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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jul 11, 2019 2:16:14 GMT 1
“ My Lord, it is a great pleasure to meet one of the heroes of our many conflicts with Dorne. My cousin has expressed my feelings in the matter succinctly. The truth of the matter is that my own experiences have convinced me that the actions of foreign Dornish interests are not merely dastardly, but coordinated to undermine and weaken the Reach, and that this has not been observed by most lords because they are accustomed to honourable combat and the rules of chivalry that accompany it.”
“My own father was a chivalrous knight, my Lord, but that availed him nothing when his Dornish half brother looked upon his seat with avarice. Now he and my lady mother lie dead, and Ser Eustace rules as regent in Mustard Hall. Assassins on their own lands, a knife in the dark, slanders and rumour, these are tools we Reachmen are unaccustomed to, but are much preferred across the Red Mountains. They have already chosen their next target my lord, and you may well have heard tell of their machinations. House Cordwayner shall be the next to fall beneath the Dornish Yoke, lest such things be averted by men of clarity and conviction.” Torn between the countenance of an anguished maid and a doomsaying prophetess, Lyness spoke slowly, and with conviction, outlining the threat with an emphasis on its malevolence and coordination.
Will throw in intrigue details later, but consider it initiated.
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Post by Father on Jul 11, 2019 14:35:50 GMT 1
Lord Walgrave agrees readily, he himself have taken note of it, of course, the Daverhyl half-breeds, the Starkwood half-breeds, one of them savagely murdering good Ser Lambert. Not to mention how Ser Dagos Manwoody poisoned Lord Bryce and then used the tactics of a coward to get away with his murder. If Lord Walgrave is to guess, the knights of House Bridges did the honorable thing and brought Ser Dagos and his accomplices to justice, including that snake of a nephew claiming the lordship for himself. Arguably, the noble thing to do would be to ride for the wall, but that would leave the Reach bereft of such gallantry. Initiative: 8d6k6 20ID: 17* DR: 3 Composure: 15* Objective: Friendship, for lack of better alternative. Free Action Breeding: 8d6k6 27 Surely a 3+ DoS for a pool of +2b. *+1 if your objective is to have him consider marriages.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jul 12, 2019 8:44:13 GMT 1
Lynesse was uncomfortable with the tenor of Walgrave’s words, just as she had been with Balon’s. She agreed about the fundamental risk the Dornish posed to the reach, and that this danger was deeply rooted in ethical and cultural flaws of the Dornish, but still found herself a little uncomfortable with the sweeping statements about their moral character in light of the few exceptions she had glimsped in Ser Davos and Ser Trystane. Nevertheless, she steeled her resolve and continued. “With the Martells and Dayne’s playing their games in King Daeron’s Court, The Manwoody’s with House Bridges, and the Blackmont’s with House Daverhyl, it seems many of Dorne’s major Houses are acting in concert to entrench themselves, and yet the Cordwayners stand alone as Alicent Yronwood moves to place her own puppet onto the Lordship of that house. How could any House of the Reach hope to survive such a coordinated manipulation if our response is isolated and fragmented?” She posed her idea as a question so as to draw a response from Lord Walgrave. Surely a response was required, and her proposed solution would be more palatable if he agreed with the premise. Free Action: Deception [Act] Matchmaking OG - Free Action Act: 6d6k4+3 23 For 2 degrees against awareness 4, resulting in a further +2 to ID until read. [or +3 if he is awareness 3] Initiative: Matchmaking OG - Intiative: 5d6k4+1 14 Going second. DP: 4 [Presuming Attractive doesn’t apply] ID: 14* [Assuming +2 from Free Action] Composure 12/12 R1 Action [Going second]: Read Target Matchmaker OG - R1 Read Target: 6d6k4+1 16 - unsure if an assist from Balon applies, but charismatic does.
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Post by Father on Jul 12, 2019 12:13:58 GMT 1
Walgrave snorts at the mention of Roland, the perfect puppet, a noble fool, naive to a fault. It would be Lady Alicent wearing the breeches in that union to be sure. As manipulative as she is deceptively beautiful. However, the Yronwoods are hardly so bad as, say, Daynes or Fowlers. Though more like in the manner that small rats are not so bad as giant rats.
