The First Council of the Riverlords, 132 AL (Dance of Dragons)

[Lord Dread]

With the aid of Lady Jeyne Strong upon prepareing the minor festivities within Harrenhal,
Ser Benjen Tully summoned the Riverlords and Ladies upon her court, who came to the cursed keep all together with their retiniue and prominent knights, landed and unlanded
to discuss the urgent matters, concerning their realm. Ser Benjen would be present, along with Ser Vance and even Lord Harren Tully, the young Lord Paramount, to hand over the regency from the steward towards him,
symbolizing the strength of the Riverlands upon their efforts and losses during the war. Fine stag would be served, maybe as well as a reference to the victory of the Riverlands over the Stormlands.
And among all this festivities, a long round table, large enough to give each High Lord and his minor vassals proper seats to participate on equal terms within the discussion among the lords.

The concept was quite simple for Ser Benjen's taste, as it gave him the possibility to listen even to minor lords or knights, present within the round of invited guests. As a seasoned sellsword, he knew that it might help him in guideing this lands better, who got shaped and united more than ever by the recent wars. After all they were Rivermen -
and Benjen was always the opinion that a Tully served after all not only in House words, but as well in past and present his vassals.

Curious, he looked into the round, wondering whom of the most notable Lords and Ladies would arrive upon the table. The red-bearded knight even wondered, if the Justman siblings would be present, as he had not seen them after the liberation of Riverrun. Not a bad sign, but it was always nice to see old pals among the unknown majority of his future vassals.

Major Topics of House Tully's major concern

- Queen Rhaenyra's unforseen death in view of the future situation
- The Mormont information concerning Harrenhal and the damages being dealt to the castle
- The reparations being paid by the Throne, back to the Riverlands
- Ser Benjen becomeing accepted by the Riverlords as their new Lord Regent

Topics, being brought in by the Lords

- so far none as the meeting hasn't started

OOC:

The Topic list will be updated and sum up the major events and discussions during the Council, along with the decisions and conclusions of the meeting.
Matters, not being decided by the majority of the meeting, will be marked red,
while matters being dealt with are marked green.

Feel free to start whereever you want. If needed the moderation can as well roll the opinions of the PC Riverlords, should it be needed during issues, where no clue solution could be found.
And yeah, I know this is not a democracy - yet wise rulers tend to listen to their people, especially if they just came from Essos or served for years as a steward.
Hope it becomes interesting enough to give me back some motivation. ^^

[Pericles of Athens]

Lord Darry arrived bitterly, he and his had shed blood for the Riverlands yet they were to meet in the holdfast of a Green supporting traitor? Who now came to them hat in hand after their defeat? Old Lord Darry had been widely respected before the war, but his actions in saving Riverrun from the Stormlander invaders and securing reparations from Lord Caron earned him the designation as "Savior" among many.

[Oznerol]

Lady Jeyne wore grey gown, it's sleeves decorated with bands, in green, blue and red. Of delicated brocade and embroidered the gown denoted her status as Lady of Harrenhall. She wore a cloak lined with soft fur. She wore little jewelry, as her family heirlooms had been mostly sacked by the barbarians hailing from the North. Her auburn hair shone like polished bronce, her sad blue eyes perfect in shape. She was sad but beautiful, but that day she stood proud, for she was the honored host of Lord Tully and his regents. She sat next to his liege and his tutors, as was fitting. The council was held in Harrenhal's Great Hall, were decades ago the realm succession had been decided, it was the greatest hall in the whole Kingdom, and the Strong heraldry hung from the walls. Strong guardsmen lined the walls, wearing mail and surcoats with Jeyne's heraldry. Hearths were lit, as winter's chill was slowly coming to the Riverlands.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Harys Justman joins the retinue of House Strong. He situates himself close to Lady Jeyne after bringing forth the renewed oaths of fealty from House Wode and House Goodsbrook. The middle-aged Riverlander had gained a new reputation as the Shield of Harrenhal and the Strong Hand, indicating his connections with Lady Jeyne and the service rendered to House Strong. He scans the crowd quietly, disappointed in the absence of his brother, Gerold. He had last heard his brother heading North, but no word since. He sighed quietly to himself before going back to his mindset as a member of the protection for Lady Jeyne and the rest of the visiting lords.

