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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 25, 2020 7:10:36 GMT 1
Balon They gave him three dragons, one for delivering the message, two for the danger. "Three gold dragons?! That's it? Wow." Balon shook his head in mock sympathy. "Not only do they send you on a suicide mission but they're cheap too." Balon pursed his lips as he thought. "Ser, I was once told that as we get older we exchange vigor for wisdom. You're an older knight," Balon did his best not to sound insulting, "and I'm sure over the years you've become very wise. So wise in fact that I'm sure you've learned that the more knights there are in a venture, the less each man's share of the reward will be." Balon put his hand on Morys' shoulder, "What if a reward was claimed by one man, an older knight looking to hang up his spurs? All he had to do was tell me about Ser Ondrew and his *travelling companions*. What they look like. Where they were. Where they like to frequent. How many there are. With this information I'm sure the problem will resolve itself." He gently patted Ser Morys on the shoulder. "And when this is all said and done a wise old knight could retire with upwards of two hundred gold dragons if what he says turns out to be true."Obvious stipulations to bribe are obvious.
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Mar 25, 2020 15:46:29 GMT 1
Ser Robyn is young, and mothers with grown children are always impatient when it comes to the prospect of grandchildren, Ser Dennis chuckles. To win a wife by one's own accomplishments is possible, but politics has a way of complicating matters of marriage. There is another way of course, surely Robyn would know of Ser Donnel Backbriar, yes? As true a knight as there ever have been, a second son of House Blackbriar, a comparison that ought not shame a second son of House Starkwood, Ser Dennis thinks. He won the hand of a Peake, and not a cousin, no, but a daughter of Lord Unwin Peake, he who was Lord Regent and Hand of the King in the days of Aegon III. Ser Dennis remembers it quite well, for her was won in a joust, against none other than himself, the two of them broke twenty lances that day until finally Ser Dennis slipped out of the saddle. In his youth, Ser Dennis was always disappointed at such defeats and setbacks, but he has learned that for those with the patience not to throw their life away on risky ventures believing the chance before them is the only chance to get what they want, there is always another opportunity. He won the hand of a Redwyne in another joust not so long ago, a delightful and beautiful young lady. And considering what he might have had to live with, had he won that match worthy of a song against Ser Donnel, the best sometimes truly does come to those who wait. Robyn takes a moment to really consider Ser Dennis' words, before smiling once more and letting out a chuckle of his own, "I can only hope to be as fortunate as you Ser Dennis. And I will take your excellent advice, and hope that politics do not complicate any attempts I have at my own marriage, to whoever it may be." He lets out a sigh and looks heavenwards, the smile not leaving his face, "To be quite honest with you, I have found myself smitten with someone, well, in love is probably the better way to describe it. And patience has never been a virtue I find myself reflecting. With the reach how it is, and how her life seems to be changing too quickly, I fear that what I once thought was my future is crumbling before it even had a chance to stand." The slight sadness crept in to his voice, but he cleared his throat and maintained composure, "Want to get a drink, and distract ourselves from these politics? We've traded lances against each other, I think that brings men closer together; or at least, close enough for me to buy him a drink," he lets out a boisterous laugh, and the fact of the matter was that he did like Ser Dennis, and respected him as a knight. If anything, gaining a friend out of this conversation was a victory enough for Robyn
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Mar 26, 2020 3:27:17 GMT 1
NormynMaybe she will like the idea of a Great Bastard for husband? Normyn knows not, love is a curious thing, though often irrelevant when nobles makes their moves. House Rowan might be of the wrong banner for her tastes, though she has given no signal of preference. Ser Sebaston is not the sort of man other men will readily follow, Daeron himself might have noticed how easily their brother brushed him aside for Lysette's hand. Granted, Ser Aemon was tough competition for just about anyone. Still, the backing of House Rowan is a powerful allure, and as long as Redtusk appears intent on not getting tied down anywhere, a Great Bastard might be the only one with the pedigree to compete. You might question what power our inheritance grant us, but you might also ask how many knights does the High Septon command. Both question have the answers of none and a great deal more than is readily apparent. Daeron attempts to keep a straight face, but he was no Bloodraven and a small grin crept across his face. Ser Normyn made it seem like Lady Daena's hand was within the realm of possibility and with her a Valyrian blade, a lordship, and the status and recognition that he deserved. All that stood in his way was a summer boy and the opinions of House Roxton. "You're right, Ser Aemon is an excellent addition to any family. House Starling is stronger with him as its future leader." Though Daeron's cousin was the heir to the house, he clearly equated political leadership with military leadership. The odds are long, but after Ser Sebaston's embarrassment at Highgarden he's suddenly a much less desirable candidate, as long as Lady Daena doesn't demand a joust for her hand, I should have no problem with overcoming him and bringing the Ringfort into the fold."
