Constant sparring would likely be one of the less disturbing states for a Black Champion yeah, though the mold inside is and intelligent and curious being. Expect it to be in the library almost as often or speaking to various people around the keep.
A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover
- Thread starter DragonParadox
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- Tags
- 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
Constant sparring would likely be one of the less disturbing states for a Black Champion yeah, though the mold inside is and intelligent and curious being. Expect it to be in the library almost as often or speaking to various people around the keep.
- Location
- Germany
That would be the first of them to show any desire or inclination towards scholarly pursuits.
True, but on the other hand I have not really focused on them much.
On the third hand they are not really social beings are they? Born of dreams of death, ruin and broken things. I'll have to think more on what sort of intellectual stimulation they might gravitate towards.
- Location
- Germany
Not all that much when it comes down to it, baring the occasional retreading of what they enjoyed in a life barely remembered.
Closest analogy would be a Space Marine Dreadnought.
- Location
- ferreries
- Location
- Germany
All things considered, fighting would really be one of the greatest things for a Mold. Many, if not nearly a majority, of it's constituent voices would have had some martial ability and thus enjoy training and fighting for it's own sake. The rest would still enjoy just the sensation of movement, even with how indirect and dull all sensations are to them.
The Warg parts would also likely have a blast controlling something living, though other parts might be squicked out by the act of trapping a mind in it's own body. Especially since the Molds way of controlling a body is significantly less subtle and kind then a skilled Warg.
Scholarly things... eh... not really. Maybe one in a hundred of the constituent minds would have had any inclination to it at all, and how much of that would be left... The minds of a Mold are simple, since the complex parts would be the hardest to keep intact and the first to fade.
There's also always the option to experience whatever other Molds within range are experiencing by linking their minds, so it wouldn't be odd for most of them in a given area to idle most of the time while enjoying the excitement one or two of them are experiencing.
What I could see, and why I brought up training, is that they might enjoy teaching. I mean, they couldn't explain anything properly, since their entire knowledge base is a mess of instincts that everyone within can mostly agree on mixed with the baked in combat instincts of their vessel, so it wouldn't be the teaching kind of teaching. More the "school of hard knocks" style teaching. So worthless to a beginner, but useful to someone that has already reached a professional level and can learn from the experience gained from fighting a tireless undead monstrosity for a whole day.
The Warg parts would also likely have a blast controlling something living, though other parts might be squicked out by the act of trapping a mind in it's own body. Especially since the Molds way of controlling a body is significantly less subtle and kind then a skilled Warg.
Scholarly things... eh... not really. Maybe one in a hundred of the constituent minds would have had any inclination to it at all, and how much of that would be left... The minds of a Mold are simple, since the complex parts would be the hardest to keep intact and the first to fade.
There's also always the option to experience whatever other Molds within range are experiencing by linking their minds, so it wouldn't be odd for most of them in a given area to idle most of the time while enjoying the excitement one or two of them are experiencing.
What I could see, and why I brought up training, is that they might enjoy teaching. I mean, they couldn't explain anything properly, since their entire knowledge base is a mess of instincts that everyone within can mostly agree on mixed with the baked in combat instincts of their vessel, so it wouldn't be the teaching kind of teaching. More the "school of hard knocks" style teaching. So worthless to a beginner, but useful to someone that has already reached a professional level and can learn from the experience gained from fighting a tireless undead monstrosity for a whole day.
We're past it by a bit now, but for high priority people we need to protect from soul-fuckery Iron Circlets of Guarded Souls are probably our best tool. They're basically mindblank for soul targeting effects, with an added defense against anything nondetection could block.
If the Others start playing this game in earnest we may need to start issuing these things to some of our top level people.
If the Others start playing this game in earnest we may need to start issuing these things to some of our top level people.
KnightofTempest
The Man who would be King
- Location
- Chicago
Brother Santodes, is that you?
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Maybe add those to your goody page for later reference?
They're in the spoiler on it already, I was just bringing them up again since they're relevant to this problem. We decided against using them for cost reasons previously, but the Others have enough of a fixation with tactics like this to make that make it worth reevaluating since it looks like we'll be getting back into it with them sooner than expected.
- Location
- United States
I'm looking forward to this. Watch one of our Devils end up being Ned's most competent aide.
Writing now.
