In truth it felt like it had been a lifetime ago since your last prim and proper wedding, those of the Westerosi fashion at least. The affairs of the Essosi that the Second Sons had provided security detail for were far more… Extravagant, lacking a better word for it. Throwing your mind back to your days as a squire the very last you could properly remember was a small occasion held in King’s Landing, your mother’s younger sister was marrying a household knight of King’s Landing and you had been drug along with her and your Uncle Ser Dontos Malroy, far against your wishes.Your sponsor, as rarely as you had thought of him, Ser Rolland Manning had been invited as well. It was one of the last times you had seen him infact before he died, of what you never knew, a wasting sickness is what the maester had told you while rushing you from his quarters, and while it was a tragic affair it still allowed you the opportunity to make your flight, so you were thankful for it all the same.

As you sat stewing upon the high dial your mother had spoken to you in rare form, the wines of the event plying her tongue far more than in should have. She had been far more amicable to the idea of you having a child, even if it was a bastard, all of her natural born children sans Pastorn, who was himself soon to leave, had left Steadhold, and she had grown bored and lonely as your father poured over the wealth and power of his House. She had offered to take Lysa and your child in, give them place among the Household, he would be recognized, and raised proper. You could see him whenever you wanted, her as well, and for much of the night, you had considered.

The torn feeling of fleeing from your home and instead staying wrestled inside your gut, threatening to overflow the evening’s meal at a moment, until she had said a final thing, “Of course we would still expect you to marry proper Brynden. A lowborn girl is no match for a Malroy,” it was phrase which had hardened your resolve, and you had decided your flight was the only true answer. It was also the last time you had spoken with your mother.


You shake your mind of idle thoughts, pushing away the remembered last pains of a boy fresh into his manhood, you were a Lord now, that of Steadhold, of your House. Not a tool to be used and thrown away, not a sellsword across the Narrow Sea giving his sword to the highest bidder, but the man responsible for bringing your House back from the brink. You breathed deeply, watching yourself in a mirror, a gift Illiad had brought with him from Myr, the rest waited quietly in your storerooms below, bolts of myrish lace, panes of glass, and mostly importantly a brother that was overseeing the retrofitting of an old forgotten room into his new workshop. You brushed out the rest of your silver hair, pulling it back into your half ponytail as you often did, and run your hand over the soft bristle of your van dyke, giving the sides of your moustache a bit of a curl as you did so. You weren’t sure when you had obtained so many clothes, at best you guessed Dontos and Maester Benjin had something to do with it, but today’s wardrobe was perhaps your finest, the doublet with the golden stitches and ornate pattern work on the onyx and details of purple actually fit your chest properly and for that your lungs were thankful.

A soft rasp upon the door calls your attentions away from your last bit of grooming and you throw a, “It is open,” casually to it. It creaks and a silent step comes from behind, you look into the mirror, expecting one of the servants that often attended your room, only to find a stout man cloaked in drab brown, a worn dagger upon his side giving the faintest glint in the morning sun, and his hood drawn up so as to only allow your eyes to see the thin lips of this unknown man. You sit in quiet, watching him in the mirror, your hand raises to your breast, the hidden dirk above Isis’ braid, comes loose to your touch. He closes the door, locking the deadbolt and drawing his hands up in his sleeves, his voice as thin as his lips, and sharp as a whip, “My Lord. I would advise against such actions.”

Your hand does not remove itself from the grip of your dirk, your mind races, that Red Bastard would not dare send an assassin, in broad daylight no doubt, your thoughts of Illiad return, perhaps another attack by the would be Magister, like the one in Sunspear. You watch, eyes beginning to burn, like wildfire, the man standing idle making no attempts to attack or move closer to you.

He speaks again, voice a low tone, “Calm the wrath in your eyes my Lord. I mean you no harm. I bring you a gift in fact.”

You’ve heard that before, in a morning of casting your mind back to moments in time it appears you must do so once more. To the day you arrived in King’s Landing.

Roll 3d6 for Memory.

Rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14 (3d6)

>>44921495
Woooo good to have you back mate!

Rolled 3, 6, 3 = 12 (3d6)

>>44921495
Welcome back dad!

Rolled 1, 4, 1 = 6 (3d6)

>>44921495

>>44921513
I think we missed the DC by 1

>>44921567
>Brynden gets murdered and everyone dies because of it.

>>44921607
>It's on the tip of my tongue...

>>44921607

OH WELL IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED

>>44921485
>a sellsword across the Narrow Sea giving his sword to the highest bidder,
You still are just a sellsword playing at being a lord.

>>44921685
Go away Greenfield. I think you forgot to kiss a spot on the queens left asscheek

>>44921685
And your not a Kingsguard just a bitches pup playing at knighthood.

>>44921451
Been waiting so fucking long for this. Death to the Usurper and all that fun

Welcome back Father.

We have so much shit to get in order.

>>44921883

>We have so much Dornish waifu to molest.

Fixed.

>>44921913
Hopefully the dornish meme dies now that we have married one.

>>44921913
Our wife to be is near the bottom of the todo list at the moment.

>>44921974
The top is fucking our bitch cousins wife.

I guess make deals with the Crabbs and other Crownland lords who are here has to be done aswell

>>44921974

She's going to be on the bottom of MY to-do list, if you know what I mean.

>>44921988
Eh no.

Well lets see:

We need to meet other local lords who we suspect have been suffering 'bandit' problems, as an ally gathering measure.

We need to meet the hand to have a good old chat about what he pulled + making sure our brother in law to be's little prank does not end in disaster for us (basically informing the hand and thus through him the king whats going to go down, so they can sit and laugh at everyone and stop reprisals).

Not to mention inform him wtf happened with the myrish bastards who tried to shank us.

I would suggest we look into investing our next income sum after the wedding into infrastructure again before swining back to millitary next time after that, keep things growing smoothly on both fronts.

Have i missed anything?

Success, one degree.

You search your memory for a moment, it wasn’t particularly hard, you remembered the walk with Ser Preston Greenfield to the Red Keep. Upon your breast the memory burned, the gruesome trophy of war below the the dirk that your fingers still brushed against. The man that had given you Isis’ braid nearly a year ago.

“Spider.”

“Lord Brynden, a pleasure to see you again.”

Your eyes do not move from the mirror, focused on Varys behind you, you remembered Elionwy’s face of sheer terror the first time you refused to continue dyeing your hair. You hadn’t particularly thought that it would elicit a visit from the Master of Whispers. King’s Landing was a stone’s throw away but Varys wasn’t known for his traveling nature. Your mind recalled the promises made to the Spider all those months ago, you hadn’t broken any, not in any real sense, the hair was a triviality. You still ‘served the realm’ as was asked of you.

Your silence causes Varys to remove his hood, the soft bald head showing you your gut feeling was right, he sighs his voices remaining in the low tone you were unsure the origin of, “My Lord they tell me of your adventures in Dorne. A rather eventful trip, no doubt?”

“To say the least.”

“Your leg is healed well enough I imagine?”

You nod in response, eyes still on the mirrored form.

“Very well my Lord. A betrothal and a meeting with the Princes of Dorne? Impressive my Lord, it would appear your duty is more than done to the realm.”

Being surprised was the natural response, but this was the Spider you were talking to, that he knew everything of the past month was the least surprising part of your day thus far.

He removes a letter from his robe, and crosses the room with is silent step again, you feel his presence over your shoulder, but refuse to look over your shoulder. Sighing again in his more feminine tone his voice turns to a whisper, “A gift my Lord. I would suggest your continued cooperation with the Lord Hand. Best of luck with your Melee, and future marriage,” he places it down softly, and for a moment your eyes leave the mirror, catching a glance of the parchment and a final word, “A greater game is at play here my Lord. And your part is far more important than you could possibly know. Good day.”

Your eyes quickly move to the mirror again, only to find no one else there. You spin around in an instant, drawing the dirk from your breast and standing up knocking the stool over in the process. Your eyes burned, breath was deep having held it for much of the encounter. Turning to the letter again you see your name in elegant handwriting, in High Valyrian.

The moments repeat in your head, eyes searching the letter for an answer.

>Open it?
>Leave it be

>>44922087
>>Open it?

>>44922087
>>Open it?

>>44922087

Did Varys just pull a Batman on us?

>Open it

>>44922087
>Open it?

>>44922052
Our uncles wedding and our second bastard need sorting as well.

>>44922113
He operates on a higher level than Batman

Blech. We need a proper to-do list in case of hiatus.

>>44922052
Talk with the Master of Ship Stannis about the pirates that has been bothering us and our ally

>>44922154
Aaand the bow. We should start that when we can.

>>44922206
I think we started the quest chain (for lack of a better word) last thread.


Good to see you father

>>44922314
>>44922170

Gahhh Father I know you're a big believer in having us figure shit out and doing things on our own but can we please get a little bit of help refreshing our memories?

Goddamn should've asked what the REAL reason for us dying our hair was giving how it upset the mute he gave us.

Your eyes calm, the emerald in them turning back to the passive green, and you run your hand through your hair, “Bloody Spider…”

Traveling to the table you pick up the letter and flip it over, the golden seal on it widening your eyes in an instant, a golden horse reflecting in them, “There’s no…” you pull it open, a locket falling onto the floor in your haste, the entirety of it was written in High Valyrian, in a flowing script you knew but only in your faintest memory. Isis.

