Sir Lance... not a lot, but a bit (497)

A quick summary of events in the year 497.

Following the ineffectual meeting of the Collegium in London, the knights saw to a little business outside of their usual hunting grounds. Given the heavy raiding of the previous year, and arrangements made by both Silchester and Lindsey with the Saxons (much to the knights' disgust), they thought it efficacious to seek allies for the times ahead. A sensible choice (and one of greater probity than the plan - thankfully soon shelved - to usurp the Earl of Hertford with greatly outnumbered forces...), and the knights first rode in embassy to the Bishop of St Albans. Whilst there, some of the knights first received the dream of a snake-strangled keep [SIR GORBODUC THE FIEND].

Sir Gorvannon, of course, was 'father' of a little, wrinkled brown baby, which wise folk attested to be a changeling. He convinced the others to aid him in finding his true child, supposedly held in the demesne of the King Sauvage, somewhere in the depths of the magical forest spreading over the land. After visiting St Albans, the knights blundered merrily into the forest's depths, with all the normal trivialities and failed hunting rolls that typically ensue. Whilst in the Forest Sauvage, they encountered a strange fella, replete with foreign ways and strange spears [PRESAGE JOUST].

When Sir Bernard greeted him -- "What is thy name, Sir knight?" (not that Michael ever talks like that, mind) -- he replied "I am Sir Lance... not a lot, but a bit." His squire did appear slightly feminine and great deal younger. From there they visited Sir Lance's home, the CASTLE OF EASE at Brun, and tarried for a while ere the knights could rouse their most lethargic of companions -- such as Sir Edic (who criticalled his Indulgent roll) and Sir Breunis -- to overcome that place's strange spell.

That done, they got lost again (of course), before they heard the tinkling of a bell in the distance. Sir Breunis, famed for his recklessness, spurred forward; he encountered a man dressed in rags and rusted armour, and mounted on a flea-bitten pony. Upon his shield was fashioned a crude cross of branches, and his broken spear held a small bell. He introduced himself as Sir Pencast the Leper Knight, and begged for a sip of water, for there was no spring nearby from which a leper might drink. Sir Breunis duly obliged with his own waterskin, and Sir Pencast returned it with great thanks. Once the leper had departed, Sir Breunis cast away the skin (now secretly a healing potion), and the ground grew lush where it fell.

After another spell lost in the forest, the knights came upon Merlin. After railroading them onto an adventure in his usual way, he led them unerringly through its magical depths to the town of Medbourne, the site of the adventure of SIR GORBODUC THE FIEND. Having taken to heart his exhortation to have no mercy upon their foes, they immediately set upon the bandits in the fields (and even some peasants too), giving themselves great advantage.

What happened next was an utter disaster for the GM's team. Our table has a policy of letting the dice fall where they may, to everyone's approbation. Occasionally it can seem cruel to the players, but on this occasion it reduced the GM to tears.

Following several rounds of combat against somewhat ineffective opposition (even armed with great spears, and double-teaming the knights, the bandits rarely proved dangerous -- even those that criticalled their Hate (Knights) passions were Bob Hope or no hope, given the players' superior die-rolling), the Fiend in question appeared.

Now Sir Gorboduc should have proven the most serious threat to the knights thus far. He had 17+6 points of armour, 47 HP, a -10 Valorous modifier, a sword skill of 19, and did 8D6 damage. He also had a 75% chance of becoming impassioned. Quite a foe. Indeed upon first seeing him, none of the player-knights could make the requisite Valorous check needed to engage the Fiendish Knight. I did ask that a household knight accompanying Sir Breunis, however, attempt the check (which he made). My thinking was that, while the knights busied themselves with the evil lieutenants, Sir Gorboduc might assail the out-matched bachelor for a round or so. If the latter was chopped in half, as I expected, then no harm, no foul; it would charge the atmosphere of the combat, evidence the Gorboduc's fiendish and spur on the player-knights.

In theory.

Given that some of the player-knights were fairly competent-looking, and had already massacred many of his men, I decided to roll Sir Gorboduc's passion straight away; no messing around. Needless to say he failed. Furthermore, in the ensuing combat the lowly bachelor managed to knock the Devil from his horse. Then this was compounded by the fact that Sir Gorboduc had a DEX of 6, and whenever he received any kind of blow he kept falling on his arse. Our fiendish knight had descended (quite literally) into parody. Thankfully, another player-knight now got involved and made the killing blows, so at least the Fiend's death did not fall to some extra malingering in the background.

