A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover
- Thread starter DragonParadox
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- a song of ice and fire a sword without a hilt d&d 3.5 dungeons & dragons 100% high octane dragon fuel ave corvidae battle action dragon diplomacy best sister bureaucromancy delicious soul-stuff dragon dreams come true dragon ta'veren greatest uncle hubris is a coward's word in defiance of gods and men mammon's folly mutually assured mage's disjunction qm murderhobo top tier coatl
Canon Omake: The New Order
Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
The New Order
Ninth Day of the Tenth Month 293 AC
Gerold Torchwood strode into the command pavilion with a purpose, the two massive assault troopers guarding the entrance saluting him by reflex even as he paid them no heed. His 'angelic' escort trailed in his wake, pausing only to pay Trooper Tarion her compliments for his performance a week prior during initial engagements with the Rebels, Gerold noted, one of the few times he had participated in the campaign from the front. The legionnaire bore the praise with stoic discipline and humble dismissal, making the slight smile from Ranael relatively effusive by comparison to her normal demeanor.
Gerold wondered if it was because of the rumors of how she had sent two squads to an infirmary for carousing and getting just a touch too friendly with her.
At anyrate, Pentos had never given up the practice of having 'concerned citizens' act as the local watch, and one they might have once bribed, the fact of the matter was that for the most part only a solid core of them had any practical military experience, with the rest being little better than armed thugs, and all were equal in his eyes far as he was concerned, complicit only-in-so-far that they imagined their former employers had too high a stake in retaining their slaves-in-fact if not name, whereas the Crown's forces and the Braavosi would give the choice of the Post or at best five years in penitent labor gangs working to gain skills other than those that wouldn't bear any use in a city without slums.
Gerold's logic was that if they had the short-sighted inclination to take those bastards' coin in the first place, they would just be tools to be utilized by other parties at a later date, and it was best to make an example of them now rather than later. It wasn't the same as beating the Lyseni out in the field, but making putting down average dissidents look routine discouraged the common rabble from walking into the Legion's teeth, or so he hoped. A military machine like this shouldn't be used to kill peasants, Gerold thought, in the case it does go that far, just kill the Lords and disperse them back to their fields and homes.
Truth be told Gerold couldn't imagine an Essosi freeman who would fight a real battle without being flashed quite a bit of gold before he had ever laid eyes on any mud or blood. And now the common sellsword was a dying breed. Part of him regretted his part to play in that, given his old calling, the other part exulted in the feeling of being part of something bigger. And if that Dornishman that the King has distracting those captains who stuck around, but more wisely pulled out of this continuing, low-ebb conflict, were of any indication, they too were aware of it.
"My Lady," Gerold greeted the Dragonrider before the long table cordially, the pair surrounded by captains, lieutenants and other officers or experts. He had sent a small detachment to accompany Colonel Aubert Flowers and his delegation to meet the Lorathi, and truth be told he missed the reliable and intrepid knight. Their absence more than made up for by Ranael, who had endured more war and bloodshed than the entire room put together, though most of her advice was direct and cut to the heart of the issue, having little patience for the subtle approach outside of tactics which required their discretion. She took up position by his shoulder, her judging gaze measuring him, and at least thus far finding whatever she saw in those black pools adequate to the task at hand. Colonel Beren strode up and took a seat beside the Crown's agent, who seemed to welcome their presence.
"Lord General," Nettles swallowed. "We cleared out section lotus-four. Sympathizers, but I'm starting to believe most of the Magisters who went to ground managed to make it over the border, or else out to sea. They would have had plenty of time to find their contacts, and I don't know any successful merchant who doesn't at least have some dealings with smugglers who could get them past even a Braavosi blockade." Her faint Narrow Sea islander accent gave him the impression she would know better than he, even for all the awkwardness in dealing with officers in the Legion despite technically outranking everyone in the room bar himself. And practically speaking he suspected their actual influence was less than equal. You don't throw around your weight casually against someone who commands a dragon, if not the intelligent variety.
"Indeed," Colonel Beren agreed, "the rebels will find it most difficult to put their roots down in the Hills after we have driven them off the Flatlands. The encirclement worked perfectly."
"Excellent work," he told both of them. "That was within my own expectations as well. The problem we face is the entrenched interests from Pentoshi factors who have made arrangements to avoid imprisonment and are currently cooperating, for want of a given term, with the Braavosi in reordering the city and the outlands' administration. We will be done putting down brigands long before we are finished cutting away all of the clerical rot. It will take several reminders to local functionaries before we are through, reminders given by a dragon flying overhead like as not, seeing as how we can't just hang all of them."
