The four knights find one another and there is a moment of confused yelling before it is determined that there may be a manticore and/or a griffin nearby.

Figure out if you want to try to track one or the other or if you just wish to live to see the morrow.  :)

"We will be in grave danger no matter what beast we decide to hunt down. But hunt we must because if we do not then surely innocent people will be killed by those horrendous beasts. If we merely decide to go after a simple wolf now then we will not be able to call ourself knights or men."

He looks ashamed as he continues.

"I am afraid. There. I said it. I found the manticore's tracks and my blood turned to ice and my courage faltered. I wish it was not so and I know that you my brothers are more couragerous than I will ever be but still I must hunt. We must hunt. But which beast?"

By the time he reunited with the others something of Sir Daron's enthusiasm had faded. "I saw no evidence the fabulous beasts after men. They hide in the deepest parts of the forest. Would we truly be challenging them to protect peasants or simply for our own glory?"

"Perhaps you are right, Sir Daron. Perhaps I am being vain when wanting to hunt one of those beasts." Sir Abloc looks embarassed.

"So what say you, my brothers. Do we hunt for the beasts or do we find less dangerous game?"

"I feel as though the manticore is the much greater threat. That is the beast I feel we should eliminate first."

"I hear you, Sir Rhydwyn, but my courage is failing me. I say we leave the beasts be until they threaten the peasants and maidens of this land. Yes I know it will be seen as a sign of cowardism and perhaps it is. But we will not succeed in defeating either of the beasts."

Seeing that his brother knights are collectively acknowledging the recklessness with which they decided to hunt down mythical beasts, Sir Aeddan too loses his enthusiasm.  "May I suggest that we try again, but together, to hunt?  Our host, Count Dingad, is a close friend to Prince Mark of Cornwall -- King Idres's son -- and Prince Mark's symbol is a wolf.  Let's see if we can hunt a wolf and make an impression of our skills upon Count Dingad.  Surely it will help us make the right sort of name for ourselves."

OOC:  ToT can roll the hunt for us, if we're all in agreement to seek a wolf.  It's a wolf that Sir Aeddan's love interest, Blodeuyn, suggested we try to score today, to impress Count Dingad.

Sir Abloc nods in agreement. "A wolf it is then."

A wolf feels safer than a manticore.

Round 5

The group splits up in search of fresh tracks, hoping to find a wolf that might impress the Count.  Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan have no luck in their search but Sir Rhydwyn finds some Fallow Deer tracks and Sir Daron locates wolf tracks.

Calling the others over, the four let loose the hounds and pursue the wolf tracks.

Sir Abloc, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Prey.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Prey.

Sir Daron and Sir Rhydwyn take checks in Hunting.

The wolf seems a wily customer and only Sir Abloc is able to catch sight of it, although Sir Rhydwyn is not far behind.  Sir Aeddan's horse is spooked by a strange noise, while Sir Daron's path crosses a hidden ditch.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 12 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Wolf, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Daron, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Obstacle.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Obstacle.

Sir Abloc and Sir Rhydwyn take a check in Hunting.

Sir Abloc swings at the wolf but misses, while Sir Rhydwyn's horse is startled by a strange noise.  Sir Daron manages to avoid the ditch but Sir Aeddan is unable to get control of his horse and losses the trail.

Sir Abloc, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Daron, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Hunting.

Sir Daron takes a check in Awareness.

Sir Abloc swings and misses again but the wolf remains in sight.  Sir Rhydwyn manages to calm his horse and get back on the trail but Sir Daron comes upon a stream.  Sir Aeddan wonders somewhat aimlessly through the woods, trying to find the trail once more.

Sir Abloc, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Daron, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Wolf, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Daron, rolled 6 using 1d20.  Obstacle.

Sir Rhydwyn takes a point in Horsemanship (critical).

At last, Sir Abloc connects with the Wolf, which is knocked unconscious by the blow (seems wolves are lightweights).  Sir Daron gets his horse to jump the stream while Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Aeddan find the trail once more.

Wolf, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Avoidance.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Daron, rolled 10 using 1d20.  Horsemanship.
Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Hunting.
Sir Abloc, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Sword.
Sir Abloc, rolled 14 using 5d6.  Damage.

