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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Sept 21, 2019 8:53:37 GMT 1
Mikel and Harold had spent all day packing and provisioning. It had been a much more productive day then yesterday, when he had simply found somewhere to be alone and reflect on the horrors to come. He believed that seeing them now, in his mind, and accepting their possibility would mean he wouldn't have to do it later, or fight against the thought of it happening to him as others were likely to do. Allowing it to distract them and causing them to hesitate. As a squire he had been told before that the most effective men were those who either knew they couldn't be killed or were already dead. Accepting the reality he was walking into seemed what would best put his mind where it needed to be - focused on his survival, on his success.
He had packed his things with care. He had nice clothes, two suits of armor, a small arsenal, and most of his things were of high quality. A room in a safe place, on safe lands, with plenty of food and water and wine. Men and women to socialize with, training partners, fellow Knights and friendly servants and villagers and tradesmen who knew him by name. House Starkwood had won a place in his heart, starting with Lord Ulbert and working its way out to the boundary of his lands. This truly was a different place but not backwards or pagan, it was a place of honor and integrity. Where a Lord served his people and his people loved him for it. When he had chose to serve here he had chosen well.
On his final night he made sure all his things were clean, taken a hot bath, and made his way to the battlements - the view was breathtaking. It was one of his favorite places. Mikel found a place to sit with some whine and started out across the lands of his Lord while the sun began to set. |
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Post by Aerion Flowers on Sept 21, 2019 15:43:51 GMT 1
Aerion had been asked by Lord Ulbert to accompany the Starkwood contingent earlier in the month, after it was determined that there would indeed be one. The older Lord had danced around the subject at first, but soon enough the younger knight was able to suss out that Lord Ulbert wanted him to keep his eyes on Ser Simon to keep him safe. The way it was stated though led Aerion to believe that he was to protect and keep an eye on the young knight Ser Mikel as well. Not that he would let on to that fact to the young knight, for fear of his pride.
The evening before they were set to leave, Aerion happened to be near the area and decided to check in with Mikel and see how he's doing. He himself isn't very experienced in war, thankfully, with most of his learning coming from training grounds with a Lord Leo rather than a field of battle, but he did know a bit about what the young knight might be feeling, and figured it didn't hurt to have another friendly face around!
He greets Mikel and asks him his thoughts on the conflict specifically and the tides of war that are coming with regards to the Blackfyre rebellion. He also attempts to determine how Mikel feels about his idea of a Brotherhood of knights who truly stand for justice, instead of empty vows and personal gain, but won't press the issue if Mikel is vehemently against it (or against the faith militant, since his idea is basically Faith Militant-Lite).
We can play this as a full scene or as a one-two post write up as you please!
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Sept 25, 2019 9:15:30 GMT 1
Mikel was pleased to see Aerion, his first friend when entering service at Starkwood, and offered him wine and gestured to a place to sit. "I imagine this is the first step in the war to come, whether that was intentional or not, or if there will be a lull between the fighting in regards to the feud and the fighting in regards to the crown. If nothing else it will be a good warm up for what is to come. A hundreds of years old feud will be extremely violent, even as far as wars go. Expect to see generations of hatred and bad blood played out against whoever is unfortunate enough to be overwhelmed." Said as more of a statement then a sentinment, Mikel continued. "A brotherhood of Knights who live their oaths would be a blessing. Especially if they took the life of a professional company, as is common across the seas." Mikel was sure that Aerion had spoken to Davos in regards to his experience. "The trouble would be, who leads them and who is their master? Septons and Lords are both men, some good and some bad. So who could be trusted with just such a company? And who could maintain a standing body while keeping them only at the service of their oaths?" He considered the question he himself just posed and offered an answer. "I do believe that the King we have now would be a fair master. But if he were to sponsor it, so to say, it would become the enemy of all those who stand against the king - as is right, but it sounds like you wanted their enemy to be what is wrong and not to be a matter of whose side somebody is on, yes?"
[OOC: Cool with a full scene if you are!] |
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Post by Trystane Sand on Sept 26, 2019 3:13:05 GMT 1
The pair hear boots on flagstone approaching, and Trystane comes into view, sauntering up to them with a wineskin in hand.
"Room for one more? I brought extra wine," he chirps, giving them both an amiable smile.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Sept 28, 2019 6:33:57 GMT 1
Mikel greets Trystane and gestures him to another make shift seat. Then he tells Trystane what they are talking about, and what he had said about it. It did not escape Mikel's memory that while at Whitewalls during their discussion of chivalry, a very similar subject had been discussed at length.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Sept 29, 2019 2:31:38 GMT 1
"A cheery subject, I see," Trystane chuckles, though his levity only partially masks an uneasy tension as he sits down, taking in the view.
"The way you describe it, it sounds like a good idea, but it could end up just being another Faith Militant, and from what I understand it there are barely a handful of people who actually want that, so most people will be very wary of anything that even vaguely resembles it."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Oct 5, 2019 7:04:18 GMT 1
"Aye, agreed. So could something like that be made and not be feared to become the next faith militant?"