You through it carefully three or four times, parts of import sticking out here and there.

“They told me you were dead… Royce told me they killed you in King’s Landing and Victus as well…”

“Red Tower is a dreary rundown mess. His mercenaries, they are brutal, the servants are... The lands are being ravaged, they’ve told me it was you. I didn’t believe them.”

“I am… With child. Royce… He took me against my will. But he will not touch me now. Just threatens to cut the child out… I know what he is planning to do. He thinks I’m stupid… Without any resources. But he doesn’t know. He thinks I’m like Donold, in his little traps. But I am like you and father. And I know he’ll try to underestimate you.”

You feel the surge of tears in your eyes, Isis was strong, she always was, you hadn’t heard from her in so long it felt like you had forgotten. Taking a seat you pus the tears through the side as you finish the letter for a fifth time.

“I know you brother. If you could you would smash down the tower and kill Royce with your bear hands. Ever since he found out I knew you were alive he’s been throwing it in my face that you refuse to save me. That you’re a coward. Too busy fucking whores in King’s Landing, his words, not mine. Little secrets get to me. About Dontos and Victus, you putting together an army and working for the Hand of the King. I am so proud of you brother, you’ve become father, I can only imagine how you look in his chair in the greathall… I miss Steadhold. I miss you, for eight years I have… I can wait another. Be strong brother. And I promise I will for you. Ride unto the sunset.

Your beloved sister,
Isis”

The parchment is stained now, and you fold it up tightly pressed against her braid. You breath in deeply. You would be strong. For her. Placing your items back you place the letter beneath the braid, another reminder. Promises made and not forgotten. You stare deeply into the mirror, composing yourself before pushing off. You had places to be today, people to see, and a wedding to attend.

>See Ser Dontos Malroy and Victus, with the Knights in the yard
>Meet with the Lords Crabb and Brune, they requested your presence today
>Timeskip to Ser Lucas Longwaters and Lady Racheal Conklyn’s wedding

>>44922378
I suppose we could form a proper list after the thread is done. I'd be willing to help, as a list like that would help me as well.

Also it's good to see you all as well. I've missed doing this.

>>44922621
>>Meet with the Lords Crabb and Brune, they requested your presence today

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51 KB JPG

>>44922621
>>Meet with the Lords Crabb and Brune, they requested your presence today

Jeebus dad.

>>44922621
>Meet with the Lords Crabb and Brune, they requested your presence today

Time to make allies. Bring Dontos with us and tell him we got news from her before we do so.

>>44922621

RIP

AND

TEAR

>Meet with the Lords Crabb and Brune, they requested your presence today

File: 1389585991915.gif (895 KB, 307x174)

895 KB GIF

>>44922643

>>44922621
>Meet with the Lords Crabb and Brune, they requested your presence today

We should keep a hold of this letter.
If it should come before the court in any kind of investigation it'll be pretty solid use for an emotive motion to our side. It can easily be verified by the spider just by him saying he was aware of us having corrispondance with our sister and that the letter was genuine.

>>44922621
>with your bear hands.
I lol'd

>>44922734
I'm glad someone noticed, I have a terrible habit of doing that because it makes me laugh.

Anyway. Let's make some allies gents. Lord Clarence Crabb and Ser Dustin Brune of Brownhollow.

>>44922789
>Taking a seat you pus the tears
You've made quite a few of those today

>>44922789

Brownhollow?

I thought all of Westeros was conspiring against us, but CLEARLY they hate the Brunes more.

If this works out I almost think we should write celtigar a thank you, passing up on his dumb scheme was the best thing we did this whole quest.

>>44922998
Eat shit crabhead

-Brynden Malroy

>>44923021
Crab return to the your precious dothraki sea. Bloodraven is alive and well in steadhold.

A side room had been prepared for your small visit with two of the more mysterious guests you had attending your melee, looking through Wesley’s lists you noticed Ser Aden Brune and Ser Quinton Crabb were among those competing, and they allowed you a rather rare chance to meet with the Lords of Crackclaw Point. They had attended by your invitation, and for the most part had spent their time among the Knights and their pavilions behind Steadhold. Not entirely unexpected, they were known to be an odd bunch. Still it mattered to you little. They accepted the invitation and subsequently your invitation to lunch.

Meeting you in the hallway is Victus, jogging to keep up with you for a bit, he had begun to get taller over the past year. He looked like a stringy bean but so did you at his age, Dontos’ training had put some leaner muscle on him and he looked like your son through and through. He still smiled in his messy broken way through the last of his baby teeth and you ruffled his hair a mite taller than you usually did, “Are you well father?”

You smile, feigning in a way, “Yes Victus, are you off to see Dontos?”

“Yes father, he is with the Knights in the yard, running a training session. They regard him well I think…”

“That they do Victus, tell him I need see him later not immediately, when he is available,” you say, “Alright off with you. Can’t miss too much of the his training. You know he’ll be cross.”

“Of course father,” he replies cheerfully and dashes off.

A guard waits at the door to the side room, and you wave him off, eyeing him strangely, how they all seemed to miss the Spider was beyond you. But idle thoughts do not sit long and you enter the room, greeting the Lord and Knight of Brownhollow with a short bow, they return the favor and the two knights behind them do the same.

“Lord Clarence Crabb, Ser Dustin Brune of Brownhollow. A pleasure.”

Lord Clarence speaks first, “The same my Lord. We do welcome the invitation, camp food is only good for so long.”

Ser Dustin nods along with him, saying little and less to you other than a stranger eye, he was an elderly Knight. Keeping himself held up proud and strong as most old Knight tend to do. Lord Clarence was much younger, likely no more than a decade older than yourself, closer to Dontos.

He continues, “We have been made aware of a… Situation in the Crownlands. Old claims, resurfacing with the leave of the Targaryens. You can imagine myself and Ser Dustin are less than pleased with such news.”

“More than my Lord.”

“Then of course you understand our reservation in meeting with you. Your family were once close with the Celtigars, no?”

>How do you wish to respond?

>>44923364

"I very much doubt that anyone would accuse me of being close with the Celtigars these days."

>>44923364
Not as close as we would've liked and closer than the celtigars actually wanted us. We were always the least valyrian valyrians.

>>44923364
Yes. But if you intend to drag my house into a war I've already avoided this is going to be a short discussion.

>>44923414
might be a touch too hostile

>>44923414
We... Invited them. Its not getting dragged into a war its a clear request to participate.

>>44922621
They touched out sister.

Kill them all. Rape the corpses. Piss on their graves. When we're done there will be nothing left but rubble.

>>44923471

That is Redwards not Celtigar.

>>44923471

We don't know nor trust these two well enough to show them Warpath Brynden yet.

Remember we're trying to act like a limp noodle until we can actually damage Redward.

>>44923485
>>44923495
I just got back home after my commute, I was reacting to the letter than I missed by two minutes.

>>44923517

Oh, well in that case carry on.

I'll be voting to let Redward serve as a practice mare for some of the more unruly horses in the stables.

>>44923395
Seconded. I'm fairly certain everyone knows we're not on good terms with the crabheads.

>>44923571

Given the fact that Celtigar is a confirmed schemer I'll bet he at least played friendly with dad back when the old man was on the seat in Steadhold. That's probably where they're getting this from.

That said, I think our snubbing of Celtigar was ridiculously public and probably widely-spread news, so these two are either playing at something or they've been living under a rock.

>>44923555
As fun as that would be, the quicker we kill him the quicker all his men realize that we're probably going to have a say in raising their new boss and thus the quicker they'll all start trying to fall over themselves to get on our good side and snitch on each others atrocities so we know who we have good legal claim to punish, who we'll have to settle for just kicking out and which rare few we might just keep on.

>>44923611
We ARE going to rape him before we kill him though. Fucker deserves it.

>>44923611

Horse rape can lead to death.

He needs to have the tables turned on him before we allow him to die. A fair punishment to fit the man.

>>44923645
Why would we?
Just kill the guy and be done with it.
Seriously, if your wanting gay dom so bad there is proably a thread on one of the boards right now for it.

>>44923666
It can, but not necessarily a quick death, and the less time his men can spend deluding themselves about a comeback the better

>>44923743

Easy fix - bring his men to the stables and force them to watch.

I mean, it'd be pretty hard to scheme while your boss is literally being fucked to death by a horse right in front of you.

>>44923611
>Redward
>quick and easy death

Haha no, he's going to suffer a slow agonising demise that will make Bolton look like a Holiday package

>>44924008

I'm onto you, anon.

Don't think I didn't do my research on that Dreadfort Timeshares package you offered.

It looked like paradise when can we grab lunch to talk pricing?

>>44924008
No one ever said a quick death had to be easy.
Simple one would be to hire a ship and keel haul him.

>>44924008
No one's saying anything about easy. Being pulled apart by horses is pretty quick. And hey, it fits our house.

“I very much doubt anyone would accuse me of being close with the Celtigars these days,” you say with a small laugh, “Of all the Valyrian Houses mine may be considered the ‘least’.”

