Remove ads

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

Reader mode
spiritualatheist said:
But Viserys is IC smart enough to figure out the best way to save as many people as possible. So by not doing that he would be choosing to sacrifice the lives of his rightful subjects in favor of personal power.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Yeah, and that's the point I was making about ruling.
And considering people "his rightful subjects".

Without that issue simply helping the people nearby would be morally and personally fine.
Only by taking that responsibility is he forced to shoulder more than the average adventurer-party does.
 
Snowfire said:
I really wanted to put in a "What do you say to the gathered White Council of Wizards?" at the end of this, but I'm aware that it would probably be a bit unreasonable – and I'm hoping to get some premium Azel speechifying for this, anyway. I hope I did the setup for this justice, I had to go back and reread several sections from Turn Coat and Changes to get a good image of Edinburgh, and even then…well I'm not sure how well it came across. Haven't touched on Viserys PoV for a while, so if it's lacking somehow, that'll be why. I'm also less than great at these sort of slow-burn buildups, and there was so much to cover here… Perhaps it would have been better for me to miss out some parts, but we'll see what people think.

There's a Practice War vote about to open after I post this, so I'll have the next chapter up as quick as I can – and as fast as Azel can speechify at me!
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Viserys' inner voice and motivations were spot on, cautiously optimistic, aware of the magnitude of his task but determined to overcome it.
 
Artemis1992 said:
Yeah, and that's the point I was making about ruling.
And considering people "his rightful subjects".

Without that issue simply helping the people nearby would be morally and personally fine.
Only by taking that responsibility is he forced to shoulder more than the average adventurer-party does.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Personally, I detest the permanent state of murder-hobo this implies. For this to work you would have to stay entirely unattached and low-level, neither being things I like at all.

Edit: Upon further consideration, it's actually mostly the lack of attachments that keeps bothering me. At some point, I just can't bring myself to care about the Peasant Village of the Week anymore.
 
Last edited:
Artemis1992 said:
That's a point.
Attachment to the other PCs would still be there though, as well as interesting NPCs.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
If you know that you will never see these people again, it sooner or later becomes very hard to care about these NPCs at all and if conflicts carry no lasting meaning, even PC interactions become shallow and worthless over time.

Look at our kingdom. Isn't it also the place we use to store those interesting people?

I think you can have a better Pen and Paper campaign as a bunch of peasants staying in the same village then as a bunch of level 20 PCs that gallivate across the Planes. Because what you do as that peasant means something, but the princess you save from a Pit Fiends clutches is soon forgotten as you travel on.
 
Dp is there any way you could tell if something from d&d will never ever be in this quest? Cause if they aren't ever going to be there its not really a spoiler if its not a plot related question.
 
Azel said:
If you know that you will never see these people again, it sooner or later becomes very hard to care about these NPCs at all and if conflicts carry no lasting meaning, even PC interactions become shallow and worthless over time.

Look at our kingdom. Isn't it also the place we use to store those interesting people?

I think you can have a better Pen and Paper campaign as a bunch of peasants staying in the same village then as a bunch of level 20 PCs that gallivate across the Planes. Because what you do as that peasant means something, but the princess you save from a Pit Fiends clutches is soon forgotten as you travel on.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
It's not like these people have to dissapear?

Particularly if they themselves are travelling, but also if we move through the same area again and see if and how it has changed since our last visit.

Also reccuring enemies can be an interesting relationship to take one example that murderhobos have as well as steadier people.

Edit: Take for example our first journeys through Volantis.
We knew we'd see and hear from these people again, unrelated to our own little domain at the time.
 
Last edited:
Artemis1992 said:
It's not like these people have to dissapear?

Particularly if they themselves are travelling, but also if we move through the same area again and see if and how it has changed since our last visit.

Also reccuring enemies can be an interesting relationship to take one example that murderhobos have as well as steadier people.

Edit: Take for example our first journeys through Volantis.
We knew we'd see and hear from these people again, unrelated to our own little domain at the time.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Recurring enemies tend to be narratively unsatisfying, as you have to abort the plot progression before the final confrontation to make them survive. Organisations work much better in that regard then single persons, as you can kill the minions to get the plot resolution of a given arc while still preserving the overall threat.

Also, backtracking has it's own issues, as the area you revisit is either peaceful and thus lacking conflict or in the throes of the next calamity, leading to sapping the meaning from past victories. Also, if you revisit often enough, you get an attachment instead.

