As Easter passes, the tents go up, the stands and lists are constructed, and a mountain of food is brought to Salisbury.  Knights and ladies from across the realm are invited to a tournament, hosted by Earl Robert of Salisbury.

The knights of Salisbury have been instructed to be ambassadors to the Kingdom.  Because King Arthur has headed North with his army, this tournament is seen as a proxy for Arthur's normal Easter Tournament.  Two dozen knights are sent to London to escort Queen Guenevere to Salisbury.  Another dozen go to Carlion to escort the Princess Gwendollyn.  Counts, and Dukes, and Kings who are not joining Arthur come instead to Salisbury for the games.  Ladies from across Britain also attend.  Notably absent are the knights and ladies of neighboring Dorset.

The festivities begin with the opening of the lists the day before the start of the tournament.  On the first day will be the joust.  There will be 250 participants.  The winner of the joust will receive a prize of 2£ and a silver cup.  On the second day of the tournament there will be challenges followed by the arena.

In the arena will be a Panther, a Bear, and . . . a Lion!  All fights will be on foot.  The Panther and Bear are to be fought with sword and shield, the Lion with Great Spear (Lance) and shield.  The prize for defeating the Panther is 1£, 2£ for the Bear, and 5£ for the Lion.

The final day will have the Melee, which is expected to have 250 participants per side.  The knight who can capture the opposing flag and return it to their own side wins a prize of 2£.

There will be a feast held after the joust and another after the arena.

Feel free to post any general actions or reactions that occur prior to the start of the tournament.  Please also list any events you are entering.

Once again Sir Perin looks quite dashing in clothes of the finest make as he wanders about the festivities chatting amiably with the various nobles that.  He is the picture of knightly hospitality, and doing exactly what his liege instructed, serving as an ambassador for Salisbury.  There is of course the fact that this has the added benefit of serving to allow him to interact with a variety of important people from all over the Kingdom.  Given the recent developments with Fiona, it is critical that he do everything he can to raise his standing at court.  And while normally a knight less than a year post knighting would attract very little attention, the scarf that Perin wore proudly around his neck made him something of a curiosity, and he more often than not found himself surrounded by chattering courtiers, eager for the newest piece of gossip.

A little before the feast, Garyn sought out Sir Sejanus. He had consider him one of the most educated Knights that he had met. He needed to speak with him regarding Lethe. He wanted to help her, but fear that he was slow witted to do so.

After finding him; he offers a hearty handshake signifying the bond that was developed last year. "Sir Sejanus, it does me good to see you once again in good health. The wounds of our last foray seemed to have healed. I have need of your counsel for I consider you learned man. During Winter, I was practicing the hunt when I came upon some tracks that seemed to come directly out of a stream on my demesne. The footprints were small and causing steam to rise from them, so I knew that the person that made them was close. I followed them to where I found an unclothed maiden laying freezing in the snow. I gave her my cloak, and I rushed her to my home. She had minor scraps and bruises, but other that she did not seem harmed. The problem is even though her body has recovered since then; she has not uttered a single world. The priest and nurse have told me something so terrible must of happened that she can not speak. I am not certain how to help her, and I was hoping that you with your Roman learning might be able to give me guidance."

Sir Gracian is in Salisbury with his wife and servants doing his best to perform as instructed by his liege. Day in and day out he make conversation with Counts, Dukes, Kings and Ladies attending the great Spring Tournament. Normally he would have been nervous and afraid of making mistakes but he has found a new confidence as a married man and a reknown knight. Life had certainly turned out very differently than he had thought it would.

Personally he sign up for the Joust and the Melee leaving the fighting of animals to others because as he see it there is no honor in men fighting animals. He make sure to seek out his friends eager to encourage them in the upcoming Tournament. He has campaigned with them and know they are brave and noble knights and that is all that matters. But if they are to find wives and become known throughout the land then they need to win glory in the tournament. Sir Sejanus cand certainly use a wife he thinks (even though it will be hard to find one chaste enough for the pious knight), Sir Garym needs someone to take his mind off the horses for a while and Sir Perin .. well .. nothing can save that man so why bother. And then of course there are the moments with his old friend Sir Dalan that seem so happy with fair Lady Ellowyn and many a dinner is had in their good company.

But the best moments are with his beautiful wife that has remembered the sweet little french nothings she like to wear in private. When with her life is full of hope and promises and nothing can go wrong.

