"Well, the land itself is probably no more wealthy than these lands here. You'd be suprised how much better off everything is when the gold is spread to the people rather than just the king."
I pet the baby bear, and nod to Peter about his comment. Then, I turn back to Robin.
"Who is the king in this region, who doesn't offer his wealth to share with the people?"
OOC:
Was getting the baby bear a skill for Tame Wild Animal or something, or just a straight animal magnetism roll? If it's a skill that I previously possessed from taming Harry, who was indeed a wild cat when I first met him, I'd like to add it to my sheet.
The mechanics were mentioned behind the screens--it was just an-mag. The bear is looking for a replacement for its mother at this point, and you've got a 2@ an-mag, so I thought you a likely candidate (creatures will like you immediately, frequently).
"Well, Richard is the King," Robin begins, and is interrupted by Peter.
"Although to hear of it, he hasn't much more money than we do." John laughs.
"Richard is being held somewhere in the Empire," Robin continues; "they say the ransom is a million pounds, and his brother Prince John claims the royal treasury doesn't have that much after financing the recent Crusade. The shire reeves are all putting a lot of pressure on the farmers and tradesmen in the shires, but the shire reeve in Nottingham is particularly hard. In these northern countries, farmers can't afford the levies he's trying to collect. Besides, he's not so hard on the Norman nobles and merchants as he is on the Saxon farmers and shepherds and other simple folk. But any who complain become criminals, and have to flee for their lives."
"Robin does what he can to even up the books," John interjects.
"It would be good to have Richard back, but then, John gets to rule as long as Richard is away, so he probably is not so eager to pay the ransom, and any excuse he can offer will keep him on the throne that much longer."
--M. J. Young
"Well, then..." I look down at the bear, and pet it on the head while I think. "I suppose I'll have to remedy the situation. But for now, why don't we head back to the campsite and enjoy this feast?"
If Robin and the others are willing to head back, I'll try to make conversation on the way. I'm trying to discover how many people are at their camp, what exactly they do to 'even up the books' and what weapons each of them are good with. I also just try to make a good impression.
I signal for Harry and the bear cub to come with me. If Harry seems to not feel safe, I carry him while we travel.
The bear cub lumbers along with you, meandering away and back playfully exploring.
The threesome laugh when you say you'll have to remedy the situation, and Robin says, "Your nation must be wealthy if you can provide a million pound ransom yourself."
Conversation is limited on the way back. The bear is very heavy, and even sharing the load it is much to lift. Also, your questions seem to be making your companions nervous. "You will see all this, in time," Robin says. "What use is the knowledge before the need?"
It is evident that each of these men are armed with a long bow and a quarterstaff, and Robin also has a sword.
Harry stays close to you and far from the bear as much as possible. He hisses at it once, which the cub doesn't seem to understand.
--M. J. Young
I see the men get nervous, and smile widely, trying to pass it off as a minor issue. "I apologize, I didn't mean to ask too much. I was just being curious is all." I look forward to spending time together.
I let Robin know why I was curious about the weapons: "I'm interested in learning. I myself am not very skilled with any weapons, but I'd be very interested in trying to learn the quarterstaff or longbow."
I try to help the group as much as I can to drag the bear carcass. "My kingdom is far away. I didn't mean to remedy it with my personal share of money. If you understand my meaning, Robin, why not just go behind the steward's back to get the money? I'm sure that he has the million somewhere if he has been taxing the people for so long."
"Ah, indeed. Alas, he saith he doth not, and there is no proof otherwise. Yet it seemeth not wise to me to attempt to raise a million pounds sterling by squeezing farthings out of farmers, when Norman lords wear gold jewelry on country rides.
"Weapons training? We show our merry men all the skills we can, and you are welcome to partake."
Whenever the conversation is finished, we'll get to camp (as in, I expect the walk to camp dragging the bear will take longer than anything you want to ask, so whenever you're done with the conversation we'll move to that).
--M. J. Young
I'm fine with ending the conversation here; however, I want to point out to Robin that my thoughts were on robbing the steward, rather than proving that he could indeed pay the ransom.
Let's get to camp-looking forward to it!
"Oh-ho!" John says. "We have a bold one, who would pilfer the royal treasury away from Prince John to provide a ransom for the King!"
