Chaosium Digest Volume 22, Number 3 Date: Sunday, September 28, 1997 Number: 4 of 4 Contents: The Adventure of the Breaking of the Red Knight's Siege, Part Three (Paul Williams) PENDRAGON -------------------- From: paulw@betanet.co.uk (Paul Williams) Subject: The Adventure of the Breaking of the Red Knight's Siege, Part Three System: Pendragon DAY FOUR The day starts out badly for the player knights as a light but constant drizzle begins shortly after they leave the Yellow Knight's abode. Within half an hour they are soaked through to the skin. Unsurprisingly, the road is devoid of other travellers. As the day wears on the knights come across a blue pavilion erected by the side of the road. A lone squire wearing a blue surcoat stands guard outside the pavilion, but ignores the player knights' approach. If asked questions in any language except French he shrugs and points up the path. He will not stand in the way of armed knights who wish to enter his master's pavilion, although doing so is a breech of honor for the player knights. [Honor. Success = entering another knight's pavilion without being invited is a breech of chivalry.] The player knights can hear the sounds of fighting from up the path [Awareness. Success = only two men are fighting. Fumble = two armies have met on the road.] Investigating the sounds reveals a knight in blue armour with a blue shield fighting with a knight in more conventionally colored armour. [Heraldry. Success = the conventionally attired knight is a minor noble from Cumbria. Critical = the knight is Sir Perrak, a wealthy Cumbrian Banneret.] After a few minutes of battle Sir Perrak is soundly defeated and the Blue Knight takes his weapons and armour as ransom. Once he has taken his prize he spies the player knights and walks towards them. "Do any of ye think ye can best me in individual combat?" he asks them. "I have defeated one hundred men in challenges such as this and have fought three matches today. As you can see I am unhurt and barely tired by my efforts. Of course, if you would rather just pass by then please feel free to do so. I am sure that your lady will forgive you for your caution and meekness." Knights who wish to out-boast the Blue Knight may roll their Proud opposed to that of the Blue Knight [Proud. Success = the knights match the magnitude of the Blue Knight's boasts. Critical = the Blue Knight is impressed by their claims. If this knight accepts the Blue Knight's challenge he gains a +5 bonus to one skill through his intimidation. Fumble = the Blue Knight openly taunts the pathetic boasts of the knight, who suffers a -5 penalty on all skills if he accepts the challenge.] If asked what he offers as prize for the challenge the Blue Knight responds that he offers the service of himself and his one hundred knights, as well as the weapons, armour and horse of the last challenger who lost to him. In return though, he expects the player knight to wager his own armour, weapons and horse. The Blue Knight is the toughest of the four brothers so far encountered and puts up a good fight. He only yields when he has been reduced to his Unconscious level; otherwise he continues to fight until he drops. He does not strike at a yielding opponent nor does he ever use dishonorable tactics. The Truth Revealed Once the Blue Knight has been defeated and prizes collected the Lady turns to the player knights and addresses them as a whole. "Brave knights! You are truly worthy of the honor of being called knights. Since we left the fair city of Bath I have chided you and scorned your every action, yet still you follow me to unknown places to aid my sister, whose name you still do not know. Only a true knight would take such insults in the courteous manner that you all have. I may now reveal the truth about my family. My sister is the Lady Liones, the Countess of Burford, and I am her sister, Lady Linet. "The Red Knight who besieges the castle seeks my sister's lands for himself and plans to carry her off and marry her, thus claiming the lands by right of marriage. I could not allow this to happen but I needed knights who were willing to fight for justice and honor, rather than for the rewards that my sister offers. That is why our route took us past the four brothers who you have soundly defeated. You have proven yourselves to be just and honorable and my sister will be thankful for your help. But we must continue onwards at speed for my sister's plight fairs no better I am sure." After Lady Linet has revealed who she and her sister really are the player knights may continue onwards to the castle of Lady Liones. Knights asking what reward they will receive are told that land and money will be theirs if they survive the encounter with the Red Knight. After an hour's ride Lady Linet informs them that the castle is only a few miles away and that they will be there soon. A Most Disturbing Scene A mile down the road the knights pass a sycamore grove, from which hang the bodies of knights who have tried to defeat the Red Knight in single combat. They have been hung by their necks from the branches of the tree and their shields have been tied around their necks so that passing knights can