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You are Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow, first daughter of Lord Domeric Duntreow and heir to Hallowgrove. If you could shut your eyes off from the worn bare wood of this fisherman’s hovel… if you could ignore the itching of your skin, irritated by the elements and what you would like to believe are not fleas… if you could shut out the dull, coarse cackles of the men outside who brought you to this point… if you could stop yourself from smelling the filth of your body… if you could wash the bitter taste of despair from your mouth. If, if, if… only then could you retreat again to the fantasies you’ve constructed to pass the time, the time that has been endlessly drawn out and yet so fleeting.

By your best reckoning, you have been a captive here for three moons. You were sailing from Stenmoor to Fawnton with your niece, Eileen, your eldest brother Corwyn’s only living daughter. He brought shame to your house and died a craven’s death, but his children were innocent. Devyn perished not long after him. Gwayne, your true brother, fell in battle. As did Malcolm, your husband. So many lost only for your father’s house to sink lower into the depths of the Rainwood. But it was Eileen you loved the most. If that makes you a poor widow, then so be it. At your lady mother’s urging, you left your husband’s home of Wensington to take service with your niece. You saw her flourish, a bright flower amongst the weeds of your dying house, only to be stamped out by monsters wearing the skins of men.
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Sailing. Yes, you were sailing with Eileen to Fawnton so that she could present herself to her betrothed of Cafferen. You would have expected the boy to travel instead, but you were told they were rather insistent upon Eileen making the trip in his stead, a rather obvious statement on your birth house’s standing in the arrangement. You had no warning of the pirates. One moment there was laughing, the next there were screams. They washed over your outnumbered knights as the crew stood by. You found yourself bagged and bound amidst the screams until you were dumped here, left with nothing but your darkening thoughts and a bucket for your natural needs. That is, until everything changed last evening.

It was Vaaro. You heard the fisherman of this hovel call him Vaaro once. He has the look of Tyrosh about him. He is young, but you are sure he is one of their leaders from the way he carries himself. He watched you for a time from the doorway in that self-sure way that brings a lump of outrage to your throat and makes you all too self-aware of your current state. Then he spoke the words that must surely damn you.

Your family will not pay.

You felt nothing, only confusion. Your father’s house was never wealthy, but he surely could have found a way to ransom you. Did he give you up for dead? Is this your worm of an uncle’s doing? Is Vaaro lying? It was the second time he spoke to you. The first was to tell you of your niece’s death. That almost broke you. You know he was not lying then. His remorse at delivering the word seemed genuine. A small part of you does now wonder if he has only spoken lies. It could still be that Eileen was ransomed and there simply was not enough coin for you. You could even live with that if she yet lives. Does this man seek to torment you? Does he want you for himself? He has been almost kind to you. He speaks softly and has never raised a hand to you. He brings you extra food. You cannot make sense of it. The only thing you know for certain is that you are in danger and he wants something from you.
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Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow
What do you want?
>You are a survivor. You want to survive, to find some small happiness, and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. You were not raised to rule and were content as a lady of court. In a way, you’ve already been given a taste of ruling and have found it to be more bitter than you care to put up with.
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.
>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
>Something else.

How will you gain this Vaaro to your side?
>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.
>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.
>Something else.
>>
>>5931807
>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>>
>>5931807
Let's get it started!
Tough one to start with but..

>You are a survivor. You want to survive, to find some small happiness, and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. You were not raised to rule and were content as a lady of court. In a way, you’ve already been given a taste of ruling and have found it to be more bitter than you care to put up with.
and
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.
We refuse to die off as some unfortunate footnote in our family tree. We played the Lady and did our duty and our family didn't bother ransoming us? Gwyn is pissed if that's true.

>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.
We've also been at court all our life and know how to speak to Sers and Lords and this man is neither. Spewing honeyed words at him will get us nowhere. If he speaks our tongue then he knows enough about a Lady and Heir of a House to know that gold isn't the only thing we can be ransomed with.

Glad to see the quest up QM.
Also
>>5931805
>Green eyes
Bog person confirmed.
Secret Lannister
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>>5931807
What do you want?
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.

How will you gain this Vaaro to your side?
>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.
>>
>>5931807
>>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.
&
>>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>>
>>5931807
+1 to the first part of >>5931828

>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>>
>>5931807
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.

>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.

It's finally here! How do you want the previous thread archived Boggs?
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>>5931807
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.
>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>>
>>5931807
>You are a survivor. You want to survive, to find some small happiness, and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. You were not raised to rule and were content as a lady of court. In a way, you’ve already been given a taste of ruling and have found it to be more bitter than you care to put up with.
>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.
This is probably the most difficult start of any ASOIAF quest but I'm here for it.
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>>5931807
>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
> You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>>
>>5931807

>You are a survivor. You want to survive, to find some small happiness, and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. You were not raised to rule and were content as a lady of court. In a way, you’ve already been given a taste of ruling and have found it to be more bitter than you care to put up with.

>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.

Desperation is bitter, but not so bitter as dying proud.
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>>5931807
>>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.
>>
>>5931807
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.
>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.
>>
>>5931807
>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.
>>
>>5931807
>You are a survivor. You want to survive, to find some small happiness, and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. You were not raised to rule and were content as a lady of court. In a way, you’ve already been given a taste of ruling and have found it to be more bitter than you care to put up with.

>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager.
>>
>>5931807
>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.
>>
>>5931890
>It's finally here! How do you want the previous thread archived Boggs?
Just took care of it. Thanks for the reminder.
Link is here for reference: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=House%20Duntreow

For her approach, I'm seeing:
>Act the lady: 6
>Be subtle yet enticing: 4
>Try to strike up conversation: 5
And for goals:
>Survival: 3
>Power: 5
>Revenge: 5
>A combination of survival and power: 2

The vote is still open. I will call it a little later and ask for a few rolls. The next update will be up tonight (hopefully earlier than last night).
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>>5931807
>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.

>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.
>>
>>5932240
Is the character sheet done or is there something we might need to vote on?
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>>5931807
>You are a survivor. You want to survive, to find some small happiness, and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. You were not raised to rule and were content as a lady of court. In a way, you’ve already been given a taste of ruling and have found it to be more bitter than you care to put up with.

So many mcs go for power. She has good reasons to value different things

>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention

I want to see how this plays out
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>>5932339
This has Gwynfryd's sheet and the crunch behind her birth house. It was worked out in the house creation thread. Still working on the final touches for Vaaro.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kWLdiwaUG4Iqr-zOPQJLVp9ug45R8MSO-3Da77fYENg/edit
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>>5931828
+1 for motive

>You will lean on your courtly subtleties. He is a man like any other and will respond to a bit of coyness. You need only adjust your dress and posture, flash him a smile at just the right time, and you will have his complete attention.
>>
>>5932359
We have a nemesis. Interesting.
We'll have to practice lying a lot because I'm sure we'll need a lot of deception just to survive.
Random specialty in Hunting? Hope we'll get to use it
>>
Surprised people are going for the subtle coyness, it's not as much our strength as our straightforwardness or status is. I thought the whole 'bonus die being in convince, emphasizing our preferred way of communicating thing' versus our relative lack of emotiveness made sense as an character aspect.

>>5931807
Speaking of, I'll switch from my vote >>5931921 to trying to initiate conversation with him. Even if it turns out to be a charm technique rather than convince, I still think it fits better with how I imagine Gwyn.
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>>5931807
>>You want power. You will not let your father or your uncle give you up for dead and pass your birthright to your cousins.
>>He speaks the common tongue. Swallow your pride and simply strike up conversation. Surely you can find some common ground to aid in convincing him to act in your favor.
>>
>>5932406
The book has suggested rules for hawking as using Animal Handling with bonus dice from the Hunt specialty. Seemed like an appropriate hobby for a noble lady from a house in the woods.
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>>5932412
If you've been kidnapped for three months you'd start doing things you wouldn't think of doing before. That doesn't mean we won't remain cold outside of desperate situations.
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>>5932423
Exactly. She survived a siege and now this. She was someone's trophy wife. Power doesn't feel like a primary goal in context
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>>5931807
>You feel your terror turning to a cold anger that you’re not sure what to do with yet. One thing is for certain; more than anything, you want vengeance. Vengeance for Eileen. Vengeance for your dignity. You will have it no matter the cost.
>You are a lady. You will not seek the attentions of this man. He must seek yours. You will collect yourself and wait for him to approach you. You do not want him to think you desperate or overeager
>>
>>5932423
Of course, but my question would then be given Gwyn's strengths in argumentation, would she then think to turn to smiles and subtleties in desperation rather than resorting to what she is used to and is better at?

Not to die on this hill or anything. I don't think it's a huge deal or 'out of character' or anything given that we haven't even really started playing her yet.

>>5932440
I think the question of what Gwyn wants has more to do with her family inheritance situation than her immediate circumstances, though I could see it applying to both or either. The vengeance choice is the only thing that puts a dent in that theory to me, but even then that could apply to Gwyn's speculation of her uncle employing these brigands.

Something like our uncle subtly employs these pirates to kidnap us and Eileen, goes to our father saying he's in contact with the kidnappers and needs money to pool together with his own funds to pay them off, only pays for Eileen but not us, leaving the band to disintegrate and kill/enslave/leave us for dead. At least that I imagine how Gwyn's guesswork goes.
>>
I'm going to call it here so I can get to writing. Goals are very split right now. I can work with a mix, and we can narrow it down as play progresses. Anger and a sense of betrayal seems to be an underlying motivation.

Courtly subtleties and striking up conversation are tied. I'll chalk that up to a Charm attempt rather than something like Convince or Seduce. Okay, I'm going to need about 4 or 5 rolls of 3d6. The first will count as an Awareness (Empathy) roll. For those not familiar, I use best of 1, not best of 3. You're doing "damage" to his intrigue defense with rolls like it's a combat, so it's not a simple success/fail.

>Can I get some rolls of 3d6?
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 6 = 17 (3d6)

>>5932516

Here you go boss
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 4 = 11 (3d6)

>>5932516
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 4 = 13 (3d6)

>>5932516
>>
How does one roll on this site again?
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>>5932528
dice+xdy in the options field, where the x in the formula is the number of dice you want to roll and the y in the formula is the die size. If you want modifiers then just add another +# afterwards, or +-# to get negative modifiers.
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>>5932518
Okay, this is funny. The DC was 16, but I thought I should at least throw the chance out there.
>>5932520
>>5932522
Very solid against a DC of 10.

>>5932528
dice+5d6 (bumping the dice pool back up from successes) in the options field would do it for this. dice can't be capitalized

>Can I get ~3 rolls of 5d6 for Convince?
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 6, 5, 5 = 25 (5d6)

>>5932534

Here you go again
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 4, 6, 6 = 21 (5d6)

>>5932534
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 2, 3, 4 = 19 (5d6)

>>5932534
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 6 + 5 = 20 (3d6 + 5)

>>5932536
>>5932538
>>5932543
Very strong rolls. Tossing out a counter roll here.
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>>5932547
damn, good counter roll.
>>
This is why I like the intrigue rules. It played out more interestingly than me just writing my initial take on it. Since it's late, I will write up their conversation for tomorrow night and post Vaaro's POV tonight to give everyone a little more context on the situation.
>>
You are Vaaro Orlios of Tyrosh
Son of a merchant. Paymaster of the Kingmakers Free Company, and likely the last to hold such a title. You have found yourself all but adrift in the Stepstones for the better part of a year, forced to indulge in the raiding whims of your tentative pirate allies. Your magister sponsors have abandoned you to your fate. You are not privy to their reasons for doing so. You were not the paymaster when this contract was signed, and your captain has kept his own council of late. Or rather, he has deliberately kept you in the dark and left you to die on this nameless island with the tattered survivors of your scattered company. Before he left, you were left with the simple instruction to stall for time. If anything, you succeeded your own expectations in doings so, but you are running out of time and excuses. With few exceptions, those left of your so-called brothers have turned nearly as rotten as the pirates who call this wasteland home. They will want to take out their frustrations on someone when they catch on to this ruse, and who better than the one responsible for putting coin in hand? Unless there was someone else to blame or some new source of coin…

Navaen of Myr leads the pirates here. You know him to be a lieutenant of a larger outfit, but here he is like a king. More often than not of late, you’ve wondered how your brothers would react if you pointed blame in Navaen’s direction. It is more than plausible. To be repetitive, the man is Myrish scum and robs for a trade. But only a fool would seek a straight fight with him. His men outnumber your men at least four to one, and you know many of those left to you would sooner run than risk necks. The man is clever besides and may simply challenge you on what passes for his honor. That would be the worst outcome. You are not inept, but he could kill you in his sleep. That will not do.
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>>5932569
And your motives might be suspect. You did quarrel with Navaen over his botched raid. He seized a ship with noble passengers, keeping the purpose from you and playing it close to chest until the moment the ship was sighted. It couldn’t have been more obvious he was tipped off or otherwise put to task by someone, but he didn’t see fit to share those details either. The passengers were a gaggle of fair womenfolk with a handful of knights in accompaniment. The ship’s crew saw your banners and contented themselves with keeping heads bowed and hands unbusied.

The knights were less compliant and slew several of your companions before they could be overpowered. Frustrations were taken out on their charges. It is known this is the way of raids, fight back and be repaid with worse, but you were angered by the lack of restraint. A complete waste of valuable commodities, like finding a cask of Arbor Gold and pouring it all over the decks and during hard times no less. Of course, the fools tried their very best to repackage their goods seawater and all, but it will be for naught. You know well that flesh traders are sommeliers in their own right. They will know spoiled goods from fresh.

And what spoiled goods they are. Navaen’s remaining share of the hostages are in a poor state. Not a week past, he killed one of the knights for sport, but he was aged and of little value. Another younger knight yet lives, but his leg is in a poor state. You understand one of his women is with child. That one has been the subject of some debate. It has yet to be decided if the addition of the child would net a larger profit or not. The flesh traders would sooner see a fresh babe as a useless mouth to be tossed into the sea, but Westerosi might view this differently. Word has it they butchered each other on an admirable scale in their war. Under circumstances, a new babe could hold such value as bread in winter. Or maybe not.
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>>5932570
The young mistress of the lot, the only one with true purpose if your suspicions are correct, is long dead from the trouble. If the story is to be believed, her identity was mistaken, and she was treated roughly. Upon your return to this sad island, a great deal of effort was expended on her survival. That is to say, useless quarrels broke out while fishermen’s wives sought to pray away her fever. Only the Red God answered.

You found that one of her handmaidens had played Navaen for the fool and named herself the mistress. Very brave. Very courageous. Very stupid. She was spared the crew’s attentions, at first. The story broke apart, and she was given over as free use. You understand she caught quite the pox and is in a miserable condition. You have known whores to take their own lives under such circumstances. You have wondered if the thought has occurred to her. She could take solace in knowing she is not alone in her suffering. A sort of divine justice saw to it that the pox spread through many of the crew. Yet another reason for you to be well rid of this forsaken venture.

That bit of mischief brought out another side of Navaen. As expected, he was as furious as you’d ever seen him, but you saw him unsettled… panicked? A reaction you found most curious from him, another sign that the brute has been keeping secrets from you, but also a sign of weakness. It was at this point that you confronted him. As it stood, the men you might still call your own had already seized three hostages. They saw little reason to risk another fight and stop the pirates from gaining their satisfaction from the rest. If you knew the stakes, you could have seen his valued prize protected. You thought he would strike you when you pointed out the folly, but he gave his distracted assurances that your share of the prisoners would not be freely used.
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>>5932572
You were careful in choosing your hostages. The first is a squire, unharmed but for his pride. He had to endure the ridicules and catcalls of the men who thought him fit for a very fine buttboy. You did not allow this. Younger boys of fair complexion have worth. As does the next hostage, an unflowered girl. You put the two together in one of your huts. A small mercy that they might find some comfort in each other’s company. You have checked in on them frequently and seen them fed better than even yourself. It would not do for them to look unhealthy if they must stand upon the auction block. You did the same for the last hostage, lest her curves waste away. All the better if it is seen as a kindness.

Gwynfryd of Duntreow. She is your finest prize. You know her name. You know her worth. Or you thought you did. You drafted letters to her family. You thought them quite politely worded, but you were met with curt refusal and a promise of your entrails hanging beneath you at the gallows. It was trouble enough to claim her. She is something of a rare beauty, a true gem in the rough. You saw her figure even with her face bagged. Every man did. Had you shown a grain of weakness, you might have found one to put a knife in your gut for the chance to use her.

You are not alone in knowing her worth. Navaen does as well. He has been asking after her, even by name. It unsettles you. The man is as hungry and greedy as any, but you suspect his thoughts run deeper. He knew of the ship. He knew of the passengers. He could have designs upon her. You have not told him of your letter lest he take that as cause to deprive you of her. All the more reason to depart for friendlier shores. But you need her on your side. Doubtless it will take some work to make her pliable to your wishes. You wouldn’t even rule out listening to what she has to say. Surely she has something to offer. She needs to know you have something to offer, too. And you do. You are her only realistic path to avoiding becoming a local whore. There is the matter of your exit plan, too.
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>>5932573
As you have considered already, you could use your men to confront Navaen. But do you really need to be there for such an exchange? You could poke and prod at your pieces just so and depart in the chaos. That would make for an amusing story. That is, if you need to skulk away at all. You could simply follow the expected plan. It is hardly unusual and no great upset for ransoms to go unpaid. If there is one truth, it is that the flesh traders always pay. You could take sail for Tyrosh or Lys with your hostages in tow. Once there, you would not be so compelled to follow through on your oaths to the men and could do as you wish.

There are other more subtle ways to make an exit. The fishermen of these waters know their trade better than any and could surely smuggle you and your last remaining prize to more cultured shores. These folk may live in thrall to Navaen, but all hate him. Too many daughters and wives carried off. You’ve maintained better relations, exchanging goods for their better catches. A single skiff is all you would need, as safe a bet as any other you could think of. Some of your remaining silver would make it all but a surety.

Vaaro
What is your first plan of escape?
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.
>You will use the Stepstones against your erstwhile allies. Your personal dealings with the fishermen of this island will allow you to escape.
>You are not in such a rush to leave. There are those here who could be allies, and there are enemies who you would rather see busy fighting other enemies. You will play the politics of the encampment first.
>Something else.
>>
>>5932575
>>You will use the Stepstones against your erstwhile allies. Your personal dealings with the fishermen of this island will allow you to escape.
>>
>>5932575
I guess the question is if we want to stay to try and make use of the opportunities available here/go east to ply our skills or if we just want to head home after Gwyn convinces Vaaro to help her.

Freeing the squire and the injured knight could turn the tide if we convinced the companymen to stay and turn on Navaen. Likewise the fishermen could be recruited. This is if we wanted to try and gain something out of this mess rather than fleeing into the sea.

I don't know about what we'd be able to manage in Essos.

>You are not in such a rush to leave. There are those here who could be allies, and there are enemies who you would rather see busy fighting other enemies. You will play the politics of the encampment first.

This fits well with Gwyn's revenge motivation, and there is relatively little harm in trying this first before defaulting to fleeing if things turn sour, aside from being killed in our sleep of course. We could net Gwyn some sellswords or naval vessels if we play this well.
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>>5932575
>You will use the Stepstones against your erstwhile allies. Your personal dealings with the fishermen of this island will allow you to escape.

This place is a powderkeg waiting for a match, every day the men are going to be more mutinous and pirate like, I say we take what men we know can be trusted by a payout or even loyalty and depart with promises of coin, maybe say we caught the attention of a prince in the free cities with noble concubine.

Once there we can sell what's not worthwhile and pick up new guards as necessary.
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>>5932601
Woods wrong vote I meant

>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.

Also worth mentioning we can promise supplies, fresh whores and more coin on our return.
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>>5932575
>>You are not in such a rush to leave. There are those here who could be allies, and there are enemies who you would rather see busy fighting other enemies. You will play the politics of the encampment first.
we're the money guy
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>>5932575
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.

We're from there and can get around easier
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>>5932575
>>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.

I know this is a meta reason but I'm mostly voting for this because I want adventures in Essos with these characters.Not in any particular rush to get back to Westeros when I think there is a much more interesting story for Gwyn and Vaaro out there in the build up to her return to claim her birthright.

And again I know this is a little meta-y, but there are plenty of exiled Knights and Westerosi who fled post-Rebellion in the Free Cities. I know we don't know Gwyn's specific opinions on the war yet, but there's a possibility we could get ourselves a little cadre of Knights out there. This shouldn't be a primary reason for voting, I know, but it just sounds like so much more fun to me than getting straight into Westerosi politics.
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>>5932638
To be fair to you, my reasons are entirely meta as well. Largely because I think there's an opportunity here to weasel our way into getting the Kingmakers into our employ. More importantly than that, I think Navaen will have information about whoever tipped him off to the fateful voyage that Gwyn found herself on, possibly even in writing.

No shame in admitting it, given that we are playing two PoVs and just started the quest.

Though if we do announce our departure for Essos I'm not sure we'll be avoiding conflict with Navaen, he does have that unusual interest in Gwyn and is noted to be greedy. We may just end up having him confront us anyways, but on his terms instead of the opposite if we don't prepare for the storm brewing in our lap first.
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>>5932575
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.

If we, a Tyroshi, sailed to Tyrosh, we're at least in territory we know. We have to have some gold/gems stashed away, and if not at least some contacts we.. partly trust.
OOC Gwyn has her maternal family, surely if her mother can't pay then she'll know someone who will, for a favour/promise of something. If we as Vaaro can get on her good side (and we've already shown we'll treat our hostages better than most), it could be a big payday.. or at least a swift death. I can see Gwyn starting to learn some scheming from this guy.
>>5932638
>there are plenty of exiled Knights and Westerosi who fled post-Rebellion in the Free Cities
Interesting, I like where that could go. Even if we don't end up with our own personal retinue, a bunch of exiled knights seeing a Lady of a Lordly House as the captive of a Tyroshi? Some could see a way back into Westeros with that.
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>>5932575
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.
Kinda meta but same reason as >>5932638. I want Gwyn to explore and make allies in Essos so when she returns to Hallowgrove she has the upper hand.
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>>5932575
>>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.
kinda agree with >>5932638, boggs knows how to write a good adventure. plus loyalist mc might be a cool route i didn't expect
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>>5932575

>You will use the Stepstones against your erstwhile allies. Your personal dealings with the fishermen of this island will allow you to escape.

Optimally, we would kill Navaen and his core supporters and then take control of the company, but that is probably an unrealistic dream.
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Is old lord Duntreow a pov too?
If so
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.
But if not I’d like to get to Westeros
>You will use the Stepstones against your erstwhile allies. Your personal dealings with the fishermen of this island will allow you to escape.
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>>5932575
>You are not in such a rush to leave. There are those here who could be allies, and there are enemies who you would rather see busy fighting other enemies. You will play the politics of the encampment first.
High risk high reward gambit. If we win we get a small loyal cadre of men that would be indispensable.
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>>5932804
Loyal men who Gwyn will hate and want dead, no?
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>>5932826
Loyal men for the sellsword though, who is the acting character right now.
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>>5932826
From Vaaro's perspective it's a crucial leverage against her
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>>5932856
He also has leverage for recruiting in Essos. Men there at least didn't rape and kill her niece
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>>5932858
He's a crafty business man, he wouldn't take risks if he could avoid them.
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>>5932575
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.
Can someone refresh me on how intrigue combat works again?
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>>5933006
There are simple intrigues and complex intrigues. Simple intrigues are just persuasion or deception rolls against a flat DC with success or failure. They're supposed to be used when you're engaging with someone of significantly lower status/power or when the purpose of the roll isn't for something quick and simple. Complex intrigues parallel combat rules instead. In combat, you are doing damage based on your athletics/agility rank as modified by a weapon. The DC to beat is usually shown as CD (combat defense) which is agility rank+athletics+awareness. Damage is multiplied by degrees of success. Every 5 points over the DC is an additional degree of success with 4 degrees as the cap. Any damage done after accounting for armor is subtracted from your health which is your endurance rank x3.

The basics of complex intrigues are similar to this. Intrigue defense is your cunning rank+awareness+status (4+3+3 for Gwynfryd). You have a health pool called composure that is determined by your will rank x3, so 12 for Gwyn. You do damage to composure depending on the ability rank that matches up with the persuasion/deception specialty that is being used. Pic related has the breakdown. For Gwyn to use the convince specialty, she does her cunning rank of 4 in damage (with another 4 added for every 5 points of the roll above the DC) to Vaaro's composure... which is only 6, an area he could use some improvement in.
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>>5933057
is* for something quick and simple.

Another big thing is that the core rulebook being used allows for intrigues to force player characters to do things they wouldn't normally do. I make narrative modifications to this because I don't think it fits to forcibly make characters act in ways that are completely out of players' control. Being defeated in an intrigue to an npc, for example, could cut you off from further trying to influence them, effectively putting a timer on your rolls. I'm trying to be extra careful with how I use the rules here because player agency is very important to me, and both characters are technically MCs. The biggest element here was how quickly Gwyn could win Vaaro over and what he might be willing to risk in order to help her here. Her high rolls have opened up additional options that would not have been glossed over with low rolls.
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>>5932575
>You will use the Stepstones against your erstwhile allies. Your personal dealings with the fishermen of this island will allow you to escape.
Poor Eileen. RIP. How much plot armor does Gwyn have? Is our escape from the pirates at least guaranteed?
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>>5932575
>It is no secret the lady’s family will not, or cannot, pay the ransom. You will announce your intent to sell her and the other salvageable prisoners to flesh traders in the Free Cities. From there, you can make your own path.
Would be fun if Gwyn returned home from the dead with a husband, a small army and lots of gold. Sort of a mini Dany if she didn't dick around Slavers Bay.
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It looks like we're going to Essos.

>>5932789
>Is old lord Duntreow a pov too?

I won't use Lord Duntreow because of Gwynfryd's uncertainties about him right now, but I'm not opposed to using a POV to explore Hallowgrove a little if we end up gone for an extended period of time.

>>5933124
>How much plot armor does Gwyn have? Is our escape from the pirates at least guaranteed?

She has a destiny point which can be burned once to avoid certain death or used temporarily for a minor boost to an important roll. Beyond that, nothing. Escape is not guaranteed in any of the options.
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You are Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow

You don’t want to believe Eileen has passed, but you have that too-familiar ache. There is a logic to it. Vaaro was not lying. He had nothing to gain from lying to you in that moment. You heard her scream. It is simply that it is hard to come to terms with. You returned to Hallowgrove out of love for your niece. She was your lady-in-waiting before word of her new duties reached her. You cried together over the death of her brother and your own. She comforted you again when your husband turned up upon the banks of the Trident. Now she is gone.

You are the heir to Hallowgrove. It is just that the men of the keep would rather you not be. You can understand your father. He never spared you much thought. He was too preoccupied with his tales of glory and living through your brothers. You weren’t his choice for this. You didn’t want to be. You were content as a lady of Wensington. If need be, your lady mother would have reached out to your cousins of Meadows to see the ransom paid. You cannot believe your father to be so prideful as to deny her. Does he see you as sullied now? Did he even spare you a thought?

The more you think, the more you feel betrayed. Betrayed by your father. Betrayed by your uncle. You know he has free reign of the house. He is the keeper of the house’s books and coffers. His children lead in the field now, enjoying all of the privileges your brothers had. Did he even tell your father of the ransom offer or did he simply toss it into the hearth fire? Too many unanswered questions, but you will have answers. You are a survivor. You have survived before, and you will do so again. For Eileen, for yourself and your birthright.

But first you need to get out of here. Absent the ability to swim across the sea, you need help. You need Vaaro on your side. There is no other. A plan begins to form…
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>>5933521
The old fisherman’s wife hobbles in with the rising sun. She has been your caretaker for the duration of your stay. You have serious doubts as to her comprehension of your language. She has ignored all of your pleas from the beginning and has made a point of avoiding your eyes for weeks now. You wish her a good morrow. Silence. You take a chance and reach out, tugging at the hem of her dirty skirts. She lets out an indignant squawk and yanks away from you. You hold up your hands to placate her and give her your best smile. She frowns back.

“Wash,” you carefully say, as if trying to converse with one of your lord father’s hounds. “Something. To wash,” you play the mummer and ball up your old dirty shift, pretending to use it like a rag upon your face and chest. “To clean,” you try. She looks at you like you’re as big a fool as you feel, then offers you a toothless, gummy smile and hobbles out. You lay back on the sand, wondering if some god is having a cruel jape at what remains of your dignity.

Until she returns with a rag and bucket of seawater. You take out the fishbone you’d buried next. You had lofty notions of jamming it into someone’s eye if they sought to violate you. It could be a comb, though. You hold it up to your hair. She cackles and hobbles off again.

Not for the first time, you consider the possibility that you are truly descending into madness. Even in your wildest fantasies, you never considered that you could find yourself on some forsaken foreign shore with fleas hoping about you while your hair is combed by a toothless witch from your old storybooks, her muttering over the matted and tangled mess in her wet foreign tongue as she goes about her work.


You know there is only so much to be done for your state, but you do feel much more at ease. In a strange way, it reminded you a bit of your own mother fretting over you after your days playing with your brother in the old ruins. They are some of your fondest memories. You remember pretending to be a princess of old, he the knight. How far you both have fallen. You remember the ruins well. And the castle of Wensington. And your father’s keep. You used to play in the loamy soil beneath it as a, trying to sculpt the towers and gatehouse and the guardsmen with their spears upon the walls. The sand here is different, but you still have the bucket of water.
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>>5933522
It is near nightfall by the time he graces you with his presence. You resist the urge to stretch and roll your shoulders. It takes an unappreciated amount of effort to maintain proper poise for such a length of time, but he needed to see you as you should be. Seeing you so posed amidst sculptures of sand gives him pause. Well worth your efforts. He moves carefully around your sand sculptures, like a cat amidst a cluttered table, and seats himself on the floor across from you.

“A very nice castle,” he finally says.

“Thank you. It is mine,” you reply. He smirks. The meaning does not escape him. Clever, then. As you suspected. An awkward silence lingers. You give him your best reserved smile and prompt him, “I believe we have much to discuss.”

He smiles back and shrugs. “Do we?”

“Oh, I believe so. Why else would you be here?” you try. “Is this not what you have wanted for some time?”

“How much do you think you are worth?” he asks as if wondering on the summer rain.

“I beg your pardon, ser?”

“We are for Tyrosh,” he explains. “Your lord father does not want you. You will be auctioned and sold with the others. How much are you worth?” he repeats. You watch him as intently as he watches you, finding you are both locked in a silent courtship, weight and meaning added to everything. You are the same. He measures you as you measure him. He wants you. He needs you as you need him. It gives you the confidence you were lacking until this very moment.

“If you seek to frighten me—” you start.

“Not at all,” he says. “You will fetch a high price, to a magister if winds are fair. You have had men before?”

“I—”

“You have. And not of your choosing, yes? That is your custom. This is no different. You will service him. Or others by his will. He will dress you in silks instead of…” he gestures over your tattered dress. “You understand, I am sure.”
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>>5933523
“And what of your own cloth, ser?” you ask. His expression does not change. You’ve noted his extravagant styling before. You have heard sellswords wear their worth on their person. His cloth was rich indeed. Was. Now it is old and beginning to fray. You dare to reach out to his arm and trace down the sleeve, plucking an errant string from his cuff. He makes no move to stop you.

“I should think it could use a lady’s touch,” you say.

“Fret not. It will have the attentions of many. Coin will be in hand. As I said, we are for Tyrosh,” he assures.

“I am pleased to hear it. It is a pity the cloth will fray again. As I said, ser, you need a lady’s touch. A true lady. I can assure you the gift I could make to you would never fray,” you say.

“It is a rare woman who would so treat her captor,” he remarks.

“Lady,” you correct again. “Your lady.”

“My lady,” he tries the styling. “Would that please you?”

“Oh, I believe it would,” you smile.

He leans in closer, blood red hair shadowing his bright eyes. He brushes a stray lock of your hair back, fingertips lingering upon your skin. “I think I would like to please you,” he whispers. You hear your heart beating in your ears. He pulls away and stands back up, that same self-assured smile on his face as he brushes the sand from his breeches and turns to leave. Did he just tease you?

“We are for Tyrosh,” he turns to add. “We will speak more. On the morrow. I do hope you will have more to offer me...”

You throw your head back upon the sand and breath deep. He flustered you. Embarrassed you like a blushing maid. You wish you had the strength to be more furious. Then guilt hits you. You niece was killed here. This is not a game. You are not at court. You are in one of the Seven Hells and he is your gaoler. Or your savior… you are still not quite sure what to make of him. Others. He spoke of others…
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>>5933524
“What others?” you ask Vaaro the moment he enters. You asked yourself the same all night. The morrow could not have come too soon.

“Do they not greet each other in your lands?” he asks.

“What. Others?” you repeat, your courtesies be damned. He regards you more carefully.

“I have two in my care. A boy of ten or twelve. One of your squires?” he suggests. You haven’t the faintest guess, really. There were a handful of squires underfoot. You hardly spoke a word to any of them. “And a girl… nine she said. She and I are friends, you see.”

“Joslyn,” you gasp.

“If you’d like,” he lazily shrugs.

“She is my kin. She is still here?” you ask.

“Where else would she be? I already told you this. Your lordly father will not pay,” he playfully chides. Your anger begins to rise. Your family knew your temper well. Yours burns slow and cold but it is lasting and hard to put out.

“You were seeking to sell her? Like an animal?” you demand.

“This is the way of things. You think ill of me for this? What of it? You have laid with killers. Your sons will be killers. Your daughters will bed killers and make more killers. It is the selling and trading that bothers you?” he asks incredulously.

“Slavery is an—”

“Abomination. Yes, yes. Very well and good. You’ve been ruled by sisterfuckers since the Doom,” he returns. You keep glaring at him until you realize he is enjoying this exchange. You steady yourself, unwilling to rise to his baiting any further.
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>>5933525
“Are you quite finished? Good. You will tell me who else remains. Surely there are others.”

“There are. It matters not. I do not hold them… you don’t understand,” he sighs.

“Then make me understand,” you say. “I cannot simply pretend they are not here.”

“If you wish.” And a part of you comes to regret that so wished to know. Vaaro fills you in on the workings of the encampment, on the piracy, on his title of paymaster, on his suspicions of this Navaen, on the absolute vileness inflicted upon Eileen. You have no doubt he is still keeping a great deal from you, but you know enough for now.

“And this… I will not say his name. Why would he not simply send the others along with us?” you ask.

“He thinks I will run off with all the coin leaving him buggered on this rock with nothing to show for all his work. It’s what he would do. You must understand, he’s Myrish. And he has designs on you. Not so sweet as mine. So, you see why we must be leaving. He wants you,” he concludes. “You are mine. I have right to take you where I wish. This wasteland is their home. Tyrosh is my home. We will be among friends.”

>It pains you to admit it, but you have to agree. You wish to leave here as soon as possible before this Myrish monster finds a way to stop you from leaving. You cannot risk losing the chance to escape.
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
>Something else, something to add?
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>>5933268
>She has a destiny point which can be burned once to avoid certain death or used temporarily for a minor boost to an important roll. Beyond that, nothing. Escape is not guaranteed in any of the options.
Nice.

Between this comment and the fact you run Best of 1, I'm looking forward to a qst with some real tension
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>>5933527
>>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
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>>5933527
>It pains you to admit it, but you have to agree. You wish to leave here as soon as possible before this Myrish monster finds a way to stop you from leaving. You cannot risk losing the chance to escape.

