Divide and Conquer, Chapter 1: The Day the Dragon Arose

Awesome 😎

maryorin rosario

Glad you liked it! Caraxes and Meleys are indeed the canon dragons brought forward and Arrax is the Cannibal

Tertius711

I love this, can't wait for more ❤️. One question, are these caraxes and meleys the ones from the original story? and this arrax is the cannibal?

maryorin rosario

Thanks! Stay tuned for it! Glad you're here with me!

Tertius711

Excellent first chapter! I can't wait to see what you've got ready for this story! Here from start to finish!

Rdgc

Chapter 2 should deffo becoming out this Saturday-Tuesday unless something comes up. I haven’t decided yet on whether there will be an Orys POV but he’s top of the line for contenders after Visenya and Rhaenys. As for who will marry, it will definitely be someone from a Valyrian house.

Tertius711

An interesting question. He’ll most likely just stick to the Riverlands for now though. He’d need a proper western fleet to invade and subjugate the Iron Islands to the degree he desires.

Tertius711

Neither. If you reread the chapter you can see that Aegon has found some magic books his family still has from their time in Valyria that gives them something similar to the abilities displayed in High Tide Chapter 61 but lacking perhaps in all of the other artifacts and blood magic expertise. Perhaps this can be a base to go further from here, perhaps they can one day find the lost vaults on Dragonstone where legend has it the rest of their lost magic knowledge has been kept away.

Tertius711

Well we shall see how it goes with the Starks. Stay tuned!

Tertius711

Stay tuned!

Tertius711

With the Starks dethroned, I do hope they’d be the exception like in canon and get to stick around. even if just as minor lords/oddity of what once was a proud Dynasty. Either way I’m sure I’ll like it!

SteveH

Awesome!!

SteveH

Is your next update this weekend ? Will you also do a Orys POV and will he marry a Riverland house?

TyrantGod

After re-reading this chapter I wonder whether Aegon SI would try to conquer Iron Islands along with Riverlands in one-go, or would he be content with decimating their navy and cutting them off continent?

Maciek

It should be yes. The usual Saturday-Tuesday update range.

Tertius711

Is chapter two coming this weekend?

SteveH

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I very much enjoyed writing it as well! Heir, spare, and wife for heir is great indeed yes. We will deffo see more of the ties with the loyalist Vayrian houses and Celtigar will absolutely be more respected ITTL and they will culturally and genetically be a lot more Valyrian ITTL! Glad the plans and exposition was interesting! F in the chat for some of the Riverlands houses and the Isle of Faces but it does help hammer in how bad Harren is. Also it helps make it convenient for Aegon lol. This is bold? You have no idea lol. Westeros is gonna be in for a real change with Aegon on the block now. Yeah Dragonstone do be developing. Criminally underutilized and underrepresented in canon for an island of its size. Do you know the Imperial Legion from Elder Scrolls? Yeah based on that. They'll serve as police and guards in peacetime and also have regular rotations to the Wall and possibly to Essos as sellswords like you suggested to keep them experienced and purposeful. But IMO they must have a standing army. It is the cornerstone of a centralized state, dragons or no. Dragons are but one tool in Aegon's arsenal and he wants an empire that can stand without them. Praetorians are actually unique in how trash they are among royal guards historically though. Varangians and other royal guards did well. And plus there are the canon Kingsguard and Tide Guard from High Tide and frankly even in universe every family has a household guard like the Lannister redcloaks or Stark guards. You must have guards, might as well make them the best you can be. They will deffo try and inculcate fanatic loyalty into the Dragonguard lol. Intelligence capabilities eh? Let's make the Dragonguard even more like the Elder Scrolls Blades than they already are XD. Intelligence operations will probably be left to another unit though tbch. Best to spread things out wide. Stay tuned to see how the regional governance goes as Aegon has plans indeed indeed. Glad you liked it and think it's perfect!

Tertius711

Wil1902

You've analyzed very well indeed! The Westerlands are the next target after the Riverlands yes.

Tertius711

Great first chapter I wonder what order Aegon wants to conquer the 7 kingdoms in? After the Riverlands are secure I think taking the Westerlands will be the next crucial kingdom. The wealth of Casterly rock is critical to the ongoing conquest of Westeros. The Reach is up there as well but it’s the most populous and probably the hardest to completely pacify.