see their heraldry. [Heraldry. Success = the knight recognises some of the shields as those of well-known mercenary and bachelor knights. Critical = the knight recognises the shields of an earl and a baron amongst the collection. Fumble = the knight spots the shield of a member of his family.] Knights who see the hanging bodies may roll their [Honor. Success = only a truly dishonorable foe would treat a defeated knight in this manner.] Knights who cut down the bodies and give them a decent burial, by whatever custom their own religion demands, receive a check in both [Honor] and [Pious]. [Religion. Success = the ceremony is correct. Failure = the ceremony will do as a temporary measure. A full priest should conduct another ceremony however. Fumble = the knight commits a major faut pas and the spirits of the knights cannot pass to the afterlife.] The Red Knight After leaving the grisly sycamore grove and travelling along the road for another mile the knights come across a lone sycamore tree stood in a large clearing. A large, bright red signal horn hangs from the tree. From the clearing the knights can see the tops of the towers of Lady Liones' castle. If any knight attempts to blow the horn he must a successful [Play (any wind instrument)] roll to be able to get a note from it. When the horn is correctly sounded a low, rumbling note echoes forth. Once the sound stops the knights may roll [Awareness. Success = the birds have stopped singing and the wind has ceased blowing.] After a few minutes of silence, broken only by noises created by the player knights, a small group of figures enters the clearing from the direction of Lady Liones' castle. Leading them is a huge man with flaming red hair wearing red clothes and carrying a large red sword. The group stops some ten yards from the player knights and the red man addresses them. "Know ye that this territory is the domain of the Red Knight and that all who enter into it are trespassing. The penalty for such crimes is normally death but, on the eve of my wedding day, I will be lenient and let you live. If you leave now that is. All I ask is that you leave a suitable wedding gift for my future wife, the Lady Liones, before you flee." At that he lets out a loud, booming laugh. If any of the player knights issue a challenge to the Red Knight he is inclined to listen. He knows the real reason for the knights coming here, as Lady Linet has brought similar groups of knights before to try and defeat him. Assuming that the conditions of the challenge are fair and just (along the lines of "to the death" or "if you are defeated you swear to end the siege, never to return to these lands") the Red Knight accepts and tells the player knight to "meet me in front of the castle's main gate in one hour, and be prepared to die!" THE BREAKING OF THE SIEGE The player knights may do whatever they wish for one hour but they had best arrive on time, especially since they instigated the challenge. Upon arriving the knights see the Red Knight's army camped before the castle walls. [Battle. Success = there are around three hundred knights and one thousand sergeants here. They seem to be organized into four battalions.] The Red Knight's pavilion stands right outside of the main gate. When the player knights arrive in the camp a squire enters the red pavilion informs the Red Knight that they are here. The Red Knight leaves his pavilion and loudly calls for his armor, which is placed upon him by two barons whilst his helmet is fastened on by an earl who owes him homage. Like the rest of the Red Knight's attire his armor and shield are bright red in color. Once he is ready he calls for his horse, which is caparisoned in red, and mounts up. His squire passes him his lance. He slowly rides towards the player knights, stopping some twenty yards short of where they stand. He asks the player knight who challenged him if he is ready to die for the Lady Liones. As he says this he points his sword towards the battlements. Player knights who look in the direction of the Red Knight's sword see that atop the battlements looking down on the scene is one of the most beautiful women in the land. This is the Lady Liones, owner of the castle and the centre of the Red Knight's attention. Upon seeing the player knights look up at her she pulls off one of her gloves and throws it to the challenger. When he picks it up she tells him "it is for luck, my brave knight". The player knight who challenged the Red Knight may now generate an [Amor (Lady Liones)] if he so desires. Lady Liones also develops an Amor for the player knight. Of course, this token of affection by Lady Liones to a complete stranger enflames the Red Knight so much that he launches an attack with little warning, spurring his horse to the charge. The challenger must make a successful [Horsemanship] roll in order to get his horse up to speed before the Red Knight arrives. If the Red Knight is losing the fight he invokes his Amor for Lady Liones, favouring his sword skill. The playe may, of course, do the same. The Red Knight is no pushover and defeating him will be a major challenge to the knight. Defeated player knights who yield to him are run