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Post by Trystane Sand on May 1, 2019 2:15:00 GMT 1
[Happens during this event - greatbastards.boards.net/thread/1017/phase-toast-who-make-event](Basically a good few drinks into the event, but before Trystane speaks to Alliser and Ysilla, and before he gets into the drinking contest with Balon, Titus, and Roland)
The gathering was going well. Spirits were high, despite the odd melancholy story being told or song being sung. Drinks were flowing nicely, and the dancing was in full swing. Trystane spots a very pretty young blonde woman without a dance partner, and saunters up to offer his arm. "My lady," he begins, bowing and flashing his trademark winning smile as he straightens up. "Would you honour me with a dance?" Brief Encounter - Asking Lynesse to dance - Persuasion (Charm) +Attractive +Charismatic: 6d6k4+1 20[Not binding, of course. Just an indication of how he comes across. Not sure how far the extra 2 steps of default Disposition goes.] |
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 1, 2019 3:26:34 GMT 1
To guide my reaction: A brief encounter- prejudice tn 15.: 5d6k4 20 Two degrees, so I have some latitude here, nice.
A more mixed company would be hard to find, though the celebration was overflowing with personality,. Lynesse felt torn between a sense of liberation, and a sense of danger and exposure. The knight was a handsome, muscular fellow, for a Dornishman. He lacked the lean, predatory look of her uncles, but still, blood was blood. Though Ser Davos seemed an earnest sort.Prudence dictated Lynesse refuse. Unnecessary exposure to the Dornish tended to bring out the worst in her, or and least the most indecorous. Prudence implored a polite refusal. And yet, prudence had served her precious little, and saw her trapped on a route to an undesireable arranged marriage to the advantage of the man she hated most in all the world. Prudence could perhaps, for a limited time and scope, be suspended. "By all means ser, you flatter me with your request,' she takes his hand, as he takes the lead "might I have the honour of your name, ser?" |
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 1, 2019 16:10:57 GMT 1
"Ser Trystane Sand, my lady," he replies as he leads her in the opening steps. "And may I have yours?"
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 2, 2019 13:03:02 GMT 1
"I am Lady Lynesse Daverhyl, lately of Gyldenhaal," she replied courteously, managing not to skip a step even as the knight revealed his illegitimacy. Prudence dictated a timely excuse and detachment, but was once again pointedly shelved.
"And what brings a Sand of Dorne so far north north as Whitewalls, Ser? Or are you a member of the royal court, as so many Dornishmen are of late?" She asked the necessary follow up question. Were he a Santagar, a Qorgyle or any other Dornish House, she might have had a chance of placing his rank and pedigree, but a Sand was another matter. He could be a knight of the hedge, or a confidante of the Queen herself. Bastards oft rose high in Dornish courts.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 3, 2019 0:32:41 GMT 1
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady," Trystane says, giving her a respectful head cant. "I am not part of the royal court, no, though I have a certain... relationship to it."
He remembers Laena telling him to keep his Martell heritage quiet, and hesitates a moment, choosing his wording.
Just out with it, Sand. There's no getting around what you are. It's only shameful if you let it be.
"I am a Great Bastard, as they say. I'm trying my hand at the Westerosi tourney circuit. I must confess I am not very familiar with House Daverhyl, as a relative newcomer to Westeros," Trystane adds, a little apologetically, though not losing his amiable smile. "So I am hoping I haven't just made a terrible social error."
He watches her face for any sign of a negative reaction.
If you've picked one of the ones that hates Dornish, you may need to brace for a slap shortly.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 6, 2019 8:30:38 GMT 1
"A son of King Aegon? Sir I had no idea," replied Lynesse, momentarily taken aback, rather that outraged. "I did not know the past king had any offspring of Dornish descent," she clarified.
"House Daverhyl has been a loyal vassal of the Hightowers for centuries, farming arable lands along the Honeywine and producing knights of great piety and honour. Though we have participated in the wars with Dorne, my house shares none of the antipathy of the Marcher Lords" she chose her next words carefully, speaking of her houses' pro-Dornish leanings, rather than her own perspective "my grandfather was among the first of his peers to see the wisdom of strong ties with Dorne, and took a Blackmont lady as his second wife. I have three uncles of Dornish blood, so I am not altogether ignorant of Dorne, and you have certainly not made a social error." Indeed a negative reaction on Lynesse's part would likely reflect more poorly on Lynesse, given Trystane's royal lineage.
"My uncle Sandor is a tourney knight as well, and was often telling me of his victories in the Dornish tourney lists before his return to the Reach a year ago. How have you found the competition in the Reach in comparison?"
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 7, 2019 0:45:00 GMT 1
"There don't seem to be many of us, since I don't know any others myself, but they may very well exist, but be wisely staying quiet, to avoid the current conflicts, or possibly just getting on with their lives," Trystane muses. "But I'm hoping to make my own name more than my father's," he adds.
Her account of the connection between Houses Daverhyl and Hightower have him nodding along politely, interested to be learning a bit more about the Reach, but then the name Blackmont makes him stiffen for the briefest of moments, almost imperceptibly.