Lastly, travel plots are railroad plots.
 
Remove ads
City of Brass Infiltration Plan
  • Apocrypha
    • City of Brass Infiltration Plan: Composed in response to the mission given to us on 8th day of the 8th month, 293 AC by Mahuroos Tepani, Grand Vizier to the Sultana of the Peerless Empire, home of the Opaline Vault.

    The Plan:
    As early as possible next month, Malarys, accompanied by Maelor, Bronn, and Sarell, along with two additional Erinyes, will journey to the City of Brass and establish contact with whichever aspect of the Efreeti government is responsible for the sale or lease of property within the confines of the City, as well as those responsible for issuing business licenses or permits. His stated goal will be to purchase or attain a long-term lease on a sizeable building in a suitable location within the city to establish a moderately-sized crafting house capable of producing and selling low level enchanted gear and Alchemical items at a reasonable price. He will make no attempt to hide the fact that all of his crafters are in fact slaves, inexperienced mages with enough power and skill to be useful but not enough to be dangerous or enable them to escape. The business will also act as a buyer and re-seller of other enchanted goods.​
    ​
    If asked why he chose to move his operation to the City of Brass, Malarys will claim that his political enemies and business rivals have made it impossible to make a profit in his prior location, so he has chosen to relocate much of his assets while he deals with the interlopers in a permanent manner.​
    ​
    He will seek a building large enough to accommodate 25 "slaves" in relative comfort along with the day to day staff who will supervise the crafters and deal with customers. It needs enough space to establish a large Alchemy lab in which up to 20 Alchemists can work, an area which can be refitted as an Arcane forge sufficient to allow up to 10 Mage-Smiths to work simultaneously, an enchanter's workshop with space for up to a half dozen crafters, a secure area in which merchandise can be stored when not on display, and a well appointed storefront and showroom to display the fruits of the crafters' efforts.​
    ​
    To facilitate this transaction, our entire stockpile of 18,500 Great Brass Seals will be made available to Malarys for the purpose of paying expenses, including any bribes needed to allow the business to be established as quickly as possible. Adamantine and Mithral bullion will be used to cover any remaining expenses.​
    ​
    NOTE: Malarys will conduct this business while under the effects of the following spells: Air of Nobility, Divine Insight, Grand Destiny, Heroism, and an Imbued Voice of the Dragon.​

    Background Work:
    Once the property is acquired, Lya will ward the living quarters and work spaces with a Permanent Mage's Private Sanctum spell, while Viserys uses Transfiguring Touch to sandwich a thin layer of lead into the walls.​
    ​
    During the 8th month and continuing into the 9th month, the assigned enchanters will begin crafting equipment necessary for the smooth operation of the front (i.e. Rings of Protection from Evil, Rings of Sustenance, and "Slave Collars" for the works, Pages of Spell Knowledge for Maelor, etc.). They will also begin to enchant a stock of basic enchanted items to be sold from the storefront.​
    ​
    Maelor, Bronn, and the three Erinyes will each wear one of the Mind Blank rings, a single-use Sending stone, and a single-use Plane Shift charm. Maelor will be provided with Pages of Spell Knowledge of Authenticating Gaze, Evaluator's Lens, Investigative Mind, Resist Energy, and Tears to Wine, to better allow him to serve as the business' sales clerk and operator. He will also be provided with a pair of spectacles enchanted to provide a +5 Competence bonus to Appraise skill checks.​
    • UPDATE: Upon Maelor and Bronn's return to Planetos in the 4th month of 294 AC, their duties were assumed by a Mind Dragon and Myrkdreki Dragon. The Authenticating Gaze, Evaluator's Lens, Investigative Mind, and Tears to Wine, Pages of Spell Knowledge were left with the Dragons to aid in the day to day running of Enchanted Outfitters.
    Maelor and Bronn will each have Resist Energy(Fire) and Tongues spells cast on them by Viserys using Permanency spells (fueled by diamonds rather than XP) duplicated using Wild Arcana while affected by Harmonic Chorus and Moment of Greatness. Combined with the power of Viserys' Spell-Singer's ring, these spells will each have an effective caster level of 29th to resist being Dispelled, Suppressed, or Disjoined. Permanent Channel Vigor spells (using purchased Permanency scrolls) will also be placed upon each of them.​
    ​
    Malarys will use Create Lesser Demiplane to create an emergency bolthole for those living and working within the front business. He will maintain the Demiplane throughout the operation in the City of Brass. Should the front business come under attack by the authorities of the City of Brass, or anything deemed to be a significant threat to their lives, Maelor, Bronn, and the Erinyes will be tasked with evacuating the crafters to this Demiplane.​
    ​
    Everyone who participates in this operation will receive quadruple their normal pay as compensation for the significantly increased risk they are undertaking and the burden of pretending to be slaves in such an inhospitable locale.​
    ​
    Further details to come.​

