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    1. AtomicNut 9 yrs ago
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2 yrs ago
Current BERSERK LIVES
5 likes
2 yrs ago
1 year later... Still in denial. Also trying to set up a discord server.
1 like
3 yrs ago
Still in denial about Berserk. Also RL made me busy.
1 like
3 yrs ago
"Insert witty quote here"
3 yrs ago
If there is anyone out there... could you please tweak the RNG of the world?

Bio

I run on GMT+1 Schedule.

And coffee.

Most Recent Posts

Are OC allowed?
Also guys, I just discovered a nifty and new Game of Thrones RP on this site. This one about the Dance of Dragons. One of my favorite periods of history in ASoIaF. I'm joining the game as House Velaryon and Aemond One-Eye, is anyone else interested in some more dragon on dragon warfare and dynastic politics? I promise that our game will be the first priority for me as your GM, but I thought it could be fun for us GOT nerds to cut loose in another story as well.


Where's the OOC and rules?? Oo
Dangit and I wanted Merrel to show off. Oh well, in for a penny...
Highgarden (with @kingkonrad)

Highgarden, Or as a certain person he knew, that lair of those rosy-farted bastards. As much as he found the description... rather catchy, the young man dared not to ever mention that in public. In a world as shifting as this, the wrong spin on someone's words could ruin your plans, much very like a dagger in one's own entrails. It was still a beatiful place, worthy of someone who claimed relationship to the Gardeners.

Well, there was the old matter that his own house -too- claimed such ancestry, and from a closer link. Such was the Florent reason to ironically, be a thorn at times to a house reputed by them. However, many things had changed since the war, and right now, the country was once again trembling.

He was glad he wasn't. If he had shown to be a weak heir, no doubt the japes would revive the fires of old vendettas amidst the two houses. But here he was, in his most presentable regalia. Yesterday's heir... today the Lord of Brightwater. Alester Florent. He ruffled his cape once more, as he waited for the guards to announce his presence to his liege.

Highgarden was a beautiful castle to arrive to, the rose-lined avenues and even the lower parts of the mount that it sat on were clean, tidy, not sprawling like King's Landing. Traders were spaced and carefully placed, almost as if there was order yet the greenery surrounded the whole place. Vines and flower beds lay everywhere, and it never felt too claustrophobic. This was an organized garden, a garden of traders, soldiers and rulers.

That one was Merlin Tyrell, Steward of the Reach, the Heir to the Kingdom. And standing with his bird, Scarlet on his shoulder, he could take in the sight of the convoy that was Lord Alester Florent. Merlin was a stout man, not fat by any standard, he was tall yet stern, but no fighter or warrior. Letting Scarlet fly from his reach, he headed to the gates, hearing the clacking of hooves head towards the inner keep. Alekayne's death had been informed to him, and meeting Alester was interesting.

The gate rose, as the convoy entered, as per Merlin's instruction.
"My Lord. It's Lord Alester Florent, Lord of Brightwater Keep, here to see you." One of the Tyrell guards said, looking across to Merlin.

Alester's gaze squinted for a bit, his factions scrutinizing the Tyrell from afar, as he unseated from his horse, his arms crosed as he eyed the perspective of the gardens for a brief seconds, before his eyes wandered to the Rose Steward. He let out a tired smiled as he begun to talk, his voice somewhat soft but gaining in volume as the words went by.

"Lord Merlin. Well met." Alester added. "It feels like a fine day to do politics, do you not think so?" He finished as he waited the Tyrell's response.

Merlin walked up to Alester, offering a hand.
"Likewise, Lord Alester. It is good to meet you at last. Condolences for your father's passing. Alekyne was a formidable man, and it is sad to hear of his passing." Merlin replied, Alester a little younger than himself, yet the new heir of the Lordship that he now ruled. And Merlin wanted this to be a fresh start, or at least, a new chapter in some relation. That said though, there was far more than just that to discuss. Politics never was simple, and he knew not all Alester or himmelf were looking for would be resolved today.

"Formidable." Alester repeated, a hint of bittereness on his voice. "It is a nice way to put it." He added, cutting himself short of adding an untimely retort, as he eyed the Tyrell. "Some among us would disagree." He put it mildly. "It is never easy to be the heir and hearing of one's father's demise. You don't even have time to miss nor mourn, for ruling your own lands waits for no one." He finished. "Rest assured though, that I do not intend to unravel what he did. After all, I am but what remains of himself in this world." He finished as he shook Merlin's hand somberly.

"I suppose that you could offer some privacy and refreshments, as well as a little of your time, m'lord. The state of the Reach...could benefit from I might be about to say." He finished.

