Rolled 2 (1d6)

>Maester with a focus in History/Heraldry, Healing, and Magic. The roll here is how long it will take for the maester to arrive.

“We should sponsor the chef,” Atia says for the hundredth time.

“You’re supposed to be the bookkeeper and you prefer a chef over a jeweler?” you ask incredulously.

“You would let your child go hungry for more gold?” she counters.

“Chefs don’t plow fields. We have food stores with or without one.”

“Fit for the horses and smallfolk, not for one with taste. Your heir needs to eat better.”

“My heir who will be born in what? Four months? Will this chef be sprinkling seasonings on your breasts?”

“You can,” she purrs.

“If you’re concerned for our child, then why not a maester? A learned man that can teach them all of the things we never learned. Another skilled healer wouldn’t be remiss as well. Ciara may not always be around,” you try.

“But she will be for this birth, yes?” your wife asks with concern.

“Aye. She and her husband will be staying with you until that time. After that, who can say?”

“You can say,” she answers.

“Truth,” you admit. You haven’t quite figured out where you will place them. Ser Anders will have command of one of your companies as promised, but you can’t help but feel Ciara’s potential will be somewhat wasted back at your tower. Aside from Atia, she may be the one who loves you most in this world, and that sort of love allows for some trust, even if you’ve tried to keep the worst of your life from her at times. She’s also fairly level-headed, although that may just be the contrast of her next to your more eccentric wife. If there is any left to you who you may trust to manage a part of your affairs in your absence, it may just be her.

The two of you sit on a stone bench in the yard for a time, lost in your own thoughts before Atia relents. “A maegi would suit us,” she relents. “If it is for my baby, then I will suffer bland meals for a while longer.”

“I’ll send the gold along to their emissary in the city with a letter requesting he have certain specialties,” you say. This perks her up and the two of you spend the next hour or so debating which to choose. One with a deeper knowledge of history and heraldries was an easily agreed upon point. As well as, strangely, one with knowledge of the higher mysteries. You hadn’t considered it yourself, but Atia was already of a mind that “maegi” must all know something of magic, as they allegedly do in the east. After some consideration, you had to admit that there have been some events in your life that must have been a result of sorcery, whether from a higher power or not, and so you scribble that down next. The last request ends up being for one with a knack for the healing arts, as this was in part meant to be for the well-being of your children.

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>>3884275
You boarded a trading cog heading back out into the Gullet with your men for this venture. Aodhan stayed behind with half of your Sparrowhawks. He wasn’t pleased, but someone trustworthy needed to guard the villa in your absence and he’s at the top of your list for that. It’s the harder job really, you would rather deal with pirates than a house full of fretting noblewomen with their endless demands and questions. That’s not to say you are lacking for good men at your side. Along with the other half of the Sparrowhawks, Ser Anders and Ser Peter Plumm have joined you. Filling out the remaining numbers are Ser Lothor Hardy and some of his best warriors. An infantry veteran of most of the battles of Robert’s Rebellion with no more than scratches to show for it, he is either a complete craven or a hell of a fighter. Considering how close he was to fighting that Reynold boy at the feast and his eagerness to join you in your upcoming battle, you’re leaning towards the latter. All in all, you have a solid mix of archers and bruisers.

You wait until you are well out in the bay to explain your plan to the captain of the trading cog that Atia wrangled into this. A fellow Pentoshi, he was none too pleased at the thought of being bait, but he was clever enough to know that attempting to contest your plan at this point was just about the worst thing he could’ve done. No doubt there is a quartermaster with aspirations towards a captaincy of his own below deck eagerly waiting for him to make just that mistake.

On your third day of sailing up the coast, you come upon the coasts of House Hardy. Like many crawmen houses, most of their population, along with the house’s seat of Hardholm, reside in the valleys inland. Still, you’ve seen a smattering of small fishing villages, or rather the remnants of them. It seems what the storm didn’t take the pirates did, leaving only bodies and ruins in their wake. It speaks to a troubling boldness. Do these lands appear so weak to outsides to be so brazenly pillaged? Perhaps there is some sense to Lord Brune’s alliance after all. Then again, your own lands haven’t been targeted.

>Can I get 3d6 for Warfare to see how well your plan here plays out?

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

>>3884284

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

>>3884309
God Dammit that doesnt bode well

Rolled 6, 5, 5 = 16 (3d6)

>>3884315
Nice
>>3884284

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>>3884309
>>3884315 No, but yours does.

>Rolled 17 vs DC 12
>Success 2 degrees

You’re in command of this venture over Ser Lothor despite his status as heir to lordship. Unlike some other regions, your people put less stock in deference to heirs. To cede to someone just because they may have true power one day is considered the mark of a lickspittle. Ser Lothor is well aware of this and makes no attempt to claim command from you, instead making himself useful by pointing out villages and coves on a map. If you had to guess, you’ve probably already passed whatever cove the pirates are anchored at, so you order the cog to drop anchor a little way from the shore along the way to where the next intact fishing village should be on the map. It’s to the north of your position, so any raider looking to make one last run of things before taking ship to the open sea should stumble upon you here.

Next, you have the captain raise sails, and much to his dismay, start a campfire on the stern deck. That should be visible at least a league away in the night. Your handful of men lay back upon the elevated bow while you get yourself raised up by rope and pully to the crow’s nest. Bad leg or no, you have a commanding view and can put your bow to use up here. The three knights, Sers Lothor, Peter, and Anders are waiting in anticipation in the main cabin along with Ser Lothor’s axemen. Peter and Anders took your advice and skipped out on their full plate, opting to simply wear mail over their gambesons. More than likely, these traitorous sellswords will be in far less armor than even that. Better to trust in one’s own reflexes than to risk sinking to the bottom of the sea.

The sun sets. Everyone takes advantage of the novelty of the deck fire to have a rare hot meal at sea. Except you. You scan the horizon patiently, waiting for your prey. Your superior night vision cutting through the darkness by the reflecting moonlight on the waves alone… until you see it. Too big to be an ordinary galley, a dromond of war. Thirty oars on each side. If you had to guess, that would be around 180 oarsmen, though there could be more men aboard if the oarsmen aren’t the raiders. Atia has told you of how many of the city-states of Essos have their ships rowed by slaves or indentured servants. Given the unlikelihood that this is a ship of Braavos or Pentos, that is most likely the case. Hopefully you can break the real raiders aboard before they rile up the oarsman enough to put up a fight.

The warship pulls up along your smaller cog and throws rope across. One of the pirates, some sort of leader no doubt, calls across to your Pentoshi captain, all smiles and friendliness despite the fact that his men are clearly preparing to seize the ship. Now’s as good a time as ever to give the signal, you think as you draw your bow from your perch.

>Can I get 8d6+1, best of 3, for Marksmanship?

Rolled 5, 4, 4, 6, 5, 2, 5, 2 + 1 = 34 (8d6 + 1)

>>3884388
Let's see

Rolled 5, 1, 4, 3, 5, 2, 3, 4 + 1 = 28 (8d6 + 1)

>>3884388

Rolled 5, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5, 4, 5 + 1 = 33 (8d6 + 1)

>>3884388

>>3884392
>>3884400
>>3884410
Sometimes I forget how broken Cormaic is with a bow. This was a double shot too. Writing!

>>3884392
>>3884400
>>3884410
Your vantage point from the crow’s nest allows you to freely rain arrows down onto the entirety of the dromond tied up to your merchant ship. In truth, you are more worried about running out of arrows than having to contend with an actual threat to yourself. A welcome reversal of the last time you saw battle. This is more akin to a particularly interesting and satisfying bout of hunting. You take your time to gain your bearing on the gently rocking ship before rapidly drawing and losing two arrows down to the two most interesting targets you could see, one of which being the falsely cheerful man conversing with your captain in a language that sounds like a bastardized version of Pentoshi.

>Ser Cormaic Boggs Double shot vs Pirate officer and raider (Veteran Raiders+Sailors)
>Rolled 26 vs CD 8
>Success, 4 Degrees
>23 Damage vs 9 hp, very dead

Whatever point the man was trying to make was cut short by the arrow that strikes him near the neck with enough force to send him toppling down into the rowers’ decks below. The next arrow hit the bewildered pirate to his left, who had the sense to draw a sword, but found no one to swing it at as he toppled down next. Ser Lothor, having been watching from the entrance to the cramped cabin, has the stones to sound a warhorn of all things. With lungs like his, long baritone note rumbles over the ships and the waves beyond, a promise of death without quarter.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 8d6? The first 4D being your Sparrowhawks and the last 4D being for the knights/axemen?

Rolled 1, 6, 6, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3 = 30 (8d6)

>>3884447
I'll roll.
And I understand it will make fighting longer. But mind if we roll for Cormaic separately?
Cause he would roll 4 dice + 3 bonus

>>3884424
HAHAHAHAHA, this is gonna be great
I still can’t wait till Atia gives birth to our son
[spoiler/] Geralt Of Boggwood [/spoiler]

Rolled 2, 1, 6, 2, 4, 4, 4, 3 = 26 (8d6)

>>3884447

Rolled 3, 6, 6, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 = 35 (8d6)

>>3884447

Rolled 3, 5, 6, 5, 2, 1, 1, 2 = 25 (8d6)

>>3884447

>>3884451
Yup, I'll be doing that for all our combats now. Primary characters with the gear he has can be tricky and I'd like to make sure I get it right. Actually, while I'm writing up the results for your men, here's another quick vote.

How will you play this?
>Try to pick off the greatest threats to your men as they appear (Single shot)
>Just start killing as many as you can (Double shot)

>>3884456
That's pretty nice.

I'd still atleast rather we roll 11d6. With the last 7 being the 4 test die and the 3 being bonus die added to. For any further fighting if possible?

>>3884465
>killing as many men as you can
[spoiler/]test[/spoiler]

>>3884465
>>Just start killing as many as you can (Double shot)

>>3884465
>>Just start killing as many as you can (Double shot)
I would still go for the strongest warriors on their side.
We could like maim multiple strong opponents if not kill them. So the elite axemen and knights fucking slaughter.

We have the absolute advantage. We are letting arrows fly at night. No one but us can see the arrows flying at night. Yes there is some fire and the moon providing some light. But this late letting them fly from a bird's eye view..should also give some kind of bonus. Being from superior ground and at no risk at being surrounded or attacked mid way.
While any enemy wouldnt even know when we let loose an arrow.

>>3884466
Those dice weren't for Cormaic. This fight is basically running with smaller units than typical mass combat and as such your half unit of sparrowhawks and ragtag melee group are running with full unit dice of their own because the opposing forces are doing the same despite not representing the full 100 man units they normally would. Keeps everything simple rather than reinventing the wheel for combat.

>>3884471
>>3884475
>>3884478
Cool, let's double shot it. Can I get some 7d6+1?

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

>>3884503
Awesome

Rolled 3, 3, 1, 6, 5, 3, 3 + 1 = 25 (7d6 + 1)

>>3884503
Yeah realized after the fact. I thought was for attacking axemen. No idea why.

Rolled 1, 1, 5, 1, 3, 2, 5 + 1 = 19 (7d6 + 1)

>>3884503

>>3884508
So does this work where the 3 bonus die cover the 3 lowest? Or is it simply 1st bonus cover 1st test die 2nd bonus strictly cover 2nd test die, and so on?
Never found out..

>>3884508
>>3884510
>>3884511
A 22. Writing!
>>3884514
3 lowest.

>>3884511
kek

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>Sparrowhawks Marksmanship vs Deck Crew (Trained Sailors)
>Rolled 17 vs CD 8
>Success, 2 Degrees
>13 Damage vs 6 HP
>Unit Destroyed

The confused deck crew start scrambling for the ladders to try to get topside, but your men start feathering them from the bow castle, prioritizing any that reach for a ladder to great effect until those remaining think better of fighting a choose to cower under the safety of the halfdecks. There should be no more fighting from them unless your boarding party has to pull back.

