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Post by Father on Jan 30, 2022 14:48:13 GMT 1
"There are some" Lysette muses. Ser Mikel of Harroway would at least wish you to succeed enough not to betray you, even if he would not join. Redtusk might take a dislike to the idea of ambush, but that one will not sell you out, I think. Ser Aubrey Ambrose even more so, on both accounts, Lord Roxton will doubtlessly be sympathetic, but likely do as Ser Aemon if you ask, politely inform you that he will forget any talk of it. Ser Lyonel Costayne seems to be the right sort of idealist.
Some, but Lyonel, Addam, Daeron, Mikel and a couple more of rather doubtful inclinations is surely not even half as many as would be needed.
"A lone assassin may indeed have greater chances of success. The ones who would know his weaknesses would be Lady Alicent, Lady Marianne and Lord Durwell, the latter two likely to be the better sources of information, though I know not how much either can be trusted."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 31, 2022 1:08:21 GMT 1
"I don't see Ser Aubrey or Redtusk joining us on a midnight raid. Ser Mikkel might, he's undertaken enough dubious actions to be willing to join us on a suicide mission.
Let's revisit the idea of roping in Lord Gormon and Lady Tanda. The Peakes have power and wealth rivalling or surpassing that of House Merryweather and can count on the loyalty and discretion of their knights, of which they command many. The Peakes are also right now the only house in the Reach who despise Lord Piggy as much as we do.
Lord Marq is someone who I just don't trust enough, but I think that Lady Marianne and Lady Alicent could both see the wisdom in helping us. It's just a matter of time before Lord Eldon goes after their heads and they both know that."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 31, 2022 6:24:38 GMT 1
"Even if we can get all of them, I'm afraid that might not be enough. Unfortunately my lady, this is matter you cannot wash your hands of. We are going to need atleast a dozen or so knights and probably some yeomen skilled with a bow. Most of the men we might be able to find at home, but they will not act unless they know that they know we are working on your behalf. The rest might be able to be bought, but while my pockets are deep, they are as deep as Longtable's. That means promises of service or even favors, something I alone cannot offer."
"I can speak to Lady Marianne and Gormy. Hopefully I can gather some more information and the means to act upon. I figure Ser Roland would be best to ask Lady Alicent. She does have a vested interest in see him alive."
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Post by Father on Jan 31, 2022 12:05:43 GMT 1
"But would Ser Roland necessarily approve of certain actions we may consider to take?" Lysette does not like to hear that their best chance is no good for lack of men, deploying the entire force of Kingsbridge would be unacceptable to her father, and impossible to hide from him. Even if she herself was willing to risk the repercussion of such an assault, it could not be done. Perhaps in retaliation to his murder, but as a means of prevention, vengeance only worked as threats.
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 31, 2022 19:17:01 GMT 1
"It seems that the current state of the realm has certainly changed some of his ideals, but asking his betroth for information that might honorably lead to Eldon's downfall is certainly not an offensive to his moral compass." The whole of Kingsbridge wouldn't need to be raised for this task. 2-3 more members of the companions to help bolster the ranks of those that might be recruited, and Lord William doesn't seem to be the man to keep tabs on what his smallfolk are up to.
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Post by Father on Feb 1, 2022 0:16:38 GMT 1
"If we desire to consider honorable ways of dealing with Lord Eldon, we could certainly include Ser Roland in our counsel, but it is possible that we could involve Lady Alicent in deliberations of the sort of action he might feel compelled to prevent."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 2, 2022 2:54:52 GMT 1
"I admire Ser Roland for many of his qualities, but at his core he is an arrow. He will fly straight and true, but he just needs to be directed by a skilled hand. If we cannot convince him that it is more honorable to serve and protect his lord and betrothed from wicked men, then Lady Alicent certainly can."
He looks over both of them.
"We should assemble our allies and see what they can all provide us.
Ser Addam, will you go to Highgarden and speak with Lady Marianne? Lord Tyrell holds you in high esteem and hopefully his sister will as well. Perhaps also seek out Lady Alicent too? She will be an invaluable ally and like our cousin noted, she has strong reason to ally herself with our cause. Maybe one of them will be able to point out a chink in his armor small enough for a knife to slip through.
