|
Post by Father on Jan 9, 2023 23:06:21 GMT 1
Though Ironhand, predictably, is sheltered and Mikel is thanked in private by Bloodraven for putting himself in harms way in the form of Otho Bracken, no such protective hand is held above the head of Rhys Daverhyl, Bloodraven merely remains silent during the deliberations leaving Lord Blackwood to make the decision, and having first have to endure the Simon Tarly farce and then tolerate the march on Blackbuckle where he had merely been told that they would simply use their agents to make the Brackens aware of Ironhands numbers and location, not slash and burn for the sole purpose of forcing them to take the bait....with Ser Rhys Daverhyl though, he was neither family nor were his black deeds serving any military purpose -at least none that the young lord counted as such- and with a shrug bid the tribunal do what it will as Ser Rhys did not act under Raventree's orders. Rhys luck is running out? TN 9: 2d6 5 Breakdown: VP: Blackwood 190 -40 point deducted for denying Ironhand trial->150 Bracken 162 -54 points deducted for pushing for trials->108 Mikel and Rhys to trials. Mikel is owed minor favor from Bloodraven. Will do sorting algorithm for objectives later, trials takes priority.
|
|
|
Post by Father on Mar 7, 2023 16:04:36 GMT 1
As the tribunal is preparing itself, the taverns of Harrenhaal are full of talk of the upcoming trials, everyone has an idea of what will happen and most have an opinion of what should happen. The prevalent mood is that Mikel will simply be fined, while Rhys has fewer friends, hanged most thinks, maybe wishfully and dismissive of the notion that being from a faraway corner of The Reach with Dornish blood in his veins is not a death sentence. Other things Lord Hayford -much like Ironrod of the Dance- is much too rigid to treat Ser Rhys as any other knight of the realm, Lord Butterwell is soft and fond of mercy while Lord Lothston is a wily self-serving snake. A moot point perhaps, given how Ser Rhys likely fancies his chances in a trial by combat. And he is no knight of summer like some of the other Reacher men, any foolish enough to underestimate him will surely not live to learn from that mistake.
The Court of Public Opinion -Action can be taken for each case. -Characters having fought for Bracken will be ignored unless arguing for clemency. -Characters having fought for Blackwood or otherwise have strong ties to the accused will be ignored if arguing for clemency. -Characters gains +1 effective status ranks for each additional +D to audience tests. -TN increase/reduction number 1, 3, 6, 10 etc will count, tallied separately for increase and reduction.
Option 1: Soft influence, simply indicating your opinion does not raise any eyebrows or call any particular attention upon yourself. -Increase/reduce TN by half a point equal to your Status+Reputation-4.
Option 2: Hard influence, involves actively pushing for a certain outcome. -Pushing for clemency for Mikel is likely going to draw attention to yourself for possible reprisals from Ser Otho. -Pushing for harshness for Rhys is likely going to draw attention to yourself for possible reprisals from the Daverhyl's.
Cunning (Logic) TN 9 Persuasion (Convince) TN 9 Status (Reputation) TN 9 -Critical failure: No effect other than potential embarrassment and entanglements that might amuse the narrator. -One or more simple failures: Effect as soft influence. -Success on all tests: Increase/reduce TN by half a point per DoS scored.
Calling in favors -Enlisting an "agitator" usually costs a minor favor for soft influencing, for hard influencing, characters of high skill or profile usually will demand a major favor. -It may be possible to strike deals (with Eustace Daverhyl or Otho Bracken chiefly) for agitating a certain way. -PC's being approached: Daeron, Laena.
Influencing the judges One could approach Manfred Lothston, Ambrose Butterwell or Robert Hayford, although surely not incorruptible, they are all powerful men that would expect large offerings to be swayed by such. It is also considered unbecoming of a noble to attempt to influence them behind closed doors as relevant evidence and testimony should be presented to them at the trial for evaluation or not at all, so this could be risky strategy.
