A Song of Revenge and Gold: House Malroy Quest | Chapter XLIX

Welcome to A Song of Revenge and Gold: House Malroy Quest. In which you take the reins of a House of storied glorious past since Aegon’s Conquering, but whose fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in the doom that Robert’s Rebellion brought. You are Brynden Malroy, second son to Lord Vamos Malroy and Lady Esemella Hayford and the last living heir to Steadhold and House Malroy. The year is 285AC, two years after the Rebellion and a year after your return to Westeros.

House Malroy is a pre-genned House designed around the idea of a story within the Crownlands of a House fiercely loyal to the Targaryens and their attempts to live in this new world after Robert’s Rebellion. Lord Brynden Malroy is as well pre-genned but will take direction from the players in his ways and how he develops himself further. This Quest will be moderately more story driven than others of its kind, but the development of the House and her lands will take just as much importance.

If you’ve played one of the many Quests within the ASoIaF setting the rules of the SIFRP system should be known. I will be using the Game of Thrones edition, as well as a few of the expansions namely OOSP and a few house rules which will be explained as we come to them. If you have questions about how things work or why certain actions are taken I can explain them as we go along. In truth this is a learning experience for me as well.

Google Documents Mastersheet:

docs.google.com/document/d/1WiZG5xtDqbQKI31IIbqNb4zTmooivb0Ns_J6EatgWgY/edit?usp=sharing
Last Updated:
>7/17 - Lord Brynden Malroy
>7/16 - House Malroy History, Holdings, & Household
>7/10 - House Malroy Stats
>7/3 - Dispositions of Houses & Persons of the Realm

Twitter:

twitter.com/RevengeGoldQM

Ask.FM

m.ask.fm/RevengeGoldQM

SIFRPG Resources:

mediafire.com/folder/6sar1o14399xv/SIFRP

Archive:

suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=House Malroy

And now without further ado.

“A joust? That’s bloody it?”

“Against the Heir to Highgarden, Lucas.”

“Half the Knights in the bloody Kingdom would kill for even a whiff of a chance!”

“Half the Knights in the Kingdom would kill for the whiff of the Queen’s smallclothes. Let us not trust in the judgment of the majority.”

Ser Lucas Longwaters screws his face up in confusion and Ser Wesley Hayford breaks into laughter at the jape. You smile inwardly and wave it off, lest your cousin offends with his tongue. The last thing you needed was another man with a sword and poor intent at your back. Your face turns to a sour look as you recall the ruin that was Ser Ambrose Oatwright’s face after the melee, errant sword swing they said, a mistake, a tragedy. Words meant to placate you and the rest of your Knights, a gesture that did little to such ends. Ser Titus Sarsfield and Ser Jon Pryor had been furious enough when you recalled them, even more so upon hearing Ambrose’s killer, Ser Gerion Hightower, had won the melee in the end. The two senior Knights had been upon you immediately when you had returned to the pavilion from your short meeting with Lord Mace Tyrell. Lord Tyrell had sent an escort of men-at-arms and Knights including Ser Olymer Tyrell to collect your witnesses and evidence for safekeeping in Highgarden’s dungeons and vaults before the trial. Your Knights, squires, and servants sat quiet as the men collected Marcelline and Ser Lyonel Langly only to break into an uproar as soon as they were out of sight and ear.

Ambrose’s body had sat in the corner of the tent, tended to by Maester Benjin, whose efforts did little. Lucas stood over his Knight, his man, fury evident in his eyes, his voice had calmed the clamor, calling the men to order, cowing their voices and tempering their fury if only for a moment. All eyes looked upon you, wishing for answers, a boon you granted at length. They knew of your war against Royce Redward, the Langwards, the Blounts. They were there to shatter the Princewood’s ‘bandits’ alongside you. They knew of the attempt upon Ser Mason Flowers’ life, the poison upon Samuel Hayford’s side, the saboteur that had murdered Obella’s handmaiden and lived among your Household. Of your uncle’s letter, of the unbannered men that sat with siege engines upon your borders, threatening women and newborn babes in your absence. They knew of the pieces, but not of the whole, not of the end. Why there was greater purpose behind your coming to the Tourney in Highgarden than just to feast and fight. They listened, they understood, they felt your own fury, of the men who hide in shadows with dark intent upon their blades, of those that had made their presence known already with bold actions written off as accidents and poor luck. Of the seven that you knew so little of, the words of Prince Oberyn Martell being lost upon you.

