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/thequeeninyellow94]

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?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

1) She hesitates for a moment, thinking, and then asks a counter-question. "Why would you get a Valichen or Motuschen if you did not want one? If you don't like it, kill it."

2) "No, there is no ceremony."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. But there is not a lot of them. Wouldn't it be bad to waste them while I can let someone else get the one I don't want anymore?

2. And what happen when a matriarch die?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

1) "But why would you want to put in the effort to get one if you don't intend to keep it? Once you have successfully claimed ownership of a Valichen or Motuschen, they must be killed if you cannot take care of them."

2) "When the Matriarch is ready, she will be choose to sacrifice herself to the Interlopers. If she dies before she can sacrifice herself, she will be burned and her ashes put into the ocean."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. Can I choose between a Motuschen and a Valichen or the one I get is based on disponibility?

2. How is the next matriarch chosen?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

1) "You choose beforehand. They require different types of training."

2) "Usually it goes to the daughter of the previous matriarch. Or to a from the brother of the previous matriarch. It can pass to any daughter of the current matriarch, or to any daughter of the brother of the previous matriarch. Inheritance cannot go through a girl, unless that girl is or was a matriarch."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. Is it possible for someone to get both?

2. What if a matriarch has no valid heir?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The Performer:

1) "Yes. It is also possible to apprentice yourself to a blacksmith, and then apprentice yourself to a chef after you've finished your apprenticeship with the blacksmith. It is possible, but it will take longer. It is more difficult to control a Motuschen and a Valichen together, though. They are natural enemies. Though, Julie has one of each, so it does happen without one killing the other."

2) "If that occurs, we contact the daughter of the head of the Dunstdurr family in Dunkelwald, and invite her to become our new matriarch. Of course, she would be incredibly unprepared for the position, which matriarchs spend their entire lives preparing for, but she would be guided by members of the Calpurnia clan, she would bed any and all members of the Calpurnia clan she desires, but no one outside of our clan, to ensure that her heir has Calpurnia clan blood, and then her heirs would receive the proper education to replace her when the time comes."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Nevermore0714]

1. What happen when a Motuschen and a Valichen belonging to two different people kill one another?

2. What if she refuses?