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Hello everyone!

This is a quest based in the ASOIAF universe which follows a captain of a free company that has recently been given dominion over Stormgrave, an island near Dragonstone. Lord Aurion Shryke is a dragonseed with a natural affinity for leading men and making friends. We are continuing where we left off in the year 284 during the fall of Dragonstone.

Quest resources including character sheets can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ot_VGz9iDVmO1neVhGQMOs9h2G9Hd7nb?usp=sharing

I try to update twitter on run times/important votes here: https://twitter.com/CormaicB

Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=House%20Shryke

Now, let's get started!
>>
>No, you’ll throw him to Stannis to answer for his little stunt.

You’re standing over the commander of Dragonstone’s garrison, a certain Ser Waelon Waters. He just had the singularly poor fortune of being the last line of defense in the face of your onslaught. You soundly defeated him in a duel, but one of his cheeky little friends has lodged a sword in the gears of the steel gate blocking your path to the last few fleeing Dragons. You and he both know his little stunt wasn’t entirely in vain. Even with your men working to force a way through the gate, your quarry is undoubtedly far ahead of you now. Now the young Valyrian knight, this odd mirror of yourself, goads you to finish what you’ve started and send him onwards to his fallen brothers…

You see Ser Waelon’s will finally falter at the shake of your head… or he may just be losing consciousness. Either way, there’s no doubt that tossing him to the Baratheons is worse than the quick mercy of an exceedingly sharp blade. And it’s someone else to blame for any setbacks here. All the better.

“Keep this one alive,” you order to no one in particular. Someone will see to it. “There must be a maester around here.”

You note the gate beginning rattle on its hinges. Your men tied their grapples to it and formed pulling lines. A few more good heaves…

“Captain,” Hoster Rivers calls out. Or rather Sergeant Hoster. He took Torth’s place in First Cohort. The First and the Fourth were finishing up in the gardens while the Second, Third, and Fifth were getting to work on the damnable gate. Dying men make the most grating sounds.

“Finished?”

“Aye, though you might want to see this,” he replies.

You follow him out from the corridor into the gardens beyond. Never mind the frequent storms, these plants are well-watered in blood now. Just like their commander, the last few dragon knights fought to the bloody end and took a good number of the less faithful lower garrison men with them. But Hoster doesn’t care about that and neither do you…

He leads you to the rest of the First who stand guard around a section of hedges. Two bloodied highborn women lay at your men’s feet. One cradles the other in her lap, sobbing and fretting. One is definitely wounded, the cradled one. She’s awfully pale of face and looks barely conscious. Explains all the blood. Not raped, probably. Small mercy that your lads found them first. They’re paid too well to go around risking wages on damaging good hostages. Their dresses are a bit torn, but that seems to be more of some poor attempt to staunch the bleeding… ah, shit. You know these two.
>>
>>4453901
“Goodbrook or Darry,” you ask the sobbing girl. You’d never gotten around to sorting them out at the feast. She only sobs harder.

“Goodbrook. Or Darry,” you emphasize. “My lady needs to answer.”

“Lyra. Darry. This is…” she takes a shuttering breath. “Jeyne. Lady Goodbrook. Please, you have to save her.”

Well that’s something. Would’ve been a real mood killer had Lady Selena’s niece been the one bleeding out. You kneel down beside them. You see the vague family resemblance this close up… the same honey colored hair at least. Lady Lyra’s eyes aren’t as piercing. Green, maybe. Might just be the poor lighting.

As for her friend, well you’d go as far to say she’s the prettier of the two with those cheekbones. Auburn hair if that’s not just all the blood. Right, focus… you’re no maester, but you can see plainly enough that Lady Goodbrook doesn’t look good… an arrow lodged like that in one’s back rarely bodes well. You don’t much like her odds of ever walking again. If she survives at all.

“What happened,” you lock eyes with Lady Darry.

“We… we were running. With His Grace. And. And his knights. Jeyne was struck. I couldn’t leave her… so they left me,” Lady Lyra haltingly explains. The woman’s scream you heard earlier…

“Right, sure you couldn’t. Prince Viserys. Who else was with you? The Queen? Your cousin? Willett or whatever his name is.”

“My cousin Willem was. The Queen… she…” Lady Lyra shakes her head.

“Dead. Pity, I liked her. Boy or girl? Does the child live?”

“A. A girl. She is named Daenerys. Desmera carries her…”

“Lady Desmera Gargalen? The Dornish? She’s with the little princeling too?” you ask. She nods, then goes back to stroking her friend’s hair in a daze. Well that’s all your wife’s little friends accounted for… if they’re her friends at all. You never quite got around to working out that dynamic. You were too busy working Cerelle out of her dress.

“Captain,” Sergeant Lucien of the Second Cohort pops out from the corridor. “Gate’s off. We’re pursuing.”

>Go with them. They’ve a hell of a head start on you to the ships, but you might at least be able to gather some sort of further clues to report.
>Leave that to Trios. You’ll stay up here and see if you can sort out finding a maester to prioritize patching up Lady Goodbrook and Ser Waelon Waters. Elsewise they might end up bleeding out.
>>
>>4453905
>Go with them. They’ve a hell of a head start on you to the ships, but you might at least be able to gather some sort of further clues to report.

Hell of a head start, true, but you never know what might happen. See if something unlucky strikes them and we can catch up, never know if we don't try.
>>
>>4453905
>Go with them. They’ve a hell of a head start on you to the ships, but you might at least be able to gather some sort of further clues to report.
>Leave Hoster Rivers to sort out the maester, promise a bonus if both survive.
>>
>>4453909
Ditto
>>4453899
THE BUTCHERBIRD FLIES
>>
>>4453905
>>4453911
Who are the 2nd-5th Cohorts? I thought we had only the 50 men left now. Is it divisions of 10 in that 50? Also what's the situation on the outside, did Blackberry and Stonemont live?
>Make sure at least some crossbowmen/archers follow us, if we get close enough maybe we can shoot some down.
>>
>>4453917
I'm just fluffing them out more. I've been doing a lot of that behind the scenes the past few days. Cohorts are squads by your Essosi lingo. The Stormbringers have 5 cohorts of 10 right now, each led by a sergeant. Figured we needed a little more detail after all of this time with them.

You won't know about the situation further back until you head back that way.
>>
>>4453905
>>Go with them. They’ve a hell of a head start on you to the ships, but you might at least be able to gather some sort of further clues to report.
>>
>>4453905
>>Go with them. They’ve a hell of a head start on you to the ships, but you might at least be able to gather some sort of further clues to report.
>>
>Go with them. They’ve a hell of a head start on you to the ships, but you might at least be able to gather some sort of further clue.

You spare a quick glance to Hoster Rivers. “Sergeant Hoster. You’re a Riverlander of some sorts, yeah?” you ask and continue before he can launch into the latest twist on that tale. “That makes these ladies your responsibility. Ah, and there’s a knight that damn near looks like a lady coming out. See they’re tended to by whatever passes for a maester here. If they all live, I’ll gift you and yours something nice.”

“Aye, Captain,” Hoster grins. Probably the best assignment you’ve given him.

“Careful with that one’s back,” you chide in passing as you rush to catch up to Trios and the rest. Through the broken gate, down the stairs, down the hall, out to the cliffs. Ah, there they are. Well, your men at least. You’re still only a little winded by the time you reach them, a small benefit of your lightly armored state… or you’re just in some other state entirely. This whole night has been invigorating. A pity Cerelle or someone else pretty couldn’t join you. You could go for a round or two in the Royal Chambers. Wherever that is.

Some cheeky bastard has gone and cut the far end of the rope bridge. You try to stifle your anger. Someone is going to gain a hearty appreciation for your worldliness if they think to fuck with you this much and just sail off across the sea. Your men are of a more direct mindset. Trios has them taking the grapples down a level of the cliff face to skip the bridge… which means you need to as well. It’s been a short while, but you’ve done this before. At least the hooks are well-lodged in the rocks. Best get to it.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for Athletics? (grapples give +1D)
>>
>>4453956
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 3, 4 = 13 (4d6)

>>4453956
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 2, 5 = 14 (4d6)

>>4453956
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 4, 6 = 16 (4d6)

>>4453956
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 2, 6 = 13 (4d6)

>>4453956
>>
>Rolled 16 vs DC 12. 1 degree of success.

You get down the cliff face to the gravelly beach below without utterly embarrassing yourself, but your curse-laden rappelling is a testament to the general smoothness of the descent. Some of your men have already begun advancing without you… and small wonder as to why. A ship, a cog by the looks of it, is casting off. Its sister ship is aflame down the dock. Right. That’s three mischiefs now. By the gods, you are keeping a tally and mean to collect on it.

You can hardly expect to swim after the bulky bitch, but perhaps you could send them a parting gift by way of a nearby scorpion standing sentinel. Your Stormbringers are no siege engineers, but under your direction, the lads might have a halfway decent chance of feathering the cog’s stern. That, or you could wipe the blood off your Myrish Lens and see about seeking the name of the vessel before it drifts too far into the night.

>Seek the vessel’s name (Awareness)
>Send them a parting gift (Warfare)
>Do both (…both, but higher DC’s)
>>
>>4454000
>Seek the vessel’s name (Awareness)
>>
>>4454000
>>Do both (…both, but higher DC’s)
>>
>>4454000
>Seek the vessel’s name (Awareness)
>>
>>4454000
Won't there be people on the dock who know the ship's name?
>>
>>4454000
>Do both (…both, but higher DC’s)

Go for broke.

>>4454009
Would you stand around gawking as all this goes down? I guess maybe there's a record of it somewhere though? Idk.
>>
>>4454009
On the dock right now? Nope. It's the hour of the wolf. If you wanted to do some digging later? Maybe.
>>
>>4454000
>Seek the vessel’s name (Awareness)
>>
>>4454000
>>Do both (…both, but higher DC’s)
I am torn on this. I am not sure if this or getting the name by it self would be best..
>>
>>4454000
>Do both (…both, but higher DC’s)
>>
Looks like a Both to me. Let's roll it.

>Can I get 6 rolls of 4d6? First 3 are Awareness, last 3 are Warfare.
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 4, 6 = 17 (4d6)

>>4454041
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 1, 2 = 10 (4d6)

>>4454041
Dice gods let us smite the thrice damned cunt
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 2, 5 = 13 (4d6)

>>4454041
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 5, 2 = 14 (4d6)

>>4454041
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 3, 5 = 19 (4d6)

>>4454041
>>
>>4454041
wouldn't we get the bonus 1d for for command? or does it simply fall under something else?
>>4454051
man hopefully this is enough.
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 1, 6 = 14 (4d6)

>>4454041
>>
>>4454053
It doesn't have a specialty. It's a flat warfare test like what an engineering unit takes to man siege equipment. Closer to a knowledge/operating test than anything.
>>
17 and 19 is actually pretty good... Fingers crossed
>>
>>4454058
Mhm, thanks i know for the future now.

before you write the post...did we make the dc?
>>
>>4454061
In my head the dc's became 18 and 20..fml if we missed both.
>>
>Do both (…both, but higher DC’s)

“On the scorpion,” your order. A dozen or so men get to work in setting the beast up. You’re fairly familiar with the like of it. Your longtime flagship, the old Sea Shryke has a similar contraption mounted upon it, and you’ve used it to great effect in the past. It gets its strength from some sort of queer engineer’s art, tortion something or other. Fascinating stuff.

You pull your Myrish Lens from your belt. Still uncracked, but absolutely filthy. As you scramble to make it usable, you’re confronted with the realization that everything is filthy. You’re painted head to toe with blood and soot and the ashes of your own men. After some fruitless smudging, you remember your undershirt. It’s not as bad and will have to do.

“Hmm. Keep a good lead on it, lads. Those sails have some wind behind them… eight knots, I reckon. So that’s… three hundred, or four? Three fifty. Let’s call it. That’d be… thereabouts twelve degrees off center by our reckoning… so just, ah Trios, bloody show them.”

Right… where’s the name? You squint into the moonlight. Should be on the stern, though you’ve seen the coin clippers that frequent these fat bellied cogs paint their dull names in gaudy dyes to starboard. Some vain attempt at one-upmanship in dockside advertising…

>Rolled 17 vs DC 17 (up from base 12). Success, 1 degree.
There.

The Valyrian Spirit in fine gilded letters. Thank the bloody moon. And Cerelle. This may be the first time you’ve felt so absurdly grateful for your wife’s nagging letters lessons. You’d thought it passing cruel of her to make every lace of her bodice worth a word, but here you are. And here they are.

>Rolled 19 vs CD 10+2(visibility)+5(multitasking)=17. Success, 1 degree.

“Wait. Crank it up two notches. And… loose!”

The dockside scorpion rocks back on its poorly secured hinges as the massive bolt snaps forward at frightening speeds. You try to follow it in the darkened sky, but lose sight of it… until it strikes the stern of the ship and rips into one of the aft cabins.

“Well fucking shot lads,” you hoot as they cheer. You owe them a round for that one. It’s not going to sink them by any means, but a parting gift was in order after all of that mischief making of theirs. With any luck, you might’ve nailed some hapless highborn to a cabin wall. Either way, you have a name. The hunt will continue.

Until then, it’s time to see how the others’ luck held out. You start back up the hill to the fallen fortress…
>>
>Alright, that’s going to be it for tonight. Thanks for playing!

I’ll have at least one post up tomorrow. Also, I’ve been updating things in the background whenever I've found the time lately. The biggest thing I’ve (mostly) gotten done are the homebrew rules/stats for the ships we have been or will be playing around with. You can find that in the drive link in the OP. It’s not completely finished, but you can get a much better idea of things now. I also added your own ship holdings to the House Resources sheet. They're all named now like proper ships should be. For your old flagship, I ran with that Sea Shryke suggestion an anon had like 6 months ago. I also made that one a Galiot because why not. Next up will be Trade Goods (mostly done) and an easy reference sheet of Houses/Personages relevant to the quest.
>>
>>4454091
Thanks for running! Viserys will have a new name to curse and be absolutely afraid of now instead of The Usurper. And The Valyrian Spirit is such a great name for what we have been going through this night. Now to plunder Dragonstone before Stannis arrives. Maybe Lyra Darry will be recovered enough, there are plenty of dead men to blame for her loss of maidenhood now...
>>
>>4454126
If this is the refuge for the Valyrian royal family, then they’ll probably have some...Exotic loot
>Inb4 a Valyrian Steel chestpiece
>>
I didn't have a vote before, but that's definitely something to work with. Open until tomorrow.

>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.
>>
>>4454162
>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
LOOT. Also we don't want to be under Stannis anyway.
>>
>>4454162
>>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.
>>
I wonder if you can answer this, if we had gone for the Sea Dragon Tower first, did we actually have a chance of catching Viserys or some other highborn? We should ask Lyra exactly who all left, if only to give further information to Stannis.
>>
Fuck I really don't know. This is the first time I've been this stuck on a vote. Convince me anons.
>>
>>4454176
Because think of the LOOT. Seriously though, is there a strong reason we shouldn't? At this point neither Aurion, nor Stannis, not even Robert know who Dragonstone will be given to now. We braved the storm and fought fucking wildfire, lost our entire crew, I think we deserve this. I think we can justify it as a reasonable reaction. We'll give that extra pay and then some to the families of the sailors from the spoils.
>>
>>4454181
>Seriously though, is there a strong reason we shouldn't?

We know Stannis is at least the rumored future lord paramount from the last kings landing thread. We are in the Dragonstone region so we at least default to him right? That's my issue. I have a feeling we will end up falling under him either by default or through some dumb overreaching by trying to be bobby's butt buddy. I feel like we are owed something, I just don't want it to come off as an even bigger overreach to pur future overlord. If it's going to be him. Idk. This is the only time I've ever been uncertain about a loot vote.
>>
>>4454176
The bigger loot is the favor we gain in the eyes of the nobility (that matter whether anons want to admit it or not) by not acting like sellsword piratical glory hogs. Cerelle wants us to be the hero; loot, raping, and pillaging Dragonstone grows our infamy as a sellsword not as a proper heroic Lord. We have a real legitimate chance to build Aurion up here, present Dragonstone on a silver platter to the King and Lord Stannis, gain favor with the Crown, and look the striking hero in the eyes of the smallfolk, Ladies and Knights, and all those that deemed us as mad for sailing into the storm.

Ask for our payment later in the way of favor.
>>
>>4454196
Tywin sacked King's Landing (loot, rape, pillage, the whole gamut) brutally and he was rewarded by his daughter becoming queen.
>>
>>4454204
We're not Tywin
>>
>>4454204
These two situations and two people are so far away and wildly different I don't even know where to begin to respond.

If you seriously think Aurion and Tywin fucking Lannister have anything in common besides a degree of cunning you're off your rocker mate.

And again, to repeat, Cerelle wants us to be the hero. You think anyone calls Tywin that for what he did to King's Landing?
>>
>>4454162
>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.
anon makes a good point.
>>
>>4454162
>>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
Our men fought through hellfire and lost a lot of good friends. They deserve the spoils of a fallen dynasty, far more than the royals still in port.

Not to mention we might find something nice for Cerelle or ourselves. A suit of armor made for Viserys would be a cool heirloom for our son.

We'll get some nice brownie points if we gave the king's crown or queen's jewels to the new king and queen, instead of just handing over the castle to Stannis. Sure we might piss him off a bit, but the favor we'd get would outweight it
>>
>>4454162
>>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT
If are going to pass off staniss we may as well do it right. We are a lord in our own right whether he likes it or not.
Bobby will appreciate we won this hard fought battle. We couldn't capture them due to not having enough men.
We can blame it on Stanis's loligagging. Just means we have to double down, on not being sworn to him.
We've to get creative with that to say the least.
Even if not looting wins out, which is reasonable. We've earned a huge win. Between all the nice loot, and we also earned a huge favor pulling the heir out of literal fire. We can use the wealth to actually get started on 2 projects We've wanted to for a while.
A mill, and a green house.
The mill helps obvious with food. And the greenhouse adds tiny bit of food/spices for our alcohol. To complete our mixture to get amazing rum.
And we may even have some left over.

Once we have our shit together we should start having our armorer make shit for the church so we gain there too.
>>
One last argument I'll make for looting is that if we find something truly valuable, we can present it to Robert as a personal gift, and he'll probably appreciate that more over not looting. Stannis will just shove all of it in the basement and forget about it. Our restraint and "nobleness" in not looting will be taken for granted by him, because it was our duty to our king anyway. It will be like casting pearls before the swine.
>>
lmao @ anyone who thinks we're going to get favor for this. think about it, we're the reason the targ kids fled into a shit storm of a hurricane because we just HAD to b the first ones on the island. straight up aurion is the reason bobby b doesnt get to clench his targ murder thirst. stannis easily calls us on our shit and for sure is going to bring this up.
>>
>>4454234
Honestly I think we should encourage Bobby -and fuck the court what they think, he's a shit king anyway- to pursue that ship and have a broventure with him and our finest.

We've got a lead and we know the world, they'll be found if we have to burn a few cities and hang a couple magisters in the process.
>>
>>4454162
>>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.
>>
>>4454162
>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.
We are professionals. We stockpile the material and ask nicely which we can keep.
>>
>>4454162
>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.
>>
>>4454162
>>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.

I'd rather not get on the badside of Stannis 'Teethgrinder' Baratheon.
The One True King (After Bobby-B of course!)
>>
You know if we meet Selena Darry again (when we return her niece perhaps) we can spin this as us letting Viserys and Daenerys go while still maintaining plausible deniability with the king.
>>
>>4454162
>>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
>>
>>4454380
>>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
Who took motherfucking Dragonstone?
We fucking did!
Who gets the Loot we do!
>>
>>4454162
>>4454398
>>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
Gah!
>>
>>4454398
>>4454399
Did you just try to vote twice?
>>
>>4454404
No. Proper link. ID numbers, quoting myself and sequential posting makes this quite clear that i want it linked to the voting post for ease of counting, as the first one was not.
>>
>>4454406
Alright man, sorry for assuming things, I'm a phonefag, I didn't see which post you had linked.
>>
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>>4454085
>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.

Don't see anyone else here. We are the ones who took this island, not anyone else. The men may be professionals, but they're still well-paid men and they deserve something.

Behold low quality memes for the meme god
>>
>>4454162
>Refrain from looting. At least one Baratheon is coming, and you don't want to risk getting on their bad side.

If no one has an actual practical alternative to swearing to stannis beyond "he can fuck off" then I know where we are going to end up.
>>
>>4454429
morale of our men and reputation of our unit.
Looting is the main reward for taking a fortification.
And we did it balls to the walls crazy style.

If we do not manage to give them better pay than looting then we might as well kiss our company goodbye.
>>
>>4454434
True, I'd like to reward them after this either way. Just not at the expense of getting told no on everything by our future liege because we didn't show restraint. Professionalism is a good look for hired swords.
>>
>>4454434
Playing the devil's advocate here, but we did get 5 wealth on Stonedance which we can use.
>>
>>4454437
As a rule any looting will exceed any reward for the common soldier.

Right now, considering their fucking superlative performance i am more inclined to make them happy than make grumpy Stannis who will always see us as the fucker who upstaged him and probably messed up his capture of the royals, regardless if we loot or don't.
>>
>>4454429
This is all meta though. Aurion doesn't know that Stannis is getting Dragonstone and not Storm's End. It's actually a surprise and a perceived insult to Stannis.
and now he can blame Aurion for upstaging him
>>
That said
>>4454162
>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
Aurion would loot. We have everywhere else
>>
>>4454162
>>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
I've read opinions on both sides of the argument and this option offers the better outcome. We can do a lot of things with that wealth.
>>
>>4454491
>The new Lord Paramount of Dragonstone is still unnamed. This is why you've been dealing more directly with the crown. There are several names being floated, but it traditionally goes to the King's heir. In this case, that is Lord Stannis Baratheon.
>The Lord Paramount of the Stormlands is also unnamed. At present, it is nearly universally assumed that will be Lord Stannis Baratheon again. He is the next in line there as well and by all rights it's his.

Thread 6 when we were kicking around swearing to Estermont and denying Sunglass. I hate metagaming as much as anyone.
>>
>>4454162

>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.

Being that we surprise attacked, I'm guessing they had to leave almost everything behind. We may never have a better looting opportunity ever again.

To me this is more valuable than brownie points with whichever Lord we are going to snuff allegiance-wise anyway.

I'm sure they have a stacked armory, in addition to wealth maybe we could reward the boys with some shiny new stuff.
>>
>>4454533
I think our 1st company is as kitted out as possible, i can't recall if they've got castle forged steel weapons or if it's just armor

Getting some stuff for our crossbowmen or cavalry would be good though

I get that people want to curry favor with Stannis, but we have access to the greatest treasure chest in the seven kingdoms. Not letting our men take their share is denying them the spoils of braving a record breaking storm, landing on an unknown beach, taking an entire castle, and surviving wildfire. They deserve it more than stannis, no matter how much trouble it could cause. Like >>4454233 mentioned, Stannis will just give the king a list of items recovered, we'd present him the crown jewels and the man that helped the Targs escape
>>
>>4454497
But how much would Aurion really know about the politics and lines of succession? I suppose he may have had a conversation with Cerelle at some point along these lines but nothing was written on it.

Basing the decision strictly off Stannis coming seems... Dirty
>>
>>4454548
Maybe you're right. This'll probably bite us on the ass at some point, but in the interests of playing the character...

>>4454162
Changing >>4454429

>To the victor go the spoils. LOOT.
>>
Ironborn Aurion.
>>
>>4454548
Hell, since stannis didn't take Dragonstone like he does in canon, Robert might give Dragonstone to Renly or some other highborn noble.
>>
>>4454557
He didn't take it in canon either. He showed up and the garrison surrendered or switched sides while the targ kids escaped.
>>
>>4454559
Eh, he still took it, just not through glorious melee combat. Now that he didn't, there's no association between him and the miserable rock for Robert. Some people thought that he was given it as punishment for letting the targs escape, which isn't really his fault anymore. It'd change a lot of things, but Dragonstone could be given to someone else

Of course, there's the argument that if he'd braved the storm they could have captured the targs, so he might still get blamed for their escape
>>
Stannis is going to be royally pissed after all the waiting for his fleet to assemble.

But what do we have to do with his issues? We're not beholden to him (yet?).
>>
Alright, so we need to make sure we come off as competent and not impetuous when explaining why we yolo rushed though the storm instead of waiting for the rest of the fleet.

I mean we could frame it as a matter of honor and settling debts (With Manderly), but this was a bit above and beyond what was expected, no?
We might get slapped for the blame of the heirs getting away, but hey, at least we can talk about seizing the castle and putting a bolt through the cabin of their escaping ship rather than just turning up and having the garrison surrender to you and find the heirs gone.
>>
>>4454591
>I mean we could frame it as a matter of honor and settling debts (With Manderly), but this was a bit above and beyond what was expected, no?
We seized the opportunity because we heard about the storm laying waste on the loyalist fleet.
>>
I'm voting for looting. Our men have earned their prize.
>>
>>4454421
Nice, I always love OC memes.

Ok, I see a clear majority for looting. Good points all around.

This is going to be a two-part test. The first is raw wealth and the second is to find something more uniquely rare. Fair warning, the awareness test for the second part has a high DC. The old royalty doesn't easily part with its secrets.

>First, can I get 3 rolls of 3d6 for the raw Wealth you manage to loot?
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 3 = 10 (3d6)

>>4454817
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d6)

>>4454817
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 2 = 9 (3d6)

>>4454817
>>
Well we got our shit rolls out of the way
>>
>>4454817
Can we torture someone into confessing if the second test fails?
>>
>>4454818
>>4454824
>>4454825
10. Still enough to buy something nice for Stormgrave after all of this.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for Awareness (Notice)?
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 3, 3 = 17 (4d6)

>>4454834
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 4, 4 = 14 (4d6)

>>4454834
Shame we don't have that DP still.
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 2, 4 = 14 (4d6)

>>4454834
>>
>>4454837
Yeah I remember Mervyn using his DP to find that hidden room in the cave where we found the evidence.
>>
>>4454836
>>4454837
>>4454838
Damn. Off by 1.

>>4454832
You'd need to find someone who might know first, but I don't see why not.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 3d6 for Cunning to see if you can puzzle that out?
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 2 = 13 (3d6)

>>4454842
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 3 = 10 (3d6)

>>4454842
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 5 = 11 (3d6)

>>4454842
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 4 = 11 (3d6)

>>4454842
Can we burn a point of Glory for 1B on the previous test?
>>
>>4454843
>>4454844
>>4454847
Hmm. Enough to point you in a vague direction at least. We'll have to see how far you're willing to go on this one. I'll tie all of this together and have a post up later tonight.
>>
>>4454842
By the way, I don't know if you do this, but I was reading the rulebook and it allows extra dice when you devote more time to the task, giving one test dice per hour, up to your initial test dice, so with Knowledge 2 you can get 2 extra dice. The book gives an example of taking one more hour to research giving you an extra dice. It's a neat concept.
>>
>>4454849
Oh, hey. Good catch. I completely forgot about that rule.

Burn 1 Glory to add 1b to >>4454836 ?
>Yes
>No
>>
>>4454854
>Yes
>>
>>4454854
>yes

Odds are fair enough.
>>
>>4454854
>>Yes
>>
>>4454854
>Yes
>>
>>4454854
Absolutely. Yes.
Got to beat the average on that die.
>>
>>4454853
>>4454854
Here's the part from chapter 2 pg 31:
>Taking More Time
>When you have the luxury of time on your side, you can work more slowly to ensure you complete the task, which is especially useful for high Difficulty tasks that are ordinarily beyond your ability to roll with a normal test. For each additional amount of time spent preparing for the task (say an hour of research or an extra six seconds before making an Athletics test), you gain an extra test die for the purposes of resolving your test. You can’t gain more than double your test dice in this way. So if you have 2 in an ability, you can’t gain more than two extra test dice by taking more time.
>>
Alright, I doubt the vote is going to flip.

>Can I get 1 roll of 1d6?
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4454867
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4454867
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4454867

I sacrificed a lamb for this
>>
>>4454870
Fucking clutch. Good spend.
>>
>>4454866
It's a neat concept for how the game was originally intended, but I'm not going to use that with a best of 3 system. Might as well toss the dice out completely at that point
>>
>>4454870
Well would you look at that... well worth the spend. Nice.
>>
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You’re starting to feel the ache in your bones by the time you’ve finished making the trek back up the cliff to the fallen fortress. You know your men are too… but you also know their remarkably quiet demeanors have less to do with exhaustion and more to do with expectation. And their expectation isn’t of rest. Far from it.

“Only what you can carry---” you start, only to grin as they break out in a roar of approval and rush to the waiting keep. Or keeps? This place is a bit sprawling. You set off with Trios to the Sea Dragon Tower. That’s probably where First Cohort took your prisoners… and it’s where you’d keep your better tableware if you were a Royal. You’d like to think Trios accompanies you out of his great, undying loyalty, but the opportunist in you knows that he knows of your penchant for sniffing out lucrative trinkets.

“How’s the family, by-the-by?” you ask him as you neatly step around a charred corpse.

“Daughter is fat and happy. No complaints,” he shrugs.

“Good, good. Your wife?”

“Only complaints.”

“Just so,” you nod. Someone was kind enough to leave the door ajar… or off its hinges. Either way, it’s for the best. These towers get awfully clammy otherwise.

You find Ser Daeron Stonemont inside with some of his subcommanders. Subsubcommanders. They look like they’ve seen a ghost at your presence.

“You’re alive… my lord, what word?” Ser Daeron urgently asks.

“Hmm? The Royals? They’ve escaped,” you brush it off. “Are my prisoners here? A Sergeant Hoster would’ve seen to them. Talkative fellow. You could do with looking less relieved, you know. Remember, you’re Stags now.”

By the looks of him and the rest, they’d rather do anything but remember that little detail. “Is there a problem with that?” you add, letting your fingers dance upon the pommel of your sword. Let them do it. Let them challenge you now. You know they’re on their last legs and your men are as ready as ever.

“No problem at all, my lord,” Ser Daeron hastily corrects before looking at you more critically. “… are you well?”

“Never better,” you look down at yourself in the torchlight. You do suppose the question was warranted. You must look inhuman with this amount of blood and soot upon your person. “Although, the wildfire did melt my armor. Prisoners, if you recall. And a general report would do. You do recall this was a battle, yes?” you prompt again. These garrison types…

The dragonseed banner knight straightens at the reminder. “Our bowmen are largely unharmed, but at least half of our spearmen are casualties. Ser Jace fell against a Clawman. I took command afterwards. Not that you’re not in command now, my lord,” he hurriedly adds.

“Did he? Too bad, he seemed competent. And what else? Prisoners, notables, details,” you press on, growing impatient. “Is Hoster here or not? I won’t have him squirreling away the finest--- well, is he?”
>>
>>4455944
“I do not know of a Hoster, my lord. If the prisoners are what so concern you, then I pray you turn to Stone Drum. Its great hall was better suited to triage than here. Your knights of Manderly are being treated there,” he explains.

“Ah, good. They lived, then? I knew Wylis would pull through. Strapping young lad, isn’t he? Now… where is the Queen?”

You and Trios follow Ser Daeron down a level, letting the young knight carry the torch. You won’t be the one with flame-blindness if a blade comes darting around a corner. He leads you down a spiraling staircase. And down. And down. You must be deep into the earth. The stone walls feel warm to the touch here. Odd, that. The deep earth is normally cooler. You dismiss Ser Daeron at the bottom. He will check on your prisoners.

And there she is. Queen Rhaella Targaryen lies in state upon a stone slab held aloft by the intricately carved likenesses of weeping women. She looks… peaceful. None of the sorrow you saw so plainly on her in life. She’s surrounded by roses from the gardens above and dressed in the black of her house. No jewels, though. Curious.

“You didn’t snatch her jewels, did you?” you ask the skinny, elderly man standing almost reverently nearby.

“W—I would never. The very accusation is just. It’s---” he sputters.

“Right, right. Lovely. Then what’re you doing here,” you cut off his protests.

“I was given the honor of the vigil as Her Grace’s knights took the field,” he explains.

“They may as well’ve stayed here for the good that did them. Name? Be quick about it. I’m growing exceedingly tired of asking questions.”

“Master Aerron. I am the steward of this tower,” he quickly answers at your tone.

“Then you will be opening this tower’s coffers. Do note, that one wasn’t a question,” you tell him as you walk around the resting chamber. It must be a temporary arrangement. Valyrians burn their dead. Small wonder as to why. As much as you’d like to ignore it, you can catch a hint of decay even through the cloying perfumes. You’re not sure what is more familiar, the scent of death or the perfumes themselves…

The stone-etched murals of the chambers depict battles long passed. Dragons fighting dragons. A dragon devouring a woman in a crowded square… it’s exquisite work even to your layman’s eye. The flames of the wall-mounted torches bend at your passing. You freeze.

“You know, you could’ve mentioned the coffers were already down here,” you admonish the steward. Neat trick. You’ve seen it before.
>>
>>4455946
“My lord? They’re above in the---” the steward starts, then falls silent as you fidget with the torch mounting. You hear a click. The mounting shifts down to what looked like a natural crack a hands-breadth below. You yank it sideways along the crack. The stone mural slides along with it, revealing another passage beyond. This was only the antechamber…

The larger chamber beyond looks like some sort of shrine… or perhaps another burial chamber of something greater than a man. The massive, blackened dragon skull lodged into the stone looks malevolent in the torchlight. Other large dragon bones are arranged beneath it in what you can only deem a ritualistic fashion. Bones of this sort are prized amongst the Dothraki for the bows they can make, but these bones are much too large for such a purpose. You’d be hard-pressed to lift any of them at all. There are a few basins situated around. Offerings? You’re not sure what most of the basins contained. Remains of some sort, surely, but long turned to refuse. Whoever entombed this beast at such lengths must have loved it dearly…

One basin does catch your eye. It glitters with gold. An offering of coin? Now that is your sort of offering. You scoop a hand through, your face turning to a puzzled frown. This isn’t gold. Well, not your sort of gold. This is something else entirely. You hold one up to the light. It’s gold in color, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s both lighter and stronger than the precious metal. You’ve never seen the like of it. Scales. These are the beast’s scales, perfectly preserved after all of this time. You were in the market for some new armor, and these scales are surely better than anything natural.

The steward is on his knees, tears running down his cheeks as he gawps at the sight of it all. Honestly, it’s a little much. “Did you not know of this?” you ask.

“No one did,” he shakes his head. “This. This is Sunfyre.”

You just stare at him. “And?”

And? Sunfyre the Golden was King Aegon II’s mount. Their bond was so close as to be seen in His Grace’s personal heraldry,” he waves a shaky hand at the gold and black banners flanking the chamber. “To recover such a relic… my lord, who are you?”

“Lord Aurion Shryke. Have you been living under a rock?” you respond as you fill your sack with the golden scales. “I will still be needing those coffers opened.”

>Gained Gold Dragonscales. They can be fashioned into Extraordinary Armor by your Master Armorsmith.
>>
>>4455948
The Steward Aerron unlocked the coffers on the top floor of the tower with little protest. It took some doing but you and Trios managed to get all the gold and your scales into a couple of chests. Best to keep these things compact, lest someone takes issue upon your departure.

>Gained 10 Wealth

“Find the others and tell them we’re all bedding down in the tower tonight. Best not to spread too thin around this lot. They’ve already turned cloaks once before. I’ll fetch Hoster’s cohort,” you tell Trios.

True to Ser Stonemont’s word, they’re in the Stone Drum’s hall… the very same hall where you’d first met Cerelle. It’s been turned into an abattoir. Wounded and dying men of both sides are laid out on benches or bare stone. There are simply not enough healers to go around. If you weren’t so sure it’d spark another mutiny, you’d simply call for them to be given the peace. Your own group is easy enough to spot. It seems they rated their own maester even in your absence. You would’ve preferred a little more attention, but that will have to do. Ser Wylis Manderly and a handful of his father’s knights are being treated for burns of varied severity. The heir to White Harbor himself seems to have gotten away with some blisters on his feet. Not bad at all, though he’s practically drowning himself in wine over the experience.

Your prisoners are another matter. Ser Waelon Waters is in a deep sleep from milk of the poppy. The bleeding from his shoulder appears to have been mostly staunched, and his arm bound up in a sort of sling fastened from the purple cloak the knight seemed so intent on clinging onto earlier as he lost consciousness.

“Will he live?” you ask the maester, Garmon is his name.

“So long as we keep draining the lung,” he nods. “Although his chance of fever will be high with such a deep wound.”

“That won’t be a problem until long after the rest arrive. The lady?” you motion to Lady Jeyne Goodbrook, who is laid out on her stomach, her modesty questionably intact with her bodice removed for ease of access to the wound. Lady Lyra Darry watches over with her, wringing her hands and looking as pale as her wounded friend. You have a glance around the nearby benches and tables. Sergeant Hoster and his cohort are standing guard with hands on pommels for good reason. This is a very, very poor place for a young lady under tenuous protections. Let alone two. They haven’t gone unnoticed by the garrison men lingering about the hall.
>>
>>4455951
“The arrow nicked her spine. I have seen worse, but I fear for her chances at walking. She cannot feel her legs,” Maester Garmon says.

“Will it not heal? Spines are bone last I checked, and bones heal,” you point out.

“It is not so simple a matter. There are other elements, nerves,” the maester exasperatedly explains.

“… you’re sure you are a healer, yes?”

He throws up his hands. “My lord, hope and prayer would be better healers than any mortal man against such an injury.”

Lady Darry up to him in shock, to his immediate chagrin. “The best I can do is keep her in a steady position. The more she is moved, the worse it may get,” he continues in a much quieter voice.

“All the same, you and I both know the looks these two are gathering. Can she be moved to the tower?” you ask.

“Perhaps, if your men are careful enough. There should be some smaller two-wheeled wayns by the kitchens. It would have to be a room on the bottom floor…”

“Good,” you nod to Hoster to see it done. “My ladies, we are going back to the tower.”

“I will not leave your side,” Lady Lyra assures her injured friend. The effect is ruined by her quavering voice. Lady Jeyne’s soft, placating words in return have more strength despite her infirmity.

You were considering questioning them further on all of this. Although you’re not sure what exactly they could tell you, the fact remains that they are the only members of the Royal Entourage in your possession capable of forming complete sentences.

>Speak with them both together.
>Speak with uninjured Lady Lyra Darry. She is the less calm and collected one.
>Speak with the injured Lady Jeyne Goodbrook. Despite her situation, she seems to be the more coherent of the two.
>Speak with them back to back. With everyone’s mounting exhaustion, you’re less likely to make real headway.
>Leave them in peace and catch some rest.

I'm going to be busy tonight, but I will be doing a full run tomorrow.
>>
>>4455953
>>Speak with them both together.
>>
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>>4455953
>>Speak with them both together.
We Ghidorah now.
>>
>>4455953
Damn, that's a meaty update. Holy shit, golden dragonscale armor, we're going to be walking around like a video game character now. So glad we succeeded on that check. Such a shame Blackberry died.

>Speak with them both together
There are far more immediate problems for them being in this hall right now than her not being able to walk. Look around. Our men are tired and going to turn in for the night, who's going to protect you then? We'll do all we can to carry her gently.
>>
>>4455948
>dragonscale armor
bruh we are gonna be balling. So glad we looted and spent that glory. We should gift the skull to the King, it'll be a good symbol for the destruction of the targ dynasty

>>4455953
>>Speak with them both together.
>>
>>4456010
Eh.. Bobby B isn't fond of skulls, there are plenty in the Red Keep mounted in the throne room, including Balerion's, but he moved them all into a dusty basement.
>>
>>4455953
>Speak with them both together.
>Despite her situation, she seems to be the more coherent of the two.
She may not have long, but will be strengthened by her friend's company.
>>
>>4456017
true, we could just keep it at Stormgrave or leave it here

Could dragonbone be used as armor plating for a turtle ship?
>>
>>4455953
>>Speak with them both together.
Real happy we spent the glory there.
>>
>>4455953
>Speak with them both together.
>>
>>4455953
>>Speak with them both together.

People on all sides and continents will want to murder us for that armor. Some to steal it, some for revenge, some for the sheer audacity of looting THE dragon tomb and then strutting around as if we had the right.

It'll be glorious
>>
>>4456038
Nah, I’d rather see about making a crossbow/regular bow out of it or using it to make a new handle for our V-Steel Sword
Man, we’re 100% going to get some weird ass looks for all the shit we’ll be carrying
>>
>>4456160
>Nah, I’d rather see about making a crossbow/regular bow out of it
And who's going to wield it? Ser Byron? That's a mighty big gift for him.

What good is a dragonbone hilt on an already light sword?

This looks like hoarding for the sake of hoarding. Just leave that shit for Stannis to stare at and brood.
>>
>>4456164
>What’s the purpose of a dragonbone hilt
Idk, an extra intimidation dice?, an extra inch on our dick? I kinda don’t give a fuck, we’ve got Dragonbone to spar and unless we want to make Dragonbone Plate Armour we’ve basically got next to no uses for it
>>
As it was stated, the dragonbone is much too large to carry. I mentioned it as backdrop for the scales. And your sword already has a dragonbone hilt.
>>
>>4456175

Since we have enough for a suit of armor, could we spare a few scales as personal gifts to high ranking members of the Faith?

Maybe make a couple into small jewelry, one for Cerelle and Estermont to gift to his wife. Once in a lifetime gift opportunity here.
>>
>>4456221
I could get behind that, personally, I’d be up for looking for a Talon to make into a knife seeing as we don’t have enough space to grab anything big
>>
>>4456221
>>4456228
Sure, I can work with that.
>>
>>4456228

I have a feeling a talon might be more the size of Havel's club, but certainly a piece of one would make a dope knife. Good idea
>>
>>4456284
Got a mental image of Havel in ASOIAF smashing knights into the ground. Thank you for that idea.
>>
>>4455953
>Speak with them both together.
I know we're probably coming off of an adrenaline crash, and everyone's exhausted so our charm is probably not at top performance.
Has the maester even told them that Jeyne is gonna be paralyzed? Like, if we can address the current issues of whatever immediate intel they have on where that boat, and get them to lie down somewhere.

Also all these people talking about crafting stuff from the dragonbones and scales and things reminds me of skyrim with storing tons of dragon remains in your house to level smithing later.
>>
>>4456358
>Havel hitting knights so hard that they’re nailed into the ground
Kek
>>4456369
If you don’t have an enchanted dragon bone armour/weapon set, are you really playing?
>>
>>4456175
Also, btw, are we closing this up and swearing this dude into secrecy about this? I’d like to make this part of our kid’s inheritance or at least keep it out of stag hands
>>
>>4456459
We're gonna be strutting around in dragonscale armor, no way this stays a secret

Anyway, how would we get it out for him? We'd need a team of horses just to move the bones, not like you can do that secretly. Stannis is gonna be coming in a couple days, best we could do is take some wing bones and talons to make into gifts
>>
>>4456459
Good point, I should address that in story. Short answer, you have nothing to worry about on that front.

This was a clear enough vote, so I'll close it now. Perhaps a better question would be how you want to handle them.

>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
>They're traitors now. Make them understand how badly this can go for them if they don't completely cooperate. (Intimidate)
>>
>>4456464
>>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
>>
>>4456464
>>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>>
>>4456464
>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)

I think it plays in better with the conspiring with selena darry/wendwater.
>>
>>4456464
Where's the 'Seduce Lady Goodbrook' option, you hack fraud? Are you an ableist or something?!

Jk, I agree with anon that the Selena Darry angle works.
>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>>
>>4456464
>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
>>
>>4456464
>>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
the old standby. Hopefully we washed some of the blood and ash from our face for this
>>
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>>4456482
you madman
>>
>>4456482
I was fully prepared to pour myself a stiff drink and throw that up there had the vote been to speak with just her.
>>
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>>4456507
Based
I didn't understand how we could talk to any of them alone, though, from what I got, we're basically in an open army medic facility, all the other soldiers are looking on, our own soldiers are looking on, how were we supposed to get them alone? and dirty
>>
>>4456512
For Goodbrook, waiting until she was situated in a tower room. For Darry, pulling her off to the side or back at the tower again. I guess that could've been framed better for the vote. Basically, I'll come up with a way to make it sensible if it's greentexted.
>>
>>4456464
>>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
>>
>>4456463
We close up the room, make some kind of insane series of clues leading our descendants to the room and then eventually they seduce someone who works/lives in the castle to let them in and take out pieces of bone one by one like that guy who stole an entire Cadillac over 50 years yeah, or not
>>4456464
>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
Man, we’re going to be the greatest bastard this side of Yi Ti
>Inb4 Daenarys does her whole “Invade Westeros with an army of Unsullied” thing
>we manage to convince her we’re just a mercenary
>We end up a major Lord in the Court of the Mother Of Dragons
>>
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>>4456560
>and then eventually they seduce someone who works/lives in the castle to let them in and take out pieces of bone one by one like that guy who stole an entire Cadillac over 50 years
Cerion marrying Shireen Baratheon and becoming King-Consort after Stannis when?!
>>
>>4456575
That was actually my first thought but I went “Nah, too wacky” but here’s the opposite direction
>Inb4 shireen ends up basically being the female version of her father
>Gets a crush on the handsomest Rogue in the Seven Kingdoms (Third handsomest Rogue if you include Essos and the rest of the Free Kingdoms) Cerion Shryke
>Cerion is completely oblivious, is too focused on his Model Castles and his Wargaming habit
>Cerion finds the first clue of a treasure left to him by his Father (The former Handsomest Rogue in the Seven Kingdoms [Former Second Handsomest if you include Essos/the free Kingdoms] now Handsomest Lord in the Seven Kingdoms [fourth Handsomest Lord if you include Essos/The Free Kingdoms])
>>in High Valyrian “Where I Made The Mad Queen Moan, Shall thee find Dragon Bone” and so on and so forth each with a greater amount of Innuendo and Clues within it
>Cerion goes to Dragonstone after following the clues in his own castle
>Ends up searching for the treasure with Shireen
>Standard Romcom shenanigans ensue
>Cerion ends up a priest of the Red God
>Melisandre is just as confused as Cerion about how this happened
>Shireen gets dosed with some kind of Valyrian Aphrodisiac and chases Cerion around the castle
>Cerion thinks they’re just playing a game of tag, he’s the best at tag (1st at tag in the Seven Kingdoms, still first in Essos/The Free Kingdoms)
>They never even find the Dragonbone
>They kind a completely different stash of Valyrian Steel and Dragon bones
>>
No way. Cerion needs a proper valyrian.
>>
>>4456972
Aurane Waters :^)
>>
>>4456980
That's not how babies are made anon
>>
>>4456464
Tied vote.
>>
>>4456464
>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
How much money does your daddy have?
>>
>>4456464
>Lay out the facts. They need you and you're not convinced you need them. It's in their best interest to demonstrate their worth. (Convince)
>>
>>4456464
>>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>>
>>4456464
>>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>>
>>4456464
>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>>
>>4457055
idk if it's just me being greedy here. But I only voted charm because I don't see a time crunch here. Why wouldn't we charm, and then use that as a first step to then convince after we have made them like us more?
lowering the dc's and getting them on our side, before making the logical argument. Albeit with a touch less apathy for their plight, if we charm first.

If we absolutely had no more time I would go with just convince. But I can't see why we can't follow up.
>>
>Empathize with their situation as best as you can. You're on their side in all of this. (Charm)
>>
>>4457192
One looks like trying to make them think they're friends and the other looks like keeping it a business transaction.
>>
>>4457192
Because setting a "we're in this together tone" weakens an argument of "you need to make this worth my while."

You're free to change tacts if an argument falls through, but you will be doing so at a disadvantage.
>>
>>4456464

>Convince

sorry phone post didnt feel like scrolling to copy paste
>>
>>4457272
>>4457221
mhm.
Yeah I think it'd kind of shity to go from charming to business.
Boggs im myself not clear on the loyalties of these woman's families. Are they loyalist, or like cerelle captured in a sense/ their families are now sworn to our newly found king.

Or more importantly does Aurion know the loyalties of the families of these woman? If charming them means we have to pull another celtigar move where we don't get a ransom in lieu favorability.

I want money for every individual who surrendered/conquered to us if possible.
I would appreciate it if anyone else could clear it up other than boggs to not waste his time.
I am just worried we charm these girls. And lose out on a ransom, cause they are our "allies" family members and it would be looked down upon. Considering the hero look Cerelle wants us to play. Selling our "allies" their families back.
>>
>>4457488
We specifically promised Selena Darry that we'd rescue Lyra mate, I don't think we're getting a ransom here. The other woman is also a sort of hostage I think, who was being kept here against her will. Waleon Waters will be presented to Stannis and most likely executed. The other captives are low level grunts just following orders, so I think they'll be let free with some oaths. All in all, no ransom potential. But we just got 10 wealth and the dragonscale armor, man. Don't get greedy.
>>
>>4457488
They're both from Targaryen loyalist houses, but that description doesn't really do the situation justice. We'll get to it shortly. Until then...