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Post by Father on Mar 26, 2020 20:44:03 GMT 1
BalonOnly a young knight of the hedges would be fool enough to believe he might win more in ransoms for perhaps an even greater risk to himself, Ser Morys rebuts. Such amounts as Ser Balon talks about are only what lords might offer, and some dozen knights who wins more jousts than they lose against men on destriers and full plate, and can afford to lose in the first place. But now that Balon mentions it, no, they aren't exactly friends of Ser Morys, more like acquaintances in a business transaction. He in fact, does not even have a stake in their plot, taking coin to deliver the message, which he just did. He feels no obligation whatsoever in not telling Ser Balon what he knows of them. Especially if the compensation for doing so would outweigh the potential profits of all future ventures he might have with them. But if the rumors are true, which Balon's interest does seem to imply, he must insist on a large part upfront, and that delivery of the remainder be done at a time and place of Ser Morys choosing, some grand tourney perhaps, he would surely afford a messenger. See, if Ser Balon is capable of murdering Dayne's and others, the moral qualms about killing one little hedge knight to avoid the cost of a purse heavy with gold sounds like something Ser Balon the Black has long abandoned by the roadside, yes, they do call him that now, or at least some are. Bluff: 4d6k3 13 so would beat Balon's awareness (and ID, but Morys doesn't have the status for simple intrigue), meaning that to Balon's judgement, it's plausible that he's sincere. Balon can try and negotiate the price downwards, the upfront cost in particular, 200GD is seriously overshooting.
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Post by Father on Mar 26, 2020 23:32:54 GMT 1
Robyn
One should never need a pretext to buy another man a drink, though Dennis isn't too fond of what they brew in the Riverands, The Reach is surely the best place to be.
Daeron
Normyn thinks not there will be a tourney for Lady Daena's hand, how to have one announced and deny Ser Simon entry? Although that might be the only way to get Redtusk sufficiently interested in pursuing her hand that he might finally end up hitched to someone. Normyn wonders if he is holding out for a joust to win his fair lady, as if life is a grand game. But all the other usual suspects would undoubtedly show up, Ser Aerion Flowers presumably, Normyn himself, he might get lucky, or at least snatch a few ransoms. Then there are others, Ser Titus Blackbriar, say. It would be a grand roll of the dice on her behalf, but if she cares naught for the politics of her husband's side and intends to have House Roxton do as it otherwise would regardless, maybe.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 27, 2020 3:23:44 GMT 1
MikelSer Ulbert gives it a bit of thought. "They usually cost more than they're worth, the free cities has plenty of gold but little in the way of fighting men, so they sign contracts with companies, often lasting for years and typically renewed. All the good ones will demand such terms. The rest? Can't be relied upon, some might betray you for a higher bidder, most will sound the retreat if it looks like they did not sign on with the winning side." He grimaces. "Myrish Crossbowmen are dangerous, their bolts can punch through armor, they fire in concentrated volleys that could tear open a hole in your line, protect them with good infantry or cavalry and they will be an improvement to almost any Westerosi army." "Good crossbowmen sound worth their cost. What of other units, perhaps professional scouts or infantry? I imagine the Westerosi Knight to be among the most fierce of cavalrymen but except for a Lords retainers the majority of infantryman are raised from levies of peasants." Mikels curiosity was genuine, he was interested in how Lords might see the idea of a professional company in Westeros and what positions they believed they would best fill.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 27, 2020 15:57:35 GMT 1
DavosNobody is like to be particularly pleased about any of this, Bloodraven mutters half to himself as Davos prepares to take his leave. Davos pauses as he reaches the door, and turns back to Bloodraven. "It occurs to me there are some other matters that you may be able to assist me with - or may be interested in looking into for your own purposes."He frowns, thinking about it. "During the recent so-called 'Vulture Hunt' in which my brother was killed, there are two groups of soldiers that Lord Oakheart's people are being remarkably tight-lipped about - those led by Balon Blackbriar and Marq Warren. The former I suspect may have had something to do with my brother Vorian's death. The latter led a force of some three dozen or so archers, which roughly matches the description of the group that ambushed Lord Blackbar."He smiles, slightly. I would be very grateful for my brother's murderer to come to justice. As for Marq Warren - to be honest I care far less, but surely it would be a powerful - and important - message to send that the King is not so weak as to allow lords to be murdered simply for having wed a Dornish bride. Especially if you want the people of Dorne to fight with you against a usurper, rather than just sit back and see who comes out on top."
