Song of Ice and Fire: Dragons at War (Inactive)

Game Master Deiros

You know Lucen is not very happy about it (Dislike) and he is probably lying

Disposition: Dislike (DR: 5)
Objective: Deceit
Initiative: 20
Intrigue Defense: 11
Composure: 9

"There is no such need to bring Ser Tristen into this, we don't want to make it look like you aren't capable"

Convince (Act): 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 5) = 10 (No dmg)

This will be a long intrigue lol as you both bicker from strong positions.

Disposition: Dislike (DR: 5 DM: +1 PM: -2)
Objective: Service
Initiative: 11
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure: 8

"Oh I am not afraid to ask for help when I need it Maester Lucen." She told him with a slight shrug. "And Ser Tristen is always willing to teach." She smiled slightly as she said. "I mean it isn't like you're going to give me a worthless book that would reflex so poorly upon our lord. Though it does seem like you wouldn't be up to this task, maybe I should just ask for Ser Tristen to help me pick out a book so that you don't have to worry about it hmm? Would you prefer that?"

Convince (Act): 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 6, 6) = 23Gods I wish I could keep all of that... 17
17-11= 6-5= 1 dmg

I'm sorry everyone! T_T I didn't think it would last this long... I'm holding everyone up...

Disposition: Dislike (DR: 5)
Objective: Deceit
Initiative: 20
Intrigue Defense: 11
Composure: 8/9

4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 5) = 11

"Well no one doubts Ser Tristen ability to teach, just wondering if you will need someone to hold your hand the whole time or you can do things your self." an eyebrow raised "I would never damage my lords reputation, but that doesn't stop you from having a horse as an extra gift in case the book is not enough"

Yield proposition. You believe he will have a book ready for you to take, if you also ready a horse.

Then again of course he is using Deceit so he is lying or misguiding you, so you don't know if he will keep his end of the bargain

Disposition: Dislike (DR: 5 DM: +1 PM: -2)
Objective: Service
Initiative: 11
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure: 8

"If I though I needed him to hold my hand the whole time he'd be here, and going with me to house Grell. He is not, because I do not need his help there. But here his help would be rather welcomed seeing as how you're being so, reluctant." She stated. However she thought over his suggestion before giving a soft nod. "Three days. Bring me a book, a fair book, in three days time and I will have Ser Corrad pick out a horse as well." She agreed.

Convince(Act): 5d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 3, 6) = 19 15

She fully believes he's lying to her. That is why she's giving him three days and will have Tristen look over the book he picks.

You want to yield and take the deal or keep the intrigue? Unless you offer a different Yield, or we keep rolling until one loses :)

Bit of a different Yield. She'll ready a horse as well, after he gives her the book and if she believes it won't be enough by itself. She will have the book in hand before she does anything else. She does not trust him and plans on giving him no wiggle room.

Yield accepted, he will deliver a book in 3 days so everyone is ready for travel

After everything was said and done, all travel arrangements made, they all meet in the Hall early morning for breakfast before departing for their long journeys.

Wynnter receives a book from a page. Leather bound well kept with some silver decorations to it. It is rather small and has no visible name to it. The page with a weak voice finally braves to say "The maester says you will replace this book as agreed or something of equal value to him"

Cunning(Memory)TN 15 for Wynnter
Awareness (Notice) TN 15
Everyone Knowledge (Education) TN 15

Wynnter raised an eyebrow at the young page before taking to book from him and opening it. "I never told the maester I would replace the book. But I did say I would ask house Grell to have the book copied and that copy sent to us. Nothing more." She said as she flipped through to book slowly. "Why do people not understand the word, gift? She muttered to herself in an annoyed sigh.

Awareness: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 3, 2) = 12 11
Wow... really bad rolls...

"Ser Tristen, you're far more scholarly then I. What can you tell me about this book? Wynnter asked as she closed the book and held it out to him to look at.

Tristan looks up from the scroll he is bent over, rubbing his eyes and frowning before pushing himself to his feet and lumbering over to stare at the book.

Knowledge5d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 6, 4) = 19

First time rolling dice for this, did I do it right?"