>Ser Lothor’s Band of Boarders (Veteran Personal Guard equiv) vs Veteran Pirates (Sailors+Raiders)
>Rolled 18 vs CD 7
>Success, 3 Degrees
>16 Damage vs HP 9
>Unit is Disorganized

>Veteran Pirates vs Boarders (wearing mail)
>Rolled 13 vs CD 6
>Success, 2 Degrees
>2 Damage vs HP 9
>7/9 HP remaining before disorganized

Your boarding party meets the more militant arm of the opposing ship in a bloody clash of arms. It’s no organized battle line, but you daresay it may be more effective yet. Ser Lothar surges ahead with a blood curdling scream and starts laying about with his longaxe with a wild abandon. Now you know how he’s lives this long despite fighting on the front. No man-at-arms who’s seen more than a day’s worth of fighting would be stupid enough to willingly engage a berserker like Lothor. If he’s ever killed in battle, you suspect he will be taking his killer with him. Ser Peter and Ser Anders are fighting as a team with Ser Anders covering his friend’s flanks as he swings his warhammer is wide arcs. The remaining Hardy axemen do their best to emulate their future liege and are soon engaged in a series of individual battles themselves. A few on your side receive minor wounds of their own for their troubles, but they are thinning out the opposing ranks at what must seem like an alarming rate because the foe begins to engage more hesitantly.

>>3884606
>Ser Cormaic’s Double Shot vs Veteran Pirates
>Rolled 22 vs CD 17 (adding +10 instead of the normal +20 for fighting a unit of 50 instead of 100)
>Success, 2 Degrees
>11 Damage vs HP 9
>Can’t be routed on ships, but take their -1D disorganized penalty again… twice
>Disorganized penalties meet unit’s endurance rank, unit is destroyed

You’ve been feathering those on the outskirts of the engagement until now, but you take advantage of the hesitation of the pirates to devastating effect. All it took was one hesitant backstep before you started slamming arrows into chests and scalps. The force you’re able to put behind each arrow with your Weirwood bow seems to dishearten them further, causing several to break ranks to seek cover rather than risk the unseen death raining down upon them. The knights who’ve trained their entire lives for this don’t share the same hesitation and instead press on into the foes until they are utterly broken.

This experience has been enlightening in some ways. At the very least, you now have a better appreciation for how brutal and unforgiving ship to ship combat can be. This isn’t a cock measuring land battle where the force that blinks first runs first, losing the engagement and living to fight another day. You’ve no doubt those raiders would have routed much sooner if they had any real option to, but there is simply nowhere to run here.

A couple of friendly crew members lower you down by rope and you limp your way to the opposing ship flanked by your men as the boarding party goes about executing the survivors. You take not that Ser Anders and Ser Peter don’t take part, the former wearing a troubled expression and the latter looking sickly. Ser Lothor and his veterans have no such scruples, cutting throats or burying axes into skulls at their leisure.

You couldn’t care less. You have eyes only for the main cabin, its doors still shut as your Sparrowhawks line up on both sides of it.

>Can I get 6d6 for Awareness (Notice)?

>>3884465
>>Try to pick off the greatest threats to your men as they appear (Single shot)

Rolled 6, 5, 4, 2, 3, 3 = 23 (6d6)

>>3884655

Rolled 4, 5, 4, 4, 5, 6 = 28 (6d6)

>>3884655

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

>>3884655

>>3884662
nice 24, we saw the shit out of these fuckers wanting to escape. Let's shoot down these fuckers before they get the chance to run.
We may just get a warship our of this. Not like we are taking Hardy's population of children. And I am sure there should be plenty of loot. So this should be worth quite a fucking haul.

>>3884660
>>3884662
>>3884663
Good rolls. Can I get another 4d6 for Cunning?

Rolled 4, 3, 4, 5 = 16 (4d6)

>>3884699

Rolled 4, 1, 2, 3 = 10 (4d6)

>>3884699

Rolled 6, 6, 3, 3 = 18 (4d6)

>>3884699

Rolled 5, 5, 6, 2 = 18 (4d6)

>>3884699

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>Cormaic’s Awareness (Notice)
>Rolled 24 vs DC 12
>Success, 3 Degrees

Your men go to kick open the door, but you call for them to hold instead. The air smells like shit and blood and the screams of the dying are still ringing out before being messily silenced. Yet this is the one place on both ships that’s quiet? Not a chance. You take the door yourself and gently ease it open. You catch the briefest glimpse inside before you slam it back shut on instinct to the immediate response of a trio of bolts rocking the door in its frame. Then you yank it back open as your men rush in. There are two men in the room with three women. One of the men has a dagger to a woman’s throat, cowering behind her like the filth he is. The other is rushing to reload some ugly looking contraption that resembles a crossbow. Or was, until he was struck by several arrows in the same moment. The last two women are huddled in a corner in fear and seem to be of no threat to anyone.

To you at least, it’s rather obvious what this is. The officers of the ships kept the choicest women from the raids to themselves, these three. Sadly, they are probably the lucky ones as they are the only that yet live. You killed one of the officers on deck for certain, but these two are even more ornately dressed. While not an expert on naval organization, you’d wager the one on deck was the first mate. That leaves the dead one with the crossbow device as the quartermaster while the most overfed and garishly dressed man in quivering in front of you is the captain of this vessel. Well, you suppose you may have the two confused, but he’s certainly the captain now.

>>3884753
With eyes gleaming by candlelight, you patiently stare at the enemy captain. He starts to speak in his native tongue.

>Cormaic’s Cunning (Decipher) Test
>Rolled 18 vs DC 18
>Success, 1 Degree

“I fuck you fuck her drop I leave,” he spits.

That’s not Pentoshi, but it’s awfully similar. It seems curses translate well across different dialects of low Valyrian. Despite your tenuous grasp of the root language, you are able to figure out his general premise and respond in kind.

“Do it. Then you die slow,” you respond, your voice dripping menace.

To perhaps even his surprise, he drops the dagger. The woman runs from him sobbing, battered but still alive. He slumps back into a chair, realizing he has absolutely nothing left to bargain with.

I want them dead. All o’ them. An any prisoners they keep returned.

Lord Hardy’s words echo in your mind as you consider the wretch before you.

What will you with him?

>Keep him for Lord Hardy to deal with as he pleases. (Virtue: Just)
>You have that dagger on your person from the attempt on Atia’s life. You’ve always wondered what the poison does. (Vice: Wrathful)

There is also the remainder of the crew to deal with. The ship is yours, including their lives.

>Spare them at least until you can have them row into a port. They may yet live depending on what justice they find.
>The ship was lost with all hands. Tow the dromond to port instead.

>>3884756
>>Keep him for Lord Hardy to deal with as he pleases. (Virtue: Just)
>Spare them at least until you can have them row into a port. They may yet live depending on what justice they find.
In any case we have a link who would easily make all these people disappear.Sell them off as slaves to dear 'ol dad
Have Atia deal with all of our spoils and see to it our coffers are replenished as with the highest return once we get back home.

Their payment and all of the weapons and armor along with their plundering should turn up quite the sum.

>>3884765
+1

>>3884765
Agreed.
On our way back home. We could organize everything for her to peruse. So she doesnt have to go around counting stock.
She could take a quick glance once we've organized everything for her. So she can make sure we didnt miss anything quality wise.

>>3884756
Just slit all their throats and dump them into the sea. The Drowned God might give us his blessing.
Also tow the dromond back.

>>3884776
We believe(Atia and our self) in a singular god atm. Why would we sacrifice to a different god?
And now that we have a magic maester, if we were to sacrafice we would confer with him to get the best bang for our buck in the right ritual for that and such.
But more importantly. Money son. Why throw away all this money. With a warship of our own, this should further discount the cost of a warship unit. Sell everything we could off the boat and use the money to refill our coffers.
Its a shame we couldn't keep the captain. It might have been a useful ransom there. But better to trade it to the Hardys and let them vent and get revenge.

Selling them back would also spread the word that the clawmen are not to be fucked with. A nice warning to sellswords and pirates alike.

>>3884756
>>Keep him for Lord Hardy to deal with as he pleases. (Virtue: Just)
>>Spare them at least until you can have them row into a port. They may yet live depending on what justice they find.
Everyone likes a big show trial.

>>3884788
>I want them dead. All o’ them. An any prisoners they keep returned.
Just seems like a hassle for him honestly.

>>3884795
Yes a hassle. Making money usually involves work. Some of it is easier than others. Slave trade is usually looked down upon in westeros. But it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. More importantly, it doesn't have to spread what we doing. Especially since we could wholesale them to our father in law. Next pearl sale.
Atia should be able to at minimum make a decent profit even with us feeding however many we have left on this ship.
If need be we could make it a promise that these funds will be used in the creation of our next warship unit. If it makes him happier and more likely to trade. With the whole fueding thing going on right now between him and his daughter(Atia)

The more powerful we become the fewer options he has to deal with us. May even be able to force him into peace if we become his naval military and a decent portion of trade for him.

>>3884806
I meant a hassle for Lord Hardy. He instructed us to kill everyone and bring the prisoners back. I don't think he'll appreciate us letting him deal with it when he just wanted it done cleanly and out of mind.

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>Give the captain to House Hardy, spare the remaining oarsmen. (I'd point out that slavery is very illegal, but the rest is fair game. We can hold a separate vote if there is a desire to risk being branded a slaver. What could possibly go wrong?)

The three knights walk in while you do your best to melt the captain with your eyes. Ser Anders immediately goes to the sobbing women and offers them his cloak for their modesty, they’re half-dressed as is, while Ser Peter looks upon the room with unease. “Ship’s yers,” Ser Lothor states. “How’s about a deal. Ya give me this fat girl here,” he motions to the captain. “An I look tha other way on what tha ship’s worth.”

He offers his arm and you clasp forearms as warriors. “Ya want tha crew? Not a problem if they twere be lost ta sea,” he says.

“They can row to port. Saves us some trouble at least,” you decide. Depending on which port you enter, they may even be shown some mercy. That’s the trouble with lacking a lordship of your own, you don’t really have the authority to sentence them to death. No one would ever call you on it in your own spheres of influence, but they most certainly would if you went about taking heads after docking in so-called civilized parts.

“Aye. May as well let em work fer it, eh? Only question is which port?” he asks

A good question. You’re not lacking for options in this area. House Hardy has no port to speak of and your own isn’t ready yet. Last you’ve heard, Dragonstone’s is closed as well. The war only just ended there and the damage to the docks was supposedly severe. That leaves you with… four options with the depleted and demoralized crew you have at your disposal.

>King’s Landing.
The furthest distance to cover by far. Slow going and could turn into a political mess upon your arrival.
>Pynewatch.
Tricky. It’s within a reasonable distance, but you would need to deal with a surprise visit to Maeve without having tried to settle things there with your wife first. You also don’t have the right to pit and gallows there any more than you would elsewhere.
>Claw Isle.
House Celtigar. The closest to you in respect to distance, if absolutely nothing else. Historical enemies of your people, but many things have changed of late. Such a meeting would likely be taken poorly by your neighbors.
>Driftmark.
House Velaryon. Traditional allies of House Celtigar, typically an enemy of your people. As close to you as Pynewatch as far as distance is concerned. Meeting with them wouldn’t be regarded as poorly as meeting with the Celtigars, but would still definitely raise eyebrows. In truth, you don’t know what to expect here.

Here's your overnight. I'll pick up on Wednesday night since I'll be busy tomorrow night. Thanks for playing!

>>3884822
>Pynewatch
Best ally, and maybe we can try our hand at unfucking our situation with Lady Maeve

>>3884822
>>Pynewatch.

>>3884822
>>Pynewatch

>>3884822
>King's Landing
It's an opportunity to build ourselves some more publicity among the court, that can only help when we push for lordship. And as a knightly house from the Crownlands I'd assume it's what we're technically supposed to do since the crown is our direct liege.

Unless we think there's ANY chance the crown might confiscate our new ship, in which case we sail to Pynewatch and tip the sailors over the edge before we get there.

