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

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Evaunit02mark1 said:
As long as the hills are gone I don't particularly care how it happens.

I just want them to see their precious feud for what it is, petty, inconsequential in this ever growing and terrifying new world, and embarrassingly pointless.
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Also this. If need be we could undermine the hill and totally flatten the area.

If the Blackwoods and Brackens start calling it a flat chest and arguing over that I will be impressed.
 
They both still exist in the old world. Until they have both feet planted firmly in the new one, this is just pointlessly antagonistic rumination.
 
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Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Nov 29, 2019 at 1:30 PM, finished with 72 posts and 16 votes.
  • [X] "I--a whore? Really?" You really shouldn't be surprised. You really shouldn't be surprised. "Does a grudge give every person on this blasted continent the right to stomp on the innocent and blameless? I suppose I should be blaming my own family history for enabling this nonsense nearly three centuries before I do the Blackwoods..." Much less the Brackens, who as she just pointed out are no less guilty. Well, your own grumbling exasperation won't fix this mess.
    -[X] "Assuming we had both heirs reconcile, even against the wishes of their fathers, Lady Barabra would have to trust that succession would be upheld by the Crown with her father's passing even against other claimants attempting to usurp her. We would have to get Ser Brynden to trust that the Crown will enforce and formalize de jure land rights on the Crown's authority, both things which would be easier to do while already King and already having made steps towards that end."
    -[X] Turn to Lady Catelyn finally: "If you can get me a meeting with Lady Barbara, and assuming Hoster Blackwood can convince his brother to listen still, this all would still hinge on neither Lord Blackwood or Lord Bracken inflaming the conflict and striking out in blood before aught else..." You have an idea though.
    -[X] "Your father, is he an ambitious man? And Lord Hoster, he is not particularly hung up on the idea of your hypothetical cadet branch bearing the name "Blackwood", aye?" Oh it would rankle at Lord Tytos Blackwood, but less so if they took up another name, ennobled in Essos where those trade ties would enrich both their lines through trade relations shared between Lady Barbara and Ser Brynden when they take up their seats. "Granting you lands in the East aren't much of an obstacle in this instance, and assuming he could trust the Crown would uphold Lady Barbara's succession, much of his concerns would then rest upon the claims he's making on Blackwood lands." So we cut that knot. Lord Blackwood and Lord Bracken will agree to your proposal of formalized land rights along current boundaries, giving up all claims to lands on opposing sides of the Red Fork. Lord Hoster and Lady Catelyn are granted rich lands in the east and gather no spite from either House upon bearing their rival's name. You insure Lady Barbara's inheritance.
    -[X] "This all presumes that Lord Blackwood doesn't need certain other assurances. I should hope not considering the brinksmanship here favors neither House with war on the horizon." You aren't sour. Honest.
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Part MMMCCIII: Old Scores and New Games
  • Threadmarks
    • Old Scores and New Games ​

    Twenty Third Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC

    "I--a whore? Really?" You really shouldn't be surprised. Truly you shouldn't be. "Does a grudge give every person in this blasted realm the right to stomp on the innocent and blameless? I suppose I should be blaming my own family history for enabling this nonsense for nearly three centuries before I lay blame upon the Blackwoods..." Not that the Brackens were any less guilty, as she just pointed out. Well, your own grumbling exasperation won't fix this mess.

    "I am hardly blameless, Your Grace," Lady Catelyn interjects, surprised by your vehemence and the shadow of old pain in her gaze. "I knowingly went against my lord father's will and dragged my sister into the scheme. That he was and still is wrong does not make me any less disobedient by the commandments of gods and men."

    "Too see the injustice this feud has wrought and do nothing, would have also been wrong," Rina points out softly.

    If the girl had been surprised before, now she is wide-eyed with shock. Obviously no one had put it in terms of responsibility to help mend the rift before. She has probably spent the last several weeks getting an earful of her supposed responsibility to obey her father, no matter his commands. "I suppose you are right..."

    "You were born to a Great House, responsible for the smallfolk who have pledged to serve it," Dany adds gravely, her child's voice adding weight to the words instead of detracting from it. "Neither gender nor the order of your birth excuses you from it."

    From the way her spine straightens the young woman is about to march into her father's solar and proclaim her newfound duty. Admirable as that may be, it is not quite what you need at the moment. You clear your throat faintly. "Assuming we had both heirs reconcile, even against the wishes of their fathers, Lady Barbara would have to trust that the succession would be upheld by the Crown with her father's passing, even against other claimants attempting to usurp her. We would have to get Ser Brynden to trust that the Crown will enforce and formalize de jure land rights on it's authority, both things which would be easier to do while I am king and already making steps towards that end."

