Burning Tarril - The First Spark

[kyoryu]

Recruitment thread: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232180
OOC thread: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232883
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((addressed at Argen))

Sun streams in the sole window in your chambers. Even with the sun splashing across your sleeping furs, the chambers are cold. Spring and summer are much better - the flowers, the courtly smiles and visits, and of course the tournaments.

But that may be coming to an end, anyway. After the fight two weeks ago with your father, you're pretty sure there will be changes. You've never seemed to be his favorite, and you're pretty sure you've overstepped your boundaries this time.

There's an abrupt knock at the door, and then the door opens. A servant walks in, bows, and addresses you.

"Lord Argen, your Lord Father requests your presence immediately." He avoids your eyes and shifts his weight from side to side. He hesitates for a moment, as if deciding whether to speak further or not, and then says in a more conversational tone, "M'lord, I'd not keep him waiting."

[Partysan]

I flinch as the knock interrupts my musings, tense as I was. Without turning around I listen, then let out a sigh. "I suppose you are right. Just let me get my cloak and we can go."

I let the servant help me into the warm, heavy cloak and follow him through the corridors, wrapping the fabric tighly around me.
"I know father loves me, but he has never understood me well. How could I ever call myself a knight if I were ready to turn my back on his Grace just for our convenience?
...don't answer that, I do not want you to get into trouble. And please get Shamshir ready for me, be it one way or the other I will need a ride after this."

Silently I follow the servant the rest of the way to the door my father awaits me behind, unure what to expect and how to enter. Whatever will come won't be pleasant, that much I know.

[kyoryu]

(( a little background. Your father is part of the Duchy of Flarr, led by Duke Larin Highsun. Flarr is mostly agricultural, and the nobles tend to be relatively wealthy due to the abundance of food and the trade of that food. It's the most "traditionally chivalric" duchy. Your father's lands are on the northern part of Flarr, and right next to Tarkath. Tarkath was annexed to the kingdom in the last war, ten years ago. It's a much poorer land, as it's in a much colder climate and generally "staying alive" takes a lot of effort.

Your father's duchy, in terms of culture, sits relatively between the two of them. He's been talking about switching allegiance to Tarkath, as he has little use for the courtly machinations of Flarr.))

You are led to your father's conference room. He sits at a great stone table, finishing his breakfast of eggs. Gerald is there too, a smile breaking through the tension on his face. He appears to be trying to hold it in.

Your father ignores your presence for about thirty seconds as he finishes a few bites of egg. Finally he looks up at you.

"Ah, my son. My dear boy." His tone is harsh and bitter. "Learning to dance. Playing at combat. Looking forward to court and tournaments. What a waste." He throws down his fork, and it clatters to the stone floor. "Are you of any worth besides being married off? I've half a mind to take that blasted horse you fawn over, take your pretty sword and armor, and just put you in sewing class instead. That'd go well with the dancing, no? I hear Tarkan women are strong and capable. Maybe you'd make a good wife for one of them."

Gerald covers his mouth with his hand, but you can see the laugh in his eyes and hear his chuckles.

"But that's not what I'm going to do. Not yet, anyway. Our dear Duke Highsun, whom you hold in such respect, has been petitioned repeatedly by Lord Arathal about some peasant unhappiness or some other such garbage. No armed rebellion or anything like that, just the usual whining. The Duke has commanded me to assist. And since you're so very fond of him, I could think of nobody better to deal with this than you. You'll go to his hold, find out what this problem is, and resolve it. You will bring honor to our family's name."

"Now, begone and be on your way before I decide I have a taste for horseflesh."

[Partysan]

I enter the room, trying to clear my throat for a "You wanted to see me, father?", but my voice fails me and he begins to talk before me.
I listen and clench my teeth as he clearly shows his disdain for me. Why am I now being blamed for my education?

At last I can muster my voice.

You'll go to his hold, find out what this problem is, and resolve it. You will bring honor to our family's name.
"Yes. Yes, that's exactly what I will do. You just wait and see." I manage to get out in a surprisingly firm voice. With that I turn and leave the room, trying not to run but walk upright until the door closes behind me.

I turn my steps downstairs towards the kitchens. Travel preparations are in order and some refreshments won't be the worst way to start.

[kyoryu]

Just as you turn to leave, you're pretty sure you catch a glimpse of a smile on your father's face. And not the usual "I'm going to enjoy putting you in your place" smile, either.

In the common room, the cook serves you up some late breakfast. There's another man sitting on one of the wooden benches, eating his breakfast. On second glance, he looks like he's barely more than a boy, but clearly of lower birth than yours, and he has also clearly led a harder life.

