salisbury down, I am afraid."

Waving aside offers of assistance, he suggests, "take care of your manor, although I hear that not much was damaged, small comfort, I know."

Sir Gracian departs for Dinton Manor to inspect the damage done by the Irish raiders. He does his best to alleviate the losses his peasants may have suffered at the hands of the Irish. He orders new planting seed brought in from his possesions at Stonewall and purchase cattle and sheep to replace those lost during the raid.

The stewards Guy and Berel are instructed to continue their work as soon as possible. Gracian are sure they (especially Guy) will complain about the extra workload and the hardship the two Stewards felt they suffered during the Irish invasion but Gracian does his best to resist the urge to kick them around. After all - he needs them to continue to work on the manorial improvements and repair what damage the Irish did.

And once all that is under way he personally visits the manors at Baverstock and Tisbury to inspect the damage done. He know that his brother-knights Sir Dalan and Sir Perin are on a quest with Sir Sejanus and that makes it impossible for them to see to the manors after the Irish invasion. When possible he offers his assistance in rebuilding what was loss and make sure (as much as possible) that the manors are resupplied with food and planting seed. Sir Gracian also make sure to tell the villagers and peasants at Baverstock and Tisbury that the aid he gives them are by the request of their Lords Sir Perin and Sir Garym that are "on an important quest".

It never hurts to have the villagers love their lords.

He make sure to send a letter to his love Lady Ariette and tell her that he is unhurt and explains the situation at Salisbury. He never forgets to declare his undying love for her and how he hope that she is doing well and that he hopes an heir will soon arrive.

He also sends a letter to the steward at Normanton Manor and ask him if he needs any aid now that Sir Sejanus is away on an important quest. Gracian knows that the distance between Normanton Manor and Dinton Manor makes it hard to provide aid but he feels it is his duty to do what he can. While Gracian's income is secured by Stonewall Banneretcy then the younger knights are totally dependent on their lone manors for survival.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:40, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

Winter Phase 516AD

1.a Roll Gracian's Stewardship (@ -2 due to raiding) for Dinton Manor
Critical = +3£
Success  = +1£
Failure  = -1£
Fumble   = -3£

Base income is 6£.

Roll for Improvements.

1.b Roll Ariette's Stewardship (16) for Stonewall Banneretcy

Roll Stewardship
Critical = +5 to Harvest roll
Success  = +3 to Harvest roll
Failure  = No modifier
Fumble   = -3 to Harvest roll

If there was Raiding
No raiding.

Previous Harvest
Superlative  = +3

Arthur's Reign
510 - 524  = No modifier

Curses or Blessings
No curses or blessings

Harvest Roll


Note:  Harvest Roll only affects food production, which is 84£.  Regardless of the harvest roll, Sir Gracian makes 68£ from non-food.

Expenses are 87£, including 12£ to be a Superlative knight.  So your Dinton income does not have to go toward supporting your upkeep.

516 Event - Gift from the Faeries 2£ in coins.

2. Roll for Experience - Make rolls for all Personality Traits, Passions, and Skills in which you have an experience check.  Some buildings/holdings also give yearly checks.  If you roll 20, or above your current score, raise the value by 1.  If both sides of a Personality Trait have checks (e.g. Pious and Worldly), you must roll for both individually but can choose in which order you make the rolls.

3. Training and Practice
- Increase one of your squire's skills by 1.
- Choose one of the following options:
  o Gain 1d6+1 Skill points to distribute (cannot raise any Skills above 15)
  o Gain 1 point in a Skill (cannot raise a skill above 20)
  o Increase an Attribute, Trait or Passion by 1
    x No Attribute can be raised higher than its cultural value
    x No Trait can be raised above 19
    x No Passion can be raised above 20
    x SIZ cannot be increased after age 21.

4. Compute Glory
- Glory given during the year can be added immediately.
- Gain glory for exceptional traits/passions (16+) equal to its value
- Gain glory for quality of maintenance - Rich knight 10/year, Superlative 15/year
- Gain 100 glory if you are a Religious or Chivalrous knight
- Gain from Holdings, conspicuous consuption (like holding tournaments/feasts) etc.
Glory bonus - For every 1,000 Glory you attain, you get a Glory bonus: you may add 1 to ANY stat, skill, or trait.

