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

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Blackgutter said:
Do we have a good supply of special metals and alloys? Is the paraelemental plane of metal a thing in this quest? I ask because they also are natural performers like our local spectator and I would think he would enjoy meeting them and playing if the plane exists in this setting.
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You did notice that entire homebrew is just a joke about the equivalent of metal the material and metal the music?
 
Azel said:
@DragonParadox, mind that the vote also includes Ar Noy, which is missing on the map. That closes the "Rhoyne Gap".

Also, the circles just denote the area that can be reached within 1 hour by a Wyvern currently in a hangar on the ground, provided it does not use Planeshift shortcuts. Since our aircraft need no fuel, their range is at least six times that and practically infinite if the pilot is equipped with an item of Keep Watch.
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This part has been edited. Might take a while for the next update.
 
It's kind of irksome to learn that Darry isn't a hardliner loyalist.

I mean, to be fair to him, he is probably incredibly loyal as far as an incredibly appeased and personally benefited Lord can go, but it almost seems like he and some other Lords have a sort of hard cap on how high that can go simply because they are inveterate courtiers and their association with politics (due to them being relations-based) is no more nuanced than "how does this benefit my further accumulation of power" rather than the Imperialists who have a definite end-goal which means supporting the state which has essentially proven its ability to support that aspiration is the best path forward.

Albeit, the Monarchists themselves split into what I see as two camps: Ambitious in the sense that they have no idea what it is that they want beyond greater status than they already possess, and don't give much thought into the consequences or costs associated with achieving that higher status, because Westerosi politics aren't particularly nuanced and are mired in corruption and nepotism enough that they didn't have to be.

I see these "politicians" as in for a transformative experience which will end with them swinging from a gibbet or as Imperialists once it is established that Viserys rigged the game into one where you pretty much have to temper your expectations and set achievable goals instead of blindly grasping for something just out of reach repeatedly, since the consequences for failing are rather... dire. Evidence--House Lannister.

The second camp of those Dukes is those who aren't particularly enthused with all the centralization going on simply because they lack faith in the system working without someone they trust spinning the wheel at all times. There's pretty much no correcting this, beyond simple inertia. This won't be a phenomenon for anyone after the first century of "twice ten thousand years", where the Crown is less of an institution due to the symbols of its legitimacy and more due to the fact that the same guy has been wearing it for that long.
 
Crake said:
It's kind of irksome to learn that Darry isn't a hardliner loyalist.

I mean, to be fair to him, he is probably incredibly loyal as far as an incredibly appeased and personally benefited Lord can go, but it almost seems like he and some other Lords have a sort of hard cap on how high that can go simply because they are inveterate courtiers and their association with politics (due to them being relations-based) is no more nuanced than "how does this benefit my further accumulation of power" rather than the Imperialists who have a definite end-goal which means supporting the state which has essentially proven its ability to support that aspiration is the best path forward.

Albeit, the Monarchists themselves split into what I see as two camps: Ambitious in the sense that they have no idea what it is that they want beyond greater status than they already possess, and don't give much thought into the consequences or costs associated with achieving that higher status, because Westerosi politics aren't particularly nuanced and are mired in corruption and nepotism enough that they didn't have to be.

I see these "politicians" as in for a transformative experience which will end with them swinging from a gibbet or as Imperialists once it is established that Viserys rigged the game into one where you pretty much have to temper your expectations and set achievable goals instead of blindly grasping for something just out of reach repeatedly, since the consequences for failing are rather... dire. Evidence--House Lannister.

The second camp of those Dukes is those who aren't particularly enthused with all the centralization going on simply because they lack faith in the system working without someone they trust spinning the wheel at all times. There's pretty much no correcting this, beyond simple inertia. This won't be a phenomenon for anyone after the first century of "twice ten thousand years", where the Crown is less of an institution due to the symbols of its legitimacy and more due to the fact that the same guy has been wearing it for that long.
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I was fairly annoyed by that as well. Goes to show there's nobody more loyal than the Brunes among our Westerosi vassals.
 
Yeah, I mean, the Brunes just wanted to know if we would do the BARE minimum expected of us as a monarch (stop monsters from eating them and using their soul as a car battery along the way).

Once we merely promised to keep doing that after stopping the monsters once, they were all-in and ready to go to war on our say-so. It's hard to beat that. Maybe pointless. After all, we could just start asking for more Brunes instead of more Loyalists.

People will probably get the point before that happens, though. :V
 
Crake said:
Yeah, I mean, the Brunes just wanted to know if we would do the BARE minimum expected of us as a monarch (stop monsters from eating them and using their soul as a car battery along the way).

Once we merely promised to keep doing that after stopping the monsters once, they were all-in and ready to go to war on our say-so. It's hard to beat that. Maybe pointless. After all, we could just start asking for more Brunes instead of more Loyalists.

