PROLOGUE
AN1: Hello everyone. This is another Percy Jackson and A song of Ice and Fire crossover fanfic. However, this story will differ from how most stories with this type of crossover are structured. It is inspired by Arcadia Chronicles: In principo by Iron Tyrant.
It will follow the same vein though I will take a different approach. I know I have two stories that are already running on the side, but this was an idea that simply would not leave my head. So, I decided to pen it down finally and post it online. I hope that you like it and follow it.
As always, I request you review my work, positive or negative. Reviews give me the necessary motivation to continue investing my time to write and improve my stories even further.
If you have not read my other works yet, I suggest you visit my profile to read the other stories I have written. And if you like it, I request you to review my work.
AN2: As for other stories, I will be uploading new chapters within a week.
DISCLAIMER: The credit for the characters and the world goes to George R.R. Martin and Rick Riordan. I just own the plot and some of the new characters I might introduce for the sake of weaving the story.
The Olympian Empire of Essos by Archmaester Pereston
The Dance of the Dragons is considered one of, if not the single most defining moment in the history of Westeros. Yet another potentially groundbreaking event in world history took place during the same time. This event would impact Westeros and Essos in ways none could ever have foreseen, even in their wildest dreams.
The internal civil between the Blacks and the Greens, the two factions of the Targaryen royal family, drowned the lands of Westeros in fire and blood. The other ruling houses of Westeros were also subsequently forced to take sides in this bitter civil war for succession to the Iron throne. Thus, the reports of strange and massive ships spotted along the northern coast of Essos were conveniently ignored.
None paid any attention to the reports about strange people that had started to arrive on the shores of Essos from the northern regions of the Shivering Sea. None of them realized the tremendous impact that the people aboard these strange and massive ships would have in the future.
In 130 A.C., these strange and massive ships, arriving from far off shores, started appearing from the mysterious northern regions of the Shivering Sea. Initially spotted by the sailors of the merchant ships of Braavos and Lorath, these foreign ships were not approached by the sailors or the captains who spotted them for closer inspection. This was in fear of them being long-lost cursed ghost ships of the past expeditions to the far north.
However, the absence of veritable evidence of the claims, coupled with widely exaggerated and non-coherent claims, made it seem difficult for the general populace to accept them. These mysterious ships were dismissed then by many as mere hallucinations, often experienced by sailors during long voyages.
It is unclear to this date as to how these ships managed to voyage from the northern direction, as there are no landmasses known to be located north of the Island of Ib. The polar regions of the Shivering Sea have been heavily shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This intrigue is due to these regions being largely unexplored by anyone.
We now know these ships were full of people who were the refugees of a fallen civilization. Each of these ships housed several hundred refugees fleeing the destruction of their homeland. Escaping from a world that was very different from our own.
The migration of these refugees started slowly at first, then in vast numbers, as these people from an unknown land came and began to settle on the Island of Ib before moving to the mainland.
Their arrival and settlement on the Island of Ib were uncontested by the native populace as they had been completely wiped out due to a mysterious plague half a decade ago. None of the traders dared to visit the Island of Ib for fear of contracting the plague. Thus, none discovered the people who had started to build their first settlement in this world.
As the number of refugees arrived in this world, they began to create new settlements in the northern parts of then Dothraki grasslands of Essos- the home of the Barbaric Dothraki Hordes.
While these people supposedly did not wish hostilities, they were forcefully dragged into a conflict with the Dothraki barbarians. It is unclear who was to blame for the initial hostilities which created tensions between these people and the Dothraki Barbarians.
These hostile tensions resulted in a series of long bloody battles which lasted almost a decade. It concluded with destruction and the decimation of the Dothraki barbarians to near extinction. Many maesters speculate the series of altercations with the Dothraki horse lords led to heavy casualties on the side of these people.
Though most Dothraki horse lords were driven into extinction, many of the remaining Dothraki and the native people already living in the grasslands were absorbed as citizens of these new settlements. The slaves of the Dothraki were more than happy to join these people and get rid of their shackles.
