Re: [D2, MM] Day After the Night Before (Open-ish to Men)

[Leifnarr Longshore]

Leifnarr answers with a cold voice, betraying no emotion.
"
No need for you to pursue Yoren's cause with your words, young boy.
Family is one of the few things I care about, and I'm prideful of all my nephews, even if they all have different skills and passions.
And I'm prideful even those who remain more fixed to our traditions....
And we all know that it's not jousting that makes a house survive or triumph."




Objective: Service (Convince Nathan that Leiffnar's opinion cannot be easily manipulated, since his will is iron! And he is the most powerful of all the Longshore!)
Technique: Convince
[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 4d6 19
Influence: 3 Dos = 3 x 3 = 9 - 4 dr= your composure must suffer 5 pts of influence...are you at Composure 4?

Disposition: Indifferent (DR 4)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 9-2 = 7

Now we go to "
Repeat"
phase which brings us back to STep 2 and then to Step 5 "
Initiative"
, right? (Core rules p.150)

If so, here my new Initiative roll:
[url=Status (Reputation)][/url]: 5d6k4 18

[Nathaniel Mason]

Now we go to "
Repeat"
phase which brings us back to STep 2 and then to Step 5 "
Initiative"
, right? (Core rules p.150)

If so, here my new Initiative roll:
[url=Status (Reputation)][/url]: 5d6k4 18

[OCC: I have the Quality Eloquent, so I would go first in the round unless you had Eloquent as well, or if we were speaking a language that I do not have at least a rank 4 in.]

"
I am sorry, Leifnarr, I meant no offense."
replies Nathan with genuine concern. "
The traditions of the Ironborn have a long history. I only meant that your nephew's... nontraditional outlooks may be of great use to you when dealing with those of the Riverlands."


Objective: Service
Disposition: Indifferent (DR 4)
Initiative: Eloquent
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 4 (9)

Action: [url=Leifnarr-Exchange2-Convince][/url]: 5d6k4 [url=BoA][/url] 17

2 DoS 6 -4 = 2 Composure.

[Leifnarr Longshore]

OOC:
On initiative: OK! No problem.
Do not know why, but I thought that "
eloquent"
was applied only to the 1st round!
But you are right.

IC:
The ironborn smiles as he says:
"
No offense is taken.
Yoren will find his own way to serve the house."


Leifnarr then indicates a few of his scars:
"
But, as these small friends of mine attest, I never needed jousting to bring honour to my house, neither did Lord Ferris, my brother and Yoren's father.
And maybe, that we have survived thus far in the Mainland after Harren's fall, while all of other Ironbon houses fell...
...and even without jousting (!!).. sounds like a miracle, isn'it?"


The tone of Leifnar''s turns to an ironic mood, but with something friendly in it.
There is no apparent sense of hate or opposition, just a matter of attesting that he is an older man with an iron will.
He is certainly not the next Longshore heir, neither the House Head.
An habit to Leaderhip, that's what maybe is in this man and which directs his behaviour...

But, nevertheless, this Leifnarr is very odd.
From a first look, he does not seem fit to play the politician or the schemer role.
And he is definitively less prone to friendly chattering than Yoren is ... especially if one believes all the stories on the atrocities Leifnarr should have done in Dorne and Essos...
However, one is tempted to wonder why a rough man like this, with a reputation like the one he has, is here speaking with a man like Nathaniel, in such a friendly way.
The giant evil man of the stories should have just sent Nathaniel away, maybe with a broken nose and lacking one or two teeth ... but not this man.

Certainly Leifnarr wants to show his resistance to any manipulation, but one would not have expected such a friendly mood ....

OOC:
Objective: Service
Disposition: Indifferent (DR 4)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 5 (it was 9 -2, and then -2 again)

Action:
[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 4d6 16
2 Dos, 3x2 = 6 Influence -4 dr = you should suffer -2 Composure (you are at 2?).

