Corvus Black
The Inestimable
- Location
- England
Didn't you say that if one vote led by three or more you'd close it?
A Lion's Pride (Closed Quest / ASOIAF)
- Thread starter Mazrick
- Start date
Didn't you say that if one vote led by three or more you'd close it?
Mazrick
Shai'tan
- Location
- The Pit of Doom
Yeah, that was last night when I could have worked on the update directly after strong majority was reached, but now this is the next day for me. I'll have to wait until the afternoon to write.
I like to give a couple hours notice in any case to allow for last minute discussion or voting.
EDIT: And vote is closed. Hanging out with Bobby wins.
Last edited:
The Matter of a Ring
Mazrick
Shai'tan
- Location
- The Pit of Doom
Quick vote prior to the next full update.
With a few courteous words, you have left Stannis Baratheon grinding his teeth at the Red Keep, and instead chosen to go drinking with Ser Robert Baratheon. He seems like a jovial sort, an adept warrior, and a man of sufficient status and breeding to marry your sister.
As you, he, and your combined retinues prepare to leave the Red Keep for the city at large, he speaks of the many taverns and beauties he will acquaint you with. However, there is a decision that needs to be made before you can go forward.
[] Take off the ring Lady Malora gifted you. You're going out to have a good time, and with it on you can't even get a buzz. Besides, you don't fancy taking care of Robert while sober.
[] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
With a few courteous words, you have left Stannis Baratheon grinding his teeth at the Red Keep, and instead chosen to go drinking with Ser Robert Baratheon. He seems like a jovial sort, an adept warrior, and a man of sufficient status and breeding to marry your sister.
As you, he, and your combined retinues prepare to leave the Red Keep for the city at large, he speaks of the many taverns and beauties he will acquaint you with. However, there is a decision that needs to be made before you can go forward.
[] Take off the ring Lady Malora gifted you. You're going out to have a good time, and with it on you can't even get a buzz. Besides, you don't fancy taking care of Robert while sober.
[] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
Iandude0
BEST RANGER
- Location
- Milwaukee
Silveraith
Argent Phantasm
- Location
- Terra Atlantus
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison
I'm too cautious to take it off and if Robert wants a drinking contest we can't go to the Princess after.
I'm too cautious to take it off and if Robert wants a drinking contest we can't go to the Princess after.
Vesvius
The Wicked God
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
NOPE! We're going to pretend to have amazing tolerance, and hope he doesn't demand we come with him more often to watch his back. I don't think it's a good move to take off our poison protection while in King's Landing, home of poison and people who want us poisoned.
NOPE! We're going to pretend to have amazing tolerance, and hope he doesn't demand we come with him more often to watch his back. I don't think it's a good move to take off our poison protection while in King's Landing, home of poison and people who want us poisoned.
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison
This seems fairly obvious, no need to risk death just for a drinking session
This seems fairly obvious, no need to risk death just for a drinking session
Silveraith
Argent Phantasm
- Location
- Terra Atlantus
This is a consensus waiting to happen.
BoSPaladin
The Paladin
rofl:This seems relevant.
Silveraith
Argent Phantasm
- Location
- Terra Atlantus
You guys are voting without a reason, you'll make our waifu uglier.
- Location
- Here
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
Like everyone else says, why take the chance? Besides, Robert would probably love a drinking buddy who can hold their liquor.
Like everyone else says, why take the chance? Besides, Robert would probably love a drinking buddy who can hold their liquor.
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
I doubt we'll get poisoned while partying with Robert, but there's no need to take a risk.
I doubt we'll get poisoned while partying with Robert, but there's no need to take a risk.
Corvus Black
The Inestimable
- Location
- England
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
This choice seems obvious to me, and everyone else as well it seems. Not only that, but the look on Robert's face when we outdrink him will be priceless.
This choice seems obvious to me, and everyone else as well it seems. Not only that, but the look on Robert's face when we outdrink him will be priceless.
9th Doctor
Just the Doctor
- Location
- All of Time and Space
Leaving it on makes quite a bit of sense, both from gaining respect from Robert and the concern that a number of questors had with showing up to the Princess intoxicated. This alivates that concern. Sure it may remove a plot hook that Maz was going to put out there, but there's no reason he couldn't put it in another time.
