Chapter 6: Rising Tensions
As Sam strolled through Oldtown, basking in his recent success, he felt a mixture of pride and caution. Infiltrating House Bulwer's ranks and sabotaging the alliance had elevated his status in Oldtown, but it had also made him a target. His new affiliation with House Hightower had advantages, but it came with an unwritten warning: enemies were watching.
New Quest Alert: Strengthening Your Position
Objective: Consolidate your power in Oldtown. Secure allies, establish defenses, and learn more about potential threats.
Reward: Increased influence, improved security measures, +5 Reputation.
Sam knew that he couldn't rely solely on House Hightower's goodwill. He needed to build his own network and increase his personal security. After all, in Westeros, alliances could shift like the wind.
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A Trip to the Docks
Sam decided to begin by recruiting more loyal followers. If he was going to survive in Oldtown and handle increasingly dangerous missions, he needed people he could trust. Tom, his sparring partner and confidant, had suggested looking among the city's docks and rougher districts, where strong men and desperate souls might be willing to work for the right price.
He arrived at the docks in the late afternoon, where the air smelled of salt and fish. The bustling harbor was filled with traders, sailors, and dockhands. Among them, Sam spotted a group of men playing dice, laughing raucously as they took turns tossing copper coins.
One of the men caught Sam's eye—a burly figure with a scar across his jaw and the calm gaze of someone who had seen too much. Sam approached him with a friendly nod.
"Looking for work?" he asked, his tone casual.
The man studied him, clearly skeptical. "Depends on the job—and the pay."
Sam's system offered a prompt:
Charisma Check: Success!
Current Charisma Level: 5
"I pay well," Sam replied with a confident smile, pulling out a handful of silver coins. "And if you're interested, there's plenty more where this came from."
The man's eyes flickered with interest. "Name's Garrick. I've got a few friends who might be interested too. What's the job?"
"I need men I can trust. Some protection, some muscle, and maybe the occasional bit of discretion," Sam said, careful to keep his words vague but enticing.
Garrick glanced at his companions, who nodded in silent agreement. "Sounds like we can help. But make no mistake—cross us, and we're out."
Sam extended his hand. "Fair enough. Welcome aboard."
New Follower: Garrick the Dockhand
+3 Followers
Increased Security
With a small group now under his command, Sam felt a bit more secure. He'd gained protection, but he still needed information. Rumors had circulated about a growing threat from House Bulwer. If they suspected him, they would retaliate sooner or later.
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Seeking Allies in the Undercity
Sam decided his next step would be to secure allies among the city's less savory but well-informed circles. He had heard of a merchant named Marei who had her ear to the ground on all things happening in Oldtown. She was known for her connections with spies, smugglers, and informants—people who thrived on secrets.
The market where Marei operated was tucked away in a narrow alley, hidden from the city's prying eyes. Marei herself was a slight woman with quick eyes that missed nothing.
Sam approached her stall, examining a few items before catching her eye. "I hear you know things that others don't."
Marei raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Depends who's asking—and what they're paying."
He leaned in. "Let's say I need information on House Bulwer. In exchange, you'll have the protection of my men, and if you need something done, we'll be there."
Marei's eyes narrowed in thought. After a pause, she nodded. "I can work with that. House Bulwer has been busy lately. They're stirring up trouble, making alliances with families from the Dornish Marches and the Stormlands. Word is they're planning something big."
Sam's system chimed, confirming his new alliance:
New Ally: Marei the Informant
Access to Secret Information Channels
Increased Influence and Awareness in Oldtown
"Be careful, Sam," she warned. "House Bulwer isn't happy about their failed alliance, and they know someone meddled. They've been asking questions."
With this knowledge, Sam felt a pang of urgency. He needed to ensure that House Bulwer saw him as a formidable player, not just a pawn.
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Establishing a Base
Sam knew his rented room at the inn wouldn't suffice as a headquarters. He needed a secure, discreet base where his men could gather, plan, and rest. With his recent earnings, he had enough to purchase a small warehouse near the docks—an inconspicuous location but one with plenty of space for his operations.
