Session twenty-four - The drawing room discussions continue

This was a very dialogue and role-play heavy session.  It was also (in my mind at least) rather brilliant with some wonderful in character play. As such there is no way I can fully capture it all and I know I will have missed stuff out.  For that I must apologise but at the end of the day I guess you had to be there...

Continuing from the last session we begin in the drawing room of Hemlock's family mansion. Baron Christopher Hawkwood is determined to gain some form of restitution or compensation from the Marquis De Havilland whom he holds responsible for the conduct of his cohort, Tonbei vo Khaan.

Hemlock takes a stand against the Baron telling him that he is on his family's land and should act as a guest, not an invader.  They trade words and things get quite heated ending with Sir Hemlock challenging the Baron to a duel.  It is arranged for dawn the following day.  With Hemlock's "offence" dealt with, or at least postponed until the duel, the baron is calmed a little. Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torenson steps in to try to further placate the Baron stressing the appropriate etiquette in this situation and the legality of claiming that the Marquis is to blame. However Christopher still demands restitution or compensation.

The Baron is also aggrieved by the presence of Sir Mal, who he does not deign to acknowledge and questions why Hemlock would allow such a renegade into his home.

 

Possibly due to shock or taking time to take stock of what he has heard, De Havilland finally speaks.  He takes the opportunity to review all their dealings with Tonbei, from how he first met and served with him, when the other characters first met him at the Tournament of St Gavin, how he acted on De Havilland's behalf (see the previous interludes) and how his actions may now be viewed in a different light. He also questions the phrase that he spoke as he died which Christopher confirms as "Eokésmen ma Dohlenni". The Baron is also aware that it is the name of a Ur-Obun, in his opinion some sort of priest or prophet from folklore. De Havilland continues, focusing now on the hit list itself.  The assembled nobles discuss connections between the people listed and also the fact that the Baron is referred to with his previous title of Baronet. They think that the connection could be Dame Arcadia, but why, and why are Hemlock and De Havilland not on the list?

The Baron still demands restitution or compensation from the Marquis but has had an idea. The Phoenix Knight is well placed and empowered to conduct an enquiry of this nature.  Christopher suggests that once De Havilland has found out who is behind the murders he is to bring the perpetrator to him for punishment (as a crime was committed on the lands he stewards). They shake hands on the matter, the Baron apologies to Hemlock for his earlier rudeness and says he will meet him on the field in the morning. He turns to leave.  Before he does so Sir Hasimir begs leave of him to help De Havilland with the investigation and it is granted, but he is commanded not to leave Deepcore 104 as the Baron will have need of his services.

After the Baron leaves Lady Chastity (who had been silently sat in the Drawing Room all this time) excuses herself and retires to her room. She apologises to Hemlock as she does not feel like a tour of the fief now as the arguments and tension have taken much out of her.

Mal takes time to go and meditate to restore his occult energies while Sir Hasimir and the Marquis De Havilland withdraw in private to discuss matters and share their thoughts.  Amongst other things Hasimir confides in De Havilland that he is a psychic and suggests that if the Marquis focuses his thoughts on Tonbei he might be able to read something in them that the Marquis has missed. He agrees and Hasimir is able to glean a sense of Tonbei's possible resentment towards humanity and his status as an outsider from society. De Havilland also confesses that he suspects that Baron Christopher may know, or at least suspect who had created the hit list and is attempting to put the Marquis in a position where he will have to hand someone over he doesn't want to.

Sir Hemlock has taken to his father's study to write a letter of introduction to Baron Samuel Justinian of Quentin's Retreat, a noted scholar and archivist to seek his help in researching Tonbei's final words. Coincidentally he is then interrupted by a knight, Sir Jutland Justinian, arriving to deliver news to Hemlock's father.  He serves Baron Samuel and offers to take Hemlock's letter back to his lord.  Hemlock, having checked with Sir Jutland that the notice he delivers is not private, reads the report and discovers that it is news of the Austrum War:

Your Lordship,
The battles are frequently stalemates but the forces of Austrum West are gaining ground, and momentum. The conflict is waged on land and sea with some air power in the form of Trusnikron Urroc knights fighting on behalf of Austrum East. 
The Westerners have greater resources and better strategic planning and tactical leadership.
The nations are fighting the war on two fronts, on either coast of the islands. But while the Easterners are dug in on the Western isle the Westerners have broken the first line of defenders and are moving inland.
War on the East isle is becoming a front line of dug in units with attempts at guerrilla raids behind their lines while they send saboteurs forwards to harry the Easterners by disrupting logistics (including aqueducts and transport routes) behind the front.
Naval picket lines are still in effect with convoys passing through the straits at risk of being caught in skirmishes and patrols between the two forces. As in the early stages of the war this still lends weight to the Guild and Church claims to bring a swift end to the conflict.
The two nations' navies are also being used to pound the invading lines with cannon from the sea, a tactic which is proving less effective for the Easterners now that their enemies have made inroads inland. Instead the Eastern ships are supporting their invasion force to the West but rumours circulate that they may be mobilizing the fleet en mass to strike at the Western Naval command base.
Tactically the Trusnikron air cavalry are being deployed like light aircraft in other spheres of battle; reconnaissance, light bombing and, rather uniquely, in a manner akin to traditional Dragoons cavalry; flying swiftly to a battle objective then landing and skirmishing like infantry.
As I was leaving the withdrawal of many Justinian assets from the war was having a demoralising effect on the Eastern forces with particularly the Trusnikron forces calling out our nobles as traitors and fair weather allies. Considered thought would have it that as the Justinian forces involved were not front line combatants the practical strategic impact of those departing will be far less significant than the psychological one. That said some Justinian Knights have chosen to remain.
Knights and other young nobles also report anecdotally that the Orthodox Church has also been putting no small pressure on commanders and nobles to return home or even turn against Austrum East. There has been much talk of removal of sacraments from those who continue the fight and even additional pardons and indulgences if they change sides to support the West.
Sir Jutland Justinian

 

The group reconvenes over lunch and discuss a number of matters, including some of that morning's events. Hemlock asks why the Church would be getting involved in the war, Hasimir reminisces with Mal over the previous parties and hell raising they got up to and De Havilland seeks Mal's help with making contacts with the local Scravers. Lady Chastity does not attend and takes lunch in her rooms.

Sir Mal heads into the fief and manages to make the necessary connections to find a Scraver who can get in contact with Mr Lawrence in Suryada.  He charges a significant fee (which Mal doubles when he goes back to De Havilland) and they arrange to contact Mr Lawrence later that day.

Sir Hemlock spends the afternoon training in his guards' practise field but soon notices he is being watched.  Lady Chastity is observing him from her balcony.

De Havilland manages to get a crackly and broken line through to Mr Lawrence. He tells him that his name is one of those on the hit list and that as Tonbei has been foiled another assassin could come. He also arranges for Lawrence to send the Explorer ship to come and pick him up to take him to Suryada to continue his investigations. Lawrence also takes the chance to update the Marquis on his enquiries into the fate of the Galliot.  He has already been able to track down the Reeve responsible for the contract with the Muster and has learnt:

A) There was a prior, conditional, contract in force.  The key passage of which states:
 The Contractors, and only the sanctioned and approved Muster contractors are to take contracts with Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torenson or his representatives. If a contractor fails to acquire a contract with the third parties this will result in the termination of this contract with that contractor and the payment of the termination fee in compensation. Should the Muster Guild permit any other party to enter into a contract with the third parties then the Guild will be liable for compensation to Lady Yelizaveta Knapp Decados to the amount of 2000fb/contractor.
 The contractors will answer in all matters to the wishes, commands and requests of Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torenson or his representatives unless countermanded or expressly ordered by the Contractor, Lady Yelizaveta Knapp Decados.
B) Contract organised by the Muster Guild, filed by the Reeves Guild and signed by the contractor (Lady Yelizaveta Knapp Decados) and multiple contracting parties
C) The Reeve who drew up the conditional contract (Master Perry, Son of Samuel) also drew up the subsequent staff contracts for Sir Hasimir.

