Chapter 15 - Class features and Downtime

The Magical dungeon under Riverrun was tougher than the one on Raventree Hall, with the water level being enough to make me rely on my swimming skill for the first time.

The undead enemies however, relied on fishing me with nasty longbows and actual chained hooks.

Thankfully I've levelled up my Druid title in time to Wild Shape into a Reef shark, although the process took longer than I wished it had.

Took two annoying shots before I managed to rush towards my foes, and bȧrėly took another while shaping back into my human form.

Who would've guessed that Riverrun would pose a bigger challenge than Red Keep did, with its fireball-launching damn undead battle mage?

Although, it was nothing compared to the waves of Walking dead rushing at me during my visit at Harrenhal.

But gotta give it to the Tullys, they had built an effective barrier around their castle.

Neither Valyrian Steel or Eldritch Blast were very effective while I needed to keep myself afloat, but that's the perfect opportunity for me to understand my Title's Perk value even in combat.

So, by the end of my dungeon delving, I was greeted with another ċhėst filled with gold and unlocked another Great House castle.

Seven more to go.

Since I've brought up my cantrips, let me review their progress thus far.

{ELDRITCH BLAST Lv- 20 (0%)}

I was now capable of invoking four impressive beams of pure magic, and harnessed my Divine smite in order to stack Radiant damage over the Force damage of each beam.

Alongside my Crossbow and its bolts imbued with Divine Smite, were the perfect tool in dealing with hordes of undead.

Which suited me just fine since I didn't have all day to explore Magical dungeons on castles that I was just traveling past.

But it made me wonder, having comprehended and memorized Basic Evocation, if I was capable of imbuing my weapons with the energy produced by my Eldritch Blast.

Which the System aptly named…

[ELDRITCH SMITE Lv- 1 (0%)]

Which was a more reliable, if not slightly less effective, source of fuel to imbue on my Crossbow's bolts.

But even a regular castle steel forged Warhammer I picked from my Inventory dealt a motherfucking punch against an unlucky undead, which was sent flying against the wall.

And that was without using my Power Attack skill.

Such is the power of a magical weapon.

Even some force imbued pebbles I threw seemed capable of denting steel plate armor.

Sadly, my Valyrian Steel blades didn't seem to get any sharper than they already were.

That said, as I reached level 20, I was presented with an Eldritch Invocation.

[*REQUIREMENTS MET (Know Eldritch Blast): When you cast Eldritch Blast, its range is 100 meters.]

Which basically made me a goddamn Sniper wizard in most scenarios, one-shooting undeads before they could even notice me.

Moving on…

{MINOR ILLUSION Lv- 20 (0%)}

As a matter of fact, I've evolved it quite a bit.

Not only have I gained my first ranked level spell, Disguise Self, but also managed to get quite creative with it.

No longer requiring somatic and material components, which made its grinding even more convenient.

Instead of the 5-foot cube singular illusion, now I could cast what appeared to be an infinite number of illusions in a 30 feet radius around me.

That was beyond amazing.

Each visual illusion could have its own sound, smell and even produce light, though the physical touch was still reserved for my 1st level spell.

But it's duration had expanded from 1 minute to 1 hour, which was both really good and really bad.

You see, the Cantrip actually only gained experience after taking its normal duration before being dispelled.

So, instead of the 1440 opportunities in a day, I now had only 24.

But being capable of manipulating the illusion after it was already casted, made my Wild shape even more convenient, since I could have Shadow stored and pretend to be her while an illusion of me acted in my place.

Though the lack of touch made it not optimal for close quarters.

Next…

{MENDING Lv- 20 (0%)}

Besides getting its casting time from 1 minute to instantaneous, and getting rid of its components, I got three new uses out of it.

And two, reconstruct objects that have no more than one fifth of it missing, which was thanks to my better understanding of Thaumaturgy that I could actually create matter out of nothing.

Not to mention the possibilities of abusing this.

And third was acquiring an invaluable method of healing others.

Sure, I had theorized that I could mend wounds with it, but my newfound knowledge about necromancy and transmutation made me capable of actually sparing the dead.

At least those killed in less than a minute.

Had broken a few rats and pigeons necks to make sure of it.

Which led me to get…

{SPARE THE DYING Lv- 1 (0%)}

[*REQUIREMENTS MET (Sufficient Necromancy Knowledge and effective method of restoring the body): You touch a recently killed creature. The creature becomes stable. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.]

But any animal I didn't bring back to life had become a meal to Shadow.

Which is supposed to be a good thing, right?

Anyway…

{MESSAGE Lv- 20 (0%)}

Got its range from 35 meters to 100 meters.

Great way to threaten some with my Eldritch Spear without letting anyone else know.

To say nothing that I had gotten rid of its components, which meant I was actually a telepath now, and could exchange mental images through it.

But I was not content with only that.

Since I had reliable ways of dealing Piercing, Slashing and Bludgeoning damage with the weapons in my Inventory, plus a little bit of poison and acid, I sought to acquire the other types of damage as well.

My Valyrian Steel weapons and my new perks gave me radiant damage, Wildfire also gave it a considerable amount of Fire Damage.

Still had no idea how I would get Ice and Necrotic damage, but the Intermediate Necromancy book I got was helping me with it.

I really wanted some reliable source of both Thunder and Lightning damage.

But what I got for now was, Psychic Damage.

Damaging the mind of others directly.

Since I was a telepath now, I was thinking of Professor X from X-Men, with his ability to use pure mind energy to harm another creature's mind.

If I was to contextualize this damage it would be like someone being able to instantly give you the worst migraine of your life.

It was a different kind of feeling from being cut or burned or bashed.

Really hard to find test subjects for it, since both Undead and animals weren't so open about their symptoms.

I initially attempted some sort of Vicious Mockery against some lowly criminal, with both Thaumaturgy and Minor Illusion backing it up, as I either taunted or frightened them.

Soon enough, I got the hang of it.

Unexpectedly, all thanks to my Gibberish skill I had considered useless up until now, only leveling it up for the laughs I got from it.

{MIND SLIVER Lv- 1 (0%)}

[*REQUIREMENTS MET (Sufficient Enchantment Knowledge and a magical method of affecting the mind): You drive a disorienting spike of psychic energy into the mind of one creature you can see within range (it can be combined with the Message cantrip). If the target can hear you (though it need not understand you), it takes psychic damage and is momentarily stunned.]

Psychic Damage was all about messing with the mind, either causing direct damage or causing the mind to hurt itself, almost like in Pokémon when a creature hurts itself in confusion.

Or when you see an explosion in an action movie and it plays the high-pitched whining sound.

Depending on the damage done to the target, blood might trickle from their nose, ears, or eyes due to the damage being caused to the brain.

Perhaps one day I will actually manage to cause my target's head to explode.

Regardless, if Message made me a Telepath, Mage Hand made me a telekinetic, as I was finally capable of making it invisible and getting rid of its components.

{MAGE HANDS Lv- 20 (0%)}

However, I didn't have that many spectral arms to call myself a Diclonius, especially since mine weren't capable of doing actual damage in comparison to their "Vectors".

I got one extra Mage hand that actually made a pretty difference with using this cantrip more dexterously, alongside making them both twice as strong.

