Of which, I believe your emissary told you where I stand last night. At least he should have.

Indeed Lord Stannis. I was, I must admit, caught by surprise by the sudden, emotionally-driven turn of events last night. It was an unexpected swerve that threw the realm into apparent chaos, and was not at all what my little birds had gleamed over the preceding days. As you note, my understanding was that an alliance had been sealed with the objective of removing House Lannister from the game.

That being the case, Lord Renly doth protest too much in my eyes. His situation is not altogether as dire as he paints it I do not believe. To this point, only Lord Stannis is at war with him, the Starks and Lannisters remain on the sideline. Although Lord Stannis has a powerful navy, Storm's End boasts the wealth of Highgarden behind it.

Will the Wolf and the Lion join the war, or pick off the survivors? Can Lord Renly convince House Lannister or House Stark to ally with him to remove Lord Stannis from Dragonstone? For surely it is not in everyone's best interest for Lord Stannis to possess both the wealth of Highgarden and the navies of Dragonstone. Such a combination would be difficult at best for even the combined might of Lannister and Stark to overcome.

I look forward to ravens this afternoon.

You are hitting on the main issue here. Trust. Renly trusted neither the Starks nor you, believing that you would both stab him in the back given the chance and you clearly thought the same of him. I tried to get you two to work together, but neither of you were willing to be the first one to make a gesture of good faith that may have put you at a disadvantage. I do believe that we would have been loyal allies, had we simply gotten past the negotiations stage. The inability to do so, the inability to put even a bit of faith in someone who does not perfectly share your interests on both sides, is what really got me angry yesterday.

But Renly is right. This is a game, and if winning only requires caution and some nice timing, I would prefer to go down fighting and enjoying every moment. There is a time for caution, but that time is past.

Trust is a precious commodity M'Lady. Even more so in these fractious times.

Keep playing it safe, Stannis. Stark and Lannister(s), I still have hope you have some chaos in you.

Do it for Chief!!!

Tyrion, still have that wildfire? Send me a raven!

Littlefinger, want to be a player? Send me a raven!

Cersei, thank you for your support.

I have a large amount of wildfire

In my pants....

The maesters have treatments for that, you know.

M'Lord Renly,

I am a player already. In fact, some might say I am the master player.

I only get one raven a day. I prefer to retain it for reaching out to someone who is not a claimant.

You on the other hand get a free raven to me - feel free to reach out to me to initiate a discussion about whatever you like. It's quite clear that my little birds murmurs about an alliance between the Baratheon brothers is now outdated, but perhaps there is other information that you seek where I can offer you points to consider.

I do not believe your situation is as dire as you make it out to be.

You will indeed be getting a note from me, Lord Varys. I was calling out to the others since I do not get the free raven to them. There are some I have heard from already, there are certainly others who may reach out at some point -- but being limited in communication means I must be public in many of my dealings today.

I am sure the amount the Kings are able to communicate with the neutrals would be a welcome revision to the ruleset in future. But for now it is what it is.

[ooc] perhaps in the next iteration of the game. although it might require 2 game-runners to deal with all those PMs I imagine [/ooc]

[ooc] there are some I haven't heard from too - tyrion & cersei for example. and only one raven from a non-king so far this game. maybe in v2 there will be more of that...it might increase the wheeling and dealing even more. Loving this game the way it is though - kudos to Chief. This is much easier than going back and signing up again for the Blood of Dragons MUSH and having to start at the bottom of things there. [/ooc]

One of my regrets was not pairing up with someone here. A long time ago, JAG offered to help me run it, and I probably should have asked him to help. But then he has been a terrific participant in the game, and I hate to think what it would be like without him playing.

You're welcome.

You are merely experiencing the situation that you helped place my son in my lord. You also assume that Tyrion and Littlefinger aren't working hard making things happen. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean that it isn't there.

I simply could not have run the two Marvel games that I did back in the day without help from Tyrith.

I don't think there are other examples of co-mods in this community, but I can speak from experience saying that it was both helpful and fun having a co-collaborator for both game creation and execution.

Hello, everyone. Seems I've had my fill of fun and am now ready to be a proud Stark Bannerman.




I miss Ros.

(ooc - this is sooo cool Chief).