    The Goal:
    We will establish a legitimate business which pays its taxes, bribes the appropriate Efreeti officials, and makes no waves to attract unwanted attention. While doing this, we will work to make useful contacts, tap into the City's rumor mill, and simply become part of the background scenery over the coming months.​
    ​
    The business will eventually serve as an intelligence gathering hub. Not exactly an Inquisition base, but a place from which our agents will be able to slip into the City of Brass then retreat to as needed.​
    ​
    The end goal will be for the business to act as a fortified invasion point for Shaitan and Djinni forces into the heart of the City of Brass, bypassing most of its defenses and defenders, both to strike a blow against the Efreeti in their stronghold and to serve as an extremely effective distraction while we and our allies assault the Living Brass forge.​

    Enchanted Outfitters (tentative name), aka City of Brass Front Business
    • Purveyors of affordable Alchemical creations and magical paraphernalia, specializing in basic wondrous items, minor magical weapons and armor, and a selection of low and medium level spells meant to heal or enhance the caster and their allies.
      • Enchanted Outfitters sells its goods at 5% below regular market value.
      • Enchanted Outfitters purchases salvaged magical goods that are in good condition at the normal rate of 50% of market value, but will provide up to another 5% if the seller accepts store credit rather than currency.
    • Although Enchanted Outfitters regularly sells magical weapons, they do not produce offensive wondrous items or spell scrolls which could allow the "enslaved" crafters to become a threat to their owner or his trusted employees.
      • While Enchanted Outfitters does not produce such items, it will purchase them as salvage from potential customers, adventurers, or other inhabitants of the City of Brass.
    Master:
    • Malarys Vanor
    Overseer & Guards:
    • Unnamed Erinyes (x2)
    • Sarell the Erinyes Paladin of Tyranny 1
    • Maelor
    • Bronn
    • Iron Golem
    "Indentured/Enslaved" Crafters:
    • Mage-Smith Experts: 3rd level (x10)
    • Hedge Mage Alchemists: 3rd level (x8)
    • Archivists: 4th level (x2; Craft Wondrous Item, Scribe Scroll)
      • Both Archivists will be equipped with a Quill of Scribing.
      • Both Archivists learn the Unseen Crafter and Barbed Chains spells prior to embarking on this mission.
    • Wizards: 5th level (x2; Craft Wondrous Item, Scribe Scroll), 4th level (x1; Scribe Scroll)
      • The 4th level Wizard will be equipped with a Quill of Scribing.
      • Both 5th level Wizards will be equipped with their full set Scholarium graduate gear, including Quills of Scribing.
      • Each 5th level Wizard will learn the Lightning Bolt spell and all three Wizards will learn the Elemental Darts and Unseen Crafter spells prior to embarking on this mission.
    Equipment:
    • Interplanar Whispering Brazier
    • Statue of Magecraft (+5 Competence bonus to Crafting skills for 24 hours)
    • Statue of Crafter's Fortune (+5 Luck bonus to Crafting skills for 24 hours)
    • Statue of Comfort (Endure Elements effect on command by touch)
    • Masterwork Alchemical Laboratory: Capable of accommodating at least 20 Alchemists simultaneously
    • Masterwork Forge capable of accommodating 10 Mage-Smith Experts simultaneously
    • 25 "Slave Collars":
      • Each collar is designed to be worn around the neck and to appear to be locked, though a hidden release mechanism allows the wearer to divest themselves of the device at will. Each will be marked with a carefully hidden Dragoneye Rune and will be enchanted via a Magic Aura spell to radiate a moderate aura of Necromancy and Divination magic.
      • These collars will only be worn when the crafter must interact with customers or inspectors, but will always be kept on the crafter's person so they can don it at a moment's notice.
    Initial Stock: Items in RED are part of a proposed mini-crafting plan located HERE. This would be carried out during the current 8th month by the various crafters who will be participating in the infiltration starting in the 9th month.

