I should have the first story post of the night up at 8:30pm EST.

Until then, can I get 1d6 (Bo3) for your Influence gain from your entrance upon the political sphere in King's Landing and knighting the second son of Lord Plumm in front of all of those Westerlanders?

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3826476

>>3826476

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3826468
I can do it

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3826476

>>3826568
Haha! Fun is in my name!

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>>3826477
>>3826556
>>3826568
>Gained 6 Influence! Nice Save!

You awake the next morning with a fuller bed than usual and find to your consternation that both of your companions from the night before are wrapped around you in a way that prevents you from moving without waking them. Having little else to do anyway, you wait a while for them to awake. Atia stirs first and doesn’t share your courtesy, promptly rising to seek out the privy, an inconvenient side effect of her pregnancy that causes Lady Maeve to also wake. An awkward silence ensues. Despite her forwardness in proposing her political ambitions, she is still a product of her upbringing, and yesterday’s events are in direct contradiction to most of the values she has no doubt been taught to uphold.

The one advantage to the various complications that have entered your life over the past few months is that you’ve found yourself more in tune with your surroundings than every before. You’ve always been a natural at such, but you’ve never really had to worry too much about assassins and mummers leaping from the shadows or, even worse, having to read the emotions of noblewomen. Realizing your new ally is probably feeling embarrassed, you opt to speak first to break the ice. “Lady Maeve, I trust you… slept well?” Smooth.

“As much as I could have, Ser Cormaic,” she responds neutrally without breaking from her ceiling gazing.

You try a different tact, “I understand this isn’t exactly a situation you’ve ever expected to find yourself in. Bedding a man, and a woman I suppose, that you hardly know.”

She rolls over to face you, still clutching the sheets with a blush as she regards you with her cool blue eyes, “I do know you, Ser, though I admit these circumstances were hardly a childhood dream. Though this has gone better than expected.”

“I’m glad for that, at least. And you say you know me, my Lady, but I can’t say the same about you,” you say with some curiosity.

She rolls her eyes, “I can’t say I’m surprised. We’ve met several times now at tournaments and festivals throughout our homeland. Ciara and I have been friends for a decade… why do you think she and I were so friendly at the tournament?”

“This would’ve been years ago then, yes? I assume before you… matured? I haven’t been to such events in probably three or four years.” Thinking on it, you do vaguely remember a diminutive brown-haired girl following around your more spirited sister, but that was before you were too interested in girls and certainly before she developed such a figure.

>>3826592
“Indeed. Happier times,” she says wistfully, “Ciara and I used to talk of her marrying one of my brothers… or of you marrying me. In fact, I think our mothers were discussing something of the sort involving Ciara and one of my brothers. Lady Shona was convinced your father would go along with it. I think it was more likely that I was to marry Ser Bronson Brune. Lord Eustace’s second son. He squired for my father before earning his knighthood and then stayed on as a retainer afterwards.”

“What happened there?” You already know the fate of her brothers, but this is the first you’ve heard of any betrothals regarding anyone.

“He fell with the rest,” she says sadly, but then smiles, “but that was never going to work out. I’m surprised you didn’t hear the rumors. Ser Bronson sired two baseborn girls with one of our servants, a sweet girl named Melony. The two were madly in love and it truly looked as if Ser Bronson was ready to defy his own Lord father and wed her without his consent. So scandalous and yet so romantic. But obviously it would have reflected poorly on myself and my family if such a betrothal was to proceed after his complete lack of shame or discretion. It’s possible you may have been considered after all. The two of you were of relatively equal standing and you at least had no scandalous rumors circling you at the time other than that you had an ill look about you.”

“Hmm. A rumor I’m all too familiar with. Still, your plotting with my sister does explain your willingness to approach me at all… your mother. What of her? You hadn’t mentioned her until now. It’s not as if she was at the Trident,” you say with barely disguised worry.

“My mother? The Lady Amelia Pyne? Oh, yes. She’s just fine. She’s still grieving at Pynewatch, but she’s found some solace in knowing I’m serious about keeping our legacy alive,” she says casually.

“No. Wait. You said she and my mother are friends. And she went along with this plan of yours? No,” you try to say it lightly. This is a jest. That’s all.

“Why would my mother ever agree to my plan? She thinks I’m here to seek out a betrothal and bend the knee, nothing more,” she says with amusement, “to be honest, I’m not sure she will even be wroth with me at all. I’m her youngest and only daughter. I can do no wrong in her eyes, especially not now. You on the other hand…”

“I’m fucked,” you summarize.

“In more ways than one, it would seem,” she giggles for the first time since you’ve met her before getting out of the bed to go find her clothes. You’re torn between admiring the view and suffocating yourself with a pillow to get this over with. You end up settling on the former, if only because there are worse last sights.

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>>3826633
She leaves to break her fast a few minutes before Atia returns from the kitchens still wearing nothing but your Frey robe, only now with sweet bread hanging from her mouth. She must’ve given your kitchen staff a shock in that state of dress. “What has Maeve in such a good mood, husband? You two weren’t doing anything without me, were you?”

You give her a summary on everything you just learned, and she ends up cackling by the end, causing you to deflate further. “You ARE fucked, Cormaic. Even I can’t save you from your mother, let alone two of her. Oh, this is too much! I must go find Tyrra. She will love this. Ciara was looking for you. Something about a boy. Whatever she did with this boy wasn’t my doing, I swear it.” She leaves to go find her own sister to gossip about your imminent doom. Though you suppose there are worse people to tell of threats to your person than a bodyguard.

Ciara and Lady Maeve are both at your high table talking and eating together by the time you finally dress yourself and skulk across the villa to break your own fast. Your sister looks over to you with narrowed eyes. “Brother. What was it you were saying yesterday about self-control? Mother is going to geld you.”

“Your friend was on top, that makes it her fault,” you grunt to both of their blushes, “what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Ser Anders will be calling on me today,” she says airily, “I wanted to know what your plans are for that.”

“He said nothing of the sort yesterday. What makes you so sure?”

“Oh, he will. I’m definitely his type,” she says confidently, “Maeve has already agreed to accompany me as my chaperone. We have a lot to catch up on anyway.”

“I know you’re supposed to have a female chaperone present for this… courtship routine you’re set on, but is she really the best role model in that sense? How do I know she won’t allow you to continue where you left off the last time you were together? You’ll remember I caught you,” you point out.

“Ser Cormaic, I am still a Lady. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Lady Ciara’s position or honor,” Lady Maeve says with false innocence and a slight fluttering of her eyes.

>Damn, your intrigue defense is high.

“That won’t work on me,” you say flatly, “I can see right through it.” She throws on a pout, but she doesn’t contest it either. “I have no issues with Lady Maeve going with you. She is our guest and may do as she pleases. However, I want someone who will fulfill their duties present. That means me or Tyrra. I don’t care who.”

Who does Ciara choose to accompany her?
>You
>Tyrra

>>3826698
>>You
>>Alright let me just get my gelding axe....

>>3826698
>>You

>>3826698
>You

>>3826698
>You are cunning let Ciara do whatever she wants, that way if she gets pregnant you can at least redirect wrath of your own mother

>>3826698
>>You

>>3826706
>>3826708
>>3826716
>>3826723
>>3826735
Calling and writing. Also, I just transferred over Ser Anders Hill's character sheet. You can find it on the google drive link in the OP. I'll still need to fix the formatting that got left behind when I transferred it over. Joebreezy, the QM from House Reynold Quest, came up with him and made his character sheet. As you can see, there are some very interesting contrasts here. I'm looking forward to seeing how you all handle things.

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>You

Your sister stares at you with her narrowed bright blue eyes while Lady Maeve looks on with amusement as she plays with her food. “This is some sort of ploy,” she finally announces.

“No. It’s a simple question. I really don’t c---”

“You! I’ll take you, not Tyrra,” she says suddenly, “you wanted me to pick Tyrra myself so that you would be absolved of any harm she does to Anders. And you didn’t hurt him yesterday, so you are the safer option.”

You just stare at her smug, triumphant expression with your mouth ajar. What the fuck? “Right. I’m going to get started on the ale now then,” you finally say before reaching for a flagon.

Sure enough, she was right. The young Ser Anders shows up alone on a horse at midday. He’s wearing his freshly polished full plate and looks freshly washed and trimmed with his short brown hair and clean-shaven face. You must admit, he has manners if nothing else. He sinks to a knee and goes through the motions of formerly asking for the opportunity to court Ciara, to her and Lady Maeve’s giggles and whispers from the shade of the courtyard. The Sparrowhawks that are present are amused as well. They are far from a formal bunch outside of battle. Just as well, your intentions towards him are more of the infantry variety.

“Rise. You may court my sister, Ser. Very nice of you to do this properly today,” you say with a smirk,” what are your intentions for us today?”

“Us, Ser?”

“Lady Maeve and I will be accompanying you at Lady Ciara’s request,” you say with all of the formality you can manage, “is that not what is expected?”

“Of course, Ser,” he straightens, “in which case, may I suggest we…”

>Go hawking
>Simply go for a ride around the countryside via the Rosby road
>Head into the city to watch a performance
>Other

>>3826776
>>Go hawking
I like the thought of him trying to get on our good side

>>3826776
>Simply go for a ride around the countryside via the Rosby road
I will have to make a pun if he goes hawking.

>>3826776
>>>Go hawking

>>3826776
>>Go hawking

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>>3826784
>>3826788
>>3826792
Looks like we are hawking. Pic related for Lady Maeve.

>>3826828
I am surprised he is only 15. but I guess thats the correct age for squires and such.
Any reason we don't yet have a Tyrra sheet yet?

>>3826828
I'm kinda mad now that she wasn't an option in the waifu bowl, and I voted for Atia.

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>Hawking

“That will be fine. Although I doubt my Lady wife will care to attend. For the better, perhaps,” you say.

Ser Anders glances over to Lady Maeve. Ah. He’s never actually met your wife before. She’s still somewhere with Tyrra and Esmeralda, but already said she wasn’t interested in doing anything involving horses in her current state. Lady Maeve seems to come to a similar conclusion.

“Oh? I would not seek to dissuade Lady Maeve from joining us. Perhaps we could simply go for a ride instead,” he tries to suggest.

“Not to worry, dear husband, I would simply adore a good hawking trip,” Lady Maeve says to the surprise of both you and Ciara, “the prey here must be sparser, which may even make it a worthy challenge. I brought three hawks with me. Only… Ser Anders, you don’t have your own with you?”

“I fear not, my Lady. It would be a short trip to retrieve him though,” he says apologetically.

“She’s… Don’t bother. I’ll be my own hawk,” you say, “damn things are afraid of me anyhow.” You and the Ladies excuse yourselves. You head off to grab your bow while they change into suitable attire for the excursion.

You find Atia lounging in your chambers when you head back for your bow. You also slip on your basilisk leather just for good measure. “Ser Anders is here. It seems we are all going hawking. And it also seems the poor boy has been led to believe that Lady Maeve is my wife.”

She giggles, “well I will have to surprise him later then. But hawking? How barbaric. I’ll stay here and avoid all of the horse riding.”

You head back out and meet up with the other three members of your party, the two Ladies having changed into riding attire. Lady Maeve is showing Ciara how to hold a hawk as Ser Anders looks on. You suppose it makes sense. Her house is known for their fur trade and she seemed particularly comfortable riding a horse. Her guards remain behind, but the crossbow slung from her saddle isn’t exactly subtle. You’ve been meaning to ask about all of that. You’re of the opinion that crossbows are a bloody hindrance on your rainy peninsula, and yet she seems to prefer them. That said, you’d also like to talk to Ser Anders and find out a little more about his father’s house if nothing else.

Who will you talk to? (not including Ciara because why would you?)
>Anders
>Maeve

>>3826883
I’d say Ser Andrés only so we understand him and understand more so what he brings

>>3826862
Guys as a general point are you all interested in trying to set up skirmishers before our wedding?
I think we could manage it if we vote wealth and convert that way.
I imagine setting up a wedding and a tournament to go along with it, while also waiting for our wife to give birth and then be able to travel will give us ample time to settle our accounts.
I've no idea how many months Atia is pregnant.
But I can only imagine both of our projects should be done by the time we set up for the wedding and such things.

But aside from that, narratively I don't see why we couldn't get more units. But mechanically we just don't have space for another unit till the grand tower is finished. Technically we don't have space for all our current units.
>>3826883
>>Anders

>>3826857
Yeah, it's at the absolute youngest limit for what I could consider worth of a knighthood. It's a character that actually predates my quest though, so it works for me. He'd be the half brother of Lord Tygon Reynold's wife, Lady Andrea Brax.

And I just haven't gotten around to toning Tyrra's sheet down to mortal levels. It was a masterpiece of minmax theory crafting before and I'm just not sure I want to toss that in here.

>>3826862
Lol I actually came up with her when I was fleshing out the other clawmen houses after you'd already gotten betrothed. The character art had been intended for if you ended up having a daughter with brown hair. Then the house colors and general description just sort of clicked with this image. If it's any consolation, it would've been a real bitch to pay back reparations between two affected houses.