"It would be much simpler to do just that," the younger woman muttered. "Begging your pardon, Lord General, but how useful would most of these people be compared to the Braavosi coin counters and scribes pouring in?"
"The scribes will eventually have to move on, for one thing," Gerold told her, thinking about the need for administrators, long-term ones, not just military logisticians turned upon the local potentates and checking their books for discrepancies or relieving miserable slaves or bondsmen of starvation until a harvest can be brought in and distributed fairly. "Their concern right now is fixing what's broken, and then training their replacements. Making the Pentoshi think some if not most of those replacements will come from their own number will reduce future problems." Reduce the number of people the Legion will have to cut down should any get it into their head to lead a populist uprising.
Be it as it may that the Bondsmen and even the freemen living in the outlands now would come to appreciate the rising quality of life, in one or two generations they could come to resent the increasing involvement of the administration on their affairs, whereas before Magisters would often pay their tithes in bribes rather than taxes, using poorly-written legislation as their armor and loopholes as their weapons, and a man with a full belly might be persuaded to think he can cover himself in gold or glory when all he has known is plenty. No one would be having any of those ideas if the Legion continued to grow, though, not without heavy reservations, and being associated with dragons on the wing working in concert, would only add to that image.
He looked upon the illusion painted above the table displaying known rebel holdouts, the spell woven by a mage of the third circle with a Valyrian cast to their features, the androgynous figure in the tent's alcove content to be ignored unless called upon, but their advice still valued for being one of the more experienced sorcerers for hundreds of miles. Men looked to him eagerly for orders, and he conducted an orchestra made to the sound of clashing steel and the march of thousands of booted feet just as often as the scratching of a thousand quills.
"We will crush the rebels to dust and install the New Order above the old, in the name of the Crown," Gerold told his staff, "Again and again."
"Hear, hear," Ranael murmured, true-silver clad fist hitting oak twice to punctuate her words.
OOC: Think it's about time Gerold gained another level of Marshal, @DragonParadox?
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- Location
- Brazil
Wait, they have it too?
I think I remember something like "you can only make one attack with Venomfire per round, as a standard action" when I think of the Nagas and it.
- Location
- Australia
People voted for them to have it to make a good showing at The Tournament, I know they hit harder than Varys does with hers.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
To be fair, they are powerful 12th level spellcasters who have been built, at least to some extent, around using Venomfire.
We paid enough in sacrifices that we definitely earned some powerful minions.
Yssian Guardian Naga x3
Though unflinching servants of the Timeless Serpent thse golden nagas are by no means devoid of their own passions to while away the long ages. Some prefer the rush of battle, others the slow bubbling of achemical concoctions drawn from their own poisons and from the works of of their exacting minds, others yet contemplate the stars or even deign to teach those shorter lived than they even without divine mandate.
Size/Type: Large Magical Best
Hit Dice: 12d8+72 (126 HP)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 40 ft.
Armor Class: 31/33 (-1 size, +7 Dex, +9 Natural, +6 Wisdom, +2 Deflection vs Evil), Touch: 22 (+24 vs Evil), Flat-Footed: 24 (+26 vs Evil)
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+18
Attack:
Special Attacks: Poison, Spit
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., Possession/Mental Control
Saves: Fort +10 (+12 vs Evil), Ref +11 (+13 vs Evil), Will +13 (+15 vs Evil)
Abilities: Str 21 +1(22), Dex 23 +1(24), Con 20 +2(22), Int 16, Wis 19 +1(20), Cha 18 +2(20)
Skills: Concentration +21, Diplomacy +13, Knowledge (Arcana) +18, Listen +18, Sense Motive +20, Spellcraft +18, Spot +18
Feats: Ability Focus (Poison), Eschew MaterialsB, Expanded Arcana (Channel Vigor & Scintillating Sphere), Improved Spit (x2), Practiced Spellcaster, Versatile Spellcaster
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Poison (Ex): Bite (injury) or Spit (contact); save Fort DC 24; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Constitution damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Spells: A Guardian Naga casts spells as a 9th-level Sorcerer (12th caster level), and can cast spells from the Cleric list as well as those normally available to a sorcerer. Cleric spells are considered Arcane spells for a Guardian Naga.
Spit (Ex): A Guardian Naga can spit its venom up to 90 feet as a Standard Action with no Range Increment. Opponents hit by this attack must make successful saves (see above) to avoid the effect.