People will probably get the point before that happens, though. :V
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To be fair the Brunes were really really looking for an excuse to punch Lannisters in the face as well. They were pissed off at being called out as savages and idiots by Cersei.
 
Crake said:
It's kind of irksome to learn that Darry isn't a hardliner loyalist.

I mean, to be fair to him, he is probably incredibly loyal as far as an incredibly appeased and personally benefited Lord can go, but it almost seems like he and some other Lords have a sort of hard cap on how high that can go simply because they are inveterate courtiers and their association with politics (due to them being relations-based) is no more nuanced than "how does this benefit my further accumulation of power" rather than the Imperialists who have a definite end-goal which means supporting the state which has essentially proven its ability to support that aspiration is the best path forward.

Albeit, the Monarchists themselves split into what I see as two camps: Ambitious in the sense that they have no idea what it is that they want beyond greater status than they already possess, and don't give much thought into the consequences or costs associated with achieving that higher status, because Westerosi politics aren't particularly nuanced and are mired in corruption and nepotism enough that they didn't have to be.

I see these "politicians" as in for a transformative experience which will end with them swinging from a gibbet or as Imperialists once it is established that Viserys rigged the game into one where you pretty much have to temper your expectations and set achievable goals instead of blindly grasping for something just out of reach repeatedly, since the consequences for failing are rather... dire. Evidence--House Lannister.

The second camp of those Dukes is those who aren't particularly enthused with all the centralization going on simply because they lack faith in the system working without someone they trust spinning the wheel at all times. There's pretty much no correcting this, beyond simple inertia. This won't be a phenomenon for anyone after the first century of "twice ten thousand years", where the Crown is less of an institution due to the symbols of its legitimacy and more due to the fact that the same guy has been wearing it for that long.
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You are missing the aspect of socio-econmic change that the Imperium is poised to bring, which is anathema to lord who are used to a rigid feudal class system and a homogeneous cultural and religious make-up of the country. Many of these people are simply classist, racist and otherwise bigoted and take a dim view of the new ruler trying to go against these deeply ingrained prejudices.
 
Azel said:
You are missing the aspect of socio-econmic change that the Imperium is poised to bring, which is anathema to lord who are used to a rigid feudal class system and a homogeneous cultural and religious make-up of the country. Many of these people are simply classist, racist and otherwise bigoted and take a dim view of the new ruler trying to go against these deeply ingrained prejudices.
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Vote closed and update in beta.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Apr 27, 2021 at 3:59 AM, finished with 42 posts and 7 votes.
  • [X] Magical Powerpoint Presentation
    -[X] Starts with basic explanation of planar mechanics.
    -[X] Allow the smarter people in the audience to reach the conclusion on their own, and give enough hints so that they can figure it out on their own.
    -[X] Once you have finished laying the groundwork (Planar Mechanics Seminar) either take a short meal break, if it turns out to that long, or if it isn't, get right down to the subject of the Breaking of the Spheres.
    -[X] Pull as few punches as you can without breaking anyone's minds.
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Part MMMDCCLXXIX: A Weasel's Fresh Coat
  • Threadmarks
    • A Weasel's Fresh Coat ​

    Twenty Second Day of the Fifth Month 294 AC

    Calling out the roll call for the Curia is by now familiar in your ears. First the upper chamber and then the lower ordered by the nature of their seats, then by the simple march of the alphabet so that none may claim that their primacy is being stolen, though of course in a closed session one must take things more seriously to ensure that none who are not approved will hear things of secret counsel and grand import. You had a few issues mostly among the Vox with elected officials trying to slip in kith and kin to observe from better seating than the public galleries and one memorable incident a few days ago when a Volantene representative had thought to slip in his mistress through one evening for what you can only imagine was some sort of dare. The Praetorians in whose care the guarding of the chamber is given were not amused at the proposed tryst, but one can hope that on this day at least there shall be no trouble of that sort. The summons to a Secure Meeting of the Curia was read out by the Harbinger in your name at the closing of the last session...

    "Your Majesty," the hesitant voice of the Keeper of the Chambers calls. A man of impeccable dress and manner who knows all the major tongues of the realm by heart even should the magic of the Curia chambers somehow fail. Hesitance is not what you expect of him who had risen from a freed slave who had accompanied you from your first journey to Volantis to rise so high. "There is a bit of an issue with Duke Frey..."

    "Really?" You would not have thought old Walder the sort to cause issues of procedure. Perhaps the joy of his elevation had faded enough for his naturally acerbic matter to shine through... You shake off the thought, the man is petty but not arbitrary in his grudges whatever his detractors might say. "What sort?"

