The Ravenwood Chronicles: A Visit From a King

The morning of a brisk early-spring day ushered in news and excitement previously unknown to the citizens of Ravenwood. Firstly, however, an awakening of religious fervor overtook the wood. It appeared a number of members of different faiths met all at once at this crossroad, with members of monasteries and convents all representing their beliefs throughout town. Converts were in short supply, but not every attempt at proselytizing proved fruitless. Some came to join the various groups or donate to various causes, such as a new orphanage or feeding Fat Mike. The goal of funding an Inquisition was not met.

The long-time members of the town had goals of their own. After Villius sustained an injury fighting in the forest, Meldryn tried his hand at healing. He hoped to respect the memory of his fallen brother Malcolm- however unstable his attempts may have been. The Blue Boar Inn outdid itself again with generous pastries and bottomless ale. Even Mertag took to adventuring in the wood, discovering a map to a buried treasure- the last belongings of none other than the Raven, and word of Dee’s current whereabouts with a certain Maid Anne in the Sweet Rayne Valley. Riddle contests with intelligent owls and adventures to find buried treasure in the Ruins of Caliburn also occurred, with goblins mysteriously amassing in a new stronghold near the ruins…

An important-sounding letter from the Mousling Village arrived during the morning, but was too small to be translated! A number of new arrivals to Ravenwood graciously aided in finding the version that had been addressed to the Big Folk of Ravenwood. The news was both confusing and dire. The King presiding over our lands had died. Strangely, no one in Ravenwood knew that Ravenwood belonged to any kingdom or commonwealth. Stranger still, King Rupert’s successor instructed that a standing army would be set upon the wood to exact taxes long left unpaid!

In confusion and uproar, the citizens of Ravenwood went on a search to find these soldiers, only to discover a horde of goblins that had found a wealth of treasure in Caliburn and taken up residence in the fort. These goblins were rapidly dispatched and the gold distributed, with some left over for tournament winners. The archery tournaments went swimmingly, and various new dances were taught to the folks of Ravenwood. On the way back to town, however, we encountered a strange sight- a knight and his squire caught in the mud of the creek!

After assisting them to the safety of town, the knight introduced himself as Sir Douzsal Machaie, and his young squire as Alonzo Porkchop. Then, however, it was Dujael Mackee. Later on, it was Doogale Maekaye. Bewildered by his ever-changing name and pompous manner, we answered the knight’s questions about our opinion of the dead King Rupert. Doozjell Meckite seemed confused that the king was reported dead, and this all came to a head when he claimed that he was, in fact, King Rupert!

Though wary of this turn of events, the villagers agreed to treat him as king. Alonzo, however, confessed in private that the Captain of the Guard in East Anglia had instructed him to kill the King, and that he believed it to be the work of Rupert’s brother. Believing Rupert to be a lesser evil than the brother that had seemed to take over after him, the villagers were filled with dread at the appearance of several soldiers, tipped off to the King’s location by none other than one of our own!

The soldiers were unable to take Rupert thanks to the bravery of the villagers, but warned that they would return, and in greater numbers. King Rupert insisted that this was all a misunderstanding, that his brother loved him and would never attempt to hurt him. Thus, he took on quite a lackadaisical approach to the proceedings, and enjoyed the rustic fare and music that our village could provide.

In light of the coming army, the village split up to seek out help among the woods for aid. Ada led one group for the depths of the wood in search of the mysterious Woodland Folk, and Mertag led another to the Mousling Village to seek assistance. Both searches proved fruitless, with the Woodland Folk wintering elsewhere and the mouslings away until Tuesday to prepare for the planting. The villagers found themselves wholly alone.

With an army nearing, King Rupert attempted to muster our small forces, and we marched to the edge of the wood to meet the army head-on. As a smattering of freezing rain wetted the ground and gusts of wind along the field buffeted our cloaks, it appeared that there was no enemy to meet us. Three figures emerged on the horizon, however- the Captain, his lieutenant, and a shieldmaiden.

After bandying words with King Rupert, Alonzo, and Mertag, the shieldmaiden demanded the King’s life for peace, and was refused. Not satisfied by this, she lifted her hand and summoned forth a great army. Our unwavering ranks advanced as the rainfall reached a crescendo, and a battle ensued that dwarfed the skirmishes that our village had withstood in the past. By the might of our resolve, though the ground grew slick beneath us and the chill provided yet another enemy to our efforts, the soldiers were beaten back. In the confusion, the shieldmaiden struck Alonzo down, before she was herself captured.

Weeping over his squire in regret over his poor treatment, King Rupert asked to be forgiven and questioned how he could go on without Mr. Porkchop. Meldryn even offered to heal him, however tentative his healing studies have been. Alonzo confessed ultimately that he was feeling better, however, and the King retracted his statements.

The villagers, confused about the shieldmaiden’s identity, shortly had their questions laid to rest. King Rupert reaffirmed that his brother did love him and would never wish to betray him- it was his sister that hated him! A brief congress between the villagers and the King led to McKenna MacKay’s release. She was exiled, and last seen disappearing to the West, her forces either killed or scattered and her sword taken.

Through the pouring rain, the citizens of Ravenwood slipped home through the mud and enjoyed a bounteous feast. We ate and drank and joined company – thanks to our innkeepers and their hard work – and said goodbye to another day in the life in Ravenwood.