Unless the servants of Asshai, whom Stannis is beholden to, demand sacrifice. I'm surprised no one mentioned this, with the lone exception being the small folk (hi, Alan T!) who eavesdrop on the discussions of nobility.

To stop Renly from?

Your argument about a focus on Lannisters, when executing a prisoner who is no longer considered part of the house, rings false. Both Renly and Robb should have reason to be wary, although only one would-be ruler took action.

And giving lands back to the Lannisters, don't forget

I am beholden to nobody, Tywin. The Asshai woman you speak of spends all her time elsewhere. She hasn't demanded a sacrifice of me, she hasn't even voted!

Your argument makes no sense. I executed him so that no other house would rise above the others and cause dissent. You understanding counting enough to understand that. But like your daughter you'll do anything you can to turn attention from your house to mine.

Well... what do you know?

I'm sure that keep is going to turn the tide. If one keep is such a boon to the Lannisters you're suggesting I should have kept it myself? And I wonder what you would be saying about me then? Oh that I was grasping at power and dangerous to the realm, that's what the Lannisters were saying all day when they thought I would keep Clegane. Now that I didn't I'm somehow just as dangerous. It would make me laugh if that was something I did.

Indeed.

Ser Gregor had already promised his alligiance to Lord Renly, as Stannis was no doubt aware. Stannis as good as killed one of our own. We do not forgive and we do not forget.

Stannis: You returned lands to the Lannisters, lands that could have been used against them. Your arguement assumes that there is no inequality between the houses already, which I doubt is the case.

Happy birthday.

Alright, I'm scared.

Not dangerous. Just maybe not as smart as you had thought.

I'd suggest that Cersei receives it, but the only receiving she gets seems to be from you Kingslayer.

Perhaps Baelish would like Gregor's lands? I don't think he'd want those particular lands. They really should go the way of the House of Reyne.

and boom goes the dynamite... (oh wait, that will be in the tosh.o werewolf game)

I know thinking isn't your style, Jaime. Had i kept Clegane, he or Melisandre would have undoubtedly been voted tomorrow. Is that smart? Oh, it is for the Lannisters. But I'm not a Lannister.

It seems your alliance did a poor enough job keeping her off the block today, and that was before you double crossed your brother. We will see what the Gods decide I suppose

Double crossed? You seem privy to more information than I do.

And you seem to be poor in reading comprehension.

Well, someone has succeeded in sowing chaos. Perhaps that was the goal.

I don't know what you are talking about.

Pretty funny that it ended up being one from every house. Hooray!

Well I used up too much of my evening monitoring this. I must go.

So four enemies of the realm, all from different realms..

Crazy crazy.

...Hoookay.

One hand of the King

Look to your own hand for that, as your execution of Ser Gregor while simultaneously spurning your cooperative venture with your brother, played the largest role in the tie.

My only role was in asking for the rules of the land to be upheld. That should certainly appeal to one such as Stannis Barathorn, no?

What's the schedule for this weekend?

I don't understand either of these things. I had no cooperative venture that was spurned, other than ridding the realm of Lannisters. And I don't know what rule you mean.

Your role certainly doesn't surprise me. It surprises me that people actually fell for it. The Lannisters were on their heels and now everyone is. Foolish.

I will state publicly right now.

Ser Loras' vote was at my request. He shall not be punished for it.

Holiday weekend. We will be off. Deadline wil run Friday night and then resume Tuesday.

Of course, everyone is welcome to continue posting and doing whatever, but no actions taken will be acted upon before Tuesday.

I will also point out to the other three Kings that if all of us take the dishonorable hit we are even still.

We asked you to send us Gregor or to set him free. Had you done so, we would have gladly worked with you to take down the Lannisters. Instead, you killed a man under our protection.

What? I'm sure I haven't sent you more than 20 or so in the past half hour. Slacker.

That is not the message I received. I will discuss it with Renly in private.

(ooc)I sometimes call this the "create-a-power" problem :lol:
Moderating that game was death, and I expect this one isn't too far behind, minus the mind-numbing math(/ooc)

What, I've only had to clear out my mailbox twice already...in two days...and I'm not running the game...good god.

