Remove ads

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

Reader mode
DragonParadox said:
I obviously can't give you guys OOC information but from Viserys' experience with such things setting aside about a week of time seems prudent.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
And how long will the conclave last? Roughly? Including the prepartions on our side? (That is, Garlan the Gross, taking care of the Golden Company attack, freeing that Septon...)
 
Goldfish said:
@TalonofAnathrax Dunno if you're participating in France's new national sport today, but I read that things got a bit violent today. Hopefully you didn't get caught up in any rioting.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I'm fine, thanks. Fuck the French police. International outcry against excessive police violence, cops coming out and saying they're being forced to accept illegal instructions and work alongside personnel untrained in crowd control, over 100 people maimed, and today the pigs double down on the violence and repression of protesters?
And meanwhile our "free media" endlessly repeats the government line, adopts a clearly anti-protest framing and sometimes even makes shit up. Clearly the fact that Macron is buddies with our media moguls and financially helps them has no effect on the free press... /s

Seriously, the French security forces chiefs have straight-up said "anyone who marches on a day where there's a violent protester in the crowd is complicit", "our cops are tired, there will be more maimings today" and explicitly lied about the day's events. Then there's the video evidence of police in plainclothes doing false flag bullshit and of course deliberately arming protesters + attacking peaceful crowds with grenades + maiming flashballs + oceans of tear gas you can't escape from = then acting outraged when someone snaps and starts using the paving stones they deliberately left around on the cops.

Seriously, police has been insisting that construction equipment be left out overnight for the protesters to use instead of boxing it all up the previous day like they usually do. In some cases large segments of the street were dug up the very morning of a protest, leaving loose paving stones everywhere. This is all usually banned and made impossible by the police, and now the police deliberate policy is to foster this to get shocking footage of destroyed streets and protesters throwing shit at armoured vans!

Sick of this shit. You realize that tend of thousands of people have been rioting every week since November, and the government still hasn't promised any real concessions? Just launched a "national debate" and used it to escape campaign airtime laws.


Back on topic: I would prefer to cut down on missions north of the wall than on extraplanar ones :/
 
Last edited:
Crake said:
I like how you just assume anyone in France might be taking part in a bit of joyous political dissidence. :lol:rofl:
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Azel said:
It's their national sport. Of course everyone joins in.

Also, @TalonofAnathrax mentioned attending at least one rally a while ago.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
These protests are HUGE, and are in basically every major city. Almost everyone (young or old, poor or middle-class) has been to one or two of the 18 weeks of protests at this point...
So this wasn't a bad guess, really.

But honestly the media coverage of all this is amazingly dishonest, actually.
 
Azel said:
The mission north is a means to keep a bunch of low-level B-Party members busy. They wouldn't even have someone along who could protect them from the planar effects of the PoF.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Can we at least spare one or two companions to work with Amy for a raid?

Ultimatly a big load of adamant or whatever the Wizard is looking for it propably more valuable than some flipped lords.
 
Remove ads
Part MMDCLXXXV: Of Favors and Valor
  • Threadmarks
    • Of Favors and Valor​

    Twenty-Sixth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    Alas that Yrten and Siduri are both too far removed from the rarefied heights of the Sultan's inner circle to tell you much about his court mage, a fact of which they insist does much to improve their life-expectancy. On the other hand they are quite familiar with the manner of arcane ships which will be guarding the Doomship—the finest corsairs of the Brazen Fleet, the Arrow Ships, are designed around a potent arcane drill meant break even through even the most potent armor, be it metal, chitin, or bone, while their crews swarm through the breech as needed. After Lya explains the capabilities of the Wyverns to Siduri, the raider mage sounding impressed almost in spite of herself, she proclaims them a good match for the Arrows so long at least as they can avoid the relatively slow but devastating main weapon.

    As the conversation grows ever more arcane Yrten is obviously bored, his gaze drifting back to the joust just as one of the few lords who is certainly not a mystery knight rides onto the field. Gerold Torchwood salutes you, Alinor's favor a band of bright blue against his black armor. So does he face his foe, the knight who had never set foot upon the shores of the Seven Kingdoms, an exile by exiles trained, though his foe this day is a man who would welcome him and his Legion with open arms. Raymun Darry holds his helmeted head high, having somehow bartered for a phoenix feather glowing like fire upon its peak. This you suspect is a glimpse of the man he had been before the war that cost him so many of his kin and thrust him into lordship of an impoverished house, and glad you are that he has the chance to show it.