>Can I get 3 rolls of 8d6 for Charm and 3 rolls of 4d6 for Awareness (Empathy)?
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 1, 3, 5, 1, 5, 1 = 19 (8d6)

>>4457805
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 2, 4 = 10 (4d6)

Btw Boggs I was going through the drive and looked at the Ships document, and I have to say, amazing work! It will also help future QMs, I know I wanted to start a 'pirate in the Stepstones' quest but put it off because there's only one type of naval unit in the rulebook and I didn't know how to create my own. So thank you for the effort, again.
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 1, 3, 1, 2, 3, 2 = 16 (8d6)

>>4457805
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 3, 6, 1, 4, 1, 2 = 20 (8d6)

>>4457805
>>
>>4457822
Glad you like it. I'm looking forward to using it all more in the future. I had a good amount of help from The Father as well. He's been doing some amazing work behind the scenes lately.
>>
>>4457817
>>4457838
>>4457847
Huh. I think this may be the first time a Charm roll really didn't fully cut it. Interesting.
>>
>>4457866
I blame the ash and blood mud covering our abs
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 3, 4 = 17 (4d6)

>>4457805
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 5, 5 = 21 (4d6)

>>4457805
>>
>>4457894
Aurion is a good listener
>>
>>4457822
>>4457880
>>4457894
Hah. Tossing the 21 into it makes this part practically write itself. Nice.
>>
>>4457847
>>4457894
better role on awareness than charm
>>
>>4457894
>>4457847
>4d6 roll bigger than 8d6 roll
Dice gods are fucking with us.
>>
>>4457934
>>4457905
>>4457902
I'm just THAT good
>>
The first cohort fetches a wayn from outside the kitchens for Lady Goodbrook. It takes some doing, and a great deal of maesterly chiding, but you’re able to move her into a snug enough position to wheel her back to the tower. You take your leave for the master suite on the second level while the maester settles in the Riverlands Ladies below. It would be best not to look the part of a demon out of the Seventh Hell for the sort of chat you’re envisioning. If the gods are good, and they are to you, then Lady Lyra might’ve received a letter or two from her thirsty aunt. Who knew a night of debauchery could have so many lovely ripple effects down the line?

“Might as well have more water drawn now. And some clothes would be welcomed. Can’t say I got around to packing my finer wares for this little expedition,” you tell the tower steward, Aerron.

“My lord,” he bows. He’s been more obedient since your discovery below.

“Oh, and Aerron? I’d assume it goes without saying that we were never… there, as it were,” you tell him.

“Where, my lord?” he smartly answers. You give him a lingering look all the same. “I am a historian first and foremost, my lord. I cannot think of a more disgraceful act then to allow certain histories to fall into the hands of the family of up jumped bastards responsible for the end of the greatest house these kingdoms have ever known. Such histories belong in the hands of true Valyrians, not pretenders. By your leave, my lord.”

You nod in dismissal, though that bastard comment was puzzling. You’d think he was speaking of you, you could easily be construed as such, but he doesn’t have the stones for that. Curious. You go back to washing only to frown at your reflection. Your hair is in desperate need of a trimming. It’s unsalvageable at this length with the singing it took. Can’t be helped. At least Cerelle will be pleased…
>>
>>4458107
You enter the ladies’ quarters a while later. It’s certainly far too late for a normal social call, but circumstances are what they are. The maester looks all too relieved to take his leave of them. Goodbrook and Darry both look like they’ve shed a tear or two, Darry more so. Not surprising given the fire you saw in her aunt. They do still look surprised to see you, not that you can blame them. You look far less bestial in your well-tailored black silk undershirt and matching trousers with your gem studded belt and freshly scrubbed boots to complete the look. And neatly trimmed hair. Feels awkward, but you can’t fault the look of it. Far less awkward than the servant must’ve felt when you made a jest about him assassinating you with the clippers that caused him to drop his instruments in fear.

“My ladies, I’m sure you would both agree we have much to discuss. Wine?” you offer in greeting. You’ve already had a cup to steady your hands. They do shake overmuch after nights like these. You’re not looking forward to shutting your eyes and reliving choice parts.

They take the proffered cups with undue caution, eying you warily. It seems you’re expected to do the discussing for now. “I’d assume you at least know who I am by now. Lord Aurion Shryke, at your service,” you smile. They don’t.

“We know who you are, my lord. And we know what you have done,” Lady Lyra Darry contemptuously responds.

“If you don’t mind enlightening me? The stories do seem to change with each telling,” you say.

“Turning your cloak on the cause? Abducting Lady Constance with that traitor lioness? All of this?” Lady Lyra gestures around.

You can’t help the chuckle. “You really do remind me of your lady aunt,” you tell her.

“My… Lady Selena? You?” the Lady of Darry regards you in a new light.

“So, she did write you? Good, good. Lady Constance is quite comfortable in her brother’s manse. I count their family amongst my friends. I believe the ‘lioness’ is a badger… with perhaps a few drops of lion’s blood. She does detest my badger jests. I think they’re rather clever, but I wouldn’t dare call her taste into question what with her deigning to wed me and all of that. Aye, truly. As for my cloak… well, it burst into flames, so it’s hard to speak towards how turned it may or may not be. Suffice to say, these are awfully complicated times. Wouldn’t you agree, my lady?” your cocksure grin gets the better of her this time as she regards you in a new light. Green eyes, definitely green, and hope plainly writ upon her face.
>>
>>4458111
Lady Jeyne Goodbrook finally cuts in. You’d half-written her off as one of the quieter types, but it seems she might’ve just been avoiding getting so sucked into it all. Aloof. She takes Lady Lyra’s hand in her own. “This man is famous for his charms, Lyra. Look to his actions. This castle fell because of him,” she councils her… friend.

“My lady aunt whom I trust most wrote to me of a lord coming. She gave no name, but she said I would know when the time came and to follow him without question. We spoke of this, I know you remember,” Lady Lyra gently reminders her. “How could he know of this if it wasn’t him?”

You watch their quiet debate with bemusement, pouring yourself a fresh cup. It’s not every day you find yourself alone in a room with two women, turn up the charm, and have them both all but ignore you as they sit together… well, one of them is prone… hand in hand. Not every day… not ever. Is this what’s had them so joined at the hip through all of this? They’ve joined at the hips before? Not that you mind in the slightest. You’ve been to a feast or three out east with such a spectacle on display for the table’s entertainment. It really does liven the air.

“In Lady Goodbrook’s defense, I’d say I know a great deal of things I really shouldn’t know, my little lovebirds,” you smirk. They quickly retrieve their hands to their respective laps. You nearly snort your wine. “It does explain all of the clinginess.”

“I am not sure what you are talking about, my lord,” Lady Jeyne cautiously ventures.

Charm is out, but you’re still in a decent place with the awareness success. How do you want to handle this?

>If they’re so attached, maybe you can convince them you’re their best hope of getting whatever it is they want.
>Threaten to separate them and make this as difficult as possible, etc.
>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
>Something else.
>>
>>4458113
>>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
>>
>>4458113
>>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
it's been a long day
>>
>>4458113
>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
Perhaps we could leave them with a parting remark along the lines of how there’s a good chance we’re a better person to bargain with than Stannis
>>
>>4458113
So Goodbrook is lesbian and Darry is bisexual? Also I don't get what we're aiming for here, we already caught them, we just have to turn them over to Stannis, what are we negotiating for here? Can they even give anything to us? Also I don't understand the first choice, is it offering to help them stay together as lovers even after this? Sorry if I'm being a bit thickheaded.
>>
>>4458139
>So Goodbrook is lesbian and Darry is bisexual?
Backwards, actually. Not that it matters much. And yes I've had them set up this way since thread 1.
>Also I don't get what we're aiming for here, we already caught them, we just have to turn them over to Stannis, what are we negotiating for here? Can they even give anything to us?
Can they? I don't feed everything to you guys. There is room for creativity here. I can think of a few things.
>Also I don't understand the first choice, is it offering to help them stay together as lovers even after this?
I was thinking of it as a little more open-ended since it may be difficult to realize that goal. There are expectations of them after this regardless of whatever they may want.
>>
>>4458113
>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
Just walk out with something about talking more tomorrow and then trail off "I do hope I can keep my promise..."
>>
>>4458153
Blackmail possibly, what’s their family situation like?
>>
>>4458153
Thanks for answering. Is Jeyne closer in relation to the Lord Goodbrook than Garse Goodbrook? Because there's a wiki entry for a Jeyne Goodbrook, daughter of Garse Goodbrook, but she's born in 293 AC.

>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
I'll agree with the other anon's suggestion of impressing upon them that we're willing to allow far more concessions *wink wink* than Stannis. But as soon as Stannis is here, we're releasing them into his custody if there's no deal. Throw the ball in their court if they want to negotiate or not. I can't think of what they can offer us, maybe they'll come up with something themselves.
>>
>>4458176
Just a little background tidbit that Aurion would know:

This doesn't come with nearly the stigma that it would with two men. It could cause some minor embarrassment if it were flaunted enough, but a septon would most likely chalk it up to the wantonness of womenfolk rather than call it an abomination against the Seven.
>>
>>4458189
I feel like you’re trying to hint at something big but I’m far too much of a brainlet to get it
>>
>>4458228
Boggs is trying to set us up for a threesome with both Lyra and Jeyne, then mid-coitus we'll have to take a heroic level (DC 21) Agility check to avoid breaking Jeyne's spine. We'll thus be known as The Backbreaker.
>>
>>4458252
Kek
>Inb4 we find out the dust in the Dragon chamber was actually disintegrated Dragon Bone and therefore a potent Aphrodisiac
>>
>>4458252
>>4458265
We can now proudly tell King Robert that "You're not the only one who broke a dragon's spine". (stretching the term to include women loyal to the dragon)
>>
>>4458113
>>Do nothing. Let them stew and come to their own conclusions. Bid them a good evening and get some sleep.
Only thing I can think of is info on her cousin/brother who helped the targ children escape. That's OOC knowledge though, so maybe they can give us something else
>>
>>4458271
>Telling King “Kill every Targ tonight” Baratheon you fucked one of them
>>
>>4458303
>"I'm known for my creative methods of killing, I'm sure the King will appreciate it."
>>
“Just so. I’ll leave you two to discuss whatever I may or may not know or whoever I may or may not be. Some parting advice? From the impression I gained when last we crossed paths, I’d say I’m a great deal more sympathetic conversationalist than Lord Stannis Baratheon. As it stands, you’ve given me no reason not to wash my hands of all of this and let him sort out the rest. Food for thought,” you tell them as you depart.

Sleep embraces you nearly the moment you hit the bedding, but sleep is a fickle lover. You wake in starts throughout the night and well into the morning until you give up and find the tower’s solar to break your fast on toasted bread and a spread of varied jams. Wonderful view from these solars. You had all of the windows opened to let the sea breeze in. The skies are fairly clear. You will have company sooner rather than later… even with that Baratheon boy’s tepid approach to war. Only a complete fool wouldn’t seize the opportunity now, and your image of the gaunt young lordling presiding in judgement over Lady Bar Emmon wasn’t one of a fool. He was one of the few that didn’t bite on your rabblerousing.

“My lord, we were unable to find any of this… rum in the cellars,” your server apologetically interrupts.

“This is one of the largest bloody castles ever made and it has no rum? How? Did my men get there first?

“Unlikely, my lord as we still have this to present you. The finest Arbor Gold, Two Fifty Seven After Conquest. A good year if it pleases my lord,” the server, some minor nobleman by his mannerisms, says with a degree of smugness.

“I’d say the year pleased my father well enough as you’re now dealing with me. Go on then,” you wave for him to open the cask.

You sip at it. Indeed, this is wine. How insightful. You drain half the cup and top it off with chilled orange juice. Much better. The server looks fit to choke on his own tongue. How bothersome. You shoo him away.
>>
>>4458107
As a side note, if we do end up elevating Vaeron as a banner house we should try to find some way to get Aerron to be our new steward. I bet he knows all sorts of shit about the royal family. We could get a lot of use out of him.
>>
>>4458325
“You’re not my new handmaiden, are you? Come sit,” you wave over Lady Darry, who was left standing in the doorway in the wake of the scurrying server.

She sits with all the grace and poise you’d expect of one of her breeding. “This wine was supposed to impress me, so it should impress you. Drink,” you tell her.

“I come to you with a deal of sort, my lord. A deal that will benefit all of us. Jeyne, Lady Jeyne is going to need certain assurances. Guarantees as to her future. We both will,” Lady Lyra says, remaining as businesslike as she can.

“Oh? Go on,” you lean back in your chair and gently slosh your second mimosa.

“We have discussed the matter at length, and it seems clear that there is more to you than meets the eye. My lady aunt is shrewd, and I greatly respect her judgement on these matters. Further, her guarantees toward my safety put me even further in her debt than I already was… but I cannot reconcile my lord’s actions here with whatever dealings you have made with her. Neither can Lady Goodbrook, whose opinion I also greatly respect,” Lady Lyra practically recites.

You can’t help laughing at it all, even after her ladylike posture sags in the face of your amusement. “Is this how Lady Selena is with all of her house’s merchant dealings? You’re the very image of her, you know. One last round of free advice before it begins to cost you, my lady: don’t start off haggling by telling me you need me.”

She looks mortified. “That is not what I---”

“Fine, fine. On with it. You have until this cask is emptied,” you allow her.

“Whatever your allegiances are, you have made a mistake. His Grace escaped. If you are loyal and true, then you should have held back so as not to arouse too much suspicion. If you are just another traitor, then you are the traitor who lost the King. You will be blamed for this escape,” Lady Lyra tells you.

“Or I tell them the Royals were already escaping and it’s the fault of those little girls tarrying over some weather that I had to see this through with a single ship.”

“But my lord… that simply is not true,” Lady Lyra smugly leans on the palm of her hand with her elbows upon the table.

“Sure it is. Whose to say it isn’t?”
>>
>>4458330
Yeah we should definitely snatch him up. He'll probably prefer to serve under a Lord with Valyrian heritage than a Lord Paramount who killed that heritage.
>>
>>4458335
“Lady Jeyne and I are now the two most senior members of the Royal Entourage present upon this island. We both concur that that King Viserys and Princess Daenerys were perfectly content with waiting out the storm here. It appears, my lord, that our stories are not matching up. What a shame.”

“Is your story even true?”

“Does it matter?”

“What are your terms?”

“Lady Jeyne’s brother is the new Lord Goodbrook. They are… very much estranged. Her lord father was killed for his loyalty, and Lord Tully brought down fire and sword upon their lands. Lady Jeyne is unlikely to walk or even bear children. Her brother will not lift a finger for her ransom, or anything else for that matter. I am provided for by… someone. Either my brother Raymun, who is now head of our household, or my Aunt Selena if she is able to convince her lord husband. Neither will lodge Lady Jeyne. I have already asked, and that was before her injury. Now I turn to you, my lord. You are at least partly to blame for all of this. I blame you even if she does not. She needs your protection and patronage. If she has it, then the story we tell will sound far more… heroic.”

“Your lady aunt seemed to think you were not provided for either,” you tell her.

“That is not important. Someone will reward you in some way for my sake. Lady Jeyne is who is important here,” she responds with some of that familiar heat.

“I may just hold you to that… what do you expect her to do in my household if she can’t walk?”

“Live,” she nearly throws her hands up. “She likes libraries. She could help tutor your daughters if you have any---”

“I don’t.” You cut her off before she can argue the point any further. So, a lady raised to be a highborn wife who can no longer perform her most essential duty. A burden, in short. But her situation is possibly, slightly, a product of your actions, and the value of their words in favor of your timeliness might be undersold if anything.

Will you take Lady Jeyne Goodbrook into your household?

>Deal.
>No deal. You’ll take your chances with your word over theirs.
>Deal. (Deception)
>Something else, something to add?

That’s it for tonight. Stannis tomorrow. Thanks for playing!
>>
>>4458340
>>Deal.
I'm sure she has uses.
>>
>>4458340
>Deal.

Easily worth the word in our favor. Surprised she can't have kids.
>>
>>4458360
She could in the modern era. It's more a matter of her almost certain death in childbirth if she manages to carry all the way to term. She can't deliver naturally.
>>
>>4458340
She's too smug for her own good and the position she's in, I don't like her. And she has a mysterious benefactor. Just to clarify, what will they say if we take the deal?
>>
>>4458371
That the Targaryens were already fleeing by the time you arrived rather than fleeing because you arrived.
>>
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>>4458340
Hmm
>Deal
It’d be nice to know where her stats lay, but otherwise we could get to her help teaching our son the less rogueish arts or running of our household
It’s going to be... fun explaining why we’ve come back with a woman to our wife
> Inb4 “Darling, if I wanted to cheat on you I’d steal everything not nailed down and sail to Lys...was that not the right thing to say?”
>>
>>4458414
>Shilling in a quest thread
>>
>>4458340
>>4458374
>Deal
>Something else
>Bargain for more
Taking on an invalid lady who has no use for us for her entire lifetime is a pretty big commitment. She's a noble and will have expectations of her accomodations that standard which we'll have to satisfy for her entire life. That and our wife is a jealous one, she may resent us for bringing an unmarried lady home, fertile or not. And I'm sure she'd like to visit her some times as well. Also, our position with Robert is not as unstable as she thinks, he already showed us great favour and made us a Lord, there's no reason why he'll believe them over us when we've been so loyal and proactive for him.

So she'll have to cough up a bit more than her one-time word in our favor. Maybe her benefactor will owe us a favor, maybe he will have to loosen his pursestrings a bit more. Whatever, bargain her to give up more, I don't like letting her get away so easily.
>>
>>4458340
>>Deal.
Their word will ensure we don't get blamed for the escape, having to deal with a crippled noble is worth the favor we'll receive because of them

What kind of lifespan would a paralyzed person have in the middle ages, considering we don't have a maester?
>>
>>4458421
I know, my life is sad
I just wanted to play it, so I posted here since it may interest some, but my apologies for the spam
>>
>>4458426
I'm completely lost. When did Cerelle become the jealous type and why is a cripple a threat to her? And who is this benefactor other than her family members that we know about?

Also I think you're overstating our favor with a king that barely knows our name. That and Stannis has no reason to believe us and every reason to blame us for this. I would listen to a brother over an upjumped minor lord.
>>
>>4458427
Theoretically they could live a life as long as any other, Bran is supposed to live a fair while iirc
>>
>>4458435
All your points are valid and we know this, but she does not. As for the benefactor I'm going by this line:
>That is not important. Someone will reward you in some way for my sake.
And
>I am provided for by… someone. Either my brother Raymun, who is now head of our household, or my Aunt Selena if she is able to convince her lord husband.
Either there is no one and she's bluffing, or there is someone. Whatever, maybe I got worked up over nothing, it's not that important.
>>
>>4458437
That's with a broken spine instead of a cut one though, and as the son of a lord paramount. Even something as simple as not moving often can kill someone through an embolism, I can't imagine someone paralyzed from the waist down would have the same life expectancy as a healthy person
>>
>>4458443
I’d think that a broken spine would be even worse, but it’s not like I’m a doctor or anything. Maybe she’ll die tomorrow then
>>
>>4458366
I was just looking at library holdings at for a lordly library we need a full castle, not just a small one. We're almost there with the glory role. Are there other ways we could raise our defence so we could upgrade the castle?
>>
>>4458456
Buy more boats? Get more men? Perhaps our Dragonscale armour will give us a boost in our Defence
>>
>>4458426
I think it's Stannis that we have to convince here.
>>
>>4458456
there's always house fortunes, we're due for one after returning to the island
>>
>>4458456
Select Defense to increase in House Fortunes rolls, obviously, all in-game methods are unique and one-offs, not standard ways to raise a resource.
>>
>>4458340
>>Deal.
>>
>>4458456
House fortunes are every 2 months. You will have 2 to do when you get home. You can also convert Land to Defense. There is also your very low Population to consider. You'll need 10 more spare Land and a Population of 21 for a Small Town.

Oh, and you can always grab the Large Library first, which requires a Small Castle.
>>
>>4458477
Would there be any difference/addition in cost to buy it now and upgrade it later?
>>
>>4458340
>>Deal
Makes a good point. May even save our relationship with Lord Stannis if we play this right.
>>
>>4458480
No, I'll subtract the cost of the lower tier holding from it either way. Same thing I do with upgrading the town. It costs 10 land instead of 20 since it's already a hamlet.
>>
>>4458491
Cool, thanks Boggs. One more thing, can you give any answer now about Aerron coming with us or will that come up later in the thread? I asked higher up but it got stuck in between your posts so I wasn't sure if you saw it.
>>
So seems like we have 5 wealth + the 10 we just earned. So 15 in total.
With two fortune Rolls once we've arrived back.
barring anything huge happening like Stannis being a dick or something.
I am thinking we gain the mill or smelter. Each is 5 wealth each. Smelter 1d6 and Mill also 1d6.
Smelter provides better quality iron. While also providing a +1 to population.
Mill will provide 5 foods, while adding 1 wealth. That once completed would bump us into the 4 wealth range giving us a 1d6 instead of the current 1d3.
Gain a fishery, best long term improvement. I believe it also fits with Aurion's style of life choice. Costs 5 wealth.

And lastly 1 Green house.
only adds Resource Loss Mitigation: +1 Population. But it would help us gain another rank in alcohol, making our shit higher quality and demand more money for our product.
Costs 1 land and 3 wealth. we could spend the remaining wealth here, and but left over with 2 wealth.
Or we could spend the 4 glory to buy this. And purchase both the mill and smelter along with the fishery. HUGE expansion happening.
Just thought I would point this out. Power also converts to population I believe at 1:1 So that isn't a bad idea guys, if we do roll for something other than wealth. And we gain a +3 to power.
>>
>>4458538
>Gain a fishery, best long term improvement. I believe it also fits with Aurion's style of life choice. Costs 5 wealth.

Can't, its an estate wealth holding, which requires another Lands domain without one already attached which we don't have.
>>
>>4458541
idk why I forgot we had the mines attached.
I remember that being up for debate. But I utterly forgot the mine was already there, and that the hamlet and the mine shared the domain.
You are right. I have always thought a solar, is pretty classy. Not much of a good gain mechanically, but based on who we want to "represent ourselves" as I think it would be a wise investment. But again terrible if you're just looking at mechanicals it does basically nothing for us. But I would vote for it.

But we could also just say fuck it. and double down on going full power mode. Gain a weaponsmith. +1 power and add the smelter. That is the full 15 wealth gone.
And we could exchange 3 glory for wealth if HF rolls require us to. and get the greenhouse too. long investment. But also long term benefits. If I am reading it correctly and we would indeed have 15 wealth with the new 10 wealth.
>>
>>4458330
>>4458338
>>4458509
I had the exact same thoughts upon reading about Aerron's interactions with Aurion. He seems knowledgeable and competent AND left on the wrong side of the war. We do have a steward's post open, don't we?
>>
>>4458647
Do we? I thought Janesa was our steward. Maybe he can be a backup in case Janesa decides to leave after all, or we change our mind and decide to make Vaeron a vassal. We still have to clear that situation up, because Janesa and Vaeron are at odds regarding his elevation. Anyhow, Aerron can take off her workload and be a backup.
>>
>>4458654
For some reason I assumed that she is leaving to attend to her family business, my bad.
>>
>>4458663
She threatened to do that if we didn't do enough for Vaeron, that's why we promised our first child to her. She still might leave if she and Vaeron have a falling out, as it seems likely.
>>
What's Vaeron's reaction to this adventure going to be like?
>>
>>4458509
You can recruit him if you want. I'll put a vote for it before you leave.

>>4458553
The mine was in its own domain when we first started, but I combined the holdings with the town domain months ago. Keeping them separate was too unrealistic for an island of this size and went against the spirit of what Dragonstone islands are supposed to be. Not that it matters too much; you didn't lose anything. On the bright side, you're still fine with the rum quality. You won't need a greenhouse or herb fields or any of that for quality, but they will give slight multipliers on the amount produced. You still need an artisan craftsman for Extraordinary, though. I'm excited to get into all of that when we get back. Great timing too since I think the trade rules are mostly ready. You can thank The Father from Malroy for that. I had some input, but it was mostly his work.
>>
>>4458340
>Deal.
About landing Vaeron. He doesn't want it and his son can't be landed because he's not a knight. What we could do is land Vaeron but only in name. In practice his wife or steward would manage it and he could stay with us and adventure. We've got no one else we could land so it's a good compromise. We get a bannerman, Janesa is happy and Vaeron doesn't have to bother with ruling.
>>
>>4455948
Wait a fucking second
>Sunfyre the Golden
>Aurion is derived from Aurelius meaning Golden one
>The Scales are probably gold
>Inb4 we’re a reincarnation of Sunfyre
>>
>>4458779
Got it, thought I was going crazy thinking we had a third domain. Alright, that sucks but happy to be better informed now.
Knowing that, I was willing before to be fine with a hamlet, but we should definitely make a move to small town in the future.
Smelter + mill is something nice to bang out of the way.
Green house, expanding library, gaining either a vinter or a weaponsmith. Is on my list. Anything you guys have in mind?

>>4458509
I'd also wanted to check with you guys..WHY?
The whole point of marrying Cerelle was we like her and she is smart enough to keep track of our lands. And when she isn't available as she is now far away from our lands, Janesa takes over. We can only have so many personages.
We have "4" personages, but really 5 with Janesa. Meaning we only have 3 more slots available I believe. we would have 2 stewards if I am not mistaking who this guy is. And we have an EXCEPTIONAL healer.
Idk how the cripple is going to play into things but she may count as a scholar or a research archivist, which may take a slot. leaving us 2 why would we triple up on a position that gains us nothing...
I would personally rather he slip and have an accident if all we care about is him not letting it slip.
>>
>>4458854
>implying Aurion isn't descended from Aegon II
>>
>>4458881
I'm in agreement. Absolutely no reason to take this dude on. And I have a strong, STRONG feeling Janessa will take it as a slight if we do bring him back and play it off as a "back up". Jan is one of the best holdings in the game and already on the path of considering going back home. I'm not about to give her more reason to do so with some whelp of a man yall liked after an appearance in all of two updates.
>>
>>4458854
It's funny how that lined up. Sunfyre was the only dragon I came across that definitely would've received a proper burial upon the island. And yes, gold scales.

>>4458881
I could be off, but I think you've mentioned purchasing dogs for units before? Someone did. Personal Kennels will allow you to store them, and Stables will allow the storage of Superior Warhorses. You'd need to purchase the upgrades separately for each unit as usual, but that's the base requirement to do so. Both are among the holdings in competition for that last lifestyle holding for the castle.

Despite his current title, Aerron fits the scholar holding better than the steward holding. He's more of a curator/historian. I'm kicking around a couple of other ideas for Lady Goodbrook, but none of them involve personage slots.
>>
>>4458881
I prefer myrish crossbows over the weaponsmith. Don't want our armorsmith to have competition on the iron either. Nice to know on the dogs. I'd like to grab them and go full conquistador. They can eat anyone that tries to fuck with the myrish crossbows. Too bad we invested so much power in a pointless cavalry unit that can't use them.
>>
>>4458903
>Aerron fits the scholar holding better than the steward holding. He's more of a curator/historian. I'm kicking around a couple of other ideas for Lady Goodbrook, but none of them involve personage slots.
All of the shitting on the man for encroaching on 'their' personage slots that in 'their' headcannon must be entirely occupied by a throng of weaponsmiths and glassblowers.

Well, I had different ideas. I'd like Aurion to explore his origins. Despite being a lowborn nobody, he still does have valyrian blood. Aerron can entice him and help establish this connection.
>>
>>4458903
Can the dogs be used aboard ships? We would still need the Dog Kennel estate holding to get the discount, right?
>>
>>4458925
They can be, yes. You would need the estate holding for any sort of discounts and to sell dogs yourselves, but the kennels allow you to maintain dogs bought/traded for from another house. It's a cheaper holding overall at 2 defense, 3 wealth instead of 10 wealth+5 more wealth for each dog type you're concerned with.
>>
>>4458921
I like this for Cerion's sake too.
>>
>>4458893
>Inb4 It turns out Aurion is actually a bastard of a bastard of the Original Ruling Family of Valyria
>>4458903
>Aurion 24/7 after he gets the GOLD SCALE ARMOUR
>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SbCl6m4gDR0
Holy shit this is gonna be Fantastic
>>
>>4458925
>Ship Dogs
But what about the Hounds? Or the bees? Or the hounds that shoot bees out of their mouth?
>>
Our specialization is ships and landings. Dogs could be pretty useful because we'll probably mainly field infantry and it does feel fitting to Aurion
>>
>>4458910
Problem with Myrishxbows is do you plan on having 5 units of the same thing? A weapon smith far as I get it covers anything not ranged. But that definition the myrish xbowsmith isn't even a bowyer. Which I can't see why he wouldn't at least be competent to do that..but idk anything about that field.
I would rather we buy those bows at a premium from Myr and equip our men if we really really wanted to have 1 unit or arbalests.

You make an excellent point that you do not want our armor smith fighting for resources with another personage. But after we create/upgrade a units weapons and use X iron ingots. We are currently just stashing them away. There will almost always be a stockpile of it laying around. Until we set up a trade route for it, or start using it to gain more faith from the church via creating thigs and donating it to the church.

On another point i've no idea if this is getting to complex but the homebrew has an option to expand mines. It is really up to boggs to see if he would like to implement it. It's cost and build times seem reasonable but it seems OP once it is up and running like some other things.
Mine>Mine Complex KAR
Requirements: Mine & Hills or Mountains
Investment: 10 Wealth
Time: 2d6+8 Months
Bonus: House Fortunes +2 (Basic or Valuable)/House Fortunes +3 (Rich)

Description: A Mine Complex is a more complicated set-up, with multiple shafts, a trained workforce and complicated ore pits.

Improvements:

Advanced Mineworks KAR
Requirements: Extended Mineworks & Hills or Mountains
Investment: 20 Wealth
Time: 2d6+24 Months
Bonus: Wealth +2 (Basic)/Wealth +4 (Valuable)/Wealth +6 (Rich)

Description: An Advanced Mineworks is a semi-industrialized location, using human or water powered cranes and complex sifters, advanced ore recovery methods, and a healthy dose of old-fashioned labor.
>>
>>4458987
You need the personage to maintain arbalests. Same deal with how you need the armorsmith for heavy infantry. The armorsmith will be able to use the iron to create extraordinary or superior quality armor trade goods, so in that respect a weaponsmith (who can do the same thing with the iron) could be seen as a little inefficient. The weapon bonuses are still great, though. An I'm not talking about actual extraordinary quality armor, just the trade good sense of it. I plan on explaining this stuff more once we get back to Stormgrave. That way there is a better sense of what exactly you have and what exactly you can get. Investing into that neglected town is going to be key to really making the trade happen.

For those mining holdings, I would probably allow them with the caveat that you might end up overmining to the detriment of future generations.
>>
As a fairly new questgoer who binged the archives, is there a place to find our current army/units we have? I've been looking through the google drive, but haven't found it.
Been really enjoying the quest so far, even though some of the decisions seem to have been.....questionable IMO.
>>
>>4459017
Glad you like it. The "House Resources" file in the drive has the land/sea units on their own pages.
>>
>>4458844
I know he doesn't want it but i could see a scenario where Janessa talks him into it
>>
>>4458921
>>4458929
I agree, this would allow us to give him a real education. Also, i know i'm the only one talking about it but upgrading our library to large would allow us to get Research Archivists, which would give us huge bonuses to knowledge and our ability to research things at a high level without having to do it ourselves.
>>
I should have an update up later tonight or in the morning. Just figured I'd tell everyone now so you're not spending too much time F5ing it for what'll be an overnight vote.
>>
>>4458935
Ser Smithers, release the robotic Loras Tyrell
>>
In the history of this quest, has Boggs EVER delivered on his promise to post the next update later at night or by the next morning?
>>
>>4460239
Before people get offended, I love this quest with all my heart, just noticed this for the past 4-5 times.
>>
>>4460239

He has, I think things have been busier on his end lately more than usual.

Plus these crunchy updates are somewhat new territory as far as the kind of prep he has to do.
>>
Nah you're right. It seems it's mostly going to be a case of planning fallacy whenever I say that. The update is half-done, but life got in the way at an odd time. Should be up before noon.
>>
>>4460256
What timezone? No hurry boggs. irl is more important
>>
>>4460259
Eastern US. So 2.5 hours.

Since people are around, can I get 3 rolls of 8d6 for Charm? Might as well tack that last part on to this update.
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 6, 4, 2, 1, 2, 3 = 23 (8d6)

>>4460264
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1 = 14 (8d6)

>>4460264
Dice gods help us charm the pants off Stannis, we'll grind his scrawny ass into dust like he grinds his teeth.
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 2, 2, 6, 1, 5, 2 = 30 (8d6)

>>4460264
>>
>>4460266
Dice gods don't want any gay stuff apparently. I can respect that.
>>
>>4460265
>>4460266
>>4460267
29 is pretty good. It's for some other Stormlanders out of Duskendale. Stannis is another day behind them.
>>
Just thought of something. We dropped the ball. We should have sent a raven to King's Landing saying that Dragonstone was taken. Signed, Lord Shryke.
>>
>>4460275
>The ASOIAF version of "1st" on YouTube videos
>>
>>4460277
Could send the name of the ship too. Give the spymaster something to work off
>>
>>4460284
I'm of the opinion that under no circumstances do we tell Varys anything unless we have to. We need to get our story straight about why we know that name first. We just made a deal to say that the ship left before we got there. we need a plausible reason as to why we know that.
Also we damaged the ship as it was leaving. If their ship is found whoever finds it is going to wonder why it's damaged, At that point our story falls apart
>>
>>4460288
As Boggs said here >>4458374 the story is that they were already leaving, so we can say that we rushed to the other side of the island to the ships to stop them but they were too prepared had already left. We tried one last time by firing that bolt.
>>
>>4460301
Yeah exactly. I don't see any problem with the sequence of events
>>
>>4459006
Thanks for the info.
>>4460272
nice we are going to want as many allies as we can here.
>>
>>4460301
>>4460307
I just feel that's a bit of a stretch. I mean, us landing and them leaving at the same time coincidentally, seems unlikely, but not impossible. Then we fight our way through the entire castle, while they're sailing away with a head start. Then we scale the cliff and manage to get the shot off, damaging their ship? We only had one chance at that shot as it is.

If they started to leave, at the same time we arrived they would be much further away. Stannis is probably going to know what type of ship it is, (and how fast it can sail away) once he finds out the name, and I don't think we're going to fool him into thinking we took the castle THAT quickly.

I could be totally wrong and over thinking it, but that's my 2 cents.
>>
>>4460341
>I don't think we're going to fool him into thinking we took the castle THAT quickly.
except we did...That isn't the deception roll.
Literally everything but them leaving "as planned" is the truth. And we just have to verify that they left. We can't confirm anything about their plans. That we arrived and those plans made been hurried an hour or two we can't confirm or deny. There are only two noble's that can testify to that. And they will, on our behalf.
At least that's the way I see it. I am sure things are subject to change. But even waters is a bastard knight, that doesn't have more "honor" than the two noble ladies.
This is going to be a shit show nonetheless. But I think we have covered a lot of the bases that we can.
>>
>>4460352
I hope that you're right.
I suppose I should qualify what I'm saying by "THAT quickly."

If they were already leaving by the time we landed we would have had to take the castle incredibly fast (which we did). But I don't know if we took it fast enough to catch up to a ship that had already left by the time we landed.

In reality I'm pretty sure it was Viserys that we saw running off when we took the second gate. so he didn't have that much of a head start and we still barely caught up to them.
>>
“We have terms,” you finally tell the anxious handmaiden.

“A wise choice, my lord,” she tries, and fails, to maintain her poise.

“As opposed to a stupid choice? I don’t much care which of you came up with this, but your stories had better line up by tonight,” you tell her.

“Tonight?”

“Aye. That’s when I’d expect the fastest of the Baratheon ships to be making landfall. Look outside and tell me it isn’t a fine day for a sail. The ones that were mustering in Duskendale at the very least. The ones from King’s Landing… might be another couple of days. We will see. The looks on their faces when all of that noncing about with fresh fleets was for nothing,” you nearly snort out your drink.

Lady Lyra can’t resist a smile of her own. “As much as the thought does amuse me, is my lord not concerned? Surely many will feel slighted.”

“They might. I’d be a little sore at the missed chance at loot and glory, but who would that be? Not the ragtag fleet they’ve built up. The knights aboard the ships? The Valemen’ve had their fun thanks to me. The Crownlanders? They were the most loyal in the war, aye? Any that were keen on sacking this castle would be turncloak scum. So, who? Stormlanders? They like me. I think.”

“One Stormlander. Lord Stannis. Or is it Prince Stannis? Did the Usurper grant him that styling? You said yourself he is coming. By custom, this island now belongs to him, my lord. The Prince of Dragonstone is the heir to the king. The Usurper’s youngest brother would be the Prince of Summerhall,” Lady Lyra explains.

“Can’t say I’ve heard of a Summerhall or know much of a third brother. Might be he’s dead,” you shrug.

“Unlikely, he is too young to have fought. Summerhall is a ruin in the Stormlands. It is an old styling now, but King Viserys bore it until… certain events came to pass,” she says.

“Stop calling him king or you’re like to end up on the same gallows as Ser Waelon,” you warn her, perhaps a touch more forcefully than you’d intended. Damnable headache… one of those days. She flinches, so you soften your tone. “That will do none of us any good. I thought you highborn ladies were supposed to be more guarded with your words.”

“I suppose you would think so,” she mutters, looking out to the sea.
>>
>>4460367
“Why?”

“Your lady wife. You said you wed the Lady Cerelle, did you not? I assume that was not a wild jest?”

“Aye. She is visiting the west at present. She just gave me a son a fortnight past. I’d expect a raven on it soon enough.”

“How could you know without a raven?” she finally looks to you again.

“I’ve already told you. I know a great deal I shouldn’t,” you give her a smug grin of your own. “What of Cerelle? I’m starting to think you weren’t friends.”

“I meant no offense, my lord. It is just that I hardly think she was friends with any of us. She was here for different reasons than the other handmaidens, and we all were well aware. Court is not the place for secrets, and she was better positioned than all of us except perhaps Lady Desmera. She always kept herself aloof. We never quite knew what to make of her,” Lady Lyra hesitantly explains.

“Hmm. Will this be a problem for me? If she and Lady Jeyne have some bad blood…”

“Nothing of the sort, my lord. They were not close, but they were hardly enemies,” Lady Lyra hastily assures.

“Good. Well, off you go now. I’m sure there are others waiting to bother me about details I’d rather they see to themselves. Remember, tonight… and wear something pretty,” you tell the Darry girl in parting.

And bother you they do. Scuffles between the dragon’s men over their varied interpretations of loyalty, widespread accusations of looting, casualty figures… rather high with the wildfire in play… entreaties towards who can be trusted and relied upon and who can’t. You can chalk nearly all of it up to boys being boys.

“Ser Daeron,” you finally interrupt as you mark the setting sun.

“My lord?”

“I’m going to need you to lead a welcoming party to the beaches with some of my men. We will have company very soon, and I would see them well-received,” you tell him and grant your leave.

You find the time for a rare nap to sleep off the Arbor Gold while you wait. Night has fallen by the time the welcoming party has returned with the first wave of Stormlander. You’ve no doubt many more are still on the ascent, but the vanguard comes with an honor guard of knights and a substantial compliment of mounted archers. You welcome them at the foot of the Sea Dragon Tower. The great hall would be your preference if it wasn’t such a mess. You recognize Ser Aemon Estermont readily enough at the head of the host, Lord Eldon Estermont’s heir. He’d attended your wedding. The lord at his side is less familiar, a blonde man in his thirties dressed more like a courtier than one expecting to go into battle.
>>
>>4460368
“Ser Aemmon, good of you to join us. And lord…?”

“May I introduce Lord Selwyn Tarth, the Evenstar,” Ser Aemmon says.

“This is the Lord Shryke fellow I’ve heard so much of? My thanks for saving us the trouble with this ghastly castle, my lord,” Lord Selwyn Tarth smiles in greeting.

“The pleasure is mine, my lord. I’d imagine we have much to discuss if you’d join me in the solar?” you offer the two. They issue some orders to their aides to begin surveying the grounds and settling in their men before following you inside

“A moment,” you stop just inside the threshold and knock on the handmaidens’ door. You enter with the Stormlanders on your heels to see Lady Darry dressed for court and apparently praying at the bedside of a sleeping Lady Goodbrook. Very Theatrical.

“Lady Lyra Darry and Lady Jeyne Goodbrook. The Queen Rhaella’s handmaidens. Lady Goodbrook was injured in their flight, and her lady companion saw fit to keep watch over her,” you explain.

“Poor thing. Very brave of you to stay by her side, my lady,” Lord Selwyn compliments. “We know of the prince from that Ser Stonemonger fellow. Pray tell, where is the old Dowager Queen?”

“Perished in childbirth. You may look upon her below if you wish. Lady Darry, would you care to join us in the solar for a cup? I’d imagine you could fill the gaps in my telling nicely enough,” you offer your hand which the lady takes with far more sweetness than she’d shown you earlier.

The two Stormlanders make themselves comfortable while you give them the basic rundown of events, taking special care to let Lady Darry give her assurances on the flight as planned. They both grimace in distaste over the use of wildfire.

“Thoughts, my lord?” Ser Aemmon asks Lord Tarth.

“It assuages the worst of my concerns,” he tells the younger knight with actual seriousness before turning to Lady Lyra with a genial smile. “My dear, you’ve been most helpful. I cannot say I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance before, but I am sure from what I have seen that you will make a most excellent wife to some lucky lord. Now, I am sure you are exhausted after such a harrowing day. Please, I pray you get some rest.”

Lady Lyra seems nearly wrongfooted by all of the compliments, but she still manages a dignified curtsey before retiring.
>>
>>4460352
My main point is no one of high birth is left alive on the island besides the women, probably. And no one alive, can contest the information they spew. Sure, some may not believe it no matter what, and that isn't our problem they shouldn't be able to prove otherwise. And loyalist, leaders should be thankful we didn't catch the heir's. But that is why we charm and convince people of our heroic assault, and potentially almost nailing the escaping heir to the deck of the ship along with what ever other child the queen gave birth to before she died on the fleeing ship. Daenerys
>>4460365
meh lets see.
>>
>>4460370
Lord Selwyn sinks back into the cushioned chair. “Good, now we can speak to more important matters. I should think we will need more wine.”

“My lord?” Ser Aemmon looks to him questioningly.

“Go on, ser. I am contented with Lord Aurion’s showing. Your father has the right of it,” Lord Selwyn tells him.

“I will not have it said my lord father has been poaching lords from my cousin,” Ser Aemon starts.

“Perish the thought,” Lord Selwyn adds.

“So, it should be understood that any sort of agreement we may reach was conducted prior to official announcements,” Ser Aemmon continues.

“What sort of announcements?”

“Lands, titles, that sort of thing. The usual. Our good King Robert in his… wisdom shall we call it, is naming Lord Stannis Baratheon the Lord Paramount of Dragonstone and her vassals. He will also name the young Lord Renly Baratheon as the Lord Paramount of Storm’s End, and all of the subsequent titles that go along with that. Summerhall would be more traditional, but King Robert would know better than most that it is a bit of a mess,” Lord Selwyn Tarth explains.

You let out a low whistle. “I’d heard Lord Stannis was a contender for both of those titles.”

“He was. The trouble is, he is remarkably inadept at playing the games of court. Rather unbending…” Lord Selwyn says.

“Lord Renly is too young to rule. Until he comes into his majority, he will be guided by a council of prominent Lords of the Stormlands, including my lord father,” Ser Aemmon says. “More importantly to our purposes, we come to you with opportunity.”

“Lord Eldon and I are of a mind to form a pact of sorts. My lord would like it to be called the Greenstone League. I for one have my reservations over such a name… another day. The main goal is to show a great deal more strength and unity in protecting the southern half of the Narrow Sea from threats of piracy. You have of course already demonstrated your singular talents at such a task, so we would like to extend our invitations of alliance to you, my Lord Aurion. Of course, you would need to swear your sword to Lord Eldon to make all of this stick, elsewise we invite too much interference from… Dragonstone, but I do think it to be a fine opportunity for a young up and coming lord such as yourself,” Lord Selwyn smiles.
>>
>>4460373
“So, if I’m getting this right, I would swear my sword to Lord Eldon as a part of this league rather than deal with Dragonstone?” you summarize. “I see your point on the poaching now.”

“It wouldn’t be poaching if it’s agreed upon before you’re called upon to bend the knee. My lord father knows how to speak with him if it comes to such, and my cousin Stannis has already taken lands on Cape Wrath for his own men anyway. Your Stormgrave will mark the northern border of our purview over the seas with Tarth at the center and Estermont as the southern border,” Ser Aemmon explains.

“Precisely, Tarth is at the center. Which is why I think it should be the Evenstar Alliance. Or perhaps the League of Stars,” Lord Selwyn cuts in. Ser Aemmon drains his cup and doesn’t rise to what you’re sure has been a repeated point of discussion.

Thoughts on all of this? You can swear your sword to Estermont rather than Stannis, but only up until Stannis arrives. (Tarth doesn’t have the same level of pull as Estermont).

Swear to Estermont?
>Yes
>No

Vote is open until tomorrow. I’ll answer questions if it they make sense IC.
>>
>>4460374
>No
Estermont’s pretty far and poweless on the national scale.
>>
>>4460376
But, it could give us some more autonomy. Like they said... Stannis is rigid.
>>
>>4460374
>Yes

I can't think of a better option than this. The bobby b bffing is unrealistic fan wank and Stannis is too strict.
>>
>>4460381
He might also be pissed about us taking his money (even though it wasn't his at the time). Getting out from underneath him now might be a good idea. Allying with powerful lords of a child prince could give us a lot of autonomy.

We could counter raid the pirates at that point.
>>
>>4460376
>Estermont’s pretty far and poweless on the national scale.
THE king's uncle who pretty much arranged our marriage.

>>4460374
>Yes
Question: why Greenstone?
>>
>>4460387
I agree. We've gotten the glory. Further military actions should be for financial gain and it's best to do that without Stannis over our shoulders
>>
>>4460374
>>Yes
>>
>>4460388
Greenstone is the name of the castle on Estermont. Estermont is both the house name and the island name.
>>
>>4460387
>He might also be pissed about us taking his money (even though it wasn't his at the time).
It wasn't such a grand amount. 2000 dragons, was it?

At the end of the day to the victor go the spoils.
>>
>>4460374
>Swear to Estermont?
>>Yes
>>
>>4460394
If only somebody could come up with a neutral name for it...
>>
>Yes

I'd ideally like to stay as far away from Stannis as possible. I also think Aurion will have heard enough of Stannis' reputation to not want to have him as his liege. Estermont helped us get Cerelle as our wife and we have a working relationship with him.

Not to mention that having our liege farther away will give us more autonomy and the abilit to partake in the less savory aspects of trade.
>>
>>4460395
>2000 dragons
Sounds like 2000 lashings.

>>4460374
>Yes
>>
Okay so if we refuse him, what are our other options besides Stannis? Do we get to keep our Lord title? How much autonomy will we have? What about contracts, will he allow us to take on contracts outside his lands/in Essos? Also we were thinking of annexing some land from Massey, would that still be possible? Will Estermont help in that?
>>
>>4460381
>>4460376
So I think we swear to estermont, with the caveat we did with the KING. Paid service, captain under estermont. I am sure he would have no issue's with it us doing our part of the deal. Making it clear we just don't want to be outright vassals that jump as his beck and call. Even in the oath our family swears just won't be very rigid.

Based on what we have proven to be true, we could likely get away with murder right now. And strengthen this alliance with our name alone.
>>4460374
>Swear to Estermont?
>Yes

That is my peace. I am happy to hear opposing arguments as to why we shouldn't. I just think Stannis is going to be pissed no matter what. And we are an easy target for him. I think the cost, of just swearing to Robert, doesn't give us enough protections.
>>4460406
>lashings
Thankfully we are a lord. Not under his purview, so it wouldn't make sense for him to pass judgment on us.
>>
>>4460403
True. We're all islands in the Narrow Sea. We should base the name off of that. Narrow Isle Alliance or sumsuch
>>
>>4460410
That's not really how fealty works though. We would be bound to answer the call to whatever liege we swear ourselves to. It could be Robert, Stannis, Eldon, Renly... if they call, their bannermen are obliged to answer.
>>
>>4460403
The League of Extraordinary Coomers
>>
>>4460381
Rigid yes but none of what we are doing is a crime. Looting Dragonstone is perfectly within our rights as its conqueror.
>>
>>4460418
I get how fealty works. But thats the contract we have with the KING. We can swear to be loyal and what not. But be paid for our services as thats the contract we have with the king. Even Estermont knows of it I think.

