While relaxing at a tavern, the Bard encounters a man who claims to be Carver Hawke, brother to Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall and brings him to Chateau Serault to meet with the Marquis.
The Wayward Bard is later abducted and forced to serve at the court of The Horned Knight, the Lord of the Forest.
If the Marquis rescues the Bard by force...
The grateful Bard returns to Serault, after re-affirming his loyalty to the Marquis.
He's playing that song again, the one about the Glass Thief. He'd better leave out the verse about your mother.
The bard is of noble blood, just about: he's a nephew of the Kindly Knight. He comes and goes, but he can never stay away from Serault.
Available actions[]
1.
Ask what he's heard about recent events He might not be quite the player of the Game he was, but he keeps his ear to the ground.
Difficulty: Freedom*2
Success: Loose lips He returns, sloshing with information and a cheeky Amaranthine red. "Good people, the Seraultvine," he says, rosy-cheeked. "Candid
You let him get away with it. You can use this.
+8 Clues
Failure: A quiet folk He returns with a scowl as bitter as the dregs in his bottle. "People are tight-lipped in your Serault. They're afraid to talk out of turn." He was able to uncover a few scraps of valuable information, though. It's something.'
+3 Clues
2.
Compose a new verse glorifying Serault
The Seat of the Stag is his great, unfinished work. A hundred-odd stanzas of patriotic rhyme. Sometimes he sings the latest version at feasts, rewriting verses as he goes.
Result: Perfectionism You feed him some little-known Seraultine folklore, and he scrabbles for a quill "Yes, yes, that's good!" When you ask if the ballad is almost finished, he grumbles "a work of art is never completed, only hurried out the door to satisfy an impatient patron!" and stamps off.
-(Dignity) in Clues, +10 Dignity
Result: A moving target You describe an incident of picaresque historical color that should be good for a verse or two. "That's good stuff," he says. "I can use that." You ask when he will finish the ballad. He gives you a level stare. "When will I finish it? When will I finish the comprehensive story of Serault and her spirit? When will I finish that?" Yes. "I don't know. Things keep happening."
- (Dignity) in Clues, +10 Dignity
3.
Carouse with the Wayward Bard Fine food. Finer wine. Soft silks and gold thread. The attention of bright young things. These he cannot resist.
You will gain a Favor from the Wayward Bard, but may lose Dignity.
Difficulty: Derring-Do*1
Success: A pleasant evening "I'm made for better than this, you know. And so are you! Serault should be at the heart of the Game, like she used to be. You ought to stand at the Empress' shoulder. And me? I should be bathing in a tub of warm Fereldan whiskey while the prettiest maidens of Val Royeaux whisper filthy, filthy suggestions in my ear". "Instead I'm here, with you, drinking this. I don't even know what this is. No, don't throw it away! Great maker, Scholar/Huntress, if it doesn't fight back you drink it. I'll not abide waste"
-5 Bags of Royals, +1 Favor
Failure: Some explaining to do "Well. That must have been a good evening, because I'm up here, and my trousers are down there. Don't worry. I'm sure your clothes will turn up soon. "What are we doing in the chantry, anyway? There's nothing to drink, here. I say. Is that the Abbess arriving? Ah. And the choir"
-5 Bags of Royals, -4 Dignity, +1 Favor
4.
Wake up with the Wayward Bard in your bed Was it your intention? A happy accident? Does it matter? He's experienced, confident and canny, both in politics and the bedchamber.
Result: Hidden Passions You keep your liaisons secret, of course. Candlelit meetings. Fingers tangling briefly in the corridors. The doors to your chambers creaking softly open when the guards change their watch. Stifled giggles as a servant passes. His smile, silver in the moonlight, and the secrets he whispers before the morning.
-2 Favor, The Bard winks at you, fondly, Bard becomes Lover with +20 Cunning, The Bard winks at you, fondly
5.
[Requires having taken the Bard as your Lover]
Send him to steal secrets He's mostly retired, but for you he'll revisit old, bad habits.
Spend a Favor from the Wayward Bard to gain a Secret and Clues. If you fail, you'll gain Peril.
Difficulty: Cunning*6/5
Success: The bards of Orlais He tours several noble houses of Serault and her neighbors, playing his mandolin, singing songs and wringing them dry of secrets. The documents he presents you with upon his return would set afire if they knew what was written on them. "A close call or two along the way," he admits "but there's life in the old dog yet." He winks.
+1 Secret, +3-9 Clues, -1 Favor
Failure: Repercussions He returns earlier than you expected. 'Came across this,' he tells you, handing over a hastily-scribbled document. "Thought you'd want to see it right away." The information is good, but he's uncharacteristically solemn. He refuses to talk about what happened, and you suspect he had a narrow escape. There may be repercussions if his victims deduce who is responsible. The Bard's not as young as he used to be. Is he losing his touch?
+1 Secret, +1-10 Clues, -1 Favor, +20 Peril
