>>19663829>>19661849The other thread is autosaging. Get in here guys, lets do it.
This is pretty obviously our smuggled Arbor Gold.Praise the Wine. Tell the merchant that you are not from Oldtown, buy some of it, then ask him if he would bring you in contact with the tyrosi for a fee, because you want to also be able to enjoy this wine in the future in your castle in the Riverlands.
>>19663946That is a fine idea. You tell him that you have never tasted a wine so sweet. You hand him a small bag of gold coins, purchasing the cask and asking him about making an introduction.>Roll 6d6 to get him to give up a name.
Couldn't you just stay in your other thread? There's sixteen pages you know. Plenty of time for you to finish. You don't have to always keep your thread on the front page.
rolled 5, 2, 5, 2, 6, 5 = 25>>19663986If we're doing all this detective work we're going to need to start talking about dames and providing noir commentary to our actions.
rolled 6, 2, 4, 5, 5, 5 = 27>>19663876>>19663876>>19663986Keep baiting the merchant in asking of his other wines and see where they come from, he maybe deeper in than we thought.
Please email moot for a separate quest board you can play in . Thanks!
>>19663993Just trying to keep it above water so that, as the night goes on, my players can see it. Most of our shit goes down around 10pm or later, so I am a touch weary of being pushed too far back.
Oh Lawdy! Reading to catch up now.>>19664017Also I'll take this roll
>>19664010"It was a dirty stinking street, in a dirty stinking town, in a dirty stinking world. But someone has to do this kind of work... I picked the cask up, walking back down the rainsoaked streets towards the sea, black and unknowable.... Dames.">>19664017>>19664010Good rolls. The merchant, upon feeling the weight of the purse you handled him, smiles a big, greedy smile. "Well, I could always introduce my supplier to a... friend. He is an interesting man, but he and I both have a deep and abiding love of making people happy."
>>19664024Not to mention if the thread goes down so prematurely people cant see it and participated. We also got a moderated to high participation on the previous threads.
>>19664022http://catalog.neet.tv/tg/
>>19664075I finally had a lead, I might be able to find this Mad Maester now. The Redwynes wanted him out of the picture, and one look at Dalyna's face was all it took to make me into their personal hunting dog.Express deep interest in meeting his provider, we're going to work our way up the food chain.
You smile, and he starts bragging a bit, talking about his good Tyroshi friend. The man the merchant got the wines from apparently lives in a large house just outside the city gates. It is a compound, lavishly decorated, and filled with unique treasures."My friend is a great trader, a man who can find anything for the right price, and for a bit more he can put it in your hands." He motions to the wine. "He found these for a song, and sold them to me at a very fair price, which is pass on to you, m'lord.">How to handle this?
>>19664144I would love to meet this man. I am always on the lookout for a bargain and this seems like an excellent opportunity. Does your friend have a name perchance?
>>19664144Is there any way to contact Lord Portain via raven? Redwyne has entrusted him with the investigation. At the very least we should tell him of our suspicions that House Clamwater is involved.
>>19664186He smiles and bows low. "His name is Bhaarissio. He may be a bit of a... unusual sort. He has a purple beard and green brows, but he is a merchant without compare."He tells you how to get to the man's house, and promises that tomorrow night, the three of you can dine together and talk about business. You nod and thank him, saying that you are grateful that he would be such a generous man, and that his generosity will not be forgotten when you and Bhaarissio enter into business together.>Got anything else to do, or do you want to return to the ship?
>>19664228I dont think they are involved. Some merchant is selling the wine under their unsuspecting name, and because only nobles from the arbor (with excellent economic knowledge) would notice that they actually dont produce wine.
>>19664228You can send someone back to the ships to find Ben. From the Citadel, you could get a raven in the air in about three hours.
>>19664228They might be, or it's just a name being used as cover, we should however investigate them. >>19664238Excellent, we already got messengers off to the Brotherhood, went shopping and have made headway on this case.We could visit the citadel, see what all the fuss is about, and see Ben in his natural environment.Also I'd rather we get a bit more on the situation before sending a Raven, we don't know if the Clawwaters are involved at all, and we're likely to get quite a bit more information by meeting with Bhaarisssio.
So what to do today:>Meet with the Brotherhood?>Send a Raven to Portain?>Visit the Citadel?What to do tomorrow:>Find Michael Coldwater and his son.>Meet with Bhaarissio for dinner?>Meet with the Brotherhood?
>>19664319Vote it up folks.
>>19664319We should meet with the Brotherhood today probably, get that out of the way, we'll be busy tomorrow with Coldwater and our new Squire. We could stop by the Citadel tomorrow with our new squire in an attempt to show him that being a knight is more than just skill at arms, it is learning, knowledge, a massive variety of skills.
>>19664319>Send a Raven to Portain Lets inform him of what we have fond out, made the names we know can help him catch the conspirators on the Arbor.
>>19664351You mean bringing him with us when we send the raven to Portain? Bad idea in my opinion. He's a child, and is likely to let something slip. If we're suspicious of a Noble House, and I honestly think House Clamwater sounds desperately poor enough to try something like this, it needs to be handled with the greatest discretion.>>19664319Meet with the Brotherhood. Probably hold off sending that raven till we meet with Bhaariso, when we'll have something more solid.
Heading back to the ships to prepare for our little meeting tonight, we mentally compose a letter to Portain. When you get back, you put the rough idea to paper. In it, you discuss our new findings, but tell him that we are investigating it further and will soon have new information. You also tell him to tell no one but his most trusted people about the Clawwater link, just in case it turns out to be wrong. You slip the rough draft into your personal chest, so as to keep it safe.We clean ourselves up and put on our good clothes, kinda pumped to be able to try out our new mantle of silver and opals. If we are going to meet with the Brotherhood, we should do our part to look like a man of our station, and a wealthy man at that. Sers Crane and Cargill will accompany you, since they both brought their plate and can polish it up to a sufficient level of impressiveness.>How should we manage our meeting with the Brotherhood? Currently, we are meeting with all fifteen members in Oldtown at the villa being rented by a man named Estalio Montelban, who is said to be one of the greatest among them. Any kind of entrance we want to make? Any special gifts? We did bring casks of Arbor wines on purpose, after all.
>>19664443Since we did buy the arbor gold, we might as well gift it to them. Uh, otherwise i don't really know? Other export goods of our city, and maybe some documents on the Progress Saltmouth has made, to ensure them it is a thriving buisness possibility.
>>19664443We should bring some wine, some really good wine, as we're from the Arbor. We won't impress these guys with exotic goods from far off lands as they're from those far off lands. If we have any very Westerossi goods we could present those, I kind of wish we had some spare pieces of castle-forged steel lying around, a few daggers or the like of remarkable quality, but oh well. Goods that represent Saltmouth, our primary imports and exports and what we make ourself. We want to make a dignified entrance, one that establishes us as rich and powerful but not ostentatious or overcompensating. Nice clothing, well maintained armor, but we don't need to be covered in bling and have trumpets herald us.
>>19664443Bring the wine. On top of Crane and Cargill bring two of our 'shinier' members of the Steel Guard. There is a very real chance of this quickly getting messy.And destroy the draft. That can only end badly if it makes it's way into someone else's hands.
Our goal here should be to get them to relocate to Saltmouth, offering them our protection from assassins and shit.
Bring the wine, we're a lord from the Arbor, after all. We shouldn't leave that draft lying around. Commit it to memory, or keep it in our boot if we can't, but if someone searches our room (which this Tyroshi very well might do), we don't want this to be anywhere inside.
Thinking better of it, we hold the parchment to a candle, and don't let it go until it is nearly entirely black ash. Discretion is the key in this matter, and secrets are only secrets as long as no one else knows them. You have been prepare the most important documents you have, along with several detailed maps of the bay, and last months tax documents. This should be enough, coupled with your charisma and intelligence, to get at least a few of them to bite. Sers Crane and Cargill will ride to your front, with Iylaria and Ser Brandon Cordwayner being your rear. You will bring a cask of Arbor sweet red, with the newly purchased cask of Arbor Gold. You ensure that your people are dressed appropriately, and head out.
The villa is a place of decadence and luxury. The inner courtyard is marble, with a fountain of pure white marble and silver in the form of the Seven holding silver tools. Inside are mercenaries from a dozen companies and bands, pacing the walls and seeing to the structure. You hand off the wines to some of the servants, and push through the inner doors of oak and bronze, walking into the main hall, cutting the figure of a vigorous, powerful lord.Immediately, you are happy you didn't try to bling up. Any one of the men in front of you could buy all your holdings with their jewelry alone; fingers, necks, ears, and wrists dripping with gold, gems, and rarer materials. The room is large and open, limestone walls covered in erotic wall hangings, the massive firepit roaring and casting light across the assembled crowd. Maybe a dozen men and women stand before you, running the gamut from fat to thin, short to tall. They turn, clearly waiting for your first words.
Oh hell yes, it's Karban Time. Got a question for the other players--how interested are you in courting Dalyna? That would prevent Hot Dornish Wife, but it would be the ultimate political coup short of winning the Game of Thrones outright. I have some thoughts on how to pull it off, but I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this.Also, Princely, how is our relationship with our original house? Do we stay in touch? And how was our parting?
>erotic wall hangingsHot damn.First words?"My greetings to you esteemed personages. I thank you for allowing me the distinct pleasure of calling on you. My hope is that this first meeting will provide the foundation for a lasting--and profitable--relationship between your Brotherhood and myself."
>>19664716We parted on relatively good terms, as our older brother had no problem with us seeking adventure and glory elsewhere. However, you haven't written him in two years... He might not even know your a lord these days. But our family isn't that Lannisters. It is a bit less... cutthroat.
>>19664686"Gentlemen, Ladies please be at ease. I haven't asked for an audience just to enjoy the pleasure of your company, but surely we could be seated and relax for a moment?"Personally, I don't like this. With the number of mercernaries at hand, if things turn nasty, we should leave immediately. In a fight we're going to come off second best.
>>19664804The only way it's coming down to a fight is if we tell them we're assassins here to kill them. We could easily flub the negotiations and be out our wine and time, but I don't think we need to worry for our physical well-being.
>>19664686Men and Women of the Brotherhood of Bearers, I am Lord Dustain Korban of Saltmouth. I have heard the tale of how you came here and it occurred to me that we could engage in a mutually beneficial venture. You need a place to base your operations out of, a safe place where commerce can be conducted. I think that we can come to an arrangement.>>19664716I'm pretty interested, she seems nice, she likes us, her father and brother like us quite a bit, and the only impediment we have is that we are below her in station, a problem we are fixing. We are set to become Watchlord of the Windingwater, Saltmouth is absurdly prosperous, the Redwynes will love us even more once we crack this case. I think we have a damn good shot at becoming "good enough" for her, and if we pull this off our house and the Redwyne house will be very closely tied together, we'd be married to the daughter of the family and a close friend and adviser to the Lord. It's an opportunity too good to pass up, even for HDW.
>>19664803We should fix that as soon as we get home. >>19664716Personally I'm still in favour of Hot Dornish Wife. But I do see the advantages of getting with Dalyana.
We greet the Brotherhood as if they were old friends, talking about our joy in seeing them assembled here, and our hope that this is just the start of something truly... profitable. You offer them all some of the finest wines of the Arbor, as a servant starts bringing around glasses of your wines on platters of silver. You say that this is but a taste of what you can offer them, and by proxy, what they can then offer to the world.Working the room, you quickly begin to see that the room is split into three groups, centered around three individuals. A voluptuous woman named Ghand, a Summer Islander who's voice sounds like a song, and who is wearing a dress made of links of silver and bronze, laced through with feathers. A fat man named Tarlosa leads the second group, who all drip with more wealth than the other groups combined. Each man in Tarlosa's band is covered in silks and cloth-of-gold, and dozens of golden rings. The final group centers around the tall, broad Montelban. He looks like a warrior prince, with a confident swagger and broad saber at his hilt. It is clear that you will need to win over each group, or perhaps turn them against each other.
>>19664716I see no political benefit on a Dornish Wife; A wife from the mainland on the reach or Dalyna herself seems like the better option.
>>19664804The mercenaries regard you with barely any notice. You are not the only lord to visit these men, and you won't be the last. Besides, while these look like competent enough guys, only a fool attacks three knights, a braavo, and the lord who is tough enough to command them. >>19664847Which group do we talk to first?
rolled 2, 6, 6, 2 = 16>>19664880this. Marrying Dorne accomplishes dick all especially when everyone in our area hates Dorne anyways. Dalyna is the most advantageous marriage short of waiting out the rebellion and seeing how we come out position wise, then marrying.
rolled 3, 1, 3, 3 = 10>>19664889Probably with the fat one, tarlossa
>>19664847We are looking at keeping the Brotherhood in Saltmouth separate from the Pentos factions, right? The last thing we need is bringing assassinations and coup right to our doorstep.Personally, I'm in favour in enticing one of these three groups away from the rest of the Brotherhood and having them set up in Saltmouth.
rolled 6, 1, 4, 6 = 17>>19664911Well, we should probably focus on the prince or woman then, the Fat one and his friends are so wealthy i doubt they'd leave pentos unless they desperately fear for their lives.
>>19664847I'd prefer not to set them against each other, at least not yet. We know the main power groups but we don't know exactly how they interact and if we get them started on the backstabbing and treachery again all we'll end up with two impoverished merchants, ten artfully poisoned corpses, a dinghy and a complete lack of profit. Let's start with Montelban, we can butter him up with our tales of valor, sell up the fact that we can make some the best weapons you can find short of Valyrian Steel, and the other myriad benefits of Saltmouth.I'd like to get as many of them on board as possible, I'd like to get Montelban and Ghand on our side before going after Tarlosa as he will probably be the hardest to convince and likely the only thing he really brings to the table is money, the others likely have more interesting connection and other uses.