It takes a few hours to get to the camp, by which time the sun is westering. It is mostly men in the camp, but there are a few women who are apparently wives of a few of the men, and they set to work butchering the beast and preparing it for roasting.
"We feast tonight," Robin says, "and cannot be charged with pilfering the royal deer." The men laugh at this. "We also welcome a new friend, Kurt, who wishes to learn from us and assist us in our work." A murmur of welcome passes through the crowd.
There are probably about thirty men here, perhaps ten women, and a handful of children. All you see of the camp is large fire circle and some cooking equipment.
--M. J. Young
I expect that practice for bowmanship is done as a group, so instead of worrying about learning, I try to socialize.
I introduce myself personally to everyone present, shaking hands even. Other than that, I merrymake with the group as best I can and just try to be comfortable with the lot of them.
After I introduce myself to everyone, I try to find Robin again and just hang out with him, Peter, and John for a little bit longer.
I also keep the bear cub near me, and make sure to let everyone know that he shouldn't cause any trouble. I try to convey to the bear that Harry is my cat and not to attack him. I do the same from Harry to the bear.
There are quite a few names, but the ones that are outstanding are Allan (who appears to have a stringed musical instrument), Tuck (whose clothes mark him as a cleric of some sort), and Will (who sports a bright red tunic and is good looking to the point of effeminate, with long blond hair and a bright unscarred face).
John, who is a large and formidable man, immediately heads off to bother the women for some food. Peter sits by the fire and starts telling the other men the tale of finding you and the bear in the woods. Robin is otherwise the center of attention, as men crowd around him with questions and requests.
At one point he pulls his head away from the questions and says, "Will, Kurt will be staying with us for at least a few days, I expect, maybe longer. See if we've got a place for him to sleep."
"Will he now?" Will replies, a note of suspicion in his voice. "Robin, you've got to be careful about bringing home strays. You never know if one of them might have hydrophobia."
He eyes you with more scrutiny, and says, "Come on, let's find a place for you to stow your property."
--M. J. Young
"It's nice to meet you, Will." I offer my hand to Will as well, when he approaches me. "I guarantee you, I have no such disease." I open my mouth, so that he can see my teeth.
"Thank you for showing me to this spot." I place my pack and belongings there, except for one handgun, which I take with me along with an extra clip.
The next person that I approach after putting my things away is Allan. I'm very interested in his instrument, and learning to play it as well. I express this interest immediately to the man. "You're talented, Allan. I'm Kurt, a travelling scribe. Could you perhaps teach me a little of what you're playing?"
"A scribe, thou sayst? I do not know what interest my songs would be to a scribe, but if thou wouldst hear the latest news, my lute and I will gladly comply. Or didst thou mean to be considering a change of profession, to become a minstrel thyself?"
--M. J. Young
"Both, as a matter of truth. All of the arts are skills to be respected greatly, and I wish to learn them all in time! I would like to hear the recent news as well as learn to play."
I smile to Allan through the whole conversation. This place is very interesting.
"Ah, but can a man master all in the meager term of years allotted him?"
*****
He strums the lute and begins to sing. The songs all tell of events throughout Europe. Some of the songs have the same melody, and one of them is set to the tune you recognize as Greensleeves (or What Child is This?), another to Oh, Danny Boy. The lyrics, though, are carefully crafted to fit the meters and rhyme effectively.
From this, you can glean the following information about the current state of the world:
- King Richard of England and Wales, son of King Henry II and Eleanor Aquitane, ascended to the throne in 1189 at thirty-two years of age, a distinguished warrior whose two elder brothers had already fallen in battle. Pope Clement III of Rome asked him almost immediately to lead the Third Crusade to free Jerusalem from Saladin. He left his twenty-two year old brother, youngest of the family, to run the country and provide funds for the battle. It is now 1192, and there are rumors that he has been taken and will be held for ransom. It appears that he was shipwrecked near Cyprus. Pope Clement had died, replaced by Pope Celestine III earlier this year, who did not like England anyway and had no reason to protect Richard after the failed crusade. Celestine crowned another Henry, the new King of Germany, to be Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI, and it appears that that Henry expects that custody of Richard is going to be transferred to him via his Duke Leopold of Austria. The fact that Richard had supported the factions opposed to Henry does not improve Richard's position. The ransom is rumored to be one million pounds sterling silver, but things are still happening. Allan's news is quite current, given the conditions of the time, but it is not clear where Richard is right now, only what path he is taking.
