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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 MMMDXIX: Upon a Winding Path Returning
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    • Upon a Winding Path Returning ​

    Seventeenth Day of the First Month 294 AC

    Over the years you have found that it is almost always easiest to persuade those who wish to tread a certain path but dare not do so over those who would rather not act at all, or even do so against whatever you advise. Thankfully Elswyth, daughter of Rowan Goldenapple and granddaughter of Garth, Eldest of that name, proves to be the former not the latter. Beneath the scars inflicted by the passing ages, she is quite gregarious once fey formality is abandoned, and from the cheerful discussion she kept up with those of your companions who chose to stay behind, she clearly appreciates mortal company as well, for a value of mortal that includes Kira at least.

    "I shall do this, child of fire and air. I shall ensure the heirs of my mother's line burn the Seven Pointed Star from their thoughts and with it the legacy of the monster who slew her. May he die ten thousand deaths, one for every soul turned from his gods." The oath echoes through the glade like a great wind that carries stillness in its wake. Leaves quiver upon the trees and branches twist and burst into flowers bright as beaten gold.

    Probably not the best idea to introduce her to Elinor without warning or for that matter take her into Dalla's war camp unbidden.

    Rhaella obviously had the same thought as you. "We shall bring her to you here, my lady, so that you would not have to be parted from your heart and home for the snowy peaks of the Mountains of the Moon."

    "A gracious offer. Go then with my blessing and know that you shall be rewarded for aid kindly given," Elswyth proclaims grandly.

    ***​

    "So you want me to get my father and House to turn our backs on the Seven and in exchange we'll get the favor of a fey lady old as the Age of Heroes?" The wry tone with which the fur-garbed young woman before you asks the question is a far cry from the worried waif she had been when you first met her. Not that you are surprised. A frightened child would not have been any more useful for Bloodraven's original purposes than she is to you now.

    "That's about the heart of it," you reply. With a smile towards the incarnate floating beside you, you add, "Though you shouldn't make a habit of carving things down like that. It will put the bards out of business."

    The young Rowan scion snorts, then says simply, "Yes, to all of it. The apostasy and fey favor, I mean. It's not like the Seven have been much use to me over the last few years," an edge of old bitterness enters her voice. "But what am I going to tell my lord father about where I have been, Your Grace? The truth would hardly incline him to listen to me, much less take up the faith of those who... stole me away. Gods that sounds absurd, like I was a piece of fine pottery or something..."

    What do you suggest Elinor tell her father?

    [] Write in

    OOC: I hope I did not abridge this too hard. I can do an interlude from Elinor's perspective if anyone's interested in her motivations, but for Viserys' perspective it's enough that she is willing to play along with the plan and not just from a desire to get back to civilization. Not yet
     
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    • DragonParadox said:
    OOC: I hope I did not abridge this too hard. I can do an interlude from Elinor's perspective if anyone's interested in her motivations, but for Viserys' perspective it's enough that she is willing to play along with the plan and not just from a desire to get back to civilization. Not yet edited.
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    @DragonParadox, what PC levels does Elinor have again? Is she a Druid of the Old Gods or something?
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Upon a Winding Path Returning ​

    Seventeenth Day of the First Month 294 AC

    Over the years you have found that it is almost always easiest to persuade those who wish to tread a certain path but dare not do so over those who would rather not act at all, or even do so against whatever you advise. Thankfully Elswyth, daughter of Rowan Goldenapple and granddaughter of Garth, Eldest of that name, proves to be the former not the latter. Beneath the scars inflicted by the passing ages, she is quite gregarious once fey formality is abandoned, and from the cheerful discussion she kept up with those of your companions who chose to stay behind, she clearly appreciates mortal company as well, for a value of mortal that includes Kira at least.

    "I shall do this, child of fire and air. I shall ensure the heirs of my mother's line burn the Seven Pointed Star from their thoughts and with it the legacy of the monster who slew her. May he die ten thousand deaths, one for every soul turned from his gods." The oath echoes through the glade like a great wind that carries stillness in its wake. Leaves quiver upon the trees and branches twist and burst into flowers bright as beaten gold.

    Probably not the best idea to introduce her to Elinor without warning or for that matter take her into Dalla's war camp unbidden.

    Rhaella obviously had the same thought as you. "We shall bring her to you here, my lady, so that you would not have to be parted from your heart and home for the snowy peaks of the Mountains of the Moon."