- Location
- Brazil
The only reason possible for taking it off would be for Hangover hijinks, and while as fun as thry would be, our idol Prince Duncan Asskicker showed you don't need booze or drugs to be insanely awesome and/or awesomely insane. So yeah, I'm going with bot risking it for a less than useless vanity vote.
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
[X] Leave the ring on. No reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remember how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison.
Revelry and Remarks
Mazrick
Shai'tan
- Location
- The Pit of Doom
With a few courteous words, you left Stannis Baratheon grinding his teeth at the Red Keep, and instead chosen to go drinking with Ser Robert Baratheon. He seemed like a jovial sort, an adept warrior, and a man of sufficient status and breeding to marry your sister.
As you, he, and your combined retinues prepare to leave the Red Keep for the city at large, he speaks of the many taverns and beauties he will acquaint you with. As you ride from the Keep, you run your fingers over the ruby ring on your finger. With it on your hand, you would not even feel the effects of any drink brought to you.
After a moment's thought, you left the ring on. There was no reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remembered how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison. And King's Landing was renowned as a nest of vipers. Surely there were those here who would like to see you dead. Doubtless they'd resort to the coward's weapon if they thought it would be useful.
"Welcome to the Red Sword, my lords," the elderly matron, a woman in the garb of the Free cities, said with a smile.
"The Red Sword?" you asked, your eyebrow quirked questioningly.
The matron nodded, a kind smile on her wrinkled face. "Named for the chosen of R'hllor, god of the Free Cities. And of us who sought our fortune in Westeros."
You remembered your old maester's lessons.
The Free Cities alone had a hundred faiths, but none so prevalent as worship of the Lord of Light. They believed in R'hllor and his eternal enemy the Great Other, and that they held all other gods to be demons.
From the tales of drunken Oldtown sailors you had imagined a congregation of red-cloaked priests and priestesses housed in a temple far grander than the Starry Sept or Baelor. Tales of magic and burnings came with the tide.
Was there any truth to those tales of fantastical powers? You could not know. Their way was not your own. And any faith that embraced magic was antithetical to the Seven. Not that you were in any position to talk. Lady Malora's trinket had saved your life, and given you a more nuanced view of magic. It could be useful.
"We didn't come here to talk about religion," Robert laughed. "Come, let me introduce you to my kind of priest."
He led you further into the establishment, the patrons were all well dressed, and coin flowed as freely as wine. A bard played the Bear and the Maiden Fair. Then you saw a man in a bedraggled red cloak and chain mail.
Robert warmly clasped hands with the man. "Jaime, this is Thoros of Myr, Red Priest of the Red God. Thoros this is Ser Jaime Lannister, the Young Lion."
"Well met, Ser Jaime," Thoros said, and his breath smelled greatly of wine. He turned to a pretty tavern wench, "Esmi! Get my noble friends some drink!"
Soon drink was supplied, minstrels and courtesans surrounded the table. Robert and Thoros tore through more drink and gold in a hour than you would've thought possible. You drank with them, and if it weren't for your ring, you had no doubt you would've been under the table already. Robert proved generous with his coin, and soon the Red Sword was a carnival of laughter and song and debauchery.
From there, the party crawled to the Twisted Star to the Laughing Crown to the Lusty Lass. More and more revellers joined the party, and Robert became more merry and popular.
When you finally left Robert to his revelry, the older man gave you an incredulous look.
***
You found Princess Naerys much as you had left her. She sat at her desk, and a dozen candles illuminated her dark study.
"Ser Jaime," she greeted with a brief look upwards as you entered. Her Valyrian features looked alien in the flickering candlelight.
"I trust you found my cousin Robert a personable sort, given the scent of brothel on you."
You smiled somewhat sheepishly. "I think I may have disappointed him somewhat, but he seems a decent fellow. I hope my sister will be happy with him."
She raised an eyebrow and her goose feather quill moved furiously as she scribbled another illegible line. "What has happiness ever had to do with marriage, Ser? She will be Lady of Storm's End, perhaps even mother to a queen."
You must have looked rather perturbed, for she sighed and looked up from her work. "Forgive me, Ser. It has been a long night. Cersei is a dear friend and a wonderful companion. I wish nothing but joy for her."
"It is kind of you to say so, your highness."
She waved it away with a delicate gesture. "Come, sit. You said you wanted to learn something of ciphers and codes."