5. Determine Upkeep and conspicuous spending
- Upkeep:  Poor (4£) Ordinary (6£) Rich (10£) Superlative (12£)
- Hire any retinue for next year or make manorial improvements (http://www.eisinger.net/pbem/S...manorimprovement.pdf)

6. Family Rolls

Roll for each woman with whom Sir Gracian was intimate.

Roll d6 for each live child born, odd = Female, even = male.


No roll this year. Sir Gracian would be +3 as a Superlative knight.


No rolls this year as Sir Gracian is +2 as a Superlative knight.




Roll d6 for family member, odd = female, even = male.

Ariette made her stewardship roll but failed her energetic roll to build the sheep farm, so the time is lost but the money recovered.  You can try again this year at no cost or recover the funds.  All other projects completed.  Rose Garden will be planted this year by the Duke, requires nothing on your part.

When you are done, update your character sheet / holdings.  I will come up with a mini-problem once you are done.

Let me know if I obviously screwed anything up.  Your income/expenses should be the same as last year as things built don't take effect until next harvest as they were built during the year.  If you think you should have gotten a check in anything that I overlooked, please tell me what and why.

It all looks wonderful yet I have a question: 516 AD Event "Gift from Faeries" - what is that?? :D

Every year manors bigger than a simple fief get d6-2 events.  Most are not great, although I removed Summoned by Liege.  They include raids, liege visits, good fortune, fire, blight, etc.

Winter Phase 516 AD

1A. Dinton Manor

Sir Gracian rolled 2 using 1d20.  Stewardship @ 11-2 (Raiding) (Success)

Sir Gracian rolled 2 using 1d2.  Income Apiary

Sir Gracian rolled 5 using 1d3+3.  Income Logging

Sir Gracian rolled 1 using 1d2.  Income Dove Cote.

Income for Dinton Manor: £6 + 1 (Stewardship Success) + 2 (Apiary) + 6 (Logging) - 1 (Upkeep Apiary) = £14

Gains Check in Energetic

1B. Stonewall Banneretcy

Sir Gracian rolled 3 using 1d20.  Ariette Stewardship @ 16 (Success; +3 Harvest Rolls)

Sir Gracian rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Harvest Roll (Superlative; Income 200%; State of the Land +3)

Income for Stonewall Banneretcy: £236 - 87 (Upkeep; Superlative) = £149

1C. Total Income

£14 (Dinton Manor) + 149 (Stonewall Banneretcy) + 2 (Gift from Fairies) = £165

2. Experience

Sir Gracian rolled 11 using 1d20.  Tourney @ 6 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 19 using 1d20.  Lance @ 16 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 17 using 1d20.  Dance @ 2 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 1 using 1d20.  Horsemanship @ 7 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 4 using 1d20.  Sword @ 16 (Failure)

Sir Gracian rolled 9 using 1d20.  Arbitrary @ 6 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 11 using 1d20.  Just @ 14 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 17 using 1d20.  Generous @ 12 (Success)
Sir Gracian rolled 15 using 1d20.  Energetic @ 16 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 11 using 1d20.  Merciful @ 11 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 9 using 1d20.  Trusting @ 10 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 7 using 1d20.  Chaste @ 10 (Failure)
Sir Gracian rolled 15 using 1d20.  Valerous @ 15 (Failure)

3. Training

Training Option (1d6+1 Skill Points)

Sir Gracian rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Training SP.

