The Crowned Stags - A Game of Thrones Mod

[karmicknight]

A Trial by Combat in which the newly-minted King on the Iron Throne fights personally. I don't know whether it's Robert's intent or not, but a victory here would certainly solidify Robert's ascent as just in the sight of gods and men.

Having said that, however, I have to admit I get this sinking feeling all of a sudden...

I find myself agreeing with all of this. Robert has the opportunity to make a great statement about his rule in this duel with Greyjoy. A victory all but assures his place as a legitimate ruler and the rightful king. But on the same coin, Balon did have the balls to crown himself the Iron King, who knows what a wildcard like that has up his sleeves. Either King Robert wins and shows himself worthy of the title, or King Robert loses, and the Baratheon dynasty proves itself very fragile.

 

[Maximus_96]

I shall echo what others have said, trials by combat are fickle things that usually end terribly.

 

[MattSR30]

A Trial by Combat in which the newly-minted King on the Iron Throne fights personally. I don't know whether it's Robert's intent or not, but a victory here would certainly solidify Robert's ascent as just in the sight of gods and men.

Having said that, however, I have to admit I get this sinking feeling all of a sudden...

I find myself agreeing with all of this. Robert has the opportunity to make a great statement about his rule in this duel with Greyjoy. A victory all but assures his place as a legitimate ruler and the rightful king. But on the same coin, Balon did have the balls to crown himself the Iron King, who knows what a wildcard like that has up his sleeves. Either King Robert wins and shows himself worthy of the title, or King Robert loses, and the Baratheon dynasty proves itself very fragile.

I shall echo what others have said, trials by combat are fickle things that usually end terribly.

While it might help to solidify his rule, it is also a foolish thing to do. A king should not fight his own trials, he has seven of the finest swordsmen in Westeros obliged to do that for him. However, Robert is Robert, and though having Lyanna around can prevent the drinking and the whoring, as I've said already in this AAR, he still needs to hit things. This is a big risk for a king to make. Win, and receive respect, lose, and your throne passes to a months-old child, war would certainly ensue.

That being said, I don't intend on losing.

 

[Deaghaidh]

It is the most Robert Bartheon thing he could possibly do. Canonically Robert dreamed of saying "screw this" and going off as a wandering mercenary. Given half a chance to fight he'd take it, regardless of it's stupidity, and nobody could stop him.

 

[guillec87]

oh Gods, I hope the Kings knows what he is doing

 

[Saxon125]

A trial by combat? things could go horribly wrong.

 

[Sheriff Godwin Law]

Crowned Twins mayhap?

 

[MattSR30]

Hey, just popping in to say I'm not dead. I'll hopefully have a post for this and TCD (The Crowned Dragons) within the next few days. Sorry for the delays.

 

[Maximus_96]

I'm loving these so its good to know they aren't dead. When I saw You had posted in the two threads I thought there was going to be a chapter for each and got really pumped.

 

[Specialist290]

Hey, just popping in to say I'm not dead. I'll hopefully have a post for this and TCD (The Crowned Dragons) within the next few days. Sorry for the delays.

No problem! Glad to hear you're still working on things.

 

[MattSR30]

CHAPTER VIII - TRIAL BY COMBAT

​

It was midday when the Driftwood King was brought out into the courtyard in the Red Keep. His brother was famed for wearing his full plate armor, not fearing sinking into the ocean's depths, but Balon Greyjoy's was more simple. He wore mainly leather, bolstered by sections of mail. He wore an intricate helm, depicting a steel version of the Driftwood Crown that he had claimed. The Greyjoy fought mainly with a sword, though like many Ironborn, he carried a small hand axe on his belt, far more suited to the savage style of those from the Iron Islands. However, what he wore did not matter to Robert. A kraken on land still drowns in its own right. Emerging from the shadows, Balon was met with boos from the few onlookers surrounding the terrace. Standing in place, it was Robert's turn to emerge.

Robert was a spectacle to behold, he always had been. Six and a half feet tall and muscled like few could imagine, he was an imposing man, and his armor only added to this. Shining plate armor, adorned with the yellow and black of his house. While many kings would wear a helm depicting their crown, as the Driftwood King before Robert did, the Stag King did not. Instead, he preferred the helm he had always worn - one with large antlers, a truly intimidating sight. Greeted with the cheers of his vassals, councilors, family and subjects, Robert emerged to stand across from Balon. He was not a small man, Balon Greyjoy, but next to Robert he looked half a man at best.

Robert was smiling - he loved to fight - but was still serious about the challenge before him. He stretched his hammer out at the Driftwood King, pointing it at him. "Are you ready to die?"

"What is dead may never die," the Greyjoy responded. The Ironborn were always fond of that saying. "We pay the Iron Price for what we want, but today your blood will be enough to buy my freedom."

Robert laughed. "Very well then."

Robert made the first move, darting forward with more speed than the Greyjoy had expected. Most people underestimated Robert's speed. He was enormously large and enormously strong, and most expected him to be slow because of it. That wasn't the case however, and that is what made him such a fearsome warrior. Left and right, up and down, Robert launched a barrage of attacks at the Greyjoy, who blocked them with his shield. However, during one of his attacks, Robert felt a twinge of pain in his ribs. He had injured them fighting the Ironborn in battle, and they had not fully healed. Something he had done just them caused the pain to resurface, and his face distorted as a result.

