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Post by Father on Dec 28, 2023 9:54:51 GMT 1
There are three ways to Oldtown, Sea, River and The Roseroad, and though goods largely flow by water, not so for nobles, and a steady train of lords, knights and their entourages are making their way by The Roseroad, some follow it far, others for a much shorter distance, some sends riders ahead to secure rooms for the highborn at the overcrowded inns, those who cannot must settle for the barn, or the hedge, many a knight simply opts for their pavilions as they are brought along anyway, but even those will rarely resist the temptation of hot broth, ale and companionship.
Participation: Things *might* happen, plot hooks could be revealed, foreshadowing (and red herrings) could occur, or nothing more than player monologues about their character's behavior and thoughts leading up to the tourney and wedding. NPC's could be nominated if players would want to get some glimpses at them. Most PC's would likely choose to travel with the household they are a member (or leader) of or have kinship with, meaning a number of notable NPC's will likely be present in the background of any scene involving PC's. The options below can be skipped if so desired.
Have a drink. -Most knights does tend to have a few tankards, maybe enough to regret it in the morning. Ladies are usually more restrained. -Getting drunk probably carries no consequences unless a drawback could make things interesting. A lady getting drunk is unseemly and therefore ill advised if one is concerned with one's reputation. -Companions are likely minor knights or other nobles of little consequence. -participation allows you to learn one non-public random rumor.
A stranger on the road: A. If you have one of the following qualities: Furious, Lascivious, Prejudiced, Vindictive. -Test luck TN 6(+1 per additional drawback you possess), on a failure a provocation occurs (chose which drawback if several applies, chose which two in case of a critical failure). -If provoked, test self-control, on a failure a minor incident occurs to likely give cause to a rumor (though in some cases, such as vindictive in particular, it may be prudent for you to pro-actively create it). -On a critical failure, the incident normally will cost -1 chivalry/virtue, nobody cares much about bedding tavern wenches or bruising/insulting some lesser noble's third son. Deflowering a lord's daughter or insulting/harming someone noteworthy is not done without consequence. B. If no such provocation occurs, roll 1d2 (Featured NPC's rolls 1d6), on a 1, test instead for the narrator's table of interesting encounters (test again if another character previously rolled the same result): --The narrator may alter the scene on the fly to better fit the PC's witnessing it. 1. Simon Tarly angrily complaining as two knights and four men-at-arms carry out his fathers orders of no more drink this night. 2. A drunken knight provokes Fireball. 3. Farman Flowers seduces (at least tries to) a tavern wench. 4. A drunken Olyvar Crane is clumsily and relentlessly propositioning to a lady whose father is too cowed by the power of Red Lake to interfere. 5. Lord Oakheart calling some lady of a lesser house for a Dhornish whore. 6. Ser Victor Kenning and his men takes liberties with the innkeep's daughter. 7. Bar brawl breaks out over spilled ale 8. Someone gropes the tavern wenchs and gets a full mug of ale broken upside his head. 9. One of the tavern wenches is pickpocketing drunk patrons. 10. Ser Theomore Bulwer boasting about his tourney prowess, rather loudly. 11. Ser Eustace Osgrey drunkenly laments the hard times his once proud house has fallen on, and talks ill of the Durwells.
Characters travelling together may grant +1 assist bonus on point A (unless sharing a drawback, note that prejudiced is technically different drawbacks for different variations), they will then also share the outcome on B.
If a PC was not present, the events of the unused encounters likely only occurred if it hits the rumor mill. But ideas may of course be used in future scenes instead.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 18, 2024 17:16:48 GMT 1
Have a drinkLaena is charismatic and charming. She will happily have a little drink and socialise with nobles of little consequence, lending a sympathetic ear to what ails them. While she can't help in any serious way, of course, sometimes simply an opportunity to vent does a soul good. A stranger on the road:Roseroad - Luck - TN6: 2d6 6 Just passed! No provocation! Roseroad - Encounter?: 1d2 1 An encounter! Roseroad - Encounter!: 1d11 8 Someone gropes the tavern wench and gets a full mug of ale broken upside his head. At least it's not the bar brawl. That could have been rather deadly with my Endurance.
