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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jun 7, 2019 15:13:10 GMT 1
"Ser Roland." Thaddeus' voice is a soft as the dark velvet doublet he wares; a deep midnight blue, decorated with black stitchings of thorns and roses. Across his chest a long, fur-lined halfcloak is fastened by a golden chain connected by two golden foxes, dancing it seems. His belt and boots are of the same fine black leather as his gloves, currently resting in his left hand. "A fine match. It's become a staple of tournaments to see you unseat The Fireball in the first pass - careful so the man does not start carrying a grudge. A man with a grudge can be a dangerous thing." He smiles gently, gesturing to a fresh scar at his temple. An injury attained from Roland's bastard brother Ser Normyn mere days before at the beginning of the tournament.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jun 17, 2019 14:35:20 GMT 1
"Ser Thaddeus."
Roland bowed, acknowledging the young heir's superior status. House Levalle was widely disliked for good reason, but at least the man's lord father had made some steps towards penance and honour.
"My thanks for your congratulations - Ser Quentyn is a devoted man indeed. The whole realm knows of the noble sacrifice he made in pursuit of a white cloak. One would not want to have a determined man of such prowess for an enemy."
Roland smiled, sincere in his praise despite the political differences between him and his defeated opponent. Fireball had been devoted to the crown and seemingly had that fervour ill rewarded.
"I fear that while I am just another tourney knight to Fireball that you may have found a grudge of your own in my bastard brother."
"He willy bravely strike your shield and strike to hurt you where he can. Most dishonourable - the matter he seeks revenge for was settled by a duel in the sight of the Seven and men. As at the Black Tourney his bastard blood will show itself when faced with knights of equal skill but greater heart."
In both senses. Roland was no poet and was disproportionately pleased at the double meaning.
"You were brave not to yield in the face of such an onslaught. Many knights would have surrendered the field after the first pass."
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jun 20, 2019 15:19:59 GMT 1
”You sell yourself short, Ser. Only a fool would call a man of your repute just another tourney knight, The Black Tourney proved as much so I take your praise as high praise indeed. My Lord Father branded me brash and my mother scolded me foolish for riding that second pass but... pride is a cruel mistress is she not?”On the subject of Ser Normyn’s duel with The Mauler and more so the reasons behind it he says nothing on, for now. He simply bows acknowledging. “But I forget myself, Good Ser. My condolences on the untimely passing of your Lord Brother. A chicken bone, I hear?”
ID: 15 Disposition: Indifferent DR: 4 Composure: 15/15 Frustration: 0/4 Objective: Share what Roland thinks/knows/suspects of his brother’s death A Helping Hand - Initiative: 6d6k4 18Free Action: Deception v Roland Passive Awareness: 6d6k4+2 15
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jun 25, 2019 12:17:43 GMT 1
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 19, 2019 9:37:12 GMT 1
Batch-rolling as per requested in PMs Helping Hand - R1-10 Influence (Charm) v Ser Roland: 10#7d6r1k4+4 24 27 24 26 24 17 23 21 24 22 - 3 DoS, 4 DoS - 8 followed by 12 Influence dealt. Looks like defeat by R2, even with Frustration unless I'm missing something? |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 22, 2019 10:56:37 GMT 1
[OOC: defeat
Lord Alliser Levalle had yet to play Roland false. At least to the best of Roland's limited knowledge. If he could trust the father, could he not then trust the son too, distanced by time and blood from his father's self-serving ways during Aegon the Unworthy's rule?
Slowly, it emerged. His brother's words at Summerhall. Ilyn's fondness - much mocked - for breast over the richer dark meat on the bone. The damning absence of a letter from Hammerhal to inform Roland of his brother's 'fate'. Gwayne Oakheart, the brave young squire hearing Lord Ilyn's fateful declaration, the very words that doubtless doomed him. Normyn's lost duel to House Levalle's own man. The need to secure a learned maester who could testify independently to the common Cordwayner colouring shared by Roland, his brother, their father and countless famous Cordwayner knights before them.
After all. He could trust the Levalles and had even seen through one of their plots at Highgarden.
Hadn't he?
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 23, 2019 14:46:42 GMT 1
Thaddeus listens silently to Roland’s tale and his notions of suspicions, speaking only when to question some reasoning or series of events that seemed unclear to him, always in a soft, gentle and encouraging tone. As one might expect from a friend.
As Roland finishes, he scratches his beard in quiet contemplation before speaking, slowly. ”A terrible affair all. In sharing this I hope that my good Ser know he can find me a friend and ally in this tribulation. The realm suffers enough already from the machinations of Bastards and their ilk. But there is one thing, and Seven forgive me for suggesting it, one suspicion you have yet not given full voice yet, Ser. A wise thing indeed as it can lead to an accusation most terrible but one you need to ask and answer yourself all the same.”
He steps in, there is no one to hear their conversation but what comes next could prove even more dangerous if overheard.
”Do you believe the tale that your Lord brother died choking on a chicken bone? And if not... how then? And by who’s hand?”
