Anarion

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

"Marianne, I'm not...a...mmm....eeep!" Anathet never gets to finish saying what she may or may not be as the blush that was starting at the base of her neck works its way upward with astounding speed when Marianne gets to her ear and starts taking little nibbles. Anathet is rendered briefly speechless and she leans her neck into the shadow with pleasure.

When that's done, Anathet is left to try and compose herself, her aura all aflutter with a rainbow of colors. She in no fit state to say anything while Marianne talks about Canada's death with the same care as if she were proposing they all go out for garlic noodles after a mission. Then there's a smooth transition into Marianne's opinon on Anathet's job and she's suddenly feeling more than a little nervous. If her first meeting with Tia flashed her back to embarrassing childhood accidents, this moment is reminding her of the misery of having to explain herself afterwards to get help. She's already flushed and doing her best to keep some semblance of composure, which she uses to speak up hesitantly when Marianne is done.

"I can..." she clears her throat, starts again "I can go back there myself but...I'm not sure where the Seneschal is, my way of transporting doesn't let me see him until I get there and it's risky to jump to his office if I don't know what I'll find." She could stop there, but she has two other questions and she's sure Marianne can see her hesitating with them. "Also, I'm not sure what to ask for or...how to um 'ask' it so to speak. If you've got any suggestions for how I could do the, um, the theatrics without your help, Marianne, that would be really...nice."

[Marianne, Anathet is accepting the shift and listening to you about how the world works.]

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Tristan and Nin

The traders think that there's some beast or pack of beasts that came out of the forest that's disrupting trade. You two are known as hunters for Duchess Marianne and you can see that they're trying to answer you in a respectable sort of way. One woman, her long hair braided up in an intricate knot who's selling pelts, steps up and offers that it's probably a pack of wolves come from the forest and roaming the fields amid the tall wheat because they couldn't find food elsewhere. Wouldn't be surprising for them to go for travelers at night if they're starving, or at least the goods they're carrying even if the travelers themselves can fend them off.

This is...sketchy at best. Sure, a cart full of dried meats and cheeses might attract wolves, but most fruits and grains aren't of interest to them, and it's rare indeed that armed men and a good fire wouldn't be enough to deter a wolf pack, even on the brink of starvation. It also doesn't help that several of the other merchants are giving the pelt seller sidelong glances as she offers the story. If you had to guess, they're hoping to be taken seriously and holding back from more wild tales and rumors because they don't want you to think that they're superstitious or mad.

This is probably enough to go on, if you don't want to push them, you could search the paths for signs of attack, try and track whatever "wolves" there are into the fields. But then again you might be able to get more information if you press here.

Robena and Constance

You're beginning to draw something of a crowd. Most of them seem to be whispering at the sight of Constance. You've lived here for some time, but you're often seen only from afar dancing in the fields or the forests, carrying out special rites and living a far off life. Now you've given a special berry to a child, who is holding it tightly as though you handed her a diamond. As you pass shops, they try to make you small offerings, if you'll take them. A little jar of amber honey, a piece of carved wood for a door with a design of flowers running up the sides, a fresh-baked sweet bread with little seeds scattered over the top of it. You can take them if you'd like, they are your due, or refuse them all out of kindness. If you take selectively, it will be viewed as a sign of your favor towards those whose gifts you accept.

Robena, you recognize that some of the goods on sale are based on designs you've seen before. You've been hearing news of traveling peoples landing their ships and offering a variety of goods, even venturing several days inland. Some of the rumors you've heard are a bit darker, that perhaps they are not offering goods, but raiding and kidnapping, and the designs taken from them are made by those who admire their strength rather than fear it. Similar tales have been heard in many places, and may be coming here soon.

Mixed with these are a few whispers of "the bear knight! I hear she's favored to win the tournament!" but these are fewer by far.

You're able to talk freely though. Barring the gifts, the people keep a respectful distance from Contance and her escort. Oh, by the by, where are you going? Where is the blessing for the summer held?