Representation -The defendant may receive assists from up to two characters on tests marked with*, Otho Bracken will take note of any who assists Mikel. -In trial by combat, the defendant does have the right to name a champion other than themselves.
Crime and Punishments
The following sentences are possible (Taking the black instead will likely be permitted): X. Death. +2 Fire 21. Mutilation (Gelding most likely for Rhys, Hand for Mikel). +1 Fire, an additional +1 Fire if combat ability is considerably impaired. 15. Exile - Rhys starts here - +2 Fire. 10. Large Fine and a year of confinement to a sept to cleanse the spirit with contemplation and honest labor.- +1 Fire, 6. Large Fine - Status*Coffers- Mikel starts here 3. Small Fine - The Ransom one would have to expect to pay for ones freedom if captured in the fighting. 1. Exoneration. --The number indicates the amount of negative chivalry that is suffered.
Trial
Cunning (Logic) TN 12* Persuasion (Convince) TN 12* Status (Reputation) TN 12
-Success on all tests: Reduce the severity of the punishment by one step. -Per Critical failure: Increase the severity of punishment by one step. -Per DoS that does not contribute to move the severity step, reduce the inflicted chivalry points by 1. -For each +1 to the TN that is accepted, the severity of the punishment is reduced by an additional step if succeeding on all tests.
Confess ones crimes: -The defendant may always chose to default to 3 simple failures by confessing fully. -Succeeding on Awareness (Empathy) TN 9 and Cunning (logic) TN 9 is required to recognize that the TN's have been shifted by the sentiments of those gathered if applicable. -The defendant may opt to consult with another to have them test in their stead.
Trial by combat -May be demanded at any point up until the tribunal announces its decision. -Succeeding on Awareness (Empathy) TN 9 and Cunning (logic) TN 9 is required to recognize that the trial goes poorly and thus "allowing" the conclusion that Trial by combat is preferred, these tests one must do on one's own. -At the conclusion of the combat (if defendant survives) forces all 3 tests to be done, possibly over again, (with no +3 to TN's if that was attempted), but all these tests uses Status (Reputation) of the defendant. -If the duel was won, this merely determines any negative chivalry inflicted, and the starting severity is treated as one step better. -If the duel was lost, this carries the full consequence of the result, and the starting severity is treated as one step higher. -If Mikel demands trial by combat, everyone expects Otho Bracken to be the champion of the accuser. -Because Rhys' trial is first, Otho will refuse to be the Bracken champion, "saving himself in case that whoreson elects for the blade" as he puts it, Lord Bracken is then likely to select a volunteer from those who fought under his banner if a champion is needed, with a bias towards skill and commitment (such as voicing one's opinion strongly) though any knight might offer his blade.
Consideration for qualities: Charismatic: Add +1 to tests for hard influence and treat your ability rank as one higher when assisting under representation. Heir or any benefit that would grant additional test dice on audience tests (such as famous): Effects reliant on status rank are treated as if you had additional ranks equal to any extra dice granted. Avaricious: Yes, someone is going to have an offer to present to you. Prejudiced, Vindictive: Generally satisfied with taking the option for soft influence against an involved character on the trigger list, a case can be made that pushing for clemency for Mikel might make one feel good about oneself if Otho Bracken is on such a trigger list. Nemesis (Otho Bracken): Effects mainly accounted for where applicable. Vainglorious: Attempts to compel volunteering ones blade during trial by combat, although one may chose which side (and which trial if applicable) to stand for.
|
|
|
Post by Father on Mar 7, 2023 23:46:15 GMT 1
Daeron and Laena are both approached by some nondescript man deliver a written invitation, a Reacher by accent, but a man of very few words. It is signed by "Your friend, hopefully".
Laena might be intrigued by the choice of meeting place, public enough that she need not worry about trap or ambush, yet secluded enough for discretion. The right mix of securing privacy without alerting others that one were seeking shelter from prying eyes.
