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A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover

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Dear science... I've been staring at the plate tectonics for a while now and Planetos is a mess. Especially Westeros. There should be volcanic activity in the everywhere...
 
Did we ever check to see if something messed with Rhaegar; like with the group at Summerhall? Was it another imp for being, or was it just Rhaegar lost in his own convictions/madness?
 
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Part MMDCCXXXV: Duel of Flame, Trials of Ice
  • Threadmarks
    • Duel of Flame, Trials of Ice​

    Twenty-Ninth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    Amrelath makes no pretense of humanity as he descends into the Circle a second time, the shadow of his wings turning the light of the sun red as blood for a moment. Yet gasps of fright are not all he is greeted with. Some of your subjects manifestly think that any dragon who is on their side is worth cheering for, even if his presence turns their blood to ice. He does not speak, waiting for the call of the horns, waiting to judge the measure of his foes.

    As battle is joined the Green Man Oddric tries to bind him with coiling vines as he had done with the Scholarum mages. The vines grow thick and tall, coiling around limbs and binding wings, then the ancient dragon roars, the sound shaking the very stones of the arena, as vines crack and shatter. Beholding this the druid is struck by the sheer weight of dragon awe and turns to flee, his shadowcat moving to follow, but the bard calls out a battle song in the tongue of the First Men and so the weight of fear is lifted.

    "Come down here and fight!" Alysane shouts up at the wyrm, her voice a roar to almost match the dragon's.

    "Why would I bother?" Amrelath hisses, smoke and fire spilling from the edges of his jaw. His claws rend the air, his tail lashes, and with each a gash or wound appears upon the she-bear's fur. His jaws snap close and her right leg breaks under her as she falls bleeding onto the sands.

    An eagle manifests, trying to pick at his great burning eyes, but he carelessly plucks it from the air and flings it down, the conjured being already falling to mist... an arrow clatters harmlessly against the scales of his belly, leaving Walter cursing.

    Thrice more Amrelath repeats his arcane attack, beginning with the singer to make absolutely sure no one would manage to wound him again.

    For their part, the Northerners endure with utter stubbornness and do not ask for quarter until the last of them, Wyl, lies bleeding on the sands.

    ***​

    You find Alysane in about as poor a mood as you had feared after the dreadfully uneven battle, though thankfully she is not one to let her resentment spill over too much. She accepts the suggestion that you send a message to her uncle Jeor and from there to her mother on Bear Island, though you can see her worry over how Jeor will react to news of his son's capture clear upon her face. She sighs: "May the Old Gods forgive me for saying this about my own cousin, but I almost wish he chooses the sword over the Black. I do not think his father would bear the sight of him at the Wall."

    "He could assign him to Eastwatch or the Shadow Tower, even the Nighfort now that it has been reclaimed," you point out, sharing her concerns for the Lord Commander. The man has enough burdens to bear without the grief of his honorless fool of a son added to them.

    Alysane shakes her head. "He'd feel it's his responsibility to keep Jorah beneath his eye to make sure he does not break his vows and die a traitor twice over."

    That does sound like the Old Bear, you think with a sigh. "Well, that is out of all our hands now. There is no magic I know to turn back the clock and persuade Jorah from his folly. The best we can all do is ensure that justice is done, one way or another..."

    ***​

    Maester Aemon is prompt as ever in replying to the brazier's call. He reports that he will have an answer from Bear Island in the morning while also sharing some more news of the doings of the Watch and the foes they have faced.

    A thing of rattling chains and dead air had been disturbed from its slumber in the depths of Nightfort by the sounds of hammers clanging and stones being set aright. Between the sunrod's light and Valyrian Steel in the right hands the thing had been slain by the rangers on watch without losing any of their number, though it had been to the credit of a surprising ally. A wildling shaman garbed in green and wearing a belt festooned with holy symbols had approached the Wall and offered healing in the name of the Old Gods that very night. The word 'Bloodraven' hangs unspoken in the whispered conversation between you and the ancient maester. Another step towards making the Watch set its sight upon the greater foe...

