The Gambler
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Alea Iacta Est
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Post by The Gambler on Jan 17, 2017 23:48:08 GMT
"My pleasure," the raven-haired high lord replied, with a nod of his own. "I have had far less pleasant interactions serving as one of their mortal instruments. Perhaps I should be the one thanking you."
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Vex
Lord Paramount
what is this
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Post by Vex on Jan 20, 2017 20:47:32 GMT
Dacey smiled a little, not pressing the matter further despite being a little curious. "First time for everything," she said. She paused a while as she tried to think of anything further to add, but felt they'd exhausted that particular topic for the moment. Perhaps it was the time and place. "I should get going," she announced. "Until tomorrow, Lord Blackwood."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 20, 2017 22:57:22 GMT
////////////////// 3rd Day of the 5th Moon
Belric and Saesha, along with Lord and Lady Piper, walked together along a stream in the goodswood. It ran at the edge of a large meadow, one of Belric's personal favorite spots. Having resorted to small talk during on the journey in, Belric decided to steer the conversation in a more serious direction.
"I'm sure you noticed on your travels to Harenhal that we have finished construction on our seaport. Considering our families have never had any reason to like each other, mine being irrelevant until recently, I see this as fine a time as any for us to begin building a relationship." He spoke directly, having always appreciated it in return. "Trade by sea would benefit both our lands greatly, and cooperation between us could bring vast wealth to our houses. If this peace is to last, then it is through gold that we will build a legacy, not steel."
Belric stopped, so he could look Alyn directly in the eye. "Let's be the first to put the past behind us and be the example the Riverlands needs."
(Persuasion: 51)
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jan 22, 2017 6:46:39 GMT
(Success. Two points awarded.)
Lord Piper held his peace, and listened thoughtfully. He made a point of looking ahead or away, depriving Belric of a clear gauge of his reaction until he was ready. Eventually, he stopped, and stared up at the Kingspyre Tower in the distance for a short moment, then turned to face his host.
"It's a valuable alliance you're offering me, Lord Blackfort. But I have to ask. Why us? Certainly, House Piper can offer the resources you need. But why not your other neighbors? Why not the Brackens, who have the ear of the King himself? Why not your former master and future brother? Certainly, you trust him more than us."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 22, 2017 9:36:36 GMT
"The answer to your question is complicated, I fear. However, let me preface what I am going to say by telling you that I do intend to offer my port to all who can afford it. Lord Roote and Lord Braken included." Lines formed in Belric's forehead, he was clearly working out some internal conflict. "I offer this to you now... first... because we are not old friends from the front lines. An agreement between us says something about my house, the same it say about yours, which is that we are willing to compromise for peace. I offer it because our lands share a border, and those borders surround the Godseye.
"If we are able to work together, the Riverlands could be the center of trade and commerce for all of the Seven Kingdoms." He inclined his head to Alyn, hoping the man was understanding his intentions. "That would make us all very rich, Lord Piper. That could mean an end to our people's hunger. It could mean a legacy for our families that would survive whatever storm comes next. We may not trust each other yet, but I trust your ability to reason." Belric shrugged, "Six months ago, I was nothing but a solider. I have nothing more than a fair deal to offer you, as proof that I am a good man worthy of the position I've been granted."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jan 22, 2017 10:43:46 GMT
Piper produced a small smoking pipe and a match while Belric spoke. It was a principally plain pipe for the Lord of House Piper, but then again, it was a preposterous pedigree of piper on their pennant. Still, it was a pleasant pipe Piper puffed presently, and it produced pollution proficiently as Piper pondered the proposition pertaining to the port.
"Am I correct, Lord Blackfort..." He inquired with a puff of smoke. "In assuming that you have no fleet of your own with which to exploit your new port?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 23, 2017 0:10:03 GMT
"Corsairs will be built now that we have the right facilities to do so. Protecting the river between here and King's Landing will become a priority." Belric wondered if Lord Piper truly expected him to have ships before a finished port. "What are you proposing?"
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jan 27, 2017 3:45:00 GMT
Piper took a few more puffs before answering, "I'll speak bluntly, as you're an experienced man who understands the value of war. If Daemon Blackfyre had not won the war when he did, I would now have control of Atranta and Acorn's Ridge would have access to the sea. Instead, I must now negotiate with Lucamore Roote, who is, pardon my informal touch, a great dollop of shit pleased to be surrounded by every fly that can bear his stench. You have a reputation for honor, so if you indeed wish to keep the past in the past and offer a fair deal... Then I'll instruct my merchants to travel your way upon my return to Pinkmaiden."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 27, 2017 6:12:59 GMT
"Lucamore is to be my good-brother, and was once my liege." Belric reminded Alyn. "Perhaps a functioning relationship with me will help to pivot your negotiations. Though I expect calling him a piece of shit would hinder any attempts I make." He laughed, the jest not meant to scold Lord Piper nor defend Lucamore. Belric was well aware of Roote's affinity for attention, a personality trait they both shared.
