The Muster of the Vale

[Pontifex Maximus]

The guards at the Eyrie were in their parade dress, cloaked and veiled with the sigil of House Arryn hanging from every parapet. Lord Lucian Arryn was not a foolish man. He knew that when it came down to it, Rhaenyra would claim her crown if it was not given to her. IN times of peace, prepare for war. And this would be a war for the ages. Weapons without compare this side of the world were involved. It would take men of equal courage to face these beasts down. He had several ideas.

Lucian Arryn would await the arrival of the several Lords of the Vale. Augusta was also in attendance along with the entirety of the Arryn family, but they remained deferential to Lucian, who remained the font of all military genius of the family.

[Velasco]

Lord Corbray and his sisters arrived, greeting their mother Augusta and Arryn cousins before taking their place.

[Iron Aquilifer]

Willem Belmore arrived alongside his eldest son Balman, thick cloaks of purple and silver wrapped around them. Guards trailed after them, the finest fighters in the finest steel plate.

It had started off as a joke, attaching heavy bells to the tips of their bills. That was years ago, before Balman saw the benefits of having his presence, and the presence of his family, announced without the need of a low-born servant sullying their standing by calling out their names. So in that way, the Strongsong nobles arrived with a smile.

Augusta, my lady. Lucian, Willem led his son in bowing to their overlords. ​We have come as commanded.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lord Corbray and his sisters arrived, greeting their mother Augusta and Arryn cousins before taking their place.

Augusta descended the dias, havign come straight from King's Landing and bypassing Heart's Home. "Greeting husband." She said with a conservative kiss to his cheek. "Things seem to have escalated since the King's birthday."

Willem Belmore arrived alongside his eldest son Balman, thick cloaks of purple and silver wrapped around them. Guards trailed after them, the finest fighters in the finest steel plate.

It had started off as a joke, attaching heavy bells to the tips of their bills. That was years ago, before Balman saw the benefits of having his presence, and the presence of his family, announced without the need of a low-born servant sullying their standing by calling out their names. So in that way, the Strongsong nobles arrived with a smile.

Augusta, my lady. Lucian, Willem led his son in bowing to their overlords. ​We have come as commanded.

Lucian took note of the first to arrive, their sigils, their houses. He swept back a shock of black hair behind his ear revealing a man that although exiting the prime of his life remained virile, strong, and in every sense a capable leader. His sword hung loosely at his waist and a dagger at the same height.

Lucian greeted the man personally, taking his hand in his. "Good of you to come, Willem. Soon the strength of the Vale will be tested upon that which laid low the Kingdoms before the Targaryens arrived. We must be prepared." He cut right to the chase. There was no point in bandying words.

[Velasco]

Augusta descended the dias, havign come straight from King's Landing and bypassing Heart's Home. "Greeting husband." She said with a conservative kiss to his cheek. "Things seem to have escalated since the King's birthday."

OOC: We agreed she was a widow, remember? So this is her son

He smiled slightly and spoke in a hushed tone. "Mother...indeed they do. Whatever happens we do well to note brother remains at Dragonstone, serving as Prince Jace's sworn sword."

[Trot]

A procession of men led by a tall figure clad in bronze arrives at the Eyrie. Yorwyck Royce had come to his lords call his eldest son Robar follows a short distance behind.

[Pontifex Maximus]

A procession of men led by a tall figure clad in bronze arrives at the Eyrie. Yorwyck Royce had come to his lords call his eldest son Robar follows a short distance behind.

Lord Arryn had no sooner welcomed Lord belmore when he moved onto Lord Royce. He took his hand in a firm handshake. "My Lord Royce, it is my delight that our houses shall soon be joined by the marriage of our children. The Vale has never been as strong and united as it is now. We shall surely be in need of such unity."

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: oh , I forgot haha. Let's change that to a motherly kiss on the cheek then. haha. Mind PMing me a summary of the family tree?

Augusta looked at her son with some concern. Soon he would be marching off to war. She felt momentarily weak, almost helpless. It was not en emotion she was accustomed to feeling. She quickly composed herself. She nodded. "Good. Maybe he will be safer there." protected by the dragon. she thought. She gestured to her daughters. "You should stay with me at the Eyrie if it comes to war. Everyone will be safer here."

[Velasco]

ooc: oh , I forgot haha. Let's change that to a motherly kiss on the cheek then. haha. Mind PMing me a summary of the family tree?

