I think that we should ensure that our heir comes from Visenya or that failing that we should try to make sure Visenya has a daughter to marry Aenys because from what I understand part of Visenya's actions later were fueled by resentment in thinking that her and Maegor were starting to be excluded from the family not helped by Aenys and Aegon refusing to marry Maegor and Rhaena to each other.
Well in that case there is still the question of if you want to allow the Council and the Conclave, just the Council, or allow both with the caveat you will be there for the Conclave if it happens. All options exist and lead to different results, so consider them carefully
One thing I noticed that may or may not be an error though. The update itself says that Daemon Velaryon is a man in his fourties while the character blurb for him lists his age as 30. Additionally his martial mentions his "young age" which seems in contrast to him being 30 or in his fourties.
Just want to check but is the voting open? Also do you want plan format or are we free to vote for each option individually?
One thing I noticed that may or may not be an error though. The update itself says that Daemon Velaryon is a man in his fourties while the character blurb for him lists his age as 30. Additionally his martial mentions his "young age" which seems in contrast to him being 30 or in his fourties.
Originally I had Daemon in his forties but almost immediately changed him to 30 (mainly because of a few lines that mention he was a close friends of the Targ brothers so I thought him being just slightly older worked better) but I guess a forty escaped my edit.
Young Age just refers to the fact that having 20 as a Master of Ships at the relatively young age of 30 is pretty insane. Aegon's court is a talent hub in this moment.
It takes one turn to use the Call to Arms action and muster the army at a location of your choice. Right now Call to Arms also raises the full fleet since it would be kinda hard to move those troops otherwise, but if your Empire shifts more towards the continent the actions will split (as you won't need the fleet all the time anymore).
[X] 'Discourage' the Council's formation and the Conclave (Diplomacy roll (Intimidation). DC: 80. The Faith will be very displeased. Opens to future Events).
The faith only matters if it's the religion of the people we're conquering. It's not, so it doesn't. Dragonstone is going to be a tiny portion of our future conquests.
Make sure to vote folks, both for the Special and for the other options. Meanwhile, I'm going to start posting a couple Informationals. First one was SUPPOSED to go right after the first post, but I'm dumb and forgot to put a reserved post, so here it goes
CHARACTERS
YOUR HOUSE:
HOUSE TARGARYEN OF DRAGONSTONE
Coat of Arms: A three-headed red dragon on black
Words: Fire and Blood
History: House Targaryen originates from the Valyrian Freehold. One of the lesser Houses of Dragonlords of Valyria, House Targaryen escaped the Doom of the Freehold thanks to the prophetic dream of one of its members, Daenys the Dreamer. Establishing itself on the Valyrian outpost of Dragonstone, House Targaryen was the only House of Dragonlords that escaped the doom. House Targaryen practices incest, between brother and sisters whenever possible but also between aunt/uncle and nephew/niece, or between first cousins, to maintain their Valyrian blood pure. They also occasionally practice polygamy. The Current Lord of Dragonstone is Aegon Targaryen, married to his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys.
Members:
Lord of Dragonstone, your starting character in this Quest.
Age: 25
Wives: Visenya Targaryen, Rhaenys Targaryen
Issue:-
Heir: Visenya Targaryen
Diplomacy: 18. Aegon is a charismatic leader of men. He knows how to turn foe into friend, and is respected and admired by his vassals and courtiers alike.
Stewardship: 12. Aegon is a decent administrator, but he lacks the dedication to truly pursue matters of coin, delegating it often.
Martial: 22. Aegon is a skilled fighter, considered one of the best of his generation.
Intrigue: 12. Aegon can discern basic lies from truths, but is not skilled in the finer arts of deception and intrigue, relying largely on his sisters for such matters.
Learning: 16. Aegon is knowledgeable on many matters, from warfare to history to politics. However, he is not a scholar, his knowledge being related only to matters that truly interest him.
Dueling Skills: 22+5+(20 if wielding Blackfyre)+(5 if wielding Valyrian Steel Dagger)=27 (base), 32 (Valyrian Steel Dagger), 47 (Blackfyre).
Special Traits:
Blood of the Dragon: This character is part of a family of pure High Valyrian blood. This gives advantage to rolls against sickness, a +40 to taming Untamed Dragons, and a +20 to taming Wild Dragons, along with a +20 to Hatching rolls.
Dragon Dreams: This character occasionally has Dragon Dreams, prophetic dreams in the form of visual metaphors. Effects vary depending on the dream.
Dragon Rider: This character is a Dragon Rider. Adds a +10 bonus to Diplomacy rolls made to intimidate or threaten a target, and a +5 to all other Diplomacy rolls. This bonus is removed if the Dragon dies.
Blackfyre: The Valyrian Steel Sword Blackfyre, the family heirloom of Targaryen Lords. While wielding Blackfyre, Aegon gains a +20 to his Dueling Skills.
Valyrian Steel Dagger: A dagger made of Valyrian Steel, a relic of ancient Valyria. While wielding this weapon, Aegon gains a +5 to his Dueling Skills.
Aegon's older sister. A fierce woman that is firm, stern and well-learned. Skilled with the sword, she is also a practitioner of Valyrian magic, dabbling into the fire and blood sorcery of her ancestors.
(Visenya is currently acting as Master of Whispers, and therefore cannot be assigned to other tasks, but will add her Intrigue to Intrigue rolls whenever possible)
Age: 27
Husband: Aegon Targaryen
Issue:-
Opinion of Aegon: 80 (LOYAL)
Diplomacy: 13. Visenya is an intimidating woman, and men listen when she speaks. She is respected and feared, but not loved.
Stewardship: 8. Visenya sees little value in counting coppers, and freely spends them for her research in the magic of her forefathers.
Martial: 19. Visenya is skilled with a blade, and is an excellent commander in battle.
Intrigue: 21. Visenya listens to the whispers of the court and knows how to use them to her and her family's advantage, and keeps herself informed about the activities of those beyond the walls of the castle. Very little escapes her notice.
Learning: 15. Visenya is a good student and learns avidly, but like her brother lacks the ability to focus on matters she considers unimportant.
Special Traits:
Blood of the Dragon: This character is part of a family of pure High Valyrian blood. This gives advantage to rolls against sickness, a +40 to taming Untamed Dragons, and a +20 to taming Wild Dragons.
Dragon Rider: This character is a Dragon Rider. Adds a +10 bonus to Diplomacy rolls made to intimidate or threaten a target, and a +5 to all other Diplomacy rolls. This bonus is removed if the Dragon dies.
Dark Sister: The Valyrian Steel Sword Dark Sister, one of the few weapons of this kind to have survived the Doom. While wielding Dark Sister, this character adds +20 to her Dueling Skills.
Mystical Knowledge (basic): Visenya knows how to use fire magic and blood magic, though her mastery is still superficial. Opens Magic options.
The youngest of the Targaryen siblings, Rhaenys is a friendly woman that adores arts and flying on the back of her Dragon. She is beloved by everyone that knows her.
(Rhaenys is currently acting as your Master of Law, and therefore cannot be assigned to other tasks, but will add her Diplomacy modifier to Diplomacy rolls whenever possible).
Age: 23
Husband: Aegon Targaryen
Issue:-
Opinion of Aegon: 90 (LOYAL)
Diplomacy: 21. Rhaenys knows everything about making connections, ensuring loyalty, and impressing and entertaining guests.
Stewardship: 6. Rhaenys cares little for coin, preferring to spend it in order to impress favorably those around her rather than accumulating it.
Martial: 10. Rhaenys has learned how to fight enough to not disgrace herself, but doesn't care about it.
Intrigue: 16. While not as skilled at it as her sister, Rhaenys is still capable of discerning lies and false promises, and is not easy to trick.
Learning: 18. Rhaenys takes great pleasure in learning everything there is to know, always appreciating the company of Lords, foreign envoys, priests and travellers alike.
Special Traits:
Blood of the Dragon: This character is part of a family of pure High Valyrian blood. This gives advantage to rolls against sickness, a +40 to taming Untamed Dragons, and a +20 to taming Wild Dragons.
Dragon Rider: This character is a Dragon Rider. Adds a +10 bonus to Diplomacy rolls made to intimidate or threaten a target, and a +5 to all other Diplomacy rolls. This bonus is removed if the Dragon dies.
Attuned to Dragons: Rhaenys is an expert Dragon Rider that spends long hours with her mount. +10 to her own and other's Taming chances if she is sent to help. +10 to her Dragon's Dueling Skills.
