Ser Aurion Shryke. Your face splits in to a wild grin for the hundredth time in the past two days. Now that is a name for a man going places. Not little Aurion from the docks. Not even Captain Aurion of the Stormbringers free company. Something more. A ruler destined to create a lasting legacy. A---

“Just why are you bloody smiling?” Vaeron grumbles. Ser Vaeron, rather, although the both of you did sort of simply fall into your knightly titles due to company tradition of knighting officers. Still, it counts, right? You’ve known Vaeron for… most of your life, really. Around the time you were five, he was prenticed to the smithy you were dumped at shortly after your birth. The big man stares back down at the deck in disbelief, seemingly not over the fact that his silver hair is pulled back into a ridiculous ponytail that his better half forced on him.

Following his gaze to the deck, you can see his point. You are both losing, hard. Coins from the dice circle have been slowly piling up in front of one man. Malaq, your de facto fleet master whenever you’ve already hit the beaches. The heavily tattooed Volantine is flashing his gold teeth with undisguised satisfaction. Not for the dozenth time, you judge him to be a cheating shit. If not for your distraction, you may have already pointed it out. Vaeron is a more trusting sort, but even he is starting to narrow his eyes in the direction of the likely loaded dice. He’s going to wroth when he figures it out, but maybe a good brawl is what everyone needs right now. Coming this far only to get back on the ships and play nursemaids to a couple royals wasn’t what everyone expected. Still, the pay was solid, and they would follow you anywhere anyway.

>>4060129
Of course, it was about more than the pay for you. You managed to secure a second name out of it. A House of your very own that happens to come with an island. Your island, Stormgrave. The island of your birth and the island which you left over a decade ago for better prospects. It had been the easiest contract negotiation you’ve ever been through. Almost too easy… but that’s half the reason you sailed west. Wars bring desperation. Desperation brings bigger contracts. The other half is simple; your lucky bird. A coastal shrike you’d lured into a cage with a dead field mouse, all of your contracts had been remarkably fruitful and nearly bloodless as long as you had it… then it escaped. It flew west towards the narrow sea and that was all the omen you needed to set course for home and it’s a call that’s already paid off beyond expectations.

Not for the first time, you glance in her direction. She leans against the stern, gazing back towards the capital. Or maybe it’s to somewhere else. It’s well-known her son the Dragon-Prince fell in battle. The Trident-something or other. A hill somewhere? You’ve never been to the mainland. Although she is currently your charge, you hadn’t gotten a good look at her aside from a few strands of loose pale hair with her wearing that cowl everywhere. Something about that rankled you. Not the lack of a look, though the thought of one does stick in your mind like a bad itch, but the fact that she is your charge at all. IThe young princeling was herded off to one of your waiting ships surrounded by knights and even one of the fabled white Kingsguard while the Queen and a few of her ladies were left standing awkwardly beside the dock. King’s orders, you’d been told. The Queen isn’t to be left alone with the princeling. Makes no sense to you, but you weren’t about to question a King over it. That’s probably treason. Highborn just do things differently like marry siblings and separate children from mothers. Truth of it is you’d seen stranger sights out east. Maybe best not to dwell on it. Then again, you do still want a closer look. It’s not every day you see a Queen. Not every lifetime, even.

>>4060135
Then again, this is also a good time to discuss strategy with your good friend and second without the presence of a certain nagging influence. Namely his wife, Lady Janesa Jal’Anaris. A Pureborn from Qarth who happens to be on another galley with their two shared broodlings. To no one’s surprise, she wasn’t to be parted with a proper cabin and the one on board this ship needed to be given up for the Queen. She also happens to be the company paymaster due to her knack for speaking and reading multiple languages while also somehow knowing all her numbers. It’s worked in your favor several times in contract negotiations, but it comes with the infuriating side-effect of giving her the ability to veto your plans, as she has been keen to remind frequently remind you. Well, not anymore! You’re a ruler now and that means no vetoes.

>Save your troubles for later, enjoy your time with your men. Maybe stop a brawl. Maybe not?
>Strategize/discuss your options with Vaeron. This is a good time to do so without a certain naysayer curtailing your more creative impulses.
>Go see if you can get your look at this Queen. Maybe you can come out of this with some sort of favor.
>Go see if you can get a look at this Queen. She’s obviously sad and cheering people up is your specialty.

*QM note: I will combine the vote numbers for the last two listed options here. I’ll likely do this with a few different votes as a way to get a better feel of the MC’s character.

>>4060142
>Strategize/discuss your options with Vaeron. This is a good time to do so without a certain naysayer curtailing your more creative impulses.

>>4060142
>Save your troubles for later, enjoy your time with your men. Maybe stop a brawl. Maybe not?
Someone's from Qarth. Does she wear superior Qartheen gown all day to shove it down to the uncivilized westerosi?

>>4060142
>Go see if you can get your look at this Queen. Maybe you can come out of this with some sort of favor.

>>4060142
>Strategize/discuss your options with Vaeron. This is a good time to do so without a certain naysayer curtailing your more creative impulses.

>>4060206
Probably. Pureborns just don't give a fuck

>>4060142
>>Strategize/discuss your options with Vaeron. This is a good time to do so without a certain naysayer curtailing your more creative impulses.

>>4060119
Our cohort and seneschal has only two and one benefits respectively. Oversight or intended?

>>4060206
>>4060310
You know it.

>>4060361
Incomplete sheets. Didn't want to delay the thread to wrap up all my paperwork, but wanted to provide the basics in case we need them. House resources need work too. It should all be ready tomorrow.

Writing for:

>Strategize/discuss your options with Vaeron. This is a good time to do so without a certain naysayer curtailing your more creative impulses.

This is too good of an opportunity to get Vaeron on your side before his wife can poison his thoughts. She means well and generally takes your side in public, but she lacks vision for a noble of such a passionate people. Too keen on playing things safe… aside from jumping in bed with a sellsword of the Sunset Kingdoms who turned out to be too honest to do anything but insist on marrying her upon word of her falling pregnant. You signal for him to break away from the game with a nudge.

“You’ve bested me yet again, friends. Carry on without me,” you say with an easy smile that’s met with assent. No need to cry over a few petty coins if it keeps the men happy.

“Something’s not right about this, Aur,” Vaeron says as you step away from the dice game.

“Malaq’s probably cheating again,” you respond lazily.

His eyes flash with anger. “That thieving little… I’ll deal with him later. We’ve bigger problems. No way they give you a whole bloody island and turn you into a fancy noble just for half a week’s sailing. They’re either trying to fuck us or something’s gone wrong.”

“Your wife read the contract. You think she made a mistake?” you ask with a smirk.

That gives him pause. “Unlikely… but this still doesn’t feel right.”

“The thought has crossed my mind. But the writing’s in order so that leaves…”

>Can I get 3 rolls of 5d6 for Warfare (Strategy)?

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

>>4060396

Rolled 3, 1, 6, 3, 3 = 16 (5d6)

>>4060396

Rolled 3, 2, 6, 2, 3 = 16 (5d6)

>>4060396

>>4060410
>>4060421
>>4060422
DC:12/15/21
Pass/Pass/Fail. Writing!

“…the war. Odds are things aren’t going as well as they led us to believe,” you contemplate.

“How so?” Vaeron asks.

“Royals on this ship is the first dead giveaway. If it were me and I thought I could win, I’d never send away my wife and heir from the city. Never mind that it’s piss poor for morale, you saw that castle, yeah? You could burn the whole city and still sit pretty behind those high walls. If you think you can’t hold that, then what can you hold? Dragonstone? Falling back there is admitting to losing the mainland. You lose the mainland you lose the Kingdoms. This rebel king could sit his happy arse up on the throne and carry on like Dragonstone wasn’t there for all it matters strategically,” you say with growing unease. Perhaps you’ve been too preoccupied with your new title these past two days at sea.

“You’d need a wife and heir to appreciate that whole thing,” he chides.

“Funny how you do that. You speak and Janesa’s words come pouring out of your mouth. I suppose that talk will double now that I actually need to settle down,” you deadpan. “Now what else do we know? Crown Prince Rogar or whoever went and got himself killed in his very first battle. Mind you that could be simple incompetence, but there’s no doubt they lost a fair number of men there. Enough to spook the King to send his family away and to leave a nice vacant seat on our home. Fair to say the Crownlanders are going to be fighting on their front doors now against three of the seven kingdoms. Who’s assisting them? The Dornish? Cuckolds, and they’ve likely taken heavy losses themselves if they didn’t simply flee the battle after the first volley. The Westerlanders? Might be enough, granted. You need less men on the defensive. Let the rebels burn their way toward the city and break them upon the walls before their supply train can catch up. Counterattack and wrap things up.”

“Then we are fine,” Vaeron concludes.

