[Day 3: Mid Afternoon] 'Thorne and Hammer (mostly Closed)

[Jon Cobb]

Panting for breath, Jon collapsed gracelessly onto a bench, his face flushed red from drinking and dancing. He stared out at the revellers in the hall for a moment, before turning to see where he had landed.

He found himself face to face with a broadshouldered, smiling young man with unusually well combed brown hair, wearing Tullison colors. I know this lad, he thought, but I can't quite place him. Unless... "
Ben Blackthorne? Is that you? And have you...shaved?! It is you! Well, for a moment I didn't recognize you at all, all freshly scrubbed and with a fancy new doublet as well!"


"
And who is this delightful young lady?"
Jon asks, noticing the freckled young woman sitting close to Ben. "
A sudden shave and fair female companionship, all at once. Bcoming a sworn sword to Lord Dunstan is apparently a life-changing experience!"
Jon says with a huge grin.

OOC: The intention is for this to be a private conversation between Ben and Jon, but since it's taking place in a very public venue, strictly speaking there's nothing preventing anyone else from joining. Please PM me ahead of time if you wish to do so.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Ah Ser Jon."
Ben laughs at Jon's comments. "
Ser Jon Cobb, this is my sister Ellien Blackthorne and the reason for the shave and comb. She threatened to not attend if I did not."
He gives her a wink. "
And I have you to thank for bringing to my attention that I was not doing a good job representing House Tullison, hence the new finery. I also used it as an excuse to purchase a new shield."
Ben smiles eagerly. "
I do believe this may be a life changing move for me.

Leaning back he observes Jon. "
Dancing with the young energetic girls or running from the old spinsters?"
Ben implies Jon's state of shortness of breath.

[Jon Cobb]

"
Ah Ser Jon."
Ben laughs at Jon's comments. "
Ser Jon Cobb, this is my sister Ellien Blackthorne and the reason for the shave and comb. She threatened to not attend if I did not."
He gives her a wink. "
And I have you to thank for bringing to my attention that I was not doing a good job representing House Tullison, hence the new finery. I also used it as an excuse to purchase a new shield."
Ben smiles eagerly. "
I do believe this may be a life changing move for me.

"
Lady Ellien, I am glad to finally meet the brains behind Ser Benedict,"
Jon replies with a roguish smile. "
I would rise and bow, but without my trusty walking staff to keep me on my feet, I fear I'd fall flat on my face for trying. And it certainly would not do for me to make a fool of myself on our very first encounter!"

Leaning back he observes Jon. "
Dancing with the young energetic girls or running from the old spinsters?"
Ben implies Jon's state of shortness of breath.

"
I try to manage a bit of both, my young friend, but in this case it's the dancing that's got me all hot and bothered. Can you imagine - it turns out that growing older also makes you shorter of breath!"
Jon laughs.

"
Actually, all this talk of dancing reminds me...can you two keep a secret?"
Jon pauses and gives Ben and Ellie a serious, probing look...

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben smiles warmly at Jons words. "
Careful the young ones will wear you out so the old ones may catch you. And I have heard they are the ones to fear."
He gives Jon a wink.

Ellie giggles and nods at Jons comment about brains. "
It is a pleasure to meet you Ser Jon. And I do love a secret."

[Jon Cobb]

Ben smiles warmly at Jons words. "
Careful the young ones will wear you out so the old ones may catch you. And I have heard they are the ones to fear."
He gives Jon a wink.

Ellie giggles and nods at Jons comment about brains. "
It is a pleasure to meet you Ser Jon. And I do love a secret."

Jon leans forward and lowers his voice conspiratorially. "
Well then, it is my pleasure to inform you both - in the strictest confidence - that House Bartheld will be throwing one of its famous masked balls before the end of the tourney, courtesy of the generous Ser Fendrel Bartheld. A formal announcement will be made soon, but I like you Ben Blackthorne, so you get to know before anyone else."
Jon gives Ben a wink and then adresses Ellie.

"
Have you ever been to a masked ball, young lady? To my mind they're the best sort of party. No one is allowed in without a mask, so you never know who you'll find yourself talking to, dancing with or perhaps sharing a kiss with. If you love secrets, then I've no doubt that you'll love the Bartheld ball. What say you - can I count on you to convince your brother that you both need to be there?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Jon leans forward and lowers his voice conspiratorially. "
Well then, it is my pleasure to inform you both - in the strictest confidence - that House Bartheld will be throwing one of its famous masked balls before the end of the tourney, courtesy of the generous Ser Fendrel Bartheld. A formal announcement will be made soon, but I like you Ben Blackthorne, so you get to know before anyone else."
Jon gives Ben a wink and then adresses Ellie.

