Wednesday Pendragon Campaign

Session 019 - The Well of Bargains and the Demon Princess

7 min read

Summary

In the wake of wintering in the City of the Legions, the conroi learns the wider war has turned grim: Uther Pendragon has been wounded, York is firmly Saxon-held, and Excalibur has been broken—shattered against Eosa “the Giant” Horsason without wounding him. With new mounts and replacement squires, the knights return to Wilderspool to resolve the mystery of the “true well” with the Latin inscription.

They identify a refurbished crossroads well whose original stones were discarded into a ruined Roman church; among the stones they find the inscription “Constantine Rex”—but this proves a false lead. Avoiding the fortified bridge, they ford north and find the ancient well bearing silver-lettered Latin: “Qui non dat quod habet, Dæmon infra vide” (“He who does not give what he has, the devil below sees”).

Millicent lowers Ælflaed’s preserved body into the well as an offering and prayer for her people; others add coin, prayers, and personal sacrifices. The well answers with silence.

Returning to York to report, the knights are received with ritual pageantry (wreaths like sacrificial adornment). King Eosa thanks them for “returning his daughter” — and then Ælflaed appears, carrying Liam’s druidic spear. Millicent and Assterius sense she is wrong: a hollow imitation. That night Millicent confronts the “princess,” which declares itself the “princess of the whole Earth,” promises vengeance and a thousand-year reign, and unfurls bat-like wings.

A desperate bedroom fight ends when Sir Geraint drives Eosa’s golden axe into the creature, pinning it to the bed. Peeling away its guise reveals a demonic visage; the sight drives Geraint into madness and he flees into the forest, pursued by Liam. The conroi regroups and escapes. Back at Sarum, Count Roderick sells the golden axe for £10 and shows the company three pieces of Excalibur. Worse, Merlin has vanished. The new quest is clear: find Merlin and/or restore Excalibur.

Player synopsis

Scene/Beat Log

  • War news and aftermath: Uther wounded; Excalibur broken; York held by Saxons; forces redeploy toward Silchester; Caerwent under Saxon pressure.
  • Madoc missing: after recovering, Sir Madoc slips away. Millicent learns he was kidnapped back in February: men sack him and throw him onto a boat. The bartender claims a “prince’s man” said Madoc was summoned by his father; the man is described as Bruce (policed moustache, spiky leather armor).
  • New squires / mounts: squires hired; horses replaced.
    • Drustin hires a squire for Geraint: Iorath (son of a rich nobleman). Geraint pledges to return the favor.
  • Return north to Wilderspool to untangle the “three wells and a pool” lead.
    • Crossroads well by a ruined Roman church: recently refurbished; peasants say a knight repaired it after killing an ox; old stones tossed into the church.
    • In the church ruins, an old stone bears the inscription “Constantine Rex.”
    • Other candidates: the tower well at the bridge; an ancient well north in the open.
  • The true well: the company fords north rather than cross the fortified bridge. The ancient well bears silver Latin inscription: “Qui non dat quod habet, Dæmon infra vide.”
    • Millicent offers Ælflaed’s body; then a coin and a prayer for Madoc’s safety.
    • Assterius offers Eosa’s bounty and a prayer.
    • Drustin offers to set aside his hatred of Sir Beefy (and tosses a coin).
    • Geraint offers to release hatred of Saxons.
    • Liam sacrifices his druidic spear.
    • No splash; no response.
  • Road to York blocked by an Angle army; the conroi detours through forests; they pass fields strewn with Brythonic dead.
  • York reception: wreaths placed; feast and ceremony; priests attend.
  • King Eosa greets them, embraces them, and offers them a place as huscarls; presents a golden axe.
  • A figure resembling Ælflaed appears with Liam’s spear. Millicent and Assterius sense she is not truly Ælflaed.
  • The conroi rejects huscarl service but agrees to a pact of friendship (Clasp of Friendship).
  • The reveal: Millicent confronts the “princess” in private; it proclaims itself the “princess of the whole Earth,” vows vengeance and a thousand-year reign; bat wings appear.
  • Battle in the bedchamber: Millicent wounds it; Drustin is disarmed; Assterius and Liam press the attack; Geraint lands the decisive blow with the golden axe as it tries to flee.
  • Aftermath: stripping the guise reveals a demonic face; Geraint goes mad and flees; Liam pursues.
    • In the forest, Liam attempts to force Geraint calm (nearly “baptism by drowning,” unsuccessfully).
    • Drustin reframes the victory (“you already killed it”) and helps bring Geraint back from the edge.
  • Return to Sarum/Salisbury: truthful report; axe sold for £10, proceeds distributed.
  • Roderick shows three pieces of Excalibur; reports Merlin missing; bids the knights: find Merlin and/or restore Excalibur.

Consequences & New Facts

  • The “true well” in Wilderspool appears to demand sacrifice/offerings, but answers indirectly (or not at all).
  • Something answered the well and took Ælflaed’s place in York.
  • Sir Madoc’s disappearance appears to be a kidnapping with a named lead (Bruce).
  • Excalibur is broken; Merlin is missing; the conroi has a new major quest.

Beginning of 487 — State of the Realm

The war against the Saxons has entered a critical phase, with multiple fronts active across Britain.

King Uther Pendragon, though previously defeated in the north, has reorganized his forces and begun a renewed campaign:

  • Uther himself marches east toward Londinium to confront Saxon advances.
  • Sir Madoc is sent west to Escavalon (Caerleon) to engage Saxon forces.

York and much of the north remain under Saxon control following Uther’s earlier defeat, and the political situation remains unstable. Despite this, there is a sense—perhaps premature—that the war may yet be turned.

At Sarum, Count Roderick of Salisbury holds what order he can among his knights, but grim omens dominate courtly talk:

  • Excalibur has been broken, shattered against Eosa “the Giant” Horsason without harming him.
  • Merlin has vanished, leaving no guidance in a time of greatest need.

Rather than joining the war directly, the company is tasked with a different charge: find Merlin and/or discover a way to restore Excalibur.

Unresolved threads linger:

  • The strange fate of Madoc (abduction/kidnapping before his current deployment).
  • The Wilderspool sacrifice and the bargain-well’s true nature.
  • The destruction of the inhuman “princess” in York, and any consequences that may follow.

Open threads / follow-ups

  • What exactly is the Wilderspool true well, and what bargain was made (or triggered)?
  • Where is Sir Madoc now, and what exactly is Bruce’s role/orders in Uther’s chain?
  • What are the consequences of the pact of friendship with Eosa after killing the “princess” in his hall?
  • Find Merlin / restore Excalibur.

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