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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 21:15:28 GMT
Melissa glanced over at the box where Alyssa and her sister were sitting with the Targaryens. She wasn't actually that interested in them but she supposed it would only be polite to meet.
"Fine, I'll come, for a short while."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 26, 2017 14:49:38 GMT
Isaak shrugged. "We all saw you with her at the melee," he said, "she is gorgeous," he added, "every bit a queen in appearance, and my father says you're a clever prince, so if you think she fits the part, she most likely fits the part." He looked at the Durrandon girl, among the Stormlands boxes. "I was thinking you looked like you needed a friend. Do you drink ale?" He offered him a giant mug. "I got knocked out by that damned Grafton and my back stil laches from the impact on the ground. Mind if I sit?" "Of course, I'm happy for your company, and I'm afraid your father is too kind to me." Perceon replied politely, wishing he was actually gracefully brushing off the compliment as it sounded like he was rather than truthfully denying it applied to him. "Nevertheless, I am grateful for your support and that of your house. Nobody else seems to look upon the union with favor. Probably because they do not share the burdens of defending two borders as your house does." He accepted the mug. "I don't normally drink ale, but since it is with a friend I would be happy to on this occasion." Isaak nodded and the ale tastes a bit over warm but it is better than nothing. "Well, perhaps youre not asking the right people's approval," he said. "Not everyone in the Reach is as obsessed with outside relations as your family," he added. "Most Reach lords just want to feel their needs are addressed, and many share a border with House Durrandon. Ashford, maybe your relatives in Brightwater, Old Oak, Tumbleton..." he rubbed his hands together. "They all have other issues than who you marry, so long as it means stability somewhere." |
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 26, 2017 14:59:27 GMT
Perceon took a sip, hoping the ale would not upset his stomach later. "You're right, of course." He replied. "Oldtown's preferences ought not be more important to my family than the benefits the marriage brings to other houses. But my family has been convinced by Alyssa the match is unworthy." He shook his head bitterly. "This never should have been a choice between my family and the alliance. As you've said, the Durrandons have much to recommend them to us. Highgarden's policy should not be controlled by the particular interests of the Hightower."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 26, 2017 15:11:57 GMT
Isaak nodded. "Quite right." He watched the joust as Geralt won. "Some people are just never satisfied. I've noticed many of them happen to be women," he added. "I just thought you'd appreciate knowing that not everyone is against you." Owen Grafton and Emmitt Selmy head onto the field to prepare to tilt. "Rich as Oldtown is, they do not rule the Reach, last I checked."
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 26, 2017 15:15:32 GMT
"I do appreciate that Isaak." Percy replied with a faint smile. "Especially coming from the heir to a house as important as your own."
Figuring there was little more to be said about his marital prospects, he switched the topic. "So, you are now familiar with this Grafton. Do you make him a favorite?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 26, 2017 15:33:29 GMT
Alyssa saw the Gardeners approaching and the side of her mouth twitched in annoyance. Did they need to get involved in everything. Alex didn't need to turn to see what was annoying her sister and stood to move over to the Prince. "Well, I am sure it'd be a bigger incentive to give him something to get home to quickly," she said to Shiera with a grin and moved over to Viserys. "My prince, may I join you?" She said with a curtsey. Alyssa kept the conversation going with Shiera, "at least the Tourney has not been boring, all the time, even if you have not seen us at our best, I cannot wait to return home." Shiera nodded. "A lot of people don't look good coming out of this," she said. "Between duels and nonsense and the like." She shook her head. "But it's been a good tourney all told. Your sister seems a handful," she noted with a smile. Viserys turned and nodded, his armor dented from his fall during the joust. "Alex," he said, "so nice to see you. I hope you missed Ser Garrett sending me off my horse like an arrow fired from a bow. Was quite eye opening," he said. "You look lovely today." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 26, 2017 15:34:19 GMT
"I do appreciate that Isaak." Percy replied with a faint smile. "Especially coming from the heir to a house as important as your own." Figuring there was little more to be said about his marital prospects, he switched the topic. "So, you are now familiar with this Grafton. Do you make him a favorite?" "I don't bet against the Green Hand," he said, shaking his head. "Prince Geralt can win this." He looked about the stands. "Many of the fans agree, I think." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 26, 2017 15:35:55 GMT
Melissa glanced over at the box where Alyssa and her sister were sitting with the Targaryens. She wasn't actually that interested in them but she supposed it would only be polite to meet. "Fine, I'll come, for a short while." Melissa and Florys see the Hightowers talking to one of the sisters and the prince, but Florys ignores them and walks straight up to Prince Baelor. "My prince," she said with a bow, "Princess Melissa Gardener of Highgarden." The older man smiled politely. "Princess," he said, "Your brother is carrying the field before him today. You should be proud." |
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 26, 2017 15:39:27 GMT
"I am glad you are confident." Perceon replied. "It would be of great benefit to Reach for these foreigners to be reminded our knights are superior to their own."