>>3884822
>(I'd point out that slavery is very illegal, but the rest is fair game. We can hold a separate vote if there is a desire to risk being branded a slaver. What could possibly go wrong?)
I did not know that it was illegal. Kind just saw it but I guess I never really read the whole description.
Let's see what Maeve thinks if we split it 50/50 with her.
We also need to try and smooth things over with her. And see what she has to offer for trade/benefits. At least as far as her house goes that way we have something we can use as a bargaining tool when dealing with the Brunes and Crabbs. Try and get them off our/her back. The more we have on the table the better. We've got what will be a warship hopefully soon. With a discount since we have the ship now and 50% to the total cost shouldn't be too far from getting it possible 6 months from now. We will have a dock. Ask for her bottom line and what she willing to do on some concessions.
We should also talk about her option to become a banner house. And be protected under our house, we won't do her and our child wrong, and will always try and have her houses best interest as best we can.

SLAVE MARKET SETTLEMENT
Time:
12+1d6 months.

Requirement:
Marketplace holding

Investment: 10 Wealth

While not exactly a well-respected business, the slave trade can be very handy when a House needs extra hands for the fields or has a few too many mouths to feed come wintertime. Assuming such actions are legal, the slave trade can
provide extra coin while also helping the House deal with manpower issues, assuming the slaves don’t take matters into their own hands. If the slave trade is not legal and a House builds a slave market, they are likely to face serious consequences if their liege lord finds out.

Bogg you may want to update the wealth portion that way we are clear on what we've to offer and can purchase, and add our personage holdings list.

>>3884882
Done.

The maester will be with you all in 2 months, which should be around 2 months before the birth of your heir.

>>3884882
Lets not build a slave market. All it takes is one nearby lord with a grudge against us or something to gain and that's it, we're hauled up before the Crown and exiled to Essos where we spend our days getting cucked by a silver-haired princess until we die of greyscale.

I doubt Maeve would be very happy to become a bannerhouse. The whole reason she bore our bastard was to protect her legacy and independance. Willingly becoming a bannerhouse means that not only is she officially beneath us, her children will always be officially beneath ours. Seems like a pretty hard sell when all she needs to do now is just not get rape-married by a Brune.

>>3884822
>Pynewatch

>>3884822
>“They can row to port. Saves us some trouble at least,”
Best reasoning for keeping them alive and not that justice nonsense.
Could even recruit some of them afterwards.

I would like to question the crew or even the captain. Cormaic is intelligent, let him gather information.

>>3884981
Oh right and the women too. Were all of them Hardy lands' residents?

>>3884822
>Pynewatch
Lots of positive opportunities here. We can defer to whatever maeve wants to do with the crew as a show of trust, and try and fix the boondoggle.

>>3884822
>Pynewatch
Shes gonna want the D.

>>3884981
>I would like to question the crew or even the captain
Question them about what exactly?

>>3884911
Agreed. Not worth it. If we could somehow sell these oarsmen and survivers that would be fine by me as a one-time thing. But otherwise, slavery is something we shouldn't dabble in without assurances. Simply not worth it if we get caught. I just thought it was legal but looked down upon.
>>3884984
The women should have all been from Hardy's lands. The oarsmen were likely slaves from essosi lands. I'm just wondering how much money is abroad. A large ship like this and the sellswords came to do a job I doubt they went back home empty-handed besides their own plundering.
>>3884981
What questions would you even have? many of the able crew turned pirate and got massacred and the captain we turned over for the ship. So Hardy's men could take due revenge.

Boggs I swear to god if you went out to buy a pack of smokes...

>>3887200
>No, I actually fell asleep like an hour before I meant to post. That's never happened before lol. I just woke up. Glad I did a little writing in advance. Sorry for the delay everyone!

>Pynewatch

You ultimately decide to sail for Pynewatch. Your standing with the Valyrian houses is precarious and you’re not certain you want to take the plunge there just yet. It could mean the end of any chance at reasonable resolution with Brune and Crabb. King’s Landing is its own separate monster. You may be hailed as a returning hero or called to question after being involved in yet another bloody incident. It all depends on who decides to take charge of the situation on behalf of the Crown. Still, you’re not looking forward to meeting Maeve’s mother after hearing she was less than pleased at this whole arrangement. That, and dealing with your own wife… Maeve has been a topic you’ve deftly avoided ever since your return from bedrest and your marriage has been all the better for it. Now you’re calling on her port and will likely be a guest in her own hall, an offer which you would need to accept to maintain reasonable decorum.

You spend the next couple of hours taking stock of the ship and what remains of the crew. The oarsmen are apparently either slaves or they may as well be. All told, you have the fate of around a hundred souls in your hands. Another sixty or so oarsmen are dead or were on their way to death before they were tossed overboard. The better armed raiders numbered approximately fifty and are now dead to a man. From what you’ve gathered from the oarsman that was pushed forward when you demanded a spokesman, these men were under contract with Dragonstone before breaking ranks after the war seemed lost. They’ve been raiding Hardy lands for the past month, sticking to this coast because of the known lack of warships to oppose them, to make up for their lost coin from the erstwhile loyalists and they intended to sail to Lys in the next few days after trying to fill their holds one last time. Lys… a slaver city known for their pleasure houses and perfume, if you recall correctly.

>>3887279
That confession prompts a curt dismissal and a trip belowdecks to their cargo hold. Their food stores and other supplies are in a dismal state, but you do find their war chest under lock and key. Two of your men break off to go retrieve the key from the captive captain while you look to their prisoners. You feel a pain in your chest when you see them. One iron cage with a dozen bruised and emaciated children packed in, girls and boys both. They perhaps have enough room to all lay down if they have no regard for personal space, which given the state of them is likely the case. The stench is horrid. You realize why when the one in the back corner near the waste pail turns out to have already perished. Eleven then. Hopefully the rest have the strength to recover, but the cynic in you doesn’t rate all of their chances. You have the lock smashed off and do your best to coax them out, but they only seem to cower more at the sight of you. That stings a little, but you do your best to keep it from your face as you double back topside.

“Ser Anders. Ser Peter. Take the women below deck to the brig. There are younglings below. Perhaps you’ll have better luck than me in getting them to leave their cage,” you order before halting them a moment longer. “Steel yourselves. It’s not a pretty sight.”

The “true knights” eventually return with pale, horror-stricken faces and the wary children who are ushered along by the three surviving women. Four boys and seven girls ranging from five to twelve in age. It sickens you, but if Atia was correct, they would only keep those who they could be reasonably certain were both untouched by men and healthy enough to survive the journey. Anyone else would’ve been killed on the beaches or thrown to the crew. You allow the survivors free use of the main cabin after dragging out the corpse of the quartermaster. The least you can do. The war chest yields between four and five hundred gold dragons’ worth of plunder. You and Ser Lothor split your shares two hundred each, pay the merchant captain twenty dragons for his trouble, and toss the rest to the men who fought under you. A few leftover dragons may be a paltry sum to you, but it’s practically a small fortune to landless soldiers. You just hope they don’t get up to too much trouble in Maeve’s port.

>>3887290
Ser Lothor takes one look at the lot of them and then hauls the pirate captain off. He never strikes the wretch. He instead has him tied to the bow of the ship just above the ram, a living ornament. It will at least be interesting to see if he lives long enough to face the Lord Hardy. The merchant cog goes on its way without you. Pentos is their destination and you are going back to the southwest. Better to keep all of your men on the dromond rather than risk a mutiny from the remaining oarsmen. Not that they seem up to it. You don’t think slaves are known for boldness under ordinary circumstances, much less after facing an assault like the one you’ve just unleashed upon them.

It’s slow going with the battered and depleted crew, but you make it to Pynewatch after two days at sea. The small town and port are overlooked by a stout keep upon a cliff with a commanding view on all sides. A small relief, that. You would be less at ease had you approached to find the area less defensible as conflict with the Crabbs and Brunes is still a very real possibility. You’re also pleased to see a rapid response from a trio of galleys upon your approach with two more keeping close to the port. You suppose the sudden arrival of a much larger warship should put them on edge, especially one flying to recognizable colors.

The ship captain speaking for the humble fleet relaxes after seeing who is onboard the vessel. You don’t know him, but he’s able to recognize you from tales alone. Ser Lothor must also be a welcome presence. He’s been here before, he says. Maeve’s mother is some sort of Hardy-spawn and that clan is welcome in these parts now more than ever since Lady Amelia has almost no one else to call friend with a true smile. Nor does her daughter… you don’t see her when you reach the docks, but then again, she couldn’t have known it would be you calling on her. A delicate situation, you could approach this in different ways.

>Play the part of the stoic leader. You are in charge here. It will make them less likely to try to take advantage of you and you’re not in the mood for games after what you just saw.
>Remain somewhat informal to attempt to put the Pynes at ease. Be friendly. They would appreciate it more, but it could open the door to certain misbehaviors.

>>3887292
>>Play the part of the stoic leader. You are in charge here. It will make them less likely to try to take advantage of you and you’re not in the mood for games after what you just saw.
With Ser Lothor here we don't want any confusion. We can act soft once around Maeve. We will soon be a lord. And among the head of houses shall be our equal due to clawmen culture but none other.

>>3887292
>Play the part of the stoic leader. You are in charge here. It will make them less likely to try to take advantage of you and you’re not in the mood for games after what you just saw.

>>3887292
>>Play the part of the stoic leader. You are in charge here. It will make them less likely to try to take advantage of you and you’re not in the mood for games after what you just saw.

>>3887292
>Remain somewhat informal to attempt to put the Pynes at ease. Be friendly. They would appreciate it more, but it could open the door to certain misbehaviors.
Maeve would probably appreciate it and if we plan to make her banner house not throwing our weight around maybe would make her more accepting of an idea

>>3887292
>>Play the part of the stoic leader. You are in charge here. It will make them less likely to try to take advantage of you and you’re not in the mood for games after what you just saw.

>>3887292
>>Play the part of the stoic leader. You are in charge here. It will make them less likely to try to take advantage of you and you’re not in the mood for games after what you just saw.

File: HousePyne.CoA.png (42 KB, 615x718)

42 KB PNG

>Play the part of the stoic leader.

Your face and bearing are that of a statue as you move at the head of a column through the port town and up to the keep. As befitting your station, horses were fetched for you and the other three knights while the rest of your men did their part in guarding the oarsmen. They were paraded off the ship and penned up near the beach under heavy guard. The survivors are all at one of the inns, hopefully settling down for a hot meal and a bath. Ser Lothor insisted on paying for all of that himself as they are his people. He’d barely spoken a word outside of that, grappling with a cold rage that you’ve felt the touch of a time or two yourself. You’re glad he’s riding alongside you instead of staying near the ship. The last thing you want to deal with is him killing some fool in a tavern.

You ride with an escort of cavalrymen, the newly reformed company Ciara mentioned, no doubt. Small wonder they took to mounted combat in these parts. The tall soldier pines of the house’s namesake surround the town as far as you can see even from your elevated vantage point and yet they are spaced out enough to make riding amongst them a reasonable task. While as rainy as anywhere else of Crackclaw point, the land drains well enough keep it from turning into the murky swamps that you call home.

The keep is reached with little fanfare or distraction and two women are there to greet you. Lady Maeve Pyne, who favors you with a faint smile that only falters slightly when she sees the looks on all four of your faces. The older woman next to her looks familiar enough. Lady Amelia Pyne, formerly Hardy, you’ve never had real cause to speak with her in the past during your youth. There is only a vague resemblance between mother and daughter. Given what you’ve seen of her brothers who all had rich dark brown hair and icy blue eyes, you’d say the seed runs strong in the Pynes. You remember Lady Amelia as a kindly woman quick to smile, a hard contrast from the fixed frown and glare she’s now wearing. Curiously, there is a third figure...

>Can I get 5d6 for Awareness?

Rolled 2, 2, 1, 2, 3 = 10 (5d6)

>>3887352

Rolled 1, 1, 3, 6, 4 = 15 (5d6)

>>3887352

>>3887355
jesus was that fucking terrible

Rolled 5, 4, 2, 6, 2 = 19 (5d6)

>>3887352
Coming in with the save

>>3887355
>>3887356
>>3887359 Hah, and he called it too.