Daeron's attentions are most likely heavily drawn to the suggestion that this "friend" might be able to help with "certain individuals that have nothing but grief to offer", though certainly an offer Laena is likely to find interesting.
It's separate meetings, but he'll largely follow the same script in both cases, so most likely the introduction is the same if both takes the bait, but what he wants from each is a slightly different role in the plot.
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 8, 2023 4:21:14 GMT 1
Laena might be intrigued by the choice of meeting place, public enough that she need not worry about trap or ambush, yet secluded enough for discretion. The right mix of securing privacy without alerting others that one were seeking shelter from prying eyes. Laena is indeed intrigued. The caution taken with the invitation, and the cunning shown in the location identify someone who could well be a useful friend. While the consequences of denying an offer were typically more severe than denying a meeting, the risk seemed well worth it. While she did not see any kind of trap or ambush as at all likely, she did at least exercise a modicum of caution - making sure she was aware of all entrances and exits to the meeting area, and casually ensuring the emptiness of any inconvenint shadows within eavesdropping distance. Thus, with careful positioning, she could be confident that no-one could walk up on her unawares, and similarly confident that only the ears she was aware of would hear her words.
|
|
|
Post by Father on Mar 8, 2023 14:27:07 GMT 1
Taking some liberties interpreting where Roland and Mikel's votes would go.
Blackwood: 24 earned, 24 cast 13 Warrior's Seat (5 Mikel, 3 Davos, 1 Bloodraven, 3 Lord Blackwood, 1 Ironhand), weighted value: 150*14=2100 3 Greenhill (1 Bloodraven, 1 Lord Blackwood, 1 Roland), weighted value 20*4=80 3 Generic Land (1 Davos, 1 Lord Blackwood. 1 Roland), weighted value 5*4=20 5 Hostages (1 Davos, 3 Bloodraven, 1 Roland), weighted value 15*6=90
Bracken: 32 earned & cast 15 Pennytree (3 Balon, 1 Daeron, 1 Otho, 4 Bittersteel, 6 Lord Bracken), 50*16=800 4 Generic Land (1 Daeron, 1 Otho, 1 Bittersteel, 1 Lord Bracken), 5*5=25 2 Hostages (1 Bittersteel, 1 Lord Bracken), 3*15=45 5 Do NOT Punish Simon (3 from Lord Piggy's shenanigans, 1 Bittersteel, 1 Lord Bracken) 2 Punish Simon (2 Daeron) 2 Punish Rhys (2 Daeron) 2 Punish Ironhand (2 Daeron) 1 Punish Mikel (1 Otho)
Blackwood 150 VP and Bracken 108 VP to demand stuff with. -Strict following of sorting algorithm: --Blackwoods uses everything to get Warrior's Seat. +20 Blood --Brackens then grabs Pennytree, 58 remaining, then 5 for lands, 15 for hostages 38 remaining, 10 and 15 for land, 17 remaining. +11 Fire
But since characters aren't automatons, option B is to get other stuff, option C is to reduce VP by 59 (to 91 vs 49). B, Brackens gets same as above. Blackwoods gets Greenhill, 3x hostages, 1x lands spent: 70 Hostage #4, 100, Hostage #5, lands #2, 145. Blood points: 2+10+2=14 So strictly worse than A for Blackwoods. C, Blackwoods gets Greenhill, 3x hostages, 2x lands, spent 80, gets 2+6+2=10 Blood Points. Brackens now reduced to 38 points. 1x land, 1x hostage for 20, 1x land for 30 total, 4 Fire points.