[Nathaniel Mason]

2 Dos, 3x2 = 6 Influence -4 dr = you should suffer -2 Composure (you are at 2?).

[OOC: You are correct Sir! ]

Nathan smiled with a little relief. The last thing he wanted was to insult Yoren's kinsman. "
You are right. Yoren will follow his own path, and that is a good thing in my opinion. I cannot speak for the Iron Isles, but in the Riverlands, most do what is expected of them rather than striking out boldly on their own. I like Yoren and I admire boldness."


"
Your scars speak well of you. They speak of a man who is unafraid to risk himself in the pursuit of his goals. In that way you are a much braver man that I. I would not call myself a coward, but generally I seek friendship rather than conflict. A good conversation... even a good argument is what I crave,"
Nathan grins, "
especially if done over a good meal."
then his smile turn wry. "
Of course that's probably not a surprise the way I can chatter on sometimes. I did that with Yoren too. He was very tolerant, as you are being."


Objective: Service
Disposition: Indifferent (DR 4)
Initiative: Eloquent
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 2 (9)

Action: [url=Leifnarr-Exchange3-Convince][/url]: 5d6k4 [url=BoA][/url] 21

3 DoS (9 -4 = 5 Composure)

[OOC: That would bring you to 0 composure. You have a couple of options.

1. You could simply choose to be Defeated in the Intrigue. If you choose to be defeated, the only service would be an increase in Disposition toward Yoren by +1. In this case, there is no other narrative or mechanical requirement.
2. You could take a point of Frustration which would reduce the composure damage by your Will for each point taken. You seem to have a will of 3, so that would mean you could take a point of Frustration and reduce the damage from 5 to 2. Each point of Frustration reduces your Persuasion/Deception test by -1D. It should be noted that minor character NCs (inkeepers, guards, wenches, etc.) cannot take Frustration, so when you are Intriguing them, you can often do so with impunity.

[Leifnarr Longshore]

2. You could take a point of Frustration which would reduce the composure damage by your Will for each point taken. You seem to have a will of 3, so that would mean you could take a point of Frustration and reduce the damage from 5 to 2. Each point of Frustration reduces your Persuasion/Deception test by -1D. It should be noted that minor character NCs (inkeepers, guards, wenches, etc.) cannot take Frustration, so when you are Intriguing them, you can often do so with impunity.

OOC: well...Frustration is only for this Intrigue since Frustration will disappear at the end of it (Core rules p.150).
Otherwise I would not do it (I need good persuasion today...)
But I'm not aware of any hosue rule about longer-lasting Frustration;
isn'it one?

After all we are not fighting about anything serious and I could let it go....but I decided to go since Leifnarr really does not like to be manipulated (even if it was for his dear nephew'goodness!!).
PS: I admit that this is pointless, since Yoren's acid tongue can easily nullify Leifnarr' +1Disposition...but it's just that "
Resist &
Endure"
is the keyword for Leifnarr's character, even if it is for nothing!

IC:
Some small degree of frustration seems to appear in Leifnarr's eyes, like he is bothered by all these reference to Yoren's qualities ... but he keeps a good mood and manner with Nathaniel..

"
Words are words, and we Ironlanders are not so much fond of them.
I look for the days when Yoren will prove his goodness with facts.
And I'll be happiest Longshore in riverlands when he'll do so.

In any case, regarding the goodness of speaking over a good meal...I think that's something on which both of our peoples agree!"


OOC:
Objective: Service
Disposition: Indifferent (DR 4)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 2
Frustration 1 (-1D in Persuasion)

Action:
[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 3d6 15
2DoS = 6 inf -4 DR = -2 to your Composure, unless you too want to take Frustration!

[Nathaniel Mason]

OOC: well...Frustration is only for this Intrigue since Frustration will disappear at the end of it (Core rules p.150).
Otherwise I would not do it (I need good persuasion today...)
But I'm not aware of any hosue rule about longer-lasting Frustration;
isn'it one?