Ser Dustin smiles and nods turning to Lord Clarence, who shrugs, “We had… Assumed as much. Lord Celtigar is far from subtle in his machinations, though try as he might. Little news reaches the Point, though it does not mean we had not heard of your trial. His son was rather talkative it would appear.”

“Very,” you respond flatly.

“And this causes great concern for the House of Crackclaw Point. As I’m sure you’re aware.”

“Again, very.”

Ser Dustin finally speaks, “He wants war damn it. Stop being so damn wordy Clarence. You know it as well as I do. The fucking Celtigars don’t forget slights so easily.”

You crack a smile, “Not entirely untrue Ser.”

Lord Clarence shakes his head, “I don’t know that it necessarily means so my Lord. If he can be convinced an invasion of the Point would be nothing short of folly. An alliance of the Crackclaw Point Houses alongside some of the Crownlands proper.”

“Alliances, yes. But for war. Allow him to land. And we’ll throw them off into the damn waves again. Like all those bloody tax collector.”

Lord Clarence shakes his head again and places a hand on his face in frustration. Apparently this was a topic of much discussion before your arrival, likely further among the Houses of Crackclaw Point as well. Ser Dustin ruffles himself like Benjin does upon occasionally and the former looks to with a face of pleading. You fix your face with a frown. Not particularly a war you wished to embroil yourself in, you had already denied the other side but… The other side hadn’t particularly endeared themselves to you as well.

>Any questions?

OR

>Side with Lord Clarence Crabb
>Side with Ser Dustin Brune of Brownhollow.

>>44924083
Who else is helping you? If I do agree you would have to worry about the Queen. In both war and finance my house is still recovering.

>>44924083
>>Any questions?

Pros and cons. What would be expected of us and what would we get in return.

Also suggest talking with Stannis, we were the ones who informed him through Jon Arryn about the whole ploy. He may be able to help.

>>44924083
Well, ideally it'd be enough to ward them off. But an alliance that's blatantly just to ward them off isn't enough to actually ward them off, because if they know we won't join they won't care about us. In order to not fight we have to be actually willing to fight.

And as far as not wanting a part in this war... A good portion of that was optics, and fighting AGAINST the celtigars would actually be good for our rep, not bad.

>>44924083
Ok, I'm not afraid to say this. What the fuck is going on here

>>44924163
Celtigars wants to take Cracklaw Point. Wanted our help, we told him to fuck off. Now the lords of Cracklaw Point wants our help against Celtigar.

>>44924083

I like Dustin.

Can we talk logistics here for a second, anons? If we do decide to get involved in this conflict, we probably need to figure out the capacity in which we'd assist. Fielding a big force in the open to oppose the Celtigars would obviously be the dream scenario for these guys, but it attracts a lot of attention to us and leaves us vulnerable.

Is there any way we can oppose the Celtigars without fielding men officially? Could we use some of our more trusted and subtle men as guerillas and saboteurs?

>>44924163
The celtigars wanted us to help them invade these two dudes. We told them to suck our dick. Now we invited them to our tourney to try and turn that shared enemy into something useful. One of them is hoping for a scary enough alliance that the celtigars will back off, and the other is resigned to fighting them off.

>>44924200

Follow-up question, for Father.

Feasibility on a Celtigar assassination attempt?

I just dont want to make too much noise. So i rather not commit any forces, supplies and stuff like that i would have no problem with also increased relations

>>44924162
That depends, celtigar is currently a brilliant tool for the queen to wield against us, since all he has to do is suck up to her.

Shits more complicated than it would first seem.

>>44924083
>Side with Ser Dustin Brune of Brownhollow.

There is no way your going to stop them landing without support from stannis, and you wont be able to beat their alliance without support from crownland armys or stannis interveining. Fighting them on the water in a straight on fight is folly.

We could offer to act as a go between between them and stannis and see if we could get the codger involved, meanwhile a defensive pact would work for our needs while covering theirs. Our army is not mobile nor mounted, but we can still act as harrassing force should they hole up in a stronghold while we all collectively await reinforcements from stannis.

>>44924205
>>44924197
Ok thanks.

>>44924236
This, we just need to do some Sabre Rattling, we don't really have enough forces to commit to a war.

>>44924236

I echo that sentiment but I don't think resources are what they're lacking, nor what they need from us.

>>44924083
>>Side with Ser Dustin Brune of Brownhollow.

If we're able to really make a meaningful difference in helping these two Houses win a conflict with the Celtigars, they're in a suitable position to help us when we eventually take the fight to Redward, yeah?

>>44924083
>>Side with Lord Clarence Crabb
I don't think we can afford war right now

>>44924233
Very low. They don't hate you that much.

As a point of case this is still on the long term, Celtigar isn't getting ready to invade right this damn moment. They just want to be prepared.

Whether this is before or after Redward depends upon actions taken.

>>44924295
Pretty much.
>>44924301
Its a political game. Celtigar won't hit clackclaw point if he does not feel he can get away with it. Thats our primary goal. Problem is: if we do this then we cement them and their allys as against us in any future crownland conflicts.

Its delicate. If we were cautious we would wash our hands of the entire affair and watch while trying to placate the lord. Since we havent had a scene with Lord Celtigar yet we dont know if placating him is even possible, so were kind of shooting in the dark.

>>44924241
>There is no way your going to stop them landing without support from stannis, and you wont be able to beat their alliance without support from crownland armys or stannis interveining
Eh, landings are REALLY HARD. Can't stop the ships from reaching shore but can do a respectable job killing dudes as they actually set foot on land.

>>44924349

No, no. I meant what's the feasibility of us being able to assassinate Celtigar?

>>44924380
Dude is sitting in his castle on his own small island. So not likely.

>>44924365
Problem is by time we learn of this and mobalize, they will have landed by time we get our collective ass down there. I doubt clackclaw can actually prevent a landing, even if they can make it costly. If they could, they wouldnt need our help.

>>44924393

So was Balon Greyjoy.

>>44924393
Also if we did manage it super likely to get caught and traced back to us.

>>44924424
We dont have the connections nor the money for any Faceless

>>44924421
If they made the landing costly, then retreat to their castles, by the time we show up we might just be able to make a meaningful contribution as the freshest army.

>>44924452
Which is why a defensive alliance and us acting as a harrassment force might actually be feesable and why they are even bothing to be at our melee to try get support.

Evidently we have something they want and need. So its not as one sided a situation as first appears. This is all dependable on them a) having a stronghold to hole up in and b) the wits to use it instead of standing and dying on the beach in a hopeless fight of valor and glory.

>>44924519
Lets not forget Stannis, he kinda owe us one we may be able to use that.

>>44924519
Well, they have to do SOME dying on the beach, its all about whether they do the right amount of dying on a beach. Fortunately if they do the wrong amount there's a good chance they'll lose before we even show up and we won't need to join in.

>>44924545
yeah, the current win scenario is stannis giving a guarantee of help. We could even fangle it so our involvement is not publicly known so the celtigars dont get even more pissy at us.

After that its a case of if celtigar is stupid enough to attack and going through the motions before stannis arrives to hot knife through butter the fool.

>>44924545
His owing us one depends on how much he actually cares. If the celtigars were right and he doesn't give a shit then he doesn't probably think he owes us one, and if he DOES give a shit then its frankly going to resolve itself before we'd have any input either way.

>>44924570

Maybe we could send some basic supplies and a few of our more seasoned men to help them fortify likely landing points?

Better yet, if we're able to carry out the fortifications in secret we might be able to bait Celtigar into attacking and then absolutely smash his force on the beach.

>>44924579
I think you're underestimating the ability of cracklaw point to kick out invaders. Its not a futile effort without stannis, even if it's not a guaranteed win either. We might very well be able to tip the scales, and shore up our own position by having visible allies is probably more useful than trying to earn lord celtigar's forgiveness.

>>44924141

Lord Clarence responds, "The Brunes of Dyre Den, Boggs, and Pyne have all agreed to aid should such an invasion occur."

"But it is still not enough," Dustin throws in, "The Celtigars do not fear us with the Velaryons at their back. With your own House they would fear actual reprisal."

"The Queen worries us little, the Crown's influence is felt nominally upon the Point at best. It's the King we worry for, his brother Lord Stannis Baratheon, he is our issue at present."

>>44924158
"Our calls to Lord Stannis have fallen upon deaf ears we fear. Whether he cares little for what his bannermen do, or his attentions are elsewhere we cannot say," Lord Crabb says frowning deeply, "We had not thought to use you as a go between. Is your relation with the Hand so strong that perhaps you could gain proper audience?"

You think bitterly for a moment, not that it was a particularly strong relationship, rather that you felt he owed you one for the move he pulled in Sunspear. Lord Stannis however, was a different story, you hadn't so much as ever laid eyes upon the man.

>>44924706
I do not know. But mayhap talking with the Hand would be beneficial to all?

>>44924668
Against celtigar on his own sure.
But the man is basically buying an alliance to use for this very purpose. I have no doubt the valor of clackclaw, but several houses all funded by a silly rich one is still going to be a bitch to fight, and i doubt the point has that many allys as a minor house.

>>44924706
We are still the Hands man more or less. Even after Dorne. We are just not his lapdog. We would lose nothing by talking with him.

>>44924771
We can at least inquire.
Frankly we need to decide if jumping in with these guys is worth our time in the long run.

