Interlude 2.2-1
Due to Aigloss and StellarMonarch previously aligning with Spectrum when voting for new Turn 2 options while thinking it was a next-turn action plan, and the need to demonstrate the interlude system, I decided the tie (should the above aligning count) between Spectrum and Void Stalker's plans shall go with Spectrum's.
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Guide: Interludes
The interlude system guides us through minor sub-quests within a turn. At major choices within a sub-quest, the interlude will be split into sections. The numbering system begins with the Turn, then the project number within that turn (here, this was Project 2, the one after Diplomacy: Benjen), and then the phase number within that project. This is similar to the Battle Interface, but on a longer time scale for obvious reasons.
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Rodrik had been sparring with his brother Martyn when you entered the courtyard looking for him. Being master-at-arms and head of house respectively didn't leave much time for family bonding events like this, so you kept quiet and carefully observed the two men fighting. It took over an hour for them to call it quits, perhaps they were testing your patience and commitment to watching?
TRAIT EVOLUTION ATTEMPTED!
Conscientious to Diligent: Roll 32, Needs 100+ at this time, FAILED
Fussy to Patient: Roll 13, Needs 100+ at this time, FAILED
After they'd finished, Rodrik waved you over "Hello there milady, what would you like me to help with today?" Last time you sought him out for a specific purpose, he'd helped give a few pointers on exercises suitable to your age, size, and build, which could be done without real supervision. He must have figured you were looking for him specifically due to how long you'd watched them.
"Good day to you, Lord Cassel, Ser Rodrick" The man rolled his eyes at your insistence on referring to him as such, since it wasn't as if he was knighted by any of the Southern lords.
Suddenly, all three of you heard a slight creaking sound from the weapons rack across from where you were sitting, reminiscent of a thin wooden wall being leaned on. Eh, it was probably due to the turn of the wind just now.
You continued after the three of you relaxed "I noticed a lot of people maintaining their tools and weapons because it's hunting season." True, a short summer in a long winter tended to occasionally have some light snowfall, but it was still warm enough that animals were out and about. "I was wondering about the different types of weapons and how they're kept working."
Martyn, your father's friend, spoke before his younger brother after the two shared a look that went over your head at the time. "Have you seen cooks sharpening knives milady? Well, that's the most basic maintenance for bladed weapons. Other things are to keep them dry, clean and oiled. Frequent polishing is only really necessary in combat conditions or where they could get wet." His brother snorted at that, and Martyn frowned and shot him a look "Rodrik!" You thought it must have been some inside joke between the two, though once you got older and looked back on your journals… "Unfortunately, I have a meeting with your lord father soon, so I suppose I will have to hand the task off to Rodrik, who will give you the rest of the information you desire, but remember that he didn't start the lesson, alright?" After a nod to his brother, Lord Cassel left.
Rodrik explained things to you the moment his brother turned his back. "He just made sure I might be able to honestly deny starting you on the path to even less ladylike things than your intensive exercise regimen in the springtime." Ah… that was quite true, and it wasn't like Mother could really be irritated much with Lord Cassel as opposed to Winterfell's Master-at-Arms who she'd probably instructed to try not to indulge your wildness too much. Father would probably sigh, palm his face, and then shrug it off.
Rodrik sighed at his brother's antics, then smiled at you "So, what weapon types would you like to learn about first? Swords, axes, bludgeons, polearms, bows? And light armour, versus heavy infantry or heavy cavalry armours? I don't think I'll have time to show you more than three or four weapon or armour types' basic care, so if you can bring me a list after our first lesson on a few basics of storing things, it would help me plan the lessons. We can start on organizing and storing gear today."
Roll for MAR +1: Roll 11 – 3 (LRN) + 3 (MAR) + 2 (Rodrik's Spare Time) = 13, requires 70, OVERMATCHED FAILURE
Unfortunately, while the very basic bits of storing gear away were intuitive enough to grasp, you managed to drop a shield on your foot while moving things. Thankfully you didn't drop it very far and it only badly bruised your foot through the boot you were wearing, but that brought you to thinking about how such potentially hobbling injuries could be avoided…
GAINED: Minor Foot Injury, -5 penalty for all subsequent MAR rolls in this turn of this Project, -1 for all subsequent rolls this turn.
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Tutorial Tip: The order of activities is important, because while in this tutorial we only dropped a shield on our foot, as we get older and handle more dangerous things, bad failures will be worse…
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OPTIONS (List your top 5 for Interlude 2.2-2)
A) Swords
B) Axes
C) Bludgeons (maces, hammers, etc.)
D) Polearms
E) Bows
F) Light Armour
G) Heavy Infantry Armour
H) Heavy Cavalry Armour
MARTIAL RESERVED PROJECT UNLOCKED:
Safety Boots: Improves worker safety in armouries, mines, and other hazardous environs. For example, you will no longer be injured dropping things on your foot, within reason. Also slightly (degree will vary) improves melee soft attack, hard attack, and toughness of infantry and dismounted light cavalry. This project is easy compared to most Reserved Projects.
I was inspired in large part by "A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", so I wanted to see what people in the situation can reasonably logic their way to. (Instead of high-tech future knowledge)
