Chapter VII: Forced Hands, Fractured Bonds

**Forced Hands, Fractured Bonds** is the seventh chapter of *Triangle Strategy*.

## Story

Aesfrost seizes Whiteholm, the capital of the Kingdom of Glenbrook, but Prince Roland escapes with the help of House Wolffort. Aesfrost demands that Wolffort surrender the prince, and General Avlora marches her forces to attack if Wolffort refuses.

### Scenes

Note that side story scenes are typically skipped if not played before their associated main story scenes. Chapter VII has the following scenes, grouped up by availability:

* Side story: Telliore Plaza. "Lord Silvio Telliore, head of one of Glenbrook's three houses, ponders what the future looks like for his demense."
* Side story: Falkes Demense Outskirts. "Lord Landroi Falkes, King Regna's loyal bannerman since the days of the Saltiron War, receives the news of his liege's grim fate..."
* Side story: Citadel of the Sands. "News of Glenbrook's fall reaches the Citadel of the Sands in the far-off Holy State of Hyzante, where a great battle of the Saltiron War was fought so many years ago..."
* Main story: Hawksroost. "As the Aesfrosti army continues its inexorable march on Castle Wolffort, Serenoa and his retinue discuss the best path forward." (This chapter's vote occurs in this scene.)

### Surrending Prince Roland is the only way

If the vote is "Surrending Prince Roland is the only way", then the chapter has the following scenes, grouped up by availability:

* Side story: Whiteholm Castle. "Whatever Erika and Thalas are scheming, it can only bode more ill for the Kingdom of Glenbrook."
* Side story: Falkes Demense Outskirts. "Word of House Wolffort's and House Telliore's surrender reaches Lord Landroi..."
* Side story: Wolffort Town. "After ensuring its own survival by relinquishing Prince Roland, House Wolffort is visited by an unexpected guest."
* Side story: Citadel of the Sands. "Receiving raven after raven, Sorsley Ende, Hyzante's Minister of Salt, attempts to make sense of the tumult that has rocked the realm.
* Side story: Twinsgate. "The Twins - the mighty fortress that stands at the border with Aesfrost. Something is afoot in the heart of the duchy, but what?
* Main story: Whiteholm Castle. "His family dead and his kingdom fallen, Roland finds himself alone in a solitary gaol cell in the dungeons of the castle he once called home."
* Main story: Hawksroost: "Another missive from the castle reaches Serenoa's band, exhausted from their battle against their countrymen. What tale awaits House Wolffort in these trying times?"

### We must protect Prince Roland at all costs

If the vote is "We must protect Prince Roland at all costs", then the chapter has the following scenes, grouped up by availability:

* Side story: Telliore Plaza. "A raven from the crown city arrives at the Telliore demense, prompting Lord Silvio to consider his next action..."
* Side story: Whiteholm Castle. "After seeing General Avlora and her troops off, Erika and Thalas stroll the grounds of Whiteholm Castle, discussing what may come to pass."
* Side story: Falkes Demense Outskirts. "News of House Wolffort's decision arrives in the Falkes demense on dark wings, spurring Lord Landroi to action."
* Side story: Telliore Plaza. "Tidings of House Wolffort's triumph against all odds and the survival of Prince Roland come in on the wings of a raven..."
* Side story: Falkes Demense Outskirts. "Tidings of House Wolffort's triumph against all odds and the survival of Prince Roland come in on the wings of a raven..."
* Side story: Citadel of the Sands. "Minister Sorsley, Hyzante's master of salt, ponders House Wolffort's improbable victory and the implications it carries for his own nation."
* Main story: Whiteholm Castle. "Returning to Whiteholm Castle, General Avlora begs Gustadolph for a chance to redeem herself in battle."
* Main story: Hawksroost. "Roland reflects on the narrow escape from the clutches of the Aesfrosti army."

