|
|
Post by perry on May 29, 2020 17:26:20 GMT -5
The brotherhood without banners, also known as the knights of the hollow hill and the forgotten fellowship, is an outlaw group that initially fought Lannister rule in the name of King Robert I Baratheon. Originally led by the Lightning Lord, Beric Dondarrion, the group was founded in the riverlands by soldiers and nobles who were sent by the then-Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, to bring Gregor Clegane to justice. After they were ambushed while crossing a ford and nearly defeated, the group continued the fight as a guerrilla group. Their numbers increased as they were joined by defeated soldiers from other battles, deserters, and refugees from the War of the Five Kings. Under the leadership of the undead Stoneheart the brotherhood has embarked on a campaign of revenge against those who were their enemies. Mostly Freys and other participants in the Red Wedding. Now in control of Riverrun, former seat of the House Tully.
Domain:
Riverrun: ?
Catelyn Focuses:
?
Forces:
300 Brotherhood Members
Leader:
The Ghost of Lady Catelyn Stark, Mother Merciless, the Hangwoman, Lady Stoneheart, the Silent Sister
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 5, 2020 17:41:07 GMT -5
There was a slight disturbance on the edge of the brotherhood's camp, as two men who had been sent out to scout seemed to be returning. They left their horses to be tended in the small, makeshift stables before pushing on, still dragging a third man between them. He had been hooded, as was custom for those not of the brotherhood brought into the camp. In the unlikely event that Stoneheart decided to set them free, it wouldn't really do to have anyone running about knowing the camp's location. There was a muted conference outside the camp's main tent, and then the flaps pushed open and the bound man was pushed forward, hood still over his head. Likely Luke, one of the two scouts, straightened up, leaving the other, one of the surviving Northmen soldiers who had been sent with Roose Bolton's portion of the army before the Red Wedding, to maintain a grip on the arm of their captive. The man's tunic was filthy beyond belief, but under the muck one could just make out what appeared to be the shape of a leaping fish.
"This one says he's a Tully milady" the knight informed the quiet leader of the Brotherhood. "We found him struggling his way out of the river, looking half drowned.
The other scout, the northman, took hold of the black hood that concealed the captive's appearance. Beneath was an old man's face, half hidden behind matted grey hair. He looked bedraggled, tired, and his once-laughing eyes were dimmer then before. A scruffy beard, grey to match his hair, had grown to cover his face since Lady Stoneheart had last laid eyes upon him, but it was still unmistakably Brynden Tully.
After a few moments of adjustment to the sudden change in light, his eyes focused on her and went wide. "Cat...?" his voice was a hoarse croak.
|
|
|
|
Post by perry on Jun 5, 2020 18:15:40 GMT -5
As the Blackfish’s eyes adjusted to the dim light he saw they were within some kind of cave, the walls made from thick roots that splayed out in all directions like a complex network of veins. The walls were only illuminated a bit, from some flickering fire further along in the tunnel.. or further back. Before him in the dying light stood a woman, her skin the color of curdled milk and just as lumpy. The flesh seemed to have gone soft, as if it had gone to rot in a pool of water, and was marred by long scratch marks across the cheeks. A cloak and collar covered he neck, up to the point where the head met the body. Her hair was missing in chunks, that seemed to have been torn off the scalp, the hair that remained was white and looked so brittle that it might crumble under a man’s touch. Her beauty was gone.. but her eyes, they were without a doubt Tully blue eyes. Cat’s eyes, but without mirth or pity. Surly she was some kind of apparition, a ghost, but there she stood, real as could be.
The Northmen restraining him gave Brynden a swift punch to the stomach, knocking the air right out of him. “That’s Lady Stoneheart to you outsider.” He said, forcefully, he drew back to deliver another blow, but the ghost this Lady Stoneheart raised a hand and the Northmen stopped.
She raised her hand up to her throat, and gripped it tightly. She looked prepared to throttle herself, but instead the creature spoke. “Bryn..den.” The voice rasped, more of a gurgle, it sounded as if the person speaking were drowning. “Ed...mure.” The voice went on, gasping almost. “Freys.”
The Northmen restraining the Blackfish released him, letting the man fall forward into the dirt and roots of the cave.
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 5, 2020 23:14:14 GMT -5
Hitting the ground heavily, Brynden’s moved by instinct, immediately rolling laterally and springing to his feet, with more effort than it once would have taken. “What is this?” he roared, his normal calm, controlled demeanor fled in the face of this bizarre new situation. “If that’s not Cat then why does she know my name?” he had both of his hands raised in front of him now, as if readying for a boxing match, and was backing his way towards a corner of the cave. “Those see Cat’s eyes, but they told me what the Frey bastards did. What is going on here?”