>>44924771

Besides giving wily old Arryn another conflict he can sink his wrinkled fingers into and wring a favorable outcome from.

I don't want to get the Hand involved. He's a better, stronger player than we are at the moment, and there's a good chance he winds up bending the entire scenario to benefit himself at everybody else's detriment, including ours.

Sure, the old man will probably toss us a consolation prize, but if that's all we're getting out of this then we might as well just stay neutral.

>>44924668
They potentially could, but Celtigar has the larger army and won't be just attacking one location all at once. Most of the Crackclaw Point Houses survive in the valley, with the rest being stretched thin upon the coast. They are small noble Houses, mostly being landed Knights. And while the terrain is to their favor, Celtigar and Velaryon occupational forces on the coasts would prevent them from receiving incoming supplies, as their ties to the Crownlands are weak otherwise.

>>44924706
Well, we can try to talk to him, but its probably worth planning for if that doesn't help.

Discuss the possible battleplan, if they've got anything better than "make the landing as costly as is feasible, and then we show up as a fresh force."

>>44924812
I'd rather have second prize than lose it all. And we will lose nothing but atleast talking with him. We are afterall still going to talk to him about Dorne and that reward we were suppose to get for helping anyway,

>>44924816

Step one - identify these choke points, the ones where the Celtigar and Velaryon forces will likely try to take control of in order to cut of Crackclaw Point from the Crownlands

Step two - send men and supplies to fortify and booby trap these points, preferably on the down low so no Celtigar scouts will be made aware of the changes

Step three - wait patiently for imminent invasion, instruct Clackclaw Houses to send a raven or outrider the moment the enemy force lands on the beaches

Step four - muster troops and march towards the fortified choke points. Should the traps and fortifications do their jobs, they will delay the Celtigar forces long enough for us to arrive and engage from the rear, pinning them between a fortified position and our approaching army

Anyone have an addendum or modification?

>>44924816
>as their ties to the Crownlands are weak otherwise.
huh, we could open up our "trade network" with the few Crownlands Houses that do business with us that way they could try to strike alliances with some of them while leaving Malroy out of the military table?

Also guys. remember.

TRADE!

Suggest trade with them!

>>44924935
Having an obvious and open economic agreement of some kind could work.
It would give us legitimate reason to defend clackclaw, earn us cash (basically protection money) and a causus beli to ride to the claw's aid. All the while without being openly antagonistic and increasing the claws connection to the crown lands.
If we are really sneaky we can get some of Celtigars allys invested economically in the point (indirectly), giving them an excuse not to join in taking the place over.

Meanwhile we can work on stannis.

>>44925010
>clackclaw
Anon, it's Crackclaw

Man I enjoyed reading the discussion over this. I had thought I might had lost my audience being gone so long. Anyway.

So it looks like we are leaning a bit more towards Ser Dustin's throw them back into the sea plan. As it stands, if you were to enter into an alliance you would be the strongest House among it, House Brune of Dyre Den would match you currently in strength but not infrastructure and in the future unlikely military. Together the alliance would be a formidable ally however and a rare one to say the least. They would bring a fair bit of Guerrillas to the table.

There is definitely the possibility of speaking with Arryn about this when you see him next. They aren't against the idea, but would rather keep the Crown out of it as much as possible, including Stannis, if he is neutral they are fine, as of right now they are mostly worried he's supporting them and this war could escalate to a great conflict among the Crownlands that could ruin the Point.

They would definitely consider trade a viable option to open up relations, Dustin would be speaking for his cousin Lord Duncan Brune of Dyre Den, while Lord Crabb himself. Luckily you are not dealing with Lord Duncan himself, as he would be suggesting marriage with his daughter. The third option I alluded to. And would be grumpy hearing you already got hitched.

So... I guess we'll do a few votes.

Position in the conflict?
>Remain neutral
>Agree with Lord Clarence Crabb
>Agree with Ser Dustin Brune, something like >>44924912 would occur since Mason is your go to for that

Promise to speak with Lord Jon Arryn about the matter? (Leading to Stannis more than likely)
>Yay
>Neigh

Suggest potential trade? Something like, >>44925010.
>Yay
>Neigh

These are not mutually exclusive, you can remain neutral while opening up trade and working on Stannis in the background to prevent the conflict. Or you can be rather open with your support, and not speak to anyone about it with little to no trade.

>>44925111
>>Agree with Ser Dustin Brune
>Neigh
for Arryn

>Yay
for trade


Maybe we should consult our uncle so he doesn't freak out again though.

>>44925111

Conflict
>Agree with Ser Dustin Brune

Hand
>Neigh

They don't want the Crown to be putting the conflict under a microscope and that is just fine by me. Arryn's already a nigh-ubiquitous presence in our life.

Trade
>Yay

What kind of exchanges of goods will we be talking about here? I'm assuming the Crackclaw Houses are flush on things like fish and crabs but short on lumber, etc.?

>>44925111
>Position in the conflict?

Unsure but willing to help

>Promise to speak with Lord Jon Arryn about the matter? (Leading to Stannis more than likely)


>Yay
>Suggest potential trade? Something like,
>Yay

>>44925107
Ah sorry.

>>44925111
>Remain neutral
For now.

>Yay
We can at least inquire, even offhandedly just to find the mans position on things. Never know, we might be able to wrangle some unofficial support if we do go ahead and help out.

>Yay
Money is always good, and we are in a prime bargening position, it also allows us to stay neutral but have a claim to come help should we choose to do so.

>>44925157
They actually have lumber in spades. The point is covered in evergreens. Horses are always a strong trade good, and fall into some of the Lords luxury wants. While iron and grain are both things they would love to have. As mining is difficult in the boggy Point.

>>44925217
We have a noted lack of lumber, with the exception of the forrest we won, but that is still a limited supply if we intend to keep it sustainable into the future. Horses for lumber would be an easy trade, and we could look into breeding a work horse varient primarily for trade with production areas that could use them.

>>44925150
Just as an aside on Dontos the character. Anything that involves allying with former Targaryen loyalist he's game for. That's why he is fine with Obella and the Crackclaw Point are all good dragon men. He'll remain muted on things yes as sometimes he doesn't particularly like the individual. But all in all he's fine with Targ Houses being friendly with you.

>>44925265

So how pissed is he gonna be when we end the Velaryon and Celtigar bloodlines?

>>44925265
It's just we promised him we would consult him about this shit.

>>44925217
Wait, so the Hayford provide them with grains while that other Valyrian House trade them irons and we give them Horses+ an in proper with more Houses than they could on their own?
>Sheeiiittt

>>44925300
What's more with them being that close to the Vale...

>>44925111
Well, my position remains hoping we can be big enough the scare him off but admitting you avoid fighting wars by being willing to fight them, an ally celtigar expects not to join in is no ally at all. If they don't want us to speak to arryn i say don't speak to arryn, and yes trade.

So
>middle of the road rather than neutral
>neigh
>yay

>>44925300
>>44925339
So we would basically be a massive boon to them in their growth, making them a good long term ally?

>>44925287
Well the celtigars are the dragons who insist on fighting dragons, so... Probably less than you might think but not exactly happy.

>>44925256
That is definitely an option. I'd happily homebrew a resource that could be invested in, something like the Warhorse sub resource. Could be a good one option. And while you have a timber operation, you don't have refined lumber like they would, so yes. An easy trade.

Note you are sitting on the iron from your trade with the Longwaters, becoming the middleman on that could benefit you.

>>44925287
Kind of impossible right now. The King would stop you before you got the chance. Not that he would be unhappy about Valyrians warring against their kin. But he did make Balon kneel rather than kill him. And I don't want to fuck canon too hard.

>>44925293
I promise you I won't do a moody Dontos scene. It's only the serious shit he wants to know about. He'd be joyed to hear you brokered this deal.

>>44925300
Oh yeah you can get all sorts of sweet shit going on if you plan this right. Karban eat your heart out.

"Give Your Bros Horses Quest"

Father, when are you going to write us a one-shot of Brynden frolicking through the fields on horseback with everyone he ever traded horses with, while laughing like gleeful little girls?

>>44925395
Bobby B did a lot of shit wrong, but he was a pretty forgiving dude.

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>>44925399


But yeah I'm all for being middle man and for more trade.

/tg/ showing themselves to be sellswords playing at being lords.

So there was talk about not wanting arryn's influence to spread. But on the other hand he's an old man and if we play are cards right we might very well inherit that powerbase. Not in direct underlings probably but in being the man that people who want access to arryn's men negotiate with.

Simply mentioning on the downlow that arryn's old and when he's gone we'll all have to look after each other. Keeping what happened in dorne secret from the people that genuinely like him and let those closer to our position know that we're stuck with the same deal.

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>>44925399
I knew I made the right decision to save that

>>44925457

Then we're roleplaying pretty well, aren't we?

So I don't suppose those bogs have plenty of peat? Connecting them up with iron might be even better than anyone would think.

>>44925494

I feel like 95% of the stories told over on /k/ never happened but even the 5% that did convince me that they are the most hilarious sons of bitches in the world.

>>44925527
That or on some very volatine cocktail of drugs.

>>44925462

wut

How on earth do you figure we stand to inherit Arryn's resources and power base?