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Post by Father on Jul 21, 2024 14:06:30 GMT 1
Ser Rolland Uffering having had at least one drink too many, Laena likely found him and his friends annoying with the loud proclamations of who would get the most girls in Oldtown. The disturbance only worsens when he decides that he could not wait, and the serving wench would have to do. She is obviously accustomed to talking down drunk propositions, but Ser Rolland appears not to quite understand that some commoner would reject him. When he grabs her nether regions, shock takes hold and soon after, Ser Rolland is lying on the ground with a flagon of wine broken across his head. Sobered slightly or just filled with drunken rage, he is helped up by his friends, paying little mind to the blood trickling from the cut on his forehead. "You will regret that, wench! We'll teach you a lesson!"There were enough other knights and men here to outnumber Ser Rolland and his friends. But reading the room, most seems to be unworthy of their spurs, cowards waiting for someone else to do something. It might fall on Laena to prevent the poor girl from ending up with a black eye or worse. 1=Low, importance, harm done, reaction: 3#1d10 2 7 7
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 21, 2024 19:40:39 GMT 1
[Hrm. Some questions: 1) I don't suppose there are any actual ladies of negotiable affection present in the inn, are there? 2) Lord Ronnel and Ser Quentyn Uffering are not obviously present? 3) Whose land are we in? Meaning: which lord's peasants are these? 4) While the result in a law court is obviosly heavily weighed by political considerations, what does the actual law say about the situation? Do peasants technically have the right to say no? If a peasant draws first blood on a noble, is their life forfeit? That kind of thing. 5) Roseroad - Cunning (Memory) vs Ser Rolland: 5d6k4 11 - I imagine not with that roll, but do I have any idea who Ser Rolland is serving currently? His own family, or is he serving elsewhere? 6) Does this place seem like a 'family' business, meaning the wench is likely the tavern-owner's daughter? Or does she seem more likely to be a mere employee? 7) How 'immediate' does violence seem? I get the impression that if I don't act *right now*, it may well be too late, but thought I'd confirm. I do have a vague plan, but the answers to these may help solidify it.]
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jul 23, 2024 1:27:06 GMT 1
Flush with gold from his tourney wins and Riverland conquests, Daeron was more than happy to spend it if it meant having a soft bed and warm meal every night rather than sleeping on the side of the Roseroad. His winnings also meant that there would be plenty of drink for all, and drink he would as he enjoyed the company of the bands of knights flocking towards Oldtown. The Inns On The Roseroad-Provocation TN 8: 2d6 6 Provocation! The Inns On The Roadsroad-Provocation Resist TN 12: 6d6k4 21 No fake news rumors about him, this time, maybe.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 24, 2024 6:39:38 GMT 1
[Day 0] On the Roseroad, Luck TN8: 2d6 9, Pass[Day 0] On the Roseroad, Encounter: 1d2 1, An Encounter![Day 0] On the Roseroad, Encounter: 1d11 6: 6. Ser Victor Kenning and his men takes liberties with the innkeep's daughter. Have a DrinkBalon rode with House Peake to Oldtown. Not only was it more prestigious to ride with Lord Gormon than his uncle Lord Jon, it was safer. For Balon, he was with men he could trust and that was what he valued in the days and months to come. The roads had become dangerous, the paranoia becoming ever present, and the possibility of retribution a constant thought in the back of his mind. But for now he was with supporters of the true king and he could relax a little. "To Lord Gormon! To Blackfyre. Here! Here!" The men hoisted their cups in the air and cheered before chugging the ale. It was good to let loose and enjoy the revelry. Oldtown would be full of vipers, opportunists, and rabble rousers so it was nice to celebrate while they could. Balon thought back to his time with Lord Karl Willum at Highgarden and how much fun they'd had drinking. He was a joy to be around at night but the ponding headaches in the morning is something I can go without for the rest of my days. Balon had never been a gambler but cheered on a few men that had broken out some dice and wagered coppers with each other. Though the dice game eventually stopped the betting turned to who could win in arm wrestling. Balon beat most of his challengers but there was one Peake man-at-arms that was a hulk of a man, dwarfing even Balon. The sergeant was named Gregor and was missing one of his incisors from a mace he'd taken to the face long ago. Try as he might Balon couldn't beat Gregor and it was almost comical watching Balon struggle as if he was a child trying to move a bull's leg. Balon passed the night away enjoying the company, listening to what gossip was making the rounds.
