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

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1) Careful, meticulous planning. Watsonian perspective, it's because of having a calculating personality, always making controlled gambles and hedging bets. Doylist? The thread has more time to plan and anticipate the world and prepare contingencies based on available information provided by the SRD and the setting, and the setting only has so many permutations of possible wrenches it can throw at us.

2) Viserys got lucky when it came to trusting others. If you can anticipate that for each starting protagonist, there was a hard limit on the number of people who would be loyal to them until the end so long as they maintained their integrity as a character, Viserys possibly had the highest limit as an innate advantage of his background on who he could pick for that purpose. He even manufactured a couple such people through well-reasoned arguments/gambles.

3) Not being afraid of the weird or strange or the possibly megalomaniacal. Gods are unpredictable to most people, but to Viserys, he has framed each relationship in a "I did you a favor, the next one doesn't come until you pay it back", rather than the reverse which is usually the case for most people in the setting. As in, 99% of people will ask a God for a blessing and be expected to pay it back.

Viserys does the Gods a favor (and expects it to be paid back).

4) Good PR. Also bad PR, which can sometimes be Good PR in a way. This mostly stems from reputation and maintaining integrity, generally staying consistent to one's previous actions and never going back on your word. When you have a lot of power, if you get a reputation for violating your word, or lightly bending your code, people don't like dealing with you. So Viserys' strength is that he can make deals with most people, except the ones who absolutely will never deal with him, for specific and niche reasons.

5) Snowball. Money/Power/Influence is basically just an excuse, the real answer is momentum. Compounding success. Exponential growth.
 
@DragonParadox
Thanks for the concise answers.

@Azel
To me it looks like we can conquer Qohor. It will take more PC-effort than we can spare next month and will propably take measures against the population that I'm uncomfortable with, but it's not Exterminatus-material.
 
Artemis1992 said:
@DragonParadox
Thanks for the concise answers.

@Azel
To me it looks like we can conquer Qohor. It will take more PC-effort than we can spare next month and will propably take measures against the population that I'm uncomfortable with, but it's not Exterminatus-material.
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It's manageable, but it will still be a quagmire that will cost us a lot of manpower, time and political capital. We should crank up the propaganda efforts in advance, so there is less of a backlash once we go in and start the purges.

But I'm also quite happy that there is no more reason to waffle about firebombing the entire region into nothingness.
 
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Part MMMDCL: Tales of a Troubled Realm
  • Threadmarks
    • Tales of a Troubled Realm ​

    Twenty Ninth Day of the Second Month 294 AC

    News from the Vale arrives in the form of a letter from lord Yohn Royce, outpacing the Inquisition by virtue of his access to a brazier and presence in the heart of the matter. The accusations against Lysa Arryn have spread like wildfire among the knightly Houses with many of them, including House Belmore of Strongsong, House Hunter of Longbow Hall and House Lipps of Bittercreek calling for a trial before the King in the Light of the Seven.

    Others of a more fiery disposition who have lost kith and kin following Ser Brynden's last doomed campaign aligned themselves with Ser Symond Templeton, the Knight of Ninestars, who is calling for the death of the Lady of the Eyrie for witchcraft and 'line theft'. The accusation is generally used in cases of adultery, but no one wants to go as far as to imply Lysa Tully actually slept with another man, just that she made a pact with dark powers to produce a changeling child. Much to Lord Royce's disgust Ser Symond is unwilling to commit in his letters as to what he might do with a changeling child.

    Oddly enough Lady Anya Waynwood still seems to be hedging her bets, though that is likely because she does not wish to seem too much of an opportunist in the name of her young ward, Harrold Hardyng, who would be the heir to the Vale by the established laws of succession should Robert Arryn be declared illegitimate. According to Bronze Yohn she might also be concerned that Templeton will have his way, in which case any overt support to topple Lady Arryn could indirectly link young Harrold to having his cousin's blood on his hands. Therefore it is best to stay out of it until the outcome of the trial, if there is one, comes to pass.

    According to Bloodraven in King's Landing not everyone has been as circumspect. Lord Aden Arryn of Gulltown has gone directly to Baratheon and asked that he be appointed Lord of the Vale, promising him strong support as the richest and most significant Arryn cadet branch remaining. He has done everything short of tossing a bag of gold on the table and it seems likely that if his overtures are not successful he will align himself with Templeton.

    As to what remains of Lysa Arryn's supporters they are pitifully few, their only hope of holding out either negotiation or royal support, though at least the walls of the Eyrie give them plenty of time to do so when conflict inevitably breaks out.

    Last, though certainly not least, Lord Urton Upcliff has approached Bronze Yohn with the sincere desire to swear himself to your cause after months of careful negotiations. Given that he went so far as to convert to the Old Gods and even seems to be practicing magic unearthed in some family library you suspect he will be quite the enthusiastic supporter.

