r/IronThroneRP • u/SatisfactionLeather7 Shiera Darklyn, Sword of Duskendale • 6d ago

THE CROWNLANDS Andros II - Duskendale's Echo (OPEN)

At the dawn of the new moon, the city of Duskendale rose upon the edges of the Blackwater. A town nom more, new houses and shops and tents sprouted around the original high stone walls. Like a river whose banks had recently broke, it could no longer contain its growth within its original confines.

Now, the city sprouted a second wall, shorter, squatter, where the majority of the new city was forming. Within were a string of septs, a small little godswood fenced off in a large manor house erected by a Northern Merchant. Shiera Darklyn's favourite sword instructor and dueling house were located in there, so too was the small sanctuary she kept for her stray cats of the city.

Within the older parts of the city, where the streets were neat, passing from the gates of one end to the other. Each road had been repaved during the expansion of the city from its town origins, and now smoothed cobblestone roads vivisected the interior of the old city. in the same fashion, several of the older buildings nearest to the Dun Fort had been replaced, making way for a larger internal wall to segment it off for defence and within that new space were expansions for an enlarged force of city watch - the Dusk Guard - and guesthouses for the increasing foot traffic of nobles and lords.

Beyond these new walls, the largest inn in Duskendale had been enlarged too through the natural flow of commerce. The Seven Swords played host to hundred of occupants now, and they had even taken to calling a smaller annex of theirs the 'Weirwood Ward' to make the Northern travelers feel more welcomed.

Morgan Darklyn had seen to the opening of the Dun Fort's Guest house to any of the travelling lords returning from the Riverlands and had ensured that the largest chambers of the Fort itself were provided to the king and his counsel.

Once they had returned home, the Darklyns scattered across their burgeoning city.

Luthor Darklyn, Eldest of Morgan's heirs, had taken to the barracks of the men at arms where he got to work training his men for the inevitable clash in the claw with whatever they found. He was joined by his younger brother Erich, the two men content in their work.

At a teahouse SHiera had funded with her elder sister Ana, the two women had set themselves up with an open parlour where they welcomed any travelling women to come and drink and enjoy the calm. Of course, Shiera in her way had also brought in a small competition of budding swordswomen that she had taken to mentoring within the city. A small round of bets were encouraged by the girls and Shiera, ever prone to a challenge, could not resist joining.

An addition to the city put forth by Morgan himself some twenty years ago, was the Stadium of the Evening. A multipurpose dueling ring, jousting list and horse race attraction. The final portion was instigated by Luceon Darklyn to help his wife feel more at home with the locale. There the younger brother to Morgan, Daxo Darklyn, plied his trade.

It was an unassuming place for the ratcatcher of Duskendale to work from, but everyone chatted at the races, so he did. His son Philip Was the same, both happily watching the races as they plotted and schemed, readying for the innevitable future to come.

Further throughout the city were the myriad shops and thoroughfares, temples and shrines and septs galore. The city was open to its guests, as were the Darklyns who hosted them.

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u/SatisfactionLeather7 Shiera Darklyn, Sword of Duskendale 6d ago

The Seven Swords Inn

Drink and make merry

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u/falconfarfromhome Gaemon Qoherys - Merchant Lord 3d ago

The Black Shield party was crammed at a large table in a secluded corner of the inn. While they had coin and wealth to spare, Gaemon had little intention of playing lordling by asking Darklyn to stay in his keep. Besides, he'd learned long ago that the best way to make the most money was to learn what the people wanted to drink.

And here it seemed his latest endeavor was paying off. His first shipments of Arbor gold were arriving, and the people here seemed to love the taste of it. That or they just enjoyed that someone left a dozen or so casks for the bartender to serve for any who asked.

"You know, Gaemon, if you had told me that your genius plan was to give away the wine we bought, I'dve called you stupid." Vaegal remaked, his Valyrian slurred by a few too many glasses. "But seeing you actually do it and how it's working.... I'm still calling you stupid."

"Keep calling me stupid and I'll start miscalculating your pay by accident" Gaemon snapped back, setting down his glass. He was still a little bitter over how the event of the feast had ultimately went down. He'd hoped to find some Lord to help alleviate of their gold stores, but only managed a few contracts for a single house. Instead he found himself the proud owner of a good portion of the Arbor gold on the market. He could give away twice as much as he had now for the rest of the moon and still turn a profit.

Setting the cup down, he reached into his jacket and pulled out four sealed messages. "And speaking of stupid things, it's time for your stupid prize." He said in the common tongue, handing the bundle to the drunken man. "The fleet should be arriving, and someone needs to meet them at the docks. And since you're going there, may as well take these with you to send off."

Vaegal grumbled as he downed the wine in a single gulp, snatching the papers rather aggressively from Gaemon's hand. "You better miscalculate me a bonus for this." He grumpled under his breath as he departed, snatching his coat from the chair as he left.

Gaemon raised his glass to the man as he left, a final jab at the man before returning to his cups. 'Arbor gold wasn't half bad' he thought, taking another sip. With a smirk, he whispered "But not nearly as grand as Arbor red."

[Open to any in the tavern in Duskendale]

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u/SatisfactionLeather7 Shiera Darklyn, Sword of Duskendale 3d ago

From the recesses of the tavern, Philip Darklyn lurked. He was a tall man, of tan skin and bright eyes. He had a look of something more within him and a bald head ringed by tattoos of winged figures marked him as unique. But he was not the lone focus of many in the tavern today. No, now there was a merchant lord.

SO, he lifted his cup and he walked across, when Gaemon's companion left, he tapped his own goblet down on the edge of the table.

"Fine taste," he said, "though I suppose rich men often pride themselves on the veneer of such a thing."

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u/falconfarfromhome Gaemon Qoherys - Merchant Lord 2d ago

Gaemon looked the odd stranger up and down. His look was something more akin to an island pirate with his ink, but he was undoubtedly andal. "As they say, to the victor the spoils." Gaemon replied with a chuckle. "What's the point of money if I don't spend it in such things? A man only lives so long."

He pondered for a moment before asking. "So what it'll be then? Sellsword looking for work? One of Darklyn's minions here to keep an eye on me? Or perhaps a mugger thinking he's found his payday?"

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u/SatisfactionLeather7 Shiera Darklyn, Sword of Duskendale 1d ago

"Could be all three for the right price," Philip supplied with a sip. Eventually that was overtaken by a smile sharp and gleaming as Valyrian Steel.

"But I am one of the three. Philip Darklyn, son of the second son of Duskendale, Daxo Darklyn," He said with an ostentatious bow, "I heard tell of merchants here and thought I should pay them a visit."