Hunters, Prey and Preditors (Closed)

[Nathaniel Mason]

As Luecian returns to his room after another night of drinking and good cheer at the Inn, he pauses, sobering a little. A thin thread of light leaks from beneath his door.

[Luecian LongBow]

Luecian ponders the light trailing out from below his closed door. It appears I have a late visitor this evening. Hmmn it's unlikely to be "
Wailing"
Pelly tonight as I had a bad run of dice. She never tires of telling me how she sells her charms, rather than give them away for free. Pulling a knife out into each hand he prepares to open the door quickly and peer around the edge of the wall to scan the room, knives prepared to let fly if needed.

[Nathaniel Mason]

The simple Inn room contains little more than a bed, table and chair. Reclining on the bed is a young man. Perhaps sixteen, perhaps younger, but the sapphire blue gaze that turns to Luecian is definitely older. It flickers over the pair of knives Luecian holds, along with his body and stance. Giving a slight wry smile, he closes the book cradled on one knee he'd been reading.

He is dressed in black leathers, simple and elegant... and extremely costly to the the practiced eye of a hunter. Even if that was not evident, the wool cloak trimmed and collared in black mink draped over the foot of the bed certainly would be. He rises gracefully and gives a slight bow.

"
Master Luecian. Finished for the evening? I hope you don't mind the intrusion. You were enjoying your revels and I wanted to speak with you privately, so I let my self in. I am Nathaniel Mason."


After the tourney of Riverrun, the Bartheld whore was famous. It was rumored he had almost single-handedly ensured Lord Davain Bartheld's succession. If the grapevine could be believed, he had extensive connections all over the Riverlands and beyond, perhaps even to the Iron Throne itself. His reputation spoke of trustworthiness and ruthlessness in equal measure.

[Luecian LongBow]

Luecian scrutinizes the apparently learned young man currently lounged on his bed. He notes the book, the quality of his attire, the calmness of his gaze as he sits uninvited in an armed man's room and lastly he notes the young man's name as he introduces himself. His eyes scan the right side of the room once more, and a small exhale escapes his lips as he spots the familiar golden brown shape of his unstrung bow resting in a corner. Slipping one of the knives back into its sheath, Luecian enters the room slowly and shuts the door. He crosses to the chair and sits down leisurely, placing his remaining knife on the table next to him.

Once positioned, he smiles back at the young man and replies "
Aye, reckon I've heard the name around. You're said to be quite the charming and interesting fellow indeed, but to what pleasure I owe said interest or charms...I'm not to be knowing."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan smiles.

"
I received a letter some days ago by someone you may know, Septon Arlyn. He requested my aid with the difficulty surrounding Benjen Frey. Unfortunately for him, words, however eloquent and justified, can come back to haunt us.

I intend to assist House Dulver, in part because such a man needs dealing with, in part because House Bartheld would like to see justice done, and in part because certain people in the realm would like to see this thorn in their side removed.

I am aware of the Septon's plan, and while it has promise, it lacks precision and leaves too much to chance. I am sure, as an archer you appreciate the necessity for precision. I intend to augment the Septon's plan, but for that I need a man of certain skills, and as you are attached to House Dulver, you are one of my possible choices.

Now, your skills as marksman are evident. I witnessed them myself at the tourney. Your reputation as a woodsman is too wide-spread not to be true. That leaves only one question remaining."
Nathan pulls an arrow from the quiver hanging on the bedpost and holds it up to Luecian. "
Are you the kind of man that can put one of these between the eyes of a man in cold blood?"

[Luecian LongBow]

Luecian's face grows a bit sterner and he replies "
Right smart thinking not to trust those sneaky scratches on parchment, they slither like snakes and who knows when they intend to pass you by indifferently and when they mean to plant fangs in your leg and kiss you with their venom."
Luecian spits the last part out rather forcibly, as if some past memory still annoys him. Taking a moment to compose himself, he once again smiles at his visitor.

