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

[Speed53066]

Something something giant wave, something something Eron having a pasty at the vote for a new ruler.

 

[Rovos]

so after this we are getting to research and development, Cleganebowl and Ymeri before holding our corronation and invading Westeros imediately afterwards. Right?

 

[DragonParadox]

"For what it's worth?" Your enjoyment of what you're doing is, like, the most important thing in here. You're not an employee, you're a volunteer, doing this for the fun of it. And that comes through in your writing, at least it does for me.

Click to shrink...

Thanks, but I am aware I can get stuck on somewhat insignificant parts of the quest

Well good night guys, I'm turning in early today, hopefully not to wake up too earely in turn.

 

[Andy0915]

[X] Nothing. Assure them that the threat was eliminated, but that to share more would threaten their sanity.

[X] Azel

 

[Azel]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

Telling them that we did mindrending nonsense is already more information then they strictly need.

 

[egoo]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

Yeh, saying things like "I trust you implicitly, but I cannot tell you" to our Warmaster Ironborn Queen is a bad idea for us.
Being an Emperor and all.

 

[One Autumn Leaf]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

 

[silvanknight]

[X] Azel

 

[Miriam]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

 

[Rovos]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

 

[egoo]

...I just thought up an ultimate "awkward" scenario.
We theoretically can still meet this CR25 Aboleth in our timeline.
Being a Chronomancer and all, there is a chance he took a trip to "now" at some point or other.

How'd we even proceed, then?
The fact we have it's corpse makes it a complete nightmare of a paradox if we'd have it dead/captured in our time, and yet every action theoretically also moving it away from moving into the past to establish Drowny and have is interfere...

Ouch.

 

[MickOfTime]

Makes sense.

[X] Azel

 

[ryuan]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

 

[Azel]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

Yeh, saying things like "I trust you implicitly, but I cannot tell you" to our Warmaster Ironborn Queen is a bad idea for us.
Being an Emperor and all.

Click to shrink...

It's also, like, utterly basic management strategy. Never keep them in the dark without a good reason and if you can't spell that reason out to them, it's definitely not a good one.

 

[egoo]

so after this we are getting to research and development, Cleganebowl and Ymeri before holding our corronation and invading Westeros imediately afterwards. Right?

Click to shrink...

[] Ymeri, the results for Citadel-action, and the Cleganebowl as the last on-screen Character-actions...
*pokes Azel increasingly with each enumeration*

[] ...a ffffuckload of RAs to rush through

-[X] Proximity Alarms: You have been in the possession of plans for enchantments that trigger an effect when something comes close to it for a while now. See about developing a cheap and reusable item that can be used to detect intruders. Maybe even Serpentstone can be triggered this way, which would allow you to even take pictures or recordings of your targets.
(Progress: 0/25; Cost: 30,000 IM)
----[X] Riz'Neth (4d6 Progress), Pentos Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress).

-[X] Improved Alchemy: The Imperium hungers for alchemical goods and much effort was poured into producing as much of them as possible, but it still does not even remotely satisfy the demand. Especially the military can devour concoctions such as Alchemists Fire or Explosive Packs at an astonishing rate. See about to either improve the output of your alchemical factories or to discover alternatives to these substances that are easier to mass-produce.
(Progress: 0/50; Cost: 200,000 IM)
----[X] Denys Trainer (4d6 Progress), Naria Lore-Seeker (4d6 Progress), Braavos Scholarum branch (2d6 Progress), Volantus Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress), Naath Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress).

[X] Spell-Crafting
-[X] Research a Greater version of Baleful Teleport [no distance limit, 8th level]
(Progress: 11/16, Cost: ??)
----[X] Lya (1st body) (4d6 Progress),

[X] Secure the Flesh Forge, and fleshsmiths, against memetic attacks
-[X] Heavy defenses (Progress 29/45; Cost 600,000 IM)
----[X] Vee (4d6 Progress), Lady Saenena Caleris (4d6 Progress),

[X] Project Distilling Dreams: The Rituals Naria discovered produce divine power but not in any usable form, distill it to something that can be stored and used
(Progress 0/60 Cost 120,000 IM)
----[X] Lya's 2nd body (4d6 Progress); Dany (4d6 Progress), Aenie Caleris (4d6 + 2d6 Progress);

