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

[DragonParadox]

The Littlest Dragon's Courage ​

Twenty-eight Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

For a moment you consider deception, something about a tame snake. But no, that lie would be too easily disproved. Such exotic pets are rare and expensive far beyond the means you have been living on these past few years. Even if that were not the case who would give a venomous snake to a child for a pet save perhaps an enemy?

"Come in and close the door, Ser, there is one further secret I must reveal. I had hoped to give you some time to become more comfortable in my service but alas that was not to be," you say hurriedly. Dany looks guiltily down at her feet.

"It's not your fault really Dany, if anything it is mine for not thinking ahead. Just be more careful from now on." As serious as the situation is you cannot bear to see her down like that.

"The snake is perfectly safe Ser, well as safe as I am in any case. You see I have overlooked some details of how I came to be here and rise so high among these rogues in a short amount of time."

First a demonstration. It would not do for him to consider you merely mad. You speak the words and make the gestures of petty magic uncomfortable in doing so in plain view of any save your sister. Slowly you unwrap the ribbon from around Varys without touching it, lifting it into the air.

The knight looks at the display frozen in shock.

"Magic is a dangerous thing your grace, a cursed thing, it requires..." the knight stops unwilling to accuse you of blood magic outright it seems.

"No sacrifices did I make good Ser, no dark powers did I call. This magic wanes with use and waxes with rest..."

"It's not bad." Dany interrupts forcefully looking directly at Ser Richard. Not the most polite child, you think before considering the irony of worrying about that at a time like this.

"It feels warm and safe and cozy. It's 'cause of it that we're safe." she continues looking like nothing so much as a furious kitten.

Somehow that breaks the tension in the room. Ser Richard sighs and say: "I called myself your sword sword, no kinngslayer will I be over this even if no man save me would know. Say your piece your grace and If I find I cannot bear to serve you after you are through..."

"Then I shall release you," you interrupt swiftly. You explain your powers and how you used them stressing that you only used them on the the most dishonorable of foes and that you would never consider using it on one who has sword himself to you.

Ser Richard still looks doubtful.

Dany offers from the corner: "You can use it on me. I'm not afraid. Then he can see what it looks like when you do the friend spell so he'll know you aren't a liar."

You are startled to hear the Stormlander knight give a full belly laugh. "Your pardon milady for impugning on your royal brother's honor."

"Right, so you're a wizard of some sort like the Valyrians were said to be," he continues. "I can either trust your word or I can't. Push comes to shove if I was already enchanted than I would not be having doubts so I can act like frightened peasant and have my courage showed up by a little girl or I can be a knight and hold to my oaths freely made. Gods know I swore to be part to darker deeds than magic such as you have shown."

You sigh in relief and smile broadly at the knight: "Well said ser now come there is much to speak of how we might combine our efforts to get the best of the situation we find ourselves in."

"One moment, your grace," Ser Richard says as serious as a lord passing judgement, "I have been remiss in failing to introduce myself to the lady."

"Ser Richard Lonmouth at your service princess." he addresses Dany with a bow and full courtly manners

"Pleased t' mettcha," she replies with a giggle and considerably less decorum.

That could have gone far, far worse in fact you would not be surprised if you had nightmares about how much worse it could have gone.

Now the time has come to decide who you will have Ser Richard act within the confides of Gorthos' guild:

[] He is to guard and protect you as you go about your tasks, potentially suspicious given your cover stories but a trained sword at your back is not o be scoffed at.
[] He is to insinuate himself into Yohn's side of the guild, the fighting prowess of a knight will go far among dockside brawlers.
[] He is to stay mostly at the One-eyed Rat, guarding Dany and potentially beginning to teach her how to defend herself. This will require a further lie, perhaps a lost child during the war to justify his great fondness for her.
[] Write-in

OOC: It was touch and go for a moment there but you pulled it off.

 

[DragonParadox]

Thief Hunt Part One​

Thirtieth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Len's vanished sneak is called Agril the Agile by himself at least. Most others call him Angril the Ass for having an ego at least twice as large as his skills. He was last seen five days ago bragging about how he stole a treasure that would make him rich beyond dreams, far in excess anything that could be fenced off to the "piddling" merchants of Drowned Town. He was also heard saying that he would be able to buy the Old Man out nevermind guild "fees." Then nothing more was heard which according to Len means he is likely dead in a ditch somewhere.