The fire faded suddenly from his blue eyes and he slunk to the ground, showing no sign of fight if they decided to approach. “Are you two even real? Is this all some feverish dream conjured up by my dying mind? Perhaps I’ve drowned already” he mused now, seemingly to no one in particular. “But if you’re real, and if this is some trick conjured up to mock me before the end, I beg you Northman, in King Robb’s memory, to spare me the suffering and just end me now.” His face, once calm and quick to laughter, betrayed only despair and confusion now.
|
|
|
|
Post by perry on Jun 6, 2020 0:26:44 GMT -5
The men and the ghost watched as Blackfish showed he was still in top physical condition despite his age, as he effortlessly rolled across the ground. The Hollow Knight and the Northman reached for their weapons at first, but their grips grew light as they saw the man break down. They had a look of pity in their eyes, but Catelyn's ghost had no such pity in her cold blue eyes. "Do.. not.. say that name." The ghost gurgled bitterly, seemingly responding to the mention of King Robb. For a moment it almost seemed as if there was something else behind those hatful eyes.. sadness perhaps? But it was a fleeting thing, gone as soon as it had appeared. "Catelyn.. died.. uncle." The ghost said plainly.
"Curtesy of them Frey bastards, cut her ear to ear at the Red Wedding." The Northman said. "She don't talk much no more, too painful, but she remembers.. Lady Stoneheart remembers everything." Her cold blue eyes stayed trailed on Brynden. "We've made em pay for it and for.. the King. A debt they're paying in Frey blood, and there's gonna be more of it."
"She's real as you or I old man, no tricks here." The Knight said, almost in awe of his own words. "Lord Beric brought her back with a kiss, dead for three days rotting in that river.. but she rose."
"You cannot die, uncle." She was forcing her voice now, hoarse and grating, as if willing clarity into her words. "We have.. work.. so much.. work." Her voice was breaking now. Her hand still tightly gripped her neck, but blood was beginning to seep through her cloak.
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 6, 2020 18:23:59 GMT -5
The Blackfish drew a deep breath, and then another, before pulling himself to his feet. He had seen war and winters, he had been flung to the ground on fields of battle and watched as hooves and blades came within inches of ending his life, he had swum further than most men could to escape the walls of Riverrun, and yet he had never encountered anything like this. If it was true, then this was deep, real magic. He looked at the three individuals gathered, noticing at once the blood leaking down the woman's cloak. "Right then, My Lady Stoneheart. Please, save your voice and efforts." He turned his attention to the northman and the Ser who had been addressing him."So I am to understand that C-ahhh, the person I mentioned did in fact die, as I was told, but was raised from the dead by... Beric, I assume Dondarrion, the Lightning Lord, who is where now?" Though he was still very much out of his element and, if truth be told, somewhat un-manned by the situation, he was beginning to regain his calm, and with it some semblance of the knight who had held the Bloody Gate for decades, and who had fought in both Robert's Rebellion and the War of the Ninepenny Kings.
|
|
|
|
Post by perry on Jun 6, 2020 18:51:47 GMT -5
The Northman's eyes passed over Brynden dismissively, falling on Lady Stoneheart, the ghost gave a measured nod in response. And the bearded Northman answered. "Aye, the Lighting Lord." He shook his head sadly. "But, you wont be seeing him. He's in the ground somewhere need the Kneeling Man." He gestured toward Catelyn. "Good Lord Beric gave his light for hers, Lady Stoneheart leads the Brotherhood Without Banners now." The Northman eyed the old man, seemingly sizing him up. "So you're actually Brynden Tully.. expected you to be a bit taller." The nearby Knight snickered in agreement.
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 6, 2020 21:59:14 GMT -5
The Blackfish was rather used to that particular comment, he had heard it plenty, especially from the Northmen, at least ten times from the Greatjon alone. Strangely enough, it was exactly the familiarity he needed to recover fully. He ignored the comment, and the snickering, and turned to address Lady Stoneheart again. "Riverrun is fallen, Edmure turned it over to a combined Lannister-Frey force, but he allowed me to slip free under the portcullis and swim clear beforehand. I imagine he will be kept there as a hostage for as long as they hold it. The force was led by some pansy Frey, but before Edmure took over, the Kingslayer had taken command of the force." He listed these facts with a sort of military precision - he still was not fully present, but it allowed him a sort of facade to hide his uncertainty behind.
|
|
|
|
Post by perry on Jun 6, 2020 22:24:35 GMT -5
"Lannister.." The corpse hissed, her eyes were seething at the mere thought of the duplicitous golden haired spawn. There was a long silence after that, broken by a gurgle from Lady Stoneheart's throat. "Edmure.. was always.. a fool." The ghost wheezed bitterly. The thought of her past life, of her former home, they ate away at her mind. "We've heard of the surrender, we also know Edmure was shipped out to Casterly Rock, we've friendly eyes and ears all around the Riverlands." The Knight replied. "Kingslayer will be dead soon." The Northman added. "And more besides, we've got something big planned."
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 7, 2020 0:06:58 GMT -5
"Better informed than I am it would seem." The Blackfish glanced back towards the mouth of cavern, "I thought that I heard the sounds of camp as I was led in before we entered this particular venue," his hand swept a broad circle that encompassed the dingy cavern, "Exactly what is the nature of your band here, and how many of you are there in this band? Clearly this is no small group to have such knowledge, and also such confidence in your plans that you think the Kingslayer might be fallen soon."
