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

[DragonParadox]

The Irregular Watch
​

Eighteenth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Derro Nine Fingers is the very picture of a strong arm man. That is to say he is wide of shoulders, ugly of face and sadly not very bright of mind with a pugnacious temperament besides.

"I don't need no wet behind the ears kid swindler to tell me how to squeeze dough out of some rabbit-eyed shopkeeper," were his first words to you. "Get in there break some stuff 'n' some bones and take the money." he continued looking smug in the "genius" of his plan.

Crone give me wisdom, you pray in exasperation for what you are surprised to realize is the first time since you gained your magic.

"I do not think masters Yohn and Gorthos would appreciate the waste of mys talents..." you hint leaning on the reputation of others having none of your own yet.

"What talents?" he asks derisively. "Just because you pulled the wool over ol' Gorthos' eyes..."

Seeing an opening you interrupt him: "So you are saying that not only did I trick the Old Man but that he is more gullible than a shopkeeper. That is a very unique oppinion you have there. Brave too."

The other two thugs in Derro's company laughed nervously as the worthy himself pales.

"Look," you say in a more conciliatory tone, "It makes more sense to do it my way first. You can hardly mend bones and broken merchandise, both of which the shop needs to stay in business and keep paying. Just look menacing, glare at the proprietor and imagine all the things you'd like to do to him. You three can even have my cut of the loot this time to compensate for your trust."

"Fine," Derro growls somewhat placated by his greed and the perception of being paid off implying some kind of superiority on his part

***​

Twenty minutes later the four of you find yourselves in front of a nondescript wine-shop that caters to pallets more discerning than those of the common sailor paired with middling pockets. Half the reason you are here to begin with, you suspect, is to keep Derro and his lot from drinking what they do not ruin of the stock.

You allow Derro to enter first. His bulk would make for an excellent shield should there be a loaded crossbow waiting for you. Again he takes it as a sign of deference confirming the fact that he has as little imagination in a potential fight as he does in social situations.

Inside you see a man and woman in their mid-thirties and a boy perhaps two years older than you that is probably related to the woman, judging by their sandy hair, all are armed including the boy who does have a crossbow. Left over from some war or another you think cursing the hostile and unfortunately attentive atmosphere. Damn it they were waiting for us. After noting that disadvantage of escalating intimidation tactics carefully you give the boy a friendly smile hoping to provoke him into saying something rash you can use as an opening.

He does not disappoint: "You lot can crawl back into the gutter you crawled out of. Ben fought with the Cats and he'll put you mangy rats to rights. You aren't getting gold outa us like you did from Pa."

The other man in the room, the aforementioned Ben, does not look at all pleased by the boy's taunt as makes sense for someone with actual experience in battle.

"Rats? You see any rats in here fellows?" You ask turning to your companions. Derro remains sullen and glaring which is for the best considering his limited mental aptitudes but one of the other thugs, Vym you think his name is, makes a show of looking around and then says: "No rats here this looks to be a clean shop." Good someone to play second fiddle.

"That is right, but we are not here about rats, we are the Irregular Watch, (now 50% less corrupt than the regular Watch!), irregularly (by which we mean actually) ensuring your safety."

"Really." Ben said archly but with far less overt hostility than his younger kinsman looking relived you were still content to bandy words rather than fight. "Because, sergeant, I seem to recall one of your men throwing rocks at that window yonder." He motions towards a boarded-up window.

"Not to worry... I'll make sure they are called to order", you say looking at Vym who averts his eyes for all you can see the repressed mirth in them.

Ben can tell it's mummery but he is is a worse position should it come to blows and he knows it.

Turning back you pitch your voice in a more business-like tone signaling that the posturing is over, on your part at least "When's the last time you saw the watch about? Last festival? At least we're here to protect you and we have a vested interest in making sure this shop stays open and you stay safe to run it. Sure we'll skim a little off the top but we'd lose face if we let anyone else put any more irregular taxes on you. The regular watch... well they aren't here now are they? I'm betting you tried to get them involved."

Ben looked you in the eyes for a few moments and then answered with grim humor "The bribe we would have had o pay them would have been more than you're asking for."

"Well you see then we provide the services for the lowest price. You'd be a fool to go to the competition" you say giving him a comradely smile.

