>>23743919

At the signal, her horse leaps forward, and yours beside her. Within a minute or so, you have her measure. Against a slower, fatter lord, one who had been bred to Lordship, not granted it through strength of arms, one not tested on the field of battle, or trained to ride by the uncompromising Tywin Lannister, she would have stood a chance. Against William Bordain? The ride is as battle between a squire and a Kingsguard. Her moves are skilled, and her horse fleet, but your horse was bred for the speed and power necessary for lightning raids upon an enemy, your moves a matter of memory after days of painful instruction, being forced to try again and again until you did it right.
You race out through the town, and along the lake side, taking in all that you can of her lands. They are tranquil, but possess the feel of a land tolerant of humanity, not ruled by it. The wind whips through your short hair, tousling it wildly. Alyssa is striving behind you, her hair moving as a short mantlet in the wind. You think you can hear her cursing at you, now that you are out of the earshot of the village. You smile, and sit up in your saddle, turn to meet her eye, and give her a brief salute. Then you drive Stelgar forward, and widen the gap between you. At one point, out of pure contrariness, you leap a small stream with your steed, rather than veer to take a bridge. You note that, rather than be shown up by you, Alyssa drives her steed to do the same.
Returning to the town, you find yourself at the finish line a full minute ahead of Alyssa. Enough time that you have swung from the saddle, and begun brushing your horse’s flanks, and wiping the lather from his mouth. She rides up, her horse similarly spent, but proceeds straight past you, to her stables. She does not look at or acknowledge you, though you note that her cheeks are high with color.
As she rides by, the people who had stayed to see the end give you both a smattering of polite applause.

(cont)

>>23743960
Stupid Trip fell off because of the stupid double quick reply.

. Grell, seated at the brim of the Hall’s gate, a good 10 or 15 feet, drops down. He pats you on the shoulder as he passes, and walks back into the Hall.

Alyssa exits the stables, her horse in the care of her fater’s hostler, and herself proceeds to the hall. As she crosses the courtyard, she stops at the base of the stairs, and turns back to you. “Well, my lord? Are you going to court me or not?”

You turn an impassive gaze back at her. “My lady, I have known you now for two hours. I have ridden Stelgar for five years, and never has he served me less well than he did today. What sort of husband, knight, or man would I be, to abandon him to chase a girl I just met?”

She turns, her eyes flashing, but she composes herself, and states. “And what sort of hostess would I be to leave our honored guest alone in the courtyard?” She walks back to where you and Stelgar are standing, and, using fairly solid technique, introduces herself to your steed. She places her hand before his great head for him to scent, gives him a moment to become familiar with her smell, and then reaches out, keeping herself in his sightlines, and begins to rub his neck and face. He cocks his large head to one side, so that she can reach behind his ear, which flicks several times as she rubs behind it.

(Cont)

>>23743998
As she does this, you check his feet for any debris beneath his shoes, you test his flanks and brush his hair, spending the minutes it takes to properly inspect your steed.
“You are very thorough, my lord.” She comments when you cross to the other side.
“A man must be certain of his horse in battle. To ride a horse one is unsure of is worse than standing on ground one is unsure of. For you cannot hurt the ground, and the ground only rarely will actively try to hurt you.”
“And do you always think you are headed to battle, my lord, that you would check him so each time?”
Having finished with his shoes, you rise to check his flanks. Stelgar is a fine steed, 17 hands, and strong.
“My lady, in my experience, life is a single battle that often includes smaller ones within it, and frequently ends with one. What if on the ride to the Eyrie, a rock I had missed forces him to stumble, and casts me from the heights? I have found two things to be useful in facing this world: adequate preparations, and an excess of will.”
“An excess of will? I have heard often that too much will is a burden, My Lord Bordain. Is this not so for you?”

(cont)

Huzzah!

>>23744029
“William, please. I am not yet fully settled with my lordly name, given its roots. But I shall tell you this, Alyssa. When Tywin commanded me to act, in a manner I would have though monstrous, I did so, and was made a Lord. When I then spent two years trying to reconcile my actions with myself, my lands fell to banditry and raids. It was not until I armed myself with my will once more, and faced the world despite what I had done, that my people saw me as their lord. Now, I have grown my lands to six times what I was given. I have ruthlessly crushed banditry, and faced no less than six Hill Chiefs, men who have commanded tribes for decades, and bent them under the hammer of my will to swords and shields for my lands. Perhaps I am not loved, but in my lands I am respected.” Here you pause.
“And it may be that in some places, with other men, that a woman of strong will is a failing, or a threat. But I am no child. I know that I will have few friends in my life, for my actions. I would rather what few I have be iron in their cores and wills like I, than fear I would lose them to the passing winds of favor.” You turn back to her, having finished your inspection of Stelgar. Her eyes and face are locked on you, her petting forgotten. You see in the moment before she regains her composure something akin to astonishment. She quickly turns back to your horse.
“They did not say you spoke so- …frankly, my lord, nor with such cool sor-“ She cuts herself off, refusing to finish the sentence.
“Do not pity me, Alyssa.” You speak firmer now. “I did what I did, and I would do it again, a dozen times. Aerys burned good knights for his madness. The Seven Kingdoms could no longer endure living under a coin toss by the gods. My people and lands could not stand to be raided, and I did not wish to hunt down every Hills-Tribesman and put him to the sword. Instead, I faced their leaders, and showed them I was a man to fear.”

(cont.)

>>23744042
“Am I to fear you then, my lord?”
You pause for a beat, perhaps longer than comfortable.
“I will not say I will never hurt you. I cannot make that promise, and I do not speak words I cannot uphold. I cannot say that I will not in some moment of pain, anger or fear, lash out at you because you are the person who is there. This I can say: I repair my mistakes. And I make few of them. If that is enough for you to fear me, then do so. But I think you are stronger than that.”
Another silence.
“Now, I am hungry, and we can go inside.”
She shakes off the weight of your recent conversation, and attempts to lighten the mood.
“Oh, is my lord ready to court me now?”
“Now? My lady, if I waited for permission to do things, I would never have left my Castle. I’ve been courting you since I sat down at lunch.”
At this, she laughs, as you both enter the Hall, side by side.

YOU HAVE SWAYED ALYSSA TO AFFECTIONATE.

(last cont)

>>23744057
The next week goes rather well, all things considered. You ride a few times with Alyssa, and spend plenty of time with her father. You learn the man is constantly bustling to and fro, picking up hobbies like some men would whores. In addition to his city-recreating, he hunts, he is a taxidermist, he is composing a study of the customs of the hill tribes, and considers hiring a maester to write a book with him on the subject. At the end of a week’s time, you have a moment alone with Alyssa.