With a nod, you sat next to her. She handed you an ancient scroll and said, "This book's code appears to be based on a code widely used in Old Valyria. Some of the Essosi might still use it. There are enough changes to render it illegible, but it gives us somewhere to start."
And start you did. Under the princesses' direction, you began pouring over yellowed parchment and tattered scrolls. She showed you how codes could be used, and some part of you, a part that had seen little exercise in recent years rejoiced at the mental challenge.
You and Naerys stopped your work after midnight, and after a fitful night of sleep and a rousing bout in the training yard, you returned to work beside her. By midday, you felt frustration welling up. After the progress the last night, it had become slow going.
"Perhaps, it is time for a break?" Naerys said smoothly. "I would like to stretch my legs. Perhaps a walk through the gardens."
"I'd be honored, my princess," you said, as you rose and offered your arm.
You and the princess made your way through the corridors of the Red Keep with a grim faced Ser Barristan trailing after you. The royal gardens turned out to be lush with bright red roses and a thousand other flowers gave the grounds a fragrance that contrasted sharply from that of the city beyond the walls.
Soon Naerys led you along a winding path, and you spoke at length about things of little consequence. Finally, you came to a stop at a beautiful fountain. A mature woman with a half dozen little children surrounding her stood at the top of the fountain.
"The Fountain of the Mother built by Baelor the Blessed," she said, as her silver dress flowed behind her as she took a seat nearby. Her amethyst gaze fell on the fountain, and such was the intensity about her, you found yourself unwilling to speak. There was something weighty, almost sacred about the moment.
After long moments, she turned to you, "You and I have a similarity, Ser."
"What would that be, my princess?" you asked, and it was impossible to look at anything other than her.
A sad smile flitted across her features. "Both of our mothers died in childbed. Lady Joanna giving birth to your youngest brother, the one they call the Imp, and the Queen with me."
A flicker of annoyance echoed through you. Imp…, you did not like when anyone called Tyrion that, and if it were anyone other than a princess, you'd let them know that in no uncertain terms.
"I-I did not mean to give offense. Your father and your sister hold no love for him, and I-" Naerys said quickly.
"No, it's alright," you assured her with a raised hand. You took a couple deep breaths to reign in your temper. Then the thought of Tyrion rummaging through the vast library at the Citadel brought a smile to your lips. "The Seven made my brother as he is, and though you are a far lovelier companion, I'd wager you'd like him well enough. He's kind and witty and loves books more than any maester I've ever met. You won't find a more clever boy in the seven kingdoms."
She sighed, and averted her gaze. "If only all siblings could be so well disposed." At your curious look, she continued, "Rhaegar is a great man, but distant, aloof. Then there are my younger siblings. There are those who would see them usurp Rhaegar's claim."
You bit your lip. "But, he's the Crown Prince."
"And he and I are 'abominations born of incest'." There was no mistaking the bitterness in her tone. "Elia's children would be far more palatable for many."
"Targaryens have wed brother and sister for hundreds of years."
She scowled. "And what has it won us? No cousins to secure our line, no alliances to defend our hold on the Seven Kingdoms. Kingdoms that even now seek to exceed our power through marriage. The pattern is easy enough to see."
Martell and Tyrell. Stark, Tully, and Arryn. Baratheon, Lannister, and Hightower. You wondered if the Greyjoys were feeling left out.
Her eyes met yours. "The heir to Casterly Rock could be a very good friend to me." She paused, and you felt yourself measured by her perceptive gaze. "I have many false friends here. Many sycophants populate my father's court. They pour poison into the King's ear and only offer empty words to me. But, I don't think you are such a man."
"No, my princess. My father has ever served the crown well, and I should like to show that I am no less loyal. Or capable."
She was silent for a moment more, and then she spoke, "Since I'm speaking to a friend, I don't mind confiding in you that a prominent member of House Chelsted, one of the foremost sycophants in my father's court, has been particularly loud in his support for dear little Aegon."
"Clap him in irons, and send him to the headsman or the Wall." you suggested immediately. This was nothing less than treason.
"He speaks with a forked tongue, and my father values him. Besides, if I were to remove him, a dozen more might rise to take his place. However, if the heir to Casterly Rock were to publicly confront him… then the plotters and schemers may have to revise their calculations."
Only the sound of the fountain's water splashing about filled the deep silence.
[] Accept the princess' request as any true friend would. You will deal with Ser Jermayne publicly. This viper shall not trouble Naerys any more.