Ben looks at his wife questioningly, she nods. The man sighs and sets his mace down. The boy with the crossbow looks poleaxed but he is wise enough to hold his tongue this time.

Money changes hands and you leave. While the thugs are concerned with contemplating their cut (to be given on your return) you consider how similar this is to the relation between a lord and his small folk. If one can be a bad lord or a good one you wonder if it is possible to be a good crime boss?

Completed quest: Roughhousing Gained 300 XP
Bonus objective complete: Avoid a fight. Gained 50 XP

***​

The remainder of the week you spend with Dany getting used to your new environment and keeping her spirits up. Sometimes you go down to the taproom and chat with the regulars as well getting to know the basic lay of the land around Ragman's Harbor. While you would not call yourself an expert you are at least unlikely to get hopelessly lost in the twisting alleyways.

The time has come to consider week ahead.

Major actions. Choose two:

[] You have a power that allows you to see magic. Look around the bazaars for any trinket with actual power in it and then acquire it (???)
[] Meditate on the tumultuous visions that marked your awakening to power (3d100 XP, ???)
[] Gorthos would like to test your skills. There is the matter of a young scion of the nobility who owes a great deal of money to Gorthos's underlings and who's father is refusing to pay (500 XP on success +opinion with Gorthos)
[] Lysandre would like you to teach some of her "girls" how to act more refined (250XP on completion +oppinion with Lysandre)
[] Yohn would like you to find a sneak who pulled off an impressive heist on an auction house and did not pay his dues to the organization
[] Learn more about how and where Gorthos' Thieves' guild operates
[] Write in

Minor actions. Choose two:

[] Explore the area around the One-eyed Rat to get a better feel for the place (better knowledge of Ragman's Harbor, potential encounter)
[] Milk your familiar for a ready supply of venom (access to DC 10 poison)
[] Hide your crown. For now your crown rests uneasily under a loose floorboard in your room but it would be best to find a new hiding place for it
[] Get to know the staff of the Rat to see how might be trusted with Dany as much as such people may be trusted at all in any case
[] Place charm on the higher ups in the guild to get as much good will as possible by conditioning them to consider you a friend (write-in target)
[] Write in

OOC: This was harder than usual since you could not count on magic to bail you out but you managed it just the same.

 

[DragonParadox]

Whispers of Fire and Blood​

Twentieth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

It is late, or perhaps early yet you cannot sleep. Your mind is filled with all manner of contrasting and overlapping images: Dany laughing as you try and fail to create proper puzzle pieces with magic, the heady feeling of another's mind bending to your will. The cool, soft touch of illusion upon your form. All are born magic yet you know that they are the barest beginnings of what it can achieve of what you can become. Yet something holds you back. Your memories of awakening to power are muddled yet you can remember this much: the voices you claimed knowledge of magery from were not kind, nor good, through they were in some way kindred out of deep time. You desire their power yes but you fear becoming them. for minutes you lie in bed watching the moonlight playing on the ceiling, paralyzed by indecision.

You hear Dany call out in her sleep, perhaps a nightmare. The decision is made. You need more power if the two of you are to do more than survive day-to-day upon the edge of a knife.

The waking world fades from your senses but this is no ordinary dream, you fall into reverie, the sound of your blood amplified like like great drums sounding among the mountains. You seem to be falling... no flying, held aloft by great crimson wings. Far below you in the valleys of the Fourteen Everfire Mounts the wingless thralls labor in the dirt for the greatness of the Lords of Fire and Air. They cower under the shadow of your wings as is right. You near the High Cleft a place where the Elders gather to awaken power in young ones like you. Already the Song of Power is upon the night air speaking of of Fire and Blood many things are revealed onto to you as you circle the Place of Wisdom.

130 XP Gained

As you breath deep the soft ashes and the subtle perfume of sulfur mixed with a tantalizing hint of blood and fear:

[] You descend fully into the Whispering Dark of the cave (???)
[] You awake with a start shivering in your bed (proceed to level up)

OOC if the first option looks ominous, well its supposed to but it can be as much a boom as a curse. Only way to find out what it is is to try it.