“No, something’s missing… I just can’t see it yet,” you say with a frown that’s soon mirrored on your friend’s face.

“That’s not like you,” he states.

“It’s just that there’s a lot at stake here. We stick with the Loyalists and they fuck things up, then this contract is worth fuck all. We take a chance with these rebels and they’re thrown back, this contract’s worth fuck all and we are wanted men. Doesn’t mean I don’t have a plan,” you add.

>Stick with the Loyalists. You can bargain from a position of strength even if they lose. It’s not as if the Rebels have a navy.
>Flip to the Rebels. Your information on Dragonstone and its defenses will be invaluable.
>Do nothing. Take your contract and title and sail for your seat at Stormgrave. Assess the situation there first.

>>4060510
>Flip to the Rebels. Your information on Dragonstone and its defenses will be invaluable.
If we wait the information will become less valuable

>>4060510
>>Do nothing. Take your contract and title and sail for your seat at Stormgrave. Assess the situation there first.

>Stick with the Loyalists. You can bargain from a position of strength even if they lose. It’s not as if the Rebels have a navy.

>>4060510
>>Flip to the Rebels. Your information on Dragonstone and its defenses will be invaluable.

>>4060510
>Flip to the Rebels. Your information on Dragonstone and its defenses will be invaluable.
It's time

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>>4060514
>>4060524
>>4060529

Stagfags REEEEEEEEE

>>4060510
>Do nothing. Take your contract and title and sail for your seat at Stormgrave. Assess the situation there first.

We are opportunists. We must opportune.

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>>4060569
>not wanting to serve based mannis

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>>4060581
Stannis may indeed be the Mannis, but the true and rightful king of Westeros is King Aegon VI Targaryen, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.

>>4060510
>Flip to the Rebels. Your information on Dragonstone and its defenses will be invaluable.

>>4060603
You mean Aegon Blackfyre

>>4060514
>>4060518
>>4060520
>>4060524
>>4060529
>>4060618
>>4060574

I see. Thanks. I'll get to writing.

House Historical Event: Treachery Activated

>>4060620
oh man, that's the shit.

“Remember Astapor?” you begin.

“Aye. Queer place. Disgusting people all things considered,” Vaeron responds.

“They wanted us to raid ships out of Yunkai. Offered too much coin and freedom of the hulls, yet we still turned down the contract. Why?” you press.

“A city that shits out Unsullied can’t fight their own battles. Raises all sorts of questions,” he answers.

“It does. Like if we weren’t an expendable distraction to sell more Unsullied. That didn’t stop us from letting generous Yunkai in on the plan before we went east so you could fall in love with the first noblewoman with her tits hanging out of her dress. And here we are,” you conclude.

“Tit,” he corrects. “Just the one tit. It’s fashion, that makes it proper.”

“I’m sure it does,” you concede. “Even so, we are better off continuing our work with these rebels. They have the upper hand and we owe the crown nothing after this trip. The rebel king will need to confirm my position, then we will go from there.”

“What do you intend to do with our… passengers?” he asks the obvious question with a troubled expression.

“Capturing and ransoming is what’s typically done. Tricky thing is, I’m not sure what they’re even worth. The Queen is an easy grab given you could likely overpower her guard while the rest of us sit back and take bets, but she may be more trouble than she’s worth. The boy prince is the heir to the throne. Now that has to be something even if his side loses. Trouble is, our ship holding him’s covered in guards. I’m not keen on losing half the lads and sinking my own ship just to capture him. This is assuming they don’t figure out what we’re doing and sail away with my ship. That and he may up end up dying in the fighting even if we get the drop on them and as you well know---”

“we don’t kill anyone for free,” you both finish simultaneously.

“So, Dragonstone then. You want to land on Dragonstone, look around, say your goodbyes, and hope these rebels have taken a port town somewhere nearby?” Vaeron asks.

“Well…”

>Yes, that’s precisely it. Play the part and look around Dragonstone. Report back on the defenses and general disposition.
>The Queen is aboard your ship and likely has the knowledge you need to pull this off without having to set shore and risk your neck.
>You could land as expected and grab a knowledgeable target before departing. Perhaps even one of value. Not your forte and more dangerous, but you’ll make do.

>>4060625
Haha, time for treason!

>>4060683
Oh shit. This is going to be very significant.

>>4060683
>Yes, that’s precisely it. Play the part and look around Dragonstone. Report back on the defenses and general disposition.

>>4060683
>Yes, that’s precisely it. Play the part and look around Dragonstone. Report back on the defenses and general disposition.
Let's play it cool for now, dont want to bloody our nose off the bat.

>>4060683
Land at dragonstone + talk to the queen but nothing major just a tiny bit of info

>>4060683
>Yes, that’s precisely it. Play the part and look around Dragonstone. Report back on the defenses and general disposition.
+talk to the queen. Try to glean some valuable intel we can sell

>>4060766
+And if there's an opportunity at Dragonstone to grab someone valuable without loss we'll try it.

>>4060736
>>4060744
>>4060746
>>4060766

Land with small talk the queen. Cool, I can work with that. Writing!

Honest question, if we're swapping to the rebels (to my disgust), why don't we kidnap the queen and hold her ransom? She'd be worth alot more than anyone else from Dragonstone we can potentially steal away.

>>4060801
Kind of wondering that myself but I think it's the principle of finishing the contract before actually going rebel

>>4060801
We can kidnap the queen with no problem at all but will Aerys pay? Does he even care anymore?

>>4060801
>>4060812
I'm not gonna stop you from doing that if you want. It's your quest, not mine. Brings some questions up for Daenerys, but it's not as if the crown would take a perfectly ordinary child and present it as royalty, would they?

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“That’s about it. Keep things simple. We drop them off, maybe get a look around, then see where these rebels have gotten off to. Who knows? We may even get a proper feast out of it. Highborns love their feasts,” you say with a grin, getting excited at the prospect.

“A feast would be nice,” Vaeron says wistfully.

“But I really should speak with the Queen. Just to see what she knows,” you add lightly.

“No…?” he says slowly. “Aurion. No. Janesa will be wroth. Aurion?”

You’re already striding off across the deck, clapping rowers on the shoulder and offering words of encouragement as you go. You swear you feel the ship lurch forward with more speed as you make your way aftward from the bow. It’s a good feeling.

There she is. Her hooded shape stumbles slightly with the shift in the rowers’ tempo. You reach out and…

>Can I get 3 rolls of 6d6 for Persuasion (Charm)?

Rolled 3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 2 = 19 (6d6)

>>4060845

Rolled 4, 6, 5, 6, 5, 3 = 29 (6d6)

>>4060845

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

>>4060845

>>4060855
Holy shit

>>4060855
nice work, anon

>>4060848
>>4060855
>>4060858

>Rolled 26 vs DC 16 (Intrigue Def = Status 7+ Awareness 3+ Cunning 3+ Lavish Lifestyle 2+ Exquisite Jewels 1)
>3 Degrees of Success

You gently reach out to steady her before quickly withdrawing at her alarm. Her eyes are wide with shock and a couple of her ladies turn towards the intruder in their midst.

You hold up your hands placatingly. “My apologies, Grace. I didn’t want you to lose your footing.”

There’s an uncertain pause. “Your Grace,” she corrects. You know.

“Ah. Of course, my grac--- Your Grace,” you start with an embarrassed and infectious smile. “My apologies yet again. I’ve spent far too much time traveling and seem to have forgotten my courtesies.”

To the surprise of only her waiting ladies, she actually pulls back her cowl and smiles softly. “You are forgiven, Ser…?”

Here’s your look. And a look it is. You’d say she’s older than you, but it’s unclear by how much. She’s still beautiful, that much is certain. But you notice a fading bruise upon her cheek. Who would strike one such as her? A disconcerting thought. You flash an easy smile and drink in her eyes to distract from the mark. Eyes a deep purple like your own, though your left is a couple shades lighter from your first battle. Useless thing that it is, it seems to intrigue rather than repulse, so you’re at least grateful for that. “Aurion Shryke. Aurion, if you’d prefer.”

“House Shryke… I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure,” she responds in that soft voice.

“You would be the first to have the pleasure, Your Grace. I founded House Shryke two days past. It seemed a fine idea at the time,” you answer.

Her two ladies in waiting are more than they seem, you’d wager. They’re poised to remove you, but the Queen shakes her head. “A moment. Please,” she adds. They seem reluctant, but step back to opposite sides of the deck.

“Now, Ser Aurion. I don’t believe you are here for the pleasure of my company. What is it that you need?” she asks.

>Well? Write in any questions for her or ideas on how you’d like to proceed. If you have any questions for me instead, then I’ll answer them when I wake up. We’ll pick up at the same time tomorrow as we started tonight. Until then, have a good night!