    Dany is obviously cheering for Gerold, and so are Waymar and Tyene, not that you blame them. For all you must appear uninvolved, there is no question of who you would rather win the match.

    The first tilt sees Gerold's lance smash against Lord Darry's shield, receiving a blow to his shoulder that almost twists him off his horse, but somehow he manages to cling to the saddle and turn about for the second attempt. This time both knights strike true with Lord Darry skillfully aiming for the same shoulder... alas for him that Gerold seems to have been expecting it. He takes advantage of the momentary wavering of the shield to land a clean blow in the center of his opponent's chest, sending the Riverlander knight tumbling.

    "Your Grace," he calls up. "I would dedicate my victory to the realm, but I promised my wife," he motions to the favor, his normally stoic features transformed into a bright smile.

    "That's alright, you can use this one next," Dany calls out as she sends a red-and-black ribbon flying by sorcery across the field. "There's room enough on the favor for the whole realm, I think."

    The applause only grows louder, even Lord Darry having dusted himself off to join in, obviously no hard feelings to be found there.

    Unfortunately not all tilts can be as thrilling. The rather uninspired meeting of Ser Quincy Peake, called the Quarreler, and the thinly-disguised Ser Erren Florent goes into its forth round before the Florent knight is finally able to get a solid hit against his opponent, barely worth a glance as you question Yrten on matters of trade now that the Terminus is open. What was still valuable, and what had fallen off now that the Plane of Balance is not a distant fable but a trading partner in full?

    The adjustments are about what one might expect, things whose value was derived simply from its provenience such as most kinds of raw wood, common wines, wax, and honey have been growing less valuable while more refined goods like carvings in wood and ivory, strongwine and pear brandy, tapestries and carpets are actually increasing in value, and they come to be recognized for their cultural origins, sought after not merely as obscure curios but as status symbols. For many Djinn buying mortal goods is even seen as civic minded, since it symbolizes their alliance with the Shaitans and the hoped for, if very distant, harmony between all the elements.

    All the while Richard Horpe and Herman Flowers compete in three tilts, with the Graceford bastard winning all three though he seems to dominate each one with ease, receiving no strike save on his shield.

    "A lord's son with balls," Sandor snorts in grudging admiration, drawing your attention to the next tilt.

    "Gutting every royal taxman to set foot on the road can make a man mighty bold," the Red Viper jests as Tytos Brune rides out, his identity not in the least bit hidden by shield or helm.

    "Raiders of note, then?" Siduri asks, clearly intent in actually understanding the dynamics of this new world as quickly as possible. You rather suspect Oberyn's tales might start taking on a distinctly piratical bent in a few moments.

    "That's Walder, isn't it?" Dany asks while pointing at Brune's opponent, though she does not seem too doubtful. Bearing crossed dead trouts on one's shield is not precisely subtle. Then again, perhaps it is. The Tullys have certainly enraged enough houses to earn that sort of crude heraldic mockery from many sides.

    The two riders come together in such a fierce clash that both lances bend and break like willow reeds from skillfully-executed blows... and both riders are thrown off into the dust. Thankfully you had anticipated the possibility and ruled beforehand that in such a situation both riders would attempt another tilt.

    This time again Brune strikes true, but the Frey knight is swifter and more skillful, keeping his perch even while he tips his opponent from the saddle. Walder does not hesitate to catch the reigns of his horse, however, so that Tytos can remount more easily before leaving the field. "You're better than I thought you'd be, but you're still crazy to be riding around here with not even a fig leaf to cover your ass," you hear him call out.

    "Us Brunes have hard asses, tough as old leather. No need for leaves," the other knight replies, laughing.

    As though the encounter has set some new pattern, the last tilt of the day sees Vaevar the 'Valiant' of Lys somehow plow the massive form of Ser Wendel Manderly from his saddle while losing his balance from the strength of the blow and falling from his horse moments later. The second tilt sees an excellent showing from both, solid hits to set steel ringing like bells, but Vaevar proves to be just barely the better horseman, ensuring that there will be at least one Essosi in the next round of the joust.

