The Grand Joust

Session Focus: First day of the Grand Joust tournament in Belendar

Pre-Tournament Activities

Letter from Stormhold Keep

Letter received from steward reporting reconstruction progress:

• Wall foundation progressing but slower than expected
• Critical needs: Skilled blacksmith and master carpenter from Belendar
• Troop count now 60 footmen (hired 20 additional adventurers)
• Only ~20 men working on wall - insufficient workforce
• Supplies and money adequate

Lady Odonia of Galantri attempted to find craftsmen (Investigation 11) - heard rumors of traveling workers but didn't locate anyone specific.

Avicia's Status

Avicia remains in deep exhausted sleep - no injuries, just extreme fatigue from training.

Shopping & Armour

Elvva Beltavar received basic jousting armour (iron with bucket helmet) as gift from Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's blacksmith. Functional but aesthetically poor.

Lady Odonia of Galantri's Growing Renown: Now recognized in streets - people cheer when she walks by after winning melee renown points.

The Royal Feast

Odonia's Private Audience

Lady Odonia of Galantri met privately with Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade and Eldrin Oakenhart:

Intelligence Report - Three Lords with Ser Alvar Flowers's faction:

1. Ser Tristan Blackwood - Notable knight, in tournament
2. Baron Roderick Stonewall - Controls border castle with Immortal Draconic Empire
3. Duke Vallandor Firebloom - Owns all northern territories including Neverwinter (very high ranking)

Coup Warning: Princess believes coup is coming - found armour with blue/silver colors (not Odessia's green). Asks Lady Odonia of Galantri for continued vigilance.

New Magical Bow Reward:

• Infinite ammunition (arrow appears when drawing)
• Deals normal damage + 1d4 radiant damage
• Goldish hue arrows

Feast Highlights

King's Recognition: King acknowledged Lady Odonia of Galantri's "service to the Crown" and suggested elevating her to "proper standing at court."

Ali's Ominous Warning: Former bandit leader revealed he's "rolling with very powerful people who can keep people alive" - implied resurrection capabilities. When pressed: "You're too young for that... things you're not grown up enough yet for."

Dancing:

• Ser Tessell Highfrost danced with Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade (Performance 15 - good showing)
• Lady Odonia of Galantri danced with King (Performance 11 - King drunk but enjoyed, reputation boost noted by court)
• Elik'r Stormswallow and Elvva Beltavar fumbled through dance together (comedic)

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian Entrance: Announced as "Co'narr the Invincible," wearing clothes for first time (white ruffled shirt, looks like Austin Powers). Upon seeing party: "Oh fucking word. Yeah."

The Grand Joust - Day 1

Tournament Rules

• Knockout format, 3 tilts per match
• Points: Torso hit (1), Head hit (2), Unhorsing (5/instant win)
• Heavy/light lances based on strength
• Rolls: 2d20 (Power/Speed) + 1d4 (Accuracy)

Magical Tea Effects (Pre-Tournament)

• Lady Odonia of Galantri (18): Eyes fell out - blind 4 minutes (wore off before joust)
• Ser Tessell Highfrost (22): Potion of Healing upgraded to Greater
• Elik'r Stormswallow (76): Gave Ser Tessell Highfrost advantage on next attack; Elik'r Stormswallow takes disadvantage

Round 1 Results

ToooAh vs Lady Sarafina Moonwhisper

• Tilt 1: ToooAh unhorsed her immediately (5 points)
• Result: ToooAh WINS

Elvva Beltavar vs Ser Califor Windrider

• Three tilts - Elvva Beltavar shaky start but improving
• Tilt 3: Unhorsed opponent
• Result: Elvva Beltavar WINS

Lady Odonia of Galantri vs Ser Eldrin Shadowsong

• Tilt 1: Lady Odonia of Galantri slammed lance into chest, opponent nervous/intimidated - unhorsed
• Result: Lady Odonia of Galantri WINS in one tilt

Elik'r Stormswallow vs Lord Ellendor Dornstar

• Four tilts total (draw after 3)
• Close match, both mediocre performances
• Result: Elik'r Stormswallow WINS

Ser Tessell Highfrost vs Countess Crosby

• Three competitive tilts
• Final score: 5-4 Ser Tessell Highfrost
• Result: Ser Tessell Highfrost WINS

Notable NPC Results:

• Ser Alvar Flowers defeated Gwayne (Sarafina's father)
• Tharrock unhorsed Gwendolyn in one tilt
• Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade advancing
• Emperor Vladier Drakonhart and Lord Commander advancing

Round 2 Results

ToooAh vs Ser Alvar Flowers

• Tilt 2: Ser Alvar Flowers hit ToooAh in head (NAT 20 power) - Constitution save passed
• Tilt 3: ToooAh unhorsed Ser Alvar Flowers
• Result: ToooAh WINS

