- Location
- Germany
We want the trial towards the end of the month, together with the Lannisters. Or at least that's my vote so far.
A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover
- Thread starter DragonParadox
- Start date
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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
- Location
- Germany
I've got to say, even knowing these are contextless white-room scenarios, sometimes by pure accident it looks like a strategy.
Three times in this battle the Devils have managed to sacrifice a single Lesser Devil Host to superior enemies, while annihilating a reasonably valuable single army of the same faction with the rest of their forces in the same tick.
That does sound intentional, doesn't it?
Three times in this battle the Devils have managed to sacrifice a single Lesser Devil Host to superior enemies, while annihilating a reasonably valuable single army of the same faction with the rest of their forces in the same tick.
That does sound intentional, doesn't it?
- Location
- Germany
Depends.
The Abominations are powerful enough to take very little damage anyway, so there the Mindcontrol helps to stop it from stacking up.
But the Skum with Control was only hit by skirmishing once, before dying in its first battle, so I'd say the Controller definitly didn't pay for itself in that case.
- Location
- United States
Does this involve a tour through the Hall of Horrors in the Imperial Palace?
I can't wait to show off Mammon's Aspect.
- Location
- Germany
It pretty much is intentional. For a given value of intent.
Basically, the battles are done with some very, very basic autonomous agents. Each unit will randomly get to skirmish with one other unit in the area, weighted by the inverse of their maneuverability, so slow stuff gets hit more often. After the skirmish, they can try to initiate a combat or not and for that both sides evaluate how much troops they expect their enemy to bring and how much reinforcements they expect to get.
The fun part is that this calculation is just using an estimate, based on the known stats of the units. I'm not even attempting to make it a good guess, just a guess, and the actual composition of both sides is rolled for afterwards.
So sometimes someone starts a battle expecting a lot of help, but has bad luck and gets none. Other times, they will overcommit to a battle, which leaves them open to return attacks. And so on and so forth. Since the events are sufficiently vague and the intent unknown, it's pretty easy to fill the gaps with a sensible narrative, and that's all we really need.
- Location
- Germany
Yeah... boosting Skum is a bit futile with the Dominator. The Outer Spawn works better and with both, they start being actually a useful unit.
But a polished turd is ultimately still a turd. Skum is there as ablative armor and little else.
- Location
- Germany
A good example of this is Tick 2 here. In the first fight, it's the Illithid War Thralls against 3 Devil Hosts. I would need to painfully dig through a ton of simulations steps to check, but just gauging from what I do so, I'm very certain that it was the Illithid who started that fight.
At that point, the Devils already had both Greater Hosts and one standard Host out of the running. After you skirmish, you can no longer participate in a battle. So for the Illithid, it looked like War Thralls + Abominations vs. whatever the Devils could scrounge together. Easy fight to win, right? Yeah... bad roll, so it's now only the War Thralls against the 3 Hosts and they get a trashing. Not good at all.
Worse yet, the Lesser Devil Hosts didn't participate and when it's their turn to skirmish, they manage to hit the now completely disorganized War Thralls. Since the Abominations already had skirmished right before, they no longer could join the fight. So, the Devil commander looked at the army before him that barely survived the last fight and had no reinforcements coming and thought to himself "man, it must suck to be them". And then he went to town on them some more.
It's very, very basic logic, but just by a bit of uncertainty and having actors make apparently sensible choices on imperfect information, you can get amazing results.
At that point, the Devils already had both Greater Hosts and one standard Host out of the running. After you skirmish, you can no longer participate in a battle. So for the Illithid, it looked like War Thralls + Abominations vs. whatever the Devils could scrounge together. Easy fight to win, right? Yeah... bad roll, so it's now only the War Thralls against the 3 Hosts and they get a trashing. Not good at all.
Worse yet, the Lesser Devil Hosts didn't participate and when it's their turn to skirmish, they manage to hit the now completely disorganized War Thralls. Since the Abominations already had skirmished right before, they no longer could join the fight. So, the Devil commander looked at the army before him that barely survived the last fight and had no reinforcements coming and thought to himself "man, it must suck to be them". And then he went to town on them some more.
It's very, very basic logic, but just by a bit of uncertainty and having actors make apparently sensible choices on imperfect information, you can get amazing results.
That plan only explicitly talks about their work records in the Imperium. If we're going to do this should we start with an explanation of how the spheres used to work and what devils actually are? I don't think most of these people have the context to get most arguments we'd make on this topic yet.
- Location
- United States
That should be part of the broader conversation.
What the Spheres are, the powers that reign in each Plane, which ones we're allied to and which ones see us as food and fodder, etc. The Westerosi lords shouldn't be leaving without a comprehensive education of all manner of supernatural creature, from monstrous humanoids to fey to outsiders.
That's a good start, but I was thinking something more in depth on the devils to make them seem more sympathetic. As it reads right now the plan sort of feels like responding to someone asking why Hannibal Lector is working in your restaurant by talking about how good he is at working the grill.
Taking pains to present the narrative of their fall in a way that makes them more sympathetic would be more useful than just giving the cliff notes on how the spheres work.
[x] Let Stannis deal with the judging
-[x]... but make a report on the matter public before moving on to the Vale, nothing too elaborate but get ahead of the rumors
-[x]... but make a report on the matter public before moving on to the Vale, nothing too elaborate but get ahead of the rumors
Vote closed.
- Location
- Germany
@Azel
This represents Necromantic command-units, not necessarily regular Necromancers, but also creatures who can command, raise and heal other Undead, like the Atropal Scion, Negative Energy Charged creatures or the Dread-version of almost any templated Undead in Pathfinder.
Primary feature is the increase in organisation via direct control, secondary function is raising and repairing Undead, those increasing readiness regain.
They would also reduce the Reinforcement costs of the actual unit they are attached to by repairing them without having to raise completly new ones, but because of their own value and difficulty in replacing I'm not altering that factor.
Edit: These are not suitable to add to our Imperial Undead, due to an excessive spread of negative energy being an inherent part of their function.
This represents Necromantic command-units, not necessarily regular Necromancers, but also creatures who can command, raise and heal other Undead, like the Atropal Scion, Negative Energy Charged creatures or the Dread-version of almost any templated Undead in Pathfinder.
Primary feature is the increase in organisation via direct control, secondary function is raising and repairing Undead, those increasing readiness regain.
They would also reduce the Reinforcement costs of the actual unit they are attached to by repairing them without having to raise completly new ones, but because of their own value and difficulty in replacing I'm not altering that factor.
Edit: These are not suitable to add to our Imperial Undead, due to an excessive spread of negative energy being an inherent part of their function.
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Big Post of Policy Decisions
Big Post of Policy Decisions
On the Dissolution of the King's Guard and the Place of Knighthood in the Imperium:
In Response to Lord Artstan Selmy
"There are the Praetori, the Imperial Legions and the Imperial Airforce, who fight in my name under the banners of Empire. Many knights already have joined these institutions and proven themselves there by. The Imperium is more than just Westeros and likewise, it's institutions need to be broader than it, but that does not mean there is no place within it for those who wear the oaths of knighthood and keep them true."
-First Day of the Fifth Month 294 AC, the Red Keep
On the Integration of the Hill Tribes of the Vale
In response to Dalla's oath
"Justice I shall give, with honor I shall treat you as I do all other citizens of the realm. Let there be none between Mountains and Vale that fears to walk the roads lest they be caught in quarrels of old."
-First Day of the Fifth Month 294 AC, the Red Keep
On the Matter of the administration of King's Landing
Delivered stern rebuke to Monarchists
-Seventeenth Day of the Fifth Month 294 AC, the Chambers of the Curia
OOC: First decision in the post, this exists mostly for my convenience so it's not going to be anything fancy, just a reminder of policy decisions to help with future updates. It's mostly going to be in Viserys' own words so that I can refer to them directly without going back to the update since his words tend to be rather memorable.
