The Tents of the Justman Brothers (Oldstones, Riverlands)

[Lucius Malfoy]

The camp of the Justman Brothers was laid out in the shadows of the ruins of Oldstones, a castle from bygone days and belonging to a dynasty long extinct. In the dead of night, the winds made whispers within the barren hallways, whispers of great kings and princes who once walked within its stone walls. Their power stretching across the Riverlands at one time. Now it is all but ruins. Villages nearby do not remember its true name, but have named it Oldstones over time. Harys and Gerold keep their tent close to the entrance and walls of Oldstones in order to keep the elements to a minimal against their tents.

The Justman Brothers

Traits and Biography Name: Harys Justman Alias: The Beggar Knight, Harys the Swift and Harys the Bold Age: 35 years (born 95 AC) Marital Status: Unmarried Bio: Harys Justman is the son of the late Deremond Justman, a sellsword in the Free Cities of Essos. Growing up, Harys was raised on the tales of his ancestors, trained in the ways of the Westerosi knights, and educated in the ways of Westeros and Essos. It had been the tradition of their family to always remember their home and to be aware of their present surroundings, for none could know when one day the Justman could return to the Riverlands. The young Harys would become a sellsword in order to earn money and experience, the best way to do so in the Free Cities, especially for an exile. There were many secondborn sons and exiles, like the Justman, that Harys met during his time as a sellsword. These fellow Westerosi exiles told stories from across the Narrow Sea; of the Targaryens, of Aegon the Conqueror and so forth. Deep within his heart, Harys yearned to return to the Seven Kingdoms; he desired to see the Riverlands, the home of his ancestors. To gaze upon the Trident, Oldstones and the mighty castles of Riverrun, the Twins and other places. When his father died at the age of 27, Harys took over his family's household. His mind setting aside his desires to tend to his widowed mother and younger brother. Yet a fateful turn of events came when Harys and his brother, Gerold, met a certain Ser Benjen of House Tully while in Qohor. Learning of the boy's heritage and their story, Ser Benjen would insist on bringing them home with him. Harys immediately took this chance as favor from the Seven and jumped upon the next ship bound for Westeros. Since their arrival to the Riverlands shortly before the Dance, Harys and Gerold have kept to Benjen, giving whatever services they can to win favor and fame. While they were granted rooms in Riverrun for their association with Ser Benjen, the brothers tend to house themselves in the ruins of Oldstones, once the ancient capital of many dynasties, including their own ancestors. Harys's desires have once more sparked and, with the Dance in full swing, the young Justman will stop at nothing to gain more favor and fame and to find land where his family can thrive once more. Traits (9 points): +3 Duel - The blood of Benedict the Bold runs through the veins of Harys. His experience as a sellsword and sheer determination have made Harys a skilled swordsman. +2 Survival - Having lived among the filth and rich of the Free Cities and survived the trials of a sellsword, Harys have become a survivalist, just like Edwyn the Exiled. +2 Battle - The duties of a sellsword has brought Harys to battle in the Disputed Lands, making him a first witness to battle and blood. +2 Charisma - The name Justman is one that holds great prestige and respect in the annals of the Riverlands. Traits and Biography Name: Gerold Justman Alias: The Wild Knight, Gerold the Strong, Gerold the Red-Faced, and the Thug of Myr Age: 32 years (born 98 AC) Marital Status: Unmarried Children: - Florian Rivers, bastard child by Aregelle Umber Bio: The younger of the two brothers, Gerold was born robust and grew up as a wild child. Often, the young Justman would get into street brawls as a child, forcing his father to keep a watchful eye upon Gerold. Yet, as wild as he was, he knew of loyalty, a trait that was well-known to Harys who owed Gerold more than once for saving his head from being cleaved. He rapidly gained his famed for his brute strength, earning such names as 'the Thug of Myr', where the family resided. Throughout the streets and among his fellow sellswords, Gerold was nicknamed Ser Gerold 'the Strong' and 'the Red-Faced' for his rage was so fiery that his face became as red as the Dornish sun upon the Martell's banners it is said. He towered over his foes and was said to have ripped a man's head off for simply pointing his sword at Gerold. Yet through all the wild tales and the brutal reputation, Gerold would remain loyal to one man, Harys, the elder brother. He always had his brother's back in the thick of battle and tallied up a nice debt from Harys which was repaid with women and drink. When Gerold and Harys ran into Benjen Tully in Qohors, Harys flew upon the chance to return to the Riverlands. Gerold knew of his brother's desires and so followed him, as loyal as ever. For the Strong Justman, he saw this as an opportunity for new battles, new duels and new people to test his might against. His imposing figure in the halls of Riverrun make many weary of him. Traits (8 points): +3 Duel - The robust stature of Gerold, combine with the blood of Benedict the Bold, makes the Knight of Brawns a fearsome warrior to even gaze upon. +3 Survival - The streets of Myr and the battlefields of a sellsword can make anyone a survivalist these days. +2 Battle - Being a sellsword brings one into the thick of battle. Gerold sought all kinds of battles, from brawls on the streets to the Disputed Lands themselves.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A wind picked up from across the plains towards the seas to the West, battering the tents lightly. Harys moved to make sure his tent was in place, knowing how exposed they were to the elements because of their campsite. The noisy sounds of Gerold feasting upon mutton and mead interrupted his thoughts. The elder Justman looked to his brother for a moment after the tent was secure. The noise wasn't bothering him, it was how the food was acquired.