Just because he violated us anally in a room full of Dornishmen doesn't mean he's going to write us into the will, anon.

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>>44925546
Both most likely

>>44925551
A powerbase is a very fluid thing. Its not like his dudes in the crownlands are going to listen to fucking sweetrobin now are they. No, they're going to fall apart or start listening to one of their own, and of we prepare beforehand we can do our best to make sure that one of their own is us.

>>44925592

Or, it will happen exactly as it did in the books, with all of Arryn's political infrastructure being split three ways between Varys, Cersei, and Baelish.

I'll utilize the 'gotta have money to make money' principle here to back my staunch belief that we stand absolutely no chance of sparring with any of those parties in order to seize control of Arryn's interests.

There's just no way anything Arryn's been building trickles all the way down to us.

>>44925632
This

>>44925399
Oh god that would be hysterical.

>>44925457
It's kind of funny how that worked out.

Anyway. Results
Side with Ser Dustin, I will take a more middle groundish approach to this right now. As you are just starting out more or less with it. As the conflict escalates you can spend resources on arming the Point and doing as the reference post in the vote suggested.

No talking with Arryn about it. At worst you'll get one of his side long looks about it that you can shrug at and go I don't know man.

And yes to trade. Always trade.

We'll do a little write up to finalize this, down the line during the Melee you'll get individual scenes where you do some trade agreements. For now, we have something to work with. Look at that, you guys suggested starting a power base and now we're starting it. So happy.

>>44925632
That's why we don't seize it after he dies, we start building a rapport with our "coworkers" while he's still around so that when they want to seize that infrastructure, they don't go to the individuals, they go to us to get us to convince them.

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>>44925670

This map canon?

>>44925670
Feels good man

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I still think allying with the Celtigars would have been a good bet.

We refused to join them, fine, we did it publically, fine.

But actively campaigning against them seems ill-advised when we already have more enemies than we can hold in mind at once.

>>44925852
I respect your opinion, even though we're securing a powerbase and you're wrong.

>>44925852
Yeah but we've got few enough allies that we actively improved our ally:enemy ratio.

>>44925852

You're wrong, and that image is literally the only reason we're in the situation we've found ourselves in.

Fucking Rhaegar, man. Of course everybody loves the guy who managed to fuck up EVERYTHING.

Just got back from work and glad to see this up.

Brynden seems to me like a bow held at full draw. The sinew of the string is pulled tight, the wood of the body compressed and simply held under great pressure, waiting for it's target to show itself that it can let fly and release all that tension, all that pressure in one single, perfect, shot.

And the first sign that bastard will get shall be our fletching blooming like a flower from his chest.

>>44925908
Still waiting on the cersi realizing Bryden is her fetish meeting. Its going to be really weird.

>>44925918

Poetic.

But we aren't going to shoot him. We're going to arrange for him to be raped to death by stud horses.

>>44925959
Nah give him to that pentoshi merchant. Much worse. Just dye his skin and hair black.

>>44925951
Wait, what?

>>44925908
Well, really kidnapping / eloping with (no difference as far as feudalism is concerned) one of the daughters of the lords paramount was bad, but it wasn't start a war bad until Aerys started setting people on fire and then demanding other unrelated people also get handed over to be set on fire.

>>44925959
Pulled apart by horses, raped to death risks last minute rescue. And frankly I think it makes for a much better "our thing"

>>44926013
Basically Cersi really liked Rhaegar with his white targ hair, amoung other aspects.

Bryden has white targ hair and other aspects, but when he first met her he had his hair dyed black. Its not black anymore.

The full chain of reasoning is in one of the previous threads, but yeah.

Arryn did nothing wrong

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>>44925884
>>44925906
Eh. Without marriage, any alliance is tenuous at best. Trade is nice, but it's still hardly worth antagonising some of the richest people in the Crownlands in my opinion.

>>44925908
>Fucking Rhaegar
You should channel your rage at the true architects of Robert's Rebellion.

Alight with light of glittering prism,
You'll find the cause of mighty schism;
Books and birds sit on that tower-
T'was not the theft of Lord Stark's flower.

>>44926018

Wait, anon, you DO know that Aerys was totally justified in believing that the whole Realm had it out for him, right? Rhaegar was plotting with Jon Arryn, Brandon Stark and others to remove his father from power and take the crown himself.

Aerys reacted to this like a crazy person, but his paranoia was actually well-founded.

>>44926074
It just all fucked up on its own. Swear on the seven m'lord, it was like this when i got here.

>>44926013
Eh its not likely to happen under the current characterization but if we went and begged cersei's forgiveness she'd probably want us under her thumb as her own pet valyrian.

>>44926103
>tenuous at best

Sure mate, sure

>>44926108
Yeah he was right but he's still the one that turned a scandal into a war. As if was it wasn't in fact war worthy, to act like rhaegar massively fucked up instead of just minorly fucking up at the worst possible time is inaccurate.

>>44926114

Nah, we need to act cold and distant and profoundly sad, yet remarkably capable when put to task, if we want to really channel Rhaegar.

>>44926181
Well yeah that's why she'd only boss us around and not actually fuck us or frankly help us in any way. Just rhaegar enough to appeal, but not rhaegar enough to appeal in a way that's remotely useful.

>>44926181
So being an effeminate emo cunt?

>>44926223

I don't think we should actually try to manipulate the Queen. Just get her panties drenched, bring up some uncomfortable memories for her, and walk away chuckling.

>>44926230

I always picture Rhaegar acting like Ryan Gosling in Drive.

So I was re-reading the opening post, we're fucking rocking an Oliver Queen mustache.

Awesome

>>44926103
Use light twice in one line (figure out how to replace one of them with bright would be the easiest fix), AABB is the worst rhyme scheme that's not AAAA, 3/10, see me after class.

>>44926230
No a manly emo cunt.

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>>44926251

>yfw the toothpick is the silver lyre
>yfw driving is horseback riding

OH MY GOD THEY'RE THE SAME PERSON

>>44926251
As long as we're still insulting her by existing without having thrown ourselves to her mercy for our crimes of having said a thing that could be taken as a bad thing about her brother, and reminding her of the existence of vastards, its not going to happen. It only exists as a thing that theoretically could happen, if brynden did a bunch of shit we all know he will never do.

>>44926269
Eh, i'm shitting out an easy-to-decipher puzzle about mediocre fiction written by an anti-war activist on a Taiwanese Finger-Painting Noticeboard. Didn't really expect to get serious critique.

>>44926386
That wasn't as nearly as funny as it sounded in your head.

>>44926404
I concur
It really wasen't.

>>44926386
It wasn't really serious critique, I was exagerrating the badness of AABB.
Well, the "alight with light is really bad" was sincere I guess.

>>44926404
Remove the first "as" I hate typing sometimes

>>44926404
Wasn't meant to be funny.

>>44926404
>>44926432
Eh, it was mildly entertaining to me as exactly the sort of thing targ loyalists might come up with and then whispher to each other while thinking they've cleverly disguised the politics of what they've written.

>>44926521
Sure sure

>>44926551
Heh, I can see that

>>44926627

Targs cover their trail with shitposting?

Honestly sounds like something a bunch of inbreds would come up with

>>44926679
So the MO of most of 4chan then. Congrats on your deductions.

>>44926679
Probably, seems fairly common

>>44926839
I can't stop laughing

>>44926839

>feet pics

/tv/, what a board.

They almost put /tg/'s monstergirl fetish to shame.

Fixing your face with a level gaze you turn to Lord Clarence Crabb, “An ally unwilling to fight is hardly an ally at all my Lord. We cannot simply hope that frowning deeply at them from across the strait collectively would ward off an attack.”

“My Lord I understand but being openly antagonistic-”

“Not something we would do Lord Clarence. Rather, we prepare for the inevitable. Ser Dustin has the right of it by my measure. Your own castle and holdfasts are likely to holdout well against a Celtigar landing given the nature of Crackclaw Point. And my support with fresh troops and supplies could certainly tip the scales. If should such a thing come to pass.”

Lord Clarence continues to mess his face up but Ser Dustin smiles drawing himself up as a former soldier would. He nods along with your plan. The rest of your lunch is talks of trade and Ser Dustin explaining the finer points of Crackclaw Points landscapes. Bogs, valleys, evergreens, and a rainy weather that would make the Stormlands jealous. Their trade routes are more or less beaten trails rather than proper roads, and an absolutely mess of winding trails at that. You were use to the rather proper roads of the Crownlands such as your stretch of the Goldroad and the Kingsroad to the north. It made trade with the outside Houses of the Crownlands rather difficult outside of the port towns. A small hurdle, but one you could potentially overcome in the future.

You are also properly introduced to the Knights behind the two men. Ser Qunton Crabb was Lord Clarence’s younger brother, the third child, while Ser Aden Brune was a cousin of the mainbranch that Ser Dustin headed up. They both seemed eager fellows, boasting in their own ways of prowess upon the field. You gave them both the courtesy expected and wished them luck in the opening round two days hence.

