Relieved and grateful to have struck the fatal blow to the morning's quarry without making too much of a fool of himself, Sir Aeddan decides to mingle socially with other knights until lunchtime.  He's looking for insignia he recognizes from his father's tales of glory, hoping to then ask a knight of his acquaintance for an introduction.

His go-to approach is to compliment the recognized knight based on what he knows from his father's stories.  He's quite aware that Dad had a tendency to embellish, but knights seem willing to look at the past through Sir Daeddon's rosy lens.

Sir Abloc & Sir Daron

Morning
Round 2
Actions 3-4
The pair continue hunting and Sir Abloc locates the trail of Red Deer, while Sir Daron searches around.  However, the deer manages to get away when Sir Abloc fails to notice a ditch.

Sir Abloc rolled 10 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc rolled 10 using 1d20.  Prey.
Sir Daron, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Prey, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Abloc rolled 6 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc rolled 16 using 1d20.  Obstacles.
Sir Abloc rolled 17 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Hunting and a point in Hunting (Critical).

Round 3
Actions 1-4

Trying to find the trail once more, Sir Abloc eventually locates it, while Sir Daron continues to struggle to locate some sign of the animal.  The deer manages to avoid Sir Abloc but Sir Daron finally locates the trail and soon joins his brother knight.  Some birds are flushed by Sir Daron's horse, which spooks Sir Abloc's horse, but both manage to retain their seat and continue after the fleeing deer.  However, with a burst of speed and a stunning jump, the deer bounds across a stream and is gone.

Sir Daron, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Prey.
Sir Abloc, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Prey, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Daron, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Prey, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Abloc, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Obstacle.
Sir Daron, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Obstacle.
Sir Daron, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Abloc, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Abloc, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Prey, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Avoidance.

Sir Abloc and Sir Daron each take a check in Hunting.  Sir Abloc takes a check in Horsemanship.  Sir Daron takes a point in Horsemanship (Critical).  They can hear the horn signalling lunch is about to be served, and head back in the direction of camp.  (Red deer are difficult, especially with only two knights.  :( )

Sir Aeddan

Sir Aeddan looks around at the other knights but does not recognize anyone that his father talked about.  He talks to a few of the knights in hopes of determining if any of his father's old friends are about but does not have any success in this venture.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Recognize.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Heraldry.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

---

Lunch involves some fresh game as well as wine.  Blankets are laid down on the ground and individuals, pairs, or small groups sit and eat or chat.

Determine who you are eating with and what you would like to do.  As always, you can use whatever skills seem appropriate to the occasion.  Lunch will last a couple of rounds so that you will have the opportunity to do more than one thing should you so choose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:51, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

Rhydwyn would likely be spending time with his brothers-in-arms in the group enjoying the fresh game.

At lunch, Sir Aeddan cannot resist the opportunity to spend some time with the lady Blodeuyn.  Because they are in public and in full view of her father, he'd love to sit just with her on a blanket as they eat, knowing that this will not compromise her in any way.  But he will not object to anyone else joining them for food or conversation.

Sir Abloc actually enjoys himself and cant help but laugh as the deer once again gets away. Yes he would love to bring a majestic trophy back with him to Lady Gwendolyn but he is almost happy to see the deer once again nimbly outsmart him.

As he returns for lunch he make jokes about being bested by a deer and how unlucky he was. The sight of Lady Gwendolyn only makes him smile even more. He approach her during lunch and thanks her for writing him during the winter. For coping with his poor handwriting and for making the dark cold Winter warmer and brigter than ever before. He also thanks Sir Enodoc for allowing him to write his daughter and ask about the rebuilding of the manor.

as he eat lunch he try and recognize any of the other guests at the hunt. He is knows hunts are more than just social encounters. Often diplomacy - and treachery - can be found at hunts and he wonders who is who and what they are doing.

Sir Daron takes a moment to share the feast with Sir Rhydwyn. Truthfully the young knight feels a little awkward at the social occasions; as someone with no time or patience for womenfolk he can hardly talk to them and he feels too green a knight to talk to his elders easily.

