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Post by Trystane Sand on Jul 8, 2019 0:42:33 GMT 1
As he walks to the pavilion where House Daverhyl was accommodated, Trystane ruminates on how is not happy about the meeting he is about to have. But he needs new accomplices, after the miserable failure of his hirelings in their attempt to eliminate Eoric Applehouse. He needs people shady enough to openly murder someone, and these people seem the best candidates outside of House Merryweather. That was a low he was determined to never stoop to, though a niggling voice at the back of his mind reminds him that he had already sunk further than he had thought possible since leaving Sunspear. Whatever would mother think? Best not to think of that, actually.
He makes his presence known to the men guarding the place, and requests a private audience with Eustace Daverhyl.
EC - Status (Reputation) +Anointed +Chivalry: 6d6k4+4 23 |
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Post by Father on Jul 8, 2019 10:55:38 GMT 1
Aside from the beak-like nose giving Ser Eustace a sinister appearance right at home in the bedtime tales of wicked vulture men that will feast upon the livers of disobedient children, it is pleasant to meet him, polite and cordial, if straight to the point of what he might do for good Ser Trystane today. |
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jul 9, 2019 0:32:52 GMT 1
Trystane is happy to make it brief. The less time hanging around here the better, though he doesn't voice that thought. He lays out his proposal as succinctly as he can, though he also ensures he butters Eustace up just a smidgen.
"We have both been on the receiving end of scurrilous anti-Dornish propaganda, and I'm sure you share my disdain for those who engage in it. My dear cousin, Ashara Starkwood, was being tarnished with it even after her death. I confess to my shame that I was unable to put down the honourless dog who defamed her at the time, but I intend to see that insult answered properly in the upcoming melee.
I want to ensure Eoric never opens his mouth to slander the Dornish again, but he's a wily one, with friends as foul as he, who I don't trust to stay out of my way in the melee when I go to teach him a lesson. I am also unable to ask for the help of those close to me in outnumbering him, as it would arouse too much suspicion. I am here to ask for your assistance in ensuring that he goes down hard and stays down permanently. Let his fate be a warning to others who treat us with Dornish blood like we are less than them.
I am of the understanding that you are both a clever, resourceful, and powerful man, and that your brother is a formidable warrior. Can we come to some discreet arrangement?"
Do you require any rolls from me?
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Post by Father on Jul 9, 2019 10:03:28 GMT 1
Speaking of such hypotheticals, is it not best for Trystane not to be anywhere near the silencing? Ser Eustace would surely not be the only one who has taken note of what might easily be construed as "Starkwood vengeance", while he cannot bring himself to believe such conspiracies, others are like to be quicker in their conclusions. Besides, Ser Eustace has seen Trystane fight with sword in hand, no offense intended of course, he is not much of a fighter himself, they'd just get into the way of his younger brothers most like. Hypothetically, Ser Eoric would presumably be easy enough to trick and taunt into charging someone with Rhoynish blood, making it appear as if a potentially terrible mishap was caused by him already being weakened by last night's attack and his own clouded judgement, further muddled by rage. However, even if it could be construed as such, there is considerable risk for House Daverhyl should it involve itself in this particular dispute, most schemes deviate from the plan in some fashion, sometimes greatly so. Additionally, Ser Eustace's attentions must by necessity be elsewhere, so an extra pair of hands might be needed to cover the shortage, he has heard troubling talk of her niece's visits to The Rutting Boar, those words are as of yet merely whispers, and if nothing but idle fancies as he hopes, sure to be drowned out by the talk of everything else that happens to be true. He does not believe much in taking chances, so he would like to discover if there is reason to worry about her reputation, or whom might be slandering his niece if that is what's going on. Although that would only suffice to make up for lost effort by his reckoning, so another favor must also be asked for, a greater one for another time. As Ser Trystane perhaps knows, House Daverhyl is sworn to Oldtown, and surely he must be aware of the disorder left in the wake of Lord Jon's assassination, yes? There are four who would claim the right of regency for young Lord Hightower, some of whom favors the cause of those seeking open rebellion, Ser Eustace would have a preference for one who would not force upon his house the choice between breaking it's vows to the king or breaking it's vows to it's liege lord. That would ordinarily mean strengthening Ser Raymun's standing, but the man does not have much in the way of support to begin with, so Ser Abelar appears an easier candidate to push through, but his allegiance might be pliable, and seeing as the man is unwed, it would be critical to arrange for him a wife of the right inclinations. One that would signal a proper stand in this question, and preferably with the strength of personality to make her voice count in Oldtown.