Augusta looked at her son with some concern. Soon he would be marching off to war. She felt momentarily weak, almost helpless. It was not en emotion she was accustomed to feeling. She quickly composed herself. She nodded. "Good. Maybe he will be safer there." protected by the dragon. she thought. She gestured to her daughters. "You should stay with me at the Eyrie if it comes to war. Everyone will be safer here."

OOC: No problem. Eldest son is Lord Gwayne, second son is Ser Corwyn on Dragonstone, third son is a teenager named Qyle (not yet knighted) and there are three beautiful daughters named Polianne, Corra and Aemma. Polliane is the most willful and political.

IC: "Let us pray we shall all be safe, mother," smiled Gwayne uncertainly while his sisters nodded. "Do you know what uncle Lucian means with this moot?"

[Trot]

Yorwyck clasps the other mans hand in greeting, "The Vale must be united in these troubled times. It is a good thing we wil be brought even closer. Your daughter Honora is with child." He pauses looking at the other assembled lords.

[Pinkerton]

Lord Wendel Sunderland and his eldest, Waymar, were one of the last to arrive to the Eyre.

[Pontifex Maximus]

After Gwayne spoke Lucian brought the meeting to order. "Aegon has assumed the crown." He let the moment resonate. "It is inevitable that war will soon be upon us. This is a conflict the Vale will not escape, and we must be ready. Since the conqueror first came to our lands a century ago the threat of dragons has kept the peace, now the most destructive force the world has ever seen will be sent into battle against their own." He paused again. "It will be a great opportunity, if we are prepared." My lords, join me in the courtyard."

Arryn strode out of the hall into the castle's courtyard where a siege engine of no great size had been constructed. Several dozen bales of hay had been lined up a short distance away from it, and engineers were loading a large bolt into what appeared to be a large crossbow. As the lords gathered around, Lucian began to speak again. "There is a way to slay these beasts that have laid low so many keeps in the past. Siege engines such as this will take a place of prominence in our armies in any future conflict." Lucian gave the order, and the bolt was released. The bow groaned as it unleashed its payload and sent the bolt soaring into the stacked hay, disappearing within in a great plume of straw. "Each of you will construct similar machines to remain mobile and march with our armies. Additionally, archers will be of great value. They may not kill dragons easily, but they may kill its rider. It is unlikely a dragon without a rider will continue to harry us."

[Pinkerton]

After Gwayne spoke Lucian brought the meeting to order. "Aegon has assumed the crown." He let the moment resonate. "It is inevitable that war will soon be upon us. This is a conflict the Vale will not escape, and we must be ready. Since the conqueror first came to our lands a century ago the threat of dragons has kept the peace, now the most destructive force the world has ever seen will be sent into battle against their own." He paused again. "It will be a great opportunity, if we are prepared." My lords, join me in the courtyard."

Arryn strode out of the hall into the castle's courtyard where a siege engine of no great size had been constructed. Several dozen bales of hay had been lined up a short distance away from it, and engineers were loading a large bolt into what appeared to be a large crossbow. As the lords gathered around, Lucian began to speak again. "There is a way to slay these beasts that have laid low so many keeps in the past. Siege engines such as this will take a place of prominence in our armies in any future conflict." Lucian gave the order, and the bolt was released. The bow groaned as it unleashed its payload and sent the bolt soaring into the stacked hay, disappearing within in a great plume of straw. "Each of you will construct similar machines to remain mobile and march with our armies. Additionally, archers will be of great value. They may not kill dragons easily, but they may kill its rider. It is unlikely a dragon without a rider will continue to harry us."

Impressive weapons. But will we be able to shoot before the dragons' fire bring death and disarray to the men?

"Who shall be given command of the Vale's army? And the fleet?"

Lord Wendel cared little for courtesies.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian looked to his brother in law "Lord Sunderland, you shall take command of the Vale's fleets. I think think of nobody else as worthy and capable as House Sunderland on the seas. Keep our shores safe for the timebeing. the turmoil and confusion of war often leaves opportunity for piracy. As such I am instituting a zero tolerance policy. All pirates shall be summarily executed. When the time comes, you may be asked to join the fleet from our allies, but it is far too early to discuss strategy."

Lucian turned to the rest of the assembled nobility. "As for our armies on the land, the strategy is a bit more certain. We have no idea the size or strength of our enemies. What we do know is that they are mobile and may potentially surround us. The loyalty of House Tully is uncertain. If they declare for Aegon, we shall find the fight much closer to home. As such we shall lead one expeditionary force from the Vale comprising our finest soldiery and commanders. I shall lead this force alongside Lords Royce, Corbray, and Belmore. Our numerous sons shall remain, fortify the Vale, and coordinate our defenses. If the time comes they may be called forth in a supporting role once we have gained some advantage."