I might be wrong. But I am fairly certain thats how we worked out switching sides atm. And not a super westerosi way about it. idk if people want to commit to 100% undying loyalty generation after generation, even if we don't mean it seems out of character even if we know it's to get us away from swearing to some one else.
>>4460425
people are dicks. Doesn't matter if what we did was legal. He could ask us to bend the knee to him and be a dick about it. And if shit goes only sideways like several crit fails via our self and the women or so. We could be pronounced traitors for "letting them escape" which is why I would prefer to swear to Esteront than try and get out of swearing to Stannis and swearing only to the king.
>>
>>4460425
I'm thinking of future endeavors. He may have issue if did raids on the Stepstones or taking a contract in Essos. Or even if we sailed around and did some work in the West. We still want to be able to work as a free company
>>
>>4460374
>Yes
>>
>>4460432
Ah okay I see what you're saying. We should absolutely include that our obligations in being the kings personal pirate hunters take precedence over any other oaths we swear.
>>
>>4460407
>Options other than Stannis
That's mostly up to you guys. I'd rather not guide everyone on how realistic your options are because it's perfectly reasonable IC to make mistakes on that. You all should be allowed to make decisions good and bad without too much interference from me.

>Keep Lord title
Yup. No issues there. You're a minor lord and he's a major lord. It's perfectly acceptable for him to have lords bannermen.

>Contracts/autonomy
You would need to work that out with him. As a default in such a relationship, you don't have any more or less autonomy than you would under a Lord Paramount. It's just a question of who you directly answer to. If you'd like, look to the old House Karban where the Lord MC was sworn to the Lord of the Arbor.

>Massey Land
I've seen that crop up on occasion. To be honest, it's always left me scratching my head. You have no historical claims over any of it, and I can't think of a reason why any would think it owed to you. I'm willing to work with compelling arguments to the contrary, but I haven't seen any and I'm not going to make those arguments for anyone.
>>
Boggs can you do me a favor and define the specific terms of the 'contract' with the Crown?

I had always read that more as a part of our wartime agreement to aid the Rebel cause and turn our cloak, than a long term standing agreement that supersedes anything else.
>>
>>4460411
>Narrow Isle Alliance or sumsuch
Tbh The Narrow Sea Alliance doesn't sound bad.
>>
>>4460438
>Massey Land
cause Bobby loves us and is super flippant and unprofessional about being a king, all we gotta do is get him to say it once.
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>>4460447
The NSA is keeping tabs on Pirates
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>>4460374
>Yes
Does massey's hook fall under Stannis? If it does it will make getting land there more difficult if we swear to Estermont
>>
So where Stormgrave is at again?
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>>4460446
Wartime and peacetime. The latter was the key part of it. You won't be forced to disband your company with the war's end like some might want you to. In theory, you're the Crown's favored company. In practice, that hasn't been put to the test too much. Incidentally, it was Lord Eldon who brokered that deal, so he would be familiar with it.

>>4460458
It will fall under Stannis, yes.
>>
>>4460462
Midway between Sharp Point and Stonedance on the east side of the peninsula by that map.
>>
>>4460462
east of sharp point, I think 12-20 miles off depending on the max elevation of the island. Bogg said it was visible on clear days
>>
>>4460462
Stormgrave is just off of the eastern coast of Massey's Hook, between Stonedance and Sharp Point.

I think everyone needs to understand the sheer distance between ourselves and our potentially new liegelords. I understand the desire to have the least amount of oversight into any of our dealings. However, it must be said and noted that if we continue to put as much distance between ourselves and potential allies, both politically and militarily, we stand to overly isolate ourselves in both regards and eventually find the strength of our word and House diminished for it. We already have a wife in Cerelle with a family a half a Realm away, and a father-in-law significantly uninclined to send us any aid as we saw with the Massey's Hook campaign.

Having a liegelord in the Stormlands, twice the distance away from us than King's Landing, and five times the distance from Dragonstone is going to quite literally put us on an island. Massey's Hook will never be politically viable allies, and are beaten so thoroughly militarily to boot, besides the Wendwaters. And the Stormlands are too far away to be politically viable as allies. Not to mention the disdain all of the valyrian/Narrow Sea Houses already have for us and will further have if we swear off to the Stormlands.

In short, I cannot in good faith vote yes for this because it will totally ruin the Houses chances to be anything more than a Minor House on a lickspittle of an island in the Narrow Sea surrounded by enemies with all of his allies far away.

Quite frankly, the best, most realistic decision is swearing ourselves to Stannis.

Stannis Baratheon is hands down the only Lord in the local region that favors competency over ones birth. Aurion is wildly competent, he's an obnoxious prat about it, but he is. His future position as the Master of Ships does nothing but benefit us when we can lend our ships to the royal fleet, working it as a part of our contract, and petition the Crown for funds and supplies to expand our fleet in exchange for supplementing the royal fleet. Stannis is a man of easy slights, his appointment to Dragonstone and a handful of bannermen is seen as one of the largest of his young life. Imagine the animosity from our closest neighbors under Stannis' banners if we steal more land from him to lend to the Stormlands instead. It'll almost completely cut us off from the northern Narrow Sea Houses who already dislike us.
>>
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>>4460514
However, if we swear to him he gains another piece of land, another competent Lord and one inclined to allow us our conquests if it puts more lands and bannermen beneath him. Anything to lessen the slight of a handful of islands. This is in direct opposition to us swearing to the Stormlander and trying to make claims to Crownlands and Dragonstone lands by 'charming' the King who 'loves' us. Imagine the fight, the amount of political maneuvering and clout people will put against us for the audacity to make a claim to lands on Massey's Hook we have absolutely zero claims to.

All of this is aside the matters of trade, which will be an invaluable part of our House's growth and if we make to cut off 90% of our neighbors through our allegiances our trade potential falls off the face of the earth. We'll end up spending more money and time on sending ships leagues away just to trade our basic goods for vital goods to aid in our expansion, growth, and supplying whatever market (black or otherwise) we may soon build. This puts our already small navy away from the island more often than note with long travel times and leaves us unprotected for longer stretches of time with no immediate allies to come to our aid, and a disinterested, slighted Master of Ships to our north, should Stormgrave ever come under attack or be blockaded by enemy ships.

In short, this is an option that will give us the least amount of oversight, yes. However, it will cut us off from any true potential Stormgrave and the House has to grow, and may have longer lasting ramifications for the future of our House.

(Forgot image on the first post)
>>
>>4460374
Call it the sea league. No cock fight over it and everyone will know what it means.

Not voting since i one have this post in the thread.
>>
>>4460516
>>4460514
In light of this, I'm voting against joining. Sharp's Point is already sworn to dragonstone, so there is precedent for Massey Point land being under them. If we want to take land from Massey I would like to, but we don't have much claim other than defending it and because fuck dragons we have to be under Stannis. Just have to make sure he honors our contract with the king

>>4460374
>No
>>
>>4460464
The wiki says both house Bar Emmon and Massey are sworn the the baratheons in KL. https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House_Massey#A_Game_of_Thrones
https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House_Bar_Emmon
>>
>>4460573
Correct, just house Massey is sworn to KL. Bar Emmon to dragonstone.
>>
>>4460374

>Yes

Other anons have good reasons for saying no. I think we should air those concerns now and not just say yes unconditionally. They have a lot more to gain from us saying yes than we do, so we can leverage that discrepancy into some tangible benefits. We did lose a ship, veteran sailors, and took a beating on the rest.

If they really want this deal, I think they can throw in some Power or Wealth to sweeten it. At the very least, a favorable trade deal with room for growth.
>>
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>>4460573
You and I reading the same thing? Bar Emmon says, "Overlord: House Baratheon of Dragonstone".

Massey is definitely King's Landing though. Only Ser Justin Massey during the WotFKs swears to Stannis and is considered a Queensman, IIRC.
>>
>>4460578
>>4460581
>>
>>4460573
The wiki is pretty useful, but it still has a lot of guesswork behind it. They switched from Storm's End to House Targaryen with the Conquest, then there is a knowledge gap, then they fight under Stannis in the books. Given their unruliness of late, I have them under the disciplinarian.
>>
>>4460547
That's a rule I only plan to use if I actually suspect samefagging on a vote. You can vote if you want.
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>>4460514
Ok, you got me convinced.
>>
>>4460374

>>4460392
Changing my vote to
>No
>>
>>4460458
>>4460374
Anon and the fact massey's hook is under Stannis convinced me. Switching to
>No
>>
>>4460374
>No
Anons make good points about distance, and Stanins for all his faults being very meritocratic.
>>
We didn't take Stonedance. We went north and looted. Then we went here and looted. It's so unrealistic to think we are going to get land handouts after all of this. All of these houses already hate us. I don't see why they are going to suddenly hate us less for being under Stannis. I also don't see why we would be banned from trading outside the Stormlands under Estermont. Are the Riverlands banned from trading with the Vale or any other variant of that example? If you toss out the fanboying over book characters and the pipe dreams over free land that have never been hinted at outside of discussion by a couple of greedy anons.
>>
>>4460628
Which Aurion doesn't know. I swear metafags are so cancerous to these quests.
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>>4460635
shit that's true didn't consider that, Fuck. Not sure if I want to join this alliance anyway as i think it might be a deathblow to any peaceful dealings with the pirates. though Stanins might be that too even if all we know of him is that he is unbending, but in that case just not talking about it and flying under the radar might work.
>>
>>4460374
No
>>
>>4460516
>>4460514
I don't think we have any chance of gaining Massey's lands. And I also don't believe it is worth the effort.
We have no allies here. We've no one here to trade with. Yes we would make further enemies surrounding us. But At the cost of still make many more allies that would be more likely to like us if only for our step into the crownslands that is advantageous to everyone in this alliance.
We have boats. We are NOT land locked.
celtigars suck, if anything i'd like to go to war with them. And being under the same liege lord why would he let that happen?
We won't be gaining ANY lands being under stannis. All of our current lands are locked in place to those house. If someone has the gall to attack us, we could defend ourselves and attack and then conquest land. For their hatred of our liege. Granted such a defense might be hard with all of our allies so far away.
Who would you have us trade with anyhow? Rambton?
We can cross the sea and go to KL for trade. We have boats, we will do what we have and will do sail. I just don't see the same potential you see here. And you say that that house Massey won't
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>>4460641
>deathblow to any peaceful dealings with the pirates
I think the exact opposite. Estermont isn't going to care how the raids stop. Just that they stop(in their lands). We could be the dirty cop taking money under the table
>>
>>4460641
>>4460666
In fact, if I remember correctly, Estermont and a certain pirate queen were seen together an awful lot while we were in King's Landing.
>>
>>4460666
nice trips.
>We could be the dirty cop taking money under the table
Maybe but i think this could easily look like we are going completely against both the spirit and word of the alliance, and might backfire in a big way. If we were sworn to anyone else being caught might just look roguish or like a mercenary lord, but being part of a anti pirate alliance makes it somewhat more serious, to me at least and make us look very untrustworthy and dishonourable.
>>
>>4460664
Sorry was working doing the captcha and hit it...
House Massey should be getting a new installation of a new Head. The King's man. One of his own squire's or something like that. And if we are friendly with the king, and we essentially moved him up in life. I don't think he will have us as quite the enemy you believe house Massey to be.
Also Bar Emmon if things go the way we currently have them planned. That house will still pay a ransom of some kind, but more importantly Cerelle's cousin might already be in her good graces. And become the lord of Baremmon. Meaning we might have 2 trade partners regardless of who we swear to. Then there is always the Nephew of the Celtigar heads, with you know the pirate queen, we could possibly find trade deals there.
How Rambton knows us to be an honorable sort. Doesn't mean he can get over his hate for the stormlands. But means we could likely get by with him not being an outright enemy. Given how righteous he is.

Again I just don't see what potential we have here swearing to Stannis. And even if we swear off to Estermont, some gains vs I see the loss we could have being the target of Stannis's hate for his brother for "Screwing him" out of his birthright.

Money earned with our family isn't likely going to be through trade. Or at least I don't want it to be. We've always said we will earn our money, fighting other people's war's/battles. Till we get older, and pass down that tradition, our house always being prepared & trained for war.
>>
>>4460666
I don't like the idea of Aurion going back on a deal like that
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>>4460679
Nobody is going back on any deal. It's all in how we execute.
>>
>>4460374
>>4460458
>>4460620
Sorry for the inconvenience with my flipfloping Boggs (This will be my last change, sorry). Just caught up and I'm really invested in this and can't make my mind up
switching back to:
>yes
Stannis wil probably hate our guts for stealing the only glory he could have gotten out of this war and i don't want him and his strict rules around us. Us not being under Stannis could also open the door to the black market without having to fear Stannis his grinding teeth.
Also Estermont has the ear of Renly and has cause to support us. Us becoming more powerful makes him more powerful.
>>
>>4460374
>No
I'm sure that with our godly persuasion we could bring Stannis into our way of thinking.
>>
>>4460704
>persuading the hardest ass in all of Westeros into changing his personality
>>
>>4460725
Not changing his personality, just making him see us as a valuable asset rather than a rogue.
>>
>>4460731
He'll likely end up seeing us as both.
>>
>>4460731
>>4460737
And we know how he repaid one certain valuable asset and a rogue.
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>>4460738
>A good act does not wash out the bad, nor a bad act the good. Each should have its own reward.
Get ready to lose some fingers
>>
>>4460738
We don't even know that part. All we know about Stannis in no particular order is:

He didn't buy into our inciting war over Massey.
He is rigid and/or strict.
We sacked his castle.
We one-upped him on this whole venture.
He managed to hold out through a siege with no food.
He is the default liegelord beyond this opportunity.
He is the king's brother.
He didn't want to deal with Cleo.

Here's what we know about Estermont:

He was the first lord to deal with us seriously back at Duskendale.
He gave us the supplies for the heavy infantry.
He cashed in a big favor of his own for us to be married to Cerelle.
He was willing to deal with Cleo.
He attended our wedding.
He is offering us an opportunity right now.
He is the king's uncle.
He is at least partly ruling for Renly.

Now tell me which ruler meshes better with Aurion based on what we actually know without dipping into cancerous metagaming.
>>
>>4460374
>No
>>
>>4460757
This. Estermont and his relationship with Cleo seals it for me. They are under the guise of combating piracy but it shows me they are more about peaceful coexistence as long as they are not being raided
>>
>>4460757
>>4460514
Both of these are excellent posts and make good points, but based on our in-character interactions and knowledge - Estermont is the better choice.

Swearing to Stannis doesn’t create more local allies (beyond our new Lord) and it doesn’t lessen any hostility, but it does lock us into service to a rigid and bitter man.

Our new Lord will be distant, true. But that basically means that we will have to form local alliances through marriage and trade - something eminently possibly for us.

So in summary to this >>4460374
>Yes
>>
>>4460374
>Swear to Estermont?
>>Yes
>>
>>4460374
>No
I'm a big sucker for geography and cannon. There is no precedent yet for someone to be sworn to someone so far away when the land they hold historically belongs to another realm entirely. So I must refuse because it doesn't feel right.
>>
>>4460374
>No
>>
>>4460807
>my cousin Stannis has already taken lands on Cape Wrath for his own men anyway

Seaworth. And the royal fief at pennytree in the riverlands. And all of these lands belonged to the stormlands until the conqueror came.
>>
>>4460757
If you think he will look the other side when we run a racket with the pirates, as long as the raids on their lands stop or slow down, I think Aurion will go with him.

>>4460374
Yes

(I deleted a No vote, but might still show if you don't hard refresh the thread)
>>
>>4460559
After some of the arguements, I'm switching to
>>4460374
>Yes
Eastermont is a known quantity for Aurion, Stannis is just some noble that we've heard is inflexible. I'd like to maintain friendly relations with Bar Emmon, but they're not worth the trouble Stannis would bring down on us for our morally grey actions
>>
>>4460374
No
>>4460633
I dont like how much this post misrepresented the argument without making any counterpoints. So I'm inclined to a hard no.
>>
>>4460816
Pennytree is a special case because the Brackens and Blackwoods would fight every decade over it. You do have a point with Davos though. Hmmmm, I still quite autistic about maps but there is a very recent precedent.
>>
>>4460826
I cut part of my post as you can see how the last sentence ends with no point. I made my point here instead >>4460757

But if you want to decide the future of the mc's allegiance based on some anon's post then do you I guess.
>>
I see a lot of arguments going both ways with good point on both sides. But IMO >>4460757
is the only post that actually addresses what's going on from Aurions perspective.
>>
>>4460374
>Yes
>>
Just caught up with the update. Serving under Stannis and broing it up with Davos and Salador would be based, but in character it makes no sense for Aurion to choose him.

>reluctantly yes
>>
>>4461045
I do wonder if Aurion would get on well with Davos, both are former criminals turned lords, until recently neither could read, and both are familiar with seamanship
>>
>>4460374
Yes. Just caught up. I guess this is the first time with so many votes without it being related to anons being coomers.
>>
>>4460374
>>4461169
>Yes
Bloody hell, meant to vote.
>>
>>4461153
I really don't think they would get along. Davos, despite his smuggling background is a Lawful Good type person. He was profoundly affected by Stannis raising him up and cutting off his fingers at the same time. After that he did everything he could to stop Stannis from falling to any level of what he conceived to be evil, and failed many times, but he tried. Occasionally he got through. I don't think he would like our braggadocious nature. Davos was humbled by his ascension, we're not.
>>
>>4460374
Yes please.
>>
>>4460374
>Yes
Fuck the stan man
>>
>31 votes
You're going places, Boggs, now that StV is on a hiatus, this is the biggest quest on /qst/. I hope all are legit, I didn't even see this many voters during the coomer votes Let me add one more.

>>4460374
>Yes

I really wanted to be under Bobby B directly, but oh well. I hope we can clarify with Estermont the "free company" status and whether or not we can still take contracts with others. When we talk with Eldon Estermont to confirm, perhaps we can ask him what he's planning with Cleo. I'm getting a feeling they want to capture the Stepstones or install someone friendly (like Cleo) who won't target their trade routes. If they target our competitors' trade, even better.
>>
Samefag(s) gonna ruin this story as well im afraid

Maybe OP's should just roll for the outcome when the voter numbers spike like this
>>
>>4461358
I checked, there's 11 posts with 1 post with this ID (including mine) of these 5 have a few sentences explaining their vote. So it's not that big an issue. 6 out of 32 can't decide the vote, it's mostly yes. The paranoia of samefags is just as harmful as actual samefags. Best not delve into it too much if it's not a significant issue. The important votes generally bring out lurkers who don't vote in the other choices, and they are also generally open overnight, allowing more people to participate. I've missed many votes because my timezone is the complete opposite, but leaving it overnight allowed me to vote.
>>
>>4460373
>No
Stannis is based. Don't be a wimp.
>>
>>4461364
It is also nice in simulating the difference between hasty and considered decision making most people do.
>>
>>4460374

>reluctantly yes

Geography is going to be a bitch
>>
>>4461421
M8, Stannis is my favorite character in the whole fucking series, but for Aurion? Nah. The Narrow Sea League or whatever is the best bet for him, and the sheer distance to the Estermonts will help out with having a bit more independence.
>>
>>4460374
Longtime lurker coming around. I am in the same timezone as Cairo so the votes are normally at night for me. Also half my devices are banned because 4chan is retarded.

>yes
>>
Very solid majority for Yes. Thanks for keeping this painless and civil. I'll have at least a couple posts up tonight.
>>
>>4461698
>We did what?
>Go back and read everything
>Lots of discussion
>Minimal shit posting
Huh, how about that. Everyone gets a gold star
>>
>>4461782
Yeah, it’s weird, I’m not used to this
>>
“Lord Eldon has been fair with me. I’d sooner swear to him than an unknown. I’d say we have terms, ser. Details to be worked out at a later date?” you decide.

“I’ll leave the particulars to my father, my lord. This is his notion. I am just the messenger,” Ser Aemmon says with relief.

“Good, good. We’ve had dealings before. So long as there are no demands for me to force my lads to pick up plows, I’d imagine we will have little issue.”

“I’m privy enough to his thoughts to know that is the furthest thing from his mind. I mean no offense in this my lord, but your Stormgrave is not an overly valuable island. House Shryke’s value is in the reputation your Stormbringers and you personally have cultivated. Why waste such an asset?”

“Why indeed. I am sure Lord Eldon will not begrudge a fellow lord plying his trade, so long as we have agreements toward mutual aid within our alliance,” Lord Selywn adds. Even you can read between the lines here. Your new allies don’t seem to give a fig over your mercenary reputation, they may even be banking on it, but they won’t take well to footing a bill for services either. You just nod along for now. Something to discuss with the real leader later.

“Just so. I’d say my lord has the right of it. We do need more wine,” you call for one of the servants standing outside the door.

“To start with,” Lord Selywn agrees. “A tourney or a festival would be more appropriate after all of this. Perhaps I will arrange one at Tarth.”

“King Robert has a bigger one in the works. Massive prize pool. Do you compete, my lord?” Ser Aemmon asks.

“Can’t say I’ve ever found the time. Sea legs and all of that. The melee’d be more my speed, though I tend to avoid those as well,” you say.

“A man who prefers command. Perfectly acceptable,” Lord Selwyn nods.

“In truth, I’m better on the front. It’s just a matter of not wanting to kill my competitors,” you reply.

They both laugh. It wasn’t a jest. You smile along all the same.

The evening goes well after that. Well enough that you sincerely doubt you will be one of the early risers. Ser Aemmon and Lord Selwyn both have boys of their own, so they’re happy to speak on such matters after learning of Cerelle’s delivery. Ser Aemmon’s son Alyn seems around Vaeron’s age while Lord Selwyn’s son Galladon is nearly eight. The Lord of Tarth also has a young daughter of four years, though his wife apparently passed not long after birthing her. Brienne, a pretty name. A sore spot, though you might not have known it with the whispered words to the passing serving wench.
>>
>>4462227
You’re all into your second cask by the time Ser Aemmon confesses of some slight quarrels afoot. This Lord Stannis took his appointment with poor grace, stating Storm’s End was his by right. As if rights have mattered in any of this. Then he’d had the gall to suggest Estermont and Tarth were technically Houses of the Narrow Sea and thus under his authority.

“Lord Eldon went as purple as that pretty thing’s eyes,” Lord Selwyn laughs at the serving wench’s blush. “Even demanded an apology. I would suspect that had something to do with words of Stormgrave entering our lofty pact.”

“My father’s not so petty. He’s more the patient sort. Playing some longer game. Lord Aurion knows’ve it,” Ser Aemmon suggests. You’d say you and Lord Selwyn are a bit better at tucking in your cups.

“Aye? Not sure what game this one is. I’ve only been accused of patience once or twice,” you say.

“With the Bloodstone woman. Your friend. The one who wed the Celtigar. Odd Valyrian name. Won’t even attempt it,” Ser Aemmon gesticulates.

“Cleo will do,” you say softly. “She and I do have dealings, though I’m unsure of whether to call her a friend.”

“Oh, play your hand close if you’d like, my lord,” Ser Aemmon laughs. “You and my father both.”

Your head spinning with thoughts of the future, you stumble back down to your temporary quarters deeper into the night. Or the early morning, hard to say. More ships will be arriving soon. Lord Stannis will surely be amongst them, though you would imagine your own more seaworthy ships will drop anchor to retrieve you. For the best. From what you’ve gathered, you won’t want to linger here with the prickly Baratheon scion. Until then, you will have the time to maintain a sociable presence with your new allies, but there were other matters…

>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>You wouldn’t mind exchanging a few more words with Ser Waelon Waters before he inevitably loses his head. Misplaced loyalties aside, he seemed interesting.
>Ser Daeron Stonemont is the new commander of the turncloaks. You’d like to gain a better measure of the knight and see if there’s any hope of a friendship in him.
>You’re on an island so prolific with dragonseeds that even the serving wenches have the look about them. You could do with one of them warming your bed.

I'll go with the top two, so you can choose two if you'd like.
>>
>>4462230
>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
Historian/Loremaster position?

>Ser Daeron Stonemont is the new commander of the turncloaks. You’d like to gain a better measure of the knight and see if there’s any hope of a friendship in him.
And making a contact for later, with someone who will still be alive.
>>
>>4462230
>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>You’re on an island so prolific with dragonseeds that even the serving wenches have the look about them. You could do with one of them warming your bed.
COOM
>>
>>4462241
Support. Keeping it business.
>>
>>4462241
>Historian/Loremaster position?
Yup. Scholar holding. You don't have to purchase the holding at this very moment. There will be a 6 month timer on it before he gets fed up from lack of resources and leaves.
>>
>>4462230
>You’re on an island so prolific with dragonseeds that even the serving wenches have the look about them. You could do with one of them warming your bed
>Ser Daeron Stonemont is the new commander of the turncloaks. You’d like to gain a better measure of the knight and see if there’s any hope of a friendship in him
>>
>>4462230
>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>You’re on an island so prolific with dragonseeds that even the serving wenches have the look about them. You could do with one of them warming your bed.

What? The babe doesn't have my eyes. Those are her eyes!
>>
>>4462230
>>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>Ser Daeron Stonemont is the new commander of the turncloaks. You’d like to gain a better measure of the knight and see if there’s any hope of a friendship in him.
>>
>>4462250
upgrading our library to a large one would give us a discount on the scholar holding. How long would it take to upgrade it?
>>
>>4462263
Odd. The only time they have listed is a flat rate across all of the sizes. I'm inclined to go with that and chalk the cost up to actually stocking the place with the books required, so it can be upgraded over 1 month's house action.
>>
>>4462230
>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>You’re on an island so prolific with dragonseeds that even the serving wenches have the look about them. You could do with one of them warming your bed.

>>4462254
Kek
>>
Alright, Aerron is popular tonight. I'm going to start writing that part as soon as I get the rolls. In the mean time, your other flavor of Valyrian... conversation partner? is tied. Please choose either Ser Stonemont or the dragonseed serving girl.

Either way, I'll need 3 rolls of 7d6 for Convincing Aerron.
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 1, 1, 4, 5, 3 = 21 (7d6)

>>4462293
>>
>>4462230

>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>You wouldn’t mind exchanging a few more words with Ser Waelon Waters before he inevitably loses his head. Misplaced loyalties aside, he seemed interesting.
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 1, 6, 4, 5, 5 = 26 (7d6)

>>4462293
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 3, 2, 5, 2, 4 = 21 (7d6)

>>4462293
I'll change my vote >>4462270 to Daeron Stonemont. Too many strangers here to risk it, better keep it to when we're with our trusted men.
>>
>>4462230
>You gathered this Aerron fellow won’t be fond of his new master. You can see the value in a man that might be able to help you learn more about your true people.
>Ser Daeron Stonemont is the new commander of the turncloaks. You’d like to gain a better measure of the knight and see if there’s any hope of a friendship in him.

I don't have high hopes for the second one, but it can't hurt to try.
>>
>>4462230
>>You wouldn’t mind exchanging a few more words with Ser Waelon Waters before he inevitably loses his head. Misplaced loyalties aside, he seemed interesting.
>>Ser Daeron Stonemont is the new commander of the turncloaks. You’d like to gain a better measure of the knight and see if there’s any hope of a friendship in him.
>>
You summon Aerron as you shakily rise from the fluffy bedding. Your memory is hazier than you’d like, but you remember his… awe after your discovery. That and his contempt of those not of your blood. In your experience, two emotions difficult to fake and both useful to you. A man knowledgeable of your people’s histories may be able to tell you much and more of your own origins. Lady Selena Darry’s words on the superiority of your blood were very… enticing, as to be expected when the matron of a castle calls for you to bless her with your seed. It’s piqued your interest in the notion. Not that this comes from a place of arrogance. In fact, you might be the least arrogant person you know. You’re just practical.

“You called, my lord?” the wispy middle-aged dragonseed greets at the threshold of your quarters.

“Aerron! Good. Ale?” you offer. He politely declines. You drink anyway, half a necessity at this point if you’re to head off the impending headache. Anything but more bloody wine.

“I’ve mulled over your words, of history and bastards. I confess, I’m a bit lost on it. Would you care to elaborate?” you ask.

He pales at the question. It does seem a bit of a challenge. You don’t mind tossing a bone. “I’m assuming it wasn’t directed at me,” you lightly add.

“Not at all, my lord,” he assures.

“Then I won’t take offense. Go on.”

“… House Baratheon was founded by a bastard brother of The Conqueror. He took the last Storm King’s daughter to wife. Now the descendants of the very same bastard house have undone all of their Targaryen patrons’ good work. They are destroying their very own legacy,” Aerron explains, growing heated all the while.

“See, I knew none of this! This is why you have worth, Aerron. You shouldn’t be languishing here under a Stag that cares not for your lessons. You should come with me back to Stormgrave,” you tell him.
>>
>>4462335
He looks taken aback by the offer. “Stormgrave? I have never visited it, my lord. I mean no offense, but you do not seem the sort to keep interest in histories.”

“Call it a recent interest. I know little of my own origins and I now have an heir of my own. He would do well to learn of these matters. No doubt my lady wife will take an interest as well. We keep a library as well. I’m told it could use more attention, but that’s hardly a trouble, yeah? Put your own touches on it. Keep it pure.”

“Pure…” he murmurs. “I would like that, my lord. However, my duties here—”

“What of them? Have you sworn any new oaths I’m unaware of?”

“Not at all—”

“Then there is no issue. The choice is yours. If you’d like to toil under Lord Stannis, then stay here. If you’d like freer reign over your works, then come with me. If you’ve the same blood as me, then we both know the true path.”

“I believe I will take you up on your offer, my lord,” Aerron agrees, seeming rather pleased by your take on it.

“I thought you might. Now drink, a little ale won’t kill you.”

You leave to walk the castle grounds after taking a cup with the wispy reader. Some fresh air will do you good. Aerron is pleasant enough if a bit single-minded in purpose. Everyone has their passions. A thought towards your own passions briefly crosses your mind, but it may be best to see to more practical matters instead. The grounds have become far more crowded than the day prior with the addition of a whole host of Stormlanders and others besides. More will be coming, as wasteful as that is. How else will the return to their homes with tales of stepping on Dragonstone’s gravelly sand… in Lord Aurion’s wake?

You catch sight of Ser Daeron Stonemont speaking with a couple of Stormlander knights. No doubt there is much to be coordinated in all of the changeovers, and it’s nothing you’d care to be involved in. This is all Lord Baratheon’s problem. All the same, Ser Daeron is just the man you wanted to see.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 8d6 for Charm?
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 6, 5, 1, 3, 3, 2 = 30 (8d6)

>>4462336
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 1, 2, 1, 5, 6, 4 = 23 (8d6)

>>4462336
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 6, 1 = 25 (8d6)

>>4462336
>>
>>4462293
>Ser Stonemont
>>
>>4462337
Nice. 29 We are now butt buddies with him.

I wonder if we could "loot" some more of the rarer books in the library here. Have Aerron collect some of " his things " for a discount. Just have a few of our guys with him. I doubt 20-30 odd books of his favorite books will be noticed. Possibly even reduce his cost by 1-3 wealth.
>>
>>4462354
I'm not looking to hand out wealth discounts.
>>
>>4462359
mhm
didn't want a "freebie" the game. Just thought, it seemed possible. Just a few deception/convince rolls, and we would earn it that way playing to our strengths of a swindler. And not an outright hand out is how I saw it. But I respect the decision.
>>
Boggs when you get the chance. I know that we have the rank(of lord) to become rank 5 status. But with everything we just did. And say getting to that actual influence, of 10 more influence. Do we need to do anything in particular?

We need more personages...since we've taken him in. We are left with one more personage. My vote would be Vinter for our last slot.
>>
The Stormlander knights greet you respectfully, Sers Walder Brownhill and Sylas Swygert. You don’t know them, but you play at friendliness all the same, and opine on the troop dispersals they discuss. The docks on the far side were so lightly secured as to warrant the presence of at least one regiment. “A moment, ser,” you say as the new arrivals rejoin their men.

“My lord?”

“Nothing serious. I’d only thought to speak more. You have me at a disadvantage of sorts. I know nothing of your house and yet you know the greater part of mine by now,” you say.

“I have heard of Stormgrave, but I cannot say I know a great deal of House Shryke beyond that you were newly raised and keep a band of sellswords on retainer,” Ser Daeron says.

“Both true enough. Hells, you’ve seen the lads fight, so you’d know all of that. Newly raised, newly wed, firstborn on the teat. Lucky him, I’d sooner it be me,” you grin.

He laughs. “I’m still yet unwed myself. No rush I suppose. My father still leads mine own house.”

“Just so. Can’t be unfaithful if you’re unwed, yeah? I can’t say I’ve met your father. A knight, then?”

“He is a knight, my lord. Although his fighting days are behind him after The Trident,” he says.

“How does that work exactly? I’ll admit I didn’t much dive into knightly successions. Does that make you the head or do the… normal rules still apply, such that they are whatever they are?”

“I’d expect the normal rules,” he says with a rueful smile. “He is within his rights to step aside, though I doubt he will do so until he deems me ready. All of this…” he waves around the bustling bailey, “will have hardly endeared me to him. He will see it for dishonor.”

“Do you have sisters? A mother perhaps?”

“I do,” he arches a brow.
>>
>>4462388
“Then it’s not dishonor. Your own family would’ve been at the mercy of these men and many more besides had you not seen an end to this. Believe me, I’ve seen how that plays out and it’s not pretty. You did what’s best for your house and none’ve your charges were harmed like you swore. For payment, you’re not shitting in a cell’s bucket or in the mud as your new liege arrives. Another chance to do your family right.”

“You have the right of it, my lord. Of course…” he says. He’s still stuck on it, but he seems appreciative all the same. “I suppose you will be meeting with Lord Baratheon as well?”

“Hah. Suppose I’ll have to. I don’t answer to him, though. Lord Eldon Estermont has the singular honor of listening to complaints about me. Losses aside, this was all good fun, but I’d imagine my time at Dragonstone’s court will be limited going forward.”

“I see. Well my lord, if matters with my father are smoothed over, I am sure my family will be honored to host you if such a time comes in which you have need to travel to these shores again,” Ser Daeron offers.

You can think of at least one thing that may smooth things over. Or at least one someone. He and Lady Constance are of roughly equal status… if Cerelle’s lessons on such matters are on point. The only trouble is, you’re not sure if it’s worth the effort. You only have so many bargaining chips of the feminine variety, almost none really, and it seems your friends to the south have opened up new possibilities to you.

>Suggest he courts Lady Constance.
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.

That's it for tonight. Thanks for playing.
>>
>>4462390
>>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
While she's a dragonstone house, I expect that her branch is gonna stick to King's Landing. If we can get her to marry some Tarth knight that's one more connection we'll have over some knight serving Stannis
>>
>>4462378
>We are left with one more personage
You are 5/8 right now. You would have two more slots after "purchasing" Aerron.

>Do we need to do anything in particular?
I handle house status the same way as House Malroy does. It's not tied to your influence resource because that naturally bloats through playing just like power and wealth do. I personally think it would be dumb for a QM to bump a house up to their higher tiers based on the book scales (which are infamous for their ridiculous descriptors) when those tiers can be reached by simply spamming tourneys or the like.

Status 4 is a major landed knight or a minor lord. It's what best fits House Shryke right now. Status 5 is a major lord. To me, that means being one of the more established and influential houses of a region. Other lords come to you for advice or with schemes, and you might have bannermen of your own. Wendwater, Malroy, Celtigar, and Velaryon are here. I think maybe Reynold too, but I'd need to double check. They're as weak as a status 4 house, but they have some advantageous alliances.
Status 6 is the sort of house that would instantly come to one's mind when a region is mentioned. Other lords answer to them. Estermont, Lydden, Banefort, and Redwyne are here.
Status 7 (or maybe 8 under varying circumstances) is a Lord Paramount.

Simple answer, your rank is narrative. If things progress in a way where we are operating more like a major house, then I will bump up the status.
>>
>>4462390
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
>>
>>4462390
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
>>
>>4462390
>>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
>>4462402
thanks I've no idea why my count was so off.
>>
>>4462390
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.

Thanks for running!
>>
>>4462390
>>Suggest he courts Lady Constance.
>>
>>4462390
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
>>
>>4462390
>>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
>>
>>4462390
>>Suggest he courts Lady Constance.
We could use an ally over here, someone to advocate for Stannis not 'finding' a reason to kick us in the teeth.
>>
>>4462390
>Suggest he courts Lady Constance.
>>
>>4462402
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.
>>
>>4462390
>Don’t, you’re not looking to invest too much in Dragonstone houses with your new loyalties.

Shame we can’t also find time to play with a local girl..
>>
>>4462390
>Suggest he courts Lady Constance.
She deserves someone
>>
Alright, I'm going to call the vote so I know what I'm writing. Doing family stuff right now. The update will be like monday. Probably just as long too. Noon EST tomorrow.
>>
>>4463340
I'm confused, is it Monday or tomorrow?
>>
>>4463384
He's saying like he did on Sunday/Monday. It was a long post that he didn't get out till the next day. He's got a shit ton of writing to do so we probably won't see it till tomorrow. I think.
>>
>>4463340
>>4463396
Oh, alright. Sorry, I'm an ESL.
>>
>>4463414
No worries, bro
>>
Btw Boggs, is the drawback Foreign Sellsword in the character sheet new or was it always there? Any further description of which situations in which the penalty will apply?
>>
>>4463816
It's fairly new to the sheet, but something that has been in play since thread 1. I just thought it would be a good idea to note it.

Basically, I add a few points to the DC on persuasion tests based on how much of a problem the NPC has with Aurion's background. When it has applied, it has usually been something along the lines of a +3 or +5 to the DC. It doesn't always apply, though.
>>
>>4463847
>Inb4 it provides a bonus when talking to other sellswords
Also, it’d be hilarious to meet a Maester or something, get called an upjumped Sellsword and then call them an upjumped Sellword
>>
>>4463922
More like Sellquill or Sellclyster.
>>
>>4463926
That also works, I was going more for the Sword/Word pun
>>
You ultimately decide to content yourself with having established friendlier relations with the future landed knight, wishing Ser Stonemont luck before leaving to check on your own men. Perhaps he will speak a touch better of your actions to his liege… if that matters. At this point, you’d question the new Lord of Dragonstone’s manhood if he would still call you friend after all of this.

Ser Aemmon Estermont finds you later in the day while you’re dicing and bantering with your sergeants. He had gone down to the beaches to provide a more suitable face in greeting to the arriving Stormlanders. He looks more wearied than he should from the ascent alone.

“My cousin is here. He is in a bit of a mood… I’ve already had my earful. He’s been apprised of the situation, but he summons you to have a few words. I will stand with you to ensure there are no questions as to your allegiances. Some advice? Let him say his peace and be done with this,” Ser Aemmon says.

Ser Aemmon leads you to the Great Hall. It’s being hurriedly restored to what passes for cleanliness in these places. Any wounded that remain have been spirited out of sight. “All of those that did not lay down arms are to be executed. Knights as well, at least those that do not choose to take the Black,” Ser Aemmon explains. By his tone, he’s at least displeased over the knights, but apparently there’s little to be done over it. The newest Lord of Dragonstone himself is little changed from the last time you encountered him… aside from the angry pacing. A handful of other notables, lords or perhaps landed knights, stand to the side waiting for… something. Orders, a word, or just for the gaunt Baratheon to calm down. Small chance of that from the look he gives you when he notices your presence.

“Lord Shryke. Another of my brother’s whims. You were not content to incite war on Stonedance. You needed to take Sharp Point as well. You were not content with Sharp Point. You needed to take Dragonstone, my seat, as well. Are all sellswords this lawless and grasping? Ser Seaworth. This man is known to consort with pirates. Tell me, what are his crimes?” Lord Stannis stops his stiff pacing to round on one of his knights with the question.
>>
>>4463994
The man who steps forward looks like any ordinary weathered sailor you’ve ever seen, no more a true knight than you are. Of an age with you, perhaps. “Lord Shryke is known to me, m’lord. Only, I can’t speak much to any crimes.”

“He has consorted with pirates. Has he not?”

“Aye, m’lord. Some say he drinks with the one and has… relations with another,” the sailor knight says.

“Whoever that might be, it’d be a had relations. To be a bachelor again, eh? Last I checked, that’s not a crime, nor’s drinking,” you cut in.

“Enough. Nothing else? There must be more,” Lord Stannis insists.

“If there is, I’ve not heard of it. Like m’lord said, he’s a sellsword. He’s killed more pirates than most. Might be that’s what the meetings were for. They fight each other’s much as anyone,” this Ser Seaworth says.

“So be it… It seems I will not have to hang a bannerman along with the rest of the criminals. I am still far from content. Know this, my lord. I will be watching you,” Lord Stannis promises with a cold look.

“Bannerman? Perhaps news travels slow in this sort of weather. Stormgrave is sworn to Estermont, my lord. Not Dragonstone,” Ser Aemmon tells his cousin.

“I can confirm, my lord. I bore witness to this pact,” Lord Selwyn Tarth says from the sidelines. Lord Stannis looks like you’ve all collectively taken a piss on his boots, which is entirely unfair. You only figuratively did so.

“Get. Out. Now. All of you,” he grinds out. Ser Aemmon is quick to oblige and doesn’t give you much of a choice in the matter either.

“That went about as well as expected,” Ser Aemmon sighs. “He will calm down. He just needs time. Perhaps the executions will sate his wrath.”

“Who was that Seaworth fellow? A spymaster?” you ask.

“My cousin’s pet smuggler if you can believe it. One of the stranger stories out of this gods forsaken war. From what little I know, he is either honest beyond reason or a very poor liar. A point in your favor here,” the heir to Estermont explains.

“I’ll take it. Just as I’ll take my leave of this place at first chance,” you say.

“Ah, I think two of your ships are dropping anchor. They hadn’t made it ashore before I made my ascent, but I recognized your colors. I would say you have the right of it in leaving before my cousin comes up with a new charge.”

“Decent timing. I’ll need to see to these fair ladies. In my experience, they take entirely too long to pack. I trust your lord father will send word soon?”

“He will. Depending on Lord Tarth’s tourney schemes, we may meet at Greenstone or Evenfall Hall. We may also be expected to attend the King’s upcoming tourney,” Ser Aemmon says.
>>
>>4463996
“Aye? I’ll have to see how that lines up with whatever my lady wife has planned. It’s been too long since I’ve been home. Until then?” you part on good terms with the knight who may very well be your future liege lord and see to loading up your baggage. You take a wagon for your troubles. The crippled Lady Goodbrook rates at least that much comfort. Lady Lyra insists upon riding with her, arse firmly planted upon a chest loaded with rightfully gotten gold. The first place you’d check, but the last place any guardsmen would dare.

You do find yourself drawn to the sight of the gallows in your passing, letting the wagon pass ahead while you see your work through. A crowd has gathered to see the Targaryen knights off, the murmuring rises in volume as Ser Waelon Waters is led to the noose. As the last true symbol of the resistance remaining, he’s been granted the singular honor of hanging alone rather than in batches with the others. Lord Stannis gives a nod from nearby with his retainers, and the noose is draped about the dragonseed’s neck. He all but ignores the noose, defiant to the last.

“This is your last chance at any clemency, ser. Make your words count,” Lord Stannis tells the knight commander.

“I do have words to confess, but not for the likes of you, my lord,” Ser Waelon smiles and stands taller. “I love you Dontos, my Knigh—” the words are lost as ground opens up at a hasty command from Lord Stannis. Ser Waelon meets his end, his tattered purple cape falling loosely to the mud as Lord Stannis storms off in disgust.

You catch up to the wagon and your men on the descent, welcoming the sight of the waiting ships. Your Sea Shryke is anchored next to the larger Bountiful Harvest. Two ships and two destinations by your reckoning. Lady Lyra will need to be returned to Wendwater, and your men are well overdue for a homecoming. As are you. No doubt Janesa carried on just as well without you, but you’re sure there are some details you should be seeing to yourself.
>>
>>4463999
Ser Byron meets you on the docks with a handful of his men. “My lord, my congratulations on your victory,” he greets, as serious as ever.

“Next time I hope you’ll be able to join me, ser. What word?”

“Lady Janesa sent the Sea Shryke when Malaq did not check in. I departed Sharp Point when Ser Barristan’s reinforcements arrived. Ser Vaeron awaits at Wendishton, House Wendwater’s port. He has the young Lady Rambton in his care. Apparently, the lady’s septa wrote a letter to Lady Janesa on Ser Vaeron’s behalf. It’s sparse on details, but he seems to think your presence is important.”

Odd. Vaeron isn’t normally one for subtlety. “I have the niece of Lady Wendwater here, to be returned. I will send her on the Sea Shryke to trade places with Ser Vaeron. And the other task?”

He looks uncomfortable, taking care to look around first lest he be overheard. “In the Sea Shryke’s spare cabin. I had thought distance from Sharp Point would be ideal, and Wendishton has the supplies needed for what was requested. I had not meant for any complications, my lord. Circumstances have limited options.” So Dorea is stowed away on the ship, to be dropped off by the Wendwater.

>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>Ser Byron will have to do that in your stead. You would rather return to Stormgrave and avoid any complications.
>>
>>4464001
>Ser Byron will have to do that in your stead. You would rather return to Stormgrave and avoid any complications.
>>
>>4464001
>he seems to think your presence is important
This is our presence at Wedishton, right? Then
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>>
>>4463999
>“I love you Dontos, my Knigh—”
GASP. What a twist!

>>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
Lets postpone our return for a little bit longer.
>>
>>4464001
>Ser Byron will have to do that in your stead. You would rather return to Stormgrave and avoid any complications.
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
We get to meet Dorea one last time AND Selena Darry AND somehow it's also narratively important for us to be there? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. We should also figure out our payment for saving Lyra Darry in person rather than leave it up in the air.

Also, I laughed out loud at that bit with Ser Waleon declaring his love for Dontos, did you coordinate that bit with Father? Is he the canon lover of Dontos? Also chuckled at the bit with Lyra Darry sitting on the chest filled with gold.
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.

Also
>“I do have words to confess, but not for the likes of you, my lord,” Ser Waelon smiles and stands taller. “I love you Dontos, my Knigh—”

WHAT
>>
>>4464001
>"I do have words to confess, but not for the likes of you, my lord,” Ser Waelon smiles and stands taller. “I love you Dontos, my Knigh—”

Hahahahaha Oh God, I'm wheezing.
>>
>>4464001
>>4464038
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
Between this and the ladies, and now with Stannis the asexual taking over, this island is just a medieval haven for the LGBT community, I'm happy for them. Also, what was Martin thinking with Renly adopting a literal rainbow flag as his banner and the colour of his Kingsguard? This is 'JK Rowling naming a Chinese character Cho Chang' tier.
>>
>>4464001
Dontos you bastard hating hypocritical loyalist bastard...

>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.

>Ser Waelon smiles and stands taller. “I love you Dontos, my Knigh—”

Wait, what? What!
>>
>>4464001
>>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>>
>>4464001

>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
I love the Dontos reveal. We finally know who the dragonseed he loved is.
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
Some things need a personal touch. Just saying.

Hey Boggs, how long till we can expect Cerelle to return to Stormgrave?
>>
>>4463999
>Dontos
wait a second
>>4464001
>Ser Byron will have to do that in your stead. You would rather return to Stormgrave and avoid any complications.
>>
>>4463996
Fuckin Davos, I didn't even think about him and the pirate connection.
>>
File: kings guard.png (2.02 MB, 1000x909)
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2.02 MB PNG
>>4464043
to be fair that is a cool aesthetic, having seven power ranger color coded knights
>>
>>4464009
It is.
>>4464022
>did you coordinate that bit with Father?
Yup.
>>4464062
Depends on whether you guys intend on picking her up in Lannisport or just meeting her in King's Landing later. Probably ~2 months. We will have a vote on it soon.
>>
>>4464086
So now both ASOIAF quest protagonists hold a scrap of Malroy history that Brynden doesn't know about. That's pretty cool.

Do you think it will be possible to meet any one of them when timelines converge?
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.

>>4464086
No to wish for the end of this quest but I was wondering if we're reaching the end of the first arc.
>>
>>4464001
Well, Stannis hates us. Like, REALLY hates us. He'd probably hate us a little less if we didn't skip out on being his bannerman, but even then, I think it was worth it not being directly under his thumb. That being said, we should probably not try and provoke him obviously, like having our island being a single massive hub of smugglers.

