Of hammers and halberds (before market town, after arrests/)

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn approaches the bloody gate. He has booked passage from the sea snakes lair to maiden pool. But after the time at sea was more then glad to be back on solid ground. One that was not liable to pitch and roll under his simply sandaled feet. The had left the majority of his belongings back at the holdings of Lord Dulver, still trusting in his voice and weight of his authority to keep in safe in the civilized lands.

But not here.

The Septon had arranged for his gift from Ser Kevan to be delivered to his father's holdings in Maidenpool. He stopped their briefly, but his father and brothers barely recognized the man the Septon had become, for he was visiting them as the Septon of House Dulver. His elder brother was gone while he was there, and he might have been the only one to recognize who this strange fat Septon from Dulver was. Surely some of the small folk recognized him. But they could scarcely believe that the somber solemn child was the same as the boisterous Septon who stood before them.

That lead the Septon to where he was now. Sitting at the bloody gate, waiting to be let through to make the trek to house Marstens lands.

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn leaves the bustling center of Markets= Towns heart, Glad to be done with the place. He travels with Luecian and Tymon, there path being slowed by the Septons insistence of bringing grain stuffs from the market and distributing it to the Crofters hovels they passed. Eventally they made their way to Lady Marstens lands, and see the construction of a new tower being built. May the tower watch over Lord and Ladies Marstens Smallfolk, and keep them safe from the clans by giving them warning to run to shelter. Septon Arlyn made the sign of the seven as the old wagon creeked up along the rocky path, jostling the large Septon from time to time.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Hartshorn, while not nearly as lofty an edifice as The Eyrie, still managed to look respectably imposing as it loomed over the rocky river valley and woodland below, the winding path up from Hartsbridge allowing the Septon to view several sides of the stalwart keep and high, thick outer walls that had held the Marsten ancestral home in safety for generations, watched over by three modest towers, atop each bright blue flags bearing the Marsten argent lightning bolt.

The Septon and his companions were admitted through the gates swiftly, and they were led through the open courtyard, their mounts taken to the stables, and were then met by the steward, who brought them to the great hall, summoning a servant to bring bread, salt, and refreshments.

Lady Marsten was already in the hall, having been informed of their approach. She was elegant as ever in a dove grey and emerald green gown, her hands folded politely in front of her. She offered the Septon, Luecian, and Tymon a warm smile.

"
Septon, Luecian, my lord Tymon,"
she greeted them cheerily. "
Welcome to Hartshorn. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

[Septon Arlyn]

"
It was well my Lady, for these too young lads looked intimidating enough to scare off any of the mountain clan, and your bringing peace to the region has certainly helped with that. It appears that we were not the only cart on the road, for there were places it was necessary to pull to the side of the path to let others pass by us. A good sign indeed."
Septon Arlyn states admiringly. She certainly has done well. But between birthing two children and running this house she must be exhausted. The maid certainly appears to have blessed her with her mother's beauty, and her the father with her mother's will.

"
It looks like you have been well, and the rumors along the road state that there is another Marsten to the brood?"


Septon Arlyn takes the bread and salt, gesturing for Tymon and Luecian to do the same.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine beams with a joy she can barely restrain, taking the bread and salt with the Septon.

"
Two, in fact. Twin boys,"
she replied, after taking the salt oath. "
The Mother has truly blessed my House."


Once all had taken bread &
salt, she gestured for them to sit at the head table, upon which servants were laying a few trays of food and ewers of wine. Bread, cheese, cold cuts of meat, and orchard fruits were laid out simply but appealingly.

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn sits at the table the fare of the small folk, while prepared in a way to nourish your body, fails to capture the simple sweetness of good fruit. Septon Arlyn waits for his host to grab a pear, he tests the firmness of the fruit as he speaks, pleased the slight give the flesh gives be beneath his grasp.

"
Indeed a blessing for sure."
Septon Arlyn smiles at Lady Corrine. "
Hopefully the blessings of House will rub off on us in our search."
Septon Arlyn's tone shifts slightly, "
so I see there appears to be a new Grove of trees. Are you still a follower of the faith?"
His tone was that of a concerned parent, but not harsh like one would expect of Lady Isobel's voice, or those less tolerant in the faith.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine finished her bite of pear, and gave a slight, almost shy smile.

"
I am still very much a follower of the Seven,"
she explained. "
I wanted to honour my lord husband by planting a godswood. We keep both sets of Gods, and wanted to raise our children the same, to learn and appreciate both halves of their heritage. The saplings were a wedding gift from Lord Daveth Coldbrook. The heart tree is yet small, but the godswood is already a pleasant place of contemplation &
peace for people of any and no faith."