“Seven my Lord?” Benjin interrupted during your speech causing eyes to draw to him, “As in the aspects of the Faith?”

“No,” you respond curtly, “No… Seven men, allies I would suppose? Or those with cause to band together against me. Prince Oberyn did not mention more than…” you trail off thinking upon his words, you did not know your histories half as well as you should, but Benjin did. You snap your fingers, stopping your pace about the tent, “Benjin. Prince Oberyn mentioned that in recent history the number seven had been important, at least two times that stood out to him. Do you recall any such occasions?”

Benjin pulls upon the copper link of his chain pondering for a brief moment, “I am surprised you do not recall my Lord. Your brother, Donold, and yourself were both very fond of the story in your youth. A dispute between Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Aerion Targaryen, cumulating in a..?”

“Trial of Seven,” you finish, the sudden realization settling in like a stone thrown into a pond, “Linden Langward is going to call for a Trial of Seven. His men have been targeting my own, our allies in an attempt to whittle away at our chances. Seven Hells....”

“I count twenty odd good men here and ready to fight by your side Brynden,” Lucas pipes in, his Knights joining his voice in the affirmative.

“And family,” Ser Lucerys Celtigar says.

“Both old and new,” Ser Raymun Chelsted adds.

The tent again throws into an uproar, your Knights shouting their vows to serve, those willing to put their lives upon the line to fight for your House. To bring Linden Langward to justice. Those willing to stare into the darkness that cloaked your enemies, both known and unknown, and dare it to strike at them.

“Let them come Brynden. It is a desperate man that sees the ship is burning and rather than jumps into the ocean and live, decides to lead his ship and men into a suicidal crash against his enemies,” Lucas says over the clamor, his voice resonating over the rest, bringing them to heel, “So long as even one of us stands we will fight by your side until the bloody end. We ride with you, unto the Sunset.”

“UNTO THE SUNSET,” your Knights echo, their voices adding fuel to the spark that murmered in your chest.

---

Wesley had joined you and Lucas on your walk to submit late entry into the Tourney, Lucas had filled him in on the details during your walk, you having to chime in with minor words here and there. Upon coming to the line before the registration table the topic of conversation had turned to the Trial itself.

“I will fight for you cousin,” he says after a moment, “House Hayford stands with the Malroys. I will not allow the taint of my brother’s madness to be the stain we are remembered for in this history.”

“Are you certain of that, Wes?” Lucas remarks, “Not a lot of Hayfords left.”

The young Knight’s ears turn red at the comment and he instead turns to you, “Brynden, this is our family we’re fighting for. I won’t sit upon the sidelines while you risk life and limb for them. It is not right.”

Your face softens at the thought, Lucas had the right of it, Wesley would be risking his life in an event that is known for its lethality. But you knew if the roles were reversed there was nothing you wouldn’t do to be fighting by his side, “Let us first get to the Trial, Wesley.”

Wesley’s face deflates and you grip him hard upon the shoulder, eliciting at least a small smile, though forced as it may be.

“Next!” the man calls from the table and you realize you are at the front of the line. A few quick strides and you stand before him, Lucas and Wesley flanking your sides, “What can I do fer ya milord?”

“I am Lord Brynden Malroy, Lord of Steadhold. I would like to submit a late entry into the Joust, my own.”

“Very well milord. Count yerself lucky, mite late fer most. All I needs is for you to sign the releases, pay the fees, and state your sponsor.”

“Sponsor?” you respond perplexed.