>>4060934
Ask how she got the bruised and then slowly get info about who she's is gonna meet or what she is expecting to happen once we get to dragonstone. Ask her if she might need our service again in the near future.

I'm kind of worried we might spill some spaghetti here and don't know what else to say.

>>4061416
I support this

>>4061416
>I'm kind of worried we might spill some spaghetti here

Not after that roll. I'll clean up the delivery.

>>4061416
support

>>4061416
Agreed.

>>4060934
Fuss over the bruise, give her a moment of solace in these tiring time, get into the friendzone willingly and if it seems opportune, get any info we can.

Now to another unrelated question...

Vaeron... his he massive? But more importantly, does he use an anchor to fight?

>>4062384
This isn't a fucking anime dude, using an anchor as a weapon is stupid.

A more pertinent question is which titty does his wife not cover and how... full it is

>>4062443
Come on there are dragons, giants, zombies, icepeople, and dryads you don't think someone in GoTs would use small anchor as weapon?

>>4062384
Not quite massive, but close. Massive is getting into freakish territory. That and I wanted to put him deeper into bludgeon fighter. He just has a regular common flail right now. What that becomes when the inevitable shopping spree happens is up in the air.

I should have the update up at 8pm (20 min).

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“I sought only to ensure you were well, Your Grace. I would be a poor host to do anything less,” you say reassuringly. “I must confess to being troubled to see you have been mishandled in some way. Is this something I may be able to assist with?” you add with concern.

She seems uneasy with the sudden attention yet forces a half-smile. “You are too kind, ser. However, it is nothing for you to concern yourself with. My husband is simply a very… passionate man. He sometimes forgets himself with all of his burdens.”

“As you wish, Your Grace. If I may not assist you in matters of justice, then mayhaps I could assist you further upon Dragonstone. If it would please you,” you say.

“Kind and charming,” she muses. “I know not what I could need of you upon Dragonstone. My… son’s guard there was surely impressive. Even so…” she looks upon you for a brief moment. “It may be that you would be a welcome distraction to my ladies-in-waiting. They are on another of your ships and I imagine they are most distressed at this sudden flight. Stay for the feast they will no doubtless hold in my honor and I shall introduce you. Some would make fine matches for you, I would think, though I would caution not to reach to far beyond your station. That will only lead to more pain,” she starts to trail off by the end. Not wanting the silence to lapse into awkwardness, you thank her politely and beg your leave.

As you reach the stairs, she calls out one last time. “Ser? My thanks. For your kindness.”

You have your excuse to look around and possibly an opportunity for something more. Although, you can’t say what such an opportunity is worth given your intended path. The daughter of some house on the losing side and from a side that likely won’t hold you in the highest regard at that. The whole thing feels messy, but there’s no reason not to enjoy the feast while it lasts. Now you wish Janesa wasn’t lazing away on the galley flanking yours. She would know what to make of all of this. Until then, it’s best to get some sleep.

>>4062799
The next morning brings a familiar sight as the massive fortress of Dragonstone rears up before you. It looks little changed from when you sailed past it towards King’s Landing and a new future but looks can be deceiving. A trio of dromonds flying green flags with silver seahorses escort you into a series of bustling docks. You’re pleased to see all five of your small warships begin the process of disembarking with practiced ease, your hundred Stormbringer infantry leaping the gap to the docks even as the galleys are still tying up. They were made for this.

You now need to decide how to approach this. You could make an attempt at chivalry and offer to escort the Queen to the summit, hopefully learning more of the other present highborn. It’s also possible that you could seek out whoever is in charge of the defenses here and find out more of their fighting strength, but such a person could likely be found later as well. There’s also Janesa. It would be best to fill her in on the plan that was clearly all Vaeron’s idea and get her take on how to proceed. Readers like her have more knowledge on highborn culture, even if she’s from half a world away.

>Escort the Queen
>Seek out a guard captain
>Plot with Janesa

>>4062820
>Plot with Janesa

>>4062820
>>Escort the Queen

>>4062820
>>Plot with Janesa

>>4062820
Plot we definitely need a plan

>>4062820
>Plough Janesa

>>4062820
>Plot with Janesa

>>4062828
>>4062829
>>4062833
>>4062839
>>4062843
>>4062952
Writing right now. Bigger update.

>>4062740
>He just has a regular common flail right now
Good. An anchor was a stupid weapon

It doesn’t take much glancing around to find Janesa. Rather more like she’s found you as you see her striding your way, head held high in her vibrant yellow Qartheen gown with her broodlings in tow. Impossible to miss considering she’s just over six feet in height, dwarfed by her husband but still amongst the tallest women you’ve seen. And the gown doesn’t exactly leave much to the imagination. Scandalous in these lands, if you remember correctly. Hardly a distraction to you after seeing the same tit for eight years, but you can’t say the same for the rest of the dock, especially given the gasp that comes from the small gaggle of noble ladies reuniting with their Queen.

She picks up her pace upon seeing Vaeron and embraces him with a wholly inappropriate amount of passion. Her eldest, a daughter of nearly eight years who also happens to be named Janesa sighs dramatically. She heavily favors her mother in more ways than she would ever admit, with rich brown hair and the golden eyes her Pureborn family prize, though is dressed more conservatively. One of those things Vaeron wouldn’t be moved on. Their second and youngest child, a son of five years named Auric, fidgets nearby in his need to run after being stuck on the galley. A name that you take some pride in due to its similarity to your own, his mother only relented because it apparently means “golden.” He is, as Janesa would and has put it, well-bred with his mop of hair a golden blonde and the eyes of his mother’s family.

She turns to you after your third attempt at clearing your throat and eyes you with curiosity. “Captain. It would appear we have much to discuss,” she says airily.

Both you and Vaeron exchange a glance. How does this woman know things? It’s surely his fault. “We do, Lady Janesa. Terms of our next contract for one,” you respond. She knows you well enough to key in on your tone and her eyebrows raise. This will be good.

Your winding procession upwards takes quite some time and leads you to a simple conclusion. Taking the fortress will come with a steep blood price regardless of the men thrown at it. You passed beneath a series of iron gatehouses manned by crossbowmen and decorated with murder holes along with whatever they’re keeping in the nearby barrels. Nothing pleasant, you’d wager. You’re shown to a suite of rooms facing the sea upon one of the outer battlements. Young Auric needs to be supervised by his sister to keep him from stepping too far out towards the ledge to get a look at the beasts of legend that encrust the walls.

>>4063038
Leaving them to their exploration, the three of you close the doors. Janesa takes a few more minutes ensuring the walls don’t have ears before she speaks. “Three days! Three days apart from my lover and he hesitates in my embrace. I say to myself, ‘does he think me plain next to this Queen?’ No, no. That mustn’t be it for I eclipse her so. No, this is something else. He is scheming with his friend. Up to no good, for why else would he not greet me with the love I know he bears me?”

“We weren’t scheming, we were strategizing. Taking in the whole situation with this war,” you contest.

“And what did you conclude?” she asks, still worked up. An emotional people, these Qartheen, but you learned that long ago.

“We are on the wrong side,” you answer. That stops her pacing.

You both trade off explaining the situation. She listens to Vaeron better, so he has a part to play in this. “I agree,” she abruptly announces.

“You do?” you ask warily.

“I misliked this contract from the beginning. It was too much. These Westerosi are losing. Your explanation simply confirms my misgivings,” she says with a dramatic sigh. “It was all too easy.”

“Then it’s agreed. We seek out these rebels and secure what’s owed,” Vaeron concludes.

“After the ball,” Janesa corrects. “I would flaunt my prized consort in front of these Sunset girls, and it seems Aurion has an engagement of sorts and may have another soon enough,” she adds slyly.

“What of that? Seems to me everyone in this castle will be my enemy soon enough. That includes the highborn women, or their families at any rate,” you point out.

“I’ve read much of your Westerosi customs during that unbearable voyage over here. Like my own people, the importance is in a name. The richest magister is still nothing next to the most wretched of Pureborn. The dowry is useful, to be sure, but the names these girls carry are what lend you legitimacy. Their bloodlines will date back through the ages whereas yours cannot be confirmed further than your pretty eyes,” she explains.

“Houses that lose stand to be worth less than those that win,” you counter.

“That may be so until the next war, or until they all meet up for some celebration or other to drink and fuck their differences away,” she says with a lingering glance back toward Vaeron. “And until then, the winners will have better options for suitors than the losers… it matters not to me,” she decides with a flourish of her hand. “Have your fun tonight and leave. Behave yourself or don’t, so long as we don’t need to fight our way out.”

“Leave to where?” Vaeron asks. They both look to you.

>Gulltown. We know it is in rebel hands. No longer on the front at this point though.
>Duskendale. You would seize that port before sieging the capital. It’s closest too.
>King’s Landing. Get a closer look at how this plays out. Deal with the victor there, whoever it may be.