There weren't many nobles present yet, as the tournament had yet to start, so Perin's duties were quickly finished.  Motioning his squire over, he murmurs something, and the young man quickly runs off to sign Perin up for the melee and the fight with the lion, the two events in which he'll be competing.  Perin as usual is skipping the joust, as despite his formidable skill in the saddle, he's decidedly a sub-par jouster.  In real combat, two knights don't just charge at each other full tilt, there's maneuver and strategy involved.  A joust was just playing at war, and a good way to pick up terrible habits that could easily get you killed in a real fight.

Glancing about, he notices his brother knights scattered about the room.  He makes a point to approach them one by one and catch up on the events of the past year.  He pays specially attention to Sir Garym in particular, as the man wasn't present for the weddings this past winter, and so it's been almost a half year since the pair saw each other last.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:50, Sun 15 Oct 2017.

Countess Fiona arrives a couple of days early with two dozen of her knights.  This is remarkable in that it is the first time anyone can remember that she brought any of her knights to an event.  Normally she slips in, appears at the feast, and leaves quietly.  The knights themselves were quite impressive as well, all astride Andalusian chargers and dressed in a similar quality to Sir Perin.

Most of the ladies arrive the day prior to the tournament, as they are not competing.  The main exceptions being Queen Guinevere, with her Salisbury guard, and Princess Gwendollyn, also with a Salisbury guard and Sir Gracian's knights.

Lady Galeria of Dorset arrives the day prior to the tournament with a guard of six foot soldiers.  No knights from Dorset appear.

The lists for the event begin to fill, with most knights participating in the melee and many in the joust as well.  A number of brave or brash knights signup to battle in the arena.  However, only two hearty souls dare face the lion.  One is a local favorite named Sir Perin.  The other is Sir Lamorak, a fiery-tempered Round Table knight known for his strength.

Sir Dalan has arrived with the lovely Lady Ellowyn. The young banneret knight still seems overwhelmed by his new life and his relief when encountering the familiar faces of his brother knights is obvious. Still, he is reluctant to part from his lady and the two spend far more time with each other than as one.

Though not the finest horseman or warrior Sir Dalan will of course take up the joust. Should he be hale or hearty enough after he shall face the panther in the arena.

 Since they had arrived somewhat early, Sejanus took the opportunity to seek out some of his brother Knights. The first to be found was Sir Garym. He clasped the others arm in greeting. “Hail, and well met, brother. It is good to see you." The well feelings of the reunion where quickly replaced by feelings of great concern
.
  Sir Sejanus listen to Sir Graym’s tale, and the frown deepened, with the more he heard. “I am honored, that you came to me for counsel, Sir Graym, but I am not the best source for such a question. But upon what you have told me, it sounds like the Woman might well be under the influence of a curse. Be that curse divine in nature, for punishment of a sin or sins, or Diabolic, the power of the evil one, I am not certain. I have one at my Manor, an old sage; he is more knowledgeable in such matters. I counsel that you place her into the care of a convent, for the time being. It her affliction is divine, the sisters can pray for her soul, and if from the evil one, they can protect her from his influence.”

Garym normally held his temper, but it was obvious that Garym was not pleased by Sejanus words. He spoke much louder than normal. "I thank thee for your counsel, Sejanus. But, she is under my protection, and I will not send her away to a convent. Whatever happened to her was cruel enough to silence her. She has found safety under my roof. I have given her hospitality and sanctuary. I will not break this duty."

Garym might have said more, but within moments of his outburst, both men were clapped forcefully on the shoulder by Sir Perin.  Booming loudly, the large man addresses the pair "My friends, it is good to see you both both so well!  Sir Sejanus, always a pleasure!  Did you find anything interesting to occupy your mind during this long winter?  And Sir Garym, I'm sorry we missed you at the weddings, but I understand that you were off representing Salisbury quite well!"  If the young knight knew what he was doing in heading off a potential argument, he gave no sign.

N.B. Sir Garym did ask a Christian knight the cause and cure for a malady that most would clearly see as Divine or Infernal in nature.  Likewise, the obvious remedy to such an affliction is protection by the Church.  While Sir Sejanus is a bit more learned in Christian theology than most, probably Sir Garym would get approximately the same answer from 90% of the people at the tournament.  So this should not necessarily be a surprise.