    In the specter's lair was the corpses of dozens, perhaps hundreds of victims taken over the centuries, mostly dry bones bound in rusted chains, but one of them was bearing an ancient talisman meant to ward against curses and fel magics, and a still green loop of vines worn around the wrist from which might spring leaves like daggers. Though they had not proven lucky for its last bearer, Jeor was quick to claim them both for the Watch. After some deliberation, the wildling Vynar who had both healed the fallen and discovered the virtues of the enchantments was given leave to pass through the Wall so long as he swore not to break the peace of the North. Given that you suspect Bloodraven's hand upon him you doubt anyone would catch him breaking the peace.

    ***​

    Thirtieth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    The morning brings news just as you had expected. Maege Mormont wishes Jorah delivered to Bear Island as quickly as can be, 'by sorcery, by dragon, or any other means'. House Mormont had borne the weight of one of their own fleeing from justice for far too long. She would, however, prefer if you did not show yourself openly in delivering him. 'A mage in the service of Viserys Targaryen' would be easier to explain away than a claimant to the Iron Throne being given guest right on Bear Island.

    Still, Alysane directly acknowledges House Mormont's debt for capturing Jorah, adding that this is a matter for you or your envoy to discuss with her mother.

    Who do you send to Bear Island and how do you greet Maege Mormont?

    [] Write in

    OOC: With the duel being as short as it was and the discussion with Alysane being also relatively straightforward I took the opportunity to roll for events at the Wall. It was an interesting set of rolls. The Wraith the Black Brothers fought was the thing that came in the night. I rolled for it waking up when you sent Valaena and company there but it did not stir. On the other hand the sheer number of people returning with the reclamation effort woke its hunger.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Azel said:
    Dear science... I've been staring at the plate tectonics for a while now and Planetos is a mess. Especially Westeros. There should be volcanic activity in the everywhere...
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    I've never really thought much about it and my science knowledge is weak, but barring extreme supernatural explanations, Planetos must have some sort of oddly eccentric orbit and/or erratic axial tilt.

    Unusually dense planetary crust/mantle nearer to the surface on one "side" of the planet?

    Ugh, my ignorance shows... :oops:
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Duel of Flame, Trials of Ice ​

    Twenty-Ninth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    Amrelath makes no pretense of humanity as he descends into the arena a second time, the shadow of his wings turning the light of the sun red for as blood a moment. Yet gasps of fright are not all he is greeted with. Some of your subjects manifestly think that any dragon who is on their side is worth cheering for, even if his presence turns their blood to ice. He does not speak, waiting for the call of the horns, waiting to judge the measure of his foes.

    As battle is joined. the Green Man Oddric tries to bind him with coiling vines as he had done the scholarium mages. The vines grow thick and tall, coiling around limbs and binding wings, then the ancient dragon roars, the sound shaking the very stones of the arena, as vines crack and shatter. Beholding this the druid is struck by the sheer weight of dragon awe and turns to flee, his shadowcat moving to follow, but the bard calls out a battle song in the tongue of the First Men and so the weight of fear is lifted.

    "Come down here and fight!" Alysane shouts up at the wyrm, her voice a roar to almost match the dragon's.

    "Why would I bother?" Amrelath hisses, smoke and fire spilling from the edges of his jaw. His claws rend the air, his tail lashes and with each a gash or wound appears upon she she-bear's fur. His jaws snap closed and her right leg breaks under her and she falls bleeding into the sands.
    An eagle manifests trying to pick at his great burning eyes, but he carelessly plucks it from the air and flings to down, the conjured being already falling to mist... an arrow clatters harmlessly against the scales of his belly, leaving Walter cursing.

    Thrice more Amrelath repeats his arcane attack, beginning with the singer to make absolutely sure no one would manage to wound him again.

    For their part, the Northerners endure with utter stubbornness and do not ask for quarter until the last of them, Wyl, lies bleeding on the sands.

    ***​

    You find Alysane in about as poor a mood as you had feared after the dreadfully uneven battle, though thankfully he is not one to let her resentment spill over too much. She accepts the suggestion that you send a message to her uncle Jeor and from there to her mother on Bear Island, though you can see her worry for how Jeor will react to news of his son's capture clear upon her face. She sighs: "May the Old Gods forgive for saying this about my own cousin, but I almost wish he chooses the sword over the Black. I do not think his father would bear the sight of him at the Wall."

    "He could assign him to Eastwatch or the Shadow Tower, even the Nighfort now that it has been reclaimed," you point out, sharing her concerns for the Lord Commander. The man has enough burdens to bear without the grief of his honorless fool of a son added to them.

    Alysane shakes her head. "He'd feel it's his responsibility to keep Jorah beneath his eye to make sure he does not break his vows and die a traitor twice over."

    That does sound like the Old Bear. You sigh. "Well that is out of all our hands now. There is no magic I know to turn back the clock and persuade Jorah from his folly. The best we can all do is ensure that justice is done, one way or another..."

    ***​

    Maester Aemon is prompt as ever in replying to the brazier's call, he reports that he will have an answer from Bear Island in the morning while also sharing some more news of the doings of the Watch and the foes they have faced.

    A thing of rattling chains and dead air had been disturbed from its slumber in the depths of the fortress by the sounds of hammers clanging and stones being set aright. Between the sunrod's light and dragonsteel in the right hands, the thing had been slain by the rangers on watch, without losing any of their number, though it had been to the credit of a surprising ally. A wildling shaman garbed in green and wearing a belt festooned with holy symbols had approached the Wall and offered healing in the name of the Old Gods that very night. The word 'Bloodraven' hangs unspoken in the whispered conversation between you and the ancient Maester. Another step towards making the Watch set its sight upon the greater foe...

    In the specter's lair the corpses of dozens, perhaps hundreds of victims taken over the centuries had been unearthed, mostly dry bones bound in rusted chains, but one of them was bearing an ancient talisman meant to ward against curses and fell magics and a still green loop of vines worn around the wrist from which might spring leaves like daggers. Though they had not proven lucky for its last bearer, Jeor was quick to claim them both for the Watch. After some deliberation, the wildling Vynar who had both healed the fallen and discovered the virtues of the enchantments was given leave to pass though the Wall so long as he swore not to break the peace of the North. Given that you suspect Bloodraven's hand upon him you doubt anyone would catch him breaking the peace.

    ***​

    Thirtieth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    The morning brings news just as you had expected. Maege Mormont wishes Jorah delivered to Bear Island as quickly as can be, 'by sorcery, by dragoon or any other means'. House Mormont had borne the weight of one of their own fleeing from justice for far too long. She would, however, prefer if you did not show yourself openly in delivering him. 'A mage in the service of Viserys Targaryen' would be easier to explain away than a claimant to the Iron Throne being given guest right on Bear Island.

    Still Alysane directly acknowledges House Mormont's debt for capturing Jorah, adding that that is a matter for you or your envoy to discuss with her mother.

    Who do you send to Bear Island and how do you greet Maege Mormont?

    [] Write in

    OOC: With the duel being as short as it was and the discussion with Alysane also relatively straightforward I took the opportunity to roll for events at the Wall. It was an interesting set of rolls. The Wraith the Black Brothers fought was the Thing that Came in the Night. I rolled for it waking up when you sent Valaena and company there but it did not stir, on the other hand the sheer number of people returning with the reclamation effort woke its hunger.
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    Made some minor edits to the chapter, DP, in the quoted text above this. Mostly just some misspelled words or missing commas.

