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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 19, 2018 5:13:29 GMT 1
It's late in the afternoon when when Septon Abelar approaches Ser Roland in the near-empty bathhouse. The septon slides into the same pool as Roland, allowing the slight splash to herald his presence. He's naked as his nameday, but the waist-level water and tendrils of steam obscure everything below his navel. Above it, he looks especially skinny, like a great bird suddenly shorn of its plumage. Without his white robes and black cloak, he appears almost common, with narrow shoulders, puckered, aging skin, and thin, graying chest hair. Only his face remains the recognizable from his usual presentation--imperious, judgmental, unyielding. First, he lowers himself in the water so as to submerge himself to the neck, and then rises, allowing the water to slough off of him, running in rivulets through the concave of his chest and down his starved-looking arms.
"Ser Roland, well-met. I noticed you bathing and thought I should approach." After Roland acknowledges him, the septon continues. "House Cordwayner is on many people's lips of late, and I find myself wanting to learn more. Naturally, I sought you out. Your reputation for chivalry precedes you, and I thought--perhaps presumptuously--that your service at another house would allow you to offer a dispassionate view."
Not sure if intrigue yet--fire away whenever you feel like it. Abelar's question here is ambiguous, meant to be interpreted as either being about Denyse rumors or Quentin's betrothal to Ashara.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 20, 2018 14:06:27 GMT 1
Roland's body told of battles fought but was less marred by scarring that might be expected, given his enthusiasm for the training yard and his service against the Dornish. A testament to the Reach's armoursmiths and perhaps the man's own abilities. He retains his Seven-pointed star pendant even in the baths, seemingly unwilling to be parted from the token for even a brief moment.
A little surprisingly, Roland is applying soap to his dark black hair, worn as long as a helm comfortably permits it must require frequent trimming. His dark hair matches his lord brother's, in contrast to the golden locks of his niece and nephew in House Cordwayner.
"Septon Abelar, an honour if an unconventional one. I had expected to first hear your words at a sermon rather than in a bathhouse, but the light of the Seven must shine where-ever and whenever it is needed."
The greeting is offered with gravity where the same words could have been a jest from another man.
Roland sucks air through his teeth and pauses.
"My thanks for your kind word on my own reputation, yet I fear today Cordwayner is more associated with lies being spread about my good niece Denyse."
"I will do my best to answer honestly. A man will naturally favour his family, but on my honour as a knight I hope to do so only by providing explanation and mitigation. You will still have the facts as I know them."
[OOC: TN 8 Awareness (Empathy) to confirm Roland is sincere in his desire to be honest but concern he may favour his own family. Or just a passive auto-succeed given the ease of the check]
Seldom a subtle man, Roland's thoughts immediately go to the gossip about his niece's virtue as this has been vexing him all day. Quentin's betrothal may have greater political weight and longer time consequence, but it is not the first subject to come to his mind.
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 21, 2018 5:47:45 GMT 1
The septon reaches for the lye as he responds to Roland's comment about the unconventionality of his approach. "Even septons must bathe, ser. The light of the Seven shines down on us in all places, but especially when we are exposed. Hence why some septons shave the tops of their heads, so as to show the Father that they have nothing to hide."
Turning to the matter at hand, Abelar's face darkens. "I too have heard the rumors regarding your sister. They are most distressing. I am also interested in the union of your brother nephew to Lady Ashara Starkwood--the betrothed seem to be dancing on puppeteer's strings, and I intend to discover who holds them." I mustn't spill what I know too early.
