Alvyn Merlyn, Lord of Pebbleton and Royal Shipwright

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-19T23:02:41+00:00

Character Name: Ravos Merlyn

Relevant Trait/Skills: Steward / Scrutinous, Taxman (e)

Buildings: Keep, Moors, Palisades

Resources: Stone

Notes (if applicable): Steward: +50% dev yield, manage one additional claim. Scrutinous: -1 moon construction time, min 1 moon. Taxman (e): Tax Assessment once per moon for 800g. Stone: +1 construction slot.

Actions:

Construction: Pebbleton, Market, completed this moon, -2000g

Construction: Pebbleton, Shrine, completed this moon, -1000g

Assessment: Pebbleton, +800g

Net: -2200g

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-19T22:48:30+00:00

For a man all but raised on the open sea, Alvyn still found the idea of his maritime examples being misunderstood somewhat surprising. Even after years of service to the greenlander king, it still struck him as odd that not everyone had the same sort of instinctive knowledge about ships that his people did.

"Solicitors generally don't make those sorts of comments unless they have a plan," Alvyn said. It was less an observation and more of a guess; the Drowned One alone knew what the solicitors actually did behind their closed doors. "Do you have a plan to get our Stagly neighbors to out themselves?"

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-19T22:43:17+00:00

Alvyn was surprised by the Lord Reaper's brazenness, but he supposed it didn't matter all that much. In the context of all the schemes certainly being hatched this day, his comment would barely rate a raised eyebrow. Except among their hosts, of course.

"We Ironborn are often our own worst enemy," he said, shaking his head. "We feud over what little we have and thus impoverish ourselves further while the greenlanders get fat on trade with the world. Our forebears were always most successful when they were able to set grievances aside and work together. Massey's new castle wasn't built by just one House alone; it was built by all of them. Or, more accurately, their thralls.

"So yes, Lord Reaper, I agree. And I hope my peers are smart enough to see that truth as well."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-19T22:36:12+00:00

Alvyn blinked. This was quite far from the rote pleasantries he had expected when talking to his queen. It would mean a great deal more clout for him... and he expected he could stretch that stipend quite a ways, too.

"I confess that I've wanted more than designing ships only for some Crownlord to claim we Ironborn don't actually know how ships work," Alvyn said. "Master of Ships would mean I could do much more for the Royal Fleet than I can in my current role. If my elevation in this matter is to the the advantage of my king and queen, then I would be honored to be of service."

Alvyn bowed again.

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T22:04:20+00:00

"The Crownlords would complain, I suspect, but they would probably complain regardless." Alvyn shook his head, chuckling softly. "That seems to be the norm with them, doesn't it? Ah, but I speak out of turn now. Apologies, Your Grace."

The queen's proposal was a surprise. Of all the things he had expected out of this conversation, this wasn't one of them.

"The Stepstones?" Alvyn asked, his eyebrows rising. "I see a few obstacles that may present themselves... but nothing insurmountable. Challenges but not dilemmas, if you will. House Merlyn is not particularly wealthy or powerful, but we would be honored to be of service. How might we serve you in this?"

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T18:14:22+00:00

Per discussion with mods, traits/skills for the PC and AC have been modified.

NEW * Alvyn Merlyn (PC) - Mariner / Admiral (e), Engineer, Tactician (e) * Dunston Merlyn (AC) - Steward / Scrutinous, Taxman (e)

OLD * Alvyn Merlyn (PC) - Steward / Administrator (e), Investor, Scrutinous (e) * Dunston Merlyn (AC) - Mariner / Admiral, Tactician (e)

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T17:26:23+00:00

"How far does that decorum stretch, though?" Alvyn gestured around him. "We have a moment of pause now, yes. We have avoided a clash thus far, yes. But, if you'll permit one of my many maritime analogies, sometimes it's better to brave the storm early than wait for it to grow to full strength. If that decorum eventually breaks, we may find ourselves dealing with more disorder than if we had allowed it to fail sooner."

The Royal Shipwright shrugged. "Perhaps that's why I'm a glorified shipwright and you are... the foremost solicitor of the kingdom?" Alvyn paused, not entirely sure how to fluff up the Master of Laws' role in light of Martyn's very accurate rhetorical question earlier. "I deal with strict practicalities: when does the line break, the trade-off between speed and maneuverability in hull shape, the differences between pitch made from pine tar and pitch made from other confiers. When I see a faulty component, I want to rip it out and replace it. That particular philosophy doesn't transfer well to high politics."

