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A Dragon of the North VIII: Whispers of War

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Speaking of recruiting more maesters, where is Qyburn at this point in the story?
He might be completely amoral, but his skills could be a great boon for Harrenhal as long as Jon keeps a tight leash on him.
 
*goes to sleep*
*comes back after a good night's rest*

Can someone please tell me what the hell happened? Because I'm confused as hell and I feel I missed something major.
 
The usual: Arguing over spending DPs on rolls and 'waifu' bullshit. Droman was too sick to deal with it yesterday and asked for the votes to be deleted. There will probably be a new vote today. So, if you have voted on the Lannister conversation issue after the last update, delete the post and vote again later.
 
inirlan said:
*goes to sleep*
*comes back after a good night's rest*

Can someone please tell me what the hell happened? Because I'm confused as hell and I feel I missed something major.
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There was some confusion over what a write in for a conversation was supposed to be, in that it ended up discussing Cersei getting spit on with the Lannisters.
DC100 was kinda low for that, to be honest.
Anyhow, Droman asked people to delete the vote posts so we could start again some other time when he isn't feeling like shit.
 
Xantalos said:
There was some confusion over what a write in for a conversation was supposed to be, in that it ended up discussing Cersei getting spit on with the Lannisters.
DC100 was kinda low for that, to be honest.
Anyhow, Droman asked people to delete the vote posts so we could start again some other time when he isn't feeling like shit.
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Oh boy... I have a hard time believing even Jon at his thickest and most oblivious would be that tactless and stupid.
 
inirlan said:
Oh boy... I have a hard time believing even Jon at his thickest and most oblivious would be that tactless and stupid.
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"So your aunt or whatever got bitchslapped by the king a few months ago. It was pretty funny, he even spit on her when she was lying on the ground in shock. Bitch deserved it, don't you agree?"
*sips Arbor gold while every Lannister in earshot breaks their jaws from gaping*
 
Xantalos said:
"So your aunt or whatever got bitchslapped by the king a few months ago. It was pretty funny, he even spit on her when she was lying on the ground in shock. Bitch deserved it, don't you agree?"
*sips Arbor gold while every Lannister in earshot breaks their jaws from gaping*
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You know, that kind of sounds like the start of a '90s rom com.
 
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Update 181: The Pride of the Rock
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    • 181: The Pride of the Rock​

    "Take me to the Lady Cerenna, if you would. I'm sure Tyrion won't be grudge me that meeting before his."

    Those had been your words to your escorts, men in Lannister service, men of the Westerlands. Without much in the way of a response, they quietly directed you through the winding corridors of the manse, taking you deeper and deeper...

    Until you made your way through to a grand room, one with a balcony overlooking much of the manse's grounds and the city proper. As you enter, you see a fair blonde maiden standing near the balcony, looking out into the distance. In another part of the room sits a blond knight, one no doubt her brother or cousin.

    He sits near a table garnished with an assortment of foods and drinks, perhaps prepared beforehand in lieu of your coming. As you enter, he rises to his feet and moves to greet you, his forearm meeting yours in a strong firm grasp.

    "Lord Stormcrown," booms the well-built knight "A pleasure to meet you at last. Cousin Tyrion's spoken quite well of you."

    "A pleasure to meet you as well, Ser Daven. Where is Tyrion, I must ask?" you offer politely "The guards said he was entertaining a guest, so I hadn't wanted to disturb him."

    "Ah," said the Lannister knight as he looked to his kinswoman at the balcony "He's-"

    "He's entertaining a guest," said the noblewoman quite firmly as she turned from the balcony "His sort of guest, my lord."

    "Cerenna-"

    "Lady Cerenna," you say with a bow in response to her own curtsey "A pleasure to finally meet you. Your family has written to me with nothing but praise of your virtues."

    Which was true. While she wasn't quite the equal of the Queen, she had youth on her side, and a seeming innocence that contrasted quite well against the icy demeanour of her older cousin.

    "You flatter me my lord," she says with a little more warmth as she offers you her hand to kiss "And as Daven's said, Tyrion's been nothing but praising. Though..."

    "Yes?"

    "He did say that I ought ask you of your deeds at Crackclaw Point," said Cerenna innocently "Something of the battle at the Whispers?"

    You flush at that, even as you hear Arlan chuckle in your head.

    Shut it, you. It was your idea in the first place.

    Yes... but it's quite amusing to see you flustered like a milk-drinker.

    "... Perhaps another time, my lady. Tyrion tells it better than I, I must say."

    "A pity," she said with a slight smile, before turning to the dining table to pour herself a goblet of watered wine "I was rather interested in hearing the tale. Do you drink, my lord?"

    "Only with company," you say with a shrug "Otherwise, I more often than not prefer a hot mix of honey, lemon and water."

    "I suppose it soothes a sore throat quite well," she said as she passed her brother his own goblet "I'll send for one of the maids to make some then."

    "Watered wine will do for now," you politely offer "Seeing as I am with company."

    "Of course."

    A third goblet is handed to you, and a sip of it already confirms what you suspected it to be, a vintage of Arbor wine, the taste faded enough as a result of the watering.

    Still, quite nice.

    "So..." she says confidently as you take a bigger sip "What might we discuss, before Tyrion comes to steal you away? I imagine you're competing in the tourney, my lord?"

    "Yes, at the King's invitation. I've not attended a tourney for a few seasons, but I'm quite excited to get into it. The number of competitors is certainly larger than I'm used to."

    "You're not wrong there," said Daven with a snort "I nearly didn't acquire a place myself, were it not for Tyrion taking one of the organizers aside. I'll be meeting one of the Fossoways in a fair few weeks, so plenty of practice beforehand to ready myself. They say these Reachmen are born astride a horse, and I wouldn't be surprised considering how well some of them jousted in this weeks' bracket. Dirty as well though, how they treated Ser Narbert Grandison. But seeing Ser Loras fall was as good as anything."

    "Ser Loras?" you say, your attention half swayed by the reference to the Kingsguard joust "Was he beaten?"

    "Yes, by some mystery knight. Leaves the field quite clear for the rest of us, I should hope."

    "As you might," said Cerenna teasingly "But I imagine our guest was little concerned either way. You're undefeated, are you not my lord?"

    "Please, call me Jon."

    "Only if you call me Cerenna, my lord."

    "Cerenna," you say, as if trying out the word "Please, call me Jon."

    It's only there for a moment, but that moment she smiles...

    She's got a beautiful smile.

    "As I was saying, Jon... you're undefeated in the joust, are you not?"

    "Four or five victories," you say modestly enough "I don't really care to recall."

    "Still," she says in consideration, as she looks from you to her brother "You're a far sight better than Daven, even on his best day."

    "Cerenna..."

    "Oh, don't be so sensitive, you know you're better with a sword in your hand than a lance any other day. If Jaime were here, you know you'd be fighting in the melee as quickly as you could. Jon, perhaps you and Daven could train with each other..."

    "Speaking of Ser Jaime," you say, remember Lord Arryn's words to you prior in the week "He's been gone from the King's side for quite some time. Ever since the assassination attempt on the king, in fact. Has there been any word to Casterly Rock?"

    "None," ground out Ser Daven as he clenched his free fist "My lord uncle sent me to Tumbleton to search for him, and I rode as far south as the head of the Mander on hearsay and rumours without sight of him, or the men that rode with him. There was an inn somewhere between the two that said he'd stayed there for two nights, but that they'd not seen hair nor hide of him after the first. Due to the tourney here at Oldtown, I was recalled from the search. Others now continue it."

    "How unfortunate," you diplomatically answer "I had greatly hoped to trade lances with Ser Jaime, after his early departure from the last tourney we shared. With Ser Barristan gone, I'd hoped I'd be able to test my mettle again against the Kingsguard."

    "Ser Barristan had been away from court quite a while as well," mused the Lannister knight "Two of the Seven thus missing... perhaps the King's been inclined for secretive errands."

    "Perhaps," you said, unwilling or unable to comment further down this line of discussion "Either way, the tourney is poorer without their like."

    "I'm afraid you'll have to make do with the lesser Lannisters," says Cerenna self-deprecatingly, a smile softening her words "And we'll have to do with the lesser Kingsguard."

    "To lessers then," you say with a toast of your goblet "may they ever prove the greater."

    --

    The conversation had continued on for a while after that between the three of you. Cerenna had returned the conversation again to the possibility of you and her brother training together, suggesting that it would only benefit all involved, as you two acquired a new training partner, while she continued to meet and see you in a public and polite environment.

    [] Yes - You'll take on Ser Daven as a sparring partner, and continue to see the lady Cerenna in a public venue. At least until his own tourney, two weeks from now. (Warning: This counts as a Lannister interaction, automatically claiming 1 of 4 weekly slots for the next two weeks)

    [] No - While you've enjoyed their company, you've enough sparring and jousting partners to train with. But you'll probably see them both again.

    After your decision was made, Tyrion had finally come into play, awkwardly stumbling into the room , his clothes quite unkempt.

    "Begging your pardon," he says to you, before nodding to his cousins "I was entertaining a lovely young woman in my quarters, and I just lost track of time..."

    "It's fine Tyrion," you say as you gesture to Cerenna and Daven "Your family have been wonderful hosts."

    "I should very much hope so," said Tyrion in a huff "We Lannisters are nothing if not wonderful hosts. Or at least, my aunt Genna is. The rest of us merely follow her divine example. Now, as you've no doubt surmised, I'm somewhat drunk, and could do with a walk outside in the fresh air, if you wouldn't mind."

    "It's a little cold," said Cerenna with a slight frown "But I can grab a scarf before we... you meant the two of you, didn't you?"

    "Ah... yes. I'm sorry."

    "No need," she said, gracing the dwarf with another of her kind smiles "I suppose it only fair we let you two war veterans catch up."

    As you stand up from your chair to follow Tyrion outside, you pause to kiss Cerenna's hand in goodbye. As you lean down to do so, you find her hand to in fact be holding a handkerchief, hidden away from her brother or cousin's sight. A favour, you instantly understand, one worn by knights in their lady's honour. Quite bold of her, but intelligently done as well.

    You could politely decline by kissing her hand, leaving everyone else unaware (and keeping her standing intact), or politely accept, but lingering a few seconds longer to grasp the handkerchief in your own hand, before releasing

    [] Accept - Take a few moments longer in kissing her hand to grasp the favour. (Effect; Acquire Cerenna's favour covertly, can choose to wear in near future for tourney appearances)

    [] Decline - Kiss her hand quickly, thank her for her time with a smile, before bidding Ser Daven goodbye as you join Tyrion. (Effect: Do not acquire Cerenna's favour covertly right now, allows for such a decision in the near future)

    --

    "She's a good girl you know," said Tyrion firmly as you walked the grounds of the manse together "She's beautiful, she's charming, she's well-tutored in the womanly arts, she's a heart on her better than half my family, and she comes with a dowry that would be envy of every knight and lord in the Seven Kingdoms. Wars have started for less."

    "She's also got an uncle who's once-royal daughter has fallen out of favour, one who's brought death and strife upon me and mine more than once," you bluntly point out "She seems wonderful Tyrion, I know. But if there's one thing I can keep to in this world, it's my oaths. And an oath of marriage to a Lannister is quite daunting, considering all I've had to deal with from House Lannister."

    "You get along just fine with me, don't you?" pointed out the Imp with a little more cheer "And you liked her and Ser Daven quite well, did you not?"

    "Ser Daven is a good man," you allow with a nod "And would make for a good good-brother. Yet I did not see her father her today, nor her sister. Would they prove so fine kin, I wonder?"

    "Uncle Stafford was born with a stick up his ass and a fool's wit to boot," says Tyrion bluntly "And Myrielle spends her time most closely with Joffrey, I'm afraid to say. Though she is of a better sort than him, certainly. Braver, at least."

    "He's in the manse somewhere, isn't he?"

    "Yes..." said Tyrion reluctantly "Him, Myrielle, Ser Preston, and a few of his confidantes he's acquired since his coming to the Rock. Second sons, grandsons, squires and all sorts of hanger-ons. Some bolder than him, some crueler than him, so smarter than him... but none so powerful as him. He calls them his White Lions, he does. Says he'll raise them one and all to his Kingsguard, when he succeeds Robert. That, and he''ll claim Myrielle as his bride. Which would make you good-brother to the king himself."

    "Tyrion," you say with a dry, weary sense of amusement "Did you really think that through before you said it?"

    "He will be the king," said Tyrion again, trying to impress that idea upon you "Whether you or I like it, Jon. Robert won't put aside his oldest son, as much as many would care for it. In the times we find ourselves in, a proper heir is needed. One of an age to take a wife, to bind the Seven Kingdoms together in joy, after so many recent tragedies."