OOC: Ok, so when I initiated this Intrigue I didn’t actually have a great scope of how good Thaddeus is at Intrigue nor how big a difference it would be between Roland and Thad. Now normal Defeat through Charm says +2 Disposition and +1D to next Intrigue but seeing how given it was it feels a bit unfair to enforce that on a fellow PC, unless your happy with it. Could call it consequencesless (I did get the info after all), just Disposition increase or just +1D. Whichever you prefer.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 26, 2019 18:20:24 GMT 1
Roland danced to the Levalle tune. After all, the truth does not hurt or hide.
"The chicken bone story is a Myrish lace covering over a lie that all can see. All the evidence I have laid before you makes me certain that my brother's death was murder."
"Doubtless by my bastard brother or at my sister by marriage's orders. If you forced my hand I would name the bastard the culprit, treachery is in their very blood, wickedness enough to stoop to kin-slaying. My gentle brother could not hope to match Ilyn in a contest of strength. He was doubtless overpowered and Maegelle had whatever witnesses were present intimidated or bribed in to silence. Our Maester did not even write me, as you already know. He must have been fooled or coerced in to going along with the story. Such a man might be a route to the truth, maesters are supposed to serve the seat not an individual not an individual. Mayhap he could be convinced his behaviour jeopordises Hammerhal and bring forth the truth." Though not all men took their oaths so seriously.
Even a man of Roland's win finally had matters dawn on him.
Fool, Ilyn doubtless died for trying to bring the truth to light, just as that honest squire said. The truth does not just hurt. The truth kills.
[OOC: don't mind at all, full normal intrigue benefits. I knew Thaddeus's capabilities going in and Roland is a missile for intrigue capable characters to manipulate and aim.]
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 26, 2019 18:40:22 GMT 1
Thaddeus nods. "Who, if any one else, is privy to this information, my good ser? Have you raised it with Lord Willem or any of your Companions?"
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 27, 2019 16:13:13 GMT 1
"Just myself, my betrothed and the Oakhearts, for it is by their brave lad Gwayne that we know much of this ill-done deed."
Roland recounted what Gwayne had overheard, and Ser Preston Oakheart summoning him to tell the tale.
"Ser Preston urges caution and doubtless means well. But it is not his brother that was murdered while all are forced to make false courtesies to his killer."
"I intend to tell the tale soon enough to my companions, but will leave the lad's name out of matters for his health. My companions are noble sorts, but men can be overheard, bought or threatened."
Tragedy and bitter experience had made the young knight more cautious than a year ago.
[OOC: Daeron, Addam and Willem are kept abreast of matters as noted above.]
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 28, 2019 15:02:11 GMT 1
”Mmm, good. And a wise decision. Ser Preston has showed himself honourable beyond mere duty. His father share the same inclinations as your good-sister and half-brother on who should sit upon the Iron Throne, sharing this he seems to set justice higher than both politics and blood. Commendable. And something which should not be betrayed. However...” he leaves it lingering in the air just long enough to lend weight to what comes next.
”Many of Sers companions share similar convictions. Can you trust that they will put justice and honour before the advancement of their own cause?”
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 28, 2019 21:12:09 GMT 1
"Both Ser Addam and Ser Daeron are my boon Companions. I do not share their politics, but I trust both men."
He paused, unsure how much Thaddeus knew of Daeron's weakness for coin and disgrace at Highgarden. His father was well appraised of the situation, afterall and it seemed unlikely lord Levalle would keep such from his heir. Nonetheless Roland did what he could to downplay the incident.
"Whatever your father may have told you of Ser Daeron, all men have moments of weakness. Some for coin, others for wine or women. As Blackfyre himself told me, all men make mistakes, but taking responsibility is the mark of true knight. My brother in arms first showed his penitence with shaven head, then reclaimed his honour by ending Ser Otho Bracken depredations in the melee."
"Gwayne's part should not be widely shared for the moment, but this is to avoid spies and gossips rather than a lack of faith in my Companions. They know I believe my brother was murdered. And that I intend to prove it."
Roland wanted to believe that Daeron had shed his weakness for the glint of yellow dragons.
"If I were to depart Kingsbridge for Hammerhal such may serve both men twice over. First by aiding a friend and secondly by removing one of the King's loyal servants from House Starling. Both honour and politics are satisfied if they aid me in the pursuit of justice."
He was not the idealistic man he had been at Highgarden.
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Jul 28, 2019 21:43:31 GMT 1
"Aye. They'd lose a King's man at Kingsbridge but... if those children are not of Lord Illyn's body and your noble brother died because of that; then Hammerhal is yours, Ser. By the laws of Gods and Men. Just as the Iron Throne justly is King Daeron's. Do you have faith in your companion's friendship that their cause can allow for such? The lands, men, swords and horses of Hammerhal for the King."
"All I advise, Ser, is caution."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Aug 24, 2019 11:25:24 GMT 1
"They may feel they lose a denigrated and weakened Hammerhal and gain the full might of Kingsbridge, calling it a fair trade."
"Nonetheless, I shall endeavour to ensure the quest for justice is not ended by an injudicious step."
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