Duskendale

>>4063044
>Duskendale. You would seize that port before sieging the capital. It’s closest too.

>>4063044
>Duskendale. You would seize that port before sieging the capital. It’s closest too.

>>4063044
>Duskendale. You would seize that port before sieging the capital. It’s closest too.
Storm's End would be fun. But I don't think we could penetrate the blockade or defeat it.

>>4063076
>>4063080
>>4063083
>>4063094

Okay, writing and setting things up for the feast. Storm's End would be a lot of fun. Who knows? We may still get there.

“Duskendale. If I were about to dig in for a siege, I would take that town first. No reason to leave a port like that on my flank. If the rebels don’t have it by the time we get there, then I question their ability to win. Any road, it’s closest to here. Best to get moving before the war ends, eh?” you decide.

They give their assent before departing to the adjoining rooms “prepare” for the feast. You still need to make your own preparations as well. To begin with, you need to decide what to wear. In your experience, presentation is everything and the way you present yourself tonight will have a major impact on the attention you receive. In particular, that from any eligible hand maidens present.

You do have some passable formal garb in the western style, but it’s unlikely to stand out amongst the finer clothing some of the highborn will undoubtedly be wearing. You also have finer clothing in a more Essosi style with a more daring cut to it. You’re not sure how well it would be received here, but it would be more of a nod to your status as a free company captain.

>Westerosi Style
>Essosi Style

>>4063153
>Westerosi Style
A contrast with our friends more revealing dress

>>4063153
>Westerosi Style

>>4063166
Might as well +1

A Westerosi style would be more appropriate given you seek to present yourself as one of their peers. A more daring garb may be better for attracting attention, but you can’t be sure that is even a good idea at this stage. It may only overcomplicate what should be a simple social affair.

“Captain Aurion Shryke, Knight of Stormgrave, Lady Janesa Jal’Anaris, Ser Vaeron of Stormgrave,” the herald shouts in one breath as your small party enters the room. Apparently, your men don’t rate this sort of treatment and are instead hosted in the small town beneath the castle. You suppose there’s a certain logic to not marching a small and little-known free company through all the defenses. Still, your trio is more than enough to turn attention your way. Janesa has dressed Vaeron in a silk undershirt forgoing a doublet entirely. Her outfit is little better, but she at least has the presence of mind to cover her breasts. Or that may be more of a practicality; it is colder than you’re used to here.

The feast itself is underwhelming. Given you were beneath such affairs in your youth, this is your first on this side of the Narrow Sea. The whole affair is far more somber than any you’ve seen before. There are many moments in which the clinking of plates cuts above the muted conversation, which is occasionally interrupted by the heralding of new arrivals. As the wine flows, the subdued highborn become more confident and begin to make toasts to the health of the new Crown Prince and his distracted mother. However, the Crown Prince is absent from the dais at this hour, leaving only the Queen alone to accept toasts on his behalf.

Queen Rhaella herself has opted for a conservative dress of black and spends most of her time gazing off to the side. A man of a Valyrian look in the colors of your escort dromonds attempts to engage her in conversation several times while an older man in white with red crabs affixing his cape looks on with an extremely sour expression. The Queen seems to give one-word answers while absently picking at her food.

You turn your attention to the mentioned highborn ladies beneath the high table. They seem in better spirits than their mistress if nothing else. You see...

>Can I get 3d6 for Awareness?

Rolled 6, 1, 3 = 10 (3d6)

>>4063250

>>4063250
>>4063255
I probably should've specified best of 3 with that.

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

>>4063250

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

>>4063250

>>4063255
>>4063291
>>4063306
Not quite. DC was 12. No problem, I'll get to writing.

Nothing of note other than that they are all pleasing to look at and of a marriageable age. There are five of them in total. You try to get a feel for who what sort of women you’re dealing with, but you are admittedly out of your depth with this sort of situation. Other than a vague impression that there may be some sort of divide in this group, it’s hard to even place the mood. Given your position, you can well appreciate that these are women who’ve spent a lifetime learning to present a certain appearance.

“I don’t know where to begin,” you mutter hopelessly.

Janesa takes a momentary break from playfully exchanging bites with her “consort” to weigh in. “With names, I should hope. I can only guess at which girl is behind each name, but I at least learned the important parts. Lady Desmera Gargalen. A Dornish. Possibly the best placed as far as succession order goes. Rumored to be a warrior of some sort. A strange notion, do your women normally fight? Next would be Lady Cerelle Lydden. Westerlands. I really don’t know more beyond that as she is a most recent addition. Then there would be a Lady Constance Celtigar. This one isn’t of the main branch, but those sorts are well-bred, no? That is of importance. The last two are both of the Riverlands, a Lady Lyra Darry and also the Lady Zhoe Goodbrook. I would assume those are the two sitting closer together than the others, but I have been wrong before. Possibly,” she recites.

Who will you seek out?

>Lady Desmera Gargalen of Dorne.
>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.
>Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor.
>Approach both Lady Lyra Darry and Lady Zhoe Goodbrook of the Riverlands.
>None of the above. Pay your respects to the Queen instead. Keep things more formal.

*I'll pick up with the winning vote tomorrow. I may run with the second place option as well if there seems to be enough interest in it. Thanks for playing everyone!

>>4063363
I gotta go with the Queen it's probably a trap but the it calls to me

>>4063363
>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.

>>4063363
>>None of the above. Pay your respects to the Queen instead. Keep things more formal.

>>4063363
>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.
>Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor

>>4063363
>Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor.

>>4063363
>Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor.

>>4063363
>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.

>>4063363
>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.

>Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor.

>>4063363
>Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor

>>4063363
>>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.

>>4063363
Lady Constance Celtigar, a Dragonstone islands neighbor.

>>4063363
>>None of the above. Pay your respects to the Queen instead. Keep things more formal.
>Lady Cerelle Lydden of the Westerlands.

>>4063370
>>4063371
>>4063382
>>4063425
>>4063442
>>4063501
>>4063526
>>4063531
>>4063582
>>4063626
>>4063743
>>4063751
>>4063809
3 Queen
6 Lydden
6 Celtigar

Now there's a split if I've ever seen one. No reason why there wouldn't be time for both, so let's do it. I'll have a post up shortly. I'm going to do some periodic updates today because I will likely be too busy to do a full run later.

Part of you would rather avoid the pitfalls of a table of highborn ladies entirely, especially those that may soon be lost to you due to shifting allegiances. Still, this lot is worthy of a Queen’s favor and opportunities such as this don’t come along often. You’re sure there will be other options from those houses amongst the rebels, but you’re not as sure they will be so well-placed.

“This Lady Lyra seems interesting. I know nothing of the Westerlands other than that they’re the loyalists’ last hope. Although Lady Constance may be more relatable if she is another islander…” you muse.

“Then dance with both. What is it that would stop you from this?” Janesa huffs. A point.

The music picks up in tempo as the assorted nobles and retainers begin to dance. A welcome respite from the bland food and an opening for you to get a closer look. Assuming the Queen is a woman of her word, introductions should go rather smoothly. You stand with your companions and make to approach the waiting ladies. At some unheard words from their mistress, they turn their heads in your direction with vague interest.

“This is the sellsword captain we have heard so much of?” an olive-skinned woman with tied back hair drawls. The dornishwoman. More interestingly, she is looking at Vaeron, who glances at you questioningly. The two of you have done this before. Not everyone appreciates being deceived, but it can be amusing. He could easily dance with the others pretending to be you while you play the part of Ser Vaeron with your two partners for the evening.

>Have Vaeron take your place (Deception)
>Correct the misunderstanding

>>4064080

>Have Vaeron take your place (Deception)

Being Dornish, she might be impressed.

>>4064080
>Have Vaeron take your place (Deception)

>>4064080
>Correct the misunderstanding
Why would we allow this. This could be disastrous if she likes him more but finds out he ain't even us.

>>4064110
He would be dancing with the options that didn't win the vote.

>>4064080
>>Correct the misunderstanding

>>4064086
>>4064089
>>4064110
>>4064138
Running with the tiebreaker.

>>4064070
>Have Vaeron take your place (Deception)

what's the worst that could happen

File: 522862C2-6839-4A0A-B334-9(...).jpg (236 KB, 457x679)

236 KB JPG

Deception it is! Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6?

Have a Constance Celtigar while we wait.

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

>>4064216

Rolled 1, 2, 6, 1 = 10 (4d6)

>>4064216

>>4064219
>>4064221
Yeah, still going to need that third, hah.

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

>>4064216

File: 334BC856-29B3-49A1-A338-4(...).jpg (255 KB, 613x455)

255 KB JPG

>>4064219
>>4064221
>>4064276
Mixed results. Writing! Cerelle Lydden while you wait.

If you guys want to go ahead and get a head start on the Charm rolls, then I could use a few 6d6's.

