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A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover
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Part MMMLXXVIII: A Lord's Burdens
A Lord's Burdens
Thirty-First Day of the Tenth Month 293 AC
You see before you not a man faced with a decision, but one who is halfheartedly propelled on one path while his eyes are pinned in another. Perhaps if he were looking the right way the path he was on would seem more pleasing, if not then at least he can follow his heart knowing what he is giving up, truly giving up, for lordship is as much responsibility as power. "Tell me true, my lord, ordinarily I would offer counsel, but I feel I must know. Do you truly not wish to rule the lands of your birthright?" He opens his mouth to reply, likely as not to mouth some too simple answer learned by rote, but you press on. "More of my own right to rule I believe to be founded on my capability to rule where all in the realm know Baratheon to be unsuited, indolent even, refusing to take up the basic burdens or bare minimum of his duties to which he is obliged, much as the reason I refuse to resort to butchery and barbarism to impose my claim as many lords might expect of a conquering king."
"I believe I speak for most men high and low, Your Grace, when I say I appreciate the lack of bloodshed," he replies, refraining from commenting on your judgement of Robert Baratheon, not that you expected him to agree from the first. Then again, that he did not speak even a word in the Usurper's defense is telling in itself.
"Yet there is more to lordship than not wetting the fields with blood or setting them afire, so I would ask of you one question more, what manner of Lady would your mother make? What rule would she bring to these lands? What I have seen is that she has allowed your name to be run aground, even though this weakens her own right to rule as she derives her power through your claim, nearly allowed this treachery to take place and opened up your keep to internal dissent for petty reasons."
"That's not... I don't..." His jaw snaps shut with an audible clank. "I don't know why she did that, I did not even know that she had, and now I'm just making excuses, scrambling to find a reason." The young lord sounds somehow both wondering and sad... lost. A painful way to understand the full truth of his position, but less painful than the goblet full of poison would have been.
Lord Petyr starts pacing, perhaps in some way wishing to escape his circumstances, but knowing he cannot. He crosses the room twice before he turns to speak not to you, but to Janna. "For whatever it may be worth this late, cousin, I am sorry for allowing mother to make a servant of you. I should have asked more pointed questions and probably not believed what little she did tell me..."
"What did Lady Daela say about me, milord?" Janna asks, managing to keep most of the anger out of her voice.
"That is not important now," the young lord says, obviously ill at ease to be heard speaking ill of his lady mother. "You said His Grace offered to take you to Sorcerer's Deep where you might start anew. You deserve that, and you deserve a foundation to build upon, an inheritance of from Uncle Yohn." So saying he quickly unlocks one of the drawers of his desk, pulls the drawstrings on a coin pouch and hands it to his wide-eyed cousin. She is going to be a lot more surprised when she actually opens it, you realize. From the sound of it it's mostly gold with a bit of silver mixed in. Four-hundred Westerosi Gold Dragons or thereabouts.
"Thank you." The poor woman sounds dazed, perhaps wondering if she is about to wake from a pleasant dream.
"I wish I had some tea on hand, but it's too late to wake the servants," Lord Petyr says apologetically to your mother before taking a deep calming breath as he faces you again. "Shortly after I inherited the lordship, Lord Monford Velaryon sent me a letter in which he strongly implied that I would be safer siding with dragons than stags, that you, Your Grace, would help protect my inheritance. Seeing as you have just done so in the most direct manner possible I can hardly deny the truth of those words. I..." he swallows. "I wish to pledge my service to you and that of my House, though the Father above knows how I'm going to manage running things on my own, or how I'm going to persuade mother to take a step back. I don't suppose I could have some of that advice now that I have decided to get off my ass and do something?"
What do you reply?
[] Write in
OOC: Well that was an interesting place for a diplomacy crit. Still, just because Petyr Blount now wants to be a lord does not mean he necessarily has a clue how to go about it.
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- Location
- Australia
So Ser Richard is seriously pursuing Mereth and loves a woman who can hunt him to the ends of the earth because he finds it ...exciting.
- Location
- Who knows?
Well, Viserys' therapy for disaffected nobles service is still going strong. I guess it's hard to get a tougher client than the Baratheon Bros though.
For this guy I'm assuming it's probably best to wake mommy dearest up and let her know how things are gonna go? Also nice to see Monford doing his best to diplomance in our name. Poor Bobby B. Losing control of your backyard suuccckkss. And there's really been no good time to stop it. Well, maybe if he took the Crackclaw Point people seriously the first time they petitioned him it would've slowed us down.
For this guy I'm assuming it's probably best to wake mommy dearest up and let her know how things are gonna go? Also nice to see Monford doing his best to diplomance in our name. Poor Bobby B. Losing control of your backyard suuccckkss. And there's really been no good time to stop it. Well, maybe if he took the Crackclaw Point people seriously the first time they petitioned him it would've slowed us down.
