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Dramatis Personae:
>Ser Mervyn Reynold, 25, Our MC.
Ser Mervyn grew up the son of a bastard hedge knight who did not know his father and a blacksmiths daughter. After his mother passed at the age of 5, his father began travelling the westerlands to sell his sword to anyone who would hire him. Eventually, the man passed away to a pox when Mervyn was 17, but not before knighting his son. He than took his fathers horse and mule and travelled in the same way. Eventually, he heard of a tourney for a young maiden’s hand, he attended and won handily over many much nobler knights. He now serves the Lady of the House, Elleanor Reynold as her sworn shield.

>Alyssa Reynold, 17, Mervyn’s Wife
Alyssa is a pretty young girl who is currently 6 and a half months pregnant. She is driven and tenacious, if not impatient, and she has been reared to be a player in the game by her mother. While not considered beautiful as her elder sister might be, her red curls and sea green eyes certainly make her comely. She is gifted at weaving through the art of noble intrigue and has a knack for remembering heraldry and house history.

>Lord Titus Reynold, 46
Lord Titus was born Titus Lantell of Lannisport, and grew up to be a knight who swore his sword to the Lannisters. During the Reyne/Tarbeck Rebellion, he was commanded by Tywin Lannister to march with 300 men to confine the Lady Elleanor, then a maiden of 16 years, and prevent House Reynold from aiding the Reynes and Tarbecks in rebellion as a favour to her father, the late Lord Marqus. A relatively oafish man who cares not for the workings of his house, he is not without a degree of cunning and ultimately seeks to usurp his wife as the true head of the house.

>Lady Elleanor Reynold, 36
Lady Elleanor is a woman who remembers. Once betrothed to Ser Reynard Reyne, she endured losing both her father and betrothed in the span of a year at the age of 16, and was subsequently married off to a lowly knight of Lannisport. She endured the dishonour, even providing 6 children to her husband, all in the memory of her father and Reynard. She is the true power in Ember Peak, and seeks to retain control of her house by any means necessary.

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You had taken to watching the opening rounds of the joust alongside your wife and her siblings as you enjoyed half a day of respite from fighting These rounds were used in a way to weed out chaff, to let men of low birth and skill cull themselves before they would be pitted against those of noble birth and bearing. The fact that only a year ago you were competing amongst them was not lost on you. You could still remember that day clearly in your mind. The first time you saw Ember Peak, carved into the face of the mountains overlooking the gold road in all its majesty, and the first time you saw your wife in all of her beauty. The three Reynold daughters were sitting next to one another, gossiping and laughing as only sisters can. They were largely ignoring these early rounds of the jousting, and you overheard Joanna asking her youngest sister Elyse about life in Lannisport. You turned away from the joust between two hedge knights that was a particularly poor showing, and instead looked towards the girls. They all bore Lady Elleanor’s sea green eyes, but that was where the similarities ended.

Joanna, the oldest, most closely resembled the Lannisters, with her mothers’ eyes and straight blonde hair, and she was a tall and proud young woman, despite still being a maiden at the age of 19. She possessed a level of beauty that would besot many a man and had the arrogance to match. Your own wife you knew well, a short, pretty woman with a mane of curly red hair, pale skin and a light speckling of freckles across her nose and cheek bones. Pregnancy had given her a glow and looked all the more beautiful for it in your eyes. She had a level of drive and ambition that showed ensured she would do her best at all she did, but she did have a petulant streak when things didn’t go her own way. Lastly, there was Elyse. According to your wife, she had been sent away to Lannisport when she was 9 years old with her father’s house, the Lantells, and she spent a considerable time with the Lannisport Lannisters as well. There she lived in a large manor in the city and had grown close with her hosts. She was pretty in a similar way to your wife, but instead of blonde or red hair, she had dark chocolate brown locks of straight hair. It framed her face and highlighted the paleness of her skin, and it made her eyes pop in a way that neither of her sisters possessed.

You overheard Elyse talking of the beauty and joy of the city and see a wishful look come over Joanna’s face, but your wife shakes her head and stands, walking over to the edge of the box with you, interlocking your arms and leaning her head onto your shoulder. Tygon and Andrea were sitting on the precipice of the box as well, and the two had been inseparable since their marriage. Tygon whispered something in her ear and this brought a loud giggle from his new wife and they continue to whisper sweet nothings into each others’ ears.

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As one of the hedge knights is knocked off his horse with a resounding clang and crash, the Captain of the Ember Guard, Ser Devon Drake enters the box, and when you turn to regard him locks eyes with you and gives you a nod.

“Ser Mervyn, I have been asked to deliver a message. Ser Remus Webber has asked for your presence in his pavilion. He sends a squire to escort you at present.” He says this with a cool, indifferent tone as his eyes flit about the tent.


“Is there any mention of what said meeting pertains to?” Your wife chimes in with a pleasant tone and a smile.

Ser Devon looks back from Joanna and Elyse to your wife, and replies with a simple shrug stating the squire brought no other message other than the summons.

Your wife looks to you, awaiting your response…

--- Attend Ser Remus Webber? ---
>Yes
>No

--- If yes, bring Allysa? ---
>Yes
>No

Can I get 3d6 for awareness please

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

>>3567537
Who the heck is Remus Weber he sound like a faggot

Rolled 3, 6, 6 = 15 (3d6)

>>3567537
>Yes
>Yes

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

>>3567537
>Yes

>No

>>3567537
Who is Remus Weber though? If he is important enough to have his own pavilion I’d imagine he’s at least a landed knight.

>>3567564
If you guys want to know who he is, you can ask Allysa more about the Webbers, or you can let him introduce himself if we go see him

>>3567537
>Ask our wife more about the man before we go meet him.

>>3567537
Double
>yes

>>3567537
>>Yes
>>Yes
Waifu exposition about the Webbers on the way there?

Alright. We're going to meet Ser Webber, and we'll bring Allysa along.

>>3567554
>>3567554
>>3567554
Apparently Mervyn is learning. Oh boy oh boy.

>>3567597
Preggo jailbait ginger is best girl.

---Ser Mervyn’s Awareness Test ---
Rolled: 15 vs DC:15
Result: One Degree of Success

Your eyes glanced from Ser Devon to Joanna and Elyse for a brief moment, before doing a double take with your eyes. He had the same dark hair as Elyse, and upon your second glance you noticed a few other similarities. The shape of their jawlines was similar, and they had a similar build Elyse was stockier than her sisters, who were both slim of shoulder. Ser Devon meets your eyes, straightens his back and you could see his jaw muscles flex as he was ground his teeth.

“Shall you take his invitation Ser?” His tone had become colder and his manner sharp.

“I should think so Ser Devon. My wife and I will both attend.”

This brings a smile to Allysa’s face as she looks up to you, and together you walk out of the Reynold Box to find a squire dressed in black and red, a boy about the age of 11 who leads you away from the lists and towards the mass of tents and pavilions that the Lords and Ladies of the West and Reach had brought with them. As you walked, you slowed down, letting the boy get a few paces ahead of you before leaning into Allysa and whispering in her ear “So who the hell exactly are the Webbers? Do you know who this Remus is?”

Your wife shakes her head with a wry smile…

5d6 for Allysa’s knowledge test please

Also, just realized the title is wrong. It's part 6 for fucks sake

Rolled 3, 5, 3, 2, 5 = 18 (5d6)

>>3567613

Rolled 6, 6, 1, 3, 4 = 20 (5d6)

>>3567613

Rolled 6, 1, 6, 2, 6 = 21 (5d6)

>>3567613

>>3567618
Allysa is one smart cookie. Alright, writing

>>3567619
Dice gods have been kind to me today

>>3567613
Elyse is secretly a bastard and that's why Lady Elleanor agreed to let her be fostered among the lannister camp, so there's be less opprotunities for people to spot it?
Cause if Ellanour has the Reynold red hair look and Titus has the Lannister blonde there is literally no way for the two of them to produce a child with brown hair...

>>3567631
Ellanor cheated on Titus with the Weber lord? I can see it.

>>3567651
Nah with the Captain of the guard

>>3567631
I doubt it's so she won't be spotted I mean the father saw her for years before she was warded. Maybe she doesn't value her as much seeing as she's a bastard? I dont really know.

Reynold women are all whores. We should keep a close eye on Allysa lest she gives us a black haired child

>>3567652
Devon Drake is part of the Ember Hall household, either with him or possibly with his father depending on his age.

>>3567655
Yeah but when she was younger, among a people who don't have punnett squares yet, the similarities would not be so readily spotted.

>>3567631
Well I mean it's physically possible with recessive genes, but not in this case. Elyse is in fact a bastard.

>>3567652
>>3567655
Titus is kind of an oaf sometimes, and he doesn't really associate with Ser Devon very often. He tends to stick with his own men. But if you guys want, we can talk to Elleanor or Ser Devon about it later.

>>3567664
no u

>>3567669
it's physically possible if one parent has a

>>3567669
I would trust a whore from Lys more than a Reynold!

