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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 4, 2019 18:14:23 GMT 1
Though he still bore a few bruises and scrapes from Ser Otho’s brutal assault, Daeron was otherwise good as new and ready to face an even more skilled opponent. If he had doubts about the impossible odds, he hid them well beneath his helm.
Trotting out onto the tourney grounds astride his own horse, he had decided that the scales were most balanced on horseback despite his own weaknesses. He raises his lance in salute to Lord Leo and then Lady Johanna as he awaits the approach of Ser Manfryd.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 4, 2019 19:14:44 GMT 1
Obviously, Laena is present. As are her children, Sylvina sitting on her lap, brow furrowed in contemplation, while Lander sits next to her on Selsa's lap, once more seemingly more interested in reaching for his mother's hair than the very serious and impactful events about to play out before them.
Superficially, Laena is calm, confident, and collected; though those even reasonably perceptive could infer nervousness from the way she strokes her daughter and looks about more often than necessary.
In truth, Laena is at least confident Lord Marq won't betray her this time - their interests align too closely in this case, and she trusts him to safeguard his champion's health well enough to avoid foul play. And everyone she cared to ask was firmly of the opinion Ser Manfryd held a strong advantage over Ser Daeron.
In short, the situation seemed ideal.
Which is why she didn't trust it. If a situation seems to be too good to be true, it almost always is.
*Almost* always.
Whether she'd missed something, and what it was would be revealed soon. One way or another. And to prepare for the possibility of the plan falling apart, she starts plotting ways to deal with Lady Johanna more permanently.
The two of them were too similar for the Kingdom to have both of them free and breathing.
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Post by Father on Feb 4, 2019 20:03:48 GMT 1
Ser Manfryd, acknowledges Lady Laena and Lord Tyrell before slamming down the visor on his helm, good for withstanding a lance charge, but it could be flipped up for better vision for proper aim with sidearms, of which he carries at least three. Seated on the same black Destrier he had ridden in the melee, but not the same as in the joust, a skilled eye might suspect he had not entered the lists with his best horse and armor. A man of his obvious talents could have laid the Reach before him, getting just about all he ever wanted, but he seems not to have such ambitions, quietly lurking in the shadow of Lord Durwell with not a whiff of rumor to suggest that he was discontented, once it had been suggested that he and Lord Marq were lovers, but that seems highly unlikely. Come to think of it, the man hardly spoke to anyone outside Lord Durwell's circle, most assume that he just happens to be one of those men who have settled down for good, yet unmarried still, surely Lord Marq would have have arranged for a bride if he wanted one? He squired for the previous Lord Durwell and took service with his young son upon attaining knighthood? Perhaps out of loyalty for watching the father die in his arms? Nobody knows.
But what everyone do know is that Ser Daeron needs the favor of The Warrior if Lady Johanna is to walk free. The Great Bastard is good, but surely not that good.
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Post by Alliser on Feb 4, 2019 21:11:26 GMT 1
A dusky skinned mummer plays to the commons a small play of hand puppets while they wait for the real entertainment to start, but Lord Alliser is long gone.
The mummer stops his play once the great bastards and the Knight grim face off, although if he is looking for anything special only the seven know.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 5, 2019 18:57:29 GMT 1
Daeron knew that he needed not just the hand of the Warrior to guide his lance, but the blessing of all of the Seven if he was to set Lady Johanna free. For now he’d have to settle for a blessing from Ser Roland instead who guided over his own mount to trade out for Argent as per their previous agreement. Daeron wished that he had time to marvel and admire the power of the new destrier underneath him, but this duel has been delayed long enough. Kicking his spurs into the beast, he thundered forward in a gallant, but hopeless charge. For once he attempted to change up his tactic from the all-out offense that he normally utilized for a more balanced attack. However, his efforts were of little use as his tourney lance broke against his foe’s shield, in a solid, but poorly placed, hit.
CD: 15 AR: 9 Health: 12/12 W/I/F: 0/0/0 Written by the Victors-Tilt 1-Brutal: 6d6k4+1 17
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Post by Father on Feb 5, 2019 20:05:34 GMT 1
Ser Manfryd seems to consider for a moment to match Daeron's tourney lance, but he opts for the war lance instead, Ser Daemon or Redtusk probably would have opted for gallantry. Ser Manfryd appears only to weight the comparative advantages of both weapons against each other and concludes that he trusts his horsemanship enough to be best served by the punching power of the war lance. His horsemanship proves strong enough for Daeron's lance to miss him cleanly, few knights would have survived his opening charge, fewer still would have survived the metal ball ringing against their helmet before they even had managed to survey the situation after the riders passed each other. Blackfyre, Stormbreaker or Redtusk would likely have matched the ferocity of his charge, and now giving the realms the true measure of just how good Ser Manfryd truly is, but Daeron appears horribly outmatched.