Rolled 4, 6, 3, 3, 6, 4 = 26 (6d6)

>>4064283

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

>>4064283

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

I'm assuming these are going to be the choices for our wife? In which case...

>>4064216
Lads. Think of our purple eyed children. There is only one realistic option.

>>4064309
is that you Targfag ?

File: whygodwhy.jpg (61 KB, 601x601)

61 KB JPG

>>4064316
I am not he, I just think he is a sensible man with excellent principles.

You are not forgotten Helena Celtigar. You never deserved to lose to the HDW meme.

>>4064325
blame her retarded brother and shitty father, Targfag

Someone is going to end up hating us and then end up accidentally killing Vaeon...

A look at your expression tells Vaeron you’re about to complicate his evening, but he rolls with it. It wouldn’t be the first time. “My Ladies, may I present Captain Aurion Shryke of the Stormbringers free company, now Knight of Stormgrave,” you announce on Vaeron’s behalf, earning yourself a huff from Janesa.

The two auburn haired women who you’d assume are the Riverlanders look to each other in confusion before inclining their heads slightly. The blonde woman to the side crosses her arms and smirks at you, but she says nothing to give up the ruse.

However, Lady Desmera is oblivious and takes to eying Vaeron up in down as if sizing up an opponent. Satisfied with whatever she’s seen, she offers her hand which he takes with an apologetic glance back to Janesa. His wife isn’t used to sharing him and it shows on her face, but she makes no move to stop him. Yet.

Pausing for just a moment at a whispered comment from the real Vaeron, Lady Desmera turns and calls out, “Constance! Come dance with Ser Vaeron and leave these birds to their chattering.” This earns her angry glares from the Riverlanders and a derisive snort from the Lady of Lydden, but another woman steps out from behind the pair uncertainly. Dark hair and violet eyes reminiscent of you own, this must be the Lady of Celtigar. She seems very uncertain, but she still takes your offered hand after an encouraging smile.

Her silence still persists as you begin the slow dance. “Is there something amiss, my Lady?” you ask innocently.

This snaps her back to the present and she looks to you in surprise. “Nothing troubling, ser. I only wonder at the game being played, if you’ll forgive my presumption,” she says before looking abashed.

“The switch? I confess to being a very poor liar,” you say with a self-depreciating chuckle. “I simply find people speak more freely to sworn swords than to their lieges. Ser Vaeron could also use the dance lessons. He isn’t nearly as talented as you.”

“I see,” she says with a light smile before brushing back a stray lock of hair and looking to you more earnestly. “May I ask, why me?”

>Put her further at ease, speak of your origins and ask her of hers.
>She seems easily flustered, as if unused to the attention. Turn it up a notch.
>Write-ins are fine as usual.

>>4064374
>She seems easily flustered, as if unused to the attention. Turn it up a notch.

>>4064374
>>Put her further at ease, speak of your origins and ask her of hers.

>Put her further at ease, speak of your origins and ask her of hers.

>>4064412
+1

You guys are such boors

>>4064374
>She seems easily flustered, as if unused to the attention. Turn it up a notch.

>>4064374
>She seems easily flustered, as if unused to the attention. Turn it up a notch.

>>4064374
>She seems easily flustered, as if unused to the attention. Turn it up a notch.
High risk, high reward

>>4064374
>Put her further at ease, speak of your origins and ask her of hers.

Mi'lady

Lol these tie votes. I've half-written both at this point, but they really don't mesh together at all. Tiebreaker, anyone?

>>4064508
>>Put her further at ease, speak of your origins and ask her of hers.

>>4064517
Alright, going with this. Should be ready soon.

You look into her uncertain eyes and get a strong urge to devote the remainder of your evening into turning her into a quivering puddle in the best way possible. It’s been far too long since you’ve been this close to a woman such as her. But you reign it in, at least for now. You’re a stranger in these circles and would like to learn more first.

“If I’m to rule here, I wish to get to know my neighbors better. I’m no expert on houses, but I assumed you would be counted as one, no?” you ask.

“You have the right of it, ser. I have heard of Stormgrave, but I thought it held by House Sunglass. I may have been mistaken as my family hails from King’s Landing,” she says.

“King’s Landing? I had thought your family was of Claw Isle,” you remark.

“Lord Ardrian is my uncle. My father is his brother and oversees his interests within the capital. I’m afraid I do not have the same claims behind my name as some of my companions,” she answers.

“You are worth more than your name, I’m sure,” your comment brings a flush to her cheeks, “but I make no great claims of my own, m’lady. You had the right of it with House Sunglass, but whatever claim they had upon my island was lost in battle. I grew up upon Stormgrave, but I was no one until I sailed to Essos to make my own way. I came back at the head of my free company when I heard word of the rebellion. My reward for the service of escorting you and the rest of the court to safety was dominion over my birthplace.”

You brace for the inevitable judgement, but she shows more relief than anything. “I see. I should like to visit Stormgrave. I have heard tale that it is quite bountiful.”

“Bountiful,” you repeat, doing your best to keep your eyes above her cleavage. You’re told women such as her don’t appreciate such forwardness. She takes it as a question.

“The crystals,” she adds quickly with a flush. “The Faith values them highly. I would have liked an opportunity to work with them.”

You do recall hearing of some crystals being pulled up out of the iron mine on rare occasion, but you never knew what became of them. “Work with them?” you ask.

“I… used to craft small trinkets as a sort of hobby. Before I was given the honor of serving Her Grace. It was nothing, really,” she says.

>Can I get 3d6 for Cunning?

Rolled 1, 6, 3 = 10 (3d6)

>>4064552

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

>>4064552

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

>>4064552

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

>>4064552

>>4064559
yay

>>4064559
Holy shit these rolls are insane

File: Witnessed.gif (138 KB, 600x337)

138 KB GIF

>>4064557
>>4064558
>>4064559
Writing!

Thinking on it, she is wearing more jewelry than you think is strictly fashionable here. You had taken it for a display of wealth, but perhaps it’s a display of talent instead?

“Your jewelry, you made it yourself. I’m starting to suspect my lady is too humble,” you declare.

She’s clearly surprised you noticed and says as much, “You have me. I did not think you to appreciate such, ser.”

“My birth surprises?” you tease.

She hurriedly shakes her head. “I refer to your status as a warrior. Your eye,” she says with a slight gasp.

You grin in response. “I didn’t have the luxury of learning to fight with practice swords. Don’t mention it in front of Ser Vaeron. He still feels guilty over it though he could’ve done little to prevent it. In truth, I’m better leading men than fighting them,” you say with a shrug. This has gone better than expected… but…

“Your family. Do they still reside within King’s Landing?” you ask suddenly.

“They do,” she confirms. “They are not of a martial bend and sought to maintain our interests within the city. I do worry for them, but I am told there is little cause for concern. Lady Cerelle mentioned her father was on the march with the Lord Tywin. The Father will protect them.”

You talk of idle things for a time before escorting her back to her table. She’s speechless when you kiss her hand, leaving her with her two companions of the Riverlands who set to teasing her and asking questions. Lady Cerelle Lydden is already waiting for you and steps forward before the Lady of Gargalan can cut in. It seems Janesa must’ve wrested back control of her hapless consort.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 6d6 for Charm again?

Rolled 4, 6, 6, 1, 3, 2 = 22 (6d6)

>>4064614

Rolled 1, 3, 2, 4, 4, 3 = 17 (6d6)

>>4064614

Rolled 2, 1, 2, 6, 4, 6 = 21 (6d6)

>>4064614

>>4064619
>>4064641
>>4064648
Still pretty good. Starting to write now!

>>4064655
It's good, but not good enough...
Next time we shall charm the tit(still don't know if left of right) out of them!

“Ser Vaeron,” she starts smoothly. “Most amusing, ser. I cannot claim to spend my idle time being rapt upon the head by wooden sticks like my dearest Lady Desmera, but I can appreciate a jest.”

“My lady has me,” you concede with an easy smile. She moves more gracefully than your last dancing partner, more confidently.

“I must confess, I was not terribly interested in attending this evening, but you have sparked my curiosity and seem to have had quite the effect on Lady Constance. Yet I am still at a loss as to who exactly you are,” she says coyly.

“Spend enough time with me and you just may have your answer, my Lady,” you respond playfully, “as I’m sure the same could be said of you. I know little beyond that you are a handmaiden to the Queen.”

“Handmaiden… or hostage,” she says darkly before fixing her blue eyes upon you intensely, “tell me ser, what do you make of this war?”

>I’ll use part of your earlier Warfare test conclusions within reason, but I’d like to incorporate your Knowledge into this one too. Can I get 3 rolls of 3d6 for Knowledge?