    Weapons: Efreeti Wrought weapons will have non-standard identifying marks removed.
    3 Adamantine Greataxe, Razorsharp (+1) [Large]
    3 Dagger, Razorsharp (+1)
    12 Greatswords (+1) [Large] (Efreeti Wrought)
    6 Hell-forged Flaming Composite Longbows (+1) [+5 Str bonus]
    3 Composite Longbow (+1) [+10 Str bonus] [Large]
    3 Falchion, Razorsharp (+1) [Large]
    1 Keen Warscythe (+1)
    1 Lawful Staff
    2 Longbow (+1)
    2 Longspear, Razorsharp (+1)
    3 Longspear, Razorsharp (+1) [Large]
    2 Longsword, Razorsharp (+1)
    3 Longsword, Razorsharp (+1) [Large]
    5 Mithral Longspears (+1) [Large]
    3 Returning Mithral Greataxes (+1) [Large]
    3 Scimitar, Razorsharp (+1) [Large]
    2 Shortbow (+1)
    1 Unholy Mace (+1)
    2 Warhammer (+1)
    3 Warhammer (+1) [Large]
    Armor & Shields: Efreeti Wrought armors will have non-standard identifying marks removed.
    3 Breastplate, Reinforced & Segmented (+1)
    6 Breastplate, Reinforced & Segmented (+1) [Large]
    11 Fullplate Armor (+1) [Large] (Efreeti Wrought)
    3 Chain Shirt, Reinforced (+1)
    6 Chain Shirt, Reinforced (+1) [Large]
    3 Chainmail, Reinforced (+1)
    6 Chainmail, Reinforced (+1) [Large]
    3 Extreme Steel Shield (+1)
    3 Extreme Steel Shield (+1) [Large]
    3 Heavy Steel Shield (+1)
    3 Heavy Steel Shield (+1) [Large]
    6 Hell-forged Malevolent Fullplate, Reinforced Segmented (+1)
    3 Light Steel Shield (+1)
    3 Light Steel Shield (+1) [Large]
    1 Spellsink Breastplate (+1)
    2 Steel Tower Shield (+1)
    2 Steel Tower Shield (+1) [Large]
    Gear:
    1 Amulet of Natural Armor (+2)
    6 Amulets of Resistance (+1 to all saves)
    5 Amulet of Tears
    5 Anklets of Translocation
    3 Boneward Belt (+2 Constitution)
    3 Boots of Speed (+30ft ground speed)
    1 Bracers of Arcane Freedom
    3 Bracers of Arcane Freedom
    4 Bracers of Quickstrike
    3 Circlet of Clarity (+2 Intelligence)
    1 Corpse-Ferrying Bag
    1 Crown of Swords
    3 Gloves of Zephyr's Grace (+2 Dexterity)
    3 Gloves of Hero's Strength (+2 Strength)
    3 Greatreach Bracers
    3 Headband of the Whispers Within (+2 Wisdom)
    10 Healing Belts
    10 Healing Belts
    3 Quiver of Abundant Ammunition
    2 Ribbons of Disguise
    5 Rings of Protection (+1 deflection AC)
    8 Rings of Protection from Chaos
    3 Ring of Sustenance
    3 Ring of Untarnished Glory (+2 Charisma)
    Scrolls:
    1st Level: (x70 scrolls + 140 scrolls)
    Abundant Ammunition x3
    Alarm x3
    Ant Haul x3
    Ant Haul x7
    Bless x5
    Bless x8
    Blessed Aim x8
    Comprehend Languages x10
    Comprehend Languages x5
    Conviction x5
    Crafter's Fortune x2
    Cultural Adaptation x3
    Cultural Adaptation x5
    Cure Light Wounds x20
    Cure Light Wounds x20
    Detect Charm x4
    Detect Demons x3
    Detect Demons x1
    Detect Undead x4
    Endure Elements x5
    Endure Elements x10
    Entropic Shield x6
    Expeditious Retreat x6
    Feather Fall x2
    Heightened Awareness x5
    Keep Watch x8
    Mage Armor x3
    Mage Armor x7
    Moment of Greatness x5
    Protection from Chaos x5
    Protection from Evil x5
    Protection from Good x3
    Remove Fear x3
    Remove Sickness x3
    Shield x3
    Shield x6
    Tracking Mark x4
    Unseen Servant x3
    2nd Level: (x50 scrolls + 80 scrolls)
    Aid x5
    Arcane Lock x2
    Bear's Endurance x2
    Bear's Endurance x3
    Blur x3
    Bull's Strength x2
    Bull's Strength x3
    Cat's Grace x2
    Cat's Grace x3
    Clarion Call x3
    Cure Moderate Wounds x5
    Cure Moderate Wounds x13
    Darkvision x5
    Defending Bone x3
    Delay Poison x3
    Divine Insight x2
    Eagle's Splendor x3
    False Life x2
    Fox's Cunning x3
    Gentle Repose x3
    Ironskin x2
    Lesser Restoration x3
    Make Whole x3
    Mirror Image x3
    Owl's Wisdom x3
    Protection from Arrows x3
    Remove Paralysis x3
    Resist Energy x10
    Resist Energy x10
    Rope Trick x2
    See Invisibility x8
    Shackle x5
    Status x3
    Web x2
    3rd Level: (x30 scrolls + 80 scrolls)
    Arcane Sight x1
    Arcane Sight x3
    Avoid Planar Effects x5
    Blink x3
    Burrow x2
    Cure Serious Wounds x5
    Daylight x2
    Dispel Magic x3
    Dispel Magic x4
    Displacement x5
    Fly x2
    Fly x6
    Haste x2
    Haste x5
    Heroism x5
    Magic Circle Against Chaos x2
    Magic Circle Against Chaos x3
    Magic Circle Against Evil x2
    Magic Circle Against Evil x3
    Magic Circle Against Good x2
    Mass Aid x2
    Mass Conviction x2
    Mass Resist Energy x2
    Mass Resist Energy x8
    Phantom Steed x5
    Protection from Energy x5
    Resinous Skin x3
    Shrink Item x3
    Slow x3
    Tiny Hut x3
    Tongues x5
    Tongues x8
    Wind Wall x3
    4th Level: (x15 scrolls)
    Dimensional Anchor x2
    Life Bubble x2
    Panacea x5
    Recitation x3
    Sending x3
    5th Level: (x9 scrolls)
    Anticold Sphere x1
    Plane Shift x2
    Teleport x2
    True Seeing x2
    6th Level: (x3 scrolls)
    Energy Immunity x1
    Heal x2
    Alchemical Items:
    1,000 Doses of Alchemist's Kindness
    100 Alchemist's Fire
    100 Sunrod
    60 Doses of Healing Salve [Cures 1d8 points of damage to a living creature as a full-round action.]
    40 Smokestick
    40 Thunderstone
    40 Tanglefoot Bag
    30 Fungal Stun Vial
    20 Antitoxin
    20 Incendiary Catalyst
     