 

[DragonParadox]

Of Magic Most Ancient ​

As you enter the womb of the Deep Earth your blood sings along with the voice of the Elders. You understand them on a level beyond crude speech as your powers twines with theirs like two flames weaving together into a symphony of wondrous devastation. Lust, for gold, for blood for warm flesh and above all else for Power is refined within you as iron is refined into steel, as glittering gems are born here in the eternal silence of the Timeless Dark. As your desires grow and are fulfilled so to will you grow a great crimson tyrant meant to dominate all lesser things that crawl upon the face of the world.

The Dream shifts and you remember. You are Viserys Targaryen, one of the Last scions of your House and of Doomed Valyria but you are no dragon in the fullness of your being. The memories of your life seem such pale things here in this world of Stygian darkness and Blood-red flames yet you hold them as talismans and forge them into walls to guard yourself from the throbbing familiar/alien Song.

Your thoughts float above those of the ancient Beast like a ship upon the sea, a fragile construct in the face of it's great depths, yet it is enough. You are the Dragonlord and it is but a Dragon. You will rule it as you rule your magic and as you will come to rule your fate in the fullness of time. A triumphant smile forms upon your sleeping visage.

Dragon Blood Mechanic revealed: when Dreaming of your power you may dive into deep into the dreams of ancient Dragonkind. You must then make a will save with a DC of 12 + your sorcerer level. On failure one of your feats chosen at random is replaced with a Draconic Feat and your alignment shifts 1d15 towards Evil. On success you may exchange any feat for a Draconic or Metamagic feat of that you are eligible for.

Due to your courage in facing the unknown and your resiliency of mind you may now chose one free Draconic feat in addition to any adjustments you may wish to make.

As you wake with the dawn you realize that you have risked if not your soul at least your humanity yet the fear cannot match the elation at your victory, nor your joy at your growing power.

Level up plan:

[] Write in

OOC: you rolled 96 on a 1d100 to get the bonus feat. It is a one-time thing. List of Draconic feats may be found here.

 

[DragonParadox]

Many Meetings​

Twenty-first Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

As you wake from the... vision, the Dragon Dream, you had the night before you can feel that the power of your magic and the depth of your reserves have both grown, also another set of words and gestures now float in your mind ready to be used, for the finding and identification of poisons, a most useful skill in your current circumstances.

Strangely enough the words are in recognizable Valyrian again. You to not truly remember the Song but you are certain it was in no tongue of men. It spoke of things primal and terrible you do not think mortals were ever meant to learn... you shiver slightly in spite of the comfortable temperature of the room. You do not wish to consider what you might have become had the Song ruled you. They called father the Mad King, the treacherous thought comes unexpectedly. You shake it away, your father was no Sorcerer of that you can be sure. As you look around the room seeking a distraction you realize that magic was not all the Dream bequeathed onto you. Something of the creature's extraordinary senses has remained with you in the waking world. Your eyes can distinguish tinny indentations and subtle patterns in the wooden struts of the ceiling, you can feel the touch of the sheets against your skin. You can hear the sounds of the tavern staff, residents and guests too drunk to leave under their own power and too important to throw out.

Sadly your hearing is not acute enough to make out full conversations in the taproom or in other rooms unless they are shouted. You smile self-deprecatingly at how much like a sneak you have come to think already. You will just have to make do with talking to them like normal.

"Wocha' doin'," comes a cheerful call from the other bunk squeezed into the room.

"Thinking," you reply with a smile.

"About what?" comes the expected imperious response.

"About who you can spend your time with while I'm away, Dany."

"Oh... I don't mind staying in the room, it's less scary than home was... you know, at the end," she answers after a moment.

You almost wince at the idea that your sister considers "not scary" to be sufficient recommendation for her new accommodations.

"Well yeah but don't you get bored? We should see about lessons too."

Dany looks put off for a moment then smiles slyly "Thief lessons? Like... how to sneak about and pick locks and stuff."

"No, not thief lessons, regular lessons, you're a princess remember." you reply attempting to sound stern. "You should read, write, figure and have refined manners, I'll teach you for now." you continue doing your best to ignore the fact that you can barely recognize the sorts of "womanly arts" Dany is supposed to be learning.

"Well alright them but can I learn to hide and sneak too?" she questions undeterred.

"We''ll see."you answer with a sigh

"And can I learn to fight?"

You are about to give the same answer when you see that she has grown serious, a shadow in her amethyst eyes that should not have touched one so young.

