A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover
- Thread starter DragonParadox
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- a song of ice and fire a sword without a hilt d&d 3.5 dungeons & dragons 100% high octane dragon fuel ave corvidae battle action dragon diplomacy best sister bureaucromancy delicious soul-stuff dragon dreams come true dragon ta'veren greatest uncle hubris is a coward's word in defiance of gods and men mammon's folly mutually assured mage's disjunction qm murderhobo top tier coatl
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
*checks bookmarks*
Seems to be it, but needs revision, I'm not sure if we got anything on top of that since.
- Location
- France
AoN, VotD, Grand Destiny, Greater Heroism (or Conviction), Moment of Greatness, Divine Insight, Moment of Prescience
I think that's about it. Wieldskill or Guidance of the Avatar don't stack, do they?
OK, thanks. I may need to pair that down slightly to make less use of blood wishes for the mages, given that those are high level spell slots and you already used one of them today for Cloak of Khyber and you are heading into tense negotiations.
You can't get guidance of the avatar anyway, no divine patron.
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Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
How many hours between now and negotiations? We have the two-hour-rest bedrolls.
Right I keep forgetting that thing. You have plenty of time to sleep.
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
Just to be clear here, the path I'm wanting us to follow is one I know will be difficult despite our obscene socials, but it's also one you did suggest. The real aim is to simply talk to them, ensure they understand that they are effectively guests and that they will be returned home come evening.
If we can get anything out of them to help with the coming meeting, or show them some of SD, is secondary. If they prove intractable, well, they prove intractable. I would, personally, place a higher priority on the former than the latter.
Snowfire
Polyglot of Chimera
- Location
- Wordcats
@DragonParadox there's also Improvisation from the 3.5 Bard spell list.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Looks like @egoo beat me to it, though the list of mine he linked wasn't made with long term effects in mind, such as would be needed for a thorough diplomancing over any length of time. I would probably leave off anything that didn't last at least one minute per level.
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
...could someone tell me at which day the Conclave started*?
I have been thinking about stuff, and came to an unfortunate conclusion, that with us getting efficient** at learning True Names from captives (basically by having Malarys brain-melt every Outsider captured for information from now on), and summoning Outsiders monthly, I may just have to make a spreadsheet for that stuff.
But for real though, we have ~120+ True Names available from Uniila, and we had yet to questions those Devils we captured and have in Larder right now.
And we are going to be learning TNs from every one we summon/capture henceforth...
It'd be a mess instead of efficiency, if I don't start keeping track of stuff.
@DragonParadox, would that kind of thing be okay with you?
We have been backgrounding a lot of stuff connected to summoning, from us straight up not knowing just how many TNs we had avaliable when we summon-spree'd Devils, Demons and Daemons a few months ago, to Viserys/Lya exact summoning ability (which in fact lies in thousands of HD monthly with but few spells daily) being decided somewhat sporadically.
*so that I can count out days of Conclave out of those where we'd have been able to summon, that is.
**and you may call me paranoid, but with Azel planning out Evul Cultz I only see more need for that stuff to be kept tight track of, so that no-one gets to run amok, causing trouble.
EDIT: Taking a nap now
I have been thinking about stuff, and came to an unfortunate conclusion, that with us getting efficient** at learning True Names from captives (basically by having Malarys brain-melt every Outsider captured for information from now on), and summoning Outsiders monthly, I may just have to make a spreadsheet for that stuff.
But for real though, we have ~120+ True Names available from Uniila, and we had yet to questions those Devils we captured and have in Larder right now.
And we are going to be learning TNs from every one we summon/capture henceforth...
It'd be a mess instead of efficiency, if I don't start keeping track of stuff.
@DragonParadox, would that kind of thing be okay with you?
We have been backgrounding a lot of stuff connected to summoning, from us straight up not knowing just how many TNs we had avaliable when we summon-spree'd Devils, Demons and Daemons a few months ago, to Viserys/Lya exact summoning ability (which in fact lies in thousands of HD monthly with but few spells daily) being decided somewhat sporadically.
*so that I can count out days of Conclave out of those where we'd have been able to summon, that is.
**and you may call me paranoid, but with Azel planning out Evul Cultz I only see more need for that stuff to be kept tight track of, so that no-one gets to run amok, causing trouble.
EDIT: Taking a nap now
...could someone tell me at which day the Conclave started*?
I have been thinking about stuff, and came to an unfortunate conclusion, that with us getting efficient** at learning True Names from captives (basically by having Malarys brain-melt every Outsider captured for information from now on), and summoning Outsiders monthly, I may just have to make a spreadsheet for that stuff.
But for real though, we have ~120+ True Names available from Uniila, and we had yet to questions those Devils we captured and have in Larder right now.
And we are going to be learning TNs from every one we summon/capture henceforth...
It'd be a mess instead of efficiency, if I don't start keeping track of stuff.
@DragonParadox, would that kind of thing be okay with you?
- The conclave began on the 16th
- Helping me keep track of summons would be great. what do you guys consider a reasonable non-urgent rate of summoning?