    Last edited:
  • Apocrypha
    • [X] Azel
    Adhoc vote count started by Takesis on Mar 12, 2019 at 6:54 AM, finished with 177 posts and 16 votes.
    • [X] Plan Equal Opportunity Overlord
      -[X] "You might as well ask me what aught to be done with Westerosi or Essosi. They are not a monolithic force united under a single banner and purpose, so I have no sweeping plans for all of them, just as I don't treat every Westerosi as a traitor to my house or every Essosi as a slaver." // First thing first, clearing up this "The Fey" lumping by making it clear to him that he should be very fucking grateful that we are not in the habit of making sweeping generalizations. See show-canon Dany for what that would mean for him.
      -[X] "Of the Fey and their courts I've met so far, I've seen great differences in character and desires. From genuine well-meaning and honor right down to cruelty worthy of a pit-spawn, I've met them all, and as much as they are different from each other, so should our relationship to them be. I for one are quite glad to have the aid of some Fey, such as the Bulabar who are still the most important part of the cities engineering guild and so far I never heard complaints about the proprietors of the Golden Hearth." // Fey can be good. He should have noticed the nice Fey around SD, even if he wasn't here all that long.
      -[X] If When Moonsong interjects in response to not being mentioned: "I simply didn't feel the need to tout your horn. You are far better at it then I am and glad for every opportunity to do so." // Ribbing Moonsong is a purpose in of itself, so it should be done at every opportunity.
      -[X] "However, I think you are mostly asking about the court of Starry Skies that the Tyrells have dealings with? As for them, I'm far less positively inclined after my meeting with their representative. It bears remembering that the Fey are fundamentally alien in their mindset, so some caution is always advised when dealing with them." // Lead-in and revealing to him that we've met and were unimpressed. Leave a small pause for some choice insults from Moonsong.
      -[X] "What I want to see and what I fight for is peaceful coexistence between man and all other kinds of being, so as long as one keeps the law of the land, I see no reason to reject to someones presence, be they man, Fey, Angel or whatever else. That court though seems to have little regard for the desires of mortals, instead having sought ways to be placed above the law, if not outright to gain dominion over mortal which they would treat akin to cattle or toys. Whatever went though Mace Tyrells head when he began to support that farce I do not know, but I shudder to imagine." // The gist of what we got from the nice lady on the Redwyne ship. And a choice insult for Mace for supporting that insanity.
      -[X] "I do not know if a peaceful accord can be reached with that court, but some form of order needs to be established one way or another. If their leadership insists on their unwarranted arrogance, I will have to hatch out said agreement with their underlings instead." // Making it clear that we have no interest in genocide, but pruning undesirable parts is perfectly alright with us.
      [X] "Any citizen of the realm who raises an illegitimate ruler to power and seeks to trick or enchant existing Lords into bargaining away their lands will face the Dragon's justice. They have enchanted forests. I have Dragonfire."
      -[X] "Of course, any Fey who abides by the empire's laws is a citizen like any other."
      [X] Plan Imperial Awe
      -[X] The Fae of Westeros are a thorny issue. \* Suggest that the Fae aren't homogenous as one unfamiliar with them might assume.
      -[X] They hold the arrogance of seeing themselves above men. Having them acknowledge my authority is a challenge in itself. \* Our response just casually assumes that having them bend the knee to us as the course of action.
      -[X] One multiplied manifold when these varied, oft capricious beings would need respect also my reflected authority: those of my lords and lawmen. \* The core of the issue with integrating them.
      -[X] And a great waste of blood and potential it would be to force obediance with an edge of iron. They are not without their advantages, elusive and quick. \* Genocide is wasteful and difficult. The fey could cause a lot of damage fighting asymetrically.
      -[X] But in the end, there can be only one law for all under my rule. \* There isn't any real room for compromise here.
      -[X] And with a sufficient demonstration of power and stature, even the fractious can be made to see reason. \* Overawe them, use that as a narrative against them. It won't be easy, but Viserys can do it.
    Click to expand...
     