“So, milady. We are off to the Eyrie.”
“So we are, milord.”
“Another few days ride with just you, me, your father, and 25 of my most trusted warriors. I assure you, when the time comes for your father to present you to the court as a candidate for marriage, your virtue will be intact.”
“I do not think that will be a great danger, my lord,” she says coyly.
“Oh?”
“Yes, my father wrote ahead to Jon Arryn. My candidacy announcement has become a betrothal announcement.”
“Ah” you say with a smile. “Do I know the lucky lord?”
“Fair well, though I suspect you will come to know him better.” She stretches up to kiss your cheek, and she smiles again, “Although…”
“What?”
“I may have sent a letter or two to some romantic knights, implying that I am marrying you against my will, and insinuated that if they defeated you in a duel, I could take their hand instead.”
You are taken aback.
“Why-“
“Because normally fetes are so boring. And besides, did you really think you would win me without a fight? I hope you win, my lord.”
And with that she leaves to finish packing.

Buddy, I think you got your ass in trouble.

Roll 1d100 for weather

Rolled 68

come on, Perfect Weather!1!

Rolled 69

>>23744086
>Inb4 nat 1.

Rolled 57

>>23744086

Yeah, we got into a bit of a pickle there. Ah well, so we crush some effete knights and be known as a peerless warrior. I'm good with that.

File: 1363572592235.png-(631 KB, 688x542, Excellent.png)

631 KB PNG

Rolled 70

>>23744086
I like this girl.

Rolled 71

>>23744086
I like this girl, she has spunk.

>>23744086

I am in love.

>>23744086
....I am amazed....she is perfect for dear William!

Rolled 41

>>23744086

Rolling

>>23744086
Yeah, she's definitely a keeper.

>>23744257
>>23744198
>>23744168
>>23744159
I'm pleased she is up to snuff.

>>23744112
Best of the first three.

The weather as you prepare to leave House Tollett is peaceful and warm. It is a mild day, perfect for extended riding.

Speaking of...There are two potential routes you could take to the fete. The first and most direct would be back through your lans, then through Belmore's, and down to the Eyrie. However, this does put you in the reach of your potential adversary.
Alternatively, you can take the road down to Snakewood, through Corbray lands, to the Eyrie. It would add about 5 hours to your riding time, meaning you'd reach the Eyrie around midday of the Fete, rather than the night before.

Your choice?

Rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11

>>23744430

Lets show off our lands and see what they think, and it lets us drop Grell off to scout the Belmores

>>23744430
Let's show off our lands.

>>23744430
Go through our lands, and our possible rival's lands.

>>23744459

While there in our lands, we can have Grell grab a few folks to drop off in the Belmores that he thinks can be useful for scouting and surveying the lay of their land, and for possibly beginning a campaign of terror in their land.

Also, if we feel the need given who's lands we will go through, we can grab a few more of our personal guard. After all, we are travelling with two other nobles now, a larger honor guard wouldn't be amiss.

>>23744530
Yeah, I'd we thought 25 was acceptable for one Lord forty should be fine for two

>>23744459
>>23744490

You shake yourself. William Bordain does not lengthen his journey in fear of others! IF the Belmores want battle, you shall give it to them, and they will regret it. You signal your men to ride back through your lands and you signal Grell as you ready to depart.
"We will ride through the Belmore's lands, Grell. I would appreciate it if we had a more sizable security force than it would appear."
Grell nods silently, and after a brief talk with some of his men, he rides out ahead of your contingent.

The ride back to your lands will take several hours. Will you ride beside
>Alyssa
>Uthor.
>Other.

>>23744605
>Alyssa

Let's get our flirt on as well as show off our lands to the lady.

We need to give her a good knife sometime and I think our wedding bands be made of steel when the time comes.

Rolled 41

>>23744605
>Alyssa

Let get our swag on.

>>23744605
>Alyssa
Easy choice.

>>23744643
Agreed, uthor seems like a man who would feel more slighted if we ignored his daughter than I'd we ignored him

>>23744605
Alyssa.

>>23744530
BOM I have terrible news! I am out of guinness!

Also Alyssa

>>23744745

Aksel! I have great news! I have lots of Bushmills!

Rolled 96

>inb4 snakewood

>>23744643

You decide to ride beside your soon-to-be betrothed, and speak to her about your, and soon her, lands. You speak of your developing northern town, seat of Tor's banner-realm, and the production of a new Gold mine to accompany your existing Iron mine, to bring even more wealth to your house. Alyssa suggests that you build a more stable road from your home to Tor's village, and further up to the Grey Glen, to ease passage between the towns that you will rule in time, and to make visiting her father easier.

You say you will think on it, and see when such a thing can be done.

The ride through your lands is easy enough. Tor rides out to meet you as you near his village, and at the news of your pending betrothal, pats you on the back with a fierceness that nearly knocks you from your horse.

You point out the Great White Throne, the Three Giants, and how you plan to have ships crossing the North Fork to bring the gold and any other minerals from the north end of the valley to your smelters and blacksmiths at the southern.
Alyssa asks if you've made overtures to any jewelers, since you're going to be producing more gold.

In general, the ride is pleasant, and you take pride in showing your lands to Alyssa and Uthor.

>>23744643
As you swing by Morderengrad, you snatch a castle-forged dagger for Alyssa, and present it to her as a late courtship gift.
She takes it, and thanks you for finding a gift she'll actually use.

>>23744800
>>23744745
I see we're ALL enjoying St Patrick's day.

IN any case, you ride out into the Belmore's lands, an edge entering your posture as you do so. Alyssa notices your tension, and inquires what has you on edge.

>Response?

>>23744891

I say we speak the truth, they more likely than not are an enemy and have worked against us.

>>23744891
I see no reason to lie to our betrothed "I believe it is the Belmores who have been causing the distention within my lands. I fear they may try something but fear not my most trusted and skilled warriors ride with us."

>>23744891
Nothing spoils a budding relationship like secrets.
Tell her that the former lawlessness in our lands was spawned not solely from our own reputation and idleness, but also by a mysterious benefactor who encouraged banditry and dissension.
So far, the only clues we have is a purple pin and a coin with a bear on it.

>>23744891
"It is nothing of great import Alyssa.

I do not know the Belmores well despite our proximity and never had chance to speak with them so all they know of me would be my less than pleasant reputation.

Considering that these lands were theirs once, a fair time ago, I have reason to suspect that they are not overjoyed at my presence here, so I am slightly wary."

>>23745009
*dissension

stupid google chrome correcting what I say!

>>23744891
Straight up tell her the truth on this.

House Belmore wants their land back, they have, I believe, decided it would be best done by attempting to destabalize my lands, spreading dissent amongst my smallfolk, and raiding my iron shipments. Those forces you see arrayed in my, rather our, lands? Those forces I fear will soon be marching to deal with the Belmores.

And I will root them out of the ground just as a miner eeks out every bit of ore from an iron vein.

>>23744891

Slight bump while I'm waiting for Page to post

>>23745003
>>23745009
>>23745012
>>23745126

"I have no love for the Belmores. As I brought order to my lands, time and again I found that the lawlessness was not solely random, but endorsed and paid for by some mysterious benefactor.
The only clues I have are a sigil pin of purple on one of their messengers, and coin that not I nor any other I've consulted has seen the like of.
This, combined with my neighbor's house colors, and their previous ownership of my lands, leads me to believe it is they who have been working against me. I have surrounded us with my most trusted warriors, and armed my people well, for once I reveal their treachery, I will march on their keep of Strongsong, and root them from the ground just as a miner tears the ore from a vein."