There is some tension between the English throne and King William the Lion of Scotland, although it was apparently settled by the Quitclaim of Canterbury before Richard began the crusade, in which Richard released certain lands conquered by his father and gave full civil authority over Scotland to its own monarchs, in exchange for a ten thousand "marks", a different currency.
In more recent news, Pope Celestine has decreed that the Scottish churches are independent of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
There is a very complicated relationship between England and France. William the Conqueror was technically the owner of Normandy, Anjou, and Brittany, as vassal to the King of France. That meant that Richard was King of England but Lord of Normmandy, Anjou, and Brittany as vassal of King Phillip II of France. Their feud was interfering with the preparations for the crusade, and so Richard signed the Treaty of Messina agreeing that this was their relationship in 1191.
Richard lost the Crusade, which was very costly for England in many ways; John has been trying to funnel supplies to him for over a year.
That's all the news that's fit to sing, I believe.
--M. J. Young
I clap Allan on the back, "That's indeed sheer talent, Allan. I believe that we will get along well during our own time."
I put a thumb to my lip after that, and continue:
"A man has only the time alotted to him, but some men have more than others. This time is indeed a problem, and perhaps we should remedy it in your situation? What do you say to finding a way for your songs to live eternal? I can exchange skills with you. I will teach you to read and write if you will teach me to play the lute. Time for time, my friend."
Then, I gesture to his lute. "What do you say?"
He smiles. "Few of my songs are my own; I learn them from other minstrels. I have written a few, mostly about Robin and his men, but Robin prefers I not sing them here--not sing them at all, I expect, since his notoriety increases the shire reeve's desire to end his work.
"Your offer is enticing, but I've no use for immortality and my job requires that I stay on the move, traveling as I may, and as lightly as I may, to share my news and learn from others. I depart on the morrow, bound for Dover to get news of the continent; everyone wants to know whether Richard is returning."
--M. J. Young
"Understood. That makes sense."
I decide that it is too late in the day and too early in the relationships to ask anyone in the group for any sort of training. I should allow them to build trust in me first as a companion.
I proceed to merrymake into the night with everyone. Unless something special happens, all I try to do during the night is to use my x-ray glasses to find out if they function here.
Other than that, I follow example and go to sleep when everyone else does.
How much did you use the glasses? In their own world they work "automatically", but in this world they're a skill check, so I need to create a skill ability level for you based on the fact that you learned to use them in that world.
The glasses seem to work.
Finishing your conversation with Allan: "Now, I'm curious about you. After all, a foreign gentleman, even a scribe, appearing in the northern parts of England strongly suggests that there's a story, or at least that he knows one. What brings you to England, Kurt?"
--M. J. Young
OOC:
I've used the glasses a total of two times.
1. Trying to eye the female agent who picked me up, she hid behind the male one.
2. Checking for armed individuals at the casino that Steranko was also at.
IC:
I put the glasses away, and continue to talk to Allan.
"Well, I actually never intended to come to England. It was an accident-the equivalent to a private vessel with only myself on it wrecking on an island that I did not know existed. However, if you want to know a story, I'd be more than happy to tell you the tale of Helen of Troy and the ancient myths behind the Trojan War."
I tell the tale from Eris's disruption of the wedding all the way to the fall of Troy itself, or at least as far as Allan seems interested in the story.
OOC:
I forgot to add this earlier in character creation: Along with knowledge of the Latin language, I picked up some extra tutelage in high school on Greek Mythology. It was for a club activity, and I won some tournaments through my knowledge in every year of high school.
Allan listens intently, then comments. "That's quite a spell," he says, "and ye remember it without the aid of melody or verse, which is the more remarkable. How do ye know ye have recalled it aright? And when did this happen?"
--M. J. Young
"My rector taught me the stories very strictly, and my memory is fairly capable. I studied the works for two or three years to know them thoroughly. I may change specific words here and there; however, every point of the story remains the same.
This tale takes place in Ancient times, which are before records were kept. It is meant as entertainment. The location was in Ancient Troy and a part in Ancient Greece. If you wish, Allan, feel free to take the tale and turn it into one or multiple songs for the entertainment of others."