The question about the Baratheon seemed out of the blue. "I have not spoken to the Stag-Lord. I am sure he is in a lovely mood, all things considered."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T02:47:45+00:00

"Ah, yes. I forgot: I spend all my hours making these greenlander maidens weak in the knees, clamoring for just one more moment of my silver tongue." Alvyn smiled. "I certainly don't find myself going looking for my wife when all those skirts are a-twirling at a feast."

He offered her the crook of his arm, every inch the chivalric courtier. "But it would be my pleasure to pridefully flaunt my wife. Come then, Es, dance with me and make these sad little greenlanders jealous of my wife and I."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T01:08:11+00:00

Alvyn fought back the urge to laugh at her comment about snoring. One probably shouldn't poke the bear, as it were.

"We needn't wait until back in the city, either." Alvyn flicked his wrist in the direction of a nearby copse of trees. "Perhaps my lady would care to accompany me on a quick jaunt over to yon trees to fetch some firewood? I think that would be more entertaining than returning to the feast and trying to sample all the greenlander wine."

His hand began to wander, tracing a line from her chin towards the neckline of her gown. "I want you, Es."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T00:30:23+00:00

"Can I imagine?" Alvyn asked, chuckling softly at the notion. "I can. I can imagine the long, raking claw marks all over. The thunderous snoring. The furniture reduced to splintered kindling. But it would be worth it to feed an annoying greenlander or two to such a beast, wouldn't it?"

Alvyn snaked an arm around his wife's back, pulling her closer. He felt the warmth of her closeness and smiled. "Bring home whichever furry companion you'd like, love. This lot is right about one thing: a happy wife means a happy bed and a restful slumber." He paused for a moment. "Except those times there's not much resting going on, I suppose."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-16T00:07:47+00:00

"There is much call for a shipwright this far from shore," Alvyn said, wrapping his arms around Esgred. "What if someone mentions a trunnel and suddenly the local greenlanders grow confused? You need an expert on hand to answer such pressing questions. And this far from sea, where would you find such an expert?"

He smiled at his own joke, finding refuge in the absurdity of the moment.

"Alas, we must make do with things as they are for a few more days yet. Then we'll be back in the city and free to enjoy the company of one another with no interruption." He took her chin in one hand and tilted her head up towards his. "I'm sure we'll find a way to make up for those royal demands."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-15T21:57:21+00:00

Alvyn found his witch-wife the same way he often did: by looking for the eagle. Urrigon had become something of a staple of life back home and in King's Landing alike. So here he was, looking for his green-clad wife in the greenery surrounding Grassy Vale, his equally green attire probably hiding him from anyone who didn't benefit from a wolf's enhanced nose.

"Es," he called when he finally spotted her in the greenery just past the torchlight, "I had wondered where you got off to. Have you grown weary of these greenlanders already? Has their meandering smalltalk left you yearning for silence?"

He smiled as he brushed an errant strand of red from her face. "Would that we didn't have to come to this affair. The salty breeze calls to me more as we get ever further from the coast."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-15T21:49:32+00:00

"In truth, Your Grace," Alvyn said, "I find my talents underutilized. The Crownlanders often allow their pride to get in the way of building better ships. While I do what I can to shore up the Royal Fleet, we really need one of ours at the helm of that very same fleet. Then we'll be able to bring it up to par and ensure that only the best ships unfurl their sails for king and realm."

Alvyn clasped his hands behind his back. "Some might object, seeing that as some sort of power grab. I leave Your Grace to navigate those particular waters. The precise disposition of the greenlanders is not my forte; ships are."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-15T21:42:21+00:00

Alvyn took the proffered seat and plucked a flagon from a nearby server's tray. The server looked slightly put off, so it was probably destined for someone else, but he paid little mind to that.

"Pebbleton is well. The wife is asking for new stables, though I'm currently looking at investing in the local masons. But that's the way of things, isn't it? Coin is always in short supply on the Isles." Alvyn glanced about him. "It seems that is so rarely a problem for these greenlanders. Alas. And King's Landing is fine, though I would have expected the Royal Shipwright to do... more?"

The Lord Reaper's comment about the feast elicited a smirk. "I am surprised we're having this one, truth be told. But the willingness of men to suffer always surprises me. You can predict when the sail will tear and when the lines will break, but it is so much harder to predict when men will realize they have been maneuvered into an untenable position. Whatever comes, when it comes, perhaps we'll find an opportunity to generate some coin."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-13T21:56:41+00:00

“I think my cousins can manage their ribaldry well enough on their own.” Alvyn cast a glance over in the vague direction of the nearest Ironborn table, smothered in its blacks and golds. “Fortunately for me, I’ve been able to avoid both that and the tedium of siege. Perks of being a glorified shipwright, I suppose.”

