[D1, MM] Calling First Upon the Blackened Trees

[Reader]

[Before arrival] These are uncertain times, or as Grandmaester Orwyle says, perhaps “the only certainty now seems violence”.
The roads are watched, and the site of the royal justicars, or even unknown figures on the road, will prompt swift riders to return home and for the concealment of crimes to begin. Does justice ride a swifter steed?

- Awareness (Notice): 12
- If Awareness check is passed (by ANYONE in your house) you may make an Animal Handling (Ride): TN 13 [superior steed gives +1 to this check [you may carry a passenger but must note this on your roll and it causes a -3 penalty]
- If animal handling check is passed, the character in question arrives in time to uncover a minor clue.

- Stealth (any) TN 9 may be attempted if character passes teh animal handling check and arrives in time
- Critical failure = diplomatic indicdent caused while character is alone
- Success = clue upgraded to superior clue with evidence.

[Upon arrival] ] Black and red have ever been the colours of House Blackwood and rarely have they seemed more appropriate. The castle is still deep in mourning, dark Blackwood hair matched by dark mourning garb. Instead of the wise, valiant Lord Bryan Blackwood you are greeted by his son, Lord Benjicot Blackwood, scarcely out of infancy.
Somehow, the solemn ceremony of offering salt and bread seems even graver, despite the young lordling’s boyish voice.
Upon Arrival
- Status (Breeding): TN 12 [remember bonuses from head of house, breeding/anointed] +3 to this check if calling at a House you support (check your house’s objective thread) first.

- Persuasion/Deception: TN 12

Bread &
Salt Results
- Per DoS = 1B to be used in a future investigation test, as you positive impression earns you a warmer welcome when questioning the king’s subjects and information on what to look for and where.
- Five or more DoS = shift Lord’s disposition towards you or another character by one step (once per character).
- Highest total: +1 glory.
- Critical failure on either roll: record “-1 discipline penalty” in your houses’s forum and a member of the appropriate House’s disposition shifts down one step [Narrator’s choice].

[Nathaniel Mason]

[url=Awareness TN12][/url]: 3d6 6 (Critical Fail)

Edmund Bartheld, Nathaniel Mason, Maester Forthwind and Ser Jon Roxton, his men as escort, arrive at Castle Blackwood, their trip uneventful.

[url=Status TN12][/url]: 4d6 6 (Critical Fail)

Edmund, completely unused to being the center of attention makes a valiant attempt at the Bread and Salt Ceremony, failing miserably by accidentally knocking the silver platter from the boy's hand and showering the young Lord in bits of bread and salt.

[url=Persuade TN 12][/url]: 6d6k5 22 (3DoS)

Nathaniel Mason catches the salver with one hand while pulling a handkerchief from his doublet with the other. Dusting the young Lord off and remarking that it was more customary to throw salt over one's own shoulder. Nathan's dry remark and soft infectious grin seems to dispel the shock of the accident and relieve some of the boy's tension and that of the room. There are many chuckles throughout the crowd, but most are at Edmund's expense.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Lady Corrine is accompanying Ser Kevan to Stone Hedge, but sends her husband to Raventree Hall with her apologies, and an assurance that she will visit personally very soon.]

[Dunstan Tullison]

OOC: I will wait for Yve to roll awareness if she wants too, so then Dunstan could roll Animal Handling and have a chance at discovering a small clue. Until then, here come the Bread and Salt rolls.

EDIT: Not to clutter the thread needlesly, I will post my AH roll here.

Before approaching the Blackwood home, Dunstan and Yve chattered while riding along. Their idle talk was interrupted when she mentioned seeing something suspicious further ahead in the bushes.
Dunstan rode out immediately and got just in time to gain a clue toward clandestine dealings.

Awarennes - Yve Rolled a 16.
[url=Animal Handling][/url]: 3d6 17

OOC: We get a minor clue.

Upon arriving to the castle...

Tullison convoy arrived to Raventree Hall in full glory. Past months have been kind to the House - and one of the new assets of the House is a new cavalry company that rides behind Lord Dunstan. They look almost regal as they ride through the Blackwood land - all clad in deep blue and red and carrying lances.
Behind them march a company of archers, disciplined and battle hardened by a recent clash with clansmen of the Mountains of the Moon.

When they do arrive in from of the castle itself, Dunstan gets down from his horse and hands the helmet to his squire - young Mark Mooton.

When he set eyes upon young Lord Benjicot he felt a sense of sadness, since the young Lord himself was in identical position in his youth.

One more reason to help the Blackwoods, he thinks.

"
My Lord. Thank you for receiving us in your home."
he bows deeply to Benjicot and accepts bread and salt.

"
We are sent by the King to right any wrongs that fell upon you, and capture those responsible for suffering of your people in this conflict. It is my honor to be here, not only because I am serving our King, but because our two Houses are bound by blood - since my mother was born a Blackwood. My father, Lord Sterle, died fighting on these lands and I came to finish what he and others started, to put an end once and for all to this aggression you constantly suffer from your neighbors!"
he spoke energetically to entire room.

Little to say, his support for Blackwoods is clear. Not only he won't visit the Brackens, but will stay in Raventree Hall during the course of this investigation. How others will view that decision is of no concern to the young Lord.



[url=Bread and Salt Status (with +3 for supporting the Blackwoods)][/url]: 5d6+7 28 (4 DoS)
[url=Bread and Salt Persuasion][/url]: 4d6 14 (1 DoS)

Total: 42
DoS: 5

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben and Ellie arrive unceremoniously at Raventree Hall, riding double on strax, the Fossaway courser.
[url=Awareness Arrival][/url]: 4d6 10 Ellie

With little time to freshen up or ready themselves they do their best to not make a blunder among the Blackwood court. They would make no lasting impression good or bad. Thank goodness.
[url=Status Bread &
Salt][/url]: 3d6+1 8Ben w/ Ellie assist

Ellie begins to find her step in the courtier's dance leading along Ben. The pair sincerely give their condolences to their familiar family. Between the two of them they attempt to comfort and bolster those around them, with their kind words, in these dark times.
[url=Persuasion Bread &
Salt][/url]: 4d6+1 16Ellie w/ Ben assist

+3 bonus to rolls from page to both bread &
salt rolls (allied faction bonus].

= 11 Status (0DoS)
= 19 Peruasion (2DoS)

[Nathaniel Mason]

Will add narration to those crappy rolls soon. Any bonuses from the new Lord being my former page and close cousin?

[OOC: Have you not seen my rolls? How dare you call those rolls crappy. ]

[Benedict Marsten]

Will add narration to those crappy rolls soon. Any bonuses from the new Lord being my former page and close cousin?

[OOC: Have you not seen my rolls? How dare you call those rolls crappy. ]

[ooc: Yeah if mine are crappy yours are super crappy. As a fellow crappy roll owner you have my sympathy. ]

[Jamys Rivers]

Awareness check [url=Awareness at Blackened Trees][/url]: 3d6 10

Jamys Rivers arrives at House Blackwood's castle without event, resolved to get to the heart of these matters with as much tact as manageable.

Status check [url=Status at Blackened Trees][/url]: 3d6 12

Persuasion check [url=Persuasion at Blackened Hills][/url]: 4d6 19 (EDIT: I keep forgetting about Bastard Born. If the target of this persuasion is of higher status (which I assume they are) then I lose 1d. However, even if I lose one of the three sixes I rolled, I still have 13 which is enough to pass)

While paying his respects to the family, Jamys did his best to surreptitiously extract information from them, or perhaps more specifically, perspective.

[Septon Arlyn]

[Ooc - 1 d converts a test die to a bonus die so your total would be 18, which is, by the way, a really good score, good on Ya! Lol]

[Jamys Rivers]

[Ooc - 1 d converts a test die to a bonus die so your total would be 18, which is, by the way, a really good score, good on Ya! Lol]

[OOC Wicked. ]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Travelling to House Blackwood was uneventful

[url=awareness on way to House Blackwood][/url]: 3d6k3 6

Arriving at Raventree Hall, Jorah and Loreia stand on either side of Daveth and behind, Jorah bows and introduces Daveth with "
My Lord Blackwood, may I present Daveth Coldbrook, heir to Lord Coldbrook and acting on our lord's behalf during our visit."
He shows politeness and deference to the young Lord trying to put him at ease.

[url=Status Breeding][/url]: 3d6k3 10 +3 for house blackwood - so 13 1DOS
[url=Persuasion (No specialty)][/url]: 3d6k3 7

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Dulvers galloped into area, with dozen of soldiers in front with their hammer on banner. In middle of leading group were Ser Walton Dulver and Ser Garred Mountfort, both wearing leather clothes with cloaks on their backs. When they appeared at hall, both jumped off their horses to greet awaiting Blackwoods. The sight was pathetic, but it's in hard times when you know who is your true friend. -My Lord, we are all deeply shocked to hear of the sudden death of Your Lord Father, good Lord Bryan, and we would like to offer our deepest sympathy. We will do all we can to help- both nodded with their heads in good will. -Lady Jayne sends her best regards- added Ser Walton.

Ser Garred [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion Awareness][/url]: 4d6k3 9
Ser Walton [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion Awareness][/url]: 3d6 12

Ser Garred [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion AH][/url]: 3d6 14
Ser Walton [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion AH][/url]: 3d6 7

Ser Walton [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion Status][/url]: 3d6+1 15+3, so 18
let me know do I have to roll also Garred's status, as I want to use his Persuasion roll instead of Walton's

Ser Garred [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion Persuasion][/url]: 5d6 13 (if can apply Convince somehow speciality, then 16 [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion Persuasion Convince?][/url]: 1d6 4, then with assist it's 17 )
Ser Walton [url=Calling First Upon the Rampant Stallion Persuasion assist][/url]: 3d6 9 it matches difficulty, so it's passed, right?

OOC: names of rolls are wrong, because I didn't know first that both events are in the same time, so we can attend only at one of them then I have chosen this one

[Daveth Coldbrook]

[url=Awareness - Day 1 event (TN12)][/url]: 3d6 7
Daveth also notices nothing on the way in.

Arriving at Raventree Hall, Jorah and Loreia stand on either side of Daveth and behind, Jorah bows and introduces Daveth with "
My Lord Blackwood, may I present Daveth Coldbrook, heir to Lord Coldbrook and acting on our lord's behalf during our visit."
He shows politeness and deference to the young Lord trying to put him at ease.

[url=Status Breeding][/url]: 3d6k3 10 +3 for house blackwood - so 13 1DOS
[url=Persuasion (No specialty)][/url]: 3d6k3 7

[url=Blackwood Bread &
Salt - Status (Breeding) (TN12)][/url]: 5d6k3+4 20 2 DoS
[url=Blackwood Bread &
Salt - Persuasion (TN12)][/url]: 4d6 15 1 DoS

Daveth bows respectfully. "
Lord Blackwood. These are grim days, indeed. My deepest condolences on your loss from all my family . House Coldbrook will do its utmost to bring the guilty to justice."
he looks at the young lord again with sympathy, and almost says something more, but instead he simply bows again. "
Thank you for your hospitality during this trying time."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Here is Yve's rolls. I will be conducting all of her rolls in perpetuity, as her proxy.]

[url=Awareness - empathy (blackened trees)][/url]: 5d6k3 16
[url=Stealth][/url]: 2d6 8
[url=Status][/url]: 4d6 12
[url=Persuasion][/url]: 4d6 15

[Yve Tullison]

Yve entered with the rest of the Tullison party, greeting those she knew with a slight incline of her head and those she did not with a friendly half smile.

At her brothers rash outburst however she rolled her eyes slightly, knowing that their uncle would not take it too well. She decided to mingle to see what she could learn of anything.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

A little while after the other arrivals, a lone rider, a young man dressed in fine clothing and on a palfrey made his way towards Raventree Hall. On the way, he spotted something and with a degree of sneakiness, he was able to find out a major clue.

[url=Squire Trelane Awareness][/url]: 5d6k4 17
[url=Trelane Ride check][/url]: 3d6k3 13
[url=Trelane stealth check][/url]: 4d6k3 16

Arriving at Raventree Hall, he bowed deeply before the young lord, giving him a sly wink and smile to reassure him.

"
Squire Trelane of House Connington at your service. Thank you for receiving me in your home. I am here to help House Coldbrook find out whom is responsible for everything that has happened."

[url=Trelane breeding check][/url]: 5d6k4 9 - presuming he gains the same bonus as House Coldbrook = 12
[url=Trelane deception check][/url]: 4d6k4+1 16

[Reader]

[OOC:

+1 glory to Lord Dunstan Tullison, as the bold young lord makes a suitably impressive appearance.]