YOUR COUNCIL:
Castellan: Orys Baratheon (Courtier)
Master-at-Arms: Quenton Qoherys (Courtier)
Master of Ships: Lord Daemon Velaryon (Vassal)
Master of Laws: Lord Guncer Sunglass (Vassal)
Master of Coin: Lord Crispian Celtigar (Vassal)
Master of Whispers: -
Maester: Lothar
YOUR COURTIERS:
Coat of Arms: A black dragon with red wings on a yellow vertical bar on black
The House of Aegon's best friend, Orys Baratheon. In Valyrian customs, the lord's granting of a family name is seen as a sign of great favor.
Aegon's sworn shield, sworn brother, right hand, and alleged bastard brother. The two have been inseparable since youth, and Orys will give up his life for Aegon. Currently Aegon's Castellan.
(Your Castellan and your Queen are the only characters that can be assigned to any task)
Age: 23
Wife:-
Issue:-
Opinion of Aegon: 85 (LOYAL)
Diplomacy: 18. Orys is skilled at making friends and placating foes. While he is the kind of man that will never forgive a hated enemy, he will happily forgive a truly repentant adversary.
Stewardship: 15. As Aegon's Castellan, Orys has learned much in the ways of administration, showing the needed competence.
Martial: 24. Orys is the best commander in Aegon's court, a leader of men that is willing to fight with them through the thick and thin.
Intrigue: 8. Orys prefers to confront people directly rather than use guile and subterfuge.
Learning: 10. Orys knows how to read and write, and can learn skills if he considers them useful, but lacks any interest in theory or unneeded informations.
Dueling Skills: 24+4
Special Traits:
Dragonseed: This character is the bastard son or grandson of a character with Blood of the Dragon. Add +10 to tame Untamed Dragons and +5 to tame Wild Dragons.
An house with a long history of serving House Targaryen, tracing their blood back to their escape before the Doom.
Aegon's Master-at-Arms, a man of proven skills and competent at his role.
(The Master-at-Arms modifier is added to Martial rolls whenever possible).
Age: 48
Wife: Lyra
Issue: Marston Qoherys (son), Roger Qoherys (son), Gargon Qoherys (Grandson, son of Marston).
Opinion of Aegon: 75 (LOYAL)
Martial: 20. Quenton is a skilled commander and teacher, who has trained the Targaryen siblings and Orys Baratheon, though most of the students have surpassed the Master.
Dueling Skills: 20+20 = 40
Special Traits:
Duelist: This Character is experienced in single combat. Add +20 to Dueling Skills.
Valyrian Blood (weak): This character has distant Valyrian descent. Add +5 to tame Dragons.
A smallfolk woman, the sister of one of the many members of Dragonstone's garrison.
Age: 48
Husband: Quenton Qoherys
Issue: Marston Qoherys (son), Roger Qoherys (son), Gargon Qoherys (grandson, son of Marston).
Opinion of Aegon: 75 (LOYAL)
A commander of the garrison of Dragonstone.
Age: 23
Wife: Elinor
Issue: Gargon Qoherys (son)
Opinion of Aegon: 70 (LOYAL)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (weak): This character has distant Valyrian descent. Add +5 to tame Dragons.
A member of the garrison of Dragonstone.
Age: 18
Wife: -
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: 70 (LOYAL)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (weak): This character has distant Valyrian descent. Add +5 to tame Dragons.
Age: 3
Opinion of Aegon: - (child)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (weak): This character has distant Valyrian descent. Add +5 to tame Dragons.
An aged Maester from the Citadel, and current Maester of Dragonstone.
Age: 51
Wife: -
Issue: -
Learning: 18. Maester Lothar is an excellent erudite, though his knowledge is often only theoretic, lacking in practicality.
Opinion of Aegon: 75 (LOYAL)
Special Traits:
Maester: This character is part of the order of Maesters. +5 to Diplomacy rolls with other Maesters and Westerosi characters with a positive or neutral opinion of him.
Maesters Chain:
Black iron (Ravencraft): 3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester can train new Ravens at the rhythm of 1d4 per month]
Bronze (Astronomy): 3 [Inactive due to the change in star maps]
Brass (Language): 4 [With a rank of 4, this Maester can learn one language every 3 months, and then teach said language in 2 more months. He also speaks 4 Planetosi languages (Common Tongue, High Valyrian, Rhoynar, Summer Tongue)]
Copper (History): 5 [Inactive due to change in global history]
Electrum (Literature): 2 [With a rank of 2, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Yellow and red gold (Mathematics): 3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester has a bonus of +5 to teaching actions]
Iron (Warcraft): 4 [With a rank of 4, this Maester can be assigned to aid in Martial actions, adding a bonus of +8]
Lead (Architecture): 3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester can be assigned to Stewardship actions related to construction, adding a bonus of +6]
Platinum (Craftsmanship): 2 [With a rank of 2, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Silver (Healing): 5 [With a rank of 5, this Maester is a skilled Healer. +15 to rolls against infection, illness and poison (unless he wants that character dead...)]
Steel (Natural Sciences): 1 [With a rank of 1, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Tin (Geography): 1 [Inactive due to change in global geography]
Valyrian Steel (Higher Misteries): None
A young Knight with experience fighting in the Disputed Lands, has traits of Valyrian descent.
Age: 21
Wife: -
Issue: -
Martial: 14. Ser Pate is a young man with much room to grow in the coming years, but already proves himself more skilled than the average soldier.
Opinion of Aegon: 30 (NEUTRAL)
Commander Traits:
Infantry Leader: This character is a skilled leader of foot soldiers. +5 during Volley Phase, +10 during Melee
A guard of the Dragonstone garrison, selected for his experience and skill.
Age: 33
Wife: - (Widowed)
Issue: -
Martial: 13. Dontos is a skilled soldier, but does suffer from having only trained with his fellow guards.
Opinion of Aegon: 35 (NEUTRAL)
Commander Traits:
Defender: This character has experience holding the line and keeping his men in order in times of crisis. If the portion he is commanding loses the Volley, +10 to the Melee. -2 chances to end up in a Duel with an enemy commander or subcommander
An experienced merchant popular among the smallfolk.
Age: 32
Wife: Talea
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: 30 (NEUTRAL)
Diplomacy: 11. Edwell's silver tongue has helped him out of his share of troubles, but it's still more useful to sell wares than
YOUR VASSALS:
Coat of Arms: A silver sea horse on a field of aquamarine green
Words: The Old, The True, The Brave
House Velaryon is an ancient Valyrian house. Having settled on Driftmark, the largest island of Blackwater Bay, long before other Valyrian Houses, their castles, Driftmark, holds the Driftwood Throne, an ancient relic said to have been given to them by the Merling King to seal a pact. House Velaryon today is a powerful vassal and ally of House Targaryen of Dragonstone, with which it has intermerried numerous times. The current Lord of Tides and Master of Driftmark is Lord Daemon Velaryon.
The Master of Ships of Dragonstone and Lord of Driftmark. A close friend of the Lord of Dragonstone and his sister-wives.
(The modifier of your Master of Ships is added to your Martial whenever possible (alternative to the Master-at-Arms for sea-related choices))
Age: 30
Wife: Alysanne Velaryon
Issue: Aethan Velaryon (son), Corlys Velaryon (son), Maegor Velaryon (son)
Heir: Aethan Velaryon
Opinion of Aegon: 75 (LOYAL)
Martial: 20. Despite his young age, Daemon has grown on the sea, and knows perfectly how to command a fleet of ships.
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (strong): This character has particularly strong Valyrian blood, due to often intermarrying with a family with Blood of the Dragon. +15 to taming Untamed Dragons, +10 to taming Wild dragons.
Daemon's cousin and wife, daughter of his deceased uncle Jacaerys Velaryon.
Age: 32
Husband: Daemon Velaryon
Issue: Aethan Velaryon (son), Corlys Velaryon (son), Maegor Velaryon (son)
Opinion of Aegon: 70 (LOYAL)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (strong): This character has particularly strong Valyrian blood, due to often intermarrying with a family with Blood of the Dragon. +15 to taming Untamed Dragons, +10 to taming Wild dragons.
Age: 12
Opinion of Aegon: - (child)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (strong): This character has particularly strong Valyrian blood, due to often intermarrying with a family with Blood of the Dragon. +15 to taming Untamed Dragons, +10 to taming Wild dragons.
Age: 10
Opinion of Aegon: - (Child)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (strong): This character has particularly strong Valyrian blood, due to often intermarrying with a family with Blood of the Dragon. +15 to taming Untamed Dragons, +10 to taming Wild dragons.
Age: 8
Opinion of Aegon: - (Child)
Special Traits:
Valyrian Blood (strong): This character has particularly strong Valyrian blood, due to often intermarrying with a family with Blood of the Dragon. +15 to taming Untamed Dragons, +10 to taming Wild dragons.