“Aye milord. This is the Reach, only Knights may enter the lists. Annoited and true, mhm,” he hums the last of his words nodding and you turn to Lucas and Wesley.

“A moment,” you say quickly receiving a nod in response and bustle them off to the side.

“What’s wrong Brynden?” Wesley asks confused.

“He’s not a Knight,” Lucas says, “I had forgotten all about it.”

“I hadn’t given it much thought myself,” you respond rubbing the back of your neck, “Wasn’t important once I left, came home with a title that seemed a bit more important. Bloody Hells, what am I going to do now? The Joust against Willas Tyrell is to be set tomorrow, Lord Tyrell promised no later than the twelfth day would the trial occur.”

“Well…” Wesley draws off, “Any Knight can make another Knight, Brynden. For any reason really, the Princewood, the Archery Contest in King’s Landing, you got enough reason. And you don’t seem to be in short supply of Knights, nor friends who have taken their vows.”

“And there is a Sept in the city. Grant is to hold his vigil this evening,” Lucas adds, “No doubt you could arrange something, pull a few Malroy strings with the clergy, aye? Hells, Wes or I could do it now, have you registered by dusk.”

More favors to call in, you think to yourself, but a small price to pay in the end you feel. Now was all a matter of who, and if you wished to make an ordeal of it or simply be done with it.

The Quest to Gain a Knighthood
>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you
>Allow Ser Wesley Hayford to Knight you
>Seek out another to Knight you (Specify)

A note, allowing Lucas or Wesley to Knight you will lead to a small quieter affair. Seeking another out will lead to a larger affair depending upon the person performing it.

>>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

Just do it here, wam bam thank you man

>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

>>Allow Ser Wesley Hayford to Knight you
Be knighted by family.

>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

>Allow Ser Wesley Hayford to Knight you

Illiad is best girl!

>Allow Ser Wesley Hayford to Knight you

Go with family, Lucas is less likely to take offence over this.

hm, being knighted by our family or ally... doesn't that devalue our knighthood?

>>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

What other knights are there?

>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

no big deal just get knighted and be done with it

>Allow Ser Wesley Hayford to Knight you

family is family

The answer to that question is another question, does Brynden really value Knighthood?

Plenty of famous ones from the Reach and Dorne. Good handful of Lords. This that and the other.

How is house Manwhore doing? Have we cut that knave in duel?

Brynden doesnt really give two shits about knighthood anyway. So it wont matter.

I want to be knighted by Karban

Not doing a lot of manwhoring unfortunately or fortunately depending on who you talk to

>implying its not the most expensive thing this side of westeros

>does Brynden really value Knighthood?
He might not. Dontos does though and he influenced him quite a bit. And Brynden is prideful, so he might want someone more famous to knight him - and get another ally/friend/opportunity...

>Dorne knight knights us
Political statement here?

He got shackled to a chain and ball.

Doing okay, I see

Brynden probably values a knighthood for the prestige and legitimacy it gives but for no other reason

Dont really think so. While he is proud he doesnt really care about the knighthood title and getting knighted by someone else would just cause us to owe that knight a favour.

>Allow Ser Wesley Hayford to Knight you
I don'the see Branden caring too strongly about having a knighthood.

>Dontos does though and he influenced him quite a bit.
In this regard, not at all. Brynden doesn't really get why Dontos values it so highly. He doesn't live by the Knight's code and honor like his uncle does, it's not his defining trait like it is with Dontos, and the sentimental value of who knighted him carries a lot more weight with Dontos than it ever could with Brynden.

It's a big reason why Brynden never bothered to seek it out since returning and is only doing it now out of necessity.

Anyway, looks like Lucas won. So that works for me. Writing now.

>Allow Ser Lucas Longwaters to Knight you
My only worry is that in the reach (where being knighted is a big deal, and the prestige of your sponsor to knighthood affects your prestige so much that a knighthood from a Lord Paramount is considered a prize for winning a tournament) it might be assumed that we either strong-armed our knight into it, or bribed the Longwaters into knighting us in exchange for raising their house up from their ill fortunes.