However even accounting for Angril's usual act whatever he stole must have been of great worth not least because in all his barging he never mentioned what exactly he stole off that Red Priest. Len is willing to pay 50 Iron Pennies for news of Angril and he is sure that the Old Man would pay a fair price for whatever "treasure" Angril possessed. Also Len was not shy in mentioning that getting this straightened out would go a long way towards making your reputation in the guild in spite of your age and "pretty boy" looks.

Asking around you find a surprising amount of people know something of Angril for such a disliked person. Perhaps he was a popular subject of gossip.

Where will you begin your search:

[] His brother, a wheelwright, Angril would have had more reason to brag to him than almost anyone else (according to a whore the thief used to frequent). Perhaps he let slip what the item was.
[] His former mistress, perhaps he had hoped to use his new wealth to woo her back
[] His regular fence, he is likely to know the most about the man but even the thugs at the Rat consider the fence shifty. You shudder at the implication of just how untrustworthy he must be.

Do you take Ser Richard with you

[] Yes, will damage new his position in Yohn's organization
[] No, you can handle one sneak thief.

Do you take Varys with you:

[] Yes, you gain access to venom and the Alertness Feat
[] No, she is too fragile.

 

[DragonParadox]

Thief Hunt Part Two​

Thirtieth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

From what your contacts have told you Yma Selyon existed in an odd half-way point between a whore and a courtesan. Not quite beauteous and charming enough to grace the arms of the great and mighty on a regular basis she still manages to live comfortably off her admirers' "gifts." Her rooms are on the third floor of what must have once been a rich merchant's villa centuries ago when the neighborhood was less worn by the encroachment of the sea and the hoi poloi both. Now the place has been partitioned into several apartments rented by the quarter-year.

With a sigh you realize that this is the sort of place you could have afforded for yourself and Dany had the danger of Baratheon's assassins not been too great. If only Ser Richard had found us sooner, you think. If only I was not born a prince. The second thought instantly fills you with guilt as you remember your mother placing her own crown upon your head on Dragonstone beneath the eyes of the Stone Dragons. What manner of king would wish his birthright away?

You shake away the distraction. Now is not the time for pondering what might have been, still less daydreaming about what you would wish to be. You are alone in the small stone courtyard the hour being too late for most honest folk and not yet late enough for scoundrels and rogues, save you and Ser Richard that is. How do you approach Yma:

[] Forthrightly as yourself.
[] In dissembling guise as a potential "admirer" appearing wholly unlike yourself.
[] In dissembling guise, appearing as yourself but older, any inconsistency in later statements by the woman would likely be but down to bad reporting on her part.
[] Write in

Rate the tactics you will try to use on Yma to get the information on Argil, in order of preference (Mundane charm, bribery, magic, intimidation, promises of a favor)

[] First (Write in)
[] Second (Write in)
[] Third (Write in)
[] Fourth (Write in)
[] Fifth (Write in)

OOC: I'm trying out giving you guys more control in social situations because feel like I'm making too many character-building decisions.

 

[DragonParadox]

Thief Hunt Part Three​

Thirtieth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Ser Richard flinches but he did not comment when your features shift into an older image, the man you might be in three or four years. then he seems to look more carefully and says conrerned: "I can see you still as you are, the magic is a shadow and vapor."

"Of course you can, you know the truth. even if you merely suspected it you could set your will do disbelieve it but whay would most even consider looking for a magical disguise?" you reply easily.

"It is said the Faceless Men have this art and they dwell within this very city."the knight replies with surprising insight

You consider this a moment and reply: "So they do, something to think on no doubt. the last thing I can afford is their attention but ask yourself: Would Yma Selyon expect a Faceless Man?"

"No I do not think she would," the knight answers mollified. You take note that a solid seeming as he may be Ser Richard can be insightful just the same.

The two of you enter the building and climb up the former servant's stairs to Yma's apartment.

She answers the door swiftly enough a coquettish smile on her full red lips. As you exchange pleasantries you look around the sitting room that was once a guest bedroom when the house served a grander purpose. You see all the statuettes and figurines, vases that one would expect to see. Gifts from Yma's conquests but you also see a line of model ships in bottles lovingly crafted. They hold pride of place on the shelves making you suspect that Yma herself made them. There is a lesson in that, there are always surprises beyond the masks a person shows the world. Of all people you who live layering masks atop masks should remember this.