>>19664935I agree.Start with Montelban, then Ghand. Finally we look at Tarlossa, though he's unlikely to find us very appealing.
>>19664911As far as you guys have said, you are looking at tapping the economic power of the splintered Brotherhood to either draw some away to Saltmouth, or to make sure that they view it as a home base or friendly port. Moving them (or all of them, or just a few) is entirely up to you guys.You approach Tarlosa, and bow low before him and his contingent. He turns to you, and you take a better look. He has golden studs in his brow, which is entirely shaved free of hair. His clothing must weigh nearly fifty pounds, and is covered with precious metals and gems. "I greet you as a friend and equal, Lord Karban. Tell me, what brings you before the Brotherhood of Bearers?"
>>19664935We should mention the naval might of the Arbor as well to the prince, their investments will be well protected with the amount of warships patrolling.
Let's try Ghand first. Montelban strikes me at first instinct as someone with something to prove, and while that could be good (it wouldn't be hard to persuade me to talk to him first), it could also be bad, arrogant people make foolish mistakes. Tarlosa is fat and wealthy, he probably has less immediate need for a business venture than the others. Additionally, Ghand is by far the most foreign of the three, making her feel like she has a friend and contact in Westeros she can trust might be a lucrative thing, we're taking a chance on her, and she'll be taking a chance on us. Plus, she's the prettiest to look at.On the subject of wives, let's keep our options open. No point betting on the races until you've had a chance to study each horse.
>>19664935>>19664983Oops. Sorry guys, started writing just as you were too. Don't worry though, We aren't at the point of excluding or making enemies yet, so the first run-through doesn't matter. Well, the order doesn't, anyways.
Okay, my guess is that if we successfully get all three group interested in setting up shop in Saltmouth we get a heftier bonus than if we get just one. We also probably cheese off the Pentosi branch but fuck them we'll have money.Rules of engagement: if Ghand tries to seduce us, refuse. She's older and probably a lot better at this than we are. Also don't want any rumors spreading so do not go into private negotiations.Tarlosa is probably a good place to start, since he seems like the wealthiest and these people speak money. We want to impress on him how quickly Saltmouth is growing and how much we like keeping things growing and how little we like people who try to get around our quite reasonable rules there. Offer him money and security.Montelban seems like our kind of guy. Get to know him, maybe ask about the others. Don't get naive though, he's leading a faction of merchants. Find out what he wants.
>>19664985Opportunity brings me here Tarlosa. I have heard some of the tale of the Brotherhood of Bearers and it struck me that we could both be of benefit to each other. You are in need of a friendly port to operate out of, one that will not lead to the unfortunate circumstances that led you to Oldtown. Oldtown is a wonderful and beautiful place, but it is established and there is little room for those who do not already have roots here. Any of those who wish to join the game here must deal with those who don't want them to play, circumstances you no doubt understand. Saltmouth, while smaller, is growing at a prodigious rate and there is opportunity there, a chance to set down roots while the soil is fertile.
>>19664985 "The opportunity for profit, and a business proposition that could benefit everyone greatly."Bait him in. Make him want the deal.
>>19664985I wish to form a trade agreement with the brotherhood, and to make Saltmouth a favored port of trade and commerce in Westeros.
>>19665050>refuse GhandBut of course. We're a damn noble. But just because she is attractive doesn't mean she's going to try to seduce us.>>19665104Waaaay, too much info. That's putting all our cards on the table at once. We should mention an interest in a mutually profitable agreement. Also ask him about the other two.
Tarlosa thinks about this, rolling an olive in his mouth as he thumbs the glass of Arbor red. "Tarlosa is intrigued by this... A small town is nothing to sell goods to, hmm? A great city like Oldtown offers a man like Tarlosa many markets, and many men with purses of gold. But Tarlosa has grown very wealthy by doing the unconventional, no?" You tell him of Saltmouth, of the naval power of the Reach that keeps pirates and brigands away, and of the depth of the natural port that makes Saltmouth tenable. "Talrosa will think about this. Go now, and speak to my brothers and sisters." You leave him ruminating and talking with his little group.
Okay, so it seems that there is an interest in our lady Dalyna. I'll admit that my interest was sparked the minute she suggested we couldn't win her. I imagine that Dustain has never taken well to being told he can't do something--it's a fabulous motivator.So, here's the low down. In order to win Dalyna, Lord Redwyne or Paxter needs to see a concrete benefit in giving us the girl. Daughters are an asset in a feudal system, given to cement alliances, for favors and to end bloodfeud. It's frankly amazing the girl isn't engaged already.There has to be a concrete reason for Karban to be wed to Redwyne. It doesn't matter how much the entire family likes us (well it makes things easier but...) if they need to get Paxter an alliance with another house to secure his place there she goes. We need to make ourselves a viable candidate. To use an analogy that Princely used at the start, we have to be not just the prettiest girl at prom but the valedictorian and captain of the football team as well. We have to make ourselves out to be a huge asset to the family. We need to expand our holdings, acquire bannermen, make friends and become wealthier than the Lannisters again. It's the politics that will matter most though.
>>19665194With Tarlosa busy talking, who do we approach next? Ghand stands apart with her group of three, drinking deeply of the wine and talking in hushed tones. Montelban is with the medium-sized group, discussing the style of Braavosi swordsmen and how one time, he stole a woman from a braavo and had to defend himself.
>>19665201>It's frankly amazing the girl isn't engaged already.Personally I think she's only going to be married off either after Lord Redwyne's death (when his son will need to cement alliances) or just before it. After all, Lord Redwyne has already expressed his fear that his son is going to have trouble garnering the same sort of loyalty he has so far enjoyed.If we want Dalyana, and that seems to be the popular opinion, we need to make ourselves utterly indispensable to Lord Paxter (it was Paxter right?).
>>19665201Well having this Brotherhood start operating out of our city and then becoming Watchlord is a serious step in the right direction. With the money from the Brotherhood we could start getting bannermen and make our holdings even larger and richer, maybe even get into the wine growing part of the Arbor as well as the shipping. We become an indispensable adviser and friend to Paxter, and then we marry his sister. >>19665194Don't ask him why he speaks in third person.>>19665259Let's get Montelban next, we can use a similar tack, but we should start by swapping tales of valor and adventure, talking about the Steel Guard and their own tales. Then we give a similar pitch to him, but with emphasis on the fact that we can produce Castle-Forged Steel on demand which is as good as you can get without it being Valyrian Steel.
Lord Redwyne is dying, he thinks, and is trying to get us to give Paxter a hand when he succeeds. That's great for us, but think about why. Why *us*? We're new to the Arbor and not very big, and we owe the Redwynes. His new favor is in part because we're doing well but also because he knows that we'll owe the family again. As it stands, he considers us well and bought.My guess is that Pason foresees problems in Paxter's succession, or during his reign. Without knowing exactly what he's concerned about we can't act on that too overtly, but we can use some of our Influence to find out. We should find out what tensions are afoot in the Arbor and where Dalyna might be sent; after all, this could be more than an Arbor problem, or Pason/Paxter might hold mainland ambitions.As of now our greatest disadvantage is how small we are. Next to that, it's that we already owe the Redwynes. Let's try to break the Case of the Stolen Casks and lure the Brotherhood to Saltmouth. If we pull off both we'll be in a good starting position.Okay I'm done for now. Let's try and make some deals.
>>19665281Agree on Montelban, but don't we have a braavo of our own? Maybe we should introduce them.
>>19665313good idea
>>19665313Iylaria Venti, the only female member of the Steel Guard, Braavosi woman. We should probably talk a lot about her and introduce Montelban to her when we start talking about tales of valor and the Steel Guard. Right now she is probably the most dangerous woman with a sword in Oldtown.
>>19665313>Agree on Montelban, but don't we have a braavo of our own?>Hey, you're black! I have a black friend too!Not saying it would come out like that but... Anyway, we should try to impress him with our own tales of valour, not that of our bodyguards. I think we'd be biting off more than we could chew with Tarlosa, I'm happy to get one (or both) of the others to secede from the Brotherhood.
>>19665281We approach Montelban, talking with Cargill about the one time he was hunting in the Northwood with his uncle and he had a dangerous run in with a boar, a huge beast with tucks the size of daggers. Cargill goes into great detail, describing the final minutes of the hunt with a storytellers skill (which kinda catches us off guard... we didn't know the kid had it in him). Montelban is hooked, hanging on Benji's words as he describes the last few seconds: his uncle's clean shot with the crossbow, and how he grabbed the boar-spear and brought the beast down for good.As the talk to turns to business, you start to get a feeling for Montelban. Where Tarlosa is a merchant in the more classical sense (buy low, sell high, be conservative with your cash), Montelban is a bit more of a rogue, buying exotic cargoes before trying new shortcuts across the Narrow Sea, or running blockades between Tyrosh or Braavos.>Gimme 5d6 to talk to him, and give me a rough outline of what you want to say to him.
>>19665367We should start with our own spectacular tales and impress him with those, then we move on to the Steel Guard, we have a group of absurdly loyal badasses, we may as well impress that while we are dangerous in our own right we can also can inspire great loyalty.
>>19665367Montelban himself isn't a braavo though, he just has stories about them. Good point on potential backfiring though.Oh hey, this is Montelban's place. Praise his taste, ask about particularly good pieces, and find out of he's looking for more. Also ask about his fighting experiences, but before anyone suggests it NO WE DO NOT CHALLENGE HIM. No matter the result we end up looking bad. We win and we embarrass him in his home in front of his guests, lose and we make ourselves look weak and/or overconfident. If he challenges we *might* accept, but not before contacting Ghand. Make a point of trying to tie if we do wind up dueling.
rolled 3, 1, 1, 4, 4 = 13>>19665402He's not a smuggler, is he? We don't have the kindest history with smugglers.On the other hand, I'm seeing a fantastic opportunity to complement our existing sea power if his vessels are more equipped for warfare than average. Perhaps mention that we are expanding our own navy?So, mention our ability to produce high-quality castle-forged steel. Move on and mention our admiration for adventurers like himself, we like people who take risks. Then probably mention how even the bravest of sailors need a friendly port, a base of operations or the like.
rolled 4, 5, 3, 1, 6 = 19>>19665402i'll givit a try too
rolled 3, 5, 5, 6, 6 = 25>>19665402This guy seems to like storytelling, he likes tales of adventure and so on. Start by artistically describing Saltmouth, then move on to talking about the opportunities, the ability to do something new and adventurous there, instead of basing yourself out of a established place come to Saltmouth, make something new, make it so that in 100 years when people look at the great gleaming walls of Saltmouth they will remember the name of Mantelban, one of the Brotherhood who came to Saltmouth and built it into a trade city envied the world over. Talk about our Castle-forged steel, how if he comes legendary warriors will have weapons sold to them by Montelban and praise his name in victory.
The lanky trader leans back into a chair, propping his legs on an ottoman that is probably worth the same as all the horses in your stable at Castle Salt. You look him over, trying to take the measure of the man. His hair is short and jet black, his beard immaculately trimmed and carefully shaped. His nails are clean and buffed, each finger covered with a golden ring. His shirt is Lysean silk, embrodered with tiny rubies and thread-of-gold. His boots have silver buckles, the fine black leather perfect."You are correct, yes? Taste is important to a man like me... It is a way to show what I value, and what I find important enough to share with others." We share with him the wine, explaining some of the complexity of it, and talking briefly about the long process, from grapes to glass, that it takes to make such a fine vintage. He keeps Iylaria in his gaze, and listens intently to what Crane says the joust is like, and the strategy of it. We talk to, of castle-forged weapons with an edge that can cut the wind, and of how future greatness begins from small, bold steps."You are flattering me, Westerosi... It is working." He laughs, long and hard. "Talk to the lady Ghand, and then we shall talk more."
>>19665485Okay, this sounds pretty damn good.
>>19665519Oh boy oh boy best for lastkidding, but that could be a good line to use, a pinch of flattery, enough to show we know of her charm, but no more, less we lead her on/she does or she expects something else."And so we come to you, lady Ghand. You seem quiet the cool and collected one of the three."
Remember to mention with a base on the Arbor they can get first picks on the wine before anyone on Oldtown cutting down their costs with an intermediary and the tax of Oldtown.
>>19665554>>19665558>>19665561Lets do this then.The woman towers over you by several inches, and is easily as broad. Her face is expressive and she regards you with a bit of amusement. Her voice, when she speaks, is a cadence that rises and falls like the light jingling of her feather dress. "You are a man who talks of many things, I think. My brothers and sisters here are a group of traders who care for one thing above all others: money. I am a member of this Brotherhood for the same reason. So tell me, man of Westeros... What can you do for me that will fill my purse with the lovely sound of gold?" She shakes her... assets with that last bit, the dress sounding remarkably similar to a few gold dragons in a purse.You talk of the Arbor's wealth, the vast fields and teeming oceans. You talk of taxes and the oppertunities of being the first to be offered the choicest fruits of the Arbor. You mention how friends of Saltmouth have been known to enjoy preferential treatment when it comes to the barges of wines and citrus. >Roll 6d6 to bargain with her and pique her interest.
Okay caught up, but a quick question who is Iylaria again?
>>19665638Bravosy woman on the steel guard. Crazy right. We should say her her story some day.
rolled 1, 2, 6, 6, 3, 2 = 20>>19665633Rolling.
>>19665638The only woman in our Steel Guard. Classical Italian looks, if a bit tall. She is a swordswoman from Braavos, and she is easily one of the most dangerous members of the Steel Guard.
rolled 6, 4, 2, 6, 5, 5 = 28>>19665633Lets make money
rolled 3, 1, 2, 4, 2, 1 = 13>>19665638The only female member of the Steel Guard, she's a Braavosi woman.>>19665633If she interested in money above all else than focus on the money, though complement her beauty and voice as there is no harm in being charming. Don't go too far into the flirting, this is business.Talk about the economic benefits of Saltmouth, the amount of trade that runs through there, the chance to establish somewhere that doesn't already have heavily entrenched factions.
