Securing the Southern Crownlands

[Velasco]

Lord Gwayne of Heart's Home

His traits: +3 Battles, +3 Wealth, +2 Logistician, +4 Duels Lady Forlorn, +3 Assassin Knife & Middle-Man, +2 to convincing AI to do anything Perfume trade

Ser Gwayne Corbray rode with Lady Forlorn unsheathed, what was left of his own personal levy and the newly arrived body of mercenary crossbowmen moving swiftly behind his handsome black steed. King's Landing had fallen under the brunt of the Black victory, but the Lord of Heart's Home remained worried by the wayward dispositions of the southern Crownlander houses. What was left of the Green army had fled south to the Stormlands...but they would be back, and when they did, Gwayne did not think it expedient that they find friendly keeps and allied granaries ready to welcome them.

His first stop was Woodmere, seat of House Harte. Overshadowed by the royal capital itself, he imagined its petty Lord and his family could probably see the Red Keep - Rhaenyra's Keep - if they squinted out of their windows hard enough. All the same, Woodmere guarded the road east, and he was loathe to press on to Bywater with his rear exposed.

Arriving at the gates of Woodmere the Queen's cousin sought parley with Lord Harte.

Spoiler for His Force: 

House Corbray Pre-Battle Numbers
150 Heavy Infantry
375 Light Infantry
200 Polearm Infantry
225 Archers
150 Light Cavalry
50 Heavy Cavalry

Total: 1,150 men

Reinforcements: + 1,200 (4 units) Mercenary Crossbowmen

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Ser Gwayne is welcomed into the keep by Lord Harte, if he agrees to only bring with him four men and to be disarmed before entering.

At the far end of the hall seats Lord Harte with his wife and remainder of his family, the eldest son of Lord Harte was absent, having gone to fight for the the King in the hope of earning his spurs. Alongside this there were several courtiers who paid homage to Lord Harte. A small Lordship such as Woodmere did not have a great many people at its court, but there was a young Maester with a small chain, an old weathered looking Septon, a Steward who looked similar to Lord Harte, maybe his brother, the local blacksmith and feller - an important role in lands around the Kingswood, and a hedge knight or two down on their luck, amongst others. In one of the dark corners of the room sat a hooded man, bow by his side, cloak wrapped around him looking absently into the glowing embers of a dying fire.

[Velasco]

Lord Gwayne does as requested, provided the guest right is offered him and his men, and Lady Forlorn handed to his son who waits outside. He and his men bow their heads slightly in deference to the Lord of the Hall.

Lord Harte, thank you for receiving me in your hall. In such dark times a man cannot always be sure he will receive hospitality upon arrival...My name is Ser Gwayne of House Corbray, Lord of Heart's Home in the Vale of Arryn. I am the nephew of the Lord Hand Lucian Arryn and cousin of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of Her Name. I imagine you have heard, but the false King Aegon has been slain and his army shattered in battle. The tattered remains of his army run away south even as the Realm's Delight sits atop the Iron Throne in the Red Keep, just across from here. In her name, I come to you in good faith to seek the submission of Woodmere without bloodshed, so that House Harte might continue to serve the Iron Throne as always.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

A silence filled the hall, and then the the large Lord Harte let out a bellowing left.

"I've never met someone from the Vale before, do they all speak like you? It sounds like you have a falcon up your arse," he slapped his thigh again, roaring out with laughter. Some of the sycophants of the court joined in with a polite a laugh, but it died down as Lord Harte contiuned more seriously, "I jest Lord Gwayne, I appreciate someone of such importance coming to speak to me directly." His tone made it difficult to tell if he was being sarcastic or not, it would be one to interpret it as they heard it.

"You must forgive me but at such a time where there is a King and a Queen, both trying to kill each other I find it difficult what side to believe when they claim their Hand is Hand, their cousin is Queen." He paused, shaking his head, "But I will be frank with you, because you have a large army outside that will no doubt eat up the land around me, and it is almost time for my next meal. I owe my fealty to that grumpy old goat the Lord Bywater, he is my liege, the man who I must suck up, we all have them. To that end, I will more than likely follow what my liege decides. So you have a choice, try and persuade me otherwise, or move on quickly to him."