Part MMMDCLX: Uncanny Hosts
Uncanny Hosts
First Day of the Fourth Month 294 AC
As the Lord of Winterfell rises to his feet once more you breathe and inward sigh of relief. Of all the high lords of Westeros the Starks were the ones who most concerned you in their choices, being both at the heart of the Rebellion and the ones your father harmed most grievously. Not to mention the debt you owe Eddard Stark for keeping Jon's heritage secret and giving him a home these years. The words of a prophecy given years ago, almost in another life drift into your thoughts: Be the helping hand unlooked for, the light unhoped for and they shall serve.
That much is still true, though less by the fickle tides of fate and more because you have made it so, because you have gathered to your banner those who can help secure the Seven Kingdoms. Granted it might not be entirely easy to persuade your new bannerman to take this aid into his home.
***
Oddly enough after the leshies and other living flesh forged beings who could simply claim to act by the Will of the Old Gods the devils and Fallen archons are the easiest to explain. Spirits of distant spheres, once tasked with the warding of the world, now having lost their purpose and their way as the ancient mechanisms of warding can no longer hold back the dark, you call them, like hedge knights turned to a new lord's service after a time of wandering. It fits those of steel wings and those of black. About the only trouble you have is lady Stark implying that the Sisters of Vengeance are somehow lesser in power and worth than those archons who choose to take on a male guise.
Thankfully Mereth had known to select the pair of her sisters assigned to Winterfell for their forbearance. The Erinyes choose archery for their demonstration of skill. Between that and the fact that space itself only binds them when they will it all doubts are soon laid to rest. Alas not all the warriors you planed to add to the keep's garrison are as charismatic as approachable as the baatezu.
"This 'black knight' you speak of is a walking corpse, a wight, puppeted by a creature you said is of the Old Gods?" The words and tone are perfectly courteous, but the way Eddard Stark's hand tightens around the wine cup is not a good sign. It seems Jeor Mormont had not shared that he already had such beings at the Wall.
"While black knights and similar servitors are more like wights than they are like living creatures, lacking metabolic rocesses and being animated by necromancy, they do not inhabit any once mortal body. They are grown in the flesh forge for the express purpose of being animated and either set out with their limited intrinsic intelligence or commanded by one of the warg-molds."
Dany's voice whispers in your ear by the power of a familiar cantrip, an edge of humor to her words: "I don't think it helps to tell them you have an army of stillborn warriors bred to serve without question or remorse."
To your surprise Jon speaks up next. He had not said much since he had gone to speak to his uncle in private about parting, returned with his blessing, but also with the sign of tears from the soon to be parting. "Most of my powers are born of the same sort of magic. I don't think I could raise a wight with what I know now. Yet it doesn't feel wrong to me for what it's worth, just dangerous. But even a sword is dangerous in the wrong hands and we don't all go out to war bare handed because it it, right?"
"Precisely so and such dangers will be mitigated," you interject, giving Jon and approving look. "The knight will have an alchemical charge implanted in its chest. Should the controlling intelligence feel its grip slipping at any time it will detonate."
"But will it not die?" Maester Luwin asks, concerned.
"It will return to the Greendream from whence it can be reborn if it chooses." For some reason this only makes Lord Stark look more perturbed for a moment but then he nods, accepting the presence of the Black Knight and its rider so long as it is always in the presence of other beings thatcan signal the subversion should even the charge fail.
Lady Stark by contrast raises another issue. "Why do you call them knights, these dead puppets?"
"Because it is convenient shorthand for how they fight," you reply smoothly. "No disrespect meant to the institution of knighthood of course."
"Knighthood isn't in the name it's in the act," Ser Richard rumbles from the corner of the room where he had once more been all but forgotten. "The ones who ride around in those black armors aren't who I'd want to share a drink with, but there's worse company to be had in battle." Though he does not add any pointed comment about loyalty one can hear it in the silence that follows. While he has no issue with Jon and has come to grudgingly accept that if any man had a good cause to rebel it was the Quiet Wolf the knight has no love for Hoster Tully's daughter.
You clear your throat before the moment can drag on too long or Lord Stark fells the need to answer. "I would also propose a warded room with a far-peaking brazier..."
