Day 7, Month X - 285AC ~ Morning
Steadhold - Master Bedroom

“Brynden Malroy you get that thing away from me I swear to the Seven themselves! No! NO!”

Your laugh is uncontrolled, doing nothing to ease your wife’s desperate attempts to flee from the tiny cage in which the scorpions you purchased in Highgarden are kept. At the very least you had thought to remove the dead one before it reeked to all Seven Hells but the other two had managed to thrive. At some point you had had to pick out the brood, having realized they were old enough that their mother and possibly the father would begin to cannibalize them. You had managed to save seven of them, and now they all sat in their individual glasses somewhere in the undercroft of the castle, likely watched over by Yondril, he liked such things. Setting the cage down Obella poorly defends herself with one of your bed pillows staring at the little creatures with reproach and disdain.

“It is bad enough you brought cats here, now you wish to bring me bugs! Do you truly hate me Brynden?” she calls across the room with a pout upon her lip. The kittens had not gone over as well as you had hoped. Apparently Obella had been allergic and the first night one of them decided to curl up in your bed she awoke with hives and sneezing and you had to wake up Benjin at the hour of the bat. Since then they had been expelled from your bedroom, Lorelei’s nursery, and nearly anyway else that Obella frequented, much to your dismay. At this point you had guessed the animals of the world had simply decided they disliked your poor wife or she lived with some awful curse causing every animal to wish her harm.

“Obella they are harmless,” you respond, undoing the latch and reaching into the cage to your wife’s horrified screeching, and pluck one by the tail, just below the stinger and hold it aloft for her to see. Her face is pale and mortified and you find it increasingly difficult to hold back your laughter. You set the scorpion upon your palm, and while it has raised itself up into a threatening pose it does little more than explore your hand as you gently roll it.

For her part Obella merely shakes her head wildly, refusing to come any nearer despite your promises it would not harm her and eventually you relent when she looks close to tears the moment you take a step forward and put the thing back into its cage. Sighing at yet another failed attempt to assuage your wife’s fears of animals you call for Arron to come pick them up and boy looks on excitedly at the scorpions as he had been keeping them in his quarters until today and gives his aunt a queer look though saying nothing. It takes her a moment longer to stop hyperventilating and eventually she slinks back into bed to hide under the covers.

“Why do you do this to me?” she asks her voice muffled, “I am nothing but a good and loving wife and all you seek to do is torture me.”

You sit down on your bed and place a hand on her hip and she rolls towards you, though still remains hidden. You speak, “I had thought perhaps it was only horses that scared you. Not that you had been cursed by some sand witch to be forever haunted by the entirety of the animal kingdom. Is there truly no creature you can stand?”

She peeks her head out at you slightly, rumulating on the thought before saying, “I like birds.”

“Birds? The pretty little chirpy things?”

“No, no they annoy too much,” she says with all seriousness, “No like Lucas’ seahawk. Fierce and loyal creatures. My brother used to keep them, raptors with wing spans larger than a man. But our father would never let me near them.”

“Like as might because they would pluck your eyes out, knowing your luck with them,” you respond.

She fixes you with a flat look and punches your arm, “I am serious Brynden! Do you not care for hawking?”

In truth you had little interest, Lucas and Quentyn had bonded over it in Dorne but you found your bird lazy and ineffectual, and in the entirety of your life you had hawked perhaps a handful of times more, it simply was not of an interest. If you hunted you preferred to do it upon your horse and with a bow in your hand and in further truth, you were not a particularly skilled hunter at all.

You attempt to wave off the question but Obella sits up an astonished look on her face. She begins a fit of giggles and attempts to break your facade with little pinches and harmless play, before saying, “I cannot believe it, finally an animal you dislike!”

“I never said that,” you respond immediately, “Do not put words in my mouth woman, I simply have not ever had an interest.”

“Why? Because you cannot ride upon it like a horse or torture me with it?”

“No because-” your mouth holds agape as you attempt to put together a reason, though their truly was none, Victus had taken to the activity with the Chelsteds and his love for ravens, Donold and Pastorn had both loved it, Seven Isis even hawked when the royal family had visited Steadhold. Literally everyone in your family but you.

Obella’s fit of giggles devolving into full laughter having found a crack in your armour. Your face remains flat and with a slight annoyance which she attempts to push away by kissing you on the cheek and twirling out of the bed and disrobing. Her stomach had only the slightest of a bump a reminder of yet another child soon to be born. She begins to pick through her wardrobe, glancing at herself in the mirror and giving her breasts a careful, though displeased measure with her hands, they were larger than when you first met, a result of the pregnancy she had told you. Though she still wished for her old lithe frame back and cursed your seed several times over the previous night.

She picks out a dress, a flowy thing of satin black and purple accents beneath it, she twirls about in the colors of your house happy with the fit today and finds several bits of gold jewelry to add to it, particularly the golden scorpion ring with rubies you had gotten her nearly a year ago that covers most of her hand. She sticks her tongue out at you as she slips it over her fingers and you roll your eyes.

“I would like to begin to learn to hawk Brynden,” she says as she begins to comb her hair, pleased with herself, “And I would like for you to learn with me. I am certain we can find a suitable hawk in Lys. Or maybe Ser Jon will have kept some on Long Isle?”

You cross the room and lean on her chair behind her, placing your chin on her head, “As you wish Lady Empress Scorpion.”

She tilts her head back and meets your lips with her devilish little smile, “Thank you Lord Silvershaft. But please no more bugs.”

You laugh and she pouts again, turning her head and staring daggers at you in the mirror. She reaches her hands back, taking your own and slowly swings you into her chair and begins fiddling with your hair.

“I would prefer if you kept it long like this now,” she says idly as she gently brushing your hair and putting it into place and beginning to work on your braid, “Are you nervous for today?”

“Hardly,” you respond after a thought, Lady Elionwy had no one to give her away at her wedding and Mason had asked you to do the honor. A simple thing, and likely one you would be doing many times again in the future, or at least once with Lorelei.

Obella hums for a moment as she finishes her work in silence before brushing your shoulders and draping herself over you, her cheek pressed against your beard, “I am glad you have a moment to relax husband. With your family. With me. Though I do not look forward to your helping Ser Jon with his pirate problem, I will say I am excited for our time together in the coming months,” she kisses your cheek and leaves off to string her sandals and find her Ladies for the days activities. Obella would be hosting and speaking to a number of minor Lords and Ladies of the Crownlands that had arrived for the Tourney to start this afternoon. In truth you were more excited for the archer contest on the morrow, Ser Wolden Wendwaters and his Order of the Leaf had come last night and you itched for a chance at getting your win back against him. Ser Victor had put into your mind the idea of competing as a mystery Knight for the event and it had tickled Obella so thoroughly you had decided for it and dug through the armoury last night to see what you could rustle up.

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You sigh, looking at yourself in the mirror. The man that looked back was older. More battle scarred. More mature. He was hardly the man he had once been in Essos. The rigors and tribulations of war, House, and family had worn on him over the past two years. But yet the man was not weary, he was still in his prime, and aimed to go further and higher. You smile, the two teeth of silver shining back at you along with the rest. It would be a good day.

Lord Brynden Malroy’s Experience and Destiny Point Spending

EXP: 30
Destiny Point: 1

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15t70f-uSAGgm9tFSADoJfgfhcQwaAHKMSEVeTTIhkho/edit?usp=sharing

As I briefly discussed in the past thread I’ve decided to hard cap Brynden so we can begin to look into the end game for his Abilities and final build as a “hero character”. There are 3 sections that are going to receive this cap and I’ll break them down below.

Abilities:
i.e. Animal Handling, Marksmanship, Persuasion, Warfare, etc.

Having done some research using the Campaign Book where several of the book characters are detailed I’ve decided to do the following for Brynden’s cap here.

>Rank 6 in 1 Ability
>Rank 5 in 3 Abilities
>Rank 4 in 5 Abilities
>Rank 3 in 7 Abilities

This provides Brynden a basis to remain incredibly strong and proficient in several disciplines while also not making the game outwardly unfun by making everything a cake walk. Brynden’s rank 6 is most likely to be his Marksmanship, Persuasion, or Warfare, all of which he currently has rank 5 in. Naturally when one of those is raised to rank 6 it will allow him to gain another rank 5 to hit his cap of 3, likely Animal Handling, Fighting, Agility, or Endurance.

>>3783895
Yessss! Bullying Obella never get tiresome.

>Rank 6 in 1 Ability

Marksman

>Rank 5 in 3 Abilities

Fighting, Animal Handling, Warfare

>Rank 4 in 5 Abilities
Awareness, Persuasion, Endurance, Agility, Atheltics

Specialities:
Convince, Bows, Long Blades, Command, etc.

As recommended by Joe your specialties are going to be limited by Brynden’s age range and the baseline Experience you are granted at character creation. Currently he is an Adult, which at character creation gives you 210 Experience (ignore that that is typically for Abilities), which with a 10 Experience cost effectively means Brynden has 21 available specialty slots at the Adult range. When he ages to 30 he will reach the Middle Aged range and will have 240, thus opening up 3 more slots. This is coupled with the current rule that no specialty die may exceed your Ability score. Ex. at Marksmanship 5, Brynden at maximum can have 5 bonus dice in any given specialty, as in 5B in Bows. This is done to assure that Experience doesn’t eventually just go to waste, even if that is ridiculously far off, and that as Brynden ages he can grow more skilled in specialties while his natural ability caps off.

Currently Brynden has 14/21 of his Speciality slots used at his current age.

Benefits:
Double Shot, Animal Cohort, Blood of Valyria, etc.

Benefits I’ve decided to cap with your Status, this is ignoring free Benefits such as Blood of Valyria and Head of House. So with a Status 5 Brynden is able to have a maximum of 5 purchased Benefits. Currently he has 4, so is able to purchase 1 more before reaching his cap.

Now Status has one more way/time of being raised in the timeframe of this quest. Currently it remains unsaid and I won’t be giving any overt hints as to what you could possibly do to raise it. So I’ll leave that for you guys to think of in the future.

So with all of this being said, as in the previous post you can see we have enough Experience to raise an ability once, or three specialities once. We also have a Destiny Point we can use if we want to cap out our Benefits as well. I know Leader of Men has been tossed around in the past, and it is a really good Benefit for the warfare character that Brynden is. I don’t know if we want to just do our single rank 6 today and lock that in as well, so I’ll open up for questions and ideas. If not I’ll put up some votes and we’ll see where it goes.

Sorry for the delay on this post. My internet started acting up.

>>3783909
>>Rank 5 in 3 Abilities
>Fighting, Animal Handling, Warfare

You already have rank 5 in Marksmanship, Persuasion, and Warfare. Not going to let you guys lower an ability.

>>3783918
I say we just get it over with and do marksmanship 6 and leader of men. Fuck it

>>3783921
Well we raise Marksman to 6 we replace it with Fighting

>>3783918
I'd have to say Marksmanship 6, though I'm not sure if we should burnt that Destiny Point right now.

>>3783895
Marksmanship 6 and sit on that destiny point.

Alright might as well make it official.

Raise Marksmanship to 6 for 30 EXP
>Yay
>Nay (Something else, specify)

Spend Destiny Point
>Leader of Men
>Something else (Specify)
>No, save it

>>3783918
Marksmanship 6 and save the destiny point for later.

>>3783950
Yay
Leader of Men

File: SerVictusWaters.jpg (39 KB, 382x600)

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>>3783939
Marksmanship 6
Sit on the DP

We Sterling Archer now

PS. Father we all know Victus is BESTBOI, but god damn, you didn't tell us he's going to grow up to be god damn HUNK HOGAN

>>3783950
>Yay

>Leader of Men

>>3783950
>Yay
>No, save it

>>3783950
>>Yay

>>No, save it

>>3783950
>Yay
>No, save it

File: SerVictusWaters.jpg (135 KB, 1000x1343)

135 KB JPG

>>3783956
I actually much prefer this picture for older Victus. But yeah he's going to grow into his good looks between Brynden and his mother he got a good batch.

Alright looks like a hard Yay and Save the DP, which makes sense, I could still try to kill you guys at some point.

Anyway, I plan on doing both of these scenes but wanted to see what you guys wanted to do first.

Which scene do we wish to do first?
>Watching the Opening Rounds of the Joust with Lady Alexes Chelsted and Ser Dontos Malroy
>Participating in the Archer Contest as a Mystery Knight

>>3783972
>Participating in the Archer Contest as a Mystery Knight

>>3783972
>>Participating in the Archer Contest as a Mystery Knight
Sellsword HO!

>>3783972
>Watching the Opening Rounds of the Joust with Lady Alexes Chelsted and Ser Dontos Malroy

>>3783972
>>Participating in the Archer Contest as a Mystery Knight

>>3783972
>Participating in the Archer Contest as a Mystery Knight
Gotta test out that 6.

Flexing your bow hand you smile inwardly, there was little doubt in your mind that there were few to no peers of your skill with a bow. Between war, contest, and it being your only saving grace from your sleepless nights the skill at been so honed that you think you would defeat the disgrace Summer Isler Prince Jalabhar Xho with relative ease now. All the better to be put to the test upon the morrow. For now you feasted, drank, and made merry with your family, your friends, and allies.

---

Day 7, Month X - 285AC ~ Evening
Steadhold - Sept of Rectitude

The Sept of Rectitude was nearly complete now, Rolf Harling had made it a priority after the Siege of Steadhold to see it finished quickly, to give the people something to rally around after all of the death and destruction and strife. Unlike your own wedding it was no longer bare, and now bore a striking resemblance to a Sept you had seen in Sunspear. The evening sun shattered on the prisms within the stained glass windows, each depicting an aspect of the Seven, and shone rainbows about the room and its assembled host. You watch from beyond as Mason marches proudly in his full plate, the cape he had held onto since the first days you had known him in Essos, dragging behind him, to the seven sided dais at the center of the room where Septon Tytos waits. The man thankfully looks put together, though you had not heard from him since the incident in King’s Landing. Word from your more faithful members of your household is that he had taken to recusing himself and staying within the Sept and often looked red faced and sweaty when he did serve sermon. Unlikely that he did not know he had no choice today but to pull himself together before you, lest he be made a further fool of.

