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

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Canon Omake: The Windward Study Group
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    • The Windward Study Group​

    The Scholarum is one of the finest, and only, places of magical learning in the known world that teach the lost arts of magic to all willing to learn. Located in the capital of the Kingdom of the Stepstones one could not see where it is located for in truth it wasn't there at all, only means of reaching it through a seemingly normal pillar heavily guards by unsleeping sentinels. Located on an entirely separate place of existence and host to lore not see in actual use in centuries.

    Truly it was a treasure in of itself on par or more than the Titan of Braavos.

    While host to a great deal of beings from different parts of the world, and even beyond it, the Scholarum has recently seen the influx of five new students that from all appearances seemed like young men were in actuality some of the oldest human beings present. These five were known as the Windward Society and through the patronage of the king were given not only youth but also the chance to adventure once more when they did in the first lives. Before setting off however the king encouraged them to study at the Scholarum, less to learn magic and more to learn about the changing world that did not exist in their past so that they are not caught unaware.

    Some might think they would be impatient and resent the order, but having lived as long as they did despite their various adventurers they learned the wisdom of patient better than most humans ever achieved.

    The Windward 'Study Group', as they have begun to be called by other students, spend most their time in the vast library of the Scholarum to take part in it's large store of knowledge and talk amongst themselves. Each book having been painstaking collected and made to provide as much information about a vast number of subjects being a great source of discussion.

    Aubert Flowers, having decided early on to take part in leading the Legion, focused most of his studies on the applications of magic in large scale warfare and the enemies one might face. Reading both historical documents of ancient Valyria and modern day reports, though the accuracy of the former is not as certain as many could hope since much was lost during the Doom. He would also discuss among his comrades ideas and thoughts about how certain magics could be applied in not only warfare but things that require it to even happen. Being a quartermaster at one point in life he knew more than most that armies needed more than just spears and armor to actually work.

    Many are the jokes at his expense about how he should learn magic if only to make cleaning up the shit armies produce much less of a chore, though Aubert has honestly considered this since digging latrines are never fun.

    Grazdan the Grim by comparison focused his studies on magics that could enslave the mind and spirit along with the body. Curses being the most common thing he investigated alongside beings that used human lives in ways that slavers in all their cruelty could not compare. With his goal of sailing out into Slaver Bay and give the king possible footholds in those lands, besides Tolos these days, descended from the Old Empire of Ghis it was important for him to learn how said lands most likely have changed with the return of magic. He also worked hard to make connections with various other students who would might be interested in sailing with him when the time comes, and it should be no surprise that many former slaves among said students are interested in the idea.

    Besides book learning Grazdan has already begun vetting men of the Deep for those worthy to join his future crew, the king might easily give him a ship but he wanted only the best to sail with him into enemy territory. Grazdan cares not for any man's, women's, or any being's origin, only that they pass his requirements and prove to him that they can be counted on when needed.

    Rumors abound of Grazdan wrestling a minotaur bull to the ground when testing a potential crewmember.

    Koron Redmane in comparison decided to take up being an explorer this time around rather than continue his efforts hunting slavers as Grazdan plans too. He has begun reading the lore and history of many lands, with Menel quite glad to assist, so that when he sets sail once more he can rightly know about the places he visits without getting lost. The hope is to discover lost artifacts, lore, and magics not see in ages and to return to the wider world once more, though he has made it clear he rather buy anything magic related created this day and age rather than trust something that likely hasn't seen daylight in generations. Like Grazdan he looks for those students with the nerve to explore the unknown and who's knowledge and magic could be of great use in his stated goals of uncovering history of near all kinds.

    While Grazdan searches for a crew willing to freely sail into Slaver's Bay Koron searches for those with a wanderlust and desire to go beyond the horizon, dive into ancient ruins, and mayhap go down in history as the first ones to do somesuch thing. Of course his requirements for crewmembers is no less harsh if in different ways, apparently having relieved men of all their valuables, including the clothes on their backs, when one of said tests involved gambling.

    Lohos Saan, too no one's surprise, has also decided to sail once more and has been quite actively sending letters to his cousin as to go about finding a good crew and business opportunities to take advantage of. While they might not be the closest in the world they are still blood and have recently had more contact with one another if only because both their fortunes have grown greatly since coming into contact with the dragon king. His studies into magic have been board but mostly more out the desire to know which might be most beneficial for his own adventurers and how much coin it could bring him. While still unsure if he will be more pirate than adventurer like his cousin he is certainly not lacking in ambition.

    It seems that the Saan line are becoming quite infamous for their silver tongues since is Lothos looking for mages to hire like his cousin before him and cultivating useful contacts he could call upon in the future. Out of all his comrades he is the most successful in that regard and his handsome looks of his returned youth certainly help with his natural charisma.

    It is no surprise that Lohos is a common sight at the local whorehouse and a favorite among the girls there.

    Menel Goldentooth spends his times looking over maps such that he has done most of his first life, fully intending to revisit many places he has been before with a new face and seeing places he has not. While the current world is already filled with a great many places to explore he has been quite excited by the fact there are other worlds beyond our realm capable of being reached. He has begun learning all he can of the elemental planes and beyond for one day he fully intends to visit them to see what new tales he can add to his journals and see maps not seen by mortal eyes. Out off all of them Menel wishes to learn magic the most due to the various spells that allows one to learn about very land they stand on, discover hidden paths, always be pointed in the right direction, call up mental maps he can see himself, and more.

    Sadly for all this his comrades tease him constantly about the idea if he does visit these far realms he might fall in love with a living map and never return.