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Post by Trystane Sand on Oct 9, 2019 23:46:55 GMT 1
"Aye, agreed. So could something like that be made and not be feared to become the next faith militant?" Perhaps, if everyone currently alive forgot the Faith Militant ever existed, so they would have no bad memories to make them wary, and the thing that you set up wasn't populated with zealots or tyrants or unscrupulous men who seek power for nefarious reasons. I want to believe there are more good men in the world than bad, but the pattern of history doesn't seem to support it, I'm afraid. And with this war on the verge of breaking out, we're about to be even more short of good men," Trystane sighs. |
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Oct 17, 2019 21:28:12 GMT 1
"Good point, if its related to the faith it will be seen as the faith militant. And if it is related to the King of course those who do not support him will see them as the enemy. It would almost need to be an order separate from the Faith and the King yet tied to both. A charge to enforce the King's laws and a blessing by the faith to conduct their duties in the best interest of the faithful." From his expression it is clear that he is forming the idea as he speaks and is not quite satisfied with what is coming out. "Upholding the laws of the land and empowered to do so by crown and by faith so that nobody is excluded from their justice. And yet where does their loyalty lie? Saying with the people, or in morality, or something like that is too abstract and also if they deviate they must be held accountable. I believe it could not exist without declaring a loyalty to make those empowering them feel safe with such an idea." He sighs in thought.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Oct 22, 2019 1:33:35 GMT 1
"You rightly pick out yet another thorny issue. From where such a band should draw their authority. I would agree that being accountable to the people is a noble goal, though 'the people' are not a unified whole any more than the faith or the the nobility or any other group. Can we learn something useful from the likes of the Companions? While not wholly independent, they have their own internal code and qualifiers, and they seem to be dedicated to justice and righteousness in principle, even though their members do not always live up to the ideal. But what man can truly say he has lived perfectly his whole life?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Oct 29, 2019 3:50:01 GMT 1
"I agree, surely no man is perfect. I am afriad I do not know very much about the companions. It seems to me that you are right, they have a set of guiding principles that they like to speak about following but I can not say it seems to set them apart from most other House Knights. I have the impression that perhaps they are more regimented, making time for training and piety but I have nothing solud to base that guess upon."
"I imagine if a man had the funding and the support required he could shape such a company and use it to whatever ends his support deemed it to be used for. The support, or benefactor, would also be tgere to hold the group accountable for its transgressions if the group should fail to do so itself."
"The conversation puts me in mind of the free companies across the narrow sea. Its a very interesting thought. I think most of Westeros would balk at the idea but truly, imagine if a professional company who honored its word were brought into things? Theyd like be the most dangerous banner."
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Post by Trystane Sand on Oct 29, 2019 23:07:15 GMT 1
"I confess they interest me too. Perhaps if things get too heated here, I shall run away to the Free Cities and start a band of them myself," Trystane chuckles, though only half joking.
"Can't be any worse than what we have here, and the weather is better."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Oct 31, 2019 8:28:06 GMT 1
"I confess some regret for not having had the idea years ago. Perhaps I would have taken half that time I spent traveling the Kingdoms and spent it with a company instead. The thought still tempts me though, but I could not go before these troubles pass. Else what good is my word, if I swore to serve and left when service was needed? But lets keep it in mind, eh?" He smiled. The thought had taken root and Trystane's half jest had only served to nuture it.
"Lets try approaching the subject from another angle though. Instead of saying how can this come to be, let us instead say, how could we bring it into existence? Now, exactly" He emphasized the word. "What would this company do?"
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Post by Trystane Sand on Nov 5, 2019 22:56:04 GMT 1
"I would ordinarily suggest that the knightly vows are a good starting point, protect the innocent and such, but not all knights hew to their own vows, so I'm not sure they are enough on their own."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Nov 8, 2019 3:05:19 GMT 1
"The vows should be enough but if they were I doubt we would ever see turmoil within our realm. But we do, even when most would say that we shouldn't and we don't when most might say that we should. So, some may try to live by the standard set by the oath they took but I do not think any of us would say that most men do. Or at least that most men do most of the time. So what are men most likely to do? Whatever is most in their interest."
"The Faith Militant drew the most devout and it worked well. Lords draw those who seek their livelihood through arms, and it works well. The professionals over sea are paid for their services, and that is what works for them. So how to bring a company of men together to do what is right? Supposing they can be led by morality and held to that morality through force of discipline, without the means to offer all the needs of ones life and unwilling to be used to sate the needs of Lords or Septons it seems the only choice left is pay."
"Secure the Kings approval to have a standing company, even a small one, lest you be a law breaker yourself. You will need a royal writ to act anywhere in the Kingdoms because everywhere belongs to somebody. Secure a blessing from the church, perhaps even request a Septon to travel with the company, and you've just allowed any one except those opposing the King to feel like service in this company is an option. So lastly to draw them in, offer pay. Then you'll have men. If you company performs well you'll have even more. If they perform to that standard of morality, then those who come to you will be of similar cut."
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