She watches your face as you speak, and then observes the woods around you. She speaks.
"My lord, do you know something my father taught me as a little girl? I used to be very afraid of the dark. And my father sat me down, and explained that it didn't make sense to be afraid of the dark. Rather, the dark was scary because of what it could hide. And he sat down, and pointed out how nothing I should fear could be in the dark in my room, in the heart of our Hall, without me already knowing. And so I no longer fear the dark."
"Nor do I fear these lands, for it would imply I think the Belmores have something more dangerous than you, my lord."

>>23745126
Technically we don't know 100% that it's them yet.
They're just the only suspects we could find.

>>23745265

Smart girl.

>>23745265
"That they don't. As depressing as it may be fear is one of the only ways to maintain a lasting peace. And I am something that they ought to be afraid of, I embrace it what is said of me, forge it, and it is as much my armor and weapon as the steel I clad myself in and the iron I wield.

But that is no reason not to be wary and vigilant."

>>23745265

As you ride through the lands, you notice a figure on horseback ahead of you. Your retinue slows as you approach, until you see it is Grell, He has a fresh cut on his cheek.

"Trouble?" You ask him.
"Bandits." He says. "Many."
"Very many?"
"Enough to not be bandits. Not enough to survive."
"Our losses?"
Grell smiles, and holds up two fingers.
"Their losses?"
Grell smiles widely, and flashes five, five, five, five five five five five five five five -
"Okay, I get it. Prisoners?"
Grell frowns.
"You didn't get any prisoners."
"Fell on sword. New trick for bandits."

You hear Alyssa gasp.

"Any proof they're Belmore's?"
"Not on them."

You sigh in frustration.

"Well, take your men and search the road ahead against further tricks."
Grell nods and rides off.

You turn to Alyssa.

"You're right. There isn't much here more dangerous than me."

The rest of the trip passes without incident.

Let me grab something to eat, and I'll come back in 30 with the Eyrie.

>>23745438

BadfuckingAss.

>>23745438

When we do find whomever is against us, Bellmores or not, I say we do like the legend of Vlad the Impaler and have a forest of bodies around our lands.

>>23745438
You really would think that they would get the fact that trying to get rid of William by force is Bad Idea.

>>23745528
Really.
After seeing how we handled the people they hired against us, they should have cut their losses.
Almost makes me think the Belmores are being framed, because they couldn't be this incompetent on purpose.

>>23745528
Hah, that's why we keep our army small and but elite. We can only how they feel confident enough to engage us fully, that's when they find out what 640 elite units can do

>>23745438

Awesome. I like Grell more and more each time he does this kind of stuff for us. One small thing that we should have checked out, is if any of their leaders or better members had castle forged steel, and if so, who that makers mark is.

>>23745518

Yeah, this is exactly the time for some of our viciousness to show through. Heads. Spikes. Nail their hands to trees along our border with the Bellmores, dump the bodies on the Bellmore land.

>>23745651
Second I can not second this enough. Please please please after we go to war with belmore can we make their lords head decorate our keep? I think his head will look nice above our gates.

>>23745651

If you remember the scene from Silence of the Lambs, what Dr. Lector does to the security guard.

Crucifying him on top of the cage, with parts of his skin flayed and hanging from his bloody corpse.

Maybe we should enlist the help of the Boltons for this job.

>>23745589
To be fair, it was working pretty well for two years, might take some time to sink in.
I agree that demarcating the border with a row of human scarecrows might get the message across ... Of the road though, I'd hate Alyssa to think we're some kind of mad villan

>>23745682
Agreed.

>>23745705

I like how we are going, lets display their dead bodies in various ways, but not in sight of the road, cant have Alyssa think too badly of us.

>>23745705

Valid point. However we do have Grell, and a few quiet words that only he would understand would get the point across perfectly.

>>23745688
Why not come up with our own special style?

>>23745779
Oh absolutely, the next set of bandits to pass through here should find a row of human scarecrows marking our land (and grell is just the man for the job) but leave some space away from the road, only those who will understand the message need see it

>>23745807

Ooh!

Just thought of something, though it is based off of something else.

We slowly encase a person in smelted metal.

Limb by limb and hand by hand they are covered in House Bordain steel or gold and set up as statues around the castle halls.

>>23745862
Let's save this one for Special Occasions.

>>23745862
Human statues are a terrible idea, they're not structurally sound and it's a waste of good iron and gold.

But branding a symbol into their dead bodies or cut off head gets the same message across.

Man, I'd have thought that we would have had our taste for bloodshed almost permanently sated after we, y'know, stabbed a little girl to death.
Like I'm pretty sure that we don't need any help in looking scary, we have enough of that just by being us.
Having heads everywhere just comes across as gaudy.

I leave for half an hour and we're talking about making man-statues. Man is Bordain crazy.

If you want to have Grell put up the border of Scarecrows, he'll happily do it after escorting you to safety.

After another day's ride, you find yourself at the base of the Giant's Lance, the mountain upon which the Eyrie sits. You announce yourself at the Gates of the Moon, and spend the half a day ascending the mountain from Stone to Snow to Sky.

You arrive at the Eyrie the eve before the feat. You are offered bread and salt by Jon Arryn's steward, and asked if you wish to retire to your chambers before joining him for the evening meal.

>Spruce up?
>Go in dry.

>>23745917

I was advocating for making them into statues.

>>23745917
Just joining in, and I agree. We're not psychopathic, just ruthlessly pragmatic.

>>23746043
Spruce up, we might be as subtle as an atomic bomb, but we may as well be a well-dressed one, just to fuck with people's expectations.

>>23746043
Spruce up.

>>23746043
Perhaps it would be best to look our best before we go to meet our liege lord

>>23746082
Although could be really really funny to go in wearing hill tribe war paint....just sayin. Also is luuk still with us? We may want to help himm pick an appropriate outfit...

>>23745917

Lord William is not afraid of bloodshed, nor is he afraid of using his reputation as a butcher, and furthering it, as a tool or weapon against his enemies. It's not that he's a bloodthirsty butcher, but he can be very singularly minded when it comes to murder.

After all, if you are the lord of murder, may as well make some use of it eh?

>>23746094

A time like this? Hells bells, he goes in in full hill tribe regalia. Pure shock value. Leave off the horrible body odor and human bone jewelery however.

Us however, Light ring mail or something both functional and decorative, surcoat, and of course, the always present warpick.

>>23746097
There's a relevant quote by Tyrion Lannister. "Let me give you some counsel, bastard. Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."


Also, I'm sad that we never had a chance for HDW. Such is life.

>>23746133
>a chance for HDW

Mind explaining what HDW means?

>>23746211
Hot Dornish Wife. Did you not read Karban?

>>23746225

Ah okay.

I did read it but I wasn't sure what the acronym meant.

>>23746235
Heavy Dark Wang was my guess, but the Dornish Wife sounds much more appealing.

