# D&D – game 2 (Mediaeval English background)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [March 21, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278 "2008-03-21T22:22:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/81 "2008-03-26T20:26:45Z")

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[QUOTE=glee]  
Cadogan tells you that a gold piece buys 20 pints of Ale or 4 pints of Mead. Beer is cheaper than both, while wine is more expensive.  
Behind you, you notice Marian emerging from the copse. She follows you but keeps her distance.  
[/QUOTE]

To Cadogan, “Sounds like I will be buying lots of beer today.”

Nods to Marian, “My Lady.” After a pause and to hang back briefly, “If you wish to be elected Sheriff, I think the actual voters will need to see and hear you. Who actually has the vote?”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/82 "2008-03-26T20:39:46Z")

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[QUOTE=What Exit?]  
To Cadogan, “Sounds like I will be buying lots of beer today.”

[/quote]

You notice Simon has a broad smile on his face. 😃

[QUOTE=What Exit?]

Nods to Marian, “My Lady.” After a pause and to hang back briefly, “If you wish to be elected Sheriff, I think the actual voters will need to see and hear you. Who actually has the vote?”  
[/QUOTE]

Marian looks embarrassed. :o  
She is dreading going into Oakham and also admits she doesn’t know who can vote. She just knows that Gisbourne must be stopped.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/83 "2008-03-26T20:43:53Z")

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Hulgfar looks over at Ergj says, “It appears that this is to busy of a place to get any real work done, but the contest will finish later.”

He then heads over to the offered food, and begins to eat and drink heartily.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/84 "2008-03-26T20:46:17Z")

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I catch up to Simon, “Simon, what can you tell me of the upcoming election for Sheriff? Who votes in this election?”

I assume we are walking to the temple as we discuss.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/85 "2008-03-26T21:06:16Z")

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[QUOTE=What Exit?]  
I catch up to Simon, “Simon, what can you tell me of the upcoming election for Sheriff? Who votes in this election?”

I assume we are walking to the temple as we discuss.  
[/QUOTE]

Simon (as he says, luckily for you) is an expert in these matters. 😉  
He says that it’s a wonderful thing in Rutland. It used to be that only nobles decided who ran things. Later citizens (freemen who owned property) could vote. But Edith Weston, the High Priestess, has said that now everyone who is old enough should help decide things.  
So there will be voting in all the towns and villages. The High Priestess herself will travel and count the votes personally. (Simon adds that she will have to eat a lot of food, because everybody likes her. 🙂 )  
Simon says that everybody knows that Sir Guy Gisbourne (the Lord of the Manor) wants to be Sheriff. But nobody can hold both posts at the same time - that’s the law.  
Simon adds that he’s building up a really big thirst…

You arrive in Oakham, noticing that there are guards at the gates (wearing a mailed fist symbol). However they are letting in everyone and content themselves with staring at you.  
You soon reach the Temple…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/86 "2008-03-26T21:13:37Z")

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[QUOTE=wolfman]  
Hulgfar looks over at Ergj says, “It appears that this is to busy of a place to get any real work done, but the contest will finish later.”

He then heads over to the offered food, and begins to eat and drink heartily.  
[/QUOTE]

Hulgfar and Ergj, happily eating the Temple food, notice a strange group arriving at the Temple.  
It consists of:

- a human in Chain (with a Bastard Sword, Mace, Dagger and Crossbow), riding a fine Warhorse. The Warhorse looks exactly like the one Gawain has.
- a human in Leather with a Staff and sling. He is followed by an obviously trained Bloodhound, has a Kestrel on one arm and some sort of small animal in a pocket.
- four peasants, who all look very happy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/87 "2008-03-27T01:31:55Z")

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“Cadogan, do you have contacts at the temple that can help us with the election bid?”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/88 "2008-03-27T02:28:22Z")

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(Just to sum up the current situation)

Temple of Heimdall, Oakham

In a side room, just off the entrance hall, Crumlin is offering refreshment to **Hulgfar** , \*\*Ergj \*\* and **Salazar**.  
Just outside the doorway, **Aciryas** is talking to **Gawain**. Next to them is **Hans** , who is talking to young Jack Baker.  
**Cullen** and **Cadogan** have just arrived at the Temple (with Simon and three other peasants). Marian is a little way behind.