[X] Forge of Creation -- 2.0: With the Sarnor's pacification, there comes a much higher need for Warforged bodies than could ever have been expected. Now, that the arcane machinery of Forge of Creation was built once, it could be built again - but not without effort by those most skilled at the arcane artifice.
(Progress: 0/15 -- half of the original RA) - NOTE, start another Forge if action completed with too much Progress.
----[X] Anu the Warforged (4d6 Progress +1d6 via the Skymender), Mantarys Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress);
----[X] Bodyguard detail, because the Skymender is precious: 2x Guardian Nagas (CR 10), 1x Verdant Phoenix (CR 15), 10x Vigilant Briars (CR 4), 5x Watchmoles (CR 6), 5x Glass Golems, 2x Heralds (CR 10), 3x Plant-Imbued Shadow Cats (CR 6), 1x Advanced Sorcerer Creature Snapdragon Leshy (CR 10), 5x Black Champions (CR 15), 50x Black Knights with Mobility Upgrade, 200x Spitters (to be buried around the work site)

[X] Selectively Permeable Force Effects: Allow wards, enchantments and spells to selectively ignore materials passing outward and inward through a Force effect, allowing for more complex structures and materials with further research. Not limited to examples given.
-[X] Tier 1: Gateway research. Straight upgrade for pre-existing, simple barriers, at-cost. (Brilliant Barrier can attune to the weapon systems on airships.)
--[X] The first step to creating more delicate workings that interact with the Ethereal Plane, progressing along this path will first allow simple, contiguous objects to pass through Force effects once properly attuned. At this level of progress, mass and complexity is limited, and materialized creatures and objects with strong auras of enchantment will be unable to move outside of the effect.
(Progress: 0/25, Cost: 70.000 IM)
----[X] Beryl (4d6 Progress), Tyrosh Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress), Stepstones Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress).

-[X] Razor Wire: While the easy availability of earth-moving magic has made it much easier to erect battlefield fortifications, many of the Legions officers see still room for improvement. They are asking for something that can be incorporated into other defenses to block an enemy's movement, but which does not hinder their own soldiers ranged attacks and which is vulnerable to hostile earth movement magic or alchemical weapons. There has been some talk about using spiked metal rods or something similar for that purpose.
(Progress: 0/18; Cost: 15,000 IM)
----[X] Sorcerer's Deep's Engineering University (2d6 Progress)

[X] The Key to Madness: Exchange the lore gathered by the Imperium on the creatures of Far Realm and Illithids specifically, as well as the methods of finding their influence and agents, in return getting the Azure Court's own knoweldge on the subject matter.
(Progress: 0/40)
----[X] Rina (4d6 Progress),

[X] The Mind's Games: The psychological effects of repeated and sustained enchantment on the mental state and brain of the average person.
(Progress 24/32)
----[X] Mercy of the Soul (4d6 Progress); + Gith bonus.

[X] A Baleful Mirage: You have recently been forwarded a set of spell-scripts and samples by which the Efreeti have been made use of to manipulate the 'Grey Veil'.
-[X] While this may be a technological dead end, studying it will prevent it's usage from being as effective in the hands of your enemy and may even be of some use to your allies
(Progress: 38/60, Cost: ??).
----[X] Valeria the Wondersmith (4d6 Progress); Tolos Scholarum Branch (2d6 Progress);

[X] Undead Template Research
-[X] Metal-Clad Template (Mythral and Adamantine): Unlike the Dreadfort, the Imperium has vast stocks of arcane metals. Some of those might yield exceptionally strong coatings for undead bones. (Requires Metal-Clad Template (Mundane Metals),
(Progress 0/20, Cost 100,000 IM)
----[X] Elaheh Marita (4d6 Progress), Urak the Forgemaster (4d6 Progress)

[X] Reading through the bound Daemon-tome infected with the Void:
----[X] Maester Qyburn (?) (Light reading as a free action? )
[X] Reading through the Dusk Dancer and the Nairos of the Shrouded Light
----[X] Lya (either body) (Free Action)

Click to shrink...

[] ...A load of reports across the realm (Scholarum, Infrastructure and Economy is the topics left IIRC)...
(I still intend to push DP to try and do mega-chapters covering each in one go, the splitting attention across the Empire for each topic for each privince gets a bit unbearable for me. Weeks.)

[] A few MAs

[X] Check up on the Drow priestess that Dany restored from her curse. Is she able to semi-reliably operate under orders in your service yet?