>>19665679Can we ignore this roll and go with>>19665675please?
rolled 2, 3, 6, 5, 1, 6 = 23>>19665633My lady, you are obviously a refined woman, with a great deal of skill in what you do... So it might be best if I explain exactly what I'm proposing.I believe that together, the lot of us can make a very, very, very large profit from an agreement. I rule over a large, prosperous town, that is in a position to only grow larger and more powerful. Use my city as a friendly home port, trade with us, and I'm certain we can arrange a mutually profitable deal. My lands and waters are well protected, a master artisan is in my employ, and my city is set to grow and become wealthy.What say you, my lady?
>>19665665The tall woman from the Summer Islands smiles at this. "Taxes can be such an... inhibitor. The simple idea of being able to remove one small levy from my balances would fill me with such joy. And this Arbor of yours, I have heard it produces the finest wines in the world, and the gift you have made of them has done little to dispel this notion." You smile at her, and talk about how all the wines in the world couldn't equal the flavor or the worth of a single cask of Arbor Gold. She laughs at that, before begging to be excused. "My brothers and I must talk. We will meet with you in a short while, I think.">Crunch TimeOk, lets make the power play. Who are we going to seriously court first?
rolled 3, 1, 5, 6, 4, 5 = 24>>19665633Tall, tan, and exotic from across the sea...HNNG, Much not touch."Land is at a premium, would you rather live in the cramp confines of Oldtown, or have a fabulous estate the likes that westerosi like myself gaze at in awe. Bring that exotic touch to my lands, as i hope to show you what the seven kingdoms have to offer. Among them wine not poisoned and beds safe to sleep in."
>>19665724We're off to an excellent start, we should probably start with Montelban, he likes us quite a lot already and I think will be the easiest to convince. Once we have one the others will be easier to get as they don't want one to take hold of this opportunity without them. Obviously never imply that only one or two can get it, we want it to be clear that the more of them come, the more the opportunities for all of them grow.
>>19665633"Seven be praised, someone here wants to talk business. Let's start with castle-forged steel. We mine the iron ourselves..."
Before they make a decision perhaps we should invite them to our estate? give them a personal tour so they can get an idea of the holdings.
>>19665724I think we should try for Montelban. He likes us a lot, and we can identify with one another fairly well, and he's an innovator, he tries new routes and new things, which matches our character very well.
>>19665774Sounds good to me
>>19665763While normally that would be a good idea, we can't be the only noble thinking of importing some ex-Pentosi merchant lords. We definitely want them to come with us, before someone can make them a better offer.Strike hard and fast! Montelban, what say you?
>>19665774I could say Ghand, she talk money and can see that logic of working with us.
So many merchants... I want to make deals with them all!
>>19665816We'll get Ghand after Montelban, once we get Montelban she'll be motivated by both getting the profit, and not letting someone else claim a monopoly on it, of course we'll mention that the more people there are the more each of them will get as it causes more growth.
Montelban is looking at you intently as you come back to his small group. You half-bow, and he gives you a generous nod. You talk to him about the power of business, yes, but also more than that. The two of you talk about the heroes welcome, the return of a champion to fanfare and trumpets and beautiful women who throw themselves at you. He talks about braving the patrols of the Tyroshi navy when running steel and timber into Braavos, about the rush of the chase."You know Karban, I like you. This port, this Saltmouth, will become part of the Brotherhood's routes. Well, it will become part of my route, at least. You are a man who will make me rich, I think. And I very much like to be rich." You smile at this, and talk more about it, before arriving on a sticking point. "However, our ships are numerous and have a deep draft, to hold more cargo. We will send some of our experts with you, to evaluate your facilities... If they need to be expanded, then that must happen before we can move the bulk of our business through your docks."
"Agreed."Go see Ghand.
>>19665912I'm sure that can be arranged, it will turn Saltmouth into a greater port, if need be I shall oversee the expansion and improvement myself.Now to Ghand.
>>19665912That is a fair and equitable deal. You have my word.Now onto Ghand
Ghand is standing around, deep in conversation with her group. She turns at your approach, jangling and jingling as she steps closer. "Your offer is tempting, and it has our interest. But there is a small... problem. My brothers here desire to stay here, in Oldtown. The markets here are just too large, too rich. We desire to gain access to the rich bounty of your lands, for our mutual benefit. But we will remain here, in this new land."
I hope the ship chandlers of Saltmouth are up to this.>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_chandler
>>19666037But of course, you will find that I am an accomadating man. If that is what you and yours wish then that sounds like an acceptable trade. Though I will say that, this means that your brothers and sisters who choose to relocate will have first choice and reduced tariffs. My lands are currently under going development, if you change your tune then I would be happy to add a different stanza or two to my song.
>>19666037I understand the desire and I am perfectly happy to accommodate them. Though of course you understand if those who come first to Saltmouth and improve it the most shall be reaping the greatest benefit of its expansion and development.Basically I'm fine with you doing this, but the people who come first are going to get a bigger piece of the Saltmouth pie as they are investing more into it.
That leaves just one, so lets finish this off.Tarlosa watches you come towards him, looking for all the world like a predatory cat. "So now comes the deal, the art for which Tarlosa lives. We must decide how much of this move will be beneficial for Tarlosa, and we must work it out now. You propose having the many vessels of Tarlosa bring coin to your shores, and depart with holds filled with goods. How shall we do this, hmm?">Roll 5d6 and lets see what happens
rolled 3, 1, 2, 1, 2 = 9>>19666173Dice go, make us some sexy new money.
rolled 6, 4, 3, 6, 1 = 20>>19666189Wow... just wow.
rolled 2, 1, 6, 3, 1 = 13>>19666173The way men have done since trade began. In a manner that both of us profit from. I urge you not only to look at what Saltmouth is, but what it shall become in time, it has already shown great growth and with investment, time and care I think that it shall blossom into something that exceeds our expectations.
rolled 2, 5, 2, 5, 6 = 20>>19666173Where did Karban's luck go?
rolled 4, 2, 3, 6, 2 = 17>>19666173Rolling'
rolled 4, 4, 1, 2, 1, 5 = 17>>19666173We didnt say we go to Tarlosa yet. Some of us were still trying to talk it out with Ghand. Afterall, gold flows though the Arbor as thickly as it does in Old Town
>>19666125Classy!Also point out the many opportunities to purchase land in the Arbor, and remind her that there are huge benefits to being the first to enter a market.
>>19666189Ouch... where the fuck did our luck go.The deliberations go on and on, the two of you slowly becoming more and more deadlocked. It is clear that Tarlosa thinks the Arbor is like Pentos, where wealth can literally buy anything, including an exception in the laws. "Tarlosa sees us having some trouble here, I believe. Perhaps you should... think about exactly what the business that Tarlosa can bring to your shores."
You stop, rethinking your strategy here.>Think hard guys... What do we say to win him over?
"The wealth that comes from the Arbor is not fleeting like so many other sources. It is as plentiful and endless as the earth itself."
>>19666273Damn you dice, damn you to hell.Ok, how to fix this. Inform him that while the law may be bent, tariffs reduced for favored customers and opportunities for those who choose to seize them the laws of the Arbor can't be discarded in favor of wealth. There is a great chance here, the wealth of the Arbor only improves with time as fields grow greater, it is not like a mine that shall run out in time, it is an investment for life. Have you not become wealthy by doing the unconventional, by disregarding conventional wisdom. A normal merchant would stay in Oldtown, but if you gome to Saltmouth you will make great profits and those profits will multiply as Saltmouth grows. The greatest of merchants is willing to change, to seek out the new market, to take a risk on a new thing. Those who refuse to accept that one place is not like another are swiftly overcome by those who adapt to wherever they go. Tarlosa, if you would become even more wealthy then once again you must be unconventional.
>>19666273Right guys stop me if you think this is giving too much away."Tarlosa is looking for many things, though does he want? Does Tarlosa look for coin of gold? With us he can earn that a plenty. Our lands are vibrant and fresh, the liquid gold of the Arbor the finest in the world. If Tarlosa is looking for new clients of high station then Tarlosa will be pleased to hear that we are on exceedingly close terms with the House whose ships protect all the waters. This House is most impressive though do to the quality of its heir for he is looking into expanding into new avenues of trade. If one wished, we would be able to bend his ear to hear the name of this most magnificent new trader known far and wide as Tarlosa and how his deals and skills are most definately worth investing into.
You go on about the true wealth of the Arbor, the fact that every single day that the sun comes up, the Arbor gets a little bit wealthier. You mention how Saltmouth is a young market, with truly massive profits that will grow and accrue over time. "My dear lord Tarlosa, the Arbor grows its wealth... No, I mean that literally. The Arbor grows, and gold might as well grow out of the ground. One of the greatest fortunes in the world grows tall from the black earth, requiring only a little sun and rain for it to multiply.">Roll 5d6 to make this work guys, and pray to the Seven we roll high."
rolled 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 = 11>>19666445Come on Mother we needs some help.
rolled 4, 5, 6, 4, 4 = 23>>19666445BY THE SEVEN, SIXES!
rolled 5, 4, 3, 2, 4 = 18>>19666469FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-
>>19666469I say we kill him. I bet he's the one who messed up the first time too.
He waves his hands back and forth. "This will not work, my lord of Westeros. Perhaps, in another time, we will talk again. Perhaps..."Tarlosa gathers his volumous folds of silk and cloth-of-gold around him, before leaving the room with his little collection of merchants. The first thought in your mind? Fuck.
>>19666524Ouch. Ah well, you win some and you lose some. Perhaps they'll remember us in case one of them decides to strike out on their own or if they decide to alter their trade routes.
>>19666503No that was me, I was too afraid to roll this time.
>>19666469Damn you, damn you to hell.>>19666524Oh well, at least we got two, once he sees the profit the other two are pulling in he ought to change his tune.
rolled 5, 4, 5, 6, 6 = 26>>19666469Sorry that was me. Apparently the Mother dislikes trade, who knew?
>>19666583...Oh you bitch.
>>19666583I wish I could hate you to death.
You complete the festivities, and return to your ships with your honor guard. You are moderately pleased with how the night went, despite losing the biggest fish.So got anything else to do before the night ends?
You realize that this means that there are TWO things that Karban is bad at.It's okay though, we can plan our way through this. Before we leave town send him another cask of Arbor gold and invite him to visit us in Saltmouth at the earliest time convenient for him so that we can show him in person how lucrative a deal with us could be. Get the maester to tutor us in deal making, we can't perform this poorly under stress again.
>>19666624Can we go see Ben? Or is it too late for that?
>>19666654what's the other thing we're bad at? >>19666624mind re-posting our statlines? old thread seems to have 404'd.
>>19666654We have a batting average of 2/3, we just suck at negotiating with big fat merchants who speak in the third person, we got the other two pretty well.>>19666624Make sure to leave Tarlosa with an invitation to Saltmouth and some Arbor Gold, the greatest wine in the world.Talk to our Steel Guard who were with us, get their impressions of everyone there, get a second opinion on how things went and if they have any suggestions for the future.>>19666690Jousting, though we practiced that for a while afterwards.http://pastebin.com/nnaUPECe
>>19666624Send off that Raven. We want that letter sent off and out of our hands ASAP.
>>19666690We are decidedly AVERAGE at jousting.
>>19666690Jousting.
>>19666683We find him awake in the main room of the galley, reading a book he borrowed from the Citadel on the history of the lords of the Arbor. He motions you to take a seat, and offers you some of the wine he was enjoying. "My lord, did you know that once, five hundred years ago, the Kings of the Arbor were their own royal line, before the kings of the Reach came down upon them with fire and sword."He looks at you. "So how did your meetings go, lord?"
>>19666709Truth be told though, losing that joust to the eventual victor was a stroke of luck on our part. Putting on a contest and winning it looks bad, like we set it up that way. It could mean we paid off the knights who participated or worse.
Jousting is gay, just Grand Melee Champ that shit.
>>19666745Losing to the Victor? I don't think there's much to be ashamed of, at least you lost to the best jouster that day.
>>19666743>the Kings of the Arbor were their own royal line...Let's plan to marry Dalyna!
>>19666743They could have gone better, but it didn't go badly. Give him a summary of what happened. Get his take on the whole situation, what we can expect of it in the future, that sort of thing.
>>19666743Well enough, though I admit that I failed to land the greatest catch.
He kind of nods his way through. "The people of Pentos are a strange breed, lord. They are a city built entirely on money, and money determines everything... Status. Power. Even what legal system you must endure. With enough money, a man of Pentos may do whatever he pleases."When you talk about the potential new uptick in trade, he smiles. "So, your wealth grows again, does it? This is a good thing. Gold can accomplish much, and it will enable your lands and people to tempt even more trade... There are many great ports in the Arbor. Perhaps, some day, Saltmouth will be one of these great cities."
>>19666822Or even a capital. Make sure you grin, and possibly wink when you say this.
>>19666822That was the plan Ben, to have Saltmouth be known far and wise as the greatest port of the Arbor, I admit it's a bit far-fetched, but a man can dream.So are you planning on staying and getting the blued steel link? If he is planning to do encourage him, one of the great things about living in the Arbor is that we're a week away and we can easily write back and forth. Also ask how long he expects it to take.
The two of you hold a long, rambling conversation. By the end of the night, the candles are burning low and the two of you are pretty damn drunk. You stumble to your bed, thinking about what it would be like to be a king. Not a knight or a landed noble... But a king.You awake early in the morning, as a swell swings your bed around and half-tosses you into the air. You stumble up to the main deck, and rub your red eyes. The day is overcast and damn, a constant mist slowly soaking everything. The pale while stone of Oldtown looks as grey as the sea and sky, the multicolored sails in the bay being the only true color you can see.>What are your first things to do today?