Spells Known (Caster Level 12):
Level 0 (8/Day): Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Mage Hand, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Read Magic
Level 1 (5+2/Day): Conviction, Cure Light Wounds, Divine Favor, Mage Armor, Shield
Level 2 (4+1/Day): Invisibility, Mirror Image, Scintillating Scales, See Invisibility
Level 3 (3+1/Day): Channel Vigor, Dispel Magic, Dragonskin, Scintillating Sphere, Venomfire
Level 4 (2+1/Day): Divine Power, Flight of the Dragon
Monk's Tail Ring of Healing Vigor (3 charges/day):
Though unflinching servants of the Timeless Serpent thse golden nagas are by no means devoid of their own passions to while away the long ages. Some prefer the rush of battle, others the slow bubbling of achemical concoctions drawn from their own poisons and from the works of of their exacting minds, others yet contemplate the stars or even deign to teach those shorter lived than they even without divine mandate.
Hit Dice: 12d8+72 (126 HP)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 40 ft.
Armor Class: 31/33 (-1 size, +7 Dex, +9 Natural, +6 Wisdom, +2 Deflection vs Evil), Touch: 22 (+24 vs Evil), Flat-Footed: 24 (+26 vs Evil)
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+18
Attack:
- Ranged: Spit +15 (Touch; Poison)
- Melee: Bite +14 (2d6+9 plus Poison) or Unarmed Strike +14/+9 (2d6+6) & Bite +9 (2d6+3 plus Poison)
Special Attacks: Poison, Spit
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., Possession/Mental Control
Saves: Fort +10 (+12 vs Evil), Ref +11 (+13 vs Evil), Will +13 (+15 vs Evil)
Abilities: Str 21 +1(22), Dex 23 +1(24), Con 20 +2(22), Int 16, Wis 19 +1(20), Cha 18 +2(20)
Skills: Concentration +21, Diplomacy +13, Knowledge (Arcana) +18, Listen +18, Sense Motive +20, Spellcraft +18, Spot +18
Feats: Ability Focus (Poison), Eschew MaterialsB, Expanded Arcana (Channel Vigor & Scintillating Sphere), Improved Spit (x2), Practiced Spellcaster, Versatile Spellcaster
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Spells Used:
Speed:
Attack:
Saves: Fort +14 (+16 vs Evil), Ref +16 (+18 vs Evil), Will +17 (+19 vs Evil)
Resistances: Resistance 20 versus Energy type matching chosen Dragonskin spell (Currently Selected: Fire Resistance 20)
Special: Choose one of the following effects which can be changed as a Move Action:
- 1st level (Conviction, Divine Favor, Mage Armor, Shield)
- 2nd level (Mirror Image, Scintillating Scales)
- 3rd level (Channel Vigor, Dragonskin, Venomfire)
- 4th level (Divine Power, Flight of the Dragon)
Speed:
- Ground: 40 ft. + 30 ft. = 70 ft.
- Flight: 100 ft. + 30 ft. = 130 ft. (Average)
Attack:
- Ranged: Spit +22 (Touch; Poison + 12d6 Acid)
- Melee: Bite +23/+23 (2d6+15 plus Poison + 12d6 Acid) or Unarmed Strike +23/+23/+18/+13 (2d6+12) & Bite +18 (2d6+6 plus Poison)
Saves: Fort +14 (+16 vs Evil), Ref +16 (+18 vs Evil), Will +17 (+19 vs Evil)
Resistances: Resistance 20 versus Energy type matching chosen Dragonskin spell (Currently Selected: Fire Resistance 20)
Special: Choose one of the following effects which can be changed as a Move Action:
- Haste (Currently included in above combat stats)
- +4 Competence bonus on Knowledge and Spot or Listen skill checks and on Ranged Attack Rolls.
- +6 Competence bonus on Will saving throws and Bluff and Intimidate checks.
- +6 Competence bonus on Fortitude saving throws and Concentration checks.
Poison (Ex): Bite (injury) or Spit (contact); save Fort DC 24; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Constitution damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Spells: A Guardian Naga casts spells as a 9th-level Sorcerer (12th caster level), and can cast spells from the Cleric list as well as those normally available to a sorcerer. Cleric spells are considered Arcane spells for a Guardian Naga.
Spit (Ex): A Guardian Naga can spit its venom up to 90 feet as a Standard Action with no Range Increment. Opponents hit by this attack must make successful saves (see above) to avoid the effect.
