A Fiasco of Ice and Fire

The following is a transcript of a play-by-forum game on RPGGeek.com. The playset used was The Burning Ice.

The players are:

• David (memethief), born in Norwich, UK (pop ~125,000 at the time)
• Andrew (CarpeGuitarrem), born in Salem, OR (pop ~156,000)
• Austin (darkPrince010), born in Vancouver, WA (pop 161,791)

Setup

Setup dice:

David

Okay, well I'm going to take a 6 and say that there is an unforgotten grudge between you two.

Andrew

Excellent. I'm gonna snag one of the plentiful 3s, and establish a Crime relationship between myself and David.

Austin

I'll snag one of the 5s to specify the Unforgotten Grudge as a Loss of Inheritance. Andrew, given that you're involved through a crime, perhaps we're related because some botched plot of yours caused the disinheritance?

David & Andrew:

Relationship: Crime -

Andrew & Austin:

Relationship: Unforgotten grudge - Loss of Inheritance

Austin & David:

David

Nice! Maybe Andrew bet the family fortune on some Ponzi scheme, or a shady investment. Maybe Austin stood to inherit a lot of money from Andrew, and now has to *gasp* learn a trade.

The only way this could be worse would be if the person Andrew colluded with was someone Austin trusted, someone he was close to...

Austin & David:

Relationship: Romance -

Andrew

Eeeeheehee. Well, let's see...I think I'm gonna add in a sticky little plot element that makes this all so much more interesting....

Austin & David:

Relationship: Romance - Arranged Marriage

Austin

Well, I think a plain marriage is boring. A marriage that hinges on the hiding or revealing of a nasty dirty little secret might be more fun... whistle

Austin & David:

Relationship: Romance - Arranged Marriage

Object: Untoward -

David

Yeah, this is a no-brainer:

Austin & David:

Relationship: Romance - Arranged Marriage

Object: Untoward - Bastard infant

David

Maybe "arranged marriage" could instead mean "forced marriage"? Or does the bastard belong to only one of us?

Austin

Or the marriage was arranged, but got sidetracked by somebody else's kid popping out. Maaaaaybe the infant has priority over Andrew for the Inheritance, and that's why he lost it?

David

Interesting. If Andrew is Austin's natural-born kid (i.e, acknowledged bastard), and Austin has a new bastard by me, then Andrew is still fine. But if Austin marries me, any child born trumps Andrew's claim to Austin's fortune.

Andrew

I'll have to have a look later, but I think this definitely helps solidify my picture of that Crime relationship...

David & Andrew:

Relationship: Crime - Blackmail

Andrew

That was easy.

Austin

David & Andrew:

Relationship: Crime - Blackmail

Location: Risky -

Austin

The only thing that makes blackmail better is when it's in Pyke.

David

Andrew & Austin:

Relationship: Unforgotten grudge - Loss of Inheritance

Need: To get respect -

Andrew

I'm gonna cement that location, and let the wildness fall into that juicy Need!

David & Andrew:

Relationship: Crime - Blackmail

Location: Risky - On a rickety bridge between two windswept islands

Austin

Andrew & Austin:

Relationship: Unforgotten grudge - Loss of Inheritance

Need: (6) To get respect - From your rivals

Austin

Well, it looks like that loss of inheritance has awoken the vultures, and they're circling already...

So going off of this, seems to me that Andrew and I are from the same family, and somehow my infant with David jeopardized his inheritance, and irked our family rivals. Perhaps we're Frey, Greyjoy, or one of the myriad of lesser northern families?

Andrew

Lesser House makes sense; perhaps David's an Iron Islander? Oh! If inheritance is patrilineal, my character's probably the daughter of Austin's character. The bastard child is a boy, and the arranged marriage would legitimize him as heir.

I'm trying to climb the ranks of influence, and blackmailing David's character (something to do with a visit I paid to the Iron Islands along with David's character) is how I'm going to gain the notice of my rivals, who scoff at my paltry ambitions.

Or maybe I'm being blackmailed so that I won't interfere with the marriage. But at the same time I know I need to get respect from my rivals, or I'll get eaten alive when I try politicking.

I definitely need to get my rivals' respect, because as the disinherited daughter, my former leverage threatens to vanish. Time to pull off something big.

Those're my reads/suggestions.

Austin

I like it! Perhaps I'm trying, as matriarch, to get respect from the rivals by having a male heir, and the last thing I want is my upstart daughter meddling and ruining everything.

