Are the Welsh the example you really want to use here? Since, like, there was a whole conquest and oppression thing that went on for a while. It's not relevant now, but then Westeros is not exactly some hypothetical "modern Westeros" either.
Like, there was a period of time when the Welsh were kinda not on great terms with the English. Then they got conquered and eventually a bunch of other stuff happened which is beyond the scope of this vaguely medieval-esque setting, as it were.
Yeah, I mean I do think this kinda fits? Like I'm not at all intending to imply that any war of aggression and expansion isn't wrong when it happens. And I don't doubt forced conversions etc. happened, especially in the Vale where it was actually a war rather than in the rest of the seven kingdoms where it seems like the ruling FM families just adopted the seven and married their sons to their Andal vassal's daughter or something.
But even in cases like the Vale, as time goes by, people are born to the invading people on the conquered land and then that's the only home they've ever known, and it's not so simple IMO. Not that we have the perspective (or the power) to do it, but the right answer here would be some sort of land settlement where the mountain clans get a reasonable amount of arable land in return for not raiding anymore and swearing fealty with their chiefs becoming essentially petty vassals (the same way that the Northern hill tribes operate). Although even then - I'm sure not all of them would accept and then what do you do.
But the main thing is that this happened 4,000-6,000 years in the past. It wasn't the great-grandfathers of the current Knights' great-grandfathers who did the genocide and replacement population thing. And lest we forget, the First Men also conquered the territory by force some thousands years before that, genociding the Children of the Forest. So if we want to speak about older rights, t he Children would have the oldest.
I mean, it's not exactly over and done with. There is the ongoing endemic warfare that is a direct result of the Mountain Clans being driven into marginal lands and having to raid the lowlands for subsistence whenever there is a famine. Which is then responded to by knights marching into the mountains to burn down villages and put everyone to the sword they can grab. It only started that long ago, but this whole settler state thing is a going concern.
I mean, it's not exactly over and done with. There is the ongoing endemic warfare that is a direct result of the Mountain Clans being driven into marginal lands and having to raid the lowlands for subsistence whenever there is a famine. Which is then responded to by knights marching into the mountains to burn down villages and put everyone to the sword they can grab. It only started that long ago, but this whole settler state thing is a going concern.
This seems like an overly sympathetic description of the Mountain Clans and their motivations. They raid during famines and for basic subsistence, but they also raid for loot and women. They're an oppressed people that've been pushed into a position where they have very few options if they want to survive but they're also a people with a culture that values martial strength above all and places little value on the lives of outsiders, regardless of whether or not those outsiders have caused them harm or not.
Also, first time posting here but this is a great quest! I'm loving the characters, the dialogue feels believable and I'm a big fan of the high-narrative, low-rolling method of questing.
This seems like an overly sympathetic description of the Mountain Clans and their motivations. They raid during famines and for basic subsistence, but they also raid for loot and women. They're an oppressed people that've been pushed into a position where they have very few options if they want to survive but they're also a people with a culture that values martial strength above all and places little value on the lives of outsiders, regardless of whether or not those outsiders have caused them harm or not.
Also, first time posting here but this is a great quest! I'm loving the characters, the dialogue feels believable and I'm a big fan of the high-narrative, low-rolling method of questing.
I enjoy a warrior princess as much as the next guy so I'm perfectly happy with the choice. I've already read enough quests to know that SV-voters would pick the option and immediately go for a relationship with Alicent so I wasn't surprised at all.
Rhaenyra is a bit too much of a goody two-shoes for my tastes but she's very young so being idealistic and a bit naive isn't unrealistic or bad.
I don't think so. Weirwood paste and Shade of the Evening both start off tasting foul and finish tasting of ambrosia—Alys's draught tasted the same throughout.
I don't think so. Weirwood paste and Shade of the Evening both start off tasting foul and finish tasting of ambrosia—Alys's draught tasted the same throughout.
You listened to their arguments so that no one could say you didn't give these traitors a chance to defend themselves. None of them had a good one though. Some pretended they didn't know Arnold was plotting rebellion, even as they raised levies for him. Others claimed they had never sworn any oaths to Lady Jeyne, which prompted the others gathered at court to denounce them as liars.
