[Day 1, EA] Jousting Preparations [Closed]

[Theomore Tullison]

With everyone were elsewhere to set up camp, see the queen arrive and likely being quite busy with other things besides, the tourney grounds are empty, save for some men making the finishing touches on the stands. Well those and the tourney master, he could not go anywhere, now could he? Responsible as he was for this going without a hitch.

And now Theomore besides, choosing the one moment when the man he sought would not be terribly busy. Before a long line of squires formed to sign up their knights, before he would have to start handling the pairings. So many things to consider. A knight or lord of high birth should not face the risk of an undignified defeat at the hands of some up-jumped bastard. Favorites ought not face each other in the early rounds, nobody remembered the early rounds. Those were for weeding out the unskilled. Unproven or incompetent highborn to face other highborn. Bastards to face other bastards, or better yet, be shown their proper place by a man of the kingsguard. Should there be a Bracken against Blackwood pairing? Heightened drama to be sure, but trouble for Lord Tully might follow.

Theomore does not envy the task of being tourney master. Even so, it could prove to be quite lucrative as well. And the only way to be fair was to draw straws. No good tourney master would be fair. And no clever lord would ever choose one not playing the politics of a joust. And men that plays politics always want something. And men that want something can always be reasoned with. And so Theomore walks towards the pavilion at the end of the grounds, to see if he cannot reason with the man.

[Reader]

Across the field, Theomore spotted Ser Fredryk Vance, master of arms at Riverrun and the man who had served as tourney master in many jousts he had competed in.

Ser Fredryk was a doughty knight, the very image of the kind of man most houses would choose as their master at arms, given the choice. Men said he had served House Tully for so long he was half fish himself by now.

Theomore's experience had served him well, for Ser Fredryk did not seem impossibly busy as he directed two young pages sweeping the lists. The veteran master at arms idly stroked his luxuriant moustache as he observed their labours, nodding to himself in a satisfied fashion.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well met, Ser Fredryk!"
Theomore hails the man as he would an old friend. And why not do so, considering their past dealings. "
Everything well in hand, I see?"


Theomore walks to stand besides him and admire the good work Ser Fredryk has done, or at least pretend so.

[Reader]

A nod, but not a smile from Ser Fredryk.

"
A fine afternoon to you Ser Theomore. Glad to see House Tullison make it down from Jolston's rock."


He stoops to pick a loose stone that could lame a horse and tosses it away from the lists.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
My lord nephew would be most disappointed if we did not, good ser"
Theomore keeps his friendly demeanor. "
This does have the looks of a fine tourney, if rumors of the one's coming to be in attendance are true. How could we possibly miss it? Even my lovely niece did not hesitate to join us."

[Reader]

"
Aye, we've the flower of Westeros's chivalry."


A pause.

"
And you, Ser Theomore."


Ser Fredryk breaks in to a smile at his own joke, offering a hand to underline his words are meant in jest.

"
Well, all apart from Ser Alayne Tarly and Ser Harbert Baratheon. One will not attend if the other is invited, and diplomacy required an invitation be extended to both."


Ser Alayne and Ser Harbert are two of the premier tourney knights in the realm, the field will be more open with both men absent.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
And me"
Theomore agrees as he takes the hand, smiling at the wit at his expense.

"
I cannot claim to remember to have heard what quarrel those two may have, some girl I suppose, always is."
Theomore muses into the air before turning his mood towards business. "
You do seem to know the nature of my visit already."

[Reader]

"
It wouldn't be a just a social visit from Ser Theomore,"
said Ser Fredryk, seemingly intent on making Theomore state his plans.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Oh, you know me, ser"
Theomore simply keeps smiling, though he does take a look around to see if anyone might be close enough for eavesdropping. "
I always help my friends, and you would be the busiest amongst them."


Voice slightly lowered, the game begins. "
Though selfish as I am, I have a wish for an enjoyable tourney, and I would once again gladly contribute to make it so."


OOC: Might be time for this?
[url=intrigie iniative vs Fredryk Vance][/url]: 4d6 19
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: An arrangement for the jousting draw.
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure 9

[Reader]

Ser Fredryk is a crafty old fox - the pages are his men and busy with the sweeping, while the lists leave nowhere for eavesdroppers to listen from.

Initially he looks unsure, unwilling - or unable - to take the initiative.