Writing!

>Rolled 19 vs DC 12
>2 Degrees of Success

A knight, in the colors of House Pyne nonetheless. He goes without helm, so you are also able to note he has the aforementioned Pyne look about him. He stands as if a sentinel, leaning on the pommel of a bastard sword tip down in the mud. A naked blade displayed before a guest, no matter how he seeks to dress it up in appearance. One such as yourself could take it as a threat or grave insult if so chosen, though this was done more subtly than laying a blade across a seated lap. Your companions pay it little heed, but perhaps this show was meant just for you. His face gives away little, apparently some fucking trait of this family, but you see the challenge readily enough.

You look to Maeve. Her eyes dart between you and the Pyne knight and she adopts a pleading expression for you that looks all too similar to her face when… no, best not to think of that. So, something is amiss between these two. You’ll need to get to the bottom of this.

“Ser Cormaic Boggs, we welcome you to your home of Pynewatch along with your companions, Ser Lothor Hardy, Ser Anders Boggs, and Ser Peter Plumm,” Lady Maeve says by way of welcome and formal introduction all in one. You had forgotten that she was also acquainted with the Westerlanders in your service. Your home. An interesting touch.

“We will have a feast prepared in your honor and chambers set aside for you use. That is, if you are intending to stay at all,” Lady Amelia states curtly.

>I would speak to Lady Maeve. Alone.
>A feast will do.

>I'll pick up tomorrow with a longer run. I hope to see you all then!

>>3887397
>>I would speak to Lady Maeve. Alone.

>>3887397
>A feast will do.

>>3887397
>>I would speak to Lady Maeve. Alone.

My instinct is not to stay the night. I like Maeve a lot but we're married to Atia. Let's not make things difficult.

>>3887397
>I would speak to Lady Maeve. Alone.

Also just to nitpick, wouldnt Anders still be a Hill? I know he married into our house but I was under the impression that bastards couldnt change their name?

Ser Mason Flowers is still Ser Mason Flowers even after founding house Blackflower, and Ser Mervyn Reynold inherited his fathers bastard name despite him not being a bastard himself.

>>3887397
>>I would speak to Lady Maeve. Alone
>>3887453
He married into a family why wouldnt he have that name?
Merv got his father's last name as is custom..his mother didnt have a last name as is custom for peasants. Well not really a peasant since her dad was a blacksmith. But not nobility.
The blackflower thing no idea. I've just no idea what you're talking about.

>>3887459
Bastards normally keep their name, regardless of they marry into a family or not. I think only in situations of legitimization by royal decree can their bastatd nsme br put aside but I could be wrong on that. Lots of laws in the setting are tricky and not clearly defined

>>3887453
>>3887459
>>3887464

I actually did a lot of deep diving on that one because I couldn't quite pin it down myself and what I found was interesting. It's one big grey area. He could be called Hill or Boggs depending on how he styles himself and on who is introducing him. Basically, Maeve just did him a courtesy because she is friends with his wife.

Same goes for married women as well. They can be referred to by their birth house or the house they married into. One could look to Catelyn Stark in the books. At times she's referred to as a Stark and at other times a Tully and I believe there is one instance of someone saying fuck it and calling her Tully-Stark. This all follows actual medieval protocol as well. There is no hard set standard.

Interestingly, the same goes for bastard names. "Hill, Waters, Sand, Flowers, Stone, Snow, Pyke, Storm, Whatever." They're all traditional names, but only just that. Tradition. One can easily break protocol here and give a different name. Some other rather common sort of name like Croft or Miller as a homage of sort to the origins of the mother or to their future trade. Or perhaps a bastard may seek to style themselves with a different name of their own devising. You see this commonly with knighthoods. Blackfyre, for example. Or even Longwaters. Hell, I don't see any hard rule against giving a bastard your house name. It would be scandalous, to be sure, but doable all the same. This still wouldn't make them legitimate in they eyes of the Realm. You'd need the King for that.

So the guys a bastard wit a bone to pick with us, and we should speak to Maeve in private but not alone. Bring Anders and Plumm with us and we sleep at the inn overnight.

With both knights nearby she won't try any funny business, and we sleep with the men in the commons quarter.

>>3887406
>>3887449
>>3887453
>>3887459
Isn't that option implying we come to fuck her? Something everyone wants to avoid?

>>3887498
Its a trap option that Boggs with justify later. Nothing is ever pure anymore.

I think half of us want to fuck her, just not with the drama involved.

>>3887505
So far I haven't seen Boggs portray much (any?) conflicting romantic emotions from Cormaic in regards to Maeve.

Anons are just being sad harem shits.

>>3887505
>>3887498
Nah, I'm voting for that option to have a private conversation with her and clear the air. I don't want to fuck her.
I absolutely do want to fuck her ... but we can't do Atia dirty like that.

Probably a good idea to have the young Anders and Plumm standing nearby but out of earshot in case we need any trustworthy witnesses to reassure Atia when we return home.

>>3887397
>I would speak to Lady Maeve. Alone.
With no fucking.

>>3887540
>in case we need any trustworthy witnesses to reassure Atia when we return home
Oh this will be the first thing on her mind when you mention arriving from Pynewatch.

>>3887498
Why would it..privacy doesnt always entail romantic

>>3887546
I want actual witnesses in the room with us. Atia's gonna hear we went to Pynes, and were alone with Maeve. Shes gonna not like that, even if she thinks or believes we didn't do anything, its what shes gonna feel that will matter in the long run.

We should have Maeves mother watching us, but out of earshot. Perhaps we can go for a walk in the forest or in a garden.

>>3887599
Cuz of our history and the previous interactions with her shapes Atia's perspective.

>>3887498
That'll be up to you guys.

>>3887600
Anon trust goes both ways. I'm fine with having someone she trusts around, like her mother but how does that make Atia feel any better. Far as Atia knows Maeve learned being a home wrecker from her mother.
We have real business to talk about. And that's the point if this visit.
1. We need to sort out the oarsmen.
2. Talk about Meave's house and her position as our ally. We need to know what she's willing to deal, to help this new brune & Crabb alliance deal.
Get a better idea of her military with her navy included in its entirety.
3. Talk about our personal relationship with her.
Not in any particular order. She has also been in business since we've been apart. Learning her house and its trade partners and what they've to offer. We may be able to find the gold units with her. Once we get a jeweler.

>>3887618
>>3887600
>Anon trust goes both ways. I'm fine with having someone she trusts around, like her mother but how does that make Atia feel any better. Far as Atia knows Maeve learned being a home wrecker from her mother.
That's why I'm suggesting Anders and Plumm. At the very least Atia knows Anders is on the straight and narrow.

Okay. Let's try this then:

>Meet with Maeve alone. Completely alone.
>Bring Ser Anders along with you.

>>3887665
>>Bring Ser Anders along with you.

>>3887667
+1

>>3887665
>Bring Ser Anders along with you.

>>3887665
>>Meet with Maeve alone. Completely alone.
Gotta give her this due courtesy before we lay down that we're not gonna lay her down

>>3887480
Daemon took the name Blackfyre after he was legitimatized, and the Longwaters were descended from a bastard and the trueborn son changed his name to show the world that he wasn't a bastard himself.

As for the women, it's more of a formality. In my interpretation of it, she seems to be called Catelyn Stark more in the north, and Catelyn Tully by those who knew her before her marriage, or by those in her fathers domain.

Finally, I don't believe the law allows for a bastard to wear his fathers arms, nor bear his name but I'm not 100% on that. I think you're right on it being protocol and tradition mind you, I'm just a stickler for things like that.

>>3887665
>Bring Ser Anders along with you

Didn't want to bang her. Just wanted to hear what she had to say away from her "knight"

>>3887665
>>Bring Ser Anders along with you.
If this is the difference of it being all business or us trying to fuck her. Then ues bring Anders. We should be able to say all of our business infront of our new brother in law. And he should start being apart of these meetings even if he says nothing. He should encounter as much meetings as we can get him on. We may be 9n warships dealing with Essosi shit along with our wife.
Between our Sister & Anders, as well as the maester. They should easily be able to handle shit when we are away.

>>3887718
>Daemon took the name Blackfyre after he was legitimatized, and the Longwaters were descended from a bastard and the trueborn son changed his name to show the world that he wasn't a bastard himself

You're right on Longwaters. The only grey area there for me is why exactly the descendants would have been justified in styling their name differently. Was it bestowed upon them? Did they just shrug and go for themselves? Was it a result of marrying up? I'd imagine any of the above could be reasons.

Blackfyre though, Daemon took the name not when he was legitimized, but when he was recognized. No one knew for sure that Aegon IV was the one dungeon diving in the Maidenvault until he called Daemon to court and acknowledged him as his son when he was like 12 years old. Everything up to that point was just rumors. He gave him the ancestral sword Blackfyre at the same time just to piss off his actual trueborn son and Daemon styles himself as Blackfyre from that day on. He still wasn't truly legitimized until Aegon IV played his last troll card on his deathbed.

>>3887734
You're definitely right on Daemon. That totally went over my head when reading the wiki.

Bastardy is a fucking mess. If only all these heathens had just prayed to the seven we wouldnt have had all of these issues. Godless bastards worshipping trees and fire like the some bloody hill tribe

>>3887735
>If only all these heathens had just prayed to the seven we wouldnt have had all of these issues. Godless bastards worshipping trees and fire like the some bloody hill tribe
All are equal in the eyes of the lord of the light.

>>3887735
>Bastardy is a fucking mess.
Agreed. I think that's what makes it so fun to write about. I like messes.

>worshipping rainbows, crystals, and statues
>not the true heathens

Get a load of this demon of the Other.

Quest resumes in 2 hours. In other news, I'm making progress on creating a new combat system specifically for naval battles including stats for different types of ships. Also, there is a dispositions chart up in the drive link from the OP. It's a WIP still, but should give a general idea of things.

File: Maeve.jpg (78 KB, 640x960)

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“No need to trouble yourselves overmuch, my lady. Anything hot would do at this point. Until then, Lady Maeve and I have much to discuss. Ser Anders, with me,” you say.

From the looks about the baily, this was the last thing anyone was expecting. Good. The Pyne knight makes to follow, sloppy in his haste to sheathe his sword to the bemusement of Ser Lothor and alarm of everyone else. Stupid boy. “I don’t recall asking for you,” you state. “Who is this boy?”

“I am Sir Garen Pyne, captain of the Pynewatch cavalry,” he tries to puff himself up. “I am sworn to defend Lady Maeve.”

“I am sure Ser Cormaic bears me no ill will. I am in good company, ser,” Maeve says smoothly before taking your offered arm.

“Are all of your men so ill-disciplined?” you ask without bothering to lower your voice as Ser Garen is left behind.

She leads you and Ser Anders up to a small solar and pours wine for the table. She settles in and eyes you mischievously. “Well? You did say we have much to talk of.”

>Bring up the betrothal scheme you discussed with Lord Brax
>Speak of the possibility of Pynewatch as a bannerhouse
>Discuss your Crabb/Brune situation
>Get this business between her and Atia out in the open
>Discuss any other possible alliances she may consider viable
>Ask after the state of her own house
>Other

Pick two topics to start with for now.

>>3888115
Don't know how many we can do, but in order:
>Discuss your Crabb/Brune situation
>Ask after the state of her own house
>Get this business between her and Atia out in the open
>Bring up the betrothal scheme you discussed with Lord Brax

>>3888115
>>Discuss your Crabb/Brune situation
>Ask after the state of her own house

>>3888115
>>Discuss your Crabb/Brune situation
>Ask after the state of her own house

>>3888121
Seconding this order.

“To start, where are you with the Crabbs and Brunes? Ciara said you’ve been secluding yourself and Lord Fergus confirmed as much in his own way,” you begin.

