NA-14: House Asbury Awards Banquet
Readying, late afternoon — The Road Home (read-aloud)
You ride at the Baroness’s side as the hills unroll like a green psalter, each meadow a leaf bright with barley and kine. Lady Elinor turns in her saddle and smiles, a warmth seldom seen. “We have weathered much, my friends—yet see how fat the earth remaineth.” Sir Armount, helm at his thigh, nods gravely. “Honor rideth before us, my lady.” Skylarks spin their silver songs aloft; the wheat answers in hush and bow. You taste sweet loam on the wind, and hope—new as dawn—presses your breast.
Wayside—Elinor’s aside at the silent smithy (read-aloud)
At the thorp before the manor gate stands a cold stone forge, its chimney ashless, the anvil hooded in sacking. Lady Elinor reins in. “Here is our shame and our promise,” quoth she. “This hearth hath lacked a master since the wars emptied our men. Yet by your convoy, we saved the tools and anvil for better days. Mark me—this fire shall blaze again.” She dips her head to you, eyes bright. “For thy safeguard, I give thanks once more.”
Arrival at Asbury Manor (read-aloud)
The gate banners stir; a horn peals; and the yard swells with folk—maids with flour-whited hands, stable lads, weather-browned yeomen, and blue-tabarded guards upon the parapet. A cheer climbs the stone. Dogs bay, bells answer. Olaf the steward limps forward, beaming; pages bow, near tripping for zeal. “Rooms are made ready,” cries he. “Wash, rest, and don thy best—Her Ladyship would feast thee ere moonrise!”
You are led up stair and gallery to clean pallets, fresh water, and rush-scented linens. Outside, the manor hums with setting boards, tapping kegs, and the soft quarrel of kitchens.
You are led up stair and gallery to clean pallets, fresh water, and rush-scented linens. Outside, the manor hums with setting boards, tapping kegs, and the soft quarrel of kitchens.
The Banquet — Procession & Seating (read-aloud)
At first bell, boys in house colors come for you with lanterns upraised. “Honored guests,” they pipe, “the Lady calleth.” Through oaken doors you pass into the Great Hall: a forest of beams, four mantled hearths, chandeliers like caught constellations. Long boards groan with trenchers, glazed pies, and orchard wines; the dais glows beneath the Asbury banner—sword and gem.
You are shown to prestigious places at the Lady’s own table, near Sir Armount’s right. Murmurs rise—curious, admiring—like surf upon a gentle strand.
You are shown to prestigious places at the Lady’s own table, near Sir Armount’s right. Murmurs rise—curious, admiring—like surf upon a gentle strand.
Entry of the Lady (read-aloud & speech)
Sir Armount stands. His voice rings clear. “All rise.”
Lady Elinor Asbury enters robed in deep green, a ruby fillet like captured sunset upon her brow. She lays a palm upon the Lord’s Chair, takes the hall with steady gaze, and speaks:
“Freemen and vassals of House Asbury—this day the measure of our hope hath waxed. These good companions”—she names you—“did seek the truth of a priest, braved the buried law of the Suel, and brought home our Sword and Gem. With these, we strengthen our fields, hearten our folk, and beckon honest trade.
Freedom is the only reality in wishing, willing, sensing, and striving. Tonight we rejoice with our new-found friends and set our faces to a brighter morrow. Sir Armount, if thou wilt.”
Sir Armount bows, voice like steel wrapped in velvet. “To service clean and courage constant—Asbury!”
The hall answers: “Asbury!” Cups rise; music stirs; the feast begins.
Feast & Talk (read-aloud, second person)
Pages pour mulled cider; rosemary steam gilds thy face. A guard leans near: “Is’t so, then—ghouls of ruby? Tell it plain.” A weaving-woman gasps at your scars, then presses a lucky thread into your palm. Sir Armount’s mouth quirks when you speak of ambush turned. Lady Elinor listens the while, a still harbor; when thy tale touches the Shrine’s dark Maw, her knuckles pale upon the goblet—then ease.
Beside the hearth, the dwarf you drew from the temple—Thuldon Rockspitter—stands, helm beneath arm, beard newly combed, eyes bright as forge-stars.
Beside the hearth, the dwarf you drew from the temple—Thuldon Rockspitter—stands, helm beneath arm, beard newly combed, eyes bright as forge-stars.
Thuldon’s Pledge
Thuldon clears his throat. “My lady.”
Elinor: “Master Rockspitter?”
Thuldon (bows stiffly): “Debt is iron. These—” he nods to you— “hauled me from the skull-roots and found my fathers’ edge. If thou’lt have me, I set my hammer to thy banner. I’ll shoe thy war, mend thy plough, and raise again the Smithy of Asbury.”
A hush, then Elinor smiles as dawn after storm. “Master Thuldon, by my hand and hearth, I name thee Smith of Asbury. May thy anvil sing our fortunes home.”
Cheers break like rain.
Closing of the Feast (read-aloud)
Laughter fades to embers; the minstrels soften their strings. Elinor rises once more, the hall answering her quiet with quiet. “Be merry, yet be ready. Hope is a duty kept.” She inclines her head to you in true regard. The night breathes sweet hay through the shutters; beyond, the meadows sleep like tame seas.
Arrival at Asbury Manor by 3orcs
Asbury coat of arms by 3orcs
“To the Sword that guards, the Gem that guides.”
Parent Plot
Related Characters
Related Organizations
Related Locations
DM Notes & Running Guidance
Scene Goals.
- Payoff: Reward the party for delivering the Sword and Gem of Asbury with social elevation.
- Anchor: Seat them at the high table to signal legitimacy and future stakes.
- Plant: Thuldon’s oath re-opens the smithy, unlocking repairs, gear, and future craft hooks.
Pacing Beats.
- Road Interlude (2–3 minutes): Light talk; Elinor hopeful, Armount honorable; show breadbasket fields.
- Vacant Smithy (1): Elinor’s promise; foreshadow Thuldon.
- Arrival & Quarters (1–2): Safety & bustle.
- Procession & Speech (3): House pride; players named.
- Feast Q&A (table RP): Let each PC shine with one question or toast.
- Thuldon’s Pledge (1): Applause moment.
- Favor Handout (1): Mechanical boon, letter presented.
Skill Hooks.
- Insight DC 13: Elinor weighs not only valor but temperance and mercy.
- History DC 12: Asbury once famed for plough-iron and barley malt.
- Persuasion DC 12 (toasts): Earn an extra Asbury Contact (page, yeoman, or guard sergeant).
- Performance DC 12 (song or tale): Inspiration for one ally.
Rewards.
- Favor of House Asbury (above).
- Downtime Access: smithy (once Thuldon sets up), grain stores, fletcher.
- Modest Gifts: a cloak pin (House device), 10 gp worth of fine grain or ale per PC, and a letter of merit (the Favor writ).
Thuldon’s Pledge by 3orcs
Writ of Recommendation and Favor of House Asbury by 3orcs
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