"
Have you ever been to a masked ball, young lady? To my mind they're the best sort of party. No one is allowed in without a mask, so you never know who you'll find yourself talking to, dancing with or perhaps sharing a kiss with. If you love secrets, then I've no doubt that you'll love the Bartheld ball. What say you - can I count on you to convince your brother that you both need to be there?"

A look of pure excitement races over Ellie, replaced by her own look of mock conspiracy. "
Ser Jon we will be there."
Ben's look is not one of amusement, but he doesn't not disagree with Ellie or decline the offer. "
I can assume many guests here today will be in attendance."
His eyes lingering on the Marsten table. "
I do thank you for the prior notice and invite."


OOC: Unless something unforeseen happens you can put them on the guest list. Probably best for you Ellie was present.

[Jon Cobb]

A look of pure excitement races over Ellie, replaced by her own look of mock conspiracy. "
Ser Jon we will be there."
Ben's look is not one of amusement, but he doesn't not disagree with Ellie or decline the offer. "
I can assume many guests here today will be in attendance."
His eyes lingering on the Marsten table. "
I do thank you for the prior notice and invite."

Noticing Ben gazing at the Marsten table, Jon grins. "
If I have my way, neither widows nor maidens will escape the revels!"


"
Now, Ser Benedict, will you permit me to speak of serious matters for a moment? I met Lord Dunstan yesterday - perhaps he's told you - and he said something quite disturbing. It seems that a young..."
Jon hesitates and glances at Ellie, "
...man...named Nathan spoke to him at the Drunken Huntsman the night before, and claimed that there were plots afoot within House Bartheld to usurp the rightful lord of the house. I was quite surprised to find that Dunstan placed great stock in the words of a...man...he just met at an inn, and he became quite upset when I suggested that Nathan might be less than trustworthy. Do you happen to know any more of what was said between them?"


OOC: What is it with PCs and going to a party - it's like pulling teeth with you lot!

[Benedict Marsten]

Noticing Ben gazing at the Marsten table, Jon grins. "
If I have my way, neither widows nor maidens will escape the revels!"


"
Now, Ser Benedict, will you permit me to speak of serious matters for a moment? I met Lord Dunstan yesterday - perhaps he's told you - and he said something quite disturbing. It seems that a young..."
Jon hesitates and glances at Ellie, "
...man...named Nathan spoke to him at the Drunken Huntsman the night before, and claimed that there were plots afoot within House Bartheld to usurp the rightful lord of the house. I was quite surprised to find that Dunstan placed great stock in the words of a...man...he just met at an inn, and he became quite upset when I suggested that Nathan might be less than trustworthy. Do you happen to know any more of what was said between them?"


OOC: What is it with PCs and going to a party - it's like pulling teeth with you lot!

Ben smiles and laughs at Jon's comment of widows and maids. Both at Lady Isobel at a masquerade ball and the fact that he was staring so obviously.

[Benedict Marsten]

Noticing Ben gazing at the Marsten table, Jon grins. "
If I have my way, neither widows nor maidens will escape the revels!"


"
Now, Ser Benedict, will you permit me to speak of serious matters for a moment? I met Lord Dunstan yesterday - perhaps he's told you - and he said something quite disturbing. It seems that a young..."
Jon hesitates and glances at Ellie, "
...man...named Nathan spoke to him at the Drunken Huntsman the night before, and claimed that there were plots afoot within House Bartheld to usurp the rightful lord of the house. I was quite surprised to find that Dunstan placed great stock in the words of a...man...he just met at an inn, and he became quite upset when I suggested that Nathan might be less than trustworthy. Do you happen to know any more of what was said between them?"


OOC: What is it with PCs and going to a party - it's like pulling teeth with you lot!

Ben smiles and laughs at Jon's comment of widows and maids. Both at Lady Isobel at a masquerade ball and the fact that he was staring so obviously.

"
Ser Jon the young man was met on the road before our arrival and like yourself except by reputation was unknown to us. But proved a decent fellow for a ... man like his self. Lord Dunstan asked about his homeland and he explained the situation as he saw it. No more, no less."
Ben does his best to sound impartial. Ellie sits watching a confused look on her face. "
Perhaps I should leave the hens to their secretive gossip."
She smiles rising from her seat.