through without the chance of mercy being granted. Their body is then hung from the tree with the other defeated knights. If the player knight is defeated and the Red Knight has at least two-thirds of his original hit points remaining he readily accepts another challenge that same day. Otherwise he tells the player knights to "come back in one week and bring some real knights with you this time. Ha, ha, ha!" The Red Knight yields only after taking two Major Wounds or being reduced below his Unconscious total. The player knight need not accept the Red Knight's surrender and may wish to run him through with his sword, especially after witnessing the knights hanging from the sycamore grove. It is the player knight's right to slay so dishonorable a knight outright, but he should also consider the king's justice, as a knight may not pass judgement on another knight, especially for the crimes this one has committed. Should the player knight spare the Red Knight he may check his [Merciful] and [Just]. Killing him requires the knight to check his [Arbitrary]. If the player knight looks to the Lady Liones for an answer to his dilemma she asks him to spare the Red Knight but to make him swear to go to Camelot and pay homage to the King within a year and a day. If allowed to yield the Red Knight swears never to enter the lands of Lady Liones again and promises a service to the player knight, with the loan of his three hundred knights if needed. He agrees to become Arthur's loyal vassal only if ordered to do so as part of the yielding conditions. The Feast Once the Red Knight has been defeated, his army commanders call off the siege and begin the preparations for returning to their homelands. They cause the player knights no trouble. Lady Liones rushes from the castle with her lady-in-waiting to congratulate her champion on freeing her and to invite all of the player knights to a grand feast in their honor. The feast is a splendid affair with over two hundred visiting knights and their ladies being present, amongst them several important lords. The player knights, as the guests of honor, are seated at Lady Liones' table, with her champion being placed at her right hand. Knights may choose to test their [Moderate] or [Indulgent] as they see fit but the champion should (wisely) refrain from getting too drunk as many wish to hear of his epic battle against the Red Knight. Favourite Food: Marzipan biscuits shaped like a knight's shield and decorated with the heraldry of Lady Liones' champion. Favourite Entertainment: Hearing the knights tell the story of their journey to the castle and how they bravely beat the Red Knight. The knights may test either their [Modest] or [Proud] Traits if they wish. During the feast Lady Liones makes her feelings for her champion quite clear but points out that she must be courted correctly before she can decide whether or not to marry the knight. Knights who are already married are placed in a moral dilemma here - do they return to their wife or leave her to marry an extremely attractive countess with huge tracts of land? Of course, the knight may freely decide to start a secret [Amor] with Lady Liones behind his wife's back. Lady Liones' initial reluctance to her champion is 2d6 lower than its normal starting value because of the player knight's great act of heroism in freeing her from the Red Knight. Other player knights have little chance of courting Lady Liones. Lady Linet has also developed an Amor for a player knight over the course of the journey, but hers concerns the knight who was most courteous to her throughout the journey. If this also happens to be the player knight who defeated the Red Knight then a very interesting situation has developed! Rewards Whatever the outcome of the advances of the amorous ladies, each knight is rewarded for his part in aiding Lady Liones and her sister. Her champion receives enough manors (worth 9L per annum each) to allow for one for himself and one for each of the other player knights in the party. He also receives two villages (worth 2L per annum each) as his personal fief. The champion receives the title of Banneret and the other knights may, if they choose, become his vassal knights. The champion answers directly to Lady Liones. Should the other knights decline the offer of becoming the champion's vassal knights the champion keeps all the title and all the manors for himself (to hand out as he sees fit at a later date) and the other player knights each receive their own private manor (worth 6L per annum) on Lady Liones' land. All the player knights who participated in the quest also receive 10L in coin, 5L in gifts (mainly rings, brooches and other adornments) and an Andalusian charger each. GLORY * Accepting the lady's plea for help without hesitation - 10 points * Accepting the lady's plea for help after other, more notable knights have refused - 15 points * Defeating the bandits - 10 points per bandit * Defeating the Cadfael brothers - 50 points per brother * Defeating the Black Knight - 50 points * Defeating the Green Knight - 100 points * Thanking the Green Knight for his hospitality - 30 points for a critical success, 20 points otherwise * Defeating the Yellow Knight - 250 points * Thanking the Yellow Knight for his hospitality - 30 points for a critical success, 20 points otherwise * Defeating the Blue Knight - 500 points * Defeating the Red Knight - 750 points THE BESTIARY The Black Knight The knight better known to others as the Black Knight is actually Sir Jehan, the youngest of four French brothers whose only distinguishing heraldry is the color of their armour, shield, weapons and horse caparisons. No one knows the true motives of the brothers but each of them is generally hostile to knights from the British Isles, especially those who follow King Arthur. The Black Knight, although the youngest and least experienced of the four, is a tenacious fighter and has vowed never to yield to a foe, no matter how much he may be outclassed by his opponent. He is an honorable opponent and does not strike an unarmed knight unless the rules of a combat allow him to. However, he is not yet a Chivalrous knight. Current Glory 1800 SIZ 17 Move 3 Major Wound 12 DEX 15 Damage 6d6 Unconsciousness 7 STR 16 Hit Points 29 Knock Down 17 CON 12 Armor 14 + shield APP 8 Attacks: Sword 20, Lance 15, Spear 10, Dagger 10, Battle 15, Horsemanship 15 Significant Traits: Valorous 15 Significant Passions: Love (Family) 15 Significant Skills: Awareness 10, Courtesy 10, Heraldry 12, Tourney 8 Horse: Charger (6d6) The Green Knight The Green Knight, also known as Sir Robert, is the second of the French brothers that the player knights encounter. His castle is located deep within the Campacorentin Forest and is known to only a few trusted friends. The Green Knight is determined to become a Round Table knight. By challenging all those who pass through his lands to a fair and honourable fight he hopes that word of his courage and chivalry reaches the ears of a Round Table knight, who will then come to judge the Green Knight for themselves. The Green Knight fights perfectly honourably, not striking downed foes and even dismounting to fight if his opponent is on foot. The Green Knight has qualified as a Chivalrous knight and receives the +3 armour bonus. Current Glory 3000 SIZ 16 Move 3 Major Wound 15 DEX 15 Damage 5d6 Unconsciousness 8 STR 15 Hit Points 31 Knock Down 16 CON 15 Armor 12 + shield + 3 chiv APP 15 Attacks: Sword 21, Lance 15, Spear 13, Dagger 10, Battle 16, Horsemanship 21 Significant Traits: Energetic 16, Generous 16, Just 16, Merciful 18, Modest 14, Valorous 16 Significant Passions: Love (Family) 17 Significant Skills: Awareness 12, Courtesy 10, First Aid 10, Heraldry 10, Hunting 15, Tourney 13 Horse: Charger (6d6) The Yellow Knight The knight known as the Yellow Knight is actually Sir Arnoul, the third of the French brothers. The Yellow Knight owns land within the Campacorentin Forest, near Wandborough. Unlike his two younger brothers he is not so chivalrous or honourable, although he will not strike an unarmed or yielding foe. He is haughty and proud and believes that he is a better paragon of knighthood than any other knight in Britain. He willingly tells those who enquire about his business in Britain that he is here to teach British knights how to be truly chivalrous, like all French knights are. He is easy to anger and insults result in swift challenges being issued. However, he is also extremely generous, even to those who have defeated him. Current Glory 6600 SIZ 16 Move 3 Major Wound 15 DEX 13 Damage 5d6 Unconsciousness 8 STR 14 Hit Points 31 Knock Down 16 CON 15 Armor 12 + shield APP 13 Attacks: Sword 22, Lance 18, Spear 10, Dagger 10, Battle 18, Horsemanship 18 Significant Traits: Energetic 13, Generous 19, Indulgent 12 (wines 17), Proud 20, Valorous 16 Significant Passions: Love (Family) 14 Significant Skills: Awareness 13, Courtesy 13, First Aid 13, Heraldry 13, Hunting 13, Tourney 13 Horse: Charger (6d6) The Blue Knight The last, and toughest, of the French brothers is Sir Persant, better known as the Blue Knight. Unlike his younger brothers he does not fight for honour or glory but merely to better himself for the ultimate challenge, which he knows it is his destiny to face. He does not know in what form the ultimate challenge will come but he is preparing for all eventualities. An honourable opponent, he will not cheat in a fight or at any other contest. He is an extremely Proud man and boasts heavily about his combat prowess and how he has fought giants and dragons without taking a single wound. Much of what he says is highly exaggerated but does contain an element of truth. The Blue Knight's lands and castle are near Bourton-on-Thames. Current Glory 9200 SIZ 17 Move 3 Major Wound 16 DEX 16 Damage 6d6 Unconsciousness 9 STR 16 Hit Points 33 Knock Down 16 CON 16 Armor 14 + shield APP 16 Attacks: Sword 23, Lance 21, Spear 18, Dagger 10, Battle 18, Horsemanship 20 Significant Traits: Proud 21, Prudent 16, Valorous 18 Significant Passions: Love (Family) 16 Significant Skills: Awareness 12, Courtesy 10, First Aid 10, Gaming 15, Heraldry 10, Hunting 15, Tourney 13 Horse: Destrier (8d6) The Red Knight The Red Knight, whose real name is unknown, originally hails from Roestoc and this is where his castles and land are located. He is currently in Tribuit