Yes, you roll 5d6 and Keep 4 dices, dropping the smallest. You only have Knowledge 4 so you only keep 4 dices.

Knowledge TN

I have a bonus Dice in Education though, would that mean I keep 5?

Tristen nodded, taking the book and thumbing through it for a moment, before handing it back to Wynnter. "It is very old and quite valuable to anyone who is interested in old stories and legends. If the Grell know anything about this book, they will see what a worthy gift it is." He paused, head tilted to the side before sighing. "Best bring the horse just in case. Sometimes those we deal with do not have the insight in to what they are being offered. But horses speak for themselves!"

Darne arrives late to the breakfast to make sure that everyone is settled in and taken care of. He goes to the head of the table and sits.

He looks around the table and sees Wynnter and Tristen already engaged in talks and with a book in hand no less. He smiles "I take it you were able to negotiate what you needed then? I will remind you that best honour any promises you make, that is the way of this House." he said as he gathered up a bit of meat and bread for himself.

He wasn't fond of mornings but it is what is to be expected of him.

"And a fine way it is too my Lord!" Tristen smiled. "Honour and honesty above all else. We need allies to grow strong, we always have!"

No, the bonus dice just gives you a better chance of getting a higher roll. You still only have 4 dice in education.

"Yes, Maester Lucen said something along the same and I promised that if he gave me a fair book that I would do just that." Wynnter said with a slight nod. "Which I do need to thank him for, I didn't think he'd send one this good." She said with a slight triumphant smile.

"Good morning to you too my lord." Wynnter said as the smile left and she gave Darne a nod. "Yes, though I did have... an interesting debate with the maester over getting a book. Honestly it was easier to get Ser Corrad to come to terms with, and agree, to giving up two horses. I figured I'd have to fight him for the horses." She told him with a small laugh. "Yes, he did ask that I have house Grell copy the book and send us the copy. Which I do plan on asking for, though there is no way I can force them to follow through on that." She commented.

Though she never agreed to that... but she'll do it anyways! XD
Also, Tristen you know you can make the awareness check, only the cunning check was for me. I would say that Darne should try it too but... >.> Well he's just bad at awareness!XD

I wasn't aware. Awareness is my jam!

Awareness-6d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 1, 3, 6) = 24=23

Tristen waved his hand slightly and shook his head. "I am sure they will promise to send us back a copy. They should want to settle this as politely as we do. But if they do not, at least you can say you tried."

Notice TN 15

Darne nodded as he enjoyed his meal. He listened to them for a bit and relaxed back "You know, I am curious just how you tricked Ser Corrad out of two of his horses. They are quiet prized after all." he said chuckling.

Tristen frowned as he flicked through the book slowly and carefully, turning to several marked pages as he did.

Yes please!

Wynnter gave a fake look of being insulted before smiling. "You wound me my lord. I didn't trick Ser Corrad in the slightest." She informed him. "I just simply informed him that you had left the gift for house Grell in my hands. He was a little upset at what I asked, but gave no resistance." She shrugged. "He even told me that if I become a true lady of this court, he will give me the next foal. Even if I don't know what he believes a true lady of this court is, it's still an interesting thing to say for him." She gave a small laugh. "At least from what I've heard about how much they prize their horses, understandably of course."

Tristen

"Damn..." Tristen sighed, shutting the book carefully and laying it beside himself on the table. "The Maester did a good job, too good a job in fact. This book, if it is legitimate, as it seems to be, is too valuable to give to anyone." He shook his head softly before sighing.

"You did well Miss Wynnter but it seems you will need to go with the Horses after all!"

Darne looked over at his uncle and raised his brow "Oh, how so?" he asked in curiosity. He was curious if the Maester should hear this..."Would you like to call the Maester and tell him why his gift is a foul idea?" he said curious to see how the two of them would handle this.

Wynnter muttered something under her breath.

Should have known he'd pull something like this...

"Could we not just pick a different book? With how hard the Maester fought not to hand over a book, I find it odd he would give one so... valuable." She commented as she leaned back in her chair. "I do not leave for house Grell till the end of the week. Surely you and I could find another book?"

Tristen turned to his nephew and frowned slightly before nodding. "Yes, please send for him my Lord. I would like to address this problem in person to him. It is very worrying."

Tristen gestured for Wynnter to take a seat beside him and pointed towards the book. "This book outlined the manner in which Valyrian steel is forged and the magic behind it. If these stories have any basis in reality then you can see why this book would be quite valuable indeed. But come, let us wait for our dear Maester. We will see what he has to say on the matter!"

Darne motions to one of the pages and sends him off in a hurry promising a silver stag if he manages within the next few minutes.

Wynnter settled into the chair offered by Tristen. "Why would he even dare to set this foreword as an option? I just asked for a fairly good book, not anything like this. Maybe I should have been more, direct... well lesson learned, do not trust the maester and be far more direct." Wynnter said as she shook her head.

She turned her head to look at Darne. "My Lord, why type of book would you like Ser Tristen and I to gather? Should this end... poorly."

Darne scratched his chin a bit and looked at the two honestly a little confused as to why this book was so unsuited. He thought about it for a minute and raised a finger "Perhaps we best ask the Maester before asking him, I imagine if it were as truly valuable as we think he wouldn't let it go before his blood left him. It may be quite the clever trick, you never know..." he said having a bit of faith in the Maester.

"... I don't know which would be worse: The Maester willingly handing such a valuable text, knowing I could never take it, or that it turns out to be a trick and he was willing to send it with me to house Grell. What would have happened if they noticed it was a trick? It would have insulted House Grell, made your house look bad, and endangered all the lives that would have taken the journey there..." Wynnter said with a saddened sigh. "I knew he was angry but the latter... Well I do not know how the maester deals with those he does not like." She shrugged.

Page runs back with a saddened face "Maester is gone, they say he left earlier this morning doing inspections on the land m'lord" the page is pale white with fear

Darne looks a bit irked at the announcement, offering the boy a scowl and a wave off. He looked at the others. "I suggest then, perhaps you make this breakfast into a picnic for the road. Uncle, I trust you can manage your way around a library. If you can't find something of merit...perhaps take it along as a last resort, and if you have to pen the copy yourself and leave them the copy?" he offered.

Wynnter leaned back, giving a slight laugh. "Well played Maester... I am starting to think it was the latter of the two my lord." She told him as she shook her head. She looked at the young page and noticed his face. She stood from the chair and moved to the page. "Calm, you won't get in trouble. This is in no way your fault." She said, her tone very soft and motherly. "You did as you where told and with great swiftness as well."

Did he have to be so hard on the boy..?

"It would take months to pen this by hand my lord. We won't have to time unless we greatly delay the trip to house Grell. Unless you wish for both Ser Tristen and myself to go to house Grell and remain there till he finishes the book?" She asked as she rejoined the two men.

Darne pulled a bit of hair of his face and twirled a bit of it in his hand as he thought. "Hmm, perhaps this book would be a good way to bridge the gap between our two houses. It would offer a reason or two for a few visits...maybe we could offer to accept one of their Maester's page's in our house as a ward till his copying is finished" he said trying to come up with what the Maester had in mind.

"I think this is more of the Maester testing you to figure out a way to guard something so precious and make sure that we do not lose it's value in the process...but I digress and perhaps think too much. Do what you can, if you worry this is too much...well figure something out. I'm sure, you can manage that much, yes?" he said not really paying too much attention to her interaction with the page. There was a bit too much to worry about for him at present to worry how the page felt.

Arriving a bit later to the room, opening the doors and walking on with his clothes cleaned and without wrinkles, Marcus tooks a moment look at the man with cane sitting at table "Ah, Lord Tristen. I did not know that you were back. Seems like I need to reprimand people to inform me about these things" before turning back towards Lord Darne and bowing before sitting down on the table

"My Lord, the preparation for the troops are advancing in timely manner. Some inspections need to be still done to weapons and armors as well securing supplies for longer them but otherwise, I estimate it wont take a long time for us to be ready."

Reaching out for water and pouring out for himself as he looked at others "May I ask what is the occassion for the morning?"

Tristen frowned and rubbed at a slow dull ache beginning to form just behind his eyes. "It is as you say my Lord, surely the Maester is just testing Miss Wynnter. I am sure she is the equal to this task."

Tristen smiled when Marcus entered and nodded to the man pleasantly. "Ah, Ser Marcus, a pleasure as always. No need to reprimand anyone dear boy, I have made it a practice to stay well out of the way these last years. No one need be bothered with a crippled old layabout like myself. My Nephew has been quite kind to offer to allow me to aid young Miss Wynnter in her preparations. Speaking of..." He pushed himself up to his feet before bowing to Darne.

"If you will excuse me my Lord, I will see about perhaps finding another book, something not quite so valuable. Oh Maester you picked the wrong day to go a riding!" Tristen chuckled to himself as he tucked the book under his arm and began to hobble out of the room.

Wynnter just shook her head at Darne's words. "I hope that is true." She said. "Because if not, the other reason are... troubling."

Wynnter turned and gave a respected nod to Marcus as he walked in. "Good morning to you as well Marcus." She said before he answer his question. "As Ser Tristen said."

With that she turned her attention back to Darne. "I shall go along with Ser Tristen, after all this is for my mission. Would not be fair to him to sit and wait while he does all the work." Wynnter told her lord, before she curtsied to him. "Please excuse me."

Finally, she turned and followed after Tristen, catching up to him with ease. "What are your real thoughts on the maester's.... act?" Wynnter asked the elder Naelareon softly.

Have I missed something or the PC's are talking among themselves still?

Yes we are still talking to one another. Mainly waiting on Tristen I believe. Unless Darne and Marcus plan on speaking to each other?

Darne let the others converse as he finished his meal. He looked up at Ser Marcus after the others left "I'm afraid that Maester Lucen's penchant for teaching...or perhaps his desire for knowledge may have gotten the better of him this time. He offered up a book that is perhaps too valuable or just only seems that way. Either way, it's either a test for Wynnter and Uncle Tristen or a test for House Grell. I'm not sure I care much for this test during such a crucial part of our House's plan at playing nice. I'd rather not have my first act as Head of this House to be to go to war." he said as he watched Ser Marcus eat.

"Thank you for the update on our troops. I trust you will have it fully under hand and keep everything under control."

Tristen took his time as he made his was towards the Library, though whether it was due to him expecting Wynnter to follow, or due to him being unwilling to aggravate his leg more, he would never say.

As Wynnter stepped in to sync with him, he casually glanced at her before frowning. "Truthfully? I assume he was trying to make you out to be a fool, with what he did. I assume you told him you would have me check over the book he chose? He probably assumed I would spot what the book was worth and maybe chastise you for making the wrong decision. The Maester however does not know me that well. You did well Wynnter, you got presents worthy of any noble house."

He frowned harder as he tapped his cane on the floor stone in thought. "I do not trust the Maester however. Perhaps we should have him followed. What say you?"

Wynnter couldn't help but smile to herself. The Maester had completely misjudged her friend and here it worked in her advantage. "I did tell him that yes. When I noticed he was trying to deceive me I informed him I'd be having you check his work. She gave a small laugh before her smile faded. "I would say that having him followed would give me a bit more to twist his arm with next time I must... entice him to hand something over. That said, I'm more worried about Lord Darne. Maybe it is just because I just arrived at this court and he doesn't trust me, but he seemed overly trusting of the Maester." She pointed out as she crossed her arms. "He doesn't even seem to notice the grave error the Maester made by giving me this book. If it's real it would have weakened House Naelareon and if fake, it could have gotten anyone who went with me to House Grell in serious trouble. Not to mention the damage to House Naelareon's reputation!" Wynnter let out an annoyed sigh as she finished speaking.

My apologize if this sounds a little off or seems to be missing something. I have a head cold but wanted to make sure we could keep moving... We're so close! >.<

Tristen smiled and shook his head softly. "Honestly I do not know my Nephew that well but I do know one thing, he is not a fool. He knows what the Maester did was wrong and he will make him pay for it I am sure, but he has no need to orate that to us, as he already knows that we two are on the job of solving it. If the Maester is seeking to destabilise us, it will earn him naut but wreck and ruin for his own self, we will see to that and my Nephew knows he can trust us to do that."

