Present company excepted I trust, Lord Baelish.

The North has no interest in the Iron Throne. We come merely to call a murderer to account.

This flexibility seems unusual for you, Stannis.

Just because I'm cast as the guy who makes bad decisions, doesn't mean I'll play him that way. ;-)

Indeed Lord Baelish - you are quite right. Let us strive to remember that in these tumultuous times as friends become enemies and enemies become friends - that you and I share a desire for stability, and recognize that the Iron Throne conveys both great power, and great responsibility to whomever sits upon it - a lesson that these claimants would do well to remember.

Your title of "King of the North" seems at conflict with your stated goals.

Your father betrayed his king and was summarily punished for it. One man's treasonist is another man's martyr, it appears.

There is only one King, and he resides at Storm's End.

What is this Lord Stark? You renounce all claims to the Iron Throne? You would not seek to sit upon it in retribution for the death of your father - a honorable, albeit unwary man.

His bannermen were wise men and seek nothing but justice and peace.

However, justice and peace will require war. Storm's End is ready.

We are both men of experience and honor, Ser Barristan. Most importantly we are men, not boys. You deserve a place of honor next to a King who understands what it is to rule, what honor entails. Not a cruel little boy who has never seen battle.

My father was a man of decency and honor - but he was also unfortunately blind to reality. I will not be as blind.

History has already repeated itself once - a mad king has murdered a proud and noble Stark, and an accounting must be made. The Starks had the opportunity to claim the throne once, and did not. Two wars over this ridiculous throne is enough - the North will be free of the madness of the South. Regretfully, it seems the price of this freedom must be paid in blood. Were there another way, we could choose it.

Justice and peace only require that you kneel, brother. As simple as that.

Ah, brother. Kneeling also requires respect and power. And you appear to have little of either at the moment. You will have a place in my court if you wish.

The reality is that there will be one king and three bannermen at the conclusion of this game of thrones. Seeing as how you are a king, any statements you make about not desiring the Iron Throne must be viewed as deliberate deception or rank naivete.

Anyone looking to take the head of my king will find his final breaths approaching rapidly. I suggest everyone think very carefully before testing my allegiances.

If that is what is required to see justice served, so be it. If we must, we will hold the Iron Throne in regency until a suitable person is found to rule the South.

But that is where we differ, Lord Tywin. You desire Lannister dominance out of pure ambition. We fight for justice, and to ensure the sins of the past can never be repeated.

I do find myself wishing that we had the Princes of Dorne in this game, though.

:::makes some popcorn and gets ready for the fun::: :)

Where we differ is in how we lie to ourselves about our motivations. You seek justice ... I'm sure this will have great meaning to Renly Baratheon if your justice leads to his entrails bleeding out on the soil.

I fight to preserve the existing king of the Seven Kingdoms. I fight to restore order to the lands, where the populace need not sacrifice prosperity to fund a war chest. I'm sure these aims mean nothing to Stannis Baratheon if the price of that order is a meeting with the Faceless Men.

I understand your desire to sow dissension against the current rules to further your aims. However, I will not stand by idly and allow this propaganda against my family to go unchallenged.

(OOC) This would have been me. Dorne is my favorite.

You will definitely get that. I will finish Ser Barristan and Tyrion and add Cersei this morning.

You only have one option to atone for your sin here. You must sleep with every young male non-dwarf Lannister.

Oh wait...

A little bird told me that Cersei may not last the night - if it can be determined whose bed she is sharing tonight.

There's not even need for propaganda against the Lannisters, Tywin. Your family seems incapable of producing much else than scandal.

And of course you are all for supporting the existing king now, once you got the old one out of your way. It's too late for you to claim justice, you have too much blood on your hands.

Yes. I will be adding to Post #6 throughout the morning. I will let everyone know when they are complete.

Yes.

Good idea.

I will post this in the player list post.

Also a good idea. I will add them to the first page in each faction thread.

Hmm... my game also. Maybe that is my only purpose in running games? Lol

The idea that "I got the old one out of my way" is preposterous. The old one was married to my daughter, with Joffrey as the heir. I aided "the old one" when he assumed the throne, and enjoyed substantial favor during his reign. All of the pretender kings had much more to gain by Robert's passing than House Lannister.

There are many characters remaining for future games. ;)

I look forward to including the Princes of Dorne, the rest of the Starks, Jon Snow, Danaerys, dragons, etc. in future versions.