- Location
- United States
For a non-urgent summoning rate when we're not actively focusing on it around 4-5 fiends per day sounds reasonable. That's something that can be easily handled and still leave the summoners plenty of spell slots in case of emergency.
@egoo, in addition to the 120 names from the Uniila, how many did we get from Varys?
@DragonParadox, how many Erinyes names can we get from Varys?
I'm going to have to go back and check.
Winning vote
-[X] We will bring Dany, Rhaella, and Richard.
-[X] In the meantime, return to Sorcerer's Deep to speak with those members of Lucan's retinue who have not yet been released. Use the full weight of our social skills to put them at ease and explain that they will be returned to their comrades in the evening.
--[X] Explain the reasons for the meeting to come, your hopes for a possible compromise, and ask if they would be willing to help you in pursuit of such a goal. Nothing that might harm their fellows, or Lucan, but simply to know the man better than rumours have shown - which alas, events pushed you to believe.
--[X] If they appear willing, show them some of the highlights of the city, including the new Sept which is still under construction.
--[X] Once that has been accomplished to the best of our ability with the time available leave them with Waymar and Tyene as effective chaperones, with the freedom to roam the city if they give their oath not to attempt to flee. Given that they will be returned to their companions come evening, this should hopefully not be too hard a sell.
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
Viserys can fire off 2 Mythic Power charges to cast Greater Planar Binding twice (36HD of summons). That would seem reasonable-ish to me, seeing as we rarely ever completely exhaust those by the end of the day.
Or Bloodwish several Planar Binding spells in a row (3 for 36HD, for example), if low on Mythic Power.
Lya can cast Greater Planar Binding as well, and/or shadowcopy regular Planar Binding.
So, about 30 HD from Viserys and 30 HD from Lya daily seems reasonable?
Just a few spells cast daily, mind you.
If there is an express needs to summon a lot at once, we can do that too, but this is just background stuff
Part MMDCCCXLVIII: In the Balance of the Faith Part Fourteen
In the Balance of the Faith Part Fourteen
Seventeenth Day of the Ninth Month 293 AC
"Do you think this has any chance of working?" Dany's first question once you are face to face is somber, no jests about Stannis in evidence. You can see that she has been affected in no small measure by the news that Brother Lucan is not what you had expected him to be, not only from the news of the other Chosen but from speaking to his companions, which are far from the unwilling conscripts or wide-eyed fanatics you had been considering them to be a mere week ago, having shown themselves to be caring of each other's well-being and quietly convinced of their leader's worth, a trust that he has already proven himself worthy of in seeing two of them released.
"I don't know," you sigh as you take your seat beside the expected plate of honey-cakes Dany ensures is always somewhere nearby when you might want to eat. "So many plans hinge on breaking the Faith, the oaths of the Old Gods, the introduction of darker spheres of magic to Westeros like blood sacrifice, flesh-crafting, and mayhap even necromancy if Wyla's experiences are something we can build on. You heard what Septa Maer said about the spring of the Merlin King..."
"That's nonsense, though. We do not make Darkenbeasts out of the people coming to get help at the spring," she points out. "All we have to do is spread the truth and people will accept it."
"No, we just made them out of a slaughtered army of mostly slave soldiers," you answer, remembering the field of slaughter under the cruelly beautiful morning light.
"Having regrets?" your mother asks gently.
"No." The word is firm and and true as any you have ever spoken. "I'm just contemplating the gulf we would have to bridge to make any sort of compromise work."
"I'd be a lot less concerned with making any deals with the bastard responsible for that damn king-slayer angel," Ser Richard interjects darkly. "As far as I can remember there's nothing in the law about excusing mages who call down dangerous spirits just because of what the spirits are."
"Indeed, there is not," Malarys snorts. Then grudgingly he adds: "Mind he did not commit the deed on Imperial soil anymore than say Lady Drekelis committed her early acts of vampirism and murder thus. Law is not a universal concept." From the tone it is clear the notion is quite vexing to him.
***
Of your two prisoners only one is willing to converse, the knight Ser James of the Sword. The other who Dany had named the most powerful of Lucan's mages had chosen to refuse your invitation, likely from fear that you would present some diabolical offer that would sway him from his path the moment he hears it. Given the fact that you are currently touched by so many blessings of skill, good fortune, and foresight to make a Harvester Devil weep with envy you cannot entirely blame the man, your lack of desire to tempt him into anything more than a conversation notwithstanding.
Ser James is a man of proud bearing, his armor gleaming in the mage-lanterns that light your solar, an empty sword-sheath that had once held a blessed sword at his side. The knight's long salt and pepper mustache twitches in what you suspect is an unconscious expression of disdain as he offers a shallow stiff bow as he enters your solar.
"You have come and so I have come. What have you to say to me?" Not 'Your Highness', not even 'my lord.' The only reason he is even here is to satisfy his own honor, you suspect. No... not quite, beneath the anger and contempt you also spy a spark of bemusement in his dark blue eyes, whether at the manner of his capture by Dany of all people or the way he has been treated since you could not say, nor does it really matter. You can use that curiosity, that desire to get answers to satisfy your own.