Actually,

this is sooo cool.

Apparently the good king Renly has crabs.

My lady, I am counting on that.

War. Huh. Good god ya'll. What is it good for?

in your case, absolutely nothing, say it again y'all...

Breaking the status quo and potentially removing a dictator
Say it again y'all

Vote Cortnay Penrose

The charge? Having a silly name.
The punishment? His liege forgiving him as well.

5 Enemies of the realm have been reprieved. That's nearly half of all the bannermen. The people will be crying for the Targyreans to come back.

Hey there, Cersei. Nice dress.

Jesus, Cersei. This honor buying gets expensive. Mind having someone else make that payment?

I did receive ravens earlier, but am waiting to reply in kind.

Should interested parties with to conduct discussions through me using their ravens to me as war seems to have descended upon us and bannermen are scarce, I am happy to facilitate such discussions.

I believe the Lady knows exactly what she is doing Lord Renly.

(ooc)Are you caught up on PMs? Are we on for regularly scheduled deadline?(/ooc)

Clicked Storm's End thread accidentally, sorry.

Don't think so - at least I haven't received my daily report.

[ooc] we're not caught up. As it's war and it's fundamental, could we maybe push deadline back, or even extend it a full day? [/ooc]

I haven't either.

[ooc] i've got ravens to send, but i'm holding them back wondering if things are going to be postponed...hmm [/ooc]

I love ravens in the afternoon. My bank shares are scheduled to split tomorrow.

Audacity, my friends. It will carry you far.

Do it for Chief!!

I can only smirk at this message of bold risk taking, when days early Renly threw in with Robb and Stannis to submarine House Lannister.

AUDACITY!

Yes, an update about deadlines will be helpful. I won't be around at normal deadline tonight, so am particularly interested in knowing what we'll be doing. Is it officially day 5 even?

There was a plan, I have confessed what it was, it didn't work out. So I have moved on from that damn square peg. Living in the past is for careful people.

Uggh. Why can't it be like 4 pm PST...haha

My concept there is to then get it all done before I leave for the other job. Hasn't happened successfully yet, but that's the concept. I have a chance with a 2 p.m. deadline locally, but no way in heck with 4 p.m. ;)

Perhaps you would be interested in a loan...as Master of Coin, I have access to certain accounts that could be accessed by someone in a time of need.

It's not the end of the world :)

I would like to hear all the services you might be able to provide. Perhaps you could contact me.

(ooc - any chance Alan would be willing to step in and help you out Chief)?

Tomorrow I believe I shall begin making someone else pay for their actions against my son. I find it highly amusing that you adopt the role of the wounded victim in this when you have no conceivable claim on the throne by law and my son is stripped of his supporters because he showed more respect for the law than you have.

And I do not know who this Jesus is of whom you speak.

I do not disguise my intent behind honeyed words and whispers in corridors. I vote openly for my interests for all to read my intent. An alien concept to you I realise my lord and one I am sure that you can paint any way you like whilst acting as messenger boy to the lords of the realm.

Bravo my lord. An audacious move - you have clearly been listening to Lord Renly.

So, all can send their messages through you and you can pass them on to their intended recipient? And exactly how foolish do you believe the lords of the realm must be to avail themselves of this generous offer? Already there seem to be reports of messages going astray. Now you would that you are given the role of censor and fabricator to all correspondence betwixt the kings? All for the good of the realm. As you interpret it.

I will sit by no longer and allow these lies about my intentions muttered in private to go unaddressed.

It has come to my attention that Lord Baelish has been informing parties of two things regarding me:

1) That I lied to him about receiving communications from Lord Tywin on Day 1
2) That I lied to him about my goals.

With regard to #1 - Without checking the time each raven was received, I believe that in the event that I received a raven from Lord Tywin on Day 1 (was that 5/22?) it was after I had told him that I had received no message from the Lannisters. What purpose would I have to lie about such a mundane detail and yet be truthful about the rest?

With regard to #2 - It is true that I was originally asked to "back" a slate of 4 individuals to survive until the end of the war. Those 4 (1 from each camp) were as follows: Lord Renly, Gregor Clegane, Melisandre, and Lord Karstark. You all know that immediately upon beginning communication with you I argued passionately that Clegane be brought to justice, from my first message on. I have stated repeatedly that I have abandoned these goals - my targeting of Clegane on the first day ought to be an indication of this. In fact, were Lord Baelish being truthful he would report to you that, to my recollection, I informed him of the general nature of my goals in an early message to him, and also informed him that I was no longer pursuing them.