"I am not certain this is the time for Happy greetings. I have heard that you are courting Lady Fiona, and perhaps you are the one I should of come to." Sir Garym starts to storm off, but turns around ready to act, but as he steps forward he seems to calm himself a little. His voice intense but soften to a whisper. "I should not of been surprised by your answer because you are a man of God, but I believe God has given me this task. I will not abdicate this duty to another. I will see her well to the end even if it means my life. I remember our friendship well, and I hope you will forgive my anger."

Perin's voice is equally as quiet, but quite firm.  "Brothers, there will be time to continue this conversation later.  Remember your duty to Earl Robert and see to our guests please.  We are to act as ambassadors for Salisbury after all, and it would not due for our guests to see us divided."

 Sejanus just blinked, at the reponse to his counsel, from Sir Garym, He was about to say more,but he was stopped by the timely, or not so timely arroival of Sir Perin. "Well met, Sir Perin. If I may be so bold, allow me to offer you my congragulations on the winning the favor of you Lady. Well done,indeed."

 Sejanus returened his attention to Sir Garym. " Brother, you asked my counsel, I gave my best thoughts on the matter of the lady. To do less,when a Brother Knights seeks such,would be without honor. But with that said, the woman's soul may be damned, or close to it. I beseech ye, seek the Church's counsel in this matter."

"You do not need to remind me of my duty, Sir Perin. No man can question my dedication. Until, we speak again." Garym turn leaving the two knights for now.

Blowing out a sigh of relief, Perin puts his arm around the smaller man.  "Come Sir Sejanus, you can tell me all about this woman that I hear you're wooing..."

((OOC: Unless there's a need to continue the scene, I think we're good?))
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:36, Sun 15 Oct 2017.

Signups for Sir Sejanus and Sir Garym?

Once he sees his squire; "Budfannon sign me up for the joust and melee."

 Sejanus watched Garym walk away,and slowly shook his head.  He let the matter drop, for the time being.

 Off he walked with Sir Perin, more then glad to speak of the Lady that might well be his future wife.


 Sejanus would send Casca to register for teh Joust and Grand Melee.

The first day of the Tournament has arrived!  With literally hundreds of knights in attendance, it is quite a spectacle.  The first order of business is the parade of knights, in which each must ride along the list with their shield and face displayed so that the cheering throngs can see the participants.  Although a simple enough maneuver in theory, there is some practice and technical skill required and very few knights have made an effort at mastering it.

Sir Garym and Sir Gracian manage to pull off the display (earning a check in Tournament and 10 Glory), but Sir Dalan, Sir Perin, and Sir Sejanus have some problems, although not so much as to embarrass themselves.

-- Sir Dalan --

The first event is the Joust.  Lots are pulled and the contestants are matched one to another.  In the first round, Sir Dalan finds himself facing a Young knight from Jagent.

Readying himself, Sir Dalan's hand goes for the hundredth time to the light blue scarf he wears in honor of his wife.  The signal is given and he urges his horse forward.  He and his opponent crash together with a splintering of wood as each hits the other with identical force.

Sir Dalan, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lance.
Young Knight, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lance.

Continuing to the far end, the armored combatants grab new jousting lances and turn.  Once more they thunder toward one another and once more they both hit but it is Sir Dalan's that makes it through.  However, much of the force of the blow is absorbed by his young opponent's shield and armor and the rider remains riding.

Sir Dalan, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Lance.
Young Knight, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Dalan, rolled 19 using 6d6.  Damage.
Young Knight, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
The Young knight takes 19 - 10 - 6 = 3 damage but remains on his horse.

On the next pass, Sir Dalan hits for the third time and his opponent misses.  Sir Dalan's blow sends his opponent to the turf.

Sir Dalan, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Lance.
Young Knight, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Dalan, rolled 26 using 6d6.  Damage.
Young Knight, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
The Young knight takes 26 - 10 = 16 damage, a Major Wound, and falls from his horse.

Sir Dalan gets a check in Lance and has made it through the first round.

-- Sir Gracian --

Sir Gracian, meanwhile, draws an Ordinary knight from Wuerensis.  Sir Gracian looks at the scarf he received from Ariette and smiles in remembrance at the scene when he received it.  However, he takes a moment too long to refocus on the event at hand and as a result, his blow goes wide, while he is hit by his opponent's lance.  Most of the blow is absorbed by his armor and he manages to stay astride his horse.