>>19666884You remember Ben talking about potentially staying behind for a short while. Perhaps to finish up a link or two that he never finished. What you really remember was him suggesting that perhaps you stay behind as well. "You have a fine mind." you remember him saying. "Perhaps the Citadel could sharpen it further?"
>>19666930Words to consider while we break our fast. Afterwards we should find our new squire.
>>19666930Hmmm...How long do we have until our squire arrives? We really should take care of the smuggling plot while we're here, preferably before the boy arrives. The last thing we want is to put him in the line of fire. But I've never been to the Citadel, just visiting could be enlightening. Make sure that the Valyrian steel pin is on display; might make for some interesting misunderstandings!
>>19666930While that's an interesting thought we have too many responsibilities at Saltmouth to do that. As much as I would like to further our knowledge we can't afford to spend months away from home. We'll ask him to bring a library back with him and to help us learn stuff once he returns.>>19666902Eat breakfast, spend some time with the Steel Guard and lightly join in with the mocking of those with hangovers. Then we ought to find our squire and old friend. We'll have dinner with Bhaarissio later in the day and get more answers about the smuggling then.
>>19666951You break your fast on fruit, bread, butter and some fried clams from the last night that the crew didn't finish. During that, you find yourself thinking about today... You haven't seen Michael Coldwater in nearly a decade. And his son? You ponder all this as you finish off the food.Speaking off food, I am going to make something really quick guys. Keep this thing bumped, and discuss what we are doing today. Primarily:>What are we wearing to our meeting with our old friend?>A trip to the Citadel... Do we want to make it?>Any other random shit you need to do?
>>19667002Don't go ostentatious, nice clothing that isn't garish or gaudy but shows that we've been successful. Bring a two or so Steel Guard with us as our squire will be spending quite a bit of time with them and it shows we are a good leader of men. Maybe Crane as he won the joust and with his shiny armor he looks every bit the gallant knight, and Iylaria as she is competent and it shows that we aren't the most conventional of lords. We could probably bring more if we wanted, but it doesn't seem necessary for a meeting between friends.We should probably show our squire Terris the Citadel, impress upon him the fact that a knight must know more than sword, lance and horse. He must educate himself in as many arts as possible. And of course we start by giving Micheal Coldwater a bearhug.
Citadel visit is pure gravy. Would be fun to do, but we ought to do other things. We've got 14 wealth according to the Pastebin and we're in a great center of learning and trade. Anything we want to pick up? Books? New specialists? Maybe start a rumor or two?Actually, hah, starting a rumor that Brotherhood assassins are looking for Tarlosa could be fun. Vindictive, but fun.OH! While we're here, we ought to draft a letter to our brother and family.
>>19667002Does Cole want for any books we could pick up in town? Do we have any Arbor Gold left for our old friend?
>>19667063>>19667079>>19667138We do have more than a little coin left over, which we send with Ben to purchase books and writing supplies for Saltmouth. As for us, we dress in a set of fine black velvet over a linen shirt, throw our cloak over our shoulder, and clasp it with the Valyrian steel pin. We ride to meet Michael with Sers Crane and Cargill, since their armor is still really impressive from last night. Iylaria goes with Ben, since he has the equivalent of a 50000$ in him, and she carries a small stack of letters that he will be sending out. One is towards Portain, asking for a weekend hunt once you return, while another is towards the Riverlands, to your father and mother. You haven't heard from them in quite a while, and you feel that you should let them know how you are.Riding towards the Iron Gate, you wonder how the years have treated Michael.... The answer is well, apparently, as you see him sitting astride a pale horse in a suit of brilliantly polished mail, and a dozen men at his back wearing the colors of House Coldwater.
Onwards.
>>19667279Initiate Bear Hug on Micheal. It's been 10 years. See how he's been doing, inquire after his health and that of his wife. Give a shortened version of how we ended up here. Meet our squire and tell Micheal that it would be a great honor to take him under our wing.
One thing about this trade agreement with the Brotherhood of Bearers, will it affect our current trade deal with Possi?Or will it not? Possi could potentially get us for breach of contract if the same goods are being contracted toward two different merchants.
>>19667308Possi is just wine, isn't it? Besides, we're inviting the Brotherhood to set up shop in Saltmouth, which would mean taxes~.
We dismount a few yards away, and walk towards Michael as he too dismounts. You clasp him in a tight hug, laughing. By the Seven, you haven't seen that bastard in too long. The two of you walk to the side of the bridge, asking about family and old buddies from the Vale. He looks much the same as you remember: the long, curly black hair, the hook nose, the scar on his chin from a wilding's ax in the mountains, the same bright eyes.Michael is one of the primary knights of Lord Jon Coldwater, his eldest brother and the head of the house. The fortunes of the Coldwater's have been on the up and up, and it shows in his jewelry and the fine longsword at his hip. Breaking your fevered conversation for a moment, you notice a small, curly-haired boy standing a few yards away. "This," Michael says, "Is my eldest boy, Terris. He has the look of his mother about him, he does. But he is a smart boy, and strong for his age."
>>19667308>>19667329That is an interesting theory... You hope not. Then again, Possi is rarely in the port. He only stops in long enough to take on water and buy wines.
>>19667330Give the kid a firm handshake, introduce ourself as his father's friend, Lord Karban of Saltmouth. Tell him that we've been put in charge of his squiring, teaching him all the things a knight and nobleman ought to know. Introduce him to Crane and Cargill. Give him a brief description of Saltmouth.
>>19667308>>19667329>>19667348>>19667348But see, this is the problem. Our lands do not produce wines. We signed a deal with Possi for goods that we do not produce.>Our lands according to the pastebin We own a strip of fertile coastline. The true jewel of our small bit of lands is the large and prosperous town of Saltmouth, which straddles the mouth of a river called the Windingwater, which flows from deep in the interior of the Arbor.However, our inland fields along the western bank of the Windingwater are bountiful and covered in orange orchards, fields of grain and barley, pastures for sheep and goats, and numerous olive groves.Besides, we never created a winery or had even begun developing the fields for wine production.If I am throwing a wrench in the quest, forgiveness please. It is a good quest.
>>19667330 Cont.The boy does look a little big for his age. He is a touch heavier than you would like, but you were too when you were sent to squire. You kneel, to get a better look at him. "Hello, Terris Coldwater... I was with your father when he squired for Kervin Gallen near the Gate. You know where the Gate is, don't you?" The boy nods. "Good. Have you ever ridden a ship, Terris? Not a barge or one of those ferries... A proper ship, a galley out on the open sea?" To this, the boy shakes his head. "Are you afraid of the sea, Terris?" He nods his head again, looking a bit apprehensive. You stand up again. "Smart lad. The sea can be the most vicious of opponents. But we will be fine." You smile at his father, before looking down. "I am Lord Dustain Karban, and it is now my job to teach you the way of a knight, as your father and I learned before you."
>>19667401Our house buys a fair portion of the wines that come down the Windingwater.
>>19667401Wine gets sent down the Windingwater by others, we either buy it and sell it at Saltmouth or we sell it at Saltmouth for them and keep a portion of the profit, it amounts to about the same thing.
>>19667401not a big deal we can just blend and export wine. No great need to develop a winery yet. It takes a few years before vines will produce good fruit.
>>19667432We're wholesalers. =D
We turn back to Michael. "So, LORD Karban... Are you pressed for time? Or might I see this ship of yours. A proper ship, eh? Or do you have no time for a lowly knight like I?"
>>19667432Ah, okay then. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm just worried about the trade deal and if Possi is part of a rival trade branch. I just don't want firebombing of ships happening in our harbor because of a trade war between Possi and the Bearers.
>>19667472Show michael the ship, and invite him to our lands whenever he has the chance to do so, especially to see how his eldest son is doing.
>>19667472I am not pressed for time and I would love to show my old friend my ship. The main reason I came to Oldtown was to see you again and to meet Terris. I would also invite you to Saltmouth and my lands should you choose to come see them. You are always welcome in my home no matter the time.He's a bit touchy about this isn't he.
>>19667506Your party and his ride down to the docks, probably the first time a Coldwater has ever actually seen the sea. Terris looks frightened, but Michael is just awestruck. "By the Seven... You imagine there would be a lot of it, but then you see it." He glances around at the ship, before walking to the forecastle and subtly motioning you to follow along. The two of you surmount the top, and Michael turns. "Dustain... You can give my son experiences I could never have. He is a brave boy, and will be a good squire, I think. I chose you because I wanted him to see the world, to exist outside the Vale. My brother and I serve Jon Arryn, and that will keep us in the Mountains of the Moon forever. This is the first time I have ever ridden south of the Trident, can you believe that? I want my son to have an honest adventure."He turns to look down at the boy, who is staring over the side. "And besides... Your one of the best men I know. Teach the boy some of that, would you? And then send him home in one piece." You laugh, and embrace your old friend once more.
>>19667562My old friend, you can still have an adventure. Come down to the Arbor any time and I will make sure we preform deeds worthy of song and praise.I will keep him safe, and show him all that he can learn.
>>19667562Your son will see and meet people from every corner of the world, he will sail on ships and feel the ocean spray in his face, and be tutored in the arts both knightly and scholarly by the greatest men and women I know. If you ever get the chance come visit the Arbor, I would love to show you Saltmouth.Give him a cask of Arbor Gold if we have one around and tell him to remember us when he drinks from the greatest wine in the world.
>>19667562"The Hell you say. You gave this boy to me, when you want him back you'll damn well come and take him. And when you do we'll celebrate your adventure and your son's knighting with such a feast that the king himself has never seen."
>>19667591"Perhaps when I have time... I have already covered much and more of the Seven, and that was just to get here." But the two of you talk, and you have lunch with him and his men on board the ship. You send four casks of wine home with him, much to his pleasure, and his knights generally seem to have enjoyed themselves.The goodbye between father and son is tearful (on one side), but by the time Michael mounts his horse, Terris has a grip on himself. He waves goodbye to his son, throws you a partial salute, and rides away.>Wat do now?
>>19667637Get you and your boy some learning done. Head on over to the Maester's learning center and get him a brief education in martial theory or something else that is just as important.
GoTQuest?! Hell yes. This is exactly what I needed after a hard workday.
>>19667637Talk to Terris some, introduce him to the Steel Guard, get a handle on what he has already learned that sort of thing.Then take him with us and show him the Citadel.
When's our undercover meeting with that one illegal merchant?
>>19667705You mount up, and ride with the boy towards the Citadel. On the way, you stop at the tailor where you had previously ordered some clothes in your house colors. The process takes a short while, but the boy gets himself a few suits of clothes in a more fitting color, and a cloak to match.Riding on, the boy finally speaks. "W.. who are all these men, my lord?" You laugh. "These men are the Steel Guard, Terris. They are among the people I most trust in this world. They have fought by my side many times over, and I feel safest with them around." You introduce him to Doros, Ser Cargill, and 'Ol Nick, who is still nursing his wounded side.Your small group rides on, eventually coming to the gates of the Citadel. "And this, Terris, is the Citadel. It is where maesters are trained, and where the wisest men in the Seven Kingdoms live... And also where our maester, Ben, is looking something up for me." The party dismounts, and finds Ben and Iylaria near the library, with Ben checking off things on a small list.
>>19667737This night.After Ben has double-checked his list, we pick up him and Iylaria, before returning to the ship. It is late afternoon now, and you have the boy lay out your clothes for after you bathe. Since this is the first time, you help him and show him the proper way to do it. As you get cleaned up, you have Ben sit down with the boy, to evaluate what he knows and to figure out how good his education has been so far.>Who are we bringing with to our meeting with the Tyroshi?
>>19667811Ok, we don't want to look like what we are, an Arbor lord investigating stuff. Don't wear anything that would identify us as who we actually are.Given that most of our Steel Guard look like knights we can't avoid looking like a noble ourself, we should bring Iylaria with us so he underestimates us if he starts a fight, and a few others to look scary. Given the potential danger we want enough to be safe, but not so many that it seems like we're being untrustworthy and suspect. Perhaps 6 people in total. Make sure they know the details of what we're doing and to follow the cover story that we're a visiting noble from somewhere or another and we're very interested in his business.
>CrunchIf we are going to meet with Bhaarissio, we should bring some muscle, just in case. Otherwise it could go bad.
>>19667863We can assemble a group of non-knights from the Steel Guard. Iylaria, Doros, 'Ol Nick, Brown Tim and Reff Hellstrom are all common born, and on their best days don't look anything like a knight.
>>19667881That would work, we don't want to look like a Noble and this means our cover doesn't have to be a lord. A fellow merchant, which we ought to be able to pull off, interested in his wares and his methods of acquisition. Could you tell us more about Doros, 'Ol Nick, Brown Tom and Reff Hellstrom, all we really know is that 'Ol Nick got nicked with a spear last battle.
I definitely want Iylaria with us, she seems like the sort to notice a subtle threat first. Aside from her, I have to suggest Gray Thom. Being from Oldtown himself, if things go sour, he's the most likely to show us the fastest, cleanest way to escape through the city.
>>19667899Doros is a northerner with no fear and a great big warhammer. Brown Tim is from the Riverlands, and he is a magnificent horsemen. 'Ol Nick isn't really old, but he has a big bushy grey beard so everyone teases him for it. Reff Hellstrom is just a natural killer, born and bred... That is really it for Reff. The guy is basically a sociopathic murder machine, but he is loyal to you so it works.
>>19667930I've got to ask, did you take the Doros name from the dude who was namefaggin a couple of threads back?
>>19667930The more I hear about the Steel Guard the more I like them. This is a diverse enough group that them being mercs in employ of a merchant is completely believable. By bringing them we're showing that we're cautious and intelligent enough to not trust someone on the first meeting especially in their house.Tell them to be on their best behavior, to look respectable but not nobility level respectable, and not to stab anyone unless I say so or they start it.