+1 to Romance, Games, Play (Harp), Dancing, Courtesy, Stewardship, Folklore

4. Compute Glory

+10 Parade at the Easter Tournament
+35 Easter Tournament
+30 Grand Melee (winning side)
+200 Repelling the Irish Invaders
+100 Defeating the Irish soldiers
+50 Rounding up rebels
+100 Cleaning the Lesser Taint of the Forest
+150 Destroying the Wyrm

+17 Lance
+16 Sword
+16 Orate

+16 Energetic

+21 Amour (Flydorill)
+16 Hatred (Sir Agravaine)
+24 Love (Ariette)

+15 Superlative Knight

+3 Hirelings

+25 Buildings and Improvements

Glory Gained: +844

5. Upkeep and Conspicuous Spending

Hiring Engineer (Cauras; Stonewall Banneretcy) (£1; Glory 1)
Hiring Steward (Albrecht; Stonewall Banneretcy) (£1; Glory 1)
Hiring Steward (Guy; Dinton Manor) (£1; Glory 1)

Dinton Manor

Chapel (£8; Check Love (God); Glory 1)

Stonewall Banneretcy

Hospital (£20; Upkeep £4; Check Merciful; Glory 4)
Tomb to Ariette (£20; Glory C20)
Rose Garden (a gift)

Total Expense: £51

6. Family Rolls

6A. Childbirth

Sir Gracian rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Childbirth (Mother and Child dies; Girl)

6B. Family Event

Sir Gracian rolled 7 using 1d20.  Family Event (Marriage in family; Parent's sibling)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Sun 07 Jan 2018.

When Winter came and snow covered the land Lady Ariette was expecting their first child. The long evening never seemed dark and the nights never cold in Ariette's company. Games were played, her laughter filled the hall as she tried to teach to dance and not make a fool of himself (and her) at the next banquet. She even tried to teach him to play the harp while at the same time explaining to him how she managed his estates. Gracian was happy .. genuinely happy .. for the first time in his life.

And yet nothing last forever.

Lady Ariette died giving birth to a baby girl. They said there had been complications but Gracian didnt remember much of it. His squire Idres and two servants had to restain Gracian from running his sword through the heart of the midwife. For days he barricaded himself in his room. His screams and curses and pleas could be heard throughout the manor and nothing ever seemed the same again. Places he had loved now filled him with sorrow and he could not stand to be near them. Everywhere he turned something reminded him of Ariette and at times he felt like he could still smell her lingering perfume or feel the soft touch of her hair against his face.

For weeks if not months people tried to avoid Sir Gracian. His mood swings were terrible and only Idres could (almost) calm his master.

Perhaps it was Gracian's desperate attempt to persuade God to give him Ariette back, perhaps some part of him did not want others to experience the pain he felt or perhaps he felt that the world should not forget gentle Lady Ariette but no matter what it was Sir Gracian first ordered the construction of a Hospital at Stonewall. The Hospital would be build next to the rose garden gifted by the Duke of Dorset and in the middle of the rose garden Gracian ordered an elaborate tomb build to house Lady Ariette and their daughter.

Sir Gracian rides back and forth between Stonewall and Dinton a couple of times during the winter.  There are weddings and funerals, burials, and the start of projects, work to be done cleaning up Dinton, work to be done preparing Stonewall.

Although someone of his station would normally have a few knights with him, Sir Gracian is in no mood for company and his knights seem quite happy to allow him to sulk in private.  On one such trip, the mourning knight is riding through the forest near to Stonewall, heading back toward Salisbury.  Even his squire is staying in Stonewall this time around.  It is starting to grow dark, although it is only late afternoon but the shortened days conspire with overhanging evergreens to block out the feeble rays of the sun.

It is cold and Sir Gracian still has several miles to go until he makes it to a small town in which he can seek lodging.  As often happens these days, he is riding in something of a daze, barely paying attention to where his horse is going.  He is thus traveling for an unknown time when he hears the baying of a wolf nearby, which startles his horse, although it is well enough trained that it is in no danger of spooking.

Sir Gracian himself is ripped from his sulking to find himself seemingly deep in the woods with no signs of the path.  Looking back does not give any indication of where the path might be.

The wolf's howl has brought Gracian back into the real world. He sits quietly on his horse and studies the silent forest surrounding him. "Is this what it is like to be dead?" he contemplates. "Alone and lost in a cold dark world. Is this where you are my love?"

He sits quietly on his horse lost in his own thoughts before continuing his journey through the woods. He knows he is lost and there is no point in him trying to return to the original path. He will have to continue and find shelter for the night or the cold will surely get him.

Part of him dont really care.

There is an answering bark off some distance . . . maybe to the left?  It is hard to tell.  As Sir Gracian wanders off, he thinks he spies a faint light ahead and to the right, through the trees.  He follows it for a while but it does not seem to be getting closer.  Still, he sees it occasionally through the trees and heads toward it.

After some minutes he notices that it is growing a bit foggy, which is odd, given the weather.  The world takes on a very surreal tone.  The sounds of wolves off in the distance, those sounds coming from seemingly random directions.  The muffled clomping of his horse's metal-clad hooves.  The wispy tendrils of fog advancing as if in tune to some strange rhythm.  And the occasional glimpse of light off in the distance, always just seemingly out of reach.

"WHO IS THERE?" he calls out into the fog.

Gracian knows that a world a strange as this can only be the work of magic and fey. He has seen the wonderous world of the Faerie Court and heard tales of darker and more sinister Courts but what choice does he have but follow the glimpses of light in the distance?

"WHO . . . Who . . . who . . . who . . ." the sound seems to bounce back at Sir Gracian from random directions as the fog nestles around him and his horse like a clammy blanket.

It is difficult to see the light now, as even the trees are but shapes in the mist.  Proceeding cautiously forward for a few minutes, Sir Gracian suddenly comes out into a break in the fog.  There is a path of sorts, although it is defined more by the lack of fog than by any obvious traces on the ground.

To Sir Gracian's left it is clear and the way is bordered by walls of fog.  To the right, the path rapidly fades into the mist.

Seeing no other way Sir Gracian continues down the path to the left. He seems to be wanted by someone or something and in what seems as a past life Gracian would have been alarmed but if the path leads to death then he no longer fears it as it will reunite him with Ariette.

Sir Gracian follows the shadowy path and at length arrives at a familiar looking tree, although one that should be far away to the north.  It seems that he was correct that someone did want him and he was partially correct in that he would be reunited with a lover.

Stepping out into the Kingdom Inapercu, Sir Gracian is amazed anew at the ethereal beauty of the place.  However, he notices that there is something different, the music, the mood, perhaps it is his own sadness but it seems as if the place is mourning as well.

He is watching a trio of sprites buzz about when his eyes settle on a familiar form.  A very familiar form.  It is Flydorill.  However, she is dressed all in black and even wears a gauze veil.

"My love," she intones solemnly, "I sensed your loss across the divide which separates us.  I thought to perhaps comfort you in some way."  She comes up to Sir Gracian and places a gentle hand on his arm.

Flydorill is as Gracian remembers her yet still so very different. Gracian had never imagined he would see Flydorill or the Kingdom of Inapercu again. When he tried to remember his time in Inapercu he often found his memories slipping away as if they were fragments of a dream. Sometimes a sight, a smell or a sound would remind him of Flydorill and it would linger with him for a moment before it would disappear again.

But now she stand before him and he can feel her hand on his arm. He looks at her delicate hand and place his hand on hers before mumbling "I am lost, fair Flydorill. I have spend my entire life being ridiculed and hated because I am a barstard and a Roman. I have spend my entire life struggling to be accepted when then suddenly a woman - my Ariette - appears in my life and loves me for who I am and what I am. She brings light and love and warmth into my life in a word that is cruel and cold."

His voice trembles slightly "And now she is gone and I am lost again, fair Flydorill. I am lost and broken and I cant ... I ... I dont know what to do."

He clings to her warm hand trying to hold back the tears and feels more alone than ever before.

The Elven maiden reaches up and runs her hands through Sir Gracian's hair, tousling it with a little smile before pulling his head down to rest against her bosom.  "Gracian, dearest, they hate you because you are better than them.  Stronger, braver, and more true.  Any one of those who taunted you would gladly take your place right now but I would not have a one of them.  Only you."

Resting on this supple pillow, Sir Gracian can hear the lovely Flydorill's heart fluttering.  It, like the hands massaging his scalp, is soothing.  In fact, the music that permeates this place seems to have become mellow and pastoral.