Which stacked up and made the two together capable of lifting 20 Kilograms.

Besides, I've also been working with Evocation in order to give myself some elemental Kinetic ability.

But had no success for now.

Perhaps with the help of my last, but definitely not least, original cantrip.

{Thaumaturgy Lv- 20 (0%)}

Had gotten rid of its vocal component and extended its duration from 1 minute to one hour, which carried the same implication as Minor Illusion.

Not only could I now magnify my voice up to five times, but also change it to appear either more angelic or demonic.

Or open and close all unlocked doors in a ten meters radius.

And even cause small tremors, capable of damaging grounded objects, whether through a loud noise or unseen waves.

Let me see what else…

Dry any creature within range, light or snuff out multiple small sources of fire, clean or soil object, chill/warm/flavor non-living material, and 1-foot cube trinket.

Shield a 3 meters radius sphere from rain and snow, remove smell from a creature, make seeds sprout, flowers blossom, fruit to ripen, and opposite effects like make seeds infertile, plants to wilt and leaves to dry in a twenty meters radius, and control the temperature (making it neutral if its mildly something, mildly warm if hot or mildly cool if cold).

I know, a stupid amount of stuff.

But I don't call it my Swiss army knife for nothing.

Now, if I recall correctly, I had something about features to select.

…

Oh, here it is.

[SELECT DIVINE FEATURES (2)]

Is it like a perk?

How many more will I have to chose?

Not that I'm complaining.

Let's see.

[ (_) CONQUERING PRESENCE]

[You can use your Divine Smite to exude a terrifying presence. As a feature, you force each creature of your choice that you can see within 10 meters of you to become frightened of you for 1 minute.]

Already got my Menacing Maneuver for that.

[ (_) GUIDED STRIKE]

[You can use your Divine Smite to strike with supernatural accuracy. Your weapon suffuses itself with arcane energy, allowing a weapon attack of your choice a moment of clarity & guidance. You gain a +25% accuracy bonus to a weapon attack that you just missed.]

An interesting way to mitigate the penalty I get from multiplying my ranged attacks through my Sharpshooter perk, but not that paramount for now.

[ (_) SACRED WEAPON]

[As a feature, you can imbue one weapon that you are holding with positive energy, using your Divine Smite. The weapon also emits bright light in a 6 meter radius and dim light 6 meter beyond that. If the weapon is not already magical, it becomes magical for the duration. You can end this effect as another action. If you are no longer holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall unconscious, this effect ends.]

Already have my Twin Valyrian Gladius and Eldritch Blast for that.

[ (_) TURN THE UNHOLY]

[As a feature, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring fiends and undead, using your Divine Smite. Each fiend or undead that can see or hear you within 10 meters of you is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage. A turned creature must try to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly move to a space within 10 meters of you. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can only dash away or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving.]

Meh.

[ (_) PEERLESS ATHLETE]

[As a feature, you can use your Divine Smite to augment your athleticism. For the next 10 minutes, you have advantage on your Power stat; you can carry, push, drag, and lift twice as much weight as normal; and the distance of your long and high jumps increases two fold (this extra output of force costs twice as much stamina points).]

Wow, that's really interesting!

Double my Power stat for 10 minutes?

Even with the high stamina cost, that's still impressive.

[ (_) INSPIRING SMITE]

[Immediately after you deal damage to a creature with your Divine Smite feature, you can use it as a feature and distribute temporary Health points (2% of your Health bar times your title's level) to creatures of your choice within 10 meters of you, which can include you.]

Wait, regular people don't have a health bar!

If I pierce their heart, they die.

Does that mean I make them momentarily like my Party members?

Even if that isn't the case, I'm sure my companions won't be able to tank a blow like I do.

[ (_) EMISSARY OF PEACE]

[You can use your Divine Smite to augment your presence with divine power. As a feature, you make yourself twice as capable of influencing others for the next 10 minutes.]

Another strangely valuable prospect.

[ (_) REBUKE THE VIOLENT]

[You can use your Divine Smite to rebuke those who use violence. Immediately after an attacker within 10 meters of you deals damage with an attack against a creature other than you, you can use your reaction to force the attacker to take radiant damage equal to the damage it just dealt. If it resists, it still takes half as much damage.]

Meh.

[ (_) NATURE'S WRATH]

[You can use your Divine Smite to invoke primeval forces to ensnare a foe. As a feature, you can cause spectral vines to spring up and reach for a creature within 3 meters of you that you can see. It will remain restrained by the vines until the creature frees itself, and the vines vanish.]

It doesn't specify how secure they are in holding someone, much less a monster, which I ȧssume must mean isn't that much.

[ (_) TURN THE FAITHLESS]

[You can use your Divine Smite to utter ancient words that are painful for fey and fiends to hear. As a feature, you present your holy symbol, and each fey or fiend within 10 meters of you that can hear you is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.]

A little too restrictive for my taste.

Besides, I think I'm already bored with turning targets.

[ (_) CHAMPION CHALLENGE]

[You issue a challenge to each creature of your choice that you can see within 10 meters of you, it can't willingly move more than 10 meters away from you as a result. This effect ends if you are incapacitated or die.]

Sentinel Perk already gives me that.

[ (_) TURN THE TIDE]

[As a feature, you can bolster injured creatures with your Divine Smite. Each creature of your choice that can hear you within 10 meters of you regains Health points equal to a third of its Health bar if it has no more than half of it remaining.]

Not bad, not great.

[ (_) WATCHER'S WILL]

[You can use your Divine Smite to invest your presence with the warding power of your faith. As an action, you can choose a number of creatures you can see within 10 meters of you, up to a number equal to your Intelligence (minimum of one creature). For 1 minute, you and the chosen creatures have 50% resistance to Psychic Damage and immunity to mental conditions.]

Really situational, but very interesting for those scenarios.

[ (_) ABJURE THE EXTRAPLANAR]

[You can use your Divine Smite to castigate unworldly beings. As an action, you present your holy symbol and each aberration, celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend within 10 meters of you that can hear you is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.]

Not interested.

[ (_) ABJURE ENEMY]

[As a feature, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer of denunciation, using your Divine Smite. Choose one creature within 20 meters of you that you can see. That creature is frightened for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. While frightened, the creature's speed is 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed. If it resists, the creature's speed is halved for 1 minute or until the creature takes any damage.]

Another frightening mechanic.

Pass.

[ (_) VOW OF ENMITY]

[You utter a vow of enmity against a creature you can see within 3 meters of you, using your Divine Smite. You gain advantage on any attack against the creature for 1 minute, or until it dies or falls unconscious. You deal double damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, the target deals half damage on attacks made against you. If the target dies before this vow ends, you can immediately target a new creature with your vow.]

Not only does it give me the damage, but makes me resistant to my foes' attack.

I like it.

[ (_) CONTROL UNDEAD]

[*REQUIREMENTS MET (Know Basic Necromancy): As a feature, you target one undead creature you can see within 10 meters of you that is of a lower level than you. The target must obey your commands for the next 24 hours, or until you use this Divine Smite option again. An undead whose Level is equal to or greater than your title level is immune to this effect.]

What?!

Broken as fuċk.

Especially that after that duration, I've already regained all my Divine smites.

