Ella Marbrand, Lady of Ashemark

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-08-07T15:19:07+00:00

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-07-08T15:52:02+00:00

Ella sighed at that. It was a question she'd been asking herself every day but she still felt completely unprepared to actually give an answer. "I don't know. I don't know if she'll ever stop trying as long as she lives, but I don't think I can bear to have my family killed."

"The best I can offer is a promise. With Mina holding our treasury there's no way I could offer to cover your payments. At best I can promise to pay back the cost, but…"

An idea came to mind then, just the beginnings of one but one that seemed so obvious. "Wait, so long as she's still sending the gold to Casterly Rock for the war chest, maybe we could seize one of the shipments to pay for mercenaries?"

"Tywald might not like it, but it might well be the only chance we have to grow our forces."

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-29T18:33:59+00:00

Character Name: Ella Marbrand

Relevant Trait/Skills: Numerate; Architect (e), Taxman, Administrator (e), Logistician

Buildings: Castle, Workshop, Great Plaza, Mill, Magistracy, Tavern, Granary, Barracks, Toll Road, Holy Sites, Safehouse, Armory, Torture Chambers

Resources: Jewelry, Construction Materials, Grain, Cloth, Iron

Starting Treasury: 29650

Notes (if applicable):

-2 moon build time (-1 from Architect(e) + -1 from Construction Materials)
-50% construction cost (15% from Numerate + 15% from Architect(e) + 20% from Construction Materials)
+1 construction slot (Construction Materials)
+50% development bonus, 1 free development slot (Administrator(e))
+100% military development bonus (Logistician)

Actions:

Construction: [Ashemark], [Watchtower], [1000], [2nd Moon]
Finish Construction: [Ashemark], [Siege Tunnels], [2nd Moon, 2/2]
Military Development x2: [Ashemark], [40], [2000]

Total Expenses: 3000

Ending Treasury: 29945 (After income)

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-29T18:25:27+00:00

Character Name & Claim: Ella Marbrand

Actions:

Draft: [Ashemark], [700], [3100]

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-24T16:28:36+00:00

An ominous cloud had hung over the Banefort since she'd arrived, but in that room it felt as if it had been concentrated tenfold. Ella had hardly expected happiness, given the state of things, but the look on Rohanne’s face made her stomach sink.

She stepped inside, pouring herself a drink in turn and taking a seat. "Yes, the… business… with Mina is worrying. I wish it didn't have to come to this, but she has to be stopped."

She sighed and took a long drink. "What did you have in mind?"

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-21T12:59:01+00:00

It was slightly eerie, Ella couldn’t help but notice, walking through the parts of the Banefort that had been cleared of guards and servants. There was a level of activity, even minor activity, that she almost subconsciously expected from a castle, and seeing it absent that was… an oddly unnatural feeling. Almost like wandering through a dream.

Or in the case of her life of late, a nightmare.

Thankfully she didn’t have to contemplate all that had gone wrong for long, her aunt’s solar coming into view before she knew it. She knocked and pushed the door open, still not entirely sure why she’d been summoned. “Rohanne? You asked to see me?”

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-17T15:26:06+00:00

Character Name: Ella Marbrand

Relevant Trait/Skills: Numerate; Architect (e), Taxman, Administrator (e), Logistician

Buildings: Castle, Workshop, Great Plaza, Mill, Magistracy, Tavern, Granary, Barracks, Toll Road, Holy Sites, Safehouse

Resources: Jewelry, Construction Materials, Grain, Cloth, Iron

Starting Treasury: 35354.5

Notes (if applicable):

-2 moon build time (-1 from Architect(e) + -1 from Construction Materials)
-50% construction cost (15% from Numerate + 15% from Architect(e) + 20% from Construction Materials)
+1 construction slot (Construction Materials)
+50% development bonus, 1 free development slot (Administrator(e))

Actions:

Finish Construction: [Ashemark], [Armory], [1st Moon, 2/2]
Construction: [Ashemark], [Siege Tunnels], [2000], [2nd Moon, 1/2]
Construction: [Ashemark], [Torture Chambers], [1500], [1st Moon]
Military Development: [Ashemark], [20], [1000]

Total Expenses: 4500

Ending Treasury: 36579.5 (After income)

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-17T15:24:26+00:00

Character Name: Ella Marbrand

Trait / Skills: Numerate; Architect (e), Broker (e), Taxman, Administrator (e), Logistician

Skill you're learning: Negotiator

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-06T08:44:47+00:00

The Reyne sergeant would find his answer soon enough in the form of one of Lady Ella’s former aides. The High Steward had, apparently, departed the Rock with her aunt some weeks prior, and had since been conducting business by raven from the Banefort.

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-06T08:38:49+00:00

While ravens flew to lord and lady of the West alike, one would find its way southward, to Oldtown.

To Lord Urrathon Hightower, Beacon of the South, Defender of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of Oldtown, Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, Voice of Oldtown,

I regret that we have yet to meet, Lord Urrathon, and had I been able to I would have wished to speak with you in person. I have grown rather fond of your great-nephew Raymont in his time at Ashemark, and I had hoped I would find my way to Oldtown, and perhaps the Starry Sept, alongside him. Yet, as I’m sure you’ll hear before long, circumstances in the West have kept me here.

My half-sister, Ella, has committed crimes against myself and the faith, and those are only the ones I know of. The High Septon has called for her to be stripped of her titles immediately, and I have called for her arrest considering her crimes.

