GLogTober 24: The Merry Men
GLoGtober '24 Challenge #4: Esoteric Orders and Creeds
Notes prepared for Prince John by the Sheriff of Nottingham:
More than a simple band of brigands and cutthroats, the Merry Men are an esoteric cult dedicated to the Virgin Mary local to the forests of Nottinghamshire. While they profess piety and loyalty to the Crown, they dedicate their efforts to robbing priests and defrauding sheriffs and tax collectors.
The order was founded by Robyn Hode, a disgraced landlord from Sheffield. After failing to account for this yearly taxes, Hode took to the woods in the company of the most larcenous of his aides and workmen. They live off of poached game and foraged acorns, but supplement their larder by raiding the holdings of loyal houses. It is reported that they acquire arms and munitions by purchasing the debts of poor hedge knights, trading stolen coin for equipment and favors.
Since their inception, the Merry Men's ranks have been bolstered by three principal groups: criminals and vagabonds, deserters from the Crusade, and false preachers who have forsworn their Church. Despite their name, the Merry Men take members of all ages and genders. Among these new recruits are critical members of Hode's inner circle: a druidess versed in pagan springtime rituals, a friar known as a gourmand and for his wit and tactical acumen, and a biblical giant of some 20 odd feet in height that the Merry Men jokingly call "Little John."
The Merry Men delight in using doublespeak and coded messages to communicate, both internally and externally. Their chatter is full of wordplay and double meanings. Hode frequently issues orders to his followers as requests for "guests for dinner" (kidnappings) or "food for my supper (robberies)." Cells of Merry Men have been known to infiltrate households, sporting events, and even abbeys in search of plunder and "jests." Even the name Hode may be a nom de guerre, a play on hood or wood.
Behind this smokescreen of doublespeak, Hode insists on an idolatrous devotion to the Virgin Mary. He frequently takes oaths in her name, worries that the Merry Men's actions may have offended her, and even offers her as collateral against loans (a cryptic gesture that we have not been able to deduce the meaning of). It is unclear whether the Mary worshipped by Hode is ours or perhaps another sound-a-like name for some baleful power as of yet unidentified. We do know, however, that Hode and his followers are particularly zealous in targeting men of the cloth.
d6 Merry Men Encounters
- Little John, a small giant, blocks the road at a bridge or narrow pass. He insists on taking the party's valuables as a toll unless one of them will play a game of blows.
- The wreck of a carriage. A tied up caravan guard sits gagged at the reins. If the players approach, 4d4 Merry Men spring an ambush from the woods nearby.
- A priest, blindfolded and tied to a donkey. If aided can report the recent location of a group of Merry Men. Promises aid and repayment for safe return to the nearest Abbey.
- 4d4 Merry Men "invite the party to dinner." If any are knights, lords, or aristocrats the invitation is earnest. If any are clerics or priests, the invitation is to robbery by another band of 4d4 men nearby. If both or neither, flip a coin. In either case, they won't accept "no" for answer.
- Friar Tuck gathering bee honey. Will trade information in a game of questions with an eye for news of valuables or the movements of the Sheriff's men. Offers magical healing (up to and including regrowing limbs and other major feats) for a favor.
- Robyn Hode and 2d6 Merry Men returning to camp with bags of clinking coin (100 coin per Merry Man) and wearing the disguises of Nottingham men-at-arms.
Merry Man
HD: 1 (5), Armor: green jerkin (as leather) Weapon: bow and quarterstaff or long-knife (50/50)
Advantage on woodcraft, games of wit, trickshooting
Impulses: To rob the rich and give to the poor. To impress Robyn Hode. To disappear into the brush. To ambush.
Loot: Random clutter plus d10 coin, stashed in backpacks nearby.
Notable Members
Whenever you encounter a random number of Merry Men, for each 1 on a die, add a random notable member instead. Reroll doubles.
- Robyn Hode is a Merry Man but HD 4. He can escape from any bonds and disguise himself near perfectly with 10 minutes of preparation. He loves to thwart the powerful and scheme new heists.
- Little John is a Merry Man but also an HD 3 giant. Each of his attacks knocks back the recipient 10 feet, even on a miss. He loves to compete, to feast, and to dance.
- Friar Tuck is a Merry Man but HD 2 and able to cast Heal Wounds, Regenerate, and Bless. He loves to quip and to aid those in need.
- Maid Marian is a Merry Man but HD 2 and able to transform into any woodland animal or plant at will. She loves to be free and to free those who aren't.
- Sir Richard of Lea is a Knight (HD 2; plate, sword, shield, and horse). He is a friend to the Merry Men. While he is present they will avoid committing any crimes and generally be on their best behavior. He loves to serve his King and spend good money after bad.
- Guy of Gisbourne is a Merry Man but HD 2, and actually an assassin sent to kill Robyn Hode. His long-knife is coated in a lethal poison (Save or die in 1 minute) to which only he has the antidote. When encountered, flip a coin. On heads, he is battling the other Merry Men and winning. He loves Maid Marian and being paid for his talents.