>>3567669
it's not possible if the parents have red and blonde hair, because if one of them had the gene for black hair then they would have black hair because it is dominant. Two parents producing blonde, red and black haired children requires a Blonde Parent With One Red And One Blonde Gene and a Black Haired Parent With One Red And One Black Hair Gene

>>3567669
Wow, how many of them are bastards? Never trust the Reynold women kids

>>3567682
No wonder our son is going to take none of our features. Shes probably fucking a red haired stable boy.

>>3567682
Definitely Not Joanna Because If She Was It'd Be With Someone From The Lannister Camp Who Would Probably Love The Chance To Snitch To Titus, possibly Alyssa depending on if Titus has any red hair recently in his family tree, but also who fucking cares since they trace decent through their mom anyway and there's no doubt who their mom is.

This is why hunter gatherer men help raise their sisters' kids, not the kids of The Women They've Fucked

>>3567677
Genetics are a wierd thing, and are incredibly complex. In real life, hair and eye colour is far more complex then a punnet square. But I can speak personally that two light haired parents can have a dark haired child.

>>3567669
What would we say to her about her bastard daughter? Like" Man, did you know she looks nothing like your husband and other children but looks alot like Devon? Weird right?"

>>3567700
Or we could tell Titus that he was a nice pair of horns waiting for him.

Maybe bring it up with Alyssa in private, but for the love of god don't bring it up with anyone else.

>>3567697
While we know Alyssa i not unfaithful. I think Mervyn should be a bit concerned about it. Considering what he has just realized and that his kid looks nothing like him. Might be wise for him to take steps to deal with it. Like getting a handmaid that can keep an eye on her

>>3567700
Really the important thing is "how old is Devon because if the dad was HIS dad instead of Devon himself we may need to watch out for the lack of a westermark effect"

>>3567705
On the other hand, mervyn is great and alyssa fucking loves him, whereas titus fucking sucks and killed the love of his wife's life

>>3567711
On the other hand the house is screwed and no one would every one of the sisters if anyone found/figured out.

>>3567717
>no one would marry the other sisters

>>3567700
You could ask her about it. Let her know that you have some small degree of power over her or reassure her that you will do everything to keep the secret and prove your loyalty? I don't know, it's up to you guys.

>>3567705
I've got some checks and balances for that, and yeah, the only bastard of the brood is Elyse. All the rest are true born.

>>3567707
Ser Devon Drake is 35, almost exactly of an age with Elleanor.

--- Allysa’s Knowledge Test ---

Rolled: 18 vs DC: 9, 12, 15
Result: Everything you want to know

You stepped over ropes and spikes that held up the various tents with your wife on your arm and she begins to tell you about House Webber.

“House Webber is a fairly old house, stretching back at least 800 years. Nobody is exactly sure who the founder of the House was, but they were bannermen to the Osgrey’s when they ruled Coldmoat. Through House Osgrey’s own actions though, they lost their own influence from fighting for the wrong sides in too many wars, and eventually House Webber was chosen to replace them. They are now principal bannermen to the Rowans of Goldengrove.”

You steer your wife around a man who lay in your path drunk, puking up his breakfast unconsciously while he slept, although your wife hardly notices so focused she is on recalling the details of history. It was small wonder she was so frequently a visitor in Maester Aethans library.

“Currently, the Lord of Coldmoat is Lord Roland Webber. If I remember correctly, he married Lady Abbigail Caswell, a second daughter some 25 years ago. Together they had 3 children, a daughter and two sons, Rowena, Remus and Andrew. Andrew Webber took to the scholarly arts and became a maester, while his sister was married to House Wythers and is now the Lady of Wytherton. But anyways, Remus Webber is the heir of Coldmoat. He was wed 5 years ago to Cassidy Westbrook, and they have two children, a daughter and a son. As for why he wants to meet with you husband, perhaps Lord Mathis mentioned you to them after you impressed him.”

our wife is truly Strong. Infact, there are none as Strong as her

>>3567720
>Ser Devon Drake is 35, almost exactly of an age with Elleanor.
Well then, Elyse could develop a crush on him but we can probably trust him to shut that down.

>>3567724
Very Strong. Our children will be Strong boys too.

>>3567730
Cut to him balls deep in his own daughter not caring because feudal society is savage af

You chewed on this as the two of you came to a medium sized pavilion, black, with silver stitching resembling spider webs on it’s walls. The squire opens a flap allowing the two of you inside, announcing your presence in an obnoxious, prepubescent way and you and your lady wife enter the pavilion. You are greeted by a comely man of an age with yourself, or at least he is comely until he smiles, his teeth being crooked and rotten.

“Ser Mervyn Reynold. Welcome Ser, welcome. And may I presume that this is your own lady wife?”

Allysa curtsies and introduces herself, and Ser Remus does in turn.

“Welcome to both of you. I am Remus Webber, heir of Coldmoat. Please sit, the both of you.”

As the two of you sit, a woman comes out of a different room and joins you at the table.

And now I introduce my own wife, Lady Cassidy Westbrook” He says this with a smile and a gesture, standing and pulling out his wifes seat and you can see that she is pregnant as well.

“Now, Ser Mervyn… after that showing in the melee, I must say that you are quite the talk of the camps. Many are gossiping about how you will fare in the coming joust…”

He lets this statement sit with you, and quiet fills the air for just long enough to begin to be uncomfortable.

And with your recent victory, and your winnings, my mind is wandering to the question of the quality of your mount. I’ve toured the Ember Peak stables, and I have to say Ser I am unimpressed with your mount. A rounsey? For a household knight? Allow me to make you an offer Ser. I take a certain pride in my horse breeding, and I stand to make you an offer. I understand that you are the captain of the Reynold Cavalry? Allow me to sell you and your men mounts, far superior to those that you ride now. Think about it Ser, your chances of winning improve with such a well trained steed, your men will surely appreciate the gifts, and my horses are advertised for the rest of the tournament. 200 gold dragons for 40 horses Ser. The amount of your winnings from the melee…what to do you say? He extends a hand in an offer and you…

Alright so, Ser Remus is offering to sell you some horses. Much better trained and noble than your current mount, Rust. To sum this up, you will gain an additional 3 bonus die from riding a War-trained steed, giving you a much better dice pool during the joust. However, spending your money here and not placing in the tournament might make for an awkward situation with Blackfeather Fred and his archers.

You guys can haggle, and figure out some other things, but I'll ask the main question first.

--- Purchase Superior Mounts for the Loyal Reins? ---

>yay
>neigh

>>3567734
Cut to Elleanor shlicking in the closet watching cause it's her fetish.

>>3567736
Man I'm bad at shit like this, on one hand calvary update, on the other we are probley going to lose and piss off the archers by not getting there shit while also getting more shit for our bois. Plus that's a damn good deal for good horses

>>3567736
before we commit how many injuries do we have still?

>>3567736
>>yay
Gonna say yes. Go big or die trying

>>3567736
Buy a horse for our-self to use in the joust to 'test it out'. If we win the joust, use the prize money for getting more horses.

>>3567736
I mean, not under those terms. I'd be down with buying fewer at a higher price per horse if we could get a deal that if we win the rest will be at a price that comes out the same.
Say, 120 for 20 horses and if we having winnings from the tourney another 20 at 80.

>>3567736
>neigh

>>3567736
>>neigh

cant afford it as of right now

>>3567745
I mean, buying the horses will increase your chance of winning, and begin a friendship with an heir to a house, but there is the risk about pissing off the archers.

>>3567747
Currently, three. But before Mervyn jousts tomorrow, he will have a chance to heal them with Maester Aethan during the night, so it could very well be less.

>>3567752
That might work, still showing off his horse. But it might be insulting saying we dont trust the quality of said horses

>>3567752
supporting this

>>3567752
>>3567758
Could be seen as a cop out, but a successful bargain test and I'd allow it. Something along the lines of if Mervn makes it to the last few rounds he'll invest in the unit for his men?

>>3567762
Don't really want to risk the insult of it being a test, myself

>>3567762
We fucking sick at persuasion

>>3567765
I mean saying no is also insulting seeing as he knows we have the money for it

>>3567765
>>3567766

Well 3d6 isn't terrible, but you guys did bring Allysa, and she is a bit more shrewd than Mervyn when it comes to bargaining. I'm sure wifey could jump in and do some haggling if you guys want, or Merv can just do it himself, or just say no deal.

>>3567772
Duck it let's haggle let the peasant we are

>>3567769
"I've already committed the money to other things"

>>3567772
Let Allysa help us.

>>3567772
Like i've said I'm down with bargaining, I'd just rather bargain to purchase in part now and in part after, rather than anything framed as a test.

>>3567697
Plus, if you’re in America, tons of supposedly blonde women are just brown haired women who have just dyed it.

Alright well I'm going to try and organize this a bit.

-- Horse Dealings --
>Yes, in full.
>Yes, partly. Haggle yourself
>Yes, partly, Let Allysa help
>No, not yet
>No, full stop

I'll let the vote go for 15 minutes before tallying

>>3567775
This is honest, and an acceptable answer.