“Secluding myself? Hmm. I suppose that would be fair to say. I thought you dead or near enough. It was a time ripe for action if false friends had been more prepared for your fall. Lord Eustace has made no efforts to wed me to any of his kin, no has his cousin Ser Dustin. It almost makes a lady feel unwanted,” she says coyly. “Although, Lord Clarence has been awfully close to him lately, it seems, and he is far less idle. His second son as I understand it. A stripling boy and unblooded. Rather insulting. Mayhaps they’ve come to some sort of arrangement?”

“More than like. I have it from the Hardy’s that Lord Eustace seeks to make a vassal out of House Cave and strip them of lordship. It could be you are part of the price for Crabb support,” you consider before smirking. “Amusing, really. And what of my price, I wonder?”

She eyes you suspiciously. “Have you met with them?” she asks, no, demands.

“I have not. I met with Lord Hardy separately as I suspected bad blood over some trifling disagreement back in our war camp. Turns out he and I are of the same mind on more than we both knew. Brune and Crabb were to be next, but I misliked the tone of their letter and had more pressing concerns at sea otherwise,” you say.

“Because you’re both bloody madmen,” she mutters. “I heard word of a strange ship in port. Do I not rate a simple social call from the likes of the mighty Ser Cormaic?” she asks teasingly.

“Pirates. They needed to be dealt with before they could leave these waters with precious cargo,” you say.

“I did not take you for one so eager to mete out justice,” she states with raised brow.

“Part of a deal with Lord Fergus. A condition of his sponsoring me for mine own lordship. The cargo of younglings meant for the slave markets hastened my hand,” you explain.

That surprises both of your current companions. It’s no secret anyway. Perhaps Ciara and Anders haven’t had the inclination to discuss politics in the short time since their nuptials. “Lordship? A bold move. You think Crabb and Brune to be so likely to support you? They are most displeased with you as of late,” Maeve says.

“Seems to me they should be blaming you if anyone,” you counter.

>>3888227
“Men blame men. Women blame women. It is the way of things. You of all people should at least understand that,” she says admonishingly.

“You could stand to sound less like my mother,” you grumble.

“Lady Shona should be a role model for ladies of my age. How is your sweet mother? And Ser Anders, you simply must tell me of your wedding to my dear friend,” she says

“My mother has remarried,” you say before this gets too side-tracked. They can catch up later.

“When?” both of them say.

“Why, the same night as you, Ser Anders,” you say. “It was to happen anyway. It seems she chose to keep it a quieter affair. The other half of my bargain with House Hardy.”

“She looks young enough to bear another child yet,” Maeve muses. “Deftly done of Lord Fergus. A child of House Hardy that would stand to inherit if the worst were to happen.”

“And your own house? You’ve reformed a part of your horse, I see. Who’s the squire you dressed up as a knight?” you ask.

“Ser Garen is some sort of cousin. Or a bastard of my father’s, though I dare not say so in my mother’s earshot. She has suffered enough. It’s all a touch vague, really. For all I know, he may not even be a true knight. There are none to vouch for the boy with so many dead, but the resemblance and his knowledge of house history is uncanny,” she explains.

You frown and see Ser Anders looking none too pleased himself. Grates against his sense of honor, no doubt. “Curious. Now what am I to do with him?” you wonder aloud.

“Mother seems to like him well enough and would be most wroth if you harmed or humiliated the boy,” Maeve warns.

“But not you,” you say pointedly.

“No, not me. I trust him less than I know him, but he isn’t a threat either. It’s possible he seeks my hand when I am beddable again. You need not worry, he isn’t you,” she says with a soft smile.

“Maeve…”

“I mean to say he isn’t capable. You, now I wouldn’t put anything past you. He simply lacks the imagination to outmaneuver me, and if I’m wrong, well, these are dangerous times and dangerous lands,” she says cryptically.

Do you seek to remove this Ser Garen or will you leave this to Maeve?

>Handle yourself
>Let Maeve deal with it as she likes

>>3888229
>>Let Maeve deal with it as she likes
>If you need help, send a raven. I'm getting a maester.

>>3888229
>>Let Maeve deal with it as she likes

>>3888229
>Let Maeve deal with it as she likes

>>3888229
>>Let Maeve deal with it as she likes

Oh, can I get a quick 5d6 for Awareness (Empathy) for this next part?

Rolled 4, 6, 1, 6, 6 = 23 (5d6)

>>3888260

Rolled 6, 2, 6, 3, 5 = 22 (5d6)

>>3888260

Rolled 5, 3, 2, 3, 6 = 19 (5d6)

>>3888260

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

>>3888260
>>Let Maeve deal with it as she likes

>>3888284
Yes.

>>3888266
>>3888269
>>3888270
That's 2 degrees. Pretty great considering the target.

>>3888115
>Meave is Lucy from Narnia
Dear god, that’s a new development

“So be it. If this becomes a problem, then send a raven. I would expect to my maester to be on hand soon enough. Before the birth even,” you allow.

“Ah yes. Only the best for your heir, of course,” she says flatly.

“This game between you and Atia. It ends,” you say suddenly.

Her expression never changes. “What game?”

“After your words not but moments ago you seek to play coy with me,” you say with bitter amusement before taking the time to sip at her wine. You’ve had better, but that’s to be expected with a wife so familiar with the value of a good vintage. “Your timing before your departure. The rumors that reached me by way of Lord Hardy, must I go on?”

>Cormaic’s Awareness (Empathy) test
>Rolled 23 vs DC 18, Success 2 Degrees

Ser Anders looks lost, but Maeve… she wears her mask. That’s her biggest tell, that she is almost a little too skilled in deception. You know her true face well enough to know when she is guilty. There is no other reason to slip into this persona.

“And now I know my suspicions were well founded,” you say to her surprise. “I know you Maeve. Truly. Remember that. This stops here.”

“Have you told her the same?” she counters angrily.

“No, but I will if need be. I will not have infighting amongst my house,” you say.

“I am not of your house. You saw to that when you married a foreigner,” she says irritably.

“No, but you carry the child of both of our houses. Tell me true. If this child is all you seek, would you damage relations with its siblings? With allies?” you ask.

She touches her stomach protectively. It’s hard to tell with the dress, but she doesn’t seem to be showing yet. A reflex, you suppose. Atia does the same. “I only seek the best for our child.”

“Good. Then that leads us to a happier topic, as I’m sure you would agree. It’s good that you’re here, Ser Anders. It’s as much about you as it is about us,” you say with a smirk.

“Ser?”

“Your lady wife and Lady Maeve have been conspiring as womenfolk are wont to do. A betrothal, yes?”

“We did talk of such things often enough, yet as maidens both,” Maeve confirms with narrowed eyes. “What game are you on now, Cormaic?”

“No game. I’m voicing my support for such talks to resume,” you say.

Do you intend on brokering this arrangement yourself or will you leave it to Anders to work out?
>You
>Anders

>>3888288
I honestly thought we would be getting the rundown on her house. Like troops and whatnot.

>Discuss any other possible alliances she may consider viable
I guess would be what she lets us know she would be able to let us trade for and bottom lines and such when we deal with the Brunes and Crabbs.
It seems like the Crabbs aren't getting shit this round of dealings. We may be able to expand our domain fighting them.
>>3888313
>>You
She will eat him alive.

>>3888313
>You

>>3888313
>You
>Anders
Boy must become a man. We should teach him how to negotiate....

>>3888324
Should we gift her that crossbow? We don't have much use for it, maybe she or her man would have use of it.

>>3888319
I dropped it a while back like 2 or 3 threads ago. Maybe it's time to drop these in the drive as well. At least for the Crackclaw houses. You would know those IC, or will soon enough.

House Pyne:

Green Garrison
Trained Crossbowmen
Trained Warships
Recently added Green Cavalry

>>3888330
Agreed

>>3888332
>Should we gift her that crossbow?
Not a bad idea.

I forget, did she use a crossbow when we went hunting with her?

>>3888345
She did, she was rolling 6d6+1 so pretty good.

>>3888333
I appreciate it. Guess I didn't see it then.

>>3888332
>>3888345

Sure, I can add that in.

Okay, looks like we are going to handle it with Anders looking on. Can I get 3d6 for Persuasion?

Can I get

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

>>3888375

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

>>3888375

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

>>3888375
Well well

>>3888381
>>3888382
>>3888383
Failed. Want to give it a shot with Anders?

>>3888383
>>3888382
>>3888381
I don't know if a 12 is going to do it but the numbers doing that and in order is neat

>>3888389
There's no harm in it is there?

>>3888389
Sure, why not.

>>3888393
>>3888395
Fair point, hah.

Okay, can I get 5d6 for persuasion? That is, if you're going to activate his once a day Pious benefit. (Why wouldn't you?)

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

>>3888389
there is no point in doing it with ander.. if he crits it's a 12..

I am very surprised, to be honest, that a 12 didn't make the DC.
This is something she has wanted for a while. For our families to be tied.
The kids will be making a somewhat lateral move if not slightly down from her side.
She knows she likes the house her child will be marrying into.
It makes sense for stronger pact between the houses. But considering that is our child we couldn't get much closer.We are haggling so our son/daughter marries his/her cousin
>>3888400
what..how does he have 5d? even with Pious shouldn't it be 3d?

>>3888401
she is friendly towards us so even that would have helped lower the dc along with everything else, no? And we are a house on the rise, especially compared to those around us.

Rolled 6, 5, 4, 1, 1 = 17 (5d6)

>>3888401

Rolled 2, 3, 2, 3, 4 = 14 (5d6)

>>3888400
Might as well! I'm getting the feeling the dice aren't on our side tonight.

...shit. No, that's my fault. It should be 4d6. 2D from persuasion, +1b Charm, +1D Pious. (You're dropping the lowest die.) It was my mistake so I'm going to roll with it.
>>3888405
This squeaks by with a 16 vs DC 15.

>>3888409
still 3 die..The bonus doesn't count as a test die..does it?
It still made but literally by the dc.
4 + 6 + 5 = 15 We got lucky..

>>3888414
Yeah, 15 if I were to drop both the accidental extra test die and the bonus die. I was rolling with the extra just because it was my mistake. Either way.

>>3888417
mhm, Freebie's are fine if no one catches it and it s ball dropped on all sides. But I want to see this house "earn it's keep."
So the two Brunes houses are landed in Dyre den and Brown hollow.In this game will they act as one house?

House Brune of Brownhollow is a house of landed knights from Brownhollow, which is located in Crackclaw Point in the crownlands.[1] According to semi-canon sources they blazon their arms with a bear paw, brown on white, within a double tressure brown.[2] Their words are not known.

The Brunes of Brownhollow are cousins to the Brunes of the Dyre Den

House Crabb is a noble house from the crownlands sworn to King's Landing. Its lands are found on Crackclaw Point. A former seat of the house is the Whispers, a castle ruined for over a millennium. Neither their arms nor words have appeared in the text.

I am a little confused at the map.. and how things are now. :(
For some reason I thought it is at claw hollow, since you said ir bordered Pyne Watch? LMK i've been trying to get a better idea of things that way i've a better idea for things. This is your story and things can be changed and I support it to make the story work better.

“And who will you be representing in this, my dear lover? House Boggs or House Pyne?” Maeve asks testily.

“Both. Everyone. I only want what’s best for both of our houses,” you say. “After all, it would bind both closer together. This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Very well done, Cormaic, but you may stop now,” Maeve says. “You’re too clever by half, so I simply can’t be sure of your angle in this. Why would you suddenly care? That aside, you are expecting me to betroth my only child to that of a landless knight. Meaning no offense, Ser Anders, but that is the truth of it. I adore Ciara, but I won’t lower my house to fulfill our girlish scheming from happier times.”

You slump back into your chair, unsure of what to say. Her argument is sound, logical. You would likely do the same in her position. She simply can’t afford less.