All Frustraition is removed at the end of an Intrigue, and Composure returns to normal.

After all we are not fighting about anything serious and I could let it go....but I decided to go since Leifnarr really does not like to be manipulated (even if it was for his dear nephew'goodness!!).
PS: I admit that this is pointless, since Yoren's acid tongue can easily nullify Leifnarr' +1Disposition...but it's just that "
Resist &
Endure"
is the keyword for Leifnarr's character, even if it is for nothing!

Narratively, Nathan would probably not take frustration at this point. If his defeat in the intrigue simply means that 'Leifnarr is not a pushover' then he would probably shrug and figure he did his best for Yoren. He also would not wish to risk antagonizing Leifnarr. However, since we are just exploring the Intrigue system and the stakes are fairly minor, I'll continue.

Action:
[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 3d6 15
2DoS = 6 inf -4 DR = -2 to your Composure, unless you too want to take Frustration!

This is actually incorrect. You get to roll your full dice, you just must take away the penalty dice. In future you would roll 4d6k3 rather than 3d6. You still got a very good roll, so I wouldn't reroll this, but you should remember for next time. I will show you on mine.]

"
You're right of course."
smiles Nathan. "
Actions speak louder than words, and I am sure all within House Longshore will speak very loudly with their actions."


Nathan evolves his Disposition to Amiable. Leifnarr has been more receptive than Nathan might have thought, and he obviously cares for Yoren and those in his House... in his own way.

Objective: Service
Disposition: Amiable (DR 3, +1 Per)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 2 (9)
Frustration 1 (-1D in Persuasion/Deception)

Note that Frustration reduces incoming damage, it doesn't heal you. My Will is 3, you did 2 points of damage to me. I negate it with a point of Frustration but I don't get that last point back.

Action: [url=Leifnarr-Exchange4-Convince][/url]: 5d6k3 [url=BoA][/url] +1 15

2 DoS (6 -4 = 2 Composure)

So.. if you take a second point of Frustration (which I expect you will) Your roll in Orokos would be 4d6k2

[Leifnarr Longshore]

OOC:
Thank you for the disposition! You are a great schemer!
I would have changed the disposition to Dislike since Leifnarr starts to wonder why all of this attention on Yoren...but you influenced me by 2 pts last round...so I cannot change disposition.

IC:
A troubled expression in Leifnarr's forehead seems to say: "
This one is more girl than proper man but, in this kind of battlefield, he is more tenacious than a bear!
What about that "
...all within House Longshore...."
? Is he still speaking of Yoren?
Yoren certainly has skills, although is a weird Ironborn... But what plot is behind all of this Yoren-supporting action?

All these troubled thoughts went through Leifnarr's mind as he replies, trying to divert the attention:

"
I guess you did not came here just for watching Yoren's attempt at jousting: do you support some other cavalrymen, other than my nephew?"


OOC:
Objective: Service
Disposition: Indifferent
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 2
Frustration 2 (-2D in Persuasion)

[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 4d6k2 12 +1 (disposition) = 13

1 Dos
Influence: 3-3 = 0!! (You are definitvely winning!!)

[Nathaniel Mason]

[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 4d6k2 12 +1 (disposition) = 13

[OOC: Why the +1 to Disposition? Did he switch to Amiable when I wasn't looking? ]

Nathan gives a pleasant and disarming laugh. "
I have no favorites in the joust. I expect Yoren will do well. He has the size and the stamina for it, and the tenaciousness that all Ironborn are known for, but I expect he will have some strong competition in House Tullison and Coldbrook. I live on House Bartheld lands. I'd like to say that we have participants that will do well. but I am not aware of any strong contenders in the household. Perhaps one of the many guests of the Barthelds will enter on their behalf."