You seriously scared a merchant away from his caravan to grab mutton, mead and...what in Seven Hells is that?

Harys notices a chest with various clothing in them. Gerold slams it shut before looking at his older brother. A mutton was offered to Harys, probably a peace offer or a 'shut up and eat.'

Listen, Harys, you need to impress the gals alright? Get them in the right mood ya see. I could easily make a farmer's daughter jump on me if I gave her a pretty dress. Gotta have the means to do so.

Gerold grins to the grimace of Harys who sometimes did not understand his brutish brother at all. The elder Justman then looked at the mutton and took a bite out of it. Gerold did do his duty; replenish their supplies even though it was taken from a scared merchant who probably pissed himself from Oldstones to Maidenpool by now. Still, the job was accomplished, something that Harys could not complain about one bit. He stares at the fire for a moment, causing Gerold to speak up.

Think good ol' Benjen will call us again for work, Harys? Its been awhile since we have been given a job.

Harys looked over at the imposing figure of Gerold. He wondered that himself; did Benjen and House Tully truly need their services or were they the pawns of the Lord Paramount's schemes? Harys didn't know, that's for certain. He took a big bite out of the mutton to give him time to respond to his brother. The Bold Justman patted his younger brother's shoulder the best grin he could muster.

Benjen wouldn't bring us back to Westeros without a plan in mind, Gerold. Patience ensured we survived across the Narrow Sea. I think we can easily use that same patience to wait for work.

With that, the pair would grin at each other before going back to feasting upon their stolen goods.

[Lord Dread]

OOC: I assume this will take place, once Benjen returns with the two from Essos in company of the three knights, who were send to seek for Benjen. The other RP can be counted as some kind of past RP.

Days later Ser Benjen Tully would arrive, cloaked within a brown coat and only barely showing the Tully coat of arms. Even though he was a free man, the Sellsword, whom they called 'Bloodpike' due to the long pike weapon he uses in battle, the shaft in form of the same-called fish, did not seem all too appealing of drawing attention to himself.
Notable was only that he carried a good portion of bags at a horse behind - the two Justmen would knew that it was the treasures and gold, he had smuggled the way over to Westeros, unnoticed by his Tully company.
With a grin the red-bearded man of 26 years approached the men with open arms.
"Hey, you bastards", he laughed in a good mood, as he came closer , "Hope you like what we organized for you. Maybe not as impressive as what you are used from Essos, but well - this was once a royal seat, believe it or not."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gerold was snoring in his tent when Benjen arrived. The man was a deep sleeper after all. Harys, on the other hand, was wide awake when Benjen arrived. He rose from where he was sitting as the Tully approached their campsite. A good breeze blew in from the west again, battering the tents lightly. The middle-aged Justman looks at Oldstones before speaking.