Free deception is 2 DoS. ID: 18 DR: 3 Composure: 16 Objective: Friendship, for lack of better alternative. Charm+1b: 6d6k4+4 23 is 2*5-4=6 influence dealt. He goes first, Lynesse's read target fails, even with assist. (Balon can assists if he takes that action, needing to make a Persuasion (convince*) TN 9, *if convince is what you're going for. You can fudge your iniatives so that Balon's assist tests comes in before Lynesse's actions. Second round: Charm+1b: 6d6k4+4 17 is 1*5-4=1 influence dealt.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 15, 2019 7:45:31 GMT 1
Just to speed things up mechanically as Balon's "help" is limited: Matchmaking OG, Assist Lynesse, TN9: 3#3d6+2 12 12 10, +1 Assist for R1 - 3
"Lord Walgrave while the Yronwoods might be the... least worst," Balon couldn't think of an acceptable euphemism, "of Dornish houses I'd much prefer a lady of the Reach counseling the Lord of Hammerhal. As much as it pains me to say this as you know I've inquired about her hand, Lady Sybelle would make a fine wife for Lord Quentin. Your second son already squires for Lord Quentin, perhaps it's time to strengthen a burgeoning friendship into a formidable alliance?""Moreover it'd give Ser Roland his fellow King Daeron sycophants" Balon was using every big word he'd ever learned from Lord Gormon, "pause in their quest to usurp Hammerhal if they knew it was buoyed by House Oakheart and House Peake."
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jul 18, 2019 8:03:28 GMT 1
"Little rats or big rats may well be apt," replied Lynesse noncomittantly, "but can you rest content seeing yet another House fall under the sway of Sunspear, my Lord?"
The question is simple, and straight forward. Either Lord Walgrave was prepared to act on the matter, in which case there was some manner of fruit for further bargaining, or he was not, and there could not be. Matchmaking OG - DP: 4 ID: 14* Composure 6/12 Read Target: Matchmaker OG R2 Read Target inc. Assist/Charismatic: 6d6k4+2 20 Hopefully a success this time?
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Post by Father on Jul 18, 2019 11:19:18 GMT 1
No, that he wants not, though Lord Walgrave is a shrewd man, raising the objection to Balon that there is a considerable risk in a marriage union to someone that might well be declared a bastard and stripped of their title. A risk Lord Oakheart would prefer someone else to take.
That's indeed a success. ID: 18 DR: 3 Composure: 16 Objective: Friendship, for lack of better alternative. Charm: 5d6k4+4 24 3*4-4=8
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jul 18, 2019 14:36:26 GMT 1
Coming here with the solution had been a mistake, Lynesse realised. Walgrave was far too experienced and self assured for that. Instead it should be posed as a problem, with the solution to be of his own choosing. "My Lord, you wish to protect your family and your house from the ravages of Dornish conspiracy is natural and wise. By the laws of gods and men, House Oakheart owe nothing to House Cordwayner, but neither does House Blackbriar nor the true scions of House Daverhyl, and yet here we are nonetheless. I am but a maid of six and ten and yet I know that when one man in the shieldwall falls, his life is lost, and his neighbour stands at greater risk, and his neighbours neighbour, until the entire formation shatters, unless the breach is repaired. We are not here to ask favour, or to seek charity, but to seek leadership. The Cordwayners are in peril, and the risk of another breach in the fabric of the Reach is imminent, threatening us all. What is to be done?" Lynesse's tone is steeped in respect and earnest concern. Walgrave is the experienced leader here, the man with the clarity of vision that so many of his peers lack. Let him strengthen House Cordwayner on his own terms.
Takes a point of frustration to ignore composure damage. Matchmaking OG - DP: 4 Frustration 1/4 ID: 12/14 [lowered by frustration, boosted by free action] Composure 4/12 [presuming 1 DoS R3: Manipulate: Matchmaker OG: 5d6+3 19, up to 20 with the assist. The idea is to place Walgrave into a position where he can dictate terms if he defeats Lynesse in the intrigue, in keeping with his views of the Dornish and the threat posed by a Dorne-influenced House Cordwayner. I can alter this if it doesn't fit with your reading of manipulate, but I'm basically using Eldon's trick from Summerhall.
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Post by Father on Jul 18, 2019 14:42:44 GMT 1
Trying to make him bargain is it? Also, I think your composure should be 2, it was 6, then 8 was dealt, then frustration restores 4.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jul 18, 2019 14:51:24 GMT 1
My mistake, I was treating it like a wound and absorbing all damage.