So either A: 20 vs 11 or C: 10 vs 4. C sort of makes more sense by not having big ticket items go both ways (plus less of a flood of fire+blood points to deal with), so kinda leaning that direction. Also gives rise to the suspicion that the Blackwoods gave up Warrior's Seat so that they didn't have to release the twins.
|
|
|
Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Mar 16, 2023 4:10:06 GMT 1
Daeron's curiosity was piqued for sure, there were quite a few individuals offering him plenty of grief and he would love to see a few of them "helped", ideally to an early grave. Unlike his sister, his greatest precaution was making sure that he brought his sword with him. He doubted a trap, but he had already survived one assassination attempt in the Riverlands (and attempted one as well) so he knew that it wasn't completely out of place for someone to try and even the score even in a secure locale.
As he arrived at the planned meeting place he began to wonder who might want to help him? Lord Peake? Lord Florent? Bittersteel? All men who shared the same enemies as him, it had to be someone from at least the same mold, right?
|
|
|
Post by Father on Mar 16, 2023 15:51:02 GMT 1
If Daeron and Laena had been aware of the other one's meeting and the details of it, they would surely come to the conclusion that he had rehearsed, for his courteous introduction is exactly the same to both. He pours the wine himself while treating his guest to a small lecture on how the harsh sun and soil south of the Mountains makes the Dornish Red have a certain character to it, a more mature drink as it were, no disrespect to the Arbor and other places of course, but the taste of gentle lushness of the land is quite a bit less distinct. Whether expecting suspicion or not, he does drink more heavily from his cup than he would if the wine was poisoned before reverting to more modest sips, which might suggest that he intentionally wants to alleviate any such fears. To Daeron, the offer is simple enough, or so it might seem. "How would you like it, ser? To make Ser Simon get what he justly deserves? To teach an example to the seven kingdoms that members of a House as mighty as Horn Hill are not invulnerable, a precedence that the pig fears enough that his agents were sent here to help his cause?" He drinks wine while letting the point sink in. "Why, I believe I am able to arrange it in such a fashion to make you the valiant knight that brings him to the king's justice, and then what better candidate for serving as the champion of justice in the trial of combat likely to follow?" What he desires in return, Daeron can only guess at now, perhaps he suspects of Ser Eustace to want him and all other knights capable of standing up to his brother in trial by combat to not volunteer and leave Lord Bracken with selecting a lamb to be slaughtered rather than a knight to defend the king's justice. Although his desires may be something complete different, one can never know with schemers, although this one's immediate motivation in getting his brother back home in one piece seems likely to be the driving factor. To Laena, it is the opposite approach, instead of an offering, he states his desire, leaving it open to her to suggest or inquire about what he might provide in return. "There will be a trial by combat tomorrow, my brother fighting for his dignity and against a champion of Lord Bracken's choosing, I had a mind of changing that to a champion of mine own choosing, and Ser Aubrey or Ser Roland, I chose not, too good and...sadly incorruptible. I am certain that there are many knights that my brother are more likely to slay with a single blow than lose to that will step forward, but Lord Bracken is too old to point at any such fool, so to ensure the best odds of a favorable outcome, the candidate of my choosing needs to be a seasoned knight of no small renown, and I happen to have Wildfyre on my mind." Smelling something fishy?: 7d6k4+1 20 No, Daeron does not sense any "warning signs" about anything other than what Eustace is about to ask of him involves helping Rhys in going free. For Laena, just decadent simple intrigue charm: 6d6k4+4 21 It's a very good wine, although not truly special.