[Xion]

Lady Blackwood and her retinue comprised of her vassals, some lesser nobility sworn to Raventree or one of it's vassals, fifty of her Raven's Talon guard, and some courtiers and other servants, arrive at Harrenhall from Lord Harroway's Town once more, taking a riverboat from Fairmarket to Lord Harroway's Town to avoid crossing the lands sworn to the Brackens. Cimbre had considered bringing her pet raven trained to caw insults at the Brackens, but decided against it lest it make a poor impression on the other Riverlords for continually interrupting their proceedings to insult Bracken.

The Lady of Raventree wears a leather traveling outfit along with her raven-feather cloak, and her longsword rests in it's scabbard hanging off her waist as she walks into the Hall of the Hundred Hearths, glancing around to see if any representation from Stone Henge was present, and if there was one, keeping her distance from it while occasional glaring and insulting the Brackens in discussion with her retainers and vassals as they wait for the council to begin.

[Lord Dread]

With the council being gathered with the majority of the Riverlords, Ser Vance opened the season, as he was currently still the acting Lord Regent, standing next to an uncertain Lord Harren Tully. Though the boy had grown older, he still was after all a child, remaining silent for the moment among all those men and women he did not know too well apart from few.
"Mylords, myladies and knights of the Riverlands we have gathered here at Harrenhal to not only celebrate our victory upon the Stormlands at Riverrun, but as well to discuss the current situation within the realm among us as equals within the discussion to not only consult Lord Harren, the young Lord, but as well his Lord Regent", he began loudly the main discussion to get the attention focused upon the purpose of this meeting, "Thus being said, I wish to inform the Lords and Ladies of the Riverlands, that I would likely step back from my position as Lord Regent of the Trident and hand over the regency upon a known, but long forgotten man upon our council: Ser Benjen Tully, who had recently returned from his exile from Essos by wish of Old Lord Edric Tully, before he passed away. We all do remember Ser Daryn Tully's tragic death among the nearby roads, as it was Lord Edric's main motivation to ask for Benjen as the uncle, supposed to guide the young Lord till he would reach the wisdom and strength to rule this realm by himself - yet, Ser Benjen wishes to know if the Riverlords would accept his regency over the Trident and if they would put a higher trust in him than they would... well, into the current Lord Regent."
It was obvious that Ser Vance was not feeling comfortable of speaking upon his own rank in comparison to a trueborn Tully, who would most likely will act soon in his supposed place as a regent. Mance knew that he did a lot during the time of his regency, as without him the Riverlands might have been in disorder - yet he had not forgotten that he was a mere knight and the respect, he earned came rather by his actions than by birth right.
Gladly he would retire from his office and hand it over to Benjen, if the former sellsword would not have insisted, that he has to be chosen by the majority of the Riverlords.
'What kind of regent would he be, if he just forces the nobility of the Riverlands to accept a man, who got exiled for ing a Butterwell daughter and was absent for over five years, just because of his father's words', he had said often, 'The people respected my father, when he was alive - now he is dead and the last wills of deceased Lords might not always be accepted by those, who hold open grudges against me. They better decide this matter openly and honest, before I wake up the next morning with a knife in my back.'
He looked shortly towards Benjen, who only nodded appreciateing, remaining however quiet. Tully rather waited for reactions, as he had nothing to add. His trust in Ser Vance was after all high, since his and Lord Darry's efforts for the Riverlands were hard to deny.