Modified AH: 22 Brutal+Defensive 3: 8d6k4+1 24 for TN 12 stay in saddle, then 2*18-9=27 damage (another 18 if failed SiS and Daeron is then prone). Vicious Weapon. Initiative: 7d6k5-3 16 There is no way Daeron can get higher than 16 and Manfryd has the most quickness dies, so proceeding. CD: 15 AR: 10 Health: 15/15(Tough) Fatigue: 1 Takes fatigue for lesser action to draw his Ball and Chain, moves over to Daeron and attacks: Standard Ball and chain attack;extra dices if Daeron is unhorsed: 8d6k5+6 25 2d6 7 Which looks like a 4 DoS hit (3 DoS if Daeron takes fatigue which he absolutely should do IMO), for 4*8-9=23 damage (15 damage with fatigue), add +3*4=12 damage if unhorsed and prone (9 with fatigue). Also shattering 1, so that's one CD off Daeron's shield.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 5, 2019 21:05:40 GMT 1
So focused he was on what his rival was riding for a horse, Daeron failed to notice what weapon he brought to the fight right until it had punched a hole through his armor, a fatal blow to a lesser man. No time to ponder on it though as he desperately threw up his shield to absorb a blow that could’ve cleanly removed his head from his shoulders. Daeron knew that he was beat, but he wasn’t ready to yield, not yet. He responded with a desperate riposte, hoping to land at least one clean blow before yielding. Victors-SiS TN 12: 5d6k3+1 161 Fatigue to ignore AP 1 Fatigue to draw longsword 1 Fatigue to ignore wound 1 wound to absorb that war lance 1 injury to stay standing CD: 5 (with shattering and reckless attack) AR: 9 Heath: 1/12 W/I/F: 1/1/3 Lesser Action: Draw weapon (fatigue to take) Greater Action: Reckless Attack Victors-Reckless Attack: 8d6k6+1 28 (3x6-10=8 damage) Is a ball and chain a vicious weapon?
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 5, 2019 23:14:59 GMT 1
[Ball and Chain is not vicious]
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Post by Father on Feb 6, 2019 10:04:38 GMT 1
Ser Manfryd does not slow down, when Daeron throws caution to the wind, he counters by focusing on defense, but his strike hits as hard as ever.
CD: 18 (15) AR: 10 Health: 7/15(Tough) Fatigue: 1 Aim+cautious Attack: 9d6k4+6 26 4*8-9=23 damage, and another 1 CD off the shield.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 6, 2019 11:53:39 GMT 1
Now, Laena is concerned for a different reason. Ser Daeron is being utterly dominated in the fight, which is definitely good for her, but now she's growing concerned that things may go too far. Ser Daeron is already seriously injured, and is showing no signs of giving up. She didn't wish to lose anyone who was willing to share information with her. Plus, he was a sibling, and that did mean something to her, even if she'd have difficulty explaining exactly what. She cuts a concerned look over at Lord Marq. After all he'd done to please Lord Leo, she didn't think it likely he wanted to add yet another body to the Black Tourney's count. But he could be rather unpredictable.
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Post by Father on Feb 6, 2019 19:20:16 GMT 1
Lord Marq is difficult to read, his face wears a solemn mask, very appropriate for the situation, most likely he had left no other instruction to his sworn shield than "win", and Ser Manfryd will fight on without holding back until Daeron yields or collapses to the ground, the only two ways a trial by combat ordinarily would end, one man yields or makes no sign of trying to get up from the ground.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 6, 2019 21:09:01 GMT 1
There was an audible crack as Daeron’s risky maneuver was rewarded with at least one broken rib.
He had hoped to yield on his own terms, but instead had to settle for slowly sliding off his horse into the dirt, unconscious. Had it been a fight with Otho or for The Cause, he might have held on longer, but he had nothing left to give for a hopeless fight.
Defeated AF
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 9, 2019 12:49:08 GMT 1
On the one hand, Laena is jubilant, and she stands to applaud her champion's dominant display, but she keeps casting subtly worried looks at Ser Daeron's body until the maesters arrive and confirm his survival.
And with that, let the message be clearly sent that you do *not* threaten a dragon's children.
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Post by Father on Feb 9, 2019 23:26:35 GMT 1
Ser Manfryd dismounts and carefully approaches Daeron, as if suspecting that he may be playing dead, first he kicks away the sword, then he slowly and theatrically lines up the killing blow, a stern look by Lord Leo towards Lady Johanna makes her call for Ser Manfryd to show mercy upon her champion. Had it not been for the gaze indicating that if she did not yield, she would soon follow Daeron to the Stranger's door, she would most likely have remained silent and left Ser Manfryd and Lord Leo a more difficult decision to be made. She has now been proven guilty of murder and usurpation, and thus by the laws of gods and men, her life is now forfeit, but Lord Leo also notes that upon taking the holy vows of the silent sisters, her crimes will be absolved and that this he will allow. Whatever else one might say about her, Lady Johanna is lead away to the sept with her head held high and defiant in refusal to show defeat. It would be dignified if not for the hatred in her eyes directed at Laena, defeated, but not broken, the silent sisters may not forever contain her desire for vengeance. Proud: 6d6k4 20Vindictive: 6d6k4 17
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 10, 2019 15:09:00 GMT 1
The matter finally over, at least for now, Laena gives a grateful curtsey to her champion, and a respectful curtsey to Lord Leo, thanking them both.
While not oblivious to her animosity, Lady Johanna no longer even warrants a glare. She will not even be the Silent Sister causing her the most sleepless nights. While the image of her defeated face is not *quite* as satisfying as seeing her head tarred and impaled would be, it was enough. The memory would warm her on cold nights alone.
Overall, the experience was as thrilling as she'd hoped - excitement, trepidation, highs and lows, and she took on a regent, and won! With help, admittedly, but that would always be the case.
Today was a good day.
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