    After the joust is done for the day you linger in the box long enough to send a message to the Djinn requesting a meeting to share information about the war and to give Ser Richard, Vee, and Waymar time to return after speaking to the Redforts and Conningtons.

    'Red' Ronnet had proven most amenable to anything that might gain his house royal favor, for as such he sees you no matter who sits upon the Iron Throne, and had offered his hospitality in searching for wild griffons. However, Jon Redfort had been far more leery of unexpected offers of favor, scolding his brother for having somehow helped 'reveal' them. Apparently he is among those who thinks mystery knights are actually mysterious. Regardless, Waymar had managed to arrange a dinner with him and Tyene over which he hopes she will be able to set the brothers more at ease than he had managed.

    Karyl Grafton is not far on their heels, looking uneasy but not fearful after his showing in the joust when he is summoned to speak with you in private. He takes off his helm with a relieved sigh to reveal a freckled face with fiery hair to match. He tries a smile: "I'll never understand how all the old masters-at-arms always talk up and down about how helmets are going to save your life and never mention the smell... er, Your Grace," he adds with only a slight stumble.

    "Perhaps they do not smell it any more from all the times they have worn helmets," you answer his jest.

    The young man shivers dramatically. "I hope not." After a brief pause he asks, "What is it you need of me, Your Grace?" Not quite placing himself at your service, but close.

    What do you reply?

    [] Write in

    OOC: I could not figure out how to include rumors into this, so that will have to be later.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • I just assumed the first time someone mentioned the news was overblown to hold an inherent bias that everything coming from major news sources was fabricated bullshit.

    It's not that different anywhere else, honestly, you can only trust what you can see and hear from people involved in any movement. Fortunately in the age of the smart phone, even with social media manipulation Russia is getting pretty good at, people will always be at least skeptical of the unwashed stinking masses being "completely in the wrong and deliberately causing chaos and mayhem".

    Even the sources which cite peaceful protesters as having a positive view of "the thugs" is that they are giving attention to their own movement, whereas I imagine the real opinion out of any great consensus from that crowd is that they would very much prefer it if there was no media coverage of some storefronts getting smashed up and instead people actually paid attention to their discourse and rhetoric.

    But of course that will never happen.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Alas that Yrten and Siduri are both too far removed from the rarefied heights of the Sultan's inner circle to tell you much about his court mage, a fact which they insist does much to improve their life-expectancy. On the other hand they are quite familiar with the manner of arcane ship which will be guarding the Doomship—the finest corsairs of the Brazen Fleet, the Arrow Ships, are designed around a potent arcane drill meant break even through the most potent armor, be it metal, chitin, or bone, while their crews swarm through the breech as needed. After Lya explains the capabilities of the Wyverns to Siduri, the raider mage sounding impressed almost in spite of herself, proclaims them a good match for the Arrows so long at least as they can avoid the relatively slow but devastating main weapon.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Wait, so the Wyverns are fine as long as they not rammed? o_O
    By a vessel that is large enough to carry a contingent of boarders? o_O o_O

    What.
     
    @DragonParadox
    1) Assuming we manage to find the time to free up two or three PCs to accompany Amrelath, would he be able to handle the Court Mage's ship alongside whatever else happens to crop up?
    2) Do Yrten and Siduri think they could track the ship and arrange for us to be able to ambush it the month after next month on its way back to the Brazen Throne so that we have the time?
     
    DragonParadox said:
    "That's Walder, isn't it?" Dany asks pointing at Brune's opponent, though she does not too doubtful. Bearing crossed dead trouts on one's shield is not precisely subtle. Then again, perhaps it is. The Tullys have certainly engered enough Houses to earn that sort of crude heraldic mockery from many sides.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Give that man a keep and a cadet branch.
     
    Crake said:
    they would very much prefer it if there was no media coverage of some storefronts getting smashed up and instead people actually paid attention to their discourse and rhetoric.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    The great thing about the gilets jaunes is that on site, it is very clear that the storefronts are well targeted (99% of the time at least).
    Today for example they went after banks and insurers, and the incredibly expensive Fouquet's which stands for corruption and elite power games (especially since Sarkozy's reception there, which was... Brazen, to say the least).
    Meanwhile small shops like local bakeries or pharmacies are left untouched.