"
Nathaniel, you're clearly a man of many parts, and those parts seem to have many the reason explaining their intentions. You speak a few flattering words and I'm charmed to hear em, don't ya doubt. But also don't ya doubt that the arrows go where my lady and I send em, whether either me or my quarry's blood be chilled like winter's brisk breeze or hot as the summer sun's sting. I shoot and the target bleeds...I'd think of it as just part of nature's law."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan chuckles, dropping the arrow back in the quiver. "
May I take your colourful colloquialism to mean you would be willing to shoot Ser Benjen dead if given the opportunity?"

[Luecian LongBow]

Luecian's face stays serious for a moment before he wills his smile forth once more. "
Perhaps I'd be willing, can't deny the thought hasn't drifted into my own thick skull. But let me tell you a story if you have the time and since you're present here in me own room unexpectedly tonight, let's just take it on faith that you do."


He looks Nathaniel intently in the eyes and begins to relay the following story "
Once me Lord Dulver had a powerful hankering for some pork or maybe it was his lady wife or one of their oh so noble guests...meh its unimportant to the point. So I'm sent out on the trail of a boar you see, me and this poor orphan dog boy and his mutts. I track our boar's trail and the dog's lend chase, soon we meet up with the ugly beast and I ready my spear to make an end of it and naturally I do. At this point I'm feeling right powerful as the poor beast ends its death throes and once again I've triumphed over such a fearsome creature. I get to work, preparing it for the journey back, drag it to a nearby stream and take a few moments to piss and clean a bit of blood off myself. Wouldn't you know I get back to the boar just in time to see a good sized shadowcat make short work of the poor orphan boy and his dogs. Damn thing then shoots at me like an arrow and marks up my face like you may noticed and gave me a rough kiss on my shoulder to boot. I picked up my spear and managed to put the beast down eventually but it was a bit of a near thing."


He leans a bit closer to Nathan and finishes the story "
Know what I learned that day? Sometimes you're set on a quarry and you're following its trail, confident that you are surely the biggest baddest thing around. You do everything right, stalk your prey, take them out and then boom something else unseen strikes at you certain its the biggest baddest thing in the forest too. Aye I'd have no qualms to end Frey's life with my bow or else wise but I'd need to be secure that nothing else was in the same forest intent on hunting me. No doubting I'm not the most important fellow in the kingdom, but myself is quite fond of myself."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan returned the man's gaze for a long moment. "
I like you Master Luecian. You are a survivor. I like survivors. I count myself among them. You will probably think that arrogant, given my youth."


He pauses for another long moment. "
I could have ignored the Septon's request. We live in a world where the strong prey upon the weak every day. What happens in polite society and what happens in the wild is not so very different. However Ser Benjen is of a different order. He is a rabid wolf. Whoever does what I ask will be at some risk. I will not pretend otherwise. But I can diminish the risk if not eliminate it. Part of that is picking someone who has to the proper skills."


Nathan unfolds a piece of paper and lays it on the table. It is a simple but accurate map. "
Septon Arlyn has arranged for a shipment of wine to be delivered from House Bartheld to House Dulver, along with other supplies. His arrangements call for the wine to be... compromised. His hope is that Benjen's men will steal it and Benjen will take the quality wine for himself. The idea has merit, but leaves a great deal to chance.

The wagon will be traveling along this road here. Both Dulver and Bartheld roads are heavily patrolled, so the most likely spot for a raid is this forested area here. There are two people with the wagon. An elderly couple. Both are experienced fighters, but I want those with the cart to not seem threatening. The Septon's plan did not account for the fact that those guarding the delivery might be killed in the raid. It is my hope that his men will simply take possession of the cart and let an infirm elderly couple go on their way.

It is my plan that an expert archer shadow the cart. Perhaps he would be able to kill Benjen during the raid. More likely he would trail Benjen's men back to their camp. Once located, the archer would have several options. He could attempt to kill Benjen if he had the opportunity, or he could let the armed men I will have stationed here know of their location. When they attack the camp, that may give another opportunity to remove the man."