Anyone who had any hint of innocence in this had turned on Arnold when Syrax first arrived. All that was left were those simply too involved or too committed to turn on the traitorous knight.
Even still, there was room for some mercy here.
"The guilt of all those accused is plain and undeniable. They are traitors to their lawful liege," you declared in what you hoped was a commanding voice. "But King Viserys has always believed in mercy. As his appointed justiciar, I would be remiss if I ignored my father's likely wishes on this matter. If you repent for your crimes, renounce the fallen traitor Ser Arnold Arryn, and acknowledge Lady Jeyne as the rightful lord of the Vale of Arryn, you will be allowed to take the black and live out the rest of your days in service to the realm at the Wall. Those who refuse will be sentenced to death."
You knew you had every right to throw all of them out the Moon Door, but part of you worried it would be seen as revenge for Arnold Arryn's behavior yesterday and there was nothing wrong with making it clear to various lords that you could be stern and merciful as needed.
You heard a mutterings of agreement from the gathered lords and ladies who had come to watch.
To your surprise, many of the lords all but threw themselves on the ground, begging for a chance to join the Night's Watch, condemning Ser Arnold as a damned traitor and recanting any allegiance to him. Some of these men had been among Ser Arnold's strongest supporters yesterday and yet now they were cursing his name for a chance at surviving. If there was a lesson in this, it was that many a condemned man was brave in the face of death, until there was a chance to escape it.
A few remained defiant, most notably Ser Gellan Borrell of Sweetsister, who simply glared at you defiantly, never saying a word.
"Open the Moon Door," Jeyne commanded. The sound of chains and creaking wood filled the hall as the massive doors were pulled back.
From your seat you couldn't even see the open hole, only the soft glow of morning light that now shone from the porthole.
The Sisterman said nothing as he and a few other unrepentant traitors were led to the door, maintaining his stoic glare as he did. You couldn't help but be annoyed at this. He was a dishonorable traitor who had turned against his rightful liege and threatened to plunge the Vale into a bloody civil war and yet he had the audacity to act as though he had the moral high ground against you. Utterly absurd.
Screams filled the Hall as men began to tossed out the moon door and Ser Gellan hissed as he stared at his awaiting fate. And then one of the guards shoved him out the open Moon Door.
It was oddly silent after the last man was pushed, even those who had been loudly mocking the traitors as they were sent to their fate going silent.
Then the doors shuddered close, and that was the end of that.
You have fullfied your Promise to Act as your Father's Justicar on your Progress
You have impressed many of the Lords of the Vale.
You have drawn the ire of several Vale Lords
Your visit to your mother's childhood home was far from what you expected. The trial and Ser Arnold's death overshadowed everything else you did at the Eyrie. You had done what was just and ensured your cousin's position as lady of the Vale was secure. It was good, honorable work. You forced yourself to remember that despite all the lingering doubts.
Though the journey from the Eyrie to Gulltown was relatively short, it did give you some time to clear your head. For a time you thought you would be able to put the trial behind you and focus on the rest of the journey. Those hopes would be dashed upon your arrival at the gates of Gulltown, where a Maester was waiting for you with two Ravens from King's Landing. It appeared the trial had not gone unnoticed by the Royal Court.
The first message bore your father's sigil. You stared at the wax dragon for a long while in your carriage, your heart racing as you considered what his reaction could be. Would he be proud? Angry? Was Your Royal Progress about to be over? Finally you steeled yourself long enough to break the seal and read what he had to say.
Rhaenyra,
I want to you to understand what I am about to say is not because you are a woman. Had you been born a man and taken similar actions I would still be saying what I am about to say. So please take what my words seriously. Do Not Do That Again. You are heir to the throne, Princess of Dragonstone, not an executioner, nor your cousin's champion. Trials by Combat are one of the roles the Kingsguard was created for. Ser Raylon is there for a reason after all. If some other Lord demands a trial by combat, I insist you use him as champion or I will find you a more capable Sworn Shield. If something went wrong during that trial, I would have lost my only child and the realm would have lost a capable heir. I could not bear that pain. Practice sparring with any willing lord or knight as you see fit, the Gods know I've long lost my ability to control you in that regards, but I do not want to hear of you in actual combat again for the rest of your journey.
I have read Alicent's letter to her father about the trial. What Ser Arnold said to you was beyond abhorrent. Neither you nor Lady Jeyne should have been forced to endure such vulgarity. I have sent ravens to various lords across Westeros to inform them that any lord who speaks to you in such a way or refuses to acknowledge your authority as my proxy will have their tongues ripped out. Do not let this misstep compromise the rest of your progress. Lyonel seemed quite pleased with your visit overall and I know you can make a good impression with many lords. I wish you well on your journey and await your return.
Please heed my advice. I wish for the next time I write to you, it will be full of praise, not worry and warnings.
Love Always, Your Father.
That was largely a relief. You had expected far worse. It was a clear warning not to involve yourself in another trial by combat, but by beyond that he was far more subdued than you expected. There was still a pang of guilt for having disappointed him so, but you couldn't help but appreciate that he seemed to taking you a touch more seriously as heir as he made a point of condemning your actions because you were heir, not because you were a woman.
You considered writing back to him to defend yourself, but you could not think of an argument you could make that would change anything. Perhaps it was better to write to him in happier times.
To your surprise, the wax seal on the second letter bore a seashell. Now why would the Queen be writing to you?
Dear Princess,
I know what I say will go against the King's words. He was in quite the temper when news arrived from the Eyrie. I will never understand why you have put so much effort in fighting that Harlot's war for her, but you did the right thing. Lords of the realm should never feel comfortable enough to insult a princess so, even more so considering you were fully empowered to act as your father's proxy. Men like that are little more than savages who think the blade is the only means by which they need to rule. He was more squid than falcon if you ask me. What you did was just. Those men needed to be shown you would not tolerate such disrespect and so naked a threat to you and your own. Killing him yourself sent a clear message to any others who give you disrespect. Were his son older, I would suggest having him gelded and sent to King's Landing to act as a fool for the court, but the child is still young enough to be saved from his father's errors. Though I would suggest having an eye kept on him to ensure he doesn't seek revenge against the one who killed his father.
Do not regret your actions. save your heart for those close to you and be prepared to bare steel against any who would threaten or insult them.
With Care, Queen Johanna Targaryen
You stared at the letter in confusion for a few moments. You were not expecting support from Johanna on this considering Jeyne's involvement and the foul things Arnold was saying. Nor were you expecting her to just casually mention mutilating a child. Westerling may not have been a warrior, but she had steel in her heart. And it was good to know someone in King's Landing supported your actions, even if you couldn't help but bristle at her calling your cousin a harlot.
Relationship with Viserys Targaryen Degraded
Relationship with Johanna Westerling Improved
Gulltown was much smaller than King's Landing, but it seemed better organized. The streets didn't meander across the city in snake-like patterns and instead formed neat rows like sellswords in formation. The smell was different, though you would not describe the mix of Braavosi spices and near overwhelming stink of fish as a particular improvement over the rotten funk of King's Landing.
It was unmistakably a city though, not a castle town like you had seen more than few times throughout your trip already. Indeed, House Grafton's keep was hardly impressive from the outside, more resembling a particularly fat tower house built into the city's wall then a true keep. A similar tower loomed over the docks. The hold of House Arryn of Gulltown, a cadet branch of the main Arryn line who, despite their much more modest holdings, were apparently wealthier than your cousin Jeyne.
The dock air was filled with conversation as your carriage train rolled through. Rumors of your Uncle's victories in the Stepstones, talk of scandals in Pentos and Braavos that you knew nothing about, as knights from the Vale and beyond talked about the upcoming tourneys. The docks themselves were near bursting with ships as vast amount of food was being unloaded for the coming feast. Between the tourney and Lord Grafton's feast, the whole city was filled with activity. Thankfully Lord Grafton had made it clear he would understand if you were only able to attend one of those events.