In another game I'd have fudged it, but not given how we play Pendragon. Whilst I bemoaned the GM's dice, Sir Gorvannon took possession of the manor in the forest.

To be continued.

Into the Forest Sauvage!

When we set up this game of Pendragon, I said I'd happily help Steve run a chunk of the campaign. Our two groups became one the last couple of weeks, and Chris (t' other GM) had a go at playing (during which he murdered Sir Brastias...). I said I'd be happy to run some of the more magical stuff... so now, Matthew, I'm going to be the King Sauvage.

Le Beau Danseur has been quite friendly with Lady Ellen for a number of years, not even counting the time he fumbled a roll and thought Earl Roderick and his wife wanted a ménage à trois (that's a different matter). With the death of his wife, and Lady Ellen's husband, it's thought that he's waiting for the appropriate time to offer companionship and guardianship. If he does marry Ellen, Sir Benesek will be semi-retired from play, perhaps to pop up in an occasional appropriate adventure or battle.

Steve will continue to run the courtly adventures, and those dealing with the Saxons and the like; while I'll handle the Forest Sauvage. Effectively, La Chanson du Beau Danseur will stop now (though there will probably be another book or two eventually), so some other bugger can take a turn writing something!

Cheerio,

Stew.

La Chanson du Beau Danseur XIII (496)

Right, you'll be glad to know that I've come down with a bad bug, and despite copious Lemsip and honey I can't muster the strength to affect occasional Middle English anymore.

With the onset of the Anarchy Phase (496- ) the knights saw to the security of their own demesnes and fiefs. The long-established bannerets of Salisbury, Sir Gorvannon and Sir Benesek, were joined by the illegitimate kinsman of the deceased Sir Dayfdd and Sir Evan, Sir Gareth, and a new young knight, the pagan Sir Llwellyn ap Briggded.

Some of the Silchester knights had grown ever friendlier with those of Salisbury, and a few even held lands as fiefs of Earl Robert. First among their number was Sir Edic ap Gout, who governed his kinsman Sir Dalan's great bannerety in the name of the young heir. Sir Bernard Duchamp and Sir Tain d'Eath also spent much time in Sarum. The former was childless, so Sir Benesek, impressed by Sir Bernard's great courage at the Battle of St Albans, offered his youngest son for adoption, who was gratefully received.

As Earl Robert was still an infant, and his guardian a woman, the greatest knights of Salisbury formed a body to give guidance and counsel to Lady Ellen. First among this number was Sir Gorvannon, who as the most noted and extraordinary of knights, and the strongest besides (he had defeated Sir Jaradan in single combat), became the county's champion. Sitting beside Sir Gorvannon there was the courtly Sir Benesek, who was close to the countess in friendship, and like the champion a strong supporter of young Robert.

They were joined by such as the elderly Marshal of the county, Sir Elad of Vagon, and Sir Hywel of West Lavington, Sir Jaradan, the venerable Sir Amig of Tilshead, Sir Breunis of Berwick St James, Sir Lycos and Sir Leo. The most famous knights (i.e. 4,000+ Glory) led the council.

Several matters lay before such knights, not least the urgent requirement to ring Sarum and its hold with improved stone walls, to which Sir Benesek provided £20 and Sir Gorvannon £50 in benefice. The latter received three manors in reward for his generosity, making the banneret one of the greatest landholders in the county, and such as Sir Gareth also contributed. Sir Benesek asked for no reward 'but the continued favour of the Lady'.

That achieved, the court had to decide how to respond to Aescwine, the aetheling of Essex, who had come asking for tribute (100 cows and £100 in silver, no less). After much deliberation (half the bleeding session, if I recall), the assembled knights decided to... do nothing. Well, in actual fact they attempted to stall Essex - which I suppose is technically something - but as both Silchester and Lindsey paid tribute, the Saxons were not best impressed and raided Salisbury anyway. Wonderful.

Oh, and Sir Benesek had another famine in his lands again (not surprising given the above). They've just not been the same since his wife died, even despite the occasional attentions of his stoned Cornish steward (Sir Denzil Plus Tard). Cue an amusing argument with Lady Ellen. In 495, while he was fighting at St Albans, Sir Benesek's lands had been raiding, causing a loss of £9 to his peasants that he defrayed upon himself; in that year he also had to pay tallage (£12) and put the Lord and Lady up for the better part of a month (c. £11). Given his normal income and outgoings are £59 and £52, respectively, this was quite an imposition. In 496 there was a famine, reducing his income to £16. Despite this he still voluntarily contributed £20 to the construction of the walls, but was left totally brassic as a result. Then along comes Lordly Domains asking for a random tallage of £18. And was told to take a running jump, or words to that effect. Don't ever let anyone convince you that we LD users have it easy, or get money up to our eyeballs. The irony.