Lady Elionwy squeezes your arm silently and draws you back from idle thoughts. She smiles at you pleasantly, wordless as always. The olive skinned Essosi woman looked radiant in her dress of white and gold though you wonder if she thought the whole thing queer herself, unlikely she could explain such with such limited means. She nods around you and you straighten, leading her to her soon to be husband. Your eye catches upon the cloak of your own House that trailed behind her, she had asked for it specifically, refusing any other or colors of her own, taking only yours. Assembled about you are the faces of your family, Dontos, Isis, Obella, Victus; your friends, Lucas, Illiad, Victor; and your allies, Lady Alexes Chelsted and Ser Jon Longwaters. It was as true an event as your own, and as you break from Lady Elionwy, she gives you a kiss upon the cheek, taking Mason’s hand as the ceremony begins. You cannot help to think that nearly two years ago this woman was simply placed into your service by Lord Varys, the Spider, a strangely blatant move from the Spymaster. And yet all she did was aid, she dyed your hair once to hide you from the wrath of a new King, provided counsel and stewardship, helped to save Mason’s life and stop a saboteur in your own home, and now she married him, your dearest friend, the one that once saved your life from wallowing drink and whoring in the bowels of the Free Cities. From selling Goldsong to some foriegn man for a handful of coins. From yourself. The man has been nothing but leal and good to you, and all for nothing more than the price of friendship. It did your heart good to know he now had a home to call his own, a family, a name. It was the least he was owed for the years he gave to you.

The service is simple. Your undo the pin upon Elionwy’s shoulder and take your family’s colours from her shoulders with an easy flourish and Mason places his ragged old cloak about her shoulders and she laughs, soundlessly, causing Mason to smile.

“...one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever,” Mason finishes on his own, though Elionwy lips the words with him. They share their first kiss as married man and wife and your small erupts into cheers and joy. As they leave off, they follow, a small escort to the castle proper where the feast you had gifted them awaited you linger a moment longer, Obella catching your eye with a nod and then being about her Ladies.

You turn slightly, Septon Tytos looking forward towards the idol of the Father. And while he prayed he was wordless, his body shaking. What did he wish from him? Justice? Forgiveness? You could not say, nor did you care.

“Do you turn to drink Septon?” you ask simply.

He casts a look over his shoulder, shaking his head furiously, “No… nonono my Lord. I could not. I-i-it-”

“Against your vows?” you finish for him, “Aye, one could say that. And yet, my dear wife. You know of her? The woman that found the high Septon had a taste for the flesh of young boys? Says that you have broken those solemn vows, that you give service red faced and slurring, that you have forgotten your duties to the good folk of my lands. Is this so?”

He turns suddenly, and you think him to have gained his courage, but he looks upon you, in your onyx plate, shrouded in the colors of your House, your sword upon your side, and eyes of wildfire alive even in the dusk of the day and he cowers. His courage lost to the wind and he falls to his knees.

“Septon Tytos,” you say, “Once a lion of the rock. Now a man without a name, sworn to his sacred vows that he breaks so wantonly. A member of the Most Devout and yet. Yet here he kneels, weak and ineffectual. You are no lion, you never were. I do not know your purpose here Septon, whether you seek redemption for your own selfish reasons or reconciliation for the purposes of another. I cannot say for certain, but what say you?”

He simply sits, his voice lost, and you find the man lost to you. He was hardly any good for your people now let alone yourself. Whether he was a puppet of the Lannisters still or his intentions were once good it mattered little, the man was broken. Obella had suggested keeping him, using him as one of her assets, to gain a foothold in the Westerlands, the Crown, and Faith. While you were more inclined to simply banish him, and be done with the fool drunkard.

What to do with Septon Tytos?
>Banish him and seek a new Septon, you had no need of Lannisters, former or not (1d6 Months)
>Allow Obella to sink her claws into him and use him as a pawn for her spying activities

Notes:
>The first option will get you a more useful Septon, that helps with your people and the spread of the Faith within your domain. Your people will be happier and you may like him more and place him upon your small council in the future.
>The second option will lead to a less useful Septon at home, the Faith will not spread and your people will find him lacking, but Obella will get bonuses to anything related to the Westerlands, specific parts of the Crown, and the Faith with him as an asset.

>>3784063
>Allow Obella to sink her claws into him and use him as a pawn for her spying activities
Let Obella have him as a pawn.

>>3784063
>Banish him and seek a new Septon, you had no need of Lannisters, former or not (1d6 Months)

>>3784063
>Banish him and seek a new Septon, you had no need of Lannisters, former or not (1d6 Months)

>>3784063
>>Allow Obella to sink her claws into him and use him as a pawn for her spying activities

>>3784063
>>Allow Obella to sink her claws into him and use him as a pawn for her spying activities

>The first option will get you a more useful Septon, that helps with your people and the spread of the Faith within your domain. Your people will be happier and you may like him more and place him upon your small council in the future.

We've got the leader of the Brown Brothers to help spread the faith across our lands. We can let Obella use him as she wills, but should the day ever come when he no longer proves useful? Throw him out of the sept like the drunk that he is.

>>3784063
>>Banish him and seek a new Septon, you had no need of Lannisters, former or not (1d6 Months)
Yup

>>3784092
That's an excellent point

>>3784063
>Allow Obella to sink her claws into him and use him as a pawn for her spying activities

>>3784063
>Allow Obella to sink her claws into him and use him as a pawn for her spying activities

Alright going to call it. Obella has a new asset it is, she will be pleased.

I'm surprised how split this is. I really thought you'd want to get rid of him.

Anyway writing.

>>3784092
Not as efficiently but it is a fair point. The Brown Brothers would probably be better at it if you invested in the Abbey and the Food Argiculture>Alcohol Distillery holdings in the future. Which is actually kind of funny how that worked out.

>>3784124
Damn, just caught up. Wanted to get a better Septon bro, like one of those mead monks.

>>3784124
Don't want to interrupt the flow of the thread but what's the judgement on the guard dogs for the mansion? I guess we should run it by the wife first while selling her on the uniforms and drill sergeant.

You make to leave, your boots echoing loudly throughout the Sept, and turn on your heel to regard him once more, “Consider yourself lucky Septon that my Lady-Wife has taken an interest in you, I am sure she will be taking confessional soon enough. Clean yourself up. And the Sept.”

Septon Tytos bows his head, placing his forehead on the stone floor and sobbing quietly as you leave. Seven forgive us both.

---

Day 7, Month X - 285AC ~ Night
Steadhold - The Grand Hall

Your high table is fit to burst tonight, Mason and Elionwy were given the seats of honor, yourself and Obella taking the seats to the right, with Lady Alexes and Dontos on the right. Isis sat by Dontos, the two speaking quietly to one another, her hand placed upon his. Ser Lucas and Lady Racheal Conklyn sit beside them, the two giving your sister so comfort she had told you once. And beyond you sat Ser Jon and his wife Lady Sereya, alongside the Knight of Sow’s Horn, Ser Roger Hogg. The man was the primary bannerman of your uncle, Lord Winston Hayford and while you had not thought to invite either, the former had come, his second son, Ser Rustin intent upon participating in the Tourney. He seemed less than amused of his surroundings than the others, though still stood and took drink when you toasted the bride and groom as was customary. By the fourth course the man had sought you out, Obella allowing him her seat to go sit with her old friend Lady Sereya.

“Ser Roger,” you say with an inclined head, “How does the feast find you?”

He grunts slightly, taking his drink and looking out over the assembled crowd, “Too foriegn for my tastes Lord Malroy. Bloody dornish and their spices,” she sniffles and looks upon you with full regard, giving you a look up and down, “To be blunt Lord Malroy, I would not be here without cause. My liege, Lord Winston, is poorly.”

You take a sip of wine, knowing that that was putting the truth lightly, when you had seen Winston last he was no more the robust former warrior you once knew. He was sallow, his muscle hanging loose from his skin like a melted candle, and his eyes dark and puffy. Unfortunately you had little in the way of means to looking after your now estranged uncle and Wesley’s widowed wife, Lady Cassana Brune.

Ser Roger grunts again, nodding his head to your silence, “I would request audience with you Lord Malroy. Within your Lord’s box during the Tourney. I have little taste for your ways or methods, but I am at my wits end attempting to save the mad man from himself. I will speak further of it then, if you are willing to listen. Good evening my Lord.”

And with that he leaves, not even bothering to retake his seat but instead going to the lower tables where his son were sat. The second-born Ser Rustin, as formidable and large as his father no doubt he would make a proper run of it in the Joust, and it would not be a poor idea to find him place amongst your Knights to make his less father slightly less prickly. Though you did wonder what he had in mind.

Later during the seventh course the Brown Brothers find themselves before your table, their leader offering his thanks for the rebuilding of their abbey and the return of the Langward’s former heirloom book, as well as blessings to the newly weds. They bring with them the finest cask of mead you had ever tasted. Juniper, blackberry, and honey so cloyingly sweet you almost did not wish for another and yet you find yourself taking more. They were happy to serve a new Lord of good Faith and care for their craft in the name of the Smith and the Seven. While two were to return home to oversee the completion of the newly rebuilt abbey and meadery one, known as Brown Brother Lorcan offered his services in the castle. He has been the most aware of the Langward’s former contacts of sale regarding their mead, and wished to aid in the continuation of these sales. A much appreciated addition to Illiad’s searches, though the latter had turned up some results in Essos.

The night comes to an end as one would expect, though without your typical antics of attempting to thread the needle with your bow, instead you find yourself amongst the menfolk of your House escorting the bride to her room, as the womenfolk do the same for Mason. Obella has taken lead of the other, neatly undoing his doublet which to the joy of the other ladies as they ow and aw over his rugged yet well toned body. Meanwhile the Longwater twins have been attempting to steal Elionwy’s skirts which she playful hides behind you only to realize you are no better and make a go for her blouse. Mason is nearly naked by the time you reach his former room in the castle, while Elionwy has managed to save only her smallclothes and a length of skirt she wraps about her chest. With Obella’s aid you close the doors to the room and with laughter upon your lips cheer for your dear old friend and his day.

---

Day 8, Month X - 285AC ~ Early Morning
Steadhold - The Undercroft & Armoury

You tsk to yourself as Victor and Lucas find themselves in fits of laughter at your poorly assembled kit of mismatched armour and gambeson. It would do in a pinch, but you looked absolutely absurd, even when you decided to try on the various surcoats to pull the look together.

“Ain’t no way in the Seven bloody Hells anyone gun ‘lieve this Brynden,” Victor says between his laughter.

“What is that look supposed to be?” Lucas asks, nearly spilling his drink in the process.

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“Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage. My father once told me of a man who was Knighted by a Lord after being released from a Crow’s Cage, to fight for him as a Champion. And when he won he was given his freedom, taking the crow’s cage as his sigil,” you respond indignantly, “Seven knows why such a shield is still in my armoury. Let alone if its true.”

“And the Reynold colors?” Victor asks immediately after attempting to catch you off guard.

“Ser Gerion Hill. A Knight sworn to House Reynold of Ember Peak, he wishes to gain favour with the dornish beauty and Lady of the House, Lady Obella Qorgyle, having only caught a glimpse over her before she left for King’s Landing.”

“That one is fucking ridiculous.”

“And the goat?”

You shrug, “Ser… Bael. He’s from the Free Cities. Fucking… Qohor. Sure. They like goats.”

Lucas is in hysterics. And you fix him with a flat look. Was not your best work, but you had limited time.

Brynden’s Mystery Knight Persona during the Archery Contest:
>Ser Gerion Hill of Ember Peak
>Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage
>Ser Bael of Qohor

>>3784197
Haven't made one yet. Because I haven't figured out how I want to do additional upgrades to the Villa yet.

>>3784209
>>Ser Bael of Qohor

>>3784209
>Ser Gerion Hill of Ember Peak

>>3784209
>>Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage

>>3784209
>>Ser Gerion Hill of Ember Peak

Because why not haha

>>3784209
>>Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage
Also what is up with Victor's accent dad?

>>3784209
>Ser Rorch of the Crow Cage

>>3784209
>>Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage

>>3784209
>>Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage

>Ser Billy of Bob

>>3784197
I'm against it. We need to save money desperately.

>>3784243
Of Thorntown?

>>3784222
Victor's always had an accent. He grew up low-born in Westeros, despite being a second cousin to the Haighs. Once he got his Knighthood he left for Essos and joined up with the Second Sons and it didn't get much better. He's just never been one for proper Lordly talk.

Alright Ser Rorch of the Crow's Cage it is.

Please roll 8D6+1(6D+3B Bows-1B Training+1 Superior) for Marksmanship(Bows).

Rolled 1, 4, 4, 1, 3, 4, 3, 3 + 1 = 24 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784251

Rolled 6, 2, 3, 5, 1, 1, 6, 1 + 1 = 26 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784251

Rolled 3, 3, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4 + 1 = 35 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784251

>>3784253
22
>>3784255
24
>>3784257
29

Good enough for the first round. Writing.

Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage’s Marksmanship(Bows)
DC: 9
Rolls: 22,24,29
>Success, three degrees
>Success, four degrees.
>Success, four degrees.

Day 8, Month X - 285AC ~ Mid-Afternoon
Steadhold - The Archery Contest

Ser Rorch had found himself amongst the throbbing masses of those that seeked to gain Lord Malroy’s favour with their skill with bow. No doubt many of them were hunters and former bowmen from about the Crownlands and his lands themselves having heard of the man and his current drive to rebuild his military and conscription of his people for the task. You smile under your helm, a thing that covered your face well enough but didn’t obscure your vision too much. The open round was a simple thing, the field divided into quarters and the target a mere twenty paces away. Your first two shots land perfectly in the center and for the last you decide to skew to the side, thus allowing you to finish with a solid 11, not your typical perfect score. It pushed you further down the seeding in the round of 64, which would give you a better chance to draw Ser Wolden Wendwater early on and raise less suspicions of yourself. You bow awkwardly towards the Lord’s box where Mason, Elionwy, and Obella sit. Obella does not seem to catch it, nor does Mason but Elionwy has gotten you pegged from the start, smiling and nodding towards you in her silent way. You watch Obella rock Lorelei gently, speaking to a Lady you did not know the name of, though her colors of purple and black did confuse you somewhat.

The day drags on slightly into the afternoon until the seedings for the true contest are set. You draw a man named Ser Dickard Burl. A Clawman, who is announced as serving Lord Crabb as his family has for some time. He inclines his head towards you when you meet upon the field and you recognize the First Man blood in him immediately, as well as the Clawman, could be a son of Lord Eustace Brune with those eyebrows.

He is given first draw and plants his three arrows firmly into the third ring twice and then the center ring once giving him a respectable 10 points to start at forty paces. He leaves off with little fanfare and you take your place. The crowd seems dull, having expected Lord Malroy to be competing, though in truth you found this just as fun, being the mysterious man who came from nowhere only to win as he had in King’s Landing. The feeling would be sweet. You take your place, drawing your bow to its full length and shouldering the weight. Just as it always was.