(I’m happy to give Gawain, Cadogan and Aciryas more time to say what they want to do. But it’s not critical, so I’ll move it along if I don’t hear from them.

N.B. If anyone would like a reserve to play their character for a little while, I’m certain Appleciders would oblige!

Given that everyone has now effectively met up, you can reread the thread and assume your character knows everything that’s been said in public.  
The only conversation that I think was confidential is between Hans and Jack…)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/89 "2008-03-27T15:17:35Z")

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[QUOTE=glee]  
(Just to sum up the current situation)

Temple of Heimdall, Oakham

In a side room, just off the entrance hall, Crumlin is offering refreshment to **Hulgfar** , \*\*Ergj \*\* and **Salazar**.  
Just outside the doorway, **Aciryas** is talking to **Gawain**. Next to them is **Hans** , who is talking to young Jack Baker.  
**Cullen** and **Cadogan** have just arrived at the Temple (with Simon and three other peasants). Marian is a little way behind.

(I’m happy to give Gawain, Cadogan and Aciryas more time to say what they want to do. But it’s not critical, so I’ll move it along if I don’t hear from them.

N.B. If anyone would like a reserve to play their character for a little while, I’m certain Appleciders would oblige!

Given that everyone has now effectively met up, you can reread the thread and assume your character knows everything that’s been said in public.  
The only conversation that I think was confidential is between Hans and Jack…)  
[/QUOTE]

Give me a little bit of time to catch up on the thread and get the whole story in my head and I should have no problem keeping up until the weekend. If anything crucial starts to happen over the weekend (when my computer will be in transit to the new apartment) I am more than happy to let someone else make decisions for my character for those couple of days. I should be back full strength by Monday.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/90 "2008-03-27T15:45:57Z")

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[QUOTE=NAF1138]  
Give me a little bit of time to catch up on the thread and get the whole story in my head and I should have no problem keeping up until the weekend. If anything crucial starts to happen over the weekend (when my computer will be in transit to the new apartment) I am more than happy to let someone else make decisions for my character for those couple of days. I should be back full strength by Monday.  
[/QUOTE]

Ok, I am set

Aciryas fills Gwain in on the full backstory of what is happening and takes him to Crumlin for a formal introduction.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/91 "2008-03-27T15:52:36Z")

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[QUOTE=NAF1138]  
Ok, I am set

Aciryas fills Gwain in on the full backstory of what is happening and takes him to Crumlin for a formal introduction.  
[/QUOTE]

**Crumlin** happily invites **Gawain** and his squire **Hans** inside to meet **Hulgfar** , **Ergj** and **Salazar**.  
Recognising that **Gawain** (like **Aciryas** ) has a Temple Warhorse, **Crumlin** asks Jack Baker to take both horses to the nearby stables and make sure they are given top treatment.

( **Crumlin** also recognises that **Cadogan** is riding a Temple Warhorse, but he hasn’t been introduced to him yet…)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/92 "2008-03-27T16:07:43Z")

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I am on hold waiting for Cadogan to make introductions I believe.

I do formally wave hello and bow to the others at the gate, “Pardon, but my friend here is a member of your temple. Perhaps something can be done for his horse?”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/93 "2008-03-27T18:13:44Z")

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[QUOTE=What Exit?]  
I am on hold waiting for Cadogan to make introductions I believe.

[/quote]

[Yes, that’s correct.  
As Little Plastic Ninja is busy, she has kindly agreed that Cadogan can be temporarily subbed. I’ll start..]

[QUOTE=What Exit?]

I do formally wave hello and bow to the others at the gate, “Pardon, but my friend here is a member of your temple. Perhaps something can be done for his horse?”  
[/QUOTE]

**Cadogan** also attracts the attention of **Aciryas** and **Crumlin**. He identifies himself as a Ranger on Rutland patrol for the Temple (they greet him) and also introduces his new acquaintance **Cullen** (who has travelled far to see the Rutland Water Kestrels).

**Crumlin** gets Jack Baker to take all three Temple Warhorses to the stables (he offers to include **Hans** ’ pony in this) and then invites the newcomers to join him.