Not to mention that I'm mostly fighting undeads.

[ (_) DREADFUL ASPECT]

[*REQUIREMENTS MET (Know Basic Necromancy): As a feature, you focus the darkest emotions into a burst of magical menace. Each creature of your choice within 10 meters, if it can see you, is frightened of you for 1 minute.]

Better mechanic, but still redundant to me.

I will wait and see what my other titles have to offer before making my choice.

[SELECT DIVINITY FEATURES (2)]

[ (_) PATH TO THE GRAVE]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to mark another creature's life force for termination. As a feature, you choose one creature you can see within 10 meters of you, cursing it for six seconds. The next time you or an ally of yours hits the cursed creature with an attack, the creature has vulnerability to all of that attack's damage, and then the curse ends.]

Same aspect of gaining advantage, but it doesn't seem to incentivize me to perform kill chains.

[ (_) ARTISAN'S BLESSING]

[Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to create simple items. You conduct an hour-long ritual that crafts a non magical item that must include some metal: a simple or martial weapon, a suit of armor, ten pieces of ammunition, a set of tools, or another metal object. The creation is completed at the end of the hour, coalescing in an unoccupied space of your choice on a surface within 2 meters of you. As part of this ritual, you must lay out metal, which can include coins, with a value equal to the creation. The metal irretrievably coalesces and transforms into the creation at the ritual's end, magically forming even nonmetal parts of the creation. The ritual can create a duplicate of a non magical item that contains metal, such as a key, if you possess the original during the ritual.]

Perhaps the next step for my Thaumaturgy and Mending idea, but I'm not yet convinced.

[ (_) ARCANE ABJURATION]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to abjure otherworldly creatures. As a feature, you present your holy symbol, and one celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend of your choice that is within 10 meters of you is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly end its move in a space within 10 meters of you. As you reach 5th level, when a creature takes your Arcane Abjuration feature, it is banished for 1 minute (if it isn't on its plane of origin).]

Very niche.

Pass.

[ (_) TOUCH OF DEATH]

[At 2nd level, you can use Channel Divinity to destroy another creature's life force by touch. When you hit a creature with a melee attack, you can use Channel Divinity to deal Necrotic Damage to the target. The damage equals thrice your title level.]

I've been looking for necrotic damage, I'm just not sure this is the best way.

[ (_) KNOWLEDGE OF THE AGES]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to tap into a divine well of knowledge. As a feature, you choose one skill or tool. For 10 minutes, you are twice as proficient with the chosen skill or tool.]

Another goddamn hax ability.

Especially once I'm at higher levels.

[ (_) PRESERVE LIFE]

[At 2nd Level, you can use your Channel Divinity to heal the badly injured. As a feature, you present your holy Symbol and evoke Healing energy that can restore a number of Health Points equal to five times your title level.

Choose any creatures within 10 meters of you, and multiply those points among them. This feature can restore a creature to no more than half of its hit point maximum. You can't use this feature on an Undead or a Construct.]

Interesting method of healing.

[ (_) RADIANCE OF THE DAWN]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to harness sunlight, banishing darkness and dealing radiant damage to your foes. As a feature, you present your holy symbol, and any magical darkness within 10 of you is dispelled. Additionally, each hostile creature within 10 meters of you takes radiant damage equal to four times your title level, and half as much damage if the target resists. A creature that has total cover from you is not affected.]

Already have both effects.

[ (_) CHARM ANIMALS AND PLANTS]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to charm animals and plants. As a feature, you present your holy symbol and invoke the name of your deities. Each beast or plant creature that can see you within 10 meters of you is charmed by you for 1 minute or until it takes damage. While it is charmed by you, it is friendly to you and other creatures you designate.]

This would work well alongside my Druid title's perks.

But how in the Seven hells would I charm a plant?!

[ (_) ORDER'S DEMAND]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to exert an intimidating presence over others. As a feature, you present your holy symbol, and each creature of your choice that can see or hear you within 10 meter of you is charmed by you for 1 minute or until the charmed creature takes any damage. You can also cause any of the charmed creatures to drop what they are holding.]

I wonder if my skills of eloquence would one day allow me to do that whenever I want.

[ (_) BALM OF PEACE]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to make your very presence a soothing balm. As a feature, you can move up to your speed, without provoking opportunity for others to attack you, and when you move within 2 meters of any other creature during this action, you can restore a number of Health points to that creature equal to a percentage of your Intelligence stat. A creature can receive this healing only once whenever you take this action.]

I would be practically high fiving everyone on the battlefield.

[ (_) GUIDED STRIKE]

[You can use your Divine Smite to strike with supernatural accuracy. Your weapon suffuses itself with arcane energy, allowing a weapon attack of your choice a moment of clarity & guidance. You gain a +25% accuracy bonus to a weapon attack that you just missed.]

You again?

Here to make me tempted to take you twice and never miss a shot, even when boosting it?

Not today.

[ (_) DESTRUCTIVE WRATH]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to wield the power of the storm with unchecked ferocity. You can thunderously rebuke attackers. When a creature within 2 meters of you that you can see hits you with an attack, you can deal lightning or thunder damage (your choice). You can do this a number of times equal to your Magic stat (a minimum of once). You regain all expended uses 24 hours after your first use.]

I want it!

Don't care if it ends up being trash.

I just want lightning and thunder damage.

[ (_) TWILIGHT SANCTUARY]

[At 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to refresh your allies with soothing twilight. As a feature, you present your holy symbol, and a sphere of twilight emanates from you. The sphere is centered on you, has a 10-meter radius, and is filled with dim light. The sphere moves with you, and it lasts for 1 minute or until you are incapacitated or die. A creature (including you) is granted one of these benefits:

*Temporary Health/Stamina/Mana points equal to 2% of your respective bar times your title level.

*End one condition effect on it, be it charmed or frightened.You can see through the deepest gloom.

*REQUIREMENTS MET (Observe Skill at a sufficient level): You have darkvision out to a range of 100 meters. In that radius, you can see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can also magically share your darkvision with willing creatures you can see within 3 meters of you, up to a number of creatures equal to your Intelligence stat (minimum of one creature).]

Temporary points, conditions immunity and darkvision?

Definitely a good one.

[SELECT WILD FEATURES (2)]

[ (_) BALM OF THE SUMMER COURT]

[At 2nd level, you become imbued with the blessings of the Summer. You are a font of energy that offers respite from injuries. You have a pool of fey energy represented by a number of six times equal to your title level. As a bonus feature, you can choose an ally you can see within 35 meters of you and spend that pool of energy and heal them.]

A little tired of so many healing options.

Besides, line of sight as a limitation is just begging to be a nuisance.

[ (_) HALO OF SPORES]

[At 2nd level, you are surrounded by invisible, poisonous spores that are harmless until you unleash them on a creature nearby. When a creature you can see is 3 meters or closer to you. The poison damage potential increases alongside your title's level, and special effects can be acquired.]

A poisonous cloud of spores ready to take my foes is somewhat tempting.

[ (_) SYMBIOTIC ENTITY]

[At 2nd level, you gain the ability to channel magic into your spores. As an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to awaken those spores, rather than transforming into a beast form, and you gain 10 temporary Health points for each level you have in this class. Plus, while this feature is active, you gain the following benefits:

*You double your Halo of Spores damage.