But we all know i'm far too paranoid. It'll be fine.

I suppose it's not viable to ask Oberyn? He said he'd help us, no?

He also obviously wants us to spend our favour as soon as possible, for as small a thing as possible.

We could use our favour to be knighted by Oberyn, that would be a huge prestige boost

It's a viable option.

It might be too late, but is that something we could do dad? Would Oberyn be obligated to help the man he knighted, given the circumstances? I think if we spun it just right, we could use that knighthood as a social obligation to help us in the trial

The rectal ravage would have be off the scales.

Sounds good. If we keep sitting on our favor, he will get angry.
Oberyn isn't the most trustworthy or diligent ally.

Could we manipulate the circumstance like making the knighting in a very public location or the like in court to kind of finangle like this

>knighted by Oberyn
That sounds so much nicer. Can Brynden see the advantage of a more prestiguous knighthood?

>>Allow Oberyn Martell to Knight you

Or how about we dont waste our favour and use it to make him help us in our trial of seven instead ofa shitty kngihthood ?

Not too late, I haven't gotten into the bulk of writing the post yet with Lucas. So I can change it. I was actually wondering if anyone would think of that.

As such I'll open up another vote.

The Quest for Knighthood II
>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you
>Ask Prince Oberyn Martell to Knight you, likely using your favor with him

>>Allow Oberyn Martell to Knight you

Yeah

>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

Seriously, dont fucking waste that favour. We can use him in the Trial of Seven.

>Ask Prince Oberyn Martell to Knight you, likely using your favor with him
This is my vote, now I will point out something

>likely using your favor
>likely
So there's a chance it won't even use the favor. Nice.

>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

The idea was to get both, or try to.

>Ask Prince Oberyn Martell to Knight you, likely using your favor with him

>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

It's just a knighthood
no need to go that far

Why on earth should he ? Its a bloody waste.

>>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

>>Ask Prince Oberyn Martell to Knight you, likely using your favor with him
YES! Super-Knighthood, value of 9999 wealth, I'm sure!

>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you
It's not worth the favor

>>Allow Lucas Longwaters to Knight you

Fair enough to recall it here. Lucas wins. Thought it was only fair to at least include the option.

>Ask Prince Oberyn Martell to Knight you

8:4 Oberyn, Lucas... :/ Dontos will cry!

Because it's a massive prestige boost you dumb cunts, if anything wasting the favor on the trial when we could get him to backup the man he just knighted and get fucking both is fucking stupid

This does raise an interesting question though.

What should we use the favour for? What kind of things do we think Oberyn would be willing to do for us?

Trial of Seven.

Because it's a massive prestige boost you dumb cunts, if anything wasting the favor on the trial when we could get him to backup the man he just knighted and get fucking both is stupid not to try

Sit on it and use it during War of Five Kings

That's dumb. Sure, he a good fighter but we can win without him.

People don't understand the romance of a super cool knighthood... or Brynden's sellsword mentality got into their heads.

That'd be great if dad could confirm that were possible, but people too freaked out we'll be down a man in the trial to try

How exactly? Ask him to be our champion?

Cash in his favour in return for him aiding us in the fight. It is really not that complicated.

We would look like pussies

It's not, just incredibly wasteful.

"Yo, Oberyn, remember me? Listen up, that favour you promised... what? No, I just got knighted, don't need your help... no, don't need your soldiersor assassins, I just need you and your spear to fight with me in a Trial of Seven in five minutes ..." :)

Isnt Trial of the Seven a extremely bloody affair ?

shit we probably could have gotten him to knight us by saying how salty the reach would be when a Tyrell gets unhorsed by a guy knighted by the Dornish Prince.

Was really hoping to hold on to it and make him kill the Mountain quickly so he wouldn't die.

On top of that, risking his life even theoretically (since he knows he is a better fighter and haughty about this fact) seems to be worth more than one favor. We'll owe him in the end.

That's literally the dumbest thing you can do with the favour

How is using a favour of a skilled warrior in a dangerous 7v7 melee stupid?