Coat of Arms:Red crabs strewn on white
Words: Old Blood, New Tides
House Celtigar is a minor Valyrian House that established itself on the small island of Claw Isle centuries before the Doom. Before the arrival, House Celtigar was adamant in its claim of sovereignty over Cracklaw Point, even though the local lords opposed it fiercely. House Celtigar was wealthy enough to obtain a Valyrian Steel Battle Axe, Crab's Pincer, passed down through generations of Lords of Claw Isle.
Aegon's Master of Coin and the Lord of Claw Isle. An older man of honest stock.
(The modifier of the Master of Coin is added to Stewardship rolls whenever possible)
Age: 56
Wife:-
Issue: Alton Celtigar (son), Edwell Celtigar (grandson)
Heir: Alton Celtigar
Opinion of Aegon: 80 (LOYAL)
Stewardship: 19. Crispian is a honest man that will advise his lord truthfully on all matters of taxation, debt and incomes.
Dueling Skills: 8(+20 if wielding Crab's Pincer).
Special Traits:
Crab's Pincer: The Valyrian Steel Battleaxe of House Celtigar. While wielding Crab's Pincer, this character adds +20 to his Dueling Skills.
Dragon Rider: This character is a Dragon Rider. Adds a +10 bonus to Diplomacy rolls made to intimidate or threaten a target, and a +5 to all other Diplomacy rolls. This bonus is removed if the Dragon dies.
Blood of the Dragon (acquired): This character is part of a family of Valyrian blood and is or descends closely from a Dragon Rider. This gives advantage to rolls against sickness, a +40 to taming Untamed Dragons, and a +20 to taming Wild Dragons.
A man that has been raised by his father to succeed him in his role at the Targaryen court.
Wife: Jeyne Celtigar (neé Darke)
Age: 34
Opinion of Aegon: 70 (LOYAL)
Special Traits:
Blood of the Dragon (acquired): This character is part of a family of Valyrian blood and is or descends closely from a Dragon Rider. This gives advantage to rolls against sickness, a +40 to taming Untamed Dragons, and a +20 to taming Wild Dragons.
The wife of Alton Celtigar, from a lesser noble house of the Kingdom of Isles and Rivers, a distant relative of House Darklyn.
Husband: Alton Celtigar
Age: 30
Opinion of Aegon: 70 (LOYAL)
Age: 10
Opinion of Aegon: - (Child)
Special Traits:
Blood of the Dragon (acquired): This character is part of a family of Valyrian blood and is or descends closely from a Dragon Rider. This gives advantage to rolls against sickness, a +40 to taming Untamed Dragons, and a +20 to taming Wild Dragons.
Coat of Arms: Seven seven-pointed stars in a ring on white
Motto: From One, the Seven
House Sunglass is a minor Stormlander House that rules the small island of Sweetport Sound, once located near the coast of Massey's Hook. Since its founding, House Sunglass has been a staunch defender of the Faith of the Seven, and many of its members have been Septons of renown or members of the Faith Militant.
The current Lord of Sweetport Sound, a zealous follower of the Faith of the Seven.
Age: 48
Wife: Jocelyn Sunglass (neé Penrose)
Issue: Bonifer Sunglass (son), Argella Sunglass (daughter), Bryndemere Sunglass (son), Casper Sunglass(son), Corenna Sunglass (granddaughter (daughter of Bonifer)), Manfred Sunglass (grandson (son of Bonifer)), Criston Storm (grandson (son of Casper))
Opinion of Aegon: 50 (MOSTLY LOYAL)
Diplomacy: 14. Lord Guncer has competent knowledge of laws and tradition, but his zealousness means that he puts canon law before anything else, and tends to see with visible suspicion anyone that doesn't follow the Faith of the Seven, hindering his diplomatic skills somewhat.
Traits:
Zealous (Faith of the Seven): This character is a faithful follower of the Seven, the majority religion in Westeros. Add +5 Diplomacy from members of the clergy of the Seven and other Zealous members of the Faith. -5 Diplomacy when dealing with the clergy of other Faiths.
Daughter of a cousin of the previous Lord of House Penrose, a noble House of the Stormlands, her nephew Ser Donal Penrose, member of the Faith Militant, was taking the chance to visit her at the time of the arrival.
Age: 45
Husband: Guncer Sunglass
Issue: Bonifer Sunglass (son), Argella Sunglass (daughter), Bryndemere Sunglass (son), Casper Sunglass(son), Corenna Sunglass (granddaughter (daughter of Bonifer)), Manfred Sunglass (grandson (son of Bonifer)), Criston Storm (bastard grandson (son of Casper))
Opinion of Aegon: 30 (NEUTRAL)
Heir of Sweetport Sound, a devoted follower of the Faith of the Seven like his father.
Age: 27
Wife: Tyana Sunglass (neé Lonmouth)
Issue: Corenna Sunglass (daughter), Manfred Sunglass (son)
Opinion of Aegon: 40 (MOSTLY LOYAL)
Twin of Manfred Sunglass.
Age: 6
Opinion of Aegon: - (Child)
Twin of Corenna Sunglass.
Age: 6
Opinion of Aegon: - (Child)
Lord Sunglass' only daughter, still unmarried.
Age: 24
Husband: -
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: 30 (NEUTRAL)
A Knight and member of the Faith Militant (Warrior's Sons), has sworn a vow of celibacy.
Age: 23
Wife: -
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: 10 (NEUTRAL)
Warrior's Son: This character is a member of the Noble and Puissant Order of the Warrior's Sons, the knightly order of the Faith of the Seven. +10 Diplomacy with Septons, +5 Diplomacy with Lords of the Faith of the Seven.
Seen as the black sheep of the family after the birth of his bastard son.
Age: 20
Wife: -
Issue: Criston Storm (bastard son)
Opinion of Aegon: 25 (NEUTRAL)
Bastard of Casper Sunglass and a fisherman's daughter.
Age: 1
Opinion of Aegon: - (Child)
VASSALS' VASSALS
None currently
KINGDOM OF NORWAY
Coat of Arms: Not in use in this time period
House Words: Not in use in this time period
The ruling House of Norway claims descent from Harald Fairhair, founder of the Kingdom. The current ruler, Harald Hardrada, has a spotty descendance from the ancient King, having ascended to the throne instead as his predecessor Magnus the Good's uncle. Currently, the Kingdom is busy with the battle for the Crown of England, and the remaining animosity with the King of Denmark.
Members:
The current ruler of Norway, uncle of his predecessor and a veteran of the famed Varangian Guard, considered one of the greatest warriors of his generation. His sobriquet, Hardrada, means hard-ruler, for his strong grip over his Norwegian vassals achieved through decisive action and violence in equal measure. He took a second wife after returning to Norway, unusual but not unheard of.
Age: 51
Wives: Elisiv of Kiev, Tora Torbegsdatter
Issue: Ingegerd Haraldsdotter, Maria Haraldsdotter, Magnus Haraldsson, Olaf Haraldsson
Opinion of Aegon: - (Unknown)
Born Elisaveta, daughter of the Grand Prince of Kiev, Yaroslav the Wise, her marriage with King Harald of Norway has only produced daughters.
Age: 41
Husband: Harald Hardrada
Issue: Ingegerd Haraldsdotter, Maria Haraldsdotter
Opinion of Aegon: - (Unknown)
The daughter of the powerful Torbeg Arnersson, ruler of Giske in Norway. Her marriage with King Harald produced two sons.
Husband: Harald Hardrada
Issue: Magnus Haraldsson, Olaf Haraldsson
Opinion of Aegon: - (Unknown)
Eldest daughter of Harald Hardrada and his first wife, Elisiv of Kiev.
Age: 21
Husband: -
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: - (Uknown)
Youngest daughter of Harald Hardrada and his first wife, Elisiv of Kiev.
Age: 19
Husband: - (Bethroted to Eystein Orre, uncle of her step-mother Queen Tora)
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: - (Unknown)
Eldest son of Harald Hardrada and his second wife, Tora Torbegsdatter. Known as the Prince of Nidaros, was the first European noble to visit the Dragon Isles.
Age: 18
Wife: -
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: 10 (NEUTRAL)
Second son of Harald Hardrada and his second wife, Tora Torbegsdatter.
Age: 16
Wife: -
Issue: -
Opinion of Aegon: - (Unknown)
OTHER CHARACTERS
(Contains all characters mentioned in the Quest)
In the Dragon Isles:
Septon Joffrey, the Septon of Sweetport Sound
Septon Quentyn, a travelling Septon
Ser Donal Penrose, a member of the Warrior's Sons
Septon Narbert, a travelling Septon
Ser Gunthor Redbow, a hedge Knight
Tychoros Lornel, a Myrmen skilled with the sword
In Norway:
Alios, A Volantene textile and ivory trader in contact with the Norwegian court
Wulf, a housecarl of Prince Magnus of Norway
Sweyn, a housecarl of Prince Magnus of Norway
DRAGONS
See Informational: Dragons and Dragon rules for more info on Dragons.