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 26, 2017 16:56:23 GMT
The Bastard of Riverrun strikes up an impromptu performance of The Gates of the Hightower among the peasants, even tossing coins to inspire enthusiasm.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 26, 2017 19:30:46 GMT
Melissa and Florys see the Hightowers talking to one of the sisters and the prince, but Florys ignores them and walks straight up to Prince Baelor. "My prince," she said with a bow, "Princess Melissa Gardener of Highgarden." The older man smiled politely. "Princess," he said, "Your brother is carrying the field before him today. You should be proud." "I am always proud of Geralt's martial skills," Melissa said. "He's one of the best warriors and jousters I know. We love our knights well in the Reach." |
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 26, 2017 22:53:17 GMT
Having won the last tilt, Geralt saluted his opponent, the royal box, and the crowd in turn, removing his greathelm and taking a quick celebratory lap. When that was done, he made his way to the royal box to collect his purse and the wreathe for naming the Queen of Love and Beauty.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 26, 2017 23:03:14 GMT
Perceon stood and applauded heartily for his brother as he made his lap.
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Post by Prince Willem Lannister on Aug 27, 2017 1:20:37 GMT
Prince Willem also applauded. It was no disgrace to be unhorsed by the eventual winner of the joust. He had achieved his own goal by unhorsing one of his heroes Ser Garrett Costayne of the Order of the Green Hand, who had been regarded for years as one of the finest jousters in the realm.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 27, 2017 4:15:04 GMT
Prince Geralt rides to the box as the crowd divides, most cheering the winner, some singing ever louder. The chaos begins when a man near the Targaryen camp makes a mistake of youth, of arrogance, of sheer idiocy. In full view of Ser Walter Greystone, the longest serving and deadliest of Alyssa Hightower's guards, the youth rushes the fence and puts a hand into his cloak not ten feet from the lady.
His arm is off only a second later, blood spurting from its socket as a sword honed razor sharp separates the elbow from the forearm in a strong and sure strike, and the nearby observers cry in dismay. King Harmund, holding the wreath with a carefully worn mask of impassiveness, nonetheless raises an eyebrow as the commoner bleeds out and the shouting begins. He looks to Prince Geralt to hand him his crown of lilies and orchids bound by gossamer thin threads of gold when all around the box hear a whooshing sound.
The first barrel detonated instantly, molten black grease jetting flames out from under the stands, spraying fire everywhere from the cracks in the boards, incinerating the house shield banners and turning cheers jeers and singing into abrupt panic. The sticky oil spreads far and within a second and a half the two kings are covered in it, flesh bubbling as it chars, screams escaping the older men's throats as the flames devour them. Larissa Dayne is directly over the blast and her golden hair turns to a wispy black as the hungry, sticky inferno envelops her, her vocal chords shrieking in pain long after her brain has ceased proper function.
The second barrel is what causes the collateral damage, as the shock of the first blast is still expanding the second begins, and not all this grease atomized into flame, leaving it boiling at four hundred or more degrees, sticking to skin or clothing or steel. It sprays for dozens of feet as smoke billows in a thick black cloud.
Casualties can't even be calculated initially; the screams of the crowd and the shouts of warriors trying to find their pieces in the carnage leading to drawn steel and spilled blood. There are screams from every kingdom's camp but the loudest belong to the Vale and Reach and Isles and Rivers. A crossbow bolt pierces Harmund Hoare's chest as he burns and sends him toppling into guards themselves burning, and dozens of armed men rush towards the burning box to seek out the crown prince.
Even that isn't the end to it, as the more undisciplined or barbaric of the Ironborn warriors draw steel and strike down anyone nearby. This is a chance for many to settle old scores or weaken rivals that can be plundered at will as their lords or knights fall in the chaos. Melissa and Florys watch as Lord Florence and his daughter vanish into a sea of grey steel, Alyssa watches as her husband vanishes into the orange ride of flame, the smoke covering any trace of his immediate fate, and Prince Willem hears his younger brother Stafford screaming as his face melts with boiling grease.
Hundreds of men in the area have blades and armor for the tourney, and in the minute that passes as the casualties mount, they turn them on each other...
