>>FROM:@AEGONNER

[northerndragon]

Tell me about your gods.

If you don't have that kind of faith, then tell me what else you believe in. There must be something.

And if not that, tell me what you think of when you know a battle is coming.

Comments

@basicwitch

[courtintrigue]

There are a many so-called gods in my world. I prefer to put my belief in what I can see and feel.

What do you think of when battle looms?

[northerndragon]

Mostly of whether or not I'm prepared for the battle. Whether or not my men are prepared, whether or not my friends are prepared, whether or not I'm making fighting at my side worth their while. More recently, defenses, the movement of the troops, our numbers. I sleep if I can. I don't know whether there's any use in prayer, but it seems to be a comfort to some.

So, not gods for you. What do you think of?

I'm so sorry for the wait! no hard feelings if this rolls in too late for you

[courtintrigue]

There have been many times over the past year when I have known tomorrow would indeed bring battle but did not always have the luxury of fine details. Before attempting sleep it becomes routine to check supplies, to make sure there are potions and poultices prepared for the inevitable injuries. Sometimes I have thought about what I would do in worst-case scenarios: toxic blood or poisoned blades, magical nullification, my companions falling at the least opportune time.

Occasionally I think of things I would prefer to do instead.

You lead men in battle then? It sounds as though you were at war even before joining this cause.

[northerndragon]

I do. I have in the past and I will again. A great war is upon us at home.

[Everything up until now has just been a battle, not a war, though Hardhome was probably the first sally. There are many, many things he would rather do than fight, but that doesn't matter: fighting is what it will take for everyone to live... him, Daenerys, his sisters and his brother and his friends, his people, all the nobles and smallfolk he's ever met or failed to meet. It all rests on his readiness to give the Night King a hell of a fight.]

You put your faith in what you can see and feel, but that includes magic. What sort? Only healing? That's not magic where I come from, but if it were, it would serve a great need.

[courtintrigue]

Of course it includes magic. I can feel my power and making use of it requires no faith in anyone else.

If you mean healing in the vein of beneficial potions, then not quite. Herbalism, in my world, can be related to magic but does not require it. There is a popular branch of magic dedicated to spells that will heal and boost a person's natural abilities, but other kinds can summon the elements to your fingertips, a ball of fire or chained lightning. Others still can drain the power from your enemies or slow them to make them easier prey.

But what is your war about? How were you convinced to trade one war for another?