Targaryen Dragons
Dragons that are currently tamed by House Targaryen or its vassals.
Balerion the Black Dread, the largest living Dragon. This massive creature has lived to see the Doom of Valyria and the Century of Blood, ending that age by burning the Volantene Fleet.
Age: 124
Dueling Skills: 62+20 = 82 (Used for siege/battle survival and dragon duels)
Rider: Aegon Targaryen
Dragon Traits:
Massive: This Dragon was born larger than average, and has grown to an even larger size. Gives +10 in dragon duels against dragons that don't have the same trait. Autowin against Small dragons.
Old: This Dragon is over a hundred years old, and its scales are so strong they can repel arrows and crossbow bolts. Add +20 Dueling Skills during sieges and battles, and +10 Taming chance.
Battle-hardened: This Dragon has been used in battle several times, and has grown used to it. Add +20 to dueling Skills.
Tame: This Dragon is surprisingly tame, easily accepting a new Rider. +10 Taming chance.
The first Dragon born on Dragonstone after the Doom. The white scales of Meraxes shine brightly as they reflect the light of the sun.
Age: 86
Dueling Skills: 43
Rider: Rhaenys Targaryen
Dragon Traits:
Huge: This Dragon has grown to towering size. Add +10 to Dueling Skills during Dragon duels with Dragons that aren't Huge or Massive. Additional +20 against Small Dragons.
Fertile: This Dragon produces an unusually high amount of eggs. Add +5 to Dragon Eggs roll.
The youngest Targaryen dragon, the grey dragon Vhagar is growing rapidly, though she is still nowhere close to the size of Balerion.
Age: 50
Dueling Skills: 25+10 = 35
Rider: Visenya Targaryen
Dragon Traits:
Large: This Dragon is larger than average. Add +5 to Dueling Skills during Dragon duels with Dragons that aren't Large, Huge or Massive.
Fierce: This Dragon is a brave creature and can overcome even stronger opponents. Add +10 do Dueling Skills.
Tame: This Dragon is surprisingly tame, easily accepting a new rider. +10 Taming chance.
A young Dragon whose egg hatched a few years ago in the recesses of the Dragonmount. Having grown in the wilds, it lives untamed in the caves of the Dragonmount. It has managed to evade any attempt by the Dragonkeepers to capture it.
Age: 10
Dueling Skills: 5+10 = 15
Rider: Crispian Celtigar
Dragon Traits:
Small: This Dragon is young and still Small, barely big enough to ride. -5 to fighting any larger dragon.
Vicious: This Dragon is violent and attacks easily. -10 Taming chance.
Fierce: This Dragon is a brave creature and can overcome even stronger opponents. Add +10 do Dueling Skills.
Cannibal (Tamed): This Dragon eats other dragons. However, while the Rider keeps the Dragon under control, it won't feed on fellow dragons outside of battle. +10 Dueling Skills against other Dragons its size or smaller. -10 Taming Chance.
Untamed Dragons
Dragons that have been tamed before, or dragons that have been captured and pacified by the Dragonkeepers.
A young Dragon born a year before the Arrival. Its body bears the scars of having been almost killed and eaten by the Cannibal, a previously Wild Dragon that the Sand Digger holds a great grudge against.
Age: 2
Dueling Skills: 1+10 = 11
Dragon Traits:
Small: This Dragon is young and still Small, barely big enough to ride. -5 to fighting any larger dragon.
Wild: This Dragon has never been tamed before.
Shy: This Dragon is elusive, rarely showing itself. -5 Taming chance.
Fierce: This Dragon is a brave creature and can overcome even stronger opponents. Add +10 do Dueling Skills.
Maimed (recent): This Dragon has suffered a debilitating, permanent injury that has not completely healed. -10 Dueling Skills against larger dragons, -5 Dueling Skills against Dragons its size. +10 Taming Chance. Will eventually turn into Maimed (Untamed and Tame Dragons heal faster).
Landed (temporary): This Dragon's wings have been damaged and it currently cannot fly. +20 Taming chance. Will eventually heal (Untamed and Tame Dragons heal faster).
Rivalry (Cannibal): This Dragon hates viciously another Dragon (The Cannibal). +10 to Dueling Skills against the rival. If fighting multiple Dragons, it will prioritize Dueling the rival. The Dragon will react negatively to the Dragon Rider of the rival.
[X] Allow the Council's formation, but 'discourage' the Conclave (Diplomacy roll (Intimidation). DC: 70. The Faith will be slightly displeased. Opens to future Events).
Overall, I tend to agree that we should be wary of the faith of the Seven, especially since it would be as heretical to Christians as the faith of Old Valyria.
[X] Plan: Dragons over the sea.
-[X] Name Lord Sunglass Master of Law.
-[X] The Nest and the Return.
-[X] Sea Hunt.
-[X] Expand the town.
-[X] Build a Spy Network.
-[X] Find a Maester.
-[X] Visions of Fire and Blood.
-[X] Family First.
--[X] Visenya Targaryen.
-[X] Send someone to help.
--[X] Council of the Seven.
---[X] Orys Baratheon.
[X] Plan: Marine patrols.
-[X] Name Lord Sunglass Master of Law.
-[X] Leave to Return.
-[X] Patrols on the Sea.
-[X] Expand the town.
-[X] Build a Spy Network.
-[X] Find a Maester.
-[X] Visions of Fire and Blood.
-[X] Family First.
--[X] Visenya Targaryen.
-[X] Send someone to help.
--[X] Council of the Seven.
---[X] Orys Baratheon.
Two versions of the plan - in one we disband only the army, in the second - also the fleet. Patrolling with dragons is cheaper than with ships, and the lords will also be grateful for the return of their fleet, but it can be a little riskier.
Also, we probably need some kind of opinion scale.
Well, we don't really need a fleet and an army. Nothing prevents us from building an Empire from Dublin to Baghdad. There is no force in Europe capable of defeating Balerion, Vhagar, Miraxes.
Probably the nearest engineering school capable of opposing us is in Constantinople. Given the Byzantine level of intrigue, after burning their field army, the city gates will open in 1.5 seconds.
Yes, that will be introduced later, as I didn't want to overexplain stuff all at once, but this Quest uses the CK2 scale where characters have an opinion of other characters of -100 (worst, loath those characters viciously) to 100 (best, would die for that character).
There is no force in Europe capable of defeating Balerion, Vhagar, Miraxes.
Probably the nearest engineering school capable of opposing us is in Constantinople. Given the Byzantine level of intrigue, after burning their field army, the city gates will open in 1.5 seconds.
Well speaking of that, I guess good time to explain the rules for Dragons...
(XX)
Dragons. Beasts of fire and iron scales, that made the Valyrian Freehold the strongest power on Planetos at the time of its ascension. After the Doom of Valyria, the dragons perished almost entirely, killed by the explosion of the Fourteen Flames or along with their riders in the chaos of the aftermath, as the cities of Essos took the chance to kill their masters.
Behavior
Dragons are territorial and sedentary. Wild Dragons rarely leave the territory immediately around their den, in which they hunt while keeping other dragons away. Tamed Dragons will travel wherever their master takes them, and at the death of their Master will establish a den in close proximity to wherever they find themselves, instead of trying to return to their previous home.
Dragon Eggs
Dragons can produce Dragon Eggs at any time of year. While dragons generally have a fixed sex, they are capable of switching from one to the other depending on environmental pressure (for example, if all female dragons are gone from the area, a male dragon might switch to the other sex to reproduce). Additionally, dragons that are currently female can self-impregnate, producing a viable egg without a mate. As such, Dragon Eggs can be found in the lair of almost any dragon, regardless of whether its inhabitant is generally identified as a male or female dragon. Dragons can also practice incest, mating with their close relatives apparently without ill effect. This behavior is the direct source of the Valyrian custom.
On the other hand, Dragons reproduce very rarely. While a female dragon can produce multiple eggs a year, it isn't rare for a Dragon to go several years without producing a single egg.
Every six months, two rolls are made in the Quest: one for Tame Dragons producing a Egg (with multiple Eggs being found with a critical success), and one for a new Wild Dragon being sighted (with an additional Egg being found with a critical success). The default chance is 1+total number of dragons/100, with modifiers changing the chance for good or ill (but the chance can never be below 1). If either is successful, a second roll is made to determine when the Egg is found or the new Wild Dragon first appears.