Anyhow, satisfied that we had cunningly held off the Saxons for a year (the irony, part deux), the knights departed for London. The decrepit Duke Ulfius had attempted to get the Collegium together to discuss the election of a new king. Sir Benesek acted as legate for Earl Robert (Sir Gorvannon was the more gloried, but given his alarming propensity to fumble Courtesy rolls...), but naught could be decided. On the plus-side, we did get to try and pull the Sword from the Stone, rolling a d20. Some even tried several times, driven on by the GM's "No, that's not the right number... Oooooh! Almost... No, try again..." Bless.

One last thing: our Winter Phases often tend to slip into the next session; roleplaying in a pub can mean that we can't fit them in after doing all the adventures in court, and get out of sync. Thus we did the Winter Phase for 495 this past Tuesday, before going on to 496 (though we managed to get that WP done too, thankfully). Sadly, in 495 Sir Gorvannon's wife died in childbirth, and after seeing the child born, it's not hard to see why. He were a reet ugly little bugger, brown and crinkled as a walnut. At first the Wel... British lump wondered what his wife had been up to, but the astounding growth of the baby convinced many that it was a changeling. Sir Gorvannon is now in high dudgeon, and wants his own child back. On a positive note, this event has led to a spate of Black Boy inns in the County of Salisbury, and even one in Bristol.

The Player Knights in 496

Sir Gorvannon yr Afon (Winter Phase 496, aged 36)
Cymric British Christian, Banneret, Glory 8,459
SIZ 18, DEX 7, STR 21, CON 20, APP 11
Main Skills: Awareness 14, Falconry 12, Flirting 15, Hunting 14, Orate 10, Recognise 10, Singing 12; Battle 16, Horsemanship 11, Axe 17, Spear 19, Sword 18.
Famous Traits and Passions: Generous 16, Pious 17, Valorous 17; Hate (Saxons) 16, Honour 16.

Sir Benesek le Beau Danseur (Winter Phase 496, aged 35)
Cymric British Christian, Banneret, Glory 7,788
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 14, CON 15, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 22.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Generous 16, Valorous 18; Honour 16.

Sir Edic ap Gout (Winter Phase 496, aged 25)
Cymric British Christian, Banneret-Regent, Glory 2,864
SIZ 18, DEX 5, STR 15, CON 22, APP 7
Main Skills: First Aid 10, Gaming 20, Hunting 10, Stewardship 15; Battle 16, Horsemanship 16, Sword 20.
Famous Traits and Passions: Indulgent 16.

Sir Bernard Duchamp (Winter Phase 496, aged 26)
Cymric Roman Christian, Vassal Knight, Glory 2,403
SIZ 13, DEX 13, STR 14, CON 15, APP 12
Main Skills: First Aid 11, Orate 13, Singing 11, Stewardship 10; Horsemanship 14, Lance 15, Sword 14.
Famous Traits and Passions: Honest 16, Valorous 16; Honour 16.

Sir Breunis (Winter Phase 496, aged 33)
Cymric British Christian, Vassal Knight, Glory 2,054+
SIZ 18, DEX 8, STR 16, CON 12, APP 11
Main Skills: Awareness 15, Courtesy 15, First Aid 10, Gaming 10, Hunting 10, Intrigue 13; Battle 15, Horsemanship 17, Lance 15, Sword 17.
Famous Traits and Passions: Reckless 16; Love (Family) 16, Honour 17.

Sir Gareth (Winter Phase 496, aged 28)
Cymric Pagan, Vassal Knight, Glory 1,428+
SIZ 15, DEX 14, STR 13, CON 17, APP 10
Main Skills: Awareness 15, First Aid 10, Hunting 15, Intrigue 12, Orate 20; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 13, Sword 15.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16.

Sir Lwellyn ap Briggded (Winter Phase 496, aged 25)
Cymric Pagan, Vassal Knight, Glory 1,001+
SIZ 15, DEX 13, STR 14, CON 17, APP 9
Main Skills: Awareness 11, Faerie Lore 13, Falconry 18, Hunting 10, Recognise 15; Horsemanship 15, Spear 15, Sword 12.
Famous Traits and Passions: Reckless 16.