>>3826889
It's not really a wedding since you're already married. Just a celebration in honor of such with all of the usual guests. But now it's getting wrapped in with your heir instead. Probably later on in the coming year.

The hamlet allows you to store 1 unit and the Sparrowhawks are small enough to fit at the villa, so you're good for now. I think you could feasibly pull off founding the unit in month II if the house fortunes go well and you do some minor converting. (It's month XII now, so a little over a month away).

>>3826883
>>Anders

>>3826905
mhm I get it, more a celebration of our wedding. And inviting our neighbors and the birth of our child together. Which is in how many months?
I really do think It would be wise to try and get trained skirmishers before the celebration. That way when people come into our lands. We have the elite unit we are known for as well as infantry of sorts. We would come across a bit stronger before this supposed alliance. Just throwing out some ideas and seeing if anyone has any better ideas.

>>3826883
>Anders
I'll be watching you, like a flying fox!

Writing for Anders!

>>3826922
Hmm. I already know when the birth would be. I think that would be telling . Thinking about it, she said at the beginning of November, fuck it, let's use real people months for a moment, she missed her period by roughly 2 weeks. That would put conception at the start of October, right around the time of your wedding. It's late December right now, so she's at around 11 weeks or so?

>Anders

You don’t want to interrupt the courting, but you also have a house to run and would like to know more about the lad’s father and his thoughts on all of this. So, you decide to ride up next to him as your party sets off north up the Rosby Road and away from the city. Ciara looks a little annoyed with you, but settles in to talking with her friend with no real fuss.

“Ser Anders. Forgive me, but I’m not one to mince words. You must be serious to come here the way you did, which I do appreciate, but I’d like to know more about your family situation,” you start.

He nods, as if expecting such. “The rumors are true of Clawmen then,” he says with a slight chuckle, “hard men, but fair and straight to the point. Aye, Ser. I spoke with my Lord father. He was pleased that I found someone that was of noble birth, regardless of who. It was probably one of the better times to do so, given my new knighthood. He will be supportive, as he always has, but I must warn you that there is only so much he can do. His wife detests me and what I represent, and he tries not to appear to show me too much favor as a result. My brothers and sister have always been good to me, too. My sister, Lady Andrea, is also the wife of the upcoming Lord of Ember Peak, Ser Tygon Reynold.”

“Hmm. And what are your houses known for? What can they produce? Offer in trade?”

“Well, House Brax has always been known for their iron mines. We- they produce fine castle forged steel from what they pull from their mines. House Reynold is known more for their ruby mines than anything. And you, Ser?”

“My house does well in the harvesting of pearls. We’ve recently taken steps to increase our output as well,” you say, “in truth, I’m not sure how much use I would have for rubies. Perhaps a few to accentuate certain pieces of jewelry if I decide to take us down that route, but that’s it. The same goes for steel. I have little use for it aside from a single bulk purchase or two.”

He seems to be discouraged by your words, but you continue. “That isn’t to say that I don’t see potential. It seems I’m most likely going to be wrangled into joining an alliance with my neighbors at some point soon. I would prefer to have more assets to bargain with than what I currently have. Perhaps even facilitating the trade of iron and steel out their way would be enough to suit my needs.”

“That’s… a lot to consider, Ser,” he says cautiously, “though I would be glad to be of some use in all of this. I have a question for you as well. Where do you see me in all of this?”

>Just a sec while I get the voting prompts together. They won’t fit in this post anyway.

>>3827007
In which direction are you looking to push Ser Anders and Ciara?

>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.
>Taking a suitable dowry and finding his own way with Ciara. Perhaps in the Westerlands.
>Something else? Such acting as minor nobles in the city, some other take on the above 2 options, etc.

This’ll be the overnight vote for tonight. We’ll pick up tomorrow with some actual rolls to see who has bragging rights over hawking. I wanted to get to that, but it's getting late and this is a more important vote to end on with some actual discussion potential. Thanks for playing!

>>3827027
>>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.
Lets be honest this is the only reason we need our sister to be married

>>3827027

>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.

>>3827027
>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.

What were we planning to do with Plumm?

>>3827027
>>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.

>>3827027
>Taking a suitable dowry and finding his own way with Ciara. Perhaps in the Westerlands.

Give the lad a chance to make something of himself without us.

>>3827027
>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.
I think we could really use him, and I'd like our family to stay close to us.

>>3827027
>>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.
Like the other anon said, I liike the idea of keeping our family close.

>>3827093
He's probably going to tag along with his friend Anders for a bit, so he will swear service to you. Eventually he will need to return to the Westerlands to marry and all of that, but he has a few years before that'll be an issue. Peter Plumm is a book character too. The brothers Plumm happen to be mace wielders and on the larger end of the spectrum, according to Jaime Lannister's perspective.

>>3827374
So hes not going to lead our infantry?

>>3827426
That would probably be Anders with support from Ser Peter. That's going to be an uphill battle even with it being Ciara's husband. Clawmen aren't big on outsiders, let alone pious Seven worshippers that are seemingly too young for command. Barth may help offset some of that, if he even wants to, and you'll have a few options to play on too. Another option I think I'll give will be to send Ser Peter to Pynewatch instead to act as a sworn... mace? for Lady Maeve. Last thing you need is another one of your neighbors trying to swoop in and marry her to cement a claim if negotiations go south, which is a very real possibility.

>>3827432
Oh boy, this quest only gets better

>>3827998
Can't wait to see the post for our Influence gain from our entrance in King's Landing

>Leading the infantry. Possibly transitioning to castellan for the inevitably long periods of time where you will be away on other business. Barth would help him until he’s actually ready.

“I take you for more of a traditional sort of knight, Ser Anders,” you say thoughtfully, “lucky for you, I find myself very short on your type and have important positions that I need filled. However, you’re young… some would say too young. Just how old are you, Ser?”

“Five and ten, Ser,” he says hesitantly. Damn. As impressive as it is that he was able to win a knighthood at fifteen, that really is too young for what you have in mind. Generally, six and ten would be what is considered adulthood. Even Ciara would be a year older than him then.

“Six and ten, you say? That’s quite young. Same age as Ciara then, eh?”

“No, Ser. I said---” you cut him off with a look. “Yes, six and ten then,” he nods. Good. At least he’s observant. There may be hope for him yet. You’d always heard bastards grew up faster.

“Good. Then I would know what exactly you’re looking for yourself,” you say, eying him critically.

“In truth, this isn’t what I expected. In a good way,” he adds hurriedly, “I figured I would go on to be a hedge knight or maybe serve in another household. House Jast or maybe House Brax if my father would allow it. I never considered the possibility of courting a woman such as Lady Ciara. I just… had to do something when I saw her in the box. I wasn’t sure she would even talk to me,” he admits.

“So, simply put, you have no plan,” you say bluntly, “you can’t take a noblewoman as a wife and turn to the life of a hedge knight. So, you would need to find yourself a position. One with incomes. Do you know how much this noblewomen cost, Ser? My own wife likely owns individual dresses that are worth more than your warhorse and I honestly couldn’t tell you how many she has. Now, Ciara isn’t that bad by half, but you do see my point, yes?”

“I… I could talk to my father. See if he could grant me a position that will allow me to bring honor to his house,” he tries, but doesn’t sound too confident.

>>3828044
“My advice? Don’t. It’s obvious you seek to impress him. You’re driven to prove yourself and your worth to him.” He nods in confirmation. “Then running to him for help is only going to set you back. You need to show you can stand on your own without his support or he will still see you as a child. A burden.” His face clouds at that word in particular, but you continue. “Prove to him your worth through service elsewhere and maybe one day he will be the one coming to you for help instead. If you were to marry my sister, IF, then I would have need of you. I have a new company of light infantry being raised as we speak. They will need a captain. I’m looking for a Knight Captain. If you could prove yourself in such a role, then perhaps I may have something greater for you yet. This is no easy task,” you warn, “my people will be none too keen on being ordered around by a young outsider. Especially a Seven worshipper.”

“A… Seven worshipper? You mean to say your people don’t keep the Faith,” he asks with some alarm.

You raise your eyebrows. “Surely, you’ve heard that those of Crackclaw Point keep to the Old Gods, yes? We are the only people south of the Neck that weren’t overrun by the Andals and their gods. Little has changed over the millennia.”

“I’ve heard rumors, Ser, but it seemed just a tale. But what of Ciara? Yourself? You are both nobility. You are an Anointed Knight,” he says with worry.

You can’t help chuckling, “Lad, if you knew what I believed then I’m not so sure we would even be having this conversation. But that doesn’t matter to me and it shouldn’t to you either. Ciara and I are not the same in that regard and whatever she believes is of no concern to me. Our father was never much for any religion and I suspect Ciara isn’t either. I’m not sure that she even knows much of the Seven. They were mildly interesting to me when I first set out on my own and may be to her as well. She was always the more bookish sort. Our people though, some will be less understanding. Our mother at least keeps to the Old Gods at least more than we do.”

“This… is a lot to process,” he admits, “though I’m glad Ciara may be open to learning.”

“Aye. Maybe. I don’t know,” you shrug, “not my problem. You want to take her to those pretty septs of yours and kiss the feet of statues then by all means talk her into it. She probably likes you enough to go along with it.” You notice the Ladies are pulling up on either side of you. Done with whatever conversation they were having and seeking your respective attentions. “Think on what I’ve said, Ser Anders, but don’t take too long. The Realm waits for no one,” you say as Lady Maeve pulls up on your right and Ciara pulls up to the left of Anders.

>Can I get 5d6 for Awareness (Empathy)?

Rolled 5, 1, 1, 4, 1 = 12 (5d6)

>>3828046
>the realm waits for no one
We're quoting Varys now, weww lad

>>3828046

Rolled 1, 5, 1, 5, 5 = 17 (5d6)

>>3828046

Rolled 4, 5, 5, 6, 4 = 24 (5d6)

>>3828046

>>3828063
thank god... these terrible rolls we really about to screw us over. lol

>>3828054
>>3828062
>>3828063
Oh shit that 24. Writing!
>>3828059
Fun fact, if you're posting on mobile it auto-capitalizes the D in dice. The options field is case sensitive. Dunno if that's the problem you're having or not.

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

>>3828059
Godamit

>>3828069
No I made a typo rolling dice earlier putting "dive" in the fill in field, and I just down the down arrow keys and change the numbers around.

Same as when I rolled earlier.

>>3828078
Ahh okay, well it looks like your typo may have saved the roll anyway!

>>3828046
That boy better convert when he comes to our house, Old Gods or Rhllor, I don’t care which

>>3828104
Boy is Pious so I don't think it will be happening

>The Realm waits for no one.

Such a cheeky phrase. It reeks of a supreme, unchecked arrogance born of one who has the utmost confidence in feeling they are the best at the game they play. That they know best. A phrase that could used by very few people fittingly, even here at the heart of things. You have to say, you like it. But are you the only one who has heard these words?

>Rolled 24 for Awareness (Empathy) vs DC 21

She’s good. The best you’ve yet seen aside from the mummer himself, but despite your background, you find yourself readily taking to these games of intrigue. You were never raised in court; you aren’t used to sparring with words and using false expressions as shields, but you’re nothing if not adaptable. So, when you catch a brief widening and subsequent narrowing of icy blue eyes at your new favorite cheeky phrase, you can't help being a little... curious.

You decide to allow the lovebirds to continue on ahead. They should be spending what time they have getting to know each other better. You’re fairly comfortable with the match, but you did ultimately say Ciara could have her pick, so it would be best for her to be certain. Aside from that, you now have a burning question that needs answering. “Lady Maeve. I feel I’ve been courteous with you. I haven’t pried too much into your business beyond what was expected, but I now find myself with some difficult questions that will need to be answered.”

“Oh? Do ask, Ser. I have nothing to hide,” she says smoothly. Her face is a mask, her smile a thin line. You’re reminded of your earlier interactions with her when she was so on guard and, you suspect, more than a little nervous. That she would flip back to such a demeanor after the relaxation she’s shown throughout the morning is even more telling than her reaction to your choice of words. But telling of what?

>The crossbows. Honestly, just why?
>Would you say hunting with little birds is more of a lifestyle choice for you?

Note: You’re deciding whether you will confront her directly or save it for your sponsor later.

>>3828174
>The crossbows. Honestly, just why?

>>3828174
>The crossbows. Honestly, just why?

>>3828174
>>The crossbows. Honestly, just why?

>>3828174
>Note: You’re deciding whether you will confront her directly or save it for your sponsor later.
Confront her about what? I'm not sure if I'm getting 2nd option

>>3828249
Varys calls his spies little birds. You'd be suggesting she may have something to do with him in a way she would likely pick up on. Her reaction to us using a catchphrase that one would only reasonably expect from Varys or someone similarly deep in the game suggests that she may have had a deal of her own with him.

>>3828174
>>3828182
>Would you say hunting with little birds is more of a lifestyle choice for you?

>>3828258
Changing then.

>The crossbows. Honestly, just why?

