If my father has so many men in his army, how hard can he be to track down? It would be like finding a needle in a very small, brightly lit box.

Yes, it would not be so much finding as convincing him he has to come with you.

I would imagine that before fleeing you received ravens from all three houses, Lord Tywin. I know Storm's End had one for you and judging by the parties out there would be shocked if we were the only one, so you likely know your possibilities already.

This is incorrect, Renly. I received ravens from none of the three houses since the "Enemy of the Realm" ruling was rendered. Including your own, despite your post above.

I would have preferred to have more complete information from the other houses while weighing my decisions, but that option was not afforded me.

Unfortunately, the number of outgoing ravens available can be quite limited.

And there's *always* more than a few people I need to get word to in any given day.

QFMFT.

Lord Tywin, there was supposed to be a raven. Apologies if it did not get there.

And yet none sought my council. There has been much ado behind the curtains this past day that affects every Lord Paramount, as well as Lord Tywin himself. I am aware that there are those out there who would seek to call into question my motives, or who would claim that I have allied with a particular claimant.

The reality M'Lords, is that none of that is true. My objective is the same as it has always been - peace and stability of the realm.

I have allied myself with no particular claimant. Rumors to the contrary are simply intended to curry favor with you for the rumor-monger's own purposes.

I await communication with any and all who seek the stability of the realm and who might be interested in what I know, which, as the MASTER of Whispers, is, I daresay, more than others.

-Lord Varys

[ooc] It's true - I'm actually losing the game by Chief's scoring metric, but I'm having such a damn good time in-character being Varys that I don't even care. If I was going by Chief's metric I would have aligned with a claimant by now, but I don't want to, I just want to play the game.[/ooc]

This is not the first time a raven appears to have gone missing. And yet I can see no way a raven could be intercepted. In fact both times the raven supposedly originated from the Renly camp. Lord Renly I wonder who it was that sent the ravens you speak of - I remember you claimed that a raven was sent to Stannis as well.

That would explain a few interesting developments.

Why would anyone seek your "council". Should people wish to uncover other's secrets then assuredly you are the man for the job. But you appear to be mixing the role of a servant and that of an advisor. You are a servant to rumours and secrets, they are your currency. How does this make you fit to offer council?

What is best for the realm? And what makes you the possessor of that knowledge?

I am a possessor of secrets. I offer those secrets, as well as my council. The recipients are free to heed or ignore my council as they see fit.

What is best for the realm is peace and stability my dear girl. As for what makes me the possessor of that knowledge, it is common sense. Peace and stability lead to prosperity for all, which inevitably benefits those at the top to a great extent.

I fear I must leave you again.

Vote Brienne of Tarth/fontisian

Let us rid ourselves of these inconsequential nobodies. I have no idea why she has even been permitted to partake in our deliberations.

How do we achieve peace and stability? We had the opportunity for peace and stability but that was crushed when the Starks and Baratheons chose to argue against their rightful king. The genie is now out of the bottle and no amount of wishful thinking about posperity will force it back.

Should you wish to offer your council then do so. I am certain everyone would be interested in hearing what you wish to say. One indication of your council would be for you to commit to a vote.

Interested in what I have to say? I doubt that sincerely. Interested in what I know - well that is another story altogether. I have no doubt that many would find what I know very interesting indeed. In fact, perhaps I should dispense with secrets altogether. You claim that I am disloyal - yet I think certain lords might find the information that I have proof of a greater loyalty.

It appears that today is the first day a Lannister cannot be voted. So Storm's End will:

KING RENLY BARATHEON (ME) VOTES SER AXELL FLORENT (CLAP)
BRIENNE OF TARTH (FONT) VOTES SER AXELL FLORENT (CLAP)
SER CORTNAY PENROSE (DARTH) VOTES SER AXELL FLORENT (CLAP)
SER LORAS TYRELL (MURRA5Y) VOTES SER AXELL FLORENT (CLAP)

My bannermen are free to change their votes if necessary.

Oh, and to the other kings -- I am willing to entertain certain other ideas for our vote.

Not an entirely unexpected outcome. It seems that the hate for all things Lannister will surely subside today and I wonder who will be the target of the vote.