Your contemplative mood is broken as you spy your host partnering to bring cups of sweet strong tea, you suppose you look prosperous enough for Yma to go the extra effort. While her back is turned you whisper the arcane words of enchantment as your hands move through the proper gestures. Though you knew it was possible it is still a shock when you feel the spell fail. The woman's back stiffens even as you speak the words again just as she turns towards you confused. This time the spell takes hold and her posture relaxes. You can only hope whatever she felt on the failed casting is easily rationalized away.

She gives you a far more genuine-looking smile now that you are her friend and asks if you would like some rare treat from the Sumner Islands to go with the tea. After a moment's consideration you refuse. It would feel wrong somehow to take advantage of her thus. She was not the enemy after all. Ser Richard's words come back to you: "not even a king may dictate a man's feelings only his acts." A king might not but a sorcerer could and you are both. How easily might such powers be abused to make you the worst of tyrants, one what is beloved of his victims?

Setting aside such worries for now you ask Yma what she may know of Angril's whereabouts and this "treasure" he stole from the Red Priests. At this you can clearly see fear in the woman's eyes, a fear you realize she has been attempting to hide not only from you but from herself.

It seems Angril did visit her with his treasure. Haltingly Yma describes the encounter. during late evening three days ago Angril had shown up drunk as a lord on expensive strong wine no less saying that he wouls shower her in gold but first he wanted her to appreciate the wonder he had through his guile acquired. To keep him from waking up the landlord if nothing else Yma let him in.

Once inside he produced and ancient fire-blackened chalice marked with strange flowing writing that looked as unusually new.Angril spoke a word, Yma thinks it sounded like the Bravosi word for "fire" and dancing flames erupted from within.

As he reaches this part of the tale Yma looks at you as if expecting you co call her insane. You gently motion her to continue.

She recounts on: after summoning the fire Angril looked at his former lover expecting praise. Yma was still too shocked to say anything. Perhaps taking this as a challenge he spoke a longer incantation feeding a piece of teak wood into the unnatural flames. From the fire emerged a little demon of flames that flew around the room cackling. Here Yma shows you the scorch marks on the ceiling.

You try to comfort her as best you can which is probably better than you would have managed without the magic influencing her. After calming down she concludes:

"I screamed at him to take his demon and never darken my doorway again. He called me a whore and said he would see to it that all the other men I carry on with would be dead and then I would have no choice than to craw back to him. The demon dived back into the flames and then he took the damn cup and left. I've been scared ever since and... I don't even know why I'm telling you this. You must think me mad."

You almost wince in guilt at having used magic on her too but it's not like you can apologize for it.

"Be at ease madam they say a sorcerer dies the same as any man and Angril has not paid his dues. The Old Man always collects in gold or blood..."

Yma gladly tells you where Angril's most recent hiding place is. After giving her a formal parting (you seem to be making a habit of treating whores like ladies) you leave the house deep in thoughts. What shall you do now:

[] Head straight to Angril's hideout and confront him. That item could be of great use for one of your talents
[] Return to the Rat and see if you can get some more support, this will be difficult and perhaps require magic to do
[] Return to the Rat and announce that the mission has been a failure, you do not have the magic to face demons of fire.
[] Write in

OOC: There you have it your first spell failure. Also Viserys is considering the morality of magic while the dragon blood compels him to go for the treasure. You rolled a crit on what Yma knew (and she was the second most likely to know after the fence) hence the forewarning.

 

[DragonParadox]

Thief Hunt Part Four​

Thirtieth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

Angril's latest hideout is in Silty Town, far from his usual haunts. Perhaps he is trying to make a break with Old Gorthos. If that is the case then this must be one of the most foolish decisions you have even heard of. Bragging that one has a priceless treasure and then making a run for it, not even away from the city at that.

You take a snake boat to the place Yma indicated paying the taciturn boatman and then waiting until he is out of sight before moving to your final destination.

The old stilt-house over the brackish water of the nameless canal looks to have seen better days, perhaps some time during the Conqueror's reign. You carefully step towards the door. From inside you can hear only muffled speaking and the cackle of flames. Fopefully you can charm the thif before he unleashes the fire creature.

You knock once, twice, thrice more forcefully. Nothing. No choice then, you think and order Ser Richard to break down the door. The old brittle wood gives way swiftly before his strength.

