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

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Duesal said:
This doesn't really seem like that big of a deal. There are four options.

1. Both boys come to the Scholarum, we arrange some sort of farce for their being absent
2. We take the cleric kid while leaving the beguiler heir with his parents
3. We assign them a Scholarum mage as a state-sanctioned tutor until the time comes when they can openly go to the Scholarum
4. A combination of possibilities 1 and 3 where they get a tutor but are occasionally teleported to Sorcerer's Deep for more expansive lessons, probably disguised as hunting trips with their father or something

Seriously, this is nothing we haven't handled before on multiple occasions. We've had kids come to Sorcerer's Deep, we've arranged tutors, we've arranged teleportation visits from time to time, etc.
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The farce I can handle as you had indeed done a lot of covering up in that vein, but I need to know if you want both the beguiler and the cleric, with the understanding that you might be leaving the lord in the award situation of not having an heir available for some reason or if you just want the cleric. Assigning a tutor works of course, but unlike someone like Satnnis lord Mallery would be less able to guarantee said tutor's safety. There are a lot more royal spies in the Crownlands than Storm's End.
 
[X] Only take Denys to study in the Scholarum, he is a known mage so it would not be hard to concoct a take for him vanishing from the keep in the night
-[X] Edric's kindof magic is neither learned for him, nor unknown to us. He doesn't need to visit the Scholarum, though he should eventually do so to get a better context and broader knowledge on his magic. That can easily wait a few years and until then his magic will likely proof useful by itself.
 
DragonParadox said:
The farce I can handle as you had indeed done a lot of covering up in that vein, but I need to know if you want both the beguiler and the cleric, with the understanding that you might be leaving the lord in the award situation of not having an heir available for some reason or if you just want the cleric. Assigning a tutor works of course, but unlike someone like Satnnis lord Mallery would be less able to guarantee said tutor's safety. There are a lot more royal spies in the Crownlands than Storm's End.
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Oh, right, there is certainly the problem of spies.

We don't exactly need either of these two, this was always a political arrangement to graciously help Lord Mallery with his young mage sons.

I guess we can offer full training for the cleric kid while leaving a bunch of beginner lore for the beguiler to study in lieu of a proper tutor.
 
Beguiler <3
But more than that, he's the heir and can't just vanish off the face of the earth. DP did say that diplomancer builds like this also happen to level by social shenanigans so while progress might slow to a crawl, such yet is there. Further, spiritting away both children might not be particularly palatatable to the parents. Give the kid some primers on UMD and Spellcraft/Planes/Arcana, a way to regularly contact the brother (and hence a way to indirectly ask the Scholarium questions) then leave such to it.

[X] Artemis1992
 
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[X] Arrange to have some study materials provided to Edric, which will be locked up in a lead-lined chest and hidden in Lord Lothar's personal effects. That way any studying can coincide with "lessons on Lordship" and indeed actual lessons on lordship, a neat turn that allows some reassurance that learning magic won't distract and might even help Edric at his tasks.
-[X] After the Reconquest, Edric can commute back and forth enough to learn what he needs from his father and attend more regular lessons in Sorcerer's Deep. Beguilers aren't so common that developing his potential as much as possible isn't without merit.
-[X] Offer to take on Denys as a ward and start his studies in the Shadow Tower. Visits can be arranged in the same manner as you have with Ysilla.
-[X] "Truth be told, Edric is at a point where further study will pose diminishing returns without suitable challenges to grant further insight into his own magic. Be cautious about using your skills for the next several months, while you grew quite fast, that might encourage carelessness more than anything else when the reward for such risks is so stark."
 
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DragonParadox said:
Secrets Mortal and Divine ​

Twenty Eighth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC

"It would seem congratulations are in order, my lord. Rather than a single child with the gift of magic, you appear to have two," you interject into sudden silence that descends like an avalanche over the proceedings. Then, before Lord Lothar can speak, you continue quickly, "And already capable of spells of the second circle, if my eyes do not deceive me?"

"Circles, more damn magic!" The shout practically makes the windows shake in their lead latices. "So that's why..."

So much for trying to play the matter off with compliments, you sigh inwardly. Both Mallery brothers look about ready to jump out of their skin, but to your ears their father sounds more afraid beneath the angry.

"Calm yourself, my lord," you cut in again, more forcefully but without raising your voice. "Magic requires no summons to manifest and I'm certain Edric was about to tell all of us now that Dany and myself are here to explain and address any concerns."

In contrast to his earlier poise, the poor boy is nodding so hard he looks like he might dislocate something, wide-eyed and unable to force words past his lips. "Y-yes father, I did not wish to burden you with this knowledge. I'll... I'll never use it again, I..."

"Don't make oaths in haste and without thought," Lothar snaps, visibly collecting himself. The flush in his cheeks dies down, and for a long moment he only looks at his youngest son quietly. "It's not some other god is it?"

"No, father," Edric replies relieved, while his younger brother looks on with mounting guilt, realizing that his own reaction had precipitated matters.

