Trials at Riverrun - 125/11

[Reader]

Riverrun seems to be prospering in the spring after the long, hard winter.

Lord Gorman Tully sits in judgement of Ser Theomore Tullison for interfering with the royal investigation and Lord Baelon Drakeson for his zealous pursuit of Athelstan Pyke. An overzealous pursuit according to some of Queen Alicent's most fervent supporters, but Ser Jon Roxton himself is present and according to court gossip his hand goes to Orphan-maker's hilt every-time a knight talks against Lord Drakeson. So far, such has been enough to quiet unkind talk.

Ser Theomore seems in a dire predicament - there are rumours he has lost Prince Daemon Targaryen's favour and significant evidence is presented against him. Many treat the talk that he has lost his patron's favour as nonsense - the Prince is not renowned for his patience with those who have displeased him, particularly those who once served him directly. Despite the charges levelled against him, some whispered that Ser Theomore served the blacks better than most others - many a knight would bravely lay down his life for a cause, but fewer would sacrifice their honour. Others named Theomore turn-cloak and pointed to a new benefactor in Prince Aemond himself, but note the grim deeds performed to earn this favour.

Event

Each accused party:
Status (reputation/breeding) TN 14. Failure = -1 influence, -1D to subsequent rolls. 2 DoS = +1B to simple intrigue. 4 DoS = +2B to simple intrigue.
Simple intrigue (any) TN 14 [another house remember other than the accused may make this roll]
- Ability used for simple intrigue will influence Lord Tully's judgement and various NPC reactions. Deception/seduce may have "
interesting"
results here.
- Either accused party may invoke their right to trial by combat. Trial by combat = 3 DoS result, or 4 DoS result if 3 DoS rolled in simple intrigue.

Consequences - use simple intrigue DoS
Ser Theomore +1 to status (reputation/breeding) TN, +3 to simple intrigue TN for evidence arrayed against him.
- Critical Failure/Failure: severe consequences.
- 1 DoS: acquittal, -4 influence, 2 wealth fine payable to Lord Tully.
- 2 DoS: acquittal, -2 influence, 1 wealth fine payable to Lord Tully.
- 3 DoS: acquittal, -1 influence.
- 4 DoS: acquittal, -0 influence. 10xp spent in a fashion negotiated with glorious Narrator.

Lord Drakeson
- Critical Failure/Failure: severe consequences.
- 1 DoS: acquittal, -3 influence, 2 wealth blood price to House Longshore. 1 Wealth to Lord Tully for breaking his peace.
- 2 DoS: acquittal, -1 influence, 1 wealth "
reparations"
to House Longshore. 1 Wealth to Lord Tully for breaking his peace.
- 3 DoS: acquittal, -0 influence.
- 4 DoS: acquittal, -0 influence. 1 Glory. 10xp spent in a fashion negotiated with glorious Narrator.

[Baelon Drakeson]

[RP forthcoming after I contemplate my options.]

OOC:
[url=Trial - Status(Breeding)][/url]: 5d6k4+2 20 vs. TN 14, 2 DoS;
+1B to simple intrigue
[url=Trial - Persuasion(Charm) with bonus die][/url]: 7d6k6+5 27 2#1d6 6 4 ->
[6, 6, 5, 5, 2, 2], 2]+2 = 28 vs. TN 14, 3 DoS;
acquittal, -0 influence.
One shy of 4 DoS....
+5 in roll was a typo, should have been +2.

[Theomore Tullison]

[url=Riverrun-status-rep][/url]: 6d6k4 15 No effects on simple intrigue
[url=Riverrun-simple intrigue+Winning Fist][/url]: 9d6k6+5 37 :mrgreen:

IC awaiting collaboration with some other players having a part in the creation.

Influence was spent on this, Theomore provides Lord Tully and his green court with a show so spectacular that they would have believed his words even if they didn't want to.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Lord Gorman, Lady Alysane, gathered nobles - I stand before you accused of having caused the death of Athelstan Pyke of House Longshore.
This charge is, as I shall soon explain, is utter nonsense - whether the product of a hateful heart or a grief-stricken one, I know not.
Let us review the facts.

