This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.
The Witnesses are a group of old companions of Eivor, jarlskona of the Raven Clan, sent to help her by Niamh, the Woman of the Mists. Eivor recently returned from Ireland when worrying rumors reached her ears: a group of mercenaries led by a mysterious knight have been raiding her territories. These raiders seem to be searching for Eivor herself.
Concerned about the situation, Eivor devises a plan to gather information. She allows herself to be captured by the mercenaries in order to discover their true motives..
As your eyelids slowly open, you find yourself bound to a chair, your arms tightly secured behind your back. Your vision adjusts to the dimly lit surroundings, illuminated by the flickering flames of a small fire in the corner of the room. The air is filled with a cacophony of indistinct voices, muffled by a loud buzzing sound. You notice five people rummaging through your belongings, scattered on a nearby table, their chatter blending with the crackling of the fire. Suddenly, the creaking of the wooden door draws your attention, and a man enters the room. He is clearly a knight—his attire is lavish, his garments meticulously groomed, and a finely crafted sword hangs at his side. Engaging in a brief exchange of words with the other men, the distinguished figure directs his attention towards you, approaching with an air of mockery: "Ahahaha, well, well. It seems I was correct in my assumption. I always suspected that your reputation was nothing more than embellishments and the sweat of others.
Now, my Norse friend, do enlighten me. Where is Excalibur?"
At that moment, the door swings open once more, revealing Niamh and your trusted companions standing at the threshold, ready to fight!
The knight draws his sword, and the mercenaries immediately ready their weapons and attack!
Special
Eivor starts the fight restrained, therefore she must make a Challenge to free herself if she wants to join her friends.
Challenges
Well-Armed Mercenaries: The mercenaries are capable and well-armed, and despite the initial surprise, they fight with ferocity, selling their lives dearly. Therefore defeating them requires 2 separate Approach checks.
Knight of the Round Table: The mysterious knight, Leofwine, fights skillfully.
Weaknesses
I don't want to die! (minor): Leofwine, surprised by the situation, will surrender at his opponents' first sign of martial superiority. Witnesses can easily overcome the Knight of the Round Table Challenge if they prove skilled and deadly, perhaps by effortlessly defeating the mercenaries.
Once the Witnesses have defeated Leofwine and the mercenaries, a thorough search or interrogation will gather the information they need.
Challenges
Thorough Search: Leofwine is carrying a medallion bearing a symbol that is easily identified as referencing the Knights of the Round Table, the loyal servitors of the legendary King Arthur who is believed to have reigned over Britain in the fifth century. Yet, the symbol seems to be a variant, suggesting a reference to Mordred, the traitorous son of King Arthur. Moreover, Leofwine arrived here on a horse, that if inspected is burdened by saddlebags containing a few coins from the kingdom of Wessex, some wine, and a map showing the route from Glastonbury to Ravensthorpe.
Interrogation: If questioned, Leofwine reveals that he belongs to the 'Descendants of the Round Table', a group serving a leader they call 'Mordred', out of their headquarters at Glastonbury Abbey—their goal: recover the mythical sword Excalibur and conquer Britain.
Weaknesses
Eagle Sense (major): If one of the Witnesses were to kill Leofwine and then use Eagle Sense (see Skill Cards), they can obtain all the necessary information, including the location of the knights at Glastonbury Abbey and their motives, as above.
Niamh of Argyll is a cunning Celtic witch-warrior from the Women of the Mist, with dark reddish hair tied back with a ribbon. She has a lunar tattoo on her forearm, a symbol of her faith in Avalon. Niamh heavily influenced the politics in Mercia, initially infiltrating the Hidden Ones to discern their objectives in Britain. She later proved her allegiance to her people by taking Excalibur from Eivor Varinsdottir. Despite this betrayal, Niamh later forged a powerful alliance between the Women of the Mist and the Hidden Ones, uniting them in a common front against the Order of the Ancients and their allies.