Lady Lysette, would you like to join me on a trip to 'visit our Aunt Eleana' at Starpike? It has been a long time since we have paid her a familial visit and perhaps while we're there we could meet with the lord of the castle and see what forces he can contribute. Select members of the Companions won't be enough to overpower the Merryweather entourage, but in concert with with Peake knights we might have a chance.
We effectively have the seeds of two plans here. Let us water them and see how they grow, if we are fortunate then we will have two fruitful plots and a collection of allies willing to help us execute them."
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Post by Father on Feb 2, 2022 12:29:14 GMT 1
"I cannot travel to Starpike only to scheme I fear, I do have to spend my time with father and the maester to be as prepared as I can be for the day the burden of governance falls to me, and lady regnants cannot make a single mistake before the vultures starts circling, thinking her too week and feeble to do a lord's work, as if martial prowess automatically makes one more qualified for quills and ledgers, and Seven forbid a lady riding at the lists to prove her valor!" Lysette never had such inclinations, but she would likely govern the lands better than her father, although one might question her judgement on other matters of course, everyone knows that women's moods and ability to reason are sometimes negatively affected by the position of the moon, although Lysette seems perhaps only a little irritable on some days, and her support for King Daeron does not go in cycles.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 2, 2022 17:17:15 GMT 1
"The vocal support of strong knights, Ser Aemon, Ser Addam, Ser Roland, and myself should dispel any doubts that most might have of your leadership. The risk of a lance through the face ought to do it for the rest of them.
Regardless, unless you'd like to put your preparation to the test sooner rather than later we will need the support of strong allies who have the means and motive to help us take down the Pig and I alone cannot go to Starpike for this meeting. Though I might come from some of the oldest and strongest bloodlines in Westeros and Old Valyria, in matters of representing House Starling, I am but one of many knights and my words can not credibly speak for our house. You, on the other hand, are the heir to the house and wily negotiator. Your words and arguments will be better crafted and carry more weight in this matter than mine ever could.
I understand that you and Lord Gormon have your differences and disagreements, but killing Lord Eldon is a point of mutual benefit to both parties and I would hope that you two can set aside those differences and come together to save the ones you love from horrible fates."
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Post by Father on Feb 3, 2022 0:00:42 GMT 1
"But therein lies the problem, I am heir to Kingsbridge, he is Lord of Starpike and two other castles besides as he is keen to remind lesser lords, the potential consequences for failed conspiracies we are directly involved in can and will affect many more than just ourselves. Mere knights acting independently could get hanged, but there it ends. Lord Gormon would risk the fortunes of his entire house"
"Besides, can you truly trust that man not to betray you any more than Lord Durwell, say? Lord Marq we can only ask questions as to his morals and true character beneath all the charm and panache, Lord Gormon already have enough red in his ledger that we know of to prove his soul to be blackened by sin, a man like that will think little of giving us up for some sort of advantage."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 3, 2022 1:10:12 GMT 1
Daeron nods as he absorbs his cousin's arguments.
"Fair points, but I trust men to act in their own self-interest as opposed out of charity and Lord Gormon is a paragon of acting out of his own interests. Lord Marq, as you've pointed out, hardly has rumors of misdeeds and appears to be a relatively decent man; however, that means that we have no idea concerning his motives and interests. How are we to trust or motivate a man whom we do not understand?
As for plausible deniability, I must concede that point to you. Though I do not love the mental image of me at the end of a rope, I would rather not see you swinging next to me.
I still plan on going before him, but as you recommended, as an independent knight rather than as an official representative of our house. I trust Lord Peake in this instance, but that's the thing with unexpected betrayals, they're unexpected. Perhaps I'll pay a visit to our cousin Lady Tanda first though. She will be a willing participant in any plan that's likely to end Lord Piggy's life and she will know what arguments might sway her lord father."
He closes his eyes in contemplation before giving a wicked grin.