...You'll have words with Varys over this. The implications are unsettling to say the least. Has he made a deal with Maeve? Did he send her to you? If so, why? Is she some sort of fall back option? You knew he would be cryptic, but there is an annoying lack of trust, even if you haven't been working together for long. Does he take you for someone who doesn't take oaths seriously? You quash your irritation for now and move on to what is almost an equally vexing subject.

To her surprise, you motion to her saddlebag and the crude crossbow hanging from it. “Crossbows? Honestly, why?”

“Crossbows are superior to bows in every way,” she says indignantly, “they are better at piercing armor, they require less skill to shoot, they---”

“Are useless after a few drops of water. Though I do agree they are for novices,” you finish for her.

She actually huffs. “I don’t know why you’re going on about water. My house’s crossbowmen are well trained and drilled. They acquitted themselves well enough in battle, despite their losses. And furthermore, I’m sure I could outshoot any man with some flimsy bow with my crossbow.”

“No doubt, my Lady. I’m sure they killed a few stationary men in whatever castle sized block of men they shot one of their embarrassingly slow volleys into,” you say before widening your smile and crossing your arms, “but to suggest you could outshoot ANY bowman? Well, I may have to take such a boast seriously.”

“I’ve never seen you shoot a bow Ser Cormaic, but I know I’m skilled with a crossbow. My statement is still valid,” she says haughtily.

“Then I’m sure you’ll have no issue placing a wager on some friendly competition?”

“What did you have in mind,” she asks suspiciously.

>Write-in a (reasonable) fun wager? Something that doesn’t involve money. I’ll start rolling up the hawking in the mean time.

>>3828278
>Write-in a (reasonable) fun wager? Something that doesn’t involve money. I’ll start rolling up the hawking in the mean time.
Kiss our wife and thank her for the great time.

Or we get to name her first born.

>>3828278
How about the loser has to..... Fuck man i don't know whats a good beat for a noble lady.

>>3828278
>>Write-in a (reasonable) fun wager? Something that doesn’t involve money. I’ll start rolling up the hawking in the mean time.
Fuck a fun wager. Winner takes all.
Loser has to speak/explain to both mothers!

>>3828316
supporting this! Loser has to talk to the moms >>3828278

>>3828316
backing this

>>3828316
>>3828331
>>3828348
Stone cold, but something she would agree to. I'm glad I went with Pride as a vice for her.

>>3828286
I really liked the first born idea too, but thinking about it from her point of view, I think that may be a little too much for her. Her legacy is way too central to her, especially after losing so much family. She would almost certainly want to name a boy after her father or a brother.

>>3828316
+1

>>3828406
Yeah I thought itd be really weird for a noblewoman to do. Which is when I got the idea so we could escap- have figured out how to deal with our mother.

>>3828316
Ditto, best option

“Winner names our child,” you say innocently enough.

The look she gives you is beyond frigid. “I think not,” she states coldly.

“Fair enough. Then how about the loser has to speak to BOTH of our mothers? And admit to being primarily to blame for our… indiscretions. That is, unless you’re afraid of losing,” you goad.

“Are you so unmanned by our mothers, Cormaic?”

“…yes?”

“I have nothing to fear,” she counters defiantly, “you have yourself a wager, Ser.”

>Can I get 3 rolls of 7d6+1 for marksmanship (with a -1D due to the range and difficulty of some of the shots).

Rolled 6, 2, 1, 5, 6, 4, 2 + 1 = 27 (7d6 + 1)

>>3828462

Rolled 6, 1, 5, 4, 5, 1, 6 + 1 = 29 (7d6 + 1)

>>3828462

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>3828462
>“I have nothing to fear,” she counters defiantly, “you have yourself a wager, Ser.”
She fell into our TRAP! HAHAHA. Misdirection about child leading up to our real goal. MC is really good at that intrigue thing.

Rolled 5, 6, 3, 6, 2, 4, 4 = 30 (7d6)

>>3828462
How exactly do bonus die work?

Rolled 6, 2, 3, 2, 1, 6, 6 + 1 = 27 (7d6 + 1)

>>3828462
BY HIS LIGHT

Rolled 6, 3, 5, 1, 4, 5, 1 + 1 = 26 (7d6 + 1)

>>3828487

>>3828489
Basically, you roll extra and take the highest dice up to your normal test dice number. So, to use this first roll >>3828477
as an example, right now you're rolling with 4 test dice and 3 bonus dice (it's normally 5 test dice, but I threw in a penalty for the severe range). So you'd keep the 4 highest dice out of the 7 rolled. In this case, dropping both of the 2s and the 1. So the final roll is a 22.

Rolled 5, 6, 1, 6, 2, 5, 2 = 27 (7d6)

>>3828462

Rolled 5, 3, 2, 3, 4, 2, 2 + 1 = 22 (7d6 + 1)

>>3828462

Your party ends up settling for an expanse of open plains with farmland tucked in the bend south of Rosby and overlooking the nearby Blackwater Bay. The patches of vegetables should be prime pickings for hares. You pull the covering from your Weirwood Bow, revealing it at last. Ser Anders lets out a low whistle and Lady Maeve’s eyes widen, perhaps realizing her mistake. “A fine bow, Ser. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Ser Anders comments.

“The heirloom of my house. It was used in the Raven’s Teeth to end the Blackfyre pretenders at Redgrass Field. They say this bow and its sisters struck down the rebels at three hundred yards. I don’t have the high ground here, but I still aim to honor my ancestor. Here and now. Lady Maeve, are you feeling well? You look a little pale,” you say smugly.

“Perhaps the baby is moving already, husband,” she says, causing Ciara to mock retch at her behind Ser Anders’ back, “in any case, I’m looking forward to the competition.”

“I had no idea you were with child, my Lady. My sincerest congratulations to both of you,” Anders says, “is it your first?”

“My first, but not Cormaic’s. I think he is a good father to his natural daughter though,” she says truthfully.

“Oh. Sorry to pry, I didn’t---”

“It’s fine, really,” she says with a slight smile, “there are worse places to be a bastard than the Point. I personally don’t care as long as my son gets the land and title he deserves.”

You opt not to comment on this ongoing jest, deciding to let them have their games and small talk while it lasts. At some point, they’re going back to Atia and whatever your true wife is plotting after your dutiful warning is probably more creative than what you could do here and now. Your party settles in to begin the afternoon hunt. Your sister and Ser Anders are getting awfully close, but not in the way they were the last time you caught them. This is more along the lines of playful than anything. Plainly neither of them has done much, if any, hawking and the birds are cooperating more from their training than anything. Still, they do manage to snag a hare each and seem pleased enough with their slight success, content to enjoy each other’s company.

Ciara: Rolled 5,12,9 (Rolling 3d6)

Anders: Rolled 12,9,5 (Rolling 3d6)

Maeve: Rolled 23, 15, 17 (Rolling with 6d6+1, dropping lowest 2)

Cormaic: Rolled 22, 23, 22 (Rolling with 7d6+1, dropping lowest 3)

They’re too busy enjoying their blossoming romance and light affection to fully appreciate how heated the competition is at first. You spot a hare in the distance, at the upper limit of what you could feasibly hit and loose a carefully aimed arrow--- and Maeve’s hawk swoops in only a second before impact, herding the hare towards its master’s waiting crossbow and ruining your perfect shot.

>>3828659
“I see you don’t mind fighting dirty, my Lady,” you say with a frown.

“Whatever do you mean, Ser? If I’m dirty then I’ll have to bathe upon our return,” she says innocently.

You redouble your efforts, ensuring she doesn’t get so lucky again, and your efforts pay off. The next hare falls to your bow at two hundred yards before Maeve’s hawk could even the playing field. And then you spot a fox. Lady Maeve takes her shot, but her crossbow falls short. Another downside of the contraptions, they have their range and that’s it. One can’t use extra strength to draw them back for longer distances like you can with your own bow. You favor her with a patronizing smirk before sinking your own arrow into the fox before it escapes. You hear Ser Anders curse involuntarily at the ridiculousness of the pace. Hopefully the lad has gained a better appreciation of the bow after all of this. You know many knights eschew such skills, regarding the bow as a commoner’s tool lacking the same honor as a suicidal charge with a stick. Your party calls the hunt shortly after, with you being declared the winner.

The ride back beneath the setting sun is fairly uneventful. Lady Maeve mostly remains quiet, but you don’t think she’s angry, just suffering from wounded pride. You still haven’t bothered rubbing in your win. Your smug silence is assuredly even worse than allowing her the chance to mince words. Anders and Ciara spend the ride talking up until you arrive at the gates of your villa. You assume he is probably staying for dinner. Speaking of, your wife is waiting in the courtyard with a very predatory smile.

>That’s it for tonight! We’ll pick up with dinner and then probably some negotiations with the Lord Brax on trade and betrothals.

>>3828669
We should send Lady Maeve the foxfur as a gift in a bit

>>3828669
Poor Anders how he will be react to world of debauchery in our household?

>>3828779
>>3828669

Perhaps let him travel as a hedge knight for a year or two while the scandals loose their potency before coming back. Let him travel and live, and learn before settling. Get that wanderlust out of him.

>>3828829
That would directly contradict the earlier vote. I left it to a vote precisely so options like that could be considered. In any case, there's little to no chance Ciara would want to wait that long.

>>3828829
>>3829083
>In any case, there's little to no chance Ciara would want to wait that long.
Yeeeah.
''Will you marry me? Great, awesome, sweet. Now I'm off to the Westerlands. Cu in a year or two''
Ain't exactly a great look.

>>3829083
>Wait that long
Not very romantic and loving then, is she?

>>3829239
Was thinking she'd go with him. Maybe we make her go with him. He'll just travel and do some tournaments and such.

File: Boggs1.png (3.34 MB, 1916x1076)

3.34 MB PNG

>>3829083
>When your soon to be brother in law and liege announces he is responsible for burning of one of the biggest towns in seven kingdoms

>>3829476
>biggest town
Not even, this is one of the few cities in westeros and one of their most important economic centers
This is equivalent to burning down new york and then getting a pardon from george washington himself

>>3829476
Hahaha holy shit saved.

>>3829613
I can't wait for Cormaic's attempts at rational explanation over it. "It was only one district." "I was still technically an outlaw, that makes it fair play." "They had it coming." "It seemed fine next to King's Landing." Better warm up those dice lads.

>>3829639
>Bobby B:"You promise not to do that in Kings Landing?"
>Cormaic:"Only if you promise not to send someone to kill my wife."

It looks like I'm not going to be able to do any story posts tonight. Friday nights, right? We are definitely on for tomorrow though.

Until then, there's a couple questions I've been meaning to throw out here:

1. Is there any sort of slice of life type scenes you guys are interested in seeing (or seeing more of)?

2. More of a big picture type thing, but what sort of directions would you like Cormaic to take in the long term? How, at least at this point, do you see him growing and developing as a character as his song progresses? I already have a pretty good sense and have several major events planned, but I'm just curious as to people's general thoughts outside of the typical voting.

>>3829709
1: Cormaic being a dad is always nice. Maybe some more interaction with Bodger.

2: I see him traveling around from time to time doing work for Varys, meeting new people and burning seeing new places.

>>3829709
1. Maybe something just more humanizing? MC comes across as a little awkward when it comes to any intimate moments. Maybe that's intentional but I'd like something that makes him more relatable. A hobby maybe? Even something as simple as him whistling his favorite tune.

2. I'd like to see how he deals with personal defeat. I know he was on the losing side of the rebellion, but I'd be curious to see how such a young man handle either being outwitted tactically [considering he enjoys guerilla warfare] or meeting someone who is more skilled in combat. I've always found characters become more likeable in defeat. But I could be alone in that opinion.

>>3829770
>MC comes across as a little awkward when it comes to any intimate moments. Maybe that's intentional

Okay, totally going to reply to the rest of this post and any others later, but I can't help commenting on just this part. It's very intentional so I'm glad you think so. I needed something aside from just being a total edgelord to explain why Cormaic comes off as Sinister and Threatening, so I tried to make him (at least in his earlier interactions) a little awkward in the way he spoke to people so that their misinterpretations of him would lead to a perhaps somewhat undeserved sinister reputation.

That analogy didn't quite say everything about our situation
This is like being a famous captain in the british army during the revolution who consistently made the lives of the rebels a living hell, who then sacked new york AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER, then bragged about doing it in front of the entire fucking congress while getting pardoned by george fucking washington himself
Also alexander hamilton is sitting beside washington the entire time and can't do anything about us
No matter what we do after this, we will end up in the history books

>>3829816
But are we really even famous? We might be infamous after we confess to burning down part of Gulltown but as it stands? We're a literally who of a house of literally who's holdings are literally where. A small knightly house set on the farthest point of Crackclaw Point with a lonely tower in the middle of a swamp.

>>3829709
1. more dad stuff, or even peasant interaction

2. I want to see more of Cormaic in a religious tone. I think the idea of a first men in the crownlands being a r'hollor worshiper is fucking interesting. I'd also find intresting if Cormaic takes some intrest and tips from the Westerlands.