The Dothraki, supposedly, were harder to convince to let go of their ways but finally agreed to join them as citizens. Whether it was by force or by peaceful means is a fact that remains unknown to this date.
These people, then unexplainably and much to the general bafflement to date, isolated themselves from the rest of the world for nearly 7 decades. Even the original citizens were supposedly restricted from exiting the settlements without a valid reason. Communication with any other power was all but non-existent.
A great plague was wreaking havoc through Essos during the conflicts between the Dothraki and these people. Westeros had just recovered from the aftermath of the Dance of Dragons. It was a very chaotic time, and that was when the rumours started to emerge about the Dothraki.
Many misleading tales about the situation in the grasslands ran amok among the populace. The rumours tried to dissuade explorers from ever exploring the lands these people had occupied. Even if some brave souls tried to risk it and travel to the Dothraki grasslands, they were either found left half-mad with no memory or were never seen again. This slowly but effectively dissuaded people from ever venturing into the Dothraki grasslands.
Even a few of the adventurous citadel maesters who had gone to explore the Dothraki grasslands had gone missing. They were later found half-mad, roaming the streets of Volantis, with no idea about who they were in the first place. This created such fear among the general populace that none dared to even step foot on the accursed Dothraki grasslands.
The merchants from the free cities started to prefer the sea route to the far east islands of Yi-Ti and Asshai rather than risk taking the land route. Many large caravans with supporting guards had gone missing in the Dothraki sea and were often found abandoned near their destinations with their goods missing.
The faith of the seven, quite strangely, ordered a complete ban on travel to the Dothraki grasslands. They decreed that whosoever went into these lands was a craven and a sinner. He would become someone who would be damned to the seven hells for all eternity, never to ever receive redemption. It was a very bizarre decree and one that came out of the blue. None knew the reason behind this, and none seemed to question it at that juncture in time.
In 211 A.C., after nearly 8 decades of self-imposed isolation, these people decided to open contact with the outside powers. It soon became clear as to why these people had isolated themselves. These people had been silently consolidating their position in the Dothraki grasslands, unopposed and now controlled it completely.
The events that followed were meticulously orchestrated to announce the end of the self-imposed isolation of these people. The introduction of these people to the world stage sent shockwaves throughout the power structures of the known world. Its impact fundamentally transformed the politics and the societies of Essos.
The Unveiling was grander and much more impactful than the Unmasking of Braavos centuries before.
It started with the capture of Qarth in the name of driving off the Golden Company, controlling and claiming all the lands east of the river Rhyone from Dagger Lake in the north to the northern bank of the river Selhrou in the south. They also effectively established control over the lands surrounding the river Qhyone and complete control of the Forest of Qohor.
On the further east, they captured and laid claims to lands to the north of the Skahazadan river till its headwaters. This comprehensively denied any entrance to the Dothraki grasslands from the southern direction, much to the ire of Meereen and other free cities in the Slavers Bay. They even built an army encampment located on the base of the northern face of the painted mountains, hundred miles north of the Slaver city of Meereen.
Before any of the major powers of Essos could come to terms with what was happening, they sent out high-profile envoys to Braavos. They confirmed its non-involvement by signing a mutual non-aggression pact with the Iron Bank and the Sea Lord. It is also said that the price of the treaty was almost equivalent to the total wealth possessed by all the Seven Kingdoms combined.
Subsequently, within days, similar peace and trade agreements with Lorath, Norvos, and Pentos with high incentives to the cities.
The agreements promised that these people would not attack any remaining free cities unless provoked. They also promised not to expand beyond the present boundaries set forth by the border agreements, provided they were not attacked first. If so the Olympians promised to retaliate with impunity. The free cities of Braavos, Norvos, Lorath, and Pentos were wary of this new power in the continent of Essos but signed the agreement for two main reasons.
Firstly, they had successfully defeated the Dothraki, who had been a nuisance to many of them with their constant raids and demands for tributes.
Secondly, the trade deals these people had offered were simply too lucrative to pass up, despite them taking over the free city of Qohor.
But not all of them were happy with the deal and refused to sign them in the first place.