>>4064680
Truly the most important question Boggs. Which tit does she leave out or does she alternate between them

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

>>4064683

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

>>4064683

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

>>4064683

>>4064690
>>4064691
>>4064707
That 12 is what I needed.

>>4064680
>>4064688
All the character art shows the right tit exposed which is bizarre. I feel like you can't alternate in the same dress and still keep it as elegant as possible, but there's no reason why different dresses couldn't be cut for different tits.

>>4064717
It's all meant to represent Dany I think. Hence it follows how she was described in the books.

An odd question from a highborn lady, you think. “I think it’s anyone’s war to win, or lose,” you proceed cautiously. “Word is this rebel is winning every major battle, but his army should still be outnumbered. He has the disadvantage of now fighting near Loyalist walls that will soon be reinforced from south and west, though I’m sure he has the advantage of morale.”

“Reinforced? That would be one take on it, I suppose,” she says cryptically.

“Your choice of words, m’lady… you give hint that all isn’t as it seems,” you venture.

She pulls closer to you, enough to feel her breath on your neck as she continues, “you have heard the rumors of the King?”

“Some say he has a very active imagination,” you answer. That’s putting it mildly. Some of the stories you’ve heard sound too insane to be real, yet the marks upon the Queen give them at least some weight.

“Active… downright bloody mad. He burns honorable men alive. He rapes his wife. Half his Kingsguard is missing and the other half dead. Only Ser Jaimie Lannister remains, and he is more hostage than guard, I should think,” she whispers heatedly.

“This would be Lord Tywin’s son? You are implying the King is keeping hostages to ensure Lord Tywin’s loyalty. Why would he do that unless…” your blood runs cold. You’d heard tale of a falling out between them. A scandal… some sort of infidelity or kidnapping… and tale of this Tywin singing songs of burning towns over slights.

She gives you a cool and knowing look as the pieces fall into place.

>Downplay her concerns. You don’t want to get dragged into whatever she is plotting right now. This could even be some elaborate test of loyalty.
>Concede her point. See where this is going.

>>4064759
>Concede her point. See where this is going

>>4064759
>>Concede her point. See where this is going.
Seems like some one is looking for an out.

>>4064759
>Downplay her concerns. You don’t want to get dragged into whatever she is plotting right now. This could even be some elaborate test of loyalty.

>>4064759
>>Concede her point. See where this is going.

>>4064759
>>Concede her point. See where this is going.

>>4064759
>Concede her point. See where this is going.

>>4064759
>>Downplay her concerns. You don’t want to get dragged into whatever she is plotting right now. This could even be some elaborate test of loyalty.

>>4064759
>>Concede her point. See where this is going.

>>4064759
>Concede her point. See where this is going.
If were going to go for any of them, Lady Lydden seems the best one to go. Especially if we are gonna flip sides and join Robbert. Unless we could gain the affection of the Claw Isle woman by saving her family from the sack of Kings Landing. However all of this is pretty meta.

The choice is clear. Let's dive in. I'll get started writing!

>>4064772
She probably knows more people that are like this. We might have a chance to gain some friends here even if it's with the people that are betraying the crown.

This might be a dumb idea but maybe we can start a group of traitors? Especially since people on both sides of the war probably dislike them.

“I concede your point, where are you going with this,” you demand.

Her relief is palpable. “I will speak plainly, ser. I wish to be off of this rock rather than live out the remainder of my days as a prisoner or worse. See it done and name your reward.”

Nearly a decade of service in the free companies has allowed your mind to become quite imaginative at the ‘word reward,’ particularly when breathed into your neck by a woman such as this. As if sensing this possibility, Lady Cerelle continues her whispering, “I mean no offense at this, ser, but my purpose is to be wed to a Lord, no less. You are now a landed knight. You are simply in no position to court one of my breeding. I have no choice in this. If you are a man of taste and ambition, then you must take your chances when you can.”

You’re not entirely sure why there would be cause for offense. There was a time when you could’ve been flogged for looking one such as her in the eyes, yet here she is practically leaning on you. It isn’t as if the Queen didn’t already caution you of overreaching, but lengthening your reach is something else entirely.

“You’ve given me much to think on, my lady,” you say as your loop about the floor nears your tables. The hour is becoming somewhat late and the Queen has already retired, but most are still present and only show signs of becoming deeper in their cups.

This is a complication, though it may not be unwelcome. Lady Cerelle would bring you some legitimacy in entering the rebel camp… if you’re both not taking a serious misstep. One that you would undoubtedly bear the blame for… although she would still fetch a hefty ransom if you were to make it to Duskendale only to find yourself staring down Westerlander battle lines from the rebel lines.

There is also the matter of Lady Constance. Was there something there? If nothing else, your conversation went better than expected and didn’t end in an offer of contract. She doesn’t strike you as the type to fair well during a siege… not to mention her family. Little better than merchants by the sound of it and in the path of a massive army no matter how this is looked at. Tricky thing is, she’s not looking to flee. It’s like to be in her best interests, but she doesn’t know that. If you had more time with her, then you could probably come up with a way to bring her along. You’re only here because you are particularly talented at convincing others to follow you. It may be time to put that to good use. Failing that, there’s always seduction. For her own good, of course.

>Agree to Lady Cerelle’s request to take her with you.
>Agree with Lady Cerelle, but also try to find a way to include Lady Constance.
>Leave without them. It’s too much trouble.

>>4064945
>Agree to Lady Cerelle’s request to take her with you.


she can hide in our cabin. on our bunk, naked.

>>4064945
I really think It's pushing our luck but

>agree with lady Corelle, but also try to find a way to include lady Constance.

>>4064953
Let's get something more practical out of this deal

>>4064964
>Let's get something more practical out of this deal

Nothing to say we cant have both

>>4064945
>Agree with Lady Cerelle, but also try to find a way to include Lady Constance.
The Chad option

>>4064945
>>Agree with Lady Cerelle, but also try to find a way to include Lady Constance.
Shame the queen retired. I'd hoped to get a word in with her. Hope we still get the chance. to later.

>>4064945
>Agree to Lady Cerelle’s request to take her with you.

>Agree to Lady Cerelle’s request to take her with you.

Prefer not to continue to over-complicate our constantly evolving plan for treason. Putting fingers in every pie presented to us is gonna eventually leave us with pie on our face.

We are gonna need another tie breaker

>>4064945
>Agree with Lady Cerelle, but also try to find a way to include Lady Constance.

Play the character's strengths.

>>4065052
A theme today. I guess there are worse things than having well-balanced choices.

>Refreshed.

Nevermind! Let's get to it!

So we are gonna betray the crown and we are bringing a loyalist girl with us ?

>>4065080
She is also betraying the queen

>>4065100
I meant the Constance girl

>Sorry, had to step away for a few

Janesa will be wroth. Yet you’re smiling. This will be a song one day. You have no commitments to Lady Constance. You’ve only just met her, but leaving her here simply won’t do. You don’t know how, but she will be coming along with you.

“Lady Janesa, the tall one, she will tell you when to move. Be ready,” you say to Lady Cerelle with a friendly smile as you approach your companions for the evening.

>Can I get 3d6 for Awareness?

Rolled 5, 3, 3 = 11 (3d6)

>>4065125

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

>>4065125

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

>>4065125

>>4065127
>>4065129
>>4065135
>Failed Awareness test

Vaeron and Janesa are seated alongside the other handmaidens and a few hovering noblemen, laughing at a jest you’ve just missed, though they call out to you at your approach. Lady Constance has just been given a new cup and is clinging near Lady… Goodbrook or Darry. One of the two, at least. You were never given a proper introduction, though that may have something to do with house colors or the like.

>Update your people on the plan.
>See if you can speak with Lady Constance alone first. It may give a better sense of when to act.
>Do neither. Enjoy what’s left of the feast. Perhaps some sort of opportunity will present itself.

>>4065101
She has a lord uncle that will be happy that she is alive

>>4065158
Speak with Constance

>>4065158
>>See if you can speak with Lady Constance alone first. It may give a better sense of when to act.

>>4065158
>>See if you can speak with Lady Constance alone first. It may give a better sense of when to act.

You walk over to Lady Constance with several pairs of eyes upon you. “My lady, I would like to see more of this castle, but I’m afraid I would lose my way. Won’t you accompany me?” you ask politely. A flimsy pretext, but what wouldn’t be? She looks up to you with surprise. Her friend glares at you and makes to say something, but Lady Constance rises before she has the chance. “Ser Aurion has been honorable so far,” she reassures.

You leave the Stone Drum Hall together arm in arm, opting to take her lead. “Your companions have told me some most interesting stories,” she breaks the silence. Ah. Not sure what to make of that.

“Oh? I would take what the Lady Janesa says with a certain amount of coffin. The Qartheen are an emotional people prone to exaggerate,” you hurriedly say.

