Episode 1 - McCloughhaven Matters

General Summary

Iseabail McCloughhaven , Countess of the Reach, walked among the peasants of McCloughhaven's Reach settling disputes and mixing in among the commonfolk. She also saved Bahran, an old goatherd, from mob justice for harbouring Tambarists warriors. Meanwhile, Sarischa Ravana and his associate Elnor Portrain are travelling by wagon from Rhythavn Castle to McCloughhaven's Reach at the behest of the leader of House Ildrafn , Duke Pendros. They are to collect Iseabail and accompany her back to Rhythavn, where they will take a ship and bring her to an audience with the king, Eadvard III. There, they hope to settle the matter of McCloughhaven's Reach and its ownership once and for all, before it leads to open conflict with House Antyre. The meeting between the two parties goes relatively smoothly, even if Sarischa swaps the fine brandy they'd been given as a gift for the Countess with common Antari liquor. That evening, the Countess attends a gathering among her people at The Cracked Emerald, where they toast her good fortune and safe travels. However, the peaceful revelry would not last. Khinar Antyre and his retinue of Antyrian soldiers arrive at the tavern, demanding ale for their services in ridding the nearby woods of Tambarists. They bring bloody proof of their work, and it's clear that Khinar is making a not-subtle jab at the Countess, debasing her authority and showing her up in her own domain. Sarischa rises in Isebail's defence, but only succeeds in making matters worse with their floundering arguments. Slowly, the Countess' supporters melt away into the night, and Isebail is ushered back to the manor by her marshal, Brennan Lochaber. On their way back, Iseabail finds Bahran the goatherd, hung by his neck at the town well, a victim of mob justice that will likely never be avenged. Returning back to the manor, she falls into a fitful sleep...

NOTES FROM MATT

Iseabail finds herself at a crossroads, having only just acquired her new holding. House Antyre is demanding that she swear her loyalties to them. She ventures far south to Redehall. The Tambarists remain in the lands around McCloughhaven's Reach, and she's been called upon to perform her lordly duties. A goat herd, by the name of Bahran, finds himself in the center of town, with the crowd baying for blood. He harbored Tambarists, and fed them during the rebellion. He claims that he didn't have a choice. They killed his herd, and ate his food. It's hard to tell if he's a victim or a sympathizer. Iseabail preaches mercy, and lets Bahrain go free - sentencing him to community service. Sarischa and Elnor are in a carriage, rumbling through hostile angry forests to retrieve Iseabail and bring her back to ...the ceremony thing? On the way, we are stopped by a dozen Antyrre guards, who believe the woods belong to them. Pendras Ildrafn is asking Iseabail to travel with Sarischa and Elnor to meet at Redehall to swear their loyalty to House Ildrafn. Points of tension: Threats to Status: Antyrre if she doesn't bend the knee. Mutterings about her rulings. Sparing too many Tambarists, possibly a sympathizer. From within: She's too lenient. From without: If she doesn't bend the knee to Antyrre, they may try to take the holding from her. At a gathering in The Cracked Emerald, the people of McCloughhaven's Reach wish to see Iseabail off on her journey. Halfway through, the door is thrown open, and in steps Khinar Antyre, with blood on his boots and gloves. He's killed a group of Tambarists in McCloughhaven lands, attempting to assert to the populace that House Antyre is in control, and that Iseabail is an ineffectual leader. And after Sarischa tries to help - turns out, he only makes things worse for others, but better for himself, and Baron Khinar is very convincing. The group returns to McCloughhaven manor, and Iseabail falls asleep.

Missions/Quests Completed

Elnor and Sarischa successfully travelled to the Reach and met with the Countess. They must now ensure her safe travels to Redehall by ship via Rhythavn, and advise and protect her during her time at the royal court.

Character(s) interacted with

The group met Khinar Antyre, who visited them at The Cracked Emerald after finishing a hunt for Tambarists in the nearby woods. Khinar used the meeting to position himself as a stronger ruler than Iseabail, which she was unable to defend herself against, leaving the tavern feeling the sting of defeat.

Campaign

The Burning Isle

Protagonists