Post by The Stranger on Jul 24, 2008 13:03:17 GMT -5
Desperate Measures, 526 AC
Benfry read the letter glumly. Though the invaders had been driven from Lannisport, Casterly Rock and now Deep Den, the losses had been ruinous and with Lord Lefford and Lord Irwyn both perished at Deep Den, the western army was without experienced leadership. He puzzled over the invader’s motives. Although they still had their ships at Seaguard protected by the treacherous ironborn, they were now surrounded by Westerosi forces on all sides. Though he was no general, that seemed a deadly mistake to make and he could not fathom their reasoning. With some effort he put that question to the back of his mind and focussed on more pressing matters. He had already ordered the fortification of the walls of Kings Landing and key junctions at streets within those walls, though he feared this would not be sufficient if they were breached. “We just don’t have enough men” he muttered as he reviewed the city maps. He thought long and hard through the night as he pondered on how best to protect the King and Queen. He even considered the possibility of evacuating key personnel from the city and fleeing to the Eyrie but the idea of giving up the capital without a fight was repellent and the slaughter of innocents as a result would be anathema to him. A knock on the door roused him from his introspection. His brother Bertram poked his head inside and grinned “Thought you’d still be here. You asked to be informed when we got word from Lord Harroway’s Town” the smile slipped “It’s not good news” he warned as he handed over the parchment. Steeling himself Benfry read it through once and crumpled it in one hand in anger. “Damn those Ironborn. The last thing these invaders needed was an extra 10,000 men!” he cursed as his mind raced. “They’ll be here in less than a month” he calculated. He stood up and stormed out of his quarters. “I need to speak to the King!”
///////////////
After speaking with King Rickon and explaining his plans, he met with High Septon Petar and spoke with him. Shortly afterwards a notice was placed in public places advising that the Regent would be speaking about the war outside the Great Sept of Baelor the next day.
Benfry paced nervously inside the inner sanctum of the Great Sept, going through in his mind what he wanted to say. He was not a great public speaker and wished this duty had fallen to someone else, but he knew it had to be him or the King and he did not wish to risk him, should what he have to say be badly received. Just before noon, he steeled himself and walked out into sunshine, his white brothers arrayed behind him, bar Ser Buckwell and Ser Selmy. A small space had been created at the summit of the steps leading into the sept itself and in this space a raised platform had been placed. Benfry made his way toward it and stepped up onto it, looking out across the throng, which had gathered anxiously for news. He gazed around for a moment. More had come than he had expected and he swallowed and licked his suddenly dry lips, his speech forgotten in a moment. He closed his eyes for a second and composed himself.
“Citizens!” he said loudly, startling those nearest him. “We stand at a critical time in our history. Not since the Andals, many thousands of years ago, have these lands faced such a serious threat from an invading force and, like the Andals, they appear suddenly and without bargain or quarter” he paused to let that sink in before continuing “Unlike the First Men of old however, we do not have bronze weapons facing iron. Our arms are the equal, nay better, of our foes! Already these invaders have taken grievous losses at Casterly Rock and Deep Den. Their leader was slain by our heroic Lord Irwyn who himself sadly fell, overcome by many wounds, giving his life for his lands and his King. The invaders have joined together with the treasonous Ironborn and march on our fair city, but already the forces of the Vale, North and Mander converge upon them! The Riverlands, Stormlords and Westermen cut off their retreat back to their ships and home. They are doomed to fail and fall! However, we must be strong and brave and deny them the grim satisfaction of sacking our homes before the final blade falls upon them! We have strong walls and brave men to hold them but I ask you now, help us! We know you are not all soldiers, but you are brave men still and westerosi besides, worth twice any invader born! Stand together with us on the walls as we throw these invaders back to the hell that spawned them! Our goldcloaks are valiant and courageous but are outnumbered. We do not wish to see this city, site of so many recent woes, to be burnt again. This time we face not Dragons, but lizards so how can we not prevail? I tell you now that we all will have to stand up and be counted before the end comes for these foul aliens and their lickspittle allies. This holy site behind me,” Benfry pointed “means nothing to those who worship the Drowned God and whatever heathen evils these black demons follow. This grand monument to the Seven would be given over to the pyre and it’s holy men as well. I have spoken with High Septon Petar and we are in agreement. These barbarians must not be allowed to breach the gates or all we know and love will be given over to Fire and Blood…remember those evil words, aptly describing House Targaryen and it’s ending and remember your King’s…”Ours is the Fury!” We shall teach the invaders the meaning of those words before we dispatch them back to their sulphurous home. We have the opportunity to send a message to those who would dare to endanger our people, our homes and our way of life. Nothing but death and the carrion birds await them! Come; join us on the walls as we give it to them and show them that we are not afraid!” he shouted the last as he raised his fist. The crowd cheered his words loudly and long, but Benfry saw the fear in some of them and hoped what he had said had been enough. He climbed down from the platform and to Ser Aemon Webber who stood by some tables with several dozen scribes. “Take their names, give them a badge, armour and weapons and put them on the walls before their strength deserts them. Mix them in with the goldcloaks and regular soldiers. Tell the unit commander that should any break in battle they are to be killed immediately, otherwise we risk a rout,” he said quietly
Results:
Benfry improves to Novice in Persuasion
Benfry improves to Apprentice in Politics
Benfry read the letter glumly. Though the invaders had been driven from Lannisport, Casterly Rock and now Deep Den, the losses had been ruinous and with Lord Lefford and Lord Irwyn both perished at Deep Den, the western army was without experienced leadership. He puzzled over the invader’s motives. Although they still had their ships at Seaguard protected by the treacherous ironborn, they were now surrounded by Westerosi forces on all sides. Though he was no general, that seemed a deadly mistake to make and he could not fathom their reasoning. With some effort he put that question to the back of his mind and focussed on more pressing matters. He had already ordered the fortification of the walls of Kings Landing and key junctions at streets within those walls, though he feared this would not be sufficient if they were breached. “We just don’t have enough men” he muttered as he reviewed the city maps. He thought long and hard through the night as he pondered on how best to protect the King and Queen. He even considered the possibility of evacuating key personnel from the city and fleeing to the Eyrie but the idea of giving up the capital without a fight was repellent and the slaughter of innocents as a result would be anathema to him. A knock on the door roused him from his introspection. His brother Bertram poked his head inside and grinned “Thought you’d still be here. You asked to be informed when we got word from Lord Harroway’s Town” the smile slipped “It’s not good news” he warned as he handed over the parchment. Steeling himself Benfry read it through once and crumpled it in one hand in anger. “Damn those Ironborn. The last thing these invaders needed was an extra 10,000 men!” he cursed as his mind raced. “They’ll be here in less than a month” he calculated. He stood up and stormed out of his quarters. “I need to speak to the King!”
