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“A fortnight to judge a trial? That we can manage. Why not?” you agree.

“Oh, good,” Lady Cathryn smiles.

“It could take far less time than that. It all depends on circumstances,” Lord Lewys says.

“I was hoping we could have more time...” Lady Cathryn frowns.

“Why not come back with us?” you suggest. “We have two cabins of note upon the Sea Shryke. One could easily be yours, my lady.”

“Oh… that would be quite some time away. Jason needs me,” your good mother mulls it over. “Perhaps if he…”

“No. His place is at Deep Den. He needs to learn how to rule,” Lord Lewys interrupts.

“He is five,” his wife admonishes.

“Old enough to learn,” Lord Lewys grunts.

“I could not leave him for so long…” Lady Cathryn frets.

“It need not be for so long, Mother. A few months. I have put so much into Stormgrave. Would you not at least see it?” Cerelle pleads.

Lady Cathryn looks ready to weep between her daughter’s words and her husband’s stubbornness. It’s a bit discomforting for you, and you’re honestly at a loss as to what to say to further entice her or if you should even bother. You’ve never done well with the tears of women. It’s been used against you more than once in your past.

“I am sorry, dear. I simply cannot be away for so long. Perhaps next year? Or you could always visit us after your return,” Lady Cathryn decides. She at least tries to put on a hopeful smile.

“I would like that, Mother,” Cerelle tells her, though with more melancholy than you think you’ve ever heard from your wife in the time since you’ve wed. An awkward silence hangs over your part of the table until it’s interrupted by a boisterous, rosy cheeked Lord Hawthorn.

“Sooo, my lords and lovely ladies,” Lord Hawthorn drawls out, slinging his arms across the seats of both you and the brooding Ser Larten Lydden. A pregnant silence hangs after his introduction. Half the table looks at him in askance after the cheerful lord doesn’t continue. He blinks, then gives you a lopsided smile. “Do tell of this, this Storm, my Lord Rykker,” he asks you.

You can forgive his drunkenness. You’ve been there, and you’ve been waiting for the chance besides… “Ah, the storm? I suppose I must,” you grin. “Where to start… could you pass those peaches over this way, love?” you prod Cerelle. She sighs and rolls them over to you. “So, there I was…” you begin…

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>>4839267
You’re awoken only after quite a bit of your wife’s insistent shaking and prodding. You’d had your fair share of wine as your tales of conquest progressed, though you were far from alone in doing so. Overall, you’d say the gold digger lords had more appreciation for your telling than Cerelle did earlier in the evening. You’d teased her over it when she’d finally dragged you upstairs. Then you’d teased at her in other ways before sleep took you, enough so to scandalize her even in your own quarters. Too tightly raveled, this wife of yours. Perhaps if she had more to drink herself? Another burden of her nursing…

“Have you considered a wet nurse?” you ask her as you groggily sit up in the feather stuffed bed.

She whirls on you from her place in front of a silver mirror. “No. Why are you asking?”

“Is that not what your sort usually do?” you ask. You’ve never known a lowborn woman to do it unless they were sickly from the birth, but it’s fairly common knowledge that the highborn are as fond of carrying around extra teats as they are of fucking their cousins.

“It is common enough... I will admit this has been far more tiring and demanding than I had anticipated,” she says before turning back to the mirror.

“… and?” you prompt her to continue.

“Not for him. Not for Cerion. He will be a lord one day. He deserves… better. You need to get dressed. My father will be expecting you,” Cerelle says over her shoulder.

“Better? Better how? It’s milk, isn’t it?” you continue.

“Next you will be saying blood is blood, that we are no different from the commons,” she replies with some reproach.

“I am—”

“Not one of them,” she interrupts. “You never were. You have the blood of dragon lords. Do you really think I would debase myself with a man of peasant stock?”

You’re really not sure if the reasoning sums up, but far be it for you to convince her otherwise. “So, Cerion sups on only the finest of teats. Born with a golden teat in his mouth, you might say. Very rustic. If that is the custom…”

She hesitates. “I would not say it is or is not custom…”

“What does that even mean?” you ask as you go about trying to sort out what to wear. Should someone be doing this for you?

“I suppose I may hold him closer than most mothers do… it is just that… my own mother did with me as well, though she had her own reasons…” she mulls it over. “It is not that unusual. Lady Janesa said only Pureborn may nurse other Pureborn.”

Lady Janesa is going to have all of her parchments scattered about her desk for this. “I see,” you respond.

She finally turns on you to regard you more critically. “Why is this of any interest to you? I could easily count your interests on one hand, and the particulars of child rearing are not among… oh.”

>>4839268
“Oh?”

“Are you jealous of him?” she abruptly asks.

“What? No? The lad has his needs. We all do,” you shrug.

“Of all the…” she huffs. “You are jealous.”

“Am not,” you insist, continuing the back and forth in hissed whispers well after your respective retainers fall in at a cautious distance on your way to whichever solar your good father has deigned to use to prepare for this trial.

You find the Lady Melessa Banefort, your wife’s cousin by her mother’s side, waiting in front of the solar and leaning in a little too close to a distinctly uncomfortable guardsman. She decides to give the man a moment’s reprieve at sight of your wife. “There you are. They had the nerve to bid me wait without. We are going riding lest I do… something else,” Lady Melessa says with one last glare at the guard. “You do still know how to ride, yes? I recall you enjoyed it before you were stolen away to some rock.”

“I should like that. Lady Joanna will join us,” Cerelle agrees.

“Oh, good. We have much to catch up on.” Lady Melessa smiles. “You simply must tell me where else that one has those inkings upon his skin,” she adds with a lingering leer in your direction, the first she’s acknowledged you so far this morrow. Cerelle’s grip tightens upon your arm, communicating all too much of what she thinks of that, but she’s quick to take her cousin’s hand all the same, leaving you to deal with… whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing here.

“Lord Shryke. I presume you are not an early riser,” Lord Lewys Lydden says by way of greeting. Two other lords are present, and they’ve plainly started without you. One is Lord Tyler Lannister, your host. He seems even more annoyed than when you’d nearly killed that shit stirring knight in his yard, though you don’t think it’s directed at you this time. The other, a Lord Donovan Turnberry by his introduction, is even less enthused. If anything, you’d say he’s downright frightened over… something. You’re not rightly sure what.

“Depends on the day,” you brush off your good father’s latest bout of sea spray in your direction. “If I’m judging and you’re judging, then who is the third…?” you ask with a pointed look to the other two lords.

“Lord Tyler is merely here as an… impartial observer. Lord Donovan will be serving as judge,” Lord Lewys explains. You raise a brow at that. Last you checked, the good Lord Tyler’s wife is the cause of this little tiff. Aside from all the roadside massacring, that is. She had that Banefort banner knight seized on her lady sister of Oakheart’s behalf. But what do you care? You pour a healthy cup of wine for yourself and languidly take seat.

“What have I missed?” you ask instead.

“Ser Harrod Blackhood refuses to admit to any fault and only demands his immediate release,” Lord Tyler Lannister answers.

>>4839270
“Seems he’d be a right fool if he confessed. I’ll not hold it against him. Suppose release is still not on the table, then?” you ask.

“Not at all. Although we could do with more witnesses…” Lord Tyler grimaces. “Lord Banefort is nothing if not thorough.”

“Lord Banefort is not on trial here,” Lord Lewys testily reminds, though Lord Tyler doesn’t seem to think much of that technicality.

“If there is so little evidence, can we not simply release Ser Blackhood to his lord’s justice, as I would remind my lords, has been explicitly… requested,” Lord Donovan Turnberry suggests.

“And have me look the ineffectual fool? Lord Tywin bid me deal with this and deal with this I shall,” Lord Lewys says.

“He is your good brother, my lord,” Lord Turnberry complains. “Could it not be that our Lord Tywin simply expected you to dismiss this?”

“I would certainly hope personal biases will not rear their heads here. Such a dismissal would doubtlessly require a further review,” Lord Tyler Lannister cuts in.

“Is that a threat, my lord? This is your lady wife’s doing and yet I have allowed you to sit this meeting as a courtesy. Do not presume to test my patience,” Lord Lewys tells the Lord of Lannisport.

“Allowed me? This is my personal solar,” Lord Tyler bristles. You let the two greater lords bicker for a while longer over titles and honors and such while Lord Turnberry impotently tries to get a word in.

“As entertaining as this has been, I’d like to be done with this before the seasons turn again,” you finally say.

Lord Lewys rounds on you looking ready for some rebuttal but settles with giving you a critical glare far too similar to your lady wife’s for your liking. “Yes, you must be a very busy man, my lord. I am sure there is a holdfast somewhere upon the Narrow Sea that has not yet been sacked. Very well. We have Ser Blackhood in custody. He is likely as guilty as Lady Oakheart suggests, though no witnesses have come forward. What do you think should be done?”

>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]
>War is war and boys will be boys. They should just pretty this up and move along. Sweep this aside before it becomes any larger of a problem and bribe Oakheart with some favorable trade. Everyone profits. [Sellsword]
>You don’t mind making an example of this knight. Try him, name him guilty, and send his head along to whoever wants for it the most. One dead knight, guilty or not, for less lawlessness seems fair to you. [Valyrian]
>Something else.

>>4839272
>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]
You're back! :3

>>4839272
>>You don’t mind making an example of this knight. Try him, name him guilty, and send his head along to whoever wants for it the most. One dead knight, guilty or not, for less lawlessness seems fair to you. [Valyrian]
Been looking forward to this.

>>4839272
>War is war and boys will be boys. They should just pretty this up and move along. Sweep this aside before it becomes any larger of a problem and bribe Oakheart with some favorable trade. Everyone profits. [Sellsword]

Early thread? Wb

>>4839272
>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]

>>4839272
>>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]

I didn't even realise we actually qualify for the Tomb Raider title after raiding Sunfyre's tomb. Now we HAVE to name our first daughter Larra. Nice proper Valyrian name

>>4839481
Which first you talking? True born or bastard?

>>4839492
True-born of course. The bastard daughters will be called Rhaenys and Visenya for their destiny as Cerion's future sister-wives.

>>4839504
His future Velaryon or Qartheen bride won't like that.

>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]
Glad to see you're back at it!