    "A gracious offer. Go then with my blessing and know that you shall be rewarded for aid kindly given," Elswyth proclaims grandly.

    ***​

    "So you want me to get my father and House to turn our backs on the Seven and in exchange we'll get the favor of a fey lady old as the Age of Heroes?" The wry tone with which the fur-garbed young woman before you asks the question is a far cry from the worried waif she had been when you first met her. Not that you are surprised. A frightened child would not have been any more useful for Bloodraven's original purposes than she is to you now.

    "That's about the heart of it," you reply. With a smile towards the incarnate floating beside you, you add, "Though you shouldn't make a habit of carving things down like that. It will put the bards out of business."

    The young Rowan scion snorts, then says simply, "Yes, to all of it. The apostasy and fey favor, I mean. It's not like the Seven have been much use to me over the last few years," an edge of old bitterness enters her voice. "But what am I going to tell my lord father about where I have been, Your Grace? The truth would hardly incline him to listen to me, much less take up the faith of those who... stole me away. Gods that sounds absurd, like I was a piece of fine pottery or something..."

    What do you suggest Elinor tell her father?

    [] Write in

    OOC: I hope I did not abridge this too hard. I can do an interlude from Elinor's perspective if anyone's interested in her motivations, but for Viserys' perspective it's enough that she is willing to play along with the plan and not just from a desire to get back to civilization. Not yet edited.
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    Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.

    The first paragraph seemed kinda jumbled up a bit, with latter and former in the wrong order. I think I fixed it, but you might want to check behind me.

    EDIT: Meant paragraph, not chapter.
     
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    DragonParadox said:
    She is just and expert with UMD and other esoteric skills, Bloodraven did not really need her casting her own magic, only friendly to the Old Gods and Dalla just needed her to explain lowlanders.
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    That slightly complicates matters... if she was an adept this would be an easier story to sell.
     
    If only there were a reliable way for Viserys to brute-force an awakening to magic. Like right before the Conquest of Tyrosh when we awakened a dozen new Sorcerers in a Scholarum lecture.
     
    Crake said:
    That slightly complicates matters... if she was an adept this would be an easier story to sell.
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    We could fake it?

    Give her some magic items from the Armory (a couple Wands of CLW, Healing Belt, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, Vial of Efficacious Medicine, Inquisitor's Monocle, Muleback Cords, Ring of Sandform, Earring of Arcane Acuity, Cloak of +2 Charima, Amulet of Tears, Handy Haversack), craft her a couple items (slotless Ring of Prestidigitation, a +5 Diplomacy skill booster), add a bunch of Alchemical items (Antiplague, Antitoxin, Healing Salve, etc), and some "familiars", a Plant-Imbued Shadow Creature Cat (w/+4 Racial HD) (CR 6, 6 HD), a Verdant Raven [Advanced Plant-Imbued Giant Raven (w/+4 Racial HD)] (CR 6, 6 HD), and 10 Verdant Kingfisher (CR 2, 2 HD) and she could credibly pass as a mage, if not a standard one.

    We could also use one of our 3rd level Permanency scrolls to place a Permanent Channel Vigor effect on her, which would would further sell the ruse that she has magic powers of some sort. Limbs when she needs a Haste effect, Mind for enhanced Knowledge and senses, and Spirit to be a better liar or more intimidating.
    • Channel Vigor: Select one of the following effects, which can be changed as a Move Action.
      • Limbs: You gain the benefits of a haste spell.
      • Mind: You gain a +4 competence bonus on Knowledge, Listen, and Spot skill checks and on ranged attack rolls.
      • Spirit: You gain a +6 competence bonus on Will saving throws and Bluff and Intimidate checks.
      • Torso: You gain a +6 competence bonus on Fortitude saving throws and concentration checks.
     
    Goldfish said:
    We could fake it?

    Give her some magic items from the Armory (a couple Wands of CLW, Healing Belt, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, Vial of Efficacious Medicine, Inquisitor's Monocle, Muleback Cords, Ring of Sandform, Earring of Arcane Acuity, Cloak of +2 Charima, Amulet of Tears, Handy Haversack), craft her a couple items (slotless Ring of Prestidigitation, a +5 Diplomacy skill booster), add a bunch of Alchemical items (Antiplague, Antitoxin, Healing Salve, etc), and some "familiars", a Plant-Imbued Shadow Creature Cat (w/+4 Racial HD) (CR 6, 6 HD), a Verdant Raven [Advanced Plant-Imbued Giant Raven (w/+4 Racial HD)] (CR 6, 6 HD), and 10 Verdant Kingfisher (CR 2, 2 HD) and she could credibly pass as a mage, if not a standard one.

    We could also use one of our 3rd level Permanency scrolls to place a Permanent Channel Vigor effect on her, which would would further sell the ruse that she has magic powers of some sort. Limbs when she needs a Haste effect, Mind for enhanced Knowledge and senses, and Spirit to be a better liar or more intimidating.
    • Channel Vigor: Select one of the following effects, which can be changed as a Move Action.
      • Limbs: You gain the benefits of a haste spell.
      • Mind: You gain a +4 competence bonus on Knowledge, Listen, and Spot skill checks and on ranged attack rolls.
      • Spirit: You gain a +6 competence bonus on Will saving throws and Bluff and Intimidate checks.
      • Torso: You gain a +6 competence bonus on Fortitude saving throws and concentration checks.
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    We could... and should do all of that, since her being capable of selling any story we have, and also just being better protected/equipped, is a good idea overall.

    @DragonParadox Could we awaken her to magic in truth through sacrifice?
     
    Add this to your vote, @Crake?

    -[] To aid Elinor in her task, we will assign her the following:
    --[] Wealth: 500 IM in various coinage
    --[] Spell Effect: A Permanent Channel Vigor spell will be applied to Elinor to further enhance her capabilities, and the Renewal Pact and Stalwart Pact spells placed on her for increased safety.
    --[] Enchanted Paraphernalia: Amulet of Tears (w/Protection from Evil), Cloak of Hedge Wizard (Conjuration) Earring of Arcane Acuity (w/+2 Charisma & +5 Competence bonus to Use Magic Device checks), Gloves of Object Reading, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, Handy Haversack, Inquisitor's Monocle, Mind Blank Ring (Shadowforged), Muleback Cords, Ring of Sandform, Ring of Sustenance (Slotless), Single-Use Charms (Plane Shift charm, Teleport Charm, x2 Sending Stones), Vial of Efficacious Medicine, Wand of Cure Light Wounds (x2)
    --[] Spell Scrolls: Cure Light Wounds (x20), Divine Insight (x10), Healer's Vision (x5), Invisibility (x5), Mirror Image (x2), Panacea (x5), Rope Trick (x3)
    --[] Constructs: Greater Three-Eyed Raven (x1) and Lesser Three-Eyed Ravens (x3) to act as unseen eyes and ears, and unobtrusive messengers should she need them.
    --[] Alchemical Items: Antiplague (x30), Antitoxin (x30), Fungal Stun Vial (x10), Healing Salve (x100), Healy Myrrh (x20), Sleep-Smoke (x10)
    --[] Plant servitors to act as her familiars:
    ---[] Plant-Imbued Shadow Creature Cat (w/+4 Racial HD) (CR 6, 6 HD)
    ---[] Verdant Raven [Advanced Plant-Imbued Giant Raven (w/+4 Racial HD)] (CR 6, 6 HD)
    ---[] 10 Verdant Kingfishers (CR 2, 2 HD)
     
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    Goldfish said:
    Plant servitors to act as her familiars:
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    new ones being ordered, or available ones being reassigned?
    from the "free at this very moment"-list:
    egoo said:
    1006x Giant Fungal Darkenbeasts
    250x Verdant Kingfisher (CR 2, 2 HD)
    25x Plant-Imbued Shadow Creature Cat (w/+4 Racial HD) (CR 6, 6 HD)
    22x Advanced Sorcerer Creature Snapdragon Leshy (w/+8 Racial HD) (CR 10, 14 HD)
    25x Verdant Raven [Advanced Plant-Imbued Giant Raven (w/+4 Racial HD)] (CR 6, 6 HD)
    29x Advanced Druid Creature Lotus Leshy
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    I think this should cover things adequately? I'm hoping she's got a decent Charisma attribute and some skill points invested in social skills, especially Bluff, if she wants to pull this off.

    The magic stuff we're giving her should help her convince her father that she's a mage of a sort closer to old Westerosi stories (Wargs, Wood Witches, potions, etc) than the normal variety. It also gives her options to hide and spy, if necessary, or flee in a hurry if she's in trouble. The Plant servitors should not only help sell the story, but they can also be useful as defenders and spies.