You need to stop having this reaction when the name comes up. Amata's father isn't going to leap from the shadows and cut your throat or anything. They've probably already forgotten you were ever in their lives.
Trystane keeps up the flow of the dance and maintains a cheery tone.
"I am very glad that I have not displeased you, my lady. With things as they are here, it can be a little daunting for a Dornishman to approach a stranger in friendship, even one as lovely and disarming as yourself."
His little self-effacing smile just manages to keep the compliment from laying on too thickly.
I think, now that you mention his name, that I may have seen your uncle joust, though I confess I am still playing catch-up with everyone's names. Hightower is a name I know a bit better from the lists. I have not had the pleasure of meeting any personally though. Now that I know House Daverhyl is not acrimonious towards my sort, I will be sure to give any of your relatives a warm greeting if we meet on the field. I must say I like the Reach so far for tourneys. You take it very seriously here, but it's still civilised and friendly, for the most part. Do you like to watch? I expect you have many a knight clamouring for your favour."
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 7, 2019 11:12:57 GMT 1
"To make a name for yourself beyond your father's name will be quite a feat Ser Trystan. King's are not soon forgotten." For good and ill, she left unsaid.
To hear him speak hopefully of the other Daverhyl's was more than Lynesse's heart could bear, even if it meant revealing the schism in her own house, "You should know, Ser Trystane, that my Dornish Uncles may not be so welcoming to you, despite your shared Dornish ancestry. Ser Sandor in particular is... I should not speak ill of my own blood, but I can say that he resides in the Reach because of the blood he spilled in Dorne, and even here has begun to carve a name for himself through near-butchery on the steps of the Starry Sept, though it was draped in the ceremony of a duel of honour. My Uncles are not good men, Ser Trystane, and it would be wrong of me to give have you expect more of them. I know little of their maternal house, The Blackmonts, to know if their actions are the rule or the exception in that regard, though all men know the tales of the Vulture Kings. Have you had dealings with the Blackmonts during your time in Dorne, to answer my idle inquiry?"
She brightened at mention of the Joust. "I do find it fascinating Ser Trystane - the courage to take a blow, and to strike one, the mastery of of horsemanship and lance; well I find the the range of skills involved impressive, and the displays of those truly talented in the lists to be something approaching art," she smiles earnestly, "but I am sure things must seem more perfunctory from the other side of the visor, with one's vision narrowed on one's target."
"Ser Roland Redwyne bears my token in the forthcoming jousts, and has a good reputation for gallant conduct. I could not bear to see such villainy as tarnished the Black Tourney or the trial at Summerhall done in my name, and I am glad to know it shan't be. I shall make a point of watching your own matches, and pray to the seven that you come through the tourney safely."
Hello Blackmont Backstory, Lynesse would like to hear all about you if you don't mind.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 7, 2019 13:51:19 GMT 1
Not at all. Backstory and secrets are there to be poked at. He won't give up all the goods right away, but poking at them is definitely encouraged. 
"I suppose I just want to not be defined solely on that one characteristic," Trystane clarifies. "I want to be someone who makes a positive difference in his own right, rather than just 'the offspring of the Unworthy'. When Lynesse explains about her uncles, his demeanour becomes more solemn, and he nods slowly in understanding. "I see. That rather changes things. I would not be impolite without cause, of course, but they do not sound like men I would like or want to associate with. Thank you for your forewarning, my lady." He chooses his words carefully to discuss the Blackmonts. He was hesitant to talk about his crushing humiliation with friends, never mind people he had just met. But if this lady had a connection to them, it would be harder to hide the truth. "As for House Blackmont, I do know a few, though I did not leave Dorne on good terms with his Lordship, to put it tactfully. And even in Dorne, they have something of a troubled reputation. Like House Wyl, there is a tendency towards being quite... shall we say, economical with the law. A bit of a 'might makes right' approach to things that I consider ungallant." Her enthusiasm for the jousting is infectious, and he finds himself smiling warmly as he listens to her. "It is anything but perfunctory, my lady. It can be daunting, sometimes even terrifying, if one's foe is formidable enough, but it does not diminish the thrill of the charge and the satisfaction of a tilt gone well. And, well, I'm a romantic at heart, so I do like the pageantry of it all. I commend you on your choice of knight. Ser Roland is a tremendously skilled and talented jouster. I have no doubt he will carry your favour to glory. I have only heard about the Black Tourney from others, but I did see the Summerhall Trial, and I thought it was a grotesque travesty of justice. I am certain that Ser Roland would not mar your good name with such actions as were seen there." |
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 8, 2019 13:29:34 GMT 1
“My father always said you could tell a great deal about a man’s character by his enemies Ser Trystane, so perhaps if our shared experience of the Blackmonts is anything to go by, such misgivings between you and they are to your credit, and their loss.”
