It is the Spring of 505 AD and as is his tradition, Earl Guinier hosts a gathering of his knights for Easter, including a grand feast.  It is a time to hold court, invest new knights, talk of the coming year, and mingle with the knights and ladies of Lesnewth Hundred.

The squires travel to the Earl's castle at Camelford, which is resplendent with banners and pennants, ladies in fine dresses, knights in shining armor, and fine horses.  It is hard not to be a little awed, and perhaps inspired, by such grandeur.  Perhaps one day they too will live in such luxury?

They find quarters set aside for them and after cleaning the road from their garments, they present themselves to the Earl.  The Earl's steward, Sir Rhiryd, explains to the squires what to expect from the knighting ceremony and offers his condolences on the loss of their fathers.

Initiation into knighthood is a solemn occasion that occurs only once for each knight. This is without doubt the most important event in every knight’s life. As old men, they will look back with fondness on the memory of their knighting.  The preparations begin the night before the ceremony.  Each squire is washed and dressed in special clothing that symbolizes his future as a knight.  His white over-tunic symbolizes purity; his black tunic, hose, and shoes denote death; his red cloak indicates blood (both that which may be shed and that which runs in a nobleman’s veins); and his white belt denotes the chastity of a good Christian man.

The squires spend the night in a vigil of prayer and contemplation. The sword, armor, coat of arms, and spurs he is to wear as a knight are placed upon the altar to receive a blessing from God or the squire’s favorite saint. Father Mahel, the priest of Camelford, bestows blessings, and the squires make oaths to support the church.

In the morning, the squires are brought into the Great Hall, which is decorated with banners and the Earl's coat of arms.  The Earl sits upon his high seat, courtiers are present in their best clothes, a few dozen knights stand in their finery as do the nobles and ladies, while heralds make announcements.  It is grand and a little intimidating.

One-by-one, the squires are called by Sir Trynt, the Herald.

Sir Trynt: ", come forth and kneel before the throne."

A servant places sword, armor, shield, and spurs nearby.

Sir Trynt (reads): "Be it known to all men that I, Earl Guinier, am minded to raise  by virtue of his honor, loyalty, valor, and skill at arms, to the high rank of knighthood."

Sir Trynt: ", do you swear and acknowledge Earl Guinier to be your true and lawful liege?"

CANDIDATE: I do so swear.

Sir Trynt: "Do you also swear fealty to King Idres, to defend and obey him until he depart the throne, or death shall take you?"

CANDIDATE: I so swear.  (Earl Guinier rises, goes to CANDIDATE.)

Sir Trynt: "Let this be the last blow you receive without just recourse."

(Earl Guinier delivers the coulee, striking CANDIDATE on the shoulder hard enough to knock him down. CANDIDATE then kneels before his liege, placing his hands palm-to-palm and upraised. Sir Guinier places his hands over the knight’s.)

Sir Trynt (to CANDIDATE): "Repeat after me: 'I, , do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Earl Guinier, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honor of knighthood.'"

CANDIDATE: (Repeats the above.)

Earl Guinier: "And I, for my part, do swear to defend and honor as befits a true knight."

(Earl Guinier then receives the sword and taps CANDIDATE lightly on both shoulders with the sword.)

"I dub thee Sir .  Receive now your spurs (receives spurs), your right to suitable arms (receives shield), and take this, my sword (girds on sword), to your side to serve and defend me well. Arise, Sir Knight."

There is a blare of trumpets as each new knight stands and a cheer from the assembled knights.

After the knighting ceremony is concluded, each new knight, armed and armored, dashes outside and leaps into the saddle. If he makes it into the saddle, the knight is praised and honored, but if he misses, everyone laughs.  No other meaning is attached to the rite.  There is no malice in the laughter.

---

Make the following rolls:
- Energetic (to see if you stay awake during your vigil)
- Either Pious -or- Worldly (to see if you pray adequately or make oath to protect the church)
- Dex (to jump into your saddle)

Feel free to react to the ceremony and one another.  You all know one another to some extent.  Next up:  The Feast!

