Dame Morgana & Grand Duchess Maudette

Following their return from Claux things were pretty hectic in Charles with the preparations for the coronation. Morgana had the pleasure of sending the Representatives of the Delvon Parlement back over the border so that they would miss the coronation feast! She also had to try and ensure that there was not too much violence between the various nationalities come for the occasion. She was glad when Don Incio, Lady Willow and their company came with her cousin Don Carlos for the festivities. Then she had to act as Marshal of the Lists at the tournament following. She was one of the first to hear off the news from Caphtor and the impending crusade but had to remain silent about it. She met Incio’s prickly new wife Donna Robyn once more and said farewell to them both, as they went their separate ways. Amongst many others she wrote letters to her mother at Crogh and the Sektarar Bronwyn at Narchburz. Then there were all the preparations to be made selecting, arming and provisioning Bara’s crusading force. Morgana sent off messages to her agents seeking news about the war and Don Incio’s movements but little was heard until the 19th. Then she heard that Don Incio had sought the regicide Sir Flamen Swyn at Tor Cadwel in Elysia without success. Also that Squire Simon Ommange had been killed but replaced by a knight from the Lawic host.

   A rumour was heard that the hero Sir Bertrand Lambert had died on hearing that Sir Christopher had been arrested for treason. Dame Melusine was ordered to write to the heir, Sir Terence Lambert asking for confirmation of this rumour. No reply was received!

    Maudette waited until the armies were all away before announcing her choice for a husband. This was Doze Handor of Oblivia, declared on Restday the twenty-first of the Tenth Moon. The problem was that they did not know where he was! He had gone back to Oblivia but where and whether he was going to go on the crusade or not, was not known! Messengers were sent of to seek for him and proclamations were made throughout Bara.

   On the twenty-second Maudette held the trial of the dissidents taken at St. Rollo and Claux. First was that of Sir Christopher. He tried to demand trial by battle with his accuser Dame Morgana. However Maudette had read enough of his own, Vicar Barnabus, Sir Corbyn and the Wizard Krookid Wai’s accounts to reject this out of hand. She found him guilty of a dozen offences and sentenced him to death by beheading. All his estates were confiscated into Maudette’s own hands. Next was Vicar Barnabus and Bishop Uhtred tried to intercede for him.  It was agreed that he had been led into his militant resistance by Sir Christopher’s evil machinations. However Maudette decreed that his initiating the attempt to poison the Tax Assessor’s party showed murderous intent. As a concession as he was a churchman, she ordained that he undertake the ‘trial by water’ used in the past against heretics.

Abbot Pacific admitted that he lied when he claimed that he did not know where his brother Sir Leon was. He gave the strength to him of Morgana’s force, in order to warn Sir Leon. He mentioned the presence of Lady Sabine only because he knew Sir Leon had befriended her in the past. He denied that he had known anything of any plot to kidnap her. Squire Gauntlet, Sergeant Curt and Miss Blondie all spoke of this in their evidence. In the end Maudette fined the Abbot 300 Gilden Pezzi and allowed him to return to his Abbey. In an act of clemency Maudette pardoned all the others who had admitted their misdeeds. Sir Corbyn, Squire Gauntlet, Krookid Wai, Lady Erisse and several soldiers and servants were taken into the Grand Ducal Service.

   On the twenty-third of the Tenth Moon Sir Christopher was beheaded at dawn. Vicar Barnabus failed to survive the trial by water. Thrown from the walls, he had to swim the river with his hands and feet tied. He had had his iron cross returned, to be tied around his neck but it failed to assist him! Maudette dubbed Squire Robert Fissure a knight and made him her Steward of Claux Hold. She also dubbed Squire Fier Feulle and made him Steward of Verston Manor. For the present Dame Morgana would be tax collector of Claux. This was not a post she sought as she had plenty of other work to occupy her! Also she worried as to what dangers Don Incio and her half sister Lady Willow might be encountering. 

   On the twenty-fourth of the Tenth Moon Lady Willow contacted Morgana by use of the Cobret palantyte ball. Clarisse had been manning the argent mirror every dawn for weeks and this was the first contact! It gave the news that Don Incio had a paladin’s sword and that they had slain over thirty foes. These included Sir Flamen Swyn and the Grand Master of the Order of Hagoth!        

She repeated that Squire Simon was dead and that Willow herself had broken her leg. Morgana knew that the Juanta of Stetia intended to send a large supply fleet for the crusade. Since Elysia was hostile it was important to find if the port of Agetsu in Hunara would accept their Lawic ships. She also wanted to know what they had done with the Urca Dame Morgana, as such a large ship could carry a lot of supplies. Willow said that it had left Bashorth on the Fifteenth with another ship and with Commander Knull in Command.