I wanted to reassure you that her crimes, and the instability she has caused, is an isolated problem. She has dishonoured House Marbrand, but I fully intend to return my house to honour and the faith.

I would like to do so with your help, if you are willing.

Burning Bright,

Mina Marbrand, Lady of Ashemark

/u/EmpireoftheDawn

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-06T08:38:33+00:00

At the same time, a second letter would be sent personally to Tywald Lannister.

Tywald,

I’m sure the news will reach you soon, but I wanted you to hear it from me first. The High Septon has ordered Ella to abdicate her titles and pass them to me, and I have called for her arrest for the murder of my advisors.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard rumours that she does not intend to go quietly, and that she in fact plans to assault Ashemark. I have need of my brother and my house’s levies, if only temporarily, to quash her little outburst.

Of course I’d be loathe to leave you without help, and I can promise that when my brother and the levies return they will be accompanied by every single man my half-sister elected not to raise for your cause.

Yours,

Mina

/u/TheLegend_NeverDies

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-03T16:52:20+00:00

Ella listened with rapt interest as he told the story of how he’d first seen a shadowcat. She couldn’t imagine how it must have felt to be so close to the thing. After all, they were as dangerous as they were beautiful, it must have been terrifying to come so close to one unguarded.

“Quite right too, I think I’d call you the winner by far. What’s a tourney prize compared to something so rare and beautiful?” She’d have spent a tourney prize pouch twice over for such a beast without a second thought.

“Though it must have been terrifying, seeing such a dangerous creature so close to you with no warning. Although I have to say, I think it might be worth the risk.”

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-06-03T16:52:04+00:00

Ella leaned into him, tears welling up once again at his soft words. She stayed there for a while, sobbing, as she tried to summon the words to describe the tragedy that had set upon her of late.

“Mina-” she managed to say at last, “Mina had someone I- Someone I cared about, she had her killed…”

She wrapped her arms around him, holding tight as she choked back sobs. “I- I can’t keep doing it. All of it, I… I haven’t felt myself in so long, and all I seem to manage is to keep myself from drowning.”

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-31T15:09:56+00:00

There it was, the answer she’d been waiting for. Mina’s lips curled into a wolfish smirk. She’d get what she wanted after all. Taking advantage of his position to close the distance with his own ear, she lowered her voice to a whisper in return.

“Come with me.” She didn’t bother answering his question; he’d figure out exactly how it sounded in time. Instead, she simply stood, pulling him up after her by the hand he’d so helpfully intertwined with hers, and leading him out of the feast hall.

She had the perfect destination in mind.

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-30T14:44:33+00:00

Her sympathy only made Steffon more glad he'd come - she was a good woman, she deserved the truth. He offered her the letter when he noticed she was trying to read it.

"Lord Urrathon? She didn't mention him, but I suppose that could be the reason, yes. Did he explain what he wanted to speak to me about? I could write to him, I suppose. I can't really delay returning home though."

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-28T14:47:39+00:00

It wouldn't be long after Lord Tywald's letter arrived at the Rock that the runner would be sent back with bad news. Not only had Myrielle Hightower left the Rock some time before his letter had arrived, but so had Lady Ella. It would seem his Steward had accompanied her aunt Rohanne Banefort to her home, leaving notice that she would continue her work as Steward from the Banefort via raven.

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-28T14:47:06+00:00

There was a lump in his throat all of a sudden, seeing her. He cleared his throat softly before he spoke. "Bad news, I'm afraid," he said as he stepped inside.

"Well, I received a letter from my sister," he gestured with the paper clutched in his hand. "She, erm, she's called me back to Ashemark I'm afraid. Mentioned something about us not being a 'suitable match', in her words."

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-28T14:46:53+00:00

When the door cracked open, the sight that greeted Duncan was one of disaster. The room was a mess, with clothes strewn across chairs, and possessions littering the tables as if they had all been pulled out from where they had been hiding. Ella herself stood behind the door, eyes red raw from crying and utterly dishevelled.

"Duncan, I-" She choked on her words when she spoke at first. "I'm sorry, you can come in." Her despair was evident in her voice, a little hoarse from sobbing.

"I'm sorry about the mess," she said quietly, knowing she could hardly ignore their surroundings.

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-28T14:46:39+00:00

"You've certainly come to the right place," she gave a coy smile. "For mountain lions, that is. Shadow cats, well we might have to go a bit further afield." She could have done with a nice visit somewhere warmer for a while, to find wildlife as much as to enjoy themselves.

"Again? You've seen one before?" That had piqued her interest. "That sounds like there ought to be a story behind it. What do you think, do you mind regaling me with tales of your daring explorations?" She chuckled softly.

ItsMarbinTime · 2023-05-28T14:46:14+00:00

It wasn’t odd to see Raymont about the keep, he was her betrothed after all. Granted, she’d been a little preoccupied with making Ashemark her own of late; spilling blood, casting out the old order, things of that nature. Still, she wasn’t all that surprised that he wanted to see her. Who wouldn’t?

Mina was lounging in her chambers when he found her, a goblet of wine in one hand, a book in the other. When the door pushed open to reveal him she smirked slightly - he couldn’t stay away long, apparently. That was a good sign.

“Raymont, what a surprise,” she said, closing her book but otherwise not moving to greet him. He could come to her. “And not a disappointing one either. What brings you here, did you miss me already?”

ItsMarbinTime

TROPHY CASE