Hatching a Dragon Egg
Dragon Eggs hatch in three ways:
Wild hatching, that are discovered when a new Wild Dragon is sighted;
Purposeful hatching, that can be done by someone with the right skillset (Blood of the Dragon or Valyrian Blood (strong));
Cradle hatching, that is achieved by putting a dragon egg in the cradle of a newborn (within the first year of birth) with Blood of the Dragon or Valyrian Blood (any kind);
In the second case, the Dragon is Untamed, or Wild if the person hatching the Egg is a Dragon Rider, and needs to be tamed with the appropriate roll. In the third, the Dragon is considered Tamed by the newborn child. Both have a chance of failure. Failure to hatch an Egg can vary from a simple failure, to the Dragon Egg becoming unviable, to the character being wounded, maimed or badly burnt (the latter three don't occur in Cradle Hatchings).
Taming a Dragon
Dragons accept only one Rider at a time. While they can be made to carry other people, that is only with their Rider present: an unwanted Rider will be forced off their back by the Dragon, usually resulting in the unlucky rider dying.
In the Quest, Dragons are divided into three categories:
Tamed: Dragons that currently have a Dragon Rider
Untamed: Dragons that previously had a Dragon Rider, or that were hatched by someone that isn't a Dragon Rider
Wild: Dragons that never had a Dragon Rider, or that were hatched by someone that is a Dragon Rider
By default, the chance of taming an Untamed Dragon is 2/100 and the chance of taming a Wild Dragon is 1/100, with the bloodline of the would-be Rider influencing their chance further. Peculiarities of a Dragon's individual character further influence the chance of success, though it can never go below 1/100 for those that have Blood of the Dragon, Valyrian Blood of any kind or are Dragonseeds.
Growth, aging and death by old age
A dragon never stops growing, and therefore Dragons grow in size the older they are. However, size and age aren't directly related: some dragons are born larger or smaller than average (or more accurately, grow more rapidly or more slowly).
In the Quest, Dragons are divided in six sizes: Small, Normal, Large, Huge, Massive and Gargantuan. Generally, dragons grow in size as follows:
Small: less than 15 years old
Normal: 15 to 49 years old
Large: 50 to 79 years old
Huge: 80 to 149 years old
Massive: 150 and up years old
A Dragon that is born larger than average can grow faster. A dragon of said size can also achieve the Gargantuan size if it's older than 200 years old. On the other hand, a dragon that is born smaller than average will likely plateau at Huge.
Dragons can live for centuries. On average, a Dragon is considered Old when it passes the 100 years old mark, but that is only because the Dragon becomes less active past that mark, preferring to be active only to hunt, reproduce or fight, and its growth slows down heavily. In general, Dragons die around 210-250 years of age, but a Dragon can live far longer.
Old Dragons grow at least partially impervious to projectiles, with nothing but balistas or
In the Quest, starting from the age of 180, a dragon rolls a death save every year (the roll being 1/100 at 180 and going up by 1 every 5 years until the age of 200, then going up by 1 every year until the age of 250, then going up by 2 every year past that, until it plateaus at 99/100). There are a few Traits that can lower this DC.
Killing a dragon: Sieges and Battles
While Dragons are mostly impervious to normal ranged weapons, and extremely hard to kill, there are still ways to do so. Scorpions, Ballistas and other siege weapons can kill a dragon, assuming the creature is hit. A arrow in the eye can kill a younger dragon, and if the wing of a flying dragon is ripped in some way, the creature will come tumbling down, possibly dying on impact.
In the Quest, this combination of possibilities is represented by rolling a dice during Battles and Sieges in which a Dragon is employed, with the DC to wound the creature being the Dueling Skill of the creature. Further harm to the beast can be done by rolling more, from badly wounding, to maiming, up to killing it if the roll is 50 or more higher than the DC.
Dragon Duels
That being said, the main cause of death for a Dragon is another Dragon. Dragon Duels are essentially handled like normal Duels, with the two opponents rolling a d100+Dueling Skills five times and the winner being the one that gets a 3-2 or more. The loser is always killed, while the winner can come out maimed (3-2), wounded (4-1) or unscathed (5-0). Maimed dragons roll three death saves on a d20 and if they fail the death saves die as well.
I feel like, at least early on in the quest, it might be to your benefit to simplify or reduce the votes, rather than totally relying on the players to make plans. That works well once you have a dedicated group of players, but when you're just starting out, all of your readers are going to be casual. You're essentially asking them to create somewhat in-depth plans with nine separate options to vote for, which can be pretty intimidating, especially to someone reading on their lunch break.
I feel like, at least early on in the quest, it might be to your benefit to simplify or reduce the votes, rather than totally relying on the players to make plans. That works well once you have a dedicated group of players, but when you're just starting out, all of your readers are going to be casual. You're essentially asking them to create somewhat in-depth plans with nine separate options to vote for, which can be pretty intimidating, especially to someone reading on their lunch break.
That's a fair point. I'm already considering splitting up the votes, essentially breaking them into voting one time for Council decisions and the other for Personal/Magic/Special decisions, if people feel that keeping them all together is too inconvenient. It's just a matter of finding the balance between preventing the Quest from feeling it's not advancing (because you are voting too often each round) and having too many options to choose from in each vote, and a lot of that comes down to trial and error.
Couple days left to vote, though the results are pretty clear (I'm assuming that everyone that voted Marine patrols is voting the same for the Special, even if the vote wasn't listed under the Plan
Still, if anyone wants to vote, there is still time to change things
[X] Allow the Council's formation, but 'discourage' the Conclave (Diplomacy roll (Intimidation). DC: 70. The Faith will be slightly displeased. Opens to future Events).
[X] 'Discourage' the Council's formation and the Conclave (Diplomacy roll (Intimidation). DC: 80. The Faith will be very displeased. Opens to future Events).
Closing this one day earlier for manifest superiority.
The order of results is mixed up a bit sometimes to make things more consequential.
(XX)
Aegon had known, of course, that the conversation would be tense. That was why he had arranged for Orys and Rhaenys to be present. And of course, had prepared a peace offering.
"Lord Sunglass. Septon Joffrey." He gave a nod of acknowledgment to both as they entered the room of the Painted Table. The table shaped like Westeros might very well have been the last proof of the continent ever existing, aside from the four islands and the people living on them.
"My Lord." Lord Sunglass bowed his head, "I hope the occasion is joyous."
"I believe it will be, my Lord. First of all, though Septon Joffrey, might I inquire on the exact state of the clergy of the Seven in the Isles?"
The Septon grimaced, looking like he had just been asked to suck on a particularly bitter lemon, "The situation is quite dire, my Lord. There were none but a few members of the Warrior's Sons and the Poor Fellows in the Gullet at the time. And as there are no Most Devout on the islands either, the surviving clergy is in a disorganized state."
Aegon noted mentally that the man had started by talking about their lack of military power. An offering of submission, a lie to pretend weakness, or a slip in his attempt to garner sympathy from the heathen warlord?
"In that case, I believe my position on the matter should be agreeable. I will support the Council." He noticed the smile on both faces and continued, "But I will ask you to not hold a conclave."
"Lord Aegon, the High Septon-" Lord Sunglass started, but Rhaenys cleared her throat.
"Lord Sunglass, I believe my husband wasn't finished explaining his reasoning." She pointed out, and there was a cold undertone behind her smile that reminded everyone that Rhaenys was the woman that claimed the second oldest Targaryen dragon as a young woman, and had no qualms in using it to aid her husband's conquest before the world changed.
Sunglass sweated profusely, and nodded, "Of course, my lady. I apologise for my discourtesy."
Aegon nodded, "To conclude my thoughts, I meant to explain that what I'm saying is merely that I wish for a Conclave to be put on hold for a while longer. A couple years, at least, as we figure out whether we are going to be sent back or not. I am sure you agree that the last thing the Faith needs is for a second High Septon if we go back."
Lord Sunglass nodded, clearly conflicted but unable to offer a counterargument. Septon Joffrey seemed similarly unable to counter Aegon's logic, so the Lord of Dragonstone moved with his peace offering.
"That being said, I do believe that, in the new situation we find ourselves in, it is necessary for me to receive advice from someone who I can trust. Particularly, in matters of judgment. I have decided to create a new position as Master of Law, whose role will be to advise me in matters of precedents of ruling and helping with the new challenges that might arise from our dealings with the people of this world, whoever they might be." He smiled, and with that in mind, I'd like to offer the position to you, Lord Sunglass."
Aegon had to admit he enjoyed the expression on Lord Guncer's face as his words sunk in. Truth be told, the Master of Law would be a largely advisory seat, and Orys and Rhaenys could cover any issue that arised if Lord Guncer proved inept. It was a small price to pay for pulling the Lord closer to him, and hopefully ensure his support in dealing with the Faith in the future. In the future, he could always assign him to other tasks.
The current Lord of Sweetport Sound, a zealous follower of the Faith of the Seven.
