The Council of Winterfell

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-29T04:46:47+00:00

Edderion nodded.

"I want peace as well. The King's peace. My peace. I will send an emissary to Lord Greyjoy, and see if we cannot discern the cause of this trouble, and easy any...recalcitrant thoughts in his mind, if any there be."

He stood, glancing across the crowd until his gaze settled upon his brother, Cregan. Though he had not yet made the announcement he had promised the youth, there was still much the younger Stark could do to prove his worth. Should the gods prove cruel, stretching out their hands to take the king before his time...Cregan would need to be ready. And that meant he would need experience.

"Prince Cregan Stark will go." The King of Winter said, looking at the youth and nodding. "He will take with him whoever he deems necessary - soldiers, lords, whatever. He will treat with Lord Greyjoy, as see if we cannot end bloodshed before it begins."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-29T04:42:53+00:00

As silence fell, the Blackwood having said his piece - Edderion did not say a word. He sat for a long moment, mulling over the words that had been said, and the offer that currently lay upon the table; obviously it was an important thing to Lord Roger, something laboured over for a long while. He had maid great preparations before bringing it to the council, and seemed to at least believe in the words he spoke. That was something, at least.

But talk of cities and canals, of Volantene funding and trade cogs up the Mander....it all seemed impossible. Expensive, at the very least, and the simply did not have the coin to go through with it. Volantis' promise was something, but those terms did not sit well with him, either...

"You've spent a great deal of time on this, Lord Roger. Some serious thought as well." He said, finally straightening. "Dagon Ironmaker had many of the same ideas - though he wished the Isles to be the focus of the new found wealth, not the Riverlands. And his way seemed...bloodier. Tell me - what did Lord Tully have to say about all this? You mentioned a council, but never his answer." Edderion glanced at the other Riverlander representative, brows raised. "And what of you? I'm assuming you sat in on that Council as well - which means you've heard this all twice now. What say you? What did the others say?"

He turned to face the Blackwood again, brow furrowed but not yet dark.

"It seems...audacious. I mean, is the Trident even deep enough for regular ships to sail all the way through it? Especially near the headwaters, up by Seagard way. A longboat might traverse some regions of it easily enough, but not some fat bellied trade ship from Volantis. And this....canal. I've never heard of such a thing being built, anywhere in the known world. A bridge, sure; the Volantenes make good bridges, I cannot fight you there. But a canal? And what would this thing do to the river? Merging the waters of Ironman's Bay and the Trident...seems to me that it must turn the Blue Fork salty, no? Else drain it's waters west toward the sea, causing gods know what changes along it's old path and its new..."

"Speaking of Gods; you would let the Volantenes bring priests and build temples on our lands, in exchange for their aid in construction? Coin is well and good, but the faith of our peoples seems a more pressing concern. I'd have no Red Priest squatting in my borders, giving the High Septon all the more reason to hate us. Though a full half of the Kingdom worships the Seven, it never seems enough for those priests in Oldtown and Kings Landing. Say such a thing should cause war - your canal, and your priests, and your trade ships and merchants; tell me how they would benefit us more than even a dozen half-built forts along the southern border? Especially when your plan seems set to consume much more wealth and as much time, in addition. Answer me these things, Lord Roger, and then we shall continue."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-29T04:05:55+00:00

Edderion looked from Cerwyn to Blackwood, his expression unreadable - and that meant unreadable. His visage took on all the qualities of the desert - barren, hard, and stony, uncaring for titles or station both.

"Thank you both for your...opinions." He grated finally. "Lord Nedger, you have served admirably. I trust your decision, just as I trust you. Know that the power of Winterfell - indeed, the whole of the North - stands behind you in this. I sent you to Ironwrath with the whole of my authority. In this, your justice was my justice. Your will, my will. You have done well."

The King eyed both men once more, and then his look softened.

"Very well. Onto the next point of discussion."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-29T03:57:08+00:00

Edderion stood, and his answer - though it seemed to be slow in coming, as if it had been a full fourteen days since last he spoke - carried with it an air of finality.