Meanwhile Hasimir and Virssu are returning to The Midden Barony and once within its borders they are accosted by Father Helsing, the priest Hasimir previously crossed over the case of the psychic peasant girl, Carrie. Hasimir agrees to accompany the priest to his chapel and once there and in private the Father speaks earnestly about the plight of the serfs under Baron Christopher's rule.  He knows that Arcadia's mother, Baroness Helena, was no saint but she only had dragged away those who had committed crimes, the Baron's soldiers seem to raid homes indiscriminately on the pretence of finding supporters of and sympathisers for Dame Arcadia.  Plus the Hawkwood patrols are fully armed and armoured soldiers, not militia men, guards or watchmen. The Father also mentions that there are those who seek to act against the Baron but they are not fearless or numerous enough to do so yet. He beseeches the noble to entreat on the behalf of the peasantry to try to get the Baron to stay his hand.  He is also greatly concerned for the welfare of the two remaining Justinian heirs, Tarquin and Stephanie as he believes the baron intends Tarquin harm, and to marry Stephanie once she is of age (to attempt to lay legal claim to the barony via marriage).  Hasimir takes all this on board and comforts the priest with platitudes but no promises.

 

Finally, back in Sector 42 Hemlock completes his work out to find Lady Chastity waiting for him, and for once without one of her guards.  Shyly she explains she has a confession to make and wishes to walk with him outside for a while.  Hemlock agrees and as they walk she confides in him that when asked if she had anything to add about Tonbei and his list earlier that day she had lied. She knows who commissioned the Slayers Guild to kill the five men on that list, it was her father, Count Innocence Decados. He ordered the death of Sir Selwyn immediately after the St Gavin's tournament and the other men later, after Sir Selwyn's death, when it was announced that Dame Arcadia was dead (after Beorn had claimed the bounty). She also confesses that her father doesn't know she is there and that "his" letter to Hemlock's father is a fake.  She begs Hemlock for asylum and protection, which he grants.

Session twenty-three - Death and drawing rooms

(Quite a talky session with some great in character moments)

We begin in the drawing room of Hemlock's family home. There is a awkward silence as De Havilland, Mal, Hemlock and Lady Chastity sit together.  Eventually the silence is broken and the nobles converse politely, Lady Chastity seems particularly facinated with Hemlock's tales of his travels with the Charioteers, however mundane.  The telling of the stories seems to relax the young knight, helped by De Havilland prompting him, although he seems to avoid personal details.  Lady Chastity spends the evening seemingly hanging of his every word, enthralled by his "exotic" experiences beyond Ravenna.

 

Entertaining Lady Chastity

 

We then turn the clock back a few hours to Hasimir and Virssu's return from examining Beorn's body. Hasimir takes opportunity of the journey to speak with Baron Christopher on a few "issues of etiquette", advising him to put Justinian banners back up (possibly alongside the Hawkwood ones he is displaying) and to go slowly with any accusations against Sir Tarquin. He finds a friendly ear with the Baron who seems to be appreciating his "wise council". Hasimir also apologises for his reluctance in initially accepting the continuation of his service in the Barony. He also requests the Baron's indulgence to allow him to visit De Havilland the following day.  The Baron agrees and offers him the use of horses from the stable to speed his journey.

Hasimir also privately charges Virssu with checking their suite for listening devices.  He figures that they will be being monitored but he'd like to try to find out who would be doing it.
Over dinner Hasimir speaks with Sir Tarquin and his sister Stephanie. Tarquin seems to be a devout and well educated boy, unused to the weight of leadership which looks likely to be placed upon him. He is a student and scholar who had previously contemplated joining the Orthodoxy but that seems unlikely with the passing of his older siblings.  Baron Christopher seems to be watching the young boy closely.

During the night (early in the morning in fact) Hasimir and Virssu are woken by the Baron calling for aid, followed by the sound of an energy discharge (which turns out to be a personal shield activating).  Virssu will not let Hasimir enter the Baron's chambers, as he could put himself at risk but the Torenson knight orders his valet in.

 

Sir Hasimir and Virssu find Baron Christopher under attack

 

Virssu sees and reports back that the Baron is under attack by a mysterious assailant.  Hasimir ignores Virssu's advice and burts in, sword in hand. The reluctant householder follows, gun drawn.  Combat ensues with the assailant brought down with a combination of Virssu's shooting and finally being run through by Hasimir. As he dies the attacker cries "For Eokésmen ma Dohlenni!". Virssu shoots the body in the head, just to make sure. They then see that the attacker was none other than De Havilland's cohort, the Ur-Obun Tonbei vo Khaan. He had managed to stab Baron Christopher with an Ukari knife with a Slayer's guild symbol tied to it similar to those used to kill Sir Selwyn and Beorn) and while his guards, who have now arrived upon the scene, treat his wound he starts screaming blue murder upon De Havilland, seeking to blame him as this was "his man".