*Your melee weapon attacks deal Poison damage to any target they shed blood.

These benefits last for 10 minutes, until you lose all these temporary Health points, or until you use your Wild Shape again.]

It's locked with the first feature?

Weird.

Why make them separate then?

Perhaps I can make use of only a few features if they aren't working together.

That's a little disappointing.

[ (_) STAR MAP]

[At 2nd level, you become capable of creating a star chart as part of your heavenly studies. It is a Tiny object and can serve as a spellcasting focus for your natural power.

While holding this map, you have these benefits:

*You touch one willing creature and they become 25% more skilled in any skill for a day.

*A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range, dealing Radiant damage and lighting the target in dim mystical light.

If you lose the map, you can perform a 1-hour ceremony to magically create a replacement and destroy the previous map.]

A piece of Divination and light based attack for a druid?

Interesting, but not what I'm looking for.

[ (_) STARRY FORM]

[At 2nd level, you gain the ability to harness constellations' power to alter your form. You can expend a use of your Wild Shape use to take on a starry form, rather than transforming into a beast. While in your starry form, you retain your game statistics, but your body becomes luminous; your joints glimmer like stars, and glowing lines connect them as on a star chart. This form sheds bright light in a 3 meters radius and dim light for an additional 3 meters. The form lasts for 10 minutes. It ends early if you dismiss it, are incapacitated, die, or use this feature again. Whenever you ȧssume your starry form, choose which of the following constellations glimmers on your body; your choice gives you certain benefits while in the form: *ARCHER: A constellation of an archer appears on you. When you activate this form, you can make any ranged spell attack, hurls like a luminous arrow that targets one creature within 20 meters of you. On a hit, the attack deals radiant damage.

*CHALICE: A constellation of a life-giving goblet appears on you. Whenever you cast a spell that restores Health points to a creature, you or another creature within 10 meters of you can regain additional Health points equal to five times your title level.

*DRAGON: A constellation of a mighty dragon appears on you. You double your Endurance stat.]

At least this doesn't seem to be depending upon the previous one to be completely effective.

And it seems I would look like Alien X from Ben 10.

Which was neat.

But still, the first constellation is useless to me, the second is another healing method and the third is…

Another freaking Hax ability.

Worst thing is that it doesn't seem much inconspicuous to make use of.

[ (_) SUMMON WILDFIRE SPIRIT]

[At 2nd level, You can summon the primal spirit bound to your soul. As a feature, you can expend one use of your Wild Shape use to summon your wildfire spirit, rather than ȧssuming a beast form.

The spirit appears in an unoccupied space of your choice that you can see within 10 meters of you. Each creature within 3 meters of the spirit (other than you) when it appears takes Fire damage. The spirit is friendly to you and your companions and obeys your commands. You determine the spirit's appearance. Some spirits take the form of a humanoid figure made of gnarled branches covered in flame, while others look like beasts wreathed in fire. The spirit manifests for 1 hour, until it is reduced to 0 Health points, until you use this feature to summon the spirit again, or until you die. The spirit is not bigger than a regular wolf, but is capable of hovering and short-range teleportation (which leaves a small fire damage in its wake), plus darkvision (20 meters field of view). Its Health bar is equal to five times your title level.]

Cast my own "Fire Atronach" from Skyrim?

Not a bad idea.

If not for how hard it would be to explain.

[ (_) NATURAL RECOVERY]

[At 2nd Level, you can regain some of your magical energy by sitting in meditation and communing with Nature. During a short wait, you recover your Mana points. The recovered Mana points is equal to ten times your title level. You can't use this feature again until you finish a day long cooldown.]

Mana is never too much, but this one seems too little.

[ (_) ANIMAL OF THE WOODS]

[At 2nd level, you gain the ability to turn into your Wild Shape instantaneously, even after you are knocked out of it. Additionally, while you are transformed, you heal twice as fast.

*REQUIREMENTS MET (Know True Tongue): Beasts can now understand your speech, and you gain the ability to decipher their noises and motions. Most beasts lack the intelligence to convey or understand sophisticated concepts, but a friendly beast could relay what it has seen or heard in the recent past. This ability doesn't grant you any special friendship with beasts, though you can combine this ability with gifts to curry favor with them as you would with any other character.]

Great addition for my Wild Shape.

Besides, I will be able to communicate with Shadow.

[ (_) SPIRIT TOTEM]

[At 2nd level, you gain the ability to call forth nature spirits and use them to influence the world around you. As a bonus feature, you can magically summon an incorporeal spirit to a point you can see within 20 meters of you. The spirit creates an aura in a 10 meter radius around that point. It counts as neither a creature nor an object, though it has the spectral appearance of the creature it represents. As a bonus feature, you can move the spirit up to 20 meters to a point you can see. The spirit persists for 10 minutes. The effect of the spirit's aura depends on the type of spirit you summon from the options below.

*BEAR SPIRIT: The bear spirit grants you and your allies its might and vitality. Each creature of your choice in the aura when the spirit appears gains temporary Health points equal to five times your title level. In addition, you and your allies double your Power stat while in the aura.

* HAWK SPIRIT: The hawk spirit is a consummate hunter, aiding you and your allies with its keen sight and agile nature. Each creature of your choice in the aura when the spirit appears gains temporary Stamina points equal to ten times your title level. In addition, you and your allies double your Stealth stat while in the aura.

*UNICORN SPIRIT: The unicorn spirit lends its mystical protection and constitution to those nearby. Each creature of your choice in the aura when the spirit appears gains temporary Mana points equal to three times your title level. In addition, you and your allies double your Endurance stat while in the aura. In addition, if you cast a spell that restores Health points to any creature inside or outside the aura, each creature of your choice in the aura also regains a quarter of Health points that you have just restored.]

If I found the other Hax good, this ones is downright ridiculous.

And I love it.

Although now I will be a Pokémon trainer.

But at least I can hide an incorporeal being better than a fiery creature.

…

So…

After careful consideration, and some really hard choices, I selected:

[ (x) VOW OF ENMITY]

[ (x) CONTROL UNDEAD]

[ (x) DESTRUCTIVE WRATH]

[ (x) TWILIGHT SANCTUARY]

[ (x) ANIMAL OF THE WOODS]

[ (x) SPIRIT TOTEM]

I waited and a window popped up.

[CHOICES REGISTERED! PATHS DEFINED.]

