This is a ‘Might have happened’ action in Morval Earth. When bent on promoting the Morgana trilogy I started to write three short stories, The Hennin, Morgana and the Damsels in Distress and Morgana at Claux. The Hennin remained as a short story and Morgana and the Damsels in distress was used as a module played at several wargames conventions. Only three pages were written of the Morgana at Claux, as I realised that as it was set after the trilogy, it was no use as a promoting device. It is set in the brief period after Dame Morgana was promoted Marshal of Bara but before Princess Maudette was crowned Grand Duchess. As Marshal, Morgana is responsible for political intelligence gathering. This has involved studying the records of the late usurper Basylt and checking what landowners have not sworn fealty to Maudette. Basylt was worried that despite it being twelve years since a Hun raid laid waste the sixteen manors of Claux, only three have been paying taxes. The local Tax Gatherer is the Knight Banneret Sir Christopher Lambert. Basylt suspected he was withholding taxes but could get no evidence as his spies just disappeared. Maudette’s Chancellor, Ecco Macchinario asks Morgana to investigate as they need the money! Morgana disliking court life and eager to escape all the quarrels over the coronation arrangement’s, obtains Maudette’s permission to go. However to her disgust she has to take Lady Sabine Flaneur as a chaperone! That she, the only Lady in Bara legally bearing a sword with over two score notches on it and who has travelled over half Morval Earth should need a chaperone is ridiculous she thinks. Lady Sabine, is a sought after wealthy beauty whose husband is on his deathbed. Lady Sabine owns two of the laid waste manors near Claux. Knowing that her mission cannot be kept secret, Morgana plans to arrive at Claux in the night before she is expected. The St. Rollo game was started with only one player knowing that the Tax Assessor was the mighty heroine Dame Morgana Lefey.
Umpires Background 9th Ninth Moon 706ATN
It is three moons since the battle of Verreric and more than a fortnight to go before Princess Maudette is crowned Grand Duchess of Bara (25th). Via the Chancellor Ecco Macchinario, Morgana knows that the Grand Duchy’s finances are in a poor way. This despite most of the extra heriots demanded from the Church of Eru having come in, following the appointment of Uhtred Longuard as Bishop of Charles. As head of Intelligence, Marshall Morgana Lefey had been reading the reports of the late Basylt’s spies. In one of them the chapman Nerd said two years ago, that most of the estates in the Claux area seemed to be flourishing. According to the records the Claux area had sixteen manors before the area was laid waste in 694ATN twelve years ago by a hun raid. Now the local tax collector Sir Christopher Lambert, has paid for only three of his own. He claims that the rest, including four of his own are still wasted. He paid the 100Gilden Pezzi each for the three and swore fealty to Maudette two moons ago but you have your doubts. Basylt did not trust him either according to his notes. The chapman and two other agents had disappeared visiting the Claux area! Another problem for him was that Sir Christopher is a younger son of the venerable hero Bertrand Lambert Knight Banneret and owner of Airvault castle. Airvault is the principal fortress guarding the Bara/Limura border. Sir Bertrand Lambert now in his seventies was one of ‘Ye twelve Doughty knights of renown’ and a dangerous man to upset. However Master Chirurgeon Walter, who called to treat him for the stone, claimed Sir Bertrand was now senile and not likely to be a threat. Morgana decides that she should investigate the Claux area and also demand the 2,000 Gilden Pezzi heriots due in coin or kind from the Vicar of Claux for his church. She decides to ask Princess Maudette for leave to attend to this problem. She knows that for the coming coronation and tournament there are plenty of other courtiers to quarrel over matters she finds completely insignificant. She will be glad of an excuse to escape from the court into the outside earth again!
She duly makes her request, supported by Ecco Macchinario. He thinks Sir Christopher is the problem and not the solution! She intends to call on him asking him to come on a tour of the manors. Unfortunately Dame Melusine Dinegre, Mistress of the Household, has Maudette foist Lady Sabine Flaneur on her as a chaperone! That she, the only woman in Bara justifiably bearing a sword, one who had slain over two score enemies with it and travelled over half Morval Earth should need a chaperone was ridiculous! By Melusine’s account, she had been chaperoned by her Aunt Abigail throughout her adventures until the latter’s death. Then her respectability was maintained by Lady Anise Galette. In fact when her Uncle Quixano told Lady Abigail that she was Morgana’s duenna, the latter replied that she had absolutely no control over her niece’s actions! On cooling down, Morgana realised that Melusine wanted Lady Sabine away from the court! The beautiful Lady Sabine’s husband Sir Engeurard was at forty-six double her age and long sick of the dropsy. Since her dowry properties were extensive she had many potential suitors. More than Dame Morgana! Few men indeed were brave enough to send her any poems or flowers! She would have a better chance after Princess Maudette was wed, for those bachelors of the highest rank naturally would dream of marrying her first.
One of Lady Sabine’s most devoted admirers was Squire Fier Feulle who had been a suitor of hers before she was married. Dame Melusine banned Morgana from taking him in her escort but agreed to him commanding a subsidiary supporting force. She was very ready to allow the ugly and badly scarred Squire Robert Fissure, to accompany her main party. Also she was too pleased that Mistress Lys, Lady Sabine’s abigail was to be with them. Morgana realised that Lys was to do the real chaperoning! Wild thoughts of Lys being thrown from her horse and breaking a limb speedily departed. It was far more likely to be her own abigail Clarisse who would fall off her horse! Clarisse, a failed Lucrecian novice was only just starting to learn to ride and a strict trot stretched her ability to cling on! However she was biddable and had stronger magic powers than Morgana’s own. In present circumstances it was not politically wise to exhibit such witchery but her powers might be needed. Lady Sabine was also known to be rather docile but Morgana found that she was afraid of her! It seemed that Sabine was a devout Eru worshipper and was frightened of Morgana’s rather limited powers of witchcraft. Her renowned prowess on the battlefield doubtless also played its part. She has no definite preferences as to who should marry her when her husband dies as he seems bound to soon. Since her father is dead it will be most likely Princess Maudette or in fact Dame Melusine who selects her next husband.
1. Road from Copiel
2. Abbey Gatehouse, BS8 barred Porter
Porter Ind Mo 5", Fa 5/10, TR +2, SR + 1, D-5, C-4, W -3, A -2,Ob 1.0, Me +2 – 0 = +2
Carries a lantern
3. Abbey Porch & lockable BS7 door
4. Abbey nave
5. Abbey Tower monk on watch in daytime
6. Stable
7. Stable
8. Courtyard with well
9. Storehouse
10. Cloister with cells on 1st floor
11. Chapterhouse
12. Hostel Brother Cook, Simnel and Flambert. Party plus Abbot, Prior & Chaplain Kros.
13. River Dengle flows west at 1” rate. Fordable here at half move rates
14. Bridge guarded by palisade tower Roal & 3 militia billmen They have a lit torch plus spares.
Roal Ind Mo 6", Fa 7/14, TR +1, SR + 1, D-4, C-3, W -2, A +2, Ob 1.5, Me +1 -2 = -1 1st rd +2 st +3
Speaks Simnith
Billman Fol Mo 6", Fa 7/14, TR 0, SR + 0, D-4, C-3, W -2, A +2, Ob 1.5, Me +0 -2 = -2 1st rd +2 st +3
Speaks Simnith
15. 3 villagers Cots
16. 2 villagers Cots
17. 2 villagers Cots
18. Pigsty
19. Ruined cots
20. Village yard with well
21. Ploughed field BCC
22. Beans BCC
23. Ploughed field BCC
24. Ploughed field BCC
25. River Dengle flows west at 1” rate
26. Entry point for head Groom Bied & mounts
27. Hide
28. Bried’s position with mounts waiting for Squire Fier once he has arrived.
29. Bushes
30. Oak tree
31. High Thorn Hedge –4” to pass through
32. Oak tree
33. Fish Pond
34. Stable
35. Quince Orchard
36. Verston Manor House
37. Apple trees
38. Bushes
39. Furze bushes
40. Road to Claux entry point for Squire Gauntlet & party
41. Ruined Holm Manor House (belongs to Lady Sabine)
42. Bushes with hide beside them
43. Dead Holm Oak
44. Quince Orchard
45. Bushes
46. Knoll
47. Hide
48. Hide
49. Boundary Menhir (between Ware & Holm Manors
50. Bushes & birch trees.
51. Entrance point for Squire Fier & his squad.
52. Herd of 3 Pegasauri if within 12” will whinney in noisy panic and fly away opposite direction!
Naturally when such important personages call at the Abbey, the Abbot Pacific and his Prior Severity will dine with them. They are served by the chaplain Kros. The Ladies are served by their abigails and Squire Robert by Toxo. These servers receive the food and drinks from the abbey lay servants. The hobilars sit at the lower table unaccompanied as in these straitened times there are few travellers.
