The fields have been harvested and the food stuffs stored.  Animals moved inside for the winter.  The knights work on repairing equipment, patching or replacing clothing, and plotting out manor improvements for the coming year.

The weather is cold and there is little to do outside.  By Christmas, everyone is a little tired of hanging around indoors with nothing to do but chores and the thought of a feast is a fine one that is eagerly anticipated.  To be invited to King Idres's court is a special honor, especially having only been newly knighted.

The four knights, accompanied by Earl Guinier and a few other of his knights, make the journey to Tintagel.  Having experienced the wonders of their knighting ceremony, the group feels prepared for what is to come.  They are very wrong.  (Note: Tintagel is where their fathers are buried.)

Entering the castle is like stepping into another world.  The cold, mono-chromatic world outside is replaced by a blast of heat and a dizzying array of colors, smells, and sounds.  There are hundreds of knights here and seemingly as many ladies.  All of them dressed in their finest clothing, which is very fine indeed on some of the better off knights, lords, and ladies.

There is the smell of honeyed mead, and roasted meats, exotic perfumes, and flowers from who knows where.  There is a cacophony of sound, from casual conversation to musicians and entertainers, the clatter of plates, and the cheers of welcome.

It takes the four knights 15 minutes just to find their seats, which are off to the side in the somewhat less desirable section, but far more desirable than not being invited.

---

Other than those with whom you are traveling, King Idres (obviously), Prince Mark (Idres's son and heir), Lady Blodeuyn, Sir Manhogan, Lady Gwendolyn, Sir Enodoc, and Lady Loorette are all here.  You do not immediately recognize anyone else.  You are free to react or do something prior to the start of the feast.

Sir Daron looks a little worse for wear after such an exhausting year, but brightens up in conversation with his brother's in arms, asking after their manors and families on the journey to Tintagel.

"A rich feast indeed," he says, marvelling at the food and drink present. For the moment the young knight seems content to observe from the sidelines.

Sir Aeddan is happy to see his brother knights again.  He is well-scrubbed and his clothes are clean and neatly mended, as he's been back at his manor with his formidable mother.  What a change from manor life to enter Tintagel castle, decorated to the nines!

He is somewhat distracted by looking around the room for Lady Blodeuyn.  Sir Aeddan has been trying since late summer to find an excuse to be around her again.  Once he spots her, he'll try to make his way to see her father, to inquire politely after the lady's health, in light of her ordeal over the summer.  Heaven knows what words will actually emanate from his mouth, but it's a safe bet he will blush bright red!

Rhydwyn has cleaned up nicely for the feast, glad to see his friends and brothers-in-arms again for the feast. He asks them about their manors and how the harvest went for each of them.

He, like Daron, marvels at the sheer amount of food at the feast. He is also more content to observe from the sidelines for the moment.

Sir Abloc is happy as well to see his brother knights again. Gone are the grim brooding about dark sorcery and mysteries. Perhaps time do heal or perhaps he is merely thrilled to be away from Clethor Manor that produce little more than fish, fish and a little more fish.

As the entourage arrive at Tintagel Sir Abloc try his best to visit the grave of his father and spend some time there in prayer. He still miss the old man despite all his flaws and he hope he has made his father proud.

When he enter the grand Winter Feast he is at once struck with awe. Never has he seen anything like it and he wonders if he really belong here among these fine men and women. As he spot Lady Gwendolyn he try and approach her and her father, Sir Enodoc of Landow, and enquire about their health and the rebuilding of Landow Manor. He hope he has not offended Sir Enodoc last time they spoke and barely dare look at Lady Gwendolyn fearing his face will turn red and he will faint if she smiles.

Sir Abloc finds his father's grave in the private plot next to those of his father's companions and not far from Duke Gorlois's.  There is a garland of holly on each of the four graves.

Once inside, Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan make their way over to speak to the fathers of their respective amors.  Sir Abloc's brief discussion with Sir Enodoc goes quite well and it turns out that Gwendolyn would like to join Sir Abloc on the dance floor after the fourth course.  Sir Abloc was unaware that a feast went longer than four courses, it seems that seven is the number here.

Sir Abloc, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Courtesy.

Sir Aeddan, however, struggles once more with expressing himself clearly when in Blodeuyn's presence.  Although he does not make any major gaffes, he has a hard time believing that she will not simply run away after his fumbling speech.  Interestingly, he did not have any real problems talking to Morgana.  Fortunately, Lady Blodeuyn has heard about Sir Aeddan's role in rescuing Loorette and seems to overlook his faltering verbal skills and would very much like to dance after the fourth course.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Returning to their seats, the pair are just in time for the first course, carmeline meat brewet, which consists of pieces of meat in a cinnamon sauce.  Quite the luxury!

---

You have the opportunity to do something after each of the seven courses.

In response to Blodeuyn's suggestion that they dance together later, Sir Aeddan responds that he is as good a dancer as he is a singer, but he'd be sublimely happy to do either for the young lady if she'll promise to pity him and give him a smile.

Meat with cinnamon?  These grand feasts, it would seem, are the epitome of everything Sir Aeddan has missed in life.  After this course, he would love to re-connect with a knight he's met before, but he sees nobody he recognizes.  He'd like to locate a herald, who might know the names of some of the older knights in attendance.  If he recognizes anyone's name as having been someone his father spoke of, then he'll work up the courage to ask the herald (or, failing that, perhaps the father of one of the rescued maidens) for an introduction.

Sir Daron ruefully ignores the demands of his stomach to take extra helpings of the food. As delicious as it looked (and tasted!) he could not afford to develop too great a taste for luxuries - meals like this could beggar a man!