Sir Gracian, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Lance.
Ordinary Knight, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lance.
Ordinary Knight, rolled 15 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Gracian, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
Sir Gracian takes 15 - 12 = 3 damage and remains on his horse.

Refocusing on the task at hand, Sir Gracian manages to land a stunning blow, while his opponent's own lance misses the mark.  The knight from Wuerensis is thrown rather violently from his horse and is out of the competition.

Sir Gracian, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Lance.
Ordinary Knight, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Gracian, rolled 29 using 8d6.  Damage.
The Ordinary knight takes 29 - 12 = 17 damage, a Major wound, and is unhorsed.

Sir Gracian gets a check in Lance and moves to the next round.

-- Sir Garym --

Sir Garym faces an Old knight from Silchester.  Hoping to make up for his disappointing finish in Essex, Sir Garym couches his lance and the two charge toward one another.  THey crash to gether, both striking but Sir Garym's lance doing the damage.  However, the Old knight is wily and he stays astride his mount.

Sir Garym, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Garym, rolled 15 using 6d6.  Damage.
Old Knight, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
The Old knight takes 15 - 12 - 6 = 0 damage and remains on his horse.

Turning, the pair charge forward once more.  This time, Sir Garym's lance goes wide and the Old knight tags him squarely.  However, Sir Garym stays in the saddle.

Sir Garym, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 15 using 6d6.  Damage.
Sir Garym, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
Sir Garym takes 15 - 10 = 5 damage and remains on his horse.

The combatants square off once more and head toward one another, colliding with a crash.  Sir Garym gets the better hit once more but it is a weak blow that is easily deflected by the Old knight's armor.

Sir Garym, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Garym, rolled 10 using 6d6.  Damage.
The Old knight takes 10 - 12 - 6 = 0 damage and remains on his horse.

The fourth try is the final one as the two continue to trade blows.  Although Sir Garym landed a fine hit, the Old knight slams him with a powerful blow that knocks Sir Garym unconscious.

Sir Garym, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Lance.
Old Knight, rolled 38 using 12d6.  Damage.
Sir Garym takes 38 - 10 - 6 = 22 damage a Major Wound and goes unconscious.


Sir Garym gets a check in Lance but does not advance, continuing his horrible luck at jousts.

Sir Garym is carried off the field but will be mobile in time for the feast tonight and should be fully healed by the Melee.  Joust damage is illustrative more than actual.

-- Sir Sejanus --

Sir Sejanus draws a Young knight from South Ports.  The scholarly knight smiles in remembrance of Galeria handing him the scarf he now wears in her honor.  Focusing on his opponent, he charges forward and lands a solid blow.  The Young knight manages to strike Sir Sejanus as well but not as expertly.  The Young knights's armor and shield deflect the blow and he remains on his horse.

Sir Sejanus, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Lance.
Young Knight, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Sejanus, rolled 15 using 6d6.  Damage.
Young Knight, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
The Young knight takes 15 - 10 - 6 = 0 damage and remains on his horse.

Turning to face one another, the knights lower their lances and charge once more.  Both knights hit the mark but Sir Sejanus gets the better hit once more and it is enough to knock his opponent from his horse.

Sir Sejanus, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Lance.
Young Knight, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Lance.
Sir Sejanus, rolled 20 using 6d6.  Damage.
Young Knight, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
The Young knight takes 20 - 10 - 6 = 4 damage and is unhorsed.

Sir Sejanus gains a check in Lance and advances to the second round.

The crowds are a bit muted this early in the tournament, absent a big name, a local favorite, or a particularly  exciting match.  Sir Dalan and Sir Gracian have a bit of a following and both land pretty significant blows that garner some applause.  However, there are many rounds to go to the final.

Sir Gracian cursed silently as he dismounted and let his squire Idres take his horse and his equipment. Yes he had won the first round but thoughts of Ariette had made him weak for a moment and he hated that. This was merely a tournament but in real battle such things could lead to his death.

But his dark thoughts got pushed away the moment he saw his Lady Ariette in the stand looking so ravishing. She smiled and waved to him and how could he resist her charms? He waved back and threw her a kiss before returning to his tent where he sat down to eat an apple while preparing for the next round. "Idres? When you are done then I want you to go the tent of that knight from Wuerensis that I fought. I want you to deliver him a message from me and tell him that he did well today. He struck true and hard and I hope to that he will join me at the feast tonight because we are all brothers here."