If we're not gonna stay to try and make something of this situation then it is probably best we move along quickly with the few familiar faces we have. Although, raiding for the rest of the hostages is probably easier than trying to decisively destroy Navaen's pirate band while outnumbered four to one, if we wanted to be greedy or particularly caring.
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>>5933527
>>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.

Vaaro, a merchant's son, and a Tyroshi should place more value on hostages and potential slaves than any notion of being a sellsword or fighting man. I very much doubt Gwyn has it in her to agree to selling anyone in exchange for him saving them. So who, or what else, would he be interested in selling out in order to get everyone?

Hey Boggs, what year is it? I'm guessing late 283 or maybe early 284 with the fallout of the Rebellion still fresh as it seems. Just based on context here, I'm guessing our Uncle was a Bobby B boy, and he's benefitted from that, so maybe that pushes our timeline a bit further out?
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>>5933527
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
I can't see Gwyn leaving her people to slavery or worse.
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>>5933527
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
>>
Does Gwyn know both her brothers are dead? Does she know Robert won the war? Being able to fake “hey, our house has served the Baratheons for three hundred years and we stood with Robert” might help us, even if we actually don’t make a gain from it I think it’s a reasonable expectation that we should at some point and we are the heiress to the house, so I guess it’d be like “we will have plenty in the long term” even if it’s a bluff. We know we’re the heir so we must know brothers are dead.
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>>5933644
Literally the first post of the thread lmao.
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>>5933527
Personally I think we should get out and save ourselves, however, Gwyn would absolutely want to save the other captives, so..
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.

I'll admit I came into this thinking Vaaro would just be a stepping stone (pun not intended) to move us as Gwynfryd forward, but it's kind of worrying having Gwyn's life in the hands of such a desperate man. Even if he does treat us better than the others would, we ought to remember that he's still only in this for his own gain and if he didn't have his problem with Navaen then he'd sell us without a second though. I like him, but I don't want to get *too* attached to him. Of course when we're doing his POV it'll be different and we should absolutely try every dirty trick in the book to get as much money/lands/titles/empty promises as possible.
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>>5933649
Yeah, I’ve seen it now. I read it on Wednesday. Should have reread first. I was still stuck in the mindset of last thread where we were talking about the siege of storms end but all that must be over.
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>>5933527

>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.

The squire is non-essential but Joslyn must be rescued. We should set off as soon as possible - the destination doesn’t matter, anywhere is better than here
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>>5933527
>It pains you to admit it, but you have to agree. You wish to leave here as soon as possible before this Myrish monster finds a way to stop you from leaving. You cannot risk losing the chance to escape.

>>5933655
I don’t think we need to rescue the squire and Joselyn as they (and us) are in the custody of the sellsword. They would leave with us if we escape. So the option to leave no one behind is to try to get more npc’s (who would be worse for wear since they’ve been in custody of the pirates)
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>>5933527
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
I know we haven't been raped, but has he perved or taken advantage us in other manners?
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>>5933692
He's personally made sure Gwynfryd gets enough to eat so she doesn't lose her curves. This is in the eventuality that he ends up auctioning her, but it would have required him to note said curves repeatedly to ensure they haven't diminished.

Up to you if that meets the standard of perving.
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>>5933527
>It pains you to admit it, but you have to agree. You wish to leave here as soon as possible before this Myrish monster finds a way to stop you from leaving. You cannot risk losing the chance to escape.

I'll admit I didn't expect the chemistry to kick off right away.
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>>5933527
>It pains you to admit it, but you have to agree. You wish to leave here as soon as possible before this Myrish monster finds a way to stop you from leaving. You cannot risk losing the chance to escape.

Is Donmar on the boat? If he is I'll change to trying to get the rest out.
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>>5933527
>>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
>>
I don't think I already voted, but anyway if I didn't
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
Considering we thought
>Your eldest brother Corwyn (...) He brought shame to your house and died a craven’s death
About him trying to save himself from the siege of Storm's End (assuming actually part of the backstory proper from the last thread), it'd be appalling to then do what is ultimately a very similar thing for ourselves.
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>>5933527
>>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you

>“Aye, and it happens I am about for one ship in particular right now. A Captain Navaen and the Manticore. Least those were the names given up by those who’d attacked me at sea not a day’s sail from here,” you say.

Hmmmm
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>>5933527
>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
>>
>>5933527
>It pains you to admit it, but you have to agree. You wish to leave here as soon as possible before this Myrish monster finds a way to stop you from leaving. You cannot risk losing the chance to escape.
Does Vaaro own his own ship?
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>>5933527
>>You will not lose anyone else to these pirates. Push Vaaro to find a way to take the rest of the hostages with you.
>>
>>5933557
It's 285. Gwyn would've gone back to Wensington lands for a short while after the siege and then transitioned to aiding her niece who was heir before her. There has been enough time for the house to come to terms with some of their losses and for the balance of power to shift more towards Gwyn's cousins. I really owe everyone that house history/personages doc. It will be ready by the end of the weekend.

>>5933692
>>5933728
She would've been groped and had her dress torn by some of the others in the initial raid, but this is about the extent of it.

>>5933772
He's not here. He was supposed to meet Gwyn in Fawnton with her mother.

>>5933995
No, but there are a couple of trading cogs that pass through the area.

Looks like Gwynfryd is going to push for Vaaro to do something about the others.

>Can I get ~3 rolls of 5d6 for Convince?
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Rolled 6, 6, 3, 2, 6 = 23 (5d6)

>>5934329
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 4, 6, 6 = 24 (5d6)

>>5934329
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Rolled 5, 6, 3, 2, 4 = 20 (5d6)

>>5934329
>>
You are Vaaro Orlios

And you cannot believe what this wench is saying. Did she drink seawater?

We mustn’t abandon them.

She is not understanding the ways of life. They were unlucky. She was not. Fairness doesn’t matter. Her breeding has protected her from this simple truth. That must be it. She will learn in time. You saw the strength in her when you conversed. She would make a very fine courtesan, the sort that cannot be fully bought. You don’t doubt she holds you in ill view and yet she was able to play the game of courtesy as if you were a true acquaintance. More the pity that side of her is buried beneath sentiments learned from nursemaids and singers.

“Did the lady not understand me? Do I have an accent?” you ask her.

“I understood you perfectly, thank you. You would have me sail away while my friends and kin are left here to be violated by monsters,” she says.

“Take that up with your lordly father. I’m not—”

“I will. Tell me, ser, is this supposed to impress me? I thought you clever. A common fisherman could steal away with me in the night. If you are really so worthy of me, then you will do better,” she says. You know what she’s on about, but it still nicks at your pride...

“A common fisherman might waddle through Navaen’s camp with two girls on his back for a whiff of your cunt. I am here now with my face as handsome as you see it because I am clever. You ask me to risk my life for no gain? No.” you say.

“You really are a rogue,” she says. You see a glimpse of the distaste she surely still has for you, a familiar look. Not that you fully care what she thinks. You consider how you might steer this back towards something productive before she speaks again.
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>>5934385
“Did you know I had a brother once? Do you know how he died?” she asks.

“You are going to tell me…” you sigh.

“He died a craven. He dishonored our entire house. My lord father still has not recovered from the shame of it. What do you think he will do if it happens again?” she asks.

You think on that for a moment. The craven insult means nothing to you. Nothing is worth anything to dead men. But she might have a point. She has no real power. No coin of her own. If she proves too much a disappointment… you’re unsure. You aren’t exactly read on Westerosi laws. In Tyrosh, a free man… or woman… has free choice of an heir. There are customs aye, but customs are not laws. Might the same not be true for this Duntreow clan? If your Gwynfryd proves weak, might this old lord not name another?

And she has the right of your worth here. You can think of ways to trick the Myrmen. You would be making enemies, though. Deserting happens. Deserting with loot… this is different. It’s a matter of weighing what you stand to lose by angering savage Myrmen against what you stand to gain with this heiress. But you don't know what you stand to gain. You’ve both played coy about your reward in all of this, but you need a real reason to take a true risk. What do you want?

>Wealth. You want to die surrounded by gold and all the comforts it brings. You could use connections with these Westerosi to live quite comfortably with a manse of your own in the Free Cities or elsewhere.
>Power. You want men at your back and for your word to be law. A seat on a high council or some other guarantee of rulership is the very least you will accept.
>Excellence/excitement. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve felt dulled since you left Tyrosh. This encounter has made you feel more like your old self. You see this woman for her rarity and want her for your own. The presence of her at your side would elevate and better you. That is what wealth and power is really for.
>Something else.
>>
>>5934386
>Excellence/excitement. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve felt dulled since you left Tyrosh. This encounter has made you feel more like your old self. You see this woman for her rarity and want her for your own. The presence of her at your side would elevate and better you. That is what wealth and power is really for.
>>
>>5934386
>Something else.

Security and lust, everything about being a sellsword has a limited shelf life, being lordling is a position for life, a beautiful woman at your beck and call is a bonus.
>>
>>5934386
>>Wealth. You want to die surrounded by gold and all the comforts it brings. You could use connections with these Westerosi to live quite comfortably with a manse of your own in the Free Cities or elsewhere.
we're the paymaster, money is the most important thing, and we know what it can get us. money baby, buy our way into access.
>>
>>5934386
A greedy paymaster knows that gold can buy everything else. If I were him I'd be getting as much gold as possible and fleeing somewhere far from Westeros and far from the Stepstones. Gwyn would be a fine prize but I don't think she'd accept him, and he definitely wouldn't be accepted in Westeros as a lord. Especially as a previous captor, slaver, foreign sellsword. Maybe in D*rne but definitely not in the Stormlands/Reach. All that said..

>Wealth. You want to die surrounded by gold and all the comforts it brings. You could use connections with these Westerosi to live quite comfortably with a manse of your own in the Free Cities or elsewhere.
>>
>>5934412
I'll actually change my vote to
>Wealth. You want to die surrounded by gold and all the comforts it brings. You could use connections with these Westerosi to live quite comfortably with a manse of your own in the Free Cities or elsewhere.

Money can pay for women anyway & EVERYONE has a price.
>>
>>5934386
>Power. You want men at your back and for your word to be law. A seat on a high council or some other guarantee of rulership is the very least you will accept.

I don't mind the others though. I just prefer something for Vaaro to work towards long term, but with a clear finish line. Excellence sorta achieves that, but is also the sort of thing you work on forever, and the excitement part can be satisfied immediately with the risk Gwyn is asking him to take or taking Gwyn for his own given the power he has over her. Whereas I feel the level of wealth or power described would be less intermittently satisfied.

If Vaaro does end up with Gwyn, regardless of the motive chosen I hope she can convince him to at least be ambitious so that she isn't stuck with someone who's only worth/claim to fame is as a failed paymaster.

Of course if Vaaro is always hungry for a payday then that is always risky for Gwyn since he could always chose to sell her off at any point if she stops amusing or being useful to him. Though he doesn't know House Duntreow cannot provide the level of wealth (we're poor) or power he desires on its own without some mutual work or extra help, save through marriage to Gwyn.

Power as a motive lets him be useful to Gwyn as contact or friend should he end up achieving his goal, would be something big/neat to work towards on its own, and there is arguably less chance of him discarding Gwyn rather than using her help him.
>>
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>>5934329
>It's 285
4 years after Roberts Rebellion, I wonder if he's still in the honeymoon phase of ruling and still basking in his glory or if he's already fat and bored.
Something I hadn't considered before is that Gwyn's mothers family probably supported the t*rgs while the Duntreow's supported Bobby, which is interesting.
>I really owe everyone that house history/personages doc. It will be ready by the end of the weekend.
Looking forward to seeing this.
>>
>>5934462
>wonder if he's still in the honeymoon phase of ruling and still basking in his glory or if he's already fat
Nah dudes still packing heat for the Ironborn rebellion, he still had the makings of a warrior king then.
>>
>>5934386
>>Power. You want men at your back and for your word to be law. A seat on a high council or some other guarantee of rulership is the very least you will accept.

>>5934462
The Rebellion ended in 283AC, Canon sources have Robert still in his prime during this time period. In fact he is depicted in artwork as still being so up until the Greyjoy Rebellion and it is thereafter during the Long Summer he becomes the fat drunken oaf we see at the beginning of the books.
>>
>>5934386
Short term
>You seek to humble her. Having a woman as clever and beautiful as her under your thumb is never going to last. You want to humiliate her, remind her for the rest of her life how much control you have now over her fate. Take her to a surprise visit to a flesh auction perhaps, or dress her up like your courtesan in Tyrosh? Many such options.

Long term
>Excellence/excitement. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve felt dulled since you left Tyrosh. This encounter has made you feel more like your old self. Her mere presence alone has rekindled the flames of ambition in your soul. That is what wealth and power is really for, excitement.

A exciting game of powerplay between two cunning people. I can see the chemistry here and I think having two wily people try to outfox each other is more fun than simply lust or power.
>>
>>5934386
>>Wealth. You want to die surrounded by gold and all the comforts it brings. You could use connections with these Westerosi to live quite comfortably with a manse of your own in the Free Cities or elsewhere.
>>
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>>5934476
Supporting. We already have so many power or wealth driven MCs. Why not play someone who's in it for the love of the game?
>>
>>5934497
Okay I'm stumped who else was wealth motivated?
>>
>>5934476
I support this, it's epic
>>
>>5934386
>Excellence/excitement. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve felt dulled since you left Tyrosh. This encounter has made you feel more like your old self. You see this woman for her rarity and want her for your own. The presence of her at your side would elevate and better you. That is what wealth and power is really for.

Power is overdone and he's going to end up doing too much without getting paid for a long time.
>>5934476
I like this too. I don't want him to turn into too much of a good guy.
>>
>>5934386

>Excellence/excitement. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve felt dulled since you left Tyrosh. This encounter has made you feel more like your old self. You see this woman for her rarity and want her for your own. The presence of her at your side would elevate and better you. That is what wealth and power is really for.

Vaaro having a wildly delusional personal ambition seems about right
>>
>>5934499
Wasn't there at least one? At least I seem to remember so. I'll amend it to say that the majority of MC have been power driven through.
>>
>>5934544
Without going to suptg

Malroy was vengeance
Reynolds was I think Family
The Vale knight was Duty
I can't speak for the other Boggs quests because I haven't read them.
>>
>>5934386
>Wealth. You want to die surrounded by gold and all the comforts it brings. You could use connections with these Westerosi to live quite comfortably with a manse of your own in the Free Cities or elsewhere.

Money can get you power (troops) and influence (ruling council/favors), and excitement (women)
>>
>>5934545
Malroy did feel like vengeance. Reynolds felt like power. He was looting and pillaging even though his wife and kids were missing or crippled. Shryke was also family but felt like power. I'm a little worried wealth will feel like another power quest too
>>
>>5934565
I mean at what point do you draw the dileniation on such a useful resource without finding new and unique ways to spend the wealth?

Anyway Malroy was specifically motivated by vengeance for the family, I think anons just enjoyed playing the villian in Reynolds and a few went on a power trip.
>>
>>5934386
+1 >>5934476
>>
Alright, Vaaro's goal to be excellence/excitement. A lot of support for establishing a power dynamic more in his favor, too. We can work with that. I'm also taking note of the close second place for wealth.

>Can I get 2 rolls of 2d6 for tonight's post?
>>
Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d6)

>>5935035
roll 1
>>
Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d6)

>>5935035

You got it boss
>>
>>5935039
>>5935040
Were fucked
>>
>>5935039
Per the rulebook, your starting wealth is 4 gold dragons, or 840 silver stags (not accounting for weapons/armor). I'm going to put some basic cheap stuff on for now. You can leverage your bargaining skill in the free cities for upgrades or whatever else you might want instead.

>>5935040
There are 4 men here who you trust to follow you without question when you turn cloak.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 5d6+5 for some Deception (bluff)ing?
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 1, 2, 6 + 5 = 20 (5d6 + 5)

>>5935204
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 5, 2, 2 + 5 = 19 (5d6 + 5)

>>5935204
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 5, 6, 5 + 5 = 28 (5d6 + 5)

>>5935204
>>
>>5935220
Nice!
>>
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You are Vaaro Orlios

You think over Gwynfryd’s demand… and it is a demand… and find it to be worth your while. Your plan to announce sale of your slave stock might even be welcome word to the Myrmen. If you handle it well enough, they might just thank you for the trouble of brokering the sale of their own hostages. Not that you plan on returning with coin in hand. You can already predict the wench will take issue with you actually selling any of her kinsmen, but it would be passing stupid not to. Your coin is dwindling, and useless mouths won’t help matters.

You say none of this to her, instead leaving the hut without another word of commitment or refusal. You hear your name thrown at your back, enjoying the way it sounds from her harsh sunset accent, but you refuse to wait on her like a dog. She’s just what you need to get out of this slump. Acting her servant will get you nowhere, though. You need to establish better terms.

As you walk across the sand to the paltry docks of the fishing village, you consider which of your men to bring on the short voyage. There are around two score left to you. Most are lazing about a stone’s throw from you in whatever shade they could find from the summer sun, likely drunk on the dwindling supply of strongwine. Surely the perfect time to stand upon a barrel and shout of gold and glory, of all the adventures yet to be had and all the wenches for the taking… if you were a stupid cunt. This lot doesn’t buy into that sort of bravado. Some would gladly sell you for another cask of wine. Others like you but like their other friends more who hate you. In short, the camp is a mess of politics tangled enough to make a magister consider making an honest living. If you really discount all the naysayers and gleeful traitors and false friends, you can narrow it down to… four, really, who wouldn’t raise a fuss over well-timed turning of cloaks. The ones who you’ve saved a time or two from a sticky situation and in turn divvied out a little extra for cuts of loot. They’re your assurances. It doesn’t take much effort to find them and spread word of your intent to make for the auction blocks. The rest of the plan can wait until you’re underway.
>>
>>5935391
There is really only one realistic option off of this rock, a cog with a belly bulging as much as her master, a Pentoshi with a balding pate glistening with sweat, Goranelos. He recognizes you and you him. It’s not his first dropping of anchor here, and ship traffic is light enough for familiarity to grow. This port of call has a tolerance of Pentoshi. Their discretion is more reliable than most lest they find themselves the targets of retribution. It is known that Braavosi have them by a chain and take a queer exception to trading in flesh and might mark them for slavers if they were to conduct such business in more reputable ports. A little stop like this after a visit to Old Town is a not-so-guilty pleasure for traders in the know who are looking to make a little extra coin.

Goranelos keeps his greasy smile as you announce your intent to bring good healthy stock to market. His smile only drops when it becomes clear that you will be seeing to the sales personally. No doubt he would prefer to take a cut of profits. Still, he can’t refuse such a simple request. What he can do, though, is run his fat mouth to the Myrish. But you’d expected as much.

“Cap’n wants you,” one of the Myrish crossbowmen calls out. You put down the silk doublet you were pretending to examine from the Pentoshi’s wares and move to get this over with…

You could do without being feathered with the Myrmen’s ungainly yet effective crossbows. You could do without being surrounded and hacked to death as well. But the real reason you don’t want an open fight with this outfit is Navaen himself. The scars covering the brute attest to the many men who have tried and failed to put an end to him. You are not fond of repeating the mistakes of others. The degree of civility remaining between you two is reliant on you knowing when to pick your battles and, you suspect to some amusement, on his service to a Tyroshi who by all accounts is just as much a bastard as he is.
>>
>>5935393
“It’s been too long, my friend,” you grin and clink horns of the ugly green wine his ilk favor. He prefers to keep to his ship, the Manticore, an ill-named vessel with a reputation as ugly as her captain. His cabin is only half-lit, the floorboards littered with discarded trophies and curiosities.

“It has. You’re for port,” he rumbles.

“Tyrosh. I’ve tasks to see to. Might as well see the rest of the stock sold while I’m at it,” you say. He looks confused.

“Tasks?” he prompts.

“Matters of import… if you don’t know…” you hesitate. “Forget I spoke, my friend. It’s no great trouble.”

“Hmm. No. Your troubles are mine. We share cause,” he cracks a thin smile. He makes little effort to conceal his interest in… whatever it is you’re on about.

“We do. We do,” you allow. “I’d speak on it more, but… you weren’t told?”

“I was. Just want to hear it from you,” he says, clearly trying to shovel some shit back into your own trough.

“If you insist… it’s for the payment. There’s the raid… you know the one,” at his nod you continue. “Something’s to go wrong. There’s something extra in it for us. Favor to be won…”

“I see…” He doesn’t.

“I knew you would. So, I’ll dump the cargo off and get the heading. I’m not leaving it to that fat Pentoshi. Do you know he tried to short me on the last haul? I won’t have it again,” you complain.

“Did he?” Navaen laughs.

“I know. To be expected,” you sigh then casually ask, “Have you any left worth the sale? If I’ve already a heading…”

You see him watching you carefully as you force yourself to take another sip of his sticky sweet wine. “I do. A man or two with arms for rowing. Few whores only lightly broken in.”

“If you like,” you shrug.

“On a condition. The Gwenford wench… you know of this one,” he starts, as you assumed he would. That he so quickly summoned you here confirmed your suspicions of his interest in your prize.
>>
>>5935395
“Aye…” you allow.

“Give her to me,” he says. You note he is not asking.

“Why?” you ask.

“Is this a problem?” he growls. You are used to shifts in mood, but it puts you ill at ease. This is brazen even by his standards.

“Course it is. I’ve spent good coin keeping her tits fat for the block. Even fed her suckling pig once. You will have me at a loss,” you point out. You see his frustration growing. He’s not one for asking twice. But it’s an unreasonable ask and he knows it.

“I might have a buyer,” he finally shares.

“Oh?” you lean in and pour him more wine. “If it’ll save some trouble.”

“Might…” he scratches his head. “I’ll cut you in.”

“Not Tyrosh, then? What? Myr? I could work with that for the right price,” you muse.

“A Westerosi,” Navaen says.

“Well, I’m not like to sail into Sunspear again,” you wince.

“No need,” he frowns and thinks. “Might be worth coin dead.”

“Never known those sorts to pay for dead wenches,” you chuckle, more at your poor luck than anything else. He said might be, though. He’s chasing an opportunity with no terms yet promised. If you play your cards right, you might be able to make some adjustments.

>You don’t want to arouse his suspicions any further. Tell him you’ll kill Gwynfryd if the coin is good. You might be able to swap her for someone with some creativity.
>If dead is worth coin, then damaged might be acceptable. Confess to him that she’s carrying your bastard and see what he makes of that first.
>Try to push this back in the other direction. Tell him you have a special buyer of your own.
>Something else.
>>
>>5935396
>>If dead is worth coin, then damaged might be acceptable. Confess to him that she’s carrying your bastard and see what he makes of that first.
>>
>>5935396
>You don’t want to arouse his suspicions any further. Tell him you’ll kill Gwynfryd if the coin is good. You might be able to swap her for someone with some creativity.

We do still have to act (are we acting?) the part of the gruff sellsword, trying to push too much against him now will only cause us problems. A crossbow through the face or a maul to the head of someone of similar build will pass.
Also, side quest? I want Vaaro to get that silk doublet he was looking at. Looking fancy is half the part of being fancy, and us going into port looking fancy rather than looking like a sellsword could have benefits. At least as an outfit choice purely for fluff, I don't care too much about the stats. May also win us some points with Gwyn if we're going for Excellence as his main goal.

>>5934471
Good to know, I couldn't seem to find a straight answer when looking for the correct timeline.
>>
>>5935396
>You don’t want to arouse his suspicions any further. Tell him you’ll kill Gwynfryd if the coin is good. You might be able to swap her for someone with some creativity.
He looks dumb enough to be fooled by a headless corpse
>>
>>5935396
>>Something else.
Let's play to his greed. Tell him we can both get paid twice if we're careful with who we sell her to - take the deal to see her dead and simply make sure she's sold to someone where there's no chance word of her survival will ever make it back to Westeros.
>>
>>5935396
>Something else.
>>5935473
+1 yeah I like this.

Tell the captain that we double cross the westerosi. We get their gold for some proof of life and then we get some gold for selling her. I think the captain more likely to agree since we’re cutting him into it.

I don’t think we can just bash a girls face since we just talked about how we spent money to keep the woman plump. No one else if going to be in good condition right?

If we tell the captain “we have a buyer” but want to double cross minor westerosi lords then he shouldn’t put up a fuss with us trying to sail away.
>>
>>5935396
>If dead is worth coin, then damaged might be acceptable. Confess to him that she’s carrying your bastard and see what he makes of that first.
Why else would you feed a captive well?

>>5935415
>May also win us some points with Gwyn if we're going for Excellence as his main goal.
We're gonna buy her a Qartheen gown or something as revealing for her curves when we get back to Tyrosh.
>>
>>5935396
>You don’t want to arouse his suspicions any further. Tell him you’ll kill Gwynfryd if the coin is good. You might be able to swap her for someone with some creativity.

A good body double, one that fits her height, build and hair colour, in a good dress to sell that shes of station, if he questions the mess say she tried to castrate one of the men or us and things got a little heated, if he wants the head he can take it to his employer once we're gone, a gesture of good fortune.

>>5935479
The problem with this is, if we want to get her back to her family for ransom or better we're going to have to sail back this way and I sure as shit don't want this guy around and pissed we double crossed him.

>>5935487
The problem with this is if it's a westerosi inheritance thing this will only make their employee more keen on her death.

As an aside I'd like to plug her for info once we're out at sea, she can take at as buying her worth and freedom while we can figure on who wants her dead.

I see Vaaro as a controlling Dom, he likes having women under his control, violent or otherwise.
>>
>>5935473
I like it. There's also the inverse, if it goes belly up and they find out she's alive - what are they going to do about it if we'd already taken the money? It's not like they can make it known to other Westerosi.
>>
>>5935479

Supporting a triple cross play as this anon suggests
>>
>>5935396


>>5935473
>>5935479
+1
>>
>>5935396
>>5935473
+1

Though just telling him we have a buyer as well, saying we'd be willing to cut him in, asking how much his own payout offer is for comparison could net us some information. Both for how insistent he is going to be in this feigned negotiation and on what may follow us if we vanish with Gwyn.
>>
>>5935473
Supporting

>>5935487
>>5935513
Vaaro definitely enjoys toying with Gwyn even when he's helping her.
>>
>>5935396

>>5935473
>>5935479
Support
>>
>>5935761
That's the fun part. They need each other and they know it but they both want to be the dominant one over the other.
>>
>>5935415
Noted. I will include options for restoring Vaaro's superior Tyroshi fashion to its former glory.

Looks like we have a majority for the write-in to play into greed. Makes plenty of sense and fits. Going to need a few rolls for that. Can I get...

>3 more rolls of 5d6+5 for bluffing/bargaining
>1 roll of 4d6 for Awareness (empathy)
>1 roll of 5d6 for Cunning to create a believable ruse regarding Gwyn's false death
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 6, 2, 2 + 5 = 21 (5d6 + 5)

>>5936284
Lot of rolling early on, like it.
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 4, 2, 6 + 5 = 25 (5d6 + 5)

>>5936284
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 4, 5, 5 + 5 = 24 (5d6 + 5)

>>5936284
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 4, 5 = 18 (4d6)

>>5936284
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 2, 1, 2 = 11 (5d6)

>>5936284
>>
>>5936347
damn, this one gonna get us into some shit
>>
>>5936347
Woof, that doesn't look good.
>>
>>5936347
Hey boggs whats your ruling on using vs burning Fate points?
>>
I added Vaaro's character sheet to the doc with Gwynfryd's.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kWLdiwaUG4Iqr-zOPQJLVp9ug45R8MSO-3Da77fYENg/edit

>>5936347
>>5936352

It looks like a bad roll, but it's coming from a character that's highly invested in the Cunning ability. You were only off from the DC by 1. Vaaro has 1 destiny point. Per the rules, you can "spend" it temporarily for a minor boost of +1b to the test. For our purposes here, that would mean replacing one of those 1's with another roll of 1d6. You would then regain the use of the destiny point after an appropriate amount of time. Or you can permanently "burn" the destiny point for a guaranteed full success. Either way, this next post is going to be on the longer side. It might not be ready until tomorrow. I will start working on the parts that I can and will leave this open as a vote until morning.

>Burn destiny point for auto-success in faking Gwynfryd's death.
>Spend destiny point to reroll a 1. You need a 2 or higher for a baseline of success.
>Do not use the destiny point and accept whatever consequences as a result.
>>
>>5936371
>>Spend destiny point to reroll a 1. You need a 2 or higher for a baseline of success.
>>
>>5936371
>>Spend destiny point to reroll a 1. You need a 2 or higher for a baseline of success.
lets get it
>>
>>5936371
>Spend destiny point to reroll a 1. You need a 2 or higher for a baseline of success.
>>
>>5936371
>>Spend destiny point to reroll a 1. You need a 2 or higher for a baseline of success.
>>
>>5936371
>Fencing 1B
>Equipment: Boarding axe
We must be hella fancy with that thing. Jokes aside I'm sure we'll get an appropriate weapon soon enough with the
>>5936284
>Noted. I will include options for restoring Vaaro's superior Tyroshi fashion to its former glory.
He's got some interesting stats, I'm sure we can do something interesting with that bonus into swim.
>>
>>5936371
>Spend destiny point to reroll a 1. You need a 2 or higher for a baseline of success.
>>
>>5936426
RAW you need 1b in swim to do more than keep your head above water in calm waters. It's kind of an obscure rule, but I guess it makes sense that not everyone would know how to swim.
>>5936377
>>5936386
>>5936391
>>5936418
>>5936429
I think it's safe to call it in favor of spending rather than keeping it open overnight.

>I'll need 1 roll of 1d6
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>5936450
>>
>>5936452
That brings you to a new total of 16. I need to get some sleep, but the post will definitely be up tomorrow.
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>>5936371
Curious about Vaaro's languages, or lack thereof. Would have assumed he'd have at least a 3 in Common and Tyroshi.
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>>5936371
Shouldn't a paymaster be at least literate?
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>>5936452
Nice
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

fucking captcha
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>>5936452
From failure to two degrees of success? Nice
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>>5936480
>>5936493
He is fully literate in Common and Tyroshi. I meant to add in a separate table with languages. Sorry about that. It's in there now. I'm going to be using the supplement rules for Essosi characters to better represent the various Low-Valyrian dialects.
>>
Might be worth coin dead.

“Still not sure why’d I have to hand the wench over…” you muse, then throw him a dirty look. “Are you putting me on?”

The brute has the decency to look wrong-footed. “Putting you…” he drawls like a simpleton.

“You don’t need her to tell some Westerosi she’s dead. That’s passing stupid. A head in a box would do it. Could be that poxy bitch you still keep. You ever pick up a rotted head and really give it a onceover? No. Friends or not, I won’t waste my rightful loot,” you rant.

Navaen just stares at you all the while. Then he laughs, a great ugly sound. Yet you find it a pleasant reprieve from the tension you were holding onto. “So, you’d have me mummer the pink Westerosi, toss him parts of a whore’ve less worth.”

“I’d have you do as you well please. Just don’t see why you’d bother wasting a prime whore, my prime whore at that, to do it,” you say. “Unless there’s good reason. This Westerosi… might he be offering a king’s ransom? Or is he the sort to make great trouble for us?”

“No Westerosi is to make trouble’ve me. I’ve not settled the pay yet. My bosun’s work, not mine,” Navaen casually states. Too casually. He doesn’t want to tell you more.

“As you say. So, you get your bounty and I get to sell her to a nice proper whorehouse. Why get paid once when you can get paid twice?” you say.

“This’s why we keep you ’round,” he says in his best attempt at a compliment. “You’re a greedy little shit. Too greedy.”

You catch his meaning. “At times I might need a reminder,” you allow. “Not to say we can’t split. She’s my catch, though. Say, seventy-thirty?”

“Aye. Seventy-thirty. You the thirty,” he grins.

“Well hold on now that’s just not right,” you gripe. “Fine. Fine. Meet me in the middle. Half for me. Half for you. Partners.”

“Partners’re not always halves. Ship’s mine. Most the men, too. You’re just boarders. We’ve had other boarders afore. Can always get more,” he says. You study him a moment and see that he’s testing you. Arguing to spare a woman and freely offering to see to the sale of slaves is well outside your usual approach. If you weren’t to dicker over the split, well, that would just be unnatural.
>>
>>5937234
“Sixty-forty… you the better half,” you begrudgingly allow. This seems to satisfy him.

“Deal. Well struck,” he grins.

“Then I leave it in your capable hands,” you toast then go about draining the last of your wine so as to make yourself scarce. It’s not the sort you’d care to sip upon anyway. You long for the finer vintages of Tyrosh. You might have to see if your father would part with one of his casks…

Destiny Point Spent

The memory returns unbidden. The aftermath of the raid. You carefully step around the blood pooling on the deck like broken casks of wine. You abhor blood on your boots. You catch a glimpse of her. Gwynfryd. The fiery hair of the sort that dyes cannot capture. She’s embracing a sobbing girl as if to shield her. It’s a futile gesture. Her dress is split down the back from the grabbing of men, revealing her pale skin beneath. The Myrmen, and some of your own, have lost themselves. An argument has broken out with your loyal men. One raider’s blood is up enough to reach past your friend, Harlor, for the fiery woman. He yanks Gwynfryd off the young one, setting the lass wailing to an uncomfortable pitch, but he only manages to come away with a ring before Tregillos sucker punches him. You catch the glitter of blue and gold that speaks of the ring’s value. Still, it will fetch far less than the woman herself. You step in front of your men lest blades come out. No need. His captain sets him to rights, and the ring is given over as the price of attracting the Myrman’s attention.

“Is the old loot yet around?” you ask Navaen.

“Might be. What of it?” he suspiciously asks.

“I just want a look. There should be something of use unless one of your men took it,” you say.
>>
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>>5937235
“They’d not dare. See for yourself,” Navaen declares. He pushes himself to his feet and trudges across the room to a chest against the wall… and just upends it onto the floor. A veritable hoard spills forth, enough to drive you to envy. He always takes the lion’s share and leaves your own men with scraps. The privilege of power. You kneel down and start sorting through it. Westerosi like their signets and sigils as much as any other. The traveling maids tended towards greens and whites. Gwynfryd’s blue and gold was different, a curiosity. It’s still there.

“This one’s hers,” you hold up to the ring. “Not a head in a box. A hand with this ring.”

And just like that, you have the warlord’s blessing to leave. You waste no time in marching back over to the dock and the Pentoshi shipmaster.

“You’ve til midday to finish your trade here,” you announce. “I am in no mood to tarry.”

“Just so, my friend. Ah but were you liking the doublet? I thought you like to try it on, no?” Goranelos smiles with all the glee of a Pentoshi about to fatten his purse. You consider his offer. Appearances are everything in your homeland, and your cloth is in a sorry state. Respectable men, even the flesh traders at the docks, would scoff at your presentation. Gwynfryd could use something as well. Even so, your funds aren’t what they should be. You still have the potential to make a handy profit from some of the hostages… depending on who you want sold.

Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb? Y/N (specify simple, fine, excellent quality)
>Purchase traveler’s garb? Y/N (specify simple, fine, excellent quality)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb? Y/N (specify simple, fine, excellent quality)
>Purchase traveler’s garb? Y/N (specify simple, fine, excellent quality)

If you want to negotiate without disadvantage in the Free Cities, then you need to look the part by wearing clothing with the fashionable quality. Traveler’s garb does meet the criteria for fashion, but only if it is of excellent quality. The standard prices are in the pic. You will have the opportunity to haggle, though. How Vaaro has Gwynfryd dressed may also have implications. I’ll also keep an eye out for any themes/consensus in the appearance or style of what you’d like to buy for both characters. You have the equivalent of 170 silver dragons (sd) to spend right now.
>>
>>5937234
>the pink Westerosi

huh, well it's no dornishman he's selling too, even if that was obvious.