Objective: Service
Disposition: Amiable (DR 3, +1 Per)
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 2 (9)
Frustration 1 (-1D in Persuasion/Deception)

Action: [url=Leifnarr-Exchange5-Convince][/url] [url=BoA][/url] +1 14

2DoS (6 -4 =2 Composure)

[Leifnarr Longshore]

OOC:
You are Friendly so You give me +1 to my Persuasion....although it was useless!
By the way: enough of it!
You won...although, as I said before, Yoren is such a wild card that sooner or later he will spoil your success and make Leifnarr angry....but today he still loves his nephew.
viewtopic.php?f=87&
t=383

Leifnarr seems to finally sincerously appreciate Nathaniel's words:

"
You are right. If there is one Ironborn quality that Yoren has, it is to be tenacious...."


The huge Ironborn seems to stop sometimes, like he is meditating on what he has just said, just like he was finally realizing that (at least!) there was a virtue that he truly liked in Yoren...

"
So, you live under the Barthelds. Are you at their service? And regarding their guests, I am sorry but I dis not met any of them yet. "

[Nathaniel Mason]

OOC:
You are Friendly so You give me +1 to my Persuasion....although it was useless!

[OOC: Your disposition modifies your roll, not your opponent disposition.

So if I was Affectionate towards you, my Dispostion would give me a DR1, a -2 Deception modifier and a +5 Persuasion modifier towards you.
(It's easier to persuade people we like because we care more, and harder to lie to people we like.)

If your disposition was Malicious towards me, it would give you a DR7, a +3 Deception modifier and a -6 Persuasion modifier towards me.
(It's easier to lie to people we hate, but harder to persuade and hide your contempt. That's why Qualities that reduce Persuasion penalties are good. You can hate the person, gain the high DR but you can still pretend you like them and still use Persuasion effectively.]

"
I try to be at their service, but I do not work for their household. I work for the Rutting Boar as an entertainer. The Barthelds are very hospitable to all that visit their lands, but sometimes there are those who visit that seek more than just a good meal and a warm bed. It's my job to see that all who come to the Boar leave satisfied. Sometimes that means good drink and good conversation. Sometimes that means an agreeable companion for the night. Sometimes that means... more. The last group of Ironborn that visited had an axe throwing contest with me as the target. Luckily for me, their thirst for Highgarden Ale was better than their aim."


"
As far as guests of the Barthelds, there are usually one or two about, but I don't know who. The Barthelds tend to be generous. I could find out for you if you like?"

[Leifnarr Longshore]

OOC:
You are Friendly so You give me +1 to my Persuasion....although it was useless!

[OOC: Your disposition modifies your roll, not your opponent disposition.

OOC: a bit out of topic:
I must confess that I tend to get confused by this thing...so If I want to Intimidate you the best disposition that I can have to Persuasion (Intimidate) you is Affectionate (+5)?
This is senseless....but you look to be more expert than me in this, so OK.

And this is even more senseless regarding Deception!
If my Disposition is MAlicious...how CAN I HAVE A +3 on Decepting you?
You will see me that I am MALICIOUS and therefore you'll never believe me!
So Dispositions are not about the mood that you show?

HOWEVER, I feel that it all is due to 2 things:
1) I'm relatively new to this game and English is not my first language
2) I believed that Disposition was what you SHOW, not what you ARE....but it looks like I was wrong!!

OK, I believe you, your interpretation looks more official than mine.

IC:

"
I understand. And I'm not particularly interested in Barthelds' guests, unless they are interested in me or my house.
Maybe I'll meet them later on, in the Great Hall, in front of royalties.
Great stuff is about to happen there, and everybody in this castle seems to be anxious about it."

[Nathaniel Mason]

So Dispositions are not about the mood that you show?

[OCC: No... In fact you need to do a Read Target action to even learn your opponents true disposition, and qualities like Courteous help you hide your true disposition.

To use your Persuasion (Intimidate) example, have you ever been browbeaten into doing something you don't want to do by your wife or girlfriend? Would it be more or less effective than if it came from someone you just met?]