>>23746133
You know, there was a potential, and I considered it, but I couldn't make it fit.

>>23746118
>>23746082
>>23746073
You decide to make yourself presentable for your first formal meeting with your liege lord. However, you also feel like shaking up the Eyrie a little is in order, so you step aside with Luuk, and ask him if he has brought his paints and garb.

He smiles at your inquiry, and says "Luuk will give stone-dwellers a fine show of Hill Tribe."

You retire to your room, and prepare yourself. A quick wash to remove the day's grit and grime, and you quickly don a simple garment and move to toss on our chainmail... (STATUS TEST: PASS) You remember that as a Lord of the Vale, you are not entitled to the same permissions as a sworn Knight of Lord Arryn. As such, to wear armor in his hall would be a slight to his house's hospitality and defenses. You may bear your weapon with you, as a ceremonial symbol of your own right.

Do you wear the armor and risk offending Jon Arryn?

>>23746260
Let's not. As funny as it would be let's not go out of our way to piss off Jon Arryn for no good reason.

We have a hammer and a pile of murdergoons, we'll be fine.

>>23746260
>Do you wear the armor and risk offending Jon Arryn?

Is it possible to wear some thin chain beneath our lordly clothes?

>>23746260
Eh. I guess not. We're kinda already pushing it with the tribesman.

>>23746260
Nah. I would hope that any knight fool enough to challenge us would also be honorable enough to let us fetch our armor.
We're already going to mess with him enough by bringing Luuk along.

>>23746293
agreed


On a side note did we ever advance past squire? Also as a lord aren't we allowed to technically Knight ourself?

>>23746260

Agreed, simply openly wearing the warpick will be enough.

We probably could wear the armor under our clothes.

It could probably be concealed entirely, in fact.

Except for the sound of clinking metal, and the smell of boiled leather.

Yeah, it would be obvious. Any knight challenger will be official, not some murderer in the shadows. No armor it is!

>>23746332
>technically allowed to knight ourself

Probably, but that would be a joke of a title and DISHONORABRU

>>23746406
We should see about becoming Anointed Knights

>>23746406

We aren't one of Jon Arryn's Knight retainers. Even if we knighted ourselves it would be meaningless.

Besides, look at us. Do you really think we need to call ourselves a knight?

>>23746293
>>23746278

You decide to err on the side of caution, and don a simple doublet of your house colors, with leggings, and a vest. You use a loop to hang your warpick beside your leg. You exit your chambers after a few minutes, and knock on Luuk's door.

"Give me hand of minutes" He calls out.

You wait for a few minutes, and the door opens.
Luuk looks amazing. His sandy hair has been worked into beaded strands, which accentuate the length of his face and therefore body.
With his new paints, you can tell his animal is a fox, rather than some generic dog. The mouth of his fox overlaps his own, so as he steps out and yawns, it looks slightly like the fox is yawning. Unlike the last time you saw him painted, he is not shirtless, instead wearing a rather fine leather shirt, with elaborate bead patterns in it, with buckskin-pants under it. You see he wears no shoes. As you look back up to his face, he solemnly says "To speak with the earth." Before smiling and winking. He bears no weapon upon him, but his hands are painted as the claws of a bear.

"Let us shock these stone-dwellers."

>>23746332
You are not one of JON ARRYN'S Knights is the issue. You are a Lord of the Vale.
It's like...Generals don't walk into diplomatic talks with armor on. Only the soldiers currently on security detail do. By walking into the room in your armor, you'd be saying "I don't think you've secured this room."

>>23746436
Can we brofist this guy? Because I think he's calling for a brofist.

>>23746461
second lol

>>23746461
Seconding.

>>23746501
>>23746500

Thirding.

Oh, and you know what? Just to be a HUGE prick?

We are a lord. We can knight people. Just remember that guys, if we decide to really piss in the eyes of the knights who look down on us, we can knight Luuk right there in front of them.

>>23746436

>>23746461
>>23746500
>>23746501
You rap your closed fist against Luuk's. "Let's go shock the shit out of them."

You stride toward the main hall with Luuk beside you, and announce yourself to the Herald, who nods, looks at Luuk, looks at Luuk again, clears his throat, and then opens the doors, stepping in before you.

"The Lord William Bordain, Lord of Morderengrad and the Norther Valley, and his sworn vassal, Luuk of the P-painted Dog tribe."

The murmur of conversation that was present in the room dies for a moment as all eyes turn to you and your unlikely Vassal.

There seem to be roughly half of the Lords of the Vale already here. Many are staring at Luuk, aghast, or incredulously. A few are more immediately fixed on you, and you hear some murmurings beginning from around them. You also see Alyssa already here, clearly hiding a smile at Luuk's dress.

And then your attention turns to the High Seat of the Eyrie, and the Lord and Lady of the Keep.

Jon Arryn is of an even greater age than Uthor Tollett. His hair is grey and snowy, but his face is weathered and set. This is the man who told the Mad King now when he was ordered to relinquish his wards for execution. This is the man who decided the Mad King had reigned long enough, and it was time to change that, rousing his banners to war. It may be called Robert’s Rebellion, but it was Jon Arryn who started the war. He does not seem altogether fazed by Luuk's appearance or presence, but you sense this is a man who plays his cards very close to the chest.

His new wife is a…well-fed woman. You know of her vaguely from your time in the Westerlands. The Tullys are a respectable house, as shown by their marriages into two of the Great Houses of Westeros. Lady Lysa seems excited to have so many visitors and guests in her new keep. No doubt, given the age between herself and her husband, they share little more than a bed, and given the remoteness of the Eyrie, it is uncommon for her to have much company.

>>23746551
She seems to be very interested in Luuk, while also very worried he's going to ruin the party.

>What say?

>>23746526
HOLY FUCK THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE!

>>23746551

Do the proper thing a go great the Lord? Is that the proper thing?

>>23746526
Maybe not in front of everyone, but this is an amazing idea.
>>23746565
I dunno, that he'll stand quietly next to you?

>>23746526
Oh god that would be perfect their expressions would be priceless.

>>23746551

Lords and Ladies, greetings, terribly sorry about my tardiness, I was busy supping from my daily cup of viscera.

Walk past them, full blown ignoring them as if they were beneath us, approach Lord Arryn, bow/kneel whichever is appropriate, and greet him.

My Lord, I thank you for your kind invitation, and I wish you my congratulations and best wishes on you marriage.

>>23746526
We really shouldn't, we don't want to cause too much of a ruckus.

>>23746551
Let's do the proper respectful thing, keep these guys guessing.

Approach Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully with all proper decorum, give them a proper bow. Then kneel, take Lysa's hand and kiss it, not in a romantic sense, but the respectful way.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Milady Tully, and to see you Lord Arryn. I thank you for your invitation to this wonderful gathering. Hearing of it shook me out of my long isolation, I give you my honest and sincere thanks.

May I personally introduce Luuk, I have but rarely met souls more honorable and brave than he."

>>23746659
Seconding.

>>23746659
I third this

also captcha: Lord Atrips

>>23746659

I'd roll with a bit of what you put for Lysa, but honestly, that's more than somewhat out of character speech wise.

