Chapter 1 - The Raid of Mywick

General Summary

Once upon a time, there was a High King over the lands of Albion. He was called Oswulf the Longsword, known for the strength of his sword arm. He united the lesser kings of the land against Danen invaders. The Danen king, named Ormulf, tried to raid the city of Anfeld, but paid the price. High King Oswulf threw Ormulf into a snake pit for his treachery, and the sons of Ormulf ran back to their homelands within the Dragonscale mountains.
As Oswulf passed, he was succeeded by a great wizard named Percen the Wise. However, without Oswulf, the lesser kings of Albion began to quarrel again in search of power, quickly forgetting their war for liberty against their invaders. Percen denounced their disunity, proclaiming none of them would become the high king. Then, he placed Oswulf’s sword within the Stone of Fell, and proclaimed whoever was worthy of pulling the sword from the stone would be the High King of Albion.
Percen passed, but no man or woman was able to lift the sword from the stone. The great houses of Albion continued to fight, forgetting about the Danens whom they wronged and believing in the safety of their dispersed numbers. They believed they no longer needed a High King. They were fools.
For the cries of Ormulf’s sons were heard over all of the Dragonscale Mountains. The blood of Ormulf attracted the attention of a great serpent, Gromherjek, who vowed to consume all the lands for it’s blood and gold. He led the Sons of Ormulf, a Great Heathen Army, in their songs of vengeance, south to the lands of Lisanricia as the winter came.
Still there is no High King over Albion. Danger looms over these lands, yet the day still awaits for the one worthy of lifting the sword from the stone… a High King to save Albion from it’s doom.

It was a rainy November afternoon as Uhtric and his companions (Aethelflaed, Nilrem, and Olof) entered the city gates with a few other visitors like Brother John and Caoimhe (or, for Ardor himself, returning home). They were greeted by Eogun MacOncett, a knight of the city. He was friendly with Uhtric, stating he had not seen him in years. Ardor tried to make company with John, but John told him he had "no reason" to talk to him, which insulted Ardor. Eogun escorted the party to the main mead hall beyond the castle gates. They met Queen Edith Swansong, who was grateful to see them. Uhtric presented himself before the queen with honor, though John was not so eager. Edith was merciful toward John "for the night". She offered the party to enjoy the festivities.
Uhtric decided to do some sparring, where he faced a character named Liam the Lucky. Liam got an edge over Uhtric at first, using his natural luck to dwindle his health, but with some cheating at the help of John, Uhtric gained an upperhand and smote Liam. Liam was knocked out, and Uhtric proved his prowess. Uhtric regained himself as the queen announced the food was going to be prepared. There the party noticed Sir Roderick, who seemed very disapproving of the entire situation. The Queen told him to relax, and then gave a toast to their meal of thanksgiving.
The party ate, and conversated between themselves. There they noticed the knights of the city getting incredibly drunk (at Sir Roderick's disapproval). Edith took out her lyre and began to sing the Lay of the Swan-Wife. As the party settled down, the Queen turned to her six visitors (and Nilrem as well). She began to explain why she brought the group to her party, emphasizing the need for secrecy. She told the party of the Curse of Ormulf, who, when killed in the snake pit, cursed the nation to also be consumed by a great serpent. Edith feared the safety of Albion, especially when there was no High King. She asked the party to find the man or woman worthy of lifting Pendragon from the stone.
After their meeting, the queen went to bed. Uhtric, however, felt things were off. Instead of sleeping, he took watch. A few hours into the night, he heard shouting out in the distance from the town. The rest of the party was awakened, and Ardor saw smoke in the distance from the town. He was immediately concerned for his family's library. He went to run toward it, but was stopped by a small force of Danen men, ready to kill them all. Nilrem stood behind, saying he would protect the queen. The party got into a fight, but were joined with Sir Roderick and his remaining men. Uhtric and the guards of Mywick fought off the Danen. Ardor used his familiar Ash to see through him and fling magic missiles, while he hid behind a building. Eogun charged on his personal horse toward the vikings and slew some of them, but a viking killed his horse and critically wounded him. Uhtric healed Eogun, and Eogun grew big (using his Giant magic) to defeat some archers. Caoimhe sent a Flaming Sphere to wound the remaining viking armies. Eogun grabbed some of the archers and threw them at each other.
When that fight was over, the party got surrounded by Harald the Horrible and his brothers, as well as the Great Heathen Army. Harald mocked them for thinking they stood a chance against the raiders, and ordered his cleric, Jorvik, to send the party and the knights to an early death "to meet with our Raven Queen." Jorvik then raised a dagger, asked for the blessing of the raven queen, and ordered the Danen men to march, while Harald rode off with his horse.
Caoimhe sent a totem of a bear to rejuvenate the party, and then shot an ice knife at three of the berserkers. The scuffle continued, the cleric Jorvik trying to hold person Uhtric, and John using his clerical powers to fire a powerful Guiding Bolt at the viking men. Ardor used his Tides of Chaos to make a shot of magic missiles at the cleric, and a surge made him regain some of his magical prowess. Aethelflaed fought bravely with her rapier in the front lines, but was significantly injured by a viking with a greataxe. Eogun used his giant strength to intimidate one of the berserkers to stand down, and the rest of the adventurers finished off the viking men as some of them retreated.

