Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
@egoo, @Deliste @Goldfish @TalonofAnathrax @Duesal
Still working on it, will try to include actual plan formatted posts after proofreading.
[] The Imperial Times, Draft #3, included in the link is a variation of that logo with a depiction of Viserys in Dragon-form and Planetos guarded by his wings during his rest, depicted upon the title page.
-[] Details: The Broadsheets will each have an Arcane Mark differentiated with each Issue #. This will make tracking them with a proper ritual and foci (the Marker key) simple for any properly trained mage or expert. The Broadsheets will be hardened by sorcerous means, the batches not being overly bulky, enough that there's no reason that Viserys couldn't do it himself to maximize potential Hardness rating.
--[] Finally, while true that many of these will be pointlessly lost, or at least have access restricted as people either cast them aside from baseless superstition, or the enemy gets better at disposal, that doesn't mean that attempts to maximize its spread and retention shouldn't be made. We have Inquisition assets in two of the locations they are bound for. Where possible, they will ensure some of them stay in circulation.
-[] Foreword from Viserys: TBD
-[] Editorials: In addition to statements from yourself above, as well as other information collated together seeking to inform people of the state of the world, nothing that a well-traveled sailor could not pick up in a port, but purged of the most outlandish inaccuracies and seeking to educate and inform--hopefully the fact that most of what is happening in the world is actually quite riveting when given the right prose will keep people passing it along as-written.
-[] You will also try to include an editorial on the Grand Tournament, since everyone else got a foreword about the Traitor's Tourney, why not regale the continent on the mighty deeds of daring that the visitors accomplished over that month instead of whispering and screaming of abandoned duty? After all, you are the rightful King, not Robert. Why should he get the final say?
--[] Create a serialized set of stories and fables, supported by visually expressive art.
---[] They would tell about Fey, the kind we deem acceptable, about how to spot Devil/Demon/Daemon cultists, about the spheres and so on and so forth (the point is twisting the narrative of those supernatural creatures that are seriously affected by it, to more sensible and useful direction, while also giving general population a minimal understanding of basic concepts we want them to know).
--[] Propaganda Posters: Pro-Imperium propaganda along the lines of recruitment for the the imperial institutions—Legion, the Scholarum, the Inquisition, the Imperial Administration, the Diplomatic Corpse, etc. These will come in the form of illustrated posters captioned by truespeech.
-[] For the Inquisition the posters will be along the lines of security and trust, focusing mainly on the need for citizens to cooperate and share intel for the good of the empire. (the Inquisition recruits on their own, that shouldn't be messed with). The themes of this poster will focus on the various threats that the Inquisition regularly squares off against -- mainly fiends, but also Deep Ones.
-[] For the Legion the posters will focus on the need citizens to cooperate, but also on recruitment. These will be images of glory and righteousness, of liberation and justice. Your basic army recruitment stuff, but embellished as much as we can. They'll illustrate how the Legion defends the Imperium, brings law to godforsaken cities, frees whatever slaves they come across, etc. It's a rallying cry to join in, to see the nearest recruiter, etc.
-[] For the Scholarum again the need to cooperate, but this one is more an advertisement that they're a legal and certified means of magical expertise, be it for crafting or other things. This could be split in two different approaches—the first being like some university's advertisement, detailing the courses and the resources (geared towards those who are more interested in learning and research), and the second being a call to duty for all eligible mages to rise to serve (this would mirror the Legion posters in a way, with an obviously arcane bent to it).
-[] For the Diplomatic Corps and the Imperial Administration the general idea is to portray how vital their jobs are and what lives they touch. For the latter, for example, focus on the imperial works in progress, how the materials are being shipped there, the roads being built to connect the Imperium in full, etc. "One Empire". It basically writes itself.
--[] Create a series of politically charged caricatures: Varied by region.
-[] 1. The Warlock of the West
Description: The picture shows Tywin Lannister sitting on the Rock. In his hands is a small person in robes, standing for a mage, to which he wants to affix a collar with chain. Nearby stands a huge cauldron with many mages chained to it and reluctantly tending to it. In it bubbles a repulsive liquid, with bones and skulls being seen inside, and it splashes goop all over the Westerlands, with a large glop landing square on Lannisport.
Caption: "They will do as they are told."
Locations: Lannisport, Kayce (trade harbor), Crakehall (trading city on the Ocean Road)
-[] 2. Thirst
Description: Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon loom over the Red Mountains, looking down at Dorne. Both of them carry a goblet from which Robert drinks, while Tywin holds his one down to Gregor Clegane, who stands there and lets the blood running from a peasants severed head drip into the goblet.
Caption: "We will get our fill!"
Locations: Sunspear, Hellholt, Godsgrace
-[] 3. Stolen Legacies
Description: Looming like a giant, his head sticking out of a lion's mouth, the head mounted upon the shoulders of a Golden Shield knight, one giant brazen hand lifts the top of Dragonstone's castle and reaches down and up to pull away a fistful of tabards, tapestries and keepsakes marked with Targaryen heraldry and regalia. Dragon Eggs fall between fat fingers and smash themselves on top of Duskendale, King's Landing and Storm's End lain upon a tableau like a map, tiny figures scurrying around and chased by stampeding stags and prowling lions.
Caption: "The legacy of a thief."
Locations: King's Landing, Duskendale, Dragonstone, Driftmark
-[] 4. Important Matters
Description: Robert Baratheon sits in a tavern hall, which is richly festooned in hunting trophies and with various frippery. He is busy ogling a whore that fills his wine cup. Behind his back, Cersei sits on the Iron Throne and torments various people with sorcery and laughing at them, while a few of the people in the hall are dragged away by demonic figures reaching out of the shadows. Beneath them all, there is a scene of starving peasants knifing each other in the streets.
Caption: "What could be more important then this?"
Locations: Kings Landing, Duskendale, Dragonstone, Driftmark
-[] 5. The Great Rulers
Description: A large picture of the whole Riverlands, with three giants standing on it, their steps having left deep craters in it. One can only see the legs of the giants, but they are clearly marked by the house sigils of Tully, Lannister and the Crowned Stag. Meanwhile, the peasants and lords look upward in fear for where the giants will step next.
Caption: "The dance of the high lords."
Locations: Riverrung, Saltpans, Maidenpool, Harrenhall, Seaguard
-[] 6. Absent
Description: A depiction of the Vale, with the Eyrie in the center. Upon it stands and empty chair. Around it, both Andals and Hill Folk are locked in combat with Demons and Devils.
Caption: "Everyone for himself."
Locations: The Eyrie, Gulltown
-[] 7. No Help Coming
Description: A depiction of the North, including the Wall. There is a massive breach in the Wall and the Night's Watch rushes to fill it in, aided by what is clearly Legionnaires under the Targ banner, and is trying desperately to close it off, while directly ahead of it a forest with clawed hands and slavering jaws peers southwards. To the South itself, Jon Arryn, Hoster Tully, Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon stand opposite of Ned Stark. Robert clutches a Targ banner and is clearly yelling at Ned.
Caption: "How dare you to let my enemies in?"
Locations: Winterfell, White Harbor
-[] 8. Dragging You Down
Description: A depiction of various smallfolk interrupted from seemingly idyllic work and ordinary life, dragged screaming into the sea by tentacles and enormous webbed hands, while distinctive figures in their heraldry gather around a witch's pyre to burn a small girl, with tears in her eyes, a golden-haired witch holding back their mother nearby.
Caption: "Get back into line."
Locations: Coastal Communities, North, East, South and West
--[] Start serializing a "Monster's Manual", focusing on common threats to the individual regions. Ideally, these segments could be bound together to eventually form a complete manual around the time space for it is given to some other document.