>>4839272

>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]

>>4839272
>You’ve stirred up some trouble a time or two. You don’t buy for one moment there’s no witness. There’s always a witness. Try to track one down and proceed based off what they say. [Captain]
A trial must be fair.

>>4839272
>>You don’t mind making an example of this knight. Try him, name him guilty, and send his head along to whoever wants for it the most. One dead knight, guilty or not, for less lawlessness seems fair to you. [Valyrian]

>>4839272
>You don’t mind making an example of this knight. Try him, name him guilty, and send his head along to whoever wants for it the most. One dead knight, guilty or not, for less lawlessness seems fair to you. [Valyrian]
It’s going to end in combat one way or another

Can I get:

>1 roll of 6d6+4 for Status (Reputation)
>1 roll of 3d6 for Cunning
>1 roll of 7d6 for Persuasion (Convince)

Rolled 5, 6, 6, 5, 6, 4 + 4 = 36 (6d6 + 4)

>>4839919

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

>>4839919

>>4839927
Goddang......

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

>>4839919
As cunning as a brick through a glass window.

btw since we're back to using Bo1, can we use the 'Take your time' option on Page 32:

"When you have the luxury of time on your side, you can work more slowly to ensure you complete the task, which is especially useful for high Difficulty tasks that are ordinarily beyond your ability to roll with a normal test. For each additional amount of time spent preparing for the task (say an hour of research or an extra six seconds before making an Athletics
test), you gain an extra test die for the purposes of resolving your test. You can’t gain more than double your test dice in this way. So if you have 2 in an ability, you can’t gain more than two extra test dice by taking more time."

If I recall correctly you said some time back that it would break the system with Bo3. Now that we're back to Bo1 used in the book, can we use this where appropriate?

>>4839927
>>4839930
>>4839932
well this is a change of pace from the rolls in the last thread

>>4839927
Jesus christ Aurion chill

>27 vs DC 12. 4 Degrees.
>28 vs DC 18. 3 Degrees.
>14 vs DC 9. 2 Degrees.

Some high rolls there. Looks like you're going to be looking good today. And what is this? A Great Success on a Cunning test?

>>4839939
The rulebook at large is far less problematic with Bo1, but this one still seems superfluous, mostly because I can't think of a circumstance where I would bother with it. Rather than adding an extra situational rule on top, I don't know why I wouldn't just lower the DC in a situation where you could opt to take more time on a test. Sometimes I really do think they wrote extra rules for that book without considering what they already had.

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“This knight didn’t ride alone. Where are his men?” you ask.

“Fled to the Banefort if they have the slightest bit of sense,” Lord Lewys says.

“Well, that lord’s dead, so someone got up to some trouble. Happens I’ve gotten in trouble once or twice myself. My youthful years, you understand,” you say to the trio of older lords. “Thing is, I’ve not once ever seen a good bout of mischief that had no witnesses. There’s always witnesses. So, I say find those that haven’t tucked tail.”

“Hmm. A reasonable plan,” Lord Lewys nods.

“I quite like it. Why should we be burdened with judging mere hearsay?” Lord Donovan Turnberry agrees.

“It is sound in theory, but Ser Harrod is merely a knight and not one of great repute at that. His riders will be lowborn or, worse yet, bastards. Even if we could take them in hand and wring the truth from them, who would ever take them seriously?” Lord Tyler posits.

“That is the accuser’s burden and not that of the judges,” Lord Lewys reminds, only serving to deepen Lord Tyler’s frown. You’re about ready to go have a piss and let them have at it for another good while, but a thought does occur first.

“Hang on. We’re still speaking of knights here. Knights have squires, and I’d wager at least one or two we might find would be decently birthed. Why not question them instead?” you suggest.

“If they were of suitable birth…” Lord Tyler muses.

“And they’re squires. Bet it’s easy to scare the piss out of them. Or best yet, give them and theirs opportunity,” you smile.

“Bribes?” Lord Turnberry asks.

“If my lord wants. I was more thinking of me,” you answer. The lords only look more confused, so it’s your pleasure to enlighten them. “You’ve all had your share of famous knights and such back when you were squiring… who’d you say the squires speak of now?”

“Ser Arthur Dayne. Ser Jaime Lannister,” Lord Turnberry starts ticking off.

“Dead. Disgraced,” Lord Lewys answers, drawing a gasp at the second. “Spare me. I respect his lord father, but I have heard with mine own ears the King himself call him Kingslayer,” he continues with obvious distain.

“The King Robert. Bet that’s one,” you fill in before they get lost again. “Who else, then? Ser Chordwind. The one who’d killed that Kingsguard.”

“Ser Corbray,” Lord Lewys corrects.

“Right. That one. Ah, and Ser Barristan Selmy. I rode with him for a time when we marched on Massey’s Hook… so… who took Dragonstone?” you grin.

“… you think they will be interested in meeting you?” Lord Lewys asks with disbelief.

You give yourself a pointed onceover. “Yes?”

“Beyond the sheer arrogance of it, I will say I have my doubts,” your good father says.

“Word of the port would seem to agree with Lord Aurion, my lord,” Lord Tyler says. “He is something of a curiosity to many.”

>>4840395
“I would add my support, my lords,” Lord Turnberry beams. “Why not see if we can settle this more peaceably? Of course, the noble parents of these squires must need take responsibility for any utterances against Lord Banefort.”

“Who is not on trial,” Lord Lewys tiredly reminds.

“Of course not, my lord. I merely misspoke,” Lord Turnberry blanches.

“Then it’s settled. Find one or two notables who might’ve seen something they shouldn’t, and I’ll have one of my knights approach them. Ser Byron or Ser Jorry would suit,” you say. Your good father squints at mention of your inexplicably popular Yew knight, but he opts not to speak of it any further.

“Fine. I will consent to at least giving this a chance, as ludicrous as it strikes me,” Lord Lewys agrees. “I presume my Lord of Lannister will see to the rest,” he says by way of dismissal.

From there, you find yourself with some rare time alone with Cerion without Cerelle’s fretting over him. He seems to like grabbing at your finger, but there’s really not much else for you to do beyond… bond, you suppose. You idly wonder who he will favor more. He has your eyes, sure, but will he be a fighter like his father? Or a talker? Some say that’s more your talent. Or will he favor his mother? She’s the clever sort. You’re not sure how much you’d weight that for a lord, but surely it has its uses. Ah, and she’s a rider as well. It might be you’ve a horseman for an heir.

On that… Cerelle finally returns, still dressed from her ride with a flowy white blouse and… breeches.

“That’s a rare treat,” you note after her idle, distracted greeting. She’s quick to sweep up Cerion and break into one of the most natural smiles you’ve seen on her.

“They are for riding,” she defends.

“Then you should ride more often. Most your dresses don’t show enough of your legs. Squandering a gift, that… what do you think of Janesa’s dresses? Those are practical,” you suggest.

“What do you think of Ser Byron Yew?” your wife abruptly asks instead.

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“I want him for Lenore. She wants him as well,” Cerelle moves on without your answer.

“Why?” you ask, still utterly baffled at the fixation.

“Is he not dependable?” she continues.

“He is. I’m more stuck on why she’s so keen on fucking him,” you say.

“That is not how I would put it. And far from how you should put it as well,” she chides.

“Why’s she so keen on putting it, then?” you try. She walks away to the window instead, mumbling something. Numbers, you think.

“She likes that he is quiet, I suppose. ‘Gentle and dangerous’… her words,” Cerelle finally answers. “I make no claim to understanding it. I don’t particularly care. What matters is that she is perhaps the only person I truly trust, and I would keep her close if I am able.”

>>4840397
“Only her?” you pointedly ask. You get a brief glimpse of her iciness from the evening prior when you told her of your indiscretions.

“Only her,” Cerelle replies.

“Then what do you want of me?” you sigh.

“A gesture to her father. There is an old beacon tower overlooking the town and the cove… it is still there, is it not?” she asks.

“It is. The town watch used it years ago. Raiders must’ve torched it, but the shell remains,” you say. You remember trying to climb it on a dare once in your youth. A pair of guardsmen just watched you do it and then hauled you off to Argus afterwards. Turned out there were safer ways to get cuffed around the head.

“Would it not serve as a towerhouse?” she asks.

“With some work and stone… I could see it,” you shrug. “To what end? I can hardly just give them my town or any other land for that matter. Stormgrave is… what? The second smallest island in the region?”

“The third smallest, after Keenwatch and Long Isle,” Cerelle says.

“So, you see the issue,” you say.

“Hardly. It is not uncommon for branches of noble birth to be given room to grow without landing them. Ser Byron already commands the bowmen garrisoned in town. Giving him place past a room in the castle will make him a more appealing suitor,” Cerelle explains.

“I suppose it wouldn’t be bad for morale,” you allow.

“That too,” she quickly agrees.

There are other details she hasn’t considered, though, or she has and is deliberately not mentioning them. For one, that might better serve to attract fresh blood if you find yourself in need of such. Or Vaeron could put it to use. That might suit him. The question is more of who to favor.

>You will agree to foist the towerhouse onto Ser Byron so Cerelle can have her cousin nearby. He has been useful to you, and Cerelle’s half-arguments of his position with the crossbowmen in town are the most practical to you. [Captain]
>You can’t agree to this. Vaeron is your sworn brother and should get first pick of the towerhouse. He has fought with you the longest and one of his children should be wed to one of yours at some point. [Valyrian]
>You’d rather not make any promises to anyone. Best to hedge your bets and see what other opportunities might come up. [Sellsword]
>Something else.

In house building terms, what we are discussing here is building an Outpost holding (costs 5 Defense, you have 6 Defense available right now) for a Sworn Sword Retainer (5 Influence, gives you +1 to either Power or Law during House Fortunes rolls). Your town can host up to 2 Retainers and currently hosts 0.

>>4840399
>>You will agree to foist the towerhouse onto Ser Byron so Cerelle can have her cousin nearby. He has been useful to you, and Cerelle’s half-arguments of his position with the crossbowmen in town are the most practical to you. [Captain]

The only reason I favor Byron over Vaeron in this regard is because of Janesa. She would most assuredly want more than just a watchtower as a reason to stay. And I have my doubts Cerelle would want to marry any of her children to just a swornsword. Especially the heir of the House.

