Wednesday Pendragon Campaign

Session 003 - The Empty Castle and the Forest Ambush

5 min read

In-game year: 480

missing synopsis, inferred from memory and other entries

Summary

Months after their deadly encounter with hillmen and the ogre in the Forest of Gloom, the surviving squires return to service as Salisbury reorganizes after heavy losses. They are placed under Sir Jerem, the calm and just castellan of Duplain, and dispatched on a discreet political mission: investigate Lady Ellen of Winchbank as a potential marriage match for Count Roderick of Salisbury (who has no wife or heir).

The Riders on the Road

Traveling east through Logres, the squires notice a group of four knights and their squires shadowing them at a distance. Beonred (Beon) recognizes the arms: gold and blue with a fox rampant—the coat of arms of Sir Blaine, steward of Levcomagus in the lands of Duke Ulfius of Silchester. Though Sir Jerem suggests they may simply be traveling the same road, the squires remain wary. Millicent observes the riders appear unready for open battle: no drawn weapons, no battle armor, and lances packed.

The Empty Castle

Arriving at Silchester Castle, the delegation finds the fortress eerily quiet: empty stables, missing laborers and servants, and a sparsely populated town. They learn why—Silchester’s duke has marched south with nearly every able-bodied man in response to Saxon activity near Hampshire, leaving only a skeleton household.

The Woman in White

While keeping watch near the gates, Liam witnesses a white-cloaked, hooded woman arrive before sunset. She makes a hand sign; the guards bow and admit her without question. She speaks to no one and heads toward the castle tower. Noah suggests white-cloaked women are sometimes associated with the Ladies of the Lake (rumor), an ancient order tied to sacred sites. No one else in the castle seems to know her identity.

Dinner at Silchester

Dinner is strange due to the reduced household: the squires dine alongside the Duchess of Silchester, her ladies-in-waiting, and a handful of pages and servants—an unsettling mixing of ranks. The squires learn Lady Ellen of Winchbank is fourteen, sole heir to her father’s lands, and considered by some to lack the wit for court life. Beonred (Beon) also notices several tall, blonde ladies-in-waiting whose appearance strongly suggests Saxon nobility—possibly daughters of Saxon chieftains. Sir Jerem urges caution: accusations would violate hospitality; instead, the squires must investigate discreetly.

Ambush in the Forest

The next morning the party continues east toward Winchbank, traveling through Purdue Forest. Several squires notice movement in the trees just in time to avoid surprise as Saxon Warriors (Purdue Forest) attack: carls with javelins and axes and heavily armored huscarls—the Saxon equivalent of knights. The attackers hurl javelins before charging, and a chaotic mounted battle erupts.

Scene / Beat Log

  • Months pass; recovery; squires reorganized under Sir Jerem
  • Mission: discreetly evaluate Lady Ellen as match for Count Roderick
  • Shadowed on the road by riders bearing Sir Blaine’s arms (Levcomagus)
  • Reach Silchester Castle; discover it’s nearly empty; duke marched south due to Saxon activity near Hampshire
  • Liam witnesses the Woman in White admitted with deference; Noah suggests Ladies of the Lake connection
  • Dinner intel: Ellen is 14, sole heir, not court-savvy; possible Saxon noblewomen among attendants
  • Depart Silchester; travel through Purdue Forest
  • Ambushed by Saxon carls and huscarls; mounted battle begins

Battle Notes (as of session end)

  • Noah delivers a devastating mounted spear strike, dropping a Saxon.
  • Beonred (Beon) attempts a mounted charge, fumbles, impales his spear in a tree, and is thrown from his horse.
  • Assterius charges but fails to land a solid blow.
  • Millicent fights fiercely, is struck hard, knocked from her horse, and wounded.
  • Liam wounds a Saxon after calling on his sense of honor.
  • Sir Jerem kills one Saxon and forces another to consider surrender.

Consequences & New Facts

  • Count Roderick seeks a politically advantageous marriage; Lady Ellen is a candidate
  • Silchester is depleted due to mobilization against Saxon activity
  • A white-cloaked woman is present and treated with deference (possible supernatural/political significance)
  • Potential Saxon ties within Silchester’s household (ladies-in-waiting)
  • The delegation is ambushed in Purdue Forest by organized Saxon forces (carls + huscarls)

Timeline entries to add

Next: Session 004 - The Lady’s Secret and the Feast at Winchbank

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