Not knowing anyone well at the feast and with no lady to court he approached Sir Enodoc to make casual conversation with the older knight, asking after his health and the state of his lands.

Sweating like a pig and obviously nervous he returns to his companions mumbling something about being doomed and how the world will end after the fourth course. But he tries to regain his composure and eve nthough he seems a bit distant at times he calms down during the first course.

Once the first course is over he try and seek out someone close to Bishop Llawr (as the Bishop himself cant have time to speak to a lowly knight like Sir Abloc) to enquire if anyone knows who place holly on his father's grave.

Rhydwyn will enjoy some of the food, although he will also try not to enjoy so much as to look like a glutton. He will listen for any gossip in that has happened.

Sir Aeddan

Sir Aeddan asks around and discovers Sir Talfryn, a much older knight who fought with Daeddon and his companions at the Battle of Terrabil.  With the death of Duke Gorlois, Sir Talfryn returned to Cornwall and after Uther's death, took service with King Idres.  "Your father was a brave and loyal knight, Sir Aeddan, at least until he and his companions went to follow Uther," he spits the name out, "after the Duke's death.  I would have expected more loyalty.  It is a wonder King Idres was willing to accept them back after the fall of Logres.  But I think he just needed all of the knights he could find.  Of course, they proved themselves to be quite fine knights in King Idres's service."

Sir Aeddan, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Aeddan takes a check in Courtesy.

Sir Daron

Sir Daron goes to chat with Sir Enodoc, who greets him warmly.  They get to talking about Landow Manor, and Sir Enodoc makes a few suggestions for a new knight just starting out.  "It requires a bit of an up-front investment, but rabbits, doves, and bees are all great long-term investments.  They pay for themselves pretty quickly and are a reliable source of income."

Frowning he asks, "a couple of your companions are taking an interest in the young ladies, including my Gwendolyn.  You will not find a bigger gathering of available women, but of course your are not yet well known.  Would you like me to make an introduction to anyone?  If you are not familiar with who is who, I could of course make a suggestion if you like?"


Sir Daron, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
Sir Daron, rolled 8 using 1d20.  Stewardship.

Sir Daron takes a check in Courtesy and Stewardship.

Sir Abloc

Sir Abloc goes over to talk to the Bishop and impresses the man with his manners and etiquette.  The Bishop nods his head, and replies a little darkly, "that would be the Queen's (clearly referring to Ygraine) youngest, the Pagan Priestess."  He scowls and seems unwilling even to mention Morgana's name.  "She lays wreaths at each season.  I thought at first it was some Pagan ritual or spell but it seems harmless enough, so I do not interfere."

Sir Abloc, rolled 12 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc takes a point in Courtesy for Criticalling.

Sir Rhydwyn

Sir Rhydwyn chats with a few of the other knights at the table.  Mostly they are discussing the events of the summer, including the sacking of Salisbury and the death of the Angle King at Hereford.  They do not seem to have any particularly interesting information.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

---

The second course is roast lamb.  One must wonder how much delicious meat they will be served at this gathering!  In addition, there is honeyed mead and ale by the flagon.  Please make a roll against Temperate or Indulgent.  Then decide what you will be doing during the break.

Sir Daron smiles ruefully. "Alas Sir Enodoc I have no liking or trust at all for women. I shall protect maidens of course, as a good knight should protect the weak and I suppose I must eventually marry some woman or other to have a son but the thought of making pretty talk with them makes my blood run cold. Thank you for your kind offer though."

---

Sir Daron nibbled at his next course, ever mindful of the strain a gluttonous habit would place on his purse.

As he finished he lifted his flagon and proposed a toast to King Idres, praising the fine food and the royal generosity granted them.

---

OOC: 23:32, Today: Sir Daron rolled 5 using 1d20.  Temperate @10.

Could it be that Sir Abloc should reconsider his view on the Sorceress? Perhaps he has treated her unfairly? Is it guilt that the young man feels? He returns to the others and is soon laughing again, telling (terrible jokes) and trying not to eat too much of the delicious meals. But it just taste sooo good. Perhaps just one more piece?

He joins in Sir Daron's toast to King Idres and his generosity and feels like the luckiest man on earth. A good campaign, silver in his purse, newly knighted, Gwendolyn, Loorette, survived the Saxons. Surely he must be near invincible?!

After the meal Sir Abloc seek out the his father's old companions Sir Arddur, Sir Winnoc, Sir Méen, and Sir Morien to see if they are well after the campaign earlier this year and to hear their war stories (and tall tales) from their youth and about his father, how they are doing now and gladly accept any advice they may have to offer.

---

Sir Abloc rolled 15 using 1d20.  Temperate @ 10 (Failure)

Sir Aeddan nods at Sir Talfryn's barb and again at the acknowledgment of his father's abilities.  "My father may sometimes have made unpopular choices, but he was certain that the Queen is a true woman of Cornwall.  I am proud of his skills and only hope to do him honor."

At the next course, Sir Aeddan continues to feel delight at encountering such rich dishes.  He wants to keep trying new things, so he has been attempting to be moderate with each course.  For that reason, he declines a second helping of lamb and only sips at the honeyed mead.  But he takes a hearty drink at Sir Daron's toast to King Idres.

Before the fourth course and the expected dancing that makes his stomach tense in anticipation, Sir Aeddan decides to try a little gaming with other knights.  It seems like a good way to blend in with them, and perhaps to hear some gossip.


OOC: Sir Aeddan rolled 8 using 1d20.