He negotiated with the owner, and by the end of the day, he had acquired his first real property in Westeros.
New Property Acquired: Dockside Warehouse
Increased Defense and Resource Storage
Setting up a base was a game-changer. He organized his men, assigning shifts for patrols around the perimeter. Garrick, his new right-hand man, proved invaluable in overseeing the security measures. Within days, the warehouse was fortified, stocked with supplies, and ready to serve as the heart of Sam's growing operations.
The system prompted him with a new feature:
Base Management Unlocked!
Manage your followers, resources, and defenses from your new base.
Sam reviewed his setup, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He had a secure location, loyal men, and a network of informants. The pieces were beginning to fall into place.
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An Unexpected Visitor
One evening, as Sam reviewed his latest earnings and checked the warehouse's inventory, one of his men announced an unexpected visitor: Tom.
"Sam, we need to talk," Tom said, his expression unusually serious as he entered.
"What's wrong?" Sam asked, setting down his ledger.
"House Bulwer has made a move. They've hired a sellsword company—The Black Crows. Word on the street is that they've been tasked with tracking down whoever interfered with their alliance."
Sam felt a chill. The Black Crows were notorious for their ruthlessness and efficiency. This was no idle threat.
"Do they know it was me?" he asked.
"Not for certain, but they're close," Tom replied. "I thought you should know. They've already been questioning people at the docks and the marketplaces."
Sam's system flashed an urgent quest notification:
Quest Alert: Defend Your Territory
Objective: Prepare for a potential attack from the Black Crows. Fortify defenses and gather intelligence on their movements.
Reward: Survival, +10 Reputation, +1 Leadership skill.
Sam's instincts kicked in. He wouldn't be caught off-guard.
"Thank you, Tom. We'll be ready."
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Fortifying for the Storm
Over the next several days, Sam worked tirelessly to prepare for a confrontation. He increased patrols around the warehouse, ordered his men to double-check all entry points, and held training sessions to ensure they could handle a surprise attack.
He also leveraged his network, paying Marei extra for any information on the Black Crows' movements. Every piece of intel she provided became another step in his strategy.
Finally, he set a trap near the docks, where the Black Crows were most likely to make their move. Using a few hired hands to spread rumors that he'd be meeting a "contact" there, he hoped to draw out his enemies on his own terms.
Trap Set: Awaiting Ambush
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The Ambush
Night fell over Oldtown as Sam and his men waited in the shadows near the dockside meeting spot. Garrick, Tom, and a handful of loyal guards had taken up positions, blending into the darkness.
Just past midnight, the Black Crows arrived. Sam recognized their leader immediately—a tall man with a cruel face and a scar down one cheek. The sellswords moved in silence, their movements practiced and precise.
Sam's system prompted him with an option to initiate a Surprise Attack.
Attack Initiated: Surprise Advantage!
Leadership Skill +1!
Current Leadership Level: 3
Sam signaled his men, and they struck, descending upon the sellswords from all sides. His followers attacked with a precision Sam hadn't seen before, their loyalty and training evident in every move. Garrick wielded his axe like a force of nature, while Tom darted through the shadows, striking and retreating with agility.
The Black Crows fought back fiercely, but they were disoriented by the ambush. Sam himself faced off with their leader, blocking a savage swing and retaliating with a precise strike that cut across the man's shoulder. The fight was brutal, but in the end, the Crows lay defeated, with only a few survivors escaping into the night.
Quest Complete: Defend Your Territory
Reward: +10 Reputation, +1 Leadership, Increased Influence in Oldtown
Breathing heavily, Sam looked around at his men, who were cheering and congratulating each other. They had defended their base and sent a message to House Bulwer that he was not to be trifled with.
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A New Force in Oldtown
With the Black Crows defeated, Sam's reputation in Oldtown soared. Rumors spread quickly: the upstart merchant who had outmaneuvered