[Pericles of Athens]

He's a Tully and if wishes to be regent and you will part with the position the outcome seems clear. Came the voice of Lord Darry, the first to speak it seemed. We have more pressing matters. The Western Riverlands were burned by Stormlords and Westermen. And the Valesmen carted off much of my own harvest. Darry said plainly, failing to mention Harrenhal. They had been Greens, they had created the division that put them in this position now. Who will feed the Riverlands while half lies burnt or pillaged and winter grips us tightly? Who will seek justice for our dead at Stormlanders and Westernen hands? Who will reprimand the Arryn's for threatening my lands?

[Lord Dread]

Ser Benjen looked up, into direction of the respected lord to muster him.
"The Vale is a delicate matter, as they were our allies on the front against the Westerlands, when none of the other Black loyalists decided to aid us", the Bloodpike spoke calm, since he was informed upon the events, "Let me tell you that they already paid their efforts in blood, as they got defeated by the Lannister forces at Nunn's Deep, before my forces gained any message upon the Arryns getting trapped.
After all they gave Lord Tully the protection, he needed - Riverrun never fell, but the danger of a dragon like Vhagar burning down the keep was always given."
He made a small pause before thinking.
"Riverrun is already supplying Harrenhal with all necessary goods to restore the keep from the scars, the Northmen have left here", he said then after a while, "Yet, I wish to share grain as well with House Darry and encourage the fellow Riverlords, who had not been affected to do the same with Darry and mainly Maidenpool. The Pipers and Lady Strong have suffered the most from our neighbours - they should get our aid first.
I am aware of minor raids from sides of the Westerlands, but I intend to discuss those matters in private with the new Lord Tyrek. In any case, the Lannisters will have to pay their debts as well, as I agree with you upon the offered reparations of her grace, the deceased Queen of Westeros being too small to compensate all dealt damages towards our regions.

As for the Arryns, we will also confront them with what they did and ask at least for an apology. You did, as you were told by us, Lord Darry, thus we understand that the insult towards you and your questioned loyality can not be left aside unanswered.
What would you have in mind, mylord?"

[Pericles of Athens]

Some allies, that bully your vassals and steal their food. Darry scowled. House Piper should indeed be aided first.. but House Strong? They sided with the Greens, they caused the division that allowed the West to burn it's merry way through our lands. Every other Riverlander House pledged men and food to the Tully cause, but not the Strongs. My good brother Frey and I were the only thing standing between the Rivermen and a conquest of Riverrun.. we lost thousands defending your keep, I would not have the suffering of the loyal compared to that of the treacherous. He huffed. I would see them give back the grain they ate even though they have none of their own. I'd see them stop their plotting with my disloyal Mooton vassal. I'd see them never cross my lands again without my expressed permission.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Harys rose from his position, unable to hear such words from a fellow Riverlander.

Lord Darry, I say you hold your tongue! House Strong has been punished for its crimes, but not in a just way. The northerners came as well, pillaging Harrenhal, slaughtering Strong members and even raping Lady Jeyne and her sister, Helicent, who died of her conditions. Lady Jeyne is the last of her kin, a shadow hangs over House Strong now. Do not force more suffering upon Harrenhal because it has suffered enough at the hands of Northerners! They have learned from their mistakes and have suffered for it.

The Justman turns to the other Riverlords present, speaking openly to all of them.

The Riverlands have suffered greatly for aiding the victors yes, but let us not point fingers at one another nor at our foes. For that will not change anything. Instead, my fellow Riverlanders, let us unite as we did under Tullys when Harren the Black and his cursed house was burnt by the dreaded dragonfire of Belarion. Staying united will ensure that the Riverlands thrive once more! Unity will ensure that wounds are healed and grudges are forgiven. Let us not be so torn up as House Targaryen was only a year ago. Let us be as united as the Trident itself! As the rivers who join to make one great river in our homeland.

