Campaign of the Month: December 2020

House Jasper

My Brother.....The Joyful Few....dead....
What Next?

In Norvoshi…..

It is with great sadness that I must lament my Brother Viktor’s passing. I am quite certain that they acted in the greatest of valor in the name of our god, This part is indiscernibly written, it is in a version of Norvoshi that a scholar could possibly derive its voice and meaning, but to even most Norvoshi they are not able to make out. One who has skill in reading Norvoshi or Old Valyrian might have some skill in knowing what the name of the Norvoshi god is, but other than that, not so much

The one they call Darone and the one they call Carsyn have assured me of this, and I believe them to be sincere, although I will have to confer with Norvoshi God Name later to see if they are true of heart.

Yuri is skeptical, but he always is, especially of the young one. Yuri is far displaced from the cynicism of the young, he does not understand a younger adolescent’s need for attention. She is rather intriguing from my point of view, there is something more to her…..

Although we have lost such great Norvoshi Warriors, and potential converts, at the hand of this Westorosi lord, or “lord actininistead” (which I suppose is the name of the leader speaking to me today), there is something intriguing about these people. Maybe not to join our group, but maybe to aide us in our endeavor. Perhaps it is why Viktor and Tito decided to stick around so long. I am not sure on how to place it, but perhaps Norvoshi God’s Name will reveal his secrets to me on why we are here. Perhaps it is these mountains that surround us that remind me of the Norvoshi Hills……

For now, we will rest, and hopefully get Vesna to speak better in their language. I am forever in debt to Vesna, but her common tongue is less than diplomatic despite her insistence to speak for me……..Norvoshi God’s Name help her.

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22
OCT/2020
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Last commented on:
Oct 28, 2020
Goodbye Jardon, Hello Order of the Darkwash River

After helping the infiltration brigade impregnate the walls of Snakewood, the city fell quickly. Out of ashes and chaos, House Jasper was quickly the clear victor, with Yoren and Ben dead, Thom captured, and only Jon and Jana Lynderly missing, with the assumption they may have escaped. As the aftermath and fires cooled, we all notice that House Corbray never arrived to the fight as promised, and to add insult to injury, Captain Jardon did not make it out alive. I spend the day helping the Maester gather wood for the funeral pyre, and a small funeral takes place in his honor with a somber song from the bard and spirited sharing of memories and tales of his bravery.

We arrive safely back at House Jasper without issue, and I can feel a sense of increased respect from my traveling partners, having had proven my worth among this group of talented warriors and noble battle strategists! I enthusiastically join my first council meeting as my father’s proxy, and relish in the opportunity to learn about the political wheelings and dealings of the House. However, I’m disappointed to merely witness a petty spat from Jardon’s surviving family seeking to override his last will and testament. Council meetings like this continue, boring and arbitrary for weeks, until one day…

A group of ten fearsome foreigners land on our steps and seek audience with the council. They ask for several names that I do not recognize, and Darron and Carsen nervously shared of their untimely deaths. They introduce themselves as the Order of the Darkwash River, from Norvos who worship the Norvosi God, exiled because of their belief in magic. I prod a bit further about their reason for being exiled, and get only cryptic answers about prophets and mysteries. When I whisper to Lord Theodore, one of the intimidating men looks at me scornfully. In dismay, I try to recover my gaffe and what was clearly taken as a slight, and emphasize that I, too, have seen things other would not believe. Teddy invites the Order to stay on the grounds, and the man I assume is their leader, Gregoriy, accepts his offer. August and I trade a look-who are these bizarre aliens who have landed at Castle Snownook?

That night, I warg into August and trot around their encampment. Unfortunately, they speak in a tongue I don’t understand, but I smell the delicious scent of their dinner wafting through the air, and see their clear trusting camaraderie between one another. If it’s proof of magic they’re after, I can certainly offer some Westerosi evidence for their quest.

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21
OCT/2020
Last Will and Testament of Jardon Pyke
If I die here...

To House Jasper, I give the Rambis. It served us well in Valyria, may it serve you well in future missions. For the sake of your gods, as they are not my own, please don’t give it to my brothers, they will misuse a vessel of its caliber. May it serve you and the growing navy well.

To the guard, my axes, if they are recoverable from Snakewood, both are high quality weapons, a Battle Axe and a Longaxe.

Hopefully you are able to provide proper care to my Jeyne, but if you are not, eh…..no harm done, she has never liked it in the fingers and complains a bit too much to my liking.

To the worthy of all you scavengers (said in jest, but seriously you are all a bunch of fuckin scavengers), the spoils of past victories. Hidden on the “Impaler”, exists a kraken that took far much more than my legs. The key to true happiness in this dark world. Perhaps we should have gauged out the eyes of the the other squid and then I wouldn’t have lost my other leg.

Hopefully my crossbow will serve House Jasper well in another’s hand….