A fire is burning in the fireplace, enough to keep the room from freezing, but it's still cold in here.

(( To Vilhelm ))

You've just arrived in Branchold, and your uncle has invited you to the keep to do some work and make a few coins. You've also heard of some discontent in the lands of Lord Arathal to the south, and "discontent" typically means a chance to earn some good money.

You're sitting down to eat your breakfast before you get to work for your uncle when another man comes down, some sort of noble judging by the heavy cloak he's wearing. You're a bit jealous - it looks quite warm.

[ufo]

My eyes are fixed on the man's cape for quite some time, imagining all the times in the last few weeks I would have killed to have one just like that. Realizing what kind of person this must be for him to wear such garment, I quickly snap out of it and look him in the eyes and force a polite smile.

"Your, eh, Grace." I stammer in greeting - for I am not quite sure how to address this man - before I quickly start forking the modest food on my plate.

[Partysan]

I can't help but grin at the inappropriate adress the young man gave me.
"Now that's too much an honor for me. I take it you are new to Branchold, so welcome to my home. Do not let your meal be interrupted by me, I am just having breakfast myself."

I continue to eat and alternate between planning my supplies and watching the young man hastily eating his, somewhat more modest, meal. How curious. One leaves, one arrives.

[ufo]

Exhilarated from the recognition, I smile widely, unwittingly making a show of my crude, unkempt teeth.

"Thank you..." I pause for a moment and stare blankly, before flashing a proud grin, "... milord." Feeling rather dull, I awkwardly add, "Branchold seems like a nice place."

I return to my meal and spend a few minutes gulping down the remains. I lean back, only to realize that there is nothing to lean on and proudly straighten my back to remedy the scene. My eyes narrow for a few moments, obviously a gesture of deep thought.

[Partysan]

"It is." I nod. "But I will not be seeing it for a while." I add, looking somewhere in the distance. Somehow, this meaningless conversation lightens my mood a bit. Turning back, I continue:
"That is of no consequence for you, though. I will set out to accomplish my tasks and you... well, did you come to Branchold for a specific reason?"

[kyoryu]

(( in general, anyone less than a Duke is generally just "Lord Xyz" ))

[ufo]

I pause for a moment, obviously dumbfounded. Hastily deciding to settle for half the truth, I mumble cautiously:

"I've been travelling here for the last few weeks, getting paid to keep robbers away from rich people on the road. No reason though." I stare the noble in the eye for a few moments, realizing how suspicious that might have sounded.

"Eh, well, I'm here to make a living, I guess." Remembering my manners, I smile nervously. "Vilhem Jelhemsson. That's my name." Not quire sure whether it would be inappropriate to offer my hand for a shake, I go with "It's good to meet you."

"... milord."

[Partysan]

"Oh forgive me, I am not used to people not knowing me. My name is Argen, Viscount of Branchold, son of Earl Harold of Branchold. A pleasure to meet you."
With a smile I add: "It is a refreshing experience to introduce myself to someone who does not already know me anyway."

Eyeing the young man with a new interest I consider what he told me about his trade.
"So you are a mercenary? I would not have pegged you for a professional fighter. You must have begun to train at an early age to be a hired blade capable of fighting off bands of highwaymen. I am impressed."

[ufo]

I blush, unsure how to react. "I did train most of my life," to be a sailor, I mentally add. "I guess you could call me a mercenary," I say, not quite sure what 'professional fighter' would imply.

Desperate to change the topic, I gather my courage. "If I may ask," I ask, "where are you headed?"

[Partysan]

"I am to go to the court of Lord Arathal. It seems he has requested aid and my father has decided to send me there. I do not know what exactly I am to do there, though. Presumably I will find out in due course."

I finish my meal and pour me another mug of milk.

[ufo]

"Lord Arathal?" I exclaim in sudden interest. I take a look towards the kitchen, watching my uncle slave away.

I gulp. "Is your lordship travelling by yourself? Uhm, not that I doubt your ability, milord, but from what I hear, things are rather rowdy down there."

I discreetly bite my lip to contain my anticipation.

[Partysan]

Well now, that young guy is not exactly the most subtle. On the other hand... He is not yet under my father's command and I can probably afford to keep him around. Maybe this is a good opportunity, since father probably won't lend me any servants.

"Well, I have not yet made any specific plans for an escort. I can hardly take away my father's guards and I have yet to earn the Knight's honor to take a knave. I might have gone alone, but it is not the shortest of journeys and if the area is indeed less than peaceful as you say it might be a good idea to arrange for a companion."
I wink at him. "Why, did you want to suggest someone?"