[D2 Roland] Awareness (Empathy): 6d6k4 20 Success. Awareness (Empathy) TN 13 to determine that Abelar is not telling all he knows regarding the rumors. |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 21, 2018 12:21:09 GMT 1
Roland dunked his hair under the water, but did not begin washing it out by hand until he had finished answering his unexpected companion. "I shall uncover these lies and and put an end to them." "My nephew is indeed to marry the Lady Ashara Starkwood. They will make quite the contrasting pair when he shelters her with her new cloak, but I fear some knave spins a web encompassing what should be a happy betrothal and the calumnies about my niece, for the Lady Ashara is a common thread here, though I fear as victim rather than instigator." Ser Quentin's Andal heritage was clear for all to see, in contrast to Ashara's Dornish features. WATR - Will: 3d6 15Roland managed to at least consider his words, rather than desperately seek the Septon's aid in rescuing Ashara from her predicament. For the moment at least, Abelar is spared talk of glamours and witches. "I am most concerned of such, having spent this morning interrogating the smallfolk on the source of this manner. The clearest description I heard spoke of a woman near identical to Lady Ashara's unique appearance and bearing as the source of such talk." As a reflex he touches his seven pointed star necklace. "Fear not however, I had it from her own lips that it was not her. She informed me that she has in turn heard many outlandish tales about the House she is to join, despite my family's historic good standing. It may be that some plotter has placed some mummer to mimic Lady Ashara's manner and speech, traducing my niece to some end. Perhaps the weakening of House Cordwayner or an end to the betrothal." Roland shrugs in resignation, sending droplets flying. [OOC: I can't hit that TN due to Romantic and the Septon being a member of the faith in good standing. Roland's not the type of man to be looking for secrets in a man of the Seven! Kicking in Roland's Honourable/Romantic drawbacks to avoid just blurting out Roland's wackiest theories to help "save" Ashara. Roland's nephew is to marry Ashara, apologies if any earlier posts were misleading while we sorted out family trees.] |
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 22, 2018 20:18:41 GMT 1
Abelar listens carefully to Roland's tale. "A mummer . . . it could be so, and it would not be the first time someone tried to drag Ashara's name through the muck." But how many Dornish women are there in Highgarden who match that description?
"As for the betrothal itself, whose idea was that? Mayhaps if we know the details of that, we can understand who stands to lose."
Probably looking to wrap this one pretty soon, so that we can focus on day three.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 22, 2018 21:13:46 GMT 1
Roland held up his hands in supplication, once more sending a spray of water across the room.
"I fear you will find me less well informed on such matters than is to be expected. What little we hear of Hammerhal arrives at Kingsbridge from my niece, Denyse, and with the odd robber knight and bandit letters are unreliable. I found a trusty hedge knight who has managed to consistently send missives when employed. However, I sent him with a message ahead of the tourney, and though he assured me it got through and took my silver, I was most disappointed that the next two caravans guarded by Cordwayner men brought no word from my family. Stout men hired by my sister in law herself, but no word despite me oft sending her sworn swords back with letters."
"Despite my best efforts at correspondence, I fear my guess would be no better than any other man's."
[OOC: Cunning (Logic) TN 12 to figure out Lady Maegelle Cordwayner may be running interference on Roland's correspondence]
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 23, 2018 0:28:47 GMT 1
Abelar splashes some water in his armpits and rubs the grime from his body. It's well-known that Lady Maegelle rules in House Cordwayner. It seems she has cut one of her lord husband's brothers off from the family talk. What of the other? "I understand--your status as a sword sword of Knightsbridge removes you from such matters. Perhaps your brother Normyn might offer counsel on this sort of thing. Remind me, he is younger than you, is he not?"
[D2 Roland] Cunning (Logic): 5d6k4 15 (success) |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 23, 2018 7:22:55 GMT 1
"I cannot fault you for thinking it given his youthful vigour, but my natural brother is old enough to have won his spurs at the Prince's Pass. He serves my sister by marriage as House Cordwayner's champion and captain at arms."
Ser Normyn was old enough too to have fathered Ser Quentin Cordwayner and Lady Denyse Cordwayner according to rumour, but Roland left this unsaid, not believing the talk himself. Nor did he mention that Ser Normyn filled this role by necessity, given his Lord brother's meek nature.
"He has been stationed at Hammerhal for many years and is well liked by our house's sworn swords. Given his close service to my brother and Lady Maegelle there was little need for me at Hammerhal, hence my wanderings. There is every reason to believe he will be better informed than I."
A place at the family seat, aiding a less martially inclined elder brother is a role that would naturally have fallen to Ser Roland had fate been kinder. Or had King Aegon the Unworthy been less prolific...