Balon Greyjoy noticed this. His eyes widened, sensing an opportunity. Though he did not know where Robert was hurt, he launched his assaults in multiple directions. He attacked high and low, swung at Robert's chest, legs, arms and head, searching for the place that was paining the king. Robert tried hard to mask his injury, but eventually, the Driftwood King found his mark. His blow clattered against Robert's side, surely causing even more damage to the stag. It brought Robert to his knees for a moment, and drew a gasp from the onlooking crowd. However, Robert wouldn't let some cracked ribs be the death of him. It would take a much greater beast to fell him. On one knee, Robert used his shield to defend himself from the blows raining down at him, waiting for a moment to rise to his feet once more.

Once an opportunity presented itself, Robert countered one of Balon's swings by bashing his arm with his shield. The Driftwood King lost his sword, and stumbled back for a moment. He drew the axe from his hilt, as Robert rose to his feet, ready to go again. Sensing he held the advantage, the Greyjoy attacked once more, though he was clearly beginning to tire. Robert held firm, defending himself from the Driftwood King with relative ease. His side was still throbbing with pain, but Robert tried to ignore it. Instead, he focused on defending himself and waited for a chance to counter.

Before long, that chance presented itself. Attacking with his small axe, Balon had to move in close to Robert to effectively fight against him. During one assault, his axe was caught under Robert's shield and between the Stag King's arm. Now trapped by the king, Robert butted the Driftwood King in the head with his own, leaving him delirious. Staggering back, Balon's defenses were down, and Robert struck. Stepping to the left, Robert swung his hammer directly into the center of the Greyjoy's chest. Feeling the full force of Robert's immense strength, Balon Greyjoy fell backwards in incredible pain, and immediately spat blood from his mouth. The end was near.

Walking slowly towards his downed opponent, Robert watched as the dying kraken struggled for breath, ironically drowning in his own blood. He spun the hammer around in his hand, having the back-spike facing the Greyjoy, rather than the flat blunt head. Most people didn't understand that about war hammers. The blunt end was to cause damage, that was undeniable, but it was the spike that was designed to kill. It was thick and sharp, more than enough to pierce plate armor. Balon Greyjoy however, was not wearing plate armor. In a moment, he would feel the full force of it, and the life would drain from him.

Balon Greyjoy was Robert's enemy, but he respected men who would fight their own battles, and who had the courage to face him alone. He did not believe in the Drowned God, he mocked the Ironborn's god in fact, but as a last sign of respect to a defeated enemy, he spoke to the dying man before him. He knew what the Ironborn thought about dying on land. If their bodies never reached the open waters, they would never have a chance to convene with their god - a terrible notion to the warriors from the Iron Islands.

"Your body will be put to rest in the Blackwater," Robert guaranteed, his first and final act of respect towards the Driftwood King.

Balon Greyjoy was spitting up blood, struggling for breath. He smiled as best he could and spoke. "The watery halls await me." Robert brought the spike of his hammer down upon the Greyjoy's chest. He died within seconds.

A few in attendance clapped lightly, but most remained silent. Even Robert, who relished fighting, wasn't smiling or laughing. He had defeated the Ironborn rebellion, killed their king, and yet he couldn't bring himself to be happy. He thought back to his own rebellion, and how he could very well have been where the Greyjoy was now, had he failed in his attempt to beat the Mad King and his son. Good and bad, right and wrong, it was all a matter of perspective. It didn't sit well with the young king, who swiftly made his exit from the courtyard.

 

[Dayni]

The blunt end was to cause damage, that was undeniable, but it was the spike that was designed to kill me.

Bit of an odd thing for Robert to think that his own warhammer should kill him, but what am I to judge?

And once again worried over nothing (Even if it was some time to wait, though I understand why.). This Robert has so far held up against armies just fine. But can the actions weigh on him just a bit too much?

 

[MattSR30]

Bit of an odd thing for Robert to think that his own warhammer should kill him, but what am I to judge?

And once again worried over nothing (Even if it was some time to wait, though I understand why.). This Robert has so far held up against armies just fine. But can the actions weigh on him just a bit too much?

Heh, I'll blame that slip up on being rusty, it's been a while.

I'm sure Bob'll be just fine. It's Westeros, there's plenty more fighting to be had, and we all know how much he loves fighting.

 

[Keinwyn]

Good and bad, right and wrong, it was all a matter of perspective. It didn't sit well with the young king, who swiftly made his exit from the courtyard.

Oh dear, Robert getting philosophical; what is the world coming to? I hope it's not the precursor to depression.

 

[Saxon125]

Robert still is a great warrior despite ruling the Seven Kingdoms, so who rules the Isles now? is it one of Balon's sons or one of his brothers?

 

[MegaBaumTV]

Oh dear, Robert getting philosophical; what is the world coming to? I hope it's not the precursor to depression.

You made a .

 

[AdamMc66]

You made a .

Why? Why? Why would you do such a thing?

 

[MegaBaumTV]

Why? Why? Why would you do such a thing?

Because I'm a mad genius or just stupid. You can choose.

 

[Deaghaidh]

Oh dear, Robert getting philosophical; what is the world coming to? I hope it's not the precursor to depression.

Big Bobby B always had a melancholy streak. As much as he loves bashing things, the idea that one day the hammer will fall on him would certainly come to him once his blood alcohol level hits a certain point.

Not sure what the order is, but depending on how drunk he gets he seems to go through a Fun, Violent, Horny, and Sad stage.

 

[LeBean]

don't mean to necro but is this finished or?

I want to know how it ends, but if it's over, fair play.