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

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Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Sep 27, 2019 at 3:11 PM, finished with 23 posts and 9 votes.
  • [X] "These days I am often left wondering, 'how can I?'" Smile gamely. "Lords question if there are any Kings capable of holding to their obligations, or if there is any worth holding to their oaths, if the best display Robert Baratheon is capable of is the best they can expect from any other claimant. Your subjects seem to be in good spirits, however." The smile drops away. "No attacks from Those Below?"
    -[X] Talk about any supernatural threats that have revealed themselves to Lord Celtigar. If things seem as they initially appeared, then talk about renewed trade--some shared venture between you, he and Lord Velaryon to the Plane of Water, perhaps? You have years yet to consider it if either Lord needs time.
    -[X] Eventually, if nothing else distracts, inquire after the Horn, and offer to study it for any great enchantments. Should it be particularly interesting you might offer to buy it, maybe even replicate it. A House like the Celtigars could derive great use from magic entwined with the sea.
    -[X] Send Lord Farring the same items you granted to Lord Blount for his personal defense and discrete use. Inform him it would be possible to commission an item that could defend against poison with more ease than a fleet of taste-testers could in extraplanar markets, just send an agent to speak with contacts in an ACSEC office to push through the order.
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Part MMMLXXXVII: Signs of the Secret War
  • Threadmarks
    • Signs of the Secret War ​

    Thirty-First Day of the Tenth Month 293 AC

    "These days I am often left wondering, 'how can I?'" you return the question with a smile. "Lords question if there are any kings capable of holding to their obligations, or if there is any worth holding to their oaths. If the best display Robert Baratheon is capable of is the best they can expect from any other claimant. Your subjects seem to be in good spirits, though." The smile does not last long as your mind turns to darker questions. "No attacks from Those Below?"

    Lord Celtigar's expression turns sour. "Some. I did not invite the fire priests to my island for love of their slaver god, but for the aid of their sorcery. Something as simple as knowing when the dark powers are moving can save many lives against their enchantments. Thankfully, they seem to struggle to give sensible orders, don't they? I suppose their strangeness must cut both ways."

    Though you are careful to veil the surprise at the answer, you make no effort to hide your approval. "Yes, to a degree. It's why they choose to make puppets of mortals so often, though the process is, as you noted, imperfect. Just as flawed instructions can give away a thrall, so can the very signs of enslavement, such as marks one can notice without any magic."

    "Interesting. That is a skill I would very much wish my servants to have, one I would wish to learn myself, come to that." The Red Crab pours himself a cup of Arbor Gold, though not before courteously offering one to your mother, along with a courtier's practiced smile. "So far we have not faced anything we could not deal with, on shore at least. More ships have been lost at sea than storm and wave could fully account for, however, but a crab is not without its shell... or its pincers. If you will indulge my inclination for the dramatic by following me, Your Grace." He motions to the door he had just come out of.

    He seems surprised when not only Ser Richard, but your mother also moved to follow. After giving her a long measuring look, however, he does not comment, but merely leads the way to a side room not far from the council chamber. In the center is what you recognize as a preservation chest like the ones Lya first enchanted in Braavos, though by now any mage with even a minor knack for enchanting could likely imitate the working.

    The three of you watch curiously as the old lord opens the chest. As the lid draws open a salty acrid reek fills the air as the lord reveals a preserved corpse, the flesh so twisted by the power of the Far Realm it takes you a moment to recognize the basic form as hound-like. Where the head should be, though, there are only flaccid tentacles ending in sharp ending in staring dead eyes and sharp claws. Glancing at the 'tail' you see another eye though no claws.


    "I killed this one myself," Lord Celtigar proclaims with a gleam in his eye that reminds you of his granddaughter Valaena. "I wanted to mount its head in the armory but my lady wife said it was grotesque. For some reason it does not seem to occur to her that that is the point of displaying it. My other notion, also sadly untenable, would have been to send it to the Red Keep with a note marking it at the catch of Crab Isle's fishermen, with compliments for the royal kitchens."

    That draws a laugh even from Ser Richard while you contend yourself with matching the old lord's rather vicious smile. "Truly an unfortunate circumstance, my lord, but rest assured your efforts are not unnoticed."

    "The regard of a true King is more pleasing than the anger of a false one," the Red Crab replies, not missing a beat.

    "Do you have wards to protect the mind?" your mother asks, turning the conversation to more practical matters.

    "That was the first bit of enchantment I acquired," Lord Celtigar replies, drawing forth a triangular pendant inscribed with complex Valyrian script. "It was forged in Volantis by a sorcerer of their Mysterium. It cost me considerably more than such a thing would now, but then one can hardly put a price on mastery of one's mind and body." From the look of him, the old lord still regrets his lost coin just the same.

    "Are there any magics you find yourself in great need of, my lord?" you ask softly, thoughts of the horn set aside for now.

    "I am no wizard and probably too old to learn, Your Grace, but I can tell you what I find myself lacking and you can ponder the magics that might help," he replies. "I need scouts and a means of passing messages from one end to the island to the other better than bonfires and smoke. Ideally I need some means to guard fishing boats or give them a chance to call for aid. Other than that, more weapons, more mind-wards... but these are things I can buy myself and I do not lack for coin."