DoggY

Ah by canon. I forgot that. Yeah those cardinal Warden titles won't exist ITTL and neither will Lord Paramount. You will see soon how the administrative structure will be though because Aegon is going to start it right in the Riverlands!

Tertius711

I mean wardens of west south west etc

TyrantGod

Wdym by main wardens? Was the title actually Warden?

Tertius711

He divided up each of the region, put his close retainers as main wardens and put a governor title which can be changed but it was not final structure. The fic was abandoned midway.

TyrantGod

Ah yes Maester celibacy and other restrictions are deffo being removed. The kids will eventually be part of the Conquest if it takes that long to accomplish. We shall see if it does. As for how many I am planning for the trio, stay tuned to find out! There will be no Lord Paramounts ruling structure. Remind me again what the ruling structure was like in Leonel’s fic? It’s been a long time since he updated and I read it.

Tertius711

I mean with swearing the vows of celibacy and other restrictions. Will the kids also be part of the conquest later? Will there be a lord paramount structure or something else? Will you have a ruling structure similar to what was done in Aegon Conqueror SI by Leonfallen (ao3)? How many kids are you planning for the trio?

TyrantGod

Thanks! And yeah it's here at last! It is a little surreal. Stay tuned because according to current plans, Visenya should be the next chapter!

Tertius711

Wdym by Citadel isolationist structure? Anyway he has already started on making a university or academy on Dragonstone which will likely move to his new capital. Intelligence Agency is a yes. The Blackwoods have been attainted and knowing Harren whole house is likely wiped out. The Riverlands invasion won't include the Iron Islands no. The Iron Islands will be conquered later.

Tertius711

Does that mean the story will go to Gogossos again like in HT, or will there be a different location in mind?

Omar

Great first chapter. I have to say after almost a year seeing this story being discussed on discord, and finally being able to see the first proper chapter of it. It’s a very surreal feeling. I also can’t wait for the Visenya POV!!!

Omar

Will you have the MC dismantle the Citadel isolationist structure and create schools, universities etc and also create an intelligence agency like CIA, MI6, Mossad etc. Also are all the Blackwoods gone or any surviving members r there? Will Riverlands invasion also include Iron Islands?

TyrantGod

There will be magic on the level of High Tide I am thinking yes!

Tertius711

Would love to see more magic. I love how magic was shown in high tide.

Drazax

Implied that he was a historian.

Tertius711

What was the MC’s job pre reincarnation? Can you give a brief origin?

TyrantGod

I personally don't believe in multi transmigrator stories as they often dilute the premise. I don't really believe in anti-dragon weaponry either lol. Not conventional. Like I'll tell you the Westerosi kingdoms will invest in archers, scorpions so forth, but they won't suddenly be able to reliably kill dragons like some stories I've seen. That makes it really cringe. Magical threats on the other hand are something that I'm really looking into and there is potential there. Aegon has already spoken of them and that's part of why I'm having him study magic so that he can actually face these threats. Otherwise Faceless Men or smth are just gonna kill his whole family and a screw is as unsatisfying to read as a wank narratively speaking.

Tertius711

Well a lot of ways you could go with it, but I feel like a twist that would blindside Aegon and uses his advanced knowledge & arrogance against him would be interesting. Like for example imagine if the Lannisters (Or insert great house) had their own reborn character that would use their advanced knowledge to advance their people as well. Unlike someone who is directly tied to Dragons this someone is %1000 Developing (To the best of their ability) weapons that will kill Dragons because they know the conquest is coming. Hell if this person also has advanced knowledge they'd probably be sending spies to watch Aegon like a hawk and would most likely be clued in that this isn't book or show Aegon when he starts doing things he wasn't suppose to be doing. Anyways I'm just kind've rambling but I feel theres a lot you can do with a rival reborn character. Alternatively you could bring in a more mystical opponent. That could come in so many forms and so many ways its pointless to really talk about them. I'm sure if you went that route you'd flesh it out better than anything I'd write in a couple of minutes.

Gizzit

It deffo did feel a little like I was writing High Tide at some points so I do get what you mean. That being said I hope to take this story in a much more different direction than High Tide with different outcomes and kingdom-building and politicking ideas. What kind of twist are you thinking of to give an example?

