And What a Dance it Was (NO SV, War is Coming, Prepare)

Magoose · Oct 17, 2022

Fanhunter696 said:
They did not anything during the Dance, and that way they gained by risking literally nothing? Everything!!!

Considering that the Lord Tyrell at the time was... literally a 2 year old?

I don't see how he had any choice in the matter.

Fanhunter696 said:
Unlike everyone else in the Dance they didn´t lose anyone to the fight, and with their greatest rivals in the Reach almost destroyed they took complete control of the Breadbasket of Westeros and became obscenely rich...

THat too.

Magoose · Oct 18, 2022

Detective Arriving On Scene (A Detective Story) Original - Sci-Fi - Mystery

Good, good, was scared for a moment there. Way too much "shout out stuff", if the newslady on the television happens to be a silver-eyed cookie addict promoting the average citizen to buy the new gun from Weiss conglomerate incorporated, I will squint at you.

forums.sufficientvelocity.com

Just shilling out for a new quest I'm doing right now.

Don't worry the update is coming out tommorow

Fanhunter696 · Oct 18, 2022

@Magoose I have been revising articles about the stepstones and I am a little worried...

Not that we cannot take them, we certainly can... But most of the sources describe the Stepstones as a barren place swept by storms whose only value is their strategic location (which is immense I give you that, controlling them basically means that you can control and tax most commerce between Essos and Westeros), so I am afraid that this time happens like many times before and we can take them but we can not hold them because they are not self-sufficient...

So what are the plans of Daemon, Corlys, and Lucien plan to actually makes the stepstones a viable place for colonization, make them an appropriate seat of a Noble House, and an actual self-sufficient territory?

SeraphiusBX · Oct 18, 2022

Fanhunter696 said:
@Magoose I have been revising articles about the stepstones and I am a little worried...

Not that we cannot take them, we certainly can... But most of the sources describe the Stepstones as a barren place swept by storms whose only value is their strategic location (which is immense I give you that, controlling them basically means that you can control and tax most commerce between Essos and Westeros), so I am afraid that this time happens like many times before and we can take them but we can not hold them because they are not self-sufficient...

So what are the plans of Daemon, Corlys, and Lucien plan to actually makes the stepstones a viable place for colonization, make them an appropriate seat of a Noble House, and an actual self-sufficient territory?

There's also the issue of being pincered. With the Dornish in the west and Triarchy in the east, we'd be kinda sandwiched...

SeraphiusBX · Oct 18, 2022

Although, one way we can make things work for the Stepstones is hospitality. In other words, high-class hotels/taverns/inns that can house merchants, dignitaries, etc. Instead of focusing so much on demanding toll from merchants and what not, we can maintain a sanctuary for people to rest, enjoy and feel safe. Much like how resorts in modern days work.

Tabascoheath · Oct 18, 2022

Fanhunter696 said:
@Magoose I have been revising articles about the stepstones and I am a little worried...

Not that we cannot take them, we certainly can... But most of the sources describe the Stepstones as a barren place swept by storms whose only value is their strategic location (which is immense I give you that, controlling them basically means that you can control and tax most commerce between Essos and Westeros), so I am afraid that this time happens like many times before and we can take them but we can not hold them because they are not self-sufficient...

So what are the plans of Daemon, Corlys, and Lucien plan to actually makes the stepstones a viable place for colonization, make them an appropriate seat of a Noble House, and an actual self-sufficient territory?

Focusing on making Trade ports and a loyal population are my guess, by offering what good land there is and lucrative tax incentives for a few years we can draw in the dragonseed to the stepstones and create a series of defensible and profitable port cities with a citizenry of loyalists and collab natives (I know how bad this sounds, we are colonizing here). If the British, and the Romans, can manage it then so can we. As an aside since farming is likely less than sustenance we can also try our hand at manufacturing beyond ship building, by importing materials and exporting finished goods we can place ourselves in an even better financial position as a integral role in narrow sea trade, though that would require the importing of experts from both Westeros and Essos.

So yeah we won't be farming but between ship building, taxing traders, being the link from Westeros to Essos, potential manufacturing, and taxes from the loyalists we should be good in the money front.

SeraphiusBX said:
Although, one way we can make things work for the Stepstones is hospitality. In other words, high-class hotels/taverns/inns that can house merchants, dignitaries, etc. Instead of focusing so much on demanding toll from merchants and what not, we can maintain a sanctuary for people to rest, enjoy and feel safe. Much like how resorts in modern days work.

Also a good idea, legal and regulated red light districts could be a gold mine for us.