Some of them had wanted to have absolute authority over the Dothraki lands and the lands to the east of the river Rhyone, despite it being unclaimed by them for ages due to the aggressive horse lords. Their greed was insatiable as their main opposition to expansion had been removed.
Volantis, together with the cities of the slavers bay, did not recognize the claims of these people and sought to contest it by attacking their army outposts near their respective cities. It proved to be a costly and fruitless venture. Volantis and her allies suffered a devastating defeat on the battlefield in which their forces were comprehensively decimated.
After that, they were forced to sign an agreement with these outsiders not to contest the claims made. This was done in an armistice presided over by representatives from other free cities- a first of its kind.
The Volantese Triarchs outwardly seemed amenable to the signing of the armistice. But inwardly, the Volantese burnt with hatred for these people. They loathed the peace agreement they had been forced to sign; they would not forget the humiliation.
The Unveiling showed the world a glimpse of the true extent of power wielded by these people. They were both, militarily and economically, aeons ahead of any nearest challenger in Essos.
It was an effective 3-pronged strategy that led to the exposition of these people to the world. An overwhelming show of force and power to dissuade invaders and skilful use of diplomacy to ensure no unnecessary bridges are burnt. Through these actions, these people had stamped their authority as the most powerful kingdom in Essos.
Soon after, other reluctant free cities quickly began to sign very lucrative trade deals with the outsiders enabling these people to trade extensively with the other powers. Pretty soon, merchants and travellers from both Essos and eventually Westeros began visiting the cities of these people to start the trade of various goods and commodities. When the exchange of people and goods began, the world was in shock for generations to come.
Journey through Olympus, by Archmaester Marwyn
The civilization ruling large parts of Essos has become known as simply the Olympian Empire or The Empire. The maesters at the great citadel of Oldtown and the general populace call the people of this civilization- the Olympians.
Their Empire was named after their established capital city of Olympia, formerly called the island of Ib. It was the Island of Ib where they made landfall when they arrived in this world.
The story of their rise to prominence is a bloody one. It is a story of war, devastation, and most important of all, change. The conflict that surrounded the foundations of the Olympian Empire is often considered bloody, if not bloodier than the Dance of the Dragons.
Nowadays, they are unquestionably the most powerful kingdom in the known world. The Olympians are the leaders in learning, art, culture, medicine, and technology and are unmatched in combat prowess. Their technology is sophisticated enough to shame any of the technological advances made by Old Valyria and aeons ahead of the free cities and the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
They are a society built on a perfectly synergistic fusion of technology and magic, much to the ire and displeasure of the maesters of the citadel. This is the main difference between Valyria and the Olympian Empire. The Valyrians were heavily dependent on their dragons and the massive blood sacrifice to power their magic. They did not focus much on innovation in technology and sciences, independent of their dragons.
The Olympian society is a martial one, unlike the barbarian-styled culture of the people of the Iron Islands have in place. They are all warriors of the highest calibre. Their combat abilities far outstrip even the most talented knights of Westeros. Its culture is quite different from any of the Seven Kingdoms or the rest of the free cities of Essos.
It is a society of equal rights and valued meritocracy above all. While similar to Dorne in the equality of sexes, it is very different in the sense that equality and meritocracy are given the highest priority. Even a person from the lowest rung of society can rise to positions of influence and prestige.
All children, regardless of sex or societal status, are educated formally. They are taught science, mathematics, history, geography, and most importantly, warcraft in the public schools run by the funding coming from the crown. The primary and compulsory education of the young children would begin at the age of 6 name days and continue till they were eight and ten name days. The twelve years of primary education were coupled with brutal physical training for the children with compulsory service to the army for two years. Thus, each individual was educated and was proficient enough to defend themselves in a combat situation.
After two years of compulsory military service, the child had the chance to pursue studies even further beyond the necessary basics. In that case, they had the chance to pursue their passion by going to a place of higher learning called a University in the city of knowledge, Athenai Nova, or in common tongue - New Athens.