"Yes, I promise I'll teach you myself or find someone to do it." you reply solemnly

***

As you go down to breakfast you chat with the staff more when they look to have the time and see about who has the skills and inclination to take care of children. You would add who seems the most trustworthy but your sense of that has not quite adapted fully to measuring "honor among thieves"

By the standards of this place you are reasonably well off so you should be able to pay the staff or the other guests to keep an eye on Dany.

Merin the tavern keeper of the Rat in and fat jovial but foul-mouthed man who's colorful language often makes Dany alternatively confused and overcome by a fit of giggles. He is obviously the most busy around and his vocabulary is not a point in his favor but he is the one the various thugs laying about are the most likely to listen to and he takes his payed-for services seriously from what you can tell.

Allerie is the senior barmaid and the mother of a girl of three so she has some experience with young children but she looks to be a bit too comfortable in her seniority, not to say indolent. Dany finds her boring with all the rules about how she should sit tight and not bother the custom

Len Lightfingers has perhaps the best experience with children of the Rat's guests, however it comes in the form of training them to beg, pick pockets and locks. Dany would be the most interested in his tutoring but you have grave doubts about your sister learning the skills he has to teach.

Relor the Lucky is a gambler that more or less lives glued to his table in the corner of the tavern. He has a surprising grasp of mathematics from what you can tell for all he has never studied it formally day in his life. Dany seems to be as susceptible to his easy smile and smooth words as the marks Relor fleeces every day.

What do you choose:

[] Have Merin watch over Dany (5 Silver Moons for three months)

[] Have Allerie watch over Dany (1 Silver Moon for three months)

[] Have Len Lightfingers watch over Dany (40 Pennies for three months)

[] Have Relor the Lucky watch over Dany (4 Silver Moons for three months)

[] None of them are good enough. Have Dany continue to stay in your room until a better solution can be found

 

[DragonParadox]

The Crownless King, the Hidden Crown ​

Twenty-third Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Once again you are awake at an hour far later than is the norm for respectable folk. But then Corlys Waters long term tenant of the One Eyed Rat is no more a respectable person than any other that calls that place home. Wistfully you recall Ser Darry's admonitions that staying up long past dark will stunt your growth by depriving you of needed sleep. As you look upon the moonlit vista of Bravos, Bastard of Valyria seeing as well as you would as midday you realize you have grown. You have grown into calling the shadows home for better or for worse.

The thing you carry now, the Crown of the last Queen-consort of Westeros and of the King-in-Exile of that realm, does not however belong in this shadowy world, nor does it really belong to Corlys Waters. So with a heavy heart you prepare to part from it. It feels like you are abandoning a trust more precious than gems or gold, your mother's trust and yet you must do this for fate has entrusted you with a charge for your life and thelife of your sister also . Gold can be re-shaped, gems replaced but lives are treasures beyond price for there are none to return them once lost.

After having traveled well away from Drowned Town switching three disguises to confuse your trail and to lose any trace you finally extract the crown from the sack you are carrying. You whisper words of binding and sealing that you know are the building blocks of larger and more complex rituals which still beyond you. A mark appears upon the cool metal of the crown visible to your eyes only, fiery script that writhes and dances, set against inky darkness, Your mark binding the crown to you that your magic may seek it should it be lost.

Now that the task is done where will you hide the crown:

[] Bury it under a loose paving stone of a ruined mansion belonging to a noble family fallen on hard times. Mark the spot with an Arcane Mark.
[] Deposit it with the Iron Bank under an assumed name and seeming.
[] Deposit it with the Iron Bank as Viserys Targaryen.
[] Write in

OOC: There are no trees in Bravos save in the gardens of the mighty so burying it under a tree is not possible.

 

[DragonParadox]

Roses and Revelations​

Twenty-fourth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Last night a dark-cloaked taciturn man speaking Braavosi with a slight Westerosi accent deposited a small but weighty sealed package into the care of the Iron Bank. You took great care that there be as little connection as possible between "Corlys Waters" and that individual. Still key to the small storage place dug into the rock that you rented for almost half of your coin now rests under the same loose floorboard he crown used to be placed under. Another consequence of last night's adventure is that you feel heavy-eyed and would like nothing more than to sleep in until after miday as many of your new companions are wont to do.