"I am open to hearing it, Lord Alester. Highgarden has quarters for just that purpose. No need for grandeur. I assume neither of us is interested right now." Merlin simply retorted, as he turned, noting for him to walk alongside. The guards flanked but stayed far, knowing they didn't need to pry.
"I suggest we get some Arbor brought to us and discuss matters then. I didn't just ask for you to come here for a few administrative purposes. The Reach itself does suffer a great number of issues. The peasants are happy and see us as chivalric, noble and careful entities. But we have to protect them from the horrors of the world. Or else it will not end well." He added, as they walked in towards the Keep, and in particular, towards a set of stairs. He wanted Alester to follow him to a small quarter, a meeting room of sorts, one that did not befit that was located higher up in one of the keep's towers.

"Just a second." Alester raised one of his hands, before heading for his horse, and taking a large bound book, similar to what Maesters used to carry anytime. "A book of parchments. It'll help." He curtly added, as he clutched the device close to his chest, before heading after Merlin Tyrell, with swift, graceful steps. He walked alongside Merlin.

"Horrors... well, if only things were that easy. Horrors can be slain. But not all our problems." He replied as he entered the small quarter. "Please drop the formalities and call me Les. It's much faster to talk this way. We both know I am lord of Brightwater." He eyed his surroundings, ensuring he was in private.

Merlin nodded, knowing he had his own quill and parchment already up at the room. Taking a seat, he chuckled hearing what Alester had to say, nodding approvingly. It was an easier way to adress him, after all, Merlin sighing as he sat up.
"That you are then, Les. So, I have a few things to adress with you. Firstly, all this business with being here, if you want to stay, I'm willing to offer you a position as an adviser, to me. I need allies in my Kingdom, not those who allay to something else. As with anything in the past, I am not concerned with squabbles between families, especially ours. Garlan is, I'm not. I do things by the numbers and in order, and you seem like you already fit that image." Merlin said, as he poured some of the wine for Alester, then himself, from the same jug before taking a sip.

Alester took his cup as he opened the book, carefully examining the pages. He swirled his cup a few times, before taking a sip. "I am frankly disappointed, m'lord. I was expecting more reticence and doubting from a Tyrell. And I had come with my book of parchments full of rethorics to mollify even Garlan." He added. "But i actually prefer this way, in a sense. I'll be frank. My father drained his own life, teaching me that ruling also meant to built and repair, not just swing your sword and say a couple of spirited words." He paused. "Much needs to be done, though... we went from war to war... and another is looming." He added.

"Plus there's the whole Gardener thing. Us Florents also have a claim of the house Gardener, and those rumours hurt us as much as you Tyrells." He said, while alternating his eyes besides the entries of the book and Merlin. "And now you claim you need advisers because you're shortstaffed." He shook his head. "I'd rather fight a dragon than rule Brightwater at this point, but can't be helped." He said, sipping half of the cup in one go.

Merlin looked on, a single chuckle leaving his lips as he heard what he had to say. Interesting view, that Lord had, he thought to himself.
"They'll want to take Brightwater Keep too....so you're here then. That makes us common in our understanding. And as for fighting dragons....I think the last people who did wouldn't say it's an experience to be repeated." Merlin quipped wisely, as he drank the wine slow and sure.

"Rhetoric isn't needed. I need action. I'm sitting in this castle watching as these horrors overwhelm. The Iron Throne sent the Knight Inquisitor here. And I thought those fools in the Vale had it bad....it's a devolved network, Alester. And all kinds of arkane madness. Not the sort that can be found and easily destroyed." He sighed, drinking a little more.
"Whatever claims it may be, for our sakes and the commoners, we must stop this. Our armies and navies are at work, in the mountains of Dorne and the seas of the Stepstone. But here at home is something far deeper that wants us gone. That cannot be allowed to happen." Merlin added, his hand a fist around his goblet, as he looked across to Alester.

"This is no war our fathers ever imagined."

"Alekyne did. He knew the ghost of war would eventually come back." Alester replied. "He gave me some groundwork, and thankfully, I could make use of it. This last year before his death, I picked up the lack of slack because he was so drained he could not even decide for himself." Alester added, as he flicked through the parchments. "The good news about the Reach is that our fields are relatively unscathed by war, so famine won't happen anytime soon. I've also commited a lot of men with Garlan and the second best sword of the Florents with him. Our venture with er... the wrong faction also filled the numbers of House Florent with Blood of the First Men and Fire Priests, useful for battling magic, in their own way." He added. "But I intend to make something that will free up a lot of resources from both our houses."