What you see inside however shocks you. Angril lies dead his face and hands blackened by fire. The chalice lies among the remains of a incinerated table in the center of the room. The cause of the destruction is immediately apparent too.

A creature of lurid, darting flame dances and capers obscenely through the room causing the waterlogged wooden floor to smoke and creek alarmingly. Its shape and size are roughly humanoid, but its features shift and crackle like the leaping flames of a bonfire. The creature speaks Old Valyrian its voice rustling like wildfire:

"The heir of Stolen Fire comes," It lets out a cruel sharp laugh. "Your death would be most pleasing to me, your blood more sweet than the fool's, your power perhaps enough to let me escape this loathsome cage."

You only have a moment to react what do you do?

[] Fight the creature alongside Ser Richard
[] Try to Charm it
-[]Follow-up on success (write-in)
[] It cannot follow you over the water run outside and dive into the canal.
[] Write in

OOC: Your enemy is a Harginn, an evil elemental created when dark magic taints the Elemental Plane of Fire. It should be obvious what happened here, Angril tried to summon something too powerful and evil and suffered the consequences.

 

[DragonParadox]

The Quenched Flame​

Thirtieth Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

"Keep it off me Ser, I'll try to adjust its attitude!" you shout at Ser Richard.

You can see the creature gathering a glob of its fiery substance between its hands but before it can finish your charm spell grips it's mind. Its resistance is surprisingly feeble. Perhaps it did not expect a mental attack. The creature disperses whatever the fire in its hands was and beings speaking again:

"Thinking on it perhaps your blood need not be spilled. I sense you posses powers arcane. Mayhap you can use those to free me and then your life may be spared." the effect of its horrifying cackling voice attempting civility is if anything even more disconcerting than when when it threatened your life.

Ser Richard recognized the spell easily enough and did not strike.

"I... Certainly, oh Great Flame." you answer the monster throwing in some flattery for good measure. "My arcane tools are outside in the boat ." If you would follow me..."

You catch your sworn sword's eye and touch the pummel of your sword. He looks pale but his hands are steady as he adjusts his sword belt. You step outside walking backwards trying to make a show of respect of it as you heard the Ghyscari of old did in the presence of their leaders.

After extricating yourself from the room you position yourself on the left of the door with your sword drawn. Ser Richard does the same on the right.

As the leaping fire demon bursts out of the same door both of you strike. Ser Richard's two-handed blow strikes down from above causing the creature's "head" to erupt in a swarm of sparks like fireworks. Still it does not fall. Did something like this even fall? Fade? Explode? the irrelevant questions pass through your head just as your sword stabs forth connects with something solid. The fire monster seemes to gutter like a candle before a swift wind.

Gained 300 XP

A pearly white sphere the size of a fist falls on the wood of the old pier with a thunk. It seems to have writing of some sort engraved upon it.

"Your grace be weary..." Ser Richard warns

Filled with the exaltation of victory this time untainted by regret you wave his concerns aside: "Come now Ser If the creature failed to harm me I doubt its remains will."

Sadly you cannot read the script upon the sphere. Even so it looks like a single large pearl engraved with mysterious writing. You can think of uses for this indeed you can.

You enter the unfortunate and foolish Angril's house one last time. While searching the house you find ten full iron marks and fifty-seven Iron pennies as well an a silver ring. It seems Angril had himself quite a tiddly nest egg.

Gained 57 Iron Pennies and 10 Iron Marks
Gained a Silver Ring

However the coins pale in comparison to what you came here to find: the Chalice. It looks impressive even unused, Fire blackened and old beyond description save for the flowing silver runes that are to your delight in recognizable Valyrian. As you look closer you realize that there are words you can't place but that is hardly unexpected, the Grandmaster was not concerned with teaching you words that might pertain to Sorcery after all.

The inscriptions mention three gifts:

The Gift of Blood
The Gift of Matter
The Gift of Song

Around the rim of the vessel is an invocation to the spirit of fire. You strongly suspect this is the incantation Angril used.

Gained Chalice of Fire Call

What shall you do with your newly gained treasures:

The Spell Pearl:

[] Keep it
[] Present it to the Thieves as the treasure Angril stole

The Chalice:

[] Present it to the Thieves' guild as the lost treasure
[] Keep it (opens options to study it or return it to the Red priests or selling it after a time has passed)

OOC: I honestly could not believe your rolls this turn. The Harginn had a +2 initiative on you yet you still cast first. It rolled 2+1 on it's will save. Then both your attack and Ser Rchard's connected past its AC and concealment. To top it off the knight rolled 11 for damage and you crit due to rolling a nat 20. The Gods of Valyria are not dead, they are possessing the RNG.