I laughed at the hiding the gold underneath the ladies. "First place you'd check," indeed.
>>
>>4464072
>Kingsgaurd
>post the Faith Militiant
????
>>
>>4464095
Possibly when we are caught up, but only if it makes sense for both of us. From our discussions, I think we are both on the same page in not wanting to force anything. I can think of two other events in which a character from there may be seen before we are caught up to where Malroy is now, but both are more on the minor mentions side and may not occur at all. My big thing is not wanting to retread ground, but I enjoy little details like this one.

>>4464118
Not really. I don't expect that to happen for a while.

I'll be continuing tomorrow night.
>>
>>4464059
>>4464045
this is the first quest that i've followed, can someone explain the significance to me?
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>>
>>4464188
If you've watched the show or read the books, there's a character called See Dontos Hollard who is made the court fool when Sansa saves him from Joffrey. Here we're finding out that this Ser Waleon Waters was gay and in a relationship with ser Dontos, who we've just discovered was also gay. It's a big shock and ser Waleon was literally in love with a fool, that's why we are gasping. Also I'm pretty sure ser Dontos is less than legal age at this time, so now it has become like an episode of Law and Order : SVU, further shocking us.
>>
>>4464188
Dontos is a character in the House Mallory quest, which is generally seen as one of the best game of thrones quests. He is the guy that helped the targ kids escape to the house with the red door. He also dislikes bastards, so having his lover be one is funny
>>
>>4464188
>>4464193
Ser Dontos Malroy is a character from A Song of Revenge & Gold, also known as House Malroy. He's a man who had aspirations and the skills to join the Kings Guard. He is also gay but the identity of his lover was a secret until now.
>>
>>4464201
Five year long game. That's crazy; all the smoke break jokes make a lot more sense now though.
>>
>>4464195
>He also dislikes bastards, so having his lover be one is funny
Dontos deserves some serious therapy.
>>
>>4464001
>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>>
>>4463996
>Enemy Gained: Ser Dontos Malroy
>>
>>4464337
eh, some loyalist house that'll be saddled with massive debt and hasn't even married? Not really something to worry about

Who'd win, Dontos or Vaeron?
>>
>>4464375
Looking at the character sheets, Vaeron really easily, even if Dontos had the advantage of being on horseback at the beginning. Between that 6D+2B+1 stat line, Bludgeon Fighter I, and shattering, Dontos doesn't have a chance in hell.
>>
>>4464387
fucking hell, Vaeron is kingsguard material. Dude is a beast. Glad we have him as our champion

Guess I should've realized this when he beat a knight on horseback, even after taking the lance blow
>>
>>4464001
>>You’ll take the ship to Wendwater to see to the hand off of Lady Lyra and any other matters.
>>
Since we succeeded by at least one degree on that Deception test to convince Selena Darry that we were on her side, she'll absolutely assume that we let the Targaryens go as part of our deal right? So we fulfilled her bonus objective. Let's see if she has a bonus reward.
>>
>>4464680
Does that reward involve cooming?
>>
>>4464727
I hope so.
>>
>>4464727
But seriously, Dorea is best girl.
>>
>>4464680
I know exactly what the reward will be
>A Valyrian Steel Codpiece
Or
>a Weirwood paddle
>>
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“If Ser Vaeron thinks my presence to be important, then I’ll be there. Let’s hope he’s not just out to give me an earful for leaving him to play handmaid, eh? Trios will take the lads and Lady Goodbrook back for some rest. Seven know they earned it,” you decide.

“Just Lieutenant Trios?” Ser Byron asks.

“Aye. You still have your task. I can hardly do it myself with all the highborn exchanging to do,” you tell him.

He nods, then abruptly asks, “My lord? How did you do it? The whole campaign… it’s maddening. I had thought establishing a beachhead had some merit, but to take the castle itself?”

You can’t help but laugh. “You’re too used to following mountain merchants playing at war. A good captain will pour over maps and fret over their opponents. All well and good until the plan goes teats up as plans are wont to do. A secret? I’m finding I’m not a good captain. I’m the one who wins… and teats up is my preference. That means embracing the chaos of it all. Embrace the chaos, Ser Byron. You may just find you enjoy it.” You clap the stunned Westerman on the shoulder and leave him to his thoughts. The Sea Shryke awaits.

You wait for Lady Lyra Darry to finish her excessive goodbyes to Lady Goodbrook and then help her aboard your old reliable flagship. With its more veteran crew and sleek design, it’s the fastest vessel in your fleet. A galiot by class, ships of this type are common fixtures out of Braavos and Lys, where open seas tend to threaten the coast-reliant galleys. And they’re common amongst savvier pirates. The speed and lack of reliance on ramming tactics makes galiots ideal for boarding merchant ships without risking undesired damage to cargo.

Your oarsmen cheer your arrival, and you take a few moments to banter with them. Some of your better fighting sailors may have perished above, but these oarsmen are still some of your veteran crew. They’ve traveled with you all the way from Qarth.
>>
>>4465967
“I will be out here, my lord,” Ser Byron says. Right, the cabin. Wouldn’t be proper to bed down with the Lady Darry, as entertaining as it’d be to rib Ser Byron over just that. You’ve never seen him with a woman, but you don’t think him to be of the Waelon Waters variety. Odd. Cerelle’s cousin has her work cut out for her.

“The main cabin is yours, my lady,” you tell the Riverlands lady, who still seems to be half a mess over being parted from her companion. She just nods along as you guide her in. You delicately close the door, then creep down to the spare cabin. It’s no more than a repurposed storage room with a cot taking up the bulk of it. A cot currently occupied by Dorea.

“You’re alive. You came,” she says, looking ready to get weepy herself. Can’t have that.

“IloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyou—mmmf!” You clamp your hand over Dorea’s mouth as she shudders against you.

“Quieter, we’ve a guest,” you whisper to her and pick up the pace until you eventually find your own release.

“Will you tell me of it?” Dorea asks, still in your arms. Not that there is anywhere else to be in the cramped confines.

“Which part?”

“All of it. We have time,” she whispers as she traces your campaign tattoos and looks up with a soft smile. “And of these too, if you please.”

So, you talk. Long into the night, more the next morning. It’s more than you’ve ever talked before, of your sins and triumphs both. Your voice gets hoarse at a point or two. From the talking, of course. Nothing more. She just… listens, with small questions and words of comfort sprinkled throughout.

Eventually, she asks the question that has been so danced around. By you and her both.

“Do you love her? Your lady wife?”

Do you love Cerelle?
>Yes
>No

And the real question she’s afraid to ask. Do you love Dorea?
>Yes
>No
>>
I think I should probably let this one sit until tomorrow. Gives me more time to plan anyway. Continuing tomorrow!
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
and
>Yes
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>Yes

My man is Valyrian. He has the love to go around.
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>Yes
>"Call me selfish if you like, maybe it's my heritage from those who took more than one wife, but I've discovered after meeting you that it is not enough for me to love just one woman, not to mean that I love you or her any lesser for it. I never thought it would go this far between us, but you've grown on me quickly. Wherever you go, you'll always have a piece of my heart with you. Live your life in the happiness you deserve, and if you want it, I'll visit when I can, though I cannot promise how often."

Let's be real, with the amount of unprotected sex we've had, there's no way she isn't carrying our child by now. Maybe I'm too sappy, but she did grow on me quickly, even as a reader.
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
Und
>Yes
it’s said that we were cursed by a Lysene Whore-Witch to be a font of love and find all others insufficient containers
or we’re just a Horndog
>>
>>4465967
Also,
>mountain merchants
I had a hearty kek.
>>
>>4466033
I feel like Aurion is going to get known for calling very important people very funny names
>>
>>4466033
Boggs is redpilled on the mountain jew question. Iron Bank and their overseas hidden accounts better watch out!
>>
>>4466008
>Aurion tells Dorea he loves her as he drops her at the Wendwater port
>Goes right inside the castle to bang Selena Darry
Yep, I'm thinking he's based.
>>
>>4466059
But Based on what????
>>4466052
>Inb4 it turns out that Aurion is actually the chief debt collection agent of the Iron Bank, and Westeros is behind on its payments
>>
>yes

>yes

If Aegon could do it, why can't we?
>>
>>4465969
>>Yes
>Yes
>>
>>4465969
Cerelle
>Yes
Dorea
>No
>>
>>4466299
Meanie!
>>
>>4465969
>Nope
>Nope
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>Yes
There's always room for more.
>>
>>4466311
based
>>
>>4465969
>No
>>4465969
>Yes
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>No
>>
>>4465969
Ye Ye
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>Hell yes
>>
>>4465969
>maybe

>no
>>
>>4465969
>No
>Yay
Based coomers
>>
>>4466429
Coomers better show up when it's time to fuck Selena Darry.
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>Yes

>>4466437
The coomers always show up.
>>
>>4466449
Not always, certainly not before the first Selena Darry vote. Rejected a threesome with Cleo and Constance's mom, rejected Cassandra, rejected Aella(? Vaeron's sister), rejected Constance, even the vote with Cleo was a close thing. Don't know what changed in Wendwater. Maybe the distance from Cerelle and campaign fever made anons bold. Even I'll agree that any coomer vote when Cerelle is in the same kingdom as us is foolish. Thankfully, she's still in the Westerlands for now.
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>No
>>
Easy majority for Yes/Yes. I can work with that. I'll have the first post up at ~8pm EST tonight.

>>4466457
>Rejected a threesome with Cleo and Constance's mom
That probably wasn't going to be a threesome unless some particularly bold choices were taken with the rolls to support.

>>4466052
>Hate taxes
>Hate Massey
>Hate mountain merchants
>Hate Tyroshi
>Hate Ghiscari
>NOT racist just don't like them simple as.
>Love rum.
>>
>>4466742
>its not racist if you live their women
>>
>>4466742
This is kinda dumb, but can we go whole hog on the Dragon thing and do a firebreather routine by spitting high proof rum out of our mouth and lighting it on fire?
It’d probably spook the shit of of Bobby B
>>
>>4466457
Please. All that changed is the ratio of coomer votes between votes. And I can't honestly base my mental image of Aurion's on that.
>Yes
>Yes
Sure, why not at this point?
>>
>>4466817
It is dumb but also funny and flamboyant and something aurion would definitely know how to do. Dude ain't above being the entertainer
>>
>>4465969
>Yes
>No

She’s a plaything - nothing more
>>
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Love. That word again. It’s a tricky word that you’ve done your level best to avoid over the years. As much as you crave the opposite, it’s been easier to keep some distance in your relationships. Less pain that way when death or desertion inevitably comes. You’ve grown attached to others. Argella, who you all but killed with your youthful follies. Aella to some extent, who died in your place. Sarynei, one of Janesa’s Pureborn rivals, who abandoned you when your trysts didn’t garner the reaction she wanted from her peer. Kayakamaya of Bayasabhad, who warmed your tent between skirmishes until she was slain with the rest of her cohort, defiant to the last. Others whose names you didn’t care to learn… all gone. You’ve a pit in your stomach at the notion that you might’ve written off Cerelle the same way. Destined to die for the sin of being in your circle of influence. Yet she lived. Not only that, but she brought more life and love to you. And Dorea… gods. If you hadn’t gained so much, you could’ve been happy with just her and a ship, sailing about and doing as you pleased. She accepts you as you are. Well, aside from the scolding over prayers. You’ve something with her that you simply can’t have with Cerelle. Propriety is the death of intimacy.

So, out of everyone, who do you love? Cerion, unconditionally. Vaeron, sure. Easy. Janesa too despite her being such a pain in your arse with her copper counting. She’s like a spoiled older sister. But these newcomers… both of them… you can’t deny it, and since when have you cared for indecisiveness? That’s for other people.

“… Aye. I do love her. She might love me too, not sure. She’s a hard read. Can’t say I even understand her half the time, but she’s bettered me if you can believe it. You think me heroic? That’s partly her pushing. And she’s given me my son when none of the others could or would. I could love her just for that,” you admit to your petite mistress still nuzzled into your chest.

“Oh. Well, I’m happy f—”

“And I love you as well,” you continue. Her head shoots up from your chest in an instant, stormy grey eyes wide with shock. “What? I can do that. Aegon did it,” you tell her, then add more seriously, “I don’t love either of you the less for it, and I didn’t mean for this to happen. All of this was just supposed to be a bit of fun. No matter what happens, I want you to be happy. I’ll visit when I can—”
>>
>>4467622
She cuts you off to show just how she feels about it all… but she breaks away before you’re too far past the point of words. “You should tell your lady wife,” Dorea suggests.

“Dorea. My Captain before my ascent, Zallabar, he had this whole list of rules he bid me follow. Sage advice, if you will. Somewhere near the top was ‘never make deals with a woman when she has a firm grip on your cock.’”

“Oh,” she lets go. “Well, you still should. I would want to know if I were her. You say she’s clever and practical, why not in this?”

“… of all the words to use, I’d say ‘practical’ isn’t what comes to mind in this.”

“No, but I know what I’d want if I had a man like you on my hands. Which I do,” she smiles at the last, then gets back to her light chiding like only a kitchen girl can. “You leave me at a cottage and leave her at a castle and go off wherever you go, fighting and getting yourself caught on fire. Then what? Pull some highborn or foreign floozy into your lap? You’re like to cause a riot or worse yet catch a pox.”

“Want me to go see if I can fetch a wooden spoon for you to wag at me and complete the look?” you laugh.

She bites her lip to fight her own smile and rolls off to your side. “I’m serious. My ma said men like you need a sheath for your sword. I could be your sheath… your cabin girl, here on the ship… just think about it, please? Ask her first. She’d rather that than all the rest. Any woman would.”

You mull it over but keep your own counsel for now. Wouldn’t be the first time you’d had a cabin girl, though it’d be the first time with this much attachment. What you’re less sure of is what to do about Cerelle…

“… well?” Dorea asks.

“Well that?”

“Are you going to have me or not? I want you on top. My legs are sore,” she says. Now that you can do…
>>
>>4467626
Wendishton’s port is as bustling as you’d expect of such a location, though you note far more ships casting off than arriving. The storm’s doing. No doubt there is some Pentoshi swindler somewhere across the sea trying to make off with a few crews’ insurance payouts over the late ships. It isn’t long after the Sea Shryke ties up at a quieter dock that you see Vaeron hurriedly approaching.

“You mad bastard!” he unceremoniously scoops you up in a crushing hug. “Of all the fights, this is the one you have me playing maid for? Fucking hells mate, what happened?”

“Much and more. We’ll need some stiff drinks to get through it. How’s the shoulder?”

“I’ve had worse. Mayhaps. Fucking lances. Listen brother, we’ve other matters to speak of. Best we go grab a drink before we go to the keep, yeah?” he suggests.

“Aye. I’d heard something of a letter…”

You return to the main cabin as Lady Lyra Darry makes her exit, no doubt to fretting over her dress and hair out on the docks. She could do for the air. No sea legs on that one. Ser Byron and Vaeron both join you, the latter raising an eyebrow at the brief glimpse of Dorea when she peeked out the door.

“You kept the septa, eh?”

“She’s not a septa.”

“No fucking doubt now. And Lady Cerelle? How does she fare?” he asks, not of any judgement. Just a genuine change in topic.

“Well, last I heard. I have a son. Cerion is his name,” you tell him.

“Oho on your first go, eh? You always were luckier than me. Now we truly need to drink!” he grins.

“The letter,” you remind, shaking your head with a rueful smile.

“Right,” he looks grim all over again. “So, how well do you know Lady Wendwater?”

You and Ser Byron exchange looks. Vaeron catches it and snorts. “Figured as much. Not sure when you even found the time… any road, it’s caused a bit of a snag. Lucky for us, she seems one for keeping matters on the quiet, not that she’s not wroth over it.”

Your heart is beating faster all over again. If the child has your look about it…

“It’s of the Second. Wendwater keeps about a skilled order of knights and trackers or some such. They caught one of Yunko’s, and she was keen on the campaign mark she saw when they strung him up the gibbet. Couldn’t imagine where she’d have seen one of those…” he rolls his eyes like his wife does. “Lucky enough most of those lads don’t know a lick of common tongue.”
>>
>>4467629
You let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding. “Fucking start with that next time! Why all of the build up?”

“What’d you think I meant?” Vaeron frowns. Ser Byron pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head.

“So, they’re nearby? All or just some? What did she say?” you press on.

“Aye, so this Order thinks. I’d put the survivors at a score… might be thirty at most? These woods are packed full of broken men from both sides, so it’s hard to say who’s been doing what or if they’ve gone and joined some larger band. From my reckoning, that’s half’ve what’s kept Wendwater’s men back behind the walls. Not looking to empty out to go fight and come back to a sacked town,” Vaeron explains.

“And Lady Selena?”

“She’d pulled me aside and accused us of being up to some sort of ploy. I had to tell her the lad was a deserter we’ve been looking for, elsewise it was like to get ugly. For whatever reason, she’s kept that bit to herself. Hinted at some sort of arrangement. That have something to do with the relation on the docks that looks like she spent last night downing all your rum?”

“Small chance of that. The ship’s dry. Needs a serious restocking. Some sort of sick joke of your wife’s, sending me a dry ship after a battle. But aye, that’s her niece,” you tell him.

“You did leave her to her own devices for a few months, mate. Who knows what she’s had to deal with?” he defends.

“Papers and such. Whatever it is stewards do. Still good to see you defending her,” you smirk.

“Right, well…” he shrugs, trying to change topics.

“We’ll go to the keep and see what we’ve to work with here. The little lady is there, yes?”

“No. She’s at the inn. Best room at least. She’s had the run of the place. She’s the good sort of lass,” Vaeron says.

“And she’s highborn. Why the inn when there’s a keep?”

“Lord Wendwater wouldn’t have her on account of her line being attainted. Said it could be miss taken.”

“Fine. Ser Byron, it looks like you have the inn. Dorea too. Vaeron and I are going to the keep to sort this mess and see about the Lady Lyra.
>>
>>4467632
You part ways at the docks and walk through the burgeoning little port town. New stalls are being erected and old buildings are under repair. You’re no merchant, but you’d reckon this is a good time to own a port so well-situated between the Stormlands and King’s Landing. This is a new era, a Baratheon era, and those around here are set to benefit from it.

You’re welcomed into Wendwater Keep with little fanfare and many looks. If you had to guess, the lot of them don’t know what to make of you in the slightest. Vaeron filled you in on the walk that the keep had gotten a raven on the Dragons’ defeat… and your victory. Even so, it’s well-known the princeling escaped with a babe in tow. You wonder what Lady Selena will make of that. You doubt you’ll have to wait long.

House Wendwater greets you in the main hall. With naught but a few ceremonial guards about. Even so, you note the family displays their wealth openly in both their ware and furnishings. Lady Lyra starts to weep all over again and rushes to her aunt’s embrace. Another near her in age by the name of Lady Wylla comforts her as well. This would be Lady Selena’s daughter. Small wonder her parents stowed her away when your host passed through. She has the golden hair like your wife that is so envied. The look her mother gives you over Lady Lyra’s shoulder is a bigger concern. It’s not one of warmth.

“Lord Aurion Shryke. We are honored for your visit and grateful for the same conduct of the Lady… Darry. Please, come break bread with us,” Lord Wendal Wendwater greets. He and the oldest son look… uncertain of you. The oldest would be Walmon. He has another woman by him that you’d assume is his wife. Then there’s the second son, Weldon. All he spares you is a glare. You’d think you fucked his mother or something to that effect. This should be an interesting evening.

Alright, so it looks like we have a bit of a dinner party here. To reiterate, we have the following present:
>Lord Wendal
>The heir, Ser Walmon + his wife
>The second son, Ser Weldon
>The daughter, Lady Wylla
>Lady Selena
>Lady Lyra Darry

You can choose up to three to focus on speaking with. Feel free to discuss any sort of strategy/conversational direction/whatever else. I’ll leave this up and run with whatever you guys come up with tomorrow.
>>
I like the copper clipping reference.
>>
>>4467632
>Said it could be miss taken.
is this intentional? its kinda clever
>>
>>4467634
>Lord Wendal
Mostly in matters of trade, he's pretty firmly in the middle of Stormgrave and its new liegelord. Good chance some of our trade will pass through Wendishton, at least to take on water or supplies. Not to mention they're the gateway to the Wendwater River and the greater Stormlands. Worth at least getting a measure of the sort of trade and coin this House is throwing around.

>The heir, Ser Walmon + his wife
The heir is important in the greater politics of the local region, he isn't known as 'the Weak' like his father. And if he is to be married or is married, perhaps our children could be of an age. Cerelle would no doubt like making such friends.

>The second son, Ser Weldon
Don't speak, just keep our wits about. If matters of war comes up let it flow, ask after their Order, see what information we can glean in solidifying our own.

Play some of the lordly games for a change. Really keep them off their game on what to think of Aurion.
>>
>>4467634
>“What’d you think I meant?” Vaeron frowns. Ser Byron pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head.
I spilled my coffee at this, god! That's hilarious. I hope she isn't pregnant for real, though

>“I’m serious. My ma said men like you need a sheath for your sword. I could be your sheath… your cabin girl, here on the ship… just think about it, please? Ask her first. She’d rather that than all the rest. Any woman would.”
*Sigh* didn't we already vote over this? It was a pretty contentious vote too if I recall. Aurion 'der Coomer' Shryke does not want to tie himself down. We specifically picked roaming free and being a coomer over taking Dorea as a steady mistress. Main arguments by anons for the winning vote were to not shit where we ate, keep whoring to the campaign trail only.

As for the conversation, I don't have any specific ideas about this. All of them seem angry or uncertain, I wonder why. Especially Selena, we should clear up whatever misunderstanding there is with her, but in private, not here.
>Talk to Lord Wendal, Heir+wife and Lady Selena
Talk about the broken men in the woods, how they are planning to deal with them. If they were there before, when the army passed through on the way to Stonedance, why didn't they tell us then, the army would have dealt with them.

Also what exactly happened at Stonedance, do they or Vaeron have any idea? We know Barristan captured it, but was it in a siege or by surrender? What happened to Dustin Massey? Did the army go back already or are they still on the way? If they're still on the way, perhaps they can be convinced (by us for a price of course) to help clear out the woods.

Also try to feel out why Selena Darry is upset. Talk about the second son's and the daughter's marriage prospects. Their port seems to be bustling, and as you say trade between the Stormlands and King's Landing might pick up now, we're both situated in convenient places along the trade route by sea, perhaps something can be worked out?

These are all the ideas I have for now.
>>
>>4467634
>Lord Wendal
should probably make friendly with whoever's in charge.
>The heir, Ser Walmon + his wife
and with whoever is going to be ain charge in the future
>Lady Selena
if Cerelle has taught us anything it's that the wife can be just as a great a presence
>>
>>4467738
I thought we voted to keep her as a mistress, we told her not to go off and join the church
>>
>>4467705
I believe Wendishton is on the other side of Massey's Hook, towards King's Landing. It would not fall in the route from Stormgrave to Estermont.
>>
>>4467741
I haven't read everything yet. But I like the reasoning, and makes sense that Aurion would pick up on these things.
>>
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>>4467753
Oh shoot you're right. Was thinking of somewhere else. Trade is still a viable topic, since we're on their way now to Essos and beyond. So just reverse that.

Really Stormgrave is the only stop along the way worth a damn now since Massey's Hook is an absolute mess.
>>
>>4467697
It was. Thanks.

>>4467738
>*Sigh* didn't we already vote over this? It was a pretty contentious vote too if I recall. Aurion 'der Coomer' Shryke does not want to tie himself down. We specifically picked roaming free and being a coomer over taking Dorea as a steady mistress. Main arguments by anons for the winning vote were to not shit where we ate, keep whoring to the campaign trail only.

Yup. I'm not looking to go around any votes. She's still getting the cottage here. That doesn't mean she doesn't have her own desires or points. Desires that were expressed because of the way that "love" vote just went. You're free to fulfill them or ignore them as you wish. It's something to consider for later. I'm not sure whether or not you guys will vote to be honest with Cerelle, among other things. I guess we'll see?
>>
>>4467785
I had a sense our vote for expressing our love had something to do with it, thanks for clearing that up. I know I would vote to rush Cerelle and Cerion in a hug when we meet them and tell 'I love you' to them both, but as you say, we shall see. In the meantime, can you answer this part for Vaeron at least? It'll help clear up some topics for the conversation. At least whether the army has gone back or not yet.

>Also what exactly happened at Stonedance, do they or Vaeron have any idea? We know Barristan captured it, but was it in a siege or by surrender? What happened to Dustin Massey? Did the army go back already or are they still on the way?
>>
>>4467793
Oh, missed that. Not at my computer, haha. Vaeron wouldn't know (he can't read), but Ser Byron would. I'll include that in the next post from him. Short answer: Stonedance was taken by force and there is no word on Dustin Massey. They're garrisoning the whole Hook right now (Ser Byron mentioned them sending reinforcements to Sharp Point).
>>
>>4467741
Backing this. I'm a little wary of the second son causing a scene. Does he have a dragon boner like his mom? Also the age gap with Selena Darry is making this even more hilarious.
>>
>>4467634
>>Lord Wendal
>>The heir, Ser Walmon + his wife
>>Lady Selena
>>
>>4467705
Second, if there are baseless rumors that we are sleeping with the Lady then it would be best to avoid her in the public eye.
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>>4468343
Why would there be rumours about Aurion and Lady Selena when even Vaeron was surprised?
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>>4467634
>Lord Wendal
>The heir, Ser Walmon + his wife
>Lady Selena
>>
Ok, I'm going to call the vote here. I'm also going to push the run back until (tentatively) tomorrow. I'm exhausted and have a fever. Somehow I doubt those two things are going to resolve themselves in the next 2-3 hours.

Until then, there was one little detail I was looking to put to a vote. We have that veteran cavalry unit we haven't used yet, and it occurred to me that I didn't follow up with a choice between light and heavy cavalry like I meant to. Note: I'm not looking to rehash unit votes. Based on the previous vote, these are your two choices:

>Heavy Cavalry
(Westerosi recruits. Favor brute force. Better at rolling over non-heavy infantry/archers.)
>Light Cavalry
(Old Company Auxiliaries from Essos. More mobile and versatile, better against other cavalry types.)
>>
>>4468915
>Light Cavalry
I'm just voting for Essosi flavour
>>
>>4468915
>Light Cavalry

Love the Essosi flair. Any chance we can name them the Heralds of the Storm?
>>
>>4468915
>>Heavy Cavalry
Aurion is a practical man. We stick to our strengths. We have an armorer, why wouldn't we take advantage of that?
>>
>>4468927
Sure.
>>4468930
Both benefit from the armorer.
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>>4468915
>Light Cavalry
What makes them better against other cavalry units?
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>>4468934
They can fairly easily outrun heavy cavalry and have a close range attack, meaning they can effectively kite their heavier counterparts. They can also catch up to, and handily beat, horse archers on the off-chance you end up fighting some in Essos or something.
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>>4468915
>Heavy Cavalry
Is there a specific word for Anvil clouds? One that isn’t the scientific term
>>
>>4468915
I like the idea of continuing non-standard westerosi tactics. If we have a core heavy infantry, we should get something for limiting enemy mobility, to harass and run down broken units.

>Light Cavalry
>>
>>4468930
What's practical about only being able to do frontal charges? A commander should have more flexibility. Both are good units, but one is more interesting and better plugs a weakness.
>>
2xHeavies
Light cavalry
Myrish xbowmen

My dream army.
But we should also look for a new shipmaster.
>>
Although I kinda wish we went for another infantry unit over cavalry. Infantry would be far better for more naval action, and sieges. Cavalry are better for raiding and open field battles, but I don't really see us getting in on a ton more of those, unless we head abroad.
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>>4468932
mhm
>>4468915
>>Light Cavalry
it is.
>>
>>4468915
>>Light Cavalry
>>
>>4468915
>Heavy Cavalry
>>
>>4468915
>Light Cavalry
Sounds delicious
>>
>>4468915

>Light Cavalry

Fuck sieges for a while anyway, I'm sure Aurion feels he's had enough of those for a few years.

I'm glad we have this choice.
>>
>>4468964
Agreed, half of the reason we bought them was to seem more Westrosi and now we're turning them into Essos auxiliaries. Either more heavy infantry or crossbowmen would've been better and useable aboard our ships

>>4468915
>Light Cavalry
>>
>>4468949
Actually, I’ve changed my mind,
>Light Cavalry
It’s better to kite than be kited, plus, we can really pull some strats that Westerosi nobles would have no idea about
>>
We should at least consider the utility aspect, are we more likely to encounter infantry/archers or cavalry in the future?
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>>4469609
In all likelihood, they'll never see combat. The space cavalry take up aboard a ship is better filled with our heavy infantry and crossbowmen, so unless we buy enough ships to carry our entire army they'll always be left behind.

I think light cavalry is the way to go and just use them on Stormgrave to patrol and respond quickly. Heavy cavalry won't be able to fill this role as well as light, not to mention the cost of itI'm aware it doesn't cost anything mechanically, but heavy cavalry takes far more resources irl. That way we don't have to leave the island undefended when we go off to war
>>
>>4468915
>>Light Cavalry
>>
>>4469615
If there's any invasion or uprising or trouble in Stormgrave itself, it is far more likely to be infantry/archers than heavy cavalry opponents. So even from a garrison perspective Heavy Cavalry would be better, no?
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>>4468960
>>4468930
We already have a hard core. Only we have more of a roman/late medieval flair of heavy shield/ pike block type. We don't need chargers, we eat charges because our core of men hold their ground in front of a charge and have longer sticks. Dunno how that is represented in the system.

But what we need is something to guard our flanks and our archers, scout, range in front of us, bait others into doing the stupid and charging our pikewall etc.

With heavy chargers we would gain only the charge, and doubling up on the same type of unit role we already are using the merc company units we have.
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>>4466817
If we do do this adding salt somehow to colour the flames more yellow/gold would be a nice touch and strengthen the golden dragon vibe
>>
>>4469790
>Adding Salt
Why don’t we just skip to the end of this, throw in some Lime, and introduce Tequila shots to the world
>>
>>4468915
>>Heavy Cavalry
>>
I think that's a solid vote in favor of light cavalry. We'll go with that. I'll update the unit holdings accordingly.

>>4468963
>New shipmaster
We are going to have a new personage holding available for that. There will be a few other new holdings as well.

>>4469615
The more I research the subject/tactics (gives me something to do while I'm quarantined), the more I lean towards a space requirement of 50 rather than 100 for the light cavalry. Less need for extra horses and far less likely to have squires/attendants of their own.

>>4469691
>We don't need chargers, we eat charges because our core of men hold their ground in front of a charge and have longer sticks. Dunno how that is represented in the system.

It is represented with advanced combat orders, which do see a lot of play here. You used a Brace for Charge command during the Sack in King's Landing. It negates the bonus damage awarded for charging while still forcing the -1D charge penalty.
>>
Alright, I'm looking to start chipping at an update to post tomorrow. I'm going to need some rolls to get this started.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 8d6 for Charm?
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 6, 1, 5, 5, 3, 4 = 32 (8d6)

>>4470116
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 5, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2 = 20 (8d6)

>>4470116
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 6, 1, 1 = 23 (8d6)

>>4470116
>>
>>4470136
>>4470160
>>4470162
Nice first roll. Okay, a few more to do.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 6d6 for Bargain?

This isn't for an actual deal right now, it's for talking up the worth of your holdings to the merchant lord.
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 5, 3, 2, 6 = 24 (6d6)

>>4470168
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 6 = 14 (6d6)

>>4470168
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 4, 2, 3, 2 = 20 (6d6)

>>4470168
>>
>>4470175
>>4470177
>>4470178
Pretty nice 24. Two more.

>Can I get 4d6 for Deception (Act)?

This is for some subtlety in conversing with Lady Selena. Note: this isn't an "omg we failed the test, now everyone thinks we're fucking."
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 3, 2 = 8 (4d6)

>>4470181
>>
>>4470177
>>4470182
Alright I'm done rolling for the day. Christ alive.
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 4, 1 = 13 (4d6)

>>4470181
I'm due a high roll at some point
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 2, 2 = 12 (4d6)

>>4470181
>>
>>4470182
>>4470186
>>4470189
Hmm, alright. DCs varied by person here based on their Passive Awareness (Awareness rank x4). Those with 12s didn't notice anything, but any with a 16 may be raising an eyebrow. One more test.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for Awareness (Empathy) to better read the room?
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 6, 4 = 20 (4d6)

>>4470193
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 2, 1 = 12 (4d6)

>>4470193
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 1, 5 = 13 (4d6)

>>4470193
>>
>>4470197
>>4470199
>>4470208
A 20 here will do it. Alright, thanks everyone. I'll probably have the post up tomorrow. Slight chance of it being up tonight, but I don't want to make any promises.
>>
>>4470214
Cool, Aurion is continuing his trend of being an absolute Chad
seeing a flashback to a Younger Aurion learning the tricks to the sellsword trade might be nice
Also, I bet some of his men might even be nostalgic to see a proper Essosi Light Cavalry charge
>>
>>4470496
>Aurion is continuing his trend of being an absolute Chad

He really does need a virgin vs chad meme template. Take literally any other MC in comparison and you have a gold mine.
>>
>>4470533
>Facemogged by fucking Mervyn Reynold
>Eyesightmogged by Brynden Malroy
>Wealthmogged by Karban
>Bodymogged by Victara Redhand
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>>4470533
I remember the virgin eagle vs The Chad Shryke when Aurion became a lord
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>>4471042
Mogged?
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>>4471148
>He's a DYEL
Never gonna make it.
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>>4471042
>Charm/seduce mogged by absurd margin. Power mogged.
>Sellsword swagger mogged.
>Waifu mogged.
>This one is a 14 year old girl (wut).
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>>4471281
Man I don't even remember who Karban's waifu was, I skimmed past so much when the wealth rolls became ridiculous.
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>>4471303
The joke was more that he never got one. There was some debate between big tiddy girl next door and reaching for his liege's daughter. More were supposed to be showing up, but we never got to it.
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>>4471151
I know what a Dyel is, I’m just not homosexual enough to go on /fit/ (I’m guessing that’s where it’s from) so I don’t know what Mogged means
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>>4470496
>spoiler
I may do something with this at some point. Even if it's just an update or two.

>>4471319
It should've been Tracts of Land...

Alright, update is ready. This'll be all from me today. Still sick, still tired. Makes me wonder how I ended up making this one so long.
>>
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“I’d be honored to join you, my lord. Your hospitality was the talk of the march after our last visit,” you compliment, all smiles to disarm the wary lord. The man is somewhere in his mid-forties and looks it, though his skin is more of the blotchier variety than the weathered look men of your profession tend to cultivate. A product of too much rich food, perhaps.

“Ah yes, quite. The march. How was that whole endeavor?” Lord Wendal Wendwater asks, wringing his hands ever so slightly upon the table as you seat yourself in the offered seat of honor next to him… and across from Selena, who sits to Lord Wendal’s other side. Rather than one of those pretentious affairs in which highborn seat each other at tiered tables with the most aggrandizing presiding from a single side of the highest table, only the one table is needed for this smaller gathering. Lord Wendal sits at the head as the host. Much less tedious this way. You doubt you’ll ever get used to having to lean over other feasting and drinking peers to look upon another conversational partner.

“Rather boring if I’m being honest. Ser Vaeron there slew Ser Rambton in single combat whilst we all stood around and watched. Of course, it livened up a bit at Massey’s Hook. Still, it was a nice change of pace to be back on the road. All of this lording gets to be complicated and busy… but I’m sure my lord is well aware of such,” you tell Lord Wendal.

“Too true, too true. I thank the Seven for Wendishton’s prosperity, but they curse me in turn with no end in work. Trade, expansion, contract negotiations, it never quite ends,” he says with a small chuckle.

“I saw the work on the way here. I’d imagine this area will see a boon with it so well-placed between the Stormlands and the capital. If you’ll indulge my curiosity my lord, to what does House Wendwater owe its great wealth? Aside from the markets, of course,” you ask.

He puffs himself up a bit at that. This one likes his compliments. “I would be so bold as to claim my house exports the most sought-after timber in the region. The more esteemed Houses of the Kingswood are granted exclusive logging rights with mine own House Wendwater the most preeminent. With certain limits, of course. We would not want to disrupt the King’s own hunting grounds…” he takes a moment to quaff more wine. “With the demand for ships about the Bay and the lack of quality lumber directly across the sea, we are able to sell at a premium.”

So that’s why everyone tries to charge so bloody much for ships. Gods, these merchant lords…
>>
>>4471947
You smile and nod along at his explanation. “Shrewd, my lord. A demand I’d say will be going up what with the Dragon’s fleet was destroyed. I myself lost a warship to the storm, though that was more my own doing. I beached it after it took a battering.”

“Ah, so the rumors are true… the fleet is gone? I confess I find it hard to trust word from ravens of late. I feel as if something was lost in translation, my lord. You say you beached your ship, and you very clearly came from Dragonstone. Were you amongst the Stags that made landing?” Ser Walmon, the firstborn, cuts in. You note he’s the one who most favors his lord father in looks and mannerisms, though he seems to show more affection towards his lady wife. A pleasant enough lady of House Redding, wherever that is.

“Well, the Stag would be more accurate for the start of it. I welcomed the lower garrison to the King’s Peace as well. Elsewise it would’ve been a real slog with but one warship’s complement. We took the fortress together in the chaos. Sad to say the little princeling was spirited away before he could be taken into safer hands, but it was a sound victory all the same,” you reply, noting the whole table has ceased their smaller conversations in interest to your words.

“By the sound of it, my lord, you all but personally took Dragonstone,” Lord Wendal chuckles as his wine is refilled.

“Aye, my lord. To be fair, I had my best men at my back as well as a score of true knights of House Manderly. Of course, Sers Blackberry and Stonemont were a great help as well. Though the former died in the fighting,” you reply. The color drains from the lord’s face at the implications.

“At your back? It happened again?” Vaeron cuts in with concern, oblivious to the breach in decorum.

“Aye. After the wildfire,” you quietly reply, not wishing to discuss it further here, perplexed looks or not. A dragon’s rage isn’t a polite dinner topic, especially with such a skittish host. “But those are small details, my lord,” you turn back to your host. “More importantly, Lord Stannis Baratheon has taken his place as the Lord of Dragonstone. Or prince, perhaps. That part wasn’t clear. All previous bannermen of the Prince Rhaegar now owe him fealty. His brother, Lord Renly, now holds Storm’s End.”

That tidbit seemed to well distract Lord Wendal. A child Lord Paramount to the south will no doubt have him dreaming of clipped coins, if your measure of the man is true. “I believe this will be a great boon to both of us, my lord. One Baratheon now your liege lord and in your debt with the other of an impressionable age to receive the wisdom of his elders. My, my,” Lord Wendal comments.
>>
>>4471948
“Oh, I don’t quite think Lord Stannis sees it that way, my lord. I got the impression he would’ve preferred to deal with the garrison himself,” you laugh. “All the same, he’s not my liege lord. My sword is sworn to his Lord Uncle, Eldon Estermont. I am in league with both my Lord of Estermont and Lord Selwyn Tarth in combating piracy threats of the Southern Narrow Sea. A task I was all too willing to take up after Lord Eldon’s past favors to me. I aim to buffer the Bay from such threats going forward.”

“Such a league would undoubtedly have great need of lumber… intriguing. Tell me my lord, what does your… Stormgrave was it? What sort of goods does your House produce?” Lord Wendal asks.

“Why, the most precious good of all, my Lord of Wendwater,” you smile.

“Oh?” he bites.

“I do find all of these metals used for currency in the west to be overmuch. Many of the Free Cities use but one type, perhaps two. But here… tell me my lord, what metal masters them all?” you ask.

“Why, gold of course. What is better than a gold dragon?” Lord Wendal posits.

“Gold is good, aye. What else to spoil our lady wives or mistresses? Not that my lord has any need for the latter with such a rare beauty at his side. Silver, a fine metal as well. Good for our soldiers and craftsmen. Then copper… the nourishment of our smallfolk who toil so that we may eat well… but none of those rule. Iron. Iron is the master of them all. Without iron, you cannot hold onto all of the rest. Iron is the true metal of lords, and iron is what forms the bedrock of Stormgrave,” you say with all the confidence of a sellsword dealing with a magister. You do refrain from propping your boots up on the table in this case, though.

Ser Walmon lets out a low whistle that sets his lady wife into giggling. “Seven, I’ll need to remember those lines to give to Jon when next he visits, so long as it doesn’t have him longing to renegotiate terms,” he laughs. “Well said, my lord, truly. I should explain, House Wendwater maintains a trade of iron for lumber with our dear cousins of House Longwaters. Their isle within the Bay is particularly rich in iron.”

Perhaps that might’ve wrongfooted another lord, but not you. Truth is, you haven’t a fucking clue as to what your mined iron is worth, that’d be Janesa’s wheelhouse, and you would much rather talk about the worth of your true tempered steel.
>>
>>4471949
“Well and good, ser. Iron comes in many forms. For my part, I’ve been tempered alongside my Stormbringers by means of a decade’s true war to the east. I can say with a certainty they are the truest steel you’ll ever come across. Dragonstone is but the latest of many victories,” you tell the heir to Wendwater, a man only a few years younger than you. For whatever reason, the topic has the second son abruptly stand.

“If you will all excuse me, I believe I have lost my appetite. Good evening,” Ser Weldon offers a perfunctory bow towards his father and then quietly storms from the hall.

Lord Wendal purples in embarrassment and anger. “That. Boy,” he sputters, redirecting his glare upon Lady Selena who only looks after his wake with concern. “I have had a bellyful of his confused loyalties. I will have no more. It must end,” he practically growls at her before shooting you a quick apology and excusing himself to see to his son.

“Please excuse my son, Lord Aurion. Weldon holds to honor dearly and values his oaths,” Lady Selena says to you with a carefully neutral face. Reminds you of Cerelle’s “lady face.” Walmon and his lady wife don’t quite seem to know how to take that comment on honor.

“Think nothing of it, Lady Selena. We all have our virtues and vices,” you reply. She holds your gaze for perhaps a moment longer than she should. You note the conversation at the other end of the table grow ever so quieter and catch a flicker of gold hair turn your way.

While the next course of honey glazed salmon is presented, you take a moment to watch as Lady Lyra takes her cues in tormenting Vaeron from her slightly younger cousin, Lady Wylla. With Lady Wylla’s dainty laughs and light pats upon your sworn brother’s arm, it’s plain to see that particular lady is trouble. Absolute tease if you’ve ever seen one. She has that sort of classical Andal beauty about her with less qualms against putting it to use than your lady wife. Of course, Cerelle also has bigger teats, so at a certain point it’d just be cruel of her to tease. Gods you do miss her. This one having the same golden hair and blue eyes isn’t helping. Odd, too. Neither of her parents have that look. Her mother is perhaps only a shade off, but her father has greying brown hair and the eyes to match.

More importantly than that, you think the young lady of the house may be as keen on your familiarity with her lady mother as you are on her social savviness. The only time her smile ever slips is when she shoots a quick glance Lady Selena’s way. You’ll need to better mind yourself around her…
>>
>>4471951
“My brother’s stubbornness aside, my lord, I would still like to revisit this talk of ‘iron’ if you will,” Ser Walmon fills the silence.

“Oh? To what end, ser?”

“We have had a troubling uptake in banditry deeper into the woods. Broken men of the war of both sides. My lord father and I are in agreement that the port’s safety must come first, but I do also agree with my brother on the Order of the Leaf’s duty to protect these woods. I would let them loose upon these broken men, but I fear they haven’t quite the numbers to handle the threat unaided. Unless Ser Barristan’s host will be returning back this way…?”

“Unlikely. They garrison three separate keeps upon Massey’s Hook at present. Ser Egen holds Rambton’s hall, I seized Sharp Point, and one of my knights had it that Ser Barristan took Stonedance by force. I doubt they will leave until the Hand commands them retrieved by ship,” you reply.

“Hmm. I suppose that will make this largely our concern. A pity as we do suspect some of these bandits may be deserters from the very same host…” Ser Walmon muses. You glance to Lady Selena, who only offers you a cool look in return.

“Perhaps my Lord Aurion will take this as a matter of personal honor, then? I do believe my lord was one of the leaders of said host. One may even say this is a problem of his own creation. Not me, of course. A lord so gallant as to take it upon himself to sack Dragonstone must be able to deal with a few lowly… deserters. Naturally, he would not stoop so low as to charge us coin under such circumstances. Oh, what am I saying? I am a lady unfamiliar with such matters of chivalry,” Lady Selena suggests with another chilly look. You’re getting the feeling she’s a bit cross with you over recent events.

>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.
>You’ll have no further part in these matters. If any more of your own deserters are caught, then you’ll simply downplay them as a few among the many deserters and bandits about.
>Something else.

Vote is open until tomorrow.
>>
>>4471953
>>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.
Can we ask what kind of troops the Order of the Leaf has? I'd like to remove the loose ends, but not if they've only got green boys
>>
>>4471953
>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
This is why Vaeron wanted us here. It's time to collect a debt that's been lingering.
>>
>>4471953
>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.

Idk how effective our men would be stomping around in a forest.
>>
>>4471949
>that whole metal conversation
>Inb4 Aurion has the Cold Iron poem tattooed in Valyrian in his back
>>4471953
>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
I’d be up for putting some bandits to the blade
>>
>>4471949
>“Gold is good, aye. What else to spoil our lady wives or mistresses? Not that my lord has any need for the latter with such a rare beauty at his side. Silver, a fine metal as well. Good for our soldiers and craftsmen. Then copper… the nourishment of our smallfolk who toil so that we may eat well… but none of those rule. Iron. Iron is the master of them all. Without iron, you cannot hold onto all of the rest. Iron is the true metal of lords, and iron is what forms the bedrock of Stormgrave,” you say with all the confidence of a sellsword dealing with a magister. You do refrain from propping your boots up on the table in this case, though.
Fuck me, Aurion is one hell of smooth-talker.

>>4471953
I didn't quite get it, are our deserters among their ranks?

>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.
Lets see what it is about. Inb4 both our knights die in this trying to unfuck the situation.

I am against sending Stormbringers here because we have other businesses to attend instead of sitting on our hands, screwing lady Selena and dodging noblemen trying to expose our affair.
>>
>>4471953
>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
Best to deal with the deserters before others do and find their identity. We also have a personal axe to grind against them, maybe they still have our ship stowed somewhere.

Also Selena seems upset by our sack of Dragonstone, if we ever meet her alone we must tell her we weren't going to leave all that gold alone for Stannis to put to his use, it better serves us. And clear up whatever else she's upset with, we don't want her spilling secrets. On that note, tell Vaeron not to spill secrets of his own if he find himself... similarly occupied this evening, this Wylla seems crafty, a result of another of her mother's trysts?
>>
>>4471953
>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.
>>
>>4471964
Good question. I should elaborate more on that. It's a small, elite knightly order. If you set out with just them, then you are going to be handling things below the unit scale. More of a "take me to where you caught the last ones" and seeking out the camp(s) of your own deserters directly.

Involving your men means taking things more to the unit scale and doing much more to put the woods in order. More "glorious," but it's inherently more time consuming and tracking is not your men's specialty.

>>4472015
>I didn't quite get it, are our deserters among their ranks?
Yup.

>>4472019
>a result of another of her mother's trysts?
Who knows? Could just be getting lucky with Andal genes. That's her story, anyway.
>>
Wait, are these the deserters from our own company who left with the ship, or just random cast offs?

If these are the traitors, then we have one big grudge to settle. No one deserts the Stormbringers and gets away with it.

If they aren't then I say forget about it. Doing it out of goodwill might allow us to blood some of our newer troops if we have any, but that doesn't seem terribly worth it.
>>
>>4472096
>are these the deserters from our own company who left with the ship

Yes. The survivors of the Second. Vaeron put their numbers at around 20-30 earlier.
>>
>>4471953
Ninja'd by the author. Alright, well, casting my vote for
>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
>>
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>>4472088
Our deserters were an entire unit of heavy infantry, if they've maintained their strength I don't think a hunting party of knights is the way to go, especially if they aren't the only bandits in the woods. We need to call in the big guns while maintaining our lack of involvement with the deserters. Best to have our men do this instead of knights with more honor than sense

Changing >>4471964 to
>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
>>
Doing it for FREE like a janitor feels like a waste of time though. Maybe we can wrangle the Lord into giving a discount on that wood if we ever need ships. He admitted to charging a premium, ask him to drop that premium for us.
>>
>>4472107
It was a unit of green men from before all of the armor upgrades and not at full strength per >>4472102 and >>4467632
>>
>>4471953
>>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
I guess bargaining for some cheaper ships is a nice way to go about this. Not quite for free, but more as a chip to help bargain a better price for a trade deal.
>>
>>4471953
>>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
Future considerations regarding the trade of timber for ships may very well be worth bringing the lads down here.
>>
>>4472102
Hmm, I’d rather like to string these men up and let the storm take care of its own
>>
>>4471947
Should have posted the other picture, the real woman was hot. Maybe if get a further scene.