    No exaggeration here. It's especially visible on smaller streets of course (the Champs Elysées has such huge rents that everything there is a rich man's den and not a local shopkeeper's place) but it is an undeniable fact to anyone who walks the street the next day.
     
    Last edited:
    Duesal said:
    @DragonParadox
    1) Assuming we manage to find the time to free up two or three PCs to accompany Amrelath, would he be able to handle the Court Mage's ship alongside whatever else happens to crop up?
    2) Do Yrten and Siduri think they could track the ship and arrange for us to be able to ambush it the month after next month on its way back to the Brazen Throne so that we have the time?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    1. They are not sure. They don't have the numbers on the escort
    2. Maybe, it depends on if their sources ares till in the loop by then
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Of Favors and Valor​

    Twenty-Sixth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC

    Alas that Yrten and Siduri are both too far removed from the rarefied heights of the Sultan's inner circle to tell you much about his court mage, a fact which they insist does much to improve their life-expectancy. On the other hand they are quite familiar with the manner of arcane ship which will be guarding the Doomship—the finest corsairs of the Brazen Fleet, the Arrow Ships, are designed around a potent arcane drill meant break even through the most potent armor, be it metal, chitin, or bone, while their crews swarm through the breech as needed. After Lya explains the capabilities of the Wyverns to Siduri, the raider mage sounding impressed almost in spite of herself, proclaims them a good match for the Arrows so long at least as they can avoid the relatively slow but devastating main weapon.

    As the conversation grows ever more arcane Yrten is obviously bored, his gaze drifting back to the joust just as one of the few lords who is certainly not a mystery knight rides onto the field. Gerold Torchwood salutes you, Alinor's favor a band of bright blue against his black armor. So does he face his foe, the knight who had never set foot upon the shores of the Seven Kingdoms, an exile by exiles trained, though his foe this day is a man who would welcome him and his Legion with open arms. Raymun Darry holds his helmeted head high, having somehow bartered for a phoenix feather glowing like fire upon its peak. This you suspect is a glimpse of the man he had been before the war that cost him so many of his kin and thrust him into lordship of an impoverished House, and glad you are he has the chance to show it.

    Dany is obviously cheering for Gerold and so are Waymar and Tyene, not that you blame them. For all you must appear uninvolved, there is no question of who you would rather win the match.

    The first tilt sees Gerold's lance smash against Lord Darry's shield, receiving a blow to his shoulder that almost twists him off his horse, but somehow he manages to cling to the saddle and turn about for the second attempt. This time both knights strike true with Lord Darry skillfully aiming for the same shoulder... alas for him that Gerold seems to have been expecting it. He takes advantage of the momentary wavering of the shield to land a clean blow in the center of his opponent's chest, sending the Riverlander knight tumbling.

    "Your Grace," he calls up. "I would dedicate my victory to the realm, but I promised my wife," he motions to the favor, his normally stoic features transformed by a bright smile.

    "That's alright, you can use this one next," Dany calls as she sends a red-and-white ribbon flying by sorcery across the field. "There's room enough on the favor for the whole realm, I think."

    The applause only grows louder, even Lord Darry having dusted himself off to join in, obviously no hard feelings to be found there.

    Unfortunately not all tilts can be as thrilling. The rather uninspired meeting of Ser Quincy Peake called the Quarreler and the thinly-disguised Ser Erren Florent goes into its forth round before the Reacher knight is finally able to get a solid hit against his opponent, barely worth a glance as you question Yrten on matters of trade now that the Terminus is open. What was still valuable, and what had fallen off now that the Plane of Balance is not a distant fable but a trading partner in full?

    The adjustments are about what one might expect, things whose value was derived simply from its provenience such as most kinds of raw wood, common wines, wax and honey have been growing less valuable while more refined goods like carvings in wood and ivory, strongwine and pear brandy, tapestries and carpets are actually increasing in value and they come to be recognized for their cultural origins, sought after not merely as obscure curios but as status symbols. For many Djinn, buying mortal good is even seen as civic minded, since it symbolizes their alliance with the Shaitans and the hoped for, if very distant, harmony between all the elements.

    "A lord's son with balls," Clegane snorts in grudging admiration, drawing your attention to the next tilt.

    "Gutting every royal taxman to set foot on the road can make a man mighty bold," the Red Viper jests as Tytos Brune rides out, his identity not in the least bit hidden by shield or helm.

    "Raiders of note, then?" Siduri asks, clearly intent in actually understanding the dynamics of this new world as quickly as possible. You rather suspect Oberyn's tales might start taking on a distinctly piratical bent in a few moments.

    "That's Walder, isn't it?" Dany asks pointing at Brune's opponent, though she does not too doubtful. Bearing crossed dead trouts on one's shield is not precisely subtle. Then again, perhaps it is. The Tullys have certainly engered enough Houses to earn that sort of crude heraldic mockery from many sides.

    The two riders come together in such a fierce clash that both lances bend and break like willow reeds from skillfully-executed blows... and both riders are thrown off into the dust. Thankfully you had anticipated the possibility and ruled beforehand that in such a situation both riders would attempt another tilt.

    This time again Brune strikes true, but the Frey knight is swifter and more skillful, keeping his perch even while he tips his opponent from the saddle. Walder does not hesitate to catch the reigns of his horse, however, so that Tytos can remount more easily before leaving the field. "You're better than I thought you'd be, but you're still crazy to be riding around here with not even a fig leaf to cover your ass," you hear him call.

    "Us Brunes have hard asses, tough as old leather. No need for leaves," the other knight replies, laughing.

    As though the encounter has set some new pattern, the last tilt of the day sees Vaevar of Lys somehow plow the massive form of Ser Wendel Manderly from the saddle while losing his balance from the strength of the blow and falling from his horse moments later. The second tilt sees an excellent showing form both, solid hits to set steel ringing like bells, but Vaevar proves to be just barely the better horseman, ensuring that there will be at least one Essosi in the next round of the joust.

    After the just is done you linger in the box long enough to send a message to the Djinn requesting a meeting to share information about the war and to give Ser Richard, Vee, and Waymar time to return after speaking to the Redforts and Conningtons.

    'Red' Ronnet had proven most amenable to anything that might gain his house Royal favor, for as such he sees you no matter who sits upon the Iron Throne and had offered his hospitality in searching for griffons. However, Jon Redfort had been far more leery of unexpected offers of favor, scolding his brother for having somehow helped 'reveal' them. Apparently he is among those who thinks mystery knights are actually mysterious. Regardless, Waymar had managed to arrange a dinner with him and Tyene over which he hopes she will be able to set the brothers more at ease than he had managed.

    Karyl Grafton is not far on their heels, looking uneasy but not fearful after his showing in the joust when he is summoned to speak with you in private. He takes off his helm with a relieved sigh to reveal a freckled face with fiery hair to match. He tries a smile: "I'll never understand how all the old masters at arms always talk up and down about how helmets are going to save your life and never mention the smell... er, Your Grace," he adds with only a slight stumble.

    "Perhaps they do not smell it any more from all the times they have worn helmets," you answer his jest.

    The young man shivers dramatically. "I hope not." After a brief pause he asks, "What is it you need of me, Your Grace?" Not quite placing himself at your service, but close.

    What do you reply?

    [] Write in

    OOC: I could not figure out how to include rumors into this, so that will have to be later.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    How damn, this actually feels like ASoIaF quest!

    I LOVE IT!

    Essos is grand, and I like the flavor we have been adding to the setting over the years, but there's NOTHING THAT GETS MY BLOOD UP LIKE A GOOD JOUST!
     
    egoo said:
    Amrelath and a few fighters (we do upgrade them to all-out planar protections, right, @Goldofish?) should be enough for us to get a fair share of loot from whatever Jihn end up attacking.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Wyvern-Fighters and Dragons don't fight well together. The Dragon is a whole bunch slower, while the Wyverns rely on high-speed strafing runs to not get shot down. Their armor sounds impressive compared to modern jet fighters, but it's not that great in D&D terms.


    However, we are definitely looting those laser cannons.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top