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18
OCT/2020
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Oct 22, 2020
Preparing for War

We gather in the tent at the encampment to strategize for the impending infiltration into Snakewood, and hopefully battle. It is agreed that I, as a human, will stay in the command tent with the maester, but spend most of my time warging as August, who will first serve as a lookout for the climbing crew (Darron, Dolins, Teddy, Denys, Maelys and Ella). While discussing the results of our initial spy mission, I share the numbers of soldiers I found in the main and auxiliary barracks, and the sigil I saw. The maester insists this is not a sigil of a recognized house, and must indicate the presence of sell swords. The crew seems quiet, pensive, and I can feel my nervous chatter spilling out of me. There has never been a more important time to provie myself to House Jasper, and our lives depend on it. We agree on some basic communication signals (1 bark for yes, two barks for no), and perhaps most critically, discuss that a howl mean there’s danger nearby.
When midnight strikes, we reach the southernmost wall and I begin patrolling the stretch of wall as they climb. The moment all arrive at the top, I warg back into my human form to notify the encampment of their success, then immediately return to August to prepare for the attack.

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14
SEP/2020
Changing Fortunes

Still in August’s form, I sprint to the surrounding forest cover outside and stalk the perimeter until I see Carsen sneaking around the edge of the walls of the keep. He appears as though he’s narrowly escaped death and his face is pale as a ghost. I am relieved when we gather, August, Carsen and I, at the site of my human body, but note Jardon’s marked absence. “I saw his corpse being taken away,” Carsen responds and we take a moment to mourn before pillaging his possessions (Carsen reaps the rewards of the dead man’ saddle bags, and I quietly claim the destrier Moon Wake as my own).

Our relief at the site of our boat at the rendezvous quickly washes away into the sea when Lyanna reports there’s a devastating leak in the vessel. Thinking fast, knowing that our lives are very much at stake, I offer my waterskin to patch the hole, and we sail safely back to the rest of House Jasper.

Upon our return Carsen shares the news of Jardon’s death with solemnity, and it doesn’t take Darron long to suggest that his retrieved possesions be returned to his widow. With a quick glance, Carsen shares that the Captain mustv’e been carrying his money with his when he was captured and killed, and I nod in agreement. Carsen also reports that Jardon lost a devastating bet to me, which is how I came into possession of the magnificent war horse prior to his passing. I wonder what the other stable hands, and of course my father, will think when they see me atop this unmatched beauty. It feels a worthy gift to fall into the lap of a brave servant of House Jasper!

Keeping up my efforts, though trying not to appear too eager, I offer to organize and lead the small number of mounted knights and supply wagons to the impending battle, and am delighted when my service is accepted. I hope Lord Theodore will see my contributions as valuable, and view me as a worthy addition to the house.

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23
AUG/2020
Stuck in Snakewood

August hugs the walls of the Snakewood Keep closely, and skulking around, I overhear two men, calling each other Lord Lynderly and Lord Frey, within the walls. In authoritative tones they argue, “Lord frey I mean no offense…”, “Again Lord Lynderly, I must say the men we’ve brought to your service are of the highest quality…”, “Lord Frey it truly comes down to a simple matter of gold…”. These names seem like they could carry valuable weight, but before I can hear anymore, a rock hits my hind quarters and I’m shooed away.

I race through the village until I stumble upon what appears to be auxillary barracks full of sell swords, at least a few dozen. One of the soldiers pets my ear, and treats me with kindness so I jump on the opportunity and nudge him inside so I can get a look around. There are many more soldiers inside, closer to one hundred, and the stink of the building overwhelms my canine senses. After taking in the view, an older soldier with a sigil of a white fist on a purple field painted on his shield kicks me out.

After leaving the barracks, I fortunately run into Carsen, who fills me in on his and Jardon’s misadventures while we were separated. While pretending to pat my head, he whispers that Jardon killed a Lynderly and he’s been unable to escape the gates. I respond with a low growl, and feel the frustration of not being able to yell my displeasure at their foolishness to him in Westerosi bubble up. Instead, I lead him to the market place where, with Carsen in his Entertainer’s garb, we put on an impromptu performance (creating an alibi for the archer, no doubt). After making 22 silvers, I spy a set of stairs guarded by only one soldier and give Carsen a look.

Carsen introduces us to the guard and offers an private performance in exchange for a viewing of the lands beyond from the walls. We tumble and dance a bit for the oaf, and I think to myself we might need to tighten up this performance for future plots or distractions. Atop the wall, Carsen and I eye each other_-now what_? Standing behind the guard I prepare to take a hearty chunk out of his calf when Carsen proposes he pay for a picnic before this lovely view of the Lynderly lands. I close my jaws and question this plan. A quick trip over the side of the walls would’ve been a lot faster, but I am delighted to see Carsen pull a load of rope from his knapsack as soon as the guard begins to descend down the stairs. He ties a knot around my furry middle and miraculously lowers me to the ground. I try to wriggle free once I reach the bottom, but resort to crawling forward to slip the knot off my back legs. As soon as I turn around however, I hear the guard above and know he’s returned to the scene. I flop to the side, and make a dramatic show of letting my tongue hang out the side of my mouth, playing dead. Carsen clearly picks up on the act, I hear him above fake crying over his “beloved dog’s fall to his death”. I wait for a hopefully dead guard to join me below but he never comes, and the voices above fade.

