Post by Bruce on May 31, 2017 11:38:01 GMT
GM’s Observations
- Ok, this time I’ve decided to include my notes from each session which you’ll see in red below. I normally use an exercise book and handwrite notes during the session. These notes are the cues that I need to remember what happened in sufficient detail to write the narrative. However, given that Ethan and Grant were split up, I had to decide what Ethan was doing in the background so that when Grant inevitably contacted Ethan via Icon, I knew what had occurred and could tell that part of the story. Besides, certain events happen on certain days (but the timeline is flexible) so I had a skeleton to work with.
Part 1 - End of Day (Day 3)
- After a lengthy conversation with Baron Tranth and the town elders, Rook excuses himself and retires for the evening. He returns to the Inn of the Clowns, has a drink or two (catching up with Jamison) before retiring for the night.
- Meanwhile, Griffin rests in the Silver Lion, half expecting to be attacked during the night, but he is undisturbed.
Part 2 - Preparations and Travels (Day 4)
Day 4 - Preparations and Travels
Day 4 - In Valls, Ethan runs afoul of William’s Regulators who attempt to rob him. Ethan meets Duke William (the Lazy).
Day 4 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 4 - Grant inspects the village, meeting the people as he goes and getting their ideas as to how better to defend the village.
Day 4 - Grant considers the possibility that there may be a spy in the village. He assesses the people and decides that Stephan, Baron Tranth and Jamison have reasonable Warfare.
Day 4 - Jamison meets Grant at the Inn. Grant notes that there is no music at the Inn of the Clowns so he begins to play for them. Carlotta and Raquel show interest in Grant.
- The next morning, Griffin finds two men waiting for him in the Silver Lion. They tell him that ‘Captain’ Olric told them to keep an eye on him. For the rest of the day, Griffin finds that he has two watchful bodyguards. He notices that he’s been marked by the city guard - the so-called Regulators. Outside the city walls, the Dragoons are forming - there are only twenty six of them but Griffin’s bodyguards assure him that the rest are coming. He is advised to stay with them for his own protection. Griffin thinks there is more to their request than simply protecting their ‘investment’ but he does not pry.
- Meanwhile Rook finds four kids waiting for him as soon as he steps out the door. He gets to know them (their names are Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip and Dinah (GM’s note - yes, courtesy of Enid Blyton)) and Rook gives them jobs to do to involve them. He does a further inspection of the village, and he meets everyone again, seeking to get their input as to how best to defend the village. This takes considerable time. Everyone except the Abbot seems pleased and upbeat that he is here. He considers the possibility that there may be a spy in the village, and he muses how best to flush out such a traitor. The Abbot doesn’t like him, but surely he couldn’t be the traitor, could he?
- Late in the day, the Dragoons’ strength stands at eighty-five fighting men. The rapid growth of a force of veteran soldiers outside the city gates has made the locals uncomfortable. A group of Regulators visits their encampment and Griffin is summoned by Duke William. Olric insists on accompanying him, and Griffin agrees. They are escorted through the streets of Valls to the citadel, and taken to meet the lord of the land. He is a richly dressed fellow of large girth. Griffin assesses him as both greasy and dangerous. He greets the Duke, bows but does not let his guard down. The Duke thanks Griffin for saving the town and explains that he owes Griffin a debt of gratitude. But he is also confused that Griffin should be hiring troops. To what end? the Duke asks.
- Griffin explains that they are heading east and will not be returning to Valls. The Duke accepts this, but asks why the hasty departure. He is not pleased when Griffin refuses to explain further, even when threatened that he could delay or even prevent their departure. The Duke is clearly upset but does not press the situation - he dismisses them and lets them go.
- As they are leaving, Griffin passes the lady that he met briefly at the Silver Lion. He smiles and offers a bow, and she smiles in return. Heading back to the Dragoons, Olric breathes in amazement that Griffin seems to enjoy playing with fire. Griffin explains calmly that they could not have stopped him leaving. Again, Olric notes that he doesn’t doubt Griffin’s prowess with the blade, but he says that flirting with Lady Mathilda is folly. Griffin has no idea who she is, so Olric enlightens him. Mathilda is the Duke’s sister, and she’s the brains in this part of the world. Griffin thinks on this, then smiles to himself, but says nothing.
- Over the course of the day, Rook has thought hard over as who could be a traitor in the village. He has assessed everyone and decided that Baron Tranth, Stephan (the Innkeeper) and Jamison (the fletcher) have prior military experience. There is no one using magic here that he can detect, which suggests that if someone were a spy there would have to be a more mundane means of carrying messages. He decides to keep an eye out for unusual birds (perhaps carrier pigeons are being used).