    @Goldfish
    Do you think selling Efreeti-made stuff back to them is safe?
    If someone recognises a sign that the Sultan's forges only put on equipment going to his own troops for example we are fucked.
    Or any other hint that that equipment belonged to a particular unit of Fire Giants that was killed in action.

    Second thing is that PfE are a bit legally iffy, better keep it to PfC.

    Last issue is the Liquid Ice, if we sell that at all it should be under the table.
    The last fire-denizen we should it to immediatly assumed we work for Djinns.
     
    Artemis1992 said:
    @Goldfish
    Do you think selling Efreeti-made stuff back to them is safe?
    If someone recognises a sign that the Sultan's forges only put on equipment going to his own troops for example we are fucked.
    Or any other hint that that equipment belonged to a particular unit of Fire Giants that was killed in action.

    Second thing is that PfE are a bit legally iffy, better keep it to PfC.

    Last issue is the Liquid Ice, if we sell that at all it should be under the table.
    The last fire-denizen we should it to immediatly assumed we work for Djinns.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    DP already cleared the PfE items as legal.

    The maker's marks would be removed from the Efreeti-crafted items. The Efreeti have been the power in the Plane of Fire for untold millennia. It should be expected that the weapons and armor worn by their minions would end up on the open market eventually. That said, I'll make a note of removing makers marks for now and ask DP about it.

    @DragonParadox Would we have any issues selling back generic Efreeti-crafted weapons and armor in the City of Brass if we removed maker's marks or other particularly identifying features?
     
