Difference between revisions of "Ben Plumm"

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{{Character  
 
{{Character  
 
| Character_name          = [[File:Second Sons small.png|50px|left]] Ben Plumm [[File:Second Sons small.png|50px|right]]
 
| Character_name          = [[File:Second Sons small.png|50px|left]] Ben Plumm [[File:Second Sons small.png|50px|right]]
| image        = [[File:Brown Ben Plumm1.jpg|250px]]
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| image        = [[File:Brown Ben Plumm TheMico.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption =  Part of [[A Game of Thrones collectible card game]], illustrated by Patrick McEvoy. Copyrighted work by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG). Posted in the "Card Guide Wiki".
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| image_caption =  Ben Plumm, by TheMico©
 
| Alias = Brown Ben Plumm
 
| Alias = Brown Ben Plumm
| Title = Commander of the Second Sons
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| Title = Captain of the [[Second Sons]] (formerly)<br>Commander of the [[Second Sons]]
| Allegiance = [[Second Sons]]
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| Allegiance = [[House of Pahl]] (formerly)<br>[[Second Sons]]
| Race =
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| Race =Mixed
 
| Culture =
 
| Culture =
 
| Spouse =
 
| Spouse =
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| Place_of_Death =
 
| Place_of_Death =
 
| Date_of_Death =
 
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = [[A Storm of Swords]] (Appears)<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]] (Appears)
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| Books = ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (appendix)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears)<br>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (appears)
 
| coat-of-arms =
 
| coat-of-arms =
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Ben Plumm''', better known as '''Brown Ben Plumm''', is the commander of the mercenary company called the [[Second Sons]].
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'''Ben Plumm''', better known as '''Brown Ben Plumm''', is the captain and commander of the [[Second Sons]].
  
 
==Appearance==
 
==Appearance==
Ben is described as "an older man", tall and still fit. {{ref|adwd|47}} He has a broad face, brown skin, a broken nose and nappy grey/white hair.{{Ref|aDwD|36}} He has a salt and pepper beard{{ref|adwd|47}} He has [[Dothraki]] eyes that he inherited from his mother, they are large, dark and  almond-shaped, .{{Ref|aSoS|57}} There are wrinkles at the corner of his eyes.{{Ref|aDwD|36}} Plumm says his is part  [[Braavos]]i, [[Summer Islands|Summer Islander]], [[Ibben]]ese,  [[Qohor]]ik, Dothraki, [[Dorne|Dornish]] and part Westerosi. He claims  to have a drop of [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] blood. Claiming that an old member of [[House Plumm]]  married a "dragon princess". He vaguely says that the wedding took place in the reign of [[Aegon Targaryen (disambiguation)|Aegon Targaryen]]. Daenerys points that there were five Aegons who reigned in Westeros and asks which one, but Ben fails to remember the regnal number requested. {{Ref|aSoS|57}}
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:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Ben Plumm|Images of Ben Plumm]]''
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Ben is an aging man, but still fit.{{ref|adwd|47}} He has a broad, weathered face, brown skin, a broken nose, and grey-white hair.{{Ref|aDwD|36}} He has a salt and pepper beard.{{ref|adwd|47}} He has large, dark, almond-shaped [[Dothraki]] eyes that he inherited from his mother.{{Ref|aSoS|57}} There are wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.{{Ref|aDwD|36}}  
  
His grandmother was half-Ibbenese and half-Qohoriq. He claims that his knowledge of Westeros came from her second-hand narratives to him as a child. She had never stepped foot on Westeros herself. His Westerosi grandfather was killed by a Dothraki, prior to the birth of Ben. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} His ancestor was reportedly famous for having a cock six-foot-long. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] suspects him to be a distant descendant of a younger son of [[Viserys Plumm]] and a possible distant relation to the famous [[Ossifer Plumm]].{{Ref|aDwD|57}}Ossifer reportedly fathered a child when already dead and buried. {{Ref|aFfC|12}} Tyrion also claims that Brown Ben has "two drops" of dragon blood, not just one. {{Ref|aDwD|57}}
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==History==
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Ben's mother is a Dothraki, and his grandmother was half-[[Ibbenese]] and half-[[Qohor]]ik. His grandfather was killed by a Dothraki prior to Ben's birth.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}  
  
