Devilry Afoote: Lughnasa 1624 (part 1/4) - Your rates and tithes at work

I'm delighted that Mark (in Thailand), one of the Devilry Afoot playtesters, has agreed to share another of his narrative mini-campaigns. This time he takes up the mantle of wickedness and witchery in the tiny village of Frommage...

Lughnasa (Eng. Lammas) is traditionally celebrated in early August. It is one of the four seasonal festivals from the days of the (Gaelic & Celtic) Old Gods. It marks the shortening of days and the start hopefully of a successful harvest season.

In Frommage, an isolated village in southern Rutlandshire, it is also the time when folk step forward to join the Watch or, absent enough volunteers, for those in precarious circumstances to be pressed into service. The Curate (Rev Obadiah Slope) and Reeve (Uriah Heep) supervise this with their usual wise benevolence.

*************

Four new Watchmen, more or less willing, are enrolled for the next twelvemonth. They join two veterans (former soldiers in the Irish wars) who have opted to continue their service. Not all of the six will necessarily appear together in this set of games. Here they all are, with their key attributes and kit listed below. The asterisked attributes are the various hunters’ secret vices.

Left to Right:
Dogberry
Soldier. Charismatic, *Secret witch
Polearm, Sword, Lantern

Turncoat
Soldier. Charge, *Sadist
Polearm, Sword, Lantern

Margaret Pole
Good wife. devout, Strong, *Flagellant
Polearm, Elf bolt

Bottom
Goodman. Lone wolf, Swift, *Lustful
Axe, Lantern

Bumpkin
Goodman. devout, Penitent, * Flagellant
Club, Elf bolt, Lantern

Slide
Goodman. Penitent, Swift, *Slovenly
Club, Holy item, Dog

*************

The Watch are responsible for running beggars and vagrants out of town, bringing the occasional petty criminal before Sir Barty Hardacre the magistrate, and assisting Slope in his tiresome campaign against popery. But their real work is mounting a guard patrol every night to keep the Minions of the Devil away from Frommage.

Equipping and paying the watchmen is a big drain on parish funds, but no-one questions the expense. Better than being devoured in bed by Ghouls, or having your milk soured by Witches. And much, much better than being labelled a Witch yourself.

They don’t know it yet but the Watch will be busy in the days to come.

A raven’s-eye view of Fromage, looking North. A few Innocents - or are they? - are abroad.