>>3829866
If varys is anything to go by it's safe to say that our guerrilla exploits in the war is well known among the populous

>>3829903
Varys knowing something could mean it's very secretive or unknown as well though

>>3829816
I really like this metaphor, would our wife in that case be English or Canadian though?

>>3829960
Probably French to the confusion of everyone.

>>3829866
>We're a literally who of a house of literally who's holdings are literally where. A small knightly house set on the farthest point of Crackclaw Point with a lonely tower in the middle of a swamp.
I love the fluff of Crackclaw point.
Some foggy hilly spit of land filled with swamps and backwoods hicks who only stop their constant inter-clan blood feuds to murder any outsiders who step across the borders.
The swamps are probably more tax collector than mud at this point.

>>3829709
Anders and Plumm on their way to the tournament, they run into trouble or some shenanigans. Maybe both.

Vary's Dealing with a spy of his that does not know he is the spymaster.

Tyrra dealing with a lecherous merchant bothering her,but then he cops a feel on Atia.
Green Snail and Rat Fur, may or may not be involved, or replaces Tyrra.

Green Snail and Rat Fur comeback to the barracks with the other guards and doing ... stuff? What would they do now that they aren't guarding Atia?

One of our relatives(younger) messing around with our bow. Or a servant's kid running around the castle.

>>3829715
Bodger's oldest son is at a good age for squiring so I expect to be doing a scene for that at the very least.
>Varys
Yeah I have a good amount planned for that.
>>3829770
>Hobby
Sure, why not? Anyone have any preferences in that direction?
>Defeat
A ton of people are more skilled than him in combat and he's well enough aware of it to not go around challenging people. One thing I can see coming up soon are some of these negotiations. I would be very surprised if he doesn't get put in his place at least once or twice.

>Gulltown in general
It was a big deal for sure, but it wasn't nearly as bad as what happened in the earlier battle to retake the city from those who sided with their rightful king over Jon Arryn. For the most part, it only affected the warehouses and businesses around the docks including the tavern of the girl you murdered rather than the city at large with the population centers and such. The death toll was fairly low. It's still definitely going to give you an unsavory reputation, but the scale of the war needs to be considered here. There were a bunch of atrocities committed on both sides, to the point where the new king is honestly so fed up with having to listen to victims and "victims" that he's just been waving them off with a minor favor thrown their way if they're seen at all.

>>3829895
I can do dad stuff for sure. I'd imagine that will come up more when his heir is born too. I also have at least... 4 things related to religion that will come up. On that, I should point out to players that it's best to play the character on that front. I saw a couple posts in previous threads that wanted to downplay religion just because the voters said they weren't personally religious. Neither am I, but why would that matter here? It's a setting where at least some piety may as well be universal and this particular character has actually SEEN something. Belief only makes sense at this point and doesn't imply fanaticism or dumping destiny points.

>>3831110
Sorry, missed this last one. The Unsullied are gone. They were under the employ of Atia's father and slave soldiers aren't the best to keep around in Westeros for extended periods of time. I can probably work in some of the other stuff though.

>>3831226
For hobby, it’d probably be something small that you can do out in the woods like wood carving or even weaving with grass

>>3831294
None of them have to be "current". The can happen during a recollection or flashback, as the the unsullied, its more like changing scenes to show them back in pentos doing whatever unsullied do when not guarding a rich merchants daughter.

>>3831388
Hmm, we are going to be spending some time over in Pentos anyway, so I'll make a note to do something with it while we are there.

>>3831501
Oh boy, Pentos that’ll be fun

I'm over at someone's house for dinner and I'm not driving so blame my DD if I'm like an hour late tonight. Still planning on running though. First post should be up by 9pm EST at the latest.

Just a reminder that thread 3 is on page 10 and hasn't been archived.

File: Atia wedding.jpg (167 KB, 440x625)

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Atia looks radiant. Her long hair silver-blonde hair is arranged in a series of intricate braids woven through a silver net covered in small gemstones, causing her to sparkle. Her dress is of a violet color slashed with cloth-of-silver and embroidered with more small amethyst stones for accentuation and her tiger fur coat from Yi Ti is casually draped over her shoulders. Even if the other Ladies weren’t wearing traveling clothes, they would still be woefully undressed in their finest. There’s a message in there, you think. All four of you have stopped at the entrance to the courtyard staring unabashedly to the amusement and satisfaction of your wife. She strides forward first and kisses you passionately with little regard for the rest of your companions. She half-whispers how much she missed you before turning to the rest of the hunting party. “Is this Ciara’s lover? I thought introductions were customary in the west, no?”

Ciara is still trying to work out the lover comment and Maeve seems a little annoyed at the display, so you take the initiative. “Lady Atia, this is Ser Anders Hill of Hornvale. Ser Anders, may I introduce Lady Atia of Pentos,” you say, keeping the intro a little vague out of curiosity for how this will play out.

He seems more than a little surprised and confused, but still recovers quickly and manages a bow before saying, “a pleasure, my Lady… if I may, how is it that you and Ser Cormaic are so acquainted?” His eyes darted to Lady Maeve several times as he spoke.”

Your wife just giggles, “I’m sure you are a little taken aback, Ser Anders. Ser Cormaic and I are lovers. You must know how it is, yes?”

“Really now, this is a bit much. Ser Anders has done nothing to deserve such games,” Ciara says with a huff, “Cormaic, will please you explain your arrangement here, so I don’t have to?”

You’re about to do just that when Atia speaks up, “wait, let Ser Anders decide. Who do you think is his wife and who his mistress?”

Ser Anders looks to Ciara almost pleadingly, but she’s too busy covering half of her face with a palm to give a distinct answer. Then he looks between them and finally straightens up, saying:

>Atia is the wife
>Maeve is the wife
>Neither

>>3832657
>Neither
He is the mistress, our bow is the wife. These to woman are the arrows, and Ciara is the Fox we are hunting

>>3832657
>Atia is the wife
Weird vote but ok

>>3832657
What if.....
Cormaic is the Mistress and Atia and Maeve are the wives?

>>3832706
Wasn't my original direction, but I was talking to someone about it and came to the conclusion that it may be fun to see what people would think Anders makes of it rather than deciding myself.

>>3832657
>obviously it’s a trick question, Neither

>>3832657
>>Maeve is the wife
Poor little westboi

>>3832306
Thanks for the heads up! Just archived it.

>>3832719
Personally I find it a little odd doing votes for votes for things other than Cormaic's actions

>>3832657
>>Maeve is the wife

>>3832657
>>Neither

>>3832696
>>3832706
>>3832739
>>3832742
>>3832794
>>3832830
Looks like neither takes it. Writing!

>>3832837
His argument is a lack of a ring.

>>3832863
Nah, he probably thinks another hot chick is gonna pop out and say she's the wife.

>>3832949
>”pfft, no man would be dumb enough to fight for the targs during the war then immediately marry a woman that looks just like them”
> “and the other one’s obviously close family otherwise they wouldn’t be seen together”

>Neither

“My first instinct would have been Lady Maeve, but seeing that welcome makes me more inclined to think neither of you are Ser Cormaic’s wife,” he says cautiously.

Both women seemed shocked at his answer and you let out a guffaw despite yourself, patting him on the shoulder, “you have balls lad, I’ll give you that. Seems you may have simply overthought it. Atia is my wife. Lady Maeve Pyne of Pynewatch is an ally of our house.”

“My sincerest apologies, Lady Atia,” he says with a bow.

“Think nothing of it. If anything, we owe you an apology for dragging you into our play. My dutiful husband already informed me that the girls were playing some silly game of pretend. As if anyone else was suited for my darling.” She wraps her arm in yours possessively, “you simply must tell me of this hunting thing you’ve been on about my love. Was there a game to all of this?”

“It went well enough, my Lady. We all brought something back, but it appears I may have won with the fox I brought you,” you say, trying not to sound too smug.

“Oh, of course you did my flame. Some silly little birds are no match for MY Cormaic,” she says, swatting your chest playfully, “come now, you all must be so tired after all of that riding. Ser Anders, I would be delighted if you would stay for dinner. I want to hear all about my sweet good-sister’s romantic adventures!”

Dinner is a simple affair. Or at least simple compared to how you’ve normally found yourself hosting guests. The break in the weather from earlier in the day has persisted into the evening, so you eat out in the courtyard rather than in the main dining hall. It felt more appropriate anyway given the state of dress of those that went hawking. Ser Anders is even still wearing his suit of plate. No doubt he wore it to impress Ciara, and you would say he succeeded, but it’s horribly impractical wear otherwise. Still, it makes a deal of sense to remain armed and armored out on the road even this close to the city, or perhaps you should say especially this close to the city. The signs of the recent Sack are still evident in many areas from the burnt-out husks of less fortunate dwellings to the spirit of the smallfolk themselves. They’re far more wary and far less welcoming than you’re used to, especially the womenfolk. You wouldn’t say you are an overly popular leader amongst your people if only because of the way you come across, but your family at large is, especially Ciara, and even you have never had the looks of open resentment cast your way like what you’ve experienced here.

>>3833039
Tyrra and Esmeralda accompany you as well. You also drag quiet Aodhan to the table, partially because you’d like his opinion on the knight that will end up captaining the Bronzeguard, though also because you’re getting a little tired of dining almost exclusively with women. Having Anders as a guest helps, but you know he’s going to be answering questions for half the night if Ciara lets the others talk to him too much. Thankfully Anders doesn’t ask many questions himself. You half expected him to bring up Esmeralda in his curiosity, but he studiously refrains. You suppose it makes a deal of sense that as a bastard himself he would know how to step around bringing up such a potentially awkward subject. For the better, no doubt. You doubt he had a major part in it, but you don’t relish the idea of a Westerlander bringing up a girl whose mother perished due to their brutality. The topic of conversation starts with the hawking and hunting expedition of the day, in which you’re sure to reiterate that yes, indeed you did beat Lady Maeve handily to the same quarry.

Atia hijacks the conversation for a short while to wax on about how the two of you fell in love, with some embellishment. You suppose only Ciara has heard too much of it, so it’s still fairly interesting. She tells a good story if nothing else. You see the point of it all when Ser Anders is then prompted to tell his own version of how he and Ciara met. He does a fine enough job, speaking sincerely, even piously in describing seeing her for the first time. You don’t know how effective such language is with Seven worshipping women, but these heathen women absolutely love it. You roll your eyes and make to ask Aodhan if he’s noting all of this for later before realizing that he too is soon to be wed. A sobering thought.

>>3833044
Ser Anders, perhaps growing a little uncomfortable at the number of noblewomen fawning over his telling, asks you and Aodhan of your own stories of the war. A topic which you’re both far more suited to discussing, so the two of you tag in and out of telling your perspectives of the major battles you were present for. Anders listens with the rapt attention you’d expect from one so focused on the knightly arts who also spent the entirety of the fighting either as a squire or sitting on the sidelines at the behest of his duplicitous liege lord. By the end of your description of watching the lines fold up on the Trident after the botched cavalry charge and the subsequent death of the Crown Prince, you can’t help but notice Lady Maeve is more somber than usual. You wince inwardly, realizing all three topics so far tonight would give her cause in some way to feel melancholy.

She shakes herself out of it and puts back on her mask of cool indifference before she mentions wanting to discuss how to approach the Crown with your unique situation. A topic that does need to be discussed, but how much of it are you willing to discuss in front of this crowd? Tyrra barely speaks the language and likely couldn’t care less regardless, Aodhan is loyal to the bone and has saved your life several times, so that’s another nonissue. But what of your guest and your sister? You’ve kept things from her several times now, be it from a lack of trust or a regard for her age and sensitive disposition, but you’re now putting her and the boy, man, whatever, next to her in a position where you’ll have to trust them with many of your affairs back in your homeland. The question is, will that start now?

>Include everyone present on the discussion of how to approach the Crown
>Don’t, wait until you are alone with Atia and Maeve

>>3833058
>>Don’t, wait until you are alone with Atia and Maeve
Keep the group if people who know ever thing as small as possible

>>3833058
>Don’t, wait until you are alone with Atia and Maeve

>>3833072
Ditto, unfortunately but we should start letting our sister in on the loop soonish

>>3833058
>>Don’t, wait until you are alone with Atia and Maeve

>>3833072
>>3833091
>>3833144
>>3833150
>Don’t, wait until you are alone with Atia and Maeve
Alright then. Writing.

File: purple eyes.jpg (45 KB, 500x375)

45 KB JPG

>Don’t, wait until you are alone with Atia and Maeve

You give a slight shake of your head to Lady Maeve. Not here. It was subtle, but you still can’t help thinking your guest may have noticed, if his slight frown was anything to go by. A fine a time as any to bring up another topic. “Sister, Ser Anders. Have you made any further plans that I should know of?”

“Anders is taking me to a sept tomorrow. I’ve never been to one and I hear the ones of this city have some lovely architecture. I’m interested to find out more.”

“Will you be attending as well, Ser Cormaic?” Anders asks you.