    "Robert is still hale and hearty," you say with a shrug "Perhaps he'll take another wife, to give him more sons while Tommen yet grows."

    "After Lyanna, and now Cersei? I'd be surprised if the man touched a woman again in his life. Understand me, Jon: I don't care for the little bastard Robert managed to squirt into Cersei. My father doesn't care for him either, and we'd both throw him aside in favour of Tommen if we could."

    "So why don't you?"

    "For the same reason my father hasn't thrown me aside for my uncle or cousin just yet: Because he's family, and as sad as it is to count him as such, that's what he is. He is by right the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Seven Kingdoms. And as long as he remains such, House Lannister stands behind him. Will stand behind him, against whatever might yet come."

    The two of you remain silent for quite a while after that, the words spoken left between you, hanging in the quiet breeze of Oldtown. After a while, you take the initiative and speak.

    "Tell me, Tyrion... what do you know of dragons?"
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    --
    Author's Note: I will eat the souls of the un-living Stormcrown children if you do not affix all six choices under Plan "Username".

    [] Attend the second installment of the grand melee
    [] Attend upon the Dragonsworn I
    [] Attend upon the Hightower funerals (invitation granted by Alerie Hightower)
    [] Attend upon the Dornish I
    [] Attend upon the King I
    [] Attend upon the Lannisters II
    [] Attend upon the Redwynes I
    [] Attend upon the Rosbys I
    [] Attend upon the Tyrells II
    [] Attend upon the Valesmen
    [] Travel around Oldtown I (Business)
    [] Travel around Oldtown I (Religious)

    You may select 4.
     
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    • [X] Plan: Erandil
    [X] Yes - You'll take on Ser Daven as a sparring partner, and continue to see the lady Cerenna in a public venue. At least until his own tourney, two weeks from now. (Warning: This counts as a Lannister interaction, automatically claiming 1 of 4 weekly slots for the next two weeks)

    [X] Decline - Kiss her hand quickly, thank her for her time with a smile, before bidding Ser Daven goodbye as you join Tyrion. (Effect: Do not acquire Cerenna's favour covertly right now, allows for such a decision in the near future)

    [X] Attend upon the Dragonsworn I

    [X] Attend upon the King I

    [X] Attend upon the Tyrells II

    Reasoning: Spending some time with a friendly Lannister could get us some inside information and provide a distraction from the investigation of Jon Arryn.

    The Dragonsworn continue to be a thorn inour side and we should we with them before they do something stupid like poisoning our dragon/killing the king. (We also might gain some information about what happened to Jaime)

    The King to see what he has plotted and the Tyrells to continue to convince them that we would be a suitable ally.
     
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    Well, Daven seems like a pretty cool guy, and Cerenna's about what I expected from the omake.

    No awkward topics(like Cersei's fate) were raised, seems like this'll be a quite---
    [] Accept - Take a few moments longer in kissing her hand to grasp the favour. (Effect; Acquire Cerenna's favour covertly, can choose to wear in near future for tourney appearances)

    [] Decline - Kiss her hand quickly, thank her for her time with a smile, before bidding Ser Daven goodbye as you join Tyrion. (Effect: Do not acquire Cerenna's favour covertly right now, allows for such a decision in the near future)
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    ...Anyway, moving on. Let's see what Tyrion has to say.

    "He will be the king," said Tyrion again, trying to impress that idea upon you "Whether you or I like it, Jon. Robert won't put aside his oldest son, as much as many would care for it.
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    Oh, Tyrion, only if you knew....

    I am surprised that there wasn't a roll for Jon keeping a straight face, here.
     
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    [X] Plan Cteatus
    [] Accept - Take a few moments longer in kissing her hand to grasp the favour. (Effect; Acquire Cerenna's favour covertly, can choose to wear in near future for tourney appearances)

    [] Yes - You'll take on Ser Daven as a sparring partner, and continue to see the lady Cerenna in a public venue. At least until his own tourney, two weeks from now. (Warning: This counts as a Lannister interaction, automatically claiming 1 of 4 weekly slots for the next two weeks)

    [] Attend upon the Hightower funerals (invitation granted by Alerie Hightower)

    [] Attend upon the Redwynes I
     
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