Her fingers lightly and absently felt the grainy skin of the pear as she spoke.

"
But, the Seven will always be my primary faith. I would be glad to show you the godswood later, if you like. Once whatever business we have is concluded."

[Benedict Marsten]

A tumult of sounds interrupt the small group. A creaking door, bustling clothing and the clap of heavy boots. From somewhere behind his lady wife Ben appears. His hands still hastily fastening the green cloak, his wife had laid out for him, about his collar.

"
My apologies, my Lady."
He places a kiss upon his wife's cheek.

"
Septon, Ser Tymon, Luecian, do forgive my tardiness. My morning has consisted of chasing down leads on a bit of bandit business."
A quick bow is bestowed to each guest and he waves them all to remain seated in return.

"
I hope all is well with house Dulver."
Ben slides into the seat next to Corrine. Relieved that Arlyn had not brought Walton. Corrine and Walton had not left the treaty on very good terms.

[Septon Arlyn]

A tumult of sounds interrupt the small group. A creaking door, bustling clothing and the clap of heavy boots. From somewhere behind his lady wife Ben appears. His hands still hastily fastening the green cloak, his wife had laid out for him, about his collar.

"
My apologies, my Lady."
He places a kiss upon his wife's cheek.

"
Septon, Ser Tymon, Luecian, do forgive my tardiness. My morning has consisted of chasing down leads on a bit of bandit business."
A quick bow is bestowed to each guest and he waves them all to remain seated in return.

"
I hope all is well with house Dulver."
Ben slides into the seat next to Corrine. Relieved that Arlyn had not brought Walton. Corrine and Walton had not left the treaty on very good terms.

Septon Arlyn Smiles at Lord Marsten, "
Good day my lord, It appears you have been quite busy this morning, so tardiness is expected."
A concerned look graces the Septon countenance, "
Having trouble with bandits? But I thought the mountain clans where all subdued last year, and had joined in with your populace. Have you had an increase in bandits recently?"
inquires the Septon.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
These are separate, alas. The clansfolk have integrated better than expected, though there was an increase in outbreaks of illness for a while. Green fever was a problem. Thankfully, it did not last overly long. The bandits have been more recent. My lord husband and our soldiers have been keeping them ably at bay, but the increase in such things all over are concerning. Perhaps people sense the unrest brewing further South."

[Luecian LongBow]

Luecian followed the conversation dutifully and offered his humble congratulations when the news of the new twin boys was shared. He followed along as the Septon and Lady Marsten conversed but his mind drifted from time to time. He was here in assistance of the Septon's errand with the bonus of seeing some new lands and perhaps a chance to explore a bit. He had enjoyed his recent travels with Ser Tymon as they visited Lords and Ladies from the Riverlands, Westerlands, King's Landing and now the Mountains of the Moon. Seen well more of the world this past year than the whole rest of me years combined and then a big some extra even. Them cities have their perks but for meself I'll take a good hill or mountain side to roam on most days.

The huntsman is pulled from his thoughts by the noise and Lord Marsten's entrance. He smiled at the Lord's entrance and frowned at the later mention of bandits troubling the Marsten lands. He interjects into the conversation with one of his more serious looks.

"
M'Lord, M'lady if it be of any help at all, me own eyes and bow be at yer call to help track or deal with any bandits that do dare to trouble ya. While meself be your humble guest, be more than willing to lend a hand as I can. Knowin bandits be far too bold lately for me own tastes."

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn appears troubled for a moment "
I'll Prick your belly, and see then who the gods want dead!"
a phantom voice calls from the past a twinge of pain from the Septons side, leaving as quickly as it arrives. "
Well I am certainly glad that I have such an able escort then."
A nervous chuckle and smile escape from the Septon, which he smooths over with a rolling laugh and transition into a different line of question "
Well let us discuss what we know about the location. Do you happen to have any detailed maps of the river north of your lands?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Your offer is very much appreciated, Luecian. We may take you up on that. As I recall, your tracking abilities are exceptional, and well-timed,"
Corrine replies, hinting at the hunt in the Riverlands, where Luecian saved her from an attacking shadowcat.

"
As for maps, Septon, this is the best one we have of that area. Maester Ronnel was able to find it for us."


She gestures to a waiting servant, who clears a space on the table, and the map is laid down before the Septon.

[ooc: Do I need to do anything to determine the map's characteristics?]