    Almost all of this stuff is coming straight out of the Armory, too. The only special order items are a PfE upgrade on the amulet, a slotless Ring of Sustenance, and the upgrade on her Earrings.

    [X] Plan KISE: Keep It Simple, Elinor
    -[X] Shortly after she was taken by the mountain clan raiders, Elinor's magic awakened and she made contact with the Old Gods. Through them, she was able to summon her familiars, intelligent Plant creatures whose powers helped her escape and survive in the wilderness.
    --[X] Rather than return home after her ordeal, Elinor instead chose to travel in search of greater understanding of the Old Gods and to make sense of the strangeness of the world she had found herself in. She eventually ended up in Sorcerer's Deep, where she studied magic and other mysteries.
    ---[X] Although she had made a new life for herself, Elinor eventually yearned to return home and see her family, and perhaps even use her newfound skills and knowledge to aid them in these trying times. With that goal in mind, she paid a mage to quickly transport her home rather than travel by ship and steed through uncertain waters and over unfriendly lands.
    -[X] Make it clear to Elinor that should she wish to study formal magic in truth, a spot will be waiting for her in the Scholarium when her mission is complete, along with a generous stipend. She will also be able to keep everything she was assigned for her mission, except for the Plant servitors, of course.
    -[X] To aid Elinor in her task, we will assign her the following:
    --[X] Wealth: 500 IM in various coinage
    --[X] Spell Effect: A Permanent Channel Vigor spell will be applied to Elinor to further enhance her capabilities, and the Renewal Pact and Stalwart Pact spells placed on her for increased safety.
    --[X] Equipment: Amulet of Tears (w/Protection from Evil), Anklets of Translocation, Cloak of Hedge Wizard (Conjuration), Earrings of Arcane Acuity (w/+2 Charisma & +5 Competence bonus to Use Magic Device checks), Gloves of Object Reading, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, Handy Haversack, Inquisitor's Monocle, Mind Blank Ring (Shadowforged), Muleback Cords, Ribbon of Disguise, Ring of Sandform, Ring of Sustenance (Slotless), Single-Use Charms (Plane Shift charm, Teleport Charm, x2 Sending Stones), Vial of Efficacious Medicine, Wand of Cure Light Wounds (x2), Weapons (Adamantine Dagger, Double Crossbow)
    --[X] Spell Scrolls: Cure Light Wounds (x20), Divine Insight (x10), Healer's Vision (x5), Invisibility (x5), Mirror Image (x2), Panacea (x5), Rope Trick (x3)
    --[X] Constructs: Greater Three-Eyed Raven (x1) and Lesser Three-Eyed Ravens (x3) to act as unseen eyes and ears, and unobtrusive messengers should she need them.
    --[X] Alchemical Items: Antiplague (x30), Antitoxin (x30), Fungal Stun Vial (x10), Healing Salve (x100), Healy Myrrh (x20), Sleep-Smoke (x10)
    --[X] Plant servitors to act as her familiars:
    ---[X] Plant-Imbued Shadow Creature Cat (w/+4 Racial HD) (CR 6, 6 HD)
    ---[X] Verdant Raven [Advanced Plant-Imbued Giant Raven (w/+4 Racial HD)] (CR 6, 6 HD)
    ---[X] 10 Verdant Kingfishers (CR 2, 2 HD)
    -[X] Viserys will Imbue Elinor with Divine Insight and Voice of the Dragon spells she can activate as needed to help sell her story, along with an Extended Persisted Greater Heroism spell Dreamcast by Dany which will last for 48 hours. Combined with the +6 Competence bonus to Bluff checks from her Channel Vigor buff, Elinor will have a +35 bonus to her Bluff skill in addition to any skill ranks or Charisma bonuses she may benefit from.
     
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    [X] Goldfish

    @Goldfish, we should include a line where Elinor is promised a spot in the Scholarum to properly unlock her magic when she has the time.
     
    Duesal said:
    [X] Goldfish

    @Goldfish, we should include a line where Elinor is promised a spot in the Scholarum to properly unlock her magic when she has the time.
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    Added this to my plan:
    -[] Make it clear to Elinor that should she wish to study formal magic in truth, a spot will be waiting for her in the Scholarium when her mission is complete, along with a generous stipend. She will also be able to keep everything she was assigned for her mission, except for the Plant servitors, of course.
     
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