- In the evening, Rook settles down at the Inn of the Clowns for a meal and a drink. There are plenty of patrons here, and Jamison joins Rook for an ale. They talk for awhile, but there is no music to liven the place up. On a whim, Rook goes upstairs and returns with his cittern which he then plays for the patrons. This draws a lot of cheers and even applause from the audience as they have not had a musician play at the Inn for a long time. Rook notes that Raquel and Carlotta seem impressed that he can play so well.
Day 5 - The Royal Dragoons Set Out
Day 5 - Ethan’s cavalry (“Olric’s Own” - formerly the Royal Dragoons) departs Valls. They are one hundred strong.
Day 5 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 5 - Jamison meets Grant once again at the Inn of the Clowns for a drink.
Day 5 - Grant spends time with Olwen of the huntsmen to find out more as to what they can do. He places the priority on finding them defensible positions so that they will not be overrun.
Day 5 - Grant inspects the Bloodstone troops and begins training a group of them, whilst the other start digging defenses to break-up an enemy force’s approach.
Day 5 - Grant establishes a watch (rotating sentries)
Day 5 - Preparatory work on walls (but not building yet)
Day 5 - Grant notes that Baird (the tanner) flirts outrageously with Carlotta and Raquel - they seem to play along with it in good fun.
Day 5 - Grant plays at the Inn - music to perk them up. Baird dances with Carlotta and Raquel. Carlotta gives Grant a kiss to make up for not being able to dance (because he’s playing)
- In the morning, the kids are once more waiting for Rook. But now he begins organising the defences and troops. Rook organises a watch on the walls in two places, with rotating sentries and a system of horn blasts to warn the people of approaching forces. He then inspects the 360 fighting men and women that will make up the main body of the Bloodstone Forces, and divides them into three groups. One he assigns to Baron Tranth, one to Stephan (the Innkeeper) and the third to himself. He organises for two to begin battle drills whilst the third will begin preparatory work on the walls. Rook does not want them to repair the walls yet - just gather the materials for doing so.
- After inspecting the local Bloodstone militia (480 of them), Rook decides that he will need to be careful putting them into real combat. There are old men and women there, but also many adolescents who are too young to join the regulars. He decides to involve them, but keep them in reserve when a real battle starts. Rook is also conscious that the crops are ready to be harvested, and the Baron orders that everyone who can work (except those doing training/earthworks) will go into the fields tomorrow to complete the harvest.
- Rook also spends time with Olwen of the huntsmen to find out more about the surrounding area, and then starts to plan out in more detail which defences he will restore, and where he will build new fortifications. He is particularly interested in finding defensible positions for the archers to fire from.
- Just before 11am, Griffin and a force of one hundred and four cavalrymen leave Valls for the journey to Bloodstone. They are carrying provisions for two weeks travel, but have no wagons with them - they expect to travel fast and be resupplied in Bloodstone. Their departure is without incident.
- The day is long and hard for the people of Bloodstone - but the Baron and Rook make it clear that this is only the beginning. A lot of tired people enjoy a quiet drink in the Inn of the Clowns that evening. Rook notes that the tanner (Baird) enjoys flirting outrageously with Raquel and Carlotta - and they respond in turn - it seems to be a game between them. When Rook offers to play music once more, the tavern patrons accept heartily. Rook places some music to dance to, and Baird enjoys dancing with both barmaids (in between drinks). Rook gets the distinct feeling that at least one, possibly both of the girls is interested in him. Later in the evening Carlotta kisses Rook to make up for the fact that he can’t dance if he is playing.
Day 6 - The Harvest Begins
Day 6 - The Royal Dragoons fight their first battle, against a group of bandits disguised as refugees. Two of the Dragoons are lost.
Day 6 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 6 - The harvest begins.
Day 6 - Meeting with the Baron - history, tactics, chain of command. The capable commanders are Olwen (huntsmen), the Baron, Stephan. Potentially capable are Quillan (sage), Aelfwynn (his daughter)
Day 6 - Grant continues training the troops. He notes Aelfwynn watching him.
Day 6 - Grant makes an effort to meet the Abbot in the afternoon. Tries to understand him. Considers killing the Lake Monster.
Day 6 - Abbot Aldric out for a night-time walk. Grant follows him, wondering if he could be a spy. He decides to keep a look out for any messenger birds.
Day 6 - Jamison meets Grant at the Inn in the evening. Grant plays something uplifting to perk them up.
- The next day begins bright and early with everyone starting on the harvest who is not drilling. Rook spends time with Baron Tranth, talking further about how he sees the defences of the village being laid out, how to break up the army and who should command them. They discuss the commanders in more detail as Rook is keen to understand the background of the people that he will be trusting with many lives. He also asks about Quillan (the sage) and the Baron’s daughter, Aelfwynn, as both could be potential commanders if required.
- Mid-morning, Rook takes over training the troops from Stephan and he drills them. He notes Aelfwynn watching him and what is doing from the baronial manor house.