She laughs lightly. “Are you so sure, ser? She spoke most highly of you. I must say, I never thought I would meet a humble sellsword,” she remarks as you descend the staircase on an adjacent tower.

The bottom brings with it a strong smell of pine. You were told it is now considered spring, but the smell of blooming plants is the first confirmation you’ve had since your return. You shudder involuntarily, but can’t place why.

“Ser? Are you well?” Lady Constance asks with concern.

“I am, my lady. It’s just that I think this may be the first time I’ve smelled a pine in ten years,” you say wonderingly.

She looks to you with glazed eyes, though it’s difficult to say if it is from pity or lust or amusement.

How would you like to proceed?

>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)
>Speak to her of your concerns on the war. Be as honest as possible. (Convince)
>It’s time to express some real desire. She will follow if she truly believes there is something between you both. (Seduce)
>Make it clear to her that the war is already lost, her life is in danger, and it’s in her best interest to come with you as soon as possible. (Intimidate)

>>4065309
>It’s time to express some real desire. She will follow if she truly believes there is something between you both. (Seduce)

>>4065309
>>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

>>4065309
>>Speak to her of your concerns on the war. Be as honest as possible. (Convince)

>>4065309
>Speak to her of your concerns on the war. Be as honest as possible. (Convince)

>>4065309
>>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

>>4065309

>Speak to her of your concerns on the war. Be as honest as possible. (Convince)

She think us honorable and fair, let's give her some honesty then, even if it doesn't work, we may have other avenues.

I'll leave this one up overnight since it's fairly important and I should probably take a break after 12 hours here anyway. Gonna finish my last beer and get some sleep. I'll likely have an update or two up earlier in the day tomorrow, but won't be able to run at night. (All of this is from an EST perspective, so add 5 hours if you're a britbong.)

>>4065429
Or 16 if you're Australian

>>4065309
>>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

>>4065309
>>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

>>4065309
>Speak to her of your concerns on the war. Be as honest as possible. (Convince)

>>4065309
Stick to warming her up (charm)

>>4062740
>He just has a regular common flail right now.
Must be fun swinging that about aboard! Now I want some shipboard fighting scenes featuring Vaeron.

>>4065158
>2nd Failed Awareness test
You know what we will be spending our first XP on, boys.

>>4065309
>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

Lovely quest so far, Boggs! Liking the sly lady Cerelle, courting her will be quite an effort.

>>4065598
And i think both awareness tests were only off by 2 or 3

>>4065309
>>Speak to her of your concerns on the war. Be as honest as possible. (Convince)

We're a warrior, not a court fop. Mercenaries only stay alive by knowing where the wind blows. One half is fighting, the other half is fighting for the winning side.

>>4065309

>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

She seems naive about the world, open honestly won’t play well with her - she’d just get scared and retreat to what is familiar, loyalty to the Crown

>>4065309
>>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

Looks like we are going to stick with Charm. Can I get 3 rolls of 6d6? I'll have the update up in a few hours.

Rolled 4, 4, 2, 4, 6, 5 = 25 (6d6)

>>4065960

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

>>4065960

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

>>4065960

>>4065961
>>4065962
>>4065963
23. Not bad.

>>4065961
>>4065962
>>4065963
Great rolls again. Consider her charmed.

Any chance we can save Queen Rhaella at least?

Aerys and Rhaegar are Fuckwits but I feel bad for Queenie....

>>4066302
Like, smuggle her to essos?

I mean, sure if there's a feasible chance why not? I'd love to fuck with canon but not if our character dies in thread 1

>>4066311
>>4066302
>first avoid speaking to the queen
>then randumbly decide to save her because reasons, all on a guess and in front of her court and remaining guard
You don't even know she is in imminent danger IC. I'd rather we be realistic (and plan less meta shit).

>>4066302
Not many people seem interested in her.

>>4066324
>I'd rather we be realistic (and plan less meta shit).
This

Hey guys, I didn't forget about the update, but I've been busier than expected today. I'll probably drop it late tonight/early tomorrow and then run as usual tomorrow night at ~7:30pm EST.

Just to quickly respond to a couple comments: the Queen is becoming increasingly less realistically approachable. She's no longer stuck on a ship with you and isn't exactly in the mood to be feasting guests every night, which is your only real excuse to be around her. That said, I won't rule out creative write-ins and plans if they have support.

Secondly, I'd just like to say I'm enjoying these vote choices quite a lot. I wouldn't say I've been putting up too many bad options in general (might explain some close votes), just different paths, but the paths you guys have been choosing have been helping me get a judge of the MC's character and it turns out he's a lot of fun to write.

>>4066302
Unless Boggs gives us a chance to meet one of her ladies in waiting I don't think that's gonna be possible. This will become very complicated especially since we want to save Corelle and Constance. They probably will want to be on our ship so that's going to make saving the Queen even harder.

How are we going to be smuggling these people out? if we use crates to get them on the ship they are going to be very unhappy. Rowboats are the best option but but they are also the easiest to notice.

I realize that this is meta as hell, but the queen dies from giving birth to Daenerys if I recall correctly. Additionally, why would she want to flee from the stronghold of Dragonstone? The only person I could see genuinely wanting to get out of there would be Lady Lydden.

Let's leave the queen alone, snag Cerelle out of there and hope that her father has a bastard daughter we can marry in return for saving his trueborn.

>>4066651
I like this idea

>>4066651
I agree with leaving the queen alone, but I honestly think, given the fact that we are going to need to establish our legitimacy with the small-folk and the local nobility, a local marriage would be better then a distant one.

Constance is out of our reach for now, but things are changing quickly, and our bargaining position is only going to improve as time goes on.

Additionally, if it was possible to save her family from the Sack of Kings Landing, either directly, or by finding someway to convince them to leave in time, then they might be willing to stretch the bounds of propriety and let us wed.

>>4066712
Alright now I agree that a more local marriage would serve us better with the smallfolk and what not, if we can strike a positive tone with her and take her to Stormsgrave, then we can wait it out from there. Should her family all die during the sack, we can petition the crown for her hand in marriage ala how Royce Redward married Isis, and if the family survives, we can potentially haggle a marriage out of them seeing as they were obviously loyalists who need to prove themselves to the new regime.

>>4066712
What I am trying to say, is that there is no need to settle for a distant bastard, at least not yet. We don't know what we are going to end up with when everything is said and done.

>>4066712
Cerelle is actually further out of reach than Constance, though both are more than you would normally be able to hope for in a time of peace. I would say blood is one of the only things more important than land and it's what you are most lacking in.

>>4066720
In this case, her uncle, Lord Ardrian Celtigar, would be the appropriate substitute for her father (his brother). Failing that, the Lord Paramount (Mannis).

>>4066546
>turns out he's a lot of fun to write.
I didn't quite get the switch suggestion from the votes so that part was a surprise.

>>4067376
Lets see how events play out further before we decide between these two.
>I would say blood is one of the only things more important than land and it's what you are most lacking in.
We should compensate for the lack of former with a smart move (smash and grab?) like Cormaic did with Waynwoods and establish Aurion as a prospective bachelor (or one who can't be refused).

>“Reinforced? That would be one take on it, I suppose,” she says cryptically.
>“Your choice of words, m’lady… you give hint that all isn’t as it seems,” you venture.
Wonder if Aurion really picked that up.
I am personally more in the Lydden camp but haven't the clue on how house Lydden could become indebted to us enough to marry Cerelle off to a knight.

So if Boggs is writing this now is House Boggs dead and over now? Cause honestly without Cormac its over

>>4067850
He stated that it fell on hard times but isn't dead. And that we will hear about it.

>>4067861
My guess they will simply be absorbed by house Brune or something like that

>>4067861
>>4067910
See that's my point tho, those options suck. Without Cormac its really not worth reading/catching up on it. Like that Powder Fantasy quest, after anons were stupid and got the guy killed to an easily avoidable assassin bolt it wasn't worth sticking around and I feel the same way about House Boggs even though I lovery those that he left behind its just not worth it

>>4067948
I imagine that Atia will have tried to keep it together, but I'm guessing she fled back home across the Narrow Sea with her child, making Ciara the heir to Boggwood. Who knows, maybe with the support of House Brax and the Queen, Ciara and Anders could hold onto their holdings?

>>4067948
Honestly I think Boggs should just not mention House Boggs at all, not even a name drop.

>>4068018
+1

>Stick to warming her up. This probably won’t go anywhere tonight, but she would likely be more receptive tomorrow. (Charm)

“It’s a lovely garden, I’m sure,” you say with a smile and shrug to move on with the conversation.

“You have had a difficult life, ser,” she says softly.

You pause, wondering why she cares. “Worse than some, better than others, my lady. I’m here now, so there’s no cause for concern.”

“Would you tell me of it?” she asks.