>>4840399
>You will agree to foist the towerhouse onto Ser Byron so Cerelle can have her cousin nearby. He has been useful to you, and Cerelle’s half-arguments of his position with the crossbowmen in town are the most practical to you. [Captain]
we have another slot to use for a retainer. should get an essosi merchant to jumpstart our trade

>>4840399
>>You will agree to foist the towerhouse onto Ser Byron so Cerelle can have her cousin nearby. He has been useful to you, and Cerelle’s half-arguments of his position with the crossbowmen in town are the most practical to you. [Captain]
I think that Cerelle is playing a long game here.
She is going to use her cousin to gather information on Dorea.

>>4840420
We already told Cerelle everything about Dorea though.

>>4840399
>You will agree to foist the towerhouse onto Ser Byron so Cerelle can have her cousin nearby. He has been useful to you, and Cerelle’s half-arguments of his position with the crossbowmen in town are the most practical to you. [Captain]

>>4840430
did we tell her where Dorea is staying? did we give her someone to keep surveillance on that place? cousin is a spy.

>>4840445
Dorea is in a cabin on Massey's Hook I thought, not our island. Pretty sure. Would be a pretty poor place to spy on her from an Outpost on Stormgrave.

>>4840455
wherever it is, Byron is the one who set her up with the place isn't he? Cerelle is really shrewd, she knows something is up.

>>4840399
>You will agree to foist the towerhouse onto Ser Byron so Cerelle can have her cousin nearby. He has been useful to you, and Cerelle’s half-arguments of his position with the crossbowmen in town are the most practical to you. [Captain]

>>4840477
>Cerelle is really shrewd, she knows something is up.
Maybe she can tell me what's up because idk what we are hiding that she doesn't already know.

>>4840399
>You’d rather not make any promises to anyone. Best to hedge your bets and see what other opportunities might come up. [Sellsword]
We also have to think about our boy Vaeron.

>>4840399
>>You can’t agree to this. Vaeron is your sworn brother and should get first pick of the towerhouse. He has fought with you the longest and one of his children should be wed to one of yours at some point. [Valyrian]

I just woke up again, so the post will be up tomorrow. I'm going to close the vote, though. I think it's likely that promises made and Vaeron's place would end up getting mentioned in this conversation even with you taking Cerelle's side, so I figured I'd ask to work into this next post:

What is Aurion's preference, at present, for Cerion's eventual betrothal? Note, this doesn't lock you into anything. It's just his initial preference at the moment that may influence what Cerelle considers or keeps an eye out for.

>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.
>A nice wholesome Stormlands girl, perhaps from Estermont, to bolster ties with your liege and allies beyond word alone.
>A girl with strong Valyrian blood from one of your neighbors, to strengthen your house's claim to being Valyrian and to cool off some of the animosity and hostility from the war.
>A girl from one of the noble houses of Valyrian descent from Lys or Volantis to bolster trade ties and blood at the same time.
>Something else.

Quick note, I know it gets a little confusing with how Janesa is a personage slot for you right now, but IC you should know enough about Qartheen nobility to understand that Janesa's daughter would be seen as at least an even match for Cerion while their son would be considered a somewhat poor match for a potential first-born daughter of yours.

>>4842471
I'm torn between:

>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.
&
>A girl from one of the noble houses of Valyrian descent from Lys or Volantis to bolster trade ties and blood at the same time.

>>4842471
I really want this…
>A girl from one of the noble houses of Valyrian descent from Lys or Volantis to bolster trade ties and blood at the same time.

But we’d have to offer something big to Janesa for breaking our promise

>>4842471
>>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.
dont think aurion can afford to break that one

>>4842471
>>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.
A tie for trade to Qarth would really set us apart form most noble houses. we could probably get some really fine textiles or something

>>4842471
>>A nice wholesome Stormlands girl, perhaps from Estermont, to bolster ties with your liege and allies beyond word alone.

>>4842471
>A girl with strong Valyrian blood from one of your neighbors, to strengthen your house's claim to being Valyrian and to cool off some of the animosity and hostility from the war.

Where the fuck is the sister-wives option with Dorea's twins???

Lets not marry our firstborn off to Janesa and Vaerons girl. Second son, sure but not the first one

>>4843263
I'd like to hear the reasoning behind this take. Because I whole heartedly disagree.

>>4843440
Because the firstborn son is the heir and therefor the most important. He will be the one who has best chance to make connection with other powerful houses, People generally dont really want to marry off their daughters to sons who stands to inherit little or nothing at all

>>4843444
Isn't this more an argument for why Janesa would be insulted by a second son who will inherit nothing for her heiress daughter?

>>4843444
So in this we're disregarding how much Janesa the younger stands to inheriit? And as you just said, no one wants to marry a second son in line to inherit very little, so why would Jan want ours? That'd be a pretty serious insult. That House is as equally powerful as many of the options we would find in Westeros and has the added benefits of foreign trade and keeping a promise.

>>4842471
>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.

>>4842471
>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.
A promise made, a promise kept.

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>mfw no one wants to go for the sister-wives route
Just you watch, you keep making these plans while Cerion runs away with his Rhaenys and Visenya

On that note, Cerelle was open to raising a potential bastard daughter inside the castle so she's raised properly. What does that mean for Dorea? I doubt she'll just let her daughter go.

>>4842471
>Janesa and Vaeron's daughter, to make good on your previous promise and strengthen potential trade ties with Qarth.

I like all of them but this covers our earlier commitment.

>>4843546
>mfw no one wants to go for the sister-wives route

I thought the dumb coombrains went to akun with Trick

>>4843546
Pray tell what makes you think thats even a remotely good idea or even somewhat in line with the moves that Aurion have made up until now?

>>4843712
Because he's a Valyrian warlord who'd totally like his son to follow in the Conqueror's footsteps? We need to make the Stepstones great again!

>>4843546
>>4843800
I can't wait for this to not happen, so these people will stop.

>>4843813
>these people

It's just Elswyer.

>>4843546
>On that note, Cerelle was open to raising a potential bastard daughter inside the castle so she's raised properly. What does that mean for Dorea? I doubt she'll just let her daughter go.

No idea. That's up to you guys. You're not even required to recognize them if you don't want to. You could take them both in and shower them with gifts, leave them where they are, or see if you can snag just one of them. Or probably a few other things. I have no idea where any of that leaves Dorea.

>>4843813
There's a decent chance I will do a POV shift to Cerion during the war because he will be ~15 when it pops off and eligible for a Young Adult character sheet, but I would outright veto that idea as being out of character given he is not likely to grow up to be a complete retard.

>>4843961
Don't take it seriously, I just like to pull your leg. Cerion POV would be a delightful surprise, every quest starting near Robert's Rebellion has died or gone on indefinite hiatus before reaching the canon timeline. Then there's the issue of running out of material once you catch up with the books. Hoping for this one to chug on until Winds arrives. In 2030

>>4843975
we have quite a while to go before cannon timeline. I'm looking forward to the Greyjoy rebellion a lot

>>4843975
Fair enough. I don't have much of a problem with catching up to the books. I'd like to if anything. This house in particular really looks like it's going to be in for it, so there's a lot of content to work with. If we really do catch up and run into a bunch of ?'s for what comes next, then I'll fill in the broad strokes as needed.

Okay, 3 rolls please.

>1 roll of 7d6 for Convince
>1 roll of 3d6 for Knowledge
>1 roll of 3d6 for Cunning

Rolled 5, 3, 6, 5, 5, 6, 6 = 36 (7d6)

>>4844094

Rolled 6, 1, 5 = 12 (3d6)

>>4844094

Rolled 4, 3, 2 = 9 (3d6)

>>4844094

>>4844107
Fucking hell

>>4844107
That'll do it. Great success. 0.81% chance of rolling this high.

>>4844108
Success.
>>4844115
Fail.

The Knowledge/Cunning tests were related to Qartheen trade. The Cunning test would've helped if you'd rolled low on Convince, but Cerelle can largely fill in the gaps since she agrees with you.

>>4844130
Well we've already decided and rolled for it, but I would have written in some arguments to lower the DC like: the younger Janesa will be growing up alongside Cerion, allowing them 15-16 years to bond together and iron out their differences. She considers us family and her loyalty will be unquestionable. Also the girl is still growing up and Cerelle has the opportunity to influence her into becoming the perfect highborn wife she wants for her son. Not to mention that she's already learning to fill the same capacity as Cerelle and Janesa the Elder (lol) and filled in for her mother when she was away in King's Landing. Lastly, for Cerion's sake, just look at the elder Janesa's tits.

But it looks like I was too busy shitposting to effortpost.

>>4844130
>Only two degrees of success on a roll of 33
Boggs out here throwing Mythic Difficulty (DC 24+) rolls at us. The roll to convince Cerelle to forgive our dalliances had a DC 25 for comparison. She must reeeeally want Cerion to marry higher.

I had another question about this Lord Turnberry co-judging the trial with us. From what I understand, his heir was being approached for a match with Lenore with Lord Lewys' approval, but Cerelle is trying to wed her to Byron instead. Will it upset this Lord if the news of Byron's betrothal/marriage to Lenore comes in the middle of the trial? If yes, we should tell Cerelle to delay her scheming until the trial is done with, maybe we need to convince Lord Turnberry to side with us, and he has been open to our suggestions so far.

>>4844162
Additionally janesas daughter will inherit her mother and fathers giant genes, thus helping to counter the manlet genes from our wifes side, ensuring our bloodline does not suffer the curse of 5’11

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“Last I checked, we had a decent amount of stone on hand for a small towerhouse… or someone told me as much. I could do this. I like it, even,” you say. “The trouble is, I’ve others who need rewarding. Ser Byron’s not the only capable knight in my service.”

“Who? Ser Jorry? Ser Vaeron?” Cerelle asks.

“Vaeron as you well know. We came up together, and he’s bled for me many times. I’ve an island and he has… what?” you point out.

“A promise of betrothal to one of our children. A promise you made to Lady Janesa without so much as mentioning it to me first. I doubt she has forgotten either,” she says.

“She reminded me of it before I set sail,” you sigh. “What was I supposed to do? My company would still be stranded or dead in the far east without her family’s patronage, and I would be dead a dozen times over without Vaeron watching my back. That’s all besides my love for the both of them.”

“You throw around that word far too loosely,” Cerelle comments.

“No. I don’t,” you glare back. She stares back until you go back to pacing.