Anyway, Boggs, just wanted to say I greatly admire you ability to introduce a bunch of hanging plots with every scene change which we can pluck and explore at our choice. Or at least appear to anyway. Very Martin-like, makes the world actually lived in and not just constructed for the quest, there's always something going on. I appreciate it very much. Just wanted to let you know.
>>
>>4471953
For each head we take with a campaign brand, thus our deserter they get one head of others free for the privilege of allowing us to hunt them down. and beyond that we can negotiate a price per head - if there are more of our deserters we pay if there are more of others they get to pay. to balance out the headcount .
>>
>>4471953
>>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.
We are happy to help for free as we are now with who we got, but if they want the full company we'd have to come to some agreement.
>>
>>4471953
>No need to drag this out. You, Ser Vaeron, and Ser Byron will augment the Order of the Leaf and put an end to this before you cast off again.


Where are our troops, did we send them back to Stormgrave? They’re better off being at home after we’ve been away for so long. And hopefully will deter any opportunists until we return.

I think we should just go straight to our deserter’s camp, settle the ‘debt’, and then return home and move onto the next phase of the story.
>>
>>4471953
>>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
My only worry is that this will take longer than we want it to and we still have business in Bravvos to take care of. Whoever the fuck hired these assassins has to pay. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Hightowers are involved after we captured one of theres and got a bunch of money from his ransom. I don't know that the Hightowers are involved but they're the most obvious one when it comes to hiring an assassin. Who else would have the kind of money to do that in the middle of a war for the continent?

Also, if it is the Hightowers there probably isn't much we can do beyond expose them, they're far too powerful, old, and wealthy for us to realistically take down. Exposing them only creates an enemy, and I'm not entirely sure this enemy is worth creating.
>>
>>4472601
I'm confused. Hasn't it been explicitly stated that Massey and maybe Bar Emmon did that? But yes I do agree we have more time sensitive things to worry about than stomping through someone else's woods with an army.
>>
>>4472609
>Hasn't it been explicitly stated that Massey and maybe Bar Emmon did that
I am fairly certain that's true. I wanted to rush to see Cerion. But this could be a great way of getting a discount on the wood we need to create ships getting us a discount on warships. Or just a good trade deal we could benefit from. And making sure we earn the favor of someone who is in a good position to help us trade further.

Other than seeing our son, what is time sensitive?
>>
>>4472634
Hmm. A short list, some of these may be wrong:
Picking up Cerelle/Cerion if we're doing that.
Meeting with Estermont.
Braavos and Iron Bank stuff. This may be most important.
Putting our own lands in order some time this year.

There is also the simple matter of how many more ships do we even need and why we can't haggle on at least one in Braavos. I think these are good allies to have, but not to the point of doing them favors by cleaning out their woods when we have bigger problems.
>>
>>4472601

There is no reason to go to Braavos - no need to get mad at the dudes just doing their job. This whole post is kinda crazy.


>>4471953

>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.

Though if augmenting the Order of the leaf wins that's fine too, I do get why anons want to get out of here.
>>
>>4472645
I remember something about that sellsword captain and the Iron Bank, something to do with a keyholder of the bank, but it's all mush in my head right now.
>>
>>4472645
didn't the mercenary say the he and the assassins were hired through the same keyholder of the iron bank?
>>
>>4471953
>See if you can come to an arrangement to bring your men here and deal with the deserters deeper in the woods.
Like your lumber my men come at a premium. But perhaps we can help each other. My men for a discount on your lumber
>>
>>4472316
Definitely seconding this. I'm sure it's more work, but the higher quality of this quest from being off the rails really shows. Too bad a certain other quest couldn't break off the rails from its predetermined "arc ending."
>>
>>4472316
Much appreciated.
>Or at least appear to
It's legit. I have no endings planned, nor would I want to. Too much temptation to bend towards them. Otherwise we wouldn't have entertaining twists like Dorea turning from a potential antagonist into a love interest.

>>4472962
And likewise appreciated, though I'd say it's less work if anything. My forward planning consists of sitting out on my deck with a beer and trying to imagine how the defined characters would react to everything going on. Ah, and if it's all the same, I'd rather not have any drama going on in other quests to spill over this way. Keeps things comfy.
>>
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Okay, clear majority for bringing some men here and doing some negotiating. Couple of things to sort out:

Which units are you looking to involve?
>Stormbringers (Elite Heavy Infantry)
>Heralds of the Storm (Veteran Light Cavalry)
>Both. Time for some combined arms.

Leaving the crossbows off this one since we had that vote to not induct them in the company and I'd like to abide by that better unless it becomes appropriate to revisit it.

What are you looking to gain?
>Sweet, sweet gold.
>Lumber discounts.
>Some other deal (Write-in)
>Nothing. Leave it as a favor.
>>
>>4472995
>>Both. Time for some combined arms.
>Lumber discounts.
>>
>>4472995
>Both. Time for some combined arms.
>Lumber discounts.
>>
>>4472995
>Heralds of the Storm (Veteran Light Cavalry)
>Nothing. Leave it as a favor.
>>
>>4472995
Honestly neither one of these units is good for fighting in heavy forests so this is going to be interesting.

>Stormbringers (Elite Heavy Infantry)
>Lumber discounts.

Have more faith in elites being able to overcome the detrimental effects of fighting in a heavy forest.
>>
>>4472995
>>Stormbringers (Elite Heavy Infantry)
Cavalry is no good in the woodland.
>Nothing. Leave it as a favor.
>>
>>4472995
>>Both. Time for some combined arms.
>Sweet, sweet gold.
>>
>>4472995
>Stormbringers (Elite Heavy Infantry)
Trios and the boys deserve their revenge
>lumber discounts
>>
>>4472995
>Both. Time for some combined arms.

I have my doubts on the cavalry here too, but I'll take any chance to get them to elite. Maybe they can fight closer to the the river or wherever the logging occurs. Chase the bandits towards them.

>Sweet, sweet gold.
>>
>>4473048
>Maybe they can fight closer to the the river or wherever the logging occurs. Chase the bandits towards them.
I am thinking of the opposite strategy. Lure them to attack our troops only for cavalry to ambush the bandits.
>>
>>4473030
Supporting
>>
>>4473071
But you voted to only bring the infantry?
>>
>>4472995

>Both. Time for some combined arms.

>Lumber discounts

It is probably a bit early to talk tactics, but I would like to see our heavies attempt to draw out the enemy so our cavalry can be useful.
>>
4-4-1 on who to bring. I'll leave it open a little longer.
>>
>>4472995
>>Stormbringers (Elite Heavy Infantry)
>Lumber discounts.
Light cavalry is tempting, but I think the woods might be too thick to use them effectively.
>>
>>4472995
I'll pitch a vote for
>Both. Time for some combined arms.
>Lumber discounts.

I suppose the logical step with getting lumber discounts is extending it to whoever might build ships for us, which in the long run would save us more money than an up-front payment from our job here.
If someone gives me a good convince check on why we want this person to be on our good side, then I might swap it to leaving it as a favor.
>>
>>4473232
>Both. Time for some combined arms.
>Lumber discount
>>
>>4472995
>>Both. Time for some combined arms.
I simply want them at least narratively to form some cohesion.
>Nothing. Leave it as a favor.
I want the discount but this is worth more.
>>
Both with lumber dealings it is.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 6d6 for Persuasion (Bargain)?
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 4, 6, 3, 1 = 24 (6d6)

>>4473426
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 4, 2, 6, 4 = 23 (6d6)

>>4473426
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 6, 3, 5, 1 = 23 (6d6)

>>4473426
>>
>>4473435
Could be worse. I miss seeing ridiculous rolls like 28+
What was the dc? And did comiting two units lower it as a show of our "Faithfulness" to rid them of their problem.
>>
>>4473458
I have an opposing roll of 28 here (5D+1b), but committing both units should salvage it, if only just.
>>
>>4473469
Goddamn
>>
>>4473469
Fucking wow. We really lucked out then. Was it the lord, or his heir that rolled persuasion that high?
>>
>>4473485
Selena. The lord is off having a shouting match with his second son.
>>
“It sounds to me these woods are teeming with more bandits than I’d ever feel comfortable taking credit for, though I suppose you might be on to something with the host all the same,” you add the last as Lady Selena’s mask begins to slip into fury, momentarily quelling whatever she was about to say.

“That said, I am open to providing aid in ending the threat to your lands. I will do so without coin changing hands. In return,” you continue at Vaeron’s bewildered expression, “I expect I will not be taken for a fool with any future lumber dealings. No premiums or the like. Only fair, honest pricings between two houses allied in common cause.”

“Well, you already know of my Stormbringers. Who worth knowing between here and Qarth doesn’t? The very same so recently blooded upon Dragonstone. My lads should make short work of any bandits I’ve ever heard of,” you say.

“That would be a great aid to the Order, but have you no others, my lord? I recall them standing at fifty men kited in heavy plate. I do not doubt their strength at arms, but you must forgive my misgivings over the size and conditions of the terrain,” Ser Walmon points out. You give him an appreciative look. Not a complete merchant like his lord father.

“Just so. Janoth would be ready, yes?” you turn to Vaeron.

“Aye. They’ve had the time to settle in. I’d wager he’s getting bored and bothering Janesa,” Vaeron confirms.

“Lady Janesa of the Pureborn House Anaris is his wife. Janoth is her cousin. He leads my Heralds of the Storm. Cavalry out of Qarkash where the Anaris family keeps estates. I know, Qartheen are complete incompetents at bloodsport, but these are Tolosi schooled. Professional headhunters,” you tell the young knight. He looks utterly lost.

“When they leave heads to collect,” Vaeron adds.

“Aye, that was a problem once, wasn’t it? They use these slings with metal balls… nasty business. No great matter, I assume these dealings won’t be by the head. For the life of me, I couldn’t tell you how that’d equate to lumber. A tree’s worth a head? Ten? Just seems a bit unsavory, doesn’t it? A general standing agreement sounds better,” you smile.

Ser Walmon seems put at ease, but Lady Selena isn’t having it. “I disagree. A general standing agreement for discounts on quality ship-grade lumber prized from here to Braavos is invaluable. The lives of bandits are not. The additional men are appreciated, but we are more interested in results rather than how the results are obtained. Aren’t we, Walmon?”

“Right, of course. My lady mother has the right of it,” the heir nods with an abashed look.
>>
>>4473527
The talks are interrupted by a nurse maid carrying a small boy who hasn’t yet seen his second nameday. The Lady Redding takes him in arms with no small amount of cooing over him. Her son with Ser Walmon, then. That would make him Selena’s grandson. You fucked a grandmother. Joy. And you have a sneaking suspicion she’s the one looking to bend you over this time.

“Waldon here is our first. We’re expecting another later in the year,” Ser Walmon says as the various ladies of the table take to gathering around and doting on him. “He does like to see his mother before bed.”

“My own son was born not a moon ago. My first born,” you smile at the thought, a momentary distraction from the previous topic.

“Truly?” Lady Selena asks with a barely contained smirk. Why does no one ever believe you? “Is that why your lady wife has not joined us, my lord?”

“Ah, she’s still out visiting friends or family in the west. They will be returning soon now that the fighting’s done.”

“Oh, yes. The one from the Westerlands. Lydden was it? A Cerenna or Cersei… or was it Cerelle? One of the Queens handmaidens like my sweet niece. It’s fascinating how you two became intertwined. Lyra dear, you simply must tell me more of Lady Lydden. Later, of course,” Lady Selena tells her niece. You frown, unsure what to make of these little games of hers. “Oh my, we are getting a touch off topic. Where were we? Lumber, was it?”

“Yes. Quite. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to set more fixed terms here for a fixed problem, my lord. As my lady mother says,” Ser Walmon suggests. “Mother?”

“Mmm. I do think Lord Aurion had a reasonable notion buried in there. A standing agreement to allow House Shryke to purchase our lumber would be acceptable. We will provide a discount on the first shipment in gratitude for their mutual aid. I trust these terms are more than acceptable? It is the most generous we can be under such circumstances,” Lady Selena smiles.

Terms
1. Connections: Timber (Lumber Mill). This is needed if you ever want Drydocks or a Shipyard of your own.
2. A discount on the first purchase of timber. Future deals will be at the standard price. House Wendwater will expect you to continue to purchase timber from them. Your relations will likely sour if you try to go around this.

Are these terms acceptable?
>Yes
>No
>>
>>4473534
>Yes
getting fucked for a second time by Lady Selena
>>
>>4473534
>House Wendwater will expect you to continue to purchase timber from them.
Does this mean that we'll have to buy timber regularly to keep the agreement, or that whenever we buy any timber, we have to buy it from them? Also, damn, what's got so far up Selena's ass, I thought she'd be grateful. I hope she doesn't try to flaunt our affair to Cerelle or something like that. I knew she was a bit crazy even on our first encounter.
>>
>>4473534
>Yes

The terms are shit. This is why we need to stop playing the merchant or the nobleman and stick to gold payouts. That said, I would rather avoid any fallout from saying no now.
>>
>>4473534
>>Yes
>You fucked a grandmother. Joy.
I'm wheezing over here.
>>
>>4473553
Whenever you buy it, they expect you will be buying it from them. There is no fixed monthly/bimonthly transaction at this time.
>>
>>4473534
>Yes
Terms are bad, but I feel like saying no would put us in a much worse spot long term.
>>
>>4473534
>Yay
>>
>>4473534
Ok, maybe we did kinda get fucked over here, considering we (Aurion IC) don't have much of a clue how much said iron is worth, and they are gonna gouge us for deals beyond the first. But as long as we don't get wrangled into buying too much at the upcharged standard price, we have something of a trading partner. Worst comes to worst we don't buy from them and make them annoyed, but that can be put off for the future.
>Yes
>>
>>4473534
>>Yes
>>
>Yes

You haven’t dabbled much in trade, but this feels a bit lopsided. Even so, this woman has a good bit of leverage on you. These are your deserters and you did take her for a ride your last visit… but then would that not damage her even more than you? She’s a woman and a proper lady. You’re a man and a sellsword captain. You were the one acting to type. What other cards is she hiding? You’re not sure you care to find out…

“I can agree to those terms, my lady,” you concede.

“Oh, excellent. I knew you would be reasonable, my lord,” Lady Selena favors you with a pleasant smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “We will have to see about some sort of reward for my dearest niece. I will confer with my nephew on it. It seems Ser Raymun has fallen on rather hard times of late as many loyal men have. I feel any man of honor would agree that one cannot place a price upon loyalty, but this new regime has certainly done their best in the attempt. Occasionally, they even succeed.”

“I am glad we could all come to such amicable terms. However, the hour grows late. I would escort my lady wife to bed. Shall we have rooms prepared for you, Lord Aurion? Or did you have other arrangements in town?” Ser Walmon asks while you try not to frown over whatever his mother may or may not be implying.

>You’ll stay in the keep.
>You’re going back to the inn where Dorea and Ser Byron should be staying.
>>
Up overnight. I need to get some sleep.
>>
>>4473644
>You’ll stay in the keep.
She seems like the sneaky sort - let’s keep her eyes on us up here in the Keep and not with our entourage in the town.
>>
>>4473650
+1
the last thing we need is heat being brought on Dorea and thus, us and Cerelle.
>>
>>4473644
>You’ll stay in the keep.
Thanks for running.
>>
>>4473534
>>Yes
Closest source of quality timber anyway, we'd probably only buy from them even without a deal

Would they be okay with us buying some ironwood from up north? It might be useful for making turtle ships, though I'm not sure if it'd be worth the cost
>>
>>4473644
>>You’ll stay in the keep.
>>
>>4473644
>You’re going back to the inn where Dorea and Ser Byron should be staying.

I don't get the reasoning behind tiptoeing around with Dorea. Why would we let anyone have that leverage on us? Tell Cerelle later too. Fuck blackmail material, just don't keep secrets. Same with Selena. Rather than play her games, we should leave. No fucks given. Except what we give Dorea's way We are only weak with this if we let ourselves be.
>>
>>4473721
We can put this to rest after we dispatch Dorea to her cabin, deal with whatever stick is stuck up Selena's ass and return home to a happy and oblivious wife who we just realised we actually love. Why do you want to fuck this up? If you tell Cerelle about Dorea she'll never love Aurion back, she'll tolerate Dorea's presence and that's it.
>>
>>4473732
I thought Selena was making an obvious jab towards our loyalty to the Baratheons in that last post. She's butthurt that we teased about being on her side and then turned around and caused the fall of Dragonstone. Am I missing something?

The vote was for loving both of them. It doesn't make any sense to sleep apart when she is right down the road when there is so little to gain here beyond bullshitting Selena again.

>return home to a happy and oblivious wife

I don't want to be a total doomer about this, but this seems so unlikely. We ignored an assassination plot against her that nearly got her baby killed. That's some serious shit and she's too smart to not see that. I don't know how she won't be furious with us. And oblivious? On anything? We are talking about Cerelle, right? This had to be the worst pick for hiding affairs. Why make it worse in trying to cover it up?
>>
>>4473644

>You’ll stay in the keep.
>>
>>4473741
I asked Boggs last thread and he said that Cerelle wouldn't know about Dorea and Selena all the way in the Westerlands. We can still keep it that way if we can convince Selena to back down from whatever she wants to do. As for the assassination, the men we sent with her saved her, and we have a lead from the sellsword captain about the keyholder who paid for it. I'll agree with you though that Cerelle was the worst pick for hiding affairs. If she had died in the assassination attempt, I'd have voted to install Dorea in Cassandra Bar Emmon's place and marry her But it is what it is. I can see where you're coming from in coming clean to Cerelle, though I won't vote for it myself.
>>
>>4473752
>I asked Boggs last thread and he said that Cerelle wouldn't know about Dorea and Selena all the way in the Westerlands
And when she gets back? Unless this is an attempt to retcon the vote in favor of loving Dorea, we are going to end up bumping into her again.
>As for the assassination, the men we sent with her saved her
Recruited before knowledge of the plot. We did nothing after finding out she was in danger. Even the trip out west was her idea, not ours. I wouldn't call myself a cunning 6 person. If I can see this then she can.
>we have a lead from the sellsword captain about the keyholder who paid for it
Doesn't change that we put her and Cerion in needless danger to get a good whiff of Baratheon booty and then continued to do so because anons wanted to loot Massey instead of putting family first. We can say we gained this or that by not putting family first, but we made our choice on the assassin and it was in favor of material gains instead of her life or the life of our son. No sense in pretending it didn't go down that way.
>>
>>4473644
>You’ll stay in the keep.
Why would a Lord stay in an inn after becoming a business partner with another Lord?

Send messengers off to call for our men. Find out if there are any pressing issues from home, and what our (house) fortunes have been while we were away.

Find out why everyone is angry with us. Is it because we sacked Dragonstone or something else?

Maybe bro it up with the order of the leaf.

Maybe find out in character what happened with the siege that was directed by the kingsguard (was it Ser Selmy? Can’t remember. The one we travelled up here with originally).
>>
>>4473644
>>You’ll stay in the keep.
>>4473762
Idk anon. We set her up with a knightly escort, into what was believed to be safe lands. We clearly had her safety in mind. You make a great point nonetheless.
But id also say, we were doing her wishes. To become a house that can be recognized by name alone. We took down fucking dragonstone basically singlehandedly. Saved some heir from the north. Id say we earned that loudly title for our family with that siege alone. We've become a name that will be remembered in history. Exactly what she wanted us to do.

My bigger issue is Selena. We've to find a way to pull that stick out of her ass while we are here. Can't have someone working against us in the shadows for future dealings.
We did what we had to, we convince her we tried saving as many loyalist as possible since we asked for their surrender. And possibly pull a deception and say we let the boy escaped between us two. Blah blah blah. Should get her on our side fast enough
>>
>>4473176
Regardless, I could tell where the vote is heading.

>>4473534
>That would make him Selena’s grandson. You fucked a grandmother. Joy. And you have a sneaking suspicion she’s the one looking to bend you over this time.
Aurion's musings are hilarious.

>>4473534
>>4473556
I agree about the terms, Janesa is the one who should've been dealing with house Wendwater. She can renegotiate the deal later.

>>4473644
>You’ll stay in the keep.
And while there, speak to Selena.
>>
>>4473790
Yeah I was thinking about the same lines, the actions we took ensured the least amount of casualties for the loyalists and let Viserys escape. We risked our lives in the storm to land before Stannis. If Stannis had come first there would definitely have been a fight to the death for everyone. We convinced the lower garrison to change sides and saved their lives in the process. We had a choice to go for Viserys first or stay and fight, but we chose not to go for Viserys first, which very possibly allowed him and her cousin Willem Darry to escape. We saved the two loyalist ladies, even took one into our household. We even took away Stannis' glory twice, first by taking Dragonstone then by swearing to Estermont instead of him.

We can spin all this into a tale favoring us, how a Valyrian lord has stolen the thunder from the Baratheon dynasty who deposed the Targaryens. Ask her what would have happened if we had stayed put at Sharp Point and let Stannis take Dragonstone? Would her niece still be alive? Would her cousin Willem Darry be alive? Would Viserys and Daenerys still have escaped? Or would their heads be smashed against the stone gargoyles of Dragonstone?

@Boggs, I'll link this post for possible arguments when we talk to Selena Darry.
>>
>>4473822
Just a small bit to add, add in that Stannis was ready to execute Aurion too, killed all the loyalist captives, even the knights, hanged in batches like smallfolk thieves and rapists. She can well imagine the fate of those that are alive today because of us.
>>
>>4473644
>You’re going back to the inn where Dorea and Ser Byron should be staying.
>>
>>4473741
>ignored an assassination plot against her
We got her an A-grade bodyguard team - we hardly ignored the potential threat.

Aside from personally guarding her ourselves 24/7 - I’m not sure what more could have been done.
>>
>>4474040
From above.
>Recruited before knowledge of the plot. We did nothing after finding out she was in danger. Even the trip out west was her idea, not ours.
We could've gone to Braavos to put pressure on the money men or we could've taken a risk in informing the crown but we decided we needed to sack castles. Our priorities so far have been: Bobby B memes > lumber "deals" > looting/gold > mistresses > Cerelle and Cerion
>>
>>4474056
We didn't have any leads on who to pressure at the time, we got that info from the mercenary on the Bar Emmon land. We'd have been wandering around a city known for its assassins trying to find a specific assassin group
>>
>>4474103
>It sounded hard so we were right in doing nothing
>Hey, let's sail through a hurricane to spearhead an attack on an island fortress

???
>>
>>4474107
It's not that it would be hard, it's that we didn't have any leads on it. We had the cadre to defend her and had her go to another location to confuse the assassins. Even if we went to Braavos, the assassins would've been deployed already. We've been on campaign for like a week or two, for the assassins to cross from Braavos to the west coast they'd have needed to leave before we could reach the city.
>>
>>4474148
Agreed they must've already left to strike out west. It's been a month or two though. Telling the crown about the threat and leaving her under guard in the Red Keep while we sorted out the mess in Braavos seemed doable to me. We also had Cleo's aid in searching lined up. The fact is we chose the greed options instead. I'm not sure why anyone would pretend otherwise. I guess it doesn't matter since it's already done with. We'll see soon enough what Cerelle has made of it. I just thought it could be useful to consider votes with more realistic expectations instead of copeposting in a quest with a QM based enough to not pull punches, but I guess that's just my opinion.
>>
>>4474164
Sending her to Westerlands instead of keeping her at the Red Keep actually increased the DC for the assassin (due to unfamiliarity with the locals) and was as much a part in saving her as the cadre. Think about it, the Red Keep is riddled with secret passageways and King's Landing is filled with people from all over too. Comparatively, at Ember Peak any foreigners would stand out like a sore thumb. We also did go for Cleo and her Intel, promised her our second born even (or at least to let them meet and see where it goes) for that info yet she has not come through yet. We were (or at least I was) waiting for more leads from Cleo's end before charging blind into Braavos. So that shit is on her.
>>
>>4474211
It didn't increase the DC, it just delayed the action. The law scores for houses along the Gold Road are garbage right now.
>>
“Your hospitality is appreciated, ser. I believe the young Lady Rambton will be safe with my sworn man in the inn,” you tell Ser Walmon. He calls for a page to see to it and leaves soon after with his lady wife, the two getting awfully giggly and handsy before they even leave the hall.

Little but wine and conversation is available to pass what little remains of the evening. It seems said conversation is to become more exclusive.

“Wylla, will you be a good hostess and show Ser Vaeron the way to the guest suites? We would not want him to become lost at such an hour… and do bring a chaperone,” Lady Selena tells her daughter with a knowing look at the last. Lyra stands to join her cousin. “Not you, dear. You stay,” her aunt stops her. Vaeron tosses you a helpless look over his shoulder as the Lady Wylla leads him away by the arm, chattering away in a honey-sweet voice about gods know what.

“You could stand to learn some subtlety. My Wylla is a fair hand at these games. I should know, I taught her,” Selena tells you as she accepts a newly-filled cup from Lady Lyra. The hall is deserted but for the three of you.

“I did catch a look or two,” you shrug. “Not that I couldn’t say the same of you. I simply act to type.”

“That you do… now, I want the truth from both of you. The truth of loyalties. Lyra, I assure you I will know if you dare lie to me over some pact with this man,” Selena says, dropping the act entirely.
>>
>>4474449
“Aunt Selena? What… I received your letter. You spoke of Lord Aurion… I thought… how do you know him?” Lady Lyra stumbles and stammers.

“I bedded him, dear. He is not unskilled, not that I would suspect you would know. Oh, don’t stare at me with mouth ajar. It is unbecoming. I have told you numerous times there is much to be gained in the bedchamber if you have the wit and will to put your better assets to use. On the topic, how fares Lady Jeyne?” Selena asks her dumbstruck niece as if asking after the weather.

“She—she,” Lyra starts, then nearly breaks into a fresh wave of sobbing. That might’ve been the most uncomfortable part of your journey here. You could hear her crying at nearly every moment you stepped into the passage near her cabin door.

“She was crippled during her flight by an arrow from the garrison. Her legs are useless, not to mention… well, you’d know the rest. I agreed to take her as a ward seeing as she has no where else to go… if that’s correct?” you ask.

“It is. My lord husband would never have her here after her defiance. Too damaging to future trade. A pity, I rather enjoyed hearing of her letters. Her lord father was a good man, a loyal man. He was killed not too long after the Trident. It seems his heir has less a spine than even my lord husband, and eagerly kissed Lord Tully’s ring. He very openly sent letters to Dragonstone beseeching his sister the Lady Jeyne to denounce her loyalties, which she refused just as openly. He disowned her not long after. I had thought to perhaps see her wed to a wealthier merchant, but she has little worth now,” Selena sighs and turns to her wine. “Now, the truth of it. Where do your loyalties lie, Lord Aurion?”

>The same place as hers (Deception).
>To House Baratheon. To the winners.
>To yourself.
>Something else.
>>
>>4474454
>>To yourself.
>>
>>4474454
>To the rightful kings and queens of Westeros (Deception Check?)
>and to the highest bidders, after all, I am a...reformed sellsword with a habit for relapse
>>
>>4474454
>To yourself
>>
>>4474454
>>To yourself.
anons are right, i think we're revealing more about ourselves than we intend to by acting like a lord. This is a bold claim but i think it's our best option. She wont buy that we have the same alliance as her, and we quickly snuck out from underneath Stannis, so loyalty to the Baratheons is out.

And before anyone mentions Renly, guys a toddler that we've never met. doesn't count.
>>
>>4474454
>>To yourself.
>>
>>4474454
>To yourself and House Shryke.
>>
>>4474454
>To yourself
She needs to remember we came here as a sellsword. We're going to do what's in our best interest as sellswords do.
>>
>>4474454
>To yourself.
I mean, if there's one thing that we've been loyal to in this quest, it's bettering our position and our men.
The quest for more more shinys and bigger numbers will always make the questgoers band together. Unless there's a waifu around, but that's not something we can really pledge loyalty to.
>>
Calling it here since it's unlikely to flip.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 7d6 for Persuasion (Convince)?
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 5, 1, 3, 6, 4 = 24 (7d6)

>>4474584
>>
>>4474584
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 3, 1, 3, 4, 6 = 25 (7d6)

>>4474584
That's called a "I can't roll dice"
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 3, 2, 6, 6, 2 = 25 (7d6)

>>4474584
>>
>>4474585
>>4474592
>>4474596
Success, 2 degrees. Writing!
>>
“I’m loyal to myself and my own household. I thought that obvious? Aye, I’ve had a good bit of fun with both sides of this, but neither Baratheon nor Targaryen has my affections. Though I am found of my Lord of Estermont for his friendship,” you tell the crafty Wendwater matron. You’re sorely tempted to ask her age. She’s not over forty. She can’t be… right?

“Your actions have you placed squarely with the Stags even after your earlier words to the contrary,” Lady Selena flatly states.

“And? If it were the Stags holed up on that rock, then I would’ve done the same thing to them. Makes no difference to me. I care about as much for that scared, twitchy little princeling as I care for the angsty Baratheon lordling that replaced him upon that dreary rock. I get a little grumpy over a few missed meals myself, but he was passing rude. Did you know when he arrived, he tried to make up some charge to hang me with the rest? If not for my allies of Tarth and Estermont, I may well have had to cut down another knight in a duel over it. And that princeling is no true Dragon. I caught sight of him running between the women’s skirts, just before that slimy lot dumped wildfire on me. That’s your king? If my boy Cerion were to be that craven at seven or eight, then I’d be shamed.”

“Did you say wildfire?” Lady Selena interrupts.

“Green shit that melts your armor and doesn’t burn out? That’d be it, yeah? It angered me quite a bit, I’ll grant. Made me all too happy to give chase to those pretenders,” you say. Both the Darry ladies look taken aback at the certainty of your words. Selena in particular seems to look at you in a more favorable light.

“I hear the sellsword bluster in your words clearly enough… although that may simply add weight to your claims. Perhaps your blood does run true after all,” Selena muses. “Very well. I cannot pretend to be overimpressed by opportunism, but I fail to see how that makes us enemies either… Now, as to Lyra… I assume you have heard of your brother’s plight, dear?”

“Raymun, my lady? What is it? More tithes?” Lyra asks.

“Raymun is still Ser Raymun. Nothing more. House Darry has been stripped of its lordship as an example to those who are more adamant in their vows,” Selena softly explains. You see the rage in her eyes plainly enough. “My father’s house has been reduced to mere landed knights… and yes, dear. More tithes. You will need to wed and soon. Not a merchant, House Darry will not be reduced to that. A tourney for your hand, perhaps. We could make it more exclusive to those of better birth and skim a little off the top of the costs to raise—”
>>
>>4474707
“No, I will not wed some… some—”

“Enough. You will do as your brother and I decide. I know all too well of your preferences in the matter. Do you think I enjoyed lying beneath my lord husband as he rutted atop me to seed child after child? It was my duty. You will do yours,” Selena turns stern with the girl who abruptly storms off in response.

“That girl has always had more fire than sense. I have no notion of where that came from… You will need see yourself to your quarters. Good evening, Lord Aurion,” Lady Selena says in passing.

You polish off the wine and see yourself off, pondering the queerness of these highborn families as you settle into your empty bed. Good thing you managed a son. These daughter matches sound like a hangover. Either Lady Selena is no longer of the mind to slip into your quarters or her niece wrangling went on until far too late. Perhaps that’s for the best with her volatility.

You rise with the sun on the morrow, mind turned to purpose at the sheer number of pressing matters warring for your attentions. Your men are mustered at Stormgrave. No doubt Janesa will have more word to bring you of your wife and child by now. And then there’s the island itself…

Lord Wendal and his daughter Wylla seem to be the early risers in this household… or just the two that drank the least the night prior. They see you off with the Lord Wendal awfully pleased over the dealings made in his absence. A fact that only further sours your opinion of the deal. Bloody merchants.

Ser Byron Yew is ready for you in front of the inn. Another early riser. “My lord. Lady Tyanna Rambton is ready to depart when you are.”

“Good. The sooner we leave the better… and does she have any companions?”

“Only her septa. The other has found accommodations elsewhere,” Ser Byron answers uncomfortably. You’ve come to understand the man harbors distaste for your womanizing, but he’s about as loyal as they get. Dorea has her cottage, then. Or at least a step towards one. Something to dwell on when you’ve more time…

You depart soon after that. The little Lady Tyanna keeps close to her stern looking septa, who also seems wary of you. You grant them the cabin upon the Sea Shryke and take the smaller spare for yourself. Dorea’s scent still lingers in the glorified storage space. The only small comfort left to you on your journey home.

>I'm going to pick this up with some house fortunes dealing in 2 hours.
>>
Well it hasn't been 2 hours, but I'm trying to go to bed early for a change. House fortunes rolls are every 2 months here, and we haven't done one since Month XII of last year... We are about to start Month IV, so we have 2 house fortunes to do. Let's start with Month II.

>Can I get 1 roll of 8d6?
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 5, 5, 2, 4, 6, 6 = 34 (8d6)

>>4474835
>>
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>>4474838
>Rolled 26, Blessing

You can improve 1 resource by 1d3 points or 2 resources by 1 point. As a reminder, you receive the following bonuses to the resource selected in additional to the +1:

Wealth: +1d3
Population: +1
Power: +1d3

You currently have the following resources available:
Defense: 6
Influence: 18
Lands: 7
Power: 6
Wealth: 17
Glory (can convert to 1 of anything): 6

Your Law is 24 and your Population is 12. I'll remind that Small Town is a popular goal, requiring a Population of 21 and 10 free Land.

>Which resource or resources were increased by the Blessing? Pick 1 or 2.
>>
>>4474862
Pop
>>
>>4474862
How long does it take to convert power to population? We could put the 2d3 in power, purchase some ships/troops, and convert he leftovers
>>
>>4474862
Population

>>4474873
I think 2d3 would become 1d6 but I am not sure
>>
>>4474873
It's 2 separate +1s or 1 +1d3.

Converting the resource chosen for house fortunes in the same month counts as a rush job (2:1 ratio rather than 1:1), but you can do that the next month.
>>
>>4474862
>Population
>>
>>4474874
I would leave it at 2d3. That seems fair.
>>
>>4474862
>>Population
>>
Ok, Population it is.

>Can I get 1 roll of 1d3+1?
>>
Rolled 3 + 1 (1d3 + 1)

>>4474928
>>
>>4474929
Niiice. Population is now 16. 5 more to go for that next threshold.
>>
And onto Month IV's rolls.

>Can I get one more roll of 8d6?
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 3, 2, 6, 1, 1, 4 = 27 (8d6)

>>4474929
Nice roll anon.
>>4474936
>>
>>4474940
>23
A Curse. I can't even remember the last time I saw one of those in a quest. Huh. Ok. That's going to be a hit of -1 in two different places or a -1d3 in one place. Selecting this seems a little cheesy, so we will roll for it.

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

I'll need two rolls of 1d6. If they land on the same number, then 1d3 will be subtracted from that resource.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4474948
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4474948
Oh fuck what did I do!?!?
>>
File: Stormgrave Hamlet.jpg (229 KB, 1200x581)
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>>4474950
>>4474956
-1 Influence, -1 Population. I think I know what to do with that. Ok. It'll come up in the story.

So the available resource tally is now:

Defense: 6
Influence: 17
Lands: 7
Power: 6
Wealth: 17
Glory (can convert to 1 of anything): 6

Law is 24 and Population is 15.

With that glory in play and a power to population resource conversion, you could feasibly have a small town... but I'm sure some may have some ideas for the power as well. I'm going to put that part up for a vote overnight since it's a lot of resources to move around.

Convert 6 Power to Population and 3 Glory into Lands to upgrade to a Small Town (needed for market/port/brothels/other things)?

>Yes
>No
>>
>>4474973
>Yes
>>
>>4474973
>>Yes
>>
>>4474973
>Yes
>>
>>4474973

>Yes

Finally
>>
>>4474973
>Yes
>>
>>4474973
>>Yes
>>
>>4474973
Yes
>>
>>4474973
>Yes
Huh, just thinking, in universe isn’t wildfire considered knock off Dragon fire? And theoretically shouldn’t Dragon scales be immune to dragonfire? Therefore, if my logic holds, shouldn’t our new dragonscale armour be immune or at least resistant to Wildfire
I’m not really addresssing the issue of oxygen starvation or any of the myriad issues that come with being set on fire
>>
Umm so what did Selena give us for bringing Lyra home?
>>
>>4475378
Oh right, I never elaborated after their little argument. Lyra's brother has no gold and Lord Wendal won't pay for her directly, so they're going to hold a tourney for Lyra's hand in marriage, write it off as more expensive than it really is, and pay you under the table with the extra.
>>
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After another two days of sailing, you catch sight of your home. It’s been… several moons, but Stormgrave is still as indomitable as ever amidst the choppy seas and grey skies. Your two galleys are out patrolling as you approach, and both form an honor guard of sorts as you arrive into port. The Reach galleas, Bountiful Harvest, is anchored in the cove rather than docked like your smaller Sea Shryke galiot and the couple trading ships stopping off. You’ll need to build bigger docks if you don’t want to risk the warship’s keel bottoming out.

What strikes you the most upon the docks is all the bloody people moving about. Stormgrave felt half the ghost town when you left for King’s Landing, but now there are all sorts bustling around and going about their business. A good many are clearly no Westerosi either. It’s as if you got lost and somehow sailed into some colony of the Free Cities. Many you recognize, albeit hazily. Camp followers of your company from Essos. Not all the whorish type either, though there are some of those too. Many are simply the burgeoning families your professional soldiers have formed over the years. You were vaguely aware of plans afoot for them to arrange passage upon more accommodating cogs and carracks to catch up to your men whose livelihoods the children and womenfolk depend upon. No doubt a good number of them latched on to the protections of your cavalry when they finally made their crossing. Just the sort of lifeblood your depopulated town needed. A few of your Stormbringers call out from nearby homes and storefronts at your passing. Most have either a woman or one of their children upon their laps. Janesa must have given them leave to settle in after so much time spent away campaigning.

As you reach the end of the main street, your party is approached by a handful of cavalrymen mounted upon the swift and hardy mounts so prized by those who patrol near the Red Wastes. The Heralds of the Storm. You recognize Janesa’s cousin Jonath by his sun-bronzed skin and lithe figure at the head of the five riders who lead another five spare horses. Just Jonath, not an actual member of the Pureborn Anaris family. Well, Lieutenant Jonath would be more appropriate now as he is of a rank with Trios. He was a nephew of Janesa’s father. Both he and her father shared a penchant for horsemanship, and both are from the Qartheen colony of Qarkash. Janesa’s father is long gone, though. He apparently fell from a poisoned arrow on a routine patrol of the Red Road between the sister cities. A circumstance dubious enough to have Pureborn politicking writ upon it, doubly so given the old Anaris consort’s rumored volatility. One does not threaten another Pureborn at sword point and expect to carry on with a robust constitution.
>>
>>4476464
“Hail, Captain! And my dear Vaeron as well! My Lady Janesa will be as pleased to see you both as I. How fares your warring? Ah and I hear you have a son. It is all my cousin talks of,” Jonath smiles in greeting as your party are offered mounts for the short jaunt to your castle. Little Tyanna Rambton doubles up with her septa.

“I’m sure it is. Good to see you, my friend. The journey went well?” you greet.

“Well enough. I thought our score of Heralds light for such a host of pilgrims, but we had no corsairs to dispatch. Rumors of port have them unusually quiet of late, just as rumors of all your glories spurred them on the final leg of the journey,” he replies.

“It gladdens me to hear it. And how fares your dear cousin?” you ask the Qartheen cavalryman. He snorts and makes a gesture of a chattering mouth with one hand. You nod in complete understanding.

“Too stiff, yes? Humors are unbalanced. All women get this way with dry spells, it is known. She needs her consort to throw her a good fuck,” Janoth elbows a smirking Vaeron while Lady Tyanna’s aging septa scowls at him. Janoth catches the look and only nods as if that sold his point.

A few of the Heralds are sparring in the fields beneath the castle with their curved arakhs, blades well-suited for cutting down men from horseback. Others ride at makeshift straw and wood targets with stones piled atop. You watch as one surges forward at a breakneck pace and shatters one of the heavy stones with a metal ball launched from his sling. He abruptly veers off after the attack to make for another pass.

“Faster Amin, lest you grow an arse as fat as your mother’s and we must send you to charm the docks!” Jonath cries out to another one of the Heralds a few paces behind the first rider as his fellow riders roar with laughter.

Janesa meets you in the bailey as soon as you pass through the gatehouse. She’s garbed in a gold threaded Qartheen gown nearly of a daring cut even for her with the entirety of her left side exposed. You can practically feel the eyes of the entire party trace the uncaring Pureborn from leg to barely concealed womanhood to her exposed breast crowned with a pointy, darkened nipple.

“By the Maiden!” the aging septa gasps. If your seneschal heard her, she gave no indication. She strides across the yard and pulls Vaeron into a deep, unchaste kiss.
>>
>>4476468
“It’s lovely to see you too,” you interrupt. She takes her time in breaking away, leaving your sworn brother with a stupid look upon his face.

“Yes, Aurion. Lord Aurion. Council meeting? Who is the girl? Yours?” Janesa asks, a brief look spared to the four- or five-year-old lady half-hidden behind the gawping septa’s skirts.

“Lady Tyanna Rambton. The Knight of Rambton was her father,” you explain.

“So she is. Fine. Then that was my Vaeron’s doing?” she bores into her husband or consort or whatever they are with eyes more golden than her dress.

“Take it to a room if you must, just summon the council,” you call over your shoulder as you go to seek out some proper rum, pleased enough they’re getting along.

Janesa has your retainers funneling into the hall a solid half hour later. You nod to their greetings as you lounge about in your gilded seat with a hornful of rum, watching the children rope the shy Tyanna Rambton into their play while one of Janesa’s ladies delicately works the knots from your shoulders. It was an innocent and chaste enough task for the Qartheen woman, but she is quick to make herself scarce the moment her mistress’s eyes fall upon her. You note Vaeron is missing and are about to ask—

“Resting,” she heads off your question as the others raise a din in seating themselves. Ser Byron Yew joins along with Septon Boremund, Master of Arms Warrick Flint, and Master Marq the armorsmith. You go to make a jest of how small the small council is until you remember your wife’s distance and your fleetmaster’s untimely death.

“Right. Start it off, then,” you tell Janesa.

“First order of business. You should be made aware of the town’s progress. I am sure you have already seen the new arrivals. I believe the boost in the town’s populace should be sufficient to allow for more amenities to be staffed… desperately needed at present. I will also bring to your attention a little incident that occurred a moon past. A group of peasants took great offense at the ‘foreigners’ as they called us taking up new roots. They decided to take their chances elsewhere rather than face Lieutenant Janoth and the rest,” Janesa reports.

“So, a boatful of salty smallfolk cast off to rant somewhere else over the foreignness of my people. Lovely. Next,” you wave her along and take another sip of your rum.
>>
>>4476470
“Next it is. The treasury. I believe this may be your favorite part… our current total stands at three thousand four hundred of your gold dragons. A somewhat notable sum. There are a great number of projects that could use it. I’ll note my earmarks and then open it up to the rest of you. The two items that most concern me are the port and the general state of the House’s amenities and dress. The port in particular could use some expansion if you would ever like to see more profitable foreign trade on these shores… not to mention how that stolen ship of yours looks ghastly anchored out in the cove… beyond that, our ladies could stand to be better dressed, particularly in this more favorable season,” Janesa suggests. She lets the silence hang for a few moments, then waves for Septon Boremund to pick up from there.

“Glad to see you back in one piece, Lord Aurion. I only suggest what best nourishes your people—”

“We’re already building a castle sept. They can use it once a week’s turn or so. That’s how that works, yeah?” you tell him.

“If you say so. I was thinking more along the lines of food,” your septon chuckles through his thick beard. “I’ve spoken to the farming folk. Good people. They’re of the mind they’ll fall short of meeting the needs of all your men-at-arms and the growing town what with the distillery of yours taking up some of the crop. They reckon a mill should just about cover it. One of them wind-spun ones.”

“How far off’s the distillery?” you ask Janesa.

“Six moons. A mill could be completed before then if it were started now. You could wait a few moons to begin construction, but I believe your star priest is correct in that we will start dipping into our surplus when the distillery is completed,” Janesa replies.

“I’d mention the smelter for milord again, now’ve more coin. Only way we’re to see this iron worked at a proper pace. An’ I’ve some ideas for milord’s armor when you’ve time,” Master Marq speaks up. The scales. Now that should be worth a walk down to the forge.

You note Ser Byron and Master Flint both unfurling similar dirty looking notes, the former uncomfortably and the latter with a snort. Janesa drops another one on the table as well with a wry smile.

“Right. I’ll read it, then,” Warrick Flint grunts. “All it says is ‘broffels an tafferns’ my lord. All of em say that. Your sellsword lads keep pressing them in our hands. I’d reckon Lieutenant Trios has a stack of em, but he’s busy seeing to his wife. I’d second the notion on the smelter for my part.”
>>
>>4476477
“Brothels and taverns. One of the finer abominations of your people’s tongue I have seen,” Janesa clarifies. Your men’s more democratic tendencies do come out at times.

“Can’t say I’m much surprised. They’ve loot to piss through and what better way to do it?” you say as quaff more rum. “What else?”

“Lady Jeyne had mentioned the worth of a more welcoming townhouse within the town,” Ser Byron quietly adds. “And Master Aerron mentioned need of gold for research.”

That seems to be it. You’d tossed around some ideas yourself on markets and greenhouses and the like, but that doesn’t seem to be their priority. Not that you’re obliged to listen. Decisions, decisions.

You have 17 wealth to spend. Council suggestions are as follows

Janesa
Docks upgraded to Port (5 wealth): +1 to House Fortunes, may dock larger warships, gain access to foreign trade options.
Comfortable Lifestyle upgraded to Rich (5 wealth): +1 to Intrigue Defense, more impressive fashion and décor to other highborn.
Septon Boremund
Mill (5 wealth): +1 Wealth gain, +5 Food produced per month
Warrick Flint and Marq
Smelter: +1 Population gain, Unprocessed Iron (common goods) converted to Processed Iron (superior goods)
Ser Byron Yew
Lady Jeyne’s Townhouse (2 Wealth): useful for recruiting Retainers.
Master Aerron’s “research” is Scholar+Large Library (1 Defense, 6 Wealth): +1 to House Fortunes, extra +1b on Knowledge (research) tests. He will begin researching Valyrian bloodlines upon receiving the funds to do so.
The Lads
Brothels (5 wealth): +2 to Wealth
Dockside Taverns (5 wealth) -1 Power cost to Sailors and Oarsmen unit types.

I’m going to leave this open for everyone to come up with whatever wish list they’d like. By all means, look outside of the council’s suggestions or ignore them entirely. These are your advisors’ preferences, but you’re not required to listen to them. The Homebrew Holdings 2.0 document and the Out of Strife, Prosperity PDF are both in the Drive and have plenty of other holdings. If anyone is keen on making some greentexted spending lists, then I will look them over and see what needs to be put to a vote.
>>
>>4476492
>Mill (5 wealth): +1 Wealth gain, +5 Food produced per month
>Lady Jeyne’s Townhouse (2 Wealth): useful for recruiting Retainers.
>Dockside Taverns (5 wealth) -1 Power cost to Sailors and Oarsmen unit types.
>Smelter: +1 Population gain, Unprocessed Iron (common goods) converted to Processed Iron (superior goods)
If the smelter is 5 gold that comes to 17, and I would like all of them
>>
>>4476494
Gah, missed one. Yup, smelter is 5.
>>
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And here's a quick note on Retainers since it's a new thing. See the attached image from Homebrew Holdings 2.0
>>
>>4476492
>Docks upgraded to Port (5 wealth): +1 to House
>Mill
>Smelter
Creating Lady Jeyne a town house take up a slot of something? I don't get how getting her a town house helps us with recruiting retainers? They assume we will make a house for them, or that we treat "our" people well?
>>
>>4476511
Idk why i missed this.. I'm a special boy.
So that being said, we currently have Cerelle's cousin and Lady Leyne filling up our two retainer slots?
>>
>>4476492

>Port
>Mill
>Smelter

I'd like to hold off on the townhouse for now.
>>
>>4476524
>>4476537
You have no retainer slots used yet. I'm looking at the slot holders as being of the more established variety. Basically, people who could have families of their own or exert more influence upon things. I look at the townhouse as more of a way to invite in guests that may not be interested in staying at the castle. Lady Jeyne would play the role of hostess for now, though she could reasonably qualify as a Minor Noble with a small amount of work. Lenore could fill a slot as well if she were to marry someone locally and put down roots.
>>
>>4476492
>Docks
>Mill
>Smelter

Leaving 2 wealth in the bank. Priority next month should be Master Aerron's research first because he has a timer for when he gets frustrated and leaves.
>>
>>4476492
>Port
>Mill
>Brothels
Encourage foreign trade and keeps our smallfolk/lads happy. The smelter can be next on the docket. I believe the wealth gain bonus from the mill and brothel will bump us up to a +1d6, which is gonna make us rich each house fortune
>>
>>4476492
>Mill
>Smelter
>Brothels

The lads need something to do, and this supercharges our wealth gain

Docks can be our next objective.
>>
>>4476581
One small thing I wanted to add to this that may better put it in scope:

The Retainers are basically minor "branch" houses and can fill other roles in your household. If Master of Arms Warrick Flint were to fully put down roots here and become a Retainer, then he'd be settling in a family in a more generational sense that would effectively become "House Flint of Stormgrave" and owe fealty to you, but in a way that still puts them beneath a step beneath a minor Landed Knight house in power and influence. Another example that already exists (along with a couple dozen others) is Eddison Celtigar's House Celtigar of King's Landing that is distinctly separate from the main branch.
>>
>>4476492
>Mill
>Smelter
>Brothels
>>
>>4476492
Those are some good advisors. I want all of them.

>Brothels
>Smelter
>Mill
>>
>>4476492
>mill
>smelter
>docks
>>
>>4476492
>Mill (5 wealth): +1 Wealth gain, +5 Food produced per month
>Smelter: +1 Population gain, Unprocessed Iron (common goods) converted to Processed Iron (superior goods)
>Brothels (5 wealth): +2 to Wealth
>Lady Jeyne’s Townhouse (2 Wealth): useful for recruiting Retainers.
>>
Is this vote open overnight or is there another update today? I'm about to drop off from sleep.
>>
>>4476652
>I’m going to leave this open for everyone to come up with whatever wish list they’d like.
>>
>>4476652
Open overnight
>>
>>4476665
Alright.

>>4476656
Must have missed it in my drowsiness.
>>
>>4476492
>Docks
>Mill
>Brothels

i feel a brothel would create less trouble than a tavern. drunk soldier looking for someone to fuck/rape is not a good look for our island
>>
>>4476492
>Docks upgraded to Port (5 wealth): +1 to House Fortunes.
We are an island. We need a port.
>Mill (5 wealth): +1 Wealth gain, +5 Food produced per month
Can't let our people eat cake.
>Smelter: +1 Population gain, Unprocessed Iron (common goods) converted to Processed Iron (superior goods)
Let's first create stability before researching shit.
>>
>>4476492
>Docks upgraded to Port (5 wealth): +1 to House Fortunes, may dock larger warships, gain access to foreign trade options.
>Mill (5 wealth): +1 Wealth gain, +5 Food produced per month
>Smelter: +1 Population gain, Unprocessed Iron (common goods) converted to Processed Iron (superior goods)
‘broffels an tafferns’ are definitely next on the list but we need the port, and processed iron from the smelter will be something actually worth trading from out port. The mill will keep us from hunger riots and spare Cerelle from having to say "let them drink rum". We will just have to go on campaign again until we can afford to build what the lads want and keep them out of trouble.
>>
>>4476492
>>Docks
>>Mill
>>Brothels
>>
>>4476464
Idk about you guys but reading that passage on how our domain has developed was delightful.

>>4476492
>Docks
>Mill
>Smelter
>Lady Jeyne’s Townhouse
With Master Aerron's research coming next fortune roll.

>>4476614
I like the idea of retainers a lot. Really livens up and populates our little island society with various minor personages. With this mechanic not just big lordly houses get to have hierarchies of subordinates and it feels much more realistic this way.
>>
>>4476492
>Docks upgraded to Port (5 wealth)
>Mill (5 wealth)
>Smelter (5 wealth)
>Lady Jeyne’s Townhouse (2 Wealth)
As much as a want to do the research and upgrade the library I think we can hold off on that for the moment.

I'd also like to hold off on the brothels for now. I was wondering if we would be able to do something special for that like recruiting a couple of bedslave from Lys, or (possibly) using Jans connection to Qarth to get someone from there. I figure that Qarth is a city of such excesses that someone who can get paid to fuck there would be pretty impressive.
>>
>>4477241
Why would you want to fuck around with slavery? Big NO from me, if you get caught your reputation gets tarnished, you might get called up to answer for the crime. Reminder that slavery is one of the big sins in Faith of the Seven. Septon Boremund is sitting in on the council. Even if you get away with it, it's just another secret you carry that your opponents can blackmail you with if they discover it.
>>
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>>4477241
I don’t know, I have the oddest feeling like our wife wouldn’t like us getting whores that’d hang around our house, especially getting Super-Whores from the Whore capital of the world, although, speaking of friends from Lys/Qarth what have you
>Inb4 an old friend comes to visit after hearing about new Westerosi rum
>Lyan Du Calrissiano
>>
>>4477260
Also true, but considering our location it might be an idea to quietly let it be known that we’re a spot of safety for escaped slaves, it’s a nice thought at least and might get us a good word from the Sept
>>
>>4477241
>>4477260
If we bought them and then freed them it might look like a charity.

>>4477267
Why would they ever be hanging around the house unless we were getting a super whorefu like Badic's wife? They would stay at or near the brothels in town.
>>
>>4477260
We wouldn't keep them as slaves, find ones that would be willing to ply their trade freely. We just have to make sure they wont be the type to run away when they have the chance.
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>>4477286
I'd assume a slave bred and raised to be a whore would just keep being a whore if she were freed. What else will she do? Plow the fields for coppers and bread? Fulfill her dreams of becoming the world's first illiterate librarian? Or kick back and use the one skill she knows she has to make some honest silver? I guess if one or two were extra clever then they'd seduce a better paid Stormbringer to marry them.
>>
>>4477291
>What else will she do?
Marry a nobleman.
>>
>>4477293
Isn't that majorly reaching except in the most extreme cases? Like how many of the noblemen that frequent brothels would go for something like that? Maybe if it's a squire like in Malroy, but we saw how well that turned out.
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>>4477291
I assume she would continue on doing her job, we just want to make sure that they'll do that job here and not run off the Bravvos or something and do it there. If we say that we're freeing them and then they run off we don't have much recourse to dragging them back.
>>
Nice, that's more involvement than I'd anticipated for the holdings. Thanks for that.

We are locked in for the Mill, Smelter, and Port for 15 Wealth. That leaves 2 Wealth remaining. Brothels are in 4th place right now. You could use the 3 remaining Glory for Wealth and pick that up as well, or you could save it for later.

Spend 3 Glory+2 Wealth to purchase Brothels?
>Yes
>No

Additionally, I'll need 3 rolls of 1d6 for build time in months on the projects. Mill/Smelter/Port in that order.
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4477371
>Yes
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4477371
>Yes
Might as well invest now that the war's ended
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4477371
>Yes

There some whores in this house
>>
>>4477377
>>4477380
>>4477382
5, 6, 5
Oof
>>
>>4477377
>>4477380
>>4477382
The one time you needed low rolls.
>>
>>4477383
Maybe we'll roll a 1 for brothels
>>
>>4477371
>Yes
>>
>>4477371
>No
C'mon guys don't go for broke for once, maybe we need some wealth due to gameplay reasons, at least leave something in the bank. There's no reason why we have to do this NOW.
>>
>>4477371
>no
we need to save that so we don't piss off our scholar
>>
>>4477371
>>Yes
>>
>>4477371
No, save it up for later.
>>
>>4477371
>>Yes
>>
>>4477371
>No

Save glory for other things
>>
>>4477371
>Yes
>>
>>4477371
>no
brothels to me are pretty low priority
>>
>>4477400
Agreed.
>>4477371
>>No
>>
>>4477371
>>Yes
>>
>>4477531
It's literally the only thing our men want, gotta keep the extremely competent ex-mercenaries happy.

It also turns our military into a closed loop economically. They're gonna be spending their wages on brothels we own/tax, instead of saving the gold. The boost it gives will be enough to fund the other options in a few months
>>
>>4477410
>>4477466
>>4477536
Normally I don't say anything but I've grown increasingly suspicious of 1 post by this IDs in close votes.
>>
>>4477371
>Yes
>>
>>4477536
Well im just away for the weekend. But wanted to continue voting. Don't have access to a computer.
>>4477536
This being I if it changes again.
>>
>>4477556
1 got caught in Reynold but I'm not convinced 2 Yes and 1 No is a legit samefag attempt. There are some phoneposters that play.
>>
>>4477556
I've yet to have a contentious vote that was decided by 1-post IDs. So far, pulling them out of votes has always yielded the same results. I do check. If 1-post's flip a vote, then I'd likely call for them to link back and throw out any that can't/won't. It's not a perfect answer, but it's not nearly as tedious as some of the other solutions I've seen.

>>4477600
To be fair, there were a couple fairly contentious votes that were among the most important in the quest. I wouldn't be surprised if that drew out lurkers.
>>
>>4477371
>>Yes
>>
>>4477662
Eh. It wasn't on one of those.
>>
>>4477371
>Yes

Why are we stockpiling?
>>
Calling it here. Can I get 1 roll of 1d6 for the build time?
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4477909
>>
>>4477910
Man we're gonna get a massive increase to our house fortunes in a few months, but the wait is gonna suck
>>
>>4477920
True, In about 6 months we'll be rolling in dough
>>
I'm working on another update to leave open overnight. I'm expecting to get back into a normal multi-post schedule later in the coming week. Thanks for the patience with the pace.
>>
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“War’s over. I’d rather the island not have to rely on contracts alone. We need… industry,” you reluctantly admit. Industry strikes you as tedious. “The mill for certain… and Marq’s smelter,” you nod to the smith as he breaks out in a lopsided grin. “Lady Janesa should be aware of the coin I’ve already set aside for my wife and her ladies, but I’ll concede on the port as well.”

“And your lady wife has confided in me as to how insufficient the amount is for presenting an impressive appearance. Perhaps you simply have not been keeping up with the goings on. Let us see… cloth-of-gold is in right now with the Baratheon ascendancy,” Janesa starts ticking off on her fingers.

“In what?” you interrupt.

In,” she gesticulates as if that makes her point. “Fashion, my sweet. What else? Despite their questionable quality compared to cheaper Qartheen lace, Myrish lace is twice the cost and awfully fashionable of late. You will hardly find a commendable dress without some added, not to mention their use in smallclothes…” she adds with a sultry smile.

“Don’t know what’s wrong with cloth for such. A man’s not like to care if you’re down to that. Wasteful,” Septon Boremund scoffs.

Janesa narrows her gilded eyes at the bearded holy man and then leans forward with a predatory look. “I agree, priest. I am such a lady of the commons that I forgo smallclothes entirely.”

His face flushes while Warrick Flint goes into a coughing fit. Your seneschal leans back in her chair looking awfully smug when your septon dabs his forehead with a strip of cloth.

“Then donate your smallclothes allowance to the other ladies and everyone wins. Any road, we’re done here,” you tell the rest of the council. As they start to stand, you throw out one more thought.

“… wait. Think we could swing the brothels as well? Put the word out subtle like that the lads made off well in all our victories and see if that doesn’t attract some greedy whores tired of taking promissory notes they can’t read from dragon’s men. Should save on the poaching fees. Far be it for me to stop the lads from pissing away their winnings back into the town economy,” you say.

Janesa looks to you appreciatively. “After all of these years you still manage to surprise me on occasion with bouts of random genius. We will give it a try.”
>>
>>4478212
You note Janesa hanging back. “More?” you ask.

She gives you a good long stare as if trying to puzzle something out. “That was the easy part. Follow me. Your chambers,” she says in a far more serious tone than before. You follow her on up the staircase, only paying cursory attention to the revealing dress.

She strides across the room to pour herself some wine the very moment she enters. “Read it,” she thrusts a letter into your hands.

Aurion,

You have a son. As we agreed, I have named him Cerion. He has your eyes, and I believe he will have my hair. He is a healthy boy by all accounts. The birth went smoothly if that concerned you at all. Lady Ciara has been a great help.

I write this on the road to Lannisport. I have left Ember Peak. Our hosts were accommodating, but there were certain truths kept from me until my arrival. The Gold Road is not what it once was. A bandit sought to murder our son upon the road. He was captured and confessed to a great deal. Cerion is unharmed.

My cousins of Lannister will be hosting us in Lannisport until you come to collect us. I thought it best for Cerion to see the sea. I believe a longer trip is in order after all of these ordeals. Together, of course. Perhaps Braavos would be pleasant this early in the season.

I expect you will write us with your intentions. I will not suffer the Gold Road again, nor will Cerion. If you feel that other matters are more important than us, yet again, then I will have a warship of the Lannister fleet act as escort in your place.

-Cerelle


“He has my eyes!” you grin. “Course he does! My boy…”

“Have you no sense of tone? Read it again you oaf. The last part. ‘Yet again,’ it says. Her comments towards the birth as well. Do you see what you have done?” she snaps.

You shoot her a glare and pour over it a second time. “I’ll grant the choice of words feels off. What tone? Can writing have tone? I have begun reading battle reports of late and they are no different in conveying message.”
>>
>>4478213
Janesa loses her words, repeatedly stopping herself just as she forms a retort until she finally makes a noise halfway between a growl and a pitiful whine. She storms across the room to collect herself… and get more wine and set herself to pacing. “No. We will talk through this. That would be best. Yes. You are new to these sorts of things. Of course. That is it. Now, then. If your lady wife writes you a letter that reminds you of a battle report, then you may assume she has taken great issue with something you have done. The written word, you are Saagael made manifest for forcing me to explain this, the written word is typically more flowery as you would call it. If one were to take the time to write a letter to a loved one after so long separated, then you may assume the choice of words would at least be more moving than a battle report,” she seethes.

“She is wroth over the assassin…” you frown.

“As she should be. I have spoken to that Solemn Flames captain we hold. It would have been a trivial matter for the Bank to pull the leash on their dogs had you diverted yourself from feasting and warring for a moment and used that Lysene whore’s contacts to sniff out the coin keepers. She wrote as well, this ‘Lady Celtigar.’ Her information corroborates the captain’s story. If this had been Vaeron making these decisions on my behalf, then I would truly believe he meant to see me murdered. That is after years of knowing otherwise. You had been wed to this girl for not three moons before you left her to fend for herself and your child both. What do you suppose she would make of that?”

“I left her with a body of knights. They were clearly useful. That’s not doing nothing,” you retort.

“We discussed such an arrangement for her before you last departed. She was just as aware as I was. She has had quite a bit of time to mull all of this over, and she has not had your gold tongue to distract her from her thoughts. If you believe she is unaware of the sequence of events and the obvious picture you have painted of your care for her, then I am well ready to wash my hands of this. Do mind, this is before accounting for your wenching. Yes, I know. I had Vaeron spilling that before he could spill his seed. I had assumed you backslid to be carrying on so carelessly. Are there more he does not know of? Are any with child?”
>>
>>4478214
“He knows of it all. Couldn’t keep it to himself for an hour? I’ve no knowledge of children. Hasn’t been long,” you grumble.

“Nor should he. He does not clean up your messes unless it is on the battlefield. I clean up your messes, or have you forgotten? I will let you in on a little secret, Aurion. I like all of your little antics. It was a breath of fresh air back in Qarth with the formalities I endured there, and it has been mostly profitable out here in the barbaric west… but this has been sheer folly without purpose. If you needed your cock ridden so desperately despite your whole devoted act when the Lady Cerelle was on the menu, then I could have sent along one of my ladies. Lady Cerelle has a great deal more influence than you do, whether you have the wit to see it or not, and you seem to be intent upon making her into an enemy. I sought to build something here. I have not traveled across half the world to have my words ignored by a bitter girl who thinks me your ally in your quest to gallivant about wenching and fighting. Do you love her?” she abruptly asks.

“I do love her.”

“Then fix this. Otherwise your marriage will be as dead as those assassins intended your son to be. If she is lost to you and this castle devolves into little factions competing for each of your favors, then I assure you I will cut my significant losses here and return to my palace with the children. I can hardly trust your vow of a match between our houses if I cannot trust you to keep to a bed or to prioritize keeping loved ones alive,” Janesa urges.

She sighs and her posture sags in a very rare moment of exhaustion. “You have made arrangements to hunt the deserters. You also have an invitation to attend another one of those tournaments in King’s Landing upon the next moon. Some victory celebration. With any luck, you could see to those disgusting Ghiscari slavestock and still attend the event. Or you could put all of that off and sail to Lannisport. This House Wendwater will have to accept the delay given the recent threat to your heir. If you will not sail to her, then I will draft a letter to Cerelle for you to add to as you wish. She would likely make her return upon a Lannister ship as she suggested. What do you intend to do?”

>Sail to Lannisport
>Sail to Wendishton
>Something else
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport

Knew it...
>>
>>4478215
>>Sail to Lannisport
>>
>>4478212
Boremund remains one of the best characters. Glad we picked him up
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport
Now Wendwater is gonna find out about our deserters, great.
>>
>>4478215
>>Sail to Wendishton
>>
>>4478215
>Something else
Can we split ourselves? It's not ideal because we should be commanding them in battle but what if we sent Vaeron to Wendishton to take care of the deserters and we go to Lannisport?

He had to miss out on the fun last time, this time he gets to have all of it.
>>
>>4478290
He's a pretty average commander, but I like this idea. We'd have to change our planned troops so our ship could be defended, but that's not too bad. Either take the Stormbringers or the cavalry(sans horses) and let Vaeron command the others in clearing out the deserters. It'd be a good way to blood them

Assuming we can leave the horses behind(too many will die on a long journey and what use are they?) would the cavalry retain their stats and just have no qualities?
>>
>>4478215
>>Sail to Lannisport
Everything has a cost...Shame this one is so big. But worth trying to make it up to our wife.
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport
Oh well....
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport
Well, at least we did something heroic like she wanted...
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport
>Let Vaeron hunt the deserters
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to lannisport
Come into port like Captain Jack Sparrow with less sinking
>>
>>4478212
>Janesa narrows her gilded eyes at the bearded holy man and then leans forward with a predatory look. “I agree, priest. I am such a lady of the commons that I forgo smallclothes entirely.”
Thank you, Boggs, the cloth discussion made my morning.

>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport
Duhhhhh
>>
>>4478290
This got me thinking we should have a second-in-command. Vaeron's our bodyguard, we should get a proper leader to take over command.
Boggs, how do we evaluate Trios' ability? Does he have it in him with encouragement and some training to take on that role?
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport

I think it was made abundantly clear that that not going to Lanisport is akin to starting a internal civil war. considering she damn near threatened us with using the Lanisters against us we would be fools to not go get her, don't want to end up like the lord of Ember Peak.

>Send Vernon or our next best commander to deal with the Deserters.
Send a Letter along explaining how we as a concerned husband and father have to go pick up our wife and newborn child after an attempt was made on their lives.
>>4478310
>He's a pretty average commander.
I don't think this matters much as he is probably going to be a subcommander under one of the leaders of the knights lodge. And if that's not the default case maybe we should make it so.
>>
>>4478215
Supporting >>4478290
>>
I wish the assassins had succeeded. There, I said it.
>>
>>4478492
You can't say that!
Same, I want a dumb wife who will let us fuck Dorea
>>
>>4478495
Hell I'd take Dorea herself over Cerelle, smallfolk accent and naivety all included. Even if we can't press her claim. And stay faithful to her for the rest of Aurion's life. Cerelle sounded cute in the beginning, but it's just annoying now. I think there's a reason anons weren't ready to stray when they weren't even betrothed to each other, but decided to cheat at the first opportunity once they got married. Yeah yeah she's cunning and intelligent, good for her, but we already have Janesa for that. These highborn and mighty girls are too high maintenance.

Not that we can do anything about it now, a lesson for future Asoiaf quests I suppose. Always take the dumb titcow low maintenance girl who'll love you.
>>
>>4478215

>Sail to Lannisport

Janesa is freaking out, Cerelle isn't that mad.
>>
>>4478501
I am on the opposite opinion: the coomer base is significant and will attempt to ruin characters when presented with an opportunity.
But when repercussions catch up to them they seethe and blame another character for their own actions.

>I think there's a reason anons weren't ready to stray when they weren't even betrothed to each other, but decided to cheat at the first opportunity once they got married.
Nah, that was just one group of players take over a vote.

I think that letter was entirely justified and should be a wake-up call for Aurion.
>>
>>4478290
You can do that. One of the Wendwater sons would end up leading, which would be fine with them. Less hurt feelings all around.

>>4478310
They'd use the values in parentheses on the sheet. Lower but doable with support. You don't exactly need to take a unit of ground troops around everywhere on the warships unless you are specifically looking to get in a fight. I had the Stormbringers go back to Stormgrave rather than follow to Wendishton last time because it's considered very poor form to just show up unannounced in port towns with a deck loaded with soldiers.

>>4478403
Trios is great for one unit, but that's about it. Very much a single track mind in fighting. Warrick Flint is your best bet for a second. Upgrade him to Field Master for 5 wealth and you're set.
>>
>>4478510
Supporting the split option then.

>>4478509
>But when repercussions catch up to them they seethe and blame another character for their own actions.
You're not wrong, I suppose. But the coomer vote had little to do with Cerelle's letter here.
>>
>>4478506
...how do you figure she is fine after reading that?

>>4478501
Oh boy. This is like the Obella blaming in Malroy. Any time a woman descents in any way from character mistakes, she is blamed. Apparently to the point of wishing her dead. Wouldn't want a wife to have an opinion. Even if it is about her newborn baby's safety.

>>4478509
Completely agree. Cerelle and Cleo have been blamed for the assassins over Aurion by some that don't want to take responsibility. I'll fully admit I went along with the retarded coomer meme after the first vote with Selena. At this point, I think we have a consistency issue because of those fence sitting tendencies. Not saying I'm not just as guilty.
"I want to sleep around but it can't follow me back home."
"I want a happy wife but only if it doesn't make me have to miss a feast."
"I love Cerelle... and I love Dorea. This will work somehow."

It's immature. I think it's time to stop riding the fence. Pick a lover and stick with her.
>>
>>4478526
Well they can love dorea from a distance and hands off.

I don't mind navigating the story and deal with consequences but fighting to fix other people's mistakes and then one vote dicks it all up again, and makes the character act like a flip flopping retard is not fun at all.
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Lannisport

Never understood the votes for sticking with Dorea. Can't please everyone, people, be willing to say no.
>>
>>4478215
>Sail to Wendishton
>>
>>4478501
>this woman that I married, impregnated, and then almost let die turned out to be an actual person with emotions and now she's a becoming as real bitch about it.
>>
Wasn't there some talk of a Cerelle POV shift?
>>
>>4478215
>Something else
Aurion goes to Lannisport and Vaeron goes hunting deserters. Janessa said it herself, Vaeron cleans up our messes on the battlefield. There is a mess in them woods.
>>
>>4478510
Excellent, casting vote for split.
>>
>>4478252
Also changing to split if that's needed.
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>>4478536
Also swapping to split option. Seems a bit better.
>>
>>4478501
>Hell I'd take Dorea herself over Cerelle, smallfolk accent and naivety all included. Even if we can't press her claim. And stay faithful to her for the rest of Aurion's life.

That's still an option.

>>4478535
If events unfold that have the MC genuinely committed to avoiding infidelity, then I will no longer dangle affairs in votes unless there is an exceptional circumstance that warrants it. We were on the precipice of that change at the Selena Darry vote. If he were committed to his marriage even on the trail, then I was ready to assume it was a fixed character trait and keep his interactions more towards flirting at worst. I have no preference in which direction it's taken other than that I'm not looking to write a schizo MC.

>>4478713
There was. I had intended to shift to Cerelle for a couple of sessions in Lannisport, but I'm rethinking that now because I don't want a POV shift to affect Aurion's IC decisions related to her upon his arrival.
>>
>>4478796
>don't want a POV shift to affect Aurion's IC decisions related to her upon his arrival.
she is preggers again, with a lannister
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>>4478826
>tfw it's Lancel
>>
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>>4478826
Or more likely,
>tfw it's Chad Gerion
>>
>>4478796
support for Vaeron POV shift
>>
>>4478826
I would need to give out a Salt Works holding for free if I did something like that.
>>
Next run on Tuesday then?
>>
Whew. Where the fuck did my day go. I'm seeing a lot of support for sending Vaeron ahead to deal with the deserters, so we'll go with that. It's better than how I had it set up anyway. Looks like we are going to Lannisport. Should be interesting. Let's see if we can calm Janesa down a bit first. Assuming you want to do that.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 8d6 for Persuasion (Charm)?

I'll write up the rest of the conversation with her as well as a vote on two different configurations for your dragonscale armor. Should be up a little later tonight unless these gay IPAs do me in.
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 1, 4, 6, 4, 4, 3 = 31 (8d6)

>>4479296
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 4, 5, 4, 3, 1, 6 = 28 (8d6)

>>4479296
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 6, 1, 6, 4, 2, 4 = 30 (8d6)

>>4479296
>>
>Rolled 30 vs DC 16 (= Intrigue Defense: 11 -5 Affectionate +5 Furious +5 Inconsistent Behavior)
>3 Degrees of Success. 6(x3)= 18 damage (Charm based of Persuasion rank) vs 6 Composure (Will 2)
>-12/6 Composure remaining. Target Successfully Charmed.

I don’t normally type all this formatting out because it’s a pain in the ass, but I figured it’d be nice to show how similar my use of intrigue is to the combat system except with the little situational bonuses and maluses I add as appropriate to the DC. This is basically what I do for every persuasion roll unless it is against a Status 1-2 character. Might do it a few more times after this so everyone can get a better grip on it.

“I will go to Lannisport and sort this. Vaeron can take the lads and deal with Wendwater. You said he cleans up my battle messes, yeah?” you decide.

“Is this some sort of punishment or…?”

“Not at all. I’m listening to you. Is that not what you wanted? I could send Vaeron out alone to deal with what’s left’ve the Second. Instead I send him with seventy professional killers. Ghiscari have always been shit fighters and I readily admit arming those scum wasn’t one of my better notions. First thing they do when they play second lute in a boarding action is go and demand I let them rape the highborns. Fucking savages,” you nearly spit, then take a breath to calm yourself at Janesa’s raised brow.

“What happened to you?” she softly asks.

“The wildfire,” you start. Now it’s your turn to pace. “Might’ve been that. I watched Malaq’s face run off like one of your candles. Did you know that? See the odd thing was, that wasn’t what did it. It hurt, aye. Can’t forget that sort’ve sight, specially for a friend. What did it was the bloody shield. Seeing that painting of Cerelle melt off the shield had me like nothing since the elephants. I love her. Might not’ve known it before then, but I do know it now.”

“The rage took you again. Vaeron hinted as much… I’m sorry Aurion… but what of this other? The bastard. She was in your cabin after…”
>>
>>4479512
“Dorea. Aye. I’d say I love her as well. She’s the sort I’d always dreamed of having back before fate and fortune dumped title upon me. The sort that listens and cares and cooks even. Seven what if she bears me a child? And she’s the rare sort in bed. It’s as if all is a sin so all is permitted. We melted a—”

“You cannot love two women. That is simply not how that works. If you love someone that is it. There can be no others. I am at a loss to explain it any other way. And spare me one of your the Qartheen are so emotional little quips. You love one of them and the other is a fanciful notion. You need to sort out which is which. If it is not your wife…”

“Aye. I won’t let it turn back on you. Our agreement stands,” you head her off, not quite sure what to make of her words yet.

“On that. You have a son with your dragon’s blood. My daughter has more than a drop herself. You have clearly taken an interest in the subject with that reedy little scholar terrorizing the library…”

“You told me to fix all this. We go set up a betrothal for Cerion now without Cerelle’s say and by the Seven I am going to go fuck every whore in King’s Landing instead’ve sailing west for all the good that speaking to her would do.”

“Perhaps you have a point…”

“Course I do. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to see what Marq’s on about with my armor. I’ll remind. Those scales are gold. Let’s see those preening tourney knights compete with that,” you smirk.

“Lovely. A moment. It nearly slipped my mind… at what point did you begin referring to yourself as The Storm? I understand captains have a tendency to aggrandize, but do you not believe this one was a touch much?” Janesa calls out before you can take your leave.

“Have I? Can’t say I recall that one,” you shrug.

“You will have all of the time you need to recall it. I have it here that you have been nominated to be granted such a styling in perpetuity. It will need to make its way through whatever passes for courts in these lands, but it all appears perfectly legitimate. The decree came along with the tournament invitation I had mentioned,” Janesa says, dangling a letter. You take it from her and give it a look over. Looks like a bunch of mincing words no sane man would bother learning.

“Seems a reward of sorts. Far be it for me to gripe over it… well, I might grip a touch. I’ve tried not to, you saw it. What happened to calling oneself whatever is wished? They need scraps of paper for even that? Sounds like some sort’ve taxing ploy or the like,” you tell her.
>>
>>4479516
“It mentions nothing of the sort. I swear by all the gods old and new you see taxes in every shadow,” your seneschal looks to you with bewilderment.

“Cause that’s where they like to hide,” you quip in passing before descending to the castle forge beneath the earth. The heat of it is lovely, though you could do with less stale air to accompany it. If your master smith minds the harshness, then he gives no sign of it. Marq seems uncharacteristically pleased to see you. Not that you’d say he’s ever had an issue with you, just that he usually seems preoccupied.

“Glad you could make it, milord. Don’t know how much longer I could’ve standed to wait. Eager to work this is all,” he greets.

“Just what I want to hear, my friend. I’ve need to depart soon, and I’d like to do so with some proper armor,” you tell him. You note the golden scales laid out upon an anvil.

“Proper armor you’ll have, milord. Never seen the like’ve it. Harder than any to work an not like to take to flame. Like it washes right off,” Marq says. “Been thinking’ve how to get it just right an I’ve two takes on it. Whichever milord prefers is what’ll make. First off, I can do something like what I did before. That bulkier eastern style. Should manage it with what we have if only just. I got thinking though, an meaning no offense milord, but you seem the type that gets into some troubles without much warning. If you’d wanted something lighter that could be worn about without no burdens, then I could do that too. Should have some leftover scales to make a thicker vambrace for blocking, like in the Qohorik style,” Marq suggests.

>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)
>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)

Up overnight. The heavy version is the typical battlefield armor. The light version could be worn to a feast or whatever else without causing offense.
>>
>>4479520
>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)
It's armor first and foremost, we can always join a melee if we need to show it off.
>>
>>4479520
>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)

I like the idea of keeping it close for outside battles and I think the lack of bulk helps with initiative order here.
>>
>>4479520
>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)
>>
>>4479520
>>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)

I take it this is considered Extraordinary armor?
>>
>>4479512

>Heavy Dragonscale
>>
>>4479622
Yep. Heirloom. Sort of a bigger decision than it may look.
>>
>>4479520
>>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
I like it it synergies with our weapon having adaptable. Makes us more likely to not get hurt by raising CD, and dish out more damage, while keeping our speed up.(not having bulk)
I also like the moniker storm. Lets keep up with it with the berserker and not being slowed down by being bulky.
>>
>>4479520
>>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
we have a 2 handed weapon
>>
>>4479520
Heavy Dragonscale
>>
I'm thinking the heavy armor has to take it. CD with the light armor is a respectable 12 with the vambrace, but negates the use of a shield. Take the heavy with a shield and we should get to an 11 CD but 3 more armor.

unless, we want to be a show off with the light armor and get some plate for real battle.
>>
>>4479663
You make a good point.
But I also like that we can wear this with out offending others when visiting. So we can always be prepared for a battle. And I am sure our new armor being extraordinary should provide at least 1 social benefit.
>>
>>4479667
Perhaps Boggs can clarify if the Light Armor has a social benefit not mentioned in his post.
>>
>>4479520
>>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)
>>
>>4479520
>>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)
This shit will make history for a thousand years. We can get ourselves a less impressive set to wear with clothes in social settings but it's the battlefield the real impressions are made
>>
>>4479520
>Heavy Dragonscale (8 AR, -1 AP, 2 Bulk)
>>
I'm not seeing how being able to maintain our armor bonus outside of the battlefield isn't leaps and bounds above anything else. Neither armor will be "shown off" on the battlefield because everyone will be too busy killing eachother. It will only be noticed when we are just walking around which would wouldn't be doing with the heavy armor. We could be showing up to social events in dragonscale instead of a gay little doublet, but 8 is bigger than 5. This is going to collect dust now because some can't look past the numbers. Which is extra stupid since we strike at a -1D penalty for initiative with the heavy armor.
>>
>>4479520
>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)

>>4479836
Good thing I hadn't voted yet cause I was undecided
>>
>>4479836
I mean thematically, heavy armor is Vaerons thing. Like he's the huge, tanky, hard hitting guy. we're supposed to be quicker and peacocky and those spare dragonscales could be used for any number of things.
>>
>>4479520
>>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
Hitting for 7 every time we fight is solid. Especially considering we can make athletic 4. And hit for 8 damage base then add the multiplier in the future is amazing if we keep to not using a shield.
>>
We also have the Berserker benefit now. Us taking a few points of damage is going to hurt them more than us. Idk, I guess I just really can't see a single upside to the heavy armor.
>>
>>4479836
Alright anon I'll change >>4479616 to
>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
I'd still like to know if there's any social bonus.
>>
>>4479853
Good point.
>>
>>4479520
>>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
>>
>>4479854
I'm leaning towards a bonus to Intrigue Defense for a social benefit, making it harder for others to Intimidate/Incite/etc. you. That and something to negate Shattering. It doesn't make sense for some mook with a mace to be able to break something like this. The secondary benefits will be the same for both, but I will not be allowing you to walk into every meeting or social event in the heavy armor for obvious reasons.
>>
>>4479853
The berserker trait was something I hadn't considered. I forgot we picked that up.
>>
>>4479878
>Negate Shattering

So the +2 to CD built into the light armor won't break either?
>>
>>4479883
Correct.
>>
>>4479520
>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
Will there be a Subvote for what to do with the extra scales?
>>
>>4479888
I could do that. It won't be enough for another set of armor, but maybe a necklace or something would be appropriate.
>>
oh shit had another thought on the CD, Vaeron gives us a +2 when he's with us. if Vaeron is with us we should have a 14 cd out the gate with the light armor. That's without putting anymore points into agility/awareness/athletics. Add that to being able to two hand the sword. ok I'm sold.

>>4479520
>Light Dragonscale (5 AR, 0 AP, 0 Bulk, +2 CD when not using another shield)
>>
>>4479889
>slut choker for Cerelle
maybe that will smooth out her hatred? Shiny baubles
>>
>>4479884
Nice.

Last thing that comes to mind is that this is heirloom armor for a sea-based house. Protection that doesn't make Aurion or some descendant more likely to drown if they fall in the sea seems ideal.
>>
>>4479893
>>slut choker for Cerelle
I'm in
>>
>>4479889
>>4479893
>>4479895
In the same vein but I was thinking a brooch maybe
>>
>>4479896
Not a bad idea. I think the choker though when they walk into events together it's going to really stand out, in a good way.
>>
>>4479893
>>4479895
Based. All in, of course.
>>
>>4479893
If it’s possible, I’d be up for it. Nice Necklace for the wife
possible Fire/Thunder breathing notwithstanding
>>4479891
Sorry, what does CD do? I’m aware that 14 is a pretty good score, but not what it is
>>4479889
Is the Dragonplate light enough to swim in? That’d be a fun thing to do in order to fuck with people.
>>
>>4479957
You have to roll above someone's CD for your attack to hit, iirc
>>
>>4479961
...so we’re about to become Aurion The Untouchable?
>>
>>4479961
Suppose Aurion's opponent has a Fighting rank of 4D+1b and rolls a 21, then to calculate damage we test it against the CD, i.e. 21-14=7 so 2 degrees of success. Then we multiply the damage of the weapon with the degrees of success so if the opponent had a weapon with 4 damage, then total damage = 2x4=8 damage. Now we reduce Armor from this, so if we take the light Armor, we get 8-5 = 3 damage. This is the damage Aurion actually takes.

In summary, Attack roll - CD = degrees of success,
Degree of success x weapon damage - armor rating = actual damage taken.
>>
>>4479957
>Is the Dragonplate light enough to swim in?
Yes, swimming is affected by an armor's Bulk score.
>>4479965
A fighting 5 or 6 character would have no problem hitting you. A fighting 4 character could as well, but would probably be better off avoiding you entirely unless they're using a 2-hander.
>>
>>4479982
>Yes, swimming is affected by an armor's Bulk score.
alright anons this seals it. We can wear armor on a ship get knocked off and not drown.
>>
>>4479982
Ah, then we can’t be Aurion The Untouchable, I suppose we can reuse our old nickname from our days in our island’s sept Aurion The Rarely Molested
>>4479987
Or swim up to ships and ambush them, things of that nature
>>
>>4479998
>Aurion the Best Sucker in the Choir
>>
>>4479998
>swim underneath ship
>stab with valyrian steel
>recover wreckage
>stopping piracy
>>
>>4480011
>Inb4 Aurion makes a crude diving bell so he can cut his way onto the lower decks of a ship
>Everyone thinks Aurion is either a mermaid or some kind of Drowned God messiah
>>4480006
> Aurion The Septa’s Shota
>>
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>>4480038
Fucking kek
>>
So I was just thinking, if we're going to Lannisport, we should bring some rum. If we can set up a trade deal to sell to the Lannisters that'd be pretty sweet. They have virtually unlimited money, (I know it's not Casterly Rock but still) and then they can turn around and resell to what's probably the best rum market in Westeros, The Iron Islands.
>>
>>4480434
Hmm, I don’t think we should bring Trade amounts, I think that’d send the wrong message to Cerelle. Instead we should bring personal quantities and if we meet anyone we should share (give samples)
>>
Alright, calling the vote for Light Dragonscale. I'm not going to be able to post tonight. Too busy.

Anyway, I thought it over and I think a Cerelle POV could still be done. I'm not going to allow her to be steered into conveniently getting over her grievances with Aurion, but there are still plenty of interesting things to do that probably wouldn't come up in an Aurion POV. It could serve as a decent interlude for a couple sessions while Aurion is making his journey west. I could skip it as well. Either way works for me. With that in mind...

>Cerelle POV
>Keep it with Aurion
>>
>>4480565
>Keep it with Aurion
>>
>>4480565
>>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4480565
>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4480565
>>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4480565
>Keep it with Aurion
To be honest, I find mixed POVs to be somewhat annoying
>>
>>4480565
>>Keep it with Aurion
I like having a biased view point, prevents us from using metaknowledge too much
>>
>>4480565
>Cerelle POV
wouldn't mind doing some Westerlands court intrigue while Aurion is on a boat
>>
>>4480565
>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4480565
I am a bit worried that we will be heavily influenced of knowing what she knows when Aurion returns. That being said, I'd still be down for stepping into her shoes for a bit.
>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4480976
I wouldn't be worried since Boggsy says he can work it without giving Aurion an edge in getting her to warm back up. To me I would just like to see some stuff that she could be working on outside of Aurion and his antics. Plenty of connections to garner in the West
>>
>>4480565
I was looking at the weapons and was wondering if we could pick up a weapon to hold in our off-hand.

The best ones seem to be:
>Left-hand Dagger-Defensive +2, Off-hand +1
>Dirk-Off-hand +2
>Knife-Fast, Off-hand +1

dagger is versatile, dirk does extra damage, but knife synergizes with our sword because they both have the fast quality. Aurion seems like he's Chad enough to dual-wield and actually make it work.
>>
>>4481095
I mean, the Shield is pretty nice
I wouldn’t mind a dragon tooth/claw knife/dagger though
>>
>>4480565
>>4481139
So, I might be confused.

We have a Dragonscale Vambrace but i'm under the impression the it's a 'special' armguard, (adds to our CD) but it leaves our off-hand free. We don't have a shield on the character sheet anymore.
>>
>>4481095
Eh.. I'd rather use the Adaptable trait on the sword to increase its base damage.
>>
>>4480976
>>4481038
I'm looking at some politicking and intrigue around Lannisport rather than dwelling on their relationship. Honestly, the only thing that I can see being gained out of this from a relationship standpoint would be more sympathy and understanding towards her as a character from experiencing her POV. I would expect it all to be fairly useless for metagaming after the switchback and anything "revealing" that might be learned would only be things that she would tell him regardless of her feelings about him. That is, if I don't fuck it up. We'll see? Maybe. Vote is still open.

>>4481095
The left-handed dagger would require a bonus die in Fencing, which is why it is better than some alternatives. Generally speaking, you're not going to get more use out of dual wielding with your setup. "Adaptable" on your sword is already giving you a +1 damage for not dual wielding, and it doesn't require you to commit to a "greater action" like with the daggers. Fighting attacks are normally lesser actions, which can be taken in pairs each round (with the caveat that 2 attacks can't be taken in one round). You're going to want to keep it at a lesser action in any fight where you want to use your other lesser action to issue a command to a unit or something to that effect.

Ah, and I houserule the buckler to be usable with adaptable weapons because that just makes sense to me when it's strapped onto you. Fixes the balance issue with weapons reliant on that quality such the battle axe and bastard sword. Now you essentially have a buckler that won't break.
>>
>>4481167
I'm treating the armguard like a buckler while keeping it in the same vein as the light dragonscale armor's addendum of "you can carry this around without looking like a murderhobo."
>>
>>4481180
Intrigue and politicking with a character with high Cunning, Deception, Persuasion and Status will be interesting. She has 8 fucking test dice in Cunning (Memory) tests. Status is basically using your station and reputation to get away with things, right? Btw is Cerelle's Treacherous quality new or was it always there... Damn...
>>
>>4481180
>>4481183
Ok. Thanks for clearing that up Boggs. My mind went off thinking about Aurion chadding the battlefield with a weapon in each hand.

Also, this has nothing to do with anything but thank for always including
>something else
as an option and being willing to go with it if the vote goes that way. it feels really cool when people vote along with your third-party option, gives a real sense of autonomy.
>>
>>4481219
New. I updated the sheet after her experience with the birth and her brush with death.

>>4481226
I like keeping things open, especially with good write-ins livening things up. I don't have any one far off event or scene that we have to get to.
>>
>>4481250
Vaeron POV confirmed
>>
>>4481250
>>4481254
>inb4 Cerelle's cousin's PoV where we have to court and seduce Cassandra Bar Emmon
>>
>>4480565
>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4480565
>>Keep it with Aurion
>>
>>4480565
>>Keep it with Aurion
>>
>>4481350
>>4480565
switching to Cerelle for that sweet sweet player engagement/sympathy, hopefully this can stifle the coomer vote or at least make anons not want her dead because she has feelings.
>>
>>4481250
>I updated the sheet after her experience with the birth and her brush with death.
Cool, this is going to be exciting!
>>
>Rank 6: 1/1
>Rank 5: 1/2
>Rank 4: 4/5
So who else thinks the remaining rank 5 should go into Warfare?
And which ability for the last 4? I'd vote to invest in Languages to be able to speak High Valyrian but this is going to be such an unpopular option. I can see Athletics 4 taking that spot with the overwhelming majority.
>>
>>4481405
I find myself agreeing with the anon who wanted to boost awareness. It's used in more situations. I think Will is important too with it used in Berserker and boosting convince amd intimidate. I would vote for language too though.
>>
Boggs is the attack of the Valyrian Steel Sword fixed instead of dependent on our Athletics?
>>
>>4480565
>Cerelle POV
>>
>>4481535
It can still be boosted with Athletics.
>>
Yeah, definitely going for upgrading Athletics next then.
>>
I could see awareness 5 and cunning being the other 4 slot. That would round out his abilities as the smooth talker he is. I don't think warfare is necessary unless he was going to be commanding a much larger force. If the Shryke household military stays small but elite then he's good at 4 with the bonus dice he already has.
>>
You'll have 2 rank 4 slots available if you're moving a current rank 4 ability up to 5. Cunning is your damage source for Incite/Bargain, Will is your damage source for Convince/Intimidate, and Athletics is your damage source for melee. Agility is also useful for striking first. Injure/wound an opponent by striking first, and they will be striking back with those penalties from turn 1. They can do the same to you, though. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Language is basically the intrigue version of agility, and a good number of highborn are sitting at 4. Or hey, surprise me and go for something different like Healing or Animal Handling. Could be useful.

Alright, I'm going to lock in the Cerelle POV. I'm going to need another night to prepare. By that I mean this bottle of aged Barbados rum is not going to drink itself. I'm expecting to do a full run tomorrow night with multiple posts instead of the 1-update's I've been doing over the past week or so. Looking forward to it.
>>
>>4481976
oh I was thinking they were cumulative. That's good to know.

my roadmap is still
>awareness 5
>cunning 4
then either athletics or agility for the other 4 spot. Athletics gets us another point on CD plus damage. Agility gets the same CD boost but with another d6 towards initiative.
>>
>>4482395
But Will is good with berserker and we get the most use out of convince.
>>
I was just reminded by Malroy that I never did the vote for the Stormbringers' unit quality, so here's basically the same vote you see there. They earned access to 1 unit quality when they reached Elite+2 after Dragonstone. This is the only additional quality they will be getting, so it is fairly important.

The qualities are here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Z39XLNclENr5L24d43jnU7jNLvwWmbfs5rPwi_FVHs/

In addition to the normal ones available, which are marked with "E+" on page 11/12 for the accessible ones for this vote, I am willing to also allow Naval because that fits with the background I've been giving to the unit since the first thread. Basically, it allows them to count as crew on ships. Any preference?
>>
>>4482404
The synergy between will and berserker is overrated. Aurion shouldn't be at the point he's piling up wounds that he needs to make the will save. Berserker as a character trait is interesting. Aurion gets pissed and loses control when his friends are dying and he's hurt. Part of his fiery dragon blood. But, I wouldn't build his stats around it. That's playing with wildfire and it could bite us in the end. Honestly, language is a pretty solid choice too like Boggs pointed out. I just don't know if it fits the persona. I just think either of the other combat stats fits better with Aurion as a character.

Agility for those sweet dance moves
>>
>>4482438
>Naval

Easily the best option since it makes them a force multiplier.

>>4482440
Good point. I still like will because "willful valyrian" makes sense to me and it builds us on persuasion further. I get cunning too, but he's always striked me as more of a feeler than a thinker.
>>
>>4482446
>>4482438
so Boggs. If we take Naval like my friend here suggests, does the first's ponderous apply to naval warfare? i.e. a ramming attack
>>
>>4482461
Nah, that'll still be dependent on the ship type. Hard to let your bulk work for you when you are on a deck or on a rowing bench. Force multiplier is a good description, though. Saves you the trouble of having to pay a Power tax for a crew on a smaller ship while giving the ship a fairly experienced crew that is going to have a good laugh if they're boarded.
>>
>>4482469
oh well. I still like naval but I was ready to demand the largest ram we can find
>>
>>4481976
Man everytime a new idea comes into my head about running my own quest (like after today's updates in Malroy, a quest about an unrepentant pirate in the Stepstones) I get scared by the amount of crunch involved both behind the scenes and otherwise. I read the rulebook twice but still miss many concepts or forget about an exception or how a particular test was resolved. Then I just get demoralised and drop the idea. How do you do it, man?
>>
>>4482516
Don't look at everything at once. Same advice I'd apply to anything, really. You could get yourself demoralized over the ingredients in your dinner if you put your mind to it, so why bother? Just focus on the rules required for whatever you're doing at the time or whatever you have planned and it will all fall into place as you go.
>>
>>4482516
I will say to this day I still forget rules and how certain things work in conjunction together and will look things up in between threads or make a ruling on the fly and adjust later. Don't beat yourself up over it. Ultimately the crunch may not be as important to you as a QM as it is to others. Boggs and I both run things differently from a crunch standpoint but neither quest sees a detriment to it because of that. Some stories work better with a rules light approach, and some QMs appreciate a crunch heavy workload. If you want to tell a story, go for it man.
>>
>>4482438
>Naval

I think it's the most thematically appropriate option
>>
>>4482438
Devastating sounds good, means we can disorganize highly trained units if we don't deal enough damage to do it normally. I'm assuming it applies when a unit passes the first save against being disorganized as well, so double the chance to remove a unit
>>
>>4482647
>Devastating sounds good, means we can disorganize highly trained units if we don't deal enough damage to do it normally

Yeah but when would that happen? The unit is a wrecking ball. Just reading the description makes me want it, but I can't see it comparing to being able to launch them like a torpedo on a galiot or galley towards another ship to board.
>>
>>4482687
Fuck, I just went back to last thread and they literally never didn't disorganize or destroy a unit. Didn't realize just how powerful they really are, ignore >>4482647 Naval seems like a good idea then instead, none of the other qualities are good for heavy infantry.

