Cedron and Raven - Against the Green Knight!

08 Newkolt 349 AC

Note: Several NPCs in this adventure are based on those found in the Wrath of the River King module but have been adjusted for party level.

The bard and the swordsman set out, following the directions provided by Marzipan. Trees, heavy with ripe, sugary plums, line the trail they walk along. Every so often, a light brown, animal-shaped cookie crosses their path, moving quickly to either scramble up a tree or hide behind a snowbank. Most of these creatures; bears, hippos, sheep, a monkey wearing a hat, are no more than knee-high but the one giraffe they see rises at least as tall as their hip.

Cedron makes a mental note of all the creatures they pass. He admires the monkey's hat, wondering quietly if there's a monkey milliner that makes and fits the hats for his simian brethren.

"Well, that's not something you see everyday," he says to Raven as the giraffe passes. He pulls his flute from his cloak and practices fingering without blowing notes as they walk.

By about noon, the stream comes into sight. The pair turns and follows the brook. It flows smoothly down the nigh-imperceptible slope, picking up the occasional bit of snow falling from overhanging branches or bits of ice breaking loose from the bank. More animal crackers are sighted throughout the day but as the sun begins to set, they spot a blue, gelatinous bear wading through the stream to catch a red, chewy-looking fish. The bear keeps a wary eye on the two travelers as they pass but doesn't approach or flee.

The trail begins to widen, gradually becoming a road made of chocolate tiles. Ahead, a tent of gold and scarlet silk stands on a low hill. In front of the tent are a handful of knights and ladies speaking and sitting on small but comfortable chairs. They share plates and goblets carried by at least a dozen small, almost invisible, gray servants.

Cedron turns to Raven. “I don’t believe I’ve ever thanked you for these boots.” He points to the Boots of the Zephyr that were once worn by Raven.  “They are quite comfortable. You really don’t feel any impact from the ground. And nary a misstep due to loose stones. Quite the travel shoe.” He muses gratefully.

“Normally I’d engage a group of folk drinking tea, but we’re on a mission. So unless you’re needing something, I assume we keep walking?” He says to the elf.

"Those were good boots. But, the fewer people we talk to the better," Raven replies, "especially the ones we are likely to meet here. Let's keep going."

As the pair prepares to walk by, the lady rises to her feet. She has long, sable hair, long pointed ears, and a flowing blue gown studded with sparkling gems. She turns and speaks quietly to the younger man who leaps to his feet and begins jogging toward the travelers. He calls out, "Ho! Travelers! We have fresh boar with cranberry sauce, wine, and spiced nuts. Come! Join us!"

Cedron turns to Raven “Shall we make haste?”

"Yes. Keep your head down and don't make eye contact. It would be nice to avoid any complications," Raven mutters under his breath, "this time."

Whoever the people were, they don't press the issue and seem content to let Cedron and Raven to continuing to follow the stream without further interruption.

Soon, the Gingerbread Plums give way to a forest of birch, spruce, and hemlock trees. The air is crisp and the sound of water flowing over rocks fills the air.

The trees part and the group can see a river crossing ahead. Several large rocks, some slick with water and moss, protrude above the rushing rapids. The trail the two adventurers follow continues on the far side of the river.

Raven slows, "I recognize this place. Some kind of freshwater sirens tried to drown me here. Stay alert."

On the opposite bank, two beautiful horses with glossy black coats and copper manes and tails drink from the river. Next to them stand a knight in green armor and a squire wearing a green tabard. The knight’s verdant “armor” seems alive and is covered in bright green leaves and vines, his helmet is crowned with withies, and his lance is made of a living, leafy branch tipped with a terrible thorn.

The knight leaps into his saddle and shouts, “Which of you dares cross water guarded by the servants of the River King? None shall pass the river without defeating me first.” He then spurs his horse and rides to the shore, lance at the ready. His squire stays a bit behind.

“Cover me. I’m going to try a non-violent approach…..unless of course, Sir Green Bean is a friend of yours?” Cedron inquires.

"Go for it, every time I kill one of these guys, it creates nothing but more problems for me."

“Good Sir and loyal servant of the River King! We are but humble servants and messengers. We bear a sealed letter from Lord Malort of the South Side for your master. Open it if you dare; but I must warn it contains secrets not meant for our eyes. Let us pass, or face the consequences of denying your King this precious information.”

The Green Knight's voice carries across the river, strident and clear, "While your words are eloquent, I have made extensive study of noble courts, from the realms of demon princes, to angelic choirs, and even the lands of mortal kings on the Material Plane and beyond and know this, there is no Lord Malort of the South Side and I recognize by mine own sight, the Sugar Plum Fairy lurking behind you. Should either of you wish to cross this river, you will face me in a duel of honor or slink back from whence you came!"

Raven grumbles under his breath, "I really hate faeries."

Cedron sighs loudly, and turns to Raven. “Well that could have gone better. If you wish to avoid him and continue walking, I could turn us invisible and make some sort of illusion to keep him occupied, or we can just beat their arses? Your call.”

"I don't see any good way around a confrontation. If we pass invisibly, this fool sends word ahead and the River King is less likely to accept that our intentions aren't hostile. Still, I don't want to kill him and earn another enemy if it can be avoided. We should ask for the conditions of this duel," Raven replies, frowning.