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Part MMMDCCXXI: In Changing Times
In Changing Times
First Day of the Fifth Month 294 AC
"No sense splitting the trials more than they have to be," you say after a moment. "Lord Garret may have been mad in a way unlike Tywin Lannister, but madness it no doubt was, and contrasting the exemplary service of the baatezu against a man who would slay his own kin out of little more than cowardice should pull the fangs out of any argument about 'foul devils'. People believe what they see with their own eyes more than what they are told or read about in dusty tomes, however sacred they may be held to be." Ironically enough something like Mereth's long vigil would likely appeal to quite a few young knights, especially given the grace and power she embodies.
According to Waymar most of his knights who showed interest in the warrior women garbed in black at one point or another and a few of them were not dissuaded even when told what their true nature was, though granted they were dissuaded when the furies themselves demonstrated their preference or lack thereof, usually on the training field, though one had chosen to take a particularly insistent would-be suitor to the Circle of Battle. Waymar was rather annoyed to lose a skilled rider to public humiliation that day so you might have to watch for something like that here in the days to come.
"I do not disagree about the trial, or the virtues of presenting Lord Trant's crimes alongside Tywn Lannister's..." you mother begins.
"But?" you interject with a smile. There is something that sets one at ease about having someone you trust disagree with you. The weight of the world is not wholly upon, you not do you have to make every decision alone and hope that you are somehow as infallible as you attempt to seem.
"People are going to talk, they are going to gossip and I do not just mean common legionaries and clerks," she replies. "We already had an archon spill an actual secret to a man who could not be trusted with it, hopefully it will not do so after counseling, but if you asked the captain of the Dawnstar about devils he would give an honest account of them which might even convince whoever he is talking to, but once you get down to one remove or two or three, rumors flying free..."
"The foul sorcerer king is turning angels into devils for his own dark workings," Dany interjects, sarcasm all but dripping from her tongue. "We do need to get ahead of this, but not just with the nobles mother. They matter, but not as much as they used to. No, the worse danger is the common citizens, if enough of them get it into their heads through rumormongering that devils are coming for their children or something of that sort who knows what they will do. I mean, you are probably not going to see that in King's Landing after last night, great show by the way...."
"I aim to impress," you tilt your head like a mummer taking in applause. "In any case we are going to have to get a lot of news to the people of Westeros, things we could not put in the Times before today lest they be used by our enemies, which suggests that we are probably better served just using the Times again. If we can get that into the hands of as many people as possible ahead of malicious rumors we will likely save the Lawmen and perhaps even the Legion a lot of work."
"I'll get the templates ready, maybe I'll even do a piece myself," Lya begins. Ah, the advantages of having more than one pair of hands to work with. Of all her powers you envy that most of all.
What will be in the first copy of the Imperial Times Post Pacification?
[] Write in
OOC: The reason I have this in here is because it fits thematically and it is a break from just talking to lords, a way to give that breather without doing an interlude.
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Fixed, sorry for any confusion.
- Location
- United States
Somehow the update, set on the First Day of the Fifth Month of 294 AC, is now sandwiched between the following:
Should be fixed now.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
Goldfish
Friendly Spider-Fish Abomination
- Location
- Formerly of the Far Realm
This is what I've got so far, ya'll. I could include more, but I've got to get started on work stuff. Most of my day is going to be taken up by meetings, then I'm getting my first dose of Covid vaccine, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have until later this afternoon. If ya'll have any additions or suggestions for improvement, I'll try to get them included as time permits.
Additional contributions courtesy of @Crake.
[X] The Imperial Times, Special Coronation Edition!
-[X] In lieu of an editorial, this edition will include a transcript of Viserys' speech, the one he gave to the entirety of King's Landing upon his triumphant return to Westeros as Imperator of the Imperium.
--[X] Following the speech, there will be a carefully curated but completely truthful section of personal testimonials given by citizens of King's Landing who heard the speech, explaining the event to readers. They will be from a range of people, low and high born alike.
-[X] Tales of Unification: This section will highlight the events that occurred on the night Westeros was brought into the Imperium, focusing on the struggles and triumphs of our citizens, the good sense of many Westerosi lords who welcomed our invitations, and the fates of those who rejected them.
--[X] Pride of place among these accounts will be given to the actions of the Praetorians, who were vital in several important engagements, especially in King's Landing and Casterly Rock.