>>44926839
>that one tripfag with dad as name

Leaving them off with a simple goodbye you realize your lunch had bled into far more day than you had initially wanted. But it was a better start than you could have hoped for. For being the supposed strange Lords and Knights of the Point that didn’t particularly strike you as anything but maybe a little distant. Hardly a bother though. You would need to see Dontos tomorrow more than likely. You had a wedding to attend in a few hours, and it was unlikely Dontos would attend in more than a nominal sense. You would be seated alongside Lord Argor Conklyn and his wife, and he had wanted to speak to you briefly. Mostly about horse flesh, a favored topic, undoubtedly.

But enough time in between to sneak off and practice with your bow. You were getting use to using a hunting bow and the longbow again after years of using your ‘dinky little recurve’. The roof of Steadhold provided a good away from the hustle and bustle below. One of your lesser halls was being converted into a chapel, while your great hall was being prepared for the feast afterwards. Meanwhile your yard was a mess of Knights, squires and a good smattering of various other types attending for your archery contest. Watching them while you fitted your guard on your arm and stretched out the bow and drawing up a black shafted arrow.

“Brynden, good to see you still in prime form,” comes a voice from the stairway.

You fire, drawing up another in quick succession, “Lucas, shouldn’t you be getting dressed?”
you cast a glance to your Knight, in a state of half dress, wearing his silver hair long, without a doublet. You fire again and draw without pause.

“Probably,” he walks over to you, picking up the hunting bow left on the rack and drawing his own arrow, “Needed the fresh air. Steadhold isn’t a thing like Long Hall.”

You chuckle, knocking another arrow into the center of the target, Lucas’ flies high punching into it two rungs above, he clicks his tongue and you laugh again, “Miss home yet?”

“A mite my Lord. Jon has been telling me of all the going ons back home, so basically nothing. Little Aenys is happy to see me,” he sighs again, his arrow further off than before.

“But not enough to go home I hope?”

“Never Brynden. It’s incredible here, the world seems to revolve about it, your army is constantly training, they put my men at arms to shame. Dontos and the other Knights have such a prestige about them. The atmosphere here is something else. But…”

“But?”

He laughs, “But I feel outclassed. Seven hells half the Knights here outclass me. I don’t know if I’m as useful to you as I once thought.”

You stop firing your arrows for a moment and look at him, though he laughs his face looks of turmoil. You sigh, and lower your bow to watch him fire off another shaky shot.

>Anything to say to Ser Lucas Longwaters?

>>44926984
Yes they may outclass you in feats of arms but there is one thing they rarely do that you yourself have done without thought. Make this life a little happier and set a smile upon my face since coming home.

>>44926984
That's just the nature of looking at yourself. You always notice your own flaws and issues more.

>>44926984
This>>44927026

Throw in some genuine compliments, the man is a very capable knight

>>44926984

His nerves are working overtime.

Next opportunity we have to see some real action, let's make sure Lucas is in the thick of it. Typically once your heart starts pumping it will knock the cobwebs off.

For now, reassure him that he's in good company, and that we have a lot of self-improvement to work on as well. Offer to spar a bit, maybe?

>>44922605
Just catching up, glad to see the quest back. Was that locket that fell on the floor from the letter or just part of the scenery?

>>44927108
I was wondering about that, presumed Father would get to it.

>>44927108
It's something I plan to come back to with a Victus scene. Near the middle of the Melee arc.

>>44927147
>Melee arc

Teasing me dad, I want to get to our wedding and the shenanigans that ensue.

>>44927329
Valyrian/Dornish babies GO GO GO!

>>44927833
Can't wait for the moment Brynden remember that her bodyguard is in the room while he's plowing his wife.

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>>44927833
Shame that the Qorgyles probably haven't inherited Dragonriding abilities from intermarriages with the Martells, and that the Malroy stock is too dilute to still possess it, really.

One moment guys, girlfriend just got home. Have to do something real quick.

>>44928060
Thread is over

>>44928060
>>44928083
kek

>>44928060
Welcome back Father!! Good bye Father!!!

>>44928060
>Have to do someone real quick.

>>44928060

>Have to do something real quick.

>>44928060
See you next thread

>these responses

Lost it. I'm eating pizza.

What you're thinking is later.

>>44928325
What? Board and card games? You lucky dog.

>>44928325
I only realised it after you pointed it out.

>>44928325
I hope your GF is reading the thread

>>44928325
Come on man, you have to know this was what was going to happen. You were asking for it, posting like that.

>>44928425
I'm sure she has better people to do.

>>44928445
Things. I meant things.

>>44928445
>>44928468
Ok that redeemed you a bit, that was actually kinda funny.

>>44928357
Ever played strip monopoly?
>>44928427
I know. As soon as I posted it I just thought. Damn it.

Anyway, just finishing up eating, posting in a bit.

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>>44928543
Maybe I should stick to sex jokes.

>>44928555
>Ever played strip monopoly?
Only time I ever play monopoly is at Christmas with my family.

So, yes, obviously.

You place your hand on his shoulder and he looks up from his dismay at the poorly aimed shot, “Lucas it’s just your nerves working against you. Natural yeah? Wedding, a huge melee with Knights from across the realm, high expectations.”

He chuckles nervously, “Now that you put it like that I feel even worse off.”

“Don’t Lucas. You’re more than capable, I’ve heard whispers from the tents that you’re favored to win even. You’ve trained with Dontos the most, you’ve taken a beating by his hand and managed to even draw him a few times. Jealousy is a petty thing, but all the same.”

He notches another arrow, and you allow your hand to drop as he draws, “And the wedding?”

“Can’t help you there Lucas,” you laugh, “Mine own is upon the horizon. Think I’m not nervous?”

“You? Never,” his arrow flies truer than the others, though not as well as your own, and he clicks his tongue again.

Patting him on the shoulder, you finish, “Worry less Lucas. Once it’s over it’ll be the happiest times of your life. You’re important here in Steadhold, don’t forget that. And you’re as good as any Knight on the field. Or so they say,” you crack a smile and he breaks into his own.

“Thank you Brynden. Suppose I should be getting back.”

“Aye, before Lady Racheal tracks you down I’d say.”

Lucas leaves off and you punish the target a few more times, looking at the bow as you finish. If what Illion had said was true, and there was a weaponsmith in Lys that knew how to craft dragonbow you would have one hell of a bow soon, though of which particular kind you didn’t particularly know as of yet, a few thoughts constantly rolled about your head but nothing solid. Though hopefully soon enough to sink a few arrows into Royce’s head with.

---

Lord Argor Conklyn looked regal in his doublet of crimson and gray, his thick moustache collecting sweat along his brow above equally bush eyebrows. He is a giant of a man, a few inches taller than yourself, and shoulders broad with a heavy set chest and gut. He smiles, at you once again thanking you profusely for allowing them to hold the wedding in Steadhold. Again brushing off the thank yous, you turn the topic to the matters of horse.

“Ah yes my Lord, your War Horse herd provided ample support for my own. I was glad to have them.”

“Of course my Lord. It was a welcomed trade, good to see them home as well. Gawen tends to get fidgety whenever his horses are gone for too long. Particularly with the bloodline at stake.”

Lord Argor watches his daughter being escorted down the aisle by his youngest son, Grant, her flowing cape of the same crimson shining brightly among the otherwise cool colors of the affair. Lord Argor insisted as the future Lord of the House he be the one to do it. A nice sentiment, though it made you wonder who Obella would have escort her.

“How goes that by Lord if you do not mind my asking?” Argor continues wiping a tear from his eye.

“Well thank you. Gawen insists we will have a sustainable herd in no less than half a month. Mostly focused within the war horse ranks like my Goldsong. However if I should ever expand my interests…”

“With mine own herds yes?”

“Of course with your own herds help, I could integrate it into a sporting herd as well. Fine gifts no doubt. And the best of the best for war and sport.”

He nods along, wiggling his moustache in quiet thought as the ceremony begins. A small affair, muted compared to what you were use to in Essos. But in brought back a nostalgic feeling. At least you did not wear the mess of utter contempt this time. Rather of interest in Septon Tytos. He presented himself well at least, and had been allowed into the castle for the ceremony only, being escorted out by Dontos afterwards, the best way to compromise with all parties you thought. But of Lannister relations he still was, and an odd knot formed in your stomach as you watched him perform the ceremony. Near the end you watch as Grant neatly undoes the cloak of crimson with a grey horse as its charge, and then Lucas unfastening his own with a flourish, the seafoam field of green and the blood red seahorse dancing in the air before coming to rest over Lady Racheal’s shoulders, fastening it quickly. Her eyes beam towards him, and he cracks a smile. The finishing moments are punctuated with a kiss and the small gatherings approval, of claps and cheers. You clap lazily, giving Lucas a nod as he walks by his new bride. Your mind is elsewhere, upon the wedding of your own in the coming months. Of whether or not the same Septon should preside over it. Thoughts of Obella. It was… A yearning almost, to see her sooner. Like her little trope of dancers and acrobats would just appear in the night to perform under guise as she did those months ago.

“My Lord? Perhaps we may speak a moment longer before the feast?”

>Speak with Lord Argor Conklyn?
>Do not, you’ve a feast to attend

>>44928856
Sure, just, not too long eh? We don't wish to be rude.

>>44928856
>Speak with Lord Argor Conklyn?

>>44928856
>Speak with Lord Argor Conklyn?

Sure.

Maybe walk and talk, if he's willing?

>>44928856
>>Speak with Lord Argor Conklyn?