"I appreciate your bluntness, Lord Piper. The future of the Riverlands will be reflected in what we do here today." He offered out his hand for Alyn to shake.
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jan 27, 2017 7:05:13 GMT
Alyn Piper took Belric's hand, revealing a surprisingly firm grip for his effete attitude. "Legacy, Lord Blackfort. That is what we buy our houses with this agreement."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 27, 2017 20:54:08 GMT
"A worthy endeavor," Belric added. "Which brings me to another discussion." He said the words like they weighed heavy on him, Belric having not anticipated coming this far with Piper this quickly.
"Much of the Riverlands is still plagued by banditry, a dark stain left from the war. As of yet, Lord Tully has not addressed the problem, and I believe he has dug himself too deep within Riverrun and now lacks perspective. However, Medgar or not, the problem is serious. I intention to pursue this lawlessness with direct force and military strategy. We both have full garrisons of battle hardened soldiers and I propose that you, me, and the other willing lords coordinate our forces to rid ourselves of these brigands. It is an idle sword that rusts. Let us use this opportunity to season our men and sharpen their wits. Otherwise, we risk them growing fat and complacent."
(Persuasion: 54)
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jan 28, 2017 22:56:42 GMT
(Failure.)
As Belric finished his second proposition, Alyn extinguished his pipe. "Enough. I fear you have misjudged my ambitions, Lord Blackfort. I have served Medgar Tully loyally many years now, and he has rewarded and lauded that service before the Riverlands. I didn't fight for him because my half-brother was a Targaryen sorcerer or because my sister was his wife or because I had some preposterous desire for eating baby innards. I fought for him because in this world of mud and shit, only one thing separates you and I from the wildlings. Order. Without that thin veneer of honor and justice, your friend Daemon's crown means nothing. You should know that quite well, I think."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 30, 2017 1:13:45 GMT
In that moment, listening to Piper speak of honor, Belric rejoiced in the fact that they had won the war. Beyond his own selfish reasons and personal gains, it was clear that Westeros was a better place now that Daemon sat upon the throne. The days of dragons and dark magic now only existed in stories... hopefully.
"Your loyalties are to be respected. Medgar is my Lord Paramount as well, I'd not think cooperation between Lordships to be in opposition of that. However, you and I seem to have very different opinions of the word order." Belric sighed, taking a step forward so that the women would not hear. "It was your vassal's knights we caught raping the women of Armisteds Crossing. Lands that Lord Vance had claimed, and until the dispute was settled, lands that were presumably yours. Lawlessness comes in more shades than black and white, and we are all plagued by it in some way or another."
He gave Alyn a knowing look, backing off so as not to appear aggressive. "If I misjudged your ambitions, I apologize. If trade is the only dispute worth solving today, then so be it, I will not be greedy. But I challenge you to think on my words while you are here. We can do better for ourselves and for our people by working together."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jan 30, 2017 3:35:15 GMT
(Vance, not Shoreham.)
Lord Piper's gaze darkened further. "Of course they were raped. An army thrives on pillage, and no prize is more valuable to commoners than what's between a woman's thighs. Blood and tears are the hot grease that allow a successful force to thrive. It is a classic component of modern economic theory and military administration. And if you had seen it with your own eyes, you would have noted that Lord Smallwood was under clear instructions not to embarrass any woman of substance he found. As I said... We are not wildlings."
His gaze softened. "Forgive me. I should not have impugned your honor earlier, and perhaps I misjudged your intentions. I have walked through your streets and seen how you have raised this place closer to greatness than at anytime during House Lothston's reign. For now, I am happy to keep our relationship economic in nature. Later, when we truly know what sort of men we are... I will discuss more martial affairs."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jan 30, 2017 6:00:04 GMT
(Whoops, thank you)
Belric refrained from commenting further, their opinions of rape differed substantially. He considered his own lowborn origins, and his sisters whom never would have made the cut as "women of substance." It took a fair bit of self control to bite his tongue, but he did it nevertheless.
Instead of grimacing, he smiled politely. "There is nothing to forgive, Lord Piper. I appreciate your willingness to talk with me openly about such things. I expect there to be more heated discussions between us in the future. Progress is never a straight and easy road."
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