-[] "An Exile's Journey, Part One" In addition to the mentioned free informational document section, we will produce a serialized re-telling of our adventures, putting our utter genius with words and public address to use.
--[] "Greetings, gentlefolk of Westeros. My name is Viserys Targaryen, though I am known by many others. If you would give me but a moment of your time, I would like to tell you a story, a story of a young boy and his infant sister, cast out into the world to fend for themselves."
---[] In short, explain how we were forced into exile by Robert Baratheon, carried to safety in far off Braavos by the loyal Ser Willem Darry in order to avoid the horrific fate which befell our kinfolk when King's Landing fell to Lannister treachery.
----[] We grew up in Braavos, untroubled by the events of the world as children so often are. Eventually Ser Darry passed and magic returned to the world. We struggled, faced hardships and monsters, but grew strong. We gathered friends, loyal companions all, and we helped to defend Braavos from inhuman threats which now plague so much of the world.
-----[] And then we had to leave our comfortable home in Braavos, not for any wrongdoing on our part, but due to threats levied against the city that had welcomed us. Jon Arryn, the Hand of the Usurper, threatened the well being of Braavos, to block its traders from all Westerosi ports. Rather than force our friend the Sealord to decide whether to defy the Usurper and watch his city wither, or cast us out of our home, we voluntarily departed, going once more into exile.
------[] All was not lost, however, and soon we set foot upon unfriendly shores, the pirate's haven of Torturer's Deep. Through force of arms and powerful magic, the island was cleansed of the cutthroats infesting it, so that a new city could rise, one founded on principles we learned growing up in Braavos. We had a new mission, to rid the Narrow Sea and Essos of slavery.
-------[] Our successes came quickly, wiping slavers from the Narrow Sea that had previously gone unopposed for centuries. That success attracted the Usurper's fearful gaze once more, and for a third time he sought to chase us from our home, this time with a grand fleet, one bought and paid for with Lannister gold. This time we chose to make a stand.
--------[] To Be Continued
Still working on it, will try to include actual plan formatted posts after proofreading.
[] The Imperial Times, Draft #3, included in the link is a variation of that logo with a depiction of Viserys in Dragon-form and Planetos guarded by his wings during his rest, depicted upon the title page.
-[] Details: The Broadsheets will each have an Arcane Mark differentiated with each Issue #. This will make tracking them with a proper ritual and foci (the Marker key) simple for any properly trained mage or expert. The Broadsheets will be hardened by sorcerous means, the batches not being overly bulky, enough that there's no reason that Viserys couldn't do it himself to maximize potential Hardness rating.
--[] Finally, while true that many of these will be pointlessly lost, or at least have access restricted as people either cast them aside from baseless superstition, or the enemy gets better at disposal, that doesn't mean that attempts to maximize its spread and retention shouldn't be made. We have Inquisition assets in two of the locations they are bound for. Where possible, they will ensure some of them stay in circulation.
-[] Foreword from Viserys: TBD
-[] Editorials: In addition to statements from yourself above, as well as other information collated together seeking to inform people of the state of the world, nothing that a well-traveled sailor could not pick up in a port, but purged of the most outlandish inaccuracies and seeking to educate and inform--hopefully the fact that most of what is happening in the world is actually quite riveting when given the right prose will keep people passing it along as-written.
-[] You will also try to include an editorial on the Grand Tournament, since everyone else got a foreword about the Traitor's Tourney, why not regale the continent on the mighty deeds of daring that the visitors accomplished over that month instead of whispering and screaming of abandoned duty? After all, you are the rightful King, not Robert. Why should he get the final say?
--[] Create a serialized set of stories and fables, supported by visually expressive art.
---[] They would tell about Fey, the kind we deem acceptable, about how to spot Devil/Demon/Daemon cultists, about the spheres and so on and so forth (the point is twisting the narrative of those supernatural creatures that are seriously affected by it, to more sensible and useful direction, while also giving general population a minimal understanding of basic concepts we want them to know).