    As they study and talk the Windwards can't help but miss the presence of their sixth member, Tor Longstrider, who had left Braavos long before them and who would have been a great joy to have around since out of all of them his love for magic and mysterious things was the greatest. They take heart though knowing that the old goat likely already learned magic and is traveling the world to further his studies. This motivates them to work hard since while Tor might have a head start on them they had no intention of being left behind, mayhap in the future they will run into their old friend and force him to drink with them as he tells of all the trouble he has gotten in to.

    To most other students there are no closer group of friends, those learning about magic yet would not begrudge being incapable of it, and in a way great examples of what they hope to be in their futures.

    One thing is for certain, by the time the Windward Society exit these walls and go out into the world once more it would become that much greater for it.
     
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    • Part MMCLXXXVI: A Dance of Sparks
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    • A Dance of Sparks ​

    Fifth Day of the Fourth Month 293 AC

    Benerro is quick to agree to the notion of having a charitable organization to aid newly-freed slaves rather than simply filling their pockets with silver which many of them might not know how to manage from the start. It becomes clear that he saw his own church as being the one to offer succor to these unfortunates in a hostile city, and in essence that is what will happen in any case simply because the Faith of the Red God is the only power within Volantis with both the will and the reach to set up such an effort, but you manage to persuade Benerro that it is best to allow a more neutral front so that other interested parties might add their own efforts. The implication is anything but subtle, and to his credit the Flame Keeper is more interested in possible future aid for the slaves than increasing his own influence. Then again there is hardly any room for that influence to grow among the slaves of Volantis given how prevalent it already is.

    When you present the notion to Zherys he agrees with an obvious air of disdain that nonetheless masks a measure of relief. He had obviously been expecting some higher prince for the Red Priests' aid, and you have little doubt he would had been right had it been him making the offer. Even agreeing to seal off the manse tainted by Ymeri's power likely strained their tolerance of one another.

    ***​

    Later that night Garin and Maelor return from their wanderings with news both interesting and troubling. For one servants and suppliers of the Mysterium spoke of strange fiery creatures secreted away in the bowels of the ancient structure: wizards, smiths, 'or some other devilry'. It seems Zherys is taking advantage of otherworldly contacts to hire aid, though given his cautious nature he likely calls nothing he does not feel he can easily control. You do not trust many things about the High Speaker, but his judgement is not among them and so you are content not to test your fragile and untested alliance with prying questions.

    Glyra arrives late, smelling of a truly uncanny mingling of harsh perfume, sewage water, and most ominously of all, woodsmoke. The first words to come out of her mouth do nothing to calm your suspicions: "The fire wasn't my fault, alright..."

    "Were there any witnesses who might dispute that statement?" you ask dryly as the six of you move deeper into the narrow alleyway you were using for a meeting spot with the gremlin.

    Silence falls followed by a drawn out: "Maaaybe.... they didn't know who I was, though, so it's fine."

    You sigh, but before you can marshal an answer Malarys surprises you by cutting in directly: "There is little point recounting your 'adventures' so long as nothing of them trailed you here. What did you find?"

    "Well, I found this gossip pixie that said she knew something about Ymeri's lot, so I traded her a child's last baby tooth, the eyelash of a maiden thrice courted, and the nail of a grave digger for it..."

    As she speaks you find yourself overwhelmed with relief that you have Glyra to handle her kindred and their mad whims even at the cost of the odd unexplained fire.

    "...she told me all the fire fey that managed to get not get killed by the priests or the wizards either slipped out of the city or cut deals with craftsmen who might want magical flame: smiths, potters, that sort of thing. They are waiting for the priests and wizards to go at each other's throats before making any move to break the seals," the little gremlin finishes.

    What do you do next?

    [] Minor actions
    -[] Write in

    [] Remain in Volantis one more day
    -[] Write in

    [] Write in

    OOC: Garin and Maelor did not roll very well this time, so all you get is the vague notion that Zherys has extraplanar dealings on the plane of fire. Glyra on the other hand rolled very well and even helped spread her legend, pushing her up to the next level.
     
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    • Well fuck me, we cant exactly start a mass exorcism of the fire fey without (probably) setting off the demon summoners.

    We might be able to team up with the red priests and Zherys and take out the fire fey and demons simultaneously. The problem with that is... fire elementals, zherys, fire fey, red priests, and ourselves... The city will burn, and burn HOT. Which will almost certainly empower/free Ymeri.

    MMMMMMM. I kind of want to drop that Ice heart on Ymeri and see what happens now.

    Edit: That much fire magic being thrown around that fast might seriously turn the city into a spellscared wasteland.
     
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    The people of Volantis can deal with a few Fire Fey.

    Let this lie rather than risk blowing it all up.

    Where's the Minor Action Squad?
     
    @Azel remember Zherys got in touch with the Azer through the subverted one we struck a deal with during Teana's Ymeri plotline. Probably Azer, or Azer Laberation Front. A.L.F.
     
    Are we... really navel gazing right now?

    [X] Proceed onwards.

    Edit: Oh, this day is slotted for minor actions. No wonder. Let me try to find them.
     
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    [X] Plan "Domestic? I use magic to cook if I have to!"
    -[X] Spend some time with your wards
    -[X] Speak with Rhaella about her awakened magic
    -[X] Check in on Mya Stone when you have the time
    -[X] Distribute the free Valyrian Dragon eggs to: Amrelath, Dany, Rhaella, Malarys, Reva, Liset.
    -[X] Ask Soft Strider to train Rangers from numbers of SD citizens she finds capable of such.
     
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