"
This is a grand tourney, Ser. Many eyes will be upon it."


Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure 9

[url=Status (Initiative)][/url]: 4d6 6

[Theomore Tullison]

"
And surely, there will be much for them see."
Theomore counters the man's hesitation. "
Far too much to notice all the little details that makes it so grand as it will be."


Iniative: 19
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: An arrangement for the jousting draw.
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure 9

Action: [url=Convince][/url]: 4d6 [url=Blood of Andals-reroll][/url]: 1d6 16
Influence: 2 Dos*3 base infleunce-4 DR=2

[Reader]

"
Little details have a way of growing in to larger problems, but so long as they are not large problems for House Tully..."


Fredryk mulled Theomore's words as he pondered his next course of action.

Initiative: 6
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defence: 10
Composure 7 (9)

Action: Consider

[Theomore Tullison]

"
My friend, I have full confidence in your ability to handle any problems before they grow to such a size that anyone else might chance to spot them"
Theomore places his hands on his chest. "
And house Tullison has always been most eager to assist our liege lords should such be of help."


Iniative: 19
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: An arrangement for the jousting draw.
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure 9

Action: [url=Persuasion(Charm)][/url]: 5d6k4 [url=Blood of Andals-reroll][/url]: 1d6 18
Influence: 2 Dos*4 base infleunce-4 DR=4

[Reader]

"
You'll find no doubts as to Tullison loyalty here. Mayhap a middle path can be found, whereby your schedule helps both House Tully and House Tullison."


Initiative: 6
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defence: 10
Composure 3 (9)

Action: [url=Persuasion (charm) + consider][/url]: 7d6k4 15
Influence = 2 DoS * 4 base influence - 4 DR = 4

[Theomore Tullison]

"
That would indeed be most fortuitous, ser Fredryk"
Theomore's approval of the notion is quite palpable. "
If I were a lord and had a tourney to host, I fail to think of anyone better to run it for me!"


Iniative: 19
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: An arrangement for the jousting draw.
Intrigue Defense: 10
Composure (5)9

Action: [url=Persuasion(Charm)][/url]: 5d6k4 [url=Blood of Andals-reroll][/url]: 1d6 19
Influence = 2 DoS * 4 base influence - 4 DR = 4

[Reader]

Ser Fredryk touches the Tully fish he wears per fess with the Vance tower and dragon, unusually placing the crest of his new house above his birth house.

"
House Tully has been kind to me. An initial accommodation could be made for their loyal vassals, but I would not venture to push your luck further at such an august occasion. Just promise to keep my blasted name out of it, I've made a comfortable life here."


Initiative: 6
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defence: 10
Composure 2 (9)
Frustration 1

Action: takes 1 frustration, offers yield - he'll help manage Theomore's schedule for the first three rounds, but he'll quit the intrigue if pressed too far! Ser Theomore is to swear to deny any involvement on Ser Fredryk's part.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Who would I be to levy such accusations against a friend?"
Theomore acts as if the mere notion of him doing so is an insult to his honor. The truth being more a case of the wisdom of never biting the hand that feeds. "
I suppose I can be content as well with making my luck on my own once the field is thinning out."
Or just loose with some dignity, as he usually did around the fourth or fifth round anyway.

"
Well, then, there is just the matter of actually having my name signed up for the lists, you do have a book here somewhere?"
Theomore steers the conversation to other things. "
Oh, and I wonder if you'd be announcing pairings a day in advance? I must say that I much enjoy the suspense built when an interesting tilt is announced in the evening."


OOC: Yield terms quite acceptable.

[Reader]

"
I'll take the cost of the horse from your victories as my fee then, if this is agreeable."


He muses on the topic of pairings.

"
Aye, the crowd and gamblers will like that. Give 'em something to talk about at in the feast hall too. I'll leave some flexibility for challenges too mind. The Warrior demands no less."


"
Hendrick will lead you to the book."


Ser Fredryk makes a friendly dismissive gesture to both Ser Theomore and one of the pages.

[Jousting sign ups - viewtopic.php?f=45&
t=259]

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Friends share in their victories, do they not?"
Theomore finds that price reasonable enough. Might mean he'd be facing all destriers, but knights riding destriers tended to have a nice set of plate to go with it as well, so that should even itself out.

[fin?]

[Reader]

[/end]

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