Spells Known (Caster Level 12):
Level 0 (8/Day): Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Mage Hand, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Read Magic
Level 1 (5+2/Day): Conviction, Cure Light Wounds, Divine Favor, Mage Armor, Shield
Level 2 (4+1/Day): Invisibility, Mirror Image, Scintillating Scales, See Invisibility
Level 3 (3+1/Day): Channel Vigor, Dispel Magic, Dragonskin, Scintillating Sphere, Venomfire
Level 4 (2+1/Day): Divine Power, Flight of the Dragon
Monk's Tail Ring of Healing Vigor (3 charges/day):
- Wearer gains the AC (Wisdom bonus + 1) and Unarmed damage of a 5th-level Monk.
- Healing (3 charges/day): 1 charge (Heal 2d8 points of damage), 2 charges (Heal 3d8 points of damage), or 3 charges(Heal 4d8 points of damage)
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Dude, you're writing some really great world building omakes lately.
Gerold sure has come a long way in our service. Like so many of our allies and vassals, we embrace competence and try to raise up those who have the potential to shine.
Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
I feel partially responsible to do some peripheral worldbuiliding for the parts of the quest we insist on keeping track of, yet never devote significant attention toward.
Or why else have a sprawling empire, numerous government institutions and an enormous military?
- Location
- Germany
By now we have Devils besides most of our VIPs, right?
While I'm optmistic this isn't a long con by Asmodeus, it's still a bit unsettling how many governors and generals we might loose if that is the case.
While I'm optmistic this isn't a long con by Asmodeus, it's still a bit unsettling how many governors and generals we might loose if that is the case.
- Location
- Australia
Fuckin with the Pact Primeval for this, or rather allowing us to do so as a two-step proxy through one of his Arch Dukes would have to be one of, if not the, biggest gamble he's taken since the Hells were created.
My understanding of our carve out is that it is both particular and peculiar in the way it works, we sever their Pact obligation and it allows them to swear to us but it doesn't seem to transfer their obligations.
We basically make them a free agent and offer a good deal immediately following, which most take up.
Does Asmodeus really trust all these devils as free agents unbeholden to him in any way but personal loyalty or leverage for each and every one of them?
- Location
- florida
Step up inquisition and psychoanalysis?
Hmm... I would say so yes. Great omake as always, I particularly love all the musing for the future Gerold does, it really shows him growing into the position of general from the hied guard he once was. The idea that Nettles outranks all other legion officers is interesting too since Nettles herself would doubtless think the opposite from her experiences during the Dance.
- Location
- Australia
Gerold is a practical man that understands digestion is unpleasant when you are the digestee.
Dunning Krueger does the rest in having him believe others would make the same estimation.
- Location
- Germany
It's not likely that this is some long con.
Merely saying it would be devastating if that were the case.
- Location
- Australia
I agree it's not likely, but even in the event that it is it's not necessarily going to work out for him and I think we're much better suited to dealing with institutional fleeing than he is.
Because if it does break down we lost a bunch of bodyguards with some state secrets, and he is still left with a gaping hole in his Pact.
Even if we stopped trusting them in our employ we could still release them for profit.
A screw up like that would make the Six Second Noodle look like a genius.
- Location
- Germany
Depends on how efficiently it works.
We could loose many of the VIP the Erinyes are protecting.
Meanwhile the Master of Fineprint has another loophole in his Pact, which is not that big a deal, he can work with those better than anyone.
Vote closed.
Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
Gerold, and indeed, other men in positions of general traditional authority, are more credulous in the belief that figures like Nettles are instated with more broad, almost omnipotent authority, precisely because of the hype behind people like the Companions.
People are learning that their gods are listening and present but doubting more and more they are specifically going to ensure things are going to plan and actively work to keep you safe, but the irrational belief that Viserys' Master Plan is going to proceed as it consistently has through the mere presence of this person who can claim to act as his agent is extremely difficult to shake off, because it is comforting in a way that requires no great amount of thought.
For Gerold, if there IS some kind of plan, the best chance of it succeeding probably has to do with deference to public figures like Nettles, because otherwise it's not like a knight or lord trying to cover himself in wealth and glory as in the Dance, but implicitly taking upon oneself responsibility for saving everyone from existential and impending doom.
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Winning vote
[] Accept Brianne's oath
-[] Ask if she has need of a good scout in her endeavors and ask Yrael if he can spare a Spyglass Archon, maybe the one we first met in Mantarys, who gave a bit of himself for Glyra?
-[] If both agree ask the Archon to try and inform her about our reign and realm while working with her, preferable not in too-big pieces at once
-[] And also a Lesser Phoenix (preferably one with a few Bard levels) to round out her education on the Planes and Gods, and to talk a bit about the nicer things out there, since our books where only of fiends and monsters, along with serving as a companion in battle where they deem fit.
