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

Twenty-Ninth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

The basic trade in lore is quickly arranged, though it will take several weeks to get everything transcribed and you understand that the same is true in the case of whatever mechanism creates memory crystals. It occurs to you that you might be able to find out once you have more mind mages inclined to research at your disposal. The next few hours are spent sharing information on the plans and actions of the Court of Stars as well as establishing tentative ongoing information sharing in the matter so as not to step on each others' proverbial toes.

Your attempts to gain information on the Illithid life cycle, particularly the process of ceremorphosis are met with mixed success, however. Throfin touches a small crystalline shard to his temple and brings it away glowing faintly blue-grey before handing it to you: "That is all we of the Convergence are willing to share in the matter at this point. You understand of course that detailed information on the process can be used to craft weapons targeting tadpoles." A tight-lipped smile crosses his lips. "We have seen Lannisport's recent 'blooming' and understand its significance. Perhaps when we have gained a better measure of each other we might revisit the notion of a live tadpole."

You nod noncommittally and take the crystal. Staring in its depths you will the knowledge to be yours, overcoming the gulf in structure by weight of wish-craft. Salinity levels, growth patterns, estimated population densities, aggregate psionic strength, entrance points parasitic feeding patterns, all flow into your consciousness as a river flows into the sea. Other scholars would have to pursue it at a slower peace, but not much slower than reading a book would be and likely swifter once they become accustomed to the way the web of memories is structured.

"Satisfactory," you proclaim to your somewhat wary host. Not as good as actual samples but even if the cabal had produced such there still would have been an element of trust to it that they had not simply modified them to suite their own ends. For the moment you would judge it is in both your interests to remain truthful.

Gained information on Illithid Life Cycle and Ceremorphosis
Gained +10 Knowledge (Psionics)

"With regards to this alternative feeding mechanism, I would be interested in a sample and willing to sell them back at cost," you continue, slipping the crystal into the folds of your cloak.

"It requires mastery of complex mental techniques beyond what we have bargained for today. I am not certain how much use the knowledge would be to you," the Doppelganger explains, regaining his poise in and instant.

"As the Flesh Forges of Valyria show, it is possible to reach the same destination by different routes," you counter smoothly.

"Very well, it will be delivered alongside the lore crystals. Sharing it is not seen as a risk, and some among the Convergence are... curious in seeing what your shapers-of-flesh make of it."

With that you bid farewell to Throfin and to the offices of Sunset Shores and step back into the lantern light of early evening. You wonder for a moment at the irony of having one so close, but then realize the master of this place would probably embrace it as one more veil to hide him from curious eyes. Light after all can blind the searching eye as easily as darkness.

The matter of Greenshield looms in your mind once more if not quite with the same urgency. The rebel cabal know it was though Lyan Chester that you gained knowledge of their actions and have no reason to slay him, though they might place him under compulsion once again to keep him from spreading accounts of them any further.

That still leaves the question of whether you should extend your protection to House Chester or just leave your new acquaintances to operate in pace there the better to observe their methods. It would after all be rather awkward if upon discovering the truth of their patrons Lord Chester were to ask for your aid in removing Deep One influence from the island's septs.

On the other hand as Dany is quick to remind you without a pledge of fealty there is nothing keeping the loyalist Deep Ones from moving against him with impunity. For that matter Brandon Greyshield may decide to act himself, seeing the cult of the Iron God as a clear and present danger to his own fief.

What do you do about Greenshield?

[] Seek Lord Chester's fealty, the better to be able to protect him and his fief

[] Observe developments there but do not act directly for the moment

[] Write in

OOC: I know the action of obtaining fealty is not the most engaging, but this vote is about far more than that, involving both relationship with the cabal as well as Brandon and his friends.