    Good to see Amrelath properly Dragoning. "If you puny mortals can't come up here and fight me, why should I wallow upon the earth like a hairless monkey? Fairness?" <insert Draconic belly laugh>
     
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    @Duesal How much Valyrian Steel have we got in the stockpile right now?

    Maybe greeting Maege might be enhanced by returning her daughter and her companions with VS weapons and armor, where appropriate, with a gift for the Lady of Bear Island as well? We could part with some other minor gear, too, such as a PfE ring and Healing Belt for each of Team Bear.
     
    [X] Smoky Confinement Jorah, then let the Harbinger deliver him and talk with Maege Mormont about her plans for the time when the Targ banner flies above Kings Landing again.
     
    Goldfish said:
    @Duesal How much Valyrian Steel have we got in the stockpile right now?

    Maybe greeting Maege might be enhanced by returning her daughter and her companions with VS weapons and armor, where appropriate, with a gift for the Lady of Bear Island as well? We could part with some other minor gear, too, such as a PfE ring and Healing Belt for each of Team Bear.
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    I wouldn't give them any VS unless Maege finds a deep well of loyalty to us. It would be another matter if Bearlady were willing to stay in SD and work for us.
     
    [X] Plan Bear Island, the Dragoning
    -[X] Viserys and Richard, suitably disguised to prevent casual observers from learning their identities, will Teleport to Bear Island, along with Team Bear and Jorah Mormont.
    --[X] Before departing, assist in the directed Reincarnation of Wyl to transform him from a Redcap into a Child of the Forest.
    --[X] Each member of Team Bear will be given a Ring of Protection from Evil, a Healing Belt, a +1 weapon of their choice, and a Masterwork Duskwood Composite Longbow (Strength bonus adjusted to match them). We have a +1 Quarterstaff for the Druid, if he would like it, considering that he cannot use metal weapons.
    -[X] Greet Maege Mormont cordially but without undue praise or flattery, compliment her daughter and her companions for their dogged determination in hunting Jorah across the width and breadth of Planetos, but do not discuss the politics of the North unless she starts it. Instead focus on the economic opportunities available to Bear Island should they enter into a trade agreement with the Imperium (such as operating whaling ships out of Bear Island, purchasing timber and furs, etc).
    --[X] If she is willing to accept it, leave a Lesser False Raven with Maege so that she can more easily, and more importantly, secretly, contact Jeor or Aemon at the Wall, should it prove necessary.
     
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    Azel said:
    Not really possible unless we build a western port for the Nightwatch and use them as intermediates.
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    That's not the point. It's more about the conversation than the results. No politics, unless Maege mentions it, but instead something to increase the prosperity of her people and her family. If nothing comes of it, that's fine, and if something does but it's not profitable for us in the short-term, that's fine, too. I just want to establish friendly relations of some kind, even if that's just buying furs and timber from them at a premium.
     
    Goldfish said:
    That's not the point. It's more about the conversation than the results. No politics, unless Maege mentions it, but instead something to increase the prosperity of her people and her family. If nothing comes of it, that's fine, and if something does but it's not profitable for us in the short-term, that's fine, too. I just want to establish friendly relations of some kind, even if that's just buying furs and timber from them at a premium.
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    I would rather ask them if they would be amenable to have Bear Island serve as the harbour of a few whaling ships that are totally unrelated to us.
     
    So looking forward to the upcoming Team Ringer vs Team Arcanum fight, how would you guys feel about Asha asking to borrow some stuff from your armory for Walder? She feels that him going against them with no magic equipment would make him almost more of a liability than help.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    So looking forward to the upcoming Team Ringer vs Team Arcanum fight, how would you guys feel about Asha asking to borrow some stuff from your armory for Walder? She feels that him going against them with no magic equipment would make him almost more of a liability than help.
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    We can easily set him up with a PfE item, healing belt, magic weapon and magic armor. Seems fair enough to me.
     
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