"While we're on the topic of killing the pig, do either of you know how we might acquire some wildfire? I hear that Lord Merryweather travels in a fortified carriage, a smart defense against slings and arrows, but a liability when attacked with unquenchable fire."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Feb 3, 2022 5:30:49 GMT 1
Addam snorted at the mention of wildfire. "Ahh yes, let us reach out to our connections at court. I'm sure the "good" king would be more then willing to lend us a few pots to break his peace." His tone more light hearted than degrading. "Normal fire pots will work, yet lugging around a ballista is anything but subtle." Turning his attention back to Lysette, and incredulous look upon his face. "As a matter of fact I do trust the man. If he wanted to, he could probably serve Daeron and me up on a silver platter to Eldon with ease, yet he hasn't. Your also assuming that if he were to do, he would be gaining an advantage that would actually get the pig to do what he wants. If I understand your command currently, you want us, two knights who's influence you have been unwilling to use and have even worked against, to do all the work and assume all the risk. I merely ask because your lord father has on many occasions said, "a Lord who ask of those sworn to him to preform actions they themselves are unwilling to do themselves, is a lord not worth following."
Intrigue time: Already spoke to Daeron about what my objective would be so if he if he would like to assist, it will be welcomed. Objective: Lysette needs to do something to help. Techinque: Convince ID: 12 (base 9, +2 for knightly Chivalry, and Blood of Valyria means I can treat my status as 1 higher so +1 (also means I get an additional -1 awareness)) DR: 2 (Friendly) Composure: 11/11 Frustration: 0/3 Ounce pre Intrigue Status vs Will: 4d6k3 13 Ounce pre Initiate BOV extra status: 1d6 3 NEW TOTAL:16Ounce Initiative: 3d6 4 Ounce Initiative BoV extra status: 1d6 6 NEW TOTAL: 10
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Post by Father on Feb 3, 2022 16:25:23 GMT 1
"There is no command, we are discussing the weather and the soil, stormclouds beyond the horizon and the feeding patterns of pigs." Lysette smiles coyly. "Even if you can trust him, which I do not, Lord Peake cannot openly discuss or aid you any more than I, although Lady Tanda may have a stronger inclination, she is a woman, after all, or perhaps more of a spoiled little girl mistaking privilege with entitlement, and unlikely to relish the future her father has chosen for her."
"Just be aware that helping her may come at the cost of Lord Peake's disapproval, though perhaps a reluctant forgiveness can be obtained where permission never could be?"
Blood of Valyria doesn't give extra dice, just adds to ID and other non-test results, and technically would make Addam more arrogant, I guess, but I wouldn't enforce it since more arrogant in intrigue than otherwise doesn't make sense to me.
Also not sure what you want her to help with? She can do the NPC thing of working in the background.
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Feb 4, 2022 4:01:40 GMT 1
"Then why not discuss the weather and the soil, stormclouds beyond the horizon and the feeding patterns of pigs with other members of the house as well? Especially when your voice will carry more weight then ours. It seems as if you have an issue, yet you do not want to do anything to solve it."
Yeah I looked back a previous intrigue waayyy back and I did use it as that way, but I figured it might of been an over look so I rolled it separate just in case.
As far as what I want her to do, at this point its anything since it seems she is unwilling to do more than just say "go fix this problem for me". I guess to narrow it down, get us 2-3 other companions as well as some small folk retainers to assist us in this matter. Pretty much give us a small force (a dozen or so men) that we can sublimit with additional knights instead building a force from scratch.
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Post by Father on Feb 4, 2022 21:37:16 GMT 1
"Because my father, Ser Roland and several others of the companions does not have the stomach for discussing how the pigfeed might be improved by the addition of certain herbs, such as Wolfsbane and Tansy...they would be like to react to the subject with the same sort of revulsion that covered your face when we visited Driftmark as children and were served stinky Herring"
Though Lysette's memory of Addam's reaction to that particular dish may be exaggerated, it was certainly nothing like anything they had ever been served in The Reach, before or after.
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