Did anyone other than Allan stop by to sit while I told the story?
You had something of an audience.
"Entertainment?" The concept seems to puzzle him. "Nay, it's not very newsworthy if it happened that long ago. What difference maketh it to us today?"
--M. J. Young
"To add humor and joy to a crowd. It's a fantastic ancient story, and can draw larger crowds of listeners in. I gained a few to hear the tale without the accompanyment of music. You don't need to use it at all, I was just letting you know that you may accompany it to music to pass it on further."
I just realized something. I try to relax, close my eyes, and sense for any vectors other than my things and Harry.
"Oh, thou wouldst be a troubadour! Of course, being a scribe thou art undoubtedly more familiar with matters of court than of common. Yes, I can see nobles listening with rapt attention to such a tale unfolded in song. Alas, I will never have such an audience; certainly the shire reeve of Nottingham knows of the connection Allan of Dale has with his nemesis Robin Hood, and likely word will have spread to other nobles, perhaps even Prince John himself, although perhaps I flatter myself in that notion. Still, better to have too big a head than to lose it entirely."
You detect no scriff vectors which are not associated with your equipment or your cat.
--M. J. Young
"Hahaha, unless we change Robin's persona entirely. What if he were called the hero who ended the tyrant Johns reign instead of a bandit? I think he is just the man who could return Richard to the throne, with the funds that king John has been hording. I've made up my mind to follow whatever Robin wishes; however, I will always believe that he could pull off such a heist."
I back up and relax now, petting the bear and Harry. Has Harry become acclimated to the bear's presence?
"On the note of songs, though, what could I give you in return for teaching me the art of the lute?"
"Ah yes, steal a million pounds sterling from the royal coffers and deliver it to the Holy Roman Emperor--and in what shall we carry it?"
The men laugh at this jest.
"Nay, friend Kurt, if Prince John is hording a million pounds sterling silver somewhere, we'll not get so much as a ton of it without a lot more men than we have. Perhaps the Emperor will accept our pledge, if we deliver the ton and promise the balance, but who are we to make such promises, and how will we fulfill them?"
I think that to a cat a bear cub is like a very large puppy--a big animal that might want to eat him and is constantly sniffing at him and taking his food. It will take a while before Harry is remotely accepting of the bear cub. He keeps you between him and it, which sometimes takes some gymnastics, as the cub tends to go through active spells where he's sniffing all around you.
"Teach you the art of the lute in a night and a day? I doubt I could fair teach you to tune it in that time, never mind make tune from it."
The instrument has seven strings, the last an lightest single, the other six in pairs with the middle pairs matched but the top pair one heavier and one lighter. They appear to be made of gut, but for the lowest which has some suggestion of metal in it. The head of the instrument is at ninety degrees to the neck, and the violin-like wooden tuning pegs are arranged on opposite sides, four and three, with the head slotted akin to a classical guitar. The fretboard is solid and flat, like a fretless bass guitar perhaps, but there are cords of the same string-like material of which the strings are comprised tied at intervals along it to serve as frets. It is evident that these have to be placed and secured, and that they wear out and shift and have to be replaced periodically.
For what it's worth, this is a simple pre-renaissance four-course lute. The late Baroque lutes had as many as thirty-five strings, fifteen pairs and a single, with three heads at increasing distances from the bridge, angled less sharply, with most of the string pairs having no fretboard beneath them and being akin to the lowest here. In other words, this is a relatively simple lute.
--M. J. Young
"Ah, you're all too right, Allan. Perhaps if I end up with more time, I will try and learn the art of music. Hopefully, Robin will allow me to assist him in his cause-I think it quite noble to assist the people in these times."
OOC:
If Harry considers the bear like a large pup, then he wouldn't be scared of it. Harry grew up with two German Shepherd/Huskies. One was named Tika and she was practically his chew-toy at times. They played together a lot. He's not afraid of dogs, but a bear may be a whole other story.
The bear acts like a puppy, but doesn't smell like a puppy, and that makes a difference to a cat. But I will keep Harry's relationship with canines in mind as I track his relationship with ursines.
"Robin certainly takes the aid of all who offer; but surely a well-to-do gentlemen such as yourself can do better than associate himself with a band of merry bandits in the forest?"
