Visiting the missing Bannerman

**Lord Dread** · January 14, 2017, 05:19 PM

282 AC

Castle Rushmoor, Riverlands

With the shocking message of Ser Jeffory Mallister by the hands of the Mad King, while he had the bad luck to accompany Brandon Stark towards the capital, and with his overlord Lord Tully throwing in his support for Robert's Baratheon's campaign against the mad King, the Mallisters rallied more than willingly an army, composed out of their own tropps and the ones of the vassal lords to join up with the forces of Lord Hoster.
However, with the troops of Lord Rushmoor of Rushmoor not having arrived, doubts and distrust regarding the loyalities of the vassal lord began to rise.
After a host was created at Seagard, Lord Jason Mallister decided immidiately that it was of importance for the Riverlands to investigate the missing of a valuable vassal, whose forces would be appreciated by the Mallisters.

During the journey Lord Mallister feared that Lord Rushmoor was already ambushed by the enemy and his forces were already diminished.
When arriving at the keep and realizing that the Lord had indeed called his troops together, however, Mallister feared for the worst.

Together with few loyal knights, he rode towards the keep, though not making the mistake to get into the close range of potential archers.
From open field shouting, he demanded Lord Rushmoor to show himself, so he could answer, why he would disobey the call of his rightful overlord of House Mallister.

Mallister's army

Notes and goals/reasons behind the decision: Lord Mallister wishes to know whether Lord Rushmoor is a threat or not, hoping so far for a parlay, where Rushmoor shows insight and actually joins up with the rebells.
Should Rushmoor remain stubborn, Mallister will attempt to siege the keep to ensure that any Royalist support, the Crownlands would gain from his vassal will be denied. In light of his brother's death by hands of the King , Lord Mallister won't appreciate any of his vassal lords rebelling against his authority, so conquering Rushmoor by siege would be a main priority, should it not be avoidable.

OOC: Given that I don't know who's currently the player, who controlls House Tully, I'll wait with the actual formal raven towards the Tullys to explain the situation regarding the Mallisters not showing up at the main host at Riverrun. The message nontheless gets send the moment, Mallister besieges Rushmoor.

**Jokern** · January 14, 2017, 06:01 PM

Lord Rushmoor rode out from his keep, accompanied by a personal guard for protection.

"Here I am, Lord Mallister, now why do you invade my lands with an army like a land squid?"

**Lord Dread** · January 14, 2017, 06:16 PM

Mallister eyed his vasall more than coldly.
"You are well aware, mylord, that I ordered your forces to be mustered at Seagard in the name of Lord Tully, as the King's madness has reached a point, where it becomes unbearable for all of us", he said after a while, "My brother was murdered by Aerys II and the heads of both the young Lord Stark and Lord Baratheon were demanded as an additional blood prize - and yet you hesitate to aid your overlords against a tyrant?
I wish to know, why Lord Rushmoor of Rushmoor is denying us the support it granted our House in the past. I came with this army, as I feared the Targaryen supporters have already intercepted your forces, marshing towards our aid - yet, Lord Rushmoor, I'm more disappointed to see that you have apparently other motives, as my vassal's troops prefer instead to barricade themselves behind your walls.
What excuse do you have in times of war, that you dare defying my command?"

**Jokern** · January 14, 2017, 06:27 PM

"I am sorry to hear that your brother is dead by the hands of King Aerys, but Rushmoor has no reason to wage war on the Iron Throne. The Targaryen dynasty has brought the Riverlands peace and freedom from the Ironborn, and now you wish to bring the wrath of the dragons upon our lands? That is not something I wish to bring to Rushmoor. AS for your other claims, I have not seen any declaration from Lord Tully that the Riverlands stands against the Crown, so I can only assume that you are acting alone in this instance for your slain kin, Lord Mallister. An honorable endeavor, but not one I wish to participate in."

**Lord Dread** · January 15, 2017, 05:28 AM

"Peace and freedom, our fleets maintain, as you know for certain, Lord Rushmoor", Mallister replied merely, "The raids nontheless continiue, even if Greyjoy doesn't participate in them... for now. The days of Aegon the Conqueror have passed for quite a while - during these times I rarely saw any aid from House Targaryen regarding the pirates and Ironborn reavers among our coasts. To keep away these outlaws, Mallister blood was spilled, while not a single Targaryen bannerman had to care."
He then nodded towards one of his knights, who gave Rushmoor a short message, which the Tullys had indeed sealed to gather their troops.
It stated clearly that the Riverlands sided with the rebellion.
"I have the approval of my overlord, sealed and signed, as else there wouldn't be any movements", he responded calm, after Rushmoor had time to read the message, "I might believe that this message might not have reached your keep, as even Lord Tully's ravens and messengers are limited. Yet, I assume that you want to say me that you want to remain neutral within this conflict, Rushmoor.
That you don't intend to side with the Targaryens.
Wage your words wisely, Rushmoor, as I punish an honest enemy less than one, who would lie about being neutral, but backstabs us the same moment we turn our backs on him. It is righteous to keep up the oath towards your king and despite my grief I can reason this decision, even though it is in my eyes the wrong one - but no honor are with those, who lie about their allegiances.
I merely warn you, as you are my bannerman and I trust your word for now. Speak truthfully and your family has nothing to fear in terms of House Mallister's judgement upon them, when the war is over, no matter of the outcome."

Jason knew, that it was better for Lord Rushmoor now to tell, where his loyalities were. They both knew that Mallister would have to siege the keep, if Rushmoor admitted that he sided with the Royalists, but if he was indeed neutral, he had nothing to fear.
Would he pretend to remain neutral for the meantime of the war, but side with the Royalists nontheless, Lord Mallister knew that the consequences would be more terrific for the Minor Lord, as a man, who was a betrayer and a liar towards the one, whom he served, would bring probably more than just shame to his family, once the war was over. Even if Jason wouldn't survive it, he would ensure that his brothers will get noted regarding Rushmoor's words - and then, it might only be a matter of time, when Rushmoor would notice that he had underestimated his overlord's mercy, as there was no mercy in unhonorable men.

**Jokern** · January 15, 2017, 03:11 PM

Base roll: 10/20 to join Mallister

-5 for earlier dismissing the earlier call
+1 from overwhelming army outside keep
+3 from overlord directly demanding allegiance
+1 from presenting Tully's call to arms

Roll: 10/20 chance of success

Rolled a 7, success.

IC:

Lord Rushmoor sighed. In the end, he did not have much of a choice.

"Alright then, Lord Mallister, I will not let someone call me an oathbreaker, and you have shown me Lord Tully's command. I will ride with you to war, with the strength of Rushmoor behind me."

**Lord Dread** · January 15, 2017, 04:22 PM

Lord Jason was relieved to hear these news.
"It is good to hear these news, mylord", he stated solely, "If I had any doubts, then I hope you and the Seven can forgive me.
I'll speak in your favor, should Lord Tully ask, as it is normal to have doubts, especially in times of war. As in terms of the Targaryens, I will take the full responsibilty for your decision.
My vassals might follow me, but should I fail them it is my duty as an overlord to protect them, no matter the prize."

OOC: That was unexpected. So Rushmoor joins with the rest of my host, when I marsh to Rushmoor?

**Jokern** · January 16, 2017, 04:00 PM

OOC: That would be a yes, though this will be a one time thing. All NPC houses that were rolled to be loyal to Aerys in rebel regions and vice-versa were supposed to keep that loyalty until the end, and from now on that is it. However, this time it's allowed since I made a mistake and missed that house allegiances for NPC were not to be changed.