Gilder’s Solar, Tidehall, 2nd Day, Afternoon – Crefley, Daeron, Roger, ?

Crefley has never been in this part of the castle before. He sits uncomfortably, but not as a result of the plump feathered cushion beneath him. He had been directed to the seat by his Lord, and dared not refuse him or look a fool by choosing another. Not that there were many better seats to be had. Lord Gilder sits in a tallback chair that, had he not seen the actual Lord’s Seat in the Great Hall below, he would have mistaken for a throne. Ser Bohemund and Ser Sigurd share a small loveseat, clearly uncomfortable by the other’s proximity. Daeron is seated by his Uncle’s right hand, as is expected of an heir, he supposes. Ser Roger chose a spot on the wide stone windowsill, and the young septon is fussing about in the center of the room.

“My Lord, this will not do! The dogs attacking the dead in your house? They must be done away with immediately! I do not see…”

Gilder holds up a hand, silencing the septon’s complaints. “If you have something to say about our dogs, take it up with the kennelmaster. I fear we have more important things to discuss, and you are here to speak to those things. Daeron, I thought you said the kennelmaster’s son and some mummer girl would be joining us?” As he speaks, Martin enters the room, bows low and mutters apologies. “Halfway there, then. Leave it to the mummer to make an entrance. Very well. Who wishes to begin?”

= ==============
Ooc: I’m assuming about a 15 minute break between the beginning of this and leaving the yard. If people, say, wanted to gather something, or drop something off in their rooms, that could have happened.

Tidehall, Early Afternoon, 2nd Day - Crefley, Lara, Daeron, Roger

“Let me help you with that,” Martin, the kennelmaster’s son, appears at Lee’s shoulder, and puts his weight into the fence, lifting it so that Lee can finish repairing the last crossbar with relative ease. It is, of course, something of a metaphor for their existences. Martin and Lee are of an age, but where Martin finds life just requires a little push and all is right, here stands Lee, soaked in sweat and sore from a day’s labor, with nothing to show for it but a dead man’s coin he can’t spend if he cares to avoid the lash. They had grown up together as children in the same loft over the kennels, but that had all changed years ago. Martin and he get on well enough, Lee supposes, but if his father Reuben is about…

As if reading his thoughts, Martin says, “Don’t worry. Father is down at the Quay. A ship from Oldtown arrived this morning, with some trained pups from the Maester’s Tower, or so he says. Maybe they’ve taught them their letters. I’d be more glad if they’d learnt them to clean up their own muck. Oy, look at that!” Martin points toward the gates, where a small wooden cart is entering. It is pulled by a mule, which is in turn led by two silent sisters and a chanting septon swinging a censer. Around the mule’s neck is a wreath of fresh flowers interwoven with tiny dangling crystals that dance with color as the mule trods forward. On the cart is a bound shape of a man, wrapped in linen. A pair of worn boots and some soiled clothing are neatly piled at the back edge of the cart. A man who Lee recognizes as Ser Bohemund is directing the cart over toward the newly fenced practice yard where Lee is standing, so it will not be in the way of the troupe wagons due to depart in the next few hours. As the septon and sisters approach with their cargo, Martin asks, “Who do you think it is, I wonder?”

Tannyr’s Quay, Early Afternoon, 2nd Day – Seff, Roger

Daeron stands with his Aunt, Ser Rymon and a handful of guardsmen on a long pier, made of sentinel wood atop dressed stone. The stone has blackened where a fire had burnt the pier during the Rebellion, but the wood was new, and the stone below still sound.