Various agents of House Coldbrook, including myself were investigating the damage done to the iron mines above Battle Valley on the authority of the King and found evidence of three things relevant to this case:
First, a large quantity of wildfire had been stored in the Bracken mine, but was no longer there.
Second, wildfire residue and shards of broken wildfire pots had been moved - ineptly - from the Bracken mine to a Blackwood mine. A clear attempt to hinder the King's investigation.
Third, evidence - clothing scraps and such in a style unique to the culture of the iron islands - that an ironborn had been the one who planted the evidence in the Blackwood mine.

Additionally, there were only a dozen Ironborn in the area: the Longshore representatives. Of those, only one was a gods-proven criminal, and only one had openly discussed having been to the mines. That was, of course, Athelstan Pyke. Indeed, he was there the same day that the fore-mentioned evidence was found, pointing out what he had supposedly found in his prior visit to the mines - notably, the planted evidence in the Blackwood mine.

All of this evidence together led me to conclude that Athelstan Pyke was the most likely person to have falsified the evidence - an act of treason to deceive a Royal Investigation, it seems to me, though I am no legal scholar. Regardless, I could not countenance leaving a known kinslayer and likely traitor to the crown to wander freely, continuing to interfere with the investigation. Further, the possibility existed that the Kinslayer had also taken the wildfire from the mines - the potential for death and destruction from having a large quantity of wildfire in the hands of someone who had at times expressed a desire to assault those he blamed for the loss of his eye - myself, Corrine Marsten, my lady wife, no doubt your lordship and your lady wife as well - was not a risk I was prepared to accept.

Thus did I seek to arrest Athelstan Pyke for questioning, on my authority as a royal investigator.

It is true that I did so with twenty highly skilled archers at my back, with threats of violence. Consider though, that the various guards in this room, this castle, and throughout Riverrun are all armed. Simply put, if one expects to be dealing with a violent criminal, one does not arrest them without the threat of force to ensure compliance. To do otherwise is to foolishly risk the criminal once again using violence to escape. It was nothing unusual - it was a commonplace, ordinary arrest of a commonplace, ordinary criminal... except that to Athelstan Pyke, life was not worth living if his deeds were known. He chose to ignore the arrest. He chose to assault Lady Corrine. He chose to admit his wrongdoing, and then he chose to end his own life.

I did not kill Athelstan Pyke. He killed himself. Had it been anyone else making the arrest, it would have ended the same way.

I ask you to consider - if you had been in my position, would you have done anything different? Would you have let him simply walk free, knowing that he might assault you or your loved ones with wildfire at any time? I think not - no sane man or woman would."


Perhaps Baelon's speech moves Lord Gorman. Perhaps the logic of it cannot be denied. Perhaps he simply got lucky that Lord Gorman was in a reasonable mood.

Regardless, what once may have been seen as an opportunity to strike at Baelon's reputation instead merely bolstered it, as he is deemed innocent of the charges by a man whom, under any circumstances that he could, would gladly inflict any punishment he could on the the Black scion.

OOC: [url=Trial Simple Intrigue Lucky][/url]: 7d6k6+2 23 2#1d6 5 6 ->
[6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 3], 2]+2 = 31 vs. TN 14, 4 DoS
Result: acquittal, -0 influence. 1 Glory. 10xp spent in a fashion negotiated with glorious Narrator.

[Theomore Tullison]

Before Ser Theomore Tullison begins to answer the charges laid against him, Yoren Longshore steps forward to speak warmly of his character and honor, of how Theomore was among the few showing any real concern for the second raids of Pennytree as many others seemed to only care about their own glory and interests. And then Lady Ayleth Bartheld steps forth, vouching for Ser Theomore's gentle soul and gallant nature, her husband, Lord Davain is undertaking a mission with the noble Ser Jorah Holt and others to rescue Lady Lily Daleford from kidnappers, but he would have wanted to be here to convey these words in person.

It is however clear enough that the lady is speaking as much for herself, if not more, as she does for her husband, but never once challenging the conventions that most assembled holds dear, stating her belief that Ser Theomore could not possibly have done what he has been charged with, and that there obviously must be some sort of mistake, for surely, none could be so wicked as to falsify such accusations? Politically astute and positively enchanting, the young Lady Bartheld might as well have won half the battle for Ser Theomore before he has uttered a single word. Though those present with good memories and ears might suspect that the respect, bordering on caution, that Lady Ayleth is afforded by Lord and Lady Tully might have something to do with the many visitors of high renown that called upon Lord Davain's pavilion during the tourney a year ago. Fewer still among them having much notion of why the good Queen Alicent showed the young lord such favor, only that she did. And that is more than enough to heed the words of the good lady.

