You all are at Vagon Castle, training under Sir Elad, the knight in charge of Earl Roderick's army as well as the one training you (along with your own knight). The sun is warm, shining brightly down upon the fields.

Elad rides up to you, glancing down at you astride his horse. "Show me your skill with lance and horse!" he shouts at you all.

15:27, Today: Char 2 rolled 4 using 1d20 ((4)). Lance 15.

Marrick seats himself deeper in to the saddle before saying “ Yes, sir”. He stares at the target and urges his mount forward charging at the target.

Even he’s surprised as he hits it, but tries to keep his cool. He doesn’t want to be a show off.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Fri 10 July 2020.

Clegis gives a bellow and drives his horse forward. Initially looking like he would miss the target he manages to shift his large frame in the saddle at the last minute and clip the target with his lance giving another mighty roar at his success!

Celynen, though he struggled to get his horse under control, spurred it on and struck the target dead on.

00:50, Today: Char1 rolled 10 using 1d20.  Lance. vs 10 lance.

00:49, Today: Char1 rolled 19 using 1d20.  Horsemanship. vs 15 horsemanship

In reply to Char1 (msg # 4):

Celynen, give yourself a check in Lance for that critical.

Celynen, despite your horse starting its charge much earlier than you anticipated, you manage to land the perfect hit with your lance, completely obliterating the straw dummy. Elad laughs heartily at it, smiling when he sees the others do well.

"Now, I want you all to met me over at the stables. I want to see your horsemanship."

Marrick was wowed at Celynen’s charge. He was mostly focused on the utter destruction of that lance charge.

As he turned his mount towards the stables, he said “You have to show me how you did that. Very impressive. “ And spurred his mount forward to move in time with Celynen.

Celynen grinned back at Marrick, as he made his way towards the stables.

"You just have to aim at the exact point you want..."

Once you all arrive at the stables, Elad offers a smile once more. "We're going to race horses to see your horsemanship skills. Or rather, you all are. FIrst one around the hill over there and back again wins the race."

Marrick gives a stoic nod. There are not real stakes here other than wanting to need the best. Life isnt on the line. But he told himself he’d try.

He gets into position, then when ordered, Spurs his horse forward and towards the finish line!

---

08:48, Today: Marrick rolled 16 using 1d20 ((16)). TN 10
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Sat 08 Aug 2020.

He once again spurred his horse into action - without the hindrance of trying to aim his lance as well, he seemed to do much better.

23:33, Today: Celynen rolled 8 using 1d20.  Horsemanship - TN 15.

Clegis looks considerably more uncomfortable at a riding test as opposed to a test of martial skill but he nevertheless charges forward with his habitual gusto and makes a fair fist of it.

15:06, Today: Clegis rolled 8 using 1d20.  Horsemanship TN 10.

Clegis has the better start out of the gate, bolting ahead of Celynen and Marrick. Marrick's horse almost seems startled about something, trotting slowly.

Roll horsemanship!

Clegis is somewhat surprised to be in the lead on horseback but he relishes victory over almost all else and drives his mount forward in another accomplished display!

19:48, Today: Clegis rolled 5 using 1d20.  Horsemanship TN 10.

Celynen was a far superior horseman than jouster; however that sometimes meant that he got cocky when on horse, whilst when jousting he was always careful. Such as it was this time.


14:23, Today: Celynen rolled 19 using 1d20.  Horsemanship - TN 15.

10:55, Today: Marrick rolled 15 using 1d20.  Horsemanship. TN10.

---

Marrick drives his horse as hard and fast forward as he can.  His feelings of accomplishment are a thing of the past now, as he just doesn’t want to come in last place.

Clegis surges ahead of the others. Marrick's horse and Celynen's horse seem to fall behind even further.

Horsemanship again please!

With victory in sight Clegis continues to urge his horse forward - the poor beast managing well despite it's heavy load.

14:47, Today: Clegis rolled 9 using 1d20.  Horsemanship TN 10.

He got his horse under control, but his slip-up cost him dearly, as he tried to close the gap.

“Ya!“ Marrick cried as he tried to spur his horse on and close the gap.


15:32, Today: Marrick rolled 6 using 1d20.  TN 10.  Hirsemanship

Clegis races past the finish line first, with Celynen in second and Marrick third. Elad chuckles, watching the close race. "Well done, Clegis," he says. "Now, we need to speak to Earl Roderick - I believe he has a message for the three of you."