>>3567797
>>Yes, partly, Let Allysa help

>>3567797
>Yes, partly, Let Allysa help
Yeah, we can tell him we have already set aside some of the money for other expenditures, and that we can’t buy 40 right now. But we are definitely interested in one right now, and more horses in the future.

>>3567797
>>Yes, partly, Let Allysa help

>>3567797
>Yes. Let Aly do everything because we're a dumb nigger

>>3567815
Mervyn really is like that. It’s like a tough, gritty, fighting every day country boy managed to somehow marry the daughter of some rich big city banker or something.

>>3567797
>>Yes, partly, Let Allysa help

Alrighty well, Ally is going to take the reigns on this one. She's rolling with 4d6 persuasion with 1B in bargain.

Can I get 5d6 for Allysa's bargain

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

>>3567856

Rolled 6, 5, 4, 1, 6 = 22 (5d6)

>>3567856

Rolled 4, 2, 6, 3, 2 = 17 (5d6)

>>3567856

Rolled 2, 6, 5, 3 = 16 (4d6)

>>3567856

>>3567862
Can Allysa do no wrong? God damn. Writing away

Also, do you guys have a preference for colour in the mount we're going to get?

not gold

>>3567876
Neon pink

>>3567876
brown horse with white spot on head

>>3567876
a reddish or greyish mount desu.
Some nice Reynold colors

>>3567876
Brown will do a good job of disguising all the mud, it's expensive to keep a horse meticulously cleaned

>>3567876
Not gold.

>>3567876
Red.

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2 way tie between red and brown. is this a decent compromise? Purely aesthetic mind you, but it's a detail I dont want to overlook

>>3567937
Acceptable.

>>3567901
As a cavalryman, I’m sure that Mervyn does at LEAST the bare minimum, which includes brushing the horse down every day. Or at least the squires do that. It’s not really expensive, horses don’t really roll in dirt and mud unless it’s very very hot.

>>3567937
yes

--- Allysa Reynold’s Bargain Test ---
Rolled: 21 against DC: 12
Result: 3 degrees of success

You stare at the proffered hand for a moment, before you hear your wife clear her throat in a dainty manner, before placing her hand over top of yours keeping it firmly on the table.

“You can’t expect my husband to spend that kind of wealth blind Ser. While he may belong to House Reynold, 200 gold dragons on horses he hasn’t even seen? I should certainly hope not Ser. While I’m sure your horses are of the highest quality, it would be a foolish man who doesn’t count a horses teeth before purchasing.”

Ser Remus looks to your wife with his jaw agape, clearly surprised by her addressing of him, before responding that he would of course allow you to inspect your horses before purchase and that you could choose your own mount of course. Your wife however, maintains the upper hand through the conversation.

“Now Ser, if I knew any better I would say that you were trying to take advantage of my dear husband. Mayhaps I can make a counter offer?”

She looks to you with a glance and you nod your head. These kind of negotiations were far more suited to her than yourself.

“If you would like the Champion of the Melee to showcase one of your horses, then perhaps you will allow him to ride one of your horses for the joust? And on the promise that if your horses are of the quality you claim them to be, that the rest of them shall be purchased afterwards.”

Ser Remus looks at your wife with shrewd, business like eyes and counters instead that he would allow you to purchase a single horse at the regular rate instead of the discounted, to which Allysa shakes her head.

“I think not Ser. 5 gold dragons for one of your horses, and not a penny more. All in good faith of course Ser Remus, as I said, I’m sure your horse will prove it’s worth on the morrow.”

Ser Remus looks from your wife to you, and sighs, agreeing and putting out his hand again to which you shake firmly, and he mutters that by the seven she drives a hard bargain, and you all begin to take leave of the tent before a small girl runs out of a flap and clutches at Ser Remus’ leg.

“Poppa, poppa where you go?” The small child couldn’t have been more then 4, and was clearly Remus and Cassidy’s daughter. The knight gently pries the girl off of his leg and props her up.

“We are off to see the horses Rowena, would you like to come?”

The little girl shakes her head enthusiastically, hair bouncing all around before she looks at you with a questioning eye, and Lady Cassidy introduces you to her.

“Ser Mervyn, may I introduce our daughter, Rowena Webber.”

“Of course” you respond, and you sink to one knee in a dramatic and exaggerated display.

“It is an honour to meet such a beautiful and charming young lady. I’ve no doubt you’ll be the queen of love and beauty when the jousting is over” bowing before the child, to which she dissolves into a fit of giggles and curtsies.
“You’re silly Ser” is her only remark, and the now 5 of you take leave of the pavilion to make for a picket line of horses.

You all walk together, and soon Rowena is clutching at your hand, pulling you to show her your favourite horses, pulling you to a proud looking blood bay courser. The animal is tall, and it’s bearing is noble. It’s form was that of a well bred steed, and you find it to be in impeccable health.

“His name is Try-unf. He’s a nice horse. Sometimes I feed him sugar cubes or apples when poppa lets me.”

You go over the steed, asking Ser Remus about his breeding and training, before eventually selecting it as the mount you would take for the joust. Pulling out your purse, you hand over 5 gold dragons for the steed, which Ser Remus has tacked up and you help your wife onto the steed to ride back to Ember Peak. You shake hands as men, and promise to see each other again on the morrow, and Ser Remus makes a brief show of lamenting how he was unable to compete due to his shield arm still being injured, but assuring you that he was a capable jouster. And with the steady clop of hooves on stone, the two of you made your way to your home inside the castle proper…

>Superior Mount Gained
> 5 GD Spent

>>3567988
that's our wifey

And I'm going to call it here for tonight. Q&A for about an hour if there are any questions or comments. I'll run again tomorrow about the same time to continue, and we can see what exactly Titus wants from us in a midnight meeting.

>>3568000
great as always, but I'm just wondering more than anything until what point in the story we are going till?

>>3568011
and by story I mean timeline of SIFG

>>3568011
>>3568021
Well through Roberts Rebellion for sure 100%. I've got plans made all the way through to after the Greyjoy Rebelion actually, so unless I die, this quest will be going for quite a while yet.

>>3568030
You just had to invoke the QM curse, didn't you. Well it was nice knowing you.

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>>3568047
And though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

>>3568076
Dont mock the curse. It is real and it will strike all the QMs that one like.

>>3568047
>>3568081
In all seriousness though, if I have to stop running I will be sure to inform you guys on twitter.

>>3567723
>Andrew Webber
Lloyd is his middle name

>>3568030
I miss the sessions but I still read and I really enjoy what you're doing.

>>3568086
So when will Mervyn and Andrea start their illicit, passionat and dangerous affair ?

>>3568768
I saw my shot and I took it.

>>3569036
Thank you very much!

>>3569309
Whaaat? Andrea is just a flirt thats all...

>>3569497
>Whaaat? Andrea is just a flirt thats all...

'Of course'

The atmosphere of the hall was one of excitement as the true jousting would finally begin tomorrow. There was music, dancing, drinking and feasting of all sorts, and no less then twenty suckling pigs served. You had eaten at the table just below the high one, where you found yourself with the Brax’s and Reynolds. The night wore on and the wine flowed heavily, but you kept your composure and drank sparingly, enough to not rouse suspicion but not so much as to become inebriated. Your father in-laws request still sat heavy on your mind. You spy Tyrus and Flement Brax quaffing their cups of wine before tossing them through the table, and then arm wrestling fiercely, and Tyrus manages to defeat the boy even with one of his hands out of commission.

You turn your head and look up to the high table and find Lord Titus surveying the feast hall with extremely sober eyes, which was unusual for him. When it came to feasts, he was normally one to join in the revelries with vigor, but not today. And as the band begins to play “The bear and the Maiden Fair”, your wife rises from her seat and take you by the hand, and together the two of you retire to your chambers. This preceded another romp in between the sheets, which you were sure had to have something to do with your actions today regarding the negotiating with Ser Remus Webber. The two of you lay in bliss on your bed in the glow of your love making, and as you look out the window, eventually you find the hour of the wolf upon you and gently untangle yourself from your wifes embrace…

2d6 stealth please

>>3569500
It's not like she laughed at getting stripped during the bedding ceremony or anything. A pure, noble maiden she is

Rolled 2, 6 = 8 (2d6)

>>3569505
sneaky sneaky

Rolled 1, 5 = 6 (2d6)

>>3569505

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>3569505

Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d6)

>>3569505

>>3569505
>It's not like she laughed at getting stripped during the bedding ceremony or anything. A pure, noble maiden she is

She want to ride her thighs rugged on our beard like she asked if our wife did

>>3569529
She's a bawdy girl

But anywhores, writing

>>3569545
forgot your trip

---Mervyn’s stealth Test---

Rolled: 8 vs DC: 6
Result: One degree of success

…and manage not to wake her. You dress quickly in whatever clothes you can find in the relative dark of your chambers and as you fidget with a belt that your dirk hung on, you have to stop and hold your breath as Allysa stirred in her sleep, but she only rolled onto her side and you inch quietly towards the door which you open as gingerly as you can and close the door silently behind you.