[Trot]

Addam Stone the Royce's new siege engineer begins to examine the massive weapons taking notes so it would be possible for the Royce's to add them to their armies.

Yorwyck studies the plan frowning after a moment he speaks up, "Tully's support or lack there of means nothing. He holds very little control over his vassals and it is Darry we should worry about. He is one of Tully's strongest vassals and is situated on our border. His keep is also situated along the Ford's meaning if we want to move deeper into the Riverlands we must see Darry is brought to our side or defeated." He pauses letting the other lords consider this for a moment. "I am sure you all remember the argument Lord Darry had with Queen Rheanyrs's son at the late kings last name day. I highly doubt we can count on his support."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian nodded. "That is a fair point. Perhaps we could send an envoy to determine their status. It would be preferable if the battles took place further afield. We should not spend too much time in one place, the capitol, after all, is where the Queen will want to be."

---

The younger Lucian, the Lord's son, looked disappointed at the prospect of being kept at home. He was of an age that he should be in the main force, fighting battles and leading men. Looking after the old men and boys in some sort of defense force was not his idea of a way to cover himself in glory. He soon grew bored of the demonstration and sought out Robar Royce. "I suppose we are brothers now." He said, sizing the young man up

[Trot]

"Then we will need Darry." He points to a spot on the map, "Lord Harroway's Town is loyal to Darry and that is the closest way to cross the trident. If Darry manages to have a host guarding it by the time we cross well it will be a blood bath for certain." He points further down stream to another keep. "Maidenpool is the seat of house Mooton and anceint and strong house that may be dissatisfied with their position as a mere vassal of house Darry. If we could arrange for them to support Rheanyrs it will give us the time we need to secure the ford and give Darry a large threat to deal with."



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Robar nods greeting the other man. He had hoped to lead the men with his father, but as his father had explained on the way here a Royce must remain at Runestone, and with his wife's pregnancy well he had to stay behind. It made him feel no better that his younger brother would be marching to serve as his fathers squire however.
"I suppose we are," he says looking at the other man thoughtfully.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Then we will need Darry." He points to a spot on the map, "Lord Harroway's Town is loyal to Darry and that is the closest way to cross the trident. If Darry manages to have a host guarding it by the time we cross well it will be a blood bath for certain." He points further down stream to another keep. "Maidenpool is the seat of house Mooton and anceint and strong house that may be dissatisfied with their position as a mere vassal of house Darry. If we could arrange for them to support Rheanyrs it will give us the time we need to secure the ford and give Darry a large threat to deal with."



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Robar nods greeting the other man. He had hoped to lead the men with his father, but as his father had explained on the way here a Royce must remain at Runestone, and with his wife's pregnancy well he had to stay behind. It made him feel no better that his younger brother would be marching to serve as his fathers squire however.
"I suppose we are," he says looking at the other man thoughtfully.

"An astute plan. We will pursue similar action. I have yet to hear much news from the council concerning war aims, so our initial strategy will be to secure those strategic locations." Lucian motioned to the rest of the Lords. "In the place of annual taxation this year each of you will be required to construct and maintain dragon killing mechanisms such as this one."

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"Then the defense of the Vale will be left to us when our fathers leave." Lucian II mused "The Gates of the Moon and Bloody Gate must be maintained, fortified. Father will likely take most of the archers, I fear."

[Trot]

Addam returns with his notes nodding to Royce briefly. It would be easy to construct one of these machines, but they would certainly slow a marching army down. However it would be as Lord Arryn wished. "I will begin construction on once my Lord, and with your permission I will dispatch an emissary to Maidenpool to win house Mooton's support."

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"My Father will leave a contingent in Runestone. He hopes to arm them with Goldwood bows from the summer Islands. It is said only Werewood is better." He pauses looking over at the council. "I agree the numerous armies have broken on the Gates of Moon and the Bloody Gate. Leaving them defenseless now is a mistake."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Yes, send word. Perhaps I can get a fuller picture myself by questioning the Tullys." Lucian wondered if they could be persuaded either way. The Riverlands were always a mess, a crossroads of war and destruction. No doubt they would want to throw in on the winning side to help legitimate their own position.