>>5937237
Vaaro
>Purchase traveler’s garb? Y/N (specify simple, fine, excellent quality)
Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb? Y/N (specify simple, fine, excellent quality)

Fine quality for now until we have more coin on hand, also I know Lifestyle is a holding we can purchase but could we also consider something more directly Fashion orientated?
>>
>>5937237
Vaaro
>Courtier’s garb (fine)
>Traveler’s garb (fine)
Gywnfryd
>Traveler's garb (fine)
>Tentative NO to courtier's garb for Gwynfryd
I'm in two minds about this. On one hand, we can always buy her another outfit in Tyrosh if it becomes necessary and why spend money we don't need to. On the other, she's a persuasive girl when she wants to be and having her be able to negotiate on our behalf without penalty might be useful.
>>
>>5937237
Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Fine)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Fine)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

Total cost: 110 sd

Cheaper than other combos like getting an excellent traveler's garb for Vaaro and a fine or excellent courtier's garb for Gwyn, or two excellent sets of traveler's clothes, while still getting multiple sets of clothes appropriate for different things. We wouldn't want to travel in our fashionable clothes where they could be ruined. Nor would we want to be without good roadware or skimp out by only having one nice set of traveling clothes even if they are fashionable. What if they have to be cleaned of dust or seawater or whatever before an important meeting in a few minutes?

Tempted by the excellent clothes for Gwyn, but we shouldn't abuse our cash supply. We don't know how Vaaro wants to play this yet, he may not sell Joslyn yet to get leverage over Gwyn, and if he doesn't then that means less silver at hand.
>>
>>5937250
Only having traveler's garb leaves Vaaro negotiating at a penalty unless it's excellent quality.
We should buy fine courtier's garb as well so as to avoid that. We could buy excellent traveler's garb instead but that's (slightly) more expensive and I don't want to run the risk of it getting damaged/dirty on the journey.
>>
>>5937264
>we shouldn't abuse our cash supply. We don't know how Vaaro wants to play this yet, he may not sell Joslyn yet to get leverage over Gwyn, and if he doesn't then that means less silver at hand.
My thoughts exactly.
>>
>>5937237
Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Fine)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Excellent)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

My reasoning, Vaaro can just go to his dad's home and grab some excellent clothing from his wardrobe, I assume he keeps his best clothing at home instead of wearing it on raiding expeditions, if not he can just ask his dad for one.

For Gwyn she has no other clothing so we must invest in a proper dress as befits her status. But since we want to show dominance over her, buy something that would be considered scandalous in Westeros. Open bodice (Minoan style?), Qartheen gown, or a sleeveless velvet dress with very generous neckline. It's not like she can refuse to wear them.

Nonetheless we should still haggle and try to get a better price from the Pent*shi. Maybe sell our frayed clothing to him too.
>>
>>5937237
Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb. No
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Excellent)

Practical clothes with a tyroshi flair. The wiki says they like hats. Save the nice courtier's stuff for after selling slaves. We might need coin for other things.

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb. No
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

No dresses for her until she earns it. I like the idea of something on the scandalous side for the power dynamic. I will change to excellent if that is a requirement.
>>
>>5937264
support
>>
>>5937389

Supporting!
>>
>>5937478
Supporting.
>>
>>5937250
I'll change my vote for a excellent quality travellers garb for Vaaro.
>>
>>5937237
Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb. No
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Excellent)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Excellent)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

Also supporting buying Gwyn something scandalous/revealing/qartheen and putting our bargaining skill to use.
>>
>>5937560
Hold on I'm retarded. That costs more money than we have.

Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Fine)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Fine)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Excellent)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. No
>>
>>5937389
+1
>>
>>5937237
Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb. No
>Purchase traveler’s garb. Yes (Excellent)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb. Yes (Fine)
>Purchase traveler’s garb. No

We can shop again in Pentos. Right now what we need is fashionable travel clothes and some money to spare.
For Vaaro his style should be bold and fancy. For Gwyn it should something that enhances her figure.

>>5937264
>Tempted by the excellent clothes for Gwyn, but we shouldn't abuse our cash supply. We don't know how Vaaro wants to play this yet, he may not sell Joslyn yet to get leverage over Gwyn, and if he doesn't then that means less silver at hand.
Joslyn is the only handmaiden and kin Gwyn has, if we must sell someone for money sell one of the nameless characters the other pirates captured. They're in a bad shape and are nothing more than mouths to feed.
>>
>>5937852
Vaaro can use Josyln to get a measure of compliance out of Gwyn (selling her off at market price or cheaper depending on how noncompliant she is) though I think he should be leery of giving her anything close to a accomplice.
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>>5937967
That should read as selling Josyn off is a threat he can hang over her.
>>
>>5937478
Supporting this
>>
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>>5937560
>Gwyn something scandalous/revealing/qartheen

Backing this too. Maybe something like this
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>>5938013
Needs to be much more scandalous in my opinon
>>
The final results are:

Vaaro
>Purchase courtier’s garb (fine)
>Purchase traveler’s garb (fine)

Gywnfryd
>Purchase courtier’s garb (excellent)
>Purchase traveler’s garb (fine)

That is 4 separate purchases. Each will get their own bargain roll with a flat DC in the simple intrigue style. DC to beat is 12.

>Can I get 4 rolls of 5d6 (4D+1b) for bargaining?
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 2, 5, 1 = 14 (5d6)

>>5938199

Here you go!
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 2, 5, 4 = 16 (5d6)

>>5938199
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 6, 2, 2 = 21 (5d6)

>>5938199
>>
>>5938214
Nice, we wanted that one to be a great success.
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 4, 2, 4 = 15 (5d6)

>>5938199
>>
1 degree of success here gives your cunning rank x2 as a % discount. 2nd degree is x5.
>>5938200
1 degree of sucess for Vaaro's fine courtier's garb. Now costs 45 silver
>>5938204
1 degree of sucess for Vaaro's fine traveler's garb. Now costs 4.5 silver
>>5938214
2 degrees of success for Gwynfryd's excellent courtier's garb. Now costs 75 silver
>>5938239
1 degree of success for Gwynfryd's fine traveler's garb. Now costs 4.5 silver

You still have 41 silver dragons remaining.
>>
>>5938246
>2 degrees of success for Gwynfryd's excellent courtier's garb. Now costs 75 silver
Fuuuuuuuucking hell I hope it's worth it I mean as long as Vaaro gets what he wants
>>
You must give Goranelos credit where it is due. Your own father would complement the man’s competence in the shopkeeper’s art. He manages to make his presence known without imposing on your whims. All the better. Pentoshi are ahead of most in their sense of fashion, but you would drink seawater before seriously taking suggestions from one on your own ware.

You find yourself drawn back to the same doublet as before. Your admiration of it was not fully a stall for time. It’s of a fine deep blue velvet with subtle shifts in hue that flow with the stitching. You dig back through the merchant’s boxes, making a veritable mess out of the packed goods in your mixing and matching. The bulk of his goods are still packed for transit. The men here are usually just interested in the wine brought in from Old Town and small curiosities. You find a red shirt of sturdy cotton near enough in color to your own distinguished style of grooming and hosen of a vibrant orange gold. You complete the look with a half-cape that gives you the impression of changing sunsets, an auspicious ensemble that leaves you feeling more complete. You style your travel ware off your fineries but with an eye for function, taking the time to test the fabrics and ultimately selecting a hearty linen vest and breeches along with a pair of simpler shirts.

“I need woman’s ware, too,” you say. Gwynfryd’s clothes, if they could be described as such, are falling apart. It would be shameful to be seen with her.

“Does the young master have a lover?” the Pentoshi titters.

“Soon enough,” you assure him. “She’ll need something for travel. Blues and greens. Or a burgundy…” you muse.

Her lot seem to prefer duller hues. It’s a bit of an oddity to her kind, as if they prefer to dress as paupers. Goranelos leads you to another stack of crates and assists in prying a pair open. It’s trivial enough to find a blouse and skirts with the right split for riding. You can’t bring yourself to select anything too drab and compromise on a forest green with a dark blue bodice. The rest of the garments prove more of a challenge.

“Enough of the chemises,” you mutter. “Have you a cotta?”

“It would be too short, no? But you know best, my friend,” he grins.

“It is summer,” you shrug. He finds a few deeper down, sheer and prominently laced with smallclothes of similar make. Most likely an economical tailor repurposing spare fabrics for smaller articles. Regardless of intent, you’d expect to find their likeness in a pleasure house. “Perfect.”
>>
>>5938276
“Would the young master like to see his woman in a dress or no?” the greedy merchant tries, a riddle you have pondered yourself. But you are good at solving riddles.

“Both,” you answer. He looks confused. “I want to see her dressed but not— just show them to me,” you sigh.

A great deal of mixing and matching produces a result you can take genuine pride in. You struggled to decide on whether blue or green would better bring out her eyes and opted for a teal between the two, selecting a gown with a deep plunging neckline and separate slashed sleeves that are overlong, a subtle nod to wealth. The sheer silk overdress is lace with hints of gold and of a blue that you find remarkable for its richness despite the thinness of the fabric. You can’t quite place the origins of the hue and find that excites you all the more. The full effect with should tease and tantalize in the places where the sheer overdress contrasts against her cotta. Yet you still judge it to be within the bounds of tastefulness for the layers and make of the gown. In the higher fashions of the Free Cities, the outfit would be bold yet elegant. Further west, well, they are barbarians.

“I will take this off your hands as well,” you say. “All the better for you to not need to deal with the market.”

“But it’s worth more in market. That’s why I bothered to carry it this far,” the Pentoshi complains.

“I’m a repeat customer,” you frown and cross your arms, preparing to dig yourself in for a long bout of dickering. Goranelos agrees to knock a few silvers off your own wares for the sake of what he considers to be your old friendship, a simple ask that leaves you both relatively satisfied. It’s Gwynfryd’s articles that prove to be the sticking point. He finds your proposed price to be outrageous and is quick to point out the craftsmanship that undoubtedly went into the gown and smallclothes. You concede as much as only a fool wouldn’t, but you pivot to asking him a series of increasingly specific questions on the origins of the dyes and how he thinks the stylings hold up to current trends. In short, you’re a real cunt about it and leave the man sweating profusely to the point of finding himself backed up not far from your starting point. You don’t bother pushing so hard on the travel clothes, but he knocks off some coppers for your mercy.
>>
>>5938277
Your business done, you both ascend from the hull. Your men look to have only just arrived. Harlor oversees from the aft deck as befits his age and experience. Noren stands alongside him, idly adjusting his crossbow. Tregillos and Varillos, son and father respectively, see to the seven prisoners on the deck, not counting Gwynfryd. Seven. You knew the Myrmen would hold a couple back for their own amusements, but you didn’t realize how much their numbers had dwindled.

The youngest is the girl called Joslyn. You see her sobbing and hugging Gwynfryd like a mast in a storm. You do feel something approaching sympathy for the girl if only for her gentle age and the number of details she’s provided you on your current muse. The girl lacked the guile to bother evading your questioning and informed you, around mouthfuls of sweetcakes, on the lady’s status as a widow… along with some very amusing gossip centered around her appetite for other young noble ladies during scarce times.

Joslyn and the fair squire boy could reach the costs of the other five combined. The two former knights or men-at-arms are doomed to be oarsmen. Oarsmen are always needed, but the insolent sort need to be chained and are worth less. Given these two are still wearing shackles, well…

The three womenfolk might turn out to be something of a bump crop if they clean up nicely. As it stands, they’re a ragged bunch. You recognize the first if only due to the talk of her pregnancy. She looks a touch older than the other two, likely a wife or widow. She is seated upon the deck with her knees drawn up to her face, rocking back and forth while muttering to herself. Really, she looks quite mad. The other two were more than likely maids before this, but you doubt they are now. One concerns you for her brokenness. She simply lays on her side facing away from the others. There are flesh traders that would buy a girl that docile, but not the high paying sorts.

The last interests you. She has a good face and still seems to have her wits about if her glowering means anything. You might be able to use her anger and that of the men. Divided groups are all the more pliant. They direct their wroth at each other rather than those further up the ladder who deserve it. Like you.

>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.
>Leave her below with the others. You are not interested in showing her too much favor yet.
>Other ideas to approach this group or certain individuals?
>>
>>5938282
>>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.
>>
>>5938282
>>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.
>>
>>5938282
>>Other ideas to approach this group or certain individuals?

Leave her down there until tonight, the drag her out late and lay out the law of the land, she is on parole and if she proves herself useful she buy herself some clemency when it comes to selling time, conversly acting out and being unpleasant or rebllious will lead to her (or her companions) being sold to the mangiest most pox ridden degenerates we can find.

How it plays after that we'll see, maybe plant some alienation gossip about how she snuggled up to us to get better food to alienate her from her fellows.
>>
>>5938282
>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.
I can't think of a better idea. They'll probably think she whored out.
>>
>>5938282
>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.

Give our new favoured whore some attention
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>>5938393
boggs, i have one ask and one ask only. that we dont let schizo rape-posting like this fuck up the quest in any way like it fucked up Aurions quest.
>>
>>5938282
>>5938373
support
>>
>>5938282
>Leave her below with the others. You are not interested in showing her too much favor yet.
>>
>>5938282
>Leave her below with the others. You are not interested in showing her too much favor yet.

I'm torn between leaving her to sleep down there but dressing her up in the fine travel clothes or bringing her up. I think bringing Joslyn up with her is fine too.

>Something else.
We should do at least something to raise the value of the ones with potential before selling them.
>>5938373
Threatening her seems like a way to cause her to hate us for small gains. We have to sell some anyway for practical reasons
>>
>>5938373

Supporting this measured approach
>>
>>5938505
I mean I wouldn't call it threatening as much as laying the cards on the table from a position of authority, though thats like mincing words, weither she hates Vaaro or not is lesser concern to his own thrills of controlling and domineering her.

And to be honest I'd rather not charm and win her over as a dashing rogue, that path has been tread far too often before.

>We have to sell some anyway for practical reasons
This I am aware of but this at least gives her an allusion of Improving her (and others) own situation by pointing out the merit of certain characters Vaaro is not entirely briefed on.
>>
>>5938415
Noted. It can be difficult subject matter, and I don't want to shy away from that. I will do my best to balance what makes sense for the character without letting it devolve into a complete coomerquest.
>>
>>5938561
I trust you. Besides, it's pretty clear from his POV that although Vaaro finds Gwyn attractive he finds excitement from controlling her rather than doing..... coomer things.
>>
>>5938282
>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.

Remember Gwyn has her own agency, if we leave her with the others then she may very well endear herself to the girls in need of someone to look up to, whether out of kindness or shrewd preparation for something like what Vaaro is planning. Certainly they all seem to have issues that she could salve, energies she could direct. Better to work on dividing them early.

Gwyn likely already knows she has Vaaro's attention, even if not by how much. She knows she's important, threatening to sell her to pox-ridden degenerates just isn't believable.

>>5938561
I just hope House Duntreow/Westeros plot as a whole isn't neglected in favour of Essosi adventures for *too* long. Of course I also second the notion to please not let coomer shenanigans get too far out of hand or let Gwyn's POV languish, though I know we shouldn't be squeamish about what she goes through in the near future.
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>>5938653
>I just hope House Duntreow/Westeros plot as a whole isn't neglected in favour of Essosi adventures for *too* long

Honestly this angle is fresh and great. There is only so much to do with small house plots whereas Essos is a full on adventure
>>
>>5938282
>Leave her below with the others. You are not interested in showing her too much favor yet.

>>5938653
If we need to return to Westeros then her father is still there. He likely suspects that his daughter is still alive and might send her sworn sword to search for her.
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>>5938282
>Bring Gwynfryd up to a cabin when you are out at sea. You want to the others to see her favor. Their opinions of her will sour and leave room for you to push for sales.

Yeah leave her down below initially and the bring her out and find out if she’ll behave or not. If she is worried about her rep then maybe have the little girl with her but that depends if we want to sell them all but her, or not

>>5938714
I thought the main plot is for her to get vengeance on those who didn’t want to ransom her (and will pay for her death) and usurp her power. She needs to go on Essoi adventures to return with an army, reclaim her house and then raise her house out of obscurity
>>
>>5939042
Basically like Dany and Young Griff.

What I like is that Vaaro isn’t aligned with what she wants. So Essoi adventures it is until she can bring him around. But if it doesn’t happen then maybe the house just serves as a source of antagonists when they find out she is still alive )
>>
Goranelos appraises the Westerosi from your side, echoing your own sentiments. He thinks as little of them as you do, but also takes note of the girl with the insolent look about her. You watch Gwynfryd for a time while the cog’s crew readies the sail. She and the two children sit across from the newcomers. Your own prisoners are not bruised and fettered in the manner of the Myrmen’s prisoners. Some words are exchanged between them, but there is no tearful reunion of the sort that the young Joslyn inspired. Or they just don’t want to appear to be stepping out of line.

The cog strikes east trying to pick up a northerly headwind, but the pace feels like a crawl. Likely for the best. You’re no navigator, but the area has a well-deserved reputation for the treacherous rocks jutting up between the waves. Regardless of the winds, it should be a short journey to Tyrosh. You must admit to feeling rather excited at the prospect of your return. It is a city of means for you. Your father owns his own shop trading in silks and dyes and other curiosities when it strikes him. He is no magister, but he makes a comfortable living. Your mother and brother would be there as well. Your brother is set to inherit the family business, though you bear him no ill will for your fate as a second son. Your sudden appearance would be a welcome sight if not for all the sullen company you currently find yourself in.

But Tyrosh reunions are not yet your priority. Night is falling. You step into the hull where the prisoners are trying to find comfort in leaning against wooden crates. A bit of seawater has leaked in from above. It’s made floor unpleasant enough to cause even the broken girl to sit up in search of some semblance of dryness. Had this been winter, they would all be on their way to catching a deep chill. Most take note of your appearance, as they should with your new fine traveling attire.
>>
>>5939071
You play them no mind and instead go straight for Gwynfryd. She looks momentarily elated to see you. It occurs to you that you had yet to bother making your presence here known to her. Back on the island, you left her with no further promises of aid in the early hours of the morrow. You were cross with her insistence on treating you like a servant to run her errands. Her smile fades to confusion when you grasp her hand and beckon her up.

“Lady Gwyn!” Joslyn frantically calls out.

“Don’t worry, sweetling. He won’t hurt me,” Gwynfryd assures her. You were hoping she would say that. You begin to lead her away to the aft quarters, only pausing to take a moment to look back and savor the expressions of the others. The men’s eyes promise murder. The wittier looking woman amuses you the most. To your delight and Gywnfryd’s dismay, she raises her voice to sardonically bid Gwynfryd a good night’s rest. You pull her along before she can respond and leave the rest to their wet arses.

“What are you doing?!” she angrily whispers as you lead her to your cabin.

“Thank you for saving me,” you reply in a voice mocking her own. “I have a cabin. Or would you rather the wet floor? Your arse will be as wrinkled as an old grandmother.”

It’s not much of a cabin, but it’s the best a cog of this size has to offer with simplistic bedding and room enough to stand. Goranelos left your new wares on the bed. “Change,” you say. She stares at the clothes. Evidently suspicious of your intent or otherwise reluctant to accept your hospitality.

“Tyrosh is a civilized city. I will not have you embarrass me in rags once we make port,” you explain.

“I suppose I should be grateful,” Gwynfryd allows and looks to the bedding again. “I do hope you do not expect me to sleep on that with you.”
>>
>>5939074
“Who said you get the bed?” you reply on your way out the door. “I will be back.”

“Where are you going? What is the plan?” she demands.

Thus far, it has suited you to share very few of your thoughts with her. That could change. If it suits you. You must admit to being curious as to how she would react if she knew of your exchange with Navaen. The Myrish brute was careful not to give you more than fragments, but Gwynfryd could hold the other pieces of the puzzle behind the bounty on her head. You are not yet sold on if you even want to see her returned to her lands, but the option will be to your detriment if she is killed upon her arrival. Doubtless you would soon follow her into death.

Your companions also need to be addressed sooner rather than later. Your fellow sellswords still do not know of your intentions to desert and keep the prisoners for your own purposes. You picked these four for good reason, but they will not blindly follow you without assurances that doing so would be in their best interests. That is, if you want to tell them at all. You could just walk away like so many have before you. Doubtless there would be some hurt feelings over unshared spoils, but you could live with that.

On your sellsword companions
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.
>Do not announce your intent to split from the company or withhold any prisoners from sale. You plan to desert these men and leave with Gwynfryd before any conflicts surrounding her status might arise.
>Something else.

On Gwynfryd
>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
>Keep her in the dark. You don’t like her knowing too much. She is too strong-willed and will seek to push you towards her wants regardless of your interests.
>Something else.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.
If we keep their loyalty it’ll save us having to start from scratch when we build our power base.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.

Let her know that our current plan is to sell her to someone who will ultimately keep her far from her home so that they’ll keep thinking she really is dead. Unless she has a better alternative… she can spend the rest of the boat trip trying to figure out how to get Vaaro on side.
>>
>>5939075
>>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.

>Keep her in the dark. You don’t like her knowing too much. She is too strong-willed and will seek to push you towards her wants regardless of your interests.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.

Promise them a generous percentage of each prisoner but make it clear we hold the purse strings at this point and that going forward they can expect good positions and better pay following us.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.

I'll reiterate my previous vote, she'll know we can openly sell her if she's dead on paper and the threat will carry better, if she cares for them she can either point to being useful to us or worth more than a shitty position in a degenerate brothel..

As an aside her claim we won't hurt her is a mild concern of her expectations.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.
>Keep her in the dark. You don’t like her knowing too much. She is too strong-willed and will seek to push you towards her wants regardless of your interests.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.

We're a talker, so lets talk.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.

Not sure about this. Vaaro wants control, but not knowing what follows Gwyn will come back to haunt him. Her lack of cooperation can be dealt with with coercion via the prisoners and her lack of physical means, but it wouldn't hurt to be on the same page.
>>
>>5939075
>On your sellsword companions
>>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.
>On Gwynfryd
>>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
Seems foolish not to tell her, hiding information just for the sake of it.
>>
>>5939075
>>Something else.
Try and convince our close four to join us in absconding with the profits
Also spend time talking to Gwyn, we will likely have a few days before any choices need be made. Tell her that someone in Westeros wants her dead, but don't tell her if we've done anything about it. See what details we can't tease out.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.
>Keep her in the dark. You don’t like her knowing too much. She is too strong-willed and will seek to push you towards her wants regardless of your interests.
>>
>>5939075
>Do not announce your intent to split from the company or withhold any prisoners from sale. You plan to desert these men and leave with Gwynfryd before any conflicts surrounding her status might arise.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.

>Keep her in the dark. You don’t like her knowing too much. She is too strong-willed and will seek to push you towards her wants regardless of your interests.

She does not have our best interests at heart - we are not allies here
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
>>
Gwyn is not stupid, she knows she is too valuable and too well shaped to be sold to some shitty brothel. She knows we have fed her well for a reason. Be open about our plans because cooperation is easier than coercion.
>>
>>5939075

>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.

Some transparency should engender Good will

>Keep her in the dark. You don’t like her knowing too much. She is too strong-willed and will seek to push you towards her wants regardless of your interests.

Our guy is not so foolish enough to show his hands
>>
>>5939075
>>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.

>>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
Hiding something like that will just bite us in the ass. It's exactly the sort of pointless, unnecessary deception I'd expect from a wannabe Littlefinger right before everything goes to shit.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. Take a risk and leverage your role as paymaster. Attempt to establish yourself as sole leader with majority stake in sales. You would risk putting yourself in conflict with at least some of them, but the reward could be worth it.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
>>
I wonder how Lord Duntreow is handling life with 3 of his kids presumed dead (assuming it's not actually him who declined to pay the ransom)
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
>>
>>5939075
>Announce your intent to split from the company and the pirates. In keeping with traditions, you will all have at least near-equal shares of the profits from your prisoners. They should have no initial complaints with this arrangement, but they would have a lot more to lose in the case of prisoners who are not sold.

Even split at least at first. Sellswords aren't mindless automatons and we can't afford to lose them or fight them now. Maybe with an extra commission fee for us if we are finding work and doing the selling.

>Tell her of her false death and the stakes she faces. Some fear and need of protection might help her let go of the dead weight Westerosi in the hull.
>>
Limited free time tonight. The post will be up tomorrow. I'll ask for some rolls earlier in the day tomorrow. Should be switching over to Gwynfryd for a bit soon.
>>
>>5937250
Forgot to answer this. The same supplement for some of the rules we've been playing with has a master tailor personage holding that could be purchased. Here is a link to it. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gieuIrCoHbYbWdm-BNFQQW_ruLlMTdVu
>>
Vote count so far.

Announce, near even split: 6
Announce, sole leader with majority stake in sales: 8
Do not announce, ditch these guys: 1

Truth: 10
Keep her in the dark: 5

Other, tell her someone is after her but otherwise keep her in the dark about our own actions and intentions, try and bait details out of her/plus try and get our four sellsword friends to ditch the Myrmen and the company to join us: 1

Only a couple of one post IDs, which is entirely consistent with almost all previous votes (I checked), probably just anons without static IPs or phone posters.

Overall a very healthy population even if you assume half the voters are people samefagging with their phones or something.
>>
>>5939795
Mine changes a lot. This is also me >>5937478
>>
>>5939795
ASOIAF quests are popular what a surprise. The problem is that QMs keep getting cursed and die not the lack of players.
>>
Going to get the rolls going early in case there are failures that will require some adjustments.

Going to need 3 rolls, 1 awareness check and 2 convince rolls. Convincing them to split from the company is an easy DC of 6, but we should roll it just on the off chance it fails. The next convince roll has a variable DC between the four of them representing their trust in you and/or their greediness. DCs are 6, 9, 12, 15. Failures can go to some renegotiation. Crit failing (failing by 5 or more) to convince will leave that respective sellsword uninterested in negotiating further.

>Can I get 1 roll of 4d6 and 2 rolls of 3d6?
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 2, 6 = 16 (4d6)

>>5940395
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 3 = 13 (3d6)

>>5940395
6, 6, 6 for the total destruction of all Ess*si
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 6 = 9 (3d6)

>>5940395
>>
>>5940419
Greedy fuckers. Might have to bribe them with something.
>>
>>5940395
Is it possible to Bargain for the renegotiation or is that skill specific to haggling for doublets?
>>
>>5940445
Negotiating contracts falls under bargain. This was only convince because selling yourself as the leader with majority stake in everything goes beyond just haggling.
>>
What is the plan?

Gwynfryd asks you this on your way out, a decidedly different tone from her high-handedness on the isle. It gives you pause enough to consider answering her.

“Tyrosh is not far. You will all be put on the block for auction. I need to speak with my companions,” you say. Her skin grows all the paler.

“I thought we had an arrangement,” she says.

“Do we? Have we signed a contract? Do you have gold?” you ask.

“You know that—”

“All I know is there are four other men with me. Most have no letters. They don’t care about tales of great castles. They want gold. Do you have it?” you ask again.

“My father—"

“Did not pay for you. Now he will think you dead,” you interrupt. At her silence, you continue. “You had a ring, blue and gold. Do you remember?”

“From my husband,” she numbly answers.

“Be thankful it is on someone else’s hand, then. Proof of your death. Your head is what they wanted. I spent the day drinking swill and convincing them otherwise,” you explain.

“Who in the Mother’s name would want my head?” she incredulously asks.

“Some Westerosi. Ever met a man you’d describe as pink?” you ask her.

“I do not tend to describe anyone as pink,” she answers, lost in thought.

“Yes, yes. That would be unkind. Wouldn’t want to offend someone after your life,” you sigh. “Do you have a name or no?”

“I will need to think…”

“So, you don’t know,” you translate.

“I said I need time to think,” she repeats with a glare.

“Did you please your husband?” you ask her.

“How could you even ask that of me?” she reddens in her growing outrage. It takes little to flush her delicate skin.

“It is a simple question. You have shown no other use beyond what you might offer on your back. Women with no craft are stripped bare on the block,” you explain. “How else would your worth be judged but for your body?”

“If you honestly believe me to be a simple… whore…” she actually tears up struggling with the word, “then do your worst. Show me you are less of a man like the others.”

You stare her down, frustration growing at her stubbornness and flowing tears. “Prove your worth,” is all you say before leaving her to gather your men.
>>
>>5940854
Your sellsword companions have had idle time to wander and occupy themselves. Varillos is busies himself trying to catch fish while complaining about the ship’s pace. You notice Tregillos talking to the girl who mocked Gwynfryd before. Not unusual in itself. What is unusual is the girl smiling and laughing. You wave him inside and go to retrieve Harlor from the bow. On your way back with him, you see the girl standing unfettered and now attempting to converse with Noren. His western words are decidedly lacking, but the girl’s body language could easily be mistaken as an offer for a tumble down below.

“What is this?” you ask Noren in your shared tongue.

“She needed a piss,” he says with a shrug.

“Looks like she wants for more than a piss,” you note.

“If she wants,” he chuckles. You don’t. Nor does Harlor.

“Back to the others,” you tell the wench in her own rough language.

“If my lord likes,” she says, still all sultry smiles.

“That one is trouble,” you tell your companions as you enter the main cabin. Goranelos the Pentoshi has made himself with all five Tyroshi sellswords in one place. Harlor and Varillos are the most veteran of your companions. Both are a bit stuck in their ways, but Harlor is the nearest you have to a second. Tregillos is a son of Varillos and was born into the company on a camp follower. Noren is Noren. He’s dependable and knows his way around a crossbow.

“Suppose you’re to tell us why we’re herding slaves instead of raiding,” Tregillos starts.
>>
>>5940856
“Because we have not been paid in moons. The captain is fled or dead. My contract is broken, as is yours,” you announce to their silence. Not a stunned silence, though. You knew of rumors swirling that amounted to much the same of your declaration. None here seem to be bothered by your talk of desertion.

“So, we’re off to get paid,” Harlor summarizes.

“That’s the plan. Any objections?” you ask. The chorus of no’s nearly puts a smile on your face. A good start. “Then we need only settle how we move forward.”

“What’re you proposing?” Varillos asks. He is the eldest of your group. His own son is counted amongst your number.

“One of the girls is an heiress. We make some sales, line our pockets, and use her for greater purposes,” you say.

“Greater purposes?” Varillos echoes, crossing his arms as if dealing with a street peddler.

“Yes” you say, trying to keep your irritation in check. You’d expected him to take issue, but his condescension is grating. “She is worth more than what we’d get at auction.”

“You want to hold our most valuable slave from sale?” Tregillos interrupts. “This the one you’ve been spending so much time around? I don’t care how sweet her cunt is. You want her, buy her yourself.”

“He’s right on that, you know,” Harlor tells you. Noren nods, too.

“This is about more than her,” you pivot. “This is about our future. If you put your trust in me, I will see us profit greater than ever before. You know I can do it.”

“True enough you’ve done well by us, lad,” Harlor agrees. Noren nods again.

“All I ask is you give me your trust. I will see to the sales and new contracts. I assure you will be better paid than before,” you say.
>>
>>5940857
“Sounds like you’re looking to lead us and hoard the coin to boot. Why you? Counting coins’ not leading. I’ve been with the company for longer than you’ve been alive. Harlor, you know this,” Varillos says.

“If I did not take action, then we’d still be on the isle taking orders from Myrmen of all things,” you counter. That is a sore point for all involved and none deny it. “Whatever the company used to be, it’s not it anymore. I will do better. You know this.”

“Aye but bugger not getting paid my share,” Tregillos repeats.

“Don’t mean I need to let you pull my purse strings and make decisions on who gets sold and who not. You’ve grown greedy or drunk on cunt. Don’t know which and don’t care. I’ll be going my own way. Those who’ll join me are welcome to,” Varillos decides.

The tension and unease cuts through the room. Harlor is as cautious as ever but remains in favor of you. Noren… doesn’t care. He likes you so long as you keep handing him enough coin for wine and an occasional whore. Varillos has clearly drawn a line, but no one seconds him to lead in your stead, not even his own son. You feel it is a near thing, though. Tregillos won’t abide not getting an equal share, but he might yet be convinced to stay. You are risking open conflict if you reject their complaints without trying to settle them. Your next move might be deciding fates.

>Bargain with them to cut them in for fair shares of this auction if they back you as majority leader for all future endeavors. You will buy out their cuts of any prisoners that are not sold. Varillos will still walk, but the other would be much more satisfied and Tregillos would probably stay.
>Bargain to cut them all in at a lower rate for this auction. Tregillos will probably leave with Varillos, leaving you short an additional useful man. If it goes well, you might come out with extra coin and no bloodshed.
>Agree to the wishes of your detractors with the intent on killing them later in the night. You think Noren and Harlor would aid you for the cuts of the profits the other two would’ve gotten.
>Something else.
>>
>>5940861
>Bargain to cut them all in at a lower rate for this auction. Tregillos will probably leave with Varillos, leaving you short an additional useful man. If it goes well, you might come out with extra coin and no bloodshed.
"You know I am not going to demand your service uncompensated. But consider this; What then? The company is no more, unless you plan on taking a boat back to that shitstained rock to work for Myrmen. Perhaps you can go your own way, strike out with all the guarantees you can provide yourself and be done with me. But know that I, and those with me, will be trustworthy comrades should you choose to stay, and you can trust in the fact that I will seek excellence as long as I live."
>>
>>5940861

>Bargain with them to cut them in for fair shares of this auction if they back you as majority leader for all future endeavors. You will buy out their cuts of any prisoners that are not sold. Varillos will still walk, but the other would be much more satisfied and Tregillos would probably stay.

We can always cheat them later if need be.
>>
>>5940861
>Bargain with them to cut them in for fair shares of this auction if they back you as majority leader for all future endeavors. You will buy out their cuts of any prisoners that are not sold. Varillos will still walk, but the other would be much more satisfied and Tregillos would probably stay.
I think the gains are still too small for complete betrayal. Better to try to foster trust and fairness until we have an actual life plan or we are more sure in our power. People we can trust are worth having less coin (initially). At the least we have more meat shields (we’re a paymaster not a fighter)
>>
>>5940861
>>Agree to the wishes of your detractors with the intent on killing them later in the night. You think Noren and Harlor would aid you for the cuts of the profits the other two would’ve gotten.
>>
>>5940861
>Agree to the wishes of your detractors with the intent on killing them later in the night. You think Noren and Harlor would aid you for the cuts of the profits the other two would’ve gotten.
>>
>>5940861
>>Bargain with them to cut them in for fair shares of this auction if they back you as majority leader for all future endeavors. You will buy out their cuts of any prisoners that are not sold. Varillos will still walk, but the other would be much more satisfied and Tregillos would probably stay.
>>
>>5940861
>Bargain with them to cut them in for fair shares of this auction if they back you as majority leader for all future endeavors. You will buy out their cuts of any prisoners that are not sold. Varillos will still walk, but the other would be much more satisfied and Tregillos would probably stay.
>>
>>5940861
>>Agree to the wishes of your detractors with the intent on killing them later in the night. You think Noren and Harlor would aid you for the cuts of the profits the other two would’ve gotten.
>>
>>5940861
>Agree to the wishes of your detractors with the intent on killing them later in the night. You think Noren and Harlor would aid you for the cuts of the profits the other two would’ve gotten.
>>
Tied between a fair bargain and killing them. I'll leave this open a little longer.
>>
>>Agree to the wishes of your detractors with the intent on killing them later in the night. You think Noren and Harlor would aid you for the cuts of the profits the other two would’ve gotten.
Fuck them.
>>
>>5940861
>Bargain with them to cut them in for fair shares of this auction if they back you as majority leader for all future endeavors. You will buy out their cuts of any prisoners that are not sold. Varillos will still walk, but the other would be much more satisfied and Tregillos would probably stay.
We can cheat on them later if we have to. Starting our independent company with murder of comrades is bad for trust.
>>
30 min and I flip for it. I'll call for some rolls once the direction is decided. Hoping to be able to get the post up later tonight.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

1: Play nice
2: Kill them
>>
>>5941797
Ok.