    Remove ads
    Canon Omake: Furtive Truths
  • Threadmarks
    • Furtive Truths​

    Twenty-Fourth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    A masterfully painted eye in a fine wooden sign adorned with bronze filigree was the indication that one had arrived at "The Furtive Smile," a recently opened and thus particularly busy establishment of what could be defined as a "Pillow House" in Essosi cities. The eyelashes were both exaggerated but harmonious at the same time, fading in the background of the painting seamlessly, eliciting curiosity on the onlooker.

    Dirron stepped back. Why was I doing this again? Yes, he knew why, of course. But there must have been better ways to do this than heading headfirst into a lair of debauchery. He felt Rygal press harder against his arm, the small child of seven not bothering to hide his terror at all. He had to do something about it. I'm barely five years older than him, why am I not telling the Inquisition? he thought. Of course, so that I finally get taken seriously there.

    "Are you sure that the guy you saw never, ever, came back?"

    "Y-yes. He was way too fat for me to not notice it. And it happened three days ago. These places are made so that you go there only one night, right?"

    Dirron assured the little guy that he was correct. In truth, he had no clue about this whole business, but he was damn tired of not getting taken seriously. At least this kid saw him as somebody bigger than him. He scratched his oversized dewlap with far more strength that would be healthy. Far too long he had been discriminated by being a child of the sins against nature that ocurred in the Old Deep. He had to make do under Glyra's band of orphans until the Scholarum was founded and fortunately accepted him, but even then he had always been "Frog-Face Dirron". He closed his fist tightly and stepped forwards. I got to do this.

    As he stepped closer, a subtle aroma of flower mixed with what seemed fruits and other things he did not quite identify permeated his nose. That only meant that this was not going to be cheap. Fortunately, he was used to not having enough to eat, so he had managed to scrounge some money. As he arrived to the door, the perfume grew slightly stronger as a woman came from the shadowy interior.

    "First time, dear?"

    At his total lack of any kind of answer she quickly followed up and invited him to enter, obviously used to sort through the kind of guy who was Dirron.

    "Don't worry, dear, you will have a great time in here. I'm Lady Rosebud, please feel like you're at your own home," she said as they walked. She was wearing a simple but elegant dress with a matching degrade of cream and black that accentuated her waist. Dirron was trying, and unbeknownst to him, failing, at not blushing as he accompanied her through a barely illuminated hallway, until finally coming to a finely furnished hall. The frippery was not too ostentatious, opting instead for drawing the onlooker to the many paintings on the wall, all sharing a same motif: beautiful angels and fiends, all of them engaged in acts that ranged from passion, to chivalry and scorn.

    What I'm supposed to do now? I don't even know how this works. Fortunately for him, he was saved by an apology coming from the Lady.

    "Would you mind waiting here for a moment? I'm afraid that we are being quite successful today."

    "N-no. It's fine," Dirron said as he analyzed the art. He was particularly caught by a depiction of a fiendish lady being helped to her feet by a spirit of freedom.

    "A fine piece I commissioned to a Braavosi artist, don't you think?" He nodded. "But I see you are a cultured young man. You come from the Scholarum, if I'm not mistaken."

    Shit. Why can't I lie like a fucking normal person? "Yes. I'm not too advanced, though". He was near casting spells of the third circle, but maybe by downplaying himself he would at least have a chance to defend himself.

    "I see. We have preferential treatment for those who work so hard to protect us from the perils of beyond. Would you like to accompany me?" She motioned to one of the doors and gave him a delicate smile that seemed to invite him to other things, even more than her eyes. All right, this is a good opportunity to gather more information.

    "Of course." What information was he even supposed to gather? He was going to disappear here so that she could suck out his magic and summon fiends with it or something.

    This time he was directed to a room that looked more like an office than a bedroom… something that confused him a lot. She invited him to take a seat and he obliged, hoping not to antagonize her now.

    "So…" she began as she grabbed a teacup and started pouring water into it. It seemed to start gathering heat on its own. "I suppose that you did not come here to make use of our services, or did I commit a very grave mistake?" The way she said almost made him assure her that she was right, but that was her game, wasn't it?

    "I need to ask you some questions, Lady Rosebud," he said as he tried to be serious. Maybe my oversized neck will at least scare her a little bit; fucking squids did a little favor for me.

    "Of course. I'll try to answer to the best my ability," she said, as she rested her chin on her hand, her pinky delicately caressing her lips.

    "When did you arrive to Sorcerer's Deep?"

    "A bit more than a year, but I came and went and decided to settle recently," she answered in a casual tone.