Sailors from the Ice Maiden are throwing lines to a number of men at the moorings, and the ship it quickly held fast. A heavy gangway is lowered onto the deck, and his Uncle Gilder strides across. Gilder looks well enough physically, although he has a small bandage on his upper arm. His smile beams as he sees Daeron, and walks to him directly, passing Lady Ayala without a word. “Daeron, my boy! I hope that you’ve had a good lesson in politics while I taught these savages something of war!” He gestures to the Ironborn vessel, which has also been brought into its moorings. It’s figurehead is more clear now: a mermaid, bursting out of seafoam, but her face is in a rictus of fear, and her eyes appear to be bleeding tears down her cheeks onto her breasts. Six men are escorted from the vessel in iron shackles; They are stripped to their leggings, and each bears a tattoo of a teardrop, blood red in color, on the center of their chest. “Two of their ships, Daeron! Two of them against us. It was like the old days, they chase, and we sweep their decks with arrows. I should give a title to that coxswain, keeping us even in the water as he did. When it was done, one of them turned tail and we boarded and took the other as a prize.” He turns to his wife, “A prize for your, Lady,” and bows with all the gallantry he can muster.

“The call her ‘Saltwife’s Tears,’ but you can change that, of course. Something more appropriate, I imagine, about herons or trout.” Gilder’s smile is genuine enough, but Lady Ayala looks shocked, and her eyes glint darkly. She nods her head and says without emotion, “Thank you, husband, it is almost as fine a gift as knowing you are home safe.”

“Well, quite right, quite right. I should like to have your company this evening after dinner, then. Good. And I see Ser Rymon has come to see me safely home. I hope that you are well, and that my wife’s hospitality has been to your liking? Good, good. So, Daeron, there will be time for my adventures later. Tell me, what have you learned these past few days?” He throws a conspiratorial arm over Daeron’s shoulder, and begins walking to the horses on the shore.

Tidehall, Midmorning 2nd Day – Lara, Daeron, Crefley

Lara watches as another barrel of salted fish is loaded aboard the troupe wagons. Most of the troupe’s provisions are already stowed, and then it would be the tents, which are being struck by the older boys and eldest men. The younger children are playing “drop-the-handkerchief” among the carts and are cheering as one of the troupe boys runs quickly around the circle followed by a girl half his age. Lara notices, along with the red- and brown-haired children, two unfamiliar blondes heads, bobbing and laughing. Upon closer inspection, she recognizes them as Ser Sigurd’s girls, playing with the troupe children. Their mother, round as a melon with what must be twins and due last month, waddles toward Lara when she notices her watching. “My girls love the puppets and the games. It’ll be sad to see your troupe go.” She smiles conspiratorially, “I’m Yasmin. My husband mentioned you were in our hallway last night, helping him keep Ser Bohemund on his leash.“ Her gaze returns to the children. “Which of the little ones is yours?”

At Sea, Midafternoon, 2nd Day – Seff, Roger

Ser Roger Brick stands in the bow of Howling Wind, a lean vessel with a heavy iron ram that slices smoothly through the coastal waters. The day is warm and the night’s fog is clearing out to sea as they press north, away from Tannyr’s Quay. Half of his men sit in small groups behind him, some chatting idly, others eating or napping in the morning sun. The remainder is aboard Silver Storm, bobbing behind his vessel but keeping pace. Roger has never spent much time aboard ship, and he didn’t imagine he would do so today. When he had arrived at the council meeting that morning, fully armed with armor slithering as he walked, the other men at the table had turned with a start. Most of them were half dressed in nightclothes and only Maester Aldrik and Daeron appeared to have washed before arriving. The meeting had been blessed short, as they appraised the boy on Tidehall’s predicament, and he had indicated his plans: send north 2 ships at Ser Sigurd’s discretion, and put aboard 4 squads of the garrison (40 men) to patrol upon their arrival. These squads were to be under Ser Roger’s command. A meager bunch, perhaps, but taking more might risk Tidehall. He would have to make do.

Ser Sigurd approaches Roger at the front of his vessel. “A good day, this. The fog behind us will blind anyone looking to sea, but we can see the shore well enough. Brint in the rigging says he sees a burned hull to north, still smoking. Hard to tell at the distance, probably a league or so away. Signs of a camp nearby, and cookfires; but no sight of men as of yet. Could be the distance, of course. We can put you lot ashore now, or come in for a closer look.”