And it seems that the first rock has been thrown. I wonder how Stannis will respond.

Joffrey, misdirection will not deter any of the houses from the immediate goal.

I am sure more immediate then my pitiful chances at the crown for Stannis is losing his shot because you and Robb have worked out a plan to remove his claim next.

Stannis, a raven will be on the way soon.

I'm curious as to what the raven could possibly carry that would make your action acceptable to me.

UNVOTE SER AXELL FLORENT (CLAP)
I would like to wait until Tywin's fate is settled, if it will indeed be settled before nightfall, before coming to a decision.

UNVOTE ALL

Gentlemen, my bannermen tell me I acted hastily. Apologies, however this is an issue our houses are going to have to figure out and time ticks away.

(ooc) Chief, that good? (/ooc)

I'm assuming this Tywin business gets settled soon? I'd just as rather let him crap gold on Casterly Rock with Joffrey as heir and done with this war

Good enough.

For those that might be interested in the knowledge, Tywin Lannister is extremely wealthy, with a personal fortune possibly in excess of 50000 gold at the time of his dishonour.

Information is it's own form of power my friends...if it is in the right hands.

I am always...at your service. [/bows]

Casterly Rock will not stand alone against the might of four would-be-kings, but you'll need to do better than sending Roose Bolton to bring me to court.

Perhaps next time you'll choose to actually negotiate with me rather than attempting to take me by force? Or do we need to continue wasting money on mercenaries and diverting troops that could be used for raids, war, etc trying to bring me in against my will?

Dishonor plus mercenaries has whittled it away to some extent. But yes, there are sufficient funds here to afford certain luxuries while living outside the rule of kings.

I figured as much. Tywin will be no Clegane, he has the resources to choose his own home.

Though Renly has taken back his call to label my bannerman as an enemy of the realm, the blow is felt just the same. I have seen no raven from him, and cannot imagine one that would make me think him a trustworthy ally. Undoubtedly he hopes to drive Ser Axell from my camp and back into the arms of his family members. He only rethinks it because he hopes to make all his friend and none realize they are his enemy. As ever, his fickle nature does the realm no service.

Though I hate to follow in the footsteps of a Lannister, Cersei has the right idea. Brienne of Tarth holds little lands that could aid her liege. She was seemingly very forthright and earnest in negotiations to me, and I trust her more than I do my own brother. But hopefully Renly will allow her to find her way in the Seven Kingdoms and find a more honorable man to serve. I hope that my friends in the North will follow me in this.

VOTE BRIENNE OF TARTH/FONTISIAN

[ooc] Oooh - good question. I suppose...if there's nobody else.

A couple of my best targets turned me down, and no one else has stepped up yet. So, yeah, Julio's the best option right now.

FWIW, I don't have much doubt that Julio would try to limit the impact whatever he may have learned from the threads has on his play as Theon.

[ooc] i mean it's fine by me, but obviously i'm not as impacted as some others (Stark, Lannister) [/ooc]

Hell, if he has that good of a memory from 5 different threads... I have enough problems with the game and Storm's end one as it is.

I'm fine with it.

Stannis, the raven has been sent. You may confirm our intentions yourself, if you like.

Chief, it would be rather undesirable to throw that element into the game by having a player come back. But an inactive player is a real problem too. I suppose if there truly is no one else I would agree.

vote Axell Florent

As someone who isnt in any camp, really dont care who the vote goes toward

yet you care enough to vote, Imp. If you didn't care who was voted out, you wouldn't be involved in this game of thrones. let's not talk foolishness.

Similar sentiments here. I'm sure Julio would play it as straight as possible, but it is difficult to put the djinni back in the bottle. However, if the choices are "unfilled role" vs "semi-informed player" I would choose the latter and expect the two of you (Julio + Chief) to manage it appropriately.

Not gonna play the no lynch card. Prior agreements, I hope, still are in play, but I'm not going to try and get away with standing on the sidelines.

Vote Brienne / Font

Robb, my emissary is on his way shortly.

Stannis: Don't ruin this over his idiotic move. You can ask the one of the subjects of our discussion to confirm our intentions.