Lord Baelish negotiates for land and titles, seeking the best deal for himself amongst the competing parties, striving to ensure that he ends up on top. I believe his most attractive deal at the moment comes from Lord Stark, who offers him the hand of Lady Catlyn and a Lord Paramountcy for help against an enemy.

I know not what the Queen Regent wants, although I suspect from what I hear that it has to do with the safety of her family, and I imagine that she, like I, has a minor interest in getting rid of me (as I have one in getting rid of her). The Imp is a mystery to me - I have no color on his goals.

There are many more things that I know that I could state here publicly, however that is not my modus operandi. I do not wish to cause chaos, I seek only peace and stability, and work always to that end.

[ooc] seriously - i didn't like my victory conditions...I've abandoned them and I'm just having fun playing the game. i'm not running some super-sneaky double-blind thing where I'm actually still pursuing them and lying about it or whatever...I literally had to go back and look before I wrote this to realize that karstark and melisandre were on my list. I don't care about my victory goals - chief already told me I'm losing among the neutrals, that's not important to me. so saldana's whole thing about that being my secret goal just...doesn't matter [/ooc]

-Lord Varys

Who knew I had such favor with Lard Varys.

(Ooc - if that's all true then I feel pretty *fontisian* angry about it. This is a game. You play to win otherwise there's no point playing. It's not a piece of improvised theatre. Other people's enjoyment of the game is tied in with you fulfilling your part of the bargain. If you're supposed to be helping Path then you should be helping Path as, presumably, the game is balanced to take your support of Path into account. If you don't help Path then you're screwing him in his victory conditions. What would happen if a wolf decided he didn't want to be a wolf and just didn't bother)?

(ooc Seriously *fontisian* angry).

(I think you can say "Fontisian you, DaddyTorgo!")

Font is now an adjective and a verb!

(... :()

( no offense intended, font!)

(Nah, I actually lol'd)

[ooc] it's true. i selected my 4 people after the rules and everything were set though, so there's no way it's balanced to take their particulars into account...that's just supposed to give me a cause to work for to encourage activity behind the scenes as far as I can tell. i think i'm doing an even better job of that then if i was supporting one player or one group of players in particular though - much like the real Varys [/ooc]

[ooc] and FWIW I told Chief this a couple days back and his only response was something like "you're losing in my book, but however you choose to define your success personally is up to you" so i hardly think i'm breaking the game [/ooc]

(Does the f in f you now stand for fontisian?)

(ooc I'll take it with Chief then - I agree that it hasn't broken the game).

(The whole helping one person in each camp idea is really cool though)

I should have used Swedish but I though fontisian was funnier. Sorry font. :)

Yeah I would have loved to be Varys - although the time difference would have destroyed it for me.

I could clarify the communications point with Varys, but I'm not sure how it benefits me to do so. It is interesting to learn of this strife between two of our neutrals ...

This is awesome.

You might find that it benefits you in ways that you cannot yet comprehend Lord Tywin.

Ladies and Gentlemen of Westeros,

I will not repeat my entreaty from yesterday, but I will acknowledge that despite what others may say, we are indeed a likely underdog in the battle that we march to.

There are those of you who have pledged support, those who have not and those who have indicated opposition to us. We appreciate those who support and we understand those who do not.

But let us be clear. There are not options for those who are not in the favored alliance. If we fall, the Lannisters will not all of a sudden have a chance to negotiate with the victors. And some of the neutrals may be in for a surprise.

Now is the time to make a stand. An early game long alliance is a perfectly valid thing to do, but for those on the sidelines -- we urge you to join us and let us pull off the upset. ON TO VICTORY!!

Gods are not mocked. This is no joking thing.

Accidental click into Storm's End there. Sorry.

I hold my ravens in reply pending my return from certain...physical activities

[ooc] i'm going to the gym [/ooc]

Oh my.

Well. Guess that answers the question of what Mellisandre can do.