    "That makes sense," Lady Catelyn nods, looking not one whit disturbed by the implication of treason to King's Landing. Then again, she likely abandoned those doubts when she let a dragon in through her window.

    "If you can get me a meeting with Lady Barbara, and assuming Hoster Blackwood can convince his brother to listen still, this all would still hinge on neither Lord Blackwood or Lord Bracken inflaming the conflict and striking out in blood before aught else..." you trail off expectantly.

    "I think I can do that," the young lady shakes her head. "No, this is too important for doubts. I know Barbara and I know she does not like what father asked her to do, even if she could not tell me so herself. You will have your meeting, Your Grace."

    With every word she speaks the idea that had been forming at the back of your mind grows more and more definite. "Your father, is he an ambitious man? And Lord Hoster, he is not particularly hung up on the idea of your hypothetical cadet branch bearing the name 'Blackwood', aye?" That would no doubt rankle at Lord Tytos Blackwood, but less so if they took up another name, ennobled in Essos where marriage ties would enrich both their lines through trade relations shared between Lady Barbara and Ser Brynden when they take up their seats.

    "Before we met, Hoster was looking to become a maester and give up his name altogether," the words flow almost without inflection, like it has not quite sunk in why you are asking. "Oh... thank you, Your Grace, I..."

    "Thank me when this is over, assuming we manage to thread the needle," you answer with a rueful smile. "Granting you lands in the east isn't much of an obstacle in this instance, and assuming he could trust that the Crown would uphold Lady Barbara's succession, much of your father's concerns would then rest upon the claims he's making on Blackwood lands."

    "That and enough bad blood over the generations to drown a horse in," Lady Catelyn replies sadly. "I could spend an hour listing all the Brackens I know who were in some way killed by a Blackwood, and Hoster could do the same the other way." Unexpectedly, a spark of humor lights her eyes at some memory.

    "What is it?" Dany asks curiously.

    "It's rather macabre, Your Highness," Lady Catelyn replies, blushing faintly.

    "I have a strong constitution," your sister deadpans.

    After a moment's hesitation, the lady replies. "We, er... counted once, how many people bearing the other's name were supposedly killed by the other's House over the centuries. I'm down by three, it came out as two Catelyns to five Hosters."

    Well... that is one way to measure the scope of the challenge and you suppose laughing is better than weeping. You sigh. "This all presumes that Lord Blackwood doesn't need certain other assurances. I should hope not, considering the brinksmanship here favors neither House with war on the horizon."

    "Er... brinksmanship?" the girl asks frowning in confusion.

    Right, Braavosi expression. "It means playing a dangerous game, taking a risky gamble."

    "I hope everyone can win for once," she says, sounding almost as if she were speaking a prayer.

    What do you do next?

    [] Speak to Lady Barbara
    -[] Write in

    [] Investigate the omens and portents that brought Catelyn and Hoster together if indeed they were real and not rationalization of their feelings
    -[] Write in

    [] Write in

    OOC: A bit of a character-heavy part, but I feel it flowed well, Rina continues to play well off this arc.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Honestly her plan was pretty decent, she just needs a nudge and a little help.

    Fortunately we're in the area, and this can serve our interests rather well.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    After a moment's hesitation the lady replies. "We, er... counted once how many people bearing the other's name were supposedly killed by the other's House over the centuries. I'm down by three, it came out as two Catelyns to five Hosters."

    Well... that is one way to measure the scope of the challenge and you suppose laughing is better than weeping.
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    Alright then we've got our solution. Kids go east and get married, the other house pays three dead bodies worth of weregild or what have you to even the playing field, we level those damn hills, and everyone leaves a happy camper.

    Fair on one side, fair on the other, and no one got burned alive by a frustrated dragon. Wins all around.
     
    Evaunit02mark1 said:
    Alright then we've got our solution. Kids go east and get married, the other house pays three dead bodies worth of weregild or what have you to even the playing field, we level those damn hills, and everyone leaves a happy camper.

    Fair on one side, fair on the other, and no one got burned alive by a frustrated dragon. Wins all around.
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    You misunderstand, that is just the accounting of dead Brackens who happen to be named Catelyn to the dead Blackwoods who happened to be named Hoster. In total there are hundreds of people claimed dead because of the other house over two thousand years of feuding and a lot of those cases are muddied by time and hearsay.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Well... that is one way to measure the scope of the challenge and you suppose laughing is better than weeping. You sigh. "This all presumes that Lord Blackwood doesn't need certain other assurances. I should hope not considering the brinkmanship here favors neither House with war on the horizon."

