Adventure #6 - The Lion of Vilderoy

Morning comes swiftly. Gumphrey gathers his gear and prepares to leave. Miphelgara transforms into the likeness of Talmut. Once Jeremiah and Elodie are ready, Gumphrey asks if there's anything left to do before summoning the page.

Jeremiah will pack up all of his gear and don the royal armor.


"Nope, ready when you are Gumph."

The Stablemaster wrote:"I was told that you would be going for a ride tomorrow, after visiting the High Temple. Would you like me to prepare your steeds for riding? Should I bring them around and meet you meet the temple?"

"Yes, thank you, that would be very helpful."

The next morning, Elodie will get up early, dress in her new armor, and braid her hair. Afterward, she will let Jeremiah and Gumphrey know that she is ready to go.

Gumphrey wrote:Gumphrey gathers his gear and prepares to leave.

Miphelgara wrote:Miphelgara transforms into the likeness of Talmut.

Jeremiah wrote:Jeremiah will pack up all of his gear and don the royal armor.
"... ready when you are Gumph."

Elodie wrote:The next morning, Elodie will get up early, dress in her new armor, and braid her hair.
... she will let Jeremiah and Gumphrey know that she is ready to go.

Gumphrey pulls the rope to summon the servant and then lets the page lead the Band of Four to the Royal Temple.

It's a bit of walk through the halls of the palace, but before too long, the Band of Four (with Miphelgara in Talmut's stead) is reunited with their horses before the High Clerics of the realm. After a moment of salutations, the eldest and wisest of the clerics approaches the party. Wrinkled and gray from his many years, the venerable priest bears the t-rune symbol of the Left-handed god, Tyr. As he approaches, he asks "Let us know when you are ready. We will perform the ritual when you are." Behind him stands the assembled clergy of the Royal Temple, including clerics of Odin, Frigga, Grannus, Baldur, Vulcan, and Lugh.

Elodie nods, stroking Egan's mane as she does so.

The temple hall itself is open and spacious; far larger than the main hall of the temple in Umbrafall. Broad stairs and wide landings climb through the open hall, rising toward the back. At various intervals along the climb, stands shrines dedicated to a god of the realm. All of the gods are represented and all of their shrines are lavish. In the center of each shrine, is a towering marble statue, carved in the likeness of its dedicated deity. In front of each pulpit, there is a small row of pews. Otherwise, each shrine is filled with things particular to the deity in question. (In the shrine of Odin, there is a tree and a well; in the Shrine of Manannan Mac Lir, there is a collection of sea shells; in the shrine of Vulcan, there is a burning hearth-forge; and so on). Braziers and candles are everywhere, keeping the Temple illuminated.

At the very top of the stairs, the climb comes to an open floor space that stretches to the back of the hall. Along the sides, there are many doors and many alcoves. A marble bust occupies each alcove. As you walk past, you realize that the busts represent the former High Clerics of the Royal Temple. Down the center, the floor is covered by the thickest, lushest, and longest blue rug you have ever seen.

At the very back of the hall, stands a round dais, wide enough for you and all your horses (and probably three times that many, if needed). Six, short stone ramps lead up to the dais, and between each set of steps is a pedestal. Upon the surface of each pedestal, there is a rune. Each of the High Clerics move to pedestal. The High Cleric of Tyr directs you to "Stand upon on the dais."

Once you are all assembled in the center of the platform, the Clerics ask again if you're ready. Once you affirm, they begin to chant. The chanting goes on for ten minutes or so, when, all of a sudden, you are whooshed away ... a feeling very similar to traveling with Talmut, when he teleports.

...

You find yourself on a similar dais, surrounded by crumbling walls in an arid land. The ancient brown bricks stare back at you, as do the headless, armless statues that stand around it. There is no ceiling, and the floor is just sand. Six living knights are gathered around the platform, each wearing the livery of Leon of the Gray. None of them react to your sudden presence.

You notice a crumbling archway in one of the walls. Piled next to it, are a number of boxes, barrels, and chests ... all tied to a wooden pallet.

