Llwelyn shows up for the brainstorming session with a roll of parchment with his initial sketch.

Llwelyn is, what you might call “aggressive” in his design. With others might use the Thames as a natural wall, he doesn’t stop there. Instead, he places two aggressively pointed walls with the tip touching the water, with a set of gates facing the river. He includes in his design a set of boards of iron rails that could be slid out to the water for resupply...or escape, if necessary, but otherwise makes is a bare killing field, an area where invaders by water would need to disembark and charge the gate under arrow fire from three angle. Judging that it would be a waste to scrap the old walls, Llwelyn insteads recommends triangular extensions on another three points from it, creating space between the walls that could be sectioned off, using the pathways along the main walls as a way to easily maneuver troops. It might be expensive, but in theory it would leave no dead zones where arrow fire could not reach, could be resupplied in secret and invited enemies to attack an open area to massive casualties. For good measure, he adds plenty of wells for a protracted siege, as well as latrines, blacksmiths, larders and cooks as well as a few official offices, such as the royal mint.

He does his best to run some numbers as well, hoping to not make the cost too onerous but everything is too intertwined to really separate it.


Stewardship Assistance Check-TN 8: 1d20 17
Orate Assistance Check-TN 10: 1d20 16

Looking over the designs, Simon finds himself unsure as to where to where to start. The more he sees, the more he finds himself going back to his conversation which Ranulf, whic-

"Forgive me - I... it's been a long night."

Assistance roll for battle- 20, crit failure

"It's alright, I feel quite confident with what I have" Indeed it seems that while Llwelyn's choices may or not tickle someone's fancy, the layout seems sound

Design the Tower-Battle-TN 15: 1d20 2 PASS

[OOC: Ghosting Andre's rolls using his provided stats]

Ghosting for Andre-Stewardship for Tower-TN 10: 1d20 10 CRIT SUCCESS

Ghosting for Andre-Orate for Tower-TN 15: 1d20 19

Andre, somewhat stymied, scratches out a few notes on his wax tablet, hoping they will be a useful spur to another of his comrades who might speak...

Damn, but he's better in print than in voice!

~~~~~
Assistance roll https://orokos.com/roll/912357
Skill is 15
Result is 15
Critical success on the assist!

Looking over the notes, he nods and begins practising his speech for the king. Under the guidance of the more advanced orator, he finds the words come easier.

A bubble wells within him - where he could not see the design from his encounter with the King, he channels that sense of self again to refine his parlance from wrought Iron to bladed steel - a precise execution of his Majesty's orders and his colleague's advice.

"Your Majesty, sirs and ladies of the court, it has been requested that the defences of White Tower be redesigned. It is on the heart of England where the White Tower rests, and it is that heart of England which... which..."

He turns to Andre for guidance as he practices.

"Sir, would it be better to say 'which must be protected at all costs' or 'like our own beating hearts, must be cherished and maintained?'"

After a few more practices, it becomes as easy to orate as Bible verse.

Orate check - 11, crit success!

Andre nods and takes over, following the thread of discussion, giving his garrulousness free reign:

"While the Thames does offer some protection on its own, of course, it can be breached far more easily than a wall--so it would be supplemented with the walls which the noble Llywelyn mab Iorwerth describes, allowing a landing for resupply at need, yes, but more to force those who would besiege the Tower and its precincts from that quarter to disembark form their own craft and therefore be more fully under the control of those upon the walls.

"And, following such designs as are imagined of old and included in some ways even in the fortifications described and built by the Romans under Caesar, even as in the Ilium from which Rome sprang, and also this very isle, those walls could be extended back further away from the riverbank, incorporating the fine walls already in place from of old and supplementing them even as a kindly father is supported by strong sons, and yet giving to each its proper due--in this case by forming courts within the walls where men and materials could be massed yet still ever under watchful eye against thief and plunder, while still allowing for out-facing defense against any foe who should be so scurrilous as to assail the Tower the great William let build.

"More, within those precincts could easily be consolidated such vital royal functions as befit a king to maintain and keep close at hand, including the mints that make his coin and the treasures that grace his home and family--and perhaps even a gathering place for the information which wise men consult to rule well as they are called to by their charge from the Lord, looking in part to the wisdom of those gone ahead for guidance in times yet to come. And the ruler over such a place would be enriched thereby, able to treat well those who must be displaced to make way for such--for did not Our Father provide for our first parents even as He turned them out from their first home? For though we are less than the Lord, still should we seek to emulate His ways, which are good perforce. And a king who shows himself just is the less likely to find deceit and treachery in his vassals, as the histories compiled by Galfridus Monemutensis scant generations ago attest. For though we might be confident in the loyalty of sworn lords in these days, a wise man makes ready for days to come after, as Joseph bade Pharaoh do at the Lord's behest--and, again, we do well to follow the precedent of Scripture.

"Such would make of the Tower not only a treasure, like our own beating hearts which must be treasured and maintained, but a point of strength and power, not only defending what is rightfully held but standing as an aspirational vision, as the courts of Charlemagne or the great Alfred did in days gone by, shining as a beacon for the people, even as the city on a hill of which Scripture speaks, and as fit a testimony to the goodness and righteousness of the King who let it build as could be envisioned."

He bows and withdraws.

[Final roll results]

Battle design - Llwelyn with 2/15, pass

Stewardship - Andre 10/7, failure

Oration - Simon 11/11 (assisted), Critical success w/ critical success assist

Modify the Tower? No

Compensate the People? Yes (Originally intended not to, but kindness prevailed)

Added upon recommendation, Cruelty check.
TN 7, I believe.
Fails at 9.
https://orokos.com/roll/912382