- Location
- Reno Nv
Well, it seems like someone needs a visit from the scribes of our kingdom. We may be able to turn him into one hell of a lord yet.
Evaunit02mark1
S-s-smell the Prey, S-s-start the Hunt.
To be fair the fact that he wants to do a good job and is willing to learn already puts him above and beyond most of the inbred fucks who inherit the position.
It's one thing to think being a lord is a right, it's quite another to consider it a job.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
That is admirable.
I think he deserves some help, if only a bit, to ease the burden and maybe help him gain some confidence in his own skills.
Maybe sneak some advisors from the deep into his court? The help would probably be much appreciated.
Also, weird idea, but why doesn't Danny ever glamour herself to look older when she wants to present herself more seriously? I expect it would help with convincing the more foolish or just ignorant of her skills and help them take her seriously more quickly.
I am honestly surprised she has never done this.
I think he deserves some help, if only a bit, to ease the burden and maybe help him gain some confidence in his own skills.
Maybe sneak some advisors from the deep into his court? The help would probably be much appreciated.
Also, weird idea, but why doesn't Danny ever glamour herself to look older when she wants to present herself more seriously? I expect it would help with convincing the more foolish or just ignorant of her skills and help them take her seriously more quickly.
I am honestly surprised she has never done this.
- Location
- Australia
The latter transitioning into work with those you can trust to mutual benefit, impart on him the importance of realising that encompasses his small folk.
- Location
- ?????????
Do we have a few economists we can sen his way? We do have a school for that now. We can send a few stewards his way.
'Night guys, see you tomorrow with hopefully more engaging updates. I've noticed that the ones today did not spark a lot of discussion.
- Location
- Argentina
Draconic superpower #37: counting coins by sound
- Location
- United States
Power not age is the great convincing force. Once people see what she can do and that she's not an ordinary princess they fall in line.
Also if meeting someone for the first time best not to start with a lie.
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Evaunit02mark1
S-s-smell the Prey, S-s-start the Hunt.
Probably because she doesn't think she has to.
Keep in mind this girl has fought demons and devils on wings she's grown from her own dreams and struck down all who would oppose her without pity or mercy with such fervor that Old Testament "I'm going to burn the shit out of you and if anyone dares to even glance at it I'll turn them into straight up salt" God would think it's a little much.
And she's only grown in power since then.
A pair of tits and 3 inches doesn't really compare to that.
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Maybe we could pop out and find a volunteer dragon pen? Those guys are pretty good at administration by default, and having something to ease the administrative end of things so Petyr can focus on the executive stuff would do him good. This guy shouldn't have any problems with the paperwork, what he needs is direct leadership experience. If we leave him alone he could easily fall into focusing on the one part of his job that is closest to his comfort zone.
[] Start by explaining the importance of delegation, management, and presence
-[] a good leader knows that they can't be an expert in everything, even with magic. The key is to be an expert in people, and being able to keep up enough to make high level plans/double check their claims.
-[] don't micromanage, but keep a finger on the pulse of the actual books. Have people you trust at every level who are willing to report back to you.
-[] appearance matters; not just in composure, but in terms of people seeing you making decisions with confidence. They need to believe you know what you're doing, and that you're the one actually running the show. If they stop thinking you are in charge no amount of right will make them listen to you
-[] make sure the people you work with want to work with you. Find what they need to be happy, and try to arrange it so that they can get it most easily by staying true to you.
-[] pay attention to the opinions of your peers and people, but don't sway to them without good reason and always act on your own terms where you can.
-[] finally, find a good overlord who will not only protect you, but help you thrive.
—[] pop out briefly and get a dragon pen willing to work under the cover of stealth in Westeros.
Wasn't sure how to do Viserys' voice, so I just did bullets on the parts of leadership relevant to Petyr's position that he needs highlighted.
[] Start by explaining the importance of delegation, management, and presence
-[] a good leader knows that they can't be an expert in everything, even with magic. The key is to be an expert in people, and being able to keep up enough to make high level plans/double check their claims.
-[] don't micromanage, but keep a finger on the pulse of the actual books. Have people you trust at every level who are willing to report back to you.
-[] appearance matters; not just in composure, but in terms of people seeing you making decisions with confidence. They need to believe you know what you're doing, and that you're the one actually running the show. If they stop thinking you are in charge no amount of right will make them listen to you
-[] make sure the people you work with want to work with you. Find what they need to be happy, and try to arrange it so that they can get it most easily by staying true to you.
-[] pay attention to the opinions of your peers and people, but don't sway to them without good reason and always act on your own terms where you can.
-[] finally, find a good overlord who will not only protect you, but help you thrive.
—[] pop out briefly and get a dragon pen willing to work under the cover of stealth in Westeros.
Wasn't sure how to do Viserys' voice, so I just did bullets on the parts of leadership relevant to Petyr's position that he needs highlighted.
Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
[X] "You have asked for my advice, and I would offer my perspective on situation as I see it if you would still have it, but perhaps we should address the crux of the issue set out before you."