Breathe. Aim. Loose.

Please roll 8D6+1(6D+3B Bows-1B Training+1 Superior) for Marksmanship(Bows).

Rolled 2, 5, 2, 1, 4, 4, 1, 1 + 1 = 21 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784292

Rolled 4, 6, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 6 + 1 = 42 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784292
d

Rolled 4, 4, 2, 6, 4, 2, 2, 4 + 1 = 29 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784292

Rolled 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 2, 3, 1 + 1 = 25 (8d6 + 1)

>>3784292

>>3784299
19
>>3784300
34
>>3784304
25

Well that was a DC:12. So you got...
>Success, two degrees.
>Success, four degrees.
>Success, three degrees.

For 9 points. So... You lost. I'm fucking dying over here. Y'all want to burn a point of Glory (you have 4) to gain a +1B that I'll add to the first roll and will roll myself? Or are we going to take our loss like a man?

>>3784314
how the fuck we lose with these rolls?

burn glory

>>3784314
Burn it.

>>3784314
This is a really petty thing to burn a glory on.


Do it.

>>3784319
The first roll was straight garbage. Literally one of Bryndens worst ever with a bow.

Take it like a man, this is funny af

>>3784314
Fuck no, I am not burning a destiny point over some bullcrap like this.

>>3784314
Nah, we had our fun. We just shoot better from horseback.

>>3784329
glory, not destiny point

>>3784314
Take it like a man. Though you know anyone who knows qw entered will be giving us shit for this.

Wait I should do an actual vote.

Burn 1 Point of Glory to receive +1B to first roll
>Yay
>Neigh

>>3784337
>>Neigh

Take it on the chin. We can claim we were too drunk to shoot straight

>>3784337
yay

its just a glory

>>3784337
Neigh

Brynden getting shit for this sounds hilarious

>>3784337
>>Neigh

>>3784337
>>Neigh

>>3784337
>Neight
I suppose we don't have to place in every contest.

Neigh it is. This is so damn funny to me. Threw my plans completely off for the bulk of the thread. But fuck me if it wasn't worth it.

If it makes you feel any better Dickard rolled crazy good and is also the Captain of Mason's new scouts. So hey, that's pretty good?

I'm going to grab a drink adjust and then start writing.

>>3784337
>Neigh

>>3784356
So the reason he misses is because someone recognized him and blurted out his name loudly while Brynden was taking his shot ?

>>3784337
Neigh

If i recall last thread right this is the dude who Mason got recruited with his double 20 roll

Ser Rorch of the Crow’s Cage’s Marksmanship(Bows)
DC: 12
Rolls: 19,34,25
>Success, two degrees.
>Success, four degrees.
>Success, three degrees.

...and you lost. You stare at the target, a pitiful forty paces away and count your points several times over. Your first shot had wobbled badly, the second on point, and the last was just slightly out of the center. You hear Ser Dickard Burl’s name called as the victor of the match and would be moving forward to the round of 32 and you continue to stare dumbfounded at the target. You cast a look towards the Lord’s box, watching Elionwy cover her mouth in quiet laughter, Mason and Obella both distracted.

Must have been the bow. Had to of been, it was different than the one you usually used, to throw your wife off, the bow you had received from Lucas on your own wedding day. This one was the same style but unadorned, just another recurve from the armoury. Seven bloody fucking hells. You could feel what could only be explained as a mixture of embarrassment and anger as you leave the field and pick your way through the crowd and back to the castle. Unfortunately for you Victor had managed to catch you, and is absolutely howling with laughter the entire way to the Armoury. Tossing off your helmet you fix him with a flat look and he stops for a moment, only to resume again when you merely shrug at him.

“I ain’t never seen you shoot so fuckin’ bad in all me life Brynden,” he says, “Seven a-fuckin’-bove. Lucas bought to owe me so much damn coin. Good thing Solhas ain’t here, he’d likely up and fuckin’ leave after that pitiful display.”

You mock him back though it does little to stifle his laughter and eventually you just have him help you undress from your mismatch of armour and toss the grey surcoat into the brazier and the old shield into the dark corners of the room never to be seen again. There was little doubt in your mind Obella would piece it together eventually but at least you could hide it.

---

“I cannot believe you lost so early!” Obella nearly shrieks, her laughter much the same as Victor’s was, “Did you really think that ‘Ser Rorch’ was a good disguise? Seven above Brynden you are so poorly at this, you did not even bother to change your stance, I have seen you fire a bow a thousand and one times, did you truly think I would not recognize you?”

You lean around your wife, fixing Lady Elionwy with a flat look which she waves off in innocence and you reglect yourself to slumping into your chair with a grumble. It was just a spot of fun. Now they were having theirs with your loss. No doubt Lucas would hold it over your head for the next year and a half, having managed to, somehow against all odds, actually make it to the round of 32 for once. Though was absolutely demolished by Ser Wolden Wendwater.

The rest of the archery contest is a hotly contested evening, and there was a part of you had been grateful to have actually watched it. There were a number of longbowmen and Hedge Knights of skill that had managed to make it into the later rounds and Mason had noted each as they had come along, sending out his squire to offer a few employment that had not been sworn to anyone so far as he knew. When pressed on the man who had defeated you Mason had sheepishly responded, “Well he… He is the Captain of my new Scouts. He came upon good recommendation from the Lord Clarence Crabb, the Burls had been serving them for years, minor nobility, but good folk. Veteran of Robert’s Rebellion, knows the bogs and valleys of Crackclaw Point like the back of his hand, figured he could map our woods in less than a few months with some good hands. All he asked for was a cottage for his nine children and wife and some coin.”

Well at least you would have another chance at him in the future, you think to yourself before turning back to the contest at hand. Ser Raymun Darry takes a knock in the round of 16 to Curtis Flowers, your man, and Ser Dickard Burl continues on after defeating a Ser Arthur ‘of the Violet Plains’. Ser Wolden, unsurprisingly, coasts to the final round, putting up an excellent show against Ser Dickard, and winning 5-3 after a round of sudden death. On the other side Curtis Flowers is downed by another man you did not know, Ser Tomlin Silvertree, from the Riverlands.

“Who was the Lady with you earlier,” you ask Obella as the field is being set for the last pace of the night.

Obella tilts her head, quietly speaking, “That was the Lady Lysana Langly,” she says, causing you some surprise, “Naturally she was scared to come here at all, thinking it was a trap. Though I assured her otherwise and one of my Ladies escorted her here overnight.”

“I had not expected her to respond so early,” you say, watching Ser Wolden stretch out his bow and prepare to take his first shot.

“Nor had I,” she admits, the arrow flying by and knocking into the outermost ring to some applause, “She says the Lord Lucos Langward had called upon her several times, demanding her answer for her brother’s crimes. She has no men-at-arms to protect her and her household consists of a Septa and a wetnurse. We hoped to have kept her leaving The Tear a secret, though I doubt you will have any issue stamping out any occupational forces that may come.”

“More likely Ser Jon and Lucas will be all the happier for it,” you say. Ser Tomlin takes his first shot and it knocks into the second most ring, giving him a 2-1 advantage to start.

>>3784445
Getting a lot of connection errors

Hahaha seems like mystery knights are cursed.
Dunk
Lyanna
John the Fiddler
Simon Toyne
Even Barristan

“Just as well,” Obella says with a furrow of her brow, “I have her staying in the Guest Estates under heavy guard, Ser Jon Pryor has taken to the task, alongside Ser Gendry and Ser Crabb. I would ask you allow her to me a few months more, hopefully she will attend court soon enough and declare her loyalty to you rather than the boy Lord and we will have our cause. As you wished it.”

You nod your head, watching the two Knights shoot another round in silence, Ser Wolden managing to make it even at 4-4. However Ser Tomlin is something else, he is certainly pushing one of the better archers you have met in the Crownlands to his limits.

“Thank you Obella,” you say finally, turning with a smile, “Do you think it likely she asks concessions?”

“Incredibly. Particularly if the plan is to wipe her family out effectively by marriage to Lucas’ child. I am certain I can find her a place as a member of our court, but it is likely she will wish more to swear herself to you rather than her cousins.”

Ser Wolden puts up a single point on his final shot and leaves off with a slight frustration as Ser Tomlin takes the field.

“What more can we offer her?” you ask.

“Coin, home, marriage?” Obella offers back.

“To whom?”

She shrugs slightly, “I had hoped her daughter would be enough but more than likely she will wish to remarry herself and have some sense of security, though that could prove problematic in the future if there are others that can make a claim to the Tear besides the Langwards themselves. Someone considered important in your court no less.”

Well those marriage options were already done with, Mason and Lucas were the highest ranking Knights of your Household and were both married, as was Dontos. You pinch the brow of your nose, assuming that Obella had thought perhaps some of your other Knights would be suitable replacements, specifically those that guarded her now. It brought up a point that you had not considered, you lacked serious depth at court. No courtiers, no minor families sworn to you, no essosi merchants, just a handful of Ladies that belonged to Obella and a couple of low ranking Knights. Perhaps you should make an effort to rectify that in the future, Steadhold could hold a few manors as King’s Landing did, and no doubt Obella would be keen to build a court proper.

You sigh and watch as Ser Tomlin Silvertree knocks his last arrow into the second most ring again, winning a solid 6-5 against Ser Wolden Wendwater. The crowd cheers, though not so much as they would have for you. Mason stands, taking the trophy of a golden cockerel and presents it to Ser Tomlin who bows for you both. Ser Wolden taking second, and Curtis managing third.

“Is that man employed?” you ask Mason and he shakes his head.

>>3784484
Seen like we could do ourselves some good with a few more sworn swords in out household.

>>3784484
We could do ourselves a favor with a few more sworn swords in our household.

“So far as I know, no,” he says, “But I wonder if he would have any interest in taking a position as less than a Captain of a company, as skilled as he is, and of noble birth as well.”

You thumb at your nose watching as the field clears and decide…

How should Obella approach Lady Lysana Langly
>With talk of coin, bribe her to your side, she would likely take it to reestablish herself in Steadhold independent of you
>With talk of marriage, a good marriage to one of your loyal and good knights would give her the security she desires
>Something else? (Specify)

Attempt to recruit Ser Tomlin Silvertree
Status(Reputation) test DC:24
>Yay
>Neigh

Alright guys I am fucking struggling to get posts up with connection errors over on my side. Really sorry but I think this is going to be last post tonight unless the site fixes itself. I'm going to leave the vote open and then come back to it soon. Sorry again everyone.

>>3784504


If Lucas has a son we could marry the girl off to him.

Or just fill the lady up with a bunch of bastards.

>Attempt to recruit Ser Tomlin Silvertree

>Yay

>>3784504
>>With talk of marriage, a good marriage to one of your loyal and good knights would give her the security she desires
>Yay

>>3784504
>With talk of marriage, a good marriage to one of your loyal and good knights would give her the security she desires

>Yay

>>3784504
>>With talk of marriage, a good marriage to one of your loyal and good knights would give her the security she desires
>Yay
Having a hell of a time posting myself.

>>3784504
>>With talk of marriage, a good marriage to one of your loyal and good knights would give her the security she desires
>Yay

Who the hell you guys thinking of sticking her with?

>>3784504
>With talk of marriage, a good marriage to one of your loyal and good knights would give her the security she desires
Yondril.
>Yay

>>3784592
There is Ser Nathan Norridge, 'Dusky' Danse and Solhas Za Tarbeck also the infantry captains. But I have a better idea than that, ever since Dontos went to live the marriage life we lack a champion, someone who's sole job is to protect us and fight as our champion when needed.

So we organized a small melee for our men with the last guy standing getting a promotion, a nice new suit of armor and maybe a new wife if she likes him.

We could also recruit from joust/melee here and then pick from there

We should get a bard/singer

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There's also this for courtiers. Obella would probably put together a court if given half the chance.

Also I think Dad is alluding to us getting some really minor noble families to set up shop here? Like the Arryns of Gulltown or the Heddles sort of level. Maybe convince them to buy townhouses?

>>3785168
Of course. Victus Redroy of House Redroy

>>3785171
You mean Bonroy

>>3785171
>>3785191
Don't you mean Bestroy?

>>3785168
We need loads of wealth to build up for the Tyrell deal though. I think that should take precedence over basically everything else for now. I do like the idea but we should put it on the back burner and focus on our new fields

>>3785194
I agree, right now getting ready for the Tyrell deal should be our priority because it will give us the wealth we need for everything else. That means the Master of Horse personage.

>>3785194
As the one who came up with clear the kingswood, and setting up all this? I agree as well. I was trying to make it so all our issues could be solved just growing wealth up, and now we're needing a shit ton more power and other things tooo.

>>3785171
You mean the bastard? It would be good to station him at the Tear. It be the next best thing to a Malroy owning it.

>>3785419
I think that's typically frowned upon. He's also too young right now.

>>3785652
It really frowned upon to gift bastard sons a small plot of land. Heck. The Redward family started out like that when the Lord Malroy gave some to his own bastard son from Dorne.

>>3785660
Well its probably the best he could hope for! Nice home on an island? I’d take that if I was him.

>>3785660
Reward family started out from a second son from the Langwards. Remy Sand wasn't until a couple of generations later.

>>3785652
The Hayford’s daughter is gonna be married as a baby. Eleven ain’t too young for a betrothal at least and while Victus is still young we can lend her some knights to keep her safe and... obedient.

>>3785660
Sure, when you are talking about a young bastard son that hasn't accomplished anything of note yet for your house. I love Victus and hope it all works out for him, but this really doesn't seem to be his moment.

>>3785842
As uncomfortable as it may be for some, it's still well within the realm of possibility here that Wesley's child will produce an heir while on the younger end of the spectrum (13ish) that would then be the baby that is referred to in the books.

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>Talks of Marriage
>Yay

Both win. Easy enough. Sorry about last night everyone that was incredibly strange what happened.

So, give you guys a quick update on my plans. I will not be able to run a thread next week, but will be running the week after at a TBD date, as always I'll let you know ASAP. That being said I'm going to do maybe 2-3 more updates next week at some point. Likely Monday and try to get this thread to where I wanted it before the boards decided to shit themselves. So yeah.

Thanks for playing as always.

>>3784508
>If Lucas has a son we could marry the girl off to him.
The basic plan is marry Lucas' perhaps son I've already rolled for it he's going to have a son, to Lyra Langly, Lysana's infant child to solidify his claim over The Tear once y'all take it by force/reclaim it/however you want to frame it.

