Remove ads

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

Reader mode
What we promise now to do next month, means less effort spend on cockblocking Asmodeus in SB though, or less on evactuating the Thenns or less preparation against the Deep Ones.
 
Vote closed.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Apr 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM, finished with 57 posts and 17 votes.
  • [X] Plan Digging Deeper
    -[X] Put the following on the agenda for next month:
    --[X] Send teams that will investigate the effects of the pacts that already exist, find out where the rituals where enacted and how they are tied together.
    --[X] Send teams to contact those lords who rejected deals to ally.
    --[X] Send teams to negotiate with any lord who is being offered a pact right now or will soon be offered one to stop further pacts.
    --[X] Also recruit any unaligned Fey in the Reach you might find.
    -[X] You will refine the idea of a counter-ritual once you are more informed about the exact nature of effects you are fighting.
    -[X] Move on to the topic of eliminating CoS envoys.
Click to expand...
 
Artemis1992 said:
What we promise now to do next month, means less effort spend on cockblocking Asmodeus in SB though, or less on evactuating the Thenns or less preparation against the Deep Ones.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Deep One preparations can largely be delegated or require our direct involvement less. It's been pointed out that concentrated and quickly reacting forces are ultimately of more import to the kinds of attacks we're likely to suffer, so we've been preparing a spoiler for them via mass-scale guided teleportation facility. So regardless of what we do in the lead-up, we're making progress on that vector.
 
Inserted tally
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Apr 2, 2020 at 7:34 AM, finished with 58 posts and 17 votes.
  • [X] Plan Digging Deeper
    -[X] Put the following on the agenda for next month:
    --[X] Send teams that will investigate the effects of the pacts that already exist, find out where the rituals where enacted and how they are tied together.
    --[X] Send teams to contact those lords who rejected deals to ally.
    --[X] Send teams to negotiate with any lord who is being offered a pact right now or will soon be offered one to stop further pacts.
    --[X] Also recruit any unaligned Fey in the Reach you might find.
    -[X] You will refine the idea of a counter-ritual once you are more informed about the exact nature of effects you are fighting.
    -[X] Move on to the topic of eliminating CoS envoys.
Click to expand...
 
Remove ads
Part MMMCDXX: Against the Lords Ethereal
  • Threadmarks
    • Against the Lords Ethereal ​

    Twenty Fifth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

    "The path before us seems straightforward then..." you offer a rueful smile. "Or at least as straightforward as can be when dealing with intrigues and magic strange to us all. We aught to send teams next month to investigate the effects of the pacts and how they are connected. For the lords that rejected the bargain it would make sense to at least propose an alliance, though in it might prove difficult in some quarters such as the young Lord Meadows..."

    "Think the trouble's 'lord', not 'young', there," Vee grumbles, drawing a snicker from Glyra and smiles from a few of the other less formal guests.

    "Regardless. we should also speak to the lords that are currently in talks with the Court of Stars to ensure they go no further..."

    This time is it Shara who interrupts on a more substantive point, though sounding a touch hesitant to speak up in such exalted company. "For the Houses we know to be in talks right now we should probably keep constant divination watch on them and be ready to send teams out at once. We don't know if the Court of Stars will offer us the courtesy of waiting for next month."

    "Of course," you nod towards Svitran. "We have the means to keep an even closer watch than what the House of Mirrors allows and for this we should use it."

    "Wise." The mind voice is mostly the priest's, though you can hear the echo of a distant hiss over still waters in it.

    "On to the second matter then, removing the agents of the Court of Stars from the board," you once more open the discussion to the room at large.

    "I do not think any of us here need to told the simple weaknesses of the fey, cold iron or eyes sharp enough to pierce glamours," Zherys begins. "But what I have found in the battles against Ymeri's servants is that given two options to achieve their ends most fey spirits will favor that which breeds drama. They wish to be seen, to be heard of, to be known. Even among those who veil the particulars of their deeds," here me motioned respectfully to the Orphne Lord. "Still leave behind some trace for discerning minds. Thus simply leaving agents in place near or preferably in the seats of lords likely to be contacted by the Court of Stars would allow the direction of other forces to deal with them, with violence as easily as with words."