So we dress in some relatively nice clothes that don't have our house colors on em. We ride out with Reff, Doros, Iylaria, Gray Thom, Brown Tim, and 'Ol Nick.No gifts or anything like that, but you do make sure you have a little bit of coin on you, in case you need to show that you have some pull. Everyone else dresses up a bit, and picks smaller weapons that you can hide (for example, Doros leaves the warhammer behind, sadly) like estocs, knives, short blades, and a few bring longswords.>What kind of entrance are you going for?
>>19667952Yep. As a warning, if you namefag, I might put you in the quest... It is ASoIaF story, which means there are 150000000 characters. So I need some damn names.
Well, the only namefaging that's going to happen to me is as an evil dude with a bad tittle.
>>19667969Professional, enough fanfare to look like a serious merchant, but not so much that we look like we're overcompensating for anything. We want to look successful but not arrogant, like a merchant who has money in the bank and lets it stay there instead of covering himself in bling.
>>19667976I wouldn't encourage namefagging too much if I were you. Nothing puts people off joining an in-progress quest than a bunch of namefags posting. Makes it feel like an exclusive club. Also namefagging.
>>19667999We ride up to the small compound, which is designed a bit like a traditional hall. There is a central building, with several two-story buildings around it, and an eight foor high wall around those. You see numerous guards and servants running around, and a few of them take your horses to stable them.The main hall is of limestone and oak, with two massive fireplaces and a line of heavy oaken tables in the middle. Sitting there, you see your wine merchant "friend" and the man who must be Bhaarissio. The purple beard, the green eyebrows, the golden front teeth... Seems like the Tyroshi you are looking for.
He stands, a flowy silk shirt covering up a round belly. "So, you must be the man Derris tells me about, huh? He said you are a man of wine, who can truly appreciate the finest of the Arbor... Well, I am a man who can get you those things."
>>19668080We've spent enough time around merchants to talk shop with the best of them. Act like a merchant, say that we're very interested in anyone could procure such items as we know there are many who are willing to pay quite a bit for goods such as those. Inquire into his other lines of business and once we've talked about trade for a while and they're more comfortable around us subtly inquire into his method of acquiring the wine.Don't let them know that we know it isn't from a legitimate source yet, keep that in our pocket for now, but it could be leverage later.
You sit down at the tables, pouring yourself a glass from a decanter on the table. Your men take up positions around the room, with Iylaria basically half-crawling into your lap so she can watch the far doors. You smile at the Tyroshi. "So, Bhaarissio... What can you do for me?""Derris says you want wines of the Arbor.. These are things I have. Reds, whites.... Even some of the fabled Arbor Gold, if you have the coin.">Wat do?
Anyone else find themselves wondering what ELSE this tyroshi might have acquired through shady channels? I see an opportunity to gain favor with not just the Redwynes, but others as well."Your friend spoke truly, but not fully. I am a man of wine, yes, but even before that, a man of taste. In this (gesture to his hall) I can see we are cut of the same cloth."
>>19668121Derris is correct, the wines of the Arbor are renowned throughout Westeros and indeed the world, yet are often difficult to acquire for the prospective customer. It is one of the reasons I came to Oldtown and I was considering heading to the Arbor itself, yet I often find it a challenge to acquire sufficient stores of it. You must be a well connected man to find it Bhaarissio.
>>19668156Your flattery makes him smile. "I like you. So, how much do you expect to buy in our first transaction?"
>>19668182That may depend on how much you have available. It would be terribly rude of me to make an estimate and either ask for less than I wish or more than you can provide.
>>19668210>>19668177>>19668156You promise that you are planning to buy plenty, and mention the bust behind him. He waxes eloquent about his small collect of art, as you examine him. His hands are smooth, which means he hasn't worked in the field in a long time, but he is certainly stronger than he looks. The two of you chat back and forth, until you slip the question in. "So, my good host... Where do you procure all these fine wines? From the sound of things, you must own half the Arbor!" Everyone laughs at the joke, but you notice that Bhaarissio doesn't as hard as everyone else. You hit a nerve. "I have sources on the Arbor, small families that find it beneficial to sell to a merchant of my stature."
>>19668249Such as the Clawwaters I presume, I heard from Derris that was where the fine Arbor gold that I purchased yesterday was from.
>>19668267don't say that, if he knows we already know that he'll know we're after him.
>How do we want to dig into this?>Promise him huge purchases, and see if that loosens his tongue?>Say that you won't buy unless you know where it is coming from?>Bribe him, straight out?>Blackmail him?>Intimidate, with your big group of armed guards?
>>19668277>Promise him huge purchases, but you won't buy unless you know where it is coming from.If we don't know where it's coming from how will we get the correct stamps forged when we resell it across the narrow sea? Arbor gold is hard to come by at such a cheap price, without the stamp they will have reason to doubt the authenticity of our wares.
>>19668277Start by promising huge purchases while trying to draw out some names of the families he deals with, or says he deals with. Once we have those names we can reveal that we know that some of those families aren't sellers of wine, maybe even that we know how the branding works, and while we have no objection to sources of questionable legality we'd have to be an idiot of a merchant to take someone up on a deal like that without any knowledge of the operation.There should be an implied but not explicit threat of blackmail, but mainly that we want details before we commit to something like that without knowing the operation and a small discount would be nice, in exchange we say that we know how the branding process works as we are an expert in wine.
Hold our tongues. Actually buy some wine, if we have the cash. We need evidence, and the deeper we get with this guy, the closer we get to whoever the insider that's smuggling it out.Also, once back to the safety of our ship, pen that letter again, including any facts we discover while here. Get it to Portain via the most secure manner possible. We need someone else, someone we trust, to have this information in case anything happens to us.
>>19668277We should bribe him and encourage him to tell us where it's coming from, just sitting and having a drink. He's a small part of the scheme, if we take him out it'll only warn everyone else that we're on to them, the mad maester might get away.
>>19668312For a brief moment, Bhaarissio looks at you with dark, questioning eyes. "You know much about these wines, I think... Perhaps you would wish to see them." He stands, and motions you to follow him. "Your guards will stay here, yes? I will show you the cellars, and you can see that our wines are above board. This will please you, no?"He motions for a side door.
>>19668341I think he's onto us, this strikes me as mighty suspicious. But refusal might be even more suspicious.Bring Iylaria with, she doesn't look so much like a guard as a companion of some sort. We can justify it by saying that we're very close to her and she knows wine far better than we do.Nod to her to signal to be very careful and stay close to Bhaarissio so we can grab him and have a knife on him very quickly if necessary.
>>19668341Subtly try to get Iylaria's attention, hope to hell she demands to come with us, if it works, play the pitying master role for Bharrissio in hopes that he lets one and only one guard come along. I do NOT like the idea of being alone in a cellar with this guy.
>>19668389>>19668392You motion to the Steel Guard to stand down, but help Iylaria up by the hand and link an arm with her. You are happy she wore more "traditional" clothes today, as her normal clothes would have made this particular deception a bit tricky. "You men stay here." You say. "Darling, come with me, if you please." Iylaria purrs something in Braavosi, and bats her eyes at Bhaarissio. Hey smiles at her, and motions you towards a door. "This way, yes?" The walk leads you through a well-stocked kitchen, and down several flights of stairs to a door of iron bars, held fast with a large metal lock. Bhaarissio produces the heavy key from somewhere, opening a path to a hallway of packed earth, dark and gritty with flickering torches set into the wall. "This way to my private cellar, my friend." He sets off walking, grabbing a torch from the sconce as he goes. You and Iylaria follow close behind.
Follow, observe, provide quips. "I this will be quite interesting indeed, for you to keep it so well hidden." etc.
The walk takes maybe ten minutes, with a lot of winding passages and at least some (you are sure) doubling back to confuse you. But before overly long, you emerge into a well lit room, with a heavy banded door of oak set into the wall. Bhaarissio turns to you. "This is my most private cellar, a place where I keep only the most valuable of wines, and more precious things besides." He finds another key in his flowy clothes, and opens the door.Inside are dozens of rows of casks stacked chest high, resting in the cool darkness. The air smells of wood and earth, and the light is just faint enough to be able to read the labels. You can make out wines from Dorne, the Reach, Myr and the Arbor. There must be a small fortune in wine down here. "THis, my new friend, is where I store my goods. Impressive, no?" Bhaarissio smiles at you, his golden teeth flashing in the torchlight. A cool, terse voice cuts through the air. "Who are these... people, Bhaarissio?" A man, tall and broad, walks through a side door. He has brown hair and the look of a Reachmen, someone used to a life of sun and the sea.>Wat say?
>>19668445I am a prospective customer. He seems to have deemed me worthy of the honor of seeing his private cellar, I must say it is one of the most prestigious collections of wine I have ever seen.Might I ask who you are?
"A prospective customer of good ser Bhaarissio's wares. He has assured me his wines are of the finest quality, and I could not help but ask to see them with my own eyes, having a love of the finer things in life myself. Forgive my manners- and you are...?
"Ha Ha! Precious things! Hidden allies can be very precious, indeed! Greetings, friend of my friend. I am (shit guys, did we give an alias?!)
>>19668473If not we should go with Lawerence Craft, an aspiring young merchant with a sexy Braavosi partner.
You quickly mutter a bullshit name... It doesn't matter what it is, but your face doesn't even register the surprise. "These are my wines... I am Damien Clawwater. My family has access to many fine wines from the Arbor, where we own land." He holds out his hand, which we hurriedly kiss as a sign of submission and honor. "Bhaarissio and I have worked long and hard to ensure that the bounty of my house was distributed to only the most powerful or deserving members of the Seven Kingdoms or the Free Cities can sample such wonders."He looks past you. "And who is this beauty? Yours, perhaps?" He drags a finger downs the side of Iylaria's face, and you get the distinct impression she would really enjoy cutting that finger off. "Well, I will leave Bhaarissio to his business. It was a pleasure to meet you." He strides off into the gloom, his boots making dull thumps in the half-light. Bhaarissio has you sample several wines, before you return upstairs, discussing the purchase of several casks as a gift for a dear friend, and then more if those gifts are to your friends standards, which Bhaarissio is insistant that they will be.
Try and purchase a few different barrels that you think would be from different vineyards in the Arbor, so you can collect evidence to incense a number of other houses against this theft. Also, try to tempt Bhaarissio into parting with one of the precious Arbor Gold casks as a token of good faith and assurance of future business.
>ClawwaterOh shit, son.>>19668485A nice reference, and it isn't even too out of line with ASoIaF's naming conventions.
>>19668490Well, this is very interesting. I wonder if Bhaarissio even knows about the Mad Maester. We should not let on that we know that, he might be an ignorant opportunist and I'd rather not risk our cover.Don't get only Arbor wines as that would be suspicious, but get a decent selection of them and a cask of Gold as evidence if we can swing it.
>>19668490 Cont.Upon reaching the surface, you promise to send porters the next day to retrieve your wines. Bhaarissio seems fine with this, happy that by showing you the stockpile and their (mostly) correct brands, you have been *sucked*. The Steel Guard look incredibly happy to see you back above ground, and your small party mounts up with speed, eager to be gone. Gray Thom leads the party back, racing down the roads to the city and then carefully weaving a convoluted path through the slums of Cheapwater so as to loose any potential tails you have. It takes nearly three times as long to get back to the ship as it did to get to Bhaarissio's compound, but you are quite sure no one could have followed you.>Wat do now?
Compose another draft of that letter, mentioning the name of Damien Clawwater and his physical description, in case the man happens to be a fraud. Also decide which of your men can most easily be trusted to have the letter sent over to the Arbor. If Terris is about, have a conversation with him. See what disciplines pique his interest, and if he has any other worries besides his dislike of the ocean.
>>19668525I assume teasing Iylaria is out of the question?Well actually send those porters, it's cheap wine and evidence. We have names and a faces too. Heads gonna roll.
>>19668490I walked through the dark tunnels, it smelled of earth, wood, wine and a rat. I almost thought that Iylaria was going to cut off his tail right then an there, but I've worked with that dame for a long time, she kept her cool. It was clear that Clawwater didn't know who I was, and I liked that just fine. The mystery was beginning to unravel, I felt one step closer to the Mad Maester.>>19668525Ok, I don't think Bhaarissio knows much about the Mad Maester and where the wine comes from, and I don't think he really wants to find out.Clawwater is interesting, if it is really him than we've got trouble on our hands. It means we need solid evidence and proof before we start accusing an established noble family, but if we take him down clean we'll probably get one hell of a gift out of this, maybe even more land.Resist the urge to call Iylaria darling and honey, she might hurt us for that.Talk to Terris more, see what interests him, confer with Ben about his education, where it's strong and weak.
>>19668525Getting this information to Lord Portain should be a priority. He has to be made aware that the Clawwarters are in on this, though we should ask to discuss the matter in person before he takes serious action.Btw, with regards to the squire we certainly shouldn't go easy on him at all. When we get back it's going to be a regime of training and solid education (or whatever) day and night, with little rest. We have to toughen this kid up if he's going to make knighthood.
>>19668552> I assume teasing Iylaria is out of the question?Of course not.Whether or not it is wise is an entirely different matter, however.
-Apologize to Iylaria for the rouse, thank her for playing along.-Find Terris, Inquire with Ben about education plan, mull over having him also train in stealth. A young boy can go unnoticed where grown men may not, and with the intrigues of the game we find ourselves playing, hidden ears may save us when we least expect it.-Contemplate at what point the Clawwater name should be mentioned to Lord Redwyne. Our superior should be notified before we "bust" this scum.
>>19668579We're probably going to end up passing Terris around the Steel Guard some for training, we'll do a lot ourself but each of them probably have a lot to teach him.He'll be very experienced at fighting people of a variety of styles by the end. Most knights don't get to spar a Northerner with a large hammer, a traditional knight, a Waterdancer, Jorge Caswell who likely fights dirty, ourself a sword and board fighter who wears them down, and that's just a small portion of the Steel Guard. When he isn't busy getting combat training us and Ben will be educating him in scholarly stuff, manners and the other intellectual stuff a knight ought to know, he'll also be pretty experienced on a ship.This kid is going to end up as one incredibly dangerous knight.