[Velasco]

A silence filled the hall, and then the the large Lord Harte let out a bellowing left.

"I've never met someone from the Vale before, do they all speak like you? It sounds like you have a falcon up your arse," he slapped his thigh again, roaring out with laughter. Some of the sycophants of the court joined in with a polite a laugh, but it died down as Lord Harte contiuned more seriously, "I jest Lord Gwayne, I appreciate someone of such importance coming to speak to me directly." His tone made it difficult to tell if he was being sarcastic or not, it would be one to interpret it as they heard it.

"You must forgive me but at such a time where there is a King and a Queen, both trying to kill each other I find it difficult what side to believe when they claim their Hand is Hand, their cousin is Queen." He paused, shaking his head, "But I will be frank with you, because you have a large army outside that will no doubt eat up the land around me, and it is almost time for my next meal. I owe my fealty to that grumpy old goat the Lord Bywater, he is my liege, the man who I must suck up, we all have them. To that end, I will more than likely follow what my liege decides. So you have a choice, try and persuade me otherwise, or move on quickly to him."

Lord Gwayne smiled politely as Lord Harte made his jokes.

Lord Bywater...yes, I intend to speak with him once you and I have reached an accord.

On the one hand you have an adult Queen, with thousands upon thousands of men, dragons and siege weapons just across from your home. I alone have brought out of the Vale two trebuchets, sturdy things capable of flattening even the most stout defences. On the other hand you have a six year old boy hidden away in the Reach, whose army has just been defeated and who is a puppet in Hightower hands. He can do nothing for you, while Rhaenyra can do much and more...as a sign of the truth of my words, I offer you not only the chance to save your life and that of your family, to spare your lands from raiding and your defences from my trebuchets, but also to rise higher at court. I offer you what I have that is most dear to my heart. Let my youngest sister Aemma be betrothed to your heir. Through her every Harte shall have the blood of the dragons in their veins, and count the Queen Rhaenyra's family as their own cousins.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Lord Harte dropped all pretence of joke as Lord Gwayne went on. "It sounds like you don't give me much choice," he grumbled.

"Leave us, now," he said in loud voice, to everyone in the hall who quickly rushed to exit, save for the hooded man in the corner. Lord Harte ignored him and contiuned in a quiet voice, filled without bravado as he understood the threat he was faced with - surrender or die. "I have but one question, Lord Gwayne. My men, my son, my heir, are still with the army Aegon commanded, what happens to them if they found out I gave up without a fight?"

[Velasco]

Lord Harte dropped all pretence of joke as Lord Gwayne went on. "It sounds like you don't give me much choice," he grumbled.

"Leave us, now," he said in loud voice, to everyone in the hall who quickly rushed to exit, save for the hooded man in the corner. Lord Harte ignored him and contiuned in a quiet voice, filled without bravado as he understood the threat he was faced with - surrender or die. "I have but one question, Lord Gwayne. My men, my son, my heir, are still with the army Aegon commanded, what happens to them if they found out I gave up without a fight?"

Gwayne observed the movements and pondered the strange man in the corner. An assassin? A hired hand? Aemond? He stuck to the task at hand, still pondering the man's identity.

There is always a choice, Lord Harte, though admittedly the options are not always equally balanced. In this case, you gain much by making peace, and lose more by fighting to the bitter end. Defeated armies suffer defections all the time. If you bend the knee to Queen Rhaenyra and promise your son in marriage to my sister, we can dress up a few of my men in your livery and send them to the Green army camp to fetch back your son in one piece. Your men can likewise slip away undetected, it is unlikely Lord Baratheon is paying any specific attention to the banners of House Harte.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Lord Harte's face fell, the blasted men was right. He would have to trust in what he said and hoped his son would be secure, and a marriage between his son and someone seemingly closely related to the high Lords and their games could help move their family up in the world, and surrendering would save his keep, and hopefully but him in good graces with the new Lady of the Crownlands. But it ran the risk of his liege picking the other side and putting the Harte's in his bad graces if this Queen was defeated or unable to keep her promises. Furthermore there were his men and heir being at the mercy of the army they were currently with. Could he trust the word of this man?