David

I like the ideas so far. I wouldn't have expected Austin's character to be a woman, though: I think in a patrilineal society the offspring would tend to belong to the father's family. Even male, the kid wouldn't be any threat to Andrew's inheritance.

I think Austin is a widower with no male heir. Andrew is his daughter, either eldest or only. I like the idea of us all being Ironborn, because that supports a might-makes-right argument of inheritance, as with Asha Greyjoy. I am a woman from another house, promised to Austin in exchange for some alliance or what-have-you. Maybe I'm no older than Andrew, to increase the ick factor.

What I see happening in the first act is a struggle between Andrew and Austin to win the respect of the other Ironborn lords, and thus the throne. Austin is looking to get an heir born to reinforce his claim, and maybe isn't too picky about waiting until his wedding night. At some point Andrew realizes I'm pregnant, which works as blackmail material.

Andrew

I'm cool with Ironborn characters. David, your character might also be from the mainland, because nothing says fun fiasco like an outsider caught up in a different culture. XD

Another thought: maybe the child didn't actually come from the relationship, but from some dalliance the widower had with a non-noble? But the marriage is intended to legitimize the child, as the two of you can claim it as yours.

Which royally screws me out of the inheritance for a child that doesn't even have a birthright. (And that might be my blackmail material--that I knew the child's mother is no noble.)

Ah, and I double-like the idea that Austin's the one trying to net respect from rivals by begetting an heir other than me. More resentment for me!

Austin

Oooh, I like the idea that it's not even my marriage that begat the kid. I do think the respect should be two-way, where I'm trying to get it through a male heir, and you're trying to get it through successful inheritance.

Andrew

Oooh, I like the idea that it's not even my marriage that begat the kid. I do think the respect should be two-way, where I'm trying to get it through a male heir, and you're trying to get it through successful inheritance.

All the more vicious, because they're directly opposed to one another. I like this.

Do we have sufficient powder keg to commence?

David

Definitely sounds like we're almost ready to start, as soon as we get the basics squared away. I like the idea of the bastard not being born yet, of me being the mother and of Austin being the father as far as anyone knows.

I'm not clear on the logistics of how Austin marrying someone who's not the baby's mother would legitimize the kid -- or have I misunderstood something about what you're proposing?

Austin 

I think the idea was that I'm marrying David, who I knocked up, and that would trump Andrew's right to my inheritance as she's a girl, despite being firstborn. Add onto that that David knows some secret about Andrew (Perhaps that Andrew wasn't legitimate either, which would completely destroy any chance of a claim she might have), and I think it sounds like we're ready!

I suggest that we're from Noble houses in the Iron Islands. Perhaps Andrew and I are Blacktydes, and David is Botley, Harlaw, or Orkwood? I'll name myself Lord Erich of [Insert House Here].Definitely not a "real" lord beyond commanding a fairly small ship as captain, too much dicking around (Literally!) to be otherwise.

Andrew

Oh, my thought on that score--

If the mother was publicly known to be some non-noble, that wrecks the child's chances of being an heir. So the solution could be to arrange the marriage so that they can pretend that it's their child, sorta like how people generally thought Joffrey was the Baratheon heir.

Also, I like the idea of the blackmail falling against me. Just means I'll be all the more desperate to find a weapon to break up this marriage...

My vote's definitely Blacktyde for us as well. I'll come back here tonight, plot something out for my character--I think I want to play with the fact that...oooh.

See, apparently Blacktyde had Lord Baelor convert to the Seven due to a hostage situation. The blackmail could be that I've actually also converted to the Seven, but secretly. And I think we have it.

Austin

That would work. More elements are always better. Perhaps the bastard's mother is from a salt wife of mine, or someone else's salt wife?

Andrew

Oh, I say absolutely someone else's. The more problematic the situation the better!

Austin

Awesome. Let me make sure I've got this outlined right:

David is betrothed to me, and while we have a child, it's actually a bastard from one of my rival's salt wives. As a result, I'm trying to (secretly) get respect from the salt wife's husband, a rival, by legitimizing the bastard through marriage, as well as (publicly) gain respect from my rivals through a male-born heir.

I, Lord Erich, am a minor captain/lord, who apparently sleeps around a bit much, and am aiming to get my legitimized male heir in order to get respect, despite knowing full well that it would nuke any chances of respect or prestige my daughter might get when she comes of age here shortly(Maybe she was born from one of my salt wives, perhaps, or a wife who has since died?).