==History==
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Ben says he is part [[Braavos]]i, [[Summer Islands|Summer Islander]], [[Ibben]]ese, [[Qohor]]ik, [[Dorne|Dornish]], [[Dothraki]], and [[Westeros]]i. He claims to have a drop of [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] blood, which must be why [[Dragon|dragons]], particularly [[Viserion]], have an affinity for him.{{Ref|aSoS|57}} He states an [[Ossifer Plumm|old member]] of [[House Plumm]] married a "[[Elaena Targaryen|dragon princess]]". He vaguely says that the wedding took place in the reign of [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]. [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] points out that there were five Aegons who reigned in Westeros and asks which one, but Ben fails to remember the regnal number requested.{{Ref|aSoS|57}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] suspects him to be a distant descendant of a younger son of [[Viserys Plumm]] and a possible distant relation to the famous [[Ossifer Plumm]], and that Ben thus has "two drops" of dragon blood, not just one,{{Ref|aDwD|57}} as Viserys Plumm was rumored to have been fathered by King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] on Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], Ossifer's wife.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}
Brown Ben's mother is a Dothraki. He once served as a bodyguard to the uncle of [[Oznak zo Pahl]] in [[Meereen]] before joining the [[Second Sons]]. He escaped from [[Meereen]] by traveling through the sewer system, an experience that he does not wish to ever repeat. He claims the smell never left him, and the sewers still feature in his night dreams. {{Ref|aSoS|57}} He claims to have a touch of Targaryen blood by way of an unidentified ancestor who lived under the rule of an unspecified King Aegon of the Targaryens (of which there were five).  He claims that must be why dragons, particularly [[Viserion]], have an affinity for him.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}
 
  
While plundering after his first battle with the Second Sons, Plumm took some leather armor from a dead sellsword, and discovered a fortune of coins the man had sewn into the lining of the armor. Plumm, being naive at the time told a fellow sellsword who he believed a friend. His "friend" told the commander and they took the fortune away from Plumm (his friend got only a small percentage of it). Plumm loves gold, but this incident made Plumm realize that it is useless if one is not alive to enjoy it. So Plumm chooses his battles very carefully. Plumm also learned to never trust a sellsword. {{Ref|aDwD|50}}He once served near [[Volantis]] where he learned the game of [[Cyvasse]]. {{ref|adwd|47}}
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Ben once served as a bodyguard to the uncle of [[Oznak zo Pahl]] in [[Meereen]], before joining the [[Second Sons]]. When someone Ben knew was killed by Oznak for looking at a woman the wrong way, Ben fled, escaping the city through its sewer system, an experience that haunts him.{{Ref|aDwD|57}}
  
Brown Ben claims to have fought in a hundred battles but he doesn't claim to have fought bravely in all of them.{{Ref|aSoS|57}} As he often says:
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While plundering after his first battle with the Second Sons, Plumm took some leather armor from a dead sellsword, and discovered a fortune of coins the man had sewn into the lining of the armor. In his naivety, Ben told a fellow sellsword whom he believed a friend. The fellow sellsword told their sergeant and his colleagues relieved him of his fortune. Ben loves gold, but this incident made him realize that it is useless if one is not alive to enjoy it.{{Ref|aDwD|50}}
  
{{Quote|''There are old sellswords and bold sellswords but there are no old, bold Sellswords.''{{Ref|aSoS|57}}}}
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Ben claims to have fought in a hundred battles but he does not claim to have fought bravely in all of them.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
[[File:Brown Ben Plumm TheMico.jpg‎‎|Brown Ben Plumm  by TheMico©|thumb|250px]]
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
===A Storm of Swords===
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Ben is elected as the new commander of the Second Sons after [[Mero]] disappears during the fight at [[Yunkai]]. He sits on [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s war council. It is his idea to use the sewer system of [[Meereen]] as a route to besiege the city.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}
Brown Ben was voted in as the new commander of the Second Sons after [[Mero]] disappeared during the fight at [[Yunkai]]. He sits on [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s war council. He was the one who identified [[Oznak zo Pahl]] as the champion of [[Meereen]] who taunted the besiegers. Being both personally familiar with the man, and with his family. Ben explained that Oznak was son to the commander of the city guard and nephew to the richest man in Meereen. When [[Belwas]] fought and killed Oznak, Ben was among the first to congratulate the victor. Tossing the man a ripe plum and proclaiming: "a sweet fruit for a sweet fight". {{Ref|aSoS|57}}
 
  
When the war council debated the defenses of besieged Meereen, Brown Plumm pointed that the rows of bronze harpy heads above the wall gates were not decorative. They were another defense measure. The open mouths of the heads were used to squirt boiling oil, and have approaching besiegers cooked alive. He rejected the plan of [[Grey Worm]] to equip the [[Unsullied]] with battering rams, dismissing at suicidal. It was his idea to use the sewer system of [[Meereen]] as a route to besiege the city. Pointing that the great brick sewers of Meereen were connected to the river [[Skahazadhan]]. While the exit points were closed with iron gates, some of said gates were rusty and vulnerable. Once inside the intruder could expect a long climb in a maze of brick, with no guiding light. The filth would be at least waist high, though it could overlow on occasion. There were rats down there as well. A dangerous and nasty way to enter the city. But still a viable way to enter the city. He did not volunteer for the mission, claiming there wasn't enough gold in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] to convince him to go back in the sewers . {{Ref|aSoS|57}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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Daenerys sends Brown Ben and the Second Sons to guard the south against any incursions by Yunkai.{{Ref|aDwD|2}} When Plumm returns to the city and discovers Daenerys could no longer control her dragons, he decides her cause is lost and goes over to the Yunkai'i.{{Ref|aDwD|36}}{{Ref|aDwD|50}}
  
As the war council ended, Brown Ben attempted to leave. But [[Viserion]] briefly landed on his head, a sign of affection. Peaking the interest of Daenerys. He had to give a brief explanation about his relationship to [[House Targaryen]]. {{Ref|aSoS|57}}
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During the slave market held outside [[Meereen]], Plumm sees [[Jorah Mormont]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] being sold and attempts to buy them,{{Ref|aDwD|47}} with a mind to delivering Mormont's head to Daenerys as a wedding gift,{{Ref|aDwD|50}} and Tyrion's to [[Cersei Lannister]] to claim the reward of a lordship.{{Ref|aDwD|57}} However, he is outbid by [[Yezzan zo Qaggaz]].
  
With Meereen successfully captured, Danny took her breakfast in the [[The Great Pyramid|Great Pyramid]]. She contemplated her various allies and supporters in terms of reliability. She hoped that the "solid" Brown Ben, beloved of her dragons, would remain reliable. But her thoughts next turned to contemplating which of her allies would betray her next. Brown Ben, [[Daario Naharis]], Grey Worm, [[Irri]], [[Jhiqui]], and [[Missandei]] all looked suspect in her eyes. {{Ref|aSoS|71}}
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Ben is present when [[Yezzan zo Qaggaz]] feasts the Yunkish commanders. He plays [[cyvasse]] with Tyrion, losing the games to Tyrion, and a small fortune to Yezzan.{{Ref|aDwD|47}}
  
Brown Ben reported a seemingly quiet night at the conquered city. Proof that her recent security measures had worked. Her standing orders were for murderers to be hanged, looters to loose a hand, and rapists to be castrated. Ending the post-siege violence in the city. He agreed with Daenerys that there were too many flies in the city. As he had even found flies in his morning ale and swallowed one of them. Daario suggested that the unburied corpses brought in the flies. Convincing Daenerys of the need to bury them all, a task she assigned to Gray Worm. Brown Ben advised "Worm" to bring both shovels and sacks, as some of the corpses were already rotting and falling apart. {{Ref|aSoS|71}}
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Ben, along with the other three sellsword commanders, is allowed to enter Meereen when peace is declared. He explains to Dany the reasons he turned his cloak.{{Ref|aDwD|50}} Plumm allows Tyrion along with Jorah to join the Second Sons after they escape their dying master. Tyrion writes sixty documents promising large sums of gold to several high ranking members in the company. To Plumm he promises the largest reward of "One hundred thousand gold dragons, fifty [[w:Hide_(unit)|hides]] of fertile land, a castle and a lordship". All this Tyrion promises to honor when he becomes Lord of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aDwD|66}}
  
Daenerys had recently found that her loyal "Arstan Whitebeard" was actually [[Barristan Selmy]]. She at first distrusted the old man, but a honest conversation proved him loyal enough. At this point Danny commanded Brown Ben to offer his longsword to Ser Barristan. But he refused to accept the sword from any hand other than her own. So she took the longsword from Brown Ben and offered it, hilt first, to Ser Barristan. Starting the oath ceremony, officially binding him in her service. {{Ref|aSoS|71}}
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==Family==
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{{House Plumm}}
  
When Daenerys decided to stop her advance towards the west and stay in Meereen, Brown Ben argued that "there is nothing to stay for". {{Ref|aSoS|71}}
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==Quotes by Ben==
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{{Quote|There are old sellswords and bold sellswords, but no old bold sellswords.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}}}
  
===A Dance with Dragons===
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==Quotes about Ben==
Daenerys sent Brown Ben and the Second Sons to guard the south against any incursions by [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|aDwD|2}} He was one of the advisors in favor of Daenerys wearing a [[tokar]] and adopting the guise of a lady of [[Ghis|Old Ghis]], both in an attempt to win the favor of the Ghiscari population in [[Meereen]]. He specifically pointed that: {{Quote|''"Man wants to be the king o' the rabbits, he best wear a pair o' floppy ears."{{Ref|aDwD|2}} }}
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{{Quote|The [[Second Sons]] have gone over to the [[Yunkai]]'i ... When next I see his ugly face I will open him from throat to groin and rip out his black heart.{{Ref|aDwD|36}}|[[Daario Naharis]]}}
 
 
He sent messages concerning the ongoing conflict between Yunkai and [[Astapor]]. Including the outcome of the battle at the Horns of Hazzat, where [[Cleon]] was forced to flee with his new [[Unsullied]] following him in retreat.{{Ref|aDwD|16}} With the [[Siege of Astapor]] over and the victory of the Yunkai, nothing prevented the victors of turning north and atteacking Meereen next. Daenerys and [[Barristan Selmy]] sent messengers to inform her [[bloodrider]]s, the [[Second Sons]], and the [[Stormcrows]]. Summoning them all back to Meereen. Plumm and the Second Sons were the first to arrive, eight days following the royal summons. He immediately asked for a meeting with Daenerys. His message transfered through Selmy. {{Ref|aDwD|30}}
 
 
 
Daenerys greeted him with a hug, which made his eyes crinkle in amusement. He informed Daenerys that news of her intentions to take a husband had already reached him. But nobody told him that Plumm would be the intended husband, a joke which resulted in the two sharing a laugh. But Plumm then turned serious, having brought three Astapori prisoners for interrogation. Following the interrogation, Plumm noted that the three were on horse, and that there would be other refugees arriving on foot. Hundreds or thousands of Astapori refugees by his estimation. Intentionally driven north by the [[Company of the Cat]] and the [[Windblown]]. [[Reznak mo Reznak]] got the implication. Their enemies hoped that Meereen would open its door to these "mouths on feet" and waste its food supplies. {{Ref|aDwD|30}}
 
 
 
Concerning the sick Astapori and the spread of the [[Bloody flux|Pale Mare]], Ben suggested keeping the bad apples from the good. That is to keep the infected ones away from those still healthy. Daenerys dismissed his suggestion in favor of tending to the sick. Brown Ben Plumm was puzzled when Daenerys casually mentioned [[Eroeh]] in the conversation, and asked for clarifications on the identify of that person. When Daenerys started listing the forces loyal to her, Plumm added the dragons to the list. And was informed by Reznak that the dragons were out of control. And that [[Rhaegal]] and [[Viserion]] were in chains. {{Ref|aDwD|30}}
 
 
 
Not amused, Ben Plumm pointed that the Yunkish forces had them outnumbered. Their opponents already had four Ghiscari legions, and three [[mercenary]] companies. There were also rumors of ongoing Yunkai attempts to hire the [[Golden Company]] and [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s. He felt that the dragons were needed for the coming conflict. But Daenerys turned down his proposal to set loose the dragons. Upon hearing it, Plumm pointed an alternative solution. Leaving Meereen before the "Yunkish bastards" manage to close their trap and start the siege. Asking the slavers to pay them the same price that Dothraki [[Khal]]s demand to leave Ghiscari cities in peace. Meereen would be sold back to the Ghiscari. Leaving Daenerys and her forces free to march west with wagons full of gold, gems and other riches. She turned down the proposal. {{Ref|aDwD|30}}
 
 
 
When the conversation turned to organizing a defense for Meereen, Plumm asked for input from [[Daario Naharis]]. As the Stormcrows would be necessary in the coming struggle. But Daenerys pointed that Daario and the Stormcrows were still absent. She suggested using the Second Sons to scout out enemy movements. Plumm accepted the mission. But asked for additional provisions, fresh horses. When Daenerys agreed and tasked Selmy with gathering the necessary resources, Plumm had a second demand. He asked for a few bags of gold and gems. Which he could use to buy out the mercenary captains of their enemies. Daenerys agreed immediately and tasked Reznak with gathering the necessary funds. {{Ref|aDwD|30}} When the Stormcrows finally arrived, Daario brought news that the Yunkai'i now had four mercenary companies. Brown Ben and his Second Sons had defected to their enemies. {{Ref|aDwD|36}}
 
 
 
His defection caused varying reactions in the court of Meereen. Daenerys was speechless with shock, feeling betrayed. "Would she never have a friend that she could trust?" Daario swore to kill Brown Ben when next they met.
 
Reznak was wailing. [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] was muttering darkly. The bloodriders were swearing vengeance. [[Belwas]] swore to eat the heart of the defector. Only Selmy failed to have a visible reaction. An insecure Daenerys had Naario promise to never turn against her. Though she admitted to have trusted Brown Ben more than she trusted the "fickle, treacherous" Naario. {{Ref|aDwD|36}}
 
 
 
A day prior to the wedding of Daenerys and [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]],  [[Galazza Galare]] asked to have a private meeting with the bride. Apparently to scold the Queen for sleeping with Naario. Daenerys refuses the request, claiming she has no time, and asks the [[Green Grace]] to speak in open court. When Galare openly speaks of the presumptions of a certain sellsword captain, Daenerys gets the message. But has to pretend that the priestess is speaking about Brown Ben Plumm and his recent treason. hoping that the various petitioners and strangers in the room would miss the actual content of the conversation. By implication,  the defection of Brown Ben is known throughout Meereen. While the sexual relationship between the Queen and the Captain remains a secret still shared by few members of the court. {{Ref|aDwD|43}} At dawn, In private conversation, Naario prepares for one last sortie. Promising to bring the head of Brown Ben as a wedding gift. Though Dany would prefer flowers instead of heads. Dany realizes that if he manages to take the head of Brown Ben, his next move would be to walk into the wedding feast and throw it at her feet. His not-so-subtle way of proving miself better than Hizdahr. {{Ref|aDwD|43}}
 
 
 
During the Yunkai slave market held outside [[Meereen]], Plumm saw Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] being sold on the auction block, and planned to buy them both {{Ref|aDwD|47}}: Mormont to kill and give as a wedding "gift" to Daenerys{{Ref|aDwD|50}} and Tyrion for the lordship claim offered by [[Cersei Lannister]]. {{ref|adwd|47}} {{Ref|aDwD|57}} Plumm was outbid on them both however by [[Yezzan zo Qaggaz]]. Tyrion had never heard of Plumm, but [[Sweets]] later gave the new slave the basic information on the mercenary captain. {{Ref|aDwD|47}}
 
 
 
Plumm later plays a series of [[Cyvasse]] games with Tyrion, who describes Plumm thus:
 
 
 
{{Quote|''"Plumm had an amiable look to him, especially when he smiled. The faithful retainer, every man's favorite nuncle, full of chuckles and old sayings and roughspun wisdom. It was all a sham. Those smiles never reached Plumm's eyes, where greed hid behind a veil of caution. Hungry but wary this one".''{{Ref|aDwD|47}}}}
 
[[Tyrion]]’s shrewd assessment of the sellsword is in stark contrast with [[Daenerys]]’s erroneous and somewhat naive judgment of Ben, on learning of his betrayal she remembers Ben’s face the last time she had seen it:
 
{{Quote|It was a warm face, a face I trusted. {{Ref|aDwD|36}}}}
 
 
 
Ben Plumm had initially suggested that the stakes of the game should be ownership of Yollo (Tyrion). If he won, the dwarf would belong to him. Yezzan refused, but had a counter-offer. Plumm would win a sum of gold equal to the price of the valuable slave. Tyrion won their first game, then Plumm played for double the stakes and took the second game. Tyrion won their third, fourth, and fifth (and last)game. With "Yollo" winning four to one. Tyrion was able to learn more of his opponent through his way of playing. Plumm was a bad player, "stolid" (unemotional, or impassive) and "tenacious" (stubborn) at the same time. He delivered five different opening arrays for their games. But each array was similar in style: conservative, defensive, and passive. Tyrion estimated that Plumm does not actually play to win, he plays to avoid defeat. The dwarf felt confident that he could win again in future games. {{Ref|aDwD|47}} In a later assessment of Ben based on his playing style, Tyrion argues that Ben is shrewd, tenacious, not unintelligent, and wary. Letting his opponents take the risks while he sits back, keeps his options open, and reacting to the changing conditions of a battlefield. {{Ref|aDwD|57}} Ben Plumm lost large sums in his game with Tyrion, leaving the tent "considerably impoverished". While Yezzan got "considerably richer" thanks to Yollo. {{Ref|aDwD|47}}
 
 
 
Ben, along with the other three sellsword commanders, was allowed to enter [[Meereen]] when peace was declared after Daenerys's marriage to [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]]. The Windblown were represented by the [[Tattered Prince]], the [[Long Lances]] by [[Gylo Rhegan]], the Company of the Cat by [[Bloodbeard]]. While Hizdahr entertained guests at the garden, Dany found herself face to face with Brown Ben. He explained to Dany the reasons he turned his cloak. The Second Sons joined the winning side, like they did before. Like they did when they joined Daenerys. The decision was not fully his. He brought the matter for consideration to his men, and they jointly decided. He also points that even for sellswords "it's not all about the coin." Silver and gold are worthless to the dead.
 
{{Ref|aDwD|50}} :
 
 
 
{{Quote|''"My Boys didn't care to die, that's all, and when I told the that you couldn't unleash them dragons against the Yunkishmen..."''.{{Ref|aDwD|50}}}}
 
  
Dany realizes that Ben (and the Second Sons) saw her as already defeated without her dragons. She fears that they have a point. When Ben warns her that "You don't never want to trust a sellsword", Daenerys points that the man already taught her that lesson. She would have to "thank" him for the lesson one day. Brown Ben gets the message. "I know the sort o' thanks you have in mind." He ends the conversation by bowing before the Queen and moving away. {{Ref|aDwD|50}} Daenerys had a hidden Selmy nearby during the conversation. He overheard most of what was said. Danny contemplates paying someone to assassinate Ben Plumm. Having in mind one of his own Second Sons. She asks the advise of Selmy on the matter, but the knight points that assassinations are not in his area of expertise. {{Ref|aDwD|50}}  
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{{Quote|A warm smile, that. Friendly. But my, those eyes are cold.{{Ref|aDwD|47}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}
  
Brown Ben attends the games celebrating the re-opening of the [[fighting pits]]. The various mercenaries attendind are placed at the black and purple benches, the highest seats and those most distant from the pits. They share their seats with freedmen and common folk. Daenerys notes that the mercenary captains, officers, and common soldiers are seated together. With no distinction of rank. {{Ref|aDwD|52}}
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{{Quote|Brown Ben is shrewd, tenacious, not unintelligent … but wary.{{Ref|aDwD|57}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
  
While [[Yezzan zo Qaggaz]] is dying of the Pale Mare, Tyrion decides to escape. Leading Jorah Mormont and [[Penny]] in first a successful escape, and then in seeking refuge with the [[Second Sons]]. Counting on Brown Ben still wanting them in his possession. Ben accepts them in his camp and warns his men to keep silent about it. Tyrion already believed that Plumm was aware of his real identity and worth. Pointing that the small risk of harboring escaped slaves could get Plumm great gain.Since [[House Plumm]] is from [[The Westerlands]], sworn to [[Casterly Rock]], Tyrion was already familiar with Ben's family history. {{Ref|aDwD|57}}
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{{Quote|I hear you're twice a turncloak, Plumm. A man after mine own heart.{{Ref|aDwD|57}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
  
Tyrion advises Plumm against decapitating him and claiming Cersei's reward. By the time Plumm could arrive in Westeros, only the skull would remain. Cersei would deny the head belonged to her brother, and leave him empty-handed. Pointing that Queens are fickle, and Cersei is the worst of them in that respect. He volunteers himself and Mormont as new recruits for the Second Sons. Brown Ben recognizes Jorah, as a former Second Son. But finds the man less proud than he remembered. Tyrion attempts to use his former companions [[Bronn]], [[Shagga]], and [[Timett]] as references for a partnership. But Ben has never heard of them, suspects that the names are made up, and points that Shagga sounds like a feminine name. {{Ref|aDwD|57}}
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==References==
 
 
Plumm eventually allowed the dwarf Tyrion Lannister and Ser Jorah to join the [[Second Sons]] after they escaped their dying master . Tyrion wrote out sixty documents promising large sums of gold to several high ranking members in the company. To Plumm he promised the largest reward of "One hundred thousand gold dragons, fifty [[w:Hide_(unit)|hides]] of fertile land, a castle and a lordship". All this Tyrion promised to honor when he becomes Lord of [[Casterly Rock]]; how Tyrion persuaded the Second Sons he would achieve this remains a mystery.{{Ref|aDwD|66}}
 
 
 
Brown Ben makes sure that all the documents are signed "Tyrion of House Lannister", not "Yollo" or "Hugor Hill". Threatening Tyrion in a darkly humorous way in case the dwarf uses a false signature. Tyrion points that there 500 Second Sons (the exact number 513 when not counting Tyrion himself), but only one-in-ten receive a payment note. Brown Ben points that the Second Sons are like a family. Already familiar with the practices of [[House Lannister]], Tyrion gets the point. All families have valued members and "drooling cousins". {{Ref|aDwD|66}}
 
 
 
Brown Ben assigns Tyrion to the department of [[Tybero Istarion]]. Tasked with keeping books, counting coin, writing contracts and letters. Essentially tasked with all the bureaucracy of the Second Sons. He also orders Tyrion to stay away from the [[Prostitution|camp followers]]. Pointing that most of the women are "poxy" and all tend to spread tales. He intends to keep Tyrion's presence in the company a well-guarded secret until they can get to [[Westeros]]. He considers disguising Penny as a boy. {{Ref|aDwD|66}}
 
 
 
==Quotes==
 
{{Quote|"Never trust a sellsword" {{Ref|aDwD|50}}}}
 
 
 
==Quotes about Ben==
 
{{Quote|''"A warm smile, that. Friendly. But my, those eyes are cold"''. {{Ref|aDwD|47}}}} [[Tyrion Lannister]], on the smile and eyes of Brown Ben
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|He studied [[Tyrion]] as a man might study a talking snake. {{Ref|aDwD|57}}}}
 
 
 
==References and Notes==
 
 
{{references|2}}
 
{{references|2}}
  
 
[[Category:House Plumm]]
 
[[Category:House Plumm]]
[[Category:Mercenaries]]
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[[Category:Second Sons|Plumm, Ben]]
[[Category:Second Sons]]
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[[Category:Mercenaries|Plumm, Ben]]
[[Category:Valyrians|Plumm, Ben]]
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[[Category:Courtiers and followers of Daenerys Targaryen|Plumm, Ben]]
[[Category:Courtiers and followers of Daenerys|Plumm, Ben]]
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[[es:Ben Plumm]][[fr:Brun Ben Prünh]][[zh:本·普棱]]
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[[fr:Brun Ben Prünh]]
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[[ru:Бурый Бен Пламм]]

Revision as of 18:15, 23 February 2019

Second Sons small.png
Ben Plumm
Second Sons small.png
Brown Ben Plumm TheMico.jpg
Ben Plumm, by TheMico©

Alias Brown Ben Plumm
Titles
Allegiances
Race Mixed
Books

Ben Plumm, better known as Brown Ben Plumm, is the captain and commander of the Second Sons.

Appearance

See also: Images of Ben Plumm

Ben is an aging man, but still fit.[1] He has a broad, weathered face, brown skin, a broken nose, and grey-white hair.[2] He has a salt and pepper beard.[1] He has large, dark, almond-shaped Dothraki eyes that he inherited from his mother.[3] There are wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.[2]

History

Ben's mother is a Dothraki, and his grandmother was half-Ibbenese and half-Qohorik. His grandfather was killed by a Dothraki prior to Ben's birth.[3]

Ben says he is part Braavosi, Summer Islander, Ibbenese, Qohorik, Dornish, Dothraki, and Westerosi. He claims to have a drop of Targaryen blood, which must be why dragons, particularly Viserion, have an affinity for him.[3] He states an old member of House Plumm married a "dragon princess". He vaguely says that the wedding took place in the reign of Aegon Targaryen. Daenerys points out that there were five Aegons who reigned in Westeros and asks which one, but Ben fails to remember the regnal number requested.[3] Tyrion Lannister suspects him to be a distant descendant of a younger son of Viserys Plumm and a possible distant relation to the famous Ossifer Plumm, and that Ben thus has "two drops" of dragon blood, not just one,[4] as Viserys Plumm was rumored to have been fathered by King Aegon IV Targaryen on Princess Elaena Targaryen, Ossifer's wife.[5]

Ben once served as a bodyguard to the uncle of Oznak zo Pahl in Meereen, before joining the Second Sons. When someone Ben knew was killed by Oznak for looking at a woman the wrong way, Ben fled, escaping the city through its sewer system, an experience that haunts him.[4]

While plundering after his first battle with the Second Sons, Plumm took some leather armor from a dead sellsword, and discovered a fortune of coins the man had sewn into the lining of the armor. In his naivety, Ben told a fellow sellsword whom he believed a friend. The fellow sellsword told their sergeant and his colleagues relieved him of his fortune. Ben loves gold, but this incident made him realize that it is useless if one is not alive to enjoy it.[6]

Ben claims to have fought in a hundred battles but he does not claim to have fought bravely in all of them.[3]

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Ben is elected as the new commander of the Second Sons after Mero disappears during the fight at Yunkai. He sits on Daenerys Targaryen's war council. It is his idea to use the sewer system of Meereen as a route to besiege the city.[3]

A Dance with Dragons

Daenerys sends Brown Ben and the Second Sons to guard the south against any incursions by Yunkai.[7] When Plumm returns to the city and discovers Daenerys could no longer control her dragons, he decides her cause is lost and goes over to the Yunkai'i.[2][6]

During the slave market held outside Meereen, Plumm sees Jorah Mormont and Tyrion Lannister being sold and attempts to buy them,[1] with a mind to delivering Mormont's head to Daenerys as a wedding gift,[6] and Tyrion's to Cersei Lannister to claim the reward of a lordship.[4] However, he is outbid by Yezzan zo Qaggaz.

Ben is present when Yezzan zo Qaggaz feasts the Yunkish commanders. He plays cyvasse with Tyrion, losing the games to Tyrion, and a small fortune to Yezzan.[1]

Ben, along with the other three sellsword commanders, is allowed to enter Meereen when peace is declared. He explains to Dany the reasons he turned his cloak.[6] Plumm allows Tyrion along with Jorah to join the Second Sons after they escape their dying master. Tyrion writes sixty documents promising large sums of gold to several high ranking members in the company. To Plumm he promises the largest reward of "One hundred thousand gold dragons, fifty hides of fertile land, a castle and a lordship". All this Tyrion promises to honor when he becomes Lord of Casterly Rock.[8]

Family

Ossifer
 
Elaena
Targaryen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Viserys
 
Unknown
wife
 
Petyr
 
Maynard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Son(s)
 
Younger
son
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Plumm
 
Unknown
Dothraki
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Philip
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
Ben
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dennis
 
Peter
 
Harwyn
 

Quotes by Ben

There are old sellswords and bold sellswords, but no old bold sellswords.[3]

Quotes about Ben

The Second Sons have gone over to the Yunkai'i ... When next I see his ugly face I will open him from throat to groin and rip out his black heart.[2]

A warm smile, that. Friendly. But my, those eyes are cold.[1]

Tyrion Lannister's thoughts

Brown Ben is shrewd, tenacious, not unintelligent … but wary.[4]

I hear you're twice a turncloak, Plumm. A man after mine own heart.[4]

References