You leave a message for the Steel Guard to hire some porters in the morning, and have them deliver the wines to another dock, where you can have Caswell and some other guys pick them up, covert like. Meanwhile, you hurriedly re-write the letter from before, this time with the description of Damien Clawwater. You heavily censor the letter, to prevent anyone from really being able to infer anything from it, but Portain is smart, and he should get it. You find Ben and send him and half the Steel Guard to the Citadel to put the letter on a raven. You put Ser Crane in charge, and tell him to 'fucking annihilate' anyone who tries to lay a finger on Ben, just in case. You glance at Iylaria, who makes a very decisive geasture with her hands as she walks off to her bunk, and that is the end of that.Meanwhile, you collapse into a chair to let the revalations of the night spin through your head. You are sitting there for maybe ten minutes before you hear a little cough to your left. Terris is there, with a glass of wine. "Y.. Yo.. Your sword, my lord." He hands you the glass and then waits patiently as you unbelt the sword, which he runs to your room with haste. When he comes back, you start to talk to him. He is nine years old, the oldest son of Michael Coldwater and Rebecca Stonewood. He has a younger brother (5) and three younger sisters (triplets) who were just born two years ago. He loves horses and the stars, and knows the names for dozens of them. His mother made sure he learned his prayers, and by all accounts he seems like a willing, if currently frightened squire. Tomorrow, when you get underway, you make a note to have the boy try out a sword.
>>19668579Caveat to this, we should make it clear that he called himself Damien Clawwater but that we shouldn't make any hasty action yet as it could be another ruse and that we need more evidence before we make a move, and we also want to get the Mad Maester at the same time.
Unless anyone else can think of anything to do this night, we move on to the morning.
>>19668622Probably wait until we get back and have him on steady land before we have him swinging a sword around. He's probably going to throwing chunks the entire trip as it is.Also, a definite NO to training Terris as a boy spy. He's our squire, not one of Varys 'little birds'.
>>19668638Reassure Terris some, let him know that it's natural to be a bit scared when you start out. Tell him about our first days as a squire and that every single knight we've met had been through the exact same thing. It passes over time and you eventually become a knight. Then morning.>>19668655We're currently docked, there won't be much in the way of shaking, we won't have him do any serious beginning training at sea, though eventually we're going to have to make him comfortable with fighting on a rocking ship, but there isn't a hurry on that.
>>19668670>Reassure Terris some, let him know that it's natural to be a bit scared when you start out. Tell him about our first days as a squire and that every single knight we've met had been through the exact same thing.This.Are we leaving tommorow? What else was there to do here?
An aside to Terris: "There is much and more you will learn from me in due time, boy. Let this be your first lesson. A squire should be as a sword. Silent and always out of sight, but never out of reach. Unless I or a member of the steel guard have told you otherwise, endeavor to stay behind and beside me whenever possible. Keep your mouth closed, and your ears open. When I reach to you for aid, it should be as easy as reaching for my pommel."
You actually fall asleep in the chair, staring at a candle as you think about what the fuck is going on... You awake with a half-start, nearly jumping out of the chair. There is a lot of noise on the top deck, but a bit of listening just reveals it to be the crew trapping a few gulls with a net. You change into some more comfortable clothes, find your sword (you need to teach Terris where it goes) and emerge out into the harsh sunlight of a summer morning.Caswell is getting everything in order, as you get underway today. You can see men struggling to get a few cows onto the other galley, and you pray that you have smooth sailing, otherwise those animals, which will be penned in on the deck, will be going overboard. You find Terris on the forecastle, talking with one of the crewmen as he coils line for the trip. You say >>19668704 to which he nods so hard you think he might be trying to break his own neck. You break your fast with the rest of the crew, before Caswell puts the tiny fleet underway at around ten or so, with the tide and then wind favoring you.>Roll 1d100 for weather and speed.
rolled 96 = 96>>19668718If the weather gets bad put Terris below decks. If it stays reasonably good let him stay up on top, talk to the crew, learn some from Caswell. See how a ship works and enjoy his first real ship voyage.It'll suck to be without Ben for a bit, but fortunately he's a week away and contact with him is easy. I love living in the Reach.
rolled 24 = 24>>19668718Gods of the odds, grant me a breeze!
rolled 92 = 92>>19668718
>>19668743Hmmm. Mmmaybe I'll just leave the rolling to you guys from now on, huh?
>>19668744>>19668732On the deadly seas of Westeros, there are Sunny Days.I guess we get home in record time and spend the whole time working our bitching tans. Gotta watch out for those plate-armour lines though.
>>19668756What, so I can roll a one when climbing a cliff? No thanks.
>>19668759Well I'm really glad that Terris's first voyage was a pleasant one. I'd rather not have had to deal with him having a phobia of the sea when we live on an island and much of our military power is sea based.
>>19668732The Father must have heard our prayers about six days too late, as our return voyage is on a sea of glass, the wind at our back the whole way. The worst it ever gets is when, two nights out, the wind blows some chop at you, waking Terris up and sending him to the side to empty his stomach. You are within sight of Saltmouth with five days, the look on Terris' eyes as the Arbor comes over the horizon possibly as amazed as you have ever seen anyone. The simple concept that there is land out of sight and across the sea just blows his mind.When you get in, you are happy to get back to business. The Steel Guard goes to relax, happy to be able to let their proverbial hair down and let the garrison protect you for now. Terris has two of the busiest weeks of his life, as Coyle begins to teach him about the working of Castle Salt and what his duties will be as your squire. Meanwhile, you already have ravens on your desk from Ben and Lord Portain. Ben is loving being back at the Citadel, and he estimates that his studies shouldn't take overly long. Portain will find time to come visit, probably for a "hunt" in the near future, as soon as he can manage it. He says to not trust the ravens until then. The next two weeks are just the tedium of ruling your lands: inspections, administration, and the constant planning.>We have just completed another month. Roll 1d6 for House Fortune!
rolled 2 = 2>>19668786House Fortune!Sadly we're out Ben for this one, but all of our other bonuses ought to help.
>>19668786DICE
rolled 6 = 6>>19668786Dice.
rolled 1 = 1>>19668786Rollan.Also, we might invite his children over (I've forgotten their age). It's not like we need our relationship with our fellow broLord to be all cloak-n-daggers.
rolled 3 = 3BIG MONEY, NO WHAMMIE
Ok guys, we can improve one resource by +1d3, and one resourse by a solid +1.Defense – 6Influence - 47Lands - 0Law - 41Population - 41Power - 12Wealth - 13
rolled 3 = 3>>19668786MONEY
>>19668818How much do we need for a Sept, or Lavish Sept? That's what I'm personally pushing for.If we can't afford it in any case I'd say 1d3 to Wealth and +1 to Defence.
And 1d3 to Defence.
>>19668818We're putting the +1 into wealth at the very least, it becomes +1+1d6.If we add the 1d3 to wealth as well it becomes 1d3+1d6, which with the 2:1 wealth to anything else trade ratio yields a higher amount of anything else. But I'm thinking Princely might object.The +1 to wealth to get the most bang for our buck out of the 1d6 stuff, the 1d3 to Defense so we can turn Castle Salt into a better castle.
>>19668819>Imokaywiththis.jpg
>>19668836>>19668835Remember, anything we add to Wealth becomes 1d6+1.And that is one vote for 1d3 in defense? Any other voters?
>>19668818That 1d3 into money seems the best
>>19668847I thought Prince was against this on the grounds of us being able to buy out the Lannisters in a few years if we kept this up.
>>19668818Everything into money and then we'll convert some wealth as needs be. Remember we still gain boat loads of money. Also did our purchases in Oldtown affect our Wealth?
>>19668863i thought he was just against doubling up like putting both the d3 and the +1 into wealth.
>>19668867Nop. Not allowed from now on.
>>19668863Sorry guys, but that 1d3 becomes 1d6+1 if you drop it into Wealth.>>19668867They took a tiny dip, yes. We did buy a pile of shit (most of it high quality stuff).
+1 to money for the bonus d6. We need to plan for the expansions that the brotherhood was inquiring about.I say d3 goes to defense. A larger castle or more fortifications is NEVER a bad thing.
+1 to wealth and +1d3 into defence.
>>19668882Ok, that's cool. +1 into wealth for +1+1d6, and +1d3 into defense. If we get a 3 in defense we might drop 2 wealth so we can get a bitching castle. Otherwise I advocate waiting.Also when we have 20 or so wealth, maybe 25 we should probably drop 15 on a Sept. I like keeping plenty of float around just in case.
rolled 2 = 2>>19668880Ah, okay in that case my vote goes +1 for wealth (meaning 1+1d6) and 1d3 for defense.Rolling for wealth
+1 to wealth and +1d3 into defense?Sound good?
rolled 3 = 3>>19668896Balls, and now defense.
rolled 3 = 3>>19668903Sounds good, rolling for defense.
What do we have to improve to increase the size of Saltmouth?
>>19668909Defense is 3. Roll the d6 for wealth now guys.
rolled 2 = 2>>19668909>>19668904Looks like our soldiers just manned the fuck up.
rolled 5 = 5>>19668919Rollan
>>19668920That was a d3, someone else roll.
Defense – 9Influence - 47Lands - 0Law - 41Population - 40Power - 12Wealth - 20New stats now guys. Nice job.
>>19668929A five then. Yesssssss. I'll admit I was worried when I saw that one, but this was a good month.
>>19668934We're on top of the world, I advocate waiting one for month for the sept, dropping 2 wealth into 1 defense this month so we can turn Castle Salt from a small castle into full sized castle.
>>19668934Saweet!Voting for getting started on that Lavish Sept if we have the dosh for it.
>>1966893412 Power you say? More ships anyone?
LOADS O' DOSHNow, do we cash in for that sept, or save for rainy days while planning our trade infrastructure?>structure tomentiNo, captcha. This game is for humans only. No AI.
>>19668968We're decent on ships. My opinion is that we either save it up to grab bannermen or use it to train up more ground forces or improve the ones we already have.
>>19668953We currently don't have enough to built the Lavish Sept. It costs 25 Wealth, but it does give us wicked sweet bonuses to both House Fortune and Influence gain!Currently, I am busy updating and expanding territory rules, add-ons, and stuff like that.
If no one else can think of anything to buy, we should be moving on to the next month.
>>19668987We should get there pretty soon, though we'll want a buffer before we purchase it. Also we'll get a Septon or Septa from that which means more advisers and other such awesome stuff.We should probably have the Smith be the primary focus on the shrine, I like the Smith.Other than getting Defense up to 10 by converting 2 weatlh so we can upgrade Castle Salt I can't think of anything.
>>19669001Sounds like a plan since it seems to be concensus to save for 25W and 20Pwr
>>19668987Ok, so for the moment at least, we go all scrooge mcduck and splash around in our vast stash of riches, waiting for it to become large enough to actually craft a sept out of?OOH! Make a model of the sept out of the money we're going to use to buy the sept! Terris! Fetch me my septon figurine!
Ok then guys, roll the d6 and lets see House Fortune!
rolled 6 = 6>>19669040Wait, there's more? Why am I complaining?!
>>19669047Words can not express the glee on my face.
>>19669047I love you man, in a platonic way.
>>19669047Ohhhh yessss. To hell with merchants and talks of business House Korban relies only on our absurd luck for coin. Everything else is merely a happy little extra.
That would be another +1d3 and +1 guys. Nice roll.
+1 cash and 1d3 Influence.We havent increased it in a while.
>>19669047MUAD'DIB! MUAD'DIB!
Maybe defense and cash again?
>>19669073Our influence is still so damn high that, literally, we might be one of the most popular Houses in the Reach right now, and easily the current favorite of House Redwyne.... Then again, having a god stat doesn't hurt, does it?
>>19669066Ok, the +1 to wealth, because we're money grubbing buggers. I think we spent 2 wealth and exchanged it for Defense so we have 10 defense to go from Small Castle to Castle, and we don't need any more for the time being, a full castle is all we need for now, we don't need to put Dragonstone in Saltmouth.I have no clue where I want the 1d3. We don't really need more influence, we'll be getting plenty of that from other sources, we could start getting land up, maybe improve Saltmouth by throwing land points at it or to improve what we're going to get when Lord Redwyne dies. We could go for Power and start getting it to 20 so we can get a bannerhouse.
>>19669029>Terris! Fetch me my septon figurine!I chuckled.>>19669024We might want to consider investing in more ground forces. After all we've just discovered that we have potential enemies on the actual island itself.
>>19669093Actually, is there a way to compare respective influence stats? I really doubt that we're as influential as a major house, so what kind of pull does our influence work out to?
>>19669100We have the Steel Guard, a unit of infantry and a unit of archers for mobile ground forces and a garrison as well. The Clawwaters aren't on the same island, they hold small islands off the coast of the Arbor, if they plan something offensive we meet them at sea or we have enough evidence by then to pull in the Portains and beat their faces in.
>>19669109There is no hard and fast rule for it. Basically, our Influence is currently really high for our station in life. We are a minor house holding a tiny strip of land. However, our out-sized influence is explained away by us being really valuable to the Redwyne family. As we make money, they make money... And they fucking love money.Currently, they like us even more than the Merrywind family, which used to be their go-to number 2 in all things.
>>19669127We're small but we bring in absurd amounts of money and we're charming as all hell.I'm guessing that this combined with Dustain Korban being a pretty swell guy is why we're getting the position of Watch-Lord after Lord Redwyne bites it. Preemptive bribing, I've got to admit I like this guy's style.
So, votes on how to allocate our +1 and +1d3?
>>19669127>MerrywindThat smells like competition.I'm in favour of adding to defense and wealth again, same as before.