>Can I get 1 roll of 4d6 for deception, 1 roll of 5d6 for bargain, and 1 roll of 3d6 for stealth?
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 2, 4 = 16 (4d6)

>>5941800
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 2, 1, 4 = 13 (5d6)

>>5941800
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d6)

>>5941800
>>
>>5941803
They believe you have no ill intent.
>>5941817
Harlor and Noren will help you.
>>5941872
+1D to fighting rolls for the first round, but they will have their weapons up and ready for any subsequent rounds.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 5d6? Rolling once each for Vaaro and his 2 co-conspirators
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 3, 1, 5 = 17 (5d6)

>>5941880
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 1, 6, 4 = 21 (5d6)

>>5941880
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 1, 6, 4 = 15 (5d6)

>>5941880
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 2, 5, 2 = 16 (5d6)

>>5941880
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 6 = 13 (3d6)

1 of the 2 is down. The other is still fighting. It got a little later than expected, so I will have the actual post up tomorrow. I'm going to get some sleep. I think this might be done with the next set of rolls. If the numbers look really bad, then feel free to roll a second set of the 4 rolls below.

>Please give me 2 rolls of 3d6 for agility (you're looking beat the roll in this post for initiative order) and 2 rolls of 4d6 for fighting (against a CD of 10)
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 3 = 15 (3d6)

>>5941988
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 1 = 6 (3d6)

>>5941988
>>
>>5942007
oof
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 3, 6 = 19 (4d6)

>>5941988
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 5, 6 = 16 (4d6)

>>5941988

>>5942007
Jesus christ.
>>
You try giving them another chance, one last toss to see if they might be moved. “You know I am not going to demand your service uncompensated. The company is no more, unless you plan on taking a boat back to that shitstained rock to work for Myrmen. Perhaps you can go your own way, strike out with all the guarantees you can provide yourself and be done with me. But know that I, and those with me, will be trustworthy comrades should you choose to stay, and you can trust in the fact that I will seek excellence as long as I live.”

“Piss on trust if I need take scraps of’ve the cut again. We weren’t paid our worth afore and now you want us to agree to the same?” Varillos says.

“I can respect your experience,” you tell Varillos, “but you don’t think of the details.”

“Say what you mean, boy,” Varillos scowls.

You regard the four men before you. “Very well. How would all of you go about getting contracts? How much of our funds would you budget for lodging? Food? Drink? What of our weapons? My sword broke. How are yours? A bit chipped, no? Noren, you’ve said your crossbow is in need of work. Who will tend to our supplies when we are ranging? The slaves? You want them all sold to the nearest trader.”

“I do,” Tregillos cuts in. “And I’ll have my coin. You can do fuck all whatever you want with your cut. See to all that busy work and food and whores and whatever else you’re on about. I’m not looking to be told how to spend my hard earnings by you.”

“I think he’s saying we’re not given heaps of coin on account of all the costs’ve running,” Harlor translates.

“Not. My. Problem,” Tregillos grins. And just like that, you know what needs to be done.

“Have it your way. See to your own expenses. Just don’t come to me when you have naught but coppers in your purse and no supplies,” you tell him, letting none of your anger infect your inflection. “We’ll split them fairly. I’ll take my earnings and buy out the wench.”

“Good. We agree,” Tregillos says before standing to leave. “Knew you’d see things my way,” he adds as he claps you on the shoulder on the way out.

Varillos moves to follow him but at least spares you the backhanded compliment of, “I get what you’re at. I might’ve gone for it if I knew you could pull it off. Find me in a year with a better plan and we’ll talk it over.”

“As you wish,” you tell him in parting. Noren and Harlor are in less a rush to leave. You pour them each a cup of the Pentoshi’s wine. “How’d you like their shares?”
>>
>>5942986
The stars and the crescent moon are all the light you have to go about your work. The creaking of the ship and the soft lapping of the waves accompany you as you step into the crude space hastily repurposed for your men near the ship’s stern. Your men. They were. Promises were spoken. Good extra coin made its way into their pockets, a product of sleight of hand over the numbers in the company books. A risk you took so that they would take risks in turn. Instead, you were repaid in mockery. Now, you will settle debts.

If one were listening intently enough, the gripping crunch of leather and the subtle jingle of mail might join the song of the sea. The slow, purposeful footfalls of men about grim work might be heard apart from the ship’s natural sounds. If one were listening. One shadow becomes three in the dim last light before the swinging hammocks. Creak.

Tregillos grunts and turns his head towards your figure beside his hammock. You see the whites of his startled eyes. And the fear.

“FUCKIN’—” your axe cuts him off and crunches into his side, his arm or his ribs, as he shouts and falls from the hammock. More shouting comes from off your right, but you pay it no mind. Your foe is before you.
>>
>>5942987
Tregillos is desperate and wild. He throws a bottle to keep you at bay and scampers backwards, finding his sword through sheer dumb luck or the second nature of a man used to fighting on a moment’s notice. He’s quick to gain his footing, so quick it almost takes you by surprise, but you surge forward with him still only at a half guard. He raises his arm. It might’ve saved him had he been in his armor, but it only serves to bury your axe head deep into his forearm. He screams and swings his sword in the close gap. It slides off your parrying dagger and slaps against your mail. The dull ache doesn’t stop you from burying your dagger in his armpit. His wild scream becomes a moan of despair. You stab again and again while he tries to wrest into his control. His grip grows slippery and weak. Harlor slowly approaches and wrenches you apart only to thrust a blade into Tregillos himself. The sword clangs to the floor.

You take a moment to catch your breath. Your ears are ringing, and your shoulder is beginning to throb. One quick roll of it tells you all the blood probably isn’t yours. You glance over and see Noren standing over Varillos winding up his crossbow again. Your veteran detractor is slumped on his side with a quarrel sticking out of his chest. Varillos tries to speak, you think, but only manages to gurgle. All the better. He’s said enough. You nod to Noren, seeing the murdering ended with one last thump.

“Knew him for nigh on ten and five,” Harlor remarks. “Always was a bit of a cunt.”

Goranelos the Pentoshi stands at a distance with a pair of his deckhands. He looks uncharacteristically pale. “A small dispute. Not to worry. All is settled,” you say as you wipe your knife off on your dead companion’s hammock. “Do you want them over the side?”
>>
>>5942988
You are Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow

And you don’t think you’ve been this vexed in your entire life.

Prove your worth.

Who is he to say this to you? Not even your lord father would speak to you in such a manner. But this evil-minded sellsword dares. And you will not even allow yourself to think of the rest of his words. Does he speak to all women in this way, or have you simply done something to cause great offense? Is it your hair? He seems to have some queer fascination with colors. And he left you to stew for the entirety of the night. You have slept poorly before, but this was too much. Not only did he leave you with such burning thoughts, but he proceeded to drink and feast with his black-hearted friends late into the night. They were yelling and smashing things enough to set the whole ship astir.

Of course, it is not enough that you must remain the captive of sellswords. Now someone else wishes you dead. Pink. Nothing else. You have no further context. The first thought that comes to mind would be of a rosier complexion. Really, you could name more ladies suited to the labeling than men. The why of it all is also questionable. To your knowledge, there are none who you have slighted to such an extent that they should desire your death, much less plot and pay to see it through. Your newfound role as heir to Hallowgrove could be the reason, but it is a notion you find difficult to accept. Ser Elrick Duntreow, your uncle and your father’s brother, would be next in line to take on the responsibility. While you are not a great admirer of your uncle, you would have never thought him capable of kinslaying.

If not him, then who else? One of the neighboring houses? The Rainwood has seen petty feuds aplenty, many of which involved your house’s former bannermen. House Delve isn’t known for their guile and are backwoods even compared to your own kin. House Dunmoor could be considered the strongest, but how would they be served by killing you? House Elym? They are bannermen of House Wylde now, and there were several Wyldes in your traveling party. House Stenmoor… you departed from their port. Could they have sold you out to the pirates? Again, though, Lady Jeyne Stenmoor is in the hull of this ship. By all appearances, she has all but given up on life.
>>
>>5942989
Then there is your other cousin, Ellyn Duntreow. She is as much your kin as Joclyn but on your father’s side rather than your mother’s. Ellyn was of an age with Eileen but with none of your niece’s virtues. She was always a gossip and too quick with her favor. From a glance at things, it doesn’t appear that captivity has softened her tongue. You thought her a very poor influence on Eileen, but tolerated her out of love for her brother, Ser Donmar. He might just be the only knight of your father’s house who you truly trust. It was he alone who saw to it that you made it through the siege. He was due to meet you in Fawnton after escorting your lady mother who abhors ships. If he could be reached now, then there is a chance you could survive this ordeal.

If anything is for certain, it is that you need allies and information. The only question is where you would like to start. Vaaro did not strictly tell you that you may not leave this cabin, but you’re not quite sure what he and the rest would think of you speaking too freely with the others.

Pick up to two. Top two choices will be selected.
>See if you can rouse Lady Jeyne Stenmoor. It was her house’s lands that you departed from. She should at least know more about the port and could have heard rumors.
>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>Seek out the squire you saw with Joclyn. He is just a boy, but he could have heard things the knights only spoke of to each other.
>Take the chance to try to speak with the two knights directly. They are shackled and watched more closely, but you might be able to find a moment if you’re careful.
>Attempt to converse with the ship’s captain. He may know more about these sellswords and whatever they are really planning.
>Take a stand and find a way to bring Joclyn Meadows to your cabin. You need to show that you will go to extra lengths to protect her.
>Something else.
>>
>>5942990
>See if you can rouse Lady Jeyne Stenmoor
I've got a hunch this sad cat has reason beyond wretched despair to be hopeless. Perhaps she will enlighten our heroine? I don't have high hopes for her being an ally though. If she is responsive, try and get something for her, food or a sheet or something.
If she is a dead end, talk to the squire. No one pays any mind to squires, he could know all manner of things...
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>>5942990
>Seek out the squire you saw with Joclyn. He is just a boy, but he could have heard things the knights only spoke of to each other..

>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>>
>>5942990
>>Seek out the squire you saw with Joclyn. He is just a boy, but he could have heard things the knights only spoke of to each other.
>>Take the chance to try to speak with the two knights directly. They are shackled and watched more closely, but you might be able to find a moment if you’re careful.
>>
>>5942990
>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him
>Take a stand and find a way to bring Joclyn Meadows to your cabin. You need to show that you will go to extra lengths to protect her.
>>
>>5942990
>See if you can rouse Lady Jeyne Stenmoor. It was her house’s lands that you departed from. She should at least know more about the port and could have heard rumors.
>Seek out the squire you saw with Joclyn. He is just a boy, but he could have heard things the knights only spoke of to each other.
>>
>>5942990
>>See if you can rouse Lady Jeyne Stenmoor. It was her house’s lands that you departed from. She should at least know more about the port and could have heard rumors.
>>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>>
>>5942990
>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>Take the chance to try to speak with the two knights directly. They are shackled and watched more closely, but you might be able to find a moment if you’re careful.

Basically my logic is that I want to nip a problem in the bud and bring our ears into the men's talk. While we may soon be separated from Ellyn as we're sold off, she could bring one of our only trusted allies to our side under his own power. We also don't want her against us if our mutual fate is to both be army candy for wealthy buyers, you never know, we may run into her again, even if Vaaro sells her and keeps us. We are actually decently stealthy, especially when it comes to looking innocuous or like we belong, so talking to the knights even under guard is actually doable for us.

Showing our protectiveness for Joclyn beyond what we have already is just giving a more obvious lever for Vaaro to pull, the same with lady Stenmoor.
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>>5943081
arm candy*

Jesus...
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>>5942990

>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>Take the chance to try to speak with the two knights directly. They are shackled and watched more closely, but you might be able to find a moment if you’re careful.
>>
>>5942990
>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>Take the chance to try to speak with the two knights directly. They are shackled and watched more closely, but you might be able to find a moment if you’re careful
>>
>>5942990
>See if you can rouse Lady Jeyne Stenmoor. It was her house’s lands that you departed from. She should at least know more about the port and could have heard rumors.
>Try to reconcile with Lady Ellyn Duntreow. You need her brother by your side, and she may be of some aid in passing word along to him.
>>
>>5942990
>See if you can rouse Lady Jeyne Stenmoor. It was her house’s lands that you departed from. She should at least know more about the port and could have heard rumors.
>Seek out the squire you saw with Joclyn. He is just a boy, but he could have heard things the knights only spoke of to each other
>>
Ellyn Duntreow has the lead. Jeyne Stenmoor and the squire are tied. Let's do this a little differently. Depending on how well the stealth (blend in) rolls go, we might just do all three.

>Can I get 3 rolls of 4d6 for stealth and another 3 rolls of 3d6 for charm?
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 1, 6 = 14 (4d6)

>>5943521

Rolling!
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 4, 4 = 18 (4d6)

>>5943521
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 2, 6 = 14 (4d6)

>>5943521
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 3 = 13 (3d6)

>>5943521
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 1 = 9 (3d6)

>>5943521
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 6 = 14 (3d6)

>>5943521
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>5943642
I was looking over the character sheet and i think i can re-roll the 1 because of the Attractive benefit. if im misreading that then please disregard this roll boggs.
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>>5943678
Depends on who the roll is for.
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>>5943684
>You possess incredible beauty. Those who are susceptible to such looks find it hard to concentrate when in your presence.
true, lets hope its someone prone to that
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>>5943678
>>5943684
>>5943692
It's kind of on me for not explicitly specifying the order for the rolls, so I'm going to take it and change that fail to a success. In the future with multiple interactions, I'll list the order for the persuasion rolls.
>>
The post became a lot longer than I'd expected and I ended up falling asleep before it was done. I'm going to post the first half now with a vote and the second half tonight.
>>
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Faced with so many uncertainties, you want to have the man you are most certain of by your side. Ser Donmar would be on the next ship over to Tyrosh if he were to catch word of your arrival. The trouble lies with getting word to him. Essosi do not fly ravens across the Narrow Sea. Someone needs to deliver word to him and your lady mother in person. Someone reliable. Truthfully, such a person does not exist on this ship. You will have to make do with who you have. Lady Ellyn is Donmar’s sister, though they could not be more different. You are several years older than her and had little cause to play with her in your youth. Upon your return to Hallowgrove, she had turned into a woman grown but with little of the grace expected of her. Too many times you found yourself gainsaying her influences upon your niece, Eileen. But you’re finding virtue counts for very little here.

You rise and decide to change into the clothes Vaaro left you. You’re not quite certain how or why he acquired them for you, but it is true enough that your current outfit is fit for burning at this point. Shedding it is one of the most freeing sensations you have experienced in recent memory. You were hesitant to fully remove your clothing on the isle for fear of what could happen if you were seen. You hold up the chemise and frown. The fabric is exquisite, but there is so little of it. A simple mistake, surely. It is not if he took time to measure you. The rest of the smallclothes drive heat to your face. Now, you are beginning to suspect you’ve been played for a fool. But if you leave them here and he sees them… no. That cannot happen. You hurriedly pull on the skirt and blouse, adjustments to their fit second lute to your growing embarrassment and indignation. One day. One day soon, this man will rue his jests.

You step out squinting into the light. You can see land to your right, but you have no way of telling whether the ship is due to dock soon or not. The modest cog isn’t exactly bustling, but a few deckhands are about their work. There is a sort of strange tension in the air that you can’t quite place. You do your best to move about the ship as casually and naturally as possible, seeking chance to converse with one of your erstwhile traveling companions. It is a practiced sort of movement for you, like a dance of its own. You were never intended to be heralded in a hall. Your role was always to be a lady-in-waiting, pretty and composed but not for outshining your lady or knightly husband.
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>>5944049
If nothing else, you have that in common with your cousin. She too was meant for the life of a lady-in-waiting. You just have different ways of approaching your roles. This is not to say her way doesn’t have its merits. You take note that Lady Ellyn Duntreow has managed to extract herself from the fetters you saw her in the evening prior and now leans against the ships railing. Either she is far better at playing the mummer than you had ever considered, or she is genuinely quite ill. She gives you half a curtsy before retching over the side. It makes you all too aware of your own churning stomach on account of the rocking boat.

“Listen. I know we’ve had our differences, but for the Maiden’s love, could you please beg your new lover to spare me some moon tea?” Ellyn says by way of greeting.

“I… he is not my lover. Moon tea? Oh please… are you with child?” you ask.

“It could be the waters. Let us say I am not and would love the tea to settle my ailments,” she replies then looks to you with a sort of studious expression that reminds you of her brother. “He is not your lover? The one who stole you away and now has you dressed in new clothes? Really, I am not one to judge.”

“He is a sellsword. I am buying him. It is really that simple,” you testily answer.

“Buying him with… what exactly?” she teases further, then abruptly stops. Her smile twitches away and she closes her eyes in silent prayer, gripping the railing again. Sometimes, the gods are good.

“I really don’t know,” you answer. It is an honest answer and one that has been leaving you with a deepening fear. You have no means of paying Vaaro and he isn’t a fool. You fear he means to sell you along with the others. Some part of you thinks Ellyn will understand, and you end up confiding as much in her.

“I knew no good would come of this ship,” Ellyn finally says.

“Did you hear about Eileen?” you ask her a little more gently.

“I was there,” Ellyn bitterly answers. “Not all of us were so lucky as you.”

“I am sorry,” you offer. You really don’t know what else to say and just pull her into a hug. Whatever your differences, she is still your kin. Ellyn doesn’t weep into your clothes like Joslyn but rather stiffly accepts your attempt at comfort.

“Your… Vaaro was it? He killed two of his own men last night. Was that your plan?” Ellyn finally asks.

“No?” you say, your thoughts growing muddled and confused. “Why? Do you know what happened?”

“Only that there was fighting and two of those Tyroshi were dumped in the sea. Good riddance,” she sighs, “though I had planned to use one of them to escape.”

“How?” you ask.
>>
>>5944050
“By bedding him, of course,” Ellyn looks at you like you’ve sprouted a second head. “How else? When he’s done and drunk, I can just leave. I thought to try it on that island, but the ships seemed just as awful. A city would be different.”

“And then you would be lost in a foreign city with no coin and no way to get home,” you fill in for her, too surprised by her brazenness to completely cut her off.

“I would find a knight. A good one not like those two below. He would take me home,” Ellyn says. You sigh and shake your head. Even after all of this, she is still young and foolish. But telling her so would be unkind.

“Any knight you might find lurking in a slaver’s city is as likely to take you for his own as he is to save you,” you explain to her.

Ellyn lets out an unladylike snort. “Better one man with a sword and means than being a brothel slave. Do you know they brand their slaves? And I thought you would be of the same mind. Everyone knows the Dragon’s men fled to Essos. I thought you backed them?”

You don’t bother supplying an answer to that, harboring very mixed feelings as to the supposed sides in the war. Your lady mother pushed your brother Gwayne to the Dragon’s banner, and he died for it. She and father still have not reconciled over it. Your own husband fought for the Baratheons and was killed in turn by Dragons.

“Do you have a better plan?” Ellyn asks in response to your silence.

“Of sorts. Your brother…” you say.

“He likes you more than me. I’m sure of it,” she says. You’ve heard her say it before and really don’t know what she expects you to say in response. “You want him to come save you again? Seems no different than my plan only Donmar is across the sea,” she adds.

“It is more complicated than that,” you tell her. She doesn’t need to consider plots on her life, you hope.

“If my lady insists,” Ellyn replies. You cannot tell if she is mocking you or not, but she seems unimpressed. “We can still go with my plan and escape before we are branded and sold. Your sellsword is a man with all the same weaknesses as the others. If you must wait on Donmar, then I could go and tell him.”

The plan for Lady Ellyn Duntreow
>You want her to do nothing. You have too many doubts about her ability to act. She will only be risking her life and possibly yours.
>You wish for her to try to seduce Vaaro. It may soften him to selling her or otherwise cause him to let his guard down for her to escape.
>You will find a way to help her escape when the timing is right, but you want her to keep her distance from Vaaro. You will not accept her compromising whatever remains of her honor.
>Something else.
>>
>>5944051
>You wish for her to try to seduce Vaaro. It may soften him to selling her or otherwise cause him to let his guard down for her to escape.

Actually a good idea if she's good at such things. Vaaro has low composure and she'd go first because of status probably, though given the power dynamics that may not apply.

I'd rather not have her escape. Her chances of survival are slim in a foreign city where she doesn't speak the language, and lower still of her chances of thriving.

If anons aren't keen on whoring our kin out, then I'd suggest trying to influence Vaaro ourselves to try and get him to sell Ellyn and Joclyn to someone that isn't a degenerate and can be influenced by them. Say that we'd be forming a network of influenced patrons and that it'd be worth it to think long term, though we'd have to intuit his plans and desires first. The point is through Ellyn's seductions or our own wiles, to get our family members into places that aren't whorehouses, places where they can learn the language and influence people, and operate relatively freely in preparation for a proper return home.
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>>5944051
>>You want her to do nothing. You have too many doubts about her ability to act. She will only be risking her life and possibly yours.
>>
>>5944051
>You wish for her to try to seduce Vaaro. It may soften him to selling her or otherwise cause him to let his guard down for her to escape.
>>
>>5944051
>“By bedding him, of course,” Ellyn looks at you like you’ve sprouted a second head. “How else? When he’s done and drunk, I can just leave"
>“I would find a knight. A good one not like those two below. He would take me home,"
I mean, is my retard brain not picking up on something here, this would work right? I don't know if the free cities are such tremendous shitholes that you might get snatched up just walking around, she's already got freedom of the ship looks like so don't think they'd have a strict guard on her as she's wet and willing and there's got to be tons of Westerosi exiles in Essos just looking for an "in" for going back to Westeros. Not that I'm suggesting Gwyn do it, just I think it would work.
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>>5944051
>>You want her to do nothing. You have too many doubts about her ability to act. She will only be risking her life and possibly yours.
Her plan won't work and she's kinda airheaded.
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>>5944205
It could work. Ellyn and Gwyn are both working off of guesses and assumptions, though. The vote is still open. I will close it in a couple hours.
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>>5944051
>You wish for her to try to seduce Vaaro. It may soften him to selling her or otherwise cause him to let his guard down for her to escape.
>>
>>5944051

>You wish for her to try to seduce Vaaro. It may soften him to selling her or otherwise cause him to let his guard down for her to escape.

This makes the most sense from Gwynn’s perspective
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>>5944051
>>You wish for her to try to seduce Vaaro. It may soften him to selling her or otherwise cause him to let his guard down for her to escape.
>>
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“Ellyn… I will not suggest you bed Vaaro,” you tell her, already regretting your words as her smile returns.

“But you won’t forbid me from it,” she finishes. A queer thought. You really could forbid her if you wanted to. You never had such sway until now.

“I will only say that I do not wish to see you sold to a brothel or mistreated…” you sigh. You left the rest unsaid. The thought of what you are all but condoning is absolutely vile, but these are vile times. If it could spare her from worse…

“Do you think he would? Mistreat me I mean?” she curiously asks.

“He never struck me… and Joslyn said he treated her well,” you start, then see her far too pleased for your liking, “but you must remember he is still a slaver and a sellsword. You told me yourself he killed his own men.”

“You fret too much, cousin. I will have him eating out of my palm,” Ellyn assures.

“We will speak more on this later,” you say, urging her to move along with a glance about to ensure you haven’t been overheard. If you ever chance upon a sept in these foreign lands, you will need to light a candle for your uncle and seek his forgiveness. That Ellyn is still very much unchanged from her trials in captivity is as much a relief as it is disconcerting.

You are still reeling with the wickedness of what you set in motion when you spot the squire by happenstance near the rear of the ship. A welcome distraction from your fresh worries. And he is peeing off the ship. Lovely. Just lovely. You take a moment to stare at nothing in particular on the horizon, pondering how you came to be degraded to this even as your own standing within your father’s household is so supposedly elevated, then you gather your composure with one heaving deep breath and turn to approach him with your very best smile. Which is to say, you do not frown at him. Your lady mother always said you could stand to be a little more welcoming, but you never could place the implied deficiency.

“Pleasant morrow is it not?” you offer the squire, a fair boy on the cusp of reaching towards manhood. He startles at your greeting and awkwardly faces you. “Or is this a bad time?” you suggest.
>>
>>5944620
“Not at all, my lady,” the squire assures.

“My sincerest apologies, but I do not believe I have had the pleasure of your name?” you prompt him.

“Alesander if it pleases, my lady,” he answer.

“Alesander. And you were with Joslyn on that island?” you ask him.

“I was, my lady,” he answers.

“You were very brave to keep her safe after all this time. I will remember your gallantry when we return home,” you assure the boy, taking his hand in yours with your kindest smile. The words feel a little hollow, though, and you both surely know it. But something in your words makes him flush and stand a little straighter.

“I am yours, my lady,” he says with a little more strength.

“I will take that as your oath,” you tell him. “Tell me, how fare the knights in your company?”

“They fair well enough, my lady. They want for another go at these pirates, as do I,” Alesander says.

“I am sure you would do your best to set matters to right,” you offer. You try not to let your pity into your inflection. Your husband once said pity was the death of manhood. He was a more poetic soul, but you saw sense in his words. From what little you could understand of the foreigners, they mocked this Alesander relentlessly and compared him to some crude effigy of a girl. No doubt he seeks to reclaim his honor as all boys would.

“But the worst of them are behind us,” you lie. “I would not ask you to lay down your life.”

“I would,” he is quick to interrupt.

“I know you would,” you gently assure him, wondering how mothers handle boys of such a precarious age. “Now, though, we are most in need of clarity… you will tell me if you hear of anything amiss?”

“On my honor, my lady,” Alesander says, then frowns. “What might you consider amiss, my lady?”

“Oh, anything really… new word, old word such as how we ended up here…” you try.

“You mean with the pirates? The knights said someone must’ve told them of us,” Alesander says.

“Did they say who?” you ask, hoping your tone does not come off as too desperate.

“Only some guesses,” he scratches his head. “I would not want to upset my lady…”

“Tell me.” you demand.

“They were saying Stenmoor or a Wylde and… begging my lady’s pardons but they said it was passing odd my Lord of Duntreow had not acted,” Alesander says.
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>>5944623
“You have my thanks for your honesty, Alesander. Please find me if you hear more,” you distractedly tell him before bidding him back to the others. It was a little underwhelming, but not entirely useless. At least you now know the knights were thinking along the same paths as you. You had mostly discounted Wylde, though. Eileen’s own mother is a lady hailing from Rainhouse. It is true there are a great many of the Wylde name, though. Your lady grandmother was also a Wylde by birth. You likely share greater degrees of relations to some of House Wylde than others of the same name do to each other. It does make it exceedingly difficult to keep track of them all.

But you can keep track of the lone Stenmoor in your company. Lady Jeyne proves to be exceedingly difficult to converse with, though. You had hoped she would make her call of nature as Alesander did, but she either already did before your rising or, more worryingly, is doing so below in view of others. You feel as if your time for free movement must be ending soon and decide to take the risk to pass by her below. It is an unnatural path that takes you to her, forcing you to descend a ladder than you briefly worry will cause you to fall flat upon your back. Any who saw you now might not think you to be merely strolling to pass the time.

Lady Jeyne Stenmoor seems to have found herself something of a corner away from the others and against one of the merchant’s crates of goods. She stares blankly at the sea with no acknowledgement of your presence.

“Are you well?” you ask in absence of anything else to say. She does not respond, so you try a differing tact. “I only ask because I thought my lady would not be so subdued.”
>>
>>5944625
Lady Jeyne looks at you, really looks at you, for the first time. “Are you not?” she posits.

“The pirates are behind us. We are for Tyrosh and then home,” you tell her.

“Home,” you hear her repeat. Then nothing to your mounting frustration.

“Yes, home. Would you not see it again?” you ask her. No response. “Please, my lady. You are more than this,” you plead.

“I am no one now. I am worthless,” she mumbles.

You reach out to give her some comfort, but she cringes away and raises her voice to you. “Don’t touch me! Please,” she adds more quietly.

“What are you doing?” You hear someone say. Vaaro. You look up and see him staring at you with the ship’s captain at his side. You wouldn’t say this is much of a compromised position to be caught in, but you still find yourself in need of an answer.

What do you want to tell Vaaro about your talk with Lady Jeyne?

>Tell him you merely sought to comfort Lady Jeyne. She is clearly in a rough state.
>Tell him you are seeking answers as to who is after you.
>Refuse to directly answer him. Deflect and ask him about the fighting from last night.

On the squire, Alesander

>You will ask nothing more of him unless he comes to you with new word. He is filled with thoughts of gallantry that will see him dead.
>You wish for him to help you further by providing some aid (write-in).
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>>5944626
>What do you want to tell Vaaro about your talk with Lady Jeyne?
>Refuse to directly answer him. Deflect and ask him about the fighting from last night.
>On the squire, Alesander
>You wish for him to help you further by providing some aid (write-in).
Tell him we have a plan for escape once we reach Tyrosh, and to wait until you give word.
>>
>>5944626
>>Tell him you are seeking answers as to who is after you.
>>You will ask nothing more of him unless he comes to you with new word. He is filled with thoughts of gallantry that will see him dead.
>>
>>5944626
>Tell him you merely sought to comfort Lady Jeyne. She is clearly in a rough state.

>You will ask nothing more of him unless he comes to you with new word. He is filled with thoughts of gallantry that will see him dead.
>>
>>5944626
>Tell him you merely sought to comfort Lady Jeyne. She is clearly in a rough state.
>You will ask nothing more of him unless he comes to you with new word. He is filled with thoughts of gallantry that will see him dead.
>>
>>5944630

Supporting this
>>
>>5944626
>Tell him you merely sought to comfort Lady Jeyne. She is clearly in a rough state.
Don't see any reason not to.
>>5944630
Agree with this on Alesander, if he's waiting for the right moment he might be less inclined to do anything reckless.
>>
>>5944626
>Refuse to directly answer him. Deflect and ask him about the fighting from last night.

>You will ask nothing more of him unless he comes to you with new word. He is filled with thoughts of gallantry that will see him dead.
>>
>>5944623
Aghk, should've gone for the knights directly. At least we have ears besides our own now, if only until the auction block.

>>5944626
>Say that our visit is of dual purpose. We are both worried about Lady Jeyne's wellbeing and seeking answers as to who is after us.

This is for the both of them. We want reassure Jeyne in a couple hopefully eloquent sentences that we are genuinely worried for her health (both kinds) while assuring Vaaro that our purpose is not meaningless and that we are using our time well to figure out who is after us. Remember, part of his whole power dynamic schtick is us being useless, and during that bit he asked if we knew who was after us. Working on that at least retains us the freedom to be moving about talking to the others, otherwise it is obviously just us plotting.

>Tell him not to do anything reckless and to act as a relay between us and the knights
>>
>>5944626
>“You fret too much, cousin. I will have him eating out of my palm,” Ellyn assures.

Lmao.

>>5944877
Backing this. Jeyne isn't useful to anyone if she is an empty husk.
>>
>>5944626
>Tell him you merely sought to comfort Lady Jeyne. She is clearly in a rough state.
>Tell him not to do anything reckless and to act as a relay between us and the knights
>>
Ok, just two more rolls.

>Can I get 1 roll of 5d6 for persuasion (convince) and 1 roll of 4d6 for stealth (blend in)
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 2, 1, 2 = 17 (5d6)

>>5945210

Time to verbally dab on these fools
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 4, 1 = 12 (4d6)

>>5945210
>>
>>5945219
Reroll the 1 for Attractive?
>>
>>5945228
>>5945219
Yup.
>>
>>5945229
can anyone roll for that?
>>
>>5945350
Yeah, I'm not going to be picky about it if this much time has passed. It's a relevant reroll because you could net another degree of success.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5945375
>>
>>5945382
goddammit
>>
It was worth a shot. Okay, I will have the post up tomorrow during the day. I'm hoping to get back to at least a regular nightly posting schedule by next week. Just have a very busy month. I'm expecting to have more free time starting in April, though.
>>
“What are you doing?”

“Proving my worth,” you tell Vaaro in response. He only stares down at you. You are keenly aware of heads turning in your direction. For a moment, you only hear the sound of the sea and the distant call of birds. Then a bell rings and the ship’s men go about their duties with renewed vigor. A port has been sighted. Vaaro still has not moved. Your breeding has taught you better than to pick at man’s pride in front of others, and you aware you are coming dangerously close to doing so. Instead, you make to join him and settle matters more discretely.

On your way up, you see Alesander huddled up by the stairs and take a slight detour just to offer him a word of encouragement and warning. “I need you to stay safe. Please make no move without my asking,” you whisper. The boy looks surprised by your words but nods his agreement.

Vaaro meets you atop the stairs. But for a sword on his belt where there was none before, his demeanor gives no sign that he spent the night killing his own men. He waits for you to speak.

“You told me to prove my worth,” you continue. “Would you have me do so from a cabin?”

“In a cabin you cause me no troubles,” he says. “Now, you are starting to get in my way.”

“I have no—”

“What did you say to that boy?” he interrupts, wrongfooting you.

“I… words of encouragement,” you answer.

“Encouragement,” he repeats. “Slaves do not need encouragement. Slaves need to be obedient. Your encouragement might get them killed. Do you understand?”

“Encouragement can be the same as obedience. The boy is young and rash. He needs a lady’s guiding hand. Lady Jeyne looks ready to jump into the sea. She needs comfort. Do you not see this?” you ask him. His silence is all you need. “I can calm them. You cannot. This is what you need of me.”
>>
>>5946229
“It is a woman’s task,” he allows. “And cleaner than a lash. But you waste it on those. We are for port within hours. The Flesh Square is just off the docks.”

“You really mean to sell them off just like that?” you ask him as you become so aware of your dwindling time. Vaaro looks to you as if you’ve made some sort of crass jape.

“You are aware all of this costs coin, yes?” Vaaro tells you. “Passage on ships is not free. My gracious captain reminds me of this. He tells me even dead men must pay fares.”

“Well, that is beside—” you start.

“Lodging is not free,” he continues. “Your clothes were not free. Feeding and housing a herd of hungry mouths is not free. Do you think I may walk into an inn or tavern with a train of dirty Westerosi? Do your innkeeps let you bring your horses inside?”

You understand the point he is making, though his comparisons feel wildly inappropriate. In truth, you are unsure how your entire party would be able to fare together in the city upon the horizon. It looks to be an impossibly dense and yet sprawling gathering of structures. You would be thrilled at the prospect of exploring it if you did not have the weight of decisions bearing down upon you. This is the moment in which you will need to act.

Current prisoners
>Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow
>Joslyn Meadows
>Alesander the squire
>Lady Jeyne Stenmoor
>Lady Ellyn Duntreow
>Lady Calla Wylde (the one with the pregnancy rumors)
>A hedge knight
>A knight of House Wylde

Who would Gwynfryd like to argue against immediately selling?
>Add as many from the list above as you’d like.

