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

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[X] Plan New World Order
-[X] "It is comforting in these trying times to view the world as one is used to. To look at the past to understand the future. Yet it is unwise to be blinded by these spectres."
-[X] "You see me as a lord of pirates and brigands, for that is what a realm of the Stepstones is supposed to be. You call me slaver in deed if not word, for that is what the ambitious of Valyrian descend are supposed to be."
-[X] "As for those magisters in the free cities? They lie to themselves. It is comforting to think the days of glory are returning to them, that they will see the rise of a realm forged in their image. But those are lies all the same."
-[X] "It is not the far away hand of a distant lord that they have begun to feel under my rule, but the watchful gaze of one that takes ill to their corruption and petty squabbles. Not the privilege 'earned' by thrir heritage that I gave them, instead having Braavosi hands wield the quills that guise my realm. And their vaunted blood has mingled with that of common murderers and rapists on the headsmans axe, as befitting of their shared crimes."
-[X] "So tell me then, what reassurance could I even give you, when you see my realm npt for what it is, but what 'common wisdom' tells you it's supposed to be?"
-[X] Offer him the usual trip to SD, so that he can see 'the downtrodden slaves in all but name' and 'Valyria reborn'.
 
Azel said:
[X] Plan New World Order
-[X] "It is comforting in these trying times to view the world as one is used to. To look at the past to understand the future. Yet it is unwise to be blinded by these spectres."
-[X] "You see me as a lord of pirates and brigands, for that is what a realm of the Stepstones is supposed to be. You call me slaver in deed if not word, for that is what the ambitious of Valyrian descend are supposed to be."
-[X] "As for those magisters in the free cities? They lie to themselves. It is comforting to think the days of glory are returning to them, that they will see the rise of a realm forged in their image. But those are lies all the same."
-[X] "It is not the far away hand of a distant lord that they have begun to feel under my rule, but the watchful gaze of one that takes ill to their corruption and petty squabbles. Not the privilege 'earned' by thrir heritage that I gave them, instead having Braavosi hands wield the quills that guise my realm. And their vaunted blood has mingled with that of common murderers and rapists on the headsmans axe, as befitting of their shared crimes."
-[X] "So tell me then, what reassurance could I even give you, when you see my realm npt for what it is, but what 'common wisdom' tells you it's supposed to be?"
-[X] Offer him the usual trip to SD, so that he can see 'the downtrodden slaves in all but name' and 'Valyria reborn'.
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While this is nice, it does fail to address the "won't you die?" issue.
Unless you mean to suggest that those Braavosi quills will shape the realm?
 
TalonofAnathrax said:
While this is nice, it does fail to address the "won't you die?" issue.
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I'm pretty sure that was a rhetorical question we were supposed to be unable to answer, since this guy is kind of a jackass who doesn't want to be convinced he's wrong. Of course we don't have an answer 'what will people do when we're dead,' that's been an issue which has haunted every ruler that's ever lived.
 
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Adhoc vote count started by egoo on Jan 6, 2019 at 10:17 AM, finished with 262157 posts and 18 votes.
  • [X] Plan New World Order
    -[X] "It is comforting in these trying times to view the world as one is used to. To look at the past to understand the future. Yet it is unwise to be blinded by these spectres."
    -[X] "You see me as a lord of pirates and brigands, for that is what a realm of the Stepstones is supposed to be. You call me slaver in deed if not word, for that is what the ambitious of Valyrian descend are supposed to be."
    -[X] "As for those magisters in the free cities? They lie to themselves. It is comforting to think the days of glory are returning to them, that they will see the rise of a realm forged in their image. But those are lies all the same."
    -[X] "It is not the far away hand of a distant lord that they have begun to feel under my rule, but the watchful gaze of one that takes ill to their corruption and petty squabbles. Not the privilege 'earned' by thrir heritage that I gave them, instead having Braavosi hands wield the quills that guise my realm. And their vaunted blood has mingled with that of common murderers and rapists on the headsmans axe, as befitting of their shared crimes."
    -[X] "So tell me then, what reassurance could I even give you, when you see my realm npt for what it is, but what 'common wisdom' tells you it's supposed to be?"
    -[X] Offer him the usual trip to SD, so that he can see 'the downtrodden slaves in all but name' and 'Valyria reborn'.
    [X] "Rather than speculate on my non-existent heirs, whose potential character remains unknown to even the gods, I would instead focus on matters of importance now."
    -[X] "I asked to meet with you, Admiral Paenyl, for one simple reason; I saw continued value in allowing you to live. Let's not mince words. You are a member of a conspiracy that has set itself against my interests, one which has gone so far as to send an assassin, a Sorrowful Man, to slay one of my representatives in Myr."
    --[X] "That act was not merely foolish, but outright criminal. Attempted murder by proxy, despite keeping your hands clean of spilled blood, seems no less unsavory to my sensibilities than those crimes you accuse my subjects of committing."
    ---[X] "Would you care to justify your actions, to defend them in some manner that does not brand you as a hypocrite?"
    [X] "What heirs? I turned myself into a Dragon. Rest assured that I can turn myself into a younger one at need. And my Companions can return my soul to my healed flesh at need should I suffer the inconvenience of death."
    - [X] Use Alter Fortune if needed.
    [x] "There is one throne only to which I have a claim by right of blood and it is a far more recent claim than Old Valyria. My realm I took by conquest, not the colour of my hair, and I rule by right of performing the duties of a ruler. I provide good governance where there was bad governance or none at all. I give laws, I follow those laws and the First of those laws I learned growing up here in Braavos. The tyranny of Old Valyria is a shadow to be overcome, those who would be the heirs of that Tyranny are the enemies of my realm.
    -[x] "I cannot speak of the character of heirs yet to be conceived. I will leave them robust laws and traditions and a realm that thrives because liberty thrives. I will teach them all I can. What ruler can say more?"
    [X] "Would you rather have me become a butcher, slaughtering children for the sins of their ancestors ? Would you rather I tear down all vestige of civilisation because their moral failures are not your own ? I have seen and lived in the slums of the Hidden City, should I condemn all Braavosi because some children there live more poorly than many slaves did in Lys ? Are they anymore free because their chains are not of metal ?"
Click to expand...
 