--[X] Osyrx and Siduri's discovery of the alliance between the Lannisters and the Formians, and their subsequent rescue of the young Lord Mallister from vile enchantments at significant risk to their own lives will also get special mention.
-[X] A Tale of Folly and Foolishness: Here we will share an account of Lord Garret Trant's premeditated murder of his entire family, of whom the crew of the Dawnstar were only able to save two, his wife and his youngest daughter.
--[X] This section will also speak briefly but glowingly of Usizil, an Erinyes sworn to Imperial service and temporary crew member of the Dawnstar. A Devil for longer than Human civilization has existed in Westeros, Usizil chose to sever her ties with Hell and join the Imperium for hopes of a better way, a chance of make a difference. Her latest efforts are remarkable, for she was miraculously able to share a tiny portion of her inherent power with a young Anne Trant, restoring life to a child who had already been shoved over the precipice of death by her hateful father's poison.
--[X] Usizil's actions will serve as a perfect chance to introduce our new Westerosi citizens to the small number of Devils in Imperial service, primarily the Sisters of Battle but not limited to them. While the forces of Hell are undoubtedly our enemies, not all such forces wish to remain beholden to their ancient, unforgiving masters, and have thus seized upon the opportunity we gave them to forge a better path.
--[X] The section detailing the exploits of the Imperial Erinyes will feature a full color image occupying half a page. In it, a grotesquely corpulent serpentine monster will be shown grasping a handful of chains, with each link of the chains appearing to glow like molten iron while being formed from nonsense words written in Infernal script. These chains will stretch from the monster's hand to pierce the hearts of a dozen beautiful winged warrior women, each garbed in blackened armor and wielding a bow of blood red flames. A massive Red Dragon, it's scales lined with gold, will be shown tearing these chains asunder with its claws.
---[X] There's a time for added context and depth to actions, and the Erinyes could certainly use them. Veterans from warring with Demons of the Pit, the Furies sworn to prosecute the enemies of the Imperator are in themselves firebrands who were able to cast off their own chains to Baator thanks to the potency of the magics wielded by the Imperator and his Companions and specialty crafted rituals which pushed the boundaries of mortal spellcraft. The Furies in turn took this opportunity to help cast of the chains of others shortly thereafter. (Account of the battle against the Brazen Throne and the raiding of an Adamantine convoy goes here, with interviews from some of those slaves freed.)
---[X] But it is not just perdition or the more prosaic slavery that they have eschewed, but also abetting the enemies of all life, fighting and shedding blood by the Imperium's legions against ravenous hordes of the unliving. (Accounts of the battle before the walls of Sarnath, and before that Sallosh, with interviews from officers, preferably knights for an extra bit of zing, and regular troops).
---[X] Lastly, they have even struck back at their former slaver, slaying and chasing his agents on the mortal plane wherever they might be found, most recently in Westeros. (Go into accounts of devils operating in the Vale, which has had rumors enough of infernal activity thanks to the Faith spreading how they were fighting them--which is true, though less effective at it had Viserys not intervened there multiple times through his agents and allies).
-[X] A Tale of Horror: The many misdeeds of Tywin Lannister will be detailed here for all to see, from his sending Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch to slay princess Ellia and her children during the sack of King's Landing during the Usuper's War which lead to our exile to Braavos in years past, to his more recent crimes, the binding of the Golden Shields, nearly all of the Lords of the Westerlands, and several others from neighboring regions with invisible chains of sorcery, such that his will became their own, allowing him to control their actions as if they were puppets for him to make dance as he desired.
-[X] The Imperium Wants You!: The citizens of Westeros have long been denied opportunities to advance and better themselves by the Lords of the land and the lack of resources available to them. With the Unification, this sad state of affairs is no more. In the coming months, citizens will be encouraged to join one of the many fine institutions of Imperial service, from the heroic Legions for those with a martial bent to the sorcerous Scholarium for those with the potential and will to work magic, and everything in between. Education will soon be available for those who wish to learn to read and write and perform arithmetic, to heal the sick, to build and tinker, and all of the other skills and knowledge needed to help our new Westerosi brothers and sisters thrive within the Imperium.