In any case, the night winds down and the men, in various states of inebriation from the wine and ale, slowly vanish into the huts.
The huts are built into the side of a ravine, the roofs covered with dirt, leaves, and undergrowth so as to appear as the forest floor. Finding your own in the dark is a bit of a challenge but you can use the scriff sense to locate your gear which you put there, so you manage. Three other men share the lean-to-like space, none of them one of those "key" people you met, but you think one is Robert.
The morning will arrive whenever you're ready for it.
--M. J. Young
I tell the cub and Harry not to wander off, and call them over when I go to sleep.
I'm ready for the next day.
You smell roasting meat and realize that the cool air is suffused with diffuse daylight. The cub is snuffling at you; Harry is curled up comfortably. Your roommates seem to have vacated already.
Stepping from the leanto, you recognize that the cook fires are uphill, where you were the previous night. There is a stream at the bottom of the ravine, which is apparently the water source for the camp.
--M. J. Young
I feel a little ridiculous for having slept in.
I head up to where the fire seems to be coming from. Are everyone else's things there? If so, then I leave mine there as well, aside from a single firearm, which I'll tuck into the back of my pants.
I ask Harry and the bear to follow me up the hill, and I'll contemplate names while I head up there. When I approach, I try not to give away my position too soon until I hear the voices of Robin or one of the merry men from last night.
Are you attempting to approach stealthily while accompanied by a bear cub?
--M. J. Young
Point taken. Instead, I'll just approach with the bear cub at the moment, disregarding stealth.
There are familiar faces in the crowd. You spot John, the big guy who they call Little, but none of the others with whom you spent time yesterday; but there is a man wearing an outfit that distinguishes him as a priest or monk of some sort (I don't think you met him, although I might have forgotten). He's a bit older than the others, and they seem to be showing him a certain level of deference--but he does have a mug of ale in his hand, and a substantial helping of the bear meat that has been cooking overnight.
--M. J. Young
No, I don't believe I've met him.
I observe.
What's the general dress of the people in the crowd? The same as the merry men, in general? Have I seen any of the others back at the camp, but just not met them yet? Does the group notice me yet?
What are they saying?
Sorry for the brevity-9 hour shift and more fun was had today *crashes*.
No one here is not one of the Merry Men; there are no Merry Women. The men wear peasant's garb, but in woodland colors, mostly dull browns and dark greens with bits of grays.
Several in the group have given you a passing glance with a nod or bit of a wave and returned to their meal. The monk is boisterously involved in conversation and laughter, but his eyes have scanned you several times by this point. Your clothes are, after all, rather different from those of the group; his are also different, though, as he wears a brown full-length robe with a dark braided cord belt about his waist. He is a large man who appears to be enjoying the food and the drink.
--M. J. Young
I'll step in to join the group.
Do I see Robin in the area? If so, I approach. If not, I ask where he is.
If he's present, I go towards him. "It was a great night, Robin. I was curious about staying a bit longer, and wanted to know how I might be able to help around camp, and earn my keep here? I'm not too good with weapons or cleaning, but I'm willing to learn."
Robin and Will are both "out", doing "what they do". No one seems eager to say more than that about it, but the Friar waves you over and offers you a mug and some bacon. "Come, lad, have a seat, and tell me about the world beyond."
--M. J. Young
I don't inquire anymore about Robin and Will, and instead have the conversation with the good friar. I don't want anyone to think I'm a spy for the king.
"Plenty is in the world beyond." I openly describe Earth, the island, and even the spy world. If the friar has any questions about the destinations or technology, I try to put it in the language of this time period. Instead of saying that I versed between the worlds, I tell him that I travelled between them by ship.
I'm interested in what you're going to tell him about the spy world, given that the car, the guns, the phones, and so much more (even the glasses) would be so much magic to this world.
There's also a bit of a problem about where this all happened. Austria, where Steranko's castle was, is very much the heart of the Holy Roman Empire (what remains of it), and if you place it there Tuck is going to ask why the emperor didn't intervene; but ships do not often navigate around Cape Horn, there's no Suez Canal, the Byzantine Empire holds the land routes to India and China, America is not yet known (or at least not yet reported), and so your possible places are a bit limited.
So please, entertain us with some of your travels. Where was this? What did they do?
--M. J. Young