THIS ACTION TAKES PLACE AT NIGHT IN DDL LIGHTING .
Individuals can be seen at 12” parties at 18” identified at 6” (DDD seen 3”)
Lights seen line of sight. Candle illuminates 3”, chandelier 5”, Lantern 5” Torch 5”.
Tax Assessor D6 for when Bried arrives at the West edge of the Boise Chevalid with the spare horses. P.28 6. 2300, 5. 2330, 4. 2400, 3. 0030, 2. 0100, 1. 0130.
Hugh C6 for when Squire Gauntlet arrives on the table edge with his force.*
6. 2300, 5. 2330, 4. 2400, 3. 0030, 2. 0100, 1. 0130
Squire Fier D6 for when Squire Fier arrives on the table edge with his force at P. 51.
6. 2145, 5. 2200, 4. 2215, 3. 2230, 2. 22245, 1. 2300
Sir Leon D6 when Fier reaches table edge P. 51
5+ squad reported immediately by Miss Tawny, 3+ reported when within 12”, 2- not seen until within 3” when dice for hearing them D6 +F 4+ raise alarm 3- surprised.
Ligon Neuserk 12” 12 cu Bea Mo 8”, Fly 8”,Fa 6/12, TI 4, TR +5, SR –1, D –5, C –4, W –3, A +1, Ob Fly
Me +4 –1 = +3 st –1 speaks carnivore.
Swarm of 6 units Vampire Bats seeking blood from moving creatures.
Bats will attack wounded first up to 3 victims D10 + Basic me –6 = units destroyed bats
Each unit of attacking bats drinks blood affecting fatigue points (- 1 / 2) it takes a days rest to restore each.
D6 +F Hvy & Plate –2, Medium –1, Light 0, unclothed +1
P.52 3 Pegasauri Bea, 8c Mo 12, Fly 8”, Fa 6/12, TR -3, SR -2, D-5, C-4, W -3, A -1, Ob Fly Me –2 – 1 = -3 st –1 speak herbivore
1. Flambert is caught red handed administering poison by cook & brought to Abbot
Flambert is caught red handed administering poison by cook & brought to Porter
Flambert is caught red handed administering poison by cook who does not realise
it is poison but sacks him on the spot and replaces the contaminated food.
2. Flambert poisons food but is arrested when Clarisse’s Unstirrer makes it smoke!
Flambert poisons wine but is arrested when Clarisse’s Unstirrer makes it smoke!
3. Flambert breaks down and confesses that he has poisoned the food to Morgana before delivering it! (Secular law)
Flambert breaks down and confesses that he has poisoned the wine to Morgana before delivering it! (Secular law)
Flambert breaks down and confesses that he has poisoned the food to the Abbot before delivering it! (Church Law)
Flambert breaks down and confesses that he has poisoned the wine to the Abbot before delivering it! (Church Law)
4& 5 Flambert is too scared to do anything!
Each Hobilar saving D10 – P. Strength = 1+ OK, 0 vomits –6 Ft Pts takes AvD moves to recover. Minus values = poison strength. If emetic taken it reduces P.st by 1, if correct antidote taken reduces P.st by 3. D10 – P.st each for each succeeding hour.
If 6+ improve a level. subtract 1 from next P.stt, 3+ subtract 1 from next P.st, if 0+ no change, if –1- drop a level
Levels: Whole, Tired (-6 fat pts), Dazed half moves –4 melee, Asleep, Coma, Dead!
Flambert poisons the hobilars wine. AvD +1 for strength, D6 moves to discovery
Each Hobilar saving D10 – P. Strength = 1+ OK, 0 vomits –6 Ft Pts takes AvD moves to recover. Minus values = poison strength. If emetic taken it reduces P.st by 1, if correct antidote taken reduces P.st by 3. D10 – P.st each for each succeeding hour.
If 6+ improve a level. subtract 1 from next P.stt, 3+ subtract 1 from next P.st, if 0+ no change, if –1- drop a level
Levels: Whole, Tired (-6 fat pts), Dazed half moves –4 melee, Asleep, Coma, Dead!
The Action in Words and pictures