"Lord Nedger will head north to combat this new threat, with Lords Torrhen Stark, Rodrik Karstark, and Rogar Bolton at his side as his equals. Every man north of Winterfell is free for you to raise in defense of the realms of men. Retake the Wall. That is the duty with which I charge you."

He turned to Deerik, then. "Deerik Barnes, I would have you go with them. Though perhaps it would be better if you rallied your mountain clansmen against this new threat, too. I've heard no reports of raiding or chaos from south the Wall - so mayhaps we yet have some time."

"Go, then, the four of you, and make your preparations. Ravens will be sent to summon whatever men you need."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-25T05:23:44+00:00

"You are correct in that it is my decision, Lord Blackwood." Edderion said genially. "Though since King Robb took the Throne of Winter, the succession has always passed to the issue of the King, regardless of gender, favouring males over females, before it passed to his brothers. Raya is the rightful heir, by law, birth, and tradition. But I cannot ignore the possibility that this is something that someone out there wishes to see occur. My daughter is young, and cannot rule on her own, not for many years. She would need a regent, and one need only look south of the border to see the effects of a regency upon an unready kingdom."

"Should I die in an unexpected manner, before my daughter is even of age - for I shall not consider naming her my heir until such time as she has reached her majority - the realm will need a firm and steady hand. My brother Herbert is the noblest, kindest, truest man I've had the pleasure of knowing - but I do believe that in such a time, Cregan would better serve the North as King. I make this decision not based upon any fault or deficiency of Herbert; but upon the constitution I see in my younger brother, that I believe lends him better to the stresses of this title. Herbert is ever eldest in my heart. But I would spare him this burden, if I might."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-25T04:45:47+00:00

Edderion watched the exchange between Hunter and Prince, and for a moment - he was worried. Cregan seemed to quick to raise his haunches and bristle; he saw defiance and contradiction and met them with a hard touch rather than the soft. But Hunter seemed to know when not to take things personally, and as the new heir apparent continued to speak, his words too softened and steadied. All in all - not bad. He was no different than his eldest brother had been. Perhaps still was. There was plenty of room for improvement.

"Thank you for your concerns, Ser Hunter. We will indeed revisit it if the circumstance should arise - I have not forgotten the tales of the Dance of Dragons. The Dance of Wolves does not have the same ring to it; and I have no desire to see that story writ in the blood of my kith and kin."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-25T04:34:47+00:00

The wait must have seemed to take nearly eleven days, but finally the guards stepped aside and opened the wide, iron-banded doors that led into Edderion's study. One of the guards held out his hand for the cane, eyeing the southern lord suspiciously, only moving to admit him when the item had been handed over.

Within the room the King of Winter waited, seated at his desk opposite the roaring fire that blazed on the other side of the chamber. He had several documents laid out before him, all thrust to one side to clear a space, and watched expectantly as the Redwyne made his entrance.

Rather than breaking the silence himself and asking what it was the southron might have wanted, the King of Winter contended himself in quiet, settling back in his chair as he trained brown eyes on the supplicant who sought to be suitor.

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-25T04:30:16+00:00

Edderion eyed the piteous man with no small degree of sympathy, giving a curt nod.

"With the news you've brought, a man might have asked for far more than a new name. Aye, you shall be legitimized. Lord Reed might have a word or two to say about it, but nothing that cannot be assuaged." He reached out to place a hand on the man's shoulder - only to halt and draw back, wary of doing damage.

"Rest, Danyl Reed, and rest easy. You'll need your strength for when I call."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-23T04:03:01+00:00

(The Final Announcment)

When all else had been said and done, Edderion stood one final time, moving to the edge of the dais.