Abloc has been looking forward to this day all his life and now that the day has finally come he is a mess. Nervous, sweating, trying to remain calm and look like he knows what he is doing. He looks around at the other candidates and immediately feels even more insecure as they all seems so much more calm than he does. That the other candidates may also be nervous wrecks like Abloc doesnt occur to him at all.

The night in the chapel is spend in deep prayer. His father had never been a religious man - if anything he had always seemed more sympathetic to the old ways than to the Church - so Abloc isnt either. But on this very night something makes him pray to God. For advice. For hope. He prays for his father and ask for God to make him a better knight than his father. He prays all night - or rather he plays until his body fails him and he falls asleep.

In the morning he wakes up ashamed of his failure to stay awake. He looks around hoping the others havnt noticed or heard him snore. The rest of the ceremony he does everything he can to hide how tired and exhausted he is and finally rush to his horse trying to make up for his mistake earlier by leaping into the saddle.

Instead he only manage to make a leap that they will speak of for many years to come ...

---

Sir Abloc rolled 20 using 1d20.  Dexterity @ 10 (Critical Failure)
Sir Abloc rolled 5 using 1d20.  Pious @ 10 (Success +5)
Sir Abloc rolled 15 using 1d20.  Energetic @ 12 (Failure -3)

Aeddan is amazed at his own calm as the knighting ceremony approaches.  The ceremonies of being bathed and dressed give him a sense of rightness and peace.  His night of prayer and contemplation give him a connection to his mother's god that he's not felt before.  And the knighting ceremony itself has a gravity that fills him with an awesome sense of all that he's now responsible for.  Sir Aeddan, for the first time, feels like a true man.

That being said, Aeddan has just finished growing within the past year.  His hands and feet are always slightly further away than he expects.  With all his energy, he leaps into the saddle, overshoots the mark, and attempts to grab onto anything that will help him right himself.  He crashes back to the ground in a flurry of flailing limbs and unmanly squeaks.  Despite the heights to which he would eventually climb, the memory of this ignominious start to his knightly career would always make him blush.

OOC:
Energetic (13): Sir Aeddan rolled 11 (success)
Pious (13): Sir Aeddan rolled 4 (success)
Dexterity (9): Sir Aeddan rolled 14 (failure)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Daron did not consider himself a sentimental or romantic man but it was impossible not to feel a knot in his stomach as the the knighting ceremony arrived. This was the moment that his entire life had been building towards, following in the footsteps of his father and joining his peers and friends in brotherhood. In the day before he swaps stories with the other young squires but he is too nervous and excited t remember what he or they say.

The night of prayer helps calm his nerves and he manages to remain awake. Unfortunately that is where luck fails him as his first attempt to leap on horseback ends with him sprawled on the ground. It is embarrassing but it still starts him laughing along with the onlookers - perhaps he needed this release to lighten the sheer solemnity of the occasion.

---

OOC: 16:44, Yesterday: Sir Daron rolled 14 using 1d20.  Dex (9).

16:44, Yesterday: Sir Daron rolled 8 using 1d20.  Pious (10).

16:43, Yesterday: Sir Daron rolled 4 using 1d20.  Energetic (12).

Although there is a good deal of laughing, it is not at the expense of the new knights.  In fact, they get the feeling that many of the others, young and old, are reminiscing about their own foibles.

There are a whirlwind of congratulations and then it is time for the feast.  The Grand Hall is decked out with tapestries, the likes of which none of you have seen.  Detailing hunts, coronations, and religious scenes.  Long tables and benches are set with dishes and goblets and the knights can already smell the food.

Servants scurry to and fro as the knights seat themselves at the end of one of the tables.  Father Mahel stands at the head table and silence descends.  In an energetic voice he prays, "Oh Heavenly Father, we pray that you give us the courage to stand against your enemies and prove ourselves worthy of your many blessings as we seek to spread your Word.  Please bless this food to our bodies to give us the strength to persevere.  Amen."  There are a chorus of 'Amens' and the knights take their seats and soon there is a buzz of conversation as the first course is brought out.  It is fruit tarts, of a much higher quality than the knights are used to.  the ale and mead look quite tasty as well.  This is the best food and drink you have ever had.