[Jon Cobb]

"
Ser Jon the young man was met on the road before our arrival and like yourself except by reputation was unknown to us. But proved a decent fellow for a ... man like his self. Lord Dunstan asked about his homeland and he explained the situation as he saw it. No more, no less."
Ben does his best to sound impartial. Ellie sits watching a confused look on her face. "
Perhaps I should leave the hens to their secretive gossip."
She smiles rising from her seat.

"
Oh I know young Nathan quite well - we've run into each other a few times when I've visited the girls at the Rutting Boar. Always the very soul of civility and courtesy is our Nathan. But I'd be very interested in hearing what he thinks of the "
situation"
in Bartheld lands. Is that something you'd feel at liberty to repeat?"
Jon asks with unusual eagerness.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben smirks a little. "
Certainly I speak openly. Secrets harbor darkness and darkness has a tendency break a man. He simply laid out what he saw as the facts and gave his opinions."
Ben relays the conversation from the Huntsmen to Ser Jon. "
Now if I may speak freely. I would have never thought to see a man such as the "
wrecker switch battlefields. This one you wage war on now is much more dangerous I think."

[Jon Cobb]

Ben smirks a little. "
Certainly I speak openly. Secrets harbor darkness and darkness has a tendency break a man. He simply laid out what he saw as the facts and gave his opinions."
Ben relays the conversation from the Huntsmen to Ser Jon.

Jon listens intently to Ben's recollections of his meeting with Nathan, showing little surprise or emotion at what he hears, but nodding thoughtfully here and there. "
Well, that's certainly one version of the events. Twisted and full of half-truths, but not many outright falsehoods, to be sure. Just about what I'd expect from Davain's man, really,"
Jon says with an appreciative grin. "
If you like, I can paint you another picture that's just as full of facts and opinions. I think you'll agree that when there's dispute there are usually two sides to the story, and it's good idea to know them both. Dunstan seems to have a hard time grasping that, but I think you're a much wiser man, am I right Ser Benedict?"

"
Now if I may speak freely. I would have never thought to see a man such as the "
wrecker switch battlefields. This one you wage war on now is much more dangerous I think."

"
I'm a mercenary Ben - fighting other people's wars is the only way I know to make a living,"
Jon replies with a tired smile. "
Did you know that when I returned from the Stepstones I was invited to attend the royal court at King's Landing? Oh yes, I was all the rage back then - Viserys himself couldn't wait to meet me! But I learned right quick that you can wage a war with words just as easily as with steel. So whether its words or steel don't matter much to me these days - all wars still smell like gold. Or blood and shit. Often all three at once, actually."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben nods in agreement. "
Yes very true. I will hear you man's side of this battle so that I may know the combatants in this war."


At Jon's mention of time in Kings Landing Ben grins. "
Then you have learned on the most dangerous of battlefields. Seems Ser Fendrel may have the edge."

[Jon Cobb]

Ben nods in agreement. "
Yes very true. I will hear you man's side of this battle so that I may know the combatants in this war."


At Jon's mention of time in Kings Landing Ben grins. "
Then you have learned on the most dangerous of battlefields. Seems Ser Fendrel may have the edge."

"
I thank you for the compliment, but I wouldn't count Davain out just yet. He's a very tenacious young man, and Nathan is slippery as an eel,"
Jon replies with an amused look. "
Well, where to start..."


[url=Intrigue Initiative][/url]: 4d6k3 7
Objective: Convince Ben to stay neutral in the Bartheld succession dispute
Disposition: Amiable, DR 3, Per +1
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 12

Action: Pending

OOC: This seems like an opportune time to turn this into an intrigue - telling Fendrel's side of the story to convince you to stay out of the dispute. If you prefer not to engage in a full on intrigue, we could instead resolve it through a yield offer as described in our PM conversation.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben shakes his head at Jon's description of Nathan. "
I look forward to hearing your take. Your combat expertise should help break this down and make it more understandable to me."


[url=Initiative intrigue Cobb][/url]: 3d6 11
Objective: not sure yet
Disposition:Amiable , DR 3, +1 per, +2 char
ID:9(11)Ellie is currently still sanding at the table
Comp:9
Action: [url=Persuasion charm Cobb][/url]: 4d6k3+3 17
Result: 2DOS x3 =6 -3 =3

OoC: lets take a few jabs. I will not be taking frustration, so you will not take long to chew me up.