 

The guards finally arrive on the scene.

 

He tells Hasimir that come the morning he will be paying the Phoenix Knight a visit with him. Meanwhile Virssu spots a folded piece of paper tucked into Tonbei's armour.  he removes it and gives it to Hasimir.  It appears to be a hit list, with the first two names crossed through:

•Sir Selwyn Midden Justinian
•Beorn of the Muster
•Baronet Christopher Windsor Hawkwood
•Lawrence of the Scravers
•Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torenson

Hasimir order the body taken to where he and Virssu can examine it and they check his body and belongings.  All he seems to have on him are his weapons, the paper and his Imperial Cohort badge. Hasimir manages to radio ahead to De Havilland to tell him what has happened and to expect their arrival in the morning.

 An impromptu examination of the cadaver.

Over breakfast De Havilland tells Hemlock that they will be receiving a visit shortly before Sir Hasimir, Virssu, Baron Christopher and some of his guard arrive.

In the drawing room once more, this time with added accusations.

Mal uses his gifts to scan the Baron and Hasimir and learns that Haismir is a psychic adept at Psyche.
The Baron wastes no time in accusing De Havilland of attempting to murder him (and by association possibly Sir Selwyn and Beorn too) while Hasimir tries to keep things calm and explain teh facts of the matter.  He also draws their attention to the "hit list" and the fact that the reference to "Baronet" Christopher could date the list or it could indicate someone who did not accept the validity of his rise in rank.

Mal once again uses his psychic powers to try to determine if anyone there had recently been subject to occult gifts (in case "Tonbei" was an illusion or otherwise masked) and he identifies only Baron Christopher and Sir Hasimir, as he had just used his powers on them.
The baron continues to accuse De Havilland and questions his loyal;ty and motives (having "betrayed" his House by joining the Order of the Phoenix) and tells them that he has sent word to De Havilland's brother about what has happened...

Interlude - Foreshadowing?

An autumn breeze in the trees
A restless time of change
Thoughts turn to loss and revenge

"Master?" The voice broke the stillness of the lily garden. The meditation had been a troubling one, but necessary. Perhaps sent by the Pancreator himself.  No, to dare to assume such was indicative of hubris. He was chosen and raised to be above such petty sin.

"Master?" The voice appeared again from the tranquil darkness.  Xiaohuozi realised he had been lost to his thoughts once again.  He opened his eyes.

The servant, Lao Tou, stood to his left out of reach should the knight have drawn his sword reflexively upon being disturbed and struck him down. He was obviously a veteran householder. The man's bald head stood in stark contrast to the long, thin white beard that reached down to his waist, further evidence of his experience and age.  He was dressed in the immaculate attire of one of Xiaohuozi's father's staff, the symbol of House Li Halan emblazoned upon his left breast. The autumnal sun had crept up and was shining it's amber glow over the garden. The half light exaggerated the wrinkles on the servant's dusky face.

Xiaohuozi did not look at the man (to do so would be improper) instead he remained in his meditative pose, legs crossed, hands resting on knees with palms upwards to the heavens ("Beseeching-man-anticipates-blessing") but in keeping his eyes open he gave the unspoken command to continue.
Lao Tou looked to the ground deferentially. "Your father has approved your request and travel arrangements are to be made.  You may leave today if you wish, my lord."

"If the Pancreator wishes." Xiaohuozi's response was curt. A stern admonishment.

"Yes Master." The servant threw himself prostrate in remorseful atonement. "Forgive me."

"Hmm" Xiaohuozi rose, feeling the breeze across his chest as he stretched. He drew his sword. The old man was still laid low before him, as motionless as one of the garden's jade statues. The young noble reached out with the blade and gently touched it's tip to the man's bowed forehead.  He still made no move, not out of fear, the beads of sweat that touched the sword gave that away, but out of obedience and a knowledge of his ordained place in the Celestial Order.

The blade was sheathed with a fluid motion. "Rise, prepare my traveling garb and paraphernalia. It is the Pancreator's will that the relic is recovered.  He has chosen me as his vessel in this matter and I must shoulder the burden.  I shall leave for Ravenna tonight."