    "My own subjects are particularly adept at assassinating agents of the Bright Court," the lord of the Shadow Fey adds. "I would advise against slipping the dagger in too deep lest that court full war across the veil. Harming streams, ponds... groves, all these might engender a withdraw, perhaps even defections in some parts of the Court, but it will grind others to the war. Among the rays of which the Court is braided the Violet, the Orange and the Gold are more likely to refrain from escalating hostilities past discrete skirmishes, Crimson the most likely to argue for outright war, though also the least likely to be listened to. It is the Green Court, the weavers of wards, that are most likely to rally the whole Court to war, but they are slow to rouse to anger. I would suggest capturing and ransoming back any of their agents who must be removed, with binding oaths not to act against our interests again."

    "Is there a system of parley established?" the Sealord interjects thoughtfully. For one who has had to deal with the until recently tumultuous politics of Western Essos this must seem familiar indeed.

    "Yeah, works best through the Goblin Market and the like," Moonsong cuts in. "We've got our own deal maker so should be easy enough doing. Wonder if I could catch something big like a nuckelavee or an ohancanu?"

    "If you catch a spriggan does it count as big or small I wonder?" Glyra muses wistfully.

    You clear your throat before the discussion can head any further off track. "And if it should come to all out war, how would we go about winning, breaking the power of the Court of Stars?"

    Silence falls heavy on the shadowed chamber before Lya finally replies: "We can only speculate using the example of lesser Courts. Slay the ruler, in this case the Queen, and ensure the mantle cannot pass on. Use the crown we have recovered."

    "Easier said then done I suspect," Zherys speaks up again. "When Volantis was still under immediate threat of Ymeri's Cinder Court, we sought to discover how she may be slain. A fey monarch in the heart of their power is near enough a god and one so ancient will not be easily baited out."

    "Maybe we should practice on old Ymeri then. You know, just to get our hand in at god killing," Glyra offers. "I mean, we already started with Old Morning Breath didn't we?"

    It takes a moment for most to realize who she means before the laughter of mortals, spirits and even one winged god fills the hall. Truly, gremlins are mightier than they seem, you think, struggling to stifle your own chuckles.

    What do you do next?

    [] Continue the discussion
    -[] Write in

    [] Resolve to set new plans and contingencies in motion then adjourn the meeting
    -[] Write in

    [] Write in

    OOC: This flowed surprisingly easily given how crowded the narrative space is. Who knew Zherys and Glyra played well off each other.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Continue the discussion
    -[X] Talk about options to take over some of the colours or to cause the court to spiral into civil war.
    -[X] Discuss the usage of Leshies, other plantforged creatures, fleshforged creatures, undead, Devils and constructs in this conflict. Where do the attendants see risks or chances?
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Against the Lords Ethereal ​

    Twenty Fifth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

    "The path before us seems straightforward then..." you offer a rueful smile. "Or at least as straightforward as can be when dealing with intrigues and magic strange to us all. We aught to send teams next month to investigate the effects of the pacts and how they are connected. For the lords that rejected the bargain, it would make sense to at least propose an alliance, though it might prove difficult in some quarters, such as with the young lord Meadows..."

    "Think the trouble's 'lord' not 'young' there," Vee grumbles, drawing a snicker from Glyra and smiles from a few of the other less formal guests.

    "Regardless, we should also speak to the lords that are currently in talks with the Court of Stars to ensure they go no further..."

    This time it is Shara who interrupts on a more substantive point, though sounding a touch hesitant to speak up in such exalted company. "For the Houses we know to be in talks right now we should probably keep constant divination watch and be ready to send teams out at once. We don't know if the Court of Stars will offer us the courtesy of waiting for next month."

    "Of course," you nod towards Svitran. "We have the means to keep an even closer watch than the House of Mirrors allows and for this we should use it."

    "Wise." The mind voice is mostly the priest's, though you can hear the echo of a distant hiss over still waters in it.

    "On to the second matter then, that of removing the agents of the Court of Stars from the board," you once more open the discussion to the room at large.

    "I do not think any of us here are ignorant of the simple weaknesses of the fey, vulnerability to cold iron or eyes sharp enough to pierce glamors," Zherys begins. "But what I have found in the battles against Ymeri's servants is that given two options to achieve their ends, most fey spirits will favor that which breeds drama. They wish to be seen, to be heard of, to be known. Even among those who veil the particulars of their deeds," here me motioned respectfully to the Orphne Lord, "will still leave behind some trace for discerning minds. Thus, simply leaving agents in place near or preferably in the seats of lords likely to be contacted by the Court of Stars would allow the direction of other forces to deal with them, with violence as easily as with words."