Alas duty calls, one that fills you with trepidation of a novel sort. You agreed to help Lysandre's "girls" to became more refined that they may catch a higher class of patron. Your interactions with women have been rather sparse growing up and while you know in a vague sort of way that you are at about the age at which a young nobleman would first consider patronizing a brothel that is the last thing you are considering at this point. For one you can't afford to be the irresponsible young blade, your life and your sister's life depend on you for another you are not quite sure what you would do with a girl beyond the things described in courtly love stories and the idea of just asking does not sit well with you.

The Brothel Lysandre told you to find is called the Rose Garden and can be found near a bridge that connects Drowned Town with more well-to do sections of the city. You suppose it make sense. The brothels catering to sailors, highborn or low, would hardly require witty repartee of the whores.

As you enter out of the cold wet Bravosi autumn you find the warmth of the Garden stuffy and the prevalent rose perfume almost makes you sneeze. The doorguard looks more than a bit amused when you give your name and purpose but he nonetheless gives you directions to a low-ceiling-ed communal bedroom where several three girls are waiting for you. One is a fair-skinned redhead that introduces herself as Alindor, the second named Selyse has the features of Old Valyria just as you do while the third Mellore is of the people of the Summer Islands. Much to your embarrassment and the amusement of your prospective pupils you find your eyes wondering over their forms as you introduce yourself.

Then not a moment too soon for your pride, if nothing else, you come across and idea to distract yourself from such thoughts. One of your spells offers you the ability to take foreign guise but you have never attempted to take that of a woman because you do not know enough of how women walk and move in addition of course to your voice. So you decide to study the young women before you with this in mind. Things get easier from that point. The part of your mind closest to your magic is somehow distant from base desires of the flesh allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

***​

Twenty-Seventh Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Much to your surprise in the days you spend tutoring the girls you find that you have some skill in passing on the lessons of deportment and debate you learned first from the Grandmaster and then from faithful Ser Darry. Though you are certain neither of those worthies could imagined that their lessons would come to be so shared you do not mind and not only because it advances your aims. It is easy to tell that the girls genuinely wish to learn what you are teaching to better their lot in life and you find that you cannot dislike them for it. You are self-aware enough to realize that pretty girls whatever their position are far easier to sympathize with than unwashed thugs but you do not think that is all. They are each in their way clever and curious.

Selyse is fascinated by what you can recall of Valyrian history and you suspect flattered when you told her that she shares the features of the Dragon Lords of old. Alinor has a far better memory that you and no little skill is reciting poetry beyond just the saccharine drivel you are supposed to be teaching. Mellore has acquired such a love of the written word that she asked for the price of books.

Completed Quest: Roses of a Finer Sort. Gained 250 XP

At the end of your lessons you are genuinely sad to see them end and realize that you are completely incapable of summoning the proper lordly disdain for women of such low station. Somewhere along the way they became just people who's company you enjoy. As your final session comes to a close Alinor reaches out to embrace you and gives you a quick kiss on the cheek and says: "Well you passed that test with full acclaims Corlys."

Selyse tries to shush her but the other girl replies: "Oh leave off, I like him, so what if him knowing is cheating of some sort I don't see many honest people hereabouts." She continues turning to you again: "We were supposed to test you to see if you can keep your head around a pretty face"

As you hear this you realize that this is not the first test you have been subjected to. Derro was an extraordinarily blunt instrument to use in collecting that money from the Wine seller last week.

"Well you may as well tell him all we heard then." Selyse said changing her mind "Word is Old Gorthos had a mighty strong feeling that you would be as good as you said you were so he's had people testing you to see if his hunch pans out."

You smile graciously at each of them in part and take your leave of them as you would of young noblewomen a part they now play quite well by your reckoning at least.

***​

Contemplating what you learned of Gorthos' plans you are not sure you appreciate the degree of attention they imply but there is nothing you can do now but carry on convincing him his hunch was correct.

