Damn Elf Press

Here are notes on my solo game using Matt Jackson’s Arneson Gaming. I’ll be using Mythic GME and other oracles for the game.

I’ve created my PC, Sir Mathias, knight bachelor of Oakwood Castle. He needs some backup, so I’ve created a squire for him.

–Squire Jack–

I picture Sir Mathias’s squire as wearing light armor (leather) and carrying a sword and crossbow. He would also have a shield to give to Sir Mathias if the knight breaks his shield. I want Jack to be quick to react and good with the crossbow. This will complement Sir Mathias’s combat abilities.

So for traits…quick reflexes and excellent crossbowman would be appropriate.

Here is Squire Jack’s stats…

—Squire Jack— 6hp (4 for health, 1 for leather armor, and 1 for shield)

Traits – quick reflexes, excellent with crossbow

Gear – leather armor, shield, sword, light crossbow, 20 quarrels, backpack, cloak, beltpouch, flint/steel, rations (3), torches (3), bandages (3), waterskin, riding horse, saddle, bridle, saddlebags

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It is a cloudy day as the rain fell in the midlands. Jack wished his master, Sir Mathias, would remain by the warm hearth at Oakwood Castle. He knew that the young knight was eager to build his reputation. Sir Mathias had just recently earn his spurs and now was ready to prove himself. Jack was ready to support his master and learn what being a knight means. Someday Jack would earn his own spurs and serve a liege lord of his own. Hopefully it would be Sir Mathias. The knight was always treated Jack fair and was an honorable man. So many times, Jack had heard stories of knights who used their position to rob and harm those who were defenseless. He couldn’t see Sir Mathias doing that.

The rain turned to a drizzle and then slowed as the two adventurers reached the village of Abelford. It was about 5 miles south of Oakwood Castle along the King’s Road. The sun was coming out and villagers were coming out to continue their daily chores. The midlands were safer for common folk, more so than the holdings in the north. The odd goblin or two may skulk about on a moonless night, but large raiding parties of orcs were not to be seen. Bandits, yes, but no evil humanoids.

Q: Who approaches Sir Mathias and Jack? [Using the UNE, The Universal NPC Emulator I find it is a “generous actor”. I roll for power level and result is “slightly weaker”. I decide it is a young girl, part of an acting company.]

A small child studied the riders, Jack on his riding horse, and Sir Mathias on the warhorse. The banners of Oakwood Castle were prominent on their livery. Green and yellow with a black symbol of a great oak tree on each shield.

“Good morrow, Sir. Are you a knight?”

“Nay, little one,” Jack smiled, “but my master is.” Jack jerks his head back towards Sir Mathias.

“Would you and your master wish to stay to see our performance? My family are presenting the Tale of Sir Kernan and the Wolf. I have a part…I’m going to be the young squire of Sir Kernan!”

Jack laughs, “You and I are much alike then, little miss. We both serve mighty warriors! I will ask my master if we shall stop for a bit and partake in your play.”

Q: Is this something that Sir Mathias would stay to see? (Likely) d100=56 -> yes. => They will stay to watch the play and then find lodgings for the night.

Sir Mathias is offered a seat as guest of honor near the makeshift stage. The alehouse sits nearby, beside the village green. The entire village has turned out to watch the play. It is an entertaining drama recounting the tales of chivalry of Sir Ferlin, a wandering hedge knight. The play ends with the young knight slaying a large wolf. The villagers throw a few copper coins to show their gratitude. Sir Mathias throws several silver coins to the players. Jack does the same, tossing a silver piece at the young girl’s feet.

“Well done, young lady! You shall be starring in the next production, I’m certain.”

“Is your lord a hedge knight, Sir?”

“Nay, little one. He is a young knight serving the lord of Oakwood Castle. Though not a hedge knight, he is brave and skilled with his weapons.”

Jack continues, trying to get some information from the girl, “We seek adventure on this very road. Have you or your kin seen anything to which a knight would attend?”

Q: Any rumors? (Very likely) d100=60 -> yes. [I roll on a wandering monster table I have customized for the midlands of my campaign world of Reuel.]

“Well, Sir, we passed a couple merchants and a priest making camp several miles south of here last evening. Father was going to stop at their camp for the night, but he said they gave him an odd feeling. So, we rode on until we came to Aberford.”

Q: Do Sir Mathias and Jack investigate today? (Very likely) d100=96 -> No! => They will wait in Aberford for the night and perhaps these men will ride into the village.

Q: Do they come this way? (50/50) d100=27 -> yes => Three men arrive in the evening. One is a priest and the other two are merchants. The leader of the trio is a priest of Eos. Under his travelling cloak are the robes of a servant of Eos. [Using the UNE Npc generator…it is a villain disguised as a priest, an obnoxious charmer. I don’t know what that exactly means? Perhaps he shows disdain for some folks and flatters others. The other two men are his henchmen, both bandits.]

Q: Does the fake priest try to fool Sir Mathias? (50/50) d100=84 -> no => the “priest” does his best to steer clear of the knight.

Q: Does Mathias notice something odd about the priest and his companions? Here I will roll a contest between Mathias’s traits and the priests. 2d6 for Mathias vs 3d6 for the priest. I’m giving the priest an edge because I feel he has a knack for deceit. Roll= 7 vs 7…a tie. Mathias is wary but needs more time to observe the priest.

Sir Mathias and Jack watch as the wagon pulls into the village. The priest hops down and scowls as he looks at the village. His servants take down his bag and order one of the villagers to carry it to the nearest suitable lodging. Sir Mathias decides to stay in the village for the night to keep an eye on them.

This concludes my solo play for now. Next time, I will recount the night of misadventures in the village of Aberford.