Obella has decided to take a different angle on this since her original plan didn't get picked and is working on Lysana herself to pull her to your side in some capacity. Offering to marry her to a member of your court so she can have some semblance of security and a proper sworn sword type personage is to help in that aim. That being said, hard sell, because your big three (Dontos, Mason, and Lucas) are already married and no one else even really comes close in terms of prestige and placement in your military and court. Well. There is Victor. I'll be interested to see where you guys take it/who you end up picking. Obella has her own ideas though is similarly limited.

>>3784813
>So we organized a small melee for our men with the last guy standing getting a promotion, a nice new suit of armor and maybe a new wife if she likes him.
That's not a terrible idea. Also I had totally forgotten about Ser Nathan Norridge.

Brynden lacking a sworn sword is for two reasons. One, obviously, Dontos being off doing his own thing and filling a likely more valuable role. And two, the way I would most likely give him a PC level character with both the court prestige and martial prowess that one would desire is if Brynden took the Cohort Benefit.

If that were to happen I would likely give a few options of how to do that and what sort of personage Brynden would want (Courtier, Knight, Lordling, Merchant) stuff like that. Options such as holding a minor melee, sending out word to Essos, etc. It would be fun, and also likely tie into some of the Steadhold expansion ideas I have in mind for the future.

>>3784877
>We should get a bard/singer
Well there is picture related. Obella would be absolutely delighted with it as well.

>>3785168
>There's also this for courtiers.
Also entirely viable. There hasn't been a great Malroy court since the days of Brynden's great grandparents, Lord Bravil Malroy and Lady Marcella Yarwyck. Due in large part to the former's great accomplishments during the Blackfyre Rebellions and martial culture he developed in Steadhold and Lady Yarwyck being an incredibly influential woman from the Westerlands with connections to the Lannisters of Lannisport via her mother.

>Also I think Dad is alluding to us getting some really minor noble families to set up shop here? Like the Arryns of Gulltown or the Heddles sort of level.
Yes actually, that is exactly what I was alluding to. So you already have one of those families, the Wence family that occupies the Malroy Villa and act as its caretakers. The idea is that Steadhold is rebuilding and as the Outer Ring rebuilds there will be those that wish to set up shop there and will give Brynden some benefits. Currently there is room for 1 other family to set up. Whether it is a very minor Lordling such as the Arryns of Gulltown, an Essosi Merchant family, or a valuable ally building a townhouse to build up your relationship further is up in the air. I plan to do a little section on that in the near future because Brynden and Obella have identified that he needs some more minor members of court and minor alliances to help build up his home and power base. So that's a worthy discussion topic in the near future.

>>3785194
>>3785286
>>3785379
Luckily we still have 2 months until we need the base 10 wealth to even start the new Horse Husbandry holding. But then there's also Master of Horse for 5... And the 3 wealth required to get enough Lands to build our Small Town because we still need to focus on Steadhold as well lest you begin to deal with riots via joblessness. Oh lads what have we done? Good thing Brynden has 4 Glory and a lot of excess trade goods at the moment.

>>3785419
>>3785720
Plan is to give Lucas the Tear right now. Victus is far too young to even be given such at the moment and honestly he doesn't even want it either. Victus wants to make his own way in the future and not rely on his father to help him and he still wants to go to Dorne, a lonely tower on an island in the Crownlands would be pretty close to the bottom of the list of places he would like to be.

>>3786335
>As uncomfortable as it may be for some, it's still well within the realm of possibility here that Wesley's child will produce an heir while on the younger end of the spectrum (13ish) that would then be the baby that is referred to in the books.
I don't know what you're talking about I would never plan something so heinous. I totally have been.

>>3786417
Hey dad I've been wondering recently about the twins. Who are they going to take after? Obviously we all know they have red hair, but asides from that who are they going to take after? Isis or Royce?

>>3786414
So much can happen between a birth and them growing up. It’d be more of an assurance to have a older lord with Lucas’ possible son may or may not marry or even live to that age. Same goes for his young wife. If the older woman Lysana marries a man who can consummate then their son will inherit the Tear. Not Lucas’ grandson.

>>3786417
>Luckily we still have 2 months until we need the base 10 wealth to even start the new Horse Husbandry holding. But then there's also Master of Horse for 5... And the 3 wealth required to get enough Lands to build our Small Town because we still need to focus on Steadhold as well lest you begin to deal with riots via joblessness. Oh lads what have we done? Good thing Brynden has 4 Glory and a lot of excess trade goods at the moment.

It all depends on how we roll in our Fortune roll. Even if we just earn 1 wealth we can trade the rest of the glory for wealth and get Master of Horse ready. Best case scenario we roll well enough to get that and the small Town.

>>3786853
I believe what's happening is that Lucas is going to be given the Tear, and his son (Wesley RIP) will be married to the Langly girl's daughter and therefore Wesley Longwaters will have a legitmate claim to the Tear, not just the taking of it by force. Even if the girl marries another knight and has a son, the island will still belong to Lucas.

I think...

>>3787041
I wonder what kind of lands and incomes the Tear holds. Compared to Steadhold at least.

>>3787088
Plains with river minimum.

>>3787633
And the size compared to Steadholds lands and such?

>>3787914
much smaller

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>>3787041
Yes this is correct.

>>3787088
Lands: Plains (Heavy Woods+Island+River+Ruin)
Wealth: Fur-Trade

There's also a tower and a bridge.

Taking control of the Tear will pretty much give you control of the God's Eye River from Steadhold to the Riverlands border. That title will be very accurate.

>>3787914
Incredibly small. See picture related. It's to the north of your domain.

>>3787947
We should get the minstrel seat and upgrade it to mummers hall. It got some very nice bonuses and the upgrade version has none of the negative. Obella can use it for her spying as well, correct ?

Not to mention it should be a great flavour thing. Is there anything you could share about our future twins ?

I take it Brynden enjoys Obellas bigger boobs A LOT more than she does ?

>>3787947
I was wondering, since there are talks about expanding our court. Could you give us some options on how best to do it ?

Doesnt all have to be military focused as it is right now. Some courtiers would be nice.

Also. poor Obella. The animals all hate her.

>>3786427
>Who are they going to take after? Obviously we all know they have red hair, but asides from that who are they going to take after? Isis or Royce?

Honestly I don't know if we'll ever get to a point where its relevant since I do have an ending for the quest in mind. But there's also a lot of timeskip I intend to so who knows. But for the most part they'll take after their mother. But Brynden has said in the past how alike he and Isis were and why they were so close as children and during his self imposed exile. So Brynden might end up seeing aspects of both his sister and himself in the twins.

>>3786877
You're right. So long as people vote for it. House Fortunes always feels like pulling teeth to me because we do it, and then I open up discussion and very rarely get anything outside of what I most recently had your advisers recommend. Hopefully we can get out shit together on the next one because we'll be hearing from the Tyrells soon enough.

>>3787963
>We should get the minstrel seat and upgrade it to mummers hall. It got some very nice bonuses and the upgrade version has none of the negative. Obella can use it for her spying as well, correct ?
Technically yeah Obella will get a lot of benefit from the Minstrel Seat holding, though she'd get max benefit from Speakers & Listeners.

>Is there anything you could share about our future twins ?
No, why would I do that?

>I take it Brynden enjoys Obellas bigger boobs A LOT more than she does ?
Brynden doesn't really care much one way or another. He's more of an ass man.

>>3787969
>I was wondering, since there are talks about expanding our court. Could you give us some options on how best to do it ?
Not particularly beyond the things I've said above. I'm not going to hand it out.

>Doesnt all have to be military focused as it is right now. Some courtiers would be nice.
Obviously not by the things I've said above. In fact having less of a military bend would probably work to your favor.

>Also. poor Obella. The animals all hate her.
*most She'll find one if Brynden actually puts the effort in as she requested.

>>3788529
>In fact having less of a military bend would probably work to your favor.

Status 6 makes me think of the Runestone Royces and the Redwines. Reading this makes me feel even more like hitting the next status level is going to require building relations with other major players in the area rather than simply swinging the biggest sword. Perhaps organizing a sort of summit once Redward is dealt with to have the other Crownlands houses sign on to a nonaggression treaty or another declaration of intent towards mutual support. All with the Malroy name at the forefront and hosted under banners of golden horse.

The court holding with beautiful people feels like a good supplement to this.

>>3789147
I've been thinking it's getting a position on Robert's Small Council. We know that the Master of Laws position is open and canonically wont be filled for some time by Renly Baratheon. Brynden could make a reasonable pass at it if he invested in the right areas

>>3789258
We probably need a really high law score ourselves to do that.

>>3789258
walk before you run
need a local power base before we can speak with any authority to the kingdom at large

>>3789788
This, we have other shit to sort out before we move to higher things we need to sort the tear and the turmoil around the area as well as get Redward done.

>>3786414
Soon wardad?

>>3793462
Next week anon. Next week :(

>>3793462
Unfortunately not, I was unable to make the time and hardly see any in my future either. Sorry everyone.

Anyway, next thread will be Thursday, 12 September. At 2PM EST.

I think I'm going to jinx it, but I'm excited for the run tomorrow

hype

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“Send a man after Ser Silvertree, Mason,” you decide easily enough, at the very least he might be a worth the chance, though no doubt he would prefer a place of greater stature than amongst your bowmen. Mason nods and pulls one of the squires toh im pointing at the man as the field clears and the lad runs off. Meanwhile you turn to Obella, keeping your voice low, “Speak to her in terms of marriage and security, we can promise much and more here in Steadhold rather than the Tear. Ideally we would warm her to the idea of betrothing her daughter to Lucas’ first-born though that remains up in the air.”

Obella sits back slightly, your face unperturbed yet still in thought before she speaks, “We have few to no men of such stature to offer her husband. Perhaps the greatest of your unmarried Knights is Ser Jon Pryor, and he does not seem the type to me to remarry. And then there is Ser Victor who intends to recognize a bastard of a farmgirl in the coming months, in Dorne it would be little issue but what I have learned of his northern ladies is that they can be prickly over such things.”

“There are others,” you respond with a frown.

“Who? Solhas? A man descended from an exiled Tarbeck, surely that will go over well with the new Lannister Queen. Captain Mors, Danse, Rafe? Commoners all, as are most of your Captains. We have little of a court of lordlings and nobles to deal with as well besides my Ladies as well. Perhaps that is where our focus should be next Brynden, the courts of Sunspear and even my brother’s Sandstone are fit to burst with men and women tied to them, I know the Malroys of the past have always been of a military bend but there is little reason we need be the same. I will do as you say husband but the ask will be difficult with such few offerings we can give her…”

“There is Ser Donvor Drox,” Mason says as Obella trails off, catching both of your attentions, “Despite his parentage the man is loyal and true. Even after watching his father and half-brother fall to treason by Ser Jaime Lannister’s own hand has not given him cause to waver from his vows.”

Obella nods slightly, “I had not thought of him, I will have Phena and Penella gain measure of the man. Thank you Ser Mason,” she leans over kissing Ser Mason on the cheek drawing a silent laugh from Lady Elionwy and causing you to choke down a laugh from the way he straightens in stoney silence to the act.

Much of the rest of the day is filled with joyous occasion and the joust. Perhaps only three score knights had come to compete at the Tourney, despite the promise of employment amongst your Household Knights after, coupled with the odd score of your own, but all the same the competition had become fierce as the greater Knights began to edge forward and establish themselves as frontrunners for the following day’s round of sixteen.

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Ser Lucas Longwaters, as expected, had excelled, owning victories against a number of the contestants and making him a favorite to win the entire event. One of the greater tilts of the night had him pummeling a Knight of House Cressey into the dirt after five broken lances a piece. Ser Wat Waters, Jon Pryor, and Victor Haigh had all impressed as well, moving on to the final day. Ser Victor in particular had to dismount at one point when the other man, a common-born Knight from the Northern Reach, had challenged him after being dismounted and ended up dueling him much the crowd’s joy and ultimately winning after tripping him up and place the tip of his sword on the nape of his neck. Likewise the aforementioned Ser Donver Drox had distinguished himself as well, though the crowd remained quiet for him at nearly all times, and the young Ser Jaromir Chelsted too managed to win through to the next day. Dontos had told you the youth had been riding at the rings every day following the Blitz of the Violet Plains, and he was the first upon the field in the morning and the last to leave. He had already done much and more to honor his father’s memory, but the youth had become hellbent on becoming everything a True Knight should be. Your uncle barks a laugh when you suggest he is much the same as a younger version of himself, though he is quick to admit he was far more arrogant in his youth than Jaromir was now.

Meanwhile Ser Wolden Wendwater, not content to only compete in the archery contest, had made a proper showing as well, as true as any Knight could be, your uncle had been most impressed with him, the commander of the Order of the Leaf winning five straight tilts without so much as taking a broken lance against him. His second, Ser Raymun Darry also manages to the final day, taking out one of your men, Ser Jon Pyle in the effort. There also comes a number of names you did not know, Hedge Knights and common-born men such as Ser Rolland of Yore and Ser Arthur of the Violet Plains. And those of noble birth as Ser Maegon Naeltarys, Ser Corbyn Cressey, and Ser Devan Blackett. Also amongst the latter is Ser Rustin Hogg, the second-born son of Ser Roger Hogg, the bristly man sworn to your uncle, Lord Winston Hayford. He was a veritable giant amongst the rest of the field, easily a head taller than yourself with a chest as wide and large as a barrel, in his red hued armour he struck an imposing figure, his helmet the look of a raging razorback. His sheer power far overshadowed some of the skill of the other men that had competed against him and even Lucas had confided in you that the man was surely the favorite to win. Though that did not stop Victor from betting otherwise one Lucas is happy to take.

Overall however the field has been set for the round of 16 the following day and the night ends with Ser Lucas’ defeat of the Cressey Knight. You had been impressed by more than a few of the competitors yourself and stood to benefit greatly from the influx of skilled fighting men that had come to attend Mason’s Tourney, and likely he did as well. The night winds down with a more demure feast, smaller than the night prior with a good handful of men and women having left once their stars had fallen. You find yourself entertaining Ser Wolden Wendwater for a time, attempting to divert his questions regarding your lack of competing in the Archery Contest and having promised to meet him in the contest again someday in the future. There had been a number of rumors that the King’s brother was set to marry soon and there would be a considerable Tourney held on Dragonstone next year. Obella merely shrugs when asked of it, having little assets upon the islands in the Gullet, though was concerned her cell in King’s Landing had not informed her of it earlier. Most of the guests have left before the hour of the wolf and you escort your wife to your room, happily indulging in her flirtations and losing at least half of your clothing before you even reach the door.

