Interlude in beta. It's a Malarys' PoV.
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A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover
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Interlude CDX: Uncommon Contraband
Uncommon Contraband
Twenty-Sixth Day of the Eighth Month 293 AC
Malarys Vanor had never fought in a mage duel in his life, for all he had dealt with litigation based on their results far too often. The latter fact had left him with an abiding disgust for the institution of the duel, as a useless, wasteful way to settle a dispute. 'Death is the final arbiter' the old saying went, except of course it was not. Bones could be unearthed, spirits called back to bear witness, and nine out of ten 'matters of honor' were still decided before the bench, only with a hearty libation given beforehand to human stupidity. It was thus with some surprise that he realized he was looking forward the latest draw of the arcane competition here in Sorcerer's Deep. Tests of magical prowess could be quite fascinating to watch when the competitors drew from such distinct traditions of sorcery.
Of course, part of the reason why he had become so invested to begin with was that it fell to him to assess the various visiting mages, not only in power but also in inclination. By rights the task aught to have fallen fully on the Inquisition's shoulders, but the magelord did not resent being presented with the task instead. After all, the Inquisition barely counted mages of the Third Circle in its ranks, and they had many other tasks to occupy their time. He would much rather try to guess at the powers and purpose of Volantene maegi or even the tempestuous fey, rather than picking apart the sordid histories of some Westerosi 'House' whose sole claim to greatness was being related to at most some long dead bandit clever enough to pile rocks together, or else an Andal pirate with the wits to kill the previous inhabitants of said pile of rocks.
The 'First Men' did manage to erect impressive works of sorcery, he reminded himself almost reflexively—the Wall and the old fortresses of each Kingdom's seat. Lady Lya was not of a mind to exaggerate, and more to the point it would ill befit him to discount the magical traditions of his closest allies.
Setting the still somewhat uneasy thought aside, Malarys turned back to the list. The Lady of Naath's apprentice would do well for herself, he water witch might yet hold some glimmer of the power of the lost water mages. Then there was Silore, one of the more amiable and powerful fey Tyene had found in her exploration of the old Rhyonar lands. This Silore simply sought to gain formal dominion over the lands she had long ago claimed as a domain through excelling in the duels. Only about as much as a Vaeros, she might even get it.
What the azure fey who had chosen the form of a dragon desired Malarys could not say for certain, unless of course it truly was so simple as wishing to wishing to expand her hoard.
- Amnyr of the Greenblood [Rhoynar Water Mage/Witch lvl 7]
- Anya of Sorcerer's Deep
- Aemon Naremos [Volantene Wizard lvl 8]
- Baelys of Dragonstone [Scholarum Sorcerer lvl 6]
- Ceria Storm [Favored Soul lvl 8]
- Drizzil Bluecloak [Fearie Dragon Oracle lvl 4]
- Drum Breaker ['Lorathi' Shaman lvl 6/Wild Child]
- Horio of Tyroash [Sorcerer lvl 6/Elemental Savant (Water) lvl 1]
- Jolyn Twice-Taken (Wyla's Apprentice) [Naathi Wizard lvl 5/ Necromancer]
- Kerad Tarmin [Oread Warmage lvl 6]
- Laendar Averto [Cleric lvl 6/Red Priest]
- Mia Netcatcher [Wizard lvl 6]
- Moonsong [Liminal Sorcerer/Bard lvl 5]
- Silore of the Lhorulu [Fey Lady/Blodeuwedd]
- Valaena Velaryon [Magus lvl 7]
- Syl'zir Serpentfolk [Sorcerer lvl 3]
A knock on the study door interrupted Malarys' thoughts. A sorcerer garbed in deep pooling crimson stepped through the door, his robes held up just a hairsbreadth above the floor by magic so as not to track mud. His manners were acceptable, his weariness expected, for though the Lawmen had merely 'suggested' a visit it was with the clear understanding that the suggestion might turn to something stronger if the answer was not to their liking. That he had come along and not accompanied by his more martially inclined brother could be a good sign or a bad one, depending on whether he meant it as a sign of trust, or an indication that he expected a rescue if things went poorly.
"Glad as I am to see a man of such excellent breeding and clear skill visiting the Deep, I fear there is one aspect of your presence that troubles me deeply, Wisdom, that troubled the King's diviners," Malarys let his words hang. A man with the willingness and ability to clear his name would offer an explanation right away. One lacking either or both would try to obfuscate.
"Ah..." the Volantene mage sighed. "I presume the question has to do with the presence of tanar'ri?"
"Yes," Malarys replied, voice hard as flint. "The only reason you are having this conversation with me rather than awaiting judgement is that the following questions revealed you are not under the demon's influence, nor do you intend to spread said influence. I presume you are well-educated enough to know that spreading such horror is rarely a matter of intent, at least to begin with."