Marian discreetly comes up and Crumlin bows and invites her for refreshment as well.  
It turns out they know each other because Crumlin is responsible for the Heimdall Shrine on the forest track between Oakham and Uppingham and Marian practically lives in the forests.

(So now the whole party are together in the Temple.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/94 "2008-03-27T18:38:55Z")

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Although everyone in the room outranks him, Crumlin is still confident and particularly thanks those who have come to help him and Aciryas.

He explains that there is a forthcoming election for Sheriff of Rutland and that the distinguished Druid Marian (Marian blushes :o ) and himself are two of the candidates.

There is a third candidate and also the person in charge of proceedings is the High Priestess of the Temple, Edith Weston.

Crumlin says that the High Priestess is keen to explain the proceedings to the candidates and their supporters. He invites everyone to relax while he sees if the High Priestess (and the third candidate) are available…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/95 "2008-03-27T21:57:55Z")

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[QUOTE=glee]  
Although everyone in the room outranks him, Crumlin is still confident and particularly thanks those who have come to help him and Aciryas.

He explains that there is a forthcoming election for Sheriff of Rutland and that the distinguished Druid Marian (Marian blushes :o ) and himself are two of the candidates.

There is a third candidate and also the person in charge of proceedings is the High Priestess of the Temple, Edith Weston.

Crumlin says that the High Priestess is keen to explain the proceedings to the candidates and their supporters. He invites everyone to relax while he sees if the High Priestess (and the third candidate) are available…  
[/QUOTE]  
Erjg listens to Crumlin, quietly nibbling on refreshments. He says quietly to Hulfgar, “What is it that he needs of soldiers like us? I have no skills in such matters of politics.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/96 "2008-03-27T22:40:48Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=glee]

Crumlin says that the High Priestess is keen to explain the proceedings to the candidates and their supporters. He invites everyone to relax while he sees if the High Priestess (and the third candidate) are available…  
[/QUOTE]

Cadogan (who knows her) offers to tell the High Priestess of the gathering, so Crumlin nips out to get the third candidate…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/97 "2008-03-27T23:10:31Z")

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Crumlin soon returns with a bald, elderly male human. Acting as the man’s escort are six troopers (all wearing the mailed fist symbol).  
Crumlin introduces the man as Ceorl Cuthbert Brown.  
Cuthbert stammers “Honoured citizens … please call me ‘Curly’ … everyone does.”

Erjg makes an ALERTNESS roll - and notices Jack Baker trying to inconspicously overhear the conversation.

Next a tall male human wearing Chain with a longsword strides into the room, followed by another six guards. His shield carries the emblem of a mailed fist.

Crumlin, Aciryas, Marian and Curly all stand up.  
The guards already in the room snap to attention.  
Gawain makes an ETIQUETTE roll and stands up.  
Hulgfar makes an ETIQUETTE roll and stands up.  
The rest of the party catch on and rise too.

The man speaks “Oh, be seated. Can’t stand on ceremony, can we?”  
He glares expectantly around the room, apparently thinking he’s been witty. The guards all obediently laugh in unison.  
The man continues, nodding in her direction “Druid Marian.”  
Marian acknowledges and returns the nod “I have the pleasure of introducing the Lord of the Manor of Rutland, Sir Guy Gisbourne.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/98 "2008-03-28T00:37:42Z")

</div>

\*\*Cullen \*\* follows the protocol but mainly eyes up the potential enemy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/99 "2008-03-28T02:57:12Z")

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[QUOTE=fluiddruid]  
Erjg listens to Crumlin, quietly nibbling on refreshments. He says quietly to Hulfgar, “What is it that he needs of soldiers like us? I have no skills in such matters of politics.”  
[/QUOTE]

Hulgfar gives Erjg a quick subtle look, uses his eyes to gesture towards the newly entered guards, and silently moves into an attentive position behind Crumlin.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-game-2-mediaeval-english-background/442278/100 "2008-03-28T05:56:45Z")

</div>

As Paladud is busy, he has kindly agreed that Gawain can be temporarily subbed.  
I’ll do that for a bit…  
(N.B. if any readers of this thread want to have a go at Gawain :eek: 😃 , please e-mail me, or post in the set-up thread.)

Appleciders has kindly agreed to run Cadogan for a couple of days.  
Thanks to him for standing by patiently. 🆒

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