Chat Summary from 16 Feb, 2001

 

Sorry about the late chat summary for the knighting ceremony.  I was going to write it up as a separate post but have decided against it due to time constraints.

 

That chat session on the 2^nd of February started with the party assembling before the gates of the Castle of the Purple Dragon.  Dessalynne and Matar’s parents accompany the group.  The group is lead by the chamberlain into the castle and finally to the Great Hall.  There the party is announced.  There are several Purple Dragons standing around, but only six await the party on the dais at the far end of the hall.  The Steel Regent is there, of course, along with her wizard counselor, Caladnei.  To her right stands a middle-aged man dressed much as Castinar, who the party soon learns is Jasonovi, Castinar’s mentor.  To the Regent’s right stand three young men.  The party recognizes Narlan Silversword.  The other two are introduced as Fanadil Truesilver, the next in line to the Crown after Alusair’s nephew, and Kathin Huntsilver, third in line.  With some shock the party learns that Narlan stands after Kathin, only three heartbeats away from the Crown.

 

The Regent informs that party that they are to be knighted.  They are to become Knights of Cormyr, the lowest order of Knighthood, but still a great honor.  She further informs them that they will be given their own title, the Knights of Thornwood.  This brings a few puzzled glances at to the choice of a name, but nobody says anything.

 

Diana, Thengal and Shadow are called forward.  They are each given honorary membership in the Order of Knights of Cormyr.  The award is honorary since they are not citizens of Cormyr.  Still, they are Knights of Thornwood, and can be called Lord, Sir, or Lady, as applicable.

 

Katrina and Amber are then called forward.  The Regent takes a blade from the throne behind her.  “This is Symylazarr, the Fount of Honor” she says, displaying the blade.  “Nobles have sworn fealty to the crown and knights dubbed with this blade since the first Obarskyr king ruled the land which would one day be called Cormyr.”

 

The Regent then steps down from the dais and Amber kneels before her.  The room grows quiet as the Regent raises the blade above Amber’s head.  “I, Alusair Obarskyr, Regent of Cormyr, dub thee, Amber Rose, Knight of Thornwood of the Order of the Knights of Cormyr.”  She then lowers the blade, tapping Amber first on the right shoulder “For Crown,” then on the left shoulder, “for Country,” and finally on the right shoulder again.  “and for the Goodly Gods.  Rise, Lady Amber Rose.”

 

The Regent then repeats the ceremony with Katrina.  As Katrina rises the Regent gives her a private smile and congratulates her for being the first of “her kind” to ever receive such an honor.

 

As Kat and Amber step back Castinar is called forward.  Once again the Regent repeats the ceremony, but unexpected Castinar is given membership in a second order of knighthood.  “I, Alusair Obarskyr, Regent of Cormyr, dub thee, Castinar Eleas, Knight of Thornwood, of the Order of the Knights of Cormyr, and Knight of the Green Vanguard, of the order of the Knight Defenders of Cormyr.  For Crown, for Country, and for the Goodly Gods.  Rise, Sir Castinar.”

 

Jasonovi fairly bursts with pride as Castinar is inducted into the same order of knighthood that Jasonovi himself holds.  The party later learns that the Green Vanguard is an elite group of knights made up primarily of druids and rangers who have done the Crown a great service.  The Knight Defenders of Cormyr are a higher order of knighthood from the more common Knights of Cormyr.

 

The Regent then calls Armatage forward.  He kneels before her and she knights him as a Knight of Thornwood, just as she did with Katrina and Amber.  But, unlike the others, she does not command him to rise, but leaves him on his knees.  She then turns to two burly Purple Dragons behind the party.  “Bring him in” she tells them.  She then nods to another pair of Purple Dragons behind the party.  They move down the hall to stand under one of the banners of the noble houses which line both sides of the Great Hall.  Castinar thinks he recognizes the symbol on the banner, but he can’t place it.

 

The sound of chains is heard behind the dais, then a man heavily shackled is carried out by the two large Purple Dragons.  To their surprise, the party recognizes him.  It is Lord Carman, Mayor of Milborne.  The Regent turns and Carman is dropped at her feet.  She looks down at him, and for a moment the party sees in her face that the title “Steel Regent” isn’t simply because she wears her armor almost everywhere.

 

“Lord Carman of Milborne.  You stand accused of Treason before the Crown.  How plead you?”

 

Carman cringes and looks terrified.  "I did nothing, merciful Lady!  Perhaps I had the wrong friends at a bad time, that is all!"

 

Alusair turns to her wizard.  "Caladnei, what evidence do the War Wizards bring against this man?"

 

The wizard nods for two others who have been hanging before the party to step foward.  "My Regent, this is Amthee Bluecloak and Ormar of Marsember.  They are both War Wizards who were sent to penetrate the Rebel's organization."

 

Amthee and Ormar then step forward and speak for a few minutes each about what they learned as spies for the Crown.  They give compelling testimony that much of the funding for the weapons purchased by the Rebels (many of which were subsequently funneled to the goblins) were financed by Lord Carman with proceeds from his mines, which weren't doing nearly as poor as he had been reporting for years.

 

By the time they finish Carman is a blubbering mess.  An occasional whimper of “Mercy!” is heard from him.