Plan for Week Three:

Major actions. Choose two:

[] You have a power that allows you to see magic. Look around the bazaars for any trinket with actual power in it and then acquire it (???)
[] Meditate on the tumultuous visions that marked your awakening to power (3d100 XP, Possibility to exchange feats)
[] Gorthos would like to test your skills. There is the matter of a young scion of the nobility who owes a great deal of money to Gorthos's underlings and who's father is refusing to pay (500 XP on success +opinion with Gorthos)
[] One of Lighfingers Len's associates has vanished after robbing one of the Red priests of something of great worth. See if you can recover at least the item if not the missing thief.
[] Yohn would like you to find a sneak who pulled off an impressive heist on an auction house and did not pay his dues to the organization
[] Learn more about how and where Gorthos' Thieves' guild operates
[] Write in

Minor actions. Choose two:

[] Explore the area around the One-eyed Rat to get a better feel for the place (better knowledge of Ragman's Harbor, potential encounter)
[] Milk your familiar for a ready supply of venom (access to DC 10 poison)
[] Meet with one or more of your new friends outside of "work." It is nice having people you can just talk to and they have already given you valuable information besides. (Write-in which)
[] See if anyone knows of someone who could and tutor Dany under current circumstances
[] Place charm on the higher ups in the guild to get as much good will as possible by conditioning them to consider you a friend (write-in target)
[] Begin teaching Dany how to defend herself. Every jurney begins with a first step.
[] Write in

OOC: You had quite high rolls this time and a Sorcerer's Charisma and Will saves served you well. In other news Viserys' class prejudices are starting to erode a bit mostly due to the fact that these were the first intelligent conversations he had in months but also because (as he noticed) they were pretty girls hanging on his every word.

 

[DragonParadox]

An Unexpected Meeting ​

Twenty-eight Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Today you have decided to explore the area around the Rat more thoroughly. After all knowing the lay of the land will be of vital importance inn your current shadowy occupation. You find many passages through the sinking mass of the Old Town that one of your relatively slight girth could navigate through and discover unexpected places where the brackish waters can be waded by one who is light of foot. The snake boats also rarely travel though most of Drowned Town because of the unpredictable eddies caused by the sinking masonry. Truly this is a rogue's paradise where even the Sealord's Guard never mind those fools in the watch would find themselves outmatched.

You also find some coins in the mud of the paths with your unusually keen sight adding something to your dwindling stock of coin.

Gained 7 Iron Pennies

As you return to the comparatively drier land that abuts Ragman's Harbor you hear a man hailing you in Westerosi. You freeze not daring to flee least danger come upon you unprepared later. The lanky dark-haired man, a knight by his dress all-but-runs in your direction. As he comes closer you are both pleased and disconcerted on recognizing him. Ser Richard Lonmouth a Stormalander knight your brother's former squire. Your mind moves feverishly. The Lonmouths were loyal and Ser Richard fought at the Trident. By rights he would recognize you not only as Viserys Targaryen but as his king. What fickle fate would have such a one find you now when you have chosen to cloak yourself in shadows and dishonorable deeds?

What do you do?

[] Run out of sight and then shift seeming to lose him among the twisting alleys of Ragman's Harbor
[] Remain here and speak to him
-[] Write in

OOC: Well the dice have decreed an interesting challenge for you this time. Ser Richard could well be the ideal meatshield for you as well as serving a host of other tasks however as a knight he would have issues with your current course of action. Willing to risk trying to charm him?

 

[DragonParadox]

The King in the Broken Tower​

Twenty-eight Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Fortune favors the bold and you need all the aid that fortune may offer. You wait for Ser Richard to reach you:

"Your grace... What are you doing in such a place?" he asks in far too loud a voice for your liking.

"Not here," you whisper urgently. "Follow please that we may speak without risking being overheard."

You lead the knight into the precariously leading remains of an ancient stone tower you spied earlier. Only the most desperate inhabitants of Drowned Town would dwell in such a place and you doubt such would know or care much of foreign politics.

You sit on a half-buried barrel turning to face your companion.

"Now we may speak freely Ser. If you would permit the one you named king to ask the first question, how have your fortunes been since the Trident?"

"Poor your grace," the knight said grimacing. "What you see of me is all that I have upon this world. The lands of my House have been attained for "rebellion" against a treasonous lord. I had thought to make by way as a sellsword but I have not the stomach to fight for so base a cause as coin."

Or you could not find a mercenary company willing to take you in on favorable terms, the cynical thought passes through your mind at once.

"So you would serve me?" you ask knowing he answer for after all if he planed to capture you for the usurper he would not have bothered to bandy words for so long.

"Aye, that I would if you would have a sword that failed to guard your brother." the stormlander says with conviction.

"Bide a while and see if you would have me considering what I saw myself forced to do since good Ser Dary died better than two weeks ago." you reply with a sigh.