Marrick hangs his head.  Almost ashamed but not quite.  The other squires are good, apparently better, at what they do as well. He begins to think of an excuse to help save some face My horse has a little bit of a limp... but decided against it.  Win or lose, he'll try to be honest about it.

When Elad says that the Earl wants to speak with them, he lights up.  This is another good opportunity to make an impression and really start building a name for himself.  As he follows Elad, he starts dusting himself off and trying to sharpen up his appearance.  Every little bit helps.

Clegis is clearly thrilled to have come first and can't keep the beaming grin from his face even as he is clearly trying to be modest. Nodding at the others as to a race well run he follows Elad, keen to see what the Earl has to say.

Celynen was a little bit upset. How could he have done so well in the lance, then stumbled with the horse? He shook his head as he moved on to meeting Elad.

You all soon arrived at Roderick's court, where you see a young lady in armor as well. "Listen up, lads," he says. "I've heard rumors that a village down to the south has been dealing with what they describe as a 'man eating bear'. While I have my doubts about it being man-eating, I think I've heard enough about it that it's worth investigating. You lot will head down there and kill it. Understand?"

Sorcha bowed to Sir Roderick.  "Yes m'lord, as you wish," she says before turning to the others.  "Sorcha O'Hara of Newton, at your service," she introduces herself, the end of her name pronounced a bit hard, like in the Scottish 'loch.'

Clegis can barely contain his enthusiasm at the thought of a bear hunt but manages to keep enough of a lid on it to just maintain a level of decorum.

"Absolutely Sir Roderick, just tell us where and we'll go slay the beast. Whoever lands the killing strike gets a brand new rug for the hearthside!"

"You lads will be going to Imber - it is a half day's ride from here. You may make the choice of whether you leave today or at dawn tomorrow."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:03, Thu 26 Nov 2020.

"I am as eager the rest of you, perhaps if we set out early tomorrow?  We can make better progress on a fresh start," Sorcha will suggest to the others.

"Absolutely, the morning sounds best. After a hard day's riding we'll need some time to relax and...drink perhaps?"

Celynen nodded thoughtfully at the comments.

"Aye, first thing in the morning. Need a good night's sleep."

Is there anything you all would like to do before you set out?

Sorcha will ask around the court what anyone knows of Imber, and recall if she has ever been there.  She will also make sure she is provisioned for the trip, as she does not have a squire yet (to my knowledge).  After supper she will retire to her quarters, wash and sleep, waking early to stop by the chapel before meeting the others to depart.

Clegis only plan would be to carouse the night away with anyone willing to join him!

Celynen, was there anything you wanted to do before setting out?

Nothing in particular.

While Sorcha and Celynen return to their rooms in the evening, Clegis heads down to the local tavern for some drink. Once there, you notice some knights and a few ladies there.

What would you like to do, Clegis?

Clegis will head straight for the knights to tell them the tale of his victory at the racing today and to engage them in as heavy a round of drinking as they might be interested in!

Go ahead and roll Orate and Indulgent for drunkenness.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:10, Sat 09 Jan 2021.

OOC: Failed Indulgent and passed Orate. That's going to be quite the evening!

21:20, Today: Clegis rolled 13 using 1d20.  Indulgent TN 10.
21:19, Today: Clegis rolled 3 using 1d20.  Orate TN 5.

In reply to Clegis (msg # 39):

The group is impressed with your story. When you return to the castle, however, you collapse in your room.

When the rest of the group wakes the next morning, they are waiting for Clegis.

What does the rest of the group do?

Sorcha will gather her horses and gear in the courtyard and wait for the others.

Celynen is there early, waiting, after a good night's sleep.

Before you go, Elad says, "Good luck, all. I know you'll do well. You'll need to speak with Old Garr, the priest at Imber, about the beast. He'll have more information." And although Clegis shows up late, the group ultimately sets off for about a half-day of travel. You travel north on the roads, taking note of Stonehenge and some of your manors.

You ultimately arrive late in the morning. What will you do?

Sorcha was quiet during the ride.  She was curious about her companions but was focused on the quest.  Upon arriving at Imber she looks about for the church.  "We should consult the priest, yeah?  That was the Earl's advice," she says, her Irish accent thicker now that she is away from Court and not concentrating on such things.

Celynen nodded, taking in the surrounds; though not responding. If he sees the church, he moves towards it, dismounting as he got close.

Clegis has been like a bear with a sore head for the entire ride. His excesses of the previous evening making the experience of a long ride particularly difficult.

Arriving in the village Clegis dismounts as early as possible, sighing with pleasure like a man in the desert who has just found an oasis. He agrees with Sorcha with a grunt of assent and, like Ceylnen, if he can locate the church heads immediately in that direction. If nothing else there's always seats in a church...