## Voting

This chapter includes a vote with two options:

* Surrending Prince Roland is the only way
* We must protect Prince Roland at all costs

### Initial stances

The initial stances of the voting characters are as follows:

* Roland: Surrender Roland
* Benedict: Surrender Roland
* Geela: Surrender Roland
* Anna: Surrender Roland
* Frederica: Protect Roland
* Hughette: Protect Roland
* Erador: Undecided

### Information

There are at least three items of information Serenoa can learn in town to aid in persuasion:

* Serenoa can learn there's a bounty on Prince Roland calling for him to be delivered alive.
* Serenoa can learn that House Wolffort has a secret weapon in its fort.
* Serenoa can learn more about the Dawnspear's sacrifice.

Information about a bounty on the PrinceInformation about Wolffort's Secret WeaponInformation about the Dawnspear's sacrifice
### Persuasion: Surrending Prince Roland is the only way

Since four people start out supporting the surrender of Prince Roland, Serenoa can easily win this vote merely by voting for surrender himself. Roland, Benedict, Anna, and Geela already support this and will vote for surrender if Serenoa doesn't attempt to persuade them otherwise.

This leaves three who can be optionally persuased to support surrender.

#### Frederica

In attempting to persuade Frederica to support the surrender of Prince Roland, one set of dialogue options will appear:

* Responses to "Do you truly mean to give up Prince Roland?"
	1. "If we do not, it is not just we who will pay the price."
	2. "If doing so will save lives, I fear it is the wisest course of action."
	3. "I will not see Ser Maxwell's sacrifice rendered meaningless." (Locked without information about the Dawnspear's sacrifice.)

Frederica will usually not be persuaded regardless of the options chosen, though she does sometimes come around. It isn't clear if any particular options make this more likely.

#### Hughette

In attempting to persuade Hughette to support the surrender of Prince Roland, two sets of dialogue options will appear:

* Responses to "Surrender Glenbrook's future king to our hated foe? Surely you'll not go along with this?"
	1. "We cannot force our people to lay down their lives for us."
	2. "Protecting the peace and prosperity of our land is paramount."
	3. "I will not stand idly by and watch our kingdom fall."
* Responses to "Do you truly mean to surrender Prince Roland to our oppressers?"
	1. "They will destroy us if we do not."
	2. "The royal family is sworn to protect its subjects however they can."
	3. "We have no other choice." (Locked without information about a bounty on the Prince.)

Hughette is easier to convince than Frederica. She is not guaranteed to vote to surrender Prince Roland, but seems to do so most of the time. It isn't clear if any particular options make this more likely.

#### Erador

 File:Erador Ballentine (Icon).png
During an attempt to persuade Erador to support the surrender of Roland, these dialogue options appear:

* Responses to "Is this what ye call justice now? Willingly givin' up your prince-yer closest friend-to that bastard's clutches!?"
	1. "We must limit casualties however we can."
	2. "I will not see death come to House Wolffort's demesne."
	3. "This is Roland's will as well."
* Responses to "How do ye mean to repay that debt?"
	1. "Win or lose, the time to fight is upon us."
	2. "There must be a winning strategy here."
	3. (Locked. It isn't clear what unlocks this.)
* Responses to "Don't ye go twisting my words, ye little whelp!"
	1. "They will show no mercy if we do not comply."
	2. "Do you believe we can defeat Avlora and her army?"
	3. "....."

Success in convincing Erador to support surrender seems to be guaranteed as long as Serenoa makes the attempt.

If Serenoa doesn't attempt to persuade him one way or the other, he generally votes to surrender Prince Roland, but this is not guaranteed.

### Persuasion: We must protect Prince Roland at all costs

To win a vote to protect Prince Roland, Serenoa needs to persuade at least one more person to vote to protect him, after which Serenoa can break the tie. Frederica and Hughette start out supporting this and do not need to be persuaded, and of course, the player controls Serenoa's vote directly.