The feast was set to be a large affair, with many lords from across the Vale gathered for the occasion and only Lady Jeyne herself absent as she attended some remaining matters concerning Ser Arnold's demise. So many lords gathered could give you a chance to further improve your reputation in the Vale. Though it may also prove a problem as the families of several of Ser Arnold's conspirators were there as well, and you did not know how they would react to being in the same hall as the woman who sentenced their kin to die.
In comparison, the Tourney was a minor affair. From what you could tell, most viewed it as a chance for the Vale Knights to test themselves before getting on the ship to White Harbor. You would have to pull a trully amazing victory here to earn your knighthood, but it maybe a chance to test the waters as a mystery knight, see just where your abilities were and if you were ready for the bigger ones coming up.
Besides the planned festivities, Lord Yorbert Royce had expressed interest in talking to you while you were here. No doubt it concerned the late Ser Arnold's young son. Isembard Arryn, the heir of the Gulltown Arryns, had expressed interest in meeting you as well though you were unsure as to why. And, of course, there was your newest traveling companion, Ser Steffon Redfort. Though he had seemed a decent sort in your talk at the Eyrie, the two of you had barely spoken since. There was a lot you could do at Gulltown, but after everything that had occured at the Eyrie, part of you just wanted to take this time to relax and enjoy the city, ideally with Alicent by your side.
114 AC
Actions during a Royal Progress (Take Three Total)
While taking part in a royal progress, turns are shortened. Instead of three months they now represent one stop on the progress. As a result, you are now limited to three actions per turn. These can be three regular actions or three conversations or any combo of the two. Tourneys, feasts, and judgements will all be important parts of your progress due to the vote and there will be multiple examples of each along the trip though not every location will have every option, nor is it expected of you to take every option when presented. So a couple of judgments for example will be enough to satisfy your promises to your father. Also note that some stops will have an interlude, some won't, and a few may even just be covered in an interlude.
Conversations
[] [Conversation] Speak with Alicent Hightower
While your relationship with your lady is new and fresh, it couldn't hurt to talk her and see how she feels about the changes in your personal relationship and how she feels now that you've gone from repressing her feelings to begin to express them more openly. Plus, some quality time with her would be nice.
[] [Conversation] Speak with Gwayne Hightower
If Gwayne doesn't already know about your relationship with Alicent, he probably will learn soon enough. Perhaps you should tell him yourself. He clearly wanted to protect his sister and thus might be willing to help hide your relationship from Otto and others if need be.
[] [Conversation] Speak With Steffon Redfort
He is Jessamyn's half brother. You don't know much about him, but he left a good impression in your first meeting. It would be good to get to know him a bit more and see if he if he is suitable for the City Watch.
[] [Conversation] Speak With Lord Yorbert Royce
The Lord of Runestone had once conspired to remove your cousin from the Eyrie and make Ser Arnold the lord of the Vale. And yet, despite that, he had made his own daughter his heir and had turned against Arnold in his most recent rebellion. You didn't exactly know where the man stood, but you knew you had at least some favor with him after all the help you gave Rhea, and he seemed to either have possession of Ser Arnold's son or at least knew where he was. Perhaps it was worth talking to him if only to ensure the son does not turn out like the father.
[] [Conversation] Speak With Isembard Arryn
You knew little of Isembard, save for that he was roughly your age and had a remarkable gift for matters of coin. You had no idea why he would be so bold as to ask for an audience with you. Surely it couldn't be for a marriage offer. He was the heir to a cadet branch. Even with his family's wealth, your could not imagine your father even considering such a match for even a moment. So, what did he want?
[] [Conversation] Speak with Rhea Royce
Rhea had been relatively silent on matters during the trial. Perhaps it would do well to see where she stood, and what she thought of her father's intentions.
[] [Conversation] Write-in
Subject to QM approval, has to have a reasonable chance of being in Gulltown.
Actions
[] [Action] Relax
After everything you've been through it would be nice to unwind for a bit.