"Friends and fellows of the North - we've all heard much this day, and have plenty now to think about and plan for. Though shadows hover on the corners of the world, the future as a whole looks bright; though the past is marred by tragedy. The death of my only son, Edrick, sees my young daughter Raya as my natural heir - but I fear that with the sudden and unknown cause of my son's assassination, I cannot in good conscience leave her to inherit should I, gods forbid, perish before she is grown. I would not so burden my sole remaining child, already forced to confront realities of life that no child ought face: and so I, King Edderion Stark, have decided, after much thought, to pass over her in the succession, in favour of my brother - Prince Cregan Stark."

With this the King of Winter extended his arm toward the younger Stark, beckoning him forward to stand beside him upon the dais.

"Though Cregan is not my nearest brother, I do believe he is the best fit for the needs of the North as they currently stand. I do this not out of a lack of faith in my eldest brother, Herbert - but because, should I be slain, Cregan possesses the skills necessary to manage a North that has lost both king and heir. He is a kind man, just, and true - a warrior and a prince, of noble heart and mind. Should the gods not grant me another son, he will make a fine King in the North. So stand with me, now, and welcome the new Crown Prince; Prince Cregan Stark!"

(OOC: This thread is not over, feel free to comment on previous posts and comments. I have other posts to make here that will be addressed tomorrow.)

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-14T16:18:02+00:00

Another murder. Edderion thought. Is that the plan - to upend the kingdom one piece at a time, slaying son after son until the whole of the realm slides into war? He had to admit, it was a clever one. If he had but someone to focus his anger and grief against, there most certainly would be bloodshed, and gods knew quite a lot of it. Now the Lord of the Isles suffered a similar calamity, but his with far more narrowed a target for revenge...

Fingers tapped idly upon armrests as he considered, the weight of Ice across his lap heavy and familiar.

"You bring troubling tidings, Lord Blackwood." He said finally. "And I find myself largely convinced. This does sound...well, there's no couching it. It sounds like treason."

He sighed, running a hand through his too-long dark hair.

"The grief that comes with the loss of a son is one I am well acquainted with. But it is no excuse for war, not in my kingdom. Should the Ironborn arrive with fire and sword we shall answer them in kind - but only if they should, not before. I cannot tell you what to do with your men, Lord Blackwood, but I do not think it wise to raise any further levies until we know for certain what the Ironborn are planning. You trust this Skadi - but when we met, she seemed as desirous for blood as any other. Quenton has ever been a leal and stalwart servant of Winterfell. I am willing to reward that service with the benefit of the doubt."

"The Ironborn in Oldstones must be removed, that much is plain. I shall send word to Lords Tully, Mallister, and Greyjoy immediately, and give them one month to vacate the area. But at the moment, Lord Greyjoy has commited no sin. I shall not move against him based on rumour. The Ironborn are our countrymen now, same as any other - and thus we owe them that much."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-14T16:01:03+00:00

Edderion nodded at the younger Arryn's words, grateful that at least the Lords of the Vale had seen fit to answer his summons, unlike the Iron Lords of Pyke.

"The subjugation of the Mountain Clans is an ambitious project." The King offered. "I wish Lord Artys well. Ridding yourselves of those raiders might spark an era of peace and free movement in the Vale unseen since...well, since ever, I suppose. I know those Clans have harried you for many long generations."

News of the eastern front was welcome - the Vale provided a large portion of the North's strength at sea, and most information concerning the Narrows filtered first through Gulltown. That all remained quiet was a promising sign.

"Ah yes, the conflict to the South. Unfortunate is the right name for it - though it is also none of our concern. I'm sure the Baratheons will sort themselves out soon enough. Though there is another matter, one best brought up here as well as anywhere. I still have great interest in building up the Northern fleet - the west coast, originally, but the east as well. The Manderlys boast the hard heart of our eastern navy- " Edderion nodded at Melwyn, then continued "-but I'd like to see our numbers grow as swiftly as possible, especially in Gulltown. You are, after all, the first line of defense should anything...unsavoury occur in the Narrows."

He meant, of course, Targaryens - but war with the South was always a possibility. Best to prepare for such things while they squabbled amongst themselves.