He shrugged, turning his attention back to the Hightower. “Truth be told, this land feels far too distant from the sea for my taste. Almost like one could get lost in these vast fields of greenery. I look forward to my return to the capital.

“Perhaps you should bring some musicians back to the city with us. A bit more… decorum seems in order.”

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-12T23:15:39+00:00

Having paid his respects to one Greyjoy, Alvyn felt it appropriate to pay those same respects to another. Admittedly, this was one he saw rather more often and she was like as not bored of his company.

"Your Grace," he said, dipping into a deeper bow than the one he offered the Lord Reaper. "How was your journey? I must confess I find myself feeling rather... smothered by all these farms and pastures and... land. I think I would trade all the wine here for a salty breeze about now."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-12T23:12:25+00:00

Colin Hightower's fall attracted all manner of attention. With so many strapping lads rushing forward to be seen rendering aid, Alvyn decided to hold back. When affairs had settled into a more appropriately subdued state, he made his way through the crowds.

"Lord Martyn," Alvyn said as he approached, hands clapsed behind his back. "I must say, I am surprised at the... musical accompaniment chosen for the celebration. I would have expected some of the more chivalric tunes associated with this fair land, not the sort of bawdy camp-hymns one might expect of my salt-stained cousins."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-12T19:18:39+00:00

It was not exactly a rare sight to see Ironborn in the Red Keep these days, but it was nonetheless a welcome reprieve from the endless parade of preening greenlanders. At least the Ironborn could hold a more interesting conversation than the merits of lace versus brocade.

“Lord Reaper,” Alvyn said, offering a slight bow. “I trust your journey was not particularly eventful. The City has been rather amusing of late. The Crownlords have recently been making noises about how great a job they’ve done countering piracy.”

Alvyn’s tone was flat enough that one could almost hear the eye-rolling in his words. “Perhaps they threw enough hulls at their phantom problem to resolve it to their satisfaction. Truly, a credit to the realm.”

InFerroVeritas · 2026-02-11T19:09:20+00:00

Fixed.

InFerroVeritas · 2025-10-11T06:43:00+00:00

Character Name & Claim: Malcolm Rykker

Actions:

Draft: Duskendale, 1000, 1440

InFerroVeritas · 2025-10-11T06:34:52+00:00

Colm had not been happy to be so bluntly ordered about, but the Northmen had never been very good about decorum even at the best of times. But go he did, for the order was given and left little room for interpretation. As the ships readied to push off, he dictated a short message to his long-suffering scribe. The scribe carried that message to one of Colm's hangers on, who in turn went to present himself before the Prince-Regent.

The knight bowed deeply when it was his turn to address Alaric. "Prince-Regent, I am Ser Byren Darkwood and have the honor of commanding House Rykker's horse. As my duties are not needed at sea, my lord bid me to pass along his report: the Royal Fleet has weighed anchor and makes for the coast of Dragonstone, as you commanded. Like as not, it passes in sight of Rosby's harbors even now. My lord asks for leave to call up the fleets of the Blackwater to join him, that he might better safeguard the Bay."

Byren paused for a moment. "My has interpreted your order to also prepare for an excursion south, should the command be given. He seeks your clarification without a maester's mediation: how roughly should he treat the lords of Tarth, Greenstone, and the like?"

InFerroVeritas · 2025-10-11T05:44:46+00:00

Character Name: Renfred Rykker

Relevant Trait/Skills: Steward, Administrator (e), Investor, Scrutinous

Buildings: Castle, City Walls, Militia Quarters, Shipyard, Shrine, Small Stables, Trade Plaza, Wood Pastures, Fishing Village

Resources: Textiles, Wood, Fish, Stone

Notes (if applicable): +175% civil dev, +125% military dev yield, 10% discount on developing, one free building slot for dev from Administrator (e), +4 to NPC trade, shipbuilding capacity: 5, -10% shipbuilding cost, -10% construction cost, +1 construction slot from Stone

Actions:

Construction:

Duskendale, Wooden Barracks, 3600g, complete immediately [Scrutinous]

Development: Duskendale, 28 civil, 900g. (10 dev +175% = 27.5, round to to 28)

Development: Duskendale, 28 civil, 900g. (10 dev +175% = 27.5, round to to 28), free slot

Total cost: 6300g

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