He paused.

"I'm calling the feud off." Alester added. "And I'll make it stick."

Merlin nodded, listening to it.
"That would help us out a little. Shall we not worry about it." Merlin added with a wry writ, as he sipped a little wine, putting it down as he brought up his parchment, the scribbles he'd put down earlier something that brought what Alester had just brought up.

"Aye, they're safe. Harvest will come in and we'll have a good crop. I administer things with no check left untouched. My father personally invited a man from the Iron Bank to tutor me in matters of finance when I was little, and I never forgot how money is spent. I was a reckless little shit when I was young, fucking and drinking...but it did stick with me well. My father is also simularly when he knows who pays what to the coffers our Kingdom, and in turn, the Iron Throne." Merlin retorted, a little beyond his usual gregaorious approach, that of a fiscal calculator that kept in mind concerns of state, as well as people.

If he wasn't a fighter, or entirely a great, conquerering Lord of some kind, he was someone who kept things ticking over. Evelyn, or Eve on the other hand, was good at the rest. At cultvating, and running the things that Merlin could not. And she was tremendous at it, a mother and a Lady who guiled the local politics far better than sometimes Merlin did. Yet Merlin was comfortable here, discussing terms and knew that it was simple to put these particular issues on the table.

"As for those Priests and.....men, that would be useful. They can be turned to perhaps hunt for us. Bounties can be provided, to those who can help. Where our men cannot go, they may perhaps be able, and rewarded in kind for their efforts."

"I know what you mean. I may need to hire someone to dedicate his undivided attention on the finances. It was fine ruling them when there was a surplus in these past years, but with so many armies running around eating up resources, we might need to consider loans and bonds again."Alester sighed, as he scrolled through the parchments. "Well, as they say, magic is a sword without a hilt. There's no safe way of grasping it. I would use them judiciously. They're fanatics, more than the Sparrows. And if you embolden them too much... Well. Suffice to say that i'm glad a lot of them are in Dorne in Garlan's campaign. I might need to recall a few, but I dare not, that campaign is hard. Hmm..." He pondered as he scrolled through the parchments, eyeing up facts and numbers.

"Tell me, m'lord. How does one get rid of a bad weed?". He asked curiously.

"You pull up the entirety of it. You rip it out, spray not only poison onto it's leaves, but take it from the root and burn it." Merlin retorted, as he sat up, the Tyrell fully aware.
"I don't intend to go as far as burning these men. But for commoners, they want justice, and to be safe. I love the people that I serve, and they love their ruling family. So we will rid it of that evil."

"Evil is a too strong word, m'lord. In their eyes, they're the good ones. However, even a diffuse network needs to sap nutrients from roots. You've guessed as much, smallfolk couldn't possibly be concerned this much with whose banner rules as long as he is fair. There are some backers, wealthy and educated." Alester added. "And as such, it's probably that several of them have their vices and frustrations. And when a man is frustrated he turns to this". He pointed at the jug. "Or houses of ill repute." He added.

"Did you know that bards and prostitutes make excellent spies?" Alester mumbled as he kept checking his parchments.

"Tax collectors are easier at that, in my experience. My sister, or my wife however...they would be curious to listen to that. I do not pay much to intrigue. But when a Kingdom is threatened with usurpers, I make a note." Merlin mused, as he finished checking his own, sighing.

"And whatever they may hide, we will find. Wealthy or not. They will not affect a house that has ruled this land for the last three hundred years....or yours, for that matter. Perhaps I will treat them with mercy, but if the smallfolk know we do not punish, what kinds of Lords are we?" Merlin added, knowing it was a fair judgement, a reasonable thing to say.

"Maybe it's a matter of smallfolk knowing. If everyone was well-educated, I am sure usurpers would be ousted out by their peers for the sake of peace. But that dream is just that. We don't have enough money or time to make everyone cultured." Alester said, as he checked the record. "I shall think on my own ways to contribute, but the matter at hand is that since both our houses are threatened in their legitimacy we have to fortify the bonds. That is why I wish to call off our differences." Alester pondered.

"What started with blood, it shall end with blood. That is my idea." Alester added. "But not of blood spilled, as we would repeat the mistakes of our ancestors. I am speaking of mixing blood." Alester smirked as he made a sign twirling both his index fingers around eachother. "I am currently unmarried. And you have sisters. Would not that be an ellegant solution for both sides?"