Theon: -50 damage, medical rolls required for preservation of right leg
Bastard of Riverrun: free to kick ass or search for bomber
Melissa Gardener: uneffected
Percy: -10 from people near him fighting
Alyssa/Alex: no ill effects
Geralt Gardener: -40, tourney field being overrun
Will Lannister: -20
Mychel Mallister: -15
Daemon Blacktyde: -10
Immediately confirmed dead NPCs:
King Harmund Hoare
Queen Larissa
King Grayson Gardener
Lord Florent
Lilith Florent
Stafford Lannister
Myles Hoare
Sarissa Martell
Desmond Yronwood
Miranda Arryn
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 27, 2017 5:30:12 GMT
Perceon looked on in complete shock as an explosion engulfed first his father and then his brother in flame. His first reaction was horror, at what he assumed was the death of both of his kin. His second reaction was the sickening realization his father had only been seated where he was because of Percy's own behaviour. The third thing that occurred to Percy, and the one he occupied himself with in the short term was the realization he was now the king, and was thus one of the only people in the field who had a hope of restoring order before more of his kin or fellow Reachmen were killed.
He looked to Isaak, glad he had a knight at his side as men drew weapons all around him. "Stay with me Isaak." He commanded the man, then he shouted as loudly as he could at those fighting around him with as much authority as he could muster. "Stand down! Touch me or a subject of the Reach and it will mean war!"
(OOC: Intimidation 45) 4EFAbKBO
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Post by Prince Willem Lannister on Aug 27, 2017 6:30:06 GMT
Willem was dazed for a moment when the blasts happened. In his stupor he looked down at his surcoat over his golden armor and thought I should put that out. Recovering his wits, he began to beat out the flames on his person. He thought he heard his brother's voice...rising in a shrill scream above the din. As he saw men beginning to strike each other down, he drew both his swords. Holding one above his head and levelling the other in his defence, the Lannister Prince began to roar his best battlefield voice.
"Men of the West...to me, to me!"
Willem made no move to strike anyone, unless they attacked him. As his surviving men began to make their way towards men, including his cousin, Jaymes Reyne, Willem began to organise a rough defensive formation as best he could.
Land Command: 80
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Sword 1: 82 (if attacked)
Sword 2: 61 (if attacked)
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 27, 2017 7:37:22 GMT
Theon happens to be looking directly at his grandfather when he unexpectedly ascends the throne. After the blast, he has only a few seconds to consider what he has just witnessed before the pain in his leg overcomes his senses. The former maester attempts to treat his injury.
Medical Knowledge 50
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The Bastard immediately charges towards the new King of Isles and Rivers, not caring who he pushes aside or tramples.
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Post by Mychel Mallister on Aug 27, 2017 8:39:23 GMT
Mychel stands with his goodbrother and both of them start rampaging towards the new King Theon, long live the king.
Axe 1: 80
XQUQpDoa
Axe 2: 60
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 27, 2017 8:58:12 GMT
Melissa stood in horrified shock as her adored father was burned alive, her brother engulfed in flame, and then her best friend and uncle were slain. She had to bite her lip to stop herself from screaming. After a moment though, she threw herself down low, pulling Florys down beside her, hoping to avoid attention from whoever had started the chaos and from other dangers too. Reflex had her grasping for the sword she wasn't wearing, as she always did when danger threatened. But she had only her dagger. She felt very sick and very scared but her mind automatically turned towards safety.
"We've got to get out of here," she said urgently, her voice breathy with anxiety. She looked up at Alyssa, Alex and the Targaryens. "We need a plan. Are any of you armed?"
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 27, 2017 11:46:53 GMT
Alyssa didn't duck, she didn't listen to Melissa, she didn't feel fear or anything else. She just felt cold. She looked at the spot where her husband had been. The joy she felt at his triumph and her approaching crowning as Queen of Love and Beauty had been replaced by a cold gripping dread.
She tried to see her husband after the fire surge had subsided and if she saw him looked for a way to get to him.
At the blast Alex had jumped closer to Viserys, too shocked for it to have been any purposeful move, instead just in shock and panic. "Gods above! The box," she gave a harsh whisper and looked to her sister.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 27, 2017 12:55:22 GMT
The Targaryens having swords and axes is part of the problem; nearly everyone is armed. Perceon's call for calm effects a few dozen people within a few feet of him as Isaak leads him towards the bulk of the men of the Reach, but the message is confused as a man who could be running for them or could simply be fleeing the scene is struck down by Ser Isaak, unwilling to risk harm to his new king. A dozen Green Hands begin moving towards him in a tight formation, pushing all around them aside.
Alyssa sees dozens of people now on the tourney floor. Geralt can move slowly but he is almost completely surrounded by people, Florys hyperventilated near the two from her spot and the princesses are surrounded by a half dozen of the black armored guards, who do not speak Westerosi and are under no apparent implied restraint orders. Any who attempt to enter their circle lose limbs at best. "To the ships!" Baelor's powerful voice calls out. One of Viserys's cousins offers one of his two swords to Melissa wordlessly.
