|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 15:49:14 GMT -5
A small ship that is currently berthed at one of the small villages just outside Riverrun. A small contingent of the Iron Titans crew it, and they have spread word that they are looking for mercenary companies, now that peace is coming between the Westerlands and the North, for a large engagement in the stepstones, far to the south. Sun, Warmth, and Gold are the promises on their lips.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 16:35:31 GMT -5
Harwyn Goodbrother approaches the ship with five of his best men, having heard of the men looking for mercenaries. His growing disappointment in the northmen ebbed at the prospect of more battle in another land. Nodding to his men, Harwyn hollers out at the ship. "You're looking for men and we're looking for gold. Let us work something out."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 16:53:58 GMT -5
A tall braavosi steps out from under the deck. He's dressed in a muted drab green and a light braavosi blade rides his hip. He'll go the side of the ship "Yes? I am Giovanda of the Iron Titans, and I'm sorry, but we are looking for those who can represent a large body of men, not just a few swords." He looks over them critically "Unless you are someone I do not know?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 17:39:27 GMT -5
"We bring few swords, but many axes. My name is Harwyn Goodbrother, voice and head of the Bloody Brotherhood, fifteen hundred men from the Iron Islands to the Vale." Harwyn grinned as he spoke, grabbing his axe and cleaning it with his shirt as he spoke.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 17:52:39 GMT -5
The man looks at Harwyn with much more interest now "Ah, my sources do not extend to the Iron Isles. You will come aboard, yes? I think we have much to discuss."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 17:58:56 GMT -5
Harwyn nods to his men and they board the ship, making a spectacle of inspecting it for a moment before looking to the Braavosi. "You might need a bigger ship to carry us all."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 18:03:59 GMT -5
Giovanda smiles "Separate vessels, yes? barges have been hired to Kings Landing, and ships are ready there. Do you know of Entel Moray?" The man will go below deck and retrieve some charts of the Stepstones and lay it on a table on deck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 18:21:16 GMT -5
"Perhaps I've heard the name once in a tavern, but I do not know of the man. I take it he is the one you wish us to kill?" Harwyn smiled as he spoke, waiting until the man had his charts lain out. "The Stepstones? We send our children there to learn what not to do when raiding."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 18:41:54 GMT -5
Giovanda looked at the man strangely for a second "Yes? The Captain often said the same of the place. This man is a pirate, who has managed to gather quite a fleet to himself and has thumbed his nose at the Baratheon King. We need more men to be armsmen, so sellswords such as you are required. After that, there might be further work in the area as well, but no promises."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 19:04:33 GMT -5
"We'll work for as long is agreed upon and longer if we get along well. If there's more gold and blood to be had after this Moray, we'll be talking again." Harwyn paused for a moment, then clearly deciding what necessary had been mostly said, nodded. "Fifteen hundred men, name your offer."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 19:16:24 GMT -5
Giovanda tilts his head and gives a opening offer, which is quickly rebutted. Finally, after a hour deciding every piece of coin exchanged down to the copper, the two reach a somewhat satisfying agreement.
Afterwords Giovanda will share some wine with the man if he'll take it up "Your men, they are shipshape, yes? It is secondary needs, but battles mean ships taken and lost, and if we gain... might need crew. Would be good if swordhands could also handle riggings."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 19:33:02 GMT -5
Harwyn would be found deep in a dwarf long before turning down wine. "Every ironborn with me has been on more than a few raids. The rest range from other mercenaries we beat or peasants. You'll find more than enough men to sail your ships."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 19:43:12 GMT -5
Giovanda leans forward after a few cups, open curiosity on his face. "So, I am curious from a man who is from the Iron Isles, who are the Farwynds? They are minor nobility yes? The Captain does not speak of his place of origin, so it makes me wonder what kind of place creates such a man. Raiders, mercenaries, is that who your people are? Who truly are the ironborn? We only know them as savages honestly."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marlow on Mar 26, 2015 20:02:49 GMT -5
Harwyn thinks for a moment, then grins as he leans forward. "The Farwynds are said to be skinchangers, men who can become an animal at will, chance their face, become your lover or your brother. Minor nobility, but still fine Ironborn. As for who we are, raiders yes, but mercenaries? Rarely. I saw the glory my raiding brought me and thought, what if there is more to be gained by raiding further? With what I will learn, my sons and their sons will prosper."
Harwyn paused to take a drink, speaking in a low mutter. "Savages? We look at the rest of the men, and do you know what we see?" Harwyn pauses again, leaning in closer before shouting. "Shame! We see men who have grown content bickering over whether this color looks better here, or over there! Whether they should buy a cake or a candle with their gold. They let their father's fathers, real men, fight and die for what they own and then put their memory to shame by giving it away for a bag of gold. Tell me, is that what your family would be to you? Their honor, their legacy?" Harwyn stops abruptly, finishing his cup of wine before speaking more quietly. "Savages we may be called, but that is by those who fear what we represent. We endanger their life of luxury. What we own, we fight and die for. If a man is not strong enough to defend his family or his home, let him have neither. The kings of this day sit in their palaces and tell men to fight and die for a life they are too weak to defend themselves. No, the savages are the men who condemn those of a less fortunate birth to die for them. We are Ironborn, we pay the iron price and we sit on the true iron throne."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Rykker on Mar 26, 2015 20:33:41 GMT -5
Giovanda fills the mans cup after the tirade "A hard life. You raid each other then, test each other to see whether you are 'worthy', as you say? This must be so for you to be 'worthy' of the honor of your goods, your livelihoods and family." his voice changes a little, growing wistful "In Braavos the fleet is for all. The twine is cut easily, the rope is not yes? And a rope of many fibers is stronger than any. We do not only have warriors, but all types of people. When we escaped the dragons we were from every land, every tribe and every nation. A... conglomerate? A group of slaves, who made something else in the thousand isles. If we had fought the dragon directly, we would have died. Even your Isles bowed to the dragons while they lived. Were you unworthy compared to them?"
|
|