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

For bookkeeping, I think the closest season move for Tristran is hunting (archery practice not being all stable targets), so mark him as having a bounty of fur and a bounty of meat (which can be used for trading or given as offerings/sacrifices later).

For Nin, I think tending to her flock is a form of working the land. Mark xp for a right of the land itself and mark a bounty of food (perhaps goats milk cheeses if she prefers not to harm them)

Constance spent her season in rites and celebrations. Choose between an xp for rights of the old ways or of the other world as you prefer.

Robena's is already noted in the IC post.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Posted a sheet for the stronghold and its people. All of this is still malleable if you'd like to change any of it and there are a couple TBD items. For Stveje, much of the terrain (including the stronghold name and surrounding features) comes from suggestions that Tatters brought up in Discord.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Lostwithiel Castle

The Stronghold

Ruled by the Duchess Marianne, Lostwithiel sits in Cornwall, not more than a few days ride from Camelot. South of the castle, there is good, fertile farmland (or there was) and the castle serves as the marketplace for the region. North of the castle is marshy ground with many small rivers and creeks leading to the lake Low and then the Treffwood, a deep forest leading to yet deeper forest unexplored.

Its heraldry is vert and argent, and its symbol is a standing leopard.

These are the traits of Lostwithiel Castle:
It defends: a wealthy province of farms and forests
Its enemies are:
1) An unlawful crown seized by a tyrant (Uther Pendragon)
2) Raiders by land and
3) TBD
Its fortifications are:
1) A square stone keep
2) A hilltop position
3) TBD (maybe archery overlooks, a palisade wall, a stone outer wall, an unusually rich treasury, or a well/cistern)
4) TBD (same as above)
Within its armory are
1) Mail coats and iron helmets
2) Horses, lances, and kite shields for ten (10) knights
3) Swords (maybe)
4) TBD (could be more knight gear, could be bows or crossbows if there are archer overlooks)

Improvements

[]add an item to the armory
[]add a temporary fortification
[]lay up stores for a seige
[][][]add a permanent fortification
[][][]extend the walls

Want

[][]erase one armory item
[][]one fortification falls into disrepair
[][]erase one fortification

The people of Lostwithiel are the household of the duchess, her vassals and retainers, and their households as well as the nearest and most prosperous farms that it protects.
They are a vassalage of 300 souls in 40 households including 40 warriors (at least ten equipped as knights by the armory)
They are a diverse group having settled here from various places over time, speaking several languages including at least Celtic, English, Latin, and Welsh.

On their Rites +0 they are known for their patience in suffering
On their War +1 they are known for their cavalry and their physical prowess
On their Wealth +1 they are known for their rich land and their superb metalwork

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 4. Insecure]

Anathet stiffens in surprise. The little golden tablet is tucked into her sleeve in a flash, faster than most normal eyes can see, though not faster than you can, Marianne. Still, you might be impressed with Anathet's human reflexes, she barely even gave away the extra twitch, it's about as good as it can get.

Then her brain catches up and you get a run of little muscle twitches. A feeling as you're holding Anathet of relaxation because she hasn't been caught with stolen goods (or she has, but only by someone she wants to know about them), then her muscles tense again in...is that embarrassment, oh goodness is that a slight flush coming to her face? She couldn't possibly be remembering the last time you met and how she didn't live up to expectations (she is, and she's also feeling that you're very close to her.

And then, a little eye dart. Marianne, is that guilt? The sign of another lover for little Anathet, a bit of irrational worry at them seeing you here like this with her in such a position? Who could it be?

All those things happen in the span of a second or two. Anathet clears her throat, brings her own aura into a soft blue calm with hints of pink anticipation sparkling inside it. Then she processes what Marianne is saying about Canada and she adds some hints of uncertainty without really changing her aura. "Should I be worried? I don't think you'd be here joking with me if she needed us urgently, but it sounds like there's something wrong with her."

A pause, then she lets those pink sparks of excitement get much larger and lets the matter of Canada pass for the moment to share her news. "If...if you're free, I found this!" Anathet slides the little tablet back out of her sleeve with the rustling of her monks fabric (was there a tiny flash, did little Anathet secret the tablet in a portal rather than merely her robe? How tricky!). "The Seneschal is ruined if anything goes wrong while Shamash is here! If we dropped in on him now, we could get him to do anything to keep from being embarrassed. Isn't this great?"