Session twenty-two - The return

We began with the arrival of Sir Bedevere Hawkwood's Wayfarer Explorer with his two passengers; Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torenson and the Scraver, Mr Lawrence. The ship lands on the outskirts of Deepcore 104 to be met by a "welcoming committee" consisting of:

* The Phoenix Knight, Marquis Anton De Havilland Hawkwood and his Ur-Obun cohort, Tonbei vo Khaan
* Sir Mal Ware Hawkwood, a relation of the Marquis and current travelling companion
* Sir Hemlock Matsumoto Justinian, heir to the Justinian fief of Sector 42
* Virssu Lainis, a Torenson Householder, sent by his House to act as butler and aide for Sir Hasimir
* Ralph, Baron Christopher Hawkwood's major domo accompanied by Hawkwood men-at-arms

The wanderers return.

Hemlock speaks with Hasimir about recent events (essentially the fate of the ship and details of what happened in space) while Lawrence boards the waiting Explorer (the ship that had brought De Havilland and co. to Deep Core 104) to head to Suryada to investigate the details surrounding the loss of their Galliot.

 

Ralph approaches to introduce Virssu and advise that Baron Christopher is awaiting Hasimir's presence. Sir Bedevere advises the major domo to notify his brother that he is heading to Hawkwood Naval Command to help coordinate action against Dr Eva and SOE/8807. Hemlock decides to accompany Hasimir.

 

De Havilland and Sir Mal return to Hemlock's family fief, Sector 42, and find the mansion in a state of mild panic and furious industry.  The head householder, Master Alfredo Garcia tells them that they have received word that they will soon be receiving another noble guest.  He has a letter of introduction but hasn't read it as he intends to give it to Sir Hemlock (in his father's absence).

 

Hemlock and Hasimir find The Midden Barony to be very different from their last visit.  The cowed and fearful people are obviously under oppression and scared eyes stare at them as they pass.  They notice frequent, heavily armed, patrols of Hawkwood men-at-arms.

 

Baron Christopher leaves Hasimir waiting for a while but eventually summons him, saying that he's pleased to have him in his service. Hasimir is unsure of this but the Baron maintains that House Torenson made a contract with The Midden Barony for Hasimir's services and as regent and steward that means him (currently). They, and Hemlock, discuss the fate of Baroness and General Justinian and that the land is entitled to their eldest remaining child, Sir Tarquin, but that he is now a ward of the Planetary Duke. Christopher says that he, as a career military man, will have great need of Hasimir's expertise as an etiquette expert and advisor, especially now that he has ascended to the high station of Baron. Ralph escorts Hasimir and Virssu to the suite set aside for him (in fact the same suite he had when he last stayed at the mansion) and Sir Hemlock leaves to return home.  Hasimir speaks with Virssu to find out why he is there.  It appears that parties within House Torenson have heard of Hasimir's increased assets (owner of a military star ship) and notoriety and have sent him a personal valet and bodyguard.  Both to protect him, and therefore the House's interests, and to prevent him from becoming a liability.

After passing through the borders of Sector 42 Hemlock is approached by an old peasant woman. She is reticent to come near and will not meet his gaze having never before dared to address "her betters" however knowing that the Young Master had returned, after all this time, she plucked up the courage to act.  She presses into his hand a small package that she says she has kept safe for some twenty years.  She trusts that he will know what to do with it and leaves. Hemlock tucks the parcel away with a view to opening it when he is safe at home.

The mysterious package...

  