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Post by Father on Jul 25, 2024 14:40:40 GMT 1
[Hrm. Some questions: 1) I don't suppose there are any actual ladies of negotiable affection present in the inn, are there? 2) Lord Ronnel and Ser Quentyn Uffering are not obviously present? 3) Whose land are we in? Meaning: which lord's peasants are these? 4) While the result in a law court is obviosly heavily weighed by political considerations, what does the actual law say about the situation? Do peasants technically have the right to say no? If a peasant draws first blood on a noble, is their life forfeit? That kind of thing. 5) Roseroad - Cunning (Memory) vs Ser Rolland: 5d6k4 11 - I imagine not with that roll, but do I have any idea who Ser Rolland is serving currently? His own family, or is he serving elsewhere? 6) Does this place seem like a 'family' business, meaning the wench is likely the tavern-owner's daughter? Or does she seem more likely to be a mere employee? 7) How 'immediate' does violence seem? I get the impression that if I don't act *right now*, it may well be too late, but thought I'd confirm. I do have a vague plan, but the answers to these may help solidify it.] 1. "Ladies" present, 1=yes: 1d3 3 Sadly, no. 2. No sign of those two. 3. That would be Flement Hutcheson, unremarkable and uninteresting, save for suspicion of having force-fed his daughter tansy and other nasty things after her pregnancy had progressed too much. 4. Technically, Rolland is assaulting her and medieval rape law practice is basically that if the woman doesn't resist verbally and physically to the best of her ability, it isn't rape. It might have been prudent to tell him off verbally first and hit him on the head if he persist, but next time she might be snatched up in his arms and can't hit back at all. Laena would likely have a field day with that defense and probably pull rank to get Rolland gelded because he obviously "was intending to rape her if not stopped", the wench.....if all she gets is bruises and marks that will heal, Rolland will risk nothing but a black mark on his reputation if someone were to spread the tale. If teeth or bones are broken, then maybe he'll be fined according to Lord Hutcheson's greed and political considerations about the Ufferings, the losing of hands is only forced if it's a Targaryen (touching a princess inappropriately technically qualifies), so there's a wide range of possibilities if it were a noble lady involved, but then the immediate consequence would likely be a knight challenging him to a duel and if Rolland were to be killed, even if having surrendered, people would likely chalk that up to The Seven meting out such punishment, at least when it's done to someone unimportant. 5. Seems reasonable to assume he lives at his brother's castle, although can't be sure. 6. Closeness, 1=daughter: 1d4 4 Employee. 7. Rolland looks angry and drunk enough that rage is currently in control of his actions.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 25, 2024 18:18:06 GMT 1
Ser Rolland Uffering having had at least one drink too many, Laena likely found him and his friends annoying with the loud proclamations of who would get the most girls in Oldtown. The disturbance only worsens when he decides that he could not wait, and the serving wench would have to do. She is obviously accustomed to talking down drunk propositions, but Ser Rolland appears not to quite understand that some commoner would reject him. When he grabs her nether regions, shock takes hold and soon after, Ser Rolland is lying on the ground with a flagon of wine broken across his head. Sobered slightly or just filled with drunken rage, he is helped up by his friends, paying little mind to the blood trickling from the cut on his forehead. "You will regret that, wench! We'll teach you a lesson!"There were enough other knights and men here to outnumber Ser Rolland and his friends. But reading the room, most seems to be unworthy of their spurs, cowards waiting for someone else to do something. It might fall on Laena to prevent the poor girl from ending up with a black eye or worse. Laena had a headache and a sore posterior from travelling all day. The near-constant travel her lifestyle now required of her was wearing on her. All she wanted was a relaxing evening with some quiet conversation. Instead she had his drunken boasts cutting in to her talks every few moments. In short, she had one nerve left, and that loud, braying knight was standing right on it! She looks around for which knight in the room full of them will be the first to step forward, and she wears a sneer when it becomes clear in just a moment that none of them will. Were she calm, she would probably return to her drink and only interfere if swords were drawn, but before she'd even considered the possible risks and political complications, her fists had SLAMMEDinto her table, and she had stood, drawing too much attention to back down now. "In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave." Not a yell, but a loudly projected voice, drawing even more attention, including hopefully Ser Rolland. Attemping to lock eyes with him, she strides confidently across the room towards him, face stern. "In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just."In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the young and innocent. "In the name of the Maid I charge you to..." Lowering her voice as she approaches, so she's not yelling into his face. "I charge you to what, son of House Uffering? What was the Oath you swore in front of the Seven and your Father?" Hopefully getting him to hesitate - framing the situation as a potential public breaking of a holy oath would hopefully cause all but the darkest of blackguards to think twice, at least.
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Post by Father on Jul 28, 2024 19:22:51 GMT 1
Daeron
Some knight of little consequence, or at least not one Daeron could recognize, maybe in the service of some lesser lord, seems to have been egged on by drink and his companions to hurl an insult across the room, although one that a wise man would simply ignore. Mayhaps the whole point was to trick the notoriously temperamental knight into a fight where in the commotion, someone would prick him with a poisoned needle? Such cynical thoughts is not too far-fethced when considering what tricks the pig may be up to. Most likely, it's just a dumb man being drunk.