"I am so glad that you were able to come on the hunt, Sir Aeddan," Blodeuyn announces when the pair are seated and unpacking the lunch that has been provided.  The day is pleasant, the sun providing long-forgotten warmth and a light breeze bringing the scent of early flowers.

"It is nice to have the chance to actually talk, although I very much appreciate getting your letters.  Tell me more about rescuing Loorette," she exclaims, "I don't really know her as she is from West Hundred (the next county over) but it seems from what I have heard that it was quite an adventure retrieving her."

Sir Aeddan, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Intrigue.  The results of which will be revealed soon.

Sir Aeddan still seems to get a little tongue-tied around the lovely Lady Blodeuyn but she seems to find it adorable.

Sir Enodoc greets Sir Abloc cordially and assures him that the manor is coming along nicely.  While not completely finished, the main buildings should be done by year end and most of the orchards and fields have already recovered.

Lady Gwendolyn invites Sir Abloc to dine with her and the pair find a blanket in the shade of a large elm tree.

"It is so nice to see you again, the Winter was too long," Gwendolyn says.  Putting some chicken and vegetables on a plate for Sir Abloc she asks, "how did the hunt go this morning?"  Upon learning that he was unable to catch a deer she offers, "perhaps you would have better luck if you wore my favor," she unwraps a black and red strip of silk from around her neck, wrapping it around his arm.  It smells of cinnamon.

Sir Abloc, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Recognize.
Sir Abloc, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
Sir Abloc, rolled 12 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Courtesy.

Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Daron sit and enjoy the fresh meat and listen idly to the talk among some of the knights sitting nearby.  It is difficult to catch everything that is being said and with multiple conversations going on it is necessary to concentrate on a signal individual at a time.  Even so, Sir Daron hears that Prince Mark has been sent to Salisbury and Countess Ellen's Court at Sarum to try to propose an alliance against King Nanteleod of Escavalon.  Meanwhile, Sir Rhydwyn overhears something about King Nanteleod planning to attack Cornish positions in Somerset this summer.

Sir Daron, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

Sir Daron and Sir Rhydwyn take checks in Intrigue.

Another round of lunch to go before the afternoon hunt.

"It will be an honor to wear your favor, my Lady. I ... I ... I am grateful for your letters this Winter. Whenever I received a letter it was as if Spring arrived. The darkness wasnt so dark and the cold wasnt so cold and now that I sit here I must say you are more beautiful than I ever remembered." He suddenly pause and fumbles with his plate. "I am sorry. I have said too much and did not mean to offend you. Or your father ... " he glance at Sir Enodoc. "... I wonder if he will ever accept me".

Sir Daron frowns. "King Nanteleod seems a good fighter; it sounds like we'll be busy in the summer."

The young knight looks around to see if any of his brothers in arms would be interested in a game of dice or two before they pick up the hunt.

"It was an adventure indeed," Sir Aeddan replies to Lady Blodeuyn's question about rescuing Loorette.  "We knew only as much as you and Lady Gwendolyn had been able to tell us of her whereabouts.  No one could tell us more.  So we sought the counsel of the lady Morgana, Queen Ygraine's daughter, knowing that she has a particular talent for gathering information.  She had learned that Loorette was likely with the Saxons, so our group split in two and approached them from two directions, hoping to find our advantage.  We somehow did, and by some miracle we retrieved Loorette and found each other, all in the same night."

Sir Aeddan stops for a moment, then tentatively adds, "We, and of course the lady, owe Lady Morgana a debt of gratitude.  Things could not have gone so well without her help.  I came into the knighthood expecting to fight alongside, and against, other knights.  But I am learning that women can be powerful allies.  And, I suppose, powerful adversaries as well."

As Lady Blodeuyn sits, bathed in golden sunlight and in all the glorious beauty of her youth, Sir Aeddan can only reflect on his unwarranted good fortune in finding both brothers-in-arms and an object of such enchantment, all in his first year of knighthood.  "Thank you for sharing this time with me, Lady Blodeuyn.  Spending time in your presence means more than I thought anything could."