Mychel and Daemon rampage through the crowd in time to see a second crossbow bolt lance otu towards the northerners' camp, and a warrior near Asha collapses with the bolt in his throat. Mychel sees the path of the bolt, and the building it had been fired from at least. Erik Hoare is behind a line of men, calling out furiously for order, as healers rush to Theon's side in a desperate effort to save his leg. "Take him to the Gods-damned castle!" He called out. "Find that fucker firing the crossbow!"
Willem's westerners form into a circle, as they had been in a fairly defined area, and they make a ring of steel as he joins them. After a half dozen over angry rioters are slaughtered near the ring of steel the rest begin to hang back.
Geralt feels people all around him and he's shoved into the dirt and trampled by a few people fleeing, and then he hears screams of pain as Wayland Rowan and his younger brother cut down two men near him, as Ser Allyn Ashford of the Hand joins them and unleashes his full fury on anyone within range, understanding that a sudden burst of violence is the only way to override the panic. Three men and women fall to his blade in just a few seconds until they are in an island amid the chaos.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 27, 2017 13:10:57 GMT
Ser Clayton had stood staring in shock for a moment or two, unable to process what had just occurred. Then, seeing some of his fellow Reachmen forming up around the burning Prince, he realized this could be a good opportunity to impress the Gardeners, and he drew his blade and began to cut his way through the crowd toward Geralt, sparing only the unarmed.
Sword 80
oR_gmom|
Strength 25
Stamina 65
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 27, 2017 13:13:36 GMT
Perceon could do little more than follow Isaak, trying to look as calm as he could. He glanced over toward the stormlanders quickly, trying to catch a glimpse of Kyle or Bethan.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 27, 2017 13:56:36 GMT
Clayton's fist does more damage than his blade, but he strikes a man whom he probably didn't mean to, a man in the colors of House Mooton, who turns about and slashes back at him. "The Reach is killing us!" A woman screamed. It isn't technically inaccurate, between the Rowans guarding Geralt and the like, no one yet has shed more blood than the Reachmen.
Perceon sees the Stormlanders and Prince Kyle bellowing out orders to withdraw and exit the city. His men are not afraid to kill either, circling their ladies and forcing their way through the crowd. He hasn't seen Bethan yet but there's a commotion in their ranks as they push towards the taverns they stay at, seeking to bring all their numbers out. Nearby the Martells are doing much the same, Serena shrieking in fury at her slain daughter. The Dornish take the unwarranted brunt of suspicion once again, and now they have no reason for restraint. Darius Gargalen strikes down anyone who dares approach, and a man who throws a tomato in protest is singled out and impaled upon the spear of one of Lord Yronwood's surviving relatives.
Forming a shield wall, the Hoares evacuate King Theon as Erik bellows for the rioters to leave the field before he unleashes the fury of the army upon them, dispatching Mychel, Daemon and a few men to hunt down the crossbowman they had identified firing from the building.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 27, 2017 14:02:05 GMT
"Out of my way, fool." Clayton snarled, the only warning the man was going to get.
Perceon felt ever more worried, beginning to fear Bethan may have been a victim of the blast as well. He continued to follow Isaak through the crowd toward the Reachmen.
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 27, 2017 14:30:52 GMT
The Bastard also makes his way towards the semi-hidden crossbowmen, dodging behind large objects, such as horses and other human beings, in order to avoid being hit.
Agility 45
5gWQfHOW
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 27, 2017 14:41:14 GMT
Alyssa moves forward like she was going to try and go and find her husband, but Alex grabs her arm. "The greenhand are there, you can do nothing. Let's go with them." She tugged insistently at her sister's arm and pulled her wordlessly back towards the Targaryan's as they moved back.
Alyssa gave an order for her guards to join the Targaryan men to keep them safe. Feeling sick.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 27, 2017 14:58:21 GMT
The Targaryens are off in a flash, no one standing in their way as their brutality is swift and merciless, the foreign guards having no friends or family here, their only concern the people inside their circle's safety. Viserys cursed as a rock hit his arm but he waved his cousins off from killing the thrower. "The boats," he said.
The Reachmen form up as a unit now, moving towards the Green hand knights guarding Geralt. Burning pains lance across the prince's body as everywhere men and women are being pulled into the crowd or slain or dragged off. The Hoare guards are coming by the dozen now to clear the area out but personal scores are being settled now and stabbings are everywhere.
Tywin Rivers and the Ironborn lords and crossbowmen see the building where the Lone crossbowman is and the chase is on.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 27, 2017 15:04:07 GMT
Perceon scanned the crowd from within the cluster of knights now surrounding him, desperately searching for nearby Reachmen or Reachwomen he recognized who might still be saved. He also looked for Bethan in case she had been separated from her family, or had not been sitting with them to begin with.
Clayton continued to force his way toward Geralt.
Sword 80
tJqDvkHV
Strength 25
Stamina 65
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