“I didn’t know of any of this,” Ser Anders confesses. You both turn to him, surprised he’s speaking. “What I do know is you should cherish the happiness of your only child all the more for it, especially a child forced to endure being a bastard. I would know,” he says with some bitterness. “I confess, I don’t agree with many of Ser Cormaic’s actions, but Ciara loves him despite it all and she must have her reasons. Forgive me for saying so, my lady, but even with your disagreements it’s apparent you have feelings for him as well. Ciara said you knew him as a child… what if there is something to that? If our children were to grow together, maybe they could have the feelings you have without all of the complications.” He stops with an abashed expression. “My apologies if I’ve spoken out of turn,” he bows his head.

Maeve looks down to her lap with moist eyes for a time, considering what was just said. “You surprise me, Ser Anders. Your words lack real substance and you haven’t addressed any of my concerns… and yet I find myself agreeing with you. I could give such a betrothal my blessing. However, this must be what my child wants. We could perhaps try our hand at fostering when they are of an age to do so. Here at Pynewatch, of course.”

You look between the two of them in disbelief. You make power deals with lords, accomplished men with armies of their own. And yet you were shut down by a woman who was trying to crawl into your bed while a boy waxing on about true love did what you couldn’t. Right then, the wine.

>It’s getting late here so I will call it for the night. We will pick up tomorrow at the usual time. Thanks for playing!

>>3888450
If you have time, could you address the lands around us and their respected houses? All IC should know the few houses around us. and their lands at least especially back for so long. Along with the info Vary and Maeve have shared with us. Along with us growing up in these parts
I like the emotional touch added. Good writing man.

We should really repair our armor once given the chance guys.

How different would this Quest would be if we would have married Maeve instead? If we would have married her would we have taken over her house financials?

>>3888500
A better question one might ask if she would even exist if Atia never came into the picture! >:o
We would have been the head of house anon. Of course, we would have. She would have married us and been a dutiful wife. Granted if she was competent enough no reason to not let her run them, while we train. And we just let her steward while we protect the lands and all who would harm our house. And go hunting with the bros and shit

>>3888505
Would have helped if we didn't marry for money and waited a bit. But that would have required all the waifus to be on the table at the same time. Not very practical or realistic story wise.

File: 1565682270399.png (289 KB, 1067x706)

289 KB PNG

>>3888433
>>3888433
Most of this is just my lore (and also a good amount from Father of House Malroy Quest who was kind enough to share notes) filling in the huge gaps in Crackclaw Point lore from the setting:

It's already known that the Crabbs had united all of the clawmen at one point or another. They used to have more land, going all the way from Whispers to where you see Claw Hollow on this map. Some of the Storm Kings of old attempted to conquer Crackclaw point as many others have, but only succeeded in intermarrying with an offshoot of the Crabbs who then went on to found Pynewatch and House Pyne by the sea. Whispers, formerly a part of the territory now known as Claw Hollow, fell into disrepair after being abandoned on account of tales of black magic and curses. Who knows how much of that is fact and how much is legend. No one outside of particularly backwards offshoots of House Crabb still reside within the borders shown on the map.

The Brunes have been split into two distinct clans, later houses, for centuries. They've had their disagreements, but mostly stick together on account of the fact that kinship is held in such high regard in these parts. They are on the rise now with Eustace Brune of Dyre Den attempting to emulate the earlier success of some of the more famous heroes of old by uniting the houses. He did so with war again House Cave and alliance by marriage with every other house except yours and House Pyne, though his second son was actually supposed to marry Lady Maeve had he not died in battle.

House Cave is the landlocked area bordering the Brunes. It used to be larger, but a good chunk of it was taken and split by both Brune houses, who are bonded stronger than ever due to their joint war. House Cave is regarded as being particularly backwards, doing little trade with outsiders and, well, living in caves still. The oldest son and heir, Osric Cave, is a ward and hostage of Lord Eustace Brune. The father is a bitter old man on his way out of this world.

House Hardy is the unlabeled spot on the coast next to Claw Isle (House Celtigar). They are one of the most traditionalist houses, valuing keeping to the old ways quite highly and focusing on close combat over all else. Most of their stuff is actually in the valley inland rather than on the coast. A mixture of poor weather and predations from Valyrian houses or pirates has taught them to stick to what works. As their lands border those of House Cave, there is some animosity towards the Brunes over the conquering of the Caves. Mostly because of a perceived lack of respect.

Then there is your house. It existed as a clan for the longest, only elevating to the status of landed knights with the arrival of Queen Visenya Targaryen, who is held in particular reverence by your people. Like House Cave, your people are considered a touch backwards due to isolation from the swamp that acts as a natural border between your lands and that of the Brunes of Brownhollow.

>>3888513
thanks.
It helps me seeing everything as you've described it out well.

Seems like our best bet would be for the Crabbs to turn on the Brunes and to go for the Caves along with the Hardys. And Hardys and Crabbs attacking if we could get that alliance going we could likely gain a large Brune domain and the Crabbs and Hardys take a bite from both the Caves and Brunes. But the Hardys have ties to everyone. If the caves don't become a banner house in time and their boy is returned they would likely join in on the fun. That would take much planning and dealing.

>>3888500
Realistically, you would have been one combined house, yeah. There would be all sorts of logistical issues that I can see, such as having to pay reparations twice. Who knows where that would've gone. Could've been a lot of fun or could've been a straight Bad End.

>>3888511
Yeah that's a big thing for me. I like introducing characters in ways that feel organic. I will say I don't regret how it all played out at all, but I basically made several distinct characters for potential wives and introduced them as the dice or votes landed. Meeting Lady Waynwood wasn't a fixed thing. Her handmaiden was also a possibility that I was only going to work with if people went for her in write-ins or something. Those routes would've likely been way more appealing in story had you guys put less stock in raising your own bastard daughter. There was a chance to meet a woman from the other House Boggs of the Neck had you all decided "fuck loot, let's keep raiding." I've mentioned a westerlander option as well. Tyrra was a recycled option I was toying around with and never really fleshed out. It's kinda funny to me that Atia won out because she was ultimately intended to come in and try to seduce Cormaic from backing out of a betrothal or something to that effect (I even gave her bonus dice in seduce to make it more difficult and named her early character sheet HMD for Hot Merchant's Daughter as a dumb inside joke), but her showing up so early was a direct result of an unexpectedly good house fortunes roll at the beginning.

I don't say all of this as some sort of "man, look what you could've had." I think someone got upset about that once when I answered a "what if" with something that sounded particularly appealing to them. Personally, I'm enjoying the way things are shaping up even if, and maybe especially because, many decisions are surprising to me. I just think it's interesting how many different directions things could've gone in by letting the story take us places that even I'm only planning out in a sandboxy sort of way.

>>3888539
>I like introducing characters in ways that feel organic. I will say I don't regret how it all played out at all
Yeah, I reckon it's all worked out pretty well. Felt very natural.
But maybe I'm just biased because Atia is obviously best girl. Her loving but slightly childish personality is a good one.

>I just think it's interesting how many different directions things could've gone in by letting the story take us places that even I'm only planning out in a sandboxy sort of way.
I'm enjoying that too. It's good to know we're not on a secret railroad. If our decisions or a poor dice roll result in disaster then that's as it should be, no point playing if there isn't some real challenge.

The biggest and most interesting what-if to me is how our Gulltown adventures would have panned out if we'd gone for Lady Waynwood. Arryn still would have had the same cause to hate us but I can't imagine he'd still be foolish enough to send over an assassin.

>>3888551
>I'm enjoying that too. It's good to know we're not on a secret railroad.

Definitely not. As far as I'm concerned, I might as well go write a book if I'm going to fix the story so much. I just try to present some of the million ideas I have as they make sense and see where you all take it. That's part of why I like write-ins and such so much.

>Arryn still would have had the same cause to hate us but I can't imagine he'd still be foolish enough to send over an assassin.

I really don't know for sure, but given the enthusiasm I've seen for trade deals and the like, there's a decent chance you would've ended up in Gulltown or the Vale in general where some sort of attempt on your life could've more easily played out without such a drawn-out scheme.

>>3888450
>>3888500
I was wondering if I am the only one getting this feeling that Maeve makes a great partner for Cormaic. I really like her character and this reflects on my desire for MC to spend time with her DESPITE being married to Atia and to show a little more conflict in his sympathies.

>>3888513
>Whispers, formerly a part of the territory now known as Claw Hollow, fell into disrepair after being abandoned on account of tales of black magic and curses
Do we believe in that black magic and the curses? Because an abandoned domain nearby is a perfect opportunity to land Anders in once we are lord. With a bit of bootlicking the Queen might give us a claim on the land, since she likes Anders so much. Sure. our territories would be very divided which is less than optimal, but we'd have a bannerhouse in between us and Maeve.

>>3888672
> Changed religion because of a vision
> Hires Maester with magic focus
> Kinda sacrificed burning of a city to his god???

I don't remember last one really good so im not shure of it. But yeah MC definitly has sertain belive torward magic shit. Is he afraid of it? Not really, he killed what essentially taken to be avatar of one god and sacrifice its head to another. Atia really shouldn't wear White Hart Coat among our people.

First post in 1 hour!

>Actually, here’s a vote while I write up the rest.

The three of you walk back down to the hall to sup with the rest of the nobles on hand as well as a few minor merchants that do business in this port. There’s some confusion over the seating arrangements at the high table. In particular, your seat. You could by all rights take the high seat yourself as you are technically the Knight of Pynewatch… or you could simply sit to the right of it in a place of honor. It all feels rather trivial, but it seems your viewpoint may be in the minority based on the number of eyes upon you as you cross the room.

>Sit in the high seat. Send a message as to who holds the title here
>Sit to the right instead, acknowledging that Maeve is the real power in Pynewatch

>>3889235
>>Sit to the right instead, acknowledging that Maeve is the real power in Pynewatch

>>3889235
>Sit to the right instead, acknowledging that Maeve is the real power in Pynewatch

Also bite the bullet and talk with her mother. I know she delt with our mother as a result of a bet, but putting her mom at ease might make her life easier.

>>3889235
>Sit to the right instead, acknowledging that Maeve is the real power in Pynewatch

>Sit in the high seat. Sit Maeve in place where your wife should be to establish absolute dominance. (Fuck my shit up option)

>>3889235
>>Sit to the right instead, acknowledging that Maeve is the real power in Pynewatch

>>3889235
>>Sit in the high seat. Send a message as to who holds the title here

>>3889245
I agree with the sentiment. We should try and make nice. It may make things smoother.

>>3889242
>>3889244
>>3889257 heh
>>3889269

It seems as if everyone stops breathing as you approach the dais, limping along on your cane. You pause for just a moment before taking the seat to the right of the high seat, clapping Ser Lothor on the shoulder as you do so. He’s sitting to the right of you with Maeve taking her high seat on your left. She shoots you a grateful smile as she smooths out her dress. Her mother, Lady Amelia, is on her daughter’s left. She also seems relieved and takes a liberal sip from her cup.

The young knights are down a level eating with the cavalry. They seem to be getting along well enough, laughing and jesting and swapping what few stories they must have to tell. There is a smattering of others throughout the hall as well. Mostly men-at-arms in between shifts and a handful of townspeople. Minor merchants and the like. Not worth your time, really.

You turn instead to…

>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or war
>Lady Maeve, speak more of alliances
>Lady Amelia, try to break the ice there

There was also talk of gifting that Myrish crossbow to Maeve
>Yes
>No

>>3889303
>>Lady Amelia, try to break the ice there
>Yes

>>3889303
>>Lady Amelia, try to break the ice there
>Yes

>>3889303
>>Lady Amelia, try to break the ice there
>yes

>>3889303
>Lady Amelia, try to break the ice there
>Yes

>>3889303
>No
>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or war

>>3889303
>>Lady Amelia, try to break the ice there
>Yes

You won’t have it get back to your mother that she failed to instill politeness in you along with whatever other moral failings the less imaginative accuse you of. And so, you turn to Lady Amelia, your… whatever she is to you. “My lady, I must thank you for your hospitality on such short notice. My mother has spoken highly of you and yet you exceed even her praise,” you say, hoping that sounded charming enough.