Perhaps we can create another tie tomorrow, to see how deep in the archives Master Pycelle needs to go in order to resolve it.

I can see it now. The entire realm is an enemy of the realm.

Which...is probably fitting.

They can all flee to Storm's End if they'd like.

Renly, what does it say to you that Stannis felt it was more important to execute Ser Gregor than to cement your allegiance today? As I asked earlier, what could have been his purpose in doing so?

Were I still at your keep, I would ask this in private. But that option is not readily available to me.

I don't want/need a public answer; just a question worth discussing with your bannermen moving forward.

[ooc] sorry i wasn't around to weigh in guys. flight cancelled, trapped in montreal for the night. should be asleep already...3:45am wakeup call. back to normal tomorrow though. going to bed now. [/ooc]

At this time I will just affirm that the issue has been a hot topic in Storm's End this evening.

I'm off to bed. Try not to kill anyone else till morning!

(ooc) Yeah, I still have work to do, and then bed... (/ooc)

And Bulletsponge/Melisandre, please check in at the Dragonstone thread...

Melisandre is an enemy of the realm. I do not think they can post there

I thought she could, until she either fled or was disavowed/released?

You might be right actually

Well, that was a fun result wasn't it? :)

Joffrey - I hope your path is clear. I severely doubt any of the other kings are going to release or execute their traitors. You, on the other hand, absolutely cannot afford to do so. Keep Jaime in your service.

My Lord Stannis,

it would appear that I have misjudged you. By executing Clegane you have proven me wrong in my assumptions of you. I realise that my words mean little or nothing to you but I state them anyway. I am confused at the accusations of foolishness levelled against you. A marked advantage by any party at this stage could only result in reprisals.

Lord Stannis,

I have the duty of conveying the personal thanks of Prince Doran of the House of Nymeria for the justice that you have seen fit to carry out on his behalf. All of Dorne has raised a glass on your behalf this evening, and Prince Doran is a man who does not easily forget his friends, or forgive his enemies.

It intrigues me to see such an outcome from yesterday's deliberations. There are quite a number of pivotal decisions to be made today, and an equal number of accusations flying through the air, thick as an arrow-storm.

The decisions of the claimants will no doubt be pivotal today, and one hopes that such decisions are made by well-informed men, with the interests of the peace and security of the realm in mind.

Interestingly there is one person who did not cast a vote yesterday. Had he voted and actually given an indication of his intentions then this situation would have been avoided.

I do not believe my Lord Varys is so far-sighted that he could have predicted the results of the voting, particularly with Lord Bolton casting his vote so late. But the Spider clearly does not wish to commit himself to any cause and, as a result, caused the tie. If you wish to find a person sowing chaos then look no further than the centre of the web.

You question my intentions Lord Stannis. And rightly so. At least they are, partially at least, a matter of public record. What does Varys have to say about yesterday and his abstention from the voting?

Jaime it is clear to me that Karstark is intent on chasing you until either you or he are dead in some misguided desire for vengeance for occurences on the battlefield. If you stay with Joffrey then the northerner cannot reach you directly. If you flee from your nephew's protection then I am certain that Karstark will hunt you, with or without his liege's approval. Theon Greyjoy's action's yesterday show that the young Wolf does not control his bannermen quite as well as he would like.

Odd that he wasn't able to give you the message "in person". :devil:

(Agree what all the others have said regarding this. There is way too much that is going on to be able to alter course for a new player. Votes aren't determined by who we feel is most likely the wolf/whatever wolfy reasons you want to give for voting like in a normal game. I do remember a game where a new guy waded through thousands of posts only to be killed by the wolves though. In fact I think its happened several times.)

For the record...

Lord Roose Bolton has been an honored and trusted bannerman, as well as a capable Hand of the King. While a page in an ancient book may decree him guilty of crimes against the realm, I find him innocent of the charges. A man who has been nothing but loyal and capable is no enemy of mine. House Stark protects its own.