TalonofAnathrax said:
While this is nice, it does fail to address the "won't you die?" issue.
Unless you mean to suggest that those Braavosi quills will shape the realm?
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His question is nonsensical and rooted on the idea that we are building a new Freehold abd just selling it nicely to the low-born.

I'm arguing that his perception of our realm is flawed and so is that of the magisters. Therefore, he asks a question about a fear that is nonsensical.
 
Even leaving that aside, the simple fact is we are building something. Even if it didn't all go fine (which it will, but good luck convincing him) there's no way it could be worse than leaving the Three Daughters to their own devices, when the Myrish are the only ones of the bunch who can actually survive without us being there to bail them out.
 
Vote closed.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Jan 6, 2019 at 10:30 AM, finished with 262161 posts and 18 votes.
  • [X] Plan New World Order
    -[X] "It is comforting in these trying times to view the world as one is used to. To look at the past to understand the future. Yet it is unwise to be blinded by these spectres."
    -[X] "You see me as a lord of pirates and brigands, for that is what a realm of the Stepstones is supposed to be. You call me slaver in deed if not word, for that is what the ambitious of Valyrian descend are supposed to be."
    -[X] "As for those magisters in the free cities? They lie to themselves. It is comforting to think the days of glory are returning to them, that they will see the rise of a realm forged in their image. But those are lies all the same."
    -[X] "It is not the far away hand of a distant lord that they have begun to feel under my rule, but the watchful gaze of one that takes ill to their corruption and petty squabbles. Not the privilege 'earned' by thrir heritage that I gave them, instead having Braavosi hands wield the quills that guise my realm. And their vaunted blood has mingled with that of common murderers and rapists on the headsmans axe, as befitting of their shared crimes."
    -[X] "So tell me then, what reassurance could I even give you, when you see my realm npt for what it is, but what 'common wisdom' tells you it's supposed to be?"
    -[X] Offer him the usual trip to SD, so that he can see 'the downtrodden slaves in all but name' and 'Valyria reborn'.
    [X] "Rather than speculate on my non-existent heirs, whose potential character remains unknown to even the gods, I would instead focus on matters of importance now."
    -[X] "I asked to meet with you, Admiral Paenyl, for one simple reason; I saw continued value in allowing you to live. Let's not mince words. You are a member of a conspiracy that has set itself against my interests, one which has gone so far as to send an assassin, a Sorrowful Man, to slay one of my representatives in Myr."
    --[X] "That act was not merely foolish, but outright criminal. Attempted murder by proxy, despite keeping your hands clean of spilled blood, seems no less unsavory to my sensibilities than those crimes you accuse my subjects of committing."
    ---[X] "Would you care to justify your actions, to defend them in some manner that does not brand you as a hypocrite?"
    [X] "What heirs? I turned myself into a Dragon. Rest assured that I can turn myself into a younger one at need. And my Companions can return my soul to my healed flesh at need should I suffer the inconvenience of death."
    - [X] Use Alter Fortune if needed.
    [x] "There is one throne only to which I have a claim by right of blood and it is a far more recent claim than Old Valyria. My realm I took by conquest, not the colour of my hair, and I rule by right of performing the duties of a ruler. I provide good governance where there was bad governance or none at all. I give laws, I follow those laws and the First of those laws I learned growing up here in Braavos. The tyranny of Old Valyria is a shadow to be overcome, those who would be the heirs of that Tyranny are the enemies of my realm.
    -[x] "I cannot speak of the character of heirs yet to be conceived. I will leave them robust laws and traditions and a realm that thrives because liberty thrives. I will teach them all I can. What ruler can say more?"
    [X] "Would you rather have me become a butcher, slaughtering children for the sins of their ancestors ? Would you rather I tear down all vestige of civilisation because their moral failures are not your own ? I have seen and lived in the slums of the Hidden City, should I condemn all Braavosi because some children there live more poorly than many slaves did in Lys ? Are they anymore free because their chains are not of metal ?"
Click to expand...
 