Sir Tain d'Eath (Winter Phase 496, aged 27)
Cymric Roman Christian, Vassal Knight, Glory 1,130+
SIZ 19, DEX 12, STR 18, CON 15, APP 9
Main Skills: Awareness 10, Courtesy 10, Falconry 10, First Aid 11, Orate 13, Read (Latin) 10; Horsemanship 15, Spear 15, Sword 16.
Famous Traits and Passions: Pious 16.

N.B. Some knights didn't complete their last Winter Phase, so possess slightly subdued Glory and/or stats.

La Chanson du Beau Danseur XII (495)

The arms of Sir Benesek

Wherein he doth win great fame at the Battle of St Albans, ere a great treachery sundereth the realm!

Such was the bounty of the previous year that Sir Benesek was full large with a great feast upon All Fool's Day, to which the knights of his fiefs and the peasants of his entire demesnes were made invite, in Netheravon, Cholderton and Figheldean all. Thus stuffed did the lord furnish his banner with all as were present, and yede well trussed for the battles of King Uther, which marshalled in the launds of Salisbury, ready to hold in stour those Saxons of King Octa as sought southwards from Eburacum to raze British dominions.

Under le Beau Danseur's gold and sable banner rode that well-beseen knight and his galliard bachelors three, Sir Denzil Plus Tard, Sir Marrek and Sir Cadan; and also his vassals, Sir Arranz de Milston, Sir Elowen d'Alton, Sir Perran of Fittleton and Sir Jago d'Haxton. With them too came their squires and good men of foot, and Sir Bernard of Silchester, a brave young knight commended unto Sir Benesek's banner at Sarum court. Cleanest-mighted Sir Gorvannon, led his own banner unto the stour, accompanied by that rude fellow Sir Evan of Woodford, whom some hight Giantsbane, and more bachelors besides.

In sum was King Uther furnished with seventy-five score knights of Britain, and three times as many foot, and there was great bourding and goodly avaunting among all. But alas! the king's army had marched but little ere news came that the breme Saxon host had already seized St Albans, and weal gave way to wanhope. The king was ill with a malady that no leeches could overcome, and his mind was mazed, for upon seeing the gates of that city open did he sent forth such forces of the vanguard as he could muster, though all gave counsel against such an enterprise, fearing a mal-engined trap! Thusly did many Britons busk forth into the jaws of death, ere the Saxons fell upon them, and all further assayings upon the walls failed, and King Uther yielded King Octa the place for the night.

Upon the morn did that orgulous and lewdest Saxon host sally forth from the gates, and dress itself for battle! Half again as many men, if not more, than the Britons did it muster, with some veritable giants of men among its number, but lacking in horse. The knights of Salisbury and Silchester both were arrayed in the centre, with their lords Roderick and Ulfius, shields aventred and lances in fewter cast. At the sound of the king's command they abraided forth in great and glorious charge, so that the Saxon line was broached in many places, its shieldwalls to-brast in great raundom!

All were held wightly hot, as glaive, giserne, spear and truncheon alike swapped and stooned, razed and foined in bloody meddle. Though many knights fell the Britons held the stour, and much glory was won. Upon seeing Lord Roderick fall did Sir Gorvannon and Sir Evan surge forth, and bear him up by their own hands! Yet gentlest of all was the tale of that passing stiff knight Sir Bernard. Uneath had the stour begun ere he was forjousted by a mighty brunt, and avoided the field in all astoniment, so that his squire might let fetch leeches. Thus leeched, but still sore and noyously wracked, did Sir Bernard venture back into the meddle to fight with great wood, though he was but one blow short of his utterance! At the end, goodly beseen in bruit, that knight did slump in his saddle, forfoughten and all for-bled.

[Michael's character, Sir Bernard, received a major wound ~ the second round, and was knocked unconscious. Upon being restored to just a couple of hitpoints above his unconscious threshold, he charged back into the battle and didn't receive another scratch. Of course, with the battle done, the aggravation he'd done to his wounds meant he collapsed at the very end.]

By such acts was the Saxon host overthrown and shent by British arms, and 'twas at the end of the stour that Sir Gorvannon and Sir Evan espied King Octa himself, ringed by his household, and wightly set to. Thus was that treacherous Saxon king brought low a second time, and Sir Gorvannon's banner won the greatest glory of that noble but bloody day, though those knights of Sir Edic ap Gout and Sir Benesek le Beau Danseur won no little honour through their endeavours. A good number of knights were killed, and still more wounded besides gentle Sir Bernard, for both Duke Ulfius and Sir Brastias were plaied sore, but a great victory had been won and the Saxons scattered.

