[D1 - Mid Evening] A conversation with Lady Isobel (closed)

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon casually strolls through the Marsten encampment, headed for the largest and best appointed pavilion in that part of the field - Lady Isobel's.

Approaching the entrance, he calls out to one of the guards on duty.
"
Good evening, Donnel. Is our Lady in?"

[Reader]

"
Aye, our Lady is within, having returned from House Tully's welcome."


Donnel seems alert but well disposed to Baelon. His sable and vert tunic is spotless - House Marsten is famously traditional and Donnel takes pride in his appearance.

"
Do you have pressing business with Lady Isobel? Should I announce you or simply take a message?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Do announce me, I have news to discuss with her."

This name-day event is rife with opportunities for the House. I would be a fool not to take advantage of that.
With Lady Isobel in hand, I can make what is good for the House be good for myself as well.

He waits for Donnel to announce him.

I would hope that I have earned some measure of trust with the Lady by now. I need to build on that, if I wish to succeed.
That Daveth Coldbrook has handed me an opportunity, and I can make good use of it.
Ser Markus should also hear this news... and while we wait for him to be fetched, I will endeavor to improve my worth in her eyes.

Whatever that takes.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon waits...

[Reader]

"
Ser Baelon with news,"
announces Donnel, thumping him polearm's haft on the ground. Donnel markedly avoids using Baelon's bastard names, kindly playing up his knightly status instead.

Inside, Lady Isobel sits at a desk in a light purple gown reading what appears to be a book on herbal medicine. From the faded cover it appears to have been written by some septon or other, but the tome is too weathered to make out the precise name.

Lady Isobel nods her head respectfully to Baelon but does not rise.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Good evening, My Lady."

Baelon bows.
"
Forgive me for disturbing your reading. However, an opportunity for our house has come to my attention, and I felt it best to share it with you immediately.
He pauses to collect his thoughts.
"
I was speaking with a young man of House Coldbrook this evening, Daveth. He asked if House Marsten would be interested in the assistance of House Coldbrook against the clans."

[Reader]

Lady Isobel Marsten sets aside her book gently, giving Baelon her full attention now.

"
Straight to the point Ser Baelon."


"
This Daveth - not Lord Coldbrook's blood heir but speaking with his 'father's' voice? Determine his status in his house. Lord Coldbrook is not the type to pass over his own blood, especially when his own boy follow's the father's path."


Lady Isobel seems on the verge of commenting on the other Coldbrook heir-in-waiting's bastard blood, before etiquette overcome Marsten traditionalism.

As she digests Baelon's words, a tranquil fury seems to build in Lady Isobel.

"
Do NOT have us appear weak. Weakness is death. Assistance is helpful but must not seem necessary. To give the appearance of weakness only swaps the ragged dog of the mountain clans for the mightier direwolf of House Coldbrook."


"
Coldbrook men may cross our lands and die for us, but a House Marsten sworn sword MUST lead any alliance."


Her eyes bore in to Ser Baelon.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon meets her gaze unflinchingly. Dragons are fury. They do not fear it.

"
Of course, my lady! It would be unthinkable for anyone but a Marsten or Marsten retainer to lead a force in our territory! That would never be acceptable. I of course expected that Ser Markus or someone else of your choosing would be in command."


"
As for the inheritance issue,"
I wish I had known about the Coldbrook Lord's feelings sooner... not that it matters all that much. "
Master Daveth seemed to be more interested in providing the other son with a chance for glory on the battlefield than with securing his own claim, such that it is. If anything, it seemed that House Coldbrook finds itself with little of value but it's forces, and thus seek to use that to establish ties to other houses. They seem like they could be a useful resource."


"
I will seek out Master Daveth on the morrow and verify that the Lord of House Coldbrook is interested, and reinforce that it would be a Marsten commander in charge."


Not quite how I expected that to go, but good enough. Now on to other matters...

"
Now, with that business out of the way, I was hoping to speak to you about another matter, as well. This name-day celebration is, as you are aware, providing House Marsten with a wealth of opportunities. Is there any service here that I can perform for you or for the house to take advantage of those opportunities?"


Intrigue (initiative step)
Goal: Friendship
[url=Initiative][/url]: 3d6 11

[Reader]

"
I will not have Ser Markus taken from Hartshorn, leaving Corrine vulnerable. We do not lack for sworn swords - you or Ser Colin would be ideal candidates. I shall let the pair of you settle it among yourselves, for now."


Normally an authoritative figure, Lady Isobel seemed unable to find the right words to sway Ser Baelon, for now.

Iniative: [url=Status (Initiative)][/url]: 5d6+2 17
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defence: 13
Composure: 12

Action: Persuade [url=Persuade (Charm)][/url]: 6d6k4 10

[Baelon Drakeson]

Intrigue (Exchange 1)
Goal: Friendship
[url=Initiative][/url]: 3d6 11 (Lady Isobel, Baelon)
Disposition: Amiable (+1 Per, +0 Dec, 3 DR)
Intrigue Defense 8
Composure 8/9

I might command? Leading a victory under the banner of the Blacks would surely get father's respect - at least enough for him to meet my eyes.
He pulls his mind back to the task at hand.