--[] Propaganda Posters: Pro-Imperium propaganda along the lines of recruitment for the the imperial institutions—Legion, the Scholarum, the Inquisition, the Imperial Administration, the Diplomatic Corpse, etc. These will come in the form of illustrated posters captioned by truespeech.
-[] For the Inquisition the posters will be along the lines of security and trust, focusing mainly on the need for citizens to cooperate and share intel for the good of the empire. (the Inquisition recruits on their own, that shouldn't be messed with). The themes of this poster will focus on the various threats that the Inquisition regularly squares off against -- mainly fiends, but also Deep Ones.
-[] For the Legion the posters will focus on the need citizens to cooperate, but also on recruitment. These will be images of glory and righteousness, of liberation and justice. Your basic army recruitment stuff, but embellished as much as we can. They'll illustrate how the Legion defends the Imperium, brings law to godforsaken cities, frees whatever slaves they come across, etc. It's a rallying cry to join in, to see the nearest recruiter, etc.
-[] For the Scholarum again the need to cooperate, but this one is more an advertisement that they're a legal and certified means of magical expertise, be it for crafting or other things. This could be split in two different approaches—the first being like some university's advertisement, detailing the courses and the resources (geared towards those who are more interested in learning and research), and the second being a call to duty for all eligible mages to rise to serve (this would mirror the Legion posters in a way, with an obviously arcane bent to it).
-[] For the Diplomatic Corps and the Imperial Administration the general idea is to portray how vital their jobs are and what lives they touch. For the latter, for example, focus on the imperial works in progress, how the materials are being shipped there, the roads being built to connect the Imperium in full, etc. "One Empire". It basically writes itself.
--[] Create a series of politically charged caricatures: Varied by region.
-[] 1. The Warlock of the West
Description: The picture shows Tywin Lannister sitting on the Rock. In his hands is a small person in robes, standing for a mage, to which he wants to affix a collar with chain. Nearby stands a huge cauldron with many mages chained to it and reluctantly tending to it. In it bubbles a repulsive liquid, with bones and skulls being seen inside, and it splashes goop all over the Westerlands, with a large glop landing square on Lannisport.
Caption: "They will do as they are told."
Locations: Lannisport, Kayce (trade harbor), Crakehall (trading city on the Ocean Road)
-[] 2. Thirst
Description: Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon loom over the Red Mountains, looking down at Dorne. Both of them carry a goblet from which Robert drinks, while Tywin holds his one down to Gregor Clegane, who stands there and lets the blood running from a peasants severed head drip into the goblet.
Caption: "We will get our fill!"
Locations: Sunspear, Hellholt, Godsgrace
-[] 3. Stolen Legacies
Description: Looming like a giant, his head sticking out of a lion's mouth, the head mounted upon the shoulders of a Golden Shield knight, one giant brazen hand lifts the top of Dragonstone's castle and reaches down and up to pull away a fistful of tabards, tapestries and keepsakes marked with Targaryen heraldry and regalia. Dragon Eggs fall between fat fingers and smash themselves on top of Duskendale, King's Landing and Storm's End lain upon a tableau like a map, tiny figures scurrying around and chased by stampeding stags and prowling lions.
Caption: "The legacy of a thief."
Locations: King's Landing, Duskendale, Dragonstone, Driftmark
-[] 4. Important Matters
Description: Robert Baratheon sits in a tavern hall, which is richly festooned in hunting trophies and with various frippery. He is busy ogling a whore that fills his wine cup. Behind his back, Cersei sits on the Iron Throne and torments various people with sorcery and laughing at them, while a few of the people in the hall are dragged away by demonic figures reaching out of the shadows. Beneath them all, there is a scene of starving peasants knifing each other in the streets.
Caption: "What could be more important then this?"