The young lady smiles, "far from, you have been the perfect gentleman and I think that the more my father learns about you the more impressed he will be.  You have already accomplished more than many knights twice your age," Gwendolyn replies.

"The count will probably have some influence in the decision," she adds.

Sir Abloc, rolled 7 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:57, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

Blodeuyn cocks a suspicious eyebrow, "the Witch?  I have heard tales about her, enough that I would be very careful in her presence were I forced to be in it."

Brightening she replies, "it was lovely receiving your letters as well.  So few knights taken an interest in reading and writing, I count myself doubly lucky."

Looking around to make sure no one would overhear, she adds, "you might do well to get into the Count's good graces.  He is a close advisor to Prince Mark as well as having some say as to who marries the young ladies of his knights."

Looking over at the count, Sir Aeddan notices that his shield bears a wolf on it.

Sir Daron finds a few knights playing cards and he joins in.  He struggles a little at first but quickly shows his skill at the game, winning the pot on the second hand.

Sir Daron, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Gaming.
Knight, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Gaming (@7).
Sir Daron, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Gaming.
Knight, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Gaming (@7).

Sir Daron takes a check in Gaming.

Lunch concludes and the knights mount up once more, ready for an afternoon of hunting.

In the morning, I went with whatever prey the first successful hunter found.  If you want to look for specific prey, please announce that and if anyone finds the right trail, you can all head off after it and if you do not find any trail or find a trail but it is the wrong one, then you can look for new tracks the following turn.

Making your hunting (and prey if successful) rolls and feel free to discuss anything among yourselves.

"I'm going to try for a boar," Sir Daron tells his brother knights, before galloping with perhaps misjudged confidence.

---

OOC:
23:00, Today: Sir Daron rolled 15 using 1d20.  Prey (Boar).

22:58, Today: Sir Daron rolled 1 using 1d20.  Hunting @10.

"I will try for a stag," Rhydwyn says as he looks for any tracks.


18:59, Today: Sir Rhydwyn rolled 7 using 1d20.  vs hunting 12.
19:01, Today: Sir Rhydwyn rolled 17 using 1d20.  Prey (Red deer).

Hoping to make an impression on the Count, per Blodeuyn's murmured hint, Sir Aeddan hopes to hunt and kill a wolf.  He does not succeed.

When he notices that Sir Daron seems to have picked up the trail on prey, he joins him.  "Later this afternoon," he says to Sir Daron in a low voice, "we should attempt to kill a wolf.  It might earn us some advantageous attention.  Let our brothers know, if you speak to either of them."

OOC:  Sir Aeddan rolled 10 using 1d20.  Hunt @8.

Sir Abloc is the last to leave reluctant to leave Lady Gwendolyn behind. But he see no other option than to continue the hunt and with a little luck come back with a trophy. He does not care what kind of animal he brings back as long as he brings something back. Anything really.

Soon he picks up a trail and venture deeper and deeper into the woods until he is all alone and too late realize that he is up against something far more than a fallow deer ...

---

1) Search for Prey

Sir Abloc rolled 4 using 1d20.  Hunting @ 11 (Success)

Sir Abloc rolled 11 using 1d20.  Prey (Fallow Deer)

2) Chase

Sir Abloc rolled 9 using 1d20.  Hunting @ 11 (Success +2) vs Sir Abloc rolled 15 using 1d20.  Fallow Deer @ 18 (Success +3)(Fallow Deer wins)

3) Obstacles

Sir Abloc rolled 2 using 1d20.  Obstacles (Wrong Animal; roll again on Prey Table +5)

Sir Abloc rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Prey (Special)

And I think I will pause here for a moment and let ToT take over ...

Afternoon
Round 4

Sir Daron and Sir Aeddan

After Sir Daron spots the boar's tracks, Sir Aeddan, who did not locate any prey of his own, follows him through the underbrush in pursuit of the wild pig.  As they crash through the woods, the baying of the hounds throws Sir Daron off for a moment but he soon recovers as Sir Aeddan catches up with the boar.

