Session 016 — Player Synopsis — Wilderspool / Hag of the Dead
Linked chronicle page: Session 016 - The Centurion-King, the Well of Wilderspool, and the Hag of the Dead
Ælflaed’s mission
Ælflaed (Eosa’s daughter) claims she was sent by her husband (Sussex) to sacrifice herself by throwing herself down a well at Wilderspool (far east). Supposedly this would grant Saxons respite from the Thuringi and their Hunnic masters. She moves via magical slippers (teleport/inhuman speed).
Brodin the Centurion-King
On the road north to York, the party meets King Brodin of Malahaut and his army. He’s Brytho-Roman, wearing his grandfather’s Roman legatus armor; disciplined tactician. He offers refreshments and is courteous.
Parley at York
Using Ælflaed as entry, the party meets Eosa “the Giant” Horsason and Saxon elders.
- Eosa says a Cymric man with grey hair and blue eyes (matching Merlin) suggested taking York.
- Eosa asks the party to investigate the Well of Wilderspool and offers 5 gold now + 5 on return.
- Eosa offers Brodin unconditional surrender of York; Brodin is offended but (at Millicent’s urging) rides south to meet Uther to air grievances.
The hanging knights
Traveling toward Wilderspool, they encounter hanging knights: first one (rope through hauberk), then two, then three, then a clearing with 13 knights hanging in a circle around a mound of bodies.
An old woman rummages the bodies and says she wants to eat their brains. Millicent calls the charge.
The hag’s clearing fight
Traps are set throughout:
- Drustin’s horse Brass is killed by a trap.
- Millicent clears the trap and critically hits the hag.
- Ælflaed teleports into combat and is knocked unconscious.
- Geraint is struck badly but stays mounted.
- Assterius is critically wounded.
The hag collapses and dies from strain; Millicent cuts off her head.
Aftermath: the infants
In the clearing, they find a cradle with three babies and a mortar/pestle used to grind brains. Assterius and Ælflaed need chirurgery.