///////////////
After speaking with King Rickon and explaining his plans, he met with High Septon Petar and spoke with him. Shortly afterwards a notice was placed in public places advising that the Regent would be speaking about the war outside the Great Sept of Baelor the next day.
Benfry paced nervously inside the inner sanctum of the Great Sept, going through in his mind what he wanted to say. He was not a great public speaker and wished this duty had fallen to someone else, but he knew it had to be him or the King and he did not wish to risk him, should what he have to say be badly received. Just before noon, he steeled himself and walked out into sunshine, his white brothers arrayed behind him, bar Ser Buckwell and Ser Selmy. A small space had been created at the summit of the steps leading into the sept itself and in this space a raised platform had been placed. Benfry made his way toward it and stepped up onto it, looking out across the throng, which had gathered anxiously for news. He gazed around for a moment. More had come than he had expected and he swallowed and licked his suddenly dry lips, his speech forgotten in a moment. He closed his eyes for a second and composed himself.
“Citizens!” he said loudly, startling those nearest him. “We stand at a critical time in our history. Not since the Andals, many thousands of years ago, have these lands faced such a serious threat from an invading force and, like the Andals, they appear suddenly and without bargain or quarter” he paused to let that sink in before continuing “Unlike the First Men of old however, we do not have bronze weapons facing iron. Our arms are the equal, nay better, of our foes! Already these invaders have taken grievous losses at Casterly Rock and Deep Den. Their leader was slain by our heroic Lord Irwyn who himself sadly fell, overcome by many wounds, giving his life for his lands and his King. The invaders have joined together with the treasonous Ironborn and march on our fair city, but already the forces of the Vale, North and Mander converge upon them! The Riverlands, Stormlords and Westermen cut off their retreat back to their ships and home. They are doomed to fail and fall! However, we must be strong and brave and deny them the grim satisfaction of sacking our homes before the final blade falls upon them! We have strong walls and brave men to hold them but I ask you now, help us! We know you are not all soldiers, but you are brave men still and westerosi besides, worth twice any invader born! Stand together with us on the walls as we throw these invaders back to the hell that spawned them! Our goldcloaks are valiant and courageous but are outnumbered. We do not wish to see this city, site of so many recent woes, to be burnt again. This time we face not Dragons, but lizards so how can we not prevail? I tell you now that we all will have to stand up and be counted before the end comes for these foul aliens and their lickspittle allies. This holy site behind me,” Benfry pointed “means nothing to those who worship the Drowned God and whatever heathen evils these black demons follow. This grand monument to the Seven would be given over to the pyre and it’s holy men as well. I have spoken with High Septon Petar and we are in agreement. These barbarians must not be allowed to breach the gates or all we know and love will be given over to Fire and Blood…remember those evil words, aptly describing House Targaryen and it’s ending and remember your King’s…”Ours is the Fury!” We shall teach the invaders the meaning of those words before we dispatch them back to their sulphurous home. We have the opportunity to send a message to those who would dare to endanger our people, our homes and our way of life. Nothing but death and the carrion birds await them! Come; join us on the walls as we give it to them and show them that we are not afraid!” he shouted the last as he raised his fist. The crowd cheered his words loudly and long, but Benfry saw the fear in some of them and hoped what he had said had been enough. He climbed down from the platform and to Ser Aemon Webber who stood by some tables with several dozen scribes. “Take their names, give them a badge, armour and weapons and put them on the walls before their strength deserts them. Mix them in with the goldcloaks and regular soldiers. Tell the unit commander that should any break in battle they are to be killed immediately, otherwise we risk a rout,” he said quietly
Results:
Benfry improves to Novice in Persuasion
Benfry improves to Apprentice in Politics