“What say ye about this duel? What are the terms?” Cedron announces to the Green Team across the stream.

The squire shouts back, "Wait a moment!" He and the knight turn to each other and speak among themselves. Finally, the squire turns back to Cedron and Raven and calls out again.

"The duel shall be decided in favor of the warrior who first lands a blow in three passes if you have the courage to agree to such terms."

Cedron mockingly turns to Raven in a similar manner as the squire. “This place is ridiculous. Do you want to duel him, or shall I?”

Raven raises one eyebrow. "Do you want to?"

“Not particularly, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to always swing your blade on our behalf. I think it’s easy for us to get too comfortable with your martial skills. I want you to know that I’m willing, but whether I’m able is to be determined.”

Raven chuckles, a rare sound, "Well, I thank you for your consideration. You can take the next one."

“I’m not certain I trust that squire. I’m going to make sure that one stays honorable.”

"Always a good idea when dealing with faeries. They are fond of saying things in a way that imply one thing but can be interpreted in their favor and then apologize for any misunderstanding on 'your' part." Raven shakes his head. "Everytime I come here, it's always more than I bargain for."

Cedron shakes his head, then responds back loudly “Speak more of these passes. What are the rules? And what are the weapons on choice? Will the victor be permitted to continue without ANY further interference or delay?”

The squire speaks briefly with the Green Knight who nods in response and claps him on the shoulder. "Both contestants shall meet on that rock," the squire points to a large outcropping, perhaps fifteen feet wide and ten feet long, "and, upon receiving a visual cue, will try to strike each other. After each strike, they will return to their starting point amd wait for the next signal. The first combatant to score three hits, shall be declared the victor. Should both survive, the winner may proceed in whichever direction he chooses."

“And what of the loser?” Cedron announces.

The squire shrugs, "They leave, back in whichever direction they came from."

“So Raven, are you ready?”

The elf nods, "Let's get this over with." Raven hops from rock to rock to the outcropping to wait for his opponent. The Knight taps his horse's flanks with his heels. The mount steps forward into, or more precisely, onto the river. It walks out to the tiny island, its feet not quite touching the water.

There, in the center of the river, the Green Knight dismounts and faces Raven. He approaches and extends one hand. The two fighters shake and retreat to their starting positions.

The Green Knight's squire produces a handkerchief from his pocket and raises it over his head. He brings it down in a sweeping arc.

Both fighters draw their weapons in a flash and strike at the exact same moment. Raven twists aside, avoiding a sweep of the Green Knight's axe while bringing Nightwatcher across in a silvery arc that strikes his opponent on his left shoulder, just above his blocking shield.

The Knight lets out a grunt and backs away, returning his axe to the loop on his belt. "First point to you, Sugar Plum Fairy," is all he says.

Cedron nods in approval. “Well done, Master Fairy! Well done!”

Raven looks to Cedron and gives a quick nod. He sheathes his blade and returns to his starting point.

The handkerchief falls again and both duelists explode into motion. The Green Knight leaps to one side and pivots as he draws his axe. Nightwatcher clears its sheath and the elf darts forward, blade leading the way. The Knight continues to back away, circling to his right and instead of swinging his axe, sweeps across with his shield, slamming Raven on his left wrist with a solid blow.

The Green Knight stows his axe again and returns to his starting position.

Raven rubs his wrist, "That's one for you as well." The swordsman looks back to Cedron who remains stoic and unresponsive in response to the Green Knight’s blow.

Both fighters take up their positions once more. The squire gives the signal. The Knight, emboldened by his successful strike comes in hard and fast with a flurry of blows. Raven blocks the first strike, leaps back to avoid a second, and circles away, remaining just out of reach of the two following blows.

He stops, reversing direction and ducks low. He brings his sword across at knee level but the Knight, in a surprising show of agility, leaps over the attack. Raven checks his swing and brings his blade straight up, clipping the edge of the fae's helm, knocking it up and off.

The helmet clatters to the ground, revealing a face that resembles a carved piece of wood. The Green Knight shakes his head. "Well struck, Sugar Plum Fairy." He returns his axe to his belt. "You are a formidable warrior. I can see how you were able to defeat Lord Flax." He bends down and retrieves his helmet. "Let it be known that you have won the respect of Berckilak Oberest. I have never been so evenly matched in all of my days."

Cedron congratulates Raven. “I see you were playing nice. I guess you wanted him to feel good about his loss. Well that was fun. Let’s keep moving.”

"We have one more to go," Raven replies.

“I was under the impression it was the best two out of three. You struck twice, he struck once.”

Raven starts to reply, frowns, and turns. "Is my companion correct? Best of three?"

The Knight laughs, "Nay, lad. The first to reach three."

Raven squares up to face the Knight for what he hopes will be the last time. Once again, the duelists strike as one. The Green Knight's axe crashes into Raven's chest while Nightwatcher comes down heavily on the Oberest's weapon hand.

"And that is three for you. I shall step aside. Be safe in your travels, Sugar Plum Fairy."

Raven turns back to Cedron, "Let's get out of here before anything else can happen."