I know of Oldstones, Ser Benjen. My father told us all about the Riverlands, as told by his father and and his father's father. All the way back to Edwyn the Exiled.

Harys gestured for Benjen to take a seat near their fireplace whose embers still glowed slightly from the night before. He pokes at the blackened wood, making sure it kept going for awhile.

So I suspect you brought us news of some kind? Gerold's getting too bored out here. Eyeing farmer's daughters, scaring merchants and so forth.

[Lord Dread]

"Aye", the knight replied, knowing that the two men were still rather sellswords than accepted lords at the moment, "Right now I brought you your 2 thirds upon the gold, we have gathered together in Qohor during the years - it should be enough to build up Oldstone twice as tall, as it stood before.
As for the second favor, we have work to do. My steward and Lord Regent wrote me via letter upon a bastard from the Umbers occupying Harrenhall and asking to rule the place as a Lord Regent. Furthermore, a Mormont retiniue told me something about Harrenhall's daughters being raped by Stark's brother - in any case, whatever those bastards are doing there, there's something fishy down there - and trust me, it's definitly not the trout upon my pretty banners."
He made a small pause.
"I do not force you to anything, my comrades", he said respectful to both his brothers in arms, "But I rather want at least one of you being there as a second in command, if things get nasty and Ser Vance nice talks lead to nowhere. I know nothing upon this war or those weird alliances, only that my nephew is somewhere safe at the Eyrie and we are allied with the Arryns. Those northern dogs however - I want to see them bleed, if they turn out as nasty as the Blood Tongues. I got betrayed multiple times - in Westeros it would not surprise me to face the same odds."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Harys listens attentively to the words of his benefactor. Oldstones could be his home, yes, yet these old towers and walls were probably meant to be undisturbed. To even think of rebuilding these fallen stones would be disturbing the graves of many great Mudd Kings, like Tristifer IV, who slayed Ronald II of the Vale. His eyes would then return to Benjen.

I could think of rebuilding Oldstones, Ser Benjen, but this place...this place should remain the way it is. It has had its time for glory and should remain at rest. To disturb the place would disturb the spirits of the Mudd Kings who have been laid to rest here

His eyes then turned to the snoring Gerold. Harys walks over and kicks the brute in the leg, forcing the sleeping giant to abruptly wake up. The Strong Justman notices Benjen, causing him to jump up and walk out of his tent.

Seems Benjen has a task for us, Gerold. Some bastards raped a poor girl from Harrenhal and seized it for themselves. Its a dishonor to all Riverlanders for such persons to do this. This could be our chance to really do something!

I don't care what I do, brother, as long as we get heads to knock around and my sword can taste filth's blood!

Harys looks at Gerold for a moment turning to look at Ser Benjen. He nods affirmatively to the Tully.

We will both come with you, Ser Benjen. However, we do not have much in terms of equipment sadly. Much of our old Westerosi gear became rusted generations ago, so I feel we may not be much of help.

[Lord Dread]

Harys listens attentively to the words of his benefactor. Oldstones could be his home, yes, yet these old towers and walls were probably meant to be undisturbed. To even think of rebuilding these fallen stones would be disturbing the graves of many great Mudd Kings, like Tristifer IV, who slayed Ronald II of the Vale. His eyes would then return to Benjen.

I could think of rebuilding Oldstones, Ser Benjen, but this place...this place should remain the way it is. It has had its time for glory and should remain at rest. To disturb the place would disturb the spirits of the Mudd Kings who have been laid to rest here

His eyes then turned to the snoring Gerold. Harys walks over and kicks the brute in the leg, forcing the sleeping giant to abruptly wake up. The Strong Justman notices Benjen, causing him to jump up and walk out of his tent.

Seems Benjen has a task for us, Gerold. Some bastards raped a poor girl from Harrenhal and seized it for themselves. Its a dishonor to all Riverlanders for such persons to do this. This could be our chance to really do something!

I don't care what I do, brother, as long as we get heads to knock around and my sword can taste filth's blood!