- Meanwhile, Griffin and the Dragoons meet a group of almost three hundred refugees on the road heading to Valls. Unfortunately for Griffin, the ‘refugees’ are a large group of bandits. A brief battle is fought at close range which results in the death of two of Olric’s men but many bandits are slain and the survivors lost heart and are scattered. Griffin is disappointed by the battle - it erupted more quickly than he had expected and he believes that he should have been better prepared for it.
- In the afternoon, Rook makes an effort to meet the Abbot. He finds him in his abbey, performing domestic chores at the end of a hard day in the fields. Rook shows interest in Aldric’s patron saint - a man who was martyred twice! Aldric explains that he believes that Rook is offering the villagers false hope. St Sollars teaches that fate is inescapable and the farmers should simply accept that. Rook gets the impression that the Abbot doesn’t hate Rook personally, he just believes that it is futile. Rook wonders how he can give Aldric hope that things can change. He wonders as to whether he should seek out and kill the monster that lives in the lake.
- That evening, Rook eats a quick meal and then heads out again at dusk to survey the countryside (shapeshifted into a bird). He is wondering if anyone is sending messages in or out, or perhaps there could be an infiltrator. To his surprise, he finds the Abbot walking in the darkness along the Beaumaris River. Rook shadows him, wondering if he could be a spy. At last, he returns to the village and Rook heads back to the Inn of the Clowns.
- Jamison is pleased to see Rook and buys him a drink. They talk a little about strategy and Jamison is happy to share who he thinks are the best archers in the village. But the conversation is interrupted as some of the patrons ask Rook to play for them. He obliges and plays something uplifting for them.
Day 7 - The Messenger Bird
Day 7 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 7 - Grant continues training the troops. A group is directed to repairing the damaged walls. The harvest continues on-track.
Day 7 - Grant spots a falcon leaving the village, and wonders if it could be a messenger bird.
Day 7 - Jamison meets Grant at the Inn for drinks. He introduces Haldan to him (Haldan is a bit greasy but he seems enthusiastic about helping)
Day 7 - Grant plays something uplifting to perk them up. Raquel and Grant hook up.
- Once again, the kids are waiting for Rook when he heads out. Rook gives them some odd jobs to do, but then tells them to help with the harvest. While the harvest continues, Rook continues training one group of troops, and directs a second to repair some of the damaged walls.
- Mid-afternoon, Rook spots a falcon high above the village, which then leaves and heads north. Rook wonders if it came from the village and whether it could be a messenger bird. He decides to keep an eye out for any other falcons.
- That evening, Rook is joined once more by Jamison for a meal and drinks. They chat. Jamison introduces Haldan to him - Haldan seems a bit greasy but he is also enthusiastic about helping so Rook is friendly towards him. Rook finally excuses himself and goes to get his cittern to play for the patrons. He plays some uplifting tunes to keep their spirits up and make them forget about their hard labours.
- That evening, Raquel makes her move on Rook, and she persuades him to slip out of the inn with her. They find a secluded spot down by the river and make love before returning to the Inn to sleep. Rook notes that Raquel’s room is just across from the hall from where he is sleeping. He thinks briefly of Lady Sophia, but then remembers ‘what happens on the Stair, stays on the Stair’ and puts his worries aside. After all, she had at one stage encouraged him to see other partners if it pleased him.
Day 8 - The Spy and the Dragonslayer
Day 8 - A group of Hill Giants throw rocks at the Dragoons.
Day 8 - Ethan renders aid to a group of badly burnt dwarves who have been savaged by a dragon. Ethan deals with the dragon, but four more Dragoons are slain. Ethan believes that he is four days’ ride away.
Day 8 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 8 - Grant is training troops. He notes Aelfwynn watching him. Servants bring him lunch.
Day 8 - Grant spots a falcon leaving the village and races after it to intercept. He allows the falcon to carry on, but steals the message it carries. He is able to trace the bird back to Jamison. Grant discusses with Baron Tranth. The Baron advises him that the harvest will be completed earlier than expected. Grant goes to apprehend Jamison. Jamison resists and commits suicide rather than be captured. Grant finds a codebook and decodes the message. He finds a Hydra symbol.
Day 8 - The official word is that Jamison is being held by the Baron, and is talking. Post a guard and are hopeful to catch Jamison’s accomplices.
Day 8 - Abbot Aldric out for a night-time walk.
Day 8 - Grant plays at the inn. Grant hooks up with both girls.
- The next day is a busy day for Griffin and the Royal Dragoons. Leaving one forest behind, they travel through rolling hills for a few hours and are attacked by a group of giants. The misshapen giants are clearly hungry for flesh (man or horse) and they hurl great boulders from the hillsides at the cavalry, seeking to ‘get a few’. This time Griffin is having none of this - he orders Olric to tell the men to ride on while he deals with it. Using an Eidolon Shield to protect the cavalry, Griffin rides up the hill against the giants. Unfortunately the giants hurl multiple boulders at him and even though his sorcerous defences would normally be sufficient, the giants have legendary strength and the shield is shattered in one place by a flying boulder. The boulder kills Griffin’s horse, leaving him to run up the hillside while the hill giants laugh and take turns trying to knock him off.