[ufo]

Starting from a faint grin of surprise, I start to smile widely, ending in a beam of enthusiasm while staring blankly ahead, envisioning exaggerated scenes of fame and grandeur.

I snap out of it and look into the kitchen again. I look back at the viscount.

"I could go... I mean, I could be your escort, milord. I'd be glad to!"

Please, don't let me toil in the darn kitchen!

[Partysan]

"Now I am not actually expecting any fighting, but I should probably take someone with me anyway. So if you could give me a hand with my armor and things while it is peaceful, then it might as well be you.
I am a bit surprised though, now that you have just arrived here to see you eager to leave again. But think nothing of it. If you want to accompany me ready your travel gear, we may have to leave yet today. And should you not already own one, we need to arrange for a horse."

I empty my mug and stand up from the table. "You will have to excuse me now, I need to pack. I will send for you."
With that I give him a nod and leave the room, ready to begin my preparations.

[ufo]

Though feeling slightly diminished by the pack mule-like job description, I flash a grin at Argen and empty my mug. "Thank you! I'll say goodbye to my uncle and pack my things, and then I'll head back here. And keep myself ready."

I smile for myself when Argen turns his back, before remembering: "Oh, and I don't have a horse!"

[Partysan]

I leave the kitchen and hurry to prepare for my journey. I have my clothes packed, both for the travel and for the court, my weapons and armor readied, I add the few basic pieces of equipment I can think of like iron and flintstone as well as blankets if we should have to camp outside and fill my money pouch with enough silver to accomodate us for the trip.
Finally, before tending to my horse, I return to the kitchen to order a sack of travel provisions that I finish up with a few of my favourite cakes, and to look for Vilhelm.

[ufo]

I let go of my uncle's hand. "Thank you for the help. I will say hello when I come to Branchold again. Hope we can have a real toast to father then."

I turn around, and quickly exclaim: "Milord, good to see you!", perhaps a tad too enthusiastically. I swing my cloth sack over my shoulder and smile widely, once again making an uncharismatic display of my teeth. "Are we ready to go?"

[Partysan]

"Almost. We will have to make a visit to the stablemaster and see whether we can procure a steed for you. After that is taken care of I will announce my leave to my father and we can begin our journey.
So follow me. And on the way you might inform me about the state of your horsemanship."

[kyoryu]

(( Procuring a steed will be an Ob3 Resources test. A mule would be an Ob2 test.

Basically, the test will be whether or not you've got enough "credit" with the stablemaster to borrow a horse for some random kid whom nobody has seen. If you fail the test, it means you're in more trouble, and can expect less help from your father than you even thought (hence the tax). I'll let you get the horse either way, though.

You didn't list your Resources, so it's going to be the total points you spent on non-gear stuff, divided by 15. I'm guessing Vilhelm has Resources of B1.

Oh, you also each have 1 fate and persona to start. ))

The stablemaster eyes Vilhelm as he enters the stables. "Looking for that fancy horse of yours, m'Lord?" Courtesy is apparently demanded, even if respect isn't. "I heard you were meandering about, so I got him saddled for you. He's waiting in the yard. That be all?"

[Partysan]

((Divided by 15? Wow, you'd have to be quite rich to even reach B2. No sense in throwing the dice then, since I guess Ressources doesn't improve with tests and I can't make it anyways.))

I frown a bit at the man's careless tone, but let it go.
"Not quite, Master Aric. We will need a steed for my companion here. Nothing special just a simple, obedient one. Saddled of course. Take it to the yard as well, we will be there loading the horses."

[kyoryu]

(( Resources *does* improve with tests. ANd yeah, div by 15 is pretty harsh, especially since money spent on "gear" doesn't help. Lots of characters start out at B0.

I'll also let you engage in a Duel of Wits - your choice, to either haggle down the test obstacle, or just get the horse outright. The stableman's statement of purpose is pretty clear: "If you want a horse, you need your father to tell me so."

Stableman's name - Aric Whiteleaf ))

Aric looks at you. "We need these horses, m'lord, and their disposition is up to your Lord father. If you need one, I'll need to hear it from him."

[Partysan]

((Duel it is. My purpose is simply: "Convince Aric to leave us a simple horse for Vilhelm."))

"There is nothing to gain for you in making things intentionally difficult for me." I retort, arms crossed. "My father ordered me to undertake this journey and I will be provided with the things needed for its success."

((I have no idea how exactly that works, since it isn't part of the free rules. The first could be a feint equivalent, or a dismissal, the second is a straightup point I guess. Maybe you could post a DoW 101 in the OOC?))

[kyoryu]

(( yup, I'll do that. I'll go rules light just to avoid copyright ))