    "Er... brinkmanship?" the girl asks frowning in confusion.

    Right, Braavosi expression. "It means playing a dangerous game, taking a risky gamble."
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    I like this, shows how Viserys is kind of normal to Catelyn, until he busts out these sayings and she remembers "oh right, he's been in the East for a decade and gone strange".

    In more ways than one. :V
     
    Crake said:
    Let's not and say we did.

    On pretty much every account, but especially picking a fight with an Ancient Red (or greater).

    Keeping in mind DP only said he couldn't imagine anyone making it out of anything but the youngest necessary age category, I really don't want to discover the depths of hubris our ancestors engaged in.
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    Eh.

    The orb is just laying there, being ominous and all not doing anything.
    Literally.

    We can't reasonably use it because that Red is too Red to listen (as per earlier DPs ruling), and we can't use the Orb as intended because we have Dragon friends/minions.

    If we feed it to Yss and he succeeds in nomming the dragon (3/6, or something? 3/9?) At once - we get him a power-up, and ourselves a sacrifice enough for a dose of his special, "You-Can-Kill-a-God-with-this-Shit"- Divine poison.

    If he fails, he noms the dragon and does nothing (because helping in that fight is considered payment for the dragon on itself).

    Either way it goes, we are pretty much all but guaranteed to win - and 3/9 are pretty good odds as far as I'm concerned, when that sort of reward is at stake.

    Goldfish said:
    With enough preparation we could probably all but guarantee our success against it, but there would still be a little bit of uncertainty there. If it came down to the choice between benefiting from it but potentially unleashing a CR 26 Great Wyrm Red Dragon into the world, or just letting Yss eat it and the Orb, I would leave it to Yss.
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    It isn't really "potentially unleashing and benefitting vs Guaranteed eating", afaik, or at least it wasn't 4 months ago IC.
    It was that if it's released, we can either deal with it ourselves, or have Yss halp - but the latter would count as payment for said sacrifice.


    @DragonParadox, did Yss get stronger metaphysically in that regard?

    What are the chances on eating the orb with the Dragon inside it now?
     
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    DragonParadox said:
    You misunderstand, that is just the accounting of dead Brackens who happen to be named Catelyn to the dead Blackwoods who happened to be named Hoster. In total there are hundreds of people claimed dead because of the other house over two thousand years of feuding and a lot of those cases are muddied by time and hearsay.
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    Of course it is.

    Right then scrap the weregild idea, keep the kids eloping in the east, and if situations permit level those damn hills and put a clearly defined border between them that leaves both sides equal land.

    If there are still problems after that then someone's getting eaten.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Old Scores and New Games ​

    Twenty Third Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC

    "I--a whore? Really?" You really shouldn't be surprised. Truly you shouldn't be. "Does a grudge give every person in this blasted realm the right to stomp on the innocent and blameless? I suppose I should be blaming my own family history for enabling this nonsense for nearly three centuries before I lay blame upon the Blackwoods..." Not that the Brackens were any less guilty, as she just pointed out. Well, your own grumbling exasperation won't fix this mess.

    "I am hardly blameless, Your Grace," Lady Catelyn interjects, surprised by your vehemence and the shadow of old pain in her gaze. "I knowingly went against my lord father's will and dragged my sister into the scheme. That he was and still is wrong does not make me any less disobedient by the commandments of gods and men."

    "Too see the injustice this feud has wrought and do nothing, would have also been wrong," Rina points out softly.

    If the girl had been surprised before, now she is wide-eyed with shock. Obviously no one had put it in terms of responsibility to help mend the rift before. She has probably spent the last several weeks getting an earful of her supposed responsibility to obey her father, no matter his commands. "I suppose you are right..."

    "You were born to a Great House, responsible for the smallfolk who have pledged to serve it," Dany adds gravely, her child's voice adding weight to the words instead of detracting from it. "Neither gender nor the order of your birth excuses you from it."

    From the way her spine straightens the young woman is about to march into her father's solar and proclaim her newfound duty. Admirable as that may be, it is not quite what you need at the moment. You clear your throat faintly. "Assuming we had both heirs reconcile, even against the wishes of their fathers, Lady Barbara would have to trust that the succession would be upheld by the Crown with her father's passing, even against other claimants attempting to usurp her. We would have to get Ser Brynden to trust that the Crown will enforce and formalize de jure land rights on it's authority, both things which would be easier to do while I am king and already making steps towards that end."