- Griffin reaches them by using mental invisibility (one of his favourite spells) and then surprising them by attacking them at point blank range. This throws them into confusion and Griffin kills three of them before they break and flee, screaming about being chased by ‘spooks’. None of the Royal Dragoons are hurt, and Griffin mounts one of the available horses (two of the riders were killed two days earlier).
- The cavalry continue on, and they enter the next wooded area. There they meet a group of forty-odd dwarves, many of whom have been badly burned. Ethan renders them aid, healing them with Eidolon, and they tell him that they were savaged by a great dragon who took the treasure that they were carrying south to trade. The dragon killed more than thirty dwarves in the attack.
- Furious, Griffin insists on avenging them and returning the dwarves’ treasure, even though this alarms the Dragoons - they didn’t sign on to fight dragons. The dwarves are able to show Griffin where they were attacked (it is only a few miles away) and from there, Griffin is able to use Wayfinding to track down their nearby lair. Griffin orders the Royal Dragoons to carry on, but Olric insists that twenty of his men go with Griffin.
- Griffin tracks down the dragon, but to his surprise it is not alone. There are three of them - a mated pair, and a youngster. The dragons laugh when Griffin demands the return of the dwarves’ treasure, but they do not laugh for long when Griffin puts up an Eidolon-enhanced sorcerous shield around himself and then seeks to engage them. The adult-male then decides to parley and offers a chest of treasure to make him go away, but Griffin is not fooled into retrieving a treasure chest within range of the dragon’s fiery breath. A fierce battle is fought - a good section of the forest is set on fire - Griffin slays the the male dragon and badly wounds the female. The female and its offspring swear vengeance but flee rather than fight further. Griffin is exhausted by this - fighting three dragons in the Legendary Realm has severely taxed him. However, he has retrieved the dwarves’ treasure (to the joy of the dwarves) and also recovered treasure which the dragons had hoarded which he divides between Olric’s men. The Royal Dragoons are astonished and uplifted by Griffin’s triumph.
- Meanwhile, Rook continues training the troops and building defences. He is surprised at midday by servants sent by Aelfwynn who have brought him lunch.
- In the afternoon, Rook spots another falcon - this time it is definitely leaving the village and he races to intercept and pursue it (in sparrow form). The falcon heads north, but he decides not to follow it all of the way to its destination. Instead he uses Umbra to weaken the binding holding the message case to the falcon’s leg, enabling him to recover the message. The message is encoded - he can’t read it.
- Returning to the village, Rook quickly traces the falcon back to Jamison, the fletcher and his drinking buddy. Jamison has a cage with numerous falcons in the back of his home. Rook discusses the situation with Baron Tranth. The Baron advises Rook that the harvest is going well and will be completed earlier than expected - if Jamison communicates that back to the bandits, they will come sooner. Rook decides that Jamison should be apprehended, but Jamison resists and commits suicide rather than be captured. In Jamison’s house, Rook finds a codebook using Wayfinding. Engraved in the leather of the codebook is a hydra symbol. With this codebook, Rook is then able to decode the message. Jamison was indeed about to communicate to his masters as to the current status of village preparations, making note that ‘Rook has been preparing the villagers’, and that ‘the harvest will be ready early’. Rook thinks on this - he doesn’t know what Jamison has said previously so he can’t send a fake message without potentially giving away that the spy has been discovered. So he decides to say nothing.
- Instead, Rook concocts a plan with the Baron to flush out any accomplices. The Baron announces that Jamison is a spy, has been arrested, is cooperating and hence there is nothing to fear. A guard is then posted on ‘Jamison’s cell’ in the hope that someone will come to rescue him, or possibly an accomplice will do something rash to reveal themselves.
- That evening, Rook scouts out the village again and sees the Abbot once more out for a walk. He can’t tell whether this is out of character for the Abbot or not, and whether he could still be a spy. Frustrated, he returns to the Inn of the Clowns and decides to play for the patrons. He finds this brightens his mood. He spies Raquel serving customers and one glance from her puts a smile on his face. But he also notices Carlotta trying to get his attention….
- During a break in his performance, Raquel comes over to talk with him and tells him to knock on her door twice if he wants to join her. Later that evening, Rook follows up on the invitation and goes to her room - but it is Carlotta who greets him at the door. Pulling him inside, he finds both girls inside - they share the same room - and both of them have been keen on him ever since they discovered what an accomplished musician he is. Raquel explains that she cheated a little and made a move first, but she doesn’t mind sharing. And on that note, let’s just fade to black….