[Jon Cobb]

Exchange 1
Initiative: 7
Objective: Convince Ben to stay neutral in the Bartheld succession dispute
Disposition: Amiable, DR 3, Per +1
Intrigue Defense: 9
Composure: 9/12

Action: [url=Persuasion (Charm)][/url]: 6d6k5+1 24
Influence: 9 (4 x 3 DoS = 12 - 3 = 9)

"
Very well, let's begin with Nathan's assertion that Davain is Lord of the house by traditional succession, that is by right of inheritance. That is definitely true if Davain is the son of Brom's oldest son, but now there are ugly rumors that Davain may be Brom's natural son, or the natural son of one of his sons. I cannot speak to the truth of the rumors, but Lord Tully himself is concerned enough that he has set his maesters to work to get to the bottom of the matter. What is not in dispute is that Ser Fendrel is Brom's last living trueborn son."


"
Second, Nathan claimed that Brom wished for Davain to succeed him, but the truth of the matter is that Brom failed to make his wishes clear, probably for fear of tarnishing his successor in the eyes of the king. It's certainly true that Davain and Brom were very close, but then Brom loved all of his children and grandchildren, and was proud of each and every one of them - he told me so himself on many occasions."


"
Nathan's description of Davain is spot on, but he leaves out that Davain is moralistic and judgemental, with little patience for anyone who doesn't agree with him. Traditionally, the Barthelds are a tolerant and friendly lot, so you can understand why his attitudes might turn many against him. For a man who aspires to lead, he simply isn't very good at making the compromises needed to do so."


"
Nathan also gives a fair account of Davain's policies so far, and his motivations for them, but you're a clever enough man to see that what Davain sees as wasteful frivolities can be a serious matter to others. And the simple fact of the matter is that House Bartheld's excellent standing amongst the noble families of the Riverlands was built on those wasteful frivolities. In fact to even consider them wasteful is a distortion of the truth - I have spoken with Maester Forthwind, and he assures me that House Bartheld's treasury is full, and that there are no signs that Brom's traditions of hospitality and open-handedness are leading to financial ruin."


"
It was interesting to hear Nathan's expert political opinion that friendship is based more on trust and dependability than "
free wine and women"
. As far as I know, Nathan's experience of leading a noble house of Westeros is exactly zero, so I would take his opinion on what it takes to do so with more than a barrel of salt. Where he gets the idea that the friendships formed through Brom's policies would fail when put to the test is also beyond me, since he is not party to any agreements made by House Bartheld. Unless of course Davain is feeding him these allegations, in which case even I must wonder why Davain feels that a teenage whore is the right man to confide in regarding such matters."


"
No Ben, the truth of the matter is that House Bartheld has influence well beyond what would be expected of such a young house, its lands are rich, the smallfolk happy, and its coffers are well filled, all thanks to the policies instituted by Brom, and which Ser Fendrel wishes to carry on. The financial ruin and moral decay that Davain sees everywhere is more a reflection of his own attitudes than based in fact."


"
As for young Nathan, did he bother to tell you that the Rutting Boar brothel - which some whisper he runs despite his tender years - is doing a splendid business since Davain began scaling back the festivities at Hart House? I may be in Ser Fendrel's pocket in this matter, but at least I'm open about it. Take my word for it Ben, the best thing for you to do - for anyone at House Tullison to do - is to stay well clear of this morass."


OOC: Also, sorry for the wall of text, but since you said you wouldn't be taking frustration, I just threw in all my arguments at once...
... and it turns out I may have to retcon the first two paragraphs due to new information from Reader.

Edit: Slight rewriting of the first two parargaphs complete.

[Benedict Marsten]

OoC: PMed yield accepted

"
I can see your reasoning Ser Jon. And with your time spent on this battlefield of lords, I must heed to your judgement. Staying neutral would be best for someone with as little experience as myself."
Ben shifts in his seat, scratching his bare chin. "
Thank you for your advice."

[Jon Cobb]

"
A wise decision, Ser Benedict,"
Jon replies with a relieved expression. "
And just so you know, normally I'd be doing my best to recruit you for the cause, but as I said before - I like you, and you deserve better than to become rabble on Davain and Fendrel's cyvasse board."


"
Now, if you'll excuse me, I really need to...umm...stretch my legs,"
Jon chuckles, throwing a meaningful look towards the privy. "
And Ben - if you or Ellie ever find yourselves in need of a lttle help, please don't hesitate to call on me."


/scene?

[Benedict Marsten]

/Scene

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