D20 SYSTEM✦ Normal

The Ribboned Gauntlet

# Investigation# Intrigue# Wilderness# Fey

The annual Gala of the Ribboned Steed is the social apex of the Barony of Vael. Knights compete in a lethal equestrian obstacle course, while the elite in the spectator tiers toss enchanted ribbons, binding favors, curses, and political promises. This year, the final champion collapsed mid-victory, her prize ribbon slithering into her mouth and choking her. The court whispers of sabotage, but the Baron dismisses it as accident. Behind the pageantry, two factions vie for control of the ancient, semi-sentient magic that governs the gala—magic now unraveling into public, fatal chaos.

Chronicle Prelude

The Pavilion of Feasting, a sprawling, safe hub of gilded tents and perfumed air, filled with nobles, merchants, and knights preparing for or recovering from the Gala. Information can be gathered here, alliances forged, and supplies purchased before venturing into the more dangerous competition grounds.

Environmental Traits

The Gala's ancient binding magic, woven into the very ribbons and obstacles, is corrupting. A victor is dead, the grounds themselves are becoming hostile, and the Baron demands the 'accident' be smoothed over. Players must navigate the political fallout, investigate the corruption, and choose a side before the next sunset ceremony—which will either seal the magic's stability or unleash it upon the barony.

Legendary Archetypes

Rayan

HP:45

STR:16

WIS: 12

CHA:11

Key Factions & Autonomous Nodes (8)

Baron Velis
A man of middle years with a carefully maintained beard and eyes that hold the weight of authority. He wears fine, dark silks embroidered with subtle ribbon motifs. His posture is rigid, his expression a mask of controlled concern. He represents the unyielding, traditionalist order of the barony.
Captain Kaelen of the Conservators
A tall, stern woman in polished, ceremonial armor etched with the Baron's crest. A blue ribbon of office is tied around her pauldron. Her gaze is sharp and unwavering, and she carries her authority like a physical shield. She is the embodiment of the Conservator faction's dogged loyalty.
Lady Miravel, Unraveler Cell Leader
A woman in her late thirties with sharp features and haunted eyes. She dresses practically, eschewing noble finery, but a single, faded ribbon—a memento—is braided into her hair. Her movements are deliberate, and a quiet intensity surrounds her. She is a living testament to the pact's hidden cost.
Astrologer Phineas
An elderly man with a wild mane of white hair and robes covered in celestial charts. He peers through a series of jeweled lenses, muttering to himself. His fascination with the Gala's magic is purely academic, and he views the conflict with detached curiosity.
Groom Tomas
A young, wiry man with straw in his hair and a perpetually nervous expression. He smells of horses and polish. He avoids eye contact with guards and jumps at loud noises. He is terrified of the magic he has seen growing in the stables and undercroft.
Sir Dorin, Rival Knight
A broad-shouldered knight in scuffed, practical armor, his face set in a permanent scowl. He was the favorite to win the last Gala and feels cheated. His anger is a palpable aura, directed at everyone and everything connected to the event.
Sergeant Borin, the Greasy Gatekeeper
A guard with a stained uniform and a shifty look in his eyes. He is stationed at a secondary gate to the Obstacle Grounds and seems far too relaxed. His hand often rests near a hidden pouch at his belt.
The Heart-Knot Spirit
A swirling vortex of spectral ribbons, tangled horse manes, and glowing bones, forming a vaguely humanoid shape in the center of the cavern. It pulses with a hungry, desperate light, and whispers of ambition, glory, and loss echo from its core. It is the semi-sentient, corrupted core of the binding magic itself—a final barrier and moral test.

Chronicle Prelude

Environmental Traits

Legendary Archetypes

✦ Related Cases ✦

The Guiding Fog & The Luminous Gate

The Silent Symphony