An hour later, Budfannon returns with a young monk who is willing to scribe a letter for 3d (and deliver it for another 5d but your squire can handle that).

Garym dictates the Monk.

With Cordial Greetings to Right Honorable Countess Rhodria of Essex

I humbly ask the privilege of hospitality. I wish to deliver Milord's most sincere greetings. You had asked that if I participated in any adventures this last season that you would desire the details.

I have the honor to represent the Knights of Salisbury in your Tournament, but this last season I participated in action against Raiders from Ireland. They were attempting to kidnap the Princess of Escavalon.


Sincerely

Sir Garym of Woodford
Vassal Knight of Salisbury

When the Monk completed his work. Garym sent Budfannon to deliver the letter.

Budfannon returns two hours later and announces that the Countess has requested Sir Garym to join her and a couple of her knights the following morning for some falconing.  She is very interested to hear about his adventures.

Budfannon explains that he gave the note to one of the guards who came back in less than an hour with the Countess's reply.

The morning comes, and  Garym awakes with a sense of purpose the Tourney was almost there. Today, he would formally meet with a beautiful Countess. He knew there was little hope for more than pleasantries between them ever, but still this was like the tales he had heard as a boy. All he could do was think to himself that it was Good To Be a Knight.

He spent extra time working to insure that he was ready to meet the Countess. He dressed in his finest of wear, and made sure that he was in every way presentable to Rhodria. Once he was certain. He and Budfannon rode off for falconry and conversation.

The Countess motions the pair over when she spots him and introduces Sir Garym to Sir Terrence and Sir Aldric, a pair of her knights, and Sir Sagramore, a Round Table knight who is there for the tournament.

Even if Sir Garym had a hawk, no one would expect him to bring it across the breadth of Briton, so there are a few house hawks to choose from.  After everyone has a hawk, they begin walking along the edge of a field and the Countess asks, "Sir Garym, could you tell us about the goings on in the West?  It sounds like a great deal of drama and perhaps a harbinger of things to come."

Sir Terrence and Sir Aldric fair pretty well on their first attempt and their hawks bring back a rabbit and a dove, respectively.  The others have no luck as yet.

Garym was impressed that Sir Sagramore had come. By all accounts; he truly was a skilled jouster. He had knew little to nothing about the other two knights, but he still looked forward to riding against them.

"News of the West, my Lady. I will try to tell the story bet I can, but I am no Sir Dalan the Silver Tongued." Garym was glad to be speaking of the events since it would maybe cover his lack of skill with Falconry.

Garym spoke at length on what had happened how the knights that he rode with were the first to find the trail that allowed them to track the Irish. How the Irish continued to evade them until there was little chance that they could evade us much longer. The Irish Knights separated from their men at arms in hopes of delaying them. He told of the charge of the knights against the fifty men at arms and their devastating defeat. Garym spoke of the courage of Sir Perin, Sir Sejanus and Sir Gracian as they pushed the flaming carts off the bridge like they were feathers. "And, that is how the Knights of Salisbury prevented the Kidnapping of the Princess of Escavalon, and drove the Irish back to the sea."

There is a great deal of murmuring and head shaking at the news that the Irish had sent such a large force and put such effort into this endeavor.  All agree that this is not over and that everyone must be wary.  While the Irish are not a force in the East, if they become more active in the west it could push Saxons and others farther east or embolden other groups to attack.

When the story is told, the Countess remarks, "well I am glad that Salisbury came to the aid of its neighbors.  I hope that we will see more of that in the future as King Arthur reigns in some of the rivalries that grew up in the chaotic period before he ascended to the throne."

Looking over at the Round Table knight, she inquires, "what of you, Sir Sagramore, what plans do you have?"

"We (he is clearly referring to the RT Knights) are going about the country this fall to talk with the various rulers and make plans for next year.  I am expecting a campaign in the North in the Spring," he confides.

The group as a whole does better with the hawks this time, with the Countess, Sir Sagramore, and Terrence each getting some small game.

"I can not speak for Robert, my Earl, but I believe if he is called he will aid any of his allies willingly." Garym knew it was important to extenuate the virtues of Robert without making promises.

"I am new to many of King Arthur's, but I had a chance to see the king the last feast. It seems that he wishes his kingdom to be one. In that regards, if the King wishes Knights for the north with my Lord's permission. I would gladly fight."

The group continues around the moors, with Sir Aldric and Sir Sagramore having additional success at hawking.  Sir Garym continues his ill luck, perhaps not being used to these eastern birds?