 A further message on the 26th claimed that with elf support they had killed three dragons and Countess Jerush! Morgana well remembered that witch, whom she had best known in her disguise as the diminess Snowflake Mosshovel. Jerush in another guise had actually captured Morgana for a short while, whilst they were in Horg. Good news but obviously Incio’s force was still in great danger. The Agetsu situation was uncertain and no news had been heard of the Urca.

 Dame Melusine sent another letter to Sir Terence Lambert, reminding him that if Sir Bertrand was dead, he was due to swear the oath of fealty and pay the requisite heriots. Again no reply was received! Morgana began to fear an attack on Charles and called in as many troops as she could including those at Claux.

 Sektarar Bronwyn sent a letter saying that Donna Robyn thought she was pregnant and could she inform Don Incio. This she was able to do on the third of the Eleventh Moon. In the exchange Willow was able to tell her that peace had been established in Gelu. Don Incio was to be the Stetian Ambassador in Agetsu and so their perils had ceased.  

Then Princess Maudette told her that she intended to go into Thentis to accept two manors due to her!

   These manors of Surmener and Cuisant had been given to Maudette by her stepfather King Reginald. When he was dead and Maudette arrested for witchcraft, the church of Eru had taken them over. They had been given to the St. Judas and Chiaran Orders. After Maudette defeated Basylt, King Eudes had confiscated them from the church and offered them back to Maudette as a peace offering. The problem was that since they were in the Duchy of Rathen she would have to pay heriots for them and accept them as under the Duke of Rathen as overlord. The Chancellor Ecco Macchinario was for taking them in the expectation of selling them soon afterwards. “For the best price of course! Since the church had began building a Preceptory there they might well make a good offer!”

 Morgana fretted “But think of the dangers your Royal Highness! Who knows what Eruvian fanatics we might encounter going there? If the Lambert’s get word of our going they may try something too! I am sure we are going to have to fight them at some stage and Airvault is a mighty stronghold!”

 “Madam Marshal you worry overmuch! One would expect most keen Eruvians to be away fighting in the Monseigneur’s crusade. It may be better to go now than when they have returned! Besides I have had word that Duke Robert and his wife Marie, Eudes sister, are very willing to meet me there!” 

Later the Duchess Marie wrote that a Sister Sincerity from Cruas Abbey had warned her that the Ommange, Decre and Lambert families plus others intended to ambush Maudette’s force at Rues.

Dame Melusine then suggested that they delay the trip for a few moons. Morgana on the other hand suggested that they go in force to try and settle the matter in the open!

 Maudette agreed with her, saying that she could wear her armour again and impress on all Morval Earth that she was a true warrior Grand Duchess! Sir Richard Nogent suggested that perhaps they should wait until after her marriage, so that her new husband could bring some forces to help. Perhaps even some of the giant war elephants Oblivia was rumoured to be training! But “We won at Verreric without any elephants! Are you insinuating that we are not capable of defeating a few dissidents?” 

 So Dame Melusine was ordered to write that the Grand Duchess and court would be arriving at the manors on the ninth or tenth of the Eleventh Moon. Morgana was glad that due to her experiences and training her abigail Clarisse was now secure riding normally. Only at the gallop was she likely to come off. 

 They prepared to leave Charles on the Eighth in as great a mounted strength as was wise. They went via Longstreet and St. Visseile. They camped for the night just short of the Thentian border. On the Ninth they passed through Montpezal and had Rues village in sight by mid afternoon.

  

      It is a sunny (SUN) windless day with dusk 1700-1730.

Dice for when you arrive on the table, 1600 + D20 x3 minutes

 

Grand Duchess Maudette’s Force (30 all mounted)

Maudette, Dame Morgana, Dame Melusine Dinegre, Lady Sabine Flaneur, Lady Clotilde, Sir Richard Nogent, Sir Desmond Fraicheur, Sir Robert Fissure, Sir Fier Feuille, Sir Gilbert Puscule, Squire Gauntlet, Squire Henri Duval, Sergeant Neville, Head Groom Bried, Toxo, Mistress Lys, Mistress Clarisse, Lunn, 2 arbalisters & 10 hobilars = 30

 

Grand Duchess Maudette Lea Mo 9"(4"), Fa 7/14 (3/6), TR +1 (+3), SR -1 (+4), D-5  (-7), C -4 (-6),

W -3 (-5), A -2 (-2) Ob 1.2 (0.6) Me -2 -0 +2 = 0 sword st 0 4th Level magician 4MPU per move

Spells Blinding Flash, Counter Spell, Detect Magic, Disarm, Forget & Reverse, Fit of the

Giggles, Inflict Vertigo, Mouthwash, Smoke Screen, Ignite, Fire Missile.

Carries Banner +1 to morale

Dame Morgana Lea Mo 10"(6"), Fa 7/14 (6/12), TR +1 (+4), SR -1 (+3), D-6  (-5), C -5 (-4), W -4 (-3),

A -1 (0) Ob 2.2 (1.0) Me +3 +1 +2 = +6  M sword Strike +2. Vinkalik parry 7+ strength 6.

Unicorn Harold will attack any creature on the Command "Deer!" Me +3 -1 = +2 st +1

3rd Level magician MPU's 2 per move, max 12. Gown Shimmer 3+ TI 4 -1 to ops in melee

Spells Smoke Screen, Revulsion, Cling, Stranger Sensing, Use Palantyr, Strike Dumb & Reverse,

Vertigo. Speaks Simnith, Edin, Kharsh (P) reads Tengthin

Dame Melusine Off, Mo 12"(5"), Fa 7/14 (5/10), TR 0 (+1), SR -1 (+3), D -5 (-4), C -4 (-3), W-3 (-2), A 0

 (+1), Ob 1.4 (1.0), Me -2 -1 +2 = -1 staff stun st 0, Speaks Simnith, Edin reads Tengthin

Unicorn Hilda will attack any creature on the Command "Deer!" me +3 -1 = +2 st +1

Sir Desmond Fraicheur Off, Mo 11"(5"), Fa 6/12 (5/10), TR -1 (+3), SR -2 (+2), D -6 (-7), C -5 (-6), W-4

(-5), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +2 +0 +2 = +5 sword st +0 Shield Parry 7+ st 4

Sir Richard Nogent Off, Mo 11"(5"), Fa 6/12 (5/10), TI 2, TR -1 (+3), SR -2 (+2), D -5 (-6), C -4 (-5),

W-3 (-4), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +3 -1 +2 = +4 Lance st +2 sword st +0 Shield Parry 6+ St 4

Sir Robert Fissure Off Mo 10"(5"), Fa 5/10 (5/10), TI 2, TR -1 (+2), SR -2 (+2). D -5 (-7), C -4 (-6), W-3

(-5), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +2 -2 +2 = +2 1st Rd +3 Hvy Lance st+1 Axe +2-1= +1 st +2 B –2

Shield parry 7+ St 4 Speaks Simnith, Edin Reads Tengthin.

Sir Fier Feuille, Destrier, Off, Mo 10"(5"), Fa 5/10 (5/10), TI 2, TR -1 (+2), SR -2 (+2), D -5 (-7), C -4

(-6), W-3 (-5), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +2 -2 +2 = +2 1st Rd +3 Hvy Lance st +1 axe (-1) st+2 Breach –2 Shield parry 7+ St 4 Speaks Edin, Simnith reads Tengthin tinderbox.

Sir Gilbert Puscule Destrier, Off Mo 10"(5"), Fa 5/10 (5/10), TI 2, TR -1 (+2), SR -2 (+2), D -5 (-7), C -4

(-6), W-3 (-5), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +2 -2 +2 = +1 1st Rd +3 Hvy Lance st +1 sword st 0

                Shield parry 7+ St 4 Speaks Edin, Simnith reads Tengthin

Sergeant Neville Rouncey Ind, Mo 11"(6"), Fa 6/12 (6/12), TI 1TR -1 (+2), SR -2 (+1), D -5 (-5), C -4

(-4), W-3 (-3), A -1 (+1), Ob 1.0 (1.3), Me +2 -0 +2 = +4 sword st 0, Shield parry 7+ St4 carries Tinderbox Speaks Edin, Simnith

Lady Sabine Flaneur Palfrey, Off, Mo 12"(5"), Fa 7/14 (5/10), TR 0 (01), SR -1 (+1), D -5 (-4), C -4 (-3),

W-3 (-2), A 0 (+1), Ob 1.4 (0.8), Me -3 -1 +2 = -2 dagger st 0, Charm

CI 3 E3 I3 M4 G4 I2 L2 D3 Speaks Simnith, Edin (P) Reads Tengthin

Lady Clotilde Mo 12"(5"), Fa 7/14 (5/10), TR 0 (+1), SR -1 (+2), D -5 (-4), C -4 (-3), W-3 (-2), A 0 (+1),