So you explain to him the bare bones of your plan to vanish into the shadows and your arrangement with Gorthos as well as the reasoning behind it, to see you and Dany safe from the Usurper's assassins.

Ser Richard looks understandably shocked but does not seem wholly disgusted by your actions as you would had feared he would be. You could do without the glimmer of pity in his eye though or at least your pride could.

"Lad," he says his voice heavy with emotion you can't quite distinguish "it's a terrible thing to see one who should be so exalted having to debase himself so but far be it from me to say you aught not have made even such sacrifices to keep your kin alive and well..."

"I can here the but in your voice Ser. Out with it," you command stung by the implication that this is some folly of youth.

"Baraheon is not a man to concern himself overmuch with plots, you do not need to hide quite so deep in the mire to be safe." he answers readily enough.

"Maybe he is and maybe he's not, I scarce have any memory of the man and Ser Darry told me he was a drunkard and a fool but while he holds the Iron Throne men will wish to do his bidding whether direct or not in hopes of rich rewards." Your eyes begin to burn and you blink furiously as you continue "Dragonspwan he called little Aegon and Rhaenys and he smiled over their broken bodies. That much of the news has reached even here. How can I wager that no men would think do as Lannister's beasts did and reap the same rewards?"

The knight paled at your words: "I did not mean to make light of the danger but once men hear of this your grace your good name will be ruined."

"Then they must never learn of it, Ser," you say answer with conviction rising from your seat "What fighting man would follow a boy of thirteen? Let it be that Viserys Targaryen fade into rumor and hearsay. Many imaginations will be ignited by a hidden, mysterious heir. Let rumors fly as rumors will and in the meantime I will snatch such uses as can be had from the low and dishonest."

His eyes have grown calculating no doubt realizing that you would be placing a great deal of trust in him, giving him power over you.

"And after you have reaped this noisome harvest your Grace, if such can truly be done?"

"In time we shall see what use the Daughters of Valyria will be to the heir to the last of the Dragon Lords." It would be well to plant the seeds of that awareness as soon as possible for if he does decide to serve you he will likely learn your secrets quite soon from Dany.

After a time that must have been mere minutes but seemed to stretch out like centuries Ser Richard Lonmouth nods decisively and says "There is merit to your words your grace. While I despair to live in such times as require of kings to rub shoulders with thieves beggars and whores I will endeavor to serve you in this better than I served your brother upon the field." Ser Richard looks lost in a painful memory as he finishes speaking.

"Let there be none of that good Ser." You reply swiftly taking his hands in yours in a affirmation of bonds between liege and bannerman as old as time "Did you not fight at by brother's side? Did you not choose exile where you might have bent the knee? I will not ask that you single-handedly win wars for me and I hope by brother was not foolish enough to ask such a thing of you either."

"No," he replies "Rhaegar, was not an unreasonable man," he smiles. "A dreamer perhaps but not unreasonable but you should know boy that not even a king may dictate a man's feelings only his acts."

"Then a ask you Ser to set aside your guilt as much as you can," you answer readily enough. You wonder at Ser Richard's words that your brother was a dreamer. Did he merely dream as men do or did he too fly upon crimson wings above a land of smoke and ash?

"Now to less pleasant words, boy who shall I be in this ruse of you?"

Ser Richard's cover:

[] Write in

Construct his character sheet (we know very little of him from canon so you guys may as well customize him within limits)

[] Write in

Level 4 Fighter:

Stats:
Strength: 17
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 10
Intelligence: 11

OOC: That was a very risk high reward tactic that paid off thanks to excellent rolls (23, 17, 19)

 

[DragonParadox]

Strange Companions​

Twenty-eight Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Ser Richard the Tall retained his own name for much the same reason Dany had an alias so similar too her real name, you did not trust him to answer convincingly to anything else, not that you told him that. His introduction went smoothly enough.When Yohn asked for his full name he reasonably enough stated that he did not wish his family name linked to the actions he would do in this place. As you had hoped this led to some of thugs in the Rat taking umbrage and deciding to "break the noble prick's 'ead."