Finally, one of the knights addresses you. "It is our pleasure to welcome the Band of Four to the August Lands and to the camp of Prince Leon the Gray, Lord of the March. If you walk through that archway, you will find the honorable prince and his esteemed guests. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

"Sounds good."

Jeremiah will look for a place to stable the horses. After which he will dismount and head over to see the prince.

Elodie will follow Jeremiah, asking the guards as she steps down, "Where should we leave our horses?"

After the horses are taken care of, she will also go to greet the prince.

Jeremiah wrote:"Sounds good." Jeremiah will look for a place to stable the horses.

Elodie wrote:Elodie will follow Jeremiah, asking the guards as she steps down, "Where should we leave our horses?"

The guards point toward the archway. Just past the archway, the Band finds a long row of wooden stables with around 50 horses already stabled. It takes a minute or two, but eventually you get all of the horses stabled (though not necessarily next to each other). A pair of stable-boys come running, with feedbags and buckets. They avoid your gaze and say nothing, but immediately go to care for the new arrivals.

Jeremiah wrote:After which he will dismount and head over to see the prince.

Elodie wrote:After the horses are taken care of, she will also go to greet the prince.

Beyond the stables, there is a massive building surrounded by tall marble columns, all constructed upon a raised foundation. Wide stone steps lead up to the veranda, surrounding the entire structure. All around it, stands a city of tents, which occupy the entire hilltop. Below the hill and surrounding it, exists a city of simple houses, each with its own inner courtyard.

As you move away from the stables, you notice a procession of people entering the large building. A few are quite clearly knights, while many appear to be nobles or courtiers of some sort. Nearly a third of these people appear to be swarthy Fablelanders. As you get closer, you notice the banners of Prince Leon the Gray, hanging from the exterior walls of the structure. This must be the place. Gumphrey and Miphelgara (disguised as Talmut) follow along.

Before long, you reach the steps and begin to climb,, right next to the line of people waiting to enter. Jeremiah wonders whether it would be polite to get into the line, but before he can decide, a knight at the top of steps waves you up. "Are you the Band of Four? Come on, we'll get you right in!"

As you ascend the steps, you hear the clamor of voices among the crowd. "That's them?" "Those are the heroes who slew the Jarigor?" "Are they here to help with the war?" "They're shorter than I expected." "Wow, that's them? Real life giant-slayers?"

At the top of the steps, the knight who called down to you bows. "Please, come with me. The Prince is eager to meet you."

Jeremiah will nod to the bowing knight as he enters the large building.

Elodie nods and waves to the crowd as they climb the steps. She follows the knight who greets them at the top of the steps.

The knight leads the Band of Four through the first room of the building; a spacious foyer that happens to be filled with people. Brightly colored tents and simple merchant stalls have been constructed all around the room, with a score of knights standing at various intervals, ready to keep the peace. Aside from the tents, the room is dull and dim; plain stone walls lit by only a handful of hanging braziers. Nobles and commoners, locals and travelers, everyone seems to be dealing with the assembled merchants on equal footing. The murmur of the crowd follows you, as the knight leads you through the crowded chamber to narrow set of stone stairs, which he climbs.

At the top of stairs, an arched doorway leads to another smaller room. This room, too, is made of stone, but has been decorated with marble busts and embroidered tapestries. A small table rests in the corner, and the men sitting at it appear to be old knights. They nod as you enter, but the guiding knight doesn't stop here. He leads you through another door which leads to what can only be described as a small warehouse: boxes, barrels, chests, and rolled fabrics are piled high and surrounded by statues of marble and gold. The knight rushes through this room, as well, to another small door.

Past the warehouse, the knight stops at a brightly lit room that is packed full of knights and nobles. A thick, heavy rug covers the floor and mosaics decorate the wall. At the far end of the room, seated upon a wooden throne, sits man of undeniable presence. His silvery hair and bear, along with his regal attire, give away his identity immediately: it is Prince Leon. Although he says very little, the other people in the room are talking incessantly; mostly at him, though he seems to respond only in nods. After a moment, a young girl brings him an enormous stein full of frothy ale.