So who do we want to win the Melee?

>>44928856
>>Speak with Lord Argor Conklyn?
Sure thing man

>>44929125
Lucas if he's in it

“Of course my Lord, while we walk?”

Lord Argor draws himself, a goliath of a man in truth, though Solhas put him to shame all the same, “Very well. Lead on.”

You exit the small hall and take the round about way through the castle, you pass the kitchen and Lord Argor stands a moment, taking in the smell with ravenous look in his eye, the honey glazed boar looking particularly good as it roasted. You near have to pull the man away from them as you continue your little walk. He walked with the bowed strut of a man that had ridden his entire life, and then gained a gut in his fifties, so it is a slow process, his attempts to keep up with your brisk pace slowing you down with a waved hand of dismissal.

“My Lord, I promised I would repay your kindness in allowing the wedding to take place in your home. And I intend to do so.”

You quirk an eyebrow, expecting the same pleasantries as before, “My Lord-”

“No Lord Malroy I insist. I brought with me a small gift of the horses your herds helped breed, grey as my is my House’s sigil. Enough for twenty riders and a few to spare. I cannot promise you aid in your coming wars, The Reach is simply too far flung for it to be of any use. Though I am sure you raise your army to be stronger every day, and I hope my horses may see riders upon the field when you win back what is yours.”

You stop a moment and tilt your head to the side, it was unexpected, you didn’t really think much would come of the marriage in your favor, in fact it almost felt a little rude to accept something when at most you were the host to such. Lord Conklyn had paid for the food and entertainment and the ceremony all himself and would not hear otherwise.

>Accept his gift? (Next time you raise a Cavalry unit the cost will be reduced by 2)
>Deny

>>44929260
Fucking CAPTCHA eating my trip.

>>44929260
>>Accept his gift? (Next time you raise a Cavalry unit the cost will be reduced by 2)

Thank that man and shake his fucking hand

>>44929260
>Accept his gift? (Next time you raise a Cavalry unit the cost will be reduced by 2)

>>44929260
hmm, that's extreamly generous of him. I almost want to turn him down, and just be humble about it.

>>44929260
>>Accept his gift? (Next time you raise a Cavalry unit the cost will be reduced by 2)
Maybe ask if we could gift the unit the horses will make to the groom?

>>44929125
No real preference for who wins, except that it should not be anyone from the Cracklaw point group.

If it is one of them, it will draw more attention to the fact that they were here and that we are moving to antagonise Celtigar more directly.

But I fully expect folks to think this would be a good thing for whatever reason because we're nerds playing at a sellsword playing at lord.

>>44929322
Horse Lords man, they know what's good.

>>44929326
An option, however I would imagine you'd like the unit of Household Knights that are representing House Malroy to be on their signature golden horses. But if enough people are into the idea I can roll with it.

>>44929341

Speak for yourself, thou knavish licker of Targaryen boots.

>>44929260
>Accept his gift? (Next time you raise a Cavalry unit the cost will be reduced by 2)
Yup, We will fuck our enemies with our horses.

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>>44929363
>being a traitor to the rightful rulers of the realm

>>44929322

Guy seems pretty intent to settle the debt, even if it was never something we were going to hold over him. Refusing wouldn't come off as humble, in this situation.

>>44929421

It's like you WANT Cersei's agents to hear you speaking like that.

>>44929341
For fuck's sake we made a decision, we're better off following through than whatever dumb idea you have to earn crab forgiveness.

>>44929363
I think my favorite part about the quest is I get this real split in opinion. Targaryen discussion really brings out a clear line and it'll be interesting down the line when Brynden or his children are confronting with those realities.

Anyone. Kind of figured that would win. I figured you guys deserved the reward for that one and for me being gone for weeks. So enjoy next time we make some Cav or Horse Archers.

Also don't let me forget, permission to yell loudly if I do.

>>44929465
Hes targfag,
The man decided to namefag purely because people disagreed with a position strongly.
Hes an obvious, and powerless, troll. Ignore him, its basically what the rest of us do.

>>44929489

I'm actually pretty neutral / supportive of the Targs. At least, it seems most in-character for us to be that way, and I'm willing to play to it.

I just never skip a chance to bully namefags. Pure self-indulgence.

>>44929465
At this point I am resigned to the fact that the quest's audience blew off the best marriage prospect we were ever likely to get in favour of a Dornish meme.

It's fine. I've made my peace with it. But I still think we should at least try to be subtle in our moves to antagonise the richest house in the Crownlands.

>>44929583

Wow, only took you twenty threads or so to stop whining and make your peace with it.

That a personal record for you?

>>44929583
A new day dawns on /tg/

>>44929583
She was 90% downsides and 10% upsides with a catch, dipshit.

>>44929670
"Getting our debts paid off and forging an alliance with a rich house that shares our cultural history with a view to being a partner in a venture set to make our houses the dominant force in the Crownlands" is hardly a 90%-10% downsides-upsides split in my opinion.

We are still in debt, recall.

>>44929583
>>44929670
Like, sure, complain about HDW, but every upside to lady whatsherbut celtigar was also an upside to Giselle, usually without the accompanying crab downside.

>>44929709
The debt is incredibly favourable now besides no one ever denied we couldn't have Giselle as our king's landing mistress

>>44929709

To a bank we're on pretty good terms with across the Narrow Sea. Much less potential for damage than being in Cersei's pocket.

Also you seem to forget that Lord Celtigar's terms for the marriage pretty much made us a vassal House at his beck and call. At least the Hand has to out-maneuver us if he wants to stick it in our ass - the deal with Celtigar pretty much made us the man's dedicated buttslut.

But that doesn't fit your genetic heritage power fantasy so I doubt you remember.

>>44929749

If Arryn finds out we're doing that to her he'd probably order our execution himself.

I'm still in favor of seducing her just to take a piece off the old man's board, but we'd at least need plausible deniability. Keeping her openly as a mistress isn't an option in any scenario.

>>44929709
While being the bitch of house celtigar while they played chicken with land that is nominally claimed under the control of stannis, of all people to piss off short of the damn lannisters.

Not to mention the wife would actively dislike or even hate us for agreeing to said marriage, which is damn terrible in the long term.

>>44929770
Could we not be vindictive to the poor girl who did nothing wrong to us?

Christ Alive

>>44929709
Yeah except we would barely count as allies and its not like they could reach us in time for jack shit, we absolutely would not be partners, the valyrian houses in coalition would absolutely bring down the royal hammer long before we'd see any benefit, and as far as cultural history goes we're pretty much valyrian in name only. I am legitimately pretty sure most of the crownlands has as much valyrian blood or more than we do.

Literally nothing you list is an accurate reading of the situation.

>>44929808

We could, but we'd also be missing an opportunity to weaken the Hand's grip on us.

It's not about hurting Giselle, it's about hurting Arryn.

I know it's cold and distasteful and most anons are too moralistic in their roleplay to ever vote for that, but it's an opportunity all the same.

>>44929770
And why would Arryn do that? it hardly in his character to be so petty over such a small piece and besides he strikes me as the type to that is of the flesh is weak mindset anyway

>>44929749
>The debt is incredibly favourable now
Yes, it is. It would be better if we were not in debt.

>>44929752
>>44929772
Being a vassal means that we're valuable - and being married to our liege's daughter means that you can count on them looking out for our best interests so long as we are a good son in law - which secures us a military alliance against our traitor bannerman and someone who can protect us from the crown.

The Celtigars in turn are Stannis' bannermen - and Stannis is still rankling under the slight of being relegated to Dragonstone rather than being given Storm's end. Appeals to his lawful nature could have him supporting the Celtigars in their Cracklaw conquest to see his own prestige and influence lawfully expanded.

>>44929838
It doesn't have jack shit to do with the crown's grip on us though. If anything it gives him MORE of a grip on us because he's the one that holds the leash in her brother taking up the matter with the law.

>>44929838
It's just a dumb and petty move, also extremely OOC

this>>44929872

>>44929808
>Vindictive
>Implying we're not doing it because we want to weaken the hand if even slightly and get Giselle

>>44929866
If we weren't in debt I would recommend promptly getting into it. Gotta spend money to make money and to spend money you need to have money.

>>44929894
I don't think it's even honest, its just the same guy who's been listing off shifting reason for us to have abusive sex with Giselle since the moment we met her.

>>44929872

Not the Crown, the Hand. Arryn's using her as a bartering chip to secure his own interests. If you take it from him, it makes his political pockets more shallow.

>>44929905
>using greentext to try to not make my idea sound like shit

Just stop anon

>>44929872
>brother
>taking up the law

The fuck? What do you think we're doing? Raping and murdering her? Anon all we're talking about is seducing her and keeping her on the side as a mistress

>>44929985
You're an idiot.

>>44929909
And to have money you need not to be in debt.

Being in debt is a poor long-term fiscal strategy.

>>44929950
Lewd cuck fag working hard for his lewd.

>>44929866
"Being a vassal means that we're valuable"
That is a neutral statement. Pawns are valuble, to be spent at the opportune time, or to take a fall in your place.
Not to mention the protection from the crown part is pretty bull considering robert is a dick to his brothers.