Once you were down the hall, your footsteps quicken and you hear the click your footsteps echo off of the stone walls above the quiet roar that tells you that the feast is still going strong. You pass by a few people, mostly servants in varying degrees of inebriation and none take notice of your passing. As you make your last corner towards the garden, you bump into Tyrus, who was being pulled by the arm by that girl he fancied. You give a small chuckle when your squire winks at you and gives you a thumbs up, and you return the gesture and head up the stone stairs and onto the terrace that served as the castle gardens. The moon is shining down, and you look about the garden and find it empty. But soon enough you notice the warm, orange glow of torch light coming from the entrance to the garden and you see Ser Terrence Lantell, armed and armoured in chainmail, precede Lord Titus, who walks in and regards you with a look of mild surprise.

“Ser Mervyn. In truth I hadn’t expected you to agree to come to this, although I’m glad that you did.”

You stare at him with a raised eyebrow, before turning your gaze to Ser Terrence you was gripping the torch tightly in his mailed fist.

“What do you want m’lord? I’ve a warm bed to return to.”

Titus bites back a quiet chuckle, and sits down on a stone bench, gesturing for you to sit the one across from him which you do so slowly.

“Straight to business I see? My wife does tell me you are a straight forward man, well if you insist. This wedding puts into stark contrast that Joanna remains unmarried, and as you should well know, there are two main parties interested in her. The Lannisters of Lannisport, and the Farmans of Fair Isle. I have a very heavily invested interest in ensuring that Joanna marries Leroy Lannister, and in truth, I would like you to help me in the endeavor…”

You stare at the man, face unexpressive and blank and he continues…

“Elleanor wishes for her to marry the Farman boy, but look at him. Joanna is repulsed, and I cannot give my first daughter to a man that might cause her harm.”

“Harm?” You ask it genuinely. “How would Joanna be at risk of harm?”

This brings a look of exasperation from Titus.

“Do you not understand Ser? Do you not see what my wife is trying to do?”

--- Response ---
> Ask what he means?
> Refuse him now. You didn’t care what he wanted
> Write in…

>>3569572
>Play stupid, try to get him to expose more information
Try to look confused and dumb and say something like
"M'lord, is she not... simply working to get her daughter a better match?"

>>3569576
This.

>>3569576
Go with this

>>3569576
Alright we can work with this. Might not be Mervyn playing dumb though, might just be him genuinely asking.

Writing

>>3569588
I think it's a combo. he knows that theres some political games being played, but he doesn't actually have the education to know what they are.

“Does…does she not just want the best for her daughter? Even I know that you don’t take the first offer you get when haggling, especially when a firstborn daughter is concerned.”

Titus’ nostrils flare and his jaw flexes. His right-hand curls into a fist and he blinks his eyes in a very slow and deliberate manner.

“No. She isn’t. My wife is a vindictive bitch, Ser. What her final objective is still remains shrouded to me but I can manage a few guesses. The Farmans and her share…certain grievances. A child conceived from that marriage would have claims on…well, claims I know for a fact that Tywin Lannister would not approve of. Apparently my wife has forgotten the reason her and I were married all those years ago, and I promise you this Ser, I will NOT risk losing Joanna, nor allow my daughter to get caught up in a plot born of decades of spite.”

The man is fuming you notice. You swore you could even see small wisps of steam coming off of his brow.

“I need your help Ser. I’ll send her to Lannisport escorted by both regiments of my infantry if need be. Joanna is besotted with Leroy, and he her, the match is worthy and the dowry they ask is low. All in all, it is an exceptional match. All I need you to do is when I bring the match up to Eleanor at out next meeting, you refuse to take part in the struggle afterwards. Tell her it is no business of yours who Joanna marries, and that you will not stop a father from allowing his daughter to marry a good man, as is his right. What do you say Mervyn?”


--- Response ---

>Agree, he was technically in the right
>Turn him down, laws be damned
>Ask him whats in it for you?

>>3569613
>Ask him whats in it for you?

>>3569613
>>Ask him whats in it for you?

Cant really decline if she orders us though

>>3569613
>Ask him whats in it for you?

>>3569613
>>3569625
I support this, tell him that you don't know enough to get involved, but if the Lady forces you, there's not really much you can do about it? Let's let him think we're not a player

>>3569613
>Ask him whats in it for you?

>>3569625
Based on the other responses, I'm pretty sure Mervyn actually can refuse, it's just that Elleanor won't be happy to put it lightly.

>>3569613

>Ask him whats in it for you?

>>3569630
There is a difference between offering to champion and her going "Mervyn i order you to fight on my behalf"

We are her sworn sword. We are honor/oath-bound

Well we're asking what Titus will do for us. As for being able to refuse or not, I mean I won't say you guys can't do anything, but there will be consequences for either choice. Betrayal is a high risk, high reward game.

>>3569633
>Ordering a duel over a betrothal dispute with your own husband
I don't know if she'd go that far, but I do see your point in this context.

>>3569613
>>Ask him whats in it for you?
Bring up that we are in the position we're in because of his lady wife, we would need a good reason to change that

“Why should I help you m’lord? You don’t like me, you never have. I’m Elleanors sworn sword, and she promoted me to Captain. She has raised me from a lowly hedge knight to a Household knight, so why would I betray my ladies interests? Why, by the seven, should I help you?”

Titus’ features relax slightly. It is evident on his face that he expected you to refuse him.

“I am the Lord of Ember Peak Ser, I have a certain clout in the West. I could see to it that you find the coin for a new suit of armour, the finest from Lannisport’s forges. I can arrange to ensure that your children will find a high-ranking houses to foster in. Perhaps even the Lannister’s themselves. In time, with leal service, I may even name you master at arms here.”

This comment brings a double take from Ser Terrence and his face turns into a heavy scowl, and a frown from you as you think, before putting forth your noblest bearing,

“My lord, if my Lady commands me to interfere, I am honour-bound to obey her, and I will not jeopardize my position, nor that of Allysa or our child, to these petty politics between Lord and lady.”

“Trust me when I say it Ser, these politics are anything but petty. Perhaps you are a simple as Elleanor says. If you had but a shred of common sense you would realize that plotting against Tywin Lannister ends in only one way. With him victorious. The man is implacable as a mountain, and his shadow looms over the entirety of the west. I will not betray him or his trust, nor will I allow any of my household to.”

---Decision time---

Alright, do you guys have any questions before we put this to a vote on what we do? Pretty big moment right here, so feel free to ask away.

>>3569669
What are the claims? did wifey tell us about her dad trying to off us?

Not really sure what to pick

Betrayal is a tool you can only use once, not worth spending on a bunch of "perhaps"

>>3569702
Agreed.

>>3569669
"That is a lot of prehaps and maybes my lord"

>>3569669
>Agree
Based on what I remember from the tourney, the dude Elleanor wants to marry her daughter off to is a coward. Just as likely to pull a bitch move when it really matters and get us in the shit.

May seem like betrayal but I think not having him is better overall for everyone. But I'm still torn over this to be honest.

>>3569693
The claims aren't something Mervyn would know about, we can attempt to ask him about them though, but that will take a persuasion check (charm, intimidate, convince, it'll be your choice)

>>3569697
It is a tough choice. And I can see three main options, and they all seem in character to me.

>Stay with Elleanor
This makes sense because Mervyn owes her alot, just about everything actually. It would make sense he would stay loyal to her until his life is threatened.

>Ride the fence
Mervyn is a pragmatic man, who's done some shady stuff before. His virtue is loyalty, but it was decided in past threads he is more loyal to himself and his wife than Elleanor.

>Side with Titus
Even Mervyn has heard of Tywin and his reputation, and having the lord of the house on your side is definitely good for advancement.

>>3569669
honestly, he isn't wrong. But we need to go into this with our eyes open and cards on the table.

What claims does Elleanor seek to press?

What does Titus stand to gain from the match with the lannister? I dont for a second believe he cares if his daughter is besotted with him.

Lastly, and perhaps the most importantly, how serious is he about his offers?

Like as not we can do better than master-at-arms. And lets not forget that we were just recently the target of a plot authored by this man.

Either way, once we know what exactly is at stake we can break the news to the wife and get her opinion on the matter. She will know far better than us what the extent and likelyhood of Tywins wrath will be.

>>3569724
>honestly, he isn't wrong. But we need to go into this with our eyes open and cards on the table.
In many ways that's why my thoughts are ride the fence, "I honestly think you're right but I still don't think I can break faith will Elleanor over this. I hope you end up winning on this one and certainly won't go above and beyond but I'm afraid I can't help you on this one."

>>3569737
this is exactly what i'm thinking as well, very well put anon

>>3569724
>>3569669
Extremely relevant follow up question.

