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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 15, 2019 5:04:22 GMT 1
With the melee only days away, it was just a matter of time before each nascent team gathered and prepared their strategies for the melee. The Companions of House Starling had many advantages over most of its opponents, the first being that their team had already effectively been formed, the second was that they were perhaps the most formidable gathering of knights at Whitewalls, none of them forming a weak link in combat. However, despite these edges they would likely be pitted against the Blackguards of Longtable, a group of talented, but unscrupulous thugs who represented the worst of the knightly orders. Their battle would not be an easy one, and only through careful planning, determination, and luck would the Companions succede.
Joining his friends, lord, and future lord protector, Ser Daeron sits at a small table in a sparsely decorated tent, appropriate for the discussion they were to about to have.
"Now that that's settled, what are our plans for the melee? We should expect that Longtable will carve a path to face us, their behavior in this tourney so far and at Highgarden are indicative of this. I doubt that Eldon himself will be present, but certainly Rennifer, Norren, and a number of their new foreign recruits will make up their team. Moreover, it should be no surprise to us when Ser Robyn of House Levalle and Sers Sandor and Rhys of House Daverhyl appear to support their new ally.
So, do we have any good plans on how to counter and nullify these threats?"
Can I safely assume that I don't need a Status test to have Lord Willem and Ser Aemon in attendance to their own team's war council?
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Post by Father on Jun 15, 2019 16:30:48 GMT 1
Willem mutters something about the righteousness of their cause should make them prevail, while Aemon speculates that the knights of Longtable could quite possibly decide not to show up at all, for the same reason he does not worry overly much, everyone would side against such blackguards. |
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 17, 2019 4:36:04 GMT 1
Daeron purses his lips, somewhat uncomfortable with contradicting Lord Willem and Ser Aemon, so he picked his words carefully, trying to not overstep his rank and isolate himself, but as a sworn sword, it was his duty to advise his lord in matters of war and peace.
"Our cause is certainly righteous, but perhaps I have grown cynical from this conflict between Longtable and Kingsbridge. It seems that skill at arms are just as important as the cause for which ones fights. If the case was otherwise then blackguards of the realm would never triumph such as was the case at Summerhall where Ser Daemon was defeated while fighting on behalf of our house."
He then turned to Ser Aemon, his face suddenly weary.
"Would that be the case, then consider my prayers to the Seven answered, but I think it prudent to be prepared. In the Riverlands chivalry is not as honored as it is in the Reach and the foul reputation of House Merryweather is not so known. Moreover, other houses of ill-repute seem to be falling over one another for his favor so he is not without allies here.
If we should be so fortunate that the blackguards of Longtable abstain, then it seems like we have a good chance of winning the melee." He mentions with a slight, but hopeful, smile.
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Post by Father on Jun 17, 2019 14:41:04 GMT 1
For those whose cause are righteous, others will heed their call, Ser Rennifer might be a match for any man, Lord Willem muses, but any man can be overwhelmed by numbers, there will be far too many flocking to the banner of justice for blackguards to hide. Aemon doesn't feel like gainsaying, but does add that this is even more so when the blackguards are hated, he appears not to believe that righteousness is something to be relied upon.
Lord Starling will hear no talk about "us" winning the melee when this format intends to find the best man.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jun 17, 2019 14:47:25 GMT 1
"Lord Levalle's foreign dogs are not true knights. Some cities in the East produce jousters, but many do not. The man has near exhausted Westeros's supply of scum - his ill-made knights may be poor in a charge but stronger afterward, if indeed they are present."
"This is but a melee, but I fear we must treat it as war when it comes to Longtable at least, and indeed some others."
"I will not lose another Companion to a dog like Otho Bracken or Longtable's curs."
Roland ran his left hand over his hair, scratching the back of it.
"We are supposed to be knights and Reachmen, not beasts. We saw the trouble one mad Riverlander caused at Highgarden. With Blackwoods and Brackens present we can expect more blood to be shed. We should strive to prevent such. I would prefer to face such head on rather than find our company made victims by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In emulating Ser Daeron's nobility at the Black Tourney's melee we shall live up to the ideals of our order and win ourselves further friends and allies."
Given his service at Raventree Hall and his Blackwood squire, Roland had sorrowful familiarity with the ill-will between the Blackwoods and Brackens. His friend Mikel had found himself drawn in to the conflict.