 

[DragonParadox]

Loose Ends and a Most Intemperate Tutor​

Thirty-First Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

In the end you decided to keep both treasures you recovered from your run in with Angril. One failed bounty would not be that detrimental to your reputation surely. Though a thought comes to you. You do know where Angril's body is you might be able to concoct a tale of partial success.You could present his coins as the earnings from selling the stolen item to a passing merchant captain. Selling the story believably would be difficult however you do as always have enchantment to lean on.

What do you do:

[] Try to bluff that the item has been stolen and present the money (lose 20% of money gained, slight rep increase on success)
[] Admit failure
[] Say nothing, let them draw their own conclusion

In other news Relor has found you a tutor, obviously not out of the non-existent goodness of his heart. Themar of Volantis is a drunk, a womanizer and a gambler deep in Relor's debt. He also has a classical education from which he has retained a surprising amount considering his habitual wine-sodden state (from what you have been able to tell). He would be useful not only to Dany but also to you in some matters pertaining to the lore and customs of the Western Free Cities.

His price is quite high since you would effectively paying off the man's gambling debts as well as his expenses. On the other hand if he fails in his duties you can always have his arms and/or legs broken. Your new associates are refreshingly direct like that...

[] Hire on Themar of Volantis to teach Dany (Cost 6 Gold Dragons/Iron Marks)
[] Do not hire Themar of Volantis

OOC: A short part to catch your breath before the last major action of the week.

 

[DragonParadox]

Youth's Folly​

Thirty-First Day of the Ninth Month 289 AC

That evening you decide to try your luck again to salvage some sort of minor reputation gain from the chalice affair. As much as the magic you have gained fascinates you it would not do to ignore mundane considerations.

For a beginning you stay at what has become your usual table in the Rat drinking with Ser Richard. Idly you wonder if you could persuade Merin to stock something a bit more palpable. Probably not you conclude, perhaps this is my penitence for the sin of Sorcery. The irreverent thought makes you smile slightly. In spite of the confirmation of the existence of demons just yesterday you do not feel the inclination to Pray to the Seven. It somehow feels wrong to abase yourself thus. According to Themar the Gods of Old Valyria are still worshiped within the Black Walls of Volantis. Perhaps given your nature they would be a better fit for you.

Your ruminations are interrupted as you notice Gorthos entering. Every eye in the tavern is on him making it the perfect time to change his attitude a touch. The spell goes off perfectly. As he notices you the thief master gives a regal smile. As soon as he settles for the evening you set out in his direction.

Passing Len on the way you invite him to follow.

Once you have reached Gorthos' table he gives you leave to sit and asks:

"So you have something to say to me?"

You feign a look of frustration as you answer: "News and coin though the former does not make very good hearing and there is less of the later than one might expect."

"When you get to be my age young Corlys you learn to deal with disappointment and deal directly with those that cause it," Gorthos' replies genially enough though with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Now what exactly is this about?"

You spin a suitably modified tale of Angril fate including the supposed selling of the lost item to a foreign merchant that has since set sail. Gorthos seems mollified enough by the coins you give him.

Lost 2 Iron Marks and 11 Iron pennies.

He does however ask: "What did you say the most unfortunate Angril died of?"

"Fire, Master Gorthos." you answer with carefully planed obvious evasiveness. Give a man a lesser failure to chastise one of and he will not look deeper.

"That wouldn't happen to have something to do with how you found out he had sold the loot, would it?" he asked slyly.

You try to force a blush as you look down at the table. Perhaps being glamored as myself would not go amiss just for the control of expression, you think as the blush fails to materialize.

The thief master chuckles knowingly: "Fire's a good way to get a man to spill his secrets lad but you've got to be careful with it."

You start to reply but he waves you off: "No, no you did well enough he was a dead man walking when he sold the thing and hid. Might have been best t' send someone more experienced with you "gentlefolk" but he's dead and the guild got it's due. Water in the canal"

Completed Quest: Thief Hunt (partial success). Gained 220 XP

Len does not look pleased at the implication that he should have gone or assigned a more experienced sneak to go along but he sighs and takes his cut just the same.