Is he willing to out his offer of position in writing signed and sealed?

words in the dark mean NOTHING.

getting something on paper makes it more certain, AND drives a wedge further between Titus and Terrance.

As it stands he will likely soothe the captain by saying we are a useful tool to be disposed of later. If its in writing he cant do that as easily. AND we gain a way to potentially pull Terrance out from under him putting paid to any military support he has.

An offer places us in a position of greater leverage.

>>3569737
>>3569753
My only issue with riding the fence is that if it goes poorly, all we have managed to achieve is pissing off both parties.

Ultimately though, it seems like it would be pissing them both off marginally rather than pissing off one person royally. Intrigue is hard.

>>3569724
A successful persuasion check will reveal most of these answers. But its starting difficulty is pretty tough. There are a few things you can mention that will lower it though.

>>3569737
There is a reason Walder Frey got to be so old. Waiting isn't a bad option.

>>3569772
Getting stuff in writing could be included in an additional persuasion test, classified as a bargain.

>>3569782
Walking the knifes edge. I'm glad this is a difficult choice. There is alot of information Merv doesn't know, so it's a risky proposition to do anything, and it's risky to do nothing.

---Try to persuade Titus to give up more information?---

>yay
>nay

-- If yay, how? --

>Charm
>Intimidate
>Convince

Lastly, if successful...what do we want?

>To become a landed knight with lands and titles
>To become a proper bannerman to Ember Peak
>Something else entirely (write in)

>>3569798
>nay
Frankly, I just don't think this is a big enough matter to be able to earn landed knight or proper bannerman through it, which mean's we'd just be serving to advertising our untrustworthyness and making ourselves more likely to be stuck at the position of master-at-arms.

>>3569798
>>nay
We loyal boys

>>3569798
>>nay
There may be a time to pull the trigger, but this isn't it

>>3569819
I might have made that unclear, you don't have to include Mervyn's final goal. It's more of just a way to tell Titus what we're eventually going to expect out of him if you guys decide to jump ship. Don't need to bring it up now.

>>3569798
>yay
>intimidate
>To become a landed knight with lands and titles

I'll wait until 5:40pm CST before calling it, then we can decide our course of action

>>3569841
This is me >>3567815
My router was reset

You know it just occurs to me... IF we sided with Titus but stuck with Elleanor, Elleanor would suddenly have the archers after our bribe, the infantry through us, and likely the cavalry through our replacement all on her side. Titus would basically have performed a coup against himself. Might be worth a marriage that she personally doesn't want to happen but would at least make the daughter happy and is hardly BAD.

>>3569798
>>nay

>>3569798
>yay
>intimidate/convince

express our, very real, frustration at being kept in the dark. If Titus thinks he can win us over permanently he might open up more than is prudent.

THEN we can ket Alyssa know whats going on and seek her advice.

>landed knight

>>3569819
it depeneds how angry Tywin is going to be. He might decide to make it Reyne again. Landing some knight is peanuts compared to facing that.

Though obviously we would be exoected to do more than sit by and do nothing. We would have to actively sabotage Elleanors plan.

Alright, no more information necessary. I suppose you guys can ask Ally about it later.

Well, time for the big vote I suppose.

--- Agree to help Lord Titus Reynold? ---

>yay
>nay
>choose to remain neutral for now

And I've got to go so I'll let the vote go overnight and we can resume tomorrow at the same time tomorrow. Which door are you guys going to take? I'm very intrigued to see which way the vote goes.

>>3569902
>>choose to remain neutral for now

>>3569902
>choose to remain neutral for now
Ultimately I think people are probably right. This isn't worth getting shade for from wither camp. I don't want to side with the Lannisters but man Farman sounds like a bitch.

>>3569902
>yay

well. i actually talked myself into it with >>3569884
Ultimately we can save Elleanor from her own dumb ambitions, keep our goodsister happy, but also hand her the reins of power over the entire household military.

>>3569902
>yay

>>3569902
>>choose to remain neutral for now

>>3569798
>nay

>>3569902
>>nay
Mervyn might be ambitious, but he is also Loyal and honorable.Betrayal should be anathema to him.

>>3569902
>Nay

>>3569902
>choose to remain neutral for now

>>3569952
But what about a double cross to save his lady from herself but also deliver her the entire fief government?

>>3569960
How does betraying her help her? Becoming a Lannister bootlicker? Pass.

>>3570014
Because it removes one of Titus's supporter's from a position of power, one of the most important positions of power in fact, and replaces them with someone on her side. It takes a loss on the frankly delusional "spit in tywin's eye" front for the sake of a huge win on the "is elleanor or titus in charge of ember hall" front.

>>3570014
>>3570019
Because let's be frank: actually doing anything that matters against tywin is just going to get us all killed. Actually doing anything that matters against after he's dead against tyrion because jaime is never leaving the kingsguard is just going to get us all killed. After Tyrion is dead maybe the lords of the westerlands can start cutting down the power of casterly rock once more, but there's no use prepping for that with alliances NOW.

>>3570019
>>3570024
Who said anything about openly moving against Tywin? Or even secretly doing so? Just because Elleanor doesn’t like him doesn’t mean that she’s gonna throw away everything. She loves her children just as much as Titus. Besides, if we betray her to a man who doesn’t like us, who sees us as nothing more than a way to undermine his own wife, and who doesn’t think we’re good enough for his daughter, what assurances are there that he keeps his word for us? Who’s to say he won’t simply have us killed off later to put someone of more appropriate prestige and breeding in our place? We will be throwing our reputation for honor and loyalty away for the potential possibility of someday maybe being rewarded? Once we throw away our honor and loyalty, it’s gone, nobody will ever trust us or believe us or confide anything important to us again.

>>3569912
>choose to remain neutral for now

>>3569902
>>choose to remain neutral for now
Essentially saying that the Farman boy is a coward who should not be married into the family and Tywin is a scary dude whom it is unwise to cross ... but we are Elleanor's sworn sword and limited in what we can do.

>Bargain
Even this level of fence sitting is more than Titus should have expected though. For that alone I think we deserve some level of financial reward ... I'm thinking we try to have him promise some amount of gold towards upgrading the arms of the archers - they're technically his troops so it should be an easy argument to make and it means we can fulfill our promise to them without the gold coming from our own pocket.

>>3569902
>choose to remain neutral for now
I think if we have to say something in the meeting we should propose they duel for Joanna's hand. Fair knightly compromise that shouldn't burn any bridges (hopefully). And no one can question our honor at least.

I also wonder if there isn't an ulterior motive by Titus here to put a wedge between Merv and Elleanor.

>>3570041
>neutral
whatever Elleanors plan (i suspect it has to do with her orders for military build up) it is going to piss Tywin off. The question is how much, and who will it be pointed at?

we dont know enough right now to say for sure. On the suface marrying Joanna to a Lannister is a very smart move.

but if Elleanor can pull her plan off the house might come out ahead.

As for Joanna? normally I would care for her not to be married to the limp dicked craven, but shes a horrible bitch so that doesnt enter into the equation. She can just fuck someone else like any respectable westerlands woman would.

>nay

>>3569902
>>choose to remain neutral for now
while we may likely just say nay privately. be on the fence and let Eleanor know

Maybe Elleanor doesn't want Joanna to marry the Lannister dude cause they're actually half siblings.

>>3569902
>>yay

>>3569902
>>choose to remain neutral for now

>>3569902
>yay

Choose to Remain Neutral - 9
>>3569905
>>3569912
>>3569923
>>3569957
>>3570093
>>3570163
>>3570204
>>3570349
>>3570453
>>3570563

Yay - 4
>>3569916
>>3569922
>>3570533
>>3570792

Nay - 3
>>3569952
>>3569954
>>3570398

Pretty strong showing for playing it safe, and honestly, I don't blame you guys. I imagine Ally will get asked of her opinion and you guys can go from there. But I'll respond to some comments below here.

>>3569912
He is kind of a bitch. Not really brother in law material, but that's the nature of the game. Sometimes you choose allies for their name, sometimes for who they are.

>>3569916
This is a pretty clever plan I have to admit. It would take some serious wrangling to get control over the infantry, but it's possible.

>>3569952
Loyalty is a weird thing. He could be loyal to Elleanor, or perhaps he is loyal to House Reynold. Loyal people betray their loyalties for all kinds of reasons, and that's what you guys will need to decide. But as for honourable, Mervyn is most definitely not afraid to get his hands dirty.

>>3570041
That is a very valid point. Once you make that switch, it's very unlikely you'll be able to go back the other way. To be fair, Elleanor is kind of a cunt, and Titus can be an asshole too, so they both have their ups and downs.

>>3570163
I can frame it something like that, try and remove himself from it without directly saying no. And as for the gold or other reward, because he wasn't met with a direct refusal, he'll be offering some manner of financial recompense.

>>3570204
That's another rather clever way to weasel out of having to choose a side, although Elleanor will most likely try to shut it down for obvious reasons.

>>3570349
Woah woah. The beauty and virtue of Westerland women is renowned across Westeros. Elleanor only ever did what she did to build her power base at a time when she was vulnerable. Ser Devon is in love with her and fiercely, FIERCELY loyal to her. However, that loyalty was bought with a child.

“I may be common Lord Titus, but I am anything but a fool. Even I know that words spoken alone and in the dark are meaningless, and that if you want me to consider your offer as serious, you’ll have to prove it is as such. I don’t disagree with you, the Farman is a weak man, and his liver is yellow, but those are not concerns of mine, but those of the Lord and Lady of this House. My own concerns rest with my wife, your daughter, and our own child.”

Lord Titus regards you with his hazel eyes shrewdly staring at you in the flickering torchlight. He had always struck you as a bit oafish, and lazy in his duties as a Lord, frequently allowing Elleanor to run the house as she saw fit, but in recent days, there had been a change in him.

“And as for Tywin Lannister, I do not scheme against the man, nor do I intend to. As a matter of fact my Lord, I do not scheme at all.”

This brings a laugh from the broad man, while his cousin Ser Terrence shook his head and spat to the stone floor.

“Well Ser, perhaps you had better start to learn. You’ve become a member of a noble house of divided loyalties. Would you rather not be moving the pieces instead of being a pawn yourself?”

Lord Titus rises and gives you a brief nod, not actually giving you time to respond to his question, before leaving you with a final word.

“Consider my offer Ser. I hope you will see in the coming days how serious I am about my offer to have you pledge your hammer to me. Good evening, Ser Mervyn.”

And with that, he left you alone in the dark of the garden, now illuminated only by moon light, with only your thoughts and silence…

---What do you want to do now?---

>Return to your chambers and wake Allysa
>Tell her in the morning before the joust begins
>Tell her after the joust tomorrow
>Something else

>>3571313
>Tell her after the joust tomorrow
We need the focus and she needs the sleep.
Also I want to joust!

>>3571313
>Tell her in the morning before the joust begins

Wana hear a joke Joe ?

A chaste Reynold woman!

File: saythatagain.jpg (112 KB, 1200x800)

112 KB JPG

>>3571318
Triggered

I'll give it a few more minutes before calling it

>>3571313
>Tell her in the morning before the joust begins
Damned Reynold women. If I want to marry a harlot I'd go to Dorne!

Alright well it's a bit slow today, but all good. One more scene of dialogue before we jousting on our new horse!!

>>3571369
sorry i'm here too but everyone was already voting for what i would vote for so i didn't bother

Alright to try and streamline this, choose three of the folowing please.

>Ask about the claims
>Ask about Lord Tywin
>Ask her about her opinion on your loyalties
>Ask her about the Lannisport Lannisters
>Ask her opinion on the marriage options
>Anything else you guys want to ask her

>>3571390
>Ask her about her opinion on your loyalties
>Ask her about the Lannisport Lannisters
>Ask her opinion on the marriage options

>>3571390
>Ask her about her opinion on your loyalties
>Ask her opinion on the marriage options
And custom:
>Ask about the chances of her father shafting us

>>3571394
>Ask her about her opinion on your loyalties
>Ask her opinion on the marriage options

>>3571390
>>Ask her about her opinion on your loyalties
>>Ask her about the Lannisport Lannisters
>>Ask her opinion on the marriage options

>>3571390
>Ask about the claims
>Ask her about her opinion on your loyalties
>Ask her opinion on the marriage options

>>3571400
I'll add
>Ask her about the Lannisport Lannisters

>>3571396
Go with this

Alright so marriage options and your loyalties are locked in.

Last option

>Lannisport Lannisters
>Odds of her father shafting us
>Farman Claims

>>3571421
>Odds of her father shafting us

>>3571421
>Odds of her father shafting us

>>3571421
>Farman Claims

>>3571421
>Odds of her father shafting us

Works for me. Looking after his own self interest seems very Mervyn. Alright fellas I'm writing.

--- 11/04/281 ---
You had waited to break the news to your wife until the following morning when the two of you were breaking your fast on warm bread served with butter, poached eggs and thick slabs of bacon. As Allysa broke open an egg yolk with her knife, you informed her of the meeting you’d had with her father. At first she seemed ecstatic that her father had started to taking a liking to you, until you continued in further detail about what exactly he wanted from you. She had stopped eating when you said that and encouraged you to tell her everything you could remember.

She sat with eyes intent on you, and listened with a purpose, absorbing your words like a sponge. You could see her mind working and churning the information behind her beautiful green eyes, and as she thought you questioned her.

“Well…what do you think?

She looks are you with a grimace on her face. “This is a…delicate situation Mervyn. Very delicate. If what my father says is true, mother needs to be extremely careful, but you shouldn’t be eager to abandon her. She is largely the reason you are still in Ember Peak.” She sighs and tugs on one of her curly red locks. “You didn’t agree to anything, so that’s for the best. If the situation with Joanna comes to a head, perhaps you could suggest a duel between the men for her hand. Play your part husband, don’t let them know that you’re, we’re, playing the game alongside them. Let them think you are just a simple sword, with a mind for combat and little else. I’m afraid neither of them will ever be truly loyal to you husband. Elleanor looks at you as a tool, a useful one mind you, but a tool nonetheless. My father on the other hand…I don’t know how he feels now, but until recently he viewed you as a dangerous man that he wanted out of his castle.”

You nod your head, your mind finally starting to gain the slightest bit of traction in how these games were played, and you asked after who Allysa thought Joanna should marry.

“That is a difficult situation, but in truth I feel the Lannisters will make the better offer. Joanna approached me the other day, asking for your help, but I told her to go ask you herself? Did she ever approach you?”

You shake your head and she rolls her eyes in annoyance.

“Of course she didn’t.” She mouthed the words “stubborn bitch” under her breath before continuing on.

“The fact the Lannisters are willing to halve the dowry, and the connections and trade with Lannisport wil bring in wealth. Not to mention, marrying a Lannister is almost always a good match, even those not of Casterly Rock. The Farmans offer is not as generous, and they offer the same benefits of sea trade connections. Not to mention the personalities of her suitors. Ser Leroy is comely, fierce and by all accounts a brave man, while Sebaston Farman…well he is none of those things. I hear he has a head for numbers and trade, but Joanna has only eyes for Ser Leroy, so I would be lying if I said I didn’t want the best for her, even if she can be a stuck up cow at times.”

Lastly, you brought up odds. The odds of Lord Titus being willing to betray you and this brings a mask of absolute cold to her face.

“Mervyn. I will say this. My father rewards those who serve him faithfully, as does my mother. But I’m not sure about anything with this right now. There is a possibility that he tried to have you killed not even two weeks ago. I’m sure Mother has a plan to find out if that is true or not, but situations like this are often of whirl of changing loyalties. My advice would be to let him make the first move, and to not put yourself in danger.”

She looks at you with eyes that are now tinged with fear, and although you do your best to reassure her that you would be fine, but the look remains as you dress and make your way out the door to attend the joust…

--- Alright I'm going to call it here for today. Not a long session but oh well. When we pick up again, we'll be diving straight into the action of the joust! That probably won't be for a few days mind you, but I'll keep you guys updated on the tweeter. ---

Sounding better and better to double cross Titus and remain and Elleanor's camp once we've actually gotten master of arms

>>3571577
>Sounding better and better to double cross Titus and remain and Elleanor's camp once we've actually gotten master of arms
I'd say we should aim higher or angle for situations that can provide the glory to reach those places.

>>3571506
>Play your part husband, don’t let them know that you’re, we’re, playing the game alongside them. Let them think you are just a simple sword, with a mind for combat and little else. I’m afraid neither of them will ever be truly loyal to you husband.
This is the best way to look at the entire situation. Our only benefit is that they view us as really simple and easy to use and dispose of. If we want to make sure we get through this alive we need to make sure that once we get off the fence we have a plan to end any threat to us and our family immediately and violently. A wounded enemy will strike back, an enemy killed with no evidence won't. Both of our potential threats have plenty of larger enemies who will be assumed to have done it. While this is not needed any time soon we've likely begun the path towards this end.

In intrigue and battle, the favor often falls to those who strike hardest and quickest. Regardless, it's nice to have such an astute, loyal wife by our side.

>>3571610
>an enemy killed with no evidence won't.
Easy to say, less easy to actually do. Especially since ultimately our wife's siblings, who we will one day be serving under, don't actually want their dad dead.

>>3571577
Double crossing titus is pointless if it doesn't greatly weaken his position. We just paint a big target on our back. Unless we can keep our part in any double cross secret its better to wait until we could help crush the power of titus or elleanor.

>>3571622
Definitely. Neutralized would work almost as well for us but our position is pretty tenuous, if only because of Elleanor's aims; the tension should ratchet up steadily from here on out. I should probably mention that I think Titus is the safest option, but that once we're under his thumb we'll be treated like dirt and likely lack easy options to remedy it.

>>3571627
'They guy in charge of the house military is now loyal to Elleanor instead of Titus' is pretty weakening

>>3571643
The problem is that if we cross one or the other and they survive with any bit of power - which Titus will have through the Lannisters, regardless of his in-house standing - as >>3571627 says we paint a rather large target on our back. The party that ultimately loses in house may not be able to strike at the winner but we make ourselves an easy target that has little protection, unless we create some.

>>3571664
There aren't going to be any silver bullets that just remove him from power in one fel swoop, if we resolve to never do anything that doesn't leave him unable to do anything afterward what we are resolving is to forever remain a mere sworn sword, idly hoping that one day our kids will manage better as cousins to the lord than we did as an inlaw

>>3571610
That really is the safest bet. It's going to be a dangerous time when all the plots behind the scenes come to a head.

>>3571622
Well said. If there is any murdering or things of that nature, Mervyn had damn well make sure that there are no witnesses.

>>3571627
Technically you wont be double crossing him unless you agree to help him, but you are correct otherwise. And that is a very big target.

>>3571631
I'm not sure Titus is necassarily the safest bet. Poison is a womans weapon of choice, not swords, and Elleanor can hold a grudge. But Titus has the ear of the Lannisters, and they always pay their debts so neither side is really "safe". I wont comment on how Titus would treat Merv if he chooses to go down that road. It's all dependent on your actions.

>>3571643
Ser Devon is only in charge of the garrison, but still. A devout warrior in Elleanors corner.

>>3571714
This is true. There are no magic options in this situation. Sometimes inaction is as dangerous as action, and if Mervyn wants to rise above his station, he will eventually have to pick a side, or leave Ember Peak for somewhere else.

>>3571788
Forgot my trip.

But yeah, this stuff is all going to come up after the jousting is all done, when we meet with Mathis Rowan, Titus, Andros Brax and Elleanor to discuss the coming expansion into Serret lands. Some deviousness is coming.

Also, I've been bad about handing out experience recently. Currently we are at 31 from the last few threads that I never actually awarded any. So that's enough for 3 abilities at 10Exp or one stat upgrade at 30Exp.

Some things to consider would be

Persuasion -Bargain, Intimidate
Awareness
Cunning
Fighting - Spears
Endurance
Athletics

Feel free to discuss this amongst yourselves. I'll probably be back in 4 or 5 hours to organize a vote

>>3571800
Straight up Fighting would probably be best long term. It would help us in every combat situation period, whether we’re using Spear or Mace. Athletics would also be good, since it affects combat damage and combat defense.

>>3571800
We've already established Awareness as a pretty massively important choice.

>>3571788
>Technically you wont be double crossing him unless you agree to help him, but you are correct otherwise. And that is a very big target.
Helping to wed joanna into the lannisters but then using our reward of Master of Arms to hell elleanor might not TECHNICALLY be a double cross but that doesn't mean Titus won't see it that wag

>>3571788
>Well said. If there is any murdering or things of that nature, Mervyn had damn well make sure that there are no witnesses.
Also. No witnesses is not sufficient. Rule of law does not exist if the lord doesn't want it to. Presumption of innocence does not exist if the lord doesn't want it to. If we wanted Titus dead, we'd need no SUSPICIONS.

Murder of a high lord/lady would be investigated to bone. Avoid it all costs unless you'd like us to run to Essos and join the Golden Company.

Suggesting a duel for Joanna's hand would be very Mervyn with no apparent favoritism displayed (but we know who would win). And we would maintain our neutrality for a time.

How else Titus and Elleanor will decide who takes their daughter's hand anyway?

>>3571800
Awareness was indeed previously discussed as the choice.

>>3571884
>>3572404
We did say awareness was a very good choice but I dont believe we actually officially voted on it. So we can do that now.

--- Spend 30 experience on awareness? ---
>yay
>nay

>>3572427
>>yay

>>3572427
>yay

oki

>>3572427
yay, though this is probably not the best timing for a vote, even preannounced

>>3572427
>yay

>>3572427
>yay
And it has already proved its usefulness in the thread

Btw, I participate in both ASOIAF quests and I got to say I loved characterization of the mature and effective Tygon in the Song of Revenge and Gold. And Tyrus is Tyrus

Really wondering whether Mervyn will be among the ranks of Loyal Reins. I guess his position is uncertain (depends on our future actions in this quest?)?

5 yay's works for me. Awareness upgrades to 4!!

>>3572442
your face is a yay

>>3571915
>Rule of law does not exist if the lord doesn't want it to
That's partially why we're in a weak position. It's not hard to put Mervyn in a bad spot and attempt to frame him for something he didn't do; he's a low-born warrior that has killed someone in a duel, so we have little to vouch for our character, yet. On the flip side, Mervyn won't be considered a major enemy of either Titus or Elleanor unless we do something public to make rumors start.

>>3571915
>Murder of a high lord/lady would be investigated to bone
Sure, which is why you'd want to leave an obvious culprit, either through evidence or plot.

>>3571643
That doesn't stop him from having a lot of political power and wanting to direct towards us.

I think we should be much more open to turning on Elleanor than Titus because the Lannisters are always good to be friends with and Elleanor doesn't actually see us as more than a tool. It looks like Titus has more pull outside of their domain and Elleanor more pull inside. We can't change Titus's power outside house Reynold, but we can change Elleanor's power inside it and I think that is the best place to win ourselves more power. Quash her and secure our reward from Titus and we have a good stanging ground

Alright character sheet is updated. Combat and Intrigue defence both go up by one for anyone who doesn't know due to awareness, plus I like to use awareness tests a lot so a very solid pick up all around.

>>3571899
>>3571915
It's a very dangerous game to play, or even entertain. You guys don't have to go down that road at all if you don't want to.

>>3572404
That suggestion is rather clever and very in character. It'll still irritate Elleanor of course, but she is a hard woman to please.

>>3572440
Glad you enjoyed it! I had a blast writing Tygon, and I can't wait for everyone to get to know him better through Mervyn's eyes. He comes across as passive aggressive and ignorant, but there are reasons for that. Alot of things were left purposefully vague because by the time of "Revenge and Gold", Mervyn could be exiled in Essos, dead, a landed knight, master at arms, Captain of the Lannisport City Watch or a minor lord in and of itself. Hell he could even go back to being a hedge knight. It will all depend on our actions in Duty and Spite.

>>3572473
God intrigue is exciting. Whatever Merv chooses to end up doing is going to have to be well thought out.

>>3572500
To be fair to Elleanor though, you don't get rid of a useful tool, but that is another rather good assessment. Elle runs her household very well, but Titus has some very powerful friends outside of it. I'm honestly quite torn about who I hope you guys choose. I've got plotlines for both, and a third in case you choose neither, and they will both be fun as hell.

>>3573157
Am I right in thinking that Titus would also just see us as a tool? We're lowborn for God's sake!

>>3573161
Oh absolutely. Allysa is right when she says neither of her parents will ever be loyal to him in return. When Tygon becomes lord things will be very different, but until then, no dice.

>>3573157
Titus must have realised that to Mervyn. All he has offered is prehapes and promises from a guy who doesnt like him.

Mervyn is wise to not take him for his word

>>3572404
>Suggesting a duel for Joanna's hand would be very Mervyn with no apparent favoritism displayed (but we know who would win). And we would maintain our neutrality for a time.
This is definitely my vote for the situation with Joanna. It will also draw out Titus for us as he has vaguely promised to find powerful house to foster our children and a new suit of armor from Lannisport. Should he prevaricate about giving those to us it's likely to confirm that Titus is just using us and give an answer for >>3573161.

>>3572500
To Elleanor we might be a tool, but to Titus we'll at best be a tool who already messed up his plans in a major way at least once and a proven turncoat

>>3573165
Joe my bro, we need a timeskip for the baby. We need to get back to making a soccer team!

>>3573166
Wise indeed. Hedge knights and ex bandits learn to get paid in advance, or they don't get payed at all.

>>3573178
You guys will find out hopefully during the next run, but if the jousting takes too long, the one after that for sure.

>>3573188
True, but still a useful tool nonetheless no?

>>3573244
We gotta finish the tournament, head to Lannisport, make some war preparations and then actually have that battle. Baby will be born right around then

>>3573266
A fierce little redheaded soldier. Gonna steal Lorelei Malroy away

>>3573267
Could you imagine Bryndens face when a female family member once again got kidnapped by a red haired jerk?

>>3573266
honestly, Elleanor going ahead with her plan is better for us in the long run.

It gives us a chance to save ourselves and alyssa at the cost of her mother's batshit crazy scheming simply by informing Tywin of whats going on prior to it happening.

Thats the sort of thing a man gets made a landed knight over, and if we catch it early enough and house Reynolds is spared in favor of fucking over their other conspirators, then Titus is likely to look at least somewhat favorably on it.

More and more however it looks like we need to rely less on Elleanor and more on ourselves. Same for Titus, and oretty much anyone other than Allysa

>>3573266
>True, but still a useful tool nonetheless no?
Once you've turned your coat once why wouldn't you do so again for a better deal? No reason to want to keep us around rather than men of certain loyalty.

