There is quite a commotion among the gathered knights seated at the fabled Round Table, the very symbol of chivalry and royality in this land. Built by a carpenter whose name is lost in legend, designed with the intention to showcase the equality and unity of the King's Finest. But now, the king's chair, gilded with intricate designs, legs and frame reinforced to prevent a collapse due to particularily weighty royalty, and outfitted with the highest and most ornate back rest and very comfy red plush cushioning, is empty. And none dare sit on it.
That is, one knight has tried to sit on it, but was dissuaded by the royal chancellor's death glare. Now all knights are paying the empty chair its proper respect.
There's been no more refreshments since two hours past and just fifteen minutes ago the wine has run out. The situation is dire, and the chancellor, who had been gone for 'preparations' barely returns to stem a drunken mutiny - together with a scraggly man you recognize as the court wizard. The king's right hand raises his voice in exasperation.
"Ahem! Noble sirs, if I..."
A noble dame is very loudly not having any of that.
"Noble sirs and ladies, if you must. Now..."
There is almost silence.
"It warms my heart that this many knights have yet volunteered to go save our king, but you must know one thing - it is ancient tradition that a party of questing knights on a holy mission shall be composed of five. No more, no less. Since your number greatly exceeds that, we will need to fall back on the traditional method of selecting a champion, or champions."
"Poker?"
"Half-naked mud wrestling?"
"Freestyle minstrel contest?"
"No. By goodness, have any of you ever sat at this round table?" The question is, to our poor chancellor, purely rhethoric. "We're going for a game of Fetch The Holy Grail."
There is an awkward silence.
"...how do you play that?" one knight inquires.
"Oh, for the love of... 'tis very simple. In this castle, five shards of the holy grail are hidden. Technically it's playing cards with illustrations of the holy grail on them but never mind the details. Oh, and they emit a quite pleasing radiance that should make them easier to spot - thank our court wizard for that one."
The court wizard tries to smile as naturally as a man in the presence of this many knights seeking evil wizards can.
"Anyway, each knight who can bring me one of the shards passes and shall henceforth be called an Elite Knight, fit to quest for our king."
The chancellor can't help but incorporate a dramatic pause. This time, there is silence.
"Go forth, noble knights!"
There is a great scrambling, leaving behind only two men with very slim hopes for the success of this mission.
(If you posted a sheet - or post a sheet before I do the next update - you're participating.