Family Events Winter 505

Sir Aedden had a baby girl and his brother got married.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Family Event.  Marriage
Sir Aeddan, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Family member. Brother

Sir Aeddan, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Childbirth. Child born
Sir Aeddan, rolled 1 using 1d6.  Child gender. Girl

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:05, Sun 01 Aug 2021.

Sir Aeddan became aware of the impending birth of his child at Tintagel Castle.  Aeddan sent for the young woman and offered her employment at his manor of Altarnun, so that she could raise the child there.  He is hopeful that, soon enough, the young woman can be helpful raising more children, once he has married.

It would appear that Sir Aeddan's adventures at Tintagel gave his squire (his younger brother Alwin) some ideas, as well.  Young Alwin was hastily married to a girl his own age at Altarnun; the girl will live with Aeddan's mother and sister while Alwin continues to serve as squire to Sir Aeddan.

Spring 506 AD

Sir Aeddan sets out a week after the hunt with one of the young hawks that he purchased.  He will be traveling part of the way in enemy territory but as a lone knight, he is not going to be seen as an obvious threat, probably.  As with Sir Daron and Sir Abloc's journey to London, you can either be careful or reckless and feel free to add any precautions you take, preparations you make, or stratagems you use in order to avoid being waylaid on your journey.  Depending on your route and speed, it could take 3-5 days or so to arrive.

Sir Aeddan decides to set off with just his squire (his brother Alwin) and a few horses.  He and Alwin will go via the good road to Vagon, head northeast on the old track, and then turn east at Shrewton.  He will proceed somewhat cautiously, leaving the road if any armed groups appear.  Otherwise, his "cover story" will be that he and Alwin are visiting their sister, in the convent at Amesbury.

Sir Aeddan and his squire/brother ride carefully along toward the nunnery.  They are making decent time.  However, Sir Aeddan gets to telling his brother an interesting anecdote about their prior adventures in Salisbury and is so engrossed in the story that the pair ride right into a small contingent of knights.

Gathering his wits about him, Sir Aeddan manages to successfully impart his practiced lie and the knights wave the pair through.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Orate.

Sir Aeddan takes a point in Hunting (fumble) and checks in Orate and Deceitful (for lying).

The two manage to make it the rest of the way unmolested.  What is the plan at the nunnery?

OOC:  The plan at the nunnery...?  Oh right, the plan.

Upon reaching the nunnery, Sir Aeddan greets whomever is at the gate/door and asks for the honor to speak to the lady Morgana outside, in the courtyard.  Assuming she eventually appears, he'll present her with the young hawk as a minor token of his respect and thanks for her sage advice last summer.

Morgana appears after about 20 minutes, with a stern-looking older woman, both are dressed in dour habits.  Sir Aeddan can't help but notice that even in such drab attire, Morgana is exceptionally attractive.  Morgana sits a respectful distance from the pair, while the older nun sits at the edge of the courtyard, staring at the group as if daring them to misbehave.

"Sir Aeddan," Morgana says brightly, "and Master Alwin, so nice of you both to come visit.  And I believe that congratulations are in order," she adds, looking at Alwin.  She produces a silver chain with a locket, festooned with a gem the color of Alwin's bride's eyes.  "I am sorry that mother and I were unable to attend the wedding but we wanted to present you with a small token of our esteem."

While not a jeweler, Sir Aeddan guesses the necklace to be worth at least £2-3.

When presented with the young hawk, Morgana is quite touched, "what a majestic bird you are!" she exclaims.  The bird spreads its wings and flaps a couple of times, screeching.  She then says something in a language that you do not understand before smiling and translating, "Gale Flight is his name.  Thank you Sir Aeddan, he is a very thoughtful gift."

"Thank you, my lady," Alwin manages to say.  "My lady wife will always cherish this."

Upon hearing the hawk's name and Lady Morgana's thanks, Sir Aeddan bows in deep respect and says, "I am so pleased and honored to have introduced you to Gale Flight, my lady.  My brother and I are always at your service.  We will take our leave of you, and ask that you will kindly convey our best wishes to Queen Ygraine."

"I will let mother know, she will be touched at you thinking of her.  This place is very isolating, I am afraid.  But I think we will be free of here ere long," Morgana replies.

"If you ever need anything, you need only ask.  And feel free to mention my name if anyone is Salisbury gives you trouble," she offers.

Sir Aeddan notices that his brother is staring at Morgana with obvious interest, although she appears not to have noticed.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Awareness.

"I thank you most humbly.  Good day, my lady."  Sir Aeddan hooks Alwin's arm and leads him away from the formidable lady.

The two depart back home along the same roads they followed to get here.  That night, as they make camp, Sir Aeddan warns Alwin that his face showed "the wrong sort" of admiration for the Lady Morgana.  "I admit she is beautiful, but she is not in the realm of women we should view with...improper interest.  You have been fortunate to find a lovely and good-tempered wife from our own class.  I only hope to be as lucky myself."

Alwin, not at all impressed by his brother's lofty and paternal tone, responds by wrestling Aeddan to the ground and spitting in his eye.

"I was just . . . well thinking about the possibilities is all," Alwin replies defensively when the two have finished their workout.

The pair break camp come morning and ride back toward Cornwall.  At mid-morning they run into another patrol.  "Who are you and what is your business?" the leader of the group asks.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Hunting.

"Greetings," Sir Aeddan says to the leader.  "We are simply passing through here in peace, on return from a visit to the nunnery at Amesbury on family business."

"That answers half of my question," the knight replies, "and who are you and from whence do you hale?" he asks.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Orate.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Orate.

"We are the sons of Daeddan, the owner of a small manor in Cornwall," Sir Aeddan replies calmly.  "My name is Aeddan, and this is my brother Alwin."

"Cornwall, eh?" the leader replies, "knights from Cornwall raided these lands last summer, and even now Countess Ellen is entertaining Prince Mark (King Idres's heir) and Prince Alain (King Nantelod's heir) at her Court in Sarum to decide if Salisbury is to ally with one over the other.  Perhaps we should bring you to her to decide if you are spies or raiders?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:43, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

"Although I would be deeply honored to meet the Countess," Sir Aeddan replies, "I would not want to disrupt the important negotiations at Salisbury.  We are here not to spy but, as I said, are simply returning from attending to family business at the convent in Amesbury.  You may be acquainted with the Lady Morgana, whose counsel we were so fortunate as to receive at the nunnery.  I suspect she would not like for those who honorably seek her counsel to be waylaid and unjustly accused of sinister motives."

While the Salisbury knights had been slowly drawing in closer to Sir Aeddan and his squire, mention of Morgana has an immediate effect.  Everyone stops and their eyes go a bit wide.  The one who had been addressing Sir Aeddan starts looking around as if expecting at any moment someone or something will appear.  Backing up a little he gives a nervous smile, "well you had best be on your way then, Sir Aeddan.  Of course, we wouldn't want to delay you.  I am Gallwyn of Orcheston Manor," he replies.

With that, he and the others back away and ride off in the direction from whence you came.

Sir Aeddan is grateful that Sir Gallwyn and his cohort did not get close enough to smell his fear.  He wonders whether it's possible that he wasn't visibly red enough in the face to give himself away.

"I'm grateful the Lady Morgana gave us her pass out of Logres," Sir Aeddan comments to his squire, who seems to just now be catching on that there was any danger.  "Although I hate to have made myself so memorable.  Let's hurry  home, shall we?  I hope to be with my knightly brothers again before facing another such test."

The remainder of the journey is largely uneventful.  Sir Aeddan and his squire arrive back to Altarnun manor with time to spare before the Summer Muster.

Possessing some time to reflect before the Summer Muster, Sir Aeddan mulls on his younger sister, Aderyn.  He has come to realize that, from the Lady Morgana's actions and words, it is clear that she (presumably along with her mother, Queen Ygraine) thinks well of his and his brother knights' families.  Perhaps their fathers' service and loyalty to Uther's wife, even in the face of such grim circumstances, is the reason?

Because Aderyn exhibits some skills and interests that call to mind the Lady Morgana's, Sir Aeddan offers to send her to the nunnery at Amesbury.  He believes that she will advance in reading and writing surreptitiously, while at the same time gaining a functioning knowledge of Christianity that will help her marriage prospects and her family's standing.  He'll send with Aderyn a separate letter to the Lady Morgana, introducing his sister and reminding Morgana of the conversation they had about her last fall.  He is hopeful that Morgana will take an interest in Aderyn's education.

OOC:  I'm assuming that Sir Aeddan should also include a donation to the convent in his letter of introduction for Aderyn to the Mother Superior.  Please let me know what amount would be considered customary.

Sir Aeddan rolled 10 using 1d20. Valorous @16.
Sir Aeddan rolled 13 using 1d20.  Deceitful @10.
Sir Aeddan rolled 1 using 1d20.  Awareness @17.
Sir Aeddan rolled 1 using 1d20.  Courtesy @08.
Sir Aeddan rolled 2 using 1d20.  Heraldry @11.
Sir Aeddan rolled 2 using 1d20.  Hunting @10.
Sir Aeddan rolled 7 using 1d20.  Intrigue @05.
Sir Aeddan rolled 10 using 1d20.  Orate @10.
Sir Aeddan rolled 2 using 1d20.  Battle @10.
Sir Aeddan rolled 6 using 1d20.  Horsemanship @11.
Sir Aeddan rolled 13 using 1d20.  Sword @17.
Sir Aeddan rolled 13 using 1d20.  Spear/Lance @15.

Expenses:
A "rich" knight -9L
Add a coneygarth -6L
Add a vineyard -12L
Add a dovecote -5L

Married to Lady Blodeuyn, winter 485.

Holdings now Altarnun (hired steward) and Meadwell (Sir Manoghan, steward).

Family Event Winter 506

Sir Aeddan's brother had a son.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Family Event - Child
Sir Aeddan, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Family member - Brother
Sir Aeddan, rolled 2 using 1d6.  Child gender - Male

Sir Aedden's son survived another year.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Child Survival.

Slight correction: Aeddan's firstborn is a girl.  She's living at Altarnun, where her mother is now employed and is raising her.  Aeddan's mother is aware of the red-haired baby's paternity, but so far has not made an issue of it.

Now that Alwin's wife has borne him a son, Aeddan will suggest that Bastard's Mom (I guess she needs a name) can now serve as a nursemaid to Nephew, while continuing to also look after Bastard (again, I guess names are in order).  Aeddan hopes the nursery will continue to grow!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:42, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

Alwin's son is named Dalwin.

Aeddan's bastard daughter is Rhosyn, named for her mother, who has the same name (I'll call her Rhosyn Sr., if I ever need to refer to her).  For backstory purposes, Rhosyn Sr. came to live on the estate with the cover story of being a young widow, and only Aeddan's mother knows any differently.