=================================

TITLE : Durrandon Baratheon (Crown Prince/ *Knight of the Seven** Septon of the Seven ***Druid of the Old)

LEVEL: 21 (2000/2100)

HP: 210/210

SP: 210/210

MP: 21/21*

MANA CONTROL: 100%

ALLEGIANCE: The Iron Throne/ *The Faith of the Seven/ *Old Gods

PWR:

END:

MOB:

INT:

STL:

STAT POINTS: 0

DEF: 25* (Castle-Forged Brigandine: Piercing/Bludgeoning/ Slashing +50% Damage Resistance)

MAG:21*

CANTRIPS: Eldritch Blast/ Eldritch Spear/ Eldritch Smite/ Minor Illusion/ Mending/ Spare The Dying/ Message/ Mind Sliver/ Thaumaturgy/ Mage Hand

1st LV: Disguise Self

SKILLS: ~open list~

PERK POINTS: 15

PERKS: ~close list~

[Player's Mind/ Mental Map/ Inventory/ Healer/ Linguist/ Observant/ Sleep is for the Dead/ Alert/ Sentinel/ Crossbow Expert/ Sharpshooter/ Divine Sense/ Lay on Hand/ Divine Smite/ Channel Divinity/ Wild Shape/ Wild Companion]

*CLASS FEATURES: ~close list~

[Vow of Enmity/ Control Undead/ Destructive Wrath/ Twilight Sanctuary/ Animal of the Woods/ Spirit Totem]

TIME PLAYED: 6 years

MONEY: 204,015 GOLD/ 900 SILVER/ 1,300 COPPER/ 1000 NC

($) MARKET

=================================

The back of the large wagon that I've been traveling was getting a little too overpopulated.

With both Bryden Tully (who had accepted my invitation to join) and Cleo Frey, plus two other Freys, adding to the group of five grown men, me and my uncle, it was getting hard to entertain them all.

In the end, since the rain didn't seem to be going anywhere, we decided that some friendly banter would do wonders to help fill in the tedious waiting of the trip.

"Men have fought over the Riverlands since the Dawn Age, but that's to be expected of things that rest below the Neck." Bryden had begun recounting a little about the history of the Riverlands, to Tyrion's clear satisfaction. "Doesn't help that the Riverlands are between everything and everything else. The Westerlands' gold, the Reach's grain, the Vale's rock and the North's…"

He stopped for a moment, trying to think about what the North had to offer.

"Snow?" I joked.

"Heh. Yes, I believe that might be the case." Bryden laughed alongside some of the other men. "House Mudd once ruled as the Kings of the Rivers and Hills, but after a thousand years, their line was exhausted and fell to the Storm Kings, who fell to the Ironborn. I suppose after years of drowning at sea, our rivers looked pretty attractive to that race of pirates and rȧpėrs."

"I suppose the Westerlands share that history." I spoke, looking at Tyrion, reminding the history of my uncle's homeland.

"Aye. But never mind that their monstrous castle, Harrenhal, was too large to staff and garrison. It turned out the Ironborn would not be there long enough to bother. Aegon Targaryen landed to our south and, as had many before him, liked the look of the Riverlands." The Blackfish spoke, boring the Frays, since they probably have heard that tale several times during their lives.

"Ah yes, we have witnessed the result of their showdown." Tyrion said, referring to Harrenhal.

Bryden nodded before continuing. "My ancestor Edmyn Tully led the desertion of Riverlords to his cause and was rewarded by getting to watch King Harren burn in his own tower."

He laughed alongside the other Riverlanders.

"Unfortunately, that's not all Edmyn got. House Tully was named the Lord Paramount of the Trident, which means we had to keep in line all those lords who hadn't governed themselves for thousands of years. We were now responsible for aiding the Mallisters at Seagard against the pouting ironborn, whenever they got cheeky."

Hearing that he considered the title of ruling the Riverlands a bother, the Freys snickered, prompting the Blackfish to raise an eyebrow.

But he ignored them.

"For settling Harrenhal on families stupid enough to think its curse would skip them, after devouring all previous families." He remarked. "For keeping the Blackwoods and Brackens from wiping each other out, and giving us two more castles to deal with."

Bryden Tully made a pause, turning to the Freys and said. "For keeping the Freys in their place and out of others' pockets."

This gained a silence from the three, since they weren't important enough to speak against the brother of their liege Lord, or risk bothering me.

"For marrying off our sons and daughters wisely enough so that we didn't follow House Mudd into, well, the mud." The veteran Knight recalled the infamous disagreement he had with his brother, which resulted in him calling himself the Blackfish. "Yet under the Targaryens, the Riverlands knew a peace we hadn't had for centuries, if ever. But like all good things, sooner or later, it all goes to shit. And our shit had a name. Aerys Targaryen."

Everyone on the wagon had heard enough tales of the Mad King, and how he earned his name. Some had actually fought in the war that resulted in his family's destruction.

Bryden turned to look at me, remembering for a moment I was the actual Crown Prince. "Westeros has had its share of Mad Kings, but usually, they had the sense not to bully more than one powerful house at a time. Aerys soon blundered into a triple alliance. The North with the Starks, the Stormlands with your House, and the Vale with the Hand's House rose against him."

"Westerosi are much larger, and if you forgive me, messier than the ones at the Summer Isles." Jalabhar Xho remarked, reminding about the obstacle keeping him from his home.

"So I've heard." The Blackfish agreed before returning to his story. "But of course, where do you think most of the blood was spilled? My brother Hoster guaranteed the answer to that with the marriage of my niece to Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North. At least Hoster didn't send her to Robert."

The three Freys smirked, having already heard about how desperate their liege Lord was in forging new alliances.

The recent scandal with Hoster's youngest daughter, Lyssa, being an already well known taint to their reputation.

"So, the Riverlands joined the war against the Mad King; and it was on one of our rivers that Prince Rhaegar died, sealing the fate of his dynasty." The Blackfish said. "During centuries, armies have marched, again and again while the Riverlands burned. If Westeros is not careful, pretty soon our people will grow some sense and abandon this place for a safer realm, like the Dothraki Sea." He laughed, prompting almost everyone to follow. "I joke, of course. The Riverlands are our home and gods help us, we love it. Still, as they say, 'the king eats and the hand takes the shit'. The same is true of the Riverlands 'the Seven Kingdoms piss and the Riverlands change clothes'."

This gained a few nods from the Freys.

We continued sharing stories, Jalabhar spoke of his Homeland and the Freys about their lives on the Twins.

"My Prince, is it wise to have this mercenary around you?" Syrio questioned in a respectful manner, drawing Bronn's attention. "How can you be sure he won't attempt anything against you?"

"You've got a problem with me, fencer?" Bronn spoke out, showing that he did recognize Syrio's accent. "I don't dance well enough for you?"

Syrio merely smiled and shook his head. "Only that you creep around whenever we set camp like a bandit looking for things to steal."

"I take it that I didn't creep silently enough then." Bronn admitted with a sly smile, earning an amused chuckle from one of the Freys.

Having Shadow draw their attention with a growl and a hiss, I began speaking. "It never hurts to ask." I dismissed their arguing. "I trust he will behave because I've paid him quite handsomely." I told them before handing a piece of fish to Shadow. "And will continue to do so if his skill proves true."

"Yeah smooth, give the man a chance to prove himself." Thoros spoke, for the first time after waking up from his nap, to his fellow Essosi before turning to the Sellsword. "But one thing I've been meaning to ask, I think it's about time you introduce yourself?"

I turned to Bronn, with a neutral expression. "Do you mind?"

"Not really." The oblivious Reyne shrugged. "Some call me an insolent black-hearted rogue. Others call me a wanderer, which isn't completely wrong, since I've been to many places. But I prefer to be called Sellsword. It pretty much sums my life up. A poor man with a sword, seeking a rich man needing a man with a sword. We exchange gold. If a poor man like me knows how to use the sword, maybe I will become a rich man, one way... or another."

"Oh, I see you've very attached to your… profession." Tyrion remarked, closing his book. "Care to share some tales about it?"

