Opening post by Lady Mya Stokeworth · #1
Right, before you take a banner, open the Ironvault terms and read the full levy, muster, and withdrawal sections, not just the banner name. Check what the house can demand, how often, and what leaving costs. A handsome crest will not feed your keep, will it?
Look, write down the renewal date and every penalty shown beside it before you accept. If the terms require a minimum muster, compare that with the troops you can spare without leaving your walls thin. Ask the house lord to clarify anything the page leaves vague; pay for certainty before you pay in soldiers.
Right, do not join because the hall is loud or because someone promises easy safety. Take a banner only when the obligations suit your stores, schedule, and quarrels. I rode alone again rather than sign blind, and that choice cost less than discovering the price afterward, didn’t it?