Once they are finished with the first course, the knights are free to mingle.

---

You will have two opportunities between each course (there are four courses) to do something.  You all know Sir Rhiryd (Steward), Father Mahel (Priest), and Sir Trynt (Herald), and would be comfortable asking them to point you in the direction of anyone you might want to talk to or telling you about the latest gossip, introducing you to ladies, etc.  You also know Earl Guinier, and you may or may not want to speak with him, you just don't want to monopolize his time or ask him things someone else could help out with.

Once introduced, you could flirt or ask a lady to dance, or just be courteous.  You could also talk to random knights and attempt an Intrigue roll to find out the latest gossip.  There will be some directed activities for each of you as well, which will take up one or more activity slots.  Any public performances (singing, orating, etc.) are probably best done after a couple of courses, once people have gotten some ale into them.

You will also have the opportunity to roll against Temperate/Indulgent and/or Chaste/Lustful as the night progresses.  It is a bit early in the evening to be heading off for a quick tryst.

So what will you do after this first course?

Sir Abloc is quiet during the first course as he take in the sights and allow himself to enjoy a sense of victory. He is finally a knight! It is all he has ever dreamed of and now he is seated here. In this hall. Tonight. Eating, drinking and mingling with people that may be more important than he will ever but will still see him as a knight. He wish his father could have been here to see it but Fate would have it otherwise. He mumbles a small prayer praying for God to allow him to have sons and live long enough to see them be knighted.

When the course is finished he clears his throat and raise his cup. "Sir Aeddan. Sir Daron. Sir Rhydwyn. Please join me in a toast ... for the Glory we will win, for our fathers that are no longer with us - and for us one day being able to actually get up on a horse!" he calls out with a grin on his face. "I wish you all the best in the years to follow!"

Later he intends to mingle with the guests listening to the latest gossip. He knows well his little mudhole of a manor is insignificant but it always pays well to be informed of what is going on now or in the future. As he mingles he cant help but find the ladies almost irresistible but he also knows that he can never win their hearts or hands in marriage until he has proven himself. So he tries not to be tempted by them (at least until the ale sets in).

---

Action 1 - Introduction/Partying with the other PCs. I have no idea of what kind of skill it requires (if any) but it just seems like the most likely thing to do.

Action 2 - Sir Abloc rolled 15 using 1d20.  Intrigue @ 3 (Failure)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Sat 24 Apr 2021.

Sir Aeddan can hardly believe that, having worked toward this moment in his life for so long, he's now here.  During the first course, he felt a bit overwhelmed at all the faces, all the noise.  Once Sir Abloc breaks into the din with his toast, Sir Aeddan finally remembers who he is, and what he's doing here.  It's time to mingle a little.

Having heard so much about the valorous knights of his father's acquaintance, Sir Aeddan would now love to interact with some and relate how warmly his father spoke of them.  Except that he has no idea who any of them are!  He screws up his courage to speak to the herald, Sir Trynt, and ask him about some of his father's contemporaries whose names and exploits he knows so well.  He'd then like to try to be introduced to one or more of them, simply so that he can start putting names to faces.

Women.  There are women here.  Some of them even openly look at the men!  Sir Aeddan can hardly contain his excitement at the idea of talking to a woman, much less anything else, but he sternly keeps his thoughts on other knights for now.  Perhaps he'll stumble across an opportunity for interacting with a female later in the evening.

Sir Daron felt almost overcome by the scale of the occasion but attempted to hide his nerves as he bit into one of the splendid fruit tarts and made idle talk with his neighbours.

At Sir Abloc's toast he smiled and raised his own wine: "Well said gallant Sir Abloc! My brothers, to our fathers, to our lords, to God and to ourselves and to learning to successfully mount a steed!"