The most important thing with this man is to be direct, insight of the future born whispers in your ear.
"In five hours I and three of my companions will meet with Brother Lucan and Sister Danelle under parley, that we may hopefully reach a compromise acceptable by all. At that time you and Wisdom Willem will also be returned to your comrades."
The knight seems mildly surprised at the words, probably imagining that his release would depend on the outcome of said negotiations, but he does not speak.
Before the silence can grow uncomfortable, more uncomfortable at least, you continue. "In the interest of being able to reach that compromise I would hear more of Brother Lucan's doing and his character from those closest to him. Mistake me not, I do not ask you to betray confidence nor speak any secrets, but wish to get a better measure of the man than rumors and tales tell. Should you wish to take the chance to ask your own questions I would welcome it." The implication in the words is unmistakable, rumors may have maligned you just as much as Brother Lucan.
"You bind fiends to your service, that is no mere rumor. The Father's own miracles have revealed it to Brother Lucan," he replies, disdain clear in his words. "I've dealt with conjurors before and the things they called."
"I have such beings in my service, but I did not bind them, but bid them swear an oath as any other vassal to his liege. I am no slave master," you reply, your conviction no less firm than his.
"They are fiends..." he starts to raise his voice, a crack in the iron self-control.
"Spirits bright and dark have a choice in how they choose to act, if not quite in the same way mortals do. If I am to be called a monster for having fiends in my service then am I also the veriest saint for counting celestial spirits in the same ranks?" you cut him off, only half aware of why this should have an impact, but knowing it will.
"Angels are not always right..." Ser James clenches his jaw so tight you are almost afraid something might snap.
You wait impassively, knowing that any word, any move will only have him lock down further.
Finally he speaks again, surprising you: "Brother Lucan taught me that."
"I have found that to be the truth also," you sigh. "Look, all I am asking is to know as much about the man as he would willingly share with others, his true face not warped with rumors, no more and no less."
"He fights not for crowns or for glory. He is faithful but not blind with it like many say..." The knight hesitates a long moment. "He does not just want the Seven on top. He wants to make the world better, the whole world." There is something behind that word that speaks of far more than proselytizing to Essos and beyond.
"Have you been to other worlds, Ser?" you ask softly, remembering Bloodraven's words about Lucan vanishing from the world for months.
He flinches at the question. "Yes, but I have sworn not to speak openly of what I have seen there," he replies, obviously angry with himself for giving even that much away unwittingly. What had he seen out in the infinite planes? you wonder.
What do you do next?
[] Ask further questions
-[] Write in
[] Try to get one of your companions to speak to the mage in your place
-[] Write in
[] Continue to the meeting
-[] Write in
[] Write in
OOC: Some more time with the Companions so the in-thread discussions can actually echo somewhere besides inside Viserys' head and hints of who Lucan is and what he's doing.
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egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
Can't say for sure, sorry.
We summoned literally every Outsider he knew of, though.
That was spelled out pretty well throughout multiple votes we had on those :/
- Location
- United States
Don't worry, Malarys. We're conquering the world. Here at least Imperial Law will be universal.
I think we prioritized everything he already summoned while keeping in mind whatever names he had. We'll need to wait for DP to get back to us on this.
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
haven't we summoned all he knew of?
I'm pretty sure we haven't summoned only Erynies the Brachina from the last month knew of, and those known by Uniila, if any.
- Location
- United States
We summoned all that he had summoned. Limited spell slots at the time, remember? We're still good to go on the ones he hadn't yet summoned.
- Location
- France
This is good and I like it.
More Companion interactions are always nice, anyway.
egoo
Totally Not Creating Problems Where None Existed
- Location
- Russia
I am getting confused. Nap awaits.
Still, I very much specified in those votes I pushed through to have "all Outsiders Varys knew of" summoned, as well as "All Outsiders connected with operations on Plane of Balance that we know of", which would have included those not summoned before as well?
And I vaguely remember getting some Erynies too..?
Yeah, for me this just illustrates the need to keep track of this kind of stuff.
:/
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- Location
- United States
We voted for everything to be summoned, but the realities of our resources (how many spell slots we had) had us settling for limiting ourselves to whatever Varys had already summoned. This mainly because we were in a bit of a hurry for the Tree of the Dawn Age. Depending on what DP tells us there are a lot more fiend names we haven't touched yet.
I am getting confused. Nap awaits.
Still, I very much specified in those votes I pushed through to have "all Outsiders Varys knew of" summoned, as well as "All Outsiders connected with operations on Plane of Balance that we know of", which would have included those not summoned before as well?
And I vaguely remember getting some Erynies too..?
Yeah, for me this just illustrates the need to keep track of this kind of stuff.
:/
But I agree. Not having this stuff kept track of is annoying.
Here you go, @Tomcost.
Keep in mind that while most or even all fiends are not content with their lot it does not automatically mean they will enjoy service of Viserys better
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.