Tristen pushed open the door to the Library and stepped inside, taking a slow look around. "We will have him followed and I will see if I can find out anything about his family. We will keep an eye on him Wynnter and we will serve Darne well. He believes in us."

If I wanted to set a tail onot the Maester, what would I roll? And to search out his history? Also to find a more suitable book?

For a suitable look a Knowledge (Research check) TN 12+ for something decent. You want to tail the maester? Stealth (Sneak) against TN unknown. Knowledge (Education) for his history

"Believes in you maybe my spider, but you are family so it is expected." Wynnter told Tristen as she began to look over some books, pulling them from their shelves and bringing them to Tristen. "I still believe he dislikes me greatly. After all, I am not what they believe a woman should be. How soon they forget women such as Queen Visenya and Queen Alysanne. Both powerful woman in their own right, one with strength and the other with words." She pointed out as she dropped a few books on the desk. "Would a strong wife not make strong children? Even be able to protect the children she bore?" She sighed as she turned back to the shelves. "Maybe I am over thinking it..."

Knowledge(To support because... sad dice! XD): 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
Wow... really sad dice... *sighs*

I meant more so trying to find a likely looking lad from the Common folk who would sneak after the Maester, not me.

"It is just a matter of miscommunication my dear. You do not understand him as he does not understand you. You will see that with time the understanding will come and you will become a bigger part of the House, I am sure!"

Knowledge to Seek-4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 6) = 12

"Ah, now what do we have here...?"

Knowledge to Know-5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 6, 6) = 18-16 for the Maester himself

You find 3 books, on is of herbal lore, another one of heraldry and history of the Riverlands, and another one of military subject"

Tristen

And this is incase he was waiting on me to say something! XD Covering all bases!

"Mmm, I fairly sure all of them don't like me, and it's not a misunderstanding... Well no now I should play fair. Marcus has stated he doesn't really care for me one or the other and only wants me to make myself useful, Ser Ereth seem to find me interesting, and Ser Manrel... honestly I think he is amiable towards me, which is a little frightening." Wynnter said with a sigh, "And guess which one I have to spend the next few months around." She said sarcastically.

This is my bad. I've been sick and then I had to go see my friends as I got back to Ireland last week. Updating now.

Tristen agonises over the books for awhile before sighing and pulling the book of the River lands out of the pile and handing it to Wynnter. "This is the one. It is not amazing by any stretch of the imagination but it is beautifully done and interesting enough. I do feel bad however, it is coming out of the Maesters pocket. We will endeavour to replace it as soon as possible, yes?"

Wynnter took the book from Tristen and slowly began to thumb through it. The look on her face went from curious, to worried, before finally settling on annoyed. "By the Gods I can never catch a break..." She sighed as she set the book down. "I cannot take this book. For two reasons. One: Knowing the Maester bought this himself for this house makes it more valuable to him. Two: Though this is a selfish reason, I'm going to need this book. I'm a herald of a house in the Riverlands... and I know nothing of the noble houses outside of Tully, Frey, and Blackwood. And I only know of Blackwood name by the fact they worship the old gods. I need to study this book as if it was one of my targets, I cannot give it over..." She told her friend. "I guess I'm taking the horses after all... Maybe I should only take one..."

"Well if you think that is prudent then by all means. This is your task to complete as you see fit. I trust you will make the right choice my dear." He pattedid her on the shoulder and smiled.

"I blame you for this spider. Having me walk into this mess." She said, offering her friend a smile in return. "I came to be a spy and assassin for this house, now I have to act all lady like and shit, speak with pretty words and get people to give up things they'd never normally part with." Wynnter gave a small laugh as she crossed her arms. "Worst part is I volunteered for it! ... Well better go give Corrad the bad news... If I go missing best check him out first." She joked as she turned to leave. "Do me a favor and find the Maester, when I get back from House Grell he and I are going to have a talk." Wynnter called out as she left the library and headed out to find Corrad.