It seems giving her the attention was the right call, as Maeve even leans back to let you speak more clearly. Lady Amelia seems to appreciate the compliment as well. “Lady Shona is a good woman and I did cherish her recent visit. I trust you are taking care of her?”

“Would if I could, she remarried just before we left. To Ser Lothor’s brother even,” you say lightly.

“No! She said nothing of this to me!” she says with a hand over her mouth.

“It all happened rather quickly,” you say with a shrug. “Far be it from me to keep her from her happiness.” No need to make it political with this one.

“She always was an impulsive one. You ser must be your mother’s son,” she says, a mixture of reproach and playfulness all the more noticeable compared to her curtness earlier.

“Mother, please” Maeve says as she pats her on the arm.

“Oh, don’t you start with the ‘mothering’ my dear. I must say something, shouldn’t I? He’s ruined you for a proper match and has our neighbors sharpening blades. Yes, yes, this was all your plan. I’ve heard it all before and yet he needn’t act upon base desires all the same,” she scolds.

“Do you think me so homely mother? That a young knight would so readily turn me down? Am I not beautiful, Ser Cormaic,” Maeve teases.

“Hmm. Yes, very beautiful,” you mumble, wrongfooted.

“I’ve heard tales of your own wife, ser. At turns a wretched glutton or an exceeding beauty. A sorceress and foreign to boot. In truth, I don’t know what to believe. Won’t you tell us more her background?” Lady Amelia asks.

>Can I get 3d6 for Deception assuming you all aren’t keen to fill in the gaps with too much truth here

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

>>3889411

Rolled 1, 5, 2 = 8 (3d6)

>>3889411

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

>>3889411

Rolled 6, 2, 2 = 10 (3d6)

>>3889411
I don't really know what to lie about... Atia is kind of a glutton

>>3889413
Not going to lie..I rolled before reading the whole message. What do we have to lie about..?
>>3889418
Well we might have just made the cut. Meh

>>3889413
>>3889414
>>3889418
These rolls. Writing!

>>3889424
I think it's for hiding that we know something that we aren't sharing. Like her actual lineage

>>3889426
Given our limited skill with deception I'd suggest our best strategy is just to avoid that part of the conversation as much as possible. Acknowledge that she's the daughter of a magister then move on to her personality and her actions since the marriage.
If they try to push for more details on her background or anything else we want to keep secret just refuse to answer. Leaving an air of mystery is better than an obvious lie.

>>3889433
Makes sense. But I agree with >>3889444
Simply a quick mention and move on as to not draw anymore undue attention.
What do you guys think of speaking the Hardy first then Meave? Let's see what war he is thinking about, and any more pirates laying around.

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“I suppose there would be some truth in many of the rumors, my lady. She is of exceeding beauty and a glutton both. I simply don’t know where the food goes. Although this talk of sorcery does seem to be a bit out of place,” you say as your eyes flicker over to your suspected culprit in the spread of rumors. “Lady Atia is indeed foreign. Her father is a powerful magister of Pentos,” you explain.

“I’m told she has the dragon’s blood in her by her look. I always thought of Pentoshi as a swarthy lot. At least all of the merchants that have frequented our port were. What of her mother?” she asks.

“Her mother… her mother died in the birthing bed. She was of Volantis, I’m told. They have more Valyrian blood in those parts. I couldn’t say much more beyond that,” you say.

The two women look to each other for a moment too long for your liking. As if they caught scent of a trail.

You do your best to salvage the situation. “Lady Maeve. Given the nature of this visit, I fear I was unable to bring a proper gift, but I did find a most interesting contraption on the quartermaster of the pirate band we defeated,” you say, waving to Ser Peter and calling for him to grab the myrish crossbow.

Her eyes light up at the sight of it while her mother tuts disapprovingly. “Really, Maeve. You still haven’t outgrown this phase?” she says.

“Is this… a myrish crossbow? I’ve heard tale of such a device. I simply must try it!” Maeve gushes.

She grabs you by the hand and leads you to the side of the high table. You show her how to load it, a complicated process that took you some time to puzzle out. Luckily you had time during the slow rowing back to port. She braces it against her shoulder and leans back in her stance from the weight of the crossbow. It must be heavier than what she’s used to. Still, she’s like to fumble it entirely or land on her arse shooting that way. You move forward to correct her stance and end up wrapped around her a little more than you should be. She squeezes the trigger mechanism and unleashes a flurry of bolts into a stone column, falling back into your arms a touch and laughing joyously as the men below cheer and raise their mugs.

You both return to your seats, Maeve with flushed cheeks and a wide grin the likes of which you’ve never seen on her face before. Her mother eyes you curiously with lips forming a thin line.

Who will you talk to next? There is time for one more.

>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war
>Lady Maeve, speak more of alliances

>>3889471
>>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war
Less likely to see him around.

>>3889471
>>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war

>>3889471
>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war

>>3889471
>>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war

>>3889471
>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war

>>3889471
>>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war

>>3889471
>Lady Maeve, speak more of alliances

>Ser Lothor, speak more of pirates or the war

You turn away from the bickering between the two ladies as Lady Amelia tries to impart some message on what is and isn’t ladylike and pay more attention to Ser Lothor, who has been busying himself flirting with serving girls. “What’dya think Cormaic? The blonde or the brunette? The blonde’s been throwin’ me the side eye if ya catch mah meanin’, but ah have this need to see what’s unner the other’s dress,” he says.

“There may be time enough for both,” you allow, not wanting to get too caught up in a conversation on wenching considering the woman to your left.

Ser Lothor lets out a guffaw. “Oh aye that’s true enough. Normly I’d scoop up that blonde and be on with it, but I’ve been more’n’more drawn to dresses, see? The one ting I’ve gotten outta all o’ those fancy Kingslander types is an appreciation fer how they dress their women. See, I’m normally all about a fine pair of teats, but ah like a spot o’ sport as any man should. But then ah got ta thinkin’.” He pauses to drain his horn of ale, no doubt the source of his thinking. “These Kingslanders, they’d be clever folk, right? How else’d they keep power all powdered and perfumed like a dock whore? So ah watched them, see? Ting is, they’ve created summon queer in their fashion. Squeezen’ their womenfolk’s teats into those tight corsets’n then makin’ the dresses puff out just so. Ah can appreciate that. But watchin’ them all go about in their finery at the feast, I damn near got bored of teats if ya can imagine it. I found mahself wonnerin’ what’s unner the bottom half. Can’t tell with it all puffed out. No, Cormaic… it’s all changed. At least where highborns are concerned, it’s all about the arse! Each an erry one o’ them in those dresses is a little mystery waitin’ to be unwrapped. What will it be?! Somethin’ small an’ firm or somethin’ with a lil’ more ta grab onto? I MUST KNOW!” his voice has gotten progressively louder through his sage speech. Lady Maeve is covering her face with both hands to hide her expression while her mother looks absolutely scandalized. The table of young knights is silent for a moment before raising a toast to Ser Lothor in approval.

“You’ve given me much to think on, my friend,” you say. “Only I was looking to speak more of war.”

“Aye, war. Now that I can speak on,” he nods. “What’ll it be? Lookin’ ta measure up on the Brunes and Crabbs or lookin’ more ta sea?”

“Both,” you admit.

>>3889636
“Both, he says. Ya got stones, I’ll say that. Ya’d be needin’ ships o’ yer own and not just that one in port. Those sellswords all cut’n run when tha weather turned, see? Most’n went south. Sounds passin’ odd ta head towards the Stags, but the younger Stag boy held back too much an lettem passed. Reckon they went fer the coves or even the Spears. Crazy ta sail round those parts an no Kingslander’d follow, but those Stepstone types’r used ta some rocks pokin’ up. Might be dozens o’ ships holed up there. Might be more. Fraid ya won’t be seein’ much help from me an mine on that front. I’d think it’d be some time fore we dip another oar, if ever,” Ser Lothor explains.

“Course ya need not bother yerself with all that. The Spears are a long ways from yer folk. More of a Dragonseed problem, methinks. Now, the bloody Brunes an’ Crabbs, that’s another story. All tree o’ em have thereabouts o’ four hundred men under arms. Eustace a touch over that number trough some sorta trickery with them contracts. Never been one fer readin’ so ah can’t say how,” he says.

“Where do you stand in all of this?” you ask.

He grins, pleased you asked. “If’n it be between Boggs an’ Crabb then we could fight some Crabbs, aye. Methinks ya’d treat us better’n the Brunes did over the Caves. Ting is, it’d be a right mess with the Brunes. Not that I fear any o’ that lot. It’s mah aunt, see? Helenn. Born o’ grandda’s last marriage. Of an age with me an I’m fond of her in truth. She’s married to Eustace’s youngest boy an they have a little one o’ their own. Word is maybe another on the way. She’d be none too pleased if I went an killed her husband an I don’t need her naggin’. Can’t fight em,” he shrugs.

You force yourself not to grimace. It’s messier than he may even know then. Lord Clarence Crabb’s older sister is married to Lord Eustace Brune. If it came down to it, all they’d need to do is send the youngest Brune son down with a company of men to Crabb lands and the Hardy men would need to content themselves with sitting back and watching. If you’re looking to bolster your numbers, then you may need to look outside of the Point…

The feast winds down. Lady Amelia excused herself not too long after Lothor’s speech and Maeve soon followed, claiming to be tired. You left soon after as Ser Lothor was off to see about unwrapping a dress. A servant escorts you to your guest chambers, which are nice enough even if they’re still a far cry from the luxury of your own bed. You lay awake for a time, half expecting to have a visitor, but end up drifting off to sleep without any disturbances.

>>3889639
The next morning brings more work yet. You haven’t had any urgent messages from the port, so your men must not have caused too much trouble. A small miracle after battling at sea and returning flush with coin. The prisoners have been fairly complacent too. They’re either more dangerous than they’ve let on or they’re truly slave stock. You’ll need to do something about them and soon. The question is, do you bring them back to King’s Landing to face the typical brand of justice or will you keep them around to crew your own ships? Odds are their lot in life would be much better under your command than that of the pirates. It would take some adjusting, to be sure. The ship itself is another issue… you could keep it, but it would probably be more profitable in the long run to sell it. After all, your agreement with your goodfather has him paying half the cost of your ships. Selling this one for more than half the price of a newer warship should be doable.

Crew vote:
>Keep
>Kill

Ship Vote:
>Keep
>Sell

>>3889664
Crew vote:
>>Keep
Ship Vote:
>Sell

>>3889664
>Crew vote:
>>Kill
>Ship Vote:
>>Sell
We should have Atia handle the sale.
Unless it becomes part of a deal we will be making to see it "cheaply" for a little more than half its cost. To either the Brines or the crabbs. But it's looking more and more we will try and fight the Crabbs

>>3889664
>Keep
>Sell

>>3889664
>Keep
Make a show of giving them a choice, face justice at Kings landing or serve under and when they are age they will be permitted to retire or let go with some coin.

>Keep
Until we find a good buyer, then..
>Sell
Atia can be the ship seller when we have our first ship hit the water. We have no ship at the moment.

>>3889680
What if we sold it to the Hardys for a "fair" price.

>>3889717
You do realize that if we sell the ship for like 70% we will have a good amount of money more than enough to buy a brand new ship.
Since you know we have a 50% off on the warship unit.

So Bogg, 50% does it include sailors cost built into the units? or is the 50% just apply to the ship and we have to get/buy green-elite sailors ourselves?

>>3889729
You do realize you made no real point right?

>>3889729
The oarsmen come with the ships, so they're included in the costs. You'll be getting a 1 power discount towards your first purchase for the hundred oarsmen you have on hand now. An extra compliment of fighting sailors would be a separate purchase of 100 men that would count towards your "men-under-arms" cap which is currently set at 300. (You have 220 men)

>>3889744
The point is obvious. Sell the ship when we can. Not keep it for personal use, since as long as we don't sell it under 50% of market value we could literally exchange it for a brand new ship...

>>3889773
Then you missed my point. We would be selling the ship either way.