As the first course was cleared away he mingled on the floor. Never a man with any liking or trust for women he ignored the fairer sex but did speak with the other knights, seeking to learn any talk they might provide.

---

OOC: 18:45, Today: Sir Daron rolled 10 using 1d20.  Intrigue (10).

OOC: Do we roll or do you Teller?

Rhydwyn is quiet during the first course as he allows himself to enjoy the feeling of being knighted for once. He will spend some time with the group, celebrating the toast.

Round 1: Spending it partying with the rest of the group.
Round 2: Going to try and listen in to some gossip if possible.

Sir Abloc

Sir Abloc's toast, while simple enough, is somehow quite stirring and all those around him stand and repeat it.  There are a few nods and murmurs from the older knights, it seems that the young knight takes after his father.

After the toast, Sir Abloc mingles with some of the other knights but does not learn anything he did not already know.  Most of the knights are talking about continuing the fight in Somerset next season.

Sir Abloc, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Orate.

Take a check in Orate.

Sir Abloc rolled 15 using 1d20.  Intrigue

---

Sir Aeddan

Although Sir Aeddan knows the names of many of his father's old comrades, he has no real idea what they look like.  Taking the opportunity while Sir Rhiryd is momentarily free, he asks the Steward, who indicates a group of four knights toward the end of one of the tables, identifying each in turn.

Sir Aeddan, homing in on the knights, is oblivious to the pair of hazel eyes that follow his progress.  Arriving at the group, the young man introduces himself.

"Well met, Aeddan, I am Arddur, and these are Winnoc, Méen, and Morien.  We all rode with your father and were very sad to hear of his passing.  My condolences to you and your family," the oldest of the group replies.  Looking the red-headed knight over he notes, "you take after your mother, I dare say."

The others nod and smile.  "Seems my daughter has taken an interest in you," he adds.  "She is about your age," Arddur says.

Talk turns to reminiscences, and continues until the next course is served.  Aeddan makes polite conversation and is generally well received, although the older men seem to find his lack of awareness slightly amusing.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Take a check in Courtesy.

---

Sir Daron

After the toast, Sir Daron chats up a few of the nearby knights and although the talk is mainly about the planned campaign against Somerset, Sir Daron manages to gather an interesting tidbit.  There have been rumors that the Saxon Kings Cerdic, Port, and Ælla have threatened to march on Salisbury this summer.  King Nanteleod of Escavalon had previously committed to supporting Salisbury and it seems like he and some of the other Logres kingdoms will be attacking the Saxons south of Salisbury.  This means that Salisbury itself will be poorly guarded.  Sir Daron realizes this could be an excellent opportunity to plunder the rich farms of western Salisbury once the knights have fulfilled their duties over the summer.

Sir Daron rolled 10 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

Critical success!  Raise Intrigue by 1 point.

---

Sir Rhydwyn

Sir Rhydwyn is rather quiet as he listens to the others.  However, he is moved to speak after misunderstanding Sir Daron's toast, inquiring, "surely the Lord frowns upon mounting whores, Sir Daron."  There is a smattering of chuckles and Sir Rhydwyn turns red when he realizes what was said.

Like Sir Abloc, Sir Rhydwyn hears mostly the normal gossip about the summer campaign but little else of real interest.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Fumble.  Raise Courtesy by 1 point.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

---

The servants reappear and knights head back to their places as large roasted hams are served.  They are large and fat and juicy, as nice or nicer than the best you have ever had on your own lands.  It seems the pick of the pigs from the county made it to the Earl's table.  The mead and ale keep on coming too!

You may roll against Temperate if you are trying to trying not to over-indulge, otherwise, roll against Indulgent.

You have a couple more opportunities to mix and mingle.  You can try again on something you failed at previously.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:36, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

Sir Abloc is enjoying the solemn occasion. His thoughts drifts to his father and how he must have felt when he was a young man newly knighted. He must have sat here in this room and perhaps he was just as nervous as Sir Abloc? It is hard to imagine the giant of a man that that was Sir Ablic's father being nervous yet it is occassions like these that reminds us that we are all merely mortals.