Balon
In the corner, Ser Victor Kenning and his men presses the innkeep's daughter to sit and drink with them, somewhat plain to look on perhaps, but young and unblemished. She looks like a child next to that huge man, and not at all comfortable as they block her from leaving and Ser Victor's hands wanders were they should not. Balon has seen this episode unfold before, usually the girl is allowed to go when it's time to retire for the night, usually. Sometimes, such men decides that she should accompany them.
Laena
Ser Rolland is shocked at the interruption, angrily looking in the direction of Laena. Had she not been instantly recognized by him, there is no telling what he might have done, but he is apparently not so drunk or dumb to act on such impulses. "Innocent?! This harlot assaulted me! As you surely must have seen, punishment is only proper to teach her to know her place!". Neither eloquent or fully assured of himself, Ser Rolland does retains a certain stubborn sense of pride, the wrong sort making one unwilling to admit that one coulld e wrong or sometimes should do things any differently. A rather common flaw among his peers.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Aug 2, 2024 21:28:14 GMT 1
Ser Rolland is shocked at the interruption, angrily looking in the direction of Laena. Had she not been instantly recognized by him, there is no telling what he might have done, but he is apparently not so drunk or dumb to act on such impulses. "Innocent?! This harlot assaulted me! As you surely must have seen, punishment is only proper to teach her to know her place!". Neither eloquent or fully assured of himself, Ser Rolland does retains a certain stubborn sense of pride, the wrong sort making one unwilling to admit that one could be wrong or sometimes should do things any differently. A rather common flaw among his peers.
Laena gives a small, silent sigh. "In the name of the Maid, I charge you to protect all women. *That* was the holy oath you swore.
"You are, however, perfectly correct that I saw everything. And heard more than that. And I have to say, you are mistaken - what happened was not an assault, the maid merely flailed around in startlement when your hand accidentally slipped to somewhere it shouldn't have been. An accident on both party's side. Consider: on one side, a young woman with no combat training, on the other a group of well-trained noble knights. For her to deliberately strike you would be as mad as a noble knight publicly breaking his holy oath of knighthood." A patently ridiculous statement, but it gave him an easy 'out' without losing face - and by emphasising how the alternative route could be spun by those wanting to hurt his reputation, hopefully making him more inclined to take it. "Besides, you are so big and tough, I can confidently say that come morning, your hangover will be hurting far more than that scratch." Ending her argument with some empty flattery should hopefully sweeten the pill and make it easier to swallow.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Aug 3, 2024 6:57:18 GMT 1
BalonIn the corner, Ser Victor Kenning and his men presses the innkeep's daughter to sit and drink with them, somewhat plain to look on perhaps, but young and unblemished. She looks like a child next to that huge man, and not at all comfortable as they block her from leaving and Ser Victor's hands wanders were they should not. Balon has seen this episode unfold before, usually the girl is allowed to go when it's time to retire for the night, usually. Sometimes, such men decides that she should accompany them. Why me? Balon watched as Ser Victor and his cronies man-handled the poor lass. It was something that had happened countless times to countless women in countless inns across the ages. But why did it have to happen tonight? Balon considered his options and thought to what the role models in his life would do. His father would've defended the girl without a second thought. Fireball would've given Ser Victor a chance to do the right thing and let her go before he stopped them. Gormy... well Balon wasn't sure what he'd do. Whatever was most practical I suppose. Now Balon had to decide what to do. He didn't know much about Ser Victor other than he was a brute and a supposed bastard. What are my options? The straight forward answer to the burgeoning problem was violence and while Balon knew he could beat Victor one-on-one he was outnumbered at the moment. He could try to convince him in the error of his ways but that would likely lead to violence when he inevitably failed to persuade him. Balon thought of an idea, it was probably a terrible one, but it was the best he could think of. *** How much has Victor been drinking already? I'm thinking of challenging him to a drinking contest in the hopes he's already half in the bag and I can drink him under the table so he passes out.***
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Post by Father on Aug 5, 2024 20:09:48 GMT 1
Laena If nothing else, Laena has given Ser Rolland pause, flustered from wine or embarrassment or both, he does seem to at least halt for a brief moment.
That seems like a simple intrigue (convince) to me.