Possibly something along the lines of

"Milady Tully, it brings great joy to my heart to see you once again. When last I saw you, I was but a squire to Lord Tywin. It is good to have another from the Western lands here in the heart of the Vale.

>>23746706

AND...

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23743919/

Archived

>>23746659
>>23746706

You walk directly past the gathered Lords and Ladies, and to the dais of the Arryns. You kneel at the base, and raise your head to them.
"It is a pleasure to see you Milady Arryn. When last I saw you, you were Milady Tully, and I was but a squire to Lord Tywin. It is good to see another from the Western lands here in the heart of the Vale." You turn. "My lord Arryn, thank you for your invitation to this wonderful gathering. Too long have I been sequestered, I was happy to accept."
You gesture to Luuk, who has fallen to his knees beside you, and has raised his hands to the couple, as if beseeching gods.
"May I introduce Luuk, Son of Tor, my sworn vassal. I have but rarely met souls more honorable and brave."

Luuk raises his head to the pair: "May you marriage be fertile as the Vale of Arryn, and you enemies be crushed on the Mountains of our land."

Many of the lords seem...nonplussed by the blessing, though it sets Lysa giggling.

"Oh, Lord Bordain, your friend is well spoken for a Hill man."
Jon Arryn speaks
"Get off the ground, you two. Let's get you out of the center of the room so these people can talk about something else."

He seems entertained by your boldness.

You and Luuk cross to the side of the room, to stand next to the Tolletts.
As you approach them, you turn to Tollett, and in a stage whisper, ask "Where can a man get a good cup of Viscera?" From the sound of it, at least two lords were drinking wine when you spoke the line, will now need to change their doublets before the fete.

(cont)

>>23746659
>>23746706
These two seems okay-ish.

Also Fuck Yeah KO GoT Quest. finally back from my trip and with access to the net.

I echo with the sentiments of my fellow posters about some form of contnuace of the quest.

Perhaps once every two weeks short episode ? This would allow the kind OP to find some time and keep it present in momentum until end of April where the OP is again blessed with a over-abundance of free time and stamina.

>>23746884
"ALRIGHT." Lord Arryn interjects, before the murmur tears the room apart. "We're all here. We've got a brief announcement, and then we'll dine tonight, and feast tomorrow."

He looks pointedly in your direction.

Uthor Tollett steps out.
"My Lords and Ladies of the Vale, I come today to present to you my daughter, Alyssa Tollett, who came of age this year." There is a buzz of whispers about that piece of information, a buzz that loses its shit when he continues, stepping to the side to reveal you. "And may I present her new betrothed, William of House Bordain."

People are staring, whispering, one or two are applauding, when a voice cries out. "BLACKGUARD!"

There's a scuffle of movement, and from across the court, a young knight steps forward.
"I assert you have forced this marriage, William of Bordain, and I demand a duel for the lady's hand!"

You recognize his sigil. He's a cousin of House Royce, the keepers of the gates to the Eyrie.

>Response?

>>23746966

Grin very brightly and fucking scary Accept, turn towards Alyssa and give her a scary look as if if its true.

Defeat the Knight, come back to Alyssa acting all scary then bow and kiss her hand whilst smilling, hope she smiles as well.

>>23746966

accept, and offer Luuk to be your champion

if this seems like a pussy move fight the duel yourself

>>23746966
Child, sit down before you irritate me. (intimidate) I have crushed better and worse men than you for less insult than you offer to myself, my future lady, and my future father in law. If you want a duel understand this, it won't be up to your courtly standards, I don't fight for the pleasure of fighting, I fight to crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and to hear the lamentations of their women. Are you sure that you wish to die so young?

>>23746999

Yeah, I felt the need to slip a bit of Conan into it.

>>23746996
It would be, since it's implying that even though we carry a weapon we don't know how to use it.

>>23746999
You do realize Alyssa wants to see us duel right?

>>23746966
Slowly walk towards him until we're standing right in front of him, look down and ask
"Are you sure about that?"

>>23746996

Yeah, we can't elect a champion. We do this kind of shit ourselves, happily, and with a warpick in our hands.

>>23746999
What, none of that.
Think of this just as some hearty exercise to stop us from getting bored.
We're just going to rough this dude up until he's either knocked out, yielding, or disarmed.
No need to get blood on this nice floor.

>>23747037

Oh, I do, but a young knight who has probably never even bared his blade in anger? A youth who knows nothing of war or bloodshed? He's a boy, and would die like a boy. Better to force one like him to back down and fight an actual knight who knows what the fuck he is doing. That way our victory is all the more impressive.

>>23746966
Put him on his ass, but don't kill him. The lady wants to see us fight.

>>23747044
Actually I was thinking that if we do get challenged multiple times, we could do some showboating by taking advantage of that weapon savant perk/feat.
Like wield a different weapon every battle.

>>23747058
I second this

>>23746966
Roll our eyes at Alyssa but keep a smile on our face.

Laugh, not too much, but a bit of laughter or chuckling.

"And a good evening to you, I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, what might your name be?

Now are you honorable enough to let me get my armor or do you want to fight right now?"

Then approach Alyssa "Milady, I gladly fight for your honor and hand."

Then whisper "You sly minx, you managed to make this exciting."

>>23747078
that would be truly amusing

>>23747055

Yeah... no. He called us a Blackguard and is basically accusing of impending rape. That's pretty much the worst thing he could say towards us. That shit cannot stand. Either he backs down like a scared bitch, or he dies. Honestly, it's exactly how Bordain would act, he's not the kind to pussy foot around with shit like that.

>>23747058
You do realize that we've fought three duels without killing our opponent right?
We actually have a surprising knack for it.

>>23747095
Seconded.

>>23747096
Seconded make the little shit pay for his insult

>>23747098

Yes, and do you think that this boy who has it in his head that he has a chance to kill in a duel the guy who is stealing his lady love, and is a huge murderer of children and a butcher will want to just beat us, and possibly leave us as a vengeful enemy, or will want this to go to the death.

We have a reputation, and at this point, the boy may use it for his own advantage, so let's do the exact same to him.

>>23747096
Sure he is.
Oskar Stone said worse, and we didn't kill him did we?
Like consider our actual actions within the quest.
The only person we personally killed was Ut, and we had a very long day.
Plus if we cared what fools said about us, then we'd be killing people all day every day.

>>23747096
I think we can play it by ear. He's a hot headed idiot, if we kill him so be it, if we break his arms and he yields that's fine too. Our lady love wanted to start a fight, and she'll get one, but turning his brain into mush just lowers the tone of the party.

how are we going to fight him?
we get choice of weapons right?
I say joust.

>>23747138
We cut out his tongue, and spared his life in exchange for information. And he still went to take the black. If he hadn't basically gotten scared just because of us and Grell, then he would have been tortured to death.

And besides, in this case our reputation goes against us. These lords and Knights see us as an interloper, a butcher, and a murderer of children. There is no way that he wouldn't actually try to kill us, and really, killing a guy in a duel is very common. Doing it this way gets a child out of the way and gives us a decent opponent.