Andrew is my natural-born daughter who currently is the only heir I have, although I'm not real fond of it thanks to the fact it is a mockery as she is a woman, as well as it emasculates me to not have any sons. She is pissed at me for trying to connive to yank her claim away from her, and has also apparently found God(s). She can't reveal this as it would probably lead to a push for her to become a septa (And permanently revoke her claim to any kind of inheritance), and David knows about this devotion and is attempting to perhaps use it to keep Andrew from meddling?

Andrew

Totally sounds solid. (Also, I'm sure that having the faith of the Seven probably dampens her chances of political advancement and would make her look weak.)

Lots of shady dealings going on. I'm not even sure that David's Lady was really all that tied into this--quite possibly Lord Erich Blacktyde needed some noblewoman to serve as a legitimate mother, and there was enough material to fabricate a story around. David? Thoughts?

I'll take the name Slandi Blacktyde, the daughter who probably should not have taken a merchant trip to the greenlands. Her exposure to the faith of the Seven certainly couldn't have any good effect on her Ironborn nature.

David

Maerys Tawney is the youngest daughter of Lord Balon Tawney. House Tawney is looking to gain better access to ports on the island of Blacktyde, and a political marriage is just the thing for it.

I haven't decided yet exactly what Maerys' stake is in the whole affair, but I've got some nasty ideas.

Dramatis Personae

Lord Erich Blacktyde (Austin), a minor captain-lord, who apparently sleeps around a bit much Slandi Blacktyde (Andrew), his natural-born daughter and heir to the Blacktyde throne Maerys Tawney (David), the youngest daughter of Lord Balon Tawney Lord Balon Tawney, a nobleman looking to gain better access to ports on the island of Blacktyde Ser Brynn, a pox-scarred suitor to Slandi Ser Corad, a dark-haired suitor to Slandi Derren, a Septa A priest of the Drowned God A fool Various Ironborn nobles, sailors and commoners

Act I

Act I Scene 1

Current dice pool:

David establishes the scene:

Scene one takes place on a pier on Blacktyde. Lord Erich Blacktyde has come down from his keep to meet Lord Balon Tawney, and to meet his new bride-to-be for the first time. Slandi Blacktyde is present but (at least at first) hanging back with some other courtiers as Lord Blacktyde goes to the Tawney ship. Maerys Tawney is in the scene of course, but presently off-camera.

The stakes:

Maerys knows that Lord Blacktyde is showing off, proving to himself and others that he is enough of a man to net a pretty young wife. Maerys wants to establish that she is no salt wife, and no flimsy wetlander lady, but a strong ironborn woman worthy of respect from her household and her people.

Open on the sea, grey and choppy. Two longships are seen bobbing on the waves, their flag displaying a scourge of nettles on a white field. In the distance two more such ships are seen approaching the island of Blacktyde. A fifth ship has already landed; the shot closes in on it.

Two men with grey in their beards stand silently side by side on the pier, looking down at the water by the shore. On the ship several sailors stand, likewise looking silently down at the water. One coughs, bringing attention to the fact that there is no sound to be heard but the cry of gulls and the hiss of the sea. A slight splashing sound is heard, at occasional irregular intervals.

Above the pier a couple of dozen people are gathered, a mix of commoners and nobles but all Ironborn. Some wear the green and black of House Blacktyde. All look uncomfortable. Someone shuffles their feet. Another slight splash is heard, and a couple of the villagers flinch.

In the water by the pier a priest of the Drowned God is standing in waist-deep water. His arms are forearm-deep in the water in front of him, his hands on the shoulders of a young woman lying horizontally, completely submerged in the brine. Her hair flows about her face, her eyes flutter, and her blue-tinged lips are parted. Occasionally an arm or leg jerks out of the water, creating the splashing sounds heard earlier.

On the pier Lord Blacktyde is looking visibly worried. He looks over at Lord Tawney, whose face is dark and unreadable. On the ship one sailor whispers something to a second; the second leans over the railing to see the water better, then shrugs in answer. The people gathered on shore look at each other and mutter.