"Good," Lord Mallery grunts. He glances at his wife and something passes between them. He nods wearily. Thankfully, it seems the two had gotten past the point where your mother was concerned about leaving the lord's wine cup in his lady wife's keeping. "Lies are always dishonorable, son, even if you intend to tell the truth at some later time. And you will find that, like oil poured on water, such dishonor has a way of rising to the surface when you least expect."

Turning to you, the lord adds, "Appologies for the outburst, Your Grace, though I hope Edric's magic will require less of his time than Denys'. He is the heir." From the way he emphases the last, it's clear it is as much for his sons' sake as yours.

"There have been instances of others in position of power and influence showing magic, my lord, not least among them my dearest and most leal friends," you assure him. "While such mages will not be able to advance within the scholarum they can still take up their rightful places."

"I should hope so," Dany jests with impeccable timing. "This would be a really awkward way to tell me otherwise."

The laughter that follows owes as much to relief as mirth, but it is genuine nonetheless.

The matter settled as much as it can be, you speak to Edric and publicly learn what you had already known from your divinations. His magic is most akin to Hermetia's of all the mages you have known, and he has possessed those powers since he persuaded his father to send envoys to White Harbor and Sorcerer's Deep. Thankfully, he kept the secret of your presence that night in the woods and the blessings you had bequeathed upon him well, though from the looks he gives you perhaps he had guessed that the two might have been connected.

Denys is more reticent to speak of his magic, and his goddess, though with encouragements from his mother and occasionally from Dany, he eventually opens up. He explains that by her scriptures he is not permitted to carry blades in the wars of men against men, though he may wield a staff or cudgel for self defense. He adds that what the ancient goddess most desires is peace and property for her children, and that she sees all those of the Seven Kingdoms and even upon the other side of the Narrow Sea as her children.

"She's weak, though. Really, really weak," the boy explains soberly. "The only reason she didn't die was because even the bitter sea can water the land if there is naught else. I'm not entirely sure what that means, though..."

"The Merling King, the Ferryman of old," Dany speaks a moment before you can. "He's been keeping her from fading in accordance with some ancient pact."

"Pardon me, Your Highness," Lady Lorena interjects a touch hesitantly. "You speak of gods as beings that can die as men do, though that seems passing strange to my ear."

"Not as men do, but die they can..." So you find yourself giving the equivalent of a Scholarum lecture on the nature of divinity, compressed down to half an hour. By the end the boys are nodding happily in understanding, and while their parents look perturbed they are not disbelieving.

"So where does that leave all us?" Lord Mallery asks at last. "I will be honest. I'd resigned myself to seeing Denys part for foreign shores, but Edric has much to learn yet of lordship and the rumors of him vanishing would not be... kind."

Denys himself tries to put on a brave face, but reluctance at parting is still writ clear upon his face as he glances towards his elder bother.

What do you suggest?

[] Only take Denys to study in the Scholarum, he is a known mage so it would not be hard to concoct a take for him vanishing from the keep in the night
-[] Write in

[] Take both boys it would be better if they were not parted
-[] Write in

[] Write in

OOC: Not the best reaction in the world, but it got smoothed out OK. Not yet edited.
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Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
 
@Crake, please add that we will leave the following with Edric, in addition to the study materials. It's all minor stuff we currently have in stock which he should have to improve his safety and to give him an edge if things get dangerous.

A Ring of Protection from Evil, Healing Belt, Bracers of Arcane Freedom, Anklets of Translocation, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, and these Genie Charms (x1 Teleport, x1 Sending).

[X] Crake
 
@Crake, please add the following:
[] After all is settled, attempt communication with the Earth Mother, and see if you can arrange a deal between the two of you - both she and the Empire can greatly benefit from each-other's help in these times of turmoil.

Weak gods are the best gods.

Because one can make tight-ass binding contracts and/or extremely profitable deals, grow said Gods, and then profit thousandfold.
Yss and Zathir can attest to that!
:V

[X] Crake
 
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@Goldfish I won't be home for another hour, got out early but I have burgers on the brain. Phone C&P feature is non-intuitive.

Add @egoo's while you're at it?

[X] Goldfish
 
Crake said:
@Goldfish I won't be home for another hour, got out early but I have burgers on the brain. Phone C&P feature is non-intuitive.

Add @egoo's while you're at it?

[X] Goldfish
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Done.

