(Also there's the fact that I think a lot of the game is happening under the water, so to speak - with PMs shooting around. But I agree with you. Great ruleset but frustrating for those who don't have access to the multiple threads or have much in the way of PMing to do *cough* )

Meh, a woman has no place in politics anyway. :)

Yes, as a bystander that loves Game of Thrones, I wish i had some insight into the PMs. :) This is like I'm reading the cliff notes of the books right now and missing all of the meat! :)

I need someone to do something dramatic to help keep my interest going between now and my next meeting at 1pm! :)

I grow weary of the lords brokering their deals behind closed doors. It pains me to admit that I have little influence in these matters but once again I shall

Vote Melisandre/Bulletsponge

The charges remain the same. Lord Stannis can talk about her being an innocent, holy woman until he is blue in the face but you are all granting him a great boon if you permit him to retain the services of the sorceress. If she is no more than a simple priestess then he should release her from his court. Of course, he will never do so, because she is far more than a simple priestess. Most others you accuse of treachery will flee from their lord, bequeathing their land and much of their moneys to their liege. The witch has no wordly goods to be seized by her lord. Naming her an enemy of the realm will hurt Stannis far more than naming anyone else an enemy will hurt their lieges.

I will not release her from my service because then I would be down a bannerman. What King would do so? If you would like to offer me the service of a different bannerman, Cersei, then we can talk about it.

Frankly, I don't think anyone is going to follow the lead of a part of unknown allegiance, who does not serve the interests of her own house, it seems, yet kneels to no other King. Until we understand who Cersei Lannister serves I don't think you will find anyone willing to heed your advice.

Stannis, your defenses of Melisandre have certainly been strident. That said, people may indeed follow Cersei Lannister because her words have merit. I would say the same if an argument were posed by Varys, Ser Barristan, or any of the others that are "part of unknown allegiance".

The fact remains that someone must be found guilty today. The "kings" have a choice

1) their primary goal is to see that it is not their own
2) they may wish to heed informal alliances and act accordingly
3) they may wish to kick House Lannister while it is down. But with lands raided and without the Mountain is the Lannister house worth the effort. If pressed Joffrey may decide to ignore the laws of the realm and retain the bannerman.
4) or they might want to weaken a more potent threat.

If the Kings choose the fourth option then the most logical choice is to remove the witch. Attaining her is the vote that causes the most damage to their enemy (by which I mean everyone who is not of their house). In terms of real politics then that is the most effective vote for everyone barring Dragonstone.

I will enjoy seeing you squirm today Stannis, while your witch has you so confident in her harmlessness that she can break you at a moments notice, you refuse to accept what the realm seems to know for certain, even to the point that you will gladly be made to look weak just to keep her around.

Vote Jaime Lannister/Green beans

I think this is the next move which will benefit my Lord's Kingdom the most.

I encourage him and my fellow banner men to follow me in this course based off what I have seen happen so far these past two days

The time has come for the Kingslayer to atone for failure to perform his duties as a member if the Kingsguard and failure to protect his Kings. I would like to see Sir Barristan the Bold reinstated as Lord Commander on Jaime's death. Honor must be restored

[b]vote - green beans/Kingslayer/Jaime Lannister[\B]

[b]vote - green beans/Kingslayer/Jaime Lannister[\b]

What the?

Forward slash not backward, Bug! :D

I, like everyone else in this game of thrones, serve myself. From the viewpoint of the other kings, this makes me no worse than you and, potentially, much better. Who knows, my lord Stannis, it is possible that I actually have your best interests at heart. The difference between me and the others not attached to a house is that I'm am not willing to skulk in the shadows and solely conduct my business behind closed doors.

Curious that this suggests you have not discussed the matter with your liege, lord Penrose. I presume you are unavailable to your liege at this moment. I fail to understand how prodding a wounded lion will benefit Renly Baratheon more than the opportunity to potentially gravely weaken his rival.

Cell phone fail

vote - green beans/Kingslayer/Jaime Lannister

Interesting

Interesting to see if Stannis follows through on his rhetoric yesterday. I suspect, however, that Clegane will undergo a miraculous conversion, repent his "sins" and Stannis will see fit to absolve him.

For those keeping count, that will be four bannerman giving allegiance to Stannis.

So my lord, perhaps I have not offered you the service of a different bannerman but fate appears to have done so. Will you release Melisandre from your service now?

Lord Varys! I am sorry I missed you on your visit though it appears you might have preferred to be in the shadows.