The knowledge of even the supposedly worst child in the class far outstrips that possessed by maesters who had devoted decades to the pursuit of gaining knowledge. This immense wealth of knowledge possessed by the Olympian Empire often made me slightly jealous. The maesters of the citadel were outright green with envy at this fact. The people of the Olympian empire are open to sharing their vast knowledge with the rest of the world. But the maesters of the citadel, in their infinite wisdom, have rejected this offer from the Empire. This is majorly due to the ingrained disdain for magic and the narrow-minded views of my foolish colleagues.
All the citizens spoke the common tongue in conjunction with the two languages native to their people alone- Greek and Latin. However, people who aspired to become ambassadors or merchants were further taught the languages of High Valyrian, Low Valyrian, and various common languages spoken in the free cities.
These people had been called the Semidaine by the local population initially. High Valyrian for Demigods. Their assessments seemed not too far away from the truth.
They possessed an ethereal kind of beauty that even surpassed the ancient Valyrians. One of the most beautiful ladies of the Empire was Lady Piper Aphrodikori, the matriarch of the noble house of Aphrodistis.
It was said that Lady Piper Aphrodikori is so beautiful that she would leave even the most devout Septon left gaping at her in lust. People were often baffled at the effortless grace, nobility, and beauty that she exuded. Though she very much earned the ire of other noble ladies of the Seven Kingdoms. It was also said that her words could soothe even the worst of arguments. She could intervene in a conflict between two eternal rivals and help them walk out as lifelong friends.
I think this rumour deserves some merit. There were many rumours of Lords or merchants signing trade agreements that were slightly biased in the favour of the Olympian Empire. This was noticed in cases, especially where Lady Piper was present at the negotiation table, as her primary responsibility of holding the office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Despite this, I cannot testify to the rumours surrounding her influencing people with her voice. But I can verify the claims that she is the most beautiful woman to have ever walked on this world. She surely did make me speechless when we met for the first time, much to my embarrassment and to her amusement. But do not let the beauty misguide you, for beneath that beautiful face was a sharp wit and a clever mind.
Additionally, Olympians in general, possess lifespans of three centuries at the very least which further lends credence to the claims of the locals of them being demigods or in some cases, even gods.
But the most divine characteristic that solidifies the claims of the Olympians being demigods was the ability of a group of people within their civilization to wield certain metaphysical powers. Some of these people possessed the ability to make the forces of nature bend to their will. The power of these people was terrifying. Armies were said to have surrendered at the mere demonstration of these powers in the battle. However, the veracity of these claims is debatable. Yet, these particular kinds of people seemed to fit the title of being called Demigods.
Such a person is the first Emperor of the Olympia – Perseus Poseidonios. Though I did not have the opportunity to watch him wield his powers, it is said that he could bend the seas and waters of rivers to his very will. Not unlike the Rhyonish water magicians of the past, but much more powerful.
I could feel the slight wisp of power thrumming beneath his skin, itching to be released when we shook hands. He just exuded a presence that made me want to bow to him out of respect and admiration, all the while feeling a hint of primal fear deep in my bones in his presence. He was generally a warm and kind individual. While amongst his advisers in private, he interacted with them as if they were his family. Even to his subjects, he was very benevolent and caring, though I could see that he kept a slight distance from them.
The ruling council was composed of 14 representatives from major noble houses. They each managed a particular aspect of the overall administration, much like the small council of the Seven Kingdoms. They were members of the most powerful houses of the Empire, each controlling a substantial amount of wealth, influence, and fighting manpower. Despite this, the armies answered to the Emperor first, above all.
Despite their slightly lower position, each person on the council interacted very informally with Emperor Perseus. There was a particular session to which I was privy as a guest. What was most astonishing was the way they treated the Emperor. Throughout the session, he was the target of many japes. Even his wife, the Empress, joined in making japes at the Emperor. The Emperor gave as good as he got yet did not seem to mind the japes made on his behalf.
Never did he once show his displeasure or anger like the Lords of Westeros, who would not have liked a joke being made on their behalf. At this juncture, many would believe he is a weak puppet ruler. One who is easily manipulated. A ruler who often indulges the whims and the fancies of his advisers. Much like how the father of Lord Tywin Lannister, the laughing lion, Lord Tytos Lannister was. Yet to make this mistake is the greatest folly that one could ever commit and live. I feel that this is all but a façade, hiding true cunning and smartness behind the mask of idiocrasy.