Moments later he is walking among the tents trying to find his friends after the first round of the joust. He finally manage to find them and embrace each of them. "Sir Dalan! Sir Sejanus!! I see you do Earl Roberts proud by making our guests eat dust!" he says with a huge grin on his face and an apple in his hand. "For a moment there I thought he was going to get the best of me but you two ... by St. George's beard did you knock some sense into them!"

"But what happened to poor Sir Garym? I know him as a excellent horseman and we have all seen him fierce in battle so what happened today? Is the poor man cursed?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Mon 16 Oct 2017.

The first round takes a couple of hours running on a dozen lists, at the end of which, over 100 knights have been eliminated.  As the morning draws on and the number of combatants dwindle, more spectators show up and the cheering grows more intense.

-- Sir Dalan --

Sir Dalan draws another Young knight in the second round, this one from Somerset.  On the first pass, he tags the young man but is unable to unhorse him.  Most of the blow was absorbed by armor and shield.

The second round seems more a play than a joust as the young knight loses focus and his grip on his lance, which dips, hits the ground, and is pulled out of his hands.  Sir Dalan, meanwhile, is distracted by the somersaulting lance and loses his grip on his own weapon, which also plants itself in the ground,almost knocking Sir Dalan from the saddle.

After the 'discarded' lances are cleared, the two charge once more at one another.  Both manage to hit again but the Young knight's blow rings true and although not a forceful or damaging blow, it is just enough to cause Sir Dalan to fall.

Sir Dalan gets 10 Glory for participating and is eliminated from the joust.  There are some groans from the crowd as Sir Dalan's supporters see him fall.

-- Sir Gracian --

Sir Gracian, another crowd favorite, draws a second Ordinary knight, this one from Tintagel.  Determined to concentrate on the joust this time, rather than what Ariette will be wearing tonight, Sir Gracian urges his horse forward.  Sir Gracian slams into his opponent, who somehow fumbled his lance, almost dropping it but certainly coming nowhere near Sir Gracian.  The force of the blow dismounts the knight.

Sir Gracian proceeds on to Round 3.

The crowd cheers rather loudly as the local boy flattens a second opponent, this one on the first pass!

-- Sir Sejanus --

Sir Sejanus also draws an Ordinary knight, although his is from Estregales.  The knights level their lances and charge.  Both strike true but it is the knight from Estregales whose hit wins through.  Sir Sejanus is unable to stay in the saddle and he too is unhorsed.

Sir Sejanus gets 10 Glory for participating and is eliminated.

There is a bit of grumbling in the crowd but Sir Sejanus is not so well known as yet.

-- Sir Gracian --

In the third round, Sir Gracian is paired with an Old knight, Sir Nukton, from Salisbury.  Sir Gracian couches his lance and charges, as does Sir Nukton.  Both land near identical blows and their lances shatter on impact.

Turning with new lance in hand, Sir Gracian charges back but his lance goes wide.  Sir Nukton tags hims but Sir Gracian stays in the saddle after taking a minor wound.

Sir Gracian takes a couple of slow, deep breathes, centers himself, and charges once more.  Both combatants strike true, but Sir Gracian's blow is the better one and slams the Old knight, knocking him from his saddle.

There is more sustained cheering this time as it is near lunchtime and many fans are now in the stands.

In the fourth round, Sir Gracian draws an Ordinary knight once more.  This one is from Kent.  Sir Gracian couches his lance and lowers it as he approaches and it strikes true against the man's shield.  However, the Kentish knight slams a perfect blow that catapults Sir Gracian from his horse.

Sir Gracian is eliminated but gets 35 Glory for his participation.

The crowd is impressed by the knight from Kent's prowess, although saddened by Sir Gracina's departure.

Elsewhere in the jousts, the knights from Hereford did very well on their sleek black horses.  Although none won the final prize, which was taken by a knight from Sussex, six of them finished in the top eight.

There is time for rest, relaxation, or recuperation prior to the night's feast.

Sir Dalan first seeks out the two knights he faced - the one to commiserate, the other to congratulate. Then a moment with his lady wife, a shared kiss to show he is safe despite his poor showing. Then he seeks out his brother knights.

"As always you shame us all Sir Gracian," Sir Dalan says, grinning at his friend, then wincing a bit. Though uninjured he is clearly bruised. "And you Sir Garym fear not. I'm sure even Sir Gawaine has fallen off his horse in his time. It happens to us all my friend."