    What do you offer Lord Celtigar for the defense of his lands?

    [] Write in

    OOC: The horn will be in the next update since it held more in character for Viserys to talk protection at once when he discovered his vassal was under attack, even if he is handling it well.
     
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    • This was a pleasant read. Glad to meet a lord who has things handled, even if it does make our sell harder :)

    Shall we suggest he bargain with Tritons? We could give him an introduction.

    And as for messages, what he really wants is a Lantern Archon ;)
     
    TalonofAnathrax said:
    This was a pleasant read. Glad to meet a lord who has things handled, even if it does make our sell harder :)
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    Already loyalist so won't be hard, all we are doing is already sweetening the deal.

    The guy seems really competent in a changing world and open minded to defend his lands, the fact he doesn't mind getting hands dirty to kill Deep One spawn already makes him worth investing into.
     
    Signs of the Secret War ​

    Thirty-First Day of the Tenth Month 293 AC

    "These days I am often left wondering, 'how can I?'" you return the question with a smile. "Lords question if there are any kings capable of holding to their obligations, or if there is any worth holding to their oaths. If the best display Robert Baratheon is capable of is the best they can expect from any other claimant. Your subjects seem to be in good spirits, though." The smile does not last long as your mind turns to darker questions. "No attacks from Those Below?"

    Lord Celtigar's expression turns sour. "Some. I did not invite the fire priests to my island for love of their slaver god, but for the aid of their sorcery. Something as simple as knowing when the dark powers are moving can save many lives against their enchantments. Thankfully, they seem to struggle to give sensible orders, don't they? I suppose their strangeness must cut both ways."

    Though you are careful to veil the surprise at the answer, you make no effort to hide your approval. "Yes, to a degree. It's why they choose to make puppets of mortals so often, though the process is, as you noted, imperfect. Just as flawed instructions can give away a thrall, so can the very signs of enslavement, such as marks one can notice without any magic."

    "Interesting. That is a skill I would very much wish my servants to have, one I would wish to learn myself, come to that," the Red Crab pours himself a cup of Arbor Gold, though not before courteously offering one to your mother, along with a courtier's practiced smile. "So far we have not faced anything we could not deal with, on shore at least. More ships have been lost at sea than storm and wave could fully account for, however, but a crab is not without its shell... or its pincers. If you will indulge my inclination for the dramatic by following me, Your Grace," he motions to the door he had just come out of.

    He seems surprised when not only Ser Richard, but your mother also moved to follow. After giving her a long measuring look, however, he does not comment, but merely leads the way to a side room not far from the council chamber. in the center is what you recognize as a preservation chest like the ones Lya first enchanted in Braavos, though by now any mage with even a minor knack for enchanting could likely imitate the working.

    The three of you watch curiously as the old lord opens the chest. As the lid draws open a salty acrid reek fills the air as the lord reveals a preserved corpse, the flesh so twisted by the power of the Far Realm is takes you a moment to recognize the basic form as hound-like. Where the head should be, though, there are only flaccid tentacles ending in sharp ending in staring dead eyes and sharp claws. Glancing at the 'tail' you see another eye though no claws.


    "I killed this one myself," Lord Celtigar proclaims with a gleam in his eye that reminds you of his granddaughter Valaena. "I wanted to mount its head in the armory but my lady wife said it was grotesque. For some reason it does not seem to occur to her that that is the point of displaying it. My other notion, also sadly untenable, would have been to send it to the Red Keep with a note marking it at the catch of Crab Isle's fishermen, with compliments for the royal kitchens."

    That draws a laugh even from Ser Richard while you contend yourself with matching the old lord's rather vicious smile. "Trully an unfortunate circumstance, my lord, but rest assured your efforts are not unnoticed."

    "The regard of a true king is more pleasing than the anger of a false one," the Red Crab replies, not missing a beat.

    "Do you have wards to protect the mind?" your mother asks, turning the conversation to more practical matters.

    "That was the first bit of enchantment I acquired," Lord Celtigar replies, drawing forth a triangular pendant inscribed with complex Valyrian script. "It was forged in Volantis by a sorcerer of their Mysterium. It cost me considerably more than such a thing would now, but then one can hardly put a price on mastery of one's mind and body." From the look of him, the old lord still regrets his lost coin just the same.

    "Are there any magics you find yourself in great need of, my lord?" you ask softly, thoughts of the horn set aside for now.

    "I am no wizard and probably too old to learn, Your Grace, but I can tell you what I find myself lacking and you can ponder the magics that might help," he replies. "I need scouts and a means of passing messages from one end to the island to the other better than bonfires and smoke. Ideally I need some means to guard fishing boats or give them a chance to call for aid. Other than that, more weapons, more mind-wards... but these are things I can buy myself and I do not lack for coin."

    What do you offer Lord Celtigar for the defense of his lands?

    [] Write in

    OOC: The horn will be in the next update since it helt more inc character fort Viserys to talk protection at once when he discovered his vassal was under attack, even if he is handling it well. Not yet edited.
    Here's an edited version of the chapter, @DragonParadox.