"Victory in the melee would be worthy indeed for whichever of us claims it, but let that be second to ending dishonourable deeds in the melee. We have the strength of sword and character to remind our fellow competitors this is supposed to be sport and training."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 17, 2019 22:56:50 GMT 1
He seconds Ser Roland's sentiment, they are the "Companions" after all, not the "individuals".
"Aye, though I have heard that this might be Otho's final melee. If the Blackwoods wish to avenge their lord, then I have no intentions to stand in their way."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jun 18, 2019 0:08:11 GMT 1
Addam had always hated these meeting. They were pointless. It was always chivalry this and righteousness that, shields to make them feel good about themselves. "They attacked our future commander," he finally said. He didn't really care for Aemon, but failure to answer Ser Norren's attack made them all look weak. "I remember a time were you, Lord Willem, rode forth and cut down Lord Eldon's banner for violating Pate's daughter. We were respected that day, not because we were righteous, but because we showed that we won't stand idly by against attacks to our house. And now here we are. One of the piglets strikes the eventual father to your daughter's children and you propose we wait and hope they come to us, or" turning to address Aemon, "hope they do not show. What happened to the days were we took the fight to them?"
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Post by Father on Jun 18, 2019 18:46:29 GMT 1
If what Aemon had been hearing is to be believed, The Brute of Bracken is like to assault Ser Mikel, most Reachmen should be wise enough by now to stay out of his way, and the Riverlanders knows it even better. Pity that Lord Butterwell and his son have ignored the tradition of barring Ser Otho and Ser Ulbert from taking part, they will surely regret it. The danger being some young fool with his head full of dreams learns that his head is not quite thick enough before knights able to withstand them and seasoned enough to not trying it alone overwhelms them.
Lord Willem quickly jumps to the conclusion that this sounds like a task fit for the companions, though he struggles to accept Ser Aemon's point that giving Eldon's Blackguards the chance of assaulting them in the rear while so doing would be the stuff of nightmares.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 19, 2019 1:15:59 GMT 1
"Well perhaps a compromise then?
If the blackguards of Longtable dare to appear in the melee, we should confront them first. Despite his questionable decision making skills when it comes to getting into fights, Ser Mikel is quite resolute in a fight and can hold off a brute like Otho, at least for a while. It's not like Ulbert and his kin won't be waiting in the wings to claim their prize either.
If not then we should prioritize removing Otho from the melee so as to mitigate unnecessary bloodshed, after that we can focus on removing any other dangerous men that chose to enter, such as Ser Tommard Heddle, Ser Robyn the Mauler, Ser Ulbert Blackwood, Ser Sandor Daverhyl, or this Krakenbeast I've heard about. If we can prevent Whitewalls from becoming a second Black Tourney, then I would say that we can show the entire realm what it means to serve House Starling."
He muses for a short moment before continuing.
"Perhaps we could speak to Ser Daemon in advance. The man hardly cares to join any sort of grand alliance, but if we are to hunt blackguards in the melee, I can think of no better man to fight with. Twice. No. Thrice he has risked life and limb for House Starling by facing scoundrels who have wronged us, and he places what is right above what is politically expedient."
His was a bold proposal, but sometimes fortune favored the bold.
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Post by Father on Jun 20, 2019 14:56:33 GMT 1
Ser Robyn is just a blunt instrument, Aemon remarks, as dangerous a dog as Ser Otho to be sure, but a loyal and obedient one. If Lord Alliser does not want blood on his hands, as he probably has no wish for, at least he is not like to wish for any of it to be seen, then Ser Robyn will simply be a tough opponent like any other. It is possible that the Levalle's have a bone of contention with Ser Normyn Flowers, but he should be able to hold his own. The Ironhand and The Brute remains by far the those most likely to break bones and worse.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 22, 2019 2:28:29 GMT 1
Between embarrassing Lord Willem at Highgarden and the sour relations that Ser Roland already had with his family, Daeron doubted that there would be much sympathy at this table for Ser Normyn, and he wasn't willing to put his neck on the line for the man who probably deserved a little bit of abuse from Ser Robyn.
"Aye, Ser Normyn is a capable knight and I'm sure that Ser Robyn will give him some deserved abuse.
It seems though that we have arrived at a consensus? Strike down the thugs of House Merryweather if they dare to join the melee, and if not we shall first remove the other blackguards that will certainly be there, with the aid of Blackfyre if possible. Afterwards we can show the Riverlands the valor and tenacity of House Starling."
Though it seemed salient, he decided to keep his mouth shut about the possibility of Lord Eldon forcing a conflict after the melee and using his fresh knights to challenge the weary and injured Companions. Nothing good would come from excessive worrying.
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