    Lords Declarant:
    Leader: Eon Hunter, Lord of Longbow Hall
    Objective: A fair trial by the King and under the auspices of the Faith to verify the faithfulness of Lysa Arryn and the heritage of her son
    Other Houses in Support:
    • House Belmore of Strongsong
    • House Lipps of Bittercreek
    • House Melcolm of Old Anchor
    • House Pryor of Pebble
    The Valemen:
    Leader: Ser Symond Templeton, the Knight of Ninestars
    Objective: Remove Lysa Arryn and her 'son' from the Eyrie, hold a trial for both to see what manner of witchery she has been practicing and decide if she must be killed or can simply be sent to the Silent Sisters. The letters were quite vague as to what might happen to Robert Arryn
    Other Houses in Support:
    • House Crayne of Shrike Hill
    • House Donniger of Doombell
    • House Sunderland of Three Sisters
    • House Waxley of Wickenden
    Targaryen Loyalists
    Leader: Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone
    Objective: Serve the True King
    Other Houses in support:
    • House Coldwater of Coldwater Burn
    • House Grafton of Gulltown
    • House Shett of Gull Tower
    • House Redfort of Redfort
    • House Tollett of the Grey Glen
    • House Upcliff of Witch Isle
    Lysa's Suporters
    Leader: Lysa Arryn (Weak position)
    Objective: Maintain the succession, see Robin recognized
    Supporting Houses:
    • House Egen of Sharpshore
    • House Hersy of Newkeep
    • House Lynderly of Snakewood
    • House Moore of the Moorlands
    • House Baelish of the Fingers
    The Opportunists:
    Leader: Aden Aryn of Gulltown
    Objective: Claim the Eyrie for the most powerful surviving branch of House Arryn
    Supporting Houses:
    • House Wydman of Windwater
    • House Elesham of the Paps
    • House Dutton Sheepsford
    Neutral Houses:
    • House Waynwood of Ironwoaks
    • House Hardyng of Hearthguard
    • House Ruthermont

    What instructions do you give Lord Royce and his fellow loyalist lords?

    [] Stay on the sidelines and pretend neutrality

    [] Throw their weight behind one of the other factions
    -[] Lords Declarant
    -[] Valemen
    -[] Opportunists

    [] Write in

    OOC: If you guys have more questions don't hesitate to ask.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Tales of a Troubled Realm ​

    Twenty Ninth Day of the Second Month 294 AC

    News from the Vale arrives in the form of a letter from lord Yohn Royce, outpacing the Inquisition by virtue of his access to a brazier and presence in the heart of the matter. The accusations against Lysa Arryn have spread like wildfire among the knightly Houses, with many Houses, including Belmore of Strongsong, Hunter of Longbow Hall, and Lips of Bittercreek calling for a trial before the King in the Light of the Seven.

    Others of a more fiery disposition, who have lost kith and kin following Ser Brynden's last doomed campaign, have aligned themselves with Ser Symond Templeton, the Knight of Ninestars, who is calling for the death of the lady of the Eyrie for witchcraft and 'line theft'. The accusation generally used is adultery, but no one wants to go as far as to imply Lysa Tully actually slept with another man, just that she made a pact with dark powers to produce a changeling child. Much to Lord Royce's disgust, ser Symond is unwilling to commit in his letters as to what he might do with a changeling child.

    Oddly enough, Lady Anya Waynwood still seems to be hedging her bets, though that is likely because she does not wish to seem too much of an opportunist in the name of her young ward Harold Hardyng, who would be the heir to the Vale by the established laws of succession should Robert Arryn be declared illegitimate. According to Bronze Yohn, she might also be concerned that Tempelton will have his way, in which case any overt support to topple Lady Arryn could indirectly link young Harold to having his cousin's blood on his hands. Best therefore to stay out of it until the outcome of the trial comes to pass, if there is a trial.

    According to Bloodraven, in King's Landing not everyone has been as circumspect. Lord Aden Arryn of Gulltown has gone directly to Baratheon and asked that he be appointed Lord of the Vale, promising him strong support as the richest and most significant Arryn cadet branch remaining. He has done everything short of tossing a bag of gold on the table, and it seems likely that if his overtures are not successful he will align himself with Templeton.

    As to what remains of Lysa Arryn's supporters, they are pitifully few, their only hope of holding out dependent upon either negotiation or royal support, though at least the walls of the Eyrie give them plenty of time to do so when conflict inevitably breaks out.

    Last though certainly not least, Lord Urton Upcliff has approached Bronze Yohn with the sincere desire to swear himself to your cause after months of careful negotiations. Given that he went so far as to convert to the Old Gods and even seems to be practicing magic unearthed in some family library, you suspect he will be quite the enthusiastic supporter.