Tidehall, Midnight, 2nd Day - Seff, Roger, Lara, Daeron

Seff sits at a rough table in the gatehouse with two guardsmen. This was a favorite perch of his in Tidehall. It is situated over open air in front of the portcullis. The guardsmen, Mint and Rufus, are recounting a story oft repeated and likely exaggerated about their lieutenant’s drunkenness. In the corner of this small room stands a great winch and wheel of brass and oak, connected by a heavy chain to a black-brown stone cube the size of an ox. This was one of the counterweights used to open the sluice below their feet, and fill the moat around Tidehall with the warm waters of Ironman’s Bay. Past the wheel is a row of small slit windows, meant for archers within the gatehouse and gives a clear view of the causeway and Tannyr’s Quay below. The town is settling to sleep. On the other side is a clear view of the yard, the troupe wagons, the stables and Hollen’s Tower. He spies Daeron entering the stables, and then a few minutes later, a hooded figure follows through the stable doors.

Quick Update

Alright folks,

Since Redline has some things to take care of, I'll be stepping in temporarily as GM to keep the ball rolling. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep things interesting until he gets back in the driver seat. This also means that he'll probably be bringing in a new PC, so keep your eyes peeled...

BR

Riding North - Malcolm, ?

The night is cool and the moon is obscured by clouds, making it unnaturally dark as Malcolm rides North. The rustling of the leaves and the sound of the sea are his constant companions. The small huts of fishermen and a few farms dot the landscape.

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ooc: awareness check

Hollen’s Tower, Tidehall – Malcolm, Seff

The sun was low on the sea, and wisps of fog roiled just offshore. Malcolm reclined sleepily in a hard wooden chair next to what remained of an aged scorpion high above the waves. The siege weapon, like most of the weapons on Tidehall’s seaward side, had been built when Malcolm was a child during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, but was now largely rotted away by disuse, time and salt. The chair, originally meant for the crewman aiming the weapon, was still serviceable, however.

Intrigue on the Beach - Seff, Lara

I think we're just going to do this as an intrigue of Lara (and Seff if he joins in) vs. the Priest directly, with the crowd hanging in the balance. So speech/actions can be directed at the crowd, but will contend with the Priest's defenses, and his vice versa. 

The Priest rolled an 11 for initiative.

Tannyr's Quay - Roger, Daeron, Seff, Lara

Tannyr's Quay was busy today. Two galleys had arrived yesterday and another just moments ago. Many regional merchants from all over the Blue Fork riverlands and the hills to the southwest were in for market as well.  The taverns and inns by the docks were all bursting with patrons and their coin. Seff found it easy to dissolve into the crowd and make his way toward the docks and then North to the shore.

-------------------

ooc - If Lara is following Seth we'll need opposed rolls, if she's going directly to the shore she'll arrive before Seth.

Narrator's House Rules

I'm going to list any house rules I'm implementing here. Please bear with me while I learn the system as I will probably add more as we play.

• the size of domains are doubled to expand the scope of the play area. Thus 1 domain is 2 leagues square (7 miles square or 49 square miles).
• Domains with a coastline are considered to have "territorial" waters equivalent to the number of coastline domains.

Tidehall Yard - Lara, Roger, Seff

Seff returned from the stables to the yard and saw that the girl from the mummer's troupe was still watching. The girl had been carrying supplies from the castle to the troupe's wagon but had stopped to watch the fighting and never left.Earlier Seff had been drilling with Daeron, Ser Roger, Ser Malcolm, and Ser Bohemund. When Daeron and Malcolm had gone to the council meeting Malcolm had told Seff to see to his horse and that he was then free to do what he wished until further notice. Now only Roger and Bohemund remained. Roger had moved a wooden target into the yard and Bohemund was carrying several throwing axes from the armory.

Council Meeting - Daeron, Malcolm

Daeron hurriedly entered the hall. His eyes scanned the room and noted the presence of Ser Malcolm, who was often named Castellan in Lord Gilder's absence, Maester Aldrik, Ser Sigurd, the commander of the fleet, and even Septon Ravel from the town. He was running late thanks to Ser Roger. Daeron wasn't sure Roger knew the meaning of practice. While sparring in the yard this morning one of Roger's titanic blows had knocked him off his feet and into the mud. He had had to change clothes before coming to the Lord's small council meeting. Lord Gilder was commanding the Ice Maiden on patrol today and had left instructions for Daeron to preside over the small council.

House Castriati of Tidehall

House History

House Castriati is an ancient house which traces its lineage to Eugar Castriati, a fearless Ironborn reaver captain who paid the iron price for his lands, which include Tannyr's Quay on the Ironman's Bay and easternmost wetlands of the Blue Fork, during the conquest of the Riverlands by Harren the Black. Through his rule he demonstrated that he was as shrewd in governing and commerce as he was fierce in battle. The Castriati fought with the Ironborn against Aegon the Conqueror, but were spared execution at the hands of Aegon or the new Tully lords of the Riverlands upon Harren's demise and the Ironborn's retreat from the mainland of Westeros. Aegon and the Tullys recognized the Castriati's shrewd management of their lands and skill at sea and decided to let them remain to guard against any trouble from the Iron Islands.

The Castriati proved loyal to the Tullys in repeling Ironborn raids. They have proven flexible through the years, doing what is necessary to secure their fortunes and adapt to changing times. They have given up worship of the Drowned God and pray to the Seven now, even funding the construction of an impressive Sept. However, their focus on commerce and the internal management of their lands and their origins have left them with less influence than other noble families.

Lord Gilder Castriati is the current head of the House. He is 58 and has always shown a great interest in the sea. He personally commanded the warships during Balon's Rebellion and proved a skilled naval commander. Even in his advanced age he still occassionally commands a galley on a short voyage. His first wife (with child) was taken captive by the Ironmen during the rebellion and died in an accident at sea, causing much bad blood between Gilder and the Ironborn. He took a second wife ten years ago from House Brook. She has yet to produce an heir and their relationship has grown noticeably strained as the years have passed.

The House has recently been thrown into disarray with the return of Gilder's brother Erryk and his son Daeron. Erryk has been in poor health since the passing of his wife. Though he stands to inherit Gilder, Gilder has shown much interest in Daeron, ensuring any deficiencies in his education as a member of a noble house of Westeros are remedied and treating him as an heir in all but name. Many expect that Lord Gilder may in some way designate Daeron as the formal heir soon.

House Resources and Holdings

Land 38 (0)

• The Ironman's Bay Coast (Plains: Coastline, Small Town) - These fertile plains benefit from their proximity to the Blue Fork and easy access to the Ironman's Bay. The town of Tannyr's Quay has grown from a small village when it was conquered by Eugar to a thriving port town that serves as a hub for trade between the North, the Iron Islands, Lannisport, and occassionaly traders from even further away. Tidehall guards the approach to Tanner's Quay, and small farms dot the lands outside of town.
• The Blue Fork Wetlands (Wetlands: Stream, Dense Woods, Ruins) - These are difficult lands to travel, though isolated farmers, woodsmen, and fishermen ply their trades here. A trail and small dock allows boats to travel down to the Trident and facilitates commerce between Tannyr's Quay and the rest of the Riverlands (though expanded this barely adequate thoroughfare and increasing its returns has long been a goal of House Castriati). The Haunted Stones are thought to be the ruins of a tower built late in the time of the First Men, probably destroyed during the war with the Andals. The Stones are thought to be haunted by the ghosts of the old gods, since there is a circle of ash in the center of the ruins where the Godswood stood, surrounded by a faerie ring of bright orange poisonous fungus. The Stones lie deep within the marsh, but are fed pure water by a small spring that joins the stream.

Influence 30 (30)

• Though limited in their influence compared to other houses, the Castriati have many favors owed and friends to call on due to their commercial success and their loyalty to the Tullys.

Defense 34 (4)

• Tidehall (Small Castle) - Tidehall is built at sea-level so that all ships coming into port must pass by its walls (maybe with a sea-chain connected across the gap). The road leading to its main entrance has a dike on either side of it to protect it from tides, but a trap door can be opened so that the area between the dikes will flood during high tide, and trap the water when the tide lowers again, in case of siege. Even if the dikes are destroyed, the area will consistently flood, disrupting the use of any siege engines.

Law 46

• Crime is rare in the lands of House Castriati. Times are good in Tannyr's Quay, which helps. Additionaly, Lord Gilder keeps up regular patrols throughout the town and the wetlands. He is known as a fair judge, and the presence of Ser Roger Brick as the Lord's executioner has a deterrring effect on anyone considering foul deeds in Castriati lands.

Population 43

• Castriati lands are quite populous and prosperous. The town is bustling and homesteads outside the town are not too distant from one another. In fact, overcrowding has become something of a concern for the future within Tannyr's Quay.

Power 41 (2)

• The Watch - Trained Garrison; Awareness 3, Endurance 3, Fighting 3, AR 3, AP -2, FD 3.
• The Rain - Trained Archers; Agility 3, Marksmanship 4, AR 2, AP -1, FD 1, MD 6 (Long Range) .
• The Fog - Veteran Wetlands Guerillas; Athletics 4, Marksmanship 3, Stealth 4; AR 1, AP 0, FD 4, MD 3(Close Range).
• Seaguards - Veteran Sailors; Agility 3, Awareness 3, Fighting 5, AR 0, AP 0, FD 3.
• Morning Star, Howling Wind, Wanderlust, Silver Storm, Iron Breaker, Ice Maiden, Eugar's Wrath - Veteran Warships; Awareness 4, Fighting 3, Marksmanship 4, AR 5, FD 3, MD 3 (Long Range).

Wealth 46 (1)

• Market - Tannyr's Quay has a thriving market where merchants come from all across the Blue Fork to ply their wares and deal with traders from the port.
• Port - Tannyr's Quay serves as a natural hub for seaborn trade from the North, the Iron Islands, and Lannisport.
• Sept - Tannyr's Quay boasts an impressive Sept for its size which has impressive stonework. It is overseen by Septon Revel. The commonfolk are not overly devout, leaving Septon Revel time to pursue scholarly aims. The Sept is home to several monks who aid him in exploring and preserving knowledge of the Seven.
• Maester - Tidehall is served by Maester Aldrik, who also serves as House Castriati's steward. Though his chain holds many links, he is clearly most deserving of the gold one as he has increased House Castriati's wealth substantially during his tenure. He has also extensively studied the fauna of the Riverlands and is extensively familiar with the healing properties of plants and mushrooms found around the Blue Fork.

Notable Figures

• Lord Gilder Castriati
• Lady Ayala, his wife
• Erryk Castriati, his brother
• Daeron Castriati, his nephew
• Septon Ravel, high priest of the Seven in Tannyr's Quay and counselor to House Castriati
• Maester Aldrik, counselor to Lord Gilder and Steward of House Castriati
• Ser Roger Brick, Lord's Justice of House Castriati
• Ser Malcolm Fendry, sworn sword of House Castriati
• Ser Sigurd Swiftoar, Captain of Eugar's Wrath and commander of the Seaguards and fleet.
• Ser Bohemund Blackaxe, Master-at-Arms of Tidehall and commander of The Watch

FAQs & other links

FAQ thread, post questions here.

All of us are on Google, but Skype has better multi-party chat functionality. If we can ever coordinate real-time play, this might be the best method.

Wikipedia Entry for the Series, A Wiki of Ice and Fire, and Tower of the Hand are your best quick and dirty references for materials about the world. You had better believe there are spoilers.

Additional Details

I want input and ideas on some remaining issues with the House.