"Anyway," she whispers in his ear before nibbling it delicately, "I beat out a dozen others to be with you first.  We understand the quality of a man, ignoring that which is unimportant and focusing on character and strength."  She pauses before teasing, "even if we have to ignore a complete lack of rhythm on the dance floor."

For the first time in what seems like ages the troubled knight smiles briefly. "Was I really that bad? I have improved ... slightly ... on the dance floor, but what mortal can dance with an Elven maid and not look like a fool. Especially when dancing with one as fair and bright as you, fair Flydorill." He close his eyes and for a moment he allows himself to think back at happier times.

"I remember when I first laid eyes on you, fair Flydorill. You tended to my wounds after noble Sir Dalan and I fought the giant. We were in a pavillion and I had never seen anyone as beautiful and radiant as you. At first I did not dare speak to you because I was afraid my voice would scare you away and then I finally spoke and you told me your name.

Flydorill.

You always seem to tend to my wounds, my Lady. Even now."

She giggles and it is the sound of a merry brook bubbling in the Spring.  "You are always so sweet.  I could just eat you up," she proclaims, giving another playful nibble.  She smells of honey.

"While I can't cure a broken heart, I can give you some respite while you are here.  And I wouldn't want you to forget but perhaps I can soften the hard edges of the memories a little," she coos softly.

Sir Gracian finds that Flydorill has led him to a familiar pavilion.

Sir Gracian pause for a moment before entering the pavillion. Everything is as he remembers it and it is like re-visiting a dream. He is so tired of the pain and the sorrow. He wants to feel happy again if even just for a moment so he turns to Flydorill trying to find the right words but seems unable to do so. So he simply nods and manage to whisper "Please ... I dont want to forget. I just need the pain to go away and to feel whole again."

"Oh, I won't let you forget, dearest," she assures him before pulling Sir Gracian onto the bed.  True to her word, Sir Gracian has no problems with remembering, anything.  However, it seems that the edge has been taken off of the sense of pain and loss.  It is still there, it is just not so vivid and debilitating.

It is difficult to tell time here but it seems like Sir Gracian spends at least a week in the land of the Fae.  Over that time, Flydorill has slowly moved back to gayer colors as Sir Gracian's own mood has improved and the music and atmosphere seem to have lightened as well.

One morning, as Sir Gracian is sipping some sort of nectar from an elegant cup made from a leaf, Flydorill appears and informs him, "I did not want to spring this on you in the depths of your grief but we have a son here from your last visit.  Would you like to meet him?"

Gracian almost chokes on the nectar and looks absolutely flabbergasted for a while before he jumps to his feet. "We have a son?! I have a son!?! A ... I ... we ... of ... of course I want to see him!" he says with a nervous but honest smile on his face and trembling voice.

A son? A thousand thoughts go through his mind. A half-mortal and half-fey? Is that even possible? Well obviously it must be possible but still Gracian looks like a man clearly struggling to absorb the news.

Flydorill leads her lover to another pavilion in which Sir Gracian's son can be found.  He looks to be about 2 years old.  He is a good-looking boy.  He looks, sadly, a bit like Sir Gracian.  Fortunately, he also has traces of his mother.

Although he has a few hours to play with his son, it is soon time for Sir Gracian to depart.  Alas, he does not see or hear about Aliandra or any children she might have.  With a last goodbye kiss, Sir Gacian retreats out of the clearing and back into the mortal world.  He finds his time on the Other Side to quickly start to become hazy.  He still remember but the details become squishy.  Likewise, he feels no less loss for Ariette but it is just a bit muted now.  At least he seems a bit more functional, which is good as it is time to head to London!

Before leaving Sir Gracian removes his ring and gives it to Flydorill. "I know mortal men cannot create works of art like those found among you here in the Kingdom Inapercu but I want you to have this. It is a family heirloom and was given to us by the Emperor Aurelius as a token of gratitude for services done to the Empire. But the Empire is no more and yet my father clung to the memories of an age long gone. He in turn gave it to me before he died and now I give it to you and shall I not see you or our son again then I hope you will one day give him this ring.

You mean more to me than I can explain my fair Flydorill but I cannot find the words to explain it because the tongue of Men lack the words for it and once again you have saved my life and mended my wounds."