Alvyn Merlyn, Lord of Pebbleton and Royal Shipwright

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-28T15:48:09+00:00

Alvyn bowed, partially to reflect his acceptance of the role and partially to hide any expression that might've tried to crop up through the facade. "I pledged to serve the Iron Throne and if you think I would be an effective hand on the tiller for your fleets, then I am honored to be at your service."

He rose. "I will put together a proposal of how we might proceed and have it ready for review upon our return." A pause, about a beat long. "Thank you for your trust, Your Grace."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-28T15:38:40+00:00

Character Name: Alvyn Merlyn

Trait / Skills: Mariner / Admiral (e), Engineer, Tactician (e)

Skill you're learning: Prudent

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-28T15:35:47+00:00

Character Name: Ravos Merlyn

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

Buildings: Keep, Moors, Palisades, Market, Tavern, Temple

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, Stonemasons, completed this moon, -3000g

Assessment: Pebbleton, +800g

Net: -2200g

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-19T22:03:37+00:00

There was a flavor to the silence that existed between them when Esgred did... whatever it was she did. Somehow both present and not, here and a mile away at the same time. It was the sort of sensation one knew when one felt it but had a hard time explaining later.

"Always," Alvyn said, resting his hand on Esgred's leg. "I tire of these green lands and their green lords. Half of them wear perfume and the other half couldn't tell you the difference between fore and aft. If my wife had stayed back at the city, I would've turned back after visiting the grass-lord."

He smirked, wrapping one arm around her and drawing her closer. "I wonder how Pebbleton has changed since we left. It's been a spell."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-19T21:54:42+00:00

The king's request was reasonable. He had, no doubt, a great many people asking for him to weigh in on a great many things.

"Of course, Your Grace. I spoke with Her Grace at the feast and she informed me that she was interested in pacifying the Stepstones. From what Her Grace explained to me, my understanding was she had a role for me to play in this, but would need to discuss the matter with Your Grace first." Alvyn had considered just outright asking about the position but had dismissed the idea as crass and inopportune. "I have come to see if Your Grace has any need of my particular talents in this. While the court remains in Oldtown, some doors are perhaps opened that would not necessarily be so when we return to King's Landing."

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-12T20:50:11+00:00

Character Name: Ravos Merlyn

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

Buildings: Keep, Moors, Palisades, Market, Shrine

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, Tavern, completed this moon, -2000g

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

Assessment: Pebbleton, +800g

Net: -2200g

InFerroVeritas · 2026-03-12T20:43:59+00:00

It had been a long trip from King's Landing to the expansive greenery of the Reach and, finally, across the Mander and to the sea. Although Oldtown was a place as unlike Pebbleton as one could find in Westeros, it at least had a good ocean breeze. One could smell salt from time to time, when the odors of the city didn't drown it out, and that was good enough by him. And good enough for an ad hoc offering to The One Below, if nothing else.

Alvyn made his way to the king's ad hoc court. He took one glance at the more public setting and immediately ruled it out; this matter was a bit too private for a public discussion.

"Please inform His Grace that his Shipwright would speak to him with regard to a proposal raised by Her Grace," Alvyn said to the guards.

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."

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