[Reader]

Lord Benjicot Blackwood conducts manners with admirable poise and grace despite his youth, only beginning to kick his throne in boredom near the end of proceedings.

It is clear to all present that his uncle, Ser Myles Blackwood, is the main power here. House Blackwood's regent is a little below average height and has a shaggy brown beard, concealing the fine features that are typical of his house. He has a warrior's poise, standing to attention throughout proceedings.

Nathaniel's smooth manner seems to soothe Ser Myles, who joins the room in laughing off Edmund's failure. However, house Blackwood's master at arms Ser Colyn Manderly is less content with a mere apology, and heated words are exchanged and a gauntlet is thrown at Ser Edmund Bartheld's feet in challenge.

With one of his bannermen wed to his daughter and the historic ties between Blackwood and Blackthorne, it is unsurprising that Lord Marsten receives a warm welcome. Lord Benjicot smiles brightly at Benedict's approach, reassured that a friendly face is present during such trying times. More tellingly, Ser Myles nods in polite acceptance at Lard Marsten's polite explanation for her absence.

Ser Myles initially seems dubious at Jamys Rivers' approach and for a moment it seems another challenge may fly, Blackwood honour feeling besmirched at being sent a bastard to treat with it. However, Jamys seems to have a way with words and before long Ser Myles is recommending the right trappers and guardsmen for Jamys to interrogate in his investigations.

Lord Blackwood greets Ser Jorah with barely suppressed glee and has his minstrels play a few stanzas from the ballad sung in the knight's honour before Ser Myles politely moves proceedings along.
[http://dragonsdance.forumatic.com/viewtopic.php?f=161&
t=1515]
For an hour they duelled, the Just and the Cruel, the sun beating down on their heads,
Til with a mighty roar, Ser Jorah poured forth, a blow that struck the man dead,
'Oh, so valiant a feat, to save one such as me, truly you are sent by the gods',
'No doubt that's true, as I did run the man through, but I simply call it my job.'

Daveth seems of less interest to Lord Blackwood, but Ser Myles seems to greet him with respect.

Lord Tullison and his lady sister are given a place of honour at Ser Myles' insistence, although Lord Blackwood may have preferred to allocate it to Ser Jorah. Ser Myles places himself near both, complimenting lady Yve on her beauty and congratulating Lord Tullison on his marriage to Lady Aofie Royce.

Ser Walton Dulver is also well received, his triumph over Ser Benjen Frey also having captured Lord Blackwood's young imagination, albeit he lacks the stirring songs that are sung in Ser Jorah's honour to hold the lordling's attention.

[OOC: follow-up event - any PC present may accept the challenge issued by Ser Colyn Manderly. This will be a joust to first blood (injury) to restore honour, continued on foot if necessary or it both parties are injured.

Ser Jorah Holt may convert one bonus dice to a test dice (after rolling) while investigating (once!), such is the fervour with which Lord Blackwood instructs his servants to aid the dashing knight.]

[Reader]

[OOC: deadline of Saturday morning UK time to accept the challenge or Edmund himself will take up the gauntlet and likely suffer an injury or worse.

Those present get first priority, failing that PCs elsewhere can hear after the fact and step in as a champion.]

[Athelstan]

[ooc]Athelstan would not mind doing it... just saying[/ooc]

[Kevan Lyras]

[Others have priority, but I'd certainly step in before Ser Edmund is picking it up himself]

[Reader]

[OOC: contested rolls from those looking to pick up the gauntlet (Athelstan &
Ser Kevan?) then. Highest total score wins, summed across rolls below.

- Simple intrigue
- Status (reputation)]

[Loreia]

OOC: I have decided that I would very much like to do this, and that I have IC reasons for wanting to. Sorry it took me a while pick it up. If you others want to contend for it, beat 14.
[url=Colyn Manderly's challenge - Blackened Trees][/url]: 3d6 14

[Reader]

[OOC: two rolls Loreia, status as well please. ]

[Loreia]

OOC: Whoops, will do. Confirmed with Reader, that was my Status. The following is Persuasion. Unfortunately, I fell short on that one. Unless the others default.

[url=Persuasion - Colyn Manderly's challenge][/url]: 2d6 3

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