“I think not. I’ve already sated my curiosity. A fellow knight and old friend of mine insisted on taking me on an occasion or two,” you smile wistfully at the memory.

“You’ve never spoken of this before, brother,” your sister says with surprise, “is this knight still in the city?”

“No, Ser Myles Mooton fell at the same battle as our father,” you say simply, causing the table to grow uncomfortably quiet.

“Then what do you believe in, Ser Cormaic,” Lady Maeve asks while eying you critically, “I must confess, I’ve heard rumors that you don’t keep to the Old Gods. I thought that perhaps your travels had turned you to the Seven like little Amelia Brune, but now I don’t know what to think.”

You glance to your wife, whose lavender eyes dance with the flames of the courtyard’s torches. She smiles back, waiting for your response with everyone else.

>You believe in the Lord of Light
>You still keep to the Old Ways
>Decline to comment (the closest thing to fedora tipping I’m willing to write in this setting)

Last post of the night. I’ll close the voting tomorrow. Thanks for playing.

>>3833273
>>You believe in the Lord of Light
YOU CAN'T HIDE THE LIGHT IN YOUR HEART

>>3833273
>>You believe in the Lord of Light
- that being said I won't be stepping on anyone's toes in what they choose to believe but I also won't tolerate anyone forcing something new down my people's throats. Other than ourselves if need be.

>>3833273
>Decline to comment (the closest thing to fedora tipping I’m willing to write in this setting)

Say something ambivalent
The Gods don't seem to be in any hurry, and neither am I.

>>3833286
I think I'm gonna include this write-in regardless of how the vote falls just because it fits so well with how I've previously written Cormaic in regards to religion.

>>3833332
I would like something like, he doesn't really follow any one faith, but he believes in the greater powers that be or something. Sort of an agnostic believer, or someone who is spiritual in a sense.

>>3833273
>>Decline to comment (the closest thing to fedora tipping I’m willing to write in this setting)
After the incident with the fire and the white stag he definitely believes the Lord of Light exists ... but whether Cormaic considers himself a believer yet might be a little more questionable. Not to mention, we burnt Gulltown in his name and didn't see any blessing come from that so maybe the gods don't really care all that much.

>>3833299
I like
>The Gods don't seem to be in any hurry, and neither am I.

>>3833273
>You believe in the Lord of Light
Investing in rhollor bucks can only go well!

>>3833286
Backing on this

>>3833411
This is reasonable.

>>3833273
>>You believe in the Lord of Light
"But I won't be waving a flaming sword around anytime soon."

>>3833676
>6▶
>>>3833273
>>>You believe in the Lord of Light
>"But I won't be waving a flaming sword around anytime soon."
The fire sword guy is closer to Bobby Bee's water land adventure

>>3832657
Fucking hell such a interesting vote and I missed it. The best answer of course would be
>"Both" it must be some old gods thing. Two wives seven protect him.

>>3833273
>>You believe in the Lord of Light
THE LIGHT SHALL REVEAL ALL!

>>3833273
>>Decline to comment

>>Decline to comment

>>3833273
>You believe in the Lord of Light
Flame on!

>>3833676
>>3833825
Thoros of Myr was sent to King's Landing to convert the Mad King, a known pyromaniac, and was known to be present during the Sack of King's Landing, but I'm pretty sure he didn't gain real renown until after he struck up a friendship with King Robert and had some success in melees and especially against the Greyjoys.

However, I do plan to allude to a lack of fanaticism via >>3833286

>>3833411
I'm assuming you mean he could be a believer without necessarily being a follower, which is technically possible, I guess. As for not seeing a blessing from Gulltown, that's true, but if he believes Atia (and almost every vote suggests he does) then it seems that a Red Priestess predicted their marriage. One could see that as a blessing.

>>3834483
Maybe not a true fanatic, but still willing to burn the occasional dude

>>3833285
>>3833286
>>3833412
>>3833475
>>3833676
>>3833825
>>3834370
>>3834472
>>3834874
9 for showing these heathens the Light.

>>3833299
>>3833411
>>3834398
>>3834418
4 for either nonbelief or keeping it quiet.

Calling it here. If nothing else, I think this will probably make for a better story!

I won't be able to do a proper run tonight like I wanted to because I have several other things that need my attention before the week starts, but I'll still drop a quick story update later on tonight around midnight EST. You all could easily just catch it the next day and not have to worry about missing any voting if you're unable to make it. Tomorrow night will be a longer run.

>>3835320
ALL SHALL FALL BEFORE THE LORD OF LIGHT

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>You believe in the Lord of Light

You glance around the table at the curious and expectant faces and decide there’s no point in hiding anything. You’ve tried to maintain a policy of respecting different religious beliefs, so why should you have to be the one person who hides? It’s not as if Atia is pretending to worship the Old Gods. Granted, her foreign nature allows her a degree of leeway in many areas, but you’ve seen what you’ve seen and see no reason to mince words over it. If this particular group can’t handle it, then you truly are without real allies.

“The Lord of Light,” you say simply, “the only god who has ever shown me favor.”

The sharp intakes and exhalations around the table show how unexpected your answer was. In truth, you’re really not sure how much any of them even know of the Red God. If they’ve heard of it at all, it would simply be in the context of it being a religion of the east.

“Cormaic… if this is some sort of jest, you should know I’ve had my fill of them today,” your sister says cautiously.

“No jest,” you say with a shake of your head, “I’ve seen things… impossible things, in the flames. Things that have not yet come to pass or may already be the stuff of legend.”

“When? Where? You’ve never spoken of this before,” Ciara says with bewilderment.

“At Whispers. I hunted down the White Hart,” you recount, “I wanted to bring the skull and antlers back, but the head would’ve turned to rot and was heavy enough as it was. So, I placed it in the fire first. Atia thinks it may have been taken as an offering,” she nods in confirmation. “Maybe it would’ve happened anyway. Maybe it was the air there. It’s an old place. A cursed place. But it did happen, there’s no denying that. Only the Red God speaks through flames. The Old Gods hate fire.”

“You killed a White Hart?” Lady Maeve asks with trepidation.

“Aye. I caught it unawares. I thought of following it like the old tales, but I came there for a pelt and I was going to bring one back,” you smile slightly, “a fine enough wedding gift, eh?”

“But what else did you gain from all of this? You saw some things in the fire, but that wouldn’t be enough for you to change your ways,” Aodhan asks.

“Too right you are, my friend. Atia?”

Atia, pleased to tell the tale, recounts parts of the story she told you of meeting a Red Priestess who predicted your eventual meeting with a certain fervor in her voice that’s markedly different than the hesitation she had in sharing the story with you a few months ago.

Aodhan seems satisfied enough with the explanation. He refills his own mug and leans back in the chair, lost in thought. Ser Anders looks pale, but you couldn’t say what part he’s stuck on.

>>3836342
“So, you’re a fire worshipper now,” Lady Maeve says flatly, “I suppose at this point I would be more surprised if you didn’t surprise me. Fine, but what do you plan to do about it?”

“Say what you mean,” you say not unkindly.

“How are you planning on using this? How will you present yourself? Will you try pushing this on our people or are you going to hide it? You know religion is a sensitive subject,” she says.

“Well, I can say I don’t plan on hiding it any longer. I just don’t care to. Nor do I care what the smallfolk worship. Nor my peers, such that they are. There won’t be any temples going up in my lands, at least not by my own doing. In any case, I suspect certain events have given me a particular reputation, or they will soon enough if they haven’t. I’m sure the religious angle will feed into the stories,” you say cryptically, “but that’s a tale for another night.”

You can tell your guests are curious. Let them be. For now, at least. Ser Anders leaves shortly after the conversation begins to die down. It’s getting a little late and he still has a short ride ahead of him before he will make it back to whatever inn he’s staying at. You were hoping you didn’t scare the lad off, but you see the affection is still strong between the two as he and Ciara walk to the gate together. You’re not sure what they’re talking about, but she does end up standing on the tips of her toes to give him a quick peck on the cheek at the last moment. She heads back inside with a big stupid grin and a bounce in her step. Maybe there was a certain sense to seeking out such a young knight after all. Newly made knights haven’t learned to fear such things in the same way that the more experienced have. An older knight may have scurried from the table after listening to those tales if he didn’t try to duel you first.

>continued tomorrow!

Weren't we supposed to keep the wife secret until after the hearing?

>>3836941
Yup! Or at least a secret from the general population. A few key people already know through Varys, but they're too important to be going back shifting through finalized reparations documents over a house this minor. If you mean keeping it from Anders, well I'd say he's smart enough to know to keep his mouth shut about the vast majority of what he's seen and heard today if he wants to get his father's approval.

>>3836979
Yeah I've got some criticisms of how you do things.

Firstly, this is the second time you take away player agency, and after holding a vote about it too. Telling Varys about Gulltown was not voted or agreed upon and you just told Anders about our wife after we'd agreed to keep it secret for very good reasons.

Second, you enthusiastically talk about the what-ifs and even lay out the plans and effects of choices immediately after the votes have gone through. Like Gulltown, while the event was in motion you told players how you were disappointed in the choices. You even revisit it and say it was a bad choice later during a discussion. You've stopped doing this as much but the previous threads you were very quick about it. If you keep this up, you will lose players, especially for contentious votes- No one wants to lose a vote 7-8 and then see that their choice that lost would have been more fun in their opinion. Do that enough times and they will simply quitely disappear because What Could Have Been is better than what they get.

After a vote (or during it) going on about how another choice would have been smarter or better is just going to drive people away too. No one wants to be told that they made a mistake before any potential benefits of the winning choice can even be felt. That's just bad form.

Don't get involved in player discussion unless you need to clarify mechanics, sit back and let us make our own mistakes. If you want to adress something, do it in a story post. Your objections and views aren't wrong per se, but the way you go about voicing them is absolutely bad. A lot of your commentary both during and in between sessions would serve much better as additional flavor to them. Bring up your thoughts through side characters and stop going against player choices because you think a "character is smart enough to keep his mouth shut." That's not your decision, it's ours.

This is one of the better asoiaf quests I've seen, you write well and it's got a lot of potential with the house and character we're playing, but you could stand to handle some things better. Do your OOC commentary at the end of the thread unless you absolutely have to steer away from a disaster from player's lack of understanding of the rules, mechanics or the setting. Everything else can find a place inside the story

>>3837145
anon hit the nails on their heads here, and with a much better vocabulary than i would have managed

>>3837145
Huh. Okay. I started to type up a response, but I really don't want to unpack all of that here. I guess I'll just say I'm not going to change the way I'm typing up story posts over minor things like Anders and Varys because I think that will bogg (see what I did there) down things for no real reason, but I think you're right about the commentary. Feel free to hit me up on twitter if you want to talk specifics.

Next thread Wednesday, I think. I'm hitting a wall on the next post I wanted to do and I get home way too late on Tuesdays to run.

>>3837392
>>3837628
I hope that the criticisms that >>3837145 brings up arn't the cause for the wall that you're hitting as the concerns are pretty valid, well thought out and constructive. In regards to the things such as Anders and Varys, I wouldn't go so far as to call them minor. Potentially a minor oversight perhaps, but going directly against player votes is never a "minor" kind of issue as it defeats the point of doing a vote and turns the quest into a QM writing fanfic than actually questing.

That being said, I really enjoy your quest, as your writing is consistent and you're the only /asoiaf/ quest that is on here consistently as Malroy and Reynold are both very intermittent,so I sincerely hope that you don't take criticism to heart. Hope to see you Wednesday Boggs

Boggageddon has started.

>>3837761
I guess I appreciate the enthusiasm, but that's now 3 people who are accusing me of railroading because Anders realized you're married (how wouldn't he? I've been mentioning he would be stopping by your villa since the previous thread and no one raised any concerns) and because you shared details with a sponsor you invested a destiny point in (by majority vote), who, by the way, has done nothing but help you manage any potential fallout and neatly ties up a lots of needlessly complicated what-ifs. So, neither of these minor, narrative-oriented details have negatively impacted or contradicted the majority intent in any way. Why would I do that? Which vote am I going against? These aren’t oversights, they are intentional inclusions.

As for getting involved in player discussion? Yeah, I won’t deny expressing disappointment in the REASONING behind a vote, but I actually thought the choices themselves were exciting to work with. That was a few weeks ago, wasn’t it? Weird that it’s being rehashed now. Since then, aside from that strange bit with the horses, I’ve tried to stick to lore and background input. I think I’d be doing a disservice if I didn’t. And the funny thing is that a lot of the info I drop comes from the fucking wiki. So here I am, expressing disappointment again that three different people, giving the benefit of the doubt to all of the 1-2 post IDs, are jumping to conclusions without thinking things through.

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>>3838253
Lol
criticism hurts
even more when it is constructive

>>3838402
>being salty about an explanation

>>3838253
We only criticize it because we really care. You have made a very special quest here Boggs, and we really do enjoy it.

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>>3838253
Seething.