 

Alusair faces him.  "Lord Carman, as Regent of Cormyr I hereby strip you of all titles and lands given to you in the country of Cormyr.”  Behind the party comes the sound of ripping fabric.  Glancing back, the party sees the Purple Dragons ripping the banner which they now recognize as Lord Carman’s from the wall.  The Regent continues on.  “To demonstrate that we are not unmerciful, we shall spare your life.  But we also banish you from Cormyr.  Never return, upon pain of death!"  Then, to the Dragons.  "Take him.  Escort him directly to the border of his choice and let him go."

 

Once Carman is taken out Alusair glances up at the three men behind her.  "Nasty business, and I'm afraid we've only seen the first of those."

 

She then turns and looks down at Matar once more.   Keeping her gaze on him she addresses the party as a whole. 

 

"You may have wondered why the title "Knights of Thornwood".  After all, you haven't been in the Thornwood area for a while. The title is taken from the County of Thornwood, a County which is about to be formed.

 

The County of Thornwood will encompass all of the lands which once belonged to Carman.  It also includes all of the Thornwood Forest and the Vast Swap to the west shore of the Thunderwater River.  These lands had previously belonged to the Parlfray family.  They have been taken from them in punishment for Count Parlfray's allegiance to the Rebels.  He paid the ultimate price for his Treason.  His Son and family must now bear his shame.

 

But that leaves us with a slight problem - to have a County we must have a Count to rule it. Armatage, take Symylazarr, Fount of Honor, in your hands.”

 

Matar reaches up and Alusair places the naked blade on his palms.  Alusair then looks up at the party.  “As I said, Symylazarr has been used both to dub knights, and to receive the oaths of fealty from nobility.”  She then looks back down at Matar.  “Sir Armatage, the Crown would give unto you the title Count of Thornwood, with all lands, rights, and responsibilities which accompany that title.  Do you accept this title?”

 

Matar nods once.  “I do, my Liege.”

 

"Then swear your fealty to King and Country while holding the Fount of Honor, that Symylazarr may judge you worth to be called Noble."  Then, in a quieter voice to Matar she says.  "The oath must be in your own words.  I doesn't have to be fancy, just honest."

 

Matar’s eyes widen in a moment of panic.  She hadn’t said anything about this when she had spoken with him privately earlier in the day.  He thinks furiously.  What exactly was one supposed to swear to as a noble?  Taking a deep breath he speaks.  "I swear on my life and my honor that I will hold the Thornwood in trust for the Regent and the Crown.  I will do my utmost to bring peace and prosperity to the inhabitants and, by reflection, I hope the rest of the Realm."

 

The sword in Matar's hands glows a bright golden color, bathing the end of the hall in a light much like sunlight. It then slowly fades away, mirroring the setting sun just outside. 

 

The Regent seems impressed. "Smymlazarr likes you" she says as she takes the blade from Matar’s hands.  Then "Rise, Count Armatage of Thornwood and Mayor of Milborne."

 

Matar rises and all those gather applaud, including the Regent.  When the clapping dies down the Regent speaks again. 

 

"There is one last title we have to award this night.  The title has a dual purpose.  First, we know Armatage is engaged on an important quest, and that managing a newly formed County would detract from that.  So he needs a Warden to fill in for him.  Second, I personally wish to reward notably bravery and loyalty which I witnessed on a battlefield many years ago.  James, step forward."

 

Matar’s father walks forward, both proud and apprehensive.  He kneels before the Regent, who once again uses Smymlazarr.  "I, Alusair Obarskyr, Regent of Cormyr, dub thee, James, Warden of the Eastern Marches, to rule in place of thy son until he takes up the mantle of Count for himself. For Crown, for Country, and for the Goodly Gods.  Rise, Lord James of Thornwood."

 

Matar's father rises from his knees, his eyes watery.  Matar's mother cries softly behind the party.  Dessalynne has her arm around her - which comes as somewhat of a surprise to Matar.  He raises an eyebrow at the scene, but then smiles.

 

Alusair returns the sword to the throne, then smiles at the group as a whole.  "Again, you have the thanks of myself, the Crown, and of Cormyr.  Bear your titles with honor and dignity, and I'm sure they will not be the last accolades you receive.  Now come!  We have a celebration feast set in the next room."

 

Those in the Great Hall begin to filter out.  Most of the party gathers around Matar, congratulating him on his new title.  Matar seems a little embarrassed by their praise.  “It is a reflection of your friendship that I have lived long enough to have this honor thrust upon me” he tells them.

 

Slowly the party makes its way to the large dining room adjoining the Great Hall.  It is an enjoyable feast of roasted boar along with many other Cormyrian delicacies.  As the food is finished people break off into small groups to talk.  Matar leaves his family to speak with Narlan Silversword and the two other heirs, who begin to fill Matar in on the political situation faced by the Crown, and particularly by Matar as a new Count.  Diana pulls Caladnei to the side and the two female wizards end up talking with each other late into the night.  Castinar and Jasonovi can’t help but start talking shop, comparing notes on what they have learned about the kidnappings.  Amber and Katrina end up talking with each other about their families.

 

One thing of interest that happens is when Matar introduces Dessalynne to the Regent.  To the surprise of all the Regent recognizes Dessalynne.  The regent informs the pair that she had adventured for a short time when she was young with the Prince’s Own, Valdaeron’s old adventuring group.  During that time Dessalynne had sold the young fighter several potions at a good price.  The young Alusair was so accustomed to being taken advantage of that the memory of Dessalynne’s fairness had stuck with her. 

 

The dinner and socializing afterwards lasted into the early morning hours.  That’s where the chat session ended.