Excerpts from annual Knight’s Council
by David R. Schumpert IIIIn my current 5e Mystara game, we've been starting in Karameikos and developing Penhaligon, particularly fleshing out the backstory of our version of Lady Arteris. This resulted in the following scene in our in-between live sessions play:
4 Nuwmont 1000 A.C. – Throne Room, Low Palace, Duke’s Stronghold, Specularum –
Excerpts from annual Knight’s Council
Arteris Penhaligon comments.
Baron Ludwig von Hendricks snaps: “Quiet woman! It is not as if you have a right to speak here. I know Stefan never knighted you, yet you claim the style of knight which you have not earned. Your father’s toy soldier knightly order does not give you that right.”
Shocked Silence (being a false knight is a huge and scandalous accusation for Baron Von Hendricks to make, however, if true, Arteris being a false knight would be an even bigger disgrace that would destroy her politically and likely make her a pariah in Karameikos and beyond. Additionally, for Baron Ludwig to, in a formal setting such as Knight’s Council, leave out the Duke’s title and address him so familiarly is a best a huge faux-pas, but more likely to be interpreted as a direct slight. And finally his comment about her father’s order is a huge insult to the honor of Arteris, her father and every member of the Order of the Three Suns,)
Outburst of laughter from Lord Cornel Osteric. His laugh is condescending and cruel and has no joy or mirth in it. Laughing jag is interrupted by Duke Stefan.
Stefan: “Enough! Lord Ambassador, control yourself!”
Osteric gets laughter under control.
Stefan: “A grave accusation has been made before this council. Lord Cornel would you care to enlighten us on just what is so Immortals damned funny here?”
Osteric: “Of course, Your Grace, but I will need to beg your and the Council’s indulgence for a few minutes to explain.”
Stefan, curt nod: “The Ambassador of the Empire of Thyatis is recognized. Explain yourself, man!”
Osteric: “Yes, your grace.” Turning to Von Hendriks, “Baron Ludwig, your knighthood is of Thyatian origin is it not?”
Von Hendricks: “A fool states the obvious. Everyone here whose knighthood predates Stefan’s deal with the Emperor is of Thyatian origin. What of it?”
Osteric: “At this point Your Grace I beg your indulgence for a few minutes entertainment which in the proper context should prove enlightening.” Lord Cornel turns away from the Duke “Get me a minstrel!”
A few minutes murmuring as three minstrels produced from the crowd in the gallery. Lord Osteric steps over to speak with them. After some nodding, the three take up position before the high table and two uncase instruments. They play and sing harmony as the third, a young elven man with a strong clear baritone, sings a ballad. (DC 10 check history to recognize the song. Written around a decade ago in Thyatis and has become a bard’s standard in the time since. DC 15 reveals to have been written by the late Sir Horatius Kerendas, former heir to the Duchy of Kerendas)
[Story in ballad:
The coming of a huge red Dragon to the County of Halathius, and many moths of its depredations. Eventually Sir Horatius, accompanied by a young squire, comes to face the dragon. Epic battle, Sir Horatius mortally wounded. Young squire kills dragon, saves knight and carries him back from the battle, despite being gravely wounded as well.
Big twist, helmet reveal, squire is a young woman. “The Maiden Knight of Halathius” is then knighted by the Emperor.]
After the last notes fade, the Thyatian Ambassador speaks again.
Osteric: “Lady Arteris, please step forward.” Everyone looks at her (she is clearly angry) then at Duke..
Duke Stefan: “Lord Cornel, How much further indulgence do you need to explain yourself?”
Osteric: “Just a moment more, Your Grace, if the Lady cooperates”
Stefan: “We agreed to give the Lord Ambassador leave in his explanation of this matter, however our patience with this spectacle is wearing thin. Lady Arteris, step forward and assist the ambassador.”
Arteris steps forward clearly furious.
Osteric: ‘Dear lady, please bare your right shoulder.” Scandalized gasps/murmurs rise from the assemblage. Atreris looks like she is going to object, but the Duke speaks.
Duke Stefan: “Proceed”
Arteris undoes her collar and shoulder buttons and pulls her dress down exposing a slender yet muscular right shoulder.
Osteric: “We will be needing a bit more than that.”
Arteris looks angrily at the Duke. Stefan nods sharply at her. Absolutely furious and possibly mortified, she pulls dress lower to expose a large angry scar just below her collar bone, an oblong angry ridge of punctured flesh some 3 inches long by 2 across. She slowly turns to show it to the council, with a defiant scowl.
Osteric: “Lords and Ladies of Karameikos, I give you Arteris ‘Fang-Riven’ the Maiden knight of Halathius, Knight of the Order Praetorian, Daughter of the Gladius, Myrmidatrix of the Sisters of the Sword, Member of the Brotherhood of the Grey Lady.”
After a moment to let pronouncement sink in:
Osteric: “Oh Ludwig, ever since you began your ‘comquest’ of the fief granted you by Duke Stefan, you just haven’t paid attention to anything back home in the Empire.”
Turning to the Duke and Council, Osteric: “Your grace, noble sirs, as Baron von Hendricks so kindly reminded us, Karameikos honors knighthood of Thyatian origin. So might I be so bold as to propose that, being knighted by the hand of Emperor Thincol himself, belonging to not one but two Thyatian Imperial Knightly Orders, as well as membership in two respected Thyatian warrior Societies, is more than sufficient to entitle DAME ARTERIS THE DRAGONSLAYER to claim the titles and status of knighthood anywhere she damn well pleases.”
To Ludwig: “what, You didn’t actually think the ONLY thing she did in her half dozen years being fostered in Thyatis was learn ladies’ court etiquette?” A second round of laughter, joined by some others in the court.
Duke Stefan turns to address Von Hendricks: “Now that Dame Arteris’ status is settled, cousin, as all here should well know, we are the Sovereign Head of the Order of the Three Suns. Lesser order of Chivalry or not, an insult to its members includes me.”
Ludwig, apoplectic: “I beg your pardon for casting aspersions on Arturus’ ‘knights’ and withdraw my comment, Your Grace.”
Duke Stefan: “Sit down Baron.”
Duke then proceeds to address Arteris. “The Grandmaster of the Knights of the Three Suns has been slain. When will the order be opening nominations for his replacement? As always only candidates who are both Knights Bachelor and Knight Commanders of the Order will be approved by the throne…”
In the year+ of play since this our party has helped Arteris become Baroness Penhaligon. It's been a fun campaign so far.
