The Bride

The day wears on…

As we pace across a verdant hillside, we see a noble weeping willow perched upon its summit. Graceful, it moves gently in the wind, its branches billowing like a girl’s veil. But upon coming closer, we soon see that it is not only the willow’s branches that weep. Amber tears cascade down the tree’s trunk, pooling in hard lumps between its roots.

As we stand beneath the tree, wondering at its weeping trunk, a voice whispers to us — a voice like rustling leaves, or the wind through branches. “Once,” says the tree — for that is surely the thing which addresses us — “there was a young bride who sought to elope with her beloved. She stood where you stand now, awaiting him. But no one came. She died here, waiting. Even now, her spirit lingers, awaiting that man who deserted her. Do you bring a suitor to claim her hand?”


The Challenge

The spirit of the Bride has asked us to suggest a suitor.

  • Take the deck. Deal three cards to every traveller.

  • From among their three cards AND any Blessings/Bargains they carry, each traveller may pick a spirit to ‘court’ the Bride.

  • Clockwise starting with the Reader, each traveller takes it in turn to reveal their chosen suitor and argue why this spirit might make a good husband.

  • Following discussion, the party votes simultaneously on the most appropriate suitor. Travellers cannot vote for their own choice.

HELP FROM AN ITEM

If any traveller carries a RING, they may receive an extra three cards at the beginning of the Challenge.

Once the vote has been taken, choose the appropriate path: