[D7, LM] Equestrian Competition

[Reader]

Equestrian competition
House Tully has set an elaborate course for the equestrian competition, with fences, water pits and even a forest of training dummies for participants to pick their way through.

Participants: as many per house as desired.

Challenge: Three Animal Handling (Ride) rolls. A superior mount gives +1 to these rolls.

Consequences:
Highest total score: +1 glory &
a superior courser (can take injuries/wounds), a black gelding from House Fossoway's stables.
2nd highest total score: +1 glory, saddle with semi-previous stones sewn in to it, worth 1 gold dragon.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Participation has been ok'ed by Reader]

The White Hart Hunter returns for the Equestrian competition, again clad in charcoal grey and black, bearing only an arrowhead on a silver chain as his sigil. He rides a dapple grey rounsey, and manoeuvres the course with care. A close observer would see from his lack of high speed and his careful steering that this is not the kind of riding he is used to, but a valiant effort no less.

[url=Animal Handling (Ride)][/url]: 3d6k2 10
[url=Animal Handling (Ride)][/url]: 3d6k2 10
[url=Animal Handling (Ride)][/url]: 3d6k2 11

Total: 31

[Yoren longshore]

"
Let it not be said that the ironborn are afraid to attempt new feats"
Yoren mutters to himself as he rides onto the field. His motions are at times jerky, and his horse seems to be uncomfortable at best, but they get through the course, if not effortlessly, at least in one piece...

: 3d6 14
: 3d6 5
: 3d6 8

[Loreia]

Loreia, happy to have made it back in time for the competition, rides to her reserved spot while a few competitors have already gone or are currently riding, waiting her turn while on her new favorite horse, still bearing her sword(sheathed) and wearing her armor over her Coldbrook livery.

Clearly enjoying herself, but still coming down from the recent clash with the Faith Militant - an event hereto unknown to the general public - she trips up over an obstacle and makes a slow finish. The horse she rides is a bit ornery over the new scenery and the tasks expected of it;
however, the magnificence of the specimen adds a point of character to the overall display.

[url=animal handling(12) - fatigue][/url]: 4d6 10
+1 fatigue
[url=equestrian competition][/url]: 3#4d6+1
11, 15, 9 Total: 35

[Baelon Drakeson]

[OOC: EDIT: added test to avoid fatigue, per Reader (see below)]
[url=AH(ride) - avoid fatigue][/url]: 4d6 (-1 fatigue) 15 vs TN 12 - Success
[url=Equestrian Competition][/url]: 3#4d6 (-1 fatigue) 17 14 11 Total Score: 42

EDIT 2: Just realized that I had forgotten about the fatigue I used during the M7 fight to save Marei. Now applied above.

[Theomore Tullison]

Having anticipated things in advance, Theomore had borrowed a horse to ride back to Riverrun on, faster than the heavy destrier he had brought for the fight , so that he might take part in the contest with his own courser well rested and ready to take part in full. If there was any contest Theomore had a good chance of winning, it was this one. Greater odds than the pageantry to be sure, and he already won that one. He starts off with good speed, but with greater control and more conservative of the stamina of the horse, moving rider and steed into a rythm that pays off further into the course, with graceful speed where others pay the price for pushing too hard early on.

OOC:
[url=avoid fatigue][/url]: 6d6k4 16
[url=equestrian competition][/url]: 3#6d6k4 16 17 20
Total 53

[Reader]

[Those involved in Martei's Seven - whether as combatants or just along for the ride, need to make an animal handling (ride) 12 check, or suffer 1 fatigue during the equestrian competition]

[Theomore Tullison]

Raff, or "
Hamish"
this time, masking his appearance as one of "
Benjen's boys"
, makes his way towards the Brute of Bracken's horse, in a rather discrete and inconspicuous, as much as he'd like many witnesses to attest to a certain man-at-arms to be spotted where he ought not be, Raff believed quite strongly in getting the main job done with a minimum of fuss, and not being seen helped quite a lot for that. Besides, a disguise worked best if nobody gave the man wearing it a second glance. Arriving at his intended target, he produces a knife and makes a deep cut in the Beast's saddlestrap with one swift motion, almost through, but in such a way that it will be very hard to spot. Oh well, that is of minor concern, an attempt at sabotage is like to have the desired effect, a succeeded sabotage would merely be considerably more amusing.

Though it would be a shame if nothing suspicious happens, so after being clear of his mark, he seizes upon the opportunity to start walking away slightly more briskly, and "
accidentially"
stumble into a Bracken page so that both almost loose their balance, or seeming to, in Raff's case, a bumping not of such force as to garner much attention, but allowing the page a brief glance of someone that was leaving the stables, hopefully remembering a rather interesting brownish mark of war on that someone's forehead.

OOC: Reader said post this here, I'm assuming that a stealth of 19 is sufficient to get in and out without hickup, 14's might not hold up to secondary objectives, but eh.

[url=Disguise][/url]: 5d6k4 14
[url=stealth][/url]: 5d6k4 19
[url=thievery][/url]: 5d6k4 14

[Reader]

Raff, or "
Hamish"
this time, masking his appearance as one of "
Benjen's boys"
, makes his way towards the Brute of Bracken's horse, in a rather discrete and inconspicuous, as much as he'd like many witnesses to attest to a certain man-at-arms to be spotted where he ought not be, Raff believed quite strongly in getting the main job done with a minimum of fuss, and not being seen helped quite a lot for that. Besides, a disguise worked best if nobody gave the man wearing it a second glance. Arriving at his intended target, he produces a knife and makes a deep cut in the Beast's saddlestrap with one swift motion, almost through, but in such a way that it will be very hard to spot. Oh well, that is of minor concern, an attempt at sabotage is like to have the desired effect, a succeeded sabotage would merely be considerably more amusing.

Though it would be a shame if nothing suspicious happens, so after being clear of his mark, he seizes upon the opportunity to start walking away slightly more briskly, and "
accidentially"
stumble into a Bracken page so that both almost loose their balance, or seeming to, in Raff's case, a bumping not of such force as to garner much attention, but allowing the page a brief glance of someone that was leaving the stables, hopefully remembering a rather interesting brownish mark of war on that someone's forehead.

OOC: Reader said post this here, I'm assuming that a stealth of 19 is sufficient to get in and out without hickup, 14's might not hold up to secondary objectives, but eh.

[url=Disguise][/url]: 5d6k4 14
[url=stealth][/url]: 5d6k4 19
[url=thievery][/url]: 5d6k4 14

Lord Haig Bracken keeps his seat, in a fabulous display of horsemanship that even brings appreciative applause from some Blackwood men at arms!

However, it is all he can do to remain in the saddle - he seems unlikely to fina place among the prize winners. Dismounting after his wild ride, he tears off his saddle with a bestial roar, clouting his squire with anger, seemingly none the wiser of the more deserving target of his wrath.

[url=Animal handling (ride)][/url]: 3#5d6k3 11 15 15 - total = 41
[OOC: [url=Animal handling (ride) TN 12][/url]: 5d6k3 12]
[url=Animal handling (ride) TN 12][/url]: 2#5d6k3 12 12

[Benedict Marsten]

After a short repast from the return trip. Ben enters the field looking none the worse from the previous engagement.
Ben rides well only faltering as he nears the end. The mornings earlier activities and hard ride home showing their effects. His sore shield arm dragging the reins. A small correction and he finishes unembarrassed.

[url=AH(ride) Avoid Fatigue TN 12][/url]: 5d6k3 17 Success
[url=Equestrian Competition][/url]: 3#5d6k3 15 15 10

Total: 40

[Reader]

[OOC: closing Friday night UK time - a few people who still might want to take part: Ser Kevan, Dyana?]

[Dyana Marsten]

I decided against it! :p

[Kevan Lyras]

[Yes, me too]

[Reader]

[OOC: thanks guys, think that just leaves Ser Jorah from the obvious candidates. He might want to give it a miss given his nobly earned injury &
fatigue in defeating Ser Lionel Darry! Sorry if I've missed anyone! You're all free to change your mind - competition is still wide open and judicious use of fatigue/destiny can help you avoid existing injury and fatigue penalties respectively]

[Reader]

Ser Theomore carries the day, comfortably ahead of Ser Baelon Waters, who would have been a worthy winner amongst lesser company.

Lord Fossoway seems keen to highlight his wealth, and throws in a third prize after Ser Benedict's impressive display, keen to showcase the riches of the Reach, in contrast to the hard times House Tully is rumoured to be suffering.

He crowd cheers all three men, with some - wise after the fact - claiming it no surprise that Ser Theomore should prevail again after his impressive showing in the opening pageant.

[OOC: Ser Theomore: +1 glory &
a superior courser (can take injuries/wounds), a black gelding from House Fossoway's stables. Please name your fabulous new mount.
Ser Baelon Waters: +1 glory, saddle with semi-previous stones sewn in to it, worth 1 gold dragon
Ser Benedict Blackthorne: 100 silver stags [special bonus prize for coming in a close third.

All three of you have a standing invitation from Lord Fossoway to each purchase one superior mount at 5x a mount's normal price. This mount can take injuries but not wounds - it is not quite the equal to Ser Theomore's prize. If you an afford it (now or later) you may keep it or gift it.

All competitors are warmly welcomed to visit Cider Hall - this may be an ideal venue to improve your Animal Handling specialities during future offseason activities]

[Derrock Swann]

[url=Equestrian Competition - Animal Handling (Ride)][/url]: 3#8d6k5 23 24 22

Having already won a steady streak at the Joust, and likely to win even the final, Ser Derrock wasn't very intent on giving a spectacular performance at the equestrian competition, though he never wasted a good chance of strolling on horseback. More interested in measuring the skills of the other riders than in outdoing them, the knight held back on more flourished passes and kept a trained eye on the poise of others, notably Ser Theomore, whom he complimented when the competition was over.

[Reader]

(+1 glory to Ser Derrock, who holds back to allow the younger knights to carry the day)

[Aerion Storm]

The competition's over, he knows. The folk, small and large, have moved on to other contests. He hears the roaring crowd, knows that -- before long -- some workers will be by, to take the riding course down.

He'd seen these courses before, no matter how late he'd arrived, just one more face and one more rounsey in the retinue of a great knight. The greatest knight, depending on who you asked. He'd missed the contest, he knew, but he also knew how most folks ran it. Over the fences to test height, then over the water to test distance, then weaving through the dummies, plain as posts, to check how nimble you could be.

Aerion Storm put his heels to his trusty brown mare, and leapt into things backwards.

I've a Lady on my saddle, he could almost feel her arms around him, almost see her golden or red or platinum blond hair, almost smell her, her, her...jasmine? Cloves? Whatever it was ladies wore.

I've a Lady on my saddle, and Dornishmen want to keep us from leaving.

He and his rounsey dove into the middle of the straw dummies. The mare was war-trained, high breeding be damned, and she showed no fear. They went by close enough to kick and punch, wove through the dummies without missing a beat, and if he'd had a sword or lance he'd have probably irritated a Riverlord by accident.

That's a moat that needs leaping. I got the lady out of the courtyard and past the Dornish pigs, but the moat's in our way.

It wasn't in the way for long. The sleek brown, spurred on and snorting, lunged through the air, clearing the water, not a splash to be seen.

And now the fence. Hang on, m'lady. Just a hedgerow between us and safety. I'll have you back to your lord fa--back to the King, Princess, in no time!

No time, it would seem, and not much effort, either. The rounsey's nimble, the rider is born to the saddle, and there's more than a handspan between hoof and wall as they clear the last (first?) obstacle.

Then it's a slow trot, cooling the mare down, letting her ease into a walk while the squire dreams of lands and titles from grateful fathers, and favors and kisses from grateful, rescued, maidens.

He and the mare stop, satisfied, on the far end of the course, looking back at it, staring at it right-end-forward, watching where all the actual contestants rode.

"We could've done well enough, I bet." Aerion reached down to pat his trusty brown. "We could've shown 'em, if they'd let us, girl."

But then Ser Harbert was yelling, and the mule needed tending, and saddles needed off, and horses rubbing down, and wine fetched, and swords sharpened, and on and on and on. More work. Always.

But one day, maybe not.

Equestrian, Rides 1, 2, 3: 3#5d6 21 16 16

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