In-game year: 481
Player synopsis
Summary
Riding toward Sarum, the squires find Salisbury’s situation dire: an Irish host surrounds the city, commanded by Pascent (Vortigern’s son). Before committing to the warfront, they escort their wounded commander Sir Jerem to Duplain for proper treatment.
Scouting the siege
The squires reconnoiter the Irish siege lines around Sarum. Realizing they can’t break the siege alone, they seek the approaching relief armies of the Aurelius and Duke Ulfius of Silchester. Their search takes them to Clausentum, where locals report the High King’s army crossed the River Test earlier that morning.
After resting, the squires ride toward the relief force and eventually locate the combined armies near Downton (after accidentally circling the host).
The holy shield
Near Downton they find a small holy site marked by an inscription:
Angel ASStrelian guards the holy shield until the time the worthy come to claim it for a special deed.
Worthy in four things: honesty, justice, spirituality, and valor.
Within lies the Shield of St. Crispin (a silver holy shield). Drustin volunteers to undergo the test, declares himself worthy of the four virtues, and emerges bearing the relic.
The Battle of Downton
Battle is already joined as the relief army attacks the Irish siege lines. Millicent leads the group’s conroi. They destroy a unit of Irish kerns in two passes, then turn on archers supported by spearmen—Millicent maneuvers to prevent the archers’ volley, forcing them to fight as spearmen.
Beonred (Beon) is unhorsed and grievously wounded; Millicent lifts him onto her horse and carries him to safety. The conroi briefly withdraws so Beon can be treated.
The wyvern and the fight for the king
A Wyvern (Downton) appears overhead, seizes the High King, lifts him, and drops him from height, then lands near the fallen monarch. Pascent and his huscarls close in. Millicent orders an immediate charge to save their sovereign; the injured Beon recklessly rejoins.
In the chaos, Drustin and Liam attempt to lift the king onto a horse but both fall from their mounts. Pedivere secures the king onto his own horse and rides him away, with Millicent supporting the retreat.
Elsewhere, Assterius is badly injured and carried away by his horse; his spear is also damaged. Drustin’s spear breaks; he passes the Shield of St. Crispin to Liam, and the relic saves Liam from an otherwise certain death.
The fall of the wyvern
The conroi and allies stab the wyvern repeatedly. Despite being near death, Beon lands the final blow when it has only a breath of life remaining. Pascent’s group breaks and flees.
In the aftermath, Liam mounts the fallen wyvern and displays the silver shield as a symbol of victory—then he and Drustin immediately resume their Ellen-banter, even after the heroics.
Scene / Beat Log
- Reach Sarum region; confirm Irish siege under Pascent
- Escort wounded Sir Jerem to Duplain
- Scout the siege lines; seek relief armies
- Clausentum: learn the High King crossed the River Test
- Find relief host near Downton; discover holy shrine
- Drustin claims the Shield of St. Crispin
- Millicent leads conroi: kerns destroyed; archers neutralized
- Beon unhorsed; rescued; treated
- Wyvern attacks the High King; Pascent closes
- Charge to rescue; Drustin/Liam fall; Pedivere saves the king
- Assterius injured; spears break; shield passed to Liam
- Beon finishes the wyvern; Irish morale breaks
Consequences & New Facts
- Sarum is under Irish siege led by Pascent
- The Shield of St. Crispin is recovered and proven lifesaving
- Wyvern threat emerges on the battlefield and is slain
- Beon is grievously wounded but survives (treated)
- Noah is already dead from prior contact; the conroi continues regardless
Timeline entries to add
- (481) — The squires reach the Sarum siege, seek the relief army near Downton, and recover the Shield of St. Crispin. (Source: Session 006 - The Shield of St. Crispin and the Fall of the Wyvern)
- (481) — Millicent leads the conroi to rout kerns; Beon is unhorsed and rescued. (Source: Session 006 - The Shield of St. Crispin and the Fall of the Wyvern)
- (481) — A wyvern attacks the High King; Pedivere saves him; Beon kills the wyvern; Pascent retreats. (Source: Session 006 - The Shield of St. Crispin and the Fall of the Wyvern)
Next: Session 007 - The Vigil and the Knights of the High King