    "There is some confusion as to the identity of the Duke and with this being a Closed Session ..."

    "I'll handle it," you reply, by now intrigued as to what this could be. No glamor of disguise would be enough to get into the chamber and no spy could this be.

    So it is you find yourself in the entrance hall before the doors of the throne room looking right in the eye of Duke Stevron Frey, wearing the robes of office and the heavy golden signet of the Twins on his finger. He looks uneasy at both and all the more so to find himself under your gaze, though his companion does not.


    Besides him looking very fit and very young another man, alike enough in face and form to be his son or perhaps his grandson for Stevron's hair is already snowy white, though it does not take you more than a glance into the sharp gaze and pointed face to guess who it must be, for of all the brood of the Twins there is only one who would be so bold in showing. Still, you are too surprised to speak before he does, the voice both familiar and strange without the reediness of age. "Heh, if I had known the damn trees did work as good as this I would have taken up with them long since."

    "My lord Walder... you have changed," you note, in dry understatement.

    "It's the air 'round here don't you know, makes a man feel young even when his old bones aren't quite up to it. There's been a bit an accident there has and now here I am young in truth, and Stevron finally gets the chair he's been eyeing like the starving wolf eyes bloody meat all these years."

    "Father, I would never have wished for the day to come when you would die. Fortunate son am I that I did not have to live through seeing your body lowered into the earth..."

    "No that you did not, we burned that old thing and tossed the ashes to the trees to do with them what they will," the once lord of the Twins interrupts, leaving his soon looking abashed no matter the apparent difference in age and the fact that Walder is dressed more simply in contrast to his ducal splendor. "You aught practice lying some more or they'll eat you alive in there." He pauses deep in thought. "Still, you are the best of the lot, always were really, the most practice and the most will to keep all I've worked towards together and make it grow."

    At the words to praise Stevron lifts his gaze proudly and meets yours fully for the first time. You can well see why he had been chosen to be his father's succession and it was not just age and custom. There is in his eye that same sharp gleam that some call weasel-like, though more veiled and subtle perhaps. "I look forward to working with you for the betterment of both the realm and of House Frey," you say sincerely and sincere also is his reply in like manner.

    Turning to the former Duke of the Twins once more you ask: "And what shall you be doing, my lord Walder, with your new life?"

    "Why staying out here in the summer sun," he replies. "Mayhap I'll try my hand at trade, call the company Golden Weasel Enterprises I might."

    There is really no answer you can give to that but a laugh and a shake of your head. He will do well in the Deep, of that you are certain.

    OOC: We still have to cover the succession, which I missed yesterday before the Closed Session, or else people might be panicking over it and try to get around the 'no immortal rulers' clause.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Change of plans, I edited the succession stuff into the last update so we can get to the fun stuff next. Well fun to watch, less fun for the people who do not know what is coming.
     
    This is honestly great fun. But will Walder Frey be allowed into the meeting and hear the truth about Hellven? AFAIK he shouldn't be, right?
    So is he just here to bring his adult son to the door and give some last-minute advice? I'm a little puzzled at what he's doing here, actually. Although it was fun to see this character interaction, so no complaints there.

    Regarding Lord Frey's Reincarnation: IIRC, our laws about Reincarnation look like this
    -[X] Inheritance and Reincarnation Taxes:
    --[X] Upon Reincarnation not sanctioned by the Imperium*, 80% of the value of one's estate is to be distributed to one's heirs after any outstanding debts have been settled.
    ---[X] In instances where the Reincarnated subject and his or her heirs are unable to agree upon the division of non-monetary assets, an impartial mediator will by appointed by the Imperium to oversee arbitration between the involved parties. Mediators will have binding authority to divide non-monetary assets should arbitration fail.
    ---[X] The assets a Reincarnated subject retains or accumulates after Reincarnation are not subject to further division among previous heirs, though any heirs produced following the latest Reincarnation do so benefit.
    --[X] Upon Reincarnation not sanctioned by the Imperium*, 20% of the value of one's estate is to be paid as a tax to the Imperium should the Reincarnated subject have no living heirs.
    ---[X] Upon subsequent instances of Reincarnation without an heir, the rate of taxation will increase in 20% increments, to a maximum tax rate per Reincarnation of 80% of total assets.
    --[X] *State-sanctioned Reincarnation includes any instance of an individual being Reincarnated after falling in service to the Imperium as part of their assigned duties.