The conversation flows from topic to topic but few are of more than passing interest to Sir Garym.  At length, the party returns to the castle and pleasantries are exchanged as well as wishes of success at the tourney.

The following day, the lists open.  There will be a joust (64 participants), a melee (120 participants), and an arena battle against a bear (1 participant).  There will be prizes for each competition and the winner of each will also get a dance with the Countess.

Garym graciously thanked the Countess for her hospitality. He nodded to each of the knights wishing them luck in the next day. He wished the other knights good luck.

He returned to the manor he was staying out. Drilled a little with Budfannon before going to sleep early to be well rested for the tourney.


OOC: Is Garym expected to do both. He would prefer just to tilt.

He can sign up for whatever he likes.

Any challenges?

Not knowing many of the competitors; Garym decides to just ride in the joust. The best of knights will rise to the top, and he if God willing would defeat them.

He has Budfannon prepare his clothes, and gear for the morning. He will show all why his family was famous for their horsemanship.

The following morning sees the beginning of the tournament.  It begins with a parade of the knights, each having to ride through the lists, their shield displayed.  While seemingly a simple task, it is one that requires practice, something that many knights have not done.  Sir Garym, has practiced and executes the maneuver perfectly.  Check in Tourney and 5 glory.

Sir Garym, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Tourney.


The jousting, however, does not start off so well for Sir Garym.  He draws an older knight for his first match, a Sir Cudwallen.  On the first pass, the pair both score hits but their lances are shattered, neither damaging the other.

Sir Garym, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Opponent. - Old Knight.
Sir Garym, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Lance.

Grabbing new lances from their squires, the pair turn and start forward once more.  Sir Garym's lance goes wide, but Sir Cudwallen scores a blow on Sir Garym.  Sir Garym is thrown back but manages to stay on his horse.

Sir Garym, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 16 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Garym, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
Sir Garym takes 16 - 10 = 6 damage but stays on his horse.

With two failed attempts, Sir Garym takes a moment to control his breathing, set his lance and focus on his opponent.  The two charge for a third time.  This time, Sir Cudwallen loses his grip on his lance, the point of which dips, hits the ground, and is wrenched from his grasp.  Sir Garym scores a solid blow to the knight.  Although he remains in the saddle, the old knight has received a major wound and is out of the competition.

Sir Garym, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Garym, rolled 21 using 6d6.  Damage.
Old Knight, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
Sir Cudwallen takes 21 - 10 = 11 damage, a major wound, and is out of the competition.

There is light applause, as this is an early match with two relative unknowns and a rather close contest.  Sir Garym returns to his tent where Budfannon patches his knight's wounds.  Sir Garym gets a check in Lance.  Sir Garym receives 2 points of healing.  Budfannon receives a check in First Aid.

Garym is angered by his performance. The match never should of been that close. By Gabriel's beard; he knew that he had been cocky allowing his ego to over ride his nature skill. He needed to shut out the crowd and the desire to win. He needed to just do what he did naturally.

After Budfannon, dealt with the bruising he had received. He sent Budfannon out, so he could shut out the rest of the world, and simply tilt like a champion.

There are a couple of hours until the round two matches begin and Sir Garym spends the time in quiet reflection.

Unfortunately, things go from bad to worse.  Although Sir Garym is matched against a young knight and for his part lands a very solid hit, the young Sir Rhun manages an expert blow that sends Sir Garym from his horse.

Sir Garym, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Opponent. - Young knight
Sir Garym, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Lance.
Young Knight, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Lance.  Critical.

Sir Garym receives 10 Glory for his success in Round 1 and a check in Lance.

Normally, Sir Garym would have taken double damage (37 points) 21 through armor for a major wound before taking fall damage.  That seems excessive for a joust with blunted weapons, so I went with an automatic knockdown (which 37 points would be anyway).  Since Sir Garym is not competing in other events, the damage does not really matter.

Garym's squire could feel the anger that radiated from Garym for his poor performance. Garym was not loud, but in some way that would of been more kind to Budfannon than the icy cold intensity that was Garym right now.

He was not mad at his young squire, but he felt the fool. He had told his lord that he would win if God will it. What horse dung was he talking when he said that. He had not even made it through the second round of the tourney.

First, the escape of the Irish, and now his failure at the tourney. Two of his fellow knights had elevated themselves in one season's quests, but Garym continued to fail in his own personal quest for glory.