---

Day 9, Month X - 285AC ~ Mid-Morning
Steadhold - The Squire’s Melee

You lazily reach for your goblet, happy to take of the sweet perry and a slice of poppyseed bread slathered in butter in the early morning humidity. Summer was still at its peak you remembered having woken in a pool of your own sweat, though Obella had still remained fully bundled beneath her cover, bloody mad dornishwoman she was. To start the day’s events was the Squire’s Melee and an event you knew Mason had looked forward to greatly, having had a hand in over half the boys in the yard’s training in some form or another. There was perhaps a score and a half lads of variable age standing about the yard, some far more nervous than others. You note in particular Edmund Pryor, the son of your man Ser Jon Pryor, standing proudly amongst two of the other lads from your household. He bows towards the Lord’s box and his father responds with a bow of his own head and a whispered prayer to the Warrior by your side. Ser Lucas is also amongst your retinue this morning, his new squire and your ward Landon Langward with him. The boy remains tight lipped his eyes focused forward like a horse with blinders, the side of his face was red from when Lucas had given him a stiff clout on the ear during their practice this morning. Though you did not blame him, he was still often under guard and had more than once attempted to fight your men Worsh and Olyvar. He had a fire in him, though kept it closely guarded around yourself, but the look in his eyes you knew as it was one you often held yourself at that age when forced to attend your father and keep yourself in check.

There was a familiarity you saw in the boy, a mirror of yourself from a time long passed now. You’re also attended by your son, Victus, and your own squires, Arron Qorgyle and Armen Hunt, you had caught the three making an attempt to join in the squire’s melee, though the lattermost had been the first to break, his Reachman prevailing over the Essosi and dornish upbringing respectively of the other two. Now they sat beneath you, chattering away happily with one another. Again your son found a way to make a quick and easy friend in Armen, having known him for a handful of days at best and even more impressively rope him into his schemes. You knew that soon your uncle would deem him fit and ready for the Squire’s Melee, he had already seen war alongside the Chelsted archers in the Battle of the Northern Princewood, no doubt soon he would be ready for this.

Otherwise the box had remained empty. Obella and Isis had taken the morning to attend each other and a handful of other Ladies that had come to watch the festivities in a private women’s only court. You had little idea of what in particular such would entail, though you were happy to see your sister and Obella having grown as close as they have. The most likely reason being newly made mothers but all the same. Isis had seen fit to keep the twins far away from your eyes as she had been here having gone as far to stay in the guest estates despite her room having been prepared for her until such time as the annulment was done. Obella had spoken to you of such in the morning, saying that she had received word from Lord Varys and he already had a sparrow on it like a hawk. Something about that being different than his typical little birds disconcerted you, though your wife had little in the way of explanation otherwise.

The yard fills and the lads all look to you once the herald calls them to attention, the small crowd quieting as he announces the event and the prize, “... a Knighthood by the hand of a paragon of the Faith himself, newly anointed and made! The Lord of Steadhold! The Lord Marshal of the Southron God’s Eye River! LORD BRYNDEN MALROY!”

The crowd cheers at the announcement and you stand, raising a hand to them, the boys all watching you eagerly. You survey them, taking in every look of nervousness, the wet eyes of a boy probably too early for such events, of the steely determination of the older lads such as Edmund who clamps his helmet on his face with the same cool expression his father always held during combat. A smile creeps across your lips and you allow your arm to fall harshly, the crash of steel and screams of boys on the cusp of manhood drowning out the cheers of the crowd. Edmund is the first to strike true, taking the first of the boys that deigned to challenge him with ease and you watch as his father nods his head happily and cheers for his son to watch his back.

You sit back, watching the boys have at it and think to yourself of the day’s dealings. Unfortunately for you the Tourney today would be less of relishing the joys of a wedding and more of attending to your House’s business and allies, potential and firmly held and made. Ser Roger Hogg awaited to speak to you of his Lord, your uncle, and dealing with the man having lost his sanity and much of his will after the death of Wesley and how his lands now fell to decay and rot. You had assumed Ser Roger a man more of a military inclination, given his nature and stature, no doubt he wished to secure the Hayford borders lest Edgertons, Thornes, or Clavigers began to get unruly. Though you were unsure of his other purposes here, the man being so bristly and unapproachable none of your own had been able to gather much else.

Likewise your other uncle, Ser Dontos Malroy, had mentioned that Lady Alexes Chelsted wished to speak to you of military matters regarding the Chytterings and the fallout of the Langward War of Aggression. You recall having sent a letter to Lord Chyttering regarding leaving the Northern Princewood and her domains alone falling the war, as Obella had heard whisperings they intended to take it when the Langwards were weak, by force if necessary. They had never responded to your attempts to bargain with them over the production of the goods there in return for your leaving the area to them and not intervening, though Captain Danse had reported that Chyttering scouts had been spotted on the edges of the Honeyrun. Dontos had been disconcerted by this and Lady Alexes had taken exception and now wished to speak to you of it personally.

And lastly were the Longwaters. You had an exceptionally large ask of Lady Seraya Vollion, Ser Jon’s wife, and a woman of the Free Cities with considerable clout and reach due to her family of the old blood of Valyria in Volantis. The Red Bastard despite his quiet remained a thorn upon your side and his need of coin and attempts to use your family’s heirloom dragon egg from the times of Lord Baelor Malroy and the Dance of Dragons as collateral for a loan from the Iron Bank. You yourself could hardly step foot inside of Braavos without the Sealord himself coming down upon you, but Lady Vollion’s family had connections to them and could freeze the loan before a single coin ever came this side of the Narrow Sea. The only issue was that it was such a considerable ask that you had little doubt Lady Sareya would ask for considerable compensation in return, something Obella had warned you of giving the two had been friends for some time. Obella had requested she attend you while you did this, hopefully during the Tourney itself.

You watch as a lad in your colors pummels another in the colors of House Chelsted into the ground before he yields finally, his mouth bloody, and you lean back in thought.

Who do you wish to deal with first?
Note: The circumstances in which you call upon each will likely affect their starting disposition regarding their respective topics and yourself.
>Ser Roger Hogg
>Lady Alexes Chelsted
>Lady Sareya Vollion

>>3811942
>Lady Alexes Chelsted

Damn Father. That OP

>>3811942
>Lady Sareya Vollion

>>3811942
>>Lady Alexes Chelsted

>>3811942
>Lady Sareya Vollion
This, to me, is the most important thing.
Chelsted seems to be about military matters, and I am confident in our military's ability to crush an invasion right now. Of course good relations with her are important, but I don't think it'll make a dent.
Hogg is the lackey of Hayford, and while I do feel like we should help that house get back on its feet, it's not a very high priority for me. Of course, Hogg is also just a knight and thus of lower station to the other two.

>>3811948
>>3811956
You guys not read that obella isn't here and wants to when we talk to Sareya?

>>3811959
>>3811948
>>3811942
Right changing to

>Lady Alexes Chelsted

>>3811959
Good catch. Indeed I missed it.

>>3811942
Changing >>3811956 to
>Lady Alexes Chelsted

>>3811959
Solid catch.

Alexes and Dontos takes it. Writing.

>>3811942
>Lady Sareya Vollion
We owe her a big favor courtesy dictates she should attend to her first.

>>3811942
>Lady Alexes Chelsted

>>3811959
Completely slipped pass me
>>3811997
Not that it matter.

>>3811959
Sometimes I think anons dont actually read the posts.

>>3812027
Father does these massive updates. It is quite easy to skip or overlook something

>>3812027
>>3812032
Imagine still having a short-term memory haha.....

>>3811925
>Ser Devan Blackett

Hey I remember that quest! Shame it didn't last very long. The riverlands have so much potential for intrigue and politics.

Normally you would send either Arron or Armen to request Lady Alexes’ presence but given how enthralled the boys were with the melee you thought better of it, instead catching one of the pages and having the young boy find the Chelsted matriarch. The Melee continues as he scampers off, and you watch a few of the older boys picking apart the younger ones and thinning the field considerably. There is one, a rather portly boy who barely fits in his breastplate, swing a cudgel about wildly, his face puffy and red. He is the unfortunate next victim of Edmund, who easily knocks the thing aside with a well practiced and perfect parry into a riposte and smacks the boy with the edge of his sword on his side and driving his shield into his gut with the backhand knocking the boy to the ground and into a sputtering yield. The crowd laughs at the poor attempt though Edmund offers him a hand and helps the boy rise to his feet before regaining his defensive stance that is almost a mirror image of his father’s own. Lucas and Jon are talking with one another, and you can tell with relative ease just how behind they are of the young Edmund. Ever since Grant Conklyn had gained his own knighthood and returned to Castle Conklyn to assume the duties of his father’s heir the lad had doubled down on his training, and was by far the best fighter amongst your House’s squires, likely by virtue of being seven-and-ten, but also because he had been so close himself and without the drive of his friend needed to find it himself.

A polite cough announces Lady Alexes Chelsted’s arrival, your uncle, Ser Dontos Malroy, behind her. She gives you a curt bow of her head which you return offering her a seat and calling for wine which she takes, though only sips at, folding her gloved hands on her lap as she watches the field with furrowed brow before sighing as the lad in her colors finally collapses after the onslaught of another, she speaks, her voice as dignified as always, “Jaremy Chelsted. My late brother’s second eldest. Half the talent as Jaromir, but a fire that would put our King to shame. Perhaps loss will temper him.”

You nod along, watching the spitfire of a boy bash and strain against one of your men escorting him from the field.

“But I digress,” she continues, you turn slightly to regard her, her sharp chin and high cheek bones always gave the woman an overly refined silhouette, her eyes were striking but you would never have called her beautiful, perhaps never in her youth, though handsome was more apt. Likely neither description did her particular justice as it was her mind and tongue that served her, and as one of your staunch allies, despite initial misgivings, you were glad to have her so firmly onside now. No doubt what she now asked of you would be in repayment for her part and loss in the trial and subsequent war, and Dontos had reiterated to you several times over the importance of maintaining her alliance. You had done as much by doing business with her, the Chelsted logging and timber operation outstripping your own by several orders of magnitude and the lumber her House produced was amongst the most sought after by the many House’s that maintained navies. Your clear cutting of the small strip of the Princewood you owned over the next couple of months had made you both a fair deal of coin, and you gained in matters of lands. With two more months until the bulk of the work was done you were surely in need of some manner of long term contract with the Chelsteds or something of equal value.

Lady Chelsted held herself differently without Rodner by her side, for his sake she had maintained a more demure and softer poise, the boy so frightened by near everything she had to be the protective mother bear lest he soil himself. Dontos had informed you he had written home to her nearly every day since his arrival in Ember Peak before the Maester Aethan had refused to send them. Ser Tygon Reynold had certainly found the boy lacking of courage though still took to the task as honorably and well as he could and promised Alexes he would see to the boy more attentively. You doubted you would have such patience, likely why he was never requested to squire in Steadhold. Now you looked upon a woman with a certain harshness to her, no longer held back by having to be softer for her son her words were more direct and her looks similarly. She took Dontos’ hand as she begun to speak, a somewhat wiry small spreading upon her lips as she did so, likely feeling the clamminess of them and how he stiffened to her touch even still.

“It has come to my attention that House Chyttering has begun to move their troops into the Langward domains to the north of mine own, and to the west of your Honeyrun Lord Malroy. Despite my efforts to dissuade such overt actions of war by our mutual neighbors they have seemingly decided to ignore me and my requests. Tell me Lord Malroy, have you had any contact with Lord Chyttering since the Langward War has finished?”

“Unfortunately not,” you respond, “I had hoped to bargain with him regarding the Northern Princewood’s trapping and fur operations should I allow the lands to pass to him as I took the Honeyrun. Though received no response. Instead I have heard from my own men who are reestablishing order within the Honeyrun that their scouts have been seen as far east as mine own lands.”

Lady Alexes bristles at this, her face only growing more angular as she frowns and looks out towards the yard again, “Lord Chyttering still finds himself bitter over the loss of his brother. No doubt the reason he has ignored us both. Likewise I assume he finds himself having lost upon both sides of your longstanding conflict with Lord Redward and his allies and seeks to gain something from it now, if even by force. The foolishness of a grasping man.”

You almost snort at the way in which she says the last of that and nod your head in agreeance, “I find myself disconcerted with his men starting any sort of war upon my borders, and your own, Lady Chelsted. I do suppose you have a plan in mind in which we may deal with this?”

She chuckles to herself, “How very astute of you Lord Malroy. In fact I have several ideas. Mostly involving you employing your considerable military as a peace keeper’s force while I deal with the courts in King’s Landing and adding your voice to mine own.”

Dontos finally speaks at this, “The intention is to stake a claim from long before the Conquest upon the Northern Princewood, from the days when the Chelsteds were Petty Kings in their own right and owned the entirety of it as Kings of the Princewood. It is our intent to petition the King to name Lady Chelsted as Warden of the Princewood so that she may make her bid upon these lands in a legal manner and take them from House Langward without the need for war. Your voice in this manner would also be helpful as you have made claims to the Langward lands already successfully without even the hint of actual claim to it, and you could speak to the actions of Lestor Langward against House Chelsted in a similar manner that would add credence to Lady Chelsted’s claim. I would be leading the peace keeping operation myself with the aid of Ser Nathan Norridge and his cavalry, Captain Mors and the Loyal Bows, and Jon Painter with the Second Regiment. As well as some of House Chelsted’s own men. The force is mostly for show, though will no doubt need to put down at least some revolt or skirmish here and there before it is done.”

Lucas has perked up at this, and as is typical of him lacks restraint upon his tongue, “With all due respect Ser, my Lady, that would leave Steadhold with only its garrison, the arblestors, the Sons of Gold, and my Knights. Despite these times of peace we find ourselves in I doubt the Red Bastard is just going to sit on his arse with the wall still in shambles and so lightly guarded. We simply cannot afford to have so many of the men away from home.”

You flash Lucas a look and he frowns and gaps for a moment before turning his head back towards the melee with a grumble.

“I am aware it less than ideal Lord Malroy,” Lady Chelsted says after a pause, drawing her words out carefully, “But I will remind that not weeks passed I brought nearly the entirety of the Chelsted forces to bare, to aid in protecting of your Steadhold at the risk of my own home. Which was nearly attacked and sacked without the timely intervention of my Lord-husband. Not only that but my nephew aided in your blitz under your command and in the lifting of the siege of Steadhold not days later. But I will not place my lands under duress again, with the threat of war looming upon my northern border. You have said yourself that you wished to see an end to such conflict, I believe my Lord-husband’s peace keeping efforts coupled with mine own in court will surely see to that, and you will have your men returned to you within two months times.”