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Post by Father on Mar 27, 2020 23:55:15 GMT 1
Mikel
Ulbert seems rather dismissive to the idea, who would pay for them? Even in the days of frequent warfare in Westeros among multiple kings and pretenders there are little in the way of records of any such company. It is one thing for a warrior or a group of them to find a lord willing to pay him coin to fight in campaigns. Getting paid in times of peace is quite another. Lys, Tyrosh and Myr, those most eagerly hiring entire companies of sellswords to fight in the disputed lands each have more coin flowing through than any city in Westeros, and Pentos is probably even richer, while Braavos and Volantis certainly are. While the most affluent lords of westeros could hire such companies, Reyne and Lannister for a certainty, Hightowers and Tyrells in the Reach, why would they? They all have garrisons numbering in the hundreds, perhaps even more, knights, crossbowmen, guardsmen. They could do as both Blackwoods and Brackens do and mandate militia exercise once a week. Most companies of Essos will hardly be more capable than such men, more skilled perhaps, but a man that fights for gold will not have the same motivation as a man who fights for his home.
Davos
Bloodraven have admittedly not given the Blackbar attack much consideration, with the state of The Reach seemingly being at least three conspiracies in every castle. And Bitterbridge and Starkwood are not without resources of their own to investigate. He has focused his inquiries elsewhere, Oldtown, Starpike, Old Oak, Horn Hill, Highgarden, Longtable, Red Lake. He is pretty sure whose hands it was that buried Ser Vorian if a rockslide did not do that, but without any evidence, no reliable testimony, his knowledge can only be used to set off a cycle of vengeance. So his agents will continue to turn over stone after stone in search of that one little creep that won't manage to scurry away fast enough. Hopefully it will sing a song sending Lord Walgrave to the wall.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 28, 2020 3:54:36 GMT 1
Justice, as has been previously noted, can take many forms - and a man is much more motivated to speak against his masters when doing so is the difference between life and death.
As for a cycle of vengeance - well, Davos wasn't too worried about that - few miss a rabid cur after it is put down, and last Davos had heard the cur in question had almost no family of significance - an uncle that seemed to love him not? A cousin that keeps him at arms length to avoid the stench of association? A brother, aye, that could be one, Davos knew all to well the fury of a brother. A risk he would be willing to take, if the tales of the brother from the Black Tourney were true.
Surely Ser Brynden could see how the resolution of the present issue and Dovos' own desire for justice against hie brother's murderer were not so different...?
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Post by Father on Mar 28, 2020 17:51:55 GMT 1
Such things rarely end with just the one, Lord Alekyne is certain to take a strong disliking to what transpired at The Green Door Inn, but Ser Simon remains his son, he will be greatly angered should the punishment diminish the number of grandchildren he can have. Lord Peake might keep his cousin at an arm's length, but he will still protect him. A vengeful brother there might be, perhaps two, and a mother and a sister as well. If Davos moves openly, Lord Oakheart will be quick to react.