Getting our crossbowmen up to elite+ would be nice for that penetrating quality
>>
Naval gets a lot of support for being the most mechanically powerful for this game but I just don't see these _heavily_ armored elites with massive weaponry serving as marines aboard a ship. They would drown and/or their weapons would get tangled in the rigging. We are better off creating a separate unit for that.
Devastating is the most thematically appropriate trait even if there was no application for it yet. Pick something credible, not the most powerful, that's my reasoning.
>>
>>4482438
>penetrating
Just to be clear is penetrating possible for melee units? if not
>devastating
Both play into the knightbreaker/anti heavy aspect of the Stormbringers as a unit.
We haven't really had them up against units of their own quality much but I think both of these could really bring an edge to such a fight.
>>
>>4482969
>I just don't see these _heavily_ armored elites with massive weaponry serving as marines aboard a ship. They would drown and/or their weapons would get tangled in the rigging.

I feel like I'm on /tg/ posting this.This just isn't accurate. Plate isn't as heavy as it's memed to be. You don't drown the moment you hit the water with it. The rigging isn't a major hinderance either. This is at least half a step behind age of sail. And like it says, the company fluff has them excelling in boarding actions.
>>
>>4483050
>This just isn't accurate. Plate isn't as heavy as it's memed to be. You don't drown the moment you hit the water with it.
Way to disprove it with your say-so. The thick fabric padding underneath the plate soaks water and the partial plate itself weighs like 10 kilos or more. Add in two handed weapons and/or shields. There, some facts.

>The rigging isn't a major hinderance either.
Again, if you say so. The biggest ship (the galleas) that would carry both its crew and Stormbringers is sea-worthy so likely has all kinds of standing and running rigging to hold the mast and to position the sails.

>And like it says, the company fluff has them excelling in boarding actions.
I don't know where it says that, but maybe it is from a time when Stormbringers were a different unit, before the conversion to heavy infantry.
>>
>>4482988
iirc the calvary unit in the Reynold quest has penetrating
>>
>>4483073
I think the boarding actions fluff was just some stuff that Aurion had said. They were always heavy infantry since the start of the quest
>>4482969
and I really don't see how it's mechanically powerful. it's really a resource saver dual purposing the unit. devastating or penetrating have more mechanical benefits in combat
>>
>>4483109
>and I really don't see how it's mechanically powerful
It gives something as opposed to just like anons pointed out doing nearly nothing because the unit already disorganizes other units consistently. I'll still vote for Devastating and for creating a separate unit of marines.

>They were always heavy infantry since the start of the quest
>Do you want to ask anything else of Lord Estermont in advance of your departure? Keep in mind he has no ships to lend.
>You want some heavier armaments for your men. It worked well enough for the Ironborn you’ve skirmished against in the past. Could make up for your lack of numbers. (High rolls: Heavy Infantry, low rolls: regular armor/wep upgrades)
>LOST: Trained Infantry
>GAINED: Trained Heavy Infantry*, Green Heavy Infantry*
The original Stormbringers were a 100 of infantry that were split into two regiments of 50 heavies with the gift of aforementioned equipment.

And honestly regarding storming shipdecks, we have heard many tales of Aurion and company's exploits at Essos. But any naval battles? I'm not sure about that.
They were just a trained unit of infantry coming from Essos and now they stop and counter cavalry charges, because some guys carry polearms, tank ranged damage with shields and armor, destroy other units in one round. AND now also drop on a ship in ship to ship combat? The power creep is crazy.

>Units with this Quality are made for combat upon and the manning of the many ship types of the world.
The wording kinda implies that the unit crews a ship. Does it get training in seafaring then? Climbs masts in that armor?
>>
>>4483214
>now also drop on a ship in ship to ship combat
like fucking cannonballs

I get your concern about a power creep. it's been brought up before when facing multiple units. The system isn't perfect but it is reasonable for an elite fighting unit to be an to do those things. only a single unit though. if we had 10 regiments that could all do these things then it becomes a real problem. As it is we have serious problems keeping a second regiment alive.
>>
>>4482438
I'll change my vote >>4482446
to
>Priest

Because the naval idea is causing /tg/ on a slow day levels of autism and I like Septon Boremund.
>>
>>4483255
>scoffing at reasoning and painting it as autism

>Priest
Eh, I don't see it. The unit is a mix of different faiths and we as their leader haven't displayed and religious tendencies. Why would we attach the septon to the unit?
Perhaps get the Zealous quality first with Boggs explaining it as Stormbringers beginning to revere Aurion as an incarnation of the storm deity? inb4 somebody's arguing that it is worthless too because the unit has such high morale mod that will never break
>>
Too much autism for me, I'll stick to
>Penetrating
Good for taking on strong heavily armored units.
>>
>>4482438
>Devastating
or
>Penetrating
or
>Zealous

Either is fine with me.
>>
>>4483258
I wouldn’t mind the Cult of Personality Rising, but the Septon might have a problem with that
>>
>>4483258
>refute points
I'm not diving into a whole tired debate about the weight of plate armor and riggings when it will be both of us throwing out guesswork. Entirely pointless. Agree to disagree is fine with me.

I'll still never understand fedora tipping in a medieval low fantasy setting. It's not about religious preference. We bought a septon and he's the type cool enough to bring around. You don't have to be a seven worshipper to get pumped up by some fiery words before battle. There are people that listen to songs with intense tones in languages they don't even understand. Just seems more fun to me but I can see it being unpopular because a lot of people instantly shut down anything that seems religious because of self-inserting.
>>
>>4483346
>>4483338

I don't have a stake in this but it's probably worth noting that Septon Boremund walks around with a mace, (which is forbidden by the faith). So it's likely that he has a not-so-typical view of The Seven and church hierarchy in general.
>>
>>4483355
Yeah, but I don’t think he’d be good with us being worshipped as the human incarnation of a Non-Seven Storm God
I’d like it, but I don’t think he would
>>
Well this got messy...

Priest is not a quality purchased with experience. It is derived from a holding just like dogs or better horses would be. I can already see naval turning this into a headache for me, so I'm just going to table that offer now. Zealous should turn the Priest test boost from +1 to +1b. Seeing some support for Penetrating as well. Let's keep this simple. Choose between these two:

>Priest+Zealous
>Penetrating 1
>>
>>4483393
>Penetrating 1
>>
>>4483393
>Priest+Zealous
>>
>>4483393
>Penetrating 1
>>
>>4483393
>Penetrating 1
>>
One is more characterful AND mechanically better, but gods forbid religion is included in low fantasy even after purchasing a septon, building a sept and making a tithe deal with the faith. Bizzare.
>>
>>4483427
See, we've done these things, and yet I still don't think of Aurion of caring about religion at all. Maybe I'm just forgetting important pious character moments, but I don't think I am.
>>
>>4483433
There's been some tugging back and forth with that, but he has consistently used it as a tool if nothing else. Smart generals have been using religion to get their men to fight harder for thousands of years, regardless of their beliefs.
>>
>>4483393
>Penetrating
>>
>>4483393
>>Priest+Zealous
Is this going to have us end up with a priest holding waiting pay that same way that our scholar holding is? If it is that's cool still not changing my vote, it just means we have to find more money.
>>
If Aurion's trip is going to take like 2 months then 2 months on the way back, I hope the scholar doesn't go away in frustration while we're waiting on the House Fortune rolls. He's the next time-bound priority.
>>
>>4483427
I mean, I don’t think anyone’s really going “hurr religion bad” on this one, I like Zealous but I think Penetrating fits better
>>4483393
>Penetrating
>>
>>4483427
Well I don't like using religion as a tool in this instance to promote Aurion as an aspect of the Storm God or something like that. Zealous trait says the unit has to believe they're fighting for a cause, and I don't want a cult of personality around Aurion to be the cause. Why piss off pious Lords and the Faith?
>>
>>4483393
Boggs I swear we're browsing the same damn images on Pinterest for using in the quest. 95% of the images I save for future use, you end up using them already. How am I supposed to use images in every update without being called out for stealing them from your quest now? Even my intended pic for prime waifu bait ended up as Dorea here. (ノ•̀ o •́ )ノ ~ ━
>>
>>4483393
>>Penetrating 1
>>
>>4483393
>>Penetrating 1
>>
>>4483393

>Priest+Zealous

This is just way cooler. The unit is already a combat monster. With this, they can expand on their already growing reputation and make their way toward mythical status while getting some flavorful buffs.

It's not as if the holding is specifically tied to any formal religion, it leaves room for anything we want. Maybe their zeal is directed toward loot, or fucking, or the Storm Gods.

Any of those seem realistic to me, and something that Boremund would be not just able but willing to support considering his realistic take on things.
>>
>>4483214
>The power creep is crazy.
That's on me for using too many "trained" units, which all the data now shows is a garbage letter. I found the last battle with elite and veteran opponents to be much more nail biting and engaging. With the end of the war, expect to see more veteran units with combined unit types going forward, especially at sea.

>>4483463
No, you already purchased the holding. This is just you putting it to full use.

>Cult leader/Atheist stuff cropping up

I just wouldn't write it. Neither fit the setting at all. Some belief is to be expected and that level of blasphemy is a major taboo.
>>
>>4483393
>Penetrating 1
>>
>>4483575
Level* not letter...
>>4483518
Lol that one must've been from a /tg/ thread since it was on my tablet. Run your quest and beat me to it or I'm going to use the other few dozen I have on literal-who's!
>>
Boggs, I was back thinking on the armor and you said it would be an heirloom piece. So that means Aurion has two heirloom pieces(sword) plus the Proctor title. How do these influence bonuses work? is it a one time we a +1 influence when we receive the item?
>>
>>4483676
House Fortunes bonuses. I'll note it on the sheet.
>>
>>4483712
ok that makes more sense. Thanks!
>>
>>4483393
>Priest+Zealous

>>4483565
+1
>>
>>4483676
Our descendants are gonna be fucking kitted out if we managed to get two heirlooms in a year. We'll need a whole wing for trophies and heirlooms eventually
>>
>>4483843
Cerion is definitely going to end up a real heartbreaker and ass kicker, we really need to make sure he doesn’t end up a spoiled brat
>Inb4 Dany falls in love with our Son when she crosses the Narrow Sea
>or even before if our boy follows in our footsteps
>>
>>4483843
you know we are going to factor into the Greyjoy rebellion. Virgin Tywin will lose his fleet and Chad Aurion comes in to save the day. Ferrying Lydden troops with our elite naval forces like we did with Manderly and taking all the glory. The storm comes
>>
Alright I'm getting started on Cerelle's first post, but I'm having to multitask a bit. Probably going to be one big update later tonight after all with several updates tomorrow night. Gotta set the tone for the character.
>>
At this point there are going to be future maesters who will spend their days arguing over whether aurion or the sea snake were bigger chads
>>
You are Lady Cerelle Shryke, formerly of House Lydden, and you are doing your best to relax in Lann’s Keep. All of your ladies had been incessant in urging you to take some time to rest before making your appearances about Lannisport. It took your grandmother to see you heed the advice. Lady Tyrene Lannister is your father’s mother and the aunt of the current Protector of Lannisport. She does tend to get her way, more than she should to hear both your father and your cousin Lord Tyler speak of it. You’ve always admired that about her, even if she can be a touch nosier than what you would consider to be appropriate.

And so, you settled for a bath. Much needed after time upon the road, wheelhouse or no. You did still do your fair share of riding after the assassin struck… best not to think of that… but that is beyond your control. The memories do not fade. He struck at nightfall with a crossbow. A coward’s weapon for a coward. He sought to kill your Cerion as he was taken from the wheelhouse to be cleaned… babies are so unbelievably messy, but Ser Osmund saw him first and shouted a warning. Ser Pate, the gallant simpleton that he is, shielded Cerion and took the bolt in his place. He had to be carried in a wagon afterwards as the poison upon the quarrel worked through him. Lady Ciara was a fair hand at treating him, but she confided the uncivilized giant’s own constitution likely played a great part. Even so, Ser Pate seems to have developed some sort of intense liking for your healer, much to her chagrin. You can’t quite make out whether it is simply great affection or attraction, no one seems to have a certain answer, but you know Lady Ciara holds a candle for a bastard brother of Lady Andrea. No accounting for taste, but you suppose you’ve seen worse matches. He sought to prove his worth to her in a coming tourney at King’s Landing to the Crackclaw girl’s simultaneous annoyance and satisfaction.

Men do seem to prefer to go about things the difficult way. That foreign assassin certainly did. You rode hard enough to bleed upon your saddle as you tracked him down with knights on your heels. You had ridden these lands as a girl, and you are not one to forget such rides. It was obvious the wretch would seek to lose you with one of the streams flowing towards Serrett lands. Ser Jorry easily unhorsed him when you pointed him out.
>>
>>4484326
From there, it was a simple conversation, albeit a more vulgar one than necessary. Not that you minded in this case. The Braavosi had the gall to laugh after Ser Warren beat him for refusing to answer your questions. He quickly lost his sense of humor when you had him gelded. That is, if his weeping wasn’t some pathetic attempt at laughter. The two expressions sound similar at times. Regardless, he told you everything. You made sure of that. You fully intend to have these Braavosi bankers grovel before you’re done with this. Your son’s life has no price, unlike theirs. Perhaps it’s all to be expected from a colony of escaped slaves. They may dress as they please, but they are still dregs who overvalue coin. A hundred generations couldn’t hope to erase such contemptible inclinations.

And yet… there is one who has far more to answer for than they. As reprehensible as those upjumped slavestock may be, they at least did their duty. You cannot say the same of Aurion, no matter how hard you have tried to convince yourself otherwise. It simply does not add up. He stood before you, all easy confidence, and made you feel as if nothing could harm you. To your shame, you believed him. Then he did nothing beyond make enquiries through that treacherous pirate. This man who has waxed at length over the importance of family. He stood by and left you open. He left Cerion open, and you nearly watched him die while his father chose glory over love. If he loves either of you at all. You’re not sure which would be worse… love with abject stupidity, or simple opportunistic callousness. You’re not sure you could forgive either. Both are complete betrayals of you and Cerion. You wonder if he cares at all or if he is simply laughing it up with another pirate whore, only thinking of himself and his own amusements. Or are you missing something? The topic is so frustrating and yet so tiresome. There are too many unanswered questions with no answers within a hundred leagues. It’s wearing at you.

You stand from the marble tub, skin scrubbed clean of any offending dust and well-seasoned with the scents of a variety of freshly picked flowers. The water was beginning to grow as cold as your mood. You take a moment to pad over to a ludicrously expensive full-length mirror. One of the perks of being a Lannister. Both those of the Rock and their cousins of Lannisport need for nothing. Your figure could still use some work. Aurion seems to have a nearly unhealthy appreciation for your curves, but you don’t want to let yourself go with motherhood as your lady mother did. Appearances are important.
>>
>>4484330
You slip into a silk robe and stretch out on a lounging sofa within your chambers. A few moments of rest, that’s all you need…

You shoot up in a panic after what feels like mere seconds. Cerion. Then you see him. Alive. Safe. Lenore brings him to you with an apologetic look. He must be hungry. That was one of the rapid topics tossed upon you by your grandmother upon your arrival yesterday that you did not yield on. Absolutely no wet nurse will go near him, only you. Why they’re trusted at all is beyond you. Besides, Cerion will rule one day. He deserves better than what they can give. He latches quickly enough and shuts his stunning, all-too-familiar eyes in his contentment. Seeing him like this is enough to force an increasingly rare smile upon you.

“Will you be sleeping in today?” Lenore asks. Your cousin is the only one of your retinue that you allow familiarity.

“No. I have slept enough. I suppose I should be more social. That was half the purpose of this visit,” you tell her, barely stifling a yawn.

“If my lady insists… grandmother would like to have tea with both of us. She gave no reason, but you know her…”

“She is either stirring up a scheme or looking to pry into our personal lives… or some amalgamation of both,” you say to her agreement.

“Ser Leroy invited you hawking by the sea with his new lady wife—”

“Who happens to be the twin of my last host,” you finish. You’re still not quite over that little stunt of his. Ser Tygon hadn’t deemed it necessary to inform of the true extent of his family’s fall from grace until after your arrival to Ember Peak… by which point Cerion decided he was eager to see the world. Another reason for your visit to Lann’s Keep. The last thing you wanted was to appear to be choosing a side, especially the wrong side. You don’t know Lady Joanna too well, but the word has it that she and your cousin Leroy are truly in love.

“There is nothing more?” you ask with a frown. “I had expected Lord Tyler or Lady Anette to call upon me.”

“They haven’t as of yet. Perhaps dinner?”

It seems the sort of game Lord Tyler Lannister is wont to play, have you come to him rather than call upon you. He is somewhat overfond of his solar. Still, he is the one through which trade flows in the west.

“Perhaps,” you allow, gently readjusting Cerion. He’s fallen asleep on your breast.

>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
>Go hawking with your cousin Leroy and his wife
>You would rather meet with Lord Tyler in his solar now
>Skip all of them and go into town
>Something else/something to add
>>
>>4484330
>He quickly lost his sense of humor when you had him gelded.
Oof.

>>4484332
>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
>>
>>4484332
>>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
>>
>>4484332
>>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
>>
>>4484332
>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
So the assassin was for Cerion after all. I'm still uncertain whether Cassandra Bar Emmon just had a misunderstanding or was lying on purpose when she said the assassin was for Cerelle.
>>
>>4484332
>>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
>>
>>4484356
I think he went for Cerelle initially but then had to figure out which of the two he needs to murder given that she gave birth to Cerion and finally made his choice on the latter.

One thing I hope for is that Aurion stops his idiotic fucking around after seeing his son and heir.
>>
Yeah, me too. This update helped us look at the problem from Cerelle's perspective, and I've been thinking about what Aurion can do to repair his relationship that's still consistent with his character and with the choices he's made so far. Here are my thoughts on it, feel free to criticize/modify, and anywhere we get a choice I'd vote along these thoughts:

The first thing is that Aurion is clear he loves Cerelle and Cerion both now, yet he hasn't said anything of the sort to Cerelle ever. So the first chance he sees them next, whether it's on the docks (unlikely) or at the manse, he should envelop both in a hug and tell 'I love you' to both, awkwardness with Cerelle notwithstanding. Explanations can come later, but I think with months out on the sea with nothing to do but think, and seeing his son for the first time make this reaction reasonable.

Next we must lay out Aurion's side to Cerelle. Own up to the mistake, we had a choice between feasting+looting and going directly to Braavos without further information. Remember we had promised our second child to Cleo for this information, and Aurion's conversation with Cerelle about being the hero was still fresh in our minds. Also during this campaign we eliminated threats to our own house (killed Rambton and secured his daughter, subdued Sharp Point and took their wealth, captured Stonedance which was the closest immediate threat to our house). We went to Dragonstone with the same conversation about being a Hero on our minds, wanting to secure a permanent legacy for Cerion.

All that said, admit that in hindsight we made the wrong choice. Tell her Aurion got attacked by an assassin himself (she likely doesn't know about this yet, gather some sympathy). Aurion thought he was doing enough by sending her with a healer and a well armed escort to the safety of the Westerlands, but clearly it wasn't. If he had a second chance he would choose their safety over all the glory, riches and titles he gained from Dragonstone. But that's obviously in hindsight and words are wind, the only way for Aurion to own his fuck-up is by his actions going forward and ask Cerelle to judge on that. Produce the dragonscale necklace at this point as a peace offering.

Those are my thoughts till now, let me know what you think about this. I'm iffy on telling Cerelle about the affairs. On the one hand, coming clean now when the relationship is already rocky might save it or push it off the cliff entirely. On the other, her finding out later might also damage it irreparably. I'm personally leaning towards not telling her. Dorea is dealt with and unlikely to use it as blackmail. Selena has much more to lose if she exposes the one night stand. If she tries to tell Cerelle it's mutually assured destruction time, and for her, even her children's legitimacy may be questioned (we already have suspicions about the daughter). She understands this I think, and sending the troops along with that lopsided deal should keep her appeased.
>>
>>4484482
>he should envelop both in a hug and tell 'I love you' to both, awkwardness with Cerelle notwithstanding.
Agreed.
>Next we must lay out Aurion's side to Cerelle.
Agreed.
>admit that in hindsight we made the wrong choice.
Agreed.
>I'm personally leaning towards not telling her.
Agreed.

This the perfect course to begin to repair the relationship and I fully support it.
>>
>>4484332
>>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
seems a good way to get the lay of the land, Just have to be careful not to give away to much of our current doubts about hubby, as this might be used against herself down the line or in a misguided attempt at punishing Aurion before Cerelle herself has made up her mind.

>>4484482
This mostly seems sound though I think there is a need for a conversation about Dorea preferable sooner rather than later. Selena might also need to be dealt with at some point as I think she might be the scheming and grasping type. If/when Aurions indiscretions come up we should probably own up to them, and frame it as him having trouble leaving old ways behind or some form or self sabotage as he starts realising he might actually have the family he always dreamed of and might not deserve. For the first time he truly has something to lose, and that can be hard to deal with, some might think it better to muck it up now to avoid hurt latter or prove it wasn't real to begin with and thus can't hurt him as bad if/when it's destroyed by his own or another's hand.
>>
>>4484510
Exactly, supporting
>>
>>4484332
>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother

>>4484482
>Remember we had promised our second child to Cleo for this information

Did we actually? I don't remember any betrothal promises except with Janesa.
>>
>>4484616
And even if we did, she gave us nothing of value to hold up our end of the deal.
>>
>>4484620
It was stated above that she sent a letter to us with the info we wanted. It's not her fault that we were too busy going full retard to follow up on her info gathering.

I still think we only gave her a maybe.
>>
>>4484616
>>4484630
Yeah it wasn't a full betrothal, more of a "we'll let them meet and see what happens". I'm really confused or misremembering about the information part. I'll try to read those sections again before I get back to you on that.
>>
>>4484332
>Accompany Lenore to meet with your grandmother
>>
>>4484516
>>4484482
I'm not too concerned with our ability to repair our relationship with Cerelle. Once we own up to past mistakes and make our peace offering it's off to Bravvos with her and at that point shes alone on a ship with us for an extended period. Our natural charm should be able to win her over by the time we return from Bravvos.

My biggest concern is Dorea.

If we tell Cerelle that we've set up a cottage for our Paramour, but then 'totally swear that she's the only one.' I don't know if she'll buy it and I have doubt that our relationship will fully recover. We might end up on decent terms with her in the end, but I don't think she would love us.

On the other hand, if we hide Dorea and then Cerelle finds out about her anyway she'll fucking explode. If we can convince her that we love her and then she finds out down the line that we kept one lest side piece she might go ahead and hire a couple of assassins herself.

Coomers got us in a bad spot here.
>>
>>4484859
Unless there extraordinary circumstances, like ser Byron or Vaeron or Janesa betraying us, I don't see why she would ever know. The only possibility I see is if Dorea is pregnant by now, and somehow wants to contact Aurion so he can see his 2nd child.
>>
>>4484859
I think we should just tell her. It's going to hang like a weight over all of this if we don't. She can probably figure out a way to take advantage of the situation with Wendwater at the least. Dorea... idk. I can see her telling us to cut her out at the least. Still should be done.
>>
>>4484884
Yeah but is cutting Dorea off right after the declaration of love to her in-character for Aurion? Then he will be the one who'll resent Cerelle.
>>
>>4484892
It might not be. There's no easy solution. Which I really appreciate by the way. It should still be discussed with Cerelle rather than us continuing to try to avoid all responsibility by hiding it.
>>
You all know it is going to come down to a totally random "tell her?" vote. And it can swing any way.
>>
>>4484906
Shit he's on to me.
>>
>>4484867
"I heard this rumour about a simpleton woman in town whos kid is a dragonspawn"

C'mon man, there are a billion and a half ways that Cerelle could find out, she's way too smart not to put shit together.
>>
>>4484913
Well that just won't do, Boggs! Quickly now, retcon Cerelle's character into being a massive cuckquean all along, and her earlier demand of not sleeping with other women was actually a shit test. Yes! This was your plan all along, and now Aurion can have his happily ever after with both of the women he loves by his side(s).
>>
Well there exist this concept called "lying" might be worth a shot
>>
>>4485016
But anon lying is bad!!
>>
Deception is tested against passive awareness right? So we have to roll more than 16 on a 4D+1b roll. If anons hadn't thrown it away, I'd be willing to donate 1 Glory point to get a +1b here.
>>
>>4485036
I couldn't say what sort of DC you're looking at because I don't know the context of how this will go down, if it does at all.
>>
>>4485080
I think anon worries too much and are over thinking it
>>
>>4485080
How are lies of omission handled? What happens if we don't tell and Cerelle doesn't ask? Do we still have to roll Deception?
>>
>>4485105
Dont see why we should
>>
>>4485105
>>4485109

This became a big argument in my DnD group. Dude was willfully leaving out really important information in order to make the group look better. DM wanted a deception check but the player gets uppity saying "bUt I dIdN't LiE, eVeRyThInG i SaId WaS tRuE." DM was unmoved, sometimes what you leave out can be more important than what you leave in.

Take Cerelle for instance, there are things we did to protect her and things we didn't do. Both of those things seem to be considered in equal measure here and now we're dealing with the fallout of what didn't do. While not an outright betrayal, it edges awfully close.

I know the situations are a little different (actions vs. words) but still, I think the comparison stands. Omission of information can be a deception in the same way that omissions of action can be betrayal.
>>
“We should see to grandmother or she will only cause more mischief without us,” you tell your cousin.

“And surely blame us regardless,” Lenore smiles.

“Too true. Help me dress? Something comfortable that still won’t have her lecturing me on lemon cakes. Not a corset if you bear me any love,” you tell her.

You opt for a breathable summer dress in your husband’s sea green cinched at the waist with a bleached leather belt adorned with flowery scrollwork. The combination does a commendable job of emphasizing your hips while hiding any lingering bump upon your belly. In truth, you’ve felt more comfortable of late in showing your better assets. The very thought of this amount of dip in your cleavage would have had you blushing a year ago, but motherhood has put you on display to the point of being past caring. You’ve found it makes for more agreeable conversation partners as well, which is just icing upon the lemon cake.

“I will have Lady Ciara check on you. Do not hesitate to send for me if he needs me,” you tell your other handmaiden, Lenna Hightower. She will need to watch over Cerion in your absence. The poor boy is exhausted. An absolute wallflower of a girl at four and ten. You had assumed a banking house would be able to afford better tutors, but the girl has proven as slow as she is quiet.

“Yes, my lady. Of course, my lady,” she nods along.

“Good. And Lenna?”

“My lady?”

“Do try breathing through your nose, sweetling, lest your jawline turns to pudding,” you tell her in passing, not for the tenth time. He sharp, nasally intake of breath at the reminder is as unsettling as the first time you heard it. You have your work cut out for you…
>>
>>4485369
Your grandmother is already waiting for you in the garden of Lann’s Keep with the correct number of seats arranged. Lady Tyrene Lannister, formerly and currently of Lannisport. Your father’s mother, she returned to Lann’s Keep after your lord grandfather’s passing in order to see to the family’s concerns in and about the port. At least, that is how the story goes. The truth is that she and your lord father share the same sharp tongue that you have so painstakingly learned to repress. The two are lovely to see together in short doses, but inevitably quarrel over anything and everything. Now your cousins of Lannister must deal with her meddling instead. You share a look with her. The same blue eyes and blonde hair, though hers is streaked with a fair amount of silver now.

“My two favorite grandchildren still keep their favorite grandmother waiting,” she tsks at your approach with one of her secret smiles.

“Grandmother, please. You have other grandchildren as well,” Lenore gently chides.

“And? Come, come. We have a sort of green tea from the east. Dreadfully bitter, but the honey should sort that. You girls know I love my honey,” grandmother ushers you to sit. “Now, which of you would like to go first?”

“I suppose I should ask, go first for what in particular?” you ask.

“Why, all of your romantic misadventures of course. I thought you were supposed to be the clever one my little sweetling,” she looks you up and down. “Or I suppose just ‘sweetling’ will suffice now?”

“I would hardly use the word ‘misadventures’ for myself, and I will remind that Lenore is still a maid,” you arch a brow as you daintily give the tea a try. You prefer it bitter.

“Is she?” Lady Tyrene leans in to give your cousin a critical look that turns her crimson. “I suppose. Well then what is all of this I hear of talks with Turnberry falling through? Surely the little heir is not so repulsive? I assumed another scandal. And you, young lady…” she turns back to you with amusement glittering in her eyes. “I know you have caused a scandal. You seem to be singularly gifted at sending your lord father into fits. I typically need to put at least a modicum of effort into the endeavor. So, go on. Let us hear all of it.”

>Focus on the practicality of all of your actions
>Focus on love, happiness, Cerion
>Something else/something to add?
>>
>Focus on the practicality of all of your actions

She is obviously playing games with us. Let's play
>>
>>4485372
>Focus on the practicality of all of your actions
>>
>>4485372
>>Something else/something to add?
Be honest. Its Grandma.

"I chose Aurion because I thought he could rise high, far above his station. He has limitless potential, but seems to be shortsighted."

>Ask for advice.
>>
>>4484915
>Rumours abound about a Smallfolk kid who’s throwing off lightning left right and Center
> Aurion sitting in his chamber sweating while bouncing Cerion on his knee
>>4485372
>Focus on the practicality of all of your actions
>My static-y child will be a Hero
>>
>>4485372
>>Focus on the practicality of all of your actions
>>
>Can I get 3 rolls of 5d6 for Persuasion (Convince)?
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 6, 3, 3 = 15 (5d6)

>>4485417
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 6, 1, 5 = 15 (5d6)

>>4485417
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 1, 6, 5 = 19 (5d6)

>>4485417
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 2, 6 = 15 (4d6)

>>4485419
>>4485421
>>4485423
Attractive, in order.
>>
>>4485419
18
>>4485421
15
>>4485423
22

Writing.
>>
>>4485425
>>4485427
Can we to a Status (Breeding) check? It's a free action and could give us some bonus dice to throw around.
>>
>>4485439
I'll be using it at the dinner later for sure.
>>
“I met him upon Dragonstone…” you start from the beginning, leaving few details out… aside from the matter of the assassins. That one you are playing closer…

“Ah, so you had to bed him. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Well, that settles it. I’ll be sure to write your lord father and assure him there was no cause for his fits after all,” grandmother interrupts with a smug smirk.

“I will thank you for never mentioning this to my lord husband, but I believe this would be when he would suggest that a plan is only foolhardy when it doesn’t succeed,” you reply.

“My, my. You have changed, haven’t you,” she says appreciatively. “So, he lets you have the run of the house. I do believe that is what you have always wanted. Good on you, then. But what does that say of this man? He is one of those dragonseeds is he not? Lowborn, even? I had never thought you the type…”

“His parentage is a mystery.”

“I do believe that would make him a bastard at best,” she evenly retorts.

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. He appears more foreign than anything,” you say.

“A foreign lowborn bastard. My, he simply must meet your namesake. I have long wished to die laughing,” grandmother says with one of her dry chuckles. You share a name with a cousin of Lannister more of your father’s generation. She happens to be the Lady Brax now, and she holds all of the labels one may attribute to your husband in remarkably low regard even for one of her breeding.

“A lord by his own making,” you redefine. “I would assume you know your histories as well as I, grandmother. Dragonseeds such as he have a habit of making and breaking wars. Ser Jorry,” you call out to the commander of your guard, who lingers out of earshot by a hedge.

“My lady?” he answers in approach.

“How would you rate my lord husband and his men. Speak freely,” you command.

“I can’t recall seeing a better body of fighters. They seem willing to die for my lord, and they are limited only by their numbers,” Ser Jorry Bywater answers.

“Thank you,” you dismiss him. “There you have it, from the mouth of an honest man. My husband has a way about him that draws people in. I saw that in him. It is a rare thing to find a man of such potential with so little inclination towards running a household. What would you do?”

“Oh, I would have bedded him as well,” she agrees, causing Lenore to nearly drop her cup. “But you will forgive me if I say that your descriptions have him seeming a touch… well, out of touch. There is boldness and there is carelessness.”

“… perhaps. I do assume you have some advice?”
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4485456
“Keep him close. Balance his worse impulses. You need only have read your histories to see what sort of damage can be done by an arrogant dragonseed with the skill to back it up,” she suggests. “I assume I will have a chance to meet this man at some point before the Stranger takes me?”

“He may be taking one of his boats here, grandmother. Perhaps you could meet some of his other knights as well,” Lenore suggests.

“Ship, not boat,” you correct. “Aurion is oddly particular over the term.”

“There is a difference?” Lenore asks.

“Apparently… I asked him to explain it and he said, ‘you can put a boat in a ship but not a ship in a boat,’ and only sought to… distract me after I pressed him further.”

“Is that supposed to be some sort of clever riddle?” you grandmother cuts in, puzzling over the statement as much as you have.

“It has to be. I confess I am at a loss to explain it. Could one not place a smaller ship inside of a larger ship? Would that not make it a boat? And what if you put a boat inside of a boat? Does that not then qualify the latter as a ship? It’s maddening,” you huff. You need to stop yourself before you spiral down this yet again. “I made it clear in the letter that we would be returning by ship. I assume Lady Janesa has at least received the letter by now, but I am unsure if Aurion is still busy with his wars.”

“You haven’t heard? Dragonstone fell. This war is surely over, sweetling. He will come,” your grandmother interrupts.

“How? When?” you demand.

“The ravens have only just begun fluttering in. Little is mentioned beyond the castle’s fall and the destruction of the Targaryen fleet by some great storm,” she answers without a care… until she sees you sinking back into the seat, all good posture forgotten.

A great storm. No. Not again. You can’t lose him. Not now.

“Cerelle? Are you well? Gods, she must be exhausted. Gillianne. Some wine, chilled. Quickly now,” your grandmother calls out.
>>
>>4485457
Fear drawback activated. -1D to tests until it passes. Will roll 1d6 with each update. It will fade with a 6.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 7d6 for Cunning (Memory)?
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 1, 6, 4, 3, 5 = 22 (7d6)

>>4485461
our husband is a lying whoremonger with fancy justifications and excuses!
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 1, 4, 5, 6, 5 = 30 (7d6)

>>4485461
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 3, 3, 6, 2, 2 = 23 (7d6)

>>4485461
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4485465
>>4485470
>>4485480
Writing.
>>
“Lord Aurion is aship more than he is in his seat. Such a storm would have passed by the island…” you hear Lenore explaining to your grandmother, who has the grace to look mortified.

“Gillianne?” you interrupt. “That was Lord Tyler’s bastard daughter waiting on us?”

“You know her?” your grandmother asks in a far gentler tone than before.

“As well as I know anyone,” you mutter. You don’t believe you have ever met her before, but you recall hearing Lady Andrea mentioning her name once in a spout of gossip. “I had heard Lord Tyler kept one about, even going so far as to provide her tutors,” you mention when the girl is out of sight again.

“She is a clever girl. He insists to Lady Anette that he can make a fine match of her,” grandmother dangles.

“But I take it Lady Anette is not pleased,” you finish.

“Would you be?”

“Irrelevant. I would never allow a bastard under my roof to begin with. It’s an embarrassment,” you answer.

“Some may say that bastards cannot help their birth,” Lenore says.

“They would be correct. Nor can the smallfolk that work the mines. That doesn’t earn them a place beneath my roof.”

“Lord Aurion has none, then?” grandmother asks.

“No. If he does, he has either left them behind or does not know them. Again, irrelevant,” you reply with perhaps a little more bite than you prefer. He has to be alive. He cannot leave you like this.

“How fares Edger? Still as stuffy as ever?” grandmother asks to change the topic.

“He is in King’s Landing, courting the Lady of Sharp Point at my behest,” you distractedly answer.

“He is not stuffy, grandmother,” Lenore admonishes.

“Too true, sweetling. Too true. I had meant to say prickly. He would have a lordship? Truly? You would say he has a chance at this courting?”

You glance at Lenore. She and Edger have always been remarkably close given their other two brothers. Lorcan is the oldest and has more personality. Edger is the second, and bookish Lester is third. You’d assume Lester has nearly finished his maester’s chain by now. Lenore is the baby and the apple of your Uncle Larten’s eye… and Edger’s. In truth… you don’t believe he has much of a chance. Your urging was more of a way to gather information than anything, but you knew he would never go for it under those pretenses. If he succeeds, all the better, but he lacks the sort of charm and wordplay that you suspect appeals best to the Lady Bar Emmon, and he can be quite smothering. If he fails… well, you have been giving serious consideration towards having her killed anyway. Fair play.

>It goes poorly, you’d imagine. (Truth)
>Spare Lenore’s feelings (Lie)
>Try to convey the truth without Lenore catching on (Harder lie)

More tomorrow, thanks for playing!
>>
>>4485527
>It goes poorly, you’d imagine. (Truth)
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4485527
Forgot the roll
>>
>>4485527
>>Try to convey the truth without Lenore catching on (Harder lie)
>>
>>4485527
>It goes poorly, you’d imagine. (Truth)
>>
>>4485527
>Spare Lenore’s feelings (Lie)
>>
>It goes poorly, you’d imagine. (Truth)
>>
>>4485527
>It goes poorly, you’d imagine. (Truth)

>If he fails… well, you have been giving serious consideration towards having her killed anyway. Fair play.
Oof.. that's new, and completely understandable from her her perspective.
>>
>>4485527
>It goes poorly, you’d imagine. (Truth)
>>
You know once news of Aurion's astonishing success on Dragonstone starts coming into Lannisport, and growing even more in the telling before Aurion can tell his own accurate version, people might start treating Cerelle differently because of her association to such a victory, and she might have at least some doubts on that glory vs love debate. I'd imagine some ambitious lesser noble might try to get their daughters betrothed to Cerion while Aurion's away, same as Janesa. Trying to stake their claim to the next Storm.
>>
>>4485740
So was the placing him there as an unwitting spy. This girl is devious. I love it.

>>4485801
They can try but they're not Valyrian. Only the best for Cerion.
>>
>>4485914
>>4485914
I see only one problem with the plan of marrying Cerion to a fine valyrian lady and it's that I have a feeling most of the Valyrian houses are going to less than large fans of Aurion. Not only are we lowborn, we also married a woman from a region that betrayed House Targaryen as well as the fact that we helped take Dragonstone and turned our back on our heritage. Aurion has a tongue that could tie a cherry stem in knots that is true but I think that might be a difficult proposition. At least for a firstborn daughter anyways
>>
>>4485951
Very true. It's not like it has to be a firstborn Celtigar or Velaryon though. A secondborn daughter would be fine. Failing that, a firstborn of one of the knightly houses like Stonemont or Longwaters. Or Cleo's Celtigarspawn if she's not barren. Or Visenya Orlisis. Gotta keep the Valyrian blood alive or we are just another inferior Andal house.
>>
Um are you guys forgetting about the deal with Janesa to marry one of our children with one of her children? She asked as much here - >>4479516
Aurion may have put off confirming it for now, but the deal still stands, and Cerelle knows about it.
>>
>>4485955
Looking into a Lyseni bride is actually a pretty good idea. It will keep Stormgrave exotic, and if she's from a rich family it likely means trade connections with that city. Not to mention that even their common folk often have Valyrian features.

>>4485959
That's what secondborns are for anon.
>>
>>4485965
Well the second born we promised to Cleo that we would let them meet her child. Cerelle doesn't want 3 children if I remember right, so if we are to honour both deals I don't see any openings for marrying Cerion to another house.
>>
>>4485975
I went back and checked after seeing that yesterday. Our secondborn isn't promised to anyone. Cleo wanted our firstborn or an equal match brokered by us to another house's firstborn. Cerelle gave her a "maybe" and suggested fostering Cleo's daughter.
>>
>>4485965
Firstborns don't marry whores and exslaves
>>
>>4486050
Neither do secondborns. They marry the Sunglass girl their father told them to marry and dont run off to Essos with some whore
>>
>>4486050
I prefer a Westerosi Valyrian myself, but he still has a point. There are noble houses on Lys that have established bloodlines like Janesa's does. They're perfectly valid options.
>>
House Longwaters has a daughter of an age with Cerion I believe.
>>
>>4486050
Who said anything about whores and ex-slaves? Lys has plenty of noble families with distinguished and noble family lines. As does all of the Free Cities, Lys is jsut the most Valyrian looking.

>>4486057
I would also prefer a Westerosi, but worst case scenario we can always look across the sea.
>>
>>4486078
Oddly enough I know of a very attractive Valyrian girl who would be the exact same age as Cerion and who wouldn’t have a better match than our boy
She might even come with some Dragons
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4485980
This is correct.

>>4486052
Hah.

>>4486078
Aegon IV was half Lysene and he turned out just fine.
>>
>>4486321
I may have to rework the Fear drawback into a Will test. These 1d6's are getting tedious.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for Convince for the next post?
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 1, 1 = 5 (4d6)

>>4486324
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 2, 4 = 16 (4d6)

>>4486324
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 5, 4 = 17 (4d6)

>>4486324
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 3, 2 = 7 (4d6)

>>4486324
>>
>>4486070
yeah shes named after isis malroy right? cant imagine cerelle would be down with marrying cerion to the daughter of a landed knight and a foreign woman

hey bog, weird question cause im doing a little oc project. does eddison have his own coat of arms or what? also about blackberry and stonemont??
>>
>>4486353
I have ideas for all three. I'll post them tomorrow if I can get them to generate properly. Thanks for the reminder.
>>
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“There is a chance that Edger could succeed, perhaps, but I would imagine it goes poorly,” you admit. Lenore looks taken aback, but she should know the truth. Something to consider with her own schemes.

“Such confidence in your cousin! Why? Is he uncomely now? Seven know this war has done a number on some of the young ones,” Grandmother asks.

“I believe my Aurion is at least somewhat to blame. He apparently gave a rousing speech extoling the lady’s virtues and painting her as the Maiden reborn. With favorable public opinion and the obvious worth of her title, she will have no end to suitors. Couple that with Ser Edger’s rather overbearing streak…”

“Ah. Quite. Why would your lord husband make such a blunder?” she tsks.

“He didn’t make a blunder. Not there. It was deftly done even if every word was a ludicrous exaggeration. He had a whole host of knights up in arms to defend her honor and set them upon a course to sack Massey’s Hook. For my part, I despise the lady. I would see my cousin rule in her stead, or I will use what he has learned in her proximity to declaw her treacherous house,” you explain.

“Of all of my grandchildren, I have always thought you were the most like me. I do so enjoy being correct,” Grandmother smiles.

“What if he fails?” Lenore asks, clearly far less enthused by your plan.

“I would see him rewarded with a match more appropriate to his station. Seven know we are lacking in alliances in the region. Any neighboring lady of good breeding would be a boon to a second son of a second son. He is shown favor by being given leave to wed at all,” you tell her.

“Indeed,” Grandmother agrees. “He is a competent boy, but he has no great honors or accolades of his own to stand upon, and such is needed for one so unlikely to inherit anything. However, I do not recall you birthing him, Cerelle. Your lord father or your Uncle Larten will have the final say. As they will with our sweet Lenore,” she adds with a pointed look to your cousin.

“They do,” you’re forced to concede.

“Why have the talks with Turnberry stalled? This is both of your doing and I know it,” Grandmother states with a cool look fixed upon Lenore, who predictably wilts under her gaze.

“She has her eyes set upon a knight in service to House Shryke,” you say in Lenore’s stead.

“I know that, girl. She all but said as much earlier. You both still have much to learn in guarding your words. I am not so old as to have forgotten how to read between the lines, as it were. Now, tell me why,” Grandmother demands.
>>
>>4486427
“He is a true knight, and I know he will treat me well. He comes from the west as well—” Lenore begins.

“Boring. Next. Cerelle, explain to me why a match to Ser Byron Yew rates further inflaming your lord father,” she turns to you instead. She must be on speaking terms with your father to know that name at all.

>Rolled 14 vs DC 16 for Convince. Failed.

“A match to House Turnberry is useless to me. Trust is invaluable, and I can trust Lenore. She is the only one I do trust on that side of Westeros. I would keep her close. Of course, it does help that Ser Byron is competent, has my lord husband’s confidence, and commands the garrison upon Stormgrave,” you tell her. Your lord husband who may be at the bottom of the sea…

“Is it time for my nap already? It certainly feels that way,” she yawns behind her hand.

“Grandmother—”

“I see your points. I also see my sons’ points in that you are overreaching on your authority with a House that you are ostensibly on the outs with, whether the rest of the west knows it or not. With the consideration that those two get too irate to finish their points, I would add on their behalf that your cousins are just as useful to House Lydden as they are to House Shryke. Particularly papa’s little sunflower here,” she wags a finger at your cousin, who blushes at the use of Ser Larten’s childhood pet name for her. “Larten thinks you are corrupting her, you know. He takes your lord father’s blustering rants with a whole heap of salt no matter how many times I remind him not to.”

“That is ridiculous—”

“I agree, but you are overreaching. Larten would much rather see Lenore wed to a future lord, especially one so disturbingly gentlehearted. I am inclined to agree with him. We should do what is best for our families, should we not? Of all of my lessons to forget, I do find it odd that you would forget that one, Cerelle,” she gives you a disappointed frown.

“I haven’t forgotten, Grandmother. Father has,” you retort. “I wrote to him for aid and he rebuked me with an insulting letter while I sat heavy with child.”
>>
>>4486431
“I know. He always has been a bit of an ass. Why else have we both fled to opposite coasts? I would ask you to think of it as a ruler if that is what you are so keen on being now. Your lord father and your uncle, that maniac Lord Banefort, are held in higher esteem by Lord Tywin than any other of their so-called peers. I have heard part of that was related to you… some sort of exchange in favors? So, here he is with all of the lords of the west so eager to kiss his arse and then what? He finds out you’ve been keeping a child hidden from him through all of these talks in which he was assured he was dealing with an honorable match for you. Then you write him a letter before he has had so much as a moment to vent his frustrations asking for him to send a host of men to deal with some lowly land grabbing scheme or some other vendetta you refuse to explain. A move that would almost certainly draw the ire of those who he so recently made great inroads with. Really, my girl. What did you think he was going to say?”

“You know it is more than just that,” you quietly remind.

“So it is. He still cares for you and you him, elsewise you would not be so obviously antagonizing him… Ember Peak? Really? Have you been living under a rock?”

“On a rock,” you correct.

“So you have,” she smirks.

“Leroy has wed the Lady Joanna, has he not? It was a recent thing.”

“Because she was broken in by that craven Farman boy first. That is, before he managed to get himself killed in his first little battle. We wanted no untoward rumors circling any child she may produce. I assure you, the arrangement was more because of that House’s treachery than in spite of it. I will grant the two do seem genuinely infatuated with one another. A small blessing in the whole affair… but that is quite enough distracting me. I taught you that. Have you given a care to your lady mother? She is a gentle soul. Or little James?”
>>
>>4486434
You try not to let the tightness in your throat show. “I have.”

“Then reach out. Enough of these little jabs back and forth. Make arrangements to visit them or for them to visit you. Make a toast in your lord father’s honor tonight, no matter how bitter that may taste. Your father’s enemies may have keyed in upon a rift. Shun them. Do your duty to both of your houses… and I may yet see the worth in buttering those blusterers up for Lenore’s first little scheme.”

She is asking you to pick a side in the politicking of the west. Lord Lewys Lydden’s side.

>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family.
>You would rather leave things as they are. It is no more than he deserves and there are other houses that may look to you for just that reason.
>Something else.

This is all I have time for tonight. I’m going to continue tomorrow and Sunday with a feast in Lann’s Keep to wrap up the POV. I’ve personally enjoyed the shift, but I’m looking to be back to Aurion in time for the opening of the new thread. Thanks for playing and have a great day/night!
>>
>>4486435
>>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family.
I think it's time to swallow pride and admit that we were wrong (even if we don't believe it). Something we could teach Aurion about.
>>
>>4486435
>>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family.
>>
>>4486435
>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family.
>>
>>4486435
>>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family

Hard to argue otherwise. Of all people Cerelle should recognize the value of familial connection.
>>
>>4486435
>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family.
>>
>Or little James?”

I've been staring at this update for several minutes trying to figure out why I felt like I fucked something up. There it is. Cerelle's younger brother's name is Jason, not James. Named for Ser Jason Lannister who Cerelle's father squired for.
>>
>>4486435
>You will promise to your grandmother that you will repair relations with your birth house. You miss your family.
>>
>>4486474
Yeah that part stood out to me too, I just figured I was misremembering her brother's name.
>>
>>4486435
>Inb4 when Aurion arrives, Grandmother calls him a “Fungal growth upon her family tree”
Get it?
Badger Badger Badger Mushroom mushroom
>>
>>4486801
I'm voting for Seduce on the grandmother when Aurion arrives.
>>
>>4486999
coomers are going to get us gelded
>>
>>4486329
Shouldn't the be a re-roll on these 1's? Did you do that behind the scenes? The anticipation is killing me.
>>
>>4487097
Only two of the 1's could be rerolled. A perfect roll would've equalled the 14 we already had, so I moved on rather than rerolling.
>>
>>4486070
And Longwaters has trade ties with Wendwater. Cousins somehow iirc. That could be useful.
>>
Alright, I'm running a little late, but I will still have a post later on tonight. I could use some rolls to smooth this along. I've got a few to get through.