>>23747171
>I say joust.

Joust with a Warpick that has an extra long handle.

>>23747133
Eh, killing someone at a party is a great way to spoil the mood, legal or otherwise.
But just roughing them up a bit, and causing them to lose face?
Then that's all part of the entertainment, and maybe that Lord Bordain isn't such a psychopathic murderer after all.

>>23747171
Joust? We aren't knights we are far better suited to fight on foot. All the fights we have won so far have been on foot.

>>23747183
no properly, at the edge of the Eyrie

>>23747187

Ah, but do we really want to get rid of that reputation? After all, we did just make two lords spit up after we mentioned a cup of viscera. These guys already consider us the lowest of the low. If it doesn't go to a death duel, then fine with me, but the boy still gets his shit punched in.

I still prefer scaring the bejesus out of him however.

I personally like the "different weapon every fight" idea - if there's no penalty to US, then there may be a penalty to THEM, as they'll be prepared for one weapon and have to face a different one.

Maybe we should stick with a mining theme though, picks, hammers, axes...

>>23747176
Remember that Alicia set this up so she could get a taste of our mettle.
I'm not in favor of killing someone because our fiancee felt like playing a prank.

>>23747196
we're a really good rider, also jousts are considered more exciting and more knightly.

>>23747209

And if we make another enemy out of the guy? Or his house? Making an enemy out of a house over a death during a duel is very uncommon. Over humiliating and shaming a guy, or better, crippling a guy in a duel? It happens

>>23747205
>>23747209
I say we let him live as a gift for her. When he is on his knees we turn and ask her "I leave it to you does he live or does he die?"

>>23747213

We are not a knight. We don't have our own jousting geat, and honestly, that would be a joust, not a duel, where we have much more advantage due to our height, reach, and our abilities.

>>23747176
I agree, we're doing this for Alys's enjoyment of a show. I don't think murder is where we want to go with this. I vote we ask Alyssa whether she would have him deaf is merely taking the black. Them we intimidated him

>>23747209
This. Let's try to intimidate him first, but if he pushes it, we hurt him good and send him home with a shattered bone or two.

Make it clear we COULD have killed him, and did not - not necessarily because we're kind and merciful, but because we didn't want to spoil the fete with too much blood, and even if we ARE a killer we AREN'T a hotheaded one - we do so with cold resolve.

Besides, quenched iron holds an edge better than using it while hot.

Also, make it clear we aren't going to wed anyone against their will.

>>23747237
squires have participated in jousts and we get to mock those who think being an anointed knight makes you special, we can borrow some, a knight would accept it as one especially against a non-knight, two things matter in a joust: riding ability and weight we have both.

Since it seems to be the preferred option, I'll use >>23746999

You step forward.
"Child sit down before you irritate me. I have crushed better AND worse men than you for less insult than you offer me and mine. If you have the steel to duel me, know this: I am not known for being merciful. I tear the tongues from my detractors, and shatter the chests of brave warriors. I do this not for pleasure, but crush my enemies. To see them driven before me, and hear the lamentations of those who loved them. Before you step to duel me, be clear: Are you certain you wish to die so young?"

You can see the boy's arm quake, as the room has gone deathly quiet. But he resolves himself
"Y-your w-words do not frighten me, Bordain! I am an Anointed Knight of the Seven, and I will not let you treat this woman like one of your savages!"

Well. That's a new one. Looking at the boy, you realize that this guy doesn't even want Alyssa. He thinks this is Florian and Jonquil come again.

>>23747237
>>23747196
You're actually very good as a jouster, as a point of order. You're just a fucking demon with your warpick. And you were ever so briefly knighted. You're not an ANOINTED knight, but for like, 2 minutes, you had the title "Ser".

What do? I assume we're gonna fight him, in which case you both need to get your armors.

>>23747300
welp he stepped up to the demon time to show the whole of the court what happens when one rouses the demon.

>>23747300
We fight him.

"I can see you shake boy, I have killed children before as you well know.

Lady Tollett, since this duel is for your hand and honor where would you like it take place?"

Then get our armor and shield, it's time to warpick this fucker.

>>23747300
Kick his ass. Then let Alyssa decide his fate.

Maybe ask her beforehand, "Do you want him bleeding, broken, or dead, milady?"

>>23747300
Welp, armors it is. No killing or permanent maiming, but we can give him a wicked scar. He IS just a boy.

>>23747300

The shake of your arm betrays your words boy. If you are certain that you wish to die this day, give me your name. That way at least someone will remember you once your life has been snuffed out like a tallow candle.

And really, we are a demon with the warpick, and importantly, it's our house sigil for a reason. Let's use it first at least because honestly, it'll leave more of an impression, and if this dick fouls up, he can't possibly kill our horse. We however, can easily crush him however we like, death or simply maiming.

>>23747358
I also vote no killing. Use the blunt side of the pick, and hammer him like an ingot.

>>23747300
Question. Could you refresh me on what Combat Qualities we have? I know we have Armor Mastery, Weapon Mastery, and Weapon Savant with our Iron. But do we have Shield Mastery, Bludgeon/Axe Fighter, I can't remember if our pick counts as a Bludgeon or an Axe or any of those?

>>23747278
*Dead or merely taking the black.

Not only does it encourage people to stop fucking with us but it stops him seeking revenge and his family has less motive for revenge.

Remember Alyssa asked him for this. Do you really think murdering someone would make her happy? personally I think that would ruin our prospective marriage pretty fucking completely. In fact I vote for not even forcing him to take the black or beating him too permanently.

>>23747410

Agreed, ask Alyssa which she prefers.

>>23747300
After we crush this kid how about going to Alyssa, kiss her hand and say
"Did I give you the show you desired Milady?"

>>23747410
>>23747428

As I said,
"Do you want him bleeding, broken, or dead milady?"

Maybe even ask publicly, like... now.

>>23747410
He's probably not taking the black from this. There's no justification for it.

But we should ask Alyssa what she would prefer.

>>23747446
I'm against that. We don't want it to look like she spread rumors to cause a fight, she did, but it's not something you tell everyone about.

>>23747446

Yeah... No. We don't want to front out our future wife and make her look like a manipulative bitch.

>>23747474
Exactly, let's not let everyone else know of her manipulations... unless, maybe, he shows the letter, in which case we have only the option of declaring it a forgery, a deception of which even he may have been unaware.

>>23747474
So you'd rather they think us a rapist?

>>23747474
>>23747493
Right, point made. In private then?

>>23747511

No, we would rather think him an idiot. Thats why we turn to Alyssa and ask for her to excuse us.

Best of both worlds.

>>23747350
>>23747382

You sigh. "You words would ring truer if your arm shook less, boy." You glance over to the Arryns "My lord, have I permission to duel this man in your home?"
Jon Arryn sighs "I'd prefer it if you didn't kill him, but go ahead. You young boys need your exercise."
Lady Lysa exclaims: "Oh, it's so romantic! Yes, yes, you may!"