[X] An additional effort to go along with what we will be trying to accomplish with the Imperial Times.
-[X] The important part is to counter all the populists coming out of the woodwork going for local and regional Councils, who are running on a platform of 'getting Devils out of Government'.
-[X] And maybe ensure they're publicly disgraced.
--[X] The Inquisition can spread a variety of advantageous rumors and spread the appropriate propaganda, but leaning on certain interests to push platforms in the Regional council to justify why Viserys can 'make even devils safe for popular consumption' is ideal. The populists can have their uses, if they're in our pocket.
Additional contributions courtesy of @Crake.
[X] The Imperial Times, Special Coronation Edition!
-[X] In lieu of an editorial, this edition will include a transcript of Viserys' speech, the one he gave to the entirety of King's Landing upon his triumphant return to Westeros as Imperator of the Imperium.
--[X] Following the speech, there will be a carefully curated but completely truthful section of personal testimonials given by citizens of King's Landing who heard the speech, explaining the event to readers. They will be from a range of people, low and high born alike.
-[X] Tales of Unification: This section will highlight the events that occurred on the night Westeros was brought into the Imperium, focusing on the struggles and triumphs of our citizens, the good sense of many Westerosi lords who welcomed our invitations, and the fates of those who rejected them.
--[X] Pride of place among these accounts will be given to the actions of the Praetorians, who were vital in several important engagements, especially in King's Landing and Casterly Rock.
--[X] Osyrx and Siduri's discovery of the alliance between the Lannisters and the Formians, and their subsequent rescue of the young Lord Mallister from vile enchantments at significant risk to their own lives will also get special mention.
-[X] A Tale of Folly and Foolishness: Here we will share an account of Lord Garret Trant's premeditated murder of his entire family, of whom the crew of the Dawnstar were only able to save two, his wife and his youngest daughter.
--[X] This section will also speak briefly but glowingly of Usizil, an Erinyes sworn to Imperial service and temporary crew member of the Dawnstar. A Devil for longer than Human civilization has existed in Westeros, Usizil chose to sever her ties with Hell and join the Imperium for hopes of a better way, a chance of make a difference. Her latest efforts are remarkable, for she was miraculously able to share a tiny portion of her inherent power with a young Anne Trant, restoring life to a child who had already been shoved over the precipice of death by her hateful father's poison.
--[X] Usizil's actions will serve as a perfect chance to introduce our new Westerosi citizens to the small number of Devils in Imperial service, primarily the Sisters of Battle but not limited to them. While the forces of Hell are undoubtedly our enemies, not all such forces wish to remain beholden to their ancient, unforgiving masters, and have thus seized upon the opportunity we gave them to forge a better path.
--[X] The section detailing the exploits of the Imperial Erinyes will feature a full color image occupying half a page. In it, a grotesquely corpulent serpentine monster will be shown grasping a handful of chains, with each link of the chains appearing to glow like molten iron while being formed from nonsense words written in Infernal script. These chains will stretch from the monster's hand to pierce the hearts of a dozen beautiful winged warrior women, each garbed in blackened armor and wielding a bow of blood red flames. A massive Red Dragon, it's scales lined with gold, will be shown tearing these chains asunder with its claws.
---[X] There's a time for added context and depth to actions, and the Erinyes could certainly use them. Veterans from warring with Demons of the Pit, the Furies sworn to prosecute the enemies of the Imperator are in themselves firebrands who were able to cast off their own chains to Baator thanks to the potency of the magics wielded by the Imperator and his Companions and specialty crafted rituals which pushed the boundaries of mortal spellcraft. The Furies in turn took this opportunity to help cast of the chains of others shortly thereafter. (Account of the battle against the Brazen Throne and the raiding of an Adamantine convoy goes here, with interviews from some of those slaves freed.)
---[X] But it is not just perdition or the more prosaic slavery that they have eschewed, but also abetting the enemies of all life, fighting and shedding blood by the Imperium's legions against ravenous hordes of the unliving. (Accounts of the battle before the walls of Sarnath, and before that Sallosh, with interviews from officers, preferably knights for an extra bit of zing, and regular troops).
