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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 1, 2018 23:16:30 GMT 1
The day's clear weather was in marked contrast to the unease Roland felt in his soul. He had always enjoyed Lord Willum's company at other tournaments, and had got to know the boisterous young man well at Highgarden. It had been one of the few bright spots of this cursed tourney.
"But Ser, you said that Lady Orme seemed intent on dark deeds," implored his squire Hugh Blackwood, breaking Roland's reverie.
"That I did lad, and it is as true now as it was then. If all goes well, I shall defeat my friend but spare him the savagery of Ser Rennifer, which is what I fear Lady Orme intended. If the Seven judge Lady Amerei Orme's cause just and I can spare Lord Willum's life with honour, he shall have Lady Laena Pyre to thank, not me. Today should be about honour and the young lady that was wronged, not blood. Now pass me my helm."
Roland had observed Lord Willum in previous tournaments and at Highgarden - the man was a match for many veterans and champions during a formal joust. Stripped of the organisation and formality of such circumstances Roland's combat experience would hopefully give him an edge. He was unsure if the boisterous young Lord had ever actually had to kill.
Many knights just a few years his junior had been spared such, due to the peace with Dorne.
Many knights just a few years his junior agitated for war, due to the peace with Dorne.
He saluted Lord Willum, remaining on foot for now in case his opponent would prefer such. He owed him that much at least, and the courtesy of tourney lances, ensuring Hugh prepared one to clearly signal his intent.
Duel stats
PR: 19
AR: 10
Health: 12/12
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Post by Alliser on Nov 1, 2018 23:36:13 GMT 1
News reached his ears early in the morning that Lord Karl was to duel Ser Roland. A wide smile passes over the devious Lord's face. it does appear that I owe a certain Lady a favor. Thank the God's. "may the seven be just in their judgement. Ser Roland is a strong Knight."
I do not expect this to be the end, no matter what Lady Orme says. However it will be good that he survives this day. Hopefully we will get them married and my niece will have an heir in her belly before the year is out.
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Post by Father on Nov 2, 2018 12:35:51 GMT 1
Lord Karl rides in as if he have already won, happy that his beloved's fears need not keep him on the sidelines, against Ser Roland there were no more risk than in a regular joust so nothing for her pretty head to worry about. Now, let's win this thing in her honor, he lifts his tourney lance in salute.
PR 18 AR 10 Health 12 |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 2, 2018 13:03:36 GMT 1
As he kicked Fortitude in to a charge, all the doubt left his mind, replaced with only duty and certainty. The mother's faults are not the daughter's to bear, just as House Cordwayner's are not my own.The Seven were with him, no observer could doubt such. His blowy was worth of the wronged party: innocent and pure, unlike the bastartd Lord Willum had sullied himself and his sworn betrothal with. D9 Willum Duel HiS,EF;SiS;CyB: 7d6k4+10 34 6d6k4-2 13 6d6k4 22- correct, should be +8 on Charge, added TK from force of habit, still 4 DoS due to Willum's Aggressive. - 9 Damage per Dos, 4 DoS = 36 Damage - 10AR = 26 Damage [OOC: Saving my good rolls up for this rather than the joust or any duel from hopefully facing down Lord Merryweather! Perfect story stuff as Roland's belief in a righteous cause is clearly strong enough to seize orokos. I had been looking forward to a chance to use my sword again!] |
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Post by Father on Nov 2, 2018 13:13:46 GMT 1
Lord Karl rides like possessed, but where he charges like a lion, he ends up on the ground as a pelt.
A3+HiS+EF: 5d6k3+10 24 6d6k4-3 13 6d6k4 21He takes 50 damage and is defeated. He deals 2x10=20 damage. |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 2, 2018 19:14:38 GMT 1
Lord Willum's blow would leave a bruise, but it seemed no permanent harm was done.
Roland's foe was not so fortunate, tumbling from his mount with a great crashing sound.