Dragon Attack by Dale Martin

The threat over, the party turned back to the city gates to see if the queen was alright. Yet what they found was terrible: a huge invisible figure dropped his magic, revealing himself to be Gromherjek Kin-Eater. The dragon mocked the party, allowing them to see Queen Edith, who was found dead, burnt to a crisp, and Nilrem was nowhere to be found. Ardor stood up to Gromherjek, but was bitten by the dragon and knocked out. The dragon claimed himself to be the "new high king over Albion", saying Mywick was the first city he was to conquer. Uhtric did not desire to stand down to the dragon, but John proclaimed loyalty to "the new king" which angered Uhtric. Finally, Eogun spoke up, telling the dragon that they would surrender, but on the condition that the people of Mywick would be able to flee. Gromherjek accepted the terms and let the party leave.
As the party met up with the evacuees, Ardor was tended by his parents, but Uhtric was left flabbergasted. He asked Roderick if he saw Nilrem, and Roderick claimed that Nilrem left with the evacuees, and told him he had "business in Weawich", and teleported away. This left the party with many questions. How was Mywick so unprepared to deal with this? Why did the dragon show up now of all times? And why did Nilrem seemingly abandon Queen Edith? What will they do about the people of Mywick, now seemingly homeless?

Date (in world)

Nihlestra 24th, 4350

Report Date

19 Sep 2021

Player Characters

Uhtric Godwinson, human Paladin of the Crown and the Earl of Beton. Once he was scarred by the Danen for defending his hometown, and has sworn to protect Albion with his life.

Aethelflaed Aelfling, half-elf Swashbuckler Rogue and barmaid. She is an entertainer of all sorts, but loyal to Uhtric her earl.

Ardor Pelota, dark elf Wild Mage and Wizard. He is a prolific student of evocation magic (especially fire) and a bit of a prodigy. He is joined by his familiar Ash, who has a bad attitude.

John Harvard-Hemming, half-elf Trickery Cleric. A very logical man, John has been seen as a nihilist, having little moral sense yet devoted to his mysterious god.

Caoimhe Kirkpatrick, human Shepherd Druid. Caoimhe is fanatical about myths and legend, but has been sent on a quest by the Ents of Kirk to stop a legend from being created. She is joined by her wolf ally, Fenrir.

Eogun MacOncett, human Rune Knight. Eogun comes from a clan with no claim to fame in the lands of Keller. Armed with Giant runic magic, Eogun seeks to make a name for his family within the lands of Albion.

Allies

Olof Onneson, Mountain Dwarf Warrior. Olof is a blacksmith and retired soldier. He taught Uhtric how to fight. He was brought out of retirement due to the Battle of Beton and has been by Uhtric's side ever since.

Nilrem, tiefling Moon Druid. A mysterious old man who raised Uhtric and taught Caoimhe, he is known for being a powerful shapeshifter.

The Lay of the Swan-Wife

Oisin fondly by the pond

Spotted a swan of the awned.

Beauty beyond all women alone

That fate had well blown

Into his sight that fateful day

Alone and by the bay.

The ear of Cardia listened.

Before Oisin the swan glistened.

First was the legs to change

Into a form that was strange

Until the beat of her throbbing chest

Came to finally rest

In the naked form upon the beach.

For one another each,

Now there was man and wife.

And long and happy was their life.