"
Yes, there is a great deal of politics happening behind the scenes at this tourney. With both the Queen and the Princess here, there is a great deal of maneuvering for position. All the Houses have ambitions and seek to further their goals. There are many sharp knives behind all the soft words and cordial smiles. I am quite happy to be out of it, although I doubt anyone here can stay out of it completely."

[Leifnarr Longshore]

Leifnarr smiles as he says:
"
Not even us can completely stay out of it, even if we are just the rough Iron born raiders, brute warriors from the cold ocean!

You say that you are happy about being out of it... however, given your job, I guess that you are one of the most informed guests in this place.
You are out of it...but people tend to speak where you work.
So, willing or not, you are in.
Isn'it?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan returns he man's smile with one of his own, his with a touch of impishness. "
I hear whispers. I pay attention. Servants like to gossip. Squires like to impress with their importance. Nobles sometimes like to meet away from prying eyes. I do not usually wear armor, Leifnarr, and someone in my profession is often not looked upon with favour. Sometimes I need information to defend myself the way you would use a shield or axe."


Nathan shrugged, "
I have no agenda, though, or axe to grind. I do not use what I know for profit, as some others might. My income is comfortable and my needs are simple. I have a duty to those who seek solace to lighten their burdens, not add to them. I seek friends, not enemies. Occasionally there are those that seek to harm me or those I care about. On those occasions I use the weapons I have at my disposal to protect them, just as you would use whatever weapons are available to you to protect your own."

[Leifnarr Longshore]

As the following words are spelled Leifnarr seems to become more enthusiastic:

"
As you say, you can wield gossips as I wield my axe: everybody has to defend himself with the weapons he has.

I understand what you say but, let me be honest, I cannot completely believe you.
You say that you are looking for friends, not for enemies ... but given that this world is what it is, and given that this tourney is nothing but a big wolves' den...
...the process itself of making friends, make you also in a position of attracting or getting enemies.

In a few words, I guess sometimes you must choose a side against another one.
And sometimes you must have agendas, even if it's your job to say that you have none and that you support no side.

Otherwise, you'll not survive in this world.
Again, it's a matter of defense.

Leifnarr's eyes then become more calm as he says:
"
Sorry If I'm overly speaking, I'm just fond of military strategy and tactics, and this tourney is nothing but a battlefield, although a special one."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I suppose you are right."
Nathan shrugs. "
Perhaps it is more accurate to say I currently have no agenda."


"
The farmer has no agenda other than to grow his wheat, but if his Lord calls him to arms or a battle wages across his fields, then he must, of course, act."


"
The Ironborn in their ships may sail beyond the reach of most Houses, but they must, of course, eventually come to land."


Rising, Nathan climbed out of the water and began to dry himself. "
You are right that picking certain friends gains your certain enemies."
Nathan seemed to look a bit thoughtful and distracted. "
And you are right, sometimes a man must make choices he would prefer not to. I guess the trick is to pick better friends than you do enemies."

[Leifnarr Longshore]

Leifnarr keeps on washing himself as he says:
"
Good point, boy, good point.
And in knowing who's a good and who's a bad friend, that's the art!"


Leifnar's voice becomes less enthusiastic and more emotionless as he says:
From your words, you seem to believe my nephew to be a good friend.
I wish you are right.
You can choose him ,if you like, but I cannot choose what family to protect.
As I said, it's one of the few things I believe to be sacred, and for which a man should die protecting it.

The big Longshore seems like pondering something as his eyes point towards the water.
It looks like he is more lost among his own thoughts than in the conversation with Nathaniel:
"
And you certainly are right also about the Ironborn who raid far from his home and from the Houses...but I'm here also to collect the harvest of what I've sow years ago, we'll see if for good or for bad..."


He then abruptly raises his eyes and says:
"
But I do not want to block you here, if you have to go.
I still need time to make myself cleaner, we'll possibly see around this castle soon."

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