"Arise, Ser Damian Stark, The Swift Wolf."
The words reverberated within the ancient stone walls of Pyke, heralding Damian's elevation to knighthood under the banner of "The Swift Wolf." The nobility, whether begrudgingly or with measured approval, acknowledged Damian's undeniable prowess displayed during the tumultuous days of the Greyjoy rebellion. To be knighted by the king's hand was a rare accolade, etching Damian's name into the annals of Westerosi nobility.
'Swift Wolf, aye... I can bear that mantle,' Damian ruminated inwardly. Far from the grandeur of titles like the "DragonKnight" or the brooding presence of "The Mountain" or "The Hungry Wolf," "The Swift Wolf" captured Damian's essence in Greyjoy War– a testament to his agility in both the dance of blades and the intricate game of strategy.
A smile formed on Damian's face which many believed to be because of being knighted by the King at such a young age. but he was happy because he got rewarded by the system for being knighted.
[Congratulations - You have been Knighted by the King of Seven Kingdoms - Robert Baratheon]
Reward - Charm Stat Unlocked, 1 Free Stat, 5000 Gold Coins, Intermediate Shield Skill]
[ Name: Lord Damian Silvius Stark ]
[ Title: Lord of Iron Island, Westrosi Knight 'The Swift Wolf']
[ Age: 14 ]
[ Money: 21342 Gold Coins ]
[ Store ]
[ Build ]
Str -> 16
Dex -> 18
End -> 16
Will -> 11
Int -> 16
Charm -> 13
Constitution -> 14
Special Stat:
Mana ->15
Free Points -> 1
[Every Five years, on your name day, a free point would be given freely that you can add to any of the above stat.]
Bloodline -> First Men
Special Abilities:
Warg -> 3
Greenseer -> 0
Special Attribute Points -> 0
[Every Ten years you get one free Special Attribute point. To gain more points, practice in the given ability or find other ways.]
[ Special Possessions: Magic Spell-Book of Fertility, Treasure Map (Iron Island), Arcane Glyphs: A Guide to Runic Mastery]
[ Skills: Advanced Jousting Skill, Parkour Skill Mastery, Intermediate Shield Skill]
[ Magic Spells: Bless Strength, Know Weather, Accelerate Plant Growth, Oakskin, Luminara Veil ]
'Charm Stat?' Damian was taken aback, finding the reward for his knighthood to be the unlocking of a new stat.
As Damian delved into the explanation of this newfound stat, he discovered its utility extended beyond the common perception of merely enhancing physical beauty. The Charm or charisma stat, when elevated to higher levels, would enable Damian to persuade people by augmenting his likability. This would be achieved not only by refining his physical appearance but also by honing his communication skills. The higher Damian raised his charm stat, the more adept he would become at speaking eloquently.
This enhancement promised various advantages, from making friends and negotiating favorable deals to reading people's intentions. However, Damian's musings took an unexpected turn as he considered the extremes of this stat. At its highest level, the charm stat might even hold the power to influence physical responses, such as triggering an orgasm in a woman with a mere glance or turning straight men like Robert into Gay!
Currently, his charm stat stands at 13, influenced by his natural looks, body physique, and intelligence. Damian deemed this a commendable figure but saw room for improvement. Contemplating the challenges ahead, he promptly invested his free point in the charm stat.
[ Char -> 13 -> 14]
Damian, however, didn't feel any tangible change in reality, unlike when he invested in other stats like strength, dexterity, or endurance. Nonetheless, he shifted his focus from the intricacies of the stat to the approaching individuals seeking his attention.
Noble after noble approached Damian, extending congratulations and recognizing the potential alliances and connections that could be fostered with this newly-anointed knight. Engaging in conversations with people like Lord Jorah Mormont, Lord Tytos Blackwood of Raventree Hall, Lord Karstark and his sons, Damian found the exchanges to be not only courteous but also laden with the weight of potential future collaborations.
