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Post by Mikel of Harroway on May 18, 2019 6:11:13 GMT 1
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Post by Father on May 18, 2019 16:12:37 GMT 1
However disturbing such tales might be, Mikel learns little enough aside from the obvious part that he is the Lord of Deeproot and other things he already knows.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 21, 2019 17:45:12 GMT 1
Too proud to countenance acting as a mere assistant, Roland endeavored to follow his friend's request. So far he did not know the worst that Ser Mikel feared, so merely sought to learn of the man's general reputation and background rather than investigating specifics. Investigate Lord Mandrake D1 whitewalls (potential BotA used as noted used in joust) - Knowledge: 3d6 9- Auto-fails Proud for drama. - Blood of the Andals used if it helps gain a DoS as it wasn't needed for jousting on D1.
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Post by Father on May 22, 2019 14:38:13 GMT 1
Lord Mandrake is known for his generous support of the faith, particularly the sponsoring of the search and preservation of such religious texts as predates the Targaryens in general and the sort that kings such as Maegor and Jaeharys sought to purge (mostly the methods used by the former, a much more prolific burner of books than King Baelor who was much more known for his bonfires.) or quietly encourage the faith to let it's contents fade away by not having them studied or copied (which was how the latter preferred to deal with the matter). He is also as outspoken about the meaning of the unworthy's bequest of Blackfyre to Ser Daemon as a lord can be without being called a traitor, although under most earlier Targaryen Kings, he probably would have been.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 22, 2019 15:43:28 GMT 1
All this is reported back to Mikel dutifully.
All this and more.
Ever proud, Roland cannot resist offering his own opinion, vainly assuming it is of value even when it is not asked for.
"He sounds a godly man, although his loyalties are in the wrong direction. Service with so pious a lord would have much to recommend it were it not for his politics. Still, such follies may be merely temporary and his has done much permanent good to preserve our Faith's teachings. I could vouch for you with Lord Starling too - the Companions could use a man like you. Better a place with us than a grander role as Master of Arms or some such at the cost of serving some disloyal man's ambitions. I know you are a friend of the crown, so I tell you this to avoid you swearing your sword to an unworthy cause in ignorance."
Characteristically, Roland misses the point.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 22, 2019 19:48:28 GMT 1
At his friend's request, Trystane quietly asks around about Lord Mandrake, expecting that there is dirt involved. Why else would Mikel be asking, if not to uncover some malfeasance? Investigating Lord Mandrake - Knowledge: 3d6 11
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Post by Father on May 22, 2019 20:07:51 GMT 1
Trystane hears about Lord Jarmen's relations with the faith and outspoken political leanings, but nothing else of interest or import.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 22, 2019 20:28:01 GMT 1
Trystane finds Mikel after investigating, to relay what he has learned, though makes clear his confusion about why Mikel wants to know.
"Is there something you suspect him of? Because apart from the problems of his religious and political beliefs, I couldn't find anything underhand to dig up."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on May 25, 2019 6:55:00 GMT 1
When Ser's Roland and Trystane are both available Mikel requests their presence in the same place in which they had discussed chivalry. Apparently Mikel had not rented it just for the conversation but was staying their during the tournament.
"Thank you both for your help. Roland, I appreciate your advice and willingness to help me find a home at Kingsbridge should I ever decide to leave Starkwood. Trystane, I fear you have the right of it. Soon after arriving at Whitewalls I enjoying a walk, taking in the sights and sounds of the city and mingling with some of its people. That is when I encountered a distraught young man. He seemed very desperate for my attention - not me in particular mind you, but somebody like me - but seemed not to be having any luck until I spoke with him. He said that he is from a village near Deeproot and came to Whitewalls not for the tournament, but for help. He said that his betrothed was taken to the castle by Lord Jaremy Mandrake, he had commanded her to do so and so she did. Yet nobody has seen her since. When he took his concerns to Deeproot the guards told him to leave, then commenced to beating him. His desperation seemed genuine to me."
He looked at Roland. "I hate that politics could play a part in something like this, but incase it may that is why I have only entrusted you two with my request and now the knowledge of why I made it. I know that Lord Mandrake is here, but I do not believe going to him would be the best way to handle this. I am afraid I might not be very experienced when it comes to investigations, yet I would prefer not to bring anyone else into this. Do either of you have any suggestions? All I can see now is confronting him now or after the tournament though neither option sounds good to me. The only evidence is a young man, and if it is true Lord Mandrake could easily lie and be on the defensive about the entire matter. Perhaps that would even get the girl killed. Yet waiting for him to get to his lands before confronting him would me, or us, in an even greater disadvantage then here and now. There is another way, and I am confident that together we can see it."
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 25, 2019 19:55:22 GMT 1
"Gods... that is grave indeed."
This was the sort of abuse of power Trystane deeply disliked. Smallfolk or not, stealing off with someone's betrothed was low. The irony of that thought was not lost on him either, though his & Amata's situation had been somewhat different.
"Did the fellow give a name for this woman? I could try to make some enquiries among his female staff if they have seen or heard about her."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Jun 4, 2019 0:15:03 GMT 1
"Her name is Madalin. Dark eyes and matching long hair, Walter is the young man she was bethrothed to. He said that she is pretty, and has a slight scar, barely noticeable, beneath her lips. She had fallen when she was young and bitten through. No taller or shorter then most women."
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jun 4, 2019 0:32:44 GMT 1
"Madalin. Madalin..." Trystane echoes, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, in the way he does when making sure a name or phrase sticks properly in his mind.
"What leanings does House Mandrake and its Lord have, politically? I don't think I can engage him directly without arousing suspicion, but it would be useful to know just in case my less overt approach gets noticed and I need to bluff my way out of a bind."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Jun 21, 2019 17:41:03 GMT 1
"I believe he leans toward the cause of our King but I cannot be sure. With all things to consider perhaps we should consider bringing somebody more politically savvy into this? Though to be honest I would prefer not to." The only person Mikel knows who would be suitable for this is Laena, though he could foresee involving her to become him owing her a favor. Another option which comes to mind is speaking with Ser Bryden Rivers, as after helping to train his men in Starkwood lands Mikel felt that he could approach him. But why would wish to help in what is, all things considered, a small matter in the current state of affairs? At least he assumed that is how most nobility would see it. Perhaps he could think on it while they tried something else.
"Getting information through a woman on his staff is a good idea. I do worry about drawing too much attention, given your unique features here in the Riverlands." Mikel smiled to show he meant no ill will. "But I think it is worth the risk. Agreed?
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jun 22, 2019 1:40:52 GMT 1
"I think it could be made to work. Most people here already think me a base lecher because I'm Dornish, so they might not look to closely at my paying some smallfolk girls a visit, especially if I can catch one while she's not under his Lordship's roof. That is my reasoning, at any rate," Trystane says with a little shrug.
"I'm open to any better ideas, of course."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Jun 23, 2019 7:19:18 GMT 1
"I'm open to better ideas too, but I don't have any." He snorts a laugh. "Its a good idea, please let me know what you can find. Perhaps we can find a way to make ourselves useful too." Mikel looks to Roland. "Any considerations on how we might do that?"
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