The wolf takes 14 - 2 = 12 points of damage and is knocked unconscious.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Sword.  Sir Aeddan and Sir Rhydwyn take a check in Hunting.  Sir Daron takes a check in Horsemanship.

Sir Abloc dismounts and kneels by the Wolf. Such a magnificient beast deserves some respect. Sir Abloc tells his squire to make preparations to bring the Wolf back to camp while Sir Abloc himself wonders where his companions are.

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 43):

Rhydwyn will also dismount and kneel by the wolf for a moment, before standing back up. He will help carry it back as best he can.

Sir Aeddan, who felt foolish a number of times during this hunt, is relieved to finally catch up to his knightly brothers.  The sight of the unconscious wolf is somewhat sobering, particularly as he sees Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Abloc both kneeling by the beast in respect.

Sir Aeddan helps bind the wolf for transport, but he stays behind Sir Abloc as they approach the castle.  His brother knight deserves the credit for this one.

"Well done Sir Abloc," Sir Daron calls out as he arrives and dismounts his horse. "Will you take the beast a symbol for your heraldry?"

Heraldry? The thought hasnt occured to Sir Abloc but now that Sir Daron mentions it he nods. "I am not sure, my brother, but I must admit it does look dashing doesnt it?" he answers with a huge grin.

"And what is even better is that we all managed to stay on our horses!"

The four return to camp with the wolf, trussed and unconscious.  The other knights have not returned as yet and the Count is chatting with Sir Manhogan.  Looking over at the four as they return, he gestures the, over, "what have you got there?" he inquires.

"A wolf, my Lord" Sir Abloc cries out. "A wolf in honor and you and our Prince Mark of Cornwall. A beast both fiercesome and honorable, graceful and dangerous."

Sir Abloc dismounts and bows to his host.

In reply to Sir Abloc (msg # 49):

Rhydwyn also bows, but allows Abloc to do the talking.

Sir Daron dismounts and bows, but is content to let Sir Abloc take his rightful glory.

Count Dingad smiles, "that is a fine catch indeed, Sir Abloc," he says, looking around at the other knights.  "I am impressed.  Perhaps the four of you would care to join me tomorrow morning?  I plan to do a special boar hunt on foot without the dogs," he continues.  "It is a bit more sporting."

The procedure will be a bit different and the boar will fight back, making it a bit more dangerous.

"It will be a great honor to join in the boar hunt, my Lord." Sir Abloc replies and smiles. Boars are dangerous prey but it wont be until tomorrow. And until then he will have time to spend with fair Lady Gwendolyn.

"An honor, my lord," Sir Aeddan chimes in.  Although he is excited at the prospect of impressing Count Dingad, and by extension Prince Mark, he is also thinking that any glory attached to his name will increase his chances of a good opinion by Lady Blodeuyn's father.

The count smiles, "excellent, I will see you all bright and early then."  Some retainers take possession of the wolf and soon other groups of knights return from the hunt.  While a couple have dear and one a bear, several groups return empty-handed.

Tables are set out with linen table cloths, porcelain dishes, and silver utensils.  Soon enough a large selection of food has been presented.  Although nothing particularly special, the food is all quite fresh, which is a welcome respite after the long winter.  The ladies are all present, although they will be retiring to their respective manors after the meal, while the knights stay on for a second day's hunting.

You have some time to interact with others in whatever way you see fit.

Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan each take 10 Glory for a killing blow and Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Daron each take 5 Glory for their part in the hunts.

Sir Aeddan would like to spend some time talking with Lady Blodeuyn.  If they can speak without being overheard, he'll thank her for her excellent advice regarding the day's hunting.    He'll tell her that he feels honored to be acquainted with someone who can so thoughtfully assess a situation.  He'd also like to ask her how she's getting along with her new puppy; that discussion can take place even if they might be overheard.

Sir Rhydwyn will spend time talking with some of the other knights, talking about the hunts. He will see if any of them might want to join the rest of the group for the second day's hunt.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:43, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

Sir Gwendolyn spend whatever time he can find with Lady Gwendolyn talking about .. well .. anything she wants to talk about really. He make a promise to himself to do well this Summer he will ask for her hand in marriage.

And his heart breaks a little when Lady Gwendolyn leave and return home after the meal.