---[X] Lastly, they have even struck back at their former slaver, slaying and chasing his agents on the mortal plane wherever they might be found, most recently in Westeros. (Go into accounts of devils operating in the Vale, which has had rumors enough of infernal activity thanks to the Faith spreading how they were fighting them--which is true, though less effective at it had Viserys not intervened there multiple times through his agents and allies).
-[X] A Tale of Horror: The many misdeeds of Tywin Lannister will be detailed here for all to see, from his sending Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch to slay princess Ellia and her children during the sack of King's Landing during the Usuper's War which lead to our exile to Braavos in years past, to his more recent crimes, the binding of the Golden Shields, nearly all of the Lords of the Westerlands, and several others from neighboring regions with invisible chains of sorcery, such that his will became their own, allowing him to control their actions as if they were puppets for him to make dance as he desired.
-[X] The Imperium Wants You!: The citizens of Westeros have long been denied opportunities to advance and better themselves by the Lords of the land and the lack of resources available to them. With the Unification, this sad state of affairs is no more. In the coming months, citizens will be encouraged to join one of the many fine institutions of Imperial service, from the heroic Legions for those with a martial bent to the sorcerous Scholarium for those with the potential and will to work magic, and everything in between. Education will soon be available for those who wish to learn to read and write and perform arithmetic, to heal the sick, to build and tinker, and all of the other skills and knowledge needed to help our new Westerosi brothers and sisters thrive within the Imperium.
[X] An additional effort to go along with what we will be trying to accomplish with the Imperial Times.
-[X] The important part is to counter all the populists coming out of the woodwork going for local and regional Councils, who are running on a platform of 'getting Devils out of Government'.
-[X] And maybe ensure they're publicly disgraced.
--[X] The Inquisition can spread a variety of advantageous rumors and spread the appropriate propaganda, but leaning on certain interests to push platforms in the Regional council to justify why Viserys can 'make even devils safe for popular consumption' is ideal. The populists can have their uses, if they're in our pocket.
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Crake
I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING
- Location
- USA
For the Devils, @Goldfish, when diving into accounts of their deeds, more context is necessary. For example, Viserys has been waging war against the Brazen Throne alongside his Shaitan and Djinn allies for the past couple years now. We could mention how the Erinyes faced the Brazen Throne's forces in battle and freed hundreds of people from slavery and torturous execution for failure to guard a convoy of Adamantine.
This does two things: Shows that Devils broke their own chains, and then broke the chains of others in return. And secondly, they were useful for seizing two million tons of Bullion equivalent, which neatly explains "how did Viserys bankroll a military buildup on this scale in so short a time?"
The answer being raw power, obviously, but people fill in the blanks on their own all the time.
We could also mention other fig leafs like their participation in the Sarnori campaign against the hordes of undead, their skirmishing with agents of Mammon over the past couple of years in Westeros...
We can have the Inquisition encourage people in the right places to spread stories along the lines of "taming a shadowcat to ward off the wolves", or other takes. The important part is to counter populists who are running on a platform for "getting Devils out of Government". And maybe ensure they're publicly disgraced. In fact you should explicitly add <---to your vote as a thing we'll be focusing on.
This does two things: Shows that Devils broke their own chains, and then broke the chains of others in return. And secondly, they were useful for seizing two million tons of Bullion equivalent, which neatly explains "how did Viserys bankroll a military buildup on this scale in so short a time?"
The answer being raw power, obviously, but people fill in the blanks on their own all the time.
We could also mention other fig leafs like their participation in the Sarnori campaign against the hordes of undead, their skirmishing with agents of Mammon over the past couple of years in Westeros...
We can have the Inquisition encourage people in the right places to spread stories along the lines of "taming a shadowcat to ward off the wolves", or other takes. The important part is to counter populists who are running on a platform for "getting Devils out of Government". And maybe ensure they're publicly disgraced. In fact you should explicitly add <---to your vote as a thing we'll be focusing on.
- Location
- Castle