[In Sir Benesek's unit, the events were, in order: first charge; enemy pushes forward; enemy pulls away; enemy pulls away; surge of victory; could go either way ; enemy confused; enemy outnumbered. The battle yielded le Beau Danseur 1,170 Glory and £23 in ransom and plunder.]

In celebration of this feat did King Uther hold a great feast in St Albans, by which all knights and soldiers were to be well furnished and sotted! The noble lords of Logres sat beside the king in the Great Hall, as indeed did those that won greatest renown in the battle, such as Sir Gorvannon and Sir Evan, who had saved their lord and brought low a king! The other knights of the realm feasted in the bailey, and all was joy. A great many ladies, wenches and trulls were mustered in the city, all most kindly inclined toward the victorious knights of Logres. Sir Gorvannon himself left the Great Hall very early, with no fewer than three maids upon his arm, and many more besides gained companionship that warm night.

Alas! such weal was sundered at midnight as a great mal engine befell those feasting in the Great Hall! One by one the noble lords of the realm fell to sickness, wracked by pain as they vomited forth blood and bile in baleful abandon. None would survive that foulest of feasts, and that rude galliard Sir Evan perished amid kings, dukes and lords alike, as the nobility of Logres died almost to a man. Only such as were wounded or absent survived this infamous event, as in Duke Ulfius and Sir Brastias, though the latter was treacherously murdered on his own sickbed by one of his own knights, who had the wicked affrontery to blame that noble marshal of the realm for such as had come to pass!

[The Chanson does not mention this, but Sir Benesek was flirting with the Lady Ellen in a corridor adjoining the Great Hall when her husband started coughing his guts up.]

All was in araged panic as knights beheld their fallen lords. Sir Benesek ordered the barring of the gates, but no culprit could be found. Uneath the dead had been counted ere the knights repaired to their own lands, fearful of such as might then come to pass. Thusly did le Beau Danseur and Sir Gorvannon depart from St Albans with Lady Ellen in tow, and the bodies of Lord Roderick and Sir Evan besides, and repaired with all haste for Sarum. There they swore fealty to young Lord Robert, though he was but an infant, and his mother same, and upbraided their peers to do likewise.

Thus endeth the twelfth part of the tale of Sir Benesek.

Sir Benesek (Winter Phase 495, aged 34)
Cymric British Christian, Glory 7,545
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 14, CON 15, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 22.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Generous 16, Valorous 18; Honour 16.

La Chanson du Beau Danseur IX, X, XI (492, 493, 494)

(I missed the sessions for 492 and 494, and 493 was a wee bit ago, so I'm afraid the write-ups are rather brief and boring! There was a raid on Sir Benesek's demesnes, however, in 491. This has been pushed into Book IX. The events of 491/2, 493 and 494 are told below in somewhat fragmentary fashion.)

*****

Book IX (491/2)

... then did the Black Knight learn that, whilst he was commended unto the King at Tintagel, and wounded most sorely in such grace's service, a false knight had treated his demesnes most sorely, putting hamlets to fire and sword, and committing much rasure. This did the blackguard do, ere he was driven thence by Sir Carantoc, the banneret's grandfather, who defended the launds unto his own death. Sir Beleus of Rydychan, was this robber knight called, and Sir Benesek was goodly wroth.

... in this year [492] did the Lady Ellen visit for several weeks as the forests goldened, for she was most concerned for the Black Banneret, laid low as he was by the passing of his dear wife. Muchly did theyhawk upon the launds aside the Avon, but naught could stir Sir Benesek from his grief.

*****

Book X (493)

... and alas! 'twas ill for the Banneret of Netheravon, for a great malaise had laid stricken his demesnes: naught would be sown or suffered to grow, and there was great dole. "The lady is the land, and the land the lady!" cried Sir Benesek in anguish.

[To make matters worse, Lord Roderick visited in the Spring, accompanied by his retinue. He was suspicious that his wife had spent so much time there the previous year. Over the past three years Ellen and Roderick together had been eating Sir Benesek out of house and home.]

With great wood and chafe did Sir Benesek gather his companions to seek just recompense for such as was done to his launds the years previous. Thusly did cleanest mighted Sir Gorvannon, Sir Evan and others besides join the Black Banneret in seeking for Oxford, in County Rydychan, to bring the matter before the lord of that place...

