After securing their unconscious companion to the litter behind his horse, the knights set off to the northeast in a gloomy mood.  The day remains dreary and the landscape offers no respite.  They trudge along with little but barren terrain to pass and in no mood for talking.  Both are in their own worlds.

As night falls, they stop to rest, unhooking Sir Caradwg's stretcher and sitting around a small campfire as they eat their meager rations.  Not long afterwards, a frightful wailing begins.  At first, it is a low gibbering wail but it gradually becomes louder and louder.  A sulfurous stench permeates the air as half-seen skeletal apparitions shriek and rattle about the pair.

Whatever these things are, Sir Dalan and Sir Gracian seem unable to touch them but the awful specters grapple the hapless knights, picking them up and dropping them, throwing stones and branches at them, and pinching or beating them.  Sir Gracian is knocked unconscious by the foe, while Sir Dalan takes 4 points of damage from his tormentors.

The wailing and shrieking seem to coalesce into words that ring in Sir Dalan's ears, "Vow to cease your quest and tell all other knights that the Queen of the Wasteland is dead, only then will we leave you in peace."  Sir Dalan stands, surrounded by ghastly apparitions.  His companions lie motionless, the squires and horses have fled.  He is utterly alone in this desolate place but for the tormenting host.

How will he answer?

Sir Dalan felt so frightened it was all he could do not to have the breath freeze in his throat. "Ellowyn," he whispered to himself, trying to summon an image of a fair maiden's face, her long brown hair tied in almost impossibly fine braids, a silver necklace adorning her slender neck above a blue dress...

Hand shaking he reached his fingers to touch the blue gauze scarf about his own neck

Every word was an effort to get through. "Grim specters, how could I ever look my lady in the eye again if I were knave enough to run now? I must prove myself worthy of her. Oh but sing your laments elsewhere and return to your far called country - for grace and beauty I go on!"

The shrieking grows louder and angrier, something that did not seem possible to the poor young knight from Salisbury.  He is tossed about and banged up by the fury of the ghost-like forms (taking an additional 3 points of damage).

After a time, their fury seems to subside and Sir Dalan finds himself on his knees near the bodies of his fallen companions.  Still, the ghasts do not leave him as requested but continue to badger him throughout the night.  Twice more they redouble their attacks and command him to give up his quest but he brings up the image of his lovely Ellowyn and steels himself against their onslaught.  Each time he takes more damage but he refuses to bend.

Finally, he feels that he can take no more and it is only with the last of his flagging will that he is able to bring forth the image of his beloved when he sees her smiling down at him and it is the Dawn, glowing brightly on the horizon and shining off of a small building in the distance.  The Host disappears with the coming of day.

After a few minutes, the squires stumble back and a short time later the horses return as well.  It takes some time to pack up gear, get Gracian and Caradwg onto litters behind their horses and get the whole party moving.  Two hours of weaving through twisted trees and the tangled terrain of the wasted forest get them to the small priory.

The priory is a humble spot.  The glow from dawn is now long gone.  A door opens and the Queen of the Wasteland steps out.  She is a woman of gentle beauty, chastely attired in a tattered grey nun's habit.  Without a word, she walks over to the two fallen knights and preys silently over them for several long minutes before touching them lightly on the forehead.

Sir Gracian and Sir Caradwg wake up shortly thereafter, still badly wounded but able to move, if slowly.  "Come in, good sir knights," she says, beckoning the three into the small priory, "tell me what you have seen in this poor land," she continues.

With that, she enters the prior herself and seats herself on one of several small chairs around a plain table and awaits a recounting of their adventures, not saying anything more herself until they have spoken.

Sir Dalan stands awed at the Queen's healing of his brother knights but his own exhaustion forces him to take a seat (in fact he practically falls into it.)

"My lady, you are a light in this ill-starred kingdom. It is an honour to meet you at last." Here he bows stiffly.