>>3838555
I am not salty
That post was not an explanation, it was a butthurt rant

>>3838253
I brought it up because I was reading the archive so everything was fresh to me and you just did something I found objectionable and that was the best time to raise objections. You run a quest with archived threads, of course people are going to read them. Things that are weeks old to you isn't necessarily so to your readers.

>>3838631
Hah, you weren't wrong.
>>3838677
Sure, the second paragraph was a rant. I hope I explained those inclusions well enough in the first though.
>>3838916
That's cool, I'm glad there are people willing to take the time to dive through old threads to stay current and you obviously care about the story in some way if you're willing to type all of that. I guess I'd ask you to try to see it from my perspective. I've followed or at least archive binged every quest with more than a thread or two to it in this genre aside from I think it's called Brachen and that one with the gunpowder, which seems like a neat concept. Yet I don't think I've ever come across a post that long that specifically called out a QM on the entirety of their quest in the way you did. It's hard to look at it objectively and take things constructively when you word the entire post in the imperative. For the sheer breadth of what you covered, it likely would've come across as a lot more constructive and helpful than it did if you had hit me up on twitter or something instead of dumping all of that here. Not that I've mentioned it before, but someone actually did give me some helpful feedback that way after the second thread and I really appreciated it. I get not everyone uses twitter, I didn't either before I started this quest, but it takes like 5 minutes to make an account called assmaster90001 or whatever, unlock it when the site inevitably locks you out, and send me a message. Just a thought, but it's probably better than opening the floodgates to shitposting, which I'm sure I contributed to as well by responding.

But anyway, this has at least made me take a step back and reevaluate things, which was part of the point, right? To be honest, I think I made a huge mistake throwing in the whole "you have to keep a simple secret for months" subplot. To me, it's stifled character and house development while contributing very little to the story. The fact that there has been this much heat over me moving along the story by including side characters that were essentially player picks in the first place in some of the Cormaic's secrets is telling and it worries me that this is going to turn into a pattern. Maybe I've made a mistake in delving this deep into secret keeping and intrigue. Maybe there's a reason previous quests haven't done this. Maybe I'm asking too much of both the players and myself to handle the complexity that I'm trying to inject into this and had intended to only ramp up from here. I don't really have the answers to these questions, so I would appreciate anyone's thoughts. At the end of the day, I'm doing this for fun. I've literally never attempted any form of creative writing before and felt this would be a new and exciting learning experience, which it has been for the most part. However, I told myself when I started this that I would stop doing it if it ever switched from fun to "work." Seems like I may be inadvertently treading on that line.

>>3839907
Ah just got to shrug it off there Boggs. As you say, it's your first attempt at creative writing and you write very well so there is absolutely no shame in having a sub plot that doesnt work out or that you don't like. I can remember Father being very disappointed with the Celtigar girl and what not, but he turned it around and we ended up getting the Obella and Giselle part of the quest out of it which was absolutely fantastic. What I'm saying is don't let this get you down, because sometimes the best plot lines come from situations exactly like this. The amount of players you've got should tell you that people enjoy your work! Not to mention that this is 4chan of all places which really needs no further explanation. Either way, I hope that spark returns to you soon, because I think I speak for many of us here in that I hope this quest continues for many many threads to come!

>>3839907
Hard disagree on the Twitter suggestion. I'd like to see what advice you get from others, so I can say I disagree with them if I want to. Sure, you'll get 10 shitposts this way but as soon as you post a story update that all goes away.

I do feel like an intrigue-focused game is a lot harder to run on 4chan than in real life, though.

>>3839907
>For the sheer breadth of what you covered, it likely would've come across as a lot more constructive and helpful than it did if you had hit me up on twitter or something instead of dumping all of that here.

Absolutely not. This is a collective game and if I speak with you in private then no one else can voice their objections to what I have to say.

Shadow games and secrets are not mistakes.
The mistake was revealing the secret to a new, unknown character without player input. You created the plot and the players voted to go along with it. If you then go above their heads and reveal the secret you've taken away player agency. That is the absolute biggest No-no for a QM.
You, as the QM, know how Anders will react. You know him, you understand him, but Cormiac & co and the players do not. You must be mindful of your own OOC knowledge, your characters IC knowledge and players OOC/meta knowledge. I know that you didn't have bad intentions and I was quite certain nothing bad would come from it but I felt that I needed to speak up now, before what I saw as an honest misstep is repeated down the line where it would actually cause real damage to your players trust in you.

I rather tell you now because if it happened half a year from now and you have your playerbase dogpiling you I'm pretty certain that would end the quest right then and there. I still mourn MSPQ and hope it comes back, but after the shitfits in the last thread that's probably never going to happen.

I personally have 3 dead quests in my own belt and I've made all these mistakes myself. These are newbie mistakes you'd find in the qtg pastebin, they are not some kind of grave personal insult to you or your abilities. I pointed them out and told you how to work around or to avoid repeating them. It's obvious to anyone that the root of it all is your own enthusiasm for your story and no one is going to fault you for that. I wasn't sweet talking with my last paragraph, this IS a good quest. It IS well written. I LIKE the characters and I LIKE the House. I WANT to see what's going to happen and where you'll take it.

You have gotten praise from both joey and Father and they are playing your quest and they help collaborate with you. That's a great endorsement. Understand that you're doing something great and keep at it. If you think what I said has been wrong or unfair or insulting then I will ask you to go to them for advice instead.

>>3839907
>out of town for the weekend
>come back and see this
Boggsie buddy i know this guy seems to be on his high horse but for real fuck'em, this should 100% be fun, you can write how you want, and it's honestly just some silliness in a mongolian carpet-weaving drum circle.
As a semi-regular lurker/contributer I've seen more people drop a quest if the QM seems down about it and the fate is uncertain/irregular then if they have problems with writing.
Do you man, you don't have to respond to this fellah if you don't feel like it.

>>3840031
>>3840618
Thanks for the advice guys.
>>3840079
No kidding, right? I think it's because it can take so long to see the effects of intrigue in this format whereas you know where you stand after some good old fashioned proper combat by the end of a session.
>>3840601
Well, I was talking about hitting me up if you had that much of a meta critique on my entire style of running, which has obviously derailed things in a way that I really wanted to avoid. I'd still rather have a critique or question over a minor detail or vote here because others may be thinking the same thing, which it seems they were. If you're dead set on posting walls about how I should run things here, then I guess I can't stop you though. Just stating my preference. Gotta be honest, I started following these things on /tg/ and barely touched this board since the migration aside from the few that I was already following that switched over. I just checked out that /qtg/ and I hate to say it, but I'm not a fan lol. Not sure what MSPQ or probably a bunch of other acronyms are. Maybe one day I'll find the time and interest to deep dive, but it won't be any time soon. I'm just going to keep doing my thing because it's what keeps things fun for me and if people get so worked up over little things before they even have a chance to see where their actions are leading, then that sucks, but I'm not going to turn this into work for me by following some pastebin scriptures made by other anons. If this actually does become any more of a problem and shits up my threads more than it already has then I'll go catch up to my group on WoW Classic instead of writing this. Seven know they won't shut up about me being behind now lol. That said, I am still really excited about this and would much rather continue.

>>3840793
>WoW classic
Alliance or Horde boggs? Cormaic is clearly a rogue

>>3840812
Alliance. I wanted to try out horde for a change just because I've never gone through their quest chains and I'm obviously a lorefag, but I got overruled lol. No joke, I did roll a rogue too. I'm weeks behind my core group of RL friends and family, so I'm that casual of the group now. All of the free shit from them I keep finding in my mailbox makes up for it though.

>>3840793
>I think it's because it can take so long to see the effects of intrigue in this format whereas you know where you stand after some good old fashioned proper combat by the end of a session
I think that's more a setting problem than a medium problem. Honestly I think it's mostly the changing player base (I'm not always around, for instance, while in irl games I am at every session) and also the lack of proper communication through text. In intrigue games, non-verbal communication from the GM to the players is pretty important, and while you can note some things it's never going to have the same effect.

Anyway, I really hope this hasn't turned you off questing. As I said, you'll get a bit of discussion and shitposts but it'll blow over as soon as next session starts. We're all here to enjoy playing, after all.

>>3840826
>Anyway, I really hope this hasn't turned you off questing.
Nah, this whole thing has been a lot more fun than I expected and I don't think I could drop it over a few posts. It was more of my mood from it not meshing with the particular scene I wanted to write. I probably would've just pushed through if we were doing something less creative like house fortunes for the session.

That said, I am more tempted to spend a little time running a side quest idea that I had intended of doing something with eventually anyway. It would tie back into this one with the MC from it having the option of becoming a supporting character of sorts. It would be played through a sell sword that happens to be Atia's older half-brother and would be more of a light and fun adventure with an Essosi flair. A break from all of the intrigue, but still with the intent of diving back in.

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You step back out of the shadow of the wall you were leaning against as you watched the young couple say their goodbyes and walk back to the table to find your wife is leaning back in her chair, asleep with her mouth half open. Your other dinner companions excuse themselves while you scoop her up and carry her back to your chambers. You lay her gently in the bed and she finally stirs with a stretch, blinking up at you with a confused expression before snorting, “I can’t help it. This child is stealing all of my energy. Go back out and see to our guest. She was upset over all of that talk of war, yes? Try to cheer her up.”

“You’re sure you’re okay? I can stay here instead,” you say with some concern.

“You worry too much. I’m going back to sleep,” she says with a lazy shake of her head.

You leave her to her rest and head to the guest room Lady Maeve at least should be using, but she isn’t there. Puzzled, you step back out into the courtyard only to see her walking out the small back gate to the wooded grove included with the deed to your property. The woman must be mad. There certainly couldn’t be any bandits back there with how frequently the Sparrowhawks use the woods for training, but these are still dangerous and uncertain times in a countryside that lacks the law and order it used to be known for. Reports of roaming broken men should be enough for young women to know to keep to an escort. Does she have some ulterior motive for this brash move?

>Call out to her and escort her if she wants to go on a walk
>Follow her discretely instead, in case there is more to this

>>3840978
>>Call out to her and escort her if she wants to go on a walk
Just got caught up. Good stuff Boggs.

>>3840978
>>Follow her discretely instead, in case there is more to this

>>3840978
>>Follow her discretely instead, in case there is more to this

>>3840980 Welcome!
>>3841020
>>3841066

Gonna call it for following discretely. Can I get some 5d6s for Stealth (Sneak)?

>>3840793
Why not post a twitter, and instead of PM just post it publicly on the twitter.

>>3840978
>Follow her discretely instead, in case there is more to this

Rolled 1, 5, 2, 2, 3 = 13 (5d6)

>>3841081

Rolled 5, 6, 3, 1, 2 = 17 (5d6)

>>3841081
Never trust your baby mama..

>>3841087
Oh dude, my twitter for the quest is in the OP. Sorry if you missed that. I try to remember to throw up a quick heads up when I put up my first posts.

Rolled 6, 4, 5, 2, 3 = 20 (5d6)

>>3841101
I mean why not post the conversation publicly on twitter instead of PM's on twitter so its not private?

>>3841081
Don't we have any bonuses to sneak dice?

Rolled 3, 5, 6, 5, 1 = 20 (5d6)

>>3841081

>>3841125
Ahh. I never thought of that. I guess that would be fine too since it at least wouldn't shit up the thread. Idk, I'm hoping it's at least settled for now.

You do. 4d6 +1d6 bonus.

>>3841089
>>3841100
>>3841127
12,16,19. Writing!

>>3841138
Correction, didn't include the roll from >>3841125
so that's 12,16,18. Doesn't change the result though.

>>3841144
What? I don't get the dice rolls man (i never get the GOT dice rolls so no worries.) But we rolled the same total number of 20, but he has a 1, and I have a higher average dice roll....
Do get a -1 for some reason?
Where does the -1 come in from?

>>3841158
It's cool. In this case, you're rolling 5 dice and taking the best 4. So I dropped the 1 from his and the 2 from yours. 4 test dice, 1 bonus dice. Bonus dice in an ability just let you roll extra dice and take the highest from the pool up to your rank in the ability. You have rank 4 in stealth.

>>3841170
and each rank gives a dice roll?

>>3841174
Correct. Each rank adds 1 test dice. That's part of why ranks are a much bigger deal than bonus dice.

>Follow her discretely instead, in case there is more to this

You’re tempted to call out to her, but you still can’t get over your suspicions that she may also have some sort of arrangement with Varys. If she’s meeting anyone out here, then this is your chance to catch an unfiltered conversation.

>Rolled 18 vs DC 12 (Maeve’s passive awareness)
>Success, 2 degrees!

You tail her at a discrete distance, blending in the shadows with ease and taking advantage of your natural night vision to avoid stepping on any loose branches. She doesn’t seem to suspect a thing. She wanders deeper into the grove until she finds a particularly large and old tree. Not a Weirwood, but you suppose this is probably the best approximation of a heart tree this deep in Andal lands. She gets down to her knees before it and is silent for some time. You wait against a tree just off to her right side, unsure if she’s in prayer or waiting for a contact… until you hear her start sobbing, freely and without restraint. It reminds you of Atia after that Essosi tried to kill her except this is somehow worse, as if she’s baring her very soul to the world. It isn’t the raw fear your wife expressed, it’s pure grief on a level even you struggle to fathom.