“Sit. Relax. Have a… by the Mother, I never thought I would say this to you… have a drink,” Cerelle finally says. “If it is so important to you, we can at least discuss it,” she offers.

You don’t need to be asked twice and are happy enough to pour two cups from your own stock, taking a hearty pull and sinking into your seat while your wife pulls a bitter face. “What is this?”

“Ale, after a fashion,” you say. “Just a bit fortified is all. I call it strongale for lack of a better word.”

“It is horrid,” she unfairly remarks.

“First you go putting my son in that dress, now you want for that watery wine,” you complain.

“I will have someone sew up little breeches for him if you so wish. Then you can be the one to change him when he soils himself,” your wife suggests.

You don’t have much for that beyond a vague idea. “Qarth’s weavings are better than Myr’s. Or at least as good. And they’ve better access to the finer silks.”

“You speak of this for… who? The younger Janesa?” Cerelle asks.

“And Cerion. Aye. It makes a bit of sense, doesn’t it?” you say.

“I am not so sure. I am less familiar than I would like to be over the specifics of Qartheen Pureborn. What troubles me is that Lady Janesa would be wed to Ser Vaeron to begin with. Before you comment on us, it is not the same. Lord Estermont had to burn significant favors to make our matching suitable, favors I doubt you or Ser Vaeron had,” she says.

“I’m not sure they’re even wed,” you shrug.

“Excuse me?” she looks about as scandalized as she was when you were getting too friendly with her arse.

>>4844755
“I don’t know. He’s her consort. Like a concubine. It’s not exactly an equal affair. Any road, I remember her mother was furious. She liked me, though. At least I thought she did. It’s hard to tell with Qartheen. Sometimes the friendlier they are the more they want to fuck you in the most unpleasant way,” you vaguely explain.

“Is Janesa considered trueborn or not?” Cerelle interrupts your explanation.

“The younger? Gods what an awful tradition with the names. Aye, she’s a Pureborn. The name’s part of it, what with it being tradition. Janesa, the older one mind, she could take a formal husband if she wanted to, but she couldn’t rightly name a second child in the ancestral sense. Her daughter is the clear heir in that way. Any road, see how they’re all of the House Anaris? The heirs and heiresses do this ceremony, right, they get these supplexes,” you explain.

“What was that word?” she interrupts again.

“Supplexes. You know. They go in front like titles but not,” you say while shooting her an impatient look. “So, they all mean something. Bugger me if I know the translation but Lady Janesa is second and the little one is third in line. Then others of the house have nothing like little Auric or Lieutenant Janoth. They’re not in line.”

“That is not a word at all and further, you have it entirely backwards,” she corrects.

“How can I have it backwards if it’s not a word?” you ask her.

“Just… forget it… so, she is formally considered a trueborn in this… culture,” Cerelle summarizes.

“Aye, that’s what I’ve been saying. The girl is Pureborn. Her word in Qarth is nearly law, at least in theory,” you answer.

“This is beginning to sound complicated even for me,” Cerelle comments.

“Now you know how I’ve felt for all these years. That’s not such a bad thing, yeah? Can you imagine some noncing knight this side of the water trying to question the girl’s standing? They’d look like a right fool. And further, she brings all sorts of benefits,” you say.

“I am listening…” she allows.

“For one, the trade. Now, I fully expect Lady Janesa to leave sooner rather than later. That’s past any feelings she has about living this side of the sea. Her own mother is getting on in her years and will want her there to sit her throne,” you say.

“A throne?” Cerelle repeats, suddenly seeming more interested.

“Aye. A throne. The Pureborn heads each have their own. They sit around in a great hall only for them and decide who lives and who dies, what’s to be taxed, who to trade with… that sort of thing. And they give their own heirs and kin appointments when it suits,” you explain.

“And Lady Janesa will be doing this?” she clarifies.

“What else will she be doing?” you answer.

“That is more significant than I thought,” Cerelle admits.

>>4844758
“Past that, it looks good on the island,” you continue.

“Does it? They are foreign,” Cerelle reminds.

“They are, but the Qartheen are the ones who answered the call for that scheme of yours with the farms. That bit where each cavalryman would have a hide of land for his service,” you say. “Janoth, Janesa’s cousin, he’s the one who commands the Heralds of the Storm.”

“So, the closest thing to a middle class that the island has is almost entirely Qartheen… that does change matters,” Cerelle concludes, starting to seem far more amenable to the idea.

“And you like the girl, do you not?” you say.

“I do…” she admits.

“Well, she’s sitting in the castle right now, likely bored. You’ve spoke of how you want to raise a proper lady. Now’s your chance,” you tell her.

“Now you are just trying to sweeten me up,” she says.

“Is it working?” you try.

She can’t help her smile. “Fine. I will admit it appeals to me. But,” she starts at your grin. “This is all dependent on setting terms when we get back. There is no agreement until we all agree.”

“I’ll take that,” you smile.

“Good… and Aurion? Please, no more promises. I would have preferred to wait until Cerion was twelve or so to have this sort of talk,” she says.

“I can’t think of anyone else I’d care to make promises to, so that should be easy,” you say.

“Not… ‘Cleo’?,” she mentions.

“It’s not some sort of pet name. Everyone calls here that, least everyone I know. And no, you gave her some sort’ve mayhaps for her bout of playing matchmaker. Suited me just fine,” you remind.

“Hmm… how was your meeting with Father?” she finally asks.

“Good enough…” you start as you explain the specifics.

“… that is oddly clever, I suppose. Melessa was wroth over being barred from the meeting while Lord Tyler was allowed entry. I know it is not precisely the same, but there does seem to be some bias at play,” Cerelle says.

“I really can’t say I care,” you say. “We just need to wait around a few days for them to sort this, then pin all this on whatever the squires go on about.”

“So, you should be somewhat free for the next day or two?” she asks.

“Looks like it… why?” you ask.

“I am going to the Great Motherhouse with Cerion. I would like you there as well,” she says.

“What’s the point of that?” you ask.

>>4844761
“He has never been to a sept or motherhouse since his birth. It is well past time. I would also like to see my sister,” Cerelle answers.

“Hold on. Sister?” you ask.

“Half-sister… we do not often speak of her. She is from my mother’s first marriage,” she awkwardly explains.

“Not often? This is the first I’ve heard of her,” you point out, a bit perturbed by not knowing a detail like that.

“My lady mother’s first husband was a Tarbeck knight,” she says, though quickly notes your blank look. “Tarbeck? Surely… fine. You know that crass song we spoke of? The one with the Rains of Castamere?”

“They played it at our wedding,” you nod.

“House Tarbeck was on the losing side of that conflict… I do not claim to know all of the details aside from that my sister is a septa at the Great Motherhouse now. My lady mother has taken me to the motherhouse on a couple of occasions, but it has been years since I have last visited,” she explains.

“What am I supposed to do there? Is there some sort of ceremony?” you ask.

“An anointing of the Seven Holy Oils for Cerion… but I had also considered something else for you…” she says. “I no longer trust you. At all. I can understand you have your flaws, we all do, but what you have vowed to me and how you have acted are completely at odds. You put both Cerion and I at risk and you have completely humiliated me with this bastard girl of yours. You say you will stop acting the bachelor but why should I believe you?”

“What else am I supposed to do beyond follow through with what I have said?” you tell her.

“Take a vow at the sept, on all of us. Cerion and I both. We are who you have hurt in all of this. I want this done with, Aurion,” she says, all ice again.

>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]
>You’ll attend for Cerion’s ritual, but you’re not much comfortable with anything beyond that. Oaths of the sort she describes are a tad too binding for your tastes. [Sellsword]
>You will do neither. You are offended that she would try to put you in a corner like this. [Valyrian]
>*tips captain’s hat* As an enlightened and well-traveled individual, you would be happy to swear whatever primitive oaths are required. Of course, such oaths would mean nothing to you as the Seven are simply fictitious beings to rock lesser men to sleep at night. [Self-inserting fag]
>Something else/something to add.

She has to know Aurion doesn't really do religion, doesn't she? We avoided going into the sept with Dorea, talked with the septon but didn't commit to the Faith. Swearing an oath before the Seven has no binding value on Aurion at all.

The Captain choice would be the least conflict-inducing but I think we have been picking it too often since the return from hiatus.

>>4844764
>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844791
read it again coombrain.

>>4844764
>>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844764
>>*tips captain’s hat* As an enlightened and well-traveled individual, you would be happy to swear whatever primitive oaths are required. Of course, such oaths would mean nothing to you as the Seven are simply fictitious beings to rock lesser men to sleep at night. [Self-inserting fag]

>>4844764
>>You’ll attend for Cerion’s ritual, but you’re not much comfortable with anything beyond that. Oaths of the sort she describes are a tad too binding for your tastes. [Sellsword]
I was against Dorea from the get go, but we chose her and said that we loved her. I think that this knightly thing is her trying to back us into a corner.

It's very hard to trust a partner after infidelity, and Aurion did it not once, but twice, even falling in love with one of them, which is many a woman's worst nightmare. So I can completely understand where Cerelle is coming from.

>>4844764
>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]
Actions have consequences, Boggs doesn't hold back his punches. We gotta do what we gotta go.

>>4844791
I see the option as less of an oath to gods and more of a promise to Cerelle.
>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844764
>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844764
>You’ll attend for Cerion’s ritual, but you’re not much comfortable with anything beyond that. Oaths of the sort she describes are a tad too binding for your tastes. [Sellsword]

>>4844764
>You’ll attend for Cerion’s ritual, but you’re not much comfortable with anything beyond that. Oaths of the sort she describes are a tad too binding for your tastes. [Sellsword]

>>4844764
>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844764
>>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844808
>>4844974
>>4844984
>>4845161
>>4845165
sus

>>4845205
Too lazy to find my previous vote and I don’t think Boggs require it.

>>4844764
>You will go to the sept and participate in whatever she requires. Missteps aside, your word is your word. If this is what it takes to reestablish that, then so be it. [Captain]

>>4844764
>You will do neither. You are offended that she would try to put you in a corner like this. [Valyrian]

Its like she doesnt trust us at all!

>>4845205
Do I really need to link to my previous posts?

>>4845205
>Sus
Pot calling the kettle black.