The DCs will progressively increase depending on the number of people selected. I will take write-in arguments/plans into consideration and lower the DC for certain people if write-in plans for them are put forth and backed or if the argument is something that should be particularly appealing to Vaaro. Thanks for putting up with my delays.
>>
>>5946230
>>Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow
>Lady Ellyn Duntreow
>Alesander the squire
the ones we talked to
>>
>>5946230
>Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow

>Make a short, blunt argument. Does he buy us clothes to fetch a higher price? No. We are comely, but so are the other noble ladies in the entourage. Our clothes were in tatters, but so are that of the others. We know our worth and so does he. He won't sell us, he wants us. We can feel it in our conversations, though his games distracted us for a bit. So lets move on to the others rather than pretending like we're on the table.


>Lady Ellyn Duntreow
>Joslyn Meadows

From a strictly pragmatic meta PoV, I'm not super protective of Joslyn given the price she'll fetch according to Vaaro, but Gwyn would argue hard for her. Ellyn would be useful with us.

>Joslyn and Ellyn are our kin. Vaaro says our lord-father did not pay for us, but he made no mention of contacting our uncle or other relatives to pay for our cousins. Our father may not pay for them even if he had paid for us, that would be our cadet branches family head's responsibility (lie if this isn't true). He can still fetch a better price for them from our relatives. After all, Ellyn is no longer a maiden, and while you may think that lowers her worth to our family and not just buyers at the auction, it doesn't. There are only so many noble ladies and we are expected by custom to only marry other nobles, they'll be wanted back. The Reach, where Joslyn's family is from is particularly rich. Also, their clothes are in tatters, and you didn't buy them better apparel, unlike us. Their full value won't be realised on the auction block. We certainly won't cooperate if both are sold, he'll have nothing over us then but our life, and that isn't worth much to us at the moment.

>Lady Jeyne Stenmoor

>Wait a couple days before selling her. Tell him about how House Stenmoor is the chief suspect right now for being the one's after us. Let us try and prise what information we can from her before selling her. She's also despondent, while that makes her ideal for the auction block for lack of resistance, she'll be a shit, high maintenance whore. No passion, and she won't even relieve herself of her own will, she'll piss her bedding. Let us try and rouse her to higher spirits before she is discarded, she'll fetch a higher price that way.

>Let us interrogate Calla Wylde before Vaaro sells her, she may know something about who is after us.

>Don't care about the others. Still, why not sell the knights to a reseller looking for violent skills, as slave soldiers or gladiators or something. The price is surely higher than as oarsmen or labourers (I'm trying to get them to a place where they'll have agency and retain violent capacity).
>>
>>5946230
>>5946313
In addition

>If he calls our bluff (regarding selling Gwyn) then try and argue for a sale as something other than a common whore, a concubine to a noble at least, or a place where we can make use of our other skills besides our looks at least. The same for the other girls. To answer his earlier question of our worth besides of that 'on our back', we all do have skills actually. We can all read and write and handle numbers, albeit in common westerosi, but that doesn't matter for numbers, so we can work as administrators, clerks, copyists, even translators once we learn the local language, all valuable trades in high demand (honestly the lack of literacy is a bit underplayed even in low-fantasy/historical fiction, people just act like all the nobles were literate when this wasn't the case. We should be in super high demand for our literacy alone. We can hunt and shoot a bow. We can handle and train animals, as well as ride. We have some skill with healing, we can work as an apothecary. Like every women we spin thread, and of course as high born lady, we weave and weave well, about as good as a professional tailor (I know we don't have the Trade benefit, but this makes sense. The idea that noble women did nothing aside from pump out babies is a myth. All pre-modern women spun thread, most weaved as well, though their time was split with other duties. In dedicated tailoring towns, where it was a proper industry instead of the necessities for the subsisting family only the men got that honour in some places because power dynamics/sexism, but it varied from region to region IRL. Noble women would absolute weave though, and weave well, because of their greater free time to specialize unlike a non-tailor/weaver peasant woman).
>>
>>5946230
>>5946243
+1
>the ones we talked to
>>
>>5946230
>Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow
>Joslyn Meadows
>Lady Jeyne Stenmoor
>Lady Ellyn Duntreow
>>
>>5946230
>>5946243
Seconding but also adding Joslyn Meadows.
>>
I'd say the priority (from Gwynfryd's PoV) would probably be
>Joslyn
>Ellyn
I think she'd feel better if she rescued
>Alesander
from sexual slavery at the hands of dirty Ess*si because she can atleast say "I had to sacrifice the others to save the children", especially as she seems to look down on her brother from absconding from his duty and "Dutiful" is one of our traits. Anyway, if it's just some quick cash for passage her needs there's no need to rush selling slaves. I do think we should atleast ask for the other ladies (Jewyne, Calla) as well to be spared but just as a negotiating tactic.
>>
>>5946230
>Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow
>Joslyn Meadows
>Lady Ellyn Duntreow

These are the only people we could be considered responsible for in some way. Maybe the squire too but he is the first one I would cut and asking for a 4th to be spared could be pushing our luck too far. I will also back these reasons here >>5946313
>>
>>5946313
support
>>
>>5946313
+1
>>
The order of popularity seems to be:
>Gwynfryd: unanimous save.
>Lady Ellyn Duntreow: unanimous save.
Some of the same arguments used for Gwynfryd could apply to Ellyn, so I'll work some of that in.
>Joslyn Meadows: popular for save.
Lowering her DC because of the strong argument for her worth to a richer house that wasn't contacted. Vaaro wouldn't have known this IC and it should appeal to him.
>Alesander the squire: ~50/50 on saving.
Looks like not contesting the sale, but appealing for him to be sold to someone decent.
>Lady Jeyne Stenmoor & Lady Calla Wylde: don't save.
But question them first and try to make Jeyne more marketable.
>2 knights: meh
But point out their worth with a sword. This would be a tough sell because Tyrosh is known more for their overabundance of citizen sellswords. Slave soldiers are more of a further east thing. Reasonable for Gwyn to not know the distinctions, though.

>Can I get 6 rolls of 5d6 for persuasion (convince)? Please feel free to reroll your 1's in accordance with Gwyn's benefit. Rolls will be applied in the order listed above.
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 1, 2, 3 = 14 (5d6)

>>5946855
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5946892
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 2, 5, 1 = 18 (5d6)

>>5946855
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>5946914
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 2, 5, 3 = 14 (5d6)

>>5946855
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5946922
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 4, 1, 2 = 16 (5d6)

>>5946855
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5946930
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 3, 4, 4 = 20 (5d6)

>>5946855
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 3, 5, 1 = 14 (5d6)

>>5946855
>>
Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5946968
>>
>>5946855
Only thing I have to add is about the knights. I specified a reseller because I assumed slave soldiers/gladiators was more of a slavers bay thing. So the idea is that they would be shipped further east. The Essosi may disdain jousting but surely they realise a combatant trained from boyhood in the martial arts is worth more than your average citizen soldier or sellsword.
>>
So to recap
Gwynfryd + Ellyn : 13
Joslyn : 21
Alesander : 13
Jeyne + Calla : 17
Knights : 14
>>
>>5947092
Isn't the 21 for Ellyn? 13 for Joslyn, 16 for Alesander, 17 for Jeyne and Calla, and 14 for the knights.

Going down the list from >>5946855 in order of popularity? QM asked for 6 rolls, you only list 5.

Gwyn and Ellyn are probably only together without any intervening plaintext because they were unanimously voted for and many of the same arguments apply to both, whereas some don't for Joslyn because she's younger and doesn't have the same skills as the older women.
>>
>>5947103
You are correct. Extremely embarrassing brainfart from me.
>>
>>5947016
That's the thing, they wouldn't want people who are trained to fight to kill, because pit fighters get very expensive to replace once they've become famous. And beyond that, you want the fighters to showboat, to do fancy flourishes and wow the crowd of spectators and gamblers.
>>
>Not contesting the sale of Alesander
Sad. Hope if Vaaro does end up trafficking the kids Donmar takes his head off
>>
>>5947016
>Reseller
I must've glazed over that word. That would fit better. The roll ended up being a little too low, though.

>Gwynfryd
Partial success.
>Ellyn
Great success.
>Joslyn
Write-in turned this into a partial success from a fail.
>Alesander
Partial success.
>Jeyne and Calla
Great success.
>Knights
Failure.
>>
>>5947515
RIP knights
>>
Our rolls really could've been better.
>>
>>5947519
Could have been worse as well
>>
File: Tyrosh.png (973 KB, 1000x584)
973 KB
973 KB PNG
“I am not a child with no concept of value,” you tell Vaaro, then take a deep breath. You will not be goaded by his lecturing. “I am only seeking to discuss your plans. To strategize.”

“You have not been to market. There is no strategy. Slaves go up on the block. Bidders bid. Slaves are sold. Sellers profit. A small cut goes to market. All prosper,” Vaaro lists.

“And what if true values are being missed?” you suggest. “You have said we would be stripped and judged on that alone. Do you still see no other value in me?”

You have other value. This is so,” Vaaro agrees.

“I am pleased you see it. I am sure you would also agree that you would not gain the value you want of me at this… market,” you continue.

“And what do you think I want from you?” he asks in return. The question wrongfoots you. It is that same nameless dance you’ve been in with him for days now.

“Much and more,” you evasively answer.

He rolls his eyes. “You are beginning to bore me.”

You ignore him and continue. “I am well-read. I enjoy hawking and riding. I am skilled in needlework. And I understand etiquette. I understand these are talents you may find difficult to appreciate,” you add.

“Not at all,” he smiles, though you find the expression to be mocking.

“Further, I am not the only skilled lady here. I can personally attest to Lady Ellyn’s worth. She is my cousin,” you tell him.

“Which?” Vaaro asks, peering down at the others huddled below. When you point her out, he laughs. “That one? She is your blood?”

“I hardly think it is amusing,” you frown.

“You wouldn’t,” he agrees. “It’s not in you. You’re wound tighter than Noren’s crossbow. Her, though. She was hungry for my men’s favor the moment we cast off.”

“She was not hungry for your men,” you argue, aghast knowing Vaaro may very well be at least half right.

“Then she was clever about it,” he shrugs. “Might make her more useful than you, really. All the same skills as you said. Just younger and willing to please.”

You could slap him. You really could. “Younger?

He looks you over. “She could pass for a maid if she could keep her skirts on. I’ll grant you are more desirable, but you are… how does one say this? It is no insult. Your kind worship a mother goddess, no?”

“I am not a mother, thank you,” you sharply tell him.

“No? Truly? I had thought…” he trails off and just goes back to observing the city. You are beginning to think this was not another of his cruel japes and are stung all the more for it.
>>
>>5947826
“We should discuss the others,” you begin again, all too aware of how formal you sound to him now.

“As you like,” Vaaro dismissively waves.

“The children…” you start to his immediate groan. “The children do not deserve to be sold off like chattel.”

“I don’t deserve to be shorted coin. See that’s the trouble of deserving. It’s all about what we want. Drop the mothering and give me a good reason,” he says.

“Very well… Joslyn… did you write her father?” you ask.

“I wrote yours. He said no. We’ve been over this,” Vaaro responds.

“She is Lady Joslyn Meadows, not Duntreow. Surely you understand the difference?” you start. His lack of cutting remark says it all. “You really did not know? She is my kin of my mother’s side. She is of the Reach. You have heard of the Reach, I hope.”

“Arbor gold,” he supplies.

“Yes. Arbor gold. House Meadows is wealthy, far more so than my lord father’s house. Whatever should be offered for her here would be doubled by her father. Tripled, even,” you say.

Vaaro run his hands through his blood red hair and paces the deck. “If you told me sooner… no matter now. We are in Tyrosh,” he says.

“There is still time,” you say.

“There is not. I told you I won’t be herding your people around. Too much trouble. First you then your other cousin now this one. Tell me, how long do you think I will be able to keep your pretty head on your shoulders if I look too soft?” Vaaro says.

“She is the last I would ask you to spare. Truly. I would only ask you treat the others according to their worth,” you try.

“The men are fit for oars. I think you know what the boy and the other women are worth,” he says.

“The men are knights. They are warriors. Alesander too has been training to be one since before he could walk. I am quite sure that is all you were implying for him,” you glare.

“Might be someone in the crowd agrees,” Vaaro shrugs.

“And if they do not?” you press on.
>>
>>5947831
“What would you have me do? Stroll into the crowd and say, ‘my pardons, good friend. A lovely bid for that boy. Do you plan to bugger him or make him a knight? His nursemaid over there really insists you knight him first.’ Better you leave the planning to me, I think,” Vaaro tells you.

“Could you not simply offer him to a craftsman? Your people do have blacksmiths, do they not?” you suggest.

“Our smiths make yours look like mere novices,” he says, looking genuinely offended by your suggestion.

“Do they? I have never heard of Tyroshi crafts. I thought they only stole,” you casually add.

“This woman…” he mutters. “I will keep him only until the first smith worthy of my coin.”

Your hopes begin to return just a little. “And Joslyn?” you dare to ask again.

“… She can stay at my shop until her ransom is paid. She will be expected to work,” he finally says.

A genuine smile creeps upon you unbidden, a sensation so rare to you in recent memory that it strains your face. You could hug him. If he wasn’t who he is. “You have my thanks. Sincerely. Only… you have a shop?”

“My family does. Dyes and fabrics,” Vaaro dismissively responds. It is hard to imagine him with a family, but a merchant family does somewhat fit for him. His intelligence must have come from somewhere. It is the ruthlessness lying underneath that gives you pause. Was he raised to be this way, or did it come naturally to him?
>>
>>5947833
“I am sure it is a pleasant establishment. As for the others—”

“No more. You nag worse than a wife. Let the crowds decide,” he tells you.

“Then I will only ask that you allow for time to question them. Lady Jeyne in particular could do for a bath and a day of rest,” you say.

“I’ll grant they do stink. Questioning, though… what do you know?” he curiously asks you.

You proceed to fill him in on your suspicions of your neighbors with the renewed vigor your cousins’ safety provides. Vaaro stops you several times to ask for more details of the other houses, but he is as guarded as ever with his thoughts regarding your guesswork thus far. He does seem intrigued, though, and decides to grant the day of reprieve you requested for Lady Jeyne… on the condition that you check her for poxes. The thought makes your skin crawl. Perhaps a task better suited for Ellyn… You could do for some rest yourself. Your newfound sense of responsibility has been taxing on you, and Vaaro’s comments have dredged up old thoughts.

What are Gwynfryd’s thoughts on motherhood?
>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
>It is a sensitive subject for you because of how it compares you to your peers. You should already be one at your age, and it reflects poorly upon you. Vaaro’s comments on Ellyn’s age really hit a sore spot for you.
>You don’t know what to think of it beyond that it is another thing expected of you and it is supposed to bring you joy. It is something you will deal with when the time comes.
>Something else.

Supplementary background vote I forgot to include in the house/character creation thread
>You were with child once before but lost it due to the hardships of the siege.
>Your marital life was healthy enough by your measures, but you were never blessed with a child.
>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.
>Something else.

It’s a little bit of a left field vote, but it’s important for her characterization. I’m prepping for a shift to Vaaro’s POV and the actual arrival in Tyrosh. Also, feel free to add any specific questions that you would like to ask the soon-to-be-sold prisoners. There is no guarantee that they know anything too important, but any clever angles to tease out unknown details will be used.
>>
>>5947835
>It is a sensitive subject for you because of how it compares you to your peers. You should already be one at your age, and it reflects poorly upon you. Vaaro’s comments on Ellyn’s age really hit a sore spot for you.

Adds a bit of depth to us - and aligns to how you’ve been writing

>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.

Explains why we’re a bit out off by men - our former husband had…interesting tastes and requests
>>
>>5947835
>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.
>>
>>5947835
>>You don’t know what to think of it beyond that it is another thing expected of you and it is supposed to bring you joy. It is something you will deal with when the time comes.
>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.
>>
>>5947835
>Something else.
I think the sexual violence around us dimmed that prospect a little, she's still sore about the expectation of it and being basically called a hag though.

>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors
I'm curious what you entail with this Boggs.
>>
>>5947901
>I'm curious what you entail with this Boggs.

I'm still mulling over the specifics. I can at least say that it's not meant to be a coomer kink option. Probably leaning closer to commited infidelity on his part, but I'm not set on that.
>>
>>5947835
>It is a sensitive subject for you because of how it compares you to your peers. You should already be one at your age, and it reflects poorly upon you. Vaaro’s comments on Ellyn’s age really hit a sore spot for you.
Hard knock life
>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.
He gay
>>
>>5947916
i assumed it was meant to mean he's gay
>>
>>5947919
>>5947931
That could also fit, yeah.
>>
>>5947835
>It is a sensitive subject for you because of how it compares you to your peers. You should already be one at your age, and it reflects poorly upon you. Vaaro’s comments on Ellyn’s age really hit a sore spot for you.
>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.

Though I will say that losing a child during the siege really fits with our Cold drawback. It also fits with how we could possibly be so desperate as to eat human flesh, we had a child to sustain, if people want there be something to the rumours of our cannibalism.

I actually like my own idea the more I think about it, but this works as well.
>>
>>5947931
Personally I dig him just having a mistress that left our bed cold.
>>
>>5947835
Actually, you know what? There's enough votes for the gay/infidelity choice. I'll switch my vote >>5947984
to
>You were with child once before but lost it due to the hardships of the siege.

With perhaps the addition that there really was something to those rumours because of our desperation for our child's life. Either that, or there wasn't, but we were much more expressive/open back then, too much, and it really gave life to the rumours that we'd be desperate enough to do something like that.

Maybe even some cruel luck added on top for seasoning. We were rumoured to have partaken just before a certain onion knight arrived with potatoes and turnips, making it all pointless. If we were pious then maybe we'd think our lack of virtue killed our child as divine punishment. Though since we aren't, perhaps a quirk of our medicine knowledge leads us to believe consuming human flesh is unhealthy in such a way that could've killed our child. This could either reflect a selfish choice (choosing ourselves over our unborn child) on our part, or that we only acquired our medicinal skills after the siege. You know, for extra pathos, or something.
>>
>>5947835
>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
Any lady knows being called a hag is worse than being called a whore

>Your marital life was healthy enough by your measures, but you were never blessed with a child.
>>
>>5947989
Agreed with this.

Husband being a secret gay is played out
>>
>>5947835
>>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
>>You were with child once before but lost it due to the hardships of the siege.
Although I'd also be happy with the "quirks" option if it leant more in the direction of infidelity than homosexuality.
>>
>>5947835
>It is a sensitive subject for you because of how it compares you to your peers. You should already be one at your age, and it reflects poorly upon you. Vaaro’s comments on Ellyn’s age really hit a sore spot for you.

>You are unsurprised that you never conceived. Your marital life had its quirks behind closed doors.

He would read from the seven pointed star in bed and pray for forgiveness for his lustful desires. Maybe self-flagellation
or he would get him her to whip him.

Or maybe she was a pillow biter and he preferred butt stuff. I dunno.
>>
>>5947835
>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
>Your marital life was healthy enough by your measures, but you were never blessed with a child.

Sometimes one is just unlucky
>>
>>5947835
>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
>Your marital life was healthy enough by your measures, but you were never blessed with a child.
>>
>>5947835
>>It is something you strongly desire, maybe even what you want most. Any other thoughts on the matter are secondary.
>>Your marital life was healthy enough by your measures, but you were never blessed with a child.
>>
Going to call it for motherhood as a strong desire. It being a sensitive subject for other reasons is a close enough second where it could also be a factor. Also locking in the marital quirks. I'm going to go with infidelity rather than him being gay because it should add more depth to her character. Going to need a few quick rolls for Gwyn as we get into port here.

>Could I get 2 rolls of 3d6 (charm/healing), 1 roll of 4d6 (will), and 1 roll of 5d6+1 (status, breeding)
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 2 = 5 (3d6)

>>5948463
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 4 = 8 (3d6)

>>5948463
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 1, 6 = 14 (4d6)

>>5948463
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 2, 1, 2 + 1 = 17 (5d6 + 1)

>>5948463
>>
>>5948471
>>5948473
No luck with these (it was for Jeyne).

>>5948490
>>5948492
These are passes, though.
>>
Hey Boggs would you happen to have a link to father's homebrew stuff? I wanna do a house creation thread but can't seem to find any links that work.
>>
>>5948509
Sure.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gieuIrCoHbYbWdm-BNFQQW_ruLlMTdVu
>>
>>5948496
Is Vaaro playing the ladies for a damn fiddle?
>>
“What is that?” you ask Vaaro as the ship is tied to a dock. Despite the plethora of new sights around the bustling docks, that could only really mean one thing. The tower looming over the harbor is remarkable enough to distract you from the filthiness of your surroundings. The structure is impossibly tall and thin, an elegant craft from a better age. Other more colorful spires sporadically rise above the dusty buildings in the distance like spring flowers, but they are all dwarfed by the sight in front of you.

“The Bleeding Tower it is called. The dragonlords made it,” he answers, looking on the city with much the same interest. You suppose this is something of a homecoming for him.

“You must be right. The High Tower is surely taller, but not so thin. I should like to see inside,” you muse.

“Where does this come from?” the puzzled Essosi asks you. “This interest in the tower”.

“Architecture has always held my interest. Why do you ask? Is a lady not allowed interests in the arts?” you ask.

He doesn’t bother with a quip and instead turns the subject. “We are taking the men and the raving woman to the lots and getting an inn,” he says, then examines you a little more intently than you are comfortable with. “You wear no scent or jewels and your hair… you look poor, but you could pass,” he decides.

“I beg your pardon?” you ask.

“I told you. Innkeeps here do not lodge herds of dirty slaves. Bad for trade. One or two? This is fine. Be a good wife and go clean up your daughter so we might find a room,” he says as he goes to join his companions, leaving you to work at unclenching your jaw yet again. You so badly want to retort that you aren’t old enough to be Joslyn’s mother, but you will not give him the satisfaction of a reply.

Vaaro was true to his word. The slaver’s square is only a stone’s throw from the docks. The sight of it fills you with horror. Brightly hued merchants or pirates casually converse with each other while frightened and broken prisoners are sorted and examined by irate taskmasters. A woman with bright blue hair and a vibrant dress indifferently watches her son throw a stone at one of the few wretches so unfortunate to be forced into elaborate stocks that seem meant to cause pain beyond mere humiliation.

As you watch the cruelty unfold with growing trepidation. Vaaro strolls over to a harried looking man in elaborate robes flanked by guards in high topped helms with stylized spears. A coin is slipped into the overseer’s hand and words are exchanged in their strange tongue. Guards surround the two knights and Lady Calla and see to it that they are collared in iron. They then move to lead your former traveling companions into a penned off area with some four dozen other unfortunates who are huddled in clumps as if they really were livestock. The smell of human waste comes off the pens like a cloud and sets your mind to be anywhere else, just not here.
>>
>>5948896
The knights hardly struggle. They were already shackled, and the guards’ spears deter any further acts of defiance. Both the men look to have been beaten severely at some point, perhaps even regularly. They have had many lessons on the patience of gaolers. It is Lady Calla that makes a scene. She shrieks and spits and curses the guardsmen, vowing that her deceased knightly husband will see them all hanged… right up until the butt of a spear drives her to her knees. It sets Joslyn to sobbing again, so you shield her view and do your best to offer soothing words that you don’t really believe anymore. Vaaro remains impassive at the whole scene, making no move and only waiting until Lady Calla is dragged by her arms into the pens to return to your group.

He and his men are not done. Alesander and Ellyn and Lady Jeyne are collared next. You see Ellyn begin to give into panic when Vaaro shuts the crude iron contraption around her neck. You start to draw up your courage to make a scene until you see the guardsmen seem done with you and are making no moves to drag any others away. You clutch Joslyn to you even tighter, but no one moves to touch either of you. “That is not your role,” Vaaro reminds you.

“What of the others?” you ask, fighting to keep your voice from quavering.

“For their own good. None with a collar may be out after night falls,” Vaaro explains and gestures to the miserable souls in the stocks. “This is what happens when they run.”

“You think they will run away?” you ask him.

“Not anymore.” This is all Vaaro says before switching to his tongue and rapidly conversing with his companions. His words set them to laughter. They stop to reach into their packs and dump their ringed mail armor into one sack for poor Alesander. Two sets are either rusted or spotted in what you suspect to be blood. The third, the crossbowman’s, looks well-kept but is dumped on the boy all the same.

“You are a squire, is it not so? Clean these tonight,” Vaaro says before urging you to follow as he and his companions begin walking together with packs slung over their shoulders. You feel your old rage rekindling at their casual cruelty in the face of so much suffering. How many times have they done this to be so at ease?

The city which looked so old and dusty to you from a distance has a new life to it up close. The alleys are vibrant with color. Crude murals and colorfully painted storefronts adorn both sides of your path. If you had to guess, this is still a poorer district, though. The paintings are worn and chipped more often than not, and the shops seem sparsely trafficked. Finally, Vaaro stops at one such establishment with a weathered hearth for a signpost.
>>
>>5948897
The interior is revealed to be an inn or tavern that wouldn’t be out of place in Fawnton or Stenmoor aside from the garish furnishings by the hearth. A portly woman of middling age with hair dyed an off-putting green gives cautious greeting to your party. Her frown only deepens at whatever Vaaro has to say when he gestures to your collared companions. Then he tousles Joslyn’s hair… and wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you in close. Your composure threatens to crack at the surprise, but years of etiquette and expectation take over and allow you to keep your aloof bearing. You have no room in your heart for anything but outrage at present and will not show weakness in front of this common woman.

Whatever the innkeep sees in the mummer’s farce seems to satisfy her. A few more words and coins are exchanged. Vaaro seems all too pleased at the result, and beckons you onwards in a lighter mood than you are used to seeing him in. Rather than lead you to the stairs, he takes you through another archway into a viny courtyard with a strange pool or fountain. Water runs from the walls and out the mouths of figures shaped like strange beasts. It pools in a wide basin at your feet until it overflows and spills into grates set into the ground. You have never seen the like of it before.

“Bathe,” is all he says.

“Here?” you ask, surprised by the suggestion.

“Where else? The owner won’t have dirty slaves upstairs and you’re not much better. Hard traveling, I told her. You did well,” he abruptly compliments.

“Yes, well, I will not be disrobing here for all to see,” you insist.

Vaaro looks around. “Who will see? No one is watching.” You pointedly stare at him. “As you like,” he says. “Come, boy. No show for you today,” he says to Alesander, and disappears back into the shade of the inn.
>>
>>5948898
“We need to leave. Now,” Ellyn urgently tells you in hushed tones the moment the men leave sight.

“You will not get far with that collar. Did you see what I saw at those docks?” you say.

“Which is why we need to leave. Please, cousin,” Ellyn pleads.

“I believe I have convinced Vaaro not to sell you. Running will change that. Just… wait. Not yet,” you tell her. You think she will argue further, but she just slumps down against the cobbled stone wall and begins to weep. You think to say more, but you know she will pull herself back together. She always has. Joslyn merely sits by the pooling water and draws figures in it with her hands, her own tears forgotten for now. It is Lady Jeyne that seems in the worst shape. She barely keeps her feet… and you note her lack of footwear.

“My lady, you need aid,” you tell Lady Jeyne and reach out to steady her. She pulls away hard enough to stumble and land on her bottom.

“You are with him. The Tyroshi. This is why they say never trust a Duntreow,” she mutters.

“I am with him no more than you are, my lady,” you tell her. Her snort is all the response she gives.

“You are safe here,” you try again more gently. “Please, try to wash. You will feel more yourself. We can help you.”

Lady Jeyne mumbles something you don’t quite catch, then starts to pull off her tattered dress by the edge of the pooling water. Your heart sinks. Her body is covered in bruises. A smell rises from her like a drying bog.

“By the sweet mother,” you gasp. You call for Ellyn. Your cousin comes closer and blunders into the sight as she wipes away her tears, only to promptly empty her stomach into the iron grates. You dare to look closer, and Lady Jeyne makes no move to stop you. There is no pox that you can see, but there is no doubt her humors must be unbalanced. You are no midwife, though, and have little beyond your own body to use as a comparison. Whatever ails her is beyond you.

>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.
>You cannot mend her spirit or her body, but you can at least offer her some sliver of a chance. You will urge her to flee tonight while the others sleep.
>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods.
>Something else.
>>
>>5948899
>>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.
>>
>>5948899
>>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods.
Vaaro isn't made of gold, and he has expectations placed upon him by his other men. We risk our own position for little gain. A hard decision aye, but we must help ourself before we can help others.
>>
>>5948899
>>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.

>>5948927
I don't see Gwynfryd being that selfish or fatalistic yet.
>>
>>5948899
>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.

Gwyn hasn't identified up on her but it's likely bad enough that of Vaaro finds out he'll just get rid of her, rich family or no she's been fucked over enough that it's not worth the trouble.
>>
>>5948899
>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.
>>
>>5948899

>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.

A small investment now for a better sale later has to be logical for him, right?
>>
>>5948899
>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you
Whats the will roll for anyway?
>>
>>5948899
>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.

Just try. If we are refused, then so be it. Argue that buyers will notice, the smell doesn't take a healer to take in.

>>5949057
Probably for not breaking into hysterics upon either seeing the slaver's square and our companions collared.
>>
>>5948899
>>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods.

Think we need to play the character's drawback here. Gwyn is Cold, after the Siege of Storm's End she knows a lost cause when she see's one.
>>
>>5948899
>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods.

She is clearly beyond saving - her mind, body and soul are gone
>>
>>5948899
>Try to convince Vaaro to allow you to find an apothecary for Jeyne’s ailments and delay her sale. Leaving her to be sold like this is too far for you.

I'm on the fence with this because of the number of favors we keep asking from Vaaro and what that could lead to for their relationship, but I don't see Gwyn as not trying something either
>>
>>5948899
>>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods
>>
>>5948899
>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods.
It's not worth it. If she won't help herself, it's a waste to help her when there are others that can be saved.
>>
>>5948899
>>Give up. You have done all you can bring yourself to do for her. What happens to her next is in the hands of the gods.
>>
>>5948899
WAIT! Sorry, in my haste/tiredness I missed the bit at the very end of >>5947835

I'd like to include some questions for Gwyn to ask the right people at the appropriate times, maybe bleeding into having her do it even when the PoV switches back to Vaaro. Also included are some notes to remind anons of stuff, questions for QM (some of which are unsorted from the IC questions or notes and vice versa), and some speculations. Pic is included. Most stuff is messy/redundant/not in order, since it isn't edited.

Plaintext is speculation. Bracketed text is questions for our party/but also QM/Gwyn's IC knowledge. Text in parentheses are diluted notes without the direct citations I took them from.


(We've been here 3 months)
(We were heading from Stenmoor to Fawnton with Eileen, our niece, and Corwyn's daughter. Corwyn is our eldest brother. Corwyn was the coward. Devyn wasn't. Gwayne fell in battle but was convinced by our mother to fight for the Targaryens)
(Our mother, who is from the Reach, urged us to leave Wensington to meet Eileen)
(Eileen was to go to Fawnton and meet her betrothed of Cafferen. Our mother and Donmar, our cousin and sworn shield, who is also Ellyn's brother were waiting to meet us there.)
(It was obvious to Vaaro that Navaen was tipped off and/or under the employ of someone about our passage and to attack us. He shared this with us or at least the general situation in the pirate camp and then later that someone wanted us dead.)
(Eileen was the target, according to Vaaro's suspicions. A great deal of effort was spent on her survival after the mishap with the mistaken identity.)
(Our name was known to both Vaaro and Navaen, we were likely a secondary objective, though one of still great importance.)
(Eileen was met at Hallowgrove after we left Wensington but before we departed from Stenmoor, she used to be our lady-in-waiting, her brother also died, as well as her father.)
(Eileen was heir before us.)
(The balance of power has shifted to our cousins. Which cousins? Ellyn? Second cousins? Degrees removed cousins?)
(We were worth coin dead, but the arrangement hadn't been established firmly yet.)
(Our uncle, Ser Elrick Duntreow is next in line after us and Eileen.)
(House Delve is guileless and backwards. House Dunmoor is the strongest neighbour. House Elym are bannermen of House Wylde. There are several Wyldes in our party. Stenmoor apparently doesn't trust us if Jeyne's words are taken at face value, we also left from their port.)
(Ellyn is Elrick's daughter, maybe. Unless we have other uncles?)
(Our mother hates ships, probably no schemes from her side of the family going on.)
(Eileen's mother hails from Rainhouse, the centre of Wylde power.)
(Our lady grandmother was also a Wylde. There are many Wyldes. Apparently we are closer in degrees of relation to the main line than many who share the name 'Wylde'. So there are many Wyldes with beyond 2 degrees of separation in consanguinity from the main branch of the Wyldes.)
>>
>>5948899
>>5949415
[What was Jeyne Stenmoor's relationship with her family like? Why has she given up?]
[Is Calla Wylde pregnant with a bastard, since when and by who? Is she mentally ill, recent or from before?] Latter part is more to QM/Gwyn's internal knowledge before asking directly. Ask tactfully.
[How far into our journey were we when we were attacked by the Kingmakers/Navaen's pirates?]
[Is it normal for pirates to brave the coastal waters so readily? What about Stenmoor/Estermont/Whitehead/Mertyns patrols?]
[Was the Wylde knight disfavoured by his house?]
[Ellyn need not seduce Vaaro anymore, we've convinced him now.] Not a question, just a stray note to tell Ellyn.
[Who says not to trust a Duntreow? Why?]
[If Ellyn is purchased back by Elrick Duntreow, then this may confirm that he was either an opportunist taking advantage of the attack or the party behind the entire thing. Why pay for Ellyn but not us otherwise?] More of a stray note to myself.
[Calling someone 'pink' is also a way of calling someone gay. Who do we know that is gay? Who amongst our companions knows someone that is gay or wears pink? We have to ask Vaaro who referred to the person as pink, since Vaaro didn't directly say it was Navaen iirc, and if the slang holds the same IRL meaning to him]
[Why no ransom for the Wyldes or Stenmoor? It has been 3 months, Stenmoor has a port, they likely aren't poor. The Wyldes are one of the stronger families in the Stormlands as well.]
[Relationships for Calla and Jeyne? I ask because maybe it is not their families that are behind the attack, or at least not the main lines. Maybe a conspiracy seeks to knock them off the inheritance track as well? Many people working together to pool their strength against all of us?]
[Stenmoor relations with nearby houses? As the most likely culprit for the info leak of our passage, who would they serve, why would they undermine us, what would they gain, who could threaten/pressure them, just Wylde? Who is their liegelord?]
[Were there any other nobles present at Stenmoor's port, who could pass on up to date information to the employer and then to Navaen? Who's lands did we travel through, Elym or Wyrmwood?]
>>
>>5949415
>>5949417
Speculations
~*~
The two prime suspects for me have shifted to being House Wylde as #1, and Elrick Duntreow as #2. I think Wylde arranged the attack, pressuring Stenmoor with soft/hard power, or using spies to find a perfect gap in the patrols.
Their objective was to get Eileen into power in Hallowgrove, since Eileen would be friendly to them owing to influence from her mother. Eileen would then take Wylde as her liegelord, while also bringing Cafferen into the Wylde sphere of influence.
Elrick is possibly the main culprit, but how would he pay for our death (our house is poor) or successfully bargain with Navaen/Vaaro's employer for the entire job. No, more likely he is an opportunist taking advantage of the attack to pay Navaen to kill us. Hence me having him as #2.
Elrick probably can't pay for Ellyn's return without an explanation on why we were also not paid for. That changes if we die. Or maybe he just doesn't care about her, since he has Donmar.
Third option is that it is Stenmoor/former banner houses of Duntreow or other surrounding houses. Their play would be to pay for Eileen, forcefully marry her once she is in their custody while gaslighting her into thinking they rescued her and surely she owes them a debt for that rescue, then kill us just in case to make sure the succession goes to them in case Eileen has a child but dies in childbirth or for some reason.
The fourth option is a conspiracy of multiple houses. Meh, maybe, too complicated though, aside from Wylde+bannermen conspiracy, any nonaligned involvement is a bit much though.