OOC: Roll time.

Base roll: 0-10 surrenders, 11-20 fights on
+2 from charisma
+3 from promises of marriage and son's safety
+4 from large army outside and the threat it posed, Black's victory
-3 from going against Lord, risk of losing son and men
Final roll: 0-16, surrenders, 17-20 fights on
Rolled: 12

He would have too, for his survival and son's sake. "Very well my Lord, I have no choice. I accept your offer and will concede this keep and pledge my allegiance to this Queen," Lord Harte grumbled, continuing with a steely gaze, "but I want my son back in one piece as you promised, or the Queen will here of your falsehoods." May as well use the Queen's authority now he was sworn to her. It was a simpler time with one ruler, he mused wistfully. "I will make my way to King's Landing and swear fealty to her as soon as I am able," he said, bowing his head in some measure of respect.

OOC: Special roll time.

Base roll: 0-10 triggers event, 11-20 event doesn't trigger
No bonuses
Rolled: 7 - just play on as normal and the event will pop up

[Velasco]

Lord Gwayne bowed in deference and nodded at the man's words.

You have chosen wisely, my Lord. My sister will await you at King's Landing and return with you after your visit. Can I trust your steward with provide my men with some of the Harte livery?

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

OOC: As this is an NPC I won't both RP'ing the trip to King's Landing etc. just assume that he has gone and sworn fealty. As for securing his son we can RP that if you want (will need mod rolls to see if it is successful or not), or now he has sworn fealty you can just leave it, but with consequences perhaps further down the line.

He nodded at Lord Gwayne's question, pointing at a nearby door, "Send a couple of your men through there and my steward will provide you with the equipment you need. Now, can I do anything else for you Lord Gwayne?"

[Velasco]

OOC: As this is an NPC I won't both RP'ing the trip to King's Landing etc. just assume that he has gone and sworn fealty. As for securing his son we can RP that if you want (will need mod rolls to see if it is successful or not), or now he has sworn fealty you can just leave it, but with consequences perhaps further down the line.

He nodded at Lord Gwayne's question, pointing at a nearby door, "Send a couple of your men through there and my steward will provide you with the equipment you need. Now, can I do anything else for you Lord Gwayne?"

OOC: Of course. As for RPing the son stuff, should a separate thread be made for that? I intend to substitute him with an assassin and do an assassination attempt before the Greens find out the Hartes have changed. Am I right in thinking Gwayne acquires a +1 Charisma trait from getting an NPC to switch sides?

--

He nodded and sent his four men through the door to fetch the liveries.

No, that will be all. Thank you Lord Harte, may the Seven keep you and yours safe.

Shortly thereafter Lord Gwayne was outside once more, the glimmering Valyrian steel of Lady Forlorn in hand, his men having broken camp and ready to press on to the more sizeable neighbouring seat of Lord Bywater. Lord Bywater was the liege-lord of Woodmere and one of the most important magnates of the southern Crownlands, his lands acting as a march shielding King's Landing's southern side from the ravages of the storm.

At long last he was arrived and presented himself at the walls, seeking parley with Lord Bywater.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

OOC: Yeah I'll get a separate thread up for that, and yeah my bad +1 Charisma to Lord Gwayne Corbray. As for the RP for Bywater will wait until your men get there, what time do they arrive?

As Lord Gwayne was leaving the hall making towards where his men were putting away their camp, from within the keep he had just exited, came the man from the corner of the room, hood over his face and cloak bellowing in the wind. It was difficult to make out his features, but he had a bow and quiver over his shoulders. "Milord," he spoke firmly, trying to attract Lord Gwayne's attention before he left.

[Velasco]

OOC: Yeah I'll get a separate thread up for that, and yeah my bad +1 Charisma to Lord Gwayne Corbray. As for the RP for Bywater will wait until your men get there, what time do they arrive?

As Lord Gwayne was leaving the hall making towards where his men were putting away their camp, from within the keep he had just exited, came the man from the corner of the room, hood over his face and cloak bellowing in the wind. It was difficult to make out his features, but he had a bow and quiver over his shoulders. "Milord," he spoke firmly, trying to attract Lord Gwayne's attention before he left.