>>4844764

>You’ll attend for Cerion’s ritual, but you’re not much comfortable with anything beyond that. Oaths of the sort she describes are a tad too binding for your tastes. [Sellsword]

>>4844212
Forgot to answer this. The DC was split in 2 for this with a lower number to have her not outright reject the possibility and a higher number to actually get her to favor the idea. Nice looking out on Turnberry, but it's actually more of a relief to him.

>>4844791
>She has to know Aurion doesn't really do religion, doesn't she?

He's not an athiest. I have him as lukewarm about it. He's not pious, but some belief should be expected for a character with a smallfolk upbringing in a setting like this. He's been shown to be superstitious about plenty of things past just religion. The IC decisions on the Faith have been kind of all over the place from where I'm sitting. He turned his nose up at visiting the sept with Dorea before battle, but he also took confession with his septon shortly after meeting him, built a sept in his castle (albeit at Cerelle's suggestion), and is currently tithing valueable crystals from his mine to the Faith. Really someone with his sort of personality and background would be more likely to use religion as a crutch, an excuse for his behaviors (AA types who believe they are powerless in the face of bad habits because it's all up to a higher power comes to mind) or a tool for personal gain (claiming the gods favor him to win an argument or justify something otherwise immoral), than anything.

Past that, I'd say >>4844974 is spot on. The tricky thing for Aurion here is swearing on/for Cerelle and Cerion rather than a simple, "with the gods as my witness." He might be willing to risk a healthy bit of blasphemy on himself, but a man breaking an oath on his wife and child isn't a man at all.

>>4845216
>>4845255
It's not something I require on every post, but
I will throw out unlinked 1-posts if I check in on the votes the next day and strongly suspect samefagging. It's irritating to have to do that, but that's just how it has to be after past problems.

>>4845904
Cerelle is being very troublesome for Aurion who just want a place to rest his cock. It is very inconsiderate of her

>>4845904
>He might be willing to risk a healthy bit of blasphemy on himself, but a man breaking an oath on his wife and child isn't a man at all.
Your days are over, coomers. Monogamous Chad Aurion taking over now.

>>4845967
Boo. I would like to have a scoundrel/rogue lord for once that didnt end up proper, at least not this fast. Same thing happend to Brynden Malroy..

>>4845981
Should have picked naive Constance then. You could have kept Dorea as your mistress in the same castle as your wife and she would have been none the wiser. Cerelle is the intelligent woman who won't take your shit and will force you to be the proper lord and leave behind your scoundrel ways.

>>4845981
I think anons just don't want to play the scoundrel/rogue, you're right that even characters that start out that way turn into proper lords eventually. We tried with Mervyn Reynold and you can see how that went. Perhaps it is in the nature of the thing, degenerates see 'amoral' character and jump straight to rape, like in Reynold, or straight up murderhobo. Serious anons see this behaviour and consequently try to stay away from too many underhanded techniques, leading to proper lord MCs.

I think the nature of these type of quests running over such a long period really does bring out a desire for "something different." There are some themes and character traits that do seem to get repetitive. MCs are usually pro-family and anti-everyone else, vaguely agnostic or lukewarm about religion, combat-focused to some degree, somewhat pro-justice, often with too much personal choice due to having dead parents, frequently from an upstart or lowborn background... you get the point. In a word, grey.

I think a scoundrel/rogue is definitely a fun archtype that doesn't see enough straight play. From the perspective of a player, that's probably the secondmost thing I'd like to play after someone who is actually righteous about a cause for a change. A true believer. There is so much than can be done with that, and it would definitely stand out compared to the neutral-at-large MCs that permeate this medium. I guess it's ironic and also very fitting that this site, which often invites a great deal of contrarianism, has made it so the old traditional lawful evil and righteously good characters, the actual black and whites, have become the exception to the rule while the more "unique" greys are everywhere.

On the other hand, I do think the general reason of "something different" underlying decisions for MCs is usually detrimental because it often involves taking an MC with an established personality and trying to force them into a mold that's just not them. Several easily named examples have shown how that leads to schizo tug of wars. I don't think that's the most enjoyable for the majority. Overall, I'm trying to aim for more consistency with this character in particular because we are 12 threads and approaching 300k words of story posts involving him.

>>4846333
I liked when in Alchemist quest our dad told us to marry one of two girls he suggested, and we went yeah sure, I'll marry her.

>>4846333
I think it's both the QM's framing and the players' goals that leads to the repetitive tropes. It's almost certain that the character will face combat during the quest, so the MC must have at least some skill in combat to not die in the first round. They want the MC to be flexible in his options and allow him to be sneaky or clandestine every once in a while so he can't be too pious or honourable. But those around him mustn't despise him, so he has to do the right thing most of the time. Lastly it's mostly a landowning MC with an inheritance and a legacy to worry about, so players want a peaceful and healthy environment at home, and good kids to carry your name forward.

I've been thinking of how to break this mold, but haven't come up with many solutions so far. Your Alchemist quest was a breath of fresh air in that regard.

Throw me some ideas for interesting quests that can be run, I'll see if something sticks in my creative dartboard.

>>4846431
a paralyzed trader who is not a warg

>>4846431
Female MC. Zero fighting or athletic skills. Find a good man to marry, raise strong children and provide good counsel to your house.

>>4846890
Might or might not be a warg.

No update tonight?

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You resign yourself to whatever Cerelle has in store for you, though the idea of being so bound by a holy oath doesn’t sit well with you. You’ve made your vows before, that’s what a wedding is, but swearing on those you love adds that much more weight to it. What sort of man would break an oath on their wife and child? It has an uncomfortable finality to it.

You end up departing on the morrow with Ser Jorry Bywater and Ser Alan of Woodmere as escort, tossing a few silver stags to a small harbor skiff to ferry you across the sloshing water of Lannisport’s port beneath grey midmorning skies. Aerron and the young Lenna Hightower also decide to tag along, or it’s decided for them. You don’t bother with those details. Not that they seem to mind in the least. You vaguely recall the girl is one of those sorts who turns prayer into a lifestyle. It might just be the most interesting thing about her. That is, aside from her family’s wealth. As for Aerron… if he was any further up your wife’s arse you’d bring him up on charges of adultery. He’s absolutely fawning over her just because she’s apparently taken an interest in learning High Valyrian. You’ve the basics down yourself. As “high” as it is, it tends to be the most practical tongue for negotiating in both the Free Cities and further east. Those such as the Qartheen don’t think much of the offshoots like Tyroshi or Pentoshi, but the High tongue is still considered a classic amongst the brood of Pureborn and magisters alike.

The motherhouse itself rests upon a small isle some four hundred yards from the docks… or it could be five. Honestly, you’re not great with the whole depth perception bit. You find you do better with your myrish lens, though you had no need of it for this little outing. The main building rests within a pair of ringed walls, apparently some sort of lesson learned from Ironborn raids if the skiff’s captain’s word means anything. It’s… well, not that impressive as far as the temples you’ve seen go, at least not within the walls. Might just be the walls making it look bigger.

You come upon a large stone statue in the outer cloister with a figure that you first mistake for the Mother herself… “Elinor,” you mumble, keenly aware of how distinctly stupid your reading voice sounds… you’re working on it. Soon enough you might not need read words aloud at all. You’re told that’s a practiced talent.

>>4846934
“Mother Elinor was one of the Black Brides,” Aerron helpfully chimes in, enjoying himself far too much given the tense circumstances… but you suppose that bit is just between you and your lady wife. Lenna Hightower is gawking at the statue like it’s some sort of holy relic and pays no mind to your demeanor.

“Right…” you respond to the dragonseed scholar, as if that would have any meaning to you. You note your lady wife is distracted with someone else, namely a vaguely familiar dark haired woman in a septa’s vestments.

“This is Septa Alysanne,” Cerelle introduces to you. That would be the sister, the Tarbeck.

“A pleasure,” you easily smile to the woman. You’d place her somewhere near your age, as vague as that gets in your range. Odd to think of, that. It’s easy to forget you’ve somewhere around six years on your own lady wife. The former aspiring lady-turned-septa favors you with a slight smile in return, brief as it is, before turning her attentions on Cerion, who at least has the grace to be in a babbling mood this morrow.

You pay your kindnesses as much as you think you’re expected to and then take to idlily wandering about the modest gardens of the cloister while your pair of knights do their best to look knightly and the two sisters catch up on… whatever it is half-sisters with their feet in wildly different worlds tend to catch up on. It’s not hard to catch your wife’s call for you after a time. You take it that word was good-natured overall as the both of them seem in good spirits.

“Shall we begin?” the Septa Alysanne says in a voice offputtingly similar to Lady Cathryn’s.

First…
>You’re not one for half-measures. Confess your misdeeds since your last confession with Septon Boremund to the Septa as is expected of you. [Valyrian]
>What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. [Sellsword]

As for Cerelle…
>Open-ended. She has you here to swear a significant vow after your transgressions. Would you ask anything of her as well?

>>4846937
>You’re not one for half-measures. Confess your misdeeds since your last confession with Septon Boremund to the Septa as is expected of you. [Valyrian]
But frame it more as a thing to get back Cerelle's trust than any actual need for religious absolution.

As for Cerelle:
A reaffirmation of our wedding vows: "to be open and loving to me, to share with me your heart and mind so that we may weather any storm?” and "be patient and understanding of my flaws while helping me overcome them"

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>Aurion right now

>>4846937
>You’re not one for half-measures. Confess your misdeeds since your last confession with Septon Boremund to the Septa as is expected of you. [Valyrian]
No opinion on what Cerelle should do

>>4846937
>You’re not one for half-measures. Confess your misdeeds since your last confession with Septon Boremund to the Septa as is expected of you. [Valyrian]
>>4846957
I like the idea. Recite our vows to assuage her and have her do the same.

>>4846431
Alright. A maester. A respected advisor to a house to try to guide the impulses of a characterful (read:stupid) lord into something resembling productivity. No skill in combat required, but you could toss in a few links in Warfare to make his military input relevant. No need for waifus in that increasingly cringeworthy medieval dating sim sense. If you really just had to include one of those hooks, it could be a kitchen wench or tutored lady that challenges his vows in a sense that isn't reminiscent of some terrible VN or whatever. Or skip it entirely because it's not needed. Overall, you would essentially be running a traditonal house building quest with more persuasion/deception rolls without a lordly MC that always instantly gets the final say. Maybe he'd need to commit unsavory acts on occasion, duplicty, murder, bribery, thievery, etc. to ensure the house stays afloat and his vows are upheld. How you have a character that both gives a shit about something beyond boring concepts such as gold/sex/"power" and also has significant limiting factors that should prevent him from turning into a snowflake. The only real challenge I can see is in sticking to the premise rather than settling into that well-carved mold or giving freebees on the more challenging aspects.

>>4846937
>What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. [Sellsword]

>>4846937
>What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. [Sellsword]

>Promise to have 12 kids

>>4846989
Aren’t maesters not supposed to travel outside their assigned keep? It sounds very limiting imo.

>>4846937
>You’re not one for half-measures. Confess your misdeeds since your last confession with Septon Boremund to the Septa as is expected of you. [Valyrian]

Ask her to keep an open mind. Put on the qartheen gown sometimes

>>4846937
>You’re not one for half-measures. Confess your misdeeds since your last confession with Septon Boremund to the Septa as is expected of you. [Valyrian]
>Promise to have 12 kids.

>>4847075
>Aren’t maesters not supposed to travel outside their assigned keep? It sounds very limiting imo.

They're supposed to serve their house to the best of their ability. That could involve traveling. Overall you're probably right that it would be somewhat limiting, though. Balancing player autonomy with non-leader MCs feels like the hardest part in general to me.

Where are we with Cerelle?

>>4846957
>>4846983
>repeating wedding vows

>>4846971
>>4847063
>ask nothing

>>4847463
>ask her to be more of a coomer

>>4847075
>>4847615
>this is a blue board
Unlimited heterosexual sex in the missionary position for the sole purpose of procreation.

I'm going to need more consensus. The vote is still open.

>>4847743
Im up for having promise 12 kids and doing something extra in the bed

>>4846971
>>4847743
I'll add repeat wedding vowes to mine then

>>4847743
I’ll add being coomer bait and dressing like Janesa once a week to my vote.

>>4847615
>Promise to have 12 kids.
Based, I agree.

Guys this is a vow in a sept.. please don't be retarded

>>4847743
I don't see any good options that are appropriate for a vow in a sept, guess I'll go with reaffirming the wedding vows as the least bad option, but even that is cringe. Involve Aurion in more of her schemes? Maybe he can help.

Why are we bringing an audience for this, this feels like a very private moment.

>>4847743
>What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. [Sellsword]

Just get her to dress more lewdly. Aurion is not big on vows.

>>4847830
This is a private vow thing.

>>4847803
Birthing lots of babbies is a virtue in the Faith of the Seven religion. The mother and father are both aspects of our diety

how about we promise her that we(Aurion) is going to have 12 kids. she can decide how many of them will be hers

>>4847872
Holy based!

>>4846957
Supporting this.

Add a line about having a ‘fruitful household’ but don’t specify how many children.

>>4847837
Also agree with this anon, this is not something we want an audience for.

There isn't going to be an audience. I'm not sure where that is coming from. You have a handmaiden, a retainer, and two knight bodyguards along for the day trip. They are here as the bare minimum escorts for a lord/lady/heir out and about in a city like this, but they shouldn't be hovering over you in private moments, especially not in a holy place.

Post will be up tomorrow

Serious question, has anyone here been diagnosed with ASD?

>>4849988
Yeah why

>>4849988
I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if the answer was mostly yes.

>>4849988
Stress or Autism? The answer to both is yes.

>>4849988
lol you'd be better off asking who isn't. I check every single box in the list of symptoms

>>4849988
I have a mild case of Autism spectrum syndrome. Aspergers is what it used to be called before it became a spectrum.

>>4849988
are you american?

>>4850076
Yes.

>>4850091
is the asd thing your kid?

>>4850093
>this shit again
...

I think he's just researching for a character or something in the quest.

>>4850106
>I think he's just researching for a character or something in the quest.
yeah, but you are diagnosed with asd, and will never have kids or a family

>>4850110
>yeah, but you are diagnosed with asd, and will never have kids or a family
My dad has asd. I have asd.
Please kindly go fuck yourself.
If it's a joke. I get it.

>>4850116
>If it's a joke. I get it.
no you dont

>>4850093
Not at all. I was just trying to understand the lack of theory of mind and figured that was a good starting point.

>>4850110
They do more often than you might think. It's heavily underdiagnosed.

>>4850128
>It's heavily underdiagnosed.
citation needed

>>4850133
I was 17 when I was diagnosed. When you are on the lower part of the spectrum you can blend in with people better, but people can still see that something is "off".

I'm going out of town this weekend. I think I'm going to take the time to decide on how to continue this and just update when I get back.

>>4850182
Ok. but don't stay to long away dad!

>>4850182
>I think I'm going to take the time to decide on how to continue this and just update when I get back.
Weren't we going back home via Greenstone after this trial? Unexpected writer's block?

>>4850248
He needs to plan for the trial

Lack of participation on a character defining moment I'd guess.

>>4850338
It's an open write-in with not many good options.

>>4850338
To be fair half of us would rather not make any vows and the half of those who do only did it to counter the ones who didnt.

So there is no real initiativ for anyone to write anything seirously

>>4850435
>So there is no real initiativ for anyone to write anything seirously

I think we are arriving at the point here. You faggots are fighting over the character and trying to undo votes too much to the point of sapping the fun out of it.

>>4846937
>What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. [Sellsword]
Cerelle
>Ask for patience.
As far as things to ask in earnest I think this is about the best thing that we can get out of her. With how schizo the voting gets her having patience with us and genuinely trying to help us understand how to be a more proper lord is probably the best thing that she has to offer us.

>>4850484
This actually sounds good. Supporting.

>>4850093
YOU AUTISTIC FUCKERS DID IT AGAIN

>>4850338
If there is lack of serious participation I could try to participate more. I would like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed lurking/reading this quest, and I am curious as to how many lurkers follow this

I think it’s probably best to communicate a little better rather than leaving this to guesswork. I’m done with the tug of war. I run this quest because I think all of the politicking and house building is interesting. That’s what I like to write and that’s what I like to read. At the bottom of what I like to write and read is faggy relationship drama and waifu/coomer wars with unrealistic resolutions. This board is rife with that sort of unreadable, lazy drivel and I regret my role in spreading it within this genre. I thought it was perfectly in character for an MC with this background to struggle with commitment and, consequentially, I stuck to presenting the scenarios that I do still believe are appropriate for this character to struggle with. Unfortunately, bad memes and jaded “but-but it’s different” mindsets are sinking this into something of a chore to write.

I’m fine with writing a womanizer in a dead marriage. Actions should have real consequences anyway. I’m fine with writing a character truly committed to his wife despite his past. I’m not fine with writing a prolonged fight with one or two camps, I don’t care which side, trying to undo majority votes to the point of samefagging or purposefully mischaracterizing the results of votes as they pertain to the MC. I have a ton of plot hooks sitting on the other side of the continent right now and here I am writing yet another bullshit relationship drama post because I let this go on for too long.

So, this is what I’ll do. You can pick which direction Aurion will be going in. It will not be revisited. No more fence sitting. After this vote, I will be time skipping back to our return to Stormgrave so that we can get on with the fun stuff without all of this tooth pulling. FYI to head off any questions that will be answered in the next post anyway: Lord Eldon’s brother, Ser Lomas Estermont, is serving as the castellan of Greenstone while Lord Eldon sets the mess of Storm’s End to rights. Lord Selwyn Tarth is currently in mourning after the very recent drowning death of his son. You will have a chance to meet with them in the coming months, but we will be skipping actual scenes in Greenstone for now aside from some mentions of you stopping by on your way back north.

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What will it be?

>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]
>[Choose your love for Dorea] Your experience out west was something of a rare eyeopener for both you and your wife. You both built a fast relationship on mutual attraction, but it hasn’t transformed into love for either of you. You both have realized this, but you have also realized that you are truly in love with Dorea. She is the one you can truly be yourself around, and she loves you in a way your wife simply can’t. After some arguing and negotiating back and forth, you have reached a settlement with your wife where you will be allowed to do what you wish with your lover while maintaining a strictly professional relationship with Cerelle. [Valyrian]
>[Choose to be a womanizer, loyal to no one] As she is not a complete fool, your wife is well aware of the emptiness of your words and the total disregard you have for your vows. She has since told you as much and you responded by shrugging off the shackles of commitment. While she is disgusted with your behavior, she will continue on running your house and raising your son to be a better lord while you do whatever it is you do. You both will have a professional relationship going forward but nothing more. She will expect you to keep your scandals away from curious eyes and ears but otherwise wants nothing more to do with you or your escapades. [Sellsword]

1-post votes will not be counted unless they are linked back to something.

>>4853967
>>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]

>>4853967
>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]
I like wholesome family shit, sue me. also miss with me that drama every time we see a female.

>>4839927
me

>>4853967
>[Choose to be a womanizer, loyal to no one] As she is not a complete fool, your wife is well aware of the emptiness of your words and the total disregard you have for your vows. She has since told you as much and you responded by shrugging off the shackles of commitment. While she is disgusted with your behavior, she will continue on running your house and raising your son to be a better lord while you do whatever it is you do. You both will have a professional relationship going forward but nothing more. She will expect you to keep your scandals away from curious eyes and ears but otherwise wants nothing more to do with you or your escapades. [Sellsword]

>>4853967
>>[Choose your love for Dorea] Your experience out west was something of a rare eyeopener for both you and your wife. You both built a fast relationship on mutual attraction, but it hasn’t transformed into love for either of you. You both have realized this, but you have also realized that you are truly in love with Dorea. She is the one you can truly be yourself around, and she loves you in a way your wife simply can’t. After some arguing and negotiating back and forth, you have reached a settlement with your wife where you will be allowed to do what you wish with your lover while maintaining a strictly professional relationship with Cerelle. [Valyrian]
While I believe that Aurion likes Cerelle, I don't believe that he loves her that much.

>>4853967
>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as.
A contract is a contract.

>>4853967
>>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife.
I'm glad you're putting your foot down on this Boggs. Also me >>4850012 if my IP reset.

>>4853967
>[Choose your love for Dorea] Your experience out west was something of a rare eyeopener for both you and your wife. You both built a fast relationship on mutual attraction, but it hasn’t transformed into love for either of you. You both have realized this, but you have also realized that you are truly in love with Dorea. She is the one you can truly be yourself around, and she loves you in a way your wife simply can’t. After some arguing and negotiating back and forth, you have reached a settlement with your wife where you will be allowed to do what you wish with your lover while maintaining a strictly professional relationship with Cerelle. [Valyrian]

>>4839692
>>4845161
These are both my previous votes.