I just did that as well. You would think a Bolton would be more careful...

I never knew that little birds could be as deceitful as their arachnid masters. You need not fear Lord Varys, I assure you that I am perfectly safe at night, I rest assured that you feel equally secure.

But I see no reason for us to fight. I believe we can co-operate for our mutual benefit.

Kingslayers would know well about betrayal of a Kings

Ah, nothing like awaking at the crack of two fine women in the afternoon

We haven't even seen the rules yet!

Excuse me! My mirror and I shall be in my chambers.

Can't decide if it's horrible or hot.

Man of action. :)

And just what is it that every single faction opposing Joffrey is setting out to do? Glass houses, indeed. You decry what Jamie did, while hoping desperately for the opportunity to repeat that act against a twelve year old.

I'd gladly send him to the Wall, do not worry. I'm sure his ability to lead will prove useful there.

Lord Varys.

You state that you wish what is best for the realm. We agree in that, and feel that you must realize that what is best for the people of the realm is best for the whole of the realm.

We would welcome your service.

Ser Barristan.

You are a great knight and have been a loyal member of the Kingsguard until the Lannister treachery forced you out.

Storm's End welcomes you. You would be invaluable in helping to achieve the will of the people against the tyrants now occupying Kings Landing.

While not a perfect man, I believe the King Robert Baratheon was an honorable man despite his shortcomings. I lost my position as the Kingsguard because the little turd Joffrey wanted to have some less trust worthy than himself protecting him. So be it.. Perhaps someone someday will be able to convince me that I shoulfd join them..I have my doubt that there is anybody currently worthy of my sword, honesty and loyalty.

I will spend my days as an adventurer!

Finally, Lord Tyrion.

Belittled (forgive the pun). Unloved. Mocked by your own family. Consider that you may find respect elsewhere for your not inconsiderable talents.

I do not have messages for Lord Baelish or Cersei Lannister. You do not have the best interests of the realm in mind.

Can one who panders to all truly rule any?

Ser Barristan, with your abilities and our forces we can serve Westeros with honor.

Ah. I do not pander. And you notice did not welcome all.

You know I have always thought well of you Ser Barristan. Let us not quarrel now, when the fate of the realm is at stake. I know the source of the sorrow that weighs heavy on those shoulders Ser, and I assure you, I feel it too. The hour is not yet come to make amends for the past, but let us keep watch over each other until such dawn arrives, on golden wings.

Interesting. I did not expect to be courted by my departed husband's baby brother but why would he overlook a man of Lord Baelish's talents as he appeals to anyone willing to give him the time of day? A mystery indeed

I hope Sir Barristan remembers when we fought the evil Sir Taylor of Featherston and will hopefully repay the Karstarks and North in kind!

My youngest brother was never one to choose wisely or soundly. You could waste a week trying to understand his reasoning for there is none. Not exactly virtues for a would-be king.

Then stand at the side of Winterfell, until the day someone worthy is found to hold the Iron Throne. The Starks will hold that throne in regency until a suitable man of honor can be found to govern the South...and only the South.

Perhaps I am not worthy of the legendary Barristan Selmy - I have no need, for I lay no claim to the Iron Throne. I merely wish to free my people from it's sway. Should you act as my advisor, perhaps we can find a just and honorable King together, and the Kings of the North and South may live in peace.

But he clearly does have some reasoning however misguided. Perhaps my lord Baelish will be able to shed some light on this snub. Maybe Renly is so certain of his Tyrellian backers that he can afford to discount the financial acumen Lord Baelish has demonstrated.

I resent the rumor-mongering in post #6 of this thread, especially that related to the Lannister family.

Truth can be a harsh mistress, Lord Tywin. Perhaps you should open your eyes to it.

All the Lannister gold can't seem to prevent the truth from being repeated. Though I'm sure Tywin has tried.

My reasoning is quite simple. I value those who value the realm above themselves. You and Lord Baelish see no higher than your own needs.

And I am not in the least surprised that already you seek to create discord for your own ends.

I am most honored to serve my Liege

*Bows to King Baratheon*

It appears that our GRRM proxy has posted some new rules.
Not necessarily the rules I was looking to see, but rules nonetheless. Enjoy.
Except Theon Greyjoy, who either cannot read or cannot be bothered to read. The net result is the same.

regular villager checking in

lol, even in this game, we are still ge2tting vanilla villager check ins

Damn, how's I get stuck with some villager as a bannerman, lol

ohh it seems my role is revealed, so much damn reading. you didnt tell me this game was going to have sooo many rules and reading

The better question is how did you convince three people to follow you?