[] [Action] Train
Gulltown has extensive training fields, though most of the Knights of the Vale seem to hold little interest in challenging you at the moment. They claim it's due to the upcoming tourney, but you sense some of them are more than a little scared of you after how easily you killed Ser Arnold. Notably though, Ser Steffon Redfort has expressed a desire to challenge you, and Ser Raylon has noted there are Braavosi Water Dancers, nimble sword fighters who depended much more on speed and skill then strength, in the area you could hire to test yourself against.
-[] Challenge to a Duel: Raylon has suggested dueling others as a way of sharpening yourself against new blades. Have others find flaws in you that he has missed (Pick One)
--[] [Duel] Ser Steffon Redfort
--[] [Duel] Ser Gwayne Hightower
--[] [Duel] Hire a Braavosi Water Dancer.
[] [Action] Train with Syrax
Perhaps it would be good to get some practice over the open ocean with Syrax before you made the journey to White Harbor.
[] [Action] Enter a Tourney as a Mystery Knight
The Gulltown Tourney does not look to be a huge event, more something Lord Grafton had arranged to ensure people came for the feast. But it was still one of respectable size, filled with Vale Knights and a few bolder competitors. Maybe this would be a good practice for tourneys to come, or maybe you could find more glory than you expected here.
[] [Action] Study the Tourney
There will be other chances to enter bigger tourneys. Mayhaps a better use of your time would be to simply watch the Tourney. Study how the knights of the Vale fight and prepare yourself for White Harbor or Highgarden.
[] [Action] Feast
Lord Grafton has gathered most of the lords of the Vale together for a grand feast to celebrate the end of Summer. Almost every noble house and landed knight will be there. This could be a chance to build relations with lords besides your cousin, and begin to mend things with the families of those who had sided with Arnold. Though that depends on if they are willing to mend fences or not.
[] [Action] Take Part in a Judgement
There are no notable legal matters in and around Gulltown that you would be able to rule on.
[] [Action] Take Part in a Hunt
You're not that far from Runestone and Rhea Royce did offer to take you on another hunt next time you were in the area. Perhaps you should take her up on the offer.
[] [Action] Study
There is always room to improve your education and the Gulltown not only had the libraries of both House Grafton and the local Arryns, but numerous booksellers from Pentos and Braavos as well.
[] [Action] Improve your Poetry
Your fair lady thankfully quite enjoyed your first attempts but you know you have much room for improvement.
[] [Action] Study Music
You want to serenade Alicent with music. It's what a proper knight would do after all and she deserves as much. Plus, it just sounds wonderfully romantic. Alicent has been vague about what kind of music she would prefer, saying anything from a Harp to your singing would all be equally wonderful. Regardless, you lack much in the way of training in any sort of music and that had to change. Perhaps Gulltown could teach you the perfect song for Alicent.
[] (Action) Write-in
Subject to QM approval
Vote by Plan QM's Note: To be clear, the Vale Knight Vote did have effects, it's just not immediate. It's one of those votes that pushes Rhaenyra towards a personality trait and those are rather important since personality traits shape a lot about actions. Also, to be clear, we can still do judgments down the line, it's just as far as the Small Council is concerned, Rhaenyra has now down the bare minimum of what was expected of her when she said she would deliver the King's Justice in her travels. If she does no other judgments, some might consider her a bit lazy but she would not have neglected her duties.
Speaking with Lord Royce isn't all that interesting to me. They can solve the matter of Arnold's son on their own and I'd rather invest our starkly limited time into looking for new opportunities. Between Jeyne and Rhea, I'm certain that they will sort that out in our favor.
[X] Plan Obligations, Opportunities and Organized Violence
-[X] [Action] Feast
-[X] [Conversation] Speak With Isembard Arryn
-[X] [Action] Enter a Tourney as a Mystery Knight
The feast is obligatory, since we can't exactly ignore our host. It hopefully will also disperse some more stress.
I've got no hunch what Isembard Arryn wants from us, but given his background, I presume it will be something of a mercantile nature. Getting a foot in the door to dabble in some trading would be nice, as having our own source of money and resources outside the allowances from dad would give us opportunities and tools to sway people.