Back in the water the woman's leg jerks once more, then stops. After several seconds her eyes close. Then her hands rise slowly to her shoulders and gently take the priest's hands away. She sinks slightly, then stands up straight. She staggers slightly, takes a few steps, then retches. Brine and bile spew out onto the water and are washed away by the waves. She ignores it and continues up the rocks toward the shore, more sure-footed now.

The sodden woman makes her way onto the shore and stands there, shivering. She wears the leathers of a sailor, but around her neck and on her fingers the gleam of silver catches the weak sunshine. The wet leathers cling to her, revealing feminine curves beneath the utilitarian garb.

"I am Maerys of House Tawney." The young woman's shout breaks the hush abruptly, making several of the onlookers start. "I come to seal my betrothal to Lord Erich of House Blacktyde." She is shivering violently now, making her voice shake. "In accordance with the old ways I have braved the judgement of the Drowned God, and have not been found wanting. Will you accept this verdict, and take me into your House?" Maerys' eyes are bloodshot, her eyelids and lips still tinged blue and her teeth chattering, but she holds her head high, eyes fixed on Lord Blacktyde.

Lord Blacktyde bows, albeit stiffly and with a certain degree of unnecessary formality. Speaking clearly, his words echo slightly off of nearby rock overhangs. "I accept you into my house, with the blessings of the God Beneath The Waves. Let any who would disagree with this judgement drown, so that they might argue with He who accepted you."

As Blacktyde recites his piece, his eyes keep momentarily flashing to the silver on Maerys' neck and fingers, with his brow furrowing briefly. After the last of the words reflects from water-pummeled stone, Blacktyde slowly removes his own cloak, a very finely-spun wool garment bearing the repeated black and green of the house dyed onto it, and clasped with a scratched silver clasp chased with onyx and bearing the obvious gap where a gemstone in the shape of a leaping fish had been pried out.

Blacktyde gestures to an awaiting horse near the head of a crushed stone trail, a small yet sturdy-looking motte-and-bailey castle visible in the distance. The banners of House Blacktyde, as well as the smaller celebratory banners of House Tawney, can be seen streaming from poles jutting up from the mossy dark stone crenelations.

Slandi hisses, drawing a black-and-green cloak around herself. She has watched the proceedings with a feigned disinterest, looking closely as Maerys sputtered and twitched beneath the waters. Then, of course, she came up and out, dripping wet and ready for the ceremony. Too much to hope that the priests' rituals would solve things. My own hands will have to execute matters, then. Whatever that entails.

She listens carefully to the words of the ceremony. Technicality that fouls it all up? No, it's not as though I paid that much attention to the priests. This is the pivotal moment--from here on out, the inheritance is up for grabs.

"The marriage was certainly swiftly-set. Seems like they had some messy business to clean up," she murmurs in the midst of the crowd, just loud enough for people to pick up on.

Blacktyde shoots Slandi a glare, before replying in a conversational tone that is nevertheless loud enough for the crowd to hear clearly. "Well, we can't blame the noble house of Tawny for having a dutiful and loving daughter. A shame the same cannot be said for our own house, my dearest daughter?"

Turning from Slandi, Blacktyde helps Maerys onto her horse, and then easily mounts his own despite his years, shooting Slandi back a glance over his shoulder and jesting, "Slandi, the daughter of House Tawney has had a long journey. I'm sure you'll be glad to lend up your room for her use while she's here?"

Andrew: I'm gonna actually grab a for you right now, David; let's start things off well for ya.

Slandi feels the eyes of everyone passing over her, certainly not giving her much regard. Everyone seems to be far more interested in the couple at hand. Gods curse my hasty tongue.

She bites back the sharpest reply that jumps to mind, watching the both of them ride on.

Blacktyde smiles slightly to himself, although the smile fades into a furrow of concern hidden by the hood of his cloak. I'll have to watch for Slandi interfering later. She's not the type to take saltwater in a wound like this lightly.

Slandi mounts her own horse for the ride back to the keep and Maerys edges her horse a little closer to Slandi's. It is evident that the two are close in age; it is difficult to tell which might be older. Maerys leans over and quietly says, "I thank you for the use of your chambers, Slandi. And for the stillness of your tongue. After all, if I am to be your mother I shall expect a daughter's respect."

Maerys smiles coldly and trots up to ride beside Lord Blacktyde, leaving Slandi fuming wordlessly in her saddle.

Music swells. Cue opening credits.

David: the goes to Austin, for taking my harsh cold opening (no pun intended) and rolling with it.