“If that,” Dontos adds firmly, “Nephew I beseech you to see the wisdom in these efforts. House Malroy and Chelsted have worked firmly and closely together in the past few months. I see no reason why you cannot send these men now despite the misgivings your man.”

Lucas continues to grumble, but you flash him a glance of wildfire to still his tongue and watch the field for a moment. Only six or seven boys remained now, only Edmund was your own, while the others were from the various Knights that had attended. One wore the colors of House Longwaters while another of House Hogg. Currently Edmund was engaged with a boy wearing the colors of House Wendwater, he manages to trip him up and put him on the backfoot, bashing away at him with the pommel of his sword and turning the boys shield to ruins upon his arm.

At the moment you had already deployed Danse and his cavalry as well as Rafe Roper and the First to the Honeyrun to maintain order, they would not be back for up to two months themselves, though were close enough that on a hard march they could potentially return to Steadhold prior to any invading army. Mason was down to only his newly christened Heavy Infantry, and while he built his scouts they would not yet be trained and ready for service for another three months at least. Steadhold was vulnerable but not totally defenseless, the Arblestors and the garrison alone could hold out relatively easily on their own. But you would be away at the end of the month, to Lys with Obella, and then to Long Isle to aid the Longwaters in dealing with their pirates. You had not thought of whom to bring with you to such, likely a unit or two, likely the arbelestors would excel with Vargar’s experience at sea and landing parties and a company of infantry. Your horses were worthless there you knew.

But in the end it would spread you incredibly thin and leave Steadhold looking ripe for the picking by the Red Bastard despite his major allies being entirely sidelined. It left you with misgivings and concern to spread your men out like that particularly without being home. Mason would surely see to the defense of Steadhold as he always had but with a limited host to command.

You frown, and attempt to keep your misgivings to yourself knowing the Lady Chelsted’s temperament was less than forgiving to those that waffle and waver over their duties and at the moment she expected your duty to be to her and aiding her in matters of war as she had you.

Sorry updates are large today. Give me a couple more minutes to get together the breakdown of this so we can discuss and do votes.

Lady Alexes Chelsted’s Request

In short terms House Chelsted requests your Veteran Archers, Elite Infantry, and Elite Heavy Cavalry (Loyal Bows, Malroy Second Regiment, and Malroy Heavy Cavalry II) for the next 2 months under your uncle’s command as a peace keeping force in the Northern Princewood as Lady Alexes Chelsted goes to the high courts of King’s Landing to demand title and claim to the lands in a legal battle of old claims and maps. Brynden would be expected to show up to at least one of these to add his voice to Lady Alexes regarding how the Langward’s War of Aggression affected them as well in a similar manner to how they did yourself and they too deserve reparations. There is a chance minor skirmishes will break out but the formidable and well known Malroy military should ward off any Langward or Chyttering incursions.

You already have men in the Honeyrun reestablishing law and order there for the next 2 months. That is your Trained Infantry and Elite Heavy Cavalry (Malroy First Regiment and Malroy Heavy Cavalry I). They are necessary to maintain peace and law there, they can be recalled to Steadhold in a pinch on a hard march.

You have also promised some of your men to aiding Ser Jon Longwaters in dealing with the pirates that may have connections to the Red Bastard and Magister Tychano Osten. It is expected you would bring at least two units to this and your cavalry is basically worthless given what they know. Your recommendations would be your Elite Arbelestors and recalling the Trained Infantry (Vargar’s Arbelestors and Malroy First Regiment) and replacing them with your Elite Horse Archers (The Sons of Gold) since Solhas will be back by then. They’ll travel with you to Long Isle, wait the two weeks you’ll be in Lys and familiarize themselves with Jon’s plans and military, and then set out with you to deal with the pirates before returning home at the end of the next month alongside you.

Lucas’ primary concern is that will only leave your Trained Garrison and Veteran Personal Guard+Heavy Cavalry (Malroys Household Garrison and Household Knights) alongside Mason’s Veteran Heavy Infantry to protect the whole of Steadhold and you will be spread ridiculously thin and not be home at all for a whole month due to prior agreements. This may potentially give Royce Redward a chance to strike at you with Steadhold’s walls being weakened and garrison considerably lighter.

On the other side you have already agreed to aid Jon Longwaters, nailed down that you’re going to Lys with Obella, and know that Lady Alexes and Dontos will not react favorably to you outright refusing even with a successful Persuasion test which would have a very high DC. Your allies are calling upon you now and it is up to Brynden how he deals with them and their requests. They have all contributed significantly to your war efforts thus far.

>Floor upon for discussion and questions. Plans will likely require a vote and some tests.

>>3812273
I'd say we send the Malroy Second Regiment and the Malroy Heavy Cavalry II. Keep the archers in Steadhold.

Two elite units should be enough of a deterrent, and I'd hope we're able to convince Lady Alexes of that too.

>>3812273
Give them the Loyal Bows and Malroy Heavy Cavalry II

The Malroy Second Regiment and the Vargar’s Arbelestors will be sent to deal with the pirate problems

>>3812288
I also would like to petition that we rename the Malroy Heavy Cavalry II to Sunset Chargers

>>3811935
>already had a sparrow on it like a hawk
Well there's a plot hook if I've ever seen one!
>Sorry updates are large today.
Probably the last thing to be sorry about.

>>3812293
Its pretty funny. I find most GoT quests to have bareboned updates but with father is is the direct oppisist.

>>3812240
We will be spread a little thin, but its a matter of timing and our reaction to a potential attack. I'm mostly in favor of her plan if we can expect the support of her troops should Redward march on Steadhold durring this time frame.

And we should at least have word before hand of Redward advance from Obella's spies.

>>3812282
>>3812288
So we seem to be of a mind to talk Alexes down to only units, the primary one being the Malroy Heavy Calvary II. We can put it to a vote to see who else we want to send and keep home.

>>3812291
Please god do. I'm terrible at clever unit names, the Sons of Gold being my best. So I just sort of straight name them what they are.

>>3812293
>Well there's a plot hook if I've ever seen one!
A minor reference that could be a plothook if someone else wants it in the future.

>>3812295
What can I say. I like writing needless detail. Also I feel like a lot of the characters need major reintroductions given the last time we had a major scene with Alexes was 2 years ago.

>>3812305
>I'm mostly in favor of her plan if we can expect the support of her troops should Redward march on Steadhold durring this time frame.
That could be arranged, and is likely counted upon. She has another commander besides Dontos that could take on that duty if requested. She likely wouldn't budge of garrisoning Steadhold with her own men because she's going to be a bit short and thin with Dontos taking a handful of them to the Northern Princewood as well.

>And we should at least have word before hand of Redward advance from Obella's spies.
A very good catch. Obella's spies would let you know the moment it happened unless they get caught, so you would have ample time to prepare. Or rather Lucas and Mason would.

Could we withdraw our men from the Villa in Kings Landing for the month that we'd be gone? Or are they already back?

I don't think Redward will be bold enough to risk attacking the Villa directly under the Kings nose. Failing that, I feel like our hands are tied. Our allies have lent their aid to us, and now it's time to return the favor.

>>3812328
>Could we withdraw our men from the Villa in Kings Landing for the month that we'd be gone? Or are they already back?

The main garrison under Jonos Strouman has returned to Steadhold with you and Obella (that's the Trained Garrison - Steadhold Household Guard). The new Villa garrison is currently being built and won't be available to recall during that time.

>I don't think Redward will be bold enough to risk attacking the Villa directly under the Kings nose.
He wouldn't dream of it. That'd be suicide.

Alright I'll leave this open for another 10 minutes see if anyone else any thoughts if not I'll throw up a vote and we'll roll some tests.

>>3812335
In that case, I would actually be of a mind to send Lucas and the household knights with Dontos than either the archers or the Elite Infantry. I'd rather have an extra 100 men in Steadhold than 20 cavalrymen

>>3812319
I just thought of something; Could it be possible to combine the patrols of the Honeyrun (Malroy First Regiment and Malroy Heavy Cavalry I) with those on they have plan for Northern Princewood? With troops from both houses moving back and forth in both territories in circuit or as needed also adding the Malroy Heavy Cavalry II into it.

>>3812344
Well do remember that the Household Knights are also a Veteran Personal Guard unit that can function without their cavalry. Yes its true that their is a numbers game there to consider as well so I'll add that to the vote.

>>3812345
The domains are simply too large to that efficiently. And a major part of the First and Heavy Cav I being in the Honeyrun is to build of a rapport with the denizens there and familiarize them with your men. Circulating men in and out would make them uneasy and think war is on the horizon. The First and Heavy Cav I however are both uniquely positioned to be able to come to the aid of either side should they call upon it though..

>>3812351
That's fair, we can offer the support of The First and Heavy Cav I in case of emergency as "compensation" for only offering two units instead of the three they originally wanted.

Alright looks like we can do some votes.

Agree to send in aid to House Chelsted the Malroy Heavy Calvary II(Elite Heavy Cavalry) and...
>The Loyal Bows (Veteran Archers)
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)
>Steadhold Household Knights (Veteran Personal Guard+Heavy Cavalry)
>Another unit? (Specify)

In addition to Vargar's Arbalesters(Elite Arbalesters) you will be bringing in aid to House Longwaters the...
>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry)
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)
>The Loyal Bows (Veteran Archers)
>Another unit? (Specify)

Lady Alexes Chelsted & Ser Dontos Malroy will need to be convinced of your sending less men(using the Elite argument and the First and Heavy Cav I as reserve forces should things get hairy).

Please roll 6D6(6D + 1B Convince)for Persuasion(Convince).

Rolled 5, 3, 6, 3, 4, 6 = 27 (6d6)

>>3812370
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)

>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry

Rolled 1, 2, 2, 4, 5, 6 = 20 (6d6)

>>3812370
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)

>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry)

Rolled 5, 6, 6, 4, 6, 5 = 32 (6d6)

>>3812370
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)

>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry

Rolled 4, 1, 2, 1, 6, 5 + 1 = 20 (6d6 + 1)

>>3812370
>Steadhold Household Knights (Veteran Personal Guard+Heavy Cavalry)

>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)

Rolled 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 6 = 26 (6d6)

>>3812370
>Steadhold Household Knights (Veteran Personal Guard+Heavy Cavalry)
>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry)

>>3812370
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)
>Steadhold Household Knights (Veteran Personal

>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry)

>>3812370
>Steadhold Household Knights (Veteran Personal Guard+Heavy Cavalry)

>Malroy First Regiment (Trained Infantry)

>>3812389
Please only choose one for the first vote.

>>3812377
24
>>3812379
19
>>3812381
28

Lord Brynden Malroy's Persuasion(Convince)
DCs: 18,21
Rolls: 24,19,28
>Success (Ser Dontos Malroy), three degrees.
>Success (Lady Alexes Chelsted), two degrees.

Silver tongued son of a bitch Brynden strikes again.

Need another roll for something I didn't do last session.

Please roll 5D6+4(5D+2 Head of House+2 Anointed) for Status(Reputation).

Rolled 4, 6, 6, 4, 5 + 4 = 29 (5d6 + 4)

>>3812405

>>3812389
>>3812405
>Malroy Second Regiment (Elite Infantry)

Rolled 4, 1, 3, 4, 3 + 4 = 19 (5d6 + 4)

>>3812405

Rolled 3, 4, 4, 1, 3 + 4 = 19 (5d6 + 4)

>>3812405

>>3812409
>>3812416
>>3812418
29,19,19

Lord Brynden Malroy's Status(Repuation)
DC: 24
Rolls: 29,19,19
>Success, two degrees.

So you've successfully recruited Ser Tomlin Silvertree. Go crazy finding a place for him.

Going to call the vote her.

Second Regiment takes it 4-3.
First Regiment takes it pretty easily. Gotta go put boots to sand and get that veteran status boys.

Alright writing.

>>3812437
>Ser Tomlin Silvertree

Recruit a Green Scouts and put him in charge of them and train them ?

>>3812437
Go crazy finding a place for him.
Sworn bow...string? Arrow?

“My Lady I simply cannot afford to send that many men away from Steadhold at once. I assure you that you will have my voice added to your cause upon my return from Lys and Long Isle aiding House Longwaters. But the absolute most I can consider sending to the Princewood would the Malroy Second Regiment, a company uniquely familiar with my uncle’s command, and the Malroy Heavy Cavalry as lead by Ser Nathan Norridge.”

Lady Alexes purses her lips at this, staring forward as Dontos scrambles for his words quickly, “Nephew please reconsider, the Northern Princewood is filled with Langward loyalists and hidden pockets of resistance and that is all beside the Chyttering scouts and then potential for more men.”

“And no doubt they have heard of the skill and veterancy of my own men,” you say sharply, gaining Lady Alexes’ attention again, “The elites of the Malroy army rivals the days of Lord Bravil Malroy, and I am sending not only one but two of them to aid my most trusted and closest ally. I understand the position House Chelsted finds themselves in post-war but I am similarly in straits that are less than desirable uncle. And with myself and my own Lady-Wife being far away in Lys for the next month I would seek to best position my own men to succeed should the Red Bastard attempt something in a sudden moment of thought. Rest assured however that the Malroy First Regiment and the other half of the Heavy Cavalry under Captain Danse remain within marching distance to act as reserve should the operation in the Northern Princewood find difficulties. But as that is all said, uncle, Lady Chelsted, I have the utmost faith in my men’s ability in the field and I would assume you would as well, yes?”

Lady Alexes lets out a small huff and a sigh before turning to you again with her expression somewhat softened but with a hint of annoyance all the same, “As you say Lord Malroy. I am more than certain my Lord-Husband is capable of dealing with anything these holdouts and upstarts my attempt, even with less men than expected? Is that not right Ser Dontos?”

She reaches out and takes his hand, and Dontos’ expression changes from desperate rebuttal to steely resolve, “Of course my Lady. Thank you nephew, I am sure the elites of your army will be more than a deterrent to any that seek to bring further war to the Crownlands.”

“I would certainly hope so,” Lady Chelsted says, settling herself down and watching the ends of the squire’s melee, “But rest assured Lord Malroy, I will have my Ser Thom and his Grey Maces and Captain Russel and company of archers at the ready to march to Steadhold should Lord Redward show his face and ill thought army. As reserve and assurances while you are away. Will this sate your worries as well Ser Luces?” she finishes leaning over you.

Lucas for his part looks somewhat shamed and nods firmly, managing out, “Yes my Lady. My apologies.”