    I really like this dude. Practical and not at all cunty.
     
    [X] Send an order to Everfire Dale for as many sets of +1 Weapons and +1 Armors Lord Celtigar means to purchase and sell them at cost. In addition, provide the same basic package as you provided Lords Blount and Farring, even if part of it goes to ward the mind of a trusted man of his, or to help them veil themselves in places where the auras do more harm than good.
    -[X] Offer two sets of Whispering Braziers for a Watch Tower network, and see if you can rig together signaling mirrors to chain messages faster. You can provide plenty of the materials for such a network, having no shortage of silver, lumber or glass. Again, while not selling at a loss, you are fine subsidizing something that aids the defense of your own people.
    --[X] We can put him into contact with the tribe of Tritons who even Lord Eustace Brune had struck bargains with, for some early warning if nothing else.
    --[X] On that note, since he didn't appear adverse to opening up a Temple to R'hllor on the island, the Tritons would likely be even more eager to visit if he had a temple to the Ferryman on his shores. They would serve to counterbalance the Red Priests, if nothing else, but be united in defense against the Deep Ones too. Competition always made men work harder to peddle their wares. Why should it not be so with Gods?
    -[X] Finally, offer to have a mage about to undergo their Journey of Wisdom come to Claw Island, preferably one of your Dragonseed sorcerers so they won't be a very noteworthy arrival, giving them a chance to work as an adviser or come to that a last line of defense against the uncanny.
    -[X] "On that note, if you have any relatives you wish to ward and who would not be under much scrutiny, they might come to learn magic in the Scholarum as well."
    -[X] "Any more basic charms could likely be bought without a significant mark-up from Armun Kelisk or the Opaline Vault if you use Astral Currents as an intermediary." Not a service you offer to everyone, obviously, but your trusted vassals certainly.
    -[X] "I would of course offer the use of my messenger Ravens, but I do worry they are more closely watched for these days, with them being so closely associated with the Inquisition." Make the offer anyway for a few Ravens to remain, for extremely important messages or scouting.
    -[X] "I am also of a mind to give most of my loyal bannermen Valyrian Steel weapons and armor, though I hear you already have the former... and have put it to good use." Smile grimly. "You can look forward to a second, then, when the Dragon Banner falls upon the lands of traitors." Pledge to have another blade and some armor made for his heir, come to that, when all is in the open and there is nothing more to hide.
     
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    Crake said:
    [X] Send an order for as many sets of +1 Weapons and +1 Armors Lord Celtigar means to purchase and sell them at cost. In addition, provide the same basic package as you provided Lords Blount and Farring, even if part of it goes to ward the mind of a trusted man of his, or to help them veil themselves in places where the auras do more harm than good.
    -[X] Mark down an order with your Enchanters for two sets of Whispering Braziers for a Watch Tower network, and see if you can rig together signaling mirrors to chain messages faster. You can provide plenty of the materials for such a network, having no shortage of silver, lumber or glass. Again, while not selling at a loss, you are fine subsidizing something that aids the defense of your own people.
    -[X] Finally, offer to have a mage about to undergo their Journey of Wisdom come to Claw Island, preferably one of your Dragonseed sorcerers so they won't be a very noteworthy arrival, giving them a chance to work as an adviser or come to that a last line of defense against the uncanny.
    -[X] "On that note, if you have any relatives you wish to ward and who would not be under much scrutiny, they might come to learn magic in the Scholarum as well. Any basic charms could likely be bought without a significant mark-up from Armun Kelisk or the Opaline Vault if you use Astral Currents as an intermediary." Not a service you offer to everyone, obviously, but your trusted vassals certainly.
    -[X] "I would offer the use of my messenger Ravens, but I'm afraid they are more closely watched for these days, with them being so closely associated with the Inquisition."
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    We currently have seven Whispering Braziers in stock of you want to go ahead and leave a couple with him. We could also afford to leave him a few lesser False Ravens for secure messaging and recon.

    [X] Crake
     
    Celtigar had done much to ward off incursions. Much more than most. I'm impressed with the lengths he's gone to.

    Maybe we can reward such good leadership and foresight with something. Maybe another Valyrian axe?
     
    Rabbit said:
    Celtigar had done much to ward off incursions. Much more than most. I'm impressed with the lengths he's gone to.

    Maybe we can reward such good leadership and foresight with something. Maybe another Valyrian axe?
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    When we no longer have to hide such ties, then yes, I also want to give our diehard loyalists ancestral weapons and some neat armor.
     
    By the way, that Deep Hound he killed is one disturbing piece of work. That head...

    Smart to put an extra due in the end of its tail, though.
     
    Crake said:
    Yeah I'm considering sending Roger and Jeyne to help Lord Adrian out next turn. It would be safer, probably.
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    No complaints so long as it's not just those two. They're only level 5 and a surprise!Mindflayer might show up if we roll poorly.
    Crake said:
    When we no longer have to hide such ties, then yes, I also want to give our diehard loyalists ancestral weapons and some neat armor.
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    Same here.
     
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