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

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lancelot said:
I'm sure that if we don't end the Lannisters in a few days the Deep ones will hit us with everything they've got, and when it's obvious that Tywin days are numbered I can see the Deep Ones, and possible the Others making him an 'offer'. We have any idea if he'd betray humanity for a chance of taking us out?
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Tywin is all about legacy. Do we want to extinguish House Lannister, or just him personally? There might be an answer that is both acceptable to us and our allies, and doesn't lead to Tywin throwing away his humanity (... JOJO!).
 
@Crake @Azel we can semi-reasonably almost double the Aquatic Defense groups all across the realm -sans the Iron Isles, that shithole needs whole new approach it seems- (24x 504.960 IM each, 12.190.040 IM total), but this formation is mostly Undead, and the Squids already seem to have found good ways to counter that.
So, is there any point to, then?
Shall we focus on Forging plants, dragons and bio-constructs, like before, instead?

Can't remember the exact mercs we hired.
Would have to dig that up, but regardless of that, where, exactly, would we be placing them?
Are they a defense-force? A multiplier we'll pour on top of Squids out of a Gate? Etc.

Calling Gith in is way too soon.
They are a Squid!City-busting force if supplemented with enough Forged creatures, though.
 
Vote closed.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Dec 9, 2020 at 9:31 AM, finished with 54 posts and 16 votes.
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Part MMMDCLXXV: Parched Lands and Changing Rivers
  • Threadmarks
    • Parched Lands and Changing Rivers ​

    Tenth Day of the Fourth Month 294 AC

    A Quiet Warding: Thankfully reports from young Edric Dayne's protectors have shown neither hide nor hair of any assassins, though the lad himself has shown a fascination for his new protectors that his father, Ser Andrew, is not quite at ease with. Thankfully the interest is more towards the spirits of the Greendream incarnated through the Flesh Forge and not the arts that made the Black Knights. Still, if reports are to be believed you might see a Dayne in the Scholarum soon enough, not from some outburst of power, but the systematic study of the arcane. Letters from Starfall on the matter have been stiff and 'prickly as a horned lizard' according to Doran, but it is clear Lord Dayne at least sees the virtue of having a son who understands what his advisers into the arcane are saying more than he does.

    Common Coin: Thanks in no small part to mages adept in dousing for the treasures of the earth sourced from the Opaline Vault by Tyene, Prince Doran has found a large tin deposit on Martell land near Sunspear. While he had been hoping for something more esoteric tin is certainly valuable enough to be worth the effort of digging it out of the ground, especially as there will not be that much use of pick and shovel involved. Thanks to Oberyn and his fey... connections, Doran was able to obtain the approval of a splinter troupe of pech and tinker fey who are prepared to break ground practically the day Dorne formally swears to you.

    Enticing Expeditions: Given the riches obtained on the voyage to Yi Ti and the return of his ships, now with more captains experienced in sailing in eastern waters, the Prince of Dorne has started planning out an expedition of his own to the Jade Sea, though it will likely be months before it can set sail. Most of Dorne's efforts are presently focused on ensuring the war for the Iron Throne is won and the Lannisters are broken.

    ***​

    News from the Riverlands comes not in a neat report with the sea of reports from the Diplomatic Corps or the Inquisition, it does not even come from from the Riverlands, at least not directly. Rather you receive a message by brazier from Winterfell with news that there is a letter on its way upon a false raven's wing, passed on by Lord Stark, though he did not read it, a letter from his goodfather Hoster Tully. Grief-stricken though she may be, it seems Catelyn Stark can read the writing on the wall and she is still enough a Tully to warn her father.

    A few hours later in the company of your sister, your mother and Ser Richard just returned from the training field you watch the messenger enter your solar. Thus you break the seal of the leaping trout, symbol of the youngest of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and likely to be one of the least fortunate in the wake of the war, though perhaps not as unfortunate as you had been anticipating before today.

    To King Viserys Third of his Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

    It is with shock and disgust beyond what can rightly be put into words of the Common Tongue or indeed any other that we learn of Cersei Lannister's perfidy, making herself responsible of the crimes of adultery, murder and treason to name only the most grave among these offenses. It is clear that the rot goes far beyond her to her House and her father who paid for her wedding with the spilling of innocent blood, and indeed even to her husband whose reign was cursed from the start by his acceptance of this unclean bargain with Tywin Lannister.

    With the clarity of hindsight it is obvious to me and should be obvious to all lords of good will that the dominion of Robert Baratheon over the Seven Kingdoms was illegitimate from the first and for this reason was plagued by all manner of evils where your realm has prospered. I can only prey to the New Gods and the Old honored within the walls of Riverrun that what is written in the broadsheet of the 'Imperial Times' reflects some understanding from Your Grace of the trials and tribulations that pressed even men of good conscience to raise their banner against your father.

    It is thus with humility and a fearful awe of your majesty in which holds the power of House Targaryen that I ask for pardons for my transgression and the transgressions of my House and offer my full oath and that of all my leal bannermen.

    Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun, Lord Paramount of the Riverlands

    "It's a bit much, isn't it?" Dany asks when you are done reading the missive aloud. "Polished your scales with his breath," she adds in draconic. The expression is hardly complementary, referring to those subjects or servants so keen to ingratiate themselves to a dragon that they become a nuisance.

    Ser Richard gives a disdainful laugh as he takes off his helm. "That's a nice way to say ass kissing. What do you call loyalty offered when it's the last option available?"

    "A recognition of reality," you reply dryly, under no more illusions than him of where this pretty pledge had come. "Still, that is more than some other lords I can name will ever grant."

    "Walder Frey is still going to want his pound of flesh, more than the one really," your sister reminds you, paraphrasing an old and much maligned Volantene play set in Braavos.

    At that your mother grimaces slightly. She will never like Walder you suspect. Yet she does not raise a direct objection, merely adding: "The Tullys could be humbled without being broken, they were merely oportunists for all they served an ill fate to loyal houses like Darry."

    What do you reply to Hoster Tully?

    [] Write in

    OOC: Hoster is not an idiot when it comes to politics. As soon as Catelyn warned him that Eddard and Stannis had turned he knew it would be madness to stick with the Lannisters.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Too late by half, Hoster. You'll keep Riverrun, but that's literally all you'll keep. The days of Tully ruling are done.
     
    Duesal said:
    Too late by half, Hoster. You'll keep Riverrun, but that's literally all you'll keep. The days of Tully ruling are done.
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    The question is: can we afford replacing him right now with war with the deep ones on the horizon and war with the Lannisters being imminent? Especially since he declared for us now, the other Westerosi lords won't like it.
     
    Duesal said:
    Too late by half, Hoster. You'll keep Riverrun, but that's literally all you'll keep. The days of Tully ruling are done.
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    We have enough examples to make, and he still has the loyalty of other houses, AND despite how different Frey is from the books and show noone with any sense trusts him not to take a mile with every inch we give him. Better to allow the nearby houses that are loyal to him to remain in service to him so his family can ride herd on him. From what we've seen his son is much different. Also after murdering the BlackFish who was the best of them, I think we owe them something like not breaking and humiliating them.

    If we weaken them too much Frey will do everything he can to constantly humiliate them. Despite the FACT that Walder was a shit banner man. It'll be subtle but he'll do it and it'll make the River Lands a pain in the ass for us.
     
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    Duesal said:
    Too late by half, Hoster. You'll keep Riverrun, but that's literally all you'll keep. The days of Tully ruling are done.
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    Well, they could possibly be the Dukes of the Midlands province, since we still haven't decided who gets that. It is a possibility we should keep in mind, although I honestly wold prefer an apointed governor.
     
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    DragonParadox said:
    Parched Lands and Changing Rivers ​

    Tenth Day of the Fourth Month 294 AC

    A Quiet Warding: Thankfully, reports from young Edric Dayne's protectors have shown neither hide nor hair of any assassins, though the lad himself has shown a fascination for his new protectors that his father ser Andrew is not quite at ease with. So far the interest is more towards the spirits of the Greendream incarnated through the flesh forge and not the arts that made the Black Knight. Still, if reports are to be believed you might see a Dayne in the Scholarum soon enough, not from some outburst of power, but the systematic study of the arcane. Letters from Starfall on the matter have been stiff and 'prickly as a horned lizard' according to Doran, but it is clear Lord Dayne at least sees the virtue of having a son who understands what his advisers into the arcane are saying more than he does.

    Common Coin: Thanks in no small part to mages adept in dousing for the treasures of the earth sourced from the Opaline Vault by Tyene, Prince Doran has found a large tin deposit on Martell land near Sunspear. While he had been hoping for something more esoteric, tin is certainly valuable enough to be worth the effort of digging out of the ground, especially as there will not be that much use of pick and shovel involved. Thanks to Oberyn and his fey... connections... Doran was able to obtain the approval of a splinter troupe of pech and tinker fey who are prepared to break ground practically the day Dorne formally swears to you.

    Enticing Expeditions: Given the riches obtained on the voyage to Yi Ti and the return of his ships, now with more captains experienced in sailing in eastern waters, the Prince of Dorne has started planning out an expedition of his own to the Jade Sea, though it will likely be months before it can set sail. Most of Dorne's efforts are presently focused on ensuring the war for the Iron Throne is won and the Lannisters are broken.

    ***​

    News from he Riverlands comes not in a neat report with the seal of the Diplomatic Corps or the Inquisition, it does not even come from from the Riverlands, at least not directly. Rather, you receive a message by brazier from Winterfell with news that there is a letter on its way upon a verdant raven's wing, passed on by Lord Stark, though he did not read it, a letter from his goodfather Hoster Tully. Grief-stricken though she may be, it seems Catelyn Stark can read the writing on the wall and she is still enough a Tully to warn her father.

    A few hours later in the company of your sister, your mother, and Ser Richard just returned from the training field, you watch the messenger enter your solar. Thus you break the seal of the leaping trout, symbol of the youngest of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and likely to be one of the least fortunate in the wake of the war, though perhaps not as unfortunate as you had been anticipating before today.