Seeing no reason to refuse, you oblige. You speak of happier moments, mostly. Antics you’ve gotten up to with Vaeron and other comrades-in-arms. Some, well, most are dead now, but she doesn’t need to know that. Perhaps not all of it is entirely appropriate for one of her birth, but you don’t know where the line is and she seems to be enjoying herself, so you opt to press on.

“… course, we had to flee the city when we were caught out. Turns out there’s more to pretending to be a guard than throwing on a tiger pelt. They blamed the elephants, so it went better than expected, really. Strangest thing, those elections. Both sides offering whores for votes.”

You hold up your hands and laugh at her shocked gasp. “No cause for concern! I didn’t partake, I wasn’t a voter.”

“Oh? Tell me, ser. Have there been other women?” she asks with raised brow and a teasing smile.

>Nothing serious!
>I’ve always wanted more than that.
>Yes, once…

>>4068380
>Nothing serious

From Qarth to Kings Landing, but no one important

>>4068380
>I’ve always wanted more than that.
Meaning more than chance encounters?

>>4068380
>>I’ve always wanted more than that.

>>4068421
Basically. The option for if he kept wenching closer to the minimum.

>>4068380
>>Nothing serious!

>>4068389
This

>>4068380
>>Yes, once…

>>4068380
>>Nothing serious!

>>4068380
>Nothing serious!
I mean... I really don't think our boy didn't fuck around. He doesn't seem like the guy to wait for serious relationships to me.

>>4068380
>Nothing serious!
We ploughed Janesa once when Vaeron was away, don't tell him.

Writing for nothing serious right now

“Nothing serious,” you say dismissively before laughing at her shocked expression.

“If you could die tomorrow, if every night could be your last… how would you spend it?” you gaze into her eyes. They’re so much like your own.

“I suppose…” she murmurs while leaning forward closer to your face…

She abruptly straightens and brushes back her hair. “Ah. It is getting quite late, ser. Would you be so kind?”

You walk her back to her room arm-in-arm before someone sends out a search party, though perhaps that is overstating the situation. You run into no one other than a few very bored guards leaning on their spears. It feels as if this castle is mostly empty, guarded by little more than a skeleton crew. More than enough to destroy your meager company, but not nearly enough to last against an army. That is, if the army could get through the winding walkways through the cliff faces. If not, their numbers would count for nothing.

“I thank you for the company, ser. It has been most enjoyable,” Lady Constance says with a lingering smile before shutting the door.

You enter your own room and bang on the adjacent door before entering. The children are asleep in the next room over, but their parents are very much still awake. They barely bother covering up when you enter and Janesa lets out a groan of frustration. “You could not wait?” she huffs.

And this is the other reason there was nothing serious for you. Their love is something to admire, but it has come with obvious sacrifices. Privacy being one of them, though they hardly care at this point. Still, it has been a lesson for you. It isn’t easy raising a family without a home. “I don’t have all night. We have a busy day upon us,” you respond while pouring some drinks.

“Two women tonight, you’ve been busy brother,” Vaeron snorts.

“Two women who will be coming with us tomorrow,” you reply, gaining both of their full attention.

“They know this?” Janesa asks with exasperation.

“One does. The other will when the time is right,” you start before launching into the details.

When you finish, Vaeron speaks first. “You are the one with the plans. How are we handling this?”

>We will walk right out the front door. Take a day trip with the two women down to the docks. Convince the guards that you are leaving for King’s Landing by order of the Queen. You’ll have to trust in swaying Lady Constance before the crucial moment. Lady Cerelle will likely need to be trusted to play a part as well.
>We will fight our way out. Leave for the docks to review your forces. Have them turn on whatever guard force that is present for maximum damage. Leave no doubt as to your loyalty. Fighting can always go wrong and you will be outnumbered, but you won’t need to rely as much on persuasion.
>Other/write-in/some alteration to the above.

>>4068774
>We will walk right out the front door. Take a day trip with the two women down to the docks. Convince the guards that you are leaving for King’s Landing by order of the Queen. You’ll have to trust in swaying Lady Constance before the crucial moment. Lady Cerelle will likely need to be trusted to play a part as well.

>>4068774
>We will walk right out the front door. Take a day trip with the two women down to the docks. Convince the guards that you are leaving for King’s Landing by order of the Queen. You’ll have to trust in swaying Lady Constance before the crucial moment. Lady Cerelle will likely need to be trusted to play a part as well.

>We will walk right out the front door. Take a day trip with the two women down to the docks. Convince the guards that you are leaving for King’s Landing by order of the Queen. You’ll have to trust in swaying Lady Constance before the crucial moment. Lady Cerelle will likely need to be trusted to play a part as well.

>>4068774
Can we do the "walk out the front door" option but have a picnic on the water type thing the crew can pick us up right on the water we shouldn't even need to talk to the guards

>>4068797
>>4068798
>>4068808
>>4068817
Writing! It's my fault for not specifying, but the issue with the guards has more to do with five warships suddenly departing without any prior notice/authorization rather than that the women are present.

“We simply leave. You two grab the children in the morning and go down to the ships. Tell them to make ready. They’ve rowed on shorter notice for sure. I will be down with our passengers by midday, I hope. Their presence and help should help answer questions,” you decide.

“Wait, wait. You said this Constance does not know? I understand the other one given she has just as much reason to leave as we do, but why exactly are we risking turning this into a mess over this other girl?” Janesa points out.

“She isn’t the type to fair well in a siege, much less what comes after one. It’s for her own good. I trust her to make the right decision,” you answer dismissively.

“You like her,” she leers, “Vaeron, Aurion fancies this girl. Oh, this is too much! No, go on then. I want to see how this ends,” she agrees with a wide grin.

“I’ve made no commitments. Both are fine options and there may be better prospects later. Get some sleep,” you turn and leave before she can continue, but not without enduring her cackle before the door shuts.

You make your way to the kitchen the next morning and pilfer a few lemons and oranges. A few sweet comments to a baking girl earn you a sack and a bottle of wine for your troubles. An old habit before voyages, though this one will hopefully be short. Janesa and Vaeron are already departing with their children, so it is only left to you to play your part.

There is but one detail that you are still uncertain on. Constance. You could seek her out and speak with her privately first, but the idea of having this conversation so deep within the castle is a touch unsettling. The other option would be to seek out Lady Cerelle instead. You’re sure between the two of you it would be easy enough to convince Lady Constance to accompany you to the docks. From there, it is just another leap of faith.

>Secure Lady Constance’s support first, then go to the docks
>Go to Lady Cerelle, have her get Lady Constance to come along and convince her to board the ship when the time comes

>>4068900
>>Go to Lady Cerelle, have her get Lady Constance to come along and convince her to board the ship when the time comes

>>4068900
>Go to Lady Cerelle, have her get Lady Constance to come along and convince her to board the ship when the time comes

>>4068900

>>Go to Lady Cerelle, have her get Lady Constance to come along and convince her to board the ship when the time comes

>>4068904
>>4068926
>>4068930

Starting to write now. Got distracted with SOTU.

After asking for directions, you make your way towards Lady Cerelle’s room, humming a tune with your sack of fruit and wine as you go. It isn’t far from where you were last night, as it happens. She answers shortly after your knock. “Ser Aurion. What a pleasant surprise,” she says before pulling you into the room and shutting the door.

“What happened to Lady Janesa? I thought she was meeting me?” she asks quickly and suspiciously.

“Already left for the ships. She has children that needed to be settled in. Besides, she’s a reader and normally handles those sorts of details. We are leaving. Today,” you announce.

“A… ‘reader,’ ser, do you not?” she blinks in confusion.

“Do you?” you ask with momentary curiosity, “doesn’t matter right now, I need you to get ready and get Lady Constance as well.”

She maintains her composure, but she is clearly annoyed. “What does she have to do with this? I saw you slip out with her… does she know of this plan?” she demands.

Looks like she isn’t a fan of this plan.

>It’s my plan. This is what happens. There is no discussion. (Intimidate)
>She will only suffer if left here and she may be useful to us. (Convince)
>I have a soft spot for beautiful women in dangerous situations. (Seduce)

>>4069103
>>I have a soft spot for beautiful women in dangerous situations. (Seduce)

>>4069103
>>She will only suffer if left here and she may be useful to us. (Convince)

>>4069103
>>I have a soft spot for beautiful women in dangerous situations. (Seduce)

>>4069103
>>She will only suffer if left here and she may be useful to us. (Convince)

>>4069103
>I have a soft spot for beautiful women in dangerous situations. (Seduce)

>She will only suffer if left here and she may be useful to us. (Convince)

>>4069103
>>I have a soft spot for beautiful women in dangerous situations. (Seduce)

>>4069120
>>4069128
>>4069130
>>4069144
>>4069147
>>4069168
>>4069217
Can I get 4d6 for Persuasion (Seduce)?