    "My own subjects are particularly adept at assassinating agents of the Bright Court," the lord of the Shadow Fey adds. "I would advise against slipping the dagger in too deep lest we court full war across the veil. Harming streams, ponds... groves, all these might engender a withdraw, perhaps even defections in some parts of the court, but it will drive others to the war. Among the rays of light from which the Court is braided, the Violet, the Orange, and the Gold are more likely to refrain from escalating hostilities past discrete skirmishes, while Crimson is the most likely to argue for outright war, though also the least likely to be listened to. It is the Green Fey, the weavers of wards, that are most likely to rally the whole court to war, but they are slow to rouse to anger. I would suggest capturing and ransoming back any of their agents who must be removed, with binding oaths not to act against our interests again."

    "Is there a system of parley established?" the Sealord interjects thoughtfully. For one who has had to deal with the until recently tumultuous politics of Western Essos, this must seem familiar indeed.

    "Yeah, works best through the Goblin Market and the like," Moonsong cuts in. "We've got our own deal maker, so it should be easy enough to arrange. Wonder if I could catch something big like a nuckelavee or an ohancanu?"

    "If you catch a spriggan, does it count as big or small, I wonder?" Glyra muses wistfully.

    You clear your throat before the discussion can head any further off track. "And if it should come to all out war, how would we go about winning, breaking the power of the Court of Stars?"

    Silence falls heavy on the shadowed chamber before Lya finally replies, "We can only speculate using the example of lesser courts; slay the ruler, in this case the Queen, and ensure the mantle cannot pass on. Perhaps use the crown we have recovered?"

    "Easier said then done, I suspect," Zherys speaks up again. "When Volantis was still under immediate threat from Ymeri's Cinder Court, we sought to discover how she may be slain. A fey monarch in the heart of their power is near enough a god, and one so ancient will not be easily baited out."

    "Maybe we should practice on old Ymeri then, you know just to get our hand in at god killing," Glyra offers. "I mean we already started with Old Morning Breath, didn't we?"

    It takes a moment for most to realize who she means, then the laughter of mortals, spirits, and even one winged god fills the hall. Truly, gremlins are mightier than they seem, you think, struggling to stifle your own chuckles.

    What do you do next?

    [] Continue the discussion
    -[] Write in

    [] Resolve to set new plans and contingencies in motion then adjourn the meeting
    -[] Write in

    [] Write in

    OOC: This flowed surprisingly easily given how crowded the narrative space is. Who knew Zherys and Glyra played well off each other. Not yet edited.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
     
    Vote closed
    Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Apr 2, 2020 at 9:41 AM, finished with 12 posts and 5 votes.
    • [X] Continue the discussion
      -[X] Talk about options to take over some of the colours or to cause the court to spiral into civil war.
      -[X] Discuss the usage of Leshies, other plantforged creatures, fleshforged creatures, undead, Devils and constructs in this conflict. Where do the attendants see risks or chances?
    Click to expand...
     
    Crake said:
    Deep One preparations can largely be delegated or require our direct involvement less. It's been pointed out that concentrated and quickly reacting forces are ultimately of more import to the kinds of attacks we're likely to suffer, so we've been preparing a spoiler for them via mass-scale guided teleportation facility. So regardless of what we do in the lead-up, we're making progress on that vector.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Okay.

    But aside from that specific point, dedicating agents and parties to the Fey does mean less effort for other fires.

    Are we sure we want to prioritize the Court of Stars over Devils and other issues?
     
    Azel said:
    I'm not proposing to pull resources from Slavers Bay.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    We haven't yet assigned what teams go where for next month, but I think at least some of the people who where working in SB this month would be useful against the Fey.

    Best case we can leave some less critical options, like cleaning the remaining Thenn Barrows, and have enough people for all the important tasks, but I'm not optimistic that we can keep our efforts in all directions at once.
     
    I'm working on a very basic rendition at this very moment.
    Basically, I think we can forego Plane of Fire and lots of minor-ish adventures, and have our Minions largely busy clearing out the barrows - while the Companions and high-level assets (Amy, Melly, etc) go to SB and deal with Fey.

    The problem I'm having is that I know fuck-all of the political situation, so I have to assign the "talk to lords"-people largely by ear and good Diplo scores :/
     
    Artemis1992 said:
    We haven't yet assigned what teams go where for next month, but I think at least some of the people who where working in SB this month would be useful against the Fey.

    Best case we can leave some less critical options, like cleaning the remaining Thenn Barrows, and have enough people for all the important tasks, but I'm not optimistic that we can keep our efforts in all directions at once.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Hence the second question of my vote. I want to send a lot of Inquisition goons with backup. Preferably enough of it that they can survive long enough for aid to arrive if something goes wrong.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top