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Hello, and welcome to A Song of Steel and Storms: House Borlund Quest. House Borlund were once the Lords of the Rainwood and among the principle bannermen to House Baratheon, but after Lord Atticus Borlund declared for Daemon Blackfyre in the First Blackfyre Rebellion they were reduced to the rank of Landed Knights. The story will follow Ser Ardrian Borlund, the first Knight of Stonegrove, as he attempts to bring glory back to his house as well as solidify it’s future.

This quest will be slightly different than previous quests as it will not be using the best of three rule. The first roll of the dice will be taken as is, unless otherwise specified. Additionally, votes will follow a strict time frame that will be stated at each vote.

Lastly, I'll be experimenting with only allowed 1 post Id's to be counted for the first 24 hours of the thread. After that, they will be discounted in votes.

Character Sheets: Ser Ardrian Borlund Character Sheet.xlsx
House History: N/A
House Fortunes: N/A
>>
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--- 23/05/217 ---
--- Stonegrove’s Solar ---

The sound of rain lashing upon wood and stone was a comforting sound to you when mixed with the crackle of a small fire in the hearth. The room itself was dark but for the hearth and three small tallow candles that had just enough light to allow you to read. You pored over the piece of parchment that rested on your desk as you had everyday since it arrived…

Ser Ardrian Borlund, it is the pleasure of King Aerys I, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men and Protector of the Realm to inform you that the debt placed upon your family by the late King Daeron II has been repaid in full. In return for your dutiful repayment and loyalty, King Aerys and his Small Council have decreed that your firstborn daughter will be returned to Stonegrove post haste by way of the Kings Road and Storms End. She shall be given an armed escort to Storms End where she will wait until you are ready to collect her.

Lord Cormaic Celtigar, Master of Coin

King Aerys’ Master of Coin had a fine and elegant script that flowed evenly at every word, and you had received many letters from the man over the years regarding the payment of coin. Lightning flashed in the night sky and was followed by crack of rumbling thunder that revealed through the glass windows just how much you had sacrificed to keep yourself from faulting on those debts. Your Lord-Fathers solar was once richly furnished with both Myrish and Qohorik carpets and tapestries, fine stained glass windows, and beautifully carved furniture. Now it’s walls were bare, the glass was thick and almost opaque, and it was sparsely furnished but for a small desk, a table and a few chairs. A single banner displaying the arms of your house hung above your desk. A speckled and redcapped woodpecker, on a field of green.
>>
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A rumble from your stomach echoed the thunder and your attention turned to the plate of food a servant had delivered to you hours ago. Brown bread and day-old butter sat upon a wooden plate, and within a similar wooden bowl was a thin onion soup. You tore a piece of bread off and chewed it thoughtfully as you picked at your signet ring. It was the single piece of jewelry you owned, and silver at that. A polite knock sounded at the door that was recognizable immediately.

“Come in, Broderick.”

Your younger brother opened the door as you moved to the table in the centre of the room. The two of you looked much alike although he kept his beard and hair shorter and they had yet to begin to show signs of the grey that cursed your family so early. His hand were clasped together and were wringing themselves as you gestured with a hand for him to sit down.

“Good evening Ardrian. I’ve come to remind you th-th-that you are to hold court on the morrow. There are a number of people here to see you brother that I thought you might like to kn-kn-kn-know about.”

Broderick had always been a shy boy. Your Lord-Father had done everything in his power to make a soldier of him but his blood was weak. He despised conflict and anger, and his stutter only became stronger once he was nervous. He was not made to hold a sword or lance but he had a knack for numbers and coin. He had served as a hostage in King’s Landing before your eldest daughter was born and had served the Master of Coin as a page. Had it not been for him, you may have never been able to pull your house out of it’s debts that it accrued at the Battle of the Redgrass Field.

“I would, Broderick. Thank you.”

Kind words to put him at ease. You loved your brother despite his cowardice and you had learned the ways to talk to him to make him feel more comfortable. He swallowed and relaxed slightly but his disposition was still unsettled.

“The f-f-first is a holy man.”

“A wandering septon perhaps?” It had been some months since a septon had made it’s way to Stonegrove and your sept had stood almost empty since.

“N-n-no. He claims to-to be from the ab-ab-abbey.”
>>
You kept your face carefully neutral. House Borlund had once been famed for it’s piety, boasting not only a sept within it’s walls but an abbey deep within the forests it’s lands where monks would toil to create beautiful idols of the Seven. You had spent much time there in your youth, when your faith served as your shield. Stonegrove itself had survived the attack by those loyal to King Daeron II, the abbey had not been so lucky…

“Surely it was not Father Boniface?” The abbot when you had left Stonegrove to foster with your grandmothers nephew in Nightsong had been an old man even twenty years ago.

“No b-brother. He was-was much too young. He did not introduce himself how-how-however.”

“Broderick, your stutter is getting worse. What are you afraid to tell me?”

His hands shot up and covered his mouth, as if to hide his stutter that had given him away. He swallowed and closed his eyes briefly before staring into yours.

“There is a S-S-S-Ser M-Micah Morr-Morri-Morrigan to see you as well.”

A wave of heat washed through you and your anger flared. Hands became fists and for a brief moment you wanted to curse but you bit your tongue.

So the crow descends from it’s nest to scavenge whatever it can.

House Morrigan had swallowed up a portion of your former lands, particularly the hilly regions to the north where House Borlund’s former mines and quarries once were. Your Lord-Fathers first wife had been a Morrigan and that gave her nephew, Lord Miles Morrigan, the idea that somehow he had a claim on Stonegrove. The thought of losing your family home was almost too much to bear. House Borlund had been a lordly house once, among the principle bannermen to House Baratheon. Your father even held the title of Lord of the Rainwood before his death. Now you held the distinction of being the first “Knight of Stonegrove”, your lands were hardly a tenth of what they once were and you swore yourself to Lord Martyn Mertyns of Mistwood as his bannerman.

“And did Ser Micah announce his purpose here?”
>>
“He-he d-d-id.”

“Relax Broderick. It is best I know of this now instead of in court. He is hear with some sort of marriage proposal I imagine?” Broderick nodded his head quickly.

“Yes I thought he might. Amelia is of age, beautiful and has little prospects being the daughter of a landed knight.” And Lord Miles will know that as well, before making me an offer that I can hardly refuse without insulting him.

“There are also the us-usual smallfolk, although there are le-less these days. Also…there have been two ravens in the past th-three days. One is f-from Lord Martyn and the other is from…”

“You know I do not read her letters Broderick, no matter how many she sends.”

“I-I-I-I t-th-hought you might like to r-read this one. She mentions that L-L-Larten has…”

“Do not say his name. Men may know he is mine, but I have not acknowledged him. His name has no presence in my hall. Now, what news does Lord Mertyns have for us?”

“He is organizing a t-t-tournament in three months t-t-time.”

It took some small amount of willpower to not roll your eyes. It had been almost five years since you had last competed in a tourney and that had only ended in humiliation as you had lacked the funds to ransom back your destrier and plate.

“I have not jousted in years. I have no desire to repeat my experience in Broad Arch.”

Broderick shook his head, leaned over the table, and placed the two letters in front of you. You sighed but picked up the first letter which still bore half of the horned owl seal in grey wax of House Mertyns.
>>
Ser Ardrian Borlund, you have been formally summoned to appear in Mistwood no later than the first day of the ninth month of the year 217 to discuss matters of industry and infrastructure. Additionally, you have been formally invited to participate Lord Martyns tournament to celebrate his grandsons tenth nameday of the same dates. As prizes he offers the overall winner the title of “Warden of the Mistwood” as well as six hundred golden dragons. The runner up four hundred gold dragons and two hundred dragons each for the joust, melee and archery contest.
Jakob Buckler, Steward of Mistwood

“I suppose I shall be going to Mistwood regardless.”

“Will you be competing?”

“That would mean purchasing at least a suit of plate and a horse…”

“Your brigandine may serve for the melee, and you need no armour for archery. Besides, living as we have and not having to repay back debts for the past few months have allowed our coffers to fill some. I can find coin enough for a suit of common plate and a steed more worthy of a knight if you wish…”

--- Shall you risk competing in the Tournament at Mistwood? Vote time limit: 1:30pm MST ---

The Joust
>Yay
>Nay

The Melee
>Yay
>Nay

The Archery Contest
>Yay
>Nay
>>
>>4585861
>Yay

>Yay

>Nay

Archery tournies are for lowborns and sellswords!
>>
>>4585861
>Yay
>Yay
>Yay
We need to try all the things we can get. Also we can meet a diverce group of men. Archery may be for the lowborn, but some lowborn are very talented and more important cheap.
>>
>>4585861
>Yay
>Yay
>Nay
>>
>>4585861
>joust
>Yay
>melee
>Yay
>archery
>yay

might as well see what Ser Borland can do.
>>
>>4585852
>I'll be experimenting with only allowed 1 post Id's to be counted for the first 24 hours of the thread.
Sadly this means that I would not be able to participate after tomorrow. You should make it count if 1 post ids linked to their previous votes.
>>
So is the history/fortunes to be discussed or are we broke as a joke?
>>
>>4585861
>Yay
>Yay
>Tentative nay
>>
>>4585861
>Yay
>Yay
>Yay
I'd also like to check between any cushions for spare change. Do we have a sigil?
>>
>>4585922
>Do we have a sigil?
>>4585854
>A single banner displaying the arms of your house hung above your desk. A speckled and redcapped woodpecker, on a field of green.
I'm going to guess woodpecker
>>
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>>4585898
I would be tentatively alright with linking back Id's if they are proving to be active. Still leery about it it though.

>>4585910
I'm working on getting an Excel Spreadsheet put together. But as it stands, House Borlund has 200 gold dragons to it's name.

It's wealth holdings are a sept and a steward (Broderick), as well as the Standard of Living: Poor.

>>4585922
>>4585926
Correct. The picture included here is what I'm imagining, but I'm awful with art and haven't been able to get anything up to an acceptable standard.

That is a yay to both the joust and the melee, and a tie to the archery contest. I'll extend the vote time until 1:50pm Mst and if there are no more votes and/or changes, I'll roll for it.
>>
>>4585933
>I would be tentatively alright with linking back Id's if they are proving to be active. Still leery about it it though.
You shouldn't, you can spot if something is afoot easily if everyone links back to their previous votes.
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

Alright still a tie so...
Evens = Yay
Odds = Nay
>>
>>4585960
We don't really know what are Ardrian's strong sides to make an informed decision. Social conventions side, he wouldn't assume to participate if he weren't good at it?..
So are we building the character here or he is decent at all three options?
>>
>>4585978
If I remember the write-up in the update thread, he was billed as a jack of a trades, which following the saying means that he is a master of none.

>>4585960
Just checking Joe, but I don't think there is actually a link for Character sheets in the OP.
>>
https://1drv.ms/x/s!Am-XCwIRrb9HiTSROoUNuxR0hBO0?e=dz6jHD

Odd. Well hopefully this link works for you guys.

He isn't bad at anything, but nor is he exceptional either.
>>
“How much coin do we have on hand Broderick?”

“At last c-count we had two hundred dragons. However, the end of the month is approaching and I will soon need to count the incomes once more so we may well have more.”

“Write back to Lord Mertyns if you please, and tell him to reserve a spot in both the melee and the joust for me. I shall not be participating in the archery contest.”

You had been fostered in Nightsong in the Dornish Marches, and there you had learned how to bend a bow and shoot. The longbow was a noble weapon and it took skill to use one, yet archery competitions such as these were places where common men and sellswords gathered like flies. You would not risk sullying your reputation by associating with men of such low birth. Even the melee gave you cause for thought, but any man who could afford the armour required to compete would at least be somewhat wealthy and therefore not some common-born swineherd.

“As you say brother.”

“I would like to have our monthly meeting sooner rather than later. The night after the morrow.”

“I will inform S-S-Ser Dominic this evening. Is t-there anything else?”

“Send a servant up. I would have them collect my weapons and armour from my armoury and deliver them to the yard. It would seem I must scour myself of rust.”

“Of course. Have a-a good evening Ardrian.”

Broderick left quietly without so much as another word. He had left the second letter on the table and you eyed it before picking it up and turning it over in your broad hands. The seal bore the nightingales of House Caron in black wax. Two or three of these letters came every year, and every year they went unread. You had distanced yourself from her memory since becoming the Knight of Stonegrove, as well as from the shame of your youth. Your heartbeat quickened in your chest as you looked at the broken seal. Curiosity began to grow and before it grew too large you stood and made for the hearth to throw it in the flames but you were interrupted when a servant knocked on the door.
>>
“Enter.”

“You asked for me Ser?”

“I did. You are familiar with arms and armour yes?”

The man nodded his head hesitantly. “I know what sword is Ser…”

“That is good. I shall need my arms and armour brought from my personal armoury to the armoury nearest the yard.”

“Is there anything in particular Ser?”

--- What is Ser Ardrian’s preferred melee weapon of choice? ---
>Sword & Shield
>Greatsword
>Axe
>Greataxe
>Mace
>Warhammer
>Polearm

--- What to do with the letter from Nightsong? ---
>Burn it. You had buried your feelings long ago, and intended for them to stay that way.
>Read it. You were a man grown and there was nothing to fear in a letter from a woman once loved...
>>
Vote will be open until 4pm MST
>>
>>4586012
>Polearm
Many knights fought with this because it was effective against other knights.
>Read it. You were a man grown and there was nothing to fear in a letter from a woman once loved...
Don't keep your emotions cropped up like Mervyn.
>>
>>4586012
>Greatsword
>Burn it. You had buried your feelings long ago, and intended for them to stay that way.
>>
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>>4586012
>Polearm

A Poleaxe to be exact

>Read it. You were a man grown and there was nothing to fear in a letter from a woman once loved...

Do not let bitches and whores control you like that
>>
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>>4586020
view video of poleaxe fighting. I think it are the same guys as in this image (not sure). Poleaxes are almost the go to weapon of armoured footknights.
>>
>>4586012
>Polearm
>Burn it. You had buried your feelings long ago, and intended for them to stay that way.
Hoes to the ditch

Since this is a BO1 quest, there is a decent chance of us dying prematurely. If such thing were to occur would the story continue, if so who shall we play as?
>>
>>4586008
>animal handling 2
oof maybe we should have stayed out of the joust
>>
>>4586010
Liked how the voting turned out playing into his haughtiness.
On the other hand we obviously won't be beating any tourney regulars.

>>4586012
>Sword & Shield
A generalist combination for a generalist character.

>Burn it. You had buried your feelings long ago, and intended for them to stay that way.
>>
>>4586038
Indeed yikes.
Archery and foot combat would be our strength.
>>
>>4586035
If Ardrian dies there will be a vote to choose who the POV shifts to. Currently I have three options, one of whom is Broderick. The other two will be announced once they have been met.

>>4586038
Ardrian was never an excellent rider. Growing up in the rainwood kind of defeated the point and his fostering in the Dornish Marches didn't help much either. He's an infantryman at heart who's also gotten rusty from not jousting in years.
>>
>>4586055
Is one of them Amelia? Is she our daughter or sister?
>>
>>4586012
>Sword & Shield
because shield
>Read it. You were a man grown and there was nothing to fear in a letter from a woman once loved...
Adrian can put on a front to his brother and others while still wanting to know of his bastard
>>
>>4586055
Yeah... Can we fight in melee before the joust so we can spare some money to buy back our armour later?
>>
>>4586059
Joust will probably be the last part of the event as it will be the grand main attraction
>>
>>4586058
What's with everyone and shields. Plate armour made shield as good as obsolete. Your armour is your shield.
>>
>>4586061
>shields ain't actually for pussies
>>
>>4586039
I'll change to
>Read it. You were a man grown and there was nothing to fear in a letter from a woman once loved...
>>
>>4586057
Amelia is Ardrians firstborn daughter. I'm always hesitant about doing FeMC's but she could be. I'll keep her in mind if it ever comes down to it.

>>4586059
>>4586060
Correct. The Archery Contest is the opener, followed by the melee, and the joust is the finale.
>>
>>4586012
>Polearm
>Burn it. You had buried your feelings long ago, and intended for them to stay that way.
Shields r gay, poleaxe or bust
>>
>>4586063
>>4586061
>>4586058
you know what, fuck it. I'll change to polearm because it'll be interesting. I hated when we switched Shryke to sword to shoehorn in the all fancy gear.
>>
>>4586012
>Mace
best choice against armored enemies, good with a shield.
>Read it. You were a man grown and there was nothing to fear in a letter from a woman once loved...

I have dynamic IP so I'll get a trip for this quest, hope it's OK?
>>
>>4586086
This would simply be Mervyn 2.0. Everyone knows what a mace is, but forgets polearms are really interesting. Also we are an older guy passing his prime so mace may be a bit too exhausting. We also went to Dorne where they use spears more.
>>
Poleaxes. Neat, I don't think we've really had a character who used them except Aurion for a short stint. Helps make it clear that Ardrian is definitely more of a foot soldier as well.

And regarding the letter...

Burn it - 3
>>4586025
>>4586035
>>4586078

Read it - 5
>>4586020
>>4586027
>>4586058
>>4586064
>>4586086

>>4586086
I'm not overly concerned about trips, but if you want to just link back your posts I'll accept it.
>>
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>>4586030
This is the one. From 2015. Really nice video about the usage of a poleaxe.
>>
“I shall need my both my brigandine as well as my poleaxe. I would have them there tonight as well.”

“Your will Ser.” He left and closed the door behind him.

Your family had once owned a sword of valyrian steel that your umpteen great grandfather had named Judgement, but as a second son you had not be trained to wield her. Abner had trained everyday in the use of the longsword but even in your childhood you had known that you would never wield such a weapon and instead focused on a weapon of your choosing. You chose the poleaxe. A tricky weapon to use that depended largely on keeping your opponent at the correct reach, but if used correctly could prove dangerous to any man on a battlefield regardless of his armour or if he was mounted. You had trained alongside your elder brother but he was five years older and never once did you manage to best him. But even when he had been defeated, after he had taken the black for his loyalty to your father and the Blackfyre cause, Judgement had still not come to you. It had been lost on Redgrass Field. Further salt in an already horrible wound. Your eyes fell on the rack where Judgement used to hang and in a way you felt almost lucky. You had no son to give such a sword to when you finally met your end. Although you did have a son…

She had named him Larten. From what Broderick told you he had grown to be a capable and pious young man. A son whom you had never met. Your last words to her were a loving good bye when you had left with Lord Dustin Caron to fight Dornishmen seeking to enter the marches by way of the Prince’s Pass. He’d made no declaration for either Daeron or Daemon, he only saw an opportunity to fight with his ancestral foes and he had taken it. You had soon after been summoned to King’s Landing to swear fealty to true King and once you had become the Knight of Stonegrove you forced yourself to leave her, and your unborn child, behind. It would prove difficult enough to find a match for a man whose family had fought for the blacks, let alone if he had a bastard from another house of unproven loyalty.

Larten…Larten Storm. Your son.

A deep breath filled your lungs as you unfurled the letter and sat back down at your desk. The candlelight seemed to have grown weaker and your eyes strained at the letters that she had written. Her script was as lovely as she had been in her youth, delicate and smooth when compared to your own tall and spidery hand.
>>
My dearest Ardrian, I write to you yet again. I know you ignore my letters for your love of duty and your house but I pray to the Seven that this shall be the one that reaches your eyes. I still wait for you. I have known no other man and have not forgotten the promises that we made in the sept together the day before you left so may years ago. Larten, Seven how he reminds me of you, has been given a command. He is now the Knight-Lieutenant of the Caron 2nd Infantry. I pray that one day that you may meet him. He may have my look but he is you in temperament. Not a day goes by when he does not visit the sept, and he has your voice. The people of Nightsong even call him the Singing Storm for he sings hymns to the Warrior as he fights. I hope to receive a letter from you but have learned to not expect one. My love remains yours, and yours alone, Delphine Storm

The memory of her mismatched green and brown eyes sprung forth unbidden in your mind as her words struck you like a hammer blow. You had loved her once, even promised to marry her in the foolishness of youth. A second son of a proud and ancient house could not marry a bastard. Broderick had tried to tell you more than once that such a marriage would be a boon for a landed knight but you had refused to consider it. Your family had sunk low and you had refused to let it sink further for something as ridiculous as love, no matter how your heart ached for it. But you’d had a son with her, and Broderick would bring up your lack of a male heir nearly every meeting of council that you had.

Lords with second and third sons, as well as those with meager holdings had begun to eye your daughters greedily. Your late wife, Lady Helen Horpe, had given you three daughters before passing away from the Great Spring Sickness. Broderick was hardly the type of man to make a capable heir given his fear of conflict. You had never met your bastard son but by all accounts and rumours he seemed the type of son a father would be proud to have were he trueborn. None of that mattered so long as his name was Storm. The only way for him to become a Borlund was by royal decree and you were in the good graces of neither King Aerys nor his hand, Bloodraven.

Your hands found themselves absent mindedly reaching for quill, ink and parchment before you stopped yourself short…

--- Reply to Delphine Storm? ---
>Yay
>Nay
>>
Vote will be open until 7:30pm MST as I need to cook dinner and what not.
>>
>>4586178
>Nay

Dismiss any foolish thoughts
>>
>>4586178
>>Yay
>>
>>4586178
>Nay
Let's see some other options. Perhaps this tournament will show us other options for furthering our house.

btw Joe, whose bastard daughter is this? Lord Caron?
>>
>>4586178
>>Yay
be toxic
>>
>>4586200
Delphine Caron is the bastard daughter of Ser Dillon Caron, the half brother of the current Lord of Nightsong.

I'll have to check their exact relations but I believe that Delphine and Ardrian are second cousins. Which to be fair in todays view is kind of icky but for the setting is well above the board when it comes to the incest issue.
>>
>>4586218
I got a couple of seconds cousins I would bang of they said yes, just saying.
>>
>>4586178
>Yay
Welcome back, Joe!

>>4586227
Based.
>>
>>4586178

Establishing ID.

I only phone post, so if ID changes I will link back to this post.

>Nay
>>
>>4586178
>>Yay
Good to see you again man. How close is this to our arms? Also, we’ve gotta find that sword.
>>
>>4586287
sword gone only poleaxe remains
>>
Nay - 3
>>4586182
>>4586200
>>4586273

Yay - 4
>>4586189
>>4586217
>>4586236
>>4586287

>>4586273
Roger that, thank you for clarifying.

>>4586287
That's pretty damn close. I hadnt imagined it with the green and grey cross but I like it.

>>4586305
The sword is long gone. If you all want to try and find it, Lord Mertyns might be worth talking to. He was the man who slew your father, and also the last man you know who might have seen it.

Anyways, moving onwards...

--- What to write to Delphine Storm? ---
>A declaration of your own feelings
>The organization of you visiting Nightsong
>The organization of herself and Larten visiting Stonegrove
>Something else (Write in)

Vote closes at 9pm MST
>>
>>4586319
>Something else (Write in)


tell her to stop writing as she is only hurting herself pointlessly over something that will never happen due to promises made out of youthful naivety and wishful thinking
>>
>>4586319
>>A declaration of your own feelings
Visiting one another seems a little sudden given we haven't even been reading her letters for however many years. Let's not act overhasty.

Also, I'm yet another player who posts from a dynamic IP so I'll link back to here if needed.
>>
>>4586319
>>A declaration of your own feelings
Nightsong is a good ways from the Rainwood, I'd hate to miss the tourney. Do want to visit her and our son though.
>>
>>4586319
Glad you like it! I couldn’t find any site where one of the options for coat of arms animals was a woodpecker. Anyway
>A declaration of your own feelings
>The organization of you visiting Nightsong

>>4586305
It’s less about us using it and more about making sure future generations can. It’s a matter of our house’s history. Sounds like we’ll get to ask about it at the tourney.
>>
>>4586319
>A declaration of your own feelings
>>
>>4586319
>The organization of you visiting Nightsong
>>
>>4586334
>>4586319
changing my vote to

>The organization of you visiting Nightsong
>>
>>4586319
>The organization of you visiting Nightsong
>>
A declaration of your own feelings - 4
>>4586340
>>4586345
>>4586356
>>4586363

The organization of you visiting Nightsong - 4
>>4586356
>>4586365
>>4586370
>>4586382

Tie game. Alright well I'll let this go for another 30 minutes. If there is no winner I'll roll for it as before.
>>
>>4586390
If it is still open, then here is your tie breaker.
A declaration of your own feelings

And to get myself into the habit, this is my old post. With any luck, I still have the same IP.>>4585991
>>
>>4586319
>>A declaration of your own feelings

Are bastards of bastards still called Storm?
>>
>>4586411
yes
>>
Alright I'll get writing here. This will be my last update for today but I have tomorrow off so I should be able to get through holding court done tomorrow.
>>
You had denied yourself the pleasure of her company for twenty years. You married a woman whom you had never met without complaint, and while the two of you had been fond of one another in the early years your previous marriage had soured when Lady Helen Horpe had failed to produce a son. You had done all that was expected of you and you would deny yourself no longer.

You were not a man to express your emotions openly. You hid them behind a mask of courtesy and as you began to write you struggled to find a way to express your feelings for her. Soon a small pile of ruined parchment cluttered your desk as you drafted your final copy of the letter.

Delphine, I have not forgotten our promise. You are still, as always, the thunder within my heart. Things have begun to change within the Rainwood. Tell Larten that I am proud of the man he has become and that one day I hope to meet him. I cannot say when but I look forward to seeing the both of you one day soon. Ser Ardrian Borlund

It was short and simple, but your words carried weight. You had called her the “storm of your heart” during your time in Nightsong. You had called her that during your first time together when you had conceived your child together. She had always been a stubborn and devoted woman, and at the very least she deserved to know that you had not lost your feelings for her even if you did not marry her. The boy that yet lived deep within you desired that more than anything but it was not something that was so easily manage. Even if you did decide to ask for her hand you would still need to speak with both Lord Mertyns and Lord Caron and convince them both of the merits of the match. Worst of all you would need to overcome your own feelings of pride. That you loved Delphine was certain, but whether you loved her more than House Borlund you could not say…

Green wax sealed the letter as you carefully affixed your seal to the parchment and blew on the wax to cool it. Broderick would send it on the morrow before you held court. Lightning flashed in the night once more and thunder rumbled across the sky as you blew out the candles that lit your solar so you could retire to your bedchamber to sleep. All the while, a different Storm remained at the forefront of your mind…

--- Break ---

Thanks for playing everyone. I’ll see you all tomorrow around the same time as I started today.
>>
>>4586500
thanks Joe
>>
>>4586500
Thanks for running!
>>
posting so I hopefully vote some time
>>
--- 24/05/217 ---
--- Stonegrove’s Great Hall ---

The lords seat in Stonegrove’s Great Hall was an uncomfortable one. It’s stone base seemed to be carved from the same piece of stone that made it’s floor while it’s back was carved into the shape of an old oak tree. The cushion you sat on was threadbare and worn and though you’d sat on it for hardly a moment you swore you could feel your back getting stiff. Looking outwards you saw how barren your hall looked. There were five hearths in great hall but only the one behind you was lit, leaving those who wished an audience with you to suffer in the damp and cold. No tapestries were hung on it’s ancient walls and the rafters were covered in dust and soot. From the corner of your eye you could even see a bird fluttering amidst them before landing in it’s nest.

You had been the first one in the hall and you would be the last to leave it. People slowly began to trickle in from their various apartments and other places of business. Your younger daughter Adalynn was the first of your family to join you. She glanced about the hall and seeing that it was empty gave you a warm hug by way of greeting. She was a true daughter of the Stormlands, fierce and determined despite the frailty of her health. She had fallen ill during the Great Spring Sickness and fought tooth and nail to survive but it had cost her. She had your look, with dark brown eyes and hair so dark it was almost black. She took her seat in the second chair on your left side and waited patiently with you.

Broderick was next to take his place as your right hand. It was not a position he enjoyed or excelled at but he served as competently as he was able. Then a tall man enter the hall from one of the guest entrances and you immediately took him for Ser Micah Morrigen. He was of an age with you by the wrinkles that were starting to appear on his face. He walked with the confidence and bearing of a man of noble blood and honour. His clothes were well cut and were coloured in rich greens with a dark grey and black cloak that was pinned with a raven broach carved from jet. He stood in place with impeccable posture as he waited for the proceedings to begin.

Next to enter the hall was the septon Broderick had told you about. He wore the simple habit of a man of faith and a scowl like had been given a roach to break his fast. He strode forward towards the centre of the hall and crossed his arms impatiently. Last were the smallfolk to trickle in through the great doors. They had not been given residence within the castle itself but instead in some of the empty timber structures that were nestled within. They numbered no more than seven. Four men, two women and a child, and they were all malnourished and thin. The shuffled forwards carefully with their eyes pointed towards the floor.
>>
The last person to enter the hall was your eldest daughter, Amelia. Her face was a mask of carefully neutral and flawless porcelain while her eyes sparkled like the sapphire waters between Cape Wrath and Tarth. You caught yourself tapping your fingers on the arms of your seat impatiently as she slowly walked and took her seat to your immediate left. She had worn the rich fabrics that the court of Kings Landing had bought for her during her time as a hostage there, as well as a rope of delicate rose coloured pearls about her thin neck. It was a flagrant display of wealth in an otherwise impoverished castle that did not sit well with you when your people looked as hungry as the smallfolk before you did. Your father had taught your elder brother, and by extension yourself, that the smallfolk were destined for short lives with few luxuries, but as a man of noble birth and a knight it was your duty to see that they were protected from the worst of their sufferings.

Your entire court stood before you and it numbered a grand total of twelve souls inside a hall that could fit two hundred, plus another fifty or so if crammed. The small crowd looked as if it could be swallowed up by the empty space. You snapped your fingers and a servant brought forth a small wooden plate with a scrape of bread and pinch of salt…

--- Who did you wish to hear from first? ---
>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
>The unnamed Septon, a man of the gods should be held in reverence
>The smallfolk, they may have been of low birth but they were still your people
>>
>>4586971
>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
>>
Voting will be open until 1:30PM MST
>>
>>4586971
>>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy

>>4586025
me
>>
>>4586971
>>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
Mostly because he's the only one expecting to be heard first. The others are probably used to lords treating them like this.
>>
>>4586971
>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
We can't be a jackass against him. Also he was the first to enter so it is only reasonable that he is the first to be heard.
>>
>>4586971
>The smallfolk, they may have been of low birth but they were still your people
>>
>>4586971
>>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
>>
>>4586971
>>The smallfolk, they may have been of low birth but they were still your people
>>
>>4586971
>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
First by station is heard first. Simple.
>>
>>4586971
>Ser Micah Morrigan, a man of noble blood deserved such courtesy
get the unpleasantness out of the way
>>
“Ser Micah Morrigan of Crows Nest, present yourself.” Your tone was neutral but polite. Ser Micah strode forth from the crowd and approached the dais where you sat and kneeled at the base of the four steps. The servant with the plate brought forth the bread and salt and Ser Micah took a small pinch of the salt and sprinkled it on the crust before eating the small piece of bread in a single bite.

“Ser Micah, I welcome you as a guest within my halls.”

Although I expect you shall make me regret my courtesy…

Ser Micah bowed his head low and you could see the crown of his head through his thinning light brown hair.

“Ser Ardrian, I thank you for the bread and salt. It is good to know that you are a man of honour and tradition, even despite the reputation of your family.”

For how could a man, destitude and descended from traitors, possess honour…

“You are too courteous Ser Micah. Now what business brings you to Stonegrove?”

“My Lord-Brother has sent me with the offerings of a marriage pact between our families. He seeks a betrothal of your firstborn daughter so recently returned to you and that of mine own nephew, and his thirdborn son, Ser Cassius Morrigan.” Ser Micah turned his eyes on Amelia. “I can see that the rumours about your loveliness were lies my lady. You exceed them in every capacity. Ser Cassius is a good man, and of a similar age as you my lady. Strong, chivalrous and handsome. He sends you this as a token of his affection…”

Amelia began to blush prettily and brought up a hand to cover her smile in a polite fashion as Ser Micah climbed the four steps to present her with a broach that was of a similar make to his own. A fashionable silver pin in which was set a piece of jet resembling the crow of House Morrigan. He retreated back to his place below the dais and looked to you once more…

“Ser Ardrian, I hope I do not presume to much but my nephew is smitten with tales of your daughters beauty…”

Or perhaps he is smitten with the thought of her inheritance…

“Of course not Ser Micah. It may be improper to point out but my house is impoverished. It would be most discourteous to accept such a betrothal without making clear the financial state House Borlund is in. The dowry…”

“Can be discussed at a later date with Lord Miles. My Lord-Brother only wishes to make his intent known and a betrothal is not yet a marriage. He will expect you to travel to Crows Nest to discuss terms as well as meet Cassius if you should accept his offer of betrothal…

--- How does Ardrian respond? ---
>You would offer to host Ser Micah for another evening, and speak with him privately about the matter (Persuasion Test)
>You would not betroth your daughter to a man you had never met, let alone never heard of. You would decline.
>The offer was a generous one and such things were difficult to find. You would accept.

Vote will end at 3:00pm MST
>>
>>4587107
>>You would offer to host Ser Micah for another evening, and speak with him privately about the matter (Persuasion Test)
>>
>>4587107
>You would offer to host Ser Micah for another evening, and speak with him privately about the matter (Persuasion Test)
If this man were to inherit our land. It should be a man we deem worthy.
Of course don't tell him this, but we don't need a shit husband for our daughter and a shit lord for our land.
>>
>>4587107
>You would offer to host Ser Micah for another evening, and speak with him privately about the matter (Persuasion Test)

We will need time to think and maybe even see the lad ourself first.
>>
>>4587107
>The offer was a generous one and such things were difficult to find. You would accept.

>>4587120
>If this man were to inherit our land
that's providing we don't have a son later or... there is the bastard
>>
>>4587126
Good luck with getting a bastard to gain our lands with a king and other lords actively disliking us.
>>
>>4587128
it's the first thread, things can change
>>
>>4587126
I thought about this option. It's unlikely, so we need a back-up. We are in a bad position so we need to play our card right and keep an eye open for option.
>>
>>4587143
Go to the tourny. Meet a girl with a HUGE inheritance, Put a baby boy in her. Profit,
>>
>>4587146
by inheritance you mean tits right?
>>
>>4587153
ofcourse
>>
>>4587146
Another bastard. Good idea. First find a woman who would marry us (has to be of birth so our prospects aren't great.) We already have a bastard that we would be proud of. It may be better to put our chips on him.

Also don't forget. We pious.
>>
>>4587159
we marry her ofcourse you dummy
>>
>>4587159
Best case I could think of would be a still of age widow. We could have Broderick do some investigating to see who might be available.
>>
>>4587159
I wouldn't say Ardrian is pious anymore. In his youth he was very, very devout. But between having his father die, his elder brother being forced to take the black, his family sword being lost, losing one of his daughters as a hostage and both his wife and his youngest girl to the Great Spring Sickness...his faith was shattered. Is it something he could regain? Sure, but it's going to take some work.
>>
>>4587107
>>The offer was a generous one and such things were difficult to find. You would accept.
>>
>>4587169
The name "Borlund" strikes me as more First Men than Andal. Maybe we could convert to the Old Gods?
>>
>>4587169
a pious woman could do the trick with huge tits
>>
>>4587107
>>The offer was a generous one and such things were difficult to find. You would accept.
given our poor state and terrible reputation, there would be few offers for her.
>>
How about we dont just promise her away like that from the first meeting without knowing anything about the guy.
>>
Place your votes everyone on which women we should have.
>Tits
>Ass
>>
>>4587196
anon, you're going to start a samefag war on the very first thread
>>
>>4587196
Woman*
>>
>>4587181
I haven't completed the House History yet because House Borlund of Stonegrove was founded during the Rhoynar Invasion nearly 1200 years ago but you are onto something there about the name anyways.

Stonegrove actually has a weirwood but it's been dead for a thousand years and has long since turned to stone. That's actually where the castle got it's name from.

Alright looks like inviting him for a longer stay is going to take it. One last short vote before I get writing here.

--- What specialty to use for the persuasion test? ---
>Bargain (speaking about matters of coin. Ardrian's forte but does little to improve relations)
>Charm (a weaker specialty but if successful will build relations with Ser Micah)

I'll call this vote at 3:30pm MST
>>
>>4587202
>Charm (a weaker specialty but if successful will build relations with Ser Micah)
>>
>>4587198
Ow shit. Didn't expect samefag war to happen so fast.
>>
>>4587202
>Bargain (speaking about matters of coin. Ardrian's forte but does little to improve relations)
Can't risk it. These fucks already took from us.
>>
>>4587202
>>Charm (a weaker specialty but if successful will build relations with Ser Micah)
Was it not a tie joe?
>>
>>4587202
establishing ID vote

Nice to see you back Joe!
>>
>>4587199
you had it right the first time
>>
>>4587202
>Charm (a weaker specialty but if successful will build relations with Ser Micah
>>
>>4587202
>>Charm (a weaker specialty but if successful will build relations with Ser Micah)
>>
>>4587107
>You would offer to host Ser Micah for another evening, and speak with him privately about the matter (Persuasion Test)
>>
>>4587214
That's our Dornish influence talking.
>>
>>4587220
gonna marry a redhaired riverlander girl with huge tits and childbearing hips. You just wait and see
>>
>>4587202
>Bargain (speaking about matters of coin. Ardrian's forte but does little to improve relations)
CREAM
>>
>>4587211
Yup I just cant count past the fingers on one hand apparently.

>>4587113
>>4587120
>>4587122

>>4587126
>>4587173
>>4587187

My bad. In that case I'll combine the two in order to make that work. Gotta shake some of the rust out here.
>>
>>4587202
>Charm (a weaker specialty but if successful will build relations with Ser Micah)

Time for smooth talk
>>
>>4587221
Lot's of girls with daddy problems in the riverlands.

>>4587214
Also I LOL'd
>>
>>4587227
>>4587219
he was a bit late but if you count him then it breaks the tie towards the persuasion
>>
>>4587236
Just combine both by tentatively agreeing and get a lower charm DC for him to stay.
>>
Charm - 5
>>4587203
>>4587211
>>4587216
>>4587217
>>4587231

Bargain - 2
>>4587209
>>4587225

Alright I'll need 4d6 for Persuasion Charm.

Ser Micah Morrigan Disposition: Neutral
Persuasion Modifer: +/- 0
DC: 12

>>4587220
>>4587221
>>4587234
Is nobody considering a Reach girl with VAST tracts of lands? My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
>>
>>4587251
Would settle with a Reachgirl if she has the same quialitíes
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 4, 3 = 16 (4d6)

>>4587251
bo1 here we go
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 2, 3 = 8 (4d6)

>>4587251
>Is nobody considering a Reach girl with VAST tracts of lands? My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
How vast of land tracts are we talking?
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 4, 3 = 16 (4d6)

>>4587251
>>
>>4587255
Please ignore my roll. Thank you!
>>4587254
Please consider his. Thank you!
>>
>>4587254
Nice.

Alright cool. I'm going to get writing!
>>
>>4587255
big, fertile valley to call our own
>>
>>4587263
KEK
>>
>>4587263
with two large mounds to nestle between
>>
>>4587269
Maybe we are Cooming too hard?
>>
>>4587276
We are just having a bit of fun while we wait for the update
>>
>>4587279
Then it's okay.
>>
>>4587279
it sure would be funny if our chosen woman with large tracts of land is infertile
>>
>>4587290
Fermented crab can help with this.
>>
>>4587297
It would help with us, but not the woman.
>>
The offer was a generous one. Perhaps almost too generous but it would be a foolish thing to turn it away all the same. For the son of a Lord, even a third son, to marry the daughter of a landed knight. It was a boon…

And should this Cassius Morrigan be anything less than Ser Micah claims him to be…it is as he says. A betrothal is not a marriage.

“Ser Micah, I would be a fool if I were to turn away such an offer.”

The man smiled and bowed courteously exposing the bald crown on the top of his head once more. A small squeak of delight came from your daughter but she soon regained her composure and smoothed down her dress.

“Not a fool at all Ser. I could hardly find fault in a man for wishing to protect a daughter as lovely as her.”

“Indeed Ser Micah. So while I accept your offer of a betrothal I must also extend you an invitation to stay in Stonegrove for another night. The weather in autumn makes for miserable travel and I would speak to you at length about the man to whom may daughter should marry.”

--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Persuasion: Charm Test ---
Ser Micah Morrigan Disposition: Neutral
Persuasion Modifier: +/- 0
Rolled 16 vs DC: 12
One Degree of Success
Result: Test Passed

As if on cue a thunder clap threatened to shake the walls of the great hall and Ser Micah looked about as if to find an excuse not to stay. He soon conceded to stay another night in Stonegrove.

“You honour me Ser Ardrian. I should be happy to stay within your halls for another night.”

“Excellent. Broderick, if you would be so kind as to escort Ser Micah back to his chambers and inform the kitchen that I shall require food for two tonight.”

Broderick was on his feet at once so as to carry out your will but Ser Micah protested in a polite a matter as might be expected.

“There is no need Ser Ardrian, I can find my own way back to my chambers with little difficulty.”

And allow you to see just how empty and barren Stonegrove truly is? I think not.

“And I would be a poor host to allow you to do so. Broderick, if you will please.”

He nodded and walked by you but not before you could whisper in his ears that you would need the freshest food in the kitchens for the meal you would sup tonight. Broderick simply nodded sagely and beckoned for Ser Micah to follow leaving the septon and the smallfolk…

--- Whom to hear next? ---
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>The smallfolk, surely your own people must come before a stranger, even one of faith.
>>
>>4587311
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
I know we're not that pious anymore but it still would feel wrong to not listen to the septon first.
>>
>>4587311
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.

This is just the natural order.
>>
>>4587311
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
It is sadly the pecking order we must follow.
>>
Fuck I keep forgetting to include the timefare. Gotta start making it a habit.

Voting stops at 4:45pm MST
>>
>>4587311
>>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>>
>>4587311
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>>
>>4587311
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>>
>>4587311
>>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>>
>>4587339
id changed again, this is me >>4587173
>>
>>4587311
>>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>>
>>4587311
>The septon, surely a man of faith should be seen before those of common stock.
>>
A universal showing for the septon. Alright I'll get writing
>>
“Septon, it has been too long since a man of the Seven was blessed Stonegrove with their presence. Please come forward and speak.”

The man looked older than you but that could have simply been from the furrows in his brow from his scowl. His habit was a simple one of good wool and well-made leather boots that told you immediately he was no begging brother. His beard was thin and scraggly and his hair was uncut but he was still a handsome man in spite of his disheveled appearance. When the serving man came forth to offer him bread and salt he away the plate with the palm of his hands.

“I will not be needing that my child, I have no intentions of being a guest here.”

The servant looked back to you and you nodded your head for them to retreat to their proper place.

“Ser Ardrian Borlund, my name is Septon Medwick and I serve at the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing. Many holy sites were left abandoned or in ruins following the Blackfyre Rebellion and my most recent task was to investigate the abbey that once prospered on your lands.”

“I am familiar with the state of the Abbey, Father. It was sacked when Stonegrove was under siege during those rebellions. There has been no coin to spare in my coffers to rebuild it.”

“Yes, I am aware that it remains a ruin. Did you know that your people believe it to be haunted by the spirits of the holy men slain there?”

“I did not.” You said the words flatly. The mans tone was accusatory and the hairs on the back of your neck began to bristle. You were a man of old and noble blood, and the Knight of Stonegrove besides. Even a septon should take care to speak respectfully to a man such as yourself.

“I take it that you are unaware of the hermit who has been living there for the past twenty years then?”

Your only answer was a curt nod of the head.

“A holy man, ancient and wizened but kept alive by his faith in the Seven. He claims to be the former Abbot. He spoke most highly of you in your youth and gave many a reason why you had not come to see his home rebuilt…”

Your mouth moved on it’s own accord and mouthed the words Father Boniface. The septon nodded his head in a short and jerky motion.

“Yes, that is his name. He may have the Mothers mercy in him to forgive you, but I have only the Fathers judgement. You possess a sept and the ruins of an abbey in your domain and yet the sept remains empty. Your servants say that you no longer pray as you once did. They say that you are no longer a man of faith. I will hear your confession in your sept this very evening Ser, is that clear?”

--- Ser Ardrian’s response? ---
>You would humbly accept Septon Medwick’s decree
>You would accept the decree, but in your own time
>You would deny him. No man, be he holy or not, commanded you in your own home
>>
Voting will be open until 6:30pm MST
>>
>>4587450
>You would accept the decree, but in your own time
>>
>>4587450
>>You would accept the decree, but in your own time
>>
>>4587450
>>
>>4587450
>>You would accept the decree, but in your own time
ma bad
>>
>>4587251
HDW is dead. Long live HRW and her massive, fertile, nourishing tracts of land.
>>4587450
>>You would humbly accept Septon Medwick’s decree
>>
Alright I'll need 4d6 for Persuasion: Convince there please.

DC: 15
>>
>>4587450
>>You would accept the decree, but in your own time
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 5, 3 = 16 (4d6)

>>4587522
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 4, 2 = 12 (4d6)

>>4587522
>>
>>4587450
I think we should be humble
>>
>>4587528
we are just a grumpy middle aged man who has serious economic, social and family problems
>>
>>4587526
And a single degree of success takes it. Septon Medwick won't be happy bout it but he'll live with it. Cool. Just going to eat dinner fast and I'll get writing!
>>
>>4587526
Nice
>>
I looked at the character sheets and the only person not on it is us
>>
>>4587589
it's the first tab. It probably opened on the secondary characters tab
>>
>>4587592
Ahh. Got it, thanks. Yeah it opened up on the secondary characters tab
>>
Your eyes blinked almost as if in shock. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to speak to you in such a manner. Your father had commanded you in such a way when he still lived, as had your elder brother Abner when his temper flared. Lord Mertyns had spoken to you like that before as well as was his right as your liege, but he was an old man now and it had been years since you had heard him raise his voice. You felt your face flush red with embarrassment at being talked down to and were briefly thankful that Ser Micah was no longer present in the hall.

--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Persuasion: Convince Test ---
Septon Medwick’s Disposition: Dislike
Persuasion Modifier: -3
DC: 12 - 15
Rolled 16 vs DC: 15
One Degree of Success
Result: Test Passed

“Septon, I suggest you speak to me with more care in the future. You may be a man of faith but I am the Knight of Stonegrove and while under my roof my word is law. You may take up residence in the sept for the time being but I will come when I see fit as is my right. If you wish to hear my confession it shall be at a time of my own choosing.”

The furrows in the septons brow deepened even further and the muscles in his jaw flexed as he ground his teeth in irritation. His exhale was almost an audible growl that continued on into his words.

“Your roof lies beneath the open sky and that is the roof of the gods. Everything, and everyone, falls under their laws. Yet I would hear why this place has fallen to godlessness when it is known by the Most Devout that it was once a beacon of piety in the Rainwood. I shall await you in the sept Ser Ardrian, but do not tarry long for my patience already grows thin.”

Septon Medwick made the sign of the seven pointed star before turning on his heels abruptly and leaving by way of the large main doors. He flung the two of them open and left them as they lay as he made his way out into the storm to find the sept. A servant looked to you questioningly and after a quick nod he took off to escort the Septon to the seven sided stone construct within the walls of Stonegrove. He could stew in the sept for the rest of the night for all you cared. No man spoke to you in that way beneath your own roof. The small joy you had from the thought of Septon Medwick sitting in the cold and dark of the Sept was taken when out of the corner of your peripheral vision you saw one of your smallfolk beginning to creep back into sight.
>>
“Yes, come forward. I grow tired of this already. Come forward….”

The whole group shuffled forward shyly and one man in particular seemed to lead them after a fashion. He was the first to take the pinch of salt and crust of bread and he coughed into his hand to clear his throat before introducing himself.

“Good day Ser Ardrian.”

“Good day. What is your name?”

“Jurgen, Ser.”

“And what brings you to my hall today Jurgen?”

“If you don’t know already than I’m guessin’ our last two men never made it here.”

“You are among the first to visit Stonegrove in sometime. Is there trouble within my lands?”

“There is Ser. There’s been something takin’ people in the night Ser.”

“Something? Do you know what this something is? Or that it simply isn’t people wandering off in search of more prosperous lands?”

Many and more have left over the years in search of service to other lords and knights. Why should you and yours be any different…

“Tell him Curt.”
A thin and gangly looking young man came forward and wrung his hands together in a nervous fashion that reminded you of Broderick. He struggled to find his words until Jurgen smacked him on the back softly.
>>
“I’m…well I’m a hunter Ser. I ain’t never take no deer mind you, only grouse and squirrel. But not a month past I found the last two who went missin’. A pair of girls from our village. They were…”

“They were mangled. Torn apart Ser.” Jurgen finished the sentence for the younger man.

“And I assume you believe these other disappearances to be connected?”

“I reckon they are Ser.”

“How many have gone missing?”

“The children started going missing ‘round eight moons past. It’s only been children and women so far. That why we brought ours with us Ser. Please, we need your help…”

---Any further questions for Jurgen? ---

--- What to do about the missing women and children? ---
>Send Jurgen and his neighbours back to their village with your unit of Trained Infantry
>Send Jurgen and his neighbours back to their village with your unit of Trained Archers
>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Infantry
>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Archers

Vote will be open until 10pm MST
>>
>>4587641
>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Infantry

Some killing of outlaws might cheer us up
>>
>>4587641
>>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Infantry
>>
>>4587641
>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Infantry
seems to me that we can ill afford to lose population due to inaction. We need everything we got.
>>
>>4587641
>>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Infantry
>>
>>4587641
one question for Jurgen
If people started going missing 8 moons ago why did they wait this long to come for help? seems like after a couple people going missing they should have came forward
>>
>>4587670
My apologies if I didn't make that clear enough. Jurgen's "village" (it's a small community made up of three families and about 30 people) has sent two people to Stonegrove over the past eight months. For whatever reason, neither of them made it to meet with Ardrian.

I'll be plugging away at the House Fortunes/Stats sheet this week for you guys, but Stonegrove is very thinly populated. Overall, the rolling for the house went quite poorly with it's defense being the only solid stat that it had.

Defense: 30
Influence: 10
Lands: 13
Law: 20
Population: 5
Power: 15
Wealth: 11
>>
I lied, more questions
How many have gone missing?
These last two are the first that have been found?
Lastly, we should inform Curt he's going with us to show us where they were found. We may need his sense of the land.
>>
>>4587678
ah yes, I get it now, they did send emissaries that also went missing. thanks Joe
>>
>>4587678
Ouch on the stats, House has been through some rough times it seems
>>
>>4587678
Did you have the idea for the story and family in mind before you started rolling or was it based on the stats?
I'd have assumed the former but mostly low except a high defense is just a perfect coincidence for a formerly great house reduced near penury left with just the empty shell of the family castle.
>>
>>4587641
>>You would accompany them back personally with your unit of Trained Infantry
>>
>>4587687
Haha no I came up with the idea once I'd rolled for the stats and events. It all fell together quite nicely actually. For those curious there were 5 "Events" which were as follows...

Glory
Invasion
Ascent
Infrastructure
Defeat

The most recent defeat obviously meant the house had to have fought for the Blackfyres and lost.
>>
“How many have gone missing?” Jurgen strains to think for a moment before counting on his fingers and muttering names under his breath.

“Eleven, Ser. Five women and four girls. Plus the two young men that was sent to tell you about it.”

“And these last two girls that were found? Were they the first bodies you discovered?” The whole group of peasants nodded solemnly.

“They were. At first we thought it might be wolves but we ain’t heard much howlin’ as of late.”

“I ain’t never seen a wolf leave a body like that…” Curt chimed in meekly, almost as if he hadn’t meant to speak at all.

“Tell me what you mean by that Curt.”

His eyes sprung open when he realized that you were speaking to him and he looked to Jurgen until the older man nodded towards him.

“It’s just… they were ripped apart like it were some wild beast but…no meat was gone.” He had grown pale talking about it but he continued. “No wolf leaves a corpse like that, nor a bear, nor even a fox.”

But men do…


Amelia gasped horrifically at the description and had gone an even paler shade of white than she normally was, meanwhile Adalynn was sat beside her in stoic silence. It was a source of pride to you that your younger daughter was so strong. If you had to choose who would make a more worthy heir it would almost certainly be Adalynn even despite her frail health.

The difference a childhood can make…
>>
You stood from your seat and raised your voice so that there would be none in the hall who did not hear. You had been blessed with a deep and masculine voice. A true bass the septon at Nightsong had told you, something few men were blessed with. It was as deep as a warhorn and when roused to anger sounded like stone cracking beneath a mountain.

“Here me now Jurgen. Your people have no need to fear any longer. I shall escort you and your people back to your home personally at the head of my infantry and we shall not leave until whatever or whomever is caught and your people are given justice. We shall leave in three days time at dawn.”

Jurgen and the rest wore no smiles but Curt looked back at you with hope in his eyes.

“Curt, when we arrive there I will need to see the place where you discovered the bodies. Prepare yourself for that. Understand?”

“As you say milord.”

I am not a lord, only a landed knight…

A fire was burning in your chest as you called your court to an end. You left without so much as another word to your daughters and instead headed to remnants of your library to search for any maps you could find of your lands…

--- Break ---
>>
Alright I'm going to call it quits here for tonight. Thanks for playing as always!

It feels really good to be back writing again, and thanks to all of you who have welcomed me back. The next run will likely be on this coming Sunday, but I'll be popping back in to drop the links to any documents I manage to finish this week for you guys.

If you have any questions for me I'll answer them then, if not, I'll see you all on Sunday so we can begin with a dinner with Ser Micah.
>>
>>4587731
thanks joe
>>
I take it from our daughters reaction she is well aware who her betrothed is?

Might wanna question her how she is so familiar with him
>>
>>4587731
We will need plate or half plate armor for the joust. Right?
>>
>>4587731
thanks Joe. Really nice having an asoiaf quest again
>>
Establishing ID
This is neat, not personally familiar with ASOIAF but this kind of stuff is always fun.
>>
>>4587738
She is actually somewhat aware of who he is. He served in the Red Keep as a cup bearer and squire, but the two of them only ever met a single time. Her reaction is more because of how much she wishes to return to a more luxurious life. Returning home to an impoverished, wet and damp castle was a large culture shock for her.

>>4587748
That is correct. The choice will be up to you guys but Mistwood has a smith. Nothing fancy mind you, but you'll be bale to purchase a suit of common level armour there.

Alright I have the House Fortunes sheet made up for you guys so feel free to take a look! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

House Fortunes/Stats - https://1drv.ms/x/s!Am-XCwIRrb9HiTzBU0oqe5yQDAOe?e=Dj69tZ

Additionally, I'll be using both of the following resources for the quest.

Out of Strife: Prosperity - https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Z39XLNclENr5L24d43jnU7jNLvwWmbfs5rPwi_FVHs/edit#heading=h.hufs7198wrzc

Fathers Homebrew - https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Z39XLNclENr5L24d43jnU7jNLvwWmbfs5rPwi_FVHs/edit#heading=h.hufs7198wrzc

Please let me know if those links aren't working for you guys and I'll see if I can get them up and running.
>>
>>4588155
Girl think she is too good for her father and his home then ?
>>
Out of Strife: Prosperity - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r9UdFUTu_N3elim-1T2X7HV1WJQ2IMu7/view?usp=sharing

I copied the homebrew link twice.
>>
>>4587678
man that is miserable even for a landed knight. That Cassius boy might truly be smitten at our daughter instead of her paltry inheritance.
>>
>>4588181
He is a third son and might have the backing of his family.
>>
>>4588181
Well it definitely isn't great, but such is the price of treason.

Also because I don't have a family tree completed I thought I ought to show you guys Ardrian's siblings and his relations with each of them.

Allicent Borlund - his eldest half-sister. She was married to Lord Melvyn Swann before House Borlund fell from grace. Their relationship is icy at best seeing as she was married at 16 when Ardrian was only 4, plus she doesn't want to associate with her former name.

Megain Borlund - his next eldest half-sister. She passed away before Ardrian was born.

Melyssa Borlund - his youngest half-sister. She was married to the second son of the lord of House Follard in the Crownlands. Her marriage was miserable as Ser Terrence is a philanderer. She passed away a few years ago but was always friendly with Ardrian.

Abner Borlund - Ardrian's elder brother. In many ways he was the perfect heir for Lord Atticus. He fought alongside his father during the Blackfyre Rebellion and survived, but was forced to take the black where he now serves as a lieutenant to the First Ranger at the Shadow Tower.

Ada Borlund - his elder sister. She passed away at the age of eleven the year before Ardrian was sent to foster in Nightsong.

Broderick Borlund - his younger brother and only sibling he has close relations with to this day.
>>
>>4588197
so he has one living sister that doesn't like him, a shamed brother in the Night's Watch, and the stutterer. Talk about feeling alone in this world.
>>
>>4588198
And his oldest daughter want nothing to do with the place they live and is looking for the first chance to get away and his second daughter is of poor health. Not to mention he lost his third daughter to the sickness.

And for what it seems, his relationship with his wife was not warm
>>
Also I forgot to include one thing that would be common knowledge for Ardrian which is the political make up of the Stormlands following the rebellion.

So to my understanding there are three main regions to the Stormlands. The Rainwood, the Kingswood, and the Dornish Marches.

The Dornish Marches almost universally leaned towards supporting Daemon Blackfyre because of their hatred for Dorne.

The Kingswood region was the opposite, containing Storms End and being close to Kings Landing they largely supported Daeron Targaryen.

The Rainwood however was largely divided on the issue and the loyalty of the houses varies wildly.

Of course there were exceptions to the rule, but as far as a general sense goes...that is how the political battlefield lies.
>>
>>4588158
Can't really blame her, since we also think we're too good for this.
>>
>>4588187
Status wise, we're just barely above hedge knights. He must have some feelings for her to agree to it.
>>
>>4588313
Not true, we are above unlanded knights as well. The fact that we own land in itself is worth something
>>
>>4588313
For a third son anything is better than nothing
>>
>>4587687
>>4588668
Damn dynamic IP
>>
Just posting before I start reading so by the time there's a run I can participate in my votes count
>>
Happy New Years there everyone! I'll be doing a run tomorrow at about 2-3pm MST. See you all then
>>
>>4591121
Happy new years. You got any character or land sheets you could update us with ?
>>
>>4591730
+1
>>
>>4591730
I've got the character sheets here >>4586008

The holdings of the house are in the House Fortunes/Stats sheet that can be found here >>4588155

If you are looking for anything more specific information and/or descriptions I'll answer as best I can.
>>
An unfamiliar vigor possessed your step as you strode the empty halls of Stonegrove. The tension could be felt in the air, as if you were waiting for the next bolt of lightning during a particularly fierce storm. Men from the other regions of Westeros said the temperament of the lords and knights of the Stormlands were as dark and stormy as their weather and there was a certain truth to that. You’d let your enforcement of the law slip in recent years as you had focused all of your efforts on ways to rid yourself of your reparations, but such things were at an end now. Whomever these sadists were, they would be found and they would face justice.

The library of Stonegrove was an impressively sized room on the third floor of the Old Keep. Wooden shelves complimented stone grooves cut into the wall although they were largely filled with empty space and cobwebs instead of old tomes and scrolls. Three alcoves jutted out of the north facing wall where there had once been desks and chairs so that a scholar might read by the natural light let in by the arched windows set into the stone. There was even a small set of chambers for a custodian hidden towards the back of the room but the door remained shut and the rooms within as empty as the shelves.

A finger trailed on one shelf leaving a trail through the dust as you searched for a map of the domains of your house. You found a few scrolls pertaining to various subjects that contained a detailed family tree of House Borlund since the time of Aegon the Conqueror but a map momentarily eluded you. After the better part of twenty minutes you found a lonely piece of vellum on the bottom of a corner shelf and when you unrolled it found what you were looking for. It was an old map from the time of your great grandfather , Lord Gawain Borlund, who was known as the “Roadmaker” for his construction of the Rainroad that crossed much of his domain. A shot of shame and anger ran through as you placed the map on a small and uneven table and you stared at the extent of the land your family had once controlled.

The domain of House Borlund had once controlled a vast majority of the interior of Cape Wrath. It’s western border extended to meet House Swann’s and the River Slayne while in the east it met, and surpassed in size, those of House Mertyns of Mistwood and House Rogers of Amberly. Finally in the North it stretched towards the mountains where House Morrigan’s seat of Crows Nest was nestled amongst the cliffs of the eastern reaches of the Red Mountains. Your family had once been the Lords of the Rainwood, a title that now belonged to your liege, and your lands now extended only for a day or two in any direction from Stonegrove.
>>
Your finger traced the map from Stonegrove to a few of the hamlets and small towns that were rightfully yours but the village that the smallfolk had hailed from was absent as you had suspected it would be. Such unnamed villages and crofters didn’t make it onto the maps of cartographers being of such little importance. You would have remember to ask Jordan if his village even had a name.

I think his name was Jordan…or perhaps it was Jarvis?

It was an unimportant detail, they were beneath you on a personal scale. What mattered was that they were yours and someone was preying on them like a stray wolf on a flock of sheep, and like any shepherd it was your duty to protect your flock and eliminate the threat. This map wasn’t as detailed as you would have liked but you noticed that there was a cave drawn to the north of Stonegrove. If the village was in that direction then it may be a spot for these vermin to hide whatever they may be. If this village was any other direction than you would simply have to root them out with fire and steel as your father would have done.

--- Stonegroves Solar ---

The bread that was placed on the clay plate was still warm when a serving girl entered the solar and placed one before you and one before Ser Micah Morrigan. A small spot of mould could be seen on the butter that had been smeared over the thick crust but seeing as your orders had been followed this would be the freshest butter you had in your stores. The boiled pork had been vaguely seasoned with a small crack of black pepper but it wasn’t nearly enough to cover the taste of the salt that had been used to preserve it. Lastly the vegetables, a medley of carrots, peas and cabbage, had boiled and far too soft for your liking but Ser Micah ate the humble meal without complaint.

“I must extend my thanks once more for your hospitality Ser Ardrian. This storm is most ghastly…”

“You may stay as long as you wish Ser. I should say at least until this storm breaks.” A thunder clap rumbled overhead. This storm was but a mild one for this time of year but you saw no reason to correct your guest. Crows Nest was farther north and hidden away to the north in the eastern reaches of the Red Mountains where storms rarely gathered.

“My most humble thanks once more Ser. I do not know how you deal with such weather, I feel as if the damp has sunk into my very bones.”

It’s named the Rainwood for a reason you fool. It’s simply a part of life here.

“I shall make sure that there is a strong fire in your chambers hearth when you return Ser. It is the best way to drive the damp chill from your bones.”

And wood is nearly the only thing that I have a plenty to spare on you
>>
The niceties went back and forth for a time before you were brought a bottle of wine from your cellars. It was a tart wine of no particular vintage that you recognized as being from the riverlands. You’d always had a knack for such things and you let the wine sit on your tongue for a moment before swallowing. It was not the cider that you preferred to drink but your stores had long run dry of such luxuries and you made do.

“If you will excuse my saying so Ser Ardrian, your daughter truly is a lovely sight to behold. My nephew spoke of their chance meeting in Kings Landing and said she was the most beautiful maid in Kings Landing. I can see the worth in his words now.”

“She is a beautiful young maiden. She takes after her mother in that regard.”

Ser Micah laughed politely at that and raised his wine cup to you before taking a swallow of the wine. You watched his face carefully but his features did not betray him if he found the vintage poor.

“Ser Micah, I would hear the story of this fateful meeting between Ser Cassius and my own dear Amelia. If you have daughters yourself I am sure you well know how they refuse to tell their fathers anything after a certain age.”

“I am all too familiar Ser. I once had two but one died in the spring. Jocelyn is my eldest and she is my treasure. A lady of eight and ten. She serves in Crows Nest as a Lady in Waiting for my Lord-Brothers wife Lady Sybelle Mallery. But as for the tale of their meeting, I can only repeat the tale as my nephew told me.”

“I should hear it all the same Ser.”

“As you wish Ser. To hear Cassius tell the story it was in his final days in King’s Landing. He had won his spurs during a squires tourney at the hand of King Aerys himself a month before hand and was attending his king in court as a new made knight when he called for wine. A royal cupbearer brought it forth and he was smitten by the young maids beauty. When he asked her for his name she told him and he vowed that one day he would marry her.”

Ser Micah Morrigan shook his head and drained his glass of riverland wine before continuing.

“It’s a most whimsical story Ser and in truth, at least to my ears, sounds more like a song. But that is the tale I was told.”

A most whimsical song indeed. Could a man as foolish as that truly be a worthy “heir”…

“I shall have to inquire after Amelia’s telling of the tale. But Ser, if I may in turn be so bold, I would ask you of your opinion of this betrothal and of your nephew…

--- Can I get 4d6 for Persuasion please ---
DC: 9

For each degree of Success, Ser Micah will answer one additional question
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 2, 4 = 13 (4d6)

>>4592702
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 3, 4 = 14 (4d6)

>>4592702
>>
>>4592707
One Degrees of Success

Alright so Ser Micah will tell you his rough opinion on the betrothal and his nephew, as well as one other specific question.

If you guys have any suggestions for him feel free to throw them out. It will be open to suggestions until 3:00pm MST
>>
>>4592702
fuck it ill roll
>>
>>4592711
A question for you Joe, in the event Amelia inherits the house which name will she take?
>>
>>4592714
Now that is a question I can't really answer yet.

For this "betrothal" to become a marriage Ardrian will first have to speak with his liege and make sure Lord Martyn consents, and then travel to Crows Nest to negotiate with Lord Miles Morrigan.

It isn't unheard of for men to take the name of their wife to prevent a family from dying out but that won't be an easy thing to bargain for.
>>
>>4592711
Maybe we could ask about setting up a trade deal with this new found marriage alliance. Ardrian remarked that about all he has to offer is wood to keep the room warm. But we do have a Dense Forest in our domain. Maybe we could start selling off some of that to generate some wealth, help us get back on our feet.

If they already have access to that kind of thing, perhaps they could introduce us to a house further inland that doesn't.
>>
>>4592714
Not gonna happen.
>>
>>4592702
Ask about dowry, How much would we expect to pay ?
>>
>>4592726
We should work on it then. It's more feasible right now than hoping that our bastard son gets legitimized.

>>4592738
Something about trade and strengthening relations is good. We do need the money.
>>
>>4592738
>>4592752
The only problem is that Ardrian currently has no estate holdings to actually produce said goods. Some that might make sense for the holding could be:

Animal Husbandry: 10 Wealth
Apiary: 5 Wealth
Fur-Trade: 10 Wealth
Timber: 5 Wealth

Keep in mind I've included the necessary food requirements on the second tab of the House Fortunes Excel Sheet, and will be using the trade and production homebrew rules from this document here https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Z39XLNclENr5L24d43jnU7jNLvwWmbfs5rPwi_FVHs/edit#

House Fortunes will be taking place after this where Broderick will inform you guys further about what Ardrian can do
>>
>>4592702
how old are we is it to late to try to pump out another son?
>>
>>4592767
We are 35. So it is not too late. There were talks about remarry after all and try for a son
>>
>>4592767
35. Not too late at all.

Essentially there are three options, all with their own difficulties.

1. Marry Amelia to a man willing to take the Borlund name, or have his children take the Borlund name.

This option can vary in difficulty depending on who Ardrian chooses to deal with and their own status/ambitions.

2. Legitimize Ardrians bastard son, Ser Larten Storm. It's risky because he's never met his son so what kind of man he is remains up in the air, and turning a bastard into the heir of Stonegrove will bring further scorn down onto House Borlund. Whether Ardrian can deal with that is up to you guys.

3. Get Ardrian a new wife. It's possible, but being from a family that supported the blacks makes it harder. Not to mention he's haughty and will likely be unwilling to take a wife that is beneath him. There is a reason he has avoided speaking with Delphine Storm for so long, despite still having feelings for her.
>>
Just bluntly ask if his nephew could not make a more advantageous match for his house.
>>
>>4592778
Isn't the main problem with 2 is that it would require a decree from a King who has no reason at all to help a traitor's house?
>>
>>4592778
we could also just name our bastard our heir. but that would invite challenges from anyone with a vested interest in our lanfds
>>
>>4592765
right, sorry, i forgot how holdings work.

Maybe we should ask him to tell us more about his nephew, no doubt he'll put a good spin on it but, it would at least give us a measure of this guy. I know Awareness isn't our strong suit but I don't know what else to ask about that would be useful.
>>
>>4592765
oh, and i'm not seeing the tab that talks about food holdings. I only see House Fortunes and Power Units tab
>>
>>4592786
That is the large problem. Your liege is married to a Lady Isabelle Penrose, who happens to be the aunt of the current Queen however so he has an "in". That still won't be an easy feat seeing as Bloodraven is the Hand of the King and legitimizing bastards is still a sore spot in Kings Landing.

>>4592788
Also possible.

>>4592816
Hmm. Well here try this new link instead!

https://1drv.ms/x/s!Am-XCwIRrb9HiT4Jf06EpgSaZ6Om?e=4tp4j6
>>
>>4592833
We can always go with Plan Incest and put a son in our own daughter!

Thereby killing two birds with one stone!
>>
>>4592836
HEEEEYYYY, there it is, thanks Joe.

oh shit, we have no food production, thats going to become a problem quickly.

>>4592836
yeah, Targs are into that, we're honouring them
>>
>>4592836
or or or we could plot the return of the Blackfyres, make them win, have our lands restored to us and marry a princess! This time it'll work surely.
>>
>>4592849
The Blackfyre defeat was just a fluke. They will win the next time, i am sure of it.
>>
>>4592848
Perfect!

>>4592849
I feel like I should address this in saying that when the Third Blackfyre Rebellion comes around the winner will be determined depending on a vareity of factors. But House Blackfyre could win against the odds.

Alright well I'll put these suggestions to a vote.

>Ask about the expected dowry
>Speak about the possibility of trade between Crows Nest and Stonegrove
>Ask if there could not be a more advantageous match for Ser Cassius
>>
>>4592861
>Ask if there could not be a more advantageous match for Ser Cassius
>>
>>4592861
>Ask about the expected dowry
>>
>>4592861
Vote ends at 3:45PM MST
>>
>>4592861
>>Ask about the expected dowry
>>
>>4592861
>>Ask if there could not be a more advantageous match for Ser Cassius
>>
>>4592861
>>Ask if there could not be a more advantageous match for Ser Cassius
>>
Writing
>>
--- Ser Ardrian’s Persuasion Test ---
Ser Micah’s Disposition: Amiable
Persuasion Modifier: 3
DC: 12 to 9
Rolled 13 vs DC: 9
One Degree of Success

“I would call you a poor father if you did not Ser, you give no offense at all. I myself am only a second son however so I cannot speak too much on my brothers thoughts behind his offer.”

“Of course Ser Micah, but please make your thoughts known.”

“As you say Ser. I believe the match to be good one for both our houses, as well as Cassius and Amelia. Cassius may be a third son, he is still the son of the Lord of Crows Nest. It is not an easy thing for a third son to marry well and despite your own fathers loyalties to House Blackfyre your own bloodline is quite noble. I believe your fathers first wife was a Morrigan, and my aunt no less. So there is certainly precedent for such a match. As for Cassius, he is everything a third son should be. He is a knight and able fighter, with a dab hand at jousting as well. He is a loyal man who serves his father well and he holds the code of chivalry in high regard.”

“He sounds like a son any man would be proud to have.”

“He is Ser Ardrian.”

“He sounds almost too good to believe.”

That brought a small laugh to Ser Micah’s lips and he smiled at you genuinely.

“He is not without his own vices, but what man is? He may sometimes enjoy a touch too much wine and he is not a learned man. Instead he prefers to spend his time about the yard training as a knight ought to do don’t you think?”
>>
“A knight should be trained at arms, but there is no shame in training the mind as well.”

“That is true Ser Ardrian.”

“Ser Micah, I must confess that I struggle to see the sense in such a betrothal from the view of House Morrigan. Surely there must be a better match for Ser Cassius than my own daughter, despite her loveliness?”

A brief silence followed as Ser Micah placed down his cup and coughed into his hand before wrapping them together and placing them both on the table. You could see his mind working behind his eyes as he chose his answer carefully.

“A third son cannot expect much more in regards to inheritance than a place to call home and a name. Crows Nest is large enough to house him, and Morrigan is valuable name to have and yet…my brother aspires to give his son more. All of his children have married well, except of course for his second daughter who joined the faith and Cassius who remains a bachelor. If Cassius were to marry Amelia and she inherits Stonegrove, then by extension, Cassius would be given a place to call his own and give to his own children.”

As I thought. It is Stonegrove that Lord Morrigan desires, not Amelia. House Morrigan of Stonegrove…that shall never happen

“Such things must indeed be taken into account during the negotiations. I travel for Mistwood within three months time and I shall speak to Lord Martyn about the match, and from there I shall travel with haste to Crows Nest to discuss things further.”

“My Lord-Brother will be glad to hear it Ser Ardrian.”

--- What to do next? ---
>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
>Have your council summoned to discuss House Fortunes

Voting ends at 5:45pm MST
>>
>>4593005
>>Have your council summoned to discuss House Fortunes
>>
>>4593005
>Have your council summoned to discuss House Fortunes
>>
>>4593005
>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
>>
>>4593005
>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
>>
>>4593002
>>Have your council summoned to discuss House Fortunes
>>
>>4593005
>Have your council summoned to discuss House Fortunes
>>
>>4593005
>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
might as well get this over with
>>
>>4593005
>>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
>>4587341
me
>>
>>4593005
>>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
>>
House Fortunes - 3
>>4593011
>>4593014
>>4593031

>>4593034 won't be counted as it's not linked back to anything and a 1 Post ID. My apologies if I seem paranoid. I think going forward I might instead declare which votes won't accept 1 post ID's but I'm going to stick to my own rules for the time being.

Go see the Septon - 5
>>4593021
>>4593029
>>4593035
>>4593042
>>4593062

Alright time to see the Septon. I'm just cooking dinner at the moment so heres a vote to tide you guys over..

What is Ardrian's approach to confession?

>Contrite and honest. You'd had your faith shattered many years ago but even a shattered sword could be reforged.

>Proud and honest. No man came into your halls and presumed to command you, not even a man of faith.

>Arrogant and justified. You had done the best that you were capable of with the situation you had been given and for that you would not apologize.
>>
>>4593099
>Contrite and honest. You'd had your faith shattered many years ago but even a shattered sword could be reforged.
>>
>>4593101
+1
>>
>>4593099

>Contrite and honest. You'd had your faith shattered many years ago but even a shattered sword could be reforged.

These options all seem really plausible given what we've seen from Ardrian so far. I can see him feeling like circumstances have been so "unfair" that putting faith in the Seven seems like a viable option at this point.

>>4586273

This is me. Hopefully ID didn't change but it sometimes does.
>>
>>4593099
>Arrogant and justified. You had done the best that you were capable of with the situation you had been given and for that you would not apologize.
>>
>>4593005
>Go to the Sept to see Septon Medwick
>>
>>4593099
>Contrite and honest. You'd had your faith shattered many years ago but even a shattered sword could be reforged.
>>
Alright I'm back and writing.

Apparently Ardrian may be an arrogant bastard beneath his own roof, but beneath the roof of the gods it's an entirely different story
>>
>>4593099
>>Proud and honest. No man came into your halls and presumed to command you, not even a man of faith.
>>
>>4593099
Don't mind me, just seeing if my ID has changed. I can never bloody predict it.
>>
>>4587687
>>4588670
This is all me.
>>
--- The Sept of Patriarchal Judgement ---

The rain lashed down in torrents as you crossed the muddy yard to reach the Sept that stood within the courtyard. Night was upon the world and made all the darker by the heavy storm clouds that blocked out the moon and stars but as you made your way through the rusted gate into the septs yard you saw something that you had not seen in years. The feint orange light of lit candles was shining through the stained-glass windows and as you pulled open the great doors you could hear chanting and song from within.

The light from the candles washed over you and your eyes gazed at the sept in all of its glory. A beautifully carved statue stood on a plinth in front of each of the six walls in front of you, while the seventh wall which contained the doorway was dedicated to the Stranger. The stranger had no statue but instead a carving onto the very doors themselves. It depicted a hooded figure beckoning you closer towards its shapeless form. Septon Medwick was leading a small group of your people in a song dedicated to the Mother and you recognized one of them as the leader of the group of smallfolk.

Mervyn. Surely that was his name.

The Sept of Patriarchal Judgement had been built nearly three hundred years ago after it’s previous incarnation had been burned down when Stonegrove had been sacked by the dornish after the First Dornish War. It’s stone walls had been expertly cut and laid while the glass windows had been brought all the way from Myr. The statues themselves had been carved at the abbey that had once stood on your lands. They were life sized and had been carved from all types of wood such as oak, maple, and ash before being decorated with the wealth of the earth. Mother-of-pearl eyes and gilded hair adorned the Maiden while fine silver leaf gave the Father a regal and elegant grey beard.

Amidst the poverty of your family you had refused to sell what belonged to the gods. A veritable fortune resided within these seven walls but at your lowest point you had refused to part with them. Even after your faith had been shattered and you had refused to enter the sept had you not even thought of dishonouring the gods, as well as your forebearers whom you stood above even now. The Lords of Stonegrove were buried in a crypt beneath the sept that was constantly being expanded with each new generation. The rocky bluff which the castle stood on was honeycombed with them, and you may have been the only living man to know that a secret tunnel led from the castle out into the forest from the crypt.
>>
The septon finally noticed you as you approached the alter from which he led the proceedings but he did not stop to greet you. You sat on a pew across from the smallfolk and softly, under your breath, your voice began to join theirs in prayer. As the words came flooding back to you your voice grew louder until you felt compelled to stand and commit. Your voice sounded like thunder crashing against the stone walls, a true bass that could cut through fog as if it were a knife. It brought life to the weak and humble voices of your people until for a moment it almost sounded as if the sept was full. Silence fell once more at the conclusion of the song as you waited for Septon Medwick to bless the smallfolk and send them on their way. It was only when the last of them had left that you approached him.

“I had almost not expected to see you today.”

“My nights are often sleepless Septon, and I am a man of my word.”

“A lord, or a knight for that matter, should not sleep easy easily when his people are so troubled.”

“In that much we agree.”

The septon turned his gaze about the sept for a moment and for a moment the furrows in his brow lessened and his near permanent scowl almost disappeared.

“This is a beautiful Sept. I had expected to see it empty and barren after seeing the ruins of the abbey and the state of our castle and yet I find it stocked with candles and incense. You did not strike me as a pious man Ser Ardrian.”

“I was, once. Before the gods had seen fit to take away my family’s titles and honours, our wealth and prestige, and even my family themselves.”

“It is not for us to judge Ser Ardrian, that is…”

“The domain of the Father above, and he alone.”

“Indeed. You have come to take confession?”

“I have.”

“Then kneel…”

You knelt before him and confessed your sins. You confessed that you had cursed the gods in your anger and frustration, that you had refused to attend service when wandering septons had made their way to Stonegrove. You confessed that you had an unacknowledged bastard, a son of your body but out of wedlock that you had never met. You confessed everything that came to your mind and soon the candles began to burn low as the list grew longer.

“My son, your list of sins is long. This is but the first step towards the journey towards redemption, salvation and a relationship with the faith. There was once a Champion of the Faith who hailed from House Borlund…do you know his name?”

--- Can I get 4d6 for Knowledge please? ---
DC: 12
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 1, 1 = 10 (4d6)

>>4593305
>>
>>4593312
No dice. Writing
>>
You thought long and hard but the name refused to surface from your thoughts. The rust that seized your memories was thick and no matter how hard you probed refused to give up it’s secrets.

“I confess that I do no Septon. I know I did once in my youth but no longer.”

“His name was Ser Nestor Borlund and he lived during the time of King Maegor the Cruel. His deeds are long but what he is most famous for was resisting Maegors laws that forbid holy men from bearing arms. It took over a dozen knights to take him captive before he was imprisoned in the black cells beneath the Red Keep for seventy-six days before the Seven themselves gave him mercy on the seventy-seventh. He was a man of true and unshakeable faith and tales of him are still told to the children of the faithful.”

“Septon…why are you telling me this?”

“I look at you and I feel anger Ser Ardrian. I feel anger that you have strayed from the faith when you are clearly a man whom belongs to it. You have sinned but not irreparably. There are few houses of truly devout men amidst the Rainwood now and I would see your house become a guiding light that others may follow, for if a house that supported the Bastard-Pretender can find their faith, any house can. While it is not for me to say that you may reach the pious title of Champion of the Faith, you may still rise high.”

“You would see me as a man worthy of the holy titles?”

“Not as you are, no. You are an arrogant man blinded by your ambitions and sin. But you could be more. Your bastard son must stay unrecognized and you must see to the rebuilding of the ruined abbey if you wish to pursue such things. Alms must be given and your people looked after. Jurgen tells me that you are escorting him and his people home. I will accompany you there and serve as the Fathers eyes so that he may judge your actions through me. Then I shall return to Kings Landing to report my findings…”

--- Questions for Septon Medwick? ---
>Yay (Write in)
>Nay (Next Scene)
>>
>>4593348
>Nay
>>
>>4593348
>>Yay (Write in)
Why must my Bastard stay unrecognized?
May a man not stray? Ever?
What if I repented?
His mother tells me he is a pious man..and a formidable warrior. His circumstance in this world isn't by his choosing it's by mine.
Why can't we find piety together?
>>
>>4593364
>adding
If I don't acknowledge my sin, how can I ever really move on from it?
>>
>>4593364
love this take
>>
>>4593364
Anon, this priest sounds like a hardline conservative. Why bother engaging with him? He can't be convinced to see things your way. Arguing with him will only make him more mad and angry at us. Just nod your head and move along.
>>
>>4593364
>>4593367
these are good.

>>4593348
>Yay (Write in)
ask about Father Boniface and if he is being taken back to kings landing. also ask if the faith would assist in rebuilding the abbey, in time of course like after we prove ourselves to the faith
>>
>>4593369
>in game
I think its a neat question to ask a priest while we're in the midst of a breakdown
>outta game
Look at Lartens character sheet. Goal=Excellence, Motivation=Honour. Larten wants to redeem himself for the origins of his birth. On top of that he's Chaste (icing). Finally his Fighting stat gives us the opportunity to turn him into an axe wielding little Dragon.
>>
>>4593369
>also
what if I repented?=plot hook
>>
Alright I'm going to get writing here and bang out another update.
>>
>>4593372
support for Boniface
>>
“Septon my house is without a male heir and yet I find myself with a son, born on the wrong side of the marriage but a son of my body nonetheless. His mother has written me and she tells me that he a man of faith and an anointed knight. The fact his name is Storm and not Borlund is by my doing not his. If the King is willing to legitimize him, why should the faith balk at a man of their own?”

The septons scowl return in force and he folded his arms in a disapproving gesture.

“Do not act like a child Ser Ardrian. You are an anointed knight and although your faith may still be weak I know you know the reason why. If you wish to rise high amidst the ranks of the Faith then you must repent, and that means leaving such a son to find his own way. That is the way you must repent if you wish for the Most Devout to see you raised to the rank of Proctor of the Faith. If he is a man of faith as you say than I have little doubt that the gods have plans for him.”

“That still does not answer my question of what to do about my lack of an heir.”

“Do you think you are the first man to not have a son? You are blessed with daughters, and you are unwed. You may take another wife and pray to the gods for a trueborn son, elsewise you must find another way to overcome your problem. In the eyes of the Faith, legitimizing a bastard is not the answer.”

Hard words that you didn’t care to hear. You were fast approaching a fork in the road and were still largely unsure of what path you would take.

“You know of my houses struggles Septon. Is there a way that the Faith might extend me aid so that I might rebuild and bring glory to it’s name once more?”

“Should you prove yourself worthy the Faith of the Seven takes care of it’s own. That is all that needs to be said.”

“As you say. Thank you Septon.”

“Seven Blessings Ser Ardrian.”

You made the sign of the seven pointed star and left but stopped as you were about to open the doors as a thought crossed your mind.

“Septon…”

“Yes?”

“Shall you be taking Father Boniface with you back to Kings Landing?”

The septon shook his head. “I offered to escort him back to the Great Sept of Baelor but he refused. He has taken up a life of hermetic asceticism and has told me that the gods have told him that he still has a purpose here.”

The doors closed behind you and you braved the raging storm once more. Thoughts of the old abbot raced through your mind. He had been old when you had been young. How old must he be now? Father Boniface had once been like a second father to you. Perhaps the gods had told him to wait for you?

--- I'll need 3d6 - 4 for House Fortunes for the next scene please ---
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 4 - 4 = 7 (3d6 - 4)

>>4593419
>>
>>4593429
Bruh.. Decline..
>>
>>4593429
A score of 7 is a Decline, which means -1 to one resource.

You have 1 Wealth, 1 Power and 1 Influence to take this away from.

If you choose influence, your status will drop from 3 - 2 which will have the negative effects of making future rolls even harder.

Power and Wealth have no concrete drawbacks but it's still a shitty draw for the first roll. So thats up to you guys. Vote will be up until 11:15pm MST

--- What resource to lose by 1? ---
>Influence
>Power
>Wealth
>>
>>4593442
>Wealth

Well we are just in the shitter
>>
>>4593442
>>Wealth
we're a little more poor
>>
>>4593442
>Power
We can't do shit with 1 Power anyway, but Wealth may be useful somewhere. We also have to consider buying armour for the tourney.
>>
>>4593453
True, chaning my vote to power

>>4593447
>>4593442
>>
>>4593453
yeah, too true, change vote.
>>
The -10 from the Population and Law scores is really doing a number on that roll. -5 for each of them.

>>4593453
I wouldn't say that. 1 Power can be converted into 1 Law which would bump House Borlund into the next bracket of Law Scores and turn the -5 Penalty into a -2.

That is a valuable point about the tournament though. Showing up and having to either beg your liege for funds to buy armour or put up something like a family ring is not a good look.

>>4593447
If Ardrian didn't have "Haughty" as a drawback I'd say it might be a good idea to head to the Weeping Town and try to find a merchants daughter for a wife for a fat dowry. Alas he is what he is.

There is the possibility of asking Lord Mertyns for a loan but that'll require a full-blown intrigue to get and the terms still might not be great.
>>
>>4593468
I guess he could maybe go full on Robber Knight in other peoples territory ?

Should get us some coin taking from merchants and smallfolk there
>>
>>4593442
>Power
Begging for armour is just too low for our man
>>
Alright calling it here for taking off the point of power. A rough go of things but Ardrian has been through worse.

I'm fading pretty fast here and need to get some sleep so I'll likely do the scene with House Fortunes, as well as an economic review from Broderick and military view from Ser Dominic, on either Tuesday or Thursday. If I don't have time then it will be on the next proper run on Sunday, January 10th.

>>4593473
He might be desperate but he's not that desperate. His main motivation is the shame of having sunk so low already, and his virtue is that he is a just man so breaking the law is likely not his way either. Hence why this tourney could be a massive boon if he can win some coin and invest it further into his house.
>>
>>4593442
This was a poor choice imo, the trade of power to law to increase us to the -2 bracket would have been great.

For our later investment I think Animal Husbandry to bring a ton of pigs and get the sweet +2 House Fortune rolls and later investment into Leather working.

Getting another loan so we could set up Apairy would also be good considering it only costs 5 wealth
>>
>>4593622
If we win some coin at the tournie we can transfer that to law
>>
With BO1 things are gonna suck a lot before it gets better. If it gets better at all.
>>
>>4593823
Yeah, I like it. In previous quests any holding with resource loss mitigation has been a complete waste because best of three means you're rarely, if ever, losing resources. Now we don't get to have everything our own way.
>>
Marriage will do us good. We could really use a dowry.
>>
>>4593839
Shryke was bo1 for house fortunes
>>
>>4593631
The tourney is a really bad idea as the joust could end with use losing money. I really think we should drop out of that and only participate in the melee.
>>
>>4594267
how could we lose money?
>>
>>4594364
Not sure how it works in the Asoiaf RPG but typically if you lose a joust your opponent gets your armor and horse which you need to pay a ransom to get back.
>>
>>4593622
I actually quite like the idea of pigs. I'd originally thought that if Animal Husbandry was chosen that it would be sheep but pigs have some potential too. Maybe a homebrew about truffles? I'm fairly sure that the Rainwood has both oak and chestnut trees in it.

As for the apiary, it would take a secondary domain but an apiary is another good choice. Plus it produces food as well.

>>4593840
It would, but the problem is finding someone who is up to Ardrian's standards, as well as someone willing to marry him.

>>4594364
Having to ransom back a horse and armour. Sure it isn't a pile of money but every dragon counts when an entire house only has 200 dragons to it's name.
>>
>>4594390
Does the river see much trade and do we have any bridges so we could set up Tolls and maybe a Trading Inn?

Would we also be able to approach the Septon before he returns to King's Landing to perhaps inquire with the Church about establishing a loan to rebuild the Abbey?
>>
>>4594390
>Fuck yeah, Truffles
Even though I personally dislike them, truffles are hella expensive. It would do a lot for our money woes.
>>
>>4594498
i was thinking the same thing about tolls, being close to Kings Landing might mean our roads see a decent amount of traffic, maybe we could make trade deals in the future increase travel.

.>>4593622
fuck yes pigs
>>
>>4594498
The Greenrun isn't a particularily large river, being a tributary of the Slayne, and it averages about 100m wide. Despite that, there hasn't ever been a proper bridge to cross the Greenrun. Instead it was serviced by a ferry at one of it's more narrow points where a small town once stood. The forest has largely reclaimed it though after it was sacked during the Blackfyre Rebellion.

The river sees a moderate amount of activity in the form of skiffs and small trading boats and tolls could certainly be enforced. As for the road, it was built by Lord Gawain Borlund, Ardrian's great grandfather. Unfortunately, like most things in the domain, it has fallen to disrepair.

>>4594576
I think it would probably be a high reward but highly limited resource. Something like a +3 to Wealth but only useable in the Autumn season to represent how annoying they are to harvest.

>>4594652
Stonegrove is quite a ways from Kings Landing, but it is fairly close to the Weeping Town, give or take about a week depending on the weather and road conditions. Investing in a townhouse there could be a start to allowing trade with Kings Landing.
>>
>>4594753
Salted pork alone should net a decent profit. Also can you tan pig hide into leather like cows?
>>
>>4594755
Yes, it is one of the most frequently used types of leather actually.
>>
>>4594759
I it would seem pig is the way to go.
>>
>>4594764
thoughts on war pigs?
>>
>>4594779
Impratical and it was only ever considered against elephants, which there arent a whole lot of on Westeros
>>
>>4594753
Yeah, limiting harvest seasons seems to make sense for such a valuable resource.
>>
>>4594779
Bill Ward killed it on the drums.
>>
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>>4594780
>pigs against elephants
u wot
>>
>>4595303
>lit pigs on fire
>they run towards the enemy elephants
>elephants panics and trample their own men
>>
>>4595310
I don't know whether to laugh or cry
>>
>>4595319
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_pig#:~:text=War%20pigs%20are%20pigs%20reported,enemy%2C%20but%20with%20catastrophic%20results.

it's sounds funny, but it's totally a thing
>>
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>>4595369
>mfw
With this knowledge we shall destroy the Golden Company in its infancy.
>>
>>4595225
>man of culture
>>
>>4595225
fucking faks
>>
>>4595310
i stand by my want for war pigs.
>>
>>4595371
If I remember my lore correctly, the company didn't even exist until after the 2nd Blackfyre Rebellion, where the survivors formed a mercenary company to keep everyone together. So I do not think we will be facing any elephants.
>>
>>4595369
Although there seems to be historic evidence for it, I still have a hard time imagining this. How do you get the pigs to charge the enemy? Pigs are notoriously hard to drive even at their best, I can't imagine that being set on fire will improve their discipline. Wouldn't they just scatter in all directions and cause mayhem among friend and foe alike?
>>
>>4596005
surely they would run away from the source of their distress i.e. the guy holding the torch
>>
>>4596005
>>4596005
once animals get into a stampede mentality they'll kind of follow each other. once they start running in the general direction of the enemy they'll more or less keep going in that direction, not suddenly veer off to one side.
To be fair, it's not a super effective tactic, but there are niches where it could be useful. Personally, I just think it's neat, and sets us apart from other houses a little bit.
>>
>>4596279
That goes for herd animals like cows. pigs, as mentioned, are notoriously hard to drive because they tend to not stick together like that, they are more like "I'll take a rest over here" "oh that looks tasty" "man I could use a bath. Is that a mud puddle?"
>>
>>4596289
admittedly i'm not an expert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaxkfwhGbNE&ab_channel=BoarsAllDay
but thats a video of 100 hogs all running in the same direction, not scattering.
>>
Well looks like the pig idea is gaining some traction. I can't really comment on the idea of "war pigs" but I'll definitely keep the idea in the back of my head. Assuming that of course Animal Husbandry is chosen as Stonegroves Estate Holding.

It's looking like the next run is going to be on Sunday as I'm struggling to find time to get any writing done but I should have a post up tomorrow to set up for the House Fortunes scene.
>>
>>4596927
war pigs are not really a realistic thing for Borlund to consider, but i am very much onboard the pig farm though
>>
>>4596927
Just let Adrian have a lurid dream about burning pigs
>>
>>4596987
+1
>>
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--- 25/05/217 ---
The Lords Keep

Early morning light shone through the windows as you made your way towards your solar where your small council awaited you. The storms had abated and a blue sky could be seen clear above the green tree tops of the Rainwood. It would be an excellent day for you to set out from Stonegrove and with luck you would soon put an end to the woes of your people. Perhaps the clear weather was a sign, a thought that put further life into your step as you began to climb the steps of the Lords Keep.

You rounded a corner and found yourself on a small landing where your younger daughter sat on a small bench in an attempt to catch her breath. Adalynn was the daughter who more closely resembled you. Her eyes were a similar dark brown and her hair was a brunette so dark that it was nearly black and such features on highlighted the paleness of her white skin. She was not as beautiful as her elder sister, nor as charming or well spoken, and she suffered from a near permanent shortness of breath but you loved her all the same. It was made all the easier by her stubborn personality and acceptance of the situation of your house.

“Adalynn? What brings you to this part of the castle at this hour?”

“Uncle Brody mentioned that you would be going over the accounts for the past few months before you set off with Ser Dominic.”

She brought one delicate hand up to her mouth and coughed softly into her hand whilst her other pointed towards you as if to ask for your forgiveness for her ailment. The cough that rattled in her lungs was thin and you rushed to her to pat her softly on the back. The fit lasted for nearly a minute before she managed to catch her breath and get herself under control.

“I had thought that perhaps I might attend you and Uncle. One of us should…” You knew exactly who she meant.

“And where is your sister this morning?”

“Still asleep like as not. Kings Landing made her soft father.”
>>
There was a truth to her words. You hardly knew your elder daughter but what you did know is that she was a proud highborn lady who possessed a certain level of arrogance at having been a ward of the royal family. She considered herself above the situation she found herself, not entirely unlike yourself. It was almost as if each of your girls was one half of you, yet you would not say anything to encourage division between the two of them.

“She is of the Stormlands, just as you are Adalynn.”

“She belongs to the herself Father, I belong to Stonegrove. She won’t shut up about Ser Cassius even though she hardly knows him. He is her way out of our home.”

The words were honest and contained a truth that you did not wish to hear. It felt like a small stab wound in your chest made all the worse by the fact that as it stood she was the heir to your ancestral seat. If you failed to remarry and produce a son, or have Larten legitimized, then her and Ser Cassius would rule Stonegrove after your death. She was your heir and yet she showed no interest in any part of your domain.

“Regardless, such a council is no place for a young lady. Besides, it is not good for your health to be climbing so many stairs Adalynn.”

She gazed up to you with a look you were all too familiar with. She had been your treasure since the Great Spring Sickness had taken your wife and youngest daughter nearly eight years ago and she had learned how to get what she wanted.

“Father…”

--- How to proceed? ---
>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council
>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
>Stand firm that such a thing was no place for her

Vote will be open until tomrrow at Noon MST.

I'm not sure how my weekend is looking but I'll for sure be able to get a run in on Sunday!
>>
>>4598025
>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.

Just to observe
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
seems wise beyond her years, we should start to teach her
>>
>>4595369
sorry, i'm also this guy, i had to reset my modem
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
Adalynn a cute. I feel like we should do something to make it clear that we appreciate her interest ... maybe a hug? Or if we're too stiff for that an awkward but fatherly pat on the shoulder?
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
Praise Adalynn for her dutiful actions
>>
If the elder daughter was a ward of the Targaryens, will she be open to some father-daughter incest? One of the kings banged his bastard daughter and her mother in a threesome as far as I remember.
>>
>>4598193
no
>>
>>4598193
i dont see any reason why we would do this. im against this idea.
>>
>>4598193
heretics go home, we're pious 'round there parts
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
>>
>>4598025
>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council, and send for Amelia as well.
>>
>>4598366
>>4593271
Dis me

>>4598178
>>4598173
I also support these anons in giving our girl some praise or an awkward hug.
>>
>>4598025
>>Allow Adalynn to join you in your council
>>
Alright sounds good. I'm going to get to writing here but before I do after reading through the Wealth Holdings in OOSP, I realize that I made a rather large mistake in that House Fortune Modifiers don't stack, but rather are subjected to a chart which can be found on page 5 of Our of Strife: Prosperity

I will stick with the base roll of 11 as per >>4593429 and add both the Annointed and Head of House Benefits for a total of 15, but I will need 2d6 for the negative modifier followed by 1d3 for the positive modifier.

I'll try and make this painless and i appologize for my fuck up. House fortunes is quite new to me.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>4599145
>>
Rolled 6, 6 = 12 (2d6)

>>4599145
>>
>>4599147
>>4599163
Holy oof
>>
Base Roll: 11 + 2 (Head of House) + 2 (Annointed) = 15

Positive Modifiers:D3 = 2 (Sept) + 1 (Steward)
Final Positive Roll: +1

Negative Modifiers: 2D6 = -5 (Population Score) + -5 (Law Score) + -1 (Standard of Living: Poor)
Final Negative Roll: -

Total = 15+1-12 = 4

Final Result: Decline

Well nothing changes which is honestly for the best. Just wanted to correct my mistake but no harm no foul.

I'll have a post up because I'm in a writing mood today but it'll be a few hours.
>>
>>4599167
oggie. what are the ranges for successes and failures? sorry QM i dont quite understand the system.
>>
>>4599179
Well House Fortunes is a bit of a weird one because the chart is mixed together but the negatives in the chart are more common the lower you go and vice versa.

So higher rolls are normally better for all intents and purposes. Another key aspect of the system is the "degrees of success" which come into play where beating the difficulty by 5 or more grants additional success. I'll get a link posted with the ruleset in the OP when I start a new thread, and I'll see if I can find a link to post here tonight.
>>
Her dark eyes looked into your own and you found your resistance fading. You had watched her grow up into the young woman she was becoming and knew that if she were to even have a hope to marry well she would need to learn how to run a household.

“Oh if only you had been my firstborn Ada, things might be so much easier.” You sat beside her on the bench and placed an arm around her delicate shoulders before pulling her close to your side as she grinned victoriously.

“So I may attend?”

“You may, but only if you give me the honour of escorting you to the solar.”

“Of course Father.” The smile she wore was enough to bring forth one of your own.

You aided your younger daughter to her feet before intertwining your arm in hers, allowing her to lean on you when required and prevent her from exerting herself. The two of you ascended arm in arm until you reached the solar and opened the door to allow Adalynn inside. It was a rare thing for anyone asides from Broderick and Ser Dominic to be permitted entrance. Adalynn walked across the room to get herself a seat at the nearly empty table but Ser Dominic was quick to stand and prevent her from picking up the heavy wooden seat.

“You are too kind Ser Dominic.”

“Not at all Lady Adalynn. It is an honour to assist you.” She sat in the chair and rested her hands in her lap while your second in command returned to his own seat.

“I s-see Ada will be-be-be joining us brother?” Broderick ventured as he looked up from his parchments and notes.

“She will. She is a bright girl, and she asked if she might attend to learn. Such initiative should be rewarded no?” Adalynn smiled at the compliment while Broderick nodded his head in agreement.

“It should Ardrian. I-I agree.”

“Good. Amelia shall join us as well. She may have no desire to but as it stands she is the heir to Stonegrove. Broderick, see to it that she is summoned, with haste.”

“As you w-w-wi-will brother.”

He disappeared for a moment before returning and the four of you began to wait in silence for your eldest daughter. The minutes crept on and nearly a quarter of an hour had passed before Adalynn broke the silence.

“Might we start Father?” Perhaps about lesser things while we wait for Amelia? If she was still abed it is not likely that she will be here any time soon?” Broderick and Ser Dominic exchanged a look with each other that said they shared Adalynn’s thoughts.

--- What to speak of first? ---
>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
>Matter of finance (Broderick)
>Neither, you would wait until your heir was present before beginning
>>
>>4599506
>>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
if shes making moves on our land then i would rather her be in the dark on this one
>>
>>4599531
+1
>>
>>4599506
>>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
>>
>>4599506
>>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
>>
>>4599506
>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
>>
>>4599506
>Neither, you would wait until your heir was present before beginning
I don't like her taking initiative like that, will only cause trouble if we indulge her too much.
>>
>>4599506
>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
>>
>>4599506
>>Neither, you would wait until your heir was present before beginning
>>
>>4599506
>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
>>
>>4599506
>Matters of your military (Ser Dominic)
Being on time is very important. She shall learn this lesson the hard way. If she interups ignore her and continue talking. Then ask her opinion and catch her of guard.
>>
>>4599781
Well too be fair to her, she wasn't actually invited until Ardrian got to the solar. She's just a bit of a sulky teenager who became spoiled living in the royal court.

Alright, speaking about the military it is.
>>
A sigh left your lungs and your hand wiped down your face before scratching through your greying beard. Thick fingernails found their way through thick and wiry hair as you considered the situation. It was hardly a womans place to sit on a war council and if there was something that was of a lesser importance for Amelia to learn it would certainly be of military matters.

“We shall begin with matters of our standing forces. Ser Dominic, how fare the men?”

“The infantry stand ready to march Ser.”

“Good. I intend to leave before luncheon. Now, as you are aware we are no longer bound by the restrictions of the crown. What do you make of our current situation?”

Ser Dominic Wendwater was the Captain of the 1st Infantry and the only knight in your service. He was Broderick’s friend more than yours in truth, having been fostered in Kings Landing alongside your brother. While Broderick had been a stuttering boy scared of his own shadow, Dominic had been a rough and tumble lad with a penchant for fighting. How the two of them became friends was beyond you, but when Broderick returned home to Stonegrove he brought Ser Dominic with him and the man had soon risen in your esteem. He wrinkled his upper lip causing the hairs of his thick moustache to rustle while he looked from you to Broderick and Adalynn in turn before speaking.

“With all due respect Ser our current forces are not even enough to properly garrison Stonegrove. They are trained but there is only so much that you can do in the yard, they need experience. Not to mention their equipment needs replacing.”

These were all things you knew to be true. The Stormlands had a martial culture and many of the lords and knights who called it home kept a larger standing force of men than men of the other seven kingdoms. You gestured for him to continue.

“We need a dedicated garrison Ser, not to mention scouts or some sort of guerillas to patrol the forests. I’m aware that cavalry may not be as useful in the forest such as yours but there is a certain prestige in having a unit of household knights sworn to you. I could go on Ser…more infantry and another unit of archers. But to house more than one of these units we’ll need a dedicated barracks to house them.”

And I’ve not the coin or materials to begin such a project. Seven hells.
>>
--- House Fortunes: Decline ---
-1 Power

“Lastly Ser, a few of the lads have run off in the past few months. I don’t know believe it’s to cause trouble, but instead just young men trying to quell their boredom.”

“Were they members of the Infantry or the Archers?” If men that you paid and fed had deserted you then you would see that they paid the price for such a crime.

“Neither Ser, just hang arounds and village boys looking to impress and earn a meal or two. But I believe that this expedition will do well to keep the men from boredom.”

“Let us pray to the Seven, but don our armour.” You made the sign of the seven pointed star and you saw Adalynn and Ser Dominic do the same but Broderick stayed still. His faith had been shattered perhaps even worse then your own.

“Ser, I have been meaning to ask you about your intent of this patrol. What are you seeking to accomplish?”

“We will escort the villagers to their homes, and then see to it that these men are dealt with.”

“Of course Ser, fire and steel. But how? The Rainwood is vast and the terrain is difficult. It would be easy to hide an entire company of men amidst the trees.”

--- How do you want to find the perpetrators? ---
>You would flush them out like a hound would a pheasant
>You would lie in wait to set an ambush
>Something else (Write in)
>>
>>4600020
>You would lie in wait to set an ambush
>>
>>4600022
+1
>>
>>4600020
>You would lie in wait to set an ambush
all we need to capture is one and make him squeal
>>
>>4600129
+1
>>
Perfect. I'll get to writing.
>>
“Vermin such as these prey on the weak. If we attempt to flush them out they will most likely scatter to the wind, and I would have them pay for their crimes. My eyes have been too long upon Stonegrove herself, and no longer shall crime be allowed to go unpunished within my lands. Ser Dominic, once we return, I will have you organize patrols to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Wrongdoers will face my judgement and receive the justice they deserve.” Ser Dominic Wendwater nodded with eyes that spoke of agreement. “As for the task at hand we shall lay in ambush for them. We shall work out the specifics with the villagers once we have a lay of the land but it will only be a matter of time before they want to investigate what were doing. We only need to catch one of them in order to find the rest.”

You would not resort to torture, at least not the conventional kind. Solitude could break a man just as easily as a promise of life and you were a man of your word. Your elder brother had written you in the past stating that the Nights Watch was always in need of men, even thieves, rapists, and murderers. Ser Dominic nodded and looked to be about to speak when he was interrupted by your elder daughters arrival. She was dressed well and had clearly taken time to ensure that she was well put together before attending you. She entered the room with poised and graceful steps before standing at the table expectedly. Ser Dominic stood and fetched her a chair as he had for Adalynn but received no word of thanks for it.

“Good morning Father. I was woken by your most urgent of summons. Has something happened?”

“Good morning daughter. Something has happened yes, a council has been called and as my heir I think it is fitting that you should learn how to rule as well.” Her face was a mask of pale neutrality and she nodded her head towards you almost as if to give you permission to continue.

“As I was saying, Ser Dominic we shall march out at the conclusion of this meeting. Broderick, you shall be castellan in my absence. Understood?”

“Y-yes Ar-Ar-Ardrian. I s-shall keep a s-s-sharp eye.”

“Good, I suppose that now we must speak of more economic matters. Broderick?”

Your brother began to shuffle through the small pile of papers and ledgers that he had brought with him from his chambers. He was an astute steward and kept immaculate records of every expense that he was made aware of. His fingers moved with a practiced ease through the parchment leaves and he scratched at his clean-shaven chin before beginning.

“It is as I said a f-f-few days ago Ardrian. Our coffers are nearly empty. We have a mere two hundred dragons in our vaults and hardly any income aside from the taxes that we send to Mistwood.”

Ser Dominic looked nonplussed about the situation as such things were far out of the range of his influence but Amelia, Adalynn and Broderick all looked fully engaged and ready to offer their advice and council.
>>
--- Whom do you wish to hear from first? ---
>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>Amelia (Potential Lifestyle Holdings)
>Adalynn (Potential Personage Holdings)

Vote will be open until 6pm MST
>>
>>4600371
>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>Amelia (Potential Lifestyle Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>>Amelia (Potential Lifestyle Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
>>
>>4600371
>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)

PIGS!!!
>>
>>4600371
>Adalynn (Potential Personage Holdings)
>>
“And what suggestions do you have to help bring us out of this poverty that we find ourself in Broderick?” You gestured towards your round shouldered brother and he ruffled through his papers again before pulling a particularly old sheet of vellum out with a flourish and presented it to you across the table. It was a list of the cost of various trade goods that had been updated numerous times over the years of trade deals.

“We need a source of income Ardrian, badly. Do you remember as a child how goods would flow into Stonegrove from the surrounding lands? Timber would flow down the Greenrun and Amber would come from the hills to the north. Livestock would be driven to Brambleton before being sold on along with beeswax candles and mead. Let alone the apple and pears that Father used to have turned into cider before selling it for a profit. We need to begin building our industry once more.”

Those memories were painful but vivid ones. Although the Stormlands were never particularly industrious, wealth did flow into the small towns that dotted the forests and hills, down the Slayne and other rivers, and up towards Storms End and Kings Landing by way of both road and sea. You remembered accompanying your fathers steward to the vault and was shocked by the amount of gold that your father had stored away. It had seemed a veritable ocean of precious metals and stones. Your domain was now hardly a tenth of what it had been during the rule of your father and the wealth you had seen in your youth was unattainable for a man of your status. Your teeth ground together in irritation at the thought of your family’s fall from grace but turned your focus to the task at hand.

“And what industry would you see us build?”

“Well I’ve put together a list for you, with the limitations and what not of each. There are more opportunities than this mind you, but these are the ones I would consider if I were in your shoes. Firstly there is…
>>
>ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Time: 2d6+6 Months
Limitations: No Communities larger than a hamlet
Cost: 10 Wealth (2000 Gold Dragons)
Benefits: +2 to House Fortunes

“Animal husbandry. It’s not a particularly prestigious way to earn coin but it’s effective. Not only can it bring in wealth but we can produce our own food. We currently only have enough food for this month. After that we’ll start to see serious consequences beyond what we already do. If it were me I would invest in pigs, both the meat and hides can be used and if we invest enough into it we can being to produce our own leather as well.”

>APIARY
Time: 3d6 + 6
Limitations: Plains or Hills, plus Grasslands or Woods. No Communities larger than hamlet.
Cost: 5 Wealth (1000 Gold Dragons)
Benefits: +1 to House Fortunes

“An apiary follows the same line of thinking. Many a knight and lord has a sweet tooth, and once it’s established both candles and mead can be made and sold on for a considerable profit. It suffers from the same limitation as raising animals however as there simply isn’t room for any community larger than a hamlet.”

>FUR TRADE
Time: 2d6 Months
Limitations: No Communities
Cost: 10 Wealth
Benefits: +2 House Fortunes

“Now, a Fur Trade can be quite lucrative as well, although it would prevent the building of any communities besides the occasional crofters village as it would scare off the game. Fox furs in particular still command quite a high price and can even be sold on eastwards to Essos. Additionally, such an industry could be used to attract the type of men that might be recruited into guerrillas.”

>TIMBER
Time: 1d6 + 6 Months
Limitations: Woods with no Communities larger than a hamlet
Cost: 5 Wealth
Benefits: + 1 House Fortunes

“Lastly, there is the ubiquitous timber industry that dominates the Rainwood. There is a surplus of wood in our part of the Stormlands, but the Dornish Marches lack access to timber as does much of Dorne. If you wished to contact Allicent such a thing could be advantageous. Elsewise, doing trade with the Dornish could be worth looking into as well. Particularily those of the dunes.”
>>
A frown crept on your face at the mention of both your eldest, and only surviving, sister as well as your ancestral enemies. Allicent was a cold woman who had been married to the Lord of Stonehelm when you had barely been off the breast and had never been fond of you, especially so after her husband had supported King Daeron during the Blackfyre Rebellion. The Dornish on the other hand had once sacked Stonegrove and burned down much of the Rainwood during the First Dornish War. Whilst your hate might not be as strong as that of the Marcher Lords, you still harboured a grudge in your heart. King Daerons love of the Dornish had been a large part of the reason your father had supported Daemon Blackfyre and somehow that was only salt in the wound.

“Of course this is all hypothetical as we don’t have the coin to finance any project at the moment. However, if you have a leaning I can begin to look into the market prices for the various goods required to begin them and hopefully make it cheaper in the end.”

--- What Estate Holding do you guys want Broderick to focus his search into? ---
>Animal Husbandry
>Apiary
>Fur Trade
>Timber
>Something Else

Links can be found to the resources earlier in the thread, and I would suggest looking through them for yourself. If you have any questions I’ll be around to answer until the vote ends tomorrow at 10am MST.

See you all tomorrow!
>>
>>4600744
>Father
>capital letter F
;_;

>>4600747
>>Animal Husbandry
>>
>>4600371
>>Broderick (Potential Estate Holdings)
piggies
>>
>>4600747
>Animal Husbandry
>>
>>4600747
Animal Husbandry

Hand over the piggies
>>
>>4600747

>Animal Husbandry
>>
I'm torn on this because, depending on rolls, animal husbandry could take well over a year to complete. Timber is a much shorter (and cheaper) holding to complete.
>>
>>4600747
>Timber

>>4600838 This
>>4600756
>>4600778
>>4600787
>>4600805
>>4600828
Animal husbandry takes an average of 13 months to complete, timber takes a MAX of 12. Not to mention the 5 extra wealth that'll take god knows how long to accrue.
We need resources and we need them now. The faster a holding is completed the faster we can yse the wealth it brings in to purchase nore holdings.
>>
>>4600747
>Timber
We don’t have the luxury of holding grudges - anyone who will buy our goods should be acceptable

>>4593034
Linking previous ID - mine changes all the time unfortunately
>>
>>4600870
switching my vote to this
>>4600787
>>
>>4600747
>>Animal Husbandry
PIGGGIES
>>
>>4600870
>>4598368
Forgot to link previous posts
>>
>Timber
>>
>>4600747
I'm still a pig man as well. Fuck those southerners, we'll feast them on acorns and produce the finest cured ham in all of westeros!
>>
>>4600747
>Animal Husbandry
Can't have other industries if we don't have a food supply.
>>
>>4600747
>What Estate Holding do you guys want Broderick to focus his search into?
We don't have the wealth to purchase anything right now so there's no point doing anything that'll lock us in to a purchase. Surely we could have Broderick look into a couple of the options, if he's able to find a better deal with one of the options than the other then we can take that into account when we make the final decision.

In any case
>Timber
Speed of production wins it for me
>>
>>4600747
>>Animal Husbandry
>>
>>4600747
>Animal Husbandry
>>
>>4600745
Timber, we need money fast.
>>
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>>4601197
>>
>>4601101
The vote is for Broderick to start looking into seeing if he can get a discount on the holding. When you guys do have the coin and decide to purchase it, he'll roll a cunning test and see if he managed to knock a little off the price.

One degree will knock off 5% 2 will knock off 10% and so on.
>>
>>4600747
>Timber
I believe urgency is a more important factor right now than optimality.
The faster we get something earning income the faster the house begins accumulating wealth to invest into further ventures.
>>
>Piggies - 7
>>4600756
>>4600778
>>4600805
>>4600828
>>4600964
>>4601101
>>4601119

>Timber - 5
>>4600870
>>4600946
>>4601036
>>4601101
>>4601293


Not counting the one post ID's but either way each side had one so the vote remains the same.

Looks like Broderick is going to need to start looking into pig feed, straw and wood for some pens.
>>
>>4601320
You miscounted my vote >>4601101

I was voting for timber, not for pigs.
>>
>>4601345
Oof. My apologies, I added your vote to both.

The score was 6 - 5 for Animal Husbandry.
>>
>>4601320
>>4601320
You didn't count my vote
>>4601078
for pigs, although I was using the tripcode I'm using for the entire quest
>>
>>4601355
My appologies as well, I saw the post but didn't realize it was a vote.

Christ I'm a mess today. I'm going to go for a quick walk and try to get my head straight before I continue writing here.
>>
Animal Husbandry - 8 (9)
>>4600756
>>4600778
>>4600805
>>4600828
>>4600964
>>4601078
>>4601084
>>4601119
>>4601176 (One Post ID)

Timber - 6 (7)
>>4600870
>>4600946
>>4600951
>>4601036
>>4601101
>>4601197 (One Post ID)
>>4601293

Alright I think that is all the votes tallied properly this time. Anywhores, I'll get on with it
>>
>>4601362
No problem, I'll make things clearer with greentext in the future
>>
“You make a valuable point about producing our own food Broderick. If our stores are as empty as you say then we’ll need to see them filled again. Perhaps Lord Martyn will be in a bargaining mood during his tourney?”

“H-he is your l-l-liege. He has c-certain duties to you as you do t-t-t-to him. The Lord of M-M-Mist-Mistwood is a man of trade as well as w-war. If you can convince him that it will profit him a-as-as well I cannot see him refusing you.”

He may not refuse me but I’m sure he’ll seek to remind me of how everything I have I owe to him

Lord Martyn Mistwood was an old man at the age of one and seventy. He had been old during the Blackfyre Rebellion and yet he had still cut your father down. In the aftermath King Daeron decreed that for his loyalty to House Targaryen that House Mertyns would be given House Borlunds ancestral title of “Lord of the Rainwood”. Not only that but they were given Woodknock Hollow, the second seat of your house as well as a large portion of your former lands. Lastly you had been forced to swear fealty to Lord Martyn. That memory was burned into your mind like a brand and your skin prickled in anger as you recalled it. He was a fair lord, and an honest, honourable man, but you still hatred in your heart for what he had done to your family.

“Yes I suppose that will be a place to start.”

“And you n-n-need to inform him of A-Am-Amelia’s betrothal. You need his p-permission and blessing.”

I need his permission for damn near everything. Seven Hells I don’t even have the right of pit and gallows.

“That tourney will be quite the spectacle I imagine. In the meantime Broderick see if you cannot look into the materials needed for raising livestock. I am of a mind to see us raise our own livestock.”

Broderick pulled the sheet of parchment back and traced his finger deftly across the numbers looking for some note he had made before he “ah-ha’d” and turned the document to show you once the note he’d made.

“A good sow ready for s-slaughter should fetch a price of two silver moons. A breeding boar of pedigree will cost substantially more however and we will need several if you decide to start a breeding program, as well as man familiar in their breeding. A master swineherd if you will. Not to mention places to house them at least some d-d-distance from the castle unless you wish to smell pig s-sh-shit in Stonegrove. Then we shall need smallfolk to tend them and the tools of the t-t-trade. Such things won’t come cheaply but I’m sure I can find quality material at a cheaper price.”

“Good, do as much Broderick.” Your eyes turned back towards your daughters…

--- Whom to hear from next?
>Amelia (Lifestyle Holdings)
>Adalynn (Personage Holdings)
>>
>>4601553
>Adalynn (Personage Holdings)
>>
>>4601553
>Amelia (Lifestyle Holdings)
>>
Picking youngest daughter first because oldest was last to arrive
>>
>>4601567
my last vote >>4601176
>>
>>4601553
>Amelia (Lifestyle Holdings)
oldest to youngest
>>
I'll call this vote at 1:15pm MST
>>
>>4601553
>Amelia (Lifestyle Holdings)
Lets adhere to traditions.
>>
>>4601553
>>Amelia (Lifestyle Holdings)
>>
Adalynn had been listening to the conversation intently and seemed to be absorbing what your brother and yourself were discussing but such mundane things seemed to be boring Amelia to tears. She flicked a finger idly and looked about the barren room with a curled lip and a look of distaste on her face.

“Amelia…”

“Yes Father?” Her pale blue eyes sparkled in the light pouring through the windows as they focused on you.

“I hope you have been listening. Do you have any thoughts of how we might improve our lot?”

The look on her face was one of shock and highbon indignation. “Father, have you seen the state of this castle? Have you seen the state of your clothes? You dress like a hedge knight.”

There was truth in her words. You had recycled and repaired clothing to cut down on costs and your castle was an empty shell of the bustling and richly decorated home it had once been. The newest piece of clothing that you owned was a sealskin cloak that had been a gift from your half-sister Melyssa before she had passed away. You realized that even that had been almost six years ago now…

“I would suggest that you begin looking to have a proper court but you are in no state to host anyone, let alone a collection of the nobility. I am almost surprised Ser Micah even put forward his offer considering the state of our home. Firstly I would end the conditions that you seem to be content living in Father. It does not speak well of a house to dress so poorly. I’ve seen lords and ladies lose favor at court for dressing out of the latest trends, let alone as poorly as you seem to. I realize that your coffers are empty Father but that should be your priority, impressions matter.”

You think that I’m unaware of this? You think I enjoy living like some sort of beggar? The dragons have spoiled you my daughter, and yet it was the dragons who did this to me.

“You may have sent me to Kings Landing when I was only five years old Father but my first memory was of us in this very solar. I remember how the tapestries decorated the walls and warm carpets covered the floor. The fire was roaring and there was beautiful dark furniture everywhere. I have visited the library and it is as barren as the rest of the castle while the garden is absolutely overrun with weeds. Stonegrove needs your attention Father. She deserves better than this.”

She…or we? Regardless of whom she meant she was correct.

“I do not disagree Amelia. One day…but for now I must focus on ways to make coin, not to spend it.”

--- Question Amelia about her knowledge of Ser Cassius Morrigan? ---
>Yay
>Nay, wait to do it in private
>>
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Vote will be open until 3pm MST.
>>
>>4601718
>Nay, wait to do it in private
>>
>>4601718
>Nay, wait to do it in private
>>
>>4601718
>Yay
She's a snotty one, isn't she.
>>
>>4601718
>>Yay
>>
>>4601738
I mean can you blame her? Eleven years of living a life of luxury in the capital and then having your life uprooted to return home to a poor, wet and rainy region of the world?
>>
>>4601752
oh no I totally get it, a decade in the capital will do that to you. But still...fuck her attitude.
>>
Alright tied at two a piece. I'll extend it to 3:15pm MST before rolling for it
>>
>>4601752
I get why she does it, i am just in the opinion we shouldnt tolerate it.
>>
>>4601718
>Yay
tie breaker
>>
>>4601787
A few minutes later but I'll go with it instead of rolling.

Alright cool. I'll need 4d6 for Persuasion to convince her to speak about such things in front of the rest of the group. DC: 10 for her Intrigue Defense
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 4, 2 = 15 (4d6)

>>4601807
>>
>>4601812
Two Degrees of Success

Well done. Alright I'll get writing here shortly
>>
>>4601816
if we got three she would admit to shlick to him or what ?
>>
“As you say Father.” The look was a sullen one and her voice was both high and proud. You shook your head and took a breath to calm yourself before you pressed into here further.

“Speaking of Ser Micah, he spoke to me of how this Ser Cassius is smitten with you but he was unclear on the details of your meeting. He mentioned that the two of you have only met once, is there any truth in this? If the two of you are to wed I would know what sort of man is marrying my heir…”

Amelia’s eyes came alive at the mention of Ser Cassius and her already impeccable posture straightened just a touch more as she clasped her hands together gently and placed them in her lap. She looked from Adalynn to Broderick before they rested on Ser Dominic with suspicion.

“Father I hardly think that such things are appropriate to discuss in front of company.”

“Adalynn is your sister, Broderick is your uncle, and Ser Dominic is a knight who has served me loyally for over ten years. You will not disrespect them by refusing to answer my questions in their presence, elsewise I can assure you that no marriage will come of this betrothal.”

--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Persuasion (Convince) Test ---
Amelia Borlund Disposition: Neutral
Persuasion Modifier: 0
Rolled 15 vs DC: 10
Result: Two Degrees of Success

Her mouth opened and blubbed like a fish for a brief moment before she regained her composure once more. A quick shake of her head was her only tell before her face became a mask of neutrality once more.

“If you say so Father, Ser Cassius and I met but once. The first time I saw him I was attending Lady Dyanna Dayne while she was watching a squires melee. The prize for winning the event was a knighthood from Prince Aelor’s own hand. Nearly a hundred boys set forth into the melee grounds and only one could be declared the victor. Ser Cassius had his helm knocked from his head from a blow but he refused to yield and instead fought on and I was so smitten with his bravery that Lady Dayne had to pull on my arm to get my attention.” She blushed at that moment and covered her face with a hand to try and cover the light pink rouge that was spreading over her high cheekbones.
>>
“Cassius Morrigan won the melee to become Ser Cassius Morrigan, and I could hardly take my eyes off of him. It was a few months later when I was serving in King Daeron’s court as a cupbearer that someone called for wine. I was sent to serve the knight and it was none other than Ser Cassius. I was so foolish that I could hardly speak but nonetheless he asked me for my favour then and there in front of half of the court. I fumbled at a piece of lace in my hair to gift to him and he asked for my name.”

Amelia almost seemed to swoon at the memories whilst both Broderick and Ser Dominic seemed politely bored. Adalynn on the other hand rolled her eyes at the telling of the tale.

“So that would be the reason that he spoke to his father to seek to arrange a marriage to you?”

“He is a chivalrous man, and he vowed that he would have my hand in marriage.”

“And what do you know of this man? Aside from his chivalry and prowess?”

“I know he is the third son of Lord Miles Morrigan, and that he hails from Crows Nest.”

“Is that all? You may be willing to marry a man because it sounds like the ending of a song Amelia, but I am not willing to let my heir marry someone who I know nothing about.”

“I know he is a gallant and handsome young knight who received his knighthood from a prince. I know he is from an old family like our own with impeccable bloodlines and that his grandfather’s sister was married to my grandfather. What else do you wish to know Father?”

--- Questions for Amelia? ---

Sorry guys but I have to go, just got word of an emergency that I need to take care of. If you have any questions feel free to write them in. Additionally, I’ve been struggling to come up with appropriate house words for House Borlund. If you guys have any suggestions for that as well, please feel free to throw them out there
>>
>>4601967
None so far, but maybe later in private

as for house words "The Rain Shall Pass"
>>
>>4601967
No more questions. By all accounts so far seems he is a good lad. It's just we know his father wants to bring our lands into his influence.

House word ideas
>The Stone, The Storm
>The Woods Shall Rain
>Break the Storm
>Our Roots, The Stone
>>
>>4601967
Yes but in private. I'd like to know how smart the lad is.
>>
>>4601985
Most House words come in the form of a challenge or boast. Things like, "we do not sow" or, "hear me roar." The only major exemptions from this are the Starks and the satellite branches.
>>
>>4601967
no more questions.

House words?

>Peace Comes As Rain
>Shelter In The Woods
>Such Is The Woods
>Wary The (Hungry)Wolf

>>4601985
>>4602019
i like the rain oriented ones
>>
>>4601967
>Question
do you know who he is as a person? He may present himself as gallant and brave, but take it from a man who has been to war and lost. He has yet to show who he is in the face of real adversity. Who is he?

This is less about getting a realistic measure of him and more about measuring her expectations of him. We should get an argument for this marriage that is based in some sort of truth other than 'he's a gallant knight'. If we could have something more substantive going for this it might be nice.
>>
>>4602087
i'm this person, not sure why my id changed this time
>>
>>4601985
That shit is fire. I quite like that one.

>>4602019
>>4602115
Some good ones in here too.

>>4602754
I'll answer this out of character here but Amelia does not know him well at all. It's a very sing-song type of image she has in her head. Her reasons for liking the idea of the match are as she says. He is handsome and acted quite gallantly towards her, not to mention he is the son of a lord. Amelia isn't dumb and having spent a large part of her life in Kings Landing she has seen first hand how those who support the Blackfyres are viewed by the realm. A match with someone like Ser Cassius is a dream come true for her.
>>
Also an update on a run time I should be able to get some writing done this week and hopefully have a good run this weekend and get into some action and start rolling some dice.
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>>4603380
yeah, thats about what I figured. thanks Joe
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>>4602087
It was mostly meant as some sort of endurance or our house perseverance.
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>>4603380
Could we get an update on any time you will run ?
>>
>>4607798
You bet. I'll be running tomorrow starting sometime between 11am and 1pm MST
>>
Amelia’s lip curled upwards slightly as she gave you a defensive look with the question. She looked at you with unblinking blue eyes. You could hear the slight lilt of a challenge in her voice and it took a force of will to keep your composure.

Why did the gods see fit to curse with me daughters…

You had no questions that Amelia could answer further and it was not worth provoking a fight with a daughter who’s relationship with you was already cool. You would have to meet this Ser Cassius and get the measure of him before you consented to a marriage as well as ensure that Lord Miles Morrigan had no ill intent regarding your ancestral home. You could hardly fault a man for wishing the best for his children and the title of “Lord-Protector of Stonegrove” was a lofty position, especially for a thirdborn son. The question that sat heavy on your mind was if that was where the Lord of Crows Nest’s ambitions ended. Your liege would likely share your reservations if you knew Lord Martyn and he would need to be convinced even more than yourself which was no small feat. House Borlund of Stonegrove had existed for over a millennium and it would not end under your watch.

“That is all for now Amelia, thank you. We shall speak further on this subject later. Now, Adalynn, you requested to sit on this council. I would hear what you have to say…

Adalynn had been quietly watching and listening the conversations with intent and when she heard her name spoken she smiled a soft and sad smile. Her eyes had been occupied by the empty spaces about the table where in more prosperous times a full compliment of advisors might have sat.

“Thank you Father. I must say that I agree with my sister, Stonegrove is not what it once was. Unlike her however, I have been here to see the change happen. All you must do is look about this table to see that. How long has it been since Maester Germund passed away? I could not have been more than ten at the time so at least four years ago now? I cannot even remember when the sept had a resident septon. We have no Master of Trade, Master of Trade or Master at Arms. Ser Dominic, how fares our armoury? Do we have a capable man to entrust it’s organisation? To ensure that our soldiers are clothed, fed, armed, and armoured?”

“We have no quartermaster as it were my Lady.” Your Knight-Captain gave a sheepish half smile before looking at the tabletop with some small sense of shame.

Adalynn then turned her attention back to you…
>>
“And yet most of the people who call Stonegrove home are soldiers, and most of them without families I might add. I know how we have struggled Father. I have seen the sacrifices you had made…that we have made, especially since Mother died and I do not blame you. Even a man like you cannot rebuild a house by himself…and I mean no offense to you Ser Dominic, nor you Uncle.” The two men both shook their heads to assuage her worry at offending them.

“I know we do not have the coin but when it does flow again, I am of the opinion that this household needs to be rebuilt. Stonegrove deserves to have a council of wise and able men and women to serve her. She deserves to have her halls bustling with people that call her home, to hear the laughter of children in her halls once more.”

To hear the laughter of children…Adalynn you are hardly more than a child yourself…from the mouths of babes…

She may have been little more than a girl of four and ten but the words were true nonetheless. Stonegrove had become little more than a military fortification of drab grey stone where you lived with your soldiers. Soldiers that were waiting for you even as this meeting dragged on towards midday.

“Your words are touching, daughter. I promise you that things will get better, but I fear midday is upon us and Ser Dominic and I must depart. Broderick, I take it you can see that everything is in order?”

“Of course Ardrian. I w-will see it done.”

“Excellent. I charge you with the defense of Stonegrove in my absence brother and name you Castellan. Defend her with your life.”

“No enemy s-s-shall pass through her gates while I-I draw b-b-breath.”

“Good. The rain shall pass.”

All but Amelia spoke the words back to you in response. It was a promise of a better day, the promise that the rain and storms of shame and defeat would pass, and glory and prestige would find it’s way to your house once more…

But what comes in the place of rain? Is it the sun…or is it the storm?
>>
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--- The Rainwood ---

You had ridden through the gates of Stonegrove at the head of your infantry alongside Ser Dominic to the sounds of horns and the ringing of the bells in the sept. You were clad in your brigandine, the armour you had bought to replace the exquisite plate you had lost at the last tourney you had attended to save on coin. The plate had been a beautiful set of tempered steel coloured black, white and red to mimic the sigil of your house, with matching barding and livery for your impressive grey destrier. Your current armour was stiff black wool studded with metal studs under which was a series of riveted small plates. The black had faded in places and was growing threadbare along the edges but it served it’s purpose.

The grey destrier had also been replaced by a horse of exceedingly poor breeding. She was half stot and half rounsey with a mottled coat and she was of little use for more than riding to and from your destination. You would not dare to attempt to ride her in war or tourney for fear that she would buck you off or flee. Riding had never been your strong suit and a horse unused to battle was a dangerous thing.

“M’lord…” The leader of the smallfolk had hurried to join you at the head of the column. You answered him with a silent look and he continued.

“M’lord, I was wonderin’…if you’ve a plan for all of this. I know you’re bringin’ all the soldiers but what good is that? These bastards won’t strike while you’re there but once you leave they surely will…

You looked ahead at the never-ending green of the Rainwood. Moss and vines crept up the trees while the forest floor was covered in a blanket of ferns, moss and broken branches. The forest was alive with sounds even in the absence of rain and thunder. Birds sung amidst the trees and small animals darted through the underbrush at the passing of your soldiers. A unit of soldiers was not a quiet force…

--- Can I get 4d6 for Cunning (Logic) please ---

Additionally,

--- Tell Jurgen of your plans to ease his worry? ---
>Yay
>Nay
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 5, 2 = 13 (4d6)

>>4608903
>Nay
>>
>>4608903
You only want the one roll, right Joe?
Anyway, my vote is for nay. Partially because it is in character, partially because he does not need to know, and partially because I don't completely trust him.
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 5, 3 = 14 (4d6)

>>4608903
>Nay
peasants should remain quiet and keep their head s down
>>
>>4608903
>>Nay
None of your business knave.
>>
4 nays and a successful roll. Nice.

Alright and a subsequent vote to try and ambush these people because Ardrian is a cunning boi

>March to the village openly and loudly to attract attention and ensure that whomever is doing this knows youre there

>Leave most of the infantry an hour or so away from the village whilst yourself and a few soldiers and make it seem like an easy target

Vote will be up until 1:30 pm MST
>>
>>4608997
>>Leave most of the infantry an hour or so away from the village whilst yourself and a few soldiers and make it seem like an easy target
>>
>>4608997
>>Leave most of the infantry an hour or so away from the village whilst yourself and a few soldiers and make it seem like an easy target
>>
>>4608997
>Leave most of the infantry an hour or so away from the village whilst yourself and a few soldiers and make it seem like an easy target
>>
Right on. I'll get to writing shortly. Just whipping up some lunch
>>
posting to establish ID/see if it changed
>>
“I am not accustomed to being questioned by peasants, nor do I share my thoughts and plans with them. I shall inform you of what you need to know when you need to know it, until then I would suggest that you show more respect for your liege. I am not some up jumped hedge knight born in a tavern who was given lands and titles for some act of bravery. I am a Borlund of Stonegrove as was my father, and his father before him.” The man turned his eyes back towards the wet and muddy remains of the road and did not raise them again.

“As you say m’lord.”

Better…

“How far are we from your village?”

“We should be there by nightfall if’n we stick to this road.”

“Excellent. That will be all. You may take your leave Jordan.”

“Tis Jurgen m’lord, but I shall.”

He left with a bow of his head and slunk away back to his small contingent of family. A shared look with Ser Dominic brought him forth from where he had fallen back to in order to give you a moment of privacy with your subjects.

“Might be for the best to leave him in the dark, but he might know things as well Ser.”

“I will involve him as needed, but curiosity is still no excuse to question me in such manner.”

“As you say Ser. You do have a plan beyond simply setting an ambush though?”

“I do. Once night falls you will have the majority of the men set up camp while I press on with a small handful of your best. You will set sentries and if anyone comes looking in the night to see what the disturbance is you shall see that they are captured and held so I might question them. I’ll have no harm befall them until they are found guilty.”
>>
“And what of yourself Ser?”

“As I said I will press on with a handful of men and take up residence in the village. If someone should come calling tonight then I will see that they have a knight there to defend them.”

“I would call that a risk Ser, even reckless. What if there are too many for yourself and a handful of the men?”

“Ser Dominic, whomever has committed these crimes has preyed on women and children. I am the Knight of Stonegrove and I have no fear of anyone or anything who preys on the weak in such a manner.”

“I agree Ser, I just find it too large of a risk. I would ask that you take at least ten men with you. I would prefer if you took a score but nonetheless I will still ask that you take ten, and ten of the best.”

--- How many men will Ser Ardrian take with him to the village? ---
>5
>10
>20

Vote will be open until 4:15pm MST
>>
>>4609202
>10
Decent number.
>>
>>4609202
>5
If we bring along too many men, then odds are whoever is responsible will not attack. Keep it small.
>>
>5
a literal handful. Taking more defeats the purpose.
>>
>>4609202
>>5
>>
>>4609202
>5
>>
>>4609202
>5
>>
>>4609202
>5

Also take a signal horn with us which we can use to alert the men if we need reinforcements.
>>
Writing
>>
“That would defeat the purpose of this entire plan Ser Dominic. We are attempting to lure someone to us not scare them off. You have a horn with you correct?”

“I do Ser.”

“Good. I have one as well. Should either of us come under some sort of attack or we capture someone we shall blow the horn and come with haste. Now, let us press on with haste. The closer we are the better come nightfall.”

“Don’t forget about that septon Ser. He’ll like as not want to accompany you all the way to the village.”

Dammit. I’d forgotten about the septon…

Septon Medwick had accompanied you marching within the ranks of with the intent to relieve the smallfolk of their woes, to watch you, and to return to Kings Landing when you were finished. As night fell and Ser Dominic selected the men who would accompany you onwards towards the village Septon Medwick did in fact insist on his inclusion. The sun had long since fallen behind the trees and you’d had little time to argue with the man. The smallfolk seemed jumpy at the growing darkness of the wood so you lit torches and pressed on as a small and motley group. Seven peasants, five common soldiers, a septon and a knight.

The village you arrived in was hardly even worthy of the title. It was a rough circle well off the beaten path of the old road that cut through your lands and consisted of no more than seven buildings of thatch, old stone, and wattle. A single torch light was lit outside one of the buildings and upon your arrival a few men came out of their hovels clutching farming implements and knives. They quickly recognized Jurgen however and lowered their weapons who began to make introductions.

“Easy folks, easy. Yes we ain’t gotta worry. Everyone, this is Ser Ardrian Borlund. He’s here to make sure that whatevers after the girls won’t get away with it.”

An older boy who was starting to near adulthood looked at you shrewdly in the fading light and piped up “and ’ow is ‘e s’posed to ‘elp us wit’ only that many men?”
>>
“Easy Merl. Ser Ardrian will do what he needs to. And this is Septon Medwick, he’s come all the way from Kings Landing to hear our sins bless us.”

The smallfolk clamoured and began to whisper and embrace one another as they settled into their respective homes once again. Jurgen offered an empty home to the Septon but Medwick declined and instead chose to accompany a family in their own humble lodgings. He then offered you his own home which you gladly accepted. He showed you to it and when you entered it you found exactly what you might have expected. Dirty old rushes littered the floor and a fire burned in the hearth giving off a soft orange light. A single table of rough hewn wood was off in a corner where a few stumps served as chairs and you took a seat at one of them.

Seven Hells. And to think this is what the leader of the village calls home…

“I shall leave you be Ser. Goodnight, and thank you for coming.”

“It is my duty Jurgen, nothing more.”

You looked about at your men once you were alone and considered them. They were your best according to Ser Dominic. There was Willard, a young and handsome man who had a capable look about it, “Red” Jon with his sourleaf stained smile and “Black” Jon with his rotten one. Mikken was a grey beard with bright blue eyes that reminded you of a childs favoured uncle. Lastly there was Rod, a plain faced man of middling age who Ser Dominic insisted accompany you. He claimed that he was a wily man with a mean streak a mile wide.

“Alright men. We’ll patrol this village in pairs. Three hour shifts.”

“Jon and I’ll make a watch If it’s all the same to you Ser.” It was “Red” Jon who spoke and he flashed you one of his red smiles.

“It is. I shall patrol with Rod, and you two shall make up the last pairing.” You said the last pairing while gesturing at Willard and Mikken.

And this way I won’t have to stare at either of your wretched smiles

“You got any mind ta who’s got the first watch Ser?” Willard had spoken up as he had taken up a stool next to the hearth to warm his hands…

--- When shall Ardrian and Rod go on patrol? ---
>First Shift (9pm – 12pm)
>Second Shift (12pm – 3am)
>Third Shift (3am – 6am)
>>
Vote will end at 6:30pm MST.
>>
>>4609384
>>Second Shift (12pm – 3am)
>>
>>4609384
>Second Shift
>>
>>4609384

>Second Shift (12pm – 3am)


>>4586273
This is me in case ID changed.
>>
>>4609384
>First Shift (9pm – 12pm)
>>
“Rod and I shall take the second during the hour of the wolf. Willard and Mikken, your watch shall begin during the hour of the owl. Jon and Jon, your watch begins soon. Take a moment to warm yourself by the fire and then patrol the village. I would suggest moving outside the hovels and instead patrol the trees. Keep a sharp eye for anyone watching from afar is that understood?”

“Clear as myrish glass Ser.”

They took their leave soon enough and you were left sitting by the fire staring into the flames. The other three men joined you for a time and they spoke of the wants and dreams of common when while your chin rested deep in thought.

“What about you Ser?”

You turned and stared at Willard. He was idly cleaning underneath his fingernails with a dirk in his hand as he spoke. “Any women since Lady Helen passed? I though bein’ a landed knight might help on that front.”

Your eyes leered at him with your lip curled up in distaste at such a question. Your late Lady-wife had been a good and honourable woman and though your marriage had grown cold after the Great Spring you had no desire to dishonour her memory with such trysts. Thoughts of your first love came unbidden to your mind however, thoughts of mismatched eyes and tender words spoken in the Dornish Marches.

Perhaps reading her letter had been a mistake. The thought of seeing her again was a guilty pleasure that you had long since buried and yet it had lost none of its sweetness. A deep well formed in the pit of your stomach as hard truths came with the memories. Would you truly be willing to marry a bastard? Would you forsake the honour and reputation of your house for something as cheap as love?

“If you wish to keep your tongue then I would suggest you be mindful of your words concerning Lady Horpe.”

Willard raised his hands in apology and begged for your pardon but the mood had soured. The conversation died quickly after that and soon all three of the men had drifted off to various corners in an attempt to sleep before their watch. That left you alone to stare into the flames with nothing to occupy your mind but your thoughts until the door opened and the pair of Jons entered the room.

“Anything to report?”

Black Jon spoke up first. “Nothin’ at all Ser. Reckon I heard a rabbit or two but little besides that.”

“Same for me Ser. Might’ve heard a nightingale but I din’t see nothing.”

“Understood. Get some sleep then. Rod.”
>>
You called to wake the man but he was already standing and readjusting his leather jerkin. He had no noticeable features and he seemed the type of man who would blend into a crowd all too well. He had plain brown eyes, short brown hair, was of average height and build…and yet Ser Dominic insisted you take him. You grabbed your polearm that rested against the wall and the two of you strode outside into the night. Muttering a near silent prayer of thanks for the lack of rain you turned left while Rod turned right to begin the patrol as your eyes slowly began to adjust to the darkness.

--- Can I get 3d6 for Awareness please? ---
1st DC: 9
2nd DC: 15
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 6 = 13 (3d6)

>>4609629
>>
>>4609632
One is definitely better than nothing. Writing
>>
Sorry I'll actually need 4d6 for awareness for your main group of soldiers under Ser Dominic as well. DC: 15
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 3, 1 = 9 (4d6)

>>4609640
>>
>>4609644
lol
>>
Walking amidst the endless clusters of trees for what seemed like an eternity. The moon was full but little light managed to penetrate through the thick canopy below but lighting a torch would surely broadcast your position to anyone watching you. The soft rustle of the undergrowth was audible but that the sounds were far to small to come from a man, far more likely that they came from a fox or a rabbit.

You rounded a particularly large oak tree and stumbled after tripping on a gnarled root protruding from the ground and were sent sprawling into the mud. You threw your poleaxe and cursed outwardly as fingers curled into fistfuls of wet med that squelched outwards with an infuriating drip. After righting yourself and attempting to brush most of the mud off of yourself a sinking feeling crept over you. Looking left and right over each shoulder you saw nothing but you were almost certain you had heard someone stifle a laugh at your expense. A tree branch cracked off to your left and you turned sharply, suddenly aware of how weaponless you were as fingers reached around the dagger on your belt.

--- Ser Ardrian’s Awareness (Notice) Test ---
Rolled 13 vs DC: 9, 15
Results: One Degree of Success, Failed

The low sound of a distant warhorn could be heard whilst you were straining your ears to listen. You craned your neck to focus on the direction the sound was coming from for just long enough to hear a second blast echoing through the trees. Whether or not there had been a laugh or it was a trick of the forest you could not say but Ser Dominic had issued the signal and you were bound by duty to answer the call. You rushed back to the village with haste and found Rod had done the same upon hearing the eerie sound.

“That’s Ser Dom’s horn, Ser. Two blasts like that means trouble.”

“Wake the others and rouse the villagers. Ensure everyone is awake and ready.”

“Where are you going Ser? You can’t mean to brave the forest by your lonesome in the dark?”

“I’ll ride. I will get there faster that way. Come when you and the rest are ready.”

“Aye Ser.”
>>
Your tack went onto your horse quickly and you grabbed a torch from one of the hovels and set off down the ruined road at a brisk canter. You dare not try and gallop down such a road at night but the risk of your current speed was a price worth paying if it meant finding the men responsible for bringing fear to your lands. The glow of the camp fires and torches was visible after a short but hard ride and the taste of iron and blood was on your tongue from exertion. In your youth such a ride would have hardly phased you but in your middle age it was enough to cause your breathing to be laboured.

The camp was a hive of activity as men rushed to a from in a frenzy. One man greeted you with a hail and after you had dismounted took the reins from you in on hand and marched your steed off to be tied off. Another man who had been beside him snapped off a hasty salute as you turned your attention to him and asked for a report.

“Jack was found dead Ser. Throat cut open ear to ear. Never came back from ‘is patrol. Two lads found ‘im out in the trees.”

Seven hells…

“Where is Ser Dominic?”

“He’s in the centre of camp Ser.”

Without so much as a response you pressed forwards to find your second in command. You found him fretting over the corpse of a man by the main fire place, his hands slick and red with blood. The blood of one of your men, slain in the dark. Fury began to build pressure inside your chest and your skin flushed red with anger.

“Ardrian! Seven fucking hells Ser...”

“Be mindful of your language Ser, manners maketh the man. Report.”

“Had the lads out in patrols in pairs. Jack here went off to take a piss and never came back. The next two lads found him dead, slumped behind a tree with his throat cut. I told you there was danger out here Ser.”
>>
“And what of our current situation? Are there any men out looking for his killer?

“Yes, three groups of five. They’ve been instructed to take no chances and stick together. The guard on the camp has been doubled as well.”

“Take me to where my man was found.”

Ser Dominic led you through the camp and out into the trees. You were barely a hundred yards from the safety of the camp when Ser Dominic pointed out the tree that was guarded by two men each with torches. The slick sheen of red blood was visible in the torch light as it watered the soil and pooled in the footprints in the wet ground…

Footprints…

A variety of footprints painted the ground in the soil and they painted a story that wanted to be told. You just needed to listen to it…

--- Can I get 3d6 for Survival please? ---
DC: 14
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 3 = 13 (3d6)

>>4609905
>>
>>4609921
Today is not Ardrians day it would seem.
>>
--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Survival (Track) Test ---
Rolled 13 vs DC: 14
Result: Test Failed

Your finger traced the muddy tracks softly and you spent the next hour following various footprints. One set led to one of the groups that was out hunting the perpetrator and you imagined the next one belonged to the dead man as it led backwards into the camp. Try as you might there were just too many footprints in the wet, muddy soil. Your men surely had good intentions as they sought vengeance for their brother in arms but in their own investigations they had trampled down the tracks you needed.

You pinched the bridge of your nose in frustrations and squatted down trying to come up with a new plan. It was no easy feat considering you knew next to nothing about your quarry. You knew not their numbers, their intentions, or even who they were but if they had not been caught yet they would not be caught yet tonight.

“Ardrian!”

Perhaps there was something that would become visible when looked at during the light of day, or elsewise there was always the scene of where the last two girls bodies had been found. Of course you could always flush these damnable knaves out of the woods with the entirety of your infantry marching through the trees…

“SER! ARDRIAN!”

Ser Dominic had shouted your name and you snapped your attention to him as he looked to you and repeated his question, looking for orders.

“What would you have us do Ser?

--- How would you like to proceed? ---
>Revisit the scene of Jacks murder on the morrow. Perhaps the daylight would reveal something you had missed in the shadows of the torchlight.
>Have the hunter from the village take you to where he found the bodies of the last two girls. It was possible that a base of operations could be nearby.
>Scour the woods with your men come morning. You would risk destroying any evidence, but would flush out anything and anyone in your path with fire and sword.

Vote will be open until 11:30am PST and I will be continuing tomorrow afternoon at approx. 1pm
>>
>>4609985
>Have the hunter from the village take you to where he found the bodies of the last two girls. It was possible that a base of operations could be nearby.
>>
>>4609985
>>Have the hunter from the village take you to where he found the bodies of the last two girls. It was possible that a base of operations could be nearby.
>>
>>4609985
>>Have the hunter from the village take you to where he found the bodies of the last two girls. It was possible that a base of operations could be nearby.
>>
>Have the hunter from the village take you to where he found the bodies of the last two girls. It was possible that a base of operations could be nearby.
>>
>>4609985
>>Have the hunter from the village take you to where he found the bodies of the last two girls. It was possible that a base of operations could be nearby.
well that was a fuck-up
>>
>>4609985
>>Scour the woods with your men come morning. You would risk destroying any evidence, but would flush out anything and anyone in your path with fire and sword.
>>
“Continue the searches in the larger groups. I doubt they will find anyone but it will give the men purpose and a direction to focus their anger. We will press on as a unit towards the village and make camp there come the morning and from there we will continue to send out patrols in larger groups. I will take one myself with that hunter and see the area where he discovered those two girls. Perhaps something was left behind or there might be some other clue as to their intentions.”

“Your will Ser.” He wore a trouble look on his face as he scratched at the anvil he had in place of a normal chin.

“Speak Ser Dominic, I would hear what you have to say.”

“It’s…dammit Ser. We lost a man tonight, a good and loyal man, and for what? Nothing. Some sneak in the night cut his throat without us knowing and now the bastard is off in the night probably grinning a smile like the one he gave to Jack.”

Ser Dominic’s anger was palpable and it would be a lie to say that you did not feel it as well. Unlike him however, you saw that your man had not died for nothing.

“He did not die for nothing Ser Dominic, his death tells us a great many things. It tells us that whomever we’re looking for knows that we’re here and that they are a human not some sort of unnaturally cruel beast of the forest.”

“Some comfort that’ll do his family if we can’t bring back his killer in chains…”

“We’ll find them. The manner of his death also proves that the culprit is a coward and afraid of conflict. A lone man relieving himself, women, and girls…they are the targets. We’ll flush them out and drag them back to Stonegrove in chains, and when I go to Mistwood I shall drag them with me and beg Lord Martyn’s leave to execute them myself.”

“I hope you are correct Ser, I truly do.”

“I am.” It was a simple reply but you said it with such surety in your voice that Ser Dominic stared at you with a raised brow and nodded his head in silence.

“Until the morrow Ser.”
>>
--- 26/05/217 ---

The young hunter who had found the bodies of the girls had led yourself and a patrol to the east of the village. He had led you through game trails off of the road and over hills towards the Greenrun before turning south. After following the river for a time around a large bend the young man hopped down off of the river bank and into the water.

“It’s right this way m’lord, just down the bank a ways.”

You followed him down into the knee deep water of the river that swirled about your feet softly using the shaft of your weapon like a third leg in order to help balance yourself.

“Jus’ be careful not to wander out too far m’lord. The river gets deeper awful quick.”

No matter how many times you explained that you were not a lord but a knight the smallfolk continued to call you “m’lord”. Surely they meant it kindly enough but every time they said it the words stung at your pride as you remembered your lack of a lordly title.

“And just what were you doing here when you found them?”

The river was shallow with a rocky bottom, and whilst the edges flowed quite slowly the centre of the river flowed at a brisk pace that could easily drag a man away. The river bank had been worn down and was infested in roots, rocks and weeds that grew from the sheer drop caused by the long summer drought.

“I was huntin’ for muskrats Ser. They like to hide around the tree roots and me Ma makes a damn good muskrat stew. Anyhow, this ‘ere is where I found ‘em Ser.” He swallowed hard and pointed downstream towards a tangle of roots from an old willow that reached out from the river bank and into the chilled waters.

“The bodies were in the roots?”

“Aye.” The man stayed in place with a mournful look on his face while you pressed onwards to investigate further. As you approached you could see a foul looking white foam trapped by a series of branches and deadfall that had become tangled in the roots.

--- 3d6 for Awareness please ---
DC: 12, 18
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 2 = 7 (3d6)

>>4610503
>>
>>4610510
im not rolling anymore
>>
>>4610503
I'm going on record. In absence of any other suspects, we should keep an eye on this hunter.
>>
>>4610510
ouch
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 2 = 8 (3d6)

>>4610503
This shall be hard.
>>
>>4610542
pain.
>>
Oof.

>>4610527
I'll actually put this to a vote.

--- Regarding Curt the hunter ---
>Interrogate him. You had no suspects as of yet and surely he had to know something
>Question him. He had done nothing to prove he was invovled but he still might have some information that might be helpful
>Leave the young man alone and focus your search elsewhere

Open until 3:15pm MST while I make something to eat
>>
>>4610558
>>Question him. He had done nothing to prove he was involved but he still might have some information that might be helpful
>>
>>4610558
>Question him. He had done nothing to prove he was invovled but he still might have some information that might be helpful
Some details you didn't tell?
>>
>>4610558
>Question him. He had done nothing to prove he was invovled but he still might have some information that might be helpful
>>
>>4610558

>Question him. He had done nothing to prove he was involved but he still might have some information that might be helpful

Ask him if he thinks this could be something other than some brigands types. I have a feeling something supernatural is involved, I want to know if the local hunter is getting the same vibe.

The root catching our foot being followed by strange laughter and bodies found in willow roots seem connected in a non coincidental sort of way.

I think a better form of bait than small night patrols would be to have Septon Medwick perform some sacrament or blessing of the Seven out in the open.


I fully realize I'm going out on a limb here.
>>
I'm going to call this early as you all seem to be in agreement. Additionaly, I've decided that during questioning periods, Ardrian will be allowed as many questions as he would be able to use when rolling for persuasion which is currently four. So feel free to put out some suggestions and if needed I'll put it to a vote afterwards.

>>4610575
The forests of the Stormlands are certainly old and mysterious places.
>>
>>4609007
Linking back to my old ID, I just moved into my dorm for the semester.
>>
>>4610558
>>Interrogate him. You had no suspects as of yet and surely he had to know something
>>
A little slow on the open prompt today. Ill let this go for another hour before moving on.

Questions for Curt: 1/4

1. Is there anything "out of the ordinairy" going on? Have you felt at all like you're being watched? Last night I heard what sounded like a laugh whilst I was patrolling.
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
>>
>>4610510
Man, best of 1 is a tough rolling system - one of the hardest I’ve seen in a quest I think
>>
>>4610695
>was there any common relation between the women?
>was there anyone from here who got drafted to fight in the Blackfyre rebellion? did they come back?
>what about before the rebellion? were there any particular troublesome people around here?
>>
>>4610695
>>4610703
I don't know if we should use so many of our questions things that happened before the rebellion. It has been years, as mentioned in >>4585854.

There is a very real possibility that were are barking up the wrong tree here. I think that it is more likely that the murderer is one of the villagers instead of some outsider. The question about the relation between the women is a good one, but I think that for the other two we should ask:

>who, if anyone, in the village lives alone?,
Partially because most murderers aren't family men, and partially because someone living alone would have a much easier time sneaking away (and back) undetected.

>besides you, who in the village hunts regularly?
A bit of a Hail Mary, but the idea is that the skills and knowledge necessary for hunting in this area would translate well to murder.
>>
>>4610732
oh shit, thought it was more recent

i'll go with this guys questions, instead of my rebellion ones
>>
>>4610732
Just thought of something. If we assume that there was actually laughter, and the laughter was the killer, then that means (based off of my understanding of where we were at the time we heard the laugh relative to where our man was killed) that the killer was moving towards the village - a point in favor of looking for the murderer amongst the villagers.
>>
1. Is there anything "out of the ordinairy" going on? Have you felt at all like you're being watched? Last night I heard what sounded like a laugh whilst I was patrolling.
2. Is there any connection between any of the women and girls?
3. Does anyone in the village live alone?
4. Besides yourself, who else hunts in these regularly?

Writing
>>
You looked about at the roots but nothing in the flotsam jumped out at you as suspicious or out of place. Tree branches, leaves and other organic material floated and softly swirled with the current as it fought to escape the grasping root and continue down the current. The rocky ground was visible near the shore but all that could be seen was rock and sand.

If there had been anything here it’s likely been washed away by the current. They might as well be ghosts in the trees…

“You there.” You gestured towards the hunter who had brought you here.

“Yes Ser?”

“What is your name?”

“Curt, m’lord.”

“Curt, let us get out of this river. The water is turning my blood to ice.”

“Of course Ser, this way.”

He clambered up the river bank and extended you a hand to help lift you up. After shaking out as much water from your boots as you could there was a silence between the two of you that fell like a blanket. The rest of your men were still where you had entered the river but you could hear them moving through the undergrowth towards you.

“Curt, I have some questions for you. As you know one of my men was killed last night, so I can understand the pain that you and your fellow villagers are feeling. I want the people responsible for this caught.”

“I’ll answer ‘em as best I can Ser.”
>>
“Were any of these women and girls who’ve gone missing related in any way?”

“Of course m’lord. I think we’re all related somehow or another. Most of the villages around here are cousins and second cousins.”

“How many villages are there would you say?”

“That I know of? Nearly six or seven.”

“And have they been affected like yours has?”

“Not that I know of. Jurgen might know more about that though. He’s the one who does most of the speakin’ to the other villages.”

“A hunter such as yourself doesn’t run into others from time to time?”

“Not so much m’lord. Once in a blue moon I might run into someone but for the most part I stick to hunting within half a day or so from home.”

“How about hunters from your village? Do you know of anyone else who makes their living in the woods?”

“Sure. Most of the men know how to hunt, and before all this started happenin’ the women and children would gather firewood and other deadfall to burn in our hearths.”

“But are there any other hunters specifically? Men who might go out into the woods for long periods of time, who are comfortable with a bow and knife. Men who are comfortable with spilling blood.”

His lip tremored at the mention of spilt blood and he stared at the ground, avoiding your eyes. His hand shook as he pulled a skin from his belt and took a long swig before he looked about at the trees suspiciously and shuffled over to you so he could whisper.
>>
“Aye, both Smit and Quinn both hunt to provide for themselves, but everyone in these parts knows that when you make a kill that you have to offer some of the blood to the Greenrun. The trees serve the Green Lady and she demands tribute as much as you do Ser, only hers is just blood and food. But to answer your question, near everyone here is comfortable spilling blood.”

A hand scratched idly at your chin beneath your greying beard as you recalled the feeling of being watched during your patrol and the laughter that you could swear that you heard. “Do you ever feel as if something isn’t quite right? Like you’re being watched when you’re out in the woods? When I was patrolling last night I could have sworn I heard a laugh amidst the trees…”

Curt sucked his teeth and held his breath as he quickly made the sign of the seven pointed star. A look of genuine fear was clearly visible on his face. “L-l-laughter?”

“Yes. A laugh in the dark at the nearly the same time that my Knight-Captain signalled that my man had been slain.”

“Seven save us Ser…”

“What?”

“If you heard laughin’…you…you’re marked.

“What do you mean Curt?”

“We can’t speak about it. Not here.” Panic had crept into his voice and he began to back away from you until he tripped over his own feet in his urgency…

--- Can I get 4d6 for Persuasion please? ---
DC: 12, 18
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 6, 1 = 15 (4d6)

>>4610940
>>
>>4610941
Ardrian is good at one thing and it's talking
>>
>>4610941
A little bit of success. Nice.

Alright writing!
>>
>>4610951
nah man, my roles are just terrible.
>>
--- Ser Ardrian's Persuasion Test ---
Rolled 15 vs DC: 12, 15
Result: One Degree of Success, Failed

“Curt I command you to stay where you are.”

The young hunter froze in place, plain eyes looking at you in fear but still he obeyed. Your fingers closed into an old and familiar position as you made the sign of the star back at him and he slowly began to calm.

“I am a man of faith, like you are Curt. The gods watch over us no matter where we are and here is no different. Now tell me, what do you mean when you say I am marked…”

“Ser…I…It’s…”

He pulled his legs up to his chest similar to how a child might do and you squatted beside him to place an arm on his shoulder. He took a deep breath before he gained his composure enough to speak.

“North of the village there is a tree, an old tree. It’s bark is white as snow and it’s leaves are as red as blood. It’s been here for as long as anyone can remember. It has a face carved into it’s trunk that resembles a man laughing. There is a legend that if you hear laughter while out in the woods that the tree has marked you for death.”

That sounds like a weirwood tree…

Weirwoods dotted the rainwood infrequently but it was a rare one that still bore a face as it had during the time when the First Men had ruled the Stormlands. The Faith of the Seven had conquered the Stormlands just as the Andals had conquered the First Men but in the deepest parts of the woods there were still holdouts to the old faith. There were even a few lords who were rumoured to cling to the old gods but none worshipped openly to your knowledge.

“Does this tree have anything to do with this “Green Lady” you spoke of? Can you take me to it?”

Curt shook his head fiercely. “I ain’t going anywhere near that cursed place, but rumour has it she’s a woods witch. Some great great great great great granddaughter of the Green Queen of legend. Some say she has the gift of prophecy and fortune telling but I cannot say if she knows anything. Jurgen is the one who takes her tribute Ser, it might be best to ask him. Can we please get out of here?”

“One final question Curt. Is there anyone in the village who lives alone?”

“Only one person Ser. Quinn. His family died years ago in the war when he was little and he never married. Please Ser, we need to leave. I can feel the trees watching us.”

“Take your leave Curt. I shall meet with you back in the village.”

“You aren’t coming m’lord?”

--- Where would you like to go next? ---
>You would head north to find this weirwood tree
>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Septon Medwick’s counsel on the matter
>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Jurgen concerning this “Green Lady”
>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out this Quinn. If he lived alone he was the most likely suspect you had
>>
>>4611050
This will be my last post for the night as I need to start getting ready for my work week here. Thanks for playing and I hope to see you all on Friday, January 22nd when I resume with whatever you all have voted on.
>>
>>4611050
>>You would head north to find this weirwood tree
>>
>>4611050
>You would head north to find this weirwood tree
>>
>>4611050

>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Septon Medwick’s counsel on the matter

Now

>You would head north to find this weirwood tree

Later, ideally with Medwick accompanying.
>>
>>4611055
Just to add onto my vote, we confessed and asked for atonement from Medwick, he only seemed to look at us with disdain. Maybe we should try the same thing with the Old Gods.
>>
>>4611065

I support a good old genuflection and self reflection at the wierwood tree.
>>
>>4611050
>>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Jurgen concerning this “Green Lady”
The tree can wait, its not going anywhere and I'd prefer to have all the info available before we set out. Nothing point going off halfcocked.
>>
>>4587687
>>4611129
Dis me
>>
>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Jurgen concerning this “Green Lady”
>>
>>4611050
>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Jurgen concerning this “Green Lady”
our arrogance made us stumble across these woods like idiots, let's get some proper intel on this area. I feel like the Septon will become troublesome in this and we should try our best to keep him out of everything or send him away.
>>
>>4611326
I agree. I'm fairly sure his advice will be something along the lines of cut the weirwood down and fuck the old gods. I don't want to alienate the villagers if we do or the septon if we refuse.
>>
>>4611050
>>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Jurgen concerning this “Green Lady”
>>
>>4611336
because fuck the old gods, they are not the boss of us. Bunch of relics of the past. Infact i say we cut them down and build a throne out of them!
>>
>>4611065
>>4611095
Just so I know what direction you're all talking about...are you saying that perhaps Ardrian should consider worshipping the old gods?

I'll admit thats not really what I imagined for the character and I'm not really sure that such a blatant conversion to a different faith would work. Ardrian was very devout in his youth and he very much believes in the Seven. Not to mention that although there are still weirwoods about the Stormlands, their worship is a hushed thing about the lords and knights, mostly reserved to the dark corners of the woods away from prying eyes and is largely looked upon with a mix of fear and scorn, Ardrian included. He couldn't actually name a single man who actually worships the old gods

So is it possible? I mean if there is alot of support for it it's an avenue that can be explored but I'd say it's an unlikely thing at best.

>>4611336
If it isn't obvious, Medwick is very conservative type of septon. His hardline views are part of the reason he hasn't been promoted to the Most Devout.

>>4611688
A nice weirwood table would look awful nice in Ardrian's solar.
>>
>>4612166
A nice weirwood table would look awful nice in Ardrian's solar.

Oh yeah, i agree.
>>
>>4612166
>Medwick is very conservative type of septon
No kidding.

I'd like to put a vote in for neither cutting down the tree nor turning heretic. The former is dumb af and the latter feels out of character.
>>
>>4611336
>>4612351
Is me, if it wasn't obvious from context.
>>
>>4612351
>The former is dumb
It is impossible to assume that these murders are some pagan's message so cutting down the tree would be the final solution to the issue as well as win Ardrian points with the church of the seven.
>>
>>4612457
>>4612351
I am pretty sure the locals would be more than happy to get rid of it. Probably old superstitions about those trees the people would be glad to be free from.

It would also give us a nice trade goods not to mention a lovely table.
>>
>>4612166

I'm not suggesting Ardrian attempt to convert to worshiping the Old Gods right now.

As stated, he has the potential to be a pious man again. I could see him being logical enough to approach this issue theologically, since his military attempt is currently failing.

All I'm looking to do is give Ardrian a chance to attempt communication with the thing that's fucking our lands right now.
>>
Are we going to go full Charlemagne and cut down the Irminsul?
>>
>>4612166
>are you saying that perhaps Ardrian should consider worshipping the old gods?
No, but Ardrian seems like a somewhat broken man, and it makes sense to me that someone like that might reach out in order to gain some semblance of control back.

I don't think that we would ever worship the Old Gods, but that mystery box of going to the tree was way too tempting
>>
>>4612566
Axe goes chop chop
>>
>>4611050
>>You would return to the village with Curt and seek out Jurgen concerning this “Green Lady”
>>
>>4612566
>>4612747
Honestly, if we do end up going to the tree and then get nothing out of it, I'd be willing to go this route.
>>
Hey guys just giving you all an update on the next run. It likely won't be Friday night as I'm currently working a boatload of overtime this week, and I may have to work Saturday as well but I'm not quite positive about that yet.

So a run will for sure take place on Sunday, and potentially Saturday if I don't have to work.

>>4612539
>>4612612
Ah okay. That sounds like a scene I can start brainstorming for over the next few days!
>>
The run for tomorrow is a go! Continuing with meeting with Jurgen and discussing the Green Lady. I should be starting around 1pm MST
>>
“On second thought, I shall return to the village with you Curt. I believe that Jorgan and I need to speak about this green woman…”

And if he has thought to play me, or has pledged some oath of fealty to this woman than he will pay the consequences for it. I am his liege and if he is truly giving tribute to this woman…

It was not a thought you cared to think about. You considered yourself a fair and just man, expecting only what was your due from your subjects and in turn giving that due to your own liege. Whilst you knew your lands were poor and that your people struggled, you were their liege, their only liege, and you would not tolerate another entity that required tribute from them on your lands.

“Of course Ser, follow me please. It’s best we leave.”

The march back to the small village was largely uneventful aside from Curts constant looking over his shoulder. The man was clearly spooked as he gazed into the woods as if expecting some hidden foe to attack from the treetops or undergrowth. By contrast, you walked with a surety of purpose that had been instilled in you by your father and grand-uncle both, as if you were the most dangerous predator in your domain. It was your domain after all and as it’s master you walked with your eyes forward and unafraid despite the forest being a wild and untamed place.

The Stormlands were largely by and by uncivilized, with no cities to speak of and only a few larger towns that were the seats of the more mercantile houses. Smaller towns and hamlets cropped up in the depths of the Rainwood, often near the castles and halls of the lords and knights that they called their own. House Borlund had once had such a town by the name of Brambleton, but it had been lost as part of the reparations given over to the crown and then to a cadet branch of House Mertyns. Perhaps it was worth investing in such a settlement once more when the means became available, as Broderick often insisted. Such a place could become another hub in the forests, a beacon of civilization, trade and commerce that would greatly assist in raising your house up from the depths in which it had sunk.

Such thoughts were interrupted when the small, nameless village that Curt called home came into view through the trees. Curt bid you a shallow goodbye before heading towards his name, making the sign of the seven as he did so and you instructed your soldiers to return to their camp, while you made your way towards the small hovel where Jurgen had taken up residence after giving up his own home for you.

He was huddled around a fire with the residents of the moss covered hovel and they rose when you opened the door. A few of the faces you could recognize but you knew none of their names. This hut was even less furnished than the one that had been given to you with hardly any furniture at all asides from a single low bench long enough for five people to sit near the hearth.
>>
“M’lord Borlund, welcome. What brings you here? Did your trip with Curt prove insightful?”

“You might say that. I’ve need to speak with you in private. Come.”

The words were curt and your tone even so as to not give anything away. You spun on your heels and exited the building and crossed to your own place of residence. The ashes in the hearth were still warm and glowing as you took a seat at the rickety table inside. Jurgen made his way inside and took a seat across from you wearing a confused smile. He scratched at his patchy beard and you saw, perhaps for the first time, just how thin he was. He almost looked like a skeleton, as if he might pass away should he miss another meal.

“You wished to speak with me Ser?”

“I do. I would hear you tell of the green lady.” A guilty look came over his face and his mouth gawped as he searched for words…

--- What tone to take with Jurgen? ---
>Anger & Indignation (Intimidate)
>Fatherly and Spiritual (Convince)
>Sympathy & Forgiveness (Charm)
>>
>>4617925
>>Anger & Indignation (Intimidate)
>>
>>4617925
>>Fatherly and Spiritual (Convince)
>>
>>4617925
>Fatherly and Spiritual (Convince)
>>
I'll call this at 5:30 before moving on.
>>
>>4617908
>Fatherly and Spiritual (Convince)
>>
>>4618023
did you remember to announce on twitter that you were resuming?
>>
>>4617925
>Fatherly and Spiritual (Convince)
>>
Alright I will also need 4d6 for Persuasion (Convince) please and thank you.

DC: 9, 15
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 5, 6 = 14 (4d6)

>>4618097
>>
>>4618106
so close
>>
“M’lord I... you must understand…”

You shushed the man softly with a raised finger brought up to your lips and Jurgen fell to silence. His eyes stared downwards to his hands and he waited almost as if he were a child.

And like a child he needs a father figure. Someone to turn to with his problems and fears…

“Do not interrupt Jurgen. I know that you have been taking her offerings. I believe Curt mentioned something of food and blood?”

“Dammit Curt…” His words were barely more than a whisper under his breath but they were all the admission of guilt you needed.

--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Perusasion (Convince) Test ---
Jurgens Disposition: Neutral
Modifier: +/- 0
Rolled 14 vs DCL 9, 15
Results: Two Degrees of Success, Failed

“Do not blame the man for his loyalty to his, nor for his fear of this witch who has taken up residence upon my lands. So tell me of her. Is she some heathen witch who has taken to preying upon my people?”

“N-no, m’lord. Well, she is a woods witch, and she has the gift of prophecy. It’s said that she can see through the trees and that the animals of the forest are her spies. Only she hasn’t taken up on your lands Ser. She resides nearly three days upriver in an old, overgrown hall. I dunno who owns the land now but it’s been abandoned by whomever it belongs to.”

“And so why is it that my subjects have been paying tribute to some heathen? Starving themselves to satiate a woman who is not even their liege?” The guilt upon his face deepened before he spoke, or perhaps it was fear…
>>
“She… she protects us Ser. She has a force of men who patrol the woods, hills and streams.”

“I protect you Jurgen. I am your liege, sworn to protect you by oaths made to the seven faces of God. Why do you go to her for protection? Has she not failed you in keeping your women and children safe?”

His reply was silence and a shake of his head. After you repeated the question he only continued to avoid your gaze in what you could presume to be shame.

“Or is it that this witch is responsible for these attacks? Is that why you finally came to me, your rightful liege and protector?”

“…no m’lord.” His voice had grown meek and quiet. “She told me to seek you out and that the two of you could together perhaps find those who were responsible.”

“She presumes that I would work with a woman of her ilk? I am a knight, anointed in the seven oils, and named in the light of the Seven. My faith may have been tested, sorely, but I will not stand for witchcraft being practiced on my lands. Now, I have some questions and you will answer them understood?”

--- Are there any further questions for Jurgen? ---
Limit of 4 applies
Vote will end at 8pm MST
>>
>>4618225
"Call for her and if we can bring down these murders we shall"

Then when all is said and done ,we will see her hanged together with them if we see need to.
>>
>>4618225
>When did she first came to you?
Time to BURN THE WITCH again
>>
>>4618225
how many men?
>>
>>4618230
>>4618243

all things considered she lives in someone else land and is willing to help us in this endeavor. enemy of your enemy and all that.
>>
>>4618271
Sure, which is why we consider doing it AFTER we are done.
>>
since no one else is asking anything
>what are the men she has armed with, bows, axes etc?
>you say she protects you, what does she protect you from?
>>
1. When did she first become known to you?
2. What are the men she controls armed with
3. You say she protects you, what does she protect you from?
4. Can you call summon her?

Alright I'm writing!
>>
Jurgen gave a small, humble nod before he stood and went to stoke the fire. He grabbed at a small series of small branches to bring the embers into a crackling flame, before stoking the fire with larger logs. His hands moved deftly to avoid the flames that threatened to lick at his hands and only once he was satisfied and returned to answer your questions.

“How long have you known of this witch? How long have you been paying her tribute?”

“Perhaps….six or seven years now.”

Six or seven years…all the while I’ve had been sacrificing everything I had in order to rid my house and their lands of the debts placed on them.

Anger brought a flush to your face although it was largely hidden by your beard as you fought to maintain your composure. An old habit crept out of you as fingertips rapped on the wooden table in an quick and consistent rhythm which you stopped only through a force of will.

“You say that she protects you…what is it that she protects you from?”

“She has men who serve her, wild men who call the wilderness home and shun civilization. Even places as humble as our village are tainted in their eyes. They protect the Greenrun and when bandits or other criminals flee to the forest they root them out.”

“Just bandits and other such mundane things?”

“Anything else is just legend Ser.”

“And yet now she requires my help to find the murderers who so plague you? Are these men even armed?”

“It is only what she told me Ser, that I needed to bring you forth from Stonegrove. Her men are armed with natural weapons, bows and wooden spears tipped with sharpened bone. They… they believe steel is unnatural and brings a curse upon the men who wield it.”

“They sound like fearsome foes. Is it possible to summon her here?”

“No m’lord. She told me that once I brought you forth you would have to come to her, and that asides from myself no others were welcome.”

Lips pulled back to reveal teeth in a snarl of distaste whilst your hands curled into fists. This witch presumed to summon you like some sort of vassal and dictate what sort of guard you might bring with you. A growl threatened to escape your lips at the indignity of the situation.

--- How to proceed? ---
>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch alone (No Test Required)
>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch with your soldiers (Convince)
>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch with Septon Medwick (Intimidate)
>Accompany Jurgen see this witch with both the septon and soldiers (Intimidate)
>Refuse to journey to see her and insist that she come to you (Status)

Write ins and suggestions are welcome and may reduce difficulty if they are convincing.

Vote will be open until 10pm MST
>>
>>4618547
>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch alone (No Test Required)
>>
>>4618547
>>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch with Septon Medwick (Intimidate)
>>
>>4618547
>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch with your soldiers (Convince)
no way going alone but I think bringing the septon is a bad idea. He'll be a little too hardline with the witch.

I would tell her that we would be a fool to come alone and she surely doesn't want to ally with a fool.
>>
>>4618572
actually yeah, ima change my vote to this
>>
>>4618547
>>Accompany Jurgen see this witch with both the septon and soldiers (Intimidate)
>>
>>4618547
>Accompany Jurgen to see this witch with your soldiers (Convince)
>>
Looks like Ardrian will be bringing the 1st if he can convince Jurgen to still take him.

4d6 for Persuasion please

DC: 15
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 2, 2 = 12 (4d6)

>>4618669
>>
>>4618681
No dice. So Jurgen is going to flatly refuse to lead you there with your soldiers.

Would you still like to travel to meet with the Green Lady or would you prefer to explore a different angle?

>Go with Jurgen to see the Green Lady alone
>Do not. There were other ways you could track down these murderers

By choosing Do not we will be going back to >>4611050 to vote on what avenue to take next.
>>
>>4618693
>Do not. There were other ways you could track down these murderers
>>
>>4618693
>Go with Jurgen to see the Green Lady alone

do we have a plan if we do not seek her out
>>
>>4618693
>>Do not. There were other ways you could track down these murderers
Going all alone to meet some rogue witch is foolishness at best.
>>
>>4618693
>Go with Jurgen to see the Green Lady alone
fuck it. I am somewhat tending towards some DEUS VULT action before all this is over though.
>>
>>4618994
Patience.
>>
>>4618693
>>Go with Jurgen to see the Green Lady alone
>>
>>4618693
Could we try reasoning with him and bring like 3/4 soldiers instead of all of them.

Only a foolish man travels the woods alone at night after all.
>>
>>4619227
Negative. Failing that test means he is going to refuse to take Ardrian to her with anyone at all.

>Do not -
>>4618763
>>4618928

Go see her alone - 3
>>4618771
>>4618994
>>4619114


Alright I'll have an update up in an hour or two
>>
--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Persuasion Roll ---
Jurgen’s Disposition: Neutral
Modifier: +/- 0
Rolled: 12 vs DC: 15
Result: Failed

“If she wishes to see me then you will take me there Jurgen, but I will not be alone. If she seeks to cross me then I will be attended by my men and this witch will see the Knight of Stonegrove in his power. ”

Or at least what power remains to me…

Jurgen stiffened in his seat, sitting with a straight spine and for the first time he met your gaze with a fierceness you had not expected to see.

“I cannot Ser. She will… she has… M’lord I cannot bring you to her with your men. I was told to bring you to her alone.”

“Who is your liege Jurgen?”

“You are, Ser.”

“I command you to take me, and my soldiers, to where this witch resides.”

“With respect Ser, I cannot. She won’t be there if you try and find her. She’ll disappear into the green and you’ll never find her.”

Seven hells… when this is done Jurgen you will answer for this insubordination…

This may have been a fools errand but there was a desire inside your chest that longed to meet this woman who had taken your peoples loyalty to you.

“When can we leave? It was a struggle to keep your voice even and the flinch on Jurgens face revealed that he could sense your anger.

“I can be ready within the hour m’lord.”

“You have 30 minutes.”

“I..as you say Ser.”

--- Is there someone you would like to leave a contingency plan with? ---
>Septon Medwick
>Ser Dominic Wendwater
>Nobody, this was your own endeavor
>>
>>4619450
>Ser Dominic Wendwater

Jurgen is gonna hang after this.
>>
>>4619450
>Ser Dominic Wendwater

>>4619454
I think that might be a bit much, even in setting. Especially since we do not have the authority to do so - we'd have to ask our liege. That said, he should probably be punished somehow
>>
>>4619464
We do have authorithy since he is on our land. House Glover does not need a Starks premission to hang a cattle thief for example
>>
>>4619466
We don't because we're a landed knight.
>>
>>4619466

QM has stated IC that we don't have the right of pit and gallows.
>>
>>4619464
>>4619480
This is correct, at least to my understanding. Ardrian does not have the right of pit & gallows. He has the right to other forms of corporal punishment, but if he wants to see Jurgen hang he'll have to take it up with Lord Martyn Mertyns.

You'll find out in the Tournament at Mistwood that there are ways around that but like everything else they have a cost.

Additionally that doesn't mean that bandits arn't fair game to slaughter at will as rooting them out is expected of you to keep your lands peaceful, but if you take prisoners it would be expected of you to bring them to your liege.

Lastly, dealing with witches and heathens is another thing entirely and gets complicated when you start looking at matters of church and state.
>>
>>4619450
>>Ser Dominic Wendwater
>>
Alright I have to go run an errand fast but it shouldnt take me more than an hour. I'll call the vote then and begin writing once I get home
>>
>>4619487
If the septon says burn the foul thing that corrupts this land who are we or Lord Mertyns to say no.
>>
>>4619450
>Ser Dominic Wendwater
>>
Ser Dominic it is. Writing!

>>4619521
Essentially. Even if Lord Mertyns disapproved (which he wouldn't being a devout follower of the Seven himself), there would be a legal precedent for Ardrian to defend himself with
>>
Damn witches.
We're gonna put the fear of us into Jurgen later.
>>
Jurgen stood and gave a shallow bow of his head before setting out of his home to prepare for the journey. Once he was well and clear and you were alone you stood abruptly and flipped the table over in a fit of fury that overtook you once you were alone. It would not have done to have one of your subjects see you lose control but in the privacy of isolation you let your anger free.

Why did the gods seem to wish to test you so? What had you done aside from your duty that caused them to visit their wrath upon you. If you had been a lord with the right to the pit and gallows you might well have hung the man from a tree for his insolence. He had come to you for aid and now he presumed to instruct you how to carry out your business, all on the word of some wart riddled woods witch who likely did little more than peddle potions and helped smallfolk whelp their children. The chair you had previously been sitting in flew across the room and splintered into pieces before the storm of your anger passed on and you left the hovel to seek out Ser Dominic. You would be damned if you were to travel alone north of your domain without a plan should something foul go awry.

You found him in the centre of the camp sitting around a cook fire devouring spoonfuls of the soup that was bubbling in the small pot above the flames. He snapped off a hasty salute as he put down his bowl but you waved off the gesture and asked if there was a place that you might have a word in private.

“Of course Ser. Will my tent serve?”

“It will.”

Ser Dominic’s tent was a size larger than the average soldiers tent but it was a far cry from a proper pavilion. Starchy canvas walls had been stiffened so as to be water proof and a crude wooden bedframe lifted him off the ground to sleep. A small brazier in the corner kept the room warm enough but there was little else inside furnishing the tent.

“So what requires the privacy Ser?”

“I need to travel north for a few days, and I need to travel alone.”

“Ser after what happened in the night I can’t let you go alone in good conscience.”
>>
“Then you’ll like what I’m about to tell you even less, I’m heading north to find a woods witch. Jurgen is taking me to her and if I travel with anyone asides from himself she will disappear. Apparently she has information about these murders.”

Ser Dominic spat a gobbet of phlegm to the ground as he made the sign of the seven-pointed star.

“More like she’s responsible for committing these murders Ser. Seven hells do you really think this is a good idea?”

“Honestly? No. But I have little other choice if I want to put a stop to these murders. That is why I wanted to speak to you. I’ve been told the journey should take no more than three days. Apparently she resides in the ruins of some hall to the north. If I do not return within ten days I want you to assume the worst and attempt to find me. If any try to stop you, kill them. If Jurgen returns alive without me, hang him. Lastly, ensure that the witch burns for her treachery.”

“I don’t like the at all Ser. Broderick has told me how much he depends on you, how much Stonegrove needs you. He fears that House Borlund will fall into ruin without you.”

“Then I will simply have to return when this is all said and done.”

A furrows of his brow deepened as he scowled, some ill thought plaguing his mind. He absently scratched at his thick caterpillar of a moustache with strong, short fingers.

“There’s no changing your mind is there Ser?”

“No, there is not.”

“Then may the Seven watch over you Ardrian. May the Warrior guide your hand and may the Mother have mercy on you.”

“Keep your watches up and ensure that nobody else meets their death on this fools errand.”

“Of course Ser. I’ll maintain the patrols as before.”

"Good. I hope to see you within the week Ser Dominic..."
>>
--- 27/05/217 ---
--- The Rainwood ---

The long trill of a screech owl’s call from somewhere in the woods woke you from your slumber. You were two days into your trek north and you had fallen asleep on your bedroll next to the fire. It had smoldered down to little more than embers but thankfully the rain had held off during the journey.

Your eyes began to close once more but the owls call sounded once again, louder than before. Jurgen hissed your name and you looked over to the man to see he had his dagger in once hand and a finger in his other hand raised to keep you quiet. The blackness of the forest became all too apparent as you slowly reached a hand out towards your poleaxe. Your brigandine clinked softly as you did so and you stopped to listen to the sounds of the night. All there was to be heard was the light rustle of the breeze amidst the leaves and the occasional scurry of some small rodent in the undergrowth until the sharp snap of a small branch in the distance.

“Jurgen…what is happening…” You whispered the words as quietly as you were able.

“Someone is out there Ser, I don’t reckon they’re friendly. Perhaps if we lay quietly…”

“We can what? Hope they pass us by? No. They know we are here. Let us show them our faces and see if they are man enough to face us.”

You stood to your feet and brandished your polearm with an almost eager frustration. You had been hunting these men and now at least some of them finally seemed to be within your grasp.

“COME FORWARD AND FACE ME YOU COWARDS! I AM THE KNIGHT OF STONEGROVE AND YOU HOLD NO FEAR FOR ME! ARE YOU SUCH KNAVES AS TO REFUSE A CHALLENGE? OR DO YOU JUST PREFER TO PREY ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN?!” Your low voice thundered into the darkness like a thunder clap and a mocking reply soon came forth from the trees.

“I’m the Knight of Stonegrove…” Laughter followed the comment from what sounded like all sides. The voice that imitated you was thin and reedy and in your minds eye you could almost see the coward who mocked you from the safety of his hiding place.

“FACE ME!”

“Face me!” Yet more laughter ensued from the mocking tone…

--- I’ll need 3d6 for Awareness please ---
DC: 9, 15
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 5 = 12 (3d6)

>>4619833
>>
>>4619834
Well Ardrian spied at least one of the men in the trees. How many exactly there are though remains unknown.
>>
--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Awareness Test ---
Rolled 12 vs DC: 9, 15
One Degree of Success

Jurgen was up on his feet as well and had picked quickly strung the bow he had brought with him and had an arrow nocked at the ready. The mocking comments seemed to be growing louder and coming from nearly all directions but you focused on the thin voice when suddenly you saw a flash of a reflection from a small beam of moonlight that had struggled to peer through the trees. The glimmer had looked like it was from a short sword or a large knife of some kind.

“You. I see you there knave. If you wish to mock your betters do not do it from the shadows.”

The man suddenly appeared out of the gloom. Perhaps your eyes had adjusted to the darkness or he had just willed himself to be seen but he was there. He wasn’t as small as you’d imagined and he wore a coat of dark leather jerkin over a mouldy gambeson that stunk bad enough to cause you to wrinkle your nose.

“I reckon you might be lost Ser. Last I ‘eard Borlund land ended at the southron bank of the Greenrun. That must be nearly a days travel south. What do you reckon lads?”

Two more men appeared out of the darkness to flank the man you took for their leader. One was of a similar build and clutched a bow in hands while he stroked a thin moustache. His eyes were quick and cruel and he looked at you with obvious ill intent.

“Damn rights. Yer on our land now and if you wanna be leavin’ hear with yer head you’d best pay up.”

“Bugger that. He best be givin’ up everythin’ ‘e’s got.” The third man spoke up with a gravelly voice. He was larger than the other and his face was covered in a mix of boils and pimples that were visible even in the gloom.

“You wish to rob me? Come and try.” You pointed your poleaxe towards the first man with lethal intent and a deep breath filled your lungs. Your heart pounded inside your chest like a war drum as the calm before the storm of battle dragged on. It lasted perhaps no longer than a second but it felt like an hour…

--- Can I please get 4d6 for Fighting please? ---
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 6, 6 = 24 (4d6)

>>4619901
Here goes nothing...
>>
>>4619923
Fuck me - our lucks finally changing boyz

Time to work out our anger on these thugs
>>
>>4619923
dfhjkudsfbfjkdshbfjkdsbnks
>WTF
>>
>>4619923
Looks like these boys picked the wrong person to fuck with. Jesus.

Alright and I'll also need 2d6 for agility please
>>
Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)

>>4619935
>>
Rolled 5, 6 = 11 (2d6)

>>4619935
>>4619923
damn son
>>
>>4619923
>>4619937
Goddamn. I hope there's some nice flavour for that crit. Like cleaving through the man in a single blow, dividing him into two parts.
>>
--- Skirmish in the Rainwood ---

--- Round 1 ---

Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Attack
Rolled 24 vs Combat Defense: 4
Umpteen Degrees of Success
8 Damage x 4 = 32 Damage
32 – 3 Armour = 29 Damage
9 Health – 29 Damage = -20 Health
Result: Bandit Leader is very, very, very dead

Bandit Leader’s Attack
Rolled 7 vs Combat Defense: 5
One Degree of Success
3 Damage – 8 Armour = -5 Damage
Result: Ser Ardrian Borlund Unharmed

A sudden force caught you in the back as you moved to engage the ruffians in front of you and you gave a short, silent prayer for enduring the discomfort of sleeping in your armour. There was no pain aside from a dull ache that told you it was likely an arrow that had been stopped by steel. There was nothing to do but ignore it and press forward into the thick of it. Meanwhile Jurgen had loosed his arrow and caught the pimpled man the throat. A thick and gravelly scream rose above the clamour and his hands went to his throat and came away awash with his lifeblood as he fell to his knees.

Your target was the man with the reedy voice. The moustachioed man had hung back and had drawn an arrow but he held it for the moment for the risk of hitting one of his comrades.

Your time is coming scum…

You had begun to slow in your middle age and it showed. In your youth you would have cut down this mocking man before he’d even had a chance to strike and moved onto the next soldier but you were no longer in your youth. Instead you brought your poleaxe up in a ferocious swing that gave the man an opening that he lunged into. He stabbed with his sword towards your stomach but the point of the blade was dull and turned away by the brigandine plates hidden beneath your raiment. You could see spots of rust on the blade and it looked in sore need of a whetstone as well. Whomever these men were they were far from professional soldiers.

Unphased by the mans attempt at a gutshot you brought the blade of the poleaxe down sharply with all your might. The steel may have been common but against such thin leather and rotten cloth it sheared through his armour as easily as a knife through cheese. A horrific crack gave way to a blood curdling scream as your weapon cleaved through the mans collar bone sending spurts of hot blood upwards into the night sky. He fell stumbling backwards into the dirt and as he tried to crawl away you saw that his arm hung limply by his side, nearly completely severed by the blow. You brought the point of your weapon to his chest and thrust it into his heart ending his suffering with a contemptuous flourish.
>>
--- Bandit Archer Marksmanship Attack ---
Rolled 14 vs Combat Defense 5
Two Degrees of Success
3 Damage x 2 = 6 Damage
8 Armour – 6 Damage = -2 Damage
9 Health
Result: Ser Ardrian Borlund unharmed

The cruel moustachio let his arrow fly and you braced yourself for pain. At this range a bodkin should have easily penetrated your armour but instead of cruel steel the arrow was tipped with a blunt head more suited to the hunting of small birds than war. It was a mistake that you had no intention of letting the man repeat. You pressed after him in what was almost a charge as you tried to close the distance before he could let loose with another arrow but the man was quick to nock another one from the quiver mounted on his hip....

Can I get 2d6 for agility please, followed by 4d6 for fighting
>>
Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>4619988
>>
Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d6)

>>4619988
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 1, 1 = 7 (4d6)

>>4619988
>>
>>4620005
dice giveth, dice taketh away
>>
>>4620001
Perfectly average.

>>4620005
Lol.

Alright I just have to make something to eat fast but I'll try and hustle through it and get back to writing. Update should be up in around an hour
>>
--- Round 1 ---

Bandit Archer’s Marksmanship Attack
Rolled 15 vs Combat Defense: 5
Three Degree of Success
9 Damage – 8 Armour = 1 Damage
9 Health – 1 Damage = 8 Health


Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Attack
Rolled 7 vs Combat Defense: 4
One Degrees of Success
8 Damage x 1 = 8 Damage
8 – 2 Armour = 6 Damage
6 Health – 6 Damage = 0 Health
Result: Bandit Archer Slain

The bastard had gotten the drop on you and there was nothing you could do but curse your stiff knees for slowing you down. He’d even had the gall to grin when he loosed the arrow from near point blank range and sent the arrow flying towards you. It caught you in the shoulder and there was a sharp stab of pain where the arrowhead had managed to find it’s way through the various layers of your armour and break the skin.

The pain only served to enrage you further. You stalked after the man with murder in your eyes and when you drove the point of your poleaxe towards his heart the man tripped backwards and fell unceremoniously into the muck. You had nearly followed him having put much of your weight behind the attack but managed to stay on your feet and angle your weapon downwards to drive six inches of cold steel into the robbers shoulder. He screamed loudly and you silenced him with another stab through his heart allowing his blood to mix with the wet soil below him and feed the forest that had hid him for so many months.

You wheel about and saw two more bandits had emerged from the trees. One was engaged in a knife fight with Jurgen and another was drawing his bow and looked at you with hatred and no small amount of fear in his eyes. You needed one of these two men alive but the question was which one would you try to kill, and which one would you attempt to take as a prisoner…”

--- Which bandit to attack? ---
>The archer, it would be easier to help Jurgen capture the man he was wrestling with without having an arrow pointed at your back
>>
>>4620108
>The archer, it would be easier to help Jurgen capture the man he was wrestling with without having an arrow pointed at your back
yeah we'll go with that...
>>
Lmao
>>
>>4620108
i mean yeah not a bad a idea
>>
--- Which bandit to attack? ---
>The archer, it would be easier to help Jurgen capture the man he was wrestling with without having an arrow pointed at your back
>The knife wielder, you did not put a lot of stock in your guides martial prowess, and it would prove easy to dispatch the man and then focus on the archer afterwards

Looool
>>
>>4620130
>>The knife wielder, you did not put a lot of stock in your guides martial prowess, and it would prove easy to dispatch the man and then focus on the archer afterwards
>>
>The archer, it would be easier to help Jurgen capture the man he was wrestling with without having an arrow pointed at your back
>>
>>4620108

>The archer, it would be easier to help Jurgen capture the man he was wrestling with without having an arrow pointed at your back
>>
>>4620130
>>The archer, it would be easier to help Jurgen capture the man he was wrestling with without having an arrow pointed at your back
>>
>>4620130
>>The knife wielder, you did not put a lot of stock in your guides martial prowess, and it would prove easy to dispatch the man and then focus on the archer afterwards
It is far more likely that the man fighting Jurgen kills him than the archer of even damaging us. Even if the archer rolls a 20 it will only be 4 damage. Save Jurgen so we can deal with him ourselves later.
>>
>>4620130
>The knife wielder, you did not put a lot of stock in your guides martial prowess, and it would prove easy to dispatch the man and then focus on the archer afterwards
>>4620147
that's my worry too. this guy would end up killing Jurgen
>>
>>4620143
Changing to the knife guy
>>
Alright taking out the knife wielder it is. This next update might take a bit as I'm doing some multi tasking but I'm going to try and finish this skirmish tonight
>>
Back at it. I'll need 2d6 for initiative as well as 4d6 for fighting please
>>
Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d6)

>>4620332
>>
>>4620168
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 1, 6 = 15 (4d6)

>>4620332
>>
Thank you. Writing
>>
The decision was made for you when Jurgen lost his footing in his grappling with the bandit and he began to curse angrily as the two of them went down sprawling into the mud. You ran with an agency to your step knowing that if Jurgen was injured or killed that you might be left alone in these woods days away from your own lands.

You pulled the arrow forth from your shoulder as you ran, finding only the barest tip to be red with your lifesblood, only to throw it to the ground and press forward with a growl upon your lips and you spat your fury towards these common men who dared attack you, a scion of an ancient and storied house.

--- Round 3 ---

Bandit Archer’s Marksmanship Attack
Rolled 16 vs Combat Defense: 5
Three Degree of Success
9 Damage – 8 Armour = 1 Damage
8 Health – 1 Damage = 7 Health

The archer across the small clearing from you drew his arrow as you charged forwards with the smooth and practiced motion of a man who had done so thousands of time before. He was more than likely a poacher of some sort and his aim was true, the arrow finding you clean in the chest. Your armour was up to the task however and it sent the arrow ricocheting upwards towards your face which you only managed to turn away at the last second. Still, the arrow grazed your brow above your left eye and you found yourself wishing for even the protection of your half-helm. Blood began to leak from the wound and disrupt your vision as you struggled to wipe it away.

Jurgen cried out in pain as the bandit wrenched away his knife and drove it downwards in a killing blow. He had grabbed the mans wrists and jerked them hard, sending the blade up so it caught him in the shoulder instead of the chest but it was a dangerous wound all the same. The man pulled the knife free once more and brought it down again only for Jurgen to cling to his wrist with the ferocity that a drowning man might cling to a piece of wreckage.

Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Attack
Rolled 15 vs Combat Defense: 4
Three Degrees of Success
8 Damage x 3 = 24 Damage
24 – 3 Armour = 21 Damage
6 Health – 21 Damage = -15 Health
Result: Bandit Slain

The man did not get the chance for a third strike. You spun your poleaxe in your hand and delivered a crushing blow from the hammer on the rear side of it to the mans skill with a terrible crunch that sent him flying to land grotesquely with his body limp.

“Jurgen, stand up. We need to take this last man captive.”

The words were an order, not a question, and came out of your mouth without so much as facing the now injured man. The last bandit only now seemed to realize that the rest of his party lay dead and dying and his eyes flitted from Jurgen to yourself and he turned tail to run…

--- Can I get 4d6 for Athletics (Run) please? ---
The DC is 10 for the bandits own Athletics roll
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 3, 2 = 7 (4d6)

>>4620399
>>
>>4620406
Lol.
>>
>>4620406
Lol well that is mildly inconvenient.

Would you like to spend a destiny point to remove one dice from the bandits test pool and reduce his own result to 7?

Ardrian currently has 2 Destiny Points available, and will get his spent destiny point back at the culmination of the mystery.

--- Spend a Destiny Point to catch the bandit? ---
>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>Nay, he escapes into the trees
>>
>>4620425
It depends if we can follow his trail be it footprints or blood then

>Nay, he escapes into the trees

If not then

>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>>
>>4620467
Is it possible to try and track him, yes. He isn't injured though so it ill be a fairly difficult test.

So i'll change the wording of the vote. I'll let this vote go overnight because I'm bagged and have work in the morning. I'll finish this scene tomorrow night though

>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>Nay, you would take you chances and try to hunt the man down like the prey that he was
>>
>>4620484
>Nay, you would take you chances and try to hunt the man down like the prey that he was
>>
>>4620484
>Nay, you would take you chances and try to hunt the man down like the prey that he was
>>
>>4620516
>>4619923
This is me btw

My ID changes all the time
>>
>>4620425
>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>>
>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>>
Can we use one of the fallen guys' bows to shoot at the retreating bandit? We have Marksmanship 4, so there's a decent chance that we kill or injure the guy.
>>
>>4620484
>>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>>
>>4620484
>Nay, you would take you chances and try to hunt the man down like the prey that he was

Running the risk of sounding pushy, I would remind everyone that this quest is best of one. We should save our destiny points for situations where our life at risk - not for small defeats like this.
>>
>>4619923
L8 but HOLY FUCK
>>
>>4620484
>>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
>>
>>4620484
>>Nay, you would take you chances and try to hunt the man down like the prey that he was
>>
>>4620863
we spent all our luck on that roll
>>
>Nay - 4
>>4620488
>>4620516
>>4620723
>>4620880

>Yay - 4
>>4620525
>>4620567
>>4620616
>>4620872

Currently tied. I'll come back in one hour and see if anyone has changed their mind or if we get another vote. If there is no change, I'll roll for it at 5:30pm MST
>>
>>4620425
>Nay, he escapes into the trees
>>
>>4620484
>Yay, you finally had someone within your grasp and you would not let him go
We want answers.
>>
>>4621256
Oh that was the old wording, but you get my meaning
>>
>Nay
I'm this - >>4620600
>>
Not spending the DP takes it. Capturing this wretch is going to rely on the dice here.

Speaking of which, I will need 3d6 for Survival (Track). DC: 12
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14 (3d6)

>>4621366
>>
>>4621369
Thank the Seven.

Alright I'm going to try and pump this update out.
>>
---- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Athletics (Run) Test ---
Rolled 7 vs DC: 10
Result: Failed

You took off after him as fast as your legs would carry you but your quarry was more knowledgeable about these woods than you, and though it wounded your pride he was simply faster than you. As you pursued him through the maze of tree trunks and branches the distance between you began to grow. 3 metres became five, and five became ten before you stopped to catch your breath and lost sight of him amongst the trees.

A curse threatened to burst forth from your lips until you saw the heavy tracks that the man had left behind into the soft and loamy soil. A smile replaced the scowl and you quickly turned about to see how Jurgen was handling his wounds. He was leaning against a tree whilst applying pressure to the knife wound in his shoulder with a grimace of pain on his face.

“He got away Ser?”

“For now…he is leaving behind tracks that a child could follow. How fares your wound?”

“It hurts something fierce but I should live. The Green Lady will have be able to prepare a poultice or some other remedy once we reach her.”

“Yes I’m sure she knows her herblore. You can manage yourself while I track down this knave?”

“I can’t shoot a bow, or defend myself further but I’ll live.”

“See that you do. I have no intention to attempt to find this witch alone.”

--- Ser Ardrian Borlund’s Survival (Track) Test ---
Rolled 14 vs DC: 12
Result: One Degree of Success

You slung the bow of one of the dead bandits over your shoulder as well and took off into the forest. His tracks were painfully easy to follow and it took you less than an hour to catch him. Perhaps he thought he’d lost you in the dark, or that you had given up on the chase but he had taken refuse in a clearing of alder and oak. He had been smart enough to not to light a fire but you had found him nonetheless. An arrow found it’s way to your hands almost by instinct and you nocked it with the quietest of motions before stepping into the clearing and pointing the weapon at the man with a dark smile upon your face.

“I’ve come for you, and now…you’re mine…”
>>
Alright and I'll be calling it here. I don't really have alot of time to run during the week but if I can get one more weekend out of this thread before it falls off the board I'll be a happy camper.

If you all have any ideas for questions and/or methods to get this man to speak feel free to throw them out, and if you have any questions for me I'll be happy to answer them. See you all Saturday!
>>
>>4621498

>I could kill you now...

>I could torture out of you what I'd like to know.

>But I'm more interested in seeing how the spirits of this forest would accept you as an offering. How does that sound?


But less lame.
>>
>>4621500
Loving how haughty Ardrian is. A true deposed lord in his later years.
>>
>>4621514
Looks like this is what we'll be starting with!

>>4625106
It's definitely a bit of a challenge to write, and he's a pretty different type of person than Merv. Iwant to try and write his fighting style differently than Merv's as well but it's very much a work in progress on that front. Thank you for the kind words though.

I'll br running tomorrow afternoon, probably later in the day. See you all then!
>>
The wet squelch of mud broke the lessening silence of the forest as the bandit stumbled and fell into the muddy ground in an unceremonious hump. The first matins of daylight were beginning to make themselves visible as the songs of various birds twittering through the ancient trees became audible. The man looked back up at you with half of his face brown with the detritus of the forest floor and a look of fearful anger in his eyes.

“You found him Ser!”

“I did. He hasn’t been very talkative so far though.”

“YOU CAN GO ‘N’ FUCK YERSELF! I AIN”T GUNNA TELL YOU ANYTHING! THE LADS’LL COME FIND ME AND THEN WE’LL HANG YOU FROM THE TREES!”

“Well, that is to say that he hasn’t said anything useful. He’s managed to utter a few curses that I’ve never heard before, including one about my father being some sort of rodent. A hedgehog was it?”

“IT WAS A FUCKING HAMSTER!”

“I would suggest speaking to me more politely in the future if you wish to keep your tongue.”

The man tried to spit at you but from his position it barely managed to travel a few feet before landing pitifully short of his target. He was a common-born man with a plain, common face and eyes that spoke of cruel stupidity. There was a low cunning in them however, and a tightness to his mouth that made you feel uneasy.

“Bullshit. Ol’ Dick used to talk about you when he was in his cups, talkin’ ‘bout how he used to be a soldier in your garrison. Said you were a right hard bastard, but a fair one. You ain’t gunna torture me.”

You prided yourself on your sense of justice. It was a strict code you followed, and torture was an affront to both the gods of laws and men. The threat of torture however was something else entirely, and there were always loopholes within laws.

“You have me there. Tell me, do you have a name at least?”
>>
He stared at you suspiciously but he had relaxed after he felt safer. His answer was curt and hostile. “Ulf.”

“Tell me Ulf, how is it you wish to die? Rope? Beheading? I may not torture you, but the crime of banditry and attacking nobility is still death.”

His expression changed into one of both disgust and terror as he struggled at the bowstring that bound his hands together behind his back. The man rolled about in the mud and soiled his already disgusting clothes even further.

“Relax Ulf, you are in luck. As we do not stand upon my land, I have no jurisdiction to take your life. Even if we were on my own land I would still need my liege lords permission to have you executed…”

“So what now then? You think you’re going to drag me all the way back to your castle? Ha. You’ll never make it out of here alive.”

“No, Stonegrove will not play host to the likes of scum such as yourself. I intend to deliver you to the ruler of this land. Jurgen, what did you say her name was?”

“The Green Lady m’lord.”

“Ah yes, the Green Lady. A pagan, a witch who worships the spirits of the trees, rivers and stones. I believe you might be familiar with her no? Of course, if you were to answer my questions you would be my prisoner. You might buy your life and live, or you may have your throat cut and your blood will feed the trees. The choice is yours…”


--- Can I get 4d6 for Persuasion (Intimidate) please ---
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 4, 5 = 15 (4d6)

>>4628101
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 2, 6 = 11 (4d6)

>>4628101
>>
>>4628110
Hey would you look at that.

Alright so Ulf the Bandit is intimidated.

I'll need 4 questions for him that you all want the answers too. I'll start writing in 2 hours from now so you have until then to throw out your suggestions
>>
>>4628211
>How big is your group?
>Where are your companions located?
>Have you been murdering the villagers?
>>
>>4628211
>Tell us all you know about the Green Lady
Pretty obvious.
>>
>>4628273
>>4628323
This and ask if he actually works for her
>>
>>4628273
this works. the basics
>>
Alright cool. I'm having a bit of a busy day here so one more vote in the mean time...

--- Extend a promise to allow Ulf to live? ---
>Yay, should his information prove to be true he would walk free
>Yay, should his information prove to be true he would be allowed to take the black
>Nay, when all was said and done you would escort him to Mistwood and see him hang
>Nay, he was on someone elses land. You had no power to stop this Green Lady from taking matters into her own hands
>>
>>4628452
>Nay, when all was said and done you would escort him to Mistwood and see him hang
We need his word for Lord Mertyn to hang any bandit we catch here.
>>
>>4628452
>Yay, should his information prove to be true he would be allowed to take the black
Let's commit some war crimes and not leave any bandits alive to take to Lord Mertym
>>
>>4628452
>Nay, he was on someone elses land. You had no power to stop this Green Lady from taking matters into her own hands
>>
>>4628452
>>Nay, he was on someone elses land. You had no power to stop this Green Lady from taking matters into her own hands
>>
>>4628452
>Nay, he was on someone else's land. You had no power to stop this Green Lady from taking matters into her own hands.

As much as it would probably gall our former lord to concede that this 'Lady' had any land at all, the fact of the matter remains that this is a clever way of dealing with this guy without breaking any laws, or showing the new lord that you have a bandit problem.
>>
For the sake of moving this forward I'm going to call it here for no. Ardrian following the letter of the law to get what he wants.

Writing


Writing!
>>
“And where exactly is down this way, and who is this Ser Dillard?” The name Greenwood was one unknown to you.

“I duno, he’s some hedge knight from the Kingswood that used to serve a house up north in the Crownlands. When he first led us here we camped out in some glade, but then we started losin’ men to the woods and Ser Dillard moved us to the ring of stones we’re at now. Bunch of stars carved on ‘em and those heathen bastards leave us well enough alone.”

“Are you the men who have been coming south of the Greenrun and murdering my smallfolk?

“Not me personally, no. But Ser Dillard’s been sendin’ some of the lads south lookin’ for food and other plunder. Can’t say I know much more’n that Ser. I been one of the ones he’s been sendin’ on these goosehunts against that damn green woman.”

“Speaking of this green woman, what do you know of her?”

“She’s some sort of witch like you say Ser, a heathen who speaks to trees. Ser Dillard been lookin’ for her for nearly the whole year now. We been fightin’ the savages that worship her in small skirmishes the whole damn time too. The things they do to the bodies of the men they kill…it ain’t natural.”

“Explain.”

“Sometimes they take the eyes, sometimes the tongues, or hands, or feet. They leave ‘em where they lay or sometimes they decorate those damnable white trees with their blood. Truth be told I’m sick of these bastards.”

Troubling news if it was true. Two hundred men but a few days north of your own lands without your knowledge for nearly a year was unacceptable. Not to mention that such foul pagan practices were happening so close to home as well. If you recalled correctly this land was currently under the rule of House Mertyns of Woodknock Hollow, a cadet branch that had been founded after the hall had been taken from your own house for it’s treachery. North of that the foothills of the mountains began as did the domain of House Morrigan.
>>
Perhaps it might be worth investing in a unit of scouts or guerillas in the near future, as well as that visit with Lord Morrigan himself.

“Jurgen, on your feet. How far are we from the home of this Green Lady?”

“We can be there today m’lord. Even with the captive, but she won’t like us bringin’ him.”

“I am but a landed knight Jurgen, I have no jurisdiction here. Make ready to move, I wish to be travelling within the hour. Take what you can from the dead, they can feed the forest for all I care.”

“As you say Ser.”

--- Skirmish in the Rainwood Finished ---
Experience Gained: 5
Coin Gained: 4 Silver Moons

Thanks for playing guys. This will likely be the last run for this thread. We'll pick back up next week with a new thread with meeting the Green Lady and figuring out what, and who, she is.

I've really been enjoying running again, and have been having a blast writing Ardrian. If you guys have any questions about the character, House Borlund, or anything else please feel free to ask.

If this thread dies off, then you can expect updates on my twitter @ Joebree28428728

See you all next week!

Sincerely, Joe
>>
>>4628879
Thanks Joe!
>>
>>4628879
Thanks for running, Joe!
>>
>>4628879
Thank you for running.



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