    So if I understand this correctly, Walder walks away with 20% of House Frey's wealth? His son got the title, but only controls 80% of the cash? It sounds like the son kept all the estate, but House Frey probably lost a massive amount of its cash reserves. That land and bridge are very valuable, so 20% of the total must be a lot...
    On the other hand, it looks like Walder isn't planning on abandoning his House. It looks like they plan to keep working together for the dynasty as a whole in the future, and that the trading company Walder will be creating with those 20% he kept will remain tied to the family as a whole. He'll probably hire a bunch of his grandchildren :p
     
    A Weasel's Fresh Coat ​

    Twenty First Day of the Fifth Month 294 AC

    Calling out the roll for the Curia is by now familiar to your ears. First the upper chamber and then the lower, ordered by the nature of their seats, then by the simple march of the alphabet so that none may claim that their primacy is being stolen, though of course in a closed session one must take things more seriously to ensure that none who are not approved will hear things of secret counsel and grand import. You had a few issues, mostly among the Vox, with elected officials trying to slip in kith and kin to observe from better seating than the public galleries, and one memorable incident a few days ago when a Volantene representative had thought to slip in his mistress one evening for what you can only imagine was some sort of dare. The Praetorians, in whose care the guarding of the chamber is given, were not amused at the proposed tryst, but one can hope that on this day at least there shall be no trouble of that sort. The summons to a Secure Meeting of the Curia was read out by the Harbinger in your name at the closing of the last session...

    "Your Majesty," the hesitant voice of the Keeper of the Chambers calls. A man of impeccable dress and manner, who knows all the major tongues of the realm by heart even should the magic of the Curia chambers somehow fail. Hesitance is not what you expect of him who had risen from a freed slave who had accompanied you from your first journey to Volantis to rise so high. "There is a bit of an issue with Duke Frey..."

    "Really?" You would not have thought old Walder the sort to cause issues of procedure. Perhaps the joy of his elevation had faded enough for his naturally acerbic manner to shine through... You shake off the thought, the man is petty but not arbitrary in his grudges, whatever his detractors might say. "What sort?"

    "There is some confusion as to the identity of the Duke, and with this being a Closed Session ..."

    "I'll handle it," you reply, by now intrigued as to what this could be. No glamor or disguise would be enough to get into the chamber and no spy could this be.

    So it is you find yourself in the entrance hall before the doors of the throne room looking right in the eye of Duke Stevron Frey, wearing the robes of office and the heavy golden signet of the Twins on his finger. He looks uneasy at both, and all the more so to find himself under your gaze, though his companion does not.


    Beside him, looking very fit and very young is another man, alike enough in face and form to be his son or perhaps his grandson, for Stevron's hair is already snowy white. It does not take you more than a glance into the sharp gaze and pointed face to guess who it must be, for of all the brood of the Twins there is only one who would be so bold in showing. Still, you are too surprised to speak before he does, the voice both familiar and strange without the reediness of age. "Heh, if I had known the damn trees did work as good as this, I would have taken up with them long since."

    "My lord Walder... you have changed," you note, in dry understatement.

    "It's the air 'round here, don't you know, makes a man feel young even when his old bones aren't quite up to it. There's been a bit an accident, there has, and now here I am young in truth, and Stevron finally gets the chair he's been eyeing like the starving wolf eyes bloody meat all these years."

    "Father, I would never have wished for the day to come when you would die. Fortunate son am I that I did not have to live through seeing your body lowered into the earth..."

    "No, that you did not. We burned that old thing and tossed the ashes to the trees to do with them what they will," the once lord of the Twins interrupts, leaving his soon looking abashed, no matter the apparent difference in age and the fact that Walder is dressed more simply compared to his ducal splendor. "You aught practice lying some more or they'll eat you alive in there." He pauses deep in thought. "Still, you are the best of the lot. Always were really, the most practice and the most will to keep all I've worked towards together and make it grow."

    At the words of praise, Stevron lifts his gaze proudly and meets yours fully for the first time. You can well see why he had been chosen to be his father's successor, and it was not just age and custom. There is in his eye that same sharp gleam that some call weasel-like, though more veiled and subtle perhaps. "I look forward to working with you for the betterment of both the realm and of House Frey," you say sincerely and sincere also is his reply in like manner.

    Turning to the former Duke of the Twins once more, you ask, "And what shall you be doing, my lord Walder, with your new life?"

    "Why staying out here in the summer sun," he replies. "Mayhap I'll try my hand at trade, call the company Golden Weasel Enterprises, I might."

    There is really no answer you can give to that but a laugh and a shake of your head. He will do well in the Deep, of that you are certain.

    OOC: We still have to cover the succession, which I missed yesterday before the Closed Session, or else people might be panicking over it and try to get around the 'no immortal rulers' clause.
    Made some additional edits to the chapter, @DragonParadox.

    I'm surprised by this turn of events, but not shocked. If any one of our subjects would be likely to cast off the withered flesh of an elderly body, it would be Walder. I look forward to seeing more of Young Walder's exploits.

    Maybe we could have him speak with Aemon about the benefits of not being a decrepit old man?
     
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