Bronn shrugged. "I'm sure sellswords have a long and illustrious history, but if you meet a sellsword who knows it, best hire someone else. A sellsword should be good at one thing: getting paid to kill people."

Lothor grunted at that, probably his way of showing amusement, while Bryden actually laughed.

"It's not an easy job, mind you." Bronn made his case to everyone. "Most people try to kill you back, and at least a few of them know how. The ones that don't, well, they often come in enough pretty armor to ruin an afternoon." Bronn revealed, knocking on Thoros brėȧstplate before looking at me. "A lot of high lords turn their noses up at sellswords. They say they can't trust a man who sells his allegiance to the highest bidder. I don't blame them; it's much cheaper for them to own an army from birth, either by people being on their lands or by their ancestors swearing a few oaths."

"Indeed." I agreed with his point.

"But here's the thing…" Bronn leaned forward, facing everyone. "…no sellsword has ever fled from the winning side. If your hired companies are running away from you, it's because you're not on that side, and you didn't pay them enough to die with you." The Freys chuckled alongside Thoros. "Not that you could. Sellswords don't get rich dying for their lords.

"Sellswords don't really get rich." Jalabhar remarked after storing the arrow he had spent a while sharpening with a wheatstone.

"Aye." Bronn conceded to the Summer Islander. "Some of the eastern companies on Essos do fine: the Golden Company, the Second Sons, the Windblown."

That caught my attention.

"Always a bit of fighting to be had in the Free Cities, even if those merchant princes can be as tight as an old man's ċunt. But then you're stuck in the heat and dust, hoping some dumb rich prick doesn't try to hire your company to fight Dothraki, because your dumb, greedy captain would probably take it." Bronn revealed, prompting Sandor to nod his head with a grunt, probably having come up with the same conclusion once.

Cleo snickered, drawing Bronn attention. "And here I thought you were some accomplished Hedge Knight."

Although Cleo Frey's stats proved that he was awful with both fighting and thinking, he was more of a means to an end.

And had Royce blood through his grandmother, just like Alysse, which intrigued me if it was worthy of something.

Though the other Freys Cleo brought along were somewhat competent.

The first was Black Walder Rivers, bastard son of the eldest son of Lord Frey, who had good stats for stealth and deceit, always carrying some small knives concealed within his clothing while constantly speaking through half lies and half truths.

At least, that was what my Detect Lie skill kept telling me.

He was a wiry man with a black beard, who had earned his nickname due to his irascible temper and stern attitude, inspiring terror in those around him.

As for the other Frey, Hosteen, sixth son of Lord Walder Frey, had stats that at least showed he was somewhat competent with combat, though not very bright.

A husky man with a square face. Hosteen was brawny, on account of his Crakehall ancestry, with a jut of jaw and arms thick with muscle. Being constantly compared to a bull, slow to anger but implacable when aroused.

A seasoned soldier and the fiercest fighter of Walder's brood.

While he favored his mother's family and was considered the strongest of all the Freys, uncle Stannis once judged him to be dim and stupid during the future war.

"Ha! Hedge knights, now, they are a different breed." Bronn said with a laugh as if he had just heard a great joke. "Take a sellsword and remove the sense. They get their name from where they sleep: under the hedges of the Seven Kingdoms and ditches and stables."

"How appropriate." Tyrion remarked.

"They don't have the family name or the purse like real knights, so they spend all their money on armor, and a horse, and riding tourney after tourney in the hope of impressing some lord or winning some prize." Bronn told us while gesturing with his hands to bring more effect to his words. "One loss, and a lot of them are ruined. They can't ransom back their armor. Even if they win, think what a knight's good for: killing men. You know how you train for killing men? By trying to kill men, not prancing round with a blunted stick bowing and waiting your turn."

Lothor grunted again, this time a little displeased about Bronn's comments.

But surprisingly enough, Sandor seemed to be in agreement with the sellsword, again.

"Maybe you think I'm just insulting the competition so others hire me instead. Well, of course I am." Bronn turned to look at me. "So don't hire me. Hire the sellsword with educated airs who tells you all about the great battles he's heard of, or the hedge knight who's won a few tourneys starting to build his name."

"But let me guess…the man I'll be fighting against will be hiring you." I told him with a small smile, caughting Bronn by surprise.

"I-I… yeah." He stuttered a little before cursing. "Dawn, I was supposed to deliver that line."

Everyone laughed at his response.

Bronn joined in with the laughing. "Alright, now it's your time, priest."

"Sure." After taking a large gulp from his wineskin, Thoros indulged Bronn's curiosity, lighting a small candle just because he wanted. "I was born the youngest of eight in Myr, across the Narrow Sea, so my father gave me over to the Red Temple." He blew the candle and drank again. "In their wisdom, they decided to make me a priest instead of a warrior or a temple prȯstɨtutė like other children."

"I've been meaning to ask you about your faith." Jalabhar remarked with genuine interest. "Like the main Faith in Westeros, it's somewhat confusing."

"Well, It was not the path I would have chosen." Thoros admitted with a shrug. "Sure, I prayed the prayers and I spoke the spells, but I also led raids on the kitchens. And, from time to time, they found girls in my bed." He and Tyrion chuckled. "Such wicked girls. I never knew how they got there."

"I'm sure you don't." Tyrion nodded with a smirk.

Thoros thanked the small Lannister trust and continued. "Then again, I did have a gift for tongues. And when I gazed into the flames, well, from time to time I saw things."

He stared at me for a brief moment, not enough to make me worried, but enough to make me notice.

"Even so, I was more of a bother than I was worth." Thoros admitted. "When the High Priest foresaw your father's ascension, he sent me to turn the rebelling Stormlord to the Lord of Light. Thinking that when Robert seized his crown, we'd take all of Westeros from the Seven in a single stroke."

"How naive of him." Tyrion remarked. "Perhaps they thought Robert would listen to a kindred spirit."

"Or perhaps celibacy had addled the High Priest's brain." Thoros concluded, drinking again. "I didn't know, I didn't care. I. Was. Free."

"We never are, my friend." Syrio spoke. "All men must serve."

"Whatever, I did my duty as I saw it." He turned to look at me again. "Drinking and whoring and waving my sword around, the only gods your father cares about, anyway."

"Seems reasonable." I nodded in agreement.

"Aye, and the rest is history. Years passed, Robert became king, I became a joke, soon enough we will both grow fat. I even won some glory in the previous Tournaments, fighting bands of men and all. Though this last one was an oddity." He chuckled. "It's amazing what boldness a full bladder can inspire."

"I don't know." Bronn remarked to the Red priest. "Fighting drunk might be one of the quickest ways to never appreciate drinking again."

"Heh, perhaps." Thoros agreed with the Sellsword. "But Robert had stopped listening to my sermons a long time ago, even if I had still bothered to give them."

A silence took place amongst the group for a moment.

"I sound like a dried-out old woman, I know." Thoros said before noticing he had just gone out of wine. "I think I need another drink."

"I share your misfortune, my friend." Tyrion told him, shaking his own empty wineskin.

"What about you, Ser Brune?" I suddenly spoke, drawing the freerider's attention.