    "Do you have any family?" Dirron continued with his improvised flurry of questions.

    "Not any more. My father died a long time ago, and my mother suffered a similar fate recently." Her sadness was deliberately faked. The mark of crazy cultist to who knows which fiendish power.

    "And you decided to start this business, then?" he pressed on.

    "Yes, life happened to give me a fairly sizable sum of money, so I decided to invest in some honest business to make better this city… and entertain myself," she said as she bit her lower lip. The fuck was wrong with this woman? Did she eat those she captured?

    A harmonious noise much like a bell interrupted his thoughts. It was the kettle indicating that it was ready. Lady Rosebud stood up. "Please, let me pour you a cup of tea…" She came closer, leaned, and suddenly she was sitting sideways on his lap as she poured the tea.

    "I'm sure that you didn't come here to hear about my dead father, young man," she said as her head came closer to him, her lips almost touching his forehead. He could faintly feel her breath. And he was turning redder than a badly sunburnt foreigner visiting the Deep.

    "Especially if he died a few thousand years ago." It was then that Dirron noticed the small fangs in her mouth, and something leathery sprouted from her back and covered most of his vision.

    He tried to scream, but no sound came out. In fact, he could not hear anything. But a moment of clarity let him cast without speaking, and so a spark of raw magic energy hit her right on her face, forcing her back.

    As he was racing for the door, it opened. Little Rygal was on the other side, gesturing for him to come. Dirron raced as fast as he could. He crossed the portal and something caught his feet and he fell. He scrambled and turned up. Rygal was upon him, trying to free him. But the little kid's face started to melt away into another one. A sharp row of teeth and a pair of orange catlike eyes stared at him. A familiar pair of cat eyes.

    "Help me, Glyra!"

    She chuckled. Dirron looked back. The demonic woman had recovered and had come through the door. He uttered a curse word known only to those native to the Deep and tried to stand up.

    "Another of your 'little' pranks, Glyra?" the fiend asked the little gremlin. "Or is this another of your supposed lessons?" she asked with irritation. Dirron had stopped struggling to just stare dumfounded at what was just happening.

    "Both of them, actually!" Glyra said as she chuckled in the most irritating way possible.

    The demonic woman sighed and turned to Dirron, as if discarding an action that has no chance of fruition, like throwing a rock to the air and hoping it won't fall.

    "Boy, I don't know what were you thinking, but if you suspected something about me, then did you really think that the best course of action would be to charge headfirst into my lair? Live another day and tell the tale. Your friends and family will value that, even if you don't."

    "I-I don't have a family" Dirron stuttered almost involuntarily. Maybe it was the shock of a near-death experience, but the situation was so unbelievable that he didn't even care about that at this point.

    The woman raised an eyebrow and spoke to the gremlin. "That's the lesson, should I adopt suicidal frog-face here?"

    "No, he is supposed to be your friend. You already have children to take care of!"

    The lady froze as if she had been just stabbed, but quickly recovered. She showed a deliberately fake smile.

    "Just so that you know, Glyra, the next time I find a dretch nest I'm shoving you neck-deep into their filth."

    OOC: There are a lot of unfinished plots around. So I wanted to claim this one eventually.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Artemis1992 said:
    Can't find the quote right now, but aren't they at least questionable while PfCs are much easier available?

    We are not here to maximise profit at the risk of drawing any attention from above, so I'd avoid even slightly hot goods on principle.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    The PfE items included in the initial stock are simply coming from what we currently have available. PfC items can be crafted once the store opens.

    I can reshuffle the proposed mini-crafting plan to include some as well.
     
    So she bought a brothel?
    I would have expected somthing more unexpected.
    Maybe a restaurant.
    Tomcost said:
    -no. It's fine," Dirron said as he analyzed the art. He was particularly caught by a depiction of a fiendish lady being helped to her feet by a spirit of freedom.

    "A fine piece I commissioned to a Braavosi artist, don't you think?" He nodded. "But I see you are a cultured young man. You come from the Scholarum, if I'm not mistaken."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    That was a nice scene.
    I wonder if it was made by one particular artist with quite exact knowledge how Ganacah look.
     
    Just an FYI, we've got nothing urgent for Rhango to do next month, so we could send him out into the Dothraki Sea to recruit and look for Azemas kids.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top