Tertius711

I like the concept for the story, but it does feel like a rehash of the High Tide Story, I know the timeline/characters are different but I do hope it isn't, MC with Modern knowledge + Spoilers VS GOT world, again. While its fun and I do love me some kingdom buildings/politicking, the situation may get.... repetitive. Though I'll definitely keep reading it one way or another but I hope for there to be some twist to liven things up.

Gizzit

But why does it need a prologue? Like I think this Gods Eye prologue would just mess with the pacing, the segue, and the chain of events. I don't see why there's an issue with the way the chapter started with Aegon and his wives, they are the main draw to any Conquest Fic after all.

Tertius711

I think it’s a great prologue since your first act focuses on the Riverlands, it’s a major PoD and it provides a clear sign of how Aegon the ‘Liberator’ would be seen by the non Ironborn. It could perhaps be the dying Riverlands rebellion over the Gods Eye situation?

King Henry V

Thanks! Glad to see you here! Stay tuned for more! 1) High Tide was an AU from the get go with a lot of changes to the world before Corlys was even born such as a slightly altered Conquest so I felt that informational necessary. Here the world was canon compliant until Aegon was born and pretty much all the changes have happened as butterfly or direct effect of his existence as a transmigration so far and there are much less of them so I don’t see the need for a similar informational here but I can make one in the future if you all request it. 2) It will stay the same here. No gunpowder or firearms. IIRC Martin has said they don’t work and even if they do a dragonrider SI is the last person that would ever invent them tbch. They’re just not in his benefit at all. 3) Yes. They won’t just be sleeping and unexpectant. They will take notice of what Aegon is doing and make according preparations. They’re not going to suddenly be able to make anti-dragon weapons when no one else in history has been able to for five thousand years but there are many other things they can do that will make Aegon’s conquest harder and more challenging. Think the wars Maegor had to fight for an idea.

Tertius711

Decided to actually await for 1st chapter of story - and I have to say it has quite nice potential. Three question concerning new story: 1. Will you publish the list of changes compared to OTL, like in "High Tide"? 2. In "High Tide" there was no chance to develop gunpowder and firearms, despite many requests :) WIll that stay the same here, or sth will change? 3. Given that SI is prepared to stretch his Conquest for many years, are you going to introduce some actions of other kingdoms to improve themselves and counter growing SI strength? OTL Conquest was finished too quickly to implement ANY changes, but here there could be some time. And SI's successfull actions could convince some rulers to swallow their pride and do something in that regard ;)

Maciek

Thanks! Honestly no. I have a rough idea of what the story's scope will be but I'm uncertain yet how many chapters and arcs to tell that story. I can roughly estimate 50 chapters or more for now though, probably more. If all goes according to my tentative plans, the Riverlands Conquest will be wrapped up by Chapter 5.

Tertius711

Awesome chapter btw. Do you have an approximate amt of chapters for the story and how many arcs?

TyrantGod

The Small Council is definitely being expanded upon. It most certainly will not be 'small' ITTL. Will likely be called the Royal and then Imperial Council. Yes to proper bureaucracy with civil servants and institutions but that takes time to do. As for how MC deals with the Faith, stay tuned!

Tertius711

The Isle of Faces isn't nearly relevant enough to be the start of the story. It seems quite strange to me.

Tertius711

Will you also be expending on the small council? Have a proper govt system with civil servants etc? How will the MC deal with the Faith?

TyrantGod

I think the hook could be something like perhaps a short glimpse into the fall of the Gods Eye - a dark prelude to canon not being the same and then moving to the ‘lighter’ scene of Aegon and his wives - might let you cut down the exposition as well on the Gods Eye with that prologue

King Henry V

Well I did some thinking and I realized you are partially right in some aspects so I have made some edits and sent you the details on Discord. Thanks for helping me come to that realization.