His hand fell to his hip as if we would rest it upon the hilt of a sword, but grasped at nothing but air. "I also... don't suppose you might have some arms to spare? I could hardly swim clear of Riverrun armed and armored."
|
|
|
|
Post by perry on Jun 7, 2020 9:50:34 GMT -5
“Aye, this whole cave system is our camp.. these Weirwoods might be dead, but they still give us shelter.” The Northmen shrugged. “We’re the Brotherhood Without Banners.. don’t tell me you’ve never heard of us? We number next to near enough, enough to kill Freys: Petyr, Merrett, Ryman, plenty of Sers too.” He said cryptically, before the Northman looked once again toward the ghost, who gave a nod. “Aye, the Lady seems to want you around.. we’ll get you set up with arms and armor, assuming you’re planning to stay?”
|
|
|
|
Post by pontifex on Jun 7, 2020 10:30:09 GMT -5
Jaime's garrond trotted behind Brienne's own horse. His gold hand was concealed by his cloak, best not to advertise it to any brigands who might be on the road. Riverrun had fallen and it had been only a few days ago that Brienne had reached him with news of Sansa. They must be getting close now. "What is the Hound's price, Brienne? You must either kill him or pay him, he won't settle for anything less. You might be bold for a wench but the Hound doesn't value honor as you do, he won't fight fairly."
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 7, 2020 18:23:47 GMT -5
“Aye, this whole cave system is our camp.. these Weirwoods might be dead, but they still give us shelter.” The Northmen shrugged. “We’re the Brotherhood Without Banners.. don’t tell me you’ve never heard of us? We number next to near enough, enough to kill Freys: Petyr, Merrett, Ryman, plenty of Sers too.” He said cryptically, before the Northman looked once again toward the ghost, who gave a nod. “Aye, the Lady seems to want you around.. we’ll get you set up with arms and armor, assuming you’re planning to stay?” He nodded, then turned and offered a deep bow to the figure that had once been his beloved niece. "You have my blade, Lady Stoneheart, or whatever blade your folk lend me I suppose.", he began to follow the two men back out of the cave. "I don't believe any word has come to me of your number, but it was hard to get information in and out of Riverrun with the walls encircled as they were. I am not exceptionally well informed on the goings-on around the Kingdom from the time of the Red Wedding on, I am afraid." He accompanied them out as they caught him up on whatever they deemed appropriate and led him to the weapons. (Probably a fair place to call scene on that, plus clear the way for Jaime/Brienne stuff)
|
|
LD
Veteran 
Posts: 35
|
Post by LD on Jun 9, 2020 3:00:47 GMT -5
Jaime's garrond trotted behind Brienne's own horse. His gold hand was concealed by his cloak, best not to advertise it to any brigands who might be on the road. Riverrun had fallen and it had been only a few days ago that Brienne had reached him with news of Sansa. They must be getting close now. "What is the Hound's price, Brienne? You must either kill him or pay him, he won't settle for anything less. You might be bold for a wench but the Hound doesn't value honor as you do, he won't fight fairly." , Brienne solely commented dry, fearing of what lied ahead of them, "You'll have to trust me on this, Jaime Lannister, as that's all I can tell from what I've heard."She hoped that this would end better for the two of them than she assumed. But what choice did she have? This wretched... this... thing, what clearly was Catelyn Stark and yet more cruel than the real Catelyn has ever been, had forced her to either bring the Kingslayer or to hang... and of course the last one hadn't been an option, given that Podrick's life was also dependent on her. She hoped that these Brotherhood folks haven't done any harm to him for her hope that her Lord father, a kind man, might pay his ransom was still given. To some portion the Maid of Tarth had to swallow her guilt over leading Jaime straight into a trap. It was a peverse travesty, where oath clashed against oath - her feel of duty towards Catelyn Stark was already the reason, why she went out on this perilious quest of bringing back Sansa Stark - the daughter who was seen last time in company of the Hound, when he fled from King's Landing. Who according to the Elder Brother on the Quiet Island was dead. It wasn't easy though to lie towards the man, who had saved her life before and who had become a comrade over the course of the last weeks, a living man. Her allegiance was technically with him now and given the horrors she had witnessed, she nearly wished that she would have asked Lannister to bring his army with him, just to give Catelyn Stark the peace she deserved. And yet... she couldn't. Somehow she hoped that she could somehow still settle it, could convince Lady Stark... no, Lady Stark was dead... Lady Stoneheart of her words, actually proof them, that Jaime Lannister was interested in bringing back the lost Stark daughters as much as she was. "So keep your blade ready, but don't strike immidiately", she solely said, "Maybe we can settle this peacefully..."
|
|
|
|
Post by pontifex on Jun 10, 2020 15:26:48 GMT -5
Jaime's voice took onna somber tone "I'm afraid my blade is of considerably less use than it once was." He lost his jocular tone and fell into silence for several minutes. His white cloak was sodden and spotted brown from the mud of the road. At least peace had almost been restored in the Riverlands, for what it was worth. The Hound would make short work of him if it came to sword play.
(Ready to advance this I guess)
|
|