Hasimir becomes aware of a commotion in the manor house and it looks like Baron Christopher has been brought news that he has been hoping for. He summons the Torenson and tells him they are going out into the city. The set out with Virssu and a number of guardsmen and are led to an extremely run down, decayed and abandoned area of the fief.  This is a zone known to be home to the least desirable elements and many warning signs have been posted by the church (both warning of moral decay and physical dangers). They come to a structure guarded y Hawkwood men-at-arms and enter, being led inside to a body.  Baron Christopher asks Hasimir to identify him (causing him to wonder if the Baron knows he is psychic) but he sees that it is the corpse of the Muster Guilder known as Beorn, an old associate of their group and the bounty hunter who claimed to have killed Arcadia and handed in a fake body to help set a false lead while the rest of the cadre fled to Deep Core 101. It appears Beorn has been killed in the same manner as Sir Selwyn Justinian (Arcadia's brother), with an Ukari dagger with a note tied to it bearing the sign of the Slayer's Guild. It also appears that Beorn has been dead for some months, possibly since the rest of the cadre were in Deep Core 101. The Baron asks for Hasimir's opinion and Hasimir suggests that the two murders are linked. He also appears to have a slight slip in alluding to the possibility that Beorn could have presented a fake Arcadia, but unbeknownst to Baron Christopher he is starting to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Christopher then presses him to suggest who might be behind the murders and why, causing Hasimir to speculate on who would gain from the current chain of events.  He ends up pointing the finger at Sir Tarquin (as the heir apparent) and Christopher jumps on the idea.  He suggests though that as regent and steward if he was to interrogate the young man it would constitute a conflict of interests so he charges Hasimir with the task.

When Hemlock reaches his family mansion he finds a similar state of frantic activity that confronted De Havilland. Master Alfredo advises him that they have guests imminently on the way and hands him the letter.  Hemlock reads it and discovers that Count Innocence Decados, leading member of his House on Ravenna, is sending his eldest daughter, Lady Chastity to stay at Sector 42. She has been cloistered for most of her life and is late to being presented at court so he has apparently long considered who might treat her well and help educate her. "Prayers and meditation" led him to consider Hemlock's father as they met briefly once (but not to speak to) and he impressed the Count with his bearing and stature.  The Count also makes suggestion that she might make a fine wife for Hemlock.

 

Hemlock finds De Havilland and company playing Billiards in the games room and discusses Hasimir and their pending new arrival. De Havilland is suspicious of the Count's intentions (as is Hemlock) but equally of Baron Christopher.  He is surprised that he treated Hemlock well and explains that Christopher, like Sir Selwyn, was an ex-lover of Façade (being the reason why Selwyn approached him after her death).  He may seek revenge on Hemlock as he is known to have killed her. At which point Lady Chastity arrives, earlier than expected.

The letter from Count Innocence Decados to Baron Tochiro  Matsumoto Justinian, in the original Latin (yes, I did an English copy for the players too)



 

Her ladyship arrives with Kossack guards and all the pomp and ceremony one would expect from a scion of a royal house.  Mal immediately uses his "All seeing eye" to see if she is an occultist of some type but detects that she is mundane.  She graciously greets Sir Hemlock and thanks him for welcoming her into his home.  She seems delightful...for now.

 

Her ladyship arrives...

Fleshing out some details of Deepcore 104

While our campaign has been set on and around the Hawkwood planet of Ravenna, much of the detail and intrigue is centred on the House Justinian controlled subterranean "Deep Core" city, designated Deep Core 104, a great urban complex set deep into the ground on the Southern Follari continent.

 

The Deep Core cities are vast urban complexes built around the edges of huge and ancient mining shafts, some of which that penetrate all the way to the planetary terraforming engines close to the world’s core.

The original cities were wonders of Second Republic architecture and innovation but over time superstition, technical ignorance and neglect has led to degradation in the systems and infrastructure.  Power is erratic, living quarters are often in states of disrepair with leaks and inadequate plumbing a constant issue, while some areas can even be prone to collapse, whole sections of floor suddenly cascading into the mines below.

 

The City is vast and not yet completely mapped, let alone fully reopened or populated, but the areas of the city currently sanctioned for use are divided into a variety of boroughs. Each is known by separate, often unique, names drawn from the unearthed signage, local lore or personal preference of the ruling noble

 

It is here that both Dame Arcadia and Sir Hemlock's family fiefs reside and when we recommence the campaign (hopefully later this week) it will be where our cadre find themselves reunited.

 

While the players have visited the city briefly I anticipate it, and it's residents will factor more significantly in the coming sessions so felt it wise to try to help flesh out the geography and politics of the area around their family fiefs.

 

I'd stress that this is only a portion of the city as a whole but it makes more sense to start with the immediate local and their neighbours.

 

Deep Core 104, looking north with the fiefs and political boundaries noted.