“Think nothing of it,” she adds in her own sharp tongue, allowing a smile to rest upon her thin lips again.

Your eyes turn to the Squire’s Melee and you find it is down to Edmund Pryor and a boy wearing the colors of House Stokeworth. The boys are both tired, laboring with each positioning, every breath, and every strike they both give and receive. Edmund has managed to gain the upper hand however, a flurry of strikes find themselves true upon his opponent’s arms, legs, and sides causing the boy to recoil away and hide behind his shield, attempting to keep his guard but wincing every time Edmund steps forward. Jon is whispering to himself in prayer, Lucas’ fist held on the bannister so tight his knuckles turnt white, and you feel your own self pushing forward on your seat in anticipation. The boys continue to jostle for position until Edmund finally has enough of it and bullrushes the other lad with a battlecry you would never have expected of the youth. Lucas immediately breaks into laughter, recognizing the tactic as one he and Grant liked to employ, and Jon sits back shocked. But you watch as he runs the other boy over, slamming his shield into his own and knocking him to the ground, Edmund manages to catch his own fall and rolls away only to stand at full again while the other boy lies on his back groaning in the pain. The crowd roars as the Valeman lad rises, and stalks towards his enemy who has managed to roll to his stomach and gotten to a knee and drives his own knee into it and bashing at the nape of his neck with the pommel of the sword sending the Storkworth boy flat out onto his stomach. Lucas’ laughter only grows, and you know damn well and good who loved to use that maneuver.

You rise and Edmund looks to you, his sword still held aloft, as the Stokeworth boy coughs and attempts to rise again. You nod your head slightly and Edmund smiles back at you, the most emotion you had ever seen of him and place the tip of the blade on the back of the Stokeworth lad’s head and he immediately gives up calling for a yield several times before collapsing fully into the dirt. Jon is already gone by your side by the time the crowd roars its approval. The herald attempts to announce Edmund as the victor though is drowned out by the crowd. Before you turn you watch Jon rush the field scooping up his son in his arms the two sharing a brief moment of father and son affection placing their foreheads together in their prayer to the Seven.

You take in the crowd’s cheers and approval when you enter the field, sword upon your hip. In truth Edmund could have been made a Knight several times over by now. He had proven himself in countless Squire’s Melees, in battle, as a true and honorable lad. But he had refused them all, he wanted validation in victory. And in your truth you were happy to give it to him, the two Pryors look upon you with that stoney Valeman look you knew of them, only the hint of a smile upon both before the both fall to a knee. Ser Jon Pryor had been perhaps one of your best Knights besides Lucas and Mason, and as damned loyal as Victor, you could only imagine the immensity of pride he felt for his son at the moment to be knighted by the Lord he had sworn to for his victory. Edmund’s eyes rest upon the ground as you come upon them raising a hand for the crowd to quiet so that your solemn words may be heard.

“Ser Jon Pryor, you may rise,” you say, your voice lifted, and the man obilgies, a hand over his heart in salute.

“Thank you my Lord,” he says briefly before moving off and standing at a distance, his eyes watery.

“Edmund Pryor,” you say, the crowd reacting to it softly for a moment before you continue. With a flourish you unsheath your blade, holding it aloft and turning so that all may see it, it was odd, you had never Knighted someone before. In Essos it was not your thing, and you were no Knight, just a lordling. Here, you were Lord, but the solemn vows of the Knight had been your Uncle’s, at least until recently, having held vigil with Grant Conklyn and being anointed in the Light of the Seven. You had only memorized the vows the night prior, recognizing how momentus it would be for both yourself and the young man before you. Perhaps it had given new purpose to your prayers and hand, the Warrior had always been your god, as had the Father, but now…

You place your sword upon his shoulder, speaking the vows of Knighthood, “In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women....”

The crowd remains silent as you recite the vows once spoken to you by a dear friend.

“I so swear.”

Your sword moves to his other shoulder and your voice again booms, “Then arise Ser Edmund Pryor!”

The crowd roars and cheers but Edmund remains in place, his eyes upon the ground, and you watch a tear fall upon the dirt. He looks up, though past you, towards his father who only nods, holding back his own tears somewhat poorly.

File: Tourney.0.png (62 KB, 992x527)

62 KB PNG

“My Lord,” he says to recall your attention, his voice level despite it all, “I do not rise for disrespect but to honor you. I am named to Knighthood by your hand and for that I swear to you my service. But I wish to be released of your service so that I, as my father before me, find my own way and place in this world. Lord Argor Conklyn has offered me place and station in Castle Conklyn alongside Ser Grant as his swornsword upon such time that I have become a Knight. I wish to rejoin my friend and brother-at-arms with your blessing. Please my Lord.”

Your eye casts back towards Ser Jon again and you can tell this is something that have spoken of before as he nods to you his approval. You turn a final time, meeting the steely resolve of the new man before you.

Release Ser Edmund Pryor from your service?
>Yay
>Neigh

Who do you wish to deal with next during the opening tilts of the round of 16 of the Joust today?
Note: The circumstances in which you call upon each will likely affect their starting disposition regarding their respective topics and yourself. Obella will be back with you.
>Ser Roger Hogg
>Lady Sareya Vollion

>>3812562
>even with less men than expected
I really wanted us to go full Stannis and say "fewer"

>>3812571
>Yay
>Lady Sareya Vollion

>>3812571
>Yay
>Lady Sareya Vollion

God damn it dad you always get me with scenes like this. Father son love. Ill never not love how the characters have grown over the time of this quest

>>3812571
>>Yay
>Then I release you freely, go with the Seven's favor Ser Pryor.

>Ser Roger Hogg

>>3812571
>Yay
>Lady Sareya Vollion

>>3812571
>Yay
>Lady Sareya Vollion

>>3812571
>>Yay
>>Lady Sareya Vollion

Alright a pretty easy yay and Sareya. More big posts incoming.

>>3812575
I actually had to take a moment after writing that. Spoiled for personal emotional QM thing.

Jon and Edmund's relationship is heavily based upon my own with my father. That thing where they put their foreheads together was something we'd do whenever I had to leave when I was younger, just a sign of affection that we always had. Edmund finally becoming his own man and moving on is similar to the things I went through after my father's death. Hundred and one times I could have left to become my own man but stuck around and held onto my father, it wasn't until his death that I finally felt like I lived up to every thing that would make him proud in me that I finally did. Jon Pryor will remain in your service for sometime as a loyal and good man and in memorial of my father, but his story is at an end. Its Edmund's turn now. And that's the end of that little sidestory.

Anyway, writing.

>>3812620
Stop chopping onions in my house Dad.

I'm gonna call my dad later.

>>3812620
Whose cutting onions in here

>>3812620
Wow. That's some really heavy stuff. Thanks for sharing that Father. This might just be a Vietnamese paper folding forum but I for one feel honored in a weird way that you felt you could share that with us, even if we are a bunch of spastic sperg lords over the internet. It's things like this that make this quest truly special in my eyes, that each and every character has this in-depth inspiration and/or background. Heres hoping we can one day visit Castle Conklyn and see the man Ser Edmund has become.

I think I'm going to go visit my dad today now. Jesus that hit close to the heart

You allow the words to linger for a moment longer, you knew your answer, but it was with a heavy heart that you allowed him to go. The young man’s relationship with his father reminded you of your own with Victus, and how your heart ached for him some nights but knew that he would become his own man someday soon, that he would travel to Dorne and find himself, that he would fight, he would love, he would feel heartbreak and pain. All without you. But Edmund had done everything in honor of his father here and in victory became the man that would make any father proud. You feel your own tear at the corners of your eye and sheath your blade. You extend your arm towards Edmund and he looks at it a moment before accepting and you pull him up.

“Then it is with my blessing and those of the Seven that I release you from my service Ser Edmund Pryor. May your heart and Faith guide you and your arm always remain true.”

“Thank you Lord Malroy,” he says and embraces you. Not the lad he had been but as the man he had become. He leaves off and the crowd cheers again, embracing his father who raises his arm and finally allows his tears to flow. The tears of pride. Of a father. Of a good and loyal man who only ever wished the best for his son who accomplished more than he ever thought possible through the sheer determination and faith he had. You could only hope to be as good as a father to your own children.

And in that moment you thought it, so it was sworn.

---

Day 9, Month X - 285AC ~ Noon
Steadhold - The Joust, Round of 16

Lady Sareya Vollion and Ser Jon Longwaters remind you of a noble marriage you attended in Volantis as a part of a security detail with the Second Sons. Two high-born Volantene of the old blood marrying to unit their blood as the ‘last of Valyria’ or something of the sort. It had all been very strange, overseen by a dragonpriestess, there was blood, fire, a little bit of ritual sacrifice. Naturally you had to gut someone with your blade when all hell had broken loose and you had ended the night with the fiery little dragonpriestess singing chants in High Valyrian as she rode your cock for all it was worth. Generally a good time, as far as weddings in Essos go at least.

Mostly it was how staunchly Valyrian they looked when they were together, how their first-born son Aenys Longwaters looked more Valyrian than you did with his hair of silver gold and eyes of deep purple. Jon jostles Victus’ hair as he sits smiling widely when the youth looks back at him with disdain and you bark a laugh with your good friend. The Longwater twins had been the forgotten Valyrians two years ago, and just when you had thought yourself lost upon the rest of the Valyrian Houses they had come to your side and tied themselves to you. Lucas was your best hand, shite at archery, but easily your best blade. Meanwhile Jon, while no slouch as a warrior, was a military mind of your own caliber but upon the sea, and a man with an eye for coin as well. Having improved your trade with him had only done more to build the strength of your bond and he had been happy to host your men and offer you passage to Lys upon his own ship before returning to rout some bloody pirates. The twins looked eeriely similar, though you knew your man by the fact he kept his hair long, while Jon was short and kempt with a simple moustache of matching silver.

Lady Sareya meanwhile was a beauty without doubt, she chatters with Obella happily in a dialect you can hardly follow as the two continue to catch up during the first tilt of the round of 16. Ser Lucas Longwaters versus Ser Rolland of Yore. Jon whoops and cheers for his brother though you regard them more closely. Lady Vollion was a woman as shrewd and cunning as your own wife and the pretty delicate features of her Valyrian descent only masked such, but never truly obscured it. In her eyes you say the spark of intelligence of a predator, of knowing that there would be soon prey to sink her teeth into. It was a remarkably easy tell, she could learn a thing or two from the poise and grace of Lady Chelsted, though you doubted she saw it as a negative considered she was Essosi and from a family of great nobles and merchants.

The herald announces the first of the tilts and you allow the moment to linger before dropping your arm for the two to begin. Lucas is off like a demon from the Seven Hells themselves. He digs into his horse, the golden courser breaking into a gallop within moments and the crowd roars for the hometown favorite. His armour was that of the Household Knights, the sable plate with golden trim, except he wore a black helmet with a seahorse in rearing up in defiance to the waves and a cape of red and seafoam blue flowed after him. He lowers his lance, his form perfect, and locks it into place, his eyes never leaving that of his opponent. The Hedge Knight Ser Rolland is thusly able, but his skill was far beneath Ser Lucas’ and while his lance strikes it merely slides to the side as Lucas’ crashes into him, turning it into splinters and knocking him full upon his back in the saddle, lancing falling from his hand. The crowd again roars and you clap alongside them.

They are lining up for a second pass when Lady Sareya begins to speak to you directly, Obella behind you eyeing you both carefully, “Lord Malroy, I have been told my sweet sister that you have a dire need of mine and my husband’s aid? I had thought you only seeked his men and iron, not but a simple girl of Volantis in your wars,” she says with an innocent tone.

Jon interlaces his fingers with hers, clearly suckered by the act, “What is this Brynden?” he asks simply, though his voice remains firm, “I doubt my wife could help in any meaningful way.”

Obella rolls her eyes, at least in that the Longwater twins were alike, but waves you on regardless and you clear your throat, “In fact it is something specifically your wife can help me with Ser Jon,” you say, “Or rather her family could.”

“The Vollion family is highly respected throughout the Free Cities,” Obella says, gaining their attention, “Even in Braavos. Particularly with the Iron Bank.”

“Oh?” Sareya says, “Well yes my father has some relations with them, though they do wish to do less business with him since we still keep… Indentured servants about the manse. Lord Malroy do you seek more coin? I had thought your Bank of the Bays would surely be enough.”

“Nothing such as that Lady Sareya,” you remark somewhat slowly as Lucas plants yet another solid blow into Ser Rolland and he just barely holds on, “Rather it is your ties to them I wish to utilize. As you are well aware, I am certain, the Red Bastard has stolen something of great value from my family. A dragon egg from a dowry long since past, but a previous heirloom all the same. He intends to use it as collateral to gain a loan from the Iron Bank. And in doing such gaining a great advantage in our ongoing conflict, enough to higher sellsails and companies of men, enough to make all of the allies he has just lost negligible with a host of mercenaries at his back and debts elsewhere cleared.”

“No doubt our friend in Myr, Magister Tychano Osten, is already seeing to it that these men are lined up and ready to be paid,” Obella adds and Sareya’s face sours significantly, speaking a curse in High Valyrian regarding the Osten family, one that even makes you avert your eyes.

“How are you certain of this?” Jon asks with a certain fury in his voice, similar to Lucas’ but more restrained.

You nod towards Obella and she merely smiles, “I have my ways Ser.”

Jon’s brow furrows deeply and he looks at Sareya whose eyes have significantly changed as her mind ran over the thoughts, you knew the ask was perhaps the most significant thing you had ever come to the Longwaters with, and they had more than enough leverage to use against you.

“What do you wish for my father to do, to say? Have it returned to you? Non, that is not possible, you have no proof, the Iron Bank would not care. Hrm… To freeze it? As you Westerosi would say. So that it is no long piece upon the cyvasse table. Yes?”

You nod back and forth, deciding that was perhaps the best way to put it, you could only dream for its safe return someday, but at the very least freezing it so Royce had nothing too would do wonders for you and likely stir him up into another stupid frothing rage that you could exploit. As you are doing so the third pass occurs and Lucas is easily declared the victory with Ser Rolland writing in pain in the dirt. The crowd comes to life chanting his name and he basks in the glory of it before riding up to the Lord’s box and bowing his head deeply. You see the pleasant facade on Sareya’s face as she feigns interest in the Westerosi sport of choice and her good-brothers success in it before she turns to you again.

“Your customs are still foriegn to me Lord Malroy,” she says simply, “But what I do understand of them is when great men agree to do such things for one another they bind it in blood. Just as the Valyrians of old would oft do. My father would do this task if I asked it of him, but only if we received something of equal worth.”