Tertius711

Dental hygiene has been a thing since ancient times. I did my research on it before writing the story: https://curaprox.co.uk/blog/post/the-history-of-the-toothbrush-and-tooth-brushing#:~:text=Brushing%20your%20teeth%20in%20the%20Middle%20Ages&text=People%20often%20used%20their%20fingers,very%20common%20at%20this%20time. https://www.thehistorycorner.org/articles-by-the-team/did-medieval-people-brush-their-teeth https://www.wayneoralsurgery.com/blog/what-was-dental-health-like-in-the-middle-ages/ People definitely had to brush their teeth and they did do so. He didn't exactly bathe either he just washed his face and there could be a small pail of water for that or smth. Not really important overall. You're the only one who has raised this matter. There's a difference between modernization uplift of standard SI stories and doing things using historical precedent in order to make things better. Concrete will be essential to infrastructure projects and is an ancient technology. Plumbing is also an ancient technology and is necessary to avoid the cesspit that King's Landing was in canon. So far it just seems like you are letting very minor details (that are actually relevant to future plot points) get to you. Aegon literally stated that he doesn't know how to do basically all of the normal uplift stuff. There ain't gonna be printing presses or some BS here. Even concrete they rediscovered since it's a lost Valyrian technology. That's just a problem with how you are perceiving this IMO. 17 is of perfectly acceptable and marriageable age in canon ASOIAF. Catelyn Tully married at 17-18 and many others around the same time or later. The list goes on. Not to mention the Targaryens consistently marrying too young and dying in childbirth is a recurring problem in canon so why wouldn't Aegon wait a little longer for the health of someone he loves? You're not making sense here. This isn't even a modern sentiment this is just common sense that exists in universe as well and is understood and taught by Citadel Maesters (and ignored by half the nobility)

Tertius711

Maybe the modernization that you have right now isn’t so bad, but the opening scenes left a bad taste in my mouth personally.

sonicmalibu

You have it written like he went into his bathroom to get dressed and cleaned. No servants to fill the bath, get dressed, or anything. I’m pretty sure teeth cleaning wasn’t prevalent until like the 17th century. It’s even debated if evolution required people to clean their teeth back in the day. Either way it takes the reader out of the setting. It’s really unnecessary. Writing these side points add really nothing to the story, but rather take away from it imo. I think you should stay away from any modernization period. Just not necessary and takes away from the plot. You have created plumbing, concrete, and what’s next? It’s just more and more. You can have a SI written in this time period and not even mention the realities of the world at that time and it will all be fine honestly. Seems odd he would wait that long ngl. Would think that Aegon wouldn’t wait longer than for Rhaenys to turn 15, 16 at the latest. Another thing that just gives a modern feel to the story that is weird.

sonicmalibu

What makes it too much for the opening? What would even be in the prologue and would it not break the hook of this packed starter?

Tertius711

Hmm how is it too modern a fashion? Medieval people did also brush their teeth and wash their face. Minimal. Mostly to do with hygiene and disease prevention and precedented by medieval or even ancient technologies IRL such as Elizabeth I's flushing toilets. Worry not, we shall keep the medieval feel and not go too modern. That's why I intentionally had Aegon say he didn't know much of the innovations in the old world. Aegon turns 22 in 97 AD. He ascended to the Lordship of Dragonstone when he was 14 years old almost eight years prior and he married both Visenya and Rhaenys four years after that when he was eighteen years old. Thanks! Stay tuned for future updates!

Tertius711

Thanks! Stay tuned for more!

Tertius711

You're welcome and thanks! I put a lot of effort into this chapter and I hope to deliver similar if not better quality in the coming chapters. Stay tuned!

Tertius711

Thanks! We should see an interaction with Balerion in the coming chapters for sure though atm I have not yet concrete plans for the next chapter to be the POVs of Visenya and Rhaenys so we shall see. King's Landing will not be the capital ITTL. He's not landing there, he's landing at Duskendale, and since he's only conquering the Riverlands first, King's Landing would be on the extreme southern border. Aegon has a different capital in mind.

Tertius711

Thanks! Glad you think it's amazing! Stay tuned for next chapter! Oh for sure the regions will be divided up differently and different houses put in charge. I think no one can predict just how they will be divided up (except those who have been chatting to me on my Discord server lol) because it is something no one has ever done before in an ASOIAF fic and is quite different and new and I personally think it's better.

Tertius711

They're one of my favorite houses too! After all I wrote a whole story based on them after all :) ITTL House Velaryon will definitely get the rewards and lands that they deserve for their service but Aegon will not be creating new Great Houses. Not as we know them from canon.

Tertius711

No he knows about the show. He refers to them when he discussed the Dragonkeepers. Doesn't mean he's taking the show as valid for anything though. Aegon's dream wasn't in the books and in any case this Aegon didn't get the dream even if book or show Aegon did. He knows the Others are a potential issue in a few hundred years because he read the books back in his first life but they're not a really high priority to him and do not factor into his motivations by any metric.