He wants the evening to never end. The sights. The sounds. The people. It is something he wants to be able to remember for the rest of his life so while he do enjoy the wine and the food then he tries not to over-indulge. Instead he listen to the conversations around him and join in when appropriate.

When the course is over he ask Sir Rhiryd or Sir Trynt to introduce him to the older knights that knew his father. Some of the names he remember. Other memories are merely of voices or younger faces from his childhood. He feels humble in their company and promise himself to one day earn their praises.

Too shy to really approach any of the ladies he find himself fumbling with a harp and soon plays a small tune about a young knight chasing a magnificient white deer in a misty forest.

---

Sir Abloc rolled 1 using 1d20.  Temperate @ 10 (Success)

Action 1 - Approach the older knights (Courtesy?)

Sir Abloc rolled 8 using 1d20.  Courtesy @ 10 (Success)

Action 2 - Play the harp in a futile attempt to be noticed by the ladies (Play Harp?)

Sir Abloc rolled 17 using 1d20.  Play (Harp) @ 10 (failure; yicks - he stays a bachelor for life)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:18, Mon 26 Apr 2021.

Sir Daron chuckles at Sir Rhydwyn's misinterpretation of his host, then gives his fellow knight a friendly grin. "Indeed he does good Sir Rhydwyn. I thank thee for reminding me!"

Sir Daron tries to eat sparingly when the roast hams arrives, delicious though it is. Luxurious food cost far too much money for him to develop an excessive taste for it!

As the course ends he continues his mingling, though even Sir Daron has to admit he is unpracticed in courtly manners.

---

OOC: Teller you can do the rolls for Sir Daron's Temperate (10) and I guess Courtesy (5).

Sir Aeddan is amazed at the abundance and quality of the food and drink, but he does his best not to overindulge.  He has vivid memories of the results of his father's tendency to both drink and eat too much, and he earnestly wants to avoid that path.

As Sir Aeddan makes his way through the next course of the meal, enjoying the company of his peers, he resolves to return to Sir Arddur and request an introduction to the man's daughter.  He has a hopeful notion that it might be pleasant to talk with a young woman raised in similar circumstances as he.  Is it like talking with knights his own age?  Or will it lead solely to confusion and humiliation?

OOC: Rhydwyn will try to find a knight to flirt with for the next round if possible. If it would be too early he'll just enjoy some more food and drink.

Sir Abloc

Like Sir Aeddan, Sir Abloc is familiar with several of his father's old comrades but has never met them.  Seeing that Sir Rhiryd is available, he asks the Steward about them, and Sir Rhiryd indicates a group of four knights toward the end of one of the tables, identifying each in turn.

As he crosses the floor, Sir Abloc notices a young lady, about his own age watching him with some interest.  Arriving at the group, the young man introduces himself.

"Well met, Abloc, I am Arddur, and these are Winnoc, Méen, and Morien.  It was very sad to hear of your father's passing, we all rode with him.  My condolences to you and your family," the oldest of the group replies.  Looking the young knight over he notes, "you have your father's gift of speaking, I note.  He was always one to inspire others."

Talk turns to reminiscences, and continues until the next course is served.  Abloc makes polite conversation and is generally well received.  When he tries to play out a tune on his harp, they all laugh.  "Your father was not much of a musician either," jokes Sir Méen.

Although the food and drink are plentiful, Sir Abloc manages not to overindulge.

Sir Abloc, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc rolled 17 using 1d20.  Play (Harp) @ 10.

Sir Abloc rolled 8 using 1d20.  Courtesy @ 10.

Sir Abloc rolled 1 using 1d20.  Temperate @ 10.

Take checks in Awareness, Courtesy, and Temperate.

---

Sir Daron

Like Sir Abloc, Sir Daron resists the temptation to over-indulge on the plentiful food and drink.  Instead, he hangs out with a small group of other knights and chats.  It is a strange feeling to be among these men he has seen and heard about all of his life and is now considered a peer.  It is a weighty responsibility, one which he takes quite seriously.  Although he does not have anything monumental to say, he has little trouble fitting in with the group.

