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

Twenty-Fifth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

Unlike the Sealord and or Hermetia, who are obviously relieved to be gone from under the heavy darkness of the Shadow Tower and talk of otherworldly wars Zherys lingers in Sorcerer's Deep with news, not only of the dead 'brigand' on the paths of the Dimwell Delving but also secrets bound in the ash you had gathered from the manse of the doomed Magister Tagar. From there the fire of Volantis' magic had truly kindled and in those tomes some secrets lingered. Perhaps you shall have your opportunity to battle Ymeri Queen of the Inferno sooner than you'd thought.

"He was not as ignorant as I had assumed," Zherys explains, setting the parchments down before you carefully, each marked with his looping almost ornate script. A personal report. "That of course makes him even more of a fool of course, but that is water down the Rhoyne."

"What did he seek then in opening the way for Ymeri's Herald and almost for the Ashen Queen herself?" you ask, eyes already sliding down the list of books. Many of them are tomes you already have, sometimes in more complete iterations besides, but there are a few that catch your eye—texts on alchemy, healing and blood sorcery.

"Not merely to become a sorcerer able to summon power with a whispered incantation, he wished to become immortal, imperishable... fey."

"And thus eternally under the dominion of Ymeri," you interject with dawning realization and horror. "She was not trying to burn down Volantis, though it would have burned, and she was not trying to awaken magic and gain sorcerous servants, but instead kindle in the souls of those strong enough to bear the burden the fires of faerie. She sought to strengthen her court and anchor it to the Material World all at once."

"Yes," the former High Speaker of the Mysterium nods, the softness of his voice not veiling his anger. "Akin though crueler by far to what the Court of Stars is attempting in the Sunset Lands. Still, Tagar's books provide some insight into the transmutation of souls and flesh. Perhaps the Lady Lya might find some use for them."

Gained Tagar's Library

Zherys pauses for a moment, uncharacteristically hesitant. "It would be best if this information were not shared with all those Awoken in Volantis. Most of us have the good sense not to seek such a poisoned chalice, but everywhere there are fools who would don chains for the illusion of power."

"You suspect the ritual could still be completed?" you ask, concerned.

"Not as it was intended, but it is the nature of kindling to leap into flame," he replies simply.

"I will see to it that it is only shared with trusted scholars," you pledge. It is not the first piece of perilous lore the Scholarum holds, and it shall not be the last.


Your next visitor for the day also comes bearing lore, though thankfully without grim tidings. Urzig of the Monastery of the Unbroken Circle does not bow as he enters the room, but presents his hands palm forward in the traditional Githzerai gesture of welcome to one's host, an act which leaves the stack of almost translucently thin stone tablets hovering in mid air. "I have come bearing the knowledge you sought of the Slave Masters and of the first steps along the Path of the Unbroken."

Motioning the stack of documents forward he adds: "Now you, Dragon Lord, are the Teacher who must decide who is ready to learn and in what manner. For myself I ask only that you be kind with this gift, for knowledge of the Slave Masters can break the hearts of those who do not know themselves enough."

"Of course," you nod, taking the offered slates. Truth be told you do not have the time to read though yet another arcane tradition, but there are those whom you trust with such lore. A raven borne message summons a Fury assigned to the library to bear this lore to the more accessible reaches of the Scholarum's collection.

Gained Basic Githzerai Lore

Not all lore, however, can be written upon parchment or carved upon stone, not all power so gifted. Your thoughts turn to the Facless and their Many-Faced God. Perilous as walking upon the blade of a knife, the abyss stretching out below. The knowledge that there is one among that grim order who can invoke even miracles by the power of his pact with death is chilling, but the lore they laid out here... yes, that you can certainly use if the gods of your realm should consent to offer up their power.


Which god do you first ask about the possibility of creating Ur Priests?

[] Yss

[] Old Gods

[] The Ferryman

[] Weeping Lady

[] Moonsinger Goddess

[] Zathir

OOC: Keep in mind you guys are not shopping for a new coat here. You are asking for a massive boon and a degree of trust that is outright unnatural for most divine/mortal interactions. It's probably best to focus on the ones you feel will be the most receptive and whose price you can best afford to pay.