    To King Viserys Third of his Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men Lord of the Seven Kingdoms Protector of the Realm

    It is with shock and disgust beyond what can rightly be put into words of the Common Tongue or indeed any other that we learn of Cersei Lannister's perfidy, making herself responsible of the crimes of adultery, murder, and treason to name only the most grave among these offenses. It is clear that the rot goes far beyond her, to her house and her father who paid for her wedding with the spilling of innocent blood and indeed even to her husband whose reign was cursed from the start by his acceptance of this unclean bargain with Tywin Lannister.

    With the clarity of hindsight it is obvious to me and should be obvious to all lords of good will that the dominion of Robert Baratheon over the Seven Kingdoms was illegitimate from the first and for this reason was plagued by all manner of evils where your realm has prospered. I can only prey to the New Gods and the Old honored within the Walls of Riverrun that what is written in the broadsheet of the 'Imperial Times' reflects some understanding from Your Grace of the trials and tribulations that pressed even men of good conscience to raise their banner against your father.

    It is thus with humility and a fearful awe of your majesty in which the power of House Targaryen that I ask for pardons for my transgression and the transgressions of my House, and offer my full oath and that of all my leal bannermen.

    Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun, Lord Paramount of the Riverlands

    "That's a bit much, isn't it?" Dany asks when you are done reading the missive aloud. "Polished your scales with his breath," she adds in draconic. The expression is hardly complementary, referring to those subjects or servants so keen to ingratiate themselves to a dragon that they become a nuisance.
    Ser Richard gives a disdainful laugh as he takes off his helm. "That's a nice way to say ass kissing. What do you call loyalty offered when it's the last option available?"

    "A recognition of reality," you reply dryly, under no more illusions than him of where this pretty pledge had come. "Still, that is more than some other lords I can name will ever grant."

    "Walder Frey is still going to want his pound of flesh, more than the one really," your sister reminds you, paraphrasing an old and much maligned Volantine play set in Braavos.

    At that your mother grimaces slightly. She will never like Walder, you suspect, yet she does not raise a direct objection, merely adding, "The Tullys could be humbled without being broken. They were merely opportunists, for all they served an ill fate to loyal houses like Darry."

    What do you reply to Hoster Tully?

    [] Write in

    OOC: Hoster is not an idiot when it comes to politics. As soon as Catelyn warned him that Eddard and Stannis had turned he knew it would be madness to stick with the Lannisters. Not yet edited.
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    Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.

    I highlighted one section near the end that seems to be missing a few words for it to make sense.
     
    [X] Hoster Tully will attend your coronation after you have received his oath of fealty, though this only settles the matter of Riverrun's legal status.
    -[X] You will carry out your original intended punishment of Riverun, stripping it of its lordship of the Riverlands and vassals, leaving it only with Riverrun and de jure lands associated with it (not nearly as significant compared to Bracken, Blackwood or even Vance).
    --[X] That's honestly punishment enough. He will also of course have to deal with being associated with those Lords on the wrong side of your favor in about as public fashion as there is.
    ---[X] If Walder complains, remind him of the multiple significant blandishments you promised and have already delivered to him. The guy can't possibly be that ossified in his own resentment, despite having several decades on Tywin, who's practically a fossil of bitterness and grasping.
     
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    Crake said:
    [X] Hoster Tully will attend your coronation after you have received his oath of fealty, though this only settles the matter of Riverrun's legal status.
    -[X] You will carry out your original intended punishment of Riverun, stripping it of its lordship of the Riverlands and vassals, leaving it only with Riverrun and de jure lands associated with it (not nearly as significant compared to Bracken, Tully or even Vance).
    --[X] That's honestly punishment enough. He will also of course have to deal with being associated with those Lords on the wrong side of your favor in about as public fashion as there is.
    ---[X] If Walder complains, remind him of the multiple significant blandishments you promised and have already delivered to him. The guy can't possibly be that ossified in his own resentment, despite having several decades on Tywin, who's practically a fossil of bitterness and grasping.
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    I am going to asume you put "Tully" there accidentally.
    [X] Crake
     
    XML4ever said:
    The question is: can we afford replacing him right now with war with the deep ones on the horizon and war with the Lannisters being imminent? Especially since he declared for us now, the other Westerosi lords won't like it.
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    We're not replacing him, we're dismantling the entire kingdom. There won't be a Riverlands anymore.
    lancelot said:
    We have enough examples to make, and he still has the loyalty of other houses, AND despite how different Frey is from the books and show noone with any sense trusts him not to take a mile with every inch we give him. Better to allow the nearby houses that are loyal to him to remain in service to him so his family can ride herd on him. From what we've seen his son is much different. Also after murdering the BlackFish who was the best of them, I think we owe them something like not breaking and humiliating them.

    If we weaken them too much Frey will do everything he can to constantly humiliate them. Despite the FACT that Walder was a shit banner man. It'll be subtle but he'll do it and it'll make the River Lands a pain in the ass for us.
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    We don't owe them crap.

    [x] Crake
     
    @Crake, that's basically what we always wanted to do? They keep Riverrun the associated province, bot no ducal title?

    Just pointing out that Walder would have zero reason to complain here. That's literally the deal we told him they would get.
     
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