[X] Pre-Reconquest Preparations:
-[X] Security and War Readiness:
--[X] In response to the news of the Lannisters using Other servants as disposable killers and the unrest in the western provinces likely caused by the death of the usurper, all imperial forces and institutions are given the order to go on Low Readiness alert level.
--[X] Furthermore, in anticipation of the coronation at the end of the month, Army, Airforce, and Inquisition assets in the Stepstones will be placed on High Readiness until further notice.
--[X] Since part of Low Readiness is that the Legions must become ready to deploy within 24 hours, this will mask the preparations of the attack on Westeros under the guise of simple caution.
--[X] Barring any unforeseen events, you will escalate this general alert state to Imperium wide High Readiness for the Army, Airforce, Inquisition, and Forges in response to the death of the Small Council, and give out Imminent Offensive orders to the participating units on the day of the coronation
-[X] Prepare some letters to be sent out at the 27th of the month, which will be early enough for the recipients to make preparations for attending the coronation, but far too little for them to muster any defense worth the name.
--[X] The letters will be delivered in the following ways:
---[X] Staunchly loyalist houses and those who are more exposed to enemy attack, took on great personal risk to support you or are of a more prickly nature will receive the invitations delivered personally by Dowager Queen Rhealla in her function as the head of the diplomatic corps.
----[X] This list includes Doran Martell (Loyalist), Monford Velaryon (Loyalist), Stannis Baratheon (Important Turncoat), Lothar Brune (Loyalist), Raymun Darry (Loyalist), Jon Royce (Loyalist), Walder Frey (Prickly), Roose Bolton (just to make sure he does nothing stupid if Ned Stark is doing something stupid), Baelor Hightower (Important Turncoat), Roderick Harlaw (Important), with more people being added if Rhealla deems it prudent to do so.
---[X] Loyalist houses will receive the invitation delivered in person by a member of the diplomatic corps, if security considerations permit, or by a Three-Eyed Raven.
---[X] Enemy houses will receive the invitations by regular raven, sent by the local loyalist houses.
---[X] Important enemy houses (Tywin Lannister, Hoster Tully, Lysa Arryn) will receive their letters attached to a kinetic impactor fired by a Manticores steam cannons into their keeps.

Click to shrink...

And then the Coronation/next month's immediate warfare, yes.

 

[DragonParadox]

So slightly random (and sleepy) thought: What is the empire's policy on minor non-sentient flesh forged beings? I know someone who wants to modify themselves can just go to Elaheh for her services but what if say a magister wanted something like this:



Just a winged cat, no extra intelligence, no magic just an odd little prestige pet. Would the forges provide stuff like that? I ask because I have sort of half and idea for an interlude floating around. not much is going to come of it until I can write properly of course but I wanted to ask in advance how that sort of request would be taken.

 

[Azel]

So slightly random (and sleepy) thought: What is the empire's policy on minor non-sentient flesh forged beings? I know someone who wants to modify themselves can just go to Elaheh for her services but what if say a magister wanted something like this:



Just a winged cat, no extra intelligence, no magic just an odd little prestige pet. Would the forges provide stuff like that? I ask because I have sort of half and idea for an interlude floating around. not much is going to come of it until I can write properly of course but I wanted to ask in advance how that sort of request would be taken.

Click to shrink...

I don't think we have anyone except Elaheh who is selling plastic surgery / flesh forging / grafts / assorted goodies. We definitely haven't set up anything in that regard and since both the Fungus Forge and Gorgossos are locked up tighter then the IBs vaults...

However, if you come to Elaheh with a lynx cub and an eagle...

 

[egoo]

Question, as I'm currently planning up the turnvote:
Is there anything not 'too sensitive' at all among the RAs?
That's mostly rhetorical. The only 'safe' thing to share-by-enemies-divining is the effing razor wire RA.

The way I see it, we either apply Scholarum branches as before, or not apply them at all with 99% of the stuff.
For example, one of the most 'basic' and non-security-critical things we have is

A New Fortress: After having built a few steam cannon batteries to defend important locations, some common problems and design concerns have been noticed. The cannons should be on a high location with wide firing arcs to maximize their utility while the battery should be kept compact to make it easy to ward. At the same time, the crew and boiler remain the greatest weaknesses of the installations, the former since they are often housed in much more vulnerable camps near the batteries and the latter since the whole battery could be disabled if the boiler was hit. See about creating a standardized design for future cannon batteries to address these issues.
(Progress: 0/25; Cost: 50,000 IM)

Click to shrink...

and applying Scholarum members would instantly let 'important' details be available to anyone Divining. Which we should assume everyone to be IC.

But we've been employing Scholarum in so many projects, that at this point we could also consider every installation we ever made compromised the way the Mirror-network was.
I'm serious.
We used them to make wards for Darleth's super-fortress, we used them to research Watchman-creatures, we used them everywhere we could. Mistakes Assumptions (on security) were made.

I need y'all to give me either an all-clear to employ Scholarum Branches for doing RAs, or I'm not using any, for any RA, from now on.
Fuck if I know what they'll be doing IC without state direction. Researching and fucking up their own stuff I suppose.