Act I Scene 2

Current dice pool:

Austin:

Andrew: Y'know...I think I want to see myself get put on the spot. I'll choose to Resolve my first scene.

Austin: Alright. My suggestion for the scene would be something where Slandi is at some sort of feast for the betrothed, either that night or the following morning (And so a morning in which she wasn't sleeping in her own bed even).

David: I think this scene should have a bit of exposition to tell the audience about the succession issue. How about if the scene is between Blacktyde, Tawney and Slandi as they sit at the high table at that night's feast. I figure Blacktyde would have Maerys on his left and Tawney on his right. Then for symmetry's sake Slandi is to Tawney's right. While Maerys is being entertained by tumblers and welcomed by the court I'll play Tawney, who seems to take it for granted that his grandson will be the heir to Blacktyde. Slandi is not happy about this, and her objective in this scene is to be taken seriously as a claimant to the seat.

Open on musicians, jugglers and dancers. A knife thrower skewers four small pumpkins in mid-air, each of which lands on a different plate at the high table and draws laughter and applause from three of the four sitting there. Lord Erich Blacktyde and Lord Balon Tawney sit at the center two places, with Maerys Tawney at Lord Blacktyde's left. Sitting at Lord Tawney's right and glowering, Slandi Blacktyde is the only one who didn't laugh out loud, but even she let a slight smile escape.

A fool approaches the high table and, after getting a nod of permission from Blacktyde, draws Maerys to her feet and begins to loudly explain to the room the terms of the next performance. "Ladies, Gentlemen and Ironborn! You see in my hand here twelve identical wooden sticks, but for the coloured stripes at one end. I will now ask you, m'dear, to choose one of them without letting me know which..."

Cut to Blacktyde, Tawney and Slandi. Tawney chuckles at the antics of the performers and speaks in his gravelly voice: "Erich, you've made an old man happy. I don't think I've seen Maerys laugh like this since... well, since midsummer. It's been too long that we've sat on opposite sides of the table, old friend." Lord Tawney accepts a refill of wine from a passing servant and hoists it high, but says only loud enough for the Blacktyde to hear, "Here's to old friends, and new family. Ha! I suppose I will soon be your father, Erich!"

Erich Blacktyde inclines his head with a smile and toasts as well, although the smile fades slightly when he sees Slandi's somewhat dour expression to Lord Tawney's side. He leans towards her, and says "Come now, daughter, this is a happy day. Smile, and you might have a man interested in you as well."

He gestures around broadly to the rest of the hall, where the nobles and knights are seated, and more than a few occasionally shoot a glance towards the unbetrothed noble daughter sitting at the head table. "Seven hells, who knows? If you're prompt, you might get a child stirring in you before the midwinter feast, and give me a proper grandson to dote upon."

There is a swell of chuckling from the nobles within earshot, moreso from those sworn to House Blacktyde. Lord Blacktyde's preference for a male heir is a common point of contention and discussion, although the pox-scarred Ser Brynn and dark-haired Ser Corad both harden their gazes. They both seek Slandi Blacktyde as a wife, and neither appreciates the idea of Lord Blacktyde's new bride producing an heir that would null any claim their own marriage with Slandi might create.

Balon Tawney frowns, and grumbles into his wine, "The way this long autumn is looking, midwinter may see your daughter as grey as we are now." Looking up at Slandi, though, his smile returns. "Come now, granddaughter. Is there any man who has caught your eye? Perhaps you and I should marry, then I might be my own grandfather-in-law!" At this Ser Brynn and Ser Corad scowl in unison, but the increased chuckling from the two lords makes it clear that it was not said in earnest.

"Maybe I'd consider it, Lord Tawney, if I thought you capable of earning it," Slandi slips back, moving a slight smirk onto her face. Calm and cool, and the touch of insult.

Well, the rebuke brings a moment of silence from the entire hall. That's something. Now what if...I wonder, what if... "So it seems there are those who are eager to see me married off. As I am the eldest of the Blacktyde line, it seems only fitting that this privilege be earned. So allow me to set forth the conditions." There. I've got one chance to found myself solidly. Let me give them a visage of confidence and power.

"We are Ironborn, so let my eye be earned by the iron price. The man who wishes to earn my consideration will bring me a prize worthy of my stature and lineage. In one month's time, I will see fit to evaluate those who undertake these conditions."

And now, the quiet before the crash.