Locations: Kings Landing, Duskendale, Dragonstone, Driftmark
-[] 5. The Great Rulers
Description: A large picture of the whole Riverlands, with three giants standing on it, their steps having left deep craters in it. One can only see the legs of the giants, but they are clearly marked by the house sigils of Tully, Lannister and the Crowned Stag. Meanwhile, the peasants and lords look upward in fear for where the giants will step next.
Caption: "The dance of the high lords."
Locations: Riverrung, Saltpans, Maidenpool, Harrenhall, Seaguard
-[] 6. Absent
Description: A depiction of the Vale, with the Eyrie in the center. Upon it stands and empty chair. Around it, both Andals and Hill Folk are locked in combat with Demons and Devils.
Caption: "Everyone for himself."
Locations: The Eyrie, Gulltown
-[] 7. No Help Coming
Description: A depiction of the North, including the Wall. There is a massive breach in the Wall and the Night's Watch rushes to fill it in, aided by what is clearly Legionnaires under the Targ banner, and is trying desperately to close it off, while directly ahead of it a forest with clawed hands and slavering jaws peers southwards. To the South itself, Jon Arryn, Hoster Tully, Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon stand opposite of Ned Stark. Robert clutches a Targ banner and is clearly yelling at Ned.
Caption: "How dare you to let my enemies in?"
Locations: Winterfell, White Harbor
-[] 8. Dragging You Down
Description: A depiction of various smallfolk interrupted from seemingly idyllic work and ordinary life, dragged screaming into the sea by tentacles and enormous webbed hands, while distinctive figures in their heraldry gather around a witch's pyre to burn a small girl, with tears in her eyes, a golden-haired witch holding back their mother nearby.
Caption: "Get back into line."
Locations: Coastal Communities, North, East, South and West
--[] Start serializing a "Monster's Manual", focusing on common threats to the individual regions. Ideally, these segments could be bound together to eventually form a complete manual around the time space for it is given to some other document.
-[] "An Exile's Journey, Part One" In addition to the mentioned free informational document section, we will produce a serialized re-telling of our adventures, putting our utter genius with words and public address to use.
--[] "Greetings, gentlefolk of Westeros. My name is Viserys Targaryen, though I am known by many others. If you would give me but a moment of your time, I would like to tell you a story, a story of a young boy and his infant sister, cast out into the world to fend for themselves."
---[] In short, explain how we were forced into exile by Robert Baratheon, carried to safety in far off Braavos by the loyal Ser Willem Darry in order to avoid the horrific fate which befell our kinfolk when King's Landing fell to Lannister treachery.
----[] We grew up in Braavos, untroubled by the events of the world as children so often are. Eventually Ser Darry passed and magic returned to the world. We struggled, faced hardships and monsters, but grew strong. We gathered friends, loyal companions all, and we helped to defend Braavos from inhuman threats which now plague so much of the world.
-----[] And then we had to leave our comfortable home in Braavos, not for any wrongdoing on our part, but due to threats levied against the city that had welcomed us. Jon Arryn, the Hand of the Usurper, threatened the well being of Braavos, to block its traders from all Westerosi ports. Rather than force our friend the Sealord to decide whether to defy the Usurper and watch his city wither, or cast us out of our home, we voluntarily departed, going once more into exile.
------[] All was not lost, however, and soon we set foot upon unfriendly shores, the pirate's haven of Torturer's Deep. Through force of arms and powerful magic, the island was cleansed of the cutthroats infesting it, so that a new city could rise, one founded on principles we learned growing up in Braavos. We had a new mission, to rid the Narrow Sea and Essos of slavery.
-------[] Our successes came quickly, wiping slavers from the Narrow Sea that had previously gone unopposed for centuries. That success attracted the Usurper's fearful gaze once more, and for a third time he sought to chase us from our home, this time with a grand fleet, one bought and paid for with Lannister gold. This time we chose to make a stand.
--------[] To Be Continued