Deception(act): 7d6k4+1 22 That should be 3 DoS vs Naive to appear as if his concern for Lynesse's reputation is genuine and free of ulterior motive. No more self-serving than that he likes to be ahead of things if rumors are true so that he might prevent any rumors from having the proper bite. You can try and do intrigue if you want other terms than those presented. Investigating Lynesse is straightforward streetwise. |
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jul 9, 2019 18:25:57 GMT 1
"While you've certainly not seen me at my best, sword-fighting wise, it is true that I'm no match for true battle-tested warriors," Trystane admits. It's not that saying so carries no sting at all, but it is only a minor one, as he knows it's a shortcoming of his.
"I bow to the greater skill of your brothers. I certainly don't want to be in the way of their blades, Eoric or no. And, as you say, it will avoid creating more chattering about House Starkwood. As for Lynesse, I've had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times. I think we are developing a good rapport. While I do not think she is the sort to act in a way that would be a problem, I can understand your concern. I can certainly keep an eye on her and let you know if there is any possible threat to her virtue."
Trystane takes a moment to think on the final condition.
"I am no expert in matchmaking, the eligible ladies of The Reach, nor the subtleties of the succession crisis in House Hightower, but I can make the necessary enquiries about a suitable match, and do what I can to point both parties at eachother. If the most suitable ladies need winning over, it'll come down to Abelar's own abilities as a knight, but I am quite sure I can nudge him in the right direction."
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Post by Father on Jul 9, 2019 19:25:14 GMT 1
Enticing their father's with the prospects of a marriage to Oldtown should override any affections the lady in question might feel, Eustace remarks. Ser Abelar is surely capable enough for none to find any fault in his ability. The trickier part is to sway the Hightowers towards making such a choice, for there must be surely others with a different desire.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jul 9, 2019 19:31:28 GMT 1
"As you say, marriage to Oldtown is advantageous, and the House needs stability. As I am not close to any of its members, I cannot promise they will all fall exactly into place, but those facts are compelling, and I will lean on them to persuade to the best of my ability that this is the best course of action."
Trystane is being sincere that he'll do his best. He doesn't know enough about House Hightower to know whether it's a bad idea for him or not.
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Post by Father on Jul 10, 2019 8:07:12 GMT 1
By the observations of Ser Eustace, Great Bastards has a knack for finding a way to water where others sees only the driest of dunes.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jul 11, 2019 1:35:08 GMT 1
"Pair that with being half Dornish, and finding water in the dry dunes should be doubly in my nature," Trystane chuckles.
"So, if there is nothing else we would have of eachother, I ought to take my leave. I'm sure you are a busy man, and I am about to be one," he says with a congenial smile.
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Post by Father on Jul 11, 2019 14:21:17 GMT 1
Just so, Ser Eustace agrees on both accounts.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Jul 15, 2019 1:03:48 GMT 1
(Later) It feels a little wrong to spy on Lynesse, after the rapport they'd been building, and his genuine liking for her. But he knows it is hardly the most wrong thing he'd done lately, so he tells himself that he will find nothing anyway and it is just a little harmless observation. I'm just keeping an eye on her. Making sure she's not involved in anything that would do her harm. She seems too straight-laced to frequent The Rutting Boar anyway. Unless that's an act... Hmmm, that's not an unpleasant thought...He allows himself a few moments in that salacious reverie, imagining Lynesse a saucy wench in secret, but shakes it from his mind to try and focus on his given task of trying to casually observe her comings and goings without being noticed. He wonders if that lovely creature in the red silks at the Boar might be amenable to letting slip a little gossip, given the right persuasion.
Investigating Lynesse - Knowledge (Streetwise): 3d6k3 10 |
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Post by Father on Jul 15, 2019 10:43:53 GMT 1
Trystane's search is fruitless, at least as far as information regarding Lady Lynesse goes, though if Ser Eustace indeed had heard troubling whispers, and there is little reason to believe otherwise, someone must have heard or seen something, or made up a story, although how anyone could find it in them to concoct slander against such a fine lady might seem difficult to fathom. Either way it should be there, but it would seem someone with more experience than Trystane would be required to find it.
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