- Ok, this time I’ve decided to include my notes from each session which you’ll see in red below. I normally use an exercise book and handwrite notes during the session. These notes are the cues that I need to remember what happened in sufficient detail to write the narrative. However, given that Ethan and Grant were split up, I had to decide what Ethan was doing in the background so that when Grant inevitably contacted Ethan via Icon, I knew what had occurred and could tell that part of the story. Besides, certain events happen on certain days (but the timeline is flexible) so I had a skeleton to work with.
Part 1 - End of Day (Day 3)
- After a lengthy conversation with Baron Tranth and the town elders, Rook excuses himself and retires for the evening. He returns to the Inn of the Clowns, has a drink or two (catching up with Jamison) before retiring for the night.
- Meanwhile, Griffin rests in the Silver Lion, half expecting to be attacked during the night, but he is undisturbed.
Part 2 - Preparations and Travels (Day 4)
Day 4 - Preparations and Travels
Day 4 - In Valls, Ethan runs afoul of William’s Regulators who attempt to rob him. Ethan meets Duke William (the Lazy).
Day 4 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 4 - Grant inspects the village, meeting the people as he goes and getting their ideas as to how better to defend the village.
Day 4 - Grant considers the possibility that there may be a spy in the village. He assesses the people and decides that Stephan, Baron Tranth and Jamison have reasonable Warfare.
Day 4 - Jamison meets Grant at the Inn. Grant notes that there is no music at the Inn of the Clowns so he begins to play for them. Carlotta and Raquel show interest in Grant.
- The next morning, Griffin finds two men waiting for him in the Silver Lion. They tell him that ‘Captain’ Olric told them to keep an eye on him. For the rest of the day, Griffin finds that he has two watchful bodyguards. He notices that he’s been marked by the city guard - the so-called Regulators. Outside the city walls, the Dragoons are forming - there are only twenty six of them but Griffin’s bodyguards assure him that the rest are coming. He is advised to stay with them for his own protection. Griffin thinks there is more to their request than simply protecting their ‘investment’ but he does not pry.
- Meanwhile Rook finds four kids waiting for him as soon as he steps out the door. He gets to know them (their names are Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip and Dinah (GM’s note - yes, courtesy of Enid Blyton)) and Rook gives them jobs to do to involve them. He does a further inspection of the village, and he meets everyone again, seeking to get their input as to how best to defend the village. This takes considerable time. Everyone except the Abbot seems pleased and upbeat that he is here. He considers the possibility that there may be a spy in the village, and he muses how best to flush out such a traitor. The Abbot doesn’t like him, but surely he couldn’t be the traitor, could he?
- Late in the day, the Dragoons’ strength stands at eighty-five fighting men. The rapid growth of a force of veteran soldiers outside the city gates has made the locals uncomfortable. A group of Regulators visits their encampment and Griffin is summoned by Duke William. Olric insists on accompanying him, and Griffin agrees. They are escorted through the streets of Valls to the citadel, and taken to meet the lord of the land. He is a richly dressed fellow of large girth. Griffin assesses him as both greasy and dangerous. He greets the Duke, bows but does not let his guard down. The Duke thanks Griffin for saving the town and explains that he owes Griffin a debt of gratitude. But he is also confused that Griffin should be hiring troops. To what end? the Duke asks.
- Griffin explains that they are heading east and will not be returning to Valls. The Duke accepts this, but asks why the hasty departure. He is not pleased when Griffin refuses to explain further, even when threatened that he could delay or even prevent their departure. The Duke is clearly upset but does not press the situation - he dismisses them and lets them go.
- As they are leaving, Griffin passes the lady that he met briefly at the Silver Lion. He smiles and offers a bow, and she smiles in return. Heading back to the Dragoons, Olric breathes in amazement that Griffin seems to enjoy playing with fire. Griffin explains calmly that they could not have stopped him leaving. Again, Olric notes that he doesn’t doubt Griffin’s prowess with the blade, but he says that flirting with Lady Mathilda is folly. Griffin has no idea who she is, so Olric enlightens him. Mathilda is the Duke’s sister, and she’s the brains in this part of the world. Griffin thinks on this, then smiles to himself, but says nothing.
- Over the course of the day, Rook has thought hard over as who could be a traitor in the village. He has assessed everyone and decided that Baron Tranth, Stephan (the Innkeeper) and Jamison (the fletcher) have prior military experience. There is no one using magic here that he can detect, which suggests that if someone were a spy there would have to be a more mundane means of carrying messages. He decides to keep an eye out for unusual birds (perhaps carrier pigeons are being used).
- In the evening, Rook settles down at the Inn of the Clowns for a meal and a drink. There are plenty of patrons here, and Jamison joins Rook for an ale. They talk for awhile, but there is no music to liven the place up. On a whim, Rook goes upstairs and returns with his cittern which he then plays for the patrons. This draws a lot of cheers and even applause from the audience as they have not had a musician play at the Inn for a long time. Rook notes that Raquel and Carlotta seem impressed that he can play so well.
Day 5 - The Royal Dragoons Set Out
Day 5 - Ethan’s cavalry (“Olric’s Own” - formerly the Royal Dragoons) departs Valls. They are one hundred strong.
Day 5 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 5 - Jamison meets Grant once again at the Inn of the Clowns for a drink.
Day 5 - Grant spends time with Olwen of the huntsmen to find out more as to what they can do. He places the priority on finding them defensible positions so that they will not be overrun.
Day 5 - Grant inspects the Bloodstone troops and begins training a group of them, whilst the other start digging defenses to break-up an enemy force’s approach.
Day 5 - Grant establishes a watch (rotating sentries)
Day 5 - Preparatory work on walls (but not building yet)
Day 5 - Grant notes that Baird (the tanner) flirts outrageously with Carlotta and Raquel - they seem to play along with it in good fun.
Day 5 - Grant plays at the Inn - music to perk them up. Baird dances with Carlotta and Raquel. Carlotta gives Grant a kiss to make up for not being able to dance (because he’s playing)
- In the morning, the kids are once more waiting for Rook. But now he begins organising the defences and troops. Rook organises a watch on the walls in two places, with rotating sentries and a system of horn blasts to warn the people of approaching forces. He then inspects the 360 fighting men and women that will make up the main body of the Bloodstone Forces, and divides them into three groups. One he assigns to Baron Tranth, one to Stephan (the Innkeeper) and the third to himself. He organises for two to begin battle drills whilst the third will begin preparatory work on the walls. Rook does not want them to repair the walls yet - just gather the materials for doing so.
- After inspecting the local Bloodstone militia (480 of them), Rook decides that he will need to be careful putting them into real combat. There are old men and women there, but also many adolescents who are too young to join the regulars. He decides to involve them, but keep them in reserve when a real battle starts. Rook is also conscious that the crops are ready to be harvested, and the Baron orders that everyone who can work (except those doing training/earthworks) will go into the fields tomorrow to complete the harvest.
- Rook also spends time with Olwen of the huntsmen to find out more about the surrounding area, and then starts to plan out in more detail which defences he will restore, and where he will build new fortifications. He is particularly interested in finding defensible positions for the archers to fire from.
- Just before 11am, Griffin and a force of one hundred and four cavalrymen leave Valls for the journey to Bloodstone. They are carrying provisions for two weeks travel, but have no wagons with them - they expect to travel fast and be resupplied in Bloodstone. Their departure is without incident.
- The day is long and hard for the people of Bloodstone - but the Baron and Rook make it clear that this is only the beginning. A lot of tired people enjoy a quiet drink in the Inn of the Clowns that evening. Rook notes that the tanner (Baird) enjoys flirting outrageously with Raquel and Carlotta - and they respond in turn - it seems to be a game between them. When Rook offers to play music once more, the tavern patrons accept heartily. Rook places some music to dance to, and Baird enjoys dancing with both barmaids (in between drinks). Rook gets the distinct feeling that at least one, possibly both of the girls is interested in him. Later in the evening Carlotta kisses Rook to make up for the fact that he can’t dance if he is playing.
Day 6 - The Harvest Begins
Day 6 - The Royal Dragoons fight their first battle, against a group of bandits disguised as refugees. Two of the Dragoons are lost.
Day 6 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 6 - The harvest begins.
Day 6 - Meeting with the Baron - history, tactics, chain of command. The capable commanders are Olwen (huntsmen), the Baron, Stephan. Potentially capable are Quillan (sage), Aelfwynn (his daughter)
Day 6 - Grant continues training the troops. He notes Aelfwynn watching him.
Day 6 - Grant makes an effort to meet the Abbot in the afternoon. Tries to understand him. Considers killing the Lake Monster.
Day 6 - Abbot Aldric out for a night-time walk. Grant follows him, wondering if he could be a spy. He decides to keep a look out for any messenger birds.
Day 6 - Jamison meets Grant at the Inn in the evening. Grant plays something uplifting to perk them up.
- The next day begins bright and early with everyone starting on the harvest who is not drilling. Rook spends time with Baron Tranth, talking further about how he sees the defences of the village being laid out, how to break up the army and who should command them. They discuss the commanders in more detail as Rook is keen to understand the background of the people that he will be trusting with many lives. He also asks about Quillan (the sage) and the Baron’s daughter, Aelfwynn, as both could be potential commanders if required.
- Mid-morning, Rook takes over training the troops from Stephan and he drills them. He notes Aelfwynn watching him and what is doing from the baronial manor house.
- Meanwhile, Griffin and the Dragoons meet a group of almost three hundred refugees on the road heading to Valls. Unfortunately for Griffin, the ‘refugees’ are a large group of bandits. A brief battle is fought at close range which results in the death of two of Olric’s men but many bandits are slain and the survivors lost heart and are scattered. Griffin is disappointed by the battle - it erupted more quickly than he had expected and he believes that he should have been better prepared for it.
- In the afternoon, Rook makes an effort to meet the Abbot. He finds him in his abbey, performing domestic chores at the end of a hard day in the fields. Rook shows interest in Aldric’s patron saint - a man who was martyred twice! Aldric explains that he believes that Rook is offering the villagers false hope. St Sollars teaches that fate is inescapable and the farmers should simply accept that. Rook gets the impression that the Abbot doesn’t hate Rook personally, he just believes that it is futile. Rook wonders how he can give Aldric hope that things can change. He wonders as to whether he should seek out and kill the monster that lives in the lake.
- That evening, Rook eats a quick meal and then heads out again at dusk to survey the countryside (shapeshifted into a bird). He is wondering if anyone is sending messages in or out, or perhaps there could be an infiltrator. To his surprise, he finds the Abbot walking in the darkness along the Beaumaris River. Rook shadows him, wondering if he could be a spy. At last, he returns to the village and Rook heads back to the Inn of the Clowns.
- Jamison is pleased to see Rook and buys him a drink. They talk a little about strategy and Jamison is happy to share who he thinks are the best archers in the village. But the conversation is interrupted as some of the patrons ask Rook to play for them. He obliges and plays something uplifting for them.
Day 7 - The Messenger Bird
Day 7 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 7 - Grant continues training the troops. A group is directed to repairing the damaged walls. The harvest continues on-track.
Day 7 - Grant spots a falcon leaving the village, and wonders if it could be a messenger bird.
Day 7 - Jamison meets Grant at the Inn for drinks. He introduces Haldan to him (Haldan is a bit greasy but he seems enthusiastic about helping)
Day 7 - Grant plays something uplifting to perk them up. Raquel and Grant hook up.
- Once again, the kids are waiting for Rook when he heads out. Rook gives them some odd jobs to do, but then tells them to help with the harvest. While the harvest continues, Rook continues training one group of troops, and directs a second to repair some of the damaged walls.
- Mid-afternoon, Rook spots a falcon high above the village, which then leaves and heads north. Rook wonders if it came from the village and whether it could be a messenger bird. He decides to keep an eye out for any other falcons.
- That evening, Rook is joined once more by Jamison for a meal and drinks. They chat. Jamison introduces Haldan to him - Haldan seems a bit greasy but he is also enthusiastic about helping so Rook is friendly towards him. Rook finally excuses himself and goes to get his cittern to play for the patrons. He plays some uplifting tunes to keep their spirits up and make them forget about their hard labours.
- That evening, Raquel makes her move on Rook, and she persuades him to slip out of the inn with her. They find a secluded spot down by the river and make love before returning to the Inn to sleep. Rook notes that Raquel’s room is just across from the hall from where he is sleeping. He thinks briefly of Lady Sophia, but then remembers ‘what happens on the Stair, stays on the Stair’ and puts his worries aside. After all, she had at one stage encouraged him to see other partners if it pleased him.
Day 8 - The Spy and the Dragonslayer
Day 8 - A group of Hill Giants throw rocks at the Dragoons.
Day 8 - Ethan renders aid to a group of badly burnt dwarves who have been savaged by a dragon. Ethan deals with the dragon, but four more Dragoons are slain. Ethan believes that he is four days’ ride away.
Day 8 - Kids (Jack, Lucy-Ann, Phillip, Dinah) waiting for Grant
Day 8 - Grant is training troops. He notes Aelfwynn watching him. Servants bring him lunch.
Day 8 - Grant spots a falcon leaving the village and races after it to intercept. He allows the falcon to carry on, but steals the message it carries. He is able to trace the bird back to Jamison. Grant discusses with Baron Tranth. The Baron advises him that the harvest will be completed earlier than expected. Grant goes to apprehend Jamison. Jamison resists and commits suicide rather than be captured. Grant finds a codebook and decodes the message. He finds a Hydra symbol.
Day 8 - The official word is that Jamison is being held by the Baron, and is talking. Post a guard and are hopeful to catch Jamison’s accomplices.
Day 8 - Abbot Aldric out for a night-time walk.
Day 8 - Grant plays at the inn. Grant hooks up with both girls.
- The next day is a busy day for Griffin and the Royal Dragoons. Leaving one forest behind, they travel through rolling hills for a few hours and are attacked by a group of giants. The misshapen giants are clearly hungry for flesh (man or horse) and they hurl great boulders from the hillsides at the cavalry, seeking to ‘get a few’. This time Griffin is having none of this - he orders Olric to tell the men to ride on while he deals with it. Using an Eidolon Shield to protect the cavalry, Griffin rides up the hill against the giants. Unfortunately the giants hurl multiple boulders at him and even though his sorcerous defences would normally be sufficient, the giants have legendary strength and the shield is shattered in one place by a flying boulder. The boulder kills Griffin’s horse, leaving him to run up the hillside while the hill giants laugh and take turns trying to knock him off.