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 17, 2023 2:55:04 GMT 1
If Daeron and Laena had been aware of the other one's meeting and the details of it, they would surely come to the conclusion that he had rehearsed, for his courteous introduction is exactly the same to both. He pours the wine himself while treating his guest to a small lecture on how the harsh sun and soil south of the Mountains makes the Dornish Red have a certain character to it, a more mature drink as it were, no disrespect to the Arbor and other places of course, but the taste of gentle lushness of the land is quite a bit less distinct. Whether expecting suspicion or not, he does drink more heavily from his cup than he would if the wine was poisoned before reverting to more modest sips, which might suggest that he intentionally wants to alleviate any such fears. Laena, unsurprised at her host's identity, certainly appreciates the wine, and the silent reassurance. She makes sure to subtly gesure in return that his subtle reassurance of safety is appreciated without implying that it was in any way necessary (despite it being so). "There will be a trial by combat tomorrow, my brother fighting for his dignity and against a champion of Lord Bracken's choosing, I had a mind of changing that to a champion of mine own choosing, and Ser Aubrey or Ser Roland, I chose not, too good and...sadly incorruptible. I am certain that there are many knights that my brother are more likely to slay with a single blow than lose to that will step forward, but Lord Bracken is too old to point at any such fool, so to ensure the best odds of a favorable outcome, the candidate of my choosing needs to be a seasoned knight of no small renown, and I happen to have Wildfyre on my mind." Laena, mentally noting her brother's alleged corruptibility, keeps a passive face, revealing nothing of her thoughts. "I see." Sipping carefully. "And what role would you have me play?" [Do I have any kind of measure IC as to the difference in skill between the two knights?]
|
|
|
Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Mar 18, 2023 3:48:10 GMT 1
To Daeron, the offer is simple enough, or so it might seem. "How would you like it, ser? To make Ser Simon get what he justly deserves? To teach an example to the seven kingdoms that members of a House as mighty as Horn Hill are not invulnerable, a precedence that the pig fears enough that his agents were sent here to help his cause?" He drinks wine while letting the point sink in. "Why, I believe I am able to arrange it in such a fashion to make you the valiant knight that brings him to the king's justice, and then what better candidate for serving as the champion of justice in the trial of combat likely to follow?" What he desires in return, Daeron can only guess at now, perhaps he suspects of Ser Eustace to want him and all other knights capable of standing up to his brother in trial by combat to not volunteer and leave Lord Bracken with selecting a lamb to be slaughtered rather than a knight to defend the king's justice. Although his desires may be something complete different, one can never know with schemers, although this one's immediate motivation in getting his brother back home in one piece seems likely to be the driving factor. Daeron was initially shocked by his host's identity, but if his face betrayed his surprise the Vulture was gracious enough to ignore it. Frankly he didn't trust the man, but the wine was quite excellent, so he would at least hear him out until the wine was gone. "I too would like to see Ser Simon brought to justice for his numerous crimes, but I would like to know more about your plan. The Redwolf and I have worked tirelessly to bring together Blackwood and Bracken to agree on having him tried, but without any success. What is it that you're proposing that you think will get the two houses to agree on seeing him tried for his crimes?"
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 18, 2023 12:11:16 GMT 1
[ooc: Roland won’t vote for hostages as he doesn’t trust to Blackwood honour to treat them fairly, but can just relocate over votes to end up in same place.
I’m all for a more dramatic outcome and more points on both sides to push the plot forward via faction points and the history of lands switching sides in this feud frequently. But appreciate smaller may be easier. It’s just more fun to see an impact from play.]
|
|
|
Post by Father on Mar 19, 2023 19:42:22 GMT 1
Laena may recall that at the Whitewalls melee, the Daveryhl brothers had killed Ser Eoric, and forced the yields of Ser Zachery Redwyne, Ser Normyn Flowers, Balon and even Redtusk himself, though Ser Sandor is widely regarded as the most formidable and the one to best Redtusk man against man, Ser Rhys is built like an ox and surely as dangerous in a fight as he looks. Daeron is not without his accomplishments, such as having bested the Blackguards of Longtable alongside with other companions such as Ser Roland in the same melee. So the outcome would surely not be pre-ordained. He was however, taken captive by Ser Rhys at Battle Valley.
"If I were to suggest that Ser Daeron is the one most likely to win against Ser Rhys, people would quite rightly suspect me of ulterior motives. So better someone with no such stake in the matter to support his case when Lord Bracken is to choose, no? Perhaps Redtusk might be persuaded to allow Daeron his re-match? And there is no doubting Ser Daeron's passion and determination of course."