You turn to Alyssa: "Lady Tollett, since this duel is for your hand and honor, where would you like it to take place?"
Her eyes sparkle "Here, this evening."
"And what would you like, my lady? Dead, Broken, or Bleeding?"
"I would like strength and right to take the day, Lord Bordain! I would see the better man standing with the knave at his feet!"

Her wording is entertaining, at least.
You turn to Luuk.
"Bring my mail, then."
You turn back to the assembled crowd.
"Does anyone else want a turn after the boy? I don't want to change more than thrice tonight."
No one answers.

Luuk brings your armor, and your quickly don it. The young knight readies himself for battle.

INITIATIVE.
4d6

>>23747511
No, we make them think he's an idiot who got caught up in a false rumor due to our reputation.

>>23747511
We'd rather they think him a fool blinded by romance and fairy tales, than a man deceived by a wretch of a woman

>>23747511
It's our word vs. his, unless he shows a letter.

>>23747446
Nah, if we do that, then no one else will challenge us.
Do you have any idea how boring this party would be otherwise?

Rolled 3, 2, 3, 3 = 11

>>23747529
Well, bossman said he'd prefer him not dead, so we'll do our best to only break him.

Rolled 3, 5, 1, 2 = 11

>>23747529

Rolled 6, 3, 5, 2 = 16

>>23747529

Rolled 6, 4, 4, 6 = 20

>>23747529

Rolling

Rolled 6, 4, 4, 6 = 20

>>23747529

Rolled 3, 1, 2, 4 = 10

>>23747529
Alright, lets duel.

Rolled 1, 4, 5, 5 = 15

May our iron strike true!

>>23747546
>>23747547
Huh, What are the chances?

Rolled 4, 6, 3, 2 = 15

>>23747529
Rolling!

Rolled 1, 4, 6, 1 = 12

>>23747547
>>23747546

Nicely done guys.

Rolled 2, 2, 5, 5 = 14

>>23747580

That should give us something special because two 20's with the same sequence 6,4,4,6 is just improbable. Eh.

Rolled 3, 3, 4, 4 = 14

>>23747529
Assuming three things. #1, he is going sword and board, that we won initiative, and that he is in at least close to plate, I have a suggestion. Disarming people has worked wonderfully so far for us, and will help cement that the boy is overmatched.

Don't go for a simple disarm, Crush his sword shoulder.

>>23747608

Damnit! How many times do I have to tell it to remove the stupid dice+4d6 line?

>>23747545
You go first.

>>23747590
Last I checked, two rolls with the exact same rolls get the latter one IGNORED. (runs off weeping)

>>23747608
Eww, but joints never heal properly...
Crush the humerus instead?

>>23747608
This sounds good to me

>>23747626

Like I said in my assumptions in >>23747608
go for the weapon shoulder crush. Flat of the pick, break the shoulder and disarm him without turning him into a total cripple. It'll take him about 6 months to heal, and longer to regain his full strength, hopefully in that time he will have learned his lesson

Rolled 1, 6, 4, 6 = 17

>>23747608

Lets not completly destroy him for life.

Lets just disarm him and punch him around severely, no need to break him. Just show that we easily can.

That way Alyssa probably wont mind, whilst doing that she probably will.

>>23747633

Nope, that's kind of the point. We aren't going to let words like what he uttered lie. We want him to remember, and for everyone else to remember that we COULD have killed him with ease. And we want HIM to remember the same thing.

>>23747626
Score.

Let's bash his sword arm, try to break something important or at least tear his armor up.

>>23747658

Alyssa said Strength and Right with the other one in the dust. As a young knight he will regain use of the shoulder, after about a year of rehab and healing he'll be good. He'll have pain in the joint with weather, but this does prove the point, and does it bloodlessly.

>>23747666
Yessir!
Except, we don't want him permanently maimed, so lets break the longbone (upper arm) instead of the joint proper, because joints NEVER heal properly, even after just a simple dislocation.

>>23747666
No. Over the past 7 threads, bordain has not proved himself to be a man who cares what nobles think of him ... He does however care what his wife thinks and I don't think he'd want her to feel like she trickled someone into being crippled for her own cheap joke

>>23747721

Did you read what he called us? What he said about us? If anything calls for a maiming injury to enforce to everyone not to insult us, it is exactly that. This boy needs to be maimed. And if he is in place, the longbone is going to be much harder to smash than the shoulder.

And this is more impressive.

>>23747758
I am in agreement

>>23747751
He's also proven to be a man who does care that people respect and fear him enough not to cross him. And we explained to this boy, and to our future wife exactly the kind of man we are. If the concensus is to not cripple him, then I'll go with it, but if anyone has earned it, this shitbird did.

Rolled 3, 3, 4, 1 = 11

>>23747775

Again i would even care if we broke both his arms, but crippling him? Thats something we do in battle, to someone that actualy insults us.

Someone like this guy? Barely worth our notice, if he insulted Alyssa i would say go for it, as it is William wont even care.

Whilst Alyssa might if we cripple him.

>>23747758
Eh, I will second the shoulder crush.

Rolled 3, 1, 5, 2 = 11

>>23747791

I meant:
Again i wouldn't even care if we broke both his arms, but crippling him? Thats something we do in battle, or to someone that actualy insults us.

>>23747799
thirded

>>23747651
You stride forward into battle, and slam your warpick into his armored shoulder.

And score the armor badly, while piercing into his arm. (You deal 2 damage, and reduce his AR by one.) He sidesteps, and lashes out at you, his blade striking, but without purchase, so he swings again., this blow landing home.
He deals 12 -7 = 5 damage.
The boy may not be much to look at, but that's a palpable hit. You may wish to consider taking an injury (you reduce the damage by 3 in exchange for taking a -1 to all checks for a time)
You have 9 health total. So currently 4
And, I feel it my job to point out, 5 destiny points.

>>23747822
hmmmm 5 destiny points....What could we do with this....

>>23747822
also fuck that little asshole hit hard. lets hit the fucker harder aim a blow to his neck

>>23747822

And we see that he fully intends to do US injury.

Why are we trying to restrain ourselves again?

Crush this boys shoulder with a full out attack. If he gets a counter, consider using a destiny point to block it if we can't avoid it otherwise, but let's try to avoid using one just yet.

Rolled 2, 2, 4, 1, 5, 1 = 15

>>23747822
We roll 6d6 keep 4 for attacks, right?
Aim a blow to his knee.

>>23747857
I say we kill him he clearly doesn't intend on holding back neither should we lets put our pick through the fuckers neck. Let's teach the entire court who we are and not to fuck with us ever again.

Rolled 5, 6, 2, 1, 3, 3 = 20

>>23747822
Don't take the Injury yet, spend a Destiny point on this attack to gain another Lesser Action, that should give us three Lesser Actions to attack with, bash his sword arm three times.

Rolled 6, 4, 5, 3, 4, 2 = 24

>>23747882
No killing him, that's too extreme. Remember our wife-to-be specifically said she wanted the defeated man kneeling before the victor.

Rolled 1, 2, 4, 4, 4, 1 = 16

>>23747891
This, we have plenty to use and we should spend them at important times.