-[] Spare a PfE for the Lesser Phoenix, Greater Ribbons of Disguise for the Lesser Phoenix and the Spyglass Archon, and Healing Belts for the Lesser Phoenix and the Spyglass Archon.
[] Accept Brianne's oath
-[] Ask if she has need of a good scout in her endeavors and ask Yrael if he can spare a Spyglass Archon, maybe the one we first met in Mantarys, who gave a bit of himself for Glyra?
-[] If both agree ask the Archon to try and inform her about our reign and realm while working with her, preferable not in too-big pieces at once
-[] And also a Lesser Phoenix (preferably one with a few Bard levels) to round out her education on the Planes and Gods, and to talk a bit about the nicer things out there, since our books where only of fiends and monsters, along with serving as a companion in battle where they deem fit.
-[] Spare a PfE for the Lesser Phoenix, Greater Ribbons of Disguise for the Lesser Phoenix and the Spyglass Archon, and Healing Belts for the Lesser Phoenix and the Spyglass Archon.
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Part MMCMXLIII: On Sapphire Shores a New Flame Kindled
On Sapphire Shores a New Flame Kindled
Ninth Day of the Tenth Month 293 AC
"More I would not ask of any lord or lady," you reply honestly, though not without a certain measure of private worry. You can well understand if not agree why others may not see the world as you do and think ill of the choices you have made. Still, to put that in the forefront of your mind is to make enemies in your own thoughts of those who had not shown themselves thus.
So it is that, following her father, Brienne of Tarth kneels within within the sept under the gaze of the Seven to pledge her fealty to you and your line after you as the future Lady of Tarth. The words of the oath do not stumble upon her tongue, nor does her gaze waver for all the weight that had been set upon her shoulders now.
When the girl rises to her feet again, Lord Selwyn smiles proudly, clasping one hand upon her armored shoulder. "It does an old man good to see that settled under the eyes of King and gods both."
"You are not old, father, as you keep reminding me every time I get overconfident in the sparring yard," Brienne says fondly.
"Only through the healing light of the Seven, to soothe worn joints and muscles past their prime," he laughs. "You really do need a younger sparring partner." From the way he emphasizes the words, it is clear he would rather drop the 'sparring' from the sentence, looking to secure the line even further, though you doubt he shall have an easy time of finding a match.
From his daughter's somewhat wary look it's obvious that she is less enthusiastic about about the prospect of courtship and betrothal. Hardly a surprise at her age... If there is one thing the Valyrians had gotten right it was setting the common age of marriage age well past twenty when men and women both were more likely to know their own mind more.
"There is another offer I would make to you besides weapons and lore that can be held in a chest," you interject. "Spirits of light and fire to aid you in battle and discuss those maters of the wider world beyond monsters and horrors." And the better to speak to you of the darker aspects of my rule and the reasons behind them, you think but do not say.
"I would speak to these spirits first to learn more of their ways," Brienne replies carefully. "Kindness alone is... often not enough I fear." Again she shuffles uncomfortably at the notion that others might be ordered to face the trials she has taken on willingly.
Yet when the raven-headed Spyglass Archon and the Lesser Phoenix in search of teaching upon further shores converse of themselves and their place in the world she grows more at ease with every word. "Strange to think that there is a whole world behind every candle's flame, encouraging that it would hold those of such spirit," the girl declares as once more, her youth shining through clear as the light upon the phoenix's feathers.
Assigned to Brienne of Tarth: Spyglass Archon and Lesser Phoenix/Bard 2
PfE for the Lesser Phoenix
Greater Ribbons of Disguise for both
Healing Belts for both
Greater Ribbons of Disguise for both
Healing Belts for both
In turn Lord Selwyn shares the sentiment if not for the same reason. Rather than being overly curious where these spirits sprang from or why, he is simply content that Brienne will be better guarded than mere steel could achieve.
Thus content in the oaths you have received you move on from the shores of Tarth.
What do you do next?
[] Head to Sothoryos
[] Continue trying to sway Stormlords to your service
-[] Write in
[] Do a minor action
-[] Write in
[] Write in
OOC: I struggled with this a lot because it's ridiculously short, but in the end I had no choice. I really do need a vote here.
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- Location
- Germany
Did we get the Archon we first met, the one who did the ritual with Glyra?
You did yes.
- Location
- Germany
Xor, Anya, Mia, Shara, Glyra, Argo, Sandor and a guardian naga.