[Lord Dread]

"To be fair, a host from Pinkmaiden came to flank the Stormlanders at Riverrun as well, missing our chance to get revenge upon the Westerlands", Ser Benjen replied, yet being a little bit angered by Darry's arrogant behavior, "As for Harrenhal Lord Strong met his end in front of the Northmen, yes. But so did the rest of his household apart from the remaining Lady Strong.
Be glad the Arryns took only your grain - according to Lady Mormont and other rumors I have heard, our fine ally, the Northmen left no chance to slaughter our vassals after they had been conquered and surrendered to the cause of the Blacks. And this is the greater issue, as why I have chosen Harrenhal as a meeting place, so all Lords and Ladies present can see the damages being done to the keep.
If there is one of the Seven Kingdoms, the Riverlands can't trust and from whom they have to demand greater reparations, it's Lord Stark for not keeping his vassals in line."
Bloodpike would never understand why a man like Darry seemed to oppose anything, their overlords propose to his House, even though it had always been argued in his favor. Thanks to Ser Vance he knew that the man had been presumed of dubious loyalities and never acted as a part of the Lord's plans during recent meetings. Yet it seemed as if the Ploughman could never be satisfied.
If I have to, I rather will ignore his demands - unlike the Mootons and Strongs, we can't relay always on a stubborn Darry lord.

Upon Ser Justman's words, Bloodpike nodded. Good Harys is doing well.

"I agree with Ser Harys here, mylords", he replied calm, "The aim of this council is a union within the Riverlands, as problems of the past can not be handled, if they repeat themselves in the future. We need allies within and outside our borders, so we can fight on our own agenda in the future. If we nitpick the failures of the past, there won't be any progress for my nephew's rulership for solveing problems."

[Pericles of Athens]

They may have caught the Stormlords before they could flee but Riverrun would have been long burned by the time they arrived, and any within would be dead. He stated plainly. If I had declared for the Greens when the Valesmen arrived my family would be dead along with my men and my keep would sit in ruins, Lucian said as much even as we grieved the death of my own youngest brother. Even as a loyal vassal to Tully they stole my son and the grain from my people's mouths. He stated. You would name the Northmen our greatest foe? Even when they fought those of your vassals that fought against your nephew? I wonder what House Piper would think, there keep lies in ruin by Western hands. Or House Mallister and Blackwood with their lands burnt by Westermen raiders. I wonder what the rest of the lords here would think, for those who remained loyal to Riverrun died of Western and Stormlanders swords, not Northern axes.

[Lord Dread]

They may have caught the Stormlords before they could flee but Riverrun would have been long burned by the time they arrived, and any within would be dead. He stated plainly. If I had declared for the Greens when the Valesmen arrived my family would be dead along with my men and my keep would sit in ruins, Lucian said as much even as we grieved the death of my own youngest brother. Even as a loyal vassal to Tully they stole my son and the grain from my people's mouths. He stated. You would name the Northmen our greatest foe? Even when they fought those of your vassals that fought against your nephew? I wonder what House Piper would think, there keep lies in ruin by Western hands. Or House Mallister and Blackwood with their lands burnt by Westermen raiders. I wonder what the rest of the lords here would think, for those who remained loyal to Riverrun died of Western and Stormlanders swords, not Northern axes.