For a long moment the mage was silent, then he set a small bottle filled with roiling crimson smoke upon Malarys' desk. "My power is of blood, though not born directly of it," he explains. "Sacrifices of powerful spirits, whether mortal or immortal, can temporarily enhance my spells for a time. I assure you I have no more intention of talking to the brimorak within than I do with the handful of brimstone I burn to make fire."
"King Viserys is a Dragon, the blood runs truer in him than it had done in any of the Forty for millennia before the Doom," Malarys began, waiting for the nod of acknowledgement before continuing. "Yet his laws are not those of the Freehold. He is much more stringent with who is allowed to deal with the Powers of the Lower Planes."
"And you think it wise?" Aemon probed.
"My opinion on the matter is irrelevant, I have been tasked and trusted with upholding the law," the elder mage lord replied instantly. Truth be told he very much agreed with the spirit of that law, but now was not the time to be getting into debates about its merits, only to enforce it. "As it was only ignorance and not malice that led to you bringing this into the city I will only confiscate the contraband. If you wish to deal in such dangerous magics legally I suggest joining the Scholarum."
For a long moment the other mage met Malarys' gaze calculatingly, too clever to try and fight of course, but he might have tried to spar with words more. Yet finding no hesitation there he lowered his head in a bow. "You are most kind, Wisdom Vanor."
"I am reasonable," the head of the Lawmen replied. "I leave kindness to others."
OOC: Many of the mages here are suggested by @Artemis1992, including the blood binder and his hexblade brother (who will be joining him for the team fight).
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- Location
- No
Hey look! One of the best builds in the game!
- Location
- Germany
By recruiting Zherys and taking over the Mysterium eventually we'd be recruiting him indirectly anyway.
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
- Location
- United States
Amrelath is probably there to scout out recruits for his party.
@DragonParadox, did Amrelath have his eye on anyone from the Melee or the Joust who we haven't already snatched up?
I was surprised too, didn't think there were that many casters this strong who were free to join in on this.
- Location
- Germany
@DragonParadox
I read up a bit on Azel's laws before the Brimorak-idea and at least on the level of granularity we are seeing OOC having a captured demon he neither called nor is planning to cooperate with or worship is not quite illegal.
He could, technically, run into our slavery laws, but I think not magic-related ones?
I read up a bit on Azel's laws before the Brimorak-idea and at least on the level of granularity we are seeing OOC having a captured demon he neither called nor is planning to cooperate with or worship is not quite illegal.
He could, technically, run into our slavery laws, but I think not magic-related ones?
- Location
- Germany
Which is fine and dandy if he want's to do that, but with how the list ended up, we might as well send Lya in there. Even she would likely be unable to solo Amrelath.
Well he is a dragon. Greed is his driving motivation. Though keep in mind he will be handicapped by having to fight with magic, which for him means his breath weapon, so he gets and attack every 1d4 rounds.
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Figured. After all this is supposed to be a magic competition, using the fact he's a giant beat-stick for everything would be against the spirit of the thing.
- Location
- France
Well then. That's a seriously good lineup, there. Our baby magelings have no chance - I presume that they were all eliminated in previous rounds?
It's a solid build, but it's got no chance of winning this fight considering the opposition. It's good at buffing things (I expect it to kick ass in the teamfights) but 1v1 it's rather subpar.
- Location
- Germany
He got SR, sky-high saves, tank level AC, DR and a truckload of hitpoints. He is CR 15 on his race alone, let alone the two levels of Sorc on top of that.
We might as well debate what to tell him when he wants land, because nobody in there has any chance against him.
Fair enough. Do you guys want me to retcon him out? Viserys would have had the time IC to persuade him not to join by appealing to his pride.
- Location
- Germany
Well, yes. We had a gentleman's agreement to keep Companions and other high-powered character out of the tourney. That should have included people like Taena, Siduri, Amrelath and Arcanums.
Also, if physical attacks are forbidden, Nuri makes no sense in there. She doesn't have attack spells, just combat buffs to carve up people with her twin swords.
True I only considered her character not her spells. I'll have to replace her.
- Location
- Germany
On the other hand, if Glyra or Moonsong somehow beat him that's worth three levels and a mythic rank.
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
Please, yes.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
I would leave everyone but Amrelath.
Remember, Nuri has some gear to let her use ranged combat spells.
- Location
- France
@DragonParadox, @Azel I'm against retconning him out. If he's sticking to human form and fighting with magic, he'll probably lose (he's just a sorcerer with high saves, then).
If he wants to go full Dragon and bite things to death... Then I'm fine with having him enter, but then Vee gets to enter too
If he wants to go full Dragon and bite things to death... Then I'm fine with having him enter, but then Vee gets to enter too