Sir Daron, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Temperate.

Sir Daron, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Courtesy.  (There was a slight positive modifier for being a new knight in a friendly crowd.)

Take checks in Temperate and Courtesy.

---

Sir Aeddan

Sir Aeddan, like his companions, is intent on not over-indulging.  However, the thought of talking to an actual young lady causes the young knight a great deal of anxiety and he finds himself taking an extra helping or two of the ham and drinking a couple of mugs of 'courage' as he psyches himself up.

It works, however, as he finds himself recrossing the floor to speak with Arddur, who takes Sir Aeddan over to speak to his daughter Ceridwen (APP: 14).  "Ceridwen, this is Sir Daeddon's eldest son, Sir Aeddan.  Aeddan, this is my daughter, Ceridwen."  Ceridwen smiles and puts out a hand, dimples showing as she smiles at the young knight.  "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Aeddan."

Aeddan manages not only to properly take and kiss the young lady's hand, but have an actual, reasonably comfortable, conversation about how much they enjoy the coming of spring, and how nervous becoming a knight has been.  As the servers bring out the next course, the young lady smiles prettily, "it was lovely speaking with you, Sir Aeddan, perhaps we will see one another again?"

Sir Aeddan, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Temperate.

Take a check in Indulgent.

---

Sir Rhydwyn

Sir Rhydwyn scans the room, looking for someone to flirt with.  However, he does not notice anyone interesting and consoles himself with food and drink instead, eating quite a bit of the fine ham and quaffing a good deal of mead.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Temperate.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Take a check in Indulgent.

---

The next course is served.  Boiled salt-water fish, a real treat!  None of you have had much seafood, except on special occasions.  This is certainly turning into one.  The volume within the hall seems to have been turned up as the many participants eat and drink and talk.  Entertainers move around the tables, juggles, a contortionist, and a few musicians.   After finishing the third course, a few people get up and dance, while a few knights call out challenges, especially to the newcomers.

Sir Abloc is challenged to explain what sort of weapon to use against a hart (Roll Hunting)?

Sir Aeddan is challenged to describe what he knows about the Summer's campaign (Roll Intrigue)?

Sir Daron is challenged to execute a perfect parry with his sword (Roll Sword).

Sir Rhydwyn is challenged to compose a ditty about the ceremony (Roll Compose).

In addition, you can do something else, as before, including skills you have already used.

Sir Daron dined on the fish, savouring the unfamiliar yet pleasing taste. Still he was careful not to over indulge, once again thinking of the potential cost should he become too fond of such delicacies.

While watching the entertainers the young knight finds him challenged to a demonstration of swordsmanship. Stroking his moustache and smiling in amusement he replies: "Very well good sir knight. A parry it is, and I hope my sword swings provide some fine sport for this occasion."

Drawing his sword he holds it before him, striking a parrying stance.

---

OOC:
22:40, Today: Sir Daron rolled 6 using 1d20.  Sword (15).

Sir Ablic finish the dish. He is used to freshwater fish like trout since a good deal of Clethor's income come from fishing. But boilt sea-water fish is a rare treat and one he enjoys very much.

Without having learned from previous mistakes though he eagerly begins to talk about hart-hunting when asked about it. Perhaps it is the ale. Perhaps he is merely being nervous. No matter what he quickly begins to mumble and is lost for words.

Fleeing the embarrassement he considers approaching the Earl but decides it isnt time yet. Instead he watch the people dance. He cant help but scout the room for the young lady that watched him earlier ...

---

Action 1 - Challenge (Hunting)

Sir Abloc rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting @ 9 (Failure)

Action 2 - Benchwarmer

Fact is that I dont need Sir Abloc to get romantic yet but the best quests do come from rescuing maidens (or impressing them) so lets see what happens and what Teller has in mind. Skillwise it can be anything from Dancing to Flirting to Recognize to Courtesy I suppose all depending on what happens.