"
No hunt is without risk, Master Luecian. You know that. I know that. The dog boy knew that, or he had no business going and you had no business taking him."
Nathan pulls out a heavy purse and drops it on the table. "
So I ask you, is the risk worth the reward for you and your House?"

[Luecian LongBow]

Luecian seems to ponder Nathaniel's words for a few moments. He looks intently at the map as his eyes squint, his teeth bite down firmly and he seems to begin counting imaginary things on his fingers. It doesn't take someone as clever and observant as Nathaniel to realize the young hunter is thinking intently. Suddenly and unexpectedly, he bellows a fit of laughter before responding.

"
Never would have come to think it before but I've a fair feeling we're both hunters here, just roaming around in different terrain and such. Of coursing you're right, this world is chalk full of risks and each hunt brings it's share. Danged if you don't seem a clever one eh , and your efforts to um dimmen the risk seem well thought out. Aye, can't say your plan don't seems a good one. I'll take your hunt and shadow the Frey brute. If the right moment comes, I'll take my shot. If not I'll pass the trail to your men and look for better opportunity during any following fight. He sets the map down again and spits briefly in his palm and holds it out as if to shake. "
Whatcha say my fellow hunter, deal?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan shakes the young man's hand warmly. "
We have a deal. I will trust in your judgement."



[OOC: The results of this ruse have already been determined by Reader. You will not have an opportunity to kill Benjen Frey, but you will have a chance at his second in command, Old Jack, who is actually a better commander, making this still very advantageous.]

Endurance = 3
HP 9/9
AR = 8
Can take injuries but will only begin using fatigue from round 2 onwards (he's initially unaware).
CD = 7

You have six rounds of shooting at him before he can engage you.

Due to surprise you gain initiative and a +1D in the first round. Since you are picking your location, you also gain a +1B for higher ground until he reaches you, however you take a -1D in rounds 3-6 as he sprints towards you.

[Luecian LongBow]

(OOC- I like it! We'll see how it plays out soon..)

Later the next day, Luecian enters the Sept at Stony Heath in search of the Septon but instead he only encounters his assistant Milko. "
Milko, me friend hoping all is well aye. Where be our good septon this morn?"


"
He's in the backrooms, I shall fetch him"
Milko replies seemingly uninterested.

"
Obliged friend, please do so if ya don't be minding. Tell him I found something in me hunts, he mayhaps be interested in "
Luecian replies as the old assistant departs and takes a seat in a nearby chair to await Septon Arlyn's arrival.

He greets the arriving Septon, "
Septon, a word and walk please. I came across something in me hunt that I believe will interest you."


As they walk a good distance from the Sept, Luecian updates the Septon. "
Had a visit from a mutual acquaintance of ours late last night. I'm to confirm your business will soon be underway with a few improvements from our friend. I'll be tracking our quarry and will take advantage of any opportunity to take out our wild animal if it do present itself. Hoping you might smooth over any issues that arise with the Lord Dulver, mayhaps a good reason I'm away a bit longer. Any help you can offer would be appreciated."

[Luecian LongBow]

(OOC-Intent was to possibly get a contact poison to apply to an arrow but I'm not sure it will be needed. Going out of the town this weekend so I'm going to just move the story along)

The septon's mind seems elsewhere and he replies noncommittally. Luecian thanks him, returns to his room and gathers his gear. Meeting up with Short Tom at the stables, he is granted a lowly mount for their travels from House Dulver's stock and they ride along to establish contact with the mercenary troops Lord Dulver wishes to contract. After their meeting with the mercenaries, Luecian informs Short Tom and Captain Rivers that he has another errand that he must pursue for House Dulver with a pretext of delivering a message for Septon Arlyn to a nearby sept and departs their company.