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Thank you Luecian, but at the moment they have gone underground. We have a man for that though."
Ben smiles cheerfully at the gathered group. Making his way to the map he gingerly strokes the edges of the parchment as he studies the area. "
Where are we headed Septon?"
Ben was glad to see it was a map of small detail. Not that he thought the Septon or Hunter would being gathering Intel on Hartshorn, but little was known of the Lannister and guardsmen were always out to make extra coin.

[Septon Arlyn]

The Septon looks to Corrine and Ben, “Thank you for having this ready.” The Septon then brings out a dark brown satchel and unloosed the leather fasteners the black claw stitched to the bag, revealing its contents of various scrolls and papers. Septon Arlyn reaches his into the bag with his meaty hand and pulls out a scroll that bound with a leather binding and the appearance of waxy texture. As he does so he begins to explain his tone taking on a whimsical quality as he gives the origin story, “The Smiths Hammer was an object that was brought over in the second wave of the Andal invasions.” Septon Arlyn unrolls the scroll carefully the yellowed parchment wrinkling slightly. “I found this in the citadel, in a corner not oft disturbed by scholars of the citadel, as most find the idea of a hammer touched by a god to be pure fantasy, and the tales of a single hero, Randar Torrent, holding off a tribe of the first men with naught but a hammer touched by one of the Gods, does sound incredible, until you realize, from this document.

Septon Alyn pulls out another book this one appears older then the scroll, as he fingers through the book until about midsection and filps the pages open carefully, so as not to bend the pages so that they would not break, “here in this smudge is the name of an Andal Chieftain a sub commander of a lesser king, who called his men the smiths hammer, now they were sent out on a scouting mission with some Septons, who were walking among the First Men and spreading the truth of the seven. The Septon gestures to the scroll. This is the writing of the Septon Ronas, who survived the mission, but was thought to be half mad with hunger and thirst by the time he was found. But his ranting where recorded, and after the First men in the area were subdued and brought to the light of the seven, they, in penitence for harming so many of the faith, built a Sept of remembrance in the valley, and it was called the Sept of the Smiths Hammer.

“Septon Arlyn pulls yet another history book, this one appearing to be much newer then these ancient tomes. “This tome recalls the three tragedies of a Sept on the conflux of two rivers overlooked by twin valleys.” Septon Arlyn points to a place on the map, where two streams converge after their smaller tributaries cut through two dividing valleys, on the map provided by the Maester, it lists the peak of the mountain as The Falcons Gauntlet. “Now in a time before the Arryns had fully conquered the vale and the Marstens had come to claim these fine lands you now hold from your father’s name,” Septon Arlyn smiles at Lady Corrine, a tact acknowledgement of her rule of her house, and not her Lord Husband. The Septon Continues “This mountain was known as the Smiths Anvil for its flat top, which is now taken to be a fist calling for the Hawk of House Arryn,” Septon Arlyn unrolls the first scroll further, showing a crudely drawn map, but with certain features remaining the same, enough to clearly identify it as the same area, but at the top of the mountain was labeled “Smiths Anvil”

Septon Arlyn looks to those gathered in attendance, “Do you wish to hear about how the Smiths Hammer went from a group of men to an object?” asks Septon Arlyn


(Those raised in House Marsten can make a knowledge history check at TN 9 for more information on the mountain, Those outside the house can make a knowledge history TN 18 for more information on this. The Septon is assumed to have failed this test)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[url=Knowledge][/url]: 3d6 10

"
The tale is somewhat familiar. Do go on, Septon."

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn smiles, “remember how I mentioned you about the three curses, well. The reason why is due to brotherly betrayal.” Septon Arlyn clears his throat. “In a time long ago, Septons and the High Septon would not choose to lose their family name, nor their given name. After the crone, in her wisdom and spoke to the High Septon, as she saw how family could be used to manipulate the faith in supporting unworthy causes. Thus as a man becomes a Septon, he loses his family name, and the High Septon loses his given and his family name.”

“Not all men are as able to forget their family, and this is the case of the High Septon during the time of the Second invasion. “Septon Arlyn pauses, gathering his thoughts before moving forward. “See, the High Septons came from the Most Devoted Darrik, Who came from the region of Androlos known for the rapid headwaters of the Rhoyne.”

Pulling out a list of heraldry, the title reading Heraldry from the time of the conquests, Septon Arlyn sets the heavy tome on the table. This one appears much newer, and there is a copper seven pointed star inlaid on the cover. Grabbing a ribbon towards the back of the book he uses it to help separate the pages. As the Septon does this he explains, “This process of Septons and High Septons leaving behind their names makes it difficult to track them and differentiate their family houses. However this Most Devoted Darrik has a song credited to his name, “Seven Songs from river” referring to his time traveling from the Velvety Hills of Andalos to the Vale.