"
I apologize, I had not meant to suggest that we would leave Hartshorn undefended;
merely that Ser Markus has far more experience than either Ser Colin or I."

His tone darkens.
"
I would not hesitate to put my own life on the line to protect Lady Corrinne and yourself."


Action: [url=Persuasion(Charm)][/url]: 6d6k5+2 22 +1 for disposition = 23 [3 DoS]
Effect: (3 * 4) - 4 = 8 Influence

OOC: That 10 beat my Intrigue Defense. Sorry, should have posted it when I rolled initiative.
I'm presuming that the k4 on that roll means that she has 4 Persuasion and thus 4 influence was done, -3 for DR. Let me know if that is incorrect.

[Reader]

"
House Marsten does not doubt either your ability or loyalty Ser Baelon. I know you would give up for life to protect my sweet Corrine, but sometimes more must be sacrificed."


She looks lost in a reverie

"
You mentioned opportunities - show the Riverlanders your prowess at the tourney and win the loyalty of House Marsten and you shall find favour here. These are tumults times, friends are important."


Initiative: Status (Initiative): 5d6+2 17
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: ???
Intrigue Defence: 13
Composure: 4 (12)

Action: [url=Persuade (Charm)][/url]: 6d6k4 19
Results: 4 influence x 3 DoS = 12 - 3 DR = 9

[OOC: tweaking later]

[Baelon Drakeson]

Intrigue (Exchange 2)
Goal: Friendship
Initiative: 3d6 11 (Lady Isobel, Baelon)
Disposition: Amiable (+1 Per, +0 Dec, 3 DR)
Intrigue Defense 8
Composure 2/9
Frustration: 1

"
I will do so, my lady."

Make friends? I'll be doing that anyway.
"
Is there anyone in particular that you would like me to establish relations with?"


Action: [url=Persuade(Charm)][/url]: 6d6k4+3 19 1d6 3 1d6 4 [2 DoS]
Effect: (2 * 4) - 4DR = 4 Influence

OOC: Took 1 point of frustration to reduce Lady I's influence to 6.

[Reader]

"
House Tullison should be natural allies - they too will be pressed by the mountain clans. Our name can lend their youthful vigour credibility. However, we fought on opposite sides recently - Tullison for blood ties to House Blackwood, while we rode with the Seven and House Bracken. Further, any gains we make with House Tullison may cost us with House Coldbrook. There is bad blood there. That politics is a tangled we may be a saying older than Hartshorn, but it does not make it any less true,"


"
House Bartheld may be a safer choice - few turn down the hospitality of the boar, and they may need assistance resolving Brom Bartheld's difficulties."


Initiative: Status (Initiative): 5d6+2 17
Disposition: Indifferent, DR 4
Objective: Service - she'd like Ser Baelon to court Corrine and consider becoming a Marsten - he's just one of many candidates - she likes to have lots of candidates
Intrigue Defence: 13
Composure: 4 (12)

Action: Take 1 Frustration
[url=Persuade (Charm) 1 frustration][/url]: 6d6k3 18
Result: 3 DoS x 4 influence - 3DR =9 influence
If Ser Baelon is defeated, see objective above.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
It shall be my pleasure, my lady. I have spent time at both Hart House and Mountain's Reach, and do not doubt that I can find some support there."

She is formidable indeed. House Marsten would make strong ally for the Princess... and there is no better way to guarantee that support than to be the lord of the house... though it might mean delaying some of my other goals. I have much to think on.

OOC: Dang that was a lucky roll! even one lower and I could have taken enough frustration to stay in one more exchange, which might have been enough to beat her, even at a total of -4D...
Baelon is defeated, and will court Corinne (oh, the horror...) and consider taking the Marsten name should that courtship prove successful.

Baelon will spend a Destiny Point to raise Lady Isobel's disposition by one step.

[Baelon Drakeson]

/scene?

[Reader]

[/scene unless there's anything else quick before day 1 ends? - Lady Isobel's disposition improves to Amiable via the destiny point]

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon bows to Lady Isobel, then exists.
Yes, much to think on. If I were to win Lady Corinne's hand, he could not ignore me - I would at least have to be recognized as the lord of House Marsten. His first wife was a lady of the Vale, as well. On the other hand, I would be tied to Hartshorn for the foreseeable future. And tied to Corrine, as well. She's certainly attractive, but is that enough? I should speak with her, and see if I see her in a new light.

OOC: Reader, if you think there is time enough for it before the end of Day 1, I'd love to use the remainder of this time slot to take an evening stroll with Corinne. Probably with an intrigue for friendship.
If so, I'll move the following text into IC portion of the post.

No time like the present.

Baelon walks from Lady Isobel's tent to Lady Corinne's.

"
Good evening, Steffon."
He says to the guard at her tent. Has Lady Corrine retired for the evening?"

Either way, she can probably hear me... will she answer herself or wait for Steffon to answer?

[Reader]

[OOC: let's save this for Day 2 and make this /scene in the interests of keeping things moving]

[Baelon Drakeson]

OOC Sounds good to me.
/scene

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