... the lord was most sore that his vassals should act so, and in waiting for Sir Beleus to appear to his summons did the knights of Salisbury hunt amidst the great bows of the Forest Sauvage, a beauteous arboreal realm, accompanied by the argent knight Sir Tustin; and there too did they chase a mighty unicorn until they were smitten with wonder at the beasts majesty. Upon laying gentle hand upon the creature did Sir Benesek's dole at his maid's passing melt as the snows in Spring, and the knight was black no more...

[Sir Tustin gave great boons to the knights after the hunt; Sir Benesek received a male peregrine of great skill. Eventually Sir Basile, a kinsman of Sir Beleus, made his presence known, and agreed to pay £9 in compensation.]

*****

Book XI (494)

... and in this year was there a goodly harvest, the malaise passed, with good stuffing for all be they ne'er so vile, and all was well.

Sir Benesek (Winter Phase 494, aged 33), Glory 6,062
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 13, CON 15, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 21.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Generous 16, Valorous 18.

Return from Festive Feasting

Christmas and the New Year played their own little merry havoc over the past month; games often went ahead, but there wasn't always the time (or stamina) to write them up. We're now catching up, with notes for the years 492, 493, 494 and 495. First up (or not, if I'm beaten to it!) a tale explaining why Sir Benesek was really called the Black Knight, and the Tale of Half a Goat, which is of course self explanatory.

We've reached the Anarchy Phase, having completed our first twelve years, and some folks might take a hiatus from Pendragon to play something else for a while at the club (the cowards) - just a warning if there are no/fewer posts for a bit. It's been immensely enjoyable and, break or no, we're in this for the long haul!

Many thanks to Steve and Chris for their excellent GMing, and to the other players. And Greg, too; Spanna didn't really mean to call you those names after the victory feast of the Battle of St Albans...

Stewart/Sir Benesek

The Church to Mary Mother of God begun (490)

In the name of his dear, departed wife did this winter Sir Benesek, banneret of Netheravon, command the construction of a church consecrated to Mary Mother of God, Theotokos in the Greek tongue, to be erected near the Chapel of St Silvester in the township of Netheravon.

For the benefice of his wife's soul did Sir Benesek beg that the religious of Amesbury Abbey celebrate mass in the Lady Adwen's name each day throughout the year of our Lord 491, gifting £7 12s. 1d. to the abbey's coffers.

The Tale of Half a Goat (491)

The arms of Sir Denzil

For various reasons, this (possibly apocryphal) little adventure does not appear in the relevant book (VIII) of La Chanson du Beau Danseur, but is retained in The Doggerels of Sir Denzil, the tales of a bachelor in Sir Benesek's service.

Sir Benesek and the Wisdom of Solomon

...then, his wounds having healed, did my lord ride through Cornish lands, accompanied by numerous weeping women and dour damsels, as was his fashion in that year. It was my duty to accompany Sir Benesek, of course, and with us also were Sir Gorvannon and Sir Evan of Woodford. On one such jaunt we encountered a decrepit villein by the name of Roger, who begged our aid: he claimed that a fellow villein of his village, a man by the name of Jones, had lain with his wife.

Having naught else to occupy us, we proceeded to the hovel wherein we were told this Jones lived, and encountered one of his mean kin, who protested that Jones was not present, being occupied in the mines. At this, Sir Evan demanded that this villein set off that instant, to bring Jones back to our judgement. This he made to do, but ere he had left, Sir Benesek hailed him back, and lambasted the churl for leaving without giving the knights due hospitality. That done, the villein and Sir Evan departed to find Jones, and soon returned with that wretched peasant in tow.

Now, it happened that Roger, the peasant who had brought these charges, was nowhere to be found. This vexed all the knights considerably, and Sir Benesek and Sir Gorvannon went to Roger's domicile, where they met his mother, a decrepit crone, who informed them that now Roger had gone to the mines. Thoroughly annoyed at this, Sir Benesek and Sir Gorvannon rode to the mines and thereupon heard that all said churls were engaged therein. There being no other road open, Sir Benesek dismounted, and with his loyal squire Marrek, entered the dark void.

For many hours was he absent, and all wondered what fabulous beasts he had met in such caverns. Then did this villein Roger appear, but of Sir Benesek still was there no sign. Finally after much travail did my lord knight appear, covered from head to toe in blackest grime and coaldust, his face blacker with anger still, with an expression that brooked no question of his tardiness. That done we repaired with haste to the village, where my lord knights Sir Gorvannon and Sir Benesek sat in judgement.