OOC: Thanks and in 4-5 hours, Gwayne has +3 Logistician.

IC:

Lord Harte's mysterious archer, Gwayne nodded solemny. I was wondering when we would speak.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

A small smile crossed his face, "And what made you think that, Milord?"

[Velasco]

A small smile crossed his face, "And what made you think that, Milord?"

He shrugged, a wry smile aboard his face. You must be somebody to hang around when all others leave. So brooding and dark, still armed in your Lord's hall. Can I get a name? You know mine already.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

He pointedly ignored Lord Gwayne's question, "You would have the right of that milord, but there are two things you have got wrong so far, I'm afraid to say. The truth is I am neither an archer, nor anything of Lord Harte's."

He removed his hood, revealing a weathered face, with black stubble around his mouth and short black hair on his head. Bowing almost mockingly he announced himself, "I am a ranger, a man of the Kingswood, Woodmere was simply a stopping place on my travels. But enough of me, milord, it is your travels that interest me. I hear you are wanting to stay around these parts, well may I humbly inform you you would have no greater guide than myself, I know these woods and lands better than my mother knows me. Of course," he paused, a wide grin spread across his face, "such expertise comes at a fee, both upfront and contiuned."

OOC: Basically this is just a fun little extra to RP's I want too add to things, they won't be anything too major or give you any sort of a advantage over other PC's as there isn't really a system in place or anything.

Here you are being presented with a chance to recruit the "Ranger" retinue (+1 Scout and Pathfinder), it will be for the normal cost and upkeep and effective straight away, but it gives a bit of context to someone being in your retinue and (hopefully) is more interesting than just hiring someone. No consequences of saying no so don't feel you have to accept his offer.

[Velasco]

He pointedly ignored Lord Gwayne's question, "You would have the right of that milord, but there are two things you have got wrong so far, I'm afraid to say. The truth is I am neither an archer, nor anything of Lord Harte's."

He removed his hood, revealing a weathered face, with black stubble around his mouth and short black hair on his head. Bowing almost mockingly he announced himself, "I am a ranger, a man of the Kingswood, Woodmere was simply a stopping place on my travels. But enough of me, milord, it is your travels that interest me. I hear you are wanting to stay around these parts, well may I humbly inform you you would have no greater guide than myself, I know these woods and lands better than my mother knows me. Of course," he paused, a wide grin spread across his face, "such expertise comes at a fee, both upfront and contiuned."

OOC: Basically this is just a fun little extra to RP's I want too add to things, they won't be anything too major or give you any sort of a advantage over other PC's as there isn't really a system in place or anything.

Here you are being presented with a chance to recruit the "Ranger" retinue (+1 Scout and Pathfinder), it will be for the normal cost and upkeep and effective straight away, but it gives a bit of context to someone being in your retinue and (hopefully) is more interesting than just hiring someone. No consequences of saying no so don't feel you have to accept his offer.

Lord Gwayne pondered the man's words.

A local guide, especially one as hardened as you seem to be, is no small asset when moving through unfamiliar terrain. On the other hand, I find myself bleeding coin the longer this war goes on. Lord Arryn has me building ballista, I myself built trebuchets and had to hire an engineer to work them, also had to outfit all these crossbowmen you see behind me, 1200 men in all. You know the fastest ways from here to Bywater? To Bronzegate even?

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

"I do know the ways to Bywater and Bronzegate," the man replied, "but my skills lie in uncovering tracks you may seek, or disguising tracks you may not want found."

[Velasco]

"I do know the ways to Bywater and Bronzegate," the man replied, "but my skills lie in uncovering tracks you may seek, or disguising tracks you may not want found."

I will hire you, came the voice of Lord Gwayne's son and heir, Ser Jaime. Father can be stingy with his coin, but I am less difficult. If we are of accord, lead us to Bywater, there is much to be done.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

-15,000 Dragons for this year (130), and then -8,000 Dragons per year after for as long as you want to keep him in your service.

He smiled at Ser Jamie, "Then we have a deal. Come, this way to Bywater...."

OOC: I won't RP him any more, as he is now part of your retinue. If you want to continue and attempt to secure the garrison at Bywater post on.