Month4Year289

## New House Attributes

Defense: 43 (3 Free)

Influence: 64 (23 Free)

Lands: 25 (0 Free)

Law: 37 (37 Free)

Imgnts +5 Population: 32 (2 Free)

Power: 39 (5 Free)

Wealth: 46 (2 Free)

## House Fortunes

Maester Ethon rolls Status (Stewardship) = 5d6 = 8

- 1 (Law Mod) +1 (POP Mod) +5 (Mine) +5 (Port) = 18 = Blessing
Blessing:  PRESTIGE (+1 INF, +1 POW)

With the capture of the bandits Brokenose Winston and Hacks, as well as the killing of the infamous pirate Red Mick, House Glenbain is gaining a reputation for discrete power.

## Xu Maru

Take Iron Bank Loan, Expansive = SUCCESS, Cost 5 INF, Reward 13 WLT
In order to pay for the Tourney at Aldford, Xu Maru has approached the Iron Bank of Braavos for a large loan.  The Iron Bank offered 13,000 Gold Dragons ($300M) at 24% annual interest and Xu accepted.

## Marcus Oban

Something Creepy = SUCCESS, Cost 9 POW
Marcus and Clyde are always up to something.  Often it's best not to ask.

## Alon

Draw Immigrants = SUCCESS, Cost 1 INF, Reward 5 POP (10 POP purchase)
Alon Redwyne, enjoying his second title as Master of Ships, continues to encourage settlers to come to Aldford.  The fame of the Tourney of Aldford has drawn a massive influx of new residents.  In the course of a month, Aldford has grown from a small town of 1500 to a large town of 5000, with more coming every day.

## Lord Zandren

Tournament, 7 Events = SUCCESS, Cost 16 WLT 4 INF 3 POW, Reward 2 DEF 14 INF 1 POW 3 WLT
Lord Zandren has organized a grand tournament, which is expected to draw a thousand foreign spectators.
Archery - Torrhen - SUCCESS, +1 DEF

Axe Throwing - Rook - SUCCESS, +1 DEF

Boxing - Brenwyn - SUCCESS, +1 WLT

Fencing - Clyde - SUCCESS - +1 WLT

Grand Melee - Tornita - SUCCESS, +1 POW

Joust - Maurice - SUCCESS, +1 INF

Single Combat, Sword - Maxir - SUCCESS, +1 WLT

## Brenwyn

Field Exercise = SUCCESS, Cost 5 POW, Reward 10 POW
Master Brenwyn continues to grow your army's potential.

## Septa Fransheshina

Religious Mission, Elaborate Ceremony = SUCCESS, Cost 5 INF, Reward 7 LAW
Septa Fransheshina, aided by her 100 crusaders, has made efforts to strengthen and spread the Faith of the Seven.  She has succeeded in converting many local non-believers from worship of the Old Gods, Drowned God, or simple irreligion.  And the faithful have been given a stern reminder of their duties to the gods (and the state.)

## News

Lady Maedalyn has gathered a crack team of the finest tailors in the Westerlands to produce clothing and armour for her family of the most stylish and elegant quality possible.  She has spared no expense to make a grand impression at the Tourney at Aldford.

Champions from far and wide have come to compete in your events.  Besides the usual tourney knights there is the exceptional presence of Victarion Greyjoy from the Iron Islands, Jalabar Xho from the Summer Isles, Syrio Forel of Braavos and a mysterious Black Knight in the jousting competition.

The Lannisters have come through on their promise, delivering 6000 Gold Dragons (6 WLT) to help pay for the Tourney.

## The Raptor Attack

Maedalyn Dyre was spending a moment sitting upon one of her many balconies, enjoying the summer sun.  She spotted a black harrier, the symbol of House Dyre, circling high above.  The lady smiled as she watched the raptor scan for prey.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of fragrant air.

And in what seemed like no time at all, she heard a cry from one of her guards, "My lady, watch out!"

Before she knew what was happening, the harrier was already upon her.  It had dived into her as it would a rabbit, colliding its talons with her face with surprising force.  Wings beating madly, the bird hovered above her face, continuing to attack.  Maedalyn managed to get a hand up and over her eye just in time to keep the harrier from burying its beak into her socket.

"Hold still!" another guard shouted, drawing a bow.

"Shoot it, you fool!" Maedalyn barked back.

The bird ceased its attack, turning its head away, as if hearing some far off sound.  The guard let loose his arrow and shot the harrier clean through.  It lay dead in a heap.

Ser Jon Hallan, Maedalyn's lover and Master at Arms, came racing up to the balcony.  He quickly surveyed the scene.  Seeing that Lady Maedalyn was scratched, but not seriously hurt, he said in his gravely tone, "I will find the falconer."

He stomped away and searched the surrounding area for hours, but found nothing.  Maester Drack treated Maedalyns scratches, but couldn't keep three or four from leaving prominent scars.  The harrier's carcass was given to the Eastern witch D'jaelanyra.

On the first day, all D'jaelanyra would say on the matter was, "This is the work of the Great Other, he who is all darkness and cold.  Northern magic.  I need more time."

But she had no more time.  The next morning, she was found dead upon her bedroom floor.  She had been pierced by a thin blade that managed to pierce her back between ribs, puncture her lung and then her heart.  The attack must have come so quickly that she couldn't make a sound.  There wasn't even much blood.

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