>>44929985
>we

Pretty sure it's just you

>>44930010
Okay then genius explain to me how her brother can take the law into his own hands when all we've done is theoretically seduce his sister?

>>44929952
Yeah that was a writing error on my part. Again though, it might weaken the hand (infinitesimally so, however) but it doesn't weaken his influence on us an in fact give him another stick beyond just "without me you're fucked"

>>44929985
You have a curious idea about how much a noblewoman's consent matters under feudalism.

“Lord Conklyn you are too kind, I would humbly accept,” you respond a smile playing on your lips, and you extend a hand.

He takes it roughly in his own, hard and cracked with age, but just as strong as any other, “Didn’t think I gave you much of a choice my Lord. All well all the same, aye? Now, my stomach begins to rumble, how in the Seven Hells do I navigate this blood maze of a castle of yours to the closest plate of food?”

You laugh and lead Lord Conklyn the rest of the way through Steadhold. She was large, enough for an army your father would say, but it felt like second nature to you to be about her, navigating the seemingly winding hallways to the greathalls both large and small. Though the greathall that housed the shields of Malroys and their legacies past, was entirely unlike what you had ever seen it before. Fit nearly to burst with all manner of your Household, guests from the Crownlands and the Reach both, the Lords of the Point you had invited, owning their own tables filled with guests. All about you was a sea of color, some you did not even recognize the combinations of. You see Ser Wesley Hayford again flirting with Lady Lilly Cassel, her relieved of the babe at her breast for at least one night it would seem. Ser Mason Flowers speaks at length with a Knight you knew but could not place, the table around them in an uproar with Illiad at the center of the, Solhas and Barq Zos were having a drinking contest gain, the former always won.

You spy Dontos standing near the door, far away from his own seat with Victus, pointing and the lad reciting names you could not read from his lips. Victus would of course not be allowed in the feast proper, you disagreed with it, but it was a thing of respect, instead he would dine among the Knights and commonfolk gathered in your yard. A thought that hardly phased him it would appear, he rather enjoying the hubbub of it all, felt like his time amongst the Second Sons you wagered. Casting eyes to the main high table you see your seat empty. The bride and groom sitting together, doing the little things lovers did, taking sips from their eachs glasses, nips of food presented, and the general handsiness of it all. Lord Argor took his seat by his wife and Ser Jon Longwaters and Lady Saraya wave to you as your eyes pass over them.

You’ve little in the way of vested interest in the night, you enjoy yourself, taking shots at Lucas when you can with Jon in an absolute uproar about it. Dance far into the evening with ladies you did not know and some you did. Lady Racheal partook in a particularly saucy number, throwing looks to her groom in his seat every chance she got until he finally stole her away from you, much to your own and Jon’s amusement. As the evening winds down further your doublet unbuttons more and you find your drunken hand slowly stroking the braid upon your chest, thoughts having turned to far away people and those just out of reach. Memories float about your mind, and you smile remembering Isis’ small fears as a child. She could not stand the taste of wine for the longest time, always puckering up in disgust at it you remember idly while playing with your own cup.

>>44930074
If you had knowledge of the kingdom this was set in, you'd already know this.
I'm not spoonfeeding you, faggot.

You smile and sigh to the side, being distracted by the noises to your side. It would appear the bedding ritual had begun. Lucas fought idly at the women pawing at his clothing while pushing him towards the stairs, laughing all the way. While Lady Racheal put up more of a fight, though one that was foiled in the end. You watch, not particularly in the mood to participate.

The hall quiets again and you hear the far off sounds of laughter and joy. Removing yourself from your seat you walk down the greathall, fingers grazing the shields of your forefathers before stopping at the now open door, enjoying the cool summer night roll in. For once you find your eyes trained elsewhere, not the east, of wistful return to the life of a sellsword. No. Rather west. To Redwatch Tower. Her words echo in your mind and the letter burns against your chest.

“Ride unto the sunset, dear sister.”

[End Chapter XXII]

>>44930094
And you have a curious idea of what a retainers word is compared to a nobles

>>44930153
Thanks for running boss, see you again next time

>>44930153
Thanks for running Father. Any notion of when the next one will be?

>>44930141
>herp a derp I have no substance to my claim that a retainer with no land and little influence can have a legitimate legal case against a noble lord because his sister was seducded by him

>>44930168
Its not a matter of word. No one would care whether she consented. She belongs to him. We would be reducing her value, and he could take us to court the same as if we had smashed up his house.

>>44930074
Grover is the head of his knightly household, a branch of the Graftons, sworn to the Hand of the King - Jon Arryn, Lord of the Vale.

As such, he has certain rights and privileges as regards the members of his house - to whit, arranging marriages.

If Giselle was ruined for marriage, we would have trespassed on Grover's rights and could request the King's Justice - which may amount to a fine for ruining his sister (a noble-born lady and a valuable commodity) all the way up to execution for being a shady valyrian bastard and a well-known lecher.

Depends how the king is feeling that day.

You might argue that this case would not come before the king, but I hardly feel that Grover's liege Lord Arryn would look more favourably on us for the deed.

Alright so that's that for today. Sorry if I seemed a bit slow today, still getting back into the swing of this. Though I did get through all the parts I wanted to, so I'm happy for that.

Next thread, will be on Saturday, January 23rd at 2PM EST. Don't return to work for a bit, so I have the time to get the ball rolling again. Which I love to have the chance to do. I missed doing this so much and I have my spark again, so get hype we back on the revenge train again.

Anyway, going to archive. I'll be around for a while to answer questions. As is standard protocol.

>>44930226
He actually does have land. He was permitted to take over the knightly house his uncle used to run but he spends all his time with the hand because why would you want to spend time at the city that's supposed to be yours

>>44930228
And we could deny this shit forever more besides what makes you think he would? what case would he possibly have to prove even by the flimsy standards of Feudal law that we a landed and somewhat famous lord defiled his property?

>>44930286
Our fame actively works against us since we're kind of a noted lady's man.

>>44930265
Can you settle this Giselle dispute please or at least the disputed points at least?

>>44930255
>>44930286
Fuck you fuck you fuck you you've got men in a debate on the same side as targfag you dense motherfucker

>>44930255
>>44930278
Don't encourage idiots that are too lazy to research/remember things. It breeds poison.

>>44930265
Can you nip this fucking Gisselle thing in the bud, I'm tired of this fucking discussion

>>44930346
lol.

>>44930337
No point, as soon as it crops up in quest when we run into her (scene pending, and we know its coming), everyone is going to vote against deflowering her as a goal.

>>44930324
My point was rather prestige>legal claim

>>44930337
Yeah.

It's out of character. Brynden wouldn't do it. Sorry I guess to those that wanted to do that?

>>44930419
Fucking finally, thanks dad

>>44930419
Wait really? Didn't you say having both was an actual possibility regarding bryndens character?

>>44930505
Yeah I did. But it was under different circumstances. The goal right now seems to be more towards petty revenge, and while Brynden is vengeful he is not petty.

>>44930505
But fucking her over spite isn't IN CHARACTER

>>44930551
Great now we can stop talking about this

Hey wait a second. We're not available for a cracklaw point bride bht we have an unmarried cousin. Not QUITE as solid as a proper marriage alliance but still more solid than what we can manage with no marriage whatsoever. We don't have the authority but we could suggest he pursue it.

>>44930265
Have we spoken much to our Septon?

I have a hazy memory of saying we'd largely avoid him - but i'm interested to know what the Faith as a whole thinks of Brynden: he's a well-known womaniser, true, but when he came back from Essos one of the first things he did was build a sept.

Has that earned us any credibility with the clergy?

>>44930551
Well when I bought it up in >>44929749 originally I mentioned keeping her as a mistress not just deflowering her and everyone seems to have just made this assumption that I was being some fucking retarded edgy faggot.

No idea who the other anon defending the point was fuck that guy though

>>44930659
Bro ran off with his sister to essos if I remember correctly

>>44930688
Not even married yet and people want to cheat on our betrothed already.

Fucking seriously?

>>44930728
It is pretty unbelievable. I didn't think committing to Obella so soon was a good idea, but now that we have we probably ought to... be committed. Brynden's motivation is family after all.

>>44930764
That's true, fuck Targfag you make it hard to dislike you sometimes

>>44930659
That is... Actually a viable option. Huh. Not a terrible thought.

>>44930660
Not much really. Brynden follows the Faith, but isn't an ardent practitioner. He's super leery of Septon Tytos, but Dontos has had more interactions, trying to gain measure.

In general the Malroys have always had a good relation with the Faith. They did have a rather nice Sept before it was burnt down, and rebuilding it has kept a strong presence in Steadhold. So overall they are still in good graces.

>>44930764
This is actually true. Brynden gets... Those committal feelings rarely but sometimes it happens. Lysa was the first obviously. He had one in Essos I've never really gone in to yet. And Obella is sort of in that camp. She hits his buttons in just the right way too.

>>44930711
Cracklaw point. Not valyrian. The guys we're allying with, the the guy targfag wishes we were the bitch of.

>>44930874
>In general the Malroys have always had a good relation with the Faith.
Solid. If we can keep that cordial, then it'll be so much easier to get an annullment for our sister's marrape when our barrister gets here.

>>44930874
>She hits his buttons in just the right way too

I still remember that will power roll we failed, good times