There are ways of course, if Ser Davos ever finds himself in Oldtown, he might visit The Mermaid, order a drink, pay the bartender a golden dragon and mention an appointment with Eyeless Errol. Lady Laena is very resourceful, it could be interesting to see what help she could offer. Besides, Lord Blackwood has already tasked Ser Ulbert with seeking out Ser Balon on the battlefield if possible. And end him.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 31, 2020 7:53:26 GMT 1
BalonOnly a young knight of the hedges would be fool enough to believe he might win more in ransoms for perhaps an even greater risk to himself, Ser Morys rebuts. Such amounts as Ser Balon talks about are only what lords might offer, and some dozen knights who wins more jousts than they lose against men on destriers and full plate, and can afford to lose in the first place. But now that Balon mentions it, no, they aren't exactly friends of Ser Morys, more like acquaintances in a business transaction. He in fact, does not even have a stake in their plot, taking coin to deliver the message, which he just did. He feels no obligation whatsoever in not telling Ser Balon what he knows of them. Especially if the compensation for doing so would outweigh the potential profits of all future ventures he might have with them. But if the rumors are true, which Balon's interest does seem to imply, he must insist on a large part upfront, and that delivery of the remainder be done at a time and place of Ser Morys choosing, some grand tourney perhaps, he would surely afford a messenger. See, if Ser Balon is capable of murdering Dayne's and others, the moral qualms about killing one little hedge knight to avoid the cost of a purse heavy with gold sounds like something Ser Balon the Black has long abandoned by the roadside, yes, they do call him that now, or at least some are. Bluff: 4d6k3 13 so would beat Balon's awareness (and ID, but Morys doesn't have the status for simple intrigue), meaning that to Balon's judgement, it's plausible that he's sincere. Balon can try and negotiate the price downwards, the upfront cost in particular, 200GD is seriously overshooting. "You're wary, I understand. The kind of coin I'm talking about takes most knights several life times to accumulate. But if there is one thing you can believe, one thing you can take away from this conversation, is that I take things very seriously. I take my reputation," more accurately his life, "very seriously. And right now I want your undivided attention." Balon expected he'd want to be paid in a public venue and that was fine. He'd do the same thing, but Morys would receive the bulk of his gold after Ser Ondrew was dead. "If what you say is true and your *business transaction* with these men is complete then allow us to negotiate a deal. Tell me about these men. Tell me how I can find Ser Ondrew. Tell me how you plan to convince them that this little blackmail attempt worked and I'll tell you how much money you get right now. A taste of what's to come." Balon's eyes bored into him, looking for any sign or tell, "When this ugliness is behind us you'll see that I keep my word."Do you want me to roll anything in particular to get the upfront cost down?
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Post by Father on Mar 31, 2020 20:37:11 GMT 1
There's the rub, he's just the messenger, someone will have seen that he spoke with Balon, and someone will leave his payment at the agreed upon drop point. He can't tell Balon where Ondrew is, or where the others are. He can give Balon their names, he can tell Balon what they look like and he can tell Balon where he met them.
The way Morys understood it, they were hoping that Balon would point the finger at Lord Walgrave, so that when they sell Ser Ondrew to the loyalists, they'll fetch an even better reward for providing the opportunity to silence any conflicting account rather than producing a not so reliable witness to certain deeds. No need to have any sort of confirmation, either Balon gives him up, or he remains silent.
You might want to do a knowledge (streetwise) and a simple (intrigue) bargain to figure out what a still very princely sum for a hedge knight's compliance would be.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 31, 2020 21:13:16 GMT 1
[Phase 3] Riverside Chats, Ser Morys, Knowledge (Streetwise) & Persuasion (Bargain): 2d6 10 3d6 9Balon was better at making friends and seducing women (or so he believed) than haggling. He had a decent idea of what a hedge knight's compliance would be worth but getting Ser Morys to agree would be the tricky part. "The more detailed information you give me on your friends the sooner you get your second, and much larger payment."
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Post by Father on Apr 1, 2020 14:55:28 GMT 1
If Balon had not opened so high, he could surely get it cheaper, but 10 gold now, and 10 gold later, at the Grinning Boar at Bitterbridge, the Caswells would surely be quite eager to intervene should Balon try something sinister.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 6, 2020 0:09:20 GMT 1
DaeronNormyn thinks not there will be a tourney for Lady Daena's hand, how to have one announced and deny Ser Simon entry? Although that might be the only way to get Redtusk sufficiently interested in pursuing her hand that he might finally end up hitched to someone. Normyn wonders if he is holding out for a joust to win his fair lady, as if life is a grand game. But all the other usual suspects would undoubtedly show up, Ser Aerion Flowers presumably, Normyn himself, he might get lucky, or at least snatch a few ransoms. Then there are others, Ser Titus Blackbriar, say. It would be a grand roll of the dice on her behalf, but if she cares naught for the politics of her husband's side and intends to have House Roxton do as it otherwise would regardless, maybe. Daeron stroke his chin. So many days away from Kingsbridge had left his face with more stubble than he normally permitted, but stroking it made him feel wise and pensive. "It seems then that the best course of action is to actually find out what it is that drives Lady Daena if she is to be the mistress of her own fate. Does she prefer a knight who is strong? Gallant? Handsome? Loyal?
Once I return to the Reach I will have to investigate further what she is looking for in a husband, and perhaps what her father prefers. It can never hurt to have Lord Owen's friendship and endorsement."
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