Chief - No actions will be taken against Roose Bolton.

Thank you. I think it is clear that the cries of "foolish" are raised by those with ulterior motives. Renly is in league with Tywin, and thinks i should send him an extra bannerman? That's the sort of impulsive and ridiculous thinking which doesn't make him suited to be king. I did what I did to assist both the Starks and Baratheons and those who claim not to see that clearly have other goals in mind than unseating Joffrey. I remain dedicated to that cause.

I do nothing without my lieges approval

Did it not occur to you that Ser Gregor would have had valuable information on Lord Joffrey's resources and goals? No wonder the Lady Cersei is pleased with your actions. Do you not understand that even you keeping Ser Gergor on as a bannerman would have been preferable to Storm's End over his unjust execution? You killed a man under Storm's End protection and then dare to call Lord Renly impulsive. No, Stannis. I assure you, we held no love for Ser Tywin until your actions forced us to seek his aid.

Of course mother I would never think of abandoning my family.

Jamie Lannister will be kept in my service.

And why was an enemy of the realm under your protection? That is where I am confused. The only person in the world I can think of who would want Gregor alive is Tywin Lannister. Are you doing his favors now?

Ser Gregor had plenty of time to convince me to do otherwise. I never heard a word from him.

I think it is safe to assume that Renly is in bed with Joffrey. I would not be surprised if it is both figuratively as well as literally

I must confess myself confused, troll. How was Clegane, branded by your own liege a criminal and named an enemy of the realm, under "Storm's End protection". And if he was under your protection why was it Stannis who committed resources to secure the villain and not your liege? I find myself thankful that I am not under the protection of Lord Renly if this is his way of securing it.

(ooc - bleurgh to that image. Cheers for that one Bug :p )

Do you deny that you would be pressuring the Wolf Cub with all your powers of persuasion to kill my brother if the opportunity arose? (thankfully it appears that it won't).

Are you really so narrow minded Stannis? We intended to use Ser Gregor's information and resources against the Lannisters. I fail to comprehend why Tywin Lannister would want Ser Gregor to bend the knee to another king.

Ser Gregor had agreed to join Lord Renly and renounce his allegiance to Joffrey if he was given the opportunity (and naturally donate a sum of money to the poor to regain his honor) and had backed up his word with actions. My mistake was delaying in setting out to capture him.

Perhaps you should be more worried about the Kingslayer's own son? It seems that the last two King's were not so protected by his sword. Keeping him as far away from Joff would probably be in the young King's best interests.

I would relish the chance for vengeance. Would you not want to kill anyone who brought harmed Joffrey? I believed you were none to pleased when your own flesh slapped him up in Winterfell.

I am not aware that Jaime has any sons. Are you a washerwoman who believes any passing rumour or a lord of the realm?

My dear Kings Stannis and Renly,

You both realize this continued bickering benefits exactly one faction - Joffrey's.

I believe that information is enough to know the last two people who figured it out soon met their demise. They both happened to be from two of the most powerful families in all of the seven kingdoms.

What do you plan to do Joffrey now Lord Stark? Yesterday's events and the rulers convenient disregard of the laws reveal that the voting system is a farce.

Do you want to exercise my imagination? I know my father. Let's assume you vote to brand him a traitor today. I can assure you that my dear father will be out of the door, deserting his grandson, faster than you can blink once the vote is public. This will assuredly destroy Joffrey, I grant you. But what will happen to my father? He is not the Mountain - he has enough men to secure his position for a day. As surely as night follows day he will once again find himself in the camp of Renly, but this time he will be there to stay. Storm's End appears to be the refuge of choice for the dispossessed of the Lannister, do you not think?

I do not believe that Joffrey will allow Tywin, and the gold of Casterly Rock, to leave.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he was already paving the way for his flight to Storm's End while he was visiting Renly yesterday. He will no doubt explain that he is doing so to ensure that the Lannister house survives in the shape of my youngest son, Tommen.

Joffrey will have no say in the matter. As I said, the first excuse he receives will see my father desert Joffrey.

It should be readily obvious - I plan to remove him from his throne. Do you really need that spelled out?