This isn’t what you expected. She’s always portrayed herself as this calculating ice queen, but here she just seems like a scared girl. You feel awkward. Do you approach her from the shadows and attempt to comfort her or do you just let her try to keep her dignity?

>Try to comfort her
>Leave it

>>3841179
Oh shit, I’m always terrible with this kinda thing
>comfort her

>>3841179
>Try to comfort her

>>3841179
>Try to comfort her

>>3841179
Could we burn a destiny point to give her twins? A boy and a girl?

>>3841193
>>3841205
>>3841216
>Try to comfort her

Atia did say to comfort her… hopefully she doesn’t react too poorly towards your sudden appearance. You sigh and take a step out into the moonlight, doing your best to make at least a little noise like a normal person would. She quickly stands and whirls around with a dagger in her hands and wide eyes. You hold your own hands up placatingly and she lowers the dagger. “Your eyes. I thought you were an animal,” she sniffles.

You finally get a good look at her face in the moonlight and she’s a mess. Tears are still streaming down her face and her eyes are puffy from crying. “Maeve, what are doing out here?”

“Not all of us are fire worshippers, Cormaic Boggs. I wanted to seek solace amongst the trees, just as I did back at Pynewatch,” she says, hurriedly wiping away her tears before eying you suspiciously, “and I could ask you the same, why are you following me?”

“I saw you leave the villa without any escort and I grew concerned. What were you thinking? You should’ve at least brought your own guards with you,” you say.

“You of all people should know exactly what I’m doing out here, Cormaic. Your house is just as weak as mine own. Either of us could lose ourselves and our legacies over a moment of exposed weakness. Do you honestly think I will let my guards, who I’m not sure are confident in my leadership to begin, see me shed tears like some stupid girl? I wanted to cry, yes. Needed to even, but that’s a burden I won’t put on what’s left of my father’s men,” she says with some defiance.

“Why?” You start…

>Can I get 3d6 for Persuasion (Convince)?

Rolled 1, 2, 4 = 7 (3d6)

>>3841245

Rolled 6, 6, 5 = 17 (3d6)

>>3841245
I hope we don't spit at her

Rolled 4, 4, 6 = 14 (3d6)

>>3841245

>>3841252
>>3841258 Woah, nice!
>>3841265
Writing!
>>3841223
I would've considered putting it to a vote if you had a destiny point to burn, but you don't have any.

>>3841270
>destiny point to burn
Did we spend it? I thought we had one...
>>3841258
Nice.

>>3841275
Varys sponsorship vote. Your fate is tied to his now.

>>3841282
Oh yeah.....
Fuggg!

>>3841258
lol, this is interesting we did really well at intimidating her...meh that was a nice roll nonetheless. We should have really invested in some persuasion.
Hopefully she remembers that's simply how we are given she was around us a decent amount being our sisters best friend and all.
>>3841290
I don't see why we would do that, what it does do is give her and our selves more time to gear up our armed forces. We play nice and grow with her, and we both win.
But if it is a girl I'm not sure should hide that fact from the neighbors for more than 6 months after the child is born. But still close to a year and a half of growth should be too bad if she is unlucky.

>Rolled 17 vs DC 12, 17 for Persuasion (Convince)
>Success on both!

“Why won’t you let others share your burden? I can understand leaving out your guards if you’re uncertain, but why not talk to me? You and I made a pact and I take such things seriously. We are allies and we are going to share something more. Like you said, we are in similar positions too. If you can’t at least talk to me, then who can you talk to?”

She keeps glaring at you defiantly with her cold blue eyes for a few moments longer before her lip starts to quiver and she throws herself into your arms. You pat her awkwardly as she cries into your shoulder for a long while. She eventually pulls away and sinks down against the tree. You sit down next to her as she begins to vent.

“I never wanted this. I never wanted any of this. I’ve lost almost everyone I’ve ever loved. I had three older brothers. Three. Grown men all and good men at that. They were supposed to rule, not me. I’m the bargaining chip. I thought I would get to marry someone suitable, maybe even you after Ser Bronson shamed himself with his affair, and hopefully fall in love. Spend the rest of my days hawking and loving and raising children. Instead, all of my brothers and even my father, who was always so good to his only girl, all died together in moments because of treachery, if you and your man Aodhan are correct. I hadn’t heard that part before. I only knew that our cavalry was wiped out to a man, but no one had any details.” Her voice loses some of its raw emotion and grows cold again, “I’m going to find out who did this. I’m going to find out who has forced me into this role and I’m going to make them suffer until their last, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

She takes a shaky breath and continues, “I’ve buried what remains of the male line of my family. I’ve had to watch as my mother deteriorated before mine eyes and I’ve had to put on this mask and pretend to be more than a scared girl… I am more now,” she corrects, “I’ve had to prostitute myself for safety and security. Oh, don’t make a face over it. I showed up to your home willing to spread my legs in exchange for something. What else would you call it?”

“I wasn’t trying to take advantage of you,” you protest, “it was your idea.”

>>3841389
“It is what it is,” she sighs, “though I must thank you for the way you’ve treated me. I fully expected you to barge into my room half-drunk and have your way with me until you were content. Instead, you’ve let your wife take the lead and she’s been most welcoming. We talked for a while in your bath house until we came to an understanding… but as nice as she is, it was still hard to listen to her go on about your love stories while I’m forced to sit back and take her leftovers after she’s had her fill. I’ve always wanted more than that. Is it true? Do you love her?”

Her piercing blue eyes scan your face searchingly. “I do,” you say, “with all of my heart.”

She smiles sadly. “You’re a good man, Cormaic. I do hope you continue to be this happy. Would that things were different and it was me in her place instead,” she pauses in thought, “of course, we will have to try for a few more times. Ciara and I were talking about it. She’s the expert on the healing arts, after all. It’s a fertile time for me, but we can’t be certain after only one go. These next few days are crucial.”

“My sister said this? I don’t understand this woman in the slightest,” you confess with some irritation, “she acts a prude near constantly and she’s plotting the seeding of my child with you behind my back? It’s madness.”

You almost get a laugh from her. “That’s not the half of it. She wants to betroth her child to mine own. She’s giddy with excitement over it all.”

“Mad woman. She’s not even betrothed yet herself,” you state with disbelief.

“Would that you were a fly on the wall and could hear her discuss her plans for her wedding night with me in the baths. She would make you blush, Ser. Mark my words, that one will have a child of her own soon enough,” she says with some amusement, “this boy she’s set her sights on has no chance. I have something else to confess to you, Ser. This, all of this wasn’t my idea. Someone else took pity upon me and even suggested that you would be an ideal choice.”

She’s speaking of Lord Varys? You thought you would have to pry this out of the mummer lord himself. Do you acknowledge your own dealings with him, or will you feign ignorance?

>Discuss your own ties and plots with Varys with Maeve as well
>Don’t, keep her on the outside of your own troubles

>>3841390
So what exactly are we going to discuss with Maeve if we do reveal to her?

>>3841390
>Discuss your own ties and plots with Varys with Maeve as well

>>3841390
>Don’t, keep her on the outside of your own troubles
Admitting to working with Varys without first hearing her own side sounds like a trap to me.

>>3841390
Ask her if this was "Ryvas"?

>>3841390
>>Discuss your own ties and plots with Varys with Maeve as well
I wanted to pick the other option. But as she will be raising our child and plans to make it the heir. Our plans directly affect her as do hers ours.
Her hate will fuel her to great heights if she is cunning enough to follow through and has enough back upus. Look at Ellanor.

I'd rather not share our ties to Varys but this seems like an exception if there ever was to be one. She is a budding woman but at this age, she should understand something are said out loud once and then never again.
I am not sure this is the best choice honestly but I'll stick to my choice after doubting my self.

That's it for the night, I'll call the votes tomorrow. Thanks for playing! Feel free to ask questions if you have them.

>>3841397
Like this good question. Essentially what she doesn't know. So that you're behind the Burning of Gulltown/that you'll be admitting to such in a couple of weeks and that you're sworn to Varys now.

>>3841299
I just went ahead and used regular persuasion with her instead of intimidate since I don't want to forcefully apply the drawback in regards to people that know you well enough. Kinda like how I don't make you roll intimidate for Atia anymore. I'd say she qualifies since you're sleeping with her and she's been listening to your sister and wife go on about you for long enough to feel somewhat at ease.

>>3841390
>Make DAMN sure she is talking about Varys first
>>Discuss your own ties and plots with Varys with Maeve as well
I don't see what we lose by revealing we're allied with Varys, Maeve is set to become a close ally and our interests will align closely after that birth of our child.

Oh yeah, and I've been meaning to bring this up because it's a slight oversight on my part, but we never really locked in the house's motto. I had it down tentatively as "Bound by Blood" from the very first thread, but then ended up moving past it without really locking it in. Funny how well that ended up fitting. Are we good with this? I'm gonna run with it unless there are objections.

>>3841429
>Make DAMN sure she is talking about Varys first
Absolutely.

>>3841444
It’s good, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fan made house who’s words didn’t involve blood on some level

>>3841390
Jesus christ...
Do not tell her about Varys and our connection
pls

>>3841536
What if we confirm first, then perhaps tell her later down the line?

We can reveal it at a later date, or we can speak to him and ask him to be sure.

>>3841390
>Discuss your own ties and plots with Varys with Maeve as well

>>3840851
>My fanbois LIKE me!
>My CRITICS are WRONG!
>This was all FAKE NEWS!
ITT: Drumpf's time off

>>3841712
fuck off, retard

>>3841852
Nice try OP

>>3841390
>Don’t, keep her on the outside of your own troubles

Though we should try to figure out a way to make her spill who she's working for without tipping our own hand.

>>3841444
It's good, it encapsulates what Cormiac is all about

>>3841712
>being this fucking stupid

Discuss
>>3841402
>>3841409
>>3841429
>>3841447
>>3841587

Don't
>>3841403
>>3841536
>>3842001

Calling it for discussing with her, but with the caveat of getting her to talk first.

>>3842426
While I appreciate that he is making ties for us to make us stronger. He had to know this would have likely leaked to us that he was the one who suggested it. Next time we run into him, we should say that we would appreciate if he let us know of some plans that would include us as the main/important piece on the board.

>Discuss your own ties and plots with Varys with Maeve as well

“You’re saying someone else convinced you to try to seduce me?”

“Not exactly. He and I discussed the state of the Crackclaw houses, especially House Pyne and where we now fit in the greater scheme of things. He presented several different options and left it to me to decide which to take. The general theme seemed to be to ally myself in some way with another smaller house to upset the power game the stronger Lordly houses were playing,” she says as she gazes out toward the moon in thought. “The other options would have involved either marrying a more distant cousin of mine to keep power within the family or marrying into a lesser house like yours to at least block the Brunes and Crabbs from having their way,” she glances back to you again, “meaning no offense, Ser, but I don’t want to trust my legacy to another man. The gallant ones are too quick to ride off to die for an uncaring liege lord over petty disputes and the rest are repulsive cravens. I’d rather lower myself and gain a child I can shape into a true ruler. It was no choice at all, really.”

“And this man suggested me? When was this? I was never privy to this plan,” you say with some annoyance.

“Perhaps two months ago now. I already knew your house wasn’t strong enough to seize mine without provoking retribution and besides that, he mentioned that you had sired a bastard of your own. There is less scandal having a child with a man who has already had trouble keeping it in his loins,” she says somewhat lightly. Still doesn’t take all of the sting out of it.

“Pray tell, who is this man that seems to be so interested in our affairs?”

“I’m not sure that is something I should be speaking of,” she says uncomfortably.

“Maeve, as you’ve done so much scheming involving me, you must know my house’s words,” you say admonishingly.

“Bound by Blood,” she recites from memory, “your point, Ser?”

“Just so,” you say, pleased, “Our houses will now be Bound by Blood. You and I will be bound by the child that shares our blood. Do you share such a strong bond with this scheming friend of yours who apparently seeks to use us to weaken our neighbors?”

>DC 17 met

She furrows her brow in thought and is silent for some time before coming to her decision. “Lord Varys the Spider sought me out. This was his doing,” she confesses.

“I know,” you say with a smirk.

She shifts away from you with a start. “Impossible.”

“Not even improbable, my Lady. If you think me to be unobservant, then you’ve underestimated me as much as you have my prowess with the bow,” you say with some satisfaction, “I may not be as adept at mincing words and flattery as those that enjoy playing their little games of court, but I can watch readily enough. Your mask slipped when I recited the eunich’s words on our ride earlier. I was watching.”

>>3842664
“How would you know his words?” The obvious question.

“Because he and I have a mutual alliance of our own. One I intend to remind him of when next we speak,” you grumble, “he and I have the same enemies and the same friends and he has been most useful, I hope, in managing the fall out from my own activities.”