Perhaps it was the Seven's justice, striking the hand he had used to paw at a bastard, dishonouring his betrothal. Or perhaps it was for daring to think of raising the hand against Prince Maekar himself.
Roland saluted Lady Orme, unsure as to the political fallout from his actions. He had chiefly acted to preserve his friends life and defend a wronged party, even if it meant aiding a schemer he barely knew but already disliked. Had he now doomed Lord Willum to an unhappy marriage with a mother in law that detested him and a wife that he had already wronged?
"Your daughter's honour is defended my Lady."
With that he swung himself from his worse, calling for a maester to at least set Karl's hand in the right position for clean healing.
"You would have had me down in the dirt alongside you had we met in the tourney, I am certain of it."
Consequences of defeat: other - fractured sword arm to keep him out of the melee.
[OOC: forgot the extra +1 damage from my horse's strength, not that it matters! Should have been 10 per DoS, looks like our narrator corrected this for me! Cheeers.]
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Post by Father on Nov 2, 2018 22:40:01 GMT 1
Lord Karl grunts in pain, his spirits only lifted slightly by Roland's words. Muttering to himself that now that he might have to wield his weapon in his left hand, his opponents might have a chance against him.
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Post by Septon Abelar on Nov 2, 2018 22:56:12 GMT 1
Septon Abelar steps out from the crowd, full of righteous fire. "The Gods have judged Lord Willum! Lady Orme's honor rides high, just like her champion!" He sweeps an arm toward Roland, his voice booming out. "Look upon justice, then look within and repent!"
It is a highly satisfying outcome--one that could only have been surpassed if Roland had separated Lord Willum's head from his shoulders.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 2, 2018 23:31:45 GMT 1
Laena made sure to make time to watch the challenge. Either a lecherous lord would be slain, or Lord Levalle would owe her a favour. Either outcome might raise her spirits.
* * *
As it turns out, it didn't. Despite the outcome being about as good as could be hoped, she could only observe dispassionately while her body gave an empty smile and joined the polite applause.
As soon as she could, she departed, her body burning with the need to move. Somewhere. Anywhere. Closer.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 3, 2018 12:45:04 GMT 1
Roland couldn't help but smile at Lord Willum's words, despite all that had gone at the tournament so far. If they'd had a score of men with his bravery Dorne might have been brought in to the realm by force of arms rather than marriage.
"Well said my Lord, or mayhap two shields? Were you any lesser man I would think such boldness was lightheaded talk brought on by milk of the poppy."
With the boistrous lord defeated and injured but perhaps not chastened, Roland then met Laena's gaze and offered a bow. He did not approach, and was unsurprised at her swift departure with her tourney champion slain by poison in the night.
Lord Willum may not know it, but he owes her his life.
Suddenly a darker thought hit him.
Great Bastards seldom do anything without a purpose and I doubt she was moved by some child's plight. I wonder what part I have planned in some plan?
He was no courtier, but was slowly beginning to understand court's battlefield.
Roland passed his helm to his squire and strode over to Septon Abelar, dropping to both knees with his head bowed, after the manner of a squire performing his vigil.
He did not have the charisma and presence the Seven had gifted the Septon, but made it clear by his deeds that he continued to support the man despite yesterday's farce with Butterbumps.
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Post by Septon Abelar on Nov 4, 2018 17:56:23 GMT 1
Roland passed his helm to his squire and strode over to Septon Abelar, dropping to both knees with his head bowed, after the manner of a squire performing his vigil. He did not have the charisma and presence the Seven had gifted the Septon, but made it clear by his deeds that he continued to support the man despite yesterday's farce with Butterbumps. Abelar traces the sign of the seven-pointed star in the air over Roland's bowed head. "The Seven guide your lance today, ser. So it is when a knight stands for the faith." The septon turns to the larger crowd, his voice now booming. "He wears faith as his shield, and his shield is unbroken! He carries honor as his lance, and his foeman lies in the dust!"