>>4853962
I’m starting to warm to the idea of a chaste MC or someone who has to actually nurse and raise a newborn.

>>4853967
>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]

>>4843520
Don’t vote much in this quest, but would rather it go this direction

>>4853967
>>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]

>>4853967
>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]

>>4853967
>>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]
Best girl is best

>>4842637
This was me

Where do I go to coooom now?

>>4853967
>>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as.

fucking stupid it even got to this point after all of the resources we dumped into getting her in the first place

>>4853967
>>[Choose to be a womanizer, loyal to no one] As she is not a complete fool, your wife is well aware of the emptiness of your words and the total disregard you have for your vows. She has since told you as much and you responded by shrugging off the shackles of commitment. While she is disgusted with your behavior, she will continue on running your house and raising your son to be a better lord while you do whatever it is you do. You both will have a professional relationship going forward but nothing more. She will expect you to keep your scandals away from curious eyes and ears but otherwise wants nothing more to do with you or your escapades. [Sellsword]

>>4853967
>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as.

>>4844796
Me.

>>4854193
akun

Can I just say it really sucks we didn't push for the chance to keep both of them when given the chance.
Dorea is undoubtedly the side chick, but she has a ton of heart and I genuinely love her for it.
She deserves better than to be ghosted like this.

>>4853967
>[Choose to remain faithful to Cerelle] You love your wife. Simple as. You just needed to plow your way up and down the campaign trail to realize what you had. Meeting your son has also invoked some previously unknown responsibility in you. She will be keeping a close eye on your faithfulness, but you have both rekindled your romance after going through some mediation with her sister at the Motherhouse of Lannisport. By the time you reach home, you really can’t imagine breaking your vows again. [Captain]

>>4854721
Me too bro, me too. Greed is ever the downfall of men. I wasn't content with just Dorea and pushed for more, now we see the results. That option had Cerelle as angry but accepting, right? Not completely dead marriage again.

>>4854721
>>4854750
Boggs was practically pushing for it too, he warned us multiple times the dangers of being an unrepentant coomer while still saying 'I love my wife'. I think it was Janesa who suggested keeping it to just one girl and not being a coomer. God, I wish I had listened then. If the penalty for picking Dorea was not harsh as the coomer option (which was the case when the choice between being faithful, a coomer and having just Dorea was initially presented to us), I'd have picked it even now. I'm so sorry Dorea :3

Voting is closed.

Next post will be up monday because I will be out of town for the next 2 days.

So what's everyone thinking as far as our next House Fortunes Roll goes and what we should focus on long term? Obviously we'll need to pony up for Ser Byron's Outpost. But I think long term the rum is the way to go. Pick up an Artisan Craftsman in the same vein as a vintner.Vintner. and most definitely invest in a ship or two to prove our value in the Greenstone League. I think Aurion could do with a proper flagship.

>>4856342
First things first we need to fund Aerron's research (5 or 10 wealth) so he doesn't go away in frustration.

>>4856791
Disagree, that's just Aurion chasing his fancies again.

We aren't at war anymore, Wealth, Influence, and Power are going to be much more difficult to come by. We need to get the House operating like a functional one, not just a bunch of war time profiteers having a fun romp on an island get away. Besides the fact that without an appropriately valuable trade good we lose a lot of the immediate benefits of trade with Qarth and the potential (likely) betrothal.

>>4856905
This is limited-time opportunity though, the rest we can do next time we roll House Fortunes too. You got to allow at least some of Aurion's fancies to go through, if you're going to just pick the Captain options every time, we might as well be playing Cerelle quest with Aurion going 'Yes Honey' and submitting to her every decision. Fuck that shit.

>>4856913
There's a time and place for Aurion's fancies and this just isnt it. Running the House has and likely always will be Cerelle and Jan's collective domain. Aurion is the ideas guy. I place more value on finding common ground with Cerelle in peace time immediately after the debacle we just dealt with and working together on an idea to help grow the House that both of them are interested it developing. Aurion for his rum, Cerelle for the economic sway and influence it would bring.

Dorea deserved better

>>4857421
:3 yes

>>4857421
Shouldnt had fallen in love with him

>>4857421
I’m sure she’s not the first woman Aurion has left behind in tears

Can I get 2 rolls of 8d6 (5D+3b) for House Fortunes for Month 6 and Month 8 of the Year 284 After Conquest?

Rolled 1, 5, 4, 4, 1, 5, 5, 6 = 31 (8d6)

>>4858765
Here you go.

Rolled 4, 1, 5, 4, 4, 1, 4, 6 = 29 (8d6)

>>4858765

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>>4858777
>25

Looks like the Seven blessed you with a Growth.

>>4858782
>23

Curse. We will get to that in a bit.

Which resource would you like to improve for your Growth?

>>4858840
Is the Curse's name Dorea by any chance ?

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>>4858840
As a reminder, these are the bonuses you get on top of the +1 to whichever resource is chosen.

>>4858840
Wealth for sure we need it for just about all of our projects right now. We've got the defense and influence to do the Byron thing right off the bat so that isn't a concern.

>>4858840
>>4858854
The wealth is really one.
If we want to keep growing our other resources we need a monetary reserve.

That curse us going to come after our Population or influence I can feel it. The former would not be great.

>>4858840
throwing in for Wealth as well

>>4858840
>wealth

Okay, I'll take 1 roll of 1d3+1 for your Wealth gain.

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d3 + 1)

>>4858967

Rolled 2 (1d2)

For the Curse: 1: 1 resource, 2: 2 resources

>>4858972
Boo

>>4858969
>+3 wealth

Nice.

Okay, can I get 2 rolls of 1d6?

1: Influence
2: Lands
3: Law
4: Population
5: Power
6: Wealth

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4858975

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4858975

>>4858976
So what's the play here for negative Power? Force convert a point of Population over?

>>4858976
Power
>>4858977
Wealth

-1 from both. You don't have any spare Power, though...

>>4858982
>>4858981
Guess force converting a population to force could be done for that

>>4858981
>>4858985
Creating the buffer for the Power loss would have needed to be done prior to a house fortunes roll. As Aurion wasn't present for the months we are rolling for, that wasn't a possibility. The rules are:

>If a reduction results in an inability to pay for an investment, you lose that investment.

I'll think on it over dinner and get back to you on that.

>>4859009
Fair enough. I would ask if we could instead utilize the rush mechanics instead so 2:1 Population to Power?

>>4859015
>"If you’re desperate, you can convert two resources, but the exchange is worse. Such exchanges are called “rushed” and the conversion is also shown on Table 6–19: Resource Management.

Your call on whether or not this would be considered desperate. Or if it makes sense narratively to allow it given the circumstances.

>>4859015
That thought crossed my mind, as did simply subtracting 1 level of training. The thing is, I'm extremely hesitant to do so. I've been overly generous with holdings throughout this quest. You came out ahead on my homebrew ship conversions, received a full 20 wealth in free holdings for taking back the rest of the island, received a full 9 wealth over the dowry rules we are playing with, and had some extraordinary loot gains throughout. I'm mostly fine with that given I think it's been a lot of fun so far.

But to then softball the rare freak accident of a bad house fortunes roll landing just where it shouldn't... I don't know, that just feels one step too far to me. This is precisely the reason why it can be beneficial to keep a buffer of resources and why the book specifically mentions keeping some power in reserve for house fortunes (pg 109 of the main book).

>>4859033
Ignore previous post was looking at the wrong table, the loss isn't as bad as I thought it was. See us losing a ship in the future, don't call it Stormgrave for nothing.

>>4859054
We could afford to lose a level of training on either the Stormbringers or the Light Cavalry.

>>4859059
We could but the way I'm reading this it sounds like that isn't what Boggs wants to do? I could be misreading that though. I think it's more likely we lose the investment as the rules state.

Okay, here we go. A custom Butcher's Bill. I weighted everything so that the biggest hits involve the worst luck. With the exception of your current ship, of course. It can be dangerous sailing past the Stepstones...

2: The Stormbringers Elite+2 Heavy Infantry
3: The Harvest+Trained Sailors
4: The Heralds of the Storm Veteran Light Cavalry
5: Stormgrave Trained Crossbowmen
6: Saucy Whore Galley+Trained Oarsmen
7: Sea Shryke+Veteran Oarsmen (This is you. Brace for PLOT.)
8: Leadened Dice Galley+Trained Oarsmen
9: All of your Household Knights
10: 1 Population
11: 2 Population
12: Nothing

>Can I get 1 roll of 2d6?

Rolled 6, 3 = 9 (2d6)

>>4859121

>>4859123
Oh no no no no no

>>4859123
Jesus fucking christ

Well…..Fuck.
Just…..oof.

Does this include Vaeron, ser Byron Yew and Cerelle's cousin in King's Landing?

I... okay. Huh. On the one hand, those didn't technically cost any power. On the other... fucking Hells, sorry Lenore. And Lord Bywater's third son. Whoops.

>>4859130
Vaeron and Cerelle's cousin are fine. Ser Byron and the 5 knights on your ship... they're done for. Greyscale is fitting for a Curse result, isn't it?

>>4859137
Ah.. I wish they'd died valiantly fighting pirates and protecting our family to the last, perhaps a last stand by ser Byron to save Lenore, lol. Would have been a fitting farewell.

>>4859140
>>4859137
>Everything they had it common was that one maid they all fucked and then got Greyscale from

>>4859140
Maybe I could do that instead. Better explains how your crew isn't infected and allows for more PLOT... yeah, okay. That's what we are doing. Expect pirates... tomorrow night. Need time to plan this so it doesn't read like the hamfist it at least partially is.

>>4859150
>Retaliatory attack by the 3rd wheel of the Triumvirate whose name I'm forgetting
PLOT
L
O
T

>>4859137
Well fuck - I really liked Ser Byron

>>4859364
I had him mixed up, he wasn't part of the 5 "Household Knights." He is just the captain of your crossbowmen. So, he won't be autokilled. Who knows what will happen?