>>3573324
>No reason to want to keep us around rather than men of certain loyalty.
The way Mervyn maneuvered the last conversation with Titus was good in the long run. Mervyn stated that his allegiance was to his family first, which gives Titus something to gauge his actions and manipulate him by - that makes us seem safer to him. That coupled with professing a distaste for intrigue will put him in better, albeit still low, esteem from Titus. Notice that he seemed to relax once we told him no - that means Titus was relieved that we were loyal or that he feared we were there to deceive him somehow, perhaps a bit a both.

>>3573188
A man who is motivated by self interest is a man who can be trusted. If Titus knows we want to improve our station he knows what dangle in front of us and how to keep us on his side.

I don't think "betrayal" is looked at as negatively in GoT as we look at it on TG. Everyone is trying to play the game. Titus will get that.

>>3573413
>Everyone is trying to play the game. Titus will get that.
They're not though, and regardless of whether he personally feels theres not morally wrong about us playing the game that doesn't mean he'll want to leave us anywhere where we could potentially screw him.

>>3573457
That's true Titus will protect his self interest and try not to put us in a position to screw him over. Elleanor is no different, and if does turn out to be different that makes her a better target for a double cross.

>>3573565
Titus not putting us in a position to screw him over is still a bad thing for us because it means absolutely no advancement.
All else being equal, being seen as loyal under Elleanor could be worse than loyal under Titus, and being seen as a turncoat under elleanor could be worse than being seen as a turncoat under titus, but these aren't the options as present. It's being loyal under elleanor vs a turncoat under titus.

>>3573314
Cutting out the middle man and going straight to Tywin hey? That's a pretty good idea but it comes with it's own challenges. Firstly, actually getting to meet with Tywin wouldnt be an easy feat, and then there would be the repercussions from the rest of your family. Youd have to bring Allysa around and getting her agree to essentially executing her mother would be very difficult.

>>3573324
If the choice is made to go down this road, I'll frame it as more of a Tyrion/Bronn relationship, only alot less "chummy"

>>3573395
"You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest, it's the honest ones you have to worry about" - Jack Sparrow

Apply that to a power hungry individual who wants his children to be high lords and ladies. See the first half of >>3573413.

>>3573457
Titus, and Elleanor for that matter, will do their best to cover their bases and protect their own skins.

>>3573608
I'm slightly confused. The way I'm reading your summary is that in both scenarios its beneficial to be on Titus' side, which isnt necassarily true.

>>3573689
I dont actually think so, but the person I'm arguing with seems to, so I'm taking it as a given simply to make the point of 'those aren't actually the situations we're facing'

>>3573689
>>3573723
Durr that was a reply to the last point. Phoneposting and forgot to do it as a quote.

>>3573723
Ah okay I understand what you're saying now. And just to clarify it, serving either of them will both have pros and cons. They're both are going to make Mervyn do some questionable things that you guys probably arnt going to like, and neither of them are going to have a great amount of love for Merv. Theres no clear winner of who would be better to serve. Tywin has been mentioned as an option for advancement as well, but there is a fourth player you guys could latch onto. Again though, no easy decisions with this stuff

>>3573763
I would say that Elleanors cheating was a card we coukd play in our favor, but Titus likely already knows or suspects.

The best bet may be to take the wife somewhere else and LET Tywin reyne down on our old house and see who lives through it.

Unless of course Elleanor has a better offer.

not sex

>>3573847
Not being there won't save us from the reyne treatment.

Wouldn't it be feasible to become landed knight of the newly conquered territory? Seems like the easiest way to go because no one else in the house already has a claim. The only downside that I can see would be having to pick up the pieces, which may just end up being interesting from a narrative perspective.

>>3573887
But being on Titus' good side would. Obviously no sure thing. But we are taking calculated risks if we want to make big moves in position.

>>3574312
>Wouldn't it be feasible to become landed knight of the newly conquered territory?
Most of those will be political appointments, with some given out for glory and accomplishments. Our best route to advancement is to seize any opportunities for glory and notice, while keeping out of any bad spots in our current position. Joe mentioned that Tygon will be different towards us, if he were Lord, as well as other opportunities out there. We're not likely to gain any large honors with intrigue and doing dirty deeds for our betters but those things are going to open doors for us and keep us afloat in the meantime.

As >>3573314 said, informing Tywin of Elleanor in the correct manner would probably move us up a lot. It does seem like Tywin knows or suspects of Elleanor though, as Titus is suddenly doing his best to make sure the marriage goes the way Tywin wants. He's either been motivated by being poked by Tywin or he has realized that he might be viewed as failing his duties to Tywin.
>Lord Titus regards you with his hazel eyes shrewdly staring at you in the flickering torchlight. He had always struck you as a bit oafish, and lazy in his duties as a Lord, frequently allowing Elleanor to run the house as she saw fit, but in recent days, there had been a change in him.

For Tywin to reward us the information would need to actively head off danger and be timely, so that is a lot of if's.

>>3577118
It's been hinted that we are likely going to be asked/told to do some nasty things in the near future to pull off this land grab. Demanding appropriate compensation for pulling it off seems fair. Both parents should be happy to see their daughter starting a new cadet branch and it's very possible that both will also prefer to keep us at arm's length if we are fence sitting.
The other plans... I doubt Tywin has an active role in this power struggle. It's too early. Titus probably just knows exactly how bad it can get and doesn't want to be on the receiving end. The only person that really needs to be eliminated here is Elleanor. Tywin actually has every reason to prefer that we handle this quietly; a fall from a horse or an unsteady railing... Having to make another heavy-handed show of force against a house over treason isn't going to be so effective the second time. It's all about the story. His actions after the last coup created this folk legend about him and also had a certain air of finality about it (and it never happened again) that would be lost if this could be perceived as a regular issue.

>>3579528
Would a cadet branch be different from a knightly house? Like would we have access to the right of pit and gallows?

I dont think if Tywin wiped a third house off the face of the earth his legend would lose its luster. If anything, it would add to it. But I dont think Tywin would rain on our house that hard if Titus is actively working to prevent whatever her schemes are. If she got caught, I imagine she might get the axe along with anyone else who was helping her, so I think a change of loyalties is in order.

>>3579613
Hmm... I'm not sure. As far as I'm aware, the whole pit and gallows thing is vague and subjective. Like, what lord is going to give a shit about a landed knight killing smallfolk that he caught smuggling? Some might, I guess. But catching and killing a minor noble? Seems like that would have to get kicked up the chain, possibly past the sponsoring lord, and would cause a shitstorm if the knight took matters into his own hands.
Idk, I just can't see Tywin preferring to make a spectacle again when he already has his legend. He's known for being ruthless, yes, but also efficient. If he sole loose end from this house had an unfortunate accident and he didn't have to lift a finger otherwise, then I don't see why that wouldn't be his ideal outcome. Would make a bigger scene if he didn't have an agent willing to act out this smoother option? I can see it. It's quite possible that such an arrangement could be seen as doing the house a favor.

>>3579723
That's true. I mean lowborn people dont really have rights do they? But for anyone else of status a knight couldnt actually execute them I guess?

And I see what your saying. Tywin is smart, and the quieter the better, I just think that if it came down to it, he'll do whatever he needs to do. But if we are going to switch sides we need guarantees about our own safety, lands and titles and a whole bunch of other stuff. Plus we need a plan so our wife and our siblings in law dont hate us.

>>3579750
They will hate us no matter what if we betray Elleanor. Allysa might just take the kid and leave us if we have a hand in it. We’re gonna have to invest a lot of xp into deception to convince our wife we have nothing to do with what happens to her mother.

>>3579528
>It's been hinted that we are likely going to be asked/told to do some nasty things in the near future to pull off this land grab. Demanding appropriate compensation for pulling it off seems fair. Both parents should be happy to see their daughter starting a new cadet branch and it's very possible that both will also prefer to keep us at arm's length if we are fence sitting.
I hope you're right. Joe has explained that they see us as a tool. You don't put tools out of reach, you keep them under your thumb and get as much out of them as you can. Look at Bronn - it takes Cersei outbidding Tyrion to get him a solid landed reward, rather than just coin. I suspect that Elleanor already views us as 'properly rewarded for future efforts' from our marriage to Allysa.

>>3579774
That is simply just an risk we will have to take.

>>3579774
They wont hate us if we dont actively kill her. If we sneakily tell Tywin what's going on when we figure it out, it should be all chill.

>>3579774
>>3579865
>If we sneakily tell Tywin what's going on when we figure it out, it should be all chill.
>snitching on a woman who elevated you from the rank of a glorified mercenary and married her daughter to you
Nothing like anons picking the loyalty trait, selling it as 'loyalty to yourself, lol' and going about planning how to stab her in the back best.

>>3580569
Loyal to ourselves and our wife ... so lets plot to have our mother-in-law murdered.

>>3580591
Loyalty to the House and the best way to save the house is to kill the rest of the family so we end up on top