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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 MMMDCCCLXIII: A Vow in Flame Writ
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    • A Vow in Flame Writ ​

    Third Day of the Twelfth Month 294 AC

    The three-headed dragon has traveled far this year; from the battlements of the Red Keep, to which it had been restored, to the tallest tower of Casterly Rock, a lion's den no more, to the walls of Qohor, where the sign of the Goat now lies in crumbled ruin. Yet today it would be raised upon the farthest shores beyond the ambitions of Aegon, beyond any realm of mortal man for many a long age since the spheres were parted. Yet as you watch the Moonchaser, the Gladius, and the Makhaira make their way through the clear blue of summer skies and into the fiery unknown of the Sea of Fire, you know that there is more than pride to this moment, there is peril. To stake a claim to any part of the chaotic patchwork of the Sea of Fire might as well be to drive a stake into the foot of the Heir of Iblis so shall it wound him.

    As crimson scales scrape over the fine marble of your Throne Room in sight of the full Curia, drawing eyes curious and wary, you are all too aware that this is not tiny Naath you have agreed to aid, the target of the odd slaver who dares the perilous seas. Nor is this merely a den of pirates such as one might have once found in the Stepstones or among the Basilisk Isles, the comparison the Times and many of the local papers had been making use of. Even pushed to the brink, their capital under bombardment, their palace crumbling under the weight of efreeti might, the Cobalt Scales yet hold sway over many clans and many islands. Just how many and how far is a matter of debate, for it is hard to plot upon a map the complex lines of vow and allegiance, debt and tribute that defines the agricultural and trading communities of the Sea of Fire.

    Power flows like oil upon steel, the saying goes. The steel is sharp tonight, the oil near to kindling. Amrelath would return with the queen in the company of the Harbinger, each symbols of your rule, but also of your pledge of protection to a realm in dire need of aid.

    "Hail, Larissa, Queen of the Cobalt Scales. What do you seek before the throne of the Imperium, gracious and good ally?" you ask in what to the manner of the corsair clans is almost too flattering a manner, but which is meant more for he princes and voices of the Curia who would soon enough seat her among their numbers

    For all the poetic justice of replacing some of the artisans you lost in the attack on the Dale with new citizens pressed in to your arms by the very swords of the Sultan, one should always keep in mind that poets make rather poor strategists and aesthetics do not spare one the cruel tyranny of mathematics. Your capacity to project power is stretched perilously thin.

    "We come to place our crown at your feet, Lord of Fire. No more do we ask than for safe harbor in times of war and for fair dealings in times of peace. No less will we accept."

    Some of the watchers are shifting in their seats, though whether at the strangeness of the petitioner now before them in the flesh or at the brusqueness of her manner, you cannot say for certain. Your words are calm and certain, your gaze does not wander from the slit eyes like like molten copper. "As has been asked of us, so do we offer our protection and our aid to those who would come to us for it. Let it be known from this day forth that any who would make war upon the Cobalt Scales make war upon the whole of the Imperium."

    Thus tribute is ceremonially given, fire wine and spice-bread. In exchange, you offer a spear and shield sized for the new Duchess Larissa of the Cobalt Scales wrought of Imperial Steel. The court will not have long to accustom itself to her presence, though. Her lands and her people need her more than the demands of protocol ever could. Thankfully, she has already appointed a proxy, her son and heir, you suspect at least in part so that she can be sure that he will be safe from enemy should the battle go ill.

    Over the next several days such sub-chiefs and clan heads as can make the journey to the Deep, generally those under siege in the capital, also make their vows, not their bows to the throne, because salamander custom one only lowers one's head when one is about to lunge to bite, a fact which for some reason becomes the quintessential sign of how alien they are... and in some circles how barbarous. Garin counsels that you look into that sooner rather than later, and you find yourself in full agreement with the point. Still in other quarters the Prince is received graciously indeed, with Zherys being the first to formally welcome him to the Curia... and to his faction. One can never fault the Archon of Volantis for the sin of tardiness.

    It is only a few days after that that you discover that another power in Volantis and elsewhere had come to see your new subjects in a fair light, the Red Faith. Already there are inquiries from Flame Keepers across the realm for how they might send aid and missionaries. For once you do not have much of a twinge about the latter. The Lord of Light is not unknown among the clans who, unlike their genie neighbors, do worship the gods, if not as much as mortal men.

    When Marshal Vaerios Ghad asks that he be given any Legion command in the defense of your new citizens, you are understanding, but truth be told you are not even certain if you can afford to deploy the Legions to a realm that is so fundamentally hostile to all human life. This you suspect shall be a war fought mostly by the forge-wrought, a war of the Imperium, but not necessarily a war of men. Already darkenbeasts and dragon-turtles, their shells inscribed with runes of ash and molten steel, are making their way to the battle, yet even that scaled might shall be but one more drop in the deluge that must be brought forth if you are to turn the fortunes of this war.

    Gained Allegiance of the Cobalt Scales Clan (Major Salamander Clan) Ducal Rank awarded

    What do you do next?

    [] Find out more about your new citizens
    -[] Write in questions

    [] Move on with the turn

    OOC: I thought about voting on what rank you guys would be granting but at the end of the day there wasn't much question. even as weakened as they have been the Salamanders have more wealth and potential economic muscle than many of the dukes you already have.
     
    Last edited:
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    • DragonParadox said:
    A Vow in Flame Writ ​

    Third Day of the Twelfth Month 294 AC

    The three-headed dragon has traveled far this year, from the battlements of the Red Keep, to which it had been restored, to the tallest tower of Casterly Rock, a lion's den no more, to the walls of Qohor, where the sign of the Goat now lies in crumbled ruin. Yet today it would be raised upon the farthest shores beyond the ambitions of Aegon, beyond any realm of mortal man for many a long age since the spheres were parted. Yet as you watch the Moonchaser, the Gladius, and the Makhaira make their way through the clear blue of summer skies and into the fiery unknown of the Sea of Fire, you know that there is more than pride to this moment, there is peril. To stake a claim to any part of the chaotic patchwork of the Sea of Fire might as well be to drive a stake into the foot of the Heir of Iblis so shall it wound him.

    As crimson scales scrape over the fine marble of your Throne Room in sight of the full Curia, drawing eyes curious and wary, you are all too aware that this is not tiny Naath you have agreed to aid, the target of the odd slaver who dares the perilous seas. Nor is this merely a den of pirates such as one might have once found in the Stepstones or among the Basilisk Isles, the comparison the Times and many of the local papers had been making use of. Even pushed to the brink, their capital under bombardment, their palace crumbling under the weight of efreeti might, the Cobalt Scales yet hold sway over many clans and many islands. Just how many and how far is a matter of debate, for it is hard to plot upon a map the complex lines of vow and allegiance, debt and tribute that defines the agricultural and trading communities of the Sea of Fire.

    Power flows like oil upon steel, the saying goes. The steel is sharp tonight, the oil near to kindling. Amrelath would return with the queen in the company of the Harbinger, each symbols of your rule, but also of your pledge of protection to a realm in dire need of aid.

    "Hail, Larissa, Queen of the Cobalt Scales. What do you seek before the throne of the Imperium, gracious and good ally?" you ask in what to the manner of the corsair clans is almost too flattering a manner, but which is meant more for he princes and voices of the Curia who would soon enough seat her among their numbers

    For all the poetic justice of replacing some of the artisans you lost in the attack on the Dale with new citizens pressed in to your arms by the very swords of the Sultan, one should always keep in mind that poets make rather poor strategists and aesthetics do not spare one the cruel tyranny of mathematics. Your capacity to project power is stretched perilously thin.

    "We come to place our crown at your feet, Lord of Fire. No more do we ask than for safe harbor in times of war and for fair dealings in times of peace. No less will we accept."

    Some of the watchers are shifting in their seats, though whether at the strangeness of the petitioner now before them in the flesh or at the brusqueness of her manner, you cannot say for certain. Your words are calm and certain, your gaze does not wander from the slit eyes like like molten copper. "As has been asked of us, so do we offer our protection and our aid to those who would come to us for it. Let it be known from this day forth that any who would make war upon the Cobalt Scales make war upon the whole of the Imperium."

    Thus tribute is ceremonially given, fire wine and spice-bread. In exchange, you offer a spear and shield sized for the new Duchess Larissa of the Cobalt Scales wrought of Imperial Steel. The court will not have long to accustom itself to her presence, though. Her lands and her people need her more than the demands of protocol ever could. Thankfully, she has already appointed a proxy, her son and heir, you suspect at least in part so that she can be sure that he will be safe from enemy should the battle go ill.

    Over the next several days such sub-chiefs and clan heads as can make the journey to the Deep, generally those under siege in the capital, also make their vows, not their bows to the throne, because salamander custom one only lowers one's head when one is about to lunge to bite, a fact which for some reason becomes the quintessential sign of how alien they are... and in some circles how barbarous. Garin counsels that you look into that sooner rather than later, and you find yourself in full agreement with the point. Still in other quarters the Prince is received graciously indeed, with Zherys being the first to formally welcome him to the Curia... and to his faction. One can never fault the Archon of Volantis for the sin of tardiness.

    It is only a few days after that that you discover that another power in Volantis and elsewhere had come to see your new subjects in a fair light, the Red Faith. Already there are inquiries from Flame Keepers across the realm for how they might send aid and missionaries. For once you do not have much of a twinge about the latter. The Lord of Light is not unknown among the clans who, unlike their genie neighbors, do worship the gods, if not as much as mortal men.

    When Marshal Vaerios Ghad asks that he be given any Legion command in the defense of your new citizens, you are understanding, but truth be told you are not even certain if you can afford to deploy the Legions to a realm that is so fundamentally hostile to all human life. This you suspect shall be a war fought mostly by the forge-wrought, a war of the Imperium, but not necessarily a war of men. Already Darkenbeasts and Dragon Turtles, their shells inscribed with runes of ash and molten steel, are making their way to the battle, yet even that scaled might shall be but one more drop in the deluge that must be brought forth if you are to turn the fortunes of this war.

    Gained Allegiance of the Cobalt Scales Clan (Major Salamander Clan) Ducal Rank awarded

    What do you do next?

    [] Find out more about your new citizens
    -[] Write in questions

    [] Move on with the turn

    OOC: I thought about voting on what rank you guys would be granting but at the end of the day there wasn't much question. even as weakened as they have been the Salamanders have more wealth and potential economic muscle than many of the dukes you already have. Not yet edited.
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    Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
     
    Azel said:
    The Salamander Realms - Ongoing Fighting
    While clients of the Brazen Throne for a long time, the fiercly independent Salamanders are also a constant source of rebellions and infighting. The most recent uprising, spurred on by meddling of the Brazen Thrones enemies, seemed to threaten to unite all clans against the Efreeti, but infighting and a recent offense by the Brazen Throne has largely dashed that hope. Salamanders loyal to the Sultan of Brass traditionally gathered under the banner of the informal Brass Scale Clan, but due to some efforts, this clan has now formed in truth and immediately seen a large influx of members. Spurred on by the announcement that the Sultan would bestow the title "Bey of all Salamanders" on whoever managed to unite the clans under his banner, they have begun an assault on the clanholds of the Cobalt Scales and the Obsidian Spears, who are informally leading the remnants of the rebel faction. Meanwhile, the Hunters of the Last Light have been spotted to leave the Salamander Realms altogether with their fleet and rumor is that with the other clans unable to provide supplies for them, they will return to taking mercenary contracts in Paradise and Elysium.
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    Okay, next turn we need to get in contact with the Obsidian Spears, and see where we can push some of the attacking Salamanders. They are morons for thinking about the Bey of Salamanders as a position to aspire to, but that means that they are also manipulable to our own schemes. We need a quick blitskrieg against one of the clans and use that to intimidate the rest into folding
     
    Duesal said:
    @DragonParadox @Azel can we get the stats for the Cobolt Scales? Production centers, wards, military assets, the sheet for the Duchess, etc?
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    Well they do not have many military assets left that are relevant on your scale which are not dedicated to not losing their capital. Their production is heavily impacted by the war. They need help which is why the fiercely independent Princedom decided to swear fealty to you, that said in the long run they will be a boon to your economy... assuming you can keep your foothold on the plane of fire
     
    Any other questions?

    [X] Find out more about your new citizens
    -[X] What is their population, what is the proportion of combatants to civilians, what are their laws (especially those which might conflict with the Imperial legal code)?
    -[X] What influence they hold over other Plane of Fire residents, who their trade partners are, who their rivals are, etc.
    -[X] Learn if the Cobalt Scales wish to evacuate any of their people to Planetos while fighting goes on. Non-combatants, children, artisans, etc., could all be housed in greater safety.
     
    Last edited:
    So I finally caught up after weeks of recovering from stomach removal surgery (yes you can live without a stomach, it's complicated but tomorrow I'll be three weeks without one, to remove any chance of a genetic gastric cancer I have), and I'm glad I did, the fall of Qohor and the destruction of Everfire Dale was really fascinating to read and I love our ventures into the other plains in terms of vassals! Just glad to be back.

    [X] Goldfish
     
    Goldfish said:
    Any other questions?

    [X] Find out more about your new citizens
    -[X] What is their population, what is the proportion of combatants to civilians, what are their laws (especially those which might conflict with the Imperial legal code)?
    -[X] Learn if the Cobalt Scales wish to evacuate any of their people to Planetos while fighting goes on. Non-combatants, children, artisans, etc., could all be housed in greater safety.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Find out what influence they hold over other Plane of Fire residents, who their trade partners are, who their rivals are, etc.

    [X] Goldfish
     
    So, could we make an initial strike to break the siege around their capital?

    Doesn't look like our gravjammers can really link up with them otherwise.
     
    Zioneer said:
    So I finally caught up after weeks of recovering from stomach removal surgery (yes you can live without a stomach, it's complicated but tomorrow I'll be three weeks without one, to remove any chance of a genetic gastric cancer I have), and I'm glad I did, the fall of Qohor and the destruction of Everfire Dale was really fascinating to read and I love our ventures into the other plains in terms of vassals! Just glad to be back.

    [X] Goldfish
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    Oh, damn dude. I'm glad you came through the surgery and seem to be doing well. I hope your recovery continues and that no unexpected complications arise in the future.
    Duesal said:
    Find out what influence they hold over other Plane of Fire residents, who their trade partners are, who their rivals are, etc.

    [X] Goldfish
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Added.
     
    Azel said:
    The few creatures are mostly ceremonial. You do not have any military formation of forge creatures that would be able to affect anything.
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    What, why.
    Like our forge created creatures are massively superior to the legions in most ways, we can mass produce decent level spell casters.

    They should be massively more powerful than the legions by any metric.
     
    Acolyte said:
    What, why.
    Like our forge created creatures are massively superior to the legions in most ways, we can mass produce decent level spell casters.

    They should be massively more powerful than the legions by any metric.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Because you do not have enough of them at this moment to deploy for military purposes, you can make such units you just do not have any yet.
     
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