[OOC: Awareness (Empathy) TN 8 to pick up on Roland's feeling's toward his half-brother: strong professional rivalry with a famed knight, extending to a mild dislike at being displaced by a bastard, but not outright hatred]
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 23, 2018 23:37:33 GMT 1
The septon finishes scrubbing his arms. "Your reasoning is sound in that Cordwayner's succession is secure enough to allow you to write your own verse in life. I cannot fault you for your service elsewhere, which by all accounts has been distinguished by your valor and chivalry."Abelar looks a little sad, his tone almost apologetic. "But it is troublesome that the letters seem to have been . . . delayed. As you say, you made your best efforts at correspondence? I should think that you and Ser Normyn would have much to discuss, as you are both outstanding knights. With his command of the garrison, he could do much to ensure that the letters to and fro do not fall prey to brigands . . . " Abelar takes a pause here, allowing the uncomfortable implication to hang between them until Ser Roland acknowledges it.
OOC: This is meant to be Abelar gently leading Roland to the conclusion that House Cordwayner could easily secure the communications, and therefore, somebody isn't responding to him. If you think it's still too subtle, then maybe a TN 9 Cunning (Logic) test? Or TN 6?
[D2 Roland] Awareness (Empathy) 2: 6d6k4 14 success |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 24, 2018 7:18:27 GMT 1
"Your words do me honour Septon, and I shall strive to live up to my vows."
Roland frowns and sucks air through his teeth.
"Most vexing. It could indeed be fairly said that I send more letters than I receive, despite not infrequent traffic between our houses and the reliability of Cordwayner and Starling men. I could write my natural brother more..."
He is lost in thought for a moment, but seldom fails to note a bastard's status, legitimised or not. Such prejudices run deep.
"Denyse is a most constant correspondent, and has fewer duties than Ser Normyn. Surely she would not fail to return letters that I know have won through? I am sure there is some innocent explanation here..."
The first sentence was offered with far more conviction than the meek finish to the second. Roland would seek to make inquiries with House Cordwayner's sworn swords on this matter tomorrow, seeking to spare his blood embarrassing confrontations until he knew more.
[OOC: edited follow-up to this in to my D3 Great Hall event post]
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 25, 2018 1:52:24 GMT 1
Finding an extra cloth lain beside the bath, Abelar scoops it up and offers it to Roland. "You do yourself credit ser, in searching for the innocent explanation. I do not fail to note that. And neither do others, I surmise." They believe they can walk all over him. The septon adopts an almost fatherly tone. "Despite the trouble of these letters, I can see that you know the true character of Denyse and Ser Normyn. Let that guide you in your dealings with them."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 25, 2018 7:23:49 GMT 1
Taking up the cloth with a nod of thanks, Roland set to drying off, having washed the soap from his hair and body.
Roland was more resolute this time, encouraged as ever by religious advice. The faith was ever a source of wisdom and bedrock of strength - it was a blessing to have the Septon at the tourney for trying moments.
"A man should not so firm set on honourable behaviour that it blinds him to his absence in others, ultimately diminishing his own."
[/scene after any parting words]
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 26, 2018 0:52:48 GMT 1
The septon nods gravely. "I see my words were not lost on you. May the Seven guide you in the days ahead." As Roland begins to dry himself, Abelar turns toward the submerged stairs.
If any man questions the septon's hatred of sin,
Peels away fiery judgment in search of a lord’s desire,
His flesh attests truly, that the guilt burns hottest within.
The red ruin does not betwixt shoulder and hip expire,
Telling that its author left no discipline
Without mark—a bright scar for each sin require’d;
And they paint a hist’ry of a man whose
Passions rival the strength of the pews,
By the lash, mortal urges are banished away,
But only for a day.
[/scene]
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jul 26, 2018 11:46:04 GMT 1
[OOC: Impressed by the Septon's advice and deeds matching his reputation, Roland is now Amiable towards Septon Abelar]
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Post by Septon Abelar on Jul 26, 2018 23:35:30 GMT 1
[OOC: Septon Abelar is also Amiable towards Roland]
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