Fuck this, if we're just blowing the favour on the trial to get him to fight for us, final destination. I want to suss out these alarmists samefags who are too busy shadoqrunning to properly politically maneuver

>skilled warrior
Don't we have enough of those? Our Ser Jon Pyle is worth three of theirs. But the decision is made, so, spilt milk, onwards to the future

We can win without him. He's just one of 7 guys. If it goes wrong and he dies Dorne will hate us forever.

But we wont risk the life of one of our own.

Why not use the favor to have him supply seven skilled warriors, or use it to have him find out ans assasinate the few participating against us, or any other millions of ways we can use a huge political favour that isn't just him wielding a spear with us in a 7v7 battle

>If it goes wrong and he dies Dorne will hate us forever.

>if he dies

Nigga

Just one of the Princes of Dorne? Are you fucking shitting me mate

Grand melee is more dangerous than duel and he might as well refuse. Or accept our request and send his skilled warrior instead of fighting himself at the last moment. Which is what we could get after being knighted and using persuasion.

honestly would like to try for both, there's no inherent advantage using it just for him to participate when we have several skilled men available

>there's no inherent advantage using it just for him to participate
Some people just want to watch Dorne burn

>our guys roll shit
>it's a 5v2
>he rolls shit once
He's realistically dead at that point.

I kinda just want FD just to have the arguing done, it is an important decision and everyone has made their points more clrwaly then the last vote

Save the favor for when we eventually end up at trial for not reporting the slaver ring right away, getting us accused by association.

That way queen cerci can put up a knight for our dornish freind to butcher.

Wasn't here for the vote, but seconding the sentiment. This is a really big decision that will have huge ramifications either way

Trial of Seven is 7vs7 not a duel. And the Queen isnt here or has naything to do with this trial. Pretty much the main reason why we chose to bring the trial to the Reach.

Not on about this one, on about one in the future.

“Suppose you’re right then Lucas, would you do the honor then?”

Lucas looks up the hill towards the rather grand Sept and points, “You honor me Brynden. Aye, I would happily. Up there, in front of Gods and men, as it should be. If we’re quick we should get there about the same time as Grant. Hold vigil for the afternoon, register before sup, and have the rest of the night to celebrate, aye?” Lucas smiles at you and Wesley eliciting laughter from the two of you.

The trek into Highgarden’s commercial district was an interesting one, the smallfolk had come out in force, plying their goods and services from near and far. Bolts of foreign silks and cloth, bottles of exotic wines and finer Westerosi vintages, an entire stand dedicated to perfumes from Lys that you avoid like the plague, little boxes that contained fauna supposedly caught upon Sothoryos. You pause at that particular vendor, an overweight Braavosi plying the goods to his higher born customers amused, bewildered, and enchanted by the little creatures. Upon closer inspection none among them were particularly interesting, mostly things that could be caught in Essos.

“A gift for a fine lady of the Dornish entourage?” the Braavosi man asks in his thick accent when you pick up a tiny cage with a black scorpion in it. Well three actually, though one was dead, another missing a few legs and the last still prowling around the cage, a clutch of eggs upon her back.

You pause and scratch at the your goatee, “No, for one back home. How much?”

“Hmmm for you my Lord, five gold dragons a piece.”

“One is dead. The other looks halfway to it. Seven and a handful of silver.”

“Oh he is merely… Napping my Lord. Lazy bugs. Ten.”

“Eight even. No higher.”

The man eyes you suspiciously for a moment, receiving a bite of wildfire in response that gives cause to back down, “A deal then m’lord. Allow my servants to package and bring them to your camp. Free of charge, of course.”

You smile and hand the man your coin, of which he at least has the tack not to bite in front of you. Wesley almost vomits upon himself watching the young boy pluck the three scorpions from the cage and placing them in a more secure tank and you laugh as he squirms and has to look away.

“You sure Obella is going to be able to handle bugs, mite scarier than horses I’d wager,” Lucas asks looking like he’s ready to vomit himself.