Age: 48
Wife: Jocelyn Sunglass (neé Penrose)
Issue: Bonifer Sunglass (son), Argella Sunglass (daughter), Bryndemere Sunglass (son), Casper Sunglass(son), Corenna Sunglass (granddaughter (daughter of Bonifer)), Manfred Sunglass (grandson (son of Bonifer)), Criston Storm (grandson (son of Casper))
Diplomacy: 14. Lord Guncer has competent knowledge of laws and tradition, but his zealousness means that he puts canon law before anything else, and tends to see with visible suspicion anyone that doesn't follow the Faith of the Seven, hindering his diplomatic skills somewhat.
Traits:
Zealous (Faith of the Seven): This character is a faithful follower of the Seven, the majority religion in Westeros. Add +5 Diplomacy from members of the clergy of the Seven and other Zealous members of the Faith. -5 Diplomacy when dealing with the clergy of other Faiths.
DC: 70
Roll: 80 + 18 (Aegon) + 10 (Dragon Rider) + 21 (Rhaenys) + 10 (Dragon Rider) + 18 (Orys) = 157. Success! The faith of the Seven has a slightly worse opinion of Aegon. -5 to all Diplomacy rolls against members of the Faith for the next six five (roll over 100) rounds.
Lord Guncer Sunglass is named Master of Law.
Roll Diplomacy: d20+4= 14. Rhaenys can now be assigned to help with others' actions.
-
"Get in line you fools! Yes, one at a time, like that! You are all going home so don't push each other like a bunch of sheep without a dog, if you don't want to push yourself into the water!"
Aegon, standing to the side, wearing his armor, watched as his army melted into small bits. It had begun that morning, when Aegon had told them that they could go home and would be taken there by ship if they didn't live on Dragonstone. With that, about a third of his soldiers had left in the hour or so after, disappearing back in the fishing villages on the rocky shores of Dragonstone or inland to their flocks of sheep. The rest needed to be taken home, and given his other orders, Daemon had decided the best course of action was using a small portion of the Targaryen fleet to do so, instead of paying a merchant a few coppers per person to sail them across.
Observing the - rather uneventful, despite Quenton's shouts to keep the soldiers in line - proceedings also gave him time to consider what being lost in this new world meant. His dreams hadn't returned yet, which made him feel... purposeless. For his entire life, at least as far back as the first time his father decided to educate him as a Lord, Aegon had a firm dream. He flew on Balerion's back over Westeros, seeing the land his dreams told him needed to be united. He visited the Citadel, researching what the visions could mean. He saw - clearly - the image of a future where the world would need dragons and he would need the people united.
And, he admitted, it was also his ambition. A lesser man would have rejected the dreams, thinking them a mere folly, but even before his father's death, before claiming Balerion, when he was just a child studying history, geography and diplomacy, Aegon loved to imagine his campaigns to conquer Westeros. If the dream was the fertilizer that seed of ambition needed to grow, the seed was already there and ready to sprout.
And now it was gone. Gone were the vast waters of the Trident, gone were the drums of war of the Ironborn, gone were the sea of coat of arms raised high by the proud lords of the south, gone was the power of the Northern lords. Gone was the dream of a single King from the Wall to the sands of Dorne. And it left Aegon purposeless, something he despised.
"You are unhappy, my Lord." Quenton suddenly said, the man having approached him now that the group he had been ordering around was finally finished embarking and they had to wait for the next ship to replace the current one. "We are almost done, just another ship for Driftmark and the entire army will have disbanded."
"I'm not unhappy about your work, Quenton. You do an excellent job."
"Thank you." The man said, "But then what worries you, my Lord?"
"The future. What is to be of me, now that we are in a strange land of which we know nothing? I thought my path in life was set, but now the future is unclear, and I feel lost." He asked.
Quenton nodded, "I understand, my Lord. Would you believe me if I told you I had a very similar discussion with your father?"
"My father?"
"Yes, my Lord. Lord Aerion and I, we were close, as close as friends can be. Like you and Orys, though he was ten years my senior. Sometimes, he'd confide in me. He'd let me know about his worries. More than once, he admitted to me that things had turned in directions he did not expect, and confided he worried of the world he was thrusting you and your sisters into."
"And what did he do?"
"He flew. Took Balerion to the sky, let his mind wonder. From high above, he told me, a man realizes how minuscule his problems are, and how easily they can be overcome. The rise of Volantis looks worrying to the man on the ground, but their armies are ants to the man from above." He snorted, "And his son was the one that burnt all these ants."
"I see." Aegon nodded. "But what do I do now that the problem is as large as the world , then?" He asked. He could see the smile on Quenton's face, the smile of the man that taught him the sword. When Quenton Qoherys smiled like that, his answer was always the same.
"Use your mind, Aegon." He said, forgoing the 'lord' in a way only someone like him could, using the same words he used in the training yard, or while giving him a lecture on warfare, "You are the one that must tell us what must be done, and we will follow you." He put a hand on his shoulder, and added something new, "Lord Aegon, the night is dark and full of terrors. Be our light, and take us through it. I know that if someone can do it, it's a man like you."
Aegon nodded. His worries weren't gone, but Quenton was right. His father, his ancestors, they all had seen their world change. The Doom, the Dothraki, House Hoare, Volantis... Whatever this new change was, it was something that he could overcome. "Thank you, Quenton."
"I just say what I believe, my Lord." Quenton replied, "Now if you will excuse me, the ship for Driftmark is here."
"You are excused, I think I should go."
"Where?"
"To fly, for starters." Aegon replied, "And then, perhaps, through the dark."
Success. Smallfolk opinion raised. Your next action that has negative effects on smallfolk opinion is neutral instead. +5 to Diplomacy rolls aimed at smallfolk from your territory.
-
Visenya grabbed the leeches, each of them fat with her blood and the blood of her siblings. The cave was deep in the Dragonmont, a passage large enough to let a dragon the size of Vhagar through but lone enough that no one would find out what she was doing. The flames burning in the center had been lit by Vaghar, burning to ash the initial offering of a living ram.
Valyrian magic was a magic of fire and blood. Fourteen flames, fourteen gods, fourteen mouths to feed through the flames.
"Blood of a brother, freely given, freely taken." She tossed the leech into the dragon fire, "Balerion, Lord of Conquest, son of the High Lords. May the blood of a warrior please your hunger."
"Blood of a sister, freely given, freely taken." The leech sizzled as it flew into the fire, "Terrax, Lord of Knowledge, seeker of truths. May the blood let you know more about the world."
"Blood of a mage, freely given." The leech exploded as it entered the fire, and Visenya was sure that now she was seeing figures in the flames, even if indistinct. She felt a cold shiver down her spine, like the presence of an unknown, powerful entity. "Vhagar, Lady of Magic, lighter of the dark. I make this offering so that you might intercede with your brother."
She tossed the remaining leeches into the fire. "Blood for the fire, fire for the blood. I feed the flames, and in doing so I feed the gods." She watched the flames grow larger, hotter, brighter. The shadows seemed to loom over her, and Vhagar, her dragon, was pulling back. She would have done the same, but as she did the light became ever brighter, and Visenya saw.
-
She was a dragon, a vast beast larger than any creature that had ever lived. Her wings were plains, her spikes were mountains. A single thought could take her away. She climbed her way out of a mountain, letting the comforting fire lap at her body, her scales burning hot, and flew high above the clouds, seeing the islands of her nest under her. Her four children flew under her, three having found a purpose, one sulking in the shadows above.
She didn't want to know that though. She knew these lands, and what she sought was beyond the horizon.
She flew north, north as far as she could go, but all she found was cold winter and cold ice. She could not smell the other creatures, the ones that waited, but perhaps they were hiding. Dragons rarely cared for cowardly prey.
She didn't want to know that. Today, she cared about the lives of men, not the designs of the unknowable.
She flew south, and then west. An island laid there. On a throne in the south, a monstrous lion sat, six more heads sprouting from his neck. She watched as one of the head viciously bit at the others, drawing blood, but the great lion was only looking south, letting the men below him hit the rebellious head with spears. Following its gaze, she saw a great army amassing around a creature that was man and lion, switching from one to the other every time Visenya looked at him. To the north, a great king looked curiously, his face obscured but his eyes clearly studying every movement of the lions. To the west, she could see lands littered with the crowns of fallen and living kings, eternal conflict dividing them.
The dragon flew south, where a field of golden lilies was finally blooming in a sea of blue grass, and their blooming promised greatness to the warrior watering them. Visenya could not see his face, but the shadow of death already crept behind him, ever closer, and promised to leave the garden to grow on its own soon.
The dragon flew higher. She saw a vast continent, that extended far beyond where even she could see. She could see many things, from great crosses emerging from the ground so that people could pray to them, to a young man penning a new page on a book marked with the symbols of rulers past, eagles and crowns and bloodied sword and rotted corpses flowing from every page. Behind him loomed a cross greater than any other, covered in gold and towering over him.