Having tidied up that assignment as best you could, you take this opportunity to ask Gorthos directy about the indebted noble scion with the intransigent father.

Lembro Averys seems to be the perfect picture of the irresponsible blade about town, he duels, he drinks in excess and gambles his last coin. As it so happens he also takes loans from shadowy sources when that last coin is gone. His father Pantumbro is most displeased with his heir's habits and refuses to honor debts to such low individuals. Killing the boy would be a simple enough thing to do, even doing it in such a way as not to be linked to Gorthos by all save those in the know. However Gorthos wants his money not a noble corpse in the street. You are to get the three hundred marks he is owed preferably in such a way as puts the fear of the Stranger into the boy.

***

First Day of the Tenth Month 289 AC

You wake bright and early the next morning ready for the task

How to you proceed?

[] Seek out the father as he prays in the temple of the Moonsingers. He will have no guards with him there making enchanting him easier. However you are a bit leery in attempting your magic on holy ground.
[] Seek out the son in his usual haunts by the Moon Pool, use his weakness to obtain the money perhaps by arranging a kidnapping by his will or no.
[] Figure out what the assets of the family are and swindle them out oft he appropriate sum.

 

[DragonParadox]

The Young Blade​

First Day of the Tenth Month 289 AC

If the young scion of what passes for Braavosi nobility was unwise enough to become massively indebted to to begin with than it stands to reason he will be a weak reed you can leverage to obtain that which he owes.

Firstly you pass by Ben's wine-shop finding it in good order and taking care to be polite congenial. It seems Gorthos has been keeping things in order as you are greeted pleasantly enough. The three bottles of wine will be useful for while you need Lembro Averys drunk you do not need him to be so in any of the well-lit and crowded taverns and inns that surround the Moon Pool. Conspiracies are best done in the shadow.

***​

The Moon Pool at night is a wonder to behold, the clear, torrent of the Sweetwater River gathering into a deep inky pool from which it is piped to public fountains and the homes of the wealthy including of course the Sealord's palace nearby. The gilded domes and fluted towers of the place are now however your concern this day.

You scan the groups of bravos seeking Lembro. He is predictably easy to find dressed as he is in an emerald cape and a large feather cap. Among the bravos only two groups of people dress in such ostentatious and expensive clothes, the very best of them who flaunt their skill and untouchability and the very worst of them who have never drawn a blade in anger. Ser Richard's sneer on seeing hm confirms your strong suspicion that Lembro belongs to the second group. All the better then.

By means of a glamor you are "wearing" light leathers and airy fabrics common to bravos of poorer backgrounds, your face is again a year or two older than it should. It is easy enough to get within range of the young blade you seek and cast a enchantment. His mind succumbs with satisfying ease. You hail him with a smile spinning a tales of drunken revelry and joyous companionship. He is swift enough to accept this in the thrall of the magic.

You give the name Aero (a mask meant for a single performance) and speak of woes with your guardian, a tight-fisted uncle. Lembro and his friends commiserate, none more than the worthy himself. As the others scatter you show the bottle of wine in your hand and invite him to share it with you under the stars (you suppose there must be stars above beyond the habitual heavy clouds of Braavos). Lembro it seems is as much enamored of affected speech and mannerisms as he is of wine, dice and risking his life in duels. As the night flows on the conversation moves on from your supposed woes to his relation with his father. It is almost amusing how he romanticizes his petty rebellions, casting himself as the misunderstood hero in some Rhoyndrish epic.

Once three-quarters of the wine is gone, mostly into your companion he reveals his newest scheme. He plans to elope with his current mistress, would-be courtesan that plies her trade in the Satin Palace. You get the distinct impression he has not the courage to go through with it but then he is not very clear of mind at this moment ensorcelered and drunk. When you present the idea of staging a kidnapping to get him the money he needs from his father he almost balks but wine-given courage and subtle magic overcome his fear of his father's wrath in the end. He agrees to the scheme.

Getting him to actually write anything legible is perhaps the most difficult task of the night, ironically, but after much wasted parchment the note is written. You complete the rest of the ransom note just as Lembro falls into the noisy slumber of the very intoxicated.

It is a simple enough though by no means easy to get your "conspirator" into a abandoned house at the edge of Drowned Town.