“They’re arachnids.”

“Archi-fucking what?”

“Not bugs, they’re like spiders. Only with claws and death in their tails rather than their fangs. Mind the jaws though, nasty little biters. I’m sure Obella can manage, she’s the ‘Empress Scorpion’ afterall. Maybe starting small then work our way up to horses…”

“Seven be fucking good how do you know all that?”

“Essosi have a thing for creative deaths. You learn the differences pretty quick when some half baked healer is sucking venom from your wounds and thrusting whatever antidote they have on hand down your throat.”

Lucas pauses, holding his hand up as if to speak before turning, “...yeah I’ll be over here with Wesley.”

You laugh again and watch two proud Knights squirm and lose their collective lunches over a couple of scorpions. Giving the boy the directions to your camp you scribble off a quick note for Benjin to take care of them for the duration and to give the boy a couple of silvers for his trouble before sending him off on his way. Collecting Lucas and Wesley again you continue on your venture, stopping here and there mostly on Lucas’ accord now who wishes to purchase Lady Racheal Conklyn a gift. Wesley seems less enthused about the purchasing of gifts for his Lady wife, though relents eventually when you come upon a music box.

“The only time I see her smile is when she’s listening to the music box her mother gave her before she passed,” he says while examining it and paying with little haggling.

“Need to get better in bed then Wes,” Lucas says with a laugh, receiving a flat look from your cousin in response, “Wait, why weren’t we invited to the wedding?”

“My father did not have the coin to put on a grand affair and the dowry was… Not significant. It was a small muted affair. No drunken feasts, no melee, no tourney. It was a simple thing, not meant to cause offense. And my father’s condition was not the best at the time, he could not bare to see Brynden.”

“Understood,” you state simply putting the line of thought at an end immediately having picked up on Wesley’s dour tone.

After everyone had done their share of shopping and lightening their purses you finally arrive before the Sept. Pausing to take in her beauty from the outside. Stained glass windows reaching stories depicted the seven aspects of the Faith, framed by white stone so polished and smooth it shined in the afternoon sun enough to blind. A single circular window depicting a seven pointed star sits over the heavy oak doors where a Septon stands with folded hands as you approach.

“Blessings my Lord and Sers,” he says with a curt bow, “Welcome to the Sept of the Gardner, my name is Septon Wilhelm. How may we help you today?”

“Septon Wilhelm. I have a Knight soon to be made, and in need of taking his vows in their Light and receiving their holy blessings,” Lucas says taking lead.

“A joyous occasion indeed good Ser,” the Septon responds, clapping his hands together, “Septon Corlys will be able to perform the right once the man is Knighted.”

Lucas turns to you and nods, receiving one in return, “Brynden Malroy, kneel.”

Obliging him you do so, eyes resting upon the ground, though the feeling of eyes upon your back and neck soon reminds you have gained a small audience. Mostly smallfolk, men of less stature, a few Knights, humble beginnings for a Knight newly made you jest within your own mind. Perhaps it was only proper. The sound of Lucas’ sword being removed from its sheath fills your ear and you catch its gleam briefly as Lucas brings it before him, whispering a prayer and kissing the cold metal before speaking again.

“In the sight of Gods and men,” Lucas begins, touching his blade to your right shoulder, “In the name of the Warrior I charge you be brave.”

The sword moves from right to left, the murmur of the small crowd the only other whisper in your ear, “In the name of the Father I charge you be just.”

Again the sword changes shoulders, “In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent.”

A final time, “In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women.”

The sword comes off your shoulder, and Lucas speaks a final time, “Ser Brynden Malroy, you may rise.”

The crowd claps and cheers slightly as you rise, Lucas smiles broadly at you, going for a hug that you gladly accept. It was not a grand affair, it was not an affair worthy of a story. It was that of an ally, a dear friend receiving an honor in Knighting his Lord. You break and thump his shoulder before turning to the Septon who is patiently waiting.

“Septon Corlys will see you now my Lord.”