The resulting fight (which took place outside by Merin's irate orders and threats to stop serving whoever started a brawl in his tavern) conclusively proved the superiority of a trained knight over dock-side thugs. Even without his sword Ser Richard was able to handle three opponents at once. He even managed to do it without causing permanent injury. Yohn was quite impressed, later telling you that you must have a devil's luck to have not only found so fel a fighter but persuaded him to join up on nothing more than your father's looks and smooth promises.

+relations with Yohn

Quest complete: The Knight of Skulls and Kisses. Gained 350 XP
Bonus objective complete: Initiate Ser Richard into the Thieves' Guild without endangering your cover. Gained 50 XP

As you make your way up to your room with Ser Richard following to introduce him to Dany you sense some nebulous frustration from Varys. Perhaps she is hungry...

On opening the door you discover this is not the case. A disgruntled Vays is warped in one of Dany's faded pink hair ribbons with a doll riding her no doubt playing the role of a noble Dragon Rider. Ser Richard sits frozen behind you and Dany gives you a beaming smile before squiking in surprise at your companion.

Now would be as good a time as ever to to tell your sword sword about your more outre abilities as you doubt Dany could effectively hide anything for long periods of time and partial understanding could lead to suspicion given the reputation of magic in Westeros

[] Tell Ser Richard about the magic
-[] Write in how

[] Do not tell Ser Richard about the magic
-[] Write in explanation for Dany's antics with a poisonous snake

OOC: The dice can't always be in your favor. There was a 30% chance that Dany would be playing with the viper and you rolled 13.

 

[DragonParadox]

Communion​

Call of the Deep Part I Next>

Twenty-eight Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Aeron Greyjoy never thought it would end like this, as the longship Golden Storm broke under the onslaught. He clung to the wreckage he cursed Stannis Baraheon for a clever foe and his brother Balon for a fool lord. Baratheon is weak, Balon had said. The Dragons are gone, now the Ironborn can take all that the Greenlanders have the right way, the Iron Way. Aeron had been a fool and he had listened as did many others and now he cursed himself most of all as he waited for the sea to claim him.

Despairing as he watched the unbroken vista of the sea before him the scion of the House Greyjoy let go of the piece of flotsam that was once a part of his proud ship. Had he endured a moment longer he would have seen the shore on the horizon and with renewed strength clung on until he would have come at last to be washed ashore and taken prisoner.

As it was his fate was stranger by far than he could have imagined. At first the seawater raked his throat and lungs with such pain as he could not rightly describe. He would have screamed had he but the air to do so. Then all at once as his head finally want fully under the pain stopped. Aeron felt a lightness in his bones and a strange gladness bubbling in his heart as if he was returning home. He sank down, down down into the inky darkness of the depths and he saw there things such had never before been beheld by human eyes creatures alien and wondrous that lived by no light save that which they themselves gave off.

There in the depths beyond the touch of sun or moon Aeron knew himself dead yet death refused to come. What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger. The words came to him distantly from some foggy recollection for he had never been a praying man.

Hard it is to hold the faith when the tide has gone out and only the unforgiving sands remain. Yet now the waters return. the words intruded on his mind feeling heavy and ponderous as nothing he had ever thought before.

Shadowy figures like man yet not him surrounded the Aeron. They moved in strange ways and their forms were warped, soft heads webbed hands and feat did they have. The Drowned God has given you life again Man. Serve HIM as we do and you will have power such as will wear down mountains and glory such as will endure until the end of times. Refuse and this shall be your final resting place, silent and forgotten.

Yes, anything Aeron thought desperately wiling the creatures to hear or perhaps praying for the first time in a long while.

You have accepted HIM. It is Good. The time approaches again. Forever. No longer bound, free. The alien thoughts tumbled through his mind in a terrible cacophony. His head hurt as if something was trying to claw its way out and then he, mercifully, knew no more.

***​

He awoke on shore near Pike on one of the beaches he played on as a boy. There in the sand, unmistakable, were he prints of soft, webbed feet. Aeron Greyjoy shivered to the bottom of his soul. The Deep Ones had returned. However his fear was paired with a strange exaltation for in his mind also were prayers and rituals of the Drowned God subtly different from the ones he had heard all his life and he knew that these prayers were the key to his promised reward and he vowed then to loyalty serve the God that had seen fit to take the scales from his eyes and raise him up.

OOC: In canon Aeron does not become Damphair until a later near-death drowning experience. I moved up the timetable a bit. Hail the cleric of the Drowned God.