    "That makes sense," Lady Catelyn nods, looking not one whit disturbed by the implication of treason to King's Landing. Then again, she likely abandoned those doubts when she let a dragon in through her window.

    "If you can get me a meeting with Lady Barbara, and assuming Hoster Blackwood can convince his brother to listen still, this all would still hinge on neither Lord Blackwood or Lord Bracken inflaming the conflict and striking out in blood before aught else..." you trail off expectantly.

    "I think I can do that," the young lady shakes her head. "No, this is too important for doubts. I know Barbara and I know she does not like what father asked her to do, even if she could not tell me so herself. You will have your meeting, Your Grace."

    With every word she speaks the idea that had been forming at the back of your mind grows more and more definite. "Your father, is he an ambitious man? And Lord Hoster, he is not particularly hung up on the idea of your hypothetical cadet branch bearing the name 'Blackwood', aye?" That would no doubt rankle at Lord Tytos Blackwood, but less so if they took up another name, ennobled in Essos where marriage ties would enrich both their lines through trade relations shared between Lady Barbara and Ser Brynden when they take up their seats.

    "Before we met, Hoster was looking to become a maester and give up his name altogether," the words flow almost without inflection, like it has not quite sunk in why you are asking. "Oh... thank you, Your Grace, I..."

    "Thank me when this is over, assuming we manage to thread the needle," you answer with a rueful smile. "Granting you lands in the east isn't much of an obstacle in this instance, and assuming he could trust that the Crown would uphold Lady Barbara's succession, much of your father's concerns would then rest upon the claims he's making on Blackwood lands."

    "That and enough bad blood over the generations to drown a horse in," Lady Catelyn replies sadly. "I could spend an hour listing all the Brackens I know who were in some way killed by a Blackwood, and Hoster could do the same the other way." Unexpectedly, a spark of humor lights her eyes at some memory.

    "What is it?" Dany asks curiously.

    "It's rather macabre, Your Highness," Lady Catelyn replies, blushing faintly.

    "I have a strong constitution," your sister deadpans.

    After a moment's hesitation, the lady replies. "We, er... counted once, how many people bearing the other's name were supposedly killed by the other's House over the centuries. I'm down by three, it came out as two Catelyns to five Hosters."

    Well... that is one way to measure the scope of the challenge and you suppose laughing is better than weeping. You sigh. "This all presumes that Lord Blackwood doesn't need certain other assurances. I should hope not, considering the brinksmanship here favors neither House with war on the horizon."

    "Er... brinksmanship?" the girl asks frowning in confusion.

    Right, Braavosi expression. "It means playing a dangerous game, taking a risky gamble."

    "I hope everyone can win for once," she says, sounding almost as if she were speaking a prayer.

    What do you do next?

    [] Speak to Lady Barbara
    -[] Write in

    [] Investigate the omens and portents that brought Catelyn and Hoster together if indeed they were real and not rationalization of their feelings
    -[] Write in

    [] Write in

    OOC: A bit of a character-heavy part, but I feel it flowed well, Rina continues to play well off this arc.
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    Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
     
    Better odds, but still not a gamble we necessarily need to take. As you've stated, either we get something, absolutely nothing, or we hand Tiamat a powerful leader.
     
    Evaunit02mark1 said:
    Of course it is.

    Right then scrap the weregild idea, keep the kids eloping in the east, and if situations permit level those damn hills and put a clearly defined border between them that leaves both sides equal land.

    If there are still problems after that then someone's getting eaten.
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    Viserys: *massaging his head* "For some reason, dealing with this whole situation instills me with an inexplicable desire to level those damn hills. I don't know how, or even why, I would do so, but you best figure out a way to settle things before I come up with a plausible justification."
     
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    DragonParadox said:
    He did yes, Zethir paid for his time being guarded by Yss before ascending, so I would say the avatar now has a 7/10 chance to eat the wyrm.
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    ...so, next month's Sacrifice it is, then :V
    I really like these odds better than what we had.

    Can we use monthly "+3d6 Progress" of Zathir's to further increase the chances, @DragonParadox?

    ...I know, I know, that's reaching, but I'm hopeful.


    Yss'll surely find the boost of use when we'll go after Tiamat.
    Crake said:
    or we hand Tiamat a powerful leader.
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    Exactly how, again?

    It isn't like we'll go hoping for Yss and not doing anything else!

    Full-Companion group, buffs, contigexigencies, layered antu-teleport buffers, using The Snare, all the jazz.
    I believe Goldfish when he says we can probably take on the thing.

    With Yss, I don't believe we'd fail.

