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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 12, 2016 9:06:27 GMT
"I'm not going to drain Harrenhal's strength over a border village, especially as you say, it is winter." replied Edmure grimly. "Summon your garrison and what levies you can to this place Lord Roger. We shall attempt to treat with Lord Smallwood over this matter. If it goes badly, then war will be Lord Smallwood's choice, not ours. Send scouts out along the river to make sure that we are not outflanked by forces crossing the bridge.
He eyed Lord Vance. "I need your support in this Lord Roger. If you want your mill without war that is."
Persuasion: 51 (+ 5 due to Belric not being present) = 56.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 12, 2016 19:15:35 GMT
(+2 Persuasion)
Lord Vance gritted his teeth and balled his hands at his sides, looking for a moment as if he might strike the castellan.
"A high lord threatens us, and you decide we may stand alone under you supervision? I wouldn't have asked for your aid in the first place if I thought I had the strength at arms for that." Roger asked, baffled and angry. "You make the situation worse, but ask my garrison and smallfolk to bleed for it, viewing yours as too valuable? Is that the sort of leadership I can expect from Harrenhal. Is that how you will honor your oath to protect your vassals? This is not just a border village, ser, this is life or death for us. A leader that asks his people to sacrifice but is unwilling to do so himself, we call that a coward in these parts."
"But I will summon them as you say. You have left me little choice," he spat, and trudged off, sending a messenger to do just that.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 12, 2016 22:15:02 GMT
"Doin' a fine job of winnin' friends and allies, my lord castellan." Willis told Edmure. "By the time this dispute's settled, all our vassals'll likely be united...against us."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 13, 2016 22:46:45 GMT
Edmure shrugged in response. "He'll get over it, if we get his village back. If there's a war then he'll get his support from Harrenhal. In the meantime, we're here aren't we?"
He scanned the village, noting the position of the mill, the bridge and nearby woods.
"Now make yourself useful Willas. I want the entrances to the tavern watched and guarded. I also want one scout sent downriver and another upriver to watch for any other scouts or any possible hostiles seeking to cross into Vance lands. Also find me the headman of the village and bring him to me."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 13, 2016 23:12:23 GMT
The Smallwood captain stands by the tavern door with a bored expression, waiting to see if he would be allowed to send a man to Acorn Hall, his men beginning to sober up and dress in case this became a battle.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 13, 2016 23:43:36 GMT
"You can order men to stand watch just fine, no need for me as a middleman." Willis scoffed. "But I'll go find whoever's in charge of this shithole." He turned to walk out the door, calling for Jared as he went. "Come on with me, septon. Folk'll help out a man of peace more than they'll help me, most like."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Aug 14, 2016 9:29:18 GMT
Jared went willingly with Willis. "Bloody shitstorm," he grumbled. "Difficulty will be convincing the head man we're here to help. Should probably just knock on the nearest door and ask where the fellow lives."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 14, 2016 14:23:57 GMT
As the knight Lord Vance had out in charge of the village had been slain during the war, the villagers directed the knight and Septon to the town elder, a wizened old overseer of the granaries by the name of Jonas.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Aug 14, 2016 14:46:59 GMT
Given Willis' excellent point that a septon was more likely to be thought trustworthy than a knight, Jared greeted Jonas with a bow.
"Friend Jonas, my name is Jared, septon of Harrenhal, and this is Ser Willis Blackfort, kinsman and sworn sword to Lord Belric Blackfort. Our lord's brother, Ser Edmure, desires urgent speech with you."
Charm 40
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 14, 2016 17:13:28 GMT
(Failed)
"Can tell him what I told Smallwood and Vance before him," the old overseer replied. "Grains all there, 2 years worth at least, more if we ration."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Aug 14, 2016 18:03:22 GMT
"I'll tell him," Jared promised. "But Ser Edmure said nothing of grain. He said only that he wished to speak with the headman. Come now, he won't take no for an answer, so I must ask you kindly to come with us. I wish you no harm, but I cannot speak for Ser Edmure's conduct if you provoke his wrath."
He glanced worriedly at Willis. The last thing he wanted was to see the old man dragged to Edmure by force.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 14, 2016 18:50:04 GMT
Willis spoke up. "Old man, we ain't lookin' for trouble. We," He paused, adding, "and Ser Edmure, are honestly hoping to do right, not just on behalf of the Vances, but on the behalf of the people of this village. You don't want justice for the shit that Pipers' men have done here, by all means, refuse us. You want a bunch of pricks to keep having their way with your women, stay here."
(Charm? 20)
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 14, 2016 19:55:08 GMT
"Seen a lot of wars, boy. Village changes hand, it's always the same," Jonas replied. "Lord Vance is a good man, but had his knights taken a hamlet, it's people would be receiving the same treatment. No noble cares a lick about doing right unless it's convenient."
"No need for threats though, father, I'll come along."
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 14, 2016 21:56:27 GMT
"I won't argue with that," Willis replied, turning back toward the tavern and walking with the elder, "But for what little it's worth, we Blackforts ain't exactly the purest of noble blood. I grew up a farmer. Most of my cousins were guardsmen at Harroway's Town. Landed knights, and only barely that. Soldiers with a nice title, more like. Might be, we care about right a little more than most 'nobility'."
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 14, 2016 23:08:55 GMT
"That does little to stem my skepticism, Ser," the elder replied as he followed the pair. "It is rare that a commoner is raised to a lord's seat, rarer still that it is because of his talent for diplomacy. You do not reward a vicious hound, then act shocked when it bites."
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