"
Here,"
states the Septon, his thick finger pointing at paragraph on the page, using it to guide his reading he reads “and from the valley of the smith the Lord Torrent, who had three sons, the eldest, being born of his first wife, was known as Jon Torrent, his two younger sons from his second wife were Randar and Darrik.” Septon Arlyn looks to each face in the room, giving each a moment to process this revelation.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's eyes followed the Septon's directions, gazing over the pages with great curiosity. She lets the words sink in a few moments before speaking in a voice hushed with wonder.

"
So... he came here. Or nearabouts, at least. How obscure is this chronicle? If the song is known, others may already have searched for the site. Though, I know not of any Marstens who did so."

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn smiled, “Very astute observation my Lady. In fact there has been some searching for the smiths hammer.” Septon Arlyn gently grabbed the history book then opens the history book to another section of the book marked with another thin black ribbon. “This is from the Secton regarding the Faith and the second invasion of the Andals.” Explains Septon Arlyn,

Then he reads "
for this Sept of the Hammer was destroyed twice within 5 years, once by fire, and once by flood."


"
After the flood there is no further account of the Sept of the hammer so the author of this book assumed that the hammer was lost to time."
Septon Arlyn smiles, "
But the Author of this book did not have to spend hours re-transcribing old sayings and writings of ancient Septons. During my time as an alcolyte in the Starry Sept of Oldtown I was tasked with the preservation of such documents, and the name Septon Ronas? Well during my time as copying the words, they seemed like nonsense to me at the time, but with some new context I was able too piece together."


Septon Arlyn grabs the last scroll from his bag and sets it onto the table, dropping the brown leather bag onto the floor next to the sandals on his feet. This parchment appears to be much newer, and as the Septon unrolls the scroll people who can read can recognize Septon Arlyn's handwriting. "
This is some of the writings that I transcribed from Septon Ronas, I will explain what I think they mean after reading them off to you;


The Madiens lips, pure and joyful,
Whispered secrets to my ear,
careful of the Fathers justice
For he will cleanse the wicked with fire,
for the curse of abandoning the faith for family
Their sins will be purified with water,

But do not worry little children,
For I will keep you safe,
under the stony gaze of the seven
will be your hiding place"


Septon Arlyn gives a moment then states, "
I think that Septon Ronas hid the hammer."
Septon Arlyn then continues, "
anyways but I told you I would tell you more about the hammers origin, and how it ended up in this Sept of the Hammer, and that my lords and ladies, is where the curse gets involved. "


"
For there is a cautionary tale told regularly in the Dormitories of the Starry Sept, Similar to the tale of the Rat Cook, regarding the dangers of putting family before faith. I always assumed it was just a legend, until I started researching this. I believe that this tale is based on this High Septon, and his brother, Randar Torrent. For the tale states that a member of the clergy, Mourning the death of his brother, decided to honor his memory with a Sept. The Father, displeased by this action, cursed the Sept to be destroyed 3 times, once by fire, once by flood, and once by man. I think that this would line up well, For the Smiths hammer was destroyed at the place where the Sept of the smiths hammer would be, Followed by the destruction of fire, then the final destruction of the flood."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I see. And then what? Would the curse be lifted after fulfilling its words?"

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn rolls his, "
My Lady, prophecy is oft applied and misread by the wisest of kings and Septons. I am merely a servant of The Seven, but I would feel as confident as any person in stating that this would likely be a curse fulfilled."


You know better then most that the Gods are real, pandering to the skeptics is not the noble course. Do not pretend that you are a mere man, or that the curse is not fulfilled.

[url=deception, Hammers and Halberds][/url]: 3d6k2 7

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: should I be rolling empathy?]

[Baelon Drakeson]

[OOC: Bluff is a "
conflict test"
, so it is against your passive awareness(empathy). Unless you have Awareness 1, the Septon failed.]

[Septon Arlyn]

(so you know the Septon is lying)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's eyes turned to the Septon with suspicion. He sounded... off. There were hesitations in his speech, and his eyes seemed distracted. Was he deceiving her? If so, to what end? He was part of House Dulver, known historically for their love of gold and known for self-interest. But this clashed with her prior knowledge of him as a decent and pious man of the Faith.

Septon, I detect that you are not being honest with me. If we are to work together on this matter, I require transparency from you,"
she said, gently, though her eyes remained wary.

"
Tell me the truth."

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