Lastly, it's time to test the tourney scene. Whiteharbor is one of the two big ones, so we don't have time to wait any longer.
I don't buy this at all. If we were content letting loose threads resolve themselves (or not) we wouldn't have bothered judging Arnold in the first place and let him rot in the Sky Cells. And opening a new relationship without some sort of goal in mind strikes me as profligate with our time. I'd especially like to not neglect Alicent if we have the opportunity.
In other words, I'd propose (or back, if someone else proposes them by the time I get around to it) plans that replace taking with Isembard with talking with Yorbert or Alicent respectively.
The Actions (feasting and tourney-ing) are cool and good and correct and we should do them.
I don't buy this at all. If we were content letting loose threads resolve themselves (or not) we wouldn't have bothered judging Arnold in the first place and let him rot in the Sky Cells. And opening a new relationship without some sort of goal in mind strikes me as profligate with our time. I'd especially like to not neglect Alicent if we have the opportunity.
In other words, I'd propose (or back, if someone else proposes them by the time I get around to it) plans that replace taking with Isembard with talking with Yorbert or Alicent respectively.
A trial by combat is not just religiously sanctioned murder. It's a divine judgement on the case being tried that way. The case in question here being if Arnold is a traitor or if he had a legitimate claim.
And that was resolved decisively against him. His son has no claim. The gods themselves said so.
There is no lose end here.
If you'd rather spend more time with Alicent, fair enough, but spending even more actions on Arnold is just a complete waste of our time.
The build they ended up picking is an aspiring knight with a romantic heart. That was kind of destined to at least least start as an idealistic girl who mostly means well.
Honestly with Ser Crispin build so well optimised for tourneys I would rather train until Rhaenyra reaches rank 8 in prowess(which honestly we shouldn't be that far off)...
Besides that it would be interesting to learn from a fencer, and we kind of Promised our girlfriend to serenade her...
[X] Plan Fencing, Music, and a Feast
-[X] [Action] Feast
-[X] [Action] Train
--[X] Challenge to a Duel: Raylon has suggested dueling others as a way of sharpening yourself against new blades. Have others find flaws in you that he has missed (Pick One)
---[X] [Duel] Hire a Braavosi Water Dancer.
-[X] [Action] Study Music
[X] Plan: Hearthfire
-[X] [Conversation] Speak With Lord Yorbert Royce
-[X] [Action] Train
--[X] [Duel] Hire a Braavosi Water Dancer.
-[X] [Action] Feast
I'm willing to exchange the Tourney action for a Training action if people feel we're not ready, however, I believe that the Feast is non-negotiable and that speaking with Lord Royce would be wise.
[X] Plan: Hearthfire
-[X] [Conversation] Speak With Lord Yorbert Royce
-[X] [Action] Enter a Tourney as a Mystery Knight
-[X] [Action] Feast
I'm willing to exchange the Tourney action for a Training action if people feel we're not ready, however, I believe that the Feast is non-negotiable and that speaking with Lord Royce would be wise.
If you change tourney wit training I will approval vote this...
AFAIK we are still at rank 7 (which apparently is less than Cole) and considering that we only have one suit of pretty recognisable armor the "Mystery Knight" gambit may fall after this first trial...
AFAIK we are still at rank 7 (which apparently is less than Cole) and considering that we only have one suit of pretty recognisable armor the "Mystery Knight" gambit may fall after this first trial...
In Canon, Eldric Arryn becomes a massive pain for a sickly Jeyne Arryn, and helps kick off a war of succession in the Vale during Aegon III's early reign by killing one his regents Corwyn Corbray, (Isembard too for that matter), so this action helps us potentially curb a thorn in one of our most powerful and loyal allies side, and also potentially helps us have even closer relations to the Royces, the arguably second most powerful house of the Vale.
This single action may keep the Vale unified under Jeyne and thus able to muster smoothly for us in case of civil war, along with gaining us more allies in said Vale.
Also, it would be cool to meet Yohn "Bronze" Royce's ancestor.