- Griffin reaches them by using mental invisibility (one of his favourite spells) and then surprising them by attacking them at point blank range. This throws them into confusion and Griffin kills three of them before they break and flee, screaming about being chased by ‘spooks’. None of the Royal Dragoons are hurt, and Griffin mounts one of the available horses (two of the riders were killed two days earlier).
- The cavalry continue on, and they enter the next wooded area. There they meet a group of forty-odd dwarves, many of whom have been badly burned. Ethan renders them aid, healing them with Eidolon, and they tell him that they were savaged by a great dragon who took the treasure that they were carrying south to trade. The dragon killed more than thirty dwarves in the attack.
- Furious, Griffin insists on avenging them and returning the dwarves’ treasure, even though this alarms the Dragoons - they didn’t sign on to fight dragons. The dwarves are able to show Griffin where they were attacked (it is only a few miles away) and from there, Griffin is able to use Wayfinding to track down their nearby lair. Griffin orders the Royal Dragoons to carry on, but Olric insists that twenty of his men go with Griffin.
- Griffin tracks down the dragon, but to his surprise it is not alone. There are three of them - a mated pair, and a youngster. The dragons laugh when Griffin demands the return of the dwarves’ treasure, but they do not laugh for long when Griffin puts up an Eidolon-enhanced sorcerous shield around himself and then seeks to engage them. The adult-male then decides to parley and offers a chest of treasure to make him go away, but Griffin is not fooled into retrieving a treasure chest within range of the dragon’s fiery breath. A fierce battle is fought - a good section of the forest is set on fire - Griffin slays the the male dragon and badly wounds the female. The female and its offspring swear vengeance but flee rather than fight further. Griffin is exhausted by this - fighting three dragons in the Legendary Realm has severely taxed him. However, he has retrieved the dwarves’ treasure (to the joy of the dwarves) and also recovered treasure which the dragons had hoarded which he divides between Olric’s men. The Royal Dragoons are astonished and uplifted by Griffin’s triumph.
- Meanwhile, Rook continues training the troops and building defences. He is surprised at midday by servants sent by Aelfwynn who have brought him lunch.
- In the afternoon, Rook spots another falcon - this time it is definitely leaving the village and he races to intercept and pursue it (in sparrow form). The falcon heads north, but he decides not to follow it all of the way to its destination. Instead he uses Umbra to weaken the binding holding the message case to the falcon’s leg, enabling him to recover the message. The message is encoded - he can’t read it.
- Returning to the village, Rook quickly traces the falcon back to Jamison, the fletcher and his drinking buddy. Jamison has a cage with numerous falcons in the back of his home. Rook discusses the situation with Baron Tranth. The Baron advises Rook that the harvest is going well and will be completed earlier than expected - if Jamison communicates that back to the bandits, they will come sooner. Rook decides that Jamison should be apprehended, but Jamison resists and commits suicide rather than be captured. In Jamison’s house, Rook finds a codebook using Wayfinding. Engraved in the leather of the codebook is a hydra symbol. With this codebook, Rook is then able to decode the message. Jamison was indeed about to communicate to his masters as to the current status of village preparations, making note that ‘Rook has been preparing the villagers’, and that ‘the harvest will be ready early’. Rook thinks on this - he doesn’t know what Jamison has said previously so he can’t send a fake message without potentially giving away that the spy has been discovered. So he decides to say nothing.
- Instead, Rook concocts a plan with the Baron to flush out any accomplices. The Baron announces that Jamison is a spy, has been arrested, is cooperating and hence there is nothing to fear. A guard is then posted on ‘Jamison’s cell’ in the hope that someone will come to rescue him, or possibly an accomplice will do something rash to reveal themselves.
- That evening, Rook scouts out the village again and sees the Abbot once more out for a walk. He can’t tell whether this is out of character for the Abbot or not, and whether he could still be a spy. Frustrated, he returns to the Inn of the Clowns and decides to play for the patrons. He finds this brightens his mood. He spies Raquel serving customers and one glance from her puts a smile on his face. But he also notices Carlotta trying to get his attention….
- During a break in his performance, Raquel comes over to talk with him and tells him to knock on her door twice if he wants to join her. Later that evening, Rook follows up on the invitation and goes to her room - but it is Carlotta who greets him at the door. Pulling him inside, he finds both girls inside - they share the same room - and both of them have been keen on him ever since they discovered what an accomplished musician he is. Raquel explains that she cheated a little and made a move first, but she doesn’t mind sharing. And on that note, let’s just fade to black….