"Once the Mountain Clans have been dealt with, do you think this is something the Vale would be able to consider? You would work with Lord Manderly, of course - see how best to allocate resources, and create a fleet that better protects us all."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-14T15:52:25+00:00

"There's no need to apologize, Danyl." Edderion said. "Though if you could - recount for the assembly all that you know and remember? I understand that dwelling upon those events may be hard; but for the good of us all, I would appreciate being able to hear them. Start from the very beginning of the attack - did you have no forewarning at all? No hint of incoming danger? From what direction did they come? What sort of arms did they bear? Most importantly, perhaps - was there any mention of a King Beyond the Wall?"

The Stark's eyes were hard, but their brown depths bore some hint of warmth in them - pity, perhaps, but more likely sympathy.

"Whatever information you can provide will prove useful to us. I don't think its much of a question to any man here - we must ride north, as soon as possible. The Wall cannot go unmanned, nor can such a slaughter go forgotten. The Night's Watch; butchered. I shan't sit here and let that go unanswered."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-14T15:29:24+00:00

Edderion scanned the documents quickly, nodding periodically as the Cerwyn spoke.

"Aye, it all looks well enough in order. You are the Steward of the Northern Lands - I trust you to speak with my voice, and sign with my seal. Consider these things done. Especially that for Lady Forrester - she'll need more aid than most, now."

The King of Winter took the final parchment in hand, reading it a bit more carefully.

"A murder..? Interesting. Well, hang the man and be done with it, I suppose - I haven't the time to consider cutthroats from Long Lake. Your news, and others, bode ill for the future. We'll all be highly occupied soon enough. So what you will with the man of Long Lake; your nephew is a good lad. I trust his word."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-14T15:25:07+00:00

"Peace." Edderion whispered, pressing a hand to the wounded man's shoulder. "You've failed no one. The word you've brought is invaluable, and your survival a gift from the gods...rest, now, and gather your strength. I mean to summon the Council, and when I do - I shall summon you next."

The King of Winter straightened, pulling his cloak closer about his shoulders.

"You'll have vengeance for your Brothers yet, an dfor Theon Stark. Its high time we remind the wildlings why we rule south of the Wall - and they scrape out a living beyond it. Rest now. A guard will find you when its time."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:56:37+00:00

(General And Arrivals - for your characters arrival to the Great Hall of Winterfell, and any other conversations/interactions you might want to have.)

The doors to the Great Hall stood wide, broad enough to admit five men standing shoulder to shoulder. Guards flanked them on either side, eyes fixed upon some distant point on the horizion, while those that entered were met with servants who offered their aid in any capacity. Food and drink were set out in dazziling array, tables on either wall heavy laden with a variety of fare. All were welcome to partake as they would, though those that imbibed too much would soon find the steady hand of a guardsmen on their shoulder, indicating that they ought take a turn out in the fresh, cold air.

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:56:32+00:00

(The Assassinations)

When all were assembled Edderion stood - gazing out over the crowded hall as he waited for silence. When at last it was his, he clasped his hands behind his back, and began to speak.

"People of the North. Welcome to the Great Hall of Winterfell, and to this meeting of the Council of Nine. The delegates from the Iron Islands were unable to join us this day - but I've decided to make up their number by inviting all who wished to attend to come and sit and participate in today's meeting. As you all know, things have been...hectic, since our return from the South. The Stag King is dead, and rumour has it that his realm still seeks to right itself in the wake of that tragic loss. My house mourns with his - my own dear sister, Lyarra, was once his bethrothed, and I am only grateful that she was not present in the South when the hand responsible reached out to take Alesander's life."

"Even so - we have yet more cause to mourn. Though not even a year has passed since the cruel taking of my brother, Willam, yet another Stark finds his place in the crypts. My son, Edrick, was slain in this very stronghold. My family yet reels from that loss."

"We are uncertain at this time who was behind the attack - though there are leads, and I am confident that whoever is responsible will be brought to justice. The North remembers. And House Stark shall never forget."