She was painfully curious to hear more, but did not wish to offend, “I would not wish to pry overmuch by asking more Ser, it is rare that I have news directly from Dorne and not filtered through the lips of my uncles, who speak highly of their mothers house, or by those reachmen who carry within them a settled prejudice that sends such tales into all manner of twists and turns,” she explained, without irony.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 8, 2019 14:10:20 GMT 1
"The man who knighted me used to say you could tell much of a man's character by how he treats those who can do nothing for him," Trystane replies, recalling fondly Ser Owyn's teachings about mercy, and being kind to the smallfolk. "Though looking at his enemies also seems a good measure."
He hesitates to elaborate on his carefully chosen words on House Blackmont, but something about this lady's gentle manner makes him feel he can trust her a little.
"News of Dorne, I am happy to share, though I must admit I am neither an expert nor privy to many secrets. I would even say I'm willing to discuss our shared enmity with House Blackmont, but I fear it won't be as interesting as you hope. Nonetheless, the story is more than a little embarrassing for me, so can I count on your discretion?"
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 9, 2019 1:34:40 GMT 1
"Your mentor sounds like a knight who strives to uphold the chivalrous virtues," Lynesse remarked, "a high ideal indeed in an age of blackguards and ruffians."
"Of course I shall keep your trust, Ser Trystane. Gossip is beneath me, and it is not in my nature to reveal a confidence. If you are uncomfortable, please relent, for I would not cast a shadow over your enjoyment of these festivities," her smile is disarming, and encouraging.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 9, 2019 2:23:58 GMT 1
"Ser Owyn is one of the best men I know. It was an honour to be his squire and learn from him," Trystane says sincerely.
"I am heartened by your reassurance. That gossip hasn't spread about what happened is a relief, to be honest. It's not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Just, well, a bit embarrassing."
Perhaps once you confess it, you'll have it confirmed that it's not a big thing and you'll feel better. It's not the most flattering story, but she's likely heard and seen far worse.
"You see, I was once a close friend of Lady Amata Blackmont, but her father despised me, and wanted her to marry Ser Myles Gargalen. It was fair enough, I suppose. He was the heir to his House and more 'suitable'. But the heart wants what it wants..."
He decides to draw a veil over the part where he was caught in bed with Amata, and carries on.
"I'm sure you know the steps; challenge, duel, defeat. It got rather heated and personal, and I was lucky to survive without permanent damage after the beating I got. It was a crushing, humiliating loss, and leaving Dorne for a while felt like a good way to get away from the whole thing."
He shakes his head a little, and looks at her with a small, self-deprecating smile.
"Little did I know that I was trading an awkward situation for an actively perilous one. Nothing like the stirrings of civil war to put your own problems into perspective," he chuckles. "Not that any of what happened is a problem anymore. It's behind me now."
The version of the story he gives is a simplification, a little too charitable towards himself, and if he had truly searched his heart, the matter would not as far behind him as he claimed, but Trystane considers his account close enough. After all, putting off this pretty creature with too much honesty would be yet another mistake.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 9, 2019 12:40:16 GMT 1
At Trystane's blunt words of humiliation and defeat Lynesse's hand goes to her mouth in a mixture of shock and horror, "oh that terrible fiend, Trystane, to treat you so harshly. I know there is much of politics in the business of courtships and marriage vows, but still, such actions well serve the villainous reputation of House Blackmont. Perhaps some small consolation lies in the fact that Amata has at least freed herself of the name, if she has married into House Gargalen."
"In truth I have often wondered if my uncles took some manner of instruction or leadership from Lord Blackmont, as they never heeded the words of their brother, my father, or his father, Lord Daverhyl, and seemed to follow their own star instead. My house is now under the stewardship of my uncle Eustace, and I am sure far more ravens fly from Mustard Hall to Blackmont than to their lawful liege in Oldtown. In strategy and diplomacy they have ever been blunt and..." she strove for the word, "pragmatic. I oft wonder if the many plots and schemes uncle Eustace hatches are planned first in his mother's birth-house."
"This is why I am so curious Ser Trystane, about the goings on in House Blackmont, because like as not they may have some bearing in my own. Especially now that..." she trails off, covering the brief lapse with a slight cough, "that is to say especially now that my brother is in line to inherit." There is a brief and noticeable change in her demeanour, a frown of concern and deeply-entrenched worry, that has yet to leave an enduring line on her smooth skin.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 9, 2019 20:41:28 GMT 1
“I understand your concern, my lady. I can only imagine the difficulty in being surrounded by people you cannot trust. To suspect machinations but be unable to act to make things right. I am afraid I cannot shed much light on the inner workings of House Blackmont, only that I suspect his Lordship secured the marriage of Lady Amata to Ser Myles as a way to add a more ‘respectable’ friendly House to the ones House Blackmont already manipulates for its own nefarious ends.”
He gives her a searching look when he sees her shift in demeanour.
“Lady Amata was not unlike yourself, in a way. A good, virtuous person stuck among blackguards. I hope you won’t find this an impoliteness, my lady, but your situation leaves me concerned. I am curious if you have a means of escape.”
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