That of course, does not mean I have to systematically slaughter everyone bearing a Lannister name. I'm no murderer.

So you failed to capture him, and are upset that I did and then didn't donate him to your cause? Okay then.

While that would be a strong strategic move by most, I do not see Tywin running from anything, especially when he controls the Iron Throne.

Why didn't you keep him on? Seriously, we asked you not to kill him and then you killed him in the name of keeping the balance between our houses. What the hell?

And what claim does Tommen have to Casterly Rock? He has one son, Tyrion, who is the rightful heir to Casterly Rock, unless I am missing something?

Is this an acknowledgment of the paternity of your children? Jaime cannot hold land, but his sons would be able to continue his line.

I certainly do not see Lord Tywin handing over The Westerlands to a child with the name Baratheon attached to it.

I was not asked not to kill him. I was asked to send him to Storm's End if I was going to kill him. You can't seriously think that would be a smart move for anyone but Renly, can you? That's not a sign of alliance, that's agreeing to serve under another. One who voted against my bannerman.

As befits a Master of Whispers, I do not believe that my views are best expressed by the small sound of my quiet voice amongst the crowd of men, but prefer to utilize it in confidence with men of power, where it is afforded the respect that it deserves. In that respect I have not been shy, as those who have been in communication with me can attest. I am however, at heart, a collector of information, and do not purport to be a kingmaker.

That being the case, had I been available, I believe I would have cast the deciding vote last night - or would have been more active in making my wishes known to others, unfortunately I was called away from the voting by matters of state which simply could not wait.

[ooc] The above is true. It's my intention to play Varys as Varys - I don't think it's particularly fitting of my character to vote , plus I only have a 0.5 vote. That being the case, given that it was a tie I likely would have cast the deciding vote last night except I was dealing with the fact that my flight from Montreal to Boston had just been canceled and rebooking for this morning and getting my hotel room comped by the airline and trying to get to the hotel so I could wake up for my 3:45am wakeup call. I didn't even have internet access and time to catch up until I got to the hotel, which was right after deadline I believe, whereupon I crawled into bed and managed to fire up my internet to see what had happened real quickly, for all of like...15 minutes before crashing. [/ooc]

I agree. It was the Lannister's intent to turn some of us against each other. I thought that would be clearly why Clegane had to die.

And in light of my continued desire to see Joffrey off the throne, since Jaime has scurrIed back to Joffrey, there is only one choice.

VOTE HOOPSGUY/TYWIN LANNISTER

This means D3 ends Friday at 5PM EST, does D4 begin immediately then, and end on Tuesday? Or is it some undefined time that is neither D3 or D4?

Sorry Dragonstone Baratheons for my accidental intrusion to your thread.

I stated my intentions yesterday but will make them official now. Ser Loras made his vote at my direct bequest, there is no stain in following the orders of his liege.

Ser Loras Tyrell will remain in my service.

I guess you guys can stop role playing "Knight/Villain" now and live it out :)

I will say this and no more for now. My brother looks for signs from me. I give him a sign in a diplomatic note what I would see as a gesture of good faith. Rather than negotiating further or holding off he proceeds to do the exact opposite thing and then has the gall to ask me for a sign. And now acts as if he is the persecuted one.

It is little wonder that the people do not wish him to rule.

A request like yours is not a sign of good faith, brother. I'm not sure how you would think otherwise. And no, the exact opposite of what you wanted, which was to make Gregor your bannerman, would be for me to make Gregor my bannerman. What I did was neither. That was a sign of good faith. Helping you become more powerful than me isn't a sign of good faith, it's a sign of subservience. If that's what you hope for from allies I don't imagine you'll have any.

All this talk makes me glad I'm on the shores attempting to catch fish. Needless to say I am still hungry. I should have taken up more hobbies while I was serving four Kings. Retirement does not serve me well.

I believe we are waiting on Stannis to decide whether or not Melisandre will stay in his service.

Yes, but does this mean that D4 begins at 5:01pm EDT on Friday, or does it begin on Tuesday?