Fortunately there are no objections there nor in any of the other more straightforward assignments, from Verdant Wolves helping with tracking to ravens flying messages and scouting, even to the Herald and the Wyrmlings at which you had been waiting for them to balk simply because of how obvious your hand would be in their presence. It seems that when Eddard Stark gives his pledge he means it as much as any Pointsmen. If you had ordered the North's banners raised next week they would be and damn the Lannisters. If anything there might even be a part of him that wants to fight them, seeking vengeance for Robert's death, though he sensibly does not give any sign of it aloud.
"Finally there is the matter of your youngest daughter, Arya," you continue delicately. You are about to impart news to worry any parent. "She is greatly blessed by the Old Gods and so I fear the Enemy will hunt her, for that purpose I propose to grant her warding talismans and protections and ensure she wears them..."
"What could the Old Gods possibly want with Arya, she is just a little girl..." Catelyn Stark's words trail off as her eyes fall on Dany with a look of what you can only describe as mute horror.
For a long moment you consider the prospect. Could the Old Gods retract Arya Stark's gift? In the most technical sense yes, but given their nature they would not do so against her will as she did not transgress in any way, and from what you heard of the girl from Jon you think that is about as likely as a snowstorm in the City of Brass that she would ask for it to be withdrawn.
Though Jon bristles beside her Dany chooses to interpret her attention in a kindly light. "The cause of the Old Gods fairs far better than it did four years ago. I do not think Arya will be called too soon to serve."
"Can't they just take it back then?" she bursts out, likely without meaning to. She presses a hand to her temple, a lock of hair escaping her simple braid as she does so. "My apologies I did not mean to be discourteous, but as a mother I must ask. I have already lost a son far too young to be fighting anything to this war of gods. I do not wish to lose a daughter as well."
What do you reply?
[] Assure Lady Stark that you will do all you can to protect her daughter not only now but when she is summoned to the service of the Old Gods in earnest
[] Promise to intercede to ensure Arya Stark is not called to serve before she is ready for it (at roughly the age a squire would begin their training)
[] Write in
OOC: And here we are, I tried to strike a balance between showing the most interesting reactions and summarizing some of the less controversial parts. Not yet edited.
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Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
[X] "Firstly I would reinforce the statement that the current status of the Old Gods' effort to stymie the Enemy, and any other motives they possess, are currently well enough in hand that there is no cause for Arya to heed any call for her service for some time yet. But as to any promise of forbearance... I don't think it would serve any purpose."
-[X] Look at Lady Catelyn solemnly: "Even without magic, with her brother dead by the Enemy's hand and Jon away and likely training to confront it--hopefully years from now--would you really be able to keep her back?" You glance at Eddard meaningfully. Asha. Lyanna. It's a pattern, and one he should observe.
-[X] "Come the day that she is ready, I will offer her any guidance, warding or accouterments needed to take up her charge should she wish for it, and will support her in battle as an honored ally, same as anyone who takes up arms in my service in fact. But you are asking a child who has had magic from a young age, magic being both will and intent, to give up her magic. And it would be her choice, because that is how pacts work. If it were any other way, the binds which brought us all together would fray too loosely, and the Old Gods hold to their word even closer still."
-[X] Look at Lady Catelyn solemnly: "Even without magic, with her brother dead by the Enemy's hand and Jon away and likely training to confront it--hopefully years from now--would you really be able to keep her back?" You glance at Eddard meaningfully. Asha. Lyanna. It's a pattern, and one he should observe.
-[X] "Come the day that she is ready, I will offer her any guidance, warding or accouterments needed to take up her charge should she wish for it, and will support her in battle as an honored ally, same as anyone who takes up arms in my service in fact. But you are asking a child who has had magic from a young age, magic being both will and intent, to give up her magic. And it would be her choice, because that is how pacts work. If it were any other way, the binds which brought us all together would fray too loosely, and the Old Gods hold to their word even closer still."
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Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
Or a magic school for them... it would be a... little witch academia...
- Location
- Texas
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Crake
- Location
- Reno Nv
[X] Crake
We may want to start looking into some Winter detectors, like the pearls we use to detect the Illithed.
We may want to start looking into some Winter detectors, like the pearls we use to detect the Illithed.
- Location
- United States
[X] Crake
Plus it can very easily be argued that what she and Jon has are the birthright of the Stark family
Plus it can very easily be argued that what she and Jon has are the birthright of the Stark family
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
I highlighted a part at the end that doesn't quite make sense.