Balon
Perhaps even Fireball might wait and see if intervention was truly necessary, though he would likely linger to ensure that the girl would walk away without any more than an uncomfortable night. As for Lord Gormon, the best guess is a milder version of what mother would have advocated, if a supporter, prevent Ser Victor from sullying the dignity of the cause, otherwise, hope that his deeds can be used to soil the honor of the falseborn, and maybe be the one to interrupt things. With the loyalties of Ser Victor and House Kenning unknown to him, that example is rather hard to follow.
A drinking contest, he likely hasn't had enough for Balon to hold an advantage, given that Victor is a big man. But the plan isn't terrible.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Aug 5, 2024 20:55:00 GMT 1
Laena If nothing else, Laena has given Ser Rolland pause, flustered from wine or embarrassment or both, he does seem to at least halt for a brief moment.
That seems like a simple intrigue (convince) to me. Roseroad - Persuasion (Convince): 6d6k4 18 Sensing weakness, Laena pounces. With a friendly smile, she rests a hand on his shoulder. "Accidents happen to even the best of us, Ser Knight. What measures a man's character is how he acts in such times. Those who keep their heads clear and wits sharp are those who draw female attention - for with such a man, she can find stability and safety. And - especially in times like these - those are very attractive qualities to many ladies." She lets him infer what happens to those who fail to do so. She doesn't let her smile or hand linger. Threading the fine line between 'friendly' and 'flirtatious' is not easy, particularly with a drunk, so she errs on the side of caution.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Aug 9, 2024 17:23:51 GMT 1
DaeronSome knight of little consequence, or at least not one Daeron could recognize, maybe in the service of some lesser lord, seems to have been egged on by drink and his companions to hurl an insult across the room, although one that a wise man would simply ignore. Mayhaps the whole point was to trick the notoriously temperamental knight into a fight where in the commotion, someone would prick him with a poisoned needle? Such cynical thoughts is not too far-fethced when considering what tricks the pig may be up to. Most likely, it's just a dumb man being drunk. " Insulting someone noteworthy is not done without consequence." He thought to himself, as he clenched his hand around the hilt of his blade for a moment before unclenching it. None doubted his fierceness and killing a drunk man over insults wasn't necessary, or at least it wasn't necessary a second time. Still though, honor demanded a response. Downing his mug and rising to his feet, Daeron strode across the room towards the random idiot that was insulting him, but first he stopped at the hearth to snatch a smoldering cinder out of the flames with his bare hands. Dropping the ember into the heckler's drink it made a hiss as he leaned forward and "whispered" loud enough for most to hear, "Perhaps, Ser, you should slow down your drinking. It might even be prudent for you to call it a night."He looked down at the bubbling flagon now full of floating ash. "A shame, it looks like you let this one get warm anyway."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Aug 16, 2024 7:02:58 GMT 1
BalonPerhaps even Fireball might wait and see if intervention was truly necessary, though he would likely linger to ensure that the girl would walk away without any more than an uncomfortable night. As for Lord Gormon, the best guess is a milder version of what mother would have advocated, if a supporter, prevent Ser Victor from sullying the dignity of the cause, otherwise, hope that his deeds can be used to soil the honor of the falseborn, and maybe be the one to interrupt things. With the loyalties of Ser Victor and House Kenning unknown to him, that example is rather hard to follow.
A drinking contest, he likely hasn't had enough for Balon to hold an advantage, given that Victor is a big man. But the plan isn't terrible. When a serving girl came by to offer Balon a refill he put his hand over the top of his mug, "No. Not right now." She turned to leave but Balon stopped her, "Wait, come here girl. Bring me bread and," he pulled out a couple of silver stags and nodded in the direction of Ser Victor,, "Give that knight and his friends some of the strongest stuff you have and keep their mugs full. If they ask who it's from say it's compliments of the tavern. Do that and you'll get a nice bonus from me. Do you understand?"His plan was a simple one but those were the kind that were easiest to pull off. Step one was to eat bread while Ser Victor get drunk on free booze. Step two was to challenge Ser Victor after he was deep into his cups. When the time was right Balon walked over and stood in front of the group, "Last year at the Black Tourney the late Lord Karl Willum regularly hosted drinking contests with his friends. I was lucky to be counted among them and together we drank the Golden Rose dry. In his honor I've continued this tradition by challenging men at every tavern I've stopped at on the way to Oldtown and tonight is no different." Balon pointed a finger at Victor. "You. You look the only knight worth a shit in this tavern and I challenge you, drink for drink, until one of us is the last man standing." Balon gave a humorless smile, "Do you accept?"
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