Elvva Beltavar vs Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade

• Princess revealed identity to crowd before tournament (removed helmet)
• Tilt 1: Princess NAT 20 power, unhorsed Elvva Beltavar immediately
• Result: Princess WINS

Lady Odonia of Galantri vs Ser Aleph the Hammer

• Three tilts, Aleph appeared drunk/struggling
• Final: 5-2 Lady Odonia of Galantri
• Result: Lady Odonia of Galantri WINS

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian vs Duke Vallandor Firebloom

• Duke hit Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian in head twice (4-0)
• Tilt 3: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian removed helmet, got two NAT 20s, demolished Duke
• Result: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian WINS (crowd went wild)

Ser Tessell Highfrost vs Emperor Vladier Drakonhart

• Emperor rolled 1-1-1 (accuracy-power-speed) - complete failure
• Tilt 1: Ser Tessell Highfrost unhorsed Emperor instantly
• Result: Ser Tessell Highfrost WINS (crowd shocked)

Round 3 Results

ToooAh vs Silverleaf

• Tilt 1: Silverleaf's lance caught wrong elk antler, completely mishandled
• ToooAh unhorsed him
• Result: ToooAh WINS - ADVANCES TO SEMIFINALS (DAY 2)

**Lady Odonia of Galantri vs Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade

• Tilt 1: Both passed each other (looked like respect, crowd confused)
• Tilt 2: Both hit each other identically (4-13-10 each) - 1-1 tie
• Tilt 3: Lady Odonia of Galantri faster, aimed for "right eye specifically"
  • Hit glanced off Princess's wolf-head helmet
  • Lady Odonia of Galantri hit Princess in head - unhorsed her
• Lady Odonia of Galantri immediately stopped, dismounted, helped Princess up
• Result: Lady Odonia of Galantri WINS - ADVANCES TO SEMIFINALS (DAY 2)

Ser Tessell Highfrost vs Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - THE SHOWDOWN

Pre-match: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian challenged: "2 tilts, then on 3rd we FIGHT" (fisticuffs if both still on)

• Tilt 1: Both hit - Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian head shot (2pts), Ser Tessell Highfrost chest (1pt). Score 2-1 Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
• Tilt 2: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian NAT 20 power to Ser Tessell Highfrost's head
  • No Constitution save possible - Ser Tessell Highfrost unhorsed
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian picked up Ser Tessell Highfrost by armpits: "I was hoping you'd last more than 2 rounds!"
• Result: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian WINS - ADVANCES TO SEMIFINALS (DAY 2)

Other Round 3:

• Tharrock defeated Lord Commander
• General Thailander defeated Tristan Blackwood

Day 2 Semifinals Setup

Confirmed Matches:

1. ToooAh vs Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
2. Lady Odonia of Galantri vs Tharrock

Plus two NPC matches.

Key Developments

Political:

• Three high-ranking lords identified with Ser Alvar Flowers's coup faction
• Ali connected to mysterious organization with resurrection powers
• Lady Odonia of Galantri's court standing rising - King considering elevation

Tournament:

• ToooAh and Lady Odonia of Galantri in semifinals
• Ser Tessell Highfrost, Elik'r Stormswallow, Elvva Beltavar eliminated respectably
• Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade revealed as the Eagle Knight to entire tournament

Items:

• Lady Odonia of Galantri: New magical bow (+1d4 radiant, infinite ammo)
• Ser Tessell Highfrost: Greater Potion of Healing (upgraded)

Outstanding:

• Need blacksmith and master carpenter for Stormhold Keep (see Quests - On Hold#Find Craftsmen)
• Ali's mysterious powerful backers
• Avicia recovering from exhaustion

Memorable Moments

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Wore actual clothes for first time (white ruffled Austin Powers shirt), challenged Ser Tessell Highfrost to "2 tilts then a FIGHT," then carried him off after winning: "I was hoping you'd last more than 2 rounds!"

Ser Tessell Highfrost - Unhorsed the Emperor Vladier Drakonhart in a single tilt when the Emperor rolled triple 1s (1-1-1 on accuracy-power-speed) and completely failed at everything.

Lady Odonia of Galantri - Defeated the Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade in jousting after the Princess publicly revealed her identity as the Eagle Knight to the shocked crowd. Immediately dismounted to help the Princess up and walked her off together.

ToooAh - Dominated Round 1 by unhorsing opponent instantly, then advanced through every round, now in semifinals against Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian.

Duke Vallandor Firebloom vs Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - After Duke led 4-0 hitting Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian in head twice, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian removed his helmet for Tilt 3 and rolled two natural 20s to absolutely demolish the Duke. Crowd went wild.

Ali (former bandit) - Cryptically warned Lady Odonia of Galantri about his new gang: "Very powerful people who can keep people alive" with resurrection capabilities. Refused to elaborate: "You're too young... things you're not grown up enough yet for."