After such introductions, Ser Theomore comes forth to address Lord Gormon and his court as the very image of a humble and pious knight, his courtesies flowing like velvet. Claiming that he will uncovering the truth behind these unfortunate circumstances that have lead to this sad situation. Piece by piece, rumor by rumor, witness by witness, he calmly and confidently explains the truth of his actions as he presents it, and how he imagines that it might have been possible to reach such conclusions that would lead to accusations, indeed grave enough that a hearing is called for, something witnesses can attest to him not objecting in the slightest from the day someone brought them to light.

A key piece of evidence is a letter from Lord Haigh Bracken, speaking highly of Theomore's dedication to restoring peace and his honorable conduct when uncovering the crimes of Ser Humphrey Piper, the letter also serves well in clearing up one of the main suspicions levied against Ser Theomore, many in Lord Tully's court nods in agreement at the assertion that Lord Haigh would neither sanction nor forgive his own troops to prey upon merchants, whether on his own lands or that of others, and that he certainly would not wish to cover up such acts. That a man such as Lord Bracken would go to such lengths as to support a knight that had fought beneath the banner of Raventree not too many years ago seems to do much and more to affirm among those assembled that Ser Theomore must be an honorable man.

Soon after Lord Bracken's letter have been read, Ser Walton Dulver stands forward to deliver another, this time from septon Arlyn, apparently a confidant of Theomore on behalf of the seven, the septon writes that like all men, Ser Theomore has his flaws, but that he struggles to do the right thing and to correct his mistakes as a good man should. And as he knows the truth of Ser Theomore's actions, he can confirm that they are not in violation of the king's laws, and that he was convinced that the good knight would seek and -given time and peace- find atonement for such mistakes that he has made. Ser Walton conveys that the septon had wished to be here in person, but he took it upon himself to follow the trail of the bandits before it grew even colder. He would also take the opportunity to vouch for Ser Theomore's courage, loyalty and sense of duty, as demonstrated in defense of the people of Battle Valley together with the forces of House Dulver. Theomore thanks Ser Walton, and states that he would have been with the septon, had these charges not have been brought against him, forcing him to present himself here, though the good septon was crafty and may yet succeed without assistance.

And so it goes, the memories of the good septon's passionate speech at Ser Benjen's trial are brought back in the minds of many, and the good work he has done with his orphanage has not gone unnoticed either, when even Lord Jason Lannister saw fit to contribute -and have his name associated with it-, septon Arlyn's words carry great weight, heads nodding at each word spoken in Ser Theomore's defense, it would seem as if has already convinced the crowd before his final summary. The astute observer might even suspect that the eyes of Lady Alysanne and Ser Theomore meets for a brief moment as Ser Walton finds his seat, whatever silent message exchanged between them hard to figure out, perhaps a confirmation that he had done all he needed to sway the crowd to back the judgement Lord Tully would like to pass.

Some among those assembled, sensing that the political winds that lead Ironrod to move the trial to Riverrun might lead to revelations of more scandal concerning those who would dispute Prince Aegon's rightful place as his father's heir beyond such tales as already was circulating, may perhaps be slightly disappointed as neither Theomore or the witnesses he calls mentions such things with a word. Instead, he comments that given the circumstances, it was no small wonder that the houses assembled under the king's banner managed to write a treaty worthy of the royal seal, and thus a failure to communicate and other misunderstandings lead to a trial, and Theomore allows himself to repeat that such grave suspicions as was levied upon his person must either be confirmed or dispelled in a proper hearing. Hopefully, with the father's assistance, Ser Theomore has been able to clear the fog of the unknown to reveal the truth for Lord Tully to be able to give sound and proper judgement in the name of the King.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Is that the actual verdict, or does the case for the prosecution, as it were, give evidence too? Sorry, I'm finding it a bit unclear.]

[Theomore Tullison]

[As I recall, there was some sort of evidence that reader could list up if desired, I am actually a bit curious as to what it might be myself, but he had enough to do and I didn't need to know the list to write this stuff, verdict is determined as per dice roll, so it's basically just me (with input and/or approval from reader+some PC's involved in the text) wrapping IC around it.]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[Thanks for clarifying.]

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