Immersive Ink

tonneau wrote:
Gustave sallies forth...

waysoftheearth wrote:
Very well.

The company strides purposefully along the road, and soon comes around a low knoll and into plain sight of The Boar's pavilion.

It is much grander than it appeared from a ways off, all red and white with two masts sporting pennants that furl and snap in the breeze, displaying the boar motif boldly for all to see. The canvas structure comprises a 20ft diameter circular castellum attached to a 30ft long open fronted "hall" which faces a ring of blackened stones around the smoldering coals of great bonfire. Over this fire are a number of metal spits upon which whole animals must have been recently roasted.

There are half a dozen armoured men and as many others loitering about the camp, and more wary pair of guards on the outskirts of the camp who have clearly spotted you approaching.

One blows a short blast on a horn, and this causes the other fighting men to casually saunter over to see who might approach, and also (eventually), draws a herald to come scurrying out of the pavilion, still fussing to tighten his belt and straighten his robes.

When you approach to withing 30 yards of the herald and guards (a young fop, it would seem, with a disheveled thatch of blond hair), he hails you:

"Who does approach the seat of Sir Nathan Eberhart, Lord Protector of This Realm? State your name and your allegiance!"

tonneau wrote:
"I am Gustave", says Gustave, as if this should be self explanatory, "I hold alliegance to...well, me really."

"I see you have prepared a feast for me then", he adds, observing the steaming meat, "we have just lunched actually, but I suppose I could squeeze in come crackling", he concludes with a grin.

waysoftheearth wrote:
The fighting men shrug and shake their heads amongst themselves as if to imply "never 'eard ov 'im".

(Referee makes a reaction roll (2d6=7, total 8)

"Gustave of Mee...," the herald frowns dubiously, "And this... band...." he waves a cursory hand across the motley company, "... are...?" he bobs his head, searching for clues from Gustave as to the identity of this crowd, "...your... retainers?"

When Gustave flashes his customary smarmy grin in confirmation, the Herald clears his throat and bellows most formally:

"Sir Nathan Eberhart of Forst, Knight Protector of these lands, does challenge you, Gustave of Mee, or your champion, to a trial of arms until he who shall lose doth beg quarter.

Should you refuse, Sir Eberhart demands that you pay tribute of 100 silver pieces his hospitality, or that you instead turn back.

Should you accept and loose, your arms and armour shall be forfeit.

Should you accept and win, you will earn Sir Eberhart's hospitality for a night and a day.

What Say You? Gustave of Mee?"

heartless wrote:

danhem wrote:Ulric felt strangely happy being on the road again. While he still had much to learn of the knowledge they'd already gained, he felt eager to find more.

"We are running an errand to retrieve some artifacts," Ulric said to Rufus. "There may be some fighting to be done once we get there. Maybe even before; you never know with these lands."

"Now tell me. Did you find anything interesting in the vaults beneath Ket?"

Rufus been a bit slow at times, gets back to Ulric query.

"Pleased to meet you Ulric, you seem nice enough fellow, I like you", smiles Rufus up to Ulric.
"I'm not scared of a little fighting and am glad to help out old Wibert's comrades", says Rufus.
"Yeah... we found the vaults of Ket empty, open they where and picked clean. We stopped a few of them but then where overwhelmed and I'm lucky to escape with my life. Unlike poor Wibert so I hear. I say Ulric do you still have any of his stuff. Wibert had a magical pot set you wouldn't believe and he know how to use it. I would like to claim anything of his and return it to his family one day", asks Rufus.

tonneau wrote:
"Well I was rather hoping we could resolve our differences over a nice glass of ale actually", replies Gustave ,"but...since you insist..."

His voice shifts to a more imperious tone as he struts his stuff, center stage, "In the fair land of...Mee...we lordly sorts do not stoop to such martial activities as challenges ourselves but - we do indeed employ champions from time to time. So, I suppose I could accept such a wager if that will see us on our way."

He turns to face his 'retainers', scratching the back of his head for a moment, before turning again to the opposition.

"I would normally turn to my large-headed hobbit comrade here for such a purpose, but I fear he may be too much for your 'boar', so I think the honour will have to be given to my good man Dieter", he concludes logically.

"Oh Deee-ter", he calls melodically, waving the big man forward, "if you would be so kind as to provide the gentlemen with one of your astute demonstrations of the martial arts...?"

verhaden wrote:
Torben

Torben's stomach sinks low but for a moment. He tugs at his beard in an apprehensive manner and scans the crowd of Sir Eberhart's men. "Don't like boars--very dangerous." he mumbles to nobody in particular. "Glancing blows will get you killed."

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough bristles at being called a "retainer" and pulls his hood tight to hide his Elfish features.

coffee wrote:
Dieter grins, like a wolf. (Gustave has always amused him.)

"As you wish, my lord," he says, moving forward and preparing himself for battle.

ehiker133 wrote:

tonneau wrote: "I would normally turn to my large-headed hobbit comrade here for such a purpose, but I fear he may be too much for your 'boar', so I think the honour will have to be given to my good man Dieter", he concludes logically.

Hardly believing it himself, Desmond makes to step forward at the mention of "large-headed hobbit". Under his cloak, he glances at Gustave with a frown, unable to tell if there was any truth to his statement or if he was just having fun with the halfling again. Probably the latter. He spits. So does Mondes.