“Such as reparations? He has agreed to help me with such as well,” she says after a pause, “I’m to play the part of the weeping girl who has lost her family. The Crown will likely take pity on me and reduce my fine in compensation for what I’ve already lost. Lord Varys seems to think these men would nearly throw their own gold away rather than have to sit and listen to a woman cry.”

“Would that I could simply ward their greedy hands from my coffers with tears,” you grouse. “Aye. He is ensuring I don’t have to contend with a heftier sum after coming into a substantial dowry. In exchange, I am to confess my crimes and use my reputation to rid the both of us of a thorn.”

“I had heard of some business of burning the Usurper’s supply lines and taking noble hostages, but that hardly seems a valuable confession,” she says with confusion.

“I set light to a portion of Gulltown in retribution for their plots against my house and my wife. Unfortunate business, but a message needed to be sent. I aim to ensure it was received clearly.”

“YOU did that?! There have been scores of rumors and conspiracies over who set the blaze and why. You mean to say you showed up and burned the second largest city on this side of Westeros because someone in it angered you? It’s inconceivable,” she says with disbelief.

“Aye,” you say with a shrug, “and this Lord Gyles is the most obvious target of my wrath now. I intend to make it clear that I will burn him in his bed the next time I catch his scent. I don’t care if he is the greatest copper clipper in the Realm.”

“He IS the greatest copper clipper in the Realm, you bloody madman,” she says irately

“Not for long. He has few friends and many enemies, I’m told. I’m just to give him a little push, whether that can be done with words or a shove from a balcony remains to be seen,” you state with some relish.

She huffs. “Right. Then I will speak first. This will be a mess if you’re going around menacing people in court and then I show up afterwards claiming you should hold my title. They may deny my request and seek out someone better behaved to rule my lands if I don’t get to them before you do.”

“That… seems reasonable. We are on equal footing socially, so there is no reason you couldn’t step forward before me,” you concede.

>>3842668
You can't help feeling a sense of relief that she was willing to share her ties with you first. Hopefully this shared knowledge will strengthen your ties further. There is still one nagging thing for you to address. Lord Varys is clearly using both of you for some larger scheme. That in itself is no real surprise, but you’re more than a little offended that he would so blatantly use you without discussing the bigger picture with you as well. It’s possible there is some sort of cultural misunderstanding here. He is surrounded on near constantly by utter cunts who lack even a semblance of loyalty towards anything but their own coffers. Jaded people who take their oaths as cute suggestions rather than as something sacred. Most definitely not your people. Perhaps if you can convey this to him, then you and he may be able to maintain a healthier working relationship. The real question is whether you will invite Lady Maeve to join you in your chat. You’re honestly not sure whether that will make him more or less pliable to you, if for no other reason than that it’s difficult to appreciate what sort of relationship he really has with your ally from her words alone. You suppose the feeling is mutual, especially considering Maeve doesn’t, and may never, know of Esmeralda’s part in all of this. A secret you plan on keeping close regardless of her involvement in your affairs. That detail aside, it could end up leading to a more productive conversation if she was able to similarly press Lord Varys, provided he is willing to work with both of you.

>Speak to Varys with Maeve
>Speak to Varys alone

I'll leave this open a little longer than I normally would because it's a sensitive subject area, but I do still plan on at least one or two more updates tonight.

>>3842696
>Speak to Varys with Maeve
Compartmentalization helps him, not us.

>>3842696
>Speak to Varys alone
domino effect. She affects the larger houses, which in turn effect the bigger ones and possible the vale or something.

>>3842703
But should he know that we know that he knows, and she knows too?

>>3842712
>But should he know that we know that he knows, and she knows too?
Big brain talk. He's going to know one way or another, and probably already does.

>>3842696
>>Speak to Varys alone

>>3842703
yeah, but we wouldn't feel as free to talk with her and vice versa. Just because he may trust us doesn't mean the same to be true for a woman. We could lead these choices and we swore to him. We don't know if he is simply using her and as she put it simply gave her choices she should follow.

>>3842696
We should fuck with Varys a bit before asking for him to be a bit more direct with us, whatever we decide."
>Cormaic: "Did you know that I know that you know what Maeve knows and we both know?"
Varys::"...No?"

>>3842761
True, she might not be as in the know as us. That could lead to some trust issues.

>>3842696
>>3842703
Changing my vote
>Speak to Varys alone

>>3842696
>>Speak to Varys alone

>>3842762
>Cormaic: "Did you know that I know that you know what Maeve knows and we both know?"
Also supporting this

>>3842774
Ditto

>>3842696
>>Speak to Varys alone

Well that's some solid consensus if I've ever seen it! I'll get to writing for meeting with Varys alone, but it'll probably take a little bit. As usual, write-ins are appreciated and I'll be peaking in just in case anyone wanted to say anything specific to him or ask any questions.

>Speak to Varys alone

There’s no need to resort to bringing Maeve into this yet. If the state you found here in is any indication, she has enough on her plate already. Besides, you’ve had your fill of plotting for the night, even if you can’t shake the feeling that you’ve really just begun.

>Oh, my dear knight, we are just getting started.

Your new Lord’s tittering words echo in your mind and you feel a chill run down your spine despite the warm summer night. A feeling you may need to get used to. Maeve settles into your side amongst the new silence. You hold her gently for a while on the ground beneath the tree, alternating between idle talk and enjoying the sounds of the woods. The two of you eventually make your way back together, getting a wry look from the two Sparrowhawks pulling watch for your troubles. You stop in front of the door to her room. There is a certain desperation in the look she gives you. A desire to pull you into her room and have you to herself. To pretend, if only for one night, that you truly are lovers and not merely allies. But she leaves it all unsaid, no doubt from fear of your response, but which response? What would be worse? She spares you the further turmoil with a murmured good night after a chaste kiss that awkwardly lands on your chin.

You wake early the next morning with the rising sun and find your wife still deep in her own sleep and taking up as much of the bed as her small frame will allow. Instead of lazing about as you normally would, you head to the room serving as your office and leave the door open. As you suspected, a servant walks in before long, no doubt seeking to fulfill their duties before they would have to contend with the apparent displeasure of your presence. They seem shocked to see you awake and poised in your chair, as if expecting company. You calmly remark that you’d like to speak to the Master Ryvas regarding the future accommodations of guests. The woman is pale as a sheet and nearly drops her brush and bucket in her haste, exiting the room in a hurry with several bows in the face of your grim smile.

Hopefully your words have the intended effect and the Spider comes scurrying here soon, preferably without his typical theatrical entrances. A warm meal finds its way to your desk shortly after, the word of your wakefulness spreading quickly through the premises. Upon finishing catching up on your letters, Ciara typically summarizes them for you though you do like to check for details upon occasion, you walk the grounds for a short while and watch as Ciara leaves with Tyrra to meet Anders for their planned sept adventure. It’s beyond you why a young couple would want to kneel before statues instead of doing… whatever it is young couples do when accompanied by escorts with kill orders.

>>3843029
Soon enough, Atia comes around with half-lidded eyes that open more fully, eying you critically and giving you a slight sniff. “You need a bath. You slept in our bed with the new silk sheets after your dirty hunting games? You must know how expensive those are,” she scolds. You don’t and now you truly don’t want to.

She shoos you off in that direction and you see little reason to fight her on it. She joins you after you settle in the rising steam. Surprisingly, or perhaps not considering your wife, Lady Maeve enters with Atia and robes are left at the door as you lean back watching the two enter. You’re not sure what precisely caused it, but the atmosphere is different than it was two nights ago. Maybe Atia is just feeling tired or maybe she’s made her point, but she doesn’t put in as much effort into being at the center of things and puts more attention on Maeve. The two of them help wash each other and it ends up being far from chaste. Atia eventually pulls you into their midst and you get a similar treatment before things escalate, if only just so. The whole affair a lazy and drawn out thing.

You leave the women to their own business for the evening. Ciara has returned and you’re sure that’s somehow interesting to everyone. You instead have a fire prepared in the office and sink into your chair still dressed in your robes. You gaze into the flames for quite some time, lost in thought yet seeing little and less, though the sight is still oddly calming. Eventually you feel an unannounced presence in the room. So much for a lack of theatrics. “My Lord,” you offer in greeting without looking up from the flames.

“Ser Cormaic, a pleasure, I do hope,” he says with too much sweetness layered onto his words.

“Have you ever gazed into the flames, my Lord?” You finally break your trance and focus on him fully, your eyes still feeling alight. He’s sweating lightly and if you’re not mistaken, you see genuine fear wrought across his features as his eyes dart between you and the fireplace. Fascinating.

“I can’t say,” he says hoarsely, his voice catching, “your message was received, and your point made, Ser. What is it that was so urgent?”

“When you came here, did you know that I knew what you know about what Maeve and I both know?”

“I’m… sorry. What? No? Are you well, Ser?” he asks with confusion.

>>3843034
You chuckle slightly. “Forgive the mincing of words, my Lord. I so rarely get the chance to indulge in southern wordplay. I’ll be blunt then. I know you pushed Lady Maeve in my direction. Your ploy worked, but I’m sure you know that. I don’t care to hear apologies. We wouldn’t be speaking if I had cause to feel wronged,” you add firmly, “I only seek to clear the air, as it were. Last time you did most of the talking, as is your right, but you seem to have taken my own contributions to the discussion for granted.”

“Oh? Do elaborate, Ser,” he says, folding his hands together and looking at you strangely.

“I may be different than my people in some ways. It’s true. However, I still take my oaths no less seriously than they do. I swore my services to you, but perhaps I didn’t impart the gravity of my decision onto you. You have my loyalty. Not the false smiles and clasping of arms with daggers behind backs of the court, but true loyalty. I may keep a different God, but I’d like to imagine this one would strike me down like any other for breaking such an oath. So, let us do this properly.”

You stand with a dagger in hand and cut your palm. You place the dagger back on the table with the hilt facing Varys. Thankfully, he takes the hint and picks it up. He stares at you with a twinkle in his eye before carefully repeating your act. The two of you clasp hands and you give him a firm shake. “Bound by Blood.”

“Bound by Blood,” he repeats softly. “You would have questions then, Ser.”

“I would at least like to know what it is you’re trying to accomplish with the Clawmen,” you answer.

“A fair ask. Simply put, nothing. I want to maintain the status quo there as much as it can be maintained. I understand Brune has replaced Crabb and this is incidental to me, but the houses must not fall under one banner. Lord Eustace is far from the worst lord I’ve seen, but he doesn’t know what he’s playing at with this naked ambition. An alliance between all of the Crackclaw houses is one thing, but having the entire alliance answer to him is foolhardy. The Crown would see a united Point as a threat, a hotbed for loyalist insurrection, and I assure you it would not remain so for long. He needs to be checked. As does Lord Clarence Crabb with his attempt at matching this foolishness. That path leads to civil war amongst your neighbors and benefits no one. The best chance for maintaining order is to keep everyone at the same level of power. Your colorful neighbor, Lord Hardy, commands a sizeable force and won’t tolerate anyone gaining power over him. Nor should you and Lady Pyne, who can nearly match him when combined. That would bring this game from one or two factions to four relative equals. From there, a mutually beneficial alliance may be brokered. One that won’t see any more good men and women killed needlessly. That’s all I seek, Ser Cormaic.”

>>3843036
You nod. It’s essentially what Maeve has already told you, only with more details that fill in the gaps. You suppose it makes a deal of sense. A united front of some of the most stubborn, provocative dragon men within a few days’ march of the Iron Throne would demand a response from the hammer swinging oaf that caused the deaths of countless thousands after merely being rejected by a woman. You are still curious as to why this would matter so much to him. Why would he care what happens to a group of stubborn swamp people? You doubt you’ll get the answer you’re looking for even after your impromptu ceremony, so you leave it.

“Where do you see me in all of this? I don’t mean within Crackclaw politics, that much is obvious. I mean in regard to our working relationship,” you ask.

“You may have heard this before, Ser, but you are a very frightening man… and remarkably perceptive given your background, meaning no offense. I find myself with many problems and places amongst which my little birds can’t fly safely. I would have you act as the hawk in their stead. I do so hope to avoid having to resort to such methods when I can, but sadly these are such trying times and sometimes a less delicate touch is required,” he says with a dramatic sigh, settling back into his typical role.

He asks after Esmeralda briefly and seems almost unduly pleased that you’re both learning Pentoshi. The conversation dies down shortly after and he begs his leave, leaving you alone to your thoughts. You have very little left to accomplish before you get your official business here over with. Perhaps you have nothing at all left. It all depends on how you’d like to approach the betrothal negotiations. You could speak with the Lord Brax very soon, within the next few days, and hopefully iron out a suitable arrangement before you attend court. That would spare the lord learning more of the unsavory parts of your reputation, but it would also mean you wouldn’t be known for swearing to the daughter of his liege lord. Which will you handle first?

>Ciara’s wedding negotiations with the Lord Brax
>Swearing before the Iron Throne

Whew, even more dialog than I anticipated. That’s all for tonight. I’ll call the vote tomorrow and we’ll pick up again on Saturday at 7:30 EST.