She flew more, seeing far-off empires and small domains at war. Three brother kings with knives aimed at the others' backs, a great city whose roots of stone and marble ran below the ground, a city of gold in which a warrior-king ruled from atop his horse, leading a charge towards a land of mountain and against a two-headed eagle whose body was covered in wounds, missing chunks of her beautiful plumage.
She felt her flight grow slow, but she wanted to know more. She flew back north, where a blue lion with three heads licks its wounds while glaring at a man covered in blood across a strait. In a land of mountains, the warrior covered in blood sits on a throne covered in swords and axes, and looks east. A final flap of her wings took her further east, not far, where the fire under a pot of stone has died and now a wolf and an eagle feast on the content while ripping pieces off each other's body, unwittingly spilling blood and content in another pot below, one that boils stronger and stronger.
The dragon flies back, and as she does feels the gaze of the man of blood, fixed towards the sea, until she comes to nest on the great mountain, and her eyes close once more.
-
Visenya gasped as she opened her eyes again. The fire was dim, and Vhagar rested next to her. She panted, taking more deep breaths as she made sure to remember everything she had seen. She couldn't understand everything, but she understood enough. This was a land of war, with rising Kings ready to claim anything in their path.
She needed to tell Aegon.
DC: 75
Learning Roll (d100)= 98+16=114 Visenya had a vision of what is happening, and a glimpse of what is to come.
-
"A man of blood?" Daemon asked, tapping his fingers against the sides of one of the Velaryon ships, the Glorious Aegon.
"Covered in blood." Aegon clarified. "It has been two days, and Visenya still seems worried."
"You are not?"
"Her vision didn't see a single dragon outside Dragonstone." He said, "And where there are no dragon riders, our House has a great advantage. Lions, eagles, wolves... Lannister, Arryn and Stark never worried us, so those should not do so either."
"Dragons can die." Daemon warned him, "Don't let yourself think they are invincible."
"I know." Aegon nodded, "But that is why we also have a Council of skilled men."
Daemon looked out at the sea, his eyes staring at the morning mist. "Speaking of skilled men, my sailors say they are worried. They claim that the stars moving is one thing, but this sea is also colder than the Gullet. They are afraid that we are in this world's equivalent of the Shivering Sea."
"I have never been that far north. Dragons dislike the cold." Aegon admitted, "But they mean we should prepare for longer, harsher winters?"
"Yes. I don't think this is as far north as Skagos in our world, but even if we are just as far north as the Bite we need to be ready to experience winters that will bring storms, snows and howling winds. Maybe Dragonstone will be safe, given the Dragonmont keeps it heated, but I'm worried for Driftmark, and for Claw Isle that is even further north."
"Not for Sweetport Sound?"
"Sweetport is south enough that, to make the comparison again, if we were in the middle of the Bite the island would be in the Vale proper, and that should mean they are better off."
"Another reason to find the people from this world and ask them. We can prepare for that."
"We have patrols now." Daemon replied, "We will find one of those ships and ask."
Aegon looked out at the vast sea. Was he being too cautious with his approach? Visenya's vision showed that there was land to find, and while distances in the vision were difficult to gauge they hadn't seemed insurmountable, for ship or dragon alike.
"I leave it to you, then, Lord of Tides." Aegon said finally, pushing the thoughts aside. Caution was a useful weapon, and he wasn't staying idle.
Success.
DC to spot ships approaching the islands reduced from 70 to 60.
-
Aegon sat on his chair in the room of the Painted Table when Orys escorted a man in. He was clearly on the older side, the black hair on his head turning grey in patches and the wrinkles showing on his pale face. The Maester's chain clinked as he bowed his head, exposing a balding patch at the peak of his head.
"Welcome, Maester. What is your name?" He asked.
"I'm Lothar, my Lord." The man said, bowing his head again.
"No House name?" Aegon asked.
"No, my Lord." The man replied, and Aegon nodded. It wasn't surprising for Maesters to come from any class of Westeros, and given the links the man was wearing, Aegon expected he was skilled enough to deserve the title.
"How long did you spend as a novice at the Citadel?"
"Five years, my lord."
"And as an Acolyte?"
"Thirty-three, my Lord. But I could have become a Maester sooner, had I chosen to take my vows earlier."
"Why didn't you?" Aegon asked, and Maester Lothar smiled.
"I wished to learn more, and a baseborn Maester is always the first sent away from the Citadel when a Lord asks for someone to replace their deceased Maester. I wished to pursue my education for as long as possible, so I never took the vows. Until last year, that is, when I was told I would be expelled from the Citadel if I didn't take the vows for good." He snorted, "As you can see, I was right in assuming I wouldn't stay for long afterwards."
"If I may ask, what were you doing in Dragonstone?"
"I was to become the new Maester of House Hogg." The Maester replied, "I sailed from Oldtown to Blackwater Bay, and we had stopped in Dragonstone so my ship could deliver some cargo when the light happened."
"He was offering his services for coin in the port when we found him." Orys added, "The guards found him because he was in a brawl with a pair of barbers."
"Sawbones that were angry I was doing a better job than they ever could." Lothar interjected.
Aegon nodded, "That is what I would expect. Now, I wish to ask more about your skills..."
Black iron (Ravencraft): 1d4+1=3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester can train new Ravens at the rhythm of 1d4 per month]
Bronze (Astronomy): 1d4=3 [Inactive due to the change in star maps]
Brass (Language): 1d4=4 [With a rank of 4, this Maester can learn one language every 3 months, and then teach said language in 2 more months. He also speaks (1d4+1) 4 Planetosi languages (Common Tongue, High Valyrian, Rhoynar, Summer Tongue)]
Copper (History): 1d4+2=5 [Inactive due to change in global history]
Electrum (Literature): 1d4=2 [With a rank of 2, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Yellow and red gold (Mathematics): 1d4=3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester has a bonus of +5 to teaching actions]
Iron (Warcraft): 1d4=4 [With a rank of 4, this Maester has 1d10+4=12 Martial]
Lead (Architecture): 1d4=3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester can be assigned to Stewardship actions related to construction, adding a bonus of +6]
Platinum (Craftsmanship): 1d2=2 [With a rank of 2, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Silver (Healing): 1d4+1=5 [With a rank of 5, this Maester is a skilled Healer. +15 to rolls against infection, illness and poison (unless he wants that character dead...)]
Steel ('Study of the elements' (Chemistry)): 1d2=1 [With a rank of 1, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Tin (Geography): 1d4=1 [Inactive due to change in global geography]
Valyrian Steel (Higher Misteries): None
The talk was long, as Aegon wanted to make sure Lothar was who he claimed to be, but the man seemed competent enough in his various subjects, and his story matched the general time necessary for a student of the Citadel of his age to obtain the rings he had. Some arguments interested Aegon more than others, but the man was a skilled healer, knew his ravencrafts, and spoke several languages. The latter might not have mattered - who knew if the two worlds shared even one - but it was still a valuable skill to have.
In the end, however, Dragonstone had its Maester, and Aegon left Orys to show his quarters, close enough to the rookery for the man to be always available.
An aged Maester from the Citadel, and current Maester of Dragonstone.
Age: 51
Wife: -
Issue: -
Special Traits:
Maester: This character is part of the order of Maesters. +5 to Diplomacy rolls with other Maesters and Westerosi characters with a positive or neutral opinion of him.
Maesters Chain:
Black iron (Ravencraft): 3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester can train new Ravens at the rhythm of 1d4 per month]
Bronze (Astronomy): 3 [Inactive due to the change in star maps]
Brass (Language): 4 [With a rank of 4, this Maester can learn one language every 3 months, and then teach said language in 2 more months. He also speaks 4 Planetosi languages (Common Tongue, High Valyrian, Rhoynar, Summer Tongue)]
Copper (History): 5 [Inactive due to change in global history]
Electrum (Literature): 2 [With a rank of 2, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Yellow and red gold (Mathematics): 3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester has a bonus of +5 to teaching actions]
Iron (Warcraft): 4 [With a rank of 4, this Maester can be assigned to aid in Martial actions, adding a bonus of +8]
Lead (Architecture): 3 [With a rank of 3, this Maester can be assigned to Stewardship actions related to construction, adding a bonus of +6]
Platinum (Craftsmanship): 2 [With a rank of 2, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Silver (Healing): 5 [With a rank of 5, this Maester is a skilled Healer. +15 to rolls against infection, illness and poison (unless he wants that character dead...)]