"Minor raids, upon which the Lannisters will pay their coin for - what their hounds did to the villages was terrible, but not as brutal as the slaughter within these halls.", Ser Vance stated briefly, "The entire noble family was killed except for two girls and the mother and one Strong girl was supposed to marry a bastard, haveing the support of the Iron Throne to legitimize him as Regent of the Keep. As the Maester could tell me, the young girl was pregnant - the sister of Lady Jeyne. An innocent virgin, who had nothing to do with the political affairs of Lord Strong. As we all know, the marriage between a noblewoman and a bastard is disgusting among the laws of men and not tolerated."
"And according to Lady Mormont, it was Stark's bastard, who tolerated the rape of the Strong daughters", Ser Benjen said cold as ice, "It is one thing, if a girl willingly allows a man to her - yet it is another to rape the daughters of my vassals, no matter how much they have disgraced themselves, when it comes to their loyality. I have no reason to trust the Northmen, after one of their bastards tried to claim Harrenhal for themselves. They were allies, yes - but they were allies of the Queen, not our allies.
Thus if we begin blameing the Arryns, we should not forget the North's actions."
Bloodpike made a small pause, giveing room for Lady Jeyne to speak further, as Darry's quarreling reached a ridiculous level. Pinkmaiden was damaged by the siege of the Westerlands and pillaged twice, that was true - yet the majority of the Lords had seen that Pinkmaiden still stood intact, when the Westerlanders left it. Darry and Frey could perhaps not know, as they were stationed in the northern Riverlands - yet the other lords did.
As for Riverrun, the Lord Regent knew that Darry was stylizing himself more important than his deeds were - judgeing by what the castellan told, the Arryns and himself would have arrived in time to stop Caron as well. But Benjen guessed already that the old, stubborn Lord was a mere obstacle than a help, when it came to promoteing the unity of the Riverlands.
"We will nontheless consult House Arryn upon the fate of your son and send you the grain you need from Riverrun", Benjen replied then diplomatic, "The Arryns are reasonable allies, though during war they might not have acted as appreciateing as it would have been wished. They protected the young Lord by the will of his own mother, Lady Shae Tully and thus we are in their debt, if you saw Riverrun ever in danger in front of our enemies."
Enemies, formed by our overlords, Benjen thought in grief, The Queen is no more and Blacks as Greens do not really exist anymore. If we can learn anything from this Dance, it is rather that we should avoid getting further meddled into Targaryen buiseness and rather represent our interests and the ones of our allied kingdoms.
The Westerlands and Stormlands fought for the Greens,
all we could fight for, were the Arryns, if truth was to be told.

[Pericles of Athens]

Lord Darry rolled his eyes. How many thousands of our young men, smallfolk and noble alike, lie dead by Western swords? By Stormlander swords? How many woman raped? How many fields burnt and children butchered? And yet you'd call these murderers friend to work towards the goals of your nephew's rebellious vassal? He shook his head. You have no intention of actually listening to Tully's vassals. This is naught but an exercise in confirming your own beliefs and attempting to justify your own plans.

OOC: The Westermen left Pinkmaiden in ruins, by the rules of the game that's wht happens. So..

[Narsils_Shards]

OOC: Pinkmaiden was only sacked. It would take several days of uninterrupted work to make it a ruin. From what I heard, a Lannister did it to Riverrun once, but it took 3 days, we only had the castle for about 4 hours.

[Lucius Malfoy]

OOC: Mortis seemed to have assumed that he could leave Pinkmaiden in ruins with just a one-liner post. The mods also agreed that it wasn't in ruins, but just sacked. There wasn't enough roleplay done to turn Pinkmaiden into ruins.

[Lord Dread]

OOC ^this. If Pinkmaiden would have been ruined, Lannister would have had to do more than paying additional 40k Dragons. All the Westerlands did was going for the raid tour through the Riverlands with small raiding parties. Clegane for example had just 500 riders at his disposal - that's only enough to sack smaller villages within the regions.
The last time Riverlands were ever ed in RP was during the Blackfyre rebellion setting - and in this game Ponti was Lannister. The Lannister in our game did compared to this nothing, if you are already outraged upon smaller raids. If this logic continiues, I'm rather fond to quit the game right now, as I'm not in the mood to deal with vassals, whom you can't appease anyways.
Then you can search for a new Tully player.

"How many Stormlanders lie dead upon the ground?", Ser Benjen asked directly back, "Enough for a blood feud? Do we now have to declare any man, who spilled Riverlander blood, as a national enemy. If so, Lord Harren could by your advice rule the Riverlands independent as a kingdom on its own.
Is that what you want Darry?
Tell me rather whom we can trust, if the majority of our neighbours did in the past attacked our vassals and nobles - otherwise your words suggest that you want us to become isolated from anyone else, as there can't be reasonable peace by your words."
Which would be the most stupid idea I have ever heard, he added in thought.
The present Riverlords eyed Darry also in interest now.