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Part MMDXXXV: Tides of Change
  • Threadmarks
    • Tides of Change ​

    Twenty-Seventh Day of the Seventh Month 293 AC

    "It is comforting in these trying times to view the world as one is used to, to look at the past to understand the future. Yet that temptation can lead the questing mind astray," you reply, words carefully balanced between not cutting at his pride and not seeming to play a courtier's games. "You see me as a lord of pirates and brigands, for that is what a realm of the Stepstones is supposed to be. You call me slaver in deed if not word, for that is what the ambitions of Valyrian descend are supposed to be."

    The man before you shakes his head slowly, reluctantly. "I will grant... after seeing you that this is not your intent, but the world does not move wholly to our intent anymore than wind and tide can move to a sailor's will."

    Before you can answer, Wyla clears her throat. "Verily? And what if I were to show you that I, a sorceress, can bend the winds to my will enough to get a ship to harbor at least? I know, I know," she waves away the objection that must forming on his lips. "Tis only a metaphor you say, but if I can shift such a fundamental aspect of nature that you would use it without thought, then why must the King fail in an attempt to change the nature of the Three Daughters? Are the magisters of Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys so mighty that they are more unchanging than the sea?"

    To his credit Gylliros falls into thoughtful silence, though obviously not convinced in full his certainties have been shaken.

    Thus you continue on your course, before the voice of emotion can push back reason: "The magisters lie to themselves. It is comforting to think the days of glory are returning to them, that they will see the rise of a realm forged in their image. But those are lies all the same, no more true for the fact that I find it convenient to let them do so."

    "What then is the truth you would show me?" the old admiral asks, the word truth only lightly stressed with disbelief.

    The answer is swift and sure in coming for this you believe in above all other things, justice given freely to high and low alike. "It is not the far away hand of a distant lord that they have begun to feel under my rule, but the watchful gaze of one that takes ill to their corruption and petty squabbles. Not the privilege 'earned' by their heritage that I gave them, instead having Braavosi hands wield the quills that guide my realm. And their vaunted blood has mingled with that of common murderers and rapists on the headsman's axe, as befitting of their shared crimes."

    "Perhaps I have misjudged you, no," the word is accented by a thump of the wooden foot on the boards. "I have misjudged you at least in your intent and perhaps even in your deeds. I'll have to wander by that white tree and ask some questions, talk more to those who have been down south."

    "I could take you to Sorcerer's Deep or Tyrosh to show you..." you offer, relieved that the words had struck their mark.

    To your surprise the admiral laughs, a sound of honest mirth this time if still rough with a lifetime spent at sea. "A king has better things to do with his time than show me around town I'll wager."

    You had been pressed into the same conversation, the same demonstration so many times that you are not quite sure how to respond. For a long moment you consider whether or not restoring his leg would be seen as bribery and thus unwelcome. If he would rather be missing a leg than be indebted to you in his own mind, then he is not worth the trouble of persuading, Varys whispers in your mind with draconic practicality, her point well made.

    "Then there is one more injustice I would turn back before we part ways," you wave at the man's foot.

    Surprise and disbelief flash over his features, but not for long. More likely then not he had sought healing, but been unable to find a mage skilled enough for the task. Gylliros nods and quickly undoes the leather straps holding up his peg leg. In a flash of blood and sorcery the leg is restored. The thanks you receive in exchange are not effusive but they are heartfelt. His days of sending assassins after you are done at least.

    ***​

    As you leave the Golden Anchor for the rainy Braavosi afternoon you mark down a plan to further improve the view of your realm for Braavos to high and low alike. Perhaps an inquisition base would not go amiss, with the Sealord's knowledge of course.

    Speaking of Ferrego Antaryon, he had spent the last few hours speaking to his cousin in person, such that a bedraggled man of middle years presented himself before you as soon as you returned to the palace, 'ready and willing to go south.' Though you doubt both statements deeply you outwardly take him at his word, delivering him to Saan together with a letter from the Sealord that delights the old rogue. "The most I've ever gotten from the Braavosi before was a price on my head..." he chortles. Seeing your expression he quickly explains that said price was over 'a youthful indiscretion' and he had not been an enemy of Braavos for more than a score years.

    What do you do next?

    [] Mercury Lake

    [] Planar Gate opening
    -[] Write in architecture for the terminal (optional)

    [] Devil Summoning

    [] Write in

    OOC: I decided to avoid the whole tour aspect both because it's not very interesting for you guys and because it makes no sense to ask a proper king to give one a guided tour unless one has a rather inflated ego.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Mercury Lake
    Although we didn't do a part of what you wanted to here, @Azel, it seems also something that can be abstracted away easily.
    If you don't have any specific plans for it, that is.
    -[] Visit Braavos for an afternoon. Divine a good moment to pop in.
    --[] Talk with the Sealord about the by then resolved actions (read: the conquest of) Myr and Lys and ask him for his expected schedule for Pentos so that we can ensure that we can hold our part of the agreement. As of now, we will probably arrive with 5 dragons of combat size.
    --[] If the Planar Train Station is done, talk to Lady Uraka about it and invite her to the opening ceremony.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    also, @DragonParadox, what's the exact schedule of Braavosi for Pentos war right now?
     
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