 

[Crake]

So slightly random (and sleepy) thought: What is the empire's policy on minor non-sentient flesh forged beings? I know someone who wants to modify themselves can just go to Elaheh for her services but what if say a magister wanted something like this:



Just a winged cat, no extra intelligence, no magic just an odd little prestige pet. Would the forges provide stuff like that? I ask because I have sort of half and idea for an interlude floating around. not much is going to come of it until I can write properly of course but I wanted to ask in advance how that sort of request would be taken.

Click to shrink...

There's a market for it, but we don't have any business leading in or out of either forge site, so you would either have to approach the state directly for it, and really you need political clout to get heard there, or like Azel said, approach Elaheh who does it more for practicing her art than compensation and will likely spend her free time doing stuff like that when not performing research for Viserys.

 

[Azel]

Question, as I'm currently planning up the turnvote:
Is there anything not 'too sensitive' at all among the RAs?
That's mostly rhetorical. The only 'safe' thing to share-by-enemies-divining is the effing razor wire RA.

The way I see it, we either apply Scholarum branches as before, or not apply them at all with 99% of the stuff.
For example, one of the most 'basic' and non-security-critical things we have is
and applying Scholarum members would instantly let 'important' details be available to anyone Divining. Which we should assume everyone to be IC.

But we've been employing Scholarum in so many projects, that at this point we could also consider every installation we ever made compromised the way the Mirror-network was.
I'm serious.
We used them to make wards for Darleth's super-fortress, we used them to research Watchman-creatures, we used them everywhere we could. Mistakes Assumptions (on security) were made.

I need y'all to give me either an all-clear to employ Scholarum Branches for doing RAs, or I'm not using any, for any RA, from now on.

Click to shrink...

A New Fortress is far more engineering then magic.

Generally speaking, the Scholarium actions were never meant as strictly research in the original system design. They were meant to be used for "things that relate to magic and magical institutions". Like, for example, setting up new branches of the Scholarium. Or executing magic projects at scale.

There's a market for it, but we don't have any business leading in or out of either forge site, so you would either have to approach the state directly for it, and really you need political clout to get heard there, or like Azel said, approach Elaheh who does it more for practicing her art than compensation and will likely spend her free time doing stuff like that when not performing research for Viserys.

Click to shrink...

Well, technically she is running her club as a business, but since she is paid handsomely by the state and doesn't value her money beyond what it can get her in terms of materials... 🤷‍♂️

 

[Duesal]

So slightly random (and sleepy) thought: What is the empire's policy on minor non-sentient flesh forged beings? I know someone who wants to modify themselves can just go to Elaheh for her services but what if say a magister wanted something like this:



Just a winged cat, no extra intelligence, no magic just an odd little prestige pet. Would the forges provide stuff like that? I ask because I have sort of half and idea for an interlude floating around. not much is going to come of it until I can write properly of course but I wanted to ask in advance how that sort of request would be taken.

Click to shrink...

Provided they're not doing other things, sure. State commissions will always take priority, but other than that so long as requests don't break the law then they're free to happen. If a magister wants a winged cat and Elaheh has the free time and is willing to do it, then he'd get his winged cat.

 

[Speed53066]

[X] Tell them the threat was handled, but due to infosec concerns, you can't say more then that at this time.

 

[egoo]

Generally speaking, the Scholarium actions were never meant as strictly research in the original system design. They were meant to be used for "things that relate to magic and magical institutions". Like, for example, setting up new branches of the Scholarium. Or executing magic projects at scale.

Click to shrink...

Well, that's a rather huge misunderstanding spanning years, then

But okay, I'm not employing them anymore then.
All the large-scale stuff we have this far is way too sensitive to.
...Well, maybe aside from researching a load of rituals, not like knowng we have those in circulation is gonna take a long time from enemies.

 

[Azel]

Well, that's a rather huge misunderstanding spanning years, then

But okay, I'm not employing them anymore then.
All the large-scale stuff we have this far is way too sensitive to.
...Well, maybe aside from researching a load of rituals, not like knowng we have those in circulation is gonna take a long time from enemies.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, stuff like this is fine.

We could also have them look into magical crops and livestock. Or develop some methods to farm crafting-material grade materials.

None of that stuff is really hideable at all, so no loss.

 

[One Autumn Leaf]

Yeah. Unless we are planning on slapping Mindblanks on every Scolarium mage ever this is the only way. Even Nondetection is a joke because a Caster check is involved and we know how easy it is to abuse that.