Andrew: I think I'll grab myself a  with my resolution, let's bleed those white dice!

Erich raises his eyebrows, visibly impressed at the bold claim to the assembled court. However, behind the pleasant gaze he is fuming. If she gets a damned runt in her before Tawney has my "heir," Slandi will be sure to leave me nothing but a godsforsaken sandbar to call my island and driftwood to call my fleet.

He gets to his feet, raising a goblet for a toast. "May the best man win, and may the Drowned God take the whelps not worthy of being the best!" he shouts, to general cheering and applause, before taking his seat again. His gaze noticed several older lords and captains who had seemed eager at Slandi's proposal had become reserved after his toast reminded them why the iron price was never taken lightly. Well, at least not all of them have naught but a sword arm and a cock with which to subsist on. Better to forgo the marlin for the tuna than to be dragged into the watery halls. he mused, sipping his mulled wine.

At Slandi's insult Lord Tawney's eyebrows jump up his forehead, and his mouth opens to reply angrily. Then his Ironborn sensibilities win out over his pride, and an appreciative smirk settles on his craggy features. This girl... no, this woman has a strong will. Stronger than her father, perhaps.

Seeing the reaction, Slandi smiles slightly, sitting back. She spares a slight glance over at her father, and then looks in Maerys' direction. I wonder what she thought of all that.

Andrew: I'll give my  to Austin for introducing the element of the would-be suitors. That's actually what gave me the idea to take the scene in this direction.

Act I Scene 3

Current dice pool:

Austin:

Austin: I'll choose to Resolve my scene, so go ahead and set it up as you guys see fit.

Andrew: How about this: Erich stumbles across the Septon who secretly converted Slandi; he'd come to see how she was progressing, and to provide some theological instruction.

Stake: will Erich wrest the truth from the septon and find out that his daughter no longer serves the Drowned God?

David: I'm thinking it might be time to bring in the Untoward Object. Maybe Erich is feeling rattled by Slandi's overtures, and starts plotting to gain the upper hand. This scene could be him trying to convince Maerys to go along with his plan to pass off a bastard child as theirs, and the scene's conflict could be over how that interaction goes.

Andrew: I like that even better.

David Leaman: So I think probably Erich and Maerys are the only characters in this scene, right? We have:

Conflict: will Erich convince Maerys to falsely claim his bastard as their child?

In the morning after the wedding feast, Slandi's actions still weigh some on Lord Erich's mind. He stands at the window, looking out, feeling the salty air against his face. Maerys sits up on the bed, watching him, worried--whatever is bothering Erich, it's certainly troubling him strongly.

"My lord, this is my first day as a married woman, and my first day as the Lady of Blacktyde, to boot. Will you take me out today to show me this island of ours?" Maerys' attempt to distract Erich from his musing fails, and she tries a different approach. "What troubles you, my lord? I hope you are not struck by such a melancholy every morning."

Erich sighs, and turns to face Maerys, hesitation in his eyes for a moment before they become his normal expressionless steel-grey. "I... Maerys, I have tidings regarding our heir."

She looks puzzled, as they have not consummated the marriage yet. Lord Blacktyde notes the confusion on her face, and in a heavy voice says "I already have a bastard that will inherit my position as heir."

Maerys makes a shocked noise of confusion and distress, before Erich goes on to say "He will be our child, make no mistake of that, and he is of my blood. This natural-born child has quickened and will be born inside of three months. As part of an agreement with... other parties... he will be adopted and raised by us, and we shall publicly declare him to be ours and ours alone."

Erich looks at Maerys' face as recognition and understanding dawn, and he leans forward for her answer to this unexpected news.

Maerys' jaw works as she tries to formulate a response to this surprise. "And I am to pretend now that I am three months short of a birth? Half your court saw me drenched to the bone yesterday; they know I am not with child. How do you expect me to support this foolishness?

"And why? What reason could you have to want to play this farce? I am not barren, so far as I or anyone anyone knows. Do you value this bastard of yours so much that you would put it ahead of any child you and I might get? Or its mother? I don't normally have a jealous nature, but do you like me so poorly that you would prefer I raise another woman's whelp than our own?"

As Maerys speaks Erich's expression only gets harder and colder, until she finally allows herself to believe the truth behind his proclamation. "And how about," she says through her teeth, "the heir you already have?" Erich's eyes flash darkly and Maerys continues, gaining in fervour. "I see. I have now struck at the truth of this. You are in a petty little feud with your petty little daughter. You want to supplant that piratical bint of yours before she decides to take your throne as plunder."