The knight who led you here steps forward, cautiously. "M'Lord, the Band of Four has arrived." Then, he bows, about as low as you've seen anybody body.

The prince looks up from his drink and nods. Then, he turns his gaze toward you and waves you over.

Jeremiah will bow and head toward the prince.

"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you."


Nobility +1

Elodie steps forward and bows as well. "It is an honor to be here. Thank you for the invitation. What can we do to assist you?"

Jeremiah wrote:"A raid sounds good to me, I'm much better at killing than waving anyway."

Elodie wrote:"That sounds doable. I know that Jeremiah has been studying the war, so I am sure he will be full of motivational information for the troops. A night raid sounds like fun, especially after a good meal. Will someone show us around, or do you want us to wander on our own?"

"I changed my mind ... let's eat first! I'm afraid the food is not as opulent as what they're serving back in Vilderoy, but it will be filling, all the same." He gets up and moves to a door on the far side of the room. As he moves, the knights and courtiers get out of his way (some race through the door ahead of him, while others press to the sides of the room). In the next room, you find several simple wooden tables covered with silver platters. On the platters, you find a variety of unfamiliar food. "Here we have an assortment of local cuisine and delicacies from our Fabled foes." As you reach for the food, the Prince explains what some of the foods are. You find lamb and shellfish kabobs, as well as variety of omelets. Many of the dishes include chick peas, figs, eggplant, and a variety of flat-breads. Most of the dishes are seasoned with cardamom, cloves, coriander, or nutmeg, and are accentuated with pine nuts or pickled vegetables. To drink, he offers you dark coffee or anise-flavored spirits. (Elodie notices a few similarities between the food here and the food she had back in Talmut's homeland, but there are undeniable differences). "We'll parade around for the troops, after we eat. Agreed?"

"Agreed"

Jeremiah will follow the lead and eat with the men.

Elodie finds a spot near the Prince and sits at the table, ready to dig in (after all, she hasn't had breakfast yet). She helps herself to a kabob, flatbread, and some of the pickled vegetables. "This is a wonderful meal," she says. "Very eclectic!"

Jeremiah wrote:"Agreed." Jeremiah will follow the lead and eat with the men.

Elodie wrote:Elodie finds a spot near the Prince and sits at the table, ready to dig in (after all, she hasn't had breakfast yet). She helps herself to a kabob, flatbread, and some of the pickled vegetables. "This is a wonderful meal," she says. "Very eclectic!"

After everyone has had their fill, Prince Leon gets up and downs one last mug of ale, before saying "Alright, we'd better get into our ceremonial wear and make a quick ride around the city. My sister will have my head if we don't." Then, he waves for half a dozen knights to follow him into the armory.

Gumphrey looks to Elodie and Jeremiah and asks "So, we just meet him back here, then?"

"I suppose so."

Jeremiah will follow the knights into the armory.

Jeremiah wrote:"I suppose so." Jeremiah will follow the knights into the armory.

Gumphrey looks perplexed. But Jeremiah follows the Prince and his men down the hall to the armory, where the knights are donning their armor and weapons. A few minutes later, they are all dressed and ready to ride. The prince leads Jeremiah and the knights back to where the remaining members of the Band of Four are waiting, and then leads everyone back outside to the stables. After mounting his magnificent gray stallion, the prince hoists the the royal flag along with his own personal banner. The knights hoist their own lances, streaming with the banderoles of their own houses and that of the Prince. Among the knights is the Prince's herald, who blows a long, low blast on his horn, signalling the start of the parade. He then switches to pair of drums and begins to keep cadence. Before spurring his horse forward, Prince Leon turns to you and asks "You ready for this?"

Elodie will go to fetch the Band of Four's horses while the Prince is changing, and will meet the group back in the designated area. She mounts Egan and waits. Once the Prince is ready, she will nod and smile. "Let's go!"