"I'm of low birth, my Prince. Being a distant, poorer cousin to the main branch of House Brune." He admittedly without showing shame or guilt. "After my father's death, I went to the Brunes of Brownhollow in an attempt to form a family bond, but they said I was no kin of theirs." He stopped for a moment, probably recalling his life. "And I've learned what I know of arms the hard way."

"The only way, if you take my advice." Bronn declared, showing sympathy for the freerider.

"Quite the family relation, I see." I remarked to him, but the man merely shrugged.

"It taught me how to fend for myself." Lothor said coldly, with his gruff voice. "No one will see me complaining."

"A commendable attitude." I told him.

"Only a reasonable one." Lothor said, crossing his arms again and going silent.

"And you, Clegane?" I turned towards my Sworn Shield. "What's your story? Any tales about your chivalrous achievements?"

"Nothing special, my Prince." The Hound remarked. "I don't want to bore you with it."

"C'mon mate, we are all sharing our stories here." Bronn said while picking a blunt knife to clean his nails, not really caring for the swings of the wagon.

Sandor turned to look at me, expecting to see if I ordered him to do so.

"Speak your mind, Clegane, if you feel comfortable enough." I informed him with a neutral expression.

Shifting his seating to get more comfortable, Sandor sighed and began speaking a little about him.

"Honor. Glory." The Hound began with a face of disgust. "Lies to make idiot boys want knighthood, and idiot girls spread their legs for it."

"That's a way to interpret it." Tyrion remarked. "Admittedly a little too cynical."

"Silence." I said, drawing authority to my voice, and probably reminding the young Lannister of his own father. "Go on Clegane, you've made me curious."

Sandor nodded and continued. "Let me tell you what makes a knight: killing." He turned to Bronn, who seemed to be amused by his words. "Either enough men, or the right man. House Clegane should know. We're very good at both."

This time Tyrion remained silent, but his expression showed that he acknowledged what Sandor was saying.

"Most families claim some great ancestors so far back that nobody can prove them liars. Not us." Sandor revealed while looking through the wagon's backside. "My grandfather kept the kennel for Lord Tytos Lannister of Casterly Rock, your great grandfather."

I nodded, remembering the origins of House Clegane.

"Forgive me, but Lord Tytos was a weak man who didn't know it. One day while hunting, he stumbled on a lioness." His tale caught the attention of everyone. "Instead of embracing the man who wore her on his banners, she tried to tear out his throat." Cleo grimaced at the idea of being face to face with such a beast. "Luckily for him, my grandfather came up with the dogs and drove the big cat away. And as a reward, the Cleganes got lands and a keep and a son to squire for the Lannisters. We took the three hounds who died for them as our new sigil."

"I see." I remarked, showing to him that I was paying attention to what he was saying.

"When your grandfather, Tywin Lannister, became Lord of Casterly Rock, he wanted more from his former kennelmaster than fealty. He bet that training hounds to kill wasn't far from training boys to kill. In just two generations, my brother Gregor and I proved him right. I gutted my first man at twelve."

"A late bloomer, I see. I got mine around half that age. Even took out a woman who tried to take my head with an axe." Bronn remarked but I quickly silenced him with a stare.

Sandor grunted before continuing with his tale. "Years later, servants started disappearing in our keep, and even a sister I don't remember. But nobody could prove anything against Gregor or dare if they caught him at it." Sandor continued to speak, probably forgetting that he wasn't alone. "For my father wanted a knight in our family and thought he'd found one in Gregor, who at thirteen towered over enough men that they called him 'The Mountain.'"

Syrio looked at me.

I've been constantly compared to such a man, but the Bravossi had only heard some hard to believe rumors about the man before the Tournament.

But now hearing some of them being reproduced by the man's own brother, that caught his attention.

"Sure, Gregor looks quite the champion from a distance, but a mountain can't cleave a man in half in one blow, and won't break a wench's face if she talks."

Most of the men made surprised expressions upon hearing that, Bronn being one of those who didn't.

"Through Lord Tywin's influence, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen kindly anointed my brother personally. A great honor for our family, everyone said." Sandor chuckled dryly. "One year later, Ser Gregor chivalrously sacked the Prince's city, supposedly even brained the Prince's baby, and rȧpėd and murdered the Prince's wife, winning our family yet more honor from the new king and queen."

As the Hound made a pause, the air suddenly became awkward, until I spoke up.

"I see you didn't remain with your brother, serving as one of his men."

Sandor nodded, scratching the burned half of his face. "Aye. Soon after my father died, they say, in a hunting accident. The same day that Gregor became Lord of the Clegane lands, gold, and anything under his roof, I left our home to take service at Casterly Rock." He turned to face Tyrion. "Lord Tywin was not like his father, under his rule, the man who serves the Lannisters will never lack for killing."

"So that's why you don't believe in Knighthood." I concluded, acknowledging his cynicism.

"Probably. I'll guard you, such as you are. Gregor will kill the other ones, such as he does. When we're done, we'll see how many people still believe in songs and fairytales."

"I'll keep that in mind." I told him while scratching Shadow's head.

The trip continued for a day until we stopped, giving the horses time to rest, and the man to stretch their legs.

I spent some time entertaining Pia with some of my songs, which she obviously found lovely.

Believe me, I'm growing on this girl.

—————————————————————

While the caravan that I spent almost a month traveling with divided itself, since most of the men wished to ride a horse for a while, I took the opportunity to get more acquainted with my 'Grandfather'.

"May I accompany you for a moment, my Lord?" I asked Tywin Lannister, who looked very much like Charles Dance, from outside his carriage.

Don't judge me, but I was having a hard time trying not to fanboy about how awesome he was.

Thank the Gods I had bought Player's Mind, otherwise my threats wouldn't have carried the same weight as they did.

And my stoicism seemed to surprise him, convincing himself I was more Lion than anything else.

Well…at least whatever amount of surprise he could muster after learning that magic was real.

"Of course, my Prince." Tywin said, pretending to be busy reading something on the scroll on his hand.

Don't get me wrong, he was a good actor.

But after spending years with the likes of Varys and Pycelle, who actually managed to fool plenty of people with his act, I ended up developing a good eye for spotting those sorts of things.

"I've been meaning to ask further about your… gift." He questioned while putting the paper away. "That is, if you don't mind talking about it."

"Not at all." I smiled and shook my head. "But I would like to ask a couple of my own questions first. Depending on your honesty, I will feel more inclined to be more open about my secrets."

Tywin stared at me for a moment, probably thinking about how to proceed, but eventually nodded in agreement. "Very well, seems fair enough to me."

"Have you told anyone about it?" I asked bluntly.

"Not one word." He replied and my Detect Lie skill ȧssured me of its veracity. "Besides, I'd be a fool to think that others would believe even if I tried. The world isn't in shortage of old men going mad."

"I thought the Lion doesn't concern itself with the opinion of the sheep." I replied amusedly to the older man, who ȧssumed I had learned it from my mother.

"He does when it risks making itself look weak." Tywin admitted contradictingly, not willing to argue much with me.

"My last question for now would be…when the time comes, and my… abilities are revealed to the world, will you consider betraying me?"

That prompted the old Lion to consider his answer.

He knew nothing if I had an actual reliable method of spotting his lies through magic, so he decided to not risk it.