Tertius711

Next update will most likely be next week though if possible I will try and write faster than that but to be safe expect it by next Tuesday latest! As for one of the kids marrying a Stark, ehh tbch if it is warging you are after, there are better houses than the Starks. As for Dorne, they will bow, bend, break, and burn.

Tertius711

Thanks! I imagine that chapters of this story would probably be as long as High Tide's were on average but that may change in either direction (shorter or longer) depending on story planning and pacing.

Tertius711

Thanks for enjoying my stories and supporting me! Glad you think the first chapter is incredible. Stay tuned for more!

Tertius711

Odysseus, yes canon Aegon was very stupid. Absolutely no Stark wanking here and in fact Aegon intends to dethrone or destroy all seven of the Great Houses that currently rule the Seven Kingdoms as royals. As for the plans for Dorne, stay tuned because Aegon is going to shatter their plot armored ability to fight dragons, avoid starvation, and stay hyper united and insanely loyal to House Martell.

Tertius711

Dragonslayer29 I'm glad my description of the relationship between Aegon and both of his sister-wives and the equality in which he treated them hooked you! It just seems common sense doesn't it? And yeah Visenya and Rhaenys are absolutely his closest allies and single most important assets. They are a team, a triumivrate, a triarchy. Don't really like HOTD but it and the source material do show how favoring one wife and their children over another is bad. Heck it's even in the Bible too with Rachel and Leah the wives of Jacob. Yeah I wanted to avoid the strange mystery of why Aegon had so few children in canon by giving him some ASAP before the Conquest even begins. Son from Visenya to marry daughter from Rhaenys and basically all problems solved now indeed! :) Yeah like so many common sense steps to get more soldiers and to be more charismatic and gregarious. It's almost like canon Aegon half assed it lmao. As for the current seven Great Houses, the royals, well, their days are numbered. The concept of the Great Houses in general probably will be as well due to how Aegon has conceived his plans to divide and administrate Westeros. Thanks! Stay tuned to see how we go from here with this start. And absolutely yes fuck Dorne. I can promise you that Aegon despises Dorne for what they did to Rhaenys in canon.

Tertius711

Great first chapter

Scouts for the win

In my opinion you need a prologue before the interaction between Aegon and his sister wives it just tooo much for the opening

King Henry V

As you have Aegon getting ready in the morning you have it written in a too modern of fashion. Edit: So after some further reading it’s looking like Aegon is introducing more modern-ish technology than I would personally prefer, but that’s me. I think it would be cooler to stick to medieval standards. Edit: did Aegon ascend to lordship 4 years or 8 years ago? He married his sisters 4 years ago but it’s saying that he was raised to lordship 8 years ago. Dont know if I read it wrong. Edit: this story is very interesting. Looking forward to future updates.

sonicmalibu

Thanks for the chapter. I could clearly see the effort you have given and I highly appreciate it. I’m highly anticipating the next chapter.

Skruffy

Great start.. Hope we get to see him interact with his dragon next chapter. Is he still gonna name his capital kings landing now that he is a self proclaimed emperor? Looking forward to next chapter..

Revan

Amazing! Can’t wait for the next. I imagine the regions will be divided up differently and different houses will be put in charge? Can’t wait to see how he divides the spoils of Westeros

SteveH

Same never really liked the Dorne as they always pride themselves that they defeated the dragons. It was literally a one in a million shot that killed Meraxes.

Dragonslayer29

very much agree with you on all your points. I’ve gotta say that the way the original aegon went about things was unfathomably stupid, the kings baring the river lands and reach literally just stayed the same and only really lost the title of king and nothing else. It was asking for rebellion down the line. I hope he does destroy some of the Great houses. One thing that hope not to see is a stark wank fic, which seems to be a common thing among the asoiaf fandom even when the story doesn’t focus on them. Muh first men and honour and loyalty, the only reason the north is like that is because of Ned who was raised with the chivalry of the Vale. I am also very interested in seeing how the MC handles Dorne in this story, i’ve never been a fan of the undefeatable Dorne and their insanely loyal vassals, despite there being many of the powerful houses who would gladly take house Martells position but didn’t in OTL.