Yes, the goal is to force him Into bargaining, although since his goal is merely friendship, I would think the real motivation is maintaining his good reputation among anti Dornish partisans, as Balon and Lynesse both apparently are. Again, I’ve made some guesses about characterisation and the rules, but that’s my take.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 18, 2019 23:02:25 GMT 1
No, that he wants not, though Lord Walgrave is a shrewd man, raising the objection to Balon that there is a considerable risk in a marriage union to someone that might well be declared a bastard and stripped of their title. A risk Lord Oakheart would prefer someone else to take. "My lord I acknowledge there is risk. We here," Balon motioned to the three of them, "know that houses of ill repute like the Levalles will tell the story of infidelity over and over until the lords and smallfolk forget it's a lie. But this slander can be stamped out forever by action. Action by men like you Lord Walgrave. For who can question Lord Quentin's parentage when a principal bannerman willingly weds his highly coveted daughter to him?""Plus," Balon searched for a way Lord Walgrave could end the marriage in the event Maegelle's children were declared bastards, "in a worst case scenario there are ways for the marriage to end. A Council of Faith could be called." Balon wasn't a 100% on how the Faith could end a marriage but there were rare cases. "A marriage under a false pretense of lineage is no different than a marriage at sword point. I also wouldn't put it past Lady Alicent to *insist* to Ser Roland that Lord Quentin be sent to the Wall should they succeed in usurpation." Balon tried to think of what else might assuage Walgrave's fears. "What if Lady Maegelle agreed that she and Lord Quentin wouldn't object to an annulment should her children be declared bastards?" Unlikely but possible. Balon sighed, "I wish there was a way for me to share this risk with you, my lord. You know I'm loyal and more than willing to do my duty." A vague reference to his "work" in the Red Mountains. Matchmaking OG, Assists, R4-6: 3#3d6+2 9 8 13. +1 Assist on R4 & 6
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Post by Father on Jul 19, 2019 0:47:39 GMT 1
Annulment or other options does not undo the consummation, and finding another husband would be more difficult, though Lord Walgrave would consider Ser Normyn, arguably of a more fitting bloodline for a lady of a house that once provided Queens to House Gardener. And any attempt to have Lord Quentin attainted as a bastard would naturally compel House Oakheart to side in his defense as Ser Normyn would presumably the one accused of being the father, Lord Walgrave would be honor-bound to commit all his influence to his cause if such was the case. It appears that Lord Oakheart, while probably more inclined to fight hard and open against Ser Roland becoming Lord Cordwayner, does not have any greater appetite than Lord Peake for risking one of his blood being married to a suspected bastard, though he appears quicker to consider giving the hand of a daughter to Ser Normyn where Lord Peake seems reluctant to offer more than a niece.
ID: 18 DR: 3 Composure: 16 Objective: Friendship, for lack of better alternative. Bargain: 6d6k4+4 20 Is 2*5-4=6 influence dealt, taking defeat rather than frustration would mean he'd have to offer something for that friendship, although marriage considerations are a bit far off all things considered.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jul 20, 2019 9:18:29 GMT 1
Lynesse looked to Balon for guidance in the next step, but sees that only one path lay ahead of them. “A marriage between Lady Sybelle and Ser Normyn would be a vote of confidence in House Cordwayner my lord, and would be likely to weaken the slander against Lord Quentin, and perhaps embolden others to rally to their cause”, she nodded agreeably. “Such a match would likely result in the next Lord Oakheart countingthose of royal blood among his cousins and kin.” “Indeed, if a Lord as respected as you were to so publically repudiate the rumours, men would know them for a falsehood and know their origin in Dornish conspiracy.” - Intrigue action: R4: Charm [ Matchmaker OG R4 Charm: 7d6r1k5+4 28]Compromise offered: Ser Normyn and Lady Sybelle, with a public repudiation of the rumours of Illegitimacy. I’ve included the influence roll only in case Walgrave doesn’t accept the compromise, in which case Lynesse takes another point of Frustration, leaving her with 2/12 composure.
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Post by Father on Jul 20, 2019 20:50:55 GMT 1
He is willing to put that match on the shortlist of marriages that he finds sufficiently favorable to negotiate terms for in good faith, but not scratching out any other options on that list.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 24, 2019 7:55:52 GMT 1
Balon nodded along in agreement as Walgrave counter-offered a Sybelle & Normyn union. It wasn't ideal but he'd gotten more out of Lord Walgrave than Lord Gormon. "My lord I greatly appreciate the consideration you've given to us today. Perhaps after the melee I could arrange for a small gathering between you and House Cordwayner. Ser Normyn has agreed to ride with me and with the Seven's blessing us three shall be the last knights standing." Balon broke out into a wider smile. A little bit of flattery never hurt. Balon made a mental note to make sure Ser Normyn stayed in the melee as long as possible. The better he did the more he'd impress Lord Walgrave and the more consideration he'd be given when the time came to wed Lady Sybelle.
"While we're on the subject of marriages there is something else I wanted to talk to you about...."
Not looking to expand further than that. More of a tease for other things to come.
- The yield option of Ser Normyn being put on the short list for a Sybelle union is accepted. On to other fish!
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