#### Roland

Roland starts out supporting his own surrender to Aesfrost. During an attempt to persuade him to stay, two sets of dialogue options will appear:

* Responses to "I will not allow my life to be weighed against those of the people."
	1. "There must be a common ground we can find."
	2. "Our kingdom needs you."
	3. "Have you forgotten Ser Maxwell's dying words?" (Locked without information about the Dawnspear's sacrifice.)
* Responses to "After all, is it not best that I handle that which is easily settled by my word alone?"
	1. "Pray remember the words of our master."
	2. "Your sacrifice alone will not overcome this impasse."
	3. "There is a way by which we might still overcome our foes..." (Locked without information about Wolffort's Secret Weapon.)

Roland will usually vote for his own protection as long as Serenoa makes an effort to persuade him to so do, but this is not guaranteed. It's not clear if any particular persuasion options influence the chances of this.

#### Benedict

 File:Benedict Pascal (icon).png
Benedict starts out supporting the surrender of Prince Roland. During an attempt to persuade him to support protecting Roland instead, these dialogue options appear:

* Responses to "I trust that you will make a reasoned decision, my lord."
	1. "But there must be another way!"
	2. "The kingdom needs its prince."
	3. "Perhaps the battle is not as hopeless as one might think..." (Locked without information about Wolffort's Secret Weapon.)
* Responses to "Have you any more to say in your favor?"
	1. "Roland must live, that our land may yet flourish."
	2. "As lord, my duty is to House Wolffort above all."
	3. "I do not believe the battle is a futile one..."

Benedict is difficult to persuade and will usually vote for surrender in spite of Serenoa's attempts to convince him otherwise. This is not guaranteed, as he has been observed voting to protect Roland as well. It isn't clear if any particular options make this more likely.

#### Geela

Geela starts out supporting the surrender of Prince Roland. During an attempt to persuade her to support protecting Roland instead, these dialogue options appear:

* Responses to "Only a fool would pick a fight he cannot win. I do not take you for a fool."
	1. "I will not make any more sacrifices."
	2. "There simply must be another way."
	3. "They will see us as naught but pawns if we surrender Roland." (Locked without information about a bounty on the Prince.)
* Responses to "We must be thorough in times like these. Pray continue-I would heard your thoughts in more detail."
	1. "Prince Roland must live so that our kingdom may yet survive."
	2. "Perhaps we cannot win, but we shall go down fighting."
	3. "Truth be told, I have a plan..." (Locked without information about Wolffort's Secret Weapon.)

Geela is usually easy to persuade to protect Prince Roland, but in rare cases, she will not be convinced and will vote for surrender anyway. It is not clear if choosing particular options affects this chance.

#### Anna

Anna starts out supporting the surrender of Prince Roland. During an attempt to persuade her to support protecting Roland instead, these dialogue options appear:

* Responses to "Surrendering Roland is the only way to protect the demesne. Surely you see that."
	1. "We cannot yield to the enemy's every demand."
	2. "The battle is not yet lost."
	3. (Locked. It isn't clear what unlocks this.)

Persuading Anna appears to be guaranteed. She hasn't been observed voting for surrendering Roland if Serenoa attempts to persuade her not to.

#### Erador

During an attempt to persuade Erador to support protecting Roland, these dialogue options appear:

* Responses to "Do ye truly believe we can come out o' this on top?"
	1. "Win or lose, the time to fight is upon us."
	2. "There must be a winning strategy here."
	3. (Locked. It isn't clear what unlocks this.)
* Responses to "Do ye truly believe we can come out o' this on top?"
	1. "Win or lose, the time to fight is upon us."
	2. "There must be a winning strategy here."
	3. (Locked. It isn't clear what unlocks this.)
* Responses to "What o' keepin' the people from harm? Have ye given any thought about that?"
	1. "....."
	2. "They are my responsibility, and I shall protect them."
	3. "We must do our best to prevent casualties, of course."

Persuading Erador appears to be guaranteed. He hasn't been observed voting for surrendering Roland if Serenoa attempts to persuade him not to. But if no persuasion attempt is made, Erador appears to be more likely to vote to surrender Roland.

## Battles

The following battles may occur in this chapter:

* The Rout of House Falkes: Takes place if the "Surrending Prince Roland is the only way" option is chosen.
* General Avlora's Assault: Takes place if the "We must protect Roland at all costs" option is chosen.