Despite his approachable personality, the respect that he received from his people was absolute. Yet none of his people seemed to fear him. They followed him because they trusted him. Never in my life have I witnessed such absolute loyalty of the people to their ruler.
Though he was outwardly very cordial towards me, I could sense that his ethereal sea-green eyes were constantly tracking my every move. When not in his presence by the constant guard escort that shadowed me nearly everywhere I went. Though I was treated like an honoured guest, I felt like I was in the presence of a very dangerous predator. A predator could squash me like an insignificant insect should I show even the slightest inkling of ever posing a threat to him or any of his subjects.
Though, it seemed that Empress Annabeth Athenekori would have had my head before I even dared to harm his majesty in any manner. She was fiercely protective of her husband and her subjects. It took a long time for her to stop seeing me with a hint of distrust.
Empress Annabeth Athenekori is a blonde-haired woman whose beauty is known throughout the known world. She is considered the second most beautiful Lady in the Empire after Lady Piper. Yet her stormy grey eyes had a calculating and analytical glint on them that at times made me feel as if I were prey ready to be hunted down by an apex predator. She commanded the same level of respect as her husband. She was intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of the Olympian Empire. Though her forte was her immense knowledge across a broad spectrum of subjects, that still baffles me to this day.
Once I gained her confidence, she was an engaging partner to discuss any topic that caught my interest in the vast archive in the capital city of Olympia. She was very open in that regard and held gaining knowledge paramount. She and I shared several scintillating discussions on various topics that were quite intriguing and eye-opening.
Though it seemed that Emperor Perseus did not share the same passion for gaining knowledge and books as his wife.
In addition to her vast knowledge, she is a master architect. Almost all the cities of the Olympian Empire had been designed by her. Her designs were exquisitely detailed and quite awe-inspiring. A shining example of her talent is showcased in the jaw-dropping grandeur and beauty of the capital city of Olympia- which is unmatched by any city in the Known World.
Despite her creative tendencies, she is no slouch on the battlefield. I am confident that had she sparred against the best Knights of the Seven Kingdoms, she would have had them flat on their back within minutes of the spar. She moved like she was made from water on the sparring grounds.
One day, I was invited to witness one of the practice spars between the Emperor and the Empress. Their speed was simply astonishing. To my eyes, they seemed as if they were just blurs of steel and armour. It was a dangerous and graceful dance of sharp blades and armoured bodies. It turned out to be a very close fight. The friendly spar ended in a draw when the Emperor had his blade at her neck while the Empress had a small dagger poised at her husband's neck. Though the Olympians generally seemed to be exceptionally talented warriors, the Emperor and the Empress seemed to be in a league of their own, along with their compatriots on the ruling council.
The magic and power that the Olympians wielded caused them to be labelled, quite, unfortunately, as heretics, uncouth barbarians, and heathens by the Faith of the Seven. These ideas were foolishly supported wholeheartedly by my colleagues at the citadel.
They thought they could impose upon the Lords and commonfolk their narrow-minded views, well..., it seems they failed spectacularly in this regard.
Though the Kings and various Lords of Westeros were apprehensive of the magic wielded by the Olympians, they did not seem to mind it in the least. They even went ahead and signed lucrative trade agreements that brought in exotic products produced by the Olympians. These goods were instantly the favourite of almost all the Lords and Ladies of Westeros. Even the common peasant folk purchased products produced by the Olympians. These products helped them tremendously by increasing the agricultural yield of their farmlands many folds.
After all, what chance does the strength of faith stand against greed and the mere satisfaction of basic human needs?
The story of the Olympians is one of the legends and will be sung for aeons to come. These meticulous notes document my travels within the Olympian Empire. They chronicle the events that lead to the ascension of the greatest Empire in Essos and the largest civilization since the days of the Valyrian Freehold.
Please do follow up if you like my story and review it if possible. I will try to upload the chapters weekly. Until then, Goodbye!