Ob 1.4 (1.0), Me -2 -1 +2 = -1 dagger st 0,

Mistress Lys Palfrey, Ind, Mo 12"(5"), Fa 7/14 (5/10), TR 0 (+1), SR -1 (+1), D -5 (-4), C -4 (-3), W-3

(-2), A 0 (+1), Ob 1.4 (1.0), Me -2 -1 +2 = -1 dagger st 0, Charm I +2

E5 I4 M5 G3 I5 L4 D5, Speaks Simnith, Edin, Reads Tengthin

Mistress Clarisse Palfrey, Ind, Mo 12"(5"), Fa 7/14 (5/10), TR 0 (+1), SR -1 (+1), D -5 (-4), C -4 (-3),

W-3 (-2), A 0 (+1), Ob 1.4 (1.0), Me -2 -1 +2 = -1 dagger st 0, Charm E4 I5 M3 G4 I3 L4 D3,

Speaks Simnith, Edin, Reads Tengthin 3rd Level Magician 3 MPU per move.

If moving faster than 12” Must D10 0 falls off faster than 10” falls off on 1-.

Spells: Detect Magic, Charm Sing, Magic Bolts, Breaching Bolts, Sterilise, Odour of Sanctity,

Ease Pain, Missile deflection Zone, Shatter Glass or Pottery. First Aid Satchel

Toxo the Archer Rouncey Fol Mo 11” (6”), Fa 6/12, TR 1, SR + 0, D-5, C-4, W -3, A +1, Ob 1.2, Me +0 -0

= 0 sword st 0 longbow 6"4+, 12" 5+, 18" 6+, 24" 7+, St -3, 10 arrows. 1 Fatigue point per shot

Squire Gauntlet Destrier, Off Mo 10"(5"), Fa 5/10 (5/10), TI 2, TR -1 (+2), SR -2 (+2), D -5 (-7), C -4

(-6), W-3 (-5), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +2 -2 +2 = +2 1st Rd +3 Hvy Lance st +1 sword st 0

                Shield parry 7+ St 4 Speaks Edin, Simnith reads Tengthin

Squire Henri Duval Destrier, Off Mo 10"(5"), Fa 5/10 (5/10), TI 2, TR -1 (+2), SR -2 (+2), D -5 (-7), C -4

(-6), W-3 (-5), A -1 (-2), Ob 1.2 (1.0), Me +1 -2 +2 = +1 1st Rd +3 Hvy Lance st +1 sword st 0

                Shield parry 7+ St 4 Speaks Edin, Simnith reads Tengthin

Arbalister Lunn Rouncey Fol Mo 11” (6”), Fa 6/12, TR –2 (0), SR –2 (0), D-5 (-5), C –4 (-4), W –3 (-3),

A –1 (+1), Ob 1.0 (1.2), Me 0 – 0 +2 = +2 sword st 0, Speaks Simnith. Latch crossbow Mounted

4" 6+, 8" 7+, 12" 8+, 16" 9+, 12 quarrels st -4. Fires alternate moves.

Hobilar Rouncey Fol Mo 11” (6”), Fa 6/12, TI 1, TR –2 (0), SR –2 (0), D-5 (-5), C –4 (-4), W –3 (-3),

                A –1 (+1), Ob 1.0 (1.2), Me +1 – 1 +2 = +2 1st rd +2 spear st 0, shield parry 7+ St 4. 

Speaks Simnith

Arbalister Rouncey Fol Mo 11” (6”), Fa 6/12, TR –2 (0), SR –2 (0), D-5 (-5), C –4 (-4), W –3 (-3), A –1

                (+1), Ob 1.0 (1.2), Me 0 – 0 +2 = +2 sword st 0, Speaks Simnith Latch crossbow Mounted 4" 6+,

8" 7+, 12" 8+, 16" 9+, 12 quarrels st -4. Fires alternate moves.

Bried Rouncey Ind Mo 11” (6”), Fa 6/12, TR –2 (+1), SR –2 (+1), D-5 (-5), C –4 (-4), W –3 (-3), A –1

 (+1), Ob 1.0 (1.2), Me 0 – 0 +2 = +2 sword st 0, Speaks Simnith, Edin

 

To the Introduction

The Umpire's Stuff

Sir Eustache's Briefing

Sir Terence's Briefing

Duke of Rathen's Briefing

The Action in pictures and words

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