We'd keep it for training purposes for our sailors and coastal patrol until our first ship comes off the yard to take over. Then we sell the old one.

>>3889782
We don't have anywhere to train them as we don't even have docks yet. And as Boggs has stated before. Once we get a unit we get it immediately. While im not sure if that also means a warship unit it seemed to be what he implied.
Its a moot point at this point.
>>3889717
Just say sell next time. It's obvious we would sell once we find a buyer. What is our alternative? Sell before we find a buyer?

We can NOT buy a new ship without money. We would need the money first to purchase a ship anon...

>>3889791
They train on the ship.
Docks take time to be built.
I did say sell. It was right behind keep.
Sell it after we don't need it anymore.
Everything needs money, we tend to spend it on the earliest opportunity. Not selling it now makes that money available later.

>Keep
>Sell

You ride back to the port after breaking your fast and seek out the spokesman of the oarsmen. It’s a simple enough choice. Kneel here or hang in King’s Landing. No need for a flowy speech or anything of the sort as the trade tongue, a bastardized version of various languages, is what is needed to get the message across to the diverse slave-oarsmen. They quickly kneel as soon as they understand, the relief palpable. Many probably assumed they were due for the gallows soon enough. You’ll have them ferried back to your lands to work on the burgeoning docks for now and see them crewing your personal warships when you have at least one to be crewed.

The ship is another issue. The best thing to do will be to sell it. Atia will know what to do about that. For now, you’ll just leave it here. There’s enough room for it at Maeve’s more expansive port than there would be elsewhere, and your prospective buyers are more than likely to be close enough to Pynewatch for it to be convenient all around.

You end up leaving for your villa later in the day upon one of Maeve’s swift galleys. The goodbye was approaching formal, given the public audience, but Maeve does lean in to favor you with a chaste kiss upon your cheek. You will likely see her soon enough to conclude your business with the ship anyway.

The return trip was notably fast upon the lightweight war galley. A total of ten days passed since you’ve last seen your family. Upon your arrival, Esmeralda launches into you in a running hug with enough energy to make up for Atia’s slower pace. You swear they’ve both grown so much in this short time, your daughter upwards and your wife outwards. Ciara busily frets over Ser Anders off to the side, checking to make sure he wasn’t injured in any way before pulling him down by the neck and kissing him passionately despite his embarrassment from the catcalls. You catch them up on where you’ve been and the success of the journey. To your surprise and relief, Atia isn’t upset upon hearing of your visit to Pynewatch. You had expected at least some anger. Perhaps there really is some growing trust between you two.

“Brother, the Lords Crabb and Brune didn’t take your departure as well as hoped. They’ve since left the city for their own lands rather than wait on your return,” Ciara says while still clinging to her husband.

You frown, but it isn’t too big of a surprise. It would’ve seemed almost desperate of them if they had waited on you for that long. They’re not men to appear weak at any rate. “Fair enough. And your own talks with the Reynolds?” you ask.

“Ser Tygon has agreed to meet, but he has also departed for now. They’ve been more active in court of late, so a meeting could be had soon enough. If I had to guess, he may not have been too keen on negotiating with a woman,” she says hesitantly.

>>3889820
“Hmm. It’s good enough that he’s willing to meet, I suppose. Atia, do you have any ideas for the ship? There should be enough buyers around these parts after the storm and siege wrecked so many,” you say.

“Fewer than you would think, husband. The only ports of note south of Gulltown are Dyre Den, Pynewatch, and Duskendale. I hear the royals have too many ships if anything. They built so many to fight Dragonstone and then the storm did their work for them. Hmmmmm.,” she looks to the sky and taps her lips with a finger in a way that makes you wish you’d hired an artist. “Driftmark? Or are they the bad guys now? It’s hard to keep track, darling.”

“Driftmark… House Velaryon has always been known for the power at sea, true enough. They must have suffered heavy losses as well. I don’t know where I stand with them, in truth… they are traditional allies of the Celtigars and as such aren’t well-loved by Clawmen. Brune may be too much of a headache to sell to right now and Maeve would have mentioned it if she was interested in buying. What of Duskendale?” you ask.

“I couldn’t say! I usually skipped that port and never met with anyone from there. Cormaic, I know of these Velaryons. They are of the old blood like me. That can only be a help,” she says with the excitement she gets for mattes of trade.

“That may be so, but it won’t help my talks with our neighbors,” you point out.

“They’re your neighbors too, yes? I’ve seen the maps. And maybe it’s best to show these sour old men that you may seek friendships in places they’d rather you not. Like teasing a lady by dancing with her rival,” she says with a mischievous grin.

Who will you seek out a trade with?
>Dyre Den
>Duskendale
>Driftmark
>Other

Overnight vote. Thanks for playing. I probably won't be able to run tomorrow night, but I’ll still at least post one update around 7pm EST.

>>3889823
>“They’re your neighbors too, yes? I’ve seen the maps. And maybe it’s best to show these sour old men that you may seek friendships in places they’d rather you not. Like teasing a lady by dancing with her rival,” she says with a mischievous grin.
She makes a good point. But If we are serious about that lordship. Brunes could be a way to get rid of this ship. Have Atia deal, and after swindling them give them a fair price. As a way to mend fences, and make that deal for a proposed lordship.
>Dyre Den

>>3889823
>Driftmark

How much are ships going for at Kings Landing?

>>3889844
1 gold

>>3889823
Hardy's won't be any help against Brunes so may as well make them our next target in the lordship claim support. Woo them with the ship discount like >>3889834 anon says.

On the other hand could totally hit it off with valyrians. Considering that Lord Brax gave us his support, why not Velaryons too? My only concern here is that the act could draw the other crackclaw houses away from us and we can't afford fighting both Brunes and Crabbs.

Reminder that we still haven't done anything about the raping at the Red Keep during which Ynys Yronwood has committed suicide.

The Spider knows - get a favor from him if need be. We may (anonymously) notify lord Anders Yronwood afterwards that his daughter's death has been avenged. Can find an unlikely ally in Dorne that way.

I know we have our fingers in R'hllor knows how many pies but the motive is solid, playing to both Cormaic's vice and virtue.

>>3890077
>Considering that Lord Brax gave us his support, why not Velaryons too?

This is a great point. There's nothing truly stopping you from going that route. It's outside the box for my framing, but perfectly viable.

Maybe rather than selling ship to Brune in Dyre Den, we could use our new ship and Maeve's and offer to hunt pirates together to boost both of ours naval force? He seams to think of himself as trader so hunting pirates would be in his intrest. If he is not intrested we culd still do it on our own. Loot from pirets plunder free ships and some exp for our troops.

>>3890077
>Hardy's won't be any help against Brunes so may as well make them our next target in the lordship claim support
We already have the Hardys support for a lordship. Which is why we had our mother marry into his family and we went pirate hunting.
That was for his support for a lordship. There is no need to continue wooing them.
>>3890128
The Crabbs has the largest economic power here at the claw point. They would benefit immensely if we went pirate hunting in these parts.
So we could offer to try and patrol these water around our respective neighborhoods for a time as part of a deal to gain their support for a lordship. I also believe they lost their port and warships as well? So it could be viable since they've no defenses if that last part is true.

Hardys don't do as much trading. They've also lost their port along with the warships to fend off pirates. We may be able to strike a deal up patrolling their waters as well. No idea what they've to offer.

For the Brunes our previous plan was to support his proposal to have a banner house of the caves. And we could likely get support for a lordship from him. What I was proposing was to sell house Brune the ship we have on hand as a show of graciousness. So we can get his support without agreeing to much more.

We could also offer to sell them swords but why sell potential enemies better weapons to strike you with. The same goes for the Crabbs.
And as >>3890077
said we shouldn't cause too many conflicts with them both. Yes if we fight one of the other they will join in. But if we have a pact with them it'll be harder for them to join in.

I think I would enjoy being out at sea pirate hunting for a time securing our sea's and making it known our waters should not be fucked withalong with that phat loot. Makes more people want to visit our port once we get it running. As well as making fishing fleets much safer. That +20 food is what we need once we start increasing our warships and population to have a small town. along with more trade potential.

>>3890249
Crabbs don't have a port or warships. They just ship their goods down to Maidenpool or up to Dyre Den. They've never been much of a seafaring folk. A major motivator for the Pynewatch grab attempt. Hardy was starting to dabble in it, but based on what Lothor said, they may just cut their losses and stick to their valleys. There's a decent chance he will be the next Lord Hardy sooner rather than later so if that's what he wants to do then that's what it'll be. The Valyrian houses and potentially Pynewatch are the ones that are most in the path of piracy now, as the other Clawmen are shipping via the comparatively calm Bay of Crabs.

>>3890249
>We already have the Hardys support for a lordship. Which is why we had our mother marry into his family and we went pirate hunting.
>That was for his support for a lordship. There is no need to continue wooing them.
"Them" being Brunes in that sentence.

>>3890128
>>3890249
What makes both of you think house Boggs makes for such a great pirate hunting house? Not a single character knows a thing about sailing in general or navigation around the area. Compare that to house Velaryon or house Farman.
We are a land house until somebody competent shows up. There is one undermanned galley and that's it. It doesn't even have a captain.
And the fact that we once succeeded in an ambush was plain luck plus information from Ser Lothor.

Lets occupy ourselves with things we're actually good at until we build a port and a warship, hire a proper captain.

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149 KB PNG

I think we are at 2 for Dyre Den and 1 for Driftmark? But you guys still have until tomorrow to figure out what you want to do. Seems like there’s a lot of support for using the ship as an excuse to form a greater alliance, which is a neat idea.

There are two crunchy things I wanted to nail down before posting tomorrow.

First, you’re due for an ability/skill upgrade. A rank 2 ability to rank 3 or a bonus die in something. Please choose one:

>Animal Handling
>Endurance
>Healing
>Knowledge
>Bonus die in a specialty (which?)

Second, we are coming up on House Fortunes for Month IV and it’ll be part of the intro post for tomorrow.

>Can I get 2d6 for House Fortunes? Highest of 3. (This isn’t a typo)

Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d6)

>>3891052

Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d6)

>>3891052
I can't remember if we had anything planned out after we bummed our leg for the next several months. So I'll default to
>Endurance

Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)

>>3891052

>>3891052
Endurance fits narratively.
Knowledge too if you consider all the new stuff (like ships) Cormaic has been immersed in lately. So either is fine with me.

>>3891052
>Animal Handling
So that accident with horse that DID NOT HAPPENED. Won't repeat itself

>>3891052
>Endurance

>>3891065
>>3891068
>>3891096
Heh. Still snagged a Growth out of that. Barth didn't fail you after all. Nice.

Which are you looking to increase?
>Wealth by 1d3
>Population by 2

>>3891130
>Wealth by 1d3
Always need more money.

>>3891130
We need 20 pop for the small town or something like that right?
>Population by 2

>>3891052
>>Endurance
>>3891130
Wealth
Have you added what we gained from the shit on the warship to our stats?

>>3891130
Where is current seat of House Crabb?
In Claw Hollow?

>>3891130
>wealth

>>3891211
Just did, thanks. 1 Glory, 1 Wealth. Ser Lothor got the other point of Glory.

>>3891246
Yup! Inland too, in the center away from the water. Used to be the seat of a banner branch before Whispers went to shit.

>>3891290
So whispers in completely abandoned?

>>3891300
Aside from some minor cousins of the main branch Crabbs, pretty much. It's a ruin.

>>3891068
>>3891108
>>3891124
>>3891125
>>3891211

Alright, I'm gonna lock it for endurance. Nice horse reference though lol.

Looks like wealth takes it too.

Can I get 3 rolls of 1d3?

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>3891453

>>3891130
Wealth
Isn't it 1d3+2?

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>3891453

>>3891455
Yeah I should've added the +1 base on in the vote. The extra +1 from Head for Numbers won't apply because Barth was handling your House Fortunes instead of Atia. That'll be coming up more in the story tomorrow.

>>3891454
>>3891458
No takers for a third shot at a 3?