[] Deny her request. Chelsted has done nothing against you, and you will not act as the princesses' proxy in this.
[] Ask for time to think. Go speak with your father before making a decision either way. Your father will know what is the best move.
[] Write-in.
As you, he, and your combined retinues prepare to leave the Red Keep for the city at large, he speaks of the many taverns and beauties he will acquaint you with. As you ride from the Keep, you run your fingers over the ruby ring on your finger. With it on your hand, you would not even feel the effects of any drink brought to you.
After a moment's thought, you left the ring on. There was no reason to put yourself at risk just to get drunk with your future goodbrother. You well remembered how the ring safeguarded you from Roxton's poison. And King's Landing was renowned as a nest of vipers. Surely there were those here who would like to see you dead. Doubtless they'd resort to the coward's weapon if they thought it would be useful.
"Welcome to the Red Sword, my lords," the elderly matron, a woman in the garb of the Free cities, said with a smile.
"The Red Sword?" you asked, your eyebrow quirked questioningly.
The matron nodded, a kind smile on her wrinkled face. "Named for the chosen of R'hllor, god of the Free Cities. And of us who sought our fortune in Westeros."
You remembered your old maester's lessons.
The Free Cities alone had a hundred faiths, but none so prevalent as worship of the Lord of Light. They believed in R'hllor and his eternal enemy the Great Other, and that they held all other gods to be demons.
From the tales of drunken Oldtown sailors you had imagined a congregation of red-cloaked priests and priestesses housed in a temple far grander than the Starry Sept or Baelor. Tales of magic and burnings came with the tide.
Was there any truth to those tales of fantastical powers? You could not know. Their way was not your own. And any faith that embraced magic was antithetical to the Seven. Not that you were in any position to talk. Lady Malora's trinket had saved your life, and given you a more nuanced view of magic. It could be useful.
"We didn't come here to talk about religion," Robert laughed. "Come, let me introduce you to my kind of priest."
He led you further into the establishment, the patrons were all well dressed, and coin flowed as freely as wine. A bard played the Bear and the Maiden Fair. Then you saw a man in a bedraggled red cloak and chain mail.
Robert warmly clasped hands with the man. "Jaime, this is Thoros of Myr, Red Priest of the Red God. Thoros this is Ser Jaime Lannister, the Young Lion."
"Well met, Ser Jaime," Thoros said, and his breath smelled greatly of wine. He turned to a pretty tavern wench, "Esmi! Get my noble friends some drink!"
Soon drink was supplied, minstrels and courtesans surrounded the table. Robert and Thoros tore through more drink and gold in a hour than you would've thought possible. You drank with them, and if it weren't for your ring, you had no doubt you would've been under the table already. Robert proved generous with his coin, and soon the Red Sword was a carnival of laughter and song and debauchery.
From there, the party crawled to the Twisted Star to the Laughing Crown to the Lusty Lass. More and more revellers joined the party, and Robert became more merry and popular.
When you finally left Robert to his revelry, the older man gave you an incredulous look.
***
You found Princess Naerys much as you had left her. She sat at her desk, and a dozen candles illuminated her dark study.
"Ser Jaime," she greeted with a brief look upwards as you entered. Her Valyrian features looked alien in the flickering candlelight.
"I trust you found my cousin Robert a personable sort, given the scent of brothel on you."
You smiled somewhat sheepishly. "I think I may have disappointed him somewhat, but he seems a decent fellow. I hope my sister will be happy with him."
She raised an eyebrow and her goose feather quill moved furiously as she scribbled another illegible line. "What has happiness ever had to do with marriage, Ser? She will be Lady of Storm's End, perhaps even mother to a queen."
You must have looked rather perturbed, for she sighed and looked up from her work. "Forgive me, Ser. It has been a long night. Cersei is a dear friend and a wonderful companion. I wish nothing but joy for her."
"It is kind of you to say so, your highness."
She waved it away with a delicate gesture. "Come, sit. You said you wanted to learn something of ciphers and codes."
With a nod, you sat next to her. She handed you an ancient scroll and said, "This book's code appears to be based on a code widely used in Old Valyria. Some of the Essosi might still use it. There are enough changes to render it illegible, but it gives us somewhere to start."
And start you did. Under the princesses' direction, you began pouring over yellowed parchment and tattered scrolls. She showed you how codes could be used, and some part of you, a part that had seen little exercise in recent years rejoiced at the mental challenge.