"Perhaps." He replied boldly. "If you prove yourself incapable of wielding such power with more wisdom than the Targaryens did with their Dragons."

I stared at him for a moment, respecting his straightforwardness.

"Sounds reasonable." I pondered for a moment before continuing. "I'm satisfied for now, ask away what you've been meaning to."

Barely thinking for a second, Tywin asked. "Who else knows?"

I raised an eyebrow at that.

Instead of risking himself to appear desperate and ask if anyone could wield magic, he took the pragmatic approach and decided to know who else was aware of my power.

"You are the first major Lord of Westeros to know of it." I began explaining, reassuring what I knew it was his biggest interest with this question. "Neither my father nor my mother knows, nor does Pycelle or Ser Barristan. Perhaps even the Master of Whispers doesn't suspect it."

I made a pause, noticing how Tywin remained silent, expecting me to continue elaborating on my answer.

"I've revealed it to some allies in King's Landing, though like you, they are expected to continue serving my orders." I replied with a tone that that was all he would get from me at the moment. "Anything else?"

Tywin pondered for a while and finally asked. "How did you come to learn that you were capable of doing… what you do?"

Chuckling for a moment, I reminisced about my made up excuse of half truths and told it to him.

"When I was very young, around my first name day, I noticed how fast I was growing, not only physically, but mentally as well." I started with something Tywin could very much attest, having received countless letters about my unheard quick development. "Then, as I began to learn scientific studies with their actual practicality, I began to wonder if magic was once used in the same way as we currently use stones and metals."

I used Thaumaturgy and produced out of thin air an apple-size rock and a coin of metal, displaying it to Tywin to prove my case.

Crushing the small rock with one hand before immediately mending it with my Cantrip, while making the small piece of metal shine with a radiant aura with my other hand, I continued after storing both items in my inventory.

"Time went on, and as my body began to grow stronger, I grew more daring." Taking my iron dagger from my inventory, I made a small cut on the palm of my hand, which healed itself in seconds without the use of my magic. "Bruises and cuts never seemed to stay longer than a day, I felt surges of energy whenever I tired myself out after vigorous exercise and tales of magic always seemed to fascinate me, beyond what was expected to be normal."

As he looked me in the eyes, I subtly casted Thaumaturgy and changed my eyes to resemble the ones of a cat, with vertical slits pupils.

"Fascinating." Tywin remarked while I casted a Minor Illusion of myself besides him.

"I believe you have witnessed my skill as a marksman and a fighter during the tourney." The illusionary clone said morphing through both my Bard and Warrior disguises, while my original body took a Wild Shape.

Taking the form of a big Shadowcat on the seat opposite to him as the Carriage tilted under my weight, I was impressed to see that the old Lannister didn't flinch as most would have, had they been in his place.

"Every day I learn something new." The illusionary clone told him as I stared directly into his eyes as a real Shadowcat, seemingly ready to rip him to shreds.

"What have my House done to earn your favor?" Tywin finally realized that I favored his house over my father's own and wondered why. "Before long, you won't need an army to rule, so why have you petitioned to become my ward?"

"As you might have already become aware of, my terms do favor House Lannister, but I will let you know that my reasons are my own." I acknowledged his doubts, but didn't feel I owed any explanation to him. "In time, I might consider sharing my motives, but for now, just ȧssume that I do care for the blood of my blood. By the same token, any move against my father's House will be punished severely."

Tywin nodded, trying his best to hide his frustration, clearly not being used to being denied. "Very well."

"As for why I opted to become your ward…" I shaped back into my human form and dispelled my illusionary clone. "…I've been working my way around divination magic, which enables me to learn secrets long forgotten, interpret dreams, predict the future, to find hidden things or foil deceptive moves against me. And what I got was… that the Ironborn will soon rebel."

As I finished my sentence, Tywin's eyes widened in surprise. Having no reason to doubt my words and powers, he quickly came to the realization of what such an event would lead to.

"The late Lord Quellon Greyjoy, dėsɨrėd to strengthen the ties of the Iron Islands with the rest of the Seven Kingdoms; However, his successor and eldest son, Balon Greyjoy, rejects his reforms and dėsɨrės independence for the Ironborn. And he is well aware of his advantage, since House Greyjoy had remained neutral for most of my father's Rebellion, they did not suffer heavy losses like the other Great Houses." I told him, well aware that Tywin had remained neutral until Robert's war was already won. "Balon believes that my father's rule is still insecure, that he lacks support amongst the nobility and would not be able to muster a host against him."

"How long, my Prince?" Lord Lannister asked, with seriousness and respect clear in his tone.

"I would ȧssume in the next couple of years." I told him. "The harsher and frequent winters have posed a problem and are severely slowing down their efforts to bolster their naval potential and attain widespread support from the other houses of the Iron Islands."

"I'll notify my forces and strengthen the Westernlands' shores." Tywin quickly replied, knowing how catastrophic rebelling Ironmen would be to his Kingdom, given how close his lands were to the Iron Islands.

"Do that, but without warning them of it." I ordered him.

"May I ask why?" Tywin questioned somewhat defiantly. "The excess of caution might make our defenses not available in time to push them away effectively when the time comes."

"You are right about that." I agreed to his reason, taking him by surprise, again. "But would you really let this chance pass?"

Tywin raised an eyebrow in confusion, but remained silent.

"You see, I've already eliminated their advantage of surprise by informing you of their intentions, and I'm sure you have your own sources that can keep you updated on their progress." I told him, and the Warden of the West nodded. "Besides, this rebellion, contrary to my father's, is a stupid one fated to failure. House Lannister would benefit greatly with such an excuse."

Tywin kept listening to my words, impressed by my pragmatism as I detailed how the war would develop.

"Crush their raids on your shores when the time comes, and be the first to launch a retaliatory attack against them." I informed him. "I'm sure there are some worthy spoils you can claim as yours. If I recall correctly, House Drumm has a Valyrian steel sword named Red Rain."

Tywin winded his eyes in realization of what I was suggesting.

"You must have no idea of what Valyrian steel weapons are worth, otherwise you wouldn't be offering it to me." Tywin spoke honestly.

"I'm well aware of your previous attempts on buying one for your House." I simply smiled at his attempt to lecture me, quickly spawning my twin Valyrian Steel Gladius out of my Inventory. "But you would be mistaken to believe I don't know its value."

The old Lion stared at my short swords in silence.

"Take my advice, claim Red Rain as yours and make the Ironborn the next example of why House Lannisters is a house to be feared." I told him before storing away my weapons. "Meanwhile, as you prepare for war, I will be traveling around the Westernlands."

"You are aware that winter is coming, are you not?" Tywin Lannister pointed it out, somehow not noticing he had just spoken the Stark's Words with a straight face.

"Of course." I merely signaled for the carriage to stop and told him before leaving. "Oh, and do mind your food and drink whenever you find yourself in the same city as the Red Viper."

My next travel companion would be my uncle Tyrion, I'm sure he would appreciate my description of his homeland much more than Tywin.

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(13/10/2021)

*Hope this chapter is of your liking.

Anything you wish to ask, feel free to do so.

Check out my auxiliary chapter if you still haven't.

Thanks as always for your attention and please be safe.

Any problems with my writing, just point them out and I will correct them as soon as possible.