Odysseus

Ojalá los Velaryon (una de mis casas favoritas) finalmente se convierta en una gran casa como debió ser en el canon.

Jesús Leonardo

Does the MC not know about the show? What about Aegon’s dream from HOTD and GOT’s Long Night?

TyrantGod

When is your next update? Will you have one of the kids marry a Stark and inherit the warging capabilities? Can’t wait to see how the MC will handle Dorne? Bent, Broken, Bowed 😉

TyrantGod

From the first few paragraphs I say that I got hooked is not because there was well sexual themes involved but because he actually describing the relationship between both his sisters because those two are probably his most important allies. Although he needs armies, navy’s, lords and mercenaries which give him numbers and connections. But his two sisters are the ones he needs most with him being in this world. Im enjoying that you’re going to detail how he’s considering how both sisters are different and now he has to, focus on trying to treat them equally because like in the TV show the house of the dragon we can see what happens when one parent favors one spouse and child than the other and that creates a problems environment for a house that are dragon riders. As we seen what happened in your other story. other thoughts on the this chap, I am glad they have children. I always had an issue with the original Aegon never having children before the conquest I mean yes there was rumors that he had trouble having children, but I would assume being married for a few years before the conquest, I’m not totally sure how long he was married to both wives before he did the conquest, he should at least had one child with Visyena. As She was the elder and Lords responded more positively to having the elder son with the first wife, and if he has a daughter with Rhaenys then both blood lines would be bound together to avoid the issue with Aenys and Maegor. Finally there’s his interactions with his vessels and him getting mercenaries. I think that’s a really well thought I’d idea cause he only had a small army in the original timeline, as well with him only wanting to conquer the Riverland first he’ll need a larger army that’s more loyal to him then conquered lords. Which you have covered with him, providing the celtigars with more power in the claw isle and being friends with hiers, cousins of lords and knights provide him with loyal men and future lords to build a foundation more powerful than in the other timeline. Especially creating personal army that loyal to his family and has more freedoms then the Kingsguard. Even though the mercenaries are more loyal to gold than honor, but with him interacting them with earlier building relationships with them he has planted the seeds that he can gain most of them on his side before they have to go back to essos with him providing a more profitable way for them by staying in Westeros. One thing I’m curious about is will he try to befriend any of the prominent Great houses or will he burn them down rotten and stem to create new Great houses more loyal to him. All in all great start and good luck with your future chaps.

Dragonslayer29

Great first chapter. Do you have an idea on how long/chapters this story will be?

ShiroHige92

I’ve been addicted to your writing for quite a while now and have binged your stories multiple times now. I finally took the plunge and bought your patreon and i must say i’m not disappointed, this first chapter was incredible. Thanks

Odysseus

Yeah I didn't want to make this tech heavy. I was getting fed up with tech after High Tide and HT had little tech uplift compared to most SIs as it was. Knowing how to govern as you say is the priority. (and appeasing the waifus lol) Glad you like the conquest plan! And yeah there is deffo a coalition coming down the line.

Tertius711

I like that he’s limited in what he knows about developing tech. Knowing how to govern well is good enough and he could always stick some wiseman together to work on concrete and better glass. I like his plan for the conquest. Slow and steady wins the race. Especially since it’ll let him start forming real loyalty early on. Though after the second kingdom gets taken out I’m sure the others will band together and field of fire remix will have to happen 😅.

Lictor Magnus

Thank you! I worked really hard on this story and I've been thinking about it for years so I'm glad to finally bring it to life! Stay tuned! Any more in depth thoughts on any particular details? Such as what hooked you in those first few paragraphs perhaps?

Tertius711

I’ve been excited about this story idea since you first mentioned it, and I got to say from just reading a first few paragraphs. That it was well worth the wait and I was literally hooked and I could not stop reading until I was at the end of the chapter. Thank your for this chap and I can’t wait for the next.

Dragonslayer29

Glad you're hooked! I worked really hard to make this chapter as good of a hook as I could! Any more detailed thoughts?

Tertius711

Whelp, I’m hooked 😁. That was one of the better first chapters I’ve read in awhile.

Lictor Magnus

It's just a motto lol. What did you expect it to be as good as lel?

Tertius711

Why would loyalty only be as good as gold? I would have expected it to be better haha

ksri