You and Naerys stopped your work after midnight, and after a fitful night of sleep and a rousing bout in the training yard, you returned to work beside her. By midday, you felt frustration welling up. After the progress the last night, it had become slow going.
"Perhaps, it is time for a break?" Naerys said smoothly. "I would like to stretch my legs. Perhaps a walk through the gardens."
"I'd be honored, my princess," you said, as you rose and offered your arm.
You and the princess made your way through the corridors of the Red Keep with a grim faced Ser Barristan trailing after you. The royal gardens turned out to be lush with bright red roses and a thousand other flowers gave the grounds a fragrance that contrasted sharply from that of the city beyond the walls.
Soon Naerys led you along a winding path, and you spoke at length about things of little consequence. Finally, you came to a stop at a beautiful fountain. A mature woman with a half dozen little children surrounding her stood at the top of the fountain.
"The Fountain of the Mother built by Baelor the Blessed," she said, as her silver dress flowed behind her as she took a seat nearby. Her amethyst gaze fell on the fountain, and such was the intensity about her, you found yourself unwilling to speak. There was something weighty, almost sacred about the moment.
After long moments, she turned to you, "You and I have a similarity, Ser."
"What would that be, my princess?" you asked, and it was impossible to look at anything other than her.
A sad smile flitted across her features. "Both of our mothers died in childbed. Lady Joanna giving birth to your youngest brother, the one they call the Imp, and the Queen with me."
A flicker of annoyance echoed through you. Imp…, you did not like when anyone called Tyrion that, and if it were anyone other than a princess, you'd let them know that in no uncertain terms.
"I-I did not mean to give offense. Your father and your sister hold no love for him, and I-" Naerys said quickly.
"No, it's alright," you assured her with a raised hand. You took a couple deep breaths to reign in your temper. Then the thought of Tyrion rummaging through the vast library at the Citadel brought a smile to your lips. "The Seven made my brother as he is, and though you are a far lovelier companion, I'd wager you'd like him well enough. He's kind and witty and loves books more than any maester I've ever met. You won't find a more clever boy in the seven kingdoms."
She sighed, and averted her gaze. "If only all siblings could be so well disposed." At your curious look, she continued, "Rhaegar is a great man, but distant, aloof. Then there are my younger siblings. There are those who would see them usurp Rhaegar's claim."
You bit your lip. "But, he's the Crown Prince."
"And he and I are 'abominations born of incest'." There was no mistaking the bitterness in her tone. "Elia's children would be far more palatable for many."
"Targaryens have wed brother and sister for hundreds of years."
She scowled. "And what has it won us? No cousins to secure our line, no alliances to defend our hold on the Seven Kingdoms. Kingdoms that even now seek to exceed our power through marriage. The pattern is easy enough to see."
Martell and Tyrell. Stark, Tully, and Arryn. Baratheon, Lannister, and Hightower. You wondered if the Greyjoys were feeling left out.
Her eyes met yours. "The heir to Casterly Rock could be a very good friend to me." She paused, and you felt yourself measured by her perceptive gaze. "I have many false friends here. Many sycophants populate my father's court. They pour poison into the King's ear and only offer empty words to me. But, I don't think you are such a man."
"No, my princess. My father has ever served the crown well, and I should like to show that I am no less loyal. Or capable."
She was silent for a moment more, and then she spoke, "Since I'm speaking to a friend, I don't mind confiding in you that a prominent member of House Chelsted, one of the foremost sycophants in my father's court, has been particularly loud in his support for dear little Aegon."
"Clap him in irons, and send him to the headsman or the Wall." you suggested immediately. This was nothing less than treason.
"He speaks with a forked tongue, and my father values him. Besides, if I were to remove him, a dozen more might rise to take his place. However, if the heir to Casterly Rock were to publicly confront him… then the plotters and schemers may have to revise their calculations."
Only the sound of the fountain's water splashing about filled the deep silence.
[] Accept the princess' request as any true friend would. You will deal with Ser Jermayne publicly. This viper shall not trouble Naerys any more.
[] Deny her request. Chelsted has done nothing against you, and you will not act as the princesses' proxy in this.
[] Ask for time to think. Go speak with your father before making a decision either way. Your father will know what is the best move.
[] Write-in.
Last edited:
