Difference between revisions of "Ben Plumm"

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==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|"Never trust a sellsword"}}
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{{Quote|"Never trust a sellsword"}} {{Ref|aDwD|50}}
  
 
==Quotes about Ben==
 
==Quotes about Ben==

Revision as of 21:21, 15 July 2012

House Plumm.PNG Ben Plumm House Plumm.PNG
Brown Ben Plumm1.jpg
Commercial art by Patrick McEvoy. Posted in the "Card Guide Wiki"

Alias Brown Ben Plumm
Title Commander of the Second Sons
Allegiance Second Sons
Books

Ben Plumm, better known as Brown Ben Plumm, is the commander of the mercenary company called the Second Sons.

Appearance

Ben is described as "an older man", tall and still fit. [1] He has a broad face, brown skin, a broken nose and nappy grey/white hair.[2] He has a salt and pepper beard[1] He has Dothraki eyes that he inherited from his mother, they are large, dark and almond-shaped, .[3] There are wrinkles at the corner of his eyes.[2] Plumm says his is part Braavosi, Summer Islander, Ibbenese, Qohorik, Dothraki, Dornish and part Westerosi. He claims to have a drop of 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. Daenerys points that there were five Aegons who reigned in Westeros and asks which one, but Ben fails to remember the regnal number requested. [3]

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 Dothtraki, prior to the birth of Ben. [3] His ancestor was reportedly famous for having a cock six-foot-long. [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.[4]Ossifer reportedly fathered a child when already dead and buried. [5] Tyrion also claims that Brown Ben has "two drops" of dragon blood, not just one. [4]

History

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. [3] 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.[3]

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, Plumm also learned to never trust a sellsword. So Plumm chooses his battles very carefully. [6]He once served near Volantis where he learned the game of Cyvasse. [1]

Brown Ben claims to have fought in a hundred battles but he doesn't claim to have fought bravely in all of them.[3] As he often says:

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

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

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". [3]

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 . [3]

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. [3]

With Meereen successfully captured, Danny took her breakfast in the 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. [7]

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. [7]

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. [7]

When Daenerys decided to stop her advance towards the west and stay in Meereen, Brown Ben argued that "there is nothing to stay for". [7]

A Dance with Dragons

Daenerys sent Brown Ben and the Second Sons to guard the south against any incursions by Yunkai.[8] He was one of the advisors in favor of Daenerys wearing a tokar and adopting the guise of a lady of Old Ghis, both in an attempt to win the favor of the Ghiscari population in Meereen. He specifically pointed that:

"Man wants to be the king o' the rabbits, he best wear a pair o' floppy ears."[8]

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.[9] 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 bloodriders, 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. [10]

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. [10]

Concerning the sick Astapori and the spread of the 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. [10]

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 khalasars. 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 Khals 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. [10]

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. [10] 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. [2]

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. [2]

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. [11] 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. [11]

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 [1]: Mormont to kill and give as a wedding "gift" to Daenerys[6] and Tyrion for the lordship claim offered by Cersei Lannister. [1] [4] 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. [1]

Plumm later plays a series of Cyvasse games with Tyrion, who describes Plumm thus:

"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".[1]

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:

It was a warm face, a face I trusted. [2]

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. [1] 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. [4] Ben Plumm lost large sums in his game with Tyrion, leaving the tent "considerably impoverished". While Yezzan got "considerably richer" thanks to Yollo. [1]

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. [6] :

"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...".[6]

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. [6] 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. [6]

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. [4]

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. [4]

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 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.[12]

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". [12]

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 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. [12]

Quotes

"Never trust a sellsword"

[6]

Quotes about Ben

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

Tyrion Lannister, on the smile and eyes of Brown Ben

References and Notes