-[X] "Not every manner of ruling is suitable to each individual, akin to the fact that what works for captain of a trading vessel does not at all reflect the challenges faced by he who commands a war dromond."
-[X] "For you, a logistician's challenge." Adopt lecturing pose #27.
--[X] "The people of your fief insult and disparage you openly, this encouraged by your enemies openly, yet you retain tenuous hold over the Keep and servants. Men who serve you would instinctually bend to your commands as that is what they are raised to, yet you have likely issued few to none."
--[X] Lecturing pose #49: "You are then presented the challenge: your mother has directed all of the servants of the keep to her pleasing and rhythm. Taking away this privilege by simply assuming your rights to the household's direction immediately asserts your authority in this arena, making other commands seem natural as the incumbent Lord."
--[X] "The obstacles you face: Your mother countermanding your authority. The rousing of your subjects to discontent by outside hostile agents. A ruthless rival claimant loitering on your lands."
--[X] Lecturing pose #63: "Your resources: Sorcery granting mental fortitude or a diplomat's adroit tongue. A Knight with skill at arms outstripping the Kingsguard. A counselor and advisor with nearly four decades of experience navigating one of this realm's most perilous courts."
---[X] "I will be waiting here to provide spells and details of their capabilities should they be necessary. If you are not confident in your plans, I will be here to offer my counsel as well should you wish it." But not right away, or he would be missing the point.
---[X] "Go on, my Lord."
-[X] "Not every manner of ruling is suitable to each individual, akin to the fact that what works for captain of a trading vessel does not at all reflect the challenges faced by he who commands a war dromond."
-[X] "For you, a logistician's challenge." Adopt lecturing pose #27.
--[X] "The people of your fief insult and disparage you openly, this encouraged by your enemies openly, yet you retain tenuous hold over the Keep and servants. Men who serve you would instinctually bend to your commands as that is what they are raised to, yet you have likely issued few to none."
--[X] Lecturing pose #49: "You are then presented the challenge: your mother has directed all of the servants of the keep to her pleasing and rhythm. Taking away this privilege by simply assuming your rights to the household's direction immediately asserts your authority in this arena, making other commands seem natural as the incumbent Lord."
--[X] "The obstacles you face: Your mother countermanding your authority. The rousing of your subjects to discontent by outside hostile agents. A ruthless rival claimant loitering on your lands."
--[X] Lecturing pose #63: "Your resources: Sorcery granting mental fortitude or a diplomat's adroit tongue. A Knight with skill at arms outstripping the Kingsguard. A counselor and advisor with nearly four decades of experience navigating one of this realm's most perilous courts."
---[X] "I will be waiting here to provide spells and details of their capabilities should they be necessary. If you are not confident in your plans, I will be here to offer my counsel as well should you wish it." But not right away, or he would be missing the point.
---[X] "Go on, my Lord."
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[X] Crake
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
I DID say for the ignorant and foolish.
It is faster and more subtle than whipping out a big ol burst of magic and showing off until they submit
lockingbane
If you're crazy and you know it clap your hands!
- Location
- Waxahachie tx
They are kind of recognizable and are dragons which make them a quasi sign of their allegiance if found
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
I think she just doesn't care much about what people think of her. Dany is as much a Wyrmling in mentality as she is a human in body. From her POV, she's the normal one and everyone else is deficient.
[X] Crake
[X] Crake
how long are we willing to stay here? Helping him plan is one thing, but he's not going to be able to execute much in the middle of the night. Practical exercises are better than just giving him a lecture, but maybe we should go about it differently. Give Petyr a moderate buff to wis and int, then let him plan for a while. Then arrange to come back and buff him later for key parts, or just give him some low level items.
If we actually try this we could give the dragon pen a ribbon of disguise and have it pretend to be a regular fountain pen. Honestly though, a solid gold pen shouldn't be that recognizable to people who haven't seen the dragon pens before. As long as it stays in pen mode around other people and he doesn't flourish it around he should be fine.
- Location
- United States
Has she run into anyone that dumb and important that would require winning over?
- Location
- Australia
Isn't he asking for long term direction rather than the next few hours?
We aren't going to be around to buff him whenever he needs, he's not going to have a personal mythic murderblender nor our mother.
The rest is good advice but this seems self defeating.
He wants advice on how he can be a good lord, not how he can best facilitate our lording with him as proxy.
Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
Honestly it doesn't matter, Richard and Rhaella aren't busy and we can extend this action until it's completion even if it takes a couple of days. So long as everyone else is uninterrupted. We didn't bring anyone here besides ourselves absolutely essential to advancing our plans, and right now we're willing to act as a limited duration multi-spectrum Wand and win button, we're only giving him the opportunity to figure things out with all the tools a Lord would be used to having (a trusted beatstick and a good council) that he isn't fortunate enough to possess yet. If he can't figure things out even with all those advantages, we can solve his problems and resolve to help him out later so long as the situation remains stable.