Magoose · Oct 18, 2022

Fanhunter696 said:
So what are the plans of Daemon, Corlys, and Lucien plan to actually makes the stepstones a viable place for colonization, make them an appropriate seat of a Noble House, and an actual self-sufficient territory?

Well for one thing, they will start trying to get a fishing fleet up and running, as much of the Stepstones fishing waters have been untapped and while the islands themselves are known for being windswept and covered in storms...

There is actually arable land on all the islands. Enough to support a population, though a small one at that, probably less then 600,000 on all the islands and it would require plenty of support to finally become self-sufficient.

As for defending, that's rather easy. They build castles and defensive positions all over the ports of the islands.

But it is going to be a very long term project for everyone involved.

SeraphiusBX said:
There's also the issue of being pincered. With the Dornish in the west and Triarchy in the east, we'd be kinda sandwiched...

...You say that now, but once Dorne is brought into the fold?

Then the stepstones can get really good.

SeraphiusBX said:
Although, one way we can make things work for the Stepstones is hospitality. In other words, high-class hotels/taverns/inns that can house merchants, dignitaries, etc. Instead of focusing so much on demanding toll from merchants and what not, we can maintain a sanctuary for people to rest, enjoy and feel safe. Much like how resorts in modern days work.

A great idea, especially because every single ship from southern Essos needs to travel through the stepstones to reach their destinations.

Tabascoheath said:
If the British, and the Romans, can manage it then so can we. As an aside since farming is likely less than sustenance we can also try our hand at manufacturing beyond ship building, by importing materials and exporting finished goods we can place ourselves in an even better financial position as a integral role in narrow sea trade, though that would require the importing of experts from both Westeros and Essos.

Possibly, but remember there is also an untapped fishing market as well.

SeraphiusBX · Oct 18, 2022

Magoose said:
Possibly, but remember there is also an untapped fishing market as well.

Another source of revenue, a controlled and regulated fishery in the Stepstones, safe checkpoint for merchants, hotels and inns for luxury, and perhaps making greenhouses for some self-sustaining agriculture.

SeraphiusBX · Oct 18, 2022

Oh, and of course, consistent good/decent relations with the Free Cities and all coastal houses.

Tabascoheath · Oct 18, 2022

SeraphiusBX said:
Another source of revenue, a controlled and regulated fishery in the Stepstones, safe checkpoint for merchants, hotels and inns for luxury, and perhaps making greenhouses for some self-sustaining agriculture.

Medieval vertical farming confirmed! POG so hard every maester in a 10 mile radius dies from intellectual progress overload.

But yeah we probably should plan to expand food production outside of small hold plots and what little fishing exists presently (apparently the Triarchy is too busy dealing with setting up dragon proof forts to manage fishing fleets, who knew?).

SeraphiusBX · Oct 18, 2022

One last thing, we can also use one of the islands as new hatchery for dragons. The Dragonpit in King's Landing is in serious threat of being dismantled by a mob, Dragonstone is the seat of the Crown's heir, so why not a third lair in the Stepstones?

Tabascoheath · Oct 18, 2022

SeraphiusBX said:
One last thing, we can also use one of the islands as new hatchery for dragons. The Dragonpit in King's Landing is in serious threat of being dismantled by a mob, Dragonstone is the seat of the Crown's heir, so why not a third lair in the Stepstones?

That might be a big ask politically, just taking the islands as a personal fief (and potentially become a new kingdom to add to the rest) is a big thing we're aiming for, also adding a permanent Dragon lair near Fort Tabasco might be seen by some as a exercise in independence, so unless we get Viserys to sign off we should probably focus on basic infrastructure and finance first.

SeraphiusBX · Oct 18, 2022

Tabascoheath said:
That might be a big ask politically, just taking the islands as a personal fief (and potentially become a new kingdom to add to the rest) is a big thing we're aiming for, also adding a permanent Dragon lair near Fort Tabasco might be seen by some as a exercise in independence, so unless we get Viserys to sign off we should probably focus on basic infrastructure and finance first.

On second thought, scratch what I said earlier...

Magoose · Oct 19, 2022

I KNOW i said that I would get the sheets...

But I'm lazy, so I'm instead doing an update instead.