Having assured the young lady Ceridwen that he, too, looks forward to their next meeting, Sir Aeddan returns to the table and enjoys the unfamiliar fish.  What an evening!

After the fish course, while Sir Aeddan is entirely distracted by watching jugglers perform, an older knight loudly asks him what he knows of the upcoming summer campaign.  Summoning his most gracious voice, Sir Aeddan opens his mouth and...his mind goes blank.  "We'll, umm...we'll be...um...fighting.  In the summer.  After the crops are planted."  This is essentially the sum of what he manages to say.

Sir Aeddan's unfortunate tendency to blush bright red when he's embarrassed has been on full display today.  In his mind, he goes over falling off that horse, enduring the ribbing of the older knights when he missed Ceridwen's gaze, and now...ugh.  Apparently, THIS is what it means to be a knight, just as much as the tasks enumerated at the knighting ceremony.

Having mulled all this for a few minutes, Sir Aeddan can scarcely believe it when he opens his mouth, clears his throat, and begins to recite a Christian verse he learned from his mother.  It's about those seeking greatness needing to first serve the great.  When he's finished, he doesn't look around him for approval, but instead makes his way back to the table he shares with the other new knights.



OOC: Sir Aeddan rolled 11 using 1d20.  Intrigue @3.

"Do you feel just as pathetic as I do, Sir Aeddan?" Sir Abloc mumbles as he sees the blushing Sir Aeddan return to their table. "I cant say anything right tonight. I am cursed!"

Rhydwyn chuckles as someone asked him to write the ditty about the night. "I was never much of a composer or a musician, though I can certainly try. Most likely, it won't be good, though."

17:20, Today: Sir Rhydwyn rolled 6 using 1d20 ((6)).

After attempting it, he says, "I knew it wouldn't go well." to his friends.</Orange>

Sir Daron

Sir Daron ably parries the blade, and must feel a bit fortunate that he was challenged to something he was quite adept at, unlike his companions.  There are a round of drinks consumed in his honor.

A few of the knights wave Sir Daron over and he joins them for a little while but seems unable to come up with anything to say.  It has been a long day full of excitement, fine food and drink, and a nearly-overwhelming number of people in close quarters.

Sir Daron rolled 6 using 1d20.  Sword.

Sir Daron, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Take a check in Sword.

---

Sir Aeddan

It seems that talking with Ceridwen could well be the highlight of Sir Aeddan's night, as things start to go downhill rather rapidly afterwards.  His mind still seems to be on the young lady when asked about the summer's campaign and his thoughts go to what he and Ceridwen had been talking about with enjoying the time around planting and he sort of blurts out . . . something.

His face hot with embarrassment, he tries to recite a verse he knows by heart, only to have his voice crack, perhaps he should have drained a flagon of ale before starting?  Which causes him to forget part of the verse.  Then, well, it just went from bad to worse.  Fortunately, a fair number of inebriated knights make far larger fools of themselves, even if Sir Aeddan can only focus on his own foibles.

Sir Aeddan rolled 11 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Orate.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Religion.

---

Sir Abloc

Sir Abloc manages to set himself apart from those who know something about hunting with a mumbled, barely-coherent response to the challenge.  Thinking that things can't get worse and perhaps some distance will smooth things out, he manages to spot the young lady who was watching him earlier.  Getting an introduction from the Steward, Sir Abloc promptly compares the young lady to a cow.  A deathly silence falls before she turns and storms off through the crowd.

Sir Abloc rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting.

Sir Abloc rolled 20 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Fumble!  Gain a point in Courtesy.  You learned not to compare a lady to livestock.  I didn't bother to figure out the young lady's name as I don't think we'll be seeing her again. :)

---

Sir Rhydwyn

While not Shakespeare, especially as he doesn't exist yet, it is certainly not the worst thing to happen this evening.  <Cough> Sir Abloc <Cough>.