Though clearly past patience at such as had come to pass and the labours that had engaged them, my lords perceived with justice the matter before them, in which 'twas clear that this vile Jones had done mal engine with Roger's wife. Finally soot-blackened Sir Benesek rose, and with no little temper pronounced his doom: "Jones, you vile and villeinous wretch, you are guilty before God. Do you have any livestock?"

"One goat, milord..." was the reply. At this Sir Benesek pointed to Roger and said, "Then give him half of it."

And then my lords rode off.

La Chanson du Beau Danseur VIII (491)

The arms of Sir Benesek

Wherein he doth fight with passing breme courage 'neath haut Tintagel

So stricken by dole was Sir Benesek that he was without fail beseen in arrayment of mourning, his weeds deepest black, and accompanied at all times by weeping maids paid from his own purse. No prancing galliard was this, but a noyous knight betaken unto sorrow; for he pitched the gold upon his shield until it was deepest night, and by this, and a small venture that shall be accounted later, he came to be hight the Black Knight of Avon launds.

Now, great umbrage had arisen between King Uther and that false and spiteous vassal of his, Duke Gorlois of Cornwall, and the king resolved to bring such violent rasure to the duke's lands as he might, as was his wont. Thus did the knights of Salisbury and Silchester await upon Castle Terrabil, where some under Prince Madoc did assay most valiantly to defeat the Cornish in stour, while other still yede with Uther unto Castle Tintagel, to take that stronghold of the duke.

With Uther raked those three gentlest bannerets: Sir Dalan of the trenchant glaive and haut bruit; cleanest mighted and pure Sir Gorvannon; and Sir Benesek, the Black Knight of the dolorous heart. There they advised that passing wight fortress Tintagel, home of that verily recrayed Gorlois, thrust up from the sea's embrace in orgulous majesty. Before such walls that forbade such gree as he wished, King Uther seethed in great heat and ordered his knights to be about its outerworks with goodly busk.

Woodly then did Sir Benesek, Sir Dalan and Sir Gorvannon drive at the foes that were dight to receive them, no baleful Saxons but knights well dressed and horsed for meddle. Great was the onslaught, but the knights of Logres were borne up by their hands, and the foes, attaint by many sad brunts and foins, were overborn and flemed. Then, advising in the raundom that the portals of the outerworks were open to receive such as had fled; and mazed sore by the passing of his wife, so that he doubted not for his life but was arrayed in courage; did Sir Benesek spur his steed forward anon, so that he might seize for the king such defenses as the knight beheld.

His companions doubted that the Black Knight wist what he did in his dole, and Sir Gorvannon moved to still such stiffness and freshness as Sir Benesek did display; but uneath he had moved to take his reins ere the knight abraided forth alone, and drove wightly at the Cornish knights guarding the portals. Gainly did Sir Benesek charge into the meddle, whereupon he was beset by two knights, until presently one fled and he and his foe, a Cornish baron, were held most hot, each swapping brunts. Then that Cornish baron dashed that better fairing knight a blow that could not but appear mortal, and Sir Benesek slumped in his saddle all for-bled.

Upon seeing Sir Benesek's charge did Sir Gorvannon, Sir Dalan and their fellow knights sue that Black Knight, and be about the meddle with great wood and courage. With them was Sir Denzil, a bachelor in Sir Benesek's service, who upon seeing his lord be in receit of such wrack did bellow such a cry and speed araged at that Cornish baron; whereupon he razed and foined him 'til his foe's jesseraunt was to-brast and his utterance done. With such courage did the knights seize the outerworks, and the siege begin in great earnest.

Little did Sir Benesek know of what followed, for he lay with a wrack most mortal, ere he dimly advised that his body was searched by the leechcraft of that haut warlock, Merlin, and his mind was soothed by dreams of dragons. Ashamed at his suspicion of such a man, who had saved his life so, though he had verily sought death if truth be told, Sir Benesek made hete unto himself for his actions and betook himself unto that wise man.

Thereafter Sir Benesek did attend with no great weal the funeral of Prince Madoc, and the wedding of King Uther and the Lady Ygraine. Indeed upon his first advisement of that fair duchess of Cornwall, as she was escorted from haut Tintagel, was the Black Knight astonied with the pangs of his dolorous heart, for she was alike arrayed in mourning black and as joyless as he as such as had come to pass. At the bridal feast he composed a sonnet to loss, of his and hers both, with such fair tatch of word and voice that the queen was moved, and the king privately chafed.

Thus endeth the eighth part of the tale of Sir Benesek.

Sir Benesek (Winter Phase 491, aged 30), Glory 5,498
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 13*, CON 14, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 19.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Valorous 18; Love (Memory of Adwen) 16**.

