And if we are to believe Lord Varys, then what exactly are his aims? Again how does he intend to bring "peace and stability" when the realm is at war and eveyone is looking out for their own interests? I confess I had a kernel of respect for Varys. Information is power so I believed he was a man to be cautious of. But it turns out he's just another fool calling for everyone to love and respect each other whilst begging us to pay attention to him. Should I love the lords who demeaned my son and my father? I think not.

If you have an assassain intended for me then send him Spider. I however have no interest in "removing" you. I want you alive. If you seek order then I seek chaos. Should you want light then I crave the dark. Ask for rain and I will fall to my knees and pray to any god that will listen for a drought.

Right, but the difference is that you can combat a swordsman in the field. Rather than be felled from afar through sorcery.

It is essentially a moot point now, unless someone were to believe that the witch can duplicate her feat. I'm inclined to think that is not the case, but more cautious men might prefer not to take that chance.

my IT hell is mostly fixed! now to catch up on... lots.

I disagree father. Surely it is the ends and not the means that are important.

I am not sure any of us know how to defend against those specific means, so I would consider the means particularly relevant in terms of risk mitigation.

Alas, the time for this discussion has largely passed. What's done is done.

To my previous correspondent, I'm afraid that wont be possible as I have been made aware of certain laws of the land that would preclude such an outcome. However there are other agreements we may be able to come to. You know what to do

Does that mean Robb has the power to kill me?

?

This is interesting, as I have received word that another of Robb Stark's bannerman was pursuing me yesterday. I'm somewhat perplexed that Lord Bolton found me while another Stark bannerman would also pursue me?

Oh well, I suppose that piece of information is worth what I paid for it. Hopefully information that actually was purchased can be more fully trusted.

I would be most interested indeed to learn about the ambitions of my two children that do not actively stand with Joffrey. We all have decisions to make in the coming days, and I might seek to aid one of you now ... while my decisions remain my own rather than tied to a contender to the throne.

Your liege always has the power to kill you if he has reason to believe you conspiring against him. I don't know if knowledge that you have been in correspondence with the Spider is sufficient proof that you are conspiring against him. Do you have a guilty conscience ser?

Father I believe I have already provided you with the information you seek. I do not believe I have been particularly subtle in my aims or my interests. I am always interested in communicating with you. However I do not have the means available to me to do so today.

It seems a shortage of ravens, or the men to send them, is endemic. A master of ravens who could be trusted, and bought by the bird, could be very helpful. It seems we will have to trust each other that we can come through.

Slippery devil.

I have had zero contact with anyone in the Stark camp outside of Rob Stark himself. Lord Stark knows of my honesty in my dealings with him - I am confident that he accepts me at my word in this matter.

This does not look good for Renly

It would appear that the other claimants fear the host of Highgarden and the wealth and power that brings to Lord Renly.

I have offered up a prayer to this end at a far earlier stage. However should such a service be available I fear that the whole realm would be indebted to Braavos in the space of a day.

Despite all the trials that Lannister and Storm's End have suffered, we still have four kings in the realm. As I have counseled all along, unless we remain united in our struggles as much as can be possible, we will end with four limping houses and let fate, or men like Varys, decide the outcome for the realm. So it is no surprise if the houses stand strong against Highgarden. The alternative is a to let Highgarden claim two of my lands, one of my bannermen and return as the strongest House.

I do not seek power for myself Lord Stannis.

I'm not sure what you are trying to say here. Perhaps you should take Jaimes other sword out of your mouth so we can understand

I realise you have matters on your mind but were I you I would worry about what happens on the morrow.

Whatever you seek, I'd rather not let the game of thrones be decided by you or any other neutral party.

Well, first I must last until tomorrow.

Don't you need those troops for battle?
In time, I'll make my way to you.
Or Stannis.
Or Renly.

I'm not sure I'm allowed to return to Joffrey, so that is kind of off the table. And it makes me question why my son was leading an army to capture me.

Casterly Rock. I hear it's quite nice.

Let's just say you would be good political capital for a house with very few options, father

Unfortunately for you Renly, the Lannisters always repay their debts and we have not forgotten what you did to us a couple of days ago.

Vote Penrose (DV)
Jamie Lannister/bhlloy Votes Penrose (DV)

Are you perhaps reffering to the time we voted with you, as we are the only house to have very done so? Repaying your debts indeed.

Whoo, we got ourselves a war.

I knew that guy was no good. wow.

I figured this would happen...lol

Bad time to have to go, but I'm out for a couple of hours. I'm sorry to see the Lannisters go that way.