>>4860134
So the household knights are just our cadre of devoted crownlanders and clawmen? :(

>>4860134
In my headcanon, after herding all the non-combatants to a safe place and some guards, ser Byron realises Lenore isn't hiding with the rest of the women and he rushes to her room to find some dangerous pirates intent on raping/kidnapping her. Does he save her or die trying? Find out in the next episode of House Shryke!

(Disclaimer: Any similarities to the plot of one of Cerelle's naughty novels are unintentional and purely coincidental in nature)

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Lannisport proved to be beyond dull for your tastes. The varied Lionspawn houses and others were subtlety aligning themselves into little factions based on their desired outcomes as the trial progressed and witnesses started to crawl out of the ornate woodwork. You found their stories to be as muddled and varied as the motley of colors displayed in the great hall. As amusing as you found some of the fantastical retellings, the only part that could be agreed upon was that a clash did occur and the Lord Oakheart did die at some point before or during or after it. Ultimately, the matter became less of justice and more of mediation of what all could agree upon. All agreed the clash was a clash and blows were exchanged both ways. All agreed the Lord Oakheart, being as he’d been wounded upon the Trident, shouldn’t have been able to do much of raising his arms in his own defense. So, there was no solid proof to call it murder under peace banner, but Ser Blackhood was still ordered to pay restitution to House Oakheart for the overzealous killing of their lord. Boring. At least you thought so, but that was what all parties could settle on. For a moment, you nearly thought Ser Blackhood was going to want it settled upon combat regardless as he was none too pleased with getting stuck with the tab. That would’ve been worth seeing, or perhaps experiencing… but he opted to storm out back to wherever he hails from instead.

While you were sitting through all that, your wife was working her own sort of diplomacy, this time within her own family. Upon word of your intent to see Ser Byron seated in a towerhouse of his own and in apparent annoyance over Lord Turnberry’s caginess, the Lydden brothers agreed to set terms for a match between Lenore and Ser Byron. House Yew isn’t far from their own lands, so a match between their two houses was reasonably done. Further terms would be seen to with Ser Byron’s own father. Their only stipulation was that a traditional betrothal be observed while the couple’s new home was constructed. Further, Lenore was to return to Deep Den until their wedding could commence. Apparently, there were some concerns over maintaining the younger Lydden lady’s chastity. You haven’t the faintest idea as to why. Even Cerelle’s mother put her foot down on that one, though you think that was more for the excuse to see her daughter again for the wedding. With all that settled, you said your farewells and set out for home.

>>4860741
Even by your reckoning, you’ve been at sea for some time now. Of course, you stopped into ports on your way back around the coast. At least you were able to freshen up and such at Oldtown where your party was hosted for a night under Lenna Hightower’s roof, though you found yourself leaving without the younger handmaiden on the morrow. The simple girl was blubbering her homesickness to her lady mother, so Cerelle took pity upon her and suggested she take service closer to home. She told you privately that she was relieved for the excuse. The girl was something of a hindrance more than a help, the sort to be taken on for the sake of building good will that she no longer saw much purpose in. That left your lady wife oddly without proper handmaidens, exempting the swampgirl Ciara Boggs, though her purpose is more for healing than dealing with dresses or whatever else. Something to see to later. Perhaps Janesa could loan one.

After that, it was onwards to the coasts of Dorne. Sunspear was awfully brief, your stay just long enough to take on provisions. For whatever reason, word had quickly spread of just which side you took in the latest war, and it had dockhands, sailors, and guard alike looking to yours with hostility nearly from the moment you docked. You would’ve liked more time in the city to explore some of the winesinks and sample the spices they’re known for working in, but it made more sense to press on.

But now you’re busy with your own pressing as you do your level best in trying to plunge your wife deeper into the bedding. The time at sea and separation from her ladies has given you ample access to Cerelle and ample time to work through and past your differences. You’d been idly teasing her of getting her with another child throughout the day and sought to make good on your words after she passed off Cerion to Ciara to watch over in the lower cabin. She protests that it’s too soon even as she wraps her legs around you and pulls you deeper. You hear faint knocking coming from somewhere other than the bed just as she whispers, “do it,” and sends a shiver down your back.

You keep kissing her neck well after you’re done until she abruptly lowers her legs when she realizes the knocking comes from the cabin door, insisting you go see to it. You find the Sea Shryke’s newest captain after Malaq’s untimely death waiting without, a man as common as they get by the name of Byles.

>>4860744
“What?” you demand, trying and failing to rob your tone of its intensity in your state.

“Know you’d not wanted to be bothered, mlord. Jus’ that the crew…” he starts, looking singularly uneasy under your glare… or over something else.

“Speak.”

“They’d seent some’in in the mists is all,” he says, wringing at his hat. By now the ship should on the edge of the Stepstones or near enough…

“Pass word to my knights to be ready and on deck,” you command, already turning back to ready yourself with hurried word to Cerelle to dress and get down to the lower cabin.

You step out of the main cabin amidst the dead silence of your crew, trying to get your bearings. The mists cling to the islands of the barren archipelago, cradling the shadows of the jagged rocks throughout. Shipkillers, though you’d expect your veteran crew to be able to handle such without you. The fog is bad, aye, but the surf is bearable…

And then it comes from the mists, a galleas of a class with your Harvest with a familiar bloody trident painted over its sails. It’s pushed along to a near ramming speed by the winds with none of the sluggishness of your centerpiece’s middling crew, clearly having lain in wait for just such an opportunity as this. You’re quick to shout out orders to your own crew of currently dumbfounded veterans, just as your knights are quick to assemble on deck as a show of force. This close, it’s all for naught.

They have you. Grapnels clang to railings as a pair of scorpions loose harpoons, one strikes a hapless sailor and turns him to a bloody ruin. The other embeds into the main mast, the thick rope of the spear going taut as it draws you in to the larger ship and throws sailors and knights from their feet. A warhorn bellows alongside a chorus of those queer brass whistles you so associate with some sellsword bands of Essos. Myrish crossbows.

>>4860746
Then it begins to rain metal. Quarrels indiscriminately stab down through the shadows and mists, showering your men without warning. No oaths, no boasts, no calls for surrender, just the cold efficiency of death. Just as you are still in the shade of the main cabin, most of the crew are still down under the cover of the half deck and are likely more phased by the shock tactics than the bolts themselves. Your knights catch the worst of it. Ser Alan of Woodmere and Ser Byron immediately dive aside for the cover of the deck, but the former was too slow and sprouts a trio of feathers from his back. Ser Jorry Bywater in his full plate was still struggling to his feet against the railing and ends up going crashing over the side as he’s struck by the salvo. The trio of Clawmen roar their defiance to the last and go plunging into the first of the boarders without bothering to wait for orders, giving you a moment’s respite to take stock.

>Order your men to stand and fight. The odds are heavily against you, but you might be able to turn the tides with enough recklessness or luck. [Valyrian]
>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]
>As much as you dislike it, you’d trade these men for your family without so much as a second thought. Get a dinghy in the water and use the fighting as cover to slip your family away to safety. You can lose them in the rocks with the small boat. [Sellsword]
>Have Ser Byron get your family to safety in the dinghy while you take the fight to the pirates. You can spare one knight and you mean to make these bastards answer for this. [Valyrian]
>At the risk of losing even more momentum, try to parley and push for terms. You might be able to spare the most lives that way. [Captain/Sellsword]
>Something else.

>>4860747
>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]

>>4860747
>>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]

>>4860747
>As much as you dislike it, you’d trade these men for your family without so much as a second thought. Get a dinghy in the water and use the fighting as cover to slip your family away to safety. You can lose them in the rocks with the small boat. [Sellsword]

I don't want to risk the family over a ship.

>>4860747
>>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]

>>4860747
>Order your men to stand and fight. The odds are heavily against you, but you might be able to turn the tides with enough recklessness or luck. [Valyrian]

>>4860747
>>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]

I blame the dornish for this.

>>4860747
>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]

>>4860747
>Order your men to stand and fight. The odds are heavily against you, but you might be able to turn the tides with enough recklessness or luck. [Valyrian]

>>4860747
>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]
Only stay and fight when you have an advantage.

>>4860747
>>Order your men to cut the ropes and try to push away from the ship. You might be able to lose them in the mists the same way they caught you. There will be another day. [Captain]

>Have Ser Byron get your family to safety in the dinghy while you take the fight to the pirates. You can spare one knight and you mean to make these bastards answer for this. [Valyrian]

>>4860156
This is me

Alright, it looks like we're going to try to escape with the ship. To start with, I'll need:

>1 roll of 7d6+2 for Fighting to hack through the main rope tethering you to the opposing ship. (DC 15, you need 2 degrees to break it in 1 round)
>1 roll of 6d6 for Warfare (Command) for the Outmaneuver order (DC 15, Base 9+6)
>And 1 roll of 5d6 for the crew's Agility test (DC 12) to break away from the ship.

The Myrish Crossbowmen are reloading this round, but they will be attacking next round.

Rolled 3, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 4 + 2 = 28 (7d6 + 2)

>>4861746

Rolled 6, 3, 2, 3, 6, 4 = 24 (6d6)

>>4861746

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

>>4861746
AHOY LADS! CAST AWAY!

Rolled 4, 6, 2 = 12 (3d6)

Looks like we are good with those, nice. Alright, I'm open rolling for your opponents. First one here is their opposing Agility test. They can't beat your roll, but chases like this are measured in degrees of success, so it's still needed.

Rolled 4, 3, 3, 3 = 13 (4d6)

>>4861822
You're ahead by 1, then.

Here is their first Marksmanship roll vs CD 15 (Base 10+3 from ship cover+2 from Outmaneuver).

Rolled 1, 3, 2, 6 = 12 (4d6)

>>4861825
That was lucky. 1 more.

Rolled 1, 6, 3, 3, 5, 6 = 24 (6d6)

>>4861825
>>4861827
Looks like the Veteran Arbalesters failed.

Alright, now I'll need:

>1 roll of 6d6 for Warfare (Command) for the Flee order (DC 12, Base 9+3)
>1 roll of 5d6 for the crew's Athletics test

Opposing Athletics test for the next round is in this post. (4D+1b Base+1D from Seafaring Quality)

Rolled 6, 3, 5, 3, 6, 5 = 28 (6d6)

>>4861833

Rolled 2, 1, 1, 2, 3 = 9 (5d6)

>>4861833
PUT YER BACKS INTO IT YE SEA SLUGS!!