(OOC-I originally noted the roll as for convince but I immediately thought Deception might make more sense as I covering up the real errand.)

[url=Persausion Convince on Short Tom][/url]: 3d6 9 Rolled 3d6 for convince but since I'm covering up the reason for my errand think bluff would make more sense. Rolled an additional bonus die below.
[url=Deception -Bluff bonus die][/url]: 1d6 5
Bluff score would be =13


Short Tom Will roll
[url=Will test for Luecian's Convince test][/url]: 3d6 10

[Luecian LongBow]

Leaving his horse stabled in a nearby village and informing the locals he would be scouting the nearby area for a future trip, Luecian arrives near Bartheld lands in time to see a cart filled with casks of wine departing down the road escorted by an elderly couple. Reckon that's the Septon's order of special wine there. From his vantage point off the road, he watches the cart pass and then soon begins to shadow its path.
As they eventually approach the noted forested area where Nathaniel suspected the raid would occur he increased his caution attempting to stay hidden but keep the cart more or less in sight. Keep sharp Lue, no telling how many partners might show up to this dance. He waits patiently and intently for his quarry to show...

[Reader]

Old Jack and his fierce raiders struck swiftly against the wagon, driving off the baggage handlers, but neglecting to pursue them in favour of looting the wagon. While Ser Benjen Frey himself was not in attendance, his noted sergeant at arms from his day in House Frey, the veteran Old Jack held command here.

Leucian will never have a better chance to prove himself worthy of his name than now, he has a clear shot at Ser Benjen's loyal captain...

[OOC: your target...

Endurance = 3
HP 9/9
AR = 8
Can take injuries but will only begin using fatigue from round 2 onwards (he's initially unaware).
CD = 7 [CD 11 in round 2-4, then back to 7 in rounds 5-6]

You have six rounds of shooting at him before he can engage you.

Due to surprise you gain initiative and a +1D in the first round if you pass a TN 9 (Stealth roll). Since you are picking your location, you also gain a +1B for higher ground until he reaches you, however you take a -1D in rounds 3-6 as he sprints towards you."

[Luecian LongBow]

(OOC-Added the rp scene details)
Luecian watches the small group of raiders as they take possession of the cart and rummage through its contents. He focuses on the seemingly leader of the group but it was clearly not Ser Benjen to his disappointment. Well, this lucky fellow gets to stand in the foul knight's stead today. He stalks the bandit leader until eventually he distances himself a small ways from the other men. He creeps within bow range doing his best to remain careful and quiet. Arrow knocked he steps a few feet closer, his eyes locked in on his target. As he lets the arrow fly, the older bandit seems to turn his way. The arrow flies true however and lodges itself in his target, entering at slight downward arc into the old bandits neck and deeper into his upper chest.
[url=Sneak/Hide roll while stalking the poisoned wine cart][/url]: 4d6k3 6
[url=Initiative vs Old Jack][/url]: 4d6 16

[url=Marksmanship vs Old Jack-Rd 1][/url]: 9d6k5 26
+1B aim added in on the first shot
4 DoS. Damage 24-6=18 points of damage to Old Jack

[Reader]

One arrow.

One arrow is all it takes.

Truth be told, Old Jack had spotted his assailant moment before the arrow comes, a snapped tree branch betraying his pursuer.

It mattered not. Even as the old sergeant glanced up to see his foe, he caught only a glimpse, a blur. After that, only the darkness of the Stranger's embrace...

[OOC: takes 3 injures, reduces damage to 9 but can't take any wounds so health = 0 and dies.

After his feats hunting, Leucian introduces himself with a fabulous pieces of archery!]

[Luecian LongBow]

Arrow knocked Luecian readies for another shot if needed. Instead, he watches intently as the man falls violently and then lays still. He watches for a few moments longer, taking a deep breath at the end.Best not to tarry, his friends will soon be along. He heads back to the village to retrieve his horse at a brisk pace,doing his best to put distance between him and his kill.

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