Crushing this fuck is worth using one.

Rolled 6, 5, 3, 4, 2, 6 = 26

>>23747882

Sadly Aksel, they said no killing. So yeah, can't quite do that.

>>23747891
I kind of like that idea. Three lesser actions, shoulder shoulder shoulder?

>>23747882
Did you miss the part where our sworn Lord and the lady we're figuring for both addled us not to kill him? I'm still for breaking his arm or both

Rolled 5, 2, 1, 5, 5, 5 = 23

>>23747912
That was the plan. I think that'll be enough to fuck him up, but not kill him.

>>23747915
They asked us to avoid killing we weren't ordered not to kill...

>>23747922

Yeah, I can go with three attacks to utterly demolish his shoulder and ability to spit shit towards us.

>>23747882
>>23747857
As a point of order: You don't decide how much damage you do. I don't mind if you kill the guy, I just want to point out that you're currently using "he rolled high, he must be trying to kill us" as your justification.

>>23747891
>>23747901
I will take it. Enraged at the blow, you lash out again and again and again in your fury.
Your first blow clangs off of his armor, doing naught.
Your second catches him, tearing his armor again, and dealing 3 damage.
Your third blow Rings out against him, and does nothing.

He lashes out at you... oh, my. That's 4 degrees of success. Which is 16 damage.
You can take a wound, which will negate all the damage, at the cost of -1D on all checks for a while.

>>23748024
Take the wound. We have to, or we'd be dead.

Rolled 3, 4, 3, 4 = 14

>>23748024

I say we use a Destiny Point and end it. Make it look like we were toying with him, until he made us get pissed off.

Rolled 5, 6, 5, 1 = 17

>>23748024
Crap, this guy is actually good.
Use our warpick to force his weapon out of the way, and then give him a shield bash to the face.

>>23748024

Yep, I know. (in regards to the justification)

Are you remembering our weapon mastery deal with our warpick and the armor mastery deal there as well? Because if so, gah, that sucks.

Yeah, take the wound, we have no other choice after that hit.

I'd say one last try to smash the boys shoulder, and if it doesn't work, crush his skull.

>>23748050
second this

Rolled 6, 5, 3, 1, 3 = 18

>>23748071
Also, 5 d6 now I beleive?

>>23748024
Take the wound, we kinda have to. Jesus, how did he get 4 degrees of success.

We can use a Destiny point to remove the -1D I think.

Then Spend another for our next attack for another thing of three attacks.

Are you taking into account our various Benefits? What Benefits do we have aside from the ones from the Iron?

Rolled 2, 4, 4, 6, 4 = 20

>>23748083
Disregard that.

>>23748050
Follow that idea.

Rolled 3, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1 = 15

>>23748085
Ignore the last die if the Destiny point spending to remove the -1D isn't used that way.

>>23748041
Technically, as the defeated, you'd become "Whatever he wants you to be"

>>23748071
I am.

>>23748050
Tragically, Destiny points can't undo wounds.
What they can do is undo attacks, but that takes burning one.

>>23748085
He's got 5 fighting. and a specialty in blades.
Combat wise, you don't have other benefits.

So, your choice is: take the wound, and spend a few points to even up the fight or BURN a point to make the attack not hit. Which do you choose?

>>23748126
Spend a few points to even up the fight, of course.

>>23748126
Take the wound, spend points like a motherfucker.

Rolled 2, 1, 4, 6, 4 = 17

>>23748126

Kinda figured you were. Take the wound, even the fight, and crush his shoulder in one final well directed assault. We have to end this now. I also have to go to bed, I've gotta get up in 4 hours.

Rolled 6, 6, 5, 5, 5 = 27

>>23748126
Blurgh, we really should have invested Destiny points into Bludgeoning mastery and used a Morningstar. It's like a Crowbill but better, though Vicious is kinda mean.

>>23748190

Grr... stupid rolling thing again.

>>23748194

Hot damn. Look at that swing.

File: 1363588621356.png-(23 KB, 800x741, ULTRA RAPE.png)

23 KB PNG

>>23748194
>that roll

>>23748194
I wanted to use a morning star and you were all like Nooooo the horsemans pick looks better lets use that! Well who's laughing now!

>>23748190

Racking out in 5 minutes sadly.

>>23748224
I wasn't there for that part. Mechanically speaking if you want Shattering you use a Warhammer, Maul, or Morningstar and get Bludgeoning Specialties. Mauls are great, Staggering is really fucking awesome.

>>23748224
>>23748194

To be honest, the warpick has done us MARVELOUSLY up until this point.

>>23748137
>>23748167
>>23748190

Remember when I said you didn't have another combat benefit?
I lied.
As his blade crashes into you, you lash out in fury and pain, going BERSERK.
Your blade catches him, and inflicts 3 points of damage, and weakens his armor.

Meanwhile, his blade tears across your gut, leaving a great wound, which draws gasps from the assembled lords.

Panting from the wound, you draw your strength to you, and lash out again.
This time, you slam your pick into him, and he goes down.

You turn slowly.
"Anyone else wanna criticize my courting style?"

There's a beat of silence around the ring, and then you hear a scuffle, followed by a cry of pain.

You turn to find Luuk dragging a man into the clearing, and saying, "Will-yam, you will never guess who I found!"
And he tosses a man at your feet.
Glancing down, he seems unremarkable. Except for a purple pin upon his vest.

DUN DUN DUN.

Man I am tired.

See you guys tomorrow, hopefully for the finish:
Lord Bordain Goes To Washington!

>>23748279
oh god what a cliff hanger...

>>23748279
I am astounded that this guy did so much more damage to us than Rogar did.
Or did we just get really lucky then?

>>23748279
See you tomorrow.

>>23748333
Rogar was specifically trying to teach you the song of iron. The fight was more a ritual. And yes, you got really lucky.

>>23748279
... for some reason i think the last part was a bit bolted on.

It started nice with all the ingredients of a nice shadow war that could go on for ages, but instead we fight a fool who shows himself at court and when dealing with criminal elements with the same identifying symbols.


That and it is sad that this will end tomorrow...

poke

>>23750776

Yeah, I won't argue, though you may end up a little surprised come next thread...

Several portions of the quest took much longer than I was anticipating. I fully intended you to have been to the fete and gone by the end of Thursday's quest, maybe Friday's.

But then I got to describing the chiefs, and I couldn't stop from making each of them a person, with goals and plans, and giving you guys a chance to roleplay.

That and real life stole me away a couple times.

So I have to compress what I had planned to do over a couple threads into one or two.

Speaking of which: I'll be a little bumpy at the start of the thread tonight. I get off work aroudn 4:45, and I have about a half hour of work sometime "in the evening". I'll try and get it so that the start has some time for you guys to discuss things, so that my absence isn't too bad.

>>23753681
Well, depending on your workload you could stretch this with three or two episodes until end of april.

Or simply not finish it now. A good show war and chess with real people is so much more enjoyable, and considering the wait for Karban, i think we can wait another month and a half for Bordain.