He himself drinks in moderation, but readily offers more win from the decanter if his guest wants more, more likely from Daeron than Laena perhaps.
"No, that battle is lost I fear" He says of Ser Simon. "As far as the King's justice is concerned, he had no part in the raping of those poor girls, the privilege of such an esteemed family name and the fear of Heartsbane being wielded in the name of the other dragon. To bring the King's Justice to him with hot pincers will require a different angle of attack, one you may need a different sort of friends for than you would find at Kingsbridge, I think.
|
|
|
Post by Laena Pyre on Mar 19, 2023 21:00:08 GMT 1
"If I were to suggest that Ser Daeron is the one most likely to win against Ser Rhys, people would quite rightly suspect me of ulterior motives. So better someone with no such stake in the matter to support his case when Lord Bracken is to choose, no? Perhaps Redtusk might be persuaded to allow Daeron his re-match? And there is no doubting Ser Daeron's passion and determination of course."He himself drinks in moderation, but readily offers more wine from the decanter if his guest wants more Laena is sipping and savouring her wine, certainly far from needing a refill just yet. Against such a foe, her wits needed to be sharp. "I see. Organising support for Ser Daeron should he stand is within my capbilities, and" a sly smile "from how you described Ser Aubrey and Ser Roland, it seems he will be well-motivated to stand." Her smile remains, and her tone lightly conversational, but her eyes are sharply assessing the man as she says her next words. "Your brother is a formidable warrior, no doubt justly proud of his talent. It must have been a bitter draft for him when you told him of your thumb on the scale."
|
|
|
Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Mar 21, 2023 0:57:25 GMT 1
His ears perked up at the idea of Ser Simon getting justice in a less formal manner.
Say what you will about the Vulture, but he knows how to speak my language.
"So you are willing to do this great favor for House Bracken and for justice in this land for.. free?
Let me guess, you'd like me to speak on your brother's behalf here to lessen his sentence? Who better to argue for clemency than one who is pushing for his punishment and fought him at Battle Valley?"
|
|
|
Post by Father on Mar 22, 2023 18:02:57 GMT 1
"Oh, my brother will only disapprove of my reminder that he should show magnanimity if his opponent yields." Eustace says dryly. "For him, as with most men, superficial wounds to pride become immaterial when a blade is pressed against it"
"After having been denied their pound of flesh for the atrocities of Lord Peake's nephew and the son of Horn Hill given the shield of such powerful names, do you think the half-breed fourth son of some insignificant Oldtown vassal who also happens to be an old and feeble man with a child for an heir will have any chance of clemency in front of a tribunal?" Eustace shrugs. "Trial by combat will be the only path to clemency on offer, and naturally, Lord Bracken might be inclined to chose the man clearly motivated to fight as hard as he possibly can, no?"
"Meaning you, ser, only I had imagined the rest of the tale to be of one warrior who have nothing to lose and one who fights with the caution such a match warrants, but this would neither be characteristic of his style, nor to his advantage"
|
|
|
Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Mar 22, 2023 20:33:01 GMT 1
Daeron's eyes narrowed as he began to understand exactly what the Vulture was implying. "Have you ever been in life or death combat Ser? I assume not since you're here, but it is unpredictable. Passions run hotter than you can imagine and even when unintended accidents can happen. Just look at Ser Dennis, I didn't intend to maim him, but when the stakes are so high one can't afford to hold back.
In the event that Ser Rhys and I engage in combat there is no guarantee that the predicted outcome will come to pass.
What makes you think that your brother will stay his sword when the time comes? What makes you trust that I'll be able to do the same?"
Some Vindictive rolls to shape some of his upcoming decisions: PIOT-Vindictive-Simon; Rhys TN 16: 2#6d6k4 14 17 (Looks like he's out to get Simon more today)
|
|