First up:
>3 rolls of 7d6 for Status (Breeding) for your ladylike bearing
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3 = 18 (7d6)

>>4488129
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1, 4 = 23 (7d6)

>>4488129
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 1, 2, 4, 1, 4 = 19 (7d6)

>>4488129
>>
>>4488131
>>4488132
>>4488135
Right on 2 degrees. That'll net you 1 bonus die for any persuasion test during the feast. Probably more relevant to the smaller conversations we will be doing tomorrow night.

Next up:
>3 rolls of 4d6 for Charm with your host
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 5, 4 = 20 (4d6)

>>4488138
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 2, 1 = 5 (4d6)

>>4488138
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 4, 5 = 16 (4d6)

>>4488138
>>
>>4488152
goddamn anon
>>
>>4488143
>>4488152
>>4488154
20 will put you right on the second degree again. Still going to be 1/9 composure, but you may have another opportunity to finish the job later.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 2d6 for Empathy? (yeah...)
>>
Rolled 1, 1 = 2 (2d6)

>>4488162
>>
>>4488162
Wait, scratch that. it's 3d6. Sorrry, I guess she's not quite that level of ice queen
>>
Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d6)

>>4488162
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4488167
>>
>>4488165
Hah, wow. Good thing it doesn't count.
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 1 = 8 (3d6)

>>4488166
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 2 = 11 (3d6)

>>4488162
>>
>>4488167
>>4488168
>>4488170
>>4488172
The 15 will be 1 degree of success. Alright, last batch here:

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6+8 for Deception (Act) to play the doting daughter in your toast
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 3, 2 + 8 = 16 (4d6 + 8)

>>4488173
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 2, 3 + 8 = 19 (4d6 + 8)

>>4488173
>+8
>Worry.jpg
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 1, 3 + 8 = 20 (4d6 + 8)

>>4488173
>>
>>4488175
>>4488176
>>4488191
19. Awareness 3's and 4's think you're just lovely. Awareness 5's will mark you for a savvy budding politician.

Post will be up a little later tonight
>>
Is there a house rule on Deception (Act) being used for more than what's given in the rulebook? I noticed this with Aurion's conversation with Selena as well earlier, but didn't say anything then. Here's the rulebook on Deception (Bluff):
>You may test Deception whenever you would test Persuasion to compel another target but only if your role in the intrigue involves concealing information, misleading your opponent or blatantly lying about your intentions
Assuming this roll is for Cerelle pretending to praise her father in a toast, shouldn't that fall under 'miseading, concealing or lying' and therefore Bluff instead of Act? Cerelle is probably not going to pretend she's someone else entirely. This lessens the effectiveness of our bonus dice in Bluff. If you want to increase the usage of Act, I would consider combining it with Deception (Disguise) instead, which is much more similar to Act than Bluff, there's very little difference, even the rulebook says it's pretty much the same.
>>
>>4488262
Forgot to mention, what I wanted to say was that in the earlier conversation between Aurion and Selena, Aurion wanted to conceal his relationship with Selena so that should have fell under Bluff as well. I only cared because that bluff bonus dice might have kept it from the daughter.
>>
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>>4488262
>>4488266
The book could do a much better job in not contradicting itself with the blurb descriptions. I use some things differently (looking at you, Charm and Bargain), but these two cases are me following the actual rules to the letter. The Wendwater situation and this current situation are both circumstances in which the characters would be using Charm if there was no Deception involved. Charm's corresponding Deception specialty is Act. Pic related.
>>
>>4488291
I really like what you did with Foreign Sellsword vs. Haughty. Gonna make our marriage hella tense.
>>
>>4488407
A good ducking should fix the worst of it
>>
>>4488407
Gotta love how Cerelle has two people as equipment
>>
>>4488419
Fucking auto correct
>>
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“… how is my mother?” you ask.

“She will be better to hear from you. Jason keeps her occupied. Her last letter had her complaining of your father already seeking a palfrey for Jason. She’s been hurt the most in all of this, you know,” she admonishes.

“… I believe we have a deal. You said a toast…” you sigh as her knowing smile returns.

“Indeed. You will be seated as the guest of honor tonight. Lord Tyler’s bannermen will be present, all of the grasping merchant knights of Lannisport. Perhaps a lord or two for good measure. Some may seek to undermine your lord father. Take care not to favor those who deal too closely with Reachmen. There is some bad blood over a little end of war incident. The Reachmen are calling it a massacre, but that seems a touch dramatic, don’t you think? Lord Quenten’s doing, but some Lydden heavy horse were with him. Ah, and your Lydden cousins of the Burrow as well… not that they rate the name anymore. Lantell is acceptable. So is Lady Joanna, I suppose. There may be some lowborn merchants underfoot as well if you can stomach such company. I personally cannot abide them, but Lord Tyler can for the right price. Oh, look at him!”

You turn to see Lady Ciara carrying a fussy Cerion over to you. You scoop him from her arms and gently soothe his fussing. A little rocking and soft words have him contentedly looking into your eyes and clumsily pawing at a lock of your hair. You could look into his own light lilac eyes for days…

“He does look the little Valyrian, doesn’t he?” Grandmother leans in for a better look. “Does your lord husband have his look?”

“They have the same eyes, though I would think Cerion favors me more. Are you hungry little one?” you ask in a voice so uncharacteristically sweet that it has all of the other ladies looking to you in surprise. Of course he is. He’s a growing boy. You lower down a strap of your dress.

“Oh, for the Mother’s sake,” your grandmother groans. “Must you do that here? Especially with the vulgar size of your— you know. I will have you know, that comes from your mother’s side.”

“Where else would you have me do it? It is perfectly natural,” you lazily respond. These are some of the more relaxing moments of your day and not even your harridan grandmother will break the spell. Let her try.
>>
>>4488474
“So are a great number of other things that are done behind closed doors. Not to mention this is simply unfashionable. Ladies of your birth should be seen to have more important matters to attend. What else? You, ginger girl. I recall something of the milking making ladies less fertile. Tell her, go on,” your grandmother tries.

“It does seem to do that, my lady,” Lady Ciara meekly confirms.

“Good. Then I may be less careful when Aurion arrives,” you shut your eyes and recline in the chair. “You speak to me of fashion, Grandmother. How is this for fashion? If I will it, I shall nurse Cerion upon the dais tonight and set the trend for the whole of Lannisport. Test me further and I will have you seeing nipples until your dying day.”

“Unbelievable,” she scoffs, but you can hear the smile in her voice. She does so like her bantering. “I will take my leave of you until this evening. Do remember our deal.”

You leave your ladies to make their curtsies for you, opening your eyes only when Cerion begins to squirm on your chest. If not for the joy of seeing him clumsily test his limbs, you fear your eyelids would betray you.

“You ladies may play with Cerion upon the grass over there. Lay out a blanket first and keep to the shade… I think I shall have a rest here… and have them pitch a canopy. It wouldn’t do to ruin my skin just before the feast.”

You awake later in the day with a great stretch, momentarily thinking you overslept until you remember the canopy shielding you. Ser Alan of Woodmere has your watch now, which suits you just fine. He is the least dour of them aside from perhaps Ser Pate. You squint through the canopy to get a rough sense of the sun. It is heading for the Sunset Sea, but there is time enough to freshen up. You return to your chambers where your handmaidens are already fretting about. This would be a decent opportunity for at least Lenna to attract some attention. Trade between Lannisport and Oldtown is vitally important to both cities. What better way to sweeten the deal than a match between merchant branches? No doubt your more distant and lowlier Lannisport-based cousins of House Lydden of the Burrow were of the same notion when they secured a match for Rosalie with House Bulwer’s Oldtown branch.
>>
>>4488479
Back in the room, you cleanse your face in a basin and apply just a touch of lavender perfume. Too much and Cerion will fuss. You slip into tighter smallclothes that act the girdle, a lady must have her tricks, and then call for help with the rest. The dress isn’t quite as snug as you would like, but it will do. The bodice is the larger hassle. The price of motherhood. Both are primarily cloth-of-gold lined with a silvery satin. It took the clothing allowance of the last three moons to weave and you still could have gone with some enhancements in a few places. Really, you’re counting more upon the latest fashion of the capital to be as slow in reaching Lannisport as it should be. With Lady Cersei’s elevation to Queen and the general Baratheon ascendancy, gold has become more popular than ever. You suspect the other ladies will only just be beginning to test the waters on it, to your advantage. As for your other items, you are forced to hope the quality of your extended wardrobe is merely assumed to be the result of convenient picks for your extended travels. Irritating, but perhaps you are more to blame on this one.

You should have been more direct with Aurion on the dowry. Your lord father is a practical man. He was not generous or frugal with the amount. It was the minimum amount needed to maintain your comforts, and the bulk of it went towards projects that would be expected to already be in hand by the sort of husband who would normally be worthy of you. A thousand gold dragons is a hefty sum for comfort… for some pauper lord herding sheep somewhere, perhaps. You are no upjumped merchant knight’s daughter to fawn over appearances and fashions. It is a matter of practicality. Old houses steeped in honor like the Westerlings are looked down upon for their shabbiness, and you will not have the same said of you. It is doubly important when dealing with the Houses of Lannisport, who are able to flaunt their wealth with relative ease. A few hundred dragons spent looking respectable now may save a few thousand dragons on trade agreements later. You’d expected Aurion to appreciate as much from his mercenary dealings. Perhaps he is struggling with the scale? A thought for another day. You may have a solution anyway, as distasteful as it is. You will need to count on Aurion to see it through… if he still lives.
>>
>>4488482
You enter the main hall with your ladies in your wake and Cerion in arms. You will need to slip out to see him off to bed in a short while, but it is best that he is seen as much as possible so that more may know of House Shryke’s heir. You do also have to admit that the genuine interest and adoration upon some of the other guests for your perfect little boy, particularly the other ladies, does get to your head a little. You make for your seat along with Lady Anette, Lord Tyler’s wife. She favors the gold as well, but she appears to be the only other. Perfect. She is also an Oakheart by birth, so it could simply be that. She is still somewhat youthful and reminds you of your own mother in some ways, albeit more withdrawn. You suspect that may have something to do with the state of her second son… best not to bring that up.

“My Lady Cerelle, please,” Lord Tyler pulls out your chair himself with a more genial look than you’re used to seeing upon him. “I believe you were still a young maid when last I saw you. A hawking outing with your lord father?”

“It was, my lord. Eight years now?” you smile politely. Those used to be some of your favorite memories. Before everything changed.

“Thereabouts. And now you are a woman grown with a son of your own. Time truly does get away from us. I heard you had some trouble on the road. I trust all is well now?” he asks.

“I fear the Gold Road is not what it once was. We were set upon by bandits when we stopped for the evening. I can hardly imagine what would have happened had it not been for the valor of my knights. I am sure my lord father will be wroth when he hears of it. Not to mention my lord husband,” you say.

“Ah, yes. The Lord Aurion Shryke. I suppose those bandits must be glad they are not upon a ship,” he smirks. You give a pretty laugh at his jest but find it odd that he would make it at all.

“Your son really is quite beautiful, my lady. I suppose you will have to find a good broom to keep the maids back after recent events. It was much the same with my Leroy,” Lady Anette cuts in.

“A small price to pay for motherhood, my lady,” you reply with what you hope is just the right amount of charm. “I would imagine the new peace will have the Mother and Maiden both quite busy.”

“The new peace brought about in no small part by your lord husband, you mean,” Lord Tyler says with a keen look in his Lannister green eyes.
>>
>>4488483
“His more vigorous role in the fighting did have a small part in my traveling west. We both thought it best to be amongst family in such trying times,” you reply, a touch wrongfooted by his compliments. This is not a man known for flattery and you can see the opportunism in him even now.

“… my lady, you are aware of Dragonstone, are you not?” he replies with raised brow.

“I heard from my lady grandmother that it had fallen after a great storm,” you say. The couple exchange knowing looks that have you on the verge of irritation. You do not like being played the fool.

“My Lady Aunt Tyrene spins her webs too thinly. I will be glad to tell her as much,” Lord Tyler smirks. “I have it from a more reputable source that Lord Shryke had some role in turning the garrison of Dragonstone upon itself. A dishonorable ending to a dynasty, but all the better for our Queen of Lannister. The details beyond that are a touch… fantastical, but it appears your lord husband had quite the victory.”

You could cry. You nearly do. Of all the stupid, perfect, ridiculous, beautiful… in a storm!? If he were here right now… you would… you would do something.

“I wasn’t aware of that… detail, my lord. It does sound like something he would do. It is wonderful news,” you say with your first genuine smile outside of your moments with Cerion in a long while. It seems to be infectious as it has your hosts looking pleased as well.

“It is refreshing to see young love,” Lady Anette comments. Love…

“Indeed. Another reason we had hoped you could have spent the day with my son and the Lady Joanna. I do recall you enjoy hawking. It seems Lady Tyrene had other plans…” Lord Tyler says.

“My grandmother and I had much to catch up on as I’m sure my lord understands,” you say, still reeling from the implications. You could’ve done with knowing the details on Aurion earlier, but her knowledge on the politicking at play here is certainly not within Ser Leroy’s realm of expertise. You do note she seems to be rather busy heckling your father’s youngest brother, Ser Laramie Lydden. He serves as a commander with the Lannisport City Watch. Of all your birth family, he may be the one you know the least well. He set out on his own when you were still quite young and married a lady of House Lanny for love rather than duty.
>>
>>4488484
The guests have largely settled in, so you pass off Cerion to Lady Ciara in anticipation of the inevitable. You wouldn’t want him startled by the noise. Sure enough, Lord Tyler stands to the quieting of his assembled bannermen and retainers. “I would like to propose a toast to my honored guest and cousin, the Lady Cerelle of House Shryke.”

The noisiness rings out as you’d expected, for various reasons if your grandmother is to be believed. You stand in turn as is your right, careful to observe your courtesies. Simply toasting your host in turn is considered dull and toasting your own house is too self-aggrandizing. Not that you need to give it much thought with your earlier conversation. “I would propose a toast in turn to the health of Lord Lewys Lydden. My lord father has had a great influence upon me and the west as a whole.”

The cheering is a bit more mixed this time with the Lyddens of the Burrow the least enthused, but that seems to be expected. It all sounded natural enough to your ears, and you note your grandmother nod approvingly. Lord Tyler does shoot you a shrewd look, though. He is a more practiced hand at these games than his bannermen and far closer seated to you at that. Hardly a concern considering he has every reason to remain an ally of your birth house.

Whether it is from old wounds or opportunism, others may feel differently. You note your uncle has returned to the table with the greater part of House Lanny… and House Lydden of the Burrow. An interesting development. Has your uncle decided to side against your father or is there a greater plan at play here? Or is there no plan at all? He could be every bit the soldier that Lenore’s father is. Your grandmother seems to be playing that one close. She also warned you off this very table, but you’re not answerable to her either.
>>
Fucking lol, longest update yet? I'll have to read it in the morning I guess, I can't stay awake for 5000 words.
>>
>>4488485
The other table at the same rung beneath the dais seems to be comprised of Lantells and Lannetts. You note Ser Cedrick Lantell and his lady wife. They would be foremost amongst your cousin’s bannermen and would make for suitable conversational partners. A pity their firstborn isn’t a few years older or you may have tried to match him with Lenna. Ser Cedrick does have a brother that may yet be unwed, though. You don’t see him in attendance. Odd. In any case, that would be the safer table for mingling.

Then there are the merchants of less distinguished birth that Lord Tyler allows within the hall. You’d assume he has them pay for the privilege or something to that effect. They are seated a rung lower than the banner houses. You could see if there is a diamond in the rough if you were of an unusually indulgent mood. It’s worked once before… but it could send the wrong sort of message.

On the opposite end, you could simply remain in place and perhaps socialize more with Ser Leroy and Lady Joanna as Lord Tyler and his lady wife seemed to be intent upon. Overall, you’d say it would be best to split your time between two of the groups. You could use tucking in Cerion as an excuse to leave the first group. Of course, you’d imagine most will be deeper into their cups by the time you return. Any matchmaking or business would be better suited for the earlier courses.

Who would you like to speak with and when?

Before Cerion sleeps
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
>House Lydden of the Burrow+ House Lanny
>Lower merchants

After Cerion sleeps
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
>House Lydden of the Burrow+ House Lanny
>Lower merchants

This is the longest update I’ve ever done. Sorry to any who prefer the shorter stuff. Wasn’t even intentional. I do like writing this character quite a bit. Definitely way overdue on some sleep. I hope everyone is enjoying the shift.
>>
>>4488493
Fucking hell all these Lan-'s gets confusing. At least the other kingdoms have a variety of house names

>House Lantell+ House Lannett
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
Let's see if we can wrangle anyone for our handmaids. Afterward we can catch up with our hosts
>>
>>4488493
Before
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
After
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold

Make a good impression with the friendlier houses and then get white girl wasted on watered wine with Joanna.
>>
>>4488509
Supporting

Also, let’s have a drink but keep it to an appropriate amount
>>
>>4488493
Before
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
After
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
I'll agree, best to spend some time with the host's son and daughter-in-law at least, might take offence otherwise. As for the first choice, the Lyddens and Lannys are out because of grandma, and I think associating with lower merchants is more Aurion's area of expertise. So that leaves the Lantells+Lanetts.
>>
>>4488493
Before Cerion sleeps
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold

After Cerion sleeps

>House Lydden of the Burrow+ House Lanny
>>
>>4488493
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
We should go about the usual ladylike operations during the main part off the meal while most people are sober. Then

>Lower merchants
If she is going to have learned anything from Aurion it's that your social conventions are ultimately bullshit, the only thing that matters is what you can achieve. These people have the most to gain so lets see what they can offer. It's a buyers market.

As far as shocking the court goes it only works in our favour. Aurion just gained notoriety for something, were a little fuzzy on the details but we know it was bold. This is the half-measure "bold" move that I think Cerelle would make at court. The last low-born that she found she's now hearing rumours about, the next one could be similar.
>>
>>4488545
>Getting drunk with the table grandma told us to avoid
Madman! If you want to give Aurion a second child so much at least go for a Lannister!
>>
>>4488493
>>House Lantell+ House Lannett
Tell me of this other brother.

>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
Just mingle to mingle. If Aurion was around I'd be more inclined to see after the merchants but with Cerelle it just seems to be a moment against her better judgment.
>>
Who's this Lord Quenten?
>>
>>4488748
Lord Quenten Banefort. You met him briefly at your wedding. His second daughter is one of Cerelle's closest friends.
>>
>>4488493
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
>>
>>4488493
Before Cerion sleeps
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
After Cerion sleeps
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
>>
Look at baby Cerion already affecting Lannister politics

>>4488493
Before
>House Lantell+ House Lannett
After
>Ser Leroy Lannister+ Lady Joanna Reynold
>>
>>4488806
>Cerelle
>Closest friends
Well that's surprising.
>>
>>4489025
Friends/cousins. The two are very different, so there's a good chance they never would've gotten so close without the familial bond to start things off. Cerelle's mother is Lady Cathryn Banefort, Lord Quenten Banefort's older sister.
>>
I'm going to do the actual run tomorrow night rather than tonight. I'd only have the time to do an update later on and I want this next part to be more interactive.
>>
>>4489350
I’d love to see Aurion sailing into Lannisport from Cerelle and his own perspective
>Inb4 Captain Jack Sparrow style riding into port on a sinking ship
>>
>>4489457
I could do that.
>>
Catching up on the last couple of threads and it's hilarious that we have two same-sex couples in the same castle on the same side. I love how casual Aurion is about it too. Lesbian couple, no big deal, man proclaiming his love for another man, woah, that's cool. I guess whoever Lyra Darry marries is going to be a second son at best? No big lords or the like? Because I can see her maintaining a relationship between her husband's house and Stormgrave just to visit Jeyne Goodbrook.

I wish she gets a gay husband, then both of them can pursue their relationships without guilt or interference. And they may approach Aurion for a child to keep up pretenses.

>>4489457
Supporting
>>
>>4489731
>Inb4 Aurion’s spent so long across the narrow sea that he’s actually forgotten how negatively gay people are seen in Westeros
>>
>>4489731
>it's hilarious that we have two same-sex couples in the same castle on the same side.
Total accident as well. I had the Darry/Goodbrook dynamic that way from thread 1 and found out about Waelon Waters much later.

>I guess whoever Lyra Darry marries is going to be a second son at best? No big lords or the like?
I guess we'll have to see. A lord would be highly unlikely because of House Darry's huge fall from grace. It's ultimately going to come down to a small nobility-only tourney that I'm going to leave up to chance. You can attend if you want.
>>
Alright, I can already see the writing on the wall for tonight. I'm still going to be caught up with life. Count on a post earlier in the day tomorrow and then wrapping the POV up tomorrow night.
>>
Can we even wrap this up in a single day? Supposing one more update later in the night. The way you wrote I thought there were a lot more things coming.
>>
>>4491050
I'm just hoping to wrap up the feast by end of thread. There are definitely a few other things that could be done in/around Lannisport. We can follow up with Aurion at the start of the next thread. Don't want to dwell on a side POV for too long. Should have a post up in a couple hours to move things along for tonight.
>>
You politely pick your way through the first course, an arrangement of sea shrimp with a briny sauce of pickles and olives. Brininess has been a sort of craving of yours since you conceived Cerion. You would skip the shrimp and dip a finger in the sauce if you were dining in a more private solar. Alas, appearances… oh, there is a dash of lemon! You do hope someone told the kitchens of your preference for lemon cakes. The Arbor Gold was a nice touch for this course, and you compliment as much to Lady Anette in your small talk. A Reachwoman would have a respectable appreciation for wine, something you have been dearly lacking to the east. Although, you do have to admit you do enjoy that rum of Aurion’s when it is mixed with fruit juices. You take your leave and slip away to one of the bannermen tables as the second course rolls out, roast boar with a pairing of Dornish Red. You’re not sure which of the two you find more repugnant…

In the better seats of the more friendly table, you can pick out Ser Cedrick Lantell and his wife, Lady Catherine. And they notice you, obviously, so the Knight of Lantell Manor is quick to offer the empty seat beside him. He was both new to matrimony and knighthood while you were a maid of twelve when your paths last crossed. You recall he struck you as pleasant enough, though your father seemed to hold his “kind” in contempt after you had parted ways. The Lord Lewys Lydden is not one known to suffer honorary knights. Such an honor and a burden should be earned on the field of battle, not in pretend melees or at by the sponsorship of a mere retainer. His words exactly.

But none of that is your concern, so you take the proffered seat with a gracious smile. “My Lady Cerelle, an honor to be certain. Have you met my lady wife?” Ser Cedrick greets.

“I did, though I was a young maid at the time. Lady Catherine, you look as youthful as ever,” you compliment. An honest one, really. She shares the sandy blonde hair and brown or hazel eyes with her husband, though she is a slight little thing. Her sort does tend to either retain their youth for an impressive period of time or else they turn rotund after a couple of children. She’s stuck to the former despite… three children? Four, Five? It’s difficult to tell how many of the brood of little ones underfoot are hers. Lannisport houses do tend to breed overmuch for your sensibilities, leaving the youngest to mix and mingle with lowborn merchants on occasion. You would say a routine of coitus interruptus is a small price to pay for not elevating that lowly sort, but it likely helps with their trade dealings.

“My lady, I must ask, are the rumors true?” Ser Cedrick asks.

“Rumors? Which rumors, ser?” you return. You do hope he won’t sour your evening with talk of your near scandal with Aurion.

Dragonstone. Why to hear of it, it must have been a battle for the ages,” he exclaims.
>>
>>4491624
“Yes, I would imagine they would be true. My lord husband does love his battles. It is a great reason why we have been so favored in the region. I believe there is hope that my lord’s reputation will keep the less steadfast houses in check,” you reply.

“Hmm. It seems to be a reputation well earned,” Ser Cedrick compliments with a shrewd look about him, mulling it over.

“Your son is quite stunning, my lady. Why, he looks nearly the size of my Cordelia already,” Lady Catherine cuts in. You get to speaking with her of children for a time. Cordelia turns out to be the fifthborn child and fourth daughter. If you were deep in your cups, you would be stifling a groan. Despite her lady mother’s unsubtle hints, the infant girl will be for a merchant with that placement in succession. Poor thing. You’re really not opposed to matching Cerion to a knight’s daughter if she is exceptional enough, a step down with Aurion’s pedigree is perfectly acceptable, but she should be a firstborn. Theirs is a girl named Catrina of an age with Janesa’s daughter. She is a pretty little thing, but unfortunately a touch squat. You’ve endured enough of Aurion’s conspiratorial fits over the heights of your male family members to be wary of him gaining a notion that it is some sort of deliberate breeding attempt. That your mind is even going to such a place, and that you know you are correct to think of it, does sort of make you question your own sanity.

“My lady, are you well-acquainted with House Blount?” Ser Cedrick finally interrupts his wife, clearly even more bored with the topic than you are.

“A House of the Crownlands. Acquainted, perhaps, but not well-acquainted. I have seen a Ser Boros Blount at court. I believe he was due to be named to the Kingsguard. I would assume the house is known for its formidable fighters by such an honorable appointment,” you reply.

“You are well informed, my lady. Ser Boros was indeed raised to the Kingsguard by our Queen’s request. Further, mine own sister Cerenna will be wed to Lord Beros Blount,” he gestures to a girl of an age with Lenore who is speaking to your cousin while they both entertain the children and Lenna hovers awkwardly nearby.

“I would assume congratulations are in order. That should be quite the match,” you remark. House Blount must be particularly desperate for a Westerlands match if they are settling for a knight’s sister to an established lord.

“Indeed. I am sure I speak Cerenna as well when I say we are all greatly pleased with the betrothal. Although… I do fear my sister will be lonely so far from home. It would surely be a great comfort to her if a distinguished lady of the west could be a friend to her in the Crownlands. Perhaps you could attend the wedding?” he suggests.

Interest in attending the wedding of Lord Beros Blount and Lady Cerenna Lantell?
>Yes
>No
>>
>>4491630
>No
>>
>>4491630
When is the wedding anyway? We'll probably miss it if we go to Braavos together, right?
>>
>>4491630
>>No
Unfortunately, we have standing commitments that make us unable to attend.
>>
>>4491630
>No
>>
>>4491651
The date isn't totally fixed yet. It would probably be in a few months close to a Braavos trip, but you're not locked into a departure time for that one yet.
>>
>>4491630
>>4491658
Eh.. I'd rather leave as soon as possible after all this.
>No
>>
>>4491630
>>No
Seems they don't have very good prospects if all they can get is a knight's sister

>You’ve endured enough of Aurion’s conspiratorial fits over the heights of your male family members
It begins
>>
>>4491630
>You’ve endured enough of Aurion’s conspiratorial fits over the heights of your male family members to be wary of him gaining a notion that it is some sort of deliberate breeding attempt.
Top fucking kek, I remember that discussion.

>No
Decline politely, of course.
>>
>>4491630
>non-committal yes
Fish for a date, oh no that's during our trip to Bravos and we already paid for everything and it's non-refundable you know how it is.
>>
>>4491857
I like this. Supporting
>>
Alright, can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for Charm to soften the no?
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 5, 6 = 20 (4d6)

>>4492086
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 2, 5 = 11 (4d6)

>>4492086
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 4, 6 = 21 (4d6)

>>4492086
>>
>>4492089
>>4492092
>>4492098
Right on that 3rd degree. Improbably high rolls. Just sat down to write, post will be up soon.
>>
“When would the wedding be, ser?” you ask.

“Oh, perhaps in a few moons. Plenty of time to prepare. I’d imagine it would be easiest to hold it a bit after the tourney of King’s Landing,” Ser Cedrick answers hopefully.

You let out a heavy, regretful sigh. “I would like nothing more than to attend to a happy event after these troubled times, but I am afraid I will be preoccupied at that time… I am unlikely to even be in Westeros. I have urgent matters to attend with my lord husband.”

“Urgent matters across the sea? That would take a great deal of time, I am sure… as you say, my lady. I do hope you two will still become acquainted as lords’ wives should. There is much to speak of so near the capital,” the knight suggests.

“Oh, I am sure we will still see each other, ser,” you reply. Did your eyelid twitch at that wives comment? You hope not. He didn’t seem to note it.

Another couple seems to be warring for your attention now. You’d assume House Lannett, but you cannot say you know them. A tall, sharp featured woman with hair and eyes as black as your cousins of Banefort sits next to an aging knight with the more typical coloring of Lannisportsmen.

“Ser Gerold Lannett and Lady Henrietta Blackhood,” Lady Catherine helpfully adds. Her husband still seems to be mulling matters over with a troubled look to his sister. Blackhood? One of your Uncle Quenten’s minor bannermen. Fairly insignificant. Still, you did want to get a better idea of any potential matches. For your purposes or for Lenna’s sake. You whisper a word of thanks to the Lantells and promise to speak more at a later date.

“Lady Lydden, pleased you could join us,” Ser Gerold Lannett greets.

“Please, Gerold. She is Lady Shryke now,” Lady Henrietta corrects with a light pat upon his arm.

“Sure, sure. Lady Cerelle, will you be staying in Lannisport long? Ah, and will your lord husband be joining us?” Ser Gerold asks.

“I believe he will be, ser,” if his words are not wind, “though I would imagine it will take him a few weeks of sailing yet.”

“By sea? Past the Stepstones? Bold,” Ser Gerold chuckles.

“I believe he cowed those pirates a few moons ago. They’re unlikely to give him much trouble,” you say. Of course, you certainly would have preferred them to be cowed in a manner more fitting with what is likely passing through the Knight of Lannett’s imagination, but that is a story you could really do without telling. Ever.
>>
>>4492276
“A true fighter, eh? We could use more of that sort these days,” he replies with a look to a bored looking young man who must be their son by his coloring. He has eyes of Lannister green with an unruly mop of hair as black as Lady Henrietta’s… and he looks unrestrainedly bored, cheek in palm and elbow upon the table in an absence of decorum. “Isn’t that right, Henri?”

“Hmm? Why not?” ‘Henri’ replies.

“Your son, ser?” you ask. You’re not sure which of the two looks more taken aback.

“No—no, my lady,” the two answer nearly at once with Ser Gerold showing more manners, if only barely.

“Oh, I had assumed you and the Lady Henrietta were wed?” you ask. She quickly retracts her hand arm Ser Gerold’s arm as Henri Lannett scowls at them.

“I am Henri’s uncle, my lady. Ser Harold was my brother, but the Stranger has taken him to the Father,” Ser Gerold replies. You deduce the rest quickly enough. Henri will be the head of his house upon his knighthood unless he fails to achieve one for long enough to warrant your cousin Lord Tyler to appoint Ser Gerold or someone else as the new permanent Knight of Lannett. He’s a comely enough young man but doesn’t strike you as the fighting type—and now he is staring at your cleavage. Honestly…

You catch his eyes, so he awkwardly glances away towards the other end of the table. “Do you like what you see?” you ask.

He snaps back towards you with a panicked look. “My lady I—” now he finds his courtesies

“The Lady Lenna is quite comely, is she not? She is presently one of my handmaidens. Or have I made some sort of embarrassing mistake?” you add with a pointed look.

“The blonde—no, the brunette, of course. She has a charm about her,” he hastily corrects at a look while Lenna continues on obliviously in her attempts to wrangle a screaming girl of three who has gotten up on a bench.

“Does she? My, Henri. This is a surprise,” his mother gives him an excited look of the long-suffering suddenly given hope.

>Suggest a match. You’re not quite sure whether their combined awkwardness would be enough to grind society to a halt or if it would not instead blossom into something interesting, but you’re oddly interested in finding out.
>Nope. No way. You’re not sure you could take it. Besides, this Henri is clearly a project and Lenna is work enough without a problem heaped on.
>>
>>4492279
>Nope. No way. You’re not sure you could take it. Besides, this Henri is clearly a project and Lenna is work enough without a problem heaped on.
>>
>>4492279
>>Nope. No way. You’re not sure you could take it. Besides, this Henri is clearly a project and Lenna is work enough without a problem heaped on.
Cerelle does not strike me as the type to pick the first option, or even the second or third. Even if it's poor Lenna.
>>
>>4492279
>Suggest a match. You’re not quite sure whether their combined awkwardness would be enough to grind society to a halt or if it would not instead blossom into something interesting, but you’re oddly interested in finding out
>>
>>4492279
>>Nope. No way. You’re not sure you could take it. Besides, this Henri is clearly a project and Lenna is work enough without a problem heaped on.

Janessa vold enough
>>
>>4492279
>Nope. No way. You’re not sure you could take it. Besides, this Henri is clearly a project and Lenna is work enough without a problem heaped on.

Would be funny, but only for us, not poor Cerelle. Let's not heap more stress on her?
>>
>>4492279
>Suggest a match. You’re not quite sure whether their combined awkwardness would be enough to grind society to a halt or if it would not instead blossom into something interesting, but you’re oddly interested in finding out.
>>
Looks like a no. We can move it along, then.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 3d6 for Awareness (Empathy)?
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8 (3d6)

>>4492333
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 2 = 12 (3d6)

>>4492333
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 2 = 7 (3d6)

>>4492333
>>
12 will have you squeak by. A thought did just occur. Do you want to try to goad him into becoming a better match? I'll get started with the next part either way and tack it on the top if you are feeling like playing with some Incite dice.

"Incite" Henri Lannett to become a worthy knight?
>Yes
>No
>>
>>4492350
>Yes
>>
>>4492350
No. This whole situation is just second hand embarassment for me sitting at home.

Any non-autistic anons want to tell me what this actually means-
>Of course, you certainly would have preferred them to be cowed in a manner more fitting with what is likely passing through the Knight of Lannett’s imagination, but that is a story you could really do without telling. Ever.

Also the whole story with these Lanetts, is the kid's mom banging his uncle, that's why she's upset? And as I understand it, the uncle is likely to usurp the house from him, why would she do that to her own son?
>>
>>4492350
>>Yes
sounds fun, play up how Aurion became a lord because of his martial skill?
>>
>>4492380
Presumably, if they marry he'll remain the heir so long as they don't have another son. Places a knight in control rather than waiting on a kid that might never become one. If he doesn't get his knighthood, the holdings could go to another branch

As long as he doesn't start seeing his father's ghost on the castle wall, all good.
>>
>>4492380
>Any non-autistic anons want to tell me what this actually means-
Jury is out on my autism, but I can say that it was in relation to the knight thinking Aurion put them to the sword when the reality is that he drank with one pirate lord and slept with another.

No comment on what the mom/uncle might be doing behind closed doors, but it's not an attempt at usurping. The head of house must be a knight, and Henri is not a knight, so his uncle is acting as guardian until he becomes one. The uncle wants him to become more of a fighter or at least prove his worth, hence the comment he turned his nephew's way.
>>
>>4492377
>>4492380
>>4492382
Less votes than I'd normally like seems to be a pattern when there are needless shitstorms brewing elsewhere, but I'm going to run with it since this isn't overly important.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for Incite?
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 6, 1 = 14 (4d6)

>>4492432
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 2, 5 = 17 (4d6)

>>4492432
Yeah I'm not surprised either. What can you do? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I was worried the update would get held up because of this. Can we finish the other couple tonight?
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 5, 1 = 15 (4d6)

>>4492432
>>
Rolled 5, 1 = 6 (2d6)

>>4492436
>>4492443
Attractive, in order.

>>4492437
Unlikely that I'll get through it all... this was a slower night than I'm used to by far. People like their drama. Unfortunate because of how close we are to falling off the board and the delay I'm going to have in putting up a new thread. I may just start off the next thread with the tail end of the Cerelle stuff and shift back to Aurion from there. Don't want to do a sloppy rush job with it.
>>
18 is the new total. Alright. I'll run with that in the next thread. It's past midnight here and I'm waking up early.

I'll post on Twitter when the next thread will be. I have an extremely important family matter to attend to on Thursday. I'll have a better idea on the next thread date depending on how that goes. Thanks to those who stuck around until the end. See you next thread.
>>
>>4492455
Thanks for running man, you're the best. Good luck with whatever you have on Thursday. See you next thread.
>>
>>4492279
>Nope. No way. You’re not sure you could take it. Besides, this Henri is clearly a project and Lenna is work enough without a problem heaped on.

loved this line:
doesn’t strike you as the fighting type—and now he is staring at your cleavage. Honestly…

having one Aurion around is bad enough, we don't need a second
>>
Why not have some fun at least?
There are worse candidates out there.

>>4492679
We're not having a second Aurion around us though. That's for Lenna to enjoy.
>>
Hey Boggs, I wonder if you can answer this before the thread archives:

What happens in an intrigue where you don't roll the necessary dice? I got this question from the latest Reynold update where Mervyn is trying to intimidate Tygon. In that test we rolled enough to drop his composure to 0 in one go. But what happens if we can't? Suppose we roll two degrees of success and his composure at the end of the round is 3, what happens next? Do we just keep rolling?

What happens if he drops our composure to 0 first? We back down and can't intimidate him anymore? Can we change tactics at the end of the round (from Intimidate to Convince) or do we keep using the same tactic for the entire "combat"? Also how do you present it in the write-up if the MC loses? Suppose Tygon managed to Convince Mervyn to back down after 3 rounds of 'combat', do you present it as a back and forth where Mervyn tries to break things and shout but Tygon remains calm and eventually manages to calm Mervyn down too?

How would that work in other scenarios? Like if another character wins on a convince(bargain) test to force Aurion into a really shitty deal (hint hint) do you still give a choice to players to take that shitty deal or will they have to accept it without any choice? In Selena's case there were reasons for anons to accept that shitty deal, but I don't see anons doing the same for some random merchant appearing for the first time. Same question for Seduce, do you give anons the choice to test Will one last time to refuse (even after losing) or will they have to be seduced without a choice?

Sorry if it's too many questions or too technical, it just fascinates me and my curiosity demands I HAVE to know everything before I launch that quest that I keep teasing but never get to. It's alright if you can't answer because it would lift the veil of mechanics too much.
>>
>>4492459
>>4492686
Thank you. I've been waiting for this for a few years now.

>>4492691
>It's alright if you can't answer because it would lift the veil of mechanics too much
I prefer to be transparent, so it isn't an issue. I just think typing up all of the parsing and formatting is tedious and isn't worth delaying posts.

>Lastest Reynold update
I would've gone with some extra modifiers there considering that Tygon is his liege. A +5 or so would've covered it. Still wouldn't have changed the test results in that case, but it gives some idea in how I add modifiers here. And probably some serious repercussions for being a cunt to his liege for what is now the second time. Anger isn't an excuse for what amounts to blatantly breaching the established social contract between a liege and a retainer, from a lowborn at that (birth still matters). Cardyn Lantell got off easy with a banishment for doing less and he was of noble birth. Who knows? Maybe more is coming. It's his quest and his rules, though. Malroy doesn't use the system at all and that's fine too. Personal preference. I just like things to be more challenging. Honestly, I think my take is still falling short of my difficulty expectations, but I don't think balancing things around a Persuasion 6 character is the right answer either, so here we are.

>Suppose we roll two degrees of success and his composure at the end of the round is 3, what happens next? Do we just keep rolling?
Well realistically, Tygon would've gone first the next round and reduced Merv's composure to zero first. In that case, I would deny the chance at another roll. In cases where I don't feel it flows best to drag out intrigues with spamming rolls and the composure is reduced but not down to 0, I am most likely going to chalk it up to a "partial success" as if you got 1 degree. That's happened a couple times with Cerelle and is more narrative in nature. The NPCs are "charmed" instead of disappointed or annoyed, but they're not so charmed that they end with a higher disposition towards you. For a convince/intimidate, I might write it as them being willing to accede to your demands only with conditions or perhaps they will only accede to one part of the demand. That has seen a lot of play over the course of the quest. I'm sure it comes off as me tossing plot hooks half the time, but it's more of just a direct reaction to how the dice fell that might turn into a plot hook depending on how it's handled.
>>
>>4492951
>Like if another character wins on a convince(bargain) test to force Aurion into a really shitty deal (hint hint) do you still give a choice to players to take that shitty deal or will they have to accept it without any choice? In Selena's case there were reasons for anons to accept that shitty deal

Without conceit, I would say that is one of the updates I was personally the most satisfied with from a QMing perspective. That was a shitty deal. I wouldn't have wanted to take that in a hundred years. You could've gotten your wood from their neighbors or from Crackclaw Point or even the Stormlands under much better terms. It was just a shit deal and you had little to lose beyond the dubious worth of their respect. I just did my best to frame it in a way that made it sound passingly reasonable despite the poor terms that made it seem like something to agree to organically. If it wasn't accepted, then some of the other NPCs at the table listening to the talks would've been miffed with you as they were convinced of it too. I just wanted to give a shot at getting everyone to play the character and go along with a roll that by the rules should've had you auto-agreeing. It was a fairly unique situation for the scope of the quest so far and I felt it deserved a unique answer in the write-up. I'm glad it worked out and it felt very characterful, at least to me.

For Seduce, you do get a Will roll even if you fail. I would vary the DC to match the circumstances such as how badly you got crushed in the roll, etc. Of course, you're not required to try the Will roll if you don't want to. It may be more relevant to other characters. Or maybe Aurion is going be maturing (slightly) after reuniting with his wife and son and having that family for the first time. We'll have to see where everyone takes it.
>>
>>4492951
Thanks for answering! I'm still undecided which system would be better for me to use, but you've explained it a lot better to me than I understood from the rulebook. I think as a newbie I'll stick to the simple intrigue system and use degrees of success in a major way. Like I remember 2 degrees of success on using Seduce with Cerelle got her to kiss and get a little disheveled, but not more. Sometimes I get ideas of NPCs being proactive against the player (like Dustin Massey inciting Aurion) but I've never seen it succeed so I'm a bit unsure on how I would write that.

Like a lady using Charm on the MC and succeeding, increasing his disposition two steps from indifferent, I don't know how I would portray that in the story without limiting player agency. Thanks for all the help man, and I love this quest. One day I'll launch for sure! You're getting first credits.
>>
>>4492955
Oops, didn't see this post. That answers my questions I believe. Thanks again!
>>
>>4492955
Have you considered a standalone female MC quest or at least switching perspectives to one more often? Not even trying to brownnose here but this may be the best written and executed female MC I've seen on this board yet and I'd like to see more of it if you're almost uniquely up to writing it.

And good luck with your stuff.
>>
>>4493107
Problem with female asoiaf quest characters are that they are completly interchangeable from the men. Because anon insist on playing her like a man.
>>
>>4493552
Agreed.

"No my femc is a total warrior badass who fucks and fights as well as any man, only she has boobs. She is also totally down with threesomes and is totally bisexual. She has the licentious vice on her character sheet so it's within character for her to act like a whore even though the risk of pregnancy is real? What? Pregnancy? She'll just take moon tea. What? Why would someone raised in a medieval society with a church based off the Roman Catholic church be so acceptable with any form of abortion? Anon I'm just playing the character, relax."

Literally happens every time.
>>
>>4493552
That's bad QMing. The majority of anons are mindlessly led around greentext prompts. The recent drama in other quests is a direct product of that. As seen in this thread, Boggs successfully kept Cerelle to IC and appropriately female prompts. The other two QMs that tried it and botched it were writing knights with tits because they came in unprepared from schizo house creations. This run was a breath of fresh air because it was the exact opposite of the past attempts.
>>
>>4493560
>She'll just take moon tea. What? Why would someone raised in a medieval society with a church based off the Roman Catholic church be so acceptable with any form of abortion?
Infertility or severe health complications are another factor to consider there.
>>
>>4493107
>>4493552
I believe Boggs has teased about writing a female asoiaf quest before. Think he promised it after we are done with act one of Shryke. We would not be built like a knight and we must use our charms and wit to accomplish our goals.

>>4493565
>schizo house creations
This quest also had that in full display. If you remember the first thread we built quite a dysfunctional house and set up a meme MC. I am simply amazed at how Boggs managed to tie them all into an engaging and suspenseful story.
>>
>>4494532
He teased a two-protagonist quest, with a Reach Knight and a Dornish Lady (or vice versa, I don't remember exactly) with no House Management.
>>
>>4494532
>meme MC
Remind me, what was meem about the original Aurion?
>>
>>4494565
There was serious consideration from some quarters to have Vaeron wield an actual anchor as a weapon. I might have been one of them.
>>
>>4494565
At first the vote was between having a dragonseed local or mercenary MC then for some reason it was merged together. And then someone me suggested that we become a charming demagogue who could convince someone to lick their own spit. Another anon suggested that we get cohort to cover our ass since we would be mediocre in a fight. I merged that suggestion with our holdings so that our cohort and steward are married to each other. Originally I wanted the steward to be a merchant's daughter like Atia because I missed her from first Boggs quest. Somehow all these suggestions were voted for and approved lol.
>>
Hey guys, just figured I'd drop a quick update on things here. Things didn't quite go as well as I'd hoped today. Not terrible, but not ideal either. Basically, I have a young daughter with a respiratory condition (this is why I find myself quarantining over the sniffles and/or a light fever). It's the sort of thing that we were expecting her to grow out of, but there was some damage from a previous surgery that needed to get looked at today. It didn't heal as well as it could've, so she will need another procedure in the coming weeks that will take about 2 weeks of initial recovery in the hospital. I'm not big on blog posting, which is why none of this stuff has come up before, but I figured it'd be best to explain why I'm probably not going to be starting the next thread until December at the earliest, possibly January. This stuff obviously deserves my full attention.

I'll still be checking Twitter if anyone has any questions on anything. Small chance I might run something on the lighter side before we start back up again. Maybe a more light hearted merchant quest or something. I feel like the board needs more of that sort of quest. We'll see how things go.

TLDR: Busy dealing with my Heir's Childhood Illness Drawback. See you in a couple months.
>>
>>4494794
Best wishes
>>
>>4494794
Best of luck and health to your little one Boggs.

Any comment on the discussion above?
>>
>>4494794
Best wishes to your family
>>
>>4494794
Thanks for your time here. Best wishes to you and your family. And enjoy the in between Holidays till then.
>>
>>4494794
Damn, I'm sorry to hear that Boggs. For some reason, in my mind all QMs and anons are high school or college age students, so it comes as a shock that you have a daughter. What are you gonna tell me next, that you're the mother instead of the father?! I admire you greatly for being able to run as often as you did with a young child, I know children are more than a handful.

Anyway, take as long as you need for taking care of your family, we wish you and your daughter the very best, may she come out of this with 'genius', 'quick' and 'robust' traits unlocked.
>>
>>4494830
Sure.

Some high praise on Cerelle. I did enjoy writing her quite a bit, but I'm not sure if I deserve a universal nod on femc's. I think Cerelle was easier to write more because I find it easier to write parenting and aristocracy than because of some deep insight into the female psyche or anything like that. It still does make me interested in diving a little deeper and seeing how it works out. Maybe I'll test the waters with a femc in a merchant quest since that's a bit closer to a gender neutral role.

I've noticed I do tend to go a lot heavier on the intrigue side of things than the combat side of things anyway. It shows in that Aurion has barely fought anyone this quest. Sure, some of that is cautious play, but my framing does come into it. Part of that is just me writing what I like to read, I think. War used to be a profession for me. A byproduct of that seems to be that I completely glaze over when I read combat and battle scenes no matter how well-written it they are (shows/movies are even worse). That's definitely not knocking those who write them, it's just not my thing now and I think it shows sometimes in my QMing. Maybe my intrigue bend would be more suited for writing a female lead that isn't a "knight with tits", though. It's at least got me thinking.

As far as tying all the house creation ideas together and such... I think I actually didn't have that as well-formed at the start as I've been given credit for. I would say I did get better at writing and framing Aurion as we went, but I think he was coming off a little closer to a blank slate earlier on. I think the tremendous amount of discussion and player involvement has shaped the characters just as much as I have, so thanks for all of that.

And thanks to everyone for the well-wishes.
>>
>>4494917
I do enjoy the intrigue and passionate scenes more than the combat scenes so I guess it does show in your writing. You're very good at writing and showing emotionally complex characters. I believe an intrigue loaded asoiaf quest with a female lead is worth considering sometime in the future. You're the best QM to tackle the challenge.
>>
>>4494917
THANK YOU BOGGS.

for real though I found this at the beginning of quarantine and im just getting back to work. this was one of the only thing that in could focus on outside of my own quarantined existence and it helped me from going nuts.

so THANK YOU BOGGS



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