Thoros of Myr, a follower of R'hllor, proved to be an intriguing figure in Damian's conversations. Despite the stark religious differences, Damian discovered an unexpected genuineness in the red priest.
Lord Jason Mallister's magnanimous gesture, permitting Damian to retain the Greyjoy ship borrowed at the conflict's outset, spoke volumes in the silent language of politics. Damian accepted with the grace expected of a burgeoning player in the Game of Thrones.
Amidst the revelry, the Ironborn prisoners were paraded forward, including formidable figures like Drumm, Botley, Farwyn of Lonely Light and Sealskin Point, Goodbrother of Hammerhorn.
Damian's gaze shifted towards the entrance, where his men ushered in a woman, a boy and a girl. Theon stood with tears streaming down his face. Asha who seemed defiant at first, couldn't conceal the sorrow etched in her eyes now. And Lady Alannys Harlaw, the matriarch of the Greyjoy family, entered the hall with a heart-wrenching weight in her every step. It was understandable as she had lost two sons and now a husband to the war.
The collective sorrow of the Ironborn trio painted a somber scene – a family torn apart by the harsh realities of war. Damian could almost feel the heavy burden they carried, having witnessed the ghastly display of Balon's severed head, likely placed on prominent display somewhere on Pyke's gates.
The hall, filled with the sounds of celebration and clinking goblets, momentarily quieted as grief mingled with the lingering scent of victory. In that poignant moment, Damian witnessed the stark contrast of the high toll exacted by conflict – not just in terms of battles won or lost, but in the shattered lives and fractured families left behind.
"Your Grace, the Ironborn prisoners are here," reported Ser Brandon Moor, a member of Robert's Kingsguard.
"Good," responded Robert, placing his goblet onto the armrest of the Seastone chair.
Robert scrutinised his defeated prisoners, chained and made to stand in the middle of the hall, with Balon's lifeless body nearby.
"Tell me, Lord Goodbrother, why did you follow Balon Greyjoy into rebellion against me, your King?" Robert's voice thundered, its tone serious and tinged with anger.
Lord Goodbrother, staring at Balon's body, met Robert's gaze and replied, "My House is sworn to House Greyjoy, and as his vassal, it was my duty to follow my liege lord, even if it was to the depths of the sea."
"Loyal vassals, is that what you claim to be, Lord Goodbrother?" Robert questioned sharply. "Is that the stance of all of you—Lord Farwynd, Lord Drumm? Now that Balon is dead, perhaps I should send all of ye to follow him into the afterlife as his loyal vassals."
Lord Gorold appeared shaken by the notion. "Your grace, I—"
"Silence! You rebelled against your king, and now you shall accept the consequences," Robert's authoritative voice echoed through the hall, imposing an unusual silence for a fleeting moment.
Lord Dunstan Drumm, with a gruff voice, broke the silence. "Your grace, if I may speak."
Robert, curious, allowed him to step forward. "What's yer excuse, Lord Drumm?"
"I've no excuse, your grace. But do understand, House Greyjoy had not sworn fealty to you after you defeated the Targaryens, to whom we were sworn. Which means—"
"Which means that I was not your King when you started this rebellion? So, it's not a rebellion, then, is it?" Robert interrupted.
"It is as you say, your grace," Lord Drumm admitted.
The hall erupted in voices, a cacophony of opinions, upon hearing Lord Drumm's justification.
Lord Drumm piqued Damian's interest not just because he possessed one of the famed Valyrian steel swords, Red Rain, but also due to his cunning in preserving his house from ruin.
Shifting the blame onto the deceased liege lord and asserting it wasn't a rebellion seemed a shrewd strategy to mitigate the consequences. Their fate now hung on the decision of the King, and Damian eagerly awaited Robert's response.
The prospect of becoming the Lord of the Iron Islands appeared to be sealed by the System, but Damian knew that Robert's will could alter that course which seemed almost impossible. The only other possibility was if Damian himself chose to relinquish the claim, a decision he wasn't contemplating.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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