The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 18, 2016 20:13:00 GMT
Located on the border between the lands of House Vance and House Smallwood, Armistead's Crossing is a modest village situated along one of the stream's created by Tumbler's Falls. Purported to be built upon the side where the mightiest of the Andal conquerors, Armistead Vance, defeated King Tristifer IV Mudd in battle, House Vance has laid claim to the town for centuries. Rows of wheat border the stream, planted in fertile soil and mill along the stream, powered by a water wheel, establishes the settlement as one of the main sources of grain for House Vance.
Currently held by House Smallwood.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Jul 20, 2016 18:40:36 GMT
2nd Day, 3rd Moon, Afternoon
The party caught sight of the village later in the afternoon of the second. Willis slowed his horse, turning in the saddle to Lord Roger. "Milord, you wouldn't happen to know where most of the Piper men would likely be, would ya? Just in case they don't feel like talkin', I'd like to know where the ambush will come from."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 20, 2016 23:38:54 GMT
"I would assume the parasites have holed up in the tavern as it's the only building I know that could hold them all. What do you do after a conquest but drink and whore?" Lord Vance replied, reining in his horse as the village came into sight. It almost looked picturesque from this distance, serene. Furrowed fields, barren and covered in frost, hugged the stream. A small bridge crossed it, connecting Vance lands to those of Smallwood, just wide enough to allow wagons across, though the stream was easily shallow enough to ford. A water wheel attached to a mill was steadily turning in the gently flowing waters, grain stores next door to house the precious winter supplies. The streets appeared empty.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Jul 21, 2016 17:31:39 GMT
Willis shrugged. Pretty accurate assessment of the post-conquest victory lap. "Makes sense to me. Jon, it's your show. Let me know if we need to start killin'."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 21, 2016 19:59:13 GMT
Jared rode nearby, listening. He was enchanted by the apparent pastoral beauty of the scene ahead, though it was clearly not a true picture of village life. He waited eagerly to see what happened next.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Jul 22, 2016 17:31:23 GMT
Ser Willem rode near Jon's side, in accordance with his assigned duties. He was hot and uncomfortable from the ride in plate, and was not in the mood for idle conversation with any of his companions.
Listening to Lord Vance give his assessment of where their foes were likely located, he scanned the town from a distance, looking for any areas in which sentries were likely to be posted as well as spots across the stream that might be easier to ford should they need to make an escape and find themselves without access to the bridge.
(OOC: Observation 77)
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 26, 2016 3:45:54 GMT
Willem did not spot any sentries. Smallwood's forces did not seem incredibly concerned about anyone taking it back and the town's layout did not leave many places to hide. It was a wide open, idylic, farming village; not designed for war. He saw a few spots where the stream could be easily forded bu their horses, but if they needed to retreat to Smallwood lands rather than back to Harrenhal or Altranta, something would have gone irreparably wrong.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Jul 26, 2016 6:53:35 GMT
Willem coaxed his horse toward Ser Willis. "Can't see any sentries." He said curtly, the fact that he had little respect for the man scarcely hidden. "What do you make of that?"
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 1, 2016 23:13:52 GMT
As they rode up, Jon is suddenly overcome by projectile vomiting and diarrhea, likely caused by a bad meal or the wrath of angry and impatient gods. He is forced to retire the field, as a diplomat negotiating from a position of just having shat his pants is hardly of much use. A guardsman escorts him back to Harrenhal, where Ser Edmure can decide whether he wants to ride out and take direct control of the situation or leave it to the remaining trio to deal with.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 2, 2016 20:30:25 GMT
Ser Willem turned from Ser Willis and looked on aghast as Jon emptied his guts.
Having eaten slightly before departing from Harrenhal he hoped that his meal had not been prepared by the same cook who had last fed Jon.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 2, 2016 22:39:19 GMT
The guard returned to inform the group that Ser Edmure was on his way. The sun was beginning to sink in the sky and the group could see candlelight burning in the tavern and a few of the homes below.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 3, 2016 1:15:19 GMT
Edmure topped the rise after riding hard from Harrenhal. He reined up as he observed the village panorama below him, noting the river and the small bridge connecting the Vance lands to those of Smallwood. He could also see the mill not far from the bridge. He shaded his eyes, looking for where his men and Lord Vance might be.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 3, 2016 1:18:23 GMT
He arrived less than an hour after the guard he had sent ahead, so they had made not effort to hide themselves, waiting patiently on the road astride their horses.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 3, 2016 1:19:02 GMT
Ser Willem had observed the approaching rider, and guessing that it was Ser Edmure coming to take command, had coaxed his horse slowly toward the approaching man.
"Ser Edmure," he called as he neared him and confirmed his identity. "We have been waiting on your arrival. What are your orders?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 3, 2016 10:53:50 GMT
Edmure raised his hand in greeting to his cousin.
"Willem. Your mission has got off to an inauspicious start I see. What of our invaders? Any sign of them?"
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