Also, I'm asking what were Calla/unnamed Wylde knight/Jeyne's relationships like with their family, or about Calla being pregnant/mentally ill because I'm trying to sus out if their family would be okay with letting them die. Sussing that out makes it easier to figure out who tipped off Navaen and is paying them. Likewise finding the broader House relations between each other makes figuring out if there was a conspiracy afoot, or whether there were other targets other than Eileen and Gwyn.

Potentially every named member of our party could be important actually. Hypothetically there may even be reason to keep them all if we wanted to play ultra risky. Only if the conspiracy theory is true though. They could all provide testimony or have evidence of poor relations with their families/other houses and thus a conspiracy. Doubt it for Wylde though, since they are a canon house with secure(?) inheritance. Stenmoor/other houses may have reason to have Jeyne killed though, still doubt it.
>>
>>5949417
>[Is it normal for pirates to brave the coastal waters so readily? What about Stenmoor/Estermont/Whitehead/Mertyns patrols?]

I feel like this specifically is answered by the context of Boggs' previous quest; House Shryke (which given Navaen of Myr and the Manitcore appeared there, I'm surprised no one has picked up on that yet).

We know we're in 285AC (>>5934329), House Estermont's Greenstone League was founded ~284AC-285, driving most pirates towards the Stepstones which is where Aurion comes into conflict with them, thus probably pushing this into the later half of 285AC. Vaaro himself confirms as much here:

>>5932569
>You have found yourself all but adrift in the Stepstones for the better part of a year, forced to indulge in the raiding whims of your tentative pirate allies.

Aurion would go on to, angrily, visit Bloodstone and demand for Navaen's head. We aren't given any concrete information there, and it's likely he slipped through Aurion's fingers at the time. Navaen likely decided better to risk the northern waters again, than stay in place in the Stepstones where the well known wrathful Aurion could easily find him again with his numerous pirate contacts and the strength of the Greenstone League behind him.

From here we can guess that Navaen and Vaaro's former captain, in their desperation after a string of failures, are employed to capture the Duntreow ship. One that Vaaro was not particularly happy with:

>>5932570
>You did quarrel with Navaen over his botched raid. He seized a ship with noble passengers, keeping the purpose from you and playing it close to chest until the moment the ship was sighted. It couldn’t have been more obvious he was tipped off or otherwise put to task by someone, but he didn’t see fit to share those details either.

Vaaro specifies the raid as "botched". Likely this was a rush job, a quick in and out in the northern waters, before heading back to hide in the Stepstones again.

Gwyn states they were sailing to Fawnton:

>>5931805
>Sailing. Yes, you were sailing with Eileen to Fawnton so that she could present herself to her betrothed of Cafferen.

In canon it's never stated specifically where Fawnton is. But fair speculation is they are on the southern side of the Stormlands with their historic conflicts with House Wyl. To speculate further, it may be that Gwyn and Eileen's ship made it around Cape Wrath, past the more protected waters of the Greenstone League, and into the waters just to the northwest of the Stepstones where the Manticore came upon them. These waters are pretty well known pirate hunting grounds in canon, and we are distinctly aware of the strength of the Bloodstone pirates in this time period post-Usurper's War from House Shryke.

Granted, all of this is just piecing together the bits between Vaaro, Gwyn, and established lore from a couple year's old storyline. But there is context we can glean regardless and that satisfies the speculation of how the raid came to be.
>>
>>5949443
I never finished House Shryke, I've only read a patchwork of previous asoiaf quests, and even then only partially, for the most part. Also its been years. Good to know though, thanks.

All your quotes are things I have copied in my notes already, if not the cut down ones I posted. Though I understand you're just listing them for your own additions.

Here's the wip map from Boggs back in the House creation thread.

Context aside, I'm mostly interested in the who tipped Navaen off, and who was arranging for our death, assuming they are separate people and not one and the same. Hence the focus of my notes.
>>
I got home later than expected. Locking in the convince option. Post will be up tomorrow. We will be picking up with Vaaro's POV.

>>5949057
Maintaining composure during exposure to the unfamiliar horror of the slave market. The status roll was then to present like a lady of higher birth in the eyes of the innkeep.

>>5949415
Okay, this is some solid motivation for me to actually finish and post the house history like I said I would. It's almost done and will be ready during the next few days for sure. Slight teasers: Corwyn is Gwyn's half brother. Gwyn's/Gwayne's mother is Domeric's second wife. Devyn was Eileen's brother and Corwyn's son. Ellyn and Donmar are not Elrick's children. Their father is the younger brother of Domeric and Elrick, a knight who died years ago. Elrick and his children are ahead of Ellyn/Donmar in succession.
>>
You are Vaaro Orlios

And you’re currently enjoying your well-earned respite by the hearth. Harlor bought classic pear brandy from the innkeep, a bit watered down but a refreshing taste after the Myrmen’s swill. At least you think he bought the drinks. He was quick to suggest your stay here, and you are beginning to suspect he knows the woman better than he let on. She hadn’t haggled as fiercely as you’d expected for the two rooms you settled for. You hope he does know her. You’d rather not put up with his snoring tonight.

The boy called Alesander sullenly stares at your group from the corner he chose for a seat. Is he hungry? Another annoyance. You need to see these extra mouths fed or Gwynfryd will find cause to complain over that, too. It’s not as if you need cook and play maid to them, the welcome smell of spices wafting in from the kitchen speaks to that much, but you will need to pay for their meals after today. And paying is becoming a problem of its own. Your coin is running dangerously low. Passage was not free. Goranelos charged far less than you would’ve, but every bit counts right now. Another coin of silver to the auctioneer, another five for your rooms here… not good.

That should change on the morrow when the first three are sold, though. Rather than the debased nonsense silver stags Westerosi are so fond of, real pieces of silver will fill your purse. And good riddance to those three. You’d offered them their freedom if they could give you but one name of who might’ve made cause with Navaen, but the knights gave you nothing beyond puzzled, stupid looks and the crazed woman spit at your feet.

“Remind me again why we have a gaggle of women washing out back,” Haldon says, finally turning the subject back to your troubles and away from the banter of those newly returned home.

“The young one’s father is a Reach lordling of some sort,” you answer.

“Aye, you said that already. All the better. Don’t much like seeing the little ones up there. It’s the rest I don’t get. You have your woman, this Gwynfryd as you call her. We’ve been over that, too. Then there’s… what? This lad here and the other two girls,” Harlor summarizes.

“Not looking to make a fuss over it, just we’re curious is all,” Noren adds.

“The boy will be sold to a smith or the like. He knows metals,” you say.

“Doubt they’d pay more than others I might name,” Noren points out, and you’re sure he’s on to something. You know him to be a patron of at least one fairly respectable pleasure house. It’s where most of his coin goes.

“Hard to be sure and it’d be a near enough thing,” you say.

“What he means to say is his woman don’t want the boy buggered,” Harlor helpfully translates.
>>
>>5950502
“The other womenfolk, you both saw that one stumbling about,” you move on.

“Aye. Dead on her feet, that one,” Harlor agrees.

“She needs cleaning, a night of rest, elsewise the bids will come in slow,” you say.

“And the other?” Harlor questions. You knew this would come up eventually.

“A wait and see,” you tell them both. “That one is called Ellyn. She is kin to Gwynfryd. She should have her uses.”

“You’ll buy her out, then?” Noren asks.

“I’ll wait and see,” you repeat. “We’ll have enough coin for what we need come the morrow. More important is what coin we’ll have come next moon.”

“You have a plan?” Harlor asks.

“A few,” you admit. “Too early to say which is best, though.”

“Fair enough. Still want them both appraised so we’re getting our fair share. Nothing personal, just think this one need be done right after all the trouble,” Harlor tells you.

“Aye,” Noren seconds him. “I know a fair one if you like.”

You nod along. Gainsaying an appraisal of the women’s worth would be past unreasonable. Just naming a price and handing out a cut is bound to cause needless division. Talk turns back to bantering over the increasingly ridiculous ways in which the three of you plan to empty your coin purses as soon as you fill them. The innkeep, a Malla by Harlor’s very lucky guessing, brings out a meat pie generously seasoned with garlic and pepper and sweet berry ale to wash it down. Your revelry is interrupted when Noren trails off mid-sentence and drops a chunk of meat on his tunic. You and Harlor turn in your seats to see what he’s gawking at.

Gwynfryd has come in from the baths. She is wearing the finer dress you gave her, though you’re not sure why. The layered gown and plunging neckline compliment her figure better than you’d expected. Even with her hair still wet and tied back, she is a sight to behold. The effortlessness only adds to the effect. She comes straight to you with the worried frown she so often wears.

“There is something you need to see,” she tells you.

“What’d she say?” Harlor asks. You repeat it for his benefit without looking away.

“Right. I’ll be back… call it third bell on the morrow,” Noren announces and gets up to leave. Off to his pleasure house, then.

“I’ll go help in the kitchens,” Harlor decides.

You leave them to their fun and follow Gwynfryd back to the baths. The sight before you is decidedly not what you imagined. Gwynfryd’s traveling clothes are hung up to dry, as are some of her cousins’ outerwear. The one called Ellyn is still scrubbing at hers. What concerns you more is the state of this Jeyne woman. She sits huddled against the wall, still drying off and nude but for a bedding sheet draped around her shoulders. Despite the remnants of summer heat still coming off the cobblestones in the approaching dusk, the woman is shivering.
>>
>>5950503
“You needed to see,” Gwynfryd says again. You hadn’t paid this Jeyne much mind before, but you really look at her now. You see her mottled skin, the bruises, her poor weight. It’s hardly a surprise, though. Not all were waited upon and protected. You are about to say as much when Jeyne looks away and opens her legs. You crouch down and wish you hadn’t. You stand back up with a grimace and turn back to Gwynfryd.

“I needed to see this?” you ask.

“So that you should know she cannot be sold in this state,” Gwynfryd explains.

“Worse have been sold. Looks to still have her teeth and that helps. Some luck and she’d end up in a pleasure house that knows the remedy,” you say.

“What she needs is an apothecary,” Gwynfryd tells you. Your frustration with her only builds. You don’t have the coin for an apothecary, not yet at least. Tomorrow you could see to it… if it is even worth the trouble. All of this herding is proving to be more of a distraction than you need.

“That can wait. She needs food that’s not stale bread. There’s soup inside and a bit of meat pie if you’re not late,” you tell her. Gwynfryd ignores you aside from a deeper frown and only continues fussing over seeing the hapless girl dressed. You leave her there, growing frustrated with her lack of gratitude. Has she not had enough from you? And for what in return?
>>
>>5950504
You find Ellyn of Duntreow and Alesander inside voraciously eating from the meat pie. They both stop as you approach. Ellyn gives you an embarrassed smile while Alesander backs away from the table with fear.

“Eat. Then go clean yourself up, boy,” you tiredly tell them as you reach for Harlor’s forgotten pear brandy. It isn’t long before the former squire makes himself scarce, but Ellyn only helps herself to one of the mugs. Glances up from your brooding prove she keeps stealing looks at you from her supper. She is not unlike her cousin in some ways, but so very different in others. Not as buxom and with a more common face, but with eyes of a brighter blue and still pretty. And younger, bolder… stupider if you had to guess.

“Do these collars ever come off?” she finally asks. You don’t bother giving an answer.

“… my Lady Gwynfryd said you do not mean to sell me, ser. Is this true?” she tries instead.

“Your lady has much to say,” you note.

“Well, I would be most grateful if you chose something else for me,” Ellyn tells you.

“I’m sure you would,” is all you offer.

“Have the others left?” Ellyn asks while making a show of looking around the deserted room.

“They have their arrangements,” you cautiously respond. You are not blind to theatre, and some of her mannerisms are nothing if not theatrics.

“That is good fortune for you, ser. You may have a room all to yourself… or nearly. The squire could sleep anywhere. Whereas we will be four ladies together. I should think I would be rather warm by the morrow,” she says as she unwraps the shawl from about her shoulders. It is only then that you really take note of her state. Her outer dress is still drying outside, leaving her with a damp white shift and little else. Her smile as she meets your eyes is one full of promises.

What would you like to do?

>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.
>Refuse whatever advances she might be making. A night’s relief isn’t worth risking a greater prize.

Trying to hit both sides of the excitement/excellence goal with the options here.
>>
>>5950505
>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.

>Trying hit hit both sides of the excitement/excellence goal with the options here.
I'm enjoying it. Struggling somewhat with the fact that we're playing two characters with (at least partially) opposing goals.
>>
>>5950508
I'm assuming this greater prize is Gwyn. I guess there's some assumption of exclusivity if one is taken, on Vaaro's part. Or at least he thinks it'll be harder to bed the other if he takes one.

>Refuse whatever advances she might be making. A night’s relief isn’t worth risking a greater prize.

Eyes on the prize. Frustration may build, but a night's sleep will fix that.

I do actually think it'd be an interesting twist if Vaaro slept with Ellyn and actually took a liking to her. There could be a competitive aspect between Gwyn and Ellyn for his favour, maybe even encouraged by him. The risk of falling out of favour and the threat of being sold would be an interesting element. Or it could all just be a game for Vaaro, with his eyes still firmly on Gwyn, just lowering her resistance.

Musings aside, I do think Vaaro would be a little careful/paranoid. This isn't his first rodeo, if he falls asleep first, gets drunk, or doesn't bind Ellyn, she could always get her hands on a weapon, or a lockpick. Her killing him or escaping isn't impossible.
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>>5950508
>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.
I expect he’s frustrated he can’t get Gwyn willingly, so this could be an alternative for the short term. Personally, would find it funny if she fucks over any of Gwyn’s plans as well.
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>>5950508
>Refuse whatever advances she might be making. A night’s relief isn’t worth risking a greater prize.

Her gambit is obvious and she was taken by a number of men after the raid besides. The prize is worth the wait.

That aside I'm curious how much we could get for Jeyne and Alesander either to a brothel or ransom.
>>
>>5950508
>Refuse whatever advances she might be making. A night’s relief isn’t worth risking a greater prize.
But one of the many pitfalls on our path to greatness. Our throat being slit by a foreign whore we would just as easily make a profit on would be a fitting end to this failure of a raid, but we have greater plans yet to unfold. There is little excitement or adventure from this proposition, if there is anything to be salvaged from this misadventure, it is not her.

Perhaps, however, we should talk with her. Find her true worth, or failing that, give her some pointers in speaking Essosi, and tell her about our plans to employ her in the shop. She can clearly think for herself, but being dumb to the language of her new life will not serve anyone's best interest but the slavers'.
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>>5950508
>>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.
>>
>>5950508
>Refuse whatever advances she might be making. A night’s relief isn’t worth risking a greater prize.
>>
>>5950508
>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.
No sex but can we just talk?
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>>5950508
>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.
>>
>>5950508
>>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.
>>
>>5950508
>Take her hint and invite her to sleep in your room. See where this takes you.

Taking her doesn’t mean we can have a crack at Gwyn
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>>5950516
>I'm enjoying it. Struggling somewhat with the fact that we're playing two characters with (at least partially) opposing goals.

It's a challenge to balance on my end as well, but it's been fun. I started the thread with a vague assumption that they'd both be in alignment, but that felt a little too forced once I started writing them. It's that gardening approach foiling my half-baked plans. I'm interested to see how it all turns out.

I'm going to call it for inviting her to your room. Vaaro's cautiousness will be factored in, but his frustrations coupled with her seduction attempts are drawing in his interests. I'm not going to just lock it into full-on sex with this vote. You'll get to play it out and decide later.

>Can I get 1 roll of 3d6 for seduce, 1 roll of 4d6 for awareness, 1 roll of 5d6 for cunning, and probably a 2d6 for will
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 5 = 8 (3d6)

>>5950850
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 5, 5 = 14 (4d6)

>>5950850
Ellyn, why are you so bad at this? I thought this was your specialty? Coquettish charm and all that.
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>>5950850
To be fair, anons did vote for the lopsided power dynamic, and financial circumstances plus love for kin made it so the two of them would have different interests.
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 3, 6, 5 = 22 (5d6)

>>5950850
>>
Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d6)

>>5950850
Oof, not a promising set of results.
>>
She's bad at this
Vaaro does or doesn't pick up on the consequences
Vaaro knows she playing him
But he does it anyway
>>
Finally getting started with the writing.

>Can I get 1 3d6 for Charm?
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 1 = 7 (3d6)

>>5951157
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 6 = 12 (3d6)

>>5951157
>>
>>5951177
oh shit, i misread that. disregard this
>>
Nothing happens because they both dropped their spaghetti
>>
“Sleep where you like,” you tell Ellyn.

“I think I will,” she says from behind her mug. Or someone’s mug at any rate.

Nothing more is spoken of it. Gwynfryd and her other cousin come searching for food not long after. They have to make do with the meager remnants of the pie along with the stew set above the hearth. You leave them to it, finding little cause to speak with them. Gwynfryd only seems to want coin or mercy of you, and you are in increasingly short supply of both. Instead, you retire to your quarters after one last reminder to the squire to be about his cleaning. Might as well get use out of your generosity towards the boy while it lasts. Getting dried blood out of mail has never been a favored task for you.

Night is falling as your back hits the musty yet blissfully soft bedding. You find yourself in an all too familiar routine of waiting and turning over your thoughts. So much of your time since leaving home has been in wait for the sun’s departure. Your adventure of this night is a very different sort of work, though. The distraction of a good book would be more than welcome to see the time pass. Your father always pushed the art of reading upon you at an early age, insisting it would sharpen your mind. It seemed a useless indulgence for a second son at the time, but you’re inclined to believe him now. Results are results.

You hear the creaks of floorboards and the muffled rising and falling cadence of the women conversing over something. Then Ellyn slowly opens your door. You don’t miss the annoyance writ across her face, but she is quick to work her sultry smile back onto her lips.

“You waited,” she notes. You say nothing, and nothing more needs to be said. Without invitation, she slips out of her shift and slides into the bed all in one instant. You have just enough time to blink at her lack of smallclothes before she has the sheet pulled up to her mischievous eyes. You hold her gaze, feeling an odd connection in the moment that makes you want to pull away. You want her. That one simple truth is all you know for certain right now. So, you reach out and start to show her, tasting the pear brandy on her lips as you run your hands across her figure. She lets out a pleasing giggle that makes you abandon your cautious restraint. Her eyes are wide with excitement as you get on top of her. Or is it fear? She is stiff as a board. You search for that sultry look upon her again, but it is no good. You see only the collar.

You roll over onto your back and glare up at the low ceiling. A great part of you still wants nothing more than to fuck her until dawn, but you know you will regret it. Unfulfilled lust turns to anger, and anger sharpens your thoughts. So eager one moment and yet so clearly fear stricken. Why would she do such a stupid thing?
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>>5952082
“Why would you do such a stupid thing?” you demand, still fixated on the ceiling. She stumbles for an answer, but you are not done. The talking in the hall before she entered, it made you suspicious. “Does your lady know you are here?”

“I came because I wanted to,” Ellyn says, finding her tongue again.

“Did you?” you reply.

“Yes, this was my idea,” she insists with more conviction. You sift through her phrasing and mislike the possibilities.

“So, your lady…” you start, but she is brazen enough to interrupt you.

“Gwyn. Gwyn. Gwyn. It is always about Gwyn. Do you only wish to speak of her, ser?” she bitterly asks while sitting up in the bed and making a distractingly poor effort of keeping her sheet fixed across her chest. You see her jealousy writ plainly and wonder at its uses.

“Speak of what you will,” you tell her. “Just be sure you answer me first.”

“She knows I am here,” Ellyn finally answers. “I told her I would sooner have one man than scores. Does that satisfy you, ser?”

Far from it, really. Talking wasn’t exactly your plan for the evening, but now you find your suspicions about their conspiring to be merited. To what end, you do not know, but you doubt Gwynfryd sent her younger cousin to your bed to simply please you.

“Rest. Or you will wish you had,” you say before turning over. Part of you wonders if she will try to cut your throat in the night, but she drank a good deal more than you. It’s unlikely she would not wake you if she wished to get out of bed in search of a blade. That small comfort allows you to give in to the exhaustion of your homecoming… once you hear her soft snoring.

Ellyn does wake you, but in a far more pleasant manner than you’d considered. She has decided to reach for your manhood instead and works to service you beneath the sheet. Your lingering lust wins out against your confusion, and you silently urge her to continue. She lets out a surprised laugh at your long overdue release then looks up at you and softly says, “You are not like the others were. This is my thanks.”
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>>5952083
With those words, you drift off to a more comfortable sleep that takes you into the morrow. You arise to the smell of bread freshly baked and the sounds of guests stirring in the commons below. Ellyn is still sleeping off her gluttony of the evening prior. You consider what to do about her and Gwynfryd’s scheming. You hold no illusions that your slumbering bedmate has suddenly fallen for you, it wasn’t your finest first impression, but she may prove to be useful if not outright exciting. There are worse ways to be woken, and her colder cousin seems to be in no great rush to show her own gratitude in such a pleasing way. Her jealousy may also have its uses. A growing wedge between the cousins may put an end to any scheming that isn’t to your benefit.

Regardless, you have a great deal of business to attend. You’ll need to collect your profits from the auction and then see to finding a good buyer for the boy and the Jeyne woman. Perhaps most importantly, you could use better information on the rumors of the streets. It has been too long since your last homecoming. Now, you need only decide how you will approach the day.

>Go alone to the market. You are tired of waiting on Westerosi. Harlor and Noren can entertain them.
>Travel as one group as you did the day prior. You want everyone kept where you can see them.
>Go with only Gwynfryd. You have much to discuss with her and would prefer not to be distracted by the rest. This may also serve to inflame Ellyn’s jealousy.
>Go with only Ellyn. You could just as easily draw the schemers apart by showing her your favor. If you get some more excitement out of it, then all the better.
>Something else.
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>>5952084
>Go with only Gwynfryd. You have much to discuss with her and would prefer not to be distracted by the rest. This may also serve to inflame Ellyn’s jealousy.
>>
>>5952084
>>Go with only Gwynfryd. You have much to discuss with her and would prefer not to be distracted by the rest. This may also serve to inflame Ellyn’s jealousy.
>>
>>5952084
>Go with only Ellyn. You could just as easily draw the schemers apart by showing her your favor. If you get some more excitement out of it, then all the better.
So begins the (first of many?) waifu war. But seriously, Gwyn had our favor and protection and is still holding back. This could make her realise her precarious situation and make her more tractable. Can also find out what Ellyn has to offer
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>>5952084
>Go with only Ellyn. You could just as easily draw the schemers apart by showing her your favor. If you get some more excitement out of it, then all the better.
>>
>>5952084
>>Go with only Gwynfryd. You have much to discuss with her and would prefer not to be distracted by the rest. This may also serve to inflame Ellyn’s jealousy.
>>
>>5952084
>Go with only Ellyn. You could just as easily draw the schemers apart by showing her your favor. If you get some more excitement out of it, then all the better.

Taking only Gwyn Vaaro's schemes the best, and I did say a rivalry would be nice. Shame it also prevents Gwyn from asking the questions I wanted asked of the other girls, at least at the earliest possibility, she only has a day to interrogate them before they are sold. So this is a nice compromise. Though it only really hinders scheming, doesn't really inflame the jealousy we'd want, but maybe pride or a sense of control works as well.
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>>5952084
>Go with only Gwynfryd. You have much to discuss with her and would prefer not to be distracted by the rest. This may also serve to inflame Ellyn’s jealousy.
>>
>>5952084
>Go with only Ellyn. You could just as easily draw the schemers apart by showing her your favor. If you get some more excitement out of it, then all the better.
+1 PoV GoT moment
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>>5952084
>>Go with only Ellyn. You could just as easily draw the schemers apart by showing her your favor. If you get some more excitement out of it, then all the better.
>>
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Locking in the vote for Ellyn so I can start picking away at the post tomorrow. The post will be up tomorrow night. The house history/personages doc will be linked tomorrow, too. I'm expecting to continue posting only every other night like this until next weekend. After that, I will have a lot more free time again and will resume daily posts for the forseeable future.

We are going to be receiving and spending currency over the next few posts. House leader-level MCs don't typically have to deal with small coins much, but the values are a little more important to know here. See pic for reference on exchange rates. I've been deep diving on the book costs of slaves and other things a lot lately and came to the determination that Essos silver currency is most likely best represented by the silver moon equivalent on the table, so references to pieces of silver or silver coins over here will be using that value instead of silver stags. Maybe the Westerosi debased their silver coins at some point for silver stags to be the most common. For copper, we will use the copper star value for ease of conversion. Gold will stay with the Westerosi gold dragon equivalent.

>In the meantime, can I also get 5 rolls of 5d6 for Knowledge: streetwise (3D+1b+1D from connections: Tyrosh)? The rolls will apply in order for: general political gossip, gaining any knowledge of the Stepstones, finding a potential buyer for Alesander, finding someone who can help Jeyne for a decent price, and finding someone who will appraise the value of Gwynfryd and//or Ellyn at a favorably low price.
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 5, 3, 4 = 22 (5d6)

>>5952603
So an Essos silver is worth 50 Essos coppers? Or 49?
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 6, 6, 5 = 19 (5d6)

>>5952603
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 2, 6, 1 = 18 (5d6)

>>5952603
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 1, 4, 6 = 22 (5d6)

>>5952603
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 5, 2, 2 = 16 (5d6)

>>5952603
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>>5952615
I think I'm going to go with 50 instead of 49 for simplicity's sake, yeah. So, it'll be 50 copper = 1 silver, 30 silver = 1 gold.

House history and personage doc added to the link below. I'm still going to be adding more to it, but this is a start. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gieuIrCoHbYbWdm-BNFQQW_ruLlMTdVu
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“Don’t tarry,” you tell Ellyn Duntreow upon the streets of fair Tyrosh. Fair by association, at least. The lower reaches which cradle the harbor are more an aged crone to the vibrancy of the higher hills where your family and other more cultured citizens reside. But Ellyn does not understand the distinction yet and frequently stops to gawk at her surroundings. It should be of no great surprise, Westerosi cities are drab styes in comparison, but her sense of wonder at your home does inflame your pride. You had to shake her awake to accompany you and got a great deal of groaning for your troubles. It was only when you suggested Gwynfryd would be in better spirits to accompany you to market that the girl suddenly found the will to shake off the aches of the prior night’s drinking.

She scurries to catch up to your side, walking rather closely to you again. You had to stop her from locking her arm in yours once already. It would shame you to be seen escorting a woman wearing a slave’s collar. That bothered her for a short time until she sallied and began asking questions anew. She seemed unduly interested in the novel fact that you do indeed have a living breathing family living uphill across the port. Your father is not a magister living within the black walls, but he has means and influence around your childhood streets. That one can be noble in the sense that they have a name and some influence without being so noble as to be titled magister is a concept that seems to elude the wench, though you see it as little different than being named Duntreow without lands or title.

Her questions cease as you come upon the Slaver’s Square. The auctions of the day have already begun and have drawn a lively, raucous crowd as they are wont to do. You settle in for the showings, noting Ellyn’s growing horror at the spectacle. That was nearly her up there and realistically it still could be. As it still could be for any of the others. You are keen on profit, but profit is not everything. You can’t deny Ellyn has a sort of infectious charm to her that you’ve found lacking in her colder cousin. Or you just want to fuck her. Or both. Some dyes work best blended together.
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>>5953602
“Five hundreds and sixty-five for the first. Seven hundred even for the second… that one looked healthier… ah, yes, and the unpleasant wench for two hundreds and four. A pair of teats on her I’ll grant, but we had to lower the starting bid all the same. She spit at the crowd and needed the whip. No doubt she’ll get hers soon,” the same slim, harried auctioneer from the day prior informs you after the proceedings are over. Ellyn has been silent for some time, keeping close as if fearing she would be dragged up next.

“I saw,” you say, fighting to keep down your annoyance. The bids for the knights were fair prices for oarsmen, but that crazed woman was a disappointment. She needed only stand still and failed at that simple task. She looked docile enough at first glance, but she went right back into her hysterics the moment the guards disrobed her. You half suspect she was bought out of spite. A pair of bidders sallied the near failure of a sale with mocking bids of one silver above the starting bid until one’s apathy wore out.

“Ah. Good, good,” the auctioneer distractedly comments as he hunches over parchments haphazardly laid atop a crate in the square. “That leaves your earnings at a total of… let us see… One of thousand, two hundreds and… forty-eight.”

“Forty and nine,” you correct. “Taxes on silver have not rounded up since the Tyrant’s fall. I am Vaaro Orlios. I am a voting man, not some freedman scum, and I will not be buggered twice before midday.”

“Perhaps some coppers to balance the scales… just so. Forty and nine,” the auctioneer amends at your growing scowl. In all fairness, you were a touch dishonest as well. Only your father has a vote as he has property to his name and you do not, but you’re fairly certain you hold much the same taxation right. If the auctioneer thinks any differently then he doesn’t bother to voice it. It’s not worth it to him to quibble over a single piece of silver with an apparent sellsword. You are not so crude enough to walk about the city armored in mail, but the sword hanging off your belt is cause for pause. You took it from Varillos before dumping him into the Narrow Sea. He didn’t seem to need it anymore.

After the tariffs and your men’s cuts, Harlor and Noren are owed their cuts as well as those of the two you enlisted them murder, your takeaway is considerably lighter. For these sales it works out to you with sixty to their forty of the cut. In future, that will be your eighty to their twenty, ten to both, for the splitting of loot gained as a group, but that does little to help you at present. If you want Gwynfryd or Ellyn or both, then they will insist on the forty of their worth, too.
>>
>>5953603
You take the writ of sale over to a clerk from the Bank of Tyrosh. The clerk’s illustrious masters at the bank usually send a representative to the auctions, ostensibly to see the transactions flow smoothly. A more cynical part of you thinks, it is to keep the less savory sorts that frequent the market from sullying the bank’s gilded halls. Rather than paying you mind, the clerk seems more interested in watching the latest batch of fair featured nude girls being paraded upon the block. An interesting bit of jeering rises at their entrance.

“See one you like?” you ask the clerk to draw back his attention. Other choice quips came to mind, but it does not pay to offend bankers, even acolytes like this one.

“Hmm? Any, really. I am not fool enough to buy one now, though,” the clerk distractedly says as he takes your writ of sale and looks it over.

“I’ll need sixty of that, my friend. I would be grateful if you could re-writ the remainder in halves for my partners,” you tell him, setting him to grumbling. His words strike you as curious, though, so you ask after his meaning. You heard a good deal of gossiping about tides shifting between the Three Daughters, but you would sooner trust a man with an ear for real investing over sellswords and whoremongers.

“The Archon’s eye is on the Disputed Lands again,” the clerk conspiratorially tells you with all the smugness of a man who rubs shoulders with men of import.

“Lys? Or Myr? Surely not Volantis,” you posit. You heard little and less of the Volantenes from the whisperings of the market. That tends to be either a very good or very bad thing.

“A betting man would say Lys. As I said, I’d keep my coins safely vested until when the market is flooded,” the clerk says.

The Disputed Lands would fit with the other gossip of the market. The Stepstones are said to be overpicked upon and now swarming with angry Westerosi warlords. Too many purple sails of Braavos have be sighted as well. Some have also said the Archon’s hand has been swatted away from plundering by the Sealord’s threats. Others said he grew tired of coddling pirates and simply seeks fresh distraction. Most agree he is far more prone to eccentricities than his predecessor, though he is still well-loved for enriching the city to the detriment of the western traders. A fresh war would curb any chances of him being deposed for losing face to old foes.

The marketplace gossip favors conflict with Lys, too. All agree that Lys has gotten fat off of stale and crumbling alliances with Myr and fair Tyrosh. The snakelike Myrish people have never been well-loved by more cultured Tyroshi, but talk has not been so focused upon them as you would’ve assumed. Naturally, only a fool would seek to raid the island holdfasts of Lys, and the city is becoming too thick with disruptive sellswords by your reckoning. A foray into the Disputed Lands would be a welcome distraction for the crowds.
>>
>>5953604
You thank the clerk for his tip and exchange parchments for coins. When mixing in your Westerosi coins, you are left with 754 pieces of good silver. The bulk of it is now in two dozen gold coins jingling nicely in your coin purse, more than you’ve ever personally owned in your short adult life. With it, you could purchase… well, many things. But you will need to sort out the selling of the Jeyne woman and Alesander the squire first. Only then will you have a good reckoning of how much coin is at your disposal for the possibility of actually buying out your sellsword partners for one or both of the Duntreow women.

Gwynfryd had the right of it that the Lady Jeyne would be worth more if she weren’t half a corpse. The trouble is, she is half a corpse. Treating her will take time. You are itching to trim down your herd here so that you can go see your family and find some better source of coin. A decent pleasure house could see her treated just as well as an apothecary, and it just so happens you know one of each. There is a reputable pleasure house madam who might be of aid. You know of her more from Noren and his proclivities which works in your favor as he should respect her judgement. To your knowledge, she’s a freedwoman. Some sort of droll tale of wishing to buy the freedom of a wench might serve you well there. Or not. More than like it takes a certain sort of heartless cunt to collar womenfolk the same way she once was. An apothecary is a simpler find this close to the waters. Seekers of moon tea and more illicit blends know the near the port, yet away from the city watch, are good bets. The quality might not be what those within the blackstone walls enjoy, but the discretion has its perks.

Alesander might be the easiest to be rid of, though. This talk of an impending foray into the Disputed Lands must be spreading to the city’s craftsmen. Smiths and other artisans will be seeking extra hands to meet the coming demand that war will bring. Craftsmen are not all the same, though, and you are most likely going to be able to wrangle a discount from one you’re already in dealings with.

For Alesander
>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.
>Seek out an engineer. You’d like to have a look at the ornate scorpions and other siege equipment that only a Tyroshi would devise.
>Jewelers are also metalworkers of a sort. Everyone needs a good jeweler.
>Something else.

As for Lady Jeyne
>Visit the apothecary shop and purchase remedies for her ailments. You would like to maximize your profits with her even if it costs you in the short term.
>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.
>>
>>5953606
>For Alesander
>>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.
>As for Lady Jeyne
>>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.
Nice quest Boggs, don't go getting cursed on us.
>>
>>5953606
>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.

>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.
>>
>>5953606
>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.

>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.

Yeah I have to agree with other anons on this. Knowing a friendly smith seems worthwhile and if Ellyn squirmed at the slavers square, just wait till we take her inside a brothel.
>>
>>5953606
>Seek out an engineer. You’d like to have a look at the ornate scorpions and other siege equipment that only a Tyroshi would devise.
Mystery box.
>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.
Best to sell her and move on.
>>
>>5953606
>Seek out an engineer. You’d like to have a look at the ornate scorpions and other siege equipment that only a Tyroshi would devise.
>Visit the apothecary shop and purchase remedies for her ailments. You would like to maximize your profits with her even if it costs you in the short term.
>>
>>5953606
>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.

>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.
>>
>>5953606
>>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.
>>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her
Selling her to a pleasure house just seems like it'll ruin our chances of anything but an antagonistic relationship with Gwyn and Elynn.
>>
>>5953606
>>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.
>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.

small Discount sell if they are interested and for gods sake I know I miss everyother vote but don't play this like a dating sim.
>>
>>5953606
>>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.