"Ser Roland stood in this trial not because his lord commanded him to, but because he remembers his holy vows--to be brave, to be just, to defend the young and innocent, and to protect all women. When a knight so stands--on his faith and honor alone--he stands as a son of the Warrior himself! A champion of the people!" Abelar paces about, keeping the crowd engaged. "A captain in the melee!"
"We are blessed that knights of virtue did not depart our world with the likes of the Dragonknight or Ser Damon Morrigen! Those of you who are knights in the crowd, pledge him your sword in the melee, and stand for faith and honor!"
The goal here is to whip up support for Roland in the melee, to convince any knights present that they will fight better if they adhere to the faith, and to generally plant the seed of association between piety and valor.
[D9 Willum] Persuasion (Convince) [Orator] whip up crowd for Roland: 7d6k5+2 23 |
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Nov 4, 2018 18:51:41 GMT 1
He had been there at the beginning, so it was only fitting that he be there at the end, not that this was an end of the matter by any means.
He glanced at Lady Orne.
Will this be enough for you? I doubt it very much. Were I in your place and felt as passionately as you do, it would not be enough for me. You sit in judgement of others and the wound to your pride runs deep. You will not be satisfied until Lord Willum is shackled or destroyed, and perhaps now the latter is preferable.
A look at Septon Abelar.
Another opportunity to grandstand. Perhaps an opportunity to repair some of the damage Butterbumps did to you. A chance to repaint some of the veneer you lost. Ser Roland obviously believes the veneer over the reality. Why shouldn't he, I suppose. Is it a lie when the speaker believes it just as fervently, if not more so?
He looks to Ser Roland.
A kind and generous soul. Perhaps a bit blind to what is going on around him. When the veil is lifted from your eyes and you see the devastation around you, will you still be a kind and generous soul? I hope so. Even worse than a man's death is the killing of his soul. A man is good not because there is evil in the world, but in spite of it.
Finally, his head turns to Lord Willum.
I wonder, for all your pride, whether you realize how irrelevant you are. Forces of dark and light swirl about you and you are oblivious. You are a child that never grew up. I admire that, but you kept the naivete of childhood without learning any of it's lessons. Every child knows if they are naughty they will be punished. They calculate whether the action is worth the punishment and act accordingly. I hope the woman you marry, if you survive so long, will love you deeply and be strong enough to protect you. I doubt you have much of a future otherwise.
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Post by Father on Nov 5, 2018 17:05:36 GMT 1
Lord Alekyne Yelshire is nudged forward by his wife to promise his blade to Roland's cause, though more significantly he is followed by his champion, Ser Arlan Green. Lady Kyra appears passably satisfied with this turn of events, but to be pleased, Lord Karl ought to have suffered worse. The septon was right in this. Mayhaps the fool might face justice in the melee? Either way, Roland had performed adequately enough that Lord Orme is told to join him in the melee. |
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Post by Septon Abelar on Nov 6, 2018 2:53:52 GMT 1
Finished with oratory for the nonce, Abelar brushes past Lord Yelshire and his champion, patting them on the shoulder and nodding his appreciation. But his true target is Lady Orme. He speaks as if she had not rebuffed him earlier, but keeps his voice low. "Lady Kyra, I hope you are pleased with this result. As you can see, the field of honor is no place for the base clash of brutes and blades--it requires that your cause be carried by a virtuous knight." He meets her gaze. "Find some other place to loose your dog."
EDIT: Is Arlan Green really Yelshire's champion? The cast thread has him as the champion of House Varner.
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Post by Lysette Starling on Nov 6, 2018 5:43:59 GMT 1
From the stands, the Lady Lysette Starling watches the proceedings as well, face set in a slightly concerned pinch. She notes Laena's reaction, and the undercurrents passing between the lords and ladies present. She notes too, with some disapproval, how eagerly the septon douses himself with the politics of the situation. Who's cause was he angling to raise, she wondered...his House's, or his own?
And Roland. What to do with Roland?
She looked over her left shoulder at one of the men set to protect her and asked him to go speak with Ser Roland...to ask him to meet with her when he'd had time to wash and change from his exertions.
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