The city as a whole is ruled by the leading member of House Justinian on the planet, Earl Kiruda Quentin Justinian. The earl is a hardened military man and a veteran of many campaigns who has taken enforced “retirement” as one of the landed gentry very badly. It is probably fair to say that he tolerates the barons below him as a necessary indulgence; if they run their fiefs without having to involve him directly that’s fine.  He can get on with hunting, walking his hounds and what little martial practise his wife and physician will permit him. However recent events (the revelation of the "traitorous Justinian") have forced him to attend court far more than he is otherwise comfortable with as he petitions Duke Cassius for clemency on behalf of Baroness Helena, mother of Dame Arcadia.  He fears the loss of Justinian lands to the Hawkwoods and is increasingly concerned that forces within his own House see him as weakened are now conspiring to depose him.

 

Aracadia's family fief was The Midden Barony and until recently it was ruled by her mother, Baroness Helena Midden Justinian and her husband and consort General Sir Anthony Masseri Justinian. The barony was a mediocre work horse in the stables of the House but following the outing of Dame Arcadia as the would-be assassin of Planetary Duke Cassius Hawkwood the fief has been seized as a "Hawkwood Protectorate" and placed under the control of Baron Christopher Windsor Hawkwood.

 

The fact that a Hawkwood has taken residence right in the middle of Justinian lands, and the suspicion that is falling on the House as a whole has engendered a general sense of suspicion and some paranoia. Local nobles are withdrawing their military support of Austrum East (in the on going Austrum War) in order to strengthen their militia now that a Hawkwood roosts in their midst.

 

Meanwhile Baron Christopher is enjoying lording it over his new lands.  His men-at-arms (or rather those lent him by Duke Cassius) are enabling him to rule with a rod of iron.  They are frequently raiding homes and work places looking for "Arcadian sympathisers" and "Justinian Spies".  They are particularly after Beorn (one of our old PCs) as he was the bounty hunter who claimed to have killed Arcadia and handed in her body (which we obviously know to be a fake).  He is believed to currently still be on the run.

Sir Tarquin Midden Justinian, the sixteen year old eldest remaining child of Dame Helena is now a ward of Duke Cassius.  Nominally the Midden Barony belongs to him and is being ruled in his stead by the Baron as "caretaker/steward".  He was last seen in public returning to his family lands in the company of Baron Christopher and regiments of the Duke's personal guard, but is reported to be in excellent health and well engaged in the continuation of his studies. His remaining sister, Lady Stephanie Justinian, the Baroness & General's youngest child, has rarely stepped outside of her family's lands throughout the thirteen years of her young life. She remains quite reclusive but has occasionally been seen accompanying Baron Christopher at functions and on tours of his "occupied" lands.

 

The Midden Barony is surrounded by other Justinian holdings:

 

Above it sits "The Folly", ruled by Baron Turmeric Justinian. Turmeric is a member of the "non-traditionalist" Justinian faction and an open supporter of it's leader and figurehead, Princess Carolandra (as was Dame Arcadia). He steadfastly refuses to marry, arguing it depletes the House but has large harem of concubines all of whom are sworn to the Justinian House.

 

To The Midden Barony's east is "Crofter's Holt", one of Earl Kiruda's own holdings. It is stewarded by Lady Saffron Justinian, one of Earl Kiruda's knights.

 

On the other side of The Midden Barony sits "The Barony of Abalone". It's ruler, Baroness Phillipa "Peppa" Abalone Justinian is an old "grand dame". Geriatric and far past her best she steadfastly refuses to relinquish her grip on her fief.  Her one remaining child, Sir Basil Justinian, is almost as infirm as she.

 

Separated from The Barony of Abalone by 2-3km of un-reclaimed city scape is Sir Hemlock's family fief, Sector 42. This is one of the most notable boroughs of Deep Core 104, a great urban complex set deep into the ground and holding some of the most productive and varied mineral seams currently being mined in the city and it is very much a jewel in the Justinian crown. Many wonder then why its rulers seem to spend so much time away from home.