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

The warm breeze of early summer ripples the forest green pennants strung atop the keep walls of Lostwithiel like emerald waves upon the ocean. The high season of campaigning is going to begin next week and the Duchess Marianne has determined to host a tournament to honor her brave knights, entertain the common folk, and perhaps attract a few new followers to her banner.

This could easily be the most festive day of the year. Visiting knights saddle their horses with blankets and armor in the brightest colors of their house and the entire keep market is alive with the buzzing and murmuring of goods being traded. You can hear a mixture of delight from the merchants and low grumbling from the peasants who are, to a soul, convinced that they are being cheated in every deal but nevertheless pleased to find a few special objects and new tools to take home with them.

Everything would be perfect, save that some of the knights are giving sidelong glances to their squires and watching their surroundings more keenly than you'd expect. And that perhaps a few more of the peasants and laborers are looking a little gaunt coming out of the spring. Small reminders that the roads are less safe than they were and the harvest less bountiful.

But for today, they need not pay such troubles any heed.

Constance and Robena
Constance has been tasked with blessing the turning of the seasons to welcome the coming of summer. Robena, you have been tasked to accompany her and act as her honor guard, a high honor within the keep celebrating your welcome return. Your own match in the tournament is scheduled for later in the day and you'll have time to prepare for it.

Constance, how did you spend the past season and what's the fae rumor that's worrying you as you make small talk with Robena?

Robena, how did you spend the past season and what gives you confidence for the day? Oh, and you may wish to seek information on your opponent, who you know is called the Azure Knight but have never met before.

Nin and Tristan
Some of the supplies for the evening's feast have not arrived and you've heard ill rumors from a few of the peasants arriving most recently. It may be that the roads are worse even than people are willing to say, and the court has tasked you with looking into the matter quickly to ensure that everyone arriving for the tournament is well-fed. Tell us who you seek in town for information and how you start the...hunt let's call it.

Nin, how did you spend the last season and how has it prepared you to journey this summer?

Tristan, how did you spend the last season and what do you look forward to doing this summer?

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Yes to Nin probably being the head of her own household. That's just how you flavor their living arrangements.

Thanqol, that looks very solid. I quite like the image of the powerful bear knight you've created, and I agree with Numbers that the horse is inspired.

Also, a reminder to both Thanqol and Numbers that enchanted items in Dark Age always come with a "maybe" attached to the enchanted bonus. That is, you always get the numerical stats, and they "might" protect you from some special harm or have some special affect on a foe. It is possible this will be denied by some other magical effect (and you'd be in a position in which your Right related to the item was denied) or that it will fail if you roll very poorly, although I will use this sparingly.

Last thing, take a look at my suggested Stronghold options a few posts back. I didn't completely fill them out, that's supposed to be a group choice, so if you have thoughts on it, please suggest them. If you don't care, I'll make some suggestions later today.

Expect an IC post this evening (US West Coast) or maybe tomorrow morning. Going out hiking now, so I won't be around for much of the day.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

So. Hopefully this is actually a fun and interesting concept to play with. I know it sounds like it could be a bit of a joke, but I promise I don't intend to treat it as one.

@Count Numbers

Indeed, and thanks for getting it up. I really appreciate the second generation character so that we get both the sense that this is home and the interesting approach to the question of chivalry and related martial codes.

I think we're just waiting on Thanqol to get an updated sheet done for his knight and then we should be good to start. You will each get to make a season move to start the game, which is how you tell us what you were up to right before this season started and what you have in plenty to start the campaign (whether that be some tangible bounty or some more intangible progress towards your growth).

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

You’re creating Nin’s people. Which might be something like a clan of 30 halflings or maybe a village of 50 or so. Populations are very small in this setting. There can be other halflings, many of whom are probably similar, but maybe a different village is more war-like and another is wealthier. You’re defining the particular characteristics of Nin’s group.