Maerys dresses absently, her mind calculating and her eyes fixed on her new husband. "You fear her so much you can't even wait long enough to get a son on me. Is that why you were in such a hurry to get my father's assent? He doesn't know your true plans, of course..." Her voice trails off.

"Well then, my dear husband, what do I stand to gain from this? You certainly can't pull this off without my collaboration. What's in it for me?"

Andrew: Y'know, given the way the scene is playing out--I think I'm gonna hand out for this scene. Erich's probably gonna have to make some huge promises to get Maerys to play along.

Erich narrows his eyes. "What's in it for you is that one of my primary rival for this region of the Iron Islands, Lord Sparr, will tithe us a not-unappreciable sum of dragons every year, as well as holding off from the reaving and destruction he would rain upon our heads if knowledge of his salt wife's straying were to become known to the court. This way he can be content in the knowledge that his blood is my heir, the court will be content in our marriage and its fruition in the form of our 'son,' and we can be content in the gold in our pockets and our heads on our shoulders. Understood?"

Maerys dissatisfied expression remains, but the terse nod she gives is interpreted by Lord Blacktyde as consent to the scheme.

"Good," he says as he releases his breath through gritted teeth. "Now, Sparr's wife will be smuggled here shortly before she is due to birth our child. She will raise it in secret until such a time as you can "birth" the child yourself. Maester Saltburn is also in our confidence, and has arranged for the tanner to craft a false belly for you, capable of being stuffed with sand over the coming months. The gods are fickle with their blessing of quickening seed, and I would not dare to allow my insolent spawn of a daughter even one additional hour with which to quicken herself and take my house from me."

The snort of derision from Maerys upon the mention of her birthing the half-year-old child made Erich turn on his heel. "It will work. No-one looks to closely at a babe, especially one covered in birthing blood, and we can always keep the child isolated and away from the gaze of the other houses for a year or so, long enough for his size and age to be unnoticeable. Beyond that they would only have baseless rumors, and the Drowned God take those unbelievers. It has to work."

Maerys says nothing beyond the tightening of her mouth, but Erich takes her silence as agreement. "Check with Maester Saltburn after the wedding, and he will help you affix the leather belly. Do not stray from wearing it, even for a single day, or it will likely mean all of our heads."

Austin: I'll award the die to David, as Maerys is almost as stuck in this as Erich is at this point.

Act I Scene 4

Current dice pool:

David:

Austin:

David: I think I'd like to resolve. Go ahead and set something up for Maerys to struggle with.

Austin: I'm thinking it might be time to bring in Slandi's newfound faith. If Maerys sees Slandi isn't a follower of the Drowned God, perhaps it might introduce a point where Slandi has to bargain with Maerys not to reveal the information, and possibly hinting to her that she 'knows' Maerys is being married in such a rush because she has Erich's bastard in her belly already.

Andrew: I'm thinking she stumbles upon Slandi finishing her meeting with the Septon or Septa who covertly came to further her education in the ways of the Seven.

David: Just a suggestion, since I'm resolving: perhaps Slandi has a drylander comrade from her travels who is secretly a Sept(a|on). Perhaps her crew and everyone else assumes this is a lover or just a friend, but their private meetings are more heretical in nature.

Austin: I like it.

A Swinging Bridge, The Next Day

Slandi braces herself against the waves, taking a deep breath of the salt wind. She looks farther down the bridge, where a poorly-disguised Septa clings to the ropes, pale and shallowly breathing.

"I'm sorry," Slandi says, "I guess this was a poor place for our lesson, anyhow. I thought that maybe, it being a more secluded place--well."

Derren the Septa shakes her head, looking back towards Slandi, trying to muster up the will and breath and nerve to say something. "Unfortunately--so."

Slandi sighs. "Well, I guess the moral instruction can take place elsewhere." She shrugs, pulling her dark cloak closer around herself, and moves closer to Derren, offering a hand.

Derren decides to cling to her, instead, to Slandi's chagrin. Such a typical drylander. This is the price I pay, I suppose, for finding a faith a little less unsettling.

Unfortunately for Slandi, they're not as isolated as she had planned. Maerys is carefully walking along the bridges, when she comes across the somewhat-disguised Septa and the Blacktyde.