Steel (Natural Sciences): 1 [With a rank of 1, this Maester has no skill in particular]
Tin (Geography): 1 [Inactive due to change in global geography]
Valyrian Steel (Higher Misteries): None
- 10 Gold
DC: 60
Roll: 66+16=82 Success!
-
"Men that speak High Valyrian?" Aegon asked, surprised.
"High Valyrian, Common Tongue and trade talk. With those three, we can spy effectively on anyone." Visenya explained, "Luckily, trade talk is not hard to learn and the Common Tongue is the language of pretty much anyone on Dragonstone, so all we need to focus on is the High Valyrian."
"What if the rest of the world doesn't speak any of those?"
"We will figure out how to expand our network of informers after establishing it." Visenya replied, and Aegon nodded at her words. It made sense, he supposed. He watched Visenya write down more notes, and sat closer to her. His wife let herself lean against his shoulder, and didn't stop Aegon as he touched her free left hand.
"How are you, Visenya?" Aegon finally asked.
His sister gave him her usual look of 'why are you wasting time on this' that she always did when he showed her affection, but then her face mellowed just a fraction. "I'm worried, Aegon. An unknown world means unknown foes, with unknown capabilities and unknown skills."
"We will have to adapt." Aegon replied, "That is why I have been so careful."
"And I appreciate that." Visenya said, "I suppose it's a matter of days now. Daemon's patrols will capture one of those ships soon."
"Soon, indeed." He smiled, "But meanwhile..." He ran a finger over her arm, "Why don't we use this time for something as productive?"
Visenya looked at him and gave him a smile, "Well, it is true that a heir is for the good of the realm."
"For the good of the realm." Aegon repeated as their lips met.
They spent a long time working for the good of the realm.
-100 Gold
DC: 75
Roll: 85+21+10=116
Success! A spy network is established across the four islands under Dragonstone.
DC: 50
Roll: 94+18=112
Success! Visenya's opinion of Aegon has increased.
Add a +2 to the next child roll with Visenya.
-
"Work is going well it seems." Aegon commented, observing the steady work of the smallfolk as they built the new expansion of the town under the Dragonmont.
"Well enough, yes." Lord Crispian replied, his eyes fixated on some lines of numbers on the parchment he was holding, "We hope we'll be finished by the end of the week with this section."
"How many people are we supposed to hold?"
"About three hundred, but we are aiming to one hundred by the end of the week and another one the next. Luckily, the money we put together is enough to cover our expenses."
"Any idea of what kind of people we are letting in?"
"We are doing our best to make sure they aren't criminals, if that is what you mean. That said, we should be ready for at least some oddities to sprout up. We are not quite Braavos, but those new quarters will host all kind of people from western Essos. We have Volantene, Tyroshi, Lyseni, Braavosi... There was even a swan ship in Driftmark during the Arrival, so Summer Islanders too."
"Anything unusual?"
"There is at least a priest of R'hllor, if the fires we have seen at night are any indication." Lord Crispian shrugged, "But I wouldn't have expected otherwise. They are everywhere in Essos, and they aren't a rare sight on Claw Isle or Driftmark either."
"Neither here on Dragonstone." Aegon conceded, "Just one?"
"I haven't investigated." The Lord of Claw Isle shrugged, "I didn't suppose it mattered."
"It probably doesn't." Aegon conceded. He had been in Essos and other port cities in Westeros enough times to know that Red Priests and their follower were everywhere, so he had to expect that at least one would be dragged in during the Arrival. "Just make sure they don't set fire to the new district by accident."
Crispian chuckled, and then went back to give orders to bring in new material. Looking at the new buildings, Aegon wondered if there was even reason to worry. While woods existed on Dragonstone, the cheaper material to build houses was stone, especially since wood was also coveted for shipmaking. It made sense that therefore most houses were built with the dark stone quarried from the hills around the Dragonmont, or imported from the quarries of Driftmark.
He looked at the growing town, and wondered once more what changes this new world would bring.
-150 Gold. The Smallfolk are pleased! Your next two actions that would lower the opinion of Smallfolk give a neutral result instead.
(XX)
Alright, that was our first set of results. Really high rolls, the dice gods wanted you guys to start with a bang. Visenya's vision in particular was really fun to write.
Next up, likely tomorrow, we will have the various global rolls (pregnancies, dragon eggs, wild dragons... Those happen once every six months, meaning that until we accelerate it's once every twelve updates . Maybe I should reduce it at every three months while we are in two weeks mode so it's every six, but give too many chances to a roll and it will spiral out of control) and the report rolls (the Spy Network will start reporting from the next Turn, so for now this will only be status reports on the four islands' general situation and, if the Patrols are successful, the first contact).
With Visenya:
DC 80 - 5 (High fertility) - 2 (Family First >100)= 73
Roll: 7. Failure...
With Rhaenys
DC 80 - 5 (High fertility)= 75
Roll: 71. Failure...
House Velaryon:
DC: 80
Roll: 60. Failure...
House Celtigar:
DC: 80
Roll: 65. Failure...
House Sunglass:
DC: 80 + 2 (wife over 40) - 5 (1 other couple in the family): 77
Roll: 17. Failure...
House Baratheon:
DC: 95 (Only rolls for Bastards)
Roll: 34. No bastards.
House Qoherys:
DC: 80 + 2 (Wife over forty) - 5 (1 additional couple) = 77
Roll: 73. Failure...
Driftmark, despite the Arrival, has proven to be very resilient. Lord Velaryon, taking example from his cousin Aegon, is also using some of his wealth to expand Spicetown, the larger of the two main settlements of the island, to allow the crews of the ships that landed in port during the Arrival, or in the days after, a place to live. The economic boost is expected to repay him quite well, just like it will Aegon.
On Dragonstone, the situation seems to have settled down. People are taking the apparent calm of the island's Lord as a sign that he is taking action, and his decisions to give his army leave to return home has pleased the population. Whether they pray for the Gods of Valyria, the Seven or R'hllor, Dragonstone's population seems to be happy with his decisions so far.
Further north, Claw Isle is facing a less ideal situation. With Lord Crispian busy in Dragonstone, the day to day ruling has been left to his son, Alton, and his wife, Lady Jeyne. However, it seems Alton's attempt to expand the Claw Isle fleet, in preparation to defend the Isle from the still unknown threats that might lurk the sea, have failed, the new ships having been produced with subpar wood. Alton has punished the culprits, the shipbuilders that made critical mistakes in the construction, but the result is still a notable loss of money.
However, the worst news come from Sweetport Sound. While the Council of the Septons of the Isles itself is underway, a storm has struck the island, one much more violent than the island is accustomed to. The eponymous port has been flooded, and there is severe damage to the fields inland. The island will lose revenue for the next few months, and many among the populace whisper that Lord Sunglass' decision of following a heathen lord is being punished by the Seven.
Monthly income reduced by 50 due to Sweetport's storm for two months.
Storm on Sweetport (Choose one):
[] Offer money to lord Sunglass to help with the reconstruction (Cost: 100 Gold. Result: Lord Sunglass' opinion raised)
[] Offer money to the Faith to help with reconstruction (Cost: 150 Gold. Result: Faith of the Seven's opinion raised)
[] Send Crispian to distribute money and food to the population (Cost: 200 Gold. Result: Smallfolk's opinion raised)
[] Do nothing
Aegon was standing on a balcony, gazing at the sea, when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in." He called.
"Aegon." Orys said, opening the door. "We got one, a raven just arrived."
Aegon nodded. "A ship from this world. How far?"
"They were sailing west, so not too far from Dragonstone." Orys replied. Aegon nodded, "What do you want us to do? We are leading it into port, but I suppose you have options."
"Balerion can't land on a warship, and Meraxes is a stretch, but Vhagar could." Aegon considered, "So we could meet them earlier if I asked Visenya to fly me there."
"Or you could meet them when they are lead into port. We don't know what those men will think of dragons. Or what they can do to them. As your castellan, I'd rather you meet our guests with some guards at your side." He frowned, "There is also the throne room, I suppose, though in that case you might want to take only the captain and someone else of note, if there is anyone."
"I'll decide. Did they say anything else?"
"Yes. It seems the Common Tongue and whatever language these men speak is somewhat mutually intelligible." Orys frowned, "Although, it seems their accent is heavy and some words are completely different."
"It is already a blessing that we can understand each other somewhat. Now let's see..."
First Contact:
[] Have Visenya take you on Vhagar to the warships (Result: Progress)
[] Wait for the incoming ship at the docks with a portion of your garrison (Result: Progress)
[] Wait for the captain and a few crew members of note in the throne room (Result: Progress)
[] Write in (If you want to do something else) (Result: Progress)
(XX)
Man that was a close roll, but it seems we got our first contact. Make sure to decide what impression you want to make on the incoming guests
Also poor Sweetport Sound, storm on round 1 really sucks.