sieging the castle of Lady Liones, who he wishes to marry in order to acquire her rich lands for himself. He is a thoroughly evil knight and has little regard for chivalry. Those that he defeats in personal combat are hung from a nearby tree and left for other knights as a warning that he is not to be trifled with. Foes that are yielding or have lost their weapons are unlikely to be given much mercy. As a young knight he saved a witch from certain death at the hands of a mob of angry peasants and she rewarded him by granting him supernatural strength. Of course, he only rescued the hag once she had promised to gift him in some beneficial manner. The witch died by the Red Knight's sword shortly after granting him his boon. Current Glory 15,000 SIZ 18 Move 5 Major Wound 20 DEX 10 Damage 9d6 Unconsciousness 10 STR 35 Hit Points 38 Knock Down 18 CON 20 Armor 14 + shield APP 12 Attacks: Sword 24, Lance 24, Spear 15, Dagger 14, Battle 19, Horsemanship 23 Significant Traits: Energetic 16, Vengeful 18, Arbitrary 16, Cruel 19, Proud 16, Valorous 19 Significant Passions: Amor (Lady Liones) 14 Significant Skills: Awareness 15, Courtesy 12, First Aid 15, Heraldry 15, Hunting 11, Tourney 12 Horse: Destrier (8d6) Lady Linet Lady Linet is the sister of Lady Liones, whose castle is being besieged by the Red Knight. She is one of the most beautiful women in Britain and dresses in the finest clothes. Her skin is alabaster white and her brown hair matches her brown eyes. Careful use of make-up accentuates her full lips and high cheek bones to add to her natural allure. Lady Linet has agreed to help her sister by travelling to various tournaments and trying to enlist the aid of knights who will challenge the Red Knight to single combat. Lady Liones made her swear that she will not reveal any information about herself or her quest until the knights have passed several challenges and proven their worth. Lady Linet also tests the knights' chivalry by berating their every word and action. She hopes that none of them will be so unchivalrous as to answer back or strike her and these knights are not the sort that she wishes freeing her sister. Once the quest is over, Lady Linet reveals herself to be a kind and generous woman who enjoys the finer things in life, including fine wine, exotic foods and romantic poems and stories. Knights who wish to court her must be brave and chivalrous, as well as being able to demonstrate that they appreciate the finer things as well. Lady Linet's women's gift is Good with Animals and has already been included in the statistics below. Current Glory 1250 SIZ 10 Move 2 (+2) Major Wound 14 DEX 11 Damage 3d6* Unconsciousness 6 STR 9 Hit Points 24 Knock Down 10 CON 14 Armor 1 (clothes) APP 23 Attacks: Dagger 10 (* subtract one die for dagger), Battle 11, Horsemanship 20 Significant Traits: Chaste 17, Vengeful 13, Valorous 9 Significant Passions: Hospitality 16, Honor 17, Love (Family) 18 Significant Skills: First Aid 16, Chirurgery 10, Falconry 12, Flirting 10, Heraldry 6, Industry 10, Romance 8, Stewardship 14 Holding: 6 manors Lady Liones Lady Liones is also known as the Countess of Burford. She inherited the title when her father, the late Count, died without male issue. She has governed the lands for five years now and has proven to be a fair and popular leader. However, Burford is a rich area and her beauty has not gone unnoticed. Three months ago the Red Knight arrived in Burford and proclaimed that he has going to marry Lady Liones. She politely declined his "offer" and shut herself away in her castle. Enraged, the Red Knight besieged the castle, promising to leave only when she had agreed to marry him. Lady Liones summoned her sister to her and ordered her to travel the lands until she found a band of knights who were willing to rescue her. Because the thought of Lady Liones' land and beauty would sway many unsavoury knights into helping her sister was forbidden to reveal who the knights were aiding until they had passed several tests of valor and chivalry. Lady Liones is loved by her people and many of them are secretly hoping that she settles down and marries one of her would-be rescuers. She is a warm and passionate lady who spends far too much of her time governing her lands instead of enjoying life. The only knight who has a chance of courting her is the knight who defeats the Red Knight in single combat. Lady Liones' women's gift is +1d10 APP and has already been included in her statistics below. Current Glory 3780 SIZ 11 Move 2 (+2) Major Wound 15 DEX 9 Damage 3d6* Unconsciousness 8 STR 9 Hit Points 27 Knock Down 11 CON 16 Armor 2 (heavy robes) APP 28 Attacks: Dagger 12 (* subtract one die for dagger), Battle 12, Horsemanship 11 Significant Traits: Chaste 16, Generous 15, Valorous 14 Significant Passions: Hospitality 16, Honor 19, Love (Family) 18 Significant Skills: First Aid 16, Chirurgery 12, Flirting 10, Heraldry 10, Industry 12, Romance 12, Stewardship 16 Holding: Small stone castle, 20 manors and 10 villages BIBLIOGRAPHY This story is based on the tale of Sir Gareth and is taken from the book _King Arthur and his Knights_ by Stuart Campbell, published by The Children's Press in 1964. --