Hopefully that evens the odds a bit, Renly. I mourn for your followers who suffer for your folly, but there is nothing to be done now that you have declared war.

In other news Renly is looking for a new bff!

Craziness.

You will regret that Stannis.

Let's be done with your false claim then Renly. You have shown you wish for violence and chaos in the realm, and that is not what the people need.

VOTE PENROSE/DARTH VILUS
CLAPHAMSA VOTES PENROSE/DARTH VILUS
BULLETSPONGE VOTES PENROSE/DARTH VILUS
INBLUE VOTES PENROSE/DARTH VILUS

Yep, and just in time too.

Robb, you will be hearing from my Hand whenever Davos is free, or if you have an emissary available you could send one to me. It's just been a matter of scheduling that's delayed it.

But it was important to target Ser Gregor and me instead of her ... got it. Because we were the threats. Right.

I'm not expecting a repeat performance of this act, but the other houses had to know that this was going to occur at some point as long as they allowed Melissandre to remain aligned with Stannis. I guess, in a sense, it is better to have it out of the way now rather than later in this game of thrones.

The men each of you command will undoubtedly cause the death of someone as the game goes on. I chose to use my bannerman's power in the cause of war. As disturbing as its nature may be, that was a use for it which might save the life of one of my bannermen. I could have waited and used it in the cause of unrest but I have attempted to make the best out of a disturbing thing.

If that does not show those outside the Stannis/Stark circle that it is in their best interest to join us nothing will.

We will never surrender. You shall pay.

BRIENNE OF TARTH VOTES AXEL FLORENT
KING RENLY BARATHEON VOTES AXEL FLORENT
SER CORTNAY PENROSE VOTES AXEL FLORENT

Son of a...

(ooc) may want to post death in the teams threads also. I almost started posting when I saw Font's post of sorry and I had to figure out what she was sorry for(ooc)

I'm quite sure that watching me fight to win a war that you started will not disturb them, Renly. If you wanted to keep your bannermen safe I suppose you shouldn't have gone to war.

Stannis - The people I could send right now to act as emissaries are either OOC busy this afternoon, or I've got on other tasks. Throw one my way if you can, or we can do ravens.

You were always a coward Stannis and now you hide behind your magic priestess to do your dirty work.

I will see you on the field.

You notice I left you alive. I won't be hiding behind Melisandre on the field, and now you can't hide behind your knight of flowers. So it seems we have just what we want.

I hate to say I told you so Renly but you were a fool not to vote for melissandre when you had the chance. I do not fancy your chances against the likes of Stannis or Sir Davos

Good point. Sorry about that, murrayyyyy!

it wasnt me, i swear *hides 'evil minions for dummies' book*

You are a fool Ser if you think that you are not next should we fall.

Westeros!

You see the treachery of this so-called "God of Light", and the cowardice of those who follow it. We worship the Seven -- do you wish to be enslaved under this witchery?

I say no! Loras may have fallen but his men have not. We stand strong!

Join those who worship the old Gods and drive this abomination from our lands!

To war!

I am under no such illusion. But I am grateful for the extra few days you have granted us here.

Ahhhh my Lord Varys...do you actually think that anyone actually trusts you in any of what you have said, or in your attempts to smear my good name? Your reputation having a propensity for lies that benefit you precedes any "information" you may have in the minds of many.

I wonder though why you have left out from your little tale, which is more suited for the knee of a Septa than the small council chambers your numerous attempts to convince me that I should assist you in supporting the return of the Mother of Dragons?

Or why you have approached me for a sum of 20000 gold pieces, which could be used for nothing other than the purchase of an assassin?

You claim you serve the realm and have no personal interests, yet you continue to communicate with Lord Karstark (one of those you intend to elevate to a position with "King" Renly" on a daily basis).

I feel sorry for you Varys, that your quest for personal power and position has lowered you to such a sorry state.

Wait a minute. This sounds awfully familiar. Where have I heard this before? Oh yes, it was what I said on day one. You remember my lord? The day you voted Clegane.

Harsh. Though true.

Luckily for you all Melisandre doen'st have the power to enslave me, nevermind the kingdoms. She simply had the ability to kill one of you. I assure you Clegane did too. As I'm sure a gifted swordsman such as Ser Loras did.