[X] Clarification and background information for @DragonParadox's viewing pleasure; AKA "What we exactly are offering both House Bracken and House Blackwood, framed less indelicately or over time given the diplomatic fragility of the situation." -[X] To House Bracken, the following: --[X] Advance notice of, as part of formalization of de jure land claims, the Crown's intentions to uphold decided upon claims sorted through upon official establishment of those fiefdoms incumbent to the Lords in question, and under Imperial Mandate should any counter-claimant seek to usurp the rightful heir as declared by these terms, in Royal writ they shall have committed high crimes in accordance to the degree of such egregious breaches. (TL: Don't fuck with our vassals, it's our responsibility to ensure intended upon succession according to their will, interference will merely anger us and force us to fall upon you like a sack of shit-bricks.) ---[X] This means we fully intend on upholding Lady Barbara's succession, and we refuse to let her suffer as history relates to the wary, like Jeyne Arryn or Rhaenyra Targaryen had. --[X] *A city charter, part of our formulation of shipping infrastructure throughout the Riverlands to massively ease trade and direct industry in a productive manner. ---[X] *As there will be much arguing between Riverlander Lords otherwise, arbitration, security and organization of all river trade will fall to the Crown and likely a special economic council formed of both regional and non-regional authorities, each committed to ensuring ease of travel and trade and regulated tariffs. None of the same chicanery that Walder Frey is infamous for, to choke trade and cause more enmity. We will relate this information to those Lords we discuss the matter with in advance and at our planned Summit post-Reconquest. Note: This is the best compromise for the matter available, too many Lords will be building cities on either riverbank and the Crown will have to organize and maintain water infrastructure to limit pollution from human waste and industry. Also, of primary concern, while no one would think lightly to block a Legion from traveling across bridges they helped organize and engineer the construction of, that is not to say petty rivalries would not get in the way of what you deem your due given how much resources you intend to commit to the massive project. --[X] A royal education/fosterage at Lord Jonos' discretion. Having two daughters younger than Lady Catelyn could prove a boon here. An attendant for Rhaella, a friend for Rhaenys, though one of the two mostly too busy to get the most use out of them, they will hardly suffer neglect with how many opportunities are presented in a life at Court. -[X] Spacing. -[X] To House Blackwood, the following: --[X] Repeat of #1 from the previous, though this relating to formalizing their own House's claims on their side of the Red Fork. --[X] **Repeat of #2 from the previous alongside contingent terms for trade and travel across the rivers. ---[X] **We will offer to sanctify the Raven Tree with either a strong ward capable of shrugging off most mind control, alongside two other constant enchantments for all living within an area the size of a small city around Raventree Hall, or optionally a single ward capable of warding off most mind control across a potentially massive area (nine times the scope of a small city). --[X] ***Close instruction, personal counsel and royal oversight of Hoster Blackwood's magical and governmental education. Furthermore our ability to perhaps deepen his bond between himself and the Old Gods, the ability to perform Druidic magic. ----[X] ***It goes without saying but we are aware of how problematic for a dynastic alliance it is, even with the Crown going to great lengths to normalize relations with trade and security, if one of the two partners in it is easily bent to the other's will. -----[X] We are wary of placing a noble in a position of power if they have no intentions on exercising that influence responsibly and being worthy of their position, as our casting down of many not only corrupt but vile men and women from the ruling class directly attests. ------[X] If Hoster wants to marry his lady love, he will have to not only prove worthy of her but prove worthy of our trust in such a delicate matter, something which will hopefully go a long way to ensuring this potential Cadet House advances the cause of both their lines equally. -------[X] One with the will to master magic, we remind Lord Tytos, is not without the strength of character to change their mind, nor strive to improve themselves, should the situation call for it. -[X] To both Houses, the following: --[X] A Valyrian Steel weapon and armor set. --[X] Potential wedding hosted in the Capital, with all the pomp, prestige and ceremony that entails. ---[X] Pending agreement, likely a double-set of oaths presented within a Sept and before a Heart Tree, which is really just twice the celebration, and a commitment to the implicit message inherent in the lands we've chosen for them to rule over once we are certain they are ready for such (so a betrothal period). --[X] All of the obvious benefits of our rule in exchange for leal service and oaths of fealty. Protection from harm from all such sources, from the subtle and insidious to more overt and outward threats, of which there are numerous, and numerous reasons why the Usurper has proven inadequate. --[X] This includes but is not limited to highly efficient and organized governmental bureaus, extensive and high-quality infrastructure, access to trade routes never before seen , numerous skilled experts which can be called upon to improve local industry, sort through gaps in security and change how communications are conducted (from delivery of messages on well-trained couriers to secure point-to-point magical correspondence. ---[X] And a ruler who isn't a monster or a fool. Hint hint. There are many monsters and many fools who also happen to be rulers, and none of them have any good intentions toward either of their Houses. --[X] Tentatively, pending deliberations, a Cadet Branch of both Houses with rulership over the County of the Andal Coast, along with a seat worthy of a Great House. [X] If the Rickard Fits, Viserys Does Not Acquit -[X] Assuming Lya has Rickard Stark made presentable as evidence of his misdeeds, alongside the Master of the Hunt in Stone Henge and the broken sword, it is best to start with Lord Jonos Bracken, whom it will be easiest to prove both the ultimate utility of our actions, as well as our good intentions. --[X] The information and accounts Rickard can provide along with our own information gathered is too intimate and knowledgeable to be easily dismissed, the picture it paints too horrific to fall back into the easy or comfortable, casting even these age old hatreds into a light of farce. How many horrific acts supposedly perpetrated by either House was actually the hand of this monster in man or beast's skin? --[X] Too many to count, just the short rattling off of the ones throughout the Post-Conquest period is enough to beggar imagination. -[X] At the end of the day Lady Catelyn does not seem interested in becoming more influential than she already will be, so there isn't too much else to note about how you would present the deal, if he can be made amenable in essence about what we desire. -[X] We admit that this all hinges on the response and behavior of Lord Tytos Blackwood who has already given insult to his daughter, but we point out reasonably that Lord Hoster was little interested in women before meeting Lady Catelyn, and though he is young and it is quite believable he simply hadn't met any woman with the right combination of intelligence (not empty flattery) and beauty to catch his eye at first blush, given the ongoing enmity between both Houses neither would view such an overture as coming from a place with well-intentions. -[X] Furthermore, it is likely that the anger placed toward the Lady is merely a stand-in for Lord Jonos himself, who has by this point made no secret or small bones about those claims he wished to press, or should he fail to in his lifetime, force his daughter Lady Barbara to press in turn. -[X] "The blame for all of this cannot, I admit, be cast merely at this old and bitter Warg's feet, but to divvy it up between the both of you implies that either should have known better and suspected such manipulations which had gone unseen for ages. It is as much luck and chance as anything else that even the most ham-fisted of such schemes he plotted did not ultimately result in the destruction of both your lines. It is inconceivable for justice to be rendered for crimes committed by those who suffered just as much at his hand, puppets in a macabre play, as each other who danced to the tune he played sight unseen." -[X] "My Lord, it is my sincerest hope that each of our Houses can step into this age more prosperous than in any other, not defined by the blood we've shed but instead, aye, by the trees we've planted and the stones we've lain. What is even the point of all of this if the world around us only remembers us for how quickly we've sewn our own destruction? To best please this beast?" -[X] "We are better than that. I know we are, or at least can be, whatever beings such as him think of us, feeble and easy prey to their lies and endless hunger."