"We six are men of Salisbury: my brother knights Sir Caradwg, Sir Gracian and myself Sir Dalan. These three splendid youths are our squires."

He pauses to catch his breath before continuing. "We seek the Whetstone of Tudwal Tudclud on behalf of Sir Gawaine, King Arthur's champion. The great Sir Gawaine is defending our King's honour and without the aid of one of the Treasures of Britain he will surely meet his death. Alas our journey here has been a hard one! Our gallant brother knight Sir Tyngyr was felled by Sir Vardilain. Good Sir Tyngry lives yet but his squire had to carry him from the field and from our quest."

"There followed days of hardship as we crossed this melancholy land. We were approached by a strange child who tried to involve us in a battle between a lion and serpent. We managed to succeed through his tricks and the lion became a knight with the symbol of the lion on his tabard. He guarded three lion cubs and directed us on saying that we might find you."

Sir Dalan again pauses, a shudder running through him as he recalls their encounter with the spirits. "Our most recent challenge was the worst where we were assailed by grim specters who sought to turn us back. We scarcely managed to win our way through."

"And was the Guardian of Olbray the first thing you encountered here in the Wasteland?" she inquires.

Others can feel free to join in.  :)

Caradwg awoke groggily and mumbled to himself, "I should be dead..." then he slowly became aware of his surroundings and heard the tail end of the conversation.

"No, m'lady," he interjected, "Our first encounter was with a lone monk in a monastery he said had been abandoned by his brothers.  And, in the night, I was visited by a dark lady...or was that a dream," his voice trailed off.

The Lady nods sagely before explaining.  "Ah yes, 'Brother' Tamen was once the High Abbot of a Christian Order before selling his soul to Satan for youth.  He aided a succubus by the name of Theodora in draining the other members of the Order and now assists her in preying on any who come across their dark abbey."

She sighs and shakes her head sadly, "do not think too ill of Sir Vardilain.  He has gone quite mad.  A plague wiped out the entire population of Olbray and only Sir Vardilain and his squire Thomas survived.  The knight became unhinged and his liege, King Pellam has forgotten about charging Sir Vardilain with protecting the village.  Very sad, really," she says.

"As for the Lion and the Serpent," she goes on, "the Serpent represented Satan, while the Lion was a messenger from God, assigned to prove to you that your cause was Just.  The Lion's cubs were symbols of young knights who will be involved with the spawn of Satan, who was represented by the boy you saw.  He is a servitor of Satan who would cause King Arthur's downfall, a corrupted innocent no doubt."

Finally, she tells the three knights, "the Sluagh are a host of unforging dead, they were a test of your dedication to this quest, one that you obviously passed."

Smiling at the three knights she indicates a door leading into a small shrine, "Sir Caradwg, Sir Dalan, and Sir Gacian, do you wish to pray with me for guidance?"

The Queen of the Wasteland will take any who accept her invitation in to the small shrine and pray for several hours.  You are free to accept or decline her invitation and stay for the whole time or only part of it.  If you decline her invitation or leave partway through, you can do as you wish around the small abbey, although it is a very simple and humble place with little more than a few rooms, most of which you have seen.  There is an Xbox and a PS4 in the entertainment room but there is some kind of wiring issue at present.  j/k  :)

Sir Gracian had awoken groggedly and more or less crawled to the table where he sat down and listened to the good Queen tell them about the trials they had endured. He was grateful to be alive yet it saddened him to hear the Queen tell them such a tragic story.

He cleared his throat and said with a slightly shaking voice. "It will both an honor and a pleasure to join you in prayer, noble Queen."

Sir Dalan bowed his head, his brow lined with sweat as he contemplated just how great the forces aligned against them had been. "I too will join you in prayer my lady. From what you say the Lord has aided us more even than we knew."

Caradwg thinks for a moment and then just nods his head and simply says, "I too, have a few words for the Lord."

The knights follow the Queen of the Wasteland into the small shrine and pray for several hours.  It is a quiet and peaceful time after all that they have been through.  At length, she completes her prayers and turns to her guests and states, "Jesu has shown favor upon your adventure, good sir knights.  In his name, I bid you go to the Forest Arroy and seek out the Castle of Hautdesert.  He that dwells within is your gate to the prize you seek - the whetstone of Tudwel Tudclud."

Day 19

After a night spent camped out on the floor of the priory, sharing the lady's meager fare, the trio pack up their gear and depart.  The Queen bids you God speed.  As you depart the priory, you all find that your wounds have been fully healed.

The Queen of the Wasteland can tell you how to get to various points on the edge of the Wasteland but you will need to decide which way you want to travel in order to get to the Forest Arroy.  You have a little over three weeks remaining and it is anyone's guess how many more tasks await you once through the 'gateway' at Castle Hautdesert.

Look at the Game map (along the top of the page).  You started in London (O19) and went north along the King's Road through Hertford (O18), Huntington (O17), Lonazep (N16), Lindsay (N15), Malahaut (M13), and passed Catterick (M12) to K12.  Your choices are:

1. Long but safe and cheap - Head back to Catterick, then down the King's Road to Lincoln (N15) and then down the other King's Road to Lambor Castle (M17) before taking the Trade Road west and then north to City of Legions (K15).  No cost, very safe and easy to follow, should take about 12 days.

2. Short but expensive - Head north to Carduel (K11) and take a ship (30D each) to City of Legions (K15).  Expensive but easy (unless there are storms or pirates) and quick, around 5 days total.

3. The gamble - Head straight south overland through K13 and K14 to City of Legions (K15).  No cost, should take about a week to a week-and-a-half but there are no real roads and it will be easy to get lost or waylaid.

All knights are healed back to full and get a check in Pious for praying with the Queen.

Sir Caradwg knows that the Forest Arroy is rumored to be enchanted by the Fae.

Before taking his leave Sir Dalan approaches the Queen of the Wasteland. "My lady, is there any way to cure Sir Vardilain and return his wits to him? We must fulfill our current quest but his story grieves me."

After speaking with the Queen he conferred with his fellow knights. "My brothers I think we can forget a journey by sea. None of us are wealthy knights. So by land then. Should we try the forest or the road?"

"I say we take the safe route by road. I do not know if our quest permits us that - time is of the essence - but I will feel safer on the King's Road than I will in some brigand-infested forest."

As was his wont, Caradwg pondered his friends words.

"Well," he said, "I could afford to pay for a boat trip for us.  However, where is the glory in that?  If the two of you prefer the safe route, then I will, of course, go with you...BUT," he emphasized that word, "is there no part of you that wants to see what glory can be had on the direct route?"

He is sincere in his words and will take whichever route the group decides to take.

"Adventure and Glory is why we live, my friend. But we are not on this quest to earn personal Glory. We have fought and endured and suffered not so we can be remembered but so Sir Gawain can defeat the Grey Knight and our Realm not loose it's finest champion." Sir Gracian said with a wry smile.

"I must agree with Sir Gracian," Sir Dalan echoes. He smiles sadly. "Believe me my friend adventure and glory calls to me, but we do not know what we will face at the Castle of Hautdesert. Dare we leave ourselves weakened by battles with brigands with so much at stake?"

"Then I will pay for the passage on the boat..." he paused, "I am sure this will make a great tale, three brave knights saving Sir Gawaine...on a boat," he laughed a little as he finished.

"Let's go my brothers.  I hope you both can swim!"

Sir Dalan looked uncertain. "It seems a great expense... though I have often wondered if mermaids are as fair as they say."

"I prefer not to meet the mermaids" Sir Gracian said with a smile. The first smile ever since they entered The Wasteland. "But when it comes to paying for the passage, then allow me to pay a share of it."

Sir Dalan sighs. "It still feels wrong to throw such money away, but yes if we must go by boat I shall pay a share too."

In answer to Sir Dalan's inquiry, the Queen of the Wasteland replies, "King Pellam would have to relive Sir Vardilain but he lives at Castle Carbonek and appears unaware of his knight's plight."

It is decided that a boat trip, while expensive, is the best way to travel as speed is of the essence.  The three knights and their squires head North toward Carduel.  It takes most of a day to get out of the Wasteland and another is spent awaiting a ship to take them south, to the City of Legions.

The weather on the first day of the three-day journey is clear with a light breeze.  A very pleasant day for sailing.  However, the following morning is shrouded in fog and it is hard to see farther than a ship's length in any direction.  Perhaps that is how the Irish raiders managed to sneak up.

It is around 10 in the morning when the knights first hear the shouts of the attackers as they begin to board and the watch is struck by a crossbow bolt.

Next Steps:

The ship is at sea in reasonably calm waters but there is no land in sight.  You are the only knights on a ship.  There are a couple of dozen sailors and men-at-arms on board.  In total, there are about half a dozen men-at-arms in light armor with spears and a couple with crossbows.  The sailors have knives but no armor.  You are wearing your breastplate and have a sword handy but no helmet or shield.

1.  You can spend time determining the current situation (how many people per side, how well armed, etc.)
2.  You can get your helmet and shield.
3.  You can plot out a battle strategy.
4.  You can rush into battle against the nearest available foe.
5.  You can hide, flee, or surrender.
6.  You can do something else, including orate or sing or dance, or whatever.  ;)

Despite his misgiving over the cost of taking ship Sir Dalan had been entranced by the experience of actually being on the waters. That first day as he watched the wooden bow cut through the green-blue waters fragments of a song came to his lips, as he whispered it to himself.

"Far called from the soil of home,
Over crested wave and waters deep,
The six of Salisbury shall roam,
As seagulls cry and dolphins leap.

I was lowborn to till the land,
Till battle won my lord's reward,
And now I see and may understand,
The beauty of a ship so oarred,

To race across this brilliant mirror,
The salt stung breeze across my cheek,
As each length brings us all nearer,
To the life all brave sailors seek."

At night he had lain on deck, listening to the groan of the ship and the swish of the waves and the snores of the others and watched the stars dance overhead. Maybe it was the difference of being at sea, maybe there was no true difference but they seemed even clearer and more beautiful out here.

Even the morning fog had not quite quelled his spirits. He was thinking of another song when they were suddenly jarred by the attack. As his right hand gripped the handle of his sword Sir Dalan narrows his eyes, trying to read their attackers so he'd know where to strike.

It was the first time Sir Gracian was ever on a boat and the journey was not kind to him. What some called a pleasant day for sailing Sir Gracian called the storm of the century. And when the fog came on the second day of sailing Sir Gracian was sure they were all trapped in Purgatory.

Of course Purgatory rarely has Irish raiders boarding you. When the raiders suddenly came out of the fog and boarded the ship, Sir Gracian drew his sword and with a mighty roared charged the raiders like a madman. If he could buy his companions time to put together a plan then all would be well.

---

He picks:

4.  You can rush into battle against the nearest available foe.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Sat 08 July 2017.

The boat ride had been going nicely.  The sounds of the water lapping against the boat and the rythmic rowing of the men made for a pleasant time.  Until the fog rolled in, of course.

As the shouts of the Irish rang out through the fog, Sir Caradwg knew they might be in for a tough fight.  Not fully armored or armed and only a few, well-trained knights versus Irish raiders...

He drew his sword and quickly began directing the sailors and men to the best of his ability.

OOC: Choice 3: Plot out battle strategy

Sir Gracian immediately jumps to the attack, engaging with an Irish raider as he hauls himself over the starboard aft railing.  The raider seems a little surprised to find a knight in armor with a sword but manages to thrust expertly with his spear.  However, Sir Gracian's own sword blow is too powerful to be stopped by the spear and instead crashes into the man's shield, thrusting him back against the railing.  The Irishman is wounded but presses forward.

Sir Gracian, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Sword.
Raider 1, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Spear.
Sir Gracian, rolled 17 using 5d6.  Damage.
Raider 1 takes 17 - 6 - 4 = 10 damage and remains upright.
Sir Gracian gets a check in Sword if he does not already have one.


Meanwhile, Sir Caradwg assembles four spearmen with two crossbowmen behind them to counter approximately a dozen Irish spearmen coming over the starboard railing.

Sir Caradwg, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Battle.  No bonus for the battle.


On the other side of the ship, Sir Dalan looks around to figure out how many raiders there are and what they are planning and notices a second small boat has pulled up along the port side of the ship near the bow.  A half dozen crossbowmen start to scale the side of the ship.


Sir Dalan, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Dalan gets a check in Awareness.

Sir Gracian continues his assault on the first raider over the rail as more appear on either side of him.  Once more, both Sir Gracian and the raider connect but it is Sir Gracian's mighty blow that hews through shield and armor, almost cutting the man in half.  The Irishman slumps unconscious to the deck.

Sir Gracian, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Sword.
Raider 1, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Spear.
Sir Gracian, rolled 25 using 5d6.  Damage.
Raider 1 takes 25 - 4 - 6 = 15 damage


Sir Caradwg charges forward and catches the next closest raider to Sir Gracian with his sword as the man vaults the railing.  The raider's spear goes wide and Sir Caradwg's blade spits him before he even has a chance to get onboard.  The man falls back into the sea, unconscious and soon to be dead.

Sir Caradwg, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Sword.
Raider 2, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Spear.
Sir Caradwg, rolled 19 using 4d6.  Damage.
Raider 2 takes 19 - 4 = 15 damage and falls back over the railing unconscious.
Sir Caradwg gets a check in Sword if he does not already have one.

Sir Dalan draws his sword and attacks the first crossbowman before he can get on deck.  He strikes a mighty blow that causes the man to fall backwards over the side, never to be seen again.  This only slightly delays the rise of five more crossbowmen.

Sir Dalan, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Dalan, rolled 15 using 4d6+2.  Damage.
Raider 3, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Dexterity.
Raider 3 takes 15 - 4 = 11 and is knocked backwards and off the ship.
Sir Dalan gets a check in Sword if he does not already have one.

Several other Irish spearmen come over the railing in back near Sir Gracian and Sir Caradwg with more heads and hands coming into view.

Next Steps:

There are two groups of raiders currently attacking the ship.  There are ~10 spearmen back-right and 5 crossbowmen front-left.  At present, Sir Gracian and Sir Caradwg, along with 4 spearmen and 2 crossbowmen are facing the Irish spearmen on the back-right and Sir Dalan is facing the Irish crossbowmen on the front left.

No one is immediately facing anyone right now.  If Sir Dalan stays at the railing, 3-5 crossbowmen will have shots at him.  If he steps back, 2-3 crossbowmen will be coming over to try to take shots at him by next round.  Sir Caradwg and Sir Gracian can expect a pair of spearmen each and the other Irish spearmen will probably head toward the six men-at-arms.  It will be a couple of rounds before anymore men-at-arms or sailors join the frey.  You are all assumed at this point to know roughly what the scene looks like.  You can attack wherever you like.

If you are going to face multiple opponents, please let me know how you want to split your 'attacks.'  You only get to hit one opponent (your first attack) but you can use part of your sword skill to attempt to block other opponents' blows.  So if you have a 12 in sword and are facing 2 opponents, you might split your attack 8/4 or 6/6.  If you win an opposed roll, your opponent does no damage.  If you succeed but lose the opposed battle, you take damage minus armor + shield.  If you fail and your opponent succeeds, you take damage minus armor.  If you win your first opposed battle then you do damage to that enemy.  Hope that makes sense.