*Decreased to 12 as a function of a mortal wound (two sixes rolled! You beauty...), but increased in the Winter Phase.

**We're keeping this around, but decreasing by one each year (it was 17 in 490). The chaste Sir Benesek uses it not for inspiration, but to inform his personal remorse and the issue of taking a new wife.

La Chanson du Beau Danseur VII (490)

Wherein he doth lose that which he holdeth most lief

... and thus did all knights seek with no little galliardly busk to Lindsey, to assay to forfare such Saxon foes as were arrayed to meet them. There, in the Battle of Lindsey Launds, was much raundom, wrack and utterance made, and even in victory with the enemy shent were many brave knights lost. There did that wood soul Sir Gilbert le Ginge fall to a most breme and frenzied Saxon's giserne, swapped with the gastfullest blow yet seen; and there too did perish gentle Sir Percivale, of many sad plaies. Sir Benesek himself was unhorsed and stricken sore, yet strained him to remount and fight on, to collapse much wracked with the stour won.

[Sir Benesek received a major wound early on, and was hovering just above the unconscious threshold; at the end of the battle the aggravation pushed him over it.]

Yet in noble death was there great honour made; and in life no matter how awracked, meed in bezants and bruit both! For such had the gentle knights captured King Octa of that most orgulous and lewdest host, trapped by the glaives of Sir Dalan and his companions, who had overborn his household and brought him to ruin. So was this pagan king betaken unto King Uther, and great stuffing was held in feast, to celebrate this victory.

Alas! did Sir Benesek miss such festivities, and that which followed, for he was ill indeed with that noyous blow, for-bled and for-strained with a dere that took many weeks to heal. He would surely had had his utterance had not he been searched, not by a mean leech, but his dearest Lady Adwen; she who was in her confinement with child, yet saw dilligently to her lord's weal. Yet what baleful gree did knight and lady alike receive for such love as they had! For when Sir Benesek was risen did he learn that mother and babe both were betaught unto the Lord in childbirth, and he was most dole, his soul shent.

Thus did le Beau Danseur prance no more, instead being given over to wanhope, for he wist well that his wife had been in no wightly state to be made attaint as she was by her leechings, and the strain of seeing him wracked so.

Thus endeth the seventh part of the tale of Sir Benesek.

Sir Benesek (Winter Phase 490, aged 29), Glory 5,116
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 13, CON 14, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 19.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Valorous 17; Love (memory of Adwen) 17.

491 Earl Roderick (NPC), At the siege of Tintagel Castle Part II

With the fall of the gate works guarding bridge to Tintagel castle proper the siege could being in earnest, My King Uther ordered that Trebuchet's be setup to bombard the castle, but even these combined with many brave assaults failed to the significantly harm those in inside, finally after many days Merlin reappeared at the camp and was reported to being in council with Uther. That night a thick fog drifted in from the sea, and rumours abound that the Duke of Cornwall somehow found his way through our encampment and passed into the Castle, and my dreams were disturbed by visions of blood and dragons!

In the morning after breaking my fast, Uther called a council and invited myself along with the hero's of he assault on the gate works (as Uther had decided that they were indeed skilled at siege craft as shown by their success when we first arrived) to work with him and Merlin (who looked very tired indeed) to find a way into the main fortress. Little more that half an hour into the conference, a messenger still coated in mud from his ride was admitted with news from Terrabil: There a great night time battle had been fought and he Duke killed, all were cheered by this, however the messenger looked fraught.
"What is the problem good Sir Knight our enemy is deposed?" said Uther unto the messenger.
"Alas, your only begotten son Madoc likewise is dead, by the hand of Cornwall" exclaimed the knight.
At this all were quiet, it was into this silence that Sir Gorvannon was heard to exclaim (doubtless intending it not to be heard) "Yes!!" and the smirk on his face whilst fleeting was espied by Uther. Uther said nought but gave Sir Gorvannon (hence forth known as "the leaden tongue") and Merlin equally black looks before retiring to his tent.

Later that day what remained of Duke Gorlois was returned to the castle under a flag of truce to Tintagel and much wailing was heard from within, the next day Sir Brastitas entered the castle to negotiate the surrender and finally Duchess Ygraine and the rest of the Castle occupants rode out and submitted themselves into the custody of King Uther.

Shortly afterwards the funeral for Prince Madoc was held near my city of Sarum, and a few short months after that King Uther (and the by then pregnant Ygraine) announced their intention to marry and this too was carried out in Sarum.