I wonder who might have reason to send you our way?

[OOC] I have read all the PMs I've reaceived so far today, but just in case I run out of time in the next few minutes to answer them before my next round of meetings, I will do my best to answer them from the airport, or certainly before deadline - even if it means sitting in the airport after I get back to answer them. Yes I'm that dedicated. Going to spend the next bit of time catching up on things in this thread before our next meetings. [/OOC]

What you call fate the rest of the realm calls hard work. Gregor Clegane's fate will be decided in Dragonstone.

What makes you worse is that I know what Renly's goal is, what Robb's goal is, what Joffrey's goal is. I can therefore judge their suggestions accordingly. I was never much inclined to trust a Lannister, but much less a Lannister whose goals I don't know.

Vote Jaime Lannister / Greenbeans

I cannot say I do not have a small amount of personal satisfaction from voting against the Kingslayer, but I do it not only for personal reasons, but for the good of my people.

With Renly, Stark or Joffrey's goal in mind can you think of any reason why they would not wish to prosecute Melisandre?

I do not care if I am trusted. I do not expect to be trusted. I am not asking to be trusted. I ask only that my arguments be viewed on their merits.

Sure, because there are other more powerful bannermen and kings. You are making some wild guess that somehow Melisandre is more powerful than other bannermen. A guess that coincidentally would keep people from voting for one of your kinsmen. You're simply picking on the one bannerman that seems different enough from the others to stand out.

I hope you have enough wits about you to realise what is happening here Lord Renly. What do you think will happen once the Lannister house has been gutted? It is clear to me that Dragonstone and the North have formed some form of alliance. Where do you think they will turn once the House of Lannister is destroyed? At the moment you have the opportunity to break the stranglehold that Dragonstone/Stark have on the vote. In the future you will not have that luxury.

Lady Cersei,

You have made many persuasive arguments today but you also have made certain rather silly ones. Such as the idea that Storm's End is in danger because of votes against Ser Jaime. Or that we do naught but wait.

I appreciate your loyalty to your brother. Rest assured that though we have different aims I also possess a certain brotherly affection, misguided as he may be by the red priestess.

My time is growing limited. I would rather talk privately with my son but that is not a possibility as he has surrounded himself with other advisors.

Joffrey - if you have any pretensions on remaining the king of Westeros then it is vital that you do not lose any more bannermen. Clearly the rest of the noble lords of the realm are set on tearing our house apart like a pack of ravenous wolves. I see no reason why you should bow to the wishes of your enemies as they transparently use the laws to destroy our house. If Jaime is pronounced an enemy of the state then I can see no reason for you to bow to their wishes. Assuredly retaining Jaime's service will reflect poorly on you but if you lose another bannerman under the current circumstances you can have no hope of retaining the throne in any case. The stain on your honour will matter little as you will be forced to bend the knee.

Take my head Stannis, I will see you in hell.

Jaime, if you actually ever return from wherever you are, I see no other option for you than to place your trust in your nephew should our enemies have their way in this vote.

It is a matter of simple mathematics my lord. If the Young Wolf and your brother are in collusion then where will the vote turn once my house is destroyed?

Varys has been spotted in your camp. You seem to be drawing the conclusion that he was sent there by an enemy. Are you certain that he was not meeting someone in your camp?

What a surprise, as Cersei's house and family are targeted she throws out accusations and suspicions left and right hoping to turn the rest against each other. You can be sure we understand how the game of thrones works, Cersei, all actually having thrones.

Almost as big a surprise as you quickly denying any accusation of collusion. Well, not even actually denying them.

Why would I bother? I speak to Renly and Robb in person, not through you. That's scary, isn't it.

You speak to them both? In person? Quite a feat my lord. Perhaps this is one of the powers the witch grants you.

Joffrey - you cannot afford to lose another bannerman, no matter how absent they currently are. That is all for today. I, and my mirror, shall retire to our chambers.

I understand this may be an odd concept to you, my Lady, but I keep total faith in my bannermen and Hand, who have and continue to serve me with honor and distinction.

This would be a shame, brother.

Now spend the next 24 hours reading all the rules. :)

Hah, seriously.

Lady Brienne, I wish to reconsider our message.

King Renly, my compliments to your choice of emissary to the Stark courts. A good and loyal man.

And I thank you for your hospitality and time with him King Robb, he appears to have conducted himself as ably as I have grown to expect.