With that an old man steps out of the church, with a younger woman sticking her head out of the doorway.

"Ah! I can't say I expected anyone. What brings you all today?"

"Sir Roderick asked us to look into reports of a beast; he said Garr would know more.  Would that be you, good sir?"  Sorcha asks the old man stepping out of the church.  She dismounts while she speaks, taking the opportunity to stretch her legs.

"Aye, we're here to solve your bear problem. Just tell us where it lairs and we'll do the rest."

Celynen just nodded as the others spoke, not speaking up at this point.

"Ah! I can't say I expected anyone so quickly. Let me go gather my hunting gear, and I could join you all, if you'd like. If not, I can send what information I can to you."

Celynen just frowns briefly.

"If you can just give us the information that will be enough. You are welcome to come if you wish, but it is not required."

Clegis slowly looks the old man up and down with a slightly incredulous expression, "I think that we will be alright good sir, just tell us where it is and we'll do the job."

In reply to Clegis (msg # 53):

"Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact location of the beast. However, given that we've had a bit of rain recently, its tracks should be more clearly visible. In addition, it's such a massive creature that it already has very large tracks."

Clegis nods slowly and then his face breaks in to a broad smile, "Aah a good hunt,  just what I need to clear the head. In which direction was it seen last? Then we'll do the rest."

"I thought I had seen the bear in the woods west of here - I wish you all the best of luck."

Sir Celynen grunts - he had had no objection to more precise directions, but given what they had, he proceeds to mount back up on his horse, and head off to the west; to try to find that bear.

Clegis is somewhat frustrated by the sparse information provided but 'West' at least narrowed it down a bit. He saddles up and follows Celynen off to find their prey!

Please, go ahead and make Hunting rolls.

20:25, Today: Clegis rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting TN 8 .

21:09, Today: Celynen rolled 16 using 1d20.  Hunting - TN 10.

OOC: We're a great pair...

I'll need you all to roll 1d20 as well. No modifiers, just a straight d20.

20:33, Today: Clegis rolled 15 using 1d20.  Mysterious D20.

Apologies for the delay, the day got away from me yesterday.

You all think you are on the right track, but soon you hear other voices. Not necessarily threatening or generally malicious, but it soon becomes clear that you all have not come any closer to finding the bear.

You soon find two other squires.

Hunting rolls, please.

For the better part of the last two days, Mattius, along with Terrwyn, had been roaming the woods on the edges of Imbur. Their knights had travelled to the village from their nearby county patrols when they had heard of the large creature that apparently roamed the forest. Seeing it as their duty to rid the settlement of the beast, they had set about hunting for it, which so far, hadn't been successful, for the least. Having no success, they had split into two groups, Mattius finding himself paired with his fellow squire. He had known Terrwyn, previously, but had never exactly spent any time in her company, and so far, he had found the experience enjoyable. Her family hailed from lands he wasn't extremely familiar with, and her brief upbringing on the shores of Brittany intrigued him. He had never left the southern counties of Logres, and simply the idea of crossing the seas for distant shores sounded appealing. New places to see and take in. Unfamiliar sights to learn and appreciate. He was in love with the idea. The only travel he had ever done was through what few tomes his family had gathered.

Mattius was a young man who knew all too well who and what he was; and a proficient hunter was not one of those things. Until his brother's death, his knightly aspirations had been entirely none existent. He had hoped that, with Decius knighting and inheritance of Barford, he could move to AMESBURY ABBEY to continue his studies. But faith, and the Saxons, had decided otherwise for him.

Having done their best to track what was supposedly a bear for the better part of the day, Mattius had asked for a brief reprieve, his constitution failing him, and then, set about making a small campfire to change their meager rations into something more palatable. Still, there wasn't much to be done with salted meat and what herbs grew in the forest.

“Far from me to want to pry, and please excuse me for asking,” said Mattius, crouched by the fire and doing his best to stoke it into being “but I am curious. I've heard you were brought in Brittany. I have read few accounts of those shores; how are the people there?”

OOC: For what it's worth, this illustrates Mattius' flaws ;)
12:52, Today: Mattius Helvius Aquilius rolled 16 using 1d20.  Hunting (2).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:53, Sat 19 June 2021.

Everyone else please make hunting rolls.

Clegis continues to roam the wood looking for his quarry but at this point he is basically just thrashing at random bushes.

OOC: 21:52, Today: Clegis rolled 19 using 1d20 ((19)).