This is the part you knew was coming, Aenys happily bounces in her lap, her belly still pregnant with their second child. Obella holds Lorelei close to her chest and watches her friend with a leery look.

“My father would want the egg, no doubt,” she says after a moment, but rolls her eyes, “But he is an old fool, I want your daughter. The old blood runs through her veins like mine, like Jon, like your own. A marriage between the son of my own and the daughter of my sweet sister, it would be as it would be in old Valyria. Your first to mine. No less I would accept. Yes Lord-Husband?”

Jon snaps to and shakes his head in agreement, “It is both of our ways Brynden. Such a task, it could not be for anything less.”

Obella is biting her lip and you can tell she is not particularly comfortable with the idea. She lips the number two and in truth you somewhat agree, a second-born daughter would be the more acceptable match. It was certainly a step up from the first time Jon attempted to marry into your family when he asked after a mistaken bastard daughter. But you could not even be sure to have a second, and then where would that leave you? You sit in quiet for a moment, thinking on it, the Longwaters equally quiet as Obella cooes at Lorelei gently. The second tilt is announced, Ser Devan Blackett versus Ser Jaromir Chelsted and the two line up and break lances against each other in the first round.

You sigh, knowing you could not avoid the topic forever, and maintain eye contact with Obella as you respond…

Bargaining with Lady Sareya Vollion
>Accept her offer, betrothing Lorelei Malroy to Aenys Longwaters (No test)
>Negotiate for a second-born daughter, knowing if you do not have another you will be between a rock and a hard place (Persuasion(Bargain), DC:24, will receive bonuses from Obella)
>Offer her father the dragon egg as payment (Persuasion(Bargain), DC:18)
>Something else?(Specify)

>Any questions or different angles to attack this on floor is open. Otherwise we'll do the vote and then roll for it.

>>3812786
How would inheritance be handled?

>>3812786
>Negotiate for a second-born daughter, knowing if you do not have another you will be between a rock and a hard place (Persuasion(Bargain), DC:24, will receive bonuses from Obella)


Do bring up the fact that we provided their family with warships for the little pirate probelm and we are about to give them troops as well

>>3812786
>Negotiate for a second-born daughter, knowing if you do not have another you will be between a rock and a hard place (Persuasion(Bargain), DC:24, will receive bonuses from Obella)

It will be years before they can marry, let agree now.

>>3812786
>>Negotiate for a second-born daughter, knowing if you do not have another you will be between a rock and a hard place (Persuasion(Bargain), DC:24, will receive bonuses from Obella)

>>3812801
I think that was for a deal for something else or for help with something that had passed before?

>>3812791
How do you mean? It wouldn't be any different than your typical Westerosi inheritance. I'm not sure how to answer this as I'm not sure what exactly isn't understood.

>>3812801
Might come off as condescending and you lording your power over them.

>>3812786
>Negotiate for a second-born daughter, knowing if you do not have another you will be between a rock and a hard place (Persuasion(Bargain), DC:24, will receive bonuses from Obella)
Everyone knows Dornish women are more likely to have girls. It's just science. The twins in Obella right now are obviously both girls. Inb4 Brynden never has a trueborn son

>>3812791
Lorelei is our heir apparent until we have a son (I dread the day we have to discuss this with Obella). If Lorelei has a younger sister, she cannot inherit our lands and titles unless Lorelei dies without issue.

Alright going to drive the hard bargain it is.

Obella will be providing you a flat +3 bonus on this for her relationship with Sareya.

Please roll 5D6+3 for Persuasion(Bargain).

Rolled 1, 6, 1, 6, 4 + 3 = 21 (5d6 + 3)

>>3812850
Silver hair. Silver tongue. LORD SILVERSHAFT!!

Rolled 2, 2, 3, 1, 1 + 3 = 12 (5d6 + 3)

>>3812850

Rolled 3, 4, 3, 4, 5 + 3 = 22 (5d6 + 3)

>>3812850
this is gonna be ROUGH

Rolled 3, 5, 1, 2, 4 + 3 = 18 (5d6 + 3)

>>3812850

Rolled 4, 6, 4, 3, 3 + 3 = 23 (5d6 + 3)

>>3812850

>>3812853
>>3812857
>>3812859

Lord Brynden Malroy's Persuasion(Bargain):
DC: 24
Rolls: 21, 12, 22
>Failed

Alright so that's a failure. There are a couple ways we can deal with this.

First, you can choose to spend Glory to grant yourself +1B to the roll. I'd roll a 3D6 and apply them in their respective order and recalculate accordingly. You may apply up to 4 points of Glory on this, as that is all you have.

Second, you can use your Destiny Point, not burn or spend, use. You will receive a +1D, as before I will roll a 3D6 and apply respectively and recalculate the rolls. You may only use 1 Destiny Point on this as its all you have. You will have your Destiny Point returned to you after a significant event. i.e. returning from Lys and dealing with the pirates but it will be unavailable to you throughout those story arcs.

Third, switch tactics. Intimidate and lord your power over them. You'll lose disposition with them and the DC will be higher, but you may get what you want. But if you fail you are just as likely to lose an ally. High risk, high reward but doesn't involve you spending any of your resources.

Fourth and last. Roll with it. You failed. There are two other viable options, despite them being considered less desirable they are still valid.

Open for discussion.

>>3812888
I say spend glory or lord over them. I can see it as Brynden feeling he is being treated unfairly by people he called friend and they just use him to increase their standing in the realm at the cost of him and his firstborn child

>>3812888
Let us use our Destiny Point

>>3812888
Spend the glory point. Would like to keep the destiny point for the Lys trip or the pirates.

>>3812888
I think using the destiny point and if we run into major trouble during the Lys arc, we still have the 4 glory points.

>>3812888
Burn some glory. It's worth it, and I'm more scared of Brynden dying in Lys or at sea than failing this outright.

Spend the glory. If we fail, well I guess the Longwaters are going to gain a considerable boon

Alright we'll do a vote between the popular two options. Please do not this too could fail.

Options:
>Use Destiny Point
>Spend Glory

>>3812924
>Spend Glory

>>3812924
>Use Destiny Point

>>3812924
>>Spend Glory

>>3812924
>>Spend Glory

>>3812888
>+1B to the roll. I'd roll a 3D6
>+1D, as before I will roll a 3D6
Wait what's the difference?

>>3812924
>spend glory

>>3812924
>Spend Glory

Seeing as we have 4, are we obliged to choose how many we roll at the start? Or can we roll as necessary?

>>3812924
>Use Destiny Point

>>3812946
+1B will replace one of the die, if it is better
+1D will add that value to the total

>>3812946
+1B is Bonus dice, so like a specialty dice I would drop the lowest, keep 5.
+1D is a test dice, so it would just straight up add to the total roll.

>>3812950
Nah I'll do the rolls, recalculate, and if its still a fail we'll do it again until you either run out, succeed, or tap out and change tact.

>>3812956
For the 21 and 22 we would need a 4 or 5 or above respectively to beat the DC if we use the Glory point
We would need a 2 or 3 respectively if we use the Destiny point

Rolled 2, 3, 6 = 11 (3d6)

Alrighty then, looks like we're going to burn some Glory.

1 Point of Glory Burnt

>>3812924
>>3812959
>Use Destiny Point
In that case destiny point should have a better chance to succeed and we can use the glory for something else.

The DC is reasonably achievable with either option, but I'd rather use the glory for house resources.

New totals
>>3812853
22
>>3812857
14
>>3812859
25

Lord Brynden Malroy's Persuasion(Bargain)
DC: 24
Rolls: 22,14,25
>Success, one degree.

Well that could have been more painful.

New Glory total is 3.

Writing.

It was not until Ser Devan Blackett had yielded and given the victory to Ser Jaromir after their third pass, his arm having hung loose after the second and useless, likely popped out of place but possibly broken that you manage to find the words to tactfully bargain with Lady Vollion and Ser Jon. Lorelei was your first born, Seven she was your Heir apparent for the foreseeable future. Her worth was simply far beyond the Longwaters’ station, they knew as much, but a boon of such magnitude is always worth the effort you supposed. Even still, a marriage, a future betrothal to the Longwaters was something that would be a worthwhile endeavour, tie your families for the future and generations to come but it would not be with your first-born.

“My Lady-wife and I happen to disagree,” you state plainly, causing Jon’s face to mess up and Sareya to look between the two of you with a look of shock.

“I-uh, erm…” she stammers out, “Lord Malroy it such a grand thing to ask. I must pull many strings for my father and the Iron Bank, who I will remind is very powerful and not particularly keen on my father… Any less would be… be…”

“Not an insult,” you continue her words, “No it would be fair. Ser Jon, I have the absolute utmost respect for both you and your brother, when all others had abandoned me, when I lost my temper over the machinations of House Celtigar, you were there. And I cannot repay that anymore than I already have. I intend to land Lucas. And I wish to marry my daughter to your son. But it will not be my first, it would be my second.”

“Second!?” Sareya responds incredulously, “You have not even had more than one child! I… This is insult grave and and and...”

“Sareya,” Jon stands gently, increasing his grip upon her hand and turning to you, “I remember once coming to you seeking a bastard’s hand in marriage, only to realize you only had a son. You did not look down upon me for it Brynden. But took me into your House, my brother into your service. And now you seek to land him? He had never even spoke of it. And the second-born daughter of a House as great as your own is still a boon beyond what a lowly Knightly House such as mine own could ask. I would be inclined to accept. All I ask is that the daughter is fostered upon Long Isle so she may know her future husband and her lands as well as her family. So long as my Lady-wife will see reason to not ruin a friendship or alliance over something as simple as a number.”

Sareya’s eyes blaze with anger and she huffs turning her head to Obella, “Are you even pregnant again sweet sister?”

“As it happens, yes,” Obella says somewhat awkwardly, “An accident, you know how these things are, he returned from Highgarden I was stressed, it was all very messy but…” your wife giggles as a child would from the look of astonishment that passes between yourself and her from Ser Jon.

Sareya’s upper lip stiffens and she leans in closer to Obella and says simply, “She had better have your husband’s hair this time. I will do this, but I will not be happy for it.”

Jon snorts, “You are never happy to do anything that you do not deign fit to cross your plate woman.”

She hits Jon several times playfully, him laughing all the while as she spits Valyrian curses at him. But all the same, you are able to relax slightly. These things would be done, and while you needed to put some extra work in the future to assure that all parties would be happy. No doubt Lady Sareya would hold the grudge longer than her husband that never seemed keen on the magnitude of the repayment in the first place, likely a Westerosi inclination and acknowledgement of hierarchical station. The two of you clink your goblets together in agreement of the future betrothal, hopefully, and watch as Ser Corbyn Cressey and Ser Arthur ‘of the Violet Plains’ trot out to tilt, the latter pulling a victory out much to the surprise of many of the crowd, though admiration for a Knight supposedly of your lands of common birth.

Throughout the afternoon Ser Jon goes over his intel regarding these pirates again with you, the stripped down Kingcrab, the man that looked strikingly similar to you, the death of Wilson Celtigar and capture of Helena Celtigar. The memories were murky for you, having largely forgotten them with everything else going on. The plan at the moment consisted of him sailing his fleet to meet the bulk of theirs and boarding and fighting them and capturing any ships he could, though he was not beyond ramming them or burning them with pitch and spitfires either. Lord Velaryon had agreed to send five of his own ships, whilst Lord Stannis Baratheon had decided to send a flag ship captain by one of his own, a man Jon did not know. But it would be a formidable armada all the same. From there you would travel to the cove that the pirates had called home and make landfall by night after surrounding the island. You would then take the battle to them in a full on assault of the pirate den and, if all went well, capture it and this Malroy imposter as well as save the Celtigar girl.

The way he says it the whole thing sounds so simple, but you knew better, there would be a catch, a snag, death. You nod along however, explaining the men you would be bringing along. Jon balks at you bringing your less seasoned men, but you reason with him that they needed to bloody the new hands and that the more elite parts of your army would be occupied at home and in the north of your domains, much to your chagrin. He was however excited to see your Arbalestors in actions, and thought any who dares to board that ship fools of men.

During all of this you watch the rest of the first tilts. Ser Victor takes the victory over Ser Raymun Darry 7 lances to 6. And Ser Donvor and Ser Jon Pryor both move forward after unhorsing their competition. Ser Rustin Hogg likewise demolishes his opponent, though does not unhorse him, just makes the man wish he had. And Ser Wolden Wendwater passes through 4 to 3 against your man Ser Wat Waters. Exciting tilts all, though Ser Jon leaves off after the brief break to wish his brother well in the next round of 8. You decide it was finally time to speak with Ser Roger Hogg, perhaps watching his son compete would make the man more amiable as well.

---

Day 9, Month X - 285AC ~ Mid-Afternoon
Steadhold - The Joust

Ser Roger Hogg roars with approval, almost causing you to jump from your seat as his son Ser Rustin takes Ser Wolden Wentwater to a fifth lance, the crowd absolutely humming for the two men as they put on a clinical display of prowess upon the field. It is not until the ninth, the bloody ninth lance, that Ser Wolden Wendwater is finally shaken and nearly falls from his horse. The Knight-Commander of the Order of the Leaf rides out to meet the young Ser Rustin and grants him the victor by yield after nine lances, an astonishing feat and impressive for the young Knight to gain such from the seasoned Knight-Commander. Ser Roger sits back in his seat satisfied with the results.

Having gained measure of the man during the tilt was an odd thing. When dressed in livery he was still just as impressive as in his armour, his body was built like a stout castle wall, and while you doubted he was a thick of mind as one, you the had no doubt he could eat for the garrison of one. This was perhaps his sixth cup of wine, and just as many racks of goat and you saw no end in sight. He wore no hat nor headgear, instead allowing his nearly bald head to bake in the summer sun, red as a freshly boiled crab. The few hairs he did have stood up like the burly bristles of a razorback, and were styled in a similar manner as well, besides that was a thick and bristly moustache as his only adornment. The only thing that seemed to bring the man joy was the thrill of battle, and watching the joust, whereas any other time he was taking a leg of goat to task or grunting with displeasure over some perceived nonsense he could not care less for. You attempt to broach the topic with the man several times before just reglecting yourself to waiting until he was damned ready to do it himself.

He wipes the grease from his mouth with the sleeve of his undershirt before turning to you as Ser Donvor and Ser Jon Pryor take the field. Having either tired of these particular contestants or wishing to finally deciding you were worth the break between food and wine. The first tilt is impressive, they both shattered a lance but it was about as even as it could have been neither even budging in their saddle.