And I thank Robb Stark for being a man of his word.

I do believe Lord Bolton knows how to deal with Theon.

Huh, I did not predict a stark-Stannis split this early

Ok I misread that then

And you can read into that fact how much input I had into that particular decision as you will.

I just had a revelation. I didn't realize that the word Theon could be found in Baratheon.

Mind.
Blown.

I find that interesting, as I was just mulling over what kind of motivations Theon Greyjoy might have ... or that our would-be GRRM would have written for Theon. He has no army to speak of, his character is a traitor in the novels - for him to be interesting to play, I expected him to have some kind of incentives to betray. I'm wondering what kind of loss he actually represents for House Stark, or gain for other houses.

Not expecting any kind of immediate answers, just going to be interested in seeing the character/PMs at the conclusion of the game and then try to interpret how well we acted our parts.

King Theon of the Iron Islands?

I wish to apologize to the Lannisters for what I was thinking about them a short time ago.

I do think Joffrey just made today more fun. Very interesting to see how the manpower shakes out ... although your side is short on bannermen, I'm guessing you've got a fair number of foot soldiers.

Also curious to see if the "neutrals" are able/willing to impact the outcome ... this is all pretty exciting to watch from afar.

Well, out numbered by nearly 25,000

No sweat.

Double the ships though.

What I wouldn't give for some wildfire.....

Mind the rather large wolves, guys.

And I don't mean that fatass Karstark. ;)

Alright, quitting time at work.

I might be fat, but the blood of the first men still flows through my veins my Liege

I think that's actually cholesterol tubby

Your day is coming. Probably all over Cersei's face

I was just going to say you must be excited to have the chance to fulfill your win condition, with us being on different sides. Just don't pull a stomach muscle putting your armor on.

Here's a riddle for you. What's round, has a moon but no sons?

Well, fuck.

We had a good run JAG.

My sincere condolences to the Starks. You lost a good man out there.
But thank you for fighting with us. I'm sure we wouldn't have won without you.

The plot doth thicken.

I think I speak for King's Landing as well when I say that Storm's End would welcome an emissary from House Greyjoy.

So you can make shady deals with them, too? Because you already tried the rest of us?

Everything is coming up Stannis?
Naval win, full complement of bannermen ...

Alas, when you play the Game of Thrones, there is no middle ground.

Good luck Starks.

Love this.

Wow. I doubr I get to join any armys but that was awesome..

The price is high, but Jaime is dead

Well font, you have a simple fonting decision to make.

You can bend your fonting knee, or I can cut off your fonting head.

:D

And in what should come as a shock to no one...

I name Lord Karstark as Hand of the King

Tell your "king" he can come out from behind his witch now.

As a side note, even though it cost me a vassal, I *love* the fifth king mechanic, and bonus players.

Ditto.

Then I've got one fonting question for you. Are you honorable?

Font yes I fonting honorable. You might have to ask Chief to confirm that, but I'm pretty fonting sure.

Even though I'd have to pay money to clear up your own fonting dishonor. That may have been partially my own doing, but hey.

Renly, anything to say?

I would like you back, my lady.

I'm pretty sure the only way that Renly gets Brienne back is through negotiation with Robb or with the head in a box.

I would prefer the first. It is not clear that Stark is looking to negotiate.

Got it in one.

That also depends on Brienne.

our enemies are coming out of the wooodworks like roaches

If Renly cannot negotiate my return, I will bend the knee. You should be aware that I have some restrictions due to my sense of honor and loyalty to Renly.

Well, I'm certainly glad that we were able to throw off the enemy, Robb, though I wish the Lannisters had stayed out of things and made it a clear rout. They didn't earn any friend but a king without any bannermen, and could have found loyal friends in us.

I have a busy evening, but will get back to this soon.

Just one more dead post and I'll stop:

I've been so conditioned over the past nine days not to click the other House threads that even though I for sure will not be resurrected as another player, I still find myself reluctant to do so.

(I love the idea of the Iron Islands rising, but kind of wish those new players had been available for substitutions instead.)

I think they were contacted about subs and built from there

For those who questioned Melisandre's actions, it's clear that with the might of Ser Loras in the battle, we would have lost. Even without him Robb lost his Hand.

Joffrey, I'm sorry to see you throw yourself in league with a losing man. I hope that you quickly reconsider your position.

I believe that begs the question, then. How much money can you pay for her safe return?

As with last night, I'm prepared to offer my vote for $2,000.

Don't forget, there are a few new bannermen that are eligible for election. Just in case someone wanted to create some movement as the deadline approaches ...