***​

Second Day of the Tenth Month 289 AC

You sleep in the ruined house thankful that it does not rain this night. The next morning you wake feeling as if the Usurper himself drove a spike through your temple with his hammer. It seems you did not drink as little as you imagined last night.

You set Ser Richard to guard Lembro over his protests. You are safe enough a many-faced shadow among the canals of Bravos but should you lose him the entire scheme falls apart. You advise the Ser to offer your guest yet more wine should he wake or simply knock him out should he wish to back off.

How much coin do you ask for:

[] 300 Iron Marks (no profit)
[] 500 Iron Marks (profit of 160 after guild dues)
[] 1000 Iron Marks (profit of 560 after guild dues)
[] Write in

How do you deliver the ransom note:

[] Send an urchin, safer but it is possible that the note will not be believed
[] Deliver it yourself while Pantumbro is praying. Sure to be believed but somewhat risky for while no armed men may enter the temple you could be captured outside before you can melt into the crowds
[] Write in

OOC: You'll notice that not once did you mention Gorthos or the debts. That is so you can't be accused of causing backlash for his interests.

 

[DragonParadox]

Maiden of the Moon​

Second Day of the Tenth Month 289 AC

Even if one knows nothing else of Braavos the fact that it is a city of a thousand and one Faiths is famed across the known world. Here priests of the Great Shepard rub shoulders with those of the Father of Waters and the grim servants o the Many Faced God bustle on the same streets as Septons of the Faith of the Seven. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Island of Gods in the heart of the city. Even Gods long dead are given sanctuary in the Holy Refuge. In spite of this there can be said to be one religion that is the most of Braavos, that of the Moonsingers. It was a prophetess of that sect hailing from far Jogos Nhai that guided those who would become the first Bravaosi to the lagoon. Here those exiles, former slaves fleeing before the might of Valyria grew into a mighty power and the faith of the Moonsingers grew with the city.

Even now upon the Isle of the Gods the Temple of the Moonsingers stands apart, a mighty mass of snow-white marble, topped by a huge silvered dome whose milk glass windows show all the phases of the moon. Here come the pious of many ancient Braavosi families to pray in the stillness of night. Here also come glided tin potentates like the patriarch of the House of Averys in the morning when there is no moon to be seen. There are lineages of courtesans that can count their line older then his. Truth be told you find unabashed rogues like the Old Man and his ilk to be more pleasant.

You already visited this place in preparation for potentially accosting Pantumbro here so you know that no armed men are permitted in the temple and the great flow of the crowds does not allow the guards of a lesser noble like the one you are stalking to wait too close to the door.

Shrouded in illusion you pass the gates flanked by a pair of marble maidens as tall as the statues of the Sealords along the Great Canal. Does this place feel more watchful than before or are you simply allowing your imagination to get away from you. As you walk along the vast entrance way way you realize that the eyes upon you are mortal not divine. A young Maiden of the Waxing Moon is looking straight at you. Seers, Damn it all to the Seven Hells, why did I not think? the panicked thought passes though your mind. The girl who looks perhaps two years older than you is now moving purposefully towards you. The push of worshipers behind you makes fleeing a very disruptive and obvious act.

The girl is now close enough to whisper among the prayers of the faithful. Still she has not raised an outcry. What is her game?

"Are you here to kill?" her voice comes softly accompanied by the subtle scent of growing green things you cannot quite place.

"What? No!" you reply shocked though still managing to keep your voice low.

She nods to herself confirming a suspicion: "I won't give you away if you promise to meet me in front of the steps at midnight." The words come in a rush as if she is forcing herself to speak before her courage gives out. "Swear on your God that you'll come and I... I'll help you, as long as you don't kill. There are ways only the priests walk I can lead you through them."

Your God...? What is that even supposed to mean? Then it hits you, the God of Many Faces. She thinks you are a Faceless Man.

A acolyte of the temple would know its ways best of all and you judge her free of guile (after all there would have been easier ways to have you detained in the crowd). You are curious about how she pierced your glamor but is indulging curiosity enough of a reason to return here once your business with Pantumbro is at an end?

How to you reply:

[] Agree, swear by the Many Faced God (Truth)
[] Agree, swear by the Many Faced God (Lie, Bluff DC 20)
[] Explain that you are not an assassin
[] Write-in

OOC: Before anyone jumps to conclusion about True Seeing or something like that let me just say the explanation for what just happened is much simpler.