    And tbh, I really doubt a Red that ancient would deign to serve the Bitch anyway.
    Too prideful for their own good.
     
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    [X] Investigate the omens and portents that brought Catelyn and Hoster together if indeed they were real and not rationalization of their feelings.
    -[X] Step one of this process would be the simplest. If Catelyn has had her memories of that time manipulated in anyway, by the auspices of one conspiracy or another, you can restore those with a single Miracle. Ask for her consent of course, though beforehand getting as close an account of what happened that night in the countryside as she can provide, straining her mind for accuracy. If there's any discrepancy, the spell would break through any modification you care to name.
    -[X] If no discrepancy exists, try to thread backwards in another direction and see who might want to attempt Brynden's more subtle brand of manipulations by using details she's provided.
     
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    Crake said:
    [X] Investigate the omens and portents that brought Catelyn and Hoster together if indeed they were real and not rationalization of their feelings.
    -[X] Step one of this process would be the simplest. If Catelyn has had her memories of that time manipulated in anyway, by the auspices of one conspiracy or another, you can restore those with a single Miracle. Ask for her consent of course, though beforhand getting as close an account of what happened that night in the countryside as she can provide, straining her mind for accuracy. If there's any discrepancy, the spell would break through any modification you care to name.
    -[X] If no discrepancy exists, try to thread backwards in another direction and see who might want to attempt Brynden's more subtle brand of manipulations by using details she's provided.
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    This is sounding a bit like a Hag plot to spark Bracken/Blackwood feud 14035.0 and spread misery and despair. I wouldn't be surprised if they faked a prophetic vision.

    [X] Crake
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Unfortunately not, it's not in line with his themes of education, liberation and advancements in technology, art, and trade
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    ...Can we use OGs for the sort of help for that matter?

    Say, feeding them a bunch of HD, to ensure Yss can gobble the Dragon in one go?

    *has a sneaky idea*

    [X] Crake
     
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    Crake said:
    [X] Investigate the omens and portents that brought Catelyn and Hoster together if indeed they were real and not rationalization of their feelings.
    -[X] Step one of this process would be the simplest. If Catelyn has had her memories of that time manipulated in anyway, by the auspices of one conspiracy or another, you can restore those with a single Miracle. Ask for her consent of course, though beforehand getting as close an account of what happened that night in the countryside as she can provide, straining her mind for accuracy. If there's any discrepancy, the spell would break through any modification you care to name.
    -[X] If no discrepancy exists, try to thread backwards in another direction and see who might want to attempt Brynden's more subtle brand of manipulations by using details she's provided.
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    This might be the first time we have the capability and a good opportunity to use a Hindsight.

    [X] Crake
     
    Goldfish said:
    This might be the first time we have the capability and a good opportunity to use a Hindsight.

    [X] Crake
    Click to expand...
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    [X] Investigate the omens and portents that brought Catelyn and Hoster together if indeed they were real and not rationalization of their feelings.
    -[X] Step one of this process would be the simplest. If Catelyn has had her memories of that time manipulated in anyway, by the auspices of one conspiracy or another, you can restore those with a single Miracle. Ask for her consent of course, though beforehand getting as close an account of what happened that night in the countryside as she can provide, straining her mind for accuracy. If there's any discrepancy, the spell would break through any modification you care to name.
    -[X] If no discrepancy exists, try to thread backwards in another direction and see who might want to attempt Brynden's more subtle brand of manipulations by using details she's provided.
    -[X] Perhaps make use of the spell Hindsight using Wild Arcana?
     
    Duesal said:
    This is sounding a bit like a Hag plot to spark Bracken/Blackwood feud 14035.0 and spread misery and despair. I wouldn't be surprised if they faked a prophetic vision.

    [X] Crake
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    I bet there are two competing forces, perhaps two Covens of Hags, Fey Lords, land spirits or something along those lines who are playing the Bracken/Blackwood feud as a game, with the dead on either side being the manner in which they keep score.
     
    egoo said:
    If he fails, he noms the dragon and does nothing (because helping in that fight is considered payment for the dragon on itself).

    Either way it goes, we are pretty much all but guaranteed to win - and 3/9 are pretty good odds as far as I'm concerned, when that sort of reward is at stake.
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    The Dragon could flee.
    Let's say worst case, it's a Wyrm or older, then a Miracle to port himself out against most resistance is totally in the cards.
    egoo said:
    And tbh, I really doubt a Red that ancient would deign to serve the Bitch anyway.
    Too prideful for their own good.
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    But also spiteful and vengeful. If Tiamat's offer is good enough: Dragons of Faerun Excerpts
     
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