The house is ruled by Lord Gilder Castriati. He is 58 and has always shown a great interest in the sea. He personally commanded the warships during Balon's Rebellion and proved a skilled naval commander. Even in his advanced age he still occassionally commands a galley on a short voyage.  His first wife (with child) was taken captive by the Ironmen during the rebellion and died in an accident at sea, causing much bad blood between Gilder and the Ironborn. He took a second wife ten years ago from House Brook (a neighboring poorer house). She has yet to produce an heir and their relationship has grown noticeably strained as the years have passed (this would be the Lady that Ser Roger defended).

Septon Ravel oversees the Sept in town. He is an old man with an academic and philosophical tilt to the doctrine. He provides counsel to the family when requested but relations are no more than cordial since the family attends the bare minimum of services.

ANy details people want to add to the family line? Gilder's siblings and ancestors? Lady Castriati? Other notable figures in the House?

Heraldry and Mottos

Heraldry Update update update. A coat of arms has been selected in the manner most becoming RPers, by casting of a d6. I've also taken the liberty of putting together Ser Roger's arms. Enjoy.

Mottos are "Constant as the Tide" and "Duty First".

Your votes were as follows:

#1: Micah, BR

#2: LR, T

#3: Sam, Sarah

Redline, make the call.



Alright, I think we have the final set of heraldry I'm willing to throw together. I'll open this up to a vote. If you don't have an opinion, that's cool, but if you want something different, feel free to put it up here (or email it to me and I'll do it).

Hijacked Thread! Less Heraldry, More Character "Portraits"

Edit - since I have two posts on house mottos and heraldry, I've decided to replace this one. Instead, I will include links to character "portraits". I got alot of my character inspiration off dice rolls, and off a 28mm mini I'd picked up. He's got a ways to go yet (I finished making the custom shield, but it needs to be painted, the sword, the face), but this'll give you an idea of what I thinking. I'm only good enough to entertain myself at this point, but hopefully it'll give you a (albiet small and distorted) mental image to go along with the character.

enjoy.

http://g.imagehost.org/0967/MalcolmInProgress.jpg

I've got a stack of minis that need painting that are consistent with some of the PCs, so perhaps you'll see more in this space later.

BR

Character Concepts

Post character concepts in thread below

Power stuff

veteran archers = 8
veteran guerillas = 7
trained infantry x2 = 14
trained warship = 10

total = 39

House Castriati of Tidehall (Liege: Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun)

Land Holdings 38 (0)

• Plains (Small Town, Coast) - Northwest of Oldstones along the coast of the Ironman's Bay
• Weltands (Ruin, Dense Woods, Stream) - East of the coastal domain containing part of the wetlands North of Oldstones and the tributaries of the Blue Fork.

Defense Holdings 34 (4)

• Tidehall (Small Castle just outside the town)

Wealth Holdings 40 (5)

• Sept (Small Town)
• Port
• Marketplace

Power Holdings 41 (2)

• Trained Archers
• Veteran Guerillas
• Veteran Warship
• Trained Garrison
• Veteran Sailors
  

Influence Holdings 30

House Fortunes Roll Modifier

• +9
• +1d6 to any positive Wealth result
  

House Stats:

Resource	Starting	Domain	Players	Favor	Infra	Favor	Decline	Favor	Infra	Infra	Total
Defense	24	-5	+6	+0	+5	+0	+0	+0	+4	+0	34
Influence	22	-5	+6	+3	+0	+2	-3	+1	+0	+4	30
Lands	30	+5	+0	+1	+0	+5	-6	+3	+0	+0	38
Law	29	+0	+0	+5	+0	+6	+0	+6	+0	+0	46
Population	33	+10	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	43
Power	35	+0	+0	+5	+0	+1	-6	+6	+0	+0	41
Wealth	22	+5	+11	+0	+3	+0	-4	+0	+5	+4	46

A Game of Ice and Fire

This blog is to host a game of Green Ronin's Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying Game. Please sign in on this post.

My thought is for dice rolls to be done at home and just posted with the action.