Sir Aeddan, perhaps suffused with adrenaline or over confident as a result of his earlier success, swings wildly at the boar and misses, embedding his sword in a tree trunk.  By the time he wrenches it free, the boar is gone.  Sir Daron, meanwhile, locates a different set of tracks than the ones he and Sir Aeddan had been following.  In fact, very different.  Although he has never seen anything like it, it appears that he has located the trail of a Griffin.  If he (or Aeddan) wishes to pursue it, they must roll a Valorous @ -5.  Griffons can fly, making their Avoidance 30. 

Sir Aeddan, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Prey, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Daron, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Obstacle.
Sir Daron, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Daron, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Obstacle.
Sir Daron, rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Prey.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Hunting.

Sir Daron takes a check in Hunting and a check in Awareness.  Sir Aeddan takes a check in Hunting and a point in Sword (Fumble).

Sir Rhydwyn

Sir Rhydwyn locates some deer tracks and follows them through the forest, the hounds baying as they give chase.  They cross over a stream and it takes him a moment to see where the deer exited the water but he is soon on the trail once more.  As he continues the chase, a horn blast causes him to turn in the wrong direction and it is a couple of minutes before he realizes that he is no longer following the trail and the deer is gone.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Prey, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Obstacle.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Rhydwyn takes a check in Hunting and a point in Awareness (Fumble)

Sir Abloc

Sir Abloc sees large padded paw prints, larger than a lion's and determines that it is almost certainly the mythical Manticore.  Although extremely rare, they occasionally venture down from the mountains to eat men.  A manticore has three rows of teeth and a scorpion's tail.  If Sir Abloc wants to pursue the beast, he must make a Valorous roll @ -10. 

Sir Abloc takes a check in Hunting.

---

Unless one or more people feel like pursuing a mythical beast that is likely to fight back, all four of you can return to the Prey table if you succeed at Hunting.  In general, you are far more likely to succeed as a group than as individuals.  Sir Aeddan has suggesting searching for a wolf to Sir Daron and assuming you all locate one another again, can relay that suggestion on to the others.  You can discuss the merits of this or follow or ignore the suggestion as you please.  As noted earlier, you can all roll on the prey table (if you Hunt successfully) and choose to all follow the same tracks if you like.

A griffon! The king of beasts! For a moment Sir Daron wss struck dumb at the sheer shock of what he had discovered.

Recovering his wits he turned to Sir Aeddan.

"My brother, think what glory we could win if should take such a fabulous beast alive and present it to our liege. We should ride back and get the others - and men with nets and ropes and food to tempt it."

"I am with you, my brother.  Imagine what the ladies will think of roast griffon for supper!"

OOC:  Sir Aeddan rolled 7 using 1d20.  Valorous at 11 (16 -5 modifier).

Sir Aeddan rides back alongside Sir Daron to fetch their brothers-in-arms as well as the extra supplies.

His blood turns to ice and his courage melts away. A manticore! A maneater! To proceed will mean suicide so he turns his horse around and make haste back to the hunting camp. "A manticore" he bellows as he reach camp. "A manticore is loose upon this land. We must stop it!"

He finds comfort in numbers. As many as possible actually. It greatly increases his chances of survival.

---

Sir Abloc rolled 11 using 1d20.  Valorous @ 16-10 (Failure)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:08, Tue 10 Aug 2021.

When Sir Aeddan and Sir Daron do not find Sirs Rhydwyn and Abloc immediately, they proceed back towards camp, hoping to find them there.  Sir Aeddan, despite his enthusiasm to show his valour and hunting prowess, will not proceed with the hunt until all four knights have agreed what to do next.

In reply to Sir Aeddan (msg # 32):

Rhydwyn sighs as he realizes he lost the deer. ALthough when he hears the blast, he will look for his brothers-in-arms and head back to the camp.