I suggest Law or Power, the former because who doesn't love having a reputation as people with fewer smugglers/bandits, and the latter for another unit (Guys, five galleys isn't enough) of warships.
+1 to cash moneys, obviously, but I'm thinking chuck the d3 into law. I don't want us to be so concerned about smugglers in the region as a whole that we let our own backyard get mussed.>>19669109To quote the book: 41–50: A powerful minor house with colorful history. Examples include House Florrent and House Frey.
>>19669147I vote for this, +1 wealth and +1d3 defence sound good
>>19669141+1 to wealth of course. The +1d6 is just too delicious to pass up.Confirmation on Defense purchase, if we have 10 we don't need more.We already have 41 law, it'll be a while before we start seeing the benefits from improving it. What should we improve if we want to make Saltmouth better, would that be Population or Land? I advocate more in that.
Wealth and Defense wins again.Roll the 1d3 for Defense first, folks.>>19669166Both. I need to have people roll the Saltmouth Fucking Table this month too.
rolled 2 = 2>>19669180Defense!!
>>19669183Solid roll. Next, gimme the 1d6+1 for Wealth.
>>19669180What does the salt mouth table require?
rolled 2 = 2Daddy needs a new luxury sept!
rolled 1 = 1>>19669192
>>196691952d100 Dormian. Roll it up for me, would ya?
rolled 84, 62 = 146>>19669203Rollan.>>19669199Oh well, we can't always roll amazingly.
rolled 28 = 28>>19669203
rolled 34, 22 = 56>>19669203OH GODS WHY?!
>>19669210Right and this reminds me why I usually don't get to roll dice.
>>19669207Thank the Seven.
>>19669203>>19669195>>19669180Care to explain what is going on, fellas?
>>19669210Relax, someone beat you to it. Current Stats Underneath.Defense – 11Influence - 47Lands - 0Law - 41Population - 40Power - 12Wealth - 23Current Population of Saltmouth: 4961
>>19669219It's the Saltmouth Fucking Table so...
>>19669219Just an algorithm to see how many new people Saltmouth births/entices to come into its borders.
>>19669235I guess we'll need to lower that population through some recruiting to keep house the fortune rolls bonus, right?
>>19669244Well our official population stat hasn't grown so it might stay as is, and while there's more people in Saltmouth we have a fair number spread out over the rest of our lands as well. It isn't a huge change. Also I'd like to save our Power to acquire Bannermen, but if it gets to be a problem we should convert them.
>>19669224Can we upgrade to a Castle with that defense? I think that's been a long term goal.My vote goes for another trained unit of infantry, and another warship if we can fit it in.
>>19669244Nope. Population is more a score of population density, rather than a direct 1=??? formula. Otherwise, places like King's Landing would fail fortune rolls every time. Hard.Ok, so it has been around 6 weeks since our return from Oldtown. Terris is getting into the hang of being a squire, and his training has started in earnest. He rises early to watch arms practice with Ser Rory, practicing on a dummy with a heavy wooden training sword. After that, he either studies under Ser Martin Crane and Ser Anders Bushy to learn about the care of horses, or he goes down to the docks with Coyle to learn about ships and the running of a quay. In the afternoon, he returns to our care, to read aloud and practice his writing as we do administrative work. At night, he runs around doing whatever we say for him to do, and he is being attentive, able to help us dress before a ride, care for our weapons (Ser Cargill showed him how to properly use a sharpening stone), and generally be useful around the castle.Our time has been spent, largely, in reading. Ben sent us home with a small library, and our collection has jumped from 5 volumes to nearly thirty, some of them being incredibly think reproductions of ancient texts. We have also taken to playing afternoon games of cyvasse with Ser Rory or Tensill, who both have a great mind for the game.
>>19669275 Cont.Without Ben around, the conversation you enjoy has taken a serious downturn. But he does write twice a week, and has been wondering about acquiring a few more volumes for the castle library. His studies go well, he says, and he has mentioned, twice, our coming to study at the Citadel as well. However, the garrison has now been put almost exclusively on the detail of patrolling the town, and fights and theft have taken a definite turn down.Current StatsDefense – 11Influence - 47Lands - 0Law - 41Population - 40Power - 12Wealth - 23
So ok everyone... Roll 1d100 for RANDOM EVENTS!!!!!
rolled 18 = 18>>19669312Random events!!!
rolled 99 = 99here we go
rolled 8 = 8>>19669312
>>19669315>>19669314Well, son of a bitch.
>>19669315ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboy
rolled 62 = 62Avast ye!
rolled 64 = 64>>19669312I am genuinely scared by your capslock, princely.Also, can we get an update on our long-term itinerary? All I can remember is harvest and our meeting with paxter being a few months off.
>>19669332also the guy that has to see if out port is big enough
>>19669332There's a tournament pretty soon. Also I think we're going "hunting" with Portain to discuss the Mad Maester and the Clawwaters pretty soon.
One afternoon, you are sitting in your solar, looking at some newly drawn maps from a mapmaker in Starfish Harbor... You can't tell if the map is any more accurate, but for the price they want for it (350 golden dragons), you really don't care and are just tempted to pass. Terris is in the yard, being shown by Benjie Cargill how to hold a shield properly, and (by the sound of things) he is getting better at blocking.Then a horn sounds, long and loud, from the eastern road through the city. You rush to the window, and can see a small group of horsemen... Maybe twelve, riding up the road towards your castle gates.
>>19669351The most likely possibility is that Portain is coming to visit under the official reason of going "hunting" with the actual reason of being a noir detective with us an investigating the wine smuggling.Go out to meet our guest.
>>19669360second
rolled 88 = 88>>19669360also have our horse and some of the steel guard ready
>>19669374>>19669360I can't get anything by you guys, can I?You descend the steps, with Ser Crane and Brown Tim falling in behind you as you cross the yard. Dismounting, Dirk Portain flips off his helmet to one of his knights."Karban! I haven't seen you since that man on your left knocked you off a horse with a stick!" He crosses the remaining distance and shakes your hand.
>>19669398Grin broadly. "Portain, I thought it was you. This ruffian hasn't let me live it down since that day."
>>19669398I thought I was the one who got knocked in the head during the joust, I never fell off my horse.It's good to see you Portain, I'm glad you decided to let me take you "hunting".
"Then you haven't seen me at all; I'm the one throwing Ser Crane now! Welcome to Saltmouth, my friend!"
>>19669398 Cont."Let's go have a drink in that confortable solar of yours, shall we?" You nod, asking him how his ride was, and he talks about the damn wind of the previous day that made it so hard to get a good cookfire going. You summon some servants to bring you wine from the cold cellars under the river tower, and for them to prepare the guest quarters for Lord Portain and his knights.Once the door is closed and you are both sipping on wine, his face goes dark. "We have serious things to talk about, ser. There is something dark and sinister moving in the Arbor. I am vexed by it at every turn, and I desperately want to kill something." This is easily the most enraged you have ever seen the man. "Two weeks ago, a cog flying the colors of House Clawwater ran aground on a sandbar off the Northwoods. A minor storm broke it up, mostly... Some of my smallfolk found what was left. There were casks of Arbor wines onboard."
>>19669440"So House Clawwater IS on it then. Damn them! Does our Leigelord know?"
>>19669440This correlates to some information I found when I was recently in Old Town. Give him the story of us finding the wine merchant, then moving up to the Tyrosi and meeting Damien Clawwater, see if our description of him matches that of the real Damien Clawwater. Make sure to note that we bought some of the wine and ought to be able to track its origin down. Also that we both know Clawwater doesn't grow wine.The question is if this is enough to go on. Also we might want to delay for another reason, we don't have anything on the Mad Maester yet, and if we go after Clawwater too early he'll just bug out and do it elsewhere, unpunished.
>>19669450>>19669478"I haven't written to Lord Pason yet... I came here first, because I am afraid to trust the ravens right now. As far as I can tell, the Clawwater's don't know that we know yet. That could be our biggest advantage... We must be careful not to squander this."
>>19669478>Also that we both know Clawwater doesn't grow wineNeither do we, we just buy it as it comes through. So this alone is damning enough. However we know that Arbor wines aren't really passing through their lands.We really need solid evidence, but now we can identify our target.
>>19669527* isn't damning enough.
He just shakes his head. "We must move carefully, my friend.... We must be careful." You two sit there in silence for a moment, before you break the moment. "My hall is yours, lord. I offer my bread and salt, for as long as you will stay." He stands, and nods to you. "It is always a pleasure to visit your home, ser.... Let us put off this dirty business for now. Let us talk of more pleasant things. Have they come to induct you yet, lad?"
>>19669570Induct me into what? And which they are you referring to?
>>19669581"Ahh, so they haven't yet. The Tourney of Vines is held every two years in wine country, near Tree's Rest. It is open only to knights of the Arbor, and is almost as old as the Arbor itself. But to take part, you have to join the Order of the Vine, a knightly order more ancient and respected than any in the Reach."
>>19669570Half-jokingly respond "Induct me? Do the Lords of Arbor have a hazing ritual I haven't been made aware of?"
>>19669610I have not yet been inducted as of yet, perhaps it is due to me only having lived here for a short portion of my life, however Lord Cargill did invite me to the Tourney of the Vines, though given the lack of induction it was as far as I could tell purely as a member of the audience. What are the requirements and duties of a Knight of the Order of the Vine?
>>19669610 Cont."Did you see my helmet when we rode down on those damn smugglers? The green vines upon it can only be worn by knights who are members of the Order of the Vine. A few hundred years ago, they were the best of the bannermen of the King of the Arbor, but now they are more of a... social order. A fraternity that is exclusive to the sworn men of the Arbor, a tightly bound order that is a thread of commonality that binds us all together."
>>19669646"Tell me more. I am interested, if you're part of it can't be all that terrible."
"The requirements to join are simply to be a knight of the Arbor, a sworn man to the Iron Throne in the sight of the Seven and older gods beside."
>>19669665"Well, that and to be sponsored by two other knights who are members of the Order."
>>19669674Are any of the knights in our service members of the Order of the Vine? I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Steel Guard was, one of them is from Portain's wife's family, the Cargill cousins, one our Castellan and one in the Steel Guard are both from an established family here.I can't imagine that being too hard, there is of course you. Given that Lord Cargill invited me to the Tourney I would not be surprised if he means to induct me. I also would surmise that some others of the men and lords here I have befriended were also members of the Order.
The two of you talk more, discussing the upcoming harvest and the current politics of the Seven Kingdoms, specifically the mental health of the King. There are rumors he has taken another lord as his hand after Tywin Lannister, and the general consensus is that the man isn't up to the job. As the sun sets, the two of you head down to the hall to feast with your knights. The feast is a smaller, comfortable affair. Most of the tables are cleared away, with just the high table and the four closest longtables left. The meal starts with crab and clam soup in trenchers, served with hunks of salty cheese and friend bread. Following it is baked vegetable pies with flaky crusts, and a gravy of venison drippings and beer, and fat links of venison sausage. The main course is a huge tuna, nearly seventy pounds in total, that was baked with potatoes, turnips, and huge amounts of herbs and butter. As always, for visitors, you open up the cellar and the wine is matched rather well to each course. You and your guests celebrate late into the night, before you stumble up to bed.
>>19669698Both Cargill's are members, as is Ser Rory Wallgrave. You awake in the morning, and pull on some clean clothes. In the hall, a few of the knights of Portain's house are breaking their fast. About half an hour later, as you finish your meal, Lord Portain comes down. "Today, ser... Today, I say we go hawking in those citrus groves of yours. Let us relax a bit before the ugly business of discussing certain problems."
>>19669727Agree. Are we bringing anyone with us?
>>19669703I am very glad I have food right now as every time you describe a meal I start getting hungry. >>19669727So getting inducted ought to be pretty easy, though we should probably try for Portain and Lord Cargill or someone like that to do it as it might be considered poor form to have one of your knights or your Master-At-Arms to be one of the ones who sponsors you.Let's go hawking, thankfully we can completely trust pretty much all the important people in our employ so we don't have to worry about them overhearing anything and spreading it around. If we're supposed to bring people with we can just bring whoever will have the most fun hawking. The only one I'm not sure of is our Squire, but I think we can find plenty of things for him to do if we start talking about important stuff we should keep quiet.
rolled 5 = 5Thread is now archived on suptg.Consider a private letter to Pason Redwyne detailing our progress in tracking down the smuggling ring, but do NOT name names until we are sure. Make sure it is handed directly to our lord.I'm off to bed. Good luck, and keep the good rolls coming, sers.
Three of Portain's knights mount up after preparations have been made, and you decide to bring Ser Crane, Brown Tim, and Gray Thom. Your small party heads southwest, with three fine falcons. You spend the majority of the morning and afternoon hawking, watching them dive and soar through the air. "So what are we to do about this Clawwater problem?" The two of you are riding a bit ahead of the party, slipping between the orange trees near the road. It is a moment of rare privacy, and a fine place to talk.
>>19669767We're much further than we were last time. We have connected the smuggling to the Clawwaters. The problem is that our evidence may not be enough to convince everyone and we are still no closer to anything solid on the Mad Maester, whoever he is, it might simply be a disguise to distract from the true culprits. But now we know where to look and that makes all the difference. There being a noble house involved would make the stealing of wine much easier than it would be otherwise, and it being the Clawwaters, who have some islands near the Arbor, instead of a House that resided on the Arbor proper helps explain why none of the smugglers were from the primary island.
>>19669767"I think it's too soon to risk confrontation. We have the advantage here, they can't know that we're on to them, but we need really solid evidence before we bring this to the attention of Lord Redwyne. Personally I think identifying and capturing this 'Mad Maester', who is almost assuredly connected to the Clawwaters, should be our next objective."
>>19669804>>19669797He nods, scratching his beard. "Your right.... This 'mad maester' could be the proof we need to bring the Clawwater clan to justice. If we have enough evidence to rally other banners to our cause, they will surrender. They are not powerful or populous. A strong show of strength and they will fold"
>>19669851The only problem is finding him. He's secretive, intelligent and almost certainly paranoid. I haven't managed to dig up anything on him as of yet. Have you found any useful tidbits of info?