>>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.
>>
>>5953606
>Seek out an engineer. You’d like to have a look at the ornate scorpions and other siege equipment that only a Tyroshi would devise.
>Go to the pleasure house and see if you can find the owner sympathetic towards her plight. You don’t want to spend good silver at the apothecary for her.

I don't know why, but I kinda dig the Ellyn/Vaaro dynamic.
>>
Smithy and pleasure house it is. Starting with the smith:

>Can I get 1 roll of 3d6 for Convince, 2 rolls of 5d6 for Bargain, and 1 roll of 3d6 for Charm?
>>
>>5954609
Oh, and 1 roll of 2d6 for Status. Could help if the smith recognizes the name of your own humble merchant family.
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 6 = 17 (3d6)

>>5954609
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 6, 5, 5 = 22 (5d6)

>>5954609
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 1, 3, 5 = 18 (5d6)

>>5954609
second 5d6
>>
Rolled 6, 4 = 10 (2d6)

>>5954612
>>
Missing a 3d6
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11 (3d6)

>>5954817
>>
>>5953606
>>Seek out a smithy. You’d like to improve upon your arms and armor.
>Visit the apothecary shop and purchase remedies for her ailments. You would like to maximize your profits with her even if it costs you in the short term.
>>
“Where are we going? What is happening?” Ellyn asks as soon as you push through the crowds leaving the port district.

“Does it matter?” you say. She says nothing, so you toss a glance her way and see poorly concealed fear. Her horror at the auctions was evident as well. It occurs that she might’ve thought she was to be the next item. No doubt the language barrier didn’t assuage her fears.

“Getting paid. You saw the parchments and coins. You can read, is it not so?” you ask her.

“Well enough. We keep a library at Hallowgrove,” Ellyn cautiously replies. “I mean to ask, why am I here?”

“For the pleasure of your company. Why else?” you answer.

“That would be sweet were it true,” she tells you as you pull her out of the masses of the main thoroughfare and down a side alley.

“It is true enough,” you assure.

“Then where are we going?” she asks again.

“Selling and buying,” is all you offer. You feel a tug on your arm as she stops in her tracks in the alley.

“Selling?” she repeats. “Selling who? Surely not me, ser?”

“Not you. The boy to a smith and the Jeyne woman to a pleasure house,” you tell her, curious to see her reaction and more curious in seeing it.

“Oh. Good,” she sighs in relief and continues walking.

“Good? That is all?” you ask.

“My thanks?” Ellyn cautiously supplies. You laugh and continue on. She calls out in askance over your laughter, but you see little reason to explain your amusement over her lack of thought for the others.

It is no exaggeration to state it takes a good deal of walking to reach your destination. Craftsmen of Tyrosh worth patronage do not wallow about the flood prone port. Smiths, seamstresses, cordwains, jewelers, vintners, even the occasional engineer. All have found their places in the quaint weaving roads further uphill where structures are less like to share walls and most shops have terraced homes resting atop. Your own family takes residence in one such building, though further to the northwest by your reckoning. Your homecoming and visit to them is sorely overdue, but you’re less than thrilled to return to them looking much the same as before you left with naught but a small purse of gold to speak to the success of your adventures.

Your father had a brief stint selling his sword in his youth and warned you of the folly in it. In Tyrosh, the merchant is nobler than the swordsman anyway, and you’ve been told you have a good head for making coin. There was no place for you in the family’s trade, though, and your older brother was newly wed. The woman you were bedding at that time was a merchant’s daughter but with better prospects and little desire to thin her wealth through wedding you. As you were too prideful to beg for loans or apprenticeships, there were few other palatable options left for you but to seek wealth by the sword. It was your time to move on.
>>
>>5956021
“Is it not much further?” Ellyn says with her hands on her knees, catching her breath as you stop at a junction trying to recall the way. She had a decent start to it, but the walk was more a hike than a casual stroll and her well-worn garb was not meant for this. One glance at the state of her shoes tells you her feet are surely blistered. The walk was more than you cared for under the summer sun, too. You are not pooling sweat as your more delicate companion, but so many moons of lazing about did little to keep you in shape. You finally see the smoke rising from behind a building down the rightmost path, though.

“Just ahead. We will find drinks after this,” you tell her. That finally gets a real smile out of her.

You find a familiar forge of excellent repute. Your father purchased you a sword here when you announced your signing on with the Kingmakers. Granted, the blade broke, but only after hard and improper use. You see other forges nearby as well, but this one has the best reputation and with that comes more coin to spend on dirty squires. There are a pair of such boys already underfoot in the shop and several older apprentices as well. Still, extra hands would be useful if the rumors of the Disputed Lands are true. You call out to one of the boys to fetch his master. You are left waiting for just long enough for Ellyn to seat herself upon a marbled bench near the entryway to nurse the aches from her feet and legs. One of the apprentice smiths nearly crashes over a sample set of armor at sight of her immodestly hiking up her dress.

The master smith, Thoroquo Esselar, finally appears from the forge dabbing at his face with a richly dyed cloth, a display of wealth in keeping with the rest of his shop. No doubt meant to impress buyers. For a seller, though, it is as appetizing spices on the air from a freshly cooked meal. This is the right place.

“Fine helms,” you remark after introductions. It is an understatement. The craftsmanship of the helms on display around the shop is immaculate and inspired, each piece a work of art in its own right. You have no doubt they are the source of the smithy’s reputation and wealth. Headwear is a source of pride in Tyrosh, and helms such as these would be the envy of less successful sellswords.

“The young master has a good eye,” Throroquo nods approvingly.

“It is what brought me here. I came into a new slave stock while traveling. One is a hearty boy of Westeros. You know how their lot is with heraldry, all dragons and lions and eagles. The boy knows them well. I thought to myself, who better to let the boy bring his beasts to life than a smith so mastered in the arts?” you explain.
>>
>>5956023
“You flatter, my friend, though I must admit it is not without cause. Even so, I have a great many under my wing already. Why should I want your boy?” he asks.

“I had it from a banker there is to be war. You will need more hands for the demand,” you say.

“I too have heard of this. It is long overdue truly. Tell me, is this mystery boy in better shape than that girl? She looks fresh off the block. This is not a kindness. Treat your stock like flowers and they shall bloom,” Thoroquo gestures towards Ellyn. She looks over, curious at the attention, and offers a smile.

“Wine for pretty girl. For your smile,” Thoroquo says in her tongue and snaps for one of his apprentices to fetch some, an odd gesture towards a slave that makes you think he is shrewder on her breeding than you might expect or otherwise some sort of eccentric for courtesies.

“This is so. A gem in need of polishing,” you concede. “She will do better under my care. I do treat my slaves kindly, you see. The boy I saw to myself. He is well-fed and ready for work. Used to be a squire, so he can hold a hammer.”

“Or brain me with it,” Thoroquo chuckles. “Squires are taught to kill, no? That’d make him a liability.”

“He’s not fettered and hasn’t brained me. Docile enough,” you shrug.

“That so? I could do three hundred,” Thoroquo casually offers.

“You would piss on my boots for only three hundred? Generous of you,” you tell him.

“Three hundred is fair,” he insists.

“For some old sailor with half his teeth. Not for a healthy boy of twelve. You could get a good thirty years out of him, my friend. More if you use him gently,” you say.

“Thirty? I say twenty. It’d take ten just to mold him for simple work. This is the Esselar forge. I can sell only the finest,” Thoroquo says.

“And how much will a trained smith make you over twenty years?” you ask.

“A modest sum, like as not. Craftsmen learn through failings, and Westerosi are slow learners. That means wasted materials,” he says.

“This is known, though even a Westerosi could bring in a hundred silver in a moon’s turn with the name Esselar behind him,” you try, appealing to his pride.
>>
>>5956025
“Just so,” the smith puffs up before he can catch himself.

“So, it reasons he would earn you, what? Ten thousand silvers? No, no. Surely more,” you ponder.

“Surely less. If he is good. And if he lasts,” the smith frowns.

“Two thousand,” you say.

“Six hundred,” he counter offers. You keep going back and forth before shaking on a thousand and fifty. It’s conditional on the smith getting a last look at the boy, but that is to be expected. The boy is hearty enough and you see no cause for complaint. Thoroquo grins, pleased with the deal. All the better if he thinks so. You are certain you got the better end of it. Eight hundred would’ve been fair.

“Did you say your name was Orlios? I know of Elaaro Orlios. Are you kin to him?” the smith asks.

“Elaaro is my father,” you say.

“Very good. It is he who taught you to haggle, then,” Thoroquo laughs. “You might see his touches in some of my offerings. Only the finest cloth is suited for the finest metals, is it not so?”

You look over a few display pieces, seeing the richness of the dyes in the coats of brigandine. It is hard to say what truly came from your father’s shop, but he does tend to deal more in fine cloths and dyes. You nod appreciatively and add, “I confess I came to browse your stock as well.”

“Just so. Your sword has seen better days,” the smith notes.

“A spare. Mine broke. It was of this very shop, too. A gift from my father. Disappointing, no?” you add to further chip away at his prices.

“A prentice’s blade, no doubt,” the master smith sniffs. “It still should not break in an elegant hand. Need I remind the young master that fine blades are not meat cleavers.” It wasn’t as if you were hacking away with it, though. You stuck it in a bear of a westerner who then wrenched away and broke it in his dying… but you suspect that explanation will not bring you much sympathy.

With your cut of the boy’s sale added into your growing coin purse, you should have the value of some 1384 pieces of silver. Your dealings so far should mean your needs here can be met without making a pauper out of you, but that does leave the question: what are your needs here?
>>
>>5956028
Are you looking for armor?
>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver)
>Full brigandine armor [9 AR, -3 AP, 3 Bulk] (217 silver)
>Brigandine vest alone [5 AR, -1 AP, 1 Bulk] (97 silver)
>You don’t need new armor.
Applied 25% discount and subtracted worth of exchanging your old mail armor. Options are superior grade. Small note here, we are using the updated rules that only apply the -AP (armor penalty) to agility tests (such as initiative) rather than to combat defense as well. Bulk rules are unchanged and affect athletics tests. AR is the armor rating (the damage reduction).

Add fashionable trait to armor?
>Yes (200 silver)
>No
This expands the settings in which you can appropriately wear the armor. Applied 50% discount because your father’s name was recognized here as a supplier of finer materials used in adding the trait.

Are you looking for a better sword?
>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)
>A longsword. You like the extra weight. With some work, you could use it to your advantage against other swordsmen. (90 silver)
>A bastard sword. Much the same as the longsword but with a slightly longer blade and an extended grip allowing you to wield it in two hands should you desire it. You will need more practice to master this different technique, though. (120 silver)
>You don’t want a new sword.
Applied 25% discount and subtracted worth of your old looted sword from the prices here. Options are superior grade (+1 to test results and fashionable for wear).

Commission a helm?
>Yes (300 silver)
>No
Discounts do not apply to the helms as they are a source of great pride for Tyroshi craftsmen and those who wear them. Helm counts as an accessory. You can receive bonuses from up to two worn accessories at a time. Note that these are war helms meant for the battlefield and not for just walking around town.
>>
Before I vote, what, in Vaaro's best estimation, would he need to buy out his two compatriots cut for Gywn, and by extension Ellyn as well. Just off the top of his head.
>>
>>5956030
Brigandine vest + fashion
Bravo's sword
no helmet (yet)
>>
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>>5956030
>>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver) + fashionable
>>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)
How much would fashionable and superior quality add? Because I'm inclined toward both of those.
>No helm (yet)
When we do get a helmet, I'm voting for one with a moustache.
>>
>>5956030
>Brigandine vest alone [5 AR, -1 AP, 1 Bulk] (97 silver)
Add fashionable trait to armor?
>Yes (200 silver)
>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)
Commission a helm?
>No

Also maybe window shop something absolutely demeaning and slutish for Elyn, see how far she's williing to bend in her play to us, also we should seriously look for some kind of connection soon.
>>
>>5956103
IC, somewhere around 1000 owed for both, with Gwyn being worth slightly more for her rarer looks, would be the lower end of safe. They could be worth a lot more, but Vaaro would have little reason to drive up their value if it is to buy them out.

>>5956179
Fashionable is the listed 200 to add to the armor. Longblades and fencing weapons that are superior quality or higher are considered fashionable to wear by defeault. The products are all already superior quality, so that has been factored in to the prices. He is a prideful master smith and wouldn't want to be seen selling common quality goods.
>>
>>5956291
Good to know, thanks Boggs.

>>5956030
>Brigandine vest alone [5 AR, -1 AP, 1 Bulk] (97 silver)
>Yes (200 silver)
>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)
>>
>>5956030
>Brigandine vest alone [5 AR, -1 AP, 1 Bulk] (97 silver)
>Yes (200 silver)
>A longsword. You like the extra weight. With some work, you could use it to your advantage against other swordsmen. (90 silver)

>No
>>
>>5956030
>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver)
>Yes (200 silver)
>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)
>Yes (300 silver)
>>
>>5956215
+1
>>
>>5956030

>Brigandine vest alone [5 AR, -1 AP, 1 Bulk] (97 silver)
>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)

Keep our expenses to a minimum, but if bravo sword is what we’re most familiar with then let’s stick with that. No point spreading our xp for other fighting types.

We’re probably going to want to put more xp into bargain/convince/seduce etc
>>
>>5956030
>>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver)
>A longsword. You like the extra weight. With some work, you could use it to your advantage against other swordsmen. (90 silver)
>>
>>5956857
>>5956301
>>5956295
>>5956215
>>5956137
But bros, the solid breastplate has one higher AR for the same Armour Penalty. That's a very serious boost in protection. We haven't engaged in much combat yet but we're a sellsword, we can't expect things to stay that way.
The two extra points of bulk are a pretty negligible trade off compared to the protection offered. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen bulk matter whatsoever in any asoiaf qst in the history of this board.

>Keep our expenses to a minimum
But we're getting a discount on this purchase. We're best of taking advantage of it. Buy once, cry once and all that.
>>
>>5956030
>>5957024
Sure you convinced me.

>>5956857
Change my vote to this one Boggs
>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver)
>>
>>5957024
>In fact, I don't think I've ever seen bulk matter whatsoever in any asoiaf qst in the history of this board.
We'll be spending some time aboard ships won't we?
>>
>>5957024
Fair call, its only an extra 30 silver

>>5956137
change from brigandine to steel, still fancy though

>>5957073
from what I read in the rulebook, 'bulk' is more weight of the armor than obstructions in combat, it only affects movement distance, and not hugely. AP is what you should look at for agility test modifiers.
>>
>>5956030
>Brigandine vest alone [5 AR, -1 AP, 1 Bulk] (97 silver)
>Yes (200 silver)
>A bravo’s sword. Good for agile fighting and dueling. You are still in practice enough to use one. (130 silver)
>No helm

Wouldn't it be easier to eventually upgrade to full brigandine armor if we already own the main part of it? Also a bravo's sword with a bulky breastplate feels very silly to me. I would rather have a longsword if that ends up winning.
>>
>>5956030
Incidentally, I should probably have voted before trying to convince other people to change their votes
>Breastplate
>Yes to fashionable
>Bravo’s sword
>No helm

>>5957085
>'bulk' is more weight of the armor than obstructions in combat, it only affects movement distance, and not hugely.
That's my understanding too.

>>5957120
I don't want to eventually upgrade to full brigandine. Armour Penalty reduces your Combat Defense which means enemies are likely to achieve more degrees of success on Fighting tests, and more DoS means more damage dealt (counteracting the benefit from the higher Armour Rating). I'm not sure exactly where the sweet spot is in terms of AR vs AP but I suspect the breastplate is it for fights against most enemies of most skill levels.
In any case, if we did want full brigandine we'd probably be best off buying it now while we have the discount.

I don't know why you'd have a problem with a breastplate and a bravo’s sword though.
Both the breastplate and the brigandine vest presumably leave your limbs free and largely unobstructed (maybe with some leather sleeves or light pauldrons). You're just equally free to take advantage of your agility in either piece of armour (represented by their equal armour penalty).

Personally I think the breastplate also suits us better. Lots of real estate on a breastplate for a nice, fashionable design.
>>
>>5956030
>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver)
>Yes (200 silver)
>A longsword. You like the extra weight. With some work, you could use it to your advantage against other swordsmen. (90 silver)
>No
>>
>>5957138
>Armour Penalty reduces your Combat Defense which means enemies are likely to achieve more degrees of success on Fighting tests, and more DoS means more damage dealt (counteracting the benefit from the higher Armour Rating).
That makes sense from your explanation but
>Small note here, we are using the updated rules that only apply the -AP (armor penalty) to agility tests (such as initiative) rather than to combat defense as well
This says it's not going to impact combat defense. Presumably because it's dumb to be penalized for wearing full armor

>I don't know why you'd have a problem with a breastplate and a bravo’s sword though.

Good points. I think the bulk was my biggest sticking point but that doesn't impact agility like you said. I'm fine with the bravo's sword in that case. I still prefer the vest but call that creative differences. Dyes and color are a big thing here and brigandine is great for flexing colors
>>
>>5957138
Boggs said in this quest, Armour Penalty's not going to affect Combat Defense, just stuff like initiative.
>>
>>5957184
This is true. I took it from the Sword Chronicle rulebook, the generic version of the rulebook we use that was released by Green Ronin later on. The reason for the change seems to be to avoid excessive penalties for wearing what should be better armor. However, I'm going to be conscious of the potential for this swinging the balance towards knights being too indestructable. I think the best way to balance this is to make combat more dynamic and less linear such as bringing in the more advanced rules for things like knocking down or distracting opponents. Breastplates and mail armor require a lesser action instead of a greater action to stand up from prone, for example.
>>
>>5956030
>A solid steel breastplate [6 AR, -1 AP, 3 Bulk] (127 silver)
>Yes (200 silver)
>A longsword. You like the extra weight. With some work, you could use it to your advantage against other swordsmen. (90 silver)
>No
>>
Okay, it looks like fashionable breastplate with a new and improved bravo's sword. No helm for now. Other opportunities for accessories will come up in the future. I'm probably not going to be able to post until saturday because I'm still knee deep in wrapping up professional obligations. 2 quick things for the next post:

Do you want to take off Ellyn's slave collar while at the blacksmith?
>Yes
>No

And more of an open-ended question, what sort of design are we looking to do for the armor? Thoroquo is a master smith and can work with personalized requests worthy of the coin spent on the fashionable upgrade.
>>
>>5957614
>>No
open ended
Do we have a house sigil, in the same vein that Westerosi noble houses do?
>>
>>5957614
>>No

Definitely go all in on the filigreed and gilded elements, say the silver we paid for it was incorporated into the chases and gilding. Do the whole "wearing our wealth" schtick that some sellswords like to do. Since we're home, get some of dear old dads fabrics with a deep purple dye for a gambeson, or whatever else Vaaro wears under his armor. Design wise, not sure, Vaaro hasn't really indicated any particular preferences, probably thinks the Westerosi symbolism and heraldry is silly. Maybe something to indicate pride in his homeland? Give those myrish cunts a reason to come after him.
>>
>>5957614
>>No

>>5957675
>Vaaro hasn't really indicated any particular preferences, probably thinks the Westerosi symbolism and heraldry is silly.
I agree.
>Maybe something to indicate pride in his homeland?
Yeah, Vaaro seems to be at least somewhat patriotic.

I don't know that Tyrosh has any particular symbols that represent the city but a version of the skyline or harbourfront cityscape in gold and black steel could look pretty cool.
>>
>>5957718
>symbols that represent the city
Black dragonstone walls of the inner city, multicoloured cloths
>>
>>5957614
>No
>>
>>5957614
>>No
It doesn't really serve any purpose to remove it beyond currying her favor and given we are in control of her that's not necessary.
>>
>>5957793
although it just occured to me, if we wanted to particularly test here temprement for escape it would be a good opportunity.
>>
>>5957614
>Yes
>>
>>5957614
>No
>>
>>5957614
>Yes

Part of the reason for bringing her was to divide her and Gwyn and make Gwyn uncertain of her position here. Elevating Ellyn helps that and tests if she will try to run or not.

>breastplate
>>5957675
This sounds good. A silhouette of a naked woman could be a nice Essosi touch. Ellyn can pose for it as a balance to our favor. I want to try with the collar off but without simping about it.
>>
>>5957614
>Yes
Not going to metagame it, she seems to have convinced Vaaro she's not a flight risk to me.
>>
>>5957951
Vaaros hasn't really engendered any competition between them to make that happen and unless we condition the collar coming off I can't imagine it working.

The silhouette is a great idea though maybe done with black rock or something.
>>
>>5957614
Yes

>>5957675
>>5957951
Agree with these.
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>>5957905
Changing to
>Yes
>>
>>5957614
>No

For designs, I back what the other anons have said. Something that evokes civic pride
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>>5957675
Supporting
>>
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6-5 in favor of keeping the collar on.

>Do we have a house sigil, in the same vein that Westerosi noble houses do?
Not exactly. Vaaro's father is a member of a trading cartel, so their sigil would be the closest thing, but Vaaro isn't technically a member.

>>5957675
>>5957718
>>5957760
>>5958027
>Something patriotic

>>5957951
>>5957975
>>5958027
>Silhouette of a naked woman.

I can probably combine these. A gilded and chemically color treated breastplate with the cityscape on the front and a colorful tunic/gambeson combo underneath. The closest thing to an official symbol of Tyrosh is the big tower over the harbor. It's also represented in their official coinage (see pic). A silhoette of a naked woman alone might give the impression of Lys (that is what their coins are stamped with), but the backdrop of Tyrosh with two women clinging to the tower might work. We can work with adjustments or details if anyone has any to suggest. Post will be up tonight.
>>
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Thoroquo has the right of it. You do need a new sword. You peruse the shop’s completed offerings, finding the selection varied enough to not warrant a separate commission. The smith’s words of the need for elegance in swordsmanship did strike a chord with you, so you find yourself leaning more towards the bravo’s staple. A few are far too slim; you are not keen on repeating your earlier follies of ruining a fine blade in a man’s dying. Others are too broad or unwieldy, parrying weapons or Westerosi meat cleavers. You find a good compromise in a slim yet well supported blade that reminds you of a sleek war galley. It will do. You tell the smith as much.

“It suits you,” Thoroquo agrees. “But I would not go so unarmored as young fights so risk. So many have bled out over fashion. I say to myself, ‘why did the poor lads not seek Thoroquo so that they might be beautiful and still live?’ Armor should aid your beauty, not take from it. Is this not so?”

“You have the right of it. If you can craft something to my liking,” you say.

“Oho. A challenge,” Thoroquo claps his hands and grins. “Tell me more.”

You start speaking of your vision for a fine breastplate of the sort to be worn by a man worth respecting. Idle time upon the Stepstones meant a good deal of time to hone your visions of the finer things you desired, those items to be indulged in when good fortune finally struck and filled your coin purse with gold. Good fortune has not exactly struck, but you have bent fortune to your will ever so slightly with your treachery, enough so that you can afford at least this much of an indulgence. Thoroquo proves an attentive listener, though he stops you throughout for details.

“This I can do. I will sketch this as you say, then I will work my magics into the metals. Have you a muse for this?” he asks. A woman, he means.

You frown, a haze of forms coming to mind, though none really holding true in your mind. Your eyes turn to Ellyn with her mouth full of orange, offerings of the shop for patrons. Her figure here and now is about as real as it gets. Thoroquo follows your gaze and begins stroking his pronged beard in thought. She finishes her chewing and looks to you in askance...
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>>5959390
“This is stupid. I mean it. Of all the things to ask,” Ellyn continues her complaining. She poses up against a bronze statue nude but for the woefully unstylish smallclothes tied at her hips. The master smith is more of an artist than even you expected with statues wrought from metal in the more private part of his workshop. The figures are in various stages of completion with some gilded in rare metals and gems. They would fetch a small fortune once completed, surely from a magister’s coffers.

“The pose is wrong. Too shy. Tell her more yearning. She clings and she worships,” Thoroquo says. You do your best to translate.

“You tell him my feet are sore and I will drink all of his wine until I forget this,” Ellyn responds.

“You could try. I expect he has quite the cellar. He has a point, though. Have you no appreciation for art? I thought you had worth as a muse. Was I wrong?” you lazily return as you finish off the orange she was eating before.

She grumbles a bit more, but eases into it all the same. You’ve gotten the sense her people are more prudish with their women, so it was no great surprise that she would voice protests. Now, though, you are not so sure. She bites her lip and caresses the statue much like she did to you the evening prior, throwing looks your way. You forget the orange for a time until Thoroquo claps his hands and startles you both out of the diversion.

“I have what I need. We will take your measure and begin work. I will see to the final touches myself. Expect it to be ready in a fortnight,” he tells you. “When can I expect the boy?”

“On the morrow,” you say, turning away from the distractions of the wench as she slips back into her well-worn dress.

He seems pleased by your answer, though your haste has more to do with your desire to stop feeding and lodging the boy. You take your leave of the smithy from there and begin your trek downhill, stopping a few streets down for honeyfingers and ale, finding Ellyn overjoyed for the warm baked confection. You are less expressive than her but just as pleased. It has been too long since you have had the cuisine of your youth. She starts going on about Westerosi desserts between mouthfuls, whatever irritation held over the smithy seemingly forgotten already. Some of her references escape you, but you can at least agree on the worth of lemoncakes.
>>
>>5959394
“Are we for the pleasure house you spoke of?” she finally asks.

The day is drawing short, but there is still time enough to attend to your wants. The walk down to Noren’s favorite pleasure house is long from the craftsmen’s streets. You know the owner to be a woman and, if rumors are to be believed, a former slave herself. Regardless of her origins, she is well-respected for appraisals of woman slaves and might prove more sympathetic to naming numbers in your favor if your dealings over that unfortunate Jeyne woman go well enough. Or you could spend more time here instead. These streets are more fitting for your status rather than the dregs of the harbor. If nothing else, the food and drink here are much better here than the lower reaches.

>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
>[Mix business and pleasure] You will go straight there with only Ellyn. You’d rather have the time to indulge in whatever entertainment the pleasure house has arranged for the evening while conducting your dealings over the remaining chattel.
>[Prioritize pleasure] You are in no rush. You would rather spend the evening here where you may peruse the shops at your leisure before seeing where the night takes you. The remainder of your dealings can wait until the morrow.

Posting again tomorrow night. Should be back to nightly posts.
>>
>>5959398
>>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
Remember, Jeyne is sick. The longer she goes untreated the worse a price we might get. One day is unlikely to make a huge difference but, still, no sense in waiting around unnecessarily.
>>
>>5959398
>>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
>>
>>5959398
>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
No need to keep Ellyn on her feet.
>>
>>5959398
>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
>>
>>5959398
>>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
>>
>>5959463
I'm going to change my vote
>[Mix business and pleasure] You will go straight there with only Ellyn. You’d rather have the time to indulge in whatever entertainment the pleasure house has arranged for the evening while conducting your dealings over the remaining chattel.

This is a chance to turn Ellyn, build her up, give her some slack, let her think she's winning Vaaro's affection or trust and give her what we haven't given Gwynfred yet.

Jeyne can wait, she has a pox not the plague.
>>
>>5959398
>>[Prioritize business] You will go gather Jeyne and Gwynfryd and pay your visit to the pleasure house now. Escorting all three of them might impede your ability to enjoy the evening, but you prefer to finish all of your business before relaxing.
>>
>>5959398
>[Mix business and pleasure] You will go straight there with only Ellyn. You’d rather have the time to indulge in whatever entertainment the pleasure house has arranged for the evening while conducting your dealings over the remaining chattel.
>>
>>5959398
>>[Mix business and pleasure] You will go straight there with only Ellyn. You’d rather have the time to indulge in whatever entertainment the pleasure house has arranged for the evening while conducting your dealings over the remaining chattel.
>>
>>5959398
>[Mix business and pleasure] You will go straight there with only Ellyn. You’d rather have the time to indulge in whatever entertainment the pleasure house has arranged for the evening while conducting your dealings over the remaining chattel.
>>
>>5959398
>>[Prioritize pleasure] You are in no rush. You would rather spend the evening here where you may peruse the shops at your leisure before seeing where the night takes you. The remainder of your dealings can wait until the morrow.
>>
>>5959398
>[Mix business and pleasure] You will go straight there with only Ellyn. You’d rather have the time to indulge in whatever entertainment the pleasure house has arranged for the evening while conducting your dealings over the remaining chattel.
>>
Looks tied now. I never did call it, but I already started writing for prioritizing business. I'll save some time for enjoying the evening afterwards to make it fair.
>>
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You finish your meal and make way back down the hill towards the low-lying streets cradling the harbor.

“It has a sort of charm from up here,” Ellyn remarks of the city.

“All agree,” you say. “Merchants of worth live above the rest. My own family lives two hills over.”

“Within the black walls?” she asks. From atop this craftsmen’s hill, the blackstone walls of the Old Valyrian founders are much more prominent. As is some of the squalor around the harbor and the general disrepair evident in some sections of the high walls wrapping around the city. A legacy of the Tyrant’s ploy. The sack of the city was before your birth, but the event and the subsequent years of occupation have left their marks.

“… near it,” you answer. Your father’s efforts have put your family only just a rung beneath the esteemed families within. He has the honor of a vote within the Dyer’s Syndicate, but there is a gulf between that and the honor in being of old wealth. For the past few hundred years, only a dozen families have lived within the walls. The names have changed, but the number has remained the same, some relic of an old form of governance if you recall correctly. Most prominent is the Archon himself followed by eleven others who all have the privilege of being styled as magisters.

Reaching the old inn half-deserted inn proves to be an easier journey in descent. You enter to find Harlor rummaging behind the bar and Noren slouched down asleep in a chair by the hearth. The squire boy is still sulking about, so you presume the others haven’t taken flight. The boy glares at you, so you pat your new sword that he unwittingly paid for and grin in response. You greet Harlor and, much to his delight, pass him the writ of sale for his part of the coin so far. Gwynfryd steps into view from atop the stairs and looks down upon you, making no remark over the presence of her cousin by your side.

“Where is Jeyne?” you ask.

“Abed,” Gwynfryd answers.

“Get her. And dress for comfort. We are leaving,” you tell her.

“Leaving where?” she asks.

“Somewhere to see her treated and me paid for the trouble,” you say.

“You mean to sell her,” she translates, all cold judgement as you have come to expect.

“It was the plan, no? You knew this. Was your day of use with her?” you ask. She was supposed to question the wench for what good it might do.
>>
>>5960252
“Some,” is all she says, taking a familiar tone. She sounds like your mother whenever she suspected your brother of wenching. You ignore it and go to shake Noren awake instead.

“Where is your pleasure house?” you ask as you push his bank writ into hand. That wakes him up.

“Thought you’d never ask,” he smiles.

Noren takes you down a winding path that makes you suspect he is still somehow overdrunk from the night prior and acting on pure instinct. You know he grew up around these parts, though, so you put trust in him to deliver. He does not disappoint, bringing you to a building down a side alley to an entryway with a painted arch of a more eastern shape. A pair of wenches dressed in translucent silks sitting on cushions beyond the archway greet Noren by name, leaving you to wonder exactly how much coin he needed to shed for that honor.

“Vaaro. What is this?” Gwynfryd asks.

“That is the first time you have called me by name,” you note as the matron appears at Noren’s askance.

The owner is a woman of middling age more handsome that beautiful. You don’t doubt by her sauntering that she was not once worth honest gold, though, a far cry from the epithet of “old hag” that you heard from Noren that last time he was urged to settle a tab here. “Ahroreah,” is all she offers for her name. The lack of surname lends weight to the rumors of origins. Her hair is curled and styled in a Tyroshi or Lysene fashion with a deep purple dye that looks black in the low light, yet her olive skin and aquiline nose hints at origins somewhere on the Rhoyne or east of it.

“I have need of my lady’s services,” you tell her.

“And which services would those be? I am not so often called upon by young sellswords in these days,” Ahroreah remarks in near-perfect Tyroshi, her dark eyes soaking in your odd choice of companionship for a pleasure house visit.

“Appraisal of these womenfolk. Sale of one if you find her so worthy,” you say.

“Which?” she asks. You gesture to Jeyne who Gwynfryd has mercifully cleaned up. Ahroreah sighs and motions for you to follow with a flick of her bangled wrist.
>>
>>5960253
She leads you straight up the stairs before the main common room to her own expansive quarters covered in carpets and tapestries of an elaborate Myrish weave. You enter with Jeyne while the other two women are made to wait. The matron commands Jeyne to strip in passable yet accented Common Westerosi. She complies after a look of loathing your way.

Adroreah’s sharp intake of breath isn’t quite what you were hoping for. Jeyne’s poor state is hard to conceal in her state of undress. The matron rounds on you. “You did this to her?”

“No. Myrmen. I took her from them,” you assure, then get the obvious out of the way, “she has some sort of ailment…”

The matron mutters something in a tongue you can’t quite place then gently urges Jeyne onto her back and examines her more intently. “She has no pox, but this infection has been left for some time. It may still be treated with the right tonics and ointments. I would say the gods favored her by delivering me, but that does not soothe my questions. Why does a slaver bring a girl who can bring no pleasure to my house of pleasure?”

What will you say?
>Flatter her. You saw the girl’s plight and thought to seek out an expert. All the better that the expert is so pleasing to behold.
>Approach her as a shrewd businessman. You saw a chance to turn a near worthless investment into one to profit you both.
>Try to play her heartstrings. You are doing this to win favor with the one you love.
>Something else.

After your dealings
>Retire to the inn.
>Send Gwynfryd and Ellyn back to the inn. The night is still young, and you would rather spend it here.
>As above but stay here with one of the two: pick [Gwynfryd or Ellyn]
>Something else.

Going to call for some rolls once I have a better idea of where the votes are leaning. Posting again tomorrow night.
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>>5960255
>>Approach her as a shrewd businessman. You saw a chance to turn a near worthless investment into one to profit you both.
>As above but stay here with one of the two: Ellyn
>>
>>5960255
\did they fucking mutilate her? I don't know if I should be surprised considering what happened to Gwyn's niece.

>Approach her as a shrewd businessman. You saw a chance to turn a near worthless investment into one to profit you both.
Fuck it everyone needs the help, she can fetch, mend, fix, cook and gods willing clean, the Madam is obviously sympathetic to her plight so we can play up the charity angle but at the end of the day Vaaro is more buisness than persuasion.

If this fails I think Vaaro might have to write her off as a loss.

>As above but stay here with one of the two: pick [Gwynfryd or Ellyn]
I lean Ellyn only because she played first, I want to say force her to do something spicy here but I'm drawing a blank.
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>>5960255
>Flatter her. You saw the girl’s plight and thought to seek out an expert. All the better that the expert is so pleasing to behold.
>Back to the inn
Would love to stay and bliss out, but we still have a boy to deliver, and we hardly got here with a guide. I doubt the girls, especially one alone, would make it back to the inn in a timely and unmolested fashion.
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>>5960255
>Flatter her. You saw the girl’s plight and thought to seek out an expert. All the better that the expert is so pleasing to behold.
>As above but stay here with one of the two: pick [Gwynfryd]
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>>5960255
>Approach her as a shrewd businessman. You saw a chance to turn a near worthless investment into one to profit you both.

This is more Vaaro's style so far.

>>5960287
Anon is right unless I'm missing something.

