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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 22, 2023 14:49:30 GMT -5
Host of the North - commanded by Rickard Karstark, Lord of Karhold Total: 450 men 90 Archers 315 Footmen 20 Light Horse 20 Heavy Horse Before the walls of Last Hearth, a small host gathered with the banners of Karstark, Umber, and the Mountain Clans. Even a contingent of sworn members of the Watch came to aid their Northern cousins in handling the Wildling threat within the Gift. From Karhold, two hundred marched to the gathering. Lord Umber contributed about hundred and thirty. The Mountain Clans, led by Lord Flint, came with a hundred. A designated commander from Castle Black brought an additional twenty Black Brothers, armed with spears, swords, shields, and bows. Lord Rickard Karstark was designated as the commander and got to the first order of business: sending scouts to find where the Wildlings encamped. The Gift was a vast region after all.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2023 3:49:09 GMT -5
The Watchmen were led by Jeor Mormont, formerly the Lord of Bear Island before giving up his lordship to take the Black some years ago. The Old Bear was First Ranger to Lord Commander Qorgyle and had been charged with leading twenty of the Watch’s best to assist the Northmen in their endeavours. That they were the Watch’s best spoke volumes; only a dozen had been knights or warriors before taking the Black, and all of them were past forty.
“They slipped past the Bridge of Skulls without us even seeing them.” Said Mormont; the broad and hairy First Ranger almost seemed too big for the shaggy garron he rode. “Lucky that Umber caught them when he did.”
A bearded man in black rode up to the party from the north, flanked by several of Karstark’s scouts. A King’s Lander, judging by his accent.
“We found two skiffs, m’lord, stored in a cove to the west. Best come see.”
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 30, 2023 14:52:51 GMT -5
The small host rode for the coastline on the Western side of Brandon's gift. Lord Rickard would come over to the wooden vessels and inspect them.
Seems these bastards had enough means to build boats to get across these deep waters.
The Bay of Ice seemed like a better choice of entry than the Bay of Seals. Rickard looks about, noticing hints of a temporary camp, likely when the Wildlings arrived.
They bear castle steel, Ser Mormont. Wonder where they got it from though...
This was in Mountain Clan territory. Perhaps there were traitors in these mountains and sympathizers of the Wildlings.
Doubt they got far. Mountains are treacherous and it's too open on the other side. Queenscrown and Mole's Town would have noticed something.
Rickard points Northward towards Shadow Tower.
Ser Mormont, how defended is the Shadow Tower?
In the mean time, more scouts went forth to scour the mountains on this side of the North.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2023 17:51:06 GMT -5
"I am no Ser." Jeor answered curtly, the heavy black cloak of sable fluttering in the breeze behind him as they rode towards the shoreline. "Denys Mallister holds the Shadow Tower with two hundred men."
The skiffs were small and crudely made; pine and ash bound together with leather and iron bolts large enough to fit ten men in each, with several oars and sails blacker than Mormont's cloak. "Wildlings don't take to the sea easily." Grumbled the Old Bear. "These look more like Ironmen boats, if my eyes don't deceive me. They set them adrift from the longships with muffled oars and black sails."
His voice spoke of first hand experience. When the scouts returned, they reported nothing; it seemed Umber had driven the Wildlings out of the Gift after all.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 1, 2023 23:33:41 GMT -5
Karstark had been hoping for a fight. But it seemed the Wildlings were dealth with. Yet, if these were Ironborn ships...
Would explain how these Wildlings got castle steel. Ironborn reavers giving them the means to be a nuisance to us just like they are.
A possible alliance between Wildlings and Ironborn raiders, not good if true.
I will report this to Lord Stark. Wildlings gone, but possible Ironborn involvement in bringing them over.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 2, 2023 14:00:01 GMT -5
”A force beyond the wall would give us a clearer sight.” Replied Mormont with a grimace. ”We don’t have the numbers to move northwards with any great strength, but this force you’ve gathered would be more than enough.”
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 4, 2023 12:17:53 GMT -5
A force to go beyond the Wall. Quite the challenge that would be, but... if managed, Rickard Stark would certainly have a swell time beating some Wildlings.
We will need good guides from your Watch, Mormont. Being the First Ranger, I bet you'd make sure we won't get lost in the deep snows.
His eyes looked northward towards where the Wall was. Given where the Wildlings came from, they'd likely go through the Shadow Tower.
Got any good ideas where you suppose these Wildlings may have come from?
There were many tribes and the Watch would know best.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 4, 2023 15:23:32 GMT -5
"Could be anywhere." Mormont scratched his grey flecked head. "I must return to Castle Black and share this with the Lord Commander. We will take you as far as the Shadow Tower. Orders will be sent to Mallister to take you into the True North."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 5, 2023 0:36:20 GMT -5
I will send a raven to Lord Stark once we get to the Shadow Tower.
Rickard remarks as he looks at Mormont.
I would like some of your rangers with us though. I'd like to make sure our men can back safely.
Men of his own holdings, of Umber, and of the Mountain Clans were under his command after all.
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