The Renegade Priest.

Sir Hugh and his retinue are Bishop's men.  They have cleared the threat from Cestria Moor and Plaw's enclosure, and are now visiting Kibble's farm to root out a reported heretic.  His Eminence' Witch Smeller, the ragged Findlay is attached to Sir Hugh's retinue.  

A deeply unpleasant pointy man Findlay has already attempted to accuse several of Sir Hugh's men of Witchcraft, but has stopped doing that since being warned by the veteran Sergeant 'aWood that Witch Smeller's are not immune to a "Bliddy good hammering."

Near Kibble's farm is a shrine.  The Bishop's Archivist would call it the "Misericordia," the shrine to God's Pity.  Local legend however would say that this is an oak grove, a place of worship to Saitada, Celtic Goddess of Grief. (A goddess genuinely associated with North Eastern England incidentally)  

Local priest, Lionel of Aykley, defrocked by the Bishop, has begun preaching the Heresy of Pity, using the rites of the Celtic Goddess.  Turns out Lionel is quite persuasive and has gathered a flock of local folk.  

(Ayk is Oak in Old English, ...ley is place, so clearly an oak grove.  Akley is just south of here.)

Contract: Aid community 

A small community has sent out messengers that they are being menaced by a hostile group. This job can be done this or the following campaign turn. Place a new village on the map. To complete the job you must travel to them (rolling once on the “To village” column of the encounter table) and then conduct a battle against a random enemy chosen from the table in this chapter. The village has no other current Threats. 

This is a "Contract" mission under Five Leagues. Old Goodman Kibble has complained to Bishop Godfrey of the strange goings on around the nearby shrine. "Neccked dancin` my Lord!  'Taint right Sor!"  Sir Hugh has been given this task by the Bishop, and the payment will be 200 marks.  Witch Smeller Findlay can "smell a burning."

The fight

The Bishop's Men approach the shrine to the shouts of "Pity me! Pity me," the call of Lionel's congregation, who are armed to the teeth.  As fanatics they will neither give nor expect quarter.  Lionel himself however rolled the dice as a Prince of Cowards, and will spur his flock into action before fleeing.  Sir Hugh must seize this naughty fellow for the Bishop's Justice. and for his reward of 200 marks!

The Game

Scheduled later today!

South of Kibble's farm.

Lionel's men have pulled down the Holy Cross.  Heretics!  Also base coated and flesh under colour guys! 

Fast move, the four men at arms rush forward

Still in the Lumley colours though.

The Bishop's Men Retinue archers get stuck in.

Sir Hugh, wearing the correct badge for the Farthingdale's here, has a go with his big chopper.

Fr. Lionel flees on his ass.

The sixes and ones are critical, and the fanatics fight to the end.

Sir Hugh finishes the last of the fanatics off. 

Lionel escapes the field.  It seems like we will catch up with him in another game but for now Hugh can`t claim the 200 marks.  

Loot

The fanatics had little in the way of loot and I recoup 14 marks.  

Before we move onto the Sacrist Church however a pursuit of Lionel must be mounted.  He has headed off towards Nettle's farm, where the last stand of this area will be made and hopefully I can get rid of the last threat point.  

The dice however indicate that this is a Dark Secret threat.  It seems that one of the other Noble Houses is behind the troubles on the Great North Road.  A last dice roll informs me that Nettle's farm is abandoned.  Clearly named for the nettles that grow there!  It's the lair of the final "Boss" for this part of the campaign.  ("Boss" is my word here!)  The terrain will also include a ruined keep, long forgotten by history, but newly constructed by me!