A cousin dead, a champion needed

The infamous Knight of the Blue Finch, Sir Edar weighted deeply on Earl Orwaine's mind. Allowing the newly knighted man, (Orwaine had difficulty remembering his name?) be his champion against Sir Edag was a mistake. Not only did he lose, but Sir Edar's freedom directly led to his cousin, Sir Guy's death. Set free, the lordless Sir Edar promptly found his family and turned to banditry.

Earl Orwaine had hoped he could finally empty his dungeon this winter of the remaining mercanarys and men loyal to Sir Basile, but without a champion of note, he would have to delay their justice.

Earl Orwaine's fall tournament, made him smile. He had hoped Sir Sisbert would win over the Aquitanian, Leader de Dindon, but he was not sure. Fighting alongside Sisbert all these many years, Orwaine loved Sisbert, but his quiet demeanor and general willingness to let Orwaine make the tough decisions let questions creep into his mind. Questions of Sir Sisbert's ability to lead men in battle. Primarily his men, many of them his family.

But his worries were cleared as the melee at the tournament proved. Not only did Sir Sisbert prove the victory, but he led a small group of men into the fray and personally capture Leander. the Earl felt his closest friend showed he had what it would take to become the Marshell of Rydychan.

Thinking of the tournament a thought crept into his mind, that Sir Tulga was by Sisbert's side in capturing Leander. Not only that, but he was the one to finally fell the Knight of the Blue Finch. Maybe he would prove a worthy champion...

Passing his time as summer turned to autumn, Orwaine's thoughts turned to more joyous matters. Countess Fee was growing large with child again, and with the way the child lay within her, he felt confident it would be another boy. He had lost a cousin this year, but his family was growing nonetheless...

Speaking of family, his nepthew was beginning to show signs of a beard, maybe it was time to knight him? He missed his fallen brother dearly, but Llywell's son was reminding him more and more of his brother as the days grew shorter...

To White Horse!

Far off, in the year 526, King Arthur landed upon the continent and began his campaign against Rome. The great knights of the round table went to war against the Francs, dealing blow after blow. But back in Logres, one knight of the Round Table began to find peace. The good Earl Orwaine, father of two strong young boys and husband to the beautiful Fee Fluries, saw peace in his land for the first time in his life.

His grudge against Lambor began to grow faint, near the forest Sauvage he watched his elfin wife nurse his newest boy. Seeing his borders secure, he sent his friend and vassel Sir Sisbert to patrol his lands, confident that all was well.

Riding with the young Aquitanian Sir Tulga and the young Banneret, Sir Bermayne, all was well. So well that when their squires, interested in attending the Beltaine festivities, requested their leave it was granted. Continuing on towards the Castle Shirburn, home to their countrymen Leander De Din Don, they were stopped in their tracks. From nowhere, nay from the stream, up lept a young maiden. Followed by her Coursair, also dripping, as it galloped up onto shore.

They were given a challenge to race to White horse before moonfall. They took the challenge! Endurance was the test, strength was its promised reward!

Riding all day into night they found White horse only to be told that their true destination was another horse, one not commonly known to the christians. One which meant that they had only begun their race.

Pushing onwards they tested their horses stamina. Pushed their trustworthy steads to their exhaustion point, but alas Sir Tulga and Bermayne's mounts gave out on their last leg. The pagan priestess of Epona and her gathering, urged the three forward, "You are so close, you may push your mounts up younder hill and pass the test or wait here for Sir Sisbert to return. (For Sisbert's mount was still fresh, showing remarkable horsemanship and endurance!)

Tugla and Bermayne, sadly count not harm their beloved mounts, and choose to wait...

Smiling, the priestess of Epona merely touched the two weary horses noses, one after another. Envigerated, the tired mounts sprung to life! For Epona is the goddess matron of horses and the true test was of the noble knights heart. To endanger their mounts for glory would be failure in the eyes of Epona.

Riding victoriously up the last hill, the three Knights and their mounts came upon a tree and trough, weary from the nights ride, our six heroes drank their fill and felt energized. They felt strong, they felt as if they were blessed by the goddess Epona herself...

The Clan Dindon of Aquitaine

Here we are een our new 'ome, Rydychan, a comtée de comte Orwaine, to 'hom we owe vassalage. It eez a miserable country and rains all ze time. When it eez not raining it eez cloudy. And cold, oy, is it cold for most of ze year. In ze summer it is 'ot and 'umid. Disgusting! And the food! Zey eat bread and viande and nozing else! We should not complain, ma famile. We again have land and title and are second in station only to our gens Ganis, ze baron Sisbert. We guard ze eastern border, from a pitiful motte et baille fortess, with timber zo old it rots. One last thing. We try to teach le comte 'ow to pronounce le nom de ma famile. Dindon, I say. 'e say, Ding Dong. No, ma compt, it eez Dindon. And he say, again, Ding Dong.

Player's Note

So by earning the noble title of Earl and overseeing the county of Rydychan, my PK, Sir Orwaine, is no longer free to simply ride off in search of quests and adventure. As art mirrors life I have been promised the opportunity to GM a few sessions and am eager to get started and give David a break.
And so it was written, the year is 525, King Arthur is making preparations for a continental excursion. But while our King is elsewhere, our story changes scenery from the County of Salisbury to the County of Rydychan. Rydychan, where Earl Orwaine now holds court at the Castle Wallingford and will remain in Logres to "protect" his King's Lands.
With a mind to grow this blog as GM, I offer free intrigue-ry to those players willing to take to time to read my rambling. (See new NPC Sir Gayle)
I will also be awarding certain checks and maybe glory to well posted blog entrys.

Sir Gayle, Chamberlain of Rydychan

A long time member of Sir Orwaine's retinue, Master Lawyer Gayle became famous for his ability to aid Orwaine in bypassing the Senechal Kay. Being quicker of tongue than fierce in the sword, one of Earl Orwaine's first acts was to knight Gayle and bestow on him the appointment of Chamberlain of Rydychan.
Sir Gayle, with his vast knowledge of law and courtesy, has quickly begun his duties in bringing order to the county of Rydychan. Stauchly loyal to Orwaine, Gayle has not forgotten the lessens and tribulations of Sir Kay, he will insure only those worthy of the new Earl's time will see him...
(Courtesy 17, Orate 15, Loyalty Earl Orwaine 16, Proud 16)
Early Winter, 525 AD