Magoose · Oct 19, 2022

The Heir for the Day 2:

Spend Time with Rhaenyra and Alicent: Those two are your brides, married by the gods of Valyria and by the Seven. They also seem incredibly eager to spend more time with you. While your parents said that you will not be engaging in intercourse until you are old enough. That doesn't mean you can't partake in the most ancient form of rebellion. Cuddles in the Godswood

You saw them reading as you strode into the Godswood, a smile rising on your face. They didn't seem to notice you walking toward them, and you moved like a ghost. Then as you reached them, Rhaenyra gasped, sitting up from her comfortable position on her best friend's lap and seeming utterly bewildered by your appearance. "Lucien!"

Alicent herself finally noticed and leaned back in surprise. "Oh, Lord husband?"

You then sat down with your smile ever present on your face. "Alicent, we are not in public. You do not need to act like we are?"

That earned a chuckle from the princess and she crossed her arms, waiting for Alicent to find the perfect way to change her mood. Then Alicent sighed. "Are you done yet?"

You nodded. "How have you two been?"

That earned a smile from Alicent. "Well, you Targaryens have queer customs, and while I am still very surprised that my father agreed to this, I also am not unhappy with the state of affairs."

That made you place your arms around the two girls and hug them "Well, what exactly is the state of affairs that you like?"

"Well, my best friend is still by my side?" Alicent said as both girls looked at each other, for a brief moment. "And the man who is my husband is a caring and sweet man when he remembers who he is talking to."

"Remember?" An eyebrow raised and your grin dampened slightly. "I have done nothing but-"

"Oh yes indeed, he treats us with respect and courtesy, and above all else with honor and joy, but he also has plenty of problems?" Rhaenyra replied as she reached down and touched you.

And it was a surprising touch, and a painful one as her nails dug in. "Oy." You squealed as she let go.

You did not like that teasing. And it hurt, even if you accepted it. "That is uncalled for." You said as you smiled more, and pulled the two of them closer together on your chest, with both girls hugging your broad shoulders.

"But you enjoy it nonetheless?" Alicent said.

You did, but only when you were ready. "I wasn't ready for that?"

"Neither were we when you showed up?" Alicent said. That may have been true, but both of them didn't feel uncomfortable around you. It was just natural to be close to them, and playful. You all took to the change in your status well. And frankly, you all trusted each other enough to believe in it.

It wasn't like you had never known each other… and it was just… natural. Perhaps it was because you didn't see any of this as a change. Only a minor title is added to a group of friends.

You sighed. "Are you both ready for the tournament?" You asked.

At that Rhaenyra huffed. "We all know Daemon's going to win, so why bother?"

You frowned. "Rhae isn't feeling well again."

Your words made both girls let go and place their hands on your own. "Oh."

Alicent then lightened the mood, or dampened it. "He said he wasn't participating?"

You nodded. "He's staying with Rhae today. So no Targaryen is here to take part in the joust."

At that word, the two became devious. And you saw their thoughts before you muttered. "No, I'm not taking part in the joust, not again."

"It will be fun!" Rhaenyra proclaimed. "Come on, how long has it been since you rode?"

You frowned. "I believe it was our wedding tournament. I beat all those blasted knights that thought they could beat me. Even Daemon."

"And it was fun!" She proclaimed.

"No, it was boring!" You raised your voice. "The knights weren't trying, because they knew if I was hurt, there would be hells to pay from you and Viserys. They let me win."

"And, they aren't going to let you win now. So come on. Do it for us?" Alicent asked.

Do you join the Tournament:
[]Yes: Fine, for you, but I want your favors!
[]No: I am not playing a tourney knight!

If you choose no, what do you do?:

[]The Highest Tower: It seems Lord Otto wishes to speak to you, about your ambitions. And that of your allies.

[]The King of the City: Viserys has been expecting many things from you, and he wishes for you to be there when he announces his newest infrastructure program.

[]The Darkness of Daemon: Rhae has not been well. But that does not mean you fear for her… it's Daemon you fear… You fear he is close to losing himself into his rage… just like you.

[]The Dragon's of the Rivers: Aegor is preparing another race around the City, and many people are making bets to see what will happen. In fact, many a rooftop are filled with spectators. And almost everyone is wondering who will win. Aegor the Black, or Laena!

[]Breaking Rules and other signs of spoiled children: It seems that the girls want to go out on the town… well might as well make it so they are safe?

AN: Enjoy.

Tabascoheath · Oct 19, 2022

[X]No: I am not playing a tourney knight!
-[X]The Darkness of Daemon: Rhae has not been well. But that does not mean you fear for her… it's Daemon you fear… You fear he is close to losing himself into his rage… just like you.

I cannot in good faith allow Daemon to fall further, we stand together now and always. Even if I do want to avenge our loss to Westerling.

SgRambo · Oct 19, 2022