Drew Desmond (1421)

Drew Desmond
Liegeman to William Hughes

When Lord Moyglare set foot in Dublin a few years ago, he began to hire locals. You managed to get hired on as liege to William Hughes for a small flat in Dublin.

Since then you have learned to handle a sword and lance with some proficiency. Sir Theobald has few people to practice with in the area, so you and Hughes picked up the skills and serve in that capacity.

Theobald is the brother to Lady Moyglare. You rarely see the Lord or Lady wandering their manor, as they are off doing the various “duties of the state”. No matter, you are always preparing for the inevitable Irish assault on Dublin.

Lately, a plague has stricken Dublin, and rumor has it that a famine is affecting Ireland proper. That has reduced the number of skirmishes between the English and Irish. In fact, it appears they are going to meet in Dun Boyne.

Earlier this month, Hughes informed you that you would be accompanying him and a large entourage to Dun Boyne, a day’s ride beyond the Pale. There would be a jousting tournament to determine the best fighters in the land without resorting to bloodletting. The prize is the O’Reilly’s daughter, Generis. If there is an open slot in the tournament, he might take your chances.

Around the Manor, the word is that Moyglare is going to try to get fresh water from the Irish by trading Barley from Wales. It is up to you and Hughes to protect the Moyglares from any Irish shenanigans.

The big secret you know about is Isabella Moyglare. William Hughes has lost it for her. Apparently, they are having an affair and he thinks that “true love” exists between them. Fat chance. You diddled Isabella last month, and you know she has slept with half of Dublin. When Hughes isn’t around, you and Sir Theobald joke about the slut that she is. Since both of you need her to remain married to Lord Moyglare, neither of you breathe a word of this to anyone else.

Hughes told you yesterday that he suspects Lord Moyglare’s advisor, Guy le Blanc, of wrongdoing. Lord Moyglare referred to leBlanc as “master” when Hughes was nearby. Neither of you have had time to say a word to anyone, but this secret could come in handy, later.

As low man on the totem pole, your secrets and connections could give you the opportunity to rise through the ranks quickly this weekend in Dun Boyne.

What is this?

Richard Clarke (1421)

Richard Clarke
9th Generation Tremere
Guard and Sire to Michael Phillips

Your first memories as an undead are traumatic. You were walking your normal guard duty deep in the cellars of London Tower, when you passed an area where the French were being held. The puddles of water you normally walked through became red with blood, and by the time you looked up, you’d been had. Needing an ally, the prisoner killed and embraced you. You led him out of the prison, but after a week your sire was killed in an ambush set up by Ventrue. It turns out that the Tremere were hunted – blamed in part for the plague that was besetting London. You quickly fled the city and over the next 6 months, made your way to Dublin. That town was also wracked with the plague (it lost 1/3 of its population), but it was easier to remain hidden. You quickly embraced someone to keep you company and enlist as an ally, he was a ‘nobody’ named Michael Phillips.

Until about 20 years ago, the two of you had to lie low, staying out of Ventrue sight. At that time Sarra Brennan was able to slay the head of the city. That started a two-year clan war, with the Tremere able to force a truce and Sarra in control of Dublin.

5 years ago, you and Phillips attached to Lord Moyglare. He arrived from England under the orders of Henry V to take command of Norman Ireland. Well, the Irish – Toreador Irish, control Norman Ireland. And a Cappadocian fool controls Moyglare. If you two could somehow get Moyglare to listen to you, then maybe you could accomplish something worthwhile.

Recently, in mundane affairs, a plague has struck Dublin. People are falling left and right from it, and the root of it is in the water that feeds the northern part of town. The Irish in the countryside have watched their fields grow barren. No one knows why. This has had two unpleasant side effects for you: blood is more difficult to come by and the Malkavian Irish have been entering Dublin bent on destroying the food storage. Phillips has urged Moyglare to organize a raiding party into the countryside, but he refuses to listen. You appealed to Sarra to do something.

After a few days, she informed you that there was going to be a meeting of the English and Irish in Dun Boyne. More than that, additional measures had been taken to stop the plague and famine, for the good of everyone. The meeting is going to be a festival – dance and joust – designed to allow the leaders of the Irish and English to work out a food for water deal.

This meeting presents you with a number of grand opportunities. First, you can single out and extract revenge on a few Ventrue. You can find out what Sarra meant by “additional measures” and how she set up this meeting. You might even be able to usurp her power under the right conditions. Phillips seems particularly eager to kick some Malkavian ass, but you have no idea who they are, so finding them and formulating a plan is also a priority…So many things, so little time…one does what one can.

What is this?

William Hughes (1421)

William Hughes
Man-at-Arms to Lord Moyglare

You have been trained since birth to be a man-at-arms. You were just a lowly soldier until you met a very special woman: Isabella. Although she was the wife of an English Lord (Gauwyn Moyglare), you two were meant to be. After that first night of tremendous lovemaking, a transfer was “arranged” to the Lord’s personal contingent. While Moyglare was away on the French Campaign, you were assigned to guard “the castle” (heh-heh). When he got back, he brought a new French advisor, Guy leBlanc. Almost immediately Lord Moyglare (and everyone else) packed up and left for Norman Ireland.

That was 6 years ago. Since then, things have changed a little. Norman Ireland doesn’t exist, leaving your Lordship to look important without being so. Mr. leBlanc has made increasing demands on Moyglare, and the Lady is frequently engaged in the social activities of the upper class, although she manages to steal away some time for you. You’ve become more prone to listening to his other advisor, Michael Phillips. Besides, Mr. Phillips isn’t French vermin.

All of the demands on the Lord and Lady have left you and the two other guards, Richard and Drew, plenty of time to train with the Lady’s brother, Valentine. Richard is a strange one and is the personal guard of Michael Phillips – Moyglare’s other advisor. Drew is your liege and Drew always has time to spare. Valentine is a knight, technically, but has no land or money to show for it. Over the years he has learned to use a sword and lance, and has participated in a few battles and tournaments, he even went on the French Campaign with Moyglare. You and the two guards have managed to pick up some skills with the lance since Valentine hasn’t had a partner to practice with. (You guys could already use a sword and halberd).

Earlier this month, Lord Moyglare informed you that you would be accompanying him and a large entourage to Dun Boyne, a day’s ride beyond the Pale. There would be a jousting tournament to determine the best fighters in the land without resorting to bloodletting. The prize is the O’Reilly’s daughter, Generis. If there is an open slot in the tournament, you might take your chances. Isabella can have a husband; it’s about time you won a wife.

Last week, as you were about to deliver a message to Lord Moyglare, you overheard him having a conversation with Mr. leBlanc. Moyglare referred to leBlanc as “Master”. You left unseen and delivered it later. You haven’t had a chance to discuss this with Valentine, Mr. Phillips or Isabella, but mentioned it to your liege. LeBlanc must have some magical power over your Lordship.

Try your best to be faithful to Isabella, protect your interests, your ass, and your Lordship.

What is this?