    Lords Declarant
    Leader: Eon Hunter, Lord of Longbow Hall
    Objective: A fair trial by the king and under the auspices of the Faith to verify the faithfulness of Lysa Arryn and the heritage of her son.
    Other Houses in Support:
    • House Belmore of Strongsong
    • House Lips of Bittercreek
    • House Melcolm of Old Anchor
    • House Pryor of Pebble
    The Valemen:
    Leader: Ser Symond Templeton, the Knight of Ninestars
    Objective: Remove Lysa Arryn and her 'son' from the Eyrie, hold a trial for both to see what manner of witchery she has been practicing, and decide if she must be killed or can simply be sent to the Silent Sisters. The letters were quite vague as to what might happen to Robert Aryn.
    Other Houses in Support:
    • House Crayne of Shrike Hill
    • House Donniger of Doombell
    • House Sunderland of Three Sisters
    • House Waxley of Wickenden
    Targaryen Loyalists
    Leader: Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone
    Objective: Serve the True King
    Other Houses in support:
    • House Coldwater of Coldwater Burn
    • House Grafton of Gulltown
    • House Shett of Gull Tower
    • House Redfort of Redfort
    • House Tollett of the Grey Glen
    • House Upcliff of Witch Isle
    Lysa's Suporters
    Leader: Lysa Arryn (Weak position)
    Objective: Maintain the succession, see Robin recognized
    Supporting Houses:
    • House Egen of Sharpshore
    • House Hersy of Newkeep
    • House Lynderly of Snakewood
    • House Moore of the Moorlands
    • House Baelish of the Fingers
    The Opportunists:
    Leader: Aden Arryn of Gulltown
    Objective: Claim the Eyrie for the most powerful surviving branch of House Arryn
    Supporting Houses:
    • House Wydman of Windwater
    • House Elesham of the Paps
    • House Dutton Sheepsford
    Neutral Houses:
    • House Waynewood of Ironwoaks
    • House Hardyng of Hearthguard
    • House Ruthermont

    What instructions do you give Lord Royce and his fellow loyalist lords?

    [] Stay on the sidelines and pretend neutrality

    [] Throw their weight behind one of the other factions
    -[] Lords Declarant
    -[] Valemen
    -[] Opportunists

    [] Write in

    OOC: If you guys have more questions don't hesitate to ask. Not yet edited.
    Here's an edited version of the chapter, @DragonParadox.
     
    Know Baelish is gonna die soon but what is his official stance on what is happening in the Vale? The Master of Coin is part of the Vale.

    Even if he doesn't do anything officially. I can't see him just letting a piece like Lysa go. He would only have his debts and blackmail to use in the Vale.

    Edit: Seems like Baelish is supporting Lysa. Now what will he do to make sure Lysa remains in power?
     
    Last edited:
    DragonParadox said:
    Not yet. I'm planning to make that an interlude, just because I personally dislike the character enough to want to write his death scene. I imagine I'm not alone in wanting to see that on screen all things considered.
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    Does he have a date scheduled? Because it would be nice if we could visit Lysa while wearing his face to stir the pot a tiny bit more.

    This dumpster is not yet sufficiently on fire.
     
    Oh no, anyway.

    No lie this is a bit pointless. We are invading next month, their politics don't matter anymore. Any rebels would only act as a ExP fodder for the legion. Honestly I wish we hadn't been so successful in knee capping potential rebels. Would have been fun to crush their petty armies. Their intrigues will be unsuccessful due to the sheer effectiveness of our inquisition.
     
    Acolyte said:
    Oh no, anyway.

    No lie this is a bit pointless. We are invading next month, their politics don't matter anymore. Any rebels would only act as a ExP fodder for the legion. Honestly I wish we hadn't been so successful in knee capping potential rebels. Would have been fun to crush their petty armies. Their intrigues will be unsuccessful due to the sheer effectiveness of our inquisition.
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    I wouldn't say pointless. The politics of the Vale could get us more support or just knowing what the lords really think. We still have to hold it after taking the Vale.
     
    Acolyte said:
    Oh no, anyway.

    No lie this is a bit pointless. We are invading next month, their politics don't matter anymore. Any rebels would only act as a ExP fodder for the legion. Honestly I wish we hadn't been so successful in knee capping potential rebels. Would have been fun to crush their petty armies. Their intrigues will be unsuccessful due to the sheer effectiveness of our inquisition.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    The month after next actually and the Vale is one of the few places where there will be actual fighting.

    [X] Tell Bronze Yohn to officially stay neutral, but to quietly suggest to Lysa Arryn that the other faction heads should be arrested for treason against her, since he has strong reason to believe they want to assassinate her.
     
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