Merlin listened carefully, and nodded, hearing what he had to say.
"Alerie has her own machinations. Trying to tame her would be difficult, even when she comes back from King's Landing. She chooses who she pleases. My youngest, Alys, however....she's a girl, Les. She knows the prospect of being married shall happen, someday. But for me to approve is one thing, for my father, brother and Alerie to do so, is another. Us Tyrells value our petals very much. And whilst we may look to climb the ladder or help others, we do so carefully. I saw something in Eve that no part of me regrets, the firstborn daughter of Lord Beesbury. If I recall, your neighbors, actually." Merlin said, as he knew better how to reply to it, perhaps.

"Alys knows she'll marry someday. And whilst I'd support it, to better tie our houses, I'm afraid I've only known you for the best part of a few minutes. So I would suggest a betrothal, or a weak suggestion of marriage when Alys is older and ready to be a suitable Lady of Brightwater, rather than throwing her so fast too young, but that would be subject to scrutiny from my house, and yours. Blood to be tied requires far more than just mere words and courage. Both parties must know what will come of things, and know it's the right thing to do. Irrespective of just politics alone....I want the best for my sister. You can understand that, at least. For your sake, too." Merlin mused, letting Alester draw his conclusion.

"You're a proper brother. Nobody would like his sister being used as sacrifice in a blood pact for a political peace." Alester stated bluntly. "I never said my suggestion would be easy. Resistance and scrutiny would be at every corner. But i do think it would be worth trying." Alester added as he set his goblet aside and began closing the parchment. "I will entrust you a little secret, so you may know me better. Where I hid the first sword of the Florents. Just because you're a reasonable man." Alester added as he packed up.

Merlin nodded at the gesture, a wry smile on his face.
"All things are. But it is a lot to consider. A lot on my plate. You strike me as the kind of man who isn't rash in his decisions. Who thinks and takes time, who calculates his moves but acts swiftly when he has to." Merlin stood, as he looked out the window, then back at Alester.
"Feel free to stay in Highgarden, even if the journey home is short. We will get you some quarters to stay the night, as well as for your men. It appears to me that you're perhaps of far greater capacity than I previously thought of yourself, Alester. Able to see this new world for what it is."

Alester smirked upon hearing the reply. "Well, I do admit I may have pushed a lot of the agenda in such a short notice, so feel free to ponder. However m'lord I must warn that if you want me to stay tonight, I might need to impose on you for a female lady's quarters. My sister really wanted to see his elder brother performing his lordly act, you see." Alester chuckled at the thought, some levity was perhaps needed. "And as liege lord you're entitled to know what I am fully capable of. But I do not like to attract the wrong sort of attention." The Florent added, as he grabbed the book. "Even if I'm the best sword of my House."

"Best sword of your house, amongst many great swords. A talent I neglect myself. My brother would happily take you up on that, and his reputation I hope preludes him. Feel free to spar with the Master of Arms we have here, but I'm afraid that is the best we have, given the recent campaigns to the Stepstones and Dorne. The best fighting men are leaders too, and they're out there doing what they do. I believe Garlan was working with Merrell, if I recall. As for those quarters, we can accomodate for those too."

"I would wish nothing but to be an errant knight in search of challenges and love, but..." He tapped his book of ledgers. "This is the role I was entrusted. My sword has to carry justice, not win tournaments. We should be thankful for that because If i had not been the Lord, I would have been in either of those now. As it might be, I might just end up reinforcing these aswell at some point." He admitted bitterly. "I will tell the little kit. Just be aware, she likens herself to be the most audacious 10 year old explorer."

Merlin chuckled, upon hearing that.
"I know it with my own sons and daughter. Little rascals, but it gives them their spirit and kindness. So long as they live and learn, they'll come out well." He picked up the goblet and finished the rest, putting it down with a clink on the marble table.
"So do I, Alester. Welcome to being a Lord. We look after the world, and serve not only our families, but the people we have living."

"I want a throne of fox fur. Iron throne's taken, unfortunately." Alester smirked as he nodded in thanks, picking his book, before opening the door and deferring to Lord Merlin to exit the room.
Good news, i have sorted some stuff.

Bad news, I'll probably be only active during the weekends.
I'm still waiting to sort stuff in collabs :/

Edit: Actually, I might need to take a couple of weeks off from this rp. Sort other stuff out.

Please puppet or kill at will.
I wonder if it's possible to transfer bloodline powers.
Sorry for the short post, but I couldn't find much to talk about. I'll throw some Covenant forces at the base in a bit if nobody has any other plans.


Well, I have some plans. :P But it'll take a while to build up.

Edit: Also, boy, do the vampire fighters have overinflated ranks.
Still here ^.^

In case anyone was thinking i wasn't


I guess I could wrap up my end and move on if we're that needed.
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