In-game year: 481
Player synopsis
Summary
As winter begins to break, the companions remain in Caer Bannog debating whether to pursue the Wyvern of Idris overland or by boat. A letter from Count Roderick of Salisbury asks them to divert through Warwick to report on Lady Llylla (Shisha), another possible marriage prospect. After weeks, the company abandons the wyvern hunt for the time being and heads toward Warwick.
The death of the High King
On the road they learn devastating news: High King Aurelius Ambrosius has been betrayed and killed by Bedegraine while returning from Lindsey. In response, Uther Pendragon calls loyal knights to Leicester to muster for war. With Aurelius gone, the realm’s unity is shaken; Logres passes to the next Pendragon, but the High Kingship itself is elective, leaving a political and spiritual wound.
March into Bedegraine
The host marches to punish Bedegraine’s treason. Uther orders villages burned; the company rides through ash and ruin. At the siege lines before Bedegraine Castle they find familiar figures: Count Roderick, War Baron Ulfius, and a great host of loyal knights. The Duke of Cornwall has not yet arrived (weather delay).
Uther rages in camp, tormented by the loss of both Merlin and Excalibur as well as his brother’s death.
Millicent’s report (Eosa/torque)
Millicent realizes the significance of the earlier encounter with Eosa “the Giant” Horsason and the golden torque taken as ransom. She reports to Roderick, raising suspicions of a wider conspiracy involving Bedegraine, Malahaut, and Saxons—though there is no hard proof, and Bedegraine’s motive remains baffling. Roderick agrees to carry the concern directly to Uther.
Battle of Bedegraine
Bedegraine sallies forth to offer battle as Uther predicted.
Under Millicent’s command, the conroi first strikes Cambrian Archers, maneuvering to deny an opening volley and smashing the formation. The resistance is light, though Assterius is unhorsed by a later scattered volley.
After a brief pause for treatment (Asterius patched successfully; Drustin tended imperfectly), they face Malahaut’s knights in a more honorable contest. One foe humiliates himself by planting his lance and pole-vaulting onto the ground. The Malahaut knights fight with discipline and chivalry—no doubling or striking unhorsed men. The fighting lasts three rounds; Asterius is unhorsed again and more seriously wounded. Millicent scoops him up after the final charge and carries him back to the medical tents. The Malahaut knights are defeated.
Uther’s fury and Bedegraine’s collapse
As the battle ends, Uther commits a shocking act: he rides directly at the King of Bedegraine, leaps onto the king’s horse, saws off his head with a dagger, and drinks from the blood. Bedegraine’s will shatters; its army routs. Uther appoints one of his own knights as count over the devastated remnants.
Asterius lost
Though treated, Asterius vanishes from the medical tent in a fit of madness after failing to master his passions.
Lady Llylla of Warwick
The remaining knights continue through Warwick to investigate Lady Llylla (Shisha). They learn she is heir to three manors, famed for great beauty, and equally infamous for cruelty to servants; inheritance may be shared with a younger sister.
Uther crowned; Summerland threatened
A new muster is called at Sarum: Uther is to be made King of Logres. Immediately he turns his ambition toward invading Summerland, threatening a wider war that could consume the year.
Timeline entries to add
- (481) — Aurelius is betrayed and killed; Uther musters loyal knights at Leicester and marches on Bedegraine. (Source: Session 009 - The Death of Aurelius and the Fall of Bedegraine)
- (481) — Bedegraine is destroyed; Uther executes the king brutally and installs a new count. (Source: Session 009 - The Death of Aurelius and the Fall of Bedegraine)
- (481) — Asterius disappears after being wounded and treated. (Source: Session 009 - The Death of Aurelius and the Fall of Bedegraine)
- (481) — Lady Llylla (“Shisha”) is investigated at Warwick; Uther prepares to invade Summerland. (Source: Session 009 - The Death of Aurelius and the Fall of Bedegraine)
Next: Session 010 - The Silent Town of Wells and the Ogre of the Marsh