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Post by perry on Jun 12, 2020 9:55:10 GMT -5
”I wonder.. if the peasants will agree, should I go to them directly? I suppose we will find out.” Euron said a frown replacing his smile, his eye taking a malicious glint under the fire’s light. “Those ships not headed toward other settlements in the Reach will be allowed to conduct their business.” He said lazily. “But should they head westward or north toward the Whispering Sound they will be seized like any other ship in the area.”
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 12, 2020 10:00:35 GMT -5
"The peasants would happily till their fields and not die fighting for a foreign king who is just as like to murder them as he is to pay them."
The aged knight retorted, with a grimace.
"I suspect that if we do not accept you will put us all to the sword regardless of your honeyed words, Iron King."
The merchant, meanwhile, was considering that the price of Arbor Gold had increased due to the stifled supply.
"As you say, good king. But piracy is rife in the Stepstones also, making trade with the east just as difficult."
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Post by perry on Jun 12, 2020 10:23:40 GMT -5
“I am no murderer.” He replied simply, a smile coming back. “Ask any among my crew.” A few of the nearby Ironmen chuckled. “I do not think the small folk care where I come from, one Lord is much like any other, but I am unlike any man in Westeros.” His eye turned back toward the merchant. “See your friend here is coming around, venturing to the southern coast of Dorne should be safe, up to Plankytown.” He said, taking a sip from his drink, leaving a circle of blue liquid clinging to his stained lips. “But yes, the Stepstones are their own problem. I have the largest fleet in Westeros.. I can seek ways to address the issue.”
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 12, 2020 11:04:05 GMT -5
"Recruit them at your leisure, then. I am too old to be of use, and shall have no part in war."
Retorted the greybeard, tired already of this debate. He gave the merchant a look of disgust.
"As you say, great king. I will inform the guilds of these developments."
The Septon, wiry and thin, had until now remained silent. Now, he spoke up, every word carefully measured in a reedy voice.
"The Seven will never bless your rule, Iron King. But if you desist from destroying the Septs and massacring the believers, I believe they can tolerate your presence here."
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Post by perry on Jun 12, 2020 11:29:10 GMT -5
He said nothing to the knight, though his summer blue eye seemed to darken. The man was dead he knew that, but not here, not right now. “Good, your guilds Will find a pretty profit in cooperation.” He smiled, shifting in his seat toward the priest. “As long as a sept here does not detract from my rule they will be safe from my wroth.” He grinned. “I have seen goat headed gods, and fish headed gods, a goddess with a dozen tits and a god with a half dozen cocks.. I could care less who or what you worship, as long as you do not challenge my rule.”
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Post by perry on Jun 14, 2020 11:37:38 GMT -5
Having sailed to the castle of Bandallon, Euron makes the captured Redwyne ships to the inhabitants of the small citadel drawing their attention toward the ships. These Arbor galleys fly the Red Grapes of the Redwynes, the fast majority of his force sat further to the north. Five hundred men ashore, as a "relief force". The group of men are dressed as Redwynes and Goldwynes some of them even were, carrying the bushel of grapes on blue above their lines. To give more legitimacy to the column there are forty knights of the Arbor among them, in plate and surcoats, who had sworn fealty to the King of Salt and Rock. They approach the walls, calling for the head of the keep.
As the stolen galleys and armed men make a scene to the south, a small detachment of a half dozen longships attempt to sneak up toward the seaside entrance to the keep, attempting to size up the defenses.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 16, 2020 7:04:23 GMT -5
The defenders were wary, the castellan of Bandalon appearing on the ramparts.
"Who goes there? Lord Paxter?"
He calls down from the walls. To the north, the longships are spotted, and the alarm sounded for the defenders to make ready for the possibility of Ironborn attack.
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Post by perry on Jun 16, 2020 8:37:20 GMT -5
“Not, Lord Paxter. But, sworn to him.” A voice calls up. “Ser Garlan, by order of Lord Willas, is sending troops to reenforce the castles along the coast, Tyrell will not abandon keeps to the Ironborn.” He heard the alarm raise. “What.. what is that?! Are they here?” He said, feigning distress, and reaching down toward his blade.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 16, 2020 9:34:43 GMT -5
"Open the gates! Let them in!" Roars the garrison commander, opening the gates to allow the Reachmen into the castle. All eyes were now on the Ironborn, who they feared would try to send a force to take the keep.
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Post by perry on Jun 16, 2020 10:01:48 GMT -5
The host of Reachmen and disguised Ironmen make their way inside the keep, perforating the defenses in the name of securing the castle. Moments pass as a few dozen longships pull up to shore, spilling a couple hundred Ironmen along the sandy beach. All told about five hundred Ironmen and mercenaries come ashore. Their ships flying the golden kraken of Greyjoy, the school of Codd, the bony fingers of Drumm. As they begin heading up toward the keep they blow their horns, signal for those having made their way inside Bandallon to turn their blades on the defenders, attempting to seize the keep and open the gates by surprise.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 16, 2020 10:04:52 GMT -5
Some of the Reachmen get cold feet, not eager to turn their blades on their fellows. The presence of Ironborn among them however reminds them of their loyalties for the time being, and a group of them make their way to the gatehouse, battling the defenders for control of the castle. They take heavy losses, fifty men being slain by the stalwart defenders, but eventually the gates are forced open and the Ironborn pour inside the castle.
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Post by perry on Jun 16, 2020 10:13:51 GMT -5
As some Reachmen get cold feet the Ironborn and the loyal Reachmen bully them into following through, some motivated by greed, others by fear of the all-seeing Crow’s Eye. The plague of Ironborn flood inside the castle, taking battle to any remaining defenders. Axes and sword splintering spears and shields. Any willing to surrender are taken prisoner. Prioritizing people of import that can be ransomed, and securing any valuables in the keep.
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Post by perry on Jun 16, 2020 12:08:05 GMT -5
In the aftermath of the battle the surrendering force are taken prisoner, as are any Blackbars caught. By order of Euron they remain unharmed. Those that took the keep share in the spoils of the victory. A bigger share going to the Reachmen that did not waver, to reward their loyalty. That evening they enjoy the lords stock of food and wine before departing in the morning, leaving a garrison to defend their prize and taking the prisoners with them. They keep flying the banner of the Blackbars. Euron’s goal here was an enigma.
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Post by perry on Jun 16, 2020 16:50:09 GMT -5
Blackbar and Redwyne banners came into view outside Blackcrown, grapes on blue and a black bar on gray. As the men made their way across the idyllic hills and farms of the Reach. Some having been burnt by a Ironborn hands. Once again they called up to the ramparts, a knight that had shown fortitude in Bandallon spoke up. “What are the gates doing shut?!” He calls. “We’ve come to reenforce Ser Garlan’s control of the Whispering Sound! Who speaks for Lady Alysanne?”
They had sent word to the small fleet parked in an inlet down the coast, to begin probing the seaside castle for a point of entry from the waters below. A group of a half dozen longships crept forward along the cliffs, eyes peeled.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 17, 2020 8:51:07 GMT -5
A garrison commander was sent out to speak for her, appearing on top of the walls.
“We had no word from Oldtown, Ser.”
He replied, peering down from the ramparts.
“From where do you march?”
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Down below the cliffs, the Ironborn with keen eyes spy a small inlet in the rocks, a small gate from which the waste of the castle trickles downward into the sea. It must be making use of a natural cave formation, and would be an ideal point of entry for those who wished to sneak into the castle.
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