Harys looks at Gerold for a moment turning to look at Ser Benjen. He nods affirmatively to the Tully.

We will both come with you, Ser Benjen. However, we do not have much in terms of equipment sadly. Much of our old Westerosi gear became rusted generations ago, so I feel we may not be much of help.

Benjen nodded in agreement.
"Can say the same upon my weapons", he replied in agreement, "I will see what I can get from our blacksmiths in Riverrun. We will anyways have to ride to Pinkmaiden to meet up with the host there."
He made a small pause.
"I really hope it will turn out well", the Bloodpike spoke out loud his thoughts, "I do not want to endanger my nephews and neither do I want to leave Arryn alone against the Westermen. Let's hope we can settle this in time, before our armies get surrounded anyways."

[Lucius Malfoy]

With that being said, Harys and Gerold pack up their necessary belongings for the road ahead. The two had acquired horses as gifts from House Tully when they arrived; strong and speedy steeds they were. Once all was prepared and readied, the Justman Brothers would follow Benjen's lead and head south for a new battlefield and perhaps new glory and fame that awaited the pair.

[Velasco]

Men come from the Lady Darla Stark come seeking Ser Gerold Justman.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Gerold was packing up the camp with Ser Harys down at God's Eye. The brothers planned to move to the region around God's Eye for now. The imposing man notices the approaching men, causing his eyebrow to go up slightly.

​What do you want?

[Velasco]

Ser Gerold was packing up the camp with Ser Harys down at God's Eye. The brothers planned to move to the region around God's Eye for now. The imposing man notices the approaching men, causing his eyebrow to go up slightly.

​What do you want?

Ser Gerold of House Justman?

The hardened Northern warrior inspected him a second before proceeding.

You put a baby in Lady Stark's sister. She wants you to wed her before the trees and save it from bastardy.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Gerold stares at the warrior for a moment. He sets down his things, giving his full attention to the visitor.

You sure the kid is mine? I had plenty of girls back from Essos claim the same thing when all they wanted was what few coin our family had.

[Velasco]

Ser Gerold stares at the warrior for a moment. He sets down his things, giving his full attention to the visitor.

You sure the kid is mine? I had plenty of girls back from Essos claim the same thing when all they wanted was what few coin our family had.

The rider sighed without much patience for such talk, looking at the mercenary incredulous.

You put your shrivelled little pecker inside the cousin and goodsister of Lord Stark of Winterfell, the Warden of the North, and now she's pregnant. You should count your lucky stars mate, that Lord Stark didn't come here in person to cut your balls off and stuff them down your fornicating throat for dishonouring his kin. Say you're a Justman, eh? How about stop being such a dimwit and take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save your life and ally yourself to one of the Great Houses in the process? Perhaps..."House Justman" would actually mean something then.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gerold looks at the rider who spoke such vulgar words to him. He examines the man for a moment before turning away to grab some necessities.

No wonder you are a grunt, with a mouth like that, I bet your mother kicked you out...no has to be your wife.

He calmly walks over to his horse and mounts up. His eyes glancing at the rider.

Oh and best make sure you don't go too far away when I go to Winterfell. Got a nice reward as a thanks for being messenger boy when I am done speaking with Lord Stark and Darla.

Gerold pats the coin purse upon his hip before snapping the reins of his mount and riding North.

[Velasco]

Gerold looks at the rider who spoke such vulgar words to him. He examines the man for a moment before turning away to grab some necessities.

No wonder you are a grunt, with a mouth like that, I bet your mother kicked you out...no has to be your wife.

He calmly walks over to his horse and mounts up. His eyes glancing at the rider.

Oh and best make sure you don't go too far away when I go to Winterfell. Got a nice reward as a thanks for being messenger boy when I am done speaking with Lord Stark and Darla.

Gerold pats the coin purse upon his hip before snapping the reins of his mount and riding North.

The rider rolled his eyes and nodded, making his departure.

The Lady Aregelle is coming up out of the Reach. You could meet her on the way north, he noted before leaving with the others.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gerold doesn't listen and heads straight North to the Twins and beyond.