[X] Mallery Acquisition
-[X] Arrange to have some study materials provided to Edric, which will be locked up in a lead-lined chest and hidden in Lord Lothar's personal effects. That way any studying can coincide with "lessons on Lordship" and indeed actual lessons on lordship, a neat turn that allows some reassurance that learning magic won't distract and might even help Edric at his tasks.
--[X] Along with these study materials, include a Ring of Protection from Evil, Healing Belt, Bracers of Arcane Freedom, Anklets of Translocation, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, a single-use Teleport Charm, and a Sending Stone, plus quick instruction on how they function.
-[X] After the Reconquest, Edric can commute back and forth enough to learn what he needs from his father and attend more regular lessons in Sorcerer's Deep. Beguilers aren't so common that developing his potential as much as possible isn't without merit.
-[X] Offer to take on Denys as a ward and start his studies in the Shadow Tower. Visits can be arranged in the same manner as you have with Ysilla.
-[X] "Truth be told, Edric is at a point where further study will pose diminishing returns without suitable challenges to grant further insight into his own magic. Be cautious about using your skills for the next several months, while you grew quite fast, that might encourage carelessness more than anything else when the reward for such risks is so stark."
-[X] After all is settled, attempt communication with the Earth Mother, and see if you can arrange a deal between the two of you - both she and the Empire can greatly benefit from each-other's help in these times of turmoil.
--[X] We understand that she is extremely weak in her current condition. If there is anything we can do to improve her situation, she should share it with us now. We may not be able to help, but we have a good track record with helping gods come back from the brink of non-existence.
 
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Thanks, @Goldfish.

I kinda hope we get a "faster" way to empower her than Storm Father's "Turn Stannis to my religion, uproot a Weirwood, and feed me a shitton of illithids".

...Not that it is really long to do, per se, but rather that we dont really have the illithids to do that just yet :/

Side note, I imagine Storm Father and the Ferryman will be downright gleeful to be fed illithids simultaneously, "just like good old times", or something :V
 
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Ok vote closed, let's wrap things up here.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Dec 27, 2019 at 12:36 PM, finished with 22 posts and 10 votes.
  • [X] Goldfish
    [X] Mallery Acquisition
    -[X] Arrange to have some study materials provided to Edric, which will be locked up in a lead-lined chest and hidden in Lord Lothar's personal effects. That way any studying can coincide with "lessons on Lordship" and indeed actual lessons on lordship, a neat turn that allows some reassurance that learning magic won't distract and might even help Edric at his tasks.
    --[X] Along with these study materials, include a Ring of Protection from Evil, Healing Belt, Bracers of Arcane Freedom, Anklets of Translocation, Greater Ribbon of Disguise, a single-use Teleport Charm, and a Sending Stone, plus quick instruction on how they function.
    -[X] After the Reconquest, Edric can commute back and forth enough to learn what he needs from his father and attend more regular lessons in Sorcerer's Deep. Beguilers aren't so common that developing his potential as much as possible isn't without merit.
    -[X] Offer to take on Denys as a ward and start his studies in the Shadow Tower. Visits can be arranged in the same manner as you have with Ysilla.
    -[X] "Truth be told, Edric is at a point where further study will pose diminishing returns without suitable challenges to grant further insight into his own magic. Be cautious about using your skills for the next several months, while you grew quite fast, that might encourage carelessness more than anything else when the reward for such risks is so stark."
    -[X] After all is settled, attempt communication with the Earth Mother, and see if you can arrange a deal between the two of you - both she and the Empire can greatly benefit from each-other's help in these times of turmoil.
    --[X] We understand that she is extremely weak in her current condition. If there is anything we can do to improve her situation, she should share it with us now. We may not be able to help, but we have a good track record with helping gods come back from the brink of non-existence.
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People, how public are we going to be with our megaprojects? They wound utterly insane to a normal Imperial citizen (or even Imperial noble, etc) and possibly even heretical depending on their religion. On the other hand, they're also super amazing, and they portray Gods cooperating for the good of all (especially in the strike against Tiamat, assuming it works out fine).
So do we want to write about them in the Imperial Times once they're done?

Similarly, do we want to invite the Seven into the strike against Tiamat? Or at least Dannelle?
 
TalonofAnathrax said:
People, how public are we going to be with our megaprojects? They wound utterly insane to a normal Imperial citizen (or even Imperial noble, etc) and possibly even heretical depending on their religion. On the other hand, they're also super amazing, and they portray Gods cooperating for the good of all (especially in the strike against Tiamat, assuming it works out fine).
So do we want to write about them in the Imperial Times once they're done?

Similarly, do we want to invite the Seven into the strike against Tiamat? Or at least Dannelle?
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We could go public with this, later. Right now we want to keep our plans on the down-low. Better if even those who know we did it don't know how we did it. Also, better not to invite gods we want to beat the crap out of to see how we beat the crap out of a god.
 
TalonofAnathrax said:
People, how public are we going to be with our megaprojects? They wound utterly insane to a normal Imperial citizen (or even Imperial noble, etc) and possibly even heretical depending on their religion. On the other hand, they're also super amazing, and they portray Gods cooperating for the good of all (especially in the strike against Tiamat, assuming it works out fine).
So do we want to write about them in the Imperial Times once they're done?

Similarly, do we want to invite the Seven into the strike against Tiamat? Or at least Dannelle?
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I don't think we should publish anything about the project used to strike at Tiamat, or the cooperation between various gods that will allow it to happen. At least not until years in the future. Let's not inspire any madmen to attempt something similar with malevolent gods or other dark powers.

I wouldn't trust any of the Seven with this information. It's too good of an opportunity for them to screw us over to assume that at least one of them wouldn't pass the information along to Tiamat.
 
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