>Something else.
Stay here with both. Buy Ellyn a lady companion for the night if she's not too expensive just for fun. Spend the night here with Gwynfryd drinking and not being a dick to see if she can open up a little.
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>>5960255
>Approach her as a shrewd businessman. You saw a chance to turn a near worthless investment into one to profit you both.
>Stay with both
>>
Not seeing any consensus yet. If you haven't voted yet and want to, then now would be a good time. I'm going to check back in a little over an hour and call for rolls with whatever we have. Trying to stick to a regular schedule again.
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>>5960265
Supporting this

Gotta stoke the fires of jealousy
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>>5960513
+1
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 5, 5 = 16 (4d6)

Okay, I'm going to call it for business approach. Still tied between staying with both or just Ellyn. I'm going to call it for favoring Ellyn but with keeping Gwynfryd here based on the discussion over the potential logistical issues.

>Can I get 1 roll of 5d6 for bargain, 1 roll of 5d6+5 for deception to play up the show of favor, 2 rolls of 3d6 for drinking endurance for Vaaro and Gwynfryd respectively. Ellyn's endurance roll is in this post.
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 3, 1, 1 = 10 (5d6)

>>5960836
>>
>>5960879
Oof
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 4 = 8 (3d6)

>>5960836
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 4, 2, 4 + 5 = 25 (5d6 + 5)

>>5960836
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 1 = 5 (3d6)

>>5960836
>>
>>5960879
Oh man we are getting burnt on the deal and Ellyn is drinking everyone under the table.
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 4 = 6 (3d6)

>>5960836
Gwynfryd's drinking roll.
>>
Imagine getting outdrunk by a girl. Lmao
>>
Based Stacey
>>
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You are Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow

You awaken with the world spinning. Slow, muddled thoughts turn to how you ended up in this feathered bed. The air is heavy with perfumes and incense. A vague sweet tang is still upon your lips. As best as you recall, you drank heavily of a cloyingly sweet strong spirit. You drank heavily, far more so that your usual, after you were forced to present yourself to that Dornishwoman naked as the day you were born to be judged for your value. You know the why of it, but the embarrassment still burns.

By your best reckoning, you were out in a great room lined by candles in multihued coverings afterwards. You remember performers, singers and dancers and at least one contortionist plying their sensual skills while shady patrons looked on from darker alcoves, though all of it comes back as if through a thick fog. Ellyn was with you, Father judge her. She’d made fast friends with your hostess, another slave girl with some words of common tongue. The girl was summoned by that Dornish looking woman after your humiliation. The two of them had spent the night drinking and cackling and trying to draw you and Vaaro into their revelry. You’re sure he drank as deep as you if not more. He was brooding as well. Whatever the cause of it, he still succumbed and dragged Ellyn into his lap after her goading. You always knew your cousin had a wild streak, but she could have stood to be less enthusiastic. Her lewdness drove you to discomfort, but she ignored you when you tried to bring her back to senses. That drove you deeper into drink and deeper into a blur.

You roll from the bed to find an empty privy pot across the room. As you hike up your skirts and find some relief, the pile of pillows atop the bed stirs and gives you a fright midstream. You stumble back and gracelessly fall on your arse. You squint at the shape in the blurry low light, though it has ceased its movement. You cautiously creep forward and find it to be Vaaro in a state of significant undress and still in a deep sleep. You quickly leave the room.

Ellyn is without. She chatters and drinks a tea alongside a pair of slave girls, members of this household by their looks and dress. They must be cold. She notes your entry and calls out to you, but the air is heavy here too and it is too much. You kneel down and lose your stomach into a potted plant. Ellyn rushes over and pat your back. She looks wholly unaffected by the prior night’s drinking.
>>
>>5961804
“Are you unwell, cousin?” she uselessly asks. You nearly bite off a retort until your stomach heaves again, leaving you to mumble a word of thanks instead for her swiftness in attending to your stray hair.

“What happened?” you finally mumble as you uncaringly seat yourself upon the cool stone floor.

“What do you mean? You were there,” Ellyn says.

“Before that,” you manage to get out. Before parting the day prior, you had tasked your cousin to tell you what she could gather of Vaaro’s dealings.

“A great lot of haggling. We went to the top of the hill and, well, that doesn’t matter. His father is a merchant. Oh, and there is to be fighting with Lys,” she summarizes.

Your head spins. Surely there was something useful in her rambling. You need rest and more time to think. There is still so much you do not know or understand. Lady Jeyne was able to fill in some gaps for you. Her father had gambling debts. That aroused your suspicions, but perhaps you are being too unkind. House Stenmoor has been on poor terms with Duntreow for a century, but what sort of man would sell out his own daughter for gold? No Elym knights were present on your journey, and it was their lands you traveled through to make port. The others were of apparent low standing. One of the knights bore the name of Wylde but was hardly different from his hedge knight companion. Not accounting for the deceased, no one else was of any note aside from your own blood.

You still have no real sense of friend or foe in all of this. If Vaaro is keeping anything from you, then he did not deign to share it with your cousin. You could be welcomed back to your lands with open arms or find a knife in your spine. Thoughts of Joslyn and Vaaro’s plan to extract ransom of House Meadows gave reminder that your lady mother’s house could be a source of safe haven for you, albeit a temporary one. It may be safer to take flight than you had previously considered.

“Cousin? Did you hear me? He is not all bad, really. Oh but you really should rest. We can get some stew later,” Ellyn says.

“Wait,” you say, trying to gather your thoughts.

>This is the best chance for one or both of you to make an escape. You need to act now while Vaaro is still asleep.
>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.
>Something else/something to add.
>>
>>5961805
>Don’t.
We still wear a collar I am pretty sure, we saw the treatment displayed at the auction square, and a return to Westeros now would be less than prepared for. Like it or not, we are stuck in Essos for the forseeable future. We must learn what we can, gather money, favour and loyal men before we stand a chance of overcoming whatever treachery awaits on our home shores. It seems to survive here, and if we have any dream of gathering power, we may have to loosen our morals somewhat.
Plot with Ellyn, she seems to have the right of it, and I can't imagine she isn't looking out for herself in some fashion.
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>>5961805
>whatever the cause of it, he still succumbed and dragged Ellyn into his lap after her goading.
I wonder if Vaaro was even cognizant enough to get it up, he should definetly get her something really vulgar to wear, get her house broken or something.

>>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.

even if Gwynfryd & Ellyn got away, they'd be at the mercy of the city as runaway slaves and there is no plan, no resources, no escape from the city available to us, unless Ellyn wants to try lifting Vaaro's purse I doubt theirs even a hope.
>>
>>5961805
>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.
We don't speak the language, we don't have money and we don't know anyone. We'll just end up on another brothel but this time as goods.
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>>5961805
>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.
>Something else/something to add.
If Joslyn was with us, I'd 100% be happy to go. We already abandoned Jeyne, Alesander and the Knights. We do have the dutiful trait, I don't think we can just abandon everyone and I feel Ellyn and Gwyn getting away might result in rash action from Vaaro, considering he's got two guys he has to pay off (I don't think Gwyn would know if he could afford to pay them off or not). But, I think we can still encourage Ellyn to leave if she really wants to. That's up to her, she obviously can look after herself. I don't think we should leave without Joslyn. It would also be easier for one slave girl to escape alone than two, I think Gwyn would probably end up getting Ellyn caught or something while Ellyn has the gift of the gab and is utterly shameless.

If we do take
>This is the best chance for one or both of you to make an escape. You need to act now while Vaaro is still asleep.
With
>Vaaro in a state of significant undress and still in a deep sleep.
Then I suggest we go and cut his throat while he slept as well, if possible take his coinpurse, if we can get our hands on anything sharp.
>>
Should archive this cause it’s on page 9. I tried but it gave me an error “invalid thread”. Dunno what I did wrong
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>>5961805
>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.
>>
>>5961971
It's already archived.
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>>5961805
>This is the best chance for one or both of you to make an escape. You need to act now while Vaaro is still asleep.

One of them should leave. Gwyn also doesn't have a collar on iirc. I was leaning towards a no, but I feel like Gwyn has to be seeing Vaaro's attraction to Ellyn at this point. He wasn't getting paid to help Gwyn before so it should be obvious he had other motives. I can't see Gwyn being dense enough to believe they will both have lasting protection under one sellsword who is willing to sell off whoever. All the meta stuff aside it makes sense for him to sell one of them off. She must be able to see that.
>>
Looks like someone already archived it for me. Thanks. I'll probably start up a new thread in the next few days. Posting here tonight.
>>
>>5962119
Changing
>>5961950
To this

Explain our reasoning to Ellyn, swear we'll come back for her (and Joslyn).
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>>5961805
>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.
>>
>>5961805
>Don’t. You will stay here under Vaaro’s protection. He has at least proven willing to keep you safe. That could change if you take an unnecessary risk.
What's Gwyn going to do? Try to be a stowaway on a ship to Westeros?
>>
>>5962119
This is me in case my id changed again.
>>5962315
The vote might be a lost cause at this point but there are ways to make it work without sneaking onto a ship. She could sell that expensive dress or steal from Vaaro to pay for passage. There should be other westerosi around too. It's not far from here.
>>
>>5962381
>>5962315
If a Westerosi merchant (or even someone who trades frequently with Westeros) can be convinced that she is a noble heir (shouldn't be hard given her education, diction and appearance) then I expect they'd be extremely willing to help her back to Westeros in expectation of a reward.
>>
>>5961805
>>This is the best chance for one or both of you to make an escape. You need to act now while Vaaro is still asleep.
>>
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“On our talk from the ship… it is not worth the risk. Do you understand?” you tell Ellyn. Escape now would be a needless risk. Better to remain with one who has done you and your kin no harm than to risk a ship with lacking in qualms enough to make port in this slaver's den.

“No need to fret, cousin. That is not the risk I have in mind right now,” Ellyn assures as she helps you to your feet.

“I saw quite a bit of your risk-taking last night,” you remind her.

“I know. You only reminded me half a hundred times,” she chides.

“I did not,” you quickly say, more for yourself than her.

“You did. Our friend was like to find a place even that Dornish hag hadn’t reached and you come mewling and tugging at my sleeve. Not very ladylike of you,” she continues, leaving you speechless. “But I still love you so and will forgive you if you would only tell me what you did to get him to buy you new clothes.”

“I… did nothing,” you tell her, still wrongfooted and dizzy. She looks at you with those bright blue eyes of hers. For a fleeting moment you see her brother in them and wonder how exactly he would react at her brazen words. Doubtless poorly.

“Truly? I had heard rumors, but it seemed a touch… as you say. My lady,” she awkwardly replies, though you find her hints to be very sobering.

“What rumors?” you demand. She makes to deny, but you repeat and insist. “What. Rumors.”

“Of Wensington… you know. Of your bed. I heard Eileen hushing the others over it,” Ellyn admits.

Rumors of your bed being cold for your faults. That you were shrewish and cold to your knightly husband despite his courtly affections and prowess on the field. Hearing your niece had heard of this makes it sting all the more. She never brought it up to you. Did she pity you? It was no great secret that your husband kept a lover before you were wed. It was the reason for the match to begin with. It was less known that he continued to do so after you were wed. To greater scandal for those of Wensington’s halls he even sired bastards on her, a groom’s daughter, while leaving you fruitless. So many unanswered prayers at the Mother’s altar. Ser Malcolm was not intentionally cruel to you, though, only indirectly so. You did all you could to be a good wife and were occasionally shown the favor you thought you deserved. There were moments, usually when a good tourney was afoot, in which he would show you more attention and, after enough wine, would take his pleasure of you. Each time you finally dared to hope the past was over, but he would always distance himself after. He would turn formal and leave you with some small gift that you would wish to burn. It seems all of this must follow you even now across the Narrow Sea with your husband long dead.
>>
>>5962586
“I see,” is all you say before leaving Ellyn behind. You wish to simply leave, but you have no notion of where you are. Instead, you return to your latest borrowed room of the night, slamming the door by mistake in your clumsy retreat. Vaaro slowly stirs. You know he has seen you, though.

“We need to talk,” you say. He groans and sits up after a long stretch, making no attempt to dress more presentably. You refuse to give him the satisfaction of averting your eyes, though.

“Worst words to come out of a woman’s mouth. It could be said with but two words in Valyrian. I grant that hardly makes it better,” Vaaro lazily responds. “What troubles at whatever hour this is?”

>Tell him you wish him all the best with Ellyn, but also warn him against treating her as you were treated. She could act as a binding between your interests, though it will only be acceptable if he is willing to treat her as she deserves.
>His shift in attentions to Ellyn has bothered you. His interest shown and subsequent coldness in favor of your younger cousin feels a great deal like repeated history and has hit a very sore point. You would like it to stop.
>Ignore the subject entirely. You will give them both no further consideration. You only want to know more of what will be done to see you closer to home or at least in a more secure position on this side of the sea.
>Something else.
>>
>>5962587
>Ignore the subject entirely. You will give them both no further consideration. You only want to know more of what will be done to see you closer to home or at least in a more secure position on this side of the sea.
>>
>>5962587
>>Tell him you wish him all the best with Ellyn, but also warn him against treating her as you were treated. She could act as a binding between your interests, though it will only be acceptable if he is willing to treat her as she deserves.
>>
>>5962587
>His shift in attentions to Ellyn has bothered you. His interest shown and subsequent coldness in favor of your younger cousin feels a great deal like repeated history and has hit a very sore point. You would like it to stop.
>>
>>5962587
>His shift in attentions to Ellyn has bothered you. His interest shown and subsequent coldness in favor of your younger cousin feels a great deal like repeated history and has hit a very sore point. You would like it to stop.
>>
>>5962587
>Something else.
We had assumed we had more time to play this, but it increasingly clear the window of opportunity to get any kind of hold over our own destiny is closing.
We are losing options fast, we should make a move to prove our value before we are sold off.
>>
>>5962587
>Ignore the subject entirely. You will give them both no further consideration. You only want to know more of what will be done to see you closer to home or at least in a more secure position on this side of the sea.
>>
>>5962587
>Tell him you wish him all the best with Ellyn, but also warn him against treating her as you were treated. She could act as a binding between your interests, though it will only be acceptable if he is willing to treat her as she deserves.
>>
>>5962617
>Ignore the subject entirely. You will give them both no further consideration. You only want to know more of what will be done to see you closer to home or at least in a more secure position on this side of the sea.
Let Ellyn run whatever scheme she's running. I don't know why Gwyn would expect anything from Vaaro at this point.
>>
>>5962598
>>5962874
>>5963291
>Ignore what is going on
>>5962599
>>5963132
>Endorse/support Ellyn
>>5962617
>>5962710
>Express desire for them to stop
>>5962771
>Move to prove value. Not 100% sure if this is seduction or in another way.

I'm leaving this open for more discussion/lurkers because it may turn out to be a very important decision. It is within character for Vaaro to get rid of either or both of them, and I plan to include those options in one of the next few posts from his POV. Just as I would have been happy to roll with a majority push for Gwyn to try slitting Vaaro's throat in his sleep as suggested by one anon above, I am equally fine with facilitating Gwyn's downfall if the majority will it from Vaaro's perspective. No character is safe in this quest. I name these quests "House..." because I have no problem with picking up from different POVs if characters die or are reduced to obscurity. I think doing any less would be an injustice to the setting. The books' prologue characters have a poor track record anyway. I have no preference for the outcome. I just want everyone to know that the stakes are real.
>>
>>5962587
>Tell him you wish him all the best with Ellyn, but also warn him against treating her as you were treated. She could act as a binding between your interests, though it will only be acceptable if he is willing to treat her as she deserves.

We already told her to sleep with him

Binding him to us through her is a smart move - at least in the short term
>>
>>5963454
What do you mean "get rid of"? If the Duntreows were sold off, would we abandon them as POVs? I feel there would be merit to keep them around, they started this game enslaved, being sold isn't a huge shift in status.
>>
>>5963827
At the moment we still have some degree of agency. Depending on who we're sold to the rest of our life could easily turn into "wake up, get fucked, repeat" and that doesn't make for a particularly compelling story.
>>
>>5963875
Where there's a will there's a way imo, and we have narrative reasons to find opportunity
>>
>>5963454
It's a bit hard to have the wants and needs of two characters when they're competing against eachother. I really do enjoy the dynamic, though. When I'm thinking of Gwyn, I really hate Vaaro (in a good way) and I think as Vaaro I can understand that she's a stuck up cunt (from his PoV). I think people will probably want to go easy on Gwyn as Vaaro and Vaaro as Gwyn because they're playing both characters.
>>
>>5963827
>What do you mean "get rid of"?
I could've phrased that better. Just meant sell.

>If the Duntreows were sold off, would we abandon them as POVs?
Probably not if only because Gwyn still has an unspent destiny point. The rules would allow her to burn it and influence her fate. I would be compelled to have her sold to someone/somewhere that would not result in an instant bad end. That doesn't mean it would be a fast track to the arms of a husband-material magister, but it would be somewhere where clever play could allow her to turn the situation around.

>>5964191
>I think people will probably want to go easy on Gwyn as Vaaro and Vaaro as Gwyn because they're playing both characters.
This makes sense. So far, I've seen a lot of straight play with the characters to a degree that I genuinely respect, but some amount of bias is bound to creep in. It's been a fun yet challenging experiment.

Anyway, I'm still not seeing a consensus. I'm going to chalk this up to Gwynfryd taking a more subtle approach to hinting some unease over the situation without being too pushy and moving on to asking about what Vaaro is planning to do. If anyone has any plans they would like to put forward for Gwyn to suggest, then please post them in the next 2-3 hours.
>>
>>5964349
Perhaps some kind of confrontation? Demand to know what he has planned for us, why he hasn't sold us, why he bought us new clothes, why he is favoring Ellyn. Ask to know what his future plans for us are?
>>
>>5964349
I think she wants some clarity.
>>
>>5962587
>>Ignore the subject entirely. You will give them both no further consideration. You only want to know more of what will be done to see you closer to home or at least in a more secure position on this side of the sea.
>>
You are Vaaro Orlios

And you had quite the night. The pleasure house’s owner, whose name escapes you in this moment, provided entertainment on her own tab. Your gratitude at her willingness to pay herself with her own coin is somewhat muddled, though. She haggled over Jeyne with all the mercy of a powdered over poxy dockside whore. She took great issue, or rather pretended to take great issue, with your offering of supposedly damaged goods despite your accompaniment by undamaged goods, like a horse trader only willing to sell a lame horse. Under other circumstances you might’ve repaid her banter in kind, but you were at her mercy. Her good mood was needed for appraisal of the Duntreow women, and she was at least indulgent of your uncommon hints towards lower numbers for both. Care for her reputation as an appraiser still meant the women were valued at numbers high enough to humble your coin purse, though. By your reckoning, you would still need to pay out near on nine hundred pieces of silver to your sworn men for sole right to both women. Now, one of those two women stands before you suggesting it is time for talking.

“You woke me from a very bad dream with your stomping and slamming,” you start as you rummage about the sheets for the rest of your clothing. “So for this I will listen if only just this once. What is it?”

“I simply wish to better understand… this,” Gwynfryd gestures around the room.

“What is there to understand? Two women and a man in a bed… or was it three women? And no one got fucked but my coin purse. Ah, I do see your point. Bit of a riddle is it not?” you say.

“I am more interested in understanding your intentions,” she tells you.

“I intend to go finish my dealings so that I might see my family by the setting of the sun. Is that to my lady’s liking?” you say, stifling a yawn at the end.
>>
>>5964622
“I would be interested in the rest of your intentions, ser,” she says.

“I do not doubt your cousin has told you of the Disputed Lands,” you suggest. “A clever man might take chance there. Lyseni have deep wine cellars and are piss poor fighters to boot. It is what I like of them the most.”

“And what are your intentions towards the rest of my kin? Word will need to pass to House Meadows if you seek ransom of Joslyn,” Gwynfryd says as you massage the sides of your skull.

“And who better to deliver it than you?” you summarize.

“Or Lady Ellyn. You seem to have taken quite a liking to her,” she mentions.

“If that is the way you see it,” you say.

“Is there another way to see it?” she sighs. “You have not sold her like the others and have kept her company. You have not sold me either. You even went so far as to buy me clothing without my asking. I must confess I do not understand what you intend of me or why you are doing this. I simply wish to understand.”

What is the truth?
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction.
>“You excited me.” Whatever madness had her bestir you from your stupor in the Stepstones has passed. You suspect her looks misled you to believe there was a depth to her, but now you know better. You prefer livlier company.
>Something else.

What is your plan for the ransom?
>You will send Ellyn with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.
>You will send Gwynfryd with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.
>You will send neither. You will enlist someone else to carry the message or otherwise simply wait until a better opportunity arises.
>Something else.
>>
>>5964623
>>Something else.
> ''you interested me, though you have proven yourself to be shrewish woman and I find myself prefering more interesting company, maybe I'll find you a rich old man to pleasure instead, since you seem so ungrateful to my good treatment of you and seem to have no interest in proving yourself worth more than that to me''
she has neither stepped up or proven her worth beyond some better resale of the boy, I think making it clear upping the stakes for her is on the table for Vaaro.

I'm not really sure what to do regarding the ransom, If Vaaro sends either there is a good chance Vaaro will lose either, Gwynfryd is the better option here if he need's to send someone only because theres been no traction with her, though her family has refused to pay and she seems willful enough to just run off to her house's protection.

addmittedly a thought occurs that Vaaro could just wed Gwynfryd by force and claim the lordship down the line. I have to ask what is just stopping Vaaro from taking her by force at this point? distaste at the act? the lack of sport or personal glory in it?
>>
>>5964623
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction.
>You will send Ellyn with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.
>>
>>5964623
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction.

>You will send Gwynfryd with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.

The best proof of life is the Lady herself.
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>>5964623
>“You excited me.” Whatever madness had her bestir you from your stupor in the Stepstones has passed. You suspect her looks misled you to believe there was a depth to her, but now you know better. You prefer livlier company.
He can always say this and NOT mean it. If we feel she's abused the interest in her to get what she wants, playing coy and acting like Vaaro's no longer interested in her might pull her back in.
>You will send Gwynfryd with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.
I don't think Gwyn would abandon Joslyn, she's also kind of stuck her neck out for Ellyn, Jos (and Alesander to a lesser extent). I expect it would be safer to send her than Ellyn, who seems a bit callous, with the expectation she will return / won't just bail if she is unable to procure an acceptable ransom.
>>
>>5964643
>addmittedly a thought occurs that Vaaro could just wed Gwynfryd by force and claim the lordship down the line.
Power not winning the vote for his goal/motivation has kept that from being a major theme. It's a little impractical without strong support from her and/or a sizeable army. A living lord faced with the prospect of his legacy falling into the hands of a foreign sellsword could easily name his brother or a nephew as his heir instead.

>spoiler
I didn't default to it in the backstory to allow for agency and it didn't make a ton of sense to start after setting excellence/excitement as the driving force behind helping her.
>>
>>5964643
The issue is, Vaaro could force marry Gwyn but that wouldn't make him the lord. I considered proposing that earlier, but say we get back to Westeros. Gwyn has all the power, she could just order his death for the crime of slavery. She'd be still be the lady. Even if Vaaro got the title through some legal chicanery, a bunch of the retainers are still going to be loyal to the Duntreows via Gwyn and will probably just do what she says anyway.
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>>5964623
>“You excited me.” Whatever madness had her bestir you from your stupor in the Stepstones has passed. You suspect her looks misled you to believe there was a depth to her, but now you know better. You prefer livlier company.
>You will send Gwynfryd with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.

>>5964643
>I have to ask what is just stopping Vaaro from taking her by force at this point?
That's for us to decide, no?
>>
>>5964623
Long-term, I personally would like to see both our characters succeed at their ambitions, with Vaaro becoming a renowned pirate/trade lord and Gwyn restoring (and leading) house Duntreow. I don't think these are mutually exclusive. Admittedly, our MCs are not overly fond of one another currently, but I feel they are both shrewd enough to see that they each have something to gain from working together. Having a loyal partner in Westeros that (will soon enough) speak Tyroshi (Valerian?), especially one that could act as a base of operations for sailing the Narrow Sea would be very valuable to Vaaro, and having the military and economic security that comes with that is just as valuable to Gwyn. Ideally, the situation would have that Vaaro produce heirs with Gwyn (and marry?), take Ellyn as a mistress, and build a small navy of trade ships and escorts while gallivanting from Braavos to The Summer Isles. Developing that would surely be a long journey, but the best step towards that from here is to establish trust and cooperation.

I think Vaaro should issue some kind of challenge or ultimatum to Gwyn for her to prove that he should trust her with travelling to Westeros (unsupervised?) on his behalf. Maybe some promises of tracking down, buying, and freeing Ser Donmar to sweeten the deal? Obviously her collar will have to be removed before she leaves. Maybe he could remove her collar, give her enough money to book passage home, and send her to the docks to enlist help and report back? She would be followed of course, and captured if she tries to run, but it would be a good test.

To those ends:
What is the truth?
>“You excite me.”
What is your plan for the ransom?
>You will send Gwynfryd
>>
No way Gwyn is coming back if she goes to Westeros. Same for Ellyn. Even if they want to they are unmarried women. Unless they run away from the castle and why would they do that, they will be kept safe until a husband can be found. A knight or a group of knights will deliver the ransom
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>>5964623
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction.

>Something else.
We don't need the ransom money. Instead she must convince us why she should go back home. If she could then we'll take her there ourself and even fight for her.
>>
I'm going to close the vote in 2 hours. I'm planning to wrap up the thread and start a new one probably for tomorrow night. I'm expecting the pace to pick up a little in the next thread.

>>5964963
Gwyn isn't wearing a collar, just Ellyn. Gwyn wasn't explicitly treated as a slave here, though we could put that to a vote if she remains. IC she would probably assume that Ser Donmar is still in Westeros. He was traveling with her mother to Fawnton over land and wasn't on the ship.
>>
>>5964623
>>5964986
I should vote.
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction
>You will send Ellyn with a Westerosi merchant onwards to Oldtown to carry word to this House Meadows.

Hear me out. Vaaro liked the idea of Gwyn hanging off his arm like a courtesan. Good courtesans aren't easy to get. That is the excellence part. Ellyn is fun but she is easy. Sending Gwyn means losing her for good. Why would he do that?
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>>5965366
>Sending Gwyn means losing her for good. Why would he do that?
Does it? I'm adamant she would come back for Joslyn. Make her swear to resume her captivity.
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>>5965371
Why when a knight can and should come instead? I don't mean from her perspective but from everyone else's. She is a woman in a feudal society. She doesn't have free reign to do whatever she wants. No one is going to let her go on an adventure. They will think she has gone insane for even suggesting returning
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>>5964623
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction.

As for the second vote I don't know what should be our play to get the best value out of her so just promise to her to think about it.
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>>5964623
>“You excite me.” Her lack of appreciation has been grating, but you feel drawn to her. Your actions thus far should be proof enough of this. Her cousin is just a distraction.

>Something else.
Honestly put the question to Gwyn. Let her choose. Does she want to return with the message or send Ellyn. Ask her if she wants to stay with us and make a future.

From meta sense it is still us making the decision but the point I’m trying to make is that Gwyn and Varoo need to have a grown up convo on their future. They are both too guarded up till now.

I think Gwyn should just tell Varoo she wants to partner with him to reclaim what is hers etc. they can have some adventures to prep for their return and how to retain power if other claimants are against them.
>>
Finding her exciting looks like an easy majority. I will include a hint of challenge based on discussion.

For the ransom situation:
>Gwynfryd
>>5964782
>>5964836
>>5964850
>>5964963
>Ellyn
>>5964689
>>5965366
>Something else or some degree of undecided
>>5964643
>>5965029
>>5965390
>>5965398

So for the subject of Gwyn leaving and coming back, I think IC she should know it's possible, but it would require some norm-bending and would risk further damage to her reputation. Lord Meadows, for example, would sooner lock her in a tower in wait for her father than let her go back to Tyrosh, but someone like Ser Donmar might be persuaded to sneak her out. But that's Gwyn's insight. This all might be a little more obscure for Vaaro. Many women have a little more room for decision making in the Free Cities. With how split the vote is, I'm going to err on the side of making it a subvote from Gwyn's perspective tonight.
>>
You are Lady Gwynfryd Duntreow

You excite me.

And you are feeling more than a little taken aback by the bold statement you just heard.

“I beg your pardon?” you say.

“You heard me,” Vaaro says.

“You have done all of this because I excite you?” you repeat.

“Do you doubt this is so?” he returns. “Why else? You have cost me good coin and doubtless made me enemies.”

“I had thought you sought reward,” you venture, still unsure of your own meaning.

“We have passed this. Your lord father refused to pay,” he reminds.

“I suspect that was not solely his doing,” you tell him. It is no secret your uncle has a great deal of sway upon your father.

“How do you know?” he asks.

“Would you abandon me?” you ask.

“No,” he responds. The boldness of it surprises you again. You meet his gaze. He is either the very best of liars or speaks naught but truth. You are very aware of your presence alone with him in this room.

“I would not abandon my kin either,” you rather lamely pivot back to the subject of ransom. “House Meadows may yet reward you, ser. You need only send word to them.”

“As they should. If you have means of delivering this word, then I will hear it,” he says. “Though this does not speak to my reward of you.”

“What reward would that be, ser?” you ask.

“You and your lovely cousin were valued at some two thousand and two hundred silver. That would be some eight hundred and eighty coins that I must pay to my good friends. In fairness, this is a low number. I could do better in sale,” he explains. “But it is a good chunk of the sixty of my take on the rest.”
>>
>>5965696
“In gold dragons, that would be—” you start, struggling to keep up with his quick numbers.

“Not your debased stags. Think silver in terms of… what do you call them? Moons? That would be a further one to seven. I must pay… thirty of your dragons for you to walk as a free woman. Does that seem a small number to you?” he asks.

“Hardly…” you reply, still focused on his implications. You excite me. “What do you wish of me?”

“You tell me,” he says with eyes intent upon you.

On Vaaro
>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>You find him infuriating in more ways than you care to list, but you must admit you feel the same draw. In time, that might grow into something more. If he courts you properly. After his words, he deserves at least that much consideration.
>Words are wind. Take this a step further and show him some token of physical affection.

On Westeros
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
>You would sooner see Ellyn return in your stead. She is resourceful, and it would be a relief to know she is further from harm’s way.
>>
>>5965697
>Words are wind. Take this a step further and show him some token of physical affection.
>You would sooner see Ellyn return in your stead. She is resourceful, and it would be a relief to know she is further from harm’s way.

Bring on the Stockholm Syndrome.
>>
>>5965697
>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
I prefer the dynamic of Vaaro and Ellyn.
>>
>>5965697
>You find him infuriating in more ways than you care to list, but you must admit you feel the same draw. In time, that might grow into something more. If he courts you properly. After his words, he deserves at least that much consideration.
> You would sooner see Ellyn return in your stead. She is resourceful, and it would be a relief to know she is further from harm’s way.
>>
>>5965697
>You find him infuriating in more ways than you care to list, but you must admit you feel the same draw. In time, that might grow into something more. If he courts you properly. After his words, he deserves at least that much consideration.

>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
>>
>>5965697
>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.

I really just don't see her being interested in him.
>>
>>5965697
>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.

Maybe I'm thinking about it wrong, and I know he (personally) didn't kill her but it seems to me Eileen was the person Gwyn loved the most and she was killed during his / his boss' raid. I think it would be too soon for Gwyn to forgive that (if she ever does). She's been really blunt so far, I can't really imagine her rocking the seduction game like Ellyn.

I do think she has to give him *something* though. We could even say it's not up to us, we but we do want to keep our noble name and we do want to retain control of the house with our brothers both gone. Put that convince score to use but I'm not sure if Vaaro would fall for that, or if it's anything resembling a realistic outcome from the PoV of someone looking at Westeros from the outside. I just don't know what Gwyn has to give at the moment beyond sex, which really he can take at any time and the only reason he won't is because he wants it willingly. Anyway, blaming dear old dad also still leaves the door open.
>>
>>5965697
>>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
>>
>>5965697
On Vaaro
>You find him infuriating in more ways than you care to list, but you must admit you feel the same draw.
On Westeros
>You would sooner see Ellyn return in your stead. She is resourceful, and it would be a relief to know she is further from harm’s way.
>>
>>5965697
>>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.

Metawise, I prefer the dynamic of Ellyn and Vaaro. And I honestly think she's more equipped to survive in Essos than Gywn once she settles in and isn't collared, with Vaaro by her side.

Long term, she could very well be one of Gwyn's pieces on her board and marrying Vaaro is an option to get him into the family and as a continued useful asset for Gwyn but not one that requires her to sacrifice her own worth to obtain. More of a chance he can fuck off with Ellyn back to Essos, I will acknowledge.
>>
>>5965697
>Words are wind. Take this a step further and show him some token of physical affection.
>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
>>
>>5965697
>Words are wind. Take this a step further and show him some token of physical affection.

>You would prefer to go back yourself. >Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.

Personally I like Ellyn more as a character
>>
>>5965697
>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
Well dragons did return so it's not a never

>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
>>
>>5965697
>>Words are wind. Take this a step further and show him some token of physical affection.
>You find him infuriating in more ways than you care to list, but you must admit you feel the same draw. In time, that might grow into something more. If he courts you properly. After his words, he deserves at least that much consideration.
idm either just not the first option
>You would sooner see Ellyn return in your stead. She is resourceful, and it would be a relief to know she is further from harm’s way.
get that bitch outta here
>>
>>5965697
>You find him infuriating in more ways than you care to list, but you must admit you feel the same draw. In time, that might grow into something more. If he courts you properly. After his words, he deserves at least that much consideration.
>You would sooner see Ellyn return in your stead. She is resourceful, and it would be a relief to know she is further from harm’s way.
>>
>>5965697
>>Give him the simple, realistic truth. You have no desire to bed a man outside of wedlock, and you’d place his chances of wedding you at about the same as dragons returning. Your lord father would sooner kill him.
>>You would prefer to go back yourself. Your mother’s house might prove to be a safe haven until you can sort out what exactly happened to lead you to your current state.
>>
Looks like Gwynfryd is going back to Westeros and telling Vaaro of her duties. In recognition of the large number of combined votes for the other two options, she can at least hint that her own feelings may not align with her duties under the right circumstances. I'm going to open in a new thread tonight.

>Can I get 2 rolls of 5d6, 1 roll of 4d6, and 1 roll of 3d6? In order, they are for: convince for Gwyn to best explain her duty/role, Vaaro's knowledge roll for ships, Gwyn's knowledge roll for how best to get to Grassy Vale, and Gwyn's seduce roll to subtlely hint that she has her own desires
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 5, 5, 2 = 19 (5d6)

>>5967182
Come on Gwyn, work that convince
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 6, 3, 4 = 19 (5d6)

>>5967182
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 1, 2 = 10 (4d6)

>>5967182
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 1 = 10 (3d6)

>>5967182
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>5967350
Can I reroll the 1 for attractive?
>>
>>5967195
Reroll the 1. Nothing to lose.
>>
>>5967351
Against his intrigue defense of 11, that changes it to a success from a fail. 2 degrees of success would've been better, but it's still not bad for a character weak at seduction.
>>5967195
You can reroll that 1. Or someone else can in the interest of time.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>5967422
>>
Putting it all together:
>>5967195
>>5967423
3 degrees of success. She makes a moving argument.
>>5967350
>>5967351
Success but only 1 degree. Vaaro's disposition towards her won't increase due to her lack of action, but he won't come out feeling spurned as he would with a failure.
>>5967231
2 degrees of success. A reliable Westerosi ship in service to a noble house is identified.
>>5967264
Needed a 12 here. She'll go up through Oldtown. Grassy Vale is in the northeast of the Reach, though. A route through King's Landing, or better yet Wendwater, would've been faster.

Going to pick up in a new thread with the aftermath.
>>
>>5967440
Oldtown will be fun at least



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