In-game year: 481
Player synopsis
- Session 007 — Player Synopsis — Nightly Business
- Session 007 — Player Notes Addendum — Feast Highlights
Summary
In the aftermath of the great battle near Sarum, the armies of Britain regroup. The wyvern, gravely wounded, escapes the battlefield; with the Irish broken and Pascent driven back, Sarum’s siege is lifted. In recognition of the squires’ bravery—especially rescuing the High King and slaying the wyvern—the Aurelius promises them knighthood.
The Return of the Holy Shield
The Shield of St. Crispin must be returned to the shrine near Downton. Millicent, Drustin, and Liam return the relic—whereupon an angel appears and reclaims it. Those who witness the miracle feel their devotion to God deepen, though its meaning remains mysterious.
The Knightly Vigil
Before knighthood, each squire undertakes the traditional vigil:
- Assterius stays awake, but experiences no revelation.
- Beonred (Beon) ignores the vigil, celebrates, and drinks heavily.
- Drustin attempts the vigil but sleeps through most of it.
- Liam, inspired by the angel, spends the night in prayer.
- Millicent completes the vigil and feels strangely energized afterward.
The Dubbing of Knights
At sunrise, the High King stands with the runed sword Excalibur. One by one, he administers the oaths, dubs the squires, and commands them to mount new warhorses.
- Millicent, Drustin, and Liam manage the traditional leap.
- Injured Assterius struggles.
- Still-inebriated Beon falls into the dirt.
Millicent notices her new charger is snow-white—a rare noble coloring—and names her Kingsgift.
The new knights receive an additional honor: they are appointed household knights of the High King’s household. Their formal allegiance now lies directly with the crown, though some still feel loyalty to their former lord.
The Fate of Winchbank / Lady Ellen
The Baron of Winchbank—newly knighted—has been killed on the field. The High King takes wardship of Lady Ellen of Winchbank, placing her under royal protection. This puts Liam and Drustin (both interested in Ellen) in closer proximity to her than under Earl Roderick.
The Great Feast
A victory feast celebrates the knighting.
- Millicent is seated above the salt (honor), the rest below.
- Earl Roderick asks the new knights their opinion on Ellen as a match.
- Millicent recommends her (capable, popular).
- Liam recommends the match.
- Drustin agrees but warns Ellen may be too independent/headstrong.
- Beon concurs.
- Assterius offers a praising poem; Roderick seems slightly uneasy.
The High King delivers a long political speech hinting at future retaliation against Ireland. The feast becomes a whirl of courtly encounters—dancing, mercy-talk, rivalries, flirtation, and mishaps.
Winter
Millicent receives a mysterious gift: fine barding for Kingsgift bearing her coat of arms in silver. The benefactor is unknown.
Timeline entries to add
- (481) — The Shield of St. Crispin is returned at Downton; an angel reclaims it. (Source: Session 007 - The Vigil and the Knights of the High King)
- (481) — The High King knights the squires and grants them household positions. (Source: Session 007 - The Vigil and the Knights of the High King)
- (481) — The High King takes wardship of Lady Ellen after the Baron of Winchbank’s death. (Source: Session 007 - The Vigil and the Knights of the High King)
Next: Session 008 - The Giant King of Deira and the Fairy Road