The archer did me a great kindness by raising me to the ground, but now that he is stuck inside, I am troubled by how to regather our group to escape. House Jasper may need a miracle if we ever want to get out of Snakewood.

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10
AUG/2020
Ser Darron’s Journal 19

My lord, I’ve taken the liberty to plan the raid out in detail. Be careful with this document. We can’t risk the wrong eyes seeing it.

Ser_Darron_s_Journal_19.png

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9
AUG/2020
In the Belly of the Snakebeast

From the kennels, I run to what turns out to be the barracks at Snakewood. As my paws softly pad to the entrance, I hear a knight admonishing a soldier- “I don’t care whose idea it was to put the fish underneath my mattress, SOMEBODY’S gonna pay!” I peak my muzzle around the corner of the hall, and see what I count to be approximately a couple hundred straw beds for Snakewood soldiers. I back up and see that around the corner is the armory, guarded by two soldiers with spears. I consider trying to sneak past them to see what House Lynderly has in terms of weapons, but decide to keep getting a lay of the land by entering farther into the grounds, making a mental note that the armory may house information that could be useful to return to later. There are far more weapons and dangerous foes out in the real world than there were back home…

It isn’t long before I find myself in the castle marketplace, where I overhear noble ladies chatting softly about a Royce man. They speak in hushed secretive tones, and I think it may be useful to follow them, but they quickly are ushered into the castle keep through another door heavily guarded. I can’t return from my first mission for House Jasper with no valuable information…so it’s time to get creative.

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30
JUL/2020
Ser Darron’s Journal 18

Ser Dollins’s gift of such a fine lance has warmed this knight’s cold heart. I liked him from the first time I heard his skill on that stringed contrivance you know. A proper tune from the bard could make a man forget his cares for a good while and put the ladies in a state too.
I’ve since learned he’s quick with a blade and bold as a bear when put to it. A righteous man if I’ve ever seen one and I rather like slaying foes aside such a fellow.
Sure he’s a little old to have gotten the shoulder taps but hell, if I’m being honest, I’m no spring chicken myself. I suppose there’s something to be said for a little experience though. The years give more than they take, so to say.
These whippersnappers make a good show of things but when steel comes out, give me a seasoned man, I say. Two against one before it’s a fair fight, if you’re talking a veteran who’s kept up on his training.
In fact, men like Ser Dollins, Ser Cedric, Barristan the Bold, and myself have a kind of mettle they don’t make anymore. If pressed, the four of us side by side could keep a small army of young swordsmen at bay.
All the better because it’s good odds that we need to protect the little lord before we see the outside of Heart’s Home. Thaddeus has proposed to surgery upon Lyn Corbray. I’m not sure what that is exactly, but the Maester speaks with little confidence in himself. In any case, a blade is to be used so it’s my guess (not that I’d tell Thad) it’s my guess that Lyn is going to die.
I hope he doesn’t – for our sake – but at least there’ll be one less cunt in the world.

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26
JUL/2020
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Last commented on:
Jul 30, 2020
From Maester to Surgeon??
That was unforeseen!

Teddy, Dolins, Darron and I head to the House Corbrey! We are planning to try and convince the Corbrey faction to join us against the Linderly house. We arrive and are escorted to the main hall to wait for Lord Lionel. As we are waiting, Darron asks Teddy if he thinks this throne is more comfortable than the House Jasper throne. He then darts up and sits on it! As he is sitting, the door opens so he jumps up. It was just a servant girl dropping off drinks and food. So he sits back down as soon as she leaves.

Lord Lionel, Lucas and Maester Wilbur enter and Teddy leads off to see if they will join us. It seems serendipitous that they also are angry at the Linderlys. It is odd timing… We hear that the Linderly clan set upon his uncle and brother while they were hunting. His brother has been greatly wounded and doesn’t seem to be healing the way he should. Maester Wilbur entreats for my help and of course I agree. We head off to see the poor man.

We enter a beautiful room where I see the man sleeping. Wilbur states he sleeps for almost the whole day and is awake for just an hour. I start to examine him which takes a good while. I find that one of his kidneys appears to be split open, that is where the uncontrolled bleeding is from. I tell Wilbur about this new procedure called “Surgery”. It is where you try and remove some damaged organ in last resort to save someone’s life. Luckily for this man, he has what appears to be another functioning kidney and I have read about this being done to just one kidney in the past. Wilbur asks if the archmaester knows of this and I let him know I had discussions on this very topic when I was just in the citadel. I tell Wilbur that I think this is the only option we have.

Lord Lionel arrives in the room and tells me that his uncle disappeared a few days ago and he is afraid he has ridden off to Snakewood. Wilbur lets him know of the plan for surgery and he says that he would do anything to try and save him and to start. This will be interesting… Hopefully my reading will do me well!

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23
JUL/2020
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Last commented on:
Jul 30, 2020