>>19669876He shakes his head. "We haven't even heard of his shadow since that day... He is certainly a worthy foe. If only he would take the field, where we could ride him down into the dust. Since he hides in the dark like a rat, we have to root him out." The two of you ride back to Castle Salt for a late dinner. Your knights enjoy it as well, as an entire day on the road puts a hunger in you.The following morning, you and Lord Portain meet for one last meeting, where you agree an a rough outline of a plan. The two of you will continue to hide your knowledge, hunting for this 'Mad Maester' and looking for evidence of the Clawwater involvement. You will reconvene at the Tourney of Vines, to talk there in secret and compare evidence and proof. You also both plan to support the other if it comes to that, although both of you think that will be unlikely.
"A barking-mad smuggler playing at being a Maester? I think the times are peaceful indeed if we consider this sort a worthy enemy.">>19669899When is the Tourney of Vines? I just want to know how much time we have on our hands.
>>19669940The Tourney should be in five weeks or so. It is just before the harvest.
>>19669899What else can we do to track this bugger down. We already had Jorge Caswell spread money around the less reputable side of sailing, smugglers and the like and get an informant in there I think, but he hasn't pulled anything up as of yet. If we have anyone who can get agents in the populace, see if there are any useful rumors about or anything that hints to the Mad Maester we should do so. If we have any other sources of information that we've forgotten about or not been utilizing this would be the time. I wonder if we're missing something important or if this guys is just really hard to find.Did we ever have someone see if they could tell which winery or area of the Arbor different casks got to? Did we get any response back from anyone when we sent ravens out a while back to ask about missing shipments or casks of wine?
>>19669965Correction on second to last sentence, *area of the Arbor different casks came from.
>>19669965Caswell, so far, has had no luck what-so-ever. This in and of itself has infuriated him. Our message about missing wines was actually returned. The Redwynes say they have not, while the Merrywinds say that they lost some to a fire which they believe was maliciously set, and the western branch of House Cargill says that some of its cellar were "misplaced." As for finding out where the casks come from, you did track down two. They are wineries on the Vintner's River, down on the southern side of the Arbor near Merrywind lands.
So guys, I am gunna end it here. I have to be hosting a luncheon for a few of my friends before they leave the country for a few months. If I don't get some damn sleep, I will pass out into my soup and then drown, thereby ending this quest.... FOREVER.So since that would fucking suck, we should avoid that. Keep bumping the thread with ideas, comments, and all that good shit. Also, I will be online for five more minutes as I find some damn pants, so questions are welcome and will be answered.Another great session all. As waves upon rock, we grow stronger.
>>19670005Ok, so all these disappearances have taken place in the southern region of the Arbor. That narrows it down some, but not enough. We can't go ourself but we should send some trusted men to subtly investigate, so as not to spook anyone or set off any alarms, those two wineries, see if they can get any more information on the disappearing wine. >>19670035Good night Princely, when is the next session going to be? Also how much more awesome is our Castle going to be once we upgrade it?
>>19670038Sending a few guys might be a really good idea. They could bring some men and wagons, and act as merchants. Or, if you wanted them to go deep undercover, show up as day-laborers for the harvest.Right now, it is looking like the next session will be on Tuesday. But if not on Tuesday, then Thursday.As for the awesomeness of our castle? We get a wall option (strengthen current walls, or add an additional wall), a tower option (add 1d4 new towers or strengthen existing towers), a new defensive option (moat, drawbridge with causeway, improved barbicans, fixed siege weapons), and a new keep option (strengthen keep, add dungeons, add new extensions to the keep).
>>19670065Although maybe a short session on Sunday night as well. That depends on how the girlfriend feels about me staying up late the night before our anniversary to play ASoIaF rpg games with people over the internet, and if playing such games means I have to sleep on the couch for it.
>>19670035About how much more income are we going to be pulling in from Montelban and Ghand choosing to use us as a port and when is it going to start showing up?
>>19670073I'll probably be on /tg/ anyway, but I won't get my hopes up for that one.
>>19670087They can either give passive bonuses, or be used to create a one-off bonus (Think a bit of CivRev. Yes, stupid game. Perfect function for this though). I am also heavily redo'n and expand'n the list of things we can buy, and the upgrades we can have for our land, towns, and castle. Besides, we can add them to the FUCK HUEG stable of npc characters we know.>>19670102I will do my best to make it. If I can't though, I fully intend to make it up to you guys. While I may not be on /tg/, I can probably find a few minutes a day to continue expanding, playtesting (massive number of rolls to get the averages down), and making this a big more fun and realistic.
>>19670073Good night sweet Prince and good luck!
>>19670135We'll probably choose passive bonuses, as we want to turn into Scrooge McDuck and have such a large monthly income that we just continue to grow and slowly wear down everything in our path, Like Waves Upon Rock.You are a scholar and a gentleman for doing so much to make this amazing. I'll do my best not to break the economic system again.
>>19670169No, please try. Stress test my system as hard as you can. That way, we can make it better. There will eventually be a point where each month we are rolling around (2d6)+(1d3+4)+1 for each +1 Wealth we allocate. Because fuck the Lannisters, we are straight gangster.>>19670155Someone notices one of the inside jokes in this quest. Keep looking, there are easter eggs all over the place. Also, good job playing. Lets keep the quality of player this high.
>>19670197Thanks very much for running this. Really enjoying it so far. Also guys I'm thinking keeping as far away from combat is a very good idea, at least until we have an heir.
>>19670197I'll do my best. I'll crunch whatever numbers you give us and break whatever I can.>>19670221Hey look, a wars on. I think I'll just go over here and blockade Stannis, yeah that sounds about right. I'll sit on a boat near Dragonstone and not do a single thing that involves sharp pieces of metal heading towards my face.
>>19670221Good thought... I have edited the combat system a touch, and a few bad rolls mean surprise! You just lost an arm! Or something terrible along those lines. Once naval combat starts, then shit gets fun. On average, you are rolling to avoid falling overboard three times per combat. And falling overboard with armor on is basically insta-death, which is why Karban uses lighter than normal armor, the smart bastard he is.Then again, childbirth and surviving those early years is dangerous too.And I am genuinely happy that you are enjoying it so far. That is half the point, after all.
>>19670242SSSSSHHH. Stop reminding me that House Tyrell basically sits most of the war out... I mean, in that way, Stannis basically won the war for Robert. If Highgarden had commited its forces to the battle, he might have lost, even if he still did crush Rhaegar with that warhammer of his.People forget some stuff like that, sometimes. The Reach has more military power than any two other factions put together, and is almost as rich as the Westerlands. The North is as big as the rest of the Seven Kingdoms put together, more or less. Dorne hasn't needed to actually send an army to battle in decades (hooray sun and sand!). Shit like that.I mean, the Ironborn are dope, but at the end of the day, they lack the numbers to really make a dent. I mean, don't tell that to Winterfell or Deepwood Motte, but that is still how it goes.
>>19670243Damn, you're brutal. I like it. I'm glad we've been spending most of our time negotiating and so on instead of getting into random sword fights.Remember people, we don't have to fight people ourself most of the time, we have the Steel Guard for that.
>>19670242I think, with enough luck and balls of steel, we could see this go an entirely different way. I believe OP dropped a subtle hint mentioning the days when the Arbor was an entirely seperate and independant kingdom.>>19670221>heirsAlternatively we could go for that juicy political marriage AND Hot Dornish Wif-um er Lady Friend, with bastards all over the place. Karban strikes me as a decent fellow so I vote no, but the option for HDLF could be kept in mind.
>>19670266Did you ever play 2nd Edition Warhammer Fantasy RPG on hellish difficulty? If your DM is smart or a dick (mine is both), all combat is insta-death. A buddy of mine had a legit knight from Brettonia, in full plate and with all the power of chivalry. What killed him? A peasant with a pitchfork covered in donkey shit. Disease will ruin your day at this tech level.I am drawing a little bit from that.
>>19670283Karban does seem like an ok guy... But when you literally can make people jump at a word, you start to think differently. So that might be a bit of it.But perhaps more importantly on that front: political marriage. We marry some broad (Dalyna excluded, because so far I think she is all right) who we loath, just to get her dad's vote/land/swords, or whatever. When you are stuck with a woman you hate, and hot Dornish girl with great legs comes to court? .... Yeah, that isn't even a contest.
>>19670264Hey there Ironborn, I'm House Redwyne, I'm a bannerhouse, my navy is bigger than yours. >>19670283I wouldn't mind bastards, it worked for Oberyn Martell after all, but pulling it off without pissing off the Redwynes and Dalyna would be really fucking hard. Also Dalyna is incredibly attractive, and we're a practical sort, we aren't going to jeopardize that potential marriage because we wanted some sweet Dornish loving. If we get married to Dalyna I don't think we'll have to worry that much on that front.If we can pull it off it might be fun, but it's incredibly risky. If we somehow end up married to someone else then that is a completely different story. >>19670287Fortunately we have Maester Ben who has a link in Medicine which ought to help, and his one in Alchemy might have some relevance. It won't necessarily save us but it will seriously up our chances of surviving a nasty wound and it not getting infected and killing us that way.>>19670309Hot Dornish Mistress? If only the Reach and Dorne didn't hate each other quite so much.Things will be seriously odd if we have get the Arbor to break off from the Reach, very strange indeed.
>>19670309>>19670309The fact that this has not gone the way of the incredibly randy servant-shagging Nobleman Quest says a lot about our character. I'm actually surprised at the players here, ussually /tg/ quests quickly head into 'shag-em-n-bag-em' and/or waifu territory.Good work guys!I didn't like Dalyana at first but now...I think we should go for it with gusto. Say...would sending a letter to Lord Redwyne with an attachment to both Lord Paxter and Lady Dalyana be seen as a poor conduct?
>>19670357We don't have any attendants to shag and we've been too busy with politics to go after women. We prioritize getting a politically advantageous marriage over sleeping with some dame. If we can pull it off Dalyna has the incredibly politically advantageous marriage part, the rather nice girl part, she is by no means unintelligent or socially incompetent, and she's hot as hell.The only woman we really interact with on a regular basis is Iylaria, and she's scary and has shown no interest in sleeping with us so far. With a woman like her it'd be best not to force the issue.
>>19670347>bastardsNot saying we should, but if we are even half as good at siring bastards as Robert was we could probably form our own company from them. I can see it now 'The Bloody Bastards'.>Arbor independenceI doubt we could ever see that in our lifetime, that would require a massive cataclysm of some sort. But it's not impossible that the Reach might start thinking about seceding from the rest of the kingdom. And suddenly the Arbor become very important in the politics of the kingdom indeed.
>>19670395OP has mentioned a cute serving girl or two, in other quests you'd usually see posters pursue that. And I'm happy with the way things are progressing, honestly there are absolutely no complaints from me about this quest at all.
>>19670414I suppose there have been, but most of those occasions we've been at someone else's House or we had company over and it would be poor form for us to chase skirt on those occasions. Also we're busy, we're a lean mean politicking machine with a secret desire for HDW that is overruled by our desire for more power and prestige. We're very focused on our goals.We can always dream of HDM.There was also Ghand but it seemed like a bad idea to try and pursue her.
I am seriously worried that if we don't have enough serious evidence when we go after the Clawwaters they'll challenge us to Trial by Combat. Even if we do have enough they still might try, though I think the Redwynes would reject it at that point given that their income is hurt by the smuggling.Fortunately if it comes to that we can elect a champion if we choose not to fight ourself and we have a lot of choices for that. I think the Steel Guard was the single best investment we ever made.
>>19670515Good point. Speaking of which we should probably identify which of them is the most skilled in terms of one-on-one combat for just this purpose.
>>19670515Yes I'm agreeing with you on that count. I kinda see our Lord as extremely focused on his goals, and one of those people who always attempts to correct their failings. Every time so far we've failed at something our response has been to hit the books or find someone who could train us to be better. I like that.
>>19670585We got beaten in a joust. Bushy, Crane, I want you to teach me more about jousting.Dalyna says that she's too far above our station for us to even consider marriage. We'll see about that when we have the largest trade hub on the Arbor, have the position of Watch-Lord of the Windingwater, are the most trusted adviser of her brother Lord Redwyne and have more money than Casterly Rock.We failed at negotiations with Tarlosa, fine, we'll just make Saltmouth into such an awesome port that he'll come here because the money is so good.We really are stubborn as all hell. You can not stop the wave from wearing down the rock, it inexorably grinds it down into nothing but dust. Like Waves Upon Rock.The more we do the more apt those words seem to be.
regarding our squire ,>>19668786how about we give him some nice knife training with our Braavosi Lady Knight. - easy effective cheap jabs, strikes, stabbs and moves that will make him useful even at the age of 9, with a hidden dagger. after all who really bothers themselves with a 9 year old boy? - said 9 year old boy could then get to their sides or back, cut the tendons at the back of their knees, and bringing them to his size, for a downward stab above the clavicle. - there, in two stabs and perhaps one hold, the boy got a kill.Not something to bring in on the battlefield, but something that could save someone from a assassin or a ambush.- a one use ace up the sleve for both him and ourselves.regarding the wine, we should perhaps establish ourselves a merchant persona (with the name we used) perhaps get some contacts and do some buisness under that name. - this way if and when the wine smuggling house goes down, we can do followup on Bhaarissio and see if there are other leaks . (we would have to manage to disguise ourselves or prevent ourselves from being recognized.- some theatre professors and some hiar paint and cut to give us a different nuance perhaps and accentuate our face differently- or a wig)Not only that but also as a way to further intricate ourselves with the other side of trade (which nets us so much wealth) and see if we can use that as a information source- perhaps even turning Bhaarissio into our dutiful and loyal agent.