Sir Hemlock's father, Baron Tochiro Justinian, is a regal looking man, his fair hair now peppered with silver. He stands a good six feet tall and still maintains the athletic build of his youth.  Personally he is traditional and very formal in outlook; some might describe him as both cold and aloof, attributes that have gained him much support and many allies amongst the Ravennan Hawkwoods. Never a notable warrior he always saw himself more as a politician and ruler and as such spends most of his time away from his fief on “diplomatic missions” for Justinian interests. As such he leaves the running of things in the hands of his trusted retainer and bondsman, Master Alfredo Garcia. Master Alfredo was present with the Baron on a diplomatic mission to Delphi when the tragedy struck the household that robbed the Baron of his daughter and most of his household staff.  As the most senior surviving retainer at the time Alfredo stepped up and took control of the running of things and has remained so ever since. Trained by the Reeves, Alfredo was born into service in the Baron’s household and has remained so ever since. Some still gossip that he has taken advantage of his master’s frequent absences to secretly extend the fief's mine workings and line his own pockets in the process.

Baroness Emeraldas Al Malik Justinian is Hemlock's mother and the baron’s second wife, his first having died during the delivery of his first (stillborn) son Eustace (4960-4960).  The Baron remained in mourning for some years until he could be convinced to wed for the benefit of the house.  That was not to say that he did not have “companions” during that time but he seemed averse to making a formal commitment again.  For her part the current Baroness has always appeared the perfect wife for the Baron; demure, enchanting, witty and many believe that the ties to Al Malik have smoothed some previous issues that that previously faced Sector 42 when dealing with the Guilds.

The final fief of note in the immediate term is "Quentins's Retreat" set to the west of Sector 42 after another stretch of un-reclaimed city scape.  It is ruled by Baron Samuel Justinian, an academic and learned student of the humanities. He has a reputation for maintaining one of the finest and most diverse libraries on the planet.

The voyage home

Next stop, Ravenna....

Interlude - a flashback to before it began...

Tonbei stepped down briskly from the white wooden porch and gently paused at the bottom of the front steps.  The summer evening was warm and muggy, and cicada’s chirruped playfully all around the dark expanse of the garden.  He squints for one moment and tilts his head to one side, thoughtfully.

“Is that what I think it is?” he asks

De Havilland appears just by his side, looking in the same direction away into the far distance.  Suddenly, both are illuminated by a bright flash followed by a crackle and a thunderous boom.    Tonbei is certain he can feel a rumbling sensation through the soles of his feet.  From that moment the noise and flashing come in an irregular period of bangs, cracks, thuds and high pitched screeches.

The pair are over 20 miles away from the source of the action but even from here, and especially at night, the effect is quite staggering.

“Where is that?” asks Tonbei, half in a daze with wonder.
De Havilland frowns, looks across the breadth of the horizon for a few moments.  He raises a glass tumbler filled with ice to his lips and takes a measured sip of it before continuing.

“I used to holiday there as a child.  I remember a pretty little private cove where we would go with my father’s friends in the summer when the heat became too much in the city.  We’d play in the sea most of the time.  I truly loved it there.  Good times.”  De Havilland drifts off for a moment, reminiscing for a time that was long gone and would never return again.

“I managed to obtain the tactical reports of the area 6 months ago on another visit home.  The cove and land mass 200 metres around it were pretty much all gone…”

Tonbei turns his head round and looks into the profile of De Haviland to check that he wasn’t lying.  Satisfied that his lord was not misleading him he turns back to face the war signs far off in to the distance.

“You humans have an endless capacity for your own destruction.” Tonbei whispers.

The pair stand in total silence, watching the full onslaught, thinking of the poor souls who were trapped right in the thick of it all.

Tonbei breaks the chilling moment.  “Right, well, I’ll make sure our baggage is collected properly.  Your brother has arranged for us to move further inland to Havilland for a few weeks stay, for our own safety... “  The pair laugh to each other at the thought of it.  Otto had been extremely uncomfortable with his brother residing so close to the frontline of the war.  The residence had been one that De Havilland had used for holidaying in his youth and he had felt a keen desire to see it just one more time in case it too suddenly disappeared from all existence over the oncoming months or years.  Had Otto been present to the off-world antics of the Phoenix Knight and his Imperial Cohort only days before, then the threat of the war would not have been so pressing on his mind.

Tonbei walks off, back up the wooden steps onto the veranda and stops suddenly.  He turns back round to face the silhouette of De Havilland on the evenings black lawn.  
“Oh, my lord, just one more thing.  Apparently we have been invited to a tournament by a warrior-woman called Arcadia.  Do you want me to accept for us..?”