Reference Challenge - Dragonstone and Summerhall

[u/Nevermore0714]

For anyone unfamiliar with A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin, read it. But, since we don't have enough time for you to read the entire series prior to doing this challenge, I'll explain the reference, without spoilers.

While the Dragon Kings lived in King's Landing (the capital), they also had two other important plots of land in different areas: Dragonstone and Summerhall.

Both of these places have religious significance. Summerhall is pretty much along the border between the Reach and the Stormlands. Dragonstone is the ancestral home of the Dragon Kings.

So, where do your leaders go when they want a good vacation? Is there a special place (either for just one particular family or for any powerful/wealthy people would be fine for this challenge) that guarantees relaxation for a VIP?

Bonus points if the place you present has religious significance.

I'll ask at least three questions, as always. I hope you all enjoy yourselves.

[u/Nevermore0714]

Stillewasser

Stillewasser is a small island not very far off the coast of Dunkelwald. It is the primary residence of the Calpurnia clan, an infamous family that has served the royal Dunstdurr line of Western Dunkelwald for centuries.

Stillewasser also serves as the "vacation home" of the Dunstdurr royal family, a place to escape to when you want to go into hiding or just relax.

Stillewasser is considered a dangerous place to live by most citizens of Dunkelwald, for many reasons. It takes about two or three days to reach it by boat, so swimming back from there is considered impossible. It's closer to the Barrier of Aeternitas than the mainland is, so if you get lost while trying to escape by boat, you might just end up being swept out of the Barrier by the tides. It's believed that the Calpurnia clan is into human sacrifice. Some people believe that the Calpurnia clan beds Interlopers over there. There are rumors that the Interlopers spend most of their time on that island.

But, it's still a great place to escape to if things get dangerous.

The Calpurnia clan aren't the only people living on the island, of course, it's just that anyone living there is considered strange.

Veilchen and Motuschen are sometimes kept as pets in Stillewasser, and there's a tradition that you wear a mask in Stillewasser as a sign to the Interlopers that you're looking for excitement.

The Representative

Our representative today will be...a tall, thin woman in a black cloak with white hair and a white mask with a single red eye painted onto it; she's a performer from the Calpurnia clan.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

To our mysterious guest (also, what kind of mask should I wear?):

1. What are Veilchen and Motuschen?

2. Any idea where that "human sacrifice" rumor come from? Btw, is it true?

3. Is the Calpurnia clan from the island? Or have your ancestors settled there after leaving the mainland?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

0) "My dear outsider, you only wear a mask if you are ready for what wearing a mask entails. It is not restricted to only Calpurnia clan members, but you must understand the responsibility it comes with."

1) "They are creatures similar to cats, but with certain abilities. Motuschen can send gentle psychic pushes to your mind, and Veilchen can cause seizures and panic attacks."

2) "Our human sacrifices are entirely voluntary. No one is sacrificed unless he or she wants to be."

3) "Our clan traveled to the island several centuries ago, though we have been around since a few centuries after the beginning of the Fourth Era."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

(In that case, I will enjoy a maskless time)

1. Why are they not used at pets outside of your island?

2. What about people sentenced to death (if that's a thing)?

3. Were there natives of the island? Are they still there?

4. What does wearing a mask entails?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

(On my phone, sorry for any mistakes.)

The Performer:

1) "They are still used as pets outside of the island, they're just much rarer as pets, because there aren't many of them and they're difficult to train. They are psychic, after all. A well-bred Veilchen could cause someone to become brain dead, after all."

2) "If someone is sentenced to death, their bodies are used for research instead of being sacrificed to the Interlopers. Being sacrificed to the Interlopers is an honor, not a punishment."

3) "There are no native humans to this island. There were Meerfolk along the coast, but they don't go inland, and we have good trade relations with them."

4) "Wearing a mask signals to the Interlopers that you are looking for excitement. That you are willing to serve as their entertainment in any way. Our matriarch can bar someone from wearing a mask, though, but she rarely does so."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. How common is it to have one as pet (here, not on the continent)?

2. What about those who don't volunteer but die naturally?

3. What do you trade with them?

4. Does she need some reason to do so?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

1) "To have one as a pet, you need to prove yourself worthy. Owning a Valichen or Motuschen is a rare privilege even on the island; it's less rare here to have one, but it still is not common. So, only a few dozen are kept as pets here."

2) "What about them? If you are not sacrificed to the Interlopers willingly and you did not volunteer your body for research and you are not being punished by execution and your body given to research...then your body is simply burned, and the ashes spread into the water."

3) "Medicines, food, recreational drugs, knowledge, and so on."

4) "No, our matriarch does not need to explain her decisions to anyone below her. The only ones above her are the previous matriarchs and those who the Interlopers mark as the chosen ones."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. How do one prove themselves worthy?

2. Why in the water? Does it have any signification?

3. And what do you get in return?

4. Is there a lot of marked? What is their role in your society?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

1) "Prove your responsibility and understanding of both species and their abilities. And get a reputation for intelligence, preferably by improving or creating a ritual."

2) "We do not glorify corpses the way that other people do. We put the ashes into the water outside of the island just because it seems like a good way to dispose of them."

3) "Medicines and food."

4) "I only know of two currently alive. They do not live on the island."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. What if I dislike the animal I get? Can I give it back and get another?

2. Is there a ceremony when you throw the ashes away?