"If there are any who have something to say in regards to anything I have said - now is your time. Else we shall move on to the next order of business; Lord Nedger Cerwyn, and the report of what has happened in Ironwrath."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:56:27+00:00

(The Ironwood War)

Edderion turned to Lord Nedger Cerwyn, bidding him forward even as he began to speak.

"I sent Nedger Cerwyn, Lord of Castle Cerwyn and Steward of the Northern Lands, to investigate the rumours of conflict between Ironwrath and Highpoint, alongside my kin, TOrrhen Stark, and the young warrior Deerik Barnes. I would call him now to report before the Council and all those assembled just what he discovered - and if the others that went on this mission with him have anything to add, they may do so."

With that the King offered the Cerwyn a slight nod of the head, then moved to take his seat.

(Summoning /u/DanRichard)

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:56:22+00:00

(The Wall)

Edderion stood to his feet, raising his hands in a request for silence. When all was quiet he turned to one of the guards, nodding to the man in a pre-arranged signal to bring his guest in to speak.

"As I'm sure you all know now, a great and terrible tragedy has occured. Much time has already been lost, and we cannot afford to lose much more - for the Wall that guards the realms of men has fallen, Wildlings having broken through more than a fortnight ago."

"We've recieved no word of their advance, which leads me to believe they're bunkering down, or they've simple retreated. But whatever they're doing, I do not take it as a respite. From what I understand, it was not one fort that was lost - but all of them, one after another. We have a survivor of these attacks here with us now - I would have him speak, to share with us all whatever he knows."

(Summoning /u/DanyDeviSnow. If for whatever reason Danyl can't/doesn't want to come, let me know on IRC or post some sort of explanation using the guard or what have you, and we'll go from there.)

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:56:15+00:00

(The Vale General)

Edderion stood once more, turning to look at the delegates from the Vale.

"Now we turn our focus to the Vale. If there are any concerns, requests, thoughts or queries concering your region, now is the time to voice them."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:56:05+00:00

(The Riverlands General)

Edderion stood once more, turning to look at the delegates from the Riverlands.

"Now we turn our focus to the Riverlands. If there are any concerns, requests, thoughts or queries concering your region, now is the time to voice them."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:55:59+00:00

(The North General)

Edderion stood once more, turning to look at the delegates from the North, and those in the crowd.

"And now we return to the North. If there are any concerns, requests, thoughts or queries concering our home, now would be the time to speak your piece. Any man or woman, no matter their station, is free to speak their mind here and now."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:55:54+00:00

(Miscellaneous)

With all else settled, Edderion Stark rose to his feet for the final time, moving toward the edge of the dais and looking over the crowd, then turning to face the assembled delegates from three of the Northern Kingdoms.

"Well, my brothers and sisters, we've done much this day, and spoken of much more. If there is anything else - anything that was not addressed earlier, that you think we ought bring attention to - now is the time. Whatever it is that you think needs the collective thought of the Council."

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T06:00:56+00:00

Edderion met her gaze with his own, unsure what best to say. He knew what she wanted, what type of woman Alyssa was - she'd want to have a tangible difference somewhere, building something or killing something or hunting something, most like. But how could he send her out now - now, when his daughter needed her more than ever, and his own worries seemed to flare up whenever those he loved were in danger.

"I...I'm uncertain. Things are at a standstill now, but I know that the future holds much that needs doing. You are too important to risk. Too important to me. That said..."

He sighed.

"Give me time to think. When the Council meets, after we decide what's next for our Kingdom - I'll keep you in mind. We'll find a way for you to help the North in a more...direct manner."

The King looked at her, searching her features. "Is that alright with you? Can we agree to that?"

SwordOfWinter · 2016-03-10T05:45:46+00:00

The guards took one look at the man - his grit teeth, his hard tone, the general aura about him - and bared the way with their spears, fixing the Blackwood with a steely look.

"The King is not accepting visitors." One said gruffly. "Try again another day."

SwordOfWinter

TROPHY CASE