Chairman Meow

As promised, here is the play report from last Saturday's Knights of the Astral Sea game. Thanks once again to Jim DiBenedetto for doing the writeup.

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20 April, 1939 (or thereabouts)

Capt. Alastair Hawkesworth

HMAS Richard Lemon Lander

My Dearest Alastair,

As we are briefly resting after a fairly harrowing journey on the back of a dragon (I shall explain in due course), I am taking the opportunity to write to you, although I know not when I shall have the opportunity to deliver this letter.

As you know, I and my companions set off to Faerie in order to rout out the usurper to my throne in le Cour d’Automne. This effort did not get off to an auspicious start. No sooner did we complete the transition to Faerie, but we were immediately attacked upon our arrival. I must admit that I barely remember the battle; there was violence all around, commotion and blood, and the last thing I remembered was firing my weapon.

I awoke some time later with a truly horrid headache, and no sign of my companions, save for Lord Tybalt – who had not been with us when we began our journey to Faerie. I had sharp words for him, but as befits his nature, he was unconcerned even though it was under his regency that my throne was usurped by the former Lord Siam, who now titles himself “Chairman Meow”. This name, and the communist schemes he has implemented apparently spring from events in China in the latter part of the 20th century – this is ahead of my time, but part of your past, I presume, Alastair. You would doubtless understand better than I what this usurper hopes to accomplish.

We were soon rejoined by some of my companions, namely Elspeth, Marcus and General Picton. The whereabouts of Colonel Rasmussen and also of Jude are unknown; possibly their own powerful magic causes their transitions to Faerie to go awry. We can only hope that they are safe and well, and shall rejoin us at an opportune moment.

The others arrived dramatically, atop a gray dragon, which deposited them, along with two prisoners they had taken during their recent activities (I shall explain). The dragon departed, but not before informing me that I was no longer the ruler of le Cour d’Automne, which is not true, of course.

Elspeth explained what had happened to them; during the battle I previously mentioned, my weapon must have malfunctioned, and the effect sent them to another world. Specifically, Elspeth’s home world, which is a grim place indeed. The Germans there, as they are generally, were the cause that grimness, and apparently my friends found themselves imprisoned. They managed to extricate themselves, taking two German soldiers as prisoners, and escaping in a helicopter (a term I know only because of your tales of service in the Royal Navy, Alastair). Upon entering Faerie, the helicopter changed form, and became the dragon which I saw.

Now reunited, we set off, with General Picton providing reconnaissance from the air. He spied a building along our desired path, and also a most unpleasant storm headed towards us. Before we could reach the building, whatever it might be, we encountered a giant ice troll. It injured Marcus, killed one of the two German prisoners (I should mention that I “drafted” them, in my capacity as a Queen of Faerie), and my weapon malfunctioned again, burning my hand in the process. It was the combined efforts of Lord Tybalt (who distracted the troll), General Picton (who attacked it from the air, throwing it off balance), and finally Marcus (who threw his sword at the creature, pushing it off a ledge and to, hopefully, its death) that saved us.

We then took refuge in the troll’s cave to avoid the storm. Elspeth and Marcus explored the cave; Elspeth found a variety of bones and items the troll had hoarded, including a locket with a picture of Desi the were-rat, whom we had met in our previous trip to Faerie.

In the early morning, we awoke to discover that the cave had been blocked in by snow. Soon thereafter, we heard the unmistakable signs of someone approaching. Lord Tybalt teleported himself outside, and found a delegation from the Winter Court of Faerie, led by one Commander Dario. After a brief negotiation, it was agreed that we would, on Dario’s invitation, visit the Winter Court to meet with its monarch, Lord Garavon (whom I have spoken with previously; you may recall that I threatened his life the last time that we spoke).

We arrived at a hunting lodge, where we met Garavon. He declared a feast for us that evening, and in the meantime provided his head of intelligence, a Lady Anyana, to speak with us. From her we received a more complete picture of the current situation; the usurper to my crown has managed to somehow make gunpowder work in Faerie and has been using it to great effect against the forces of the Winter Court. They wish him removed nearly as much as I do, and after the feast, I, with the invaluable aid of my friends, negotiated with Garavon on that point. I was, perhaps, prepared to concede too much, but I heeded th advice of my friends and did not agree to all Garavon’s terms.

In the end, I did make two concessions in return for his aid. First, to return any territory captured by Chairman Meow in his recent attacks back to the Winter Court. This provided me no dilemma, as I have no territorial ambitions. Second, and I am sure you will understand the role that I hope you shall play in this matter, that, in the event I do not produce an heir within 20 years, that Garavon’s daughter shall be heir to my throne.

I will wish to discuss this with you in person at the first opportunity, as I am sure that between us we can find a satisfactory resolution to the question of an heir to the Autumn throne.

With the agreement of Garavon secured, we developed our plan for the restoration of my throne.

Lord Tybalt will have a major role; upon learning that Chairman Meow, in his hatred for Tybalt, had set as a reward to whomever brings Tybalt to justice a Ministership and a place on the “Central Committee” (his new governing body), Tybalt came upon the idea of turning himself in. A thorough study of the new laws, along with the knowledge that in Faerie, bargains have a real force behind them, assured him that the scheme would work; the usurper would, by his own laws, have to give Tybalt the headship of a Ministry and a seat in the government. This will, we believe, have the result of unbalancing the usurper’s mind (more than it doubtless already is) and causing chaos.

At the same time, the Winter Court, and also, we hope, the Summer Court, will occupy the attention of the usurper’s troops, leaving the way open for us to get to my castle and remove the usurper.

As an added distraction to the usurper, we decided to visit his wife, currently under house arrest near the border. Lady Anyana took us there on the back of a dragon (a mode of transport I could happily never experience again). Our arrival was, as we intended, noticed, and news of it was relayed to the usurper. Lord Tybalt spoke with the usurper’s wife, whose aid we hope to receive, in return for the promise of wealth and comfort, which we shall certainly provide.

That done, we are preparing now to visit the Summer Court, to enlist their aid. Once that is done, we shall implement our plan, and soon I shall once again be Queen, as is fitting.

I look forward to seeing you in person soon, after I am restored as Sa Majeste Genevieve, la Reine du la Cour d’Automne.

Until that happy time, I remain, as ever, your most devoted and grateful friend,

Genevieve Chantal Therese de Lisieux Lamballe