Like Sir Daron, Sir Rhydwyn is waved over by a group of knights and manages to seriously impress them with a rather insightful anecdote about commonalities between jousting and fishing.  Perhaps at least one of the young knights is finishing on a high note!

Sir Rhydwyn rolled 6 using 1d20.  Orate.

Sir Rhydwyn rolled 10 using 1d20. Courtesy.

Critical success!  Take a point in Courtesy.

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The final course is served, capon pastries and crisps, something none of you have even heard of before, much less tasted.  After which, the Earl, as well as many of the nobles and ladies, depart.  Leaving the knights to their own devices.  The chance of things degenerating into drunken revelry seems quite high.

You can depart, hang out with one-another (if others stay), give yourselves to the gods of drunkenness, or roll Lustful and spend some quality time with one of the servants.

Anything I'd need to roll beyond Lustful for a night with a knight?

Servants, and those generally well below your social level, require merely a lustful roll on your part.  Ladies, like Ceridwen, or knights are at around your own level and require some degree of 'romancing,' and will have their own Chastity/Lustful rolls to make.  So it would require 'some' to 'a lot' of interaction depending on their social level and Chastity.

Alright, thanks - any modifiers to the roll for drunkenness or anything?

Just state what you are up to and I will add any modifiers I think appropriate.

Sir Daron eats a little of capon pastries and crisps, just to try the taste though he is careful not to overindulge - again a taste for luxury could get expensive!

Seeing the party heading towards drinking contests and fumbles in dark alcoves with the maids and being uninterested in neither he bids his companions farewell and departs to get some much needed sleep.

Rhydwyn will try to find a knight or servant lad to fool around with.

As the knights & ladies depart, Sir Aeddan can't help but notice the direction the drunken revelry has taken.  He tries to drink very little and keep an eye out for a sympathetic-looking serving girl who might make the evening wind up a little more pleasantly.

Seeing where the party is heading and ashamed of his lack of social skills Sir Abloc departs as well. Perhaps it gives him a sense of relief when he sees other knights leaving including the young Sir Daron.

On his way back to his quarters he contemplates on his new role in life. About his loyalty to his liege and the constant warfare across the land. Will there ever be peace? Probarbly not and Sir Abloc doubts he will live to see the end of the Saxon scourge or the constant fighting between rival kings.

OWhen he returns he find that his squire Wigan has fallen asleep outside the door to Sir Abloc's chamber. He let the man sleep and silently pray before going to bed.

Tomorrow will be the beginning of the rest of his life. He thinks about what to say to Sir Daron, Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn but in the end he falls asleep and dreams of tall horses, cows and harts.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Sun 02 May 2021.

The young knights take a last look or two around before departing . . . alone, to their quarters.

And so their Knighting Ceremony and first feast come to an end.  It has been a long and exciting day, one they will long remember.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Lustful.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Lustful.


In the morning, the quartet head back to their respective manors, where planting and management of their estates will take place before they are to muster for the summer campaign.

Feel free to write out what you are up to.

Before heading back to Clethor Sir Abloc bid the other knights farewell. "Our fathers were friends. They fought together. They suffered together. And in the end they died together. I do not know what God has in store for us but let us honor our fathers by helping each others and promise to aid each other in hours of need. Let us by our actions show them that they raised us well and know the meaning of friendship. I will depart now for Clethor and when we meet again it will be to wage war. Good luck and God Speed."

When he returns to Clethor he prepares for the coming campaign and see to his duties. He dreams of expanding Clethor but so far he hasnt got the money to do it.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Sun 02 May 2021.

Sir Daron smiled and clasped hands with Sir Abloc. "Well said my brother," he said, before looking at Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn and correcting himself, "my brothers."

Before taking his own leave he mentions to the other knights the rumours he had heard that Western Salisbury would be unprotected this Summer and suggests a certain spot of raiding would help their paltry purses after their own duties were finished. "Food for thought gentlemen, food for thought."

"I thank you for your advise Sir Daron. I will gladly ride with you - in both battle and raid. Let us see how we fare after the campaign and then make plans accordingly"