Those who speak ill of my king would be wise to pray for a warm coffin to rest in.

im gonna go ahead and say fontsian is seemingly very UTR here... could be a wolf.

also I hope none of you live in the southern westerloo province of Oklahoma, and if you are you are safe.

+1 Stay safe everyone!

Bulletsponge posted in our thread....I think we should take care of him ;)

i did notice, and wonder how you intend on financing your kingdom (should you win) without my services.

Damnit bullet, who gave me the drunk villager bannerman?

KING'S JUSTICE.

Hey look, more rules!

You can't even keep your bannerman from conspiring with other houses

The Lord of Light works in mysterious ways.

Alright George. :)

Don't worry clap. I never play UTR as a wolf.

Though, I would appreciate it if the bannermen of Dragonstone could stay out of private Storm's End meetings.

New rules, and these are a bit more interesting.

Yep, things are getting more interesting.

(damn that's a fuckton of rules)

(fyi i'm going to be out of contact yesterday from morning to probably after dinner...i'm traveling up to montreal and then have a couple meetings...will hop on when I can though)

Varys is so inscrutable that he appears to have discerned how to bend time to his will.

Ha!

(gah...tomorrow - obviously)

I go out of my way to make you look mysterious and powerful, and you then go and admit a scribing error. Certainly there were other routes you might have taken?

Hoopsguy, always cozying up to the eunuchs.

Yes, I'm renowned throughout the lands for my tolerance.

*clearing my throat and dictating letters to each King and Bannerman*

Dear _______,

It's clear to me that this chaos which roils the lands of Westeros, despite my best efforts to arrest it, has come to a head.

No fewer than 4 Kings, each of them proclaiming their right to sit the throne of Aegon Targaryen. Each so-called King cutting a swath of death and destruction across the lands of Westeros as they seek to impose their will on the others, for their own benefit.

The Mad King was...mad...as a hatter. I do not deny that. His treatment of many of you all was unjust, and unstable. He brought about his own demise.

Few that are alive today though know the truths that I know about the last years of Aerys Targaryen.

Rob Stark - Your grandfather, and your uncle, murdered by Aerys Targaryen. One might go so far as to say that they, and in particular your grandfather Rickard Stark, were the cause of all of the chaos that has engulfed Westeros - and quite unnecessarily I might add.

Aerys Targaryen was mad. His son Rhaegar though? Now there was a true Targaryen king, in the mold of Jaehaerys. A Prince, the Prince that Westeros had been waiting for. Groomed by the finest minds in the land. And there were pieces in play. As Ser Jaime will attest, before Rhaegar left for the Trident, where he was tragically lost to us, before Rhaegar left, he announced to all that upon his return he intended to call a council - a council at which changes would be made. Those changes were to include the removal of Aerys, supported by an end to hostilities amongst the Lords Paramount. The maneuvers I had to make behind the scenes upon learning of the southron ambitions of your grandfather Rob Stark, to guide Aerys in such a way to cement the alliances amongst your houses in an effort to bring a true, untainted, Targaryen to the Iron Throne to ensure the future of Westeros, all for naught.

Lord Stannis Baratheon, Lord Renly Baratheon - Your family does not escape blame in this matter. It was the prodigious anger of your brother which was the ultimate undoing of any chance for a prolonged peace.

Lord Tywin Lannister - Your treachery is without parallel in the annals of history. When welcomed with open arms as a protector and savior, you choose to repay that trust with savagery, and with the blood of innocents.

I fret for the future of the realm. Had things gone according to my plan, we would be leaving in peace and harmony under a benevolent King. Instead, you are like vultures at carrion, and my work is almost entirely undone.

The future of all of Westeros is at stake my lords. We will soon see whether any of you are worthy of Aegon's throne.

*Lord Varys*

So, in short, everyone is false and should submit. Leaving the question of to whom? If none of the current self-proclaimed kings or the current king then who would Lord Varys have us bend the knee to? Surely not himself. But perhaps to another pretender. A pretender long believed dead. I believe my late husband mentioned such a pretender, one far across the water.

My lord Renly - perhaps you were correct in saying that Lord Varys has the interest of the realm at heart. But does it not seem possible that his interpretation of where the realm's interest lies diverges decisively from your own interpretation?

I intend to. :)