Depressed and somewhat angry with himself and the world around him, Sir Garym watches the remainder of the jousts, which last throughout the day.  Sir Aldric ends up winning the joust and a prize of 2£.

There are a couple of hours until the night's feast.  The Melee and Challenges are still open.

Garym called over his squire, "Have the Marshals of the tourney place my name amongst those that would participate in the Melee."

Garym had promised his Lord that he would represent Salisbury in this Tourney, and he had done poorly. His honor would not allow him to quit.

Budfannon scurries off to do his knight's bidding.

When he returns, he gets Sir Garym prepared for the feast.

The feast is a grand affair, although nothing compared to the Pentecost Feast that Arthur held in London in the Spring.  Sir Garym is seated near Sir Sagramore who, like the Salisbury knight, had a rough go of it in the joust, getting eliminated in the fourth of six rounds.  He will, however, be leading the 'away' team during the Melee on the morrow.  Sir Garym does not recognize anyone else at his table.

The first course is loach in cold green sauce, and this is followed by boiled pork and lamb.  After the second course, minstrels and musicians wander among the tables and people can wander about a bit.

There are the usual assortment of ladies present, with Lady Adwen, Lady Meleri, and the ever-popular Lady Heledd in attendance.  There are plenty of other miscellaneous women about as well.  Countess Rhodria is dancing with Sir Aldric.

Gaming, Dancing, Courtesy, Intrigue, Orate, Singing, Playing, etc., are all options.

"Sir Sagramore, tomorrow will be another day. How do you favor your odds tomorrow?" He raised his cup in toast. If, Sir Sagramore could fall, and still be of could cheer. Then, Garym could as well.

He had hoped Rosalynd was there. She was quite beautiful. Perhaps not as beautiful as Heledd, but her presence seemed to shy with purity and grace. He had seen her at the Pentecostal feast, but Garym knowing himself well realized they were opposites. He was loud and proud. She was refined and humble. He believed in the way of the sword, and she believed in the way of romance.


OOC: I am of the away team?

"Aye, Sir Garym, the joust is always a fickle contest.  I feel good about the melee however, a chance to show off some real skill.  The Countess has the advantage, of course, as her knights have worked together but I think we may be able to surprise them a little," he responds.

Rosalynd is not here, it being a long way away for many.  Yes, the Countess has 60 knights, who will form one team, the other 60 are the 'foreign' knights like yourself and Sir Sagramore.

"They may hold the perceived advantage; my father once told me that battles were often won by the intangible like having a purpose. I know that there is no great overwhelming purpose, but maybe just the desire to prove one's skill for two warriors that didn't today will be enough." Again, his mind drifted towards Rosalynd. He considered himself heroic, yet he had frozen choosing to speak to some one unobtainable during the last feast.

Sir Sagramore agrees that this could give them an edge and the two speak a bit about strategy for a while.

Soon enough, the servers come around one more with fritters followed by sturgeon.

The ale and wine are flowing freely, choose and roll against Temperate or Indulgent.

More entertainers appear, a magician, some tumblers, and more music fit for dancing.

He longed just to get drunk with the wine, but he would not fall for such temptations tonight. He had done poorly in the joust, but he would not allow himself to do poorly again.

When there was an opportunity when the music had stopped; Garym stepped up with his mug in hand. "Countess Rhodria, Lords and Ladies, I ask that you indulge this humble Knight of Salisbury a moment of your time. Let us join together in toast to this night. Here's  to our good King Arthur, Countess Rhodria, My Lord Earl Robert and all of the others lieges that have joined Arthur in his quest for peace and unity. Here's to the competitors of this fine tourney. Let God protect them as they practice their martial arts for protection of those who can not protect themselves. Finally, Milord Earl Robert, was named an officer in the Court of love, and I would be remiss if I did not raise my mug to the Ladies of the court. In the darkest of times; they are the light that guides us forward."

Garym raises his glass with the court, and then takes a hearty gulp.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Sun 01 Oct 2017.

There are cheers all around and many flagons of ale and glasses of wine are emptied.

Sir Garym gets a check in Orate and a check in Temperate.

The final course is baked fruits.  After which, many of the nobles and ladies depart but many bachelor knights remain . . . as do a few women, including Heledd.

Tournament Day 2

In the morning, the melee begins a couple of hours after dawn.  Knights from Essex, led by the Joust Champion Sir Aldric, are on one side, while all of the foreign knights, led by Sir Sagramore, are on the other.

Any personal plans or strategy for Sir Garym?